Homages Non-GBC Sannyasis, VP2025
Most dear, revered Śrīla Prabhupāda,
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
Fifty years ago, on Janmāṣṭamī, you formally accepted me as your disciple. I have made many mis-
takes in my life, but taking shelter at your lotus feet was one thing I did right for sure. Everything
else I did before that was all a mistake, one after another. Even after formally coming to your
shelter, I continue to make mistakes, moment after moment, by not fully applying myself to your
instructions.
But you already know of my weaknesses and struggles, and you like to hear good news, so I
hope you will be pleased to know that in the last year I published The Mood and Mission of Śrīla
Prabhupāda, which I hope will be a significant contribution to your mission, now and into the
future. I also partook in the installation of splendorously beautiful Śrī Gaura Rādhā-Vallabha
in your temple in Bhopal, run by my disciples, in a ceremony expertly conducted by members
of the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry. I also completed, in 670 lectures, a series of talks on
Viṣṇu-sahasra-nāma. Even though my recorded lectures are deliberately nonpopulistic and aim to
transparently convey the message you gave “as it is,” they are reaching an ever-increasing audience
of mostly serious listeners.
I can be sure that the farm projects and book distribution I oversee are pleasing to you,
because you repeatedly stressed the importance of these programs.
Construction of a magnificent stone temple in Salem, Tamil Nadu, is nearing completion, and
we envision opening it next year, if Kṛṣṇa permits. Already a community of around one hundred
families live close by.
My disciples are heading three saṅkīrtana padayātrās: in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and a tribal area
of Maharashtra.
I pray these endeavors may bring you some satisfaction.
On behalf of the devotees who are working hard to push these programs, I offer you these
efforts, in a mood of grateful service, as contributions within the worldwide propagation of Kṛṣṇa
consciousness that you inaugurated.
The previous year has seen more ups and downs in my life and in projects I oversee in your ser-
vice; some progress amid inevitable struggles and challenges, all on the background of my peren-
nial anxiety about the ongoing state of your movement.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, in your personal presence, your followers were united and animated by your
prediction that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement would save the world in its darkest hour. The
world has become unimaginably darker since then, but your books, instructions, movement, and
vision can still save it.
In my Vyāsa-pūjā offering to you last year, I quoted:
Book distribution and farms: these are our solid programs. They can change the whole
world. The whole foundation of animal civilization can be destroyed.*
If these farms become successful then the whole world will be enveloped by Kṛṣṇa
consciousness.*
I then stated: “If we, your followers, take these words to heart (guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete
kariyā aikya, āra nā kariha mane āśā), the world will change, people will experience the benefits of
your wisdom, and automatically, rightfully, the whole world will glorify you.”
Your books and instructions are still there, but your movement is not very united, and its
members have largely forgotten your vision for saving the world. Book distribution is going on,
but I am distraught, considering how much more we as a movement could have done had we not
jettisoned your instructions regarding farms and varṇāśrama-dharma. We could have been a major
world force in alternative living, with thousands, if not millions, on your farms. At least we could
have saved so many good souls who came to Kṛṣṇa consciousness but then left or severely slack-
ened their practices because we have no arrangement for them to live a decent family life.
But it can still be done. I am simply praying that The Mood and Mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda can
be instrumental in waking up your followers to the legacy you bequeathed them and their respon-
sibility to fulfill it. That would be the most important service I have offered you so far.
May my words and actions ever be faithful and pleasing to you.
Aspiring to eternally remain,
Your servant,
Bhakti Vikāsa Swami
* TKG’s Diary, August 9, 1977.
Homages Non-GBC Sannyasis, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my respectful obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine
Grace and your unimaginably fabulous contributions to conditioned souls of this world, for their
true welfare and progress, for all times to come.
