BBT Africa Vyasa-Puja Book 2021

Śrī vyāsa-pūjā
THE MOST BLESSED EVENT

The Appearance Day of Our Beloved Spiritual Master
His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa

Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad
A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPĀDA

Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Śrī vyāsa-pūjā
Śrī vyāsa-pūjā
THE MOST BLESSED EVENT
The Appearance Day of Our
Beloved Spiritual Master
31 August 2021
His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa

Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad
A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI
PRABHUPĀDA
Founder-Ācārya of the International

Society for Krishna
Consciousness
3
Set in The Brill and Futura Round Condensed display at The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Africa
© 2021 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Africa
The copyrights for the offerings presented in this book remain

with their respective authors.
Quotes from books, lectures, letters and conversations by

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
© 2021 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
Cover and artwork courtesy of

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
International, Inc.
www.bbtafrica.co.za y www.bbt.org y www.krishna.com
All Rights Reserved
3
CONTENTS
Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix
THE MEANING OF VYĀSA-PŪJĀ 1
ŚRĪ GURVĀṢṬAKAM 3
Offerings by 4
SANNYĀSĪS 21
INITIATED DISCIPLES 35
GRANDDISCIPLES, GREAT-GRANDDISCIPLES
& OTHER DEVOTEES 41
ISKCON CENTRES 273
THE BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST 285
OTHER SOURCES 289
3
PREFACE
4 TIRUMALA DEVI DASI
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 125 TH anniversary It is also a time to reflect on how we, as the African
zz
of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta yatra, can unite and further distribute the sublime
Swami Prabhupāda’s appearance. In message of love of Godhead all over our continent.
celebration of this auspicious occasion, A note on our editorial policy for this book:
the African BBT has compiled this 2021 Offerings were reviewed for appropriateness but
edition of its pan-African Vyāsa-pūjā book. It were not, or only very lightly, edited for spelling
contains 356 contributions from across the African and grammar. Also, no diacritics were added. In
continent and is a collective expression of gratitude short, we’ve mostly published the offerings as we
to Śrīla Prabhupāda. Indeed, it is our greatest fortune received them.
to have been touched by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy,
whether through his books, lectures, or ISKCON. Your servant in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda,
The auspicious occasion of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Tirumala Devi Dasi
Vyāsa-pūjā is an opportunity to reflect on the pro- BBT Africa
found impact his teachings have had on our lives.
vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BBT AFRICA would like to extend its heart- Śrīmatī Hemanthi Bhaga, Śrīmān Kṛṣṇa-jñāna
zz
felt gratitude to all the devotees for Dāsa, Śrīmatī Mathurā-maṇḍala Devī Dāsī, Śrīmatī
their sincere offerings to Śrīla Prabhu- Naimiṣāraṇya Devī Dāsī, Śrīmatī Rashmika Rama,
pāda and extend our special apprecia- Śrīmatī Raslila Devī Dāsī, Śrīmān Śrī-Govinda Dāsa,
tion to those devotees that assisted oth- Śrīmatī Subadra Ghoorun, Śrīmān Utpala Dāsa and
ers in the submission of their offerings. Śrīmān Viśvambhara Dāsa for their service.
This annual pan-African, Śrīla Prabhupāda A special acknowledgement to Śrīmān Rūpa
Vyāsa-pūjā book is made possible by your enthusi- Sanātana Dāsa, Śrīmān Hemant Bhaga, and Śrīmatī
astic contributions. Tirumala Devī Dāsī for the design and layout and
We extend a heartfelt appreciation to the ded- to the extended BBT Africa team members for their
icated team of Śrīmatī Ana-Lucia Cheon, Śrīmatī guidance and support.
Bhakti-rasa Devī Dāsī, Śrīmān Caitanya Dāsa,
ix
THE MEANING OF
VYĀSA-PŪJĀ
4 BHAKTI DHĪRA DĀMODARA SWAMI
zz
Śrīla Vyāsadeva is the literary incarnation Vyāsa means guru, because he is our
of God, Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa. Vyāsa means Śrī- original guru. When spiritual mas-
la Vyāsadeva, and pūjā means “worship.” ter’s birthday is observed, it is called
Thus, Vyāsa-pūjā means “the worship of Vyāsa-pūjā. This Vyāsa-pūjā means
Śrīla Vyāsadeva,” which takes place on a spiritual master is representative
the anniversary of the spiritual master’s of Vyāsa. Just like we are teaching
appearance on earth. this bhāgavat-dharma, the Śrīmad-
Śrīla Vyāsadeva’s appearance was divine and Bhāgavatam, we are following the
very auspicious for the whole world, especially for footsteps of Vyāsadeva. So actual-
fortunate souls who know its value and are taking ly the preacher’s seat is Vyāsadeva’s
part in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. His appearance was āsana. It is the seat of Vyāsa. Just like
divine, because he shone a light on the path of per- in the high court the seat, the seat of
fection for the world. Indeed, his appearance was judgment, or..., what is called? That
not forced by material nature as are the births of seat, nobody else can sit there, in that
conditioned souls in the material world. seat. Only the high-court judge, rep-
In a lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (London, resentative of king or giving law to
15 July 1972), Śrīla Prabhupāda said, the citizens, he can sit down. Simi-
larly, the vyāsāsana is occupied by
the representative of Vyāsadeva, who
1
can speak on behalf of Vyāsadeva. Upaniṣad 6.14.2) and ācārya-upāsanam, “approach
This is the system. a bona fide spiritual master” (Bhagavad-gītā 13.8).
Therefore, we offer him all respect and honor him as
All bona fide spiritual masters in the disciplic the representative of the Almighty Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
succession from Śrīla Vyāsadeva are worshipable We worship Kṛṣṇa through the bona fide spiritual
by their disciples, especially on Vyāsa-pūjā day. On master, who is like a postman collecting letters and
that auspicious day, full respect and honor are duly money and delivering them to the recipient. He will
given to one’s spiritual master exactly as one would not take anything for himself because whatever he
respect God. delivers does not belong to him personally.
Why? Are we not worshiping a human being? In order to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
Is this some sort of personality cult? disciples must follow their spiritual master in full
No, we are not worshipping an ordinary human surrender and serve him as a menial servant with-
being, nor is this worship a feature of a personali- out false prestige. In representing the ācāryas and
ty cult. The spiritual master’s qualification is that Kṛṣṇa, a bona fide spiritual master takes a great risk,
he does not speak any nonsense. Instead, he only and his disciples appreciate this as well as his won-
speaks what he has heard from the previous ācāryas derful qualities. Therefore, they glorify him daily,
— ācāryavān puruṣo veda, “One who approaches especially on his appearance day, Vyāsa-pūjā, a day
a bona fide spiritual master can understand every- on which a spiritual master may carefully examine
thing about spiritual realization” (Chāndogya his disciples through their offerings.
Śrīla Prabhupāda 2
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
u
ŚRĪ
GURVASTAKAM
..
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī
Ṭhākura
v
1
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
T HE spiritual master is receiving bene-

diction from the ocean of mercy. Just as
a cloud pours water on a forest fire to
extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the
materially afflicted world by extinguishing the
blazing fire of material existence. I offer my re-
spectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a
spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious
qualities. 
2
mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta-
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca-kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo
C HANTING the holy name, dancing in

ecstasy, singing, and playing musical in-
struments, the spiritual master is always
gladdened by the saṅkīrtana movement of Lord
Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because he is relishing the
mellows of pure devotion within his mind, some-
times his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in
his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I
offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet
of such a spiritual master. 
3
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāṁś ca niyuñjato ’pi
T HE spiritual master is always engaged in

the temple worship of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and
Kṛṣṇa. He also engages his disciples in
such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful
clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and
perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer
my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of
such a spiritual master. 
4
catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda-
svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva
T HE spiritual master is always offering

Kṛṣṇa four kinds of delicious food [ana-
lyzed as that which is licked, chewed,
drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual mas-
ter sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating
bhagavat-prasāda, he is satisfied. I offer my re-
spectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a
spiritual master. 
5
śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra-
mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
T HE spiritual master is always eager to hear

and chant about the unlimited conjugal
pastimes of Rādhikā and Mādhava, and
Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual
master aspires to relish these at every moment. I
offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet
of such a spiritual master. 
6
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
T HE spiritual master is very dear, because

he is expert in assisting the gopīs, who at
different times make different tasteful
arrangements for the perfection of Rādhā and
Kṛṣṇa’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves
of Vṛndāvana. I offer my most humble obeisances
unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master. 
7
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
T HE spiritual master is to be honored as

much as the Supreme Lord, because he is
the most confidential servitor of the Lord.
This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures
and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer
my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of
such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide repre-
sentative of Śrī Hari [Kṛṣṇa]. 
8
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo

yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
B Y THE mercy of the spiritual master one

receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. With-
out the grace of the spiritual master,
one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I
should always remember and praise the spiritual
master. At least three times a day I should offer
my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my
spiritual master. 
u
OFFERINGS BY
SANNYĀSĪS
v
My dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Your Divine Grace.
golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, KrsnaKrsna, Hare Hare
“THE TREASURE OF DIVINE LOVE in Goloka Vrndavana Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
has descended as the congregational chanting of Please continue to bless me to continue chanting
Lord Hari’s holy names.” (Prarthana, Srila Narotta- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, KrsnaKrsna, Hare Hare
ma dasa Thakura) Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
You, together with your followers, have revealed
Goloka Vrndavana, simply by the chanting of the Your struggling servant
maha-mantra: Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami
My dear Lord and Master Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhakti Caitanya Swami

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances.

All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada, the savior of the whole world, and my savior.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.27 Lord Krishna says: It never ceases to amaze me, Srila Prabhupada, how
you are helping us, directly by your presence in our
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān lives in your service, and indirectly through our
navamanyeta karhicit Godbrothers and sisters, to develop in Krishna con-
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta sciousness. This Kali Yuga is such a hopeless time,
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ as the Bhagavatam says, “(in this age) men almost
always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome,
“One should know the ācārya as Myself and never lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always dis-
disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, turbed.” If that were not bad enough, along comes
thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the repre- the Covid pandemic which compounds the cra-
sentative of all the demigods.” ziness and drives even a number of devotees into
extreme states of mind.
I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THIS VERSE when reading Sri Cai- But Srila Prabhupada, with the anchor of your
tanya-caritamrta many years ago. It appears there instructions, your sincere followers are able not only
as Adi-lila 1.46, and you, Srila Prabhupada, give a to remain steady in this storm, but to f ind inno-
very profound and pointed purport to it there. First vative ways to spread the mission of Krishna con-
you emphasize how the bona fide spiritual master sciousness in times which seemingly paralyze many
is like a parent, without whose attentive service a of the well-intentioned, and drive others into fren-
child cannot grow up to become a proper adult – in zies of foolishness that complicate an already bewil-
a similar way a disciple cannot come to the level of dering situation.
proper Krishna consciousness without the dedicat- You go on in that purport to explain how the
ed help of the guru. spiritual master is an acarya, or a “transcenden-
tal professor” who teaches the disciples the Vedic
23 Sannyāsīs
understanding in detail and gives them second ever be improved by concocting our own ideas and
births on the spiritual platform. Coming close to the somehow avoiding what you have given us. As you
bona fide acarya such as yourself opens the doors say in the purport, “a bona fide ācārya is non-differ-
to transcendence in ways no other person is able to ent from the Personality of Godhead, and therefore
do, and this is an act of such incomprehensible com- to envy such an ācārya is to envy the Personality of
passion that you, Srila Prabhupada, are none other Godhead Himself. This will produce an effect sub-
than the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead, versive of transcendental realization.”
the asraya-vigraha, or the form of the Lord one must You are one of the confidential associates of Sri-
take shelter of. mati Radharani, or a manifested representation of
We have seen how being connected with you Lord Nityānanda. Or quite likely, in your own tran-
has revolutionized our lives. In happy times and sad, scendental way, both. My life is dependent on you,
and even in these strange days of Covid, those who and other than your shelter there is nothing auspi-
do as you have instructed continue making progress cious in my existence.
and experience the nectar of immortality in their I humbly pray at your lotus feet to continue
lives. In the beginning of our devotee lives we didn’t being merciful to this undeserving person, and
really know what to expect, but whatever we had in please keep accepting my small attempts at serv-
mind, practicing Krishna consciousness under your ing you. May your glories be spread throughout the
protection has exceeded any ideas we had in terms three worlds!
of practicality and real experience.
Therefore, our Srimad Bhagavatam verse tells us Your servant,
to never envy you, Srila Prabhupada. We must never Bhakti Caitanya Swami
think that our future in Krishna consciousness can
Bhakti Carudesna Swami 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine holy feet.
I AM WRITING this offering to you with a great joy after putting one piece into your mouth... you knew
in my heart. Many years have passed and you still prasad is very important for the spiritual progress,
remain the personality who transformed the world you wanted to give some Krishna mercy, and eat-
with his purity and faith in Krishna. Reading your ing one piece first, it was as good as Krishna Him-
biography (Srila Prabhupada’s lilamrta = the begin- self eating it.
ning) is for me the best way to know your purity and Strong faith in Krishna in our devotional ser-
your faith for Krishna. vice is such an important ingredient. And you
I always remember two points: demonstrated that faith in an amazing way in the
First, you always instructed the boys who came beginning of your mission.
to listen to your Bhagavad Gita classes to always We miss you so much and the world badly needs
keep the door of the room open... you knew very well an authentic and bona fide saintly personality like
that Krishna will come to assist you. Secondly, in your holiness. We are seeing so many calamities in
the beginning there was no deity installed but you the world now because the Supreme Lord is not hap-
cut some apples into pieces and shared to those boys py with what human beings are doing to humanity.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Now the question is: who will appease the Lord
and please Him like you did? Your mercy is mostly Your servant,
needed at this point. All glories to you, O saviour of Bhakti Carudesna Swami
the whole world.
My dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami

zz
Please, kindly accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
tvam nah sandarsito dhatra and so we give you our lives without you. Who else
dustaram nistitirsatam would have saved us who are materially, mentally,
kalim sattva-haram pumsam socially, culturally and spiritually condemned? May
karna-dhara ivarnavam you accept our heads at your lotus feet and never
push us away because we would not have someone
“We think that we have met Your Goodness by the else to accept us, and we have no other place and
will of providence, just so that we may accept you no one to turn to.
as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross Please overlook our bad and help us complete-
the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the ly, we beg you.
good qualities of a human being.” (Srimad-Bhaga- The great sages offered the speaker of the
vatam 1.1.22) Bhagavatam an elevated seat of respect called the
vyasasana, or the seat of Sri Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva
SRILA PRABHUPADA, YOU ARE THE SHIP’S CAPTAIN rep- is the original spiritual preceptor for all men, and all
resenting Srila Suta Goswami, taking us across the other preceptors are considered to be his represen-
ocean of material existence through your teach- tatives. A representative is one who can exactly pres-
ings of Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. You ent the viewpoint of Sri Vyasadeva. Sri Vyasadeva
have compassionately given us real education and impregnated the message of Bhagavatam unto Srila
knowledge in your books, lectures, and other means. Sukadeva Gosvami, and Sri Suta Gosvami heard it
You removed the sufferings of birth, death, dis- from him (Srila Sukadeva Gosvami). All bona fide
ease, old age and other miseries of the living entities representatives of Sri Vyasadeva in the chain of dis-
and have sanctified the whole world. You have cre- ciplic succession are to be understood to be gosvam-
ated our fortune by your auspicious qualities as you is (Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam
spread the dust of your lotus feet all over the world 1.1.5, London, July 15, 1972).
as you travel, many times, the globe. As Srila Prabhupada is a bonafide representa-
Just by seeing and hearing, you who have no tive of Sri Vyasadeva, we offer him our respect and
desires, our devotional crepa is sure to produce worship on his divine appearance day as recom-
results, and for some people, you have already done mended in all the scriptures.
it. You took so many pains and troubles to act for our
benefit as you relieve us from so much distress and Your grandson,
bondage. You have made our lives successful by your Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami
presence and teachings because your heart is so soft,
3
25 Sannyāsīs
Giriraj Swami 4 My dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Your Divine Grace and to your sublime mercy.
HOW SHALL I TAKE SHELTER OF ONE MORE MERCIFUL THAN YOU?
SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM , Canto Three, Chapter Two, even to His enemy. It is said that a noble man accepts
verse 23 is very signif icant. Not only is the verse the good qualities of a person of doubtful character,
beautiful, but it also has historical signif icance, just as one accepts nectar from a stock of poison.
because when after sixteen years Sukadeva Gosva- In His babyhood, the Lord was administered dead-
mi came out of the womb, he left home immediately poison by Putana, a she-demon who tried to kill
ly, and his father, Srila Vyasadeva, followed him into the wonderful baby. And because she was a demon,
the forest. And when Vyasadeva came close enough it was impossible for her to know that the Supreme
to his son for Sukadeva to hear, he recited two vers- Lord, even though playing the part of a baby, was
es from Srimad-Bhagavatam, one describing Krish- no one less than the Supreme Personality of God-
na’s beauty, from the Tenth Canto, and one—this head. His value as the Supreme Lord did not dimin-
verse—describing Krishna’s mercy. ish upon His becoming a baby to please His devotee
When Sukadeva Gosvami heard these two vers- Yasoda. The Lord may assume the form of a baby
es—the one describing Krishna’s mercy and the one or a shape other than that of a human being, but it
describing Krishna’s beauty—he became attracted. doesn’t make the slightest difference: He is always
Although liberated, he became attracted by Krish- the same Supreme. A living creature, however pow-
na’s transcendental qualities and he came back to erful he may become by dint of severe penance, can
hear Srimad-Bhagavatam from his father. never become equal to the Supreme Lord.
I quote this verse today because it reminds me Lord Krsna accepted the motherhood of Putana
of you—how shall I take shelter of one more mer- because she pretended to be an affectionate moth-
ciful than you? er, allowing Krsna to suck her breast. The Lord
accepts the least qualification of the living entity
aho bakī yaṁ stana-kāla-kūṭaṁ and awards him the highest reward. That is the stan-
jighāṁsayāpāyayad apy asādhvī dard of His character. Therefore, who but the Lord
lebhe gatiṁ dhātry-ucitāṁ tato ’nyaṁ can be the ultimate shelter?
kaṁ vā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema The Lord is absolute. He is all good for every-
one, and He is neutral toward everyone. He is always
TRANSLATION thinking of how to do good for others. So even if one
approaches Him as an enemy, He will try to do good
Alas, how shall I take shelter of one more merciful for the person, as in the case of Putana. Although
than He who granted the position of mother to a she came to kill Krishna by administering poison
she-demon [Pūtanā] although she was unfaithful from her breast, He elevated her to the position of a
and she prepared deadly poison to be sucked from nurse, like a mother, in the spiritual world. And mer-
her breast? ciful as He is, you are even more merciful.
You said that it is a mark of a good man that
PURPORT he sees the good side, not the bad side, of oth-
ers. You gave the example of your guru mahara-
Here is an example of the extreme mercy of the Lord, ja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Srila
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Bhaktisiddhanta had a disciple named Kunjabihari known as your disciple and as a member of ISKCON.
dasa—people used to call him Kunja Babu—who, So, Tamal Krishna Goswami approached you and
you said, came to do business with your guru maha- said, “This is happening, and he is giving you a bad
raja, to profit personally from his relationship with name and giving ISKCON a bad name. You should
him and from his service in the Gaudiya Math. But reject him.”
you said that your guru maharaja didn’t focus on And again you replied, “I cannot reject anyone.”
Kunja’s dark side, that he was coming to make busi- Tamal Krishna Goswami asked, “But don’t you
ness, but on his bright side, that he was coming to have to draw the line somewhere?”
offer service. And again you said, “The mercy of Lord
In your conversation with Bob Cohen on Febru- Nityananda has no limits.”
ary 28, 1972, in Mayapur, you said, “Putana Raksasi— Srila Prabhupada, you are the manifest repre-
she offered Krishna poison. But Krishna is so nice sentative of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, and your for-
that He thought, ‘She took Me as My mother,’ so He giveness is like His. How shall I take shelter of one
took the poison and delivered her. Krishna does not more merciful than you?
take the bad side. A good man does not take the bad Another, similar quality of yours is that you
side—he takes only the good side. Just like one of my were always willing to give someone a chance to
big Godbrothers—he wanted to make business with take up Krishna consciousness. Around 1976 a
my guru maharaja, but my guru maharaja did not strange man with a PhD came to the Juhu temple
take the bad side. He took the good side. He thought, and said he wanted to join, and you invited him to
‘He has come forward to give me some service.’ ” stay upstairs with your personal staff, in the flat
So, this verse reminds me of you: How shall I adjoining yours. And you spent quite a bit of time
take shelter of one more merciful than Your Divine with him. Hamsaduta Prabhu was visiting at the
Grace? There was no one more merciful than you. time, and he told you, “Prabhupada, you are just
Lord Nityananda is most merciful, and you man- wasting your time with this man. He is never going
ifested the same quality of mercy as Nityananda to amount to anything.” But you kept spending time
Prabhu. with him. And in the end, the man left; he never did
In Bombay you received a phone call from the amount to anything. But when Hamsaduta men-
temple president in Calcutta, who reported that one tioned that to you—“I could see that he never was
of your earliest disciples from America had come to going to amount to anything”—you replied, “I want-
Calcutta and was smoking ganja, marijuana, and ed to give him a chance.”
asked what to do. You instructed your secretary to Another person whom you encouraged was Dr.
relay your response: “Tell him that if he doesn’t stop C. P. Patel, who would almost always accompany
smoking ganja I will reject him.” Afterwards, Tamal you on your morning walks on Juhu Beach. You had
Krishna Goswami asked, “Is it true that if he doesn’t a friendly relationship with him, but Dr. Patel would
stop smoking ganja you will reject him?” And you sometimes speak like a Mayavadi. You would accuse
said, “No—I cannot reject anyone. The mercy of him, “You are a Mayavadi!” and Dr. Patel would reply,
Lord Nityananda has no limit.” “No sir, I am a Vaishnava, a pure Vaishnava.”
Then, maybe two years later, we were in Juhu,
and you had a disciple who fell into bad company One morning Dr. Patel and you had a huge argu-
and was living on Juhu Beach with a bogus, so-called ment. Dr. Patel would bring up different so-called
yogi and doing tricks. He was putting a coin in one holy men of India, and if they were not up to stan-
ear and then making it come out the other—differ- dard, you would criticize them. So, one morning you
ent strange things to collect money—and he was were criticizing one of Dr. Patel’s favorite revered
27 Sannyāsīs
so-called saints of India, and Dr. Patel and you had qualities, but your most significant quality, for us
a huge argument. He raised his voice to you, and you especially, was your extreme mercifulness.
raised your voice to him—the two of you were liter- You had a good friend in Bombay named Bhogi-
ally shouting at each other. And Dr. Patel’s friends, lal Patel, who was extremely pious. The first devotee
his cronies, were trying to pull him away, saying, to meet him was Gargamuni, and when Gargamu-
“Don’t upset Swamiji; he has a heart condition.” And ni was explaining your work, Bhogilal wept profuse
eventually they pulled him away. tears of appreciation.
Back at Hare Krishna Land, Tamal Krishna One day some years later, Bhogilal Patel came
Goswami approached you in your room and asked, to meet you in your flat at the back of Hare Krishna
“What is Dr. Patel’s position? Is he a Vaishnava or a Land. I had a close relationship with Seth Bhogilal,
Mayavadi, an impersonalist?” so I brought him up to meet you. The two of you were
In response, you told a story about a man who talking and, as is natural in a conversation, when you
could speak many languages. In whatever language were speaking I would look at you, and when Bhogi-
people addressed him, he would respond fluently. lal was speaking I would look at him. But at one point,
No one could figure out where the man was actu- while Bhogilal was speaking I looked at you, which
ally from. you were not expecting, and I saw that you were look-
After much discussion, a neighbor said, “I will ing at me with such love and affection, like a father or
find out.” So, one day, when the man was preoccu- a grandfather (by age, you were more like my grand-
pied, the neighbor came up behind him and gave father). I was surprised that you were looking at me
him a big whack. And when the man started to curse with so much love. But as soon as you saw me looking
in his native tongue, his origin was disclosed. at you, you changed your expression and became very
“Dr. Patel is like that,” Prabhupada said. “He grave and serious. I think it was some special mercy
can speak very expertly. He can sound like a devo- that I got a glimpse of how much love you had for us,
tee, sound like a Vaishnava, sound like a Mayavadi, which you didn’t usually show very openly. Your love
sound like anything. But when I gave a slap where for us was manifest in your care for us and your giv-
it really hurt—this so-called saintly person that he ing us the knowledge of Krishna consciousness and
revered—his real language came out.” engaging us in Krishna’s service.
“So, why do you put up with him?” Tamal Krish- You were very reserved about touching people,
na asked. “He is so offensive.” including even disciples. In 1971 in Gorakhpur, as
“It is our duty to engage everyone,” you said. You guests of Hanuman Prasad Poddar of Gita Press, we
wanted to give Dr. Patel a chance. And as the years were staying in his large estate, Sri Krishna Niketan,
passed, Dr. Patel developed great affection for you, which had previously been his personal residence.
and after you left this world he wrote a beautiful You were traveling with your small Rad-
article for Back to Godhead about his relationship ha-Krishna Deities, and you wanted to establish an
with you. The article was titled “My Life’s Most Pre- altar for Them in Sri Krishna Niketan. You wanted
cious Moments,” with the subtitle “A Bombay doc- some foliage for the altar, so you sent a couple of dev-
tor wins the title ‘big fool’ and loves it”—because otees, including me, to collect some. I went out to a
you would always call Dr. Patel a mudha. You would thicket and was collecting branches with leaves. I
say, “I am not saying—Krishna is saying: na mam wasn’t tearing them live—I was looking for branch-
duskrtino mudhah.” [Anyone who doesn’t surrender es and leaves that had fallen. I just kept going deeper
to Krishna is a mudha, fool.] into the woods and collecting more and more foli-
So, how shall I take shelter of one more merciful age, and eventually I had a huge bundle, as much as
than you? Your Divine Grace had so many wonderful I could possibly carry.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
So, I lugged the bundle back to Sri Krishna Thank you for your ongoing causeless mercy,
Niketan and up the stairs, and when I reached the which, like Nityananda Prabhu’s, has no limit.
temple room you were there and the altar was being I pray to serve your merciful lotus feet eternal-
set up. I just dropped the bundle on the floor and ly, and in doing so, share your sublime mercy with
offered my obeisances. And while I was on the floor, others.
you patted me on the back. It was one of the only Hare Krishna.
times—maybe the only time—that you physically
touched me. I looked up and saw you smiling broad- Your eternal servant,
ly. I didn’t know if you even needed any more foliage, Giriraj Swami
but you were pleased by my effort.
Again I ask: Srila Prabhupada, how shall I take
shelter of one more merciful than you?
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jayadvaita Swami

