Sri Vyasa Puja 2004 Offerings from Around the World g h h All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga All Glories to Your Holy Lotus Feet! gurvvabhista-supurakam guru-ganair All glories to your divine grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Dandavat pranams forever, dear Srila Gurudev! asisa-sambhusitam Govinda Maharaj on your Vyasa Puja. cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam What else can we say? You are too wonderful for sri rupa-panthanugam Please Gurudev, accept my humble words, so all we can do is love You from afar. govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum reverences. Because of your infi- bhakty anvitam sundaram nite mercy we had your associa- Your friends and servants forever, vande visva-gurun ca divya-bhagavat-premno tion in Veracruz, and you encour- Rayarama Please accept my humble reverences to your beautiful hi bija-pradam aged us to continue trying to be Cintamani lotus feet. These lines are to congratulate you for your in charge of some service to your Maui, Hawaii birthday, this day so beautiful and sublime because of Dear Srila Gurudev, mission. We request to Lord Krsna your divine appearance in this world. I hope that it pass- that you can remain here on this planet for a long g es very well. I wish you much happiness, dear Gurudev. I am writing to you to congratu- time and that you are always healthy. late you on your Vyasa Puja. I All glories to my dear Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Your aspiring servants, hope that you have a good time on Sincerely, Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Subha Laksmi Devi Dasi (Bhagavan’s wife) this day that is so special for all Madhavi Devi Dasi Priya Devi Dasi (my daughter) the devotees around the world. I Purosottama’s wife Dear Srila Gurudev, Morelia, Mexico hope that you can come again to Mexico Mexico and I am grateful that you Please accept my dandavat pranams g allowed me to take second initiation. to your divine lotus feet. All glories h All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga to our dear Guardians. On this All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga Your servant, grand occasion I take advantage of Rasa Moy Das (13 years old) My dear Gurudev, the opportunity to tell you of my gurvvabhista-supurakam guru-ganair Subha Laksmi and Bhagavan’s son great gratitude to Lord for asisa-sambhusitam Moreli, Mexico Please accept my dandavat pranams sending us his representative, who cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam to your divine lotus feet. I’m writ- fulfills his Divine Guru’s desires perfectly and who sri-rupa panthanugam ing to congratulate you on the day gives so much mercy to so many needy souls. I want govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum h All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga of your birthday. I hope that you to tell you that I am very grateful for your infinite bhakty anvitam sundaram have a good time with all the devo- compassion with me, being so fallen. I will try to be in vande visva-guruñ ca divya-bhagavat-premno Dear Srila Gurudev, Srila Govinda Maharaj, whose tees. I want to tell you that all the charge of more in the service of your blessed mission. hi bija-pradam mercy surpasses the three worlds, devotees in Mexico are very happy Thank you for your infinite kindness in coming so far for your visit to our country. I hope that you are to give us your association in Veracruz. Dear Srila Gurudev, Oh my teacher, the Lord’s illusory energy cannot happy too, and I thank you for making the enormous take priority, embarrassed by its position. Those effort of coming here. Thank you for visiting us. Your aspiring servant, I hope you have a good time on your Vyasa Puja and that have faith in maya always speak foolishness, Bhagavan Das recover your health so that you can come here to being absorbed in thinking, “I am” and “it is mine.” Sincerely, Your servant, Morelia, Mexico Mexico again. I thank you for coming and giving us Oh Gurudev, I pray that I can remember your sacred Gaura Narayan Das (15 years old) your association and mercy. I hope to see you again, lotus feet in every time, place and circumstance. Puroshottama and Madhavi’s son g and I wish you the best. Thank you for your presence here in Mexico. Mexico All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga Your humble servant, Your insignificant servant, Amal Krishna Das (15 years old) Purosottama Das Dear Srila Gurudev, Subha Laksmi and Bhagavan’s son Mexico Morelia, México

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O Gurudev! You are a sweet and loving friend of the Is drowning the inhabitants of this Kali age h h fallen jiva-soul, and that is the reason why I have In the sacred water of the holy name. All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! been able to continue to march on his very difficult and rare path of Krishna Consciousness, year after Your unworthy servant, All glories to my divine teacher Srila Bhakti Sundar I offer to You, my dear Gurudev, year. And now once again I find myself trying to glo- Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. my dandavat pranams on this rify You on Your Holy Appearance Day, an occasion Antarjami Das most holy and auspicious day, that I continually commemorate in my life. Caracas, Venezuela My dear Gurudev, Your appearance day. I pray that I will not offend You, and I pray that I raise my eyes towards You and see my greatest Thank you for coming to Mexico. I wanted very one day I may properly serve You. fortune because only by the causeless mercy of the h much to see you. I am thankful that you have given You have given me everything, and Vaisnava’s has Krishna has granted me the shelter of Today is an important day of deep devotional me second initiation. I’m sorry that you were sick in for that I feel most blessed. service at Your lotus feet. I dare to say that, for I can significance. This is true not only because Srila Bhakti Veracruz for some days, but the good thing is that you see how my life is increasingly engaged in serving Sundar Dev-Goswami Maharaj is a world preacher rep- are already better. I hope that you have a good time on Your aspiring servant, Your cause, Your purposes and Your ideal. You have resenting a prominent , but because your birthday, and I hope you can return to Mexico. asked me to do a little something, and, although he truly embodies the merciful spirit of Sri Sri Gaura- Tunga Prema Devi Dasi imperfectly, I am trying to turn that something into . How else could it be? He is willing to risk his Your most insignificant servant, U.S.A everything in my life, in addition to the little some- frail health at an advanced age to give nourishment Hari Gopal Das (11 years old) thing that Srila Guru Maharaj asked me to do. I can to the devotees of the world and give the conditioned Puroshottama and Madhavi’s son h see how both of You are indeed the topmost bless- souls their first touch of Krishna Bhakti, igniting their Mexico Dear Srila Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda ings Srila Swami Maharaj gave to my life. spiritual lives. He is mercifully transmitting his devo- Dev-Goswami Maharaj, tional service mood through the words emanating from I am grateful to all the generous souls that are keep- his lotus mouth and by his sheer glance. He is teach- h I approach Your lotus feet prostrated, carrying in ing me engaged in serving Your Divine Grace, and I ing by the example of his oceanic-like compassion and All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga my mouth a sincere attempt to express my heartfelt also pray to them that they may continue to do so for showing how to be a genuine disciple by sacrificing all offering on this day of Your Divine Appearance in the rest of my days. provincial self-interests for the sake of the service of Dear Srila Govinda Maharaj, this mortal world. On this Vyasa Puja day, so many the Infinite Beauty and Harmony. are expressing their heartfelt love and devotion to With all my affection, the servant of Your servants, I am very happy that you came to Your Divine Grace. And as a gunda would do, I rob All this manifests as his divine service to his Mexico because it was very beau- their words and praise; for certainly they are giving Bhuvana Mohan Das Gurudev, the illustrious Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar tiful to have the association of you all praise and honor to Your Divine Grace in a very Brazil Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Despite the fact that he is and all the devotees. And now that proper and sincere way. manifesting the pastime of ill health and bodily I received my second initiation, I h weakness, he is gracing the devotees by singing want to serve the Vaisnava’s more. O graceful and generous Gurudev! You have always What can I really say, the same bhajans that he sang in the presence of I desired so much to see you and been so kind and affectionate to me, showing me special If no words in the universe can describe Srila Sridhar Maharaj. In this way all the Western now my desire is fulfilled. Thank you. I hope that honor. I cannot help but feel shy about it because I can Your inconceivable glories, devotees are being lifted up and at the same time, you had pleasure being in Veracruz. see so many anartas when I look inside myself. But at the Your inconceivable grace. being plunged into an ocean of spiritual ecstasy. He same time, I cannot but tell myself, “If Srila Gurudev is is the personification of trnad api sunicena; such is Your disciple, saying that I am that, then I cannot but be that.” Only the foolish do not repent the nature of his transcendental personality. We are Gopisvari Devi Dasi (9 years old) Upon seeing your lotus face; all witnesses to this, but who else could or would Puroshottama and Madhavi’s daughter On the one side, I am a very unfortunate soul who Even the unfortunate ones, believe it? Who can we really tell? Mexico is always making unfulfilled plans to come and visit Their wrong activities change, You and get the fortune of rolling in the dust of Your After being seen by your merciful glance. Raghavendu Das lotus feet. But on the other side I know I am very Rasangi Devi Dasi fortunate to be continuously trying, in a mood of Srila Govinda Maharaj, Srila Gurudev, Rasaraja Das separation, to do a little seva for Your pleasure. A natural vast ocean of mercy Nadia Devi Dasi Over flooded by two unlimited rains, Santa Cruz, California

