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Page 1 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Maharaja - Offering ‘09

In the Bramha-Samhita it is said that the Lord is never to be found by becoming a great scholar of the Vedic Literatures, but He is very easily approachable through His pure devotee. In Vrndavana all the pure devotees pray for the mercy of Srimati Radharani, the pleasure potency of Lord . Srimati Radharani is a tenderhearted feminine counterpart of the Supreme whole, resembling the perfectional stage of the worldly feminine nature. Therefore, the mercy of Radharani is available very readily to the sincere devotees, and once She recommends such a devotee to Lord Krishna, the Lord at once accepts the devotees admittance into His association. The conclusion is, therefore, that one should be more serious about seeking the mercy of the devotee than that of the Lord directly, and by one’s doing so (by the goodwill of the devotee) the natural attraction for the service of the Lord will be derived. …….. Srila Prabhupada

Page 2 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

Page 3 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

Sri Vyasa Puja – Meaning

In his purport Srila Prabhupada writes, “Nityananda Prabhu arranged for the Vyasa Puja of the Lord… Since Vyasadev is the original (spiritual master) of all who follow the Vedic principles, worship of the spiritual master through the agency of Vyasadev is called “Vyasa Puja”.

Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada Maharaja introduced the ceremony of Vyasa Puja in our line on his 50 th birthday. From that day, every year it has been going on. On his 52 nd birth anniversary, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada Maharaja gave a lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam describing the meaning of Vyasa Puja. He said, Vyasa Puja means the Puja of all Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas . From this statement we can understand the purport of Vyasa Puja. It is not only the Puja of Vyasadev, or of Krishna, or of Gaurasundar, or of guru. That is not real Vyasa Puja. Vyasa Puja means the Puja of all pure Gaudiya Vaishnava Acarya . That is real Vyasa Puja.

In this bhaktivinoda-dhara we find a for Vyasa-Puja: sri damodara svarupa, sri rupa, sri sanatana, sri raghunatha, sri jiva, bhatta , sri krsnadasa kavirajadi, srimad bhaktivinoda, srimad gaurakisora dasa, srimad bhaktisiddhanta saraswati, srimad bhaktivedanta swami padanka sarvebhyo gurave namah

“I offer my obeisances to the footprints of all the , Srila Swarup Damodar Goswami, Srila , Srila Sanatan Goswami, Srila Raghunath das Goswami, Srila , Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, the devotees beginning with Srila Krishna das Kaviraj, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, Srila Gaurakishore das Babaji, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.”

Vyasa Puja means the worship of all these Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas.

Bhaktivinode Thakur has said, “ Gaudiya Vaishnava is the opinion of all Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas Mahajanas . Whatever Gaudiya Vaishnava Siddhanta we have received, that is guru dhana – the merciful gift of all the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas. That is their lila vaisistya , the wonderful characteristics of the lila of that Guru Vaishnava Acarya.”

Gaudiya Vaishnava Siddhanta is the krpa vaisistya , the special characteristics of their merciful lila. If we do not observe this festival, if we do not remember and glorify the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas, it will be a great disservice towards them. If we do not discuss their vaisistya , their wonderful characteristics, if we remain inactive, not observing the appearance day and disappearance day of such Acaryas, Mahajanas, then it will be an anyaya, a great injustice. Without their mercy we cannot understand this Gaudiya Vaishnava Siddhanta. Though Maha Prabhu is wonderfully merciful, indiscriminately giving Krsna-Prema , still, we cannot have it without their mercy.

Extracted from the bookPage “The4 Worship of Sri Guru” His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09 by Srila Maharaja

Contents Page

Sri Vyasa Puja - Meaning 4

Offerings

Australia 7

Fiji 24

Germany 31

India 33

New Zealand 48

Papua New Guinea 59

USA 63

Page 5 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

Page 6 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

AUSTRALIA

Ranganath das & Niyati Dasi

mukam karoti vachalam

pangum langhayate girim

yat- tam vande

shri-gurum dina-taranam

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains."

nama visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale srimate vedavyasapriya-svamin iti namine

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Vedavyasa Priya Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.”

Our dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept our humble obeisances again and again at Your divine lotus feet. All glories to You and His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

It is by Lord Krishna’s causeless mercy that we have an opportunity to have You as our spiritual master. Guru Maharaj, we do not have the words to appropriately describe Your affectionate and loving attitude towards our whole family. As the above prayers testify, it is indeed by Your blessings and guidance that we have any hope of crossing this miserable ocean and mountain of birth and death.

Thanks for accepting us at Your lotus feet as Your disciples and being available for us anytime and from anywhere in the world as a guru and father. Our words cannot thank you enough for Your mercy upon Naveen by allowing him to travel and learn devotional process under Your care despite Your hectic preaching responsibility. We beg that You please keep us all under Your lotus feet as without Your mercy we cannot make any progress in Krishna Consciousness.

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We are also grateful for Your mercy upon all fallen souls in Canberra. All glories to You that many devotees here in Canberra have embraced Krishna Consciousness in their life instantly despite so many obstacles in their way.

On this auspicious day of Your Appearance, we pray to Lord Krishna for Your good health so You can continue to fulfill the mission of Srila Prabhupada of spreading the love of Godhead, and protecting and delivering all fallen souls like us.

May Lord Nrsimhadeva protect You all the time!!

Your insignificant servants,

Ranganath das & Niyati Devi Dasi

Vrindavan Das & Vrinda Priya Devi Dasi

Bhakta Naveen & Vikas

(Canberra, Australia)

Page 8 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

AUSTRALIA (con’t)

Stuti Priya Das

Nama om - paadaaya Krsna - presthaaya bhu-tale Srimate vedavyasa priya Svamin iti namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Vedavyasa Priya Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to your most auspicious appearance day & all glories to Srila Prabhupada.

This is indeed very auspicious day for all of us. In this very special day I will like to thank you from core of our heart for accepting as your disciples. Since, we have initiated we have been tried to follow your instruction to the best extend. Srila Gurudev, as you mention preaching is the mood of spiritual master we try our best to preach every chance we get. I love preaching too, and I have completely depended on your mercy on this. By your mercy only we can perform devotional service without any difficulties and can be success also.

In the beginning we feel always personal separation from you. When we asked you said because of bodily conception. This is true Srila Gurudeva, since I have carried out your order with hole hearted and started preaching I feels that I am more closer to you. I know you love all your disciples to engage in preaching activities. I pray to your mercy so that we can do more service to your lotus feet.

Please forgive us if we have done any offence while we carrying out your order. Kindly shower mercies on us for engage in your service and guide us so that we can progress in our sadhana.

We pray to Sri Sri Shyamsundar to keep Srila Gurudev in good health & spirit. We see you in Myanmar (Burma).

Your unworthy servants, Stuti Priya Das Lalsamayi Devi Dasi Mayuri Krsna

Page 9 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Pinakin Das

Dhyana Moolam Guru

Puja Moolam Gurur Padam,

Mantra Moolam Gurur Vakyam,

Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa

( - Skanda Purana

Dialogue between and Uma ()

Translation: The Guru's form is the best to meditate upon; the Guru's feet are the best for worship; the Guru's word is the mantra; the Guru's Grace is the root of liberation.

Dearest Srila Gurudev,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Sri Sachidanandan.

Fallen and foolish souls like us are at an absolute loss of words to glorify your Divine Grace. Us glorifying you is like showing a lamp to the Sun.

We are very fortunate to be your disciples having received your merciful glance. Had it not been for your mercy we would have been completely engrossed in the material world. You have very kindly, always guided us and in our moments of weakness, put our feet back on the right path …….the path of Krishna Consciousness.

Guru Maharaja, you are the knower of the essence of Karmayoga, Jnanayoga and Bhaktiyoga. You are the knower of the truth and you have selflessly guided and inspired us from the innermost core of your being. In your presence we experience happiness and peacefulness. In your company, and by your words, the doubts in our mind are automatically removed, even without inquiring.

All your endeavors are devoted to the good of the fallen souls like us. You are thus the house of all the qualities of a bonafide Guru.

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On this most auspicious day of Your Vyasa Puja, we thank you again and again for accepting us and allowing us to be as part of Krishna’s spiritual family.

We sincerely beg you for Your causeless blessings and mercy so that we may be able to serve the mission of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Srila Prabhupada, the millions of Vaishnavas and last but not the least your Lotus feet.

We offer our dandavats at your Lotus feet, and pray for your blessings to serve you eternally.

Please forgive us for the millions of offences committed by us both knowingly and unknowingly.

Your most fallen servants

Devesh, Devaki, Mohana Devi Dasi and Pinakin Das

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Asitaradhya Dasa

Nama Om Vishnu – Paadaaya, Krsna - Presthaaya Bhu-Tale Srimate Vedavyasa Priya, Svamin Iti Namine

Nama Om Vishnu – Paadaaya, Krsna - Presthaaya Bhu-Tale Srimate Bhaktivedanta, Svamin Iti Namine

Namaste Saraswatidevi, Gaura Vani Pracarine Nirvisesha Sunyawadi, Pascatya Desha Tarine

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet on your glorious appearance day. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Please accept our humble apologies for not being able to attend the appearance day festivities in person. It is unusual for us as we were quite fortunate to attend the last three Vyasa Puja in Suva, Brisbane & Auckland.

This year we are inspired to stay back in Melbourne to help organize first ever Vyasa Puja for our growing family. I am inspired & enthused by my unique God brothers & sisters here.