zz
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhūtale

śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namaste sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Thoughts:
• Srila Prabhupada has brought the pure holy name.
• We can understand Srila Prabhupada by the grace of Srila Prabhupada.
• He kept it pure.
• He kept it simple.
• When we remember him he is with us.
• Just start to remember and serve him, and inspiration and realizations will come.
• On my own, what could I do with my life? Let me offer my life to him, and he will engage me in
Krishna’s service.
• I am weak, but he is strong. Let me depend on him.
May I always be engaged in the service of Srila Prabhupada, and the service of his servants.
Jayadvaita Swami
29 Sannyāsīs
Partha Sarathi Das Goswami 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
All glories to our guru parampara.
I RECENTLY MEMORIZED A STATEMENT from the Sri Cait- Radharani may wear. Vayu, the wind, Vayu, blows
anya-caritamrta (Madhya Lila, summary of Chapter pleasantly and the Candra, moon, is shining. In two
22), “The fact is that devotional service is bestowed days it will be purnima, the full moon, and it is going
by the blessings of a pure devotee (sa mahatma to be a special pink moon.
sudurlabha). One has to receive his mercy for one’s During this lockdown I see children playing on
dormant Krsna consciousness to be awakened”. the roofs. I offer my respects to the pigeons, to the
From this statement I can understand that starlings, to the kalpavrksa trees, to the cows, to the
whatever advancement I’ve made, whatever posi- dogs, to the pigs, to the Braja-basis and even to the
tion I’m in, is simply due to your causeless mercy. mosquitos that are trying to taste my blood. I am for-
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura has tunate to be at the best place in this material world,
also said that mercy or kripa is more important than in the shade of Giriraj Govardhana.
endeavor. Of course, endeavor is required and there- When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked
fore Rupa Goswami writes in the Nectar of Instruc- Ramananda Raya where is the best place to prac-
tion Text 3, tice devotional service, Ramananda Raya replied,
“vraja-bhūmi vṛndāvana yāhāṅ līlā-rāsa” (Sri Cait-
utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt anya-caritamrta Madhya Lila Chapter 8 Text 254)
tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt “He should live in the holy place known as Vṛndāva-
saṅga-tyāgāt sato vṛtteḥ na or Vrajabhūmi, where the Lord performed His
ṣaḍbhir bhaktiḥ prasidhyati rāsa dance.”
Somehow I am here at Govardhana Hill, at least
“There are six principles favorable to the exe- until the lockdown is lifted. What better place to be
cution of pure devotional service: (1) being enthu- than in the association of Giriraj Govardhana.
siastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being All this is your mercy upon me. Your mercy
patient, (4) acting according to regulative princi- has also extended to tens of thousands of follow-
ples [such as śravaṇaṁkīrtanaṁviṣṇoḥsmaraṇam ers, admirers, disciples, grand disciples, and great
– hearing, chanting and remembering Kṛṣṇa], (5) grand disciples.
abandoning the association of nondevotees, and (6) I repeatedly commit myself to practicing Krish-
following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. na consciousness within your personal mission,
These six principles undoubtedly assure the com- the International Society for Krishna Conscious-
plete success of pure devotional service.” ness. I pray that I can continue to get the associa-
But ultimately, it is mercy that carries us tion of your beloved disciples and grand disciples.
through the different levels of samanya bhakti to Just today I got an email from one of my senior sik-
bhava bhakti to prema bhakti. sa-gurus, enquiring about my welfare. Due to your
Some context: Presently it is lockdown, I am for- potency you have made so many wonderful dis-
tunate to be staying at Govardhana Hill. The house ciples, grand disciples, and great grand disciples
I am staying in is behind the ISKCON Bhaktivedan- – to whom I repeatedly offer my respects. Simply
ta Ashram. Every evening I sit on the rooftop and remembering their holy names can purify me. As it
watch the sun (Vivasvan) set over Giriraj Govard- is said in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi Lila Chapter
hana and it is like a crimson silken veil that Srimati 12 Text 92), “Simply by remembering the names of all
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
these Vaishnavas, one can attain the lotus feet of Sri Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes in Jaiva
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed, simply by remem- Dharma that a madhyama-bhakta does not desire
bering their holy names one achieves the fulf ill- to live, does not desire to die but simply wants to
ment of all desires”. perform bhajana and accept whatever is the desire
Of course this particular verse is mentioned by of Lord Caitanya.
Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja in relation to the Vaishnavas Of course, I am not a madhyama-bhakta, nor
listed in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi Lila Chapter 10, am I an advanced kanistha-bhakta but I am a
11 and 12. But your beloved disciples and grand disci- beginning kanistha-bhakta. The prerequisite for
ples are also exalted Vaishnavas. So I can remember becoming an uttama-bhakta is to become a mad-
their names and chant their names – it is like offer- hyama-bhakta. And a prerequisite for becom-
ing oblations of ghee into the fire. ing a madhyama-bhakta is to become a mature
I thank you for allowing me to associate with kanistha-bhakta. And a prerequisite for becoming
you through your sound vibration – listening to your a mature kanistha-bhakta is to become a beginning
lectures and reading your commentaries on Bhaga- kanistha-bhakta, who at least bows down to the dei-
vad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya-cari- ty and follows the principles.
tamrta. I thank you for allowing me to worship your I pray that your personal preaching mission
murti. can continue, and becomes more established. And
I was extremely fortunate when you visited I pray in the mood of Vasudeva Datta that all living
South Africa in October 1975 for nineteen days and entities can be relieved of their material desires and
I was able to serve you. At that time, I was the pujari the reactions of their sinful activities and become
and engaged in service of offering you guru-puja, liberated. It would seem that Vasudeva Datta has
and applying candana paste to your forehead. influenced you in this particular mood since you
I hope in the very near future, I can get your have preached extensively not only in India, but also
personal association. Wherever you want me to go in the Western countries.
upon leaving this body is your desire and the desire Thank you once again for engaging me in your
of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I would very much service and in the service of our guru parampara. I
like to associate with you in Goloka Vrndavana. But unlimitedly take the dust of my Godbrothers, God-
if you want me to take birth again within ISKCON sisters, and your grand disciples, koti koti times.
then that will also be my pleasure. I would imagine
it would be South Africa again, since I have been Your servant,
there attempting to preach and establish your mis- Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
sion for forty-six years.
3
Pratah smaraniya param pujya param Guru Dev, ji, 4 Rama Govinda Swami
zz
Please accept my humble prostrated obeisance at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
Param Gurudeva! In the 1990s, when I first came and attended a couple of lectures on Sri Bhaga-
into contact with ISKCON devotees in Botswana vad-gita, there, I saw a book by the name of ‘Science
31 Sannyāsīs
of Self Realization’. I had a lot of interest to under- anyone to continue to remain on the spiritual path
stand the topic of self-realization which is spoken by and perform devotional service. In many purports,
many saintly persons. I used to attend any satsang you wrote that you established these ISKCON tem-
without distinction, and many speakers would talk ples so that like-minded people can gather together,
about it. But unfortunately, I never could get a clear hear and discuss Kṛṣṇa-katha, and perform devo-
concept of it. Then, I started reading this book of tional service. This is very true, especially in my
yours, i.e., ‘Science of Self-Realization’. In the chap- situation. Without the blessings and guidance of
ter entitled ‘Seeing the Aims of Human Life’, I came devotees of Botswana ISKCON, I never could have
across a paragraph written by your Holiness stating continued in devotional service.
that “We must always remember that this particular Quoting from ‘Life Comes from Life’, it is nicely
form of human life is attained after an evolution of mentioned in the purport that “Living beings move
many millions of years in the cycle of transmigra- from one bodily form to another. The forms already
tion of the spirit soul”. Param Gurudeva! This partic- exist. The living entity simply transfers himself.”
ular topic attracted me because I always heard that In other places, you mentioned that this life is the
this form of life is rare to achieve, but how and why? preparation for the next life. Human form of life
I never understood. I used to recite Sri Ramayana is karma bhumi, and the activities in this human
very frequently. There also, Lord Sri Rama says that life determine the destiny of the living entity. If a
by great fortune one gets this human form of life, human being continues to exist in ignorance, he will
which is desired by even the demigods, and that get into the animal kingdom after leaving this body.
it is the door to moksha (liberation). This partic- But if he surrenders to the Supreme Lord through a
ular chapter of ‘Science of Self-Realization’ made bonafide spiritual master, and engages in devotion-
me think and go through the entire book. It gave al service, he can be elevated to the spiritual world.
me very good insight. What was spoken by Lord Sri You have many times in your divine purports to Sri-
Rama in Sri Ramayana, I found it in Srimad-Bhaga- mad-Bhagavatam and Sri Bhagavad-gita mentioned
vatam 11.9.29 spoken by Sri Avadhuta Brahmana to that we must do all the various devotional services
the King Yadu. I used to suggest, and still suggest just for the pleasure of the Supreme Lordships Sri
newcomers to this wonderful Kṛṣṇa consciousness Sri Radha and Kṛṣṇa. Because we are serving for
movement, to read this great scripture, ‘Science of the pleasure of the Supreme Lord, and we, the dev-
Self Realization’. otees, have no personal desires, there is no repletion
of birth, meaning the devotees will be elevated to
durlabho mānuṣo deho the spiritual planets. The great sage Kavi, one of
dehināṁ kṣaṇa-bhaṅguraḥ the famous nava-yogendras, while instructing the
tatrāpi durlabhaṁ manye King Videha said:
vaikuṇṭha-priya-darśanam
kāyena vācā manasendriyair vā
“For the conditioned souls, the human body is buddhyātmanā vānusṛta-svabhāvāt
most difficult to achieve, and it can be lost at any karoti yad yat sakalaṁ parasmai
moment. But I think that even those who have nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayet tat
achieved human life rarely gain the association of
pure devotees, who are dear to the Lord of Vaikun- “In accordance with the particular nature one
tha.” (SB 11.2.29) has acquired in conditioned life, whatever one does
I realized that without the association of the with body, words, mind, senses, intelligence or puri-
Vaisnavas, vaikuntha-priya, it is not possible for fied consciousness one should offer to the Supreme,
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
thinking, “This is for the pleasure of Lord Nārāyaṇa.”” the individual soul is subordinate to Him. His duty
(SB 11.2.36) is to render service to the Lord — and if he does not,
Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa, also, while instructing to Sri then he will render service to māyā”.
Arjuna said: We can realize this fortune just because of your
mercy. Otherwise, it was not possible for a common
ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi person like me to engage in the wonderful service
mayi sannyasya mat-parāḥ of Their Lordships. Just by going through your pur-
ananyenaiva yogena ports, many lives, including mine, have been fortu-
māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate nate to seek the wonderful mercy of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa.
teṣām ahaṁ samuddhartā Param Gurudeva! It is quite surprising to me
mṛtyu-saṁsāra-sāgarāt that every time I read your purports, I get a differ-
bhavāmi na cirāt pārtha ent understanding. Your purports are transcenden-
mayy āveśita-cetasām tal, and therefore, I feel, it is not possible to know
the depth of transcendental knowledge. I came to
“But those who worship Me, giving up all their understand that the Lord will reveal Himself, and
activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without the knowledge about Him, in relation to our purity,
deviation, engaged in devotional service and always surrender and engagement in devotional service.
meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Paying obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet,
Me, O son of Pṛthā – for them I am the swift deliverer I humbly pray to bless me so that I can continue to
from the ocean of birth and death.” (Bg. 12.6 and 7) serve your mission of this wonderful Kṛṣṇa con-
In your purport to this verse, you said, “It is sciousness and get the association of Vaisnavas.
explicitly stated here that the devotees are very for-
tunate to be delivered very soon from material exis- Your servant of servant,
tence by the Lord. In pure devotional service one Rama Govinda Swami
comes to the realization that God is great and that
33 Sannyāsīs
u
OFFERINGS BY
INITIATED
DISCIPLES
v
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Medhavi Dasa
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Cape Town
South Africa
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya

bhutale srimate bhaktivedanta-svaminn iti namine
namaste sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
RECENTLY, I HAPPENED TO GLANCE at the “qualities of a and from the personal association of your direct
Disciple” mentioned in the Mantra-muktavali which disciples due to pandemic. But you were never one
is quoted in Hari-bhakti vilasa. “The disciple is one for excuses. You ask, “Are you reading my books?”
who is born in a noble family, beautiful, humble, Of course, materially, life is a complete mess. No
endowed with good qualities, truthful, of pure char- matter how one may try to pay off this, repair that,
acter, devoid of insolence and pride, free from lust replace this, renew that, there always is a constant
and anger, dedicated to serving the lotus feet of Sri line-up of unimportant, but materially necessary
Gurudeva, surrendered to the Supreme Lord, and things demanding attention. But your reply is, “Are
who serves the Supreme Lord with body, mind and you reading my books?”
words throughout the day and night.” Yes, Srila Prabhupada, I have been reading your
Needless to say, Srila Prabhupada, how merciful books. “But if the Lord is so compassionate to His
you were to pick up this degraded, sorry-excuse-for- devotees, why does He expose them to special suf-
a-human-being from the rubbish pile of this mate- fering.” The acaryas give the analogy of the father’s
rial world. You kindly engaged me in service to the love for his children by restricting their play and
mission of Lord Sri Caitanya to save human civiliza- making them go to school; even though the children
tion in its darkest hour and hopefully myself as well. fail to understand.
During your manifest presence, it seemed that we, “…the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu is mercifully strict
your disciples, were in a constant marathon racing with all His dependents, not only with immature
one another just to present you with some pleasant devotees struggling to become qualified. Even per-
preaching results. As Lord Rama utilized monkeys fect saints like Prahlāda, Dhruva and Yudhiṣṭhira
and bears, you used the American youth, addicted were subjected to great tribulations, all for their glo-
to sex and sleeping, as agents to expand the Krsna rification.” SB 10.88.8
Consciousness movement. You would often ask, “What is the news?” The
After your return to Lord Krsna and transfer to news is that you have, causelessly, accepted me as
a new preaching field, we tried to maintain the same your servant and that I will spend lifetimes trying
enthusiasm under your selected replacements, but to repay you for that mercy.
maya quickly brought many of them low. Confusion I would like to report something that would
and lack of co-ordination soon followed. cause you to smile or to respond that “my heart
Of course, this is all “ancient history.” swells with pride knowing I have disciples perform-
Somehow, my insignificant attempts at serving ing such activities.” (Letter to Tulsi das, November
you are followed by elation, but then quickly by dis- 1977)
traction into the seemingly spiritual. Therefore, I am Being situated at the southern tip of Afri-
what Srila Bhaktivinoda calls a ‘semi-vaishnava’. My ca, sometimes I feel like the Japanese soldier who
excuse, of late, is the isolation from the holy dhama maintained his isolated post in the jungle of the
37 Initiated Disciples
Philippines for 30 years, not accepting that the war this little service is pleasing to you.
was over and the world had moved very much along. In the purport to SB 10.87.50 is included a won-
Some regarded him as a national hero, others con- derful prayer by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thak-
sidered him a fool. I can only report that I am still ur, which he has offered in all humility.
struggling, and that I am still here trying to serve the “O devotees, this poor creature is standing at
Krsna Consciousness movement in some small way. your doorway, waving his tail and barking. Please let
After the ILS survey of 2016, that basically him have a little prasādam so that he may become
exposed that many (not all) of your leaders were exceptional among dogs and get the best of masters
not sufficiently reading ‘your’ books, I have made it as his owner.”
my duty to rise early, offer arotik and Guruvastakam Dear Srila Prabhupada, please forgive me for
and then sit with your books, even before my japa, wasting your valuable time with my nonsense.
and study them for 1 to 1 ½ hours. I am not racing Please bless me to become your serious and sincere
through them just to accumulate pages, for I am a servant and to always feel joyful for having attained
slow learner. I re-read some sections and take notes the best of all masters.
to embed their importance. But every day, without
fail, I find some tasty nectar or some priceless jewel Your lowly, but loyal servant,
of understanding that I try to distribute when there Medhavi Das
is opportunity to speak on your behalf. I pray that
Prasuti Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Sydney Please accept my humble obeisances.

