Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I heard the most amazing lecture of yours the other day. It was given in Los Angeles on May 3,
1973. I marveled at the wisdom and expertise that was in full view as you wove in and out of the
full spectrum of your presentation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
In one class, primarily given to disciples who, on the average, had been chanting for two or
three years, you told us to be free from the bodily concept, to be detached from everything that
reinforces that false conception, to boldly defeat the rascals ruining the world (materialistic scien-
tists, politicians, Māyāvādīs, sahajiyās – you covered them all!), that Kṛṣṇa’s real home is Vrinda-
van, and that we should beg for the mercy of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, who controls Kṛṣṇa by Her love.
There was something for everyone, regardless of where they were at in 1973, or where we are at in
2025.
Here are some brief samples showing the span of your presentation in just one class:
The highest is available to anyone: “If Caitanya Mahāprabhu is pleased, then He can give
kṛṣṇa-prema, love of Kṛṣṇa, to anyone, doesn’t matter what is his qualification. He gives. If a
person who is giving in charity, he can select any man: ‘You take.’ That is power of Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu. Otherwise, kṛṣṇa-prema, to understand Kṛṣṇa, is very, very difficult job.”
We should preach strongly: “Now it is the time for making propaganda amongst the so-called
scientist, philosophers, leaders, politicians. Because they are misleading the whole people of the
world under the bodily concept of life.… These rascals, they’re the greatest enemy of the human
society.”
We should be detached: “To become free from material attachment, that is required. So long I’m
thinking, ‘I’m father of this, mother of this, husband of this, wife of this,’ that is attachment.…
The māyā is causing to dance like this – monkey’s dancing … if we waste our life, misuse this
opportunity of human life just to live like the cats and dogs, āhāra-nidrā, eating, sleeping, mating,
and defending, then we are spoiling. The human life is successful when he understands Kṛṣṇa.
Otherwise he remains an animal. That’s all.… That is freedom, that ‘I do not belong to anything
of this bodily connection.’”
Rascal sahajiyās: “They picture simply Kṛṣṇa as if simply embracing Rādhārāṇī. That’s all. That
is also very, in an obnoxious way. These rascal, they take it, the dealings of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa as
ordinary boys’ and girls’ dealing. They don’t understand anything. Let there be one picture how
Kṛṣṇa is controlling the whole universe.”
Bhakti, Kṛṣṇa, in Vrindavan, and Rādhārāṇī’s shelter: “In His original form, He is Kṛṣṇa, two
hands, playing on the flute. That is His original form. The universal form is causal but that is not
His real form. Kṛṣṇa’s real form is Vrindavan, at home, the dvi-bhuja-muralīdhara. Dvi-bhuja, two
hands, having a flute in the hand.
“Kṛṣṇa becomes a tool in the hands of bhakta. Just like Rādhārāṇī, the symbol of the topmost
bhakti, Rādhārāṇī. So She has purchased Kṛṣṇa. She’s so powerful. Therefore Vaiṣṇavas, they
take shelter of the lotus feet of Rādhārāṇī so that if She recommends, ‘Oh, here is a nice devotee,’
Kṛṣṇa has to accept.”
What an incredibly powerful and diverse class. Over the years we often have heard the phrase
in praise of you: “He built a house in which the whole world can live.” We, your followers, likely
have different ways of understanding that phrase. I’ve often wondered what it tangibly means.
This lecture of yours helps me think of that phrase in real terms, at least as it relates to the devotee
community. In thirty-nine minutes you gave inspiration to every devotee, whether they are strug-
gling to understand that they are not their body, or are more focused on begging for the mercy of
Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, as well as many stages and topics in between. Such expertise!
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for this lecture and all the ways you give us the opportunity to
achieve the Lord’s mercy by endeavoring to serve and please you.
Your servant,
Vraja Vihārī Dāsa
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, please accept my respectful, humble obei-
sances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace! All glories to your unmatched contri-
bution to this world!
Though I am your granddisciple, I consider myself your eternal servant. By your divine
empowerment, my spiritual master received Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and through his mercy, that
same light has reached me, so today I bow at your lotus feet, offering my life in gratitude.
Before coming to your shelter, Śrīla Prabhupāda, I was just another lost soul in this material
world, chasing illusion, driven by ignorance. By your causeless mercy I came in contact with your
teachings through your devotees and my life took a new turn. Your books became my compass,
your mission my shelter, and your movement my home.
