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
Hare Kṛṣṇa. Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to you.
In December 2023, in a heart-warming celebration marked by devotion and unity, our
ISKCON temple witnessed the auspicious installation of new Pañca-tattva deities, a significant
milestone inspired by your vision and propelling the temple into a new era of spiritual
prominence.
This grand initiative was part of a four-day festival, the first of its kind in Mauritius, drawing
thousands of visitors, including ministers, Members of Parliament, leaders of Indian social-
cultural associations, and other distinguished guests. The temple was also graced by the presence
of eminent spiritual leaders and GBCs such as Giriraj Swami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Bhakti
Dhīra Dāmodara Swami, Bhakti Nṛsiṁha Swami, Sundar Caitanya Goswami, Nṛsiṁha Kavaca
Prabhu, and others.
The festivities included a variety of rituals and Vedic fire ceremonies, the installation of the
beautiful Śrī Pañca-tattva, feasts of sumptuous prasādam, and a spectacular flower abhiśeka dis-
play. The event was broadcast live on social networks, ensuring it reached a wider audience, both
locally and globally.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, this initiative to install Pañca-tattva deities at our temple dates back to your
visit to Mauritius on October 1, 1975, when you expressed a dream that Mauritius would become
the first Kṛṣṇa conscious island in the world. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are the eternal confidential
associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. By Mahāprabhu’s order we are trying to distribute the
knowledge you gave us through harināma-saṅkīrtana.
Today, with the temple’s expansion, it can easily accommodate two thousand standing devo-
tees. The temple is also strategically positioned in a tourist area so it can reach a broader audience.
This serves as a testament to your vision and desire for global dissemination of Kṛṣṇa conscious-
ness, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
The installation of Śrī Pañca-tattva has brought the spiritual journey of our devotee community
to a new chapter, invoking a deep sense of responsibility, respect, and rigor. The impact of this
milestone was indeed very profound, fostering a sense of joy, belonging, dedication, and solidar-
ity among our community of devotees. Today, we all feel the love, enthusiasm, and energy to serve
their Lordships, Śrī Pañca-tattva.
Looking ahead, the temple envisions becoming a cultural touchpoint for tourists visiting the
north of the island, collaborating with hotels for cultural and spiritual activities. We also remain
fully committed to training our brāhmaṇas in the śāstric rules and regulations involved in Deity
worship, and especially about brahminical culture and values. This training is in line with your
vision, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this auspicious day of your divine appearance, we seek your blessings, Śrīla Prabhupāda,
so that one day, by your mercy, we each can reach the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of
Lord Caitanya and our service to you, we hope that everybody at the Śrī Pañca-tattva temple can
develop their natural love for Lord Caitanya. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are our shelter and our sup-
port. Please bless us so we can become tiny instruments in serving your mission. We also pray
that you forgive our offenses and give us the strength to carry out this mission of Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu, as you have taught it.
Your forever grateful servants at the Śrī Pañca-tattva temple, Mauritius
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 most humble and most respectful obeisances at your most revered lotus feet. All
glories to you!
We consider ourselves very fortunate to write a few lines to glorify you. You are a mahātmā
and a paramahaṁsa who came into this material world to give us kṛṣṇa-bhakti. We are extremely
fortunate to offer our humble homage to you and be able to submit a few thoughts at your
most revered lotus feet on the occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā. You are the special messenger of the
Supreme Lord who came to this mundane world at the Lord’s bidding to give us Kṛṣṇa conscious-
ness and deliver us from our miserable lives.
Although you went back to Lord Kṛṣṇa, you live forever through your precious books. You
have gone through all the scriptures, including the Vedas and the Upaniṣads, and then quoted them
in your wonderful purports. Your books are treasure troves of deep knowledge about Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Despite being at an advanced age, in 1965 you undertook a monumental journey to the West,
with limited resources and without any guarantee of success. Your vision to create a global spiri-
tual movement inspired millions all over the world. By establishing ISKCON, you provided a
platform for people from all walks of life to connect with Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The global ISKCON movement, founded by you, provides a sense of belonging and spiritual
community to millions. Temples, festivals, and online platforms offer spaces for people to come
together, share their faith, and support one another.
