Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
My dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept my humble obeisances. I am stating a few sentences of your glorification for my own purification, because when a person simply remembers you, he is purified.
Your books are a great blessing for human society. Through your books, you eternally give your divine association to the conditioned souls. So many souls have been delivered, and for thousands of years to come, many more will be delivered.
Although I have no purity at all to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I have strong faith in your books, which preach with complete purity. Therefore, I simply try to facilitate others to read your books. I have seen that by reading them, people gradually cultivate your mood of preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Your letters, quotes, and discussions help us realign our consciousness. This is your causeless mercy – that you have given this unqualified, sinful, conditioned soul the responsibility to lead the project in Gaya Dhāma, where Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu began the saṅkīrtana movement after having darshan of Viṣṇupāda and receiving initiation from Śrīpāda Īśvara Purī.
My only qualification is that somehow or other I am attached to your morning program. This morning program is truly wonderful and purifies us very quickly. I have experienced in my own life that although I had so much conditioning, by attending your morning program I gained the realization to give up sense gratification and to practice pure devotion.
I have a spiritual desire, Śrīla Prabhupāda, which has also been sanctioned by our immediate authority. I wish to build a 108-foot statue of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu here in Gaya to mark the place where He began the saṅkīrtana movement. The statue may be called the “Statue of Love” or “Statue of Devotion.” I do not know whether I will be able to render this service in this lifetime.
If you so desire, Śrīla Prabhupāda, please bless and empower me. Your mercy is my only qualification.
Your humble servant,
Jagdish Shyam Dāsa
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I am filled with gratitude, realizing that it is by your mercy – and your mercy alone – that we are attempting to lead our lives in a Kṛṣṇa conscious way. We can never truly imagine the darkness we would be in had you not brought the light of the holy name to the world.
I am immensely blessed by the association of my spiritual father, His Holiness Jayapatāka Swami Mahārāja, who is a living testament to your empowered mission. He is constantly meditating on your instructions to him and the GBC, showing us how to fulfill your vision despite all odds. Through his mercy, and the mercy of the wonderful devotees of ISKCON, I find the strength to serve.
You painstakingly created ISKCON and headed it for twelve years, setting a perfect example for an organization that continues to grow sixty years after its incorporation. Your disciples followed the instructions of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.7.30–31 to the letter, giving 100 percent of themselves to you and your mission. Specifically, I am moved by the principle of sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca – offering everything one has acquired to the spiritual master. They have shown us that through guru-śuśrūṣayā (service to the spiritual master) and saṅgena sādhu-bhaktānām (association of devotees), all success is achieved. Following in their footsteps, we strive to emulate that dedication, supporting ISKCON’s growth while trying to grow in our own Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Currently, I am serving in the GCC area (Damodar Desh). As you know, the circumstances here are tough for open preaching, and we mainly reach out to the expat community. We continue to seek your special blessings so that we can improve our outreach and, by your grace, one day establish a beautiful temple in this region.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, handling even a small yātrā is so intense and all-consuming that it makes me realize your true position. You are undoubtedly a śaktyāveṣa-avatāra; only a soul directly empowered by Kṛṣṇa could have managed such a massive global empire at your age, winning the lifelong dedication of those fifty years your junior.
I beg for your continued blessings to serve Your Divine Grace, the institution of ISKCON, and the current leadership with sincerity and steadiness.
Your spiritual grandson and servant,
Śrī Vallabha Dāsa and the devotees of Damodar Desh
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Once again, that most auspicious time of the year has arrived when we are given the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt prayers unto you.
With every passing year, we witness your movement expanding far and wide, especially in India. New centers are opening, existing centers are developing into full-fledged temples, book distribution is steadily increasing, and the number of devotees continues to grow. More people are becoming our friends and well-wishers, our social outreach is strengthening, and even government leaders are extending increasing support to your mission. Within the society, devotees are coming together in a spirit of cooperation and forming more effective and collaborative teams to expand your preaching mission. Although certain challenges have arisen that could potentially create rifts, none have become so severe as to obstruct the overall progress of your movement.
While the expansion of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s movement is deeply encouraging, we also observe the rise of disturbing and harmful influences all over the world, across all continents. There are forces that seek to undermine, corrupt, or even destroy sanātana-dharma in various ways. Day by day, their influence appears to be growing across different levels of society, and we cannot foresee what the situation may be in the coming years.
