Contents The Meaning of Vyasa Puja 1 Gurudev’s Offering 3 Offerings from Disciples 5

Acyuta Gauranga Das, 6; Advaita Acarya Das, 7; Akincana Krishna Das & Haripriya Devi Dasi, 8; Ananda Vrindavana Dasi, 9; Ananga Mohini devi dasi, 14; Bhakti Devi Dasi, 16; Bhavananda Rai das, 17; Caitanya Carana dasa, 18; Damodar Gopal Das, Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi & little Vaishnavi, 20; Damodar Prasad Das, 21; Devadeva Dasa, 23; Gangotri Devi Dasi, 25; Gaurangi DD, 27; Gita Govinda devi dasi, 29; Isesvari dasi, 31; Jagannatha Das, 32; Jagannatha Caran Das & Devahuti Devi Dasi, 33; Kaishori devi dasi, 34; Karunamayi Devi Dasi, Karunesvari Radhika & Karunika Radhika, 35; Keli Vrindavana devi dasi, 39; Krishna Smaranam dasa & Jai Radhe DD, 40; Krishnacandra das & Divya Sakti DD, 42; Lalita kund devi dasi, 43; Lila Vrindavana dd, 45; Lokanath das, 46; Madhu Govinda das, 48; Mathura Mohan Das, Mathura, Mohini Devi Dasi, Prahlad & Jagannath, 50; Mukunda dasa, 51; Namacarya das, 53; Odjasvati dd, 54; Paramatma das, 55; Paramisvara das & Paramisvari dd, 57; Pranesvari devi dasi, 59; Priya Kishori dd, 61; Radha Darshani, 63; Radha Kishori Devi Dasi, 64; Radha Raman Das, 65; Radhika Raman Das, Nrsinga Caran & Bhaktin Vraja Sundari Shamz, 67; Rama Priya Devi Dasi, 70; Sachi Kumar dasa, 71; Sachi Prema DD, 76; Saci dd, 77; Sacidulal das, 79; Sacimata devi dasi, 79; Sadhu Seva dasa & Radhadyuti dd, 82; Sakhi Vrinda Devi Dasi, 84; Shayam Govinda Das, 85; Shukadev Das, 86; Shyamalata dd, 89; Siddhanta das, 91; Sita Carana devi dasi, 93; Sivarama das, 94; Sridama dasa, Krishna Akarshini devi dasi, Sachinandan & Nitai, 95; Subhadramayi devi dasi, 97; Sundarananda Das, Subhadra devi dasi, Sita and Vrindakund devi dasi, 98; Syama Kishor das, 100; Syama Vallabhi Devi Dasi, 103; Talavan das, 104; Ujjvala Gopi dd, 106; Ujjvala Prema devi dasi, 106; Ujjvala Rasa dasi, 107; Varsana dd, 109; Vibhu Caitanya Das, 110; Visvambhara dasa, 112; Vraja Priya dd & Revati dd, 114; Vraja Sakhi dd, 115; Vraja Vilasini dd, 117; Vrajarani devi dasi, Vivek & Riddhi, 119; Vrinda Kund devi dasi, 122; Vrndavan dasa Thakur dasa & Caitanya Lila dasi, 123; Yamaraja dasa, 125; Yamuna Dasi, 127; Yasoda mayi devi dasi, 128; Чампакалата д.д, 131; Лакшми Чарани д.д, 132; Лаванга Манджари д.д, 134; Кришна Лила д.д, 135

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples 136 Anuradha Sharma, 137; Bhaktin Karishma, 139; Bhaktin Kashmira, 141; Bhakta Kent, 143; Bhaktine Patricia, 144; Bhaktin Radhika, 145 Offerings from Well-wishers 146 Tirumala DD, 147; Vaisnavi Mistry, 151 Srila Prabhupada said… 153

The Meaning of Vyasa-puja

The Vyasa-puja celebration of the spiritual master is one of the most important festivals in the life of a disciple. This is the day when we can openly express our love, appreciation and gratitude to our spiritual master. Being a loving servant of the Lord and His close associate, the spiritual master teaches us the science and art of such service, thus giving us the opportunity to relish nectarean relationships with the Lord. That is why we worship our spiritual master on the day of Vyasa-puja. The spiritual master never acts independently; he is a bona fide representative of the guru parampara. By his mercy the treasure house of instructions and teachings of the previous acharyas become available to us. That is why on our spiritual master’s Vyasa-puja day we worship all the previous acharyas headed by Vyasadeva, who mercifully compiled all the Vedic scriptures. Out of respect and appreciation of Srila Vyasadeva, we call this day Vyasa-puja, seeing our spiritual master to be his representative. It is not possible to overestimate the role of a spiritual master in our life. In numerous purports our dear Srila Prabhupada explains to us the importance of accepting and serving a spiritual master. In his purport to Caitanya- caritamrita, Adi-lila 1.35, Srila Prabhupada writes: “…The expert spiritual master knows well how to engage his disciple’s energy in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and thus he engages a devotee in a specific devotional service according to his special tendency. A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden. There is no limit, however, to the number of instructing spiritual masters one may accept. Generally a spiritual master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science becomes his initiating spiritual master later on.

1

The Meaning of Vyasa-puja

One should always remember that a person who is reluctant to accept a spiritual master and be initiated is sure to be baffled in his endeavour to go back to Godhead. One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realisation, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination. It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favour of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple. If one thinks that he is above consulting anyone else, including a spiritual master, he is at once an offender at the lotus feet of the Lord. Such an offender can never go back to Godhead. It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the śāstric injunctions. Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding”. So in our spiritual life we completely depend on our spiritual master. We are made of his mercy and care. His instructions are our life breath. This truth we celebrate on our spiritual master’s Vyasa-puja day and we pray to continue to celebrate it in every moment of our life. Yamuna Devi Dasi, St Pietersburg, Russia

2

Gurudev’s Offering My dear Srila Prabhupada, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet, which are the shelter for the three worlds. Time is moving on for me. Gradually my material body is becoming old. I remember when I used to visit my mother in her later years, and each time she would tell me which of her friends had died since the last time I was there. Then one time she told me, “They’ve all gone. Every one of them.” We have also lost a number of your disciples as time has passed, and it will come to me in due course. There is not so much time left, and I have to try to do something of some value for you before I go. When you came to the Western world you were five years older than I am now, and look what you did! It is completely inconceivable. Could I do something like that? Definitely not. So should I give up? Definitely not. When I listen to your classes from the early days in New York, I feel the extreme sense of urgency in your voice, and it gives me a little insight into your heart. Sometimes your voice breaks momentarily into a higher pitch as your emotions of concern for the fallen souls overpower you. It becomes overwhelmingly clear that you are convinced that there is no question of there being any alternative to serious Krsna consciousness, striving for unalloyed devotional service. Convinced is not the right word. Actually you have clearly realized it. Not that this sense of urgency was only there in those days. All the way through you showed it, every day.

3

Gurudev’s Offering

In your purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.13.53 you say: “One should understand that no one is independent, for everything is part and parcel of Krsna and is acting and moving by the supreme desire of Krsna. This understanding, this consciousness, is Krsna consciousness.” When we read that, it sounds like straightforward Krsna conscious philosophy—nothing so very unusual. But I remember a little while ago watching the movie Your Ever Well- Wisher, and to my surprise it showed you, emaciated on your deathbed, reciting this very sentence, surrounded by a small group of disciples, with Jayadvaita Maharaja holding the microphone to your mouth. Your physical condition was well beyond hopeless, but despite that you were continuing with unbreakable determination to give us the priceless gift of Krsna consciousness. Not only that, but you continued translating and commenting on the Bhagavatam for another eleven verses before stopping. In your association, Srila Prabhupada, we have witnessed something beyond the constraints of this material world. We have been given not just a glimpse but a clear view of what it means to be a resident of the spiritual world, and how such a soul thinks, feels, and acts. As time goes on and I age, I am slowly digesting this more and more. So what to do now? Not much time is left, and I have to try to do something more than what I have been doing. I don’t know exactly what, and that is sometimes a dilemma for me. But I guess I have to keep preaching your message and trying to help your devotees in their Krsna consciousness. If I carry on like this to the end, hopefully the devotees will say, “He was a Prabhupada man.” It would be very nice to be remembered like this. Your servant, Bhakti Caitanya Swami

4

5

Offerings from Disciples

Acyuta Gauranga Das

Dearest Srila Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Happy Vyasa Puja, my dear Lord and master. You are my only shelter through this existence in the material world. I try to reflect on how I can best serve you and Srila Prabhupada, but I have no qualifications. I offer prayers, begging for mercy, praying that wherever you may take me, whatever I may do, that I may please learn the art of surrender to your instruction. I pray that you will be my breath and your direction be my sight. I pray that I may gain the strength to serve faithfully on your behalf. I am insignificant in the shadow of your beloved disciples, who are loving and Krishna Conscious. I pray to stand amongst them to bring you pleasure and to fulfil your desires. My dear Lord and Master, may your glories resonate with the sound of your name, may it resonate with your glorious service to Srila Prabhupada and may it be known in all three worlds. Please forgive my offences. Begging for the mercy of the dust at the soles of your lotus feet. Your son, Acyuta Gauranga Das Durban, South Africa

6

Offerings from Disciples

Advaita Acarya Das

Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you Srila Gurudev. As I sat down to write my Vyasa-puja offering, I considered, “What is the essence of what I am feeling? What do I really want to say?” I kept coming back to the same theme, which is gratitude. Certainly it is by the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar that we have an opportunity to have you as our dearest beloved Spiritual Master. Gurudev, I do not have the words to appropriately describe your affectionate and loving attitude. I don’t know what I have done to have received such great fortune, but I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you. We sometimes forget how lucky we are to have the shelter of a Spiritual Master such as you; under whose guidance we can successfully receive the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and their Lordships. This year has been a particularly challenging test from their Lordships. As Vaishnavas, we realise that these tests are meant to bring us closer to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar. However, it is through your mercy which allows the strength to overcome the challenges of this material world. As an unworthy servant of our dearest Master, I have no qualification whatsoever to approach Krishna, nor is my service to your lotus feet of any significance, yet I pray for you to please continuously give to me the strength and guidance to hold on tight to your lotus feet and that of Srila Prabhupada’s. On this auspicious day, I pray at your lotus feet for forgiveness if there are any offences that I may have committed knowingly or unknowingly. May Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar always keep you healthy and energetic so that you can keep distributing His love to millions of conditioned souls. Your eternal servant, Advaita Acarya Das Pretoria, South Africa

7

Offerings from Disciples

Akincana Krishna Das & Haripriya Devi Dasi

Hare Krishna dearest Guru Maharaj, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, Guru Maharaj, on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. Over the past year we have been faced with many health challenges, your prayers, wise encouraging words and advice have helped us through these difficulties. We are trying to make the necessary lifestyle changes, although difficult, we are continuing and will not give up. We pray for your mercy, so that we can continue to try and serve you, Srila Prabhupada and all the devotees. Please forgive us for any offenses caused. Your most unworthy servants, Akincana Krishna Das & Haripriya Devi Dasi Middelburg, South Africa

8

Offerings from Disciples

Ananda Vrindavana Dasi Hare Krishna dearest Gurudeva, Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your most merciful lotus feet. All glories to HDG merciful Srila Prabhupada. All glories to dearest Gurudeva! Dear Gurudeva, On the most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, please allow us to thank you for all the causeless mercy you have bestowed upon us. I was thinking that, this year is 20 material years that, a fool like myself has had Your causeless mercy. As I reminisce from the beginning, I remember the first time you asked to meet me, as I had written to you and you wanted to know who I was. We were sitting at the late Radha mataji’s house programme in Fairbreze and your then personal assistant Govinda prabhu came to me as I was honoring prasadam and said: "Maharaj wants to speak with you." I got so nervous. I do not know how I washed my hands and how my feet found its way to you and when I reached you, you asked me "are you a secretary". Being so nervous, I had no idea why you asked, and you could see that and explained my hand written letter to you and format and content... I guess that inspired me in all my future work endeavors. Thank you, Gurudeva, for allowing a mere fool to be in your divine presence that day. And then you did Ashvir’s second birthday programme, where my entire wider family (including a few who have left this world) had your merciful association, and you visited our humble abode a few times and everything escalated from there. I am very grateful that not just my close family and I had your association but my entire wider family knows Srila Gurudeva, including my late biological father, who was grateful to you for taking care of me in his absence.

9

10

Offerings from Disciples

Upon his return in 2011, he found responsible children, who showed him forgiveness and love. Our hearts were broken inside but with your constant guidance and care, we were able to guide him in a Krsna conscious way. He was chanting regularly from 2011, honouring Mahaprasadam, reading and being an artist; he was drawing Lord Krsna. In June 2013, the morning of his funeral, I had posted on my Facebook wall: "today is my biological father’s funeral, please pray...” I got a reply from you and I knew everything would be okay, as until then, I was running around alone, picking up his body from the hospital morgue and going to the undertaker, and at the mortuary, only my brother and I were there. I had always known my father to be big built and hefty and at the hospital, I had seen only his face in the body bag, but when they showed me his body on the slate, ready for bathing , I was humbled. This huge father I knew was only half a body as his limbs had been amputated and he had lost massive weight in hospital. I prayed to you for strength. I put your kirtan on my cell phone loud and bathed and prepared him in a Vaishnava way. Thank you, Gurudeva. His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj writes: "A Spiritual Master is one who is dear to Krsna, as we acknowledge in the Pranama mantra 'Krsna -presthaya bhu-tale'. He is dear to Krsna, because He has sacrificed for Krsna and has done service for Krsna. Therefore He has credit with Krsna and he uses that credit for us. So when he accepts us, even if it is not formally, even if he just says: 'I accept you', then it really means that he accepts that person and His prayer to Krsna is for the ongoing wellbeing of that person. It is not just a loose shallow statement but one that comes from the heart." Srila Gurudeva, thank you for accepting my family and I under Your care and for your ongoing prayers for us. Srila Gurudeva, in so many years, I can distinctly remember how you stood by me every time I stumbled. I feel so ashamed of myself that I have not done anything worthy of being your disciple, but still you continue encouraging me to be strong.

11

Offerings from Disciples

I quote His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj: "Life shakes us sometimes but our Guru is still there, doing the same thing. He is still serving Krsna and still chanting. We experience so much turbulence but He is simply still there. That is how it is meant to be, always. So that is very nice because if our Guru is always fixed at Krsna’s feet, then whenever we turn to Him, it means we automatically turn to Krsna…There is no need for any big mystical insights or revelations. It’s simple. He is fixed in serving Krsna. We turn to our Guru. We seek some association of our Guru and more Krsna starts coming into our life and again, we are refreshed and enlivened." Srila Gurudeva. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you… Over the years, there was immense turbulence in my personal life and around me, but you kept me grounded with your guidance, mercy and prayers. While I was frantically searching around for human help, you empowered me by your causeless mercy and showed me how to stand strong alone and continue serving in my capacity, continue taking care of those who need me, especially our mother who is preparing for life's final exam. While we help her, we ourselves are benefiting by gaining some deep knowledge and blessings, and trying to find ways to surrender more and be an instrument of the Lord. Srila Gurudeva, mum says: “Thank you for your gentle smile, your kind words, constant prayers, patience and time, and thank you for the precious moments at the airport." Srila Gurudeva, you are humility personified. You come directly from the Spiritual world, but you are humility personified. You are our treasure. You have given us the 'life giving' Lord's Holy Name. You dance with Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari and You are so dear to Srimati Radharani, yet, you walk humanly amongst us and I may have taken you for granted so many times. You know our hearts and our every thought. Please forgive me for knowingly or unknowingly offending you Srila Gurudeva.

12

Offerings from Disciples

I have no right but I humbly pray that one day I may be worthy of your precious glance and that we may be blessed to forever walk in the trail of your sacred, treasure trove footsteps, and treat you with the awe and reverence that you are so deserving of. I am a mere fool, nothing without your ceaseless mercy, so I earnestly pray. Srila Gurudeva, thank You for being our Spiritual Father and guide during our life… Our Father, who is an expert on Sri Vrindavana dhama… His lotus feet carry the dust of Sri Dham Vrindavana wherever it is placed. We offer our unlimited, grateful obeisances to the dust of your most merciful lotus feet. Thank You for everything Srila Gurudeva. Happy Vyasa Puja Srila Gurudeva. With love and gratitude from your foolish servant, Ananda Vrindavana Dasi, mum and family Durban, South Africa

13

Offerings from Disciples

Ananga Mohini Devi Dasi Dearest Srila Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet! All glories to our savior of the whole world Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your Divine self Gurudev. Happy appearance day Gurudev, this is certainly one of the most glorious days in our lives. Gurudev, I’m struggling to find the right words to describe how extremely grateful I am to be sheltered at your lotus feet. I cannot explain the gratitude I’m feeling towards your causeless mercy unto this insignificant daughter. It’s almost 9 years now since we first left SA to live in Sri Mayapur Dham and its Jagannath’s final year at Sri Mayapur International School. Especially during the hot and humid days, I often wonder how is it that we actually managed all the austerities and challenges we faced in Mayapur over the past years – and the answer that immediately comes to my mind is – Obviously by the mercy of Gurudev, we literally survived 9 years purely by your inconceivable mercy. To live in Mayapur Dham one needs either money or mercy – and we thank you profusely for your mercy Gurudev or else we would not have had this rare opportunity in our lives. Gurudev, you always find time in your busy schedule to reply to my emails, guiding me on the right path. Recently when you were here in Mayapur, on the day you were leaving, you specifically requested your disciples to write to you at least once every six months to give you an update of ourselves, thank you for being our loving and caring father, Gurudev.

