Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my humble and most unworthy obeisances.
I want to share with you something that has been on my mind since reading the first chapter of
the Sixth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, about the story of Ajāmila. It is the difference between sin-
fulness and offensiveness, and how powerful destiny (or latent karmic influences) are upon those
of us living here within this material world.
Ajāmila began his life’s journey as a serious young man – a brāhmaṇa – with all disciplines,
ideal character, heritage, and good training. Yet, when he encountered explicit sensuality he could
not prevent his downfall – in fact, he welcomed it. He made a decision to bring a prostitute into
his intimate association, and from there, everything good was forgotten. Thus his life sped by.
Having committed all kinds of crimes, in his old age he was given a gift of inspiration to name
his son Nārāyaṇa, and due to affection for the child, he repeatedly called out the name of the
Lord while calling his son. He was extreme in his sinfulness, extremely divorced from his religious
upbringing, and yet his calling the name of Nārāyaṇa was effective because he did not know
what he was doing! Hence his chanting was inoffensive and the chanting acted. It purified him.
Because he was inoffensive. Such a sinful person was now considered pure, and he was saved.
And then there is myself. Clearly, you personally came, like the servants of Nārāyaṇa, to save
sinful, ignorant people like me from so much nonsense by giving us the light of the Bhāgavatam.
Yet clearly, we too are free to fall back into our previous bad habits and, like Ajāmila, forget the
greatness of our good fortune. That freedom is always there. And whilst in my case I act to avoid
such a disaster, I daily witness so many subtle offenses I continually commit, and thus my chant-
ing remains offensive. Previously I was simply ignorant or sinful, but now I am simply offensive.
Ajāmila was not offensive because he did not know what he was doing incorrectly, whereas I rec-
ognize the weight which is upon me to act as a deeply genuine Vaiṣṇava and share the gifts that
you have given me.
So here at Vrinda Valley, where I am blessed to reside, we all have a deep yearning to share
with others. Our Sacred India Gallery was praised by the Prime Minister of India, which in itself
is quite astonishing, and we are planning how to serve cooperatively in bringing others with us on
the journey toward purity and offenseless acts of devotion.
Please continue to bless us all, and please continue to strengthen my efforts to become a
genuine devotee.
On behalf of all the devotees who reside here in your service,
Jagattāriṇī Dāsī
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
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
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā. We humbly pray
for your guidance so that we may serve as instruments in your hands, assisting in the propagation
of your profound teachings and mission.
This year marks the 129th anniversary of your auspicious appearance. With each passing year,
we gain newer insights into the limitless depths of your glories and transcendental qualities. Your
Vyāsa-pūjā is a divine opportunity for us to reflect on your deeply inspiring, oceanic personality
and rededicate ourselves to your service. This year also marks the sixtieth anniversary of your
arrival in the United States. In just six decades, by your sincere and strenuous efforts, the Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement has expanded exponentially, touching millions of lives and establishing
a global spiritual revolution.
In the purport to The Nectar of Instruction (3), you imparted a vital lesson: “Devotional service is
not a matter of sentimental speculation or imaginative ecstasy. Its substance is practical activity.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you did not merely write these words – you lived them. Tirelessly, without
concern for personal comfort, you served Kṛṣṇa and the guru-paramparā with unwavering deter-
mination. It would be an understatement to say that without your relentless efforts, millions of
devotees like us would be bereft of bhakti and any true understanding of the self.
By your mercy, this past year has been exceptionally fruitful in book distribution. In 2024,
we increased our remittance to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) by an inspiring 56 percent,
building upon a 27 percent increase the previous year. We are striving to surpass this in the
coming year.
One of the most significant milestones in our book distribution efforts has been the distribu-
tion of Braille Bhagavad-gītā sets. Inspired by your vision, devotees have published the Bhagavad-
gītā As It Is in Braille for the visually impaired, and we successfully placed these sets in nine public
libraries. We remain committed to expanding this initiative, ensuring that more libraries across
the United States house these sacred texts.
In total, we distributed 410 Bhagavad-gītās and 41 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam sets last year. By compari-
son, the previous year’s distribution totaled 19 sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and 1,024 Bhagavad-gītās.
Beyond book distribution, we have been striving to expand our preaching efforts. Pyāri Mohan
Prabhu has initiated classes on Śrī Īśopaniṣad, with the goal of holding at least two sessions each
month. The response so far has been promising.
Additionally, we have established two new bhakti-vriksha programs in West Hartford and
Glastonbury, complementing the existing program in Hartford we initiated last year. We pray for
your blessings so that these programs continue to grow and inspire more souls toward devotional
service.