You pulled me from darkness and placed me on the bright path of bhakti. Your Bhagavad-gītā
As It Is, your purports, your conversations – they are a divine ocean from which I drink daily. You
gave meaning to my existence and spiritual purpose to my life.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, I beg at your lotus feet: Let me never leave ISKCON, your divine gift to the
world. Let me serve your mission through thick and thin and never lose the opportunity to associ-
ate with your followers. I understand deeply now that drifting from your society is drifting from
your mercy.
Please bless me to remain humble, loyal, and active in your service, regardless of my external
situation. May I always remember that I am simply the servant of the servant of your servants.
By your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, I have witnessed how your teachings empower even the most
uneducated or illiterate devotees. Through Bhakti-śāstrī courses, I’ve seen housewives, laborers,
and elderly devotees – who once doubted their own abilities – quoting your verses and living by
your teachings. This miracle happens not because of any teacher but because your vāṇī is directly
infused with Kṛṣṇa’s potency. You didn’t just translate books, you delivered transformation.
In an effort to serve your educational mission, by Your Divine Grace’s beloved disciple, His
Holiness Jayapatāka Swami, I have been helping develop the Ipoh Institute of Spiritual Edu-
cation (IISE) in Malaysia. At IISE, we strive to systematically teach the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa
consciousness to devotees of all ages and backgrounds, just as you desired. We have organized a
variety of courses and programs, including a course for the illiterate, to fulfill this purpose:
Bhakti-śāstrī courses – 6 Tamil and 2 English batches – all free
Bhakti-vaibhava studies – in both Tamil and English
ISKCON Disciples Course (IDC) – more than 500 students have participated in these
sessions so far. Students learn about your position as the founder-ācārya, the guru-
paramparā system, and the proper conduct of a disciple in ISKCON. Emphasizing
your instructions and the GBC guidelines, we impress upon them the importance of
unity and purity in our society. I am happy to report that hundreds of aspiring devo-
tees now have a strong foundational understanding of what it means to be your grand-
disciple. They come from the course inspired to commit themselves to ISKCON’s
mission with integrity and devotion.
Audiobook sessions – listening to your books transforms hearts.
Quizzes, home programs, youth events – engaging the public with your words.
Yajña and saṁskāra workshops – upholding Vedic and Vaiṣṇava culture.
Deity worship trainings – ensuring proper arcana standards.
Each of these services is our humble attempt to spread your mercy systematically.
By your blessings I serve as the Deity Worship Ministry representative for ISKCON Malaysia. I
travel to temples in my zone to train pūjārīs, ensure the pañcarātrika standards are followed, and
inspire higher levels of cleanliness, punctuality, and devotion. I always remind myself and others
that the Deity is not an idol; Kṛṣṇa is personally present. This service deepens my own sādhana,
and I pray that every altar in our temples will reflect your teachings in spirit and standard.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you gave everything we need in your books. There is no need for outside
speculation or invented interpretations. Every issue in life and society has already been addressed
in your instructions. As your granddisciple, I take it as my sacred duty to help others realize this
truth and to teach them to take shelter of your words with full faith.
Please bless me, Śrīla Prabhupāda, to remain fixed in your ISKCON, to serve under the guid-
ance of your loyal servants, to preach your message without compromise, and to leave this world
remembering your lotus feet. May I live and die as your eternal servant. May I never become
proud, never become diverted, and never forget your mercy.
Your unworthy servant,
Muralīdhara Śyāma Dāsa
Deity Worship Ministry representative for Malaysia and co-principal of IISE
Hare Kṛṣṇa! Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to you. On behalf of the Govardhan Retreat Centre (GRC), I offer my humble glori-
fication at your lotus feet.
This center, established in 2022, is but a small attempt to serve your divine mission – helping
devotees worldwide deepen their Kṛṣṇa consciousness and find shelter under the guidance of
your teachings.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your life was an extraordinary testament to unflinching devotion, determi-
nation, and mercy. At the age of seventy you embarked on the impossible journey of spreading
Kṛṣṇa consciousness beyond the borders of India. With only a trunk of books and unwavering
faith in the Supreme Lord, you crossed the ocean to fulfill the order of your spiritual master, Śrīla
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. The world had never before witnessed such an act of selfless
love.
Through your relentless preaching, ISKCON took root in the hearts of thousands. You worked
tirelessly, translating scriptures, writing purports, guiding your disciples, and building a world-
wide movement. You established temples, farm communities, gurukulas, and book distribution
programs, ensuring that Kṛṣṇa’s message would reach every town and village, just as Lord Cai-
tanya Mahāprabhu had predicted.
Today, your teachings continue to illuminate the path for seekers, offering them a way out of
the material entanglements that bind the soul. Your transcendental books remain the guiding
light for millions, nurturing the devotion of countless aspirants eager to follow the path of bhakti.
