My dear spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet.
Once again, on this sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I come before you not only to offer words of praise, but to pause, reflect, and re-dedicate my heart to your sacred mission. Each year, this day reminds me that my life’s purpose is bound entirely to you. You are the reason I stand where I stand now, speak what I speak, and live as I live.
I often picture you alone on the Jaladuta, frail in body but carried by a will greater than the ocean itself. On that ship you crossed not only waters, but worlds bringing the treasure of bhakti into a place that neither expected nor asked for it, yet was starving for it. You came with nothing but your books, your beads, and the instructions of your Guru Mahārāja burning in your heart. And you changed the course of history.
It was you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, who found me in the darkness of material life. You called my name, lifted me from ignorance, and placed me on the path of devotional service. Whatever little service I have rendered since that day is simply my attempt to show you my gratitude.
For fifty-four years I have tried in my own small way to carry your message out into the world. From major cities to remote villages, deserts to jungles, mountains to seashores, I have tried to speak your words, share your books, and glorify your mission. Wherever I go, I feel you beside me – I speak, but it is your voice. I move, but it is you who carries me.
You once said, when asked about miracles, “My miracle is that I have made these Western boys and girls devotees of Kṛṣṇa.” That miracle continues to this very day. I witness it with awe: the spark of devotion igniting in unexpected places, the eyes of strangers lighting up when they hear your message, and hearts once burdened by material life suddenly lifted by your words.
This year, I saw your magic unfold in a myriad of ways. At the Sadhu Sanga Retreat in North America, thousands of devotees danced and chanted with one heart, one voice, along with many newcomers encountering your mercy for the first time.
At our kirtan festival in Rishikesh, at the foot of the Himalayas, the holy names echoed off the mountain slopes and danced upon the waters of Mother Gaṅgā. Wandering sādhus, yogīs, seekers, and curious travelers paused to listen. They had all come to Rishikesh searching for something divine and they found it in the holy names, in devotee association and in the love you left behind.
Similarly in Poland, for the thirty-fifth year in a row, we sang, we danced, we performed, and we warmly welcomed guests into the uplifting world of Kṛṣṇa consciousness through our lively festivals. The people often thanked us with heartfelt words, but in reality, Śrīla Prabhupāda, it is you to whom their gratitude truly belongs.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, the years are passing quickly now. The body I once relied on for endless travel and service no longer responds with its former strength. But growing older has deepened my sense of urgency; every remaining moment is a treasure not to be wasted. Whatever strength is left in me must be spent entirely for you.
I do not fear impending death, Śrīla Prabhupāda. What I fear is that I have not done enough. That I could have loved you more deeply. Spoken more boldly. Served more selflessly. I carry these thoughts with me and they make me strive harder to be the servant you deserve. When my time comes to leave this world, I wish to do so with your name on my lips, your form in my heart, and your eternal service as my only aspiration. You alone are everything to me.
My beloved spiritual master, can you see me? Can you hear me? From the core of my heart, I call out to you. Please cast your merciful glance upon this unworthy servant! I am waiting here, with great expectation for whatever service you will entrust to me next. Be it in heaven or in hell — it matters not. Wherever your order sends me, that place will become my Vaikuṇṭha, just as it has been in this lifetime. My only desire is to be part of your eternal entourage forever.
Your words during a darshan in Mayapura on February 16, 1977 give me hope:
“All of you. You were simply born because the mission was to be started. Just like in Yadu-vamsa, Krsna ordered all the devotee demigods to ‘go and take birth there to help Me.’ Similarly, you also. You were born in Europe, America to help me.”
Your ever-grateful servant,
Indradyumna Swami
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most respectful obeisances. All glories to you, master of all masters.
On this very auspicious day of your appearance, we are happy to tell you that we are opening a new ISKCON center in Québec City – a city vibrant with many souls looking for spiritual and alternative cultures. We now have many French books to distribute, and regular preaching programs are happening.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said, “This Abhay Bābu likes to hear from me. I will surely accept him.”