By your divine grace, attendance at our Sunday feast programs and Vaiṣṇava festival celebra-
tions has steadily increased. This year, we eagerly anticipate an even greater turnout at our Ratha-
yātrā festival on June 7.
During your lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.15, given in Māyāpur on February 22, 1976, you
stated: “My Guru Mahārāja used to say that this material world is not fit for living for any gentle-
man. No gentleman can live here.” Again, during a morning walk in Vṛndāvana on April 9, 1976,
you declared: “Anyone who has not surrendered to Kṛṣṇa is not a gentleman. That is the test.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, with impeccable logic and compassion, you demonstrated how surrender to
Kṛṣṇa is the true mark of a gentleman. During your physical presence, you transformed countless
unrefined souls into exemplary gentlemen and mercifully revealed the process by which anyone
can attain such refinement.
On this auspicious occasion, we pray that by your mercy, we may become true gentlemen in
the highest sense – fully surrendered servants of Kṛṣṇa. We also seek your blessings to help others
embrace this process, as there is nothing more pleasing to you than seeing more and more people
take up this path of devotion, following in the footsteps of the great ācāryas.
Please continue to guide us, as you always have, and remove any obstacles on our spiritual
journey, by your boundless mercy.
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare / Hare Rāma Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare
Hare
Your humble servants at ISKCON Glastonbury, Connecticut
(written by Gaṇapati Govinda Dāsa)
Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your
Divine Grace, the greatest well-wisher of humanity!
On this most sacred and auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the devotees at Śrī Gītā-
nāgarī Dhāma, bow before you in deep gratitude and reverence, attempting in our small way to
glorify your immeasurable mercy and sacrifice, through which you saved humanity on this earth
planet. Your arrival in this world was the greatest blessing for all conditioned souls, as you car-
ried within your heart the boundless compassion and divine mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Through your tireless service, you gifted us the supreme treasure of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, illumi-
nating the path of bhakti for all suffering souls in this dark age of Kali-yuga, allowing them to
attain true happiness and eternal shelter at Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
This year marks sixty years since your historic arrival in the United States, when you fearlessly
set foot on these foreign shores with nothing but your unwavering faith in guru and Kṛṣṇa and
an unbreakable determination to fulfill the sacred order of your Guru Mahārāja – to spread Lord
Kṛṣṇa’s glories among English-speaking people and uplift the fallen souls of Kali-yuga. Your pure
devotional service and boundless compassion have transformed countless lives, bringing spiritual
awakening to all corners of the world.
In just twelve short years, you accomplished what no one in history had ever done:
• You established ISKCON, creating a global family of sincere Kṛṣṇa devotees whose mission
is to share the divine message you brought with the whole world.
• You translated and commentated the most sacred Vaiṣṇava scriptures, making the essence of
Vedic wisdom accessible to all.
• You built temples, gurukulas, farm communities, and centers of spiritual education all over
the world.
• You gave guidance and established the principles of daivī varṇāśrama-dharma, directing soci-
ety toward Kṛṣṇa conscious living.
• You delivered countless lectures and taught by your own divine example, demonstrating the
purest standard of devotion, humility, and selfless love.
Here at Gītā-nāgarī, we feel particularly honored and blessed to serve in a place you person-
ally envisioned as a model for daivī varṇāśrama-dharma. Though you physically departed before
witnessing this vision fully manifest, we remain determined, under the loving guidance of your
dear disciple, His Holiness Devamrita Swami, to bring aspects of it to fruition. With hearts full of
gratitude, we are humbly striving to:
• Provide loving care for Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Dāmodara’s cows and land.
• Develop sustainable agriculture and self-sufficient natural healthcare.
• Expand and upgrade accommodations for guests and devotees.
• Strengthen the Kshatriya Academy, training all devotees in martial arts and cultivating cour-
age, integrity, and dedication.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we beg for your causeless mercy. Please empower us to become your humble
instruments, working in harmony to serve your divine mission with unshakable faith, determina-
tion, and love. May we always remain united in devotion, assisting one another in fulfilling your
sacred desires and sharing the sublime gift of Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the world.
From the depths of our hearts, we thank you, we glorify you, and we offer ourselves at your
lotus feet, praying to forever serve in the great legacy of bhakti that you so mercifully gave us.
Your eternally indebted and aspiring servants at Gītā-nāgarī
(written by Surapāla Dāsa)
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Today, we fall short in words – but not in inspiration. You envisioned spiritual farm commu-
nities where Kṛṣṇa is the center – where cows are protected for Kṛṣṇa, the land is cultivated for
Kṛṣṇa, festivals are celebrated with devotion, spiritual knowledge is shared, and bhakti is woven
into daily life. At GEV this vision is not just remembered but lived.