Australia
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
CONSIDERING YOUR STATEMENT at the beginning of know that you also had the burden of suffering for
1977, to the Pancharatrika Pundit from Bangalore many months, most intensely when you separated
named Sampat Kumar Battacarya that, “when I yourself from your body. It is fairly easy to be good
leave, I will keep continuing taking their suffering humored when your endeavours are successful, but
and make them free so they can keep chanting Hare maintaining a good humor when our body is break-
Krsna.” ing down is only possible once we have become free
I have concluded that you, Srila Prabhupada, are of the bodily concept of life.
very generous and merciful. I know you had many Your love and patience, was, and still is, an
times when you were very happy seeing the success inspiration and a guiding light for all who desire to
of your preaching, in the form of your books being please and serve the Supreme Personality of God-
printed, and in the form of the many disciples who head, Sri Krishna.
served you by following your instructions and keep- Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for your bless-
ing their vows made at the time of initiation. But I ings, your guidance and your example of being the
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
perfect gentleman. Because of you, there are now before I leave my body.
many thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna liv- Hare Krishna.
ing on Earth and that number is growing as time
goes by. Your aspiring servant,
I humbly request that you empower me to do Prasuti Dasi
some valuable service to please you and Krishna
Dear SrilaPrabhupada, 4 Ramanujacharya Dasa

zz
Chatsworth
Durban, South Africa
WITH SRILA PRABHUPADA IN VRINDAVANA DURING KARTIKA
IN APRIL 1972, Karandhar Prabhu, the temple presi- and other parts of the world had gathered to be with
dent of the Los Angeles temple on Watseka Avenue, him. So in a very blissful mood we travelled by train
asked me to come and see him. I had been staying at from Porbandar to Vrindavana. Being a great fan of
the Laguna Beach Temple. Srila Prabhupada want- the Krishna Book, I was most anxious to visit Vrin-
ed more of his western disciples to come to India, so davana. We would not only be visiting Vrindava-
I was to be part of the second wave. I joined a trav- na, but we would also be with Srila Prabhupada in
elling sankirtana party led by Sridharadasa brah- Vrindavana.
macari (later Sridhara Swami) in order to collect Srila Prabhupada moved into his two small
money for our air fare. In May we flew to New York, rooms at the Radha-Damodara temple, while his
then on Egypt Air to London where we spent the disciples stayed nearby in the former palace of the
night at the Bury Street temple. From there we flew Maharaja of Bharatpur. It was located at Keshi-ghata
to Bombay via Cairo. on the bank of the Yamuna. Staying in this old stone
After a couple of months in Juhu I travelled by building was rather austere. There was no furniture,
train to Porbandar, Gujarat with Dinanathadasa running water or electricity, but we didn’t care. We
brahmacari. Dinanatha Prabhu is an African Amer- were with Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavana during
ican devotee who is very good at playing the mri- the month of Kartika.
danga and leading kirtana. He was the leader of our When we first arrived in Vrindavana, Dinana-
party. Porbandar is the birthplace of Sudama Vipra, tha Prabhu took me to Srila Prabhupada’s rooms at
Lord Krishna’s friend. Radha-Damodara. When I looked into the larger
Prabhupada had come to Vrindavana to observe room I saw Srila Prabhupada speaking to a room
the Kartika season (from October 16 to November packed with his disciples. Srila Prabhupada looked
14). He was lecturing daily at the samādhi of Srila at me standing in the doorway and asked, “What is
Rupa Goswami in the compound of the Radha-Da- your name?” I replied, “Ramanujacharya dasa brah-
modara temple, speaking from The Nectar of Devo- macari.” He responded with a huge, ecstatic, merci-
tion, his own translation of Rupa Goswami’s book, ful smile. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada.
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. He had invited devotees Prabhupada lectured both morning and eve-
to join him for Kartika in Vrindavana, and now a ning. Sitting on a simple asana about two feet high,
few dozen devotees from America, Europe, India, a bare bulb suspended over his head in the evening,
39 Initiated Disciples
Prabhupada would address his disciples and the few talks and by Prabhupada’s personal dealings with
interested guests who sat before him. them in the intimate atmosphere of his rooms at
Pradyumna Prabhu would read from The Nec- the Radha-Damodara temple. He referred to his
tar of Devotion, and Prabhupada would interject rooms there as his “eternal residence.” It was the
extensive philosophical comments on attaining place where he had actually begun his plans for the
pure love of Krishna through the successive stages Krishna consciousness movement.
of bhakti-yoga. He would rise early and begin translating the
While Prabhupada’s talks were especially for Srimad-Bhagavatam and dictating his purports. At
his disciples, he also stressed that the brahmanas arati time, he would open the shutters of his room
of India should accept the Western Vaishnavas. And and behold the Deities. At other times, the devo-
he cited dozens of scriptural references to prove his tees might see him walking on the terrace above his
point that birth status, being a material designation, rooms chanting japa. They found him always avail-
did not apply in spiritual life. Stressing preaching as able to answer their questions and help them with
the essence of Krishna consciousness, he urged the their personal problems.
disciples present to continue propagating the Krish- On occasion I got the opportunity to fan Sri-
na consciousness movement. la Prabhupada with a camara while he was speak-
On the 21st of October in the middle of Srila Pra- ing. One time, while he was circumambulating the
bhupada’s morning lecture on The Nectar of Devo- samadhis of our acaryas in the Radha-Damodara
tion, he read out this exciting news: compound, I took the dust from his lotus footprint
“…just now I have received one newspaper cut- and put it on my head.
ting. This is from South Africa…So these two young During this period, Srila Prabhupada wanted a
gosvāmīs, they are preaching very successfully in kirtana party to daily go from Sevā-kunja out to the
South Africa…Ṛṣi Kumāra Gosvāmī left and Kshud- construction site of the future Krishna-Balarama
hidasa brahmacārī. They have come to South Africa temple in Raman Reti. Acyutananda Prabhu was
to spread the word, ‘Kṛṣṇa message for S.A.,’ South leading the party and I was accompanying him on
Africa. So by the grace of Lord Caitanya, the mes- mridanga.
sage of His Lordship is going on nicely all over the This month in Vrindavana with Srila Prabhu-
world. And (focusing his attention back to the dev- pada has to have been one of the best months of my
otees present) you are also members of the Soci- life in Krishna consciousness.
ety. Try to preach this message. Pṛthivīte āche yata By the mercy of Krishna one gets a spiritual
nagarādi grāma, and you will get strength, the more master, and by the mercy of the spiritual master
you preach.” one gets Krishna. Thank you, Krishna, and thank
I had never heard of South Africa. Little did I you, Srila Prabhupada.
know two years later I would go there and spend
most of my life serving there. Ramanujacharya Dasa
Prabhupada’s disciples were thrilled by these
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
u
OFFERINGS BY
GRANDDISCIPLES
GREAT-GRANDDISCIPLES
& OTHER DEVOTEES
v
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Most revered Srila Prabhupada, 4 Abhaya Nama Das
zz Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to you! Grand-Port
All glories to your most auspicious 125th appearance day! Mauritius

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY of your with ideas like online preaching, online book dis-
divine appearance in this material world. It is an tribution, online kirtan, et cetera. This shows that
immense privilege and opportunity for all of us your mercy cannot be hindered even by seemingly
to express our joy, gratitude and good fortune for insurmountable material impediments.
being under the shade of your lotus feet. There are Indeed Srila Prabhupada, there has not been
no words to describe the magic you did and which nor will there be any acharya as powerful and
you are still doing through your teachings and won- extraordinary as you on the surface of this planet.
derful examples. We cannot fathom how fortunate we are that we got
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, you are the epitome the chance to be at your divine lotus feet.
of selfless love. You indiscriminately propagated “Thank you” seems to be so insignificant - words
the mercy of Lord Caitanya in the form of the Hare to express our gratitude to you. The only feeble
Krishna Maha Mantra, which is Goloka prema dha- attempt we can make to please you is to carry on
na, the treasure of Goloka. We were not worth it, but your legacy by following your instructions as they
still, you left the Supreme Abode to save us, the fall- are.
en souls of Kali-yuga. Happy 125th appearance day, dear most Srila
The waves of your mercy are unstoppable, as Prabhupada!
we could see since the beginning of last year. The
proliferation of the nasty Covid pandemic did not Your insignificant servant and worthless grandson,
deter the urge of your compassion to flow. By your Abhaya Nama Das
causeless mercy, your wonderful followers came up
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Acharya Ratna Das

zz
Please accept my respectful prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet. Moka

All glories to you on your most auspicious 125th Vyasa-puja day. Mauritius

43 Granddisciples, Great-grandisciples
& Other Devotees
YET ANOTHER YEAR GOES BY, and the world’s situation yet gone back home, back to Godhead, indeed they
is going from bad to worse. The Corona pandemic is have attained a better situation in their progression
still there after more than a year of suffering, with towards the goal of life, where they can continue
thousands of deaths and anxiety over the immi- their devotional service. Sv-alpam apy asya dhar-
nence of death. This pandemic demonstrates the masya, trayate mahato bhayat, “a little advancement
precarious situation we live in - any one of us can on this path can protect one from the most danger-
die at any time. ous type of fear” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is 2.40).
Non-devotees are getting bewildered, awaiting In this situation, Srila Prabhupada, your words,
the return to a “normal” life when they can again your teachings, as always, remind us of how you
continue to enjoy life! This is called bakanda-nyaya. were so far-sighted. When you came to Mauritius in
- the duck and fish logic. The duck is running after 1975, you had said that the island has fertile soil and
a passing bull’s testicle, thinking it to be a hanging that we should grow our food as far as possible. But
fish and saying, “now it will fall down, and I will on the contrary, we have today replaced agricultural
eat this fish” (Srila Prabhupada morning walk, Los land with concrete buildings! Today we can feel the
Angeles, May 5, 1973). importance of what you said forty-five years ago. We
In the purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.30, should work towards self-sufficiency.
you said: Srila Prabhupada, you very often used the
Those who try to adjust material conditions are said ‘chopping technique’ in your teachings. Many peo-
to be chewing the chewed. No one has been able to ple preach from the Vedic scriptures, but hardly any-
adjust material conditions, but life after life, gener- one uses the ‘chopping technique’ because they are
ation after generation, people try and repeatedly fail. scared of the reverse, what their preaching may pro-
In such people; who are addicted to sense gratifica- voke. One has to be firmly established in his knowl-
tion, the inclination to Krsna does not arise. edge, to tell the truth, without compromise, and that,
On the other hand, devotees are calm and con- Srila Prabhupada, only you could do. All Glories to
tinue with their devotional service with even more you! Krsna-Sakti vina nahe tara pravartana: Unless
enthusiasm, perfectly understanding that devo- a devotee is specifically empowered by the Lord, he
tional service cannot be checked by any material cannot preach the holy name of the Lord all over the
condition - ahaituky apratihata. On the contrary, world. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 7.11).
the pandemic has opened new opportunities such In Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, volume 1, chap-
as preaching on social media, more time to read, ter 21, Beyond the Lower East Side, you spoke about
time to ponder over the uselessness of material life how sex pleasure binds one to this material world,
- sometimes people ask, “where is misery?” Here is birth after birth. After hearing the verse from Yamu-
misery, the Coronavirus - theory turned into prac- nacarya: “Since I have become Kṛṣṇa conscious,
tice! I read Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta chapter 20: whenever I think of sex life with a woman, my face
Stay high forever, where a young boy asked you, at once turns from it, and I spit at the thought” some
what is material life? He then replied that he was people never came back. You rightly said, “I cannot
happy, that disease was just for a short while, that change the philosophy to please Americans!”
we would be healthy again, and that we are not nec- This is what, amongst others, caused your
essarily forced to become old! You rightly pointed success in establishing ISKCON. Hardly anybody
out to him that this is due to his ignorance; such speaks the truth nowadays! And when someone
ignorance is prevalent today worldwide. does, it is so much appreciated. Of course, there
The pandemic has taken the lives of devotees as will still be those who want to hear what pleases
well, but we know for sure that, even if they have not their ears. Such people attract the appropriate guru.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Needless to say, they will both go to hell! Andha Out of many millions of living entities wander-
yathandhair upaniyamanas - as blind men guided ing throughout the entire universe, one who is very
by another blind man miss the right path and fall fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a
into a ditch, materially attached men led by another bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krsna (Sri
materially attached man are bound by the ropes of Caitanya-caritamrta Madha-lila, 19.151).
fruitive labor, which are made of very strong cords, Please shower your mercy on me, so I can fol-
and they continue again and again in materialistic low in your footsteps and be more effective in my
life, suffering the threefold miseries (Srimad-Bhaga- preaching service as ordered by my guru Maharaj,
vatam 7.5.31). His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.
Srila Prabhupada, this was precisely one of your On this very auspicious occasion of your 125th
goals; to expose the fake gurus, the impersonalists, Vyasa-puja day, Srila Prabhupada, I commit myself
nirvisesha-shuunyavaadi-paaschaatya-desha-ta- always to remain steadfast at your lotus feet and
arine. push forward your mission to the best of my ability.
Srila Prabhupada, I will eternally remain His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami
indebted to you for bringing Krsna Consciousness Prabhupada ki jay!
to the world, including this fallen conditioned soul.
Where would I have otherwise been? Aspiring to be your servant,
Acharya Ratna Das
Brahmaanda bhramite kona bhaagyavaan jiiva Sri Sri Radha Golokananda Mandir
Guru-krsna-prasaade paaya bhakti-lataa-biija
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Acyuta Kesava Das

zz
Please accept my dandavat pranams at your lotus feet. ISKCON East London
South Africa
IN A LECTURE on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.1-2 in Mel- minute with Srila Prabhupada.

bourne, the following question was asked: One lifetime. This lifetime. The journey has
“Madhudvisa: We have been here for many life- begun. We open the books of Srila Prabhupada and
times performing sinful activities. So is it possible to we read, even if only for a minute; and in that one
counteract all those sinful activities in one lifetime, minute, we are having the association of a pure dev-
or does it require many...? otee. This one minute inspires us, it motivates us.
Prabhupada: One minute. That is Kṛṣṇa con- And one minute becomes many minutes. Many
sciousness movement. One minute. You are not minutes become many hours. Many hours become
reading Bhagavad-gita? What Kṛṣṇa says? Sar- many days. Many days become many years. Many
va-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vra- years become a whole lifetime. A lifetime dedicated
ja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma to Srila Prabhupada.
sucah [Bg. 18.66] Everything is there. Kṛṣṇa has giv- A lifetime of rising early for mangal arati. A
en everything fully. If you accept it, then life is very lifetime of following the four regulative principles
simple. There is no difficulty.” and chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds of the
One minute is all it takes. One minute to surren- Hare Kṛṣṇa Maha-mantra. A lifetime of worship-
der to Kṛṣṇa. One minute with a pure devotee. One ping breathtakingly beautiful deities and serving
& Other Devotees
the Vaisnavas. A lifetime of honoring Kṛṣṇa prasa- gatekeeper of this mercy. He is passing down this
dam and distributing Kṛṣṇa prasadam. mercy through the ISKCON guru-parampara to my
A lifetime of sravanam and kirtanam. A life- Gurudeva who kindly showers the mercy on me.
time of giving others an opportunity to participate Oh, how fortunate we are to be recipients of this
in sravanam and kirtanam. An opportunity of join- mercy that even someone as unqualified as I am can
ing Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan army and giving other go back home, back home to Godhead, by the mercy
souls Srila Prabhupada’s books and the holy names of Srila Prabhupada. As long as we continue to serve
of the Hare Kṛṣṇa Maha-mantra. in the house (ISKCON) that Srila Prabhupada has
A lifetime of sacrifice to try to do some of the built, then, by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, we get the
above or all of the above. A lifetime of trying to mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
please Srila Prabhupada. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, thank you for
But hold on, I feel like I am struggling, and I may being a pure mercy carrier for fallen conditioned
not be able to please Srila Prabhupada with my mea- souls like me.
gre efforts. I feel that I am unqualified.
Then, I remember, there is always the mer- Your insignificant servant,
cy of Lord Caitanya, and Srila Prabhupada is the Acyuta Kesava Dasa
Acyutananda Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Family Please accept our obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Phoenix All glories to Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra-devi. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
South Africa
ON THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Vyasa-puja our prayer acarya of the universe. Srila Prabhupad please be
is that you always keep us engaged in your ISKCON merciful to us, please help us chant offenselessly
movement which is the topmost and safest place. and help me become more sincere to your lotus feet.
Srila Pabhupada I beg forgiveness from the dev- All glories to you, Srila Prabhupad on your Sri
otees who I may have offended when I worked at Vyasa-puja.
another Food For Life organisation to supplement
my income. Your most fallen servant,
We finally pray to remain eternal in the service Acyutananda Das and Family
of your lotus feet. Srila Prabhupada, you are the true
Adharamrita Devi Dasi 4 My most dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Gauteng Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories to you!
TODAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY for ISKCON around the Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami has left his physical
world. All glories to you on this most auspicious day. body on the 4th July 2020 and this has left a very big
Srila Prabhupada, my attachment to you gets void in my life. I pray daily for your mercy to fill that
deeper by the day. As you know my diksha guru, His void and strengthen my spiritual life.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Thank you again for giving me the opportuni- My love, admiration and respect for you only
ty to serve our beloved Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaura increases when I look around and see all the won-
Hari for without your mercy, this would not have derful devotees serving so nicely in ISKCON.
been possible. All this is possible only by your mercy, Your
Thank you for giving us Krishna consciousness. Divine Grace.
Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for
transforming my life. Thank you for showing me the Your humble servant of the servant,
true meaning of life Srila Prabhupada. Adharamrita Devi Dasi
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Advaita Acharya Das,

zz
All glories to you on your appearance day. Gandharvika Devi Dasi

Please accept our most humble obeisances. and Syama-behari Dasa
Durban, South Africa
WITH BLESSINGS, more appreciation has developed us, and we realise it’s through you we have this great
in my heart. I thank you for this and thank you for bond which developed over the years. Devotees are
saving me. so special.
Few years ago, I had joined a new company. To After all my experiences in life and at my cur-
make the big decision I decided based on your photo rent age I wonder what my future holds.
where you are pointed up – taking this as a sign to I certainly hope it’s all about you. Please use me.
proceed. Since I joined, I have been able to progress There is simply nothing else.
quite rapidly hence helping this new company devel- I will be honest in saying spiritual life is tough,
op. This progress is due to your guidance and bless- I want more and obviously need more, but at the
ings. It is not the most ideal situation as work is but same time scared of difficulties during the purifi-
here again, I am able to learn and apply better habits. cation stages.
I pray to you daily to help me understand that Please allow us eternal shelter at your lotus feet.
work is my service, and to perform it for the pleasure We want nothing else.
of Lord Krishna. This has changed my whole daily Jai Srila Prabhupada!
experience from the way I felt in the past.
Recently we re-connected with some devotees Your humble servants,
from the ‘early days.’ How much more special they Advaita Acharya Das, Gandharvika Devi Dasi and
have become. We love their association and devo- Syama-behari Dasa
tional mood. We are grateful to you for connecting
Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Ajay Caitanya Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Phoenix
All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to your ISKCON. Mauritius
ANYBODY COMING IN TOUCH with ISKCON – be it your dis- future generations should be grateful to you. You are
ciples, your grand disciples and others to come in the the only one to have shown us the path to Godhead.
& Other Devotees
Within a short span of time you created a spir- organisations. The other organisations preach on
itual institution which would run for the next 10 the basis of their spiritual leader while in ISKCON
000 years. ISKCON faced different problems and we preach on the basis of an institution with Your
challenges both in your physical presence and also Divine Grace as the eternal sikṣa-guru. It is obvi-
after you completed your pastimes in this material ous that if we put more emphasis on our own guru
world. Be it with Mr. Price, the Juhu project, acqui- than the founder-acarya, ISKCON will become weak.
sition of land in Mayapura and others plus internal Long time back one of your disciples stated that
problems, ISKCON has always been successful due the only problem we have in ISKCON is that we are
to your careful attention in safeguarding the society. not following Srila Prabhupada and the only solu-
It appears that facing these problems and challeng- tion we have is to follow Srila Prabhupada. This is
es will always be in our way and we can overcome so true. Srila Prabhupada, you have taught us every-
them through your mercy only. thing through your teachings and personal behavior.
After the failure of the zonal guru system, more My only prayer today on this most auspicious occa-
emphasis was being laid upon your position as the sion of your 125th appearance is to show us the way
founder-acarya and the pre-eminent sikṣa-guru of always focusing on you for our own benefit and to
in ISKCON. The introduction and teaching of the make your ISKCON become stronger and stronger.
ISKCON disciple course has been well appreciated I am extremely grateful to you, Srila
but it appears that once initiated, most devotees Prabhupada.
focus more on their respective spiritual masters
than on the founder-acarya even after having gone Your unworthy servant,
through the course. Ajay Caitanya Dasa
It appears that many cannot understand that
your ISKCON is different from other spiritual
Akhil Gangaram 4 Hare Krsna dear, dear Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Westville Please accept my humble obeisances at the shelter of your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories unto you.
THE MASSES of the world will unplug from the magnanimous to leave behind a supreme remedy
matrix and start to wake from centuries of spiri- for struggling souls to succeed in this present soci-
tual oppression after reading the mercy in your ety which has failed us. Life does come with a man-
books. The library of Vedic knowledge and most ual with definitive instructions for success - and
benevolent institution of ISKCON you have estab- this is accessible starting with Bhagavad Gita As It
lished will save the world in its darkest hour. Is which you have delivered in disciplic succession.
Together with reading your books every day and
watching the Hare Krishna movie summarising With most sincere gratitude and respect,
your divine journey through impossible challeng- Hare Krsna
es, will inspire truth in people’s minds. You are Akhil Gangaram
so powerful being dear to Sri Krsna and were so
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Akina Kasil
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Bedfordview
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
WHEN I WAS a little girl growing up, it was then that I Yet I still have very far to go in terms of my spir-
first heard of you. Little did I know the impact that itual life. I humbly ask for your mercy my dear Srila
you would have on my life. It was much later on that I Prabhupada in order for me to make progress in my
began to read your books, and once I did it complete- spiritual life. Please guide me in my journey so that
ly changed my life and my perspective on the world, I can take more steps towards Krishna, and to make
we live in. I think of you every day Srila Prabhupada, proper use of the life that I was given. Please guide
and find myself wishing that I had the opportunity me in my efforts to take your teachings to people
to have met you while you were physically on this who are searching for Krishna.
planet. However, I have learnt from senior ISKCON Words are simply not good enough to describe
devotees, that I still can associate with you by read- the gratitude I feel for you, for having come to the
ing your books and adhering to your instructions. material world to help fallen souls like myself. Sin-
With this analogy in mind, I take great comfort in cerely and with deep emotion Srila Prabhupada,
the fact that I can associate with you at any part of thank you so much for helping this lost soul find
my day simply by reading your books. My day is not some direction in life.
complete until I have read something that you have
written. Your teachings have given me great solace Your servant,
and peace at times of difficulty. Akina Kasil
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Amrtavani Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Durban

All glories to Your Divine Grace. South Africa
BY YOUR UNENDING MERCY, I am living my best life you have brought to us, which continues to stream
now. In contact with your instructions, with your down in unlimited ways. How can I possibly fathom
many saintly followers, with the Maha-mantra it? I pray to someday develop the gravity and insight
and following the regulative principles of freedom, to be truly grateful: grateful enough to follow in your
I have the great fortune of being sheltered in the footsteps and hold the instructions of my spiritual
house you built for the entire world! master like a precious jewel on my head.
How can I possibly repay my debt to you? Only Dear Srila Prabhupada, thank you for your deep
by helping to spread the glories of your mission! compassion and your indomitable spirit in defeating
So, I pray to know you better and to be better able all obstacles to bring Krsna to us. Please bless all of
to please you. Even though I am limited in many us in your home and community to become trans-
ways, I am trusting in the mercy of the Panca-tat- parent instruments of the Lord.
tva which makes the lame walk, the dumb recite
eloquent poetry and the blind see the luminaries in Always your aspiring servant,
the sky. Such is the depth and breadth of the mercy Amrtavani Devi Dasi
& Other Devotees
Anakulya Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
East London
South Africa
nasmas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Vyasa-puja has allowed (Srila Prabhupada, 19 December 1972)
me to reflect on the past year with a new under- This has allowed me to appreciate a Krsna con-
standing and deep gratitude for your contributions scious way of life and this is only because my spiritu-
to my life. al grandfather is a pure devotee of Lord Krsna. You
I have been able to see more clearly how deep- have brought Krsna to us in the form of his many
ly how you, dearest Srila Prabhupada have made an names, and you shared with us the knowledge that
impact on my very existence. Krsna and his names are non-different from each
Health issues have been the biggest physical other. You have taught us that every syllable of the
challenge and are obviously because I have sinned Maha-mantra allows Krsna to be ever-present with
and caused many offences in the past. us at that time. I see now that there is no other way
This quote of yours had helped me get through except a Krsna conscious path and lifestyle.
some big health hurdles. “Krishna doesn’t like to see Being the selfish being that I am, I ask you to con-
His sincere devotee suffer or become frustrated or tinue to bless me and my family so that Krishna is
depressed. He will not stand by idly in any such case, always remembered and never forgotten. Thank you.
so do not fear on that account. Krishna has got some
plan for you, always think in that way and very soon Your most unworthy and eternal servant
He will provide everything to your heart’s desire” Anakulya Devi Dasi
Ananda Gaurangi Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories your divine lotus feet.