40 41 Sri Vyasa Puja 2004 Offerings from Around the World

Even if there is a small moment when You feel that we Dear Srila Gurudev, so little I know You, yet Your j are also part of Your family, it would make us so happy. j beautiful smile and merciful glance, in some magi- Dear Srila Govinda Maharaj, Dandavats Srila Gurudev, cal, inconceivable and very special way, makes me We would like to celebrate Your seventy-fifth anni- feel at home and always welcome. My heart is won On this most auspicious holy day please allow me versary Sri Vyasa Puja with all our friends. On this Today we are celebrating the by Your charming and beautiful personality, and it to offer my humble obeisances at your feet. How is holy day we are bowing down with respect in front most auspicious event, Your Holy is becoming increasingly attracted and attached. it possible for this most fallen soul to glorify a pure of You, and we are bowing down with all our obedi- Appearance Day. Your Divine Vaisnava like you? I feel so lucky to be allowed your ence to Your Holy Lotus Feet. Pastimes are always inconceivable, It is said that coming in contact with a pure good company, and I feel very fortunate that you extraordinary and totally sublime. Vaisnava saint is so powerful that it can instantly are always distributing the mercy of Mahaprabhu. Eternally Your servants, One such example is that You can transform the heart of the greatest sinner and Without receiving the mercy from a pure devotee Murali Mohan Das travel so widely and give Your awaken the desire to offer their life to such a saint. of the Lord there is no possibility of understand- And devotees from SCS Maha Mantra Yoga Center Holy Self, even though it appears You show fragile This is without any doubt so true and so visible in ing the transcendental personality of Godhead. in Ankara, Turkey health. And in every situation You are always totally Your presence. You have created an International Krishna Conscious. Society of Overflowing Love and Devotion with sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu, countless communities of the most extraordinary lokanatha lokera jivana j Such total determination to serve Your Srila Guru and dedicated personalities, working in har- ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya, Dear Srila Gurudev, Maharaj is unprecedented. Serving in separation, mony to fulfill Your wish of Global Revolution, ebe jasa ghusuk tribhuvana the wonders of modern day technology, namely the Operation Sankirtan. You have sent out so many Please accept our very humble Internet service of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, remarkable and highly qualified agents to distrib- Happy birthday Srila Govinda Maharaj! respects and full dandavats at Your gives those of us who are living far away, as we are ute Sriman Mahaprabhu’s mercy worldwide. Your honorable lotus feet. We hope You in New Zealand, the opportunity to have some idea Mission is succeeding and spreading rapidly, and Your aspiring servant, have had a fabulous year and a of the massive preaching that is taking place in so is Your Grace’s fame. Maladhari Devi Dasi joyful tour, and we wish You yet North America, South America and other places that Portland, Oregon another year of continued and have recently been blessed with Your Holy Presence. Dear Srila Gurudev, You are the brightest Star in expanding love from us to You. the Gaudiya Vaisnava sky: our Guiding Star, Star j Today and everyday, may we offer with affection of Hope and Great Fortune. My Lucky Star! You All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga We always read Your books, chant the Maha Mantra our humble obeisances to our Srila Gurudev, the have appeared in this mortal world to deliver us and try to become the people that would make You foremost Vaisnava on this planet. Forever may we from a fearful and meaningless existence, from an Dear Guruji, happy. We hope someday to make You smile, at us serve You. illusion of materialistic happiness, and to engage Your small children. We will come to see You soon us in the service of the greatest servitors of the when You are in . Here is a picture of us with Humbly at Your Lotus Feet, Transcendental Realm. Like a beautiful lotus flow- Sraddha Devi Dasi who has now passed away. We er in full bloom, illuminated by moonlight, Your will bring her remains to India when we come. Das and family service and qualities resemble that of the sweet na- Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Sanga, Christchurch, New ture and qualities of Sri Rupa Manjari Herself. Your Nandanandan Das tells us that he wants to get Your Zealand constant desire to serve Your beloved Gurudev, holy diksa because You are the son of Lord Shiva and His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev- he likes Lord Shiva very much. We pray to the Lord j Goswami Maharaj, overwhelms the hearts and in- for Your good health always, dear Gurudev. Without All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga spires the lives of so many. Your charming ways You in our world our hearts would break. attract everyone and make Your desires fulfilled, Dearest and most charming Gurudev, such as the desire for Beautiful Lord Gauranga’s With all our affection on Your Holy Vyasa Puja day, all glories to You! On this most spe- wealth to be distributed everywhere without de- Your loving servants, cial occasion of Your Appearance Day, lay. Humility, tolerance and above all the sweet- Please accept our humble obeisances. If we can make Anandamurti Dasi please accept my head at Your lotus ness of Your Effulgent Being bring You the fame a service, even as small as a particle of dust, we can Purna Brahma Das feet, along with my sincere prayer to and reputation of being the most affectionate and consider ourselves the happiest people in the world. Nandanandan Das (8 years old) always seek shelter there eternally. most merciful Gurudev. Indeed no one can match New Zealand Your sweetness and all-loving nature.

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Like in a time of a drought, when all look for relief I don’t know how one survives your radiant smile. to the sky for merciful, life-giving rain to fall and j It pierces to the most inner core of my consciousness. j nourish the land, Your visit here at the Soquel Seva Dear Srila Gurudev, I lose every concept of having a human birth. Dandavat pranams to our beloved Srila Gurudev. Ashram was anticipated for a long time. Now Your presence gives great joy and happiness to all the dev- Please accept my prostrated dan- As I look into your gentle eyes, We here in Mauritius are just wishing for Srila otees here. I still cannot believe my fortune of see- davat pranams at your divine lotus I am swiftly taken away, Gurudev to be here always, for his presence in ing You on so many occasions. Although Your visit feet on this most auspicious day Being embraced by the warmest of warmth. the world of Kali Yuga is very prominent. Such a is meant to help You in recovering from ill health, of your appearance. In the Sri You speak and all I hear is soft flowing music. blessed soul can’t be found anywhere else. He is so still You have not resisted offering so much of Your Chaitanya Charitamrta there is a dear to our Parama Gurudev and to the Lord and sweet association. You grace this land with so many beautiful analogy which elucidates This is music that is distant to my ears, Srimati Radharani. We just don’t have any words wonderful pastimes filled with joy and laughter. In the rarity of a jiva soul finding yet so melodious. to express our feelings for our dear-most Srila Your presence, the beauty of this land and the beauty shelter at the lotus feet of a genuine Spiritual Master. The mood is so vibrant and joyous. Gurudev. Only one thing can be said: We love you of all the devotees intensify by a million times—such The comparison is made to a tortoise swimming in I am taken aback by the most astonishing beauty. very very very much. is Your transcendental power and influence. the ocean and popping its head up to get a breath of air, only to find out that its head is now lodged Not in a million life times could I have been prepared. From, Dearest Gurudev, I’m hoping against hope that some in a knot hole within a single piece of wood that is Not even if your devotees could describe your effulgence, fortunate day, in the not-too-distant future, I will floating on the surface of that great body of water. If Would I ever dream of such beauty. Chit Ghnanand Das be able to offer my life in Your service the way You I could even partially comprehend my great fortune Anandmoy Das and family will be most pleased with, and become closer to and of having contacted you in this life, I would no doubt Nothing in this mundane world can compare more familiar with Your Glorious Family. Although become so overwhelmed that I would faint in ecstasy. to your splendor. I am grossly unqualified in every possible way to be I feel so inadequate and useless in your presence, j in the association of devotees, and despite my count- By serving you we have been given the inconceiv- Yet your merciful mood makes me feel welcome. All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga less shortcomings and offenses, Your extraordinary able opportunity to assist Srila kindness and mercy is still reaching me, helping me Prabhupada in his mission to spread Sri Gauranga Seeing you for the first time awakened my soul. Dearest Srila Gurudev, to withstand trials and tribulations, to overcome dif- Mahaprabhu’s glories throughout this world. I pray Being with you for the first time nourished my soul. ficulties and continue in my baby steps to serve You to Lord Nityananda that I may be an instrument in Serving you always is the desire of my soul. Happy Vyasa Puja! All glories to your holy lotus and be a part of Your Glorious Mission. For that kind- directing other lost tortoises to your lotus feet as feet. We wish we could be with you to celebrate this ness I am eternally grateful to You, Sweet Gurudev. they lift their heads out of the ocean of nescience in Your useless servant, most auspicious occasion, as you are with us every search of divine guidance. I pray to remain eternally Raman Das day. We thank you for your causeless mercy and On this most beautiful occasion of Your Appearance engaged in the service of your sincere devotees. Santa Cruz, California the inconceivable blessings that you shine upon our Day please grace me with the wisdom and desire to family. We hope to receive your association again by serve Your lotus feet birth after birth. Please do not Your insignificant servant, your divine grace. ever leave me. All glories to You, Srila Gurudev, dear- Sudha Krsna Das j most friend, well-wisher to all, life-giving force, and Soquel, California Dear Srila Gurudev, Wishing you a happy appearance day, with many shower of mercy! obeisances and much affection, Please, accept my humble obeisances At Your lotus feet again and again, j on Your Appearance Day! It is hard for Krsna Sundar Das Your most undeserving servant, All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! me to believe in the fortune with which Krsna Mita Devi Dasi Enakshi Devi Dasi You have blessed me, because I have Rohininandan Das California Oh how your eyes shine so no special qualities. I ask only for Your South Africa brightly as you smile at me. Grace so that my life can be in service to My heart just melts and I feel not the ones who are dear to You. of this universe. Your depth of affection makes me With love and respect, cry in bliss. Gandharva Dasi Ukraine

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of the divine grace extended to us by our dear eternal j j j father, His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj. Deep All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga in our heart, we thank you very much for your tran- Dearest Govinda Maharaj, scendental kindness. Srila Gurudev ki jaya! All glories to your divine appear- All glories to the Holy Vyasa Puja of Srila Bhakti ance day Srila Gurudev! Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Please accept our most humble obeisances at your Always at your service, lotus feet. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Gokulananda Das My humble dandavats to you, Dear Srila Gurudev, Today is the most auspicious day of your divine Yasoda Mati Devi Dasi Srila Gurudev! Very often I think appearance. We would like to again thank you for Priya Dasi of writing to you to express my Please accept my dandavat pranams to Your Holy Feet. allowing us to take shelter at your lotus feet. We so Laksmi Priya Dasi gratitude for having accepted We do not know how the mercy has come to us to have much appreciate your loving mercy. Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram, Philippines me as your disciple. But when I read the won- the connection of a spiritual master – a real Guru – in derful letters of all the other Vaisnava’s who are this world, this difficult world. We are not qualified I really appreciate that when I visited you in Calcutta always engaged in service, they seem so inspired. to have all the blessings You have given us. We don’t in February 2004, as soon as you heard my voice, j Their words are so full of poetry and they are so have the correct vision because of our contaminated you came out and hugged me in spite of your busy All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga loving, that I feel I’m not able to express with my eyes. But despite this, by Srimati Radharani’s will, schedule. It was just like Lord Krishna receiving his broken English all the love and gratitude I feel You have come to us to give Your Saintly Association, friend Sudama. We pray to Lord Krishna that your Dear Srila Guru Maharaj, for you. Yet, there is a line I chant daily, and on together with the Guru Parampara: Srila Bhakti Raksak health improves so we can get your divine associa- every occasion I see your sweet smiling face in Sridhar Maharaj, Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, tion longer. Please accept my humble respects and well wishes. my mind. I would like to chant this to you on this Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, and Bhaktivinod I wish you a very happy birthday. I will be thinking auspicious day: Thakur. In spite of Your health, You came to Mexico for Your loving disciples, of you on your special day. the inauguration of the new temple in Veracruz. Radharani Devi Dasi ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya Krishna Keshava Das Love, ebe jasa ghusuk tribhuvana Historically, Veracruz is the first place where the con- U.S.A Kevala Bhakti Devi Dasi querors (the Spaniards) arrived, about 550 hundred Canberra, Australia When I look back to what my life was a couple years ago, together with the first priests to teach the j of years ago, before I met you, I can’t understand Christian doctrine to the natives. Now, the first temple of All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! j what meaning it had. How could I have been living Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math has been constructed and All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga without Krishna Consciousness? Who was I? The inaugurated there by Your inspiration and Srila Sridhar My Dearest Srila Govinda Maharaj, Gandharvika Giridhari! only important occurrence in my life was having Maharaj’s grace. Your Lotus Feet are stamped there. Your met you and the devotees. You have made my life Lotus Mouth told us when You first arrived at the temple My humble self, my wife and All glories to the Divine Appearance Day of Sri Srila real! Thank you! in Vera Cruz, “You had a dream with the revelation of my two children humbly Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj! the names of the Deities—Nanda Nandana.” offer our most respectful I am so fallen that it’s hard to understand how obeisances to our beloved Dearest Srila Gurudev, elevated and divine your position is, but I am sure For this reason, Krishna has sent You to the whole world. eternal father. Of all sin- your glories are now being proclaimed throughout With your merciful heart, you are now the conqueror of ners, we are the most fallen, Please accept our humble obeisances at Your holy the three worlds. My eyes can’t see the reality, but this era for all the jiva souls who associate with You. In but our spiritual master has and beautiful lotus feet, by whose mercy we may my heart can feel your blessings. Your association we feel secure that nothing bad will hap- opened our eyes with an unlimited supply of tran- know full surrender to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga. pen to us. We pray to God for Your fast recovery, and we scendental knowledge. On this auspicious day of our Your eternal servant, pray that You are healthy and comfortable for many years Gurudev’s appearance, we express our eternal appre- Srila Gurudev, we are the most fortunate souls in to come. Thank You for everything. My father sends You ciation for His Divine Mercy in initiating us into Sri the three worlds to have Your divine, loving and all Chaitanya Mayi Devi Dasi his greetings and dandavat pranams to Your Holy Feet. Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Our initiation is now our encompassing presence here at Your Sri Chaitanya Brazil most treasured possession. Our effort to try to serve Saraswat Seva Ashram in Soquel Dham on this holy A fallen soul, Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga is now the innermost and joyous day. Indeed this place is a Holy Dham Srimati Devi Dasi essence of our life. Our life now has meaning because because You are here giving blessings and inconceiv- Mexico City ably more association despite Your ill health. You are