• Satish Prabhu & Sujata Mataji are on their way to become ideal . They have offered their house for conducting BV programs as you know. Both of them make untiring efforts in getting new people to come to the program. Guru Maharaja please bless them with the worship of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai deities. I look forward to their initiation on your forthcoming visit. • HG Sri Radha Vallabh Prabhu inspires me by his unique mood of service & humility. Your actual appearance day on 2 August was indeed celebrated by morning breakfast. This idea was the grace of • Sri Radha Vallabh Prabhu. Sri Radha Vallabh Prabhu now attends Hampton Park BV programme & is soon expected to take control of the reins there along with Satish Prabhu. • Jwalesh Babu Prabhu & Padmaja Mataji have become preachers under the able guidance of HG Ram Prabhu & HG Yamunalila Mataji. Their BV programme is one of the most highly attended in Melbourne. Their sincerity in acquiring spiritual knowledge is amazing. Despite young children, they never missed single BV session in the house of Jagannath Ram Prabhu. Guru Maharaja please bless them.

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• Look at how benevolent is Bala Prabhu. He is hosting Saturday Bhagavatam class at his home. With a preacher like Jagannath Ram Prabhu house of any size is not big enough. Just on an invitation from you, Bala Prabhu & Mataji jumped on the plane to spend time with you in Fiji. This really struck me with wonder. They are seriously sincere about carrying out the orders of their Guru Maharaja. Guru Maharaja please bless them in their efforts of searching a new sankirtan home. • Pritesh Prabhu is always seen serving Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir. • HG Jadabharat Prabhu regularly attends Vaibhava classes, conducts weekly program at home. His spontaneous attachment to you is indeed captivating. Guru Maharaja please bless him with a wonderful devotee wife from Louisiana. • Abha Mataji has stitched wonderful winter-wear for Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. I wish all well for her & may be she can stitch a nice sweater for you one day.

So we are fortunate indeed to be surrounded by such pious souls.

By your mercy alone, preaching activities are growing. We are handling three groups at the moment & we intend to teach Bhakti Sastri from home as soon our BV program at Wantirna comes to an end.

Our God family here is like a tender plant & you are a seed giving father. I am sure it will mushroom itself into a big tree over a period of time. Guru Maharaja please bless all of us so :

1. We can develop loving relationships among us & 2. We always remain situated at your lotus feet by preaching.

Last but not the least; your health is very important for our tender spiritual life. We beg the mercy of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha to keep you in best health for preaching KC all over the world – apratihata.

Srila Gurudeva ki Jaya!

Your Servants

Asitaradhya Dasa

Shyampriya Devi Dasi

Bhakta Sheel

Page 13 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

AUSTRALIA (con’t)

Satish, Sujata & Bhavani

Nama om Vishnu-padaya Krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale

Srimate Vedavyasapriya Swamin iti namine

Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjan- salakaya

Caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.

On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, we offer our obeisances to the dust of your lotus feet.

We were in darkness and ignorance previously, trying to enjoy the material life thinking this is the real life and enjoyment then, after that you appeared in our life by the mercy of your dear most disciples in Melbourne and by putting your lotus feet in our house and everything were changed. It gives us great satisfaction that we are one of the lucky ones in the world to accept us your disciples and giving us the most valuable Krishna Bhakti.

On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance in this material world we fall thousands and thousands of times at your lotus feet and beg for your mercy and blessings.

Guru Maharaja, we are hosting Bhakti Vriksha at our house and trying our best to attract as many souls to the program as possible. Please bless all members of all Bhakti Vriksha groups in Melbourne with Krsna Bhakti.

Guru Maharaja, please bless us so we can take serious shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s books and become aggressive preachers of Krsna Consciousness.

We look forward to having your association & instructions in later this year.

Your humble servants,

Satish, Sujata & Bhavani

Page 14 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Sri Radha Vallabha Dasa

Please accept my humble obeisances,

All glories to Guru & Gauranga

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

Dear Gurudeva,

I feel very honored to submit my offerings on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.

First off all I really want to thank you for accepting me as your servant even though I do not qualify for this.

In year 2007 I was praying to Maha Prabhu to help me find a guru and in March same year I attended your morning Bhagavatam class in Melbourne temple and I was very much touched and inspired by your lecture, that day I came and personally had your darshan and saw a nice and genuine person who being a pure devotee of Krishna is so caring a humble and really got touched by transcendental qualities you posses.

For me it was like Maha Prabhu answered all my questions by finding me a guru who can cure my material disease, you agreed to give me shelter of your lotus feet, and for me its was the greatest day of my life and I was very happy.

I am wondering in this universe for millions of life times by repeated birth and death and here you come in my life to train me and guide me out of this material entanglement and reconnect my lost relationship with Lord Krishna.

I am also very fortunate as you have chosen me to serve your lotus feet by giving me an opportunity to use my skills in Sri Sri Radha Damodar temple in Fiji.

Srila Gurudeva, I beg for forgiveness as I am not able to keep up to your expatiation as from last 8 years I am out of touch from my interior designing profession and I am putting my sincere effort to do my best. I am amused by the architectural skills you posses, you are a good architect.

When I visited holy Dham Vrindavan you personally took us to 7 important temples there and also to Govardhana parikrama, I can never forget the pakoras you cooked, those ware the best I had, it shows

Page 15 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

AUSTRALIA (con’t) how humble you are and you are like a spiritual father who is guiding me in my life.

As Srila Prabhupada says a devotee for Lord Krishna should be expert in all the fields I saw you a live example of that statement.

I consider my self to be very fortunate person as even though I do not qualify you gave me shelter at your lotus feet on 17 th May this year you accepted me as your disciple, and given me the opportunity to serve you eternally.

I pray to lord Krishna for you health and long life so that you can deliver thousands of people like me and show us the path of devotional life.

I sincerely beg for forgiveness for any offences committed knowingly or unknowingly as I am still learning how to serve you.

Your useless servant

Sri Radha Vallabha Dasa

Page 16 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

AUSTRALIA (con’t)

Bhaktin Shubaangi

Nama Om Vishnu -Padaya Krsna Presthaya Bhu-Tale

Srimate Vedavyasa Priya Swami Iti Namine

My dear Spiritual Master, Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my repeated humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. I pray for your causeless mercy so that I may be able to glorify you. I do not have any devotion nor much knowledge to glorify your unlimited pastimes. I understand that mere sweet words cannot please you. The true Vyasa Puja offering will be when I will be able to follow your instructions steadily and sincerely, and be a humble instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada. Please excuse my vain attempt in trying to glorify you.

Srila Gurudeva Mahimaamrita

Jaya Vyas Puja Jaya, Jaya Parivrajakacarya, Jaya Jaya Vaishnava Thakur, Srila Gurudeva

Jaya Radha Damodara, Travelling Sankirtan, Jaya Sankirtana Pradhan, Jaya Jaya Mahajan

Khasasdesa Loka Kalyana, Jaya Mlecchas Udhar, Bhaktilata Bijo Diyo, Jaya Maha Pracar

Prabhupad Antya Lila, Jagannath Priya Natakam, Jaya Jaya Dasa Anu Dasa, Jaya Vijnana

Jaya Giri-Govardhana, Nilamadhava Radhe, Vedavyasa Priya Swami, Prana Dhane He

Jaya Jublee, Jaya Maha Tyagi, Jaya Prabhupadanuga, ISCKON Swami

Jaya Jaya Nipun Sisya, Pandit Vismita, Jaya Vedic , Sthapita Vaisanava Siddhanta

Jaya Patita Pavan Jaya, Jaya Guru Vani, Jaya Jaya Sanga, Jay Vedavyasa Swami

All glories to Srila Gurudeva! Vyasa Puja mahotsava ki jaya!!

Begging to be your servant,

Bhaktin Shubhaangi

Page 17 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Parashakti Devi Dasi

Nama Om Visnu-Paday Krsna Presthaya Bhu-Tale

Srimate Veda Vyas Priya Swami Iti Namine

Dear Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.

Srila Gurudeva you have appeared in this world to enlighten people like me who are engrossed in the materialistic way of life. May Krishna give you a long life so that you can always visit us on this Land.

I beg to remain your humble servant,

Parashakti devi dasi

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Bhaktin Krishna Sunita

Nama Om Visnu-Padaya Krsna-Presthaya Bhu-Tale

Srimate Vedavyasa Priya Swami Iti Namine

Dear Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances unto you lotus feet on this most glorious day of your Vyasa Puja.

Mere simple words cannot express indebtedness that I feel, for you have bestowed causeless mercy on this sinful soul. Although I have no good qualities and I am not fully surrendered, I beg you to give me a chance to serve as your disciple.

Please bless this fallen soul, so that I can be protected from the clutches of Maya and remain at the shelter at your lotus feet.

Srila Gurudeva ki jay! Sri Vyasa Puja Mahautsava ki jai!

Your servant, Bhaktin Krishna Sunita

Page 18 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Jwalesh Babu, Melbourne

All Glories to Srila Gurudeva !!!

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Our family is blessed to have your guidance in the journey of our spiritual life.

When we started to practice the process of Bhakti, without having proper understanding, you have guided our family in every step. In recent time when you were here with us, you have given us great opportunity to serve you personally and by accepting our menial service you have bestowed your causeless mercy upon us.

Your most valuable guidance has given us great courage and enthusiasm to manage our spiritual life. Your blessing and encouragement has given us great strength to render devotional service and to serve the mission of Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu by spreading the holy name and message of the supreme lord. Please accept our heartily gratitude by accepting and guiding us by taking us through the path of divine knowledge (Krishna Consciousness).

Please accept a small poem we would like to offer you on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja day.

