Hare Kṛṣṇa, Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances on this auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to your divine self. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Wishing you a very Happy Vyāsa-pūjā 2025.
Guru Mahārāja, this year I am inspired to write about a few of the many divine qualities you exemplify. Yes Gurudeva, it’s about your patience and tolerance. From the time I saw you, you have been exemplifying those qualities and continue to do so till today.
From memory, I think it was 2007–2008. You were in ISKCON Sydney temple. There was pin-drop silence in the temple hall. For me it was like never before that I had seen a temple so quiet. You came inside with your big daṇḍa and paid obeisances, then everyone offered their respects. You started the kīrtana with big whompers in your own unique style—the whole temple roared in excitement with your kīrtana. And when you finished, you stated that you had two videos to show, and we could choose from one of them. We chose to see the video which showed the places you had travelled. You patiently showed us and explained the places you had travelled and the styles of kīrtana they perform, etc. We had a great experience! Then you started handing out the walnut cookies—big ones. Since we were hungry for your mercy, we had come for seconds, and you noticed that and identified that we were coming for seconds. You made sure we all got our cookies. You would tolerate long queues of people waiting to get your mercy.
You have the tolerance to listen to so many devotees who come to see you from all over the world, wherever you go. Be it in Māyāpur—even till today—day in and day out people always line up to see you, to get blessings, to meet you, even before you go to do dialysis or come to your classes to listen to your lectures. You never fail to ask how we all are doing. If we mention our problems, then you provide a solution and direct us to such and such devotees. More often you would ask us, “Do you have any questions?” Ideally, it should be the other way around, where we come to you with questions and you answer them. But you have always encouraged us to ask.
It didn’t matter whatever the situation was. In 2010, when you were in Sydney, you had a leg infection, and while you were meeting devotees, you had so much pain. But after resting for a while, you would come out, speak to devotees, and address each one of us. You always showed your warmth and affection to all who had come to see you, even those who are not your disciples. You are a true leader who inspires all of us by your example.
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Be it in visiting temples and taking darśana of Deities wherever you are,
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In completing your rounds even when you’re sick,
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In taking care of devotees in whatever situation it might be,
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In attending important meetings,
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In scoring in book distribution,
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In congregational building,
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In inspiring leaders to build temples all over the world,
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In writing poems and glorifying devotees,
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In writing books even when you have to take some rest,
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In giving lectures to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
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In making sure the devotees are well fed while visiting dhāmas or when they come to visit you,
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In making sure your disciples follow Bhīṣma-pañcaka or Cāturmāsya,
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In taking devotees for safaris,
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In travelling all over the world to show your love and care to all,
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In resolving conflicts and issues between devotees,
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In saving money while you travel and while constructing temples,
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In sharing gifts with people who come to see you or take care of you,
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In showing you are not the body and you identify yourself as a soul,
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Being respectful to everyone, even to some challenging people,
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Being merciful and kind to everyone,
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Being encouraging to everyone who wants to follow the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
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Being a recipient of devotees’ love and care,
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Be it in giving up your sleep while on travels,
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In giving up all your comforts,
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In empowering souls to be like you and preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
All these things you do, Gurudeva, would need so much patience, tolerance, perseverance, humility, courage, broadmindedness, and compassion. People said you had tripled or quadrupled your meetings, engagements, preaching activities and travels when you were sick. What to speak of the number of surgeries and treatments you are going through.
“Through pain and diseases of the material world your mercy shines through, enlightening the darkness of Kali-yuga.”
—Dipti, your spiritual granddaughter
“No matter how many obstacles come, you have always tried to give classes every day.”
—Loka, your spiritual granddaughter
“You are the prime example of how a devotee reacts in a spiritual way, even when one has to go through so many physical discomforts.”
—Nityānanda-prāṇa dāsa, my husband and disciple of His Holiness Janānanda Gosvāmī Mahārāja
You know Gurudeva, when I went for small surgeries in 2010 and 2013, I was a very fearful person. I used to think of you before the surgery. Not just before surgeries—Gurudeva. Even to read a sentence aloud in public, I remember you. Because when there is someone who has faced so much and survived all odds, it gives us great courage to face life with confidence. You are an Inspirer! An Encourager! A Missionary! A true successor of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Love to have your association, be it in vāṇī or vāpu! Please take enough rest, and we are happy to come and see you in person and witness your achievements in Māyāpur. So, we request you not to worry about visiting Australia now, but when you get better, do come to Sydney first.
Your spiritual daughter,
Vraja Vinodā dāsī
Dīkṣā Disciple
Sydney, Australia