46 47 Sri Vyasa Puja 2004 Offerings from Around the World telling us how divine this land is and how You feel With love, ity to properly catch the true glories presented there. You are in Vrindavan when You are here. Rabeling Only by descending causeless grace may any of these j Holland truths become fully available to our poor hearts. In My beloved Lord, my beloved vrndavana haita sresta govardhana saila, the meantime, we have heard the glories of the Lord Gurudev, my beloved father and giridhari gandharvika yatha krida kaila j and the power of the Holy Name through the saints owner of my heart: have a happy All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga and their writings, and we have similarly heard birthday! By the grace and the We can only pray to one day fully appreciate Your your glories through such faultless all-nourishing eternal blessing of Srila Prabupada divine vision. The divine play of the sweet Absolute Sri Vyasa-Puja channels. It is therefore our eternal great fortune and Srila Guru Maharaj we have is ever present in Your beautiful face, Your charm- to have the chance to chant the Names and glories you, and by your causeless mercy ing smile and Your wonderful laugh. Your deep Seventy-fifth Appearance Anniversary of Srila Bhakti of the Supreme Lord and of His dear-most devotees. you have given us hope and shelter. Thank you, knowledge of Srila Guru Maharaj and the scripture Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj thank you Gurudev for giving me this opportunity captures our hearts. Like sunflowers facing the sun- In your own words: “The Hare Krishna Mahamantra to engage in your devotional service. Thank you for light, everyone must bow their heads to You. You are I offer my full obeisances to the and so many other mantras are revealed in the giving us Sri Sri Parama Karuna Nitai Gauachandra. so humble that You make everyone feel welcome and divine lotus feet of Srila Bhakti Sundar . We may not know their meaning but by Thank you for coming to Parama Karuna Land and loved despite our many shortcomings. Indeed You Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, chanting them the meaning is revealed.” covering all of us, including the dogs, with your are the personification of humility, honor and toler- the true refuge for all sincere aspi- blessing. All glories to your moonlike lotus feet, ance. The many offenses we offer You become service rants of Krishna Consciousness in On this special day of your seventy-fifth Anniversary and all glories to your unlimited compassion on the by Your merciful glance. this world. Devotees everywhere are Sri Vyasa-Puja, I am reciting your Pranam Mantram fallen souls of this material world. You are the great accustomed to daily chanting your and its translation slowly and deliberately, knowing Acharyya; you are Lord Nitai himself. We pray on this and all days that You will be healthy Pranam Mantram, and especially on this day we try to it to be the perfect description and glorification of and pain-free, for we selfishly wish to have Your catch the very substance of this wonderful composition Your Divine Grace. Additionally, with full heart I Now I promise to you to continue with the Harinam divine guidance for many more years so that we may in your glorification: pray to be given an eternal place of service to Your sankirtan program in the hospitals and in the street. try to become human servants of Their Beautiful Divine Grace and to Srila Guru Maharaj, Srila Bhakti I will do whatever is necessary to attract you and Divine Lordships and dance in the glorious sankir- gurvvabhista-supurakam guru-ganair Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Although bring you again very soon, maybe for Gaura Purnima tan of Sri Krishna Chaitanyadev. asisa-sambhusitam you appear here, your residence is in another plane; to Parama Karuna Land. By your grace everything is chintyachintya-samasta-veda-nipunam the plane described first-hand and so beautifully in possible. Happy Vyasa Puja Day! Please accept my All glories to Srila Govinda Maharaj! All glories to sri-rupa-panthanugam your discourses and in your life. eternal dandavats at the dust of your lotus feet. Srila Guru Maharaj! govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum bhaktyanvitam sundaram With countless qualified souls grandly chanting Your daughter and servant, Your servants in Soquel, vande visva-gurun cha divya-bhagavat-premno your glories accompanied by obeisances and prayers, Amita Devi Dasi Krsna Priya Dasi and family: hi bija-pradam my own unqualified attempts may seem lost in that Caracas, Venezuela Vyasadeva Das ocean. But the Lord is both praised and prayed to by Chitra Devi Dasi “I worship the holy lotus feet of he who perfectly infinite numbers of souls, and yet He is able to hear j Dhruva Das fulfils the most cherished wish of his Divine Master; each one. And you have that capacity. Therefore, All glories to you, Gurudev, my dear-most beautiful, Janavi Devi Dasi who is adorned resplendently with the blessings of although this year I am on the opposite side of the loving Master on this most auspicious day. Damayanti Devi Dasi his Guru varga; who is adept in all vedic conceptions, world offering praise and prayers to your lotus feet, Tulasi Nandini Devi Dasi both conceivable and inconceivable; who is the faith- I have much hope that you may still accept them by Please accept my dandavat pranams to your transcen- ful follower in the line of Sri Rupa; who is known as your gracious and infinite capacity. dental lotus feet, which are the only shelter for the Srila Govinda Maharaj; whose beautiful divine fig- most fallen like me. Your brilliantly sweet smile, your j ure revels in the mellows of divine love; who is the With full obeisances directly in front of Your Divine divine jokes and stories, the wonderful bhajans you All glories to You, Dear Srila Govinda Maharaj. Guru of the entire universe and the bestower of the Grace, though physically over 13,000 kilometres sing, the effulgent golden glow which emanates from seed of Divine Love for the Supreme Lord.” away, I am here, your aspiring servant, your body, your unending glories and the most pow- I’m so grateful to have met You in London. What erful Grace you give make it possible for us to go on, more is there to say but to thank You with all my We repeat the Mahamantra yet can barely touch a Mahananda Das Bhakti Ranjan and be so thankful for the opportunity you give us to heart being here in this world. I wish You all the best drop of the true qualities contained there, and we Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip serve you and Srila Guru Maharaj in this perfect mis- and hope for Your good recovery. repeat your Pranam Mantram, also feeling the inabil- sion of the glorious Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

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I cannot understand that I have been so unbelievably Sri Antaratma Das many other spiritual qualities without any mundane fortunate that you have let me be an aspiring servant j (I love this name you gave me, that’s really me!) impurities. This is the ideal that I should dedicate of you and your associates, and that you let me be with Dear Guru Maharaj, Brazil and Holland myself to. your devotees, who are so dear to you and serve you with all their different qualities and personalities. We are paying our dandavat pranams unto your j So I hope that, by your mercy, my improper, offen- Divine Lotus Feet. We are your surrendered souls Dear Srila Gurudev, sive following of your directions will not obstruct My only hope is that you will keep giving me and also dependent upon your mercy. Srila Gurudev, my attempt to get some mood of devotion and spirit the benediction to serve you, Gurudev, and Guru you are our only shelter. Again and again we pay our When we got some connection of dedication. I also hope that you will always merci- Maharaj, in this exclusively sweet and blissful line. dandavat pranams unto your Divine Lotus Feet. with Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math fully send your dearest disciples to all world regions, I wish that some day I will stop making all these Happy Sri Vyasa Puja, dear Srila Gurudev. we found out what is Grace and who can by your Grace treat us for our mundane dis- awful offenses that make me such a bad servant, and Mercy. The opportunity to serve ease and external understanding of what is Krishna that I will get the strength to at last burn all this ter- Your servants, your mission makes our life full of Consciousness. Without the holy association of your rible karma of mine properly. Thank you so much, Tribhuvanath Das real sense. So please let us become dearest devotees it is impossible for me to make any Gurudev, for appearing to all of us and letting us be Geeta Devi Dasi attached to your lotus feet to de- progress in Krishna Consciousness. Sorry for such with the most perfect devotee of Srila Guru Maharaj Saraswati Devi Dasi velop all qualities necessary for devotional service. an offering in which I cannot offer you anything and Sri Krishna. Please forgive me and my offences Little Triveni Devi Dasi substantial. for not being able to see your glories properly. Ruditya Those who desire very much to be your disciples, Vita and Oleg Srila Govinda Maharaj ki jaya! Jaya Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami j Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine Maharaj ki jaya! All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! Swarup Das j Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine Jaya Srila Govinda Maharaj’s Appearance Day ki jaya! All glories to Sri Vyasa Puja! Dear Srila Gurudev, Oh my very dear Srila Gurudev, j With my humble obeisances, Please accept my dandavat pranams. All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! Rasa Mayi Pandita It’s quite a task to express what I feel in my heart Only by your Causeless Mercy I Holland when I think of you. I’ll try my best! I feel most for- have the opportunity to write this Dear Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- tunate, for I have met you in such a special way in offering on your Appearance Day. Goswami Maharaj, j this lifetime. By your mercy, I received Sri Harinama Actually I cannot write it properly, All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga and diksa from you. Thank you so much for all so I am just trying not to express Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances the infinite and increasing mercy I have in my life. something mundane. and congratulations on the day of Sri Vyasa Puja, Your Jaya Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Appearance Day! We are always happy to hear You, Maharaj. I shall smile in deep happiness whenever I remember Only by your Grace I got the opportunity a year ago see You, read Your books, and remember You because the super nice hugs you gave me. The moment we to unexpectedly meet your devotee. It was Akinchan these are the only things that are of value, inspira- Please accept my dandavat first met in Sri Nabadwip Dham was in the auspicious Maharaj, who was extremely kind to me all the tion and happiness for our souls! We are happy for pranams. I am humbly seeking presence of great Vaisnava’s like Sripad Sagar Maharaj time until he left Russia. He told me, “Srila Govinda the sannyasis that are preaching and always ready to the blessing of Srila Gurudev, and and other godbrothers, friends and disciples of yours. Maharaj is the kindest and the most merciful person share with us their knowledge of scriptures. They tell humbly seeking the blessing of all A few months ago, after my short visit to California, I know.” I did not speak good English at that time of their wonderful impressions about You and their the Vaisnavas. Happy Appearance you thanked me in a very sweet way. May these and therefore all I understood from his long speech service to You in all temples, tours and programs. You Day, Srila Gurudev. meaningful transcendental vibrations be the essence to me was that Srila Govinda Maharaj is that rare teach us how to serve the Lord. of my heart. Please keep on blessing me so that I can person who can give you the real shelter and refuge. Sincere and humble regards, really bring in my heart Sri Harinama’s potencies, and I always remember with warmth and gratitude Your Shantanu Ram Das and Family please accept my efforts as a true affectionate offering! After that holy association of your devotee I felt that kind-heartedness, Your causeless mercy, You initiat- Jayaram Prahbu Thank you so much, dear Srila Gurudev! I had found what I was searching for. I found in your ing me in mantras, Your instructions, your blessings Singapore devotee, and then in you, the substantial humility, on devotional service in Krishna Consciousness. Always yours, tolerance, respect, kindness, charm, wisdom, affec- Though my service is insignificant, I hope, with tion, devotion, surrendered spirit, mercy, grace and deep faith in You and in Krishna Consciousness, that