Your life was characterized by your steadfast devotion to spreading the teachings of Lord
Kṛṣṇa. From an early age, you embraced a life centered on spirituality and adhering to the teach-
ings of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. This unwavering dedication fueled your mission
to make Vedic knowledge accessible to people across the globe through your precious books.
You had an exceptional ability to explain complex spiritual concepts in a way that resonated
with people of different cultural and intellectual backgrounds. Your lectures, books, and conver-
sations bridged the gap between ancient Vedic knowledge and the modern world. Your transla-
tions and commentaries on sacred books, such as you created in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, continue to
enlighten and guide seekers worldwide.
Your emphasis on studying sacred books like the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam helps
modern seekers connect with ancient wisdom in a relevant and accessible way. Your commentaries
provide practical guidance for applying timeless spiritual principles to contemporary challenges.
Your teachings emphasized the universality of spiritual practices. You believed that the path to
self-realization and devotion was open to all, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, color, or social
status. Your efforts to establish temples, farm communities, and educational institutions were
motivated by your deep compassion for humanity. Many farm communities are thriving today by
your mercy and your guidance.
Your inclusive approach to spirituality transcends religious boundaries, emphasizing that
anyone can practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness regardless of their background. This universality makes
your teachings appealing to people from diverse cultures and faiths.
You embodied the principle of selfless service. You viewed yourself as a humble servant of your
spiritual master and Lord Kṛṣṇa, dedicating your life to serving others like a true exalted Vaiṣṇava.
Your humility and genuine concern for others endeared you to many followers and set an example
of true leadership.
Inspired by your example, today we engage in various charitable initiatives, such as food dis-
tribution programs (like ISKCON’s Food for Life), educational projects, and outreach activities.
We are distributing prasādam to less fortunate people every week from our temple. These acts of
service embody your teaching that true fulfillment comes from helping others.
Your life and teachings continue to inspire millions around the world. Your special qualities –
dedication, vision, communication skills, compassion, resilience, and humility – are a reminder
of the transformative power of spirituality and service. Through your efforts, you not only spread
the timeless wisdom of Vedic culture but also fostered a global community united in devotion and
love for Kṛṣṇa. Your legacy is one of hope, faith, and the boundless possibilities of human poten-
tial when guided by higher principles.
You emphasized the transformative power of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra: Hare
Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
You taught that chanting purifies the heart and mind, helping individuals connect with the divine
and attain inner peace. Your “chant and be happy” transforms everyone and makes them nice
devotees. Thus you have fulfilled the mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is a cornerstone of your teachings, and it has gained popular-
ity as a powerful mindfulness practice. Many individuals incorporate this mantra into their medi-
tation routines to experience inner peace and a sense of connection to the Divine.
A central teaching in your philosophy is the understanding that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. You explained that Kṛṣṇa is the source of all creation and the ultimate
object of love and devotion. You taught that true fulfillment comes through bhakti, or loving
devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa. You encouraged your followers to offer their daily activities,
work, and relationships to Kṛṣṇa as acts of devotion.
You stressed the importance of studying sacred texts like the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam. You emphasized that these scriptures contain timeless wisdom that can guide indi-
viduals toward self-realization and Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
You advocated for a lifestyle centered on spiritual growth rather than material accumulation.
You encouraged simple living, sustainable practices, and prioritizing spiritual development over
material wealth. Your principle of “simple living and high thinking” resonates deeply in the
modern era, especially as people seek minimalistic lifestyles and sustainable living. ISKCON com-
munities and farm projects exemplify eco-friendly practices and self-sufficient living inspired by
your teachings.
Vegetarianism, as advocated by you, aligns with increasing awareness of ethical eating, animal
welfare, and environmental concerns. Your teachings inspire a compassionate approach to life,
emphasizing nonviolence (ahimsa) as a spiritual and moral responsibility.
In your purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.24.34 you explained that the conditioned souls are
agitated by six transformations: they become agitated when they are hungry, when they are
thirsty, when they are aggrieved, when they are illusioned, when they grow old, and when they
are on their deathbed. You further explained that although conditioned souls become very easily
illusioned by these conditions in the material world, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as
the Supersoul, Vāsudeva, is never agitated by these transformations. You also explained that the
individual soul, although within the illumination of the Supreme, sometimes falls down from that
illumination because of his tiny position, and when he falls, he enters into material, conditional
life. You further explained that the Lord is not subject to such conditioning; therefore He is
described as self-illuminated. Consequently, any conditioned soul within this material universe
can remain completely perfect when he is under the protection of Vāsudeva, or engaged in devo-
tional service.
