Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept my obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
It is explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.3.21) that if we wish to seriously achieve real happiness, we must approach a bona fide spiritual master:
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam
Therefore, any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.
You mentioned in your purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.12.3: “The student must approach a spiritual master and surrender unto him fully (praṇipātena).” So, that surrender process is not very easy. It takes great effort and a deep desire for attaining the perfection of surrender. Actually, it must be based on love. Once, a devotee was typing for you and it became mechanical. One day, you told him, “If you love me, I will love you.” So it is a matter of love that we are trying to develop for you, Śrīla Prabhupāda. If we serve you for some other purpose, the time will come when we will be diverted by some material thing. We are not meant to come to you for any material benefit, but to learn from you how to love Kṛṣṇa by serving Him. However, to do that, we need to learn how to love you first.
You, Śrīla Prabhupāda, are fully situated in transcendental knowledge, and unless we approach you, we will remain in ignorance. There is no question of your ability to deliver us from material existence through your instructions, which are clear and lead us step by step to Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda, we have this rare human form of life, and we need your loving guidance to make it successful. In so many lives, we failed to remember Kṛṣṇa at the time of death. But this time, we are holding tightly to your lotus feet, with the great hope that we will pass the test at the time of death, when all our devotional activities will be tested.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we submit ourselves to you and hope that you will accept us with all our imperfections, for it is only by your special causeless mercy that we can hope to understand the science of bhakti and thus raise ourselves to being accepted by Lord Kṛṣṇa.
On this very special day of your appearance, when we worship you as the representative of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, we ask you to continue showering your blessings on us so that we may serve you and please you.
Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!
Your servants at ISKCON Juhu
(written by Bhīma Dāsa)
Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances on the occasion of your 129th appearance day. All glories
to Your Divine Grace!
In a Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you beautifully explain that Kṛṣṇa is the
CSO, the Chief Sanctioning Officer, because nothing happens without His will. Even a blade of
grass doesn’t move without His sanction
Today’s corporate world is filled with CEOs, CIOs, CXOs, and buzzwords like “strategy” and
“servant leadership.” Yet true leadership, as shown by you, isn’t about titles but impact. Without
corporate backing you inspired a global movement (ISKCON) through selfless service, genuine
care, and unwavering dedication. Founded in 1966, ISKCON is presently the fastest-growing
spiritual movement, with over six hundred centers worldwide. And it continues to expand, estab-
lishing new temples, farm communities, and cultural centers each year. An example modern lead-
ers can learn from!
By fully surrendering to the order of your spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī
Ṭhākura, Kṛṣṇa empowered you to achieve the impossible: building a global spiritual movement
with zero investment. No venture capitalist can dream of launching even a small business without
seed capital, yet you established a billion-dollar spiritual empire, where followers work tirelessly
not for salary but out of love for Kṛṣṇa. This is the greatest success story the world has ever seen!
While organizations sell products for profit, Lord Caitanya’s followers like you distribute the
rarest treasure – love of God – freely. This divine gift, unattainable even by great yogis after life-
times of meditation, is given to all sincere souls without cost, purely out of compassion
You redefined success not as wealth, beauty, or power, but as striving to attain love for Kṛṣṇa.
No management consultant could ever offer such an extraordinary vision of true success! Your life
itself was the perfect demonstration of this divine way of life!
You exemplified extraordinary servant leadership by personally cooking prasādam, cleaning
floors, and tolerating all difficulties simply to fulfill Lord Caitanya’s vision of spreading Kṛṣṇa
consciousness to every town and village. This selfless service was your divine strategy to attract
conditioned souls to Kṛṣṇa, proving that true leadership is expressed through humility and love.
Another perfect example is the construction of your beloved Juhu temple, built purely by the
power of harināma and book distribution. This proves that Kṛṣṇa’s mission thrives on devotion
and preaching.
After countless debates, arguments, and struggles to secure the Juhu temple land, when your
opponents finally surrendered, you rejoiced, saying: “The fight was worth it!” Your determination
turned an impossible battle into a glorious victory for Kṛṣṇa!
After winning the Juhu land, a day came when all the food supplies ran out. You calmly
instructed Mr. Sethi to arrange khichdi prasādam for the devotees. And that very evening, as you
sat on the vyāsāsana, you spoke with unwavering determination, describing in detail how the
temple should be built: white marble, red-bricked towers, and a majestic altar for Śrī Śrī Rādhā-
Rasabihārī. Your unshakable faith and vision by which you fulfilled your promise to the Deities
remain truly phenomenal!
