Nectar from Srila Prabhupada Tributes 2020
While proofreading Srila Prabhupada Tributes 2020 I encountered so many inspiring realizations, stories, and poems in glorification of Srila Prabhupada, I cut some of my favorite out to share with you here. I do not always include the most important points in the offerings, many of which we know so well, but just some which were especially striking for some reason. I included most of the poems because they had many powerful lines. Download the full book at https://www.sptributes.com/downloads/, if you want to see the entire collection from this year.
Satvarupa Dasa Goswami:
“Dear Srila Prabhupada, I am now eighty years old. As long as I am physically able, please let me read your books with enthusiasm and without doubt. And let me cooperate with your devotees as a sign of my love for you.”
Umapati Swami:
“But these protesters [against the quarantine] look like middle-class Americans. They live in spacious American homes where Venetian blinds filter the sun’s rays in their bedrooms. They pamper their skin in tiled bathrooms where the toilets smell of disinfectant and where little vases of plastic flowers decorate the countertops. They cram their bellies full three times a day. But even this little bit of confinement drives them mad, drives them to domestic violence and child abuse. They need help. They need Prabhupada.
“I have been in quarantine for four months now, living on the 20th floor in a smaller-than-American apartment with four other men. It’s been a peaceful, jolly four months. We’re even having a good time. Why? Because we have Prabhupada.”
Jayadvaita Swami:
“Among these grand-disciples, some are sons and daughters of devotees, others new recruits. As Srila Prabhupada’s mercy descends, they have grasped hold of it. Many practice and serve strongly, and some stand out in varied ways, by preaching and teaching, by scholarship, by kirtana, by worship of the Deity, by cooking, by organizing, by enlivening and inspiring others, by dedication to different aspects of what Srila Prabhupada wanted to establish. For all of this, the credit goes to Srila Prabhupada.
“What a pleasure it is for us disciples of Srila Prabhupada to see members of that new generation shine and even excel us. When a son takes over the family business and makes it more successful than the father, the father becomes more pleased. And the grandfather is easier to please than the father.
“Srila Prabhupada in his last days sometimes asked, ‘How will things go on?’ They will go on by his mercy, from generation to generation, as long as devotees who receive it take it seriously, manage it well, and keep it pure.”
Trivikrama Swami:
“This evening program [in Vrindavan in September 1974] went on like this for some time, and gradually your health improved. One evening after the final kirtana I came back into the courtyard, where you were getting ready to take rest. You were sitting on one of those wooden beds and were speaking for a few minutes before the mosquitoes forced you to cover with the net. Srutakirti and I were sitting on the ground when you began to speak. Your voice was firm and full of real authority. You said, “This kirtana gives us life. This is the special mercy of Lord Caitanya.” Then after a very short pause to bring emphasis to what you were about to say, you declared, “And if we don’t get life from the kirtana . . . simply sex life.”
“I am personally very grateful to you for this emphasis on kirtana. I thank you, Srila Prabhupada, from the bottom of my heart.”
Smita Krishna Swami:
“You came and marked out the proper way back to the spiritual world—a path forgotten, neglected, unknown to modern mankind. You knew it and you marked it for us to easily find and traverse back to home, back to Godhead.”
Sacinandana Swami
“One might ask, why is Sri Krishna sankirtana especially recommended for Kali-yuga? Why are other devotional services not as strongly recommended?
“The answer is eye-opening: In Kali-yuga, people can easily muster the qualification to chant. More than in other ages! Because of the intense suffering that is a distinguishing factor of Kali-yuga – an Age where everyone is severely handicapped as far as the normal qualifications for spiritual life are concerned, and they are incessantly attacked by wars, famines, plagues (including the coronavirus), widespread degradation, insanity, and so much more, people can therefore easily summon up the main qualification for chanting. In their japa and kirtana, they can find in themselves the helplessness that brings about dependence on Krishna. Humbled by the external circumstances and their own weaknesses, the conditioned souls who have awakened to their plight can actually cry out to the holy name and surrender to this most merciful form of Krishna. If they do so, they will immediately feel paramam santim or supreme peace and attain param gatim – the highest goal.”
Anand Kishor das Babaji:
“Srila Prabhupada, please give us understanding and humility so we may help you in your mission without causing disturbance to others, especially Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis. You always were aware how your words and actions would affect others and were able to speak and act in ways that would best benefit them. Kindly bless us with that awareness and ability.”
Dhirasanta dasa Goswami:
“Once, while giving a public program, one student questioned you with a challenging mentality. Later he became a devotee, and you both met again. You remembered him from the program. The devotee then wondered why he became a devotee because before he had no faith. You said, ‘Because I prayed for you. I prayed to Krishna that this soul might be aware of the importance of Krishna consciousness.’”
Janananda Goswami:
“Now the civil authorities are calling upon everyone to practice ‘social distancing.’ But all along you emphasized this— to avoid unwanted association and the enemies of spiritual life. Otherwise we will be infected by the material disease—maya!”
“I, like most of the world, am now in lockdown and cannot travel. But what a place to be in lockdown—your New Mayapur! How fortunate! You have kindly given everyone this opportunity to be in lockdown, in “a house the whole world can live in.” May we stay locked in your house forever. Your lotus feet are our only shelter.”
Krishna Kshetra Swami:
“My prayer is that you may bless me to attain and maintain humble confidence in my own ability to be a positive contributor—a positive giver—to your mission of giving. To this end I allow myself to affirm my own fitness to be so. I further allow myself to affirm my potential, through your and Lord Krishna’s grace, to hold fast to your vision of flourishing communities sustained internally by “philosophy, religion, [and] character” and outwardly by “sufficient food, shelter, [and] health.” And I pray that you allow me to continue to participate in your ongoing powerful agency in fulfilling Krishna’s wondrous desire to establish consciousness of Him, the Lord in our hearts, deep in the hearts of all.”
Lokanath Swami:
“You once told us, ‘There was a big plague in Calcutta. So one babaji went from door to door, house to house, and he had all the people—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi—chant Hare Krishna. After that the plague was driven out.’”
“As the world worsens and your mission becomes even more relevant, I am renewing my vows to you, Srila Prabhupada, to carry forward your mission with energy and enthusiasm in whatever time I have left.”
Radhanath Swami:
“As the embodiment of Krishna’s divine grace, you pleaded with us to rise above petty differences and distractions and unite to receive and distribute Lord Caitanya’s mercy. In your compassion for all beings, you taught us the purest meaning of love. You entrusted us with the holy names, a medicine that can immunize all of us from the pandemic of ignorance and all its subsequent sufferings. You opened the gates to the spiritual world, which is seated in our own hearts, where Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha will smile upon us and welcome us home.
“I pray, Srila Prabhupada, that you will please help me overcome my seemingly endless pathetic weaknesses, so that my every heartbeat may be an offering of love and gratitude to you.”
Ramai Swami:
“Once, you gave a simple definition of being a Vaishnava. You said that a Vaishnava is happy to sit and chant Hare Krishna, and if there is some service to be done for the Lord, he will gladly do it.”
“With heads in lowly reverence bent,
And filled with thoughts of joy we went,
Wonderful our Deities, true and bold,
Whose ears were ringed with polished gold.
“The devotees worked in full accord
To seek the pleasure of the Lord.
We gazed with devoted eyes and heart—
Certainly, this was a beautiful start.
“The Lord’s lilas were sweet to hear;
Countless pastimes soothed our ear.
Like the moon that grows so well,
Our bhakti creeper began to swell.
“In addition, there was something more,
The dear representative of the Lord
Who came and lifted us up so kindly
From material life—we followed blindly.
“We respected him because he spoke the truth
To us who had come from reckless youth.
Divine knowledge our eternal father gave;
Many disciples’ lives did he lovingly save.
“Others didn’t know they had this friend.
Why was it so difficult to comprehend?
For those who had spent their lives in maya,
It was hard to get out and go much higher.
“To waste their lives was a sad negligence;
It decreased their spiritual intelligence.
So much misery and suffering all around—
Birth, death, old age, disease in every town.
“But for those who were blessed by Srila Prabhupada,
Their spiritual lives became easy, not very hard.
They attained the service of the Lord so sweet—
Most fortunate to take shelter at His lotus feet.”