14

Offerings from Disciples

I would like to share the following quotes from Srila Prabhupada, which clearly describes you Gurudev. Srila Prabhupada - Letter to: Upendra, New York, May 4, 1967 This world is just like a forest fire and a spiritual master is just like the cloud in the sky. As the forest fire can be extinguished only by water from the sky, one can be peaceful and elevated in spiritual consciousness or in Krishna Consciousness only by the mercy of a bona fide Spiritual Master. Srila Prabhupada - Letter to: Kirtanananda, New York, April 13, 1967 A person, who is always anxious to render service unto the Supreme Lord Hari, as His eternal servitor, in all conditions of life, he is considered to be liberated even though within the material body. Gurudev, this letter reminded me of you, how you are always anxious to render service by spreading the glories of the Supreme Lord. You have even learnt the different languages to help others have a better understanding of the teachings, and you continue to travel with nothing stopping you, not even ill health. All glories to You Gurudev! Gurudev, on this special occasion, I humbly bow down to your lotus feet again and again, humbly begging you to please take me Back Home to our most beloved Lord Krishna in this lifetime, as Krishna is yours and only you have the power to give Him to me. Please keep me engaged in your loving service forever. Thank you for everything in our lives dearest Gurudev. Your insignificant daughter and servant, Ananga Mohini Devi Dasi

15

Offerings from Disciples

Bhakti Devi Dasi

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day. Today on this most glorious day of Vyasa Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath and Srila Prabhupada to please bless you, Their dear servant, with good health, long life and all strength to continue your amazing, wonderful preaching activities. Thank you again for accepting me as your disciple and for all your blessings, mercy and grace upon my children and myself. It is only by your causeless mercy - which I do not deserve - that I am now residing and serving at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to serve - which I offer at your lotus feet, may it be pleasing to you my eternal spiritual father and to all the vainavas. I am most fortunate to be under the shelter of your lotus feet. My prayer to you today is that you please continue to bless me so that I may further deepen my Krishna Consciousness as time passes by. I am eternally indebted to you and Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna! Your servant, Bhakti Devi Dasi Durban, South Africa

16

Offerings from Disciples

Bhavananda Rai Das Hare Krishna, Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Greetings Maharaj, I will like to take the opportunity to offer my heart warm felt offering to you and the Guru Paramahamsa. I know you are always pushing the importance of spreading the glories of this Sankirtan movement. I am deeply honoured to be one of your students in this line of Sankirtan movement. I just wanted to wish you the best of my sincere gratitude on this day, as one of your disciples, to send my heart warm wishes to our father. Without you, we couldn’t know the importance of the Guru-Disciple relationship and to be part of this big family. I have seen how you have dealt with each one of us and it’s amazed me. What can we do to really serve our spiritual master? It’s only through his doings that one can develop the same qualities that you have showed us, the way to live in the service of Srila Prabhupada, hoping that by faith in you, we can be able to make you happy through constantly following in the footsteps and also be an example to those who wish to render their service in serving Srila Prabhupada. My gratitude to you is how much you have loved and cared for us, when no one was willing to support our initiative in spreading preaching to the African Communities. Currently, I want to serve you by being the organizer of doing festivals, and to help people be able to develop more taste in the holy name, but, I wish you can grant us the blessings to be able to serve you to our best capacity. I am deeply thankful for giving the chance to stay in Sri Sri Nitai Mayapur Chandra temple in Cape Town. I hope I can serve you to the best that you wish me to, and starting my company was to be able to use my skills to render service to the temple and to you. Well, I hope on this glorious event, you can shower us with your Mercy to live above the expectation that you expect me to become and thanks for your kindness... I want to wish you a happy Vyasa Puja and may you see many more to come in the service of Srila Prabhupada. Your servant, Bhavananda Rai Das South Africa

17

Offerings from Disciples

Caitanya Carana Dasa

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Divine Self on this most auspicious occasion of your 68th Vyasa Puja Day.

Today is Father's Day. A day on which people remember and honour their fathers. Their material fathers that is...

You are my eternal, spiritual father and the love you have for me far exceeds the love any material father has for any material son. You have given me my real birth when you awarded me your shelter, dear father.

Many times I go on a japa Walk in Mayapur Goshala, and it helps me to really appreciate the glories of Navadvipa Dham. As I ponder upon my extreme good fortune in having the privilege of calling Sri Mayapur Dham my home, tears of gratitude well in my eyes. Gratitude to you. Because it is only your grace alone that I find myself blessed with such mercy upon my family and I.

On this most blessed day, I offer you my heartfelt and humble prayer:

“Dear father, please bless me that I may become a son that makes you happy and proud.”

I yearn for that day when you will look upon me with your famous beautiful, broad smile and say, “I'm proud of you, my son.”

Let me be blessed to inherit all your glorious qualities of care, compassion, patience, sincerity, determination, wisdom, fearlessness, faith and love.

May you be blessed to continue to serve your glorious father, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada as effectively as You are doing, and do even more to spread his mission to every town and village in this world.

Your son, Caitanya Carana Dasa Śrī Māyāpur, India

18

19

Offerings from Disciples

Damodar Gopal Das, Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi & little Vaishnavi Hare Krishna dearest Srila Gurudev, Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Their Lordships Sri Sri Jaganath, Baladev and Subhadra Maharani. All glories to Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasunder! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you Srila Gurudev! A very, very Happy Vyasa Puja to you! We pray to Their Lordships to always keep you in good health and Krishna conscious bliss! Srila Gurudev, on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, we want to thank you, thank you and thank you for bestowing your mercy upon these most undeserving servants of yours. You are always there to guide us whenever we need you. You have never let us down in all that we ask of you. In this day and age where we are let down by almost everybody, we treasure the fact that we always have you to rely on. Whenever we feel lost and helpless, with your calm and cool disposure you help us find ourselves again. Thank you for guiding us so nicely with our latest addition Vaishnavi. Please bless us so we are able to keep her on a steady path in Krishna consciousness. Thank you Srila Gurudev for everything you have done for us. Your most unworthy servants, Damodar Gopal Das, Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi & little Vaishnavi New Jagannath Puri Phoenix, Durban, South Africa

20

Offerings from Disciples

Damodar Prasad Das Srila Gurudeva, I still try to know thee But who can know the unaffected heart of a devotee Save one as simple and pure as he? This I know: Ever hast thou given freely Of thy blessings, Understanding, Forgiveness, And instruction It is not for any lacking in thy charity That I remain sunken in iniquity Clinging to shows and signs of no meaning That with the show of great beauty Drag me down in the ocean of suffering What is that secret strength Of letting go of idle dreams And holding with both hands

Unto Thy Lotus feet? Why, upon my path, Could I not be as straightforward as Thee? Anyone considering the position Of my ruinous career Might rightly conclude: “Everything is finished Only the eternal collapse remains” Certainly, no hope for happiness can be foreseen But I hold, though weakly Unto the fact of thy expansive mercy And Thy will and faith of adamant May my weakened grasp remold me.

Damodar Prasad Das, Lenasia, South Africa

21

22

Offerings from Disciples

Devadeva Dasa My dearest Srila Gurudev, please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you, my Lord and Master! ācāryera mata yei, sei mata sāra tāṅra ājñā laṅghi’ cale, sei ta’ asāra “The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life. Anyone who disobeys the order of the spiritual master immediately becomes useless.” (CC Adi-12.10) Srila Gurudeva, from my very first days in ISKCON I have tried to imbibe this principle, and it has sustained me in your service throughout all these years; this year marks 20 years of me coming into the shelter of ISKCON and your Lotus Feet. To simply do what you have told me to do, with full trust that you are the intimate representative of Krishna who is fully empowered by Him to deliver the fallen souls. You are my master and I am your servant, and I have no other duty than to obey your command. All of my success comes from following your instructions. I recently read the following by Maha Varaha prabhu, “In order to enhance the pure, spiritual relationship with our spiritual master, one should actually transcend onto the spiritual platform. Then you can really see the truth, the qualities in our spiritual master. Until then, we cannot understand the spiritual master. And, if you cannot understand the spiritual master, then you cannot surrender unto him. And if you cannot surrender unto him, then how is it possible for you to follow his instructions? So, the first and foremost thing in relation with the spiritual master is that one should try to understand the spiritual master. See him on the spiritual platform, don’t see him on the material platform and, once one understands the spiritual master well, then he can surrender unto him. And once you surrender, then it’s easy for you to follow all the instructions he gives you. Then, by understanding

23

Offerings from Disciples

him, one can develop faith. Then with faith, one will surrender unto the spiritual master. And once you’re surrendered to the spiritual master, you will just execute whatever he says with ease. You will follow his order. And the success in spiritual life is simply to execute the order of the spiritual master. That is the real success.” It was so simply explained yet I felt it was so profound! It hit me! This is my only success of the past 20 years. Certainly there are times that are more difficult to adhere to certain instructions than others but I have firm faith in you and I stand by it as you always stand by me in every circumstance. brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja Krishna oversees each jiva’s wanderings throughout the material universes, and for the most fortunate He ordains that at a certain point they meet a bona fide guru. (CC Madhya-19.151) Lord Krishna arranged that I meet you 20 years ago, not any other of the exalted devotees who have come to this world to uplift fallen jiva’s under Srila Prabhupada’s shelter. It is Krishna’s desire, and my eternal good fortune, that I be linked especially with you, my Glorious Master. Srila Gurudev, I gauge my spiritual standing according to my relationship with you, according to how much I remember that your mercy, which is attainable by following your instructions, is the active principle in my life. Knowing that I am dependent on you, I pray for your mercy, feel grateful, and want to always remain your humble servant. Without remembering that your mercy is all that I am made of then my life is a waste. You are my success. You are my only success.

Your fallen servant, Devadeva Dasa Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

24

Offerings from Disciples

Gangotri Devi Dasi

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. On this auspicious day, I pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai to shower you with many, many more Vyasa Puja days. May Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani always keep you healthy and energetic so that you can continue with the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Gurudev, I am so grateful to you for accepting me as a spiritual daughter, enlightening my life, giving me this opportunity of devotional service, association with devotees and simply making life meaningful. You are so encouraging, kind and tolerating like an ever-patient father. Guru Maharaj, we devotees, in Malaysia, look forward merrily to your yearly visit, and somehow after you leave we will be saying that actually we didn’t get enough time and association and that the next year, we should plan something more awesome whereby we may get more of your time and mercy from you.

25

Offerings from Disciples

We are always hankering to get more and more of your time. Do kindly bless us, your children in Malaysia, so that we may stay focused on our spiritual development and assist you in your glorious mission to please Srila Prabhupada and all previous acaryas. Guru Maharaj, to me you are an ocean of kindness and humility with much compassion for fallen souls. May Lord Krishna continue to bless you with true knowledge and energy to cope with the vast responsibility he has placed upon you to bring fallen souls back home to Godhead. Please allow me to always take shelter of your lotus feet. Guru Maharaj Vyasa Puja ki jai! Your servant, Gangotri Devi Dasi Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

26

Offerings from Disciples

Gaurangi Devi Dasi

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Please accept my obeisances unto your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your Holiness Vyasa Puja on 12th August 2018 at Sri Sri Radha Golokanada Temple, Phoenix, Mauritius. It is indeed an immense pleasure to have Guru Maharaj amongst us today. May we all join, together and pray for his Holiness good health and long life in Krishna Consciousness. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Well, I came to know Guru Maharaj in the year 1998. It was in Durban for the Ratha Yatra Festival. Maharaj was on the chariot addressing the people gathered there for the occasion. The effulgence emanating from His Holiness face, struck me. One day I was somewhat disturbed due to some circumstances and on that very night, Maharaj appeared in my dream and said “I was just passing by and thought of paying you a visit.” Right from that moment I realized that Maharaj is the right person sent by Srila Prabhupada to be my well-wisher for life. Initially Srila Prabhupada is my first Guru. He appeared a few times on several occasion in my dreams and talked to me. Firstly, he gave me darshan. He had put this question to a small group of devotees assembled for the Abhishek ceremony of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, “Who wants darshan”, I put my finger up.

27

Offerings from Disciples

Once I came across Srila Prabhupada while he was walking down the road. He was wearing a shawl and walking with a stick. I paid my obeisances into his lotus feet and when I got up, he said very softly and close to my ears “Now I will give you the Maha Mantra Hare Krishna.” So this is how Srila Prabhupada guide me step by step aroused the urge to get Harinam Initiation. Shortly after a year or two, His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami came to our place at Beau-Bassin in Mauritius and I expressed my desire to take shelter at His Holiness Lotus Feet. I must say, I am most fortunate to have His Holiness as my Spiritual Master, He, who has led me to the path of spiritual advancement. Please Guru Maharaj forgive me this most insignificant and fallen servant of yours for any offences committed towards you and the Vaishnavas. I thank you thousands and thousands of times. Many, many Happy Returns on the days to come. I remain yours forever, Loving and faithful servant, Gaurangi Devi Dasi Mauritius

28

Offerings from Disciples

Gita Govinda Devi Dasi Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to your divine service to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. All glories to your most merciful father Srila Prabhupada. On this most auspicious day I would like to beg for your mercy. It is only through your mercy that I am surviving in this material world. The last seven years have given me many great challenges and I feel like that I am drowning in them. They overwhelm me and like a storm at sea it seems that the waves just keep on crashing over me. Over the last few months I have seen a small glimpse of calm in the storm. That is only through your mercy. You are the lifeboat that can deliver me from this material world and make this insignificant soul have some worth. I pray that Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari will continue to protect you and keep you in good health. I pray at your merciful feet that I will always remain in your shelter. Your insignificant and unworthy daughter, Gita Govinda Devi Dasi. Lenasia, Johannesburg, South Africa

29

30

Offerings from Disciples

Isesvari dasi oṁ ajnāna-timirāndhasya jnānānjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

My Dearmost Srila Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories all glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada! Today is Your Vyasa Puja and on this special day I wanted to thank you for your unconditional love, for your teachings and your patience. I am eternally thankful to you for accepting me as your disciple, and giving me shelter at Your Lotus Feet. That’s already perfection in this lifetime. I pray to Krishna so that He gives me courage, determination and patience that I need to remain in Krishna consciousness for as many births as it takes before I finally go back home, back to Godhead. Life in this material world is not always nice and smooth, but without Krishna consciousness it would be even more tough and miserable. Therefore I hope that your preaching reaches many people’s hearts. May Krishna give you health and strength in your mission. I hope to always follow your instructions, stick to my vows and never let you down. Forever your disciple, Isesvari dasi Kaunas, Dvaraka

31

Offerings from Disciples

Jagannath Das Dear Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances unto your most divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you Gurudev. Hearing your interesting and educative lectures and listening to your melodious kirtan, I think to myself how merciful Krishna is to have given us such an exalted and glorious Guru to guide us back home to Him. If it weren’t for your kindness and parental love, we would have never been able to stay in Sri Mayapur Dham and due to your mercy we are still staying in the Dham. Gurudev, thank you for giving us this most special blessing of yours. I pray to Krishna to be able to attend your parikram this year as I remember how spiritually enlightening the previous ones were. Waking up early associating with devotees, having kirtan, classes and the most interesting part was visiting the various holy places. You always make us feel at home where ever we go with your love and care always asking if everything is ok. Thank you very much for these wonderful parikrams. Gurudev, what inspires me the most about you is your determination to spread the message of Krishna consciousness all over the world even with your ill health. You never stay in one place for a very long period of time and this is quite difficult to do at your age. I hope to be able serve you more the next time you come to Sri Mayapur Dham, though it might be challenging as this is my last year of school and I need to study really hard. I humbly ask for your advice on what to do after I finish school. I humbly beg for your blessings on this auspicious occasion Gurudev, so that we can continue to stay in the holy Dham. Bless me so that I may be able to chant with devotion and never forget Krishna. I also ask that I may be able to serve you more the next time you come to Mayapur.

32

Offerings from Disciples

Gurudev, thank you immensely for being in my life and for accepting me as your aspiring disciple, being my guide back to Krishna. Happy Appearance Day, and thank you for everything Gurudev. Aspiring to be your humble servant, Jagannath Das

Jagannatha Caran Das and Devahuti Devi Dasi Dearest Gurudev, Please accept our humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Gaura Nitai. All glories to Giriraj. We wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja day. Our prayers to the Lord on this day are to keep Maharaj in the best of health and may Maharaj have many more wonderful and joyous ones. As the years go by so rapidly our lives are fleeing past so quickly. Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10 Text 33, "I am also inexhaustible time". Srila Prabhupada says in the purport to this text, "among all kinds of killers time is the ultimate because time kills everything". We have heard in so many lectures that Lord Krishna is time. We should not be wasting time. We beg mercy from Maharaja so that we can utilise our time more and more effectively in the service of the Lord, so that we always remember Krishna and never forget him. Despite all impediments and challenges we face in our spiritual lives grant us the strength and maturity to continue our service in the most humble mood. Your insignificant servants, Jagannatha Caran Das and Devahuti Devi Dasi

33

Offerings from Disciples

Kaishori Devi Dasi Hare Krishna Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your Divine Lotus Feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Divine Grace. Thank you Gurudev for everything you do for Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON movement. There is always so much enthusiasm and selflessness in everything that you do. You travel with such great inconvenience to yourself. You preach in so many austere and difficult situations. All of this for the benefit of undeserving people, like myself. Thank you for your Mercy and Blessings to my family and I. None of us would be capable of anything at all, had it not been for your kind blessings. My children would definitely not be good devotees today, had it not been for your association and Mercy. I am very fortunate to be your disciple. I am so fortunate to be able to do my service by Your Mercy. I am very fortunate to have the guidance of a pure devotee and exemplary scholar such as yourself, Gurudev. Thank you for the association of so wonderful devotees in this ISKCON movement. So many are inspired by you daily, Guru Maharaja. You are without desire for name and fame. You follow ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada in everything you do and say, Gurudev. Your intelligence always amazes me with how much you remember about devotees, about the world and especially scripture. I just cannot relate to your superbly excellent intelligence and memory. Your care and concern is greatly appreciated by all of us. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve You Gurudev and to have your association. This used to be much more frequent many years ago. I understand the necessity of your travels and preaching and growing ISKCON but I do miss your kind association a lot.

34

Offerings from Disciples

I know this is silly and not my place to do so, but I often ask Srila Prabhupada to take special care of you. I am very much looking forward to the retreat in September, Gurudev. Last year was really inspiring and a great and perfect spiritual experience for me. Begging to remain in the dust of your Lotus Feet. Your most insignificant daughter, Kaishori Devi Dasi Johannesburg, South Africa

Karunamayi Devi dasi, Karunesvari Radhika & Karunika Radhika Dearest Srila Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Divine Lotus Feet! This past year has been quiet challenging for our family Gurudev, yet you have been a pillar of strength through it all. Without my spiritual father offering his support I don’t know where we would have been today. Even with your busy schedule, you still find the time to check up on us and on Karunika’s well-being. I have noticed how in the beginning you cultivate your aspiring disciples, being very soft hearted and encouraging by offering them service and then once you know they are well situated on the path of Bhakti you loosen your reins. Initially this was a bit difficult to grasp for me but now I realize the need for such behavior. Can I please request that you still even if loosely hold onto that rein with me as I am such a useless childish disciple that I still want you to keep pushing me.