I WANT TO EXPRESS and offer my dearest gratitude home, back to Godhead.

for all the wonderful gifts, like giving us ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, you inspired so many peo-
and for bringing Lord Jagannath to the whole world. ple throughout the world, with your kind mercy, to
Thank you for establishing so many temples which chant the holy name of Krishna, and you gave so
are homes for all devotees, where we can practice many wonderful books with pure knowledge of the
Krishna consciousness in order for us to go back Lord.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
After visiting Vrindavana Dham, I can feel your Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for everything. Thank
presence and mercy. I am so grateful to you for giv- you, for saving us all.
ing this fallen soul shelter at your lotus feet. I beg
and pray to you to bless me with your kind mercy Your humble daughter,
to be a humble devotee and to serve other devotees. Ananda Gaurangi Devi Dasi
Hare Krsna, my dearest Srila Prabhupada. 4 Ananda Vrindavana Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your most merciful lotus feet. Durban
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, I am the worst fool and there- Thank you for loving service opportunities. My
fore I beg of you to simply allow me to thank you mosie made a hat for you and is still so happy.
for everything that you mean to me and have done Thank you for the mercy you gave my parents.
for me. Thank you, my dearest Srila Prabhupada, for
Thank you repeatedly, Srila Prabhupada, for everything.
your causeless mercy. Thank you for your distinct voice and magnet-
Thank you for your temples and the Lordships ic smile. I simply pray that your voice, your smile
that give us solace and a connection to Sri Dham and the dust of your merciful lotus feet will guide
Mayapur, which you said is your place of worship. me back to Sri Goloka Vrindavana, where one day I
Thank you for your books. I love them. I think will make a super mega garland with love for you. I
about you sitting at odd hours and writing for us, will look up and give you the garland picturing Sri
transcribing even in your last days. Prahlad garlanding Lord Nrsimhadeva and I will say,
Thank you for your determination to build the “Thank you Srila Prabhupada. I love you very much”.
Juhu Temple, as you said Bombay is your office. Thank you for being my anchor and showing me
Thank you for my loving Lordships at Sri Vrin- the way home.
davana Dham, which you said is your home. I love you Srila Prabhupada and I pray I can
Thank you for your dear maha-mantra, which serve you in some way somewhere.
has become dearer for us during this pandemic. Happy Vyasa-puja, Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for your pure-devotee preachers, Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust
who have kept us going during this tremendously of your most merciful divine lotus feet and please
difficult and horrendous past year. forgive this feeble attempt of an offering.
Thank you for all your dear compassionate
Vaishnavas who take care of me to the extent of not Your foolish servant,
letting me starve or be ill and unattended. Ananda Vrindavana Dasi
& Other Devotees
Ananga Manjari Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Durban Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, I am deeply indebted to you for Srila Prabhupada, you have made me fortunate.
giving me Krishna Consciousness. You are the best Thank you, Srila Prabhupada!
- you saved the whole world. Would you please guide
me and give me your mercy? Your fallen servant,
All glories to you. Therefore I take shelter of your Ananga Manjari Devi Dasi
lotus feet and beg to remain and serve you forever.
Ananga manjari Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Midrand Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa
THANK YOU for being there for me at every step in and praying they can start their spiritual journey
my life. I pray for your protection in all areas of my and caring for the Vaishnavas. I feel that I am over
life. I pray I can study, understand and practice your endeavoring on a materially basis, please protect me.
vani coming from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasva- I want to be fully engaged in devotional service
ti Ṭhakura through parampara. I want to dedicate and I want to become attached to your lotus feet.
my life to your ISKCON so please help me follow the I pray that my heart can be surrounded by good asso-
instructions the gurudeva Bhakti Caitanya Swami ciation to protect my Krishna consciousness even
provides to me. when my Gurudeva is not physically here. Please
I pray to go deeper in my Krishna conscious- make my relationship with my Gurudeva deeper
ness and that I may have regular devotional service. and sweeter like the relationships of Vrindavan.
With Covid-19 things have changed and I don’t have
regular service to Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari, my only Your Servient,
service is my work as a Homoeopathic Doctor here Your grand Daughter,
in ISKCON Sandton and 57 Rose Avenue Lenasia. I Ananga manjari Devi Dasi
am still giving the holy names to all my patients
Ananga Sundari Dasi 4 Hare Krsna dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Edenvale
South Afric
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
ON THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Vyasa-puja, I would westerners. Thank you for guiding me for so many
like to take the opportunity to glorify you and thank years, thank you for your association even in my
you for giving me your divine association through dreams, thank you for giving me the most precious
your books. You have made me develop such deep possession in my life, “ my spiritual master “ HH
love for Krsna at such a tender age. You have played a Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj, who will lead me to
major part in my Krsna consciousness development you and thank you for giving me the opportunity to
since a child to date. The influence of your divinity serve you personally. Please bless me with unlim-
Srila Prabhupada has made such an impact on my ited opportunities to make progress in my Krsna
life, from the quality of my japa, to my reading and Consciousness throughout the rest of my existence
to applying this knowledge which I see as more pre- in this material world. Please protect my spiritual
cious than that of a diamond or gold. life dearest Srila Prabhupad.
As my spiritual master has once said, Sri Cai- All the knowledge you have given us, all the
tanya Mahaprabhu has sent you, to fulfil His pre- sacrifices you have made and giving me the gift of
diction of spreading the holy names in every town Krsna consciousness, will forever remain predomi-
and every city. nantly etched in my heart.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to
know who the Supreme Personality of Godhead Your most fallen servant eternally
is. Thank you for your sacrifices you made for us Ananga Sundari Dasi
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Anasuya Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept our most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. and Atri Rishi Das
All glories to Your Divine Grace who has been so kind to the helpless souls. Queenburgh
South Africa
om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana salakaya,
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah
DANDAVATS SRILA PRABHUPADA for being so merciful like Srimad Bhagvatam, Caitanya-caritamrta, Sri-
to us, the fallen souls and by giving us the three mad Bhagavad-gita As It Is etc. have been placed in
most precious associations . . . guru sadhu and sas- prison libraries. All glories to you Shrila Prabhupada.
tra. Without these priceless associations we would Srila Prabhupada, you have set such a strong
have been so lost in this material world. You have foundation for the preaching work and all we have
also immensely blessed us with our most merciful to do is to sincerely follow in your footsteps. Srila
Srila Guru Maharaj , HH Srila Krishna Das Swami. Prabhupada, you would be recognized throughout
Srila Prabhupada, your mercy have spread all the world as the greatest Vaishnava who has spread
over, even to the prisons. People who have broken this process of bhakti-yoga.
all the legs of dharma have changed they lives com- Saviour of the whole world jagat-guru, pati-
pletely becoming vegetarians, chanting the Hare tapaban, Srila Prabhupada ki jai.
Krishna maha-mantra, honoring Krishna prasad- Our prayer is that you Srila Prabhupada, please
am and regularly reading your books. Your books, keep engaging us in the loving devotional service of
& Other Devotees
Sri Guru and our eternal parents, Srimati Radhara- In the service of our “ever well-wisher”
ni and Shri Krishna. Atri Rishi Das and Anasuya Dasi
Anubhav Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Durban zz All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace.
THANK YOU for showing us the way to Krishna. Thank completely to your servants, to you, and Krishna.
you for teaching us how to chant. Thank you for giv- Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for giving us the
ing us a house in which the whole world can live. shelter of ISKCON.
Thank you for showing us how to become fixed in
our Krishna consciousness, and engaging us in devo- Your humble servant,
tional services, like Food for Life, kirtan and bhajans. Anubhav Dasi
I really enjoy everything, and I hope to surrender
Aradhana Krishna 4 Dear Srila Praphupada,

zz
and family
Durban
South Africa
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR HUMBLE DEVOTION to thee. Today material world.
on your Vyasa-puja we humbly pray to you to bless
us with knowledge and wisdom from your books Your humble servants,
and strength to be firm in our Krishna conscious- Aradhana Krishna and family
ness and to be your shining representatives in this
Aravinda Dalayataksha Das 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Tongaat Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories to you on this most auspicious Vyasa-puja day.
IT IS CERTAINLY due to your causeless mercy that your fortune. I thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for every-
very special son, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swa- thing that you have given to me, to my family, and
mi Maharaj, had picked me up from this miserable to this world. I pray that I can remain an instrument,
material condition and placed me in the divine shel- a puppet, in serving your ISKCON. I pray that I may
ter of your ISKCON. You built this house in which the be able to assist you in spreading the sublime mes-
whole world can harmoniously live. sage of Krishna consciousness. I pray that in doing
It is through your teachings, and the guidance so, I don’t become puffed up in my service. Please
of my Gurudeva, that I have come to realize my good help me to remain grounded so that I am able to
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
serve with sincerity and push your ISKCON forward. wisdom for transforming my plans into reality.
Srila Prabhupada, I have plans to make some I desire to remain fixed at your lotus feet.
meaningful contribution to the mission, and beg
that you give me the strength, courage and focused Your grand disciple,
determination, and grant me the knowledge and Aravinda Dalayataksa Das
Hare Krishna, dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Arcita Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Pinetown

ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Sri Vyasa-puja, to practice chanting this holy name in association
please allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude. with devotees.
With the passing of Kali-yuga, our very exis- Srila Prabhupada, please bless me to more and
tence in this yuga is getting more and more danger- more make advancement in Krishna consciousness
ous.However, Srila Prabhupada your divine grace with a sincere and service mood.
and your ISKCON society is our only shelter. Please forgive me for all my offenses caused
With every ounce of Your Divine Grace’s blood knowingly and unknowingly.
you invested in forming this movement because you Hare Krishna.
knew this movement will be our only saving grace.
I thank Your Divine Grace for your compassion- Your eternally grateful granddaughter,
ate nature, for embarking on your journey to Ameri- Arcita Devi Dasi
ca to spread the holy name and for creating ISKCON,
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Arisha Lalli

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances. Durban

South Africa
I REMEMBER SHARING A THOUGHT not so long ago - just Krishna was worshipped and praised by my mother
as society looks up to different people for different with utmost love and devotion. I had learnt of Krish-
reasons like role models, so too, should society be na from her at a very young age. By six years old, I
looking up towards a man who followed the path to knew the first verse of Srimad Bhagavatam, First
Krishna so sincerely in his duty, who followed the Canto: on creation, off by heart and used to recite it
instruction to spread the word of God across bor- quite often, even randomly to strangers.
ders, who wrote the most valuable book to human- I had not known at the time the significance of
kind in this era of Kali-yuga, His Divine Grace Srila this verse or even what it meant. Many years later,
Prabhupada. I dreamed that I was sitting in a library, and there
I am so grateful for his faith and dedication to were many books on the table. Each one I turned
Krishna and for sharing the beautiful truth of the over, I saw the face of Srila Prabhupada and his
love and mercy of God. I come from a home where name. To me, that was of great significance because
& Other Devotees
I had grown slightly apart from my spiritual nature, spirituality of humankind by establishing ISKCON.
but this dream was showing me the way forward: I am eternally grateful as I read more of your
to read his books, to understand Krishna more, and books, grow in understanding more about Krish-
so I did. na Consciousness, strengthen my connection to
In doing so and reading the Srimad Bhagavat- Krishna, and cultivate discipline in this life, which
am, I realized where the verse I had learnt by heart I mould gracefully through the teachings of Krishna.
came from. A few years later, I am filled with an
abundance of love and thankfulness to Krishna Your servant,
for this life and sending Srila Prabhupada to Srila Arisha Lalli
Prabhupada for his significant contribution to the
Ashutosh Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Cape Town All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada.

South Africa All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Mayapur Chandra.
IN THIS WORLD, the darkest age, the most merciful thinking of you also. Although physically we are
Lord Caityana had come, and the topmost mer- not together, we are not separated spiritually. So we
ciful who has appeared is our wonderful Srila should be concerned only with this spiritual con-
Prabhupada. nection (Srila Prabhupada Letter to Gaurasundara,
On your 125th appearance day, l would like to London, November 13, 1969).
wish you from my heart a very happy Vyasa-puja. I know, and l have faith that the three worlds
Thank you for always being there for me and giving will hear your glories. This is my promise to you: I
me some service. If it were not for you, l would be lost will always stay at your lotus feet no matter what
in this ocean of repeated cycles of birth and death. comes my way.
You have given us so many things which l can nev- Thank you once again.
er stop thanking you. There is a beautiful letter of All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri
yours which is always within my heart and l would Sri Nitai Mayapur Chandra.
like to share it with you.
But always remember that I am always with Your servant at your lotus feet,
you. As you are always thinking of me, I am always Ashutosh Das
Bafana Peter Siboyana 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Vosloorus, Boksburg, East Rand Please accept my humble obeisance and dandavats.
South Africa All glories and billions and innumerable and incalculable gratitude unto your lotus feet.
LIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN the same had you not It is now shining broad daylight in everyone’s life
appear in this prison of material existence. You who has taken shelter unto your instruction. You
appeared like the sun coming out from the east are a living force in eternity and have showered us
to distil the darkness’s and make a bad day light. with a grand fortune, there are not enough words
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
to articulate and express . . . and oh what words can instructions you left for me to become self-realised
one say to really deeply reveal the joy of freedom one and be ready always to go back home back to where
has been granted through your works in ensuring you are now, Goloka Vrindavan.
that the love of the Lord Sri Rhada-Krisna is received Haribol, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, our
as it is. grand and greatest spiritual master ever lasting
Thank you, father, friend and saviour of the until eternity itself.
conditioned souls. Kindly grant me the strength,
I need to utilise the little time I have to fulfil the Bafana Peter Siboyana
Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Balaram Dasa

zz
All glories to you, please accept my humble obeisances. Durban

South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA , words cannot describe the of deliverance from this material world. I pray that
immense gratitude I feel for all your mercy. Your I can continue to be a part of your beautiful ISK-
mercy is causeless. Without your mercy, I would CON and that I may continue to engage in devo-
not know and be a part of this beautiful ISKCON tional service.
which you have created. Thanks to your beauti- I pray to you to give me the strength to preach
ful books, teachings and the ISKCON temples you your wonderful teachings to others. I pray that I can
have started throughout the world, countless peo- distribute your beautiful books to others so that
ple like myself are hearing the names and glories of they may also get your causeless mercy and one day
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krish- be delivered from this material world.
na and His beautiful pastimes and are engaging in
devotional service. Your insignificant servant,
Your books, teachings and temples are a source Balaram Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Balaram Das

zz
May I first of all offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Johannesburg/Durban

South Africa
“O SPIRITUAL MASTER, O giver of divine wisdom, O yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese yaya
friend of the fallen, you are the giver of your own mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya
bliss and you are the only ocean of mercy. Although
dwelling in Vrindavana, you have descended for “If some sinful people escape and giving up reli-
the welfare of fallen souls like myself and you are gious principles go to far off countries, then my sena-
preaching the divine love of Radha for Krishna. pati-bhakta (military commander) will come at that
Please be kind upon me.” time to give them Krishna consciousness.”
Five hundred years ago, Lord Caitanya Apart from having the qualifications, expertise
predicted: and skill to deliver Krishna consciousness to the
& Other Devotees
entire world, Srila Prabhupada, I can only imagine your mercy, this may be my opportunity to please
how much love Krishna must have for you, his sen- the Lord.
apati-bhakta, to have chosen you as His messenger. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna mentions that if one
In your ‘Prayer To The Lotus Feet of Lord offers with love and devotion, a fruit, flower, leaf or
Krishna’, written aboard the Jaladuta, you addressed water to Him, then He will accept it. May I take heed
the Lord. You said ‘that your spiritual master, who from this instruction, and not be deterred from serv-
was very dear to Srimati Radharani, had given you ing you in only wishing to offer very elaborate, or
this mission.‘ perfect services. May I rather try to offer you every-
If you were to be successful, it would be pleasing thing of mine, with sincerity, love and devotion.
to your spiritual master, and thus pleasing to Srimati When you appeared on this planet, the astrol-
Radharani. If Srimati Radharani were pleased, that oger reading your horoscope remarked that you
would ultimately be beneficial for Krishna. Thus, it would one day become a “unique sannyasi “ - one
was in Krishna’s best interest to ensure that your with name, fame and fortunes. Through your writ-
mission was a success. ings, teachings and example, you showed us how to
Later on in that same poem, you mentioned be the transparent via medium and attribute any
remembrances of running and frolicking in the success or name and fame to our spiritual masters,
many forests of Vraja in the company of the Lord. and to the Lord Himself. You taught us how to dove-
Srila Prabhupada, these glimpses into the close, tail everything in the service of the Lord. You taught
intimate relationship you have with the Supreme us that true renunciation is not to negate the for-
Personality of Godhead fill me with wonder and tunes and opulence of the world, but to accept it in
appreciation for Your Divine Grace. I am then filled the service of the Divine Couple.
with feelings of gratitude. You are certainly the sav- I think your ISKCON may be slightly different
iour of the fallen, and the most magnanimous, but from the way it was when you were physically pres-
still, I am grateful to be a recipient of your mercy. ent on this planet. I think my path may not be to give
Even this offering to you is a product of your up all association with the material world and join
mercy - I do not have anything substantial to really one of your temples full time. However, I hope this
offer you, but still, you allow this as a means of my does not preclude me from offering more than just
own purification, rather than a worthwhile expres- my ability, facility and resources unto you. Please
sion of your glories. allow me, and please help me to offer my entire self
However feeble my attempts, though, my unto you. I am full of material desires, and the grip
prayer is that I may offer whatever ability, facility of material nature is very strong where I am not.
and resource available to me in your service. Poten- Please keep me safe, in your service, under the shel-
tially, if I can be of some assistance in your mission ter of your divine lotus feet.
of fulfilling the order of your spiritual master, you
may be pleased. Considering how close you are to Your servant,
Lord Krishna, surely He will be pleased if you are. By Balaram das
Balaram Ramjith 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada

zz
Cape Town Please accept my most humble obeisances on this amazing

South Africa and wonderful auspicious day of the day of your birth 125 years ago.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
FOR MANY YEARS AND COUNTING I have been taking mercy of the one who fed me, who went out of their
such comfort in a pool of ignorance, taking you and way to give us this most confidential and esoteric
your mercy for granted. “Srila Prabhupada had start- knowledge. It seemed impossible.
ed the ISKCON movement and had spread the mes- One day I had come across an excerpt of a con-
sage of God over the world. Okay but these big things versation you had with another devotee where you
happen all the time, is it really such a big deal? He is had said, and I paraphrase: “Do not try to direct-
just another person, isn’t he?” I had always queried ly understand great personalities such as Caitan-
within myself, and had asked myself quite often ya Mahaprabhu on Your own, You can only learn
what are these people talking about? He has the through the acharayas, this is parampara”. I had
most mercy to give, the dust of his lotus feet can realized that I should apply that in this situation
save the entire universe. I always said that it’s just and try to understand you and your mercy from
another religious person, isn’t it? Why are we going those next in the parampara system. After this, I
on and on? On the outside I had always conformed had done what I can to be around those devotees
without true surrender, parroting what everyone who had been in direct association with you, with
else said, that Srila Prabhupada is our savior and has hopes that I could experience something to help me
given us the key to ending our suffering and realiz- understand. The good news is I did, yet very small
ing our true eternal positions. But all this was such amounts as this association is rare during this lock-
religious mumbo jumbo to me. I had absolutely no down. However, I have notably two experiences. The
interest in what was happening. I had accepted to first one I experienced when I was watching the
myself that there is nothing and that this “mercy” is guru of my parents (HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami)
an overdriven concept. perform arati for you. I had the chills and goose-
Until one fateful day. Near the end of 2020 I had bumps and felt this love between guru and disciple
experienced a wave of realization of everything that like I never seen before, a type of relationship I have
has been happening in my life, and many things had never ever properly acknowledged before, it felt like
become clear. One of them being that “Srila Prabhu- a feeling like that of a son and his father. Excuse my
pada’s mercy did not, not exist, I was too impure to crude description as I cannot explain this feeling in
see its existence, I was too unintelligent to under- words properly, I am just aware of this feeling when
stand it and I was not worthy enough to experience it occurs within me.
it, it was clear to me that this was no ordinary per- The second experience I had was one day at the
son, and that this personality cannot be understood temple when another one of your disciples, HG Med-
mechanically”. This real science is esoteric, and no havi Prabhu, was singing the gaura arti , and at the
common man can just come to understand it, which end when he turned around towards all the devo-
humbles me. But that was not the end of it, I wanted tees and started singing your name. No, screaming
to know how I would be able to understand you and Your name at the top of his lungs “JAI JAI PRABHU-
the potency of your mercy. Even during this reali- PADA, PRABHUPADA, PRABHUPADA JAI JAI PRA-
zation, I could very slightly understand how Krs- BHUPADA!”, no other piece of the song was as clear
na, personally takes care of His devotees, and how and expressive as when he sang and screamed, glo-
He wants us back with Him. You have commentar- rifying you. There was something notably different
ies that really drive this meaning home. So, for all when I heard your name from him. Your disciple,
intents and purposes, Lord Krsna was spoon fed to ripening the air with his love for you. Experiencing
us by you. Yes, the food was amazing, but who was this same goosebumps and chills, I had realized
kind enough to give me this food, it was not entering I could once again take a glimpse at this mercy of
my mouth like this naturally. But trying to grasp the yours, seeing how your disciple wanting to glorify
& Other Devotees
you with every ounce of energy, every atom in his “My only wish is to have my consciousness purified
body desiring to scream your name, brought me to by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.
a standstill realizing I had once again felt that love Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that
that I had taken for granted. I felt a micro-step closer fulfills all desires.”
to understanding your mercy by seeing the impact All I can pray for is that I am allowed to under-
you had on your disciples. Even after all this, I have stand you and your most auspicious mercy. I will
experienced not even the tip of the iceberg of your keep relishing your amazing books and learning
mercy. You are the perfect role model for us all, yet I from those higher than me, and one day, due to your
still feel unqualified to call you my role model, this mercy for us all, I will come back home.
can only be fulfilled by:
“guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar A fallen servant,
na koriho mane asa, sri-guru-carane rati, ei se utta- Balaram Ramjith
ma-gati, je prasade pure sarva asa”
Bansi Family 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept our humble and most respectful obeisances.

South Africa All glories to your lotus feet.
Words cannot begin to describe your divine person- saving our lives and giving us the mercy of Gauran-
ality, neither can it describe the way you have saved ga Mahaprabhu. We also beg that we remain at your
the world, and our insignificant family. lotus feet, forever and ever.
You are so appropriately called jagad-guru, the
spiritual master of the entire world. Your indebted servant of servants,
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vya- Bansi Family
sa-puja, we offer our deepest appreciation to you, for
Batu Gopala Dasa 4 Hare Krishna dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Blantyre Kindly accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

Malawi

AS A GREAT-GRAND DISCIPLE OF YOURS, it is my duty to feelings loudly and in words, so this is a very chal-
glorify you at every moment of my life and especially lenging task at hand. It is said in Bhagavad Gita (7.19):
on this day of your Sri Vyasa-puja. As I think about
it, I know that I’m not somebody who expresses my
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
bahunam janmanam ante fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a
jnanavan mam prapadyate bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By
vasudevaḥ sarvam iti the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master,
sa mahatma su-durlabhaḥ such a person receives the seed of the creeper of
devotional service.”
Translation: After many births and deaths, he who I understand that one who is fortunate after
is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me going up and down in the brahmanda has
(Krishna), knowing Me to be the cause of all causes received the mercy of Krishna through a bona-
and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare. fide guru. So you play a very important role in all
And we also know from the Sri Caitanya- our lives and because of you, we are all connect-
caritamṛta, Madhya-lila (19.151): ed to Krishna and thereby trying to make our lives
fortunate.
brahmaṇḍa bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija I fall at your lotus feet with gratitude and thank you
for accepting me in your movement as a great-grand
Translation: “According to their karma, all living disciple, and I request you to give me the strength
entities are wandering throughout the entire uni- to carry on in spite of many anarthas.
verse. Some of them are being elevated to the upper
planetary systems, and some are going down into The servant of the servant of your servant,
the lower planetary systems. Out of many mil- Batu Gopala Das
lions of wandering living entities, one who is very
Hare Krishna,
zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 4 Bhagavan Misra Das
All glories to my guru maharaja, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswam maharaja. KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
I THANK YOU DEAR PARAM GURU for showering your me and my family that we never leave your lotus
mercy upon me and my family. We are forever grate- feet or ISKCON ever, whether in this birth or future
ful to your Holiness for giving us love of God. Had births.
you not left for the West, we would be lost now.
Thank you for sending my Guru Maharaja to South Your worthless grand disciple,
Africa to give us love of Krishna. I pray that you bless Bhagavan Misra Das
& Other Devotees
Bhakta Avinash Khusa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Cape Town Please accept my most humble obeisances.
South Africa
THANK YOU, SRILA PRABHUPADA, for your books, – worldwide.

temples and spreading the Maha-mantra —
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare; Your servant,
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Bhakta Avinash Khusal
Bhakta Prahlada 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Mamelodi, Pretoria Dandavats Pranams to you jagat-guru and all devotees around the world.
South Africa Please accept my humble obeisances.
I was supposed to write a letter but rather opted to write a poem instead.
Oh, Prabhupada you picked me up when I had no strength left within me.
Oh, Prabhupada you saved me when I had completely given up on myself.
Oh, Prabhupada when my heart was heavy with tears your books helped me to cry.
When I felt alone amongst family and friends,

Your compassion towards others kept me alive
I was looking for light whilst blinded by my own dark desires
I thought my life was over, my situation was dire.
Oh Prabhupada alas! I was broken, there was no hope for me,
But however I always knew that God would make a way for me.
And He did, when He spoke to me through your book (The Science of Self Real-
ization)
I realize that my true purpose in life is to contribute to Lord Caitanya’s mission.
Thank you Srila Prabhupada for giving me the chance to learn how,
To love God again with all of my heart, soul and strength
After numerous births I finally understand that I belong to Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
Oh Prabhupada jagat guru, words can’t express how much I appreciate you.
I don’t know what the future holds, so please bless me to not put my sadhana
on hold.
Your humble servant,

Bhakta Prahlada
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhakti Rasayan Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances. Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
South Africa
THANK YOU so much for saving my friends and fam- lifetime to follow your orders and save thousands of
ily in this lifetime. It’s because of your love for the South Africans. His unwavering devotion to you and
Lord, that you embarked on this treacherous mate- the Lord provide me with strength and protection
rial journey to save the people of the west, includ- in this material world, just knowing that together
ing in South Africa. he and you will take us back home.
I am very thankful to my father, Satyaki Das Please continue to bless my mother, son, Anan-
and mother Parashakti Devi Dasi for taking me to ta and my many devotee family members so that we
see you at the Durban city hall in the 1970s. I often remain in your service always.
recall my image of that evening as you walked down Hare Krishna.
the aisles in that hall, just to ensure I don’t forget
seeing you. Your servant,
I am thankful to your son, His Holiness Partha Bhakti Rasayan Dasi
Sarathi Das Goswami Maharaj for sacrificing his
Dear Beloved Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhaktin Bhanoo

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Rondebosch, Cape Town

I WROTE MY FIRST EVER OFFERING to you last year in and practicing ‘social distancing’, many people are
a bit of a last minute ‘panic’, but I think I managed getting sick and leaving their bodies. I’m convinced
to express my gratitude to you quite succinctly and it is due to our individual and collective karma(s)
won’t repeat myself. and I have faith that with sincere devotion, we will
Since your last Vyasa-puja, the world has been return to the spiritual world and not have to suffer
thrown into chaos with the recent Covid pandemic the austerities of this material existence, which for
and for me personally the only thing that motivates many people is very sad right now...
me in material life now-a-days is being engaged in Once again, my promise to you is that I will
services. I really love to cook for Food For Life and continue with steadfastness on this Krishna
the occasional distribution that I get involved in. consciousness journey of mine. I fall again at your
Festivals/programs are not the same as they used lotus feet and beg for your shelter.
to be, but I’ve been fortunate to have my favour-
ite décor service of adorning your altar once again. Servant of Your Servant,
There is a ‘new normal’ of people wearing masks Bhaktin Bhanoo
& Other Devotees
Bhavna Panchoo 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Durban
South Africa
THANK YOU for being the founder of ISKCON. No one please remind us of our purpose on Earth. There is
at your age could have started this wonderful move- a lot of negativity on Earth around us at the moment,
ment. You have endured a lot of hardships through- Covid is making it a lot harder to visit our Lord-
out your journey in order for the benefit of us and ships and You, Srila Prabhupada at the Sri Sri Radha
future generations to come. The praises are count- Radhanath Temple in Chatsworth, as well as we are
less for all that you have done. not getting a lot of devotee association.
Please guide my family and myself to continue Please our param guru help us keep our devo-
to be under the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Radhan- tion strong.
ath. I am a very fallen soul that needs to get back on Thank you
track in order to go to Goloka Vrindavan.
Please show my family and myself, the way to Your servant,
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath when I go off track and Bhavna Panchoo
Bhima Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Krsna-Laya Dasi,
Aditi Dasi,
Tulsi Dasi,
Radhé Syama, nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
and Kirtan Das śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
Gauteng namaste sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
South Africa nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
ANOTHER YEAR HAS GONE and merely disappeared in just to increase our personal and collective, congre-
the pandemic. gational chanting of Haré Krishna!
To note there was an epidemic in your earlier Maybe I am a simpleton, but all you have giv-
days also, the way it was really eliminated was as en us is to get us and as many souls as possible, to
you said, was by Harinaam. the kirtaniya sada hari platform, at least until we
Today with our feeble faith we may almost scoff return home.
at that solution, but when in actuality it has to be so. This being a missionary society that you have
You said to your followers to just lock the tem- created prompts me and my family to assist in the
ple and go on Sankirtana the entire day. That is our spreading and in the collective changing of the holy
business you would assert strongly and repeatedly. names. Again, I am a simpleton, simple for the sim-
In the entire life of Sri Chaitanya we are con- pleton, maybe.
sistently importantly imposed upon and should be Thank you for giving us the solution to all prob-
overwhelmed by this theme, of constantly changing lems in the material world. Chanting Haré Krishna!
the Holy Names of Krishna. Thank you for your books, again this is your soul
Even the five principal activities of bhakti are and life poured into an alphabetic manifestation in
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
many, many books and literal incarnations. These to you for the benedictions you have presented to
are also very deep expositions of simply chanting human society. What to speak of many mere emper-
Haré Krishna! ors or inventors or literary proponents that have
Between these two, your books and chanting, appeared and equally disappeared into insignifi-
we may intelligently advance and partake in the cance. You stand worlds above them all.
other three highest activities of bhakti. Sadhu sang-
ha, Sri Murtaye, Mathura Varsi. Your servants,
Thank you again Srila Prabhupada. Bhima Das, Krsna-Laya Dasi, Aditi Dasi, Tulsi Dasi,
Even the 33 million devas cannot compare Radhé Syama and Kirtan Das.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhupender Kumar

zz
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! Parklands, Cape Town

South Africa
nama om visnu-padaya Kṛṣṇa-presthaya bhu-tale

I AM NOT VERY SCHOLARLY, neither very good in put- philosophy by writing numerous books. You have
ting the words together. But, I know if I make mis- given me the ISKCON family so I can associate with
takes, my dear Srila Prabhupada will forgive me. Kṛṣṇa’s wonderful devotees, and the list goes on and
My dear Srila Prabhupada, my dear Gurudeva, on... It is not possible to write about your mercy, love
my dear spiritual father, it is not possible to describe and qualities.
your mercy and love in words, but I am writing this Dear Srila Prabhupada, please bless me to serve
at the same time to purify myself as a fallen soul. you eternally to be part of your mission, to distrib-
You are sent to spread Lord Chaitanya’s mis- ute the transcendental knowledge you have given
sion, to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and deliv- through your books by distributing them. Please
er the fallen souls like me. You are so merciful that bless me that I never forget you, always remember
you even appeared in my dream, held my hand and you and never fall down.
brought me to the temple. The next day, I was in the
temple before you, having darshan and paying obei- Thanking you, my dear Srila Prabhupada.
sances to your deity which is non-different from you.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, you have given me Your servant,
Radha-Kṛṣṇa, His holy name, chanting and danc- Bhupender Kumar
ing, prasadam, and Kṛṣṇa’s glories, pastimes and
& Other Devotees
Bimal Ramnunan 4 Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
zz
Southernwood, East London Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
South Africa I offer my humble obeisance to you Jagat Guru Srila Prabupada.
IT IS YET ANOTHER YEAR with huge challenges ahead books per month in service to you. I really miss
especially with Covid pandemic. In its third wave going out to distribute prasadam which is the ser-
and the challenges of work and home creates some vice I love doing. Hopefully after this pandemic is
difficulties. I am grateful to you and for your teach- over, I will resume my service.
ings which keep me afloat in this material world. I Thank you jagath Guru Srila Prabupada for
chant my rounds, not 16 but try to chant as many as your teachings ,guidance and inspiration!
I can before I leave to work , and I listen to kirtan on Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krish-
my way to work which gives me a good start to the na Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama
day. I look forward to receiving a class every morn- Hare Hare.
ing, in a form of a video from a devotee, which gives
me inspiration as your teachings shine out. Your servant,
I try my best to distribute at least one or more Bimal Ramnunan
Brahmadeva dasa 4 Our Most Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

South Africa All glories to you Srila Prabhupada on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
AS WE SING OR LISTEN TO Guru-vandana, the words of Association of devotees is now on a virtual basis
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura continues to slowly globally. My greatest ‘regret’ however, is that I am
change our lives. Our existence begins to take on a unable to travel to the Holy Dhams to touch and
different meaning. We lose the taste for temporary relish the places where the Lord and His devotees
pleasures and increasingly seek the “higher taste”. enacted their pastimes.
You are truly the master, the teacher, the friend of Thank you, again, Srila Prabhupada for allow-
the fallen and the ocean of mercy. ing me to do japa in your association daily. I pray
By your mercy I have continued to prepare that you will also continue to give me the opportu-
bhoga offerings for the Lord regularly and I am nity to improve my service to ISKCON, the ‘house
deriving more and more joy doing this beautiful that you built for the whole world to live in’.
service. I have regularly been trying out new baked I remain always indebted to you for everything
preparation and treats for the Lord. By your grace I you have done for me.
hope to improve my cooking skills for the Lord.
The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted Your servant and grand-disciple,
our movement and our personalised Temple Brahmadeva dasa
involvement.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Braja-Madhava Das
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. La Lucia
DEAR SRILA PRABHUPADA, I first want to thank you for able to reach a much wider audience.
everything you have done for me, for ISKCON, and I must thank you myself for allowing me to
for the world. You have made this material world become initiated by His Holiness Indradyumna
full of love and guidance, through your classes, lec- Swami Maharaj who is so expert at teaching and
tures, books and disciples. You have made it possible guiding us. He has shown us a glimpse of the spiri-
to live in a bubble of devotion, protected from Maya tual world, and we are all captivated by it.
and the material world, and that is only possible I pray that I can perform some small service
because you have trained your disciples so well and to spread your mission and use my talents without
they have imbibed your teachings with such sincer- becoming puffed up by it. I also pray I can maintain
ity. That is why we, your grand disciples, are able to and increase my sadhana to make Gurudeva, and
benefit so immensely. ultimately you, proud of me.
The world has changed, and the way preaching
is being done has changed, but the essence of Kṛṣṇa Your servant,
consciousness has remained the same and is now Braja-Madhava Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Caitanya Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. Gauteng
South Africa
LAST YEAR THIS TIME, I was in a sense of insecurity, doing something for the community. Not only that,
wondering where my protection would come from but you also gave me access to an entire commu-
since the shield of my formal devotional service nity of senior devotees who can guide and nurture
was given up. I was nervous and confused on how I the seeds you have planted, watering it with your
agreed to be in such a position. ever fresh words, showering from your books and
Little did I know that it was a master stroke followers.
from you. I always knew that your mercy is prevalent I have come to realize that you are the carrier of
in my life, but for once I just wasn’t sure. Instead, the the highest message, empowered by Lord Caitanya,
months that passed, allowed me to see that once we to give us access to the highest realms of devotional
have your mercy, we really have your mercy. service as outlined by your words in Caitanya Cari-
With your inspiration, I started internalising tamrita Madhya 11.31:
and started re-finding myself. Instead of thinking
I am an advanced soul who served some years as a Although all the rasas are on the transcendental
temple president, I have been a recipient of an uncal- platform, mādhurya-rasa is the supreme transcen-
culatable amount of mercy. dental mellow. Consequently it is concluded that the
Even though I can see now how little quali- worship of devotees engaged in the Lord’s service
f ication I have, you still gave me an opportunity in mādhurya-rasa is the supreme spiritual activity.
that rewarded me in an incredible way while still Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His followers mainly
& Other Devotees
worship Lord Kṛṣṇa in mādhurya-rasa. Other signs are giving me hope that one day my faith will
Vaiṣṇava ācāryas recommended worship up to be firm, the rewards of such faith will bring about
vātsalya-rasa. Therefore, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in success, no matter my disqualification.
his Vidagdha-mādhava (1.2) describes Śrī Caitanya King Prataparudra was denied access to Lord
Mahāprabhu’s cult as supreme: Caitanya by His rejection of a worldly man, but by
the associates of the Lord and the king’s own con-
anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau viction, he gained the Lord’s favour.
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva- While I am the furthest in qualification from
bhakti -śriyam King Prataparudra, I am still confident because you
have surrounded me by more advanced devotees
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in this Age of and planted the seeds of faith.
Kali to exhibit the superexcellence of mādhurya-ra- This process is very simple. One need only
sa, a gift never previously bestowed by any ācārya or be firmly convinced by the spiritual master that
incarnation. Consequently, Śrī Caitanya Mahāpra- Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If one
bhu is accepted as the most magnanimous incar- decides this, he can make further progress by think-
nation. It is He only who distributed love of Kṛṣṇa ing of Kṛṣṇa, chanting of Kṛṣṇa and glorifying Him.
while exhibiting the superexcellence of loving There is then no doubt that such a fully surrendered
Kṛṣṇa in the conjugal rasa. devotee will receive the blessings of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Hearing such high goals, and now knowing Seeing your magic always unfolding, you are
the price to pay for such attainment, how on earth certainly Prabhupada, a master among masters. I
am I, one still grappling with fundamental attach- am begging today that you please continue to wave
ment to sense gratification, going to attain this? It your magic wand over me. I am a long-term proj-
feels far fetched and out of reach, making me feel ect, but I’ll try my best to make your efforts worth
despondent. your time.
One thing that I have learnt over all these years Thank you Srila Prabhupada for moulding,
under your care is that you are always there taking guiding, chastising, and most of all, loving me. I
care of us. The right things happen at the right time cannot say how I can repay you, but I can say I will
for the right purpose and here I stand astounded try one day at a time.
that it happened again. Each instance makes me
believe even more, and while the belief is still at a Your servant,
grass roots level, it is taking hold and those small Caitanya Dasa
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
& Other Devotees
Candra Gopi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Atma Priya Devi Dasi Please accept our most humble obeisances in the dust of Your Divine Lotus feet.
and Rasaraj Das All glories to Your Divine Grace as the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness.
Effingham Heights, Durban
South Africa WE ARE INDEED GRATEFUL for your causeless mercy
Thus saving us from the pangs of material fantasy
At Radha Kunda, your Guru Maharaj, you first encountered

His instructions you took to heart and excellently recounted
Whilst on board the Jaladuta to Lord Krsna you sincerely prayed

He gave the intelligence how best to us - the knowledge can be relayed
Thereafter very swiftly it all started in the west

and sure in a very short time you accomplished the best.
The young, brilliant and energetic youth you quickly recruited

Volume of books you published and they distributed
Temples and preaching centres in every city were established

The goal of Harinaam sankirtan in every town and village were accomplished
Everyone became attracted to Hare Krsna - the holy name

and also free from bodily concept and subsequent fame
You taught that to Lord Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead we should
surrender
By your mercy no doubt our goal we should not forget and always remember.
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada for your magnificent aptitude

By service and submission, we shall try to pay gratitude
Your lowly trying servants,

Candra Gopi Dasi, Atma Priya Dasi and Rasaraj Das
Candravadana Radha Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa
I AM IN DEEP GRATITUDE for all that you are and all you of my love for you dear Srila Prabhupada:
have done for us. Please accept this as an expression
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Bestowing thy mercy upon this entire world
You adventured abroad
And spread the holy names of Krishna throughout
At such an advanced age