Your vision and desire are reemphasized and manifest through your dedicated disciple, His
Holiness Radhanath Swami Mahārāja, and we are fortunate to serve in fulfilling this desire under
his esteemed guidance.
A Day at GEV: Vrindavan Is Lived
Before dawn, devotees gather for maṅgala-ārati at the beautiful Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Vrindavanbihārī and
Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Madana-mohana temples. The deep call of conch shells breaks the silence of the
night. Voices rise, singing the saṁsāra dāvānala prayers, as mṛdaṅgas and karatālas carry the offer-
ing of devotion.
Then, the first darshan. The Deities stand resplendent, merciful, and effulgent. “If one
attends maṅgala-ārati at the temple, he is supposed to be transcendentally situated.” (Lecture on
Bhagavad-gītā 2.44, Paris, 1974) This is not merely the start of the day; it is the realignment of the
heart. It reminds us that life is meant for Kṛṣṇa’s service – everything else is secondary.
As the sun rises, Girirāja Govardhana stands smiling, watching over the sacred waters of
Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa. Devotees sit nearby, chanting on their beads, their fingers
moving in rhythm with the holy name.
By evening, as the sun sets behind the banks of the Yamuna, the temple hall fills with devo-
tees for the sandhyā-ārati. The flickering ghee lamps, ecstatic devotees, waves of kīrtana, and the
Deities bathed in golden light – all come together in an experience that is not different from Śrī
Vrindavan-dhāma.
A Place of Learning that Leads to Realization
You taught us that knowledge should lead to devotion. At GEV, this is happening. People from
all over the world arrive for the Yoga Teachers Training Course (YTTC), expecting to master
postures and breathwork, but what begins as a pursuit of wellness eventually leads to a shift in
consciousness. They come seeking asanas and leave yearning for āśraya, shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus
feet. They enter as students of posture and breath and leave as seekers of transcendence. This is
your gift of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to them, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Not Just a Retreat – A Life Centered on Kṛṣṇa
GEV is not just a temple, retreat, or wellness center; it is a living demonstration of Kṛṣṇa’s culture
in action. Here, bhakti is not theory but is woven into daily life.
Visitors, villagers, and devotees come together to celebrate Vaiṣṇava festivals like Janmāṣṭamī
and Govardhan-pūjā – not as spectators, but as active participants in abhiśekas, yajñas, go-sevā,
and other devotional offerings. Prasādam is freely distributed, nourishing both body and soul.
Several people, including the local villagers, partake in festival feasts, darshans, guided Vrindavan
parikramās, and explore Kṛṣṇa’s līlās through the dioramas that dot the property. Cows graze
freely with their calves, reflecting Kṛṣṇa’s eternal pastime: lakṣa-vṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam (Śrī
Brahma-saṁhitā 5.29).
A Deep Cultural Impact: Bhakti Rooted in Rural Life
GEV is not just a temple but a way of life. It transforms the lives of rural villagers through both
material and spiritual empowerment:
• Employment in Kṛṣṇa’s service: villagers are engaged in goshala service, garland-making,
cleaning, cooking, and gardening, not just as work but as devotional offerings to Kṛṣṇa.
• A new generation growing up in bhakti: the children of villagers who once knew little about
Kṛṣṇa now grow up hearing His names, participating in festivals, and chanting the mahā-
mantra. They are learning that education is not just to develop a livelihood; it’s to learn
devotion.
• A shift in identity: first-time visitors are startled to be addressed as Prabhujī or Mātājī – a
reminder of the humility and respect that define Vaiṣṇava culture.
• Skill center: at the Govardhan Skill Centre rural women are trained in handicrafts, devo-
tional arts, and sustainable vocations, making them financially independent while keeping
them rooted in Vedic values.
• Village preaching and nāgara-saṅkīrtana: villagers receive the Bhagavad-gītā, mahā-prasādam,
and Kṛṣṇa consciousness through regular nāgara-saṅkīrtana and rural outreach.
• Attracting thoughtful seekers: The simple kurta-dhoti attire of GEV residents, combined
with scientifically advanced projects like the bio-water treatment plant, attracts people to
simplicity and deep thinking.
• Ayurveda for holistic well-being: The Ayurveda Centre provides authentic Vedic healing to
those seeking holistic treatments, bridging ancient wisdom with modern needs.
Your Mercy, Our Aspiration
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you did not just build temples, you built a way of life. You taught us that:
• Prosperity is not industrial; it is spiritual.
• Sustainability is not just ecological; it is devotional.