35

Offerings from Disciples

In SB 3.24.13 it is said: etāvaty eva śuśrūṣā kāryā pitari putrakaiḥ bāḍham ity anumanyeta gauraveṇa guror vacaḥ Sons ought to render service to their father exactly to this extent. One should obey the command of his father or spiritual master with due deference, saying, “Yes, sir.” Purport: Two words in this verse are very important: one word is pitari, and another word is guroh. The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without hesitation. Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without argument: “Yes.” There should be no instance in which the disciple or the son says, “This is not correct. I cannot carry it out.” When he says that, he is fallen. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has stated that the order of the spiritual master is the life and soul of the disciples. As a man cannot separate his life from his body, a disciple cannot separate the order of the spiritual master from his life. If a disciple follows the instruction of the spiritual master in that way, he is sure to become perfect. This is confirmed in the Upaniṣads: the import of Vedic instruction is revealed automatically only to one who has implicit faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in his spiritual master. One may be materially considered an illiterate man, but if he has faith in the spiritual master as well as in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the meaning of scriptural revelation is immediately manifested before him.” My prayer is to someday be able to perfectly fulfill all the orders of my spiritual master so that you may become pleased with me. I must admit that I find it increasingly difficult to being a working Mum and trying to fulfill household duties, there have been times where I longed for “single” life to be

36

Offerings from Disciples

able to do the preaching and book distribution that I used to do in those days and then I am reminded when my kids relish humming in tune to the Maha Mantra that this is also my service. My role is now to bring up my girls to become enthusiastic about serving the Lord and His devotees. I always feel that having pride is detrimental to one’s spiritual life hence whenever I find my internal conversations leading to some sort of proud theme I try to immediately smash this. I recently came across a conversation of Srutikirti Prabhu with Śrīla Prabhupada in Śrīla Prabhupada Uvaca Chapter 123 on Spiritual Pride. He says “Once, Srīla Prabhupada sat up very straight in his garden in New Dwaraka and said, “The devotee is proud to be the servant of Krsna." He says “I was somewhat timid in the execution of my service when it involved requesting help or some service from people outside the devotee community. I mistook devotional humility for mundane bodily apprehension. Instead of being proud of being Krsna's servant and Srila Prabhupada's servant, I was apologetic. I denied pride, not realizing that I was misdirected. Deluded, I thought I needed to exude humility.” This was a very important lesson for me because balancing humility with the pride of being Krsna's servant or even your disciple. I can safely say that I am proud to be able to call you my spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada in a letter to Dayänanda Däsa, 1 May 1969: “thank you very much for your nice surrendering attitude by placing yourself at my disposal. Of course, I am using you already in the service of the Lord, and personally I cannot utilize your service. So whatever I demand from you, it is for Krishna’s sake. Personally, I am humble servant of Krishna, as you are also, but I am deputed to accept your service just to transfer it to Krishna as via media. I shall try to do this service to you and Krishna throughout my life, and I am so proud to have such assistants as you are to help me in my mission to push on the Krishna Consciousness Movement.

37

Offerings from Disciples

I pray that one day I may also be known as one of your assistants in the service of the Lord and Srila Prabhupada. I hope that someday I can become a fraction of the disciple that you deserve and that you would someday be proud of me being your disciple. The success of my life is only in your pride in me as your disciple. Your eternal fallen daughter and granddaughters, Karunamayi Devi dasi, Karunesvari Radhika & Karunika Radhika

38

Offerings from Disciples

Keli Vrindavana Devi Dasi nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine

My dear Gurudeva, Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. This year marks twenty years of my attachment to our International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), “our Sankirtan movement” and eighteen years to your Holiness. At the mark of this twenty year journey, I was fortunate enough to be afforded initiation this year by Your Holiness, of which was the most humbling and yet liberating experience. Thank you for all of your support and guidance along this very beautiful path of Bhakti. On this special day being Your Holiness’s Vyasa Puja, I pray that “we”, our entire ISKCON family, will continue to have your divine association and guidance. Thank you for sharing the wonderful glories of Sri Vraja Dhama with us. I thank you, dear Gurudeva, for trusting me enough to be a humble servant of Your Holiness. I can only strive millenia after millenia to serve Your Holiness and our flourishing Sankirtan movement with utmost humility. Yours in humble service, Keli Vrindavana Devi Dasi Durban, South Africa

39

Offerings from Disciples

Krishna Smaranam Dasa & Jai Radhe DD oṁ ajnāna-timirāndhasya jnānānjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Bhakti Caitanya Swami. All glories to my god family. Another year has gone by... And we have all come together to glorify you dear Guru Maharaj. This year again, we are very fortunate to have you with us on this most auspicious day. Maharaj, in my personal life, you have been guiding me and giving instructions. Five years ago, I went through a very traumatic experience! The “situation” put me on a back “foot” so much, that I struggle in the presence of large gatherings. If it was not for you and your guidance, I don’t know where I would be today. Thank you, thank you again for advising and assisting me in this regard. As an unworthy servant of yours, I will not be able to repay you for what you do for me. This year is an important year for me. Sathyabama DD will be getting married. Although you will not be present at this ceremony, you will be dearly missed. Thank you for your blessings and support.

40

Offerings from Disciples

Dear Guru Maharaj, today, I want to thank you for the following:

1. I want to thank you for allowing me to be your disciple. 2. I want to thank you for taking up GBC responsibilities in ISKCON. 3. I want to thank you for being a Prabhupada man and keeping the ISKCON flag flying high. 4. I want to thank you for accepting and initiating fallen souls around the world. 5. I want to thank you for bringing the Holy Dham to our homes in the form of DVDs and books. 6. I want to thank you for your recorded lectures and kirtans. 7. I want to thank you for your intense travel and preaching. 8. I want to thank you for making time for all your disciples, devotees and well-wishers. 9. I want to also thank all those that assist you in making this possible.

Maharaj, I have a habit of saying gratitude every day in the office after I have switched on my laptop. I list all the things I am grateful for. I want you to know that the first thing that I list is that I am grateful to have you as my Spiritual Master. A few years ago, you were not well and I had the opportunity to visit you in the South Coast. Before I left, you asked me to pray for you. I mentioned that I am fallen; you mentioned that Srila Prabhupada used to ask his disciples to pray for him. Guru Maharaj, today, I pray that the Lord keeps you in good health and always protects you. Lastly but not the least, I ask you again today to please continue to bless me and my family so that we can make spiritual advancement and make a contribution in Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON. I beg you to forgive all my offences knowingly and unknowingly. Your most fallen servants, Krishna Smaranam dasa & Jai Radhe DD South Africa

41

Offerings from Disciples

Krishnacandra Das and Divya Sakti Devi Dasi Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru Maharaj. How does one begin to say thanks when the English vocabulary does not have sufficiently appropriate words? I think of what life was and how it has changed. I was recently at a company function and was so saddened to see how these people are wasting this precious gift of the human form of life. But then it also gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own life. Hence, my opening question: how does one begin to say thanks? Guru Maharaj, my wife and I are extremely fortunate that Guru Maharaj has offered to save us from further degradation. Our quality of life has improved immensely and none of this would have been possible if we were not blessed with Guru Maharaj’s mercy. Our prayer is to remain sheltered at the lotus feet of Guru Maharaj. Please bless us that we may be able to fulfil Guru Maharaj’s request and mission. Forgive us for our short comings. Finally, our wish is that Srila Prabhupada and Krsna continuously shower Guru Maharaj with their mercy and keep Guru Maharaj in good health so that more fallen souls, like us, can also be saved. Your servants, Krishnacandra Das and Divya Sakti Devi Dasi Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa

42

Offerings from Disciples

Lalita Kund Devi Dasi Dearest Guru Maharaja, Kindly accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine grace. Guru Maharaja, a very happy birthday to you! I once again sit in thought and ponder as to which aspect of your divine quality impacted me the most. There are so many that run through my mind, but, as an aspiring daughter in your life, your fatherly love stands out without contention. Like a loving father, you picked me up from the ongoing torrential waves of dirt and slumber and woke up my sleepy soul. You accepted me in your meandering train of disciples. You encouraged courage in me. You showed me how Srila Prabhupada must always be remembered. You then brought me to this level of my life where I take your instructions in your absence and then lovingly offer to you in return whatever is earned in respect. Saying thank you is too small and does not do justice to your contribution in my life. Guru Maharaja, you have freed my heart with your sober mind. I have learnt to accept the good, the bad and the ugly - to forge ahead and not look at the stumbling blocks that are strewn in the path of righteousness. I am not a good person by nature and I do stumble but, by your loving mercy, I have the courage to look only ahead. I know that the journey ahead is not going to be an easy one - but realising that I have this only one chance in my life makes me even more determined to hold on to all your words of wisdom and clasp on to your lotus feet which I know will warm my heart in the winter of my life. Guru Maharaja, you are mercy personified! Kindly remember this fool who is desperately trying to open the floodgates of love. Your aspiring daughter, Lalita Kund Devi Dasi South Africa/Vrindavana

43

44

Offerings from Disciples

Lila Vrindavana Devi Dasi

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

My dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the Sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Please allow me to congratulate you on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja and thank you for another year of the continuous downpour of your mercy upon my family and me. Being a representative of Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, you are wonderfully empowered by Them to become manifest in the life of your every disciple and to give them individual guidance on how to progress in the spiritual life faster and avoid the pitfalls of maya. You are our loving father who tolerates the immaturity of his children and who is their ultimate benefactor. You are a very expert captain in our journey back to Godhead and a doctor who treats our spiritual diseases. Your lotus hand connects us with the acaryas and the Lord. You are everything for your disciples whose great fortune of chanting the Lord’s Names and living in the devotees’ association was created by you only. As the time goes, I realize more and more that your activities are beyond the capacity of a human and I will never be able to comprehend your greatness fully. I am praying to you to forgive my offences and keep me, a tiny unqualified jiva, under the shelter of your lotus feet forever. My desire is to be useful in your mission and to please you in this way. Please accept the obeisances and congratulations of my family members. We love you and thank you for everything you have done for us. Hare Krishna Your servant and daughter, Lila Vrindavana dd Śrī Māyāpur, India

45

Offerings from Disciples

Lokanath Das Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your transcendental service at his lotus feet. All glories to you dear Guru Maharaja. Srila Vishvanath Chakravarthy Thakur says: “The best kind of intelligence I can have is intelligence used in the service of Krsna. Intelligence is defined as fixed when it is intent on my spiritual masters’ instructions, such as chanting the name of Krsna, remembering His activities and performing service to His lotus feet. My spiritual master’s instructions are my sadhana and my life in the beginning stages of bhakti as well as in bhakti’s perfectional stage. I desire only to follow his instructions; I accept nothing else as my life’s’ work, even in dreams. Whether I am happy or distressed, whether the material world remains or is destroyed, I don’t care. There is no loss for me. I simply must carry out the orders of my spiritual master. Fixedness upon his orders is determined intelligence and devotional service, and only by being fixed on his orders can such determined intelligence prosper.” During the last retreat in the Drakensburg you advised us to take special note of these words and regularly mediate on them. I am struck by the full surrender of Srila Vishvanath Chakravarthy Thakur and I can recognize this same surrender in your life. There is nothing more important to you than serving Srila Prabhupada and helping others to serve Srila Prabhupada.

46

Offerings from Disciples

Your orders go beyond the material world so even if everything were to crumble around me I could hold on to your eternal instruction, and then I would chant with rapt attention and chant and chant and chant, the holy name of Krsna. I’m a bit of a dreamer and unfortunately I fall short in reality, but I have the good fortune of knowing you, seeing you act and hearing you speak. You have shown me through the window of your behaviour what it is like to be a devotee and I can see that it is wonderful. I want to also be able to act in that way. Srila Prabhupada’s great gift to us is the association of pure devotees like you. By your association I can visualize being saved from this material world through the chanting of the holy name, that you have given me, and I know it can happen but I am still not fixed on the name due to weakness. I pray on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja that you please bless me to never stop trying to be fixed on your orders and to continue to make some progress on my path to devotional service. With love, veneration and gratitude, Your humble, eternal servant, Lokanath Das Johannesburg, South Africa

47

Offerings from Disciples

Madhu Govinda Das… Hare Krishna dear Gurudev, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Wishing you a Happy Appearance Day. Your renunciation for this mission of Krishna consciousness is out of this world. We were attracted to you by seeing your faith in Sri Sri Radha Krishna. We have had several personal experiences with you which we relish when we think of them. We adore your lectures and feel your physical presence each and every time we listen to them. Your vast knowledge in the subject matter, and expert presentation skills are very unique and a source of enthusiasm for each and every one of us. It is beyond our comprehension when we think of your unselfish faith in Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. Gurudev, on this most auspicious day, we seek your personal blessings so that we can understand the science of Krishna consciousness one day. Srila Gurudeva, you are our dearest guide and shelter in this world of misery and confusion. Many times we have found ourselves getting swayed and mislead by Krsna's illusory energy known as maya. However, we have found that when we took shelter of you, Krsna's dear representative, you continuously hold your precious hands above us all. When we have confided in you, you have most mercifully given us the most perfect advice to relieve us of our bewilderment. Your mood of para upakara is synonymous with the mood of the Gopis in Vrindavan. As we have learnt from Prabhupada's siksa, the Gopis of

48

Offerings from Disciples

Vrindavan make arrangements for other gopis to meet with Krsna and thus they experience ten million times the happiness than making themselves meet with Krsna. This is your mood; you are constantly making endeavours on how to connect all the jivas into the pure unalloyed devotional service of Radha and Krsna. You are a revolutionary in your field on connecting all the fallen souls to Krsna consciousness. We can see from around the globe your impact on the preaching, we even have heard that many senior leaders in ISKCON look upon you for guidance and inspiration on the preaching front. If one desires to become dear to Krsna, then one must get the mercy of His dear devotee. We learn from Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura, “yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo, yasyāprasādānna gatiḥ kuto 'pi.” If one wants to get the mercy of Krsna one must get the mercy of Sri Gurudeva, without Gurudeva's mercy one cannot even hope to make advancement on the path of pure devotion. Therefore we are begging for your mercy on your most auspicious Vyasa puja day. Please accept these most fallen souls, and bless us with Prema Bhakti. From your most fallen devotees, Madhu Govinda Das Madhu Priya Devi Dasi Gokula Devi Dasi Bhakta Dhiven Goloka Devi Dasi Bhaktin Shalen

49

Offerings from Disciples

Mathura Mohan Das, Mathura Mohini Devi Dasi, Prahlad &Jagannath Our Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja! We are so fortunate to have found shelter at your lotus feet. It is only by your mercy that we are serving at ISKCON Sandton. We are also fortunate to dress Srila Prabhupada every week. There are many other services with challenges, as it is not easy but we try to tolerate and continue with our services. Forgive us if we committed any offenses. We pray to Guru Maharaja today to bless these low servants so that we become humble and continue our service. Wishing Guru Maharaja a wonderful Vyasa Puja. Your insignificant servants, Mathura Mohan Das, Mathura Mohini Devi Dasi, Prahlad & Jagannath

50

Offerings from Disciples

Mukunda Dasa Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine grace on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja! Guru Maharaja I was contentedly swimming in this ocean of misery, supposedly enjoying all the sinful activities, thinking it to be what life is meant to be. In this state of mind who would think of other living entities or that there is more to life than this. But then, thanks to the greatest of all beings that walked this planet - His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada - you came in my life. Since that time, everything has taken a turn and slowly but surely I have realised that it is only for the best and this is what living here is all about. Thank you Guru Maharaja for everything... Your most valuable and precious time. Your patience and love. The lessons you have imparted to me. For introducing us to so many loving new members of our ever growing family. And most importantly, for grabbing hold of me and pulling me out of that ocean of misery. Thank you, thank you and thank you to Srila Prabhupada's foremost spiritual warrior. Srila Prabhupada's literary genius (Vedic knowledge). Srila Prabhupada's universally loved son. Guru Maharaja, I beg with full dandavats at your lotus feet, that on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, you will never forget this most fallen fool. Begging to always remain at your lotus feet. Your foolish servant, Mukunda dasa South Africa/Vrindavana

51

52

Offerings from Disciples

Namacarya Das

Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your Divine Lotus Feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Divine Grace. On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, I would like to take this opportunity to thank your Divine Grace for connecting me to this auspicious family. Furthermore, for tolerating me for all these years. Guru Maharaja, you know I am a hopeless case but still, I feel the power of your mercy. Thank you for allowing me to serve in this ISKCON; although I am unqualified, you still encourage me to serve. We read in the Bhagavad Gita about how one should be equipoised in all situations, in happiness and in distress. I am far from this characteristic. Yet, I see this quite clearly in your Divine Grace. I noticed this in many cases, be it in a SANC meeting or be it in a temple situation. I like to aspire to this character. We are so fortunate that it is beyond our imagination that we have a bonafide Spiritual Master. To pass on Krishna's message is no ordinary task and it cannot be done by an ordinary person, but by an empowered personality. Srila Prabhupada says, “We accept the Guru as the genuine superman because he is worshiped like God. Yasya prasada bhagvat-prasada. By the mercy of the superman, one can get in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu also accepts this "guru-krsna-prasada paya bhakti-lata-bija". By the mercy of Krsna and the Guru one receives information about spiritual life so that one can return home, back to godhead. So, what can I say? We are blessed by the best. So let us all remain in this beautiful house and we are guaranteed back home, back to Godhead. Praying to be eternally sheltered in the dust of your Divine Lotus Feet. Your unworthy son, Namacarya Das Gauteng, South Africa

53

Offerings from Disciples

Odjasvati DD Dear Guru Maharaj! Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga! On this favorable and faithful day of your Vyasa-puja I’d like to glorify you as a perfect servant of your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada by performing the will of your gurudeva, you show us a perfect example of selfless devotion to his mission. "A spiritual master receives a blessing from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud that spills the rain extinguishes a forest fire, the spiritual master extinguishes the flaming fire of material existence and saves the people covered by this flame. Such a spiritual master is an ocean of good qualities and I offer my respectful obeisances unto his lotus feet. "(Sri Sri Gurvastaka, verse 1) It is only by the grace of Srila Prabhupada and the spiritual teachers we can make our efforts in chanting the Holy Names of God only by the mercy of the parampara we can serve the Lord in this world. You, our spiritual master, accept our nondescript service to Sri Krishna. You make it perfect because you put your love for Krsna there thus purifying from imperfections passing along the parampara and Krsna accepts it. "The blessing of Krishna can be obtained only by the grace of the spiritual master. Without his grace, any attempt to achieve perfection is doomed to failure. Therefore, I must always remember my spiritual master and glorify him. At least three times a day, I should bow in deep reverence to the lotus feet of my spiritual master. "(Sri Sri Gurvastak, verse 8).