Varsana Swami:
“The Biblical tradition alludes to the living dynamics of the guru-parampara in one of the final statements of Jesus: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear to hear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16.12) These words ringing in my ears marked the conclusion of my empiric theological studies.
“I became vigilant, attentively seeking any intimation of the Spirit of Truth, open to whatever tradition He chose to reveal himself in.
“It was only in hearing first about you from your disciples, and later hearing directly from you, that I recognized the voice of the Spirit of Truth within you, who had been guiding me all along to find your shelter and guidance. In your presence, the Word of God, Spirit of Truth, and Holy Name all became perfectly integrated in a most confidential, relational, and personal dynamic. They verily came to life before my eyes and within my heart. Finally, all that I had heard and seen before began to fall into proper place and make perfect sense. It was as if you had me step back far enough to reflect on the larger picture in which God continues to write the script. And you, as acarya, bring the story to life, integrating the spiritual fruits of wonder, truth, and love with the security of knowing that eternal service is our birthright—an inheritance bequeathed, by Your Divine Grace, even to those of us who are deficient in comprehensive knowledge.
“Your commentary on Biblical verses, given from the Vedic view, illuminated all areas of my former uncertainty, granting congruity within the nutshell verse, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ In a conversation in Paris on June 9, 1974, while discussing these very words, you crystallized vast theological commentaries into one conclusive truth by citing a verse from the Padma Purana: “Just parallel to this Bible passage I’ll quote one Sanskrit verse from the Vedas. Therefore, it is said, nama cintamanih krishnas caitanya-rasa-vigrahah / purnah suddho nitya-mukto ’bhinnatvan nama-naminoh.” Your translation of this verse at Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 17.133 reads, in part, “The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful . . . because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical.”
Mahadyuti Swami:
“I don’t feel qualified to say I love anyone; I don’t consider myself spiritually advanced enough to feel real love. If, however, I do love anyone, Srila Prabhupada, I love you—for the simple reason that you saved my life and you continue to save it. You have also saved and continue to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of other people. That saving of which I speak, however, is not just the holy name you’ve given us to chant and the philosophy you’ve given us to study. Rather, the greatest gift you’ve given us is the opportunity to preach Krishna consciousness on behalf of you and Lord Caitanya. As a child and teenager, I didn’t think much about helping other people. I mainly thought about my own sense gratification. But after twenty years in this body, I started to develop a desire to do good for others. Yet I had no idea how. Though I tried various ways, none of them seemed to suffice. When I met your disciples, they told me that spreading Krishna consciousness is the highest welfare work. They told me that the chanting of Hare Krishna goes directly to the soul, without having to pass through layers of mind or intelligence. I didn’t understand exactly, but it sounded good. I visited their temple to learn more. On that first visit, they took me out to chant with them in a crowded, sensual part of the city. I was amazed to see that the joyful kirtana seemed insulated from the surrounding degradation by an invisible bubble. People stopped, apparently involuntarily—stunned, it seemed to me, by the transcendental sound vibration going directly to their hearts. They had gotten in touch with Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They were being unwittingly purified. And those interested got a Back to Godhead magazine that explained what they were experiencing. This I knew was what I had been seeking; this was indeed the highest welfare work. I was sure that this was the work to which I wanted to dedicate my life.
“That night, one of the brahmacaris shaved my head, and I became a temple resident. The next morning, less than twenty-four hours into my first visit to a Hare Krishna temple, I was on full-time sankirtana. I was happier than I’d ever been in my life; now, by Your Divine Grace, I finally had a mission that would make people happy forever. (Many years later, I heard you say that the purpose of the Krishna consciousness movement is to make people happy. And when a professor in Mexico City asked you the purpose of life, you replied that the purpose of life is ananda.)
“We often hear that the chanting of the holy names is the yuga-dharma for this age. A verse in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi 3.40), however, goes a step further with the word pracara—that the yuga-dharma is not only to chant the holy names but to ‘broadcast the glories of the holy name.’ This was your emphasis, Srila Prabhupada: you yourself were always preaching as well as engaging others in preaching the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, especially in the form of His holy names.
“Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for sacrificing your life to empower us to help you in your most blissful service of spreading the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in a mostly unreceptive and ungrateful world steeped in materialism and impersonalism.”
Niranjana Swami:
“I had doubts about what I was reading [in your Bhagavad-gita], but there was something in it all that started to convince me you were telling me the truth. Nobody had ever told me the truth the way you spoke it to me. It resonated in my heart, it shook my deep-rooted misconceptions of life to the core, and it gave me a strong sense of a purpose for living— something about which I had seriously been asking myself again and again. ‘What is my purpose for living?’ Finally, you appeared in my life to answer this and so many of my other unanswered questions.”
“Thank you for the holy name emanating from your lotus lips, for your books, for your lectures, for your bhajans, for your instructions, for calling Sri Sri Radha-Gopivallabha to manifest Themselves before us, for your movement, for establishing temples and Deities in the holy dhamas, for my godbrothers and godsisters, who always remind me about my eternal debt to you, and for your granddisciples and future followers about whom you also very much care. I also thank you for transparently connecting me to all of our previous acaryas, whose sublime teachings nourish me in my efforts to please you.”
Bhakti Raghava Swami:
“I remain forever indebted to you, Srila Prabhupada, for having sacrificed so much to transmit the pure knowledge of the Vedic tradition. You were ideal and perfect in everything you said and everything you did. The world will gradually come to understand this more and more, but the longer it delays, the longer the calamities will continue to increase.”
Guru Prasad Swami:
“Some have transmitted pure knowledge to a small group, and some have given paltry knowledge and information to all, but you gave full knowledge to the entire world; therefore you are the most munificent kavi.”
Giridhari Swami:
“Srila Prabhupada, I am on my knees with tears in my eyes, praying that you will bless us with sufficient intelligence to take the practice of Krishna consciousness more seriously and to take full advantage of the myriad new preaching opportunities as they arise.
“Please empower all of us to spread your glories far and wide. In this way, may history give you the credit you deserve for having saved the world in its darkest hour.”
Bhakti Charu Swami:
“For the first time in history, all the places of worship—temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues—have been shut down. No one could have ever imagined that such a situation would arise. Nevertheless, I can see the foresight of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Knowing that such a situation would arise, when no one would be able to go to the temple to see the Deities of the Lord and worship Him, He gave us the process of chanting His holy name.”
“At a time like this, I also wonder whether this is His divine arrangement to force this world to surrender unto Him and accept the process of congregational chanting.”
“When we have a pure devotee like you to lead us and the Supreme Personality of Godhead with us, then who can ever doubt our victory? Who can ever doubt that the ominous influence of Kali will be defeated and that absolute peace and ultimate prosperity will prevail again, bringing the spiritual world down to this beautiful planet of ours.”
Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu:
“I believe Srila Prabhupada has prepared for this eventuality. As part of his legacy, he has given us the basis for a true global unity that will flourish more and more, even as the false globalism based on lust for wealth and power falls, bit by bit, apart.
“This false globalism has ravaged Mother Earth, and the current pandemic is only one of the signs that she can take no more. The true and valid global unity fostered by Srila Prabhupada will make food and energy production as local as possible and transform the family from a tenuous, frangible unit of consumption into a durable and sustainable unit of production.”
Madhusudana Prabhu:
“You came from afar and showed us the way
For years we were suffering but you saved the day
We were wandering aimlessly dangerously down in the street
Searching and hoping for a great soul to meet
“When we saw you we knew you’re of another world
Upon hearing your words, our burdens were hurled
While walking with you we felt tall and proud
We could work very hard and our preaching was loud
“But then when you left us confusion descended
Our minds had deceived us, our dream-sleep was ended
But now things are changing, our backs to the wall
Without working together the whole thing will fall
“Before you were gone you left us the mandate
‘If you want to please me, you must co-operate’
By my godsiblings’ mercy I’ve learned how to do it
Be truthful, be committed and develop close friendship
“Be ready to share this with all souls the same
To rightly be able to honor the name
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”
Vamanadev Prabhu:
“You have shown a path that is available to everyone, and the only requirement is enthusiasm and sincerity. Chanting the holy name, taking sacred prasadam, serving the Vaishnavas, and distributing this mercy to all is the method you have given us. The transcendental gift of your books, your glorious lectures and interviews, as well as the many talks and the letters, have left a clear and unambiguous direction to follow.