Your approach wasn’t based on corporate jargon but selfless service, deep wisdom, and an
unwavering commitment to your spiritual master’s mission. Unlike modern executives focused on
profit and market dominance, you distributed something priceless: love, devotion, and genuine
spiritual transformation. Your “strategy” wasn’t driven by analytics or shareholder value but by an
unshakable faith in Kṛṣṇa and the power of pure bhakti.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you led not for power but to uplift others, giving the world Kṛṣṇa con-
sciousness through love and care. Your legacy lives on at the Juhu temple through multiple initia-
tives like:
• Sunday Love Feasts: the program you initiated continues to grow and thrive.
• Youth outreach: we reach out to young people and support their spiritual growth alongside
their studies through the BACE setup. This year’s Tarang festival attracted 6,000 young
boys!
• Value education contests: ISKCON Juhu’s nonprofit initiative of hosting a Bhagavad-Gītā
open-book contest and rewarding students for their study.
• Japa stalls: we offer a pamphlet about chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra on beads, with a
take-home mahā-mantra card. An inquiry pamphlet also guides visitors on the Kṛṣṇa con-
scious lifestyle, benefiting many.
• Devotional gift stall: the gift shop carries a wide variety of devotional items, from pūjā
paraphernalia to clothes to aromatic incense sticks, of which the Rasabihārī variety is highly
sought after.
• Vegetarian cuisine: Govinda’s Restaurant, Govinda’s Bistro, and prasādam at the sweets stall
and bakery attract many. Visitors leave with cherished memories of Deity darshan, delicious
prasādam, and enriching experiences, drawing them back.
• Farm community: as an extension of our temple, Nilachal Vedic Village, in Talasari, Palghar,
promotes sustainability through its farm and goshala. We offer day tours, overnight stays,
and sell farm produce at our temple stall.
• Harināma and Shobha yātrās at Juhu Beach are held regularly.
• Grand festivals throughout the year – spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness just as you envisioned!
• Food-for-Life: you introduced Food-for-Life at the Juhu temple, where millions still receive
prasādam, nourishing body and soul!
• Bhaktilata Ladies Forum: empowering women to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness in their daily
lives.
• Life Membership program: the program you introduced in the 1970s still offers members
a chance to join ISKCON’s family, stay at temples, and attend spiritual programs. This
program continues to expand. Today, over 50,000 Life Members are part of our growing
community.
• Sri Rupa Manjari Institute: ladies from all walks of life are welcome to learn more about
ancient Vedic philosophy and culture.
• Bhaktivedanta Institute: started by you, the Bhaktivedanta Institute is attempting ground-
breaking work within the field of Consciousness Studies. The Institute’s research aims at
offering a new perspective on foundational problems in allied fields of modern science.
The Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rasabihārī temple, as envisioned by you, our beloved ācārya, has proved to be
more than just a place of worship; it’s a spiritual oasis for people seeking refuge from the material
world.
You perfectly embodied Bhagavad-gītā 2.41 – vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ – by staying resolute in
your mission. Your single-minded focus on spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness made the impossible
possible. Your unwavering determination was the key to your success. You fulfilled your promise
to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rasabihārī by building a marble palace for Their pleasure.
We pray to align our temple’s activities with your divine strategy, creating a win-win for all –
bringing true peace and auspiciousness to the entire world.
Thank you, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, the greatest Chief Strategy Officer the world has ever and
will ever see! Let your divine love and compassion continue to guide and uplift us all at your
office – ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai, home of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rasabihārī!
Please also accept this poem as an offering to you:
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
You are an embodiment of compassion, a messenger of love.
By your wisdom and teachings of the realm above,
You thwarted our miseries and delusions,
which clouded our vision.
You gave us the language of devotion,
Freely distributing experiences of higher emotions.
With a heartwarming smile and merciful glance,
You captured our heart, giving us the chance,
To utilize this lifetime in service of Kṛṣṇa,
Through the joyful means of arcana, vandana, and saṅkīrtana.
Thank you, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
For extricating us from the material roundabout!