You are the best example of following the instructions of your spiritual master. On the order of Lord Kṛṣṇa you came to this material world to save the fallen souls of Kali-yuga. On the order of your spiritual master, who wanted you to preach in the Western countries, you left your beautiful Vrindavan, holy land of Kṛṣṇa, to come to this Western world full of sinful activities just to give us your mercy and save us from repeated birth and death.
Hearing is very important. After all, it is the first of the nine processes of devotional service. To practice what we have heard with great attention and without personal motives, and to follow your instructions attentively is the best way to reach the higher goals in our spiritual lives.
You have preached all over the world, and “Hare Kṛṣṇa” has became a household word. “Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.” We are proud to be part of this wonderful movement and fortunate to be under your shelter. We feel grateful to be part of your army to fulfill the mission of Lord Caitanya.
“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.54)
Let us seek darshan in your vāṇī, your immortal words. We beg that our attachment to your words and instructions increase continuously. You will remain our personal guide. You live forever, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Let us remain under your shelter, and please guide us to give your mercy to other souls.
Begging to remain the servants of your servants,
The devotees of ISKCON Québec City
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare,
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
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
Most respected and dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to you!
When our congregation reads, listens, studies, and discusses your books or lectures, we feel enlivened, our minds are purified, and we clearly see that the purpose of our lives is to perform sincere devotional service unto your lotus feet.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, you mentioned that Śrīla Vedavyāsa felt incomplete despite being fully equipped with everything required by the Vedas. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.4.31, Vyāsa Bhagavān says:
kiṁ vā bhāgavatā dharma na prāyeṇa nirūpitāḥ
priyāḥ paramahaṁsānāṁ ta eva hy acyuta-priyāḥ
“This may be because I did not specifically point out the devotional service of the Lord, which is dear both to perfect beings and to the infallible Lord.”
In the purport you kindly point out: “Unless one is fixed in the normal condition of service, neither the Lord nor the living being can become fully satisfied. This defect was felt by him when Nārada Muni, his spiritual master, reached him.”
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.5.8, Śrī Nārada Muni says:
bhavatānudita-prāyaṁ yaśo bhagavato ’malam
yenaivāsau na tuṣyeta manye tad darśanaṁ khilam
“You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord is considered worthless.”
In your purport to this verse, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you point out that constitutionally we are eternal servants of the eternal master. Lord Kṛṣṇa expands himself to accept loving service from us, which satisfies both us and the Lord. “Dry philosophical speculations even on the transcendental subject of the Absolute have very little attraction without directly dealing with the glorification of the Lord.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are always present in your books. If not, how is it possible that your books continue to transform the hearts of so many people each day? Your mysterious workings are beyond our comprehension. We only hope and pray that you continue to inspire and guide us through your devotees so that we can carry on your mission to the best possible extent, with consistency, and without any material motives – to please you.
We have been a small congregation in Minneapolis, MN, operating under the banner of Krishna Sankirtan Society (KSS). Always fascinated by your books and teachings, we have been performing daily maṅgala-ārati, weekly classes on the Bhagavad-gītā (Fridays) and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Sundays), organizing major festivals and a Ratha-yātrā. Devotees here organize weekly Gopal Fun School classes, both online and in-person. Some devotees organize online and in-person reading sessions to study your books. We have a monthly kīrtana and reading program at the University of Minnesota. Devotees here regularly participate in book distribution at the university, and at fairs and festivals, other temples, and outside grocery stores.
We feel that your books, like parents, have the power to sustain preaching centers by nourishing us with devotion, wisdom, and other resources. In February 2024 we acquired a 5.5-acre piece of rural land, with a house and pole barn on it that could become an ISKCON temple.
By your kind mercy, we recently got over the hurdle of getting the Conditional Use Permit approved from the city of Corcoran. We fervently pray for your continued mercy so that we can come up with a devotionally vibrant Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa temple. We are now in the process of raising funds for both temple and a farming project under the banner of ISKCON New Mahavan Temple and Ecofarm Community.