Although you were on your deathbed, you dictated your purports to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. No
ordinary human being could accomplish such a miraculous feat; other people would be incoher-
ent under such circumstances. Only you could do what you did because you had the special
unlimited mercy of the Supreme Lord.
You emphasized that the practice of bhakti-yoga, or devotional service, offers modern individu-
als a way to channel their energy into acts of love and devotion. This is especially appealing to
those seeking deeper connections and purpose beyond material achievements. Thus, you said,
devotional service is the only way to reach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Supreme Lord
Kṛṣṇa.
You are the special envoy of Lord Kṛṣṇa from the transcendental world, sent to deliver the
fallen souls on this planet. You are an ocean of mercy and filled with the auspicious qualities
described below:
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud
pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materi-
ally afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my
respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of
auspicious qualities.
You are the instructing spiritual master for everyone, the jagad-guru. As jagad-guru you are extin-
guishing the blazing fire of material existence and showing the path to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and
ultimate bliss.
Whatever we say in praise of you is not enough. It is like holding a candle in front of the sun.
Please continue to shower your blessings on us and lead us from this illusory material world to
the Absolute Truth.
We have a life-size banner of your most highly respected self in our temple, and we pay our
most humble obeisances at your lotus feet every day. We derive great inspiration from your smile
and compassion as you look upon us and shower us with your blessings.
Everything about you is excellent and unique. All people must follow your teachings to
become better human beings and better devotees and make their lives successful and peaceful.
All glories to your ISKCON! Jaya, jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Your most humble servants,
Bala Krishna Dāsa and the devotees at ISKCON Edmonton
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 most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine
Grace!
On this most sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the devotees of ISKCON Durham, offer
our deepest gratitude and reverence for the priceless gift you have given to the world – the sci-
ence of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
By your boundless mercy, we find ourselves blessed to be engaged in the sacred mission of
spreading Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s teachings in Durham, Ontario. Your unwavering sacrifice,
compassion, and devotion have made bhakti-yoga accessible to every soul, transcending borders,
backgrounds, and barriers.
This past year, by your grace, ISKCON Durham has taken meaningful steps forward. On Janu-
ary 25, 2025, we hosted a Blissful Kirtan Evening in Durham, where devotees came together in
joyful kīrtana, glorifying the holy name. The event inspired us to launch, starting on February 1,
2025, weekly Saturday programs that are now nurturing and connecting devotees and newcomers
alike. With each gathering, families, children, and seekers are coming closer to Kṛṣṇa, drawn by
the warmth of devotee association, kīrtana, and prasādam.
Your divine vision continues to manifest as more souls are drawn to the path of bhakti. We
are grateful to receive the loving support and guidance of His Holiness Bhaktimārga Swami
Mahārāja, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Prabhu, and Indreśa Gaura Prabhu.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your mercy is boundless, and we pray for the strength to serve your move-
ment with purity and sincerity. May ISKCON Durham flourish into a beacon of Kṛṣṇa conscious-
ness, attracting thousands of sincere seekers to the shelter of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
On this auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we rededicate ourselves to your mission. May our
every thought, word, and action bring glory to your lotus feet and pleasure to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Your eternal servant,
Shyāma Mohinī Devī Dāsī
on behalf of the devotees at ISKCON Durham
Our dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our respectful obeisances. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your
Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā. On behalf of the Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rādhānātha temple and our congregation, we take
this opportunity to glorify you, our lord and master.
Fifty years have passed since you physically walked the South African land. So much has
changed since then, but what remains firm and growing exponentially is the faith of your follow-
ers, your glory, and with it, your mercy!
Your vision for South Africa was to build a temple in Chatsworth and preach to the intelligent
class at the universities. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you will be pleased to know that the message of Lord
Caitanya is still going strong here in Durban, Chatsworth. In fact, our yātrā celebrates two signifi-
cant milestones this year.
The first is the fortieth anniversary of the installation of Their Lordships, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-
Rādhānātha. The second is the fiftieth anniversary of Your Divine Grace visiting Durban, South
Africa.