“In truth, there is no way possible to ever repay such mercy as you have given so freely. I simply beg of you to allow me to make the correct choice; to follow the perfect transcendental path Your Divine Grace set forth.”
Bhurijana Prabhu:
“Somehow, Srila Prabhupada, you awoke in me, and so many others, a true conception of religion.”
Rukmini Devi Dasi:
“Today as we ‘shelter in place’ due to the Coronavirus, we must bow at your feet again and again and thank you for the unprecedented shelter you have given us. You have created our good fortune, and good fortune for a misguided world, that without you, remained baffled.”
“Under your shelter, inspired by the pinnacle of your example, the deathless nectar of Krishna’s name, form, qualities, and pastimes is being tasted and shared all over the world.
“Under your shelter, the people of the world are experiencing a revolution in consciousness: realizing the purpose of life, ending their suffering, and reawakening joy in consciousness of Krishna.”
Karanodakasayi Visnu Dasa Adhikari:
“[Srila Prabhupada said:] ‘It is the duty of every disciple to see how he is advancing in Krishna consciousness by putting into words our philosophy in writing.’
“And one Chinese proverb that kept reverberating: ‘The faintest writing is more powerful than the most powerful memory.’”
“One time you said, ‘What is all this haribol business? We have to do something that has eternal effect. That is writing. We should be able to pick up any book and see Krishna and be able to write Krishna from any field of endeavour. It is being able to have an intelligible conversation with a child or the greatest Nobel prize laureate or statesman. That is Krishna consciousness. Not simply, “neti, neti... I don’t want you to come here.... I am this...I am that...’”
Cathurbhuj Prabhu:
“To further Krishna’s desire and just to save the fallen souls, you took great trouble and went through great toil to sail on the Jaladuta, departing from the land of India to come to the West in 1965.
“Since then devotees all over the world, through your inspiration, have been doing their bit to sail with you and serve in your epic journey to capture Lord Caitanya’s mercy.”
Bhakta Dasa Prabhu:
“Fifty years ago I listened to you warn us that the present ways of living we condemned, doomed and would 100% collapse. Very few took your warning with the seriousness it deserved. Now all around us we see the world as we have known it is collapsing, and I at least anticipate it will become much worse.
“Yet, while most of the world is cowering in fear and hysteria, and governments are creating trillions of new Dollars and Euros and Pounds and Rupees from the air in hopes of saving everything, I personally feel no fear at all. Why?
“Because you brought the message of Bhagavad-gita to us. We know the body is not the self, and we know the self cannot be touched or harmed by anything material. We know we have this body because of our enmity towards Lord Krishna. You taught us to take the medicine of bhakti-yoga to get cured of this enmity. We keep taking it and we are confident that some day we will be lifted from this ocean of insanity.”
Tejiyas Prabhu:
“I understand you’re grateful for my insignificant and bungled attempts at service. I have seen this personally, hundreds of times. You forced me, despite my resistance, to sit by your side. Thus, I could closely inspect your actions. I have noted how unaffected you are by material things, only caring for spirit – for Krishna Himself and the lost souls you were here to save.”
Kusha Devi Dasi:
“Our never ending grateful joy is a testament to your eternal blessings.”
Nagapatni Devi Dasi:
“Everything wonderful, joyful and peaceful in my life is due to you. So much mercy you have showered on this world. With your deluge, of selfless mercy, you’ve created an ocean of opportunity for the conditioned souls, to leave the cycle of repeated birth, death, disease and old age. How a wretched soul like me got caught in this mercy is a mystery. As I struggle to show you my appreciation and gratitude, please accept my offering.”
“You’ve reintroduced us to our eternal loving relationship with Krishna. This process in itself has given me a taste of transcendental pleasure that can’t be replicated in any other way. Striving to apply my body, heart, mind and intelligence, in His loving service is not just the path, it’s the goal. The ability to be engaged is from your mercy. You fortify us with proper instructions in your books, and lectures, so we can curb the petulant mind. We conquer the tongue with prasadam, and overcome the demands of the senses with proper engagement. This wonderful structured life has been designed by your causeless mercy.”
Sarvamangala Dasi:
“How can we ever show sufficient gratitude for this incredible engagement in sharing what you have bestowed upon us.
“I beg you to accept the humble attempts I make to share Krishna consciousness with others. Krishna puts the words in our mouths when we engage in preaching, only because we are under your direction. The taste of repeating your teaching is so relishable, Srila Prabhupada. So many unwanted things are there in my heart but my one true desire is to be an instrument – blunt as that presently might be – in your preaching army.”
“Your exalted disciples exist in this world as rays of your mercy. May I follow in the footsteps of those who have pleased you in this way. My hope and prayer is to become a better instrument of Your Divine Grace, the most munificent Acarya.”
Jaya Jagadisa Prabhu:
“Sri Krishna has engineered the current situation to purify everyone – devotees and non-devotees alike.
“For example, air pollution – a tremendous problem in cities like New Delhi – has dramatically reduced, and many slaughterhouses have closed because the unspeakable working conditions have caused so many employees to catch the virus.”
“We gain strength by remembering your personal example of ‘sailing into the unknown’ on the Jaladuta in 1965 at great personal risk. This material world is a huge, risky ‘unknown,’ but our spiritual master’s orders and the holy name provide strength to carry us through the current disaster and the inevitable disasters that will follow as Kali-yuga continues its decline.”
Anadi Prabhu:
“You once stated that trying to purify your disciples was like trying to wash coal. With every year that passes, I realize more and more that you were very serious about that statement.”
Govinda Mohini Devi Dasi:
“On March 6th, 1966, Srila Prabhupada wrote in his diary, ‘I am here alone without any devotee companion. But I have come here to serve the Lord and not for personal happiness. I am prepared to live in hell even, if I am able to serve the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that His mission should be propagated all over the world and that is my objective. I do not mind the inconvenience personally felt.’ This expresses the humble attitude and strong desire Srila Prabhupada had to serve Lord Caitanya by spreading His movement all over the world and working so hard, regardless of all the difficulties.”
“He said, ‘Actually my health has been down for a long time. From 1965 to 1977. I was never healthy. It has been bad from the time I went to abroad at the age of seventy. I suffered heart attack three times, and since then something or other is always happening to my body.’ Srila Prabhupada made so many sacrifices and is full of compassion for all the fallen souls.”
Mahasini Devi Dasi:
“Earth’s Greatest Benefactor
“Come one come all into the street
Dance with joy to the mrdanga beat
“Raise your hands up toward the sky
Sing out loud, don’t be shy
“It’s Kali-yuga, the winter of time
But the cure for this Age is simple; sublime
“Lord Caitanya gave His sacred prediction
You carried His message with firm conviction
“Starting small in Tompkins Square Park
On Caitanya’s mission you did embark
“Every town and village throughout the world
The sankirtana banner you have unfurled
“Young American sudras you wholly engage
In the antidote for this iron-age
“Harer nama hare nama hare namaiva kevalam
Chant and dance in the streets with cymbal and drum!
“And spread out from that park like sunshine’s beams
Soon all the world’s people were chanting, it seems
“The greater world may have no notion
Of the blessings unleashed when you crossed the ocean
“The benediction is real for all on this Earth
Thus we rejoice on the day of your birth.”
Suresvara Prabhu:
“WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU?
“Dearest Srila Prabhupada...
Where would I be without you?
Chasing super heroes
All with feet of clay,
“Sportsmen, mystics, two-legged Beatles
Where would I be today?
Where would we be without you?
Fighting over who-to-be-who
“Delusions of grandeur
Distracted by lucre
Where would we be today?
Where are they now without you?
“Lacking your books not a clue
Their proud academics
Wonder why the pandemics
When will they to turn to you?
“Where would I be without you
You gave me a duty to do
Share Krishna with others
As sisters and brothers
And someday...come back home...to you.”