In such times, we try to draw hope and strength by remembering the Kurukṣetra war as it is described in the Mahābhārata, where the righteous Pāṇḍavas were vastly outnumbered by the Kauravas, yet despite their apparent disadvantage, they emerged victorious simply because Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was on their side: jayas tu pāṇḍu-putrāṇāṁ yeṣāṁ pakṣe janārdanaḥ. We are also reminded of the story of the small sparrow who sought to dry up the ocean to recover her lost eggs, and how Garuḍa ultimately came to her aid.
Similarly, although our strength appears insignificant in comparison to the vast forces of Kali and Māyā, we place our hope in your causeless mercy and blessings. By your empowerment, even the smallest effort can become successful. We pray that we may remain instruments in your hands, able to serve your mission with sincerity and determination, and thereby contribute, in whatever small way, to the victory of Lord Caitanya’s movement. Paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam.
Your servants at ISKCON Chowpatty
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
It is said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.4.18):
kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ
ye ’nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
śudhyanti tasmai prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ
Kirātas, Hūṇas, Āndhras, Pulindas, Pulkaśas, Ābhīras, Śumbhas, Yavanas, members of the Khasa races, and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
In your Bhaktivedanta purport to this verse, Your Divine Grace wrote: “Khasa: The inhabitants of the Khasadeśa are mentioned in the Mahābhārata (Droṇa-parva). Those who have a stunted growth of hair on the upper lip are generally called Khasas. As such, the Khasa are the Mongolians, the Chinese, and others who are so designated.”
From this we can understand that even we Chinese, who are constantly engaged in sinful acts, are corrigible to the standard of perfect human beings by taking shelter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness founded by Your Divine Grace in 1966 in New York. Just like Jesus Christ, a powerful devotee of the Lord, Your Divine Grace has done tremendous service on behalf of the Lord on the surface of the globe. The dust-worn minds of the people in general are becoming purified by the association of Your Divine Grace and of the devotees of ISKCON.
Your Divine Grace has taught us that simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord, a tremendous change of heart can take place, by which the complete misunderstanding between the human nations created by politicians can at once be extinguished. Otherwise, the valuable human form of life will be spoiled in following a type of materialistic civilization that is ultimately doomed.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, Your Divine Grace is such a powerful Vaiṣṇava that you turned into Vaiṣṇavas even those who were lowborn, women, śūdras, and vaiśyas. Your Divine Grace has fulfilled the prophecy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu:
pṛthivī-paryānta yata āche deśa-grāma
sarvatra saṅcāra haibeka mora nāma
In every town and village of the world, the chanting of My name will be heard. (Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126)
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for saving us from this animalistic way of life. Your Divine Grace is our great savior.
Now we have over two thousand devotees here in China, although we are not a legal entity yet because of the local government. Your Divine Grace predicted that the Chinese will be the last but the best for taking up Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is definitely going to come true, for as a self-realized soul, Your Divine Grace can see past, present, and future. Just as the Chinese accepted Buddhism with all their hearts and souls thousands of years ago, so by the mercy of Your Divine Grace and the mercy of Lord Buddha, who is a powerful incarnation of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, we Chinese will also accept Kṛṣṇa consciousness with all our hearts and souls in the not-far future.
Your fallen servant,
Gaurāṅga Prema Dāsa
On behalf of the Chinese devotees
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, our dearest, ever well-wisher, eternal father, and master,
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 19.151)
We begin with trembling hearts and folded palms, fully aware of our utter unworthiness. We are the lowest of the low – fallen souls in a far-flung corner of the world, and the least deserving recipients of the bhakti-latā-bīja. And yet, by your causeless mercy, that seed appears to be sprouting in this most unlikely of soils. It is only by your boundless compassion that we find ourselves at your lotus feet once again on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
Respected Śrīla Prabhupāda, as you mentioned, “A Vaiṣṇava is therefore described as being para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others. As such, a Vaiṣṇava engages in activities for the real welfare of human society.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.21.12, purport)
This year in Brunei, your servants have attempted – however feebly and imperfectly – to embody this instruction. Witnessing the spiritual hunger of Indian and Bangladeshi expatriates in this distant land, and feeling genuine pain at their separation from Kṛṣṇa, your servants have endeavored to bring your books, your kirtan, and your prasādam to their doors.