54

Offerings from Disciples

I want to express my gratitude to you for the spiritual strength through which I continue to follow this path. Thank you for shedding your grace by accepting me as your disciple. Your compassion and mercy has no limits I am ashamed of my behavior after initiation when I came to you not to ask how I can serve you but listed the services that I want and already do and you have very graciously blessed me. Forgive me, please, my impertinence and ignorance I will try to correct myself. In your lecture, you told us about your feelings when your Gurudev Srila Prabhupada left this world as all the disciples regretted not asking him about many things but it was already late. And you suggested the devotees think over the opportunity to receive spiritual knowledge of guru while he is here in a perfect way and it made a deep impression on me. I ask your blessing again to have the determination and desire to serve my Gurudeva as you do, so that the understanding of the importance of communicating with the spiritual master and the fulfillment of your instructions will come. Dear Gurudev, all your life you follow the instructions of your spiritual master showing us a wonderful example of devotion, dedication, determination, let your disciples also please you faithfully following your footsteps. Trying to be useful to you, Odjasvati DD Irkutsk, Russia

Paramatma Dasa

My Dear Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I always admire the patience, enthusiasm and dedication that you have in spreading Krishna Consciousness so nicely by always trying to help others to revive their lost relationship with Krishna. This reminds me of the verse

55

Offerings from Disciples

which I have heard from you from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10, verse 9: “The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me”. I am also feeling the satisfaction and bliss by hearing the glories of Sri Krsna. Srila Prabhupada & the disciplinic succession would be very pleased with you as you are continuing with this mission to spread Krishna Consciousness very nicely & lovingly. Thank you very much. Your Servant & ever well-wisher, Paramatma Dasa Durban, South Africa

56

Offerings from Disciples

Paramisvara Das and Paramisvari Devi Dasi oṁ ajnāna-timirāndhasya jnānānjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

nama oà visṇ ụ -pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

Hare Krishna our dearest lord and master, Srila Gurudeva, Please accept our humble obeisances as we bow down to the dust at your divine lotus Feet. All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the lotus Feet of your Divine Grace, Srila Gurudeva. Dearest Srila Gurudeva, we are humbly writing to you to offer you our deepest love and profound gratitude on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. We beg of you to please accept this simple and humble offering, dear Srila Gurudeva.

57

Offerings from Disciples

In the 8th verse of Sri Sri Gurvastakam, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo, yasyāprasādānna gatiḥ kuto 'pi, dhyāyaṁ stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ, vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam. “By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.” In this sweet verse by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura, it is clearly stated that in order to receive the benedictions of Krishna, one has to first get the grace of the Spiritual Master. One cannot make any advancement without a Spiritual Master. We therefore thank you from the deepest part of our hearts for accepting us as your disciples, for without your grace, we would never have had a Spiritual Master today. From the very day that you have accepted us, we have been praying that you never allow us to slip in our Krishna consciousness. You have personally nurtured us and took care of us. You have given us so much and we have offered you so little in return. We will never be able to repay you for the guidance, instructions and all that you have done for us. In all your lectures, you have spoken only what Srila Prabhupada presented in His books, and therefore you are truly a bonafide representative of Srila Prabhupada. You are one of the great Sadhus falling in the line of disciplic successions, all the way from our Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Himself. We pray that we may one day represent you the way you are representing Srila Prabhupada. This can only be possible if we wash your lotus Feet with our tears of love every day.

58

Offerings from Disciples

We pray that you accept our simple and humble prayer as we wish you a very, very happy Vyasa Puja, Srila Gurudeva. His divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada ki JAIIII. His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja ki JAIIII. HARE KRISHNA! With all our love, from your very insignificant servants, Paramisvara Das and Paramisvari Devi Dasi

Pranesvari Devi Dasi Dear Gurudeva, We wish you a very happy vyasa-puja and pray to Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani for many happy returns of this auspicious day. I will be eternally grateful to you for accepting me as your disciple and as spiritual daughter, as your mercy is boundless. Gurudev you always emphasize the importance of devotional service and chanting, forever inspiring us to perform bhakti in any circumstances. It just amazes me, that you know each one us very well, our capabilities and situations that we are pulling through just like a father would do. You’re very good in utilizing modern technologies to propagate the glories of the holy dham , sharing Krishna Katha ,capturing beautiful temples , devotees , places that we never been and we are very happy to see them through your lenses. May all your endeavors meet success and may the Lord provide you all physical health and strength in order to continue this exemplary effort that inspires us all over the world. I pray to you on this day to give me the strength to remain in Krsna Consciousness and in the association of devotees. Please forgive my repeated offences and shower your kindness upon me so that I may be of some use to gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada and the Vaishnavas.

59

Offerings from Disciples

I’m offering my gratitude to my godfamily for encouraging me to become a better disciple, for me every day there is a challenge to overcome. I’m forever indebted to our beloved Her Grace Radhesyam mj, though she is not with us today, but she lives through her guidance and instructions on how to serve and please Gurudev, to tolerate and remain calm in any situations. Many thanks to the congregation members of Sri Jagannath mandir, a place very dear to my heart, for helping, inspiring, encouraging and giving us opportunity to serve Their Lordships, Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. All glories to you my dear Guru Maharaj! Your eternal spiritual daughter, Pranesvari Devi Dasi ISKCON Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

60

Offerings from Disciples

Priya Kishori Devi Dasi Dearest Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, Gurudeva, on this auspicious occasion of Sri Vyasa Puja. This soul has been on a very long journey, lifetime after lifetime hankering for the answers. Most of it has been forgotten as Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita but the attachments and anarthas still remain as evidence of this journey. Finally, this human form has been achieved. Going through the ebb and flow of material nature, one does not realise the true purpose of this form. Due to sheer ignorance, sense enjoyment has become the forefront of one’s life until one day...Srila Prabhupada and his soldiers appear in this world. The war over Maya has commenced and the prescribed weapons are the Holy Name, Srila Prabhupada’s books and Prasadam. Gurudeva, you are one of these special soldiers in Srila Prabhupada’s army who has dedicated their life to saving others and giving us the rare opportunity of going back to home, back to Godhead. I am truly so grateful to you for saving me from falling deeper into material life and giving me the chance to actually realise my true purpose and identity of being a servant to the Lord and His devotees. I pray that I may be able to follow your instructions very carefully and always listen to your classes as this gives me life. You share Krishna Consciousness with so much love and conviction which makes one want to listen attentively to philosophy and you also bring the Lord’s pastimes to life by your vivid narrations.

61

Offerings from Disciples

Gurudeva, you selflessly serve Srila Prabhupada by travelling throughout the world delivering the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This selflessness is seen by your actions like learning the local languages of the places you visit and guiding them on how they could serve Srila Prabhupada's movement. There is so much that you have to manage and deal with but you still make the time to inspire and connect with each one of us to help us in our Krishna consciousness. Thank you, Gurudeva. My favourite memory I have of you thus far is when we were on Govardhana Parikrama last year and you sang 'Jay Jay Radha, Jay Jay Shyam, Jay Jay Sri Vrindavan Dham'. This will always stay deep within my heart as it really inspired me to go deeper into Krishna consciousness and showed me how sweet this process really is. I was also inspired to see how the locals took to this wonderful kirtan. It just shows the impact your presence has on others as you are giving them direct association and mercy from Srila Prabhupada and the parampara. I beg for your mercy to always be engaged in your service, especially in book distribution. Your book distribution pastimes inspire me immensely and I pray that I may try to follow your footsteps in this service. Please forgive me for being an imperfect disciple but being at your lotus feet brings all perfection, as described in the Guru Puja prayers: Srī-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma, The lotus feet of our spiritual master is the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. Thank you for guiding me back home, Gurudeva. Your foolish daughter, Priya Kishori Devi Dasi Durban, South Africa

62

Offerings from Disciples

Radha Darshani nama oà visnu-padāya krsna-presthāya bhutale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvisesa-śunyavadi-paścātya-desa-tarine

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

Dear Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, Guru Maharaj, on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. Dear Guru Maharaj, you are such an expert preacher, Guru Maharaj. Each time I hear you speak, I am amazed at how you are able to say exactly what I need to hear. I remember your instructions to me every day. They are my inspiration. You are such a personality. The way you show such compassion to all living entities who are in a state of forgetfulness of Krishna, by constantly preaching and giving so much of your time and guidance. Guru Maharaj, you are so merciful that you have given me this opportunity of devotional service by accepting me, a very fallen soul, as your disciple. Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for picking me up and always showing me that there is something higher than temporary material pleasure. I am forever in your debt, Guru Maharaj. Your eternal servant, Radha Darshani

63

Offerings from Disciples

Radha Kishori Devi Dasi Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to your lotus feet, all glories to Srila Prabhupad! Wishing you a blissful vyasa puja, may you have a spiritually charged and glorious vyasa puja celebration on this auspicious day. May Srimati Radha Rani and Lord Krishna always shower you with their richest blessings. I would once again like to thank you for accepting me as your disciple and am ever so grateful that my family and I came into contact with you as you have directed us in the spiritual path. We were blessed to have your wonderful association when you visited our ashram. I am very fortunate to take shelter at your lotus feet, kindly forgive me for any offenses caused as I am a fallen soul and in great need of your guidance. From your humble servant, Radha Kishori Devi Dasi New Jaganath Puri Temple, Phoenix, South Africa

64

Offerings from Disciples

Radha Ramana Das Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my dandavats at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you! Thank you for setting such an ideal example. In this dark material world where all us materialists are fully engaged in fruitive activities in the hope of some illusory happiness in the future, you are like the brilliant sun, the shining the light of Bhakti and self-realization on our cold ice like hearts. Srila Prabhupada said that a person who has jaundice experiences the sweet taste as bitter, but that taste is the cure for the disease. In the same way we are afflicted with the disease of materialism and therefore the sweet Holy Name tastes bitter, although that is the cure. In time by taking that medicine of the Holy Name we begin to taste its sweetness and experience ever increasing joy. I question to what extent I want to be cured from the disease, because if one doesn’t want to give up materialism then that is the 10th offense of maintaining material attachments and then the medicine has limited potency. Once, an Indian gentlemAn approached Srila Prabhupada and asked for his blessing. Srila Prabhupada at first ignored him but he kept insisting “Swami give me your blessings”. Srila Prabhupada said I bless you that your material life is finished. The man literally fell on the floor crying not that kind of blessing, not that kind blessing Swamiji. Srila Prabhupada responded no I have already blessed you. I hope that in the future I can be blessed to follow in your footsteps, not in proud and vain way, but with a truly humble and sincere spirit. Your servant, Radha Ramana Das. Johannesburg, South Africa

65

66

Offerings from Disciples

Radhika Raman Das, Nrsinga Caran & Bhaktin Vraja Sundari Shamz

gurudev! krp̣ ā-bindu diyā, koro' ei dāse, trṇ ̣āpekhā ati hīna sakala sahane, bala diyā koro', nija-māne sprḥ ā-hīna Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations. Hare Krsna Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to their Lordships, Jagannath Baladev and Lady Subhadra. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you Maharaj. Maharaj, I hope that you are well and spiritually sound. This past weekend, I have been listening to the song “Gurudev” sang by Madhavas Rock Band, and my mind wandered straight to you, in deep thought with this song in the background. It got me thinking how effortlessly you carry your Guru Maharaj’s instruction, with so much love and devotion you serve Srila Prabhupada. Health constraints, travelling in and out of countries, adapting to climate change, fulfilling all your disciples’ wishes, and being such an esteemed member of the GBC doesn’t seem to have any effect on your mission, to deliver the message of Krishna to us all fallen souls. Having this realisation has led me to tears as I pray to Srimati Radharani that I may serve you like that someday, with an abundance of never-ending love and devotion. I dedicate this song to you, my Gurudev:

67

Offerings from Disciples

(1) gurudev! kripa-bindu diya, koro’ ei dase, trinapekha ati hina sakala sahane, bala diya koro’, nija-mane spriha-hina (2) sakale sammana korite sakati, deho’ natha! jathajatha tabe to’ gaibo, hari-nama-sukhe, aparadha ha ’be hata (3) kabe heno kripa, labhiya e jana, kritartha hoibe, natha! sakti-buddhi-hina, ami ati dina, koro’ more atma-satha (4) jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pai, tomara karuna—sara karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya, prana na rakhibo ara Translation: 1) Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations. 2) I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease. 3) O Lord and Master! When will such mercy fall to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? Allow me to be with you.

68

Offerings from Disciples

4) If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life. You are our Saviour Maharaj from this material realm. I thank you for sheltering us all under your wings, a place for us to call our sweet heaven, our Home!!! Happy Vyasa Puja Maharaj. May Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar always keep you in good health. Thank you Maharaj for giving me shelter under your divine lotus feet, I beg for your causeless mercy always. Hoping this meets you well. Your Struggling Servant, Radhika Raman Das Nrsinga Caran Bhaktin Vraja Sundari Shamz Durban, South Africa

69

Offerings from Disciples

Rama Priya Devi Dasi Hare Krsna Maharaja, Please, acceptez mes respectueux hommages toutes les gloires à Sa Divine Grâce Srila Prabhupada. Dear Guru Maharaja, en ce jour mémorable, permettez-moi de vous souhaiter un très agréable VYASA PUJA 2018. Maharaja, lorsque je vous ai vu en photo pour la première fois, vous m’avez beaucoup inspiré. La conscience de Krsna nécessitant d’approcher un maître spirituel authentique, lors de votre venue pour la première fois à l’Ile de La Réunion en décembre 2014, je vous ai demandé de m’accepter comme disciple. Ainsi, vous m’avez permis de prendre refuge à vos pieds pareils au lotus à travers le processus de l’initiation. En 2015, vous m’avez initié à l’Ile Maurice! En 2017, vous m’avez donné la 2nd initiation à Govardhan! Ma présence dans ce lieu saint m’a permis ainsi qu’à d’autres dévots venus de différents pays comme la Russie, l’Afrique du Sud… d’assister à vos côtés au parikrama. Ce fut une très belle découverte, très enrichissante sur le plan spirituel. Merci beaucoup Maharaja pour votre dévouement. Grâce à vos instructions, votre écoute, je peux apprendre à développer les qualités brahmaniques nécessaires pour aller vers la pure bhakti. Merci Maharaja de m’aider chaque jour, chaque instant de la vie, à être dans votre guidance et aussi celle de Srila Prabhupada. Il n’existe pas de bonheur véritable en cet univers matériel jonché de dualités. Aussi, je vous remercie de m’aider à sortir de l’influence de ce monde illusoire, et de me guider vers la voie de la pure dévotion.

70

Offerings from Disciples

Merci Maharaja pour votre dévouement à l’égard des aspirants dévots de l’Ile de La Réunion, malgré vos différentes tâches de par le monde. Votre détermination, enthousiasme, patience, tolérance et humilité … sont des qualités que vous possédez et qui m’inspirent profondément. S’il vous plait Maharaja, aidez-moi à cultiver ces qualités car la stabilité n’est pas facile à garder dans la vie dévotionnelle. Sans votre aide, je ne peux avancer spirituellement. En ce jour de votre Vyasa puja, je vous implore Maharaja de m’accorder votre bénédiction afin que je puisse développer l’attitude requise pour parfaire ma voie vers la pure dévotion envers Srimati Radharani, selon les préconisations de Srila Prabhupada. Votre servante, Rama Priya Devi Dasi (Ile de La Réunion)

Sachi Kumar dasa mukhaà karoti väcälaà panguà laìghayate girim yat kåpä tam ahaà vande çré-guruà déna-täraëam

"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.” (CC Madhya 17.80) Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious occasion.

71

Offerings from Disciples

You are a shining example of how to practice sadhana bhakti. Your daily practice of Krishna consciousness is a beautiful demonstration of a devotee who follows the rules and regulations of devotional life and relishes the happiness that naturally arises as a result. Thus you are an ideal follower of Srila Prabhupada and automatically an undisputed leader of devotees. A point you make regularly in your lectures is that we should give our best efforts in our devotional services. Each one of us has different capacities to render devotional service but we all have the ability to use those capacities as best we can to please guru and Krishna. Applying this principle in our lives will attract the mercy of the Lord and bring us spiritual success. Your devotional life is a true reflection of this consciousness. I witness you giving your best in the services you’ve taken on for Srila Prabhupada’s pleasure. You don’t hesitate to extend yourself if you see that you do have the energy and capacity to accept services requested of you. This happens daily and comes in many forms: accepting requests to give classes, accepting invitations to festivals, accepting to listen to devotees and offer guidance, accepting to lead kirtans, giving time to advising leaders and helping them deal with complex issues and so on. You never turn anyone or any service away unless there is really not enough time or capacity for you to do it. On a few occasions I was present when you were asked the question “What are the qualities of a disciple?” In response you quoted the nine symptoms of a devotee on the level of bhava bhakti. This surprised me as I expected a different answer. You urged the devotees who asked the questions to develop these nine symptoms. They are: ”’When the seed of ecstatic emotion for Kåñëa fructifies, the following nine symptoms manifest in one’s behavior: forgiveness, concern that time should not be wasted, detachment, absence of false prestige, hope, eagerness, a taste for chanting the holy name of the Lord, attachment to descriptions of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, and affection for those places where the Lord resides—that is, a temple or a holy place like Våndävana. These are all called anubhäva, subordinate signs of ecstatic emotion. They are visible in a person in whose heart the seed of love of God has begun to fructify.’(CC Madhya 23.18-19)

72

Offerings from Disciples

You have cultivated all these qualities and are continuing to increase them more and more. Particularly the point of not wasting time I notice you take very seriously. Srila Prabhupada speaks: “Follow the rules and regulation, and everything will be clear, very crystal clear. There will be no impediment. Always chant, hear; don't waste time. Cäëakya Paëòita, he is a moral instructor. He says about wasting time, he says, äyuñaù kñaëa eko 'pi na labhya svarëa-koöibhiù: "Even one moment of your life cannot be returned, even if you are prepared to pay millions of dollars." It is so valuable, time, one moment passed. Seven... What is this month? May? No. Devotees: April. Prabhupäda: April. Now, seven of April, 1975, passed. If you ask back, the return seventh April 1975, it is not possible even if you are prepared to pay millions of dollars. So just imagine what is the value of our time. So this time should not be wasted. We should always remain... You Western people, you know the value of time from material point of view. Material point of view, that is also good. Don't waste your time; engage always yourself in some good activities. But for spiritual advancement also, we should be more accurate and strict, avyartha-kälatvam Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé has recommended that one who is always anxious to see that not a moment is spoiled, that is advancement of Kåñëa consciousness, avyartha-kälatvaà näma-gäne sadä ruciù, vivikta deva deça sevitam, like that. Upadeçämåta, you will find. A devotee should always think, "Whether my time is passed uselessly?" Then he will make advancement. Don't be slow. We should be always very expertly alert not a single moment is wasted…” (Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 1.15, April 8, 1975, Mäyäpur) You are anxious that after one service is finished you move on to the next one, concerned that no time is spent idly. This also manifests in your travel plans, as soon as you’re done with services in one place your travel is booked to leave to the next destination of service soon afterward.