Pancharatna Prabhu:
“Covered with ignorance
steeped in illusion
mired in arrogance
awash in confusion
“In such a state
I met with great fortune
that came without cause
other than your compassion
“And stepped on your ship
now buoyed with confidence
with you as our captain
we embraced Divine Providence
“And set off on a journey
to the spiritual world beyond
all pain and unhappiness
reawakening our eternal bond
“Of pure loving service
to the source of all existence
Sri Krishna, the Supreme Person
we come to Krishna consciousness
“On this ship of service
you have so kindly kept me
overlooking my unlimited faults
I can only keep begging
“That I may somehow remain
always engaged in your mission
to bring the whole world
on your ship of transcendence
“Delivering the divine harinama
to every village and town
until the whole world
embraces the transcendental sound
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare”
Kishor Prabhu:
“It’s Tuesday, 21st August 1973. I’m standing a short distance from
you in the Deity room of Bhaktivedanta Manor, transfixed as I watch
you offer incense to Krishna and His divine consort, Radha.
“I’m captivated. You seem lost, as though in a dance of love with
Them. This is all new to me. I see your sheer joy, as you personally
welcome Them into this place of worship you have created in the
English countryside.
“I sense your feeling of gratitude that knows no bounds. They
have come personally at your humble request. How have I become
privy to this deeply intimate moment?
“As young worshippers throng forward for a better look, you seem
absolutely alone in communion with your Lordships, unfazed by
the surrounding clamour. Yours remains a tender and private affair.
“You sprinkle sacred water over the heads of the dancing devotees
as a little child, looking happy, mischievous and carefree.
“Soon after this wonderful arrival occasion, you explain the
meaning of what has just unfolded. The mystery of Krishna’s
appearance in the form of ARCHA VIGRAHA. How He is, indeed,
non-different from this beautiful marble image before us.
“Someone next to me asks, ‘Srila Prabhupada, is it possible for
a pure devotee to ever forget Krishna?’ I watch closely as you gaze
lovingly at Radha Gokulananda on Their brand new altar and
almost tearfully reply, ‘Every day I pray to Krishna: Please don’t
let me fall down.’”
Guru Gauranga Prabhu:
“I reflected on the instruction you once gave one of your disciples, who asked you, ‘Now you are present, Srila Prabhupada, so everything is all right. But what if, in the course of time, when you are not here, ISKCON falls from the standard? What should I do?’
You replied without hesitating, ‘You are one of ISKCON’s important members, so work for the correction, but don’t leave.’”
“In the faithful implementation of your instruction:
1) we read your books and follow them in our daily lives;
2) we make time to chant our rounds properly;
3) we preach Krishna consciousness, especially by book and
prasadam distribution, in whatever condition of life we
find ourselves;
4) we maintain association with devotees;
5) we sustain ourselves with prasadam only; and
6) we willingly work for the correction of any problems in your
Society and never leave.”
“Please fortify my will to be forever true to your instructions so that
future generations will find ISKCON a hospitable home in which all
may live harmoniously and confidently in difficult times.”
Adhiyajna Prabhu:
“MOTI
“From the beginning of your life you were very shobha
Your neighborhood toddler friend for your love was very lobha
Without you he wouldn’t get in the pram, he called you his “Moti”
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, koti! koti!
“Hanuman lifted a mountain, but Bhima couldn’t lift his tail
Without your mercy, O dear guru, we will surely fail
You lifted mountains of doubt and also let us put on your shoe
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, uru! uru!
“Before the rain there was a drought
People were hopeless, who could help them out?
Then came the torrential downpour, it was a Sunami Tsunami
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, pranami! Pranami!
“Delinquent monstrous philosophies were lurking in the deep
They hid the light and caused all, out of their fear, to creep
You swallowed them all, you truly are that revealed Timingila
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, kila! kila!
“Your innovation was groundbreaking
Your humility was heartbreaking
You accepted all, for you there was none ever achhut
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, adbhut! adbhut!
“As purifying as the wind, your instructions remain forever utmost significant
You benedicted all with your glance, O topmost wandering mendicant
Your smile was like the flowers on the wish-fulfilling kalpa taru
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, sadhu! sadhu!
“One who can live in both worlds at the same time is the true mystic
To say you were always thinking of Krishna is too simplistic
You were constantly directly serving the Divine Couple of Vrindaranya
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, dhanya! dhanya!
“How to please you? You replied ‘When you love Krishna’
We will always follow your example, you have given us this trishna
You are our ‘Moti’ , O Sri Krishna Priya ati priya
Srila Prabhupada, please accept our dandavats, sukriya! Sukriya!”
Advaita Acharya Prabhu:
“It’s been 50 years since I found you, what a fortunate day
You who have guided me and shown me the way
It’s been quite a journey, lots of ups and downs
Unfortunately, my offensive service no better than a clown’s
“To your sincere disciples and their compassionate merciful association
I bow down and offer my prostrations
As old age creeps in, and my body and mind become weak
Prabhupada, I fall at your lotus feet
“A human being you have taught me to be
Gradually I’m beginning to see
I hope and pray I can remain humbly in your service sublime
And approach Lord Krishna in eternal time”
Jagattarini Devi Dasi:
“I discovered this quote from your class spoken in 1969 at New Vrindavana. I keep this message by my side when chanting and read it many times.
“‘The whole world is problem for ordinary persons, but to us it is not a problem. Because we see everything Krishna’s. If there is problem, it is Krishna’s problem. Why my problem? Krishna can know how to solve problem. So we have no problem practically. Krishna’s problem. Krishna will see to it.
“‘Just like Arjuna was encouraged that nimitta-matram bhava savyasacin. “You don’t worry about your victory. I have already arranged.”
“‘So we should have such faith and conviction and let us try. Let us do very sincerely and seriously. Then everything Krishna will do. I haven’t got to do anything.’”
Visalini Devi Dasi:
“Once I said: ‘Srila Prabhupada, I want to take every one of your instructions as my heart and soul.’
“You replied, ‘Do this very thing and your journey back to Godhead is guaranteed.’
“With this you taught me not to be selective of which instruction I value more; my obligation is to value equally all of your instructions.”
Hari Sauri Prabhu:
“Realization is enhanced by service and service is our eternal asset. By this combination, Prabhupada gave us entrance to the spiritual realm, a privilege that can never be matched nor superseded. Prabhupada lives on and by worshiping him through vani and seva we stand unassailable.”
Nrsimhananda Prabhu:
“Every Vyasa-puja, I am reminded of how much service that I haven’t done for Your Divine Grace. Yet, you continue to engage me in working on Krishna conscious movies, chairing the SABHA, chanting 16 rounds daily (only by your mercy), and giving me the best gift anyone could get – sadhu-sanga. Health, happiness, wealth, fame – everything pales in the glow of the gift of good devotee association. That is how I see you – living, guiding, counseling, commiserating :) through your followers. Whether they and I have differences of opinions, by your divine mercy, I love each and every one of them. Please continue to shower those blessings on me and all of the souls fortunate enough to know about you.”
Rupa Manjari Devi Dasi:
“Krishna consciousnesses is alive and well all over this planet because of you. You have done what no-one before you was able to do: you have cracked open the treasure chest of bhakti and freely distributed it outside of India. The magnitude of what you have done and how many people you have touched is incredible.”
“It took your physical presence here to bring me to Krishna, but so many of these devotees are younger and never had the good fortune to be physically present before you. Yet they have taken to this path because of the deep pure strength of your message.”
Prithu Prabhu:
“Note: After your discussion with the world famous Zen Buddhist Professor Karlfried Graf Dürckheim I was thrilled that he would pay his dandavat to you.
“This man had class. He was super intelligent, meek and humble – a real gentleman, from a huge line of aristocratic descent.
“Indeed he told me on the way to the Frankfurt Railway station:
“‘Prithu Dasa, I have met over so many years of my life so many famous gurus, sadhus, mahants, saints and highly placed religious personalities, in India and all over the world. But I have never met a personality like your spiritual master. ‘Er ist durch’ ‘He is on the other side,’ he said.
‘This is the most fortunate day in my life.’
“It was mine too.”
Bhavatarini Devi Dasi:
“1. All glories to this day in Calcutta that you did appear
To join Gauranga’s dancing party, to serve your master dear
“2. Cooling like rays of the soothing benediction moon, you came
To fulfill Gauranga’s prophecy and to spread the holy name
“3. To every town and village this message you have boldly told
You are not this mundane body, Oh, you are pure spirit soul
“4. Part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, a spark of the Divine
Sat cit ananda, eternal knowledge, bliss and love sublime
“5. All glories to your bhakti mission, all glories to your fame
All glories to this chance you give to us for Krishna prema
“6. We are lost and torn and crying in this dark Age of Quarrel
But this holy name of Krishna has come to save us all
“7. Flooding the gates of India, inundating everyone
But, still the West lay sleeping like an indolent, foolish son
“8. Then your guru gave the order: Take this message to the West
So on his order, in your old age, you came and saved the rest”
Sakshi Gopal Prabhu:
“MERCYFLOW
“To fulfil your guru’s order
You embarked upon a quest.