Your servants at ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai
Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you gave everything that can spiritualize the world. Whoever sincerely follows
the path you set is worshiped and respected by everyone because they are dedicated to spread-
ing your instructions and teachings to every jīva in this world. All over the world, temples are
increasing, along with gurukulas, goshalas, varṇāśrama projects, book distribution, and prasādam
distribution. Your followers are getting great respect all over the world by dedicatedly working for
the ultimate benefit of the conditioned souls. Your teachings and conduct are the great inspiration
and strength of your followers. Your teachings are so potent that they can save humanity for the
next ten thousand years.
As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 2.86):
bhrama, pramāda, vipralipsā, karaṇāpāṭava
ārṣa-vijña-vākye nāhi doṣa ei saba
Mistakes, illusions, cheating, and defective perception do not occur in the sayings of
the authoritative sages.
Simply by following your instructions makes the lives of the condition souls successful. Out of
the many instructions you gave your followers, I want to thank you by meditating on two of them.
1. “My only desire for my disciples is that they chant Hare Krishna Mantra at least 16 rounds,
follow the rules and live in association of devotees then you will be happy and peaceful and not
disturbed.” (Letter to Bhavatāriṇī Devī Dāsī, April 3, 1974)
2. The world situation has completely deteriorated. The world’s current leaders are not quali-
fied to lead us. They are simply interested in their own selfish aggrandizement – how much they
can take advantage of their so-called leadership positions to maximize their own personal sense
gratification. Thus, if there is any hope for genuine peace and happiness on this planet, we must
have a new caliber of enlightened leaders who are fully dedicated to Kṛṣṇa, or God. The Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement is offering this training around the world, teaching how one can be
a pure devotee of God and utilize his leadership propensity to render the highest service to all
living beings on this planet, even to plants and animals. Let everyone take advantage of this
movement right now and make their lives successful.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, this world is full of challenges. It is even becoming difficult to maintain min-
imum services and sādhana in some parts of the globe. We need the rain of your mercy to follow
your instructions.
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for building such a glorious community where the whole world
can stay as one family. Your mercy is the only ray of hope in this world, which is an ocean of
faults.
Your insignificant servants of the servant,
The devotees at Kanhaiyadeśa yātrā
Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we offer our most humble and heartfelt obei-
sances at your divine lotus feet. You are one of the most intimate associates of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
tomāra milane bhāi ābāra se sukha pāi,
gocāraṇe ghuri dina bhora
kata vane chuṭāchuṭi, vane khāi luṭāpuṭi,
sei dina kabe habe mora
O dear friend, in Your company I will experience great joy once again. In the early
morning I will wander about the cowherd pastures and fields. Running and frolicking
in the many forests of Vraja, I will roll on the ground in spiritual ecstasy. Oh, when
will that day be mine? (“Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Kṛṣṇa,” onboard the ship Jaladuta,
September 13, 1965)
For all of us, you are the true ācārya, who has illuminated the world with the light of transcenden-
tal knowledge.
The catuḥ-ślokī Bhagavad-gītā (10.8–11) encapsulates the essence of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and
through your life’s example you demonstrated how these verses manifest in the world through
the actions of a pure devotee. Today, we meditate on your divine glories through the lens of these
four foundational verses.
Bhagavad-gītā 10.8: You revealed the Supreme Source and our supreme object of love
ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate
I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you gave us the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. In a world filled with
impersonalists, atheists, and speculative philosophers, you boldly declared the truth: Kṛṣṇa is
the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the extended title to the Kṛṣṇa book, you wrote, “The
Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Even during ISKCON’s incorporation, when others were
suggesting you use in the name of your new society “for God Consciousness,” you said, “No! It
should be ‘for Krishna Consciousness.’”
Born in India but far from spiritual life, we hardly cared about gods, and even if sometimes we
went to a temple, it was all confusion. Who was supreme? And do any of these deities have a role
in our lives?