• Progress is not measured by material gain but by Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure.
The world searches for solutions, but you already gave them.
Your servants at ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. As we glorify you, we pray to please you on your appear-
ance day and every day.
Out of your kindness, you eased our material suffering and bestowed us with so many wonder-
ful spiritual gifts.
You filled our ears with sweet kīrtana and bhajanas and taught us to accompany them with
robust mṛdaṅgas, rhythmic karatālas, and melodious harmoniums.
You filled our material eyes with the incredibly beautiful arcā-vigraha forms of Lord Kṛṣṇa and
engaged us in Their service.
You fed us samosas, kachoris, rice, dal, sabjis, chapatis, ladoos, kheer, and Simply Wonderfuls.
You invited us into the eternal and liberating pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
As Kṛṣṇa’s representative, you opened our minds to the reality of Kṛṣṇa through your
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
You gave us so much more joy than we imagined possible. You gave us adventure, challenge,
and purpose. We don’t know where we would be without your kindness.
Most of all, you gave us the holy name, which made everything else possible. All you asked is
that we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy.
The wisdom Lord Kṛṣṇa has taught us,
a treasure that never shall end,
the ecstasy bhakti has brought us,
the service, prasādam, and friends,
the many long roads we have traveled,
the many digressions we made,
a tapestry coming unraveled,
exposing an empty charade,
the pains and the pleasures of living,
the bodies we soon shall not need,
all fall to the side as we’re giving
our hearts to the very next bead.
At any moment, that which we see as so important in this world will become irrelevant. However,
your gift of the holy name will always stay with us. Śrīla Prabhupāda, may we remain eternally
connected to you by chanting with attention and without offense.
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma,
Hare Hare.
Your servants at ISKCON Gainesville (Krishna House)
(Written by Kalakaṇṭha Dāsa)
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
Devotees at the ISKCON Fredericton Center, in New Brunswick, Canada, offer our most sin-
cere and humble obeisances at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupāda on his 2025 Vyāsa-pūjā day.
On September 1, 1896, long before any of us arrived in our current bodies, you were born in
Calcutta, India. It was the day after Janmāṣṭamī, and an astrologer made the following prediction:
“When this child reaches the age of seventy, he will cross the ocean, become a great exponent of
religion, and open 108 temples.”
It is impossible for us to find the appropriate words to thank you properly for what you taught
us, the example you set for us, and the wonderful ISKCON organization you created for us. We
can only try, in our humble ways, to honor you and attempt to follow your perfect example of
sharing Kṛṣṇa consciousness with those we meet.
As Canadians, we are fond of reading accounts of your visits to our country, particularly during
the summer of 1968, when you spent several weeks in Montreal. You celebrated ISKCON’s second
Janmāṣṭamī festival there, and it is a glorious memory, not only for those who were in Montreal at
the time, but also for those of us who have read accounts of that wonderful event.
ISKCON Fredericton is a small Hare Kṛṣṇa center that is slowly and gradually growing.
Devotees are always excited to distribute your books, chant the holy names, prepare and serve
prasādam, as well as teach people about Kṛṣṇa and His pastimes. In the past year, ISKCON Fred-
ericton has moved its programs to The Maritime Geeta Bhawan, which has led to an increase in
attendance. The Gopal Krishna Children’s School, a weekly program named after one of your
most dedicated disciples, has also been established. A small Food-for-Life program has been initi-
ated and provides prasādam to clients at a local homeless shelter. An outreach program, designed
to hold programs in other communities in New Brunswick, has been created.
ISKCON Fredericton has had much help and support over the years. Your disciple
Bhaktimārga Swami has provided an unlimited supply of guidance, inspiration, and encourage-
ment. Devotees from ISKCON Halifax and your Montreal and Toronto temples have also been
instrumental in helping your small Fredericton center prosper.
But it is you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, who continue to be the driving force that allows ISKCON
Fredericton to grow and succeed. Devotees here and around the world are inspired by your
books, your recorded lectures and the legacy you have gifted everyone in the movement you cre-
ated. Your love of Kṛṣṇa and unbelievable achievements inspire us to do our best to expand your
movement.
We look back in amazement at the austerity you faced, the challenges you overcame, and the
many great things you accomplished. It is our wish that in some small way we can continue to be
servants of the servants of your servants, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and servants of Kṛṣṇa!
On September 1, 1896, you arrived on Kṛṣṇa’s earthly planet. Well over a hundred years later
your disciples and devotees are honored to continue building on the foundation you created
and serving you as best we can in your mission to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and
village.
Your insignificant servants at ISKCON Fredericton