73

Offerings from Disciples

Another of your qualities I admire is your faithfulness to Srila Prabhupada. Once in a Bhagavatam lecture you commented “If someone has an opinion that is different from Srila Prabhupada’s then we should fold our hands and respect their opinion but we should always follow Srila Prabhupada’s words.” I had a nice exchange with you in this regard. You had given a disciple one of your used brahmin threads as a gift, told them that they can cut it into smaller pieces and wear it around their wrists. This disciple was very honoured to have received the gift and in a mood to want to know more about how to deal with the gift wrote to me explaining what had happened and whether there is any more that should be done in dealing with the gift appropriately. Before replying to them I wrote to you. I had read a conversation between Srila Prabhupada and some disciples where they are asking him about the practice of wearing maha prasadam brahmin threads on the wrist. Srila Prabhupada was not in favour of the practice. I shared this conversation with you because of the contradiction. You then adjusted your advice to the disciple and said that they should keep the thread as tadiya, worship-able paraphernalia. I am full of faults and ignorance. I make many mistakes in my Krishna conscious growth. By your association and mercy I am overcoming these misgivings step by step. I am unworthy but somehow Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada have arranged that I get to be in close association with you. Please bless me that I never look upon you as an ordinary person and that I always am able too see the opportunities that come way in Krishna consciousness as great benedictions. Your servant, Sachi Kumar dasa Mayapur, India

74

75

Offerings from Disciples

Sachi Prema Devi Dasi… Respected and revered Guru Maharaj, All glories to Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Gurudev. Pranams and dandavats at your lotus feet, Gurudev! Wishing you Gurudev all blessings from Lord Krishna and HG Srila Prabhupada eternally, on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādānna gatiḥ kuto 'pi dhyāyaṁ stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

We are eternally grateful to Krishna for bringing you into our lives with Krishna consciousness, showing and guiding us all patiently in the correct path, saving us from impersonalism, showing us the correct way of Krishna Bhakti and inspiring us to fearlessly perform Krishna Bhakti in any circumstances. We, unworthy souls, are truly fortunate that Gurudev is our Spiritual Master, friend and family. My loving parents, N.K.Sinnadurai, Krishna Lila Devi Dasi (mum) and our only child Vadanya Nitai Das, are truly blessed to have close association with Gurudev. We will never be able to repay Gurudev or Lord Krishna for this bonus blessing.

76

Offerings from Disciples

You are a pure devotee by example for us fallen souls to follow. We are fortunate to be associated with a direct disciple of the great Acarya, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and a pure devotee of Lord Krishna. We are indeed gifted and wealthy to have Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev in our lives. We have no other desire than this fortune. Our duty as your disciples is to follow your instructions as the voice of Lord Krishna, to go back to Godhead in this birth itself by your causeless mercy and blessings Gurudev. Bless us to develop Krishna Prema and increase our devotional service for Lord Krishna in total surrender and attachment at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Your unworthy servants, Late BCS Krishna Lila DD, N.K.Sinnadurai Late Vadanya Nitai Das Sachi Prema DD Annandasundari DD Mahesh Advaita Das Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Saci Devi Dasi Dearest Srila Gurudev, Please accept my humble obeisances, glories to Jaganatha, Baladev and Subadhra Maharani. All glories to Nitai Gaura Hari. All glories to Srila Prabhuapada. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of Your Vyasa Puja!! With this offering to you, I wanted to share a letter I sent to you explaining my realisations from the retreat that took place last year September, which in your reply indicated that it would be nice if I shared it openly.

77

Offerings from Disciples

Srila Gurudev, it has taken a very very long to write this and even to just communicate to You, I am actually not sure why maybe it has been the cowardliness in me. I wanted to communicate to you at the retreat of my realizations but was just so ashamed to do it in public. Gurudev, when I first started attending Iskcon programs at temple with my parents, I remember thinking this life not to eat meat etc is going to be so difficult- to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds minimum is impossible. I used to think I would never ever be able to do 2 rounds let alone the prescribed minimum, but during the retreat it hit me that following the four regulative principles and chanting rounds (leave quality for now but just actually having the time to complete it) is actually doable- it's easy. I realized that each anartha you had described is engrained in my day-to-day activities and it is so habitual that I don't even realize I do it and how often I do it. I realized that to be mindful of that is the difficult part. To complete good solid quality rounds is the difficult part, to fix my mind on Krishna and nothing else that is difficult. I realized that all of this is necessary and important in order for me to deepen my relationship with Krishna and Guru. I then further thought- what is a relationship? How do we define it? And I thought a relationship is give and take. If it is only giving by one party or only taking by one party, it is not a relationship, it's exploitation. I have only been taking from Krishna- I have only been taking from You Gurudev. I have so blindingly been exploiting my relationship with Krishna and with you. I am so sorry. I am deeply sorry for this offense. I have been so caught up with mundane day-to-day things and activities and some days just feeling lost- it seems I have only been thinking and yet do nothing about it. I lost sight of Gurudev's advice to me time and time again "always be resilient". Thank you for making me aware and thank you for giving me this realisation by making a dent in this stone heart of mine. Trying to be your servant, Saci dd (Jhb-RSA)

78

Offerings from Disciples

Sacidulal Das While trying to appreciate your glorious presence in my life, various impure misgivings within my heart vanished. Your instructions predominated everywhere. In great bliss, my soul danced to a point of breaking my false identification with the body. Astonished to the lifestyle I now embrace, many became attached to your instructions. You are free from all contamination. Who can match your limitless divine qualities? Without great endeavor, you can spotlessly cease destined activities or make the unmanifest tangible. Your crazy disturbed disciple, Sacidulal Das Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa

Sacimata Devi Dasi Om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge. Mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim yat-krpa tam aham vande sri gurum dina-taranam

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

79

Offerings from Disciples

.nama om vishnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale srimate bhakti caitanya swami iti-namine. namami bhakti caitanyam prabhupadanu sevinam sri-vraja dhana mahatmya prdarsakam krparnavam

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja, Please accept my most respectful humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet. All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja I would like to bow down to the beautiful lotus feet of my Gurudev, by whose causeless mercy I have received the holy name and association of many great Vaisnavas, the holy dham and many holy places. Guru Maharaj, every year while writing my offering the feeling of unworthiness and regret that another year has passed and I have not been up to mark and done justice to my Spiritual Master to the degree of your mercy deserves. This really upsets me and the guilty thought builds up my determination to do better in future. Gurudev you are always emphasizing the importance of remaining in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON movement firmly to live together peacefully to enhance our spiritual life. You have made us realize we have one command goal and that is to serve Krsna in the way Srila Prabhupada has taught us through his books. In Srimad Bhagavatam canto 7 Chapter 15, text 45, in Srila Prabhupada's purport is stated that this human form of body is a most valuable boat and the Spiritual Master is the captain, to guide the boat to ply across the ocean of Nescience. Since the Spiritual Master is the captain one must serve the Spiritual Master very sincerely and the Spiritual Master is certainly very

80

Offerings from Disciples

merciful to his disciples and consequently by satisfying him the devotee gets strength from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore says Guru Krsna prasade paya bhakti lata bija. Guru Maharaj your surrender, compassion, kindness as well as your determination and purpose this are just a few qualities which I have named out of so many, shows how you are a faithful disciple of your Guru Maharaj. You have imbibed all the Godly qualities and characteristics of a disciple thus Krsna has bestows his mercy upon you to awaken the dormant knowledge in the heart of your disciples. We are always in anxiety and stress in our lives and it’s only due to your mercy we feel protected and sheltered. The Spiritual Master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water to extinguish the blazing fire, the Spiritual Master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer by respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a Spiritual Master who is an ocean of auspicious qualities. By your causeless mercy and blessing only can our stone like hearts become transformed, and we can become instruments in helping you to spread the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Guru Maharaja, during your last visit here you have set an example how this mission must go on. You were not feeling well and were coughing very badly but you still carried on with the lectures during the entire stay and also you travelled to Penang, BCC, Johore and Singapore. On this auspicious day I take this opportunity to beg for forgiveness for offences committed knowingly or unknowingly. I therefore pray at your Lotus feet to please continue to inspire us in devotional services and sadhana empowering me to give up the false hope of material world. Your very insignificant servant, Sacimata devidasi, Malaysia

81

Offerings from Disciples

Sadhu Seva dasa and Radhadyuti Devi Dasi I offer my respectful obeisances again and again, unto you, your Divine Grace, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His Lotus Feet. I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His Lotus Feet. As always, I am inspired by the amazing outpourings by your disciples and well-wishers. Please accept my simple offering: Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Another year and another opportunity to write a small offering, and again I stare at a blank page wondering what to write; words appear inadequate. How does one express their feelings given all that you have done for each one of us? All words of glorifying you are so insignificant because your Mercy is so unlimited. You have given us so much; you have brought us back to life. But what can we do for you? Thank you for your wonderful pastimes of Krishna, thank you for your wonderful and informative books, thank you for your inspiring classes and lectures but most of all, thank you for accepting us. On this most auspicious day for us, thank you for everything that you have done for Srila Prabhupada and for His movement. We all pray that you always remain in good health. Your undeserving servants, Sadhu Seva dasa and Radhadyuti Devi Dasi

82

83

Offerings from Disciples

Sakhi Vrinda Devi Dasi nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhakti caitanya swami maharaj iti namine

To my dearest Gurudev. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your vyasa-puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept this offering from me. I am forever grateful to you, Gurudev, for accepting a fool like me as your daughter and disciple. I am so fortunate to have you as my spiritual father as you are the most loving and gentle father a daughter could ask for. Today I beg for your forgiveness for not grasping more opportunity and time with you. You have so kindly gifted me with a connection to the spiritual world and Srila Prabhupada, but I feel that I have failed you. I am constantly struggling in this realm of maya. I pray that you will not give up on me as I struggle to make progress. I pray that you will continue to bless me so that I can have more of your association and serve you and find some steadiness in my devotional life. I am forever indebted to your lotus feet. You are always my well-wisher. What can a fallen soul like me offer you, but a promise to try harder and be stronger as the days pass by and be worthy of your love and mercy. I pray that I become more useful to you in your mission to your beloved Srila Prabhupada and remain your humble servant. Your daughter, Sakhi Vrinda Devi Dasi (Durban, SA)

84

Offerings from Disciples

Shayam Govinda Das Dearest Gurudev, om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge. The lotus feet of the spiritual master is the only way by which one can obtain pure devotional service. I bow down to your lotus feet with great awe and reverence, by his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna. By taking shelter of your lotus feet dear Gurudev; is like experiencing the soothing shine of millions of moons. There is relief from the struggle of existence and your mercy extinguishes the blazing fire of material desires and suffering. I pray to Krishna for your good health. You are magnanimous as you have great compassion for the fallen souls of this age. I am very grateful unto you. Hare Krishna Your fallen servant, Shayam Govinda Das

85

Offerings from Disciples

Shukadev Das nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhakti caitanya swamin iti namine namami bhakti-caitanya prabhupadanusevinam sri-vraja-dhan-mahatmya-pradarshakam krparanavam

Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of Your Vyasa Puja. Penning the thoughts of my blessed fortune, in being introduced to the process of Bhakti Yoga reaffirms how the struggle has just been made so much easier...a vision which we sometimes don't always acknowledge, but a truth that is evidently a part of all our lives who have been touched by Your blessing. A reality only felt because of your kindness and your acceptance of me. Generally adapting to change isn't always welcomed, leave alone when the material world forces it on us without consideration. But this transcendental flood of love, which is there for the taking, to all that exists without bias, has enveloped us, as if being handled in kit gloves so to speak - that this the transcendental change which brings such harmony and purpose in our lives. Without guru, how can this be available to anyone? This is the blessed fortune of meeting and surrendering unto you dear Maharaj. You have made spiritual understanding alive, you have given it meaning, you have allowed me to follow the processes and feel the immense benefit...all of which is impossible without you! I was recently re reading through Srila Prabhupads Science of self realization and came across a verse quoted from Srimad Bhagavatam [11.17.27].

86

Offerings from Disciples

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said: acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhyasuyeta sarva-devamayo guruh

"One should understand the spiritual master to be as good as I am," said the Blessed Lord. "Nobody should be jealous of the spiritual master or think of him as an ordinary man, because the spiritual master is the sum total of all demigods." That is, the acarya has been identified with God Himself. He has nothing to do with the affairs of this mundane world. He does not descend here to meddle with the affairs of temporary necessities, but to deliver the fallen, conditioned souls--the souls, or entities, who have come here to the material world with a motive of enjoyment by the mind and the five organs of sense perception. He appears before us to reveal the light of the Vedas and to bestow upon us the blessings of full-fledged freedom, after which we should hanker at every step of our life's journey. Reading such a verse as spoken by the Supreme Lord Himself, only goes to entrench within our hearts that we are indeed in a very safe place, a circumstance of being well managed and well cared for. Our spiritual master is our Lord and master who is the confidential servant of the Lord Himself, and blessed are we who surrender unto Him, obeys His instructions and serves Him with love and devotion. I pray to always have your blessings, Maharaj, that I can serve in this devotional process with dedication and strength. May your blessings be my guidance and may I always have the good fortune of devotional service lifetime after lifetime fulfilling my constitutional position as the soul. Your everloving son, Shukadev Das South Africa

87

88

Offerings from Disciples

Shyamalata Devi Dasi Dear Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to our Jagat Guru, His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Sri Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani! All glories to you, my dearest Gurudeva. A very happy 2018 Vyasa Puja, my beloved master. I pray for your good health and long service to Srila Prabhupada. trṇ ̣ād api sunīcena taror api sahisṇ uṇ ā amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyah ̣ sadā hariḥ

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” The 3rd verse of Sri Sri Siksastakam by Caitanya Mahaprabhu sums up your service to His Divine Grace. Always being humble and tolerant in all that you do, my dear Gurudeva. Giving all respect to anyone and everyone who approaches you. You only speak from scriptures, no additions or concoctions to our scriptures. A true servant of your Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace. Whenever I pluck up the courage to approach or write you for advice, I always leave enlightened.

89

Offerings from Disciples

The japa retreat last year in Drakensberg was really amazing. It was so detailed and intense about the four regulative principles in Krishna Consciousness. I also attended your workshop on offences to be avoided while chanting Hare Krishna. Gurudev, you compiled and presented those programmes to help us improve in our sadhana. Last year I also had the opportunity to go on parikrama to Badrinath and Rishikesh with you. You have the ability to structure and organise, and take us in time to the actual lila about all the places visited. You even travelled through treacherous paths and austere conditions while on pilgrimage. Please accept my sincere appreciation for doing all those programmes for our benefit. This year, with your mercy, I have been blessed with my granddaughter, Vaishnavi. Please accept my gratitude, and I pray that Vaishnavi continues in your Divine footsteps. I also pray to drown in my Krishna Consciousness and not to ever surface. Your das das anudas, Shyamalata Devi Dasi Phoenix, Durban, South Africa

90

Offerings from Disciples

Siddhanta das, Bhava Bhavini devi das & Rasalila nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhakti caitanya swamin iti namine

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjan- salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

Dearest Gurudeva, Please accept our humble obeisance’s at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar. On this most auspicious day of your vyasa-puja we pray for your mercy upon us so that we become worthy to worship the dust of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar’s lotus feet. It is only by the grace of the Spiritual Master that one attains the service of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar. In the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Text 34, Krsna says to Arjuna “just try to learn the truth by approaching a Spiritual Master. Inquire from Him submissively and render service unto Him. The self realise can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth”. From this verse, the importance of our dearest beloved Spiritual Master in our lives is clearly understood. If we want to develop the addiction or asakti for chanting the holy names of Krsna, this can be attained through the grace of the spiritual master.

91

Offerings from Disciples

If we want to achieve the service of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar it is by the mercy of the spiritual master. A spiritual master is like that of a father and the disciple is like that of a child. At the time of initiation, the spiritual master accepts the disciple like that of his own child and just like when a father teaches his child how to walk, the father holds the hand of the child when taking each and every step with the child. Yet if the child falls down, the father is there to pick up his child and help him walk again. Similarly, as we embark on this spiritual realisation facing various tests, trials and tribulations in our spiritual path that may cause one to fall, like a father, the spiritual master will pick us up and help us get back on track in our spiritual lives and continue our walk towards Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar. We are unable to realise Gurudev that just for us to get to Krsna at the end of this birth, you will endure every test, every pain it takes just for us to go back to Krsna at the end of this birth. We are unable to realise that you put your own health at risk for us to get the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is said the best way to serve a spiritual master is by spreading Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s message all over the world. Gurudev we beg of you to please place your merciful glance upon us and help us transform our stone like hearts into a temple where the Lord can reside. With your merciful glance, please destroy our attachment from sinful activities and please allow us to become attached to the service of your lotus feet and the service of the holy names of Krsna. With your merciful glance please help us open the spiritual doors and show us the path to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar. We place our heads at your lotus feet with tears profusely flowing from our eyes begging that you forgive us for any offenses that we may have committed knowingly or unknowingly. Placing our heads at your lotus feet is most radiant than millions of sun’s and more cooling than millions of moons that is forever offering us shelter against maya. We are ready to be continuously kicked by your lotus feet from every offense we may have committed because with every kick our minds will become more purified in thoughts of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar.

92

Offerings from Disciples

Any individual that takes shelter of your divine lotus feet is absolutely assured to attain the most supreme bliss as you understand the essence of Krishna consciousness, thus always bring everyone towards that supreme goal through your constant encouragement, instructions and personal example. Gurudeva, please bless us with a very special blessing on this auspicious day in that we always stay in ISKCON. Your eternal servants Siddhanta das, Bhava Bhavini devi das & Rasalila

Sita Carana Devi Dasi & Vijaya Baladeva Das Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you! We would like to wish you all the best on this most auspicious day of your appearance. It is said that even a fraction of a moment of association with a pure devotee can save one from the entanglement of material life, and we have been so fortunate that we have been given your association so freely. We tend to take things so much for granted but reading about the early days of ISKCON make us realize that we should really appreciate the great sacrifice Srila Prabhupada's disciples like yourself undertook to establish the Krishna consciousness movement in South Africa and all over the world. You planted the seeds of devotional service that today grew into beautiful creepers in the form of temples, devotees, festivals, books and all the other wonderful features of the world of Krishna consciousness.