In the purport to Bhagavad-gītā 10.8 you gave a number of references, meant to convince us
that Kṛṣṇa is both our source and our maintainer, and therefore our love should be directed
toward Him: He is the object of our love
“Yes. If we can understand … Just like if you are affectionate to your father, then you naturally
become affectionate to your brother. They are preaching universal brotherhood, but ‘Where is
the father, sir?’ ‘Oh, Father is missing.’ ‘Then where is the question of brotherhood?’ If you don’t
find your father, then how do you select your brother? These are the imperfectness. If you actually
want to do something for your brother in universal brotherhood, first of all establish your rela-
tionship with father which you have lost.” (Lecture, Bhagavad-gītā 5.17–25, Los Angeles, February
8, 1969)
Your simple conclusion is to love God, love all, because He is the origin of all of us. It is He who
is maintaining us. The Kaṭha Upaniṣad (2.2.13) states:
nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām
eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān
It gives so much peace to the heart that at the top is a very sweet, compassionate personality
who is always loving us and caring for us. He is our real suhṛt, our most intimate friend. Śrīla
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura states in this regard that Kṛṣṇa operates bhakti through His pure
devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are the perfect example of this.
iti matvā bhajante māṁ
budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ
The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me
with all their hearts.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, in this regard your own devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa is unparalleled.
pragāḍha-premera ei svabhāva-ācāra
nija-duḥkha-vighnādira nā kare vicāra
This is the natural result of intense love of Godhead. The devotee does not consider
personal inconveniences or impediments. In all circumstances he wants to serve the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 4.186)
In 1965, at the age of 69, you boarded the Jaladuta alone, suffering sea sickness and vomiting and
later two heart attacks at sea, simply to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is possible only out of
intense love for guru and Kṛṣṇa: “The symptom, the prime symptom, most important symptom
of love is that the devotee wants to see that his Lord’s name, fame, etc., become widespread. He
wants to see that ‘My Lord’s name be known everywhere.’ This is love. If I love somebody, I want
to see that his glories are spread all over the world.” (Lecture, New Vrindaban, September 5, 1972)
For us, apart from your own example of devotion, you gave us direct instructions in the pur-
port to this verse 8 from the Gītā’s tenth chapter:
• Redirection of head (budha): “One who understands Kṛṣṇa in such a way from a bona fide
spiritual master, with references from Vedic literature, engages all his energy in Kṛṣṇa con-
sciousness.… A Kṛṣṇa conscious person should not be bewildered by fools; he should avoid
all unauthorized commentaries and interpretations on the Bhagavad-gītā.
• Redirection of heart (bhāva): “[P]roceed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness with determination and
firmness.”
Bhagavad-gītā 10.9: You united devotees in loving service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, giving us the real joy and satisfac-
tion to life.
mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to Me, and
they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about
Me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you transformed scattered, lost individuals (hippies) into a worldwide spiritual
family, where devotees constantly discuss kṛṣṇa-kathā and serve Him together. You made a house
in which the whole world can live.
The messages of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam were your secret weapon to fight
against Māyā.
bhāgavater kathā se taba avatār dhīra haiyā śune jadi kāne bār bār
The words of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are Your incarnation, and if a sober person repeat-
edly receives it with submissive aural reception, then he will be able to understand
Your message.
In 1966, at 26 Second Avenue in New York City, you personally guided the first devotees, engag-
ing them in kīrtana, kṛṣṇa-kathā, and prasādam distribution. The simple yet powerful life you gave
the devotees united their hearts and focused them on Kṛṣṇa through you. When we see the pic-
tures of devotees from that time, their faces are lit with beautiful smiles and so much joy.
You introduced the morning program with daily Bhāgavatam classes, Bhagavad-gītā classes, and
harināma-saṅkīrtana on the streets, ensuring that devotees would always remain engaged in glo-
rifying Kṛṣṇa. You showed by your own example that we should always be engaged in glorifying
Kṛṣṇa.
Read Kṛṣṇa book regularly. Why these books are written? Only for selling? Taking
statistics, “How many books you have sold?” You learn, read. Always read, twenty-four
hours. As soon as you get time, read. I do that. I do that. Reading, writing or chant-
ing. But when there is no other way, you sleep little. Not to enjoy sleep, but because it
is not possible to continue, all right, sleep one hour, two hour, three hour, four hour,
five hour. Not more than that. (Lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.9.1–8, Tokyo, April 25,
1972)
You always made Kṛṣṇa the center of every conversation; you inspired devotees to discuss Kṛṣṇa
at every moment. Whether in temple halls, street harināmas, or press interviews, you always
brought the discussion back to Kṛṣṇa. Even during casual morning walks you engaged devotees
in profound discussions on Kṛṣṇa consciousness, answering every philosophical question with
scriptural evidence.