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Your Mercy and the mercy of the devotees will help Bharati Maharaj, who helped us in cultivating our faith me overcome my material qualities and consciously and preaching efforts. They share Your Mercy with j j do my service to satisfy You and Your devotees. everyone who is aspiring to join the Mission of Lord Dear Srila Gurudev, Our Dearest Srila Gurudev, Chaitanya. Donetsk had not experienced this before. Your disciple, Previously, Goswami Maharaj and Akinchan Maharaj Your ability to effortlessly harmo- By the mercy of Krishna one gets Guru and by the Anindita Devi Dasi sowed the spiritual seeds in the Donetsk soil, and nize any environment and all hap- mercy of Guru, one gets Krishna. All signposts in Russia suddenly this year such an unbelievable force grew penings through Krishna Bhakti Heaven or on this Earth that claim to help the souls —we went from several devotees to several dozens delights all the devotees, serving as find their way within this dark world are only plays j of devotees. It is no doubt Your special Mercy to the a constant reminder to me of what of illusion, leading us round and round with no real Dear Srila Gurudev, most fallen. We want to express to You our gratitude little capacity I have and in which progress possible. But your inconceivable and incom- and thank You, Srila Gurudev, because You show- direction my aim should be. parable causeless affection is beautiful divine reality. Please accept my humble dandavat ered Your mercy on this demoniac place and spilled pranams at your lotus feet. I just the rays of spiritual light. Your good-humored and always steadfast dedication And all so-called auspiciousness within this land of want to say on this most auspi- to the service of Your own most-worship-able Guru shadows is like the light of a glowworm by which no one cious day that you for me are a big On the day of Your Appearance we wish You strong Maharaj sets the standard of devotion, which, while can find his way. But the light of your divine instruc- “YES!” What my heart searched health and continuation of Your successful preach- unattainable for me, I pray to always strive for in tions is eternal. It is our purification and our goal. for during millions of lifetimes I’ve ing. From our side we just want to be useful in Your deed and word. Your Divine association enlivens found in you, the service to you endeavors to spread Krishna Consciousness all over even the hardest of hearts and charms everyone who The well wishes of drugged inhabitants of this land and your devotees. May your family be joyful with the world and locally. Please accept our congratula- is fortunate enough to achieve it. of dreams are like the attempt of a small child to blow you on this holy day. tions and humble obeisances. a sailing ship across a vast ocean. They are only fool- Aspiring to be Your servant, ish play. But those whose hearts have attained grav- Your insignificant disciple, Your servitors in Donetsk, ity see your well wishes as the force that brings the Munindra Mohan Das Ukraine Murali Mohan Das soul instant relief from the ocean of illusion. There Italy Santa Cruz, California is no journey to be made for the ocean is reduced. j Dear Srila Gurudev, j The rays of the sun touch the Earth, while not in any j Dearest Srila Gurudev, way contaminated by its dirty places. So you walk All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! Please accept dandavat pranams from the devotees among us, dear Gurudev, with no contamination, in in Zaporizhzhia. By Your Grace we now have the Who can weigh the value of the gift that you bring? spite of our dirty condition. Nothing in this world Dear Srila Gurudev, opportunity to gather for namahatta and try to glo- Who can know the meaning of the songs that you sing? can melt the heart of the living entity, but your dear rify the Lord, Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas. Who can feel the depths of the kindness in your heart? affectionate dealings can gradually melt the heart of Who can see the grace in every shadow of your face? even someone made of stone, as I am. You know my The flow that inspires us on joint service endeavors No one and everyone—a riddle, to be sure. foolishness, my dishonesty, my stubbornness, and is the periodical meetings with Your dearest devotees, my dullness to not recognize the offences that I com- our beloved teachers. Without their association we You, our inconceivable Srila Gurudev, Shining in mit again and again. So I beg to know my wrongs, have no hope and no strength, no firm faith. Therefore, the light of your beloved Srila Guru Maharaj, to see by seeing in you the gentleness of spiritual we always pray for their powerful association. On this most holy of days, I fall before your lotus feet nature and life, the sweet nature of mercy. Krishna With a prayer: kindly engage me in your service. is the abode of sweetness and divine love. One can Please accept dandavat pranams from your disciples Avadhut Maharaj gave hope to us; he said that You read this again and again but only by the sweet in Donetsk, Ukraine. In May of this year, at the time of have blessed the Vaisnava Festival in Zaporizhzhia. One fallen soul, with fortune in your grace, nature of your dealings has it been possible for any Sripad Avadhut Maharaj’s first visit, the namahatta was It is unbelievable for us, but we get some under- Sri Govinda Das of us to begin to catch the fragrance of that truth. formed here. Now regular programs are carried out. standing of Causeless Mercy because of that. U.K On this holy day of your appearance in this plane Since then, approximately fifteen people have taken With love and respect, we cannot but feel overwhelmed with gratitude initiation and the shelter of your lotus feet. We were All of us from Zaporizhzhia, that such souls as you have come here, by the sweet also fortunate to receive Avadhut Maharaj again and Ukraine

52 53 Sri Vyasa Puja 2004 Offerings from Around the World nature of your hearts to such a place as this just to course Srila Sridhar Maharaj could be heard upstairs rescue us, your servants. I cannot say more, but my With the guidance of our siksa Guru, Sripad showering the sweetest Krishna conception upon the d head is bowed to your lotus feet and I pray to the Adhoksaja Das Bhakti Bhusan, the inhabitants of heads of all those who gathered at his lotus feet, but All glories to the dear associate of Lord Nityananda. Lord that I will find a place there forever. Mauritius got the chance to have the darshan of Srila also downstairs in full service to that upper world, All glories to the embodiment of Lord Chaitanya’s Gurudev. and, as always, guarding it from disturbance, Srila mercy, who is very close to the Emperor of Gurus, Your foolish servant, Govinda Maharaj could be happily heard sweetly Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Srilekha Devi Dasi May my Gurudev, my best and only eternal well- in command of his zone. Externally, just everyday U.K. wisher be satisfied with this humble offering. sounds of him running here and there, shouting My dear Srila Gurudev, some order, stopping some squabble, arranging some d A humble servant, accommodation, overseeing some building work, Today on your Vyasa Puja, we can Dearest Srila Gurudev, Devasananda Das chasing some dog and no doubt far more than I can just say that to stay in a little place Mauritius conceive of. But all this was not just background in your sweet heart means every- Happy Vyasa Puja! Please accept noise! This ‘noise’ was divine. They were the sounds thing to these big rascals, and my humble dandavats especially on d of pure devotion, which is the glory of my Gurudev. that to be here in your time is the this auspicious day. I cannot con- Sri Vyasa Puja Offering to my Divine Master Srila most fortunate opportunity, and ceive of how fortunate I must be to Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj one that is very difficult to obtain. be able to receive your darshan. ki jaya! It is only because of your magnanimous love, like gurvvabhista-supurakam guru-ganair Lord Nityananda’s, toward the most fallen souls that Your aspiring, insignificant servant, asisa-sambhusitam I am bewildered by why you continue to be so mer- one can have a small glimpse of the high wisdom cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam ciful to me but am glad and grateful that you are! that you give. Ishvari Devi Dasi sri-rupa-panthanugam Again with my obeisance at your lotus feet, your U.K. govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum aspiring servant, We are nothing, and very unqualified to say some- bhakty anvitam sundaram thing about you, but we thank you for giving us the d vande visva-gurun ca divya-bhagavat-premno Krishnachandra Das opportunity to spend some time at your lotus feet. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga hi bija-pradam U.K. Thank you for allowing us to be present in this beau- tiful pastime of yours. This pastime is so rare that for Glory to the lotus feet of our Whilst listening to a tape recording of a talk given by d many kalpas the demigods pray to be a part of it so Srila Gurudev, Om Visnupada His Divine Grace Srila Sridhar Maharaj, I heard the Dear Srila Gurudev, that they can have a chance to go to Goloka in your Paramahamsa Jagad-Guru Srila glory of my Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda intimate line of Sri Rupa Goswami. Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Srila Sridhar Maharaj didn’t On this very special day I send Goswami Maharaj! actually say anything directly about Srila Govinda you my most sincere obeisances. If there is something to be said, it is that your divine Maharaj on this occasion. Perhaps he felt he didn’t You know, I really am not a good grace bestows your associates with this special mood May we have many more days with need to. Neither was there any mention of Srila devotee. I don’t know one word of sweetness that makes us feel so happy, harmoni- our most beloved Srila Gurudev, who came from Govinda Maharaj by any of those fortunate enough of , one song or even one ous, and like a big family. All your dear disciples try Goloka to give us the sweetest nectar of our lives. to have Srila Guru Maharaj’s darshan that morn- prayer. But even though I am not to get that mercy of Sri Krishna Himself, which is It is by the Grace of Srila Gurudev that the flood of ing. In fact, from what I could hear, Srila Govinda a good devotee, when I chant manifested in you. You only have love to give, and in love for Sri is inundating the Maharaj’s name wasn’t even mentioned once. Still, Krishna’s name I feel some warmth and steadiness, the same way, you are touched by affection. If at any whole universe. The greatest gift His Divine Grace from that recording I heard clearly the glory of my and I know it is only you who I can thank for that. time we have pleased your servants a little, our mun- Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj Srila Gurudev. Every day I take time to remember your kindness dane and empty lives will have been successful. has given to the entire planet is his dear-most servi- and the promise I made when you gave me initiation, tor, His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj, who is I once heard Srila Gurudev happily say, “Upstairs and I will always try to live up to that. Our family prays for your health and we hope to the personification and reservoir of all his nectarine was Srila Guru Maharaj’s zone and my zone was get your holy association for many more years. Srila teachings. Anyone who sincerely surrenders at his downstairs!” So on this particular morning, it Anindita Devi Dasi Gurudev, we are all your servants, and we only desire lotus feet will immediately feel the cooling rays of sounded to me as if things were going on as they U.K. your sweet prasadam. We hope to have the chance millions of moons and be automatically surcharged always had, day in and day out since the very begin- very soon, by your grace, to have your nice Darshan, with the beauty of divine love. ning of time at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Of and that your blessings come to us so we can see you