93

Offerings from Disciples

Thanks to you Krishna consciousness is now spreading throughout the whole society. Although we might not have so many devotees staying at the temples anymore, we have Krishna conscious lawyers, doctors, teachers, accountants and so many other professions and this way the whole society is undergoing a slow transformation. Srila Prabhupada must surely be proud of his sons like yourself that gave up their youth and life to spread Krishna consciousness and in a similar way we would like to also make you proud by trying our best to follow in your footsteps and help Srila Prabhupada's mission. Please bless us on this wonderful day that we may be useful instruments in your service and that we can please you by our actions. Without your mercy we are certainly nothing. Please kindly keep us at your lotus feet which are our only shelter against the material existence. We thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for all your patience and tolerance with us and for all the spiritual gifts you gave given to us and the world. We are forever grateful for that. Your insignificant servants, Sita Carana Devi Dasi Vijaya Baladeva Das Johannesburg, South Africa

Sivarama Das Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Where do I begin to express my gratitude to you for providing me with much needed shelter from the continuous borages of the material nature? I have struggled for many years to develop my Krishna Consciousness, but you have always been there, offering me guidance, advice, and sometimes just an ear.

94

Offerings from Disciples

Through your example of genuine attachment and love for Krishna, you have inspired me to grow in my devotional life, and for this I am eternally grateful, as this material life is very difficult to overcome. Through the mercy of the spiritual master, the creeper of devotional service is planted. I am extremely fortunate to be placed at the dust of your lotus feet. It is stated that the mercy of the Lord permanently resides in the heart of His pure devotee. I pray that you glance kindly on me as I kneel begging for your mercy. As always, I remain your eternal servant, Sivarama Das Howick, South Africa

Sridama Dasa, Krishna Akarshini Devi Dasi, Sachinandan & Nitai Hare Krsna my dearest Spiritual Father, Please accept my most humble obeisance’s at the dust of Your Lotus Feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you. I wish you the best Vyasa Puja ever, and I deepen my prayer to Lord Charisma to keep you in good health and safe in your preaching mission for Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya. titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ

95

Offerings from Disciples

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) The above Slovak describes what you’ve been to me over the last while. You tolerated me when you didn’t have to, and you gave me the best advice to overcome my challenges. At the time, some of the advice you gave me seemed far-fetched, however looking at those situations retrospectively, your advice was nothing but the best and tailor made for my growth in Krishna Consciousness. I constantly remind myself how fortunate we are to have you in our life, and how blessed we are to hear from you and take your divine association when you visit. My consciousness and sadhana has transformed very fruitfully over the last few years, and this is only due to your causeless mercy, of which I’m completely underserving. You are indeed a perfect example of an exalted devotee and I love you eternally. Following your instructions is my life’s mission. My desire is to cooperate and serve my God brothers and God sisters and all the Vaisnava’s devotees of the Lord, and in doing so, to serve and please you eternally. My desire is to help you and be of value to Srila Prabhupada’s Iskcon, up until now all I’ve done is receive mercy, so please will you bless this foolish ignorant low-life, to tangibly add value to you and to Srila Prabhupada. I bow down repeatedly at your Divine Lotus Feet. All glories to you! Your insignificant servants from PE, Sridama Dasa, Krishna Akarshini Devi Dasi, Sachinandan & Nitai

96

Offerings from Disciples

Subhadramayi Devi Dasi Hare Krsna Maharaj, Accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada! In this special day i offer you those words: I was born in the darkest ignorance Maharaj and I will still be immersed in it if your mercy and compassion had not allowed me to become your disciple. Thank you Gurudev, I am very fortunate because you became my spiritual master. Thank you for the holy name chant and the name of Subhadramayi Devi Dasi. Thank you for your guidance and your spiritual teachings. Thank you for giving me a very large and very beautiful spiritual family Thank you Maharaj, because your dedication to serve His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and to Krsna Consciousness is a beautiful proof of humility, sharing, devotion and love. I wish that your Vyasa Puja will be wonderful Maharaj. Haribol. Your humble servant, Subhadramayi Devi Dasi Saint-Andre, Reunion Island

97

Offerings from Disciples

Sundarananda Das, Subhadra Devi Dasi, Sita and Vrindakund Devi Dasi Hare Krishna Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to You Guru Maharaja. This year has been particularly challenging in that my service has taken on a new dimension with the management of ISKCON Pretoria. My days are filled by three focus areas; managing a job, managing a family and managing the temple. I must admit that when I was suddenly presented with the idea of taking on this new service I was a little apprehensive, but then I remembered a very simple definition of devotional service that I came across in an ISKCON course recently. It defined devotional service as “just doing the needful”. It reminded me of you. Besides being charmingly concise, this definition resonates the idea that, when given the opportunity to do some service, one should not over-analyse the situation. Rather, one should just do the service. I was thinking of the magnitude of the decisions that you were faced with during your life. Being brought up in New Zealand, going to Europe and ending up serving in the southern-most tip of Africa. What was going on in your mind? How many times did you have to “just do the needful”? Now you travel across the world several times a year to share this Krishna Consciousness to thousands of souls. It seems that you have got “doing the needful” down to a fine art. In fact, I think you have taken that definition of devotional service to a new level. Not only do you “just do the needful”, you “do the needful with full focus”. We have all experienced that you have an innate ability to give your full focus to every service opportunity that you take on; be it documenting the Holy Dhama, giving class or cooking.

98

Offerings from Disciples

I was reflecting on the time that when I first met you. You were speaking at a house program and I was struck by the clarity and eloquence of your presentation of Krishna Consciousness. More than that, I was taken by the love that you exude when you give us your association. Yet again you modify the definition of devotional service. Not only do you “do the needful”, and “do the needful with full focus”, you “do the needful with full focus and love”. Like Krishna who cannot feel what Radharani feels when She sees Him, I’m not sure whether You are aware of the power of Your presence to us. I am just an undeserving aspiring devotee but I’m hoping, as mentioned in C.C. Madhya lila 22, that “spontaneous devotional service arises when one follows a pure devotee who is awakened to spontaneous love of God”. Hoping you have a wonderful Vyasa Puja in the association of my most fortunate God brothers and sisters… Your servants always, Sundarananda das, Subhadra devi dasi, Sita and Vrindakund devi dasi. Pretoria, South Africa

99

Offerings from Disciples

Syama Kishor das My dear-most Lord and Master, Srila Gurudev, Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet, again and again. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine grace on this most auspicious occasion of Your Sri Vyasa Puja. Your dull-headed son, Syama Kishor das, feels so extremely grateful to be the disciple of your divine grace. I feel so undeserving to be connected to such a pure devotee of the Lord and such a perfect son of Srila Prabhupada as you are. You are my worshipful Lord and Master. I beg you to allow me to remain so, eternally. Wherever you are, the Paramahamsa devotees are there, Srila Prabhupada is there and so are Sri Nityananda Rama and Sri Gaura Hari. This is all I desire – to remain your loyal dog, eternally. Oh my Master, please accept me! You are my solid link to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya, all the way to Krishna’s lotus feet. You are my most expert guide and mentor. You set the perfect example for your disciples, and others, to strive toward. Every moment of your life is completely committed to serving Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari with so much intensity and sincerity. You have so much spiritual compassion (which is the highest version of compassion) for everyone you meet. In this way, you are bringing all auspiciousness to this world and you are touching the lives of so many needing living entities. Your selfless devotional life is keeping Kali-Yuga at bay. Your pure contribution to this world is immeasurable and is the best contribution. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being such an expert leader in Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON and serving Srila Prabhupada in this great way. Leadership is never an easy task yet you do it so expertly.

100

Offerings from Disciples

Srila Gurudev, this past year has taught me that, irrespective of whether unfortunate things happen to me or whether auspicious things happen to me, what always remains constant in my life is the shelter of your most merciful lotus feet and the shelter of the Holy Names. For this, I am extremely grateful to you. My minute increase in dependency on the Holy Names is only due to your merciful example, teachings and guidance. I have been meditating on a statement you once made in one of Your VIHE Bhagavad Gita classes. You were explaining that how the devotees become so utterly dependent on the Holy Names that it is like the Holy Name becomes the devotees’ food and only sustenance. I have tried to apply this in my life, in my small incremental way, and I have seen how everything falls into place when I become more and more dependent on Gurudev’s lotus feet and the Holy Names, for everything. When my actions are in line with your desires and teachings, when they are favourable to chanting the Holy Names and dependent on the mercy of the Lord for everything, the path of mercy truly opens up. There have been many times when I have been in difficult situations and simply by remembering you and the Holy Names, everything became easily surmountable and everything became joyful - joyful in all directions. Your presence in my life has brought about immense auspiciousness and strength in all circumstances. You have been, and you always remain, the essential pivot in my life. On this day of your Sri Vyasa Puja, I recommit myself to you and to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet, through His ISKCON. I will always belong to you, as your lowly servant and disciple, striving to please you.

101

Offerings from Disciples

Gurudev, I beg you to give me the intelligence so that I may serve Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON in some unique and substantial way. Please bless me and guide me in this way. I beg you to bless me to chant the Holy Names more deeply, sincerely and affectionately. I beg you to bless me to improve my comprehension and internalization of Srila Prabhupada’s books during my reading. In this way, please bless me to become a sincere preacher, even to a minute fraction of the level that you preach, for your pleasure. Please give me the intelligence and capacity to serve Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON and the devotees more deeply and wholeheartedly. I pray to represent you to the best of my ability. Hare Krishna, my Lord and Master, Srila Gurudev. Your lowly son, Syama Kishor das

102

Offerings from Disciples

Syama Vallabhi Devi Dasi om ajnana-timirandhasya, jnananjana salakaya caksur unmilitam yena, tasmai sri-gurave namah sri-caitanya-mano-‘bhistam, stapitham yena bhu-tale svayam rupah kada mahyam, dadati sva-padantikam

vande ‘ham sri-guroh sri-yuta-pada-kamalam sri gurun vaisnavams ca sri-rupam sagrajatam saha-gana-raghunathanvitam tam sa-jivam sadvaitam savadhutam parijana-sahitam krsna-caitanya-devam sri-radha-krsna-padan saha-gana-lalita-sri-visakhanvitams ca

My dear Srila Gurudev, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I offer my humble obeisances unto you a multitude of times. Dear Srila Gurudev, may I take this opportunity of wishing you good health so that you will continue to bless us with your transcendental association for many years to come. Thank you, my dear father for taking pity on me and for having accepted this poor fallen soul, as your disciple - for removing me from darkness and showing me the light. I am eternally indebted to you for saving me from the clutches of maya and rekindling my love for Sri Krsna. You have selflessly and tirelessly engaged in the preaching mission of your Guru, Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is quite evident that you are especially empowered by the Supreme Lord Himself. Please bless me so that I may be able to follow your instructions and serve you more sincerely. Thank you, Srila Gurudev - you are indeed truly merciful. All glories to you, dearest Srila Gurudev, on this very auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja. All Glories to Guru and Gauranga. All glories, all glories, all glories. Hare Krsna! Your disciple, servant and daughter, Syama Vallabhi Devi Dasi

103

Offerings from Disciples

Talavan Das Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! My family and I are joining the congratulations of many devotees on the day of your Vyasa Puja. Your Vyasa Puja is a very suitable day when I can put aside my trivial engagements and look into my heart. More than 20 years have passed since the day when I met Your Holiness and my spiritual life is your mercy only. People sometimes ask a question, “Where is this mercy?” My family and I are a living example of it. We are drowning in your love. I feel like a kitten that is being carried by the mother cat in her teeth and I realize that whatever we have is due to your mercy. We all love you very much. We are praying to Panca Tattva that you do not become tired in preaching. We are praying to Sri Sri Radha Madhava to give you good health. We are praying to Lord Nrisimhadeva to protect you from obstacles. Our desire is to dance with you in the eternal sankirtana dance. All glories to you! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Your servant, Talavan Das Śrī Māyāpur, India

104

105

Offerings from Disciples

Ujjvala Gopi Devi Dasi Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Divine Grace. On this auspicious day of your Sri Vyasa Puja, I beg you to please forgive me for any offenses caused at your lotus feet. By your causeless mercy you have saved me, I pray to be a better disciple. On this auspicious day, I beg for your mercy. Your fallen servant, Ujjvala Gopi Devi Dasi Middelburg, South Africa

Ujjvala Prema Devi Dasi Hare Krsna to my loving Father, most merciful Master and my only Saviour, Please accept my humble obeisences at Your Divine Lotus Feet! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! It is our greatest fortune that in this specific day of Lord Brahma, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, appeared as His different incarnations but most importantly appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Due to his magnanimity, he sent Srila Prabhupada, who by His mercy has sent you, Gurudev, to save us fallen souls. Most fortunate are we in this day of Lord Brahma, that you have accepted us as your disciples, by giving us the Holy Names as Krsna Prasad, You are awakening our love and devotion for Krsna, that we may one day go back home, Back to Godhead. Thank You Gurudev for all the sacrifices you have made for us. We pray that we will continue to serve you, eternally. Your eternal servant, Ujjvala Prema devi dasi. Midrand, South Africa

106

Offerings from Disciples

Ujjvala Rasa Dasi nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

My Dearest Srila Gurudeva, All Glories to you and Srila Prabhupada! Gurudeva, I think of you, I remember this verse from the Sri Sri Gurv-astaka: “The spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna).” O! Dear Gurudeva! Please accept my respectful and most humble obeisances at your lotus feet again and again. You are my lord and master. Your personality is held in awe and revered all over the world, as you travel from country to country, city to city, place to place, constantly giving Krishna consciousness and teaching bhakti yoga to countless suffering souls. Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport to BG 6.11-12: “Therefore, in the Brhan-naradiya Purana, it is said that in Kali-yuga (the present yuga or age), when people in general are short-lived, slow in spiritual realisation and always disturbed by various anxieties, the best means of spiritual realisation is chanting the holy name of the Lord.” harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā

107

Offerings from Disciples

“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” True to the prediction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that His holy names will be sung in every town and village, you travel endlessly in serving His mission and serving Srila Prabhupada. Your infinite dedication, kindness, patience and tolerance are remarkable and admirable as you endure the pain of travelling. By your exemplary behaviour, you are teaching us how to serve Guru and Gauranga. Alas! I am such a rascal that I fail to serve your lotus feet in the same way. I humbly beg your forgiveness and seek your blessings, dear Gurudeva. Being in the association of Vaisnava devotees and engaging in devotional service is a privilege bestowed upon me only by your mercy Gurudeva! I realise that when ill health prevails, it is only the association of the devotees that will give me the impetus and strength to perform devotional service, for my eternal purification. I think of you every day, forever grateful to you for giving me the holy names and the shelter at the dust of your lotus feet. Indeed! I consider myself most fortunate! Your humble servant, your daughter, Ujjvala Rasa Dasi Durban, South Africa

108

Offerings from Disciples

Varsana Devi Dasi oṁ ajnāna-timirāndhasya jnānānjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

Hare Krishna, All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, my dearest Guru Maharaja. On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, surely you are blessed by our most sincere Srila Prabhupada. I cannot find words to describe how I feel about you. You are my saviour and well-wisher. You are my father from the spiritual world. For this, I'm ever grateful. You have sacrificed this lifetime to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission. It takes someone with strong will and determination to achieve such an austere goal. Dearest Guru Maharaja, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me your priceless shelter. Please bless me so that I follow your instructions for the rest of my life. Only you can save this fallen soul.

109

Offerings from Disciples

Dear Guru Maharaja, I pray that Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna provide you with good health in order to carry on spreading Srila Prabhupada's mission and saving fallen souls like me. Please bless me to always stay in the shade of yours and Srila Prabhupada's Lotus feet. I remain your most humble servant. Varsana Devi Dasi Bramley, Johannesburg, South Africa

Vibhu Caitanya Das nama om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale srimate bhakti caitanya swami iti namine

nama om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale srimate bhaktivedanta swami iti namine namaste sarasvate deve gaura vani pracarine nirvisesa sunyavadi pastacya desa tarine

vancha kalpa tarubhyas ca krpa sindhubhya eva ca patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah

Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you Guru Maharaj on the auspicious day of your vyasa puja. It is only one year since i've taken shelter at your lotus feet and during this year by your mercy my mood of doing service has improved. Thank you Guru Maharaj for accepting me as your disciple.

110

Offerings from Disciples

Guru Maharaj, I still recall, last year you were at a pandal program at Plaine Magnien and after the program a man who was drunk approached you and he wanted just to make fun of you but Guru Maharaj, you preached to that person with so much tolerance. Although you were tired and it was late you gave him almost 15 minutes. I was amazed seeing such tolerance and compassion. Although you only travel during the whole year and have so many disciples in so many countries, Guru Maharaj you always have time to respond to each of your disciples. Personally, Guru Maharaj, whenever I wrote to you, your replies always gave me such warmth in heart and a big boost to endeavor more in devotional service. Thank you, Guru Maharaj, again and again for accepting such fallen as I am in your shelter. All glories to you, Guru Maharaj. Your insignificant servant, Vibhu Caitanya Das Quartier Militaire, Mauritius

111

Offerings from Disciples

Visvambhara dasa Hare Krishna dearest Gurudev. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace on the occasion of your vyasa puja. All glories to the savior of the whole world, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. One of the ways the Bhagavad Gita can be described as, it’s a book of choices. Through the conversation between the Supreme Loving Lord Krishna and His submissive disciple Arjuna, we understand that when we are faced with challenges in life we have different options which we can pursue. Just like Arjuna was faced with the challenge of killing family members he held very dear, we too are faced with the challenge of carrying out activities we may dislike or even abhor. In the mood of the faithful and chaste Arjuna, we too are faced with difficult choices. Initially Arjuna didn’t want to fight. From his vision, fighting had no real good result for anyone, especially not for himself. The only option, the best option he felt, was to give up arms and not fight. As the conversation unfolds in the Bhagavad Gita, we understand how Lord Krishna very expertly and lovingly transformed the mind of Arjuna. He didn’t force Arjuna to do anything – he very carefully laid out the options and the consequences of each option. He also explained what the best or highest thing Arjuna should do, the most confidential of all knowledge. Arjuna was then left to make his choice. Even in devotional life we may also experience difficulties with our services or with the devotees we serve with. Things we do may not go according to our plan. We may not necessarily like the service we are “forced” to do. This is however not kevala bhakti. In the state of pure bhakti, the practitioner is accepting of whatever service is offered to him or her. He or she does what is required at that point. The real point is the pleasure of the served, not of our own personal comfort or satisfaction. In the ultimate analysis, our real purpose is to serve – we are not meant to be comfortable (BG 2.14 matra sparsas to kauteya…), nor are we meant to chase after pleasure in the world. The real pleasure that our hearts crave for is satisfied simply by selflessly serving the Supreme Lord (BG 9.2 su sukham kartum avyayam).

