Vyāsa-pūjā Offering to Our Beloved Gurudeva
By your aspiring servants, Harshika and Manvi (Merta City, Rajasthan)
Dear Śrīla Gurudeva,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this special occasion of your 76th Vyāsa-pūjā!
This is the first time we are writing to you, and our hearts are full of gratitude. Even though we are unqualified in so many ways, still, by your mercy, we have received blessings we never imagined.
Gurudeva, you are fearless in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness and never stop serving Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission even when facing physical challenges. Your dedication and kindness touch the hearts of so many. We feel very fortunate to have received even a small drop of your mercy.
It had always been our desire to see you in person. That desire was fulfilled by Vaishnavas mercy in October 2023, when we had your darśana for the first time at ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannath Dham, Bangalore. That moment is unforgettable for us.
Soon after that, we got the chance to visit Śrīdhāma Māyāpur in March 2024 during the Pañca Tattva Abhiṣeka. It was our first visit there, and it left a deep impact on our hearts. The most special moment came when we heard you speak in person from the rooftop of the Lotus Building. That evening changed something within us.
Until then, we had only seen you online. But by the kindness of your dear disciples His Grace Caitanya Avatari Prabhu and Her Grace Rasamayi Mataji, we were able to sit among the devotees and listen directly to Your Divine Grace. Our Māyāpur visit under their guidance was one of the most spiritually uplifting experiences of our lives.
When we visited Māyāpur again in June with our family, you were not present at the time. Still, we prayed to Śrī Pañca Tattva, Śrī Śrī Rādhā Mādhava, and Lord Narasiṁha to receive your darśana. On the second last day, we received the joyful news that you had returned. Once again, by the mercy of His Grace Caitanya Avatari Prabhu and Her Grace Rasamayi Mataji, we had your darśana on the rooftop.
It was around 9 p.m., and you lovingly spoke to devotees from Minneapolis and Rajasthan. You shared how dear the Deities of Rajasthan are to you—Govinda, Gopīnātha, Madana Mohana—and your personal connection to Śrīnāthjī in Nāthdwāra. You also spoke of your desire to see Kṛṣṇa consciousness spread across Rajasthan. Hearing that filled us with inspiration and gave us a sense of direction.
Gurudeva, even after receiving so much mercy, we are aware of our many shortcomings. We often struggle with our daily sādhana like chanting 16 rounds with sincerity and waking up for Maṅgala-ārati. We also find ourselves easily distracted by material things. But when we reflect on your life and how fully and joyfully you followed Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions with heart and soul, it gives us the strength to try again and again.
Your divine grace we seek your blessings to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness in our hometown, we feel inspired to serve in a very small possible way from our side, although we’re not qualified. With the association of devotees who often visit Merta, they help us and motivate us to do our Sadhna properly. Although many devotees here, including us, struggle with sādhana, your example gives us hope and determination to keep trying. We sincerely want to help bring the joy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to more hearts in Rajasthan and to play our small part in fulfilling Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision through your instructions.
Though we are full of faults, we take shelter of your compassion. We want to stay close to your lotus feet and continue on this path of bhakti. Please bless us to never give up, no matter how many times we fall.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for giving us a spiritual home, a spiritual family New Rajapur Jagannath Dham and a connection to Lord Kṛṣṇa. On this Vyāsa-pūjā day, we offer you our hearts with gratitude, surrender, and a sincere desire to serve you better each day.
Please keep us always at your lotus feet.
We will remain always indebted to you for your endless mercy.
Your aspiring servants,
Harshika and Manvi
Merta City, Rajasthan
(under the care of His Grace Caitanya Avatari Prabhu and Her Grace Rasamayi Mataji)