With holy name and Bhagavatam
You travelled to the West.
No heart attack or ocean storm
Could compromise your vision
To spread the sacred yuga-dharm’
Of Lord Caitanya’s mission.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“You arrived in Boston Harbour
(Seven dollars to your name)
With karatalas and a trunk of books
To broadcast Krishna’s fame.
A cooker to prepare your meals
Amidst the carnivores –
A far cry from Vrindavana
And Yamuna’s sandy shores.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“You braved the Bowery’s winter wind
That chilled you to the bone.
Your typewriter was stolen
Yet you struggled on alone.
Unperturbed, you carried on,
For nothing could impede
The order of your guru
That you preach the bhakti creed.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“You wrote, inviting godbrothers
To help you in your task,
But no money or encouragement
Emerged from Gaudiya Math.
A couple gave you shelter
Then the word soon got around
That things were hip at Matchless Gifts:
‘The Swami’s here in town!’
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“In the belly of America
(Land of the Brave and Free)
You cooked and served chapatis,
Rice and deep philosophy.
With chanting, dancing, feasting
And your storefront Gita classes,
You transformed the lives of those
Who’d followed camels, dogs and asses.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“Beneath a tree in Tompkins Square
You sang and played the drum.
The hippies danced – the Hare
Krishna Movement had begun.
You cut the ‘Happening’ album
And it quickly made the rounds –
As eager ears around the world
Heard transcendental sound.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, H are Hare
“And while the world was sound asleep,
Beside your makeshift desk,
Surrounded by the acaryas’ words
You prayed the world be blessed.
In dead of night before the dawn
– An icon of persistence –
You shared your deepest ecstasies –
The essence of existence.
“Word by word and page by page
You laboured to impart
The mercy of your precious books,
Dictated from your heart.
You drew a core of eager souls
Who searched for higher truth
That God was still alive and well.
You offered them the proof.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“And from that tiny storefront
On New York’s Lower East Side
You began your worldwide mission
With Lord Krishna by your side.
You formed the International Society
For Krishna Consciousness
And as you registered your ISKCON
Seven Purposes you stressed.
“They would be your mission statement
For the next ten thousand years –
The guidelines and objectives
That would make your purpose clear;
A blueprint of your strategy
Established at the start,
Chalking out a revolution
Meant to purify the heart.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“You saw your Movement swiftly grow
And spread across the ocean –
Sustained by your unflinching faith
And unalloyed devotion
To the order and instruction
Of your Guru Maharaja –
Whose heart’s desire you manifest
To save the world at large.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“O Prabhupada! We glorify
Your birth this sacred day!
Our transcendental debt to you
Can never be repaid.
Your appearance to redeem the world
Was foretold long ago –
Now the devas queue to take their birth
And serve your mercyflow.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“There’ll come a day when all the world
Will thank you, Prabhupada!
The saints who serve your legacy
Will make the nations glad.
The seeds they sow on your behalf
Are sure to sprout and grow
When watered by the holy name
That you yourself bestow.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
“Obeisances of love
We offer you, this sacred day.
We take shelter at your lotus feet.
In gratitude we pray.
For us, you gave your everything,
Our wayward souls to reach.
You are the dearmost servitor
At Krishna’s lotus feet.
“Obeisances again and
Yet again, this sacred day!
Taking shelter at your lotus feet
With humbled heart we pray
To amplify your pastimes
So the world will know your fame
As the saktyavesha-avatar
Who spreads the holy name.
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”
Gokularanjana Prabhu:
“You gave us the higher taste, you cooked the lunch, cleaned the pots, the dishes, the floor and most of all you cleaned our hearts.”
Karlapati Devi Dasi:
“You taught us how to transfer matter into spirit — transcendental alchemy.”
Arjuna Prabhu:
“Your mercy is stronger than dynamite and it obliterates the walls of misconception and false ego! Maya trembles in its wake.”
“I thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for having created so many nice services for us to engage in through your ISKCON mission. Please bless me if you like that I can mature more and more in selfless devotional service unto your lotus feet. I stand once again to be inspected, corrected and directed. May I not be neglected.”
Nirakula Dasi:
“As I now approach the age that you were when you left Vrindavan to preach in the West, I shudder to think where I would be now if you had settled for a cozy life. Lucky for me that you instead took to a life of apparent inconvenience to fulfill the order of your spiritual master.”
Badarayana Prabhu:
“There is a monumental battle being fought behind the scenes – a war for the soul of the planet. There is great need for luminous warriors who walk in the light of the Bhagavat to stand in the frontlines of this battle or act as wise counsel for those that do. When this knowledge that you have given to the world is properly understood by sane and sound men and women, there will be a revolution of love and devotion. It will change the world. It has been written. And it has begun.
“This has been made possible only as a result the immense sacrifice, compassion and immeasurable glory of Your Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
“May we keep your mood, your mission and your instructions always in the center of all our activities at all times. That will be the cause of the greatest good for ourselves, our loved ones and the world at large. A new era will be born from the ashes and the golden age of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be realized in due course. By your grace, all this is not only possible, it is unfolding before our eyes. All we need to do is roll up our sleeves and jump in the fight.”
Govardhana Dasi:
“If it please you, Srila Prabhupada, I beg the blessing of being able to chant harinama in public, alone or with one or two others, in this North of England, where devotees are rare.”
Mahacandra Prabhu:
“My dear master and my dear father, years are passing by, and the more they pass by, the more my appreciation for you increases. The more my spiritual maturity develops, the more my love and gratitude for Your Divine Grace becomes manifest.
“I never get tired of hearing about your wonderful life, and my ears become greedy of listening to your transcendental pastimes.
“There will never be enough words to thank you as you actually deserve, neither enough actions able to repay a little of what you have given to us.
“Thanks Srila Prabhupada, thanks for having accepted us as your servants and for having given us the most valuable wealth: the holy name.”
Anavadyangi Devi Dasi:
“Prabhupada was a Pilgrim who all on his own brought his message to the West. We owe it to him to carry his message into the future. We are all in unique situations according to time, place and circumstance, just as Krishna plans. Each of us is affecting those around us.”
Prthusrava Prabhu:
“Now that economies and governments are dissolving, your books will surely become recognized as the beacons which can reorganize society and illuminate the ultimate goal of human life.”
Sangita Devi Dasi:
“Your spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakur, quoted from the Mahabharata:
“The Supreme Lord says, ‘I have arranged so much misery, pain, trouble, and danger, not to make you suffer, but to teach you that all this misery is unnecessary; so you will search for that happiness which is eternally desirable, the joy that is eternally adorable.’”
Havi Prabhu:
“Among your many celebrated phrases, one in particular always moves me profoundly. You said: ‘If millions of distributed books, if hundreds of temples and thousands of devotees generate one single pure devotee, then I can consider my mission a success.’”
Parividha Prabhu:
“Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
Cause you’re not here anymore
“Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars light the sky?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
For why don’t they fall from the sky?
“I woke up this morning and wondered
Will I feel this sad evermore?
I can’t understand, no, I can’t understand
How life goes on as before
“Why does my heart go on beating?
Why are there tears on my face?
The reason I cry: It’s the end of the world
As we have lost Your Divine Grace”
Ujjala Devi Dasi:
“For what I love in you, Srila Prabhupada, is clearer in your absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.”
“Your mercy flows through me.”
Dravida Prabhu:
“Srila Prabhupada, my heart is filled with gratitude for all you’ve given me—a lifetime of service worshiping your words and words following yours, an opportunity to associate with many of your sincerest followers, the facility to follow the full morning program in or near a temple practically every day of my devotional life, prasadam, pilgrimages to India, and in general all the devotional opulences of ISKCON.
“You risked your life to give me and millions of others the absolute truth about the Absolute Truth, and to give us the practical means for transforming our lives from sinful to sinless through the process of bhakti taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his followers. There can be no greater sacrifice than what you undertook for our sake, and therefore we owe you an unrepayable debt. Please bless me so that I can dedicate the remainder of this life to your service, as well as all future lives.