Without your sacrifice, we would not have this spiritual movement, nor the opportunity to con-
nect with the Lord through the process of devotional service.
Govardhan Retreat Centre: A Humble Offering
The Govardhan Retreat Centre is one such humble extension of your mission. Inspired by your
vision, His Holiness Śacīnandana Swami and His Grace Bhūrijana Prabhu envisioned a center
where devotees could immerse themselves in kathā and kīrtana, surrounded by the divine atmo-
sphere of Govardhan. They wanted to create a spiritual oasis where one could take shelter, just as
the Vrajavāsīs once took shelter under Govardhan Hill when Lord Kṛṣṇa lifted it to protect them
from Indra’s wrath.
Since its opening in 2022, GRC has provided a sacred space for introspection, learning, and
deepening one’s relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Every retreat, every class, and every kīrtana session here
echoes the very essence of your teachings. Devotees come from all over the world to recharge
spiritually and to reflect on your instructions and apply them in their daily lives. Just as you
envisioned, this center fosters an environment where serious practitioners can advance in Kṛṣṇa
consciousness, free from material distractions.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you often reminded us that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not just a philosophy but
a way of life. You taught us to serve with humility, chant with sincerity, and surrender with faith.
Your words continue to guide us today: “If you simply glorify Kṛṣṇa, then your life is perfect.”
At the GRC we strive to follow this instruction by organizing regular kathā sessions, where
devotees hear the glories of Kṛṣṇa, relish the pastimes of the Lord, and purify their hearts. The
importance of sādhu-saṅga cannot be overstated. Just as you emphasized again and again, it is
through this association that one finds the strength to progress in spiritual life.
You also stressed the importance of chanting the holy name: “Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and your life
will be sublime.”
Following your instruction, every retreat at GRC is filled with heartfelt kīrtanas, where devotees
lose themselves in the ocean of Kṛṣṇa’s holy names. Whether sitting in the Kirtan Hall or walking
on the sacred land of Govardhan, we feel your presence guiding us through the vibrations of the
mahā-mantra.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we often reflect on how you endured so much hardship to give us the great-
est treasure – Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You faced countless obstacles, yet your determination never
wavered. When others doubted, you had faith. When others hesitated, you moved forward. Your
compassion knew no bounds, and your love for Kṛṣṇa was unparalleled. How can we ever repay
such a debt?
We can only try to serve your mission with sincerity, dedicate our lives to spreading Kṛṣṇa con-
sciousness, and uphold the principles you set forth. It is our duty to ensure that ISKCON and its
projects, like the Govardhan Retreat Centre, continue to flourish as beacons of your mercy.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, words will always fall short in expressing the gratitude we feel in our hearts.
It is only by your mercy that we have this golden opportunity to practice devotional service.
May we always remain instruments in your hands, carrying forward your legacy with purity and
devotion.
At the Govardhan Retreat Centre we commit to upholding your teachings, ensuring that every
devotee who comes here finds nourishment for their soul, inspiration for their sādhana, and a
deeper connection to Kṛṣṇa.
Please bless us so that we may always remember you, follow your instructions with sincerity,
and never deviate from the path of bhakti. We offer our heartfelt obeisances at your lotus feet,
praying that we may serve you, life after life.
Your humble servant,
Vrindavan Vinod Dāsa (director)
Jatipura-Govardhan (Vrindavan)
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
Please accept this humble offering at your lotus feet from the GBC College’s trustees, advisors,
faculty, course coordinators, administrators, and staff. We hope and pray that it pleases you and
invokes your blessings for the continued success of the GBC College.
For your pleasure and blessings, we are happy to report that the demand for training is grow-
ing worldwide. As we write this offering, the ninth international group of about fifty leader partic-
ipants from various parts of the world is undergoing training. Simultaneously, the third group of
about twenty leaders exclusively from North America is training. Additionally, over thirty leaders
from China – also the third group from that country – started training last week, in March 2025.
Further, Belarus devotees have expressed interest in developing a program in Russian that will be
dedicated to their specific needs. They expect to enroll twenty leaders in that program.
We are also preparing to admit the next international group, to start in November 2025. For
this upcoming group, we are contemplating two levels of training – first, for department heads,
temple presidents, etc., and second, for zonal supervisors. Thank you very much for granting our
wishes to start this new level of leadership training for department heads and others. We pray to
Your Divine Grace for your blessings so that we may successfully conduct all these training pro-
grams in the spirit of being instruments in your service. We are so grateful for the opportunity to
assist you in carrying out your vision.