54 55 Sri Vyasa Puja 2004 Offerings from Around the World for many lives. We hope that whenever you appear Your Grace and Your Glories through the Internet. Madhukanta Das anywhere, we can be dust at your sweet lotus feet. The pictures and the impressions coming from all Jay Madhava Das d Thank you Gurudev. Please excuse our offences. over the world reveal to us and teach us how, by Chaitanya Das Dear Srila Gurudev, transforming our lives towards dedication and loyal Laksminath Das Your fallen servants of your servants, service to the lotus feet of Sri Guru, we can receive Gour Das Please accept my most humble obeisances at your the highest benefit. Gouri Devi Dasi divine lotus feet. On this holy day of your appearance Nityananda Rama Das Jaganath Prasad Das I hope to have the chance to properly see that you are Krishna Jayanti Devi Dasi Dear Srila Gurudev, through Your endless grace Bhakta Staffan my only shelter. I’m hopeless, but I still hope to get the Ragunath Das and mercy, may all the obstacles on our path, aris- opportunity to serve the devotees, by your mercy. Lalita Sakhi Devi Dasi ing from our egos and minds, disappear. May we d Nitai Rama Das perceive the harmony in serving the center. May All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! Your useless servant, Colombia Your guidance and blessings be with us, and may we have the great fortune of receiving and serving Your Dearest Guru Maharaj, Advaya-Krishna Das d Grace here in Turkey. Please accept our obeisances at Please accept my most humble dandavat pranams Italy gurvvabhista-supurakam Your lotus feet on this grand occasion once again. at your soft lotus feet. I wish there were words to guru-ganair asisa-sambhusitam express the feelings of my heart, and that my heart d cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam On behalf of the Turkish devotees, your humble was able to feel something real. To our beloved Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda sri-rupa-panthanugam servant, Dev-Goswami Maharaj. govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum Ramaray Das On this day, so many highly qualified Vaisnavas will bhakty anvitam sundaram certainly glorify your indescribable qualities of sac- If it were not for you vande visva-gurun ca divya-bhagavat-premno d rifice, dedication, humility and tolerance in a more We’d be still be floundering hi bija-pradam All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Krishna and appropriate way than I. It is my prayer that I will In this vast ocean of maya, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai! always have their holy association and the opportu- Dashing ourselves on deadly Dear Srila Gurudev, All Glories to His Divine Grace nity to serve them. You are definitely the incarnation Rocks of misconception and ignorance, Srila Govinda Maharaj! of your divine Guru’s teachings, the most precious Landing on false islands of illusion, With what might be pure in me, I offer my respect- jewel that he gave to the world. I actually have no Those mirages of reality, ful dandavats, beg for Your mercy, and pray for Dear Srila Govinda Maharaj, idea of the greatness, position and glories of your Foreign lands which imitate our real homeland. Your good health on the glorious occasion of Your Personality, which is something that only you and You helped us see the marauding pirates of the mind Appearance Day. Please accept our most humble obeisances at Your your Guru fully know. Still, whatever by your mercy Who pose as our well-wishers, Holy Lotus Feet! We want to send our best wishes I have understood and seen is enough for me to hope But who are ready and poised to plunder. A fallen soul You kindly didn’t refuse, to You on this happy day that is Your appearance and pray that life after life, I’ll have a corner in your Devouring sharks of desire Madhana Mohana Das day. We hope that You are in better health and will heart and in your service group. Threaten our spiritual existence, be able to enjoy the celebrations. How sad it is that Preventing us from reaching d we are not able to enjoy Your sweet company and However insignificant it may be, I send all my affec- The safety of the Lord’s Lotus Feet. All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga the association of all the great devotees. But in our tion and love to you on this supremely auspicious hearts You are always present and giving us guid- day, hoping that you will accept my humble offering Venerable Acharyyadev, Dear Srila Gurudev, ance. And that we truly need! Please give us Your and always forgive all my offences. You have steered us well and clear mercy although we are so fallen, and let us have an Of those obstacles. Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus opportunity to do any seva at all. We certainly need Your daughter, And now from our vantage point feet. On this most happy occasion of Your Divine it if we will be able to see any meaning in this low Krishna Kanta Devi Dasi We can see the safety of the distant shore Vyasa Puja, all our prayers and meditations are on life we are living. Please accept our best wishes and Italy Of service. You and Your rapid recovery. affectionate love! How fortunate We are to have you Dear Srila Gurudev, the Turkish devotees wish to From Your humble servants in Malmö, Sweden, As captain of our ship. express their gratitude to all the honorable Vaisnavas Prema Moy Das who provide the whole world with a connection of Lila Moyee Devi Dasi

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Through your merciful Grace for Sri Krishna. All glories to your Holy Name, essence You have taken us out of the doldrums. d and wisdom. Oh friend of the unprotected, Oh incar- d You have eased our suffering. I am unable to compose an offering of any substance. nation of mercy, support of the fallen souls. Wonderful All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga We fall at your lotus-like feet Despite your unlimited mercy and compassion, I am Guru, your life is service, an example of devotion. Time and time again firmly situated here in the mundane platform. When Bonafide Guru, dearest and most surrendered soul to All glories to His Divine Grace Begging your mercy, will the day come when I will sing your glories the Lord, your thoughts are absorbed incessantly in Om Visnupada Parmahamsa- Pleading our case. throughout the entire creation, having realized the the pastimes of chanting the Glories of God! Parivrajakacharyya-Varyya Please accept our humble offering, Srila Gurudev worth of the gift that you have come to distribute on Asttotara-Sata-Sri Srimad Of praise and veneration. behalf of your Gurudev and Gauranga Mahaprabhu? Mrdangas and karatals are accompanying the holy Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- I beg that somehow you can find it in your heart sound of kirttan, harmonizing with the transcenden- Goswami Maharaj Blessed is this day. to keep me in your mission and connected to that tal chanting of the blessed names of Sri Hari. These Let the world rejoice. divine flow that is coming down through you. notes are spreading in the ether, banishing the suf- All glories to your dearest followers, because it is for Denizens of the entire cosmos fering and the illusory attachment of man, who be- them that your grace flows from the eternal spring. All Gather around. Your servant, lieves the world exists for his satisfaction! The most glories to the fresh and holy lotus feet of my dearest We are here to give thanks, Krishna Kishore Das pure and wise of the sadhus, greatly qualified to fol- Srila Gurudev, who gives the conclusive and intimate Recounting numerous loving pastimes London, England low the process of Sri Chaitanya through the joyful truth of the Supreme Lord Sri Gauranga Sundar. Of the best among Gurus, Mahamantra, manifest yourself, please, in the hearts Our very special spiritual master. d of all the fallen souls and give us your grace! The Lord Gaurasundar himself has taken the form of His Glory will remain ever-fresh Jaya Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev his pure devotee and blessed this Kali Yuga. We see him In the hearts and minds of men Goswami Maharaj! Ishwari Devi Dasi executing his eternal Harikatha Lila, filling the entire Because of His sterling qualities, Harindu Das universe with blessings, giving the most valuable gift in His demeanor, compassion and love Spiritual Master! You are the only shelter that can Ecuador creation: the possibility to be really happy. He is claim- For all of God’s creatures. purify us. Today I pray to bow before your feet. ing all souls back to their eternal and fortunate position Sing with me, brothers and sisters Bless me with the eagerness of service, free from all d as servants of the Supreme Lord Bhagavan. He executes Of the name and fame mundane attachment. Krishna has taken your Pure Dandavat pranams beloved Gurudev! I prostrate his Lila as Visva Guru, presiding and protecting the holy Of our beloved Gurudev, Devotee form, to extend in your hand all his mercy! before your holy lotus feet, my Divine Master. Thank Sampradaya of Sri Rupa Goswami Prabhu. His Divine Grace Bhakti Sundar Oh Ocean of true and Supreme knowledge! Oh un- you for your infinite mercy, bestowed upon us at Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. limited goodness, transform me into a real devotee! every moment, making us happy and illuminating This is our situation. From our sinful and selfish posi- Teach me Saranagati with the ecstatic desire to chant the whole universe. tion, what kind of offering in glorification could I give From, the Holy Name, the only sanctuary for devotion in to His Divine Grace? So, knowing the entire Universe Jivananda Das and family: this Universe. Divine Nectar of faith and transcen- Congratulations on your Sri Vyasa Puja. I hope you is joyful for the glorious day of your holy and merciful Brajavasini Devi Dasi dental perfection, Oh please protect me from igno- are very well in the sweet company of the lovely appearance, I engage myself in this glorification, and Shamasundari Devi Dasi rance! Let me understand how illusory and insignifi- devotees in Soquel, after you inundated the entire humbly I wish my dearest Gurudev a very happy Sri Kaustuba Krpa Devi Dasi cant this material life is. I bow before your holy lotus planet with ecstatic nectar on this wonderful tour. Vyasa Puja. May the Lord of the Universe keep blessing Parama Purusha Das feet with the hope that you allow me to take shelter Please accept the warmest regards from your new us with your divine and beautiful presence. Hari Hara Das of them, so I can clean the dirtiness in my mind! devotee and servant, Jayram Das Ashamed and praying for your infinite grace, this inept Bhakta Raj Guardian of Devotion, eternally protected by the Lord Hema Kanti Devi Dasi disciple is offering you his most humble obeisances. Govinda-Gopal Das Hari, give me the fortune to have a sincere heart, so Colombia Nitya Das I can give it to you. You are a cloud of blessings with Atmarama Das and family Santa Das wings capable of overcoming this mundane world. Sweet Nitai Gaura Hari Bol! Harijan Das Bhakta Peter Revelation of light, which ascends from the fog, you Tulasi Devi Dasi Chatsworth, South Africa remove all the suffering and darkness in every soul! Satyavati Devi Dasi Vrndarani Devi Dasi Bestow your nectar of compassion as a rain of devo- Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram, Ecuador tional service and grant us the mercy to obtain love