While I write this, wars and terrorism are tearing through several places in the world and also
looming over India and its belligerent neighboring nations. School kids below ten years of age
are becoming drug addicts and shocking their parents and society, right here in Kerala. Watch-
ing the world go through various challenges from the social, political, and religious angles, it’s
becoming increasingly clear that the solutions in your books, lectures, and conversations are the
only way to go – they are the most practical and sustainable model. But many don’t like to hear
this, as they lump us in as religious dogmatic and fanatic blind followers who have no place in the
world of free speech and rational seekers of the truth. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is far from being only
a religion, especially in terms of the definition of religion evolved within the history of the Western
world of aggressive evangelism and colonization of the world, using religion as a mere tool. You
presented it in such a unique fashion.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, in one of my Q&A sessions at a program, I was challenged about faith-based
Kṛṣṇa consciousness pitted against reason-based rationality and modern science. I realized while
I answered that it’s only Kṛṣṇa consciousness that has a wholistic, all-round, solution to all ques-
tions of humanity on life, living and the truth, well connected, conscious, personal, relational
and pulsating with reality. Other philosophers and scientists have flashes or patches of a solution,
which remain in waiting for someone to connect the dots, and make sense of the whole picture.
Your bold proposition to the whole world of thinkers, leaders and the like about leadership and
governance based on a Kṛṣṇa Conscious solution is no ordinary relative alternative, but the abso-
lute truth applied successfully in the world of relativities.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, as the world plunges forward, lead by such personalities, there is increased
challenges to our presentation of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness and we need to hone and tweak our
outreach detail, often, without affecting the principles you taught us. These moments create dif-
ferences among devotees due to different perceptions according to cultures of the land and the
individuals themselves. There is a tussle between recognising a principle and a detail. There is
thus groupism and rifts. All are sincere souls eager to serve you and expand your mission, but it
is painful to see these differences leading to misunderstandings. But then you also told us not to
expect utopia and consider personalities who are independently thoughtful. That sure needs a lot
of spiritual maturity, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and you were full of it.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are an advanced visionary who told us that you have set principles for
the next 10,000 years in your books. You also told us to read it again and again when we do not
understand, and we will then be able to understand soon. I wish and pray to you that you bless all
your sincere followers with the understanding most relevant for the times from your books, so we
can go forward in the true spirit of saṅkīrtana, tolerating, chanting carefully and serving with the
best of intentions.
Devotees at ISKCON West Tamil Nadu and Kerala are endeavoring to satisfy you through
book distribution, outreach, festivals, projects, etc. I pray for your mercy on all of them, for their
sincere following of your instructions and endeavoring to expand your mission against all odds.
At Coimbatore a massive ambitious project of nearly 200,000 square feet is getting ready albeit
slowly. Many devotees have put their shoulder to the wheel of the project, making sacrifices and
enduring austerities to see this offering for Your Divine Grace become a reality.
At Guruvayur, Kerala, we have battled court cases for many years and have now cleared the
air for a very interesting project to trumpet the mission of Lord Caitanya amidst followers of
Śaṅkarācārya, communists and a highly literate and intelligent populace.
There are other projects in several places being carried out by sincere devotees to expand your
mission of Lord Caitanya’s teachings and messages.
Almost all of your books have been published under the Kerala BBT and are being actively dis-
tributed, making their way into the libraries of the best of institutions and homes, as well as given
to scholars and thought leaders. The influence is ground breaking.
I humbly beg of your Divine Grace’s blessings on all these devotees and the projects for a suc-
cessful completion and expansion of your mission in these areas of my responsibility.
I have increasingly understood from the Bhaktivedanta purports that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness
movement bears the most important message for humanity for all times to come and there is an
urgent need to propagate this message all over the world. You have championed this cause and
have shown us the way. May we never deviate and continue to enthusiastically contribute to your
mission and thus help you save conditioned souls from their miserable plight.
Oṁ tat sat. Begging again at your lotus feet, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for your divine grace.