“O our dear spiritual master

You are our great care taker

Few moments of your association

Brings us very great transformation

You are our spiritual life saver

You are our ever well wisher

We beg mercy with your hands of safe

To bless us to serve you life after life”

Your humble servants,

Jwalesh Babu, Padmaja Jwalesh, Keerthan Jwalesh, Devesh Jwalesh

Page 19 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Shruta Dev Das

Page 20 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Page 21 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Raj Vidya

Respected Srila Gurudeva,

Om Ajnana Timirandhasya

Janananjana Salakaya

Caksur Militam Yena

Tasmai Sri Guruve Namah

We meditate on the instructions of Lord Kapildeva to his mother.

titiksavah karunikah

Suhrdah sarva-dehinam

ajata-satravah santah

sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah

The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies. He is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.

(SB CANTO 3 CHAP 25 TEXT 21)

Srila Prabhupada further clarifies in the purport that, a sadhu is a devotee of the Lord, his concern is to enlighten people in devotional service to the Lord, and without devotional service human life is spoiled. Such a Sadhu travels every where, door to door, preaching ‘BE KRISHNA CONCIOUS, BE A DEVOTEE of the Lord Krishna, Don’t spoil your life in simply fulfilling animal propensities. A sadhu is not worried for his own liberation but he always thinks of others, he is the most compassionate-(KARUNIKAH) towards Fallen souls (like us).

The above qualities are the best befitting to our Most Merciful Gurudev; you have been so merciful to all of us. We do realize that you are slowly cutting the rope of our material entanglement.

Your recent lectures in Brisbane, ego being smashed by the Lord, and other lectures on chapter 2 and 15 of .

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Your quotes “ Created 8.4 Million of Pots, Human Being is a Big Pot filled with False Ego.”

“Real Humility can only show, when False Ego is smashed” on explaining BG 15.3 you stressed to smash our False Ego first. These instructions will always remain behind our head and we will do our best to follow these instructions.

Your other instruction to us to go out and preach we are taking it very serious and we have already started the Bhakti Vriksha group and by your mercy we have 18 members.

On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja we take this opportunity to reaffirm to follow your instruction and we will do our best to smash our false ego to serve our God Family to achieve your Prema. We beg for your mercy on us fallen souls to be our SAT CHAKSUH always. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.

We ask for forgiveness from our God Family and you Srila Gurudev for all our offences.

Your servants,

Nalini Devi Dasi

Radharani Devi Dasi

Rajvidya Das

Brisbane

Australia

Page 23 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

FIJI

Kirtida devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev.

I wish to seek forgiveness for not being able to serve you while you came to this year however I’m trying my best to be able to serve you in your next trip to Fiji. You are such an exalted personality and your position in Krishna Consciousness is so fixed and I’m so fortunate to receive your mercy through so many associations.

I still remember your words Maharaj the day you came to my place and gave me some instructions to follow. I will be very mindful of all those things you raised to me and I will be very vigilant in my Bhakti.

Once again I thank you for everything you are doing for people like me so that we can progress in Krishna Consciousness. You are such a merciful person that I have met and I will always be indebted to you. Have a nice Vyasa Puja celebration.

Kirtida devi dasi - Nadi

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Neelmani devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev. Happy Vyasa Puja.

Thank you very much for coming to Fiji and thank you very much for allowing me to serve you.

You are always kind, patient and happy and seeing that I’m getting so enthused in my devotional life. You have really taken care of how I do my Bhakti and your advice and guidance is so much appreciated. Thank you very much Gurudev.

Your servant, Neel Mani Dasi

Page 24 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

FIJI (con’t)

Yasoda devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev.

Happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj and may Krishna always bless you with good health so that we are continuously under your guidance and protection directly.

Thank you so much for coming to Fiji and engaging us into so many seminars and programs and we are so enlightened with what you have taught us. I’m very thankful to you for coming to Fiji every time when you travel to preach and see the progress of your disciples. You are very kind and considerate and I thank you for such divine qualities you have.

Your servant, Yasoda Devi Dasi

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Viraat Purusa das

Dear Guru Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev.

I’m writing this first Vyasa Puja offering to you and I don’t even know how to glorify you in limited words. When I first met you I immediately knew you are a true saintly person, a sadhu as the scriptures describe. I heard so much of descriptions about saintly persons and I found all qualities of them in you.

However my own feeling is that you are like Muni who travels extensively just like you do, and you sing nice beautiful glories of Krishna where ever you go playing Mrdanga, kartalas yourself as does Srila Narada with his bina. Then you instruct your disciples like he does and you ask them to worship Krishna in deity form according to sastras. You chant and emphasis so much on the holy names and like a lion you would speak to Maya Vadis and atheists to prove Krishna as the supreme personality of Godhead.

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Your glories will always be sung, heard and recited but it will never end. Thank you very much for taking special care of me through guidance and advice for my personal life.

Your insignificant servant,

Viraat Purusa Das

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Yasodadulal Das

Dear Guru Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev.

I thank you very much for coming to Rakiraki every time you come to Fiji despite only few people choose to travel in this corner of Fiji because of its location and setting.

I’m still schooling and I in you my role model, my icon and there is absolutely no doubt that after you have accepted me as your disciple I have made steady progress in Krishna Consciousness. It is through your teachings, through your guidance and through your mercy that I have begging to understand what Bhakti is like and how important it is for people like me to cultivate this culture of learning everything that is available through ISKCON.

Last year when I wrote this Vyasa Puja offering I wasn’t initiated then but today I feel that even after my initiation I don’t feel that our relationship has changed in any way. You were always the same caring, responsible, patient, considerate, kind and I find you always happy. That’s establishes my eternal relationship with you Srila Gurudeva.

I do so many mistakes, I commit offenses and I ask you to forgiveness every time I do that however nothing surpass the biggest mistake I did which was leaving you behind and breaking from Krishna Consciousness. It is your purity and your Shakti that you have brought me back to service of Krishna – my eternal father.

I will never forget you this time. That’s a promise for this last life of mine.

Your youngest son in Fiji,

Yasodadulal Das

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Kishore and Mala Shandil

Dearest Guru Maharaji,

Please accept our dandavat pranams. All glories to Jagad Guru Srila Prabhupada.

Guru Maharaj we would like to humbly thank you for everything which you have done for us. Every time you come to Fiji, you make an especial endeavor to visit us. We are so blessed that your coming to our home has purified our lives and our home.

We have firm in Krishna and your Kripa that all the obstacles in our lives will soon pass like the night passes away with sunrise. Maharaj ji we thank you for taking special care of our son, Neela Madhava, and guiding him so nicely in bhakti. We are rest assured that he is protected in your hands and will certainly attain Bhakti.

Maharaj ji on your Vyaspuja, birthday, we would like to wish you a very long life so that you can keep guiding us and spread the preaching of the Mantra.

Please always keep us in your shelter, so that we don’t leave Krishna.

Yours aspiring servants,

Kishore and Mala Shandil and Shivneil and Rayneil Shandil (Neel Madhava’s parents)

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Neela Madhava das

Dearest Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to this most auspicious day, the blessed Sri Vyasa Puja.

This time every year I sit down to try and somehow put to words what you mean to me, what having your mercy in our lives has done for me and how I wish and pray that I will be able to serve you pleasingly. And this time every year my emotions cloud my mind and I lose the ability to articulate what it is I want and need to say to you. Gurudeva, I do not know how to glorify you as I do not have enough words to do so, so I am following the footsteps to Great Acaryas and offering the following prayer at your lotus feet,

radha-sammukha-samsaktim sakhi-sanga-nivasinim tvam aham satatam vande madhavashraya-vigraham

"O spiritual master, I continually offer my obeisances unto you, who are always in the presence of Srimati Radharani and very much devoted to Her. You always reside in the association of Her confidantes, the , and you are the abode of loving devotion to Krishna."

For now I pray at your divine lotus feet to always have your shelter despite my entire shortfall. Thank you for being there when I need you. Thank you for always answering questions and clearing my doubts. Thank you for the nice seminars you gave this year in Suva on the Nectar of Instruction and Devotion. I am looking forward to more of these seminars. I look forward to serve you more and more. Please bless me so that I can follow your instructions and become a worthy servant of yours.

I pray to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Golokabihari ji to bless you with a long life so that you can continue spreading the mission of Srila Prabhupada and flooding the world with Krishna Prema.

May Lord Sri Nrsimhadeva protect you and grant you good health.

Praying to be your eternal servant, Neela Madhava das

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Mr. & Mrs. Prem Chand

Hare Krsna Maharaj,

Please accept our humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to Srila Gurudev

We were proud until you opened our eyes from ignorance. When our son Radhakant joined ISKCON we were not very much aware of his initiation or even what this ISKCON was all about. We just felt it was a he was going but today we are extremely happy that by your mercy we have come to understand the Sanatan in reality.

It is only when you have became our family “Guru” or when Radhakant took initiation our family started receiving your mercy and a lot of changes both material and spiritual started taking place. The more I was offensive in the beginning to ISKCON the more your mercy flowed and today I’m certain that pure devotees do exist through Prabhupada’s world of ISKCON.

I consider you to be a real sadhu, a saintly man because there is nothing that I can complain you about…You are perfect in everything, singing, instructing and educating and then of course you follow Guru sadhu and sastra. We thank you and we will always be indebted to you for saving us and our family.

Through your numerous audio CDs we listen to Adharsha Grihasta life seminars and other similar discourses and we will try not to fail as parents. By your mercy and you infusing us with enthusiasm we want all our sons to become devotees of Lord Krishna. Not only that but we ourselves would like to become devotees although with a slow process. At least you have being able to invoke that desire and we are so much in debt of your mercy.

I reaffirm what I said to you when you came to Rakiraki- everything here is always yours.

Mr. & Mrs. Prem Chand

Rakiraki

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Radhakanta Das

Dear Guru Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev.