Bhagavad-gītā 10.10: You gave us the divine intelligence to choose Kṛṣṇa over Māyā.
teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te
To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding
by which they can come to Me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your books provided millions with spiritual intelligence, awakening them to
Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Home to home, place to place, man to man, this literature must go there. If he … If
one takes one book, at least one day he’ll read it: “Let me see what is this book I have
purchased the other day.” And if he reads one line his life will be successful, if he reads
one line only, carefully. This is such literature. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gītā 16.9, Hawaii,
February 5, 1975)
Example: Many devotees, such as His Holiness Bhakti Tīrtha Swami Mahārāja and His Holiness
Jayādvaita Swami Mahārāja, were transformed simply by reading your books, realizing that Kṛṣṇa
consciousness was the ultimate goal of life. Your books leave no doubt that we should make the
spiritual world the goal of our lives. Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for giving us a real goal of life.
“The ultimate goal of progress is Kṛṣṇa. People do not know this; therefore the association
of devotees and a bona fide spiritual master are important. One should know that the goal is
Kṛṣṇa, and when the goal is assigned, then the path is slowly but progressively traversed, and the
ultimate goal is achieved.” (Bhagavad-gītā 10.10, purport)
Bhagavad-gītā 10.11: You removed our ignorance.
teṣām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ
nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā
To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp
of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, in this Age of Kali, where the darkness of ignorance is everywhere, you showed
us Vaikuṇṭha living – simple living and high thinking. Dhoti, kurta, sari, and tilaka, kaṇṭhi-mālā
and a beadbag in hand – your devotees look just like Vaikuṇṭha men and women.
With the shining lamp of knowledge, you destroyed our misconceptions about what is right
and what is wrong. What we perceived as normal in a life of intoxication, meat eating, gambling,
and illicit relationships, you showed as a sinful life. It was your great compassion on us that you
spent sleepless nights under lamplight translating your books in order to show us the lamp of a
true life of devotion and joy.
Even in Soviet Russia, where there was the dense darkness of having no clue about God con-
sciousness, those who read your books secretly developed unshakable faith in Kṛṣṇa, proving that
your knowledge continues to enlighten souls.
Your glories, Śrīla Prabhupāda, are unlimited. It is impossible for conditioned souls to even
begin to describe the unlimited glories of a pure devotee.
Here, at ISKCON Kanpur, by your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are trying to assist you in
your service to your spiritual master. Preaching has been growing steadily. Youth preaching,
preaching to children, congregational preaching, and preaching on campuses are all increasing
under the direction of your beloved disciples. Recently, we held a youth camp with over 250
students attending, chanting sixteen rounds. The temple is vibrant with energized morning and
evening programs and many visitors coming. Deities, kīrtanas, devotees, prasādam, and festivals
are special attractions for all. Recently, we held a Holi Milan festival with over 40,000 people
hearing and chanting the holy names. It was the biggest in the history of Kanpur. Book distribu-
tion has reached a new height by the hard endeavors of all the devotees – 1.08 lakhs of books
distributed. ISKCON Kanpur won sixth place worldwide in book distribution. The congregation
team is trying to develop a Kṛṣṇa conscious school. Many devotees are dedicating their full time
to serving your mission. Kanpur has always been an important center for you. We seek your kind
blessings so that we may eternally assist you in your service. We pray that we may become humble
instruments of compassion in the hands of our superiors in service to you.
Our prayer at your lotus feet: Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, you perfectly embodied the teachings of
the Bhagavad-gītā. On this Vyāsa-pūjā day, we humbly pray for your mercy so that we may serve
you sincerely. May we always engage in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as you so tirelessly did.
May we always remain faithful to your teachings, submissive to your beloved disciples, and carry
forward your mission with determination.
Your humble servants,
Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava’s family at ISKCON Kanpur
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Śrīla Prabhupāda, The Power of Actual Hearing
(He Heard, He Obeyed, and He Transformed the World)
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the crest jewel of all scriptures and vaiṣṇavānāṁ priyam, emphatically proclaims the power of actual hearing. Actual hearing means hearing with a desire to follow at any cost. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.17) states:
naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.