“O Prabhupada, on this great day
When you appeared, just like a ray
Of Krishna’s vast effulgence bright,
To give this blind world back its sight,
“We thank you from the bottom of
Our heart, and pray with deepest love
That we may serve your lotus feet
In every circumstance we meet.
“As years go by and books go out,
We see what life is all about:
To serve your mission, and our Lord’s,
By spreading wide your sacred words.
“As well you want us all to strive
To let those words direct our lives.
This safest path will lead us Home,
No more in maya’s realm to roam.”
Madhusevita Prabhu:
“Here are twenty-six reasons why we can’t fail you:
We can’t fail you because you are most dear to Krishna.
We can’t fail you because you are Srimati Radharani’s envoy.
We can’t fail you because you are Nitai-Gauranga’s mercy incarnate.
We can’t fail you because you are the pride and joy of the previous acaryas.
We can’t fail you because you underwent so many tribulations just to save us.
We can’t fail you because nobody ever loved us as you did.
We can’t fail you because you created the family of ISKCON.
We can’t fail you because your instructions are impeccable.
We can’t fail you because your adorable disarming smile conquered us.
We can’t fail you because you tolerated so much nonsense.
We can’t fail you because you turned us from failures to sadhakas.
We can’t fail you because you are Prabhupada.
We can’t fail you because you devastated our foolish pride.
We can’t fail you because you annihilated impersonalism and voidism.
We can’t fail you because you are the person bhagavata.
We can’t fail you because it would be so stupid to do so.
We can’t fail you because your deep affection left us no way out.
We can’t fail you because you cried to Krishna for us.
We can’t fail you because you told us you depended on us.
We can’t fail you because if we do, remorse will kill us.
We can’t fail you because we want to see you again.
We can’t fail you because without you there is only void.
We can’t fail you because you are carefully watching us.
We can’t fail you because if we do, Lord Nityananda will get mad at us.
We can’t fail you because it would displease so many wonderful devotees.
And finally, we can’t fail you because by some inconceivable fortune we have developed love for you.”
Purnamasi and Krsnadasa Kaviraja Prabhus:
“When asked about what is so great about being a Hare Krishna devotee, I respond, ‘The best thing about being a Hare Krishna devotee is that I get to associate with the very best people on the planet.’ Your disciples and granddisciples, even some great-granddisciples are the most selfless people on the planet. As you have instructed, they look after themselves, their families and friends, but they also go to great lengths to give people the most valuable gift of transcendental knowledge about Krishna.”
“The fuel for this journey is measured by how many souls we can drag with us. As with most spiritual understandings, it is opposite to what happens in the material world. More drag generally slows one down, but by being dragged by you and grabbing others to drag, we accelerate our trip Back To Home, Back to Godhead.”
Lalita Devi Dasi:
“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity at this point in my life to absorb myself in service. There is an urgency about this time of life. You so kindly engaged us in our youth, and we made sacrifices to please you and Lord Krishna for which we have felt your reciprocation throughout this life.”
Gopisa Prabhu:
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu broke open the storehouse of love of Godhead, you gathered up its contents, packed it up in a trunk and carried it around the world, freely giving it away to any and all, no matter the qualification or lack thereof.”
“And your greatest gift to us has been each other. Without the shelter of association, I would be lost. Thank you for the gift of your disciples! They are the wellspring that can quench the blazing fires both within and without.”
Taraka Prabhu:
“Once in Mumbai, I unwittingly consumed some very bad water. I then traveled to Mayapur where I soon became very gravely ill. I was in a coma with a raging fever for a week before I was discovered by the devotees. When my condition came to your attention, you made arrangements for my care at the devotee-staffed infirmary within the temple compound. There, I remained on a gurney under a papaya tree outside the infirmary. You prescribed a medicinal diet for me and you personally came to check on my welfare daily.
“You were giving classes every morning, but I was unable to attend due to extreme weakness. I was greatly aggrieved to miss the opportunity to hear the nectarean and medicinal words emanating from your lotus mouth. Understanding the importance of hearing to my spiritual sustenance, you personally came to my side every morning and spoke for many minutes. It was your habit to take a morning walk each day with an entourage of sannyasis and GBC men. Each day during your walk you made a point of stopping beside my gurney where you spoke extensively on many subjects.
“Though your words were intended for everyone present, it seemed to me as though you were speaking to me personally and in retrospect I see that you appeared to anticipate all the events of my life, providing pertinent instruction. Over the many days I lay ill, you instructed me on all kinds of spiritual topics and though I was a brahmacari at the time, you even went into detail about how I should raise my children, particularly my daughter. In the years that followed, all of your instructions from those days have proven to be immensely valuable to myself and my family.
“Daily you monitored my recovery, but after weeks had passed I still could not properly digest and I remained so weak I could barely move. Seeing this you sent a message to me one afternoon. You said, “If you work hard you can digest even a stone”. You made
arrangements for me to work at the gosala and I was immediately shuttled there to begin serving the cows, a service that entailed lots of hard work such as lifting heavy bags of feed. Srila Prabhupada, you are always expert and your words never fail. I struggled to perform my cowherd duties at first, but quickly I began to gain strength.
“I began attending temple functions again and there you kept your eye on me. I felt too weak to dance in kirtana, but you would not allow me to sit or even stand and simply shuffle. At every kirtana you would stand in front of me and motion for me to jump up and down. The extremely pained look on my face surely conveyed the extent of my inability, yet you were absolutely insistent that I jump and so I did, though awkwardly and with much difficulty.
“Because I had acquired great faith that you alone could deliver me from all my life’s miseries and out of an intense desire to please you in reciprocation of your kindness, I followed your instruction to jump in kirtana and to care for the cows in spite of the pain and difficulty. Sure enough, within days I recovered my health and though I never attempted to digest a stone, my power of digestion was fully restored!”
Radhapriya Devi Dasi:
“Srila Prabhupada, thank you for everything.
“For the reason to wake up in the morning,
to pay obeisances to you before rising.
“For the purpose of being up before dawn, to chant,
sing, offer myself with love for another day.
“For the joy of cooking, not for my belly, but for making an
offering to the Lord, and to any soul who may partake.
“For the energy to work, as a loving offering,
making all work joyfully performed.
“For the ability to keep in touch with the bliss of devotional
service, regardless of external circumstances.
“To know that nothing I may have worked so
hard to create, belongs to me, that it all belongs
to Their Sweet Eternal Lordships.
“To see that my ageing body is simply
becoming like a threadbare coat, covering
my bright and everlasting true Self.
“To know that each pain and every heartbreak
is another chance to allow the holy names
deeper entry into the cavern of my heart.
“To cherish each relationship as another
chance to share the most precious gift.
“To know the overwhelming nectar of the Gift of Faith.
“To learn as I stumble and fail, that these are nourishment
for humility, softening my heart for bhakti.
“To see, as I create things of beauty, that any
apparent achievement is another drop of grace
“to always have something special in my heart
to offer anyone who may cross my path
“to have been given the invitation to let flow, all the
love that can possibly occur in this human form.
“To feel the beautiful, melting sweetness of bowing down.
“To touch new beatitude with every Vaishnava festival,
celebrated with deep attention and smaranam
“To have inspirational images imprinted in my mind
of others’ devotion, far greater than my own.
“To not be afraid to say sorry from the depths of me, for
hurts or offences knowingly or unknowingly committed.
“To know each moment and every breath to be
due only to your kindness toward me.
“To be able to lay my head down at the
end of each day and be grateful.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for everything.”
Hiranmayi Devi Dasi:
“I was certainly born in the darkest ignorance, but by the mercy of His Divine Grace, who has opened my eyes with the torchlight of knowledge and bhakti, I have now become civilized. I notice that Kali-yuga doesn’t affect me as often, and I remain centered on the essence so as to put the finishing touches on this human life.”
Mahadevi Dasi:
“You constantly help me hear and see
even when I don’t want to hear and see...
Your divine presence and Krishna
is in everything, everyone
You help me calm my restless mind
Time after time,
So I can learn to love you and Krishna
All the time.
“I pray every day to be able to serve your devotees
selflessly, effectively, devotionally.”