Your lowly servant,
Bhakti Vinoda Swami
Homages Non-GBC Sannyasis, VP2026
Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my respectfully humble obeisances at your lotus feet, Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Your Divine Grace! All glories to all those who try to follow your instructions strictly and keep the grand legacy you bequeathed to us intact.
You Said It!
Its wartime, Śrīla Prabhupāda. You predicted it would come, and it has. The root cause is fake religion, kaitava-dharma. The Jews, Christians, and Muslims who are at war on muddled historical events, fueling hate, are killing one another for puerile reasons, having no value for human life. It is a religious war, no doubt.
A God-centered society is hence indispensable for humankind to march forward toward the goal of life in security, happiness, and a mood of service and sharing. But they will deny it.
It’s election time in India. All the politicians have been busy seeking votes on the basis of religion or religious hatred fueled by instances and events. They will stoop to an all-time low to fetch votes. It’s religion again. It’s pathetic. India and Hinduism is no different, it seems, as we grapple with colonial hangovers.
People are highly stressed, insecure, and confused under these leaders. Countries lack the political, social, and economic will to have a reasonable dialogue to solve issues as they have zero spirituality in their leadership. Its mayhem and more, unleashed by Kali. Again, you said it.
Against this background, I understand how purposeful and meaningful is your mission, Śrīla Prabhupāda. What a great philosopher, visionary, and practical leader you are, while not even mentioning your pure devotion to guru and Kṛṣṇa! You again said it: “In the future they will talk about how I came to change the course of humanity in its dark hour.”
We know we have the solution to the problem as clear as crystal, but we also know we have a long way to go to implement it. The world so much needs the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement – like never before. The greatest impediment glaring at us is from inside of ourselves and inside your own ISKCON society. It’s the insides! Again, you said it: “Our movement cannot be destroyed from the outside, but can be definitely destroyed, from the inside.”
We Should Do It!
Do we also lack intelligence and the organizational will needed to solve our issues and push forward? Is subtle, personal ambition standing in the way of our elite Vaiṣṇava leadership? Is cooperation lacking utterly? Such thoughts and more often assail my mind and intelligence, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
I love your movement, the devotees, and the great opportunities it provides for sharing Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the confused world. You worked so hard to give this to us amidst myriad challenges. We cannot let this go, without using our collective intelligence and organizational skills laid at the altar of sacrifice to please you, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Genuine Vaiṣṇava collegiality, heartfelt dialogues, and a willingness to go the extra mile in understanding and implementing your vision is a burning need if we wish to take your mission forward, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I beseech you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, to bestow clear intelligence and organizational will on all of us who sincerely want to take this movement forward maturely and help you solve the world’s problems through your special vehicle, ISKCON.
From my side, in my area of responsibility, many amazing opportunities our devotees have worked with for many years are reaching fruition. Devotees have acquired precious properties in many towns and cities for ISKCON. These will serve as bases for preaching strategically. More youngsters are able to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness, being attracted to kirtan and prasādam, initially. Kindly bless all these sincere devotees who distribute your books, educate from your books, read and understand your books, and cherish pure devotional service with the yearning and hope that they will achieve pure kṛṣṇa-prema soon!
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for everything precious you gave us, and bless us to use it intelligently and cooperatively progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Your servant,
Bhakti Vinoda Swami
Homages Non-GBC Sannyasis, 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
I was there in the crowd in Atlanta
You were everything to us
There was that walk in the park
I tried to catch any word of yours
But I just did not succeed
Your assistants surrounded you
It was not at all audible
And I was a shy guy
In Detroit you were very happy
The Fisher Mansion had become ours
The walk was not possible
Rain made it so restrictive
It became a drive through Belle Isle
In those days I drove, so I was behind
The back of your head was visible
For the absolute whole time
Then, there was a morning in Chicago
At a park by Lake Michigan
You trekked the trail gracefully
There was an entourage that followed
Then Viśākhā held up her camera
You posed, devotees fussed with your shawl
I heard you loud and clear
“You cannot satisfy all of the people all of the time”
In my hometown, Toronto
We had acquired that big church
You sent a telegram – “Great triumph!”