This year it was heartening to partake in an indoor Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā in the palatial homes of some gracious devotee-friendly families. With great joy and enthusiasm, approximately eighty guests and devotees pulled the ratha, inviting Their Lordships Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā into their hearts. All of this was entirely possible by your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for we have no ability or capability to arrange anything by our own efforts.
By the mercy of Lord Gaurāṅga, we were invited to sing kirtan and perform āratis in the homes of friends on a couple of evenings during the eleven-day Gaṇeśa-caturthī festival. By Your Divine Grace, the guests were absorbed in the kirtan, and many enthusiastically performed the āratis themselves – a quietly transformative moment for souls otherwise unacquainted with Vaiṣṇava devotion.
The auspicious Dāmodara month continues to be the most beloved season for outreach. This year, by your mercy, we were invited to conduct the very first dāmodara-ārati in the homes of several new friends and colleagues. Most movingly, the High Commissioner of India to Brunei himself graced one such program and offered a ghee lamp to Lord Dāmodara. In all, approximately 375 ghee lamps were offered across first-time home visits and regular congregation members’ houses during this sacred month – kindling devotion by your causeless grace.
Govardhana-pūjā remains the most eagerly awaited annual gathering in our home. This year, more than seventy devotees and friends – some with their young children – participated with great enthusiasm. The air was filled with energetic kirtan, and a sumptuous feast of prasādam was lovingly prepared and honored. It is entirely by your mercy that such an event is even possible in the context of this conservative Islamic country.
Festivals such as Narasiṁha-caturdaśī, Janmāṣṭamī, Rādhāṣṭamī, and Gaura-Pūrṇimā were all celebrated behind closed doors by performing abhiṣeka with deep devotion. Most notably, abhiṣeka for Gaura-Pūrṇimā was organized twice to accommodate the schedules of friends and colleagues. All invitees individually participated in the transcendental activity of bathing Gaura-Nitāi Deities with milk, honey, yogurt and other sacred ingredients, and in so doing received the causeless mercy of Their Lordships.
Gītā-jayantī was celebrated in a most memorable way this year, with the translations of all seven hundred verses of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is being read aloud in six different languages by friends, colleagues, and their families. What a sight it was, Śrīla Prabhupāda – your words in six tongues, all glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This was only possible because of the seeds of devotion you planted through your books.
Our weekly Bhagavad-gītā study sessions – the Saturday group and the Tuesday group for expat oil-industry colleagues and their families – had a few unforeseen interruptions this year, but by your mercy, we were able to resume them and continue our study, reflection, and discussion of verses, translations, and the nectarean purports penned by Your Divine Grace. These sessions remain a lifeline of spiritual nourishment for many ultra-neophyte friends who have no other regular access to Vaiṣṇava association.
Our Sunday evening gathering with the Bangladeshi expat community continues to be the spiritual heartbeat of the congregation. Tulasī-ārati, Gaura-ārati and Nṛsiṁha-ārati, followed by soul-stirring kirtan, a reflection on the Bhagavad-gītā, and a shared prasādam meal – this format, so lovingly given by you, continues to attract new members. It warms the heart to see some attendees now turning away from meat-eating, and others eagerly requesting japa beads to begin chanting at home.
On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance, we, the most unworthy and fallen of souls in this tiny corner of the world, bow our heads at your lotus feet in deepest humility. Whatever small service may have been rendered in Brunei is entirely and solely the fruit of your boundless, causeless mercy. We have no qualification whatsoever of our own. It is only the shade of your lotus feet that keeps us from drowning in this ocean of material existence.
We beg, Śrīla Prabhupāda, that you never withdraw your compassionate glance from us. May you kindly overlook our countless offenses and shortcomings. May we always remain, in life and death, the most insignificant dust particles at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga!
Your insignificant servants of the servants of the servants,
Cakradhārī Kānāi Dāsa and the devotees of the Brunei yātrā
Asia-Eurasia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
With deep gratitude and a sense of responsibility to serve your divine mission, we, the devotees of ISKCON Bhopal BYC, humbly present this year’s offering, reporting the progress of your movement in Bhopal and seeking your continued blessings.