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to have your sweet presence in our lives. I have no Oh Srila Gurudev, please be merciful upon this fallen Srila Thakur Bhaktivinoda: R words to describe my happiness when I finally saw soul and give me the opportunity to learn pure devo- Dearest Srila Govinda Maharaj, your shining personality in this land of Parama tion for your lotus feet. I pray that for all time to come, bhaktivinodanvaya karuna murati Karuna. I realize that I have no faith, but despite my I may have your sweet connection and the chance to Please accept my dandavat pranams at your holy infinite faults, you are always there giving opportu- render service to the servants of your eternal servitors. You have said that the grandfather can be more kind lotus feet. On your Holy Appearance Day I am mer- nities of service and spreading love and unlimited to the children than even the father. The cause- cifully called to reflect on your greatness and how mercy to all of us. I will never stop thanking you Your fallen servant, less affection and unlimited grace of your Divine much you mean to myself and all fallen souls. You for allowing me to be in this exclusive line, and for Master, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami are the most kind of Devotees, as you have given this great gift of having such a wonderful family all Sadhu Priya Das Maharaj, that great general of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta your time, attention, love and affection to such a fall- around the world. I’m always praying for the capacity Australia Saraswati, is manifested before us in the form of en soul as myself. You are so strong that with a sweet to be eternally (no matter what) engaged in service, your Divine grace. smile and forgiving heart you pull the lost and weary which is something only possible by your mercy. R souls from the thick mud of the material maya. Dear Srila Gurudev, Being the blissful embodiment of Sri Gaura Saraswati, So I only have one more thing to say: I love you my Srila Guru Maharaj granted us our highest fortune You are the life force of the souls dedicated to Lord dearest Gurudev. Please accept this letter as an offer- by his merciful foresight and vision in revealing your Krishna. Your guidance is essential to the sincere ing unto your Lotus Feet on this glories and true position to the world as the repre- seeker of devotion to the Supreme Lord. When I Laksmi-Kanti Devi Dasi most auspicious of all holy days, sentative and immaculate guardian of the pure line think of your spiritual supremacy, my intelligence Caracas, Venezuela the day of your divine appearance of Sri Rupa-Raghunath, thus extending the golden runs away, my heart hides in shame and I am only in this world. Despite my obvious ray of hope to the fallen souls, granting us the rarest left with the memory of your sweet smile. I pray that R lack of quality and qualification to prospect of Divine Love in the service of the servants one day I will be able to properly honor and recipro- Dear Srila Gurudev, fittingly glorify your divine self, of that Golden Moon, Sri Sri Gaurasundar. cate this great mercy. despite being devoid of even a trace of Devotion for Please accept my humble danda- your Lotus Feet, despite my not even having the lan- gaura bhakta krpa patra matra siddhi sara Your aspiring servant, vat pranams on this holy day of guage to express my gratitude for the causeless mercy your advent. All over the world of the Supreme Lord Sri Sri Nitai-Chaitanyadev (who “Such perfection’s only for those blessed by Gaura’s Lavanya Mayi Devi Dasi the sincere devotees are bathing have brought my aimless wanderings throughout devotee.” London, England in the shelter of the affection- this universe to an end by guiding me to the shelter ate rays of your guidance and of Your Lotus feet), and despite being nothing more To give my entire existence in the worship of Srila R mercy. As the years go by you than a useless parrot, still I must make an attempt, Guru Maharaj’s lotus feet would not be enough to All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga reveal greater and greater miraculous feats in your however foolish, to sing your unlimited glories on show my eternal gratitude for this gift he has given service life, as you hold the dignity of the chair of this most auspicious day. to us all: The gift of you, Srila Gurudev. All glories to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- Srila Guru Maharaj with utmost care and atten- Goswami Maharaj tion. You are firmly fixed in the land of pure devo- nadia prakase mahaprabhu gaura nidhi In the western world, the general custom on birthdays tion in the line of Srila Rupa Goswami, and you patita pavana deve milaila vidhi is that everyone gives presents to the person whose My dearest Gurudev, are giving the connection of that land to the souls birthday it is, and I have heard that in India, the cus- of this world. This is truly your infinite grace. “Blessed Gaura Mahaprabhu came down in Nadia tom is just the opposite. Whoever has the birthday One friend told me, “My eternal Sent me by His mercy to my Lord, Master, Savior.” gives presents out to everyone else. However, we can solace is knowing that no matter I wish you a happy birthday and a joyful festival see that the Supreme Lord Himself has given us the what trauma and drama may go on in the company of your dear associates, devotees Many times we have heard how Srila Guru Maharaj greatest gift of all, one which I could never repay, in in my life, Sri Gurudev’s Love and and friends. I offer my prayers, thoughts, love and recognized your natural saintly qualities and tran- sending His dear-most servitor to this dark world to Affection is constant and steady. affection for Your Divine Grace on this most joyful scendental qualification from the very beginning. extend His causeless mercy and His loving invitation Holding dear to that, nothing else occasion. And now the whole world can witness your right- to the fallen souls. That gift is you Srila Gurudev, and can take too strong a position.” ful position as the helmsman on the boat of that for this gift we “thank our lucky stars.” kandiya kandiya bale ami ta’ adhama golden river of nectar, Sri Gaura Saraswati, which After I heard this sentence I was able to understand sikhaye saranagati karahe uttama springs from the sweet fountain of Sri Gauranga Your advent in this world has not only brought how important you are and how fortunate we are Mahaprabhu, flowing down through the heart of the greatest joy to the hearts of the topmost pure

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Vaisnava saints, but has given hope to the hopeless auspicious day, receive my humble and destitute, and unceasing nourishment to the R congratulations. Everything I can R sincere followers of Sri Chaitanyadev. My inability All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga write now, with my insignificant All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga to fittingly glorify your lotus feet is not surprising, words, is very small compared to given the unlimited nature of your transcendental I am eternally grateful to have the what you mean for all of us. Please accept my dandavat pranams and best wishes qualities. However this lack of capacity is due also guidance of Srila Govinda Maharaj. to all the Vaisnavas on this very auspicious occasion. to the numerous black witches clouding my heart, in Please accept my dandavat pranams, You are the great Personality of Godhead, a genuine With the mercy of Srila Param Guru Maharaj and the form of desire for kanak, kamini and pratistha, and forgive my offences. Spiritual Master, the greatest personality, the holiest, our respected Gurudev, all our spiritual endeavors as well as my lack of genuine sincerity, not to men- most merciful, loving and special person. You have will be successful. I hope to join all of you in loving tion the other billions of faults stored away in the Happy Vyasa Puja. entered my heart and conquered it completely. You are service towards the Supreme Personality. dark corners of my mind. giving light to my dark days, clearing my mind, and Shyama Gouri Devi Dasi setting my steps straight. You, my Gurudev, with your Haribhushan Das Thus I pray deeply that your merciful moonlike example, your love and charisma, with your devo- Mauritius glance be cast over this fallen soul, giving me the R tion and teachings, have made me put my life in your strength and ability to honor, serve and worship All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga hands. You my are my Guide, the owner of my being. R you properly, for all eternity. Glory unto you, Srila All this love has awakened in me for life, for other All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga Gurudev, who is known as “patita pavana,” the sav- All glories to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- living entities, because of the consciousness that you ior of the fallen souls; who has arisen like the full Goswami Maharaj have awakened in me. Thus I feel indebted and very Dear Srila Gurudev, moon over the horizon of Bamunpara Dham to grant grateful. I feel lucky as well to be able to serve your the highest fortune to the most fallen souls. I pray My dearest Master, devotees and disciples with love and dedication. Please accept my most humble obeisances. Please always for your good health and safe travels. forgive my offences to Your Holy Lotus Feet. I am I want to tell you that I am eternally Thank you my Gurudev, for giving me a family, not sure what to write for Your Vyasa Puja offer- With my head at your lotus feet, your fallen servant, grateful for all the mercy bestowed for giving us the mercy of Parama Karuna Nitai- ing that hasn’t already been said. Perhaps I can upon this fallen soul. With your holy Gaurachandra, and for being our Father, our Guide, say, “Thank You,” and that I will sincerely try Manasa Krsna Das visit to the Land of Parama Karuna, and our Protector. to be Your servant. All glories to Srila Gurudev. Australia you have given me so much strength to continue in this service program Nanda Priya Didi Love, R with much love and devotion. Caracas, Venezuela Prema Das All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga Australia May all of the most beautiful petals shower upon your R All glories to my dearest and beloved Srila Gurudev. lotus feet. Thank you so much for your sweet existence. I Dear Srila Gurudev, R pray from the depths of my heart for your good health. My dear Srila Gurudev, Please accept my respectful obei- We pray on this spe- sances. Gurudev I want to say Your most humble servant who carries you with so cial day, as on every Please accept my humble obeisances thanks for giving me the mercy of much love within her heart, day, to attain the ser- in the dust of your lotus feet. This is meeting you. To have such a great Fom the Tulasi Garden of Parama Karuna, vice of Your holy lotus my humble homage on the blessed fortune has woken up my heart feet. Please grant us the day of your Vyasa Puja. with great love for you. This is Lila Sundari Devi Dasi sincerity and strength something that I will never be able Caracas, Venezuela to make this our only To be able to properly describe to describe in words. desire; please let us become fit to be used by You in your glories one has to have a R the service of Srila Guru Maharaj. spiritual vision, to be able to see your beautiful Again, my obeisances to you, My dear Srila Govinda Maharaj. and charming spiritual form. The eyes we have can Your aspiring servitors, only see physical objects of flesh and blood. Yet our Vrindavaneswari Devi Dasi Please accept my dandavat pranams to your holy Kesavananda Das hearts, though very unclean, can still feel this won- Caracas, Venezuela and Divine Lotus feet. On this great day, this very Kishori Devi Dasi derful kindness that emanates from your heart. And U.S.A.