Mrtyuhara Prabhu:
“You taught us how, by fixing his mind in your teachings, even in the midst of calamities, the devotee always remains undisturbed and free from fear. If those teachings were not genuine and authentic, they could never give us such tranquility, realization and trust.”
Rathayatra Prabhu:
“This is the time for us to stand up and unite and be the change you wanted us to be in your revolutionary mission, which will bring an end to the present satanic system in control.”
Jagaddhatri Devi Dasi:
“Chanting Hare Krishna 24 hours a day is going on through ‘The Festival of the Holy Name Global Pandemic Kirtana’ – inspiring, encouraging and giving solace to so many. Prasada distribution is going on – many people are accepting and relishing prasada.
“You said, ‘Kirtana and prasada distribution. This is our preaching mainly.’
“We could not predict this situation which is happening all over the world – but you have already given us the solution!”
Krishna Gopal Prabhu:
“Yes, you are that sparkle who is enlightening the whole world with
the words, knowledge, and beauty of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.”
Medhavi Prabhu:
“In this one passage from Lilamrita; in one location you are reverentially respected, in another, offered a high governmental reception, then speak at the United Nations, to an Indologist and intelligent professors, and in another accosted by disrespectful anarchists. But you, Srila Prabhupada, take it all in your stride as Lord Caitanya’s servant and ambassador, not concerned with how you are treated but only how to distribute the Lord’s teachings and His holy names. Then you step on a plane and travel halfway around the world.”
MokshaLaksmi Devi Dasi:
“You are the person who made me make sense of my journey to this material world. You made it possible for me to join the dots in the puzzle that I find life to be; helped me navigate the shark infested waters I unknowingly swam in. You put the 1 before all the zeros that made up my life.”
Sandamini Devi Dasi:
“Serving Your 20/20 Vision
“Each day passes, another is lost,
So many goals I set,
Marveling at your deep compassion,
How to repay my debt?
“Serving your mission is serving you,
To that I give my life.
Duty calling, seldom falling,
Free from undue strife.
“To follow in your footsteps,
Always on my mind,
With each instruction followed
Desires are realigned.
“You give me true purpose,
You set my firm resolve,
To help guide our Society,
Knotty problems to solve.
“I strive to do much more,
But attachment holds me back
From being more bold in preaching,
Wish I had more your knack.
“Empowerment from you,
Gauranga’s strong mandate,
To reach the souls in this land,
Their fortune you create.
“Uncertain times in which we live,
maya strikes the heart
Of greedy takers loathe to give,
Our purity sets us apart.
“Since your mood of mercy flows
Toward each conditioned soul,
Bring the fallen back to Krishna,
What else could be our goal?
“Long days service, then brief rest
Early morning rise,
Living fully what you teach,
Going home our prize.
“How committed are you!
Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
With such fervent desire,
Working as you showed us,
Our eagerness shall never tire.”
Sukhavaha Devi Dasi:
“Dearest father, master, and guide,
Bowing to you, in prayer I confide,
Though I, most certainly, unqualified,
Even still, your mercy was not denied.
“How gracious are you!
“Though outwardly you were tested and tried.
Your guru’s order in your heart fortified.
With faith, you accepted Krishna’s free ride,
Though in the belly of that ship, you almost died.
“How committed are you!
“With no viable, visible support from outside,
Your compassionate love spread far and wide
Whatever you needed, Krishna supplied.
Showing the power of prayer from inside.
“How devotional are you!
“Though I, a fool, so full of pride.
You open my eyes, exposing I have lied,
To myself mostly, though I cannot hide
Your clear words at my closed heart pried.
“How transparent are you!
“Never giving up, though you openly cried,
You persevered, your faith did abide.
Spreading the holy name world wide
With Guru and Krishna ever by your side.
“How resolute are you!
“Your life epitomized what your words implied.
Pure and simple, by your message I was tied.
You showed us how Krishna would always provide.
By your inspiration, we gratefully complied.
“How supportive are you!
“You asked us to cooperate instead of collide;
To curb our tongue, our senses subside;
To diligently chant, devotion applied;
Bringing back the mind whenever it would slide.
“How attentive are you!
“Smiling and nodding as we meagerly tried
Encouraging us when we got fried
Without you, dear father, to hell I would glide
Your life is a tribute, love exemplified.
“How caring are you!
“You showed us that maya never gratified
Instead ever binds us, our soul defied.
Through service we learn to be satisfied
As our connection to you becomes solidified.
“How available are you!
“Not looking for quick fixes from the outside,
I pray that I find my soul buried inside;
That my tiny love becomes intensified
As you actively continue to be my guide.
“How grateful am I!”
Vidyananda Prabhu:
“Mostly, I just remember that Prabhupada saved me and he continues to save me every day.”
“You saved me, once upon a time, by coming to America; and spreading the love of Sri Sri Radhe Syama in the divine form of Lord Caitanya, accompanied by Lord Nityananda.
You continue to save me every day by filling my heart, guiding my mind, and being my ever well-wisher.”
Samapriya Devi Dasi:
“Possessing great humility
yet confident and bold,
though you are meek and gentle,
the truth is always told.
“And fearless as you wield your sword
of knowledge all around,
you kick your lotus boot on heads
of rascals to the ground.
“You are renounced and detached
from everything we see,
yet you are using all of this
to somehow set us free.
“Though aloof from everyone
you are our greatest friend,
but seeing you as one of us
will cause our dismal end.
“As you walk through this world
that wreaks of condemnation,
your purity cannot be touched
by gross contamination.
“And in that secret place
beyond the lure of maya’s veils,
you live with your beloved Lord
where truth and faith prevails.
“You have come to save us all
from the things we hold most dear,
steeped in illusion thinking
that our home is really here.
“O’ ambassador of the Lord
and master of my soul,
you bestow the sacred gift
of life’s eternal goal.
“Hearing from the perfect master,
I’m quenched by nothing less.
Your sacred words are my life
and all I need possess.”
Sukhada Dasi:
“One of the amazing features of this trek is that the more we stop to help others the farther along the path we find ourselves. It doesn’t heed the normal rules of physics. Someone who walks slow, carefully, meditatively can find themselves magically transported even catapulted long distances into the bhakti world.”
Dayanidhi Prabhu:
“Srila Prabhupada, thanks to you, our old age is becoming the best age. l feel younger and younger, because you give me strength, day after day, and because of you l feel I’m entering in the eternal life.”
“For you I gave up everything, and I’m very happier each day.”
Sri Padambuja Prabhu:
“The prediction made more than 500 years ago by Lord Caitanya, that the sankirtana movement would spread throughout all the cities, towns and villages of the world is being fulfilled thanks to the impulse of the disciplic succession of spiritual masters that you represent with total dignity. The architect of this prediction has been you, helped by your disciples, who have then multiplied the number of new followers, and whose disciples continue to multiply them. Now, the institution you established is an increasingly voluminous snowball that absorbs thousands and thousands of conditioned souls in its path to purify them and integrate them into Lord Krishna’s pastimes in the field of eternity.”
Subhangi Devi Dasi:
“We young people were unknowingly waiting for something to happen, for somebody to come. Apparently it was for you. You were the only one who could free us from our animalistic, hellish godless life.”
Narakantaka Prabhu:
“It is hard to be found, even since days of yore,
A soul of such glory, so kind and so pure
“That even Lord Krishna, the Greatest of all,
Adores your feet and responds to your call.
“Your teaching and guidance, beyond time and space,
Know no faults or limits; are free from mistakes.
“The wheel-saw of time, with its grinding teeth,
For thousands of years will meet its defeat
“In chewing and crumbling your books and your fame,
Since after you appeared, no life is the same.
“Your powerful Movement will face everyone,
So that also a rebel will come and become
“The most happy and humble, a surrendered soul,
And by love and your mercy, fulfil his life’s goal.
“Of Spiritual Sky you have opened the door,
And of Love of Godhead you have plundered the store.
“By flooding the world with your loving grace,
You’ve shown the true beauty: the Lord’s lotus face.
“Your lotus-like feet, unsinkable vessel,
Grant shelter to those who struggle and wrestle
“Within this dark ocean of nescience and fear,
By just one condition: being willing to hear.
“The sound of transcendence flowing out of your mouth,
Will shrink that vast body, without any doubt,
“Again and again, by half and then half,
Downsizing to a hoof-print, left over by a calf
“You’re father, you’re master, you are everyone’s friend;
You’re named ‘Prabhupada’ ’cos that’s where you stand!