Last year, by your mercy, we witnessed a historic beginning with the grand bhūmi-pūjā of our new temple land. This year, that seed has begun to take visible form. After the bhūmi-pūjā, by the end of March all the devotees had gradually shifted to the new temple land, embracing many austerities and challenges with enthusiasm simply to assist in establishing your mission here. Since then, construction has been steadily progressing, and by your causeless mercy we have successfully completed Phase 1 of the project.
This first phase has given us a functional residential facility for temple devotees, guest rooms for visiting and senior Vaiṣṇavas, a proper kitchen, and a prasādam hall where devotees and guests can honor sanctified food together. Additionally, a new Matchless Gifts shop has started, attracting visitors and giving them an opportunity to connect with Kṛṣṇa consciousness through books and devotional items. All these developments are small but significant steps in manifesting your vision in this part of the city.
Last year, we were also blessed to organize a grand Ratha-yātrā festival, which concluded at the new temple land. Many people from across the city participated, and the atmosphere was surcharged with the holy names. For many, this was their first connection with your movement at this new location. Shortly after, we celebrated Śrī Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī for the first time on this new land, and to our great surprise and joy, the number of visitors far exceeded our expectations. It became evident that by your blessings, this new center is naturally attracting sincere souls eager to connect with Kṛṣṇa.
With this encouraging response, we have now begun working on Phase 2 of the temple project: a large satsaṅga hall that will be able to accommodate a significant gathering of devotees and guests. Work on the foundation has already begun, and we are hopeful that within the next year it will be completed. This hall will not only enhance the beauty of the temple but will also greatly strengthen preaching activities by providing a proper space for large programs, festivals, and classes.
Although the number of devotees is still limited, we are sincerely trying our best to continue all aspects of devotional service. Regular saṅkīrtana, book distribution, weekly programs, and dhāma-yātrās are ongoing. A new small saṅkīrtana van has been acquired, which regularly goes out for book distribution, helping to expand your mission and reach more conditioned souls.
Our outreach preaching centers are also gradually growing, and new connections are forming in different parts of the city. The seeds of Kṛṣṇa consciousness are being planted in many hearts, and we can see that with time and proper nurturing, these will grow into strong devotional communities.
We are especially grateful that many senior sannyāsīs and spiritual leaders of ISKCON continue to visit this new center, offering their guidance, association, and blessings. Their presence inspires all devotees and strengthens our conviction to serve you sincerely. This year, for the first time, initiation ceremonies were also conducted at this new temple land, where many devotees received initiation from their respective spiritual masters. Seeing devotees from different gurus living together, serving cooperatively, and striving to please you as the founder-ācārya is a great source of inspiration and hope for the future of your movement here.
Following the same spirit as last year, our youth preaching, Vaiṣṇavī forums, weekly congregational programs, and scriptural study sessions are continuing steadily. Devotees are becoming more serious in their practices, regularly attending classes, chanting, and reading your books. We understand that real success lies not only in physical expansion but in developing pure devotees, and we are trying to keep this focus in all our efforts.
Our goshala service is also continuing near the temple, where cows are being cared for with devotion, contributing to the spiritual atmosphere of the dhāma we are trying to establish here.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, as we reflect on all these developments, we clearly see that everything is happening only by your mercy. At the same time, we also understand that this is just the beginning. Being a new project, there is still so much to be done: construction, preaching expansion, devotee care, training, and establishing a strong spiritual foundation.
We humbly admit that we have many shortcomings, both individually and collectively. Still, with whatever little capacity we have, we are trying to serve your mission sincerely. We deeply feel the need for your constant blessings and guidance so that we may perform all services in the proper mood – free from ego, with cooperation, humility, and a desire to please you.
Kindly bless us that we may develop strong unity among devotees, remain fixed in sādhana and Vaiṣṇava etiquette, expand this center as a powerful preaching hub, and most importantly, become instruments in fulfilling your desire to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and village. Please continue to reside in this project and guide us from within our hearts.
We pray that this new ISKCON Bhopal BYC center becomes a place where thousands of conditioned souls come, take shelter, and transform their lives through your teachings.
Your insignificant servant,
Rasānanda Dāsa
On behalf of devotees of ISKCON Bhopal BYC