62 63 Sri Vyasa Puja 2004 Offerings from Around the World it is to our hearts that you appeal. Not to the mind or would be with out you. I would pleasing way Lord Gauranga cannot be found, and intelligence, but to the heart. You have this unique R have nothing. service to Sri Radha can only be a hoax. ability to perform heart operations, like the expert All Glories to Sri Sri Gaur-Nitai spiritual surgeon that you are. You’re the only thing that keeps What fortune has come to my existence by the gift Dear Srila Gurudev, me going day by day, of your inner bhajan—Sri Nitai Chaitanya Arati, You have come from the most charming world of Please accept my humble obeisances, as I offer You Like the radiant full moon on a Sri Govinda Kunda Gupta Govardhana Arati, Sri harmony to the most miserable and ghastly world this greeting on the anniversary of a day on which dark night shining the way. Govardhana Arati, and the crown jewel of all wor- of destruction and death. Like a brave and heroic the whole world was so richly benefited– Your I humbly ask for your mercy so that I may never go astray. ship-able visions: Sri Saraswati Arati. I do not know soldier you serve your dearest Srila Guru Maharaj, Glorious Appearance Day. very much of Vedic sastra, ornamental grammar or tolerating all the hardships of existence in this Your Loving Servant, the inner meanings of the complex slokas. They are vicious plane. You captured my heart upon meeting You in Calcutta Gaura Nataraj Das like second nature to you, but I know that these are early this year. I had been tip-toeing around the great Soquel, California the greatest gifts given in this world. They are the Thank you very much for this, my dear Srila Gurudev— ocean of Krishna Consciousness and You urged me most supreme of all devotional prayers and they for your love and mercy, for your care and attention. to just dive in. By Your causeless mercy You gave this R have become the anthem of my heart. Above that are Thank you for being still with us, helping and support- most unworthy jiva soul Harinam and Your bless- Dear Srila Gurudev, only those prayers that glorify the Acharyyas such as ing your children who are just learning how to crawl. ings at Sri Nabadwip Dham. you and satisfy the divine couple by glorifying their I have nothing here that I can give you, except for my Please bestow your unlimited dear-most intimate servants. The Vedas only give heart, and even my heart I cannot give you until you Mercy without justice is a truth that is becoming clear- mercy upon this fallen soul and an indication of Sri Gauranga. With the penetrating kindly take it. So I beg you, please take it, if you so er to me. There is no justification for Your blessings allow my voice to sing in glorifi- visions of the Acharyyas, His presence within them desire, and make me your servant, your slave. and continued guidance of this fallen soul, through cation of you. While the ignorant has been proved for the satisfaction of the logicians. Your books and through the association of Your beau- convince themselves that the phan- Humbly, your aspiring servant, tiful disciples. Occasionally You also Bless my dreams tasmagoria of material elements But you, Oh Gurudev, you freely offer to all His Name, with Your presence, instructing and encouraging me, produce joy, a ray of light from the Form, Qualities and Pastimes to the world, and you Mahima-moyi Devi Dasi for which I am most humbled and grateful. jewel of your heart has stolen from me the aspirations reveal the way and the mood to worship Him. Hidden Sweden of this world. A glimmer of the Nayana Mani that from the eyes of the public, your confidential pastimes It is my sincere prayer that the attachment I still feel lives within you, being watered by the cooling waters make one dumbstruck. The possibility of coming into R for the mundane and material is transferred to its of your pure devotional nature, has captivated my contact with them reveals the inability to practice All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! rightful place, Your Holy Lotus Feet. How foolish I vision. This beauty has engaged me in your service spiritual life without your grace and removes all hope am to waste any of the opportunities Your miracu- and loosened the shackles of Kali from my heart. of position. We simply have none, leaving us like Bali All Glories to my Divine Spiritual lous connection has provided this fallen soul. Maharaj, tied in the ropes of misfortune, with only Master His Divine Grace Srila Srila Gurudev, Beautiful Srila Govinda Maharaj: you our heads as an offering to your lotus feet. Bhakti Sundar All Glories to You, the Savior of the world! Hare are the greatest Vaisnava to grace this reality. It is Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj! Krishna. you who holds the keys to the doorway of divinity. Oh Srila Gurudev, I worship you. From a far off place It is you who has been sent to inundate the world I can see all these things, praying for a cottage in the Dear Srila Gurudev, Your aspiring, unworthy servant, with the pure culture of Sri Chaitanyadev. You have land of your heart. Please accept my worship, and perfected the line of Srila Saraswati Thakur and make me clean and attractive to the infinite, so I can I am not a poetic person, but I do believe that by speak- Raseshvari Devi Dasi saved us all by fulfilling the transcendental desires find myself in your association again and again. ing about a loved one miracles may happen. I would Australia of Srila Sridhar Maharaj. His heart was over-flooded just like to say that I love You so much and I feel very with Krishna Consciousness, and he has given his My love, happy and fortunate to receive Your blessings. R entire wealth to you. You are protecting the lotus Ishabandhu Das Dear Srila Gurudev, feet of Sri Rupa by confusing the insincere spiritual Australia Your servant, power seekers with your transcendental pastimes, Vraja Bala Devi Dasi Please accept my dandavat pranams. interlaced with your mystic humor that charms only R Curitiba, Parana, Brazil I feel lost in the dark without your beautiful smiling face, the topmost assembly of pure devotees. What can Dear Srila Gurudev, And my heart weeps when I think of what my life anybody understand of your glories without whole- Please accept my humble obeisances. I once thought heartedly serving you? Without serving you in a that there was no hope for such a fallen soul like

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me, but now I realize that with the All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga! appearance of such a personality Dear Srila Gurudev! Today all your children have a You are so beautiful and you are giving so much as Yourself, there is even hope for Dear Srila Gurudev, nice opportunity to address their Blessed Savior and mercy to us all. Truly I am so grateful that somehow the most fallen like me. congratulate you on the Day of your Appearance in this my fortune led me to you and all of your devotees. Please accept our dandavat world. We cannot express that grateful soul’s cry for When I look at my life now in hindsight I see the Each day that I read Your books pranams at your holy lotus salvation, kindness, and love. With love and devotion direction my life took and where I am now, and the and associate with Your disciples feet. On this auspicious we bow down before the Lotus Feet of our Gurudev, direction my life might have gone had I not met the it makes my heart open more. The more I realize occasion, we would like to strongly embrace them and promise not to lose them, devotees and found You. When I think about it, it how fallen I am, the more I realize how magnani- thank you for your endless because they are our salvation and wealth. brings me to tears to see how I received this mercy. mous You are, my dear Gurudev. I pray that You mercy. Your humility and never let go of me as I struggle and stumble in fol- desire to please Srila Guru Encouraging our love and devotion is our inexhaust- Please know, Srila Gurudev, that I have so much lowing Your instructions. Maharaj are perfect qualities of a pure devotee. Thank ible desire to satisfy our Gurudev. We anxiously affection for you, and I only want to serve you and you for giving us the association of stalwart devotees remember and respect the instructions given by our your devotees. Truly I hope I can do this and make Your learning-to-be-humble servant, like Kum Kum Devi Dasi and Jivana Devi Dasi, who are Gurudev: to be humble, tolerant, respectful, and to you happy. Whatever your will is for me I want to Shanta Krishna Das reflections of that humility and desire to please Sri Guru. search for the opportunity to get the association of surrender to it. This is my prayer. Although I feel Australia Thank you for giving us shelter at your lotus feet. the Sadhu and the Vaisnavas. I am unworthy and I have so much further to go, I only pray for your blessing so that I might have R Your servants, Today in Kiev and in the whole of Ukraine we have the courage to continue my life in true saranagati, All Glories to the All-Auspicious Srila Bhakti Sundar Lila Shakti Devi Dasi and Ananta Rupa Das some political disobedience demonstrations, and the because your blessings are my only chance. Your Govinda Maharaj! California situation is difficult. Only by fortune can we evalu- smile lights up my life like the sun lights up the ate today’s situation properly, and use this chance world! Please accept my dandavat pranams. Jaya All Glories to you Srila Gurudev! R of human birth that we have in a proper way—to Srila Gurudev ki jaya! Oh, Srila Gurudev! chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, to serve the May my mind and heart always Vaisnavas and to develop our sadhana. Your humble servant, find refuge in your gentle words, Your hand of love is always out- glance and devotees. Your holy stretched towards me, even when I We will hope and pray to Gurudev, to the Lord pre- Krishna Madhuri Devi Dasi form is the embodiment of seva to stubbornly look the other way. You sented in Gurudev, so that his nectarine love to the California your dear-most Guru Maharaj— alone can restore my taste for devo- devotees never stops flowing and giving everyone you are nothing but that. Your tion. Your sublime presence can the gift of Mercy and Grace. We pray so that his holy R willingness, eagerness and joy give me the strength of mind and life will be long and successful. Hare Krishna! Dear Srila Gurudev, in spreading the glories of service to Guru and heart to move through this land of Vaisnavas are mind-blowing and heart-melting. How illusion. Your divine connection is my saving grace. Kiev’s devotees, Ukraine Buon Compleanno! I offer my full fortunate can a single jiva be? Yet you bestow that Please allow me to offer you my humble wishes on your dandavats at your divine lotus feet fortune endlessly to countless lost servants. You blessed Appearance Day. You are the doctor of us all! R with all my heart on your holy know no other business. You are exquisite and full of Dearest Srila Govinda Maharaj, appearance day. I have no words all opulence! Certainly it is not due to any piety that Your humble aspiring servant, to express my gratitude to you sinners like myself have seen you smile, heard you Puspanjali Devi Dasi Please accept my humble obei- because you have saved my life. speak and watched you move amongst us. Thank Hawaii sances, May I start by saying it I’ve got nothing to offer you, but you always for your causeless grace Srila Gurudev! has been so wonderful and really in the core of my heart I hope that I have a little sin- R too good for words to see you cerity in my desire for service. If there is, I pray to On this wonderful day my head is planted at your feet, First of all, we pay our heartfelt, sincere dandavats again in person. So many times I offer it to you in your service and the service of your Dasanudas, to all the Vaisnavas in the worldwide devotee com- am wondering how I have become devotees, life after life. Gaurahari Das munity. All Glories to our Sri Guru-Varga, our Srila so fortunate to receive even a U.S.A. Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami moment of your association. It is true that I am mak- Your forever-aspiring servant, Maharaj, and our Srila Guru Maharaj, Srila Bhakti ing so many offences, that I am so fallen, and now I Shanti Moyi Devi Dasi Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj! only ask for your forgiveness. Italy

