Dearest 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
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Your glories are unlim-
ited, and your mercy flows for generations eternally.
In the early ’70s you visited Kenya with a desire to preach to the locals. Here is an update of
the last fifty years grown from the seeds you planted.
In the early ’80s a number of temple presidents and foreign devotees came and left Kenya and
East Africa because conditions were too austere and they were not having much luck developing
an Indian congregation or spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness among the local African community.
A couple of years later, the Nairobi temple was about to close due to lack of management and
no funds. In 1983, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Mahārāja became GBC for East Africa. He sent
one of his disciples, His Grace Umāpati Prabhu, to Nairobi. At the same time, Her Grace Mānasī-
gaṅgā and her mother, Tulasīpriyā Mātājī, came here from the UK. This was the turning point for
ISKCON East Africa.
In 1991, I remember we hardly had enough money to buy fruit, vegetables, or flowers for Śrī Śrī
Rādhā-Baṅkebihārī, and ISKCON, at that point, had a very bad reputation, especially within the
Gujarati community.
Gradually, by the humble efforts of His Grace Umāpati Prabhu, Her Grace Mānasī-gaṅgā
Mātājī, and Her Grace Tulasīpriyā Mātājī, standards started to improve. Funds started coming in,
and the congregation started to grow.
In 1994, we saw the opening of a magnificent and beautiful temple, and in 1996, Śrī Śrī Sītā-
Rāma-Lakṣmaṇa-Hanumān were installed. Gradually, surrounding properties were acquired
by the temple, and a residential complex was built behind the temple in 2006 that now houses
twenty gṛhastha devotees.
We acquired farm land in 2015, and we now grow our own organic vegetables. The Deities are
offered A2 milk from our own grass-fed cows. We have a very successful and renowned sweet shop.
In 2024, the temple acquired another forty acres of farmland for expansion.
In 2015, Kenya opened its first hostel service for local students, and that program is now thriv-
ing, with over eighty students at a time who follow part of the morning or evening program, eat
prasādam daily, and associate with devotees. This year, 2025, we have seen the opening of Yogi
Plate, subsidized lunch prasādam for students at a very affordable rate.
There is a truly stunning temple near the beach in Mombasa, and the old temple in Ganjoni is
still open and very active with local preaching. The Mombasa temple has also acquired adjoining
land, and a housing project is in the pipeline.
Over the past four years we have opened three preaching centers – one each in Eldoret,
Nakuru, and Juja, and these focus mainly on local African preaching – thus trying to fulfill your
desire to preach to the locals in Kenya. Both the Eldoret and Nakuru centers have acquired land
for new temple construction.
We have had one of the best records for book distribution in the whole of Africa, and for five
years in a row Nairobi has been leading the marathon.
This year, His Grace Umāpati Prabhu was selected to serve as the GBC representative for East
Africa and also as an initiating spiritual master, thus fulfilling the chain of paramparā as envi-
sioned by Your Divine Grace.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you visited Kenya in 1971, and all this expansion and growth has happened
within the last fifty years. ISKCON in East Africa is thriving and growing at an exponential rate,
and we have an active and engaged congregation. Śrīla Prabhupāda, this is all due to your mercy
and vision.
We feel so fortunate to be part of this community. Please bless us that we may expand with
more enthusiasm and vigor than ever before. Your vision was to see the local Africans become
devotees. Kindly bestow your mercy upon us so that we can all follow your specific instructions
for East Africa. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Your servant,
Aiśvarya Līlā Devī Dāsī
Vaiṣṇavī Minister for Kenya
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
We are so much indebted to you for your kindly picking us up out of the ocean of birth and
death. You have revealed the teachings of Kṛṣṇa, which grant eternal life to those who submis-
sively hear them, try to understand them, and strive to implement them in their lives.
We are desperately begging to be considered in the above groups. We simply want to please
Your Divine Grace by our every thought, word, and deed.
Please forgive us for all our shortcomings. Please rectify us as you see fit. We are your property.
We are your property. We are your property. Do with us as you wish. We trust you. We believe that
you are our ever well-wisher. We believe that you will always try to help us to grow ever nearer to
the will of Their Lordships, Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi.