We are having grand celebrations to commemorate these most auspicious events, which
changed the face of the South African yātrā forever! As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of
your arrival in South Africa, we remember the countless lives you touched and transformed
through your compassion and selflessness.
We are actually having programs throughout the year to celebrate your fiftieth anniversary of
visiting South Africa, and scores of devotees are engaged in preaching events and awareness cam-
paigns to commemorate this most glorious event, which changed our lives.
Secondly, we are increasing our outreach activities, for your pleasure. More particularly, we are
most honored to report that now, fifty years after your vision was communicated, we have finally
made substantial inroads in preaching to the university students, with our first module in bhakti-
yoga accepted into the curriculum and recognized at one of the biggest universities in South
Africa.
We are begging for your blessings so that we continue to uphold the standards of Deity wor-
ship for Their Lordships, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rādhānātha, as we have for the past forty years. By your
mercy, the various Vaiṣṇava festivals are being observed, we are also doing book distribution,
nāmahaṭṭa preaching, Food-for-Life, and the Sunday Love Feasts – all are going on from the Śrī
Śrī Rādhā-Rādhānātha temple.
We feel your constant presence now, even fifty years later, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and Your Divine
Grace remains our beacon of hope, guiding us on our spiritual journey and in endeavoring to
bring you pleasure.
We beg for your mercy so that our temple management and congregation remain enthusiastic
in their services to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rādhānātha, and we pray for your glories to spread to every
heart in South Africa.
Your humble servants,
Management team on behalf of the devotees
of the Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Rādhānātha temple
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. All glories to our spiritual master,
who crossed continents to teach us transcendental knowledge. There are no words to express the
immense gratitude that both I and the Vaiṣṇava community of ISKCON Dominican Republic feel
for Your Divine Grace. It is a great mercy to be able to practice and continuously learn from your
teachings in my home country, the Dominican Republic.
All glories to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, who, at an advanced
age gathered the strength to sail to the West with the intention of helping the conditioned souls
learn how to return to Kṛṣṇa’s abode.
All glories to our śikṣā-guru, who tirelessly dedicated years to translating the books that allow
us to understand transcendental knowledge. Without his efforts, we would not have been able to
learn about Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Without seeking wealth or any reward, he embarked on a journey by ship that transformed the
lives of countless spirit souls. The spread of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to numerous countries is proof
of the authenticity of his mission, which started when he arrived in America to propagate this
knowledge.
On the sacred day of his Vyāsa-pūjā, we honor his unwavering dedication and his mission to
spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every corner of the world.
Your servant,
Rādhā Sumukhī Devī Dāsī,
temple president
Our dear Founder-Ācārya,
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 and prostrated obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet on the
auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā. We fallen souls in this part of the universe will try to glorify
you, O ambassador of the spiritual realm of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Caitanya Mahāprabhu predicted: pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma sarvatra pracāra haibe mora
nāma. You are the gratifier of Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s desires. Your Divine Grace, by your grace
and your vigorous harināma-saṅkīrtana movement here in Dhenkanal, Odisha State, we have
recently opened an ISKCON center. By doing nāgara-saṅkīrtana we want to satisfy you. Your
Divine Grace, your words in your lectures are potent and important for us as we grow rapidly in
this movement.
To fulfill your desire for Food-for-Life, we are distributing food to the needy in rural areas each
month, and also distributing your divine books in a grand number. Śrīla Prabhupāda, by your
mercy we were recently gifted land to construct Kṛṣṇa’s temple in the town of Dhenkanal. We
wish to fulfill the construction task by your mercy, Your Divine Grace.
We are continuing our efforts toward perfection in our regular preaching activities of the
center. These activities include book distribution at a melā in a grand way, one of which we did
last November and December. Every week we have programs for the children and youths, as well
as bhakti-vriksha programs. The Sunday feast is held in the town hall (in the central part of Dhenk-
anal city). There is also regular harināma-saṅkīrtana accompanied by a preaching vehicle through-
out the city.
Your struggles to plant this ISKCON movement worldwide, although you were one person,
was ideal. That’s why we will soon make a public drama of your life history in the local language
of Odisha.
In this material world, the maze of māyā is very strong, so at last we beg to remain faithful
servants of ISKCON. All glories to you on your appearance day, our dear founder-ācārya Śrīla
Prabhupāda.
Your insignificant servants at ISKCON Dhenkanal