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Servitor and Divine Servitor integrated into one book. Jayakisori Devi Dasi During the year, hundreds of people have already Krsnanandíni Devi Dasi h read Sríla Sridhar Swami’s and enthu- Tarit Varna Devi Dasi Dear Srila Gurudev, siastically received Sríla Govinda Maharaj’s book as Kanu Príya Devi Dasi well, which has become the pearl of our preaching. Sudhamayi Devi Dasi Please accept my humble obeisances at Your divine Vraja Rama Devi Dasi lotus feet. I feel deeply fortunate and at the same As the Hungarians are easily inspired by art and Krsnasundari Devi Dasi time really inadequate to aspire to the service of beauty, we created our second musical CD called Krisna Príya Devi Dasi Your divine lotus feet. I don’t know where life will Inner Fulfillment, with the compositions and songs Madhubala Devi Dasi bring me but one thing is sure: Your glorious person- of Madhava Dayita Devi Dasi. All the disciple musi- Susama Devi Dasi ality will light me up and always comfort the dark cians and the relatives of the bhaktas are entertain- Madhuri Devi Dasi emptiness of my heart. Dandavats Srila Gurudev. ing the hope that Sríla Govinda Maharaj will accept Indumati Dasi and listen to this warmhearted offering from them. Your aspiring servant, This modern interpretation of the mantras and bha- Istvan Lakai Madhurananda Das h jans has enchanted many people in our country and Kristóf Zsoldos Italy We fall on our knees with love and respect before the also helped us deepen the attraction to Vaisnavism. Zsolt Smaniotta holy lotus feet of our Gurudev, Sríla Bhakti Sundar Levente SzÐnyi h Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, on the sacred occa- This summer we again held a one-week bhakti-yoga Zsolt Kertész All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! sion of his Srí Vyasa Puja. festival. More than eighty enquirers took part among Béla Nagy the disciples. It was a very successful and effective Szilvia Schweickhardt Dear Srila Gurudev, Though geographical distance doesn’t allow us to service that mobilized each bhakta to show that dis- Katalin Gazdag have personal contact, still we don’t feel isolated. On ciples not only feel respect toward to their Spiritual Hanna Kalocsai Today, everything appears more the contrary, merely the awareness that we have the Master but also make efforts to take part in His mis- Orsolya Lovász bright and hopeful from the shining opportunity to see Sríla Gurudev so mercifully prop- sion. Let us say goodbye by expressing our gratitude Dóra Laki radiance of Your fresh and beautiful agating the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu towards His Divine Grace and asking for His mercy. Budakeszi, Hungary Lotus Feet. Your auspicious appear- gives us strength. This inspiration gives us not only We humbly invite Him to Hungary for the summer ance Day has come again, blessing happiness, but also fills us up with creative energy, of 2005 to bless our country with His presence. h us with the mercy of Your Divine day by day. Dear Srila Gurudev, Grace. We are so fortunate! Asking for Your mercy and approval on behalf of the This year our most important achievement was Hungarian disciples: Please accept my dandavat This Day reminds us of our Good Fortune to be here that we managed to publish the first book of pranams to your holy lotus feet on under Your Guardianship and in the association of Srila Gurudev’s teachings, The Dignity of the Divine Aninda Sundar Krishna Das this most holy day of your appear- Your faithful friends and servitors. Through Your Madhava Dayita Devi Dasi ance! I am unqualified and cannot Divine Grace we have the chance to attain inner Ravindra Krsna Das properly glorify you. All I can say fulfillment and true happiness, which we have been Ananda Vardhana Das is that you are everything to your hopelessly seeking for so long. Giridhari Das devotees, and I pray to serve them Trilokanath Das in their service to you. You have given the highest We are reminded of Your perfect life’s example of Vraja Mohan Das sweet truth to the lowest, and I am so grateful that courageous and loving surrender, sacrifice, dedica- Syama Mohan Das you have allowed me to try to serve you. I pray to for- tion, devotion, love and pure unconditional service Jíta Krsna Das ever remain under the protection of your lotus feet. to Srila Guru Maharaj. On Your Appearance Day, Krsna Kanta Das we are praying to receive the beautiful gift of Your Jayendra Das Your aspiring servant, Divine Grace. Golokapati Das Jaya Shree Devi Dasi Aruna Krsna Das U.K./Italy What do we possibly have to offer Your Divine Grace Mohan Krsna Das on Your Appearance Day? We give You our hearts, Laksman Das though they may be too small and not very useful.

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By Your touch they will become beautiful and pure. magnanimous and causeless mercy h Sri Yamunacaryya from the Transcendental World. Again and again You are giving us the hope and Vande Ham Sri Guru SSPJ 3.17 To have Your Sweet Presence here encouragement to happily follow along on this joyful among us in this mundane world path made carefully by Your lovely, dancing Divine ahankarad-aprapattih— “When will I bloom in a life of servitude as Your is the most precious gift to us Footsteps. Under Your kind and gentle care, we may ahankara-nivrtanam, kesavo nahi eternal devotee, my heart pacified due to all other human beings, jiva souls. You are become Your loving servants, immersed in the sweet duragah ahankara-yutanam hi, desires being consumed by engagement in Your our most Dear Gurudev, the Pure waves of Your Beautiful Divine Will. madhye parvvata-rasayah uninterrupted service?” Vaisnava, Acharyyadev Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- Goswami Maharaj. Jaya Gurudev! All glories to You! All glories to Your Br: Vai: SSPJ 2.5 Srila Gurudev, may You have a most lovely and Divine Appearance Day! wonderful Sri Vyasa Puja celebration in Soquel Srila Gurudev, Our Guide, Savior, Protector, our Your beautiful holy feet give relief, shelter and ser- this year with all Your sweet devotees! We wish we most Dear Friend: out of Your most causeless mercy, With our dandavat pranams at Your Lotus Feet, vice to even the greatest of Devas and divine plea- could be physically present on Your holy birthday You took Your Appearance on this material world in praying to be Your servants, sure to Your true devotees. this year. Puspanjali and I are very happy You plan order to guide us and awaken us towards our most to stay in Soquel until February. We hope to come precious gift, which is the real dharma of the jiva Braja Devi Dasi Will I ever make a throne in my heart to worship to California for Your holy darshan and service in souls: Love of God and His Divine, sweet, spontane- Shyama Mohini Devi Dasi Your holy feet and serve them with sincerity? January or February. Everyday I pray for Your holy ous, loving, clean Service! California body to feel healthy and well. Your sweet charming nature attracts the most saintly My Dear Gurudev, although we have such a pre- h devotees and Your serving group is filled with the An insignificant beggar of Your Love, cious and valuable prospect, we do not take note of All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga ecstasy of Sri Krishna Prema. anything; instead we prefer to just keep on in our Haryyananda Das dormant state of unconsciousness, where we take om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya Will I ever become genuinely attracted to the sweet- Hawaii untruth for truth, false for right, bad for good, and caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah ness and charm of Your beloved devotees and serve bitter for sweet. Unable to distinguish properly, we them heart and soul? h are going on in a mad state of unconsciousness. We vancha-kalpatarubhyas’ ca krpa sindhubhya eva ca Dear Srila Gurudev, are running at full speed after some phantasmagoria patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah The strength of Srila Guru Maharaj’s love for You is shadow of what we mistakenly think is happiness! of infinite character, and his infinite divine powers I will spend the rest of my life It looks like we do not really want to wake up from gurvvabhista-supurakam guru-ganair are inconceivably multiplied by the clear lens of Your thanking you for all you do for me. this nightmare that is dragging on, life after life, asisa-sambhusitam beautiful, transcendental heart. I really want to thank you for meet- birth after birth. cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam ing with my family – my mother, sri-rupa-panthanugam Will I ever surrender to You with full faith and place brother, his wife, and especially My Dear Sweet Gurudev, You so generously came govindabhidam ujjvalam vara-tanum all my love and energy at Your divine service? my two nieces Olivia and Carolyn. among us in order to show us, by Your personal bhakty anvitam sundaram Thank you. example and teachings, the right path, which we vande visva-gurun ca divya-bhagavat-premno You are eternally accompanied by Your pure-hearted stubbornly want to deny! hi bija-pradam devotees, who are completely free from mundane Tamal Baron Krishna Das considerations. Oregon, USA Please, my Lord Gurudev, just keep on trying. Do My dear Spiritual Master, Srila Govinda Maharaj, not give up on us! For we are the most unfortunate Sadly I have no experience, so cannot see the world h and in the most sad situation. Help us to carry on, I will never forget you! Have a wonderful Vyasa Puja You live in. A huge mountain of ego stands between All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! regardless of our lack of effort and desire! Help us celebration in the presence of your holy disciples. me and Your Divine Grace. to see Your Causeless Mercy Everywhere, for Your My prostrated obeisances unto your lotus feet, My Sweet, Dear Gurudev, mercy is always flooding the whole universe! Only bhavantam evanucaran nirantarah our selfishness, calculative minds, and self-inter- Jayadev Das prasanta-nihsesa-mano-rathantarah My most humble dandavat pranams at Your Holy est prevent us from seeing Your Sweet Presence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil kadaham aikantika-nitya-kinkarah Lotus Feet. One more year has passed and we jiva Everything and Everywhere! It is in our best interest praharsayisyami sanatha-jivitam souls have again one more chance to get the most to have Your Sweet Connection, and Your Divine,

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Sweet, Pure, Clean, Spontaneous, Suddha-Bhakti Service at Your Holy Lotus Feet! h Dear Srila Gurudev, My Dear Lord Gurudev, please bless us and give us Your most causeless mercy so we are able to allow that Please accept my most humble obei- mercy to flow in, despite our own selves, because we sances. All glories to your service and can be our own worst enemy! And, my Lord, allow us, all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. by Your Blessings, to Reach Out to Your Lotus Feet, without any calculative, false self-interest or reason- Your coming home to the Soquel ing. Only with pure, sincere and full hearts shall we Ashram has meant so much to me cry out for Your causeless and endless mercy and and shown me so much. When I affection, my Sweet Gurudev! Our Savior and Real compare where I was before you came, I realize the Best Friend! Happy Holy Appearance Day! miracles you have brought about, and I realize that I’m changing, even if at a faithless pace. From Your most low aspiring servant, Vimala Devi Dasi While you’ve been here you’ve shown me how to wor- San Jose, California ship for your spiritual master’s Vyasa Puja; you’ve shown me how to look for the spiritual spark in the mundane. h You have told us that you are always with us, so I can All glories to Srila Gurudev. May Sri Krishna bless us so live when Krishna takes you back to India. And I can that we can always have your holy association, and so feel Krishna’s reality so much more than before. You’ve that today, on your blessed and holy birthday, we can shown me laughter and joy in association with the receive your eternal blessings for true eagerness in the Vaisnavas. I’m learning what I should be doing with my line of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Wonderful is your life; at least I’m more conscious of looking for opportuni- grace and blessed is your name, eternally Gurudev. ties for spiritual life and service. Surprisingly I’m usually given the ability to carry out and do the right thing, and Anadi Krsna I recognize that you are the motivator. South America Because of you, I’m in another world now, and I’m h grateful for my good fortune to have found you. You om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya have given me life and I’m inspired to read your books. caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah Reading always makes my day, every day. Your books are giving me all the answers to my heart’s desires in We offer this to you, Srila Gurudev on this most this life, and I can’t help but wonder what I would do auspicious day. You have given us a reason to go on. without them or how the other people in the world We are always offering you our dandavats. are surviving without your love and inspiration.

Your humble servants, You have also made Sri Guru Gandarvika Giridhari Daitananda Das start to come alive in my heart, and I have a greater Amrita Mayi Devi Dasi appreciation of the great Vaisnavas that have lit the way before you. You’ve given me everything I have and I only pray to serve you.

Your aspiring servant, Yasoda Devi Dasi Soquel, California

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