Hare Kṛṣṇa Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Dear Guru Mahārāja, ten years ago you gave me rebirth by initiating me with the chanting of sixteen rounds of the holy name and following the four regulative principles. That day is—and will always be—the most important day in my life, as you accepted me into your ship to cross the ocean of nescience.
I am too fallen and unworthy to speak of you—what to speak of writing a homage for you—however, due to your causeless mercy, I am writing this short homage for you, Guru Mahārāja.
There is no word in this material language which could ever describe your glories, Gurudeva. Your sacrifice for your children surpasses that of millions of mothers during pregnancy, delivery, and child-rearing. How can I ever describe or imagine all that you have done for us and given to us throughout your life?
At the tender age of twenty-one, when most of your friends were either hippies or students in a material college, you joined Kṛṣṇa’s army and took up the renounced order of life from your Guru Mahārāja, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, by carefully following and executing each of his instructions to you.
Śrīla Prabhupāda has mentioned that you are a direct associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at the home of HG Śrīnathajī Prabhu, but out of humility, you have never once mentioned a word about it to anyone—until HG Śrīnathajī Prabhu himself disclosed this statement publicly.
Never once have I ever seen or heard of you going against your spiritual master's order or failing to fulfil your sannyāsa vows. Yet you mercifully deliver every single living entity by giving them shelter to go back to Godhead, regardless of their qualification.
Every day, Gurudeva, you submit prayers to the Lord for all of your disciples, well-wishers, and many others from your prayer book list. Yet you never once selfishly considered ceasing the prayers to focus on yourself, despite your deteriorating health condition.
How could I ever repay you for your countless sacrifices, prayers, blessings, and guidance?
Oh Gurudeva! All I can do is offer my body, mind, and soul in your service to please your Guru Mahārāja, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Kindly bless this most fallen soul, who has been living like a parasite on you, to somehow become useful in your spiritual mission.
Last year, on 17th May 2024, I lost my mother to breast cancer. It was a very humbling experience to have the opportunity to care for her till her last breath. She used to be very helpful in my service toward my Deities and had been to the temple many times in her lifetime. She used to chant one round and more when she was well, and she left her body while listening to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s chanting. Kindly bless her soul, Guru Mahārāja.
With folded hands and kneeling on my knees, I beg you for forgiveness for any aparādha done knowingly or unknowingly. All I want is to be engaged in your service eternally. I love you very much, Appa. By your blessings and mercy, I hope to be worthy of your service and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission someday.
Jaya Gurudeva!
Thank you so much, Guru Mahārāja.
Happy 76th Vyāsa Pūjā Day, dearest Appa!
Your most fallen daughter,
Tāruṇī Rādhā Devī Dāsī