Every year when I write this Vyasa Puja offering I deeply think what is the best way to glorify you’re your exalted position, your divine qualities and character but I fail to get the best way to do that. That is because I have no knowledge of any method which can describe unlimited glories in a matter of few paragraphs.

I have had so many associations with you in Fiji since whenever you come to Fiji I travel with you in greed of getting more and more from your association. I sometimes think I’m so selfish to others by not allowing them to serve you but then sometimes even Krishna puts me into situation of serving you. Is that a arrangement you have made with Krishna? If yes then its addition to your limit less mercy on this rascal….a fool who is full of false ego.

Guru Maharaj your glories are so many however I would state one here…

I received an email from one of our god family members stating about your concerns of what is being placed as “thought of today” in the website. Guru Maharaj you were bold in making us very clear that any such thoughts should be explained where it is taken from ( if possible provide reference from sastra or Srila Prabhupada) otherwise get your verification from yourself before being posted on website. It is so important because you are not just setting standards and abiding by the principles of disciplic succession but you teach us how important Guru sadhu and sastra is in verifying each other. As such we find you a true sadhu, a learned man and of course an exemplary Guru. If I open my email today I’m being flooded with emails posting many such messages and there is no verification of such information from sastra or Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada and as such there is differences of opinion amongst devotees who don’t have association with like your good self.

Thank You very much for always allowing me to serve you despite myself being so unqualified to serve you.

Your most insignificant servant

Radhakanta Das

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Germany

Janaki

Dear Gurudeva,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada Please accept my humble obeisances

My dear Gurudeva I am not fortunate to be at your Vyasa Puja today 2nd August 2009 but I will observe my fast and worship you on this auspicious day in Germany.

I wish to thank you very much for inviting me to your Vrndavana apartment in March 2009 and also for presenting me this box. It was a nice arrangement by Lord Krishna that I finally came to for Gaura Purnima and was fortunate to hear your lecture and also to have darshan from you.

I have been thinking about you since I left Vrndavana in April 2009 and I hope I will get closer and closer to you with the passage of time.

I did not realize that you presented me a Japa box until I saw a mataji playing an electric Japa box and I enquired about this box only to realize that the present you gave to me was not an alarm clock but a Japa box.

I had a great experience with this Japa box which I would like to share with you on this auspicious day. My mother 78 years was in dying and I finally went to see her. She lives in Trinidad 8 thousand miles from Germany. When I was in Vrndavana I prayed for her and requested the Lord to extend her life if He wanted me to see her as I did not see her in 12 years because of many reasons.

I left Germany on 24th May 2009 and arrived in Trinidad after 10 hours flying at 12 midnight. I started the following day to the hospital to visit my mother and she could not speak and was waiting to leave the world. I started singing the Holy Name for her but she did not speak. Later I placed this Japa Box to her ear for 45 minutes and she heard Srila Prabhupada chanting the Holy Name. She still did not speak. I gave her Maha Prasadam she could not chew but the Prasadam went down her throat.

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The following day I arrived at 4pm to visit her. She was more critical.

Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad Gita was next to her. She received water and a Tulsi leave on her tongue and immediately after she took a deep breath and never breath again. All this time I was holding her hand and chanting the Holy Name and I did not realize that she left the world. Within 15 minutes of my arrival she departed.

I narrated this story to you because without your kind mercy I would have never received this Japa Box from you. I recall when I left your flat and was walking to my guestroom I heard you call out my name and when I look around you threw that transcendental box to me. I was happy to receive this gift from you but when I opened it I thought Oh! Gurudeva have given me an alarm clock - well that’s good - maybe I will use it to rise on time for Mangala Aarti. But now I listen to this Japa Box daily and I have great memories. Without our meeting I would never have obtained this Japa Box and my mother would never have had the chance in her lifetime to hear the Holy Name directly from Srila Prabhupada a pure devotee. I wish to thank you eternally for this Japa Box.

I also remember your instruction at Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrndavana that I should listen to the box and I innocently said yes because I thought how can I listen to an alarm clock. But I am too ignorant to understand the Lord and His devotees and His inconceivable mercy. Therefore, I beg to take shelter at your feet and hope one day you will bestow your divine mercy on such a sinful fallen soul like me.

I would be thinking about you all day on your Vyasa Puja day and I pray that the Lord continue to give you more strength and more realization to save the fallen souls in this age.

Your aspiring disciple to be, Janaki

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INDIA

Varshneya

Hare Krishna,

Jai Srila Prabhupada!

Jai Gurudev!

It’s not a matter to enjoy the life. Its the matter how we live our life. I was totally not aware about these things but when I was went to ISKCON I was impressed by the deities of Srila Prabhupada and the people how enjoying the Kirtana of Mahamantra. When I was complete my senior secondary studies I was start doing job in medical association in Ludhiana Here I was met a person who is initiated from ISKCON I know about ISKCON Rath Yatra but I was totally unaware about this association when I was seen this person any time he is chanting the name of Lord Krishna. One day I was told him bhaiya you are from ISKCON who the celebrate Rath Yatra in Ludhiana in every year and he told me are you aware about ISKCON? He invited me in ISKCON temple on Sunday festival. I went on Sunday I was very impressed to see Lord Jagannath Baldev and Ji and the I heard its absolute the taste of amrit. After two weeks Sanjeev Prabhu who invited me in ISKCON temple told me Guru Maharaj Ji is coming next week I don’t know why my heart is crazy to meet Guru Maharaj then I told to them I want to meet Guru Maharaj.

After a week I met Guru Maharaj when I was see its look like a kind-hearted before this my association was not good we went to temple every day but not in the manner of the services of god. but when I met Guru Maharaj he put me two three question related to God services he given me the chanting Mala for chanting the Mahamantra and his disciples was told me how to chant this and Guru Maharaj was told me about the four restrictions after meet Guru Maharaj my whole life was changed. I automatically cut the bad association, I started chanting from three four rounds after two three weeks I would like to chant 16 rounds every day.

Because of my Guru Maharaja’s Kindness and I joined the ISKCON Youth Form of Ludhiana. In August 2005 there was a one festival was held by our youth the name of the festival is Hare Krishna night in Western Style. All the young youth was invited in the festival there is huge crowd in this festival and Guru Maharaj was also there. We enjoyed this festival with Guru Maharaj. With the help of the disciples I grow up in the spiritual life and after a year I was initiated by Guru Maharaj His Holiness Veda Vyasa Priya Swami Maharaj.

After few months my mom was expired and I feel this is the end of my life but at that time my Guru Maharaj was called me and told me how to

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INDIA (con’t) handle this situation. After Guru Maharaja’s call I feel any thing was happened and any thing will be happened in my life I will accept as a mercy of Lord Krishna He will care my self. My Guru Maharaj was clearly told me if you want to do any thing in your life do but in the favor of Lord Krishna services when I was went Vrindavan at that time I feel why the people are saying I lost my heart in Vrindavan. When my Guru Maharaj given the Bhagavatam class to us I feel Guru Maharaj is directly associate me with the Lord Radha Shyam Sunder. I love my Guru Maharaj and I pray to my Lord Jagannath give me his mercy so that I will live always near the feet of my Guru Maharaj and I pray to my Guru Maharaj give me the services of Lord .

Sri Guru Charane

Ai se uttama Gati

Please Chant

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare & Be Happy

The servant of the servant of Lord Krishna

Varshneya

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Anil & Shalu

namah om visnupadaya krsnapresthaya bhutale sri-mate vedavyasapriya swamin-iti namine namah om visnupadaya krsnapresthaya bhutale sri-mate bhaktivedanta swamin-iti namine namaste saraswate-deve gaura-vani pracarine nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya-desa tarine

Our Dear Spiritual Father,

On this auspicious day of your divine appearance day in this material world, please let us bow down to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your grace.

Guru Maharaj because of your causeless mercy we the most fallen soul are also learning the science of Krishna consciousness. It is the great pleasure for us as your disciple to glorify you on your Vyasa Puja day. You are truly a bonafide spiritual master.

Your glories are inconceivable and we are not able to describe them. Guru Maharaj we beg you for your mercy, so that we never stop making efforts in devotional service to your lotus feet, despite all our material problems and impurities.

Please excuse us for such an unworthy obeisances of your most insignificant servants. Always desiring to stay in the dust of your lotus feet and aspiring to become your disciples.

Anil & Shalu

Chandigarh

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Namrata

Hare Krishna Maharaji,

This is Namrata from Agra. I have been writing this letter on behalf of all my family members. We all wanted to wish you many, many happy returns of the day. You’ve always been so special to all of us as a spiritual teacher. And on your birthday wishing you all the joys and happiness to surround your world and may all your desires and dreams turn into reality.

Have a wonderful birthday Maharaji. It’s been a long time since we met you, so we are all missing your presence and waiting for you eagerly.

We are all chanting daily in accordance with as you told to all of us. Please come soon and thank you for loving us the way you do.

HARE KRISHNA

Your loving disciple

Namrata

(Agra)

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Jayananda Dasa

Om Gurudevaya Namah, Om Gurudevaya Namah, Om Gurudevaya Namah

My dear H. H. Guru Maharaji,

Please accept my most respectful obeisances and warm congratulations from the core of my heart on the auspicious occasion of your 65 th Vyasa Puja day.

All glories to H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. All glories to my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Vedavyasa Priya Swami.

I consider myself the most fortunate that you accepted me – the bewildered soul in the pitch of darkness of illusive material world – as your disciple and showered on me the nectar of “Nama ” at – the most favored abode of the topmost Vaishnava Lord Siva (Kasi Viswanatha) in 2004, and the divinely “ Diksha” in Vrindavan – the eternal abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself – in 2006. I wish to stay at your lotus feet as a tiny dust particle always and in all lives to come.