Once transcendental sound enters the heart, it cleans the heart of all dirty things and makes the Lord appear in the heart. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.8.4–5) states:
śṛṇvataḥ śraddhayā nityaṁ gṛṇataś ca sva-ceṣṭitam
kālena nātidīrgheṇa bhagavān viśate hṛdi
praviṣṭaḥ karṇa-randhreṇa svānāṁ bhāva-saroruham
dhunoti śamalaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ salilasya yathā śarat
Persons who hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regularly and are always taking the matter very seriously will have the Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa manifested in their hearts within a short time. [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,] the sound incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul, enters into the heart of a self-realized devotee, sits on the lotus flower of his loving relationship, and thus cleanses the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering. Thus it acts like autumnal rains upon pools of muddy water.
We have many examples of powerful hearing in developing love of Godhead in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: Mother Rukmiṇī heard from Nārada Muni; the brāhmaṇa patnīs heard from the gopīs; Prahlāda Mahārāja heard in the womb from Nārada Muni. And therefore great devotees pray only to hear kṛṣṇa-kathā in the association of devotees. For example, Pṛthu Mahārāja states in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.20.24,
na kāmaye nātha tad apy ahaṁ kvacin
na yatra yuṣmac-caraṇāmbujāsavaḥ
mahattamāntar-hṛdayān mukha-cyuto
vidhatsva karṇāyutam eṣa me varaḥ
My dear Lord, I therefore do not wish to have the benediction of merging into Your existence, a benediction in which there is no existence of the nectarean beverage of Your lotus feet. I want the benediction of at least one million ears, for thus I may be able to hear about the glories of Your lotus feet from the mouths of Your pure devotees.
Among all the transcendental messages, the instructions of the spiritual master are most powerful. As Śrīla Prabhupāda repeats the commentary of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura on Bhagavad-gītā 2.41, one should make the instructions of the spiritual master one’s life and soul.
He heard … Our dear Śrīla Prabhupāda is teaching us to hear in this way by his personal example. It was 1922 when Śrīla Prabhupāda received the seeds of transcendental instruction from his eternal spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, that were to grow into the whole tree called ISKCON: “You are educated young men. Why don’t you preach Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s message throughout the whole world?” Many were listening, but he heard.
Again, on the banks of Rādhā-kuṇḍa, his spiritual master told him that if you ever get money, print books. Again, many were listening, but he heard.
On the last day of the parikramā it was announced that devotees could either go for darshan of Śeṣaśāyī Viṣṇu, or they could remain in camp and hear from Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Although Śrīla Prabhupāda admitted that it was tough to understand his guru’s words, he loved to hear him speak. Later, when Abhay was put forward for initiation, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said, “Yes, he likes to hear. He does not go away. I have marked him. I will accept him as my disciple.”
In his final letter to his spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda asked him, “Is there any particular service I can do?” Śrīla Prabhupāda received the same instruction he had been meditating on since 1922: “I am fully confident that you can explain in English our thoughts and arguments to the people who are not conversant with the languages of the other members. This will do much good to yourself as well as your audience. I have every hope that you can turn yourself into a very good English preacher if you serve the mission to inculcate the novel impression of Lord Chaitanya’s teachings in the people in general as well as philosophers and religionists.” (Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta, chapter 4). Many were listening, but he heard.
He obeyed … After the departure of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura in 1936, the Gauḍīya Math disintegrated. Śrīla Prabhupāda tried to encourage his godbrothers to keep Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s desire to preach in the center, but it couldn’t happen. Others fought, but he obeyed.
Now it was completely on his shoulder to obey and follow the desire and instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura and preach all over the world. Everyone thought they were right, but he obeyed.
Śrīla Prabhupāda began preparing his manuscript for the Bhagavad-gītā, but it was lost. Yet he wasn’t disappointed, wasn’t discouraged. Undeterred, he started Back to Godhead magazine, even though he had no funds for printing it. He sought support from his godbrothers, but received little encouragement. Still, he pressed on. He then went to Jhansi and founded the League of Devotees, striving to establish Lord Caitanya’s mission. However, circumstances forced him to leave, and financial difficulties made printing increasingly challenging. Despite repeated obstacles, his determination to serve his spiritual master never wavered. Others stepped back, but he obeyed his spiritual master and carried on.
Finally, in 1965, he decided to give a final try to wholeheartedly obeying his spiritual master’s instruction to go to the West and preach the cult of Caitanya Mahāprabhu in the English language. After great struggle he got a ticket to America aboard a cargo ship with the help of Sumati Morarji. Despite seasickness and then two heart attacks, he arrived in the United States. Everyone else looked on while he obeyed.
