I heard the name of Jayapatākā Swami Before I ever came to India.
That mention of his name brought forth mental pictures of India;
And he seemed to be the epitome of the 'experienced devotee’.
Indeed, he was practically the first
Of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples to preach there.
He developed Śrīdhāma Māyāpur first, and,
With his straw hat, worked the earth, planted the first seeds,
And harvested the first fruits.
That’s not an ordinary thing!
Śrīdhāma Māyāpur is not an ordinary place!
Lord Caitanya was watching
And instilled in him an immovable
Dedication.
Thus, in the spiritual Cintāmaṇi Dhāma of Gauḍadeśa,
Śrīla Ācāryapāda nourished his devotion and in turn,
Sustains and nourishes the devotion of others.
Such totality of faith in the predecessor Ācāryas evoked in him
A great energy and capacity to render devotional service.
Planting, harvesting, building expanding, protecting, glorifying and having anxiety about,
The Holiest of all Dhāmas in this age, Śrī Gaurakṣetra, non-different From Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Thus Śrīla Ācāryapāda serves the Lord and the disciplic succession.
As his supreme master,
Is familiar with the dhāma as his supreme friend,
Is concerned with the future of Māyāpur
As a responsible parent,
And is truly the lover of devotional service to Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi.
He speaks of nothing else
but the glories of Śrī Pañca-tattva, therefore,
He is worthy of all glories himself.
All Glories to Śrīla Ācāryapāda!
Satadhanya Swami