You accomplished so much
Established 108 temples

Circled the globe 12 times
Told everyone you met about Krishna
Kept the instructions of your spiritual master as your very life and soul
Whilst everyone else was sleeping

You were awake
Translating the holy scriptures
Giving us the English editions and your very own purports of Srimad-Bhagavatam
and many other Vedic literatures
Paving our way back home to Krishna
You are so kind and merciful

If only I could imbibe but a drop of thy good qualities
My life would take a better turn
You have given us so much

You have given us everything
We thus owe everything to you
A way of life
The path to love
How to offer everything to Krishna and still remain in this world
Please empower me to accept your gifts graciously with complete surrender

And deliver these precious gifts to others as well
Help us to flood the entire world with the holy names of Sri Krishna
With your mercy we can become successful
I beg to remain in your service eternally

And be of some use to you and your mission
Your eternal insignificant servant,

Candravadana Radha Devi Dasi
& Other Devotees
Carana Renu Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Bluff, Durban Please accept my humble obeisance.
South Africa All Glories to you, Srila Prabhupada.
IF YOU WANT TO BE LEARNED, the Vedic injunction is Absolute Truth, and darsinah, one who has seen
that go-to guru, bona fide guru, not the so-called (Srila Prabhupada lecture on Sri Caitanya-carita-
guru. mrta, Madhya-lila 20.102, Baltimore, July 7, 1976).
tad viddhi pranipatena Srila Prabhupada, I am eternally grateful to you for

pariprasnena sevaya the sacrifice you made to bring us such deep knowl-
upadeksyanti te jnanam edge. You are indeed an example of tattva-darsinah.
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
Your fallen grand disciple,
Guru means one who has seen the Absolute Truth. Carana Renu Dasi
That is guru. Tattva-darsinah. Tattva means the
Caranarenu Devi Dasi 4 My Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Caranaravinda Das Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of Your lotus feet.
Durban
South Africa
AT THE RIPE OLD AGE OF 70, you left all the spiritu- of knowing about Krsna and the ultimate goal of
al comforts of Vrindavan and went to the west to life. Srila Prabhupada, without you, all of human-
spread Krsna Consciousness. Your faith in Krsna, ity would be living a life of degradation. We are
and your desire to please your dear Guru Maharaj, extremely grateful to you for lifting us out of this
enabled you to accomplish your mission. miserable condition of material life. You sacrificed
Travelling in a cargo ship, with very little mon- so much so that we could benefit and be delivered
ey and just the basic necessities, shows us just how from this cycle of birth and death.
much you depended on Krsna to take care of you. My dear Srila Prabhupada, on this auspicious
And yet, after this very arduous journey and all the occasion of your Vyasa Puja, we beg to remain eter-
hardships that you endured, you still managed to nally at the dust of your lotus feet.
create this beautiful home called ISKCON in which
the whole world can live. Your servants,
Your mercy and compassion for the fallen condi- Caranaravinda Das and Caranarenu Devi Dasi
tioned souls has afforded us the golden opportunity
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
My dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Champakalata Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Amanzimtoti
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this very special occasion of the 125th anniversary of your appearance on this planet. South Africa
LAST YEAR WITH THE ONSLAUGHT OF COVID-19, the in Reservoir Hills. I could sense his pride in describ-
world and our lives as we knew it changed. Initial- ing you and his memories of that lecture as he obvi-
ly, we thought it would pass after a few months but ously appreciated this experience immensely. He
more than a year later, normalcy as we knew it has went on to explain how he had become a life mem-
not and cannot return. This has made me reflect ber and he enthusiastically praised the temples you
on the impact of Kali-yuga, Krishna’s will and your had established in India, which he had visited. It was
mercy. If this is our experiences during the still early difficult to draw him back to the purpose of my con-
stages of Kali-yuga, I dread to think about the pre- versation as he affectionately extolled your arduous
dictions in Srimad Bhagavatam; about how heinous efforts to transplant this ancient philosophy across
life towards the end of Kali-yuga will be. Our current the globe. I decided that instead of interrupting his
experiences are more than sufficient to propel us to loquacity, I should just absorb his mood of love for
becoming Krishna conscious in all our activities and you and began to savour his fond lingering recollec-
to make this lifetime successful. tions. Such is the effect that you have had on thou-
We are so fortunate that you appeared to spread sands of people, Srila Prabhupada. Although, they
the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to give may not have actively taken to the path of Krishna
Krishna-prema so freely and to simplify the process consciousness, they remain forever favourable to
of going back to Godhead. Through your books, lec- ISKCON, the institution that you established, being
tures, the association of your disciples and my trav- non-different from you and referred to as your body.
els across the world visiting ISKCON centers, I have Somehow or other you sowed the seeds in their
directly perceived your mercy and continue on a hearts and we are now able to pluck the fruits of
daily basis to be a recipient of droplets of your kind- their labour to be used in service to your ISKCON. I
ness in different forms of nectar. therefore believe it was not a stroke of serendipity,
Although, you may not be physically present, but rather it was divinely arranged that he encoun-
the effects of the impact that you have made on soci- tered your physical presence more than forty six
ety in general, still lingers on. years ago in preparation for him to be engaged in
Recently, I was tasked by ISKCON’s law depart- your service almost five decades later.
ment to seek a legal opinion from an advocate. I Likewise, all those who you initiated as your
began to consider who might be an appropriate disciples are not ordinary souls, but your eternal
person to approach for this opinion and after some associates who descended with you from the spir-
deliberations decided to speak to a Senior Counsel, itual world to participate in your pastimes here in
someone who I had only dealt with on a profession- spreading Krishna consciousness. Such is the pow-
al basis and had no prior personal relationship with. er of your potency!
I was a bit apprehensive about what views he It is an understatement to say that your mag-
might hold towards ISKCON and moreover whether nanimity knows no bounds. This entire lifetime of
he’d think less of us after the opinion I sought from mine is a product of your mercy. I want to recipro-
him. To my surprise, when I mentioned the nature of cate with the abundance of good fortune that you
my request, he was more than happy to assist. In fact, have showered upon me and the only way that I
he very lovingly began to describe how in his youth can do so, is to be more committed to serving your
he had attended your lecture at the Seva Samaj hall mission and your ISKCON. I pray to always remain
& Other Devotees
engaged in service to your lotus feet and your body, Your eternally grateful servant,
ISKCON. Champakalata Dasi
Chandrakantha Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

and Ambika Devi Dasi zz Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
Durban All glories to Sri Sri Radha Krsna and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
South Africa
WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED FOR 30 YEARS in the most Even with the pandemic, the completion of your
auspicious and transcendental association of your dream temple in Mayapur is being fulfilled.
ISKCON movement and try to serve you and your You have given us the remedy on how to save
instructions to the best of our ability. Only by your ourselves in this lifetime, just by glorifying Radha
mercy we have survived this far. and Krsna and the devotees in one universal prayer
You have warned us of our material, contami- - the chanting of the maha-mantra. I am convinced
nated association from life after life and have told that the holy name on our lips at the last breath is
us to get out of this birth, death, old age and disease. our only savior and nothing else matters.
We had thought that death will only prevail at old We will always be obliged to you for all your sac-
age but this is not true. It has been about 18 months rifices you have endured in giving glorious love of
ago that the world has succumbed to the dreadful Krsna- prema in your instructions and books.
Corona virus, that has no distinction for age or race. We pray that you guide us in whatever little ser-
This virus has also robbed us of so many dedicated vice we perform in order to glorify you.
and glorious devotees, who have served your ISK-
CON so responsibly. All the devotees are neverthe- Your forever servants of your servants,
less working hard to uphold your merciful ISKCON. Chandrakantha Das and Ambika Devi Das
Chandramukhi Radhe Devi Dasi 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Midrand Please accept my humble obeisances at the glorious dust of Your divine lotus feet. All glories to You.
South Africa All glories to the Vaishnavas.
ANOTHER YEAR GONE BY and another year still under our EVERYTHING!
lockdown. How we miss associating with the devo- Thank you Srila Prabhupada. The realisation
tees and going to your temples. The feelings of love, that the new normal has left my family and I with, is
the sounds of roaring temple kirtan, the nectar of that we really miss our ISKCON family so, so much.
Krsna katha, sumptious prasadam that we all used I still dream of the day that our little Gaura Gopal,
to take together and most importantly serving with who will be 2 years old on 12 July, will be able to
each other... the list goes on. Yet through it all and run and play freely on our beautiful temple prop-
despite virtual association that has now replaced erty whilst associating with the devotees. I don’t
physical association, you are still the glue that binds even want to think of the mischief that he would
us all together. You are still the glue that keeps my have caused in the temple room but my heart breaks
family and I in Krsna consciousness. You are still a million times when I think of him not having
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
devotee association since he was 8 months old. they are with you and our dearest Krsna. My earnest
Thankfully my heart is soothed every time I hear prayer is that we don’t want to lose any more devo-
him chant or sing along to your kirtan in his own tees so please protect them and have your guiding
way of “Haye Kish-ana, Haye Nama” or when he calls hand over them. I pray that when we are all togeth-
you “Pa-pad” - the beauty and innocence of a baby er again, we do not have lesser devotees than we did
vaishanva that is now transforming into a vaishna- before lockdown happened.
va toddler and learning how to speak. Then there Thank you once again for allowing me your
are times when he takes the incense and tells us shelter and that of my Guru Maharaj. Thank you
“want offer Kish-ana”. I think you would have been so for all that you have done for ISKCON and for fallen
proud of him for trying. Please bless him to always souls like myself. Thank you for always listening. I
remain sheltered at your divine lotus feet and to beg of you to always keep me engaged in devotional
always have the association of your dear devotees. service and to always have your shelter.
This year has been particularly tough for my Praying that I may one day be worthy of your
family and I but by your saving grace we seemed to love.
have made it through. It’s heartbreaking to think
of the devotees that were taken from this materi- Your fallen grand-daughter
al plane due to covid but comforting to know that Chandramukhi Radhe Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Chitralekha Harrychund

zz
Westville, Durban
South Africa

sri krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda

sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-guara-bhakta-vrinda
THIS VEDIC PRAYER SUMMONS DIVINE INTERCESSION for life perfectly. Rivers, bliss us with sacred water and
harmony and protection of the environment, which provide us health, night, morning, vegetation. Sun,
is currently such a weighty global discussion, in the bliss us with peaceful life. Our cows, provide us with
midst of the disastrous catastrophe facing the milk” — Rigveda, 1/90/6,7,8]. It is further scriptur-
planet: ally stated that “when there is harmony between
madhu vatah ritayate madhu ksaranti sindhavah the mind, heart and resolution, then nothing is
madvih nah santusadhi madhu naktamutusasu impossible”.
madhumatparthiva rajah madvih ksorastu suryah In your purport in Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.26-
madhirgabo bhavantu nah 30, you state:
[“Environment provides bliss to people leading their “The fourteenth quality, knowledge, can be further
& Other Devotees
extended into five subheadings, namely (1) intelli- It is literally impossible to extend to you, Srila
gence, (2) gratefulness, (3) power of understanding Prabhupada, any level of insurmountable gratitude
the circumstantial environments of place, object for facilitating the authentic scriptural avenue of
and time, (4) perfect knowledge of everything, and comprehending the existing worldwide burgeon-
(5) knowledge of the self. Only fools are ungrate- ing concerns.
ful to their benefactors. The Lord, however, does
not require benefit from anyone besides Himself Haribol!
because He is full in Himself; still He feels benefited Chitralekha Harrychund
by the unalloyed services of His devotees.”
Chotoki Family 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada

zz
Springs Please accept our humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories to you A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada!
THANK YOU for creating this wonderful society for us

to live and thrive in. You are the greatest father of Your servants,
our spiritual family and as such please accept our Chotoki Family
best wishes. Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Damodar Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Douglasdale Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to you, dear Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari.
IN THE SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM , Canto 7 chapter 9, text the Lord. The devotee is not interested in so-called
44, Prahalad Maharaja prays to Lord Nrsimhadeva:- meditation in the Himalayas or some solitary place.
My dear Lord Nrsimhadeva, I see that there are Also, the pure devotee is not interested in going back
many saintly persons indeed, but they are interest- to Godhead on his own. He is concerned about the
ed only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the general population. The Vaishnava is para-dukha-
big cities and towns, they go to the Himalayas or the dukhi. He is unhappy due to seeing the other people
forest to meditate with vows of silence [mauna-vra- being unhappy. The pure devotee is always happy
ta]. They are not interested in delivering others. As in any condition of life and is ready to serve Krish-
for me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, na under any circumstance and anywhere. When
leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know he sees others suffering due to their forgetfulness
that without Krishna consciousness, without tak- of Krishna, he wants to help them by enlightening
ing shelter of your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. them about Krishna. He wants to give people Krish-
Therefore I wish to bring them back to the shelter na Consciousness and let them become happy by
at your lotus feet. engaging them in Krishna’s service.
Srila Prabhupada, this verse describes the Srila Prabhupada, you have demonstrated so
nature of the Vaishnava, who is a pure devotee of wonderfully the teachings of Prahalad Maharaja.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
You left Sri Vrindavana dham and the association of Consciousness movement is to convince people
devotees and came to the West on the order of your about the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita as it is spo-
spiritual master to preach Krishna Consciousness ken by Krishna and the teachings of Lord Caitanya.
in the West. Just as Prahalad Maharaja was preach- We learn from Lord Caitanya’s travels that Lord Cai-
ing to the sons of the demons- you preached about tanya was spreading the holy name of Krishna wher-
Krishna to some of the most fallen souls in the most ever he went. In South India, in one village, Lord
dangerous locations of America and transformed Caitanya met a brahman named Kurma. The brah-
hippies into happies. All glories to your Divine Grace man and his family served Lord Caitanya. After that,
for the exemplary way in which you preached so the brahman Kurma wanted to leave his home and
courageously and selflessly. Despite so many chal- travel with Lord Caitanya. Lord Caitanya instruct-
lenges, you persevered in carrying out the order ed the brahman Kurma to rather stay at home and
of your spiritual master to preach in the western that whomever he meets to tell them about Krishna-
countries. yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa.
Lord Caitanya had said that His holy name Lord Caitanya said further: “Instruct everyone
will be chanted in every town and village. People to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krishna as they are
in India had wondered if it was possible that non-In- given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavat-
dians would chant Krishna’s name. All glories to am. In this way, become a spiritual master and try
you, dear Srila Prabhupada, for taking Krishna Con- to liberate everyone in this land.”
sciousness to all parts of the world. You also fulfilled Following Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instruc-
the prophecy of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur that one tion, you have said that the mission of this Krishna
day Indian and Western devotees would be chant- Consciousness movement is to tell everyone about
ing Lord Caitanya’s names in Mayapur. It is so won- Krishna. So we are trying our best to tell everyone
derful to see so many devotees worldwide attend about Krishna.
the Mayapur kirtan mela and other festivals and Dear Srila Prabhupada, please continue to bless
together chant Jaya Sachinandana Gaura Hari and me so that I may be an instrument in your hands
Hare Krishna. and continue to distribute your beloved books and
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for bringing Back to Godhead magazines and preach in a lov-
Krishna Consciousness to the West and saving us ing manner that inspires people to accept Krishna
from wandering through the material universe in Consciousness. Please let me always be in the loving
different species of life. You have shown us the path association of your sincere followers.
back to our real home in Goloka Vrindavana.
Srila Prabhupada, you have explained sev- Your grandson,
eral times that the purpose of this Krishna Damodar Das (BCais)
To our spiritual grandfather Srila Prabhupada, 4 Damodar Gopal Das

zz
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi
and great granddaughter Vaishnavi
Durban
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale namaste sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine South Africa
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
& Other Devotees
DEAR SRILA PRABHUPADA, we are most fortunate in qualities of compassion, being patient during dif-
this lifetime to have taken birth in the material ficulties and still loving and show courage are just
world and to have taken association of your most some of the wonderful qualities expressed to the
dearest disciples. Your most dearest disciples have world.
so wonderfully revealed to the world the most inter- Thank your dear Srila Prabhupada for guiding
mate pastimes that they have shared with you in us, protecting us and continuously showering us
establishing this movement, which is meant to bring with your mercy and love. We are forever indebt-
the living condition souls closer to the supreme lord ed to you.
Krishna. Srila Prabhupada you have never deviat-
ed from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Your most fallen grandchildren,
instructions in giving Krishna consciousness to the Damodar Gopal Das, Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi
world. Your endless efforts of writing books, trav- and great granddaughter Vaishnavi
eling around the world preaching, and unlimited
Damodar Prasad das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Lenasia Please may you accept my obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.

nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarin
I FEEL, SRILA PRABHUPADA, that it has been too long service, which prompted me to drink in the divine
since I have listened to your lectures, or read about words which emanated from your lotus lips, or
your transcendental pastimes with your disciples. which described your sublime character, your activ-
I have not been bereft of your association, Srila ities, and everything about you.
Prabhupada, else how would I be here now, writing You know well how addicted I am to the tem-
you this offering? You have bestowed upon me the porary pleasures of this ephemeral body and the
opportunity to engage in various aspects of tem- ever-shifting mind, Srila Prabhpada, and how fear-
ple worship, and, in the midst of my feverish urge ful and reluctant I am to make any advancement in
to indulge in sense gratification, you have blessed devotional service, but I remember once having had
me with the opportunity to gain transcendental joy a glimpse of the vastness of your ocean of mercy, and,
and realisation from studying your books, although although I do not ever wish to take that mercy for
I am a poor student. But most of all, Srila Prabhupa- granted, I am able to maintain at least a little hope
da, you have blessed me, although of a guarded and that I shall one day be able to dive into that ocean,
envious nature, with the transcendental association and join the devotees in the world of transcendental
of your devotees and followers, by which I am able pastimes which you have revealed to us.
to remain in the process of Krsna consciousness.
And yet I wonder if ever again I shall rediscov- Begging to remain at your lotus feet,
er the enthusiasm which I once had for devotional Damodar Prasad das (BCaiS)
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krishna dear most beloved Srila Prabhupada, 4 Damodara Priya
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Sandton
I AM SO FORTUNATE to be able to serve you. This fall- books. This journey back to Godhead is full of chal-
en servant is so unfortunate in this material world, lenges and suffering, but by chanting the holy name
but thank you for this privilege of devotional ser- and reading your books, it is easier and comforting.
vice. From the bottom of my contaminated heart, I I am forever in debt to you.
really appreciate the sacrifices and hardships you
went through for us. Please allow me to continue From your loving great granddaughter,
serving you and Lord Krishna. Please give me the Bhaktin Damodara Priya
strength and mercy to distribute and preach your
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Deonarain Sewpershad (Sunil)

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances. and Family

Durban
South Africa
THANK YOU FOR AFFORDING my family and I the oppor- strong foundation that you have laid for ISKCON
tunity to take shelter of your lotus feet. Your sacrific- will last for many generations to come.
es and unique relationship that you have with each We will always be indebted to you.
devotee is immensely inspiring us to grow stronger
in Krishna conscious. No ordinary man can achieve Your Servants,
what you have achieved in this material world. The Deonarain Sewpershad (Sunil) and Family.
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Devaki Priya Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Pinelands

All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious 125 anniversary of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
PLEASE FORGIVE MY HUMBLE ATTEMPT at glorifying you sacrifices which you made for the benefit of man-
as I am nothing but a struggling soul. kind is simply inspirational and which shows you
Thank you for bringing Krishna consciousness couldn’t have been any ordinary man. You are the
to this material world and affording the opportuni- epitome of a devotee. I find solace in the fact that
ty to anyone willing to learn to love Krishna. What you have empowered so many of your disciples so
I appreciate the most is the fact that you declare that we can benef it in being guided by personal
boldly Krishna has me and I have you, so you have associates of yours, still feeling your presence in the
Krishna too. So, all we need to do is actually follow mark you left laying the foundation.
your teachings and your instructions and we can Thank you for creating a family in which we all
go back to godhead. You make spiritual life look so can love Krishna and serve Him and his devotees.
simple due to your attachment to the Supreme. The Understanding we are all meant to serve, in some
& Other Devotees
way or another so why not focus it on something our spiritual life is useless endeavour. Please bless
with permanent benefit. me to always set a good example to our daughter so
On this auspicious occasion please bless me she will continue to love you and ISKCON and to be
and my family to always understand the opportu- some benefit to your ISKCON.
nity afforded to us to be part of ISKCON, and not
take it for granted. Always guide our intelligence Your humble servant,
in understanding anything that’s not supporting Devaki Priya Devi Dasi
Dhaneshvara Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my prostrated obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
I DON’T HAVE ANY qualif ication to offer homage Caitanya’s prediction that the Hare Krishna
unto your exalted divine self, I beg at the dust of Maha-mantra would be chanted in every town and
your lotus feet for your causeless mercy to give me village.
strength, otherwise I have no hope for anything in Due to your tireless efforts, there is not a single
spiritual life what to speak of attempting to glori- country on this planet where the Holy Name is not
fy you. being chanted or where your books are not being
At this very moment, just to survive we would read.
be struggling in agony, running up and down with- The potency of your words is the same of the
in this dark world of death, in different species of Supreme Lord. You are His bona fide representative.
life. Because, as you have shown us by opening our You gave love of Godhead without distinction
eyes with your torch light of knowledge that no mat- all over the world. Your selfless teachings and guid-
ter what position we may occupy in this material ance rejuvenated the lost ones (me) in this time of
world, higher or lower, it all comes down to the hard Kali-yuga. You have taken so much of pains and put
struggle for existence. Deeply sunk in ignorance, we endless efforts to let us know about the real goal of
would be strangled by the ropes of maya, repeat- human life.
edly beaten between the anvil and the hammer of Srila Prabhupada, I sincerely admit that I’m not
so-called joys and sorrows, and, if still endowed capable of serving you in anyway, its only by your
with a glimmer of human consciousness, screaming mercy that I can use this human life to try to serve
for help. But Your Divine Grace came, the Supreme please you and move closer to Krishna, at least by
Personality of Servitor Godhead. Your appearance a few steps.
is the most auspicious event during the present I beg unto your dust of lotus feet to somehow
Kali-yuga. make me an instrument in serving my guru maha-
Because of your dedication to the words of raja who is serving you tirelessly by keeping his
your guru maharaja and the Supreme Lord you instructions as my life and soul.
have become the first Vaisnava world Acarya on
this planet. Your insignificant and lowly servant
Only you could be trusted to fulf ill Lord Dhaneshvara Das
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dhaneshvari Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Johannesburg
WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE YOU in our lives dear- been nothing without you our sweet dearest Srila
est Srila Prabhupada, everything you have done for Prabhupada. For this we are eternally grateful to
us means the world to us. Everything we need to Your Divine Grace. Thank for giving us this oppor-
know about Krishna consciousness is all in your tunity to serve our Krishna in the best way possible.
books dearest Srila Prabhupada, the best gift ever.
The reason of your coming to this material Your Servant,
world is to save spirit souls like myself, I would have Dhaneshvari Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dhanishta Ramjee