He transformed the world … After arriving in America, his struggle intensified. He had no help, the winter was freezing cold, he had no money, no fixed residence, and was living for some time with a Māyāvādī. Later, someone broke into his room and stole his typewriter. All of this, and he was facing old age. At least in India he knew how to function and people respected sādhus. He had been living in Vrindavan at the Rādhā-Dāmodara temple, but in America he was externally alone. Internally, of course, he had full faith in the instructions of his spiritual master and the power of his words and desires. As he wrote in his famous poem aboard the Jaladuta:
śrī-siddhānta saraswatī śacī-suta priya ati
kṛṣṇa-sebāya jāra tula nāi
sei se mohānta-guru jagater madhe uru
kṛṣṇa-bhakti dey ṭhāi ṭhāi
tāra icchā balavān pāścātyete ṭhān ṭhān
hoy jāte gaurāńger nām
pṛthivīte nagarādi āsamudra nada nadī
sakalei loy kṛṣṇa nām
Miracles began to happen on Second Avenue. There were many other yogis and swamis in America, and they also spoke, but Śrīla Prabhupāda was different. Others spoke to people’s heads, but he transformed the heart.
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s love for and care of the hippies transformed them into “happies.” He gradually began to organize big Ratha-yātrās in all the major cities of the world. He established 108 ISKCON temples around the world. He traveled the globe fourteen times. Wherever he went, his compassion transformed the hearts of millions of people and drew them to love and serve Kṛṣṇa. His Bhaktivedanta purports transformed men and women into gentlemen and gentlewomen. His words are still transforming generations of hearers. While others spoke, he transformed us and made us love Kṛṣṇa and become dear to Him.
O most merciful Śrīla Prabhupāda, our eternal guide and ever well-wisher, today we bow at your lotus feet with a simple prayer born from our hearts. You taught us that real life begins when we learn to follow not our whims or our restless minds but the pure instructions descending from guru and Kṛṣṇa.
In a world that glorifies independence, you showed the beauty of surrender. In an age of confusion, you gave the clarity of obedience. To obey you is not a burden but our greatest fortune, our only shelter, our path back home, back to Godhead.
Yet, O Prabhupāda, we admit with humility that our obedience is often weak and mixed with hesitation, distraction, and pride. We hear but do not always follow. We promise but do not always act. Still, your compassion is causeless. You do not reject us; rather, you patiently guide us again and again.
Please bless us with the strength to accept your words as our very life and soul. Let us not interpret, dilute, or delay, but hear attentively and obey with faith, simplicity, and determination to be transformed. May we remember: perfection is not in great ability but in sincere obedience.
Your insignificant servants, who are trying to follow,
The devotees at ISKCON Kanpur
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Although my connection to you started in 1989, of late I am realizing it to be from previous lives, and I want it to be eternal. I am ambitious and passionate, but through your connection I have received proper direction to proceed.
We devotees at ISKCON Kanyakumari humbly seek your mercy, blessings, and that you please forgive our mistakes, protect us from deviations, direct us toward devotion, instruct us to keep away from māyā, and inspire us to fulfill Lord Caitanya’s plan.
Kanyakumari district is very unique in that there are five places here that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited, as mentioned in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. We are fortunate to be here and also preaching in four places.
At ISKCON Kanyakumari, this year we are inaugurating your memorial – a dedicated area of 1,000 square feet – where we want to introduce you to all the visitors first and tell them about your glorious activities.
We in the ISKCON Kanyakumari district have big plans, as per your desire and remembering your words: “Shoot for the rhinoceros.”
We in the ISKCON Kanyakumari district have a great desire to turn 1 percent of the population to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, following your statement that if 1 percent of the population becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, the whole world will become peaceful.
We in the ISKCON Kanyakumari district have a great desire to reach every town and village to fulfill your statement, “Because he wanted me to do it.” We have weekly gatherings at nine different places.
We are willing to become instrumental in what you want us to do. Kindly make us better instruments in the hands of the guru-paramparā.
Though incapable, though sometimes I think, “Have we gone mad?” – we desire to do more and more in your service. By your mercy, many magical things are happening, and still more will happen. Ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana …
Your servant,
Vikrama Govinda Dāsa
And the devotees at ISKCON Kanyakumari