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-guruve namah namah om visnupadaya krsnapresthaya bhutale sri-mate vedavyasapriya swamin-iti namine

HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

Wishing Your Holiness a Very Happy and fully KRSNA Conscious Appearance Day...

Your humble servant,

Jayananda Dasa (Vrindavan)

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Shantanu Das

For our Guru Maharaj H.H. Vedavyasa Priya Swami on his 65th appearance day

Having him in our life as our spiritual master is one of the fortunate happenings of our life having his darshan, listening to his lectures and fabulous Kirtan, following his guidelines and above all seeking his merciful blessings all these are the most precious happenings which are due to only and only his mercy on us .We are very lucky that he accepted us as his disciples neglecting the fact that we are full of flaws. Not only he has accepted us but also as our spiritual father he supports us, scolds us and guides us at each and every spiritual step his innocence, enthusiasm, love, kindness and above all his blessings have changed our lives in a wonderful way we are not eligible to express or gratitude towards his mercy but still trying our best unto his lotus feet. May we, all disciples, remain as one family and as the branches of the same tree and progress and spread the holy message of Krishna consciousness.

Guru Maharaj ji bless us so that we can always follow your guidance trustfully from bottom of our hearts...... and celebrate hundreds of Vyasa Puja ahead.

Seeking your blessings...... unto your lotus feet

"Namo Om Vishnupadaya Krishna Preshtthaya Bhutale Shrimate Vedavyasa Priya Swamin Iti Namine"

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

In your humble service

Shantanu Das, Swardhunya Devi Dasi, Satchit Anand Das, Sanchari Devi Dasi

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Krishna Kripa Nidhi Das

Nama om Vishnu –padaya Krishna-presthaya bhu-tale

Srimate Vedavyasa Priya Swami iti namine

Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.

On this special auspicious day, I have no qualification to glorify you. If you shower mercy upon this fallen soul, I may do so.

Some time, when I got your mercy shower beyond my understanding capability, I fear that it may not be taken as granted. Your Instructions /lectures always full of high intellectual, analyzing every concept, and it makes my mind to take time to analyze and understand them broadly. I always check my self that you and your instruction are not different whether you are present before me or on the preaching tour across the world.

I always try to practice The “Lord Krishna” and his “name” are same, similarly you and “your Instructions” are same. Your instructions mostly applied on me when I try to control the restlessness or fickleness of the mind. Although it’s not possible to control over senses without follow your direction / instructions and same be used only towards the Lord Krishna’s devotional services.

Gurudev you are so much merciful for augment me on the path of “SADHANA BHAKTI” by teaching right mix of Bhakti process and instructions as Vaidhi –Bhakti.

The process as per your instructions to me is very valuable and I try to attain the firm faith and taste in Lord Krishna more and more As given in Bhakti Rasamirtsindhu by Srila Roop Goswami

adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sngo’tha bhajana kirya

tato ‘nartha nivrttih syat tato nistha rucis tatah

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Gurudev, I pray to Lord Krishna to keep you healthy so that I will get more association to learn and Lord Krishna’s mercy through you.

Saksad dharitvena samasta–sastrair

Uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih

Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya

Vande guroh sri caranaravindam

Your fallen servant

Krishna Kripa Nidhi Das, Chandigarh (India)

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Alankrita

Hare Krishna Maharaji

Nama om Vishnu –padaya Krishna-presthaya bhu-tale

Srimate Vedavyasa Priya Swami iti namine

Maharaji, when u played with me by throwing flowers on me I feel it now very sweet memories. You looked so good when you did kirtan in our home here in Chandigarh.

You are so kind because you talk of Lord Krishna. When you do service of God you talk with them. I am waiting of yours arrival here in our home to do Abhishek of Lord Gaura-Nitai.

Your spiritual daughter

Alankrita (Age 7 years) Chandigarh

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Dharni Devi Dasi

Nama om Vishnu –padaya Krishna-presthaya bhu-tale

Srimate vedavyasa Priya Swami iti namine

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.

On this special auspicious day, I have no qualification to glorify you. If you shower mercy upon this fallen soul, I may do so.

You are so much merciful unto us we are always grateful to you. I pray all the time to Lord Krishna to make you always healthy so that we may prepare the Prasad for you always different and new dishes.

All our family remembers our Jaipur journey to bring “Sri Sri Radha-Shyamsundar” deity, and especially the lecture (for three hours) on topic how we can see God, the presence of the God in our heart. You told us the following sloka from Sri Brahma Samhita:-

Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti –vilocanena

Santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokyanti

Yam syamasundram acintya-guna svarupam

Govindam adi –purusam tam aham bhajami

“I worship Govinda, the primeval lord, Who is Shyamsundar, Krishna Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, Whom the pure devotee see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with salve of love.”

Your servant,

Dharni Devi Dasi

Chandigarh (India)

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Shyam Sakhi Devi Dasi

Namo om visnupadaya krsna prishtaya bhutale

Srimate Vedavyasa Priya swami iti namine

Please accept my humble obesiences Dear Guru Maharaj,

We held the notion that Bhagwan wanted us to become rich, beautiful, celebrated and take pleasure in life. But because of your compassion we understood the truth which was not possible to learn even after millions of years and with any sum of austerity. The power of Krishna Nama and knowledge and love of Vrindavan and the Brijvasis.

You made known to us the spiritual dham and how to enter, behave in the dham. You provided an anchor and rudder to our drowning boat. How can we forget you, how can we repay you, how can we reimburse your eternal debt. It not possible for fallen souls like us to measure you and repay your mercy.

We can just pray to Krishna that you be our eternal Guru life after life, as Krishna has shown us through you and you are the apparent medium through which we have tasted the Krishna Prema. We can just say Jai Gurudeva, as we are not able to serve you to the best of our capability although we try still even then you are merciful on the fallen souls like us.

This is the mystery and power of untainted, pure devotee like you.

In you service

Shyam Sakhi Devi Dasi

Chandigarh, India.

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Dhananjay Das & Nand Rani Devi Dasi

Namah Om Visnupadaya Krsnapresthaya Bhutale

Sri-Mate Vedavyasapriya Swamin-Iti Namine

Namah Om Visnupadaya Krsnapresthaya Bhutale

Sri-Mate Bhaktivedanta Swamin-Iti Namine

Namaste Saraswate-Deve Gaura-Vani Pracarine

Nirvisesa Sunyavadi Pascatya-Desa Tarine

My Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On this holy occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I offer my humble prayers and sincere gratitude to my spiritual father. In this hell Yuga only you are the one who made me to able to pass away from this materialistic life like ocean of pain, desperateness by lust of chanting the name of lord Krsna through sankirtan movement. You are the real disciple of Srila Prabhupada. You are given your whole life to preaching. You are perfect example how we can serve our spiritual master and Shri Shri Radha Krishna.

Guru Maharaj, I am not able to glorify your quality. I want to serve your lotus feet but I am still attached with this materialistic world, so I will beg you kindly lifted me from this or material world and show me the spiritual path.

Guru Maharaj please forgive my imperfect offering on your Vyasa Puja, my prayer to Shri Lord Krishna, Shri Shri Gaura Nitai, Srila Prabhupada is that you stay long life in this planet with good health, so that you continue to guide your fallen children.

Your dasanudas

Dhananjay Das & Nand Rani Devi Dasi

New Delhi

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Rajiv Sharma

Namah Om Visnu Padaya Krsna Presthaya Bhu-Tle

Srimate Veda Vyasa Priya Swami Iti Namine

Namah Om Visnu Padaya Krsna Presthaya Bhu-Tle

Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swami Iti Namine

Namaste Sarasvati Deve Gauravani Prachrine

Nirvisesa Sunyavadi Pascatya Desa Tarine

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Dandavat Pranams,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We pray to Krishna for your long life, good health for given the direction how we live in this material world. We beg to you please give your mercy to us.

Your servants,

Rajiv Sharma

Neeru Sharma

Janak

New Delhi

Page 46 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Lavangalata Devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar. aparadha-sahasrani, kriyante 'har-nisam maya daso 'ham iti mam matva, ksamasva Srila gurudeva

"Thousands of offenses are performed by me day and night, but thinking me as your servant please forgive me Srila Gurudeva".

Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar so very kindly arranged for you to come to Hamilton and rescue me from the muck of Maya, in which I was drowning and totally unable to understand the whole point of existence. Somehow I can now understand in some way how The Divine Couple have been guiding me for many years to come to the point of being introduced to the Absolute Truth.

And of course the last thing I expected to find in my search for the purpose of life was God, because I had been so disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the religious practices and beliefs that I learnt through my life. And yet now learning about the Absolute Truth under your guidance I now see that many of the beliefs and practices were based on true religious principles but simply distorted by the false ego's desire to retain sense gratification as its prime focus.

I very much like listening to Srila Ragunath Das Goswami's 'Sri Manah Siksa', which was included with the audio books that you purchased and now exist on my computer, because he so clearly warns about the false ego's deceit that remains and continues to delude me. I hope you will forgive my offenses and continue to do so as I am powerless to overcome them without your mercy, and your recommendation to Sri , Sri Nityananda Prabhu, and of course, Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar for Their mercy in my life. Please give your blessings so that I may fulfill my desire to attain some attraction for the chanting of the Holy Name and so make my life successful. Please also give your blessings that I may be able to serve you and Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar for your, and Their, pleasure throughout my eternal existence.

Sincerely, your humble and willing servant,

Lavangalata Devi dasi (Vrindavan)

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Rasprayan das

Namo Om Vishnupadaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale Srimate Vedavyasapriya Swamin Iti Namine.

Dear Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

A very Happy Vyasa Puja and appearance day Maharaj.

We would like to thank you for your very kind association, instructions and guidance in Krishna Consciousness.