Your servants at the GBC College for Leadership Development,
(submitted by Rūpānuga Dāsa, president)
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to your lotus feet, by whose mercy a lame man can dance and the blind can see
beyond the mundane world.
Gargamuni Prabhu remembers: “While in Calcutta Śrīla Prabhupāda liked his morning walk
at Victoria Memorial. Once Śrīla Prabhupāda recollects, ‘That was built in memory of Victoria. It
was done imitating the Taj Mahal. It took twenty years. Sir Rajendra Nath Mukherjee of Martin
Company, he took the contract. And after finishing, he got this title Sir. And when it was being
constructed, I went to the top by crossing the scaffolding.’”
When Brahmānanda told Prabhupāda, “So you must have been very brave,” Śrīla Prabhupāda
said, “Yes, I am still brave! [laughter] Otherwise how could I come alone to preach Kṛṣṇa con-
sciousness? I am still brave.”
In Kali-yuga it’s hard to find good qualities in people. People say, “Never meet your heroes –
you’ll be disappointed.” Bravery is easy to recognize even for a dull-headed person like myself,
and you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, stepped out of the comfort zone on the request of your Guru
Mahārāja to give all living entities a chance to return back to Godhead.
We can only conclude that such compassion is rarely gifted to anyone. The scripture clearly
explains the significance of your mercy, both internally and externally, and we are in awe.
Here at Krishna’s Castle in Central London we have been given the opportunity to render a
little devotional service to you through prasāda distribution, book distribution, and harināma-
saṅkīrtana. We are eternally indebted to you.
Your servant,
Paraśurāma Dāsa and team
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance, we offer our most respectful and
humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
In your books, you explain how the process of devotional service is passed down through the
paramparā system – from one spiritual master to the next – and how it is through this chain that
the conditioned souls receive the opportunity to connect with Kṛṣṇa. You are our living link in
this disciplic succession, guiding us in the present age. It takes great spiritual qualification to
bring conditioned souls back to Kṛṣṇa, and by your mercy, you are doing just that.
At your storefront temple at 26 Second Avenue, you gave many beautiful lectures, including
a series on Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. In one of those classes you spoke about the meeting between
Lord Caitanya and Sanātana Gosvāmī. Lord Caitanya shared the story of the astrologer who
revealed that a priceless treasure – kṛṣṇa-prema – lies hidden in every heart. That treasure is our
dormant love for Kṛṣṇa in one of the five rasas: neutrality, servitude, friendship, parental affection,
or conjugal love.
You taught that the only way to awaken that love is through the process of sādhana-bhakti, but
even this process required your mercy and guidance. By coming into your association, souls like
us began to develop faith in the path of devotional service.
The fact that even the most unqualified souls can take to devotional life is further illustrated in
the next story: In the biography about you called Let There Be a Temple, the author shares a touch-
ing story:
The devotees were working hard to get a permit to build a temple in Mumbai, but
even after a full year of effort, seven or eight of them couldn’t succeed. Then, a Hindu
friend of one of the devotees mentioned that the only way to get the permit was to
offer a bribe to the government official.
The devotees informed Śrīla Prabhupāda, and he gave them the money. It took a
few attempts, but finally, the permit was approved. When Prabhupāda heard the news,
he was so joyful that he told the man who helped, “You will go back home, back to
Godhead – Goloka Vrindavan.”
The man humbly replied, “No, Prabhupāda. I’m not qualified. I’m too sinful.”
But Prabhupāda reassured him with deep compassion, saying, “Don’t worry – I will
take care of it.”
This story illustrates the power of your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Another story that shows how even new but sincere devotees can get Kṛṣṇa’s mercy by pleas-
ing you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, is the one about the group you sent to Japan. They didn’t have much
experience, but they wanted to serve you. You asked them to help collect money to build the
Krishna-Balaram temple in Vrindavan. They worked very hard, selling books and doing business,
and by your mercy, they were able to send the money.
You were so happy with their effort; and because they pleased you, the beautiful Krishna-
Balaram temple was built. This shows that when we try to serve you with a sincere heart, even if
we are not very advanced, Kṛṣṇa is pleased with us.
Just like these other devotees, we at the Festival of India are also aspiring to please you
with our humble service of assisting the temples in North America to set up their Ratha-yātrā
festivals – introducing the conditioned souls all over North America to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and
the chanting of the holy names: Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare / Hare Rāma
Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare Hare.
Your servants on the 2025 Hare Kṛṣṇa Festival of India Tour
(written by Gosh Ṭhākura Dāsa)