We pray at your lotus feet to please keep us under your shelter and continue to guide us in the form of your books and lectures. May we serve under the guidance of your able disciples, such as the ISKCON GBC members, senior devotees, and initiating spiritual masters, so that we can sincerely serve you and glorify Lord Kṛṣṇa sincerely and consistently, with love and care.
Yours truly,
The devotees at the ISKCON New Mahavan Temple and Ecofarm Community
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Once, on a morning walk in Māyāpur, you instructed, “And this is the only shelter, these our
centers, to be protected from all these rascals. These ISKCON centers are the only shelter. So, you
have to maintain it very nicely. There is no other shelter.” When hearing these words, we feel your
concern that ISKCON centers continue to provide the only real solution to humanity.
In one of your letters you exclaimed, “I am always anxious to know about the activities of my
temples so far established. The routine work, as it is going on in your center, appears to be very
satisfactory. Please keep this standard continually and Kṛṣṇa will give you all facilities.”
When meditating on your written words we feel strong separation from you. Seems like it has
been a very long time that you were corresponding with your disciples in this way. What would
we do to receive such a letter from you today? Would you also respond with satisfaction if we gave
you our report?
In your temple in Zurich we hold daily lectures, perform regular Deity worship, distribute
sumptuous prasādam, hold festivals, offer courses, invite local school classes for temple tours, and
meet with our congregation and newcomers at the Sunday Love Feasts. Weekly, some of your
devotees go to preaching programs at the nearby university. We also organize harināmas in the
city and try to distribute your literature in public. We endeavor to maintain this routine work to
the best of our abilities.
This year, we are determined to finally pay off the full mortgage, which has weighed on the
temple building for too long. We will secure this spiritual oasis once and for all. From your Decla-
ration of Will we get a clear understanding of how concerned you were for the protection of your
ISKCON properties. Please bless and empower your dedicated followers in Zurich that they may
unify themselves for this cause and thus give pleasure to you.
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for giving us ISKCON. Even though we could never meet
you personally, we benefit immensely from your legacy. This is the mercy of your followers who
worked hard for the establishment and maintenance of your centers, with all their activities aimed
at the upliftment of humanity. On this auspicious day of your appearance, we pray that we can be
instruments in your service and worthy members of your society that embrace and spread Kṛṣṇa
consciousness.
On behalf of your servants at ISKCON Zurich,
Dāmodara Prasāda Dāsa
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to you and Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga!
As your insignificant children, we, the devotees of ISKCON Zambia, approach you with a heart
full of devotion, seeking your causeless mercy to deepen our service to the mission of Caitanya
Mahāprabhu. It has been nearly a decade since we established our center in Lusaka, Zambia – a
humble beginning that developed after years of dedicated efforts by countless devotees inspired
by your teachings.
In our endeavors, we strive to fulfill your divine vision of revolutionizing the consciousness of
all who come in contact with ISKCON. We endeavor to create a sanctuary where individuals can
learn to reconnect with their eternal identities as servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Our aspiration is to transform our center into a vibrant school of devotion, where
the teachings of Kṛṣṇa consciousness illuminate the paths of all seekers, guiding them toward the
ultimate fulfillment, love of Godhead, and the attainment of transcendental bliss.
We humbly seek your blessings to cultivate an environment rich in devotion and love for
Kṛṣṇa. We envision a community that embodies the principles of unity, harmony, and compassion,
reflecting the essence of Lord Caitanya’s teachings. May our efforts foster a familial atmosphere,
where devotees support one another on their spiritual journeys, encouraging one another to grow
in bhakti and service.
While our devotees are filled with enthusiasm, we recognize the necessity for deeper spiritual
understanding and realization. Many are eager to serve, yet they may not fully grasp the profound
wisdom contained within your teachings. We earnestly pray for your divine guidance that they
may attain the insight needed to align their hearts with your vision. With your mercy, we are con-
fident that they will flourish as empowered instruments of Kṛṣṇa’s will, ready to share the message
of love and devotion throughout Zambia and beyond.