We sincerely pray to Sri Sri Radha Giridhari to bless you with good health and many many more happy Vyasa Puja so that you are around to help and guide us back home to Krishna.

Yours insignificant servants,

Rasprayan das, Chandranana devi dasi, Roneel, Sandhya & Bhaskar Auckland, New Zealand

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Kamalkant das

Nama Om Vishnu -Padaya Krsna-Presthaya Bhu-Tale,

Srimate Veda Vyasa Priya Swami Iti Namine

Nama Om Vishnu-Padaya Krsna-Presthaya Bhu-Tale,

Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin Iti Namine

All glories to Srila Gurudeva. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Dear Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet on the most glorious day of your Vyasa Puja.

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We are very fortunate to have you as our spiritual master and on this auspicious day we will meet all your disciples in an attempt to offer you special workshop, praise, increased devotion and resolutions to follow your instructions especially chant 25 rounds of Maha mantra on ekadasi day.

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE

HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

Your servants,

Kamalkant das

Sarvang Sundari Sangeet devi dasi

Krish dasa

Radhika dasi

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Janardan Das - Hamilton

Namo Om Vishnupadaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale Srimate Vedavyasapriya Swamin Iti Namine

Please accept our Dandavat Pranam at your lotus feet again and again on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you Srila Gurudev.

Thank you Guru Maharaja for staying at our place in Hamilton in June this year. Your presence is very valuable to us and for children and we miss you a lot when you leave after a very short visit. Our humble request to you to allow little more time when you come next time please please!

We still cannot forget our last visit to Dham Vrindavan when you, Guru Maharaja, provided us fatherly love, support and advice. Especially when Prayaag was very ill and was admitted to the hospital you treated all of us like your own family members. Now we beg for an opportunity to

Page 49 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

NEW ZEALAND (con’t) serve you not only as our respected Guru but as our father and humbly thank you for accepting us ignorant fallen souls as your family.

Your humble servants, desperately looking for your blessings and mercy.

Janardan Das, Radhapriya Dasi

Kishan, Prayaag and Shyama.

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Lalita Sundari devi dasi om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale srimate veda vyasa priya svamin iti namine nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj!

Please accept my most humble obeisances unto You on this auspicious occasion of Your Vyasa Puja 2009. All glories to his Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Sri Gauranga!

I thank you for giving us the blessing of Your association in Auckland this year Gurudev, and to be able to serve You, and attend Your evening seminars on Vaishnava Etiquette and Nectar of Instruction, I have definitely learnt so much from You, and will always continue to do so. It is from your association that I have realized that all the miseries of this world should be

Page 50 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

NEW ZEALAND (con’t) accepted as a blessing from Krsna, if not by our own desire then by force we are put in a situation where we have to depend on Krsna. Although I am taking baby steps right now by developing nishta (faith), niscaya (determination) and dhairya (patience) , I hope to one day be able to preach to others the words of my spiritual master.

It is our spiritual master who inspires us, and gives us knowledge of how to perform our services properly for the Lords satisfaction. You have opened up my heart and my mind to knowing about the Absolute Truth. Gurudev, I pray that I may have the privilege and delight of serving Your lotus feet for many years to come.

Gurudev you also saw me qualified enough to give me diksha this year for which I am really grateful, to be able to worship Radha Krishna (on Your behalf) in their deity form, I am truly blessed.

Tvam gopika vrsaraves tanayantike ‘si sevadhikarini guro nija-pada-padme

Dasyam pradaya kuru mam vraja-kanane sri-radhanghri-sevana-rase sukhinim sukhabdhau

O beloved spiritual master, you are always in the presence of the cowherd girl Radha, the daughter of King Vrsabhanu. Please award me service at your lotus feet, which are the proprietors of devotional service. Please place me in the ocean of joy by bestowing upon me happiness in the mellows of service at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha in the groves of Vraja- dhama.

Gurudev please forgive me for my offenses and continue to bestow Your blessings on this most fallen and undeserving servant of Yours.

Lalita Sundari devi dasi – Auckland, New Zealand

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Ramachandran, and Jaya

Hare Krishna Maharaj

Please accept our humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and yourself!

We have been very fortunate to have the opportunity of serving you on your recent visit to Wellington, New Zealand. Your darshan and lectures were very inspiring for us. By your kind advice, we are now chanting regularly.

We look forward to your visiting Wellington again and spending more time with us.

On this glorious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, we pray to Lord Krishna to give you a long and healthy life so that you can continue to travel all over the world and fulfill the wishes of your Guru Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada, by propagating and Krishna Consciousness.

Hare Krishna! Hari Hari bol!

Your humble servants Ramachandran, Indra and Jaya Wellington – New Zealand

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Janardan Das

Nama om visnu-padaya krsna-Presthaya bhu-tale

Srimate Vedavyasapriya- Swamin iti namine

Please accept our Dandavat Pranam at your lotus feet again and again on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you Srila Gurudev.

Thank you Guru Maharaja for staying at our place in Hamilton in June this year. Your presence is very valuable to us and for children and we miss you a lot when you leave after a very short visit. Our humble request to you to allow little more time when you come next time please please! ! !

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We still cannot forget our last visit to Hari Dham Vrindavan when you, Guru Maharaja, provided us fatherly love, support and advice. Especially when Prayaag was very ill and was admitted to the hospital you treated all of us like your own family members.

Now we beg for an opportunity to serve you not only as our respected Guru but as our father and humbly thank you for accepting us ignorant fallen souls as your family.

Your humble servants, desperately looking for your blessings and mercy.

Janardan Das, Radhapriya Dasi

Kishan, Prayaag and Shyama.

Hamilton – New Zealand

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Vaikunteswara Dasa

Hare Krishna,

SREE GURUBHYO NAMHA

On the auspicious day of Guru Maharaja's Vyasa Puja celebrations, we would like to submit our small write-up on to his lotus feet

One of the highest blessings that we could receive from God while living on this earth is meeting a true spiritual master. Those who have not taken shelter in the spiritual master neither now, nor meditate are not devotees. The spiritual master is God in human form. He dispels all the grief of his devotees and also ignorance, in the same way as sunshine dispels darkness of night. The darkness of desires is removed only when a disciple follows the instructions of the master.

The fastest way to grow spiritually is to take the bull by horns and open your heart to the master. Walk one step forward the master with pure heart, and the master will walk two steps towards you.

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Oh master, your kindness is immeasurable. Thank you for nurturing our spiritual progress, without you our progress will be slow and uncertain.

By your Devotees

Vaikunteswara Dasa & Jagat Devi Dasi

Auckland – New Zealand

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Padmanabha das

Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krishna presthaya bhutale

Srimate vedavyasapriya swamin iti namine

Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krishna presthaya bhutale

Srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine

Namaste saraswati deve gaura vani pracarine

Nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya desa tarine

My dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Gurudev and Srila Prabhupada.

We had attended your Seminar on Nectar of Instruction on your recent visit to Auckland, where you explained who we are? Our real identity according to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu`s is dasa-nu-das. You explained very nicely with your example that in building the Sigatoka temple you are only trying to serve your God brother’s last request. You further emphasized that one should always have an attitude to serve his senior and every Vaishnavas as their servants, which is most pleasing to Krishna.

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Guru Maharaj we thank you for enlighten us and please bless us so that we too can develop such quality.

We simply pray to Lord Sri Sri Radha Damodharji to keep our Guru Maharaj in good health, so that we can have his association and guidance for a long long time.

Yours most unqualified servants,

Padmanabha das

Madhvi Shyam Vallabh devi dasi

Yogeshwer Goyal

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Rasika dd

Dear Gurudeva, all glories to you.

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

Gurudeva, I am at a loss for words, I don’t know what to say. But I would like to thank you for giving this greatest sinner shelter under your lotus feet.

I always want to be attached to your lotus feet and have your mercy always.

Your most lowly humble servant,

Rasika dd

Auckland - New Zealand

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Neela Sundar das

Dearest Guru Maharaj,

Hare Krishna. Please accept my most humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your holy appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada & All glories to Srila Guru Maharaj.

Wishing you a very Happy Vyasa Puja. May the Lordships always bless you and protect you. I pray to the Lordships that you celebrate many Vyasa Puja’s amongst us and fallen souls like me get a chance to serve you.

Thank you for continually blessing me in my material progress. Please bestow that mercy on me that I can serve you better. Once more, wishing you a blessed Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe. your menial servant, neela sundar das

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Jyotirmayi Devi Dasi

Namo Om Visnupadaya Krsna presthaya bhutale

Srimate Vedavyasapriya swamin iti namine

I am writing this offering for the first time for our Guru Maharaj because I am new disciple. I decided to make Maharaj as my Guru Maharaj for 2 reasons

1) One of the god sister she is very humble and she is dedicated her life for Krishna by mercy of our Guru Maharaj. She was born in Muslim family but changed now to Vaishnava. When Guru Maharaj can change her life then why not mine. So I decided him to be my Guru.

2) At last Vyasa Puja we were fortunate to have Guru Maharaj here in Auckland. I was there in the temple Puja with my daughter & son. My son after looking at him asked me, “Mummy is he Srila Prabhupada?” I told my son no he is not but he is disciple of Srila Prabhupada. When my son got so attracted by his speech & , which he keeps singing (which I am sure he did not understand very well). That was the time I decided to make him my Guru.

I offer humble obeisance to my Guru Maharaj. I pray to Sri Sri Radha Giridhari and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai to bless him with good health so that he can preach Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teaching all over the world as per Caitanya Maha Prabhu. Yare Dekha Tare Kaha Krishna Updesha . Make whole world happy peaceful.