Then you came to personally see
Were taken to Taylor Creek Park
Water flowed, all was green – serene
You spoke some words – out of earshot
But I was so glad you came
People are surprised I never spoke to you
I am your student, but no exchange
What would I say? I was a shy guy
But I heard your classes
And I was there to see you walk
I sleep in the room where you slept
My best sleep comes when I hear a recording
I am blessed like anything
Your servant,
Bhaktimārga Swami
Homages Non-GBC Sannyasis, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you!
It is an uplifting and extraordinary blessing to write an offering for Vyāsa-pūjā. This sacred
occasion grants us the opportunity to express our profound gratitude and glorify Kṛṣṇa’s pure
devotee.
We are unimaginably fortunate to have the privilege of reading your wondrous, love-filled
books. No less precious is the treasure of your countless audio and video recordings. Your biogra-
phy is an unparalleled gift, vividly portraying every chapter of your life – your meeting with your
spiritual master, your selfless preaching in India, your preparations for the voyage to America,
your dedication to writing and publishing books, and even personally distributing Back to God-
head magazine. How sublime and transcendental was that time when your first disciples began to
join you in America!
Please allow me to share with you a brief account of our preaching mission over the past year, a
humble offering from the devotees to you, our spiritual master, and to Lord Caitanya.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, one of the most vital aspects of your mission was to give the holy
name to as many people as possible and to engage them in chanting it. Your disciple, Śivarāma
Swami Mahārāja, who so mercifully guides us in understanding your transcendental desires, has
instructed us to hold a monthly holy name festival in Budapest. Over the past year, we have orga-
nized this event each month under the name Kirtan Fest. The halls have always been filled with
guests, all joyfully chanting, dancing in dynamic kīrtana, listening to lectures, and finally, honor-
ing delicious prasādam.
Following in the footsteps of your lotus feet, Śyāma Lāl Prabhu goes out to the streets five
times a week, chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra for four to five hours – 90 percent of the time
he does this alone, relying solely on the power of the holy name.
When you chanted in the park in New York, your aim was not merely to spread the holy name
but also to inspire young Americans to become practicing devotees. And you were remarkably
successful. As you yourself recounted, this was possible because you earnestly endeavored to
follow your beloved spiritual master. The Budapest devotees are striving to learn from you in
the same way. Thus, one of Śivarāma Swami Mahārāja’s key instructions is to encourage young
people to move into the temple. To this end, we have established an entire program operating
three to four days a week. Our small downtown preaching center is surrounded by universities,
offering young people the opportunity to come for lunch, honor prasādam, participate in kīrtana,
and listen to spiritual discourses. By the mercy of our spiritual master and by sincerely striving to
follow your perfect example, five new devotees moved into the temple ashram last year.
For you, the most essential aspect of the saṅkīrtana mission has always been book distribution.
In this as well, your beloved disciple Śivarāma Swami Mahārāja has guided us, emphasizing that
when devotees distribute Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets on the streets, we can truly satisfy your lotus
feet.
At the beginning of 2024, many thought this mission was impossible. Yet the intense desire to
please your representative – and thereby please you, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda – helped us build this
wonderful saṅkīrtana mission step by step.
During last year’s Prabhupāda marathon, the devotees achieved remarkable results. Many
devotees distributed three, four, five, or sometimes even seven Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets per day.
As an offering for the 2024 marathon, the devotees distributed a total of 152 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
sets.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, with deepest gratitude, we humbly thank you for saving the entire
world!
Your insignificant servant,
Bhaktipāda Goswami
* Secretary’s letter, August 10, 1977.
Homages Non-GBC Sannyasis, 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 most respectful obeisances at your lotus feet! All glories to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Śyāmasundara! All glories unto you!