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of Your lotus feet. Sandton
All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada on this most auspicious day of Your vyasa puja. South Africa
YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS IS A GIFT I will always treasure. translating books from Sanskrit to English yet you
Kindly help me serve Krishna and your devotees as were so humble and sincere.
best I can and surrender myself unto your lotus feet. Through your books you have continued to
Thank you is the least I can say to show my apprecia- live in everyone’s heart, I pray that you stay in mine
tion for giving me the privilege of devotional service forever.
and being in Krishna consciousness.
Your dedication and courage to help unfortu- Always your humble servant and
nate souls like myself inspires me every day to be great-granddaughter,
grateful for what I have. You spent hours up at night Bhaktin Dhanishta Ramjee
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dharmraj Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Queensburgh

FOR A WHILE NOW THE WORLD has been living a new am so afraid of losing my body and still I am so dull
normal, being faced with a deadly disease. This is headed not to realise the truth. Srila Prabhupada,
certainly a reminder of how fragile our material life please help me realise the difference between mat-
is. Even though we try to imbibe your teachings, still ter and spirit, divinity and demoniac, spiritual real-
the material senses are so strong that we are unable isation and sense gratification. I really want to be
to realise the actual importance of your teachings. able to evolve myself spiritually by surrendering to
Many wonderful devotees have left their bodies in your lotus feet and be able to carry out your instruc-
the last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and truth tions and those of my diksha guru HH Krishna Das
be told any one of us can become a victim soon. I Swami. I know that if I simply surrender and not be
& Other Devotees
too consumed or fearful of death, then by your grace My dandavat pranamas.
and the grace of my diksha guru that somehow or Hoping to one day be physically reunited with
the other Krishna will be pleased. your grace in the spiritual reality.
I would also like to sincerely thank you for grac- Jai Srila Prabhupada!
ing this planet with your spiritual presence thus
enabling myself and thousands around the word a Dharmraj Das
window into Krishna’s world.
Dhira Gauranga Das 4 Our Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Yogeshvari Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Roodepoort All glories to Your Divine Grace!
South Africa
IT IS NOW OVER A YEAR that the entire world has been awful virus.
going through this COVID-19 pandemic. The minds Srila Prabhupada through this pandemic, your
of the people are in turmoil, with no sight of an end books have been a saving grace. We’ve completed
near. The citizens of the world have been restricted the Bhakti Sastri course and are now indulging in
to how they go about conducting their daily lives. the Srimad Bhagavatam. Please bless us with spir-
As devotees we realise that what the world is going itual understanding to absorb the message of the
through is part and parcel of the sinful reactions of Bhagavat that you so graciously bestowed upon us,
society, however Srila Prabhupada we devotees are grant us the benediction that we can continue with
having to struggle in this pandemic as well. The full conviction to read this famous Purana. We are
devotional practices that are so key to keeping us developing our love for you and feel that we are clos-
enthusiastic in devotional service which we now er to you due to your writings. Thank you for leaving
realise we have taken for granted, has been ripped us your books for us to love you.
away from us. Deity darshan, devotee association, We have personally been through some diffi-
sankirtan and festivals are all gone. These activi- cult times recently, but we know that you are with
ties gave us the strength to continue in this materi- us through it and that you know Krsna’s plan. When
al world. Oh! when will they return. there is difficulty and it feels like our prayers are not
Our love for you Srila Prabhupada is devel- being heard, it is not easy to keep our faith strong.
oped through your sons and their love for you, but You are a perfect example of unflinching faith,
through this pandemic you have taken back many please help us to realise that these are the natural
of your extremely loving sons. One of them being difficulties of this world and ultimately Krsna loves
Bhakti Caru Swami a year ago and most recently us and that we need to continually strive to be more
Pankhajanghri Prabhu. We understand that you Krsna conscious.
have taken them back for other services you have Please always keep us engaged in your loving
for them, but our hearts are broken in their sepa- service and please always keep us close to you. Your
ration. Srila Prabhupada we understand that even- mercy is all that we are made of.
tually you will take all your loving sons back, but
please be gentle with us as our hearts are already Your humble grandchildren,
sore and cannot bear much more pain so soon, if Dhira Gauranga Das and Yogeshvari Devi Dasi
you must take them please let it not be through this
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dinanukampa Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Cape Town
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this exceptionally auspicious day. South Africa

I ALWAYS WONDER, where does one really begin to people.” This from a father who had come to take his
glorify such an exalted personality as Your Divine son (Giriraja Maharaj) back to America.
Grace and whether I even have the slightest qualifi- Eternal compassion: Srila Prabhupada, you
cation to do so. And lo and behold, our omnipresent spent sleepless nights to give us elevated knowledge
founder-acharya heard me because almost instan- that would deliver us from the entanglement with
taneously you just appear in my mind and show me the goal of changing the consciousness of this plan-
your beautiful, smiling face. What more inspiration et. You established temples which became our spir-
could one ask for? itual shelters. We can come and meet Your Divine
Your Divine Grace’s qualities are endless, but Grace at these institutions anytime, all the time. You
right now in these times of calamity, I want to established schools, introduced the largest sancti-
remember four of those - purity, simplicity, loving fied vegetarian food distribution programme on
dealings and eternally compassionate. the planet, and ultimately taught us the meaning
Purity: Krishna says: “One who is engaged in of real compassion - the act of devotional service
devotional service to Me without any deviation, he by serving others.
is pure.” Srila Prabhupada, that means Your Divine It is in times of calamity that I remember a mere
Grace is the one Krishna is talking about. You were handful of your infinite qualities, which affords me
twenty-four hours in Krishna consciousness. the stability that I so desperately need in a world full
Simplicity: Simplicity is natural to one who is of uncertainty and unhappiness. In all the calami-
deeply immersed in spiritual practices. Srila Pra- ties that I experience, Your Divine Grace’s beautiful
bhupada, you displayed these qualities of simplic- smile serves as a guiding light filling my heart with
ity in your personal character, in the message you joy and lighting up my world like a Purnima moon
conveyed and the lifestyle you led no matter where on a dark night.
in the world you were. On this auspicious day Srila Prabhupada, I beg
Loving dealings: Your Divine Grace is the per- for your mercy that I may serve my Gurudev with-
sonification of devotee care. His Holiness, Giriraja out any offences and with full sincerity.
Swami Maharaj’s father sums it up perfectly: “Well,
I can say two things about your master. He is a bril- Always aspiring to be the servant of your servants,
liant organiser, and he really knows how to deal with Dinanukampa Devi Dasi
& Other Devotees
Dinasarana Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
and Family Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Durban All glories to your Divine Grace, the glorious spiritual master of the entire universe.
South Africa
AS WE TRY TO CONTINUE in these uncertain times of finger down the page. Then he’s looking and he said,
heightened anxiety due to the relentless Covid-19 “You don’t even have to read the whole page, just one
virus, your sublime teachings are now more perti- line,” and he ran his f inger across the line of the
nent and foremost than ever before. With approxi- Krishna Book. And I said, “Yes, Prabhupada.” And
mately 427,000 years still remaining for Kali Yuga, he’s still looking and he said, “You don’t even have
one can only imagine the level of suffering still to to read a whole line, just one word,” and he pointed
come. The great suffering caused by the body is so to a word in the book. He said, “Just one word of this
grossly evident now that it presents a wonderful book if you read you can become Krishna conscious
opportunity for the world to take shelter of your because Krishna is in every word.”
soothing lotus feet, which is the panacea for all our
problems. Reference: Following Srila Prabhupada-A Chrono-
All it takes is one of your books to re-spiritual- logical Series by Srtuakirti Dasa”.
ise a fortunate soul, even just hearing a few of your Srila Prabhupada, your exalted position as the
transcendental words can reawaken and transform Founder-Acarya of ISKCON for all time to come and
one’s heart. There is tremendous power in your time- your monumental achievements have created all
less writings, every book, every page and every word the good fortune for the entire world. This great
is coming directly from the spiritual realm. The fol- good fortune is freely available to one and all by your
lowing amazing pastime of your Divine Grace as limitless compassion and you have kindly allowed
narrated by His Grace Srutakirti prabhu, highlights us fallen souls to have full access to this great mer-
the potent nature of your books: cy of yours through your divine books. On this most
auspicious anniversary of your appearance, please
“Srutakirti das : It happened on three different occa- allow us to petition your Divine Grace to melt our
sions. I went in and Prabhupada was reading Krish- stone-like hearts so that we may develop just a frac-
na Book and he said, “If you just read this one book, tion of a drop of your compassion to enable us to
you can be Krishna conscious.” He said, “You don’t effectively distribute your books and spread your
have to read hundreds of books. Just this one book.” teachings far and wide. We are infinitely blessed to
He had his glasses on, and I was sitting in front of be connected to you divine lotus feet. Please forgive
him. Then he just looked at me and he said, “You us for our countless offenses and allow us to remain
don’t even have to read the whole book, just one in your service and shelter.
chapter. If you just read one chapter of this book, Aspiring to be your eternal servants,
you can be Krishna conscious,” and I’m nodding
my head, “Yes, Prabhupada.” But he just kept star- With love,
ing. And then he said, “You don’t even have to read Dinasarana das and Family
the whole chapter, just one page,” and he just ran his
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dinesh Vythilingum
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Gauteng
South Africa
ALL GLORIES TO YOU on your Vyasa Puja. I thank you Feast programmes. Krsna is always in my mind and
for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon heart. I do strive to be better by your mercy Srila Pra-
myself and my loved ones. I know that I am totally bhupada. I pray that the current situation of my life
imperfect but I trust that you have faith in me, and eases so that it gives me the opportunity to progress
that one day soon I will gain the spiritual knowledge spiritually. I surrender onto Your lotus feet.
and lessons that is needed in discharging exception-
al devotional service. Your humble servant,
Your mercy has helped me chant the Maha Dinesh Vythilingum
Mantra and allowed me to attend the Sunday Love
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dinesvara Krsna Das

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace. Lenasia South
All glories to your most wonderful ISKCON movement. South Africa
OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS I have begun to realize and our Mayapur Institute I have been able to study the
appreciate two things in particular, the value of our Srimad Bhagavatam systematically and get the won-
ISKCON Temples and devotee association. With the derful association of the devotees, this has been a
world in such a dangerous and precarious situation, real source of inspiration for me.
maintaining and progressing in our Krishna con- I am praying at your lotus feet so that I may
sciousness has not been easy, but it Is so amazing study your books and preach your and Lord Cait-
how our leaders and devotees of our society have anya Mahaprabhu’s message in a wonderful way to
adapted and provided wonderful opportunities via attract many people to the movement.
various digital platforms to get their association and
guidance in these times. I have been fortunate to Thanking you
have been able to render some services at our local Your servant
Temples and do some preaching online. Through Dinesvara Krsna Das
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Divya Sakti Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Alberton

All Glories to you, Srila Prabhupada South Africa

& Other Devotees
MY DEAREST SRILA PRABHUPADA, I am beyond grate- help me understand. I am forever appreciative of
ful at your divine lotus feet for allowing me to serve you for showing me the right way back home. Words
you and Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari during this global cannot express my love and gratitude towards you
pandemic. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for starting Srila Prabhupada.
a wonderful movement and building temples for us And on your most auspicious day, I would like
ignorant and foolish souls to sing, chant and preach to thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for everything that
the wonders of the holy name of the Lord. you have provided, and please accept my humble
Please bless me and allow me to always have obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
faith in the Lord’s name. Let me always choke up
and let tears flow down my face when I chant the Your Servant,
glories of the Lord’s names. I have always been Divya Sakti Devi Dasi
searching and have been lost, but your teachings
Doyal Govinda Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Thirtha Rani Devi Dasi Please accept our most humble obeisances.
Radha Bhakti Devi Dasi All Glories to Your Divine Grace.
Nadira
Advaita MERE WORDS COULD NEVER SHOW our appreciation
and Damodar Hence the debt we owe to you can never be paid,
Stanger The strong people we are and the service we give
South Africa Is based on the good foundation you laid.
We serve with your blessings

Under our Lords instruction,
We are proud to be part of your ISKCON,
The world’s greatest construction.
In this material world,

We’re all a bit deluded and often lead astray,
Yet to save our fallen souls
You gave us a way.
You paved us a path straight to perfection

And gave us the ultimate realization,
We live now in progression
In sync with the strongest connection.
Mahaprabhu is the crown jewel of Sankirtan

And you are the Founder of the League of Devotees,
You did what no other person could
All while facing hardships and atrocities.
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
It is often said that good things don’t come easily
Yet through your persistence came something great,
Our Lord Krsna perhaps looks upon you with great fondness
For you provided deliverance to us in our fallen state.
Our forever well - wisher

Our greatest inspiration,
Happy Birthday
And thank you for ISKCON - your loveliest creation.
Your most humble Servants,

Doyal Govinda Dasa, Thirtha Rani Devi Dasi, Radha Bhakti Devi Dasi,
Nadira, Advaita and Damodar
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dvarakadisa Das,

zz
Please accept our respectful obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace. On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, we would Rukmini Priya Devi Dasi
like to express our appreciation for you and increase our service to your ISKCON. and Aindra Caitanya Das
Sandton
SUKADEVA GOSVAMI SAYS in Srimad-Bhagavatam Thank you. Without your mercy, we would still South Africa
(2.4.18) be in the darkest region of ignorance.
kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa
abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah sri-guru-carane rati, ei se uttama-gati
ye ’nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah je prasade pure sarva asa
sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah
“Attachment to the lotus feet of the spiritual mas-
“Kirata, Huna, Andhra, Pulinda, Pulkasa, Abhira, ter is the best means of spiritual advancement. By
Sumbha, Yavana, members of the Khasa races and his mercy all desires for spiritual perfection are
even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified fulfilled.”
by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due Kindly bless us so we may become attached to
to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my your divine instructions and thereby please you.
respectful obeisances unto Him.” Anyone can be This material world is a place of miserable con-
purified if he takes shelter of a pure devotee and dition. The whole world is currently experiencing
moulds his character according to the pure devo- the dangers. When one surrenders to a bona fide
tee’s direction. Then, even if one is a Kirata, Andhras, representative of Krishna, then he becomes imme-
Pulinda or whatever, he can be purified and elevat- diately saved from all miserable conditions of mate-
ed to the position of a maha-paurusya. rial life. We pray that we may continue to be pro-
Dear Srila Prabhupada, you are the pure devo- tected by your mercy in the form of your divine
tee, who has purified our consciousness and given instructions.
us the opportunity to practice the process of bhakti. May we have the strength to always stay under
& Other Devotees
your shelter and never stray from this path of Krish- Your aspiring servants,
na consciousness. Dvarakadisa Das, Rukmini Priya Devi Dasi and
Aindra Caitanya Das
Dvijavara Das 4 zz Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

and Ramapriya Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
Durban All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious and blessed day of your divine appearance.
South Africa All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. All glories to Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US to be part of your beau- we missed the personal association of the devo-
tiful and magnanimous ISKCON family. A home you tees. Fortunately, many online programmes were
have built for the entire world. All we have to do is arranged to keep the devotees enlivened with Krish-
invite everyone to your home. You have provided na-katha. Many of us were fortunate to read your
everything that will nourish us. The most important books during these difficult times which gave us
being the association of all the wonderful devotees. solicitude. Many devotees started preaching online
When the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020 with more enthusiasm and success. By your mercy
we realised how important it was to have spiritual the internet is being used in a positive manner to
knowledge. Many people increased their sense grat- flood the world with Krishna prem.
ification identifying with the body. They are looking By Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu prediction and
for comfort in intoxication. your mercy many people will join our lSKCON fam-
We are fortunate to have the shelter of your ISK- ily. We are hoping that the construction of the Tem-
CON. When your sincere and dedicated son His Holi- ple of the Vedic Planetarium will be completed on
ness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja left this planet time for the official opening. You said “I have named
to serve you, we felt a deep sense of lost. Some of my this temple Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, the
senior godbrothers and sisters provided us wonder- Rising Moon of Mayapur. Now make it rise, bigger
ful association and support. They have arranged for and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this
a weekly presentation of His Holiness Bhakti Cha- moonshine wool be spread all over the world. All
ru Swami Maharaja’s classes. Guru Maharaj often over India they will come to see. From all over the
spoke about your wonderful pastimes. We find it world they will come.”
difficult to glorify you and your wonderful achieve- Once again, thank you for all the wonderful
ments. We felt your presence when we hear your sin- arrangement’s you have made for us.
cere disciples speak about you.
Srila Prabhupada, you have work tirelessly to Your struggling grand disciples,
establish ISKCON. When all your temples closed Dvijavara Das and Ramapriya Dasi
due to the ‘lockdown’ due to the Covid-19 pandemic,
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dwaraka Dham Das
zz Pietermaritzburg
South Africa
IT WAS 1975 AND THERE WAS an announcement that a that he came to put us on the right track. The pro-
divine guru from India was to visit our town, Pieter- gram had finally ended and on our way out we were
maritzburg. I was a young boy of 13 years old at that given a book called ‘ The Science of Self-Realiza-
time and was very excited and inquisitive to know tion’ written by Srila Prabhupada. After reading this
who this guru was. The day was eventually here, I book, it put me into a different mindset. I was fired
dragged my elder brother along, got into the Munic- up preaching to school mates and families. They
ipal bus and was at the City Hall in a flash. We made thought I was gone bonkers.
our way to our seats and waited impatiently. Time have passed pursuing mundane activities
A red carpet was been laid all the way to the until the age of 55 years. My brother who was already
stage. There he appeared, an elderly, divine look- an initiated devotee then was giving a Krsna katha
ing person in orange attire followed by Western dis- at a local ISKCON Temple. Within a flash I got myself
ciples, looking around while walking to the stage. to the temple. When I entered the Temple room, I
There he sat in silence for a while and the sound of had the chance to bow down to the same guru I
kartals broke the silence followed by the transcen- saw at the City Hall. The same feeling of connection
dental sound vibration of the maha-mantra that came back again and I knew this place is for me. I
echoed in the hall. did not need any convincing from any one to join.
His disciples followed him. I was very familiar The Temple became a frequent place that I vis-
with this mantra since I come from a Hindu family. ited every Sunday. I am now an initiated disciple of
He was introduced as His Divine Grace Srila Prabh- my Gurudev, His Holiness Lokanath Swami, a direct
upada the founder Acarya of The International Soci- disciple of you Srila Prabhupada. I thank you with
ety for Krsna Consciousness by the speaker. Srila all my heart Srila Prabhupada for guiding me to the
Prabhupada gave a brief lecture from the Bhagava- lotus feet of Radha Krsna. Thank you Srila Prabh-
tam and the Bhagavad-gita and then asked the audi- upada for your mercy. What would I be doing and
ence if they had any questions. The questions were where would I be had it not been for you?
answered with confidence and conviction. Dandavat Pranam.
I felt a connection with this guru in my heart
but I could not explain it to anyone there. His Dwaraka Dham Das
answers made me feel that we are all confused and
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dwarka Vasini Devi Dasi