Your servant

Jyotirmayi Devi Dasi

Auckland – New Zealand

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CidVaibhav Das

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaji,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudev.

In the month of June 2009, when you visited our residence for while in the afternoon, we were told that your sugar level was at 13. Last year we recall as informed by you that it was at 5. The insulin shots appear not to be working as expected.

For you Guru Maharaj, having Prasadam is an austerity as you have to put the needle in first and then accept the offerings from host.

On this day of your Vyasa Puja, we would like to say that at least this day, once in a year; we will try and follow your strict Prasadam menu rather than eat all the nice sweets and rich Prasadam. We pray to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, to please give you a long and healthy life so that we may benefit and learn from your continued association.

You have always encouraged us to preach and with your blessings, we keep making some insignificant efforts to follow your instructions.

We would also like to serve by:

1. Not complaining about anything. 2. Being as non-judgmental as you are. 3. Not asking you to take Prasadam at odd times or giving you Prasadam that increases your blood sugar.

And

1. Keep looking at newer preaching opportunities. 2. Continuing to chant with as much faith and attention as possible.

Your not very humble servants,

CidVaibhav Das and Lajjavati Devi Dasi.

Auckland, New Zealand

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Keshava Kalimalahari Das

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your global preaching efforts.

It was on the 5 th October 2008 that you opened the doors for us to the spiritual kingdom of God – Lord Sri Krsna, by mercifully accepting this fallen soul as one of your disciples. I realize that our actual entry into the spiritual kingdom naturally depends upon our sincerity and purity in following your nectarine instructions.

Your wonderful preaching has made sure that the unlimited expansion and distribution of the sweetest nectar of the holy name and pure devotional service in the line if bonafide disciplic succession continues to this day.

Thank you my spiritual father for taking so much trouble, in spite of the great bodily inconvenience in the company of your spiritual masters instructions – and doing the greatest favor that mankind has ever known and will ever know – that of attracting the fallen souls of this age into the path of devotional service of the Supreme Lord, strengthening and sustaining such a big spiritual family that provides eternal shelter for all the souls of this world.

For my part Guru Maharaj, I must admit that I am struggling to maintain the internal purity in your physical absence. An army of material desires overtake me and scorch me as soon as I am outside your physical presence. I can actually feel and experience that I am a totally transformed person whilst in your divine presence. I have read and theoretically understood that in the physical absence of the spiritual master one serves the Vani or the spiritual instructions of the Guru, but I am unable to put this into full practice for I am the most degraded of living beings.

I beg to receive your mercy, love and compassion – not because I am a deserving disciple but rather because you are so kind and merciful even to degraded living entities such as myself. This remains my only hope for my real spiritual advancement.

Father, make my Bhakti towards Krsna strong, unshakeable and deep rooted. Let my thirst for chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra, reading Krsna related literature, meditating on His name, form and beauty, contemplating on Him and participating in Krsna Satsangh increase.

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Let me see, feel touch, sense, only Krsna in whatever I do. Let your mercy and spiritual potency completely eradicate Laziness and Lust - 2 primary obstacles to Bhakti. Let me reach a stage wherein Krsna and Guru alone fill my subconscious mind and thought. Let my consciousness gradually but surely and steadily be elevated from material physical body conception to Krsna consciousness .

Please accept my humble dandavats to your lotus feet and grant me increased association with Maha- such as yourself.

Your Humble Fallen Disciple

Keshava Kalimalahari Das

Page 60 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Medhavi das

Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to your Vyasa Puja celebrations.

When I am starting to write this offering on the glorious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, words fail me. I am the most unqualified to write about you but still by your causeless mercy you allow it to happen. We are a bit sad that we would not be able to make it to Baltimore to be in person for your Vyasa Puja celebrations. After being able to attend the last two Vyasa Puja celebrations and be in a joyous transcendental atmosphere in your presence, this time we will for the first time be celebrating it in Port Moresby. But we see this again as an opportunity to let the devotees in PNG know of the importance of the Vyasa Puja celebrations.

Maharaj, you have been most magnanimous in initiating Jayshri devi and myself, here in Port Moresby in October 2008. You have been most supportive of us in spite of our shortcomings and have bestowed on us the ultimate benefit of being your initiated disciples. We are still struggling to keep up our Sadhana and carry out your instructions. We beg for your mercy to be steady in our spiritual practices.

During the visit in October 2008 and again in May 2009, I was really appreciative of the way in which you preached to the devotees, the importance of taking up Krishna Consciousness. You were able to preach at different levels to the various devotees during the programs. Whilst at one program you expertly conveyed the necessity of taking up Krishna Consciousness immediately, on another occasion you clearly challenged the people to rise above their comfort levels of being situated in doing only pious activities and not taking up disciplined chanting. In your class to the students at the University you beautifully conveyed that, we are talking about the science of God and Krishna Consciousness is not something alien to anybody in this world. Your class at Auckland last year (just before the Vyasa Puja) on the Supersoul was so deep. It can never enter the head of this unqualified unintelligent soul. Yet I always want to listen to it again and again. It was only by your class that I came to know that Supersoul exists even in atoms.

Guru Maharaj, you always lead by example. In whatever you do, there is the mood of service which we can vividly see. While preparing Lasagna you personally showed us the care with which we should prepare bhogha for the deities without wasting even a small amount of ingredients.

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Please bless us so that we are able to follow in your footsteps carry out all your instructions which would bring much joy to you. Your instructions have been always to chant the Holy Name and nothing more and we are still trying to get to graduate out of the stage of chanting with offense and without attention.

Finally I am clinging on to your lotus feet that one day we too should have a grand temple here in Port Moresby and be able to host the Vyasa Puja of our beloved Guru Maharaj.

Aspiring to be your servant

The most unfortunate beggars

Medhavi das,

Jayashri devi dasi

Bhakta Nilesh

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Mother Sadhvi – New

Dear Vedavyasa Priya Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to your service to his most merciful mission of reclaiming forgetful souls back to Krsna's lotus feet!

Maharaja, I'm writing this offering in front of Sri Sri Radha Golokananda...after praying to them... They love you sooooo much! May They bless you and protect you and guide you always!

This year, a lot of responsibilities came to me and I was praying to be able to go to your Vyasa Puja ...Sri Sri Radha Golokananda are so grateful for your service since so many years ....They are urging me to go.... Last time, when you came to New Goloka, I really needed help and you sooo mercifully extended yourself to give me all facilities for my service to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Golokananda. I was praying for a big brother and Krsna could not have sent one better than you...

Now, when I meet Gujerati’s on Sankirtan, I can appreciate them a lot better...Your heritage is rich in devotion to Krsna and in natural good manners which maintains the devotees...that is so rare in this age , but it is so important in helping ISKCON to be stronger and healthier and more enlivened...

I can never thank you enough but I'm praying for your wonderful association again and again in this life and the next... and I hope to be able to assist you in some way in your service to Srila Prabhupada.

Your very grateful little servant, Sadhvi dasi

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Vitthalbhai and Padmaben - Austin, Texas

Hare Krishna dear Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Namo Om Vishnu padaya, Krishna presthaya bhutale Srimate Vedavyasa Priya Swami iti namine.

Namo Om Vishnu padaya, Krishna presthaya bhutale Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swami iti namine.

It has been four years since we had our first darshan of your Grace and it has been very enlightening as well as enlivening in our pursuit to Krishna Consciousness. We have associated with your Grace over the years when you had visited Austin, Texas and then we had very close association of your Divine Grace when we came to Vrndavana, India.

At that time you took us around the holy land of Krishna carving out time from your busy schedule. We have not had a chance to thank you enough for exposing us to the spiritual realm of Lord Krishna. Just as a child cannot pay his indebtedness to his parents we are also in a similar position of indebtedness to you, Maharaja.

Lord willing we hope to have more association and your sweet mercy once we take the shelter of your lotus feet in the near future when you visit Dallas, Texas. We pray to the Lord that He may Grace you with a healthy and long life to help conditioned souls like us to go back to Krishna's abode.

Hare Krishna Maharaja!

Yours very lowly fallen servants Vitthalbhai and Padmaben Austin, Texas.

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Caitanya Chandra Das

Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

All Glories to You!

Gurudeva! You taught me how to chant, dance and worship the Lord, which I'm doing without understanding and with a lot of offenses, yet you are tolerant. Gurudeva! You taught me by your example that how one has to be humble and compassionate, which I never comprehended and pretended that I have understood and thought that I'm humble. I realize that only by your causeless mercy I can understand the same, giving up my false pride.

Dear Gurudev my only wish is to have my consciousness purified by emanating from your lotus mouth. Please bless me with your causeless mercy so that I follow your transcendental words. Please give me strength to follow and help you to complete Srila Prabhupada’s mission successfully. The true fact is that I can remember Krishna only due to you and your blessings.

My humble obeisances unto your lotus feet.

Your humble disciple/servant, Caitanya Chandra Das Baltimore, MD

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Siddha Swarup Das

My dear, beloved Guru-Maharaja,

Please accept my most respectful obeisance’s at your lotus-feet. All glories to you.

It is clear from your activities of ceaselessly traveling and preaching all over the world that you set the topmost example of pure devotional service. It may appear that you are dependent on us now, but actually we are forever dependent on the love and kindness you shower upon us. Personally I feel very honored to be allowed to assist you in your necessary bodily functions like eating .It is simply your kindness towards me that you allow me to assist you in this way.

Thank you for always being so patient with me and so kind to me, Guru Maharaja. Thank you for ever drawing me closer to you and binding me with your endless love and affection. I thank you again and again .for keeping me in devotional service of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, Subadramayi and Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar.

Please bless me that one day I may become a pure devotee like you.