Please, allow me to express my infinite gratitude to Your Divine Grace. Throughout my life, I increasingly experienced that I did not understand the meaning of human existence nor the goal of human life. Thus, I lived a life that was unhappy, disillusioned, and aimless
The Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 19.151) states:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
Once, the smile of great fortune fell upon me: your book, The Science of Self-Realization, found its way into my hands. This single book answered every one of my questions. I had truly believed that there was no authentic source capable of providing answers to my inquiries. When I read your words, they had a most extraordinary effect upon my consciousness.
Before this, I had read many books by various authors, but none could provide a complete picture of the world or the nature of the soul. Nor of the Absolute Truth.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, when I read your books, I understood immediately in my heart that you are that authentic person whom I had been seeking. At the same time, you teach us in your books how to distinguish the authentic spiritual master from the charlatan.
The perspective you opened for me hit me with great surprise; it struck me as a total revelation. It came as a surprise because I did not even expect such clarity. Beside you, other authors – many of them very famous, such as Sri Aurobindo and others who sought to convey enlightenment through their writings – seemed as if they were looking at reality through a cataract. But that which Your Divine Grace conveyed was like pure vision. Such was the profound impact I felt when I came in contact with your books.
On one hand, it felt as if I had known this truth and the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra from somewhere long, long ago. On the other hand, I had never heard it from anyone else before. For me, this was a true mahotsava occurring in my life.
Now, as I write this offering, I am reliving those wonderful, blissful experiences that arose within me at that time. I remember when I read others’ writings on the nature of the soul – why it exists at all and what it seeks in the material world – the authors gave such a blurred image. It was never clear whether the soul is a person or something else. In contrast, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, your stunning explanations are so simply understandable, clear, and perfect. In just a few sentences you presented the knowledge of the soul. Everything fell into place.
Since others were incapable of giving a philosophically clear explanation of the nature of the soul and its relationship with the world, what could they possibly say about the nature of God? But you did not stop at sharing knowledge of the soul, for that is only the beginning of knowledge. You shared knowledge of Kṛṣṇa as well. Moreover, you teach that the ultimate goal is prema pum-artho mahān.
You broadcast Kṛṣṇa perfectly, exactly as He is! To me, this is all crystal clear. Before I began reading the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as I mentioned, I first read The Science of Self-Realization. In that book you frequently quote ślokas from the Bhagavad-gītā.
When I read those verses, wonderful and startling emotions ignited within me. I thought with amazement: “This is impossible; this cannot be.” The sentences in those verses are so perfect that an ordinary human could not compose such statements. It was so obvious that you brought this knowledge directly from Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exactly as it is. I was utterly enthralled.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, you explained perfectly the soul-tattva, kṛṣṇa-tattva, and the tattva of the relationship between the soul and Kṛṣṇa. And it did not end there. You even gave us the means by which we can build a loving relationship with Rādhā-Śyāma!
For this, I shall never be able to repay you, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda.
I still remember when I bought the first six volumes of the Bhāgavatam and brought them home. I set them down, sat before them, and just stared at the books for hours, blissfully stunned, feeling that I had just received the greatest prize of my life. This experience was exceptionally wonderful.
When special events occur, such as a birthday, it is customary to give blessings. I too wish to take this opportunity and ask for a small blessing from you. So that I may better please you and properly repay my debt, I ask that you empower me to cleanse the anarthas from my heart. I also ask that the fresh, stunning, and wondrous sense of surprise I felt when I first encountered your books remains just as fresh and vivid throughout my entire life. For then I will always be enthusiastic to practice Kṛṣṇa Consciousness! And through that, I will be able to express my gratitude.
Once more, thank you so much for switching on the light in my heart! Now I understand which way to go, what surrounds me, and with whom I should build my relationship. Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!
Your insignificant servant,
Bhaktipāda Goswami
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