“And all living creatures within these three worlds,
Men, angels or demons are struck by your words.
“My life is worth nothing, without serving you,
No matter how ‘spiritual’, fresh or anew.
“And even if held in the Lord’s warm embrace,
This soul cannot live without Your Divine Grace.”
Drutakarma Prabhu:
“You and your service are the polestar by which I navigate through the ever-shifting constellations of life. I continue to water the creeper that has grown from the seed I received from you and your Lord Krishna.”
Ashalata Devi Dasi:
“Not many people knew the name of Krishna. You declared that Krishna is the Supreme God and created a revolution all over the world. Now Krishna is known all over the world.”
Govinda Devi Dasi:
“Unfortunately for us, in today’s world, only 50 years after the departure of Srila Prabhupada, we see numerous factions all vying for recognition and approval, endorsement, and all jockeying for power and prestige – and all claiming to base their philosophies on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. How confusing! Yet we must come to realize that the true essence of his teachings are irrelevant to such demented aspirations of confused jivas.
“There are those who cling to their opinions and bodily designations more dearly than to that golden rope that can lift us from this ocean of samsara. It matters little whether these designations are of the proud male leader, the downtrodden or neglected female, or embittered homosexual, or whatever. They are simply fleeting designations, all based in the misconception that ‘I am this, I am that.’ Such misconceptions abound and seem to distract us at every step. Yet all are based in ignorance, in the false conclusion that ‘I am this mind and body, I am an American, an Indian, a man, a woman, a gay or a non-gay, white skinned or dark skinned’ – there is no end to these misconceptions.
“Unfortunately, most jivas clutch tightly to these temporary designations, whatever they may be, and with great determination, they hang on for dear life!
“Sadly, we are missing the point. These temporary designations are actually irrelevant to what Srila Prabhupada, as well as Lord Nityananda, came to teach. The gift of mercy is Lord Nityananda’s specialty, and so also it is Srila Prabhupada’s specialty. His heart of loving compassion is equally there for the self-important, the officially unimportant, the abused, the confused, and everyone. Even for the slug crawling in his garden.
“Instead of ‘taxing our brains’ to find ways to endorse or defend our particular variety of insanity – whether it is male, or female, gay or non-gay, green, or white, or black – we would be far better off if we humbly accept our fallen condition, and sincerely reach out for that golden rope that has been cast down to us by the merciful Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, and then personally handed to us by Srila Prabhupada.”
Haridasa Dasa:
“And just as you appeared the day after the appearance of Sri Krishna, you are appearing more prominently to the world’s people just after the Hare Krishna Movement has become historically more solidly established, though you are the Movement’s Founder-Acarya.”
Madhavi-Devi Dasi:
“My only wish is that you be pleased to engage me in the service of your mission to bring Satya-yuga to this dark Age of Kali, as you describe in Srimad-Bhagavatam. Your glories will shine above all the turmoil and warring when all of us fulfill our duties to you and the holy names are being sung on every street corner, and every bookshelf displays your glorious, unmatched, original books. I only live for doing my small part.”
Nandanandana Prabhu:
“As the Ganges is worshiped offering Her own waters, so I worship Your Divine Grace offering your own teachings. I am made of your mercy only.”
Cakri Prabhu:
“Many times when we approach people with your books, a standard reply is ‘No, I’m good’. They don’t understand their precarious position. But, now after the current events in the world, they can no longer say, ‘I’m good’. Perhaps now they will listen to your divine message.”
Vegavati-Devi Dasi:
“You have given me everything, Srila Prabhupada, friends, family, the most wonderful philosophy and way of life. Even in this time of global pandemic, I feel the shelter of my faith, which you have instilled in me, that whatever happens cannot happen without Krishna’s sanction and permission. So I trust that in the end, things will work out all right.”
Brahmatirtha Prabhu:
“In January 2019 we put on a conference entitled ‘Consciousness in Science’ with 400 attendees on opening night including several famous scientists. We followed your suggestion from 1976 and reached out to PhDs in ISKCON, and I am pleased to report that 50 devotee scholar PhDs attended. Your wish to gather PhDs is being fulfilled.”
Dina-sarana Devi Dasi:
“Who can comprehend the immense fortune
of how much chanting, how much worship,
how much financial support,
how much management,
how so much of everything
is needed
to make one devotee
and have him trust and develop enough faith to stay, never
to leave again?”
JayaGauri Devi Dasi:
“Now more than ever the wisdom you imparted upon us is paying dividends. You gave us the tools to stay peaceful and hopeful in this lockdown situation. I am just so grateful to hear your words, to read your teachings, and to practice this bhakti-yoga life. My enthusiasm to follow the process of purification only increases as time goes on.”
Atmatma Prabhu:
“You gave us the great gift of your books, books that are beyond the material sphere, full of great potency. The mercy that flows from them is from a place far beyond the material world, every person who receives such a gift is the most fortunate person, and that is before even reading.”
Gunesvara Prabhu:
“What you gave us has no price nor a way to repay the debt. At least, allow me to serve you life after life. If I could be fortunate enough to take birth in a family that has great love, dedication and respect for you and for your teachings, I will consider that my years of dedication to your mission got a wonderful and precious reward.”
Janaki Devi Dasi:
“Please bless me with your merciful glance, that I may be purified within the heart, so that I can make tangible spiritual progress in order that I may be a help, not a hindrance, to your great mission and vision for the world.”
Jagajjanini Dasi:
“You have given shelter to unlimited souls and made being in this material world bearable.”
Paurusa Prabhu:
“Just a hint of your presence in my mind in any form whatsoever, immediately dispels the darkness and ignorance of this cold and damp Age of Kali, filling me instead with hope, strength, and joy.”
Nidra Devi Dasi:
“One congregational friend decided to go alone to the train tracks, where hopeless souls were committing suicide at this time of pandemic, and loudly chanted the maha-mantra. Other persons who were waiting to possibly do the same suicidal act became uplifted by the names and simply walked away and gave up their despair. This congregational friend continued to chant for the souls there and the world. She was doing it because she learned it from your books. She cried and cried out the names and felt your presence. She felt more hope for her own life, which she had almost given up many times. She glorified your instructions with happiness and devotion.”
“By your blessings and mercy, may your sankirtana army be your pure instrument to deliver your vani everywhere. By your grace, may the weeping of this planet become joyous cries to Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. May the people know how much you care for them and may they reciprocate by glorifying the holy names. May your army of devotees all prepare themselves more and more to be qualified to be empowered to be your instruments to turn the cries of hopelessness into joyous harinama.”
Naresvara Prabhu:
“In the absence of your physical presence we push on, albeit with a multitude of missteps and faults. We need to deepen our focus on the process that you gave us in order to purify our hearts and simply become instruments of Your Divine Grace.”
“Dear Srila Prabhupada, please keep me on your team in spite of all my shortcomings.”
Matsya Avatar Prabhu:
“Modern man, in the name of science and economic progress, treats nature and all of its beings with predatory violence.
“In the name of science, for the purpose of scientism, he has created a greedy economic system with no consideration for life and all of its beings, acting with the arrogance of a mad demiurge (asura), placing himself in the position of God with a sense of superiority towards everyone and everything. He is dragging humanity towards its most disastrous demise: its dehumanization and the progressive destruction of biodiversity on the planet.
“All that you spoke to me about that day, did indeed happen, and now the human race is suffering the terrible consequences.”
Krishna Namananda Prabhu:
“ISKCON attracts people like a magnet because of the purity that you put into it.”
Mahapurana Prabhu:
“Calm and restrained, you refrain from hearing the appeals of
unbridled mind debris.
“You are free from one who claims your friendship and yet
behaves like your enemy.
“Calm and restrained, you refrain from hatred and rancor, as you
have dropped your anchor into the ocean of transcendence.
“Calm and restrained, you refrain from the relish of fleeting
mundane joys and cast them off like broken nursery toys
from infant hood.
“Your mood is ecstatic. You are neither gritting your teeth nor
struggling to fight off the fire of desire.
“You are savoring the flavor of a higher taste and no time is
wasted on anything outside of Krishna seva.”
By Indradyumna Swami
By Madhava Smullen
By Tulsi Gabbard
By Lindsay Peyton