112

Offerings from Disciples

Just like Lord Krishna changes the consciousness of Arjuna, you also are travelling around the world changing the consciousness of the many fallen souls, even those as fallen as me. You are helping us also understand that we have choices every day, at every moment, and what the consequences of those choices are. You are helping us choose wisely – to choose by seeing with transcendental eyes. By the many facilities presented by the advancing age of Kali, you are taking them all and using them in the service of the Supreme Lord. Whilst some traditionalists avoid facilities like the internet, modern means of travel like air travel and media creating applications and devices, you embrace them all as you use them in serving our most beloved Radha-Syamsundara. In this way you are influencing the many fallen souls of this world. We pray you may bless us to faithfully follow in your footsteps like you are so boldly doing in Srila Prabhupada’s. Your aspiring servant, Visvambhara dasa Cape Town, South Africa

113

Offerings from Disciples

Vraja Priya Devi Dasi and Revati Devi Dasi nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine

I offer my humble obeisances unto Srila Bhakti Caitanya Swami, an Ocean of mercy, who faithfully serves Srila Prabhupada and reveals the greatness of the treasure of Sri Vraja (Sri Sri Radha-Krsna). Hare Krsna Gurudeva, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Divine Grace, our dear Spiritual Father. Dearest Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, we would like to humbly glorify your Divine Grace. It always brings us most happy thoughts, expressions of gratitude and sincere love when we think of you. You are so loving and caring toward us and our family, always enquiring about us and taking a personal interest in our spiritual well-being. Your ever so loving smile, your kindness and empathy makes our heart glow, and its memories we will treasure for a lifetime. You have touched our lives and souls in so many ways that we know will carry us through anything that comes our way. Our devotion, love and faith for Lord Krsna and His devotees grow with your mercy. Thank You Gurudeva for all that you are and all that you do for us. We pray that we may never be bereft of your divine, sweet and loving association, and may you continue to shower your blessings and mercy onto us.

114

Offerings from Disciples

Gurudeva, we surrender ourselves to your divine Lotus Feet and beg for your mercy upon these undeserving souls. Please accept our most respectful obeisances at the dust of your divine Lotus Feet on this most glorious day of Your Vyasa Puja. We love you unconditionally, Gurudeva. Hare Krsna, Your most fallen daughters, Vraja Priya Devi Dasi and Revati Devi Dasi Tongaat, South Africa

Vraja Sakhi Devi Dasi Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories unto Your Lotus Feet on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. Dear Guru Maharaj, my sister, my mother and I wish you an Auspicious Happy Vyasa Puja. We all pray to Sri Radha Krishna to keep you in good health and protect you. Dear Guru Maharaj, thank you for your mercy, for blessing me and engaging me in devotional service. You are someone very special that I can always count on when I need spiritual advice. You are so compassionate and loving. Often I think of where I would be without you. I am eternally grateful to you. You set the example of devotion of Sri Guru and Gauranga and wish only to humbly try to follow this example. I pray to serve at your lotus feet birth after birth. Please grant me the benediction that this may be so. I am very fortunate, Sri Sri Radha Golokananda has fulfilled my prayer by giving me the opportunity to serve you and have you among us on this special auspicious day. Thank you Dear Guru Maharaj to give us this opportunity to serve you on your Vyasa Puja. I can’t find words to express my joy.

115

Offerings from Disciples

Please bless me so that I can always serve you dear Guru Maharaj, and also Srila Prabhupada more sincerely from the bottom of my heart. Please forgive me for all offenses. Your Eternal Servant and Daughter, Vraja Sakhi Devi Dasi

116

Offerings from Disciples

Vraja Vilasini Devi Dasi nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, dear Guru Maharaja, on this most auspicious day of your appearance. mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam

I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains. You are worthy of more glorification and honour than I know how to bestow, but like a child offering some simple present with love to the father, please on this very sacred day, accept the offering I have to place at your lotus feet, as one that is certainly flawed but honestly heart-felt. I am so grateful that you have accepted a fool and rascal like me as your daughter & disciple. I am not the best of daughters and often stubborn. The past few months have been incredibly challenging and I have had to make some of the most difficult decisions. Yet, you seemed to have understood me and supported me in what was best for myself and my family – for that I am very appreciative.

117

Offerings from Disciples

I have realised that it is only by your mercy that I am connected to our beloved Srila Prabhupada. Who in all the universes can be more merciful and loving than Srila Prabhupada? As I wrote my offering to Srila Prabhupada this year, I realised that it was 11 years since Srila Prabhupada appeared to us in his life-size murti form. Srila Prabhupada’s presence is spiritually electrifying. By your mercy, Guru Maharaj, I have received the greatest good fortune to serve Srila Prabhupada and be involved in His Vyasa Puja planning for all these years. Each year, on the morning of Srila Prabhupada’s appearance, I thank Him for my great fortune that I have in serving Him so personally. I have so many shortcomings (as you well know) yet I have been mercifully tolerated – I have also purified me, but with so much love. Witnessing you executing the process of devotional service inspires and amazes me. You travel far and wide each year and it seems to increase each year, even though your material body is advancing in age. I am often left speechless and left to drown in an ocean of your qualities, as being so much younger I am unable to do a fraction of what you do. It is indeed due to your transcendental nature. The longer I reflect on preparing my offering to you, the more I see my inadequacy to glorify you or to be of service to you. No matter how many things I attempt to write about you, I don't think I will be able to do justice. I am unable to offer you appropriate and meaningful praise. How do I even start to put words to my feelings, appreciation and or to even attempt to glorify you? Even though I have no spiritual qualifications, you seem to have some faith in me. So on this sacred day of your appearance, I offer my humble respects at your lotus feet, and I offer my prayers to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Nitai Mayapurcandra that I may always serve you life after life. As always, I pray for your desire to become my desire and that your instructions may become my life and soul. Your daughter always, Vraja Vilasini Devi Dasi Cape Town, South Africa

118

Offerings from Disciples

Vrajarani Devi Dasi, Vivek and Riddhi

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhakti caitanya-svamin iti namine namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

Our dearest Guru Maharaj, Please accept our most respected and humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to your Vyasa Puja celebrations! On this most auspicious day, we are trying to understand our good fortune of being connected to Krsna via the transparent medium known as the acarya or the guru. We give thanks to the blessed day you appeared in this material world as well as the holiest day of our life as we met you and heard your auspicious teachings and words for the first time. Krsna himself makes the arrangements for the meeting of the disciple with the guru. The connection of guru and disciples comes after much compassion from Krsna. Guru is the mercy incarnation of God who gives protection in this conditioned material world. He helps from within and without. As the direct messenger of the Lord, you teach the fallen souls their constitutional position as eternal servants of the Lord. You teach the holy scriptures as it is in disciplic succession, therefore this gives rise to the cleansing of the heart of the disciples who are then engaged in devotional activities. Your unconditional guidance helps us to attain the ultimate goal of life- to return to our eternal home- back to Krsna.

119

Offerings from Disciples

‘Yasya deva para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau.’ The Vedic process is such that one should have unflinching faith in God and the spiritual master. The honour given to the spiritual master goes to Krsna and nobody can understand the Lord without going through his confidential servant. The guru preaches the practices that he has learnt from his spiritual master. Eventually, the meaning of the scriptures goes on through the parampara system, without any distortion. A bonafide guru gives knowledge and relevant guidance to all who are eager to receive this knowledge and accept this Krsna Consciousness. Therefore, the disciple’s role is to help the spiritual master in his mission by whatever means and resources available. This is an opportunity to reflect upon the mission and vision of his Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, even if we are a tiny being. ‘Yare dekha tare kaha krsna updesh’ Let us pray that we can help our spiritual master to push on this glorious ISKCON mission forward and let us express our deepest gratitude to you on this wonderful day of your Vyasa Puja celebration. Thank you for everything you did, you are doing and continue to do for our progress in devotional service. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru Maharaj. Your servants, Vrajarani devi dasi, Vivek and Riddhi La Flora, Mauritius

120

121

Offerings from Disciples

Vrinda Kund Devi Dasi Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to You Guru Maharaja. From a very young age, I always knew that you would one day guide me as my Guru. It was never something that needed to be thought about. There was always this innate feeling of certainty that it would someday be this way. And I know why. Not only was I intrigued by your unique personality, but I was also very comfortable around you. I always looked up to you as if you were my second father. My spiritual father. Even though this material world is full of suffering and tests us constantly, it’s good to know that there is someone looking out for us. Someone who always has our back, and most importantly, someone who paves the way for us back to Godhead. You are this person for me. There’s no doubt about that. And there are times when I really look back and think about how fortunate I am to have this blessing. Because it’s very easy to forget about Krishna when suffering enters our life. I once heard in a class that Maya tests our faith in Him and with time, they become harder and harder, which eventually fills our minds with doubt. And if one takes the time to think about it carefully, they will see that it’s true. But, I know now, that when a test comes my way, I will be fine, because I have shelter of Guru and Krishna. So yes, you are my protector. But the trait that strikes me the most is your compassion. Not only are you a learned person, but you’re also a kind one. And I notice how your kindness extends to every entity you meet. There’s a type of genuine and warm feeling that projects to the ones around you, which automatically makes people feel as if they are in their comfort zone. So, thank You for sheltering me from the pangs of material life and thank You for being my source of strength and guidance. My life would truly have a feeling of emptiness otherwise. My spiritual father, I take shelter of your lotus feet and pray that Krishna showers His blessings upon you. Your servant always, Vrinda Kund Devi Dasi

122

Offerings from Disciples

Vrndavan Dasa Thakur Dasa & Caitanya Lila Dasi nama om visnupadaya krsna presthaya-bhutale srimate bhakti caitanya swami niti namine

Dear Gurudev, Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of Your Divine Lotus Feet. All Glories to Your Divine Grace. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. On this most auspicious day of Your Sri Vyasa Puja, I would like to thank you again for your mercy and Shelter. Thank you for giving us fallen souls shelter at Your Divine Lotus Feet. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura states: “Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krishna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people. Therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krishna's effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Krishna-that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krishna's potency.” Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on Worship of The Lotus Feet of The Spiritual Master: “There is no work as auspicious as serving the spiritual master. Of all worship, the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the greatest but the worship of the lotus feet of the spiritual master is even greater than the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unless this is firmly realized we cannot understand what saintly association means, we cannot understand what the shelter of a spiritual master means, we cannot understand that we are dependent and He is our maintainer.”

123

Offerings from Disciples

It’s drop of mercy from a devotee. We need a little bit of mercy, half a drop, quarter of a drop, that’s only what it takes…one drop and then everything happens. It is the finishing touch to our devotional progress. Without initiation into the chanting of the holy names Krishna, without devotional service, without that little drop of mercy from the devotee of Krishna, it is impossible to get rid of anxiety and lamentation. Without that Mercy from Gurudev, our life would have been miserable. Gurudev, we need a whole lot of mercy. By the grace of the spiritual master the cloud of the mercy of the Personality of Godhead is brought in, and then only, when the rains of Krishna consciousness fall, can the fire of material existence be extinguished. Srimad Bhagavatam 3.21.17, Srila Prabhupada: If we take shelter of the lotus feet of the spiritual master, we can become free from illusion, fear and distress. If we wholeheartedly beg for his mercy without any deceit then the spiritual master bestows all auspiciousness upon us. Our first duty is to satisfy the spiritual master, who can arrange for the Lord’s mercy. Gurudev, Please bestow all auspiciousness upon us, always begging for your mercy. Guru is not on the way to Krishna, Guru is the 'only way' to Krishna. Please continue to give us shelter at your Lotus Feet. Kindly continue to glance mercifully at us. Everything is Yours.I am merely a servant, certain that you will deliver me. I have chosen Your Lotus feet as my only shelter. I no longer belong to myself. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur) Begging for your mercy always, Your children, Vrndavan Dasa Thakur Dasa & Caitanya Lila Dasi

124

Offerings from Disciples

Yamaraja Dasa Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, Srila Gurudev. Happy 67th Birthday Guru Maharaja. Please allow this fallen servant of yours to glorify you, my master, with the limited capacity that I possess. Gurudev, you are always reminding us that Lord Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that we are all His servants. In a lecture in Vrindavan on 15th August 1974, Srila Prabhupada spoke on the Bhagavat Gita Chapter 7 Text 9. Srila Prabhupada mentioned, “A guru's business is that. Guru does not mean that he takes the position of Krsna. He simply teaches people that - you accept the Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You surrender unto Him. You always think of Him. You always offer your obeisances. You become a pure devotee of Krsna. This is Guru's business". Gurudev, you show us by example your full surrender to Srila Prabhupada. Gurudev, when it comes to spiritual growth, I feel that I am stagnant and that I am doing the bare minimum. Apart from a few regular services that I have in the centre here in Singapore, I feel that I can do so much more and I pray every day for your guidance and support. Gurudev, in this material world, there are so many challenges and sometimes we get entangled in the web of Maya. At times like this, I turn to your lotus feet in my heart and call out to you to please save me. You always pull me out from the clutches of Maya and it has always been in the form of one of your lectures.

125

Offerings from Disciples

Gurudev, you gave me the order to preach to the young local population in Singapore. I thank you for knowing us so well and giving us orders that we can follow. You instruct us in such a way that enables us not to offend you in any way as you know our mood very well. You kindly give us the flexibility and yet at the same time you push us enough to encourage us in such a way that we feel inspired to serve you and Srila Prabhupada to the best of our ability. I pray that I will always remain in the service of your lotus feet, Srila Gurudev. Your most fallen servant, Yamaraja dasa Singapore

126

Offerings from Disciples

Yamuna Dasi My dear spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! On the day of your Vyasa Puja, I would like to express to you my gratitude for saving me from the material existence. My service is far from perfection and I know that it is practically impossible to achieve it, but I am sure that everything is possible by your mercy and all I need is to follow you. I am trying to follow you as seriously as I can. And if sometimes I find myself to not be able to do it out of weakness of my heart, I meditate on your qualities, your service and the loving relationships that you have with your disciples; it gives me strength to continue my efforts in serving you.

Your famous expression, "према сейчас", is very important, because it constantly reminds me of the goal and brings the meaning to my everyday life. Quite often, when I think of achieving Krishna Prema, I feel that it is impossible for me; not only for this lifetime but for millions and millions of lifetimes ahead. But then from one of your disciples, I heard, "према сейчас" and I get a feeling that everything is possible by your mercy and my main duty is to not resist it. Even when you are joking, you are making me closer to Krishna. This is one small example of how you are saving me every moment. Trying to develop relationships with Krishna under your guidance, I am noticing that you are making me to be more and more interested in Krishna Prema. Although, I completely do not understand what that is, I am starting to want it more and more. It scares and bewilders me, but this desire seems to grow independently under your lovingcare. Every time when you bring your disciple to some sacred place, you inspire us to pray for Krishna Prema. Today, I dare to beg you, dear Guru Maharaja, for a little drop from the ocean of your Krishna Prema. Your humble servant, Yamuna Dasi Saint-Petersburg, Russia

127

Offerings from Disciples

Yasoda mayi Devi Dasi & Nanda Maharaja Dasa Hare Krishna Dearest Guru Maharaja, Please accept our respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your divine self. On this most glorious occasion of your appearance we wish you well. The question immediately arises: are we really qualified to be your well-wishers? After all you are giving out mercy and we are the recipients of this mercy. His Holiness Bhakti Rasamrita Swami Maharaja defines a well -wisher: We can be genuine well-wishers of someone only when we have the complete understanding of the truth. Having good intentions is not enough to be somebody's well-wisher. Truly many people who want to be well- wishers of others are well intentioned but they do not have the right knowledge. Intention must be backed by knowledge. Then one can be genuine well-wisher of somebody and it must also be backed by the power to do something about it. So intention, knowledge and capacity all these 3 must be present if someone wants to be a well-wisher of somebody.The example is given of one stopping at an accident and seeing an injured person. He wants to help but because he is not medically trained he is unable to assist that person. He doesn't have the capacity. Although he has the intention, he doesn't have the required medical knowledge. So despite having the intention to help he is not equipped to help. The best way to help someone is to remind them of their spiritual identity and reconnect them with Krsna in love. Then we can act as real well- wishers. Krsna is the well-wisher of all living entities and His pure devotee , who is the representative of Krsna is a well-wisher.

128

Offerings from Disciples

A sadhu is described in Srimad Bhagavatam as one who is full of compassion for all living entities. Suhrt, genuine saint. Mitra is social friend, bandhu is official friend. Su-hrd, su means nice, hrd means heart, it means you truly want the good of everyone. So similarly those who become pure devotees of the Lord carry these qualities in their hearts. So what is our position in this relationship of Guru and disciple? I think it should be one of gratitude and appreciation towards our ever well- wisher. Therefore we are grateful to you for giving us shelter and for maintaining us on this path. We appreciate you for being our genuine nice hearted sadhu, for tolerating our shortcomings and for loving us unconditionally. We pray to serve you responsibly. As the Lord states in Bhagavad Gita that everything rests upon Him as pearls are strung on a thread, so too, do our lives rest on you, our very own sacred thread. We remain eternally indebted to you, Guru Maharaja. Your servants, Yasoda mayi devi dasi Nanda Maharaja dasa Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

129

130

Offerings from Disciples

Чампакалата д.д

Здравствуйте, дорогой Гурудев! Примите мои смиренные поклоны. Позвольте от всей души поздравить Вас с Днем Явления! В этот светлый день мне хочется выразить Вам бесконечную благодарность за то, что Вы привели меня в общество преданных. Оглядываясь назад, я отчетливо понимаю в каком неоплатном долгу перед Вами. Низкий поклон Вам снова и снова. Мне хочется поделиться с Вами одной реализацией. 5 июня, вечером, я пошла за ключевой водой для моих Туласи. Шел дождь, и я поскользнулась и упала на камни и сломала левую руку. Мне наложили гипс. Ночью я не могла уснуть от боли, потому что не было обезболивающих лекарств. Всю ночь я ходила и повторяла джапу. Ум все время отвлекался на боль, и я вспомнила слова Прабхупады о том, что в момент покидания тела, когда тонкое тело отделяется от грубого, становится очень больно и мы должны, пока не наступил этот момент, научиться очень сильно привязаться к Святому Имени, тогда ум не будет так отвлекаться на сильный раздражитель. И я старалась воспевать и воспевать, и боль немного утихла. Потом Према Бандху прабху сказал мне, что нужно надеяться только на милость Господа. Теперь я поняла, что нужно все время молить только о милости. Спасибо большое за этот урок. Я благодарю Кришну за этот урок. Шрила Прабхупада объясняет, что Кришна таким образом смягчает нашу очень плохую карму. Простите меня, пожалуйста, великодушно. С низким поклоном, Ваша ученица Чампакалата д.д г. Иркутск

131

Offerings from Disciples

Лакшми Чарани д.д Дорогой Гуру Махараджа, поздравляю Вас с днем Вашего явления, пожалуйста, примите мои смиренные поклоны. Вся слава Вам и Шриле Прабхупаде. Скоро Ваша Вьяса-пуджа и я благодарна Кришне, что имею такую счастливую возможность восхвалять Вас и выражать Вам свои чувства. Шрила Прабхупада в «Шримад-Бхагаватам» говорит, что отец и духовный учитель находятся на одном уровне и любое распоряжение духовного учителя должно выполняться тотчас и без промедления. Их приказы нельзя оспаривать или подвергать сомнению. Вишванатха Чакровати Тхакур говорит, что указания духовного учителя должны быть дороже жизни, смысл ведической мудрости открывается тем, кто обладает нерушимой верой в Верховную Личность Бога и своего духовного учителя. Я всей душой стараюсь следовать этим словам. Благодаря чтению книг Шрилы Прабхупады и Ваших книг, я испытываю огромное стремление улучшить свое служение и развить необходимые качества. Ежедневное внимательное повторение джапы я стараюсь сделать главной целью своей жизни и не устаю повторять это себе. Но дикие звери, живущие в моем сердце, не дают мне такой возможности. В своих ежедневных молитвах я обращаюсь к Вам даровать мне необходимые качества для внимательного воспевания Святого Имени, дать мне силы принимать страдания как милость и никогда ни при каких обстоятельствах не покидать лотосные стопы Господа и Ваши лотосные стопы. Ваши старшие ученики обладают некоторыми из Ваших качеств и потому представляют Вас – поэтому ежемесячные встречи с моими духовными братьями и сестрами так важны для меня. Я хочу обрести хотя бы искорку Ваших качеств, научиться служить преданным, Кришне неустанно, бескорыстно и принимать то, что Вы даете, а не отвергать. Я постоянно задумываюсь, над тем чем я могу порадовать Вас, какими качествами и поступками. Желаю Вам огромных успехов в Вашем служении Господу Шри Кришне и Шриле Прабхупаде. 18.07.2018 год. Ваша служанка Лакшми Чарани д.д.