Your fool and sincere servant

Siddha Swarup Das, Baltimore, MD

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Mahojvala devi dasi

Dear & Respected Maharaja,

All Glories to Lord Krishna & Srila Prabhupada!!! All Glories to You!!

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.

I know that I am not qualified to offer this to you, I am extremely sorry, I pray that with Lord Krishna's mercy, and the mercy of the Vaishnavas, You will accept my offering, even though it is totally unworthy of Your Divine Grace, still I am forced to offer this to you from the bottom of my heart on this auspicious day of your appearance, this most wonderful opportunity to glorify you! I am forever bowed at your lotus feet.

Your words are the truth of sweet penance that strengthens my mind. Thank you so much for being so selfless, to your ever loving and devoted servants. Last year the seminar you have conducted here was worthy. I realized that the holy name, chanting of holy name, if we act it properly, without any offense, then we are directly in connection with Krishna.

As Srimad Bhagavatam says, pure devotees of the Lord are more powerful than the waters of the sacred river Ganges. One can be sanctified at once by the mercy of a pure devotee of the Lord.

I wish you many many many more appearance day. Because of your dedication and pure- heartedness, thousands of devotees and conditioned souls have the opportunity to take up devotional service. Of course, you give all of the credit to Srila Prabhupada. It is impossible to thank you enough, but I would like to someday be qualified to have your mercy in order to follow in the footsteps of your disciples and to serve as they do.

Thank you, sincerely your humble servant

Mahojvala devi dasi Baltimore,MD

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Dharma Priya Das & Haripriya Dasi & family

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!! All Glories to You!

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Even though we are not qualified to glorify your wonderful qualities & activities, we would like to glorify you with our little intelligence on this auspicious day. Gurudev, please accept our offering. You are worshiping Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar always in your heart with great devotion and responsibility, so we are requesting you to give us that kind of devotion to worship Lord Krishna. Please keep us under your protection and service, the same way you are protected by your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada.

We fallen souls doesn't have any strength to reach Krishna with out your guidance. We will be able to get out from the fear of death and birth with your blessing, and we are able to serve Krishna by your mercy. We are entangled with Maya and thinking this material world is created for us to enjoy. This way we are struggling to keep ourselves happy, but we are not really happy. To get rid of this fear & unhappiness we came to take shelter of you. With your guidance we will be able to realize the real purpose of life and able to reach in Krishna Consciousness.

Gurudev, you are very merciful to accept these unqualified souls under your shelter. We want to serve you birth after birth to purify ourselves and then only we are qualified to serve Krishna. After many lifetimes of pious activities one can get bonafide Guru, no other way to achieve Krishna's mercy. With out Guru's mercy no doubts can be clarified in our life, one cannot get knowledge even though we study all the .

Dear Guru Maharaja, please correct us if we made any mistake while offering this to you and forgive us. We are not intelligent or devoted enough to do this service. On this auspicious appearance day we have a desire that you must live long in this world to guide us to be serious in Krishna Consciousness.

Your dedicated servant disciples,

Chaturatma Das & Jahnavi Devi Dasi.

Dharma Priya Das, Haripriya Dasi & Bhakta Aditya.

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Mukundanghri das

Dear Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisance’s countless of times at your lotus feet. This decaying age of Kali is endowed with an antidote of Krsna consciousness because of your brilliant appearance. The whole of the earth is made magnificent because of your birth at this time.

It is by your mercy that when others had kicked me aside and refused to provide me a means to serve Him that you had so kindly offered me a place under the umbrella of Srila Prabhupada’s sublime message. I desire to be your servant and lay my life in the dust of your lotus feet. I pray to walk in your footsteps and hold on fast to your living example of service to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Caitanya, and Sri Nityananda.

I don’t know why you were so kind to give me the gift of shelter in Krsna consciousness, as there is no greater fool then myself, and no greater gift of love. I don’t know why you were so kind to gift me the most superb name of Mukundanghri das but I do know that am deeply grateful to you for offering me a seat at your divine table of devotional service.

We think we have met your goodness

by the will of providence just so that

we may accept you as captain of the

ship for those who desire to cross the

difficult ocean of Kali. (SB 1.1.23)

Begging to remain your servant,

Mukundanghri das

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Vamana Hari Das

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar.

On this most auspicious occasion it is the duty of the disciple to recall how Guru Maharaj has influenced one's spiritual life and helping to grow spiritually. In spite of long association I am only progressing very slowly, may be my commitment is not very firm. I feel very happy though, to see scores of my god brothers and god sisters are progressing nicely and rapidly all over the world. They are doing lot of service to You Maharaj in Your mission of preaching Krishna Consciousness philosophy all over the world.

On this auspicious day instead of offering Maharaj some nice service, I am begging for Your mercy, so I can get up from my fallen position and try to crawl and eventually stand and take steps.

I recall an old saying in the glorification of Guru.---

"Dhyana moolam Guror Moorthi, Pooja moolam Guru padam,

Mantra moolam Guror vakyam, moolam Guru Kripa"

With out following the first three steps I am looking for the fourth one which is Guru's mercy.

May be I need Guru's mercy, even to practice the first three steps, as I am so much fallen.

I pray to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar to bless You Maharaj with good health, so Your mission of service to Your Guru Maharaj, will go on increasing day by day and many fallen souls like me will be saved around the Globe.

I pray to You Maharaj and beg to forgive me for the many offences I have committed on account of long association and fallen nature of mine.

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

Your fallen Servant,

Vamana Hari Das

Page 70 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Hrishikesh das

Dear Vedavyasa Priya Maharaj,

Please accept my respectful obeisance at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and you!

My best wishes to you for a very happy birthday!

I feel fortunate and want to express my sincere gratitude for your sweet and loving association when you stayed with us last year. I experienced your profound knowledge of Srila Prabhupada's books and your sharp intellect in presenting this knowledge as realized by you.

You are a role model in your determination as traveling preacher in spite of challenging health situation.

On this auspicious day of your appearance on this planet, please bless me that like yourself, I too have eagerness and enthusiasm in serving Srila Prabhupada's mission.

I beg to remain as your humble servant. Please allow me to serve you in whichever way you see fit.

Your fallen servant son, Hrishikesh das (North Carolina)

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Sugita devi dasi

May Lord Sri Nrsinghadeva protect Maharaja and he always has his shadow on us every time.

Your servant, Sugita devi dasi (Sujita Deo)

Page 71 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Kardamamuni Dasa

Our Dear Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami,

Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Nitai -Gauranga.

On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, we are very lucky to be able to wish you a very very Happy Birthday with many many more to come.

Without your association we do not want to even imagine where we’d be or what we’d be doing with our life. In fact you saved our life. We are so blessed that we’ve been put in Krishna Consciousness with your guidance.

Right now we are still neophyte devotees and have much to learn. Please forgive us for whatever offences we have committed against you. Our greatest regret is that we can not serve as we wish. Please forgive us for that.

You have given us plenty of guidance that we may not be following correctly or understanding thoroughly. Please forgive us for that. Even under these conditions we beg you for your blessings, so that we can be in Krishna Consciousness mood for the rest of our lives.

I sincerely pray to Nitai-Gauranga to please keep us eternally as your servant.

We are forever well wishers for your health and happiness.

Remaining to be your servants,

Kardamamuni dasa

Madhumalti devi dasi

Page 72 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Hrdaychaitanya das

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale srimate vedavyasapriya-svamin iti namine

Our dear most beloved Gurudeva, we offer our most respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet.

About 25 years ago we had an opportunity to meet your divine grace in New Vrindavan. Next year your divine grace came to our house at Scranton, Pennsylvania and gave us association. By the mercy of Sri Hari we met several times but we did not know that after years of association, these insignificant souls will get the shelter at your lotus feet.

After our Harinama diksha, we feel our spiritual life has been moving forward. We are feeling blissful performing Bhakti yoga. This jiva is not feeling lazy in chanting Japa.

We are eternally indebted to your divine grace for giving us shelter at your lotus feet.

Please keep giving us required spiritual strength to reach Lord Krsna’s lotus feet that is humble request on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.

Your eternal servants,

Hrdaychaitanya das

Tarangini Radha dasi

Page 73 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

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Dvaipayana das

Dearest Guru Maharaja,

Please accept our humble prostrates unto the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on your divine appearance day!!

My first question to you was how do we know what Guru is saying is true and can be relied upon. You introduced to me the scientific method of the triangle of truth. Till today you are stressing that very point, to always get authorized reference from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra, in any spiritual discussions. “Everything is there in Srila Prabhupada’s books”, is your actual response at many times.

When it comes to preaching, you sacrifice hours of sleep to enlighten inquisitive souls around you. We think we should stop you due to your health, but all you are concerned is to mend the spiritual health of all the living entities. Okay Gurudeva, we quit, but please just make us your instruments in preaching and use us whatever way you like. The joy that arises from your association only goes up to infinity? And it can’t get any better than that.

You are our only treasure and we know without you we are nothing but a lump of decaying stool. If we are given any chance of , it is only because of your merciful glance upon us.

Dear Guru Maharaja, please grant us the boon to serve and be attached only to the lotus feet of our beloved and dearest spiritual master. We fall at your lotus feet and make this humble request on your appearance day.

Happy Vyasa Puja!

Your servants,

Dvaipayana das Shraddhanjali devi dasi Gopeesha devi dasi

Page 74 His Divine Grace Srila Vedavyasa Priya Swami Maharaja - Vyasa Puja Offering ‘09

Thank you Srila Gurudeva! for giving us this opportunity to glorify you

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Page 75 His HolinessHis Divine Srila Grace Vedavyasa Srila Vedavyasa Priya Priya Swami Swami Vyasa Mahara Pujaja - OfferingVyasa Puja Book Offering – 2009 ‘09 ©