Your eternal servants and family members,
The residents and congregation of RVC
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
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
Hare Kṛṣṇa, dear 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
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
We devotees in Japan hear about your pastimes from your disciples and know that your first
books were printed in Japan. We also know how you visited the center and different places in and
around Tokyo, and that you also visited Kobe. We feel blessed that somehow we are engaged in
serving your mission in the land of the rising sun, following in your footsteps.
Devotees here are trying to set up small centers and preaching programs in different parts of
Japan, according to their capacity. Our intent is to reach to more and more people.
This year, the Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda Deities you kindly installed in Japan about fifty years ago
will return to the Tokyo temple. This shall surely provide us clear vision for the Japan yātrā.
We take this opportunity to beg your guidance on how to move ahead in this fast-changing
digital revolution. The principles remain the same, but how to apply them in this materially opu-
lent part of the world is a challenge. The devotees are trying their best, but your visionary ideas
will help us boost progress.
The second-generation devotees are now becoming senior citizens, and we have to provide
them with care facilities. They have sacrificed their precious years of life to sustain the yātrā for
so long. Now we also look forward to the next generation taking responsibility and carrying the
baton forward. Your unique ways of encouraging devotees and making them the driving force for
the movement is our inspiration.
Printing Japanese translations of your books is in the pipeline, but we have not yet been able
to reach a consensus on the finer details – such as whether to print the book or make it available
digitally online, or whether we should use a horizontal or vertical Japanese font style. And there
are other details. But by your mercy we should soon reach a conclusion. Your Divine Grace man-
aged several initiatives at the same time, so please guide and instruct us so we can fulfill your
vision in Japan.
Your servants,
The devotees at ISKCON Japan
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our prostrated obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
At the recently held Kumbha Mela in Prayag this past January and February, one prominent
organization emphatically proclaimed your divine self as Vishwa Guru, spiritual master of the
entire world. The same organization appreciated and acknowledged all of your many contribu-
tions – in particular, your brilliant, beautiful, comprehensive, easy-to-understand and authentic
commentary on the Bhagavad-gītā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you yourself attributed your unprecedented success to two causes:
(1) Bhagavad-gītā As It Is; (2) your total surrender to your Guru Mahārāja, Śrīpāda Bhaktisiddhānta
Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Indeed, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are most worthy of being the Vishwa Guru and
do not require any certification from anyone, as this would be like offering a candle to the sun.
But it is encouraging to see our movement so widely accepted.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, every sentence, every word you ever spoke, is important nectar and full of
meaning. Yet we feel one sentence is a sañjīvanī, a life-giving tonic, to our hearts. You spoke this
sentence in a conversation with an American reporter:
Reporter: What will happen when you die?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: I will never die. I will always live in my books and they will utilize.
Indeed, the publication and distribution of your books has changed and continues to change the
demography and destiny of this world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, if we could only understand and appreciate even a tiny drop of your glories
and magnanimity, we would consider our lives successful. We pray fervently to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
to give us the intelligence to understand your glories. This is the only benediction we would ever
seek from dear almighty Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Both individually and as Society we will never be able to
repay the debt we owe you.
You are Vishwa Guru because kṛṣṇa-bhakti is planted in the hearts of all through your books,
darshan, prasādam, etc., etc.
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 1.44) states, “Although I know that my spiritual master is a servitor
of Śrī Caitanya, I know Him also as a plenary manifestation of the Lord.”
On this occasion of your divine Vyāsa-pūjā, we appreciate your mercy and pray to have
the strength to go on in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, life after life. Thank you for saving us, Śrīla
Prabhupāda.
Your humble servants at ISKCON Indore,
Mahāmān Dāsa, Viśala Dāsa, Praṇeśvara Dāsa, Kṛṣṇa Candra Dāsa, Acyuta Gopāl Dāsa,
Lakṣmaṇa Dāsa, Giridhara Gopāl Dāsa, Param Haṅsa Devī Dāsī, Satya Prema Devī Dāsī, Sukhī
Devī Dāsī, Pārvatī Devī Dāsī, and many other devotees serving at ISKCON Indore