132

133

Offerings from Disciples

Лаванга Манджари д.д Дорогой Гуру Махарадж! Поздравляю Вас с днем Вашего Явления! Вся Слава Шриле Прабхупаде! Вся Слава миссии ИСККОН Если бы не Шрила Прабъхупада, то не было бы ни ИСККОН, ни нас. Каждое утро перед джапой, я благодарю Шрилу Прабхупаду за то, что он привез в страны запада послание Господа Чайтаньи, создал общество Сознания Кришны, построил храмы, в которые мы можем каждое утро приходить и воспевать Святые Имена, благодарю за преданных, с которыми мы вместе служим в храме, за то, что он послал нам Вас-самого сострадательного, заботливого и бесконечно преданного миссии Шрилы Прабхупады, а Вы помогаете нам стать преданными Кришны. Раньше я думала, что получить милость гуру можно только через личное общение. Но совсем недавно, выполняя Ваше наставление (читать лекции по Бхагават Гите) я поняла величие Шрилы Прабхупады и теперь получаю огромное вдохновение от изучения книг, и вкус от служения и общения с преданными. Огромное Вам спасибо от всей нашей семьи за то, что Вы проливаете столько милости на нас через наставления и ответы на все вопросы, связанные с преданным служением. Желающая стать хоть чем то Вам полезной, Лаванга Манджари д.д. Иркутск

134

Offerings from Disciples

Кришна Лила д.д Дорогой Гуру Махарадж, Бхакти Чайтанья Свами, пожалуйста, примите мои смиренные поклоны в пыли Ваших лотосных стоп! Вся слава Шриле Прабхупаде! Вся слава Господу Чайтанье и Господу Нитьянанде! Вы примерный ученик Шрилы Прабхупады. Дорогой Гуру Махарадж, в этот чудесный день Вашего явления, который подарил нам Господь Шри Кришна, невозможно ничем отплатить и прославить Вас нашим материальным умом. Мы, живые существа, находящиеся в материальном мире, ничего не понимая, наслаждаемся и страдаем под чарами иллюзорной энергии, но Господь Шри Кришна настолько милостив к нам, что просто по беспричинной милости посылает своих чистых преданных в этот ужасный мир, где они спасают и часто рискуют своей жизнью, освобождая падшие души. Дорогой Гуру Махарадж, Ваши божественные качества невозможно описать. Вы настолько сильны, милостивы, мудры, говоря Господу Кришне, что Вы приведете нас домой. Вся слава Вам во всех трех мирах. Своей решимостью и любовью Вы открываете нам глаза и даете сильную веру в Кришну. Спасибо Вам! Ваша падшая ученица, Кришна Лила д.д г. Иркутск

135

136

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Bhaktin Anuradha Sharma nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine

nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

Dearest Gurudev, On this auspicious day, I wish you a very Happy Appearance Day. I would like to deeply thank Srila Prabhupada and Krsna for letting me have your darshan and mercy upon me. I am extremely thankful to you, for you have accepted me as your aspiring servant although I am very undeserving. And I take this very seriously. I feel extremely fortunate to have you as my spiritual father. You are the most loving, caring and gentle father any child could ask for. Since the time I first had your darshan, I have always aspired to surrender unto your lotus feet completely. And I realise that I am able to do so more and more as the days pass by. You are a very important person in my life and I feel that my life without your mercy would be incomplete. You have always showered so much mercy upon me and my family that we are able to slowly develop a stronger bond with Srila Prabhupada, yourself and Gauranga. By your immense mercy upon me, I am able to see my spiritual life taking shape. It was only when I attained stronger faith in your words and started following them seriously that I finally tasted real joy and satisfaction in Krsna Consciousness.

137

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

I constantly remember all your instructions to me and mostly try to follow them nicely. Recently, I read a quote by Srila Prabhupada, "My Guru is not ordinary, He saved me". I thought this was very deep and true, as often times I feel that you are protecting us by your mercy and you are definitely not an ordinary being. Your constant support and mercy keeps me going in my spiritual journey in spite of all the obstacles the material world throws up on me. I feel very ecstatic by your presence always. I love having your personal association as it makes me feel special like the most important moments of my existence. I am doing the very best to serve you, my beloved Gurudev, but please forgive me if I commit any offenses. I am eternally indebted to your lotus feet, what can an insignificant servant like me offer you? I only have my sincerity, determination and eternal service to offer you at your lotus feet. Therefore, I beg you to kindly accept it. Thank you once again for showering your causeless mercy upon me and my family. All glories to Sri Sri Gurudev and Sri Gauranga!!! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! Your aspiring servant, Anuradha Sharma Newcastle upon Tyne, England

138

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Bhaktin Karishma nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate bhakti caitanya-svämin iti nämine namämi bhakti-caitanyaà prabhupädänusevinam çré-vraja-dhana-mähätmya-pradarçakaà kåpärëavam

Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you dearest Guru Maharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. A very happy Vyasa Puja to you, dear Guru Maharaj. I pray to Sri Sri Nitai Mayapurchandra and Srila Prabhupada that I may always have the strength and enthusiasm to serve you Maharaj. “The tongue is a powerful weapon and the ear is a vulnerable target”. Immersed in my heart is this statement that I heard in one of your many inspiring lectures dear Guru Maharaj, and while I attentively try to chant the Holy Names, I think of these words. What better way to use the weapon to chant and cherish the Holy Name towards the vulnerable target. I feel fortunate to have the perfect example to look up to and that is you Guru Maharaj. You have many beautiful qualities, however, there are two of them that top my list of the many qualities that you have. The first is the way you tell the sweet pastimes of Radha and Krishna…

139

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

I am completely enchanted every single time I hear your lectures; you are simply the best narrator. The second quality I like is that you are so focused, grounded and determined on ensuring those that tasted the nectar of Krishna consciousness stay on the path and don’t stray off the path. I like it very much. And you have this superpower of turning any difficult situation that appears like a mountain into a molehill. Your qualities and character is admirable and when I remember the wonderful opportunities I had to associate with you and serve you, it brings a smile to my face and I wish for many more opportunities. I pray that Sri Sri Nitai Mayapurchandra keeps your health in a good condition so that you continue to inspire more conditioned living souls just like you have inspired me. You are very merciful to me, for which I sincerely thank you, dearest Guru Maharaj. I will, however, not lose this opportunity to beg for more mercy from you on this special occasion. I beg for your mercy that I may remain steadfast on this path I’ve already begun – to please and serve you and the devotees in our movement, for it is only by your mercy I can grow. I appreciate and trust you dearest Guru Maharaj. Your aspiring disciple, Karishma Cape Town, South Africa

140

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Bhaktin Kashmira Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance. I have been going through a difficult time and tried to reason why this is happening to me. I was speaking to the person involved and said that I wish I knew the Krishna conscious way of getting through this. I realised soon afterwards that my statement was incorrect. As devotees we should be Krishna consciousness at every moment; in all circumstances. For me though, in the surge of emotion, it is often difficult to respond in a Krishna conscious way. Fixated on the ‘why’ led me to an article written by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami (Back To Godhead Magazine #27-03, 1993) stating, “Why did this happen to me? Bhishma considers this a useless question. Even the exhaustive philosophical inquiries of the sages cannot ascertain the reason. A devotee can simply have faith in Krishna’s ultimate kindness, continue to worship Him with heart, mind, and words, and continue to patiently accept Krishna’s mercy in whatever form it appears, whether in happiness or distress. In this way, a devotee earns the right to return to the spiritual world.” After enquiring, Sachi Kumar Prabhu sent me a link to the class that you gave in Russia on the 12th of July about rising above the modes of material nature (SB 3.27.1), which provided some solace. You mentioned that the living entity has a constant nature and that this nature is transcendental and beyond the influence of the modes of material nature, so as a result the living entity should not be affected by any fluctuations of the modes of material nature. But we tend to become affected, “It shouldn’t be like that, but it is like that.”

141

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Through your words, I realised that I got myself into the particular situation due to claiming proprietorship. You were so right by saying that the more we are attached to enjoying some material situation the more we will suffer when something goes wrong with that situation. However it is difficult to “…be very strong and force ourselves not to become affected by the modes of nature.” You on the other hand Gurudeva are awe-inspiring. You eat, breathe and sleep Krishna consciousness. You worship Krishna with your heart, mind and words. You have dedicated your life to serving Srila Prabhupada and fulfilling his mission. You are an epitome of Krishna consciousness. I pray for your guidance and blessings to become more fixed in Krishna consciousness and in devotional service, so that I may somehow catch a glimpse of what it is like to be as you are “…just like the sun reflected on water.” Always longing for your mercy, Your aspiring disciple, Bhaktin Kashmira Port Elizabeth, South Africa

142

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Bhakta Kent Dear Gurudev, Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to all the Goswamis and Acharyas in ISKCON’s Parampara disciplic succession. Congratulations on your Vyasa Puja 2018, dear Gurudev. What an extraordinary personality you are Maharaj. You make this life of serving and sheltering so many of us with your boundless mercy and dedication. Thank you for everything Maharaj. Thank you for serving Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON so passionately. May your strength, enthusiasm and mercy continue to grow unhindered because I need you to help me make sense of the position that I find myself in, and to map the way forward on my spiritual journey, and to strengthen the lifeline that you have offered me, and that I so desperately cling to with all of my energy. Your aspiring disciple, Kent KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

143

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Bhaktine Patricia HARE KRISHNA MAHARAJA, S’il vous plait acceptez mes humbles obéissances Toute gloiress à Srila Prabhupada Cher Guru Maharaja, En ce jour particulier, je vous souhaite un joyeux Vyasa Puja. Lors d’un voyage à l’Ile Maurice pour le Boat Festival en 2014 que je vous ai vu pour la première fois, on s’est croisée, je vous ai rendu mon hommage et j’ai été attiré par votre aura. Ce jour- là, j’étais émerveillé de voir autant de Maharaja et de monde dans le mouvement pour la Conscience de Krishna aussi enthousiasme et heureux. Par la suite, je souhaitais me rapprocher d’un Maitre spirituelle. L’année dernière par la grâce de Srila Prabhupada, je suis allée en Inde. J’ai visité les temples de Krishna à Tirupati, Puri, Mayapur, Vrindavan, mais je garde un fabuleux souvenir de Govardan Parikrama que j’ai eu l’occasion de faire avec vous et les dévots. C’est dans ce lieu Saint que je vous ai demandé de bien vouloir m’accepter comme aspirant disciple et de me remettre votre Pranam Mantra, sans hésiter, vous m’avez répondu oui. Je vous remercie pour votre confiance. C’est sûr que je ferais de mon mieux pour suivre vos instructions et vous servir. Vous êtes toujours aussi dynamique et votre détermination pour la conscience de KRISHNA me fascine. C’est pour moi un grand bonheur de vous avoir comme Maitre Spirituelle. Depuis votre rencontre ma vie à pris un autre sens Je profite de votre Vyasa Puja, pour vous dire que je suis heureuse d’être à vos coté pour la première fois pour pouvoir vous le dire de vive voix (Joyeux Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaja). Merci d’être là, Merci d’exister. Une aspirante disciple, Bhaktine Patricia Ile de la Réunion

144

Offerings from Aspiring Disciples

Bhaktin Radhika nama oà visṇ ̣u-pādāya krṣ ṇ ạ -presṭ ḥ āya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracārinẹ nirviśesạ -śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tārinẹ

Hare Krishna Maharaj, A fallen person like me has no capacity to pay obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. However, I request you to please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Sri Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga! With your mercy, I am getting an opportunity to glorify you. Your glories are unlimited and my ability to glorify you is insignificant. Yet I dare to make a small attempt. Maharaj you have all the qualities of a true spiritual master. You are the embodiment of mercy. You have always been so kind and merciful. Such a large-hearted guru I have never seen so far. You are the true follower of your Guru Maharaj. On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebration, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Golokananda to please grant you good health so that you can continue preaching to the world. Maharaj I beg for a drop of your mercy. I am praying to you to please help me continue to be more serious in devotional service, and remain at the dust of your lotus feet. A most fallen soul aspiring to become your disciple, Bhaktin Radhika Mauritius

145

146

Offerings from Well-wishers

Tirumala Devi Dasi oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

Dear Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja, Please accept my most respectful obeisances at the dust of your most merciful lotus feet again and again. All glories to you Maharaja, on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Oh Maharaja, you are truly most merciful, kind and magnanimous. I cannot remember a time that you have not been in my life, somehow showering me with mercy and encouraging me in my Krsna consciousness. You have, on so many occasions replied to my childish letters with the most sweet and inspiring words, to which I simply could not find the right words to write a decent reply. I have had the fortune of your darshan on many occasions and have had the privilege of being allowed to cook for you. In all these interactions with you, I have always felt stunned by your reciprocation and kindness and never knew what to say. My mind always seems to go blank and I idiotically cannot even utter a simple, “Thank you Maharaja”. Yet, on all these occasions, nothing has ever moved my hard heart more than what you last said to me in your last letter to me, dated 14 June 2018. You said, “Krishna is giving you special mercy. It is quite amazing. You are a special soul.” I had tears in my eyes because I could not adequately express what I wanted to say when I tried to reply to you. So I decided that I would wait for your Vyasa-puja to attempt to sufficiently express what I thought when I had read that.

147

Offerings from Well-wishers

I am just an ignorant fool, but by some causeless mercy, I have had the opportunity to offer my obeisances at the dust of great devotees. From the time I was just two years old, I knew a very special Vaisnava. I used to listen to his classes. I do not know what I understood, but I listened. That special Vaisnava was you Maharaja. I sat silently in your classes listening. You had even commented on how as a just a baby I could sit silently throughout your entire class. I may not have understood much at all, but I know that those years of listening to you, has had a very significant impact on my spiritual life. I remember that as I grew older, I often thought about you and felt that you were a very great soul. When I was old enough to chant, I did, and had on many occasions, remembered you encouraging everyone to chant in your classes. I remember chanting at least 32 rounds on auspicious occasions from the age of 7. Not due to any realisation on my part or due to any understanding on the strength of the holy name, but simply because I felt deep within my heart that it would make you happy. I may not have always had the fortune of your association through your classes, but I have always felt the desire to please you, by taking seriously all that you had taught me in your classes. As a child, I always silently looked up to you and worshipped you. When I finally had my very first darshan with you in 2015 I was so grateful. The first thing you asked me that day was, “How many years have you been chanting for?” Before I could respond you quickly asked, “Twelve years?” I looked at you in silence. Then you said, “Then eight years?” I shook my head and remember not really answering your question. I felt that I had disappointed you, but was surprisingly calm about it. The next day at mangal arati, I handed you my first letter to you, in which I had explained my chanting and also my hesitation to respond to your prompts when asking me about my chanting the previous day. Then the following day at mangal arati, you asked me if I had an email address. And I still remember your kind letter to me which had brought tears to my eyes.

148

Offerings from Well-wishers

Somehow my relationship with you feels as though it has been one in which there was a very long period of separation through which I have had to silently, patiently and faithfully continue to follow your instructions, while believing that doing so would somehow please you wherever you are. You have given this silly girl so much inspiration and encouragement in Krsna consciousness and have showered this very undeserving fool with such mercy. I have nothing of my own, but somehow have the mercy of very special Vaisnavas, such as yourself Maharaja. And although I may have no strength of my own, my desire to show my appreciation to you is greater than my weakness. And although I may be ignorant, I am convinced that the greatest joy a devotee can feel must surely be when the spiritual master is truly pleased and so I will always continue to try to please you Maharaja. And for that, who would desire liberation when the greatest liberation is to serve the dust of the Lord’s pure devotees? And that is what I pray for today Maharaja, to always have the opportunity to serve your lotus feet and the lotus feet of all my spiritual master’s, who truly are special souls and whose very lives are dedicated to serving Srila Prabhupada. With love, Your servant always, Tirumala Devi Dasi Johannesburg, South Africa

149

150

Offerings from Well-wishers

Vaisnavi Mistry Dear Gurudev, I offer my humble obeisences at Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! When I was small, you gave me this beautiful name, Vaisnavi. As the years went by, I got bigger and you always gave me one of your beautiful garlands that your humble servants made and offered to you. I still have the photo of when Nanda Nandini, my sister Shaitala and I sat around you with mrdangas. All those memories that were spent together are in my heart and it will never get lost. Thank You, Maharaj, for giving me so much of mercy. From your servant, Vaisnavi Mistry (8 years old) Midrand, South Africa

151

152

Srila Prabhupada said…

Every one of us has got a certain amount of good energy derived from Krishna, and when that energy is employed under the expert direction of Spiritual Master, one's life becomes successful. That is the secret of Krishna Consciousness. The Spiritual Master must be bona fide representative of Krishna, by disciplic succession, receiving orders from the superior, and the disciple must agree to abide by the orders of the Spiritual Master. This is the simple method of spiritual advancement; if you remember this principle it will be very nice.

(Letter to Nathan Baruch, 7 August 1968)

153

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

154

All glories to HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami!

155

156