As we strive to spread the glories of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we face the challenge of reaching
those who are caught in the material whirlwind, seeking lasting happiness in temporary pursuits.
We humbly beseech you for the intelligence and creativity to communicate the transformative
power of your teachings effectively, attracting those who yearn for a deeper connection with
Kṛṣṇa.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are acutely aware of our insignificance, yet we are filled with hope
and determination. Please empower us with the strength, wisdom, and diligence to expand your
mission in Zambia. May our hearts and minds be ever fixed on your lotus feet, and may our
actions be a reflection of your divine grace.
Your insignificant servants,
The devotees of ISKCON Zambia
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our sincere obeisances. All glories to you on the sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā!
Fourteen years ago I read in the Līlāmṛta, “One competent man can start a center.” Foolishly
thinking of myself as one such person, I allowed the desire to settle into my heart that I could
be in charge of one of your centers. This year the fruit of that foolishness and the force of your
mercy reached ten years of maturity, as your Harmony Collective community celebrated a decade
together in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Though the place sounds obscure to most ears, and it is certainly
very far from Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, you might remember the name as it was shared by an immigra-
tion lawyer who first helped you with your America visa (a fact pointed out to me by a godbrother
curious about any prior connection between Ypsilanti and yourself). At the least, you would have
driven past our exit 181 on your way to State Street, exit 177 off US HWY 94, while on your way to
the University of Michigan for a speaking engagement arranged by the Detroit temple devotees
on June 22, 1971.
This decade has for us been a reckoning on many levels as we strive to even begin to align with
the direction and weight of your instructions and example. Today, as you know, we have a temple
for Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi, a farm with eight protected cows, and a school for children. Confident
in your continued mercy, we seek to consolidate these three separate properties into one master
parcel in the next year. The attempt to serve your vision has kept a core group of us together amid
all the usual upheavals, and we have drawn in other committed followers of yours interested in
serving your long-term vision of a viable society.
And that is where I’d like to put a special emphasis of gratitude this year, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
While you put so much into establishing the formal organization of ISKCON, it’s so clear that
you had a vision for Mahāprabhu’s family that went beyond the borders of any formal organiza-
tion’s mandate. You spoke to this many times – so often that the many who feel alienated or
estranged from aspects of ISKCON as an institution today needn’t at all feel separated from you
or Kṛṣṇa. As you explained to your direct disciples:
Organization and institution are material. They are necessary to keep order, but they
are not the essence. The essence is to be Krishna conscious. (Letter to Haṁsadūta
Dāsa, June 22, 1972)
Don’t be dependent on any organization. Depend on Krishna. Organization is
for preaching, but our real business is to become Krishna conscious. (Letter to
Madhudviṣa Dāsa, February 4, 1973)
If one thinks that simply by joining an institution he becomes liberated, that is not
the fact. One must practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness personally. (Lecture on Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 1.2.12, Delhi, November 14, 1973)
Ironically, we have found the more we highlight this simple and open spirit of yours in our saṅga,
the more we receive trust and dedicated effort from your sincere followers. We have learned that
nobody needs the Harmony Collective, and that anybody can be rescued from the mundane mal-
aise by the mercy of yourself and Mahāprabhu. You have shown us we are not the source of that
grace, and yet you have trusted us with the profound opportunity to support its flow and recep-
tion. For that we are perpetually left astounded, grateful, and engaged.
Please continue to keep us close, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Please continue to send us your dear ones
in all shapes and sizes. Please ensure we always hear from which direction your living voice is call-
ing us forward today, tomorrow, and eternally. And finally, please help us live in such a way that
others are inspired to also listen to that sacred vibration and allow it to become the source of their
life.
Always for you, on behalf of your ISKCON Ypsilanti,
Deva Mādhava Dāsa (community director)