zz
Hare Krishna! Nairobi

Kenya
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE AN EXPERIENCE that made me Mayapur Dham from Nairobi with my niece Ambi-
realize how Srila Prabhupada’s compassion and ka Gopi Devi Dasi. His Holiness Gopal Krishna
mercy is spread all over the world. Goswami had instructed me to go to Mayapur and
This was the year 2009, I was travelling to do Bhakti-sastri, and come back and preach. We
& Other Devotees
safely reached the Kolkota Airport and were happy understand. My niece was bleeding from her elbow,
to see a car waiting for us to take us to Mayapur. This so they would check and say something like, “first
was my second time going to Mayapur, so I was very aid, first aid” and then disappear. This continued
happy and excited as we were going to be in Dham with the next six police officers.
for 4 months. Finally, our car arrived, and we thought our
As the ride started, we were surprised by our ordeal was over. But again, another surprise was
driver who was attending calls from two mobiles waiting for us. This time the driver was younger and
and also driving at a high speed. This continued felt like he was some sort of a movie hero. So, he
throughout the journey. We tried to keep our calm kept on looking in the rear mirror and running his
by thinking about how Krsna’s mercy had touched f ingers through his hair. He tried starting a con-
us, that we were getting an opportunity to go and versation of how he doesn’t believe in God. By this
stay in the Dham. time, our only saviour was the Supreme Lord, and all
But to our shock, the inevitable happened. Our we could think of was Lord Nrsimha Dev. Once we
car knocked a bike, and we saw a person flying from reached Krishna Nagar, the driver stopped the car
one end of the car to the other end. Our driver tried and went for a haircut. As if we had not had enough
to escape and sped the car, but to our luck, very soon, in a day, we now had to sit in the car while our driver
there was a police jeep behind us that was stopping had a haircut. We obviously had a very long journey.
us. Finally, our hero feeling driver comes back, and we
After some time, our driver gave up and stopped. leave for Mayapur.
One of the police inspectors got into our car, and we As we were about to reach Yoga-pitha, I saw a
went back on the same road we had come from. Sud- devotee with Vaishnava tilak holding a chanting bag
denly, the police jeep stopped exactly where the and walking on the road. This was the time when
accident took place, so our driver had to stop the car we both felt safe and sighed a breath of relief. This
as we were right behind the police jeep. By this time, is what Srila Prabhupada has given to us. Security,
the local public had already gathered and were very comfort, and a future.
angry at what had happened. Just then, one of the In a world that is so uncertain and unsecure,
persons noticed our driver and shouted something Prabhupada has created for us a spiritual haven. Sri-
in Bengali. Exactly then, everyone stormed on the la Prabhupada’s contribution to the spiritual prog-
car, and we got a dose of mob justice. They literal- ress of humankind remains unparalleled. His uni-
ly broke every part of the car that could be broken. versal compassion is seen when he ventured outside
The policemen would not dare come out of the car India and, alone, sat to chant Hare Krishna for the
or their jeep. This felt like eternity. Luckily, the jeep pleasure of Lord Caitanya and his spiritual master.
in front moved, and our car (or what was left of it) He lived among the degraded and confused youth
got an opportunity to move and run away for the to mercifully uplift them back to sanity. Srila Pra-
irate crowd. bhupada masterfully injected the message of Sri
We were taken to the police station and had Krishna to them, to begin their progress towards
no idea what was going on. We spent hours there, the Supreme’s eternal service.
waiting for the next car to be sent from Mayapur Srila Prabhupada devoted himself day and
to pick us up. The policemen at the station looked night to propagate the sankirtan movement of
very suspicious. Instead of us feeling safe, we were Lord Caitanya with such enthusiasm that thou-
very scared by now. Most of them had a vest and lun- sands were inspired by his example and followed
gi for their uniform, and they would come one at a him to attain devotional service. Only Srila Prabh-
time saying something in Bengali which we couldn’t upada was empowered to deliver to the world the
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
pure message of the Lord in its most complete form is the inestimable example he left us all, to nour-
within his enlightening books of translations of the ish our own desire to become his worthy servants
essential devotional scriptures, and also inspire his and representatives. We will forever remain in awe
dedicated disciples to abundantly distribute these of his unique greatness as our constant meditation
unique works of spiritual genius with millions of and strength.
copies throughout the whole world.
The secret of his miraculous success was, in his Your inspiring servant,
own words, his unconditional faith in the words of Dwarka Vasini Devi Dasi
his great spiritual master. Such pure guru-nistha
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Dyuti-mandala Das

zz
Please accept my respectful obeisances. Cape Town

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY AND COMPASSION for all the Supreme Lord. This is the most precious gift that
the fallen conditioned souls in the world. You are one may receive.
most magnanimous and kind. You have spread the By your mercy I have been able to receive this
pure teachings of Lord Krsna all over the planet and most precious gift of Krsna consciousness. I pray
especially the chanting of the Lord’s holy names. that I may sincerely take advantage of it. I also pray
So many millions of people have been intro- that I may help in some way to help you spread
duced to the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha Krishna consciousness to others. Thank you Srila
mantra and have been spiritually uplifted and puri- Prabhupada.
fied by this most sacred sound vibration. So many
hundreds of thousands of people are receiving your Your servant,
precious books. In this way they are being given the Dyuti-mandala Das
opportunity to revive their loving relationship with
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Easwaran Pallipuram Ramakrishnan

zz
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Blantyre

All glories to Sri Gauranga and his eternal associates. Malawi
WE ARE ALL INDEBTED TO SRILA PRABHUPADA because to associate with some ISKCON preachers in Blan-
had he not written such extensive commentaries tyre, Malawi, in the year 2012, and got my first copy
on books like Bhagavat-gita and Srimad-Bhagava- of Bhagavat-gita on Nrsimha Caturdasi day. I found
tam, we would not have understood these divine the Gita written by Srila Prabhupada to be quite dif-
teachings. ferent from the other publications. Srila Prabhupada
As far as I am concerned, due to my past karma, had taken enormous care and labour to give word
I never got a chance to read Bhagavat-gita until I was for word meaning which is very helpful in under-
fifty years in age. It was by chance that I happened standing the deeper meanings.
& Other Devotees
Moreover, I have not studied Sanskrit and understanding Lord Krishna’s teachings. Reading
always wondered as to how I can read books like Srila Prabhupada’s books helps us to always remain
Bhagavat-gita/ Bhagavatam. But Srila Prabhupada away from the material world, which is described as
is so merciful that he wrote and translated these “Dukhalayam and Ashasvatam”.
books in the English language so that a vast major- I am also indebted to all the disciples of Srila
ity of other people can also read them and take to Prabhupada who have carried out the instructions
spiritual life in a truly meaningful way. of our spiritual master and continue to be torch
I am personally indebted to Srila Prabhupa- bearers in this dense dark age of Kali.
da because, if not for him and ISKCON, I would
have continued my life as it was before without Easwaran Pallipuram Ramakrishnan
Gambhira-caitanya 4 Our Dearest Srila Prabhupada

zz
Prema-Vanya Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances.

and Krishna-Candra Das All glories to your Divine Grace.
Queensburgh
South Africa THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN AN EYE OPENER to one who is merely an opportunity as is everything or every
has not accepted that this material world is a place moment we are given. We fail to understand and
of suffering. The propensity to enjoy the senses has further fail to accept honestly that time is the killer.
been reduced to so little extent that the world was Time slips from our fingertips and is lost FOREVER.
forced to withdraw from doing what it loves doing Time takes us on a wild ride to the doorstep of death
best - socializing. World supply chains and econo- and drops us there without a hint of subtlety. Time
mies of scale were disrupted and months later are is the most powerful tool of destruction that exits
adjusting to the impact. A tiny viral cell has brought in all of creation as it has the ability to both nurture
the world to a crushing halt. Families suffered loss and grow and yet deal the fatal hand that separates
and heartache and many left alone forever. The cost one from the cradle of life.
of living escalating, work environment evolving and Thank you Time I pray with folded hands - you
(intelligent) humanity living in constant anxiety / are indeed worshipable. You are our friend just
fear of contracting this virus. like our minds if we have the ability to be aware of
The world was reminded yet again that this you and work with you and not against you. Thank
is no place for enjoyment and that a permanent you Time for truly affording us so many thousand
and a real happiness exits far beyond the reaches if not millions of opportunities to develop our lov-
of this material universe. If anything the last year ing relationship with Krishna, the Supreme Friend,
would have made conscious people reflect on the Supreme Proprietor and the Supreme Force - Time.
most important questions that you had brought to Thank you Srila Prabhupada for your price-
our attention over 50 years ago. A smart and real- less teachings, which we pray will always form and
istic person would recalibrate their existence in guide our thinking and resultant, inspired actions.
this futile world. One who is a deep thinker would Thank you Srila Prabhupada for your prime example
question the whole point or notion of life and upon of surrender- an example that is flawless on so many
reaching that end - one would not wallow in self- levels simultaneously. As I listen to your lectures
pity or apathy but one would use this new found whilst I am performing different tasks I can hear
understanding to recalibrate their focus on life. Life your singularity of focus and I am overwhelmed by
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
your unlimited potency. You are the most spiritu- appreciating that the current world situation is a
ally benevolent devotee of Krishna to have set his blessing and not a hindrance. This situation forces
divine lotus foot on this planet. You have literally us to value Time (Krishna) and if we are truly sin-
sacrificed your life for Krishna - the sweet lord of cere and capable to push beyond the apparent bar-
your sacred heart. Just by gazing on your lotus face riers and discover opportunities to share the nectar
one can be inspired to wake up in this life and exe- of your sacred teachings which is an open treasure.
cute on the path of Bhakti. Just by studying your dai- Thank you thank you thank you our dearest Sri-
ly schedule, one can draw immense and profound la Prabhupada. May your glorious legacy continue
respect for Time (Krishna). You have captured to shine a torch of knowledge on this world.
time by your devotion and even at your advanced
age - you achieved what NO other soul would dare Your servants,
attempt. You truly hold Krishna (Time) in the palm Gambhira-caitanya, Prema-Vanya Dasi and
of your hand and you are no doubt, situated in His. Krishna-Candra Das
Thank you for giving us the correct vision in
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ganga Deva Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Ganga Luxmi Devi Dasi,

All glories to you on your appearance day. Nikhil
and Ashraiya
ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Vyasa Puja, we I pray that you bless my family and I in spread- Lenasia South
thank you for giving us the opportunity to grow ing Krishna consciousness to all. South Africa
in Krishna consciousness and serve at your lotus Thank you for guiding us and please help us to
feet. The sweet nectar in your lectures and books serve you better.
have helped us progress in our spiritual lives. We are
greatly indebted to you for having taught us about Your humble servants,
Krishna consciousness. Ganga Deva Das and Family
Hare Krishna dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Gangesh Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Bhaktin Vinutha
All glories to Your Divine Grace. and Shoubhit
Johannesburg
IT’S MY ESTEEMED HONOUR to write a Vyasa-puja Everything we do is given value only when it South Africa
offering to you Srila Prabhupada. On this auspi- gets connected to Lord Krishna, and you, being a
cious day, I want to show my gratitude to you Srila pure devotee, will connect us to Lord Krishna. Sri-
Prabhupada, as I know that the words can’t describe la Prabhupada, you have saved me all the time by
it. My life is full of gratitude for all that you have engaging me in your service through your causeless
given to me and my family. By living a Krishna con- mercy bestowed upon me. Please allow me to con-
scious life, you have taught us how to love, honour tinue serving the Lordship, yourself, and all con-
and respect others. gregation members. Thank you for accepting my
& Other Devotees
service and thank you for keeping me engaged in in this material world. Please continue to keep us all
your service. under your shelter within ISKCON and engage us in
Srila Prabhupada, please give me the blessings doing service to our Lordship and yourself.
and intelligence to always cooperate with our con- Thanking you. Hare Krishna!
gregation members so that we can together serve
you nicely by keeping your teachings in mind. Please Your humble servants always,
give me the intelligence to follow in your footsteps Gangesh Das, Bhaktin Vinutha and Shoubhit
and help me to stop looking for temporary happiness
Gangotri Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
ISKCON Sandton
South Africa

srimate krishna-das-swamin iti namine
ALL GLORIES TO JAGAD-GURU SRILA PRABHUPADA on this instructions of our Guru Maharaj and our preemi-
most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. nent siksha-guru, your wonderful self.
This year I am remembering my beloved Srila Prabhupada, thank you for Srimad Bagav-
Guru Maharaj whose motto was, “Live For Dhar- atam which is the best association in these troubled
ma, Die For Dharma.” Because our Guru Maharaj times. In spite of us being prevented from the asso-
had instilled this wonderful mantra in our hearts, ciation of Vaishnavas during the Covid lock-down,
we have the strength and courage to deal with the Srimad Bhagavatam is our only shelter.
Covid pandemic which is threatening us all. In spite All glories to ISKCON, the holy name and your
of challenges, we are still engaging our minds and books. Krishna is always in our vision.
hearts in devotional service; live or die, our dharma
is what counts. Please, Srila Prabhupada, bless us Your servant of your servant,
henceforth that we diligently follow the liberating Gangotri Devi Dasi
Gaura Lila Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Tongaat Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
PERSONALLY, this year has really been a very chal- Prabhupada.
lenging one for me. I have lost two close family Ever grateful and begging your mercy on this
members within a short space of time. Being part auspicious day of your divine appearance that I will
of ISKCON has really sheltered me. My Gurudev and
spiritual family has supported me both emotionally
and spiritually through the entire ordeal. Had it not always remain within ISKCON and that I will
never fall down.
been for your ISKCON, I would have been totally Your servant and most insignificant granddaughter,
lost. I am truly blessed to be part of ISKCON and Gaura Lila Devi Dasi
will remain eternally indebted to you, my dear Srila
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Gaura Premi Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Johannesburg


LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME, the world had just about fall- on the pursuit of pleasure, we are always in deni-
en apart, and we were standing amongst the piec- al of this degradation until you literally open our
es, wondering how to put it back together again. Of eyes with the torch of knowledge. Mercifully reach-
course, the thought that the world was “normal” ing across generations, you will always assist those
before Covid-19 was an illusion anyway. In Srimad who seek the Absolute Truth to see everything with
Bhagavatam, Dharma questions Mother Earth at scriptural vision in startling clarity that can sober
the beginning of Kali-yuga, if she was lamenting one up instantly to the perpetual sufferings of this
because of his condition, the unlawful meat-eat- age.
ers, unhappy women and children, or the state of We who tread the path of transcendence but
knowledge and brahminical culture. “The so-called take things easy amidst the avalanche of covert
administrators are now bewildered by the influence materialism in our lives must take heed in this
of this Age of Kali, and thus they have put all state Covid-19 chaos: do we want to come back here in our
affairs into disorder. Are you now lamenting this next lives because we are not taking Krishna Con-
disorder? Now the general populace does not follow sciousness as seriously as we should? You warned
the rules and regulations for eating, sleeping, drink- us repeatedly about that, as the variables of Fate
ing, mating, etc., and they are inclined to perform are infinite. Prahlada Maharaja says, “one who is
such anywhere and everywhere” (Srimad-Bhagav- sufficiently intelligent should use the human form
atam 1.16.20-22). of body from the very beginning of life…to practice
There was much to lament about then, and the the activities of devotional service, giving up all
situation has perilously worsened since. But drunk other engagements. Even a slight amount of sincere
& Other Devotees
devotional service can give one complete perfection” by not overtly engaging in such behaviour. But the
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.6.1). actual destruction will come from within ourselves.
We must be aware of the importance of sincer- The ego that fuels us to attain pleasure, power and
ity. Heaps of activities performed without sincerity, popularity at any cost, including hurting devotees,
for any other motivation besides pleasing Krishna, your institutes, instructions and legacy- whether
will not bring us to Goloka. To follow in your foot- it starts in our home with choosing comfort over
steps, we must “always remember Krishna and nev- serving at the temples or on sankirtan, or in the
er forget Him”, just as you had stated in Nectar of institutes when devotees are driven away, to when
Devotion, chapter 2, and did throughout your bless- leaders lose their integrity- that ego that you warned
ed life. We must constantly meditate on putting us about is the real enemy within that can destroy
Krishna first, not just when we need something or your ISKCON, along with envy, lack of faith in your
are on schedule in the day. We must see Him as the words and insincerity in our actions.
Supreme Lovable Object before we see others. We I beg you to protect us and your spiritual body
must cherish the assets of ISKCON as Krishna’s and from these dangers and fall victim to the degener-
not abuse them, and see our assets as His also. It ation that characterises everything that Kali-yu-
means to always put the Lord’s interests before our ga touches. May your legacy truly extend 10 000
own, but that requires firm faith in Him, and that years into the future, written in letters of gold on
first step is still tripping many of us, despite years the pages of time, and may we not do anything to
in ISKCON and attaining initiation. erase it. May Covid-19 and its ills wake the world
The best offering that any of us can make on up to the goal of life, and may every ISKCON mem-
this glorious occasion of your 125th appearance ber who knows it takes it seriously in this life. May
anniversary is not donations, bhoga or speeches. your words inspire us daily through your books and
When we look at ourselves, look at you, and then classes, and may we do justice to your instructions
try to bridge the gaping chasm between the two. It by understanding what being a devotee of Krishna
seems like a mammoth task, but you gave us the really means, then act accordingly.
simple formula to achieve the perfection of spiritu-
al life; the challenging part is stepping off the ego tvam nah sandarsito dhatra
platform of being a devotee in name only, recognis- dustaram nistitirsatam
ing that we are going wrong in our actual practice kalim sattva-haram pumsam
of Krishna consciousness, and correct ourselves karna-dhara ivarnavam
before life passes by and we let you down. It means
to give up the pride in what we do for you, the anger We think that we have met Your Goodness by the
when things do not go our way, the lust for having will of providence, just so that we may accept you
whatever we want and especially, the envy of what as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross
other devotees have: envy got us here initially; if we the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the
allow it to fester inside us, how will we be liberated? good qualities of a human being (Srimad-Bhagava-
When you warned us that ISKCON could be tam 1.1.22).
destroyed from “within”, we understood that to indi-
cate troubles within ISKCON itself, which has erod- Your most unworthy servant of the servant,
ed the following to a small degree. It is easy for us to Gaura Premi Devi Dasi
rank and file members to claim immunity from that
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Our Beloved Srila Prabhupada, 4 Giridhari Puja Dasi
zz Please accept my sincere respectful obeisances. Vrindavan
All glories to your merciful lotus feet. India

AS IT IS DESCRIBED in the Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.27: to you having taken shelter of your lotus. I pray on
this most auspicious day that may we forever be
acaryam mam vijaniyan indebted to your mercy and always seek shelter in
navamanyeta karhicit your divine grace. And may we always reside and
na martya-buddhyasuyeta never depart.
sarva-deva-mayo guruh You are an embodiment of the Bhagavad Gita.
You personally taught your disciples, who are teach-
“One should know the acarya as Myself and never ing all followers the same way, to always remember
disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, Krishna and never forget him. Srila Prabhupada you
thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the repre- wrote in the Nectar of Devotion that the only regula-
sentative of all the demigods.” tive principle is to always think of Krishna and never
You have accepted us all and personally guid- forget him. We pray that may you guide our minds
ed so many of your disciples in the same manner as and may we all forever follow in your footsteps in
your beloved spiritual master mentored you. The serving your spiritual master, your lotus feet and
glories of the spiritual master can be viewed every the Vaishnava community.
day. You have represented your spiritual master by
your actions, words and deeds. You have planted a Remaining your humble servant servant’s daughter,
seed in all your beloved disciples who are very dear Giridhari Puja Dasi (KKS)
Dear Param guru His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, 4 Gita Gamya Devi Dasi
zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at your merciful lotus feet. Beaulieu

All glories to you. South Africa
I HAVE EVERY YEAR, SO FAR, enthusiastically and grate- Krsna and conscious life. I have had the fortune of
fully attempted to compile a written offering in your understanding with a bit more gravity and intensi-
appreciation. This time it feels very different - very ty, the poisonous effects of Kali-yuga and materi-
formal. al life, and how Maya’s claws tightly bind the con-
I have had the fortune of the profound experi- fused and desiring souls who have not yet had the
ence of leaving the sheltered and Krsna-fied ashram fortune of finding this healing, revealing, Absolute
environment for the first time in years and being a Truth - which you laboured until your deathbed and
bit on the ground, seeing with slightly more trained last breath to give most mercifully, in such a pro-
eyes, how people are living in this world so far from found way that it would reach us most fallen, and
& Other Devotees
undeserving souls. Just in case one of us was ready! And when all your pure disciples leave me, leave
Ready to trust what we read and heard about Krsna, us within this lifetime, will we be pure enough to
to trust a devotee, and to take up some beads and try carry forward your love with the required force and
give a little commitment to this holy-name-dosage miracle potency?
that you recommended. I am praying for this determination, associa-
It’s not that Krsna is not everywhere, dear Sri- tion and dedication. I’m deeply sorry for my slow
la Prabhupada, but still, I am so far from that time progress in steadily shifting my attachment to the
when I can see Him everywhere - uninterrupted Lord’s lotus feet and representing you the way that
in meditation on him, and with a heart full of pure you deserve.
love, desireless for my own mundane distractions.
I can’t fathom how much you have done for us, I am so so so deeply grateful for what you have given
so much so that now - many years after your physi- this world. I’m so deeply appreciative and in awe at
cal departure - this movement is still expanding on you dear Prabhupada. and so, lacking in serving you.
a global scale, by the mercy of Lord Caitanya’s desire I’m so grateful to have this lifetime to be
and the work of your servants. drenched in you and your holy, irrefutable, mag-
So, for this much of a miracle, and that I was nificent appreciation for our Lord. I am just, grate-
so fortunate to be found by you and included, I am ful. Beyond the petty words I can conjure in this
grateful beyond the petty words I can conjure in formal offering.
this formal offering. You are burned into my heart dear Srila
And my heart is aching daily for those who can- Prabhupada!
not come yet, whom I am not pure or serious or com-
passionate or advanced enough to bring deeply in Your most insignificant servant,
yet. Gita Gamya Devi Dasi (KKS)
Gokulesvari Devi Dasi 4 Hare Krishna, Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Saniel Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Sishan All glories to HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj.
and Marshini
Weltevreden Park IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR and deepest appreciation say to Prabhupada. He responded by saying that Sri-
South Africa that I am sending this message on the most auspi- la Prabhupada knows and we have to distribute this
cious and glorious day of the year. knowledge and the maha-mantra to others wher-
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for enabling my ever we go. It is not an easy time in the world right
family and I to be part of the ISKCON Yatra chanting now, but the holy names of the Lord are our solace.
the maha-mantra, serving with wonderful devotees Srila Prabhupada, I offer my humble obeisances
and going to the Holy Dham. I never thought that in thousand and thousands of times.
my life I would be this fortunate. It is only by Your
Divine Grace’s mercy and compassion. Your most humble and insignificant servants,
All glories to Your Divine Grace. Gokulesvari Devi Dasi, Saniel, Sishan and Marshini
I asked my son, Sishan, what he would like to
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada 4 Gopal Nandini Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Lenasia
All glories to your divine grace. South Africa
THANK YOU SRILA PRABHUPADA for bringing the Krish- I pray that I may repay similar sentiments to your
na Consciousness movement to us. Reading about servants and beg to always be under the shelter of
all the trials and tribulations You went through to your mercy.
afford us this opportunity is a task possible only for
a great soul. Your genuine kind-heartedness and Your servant,
concern for every living entity has touched my heart. Gopal Nandini Devi Dasi
Dear Prabhupada, 4 Gopi Kantha

zz
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
THANK YOU FOR SAVING US fallen souls from the of your dhoti, as it definitely will take us to Golo-
clutches of maya. You had sacrificed your life for ka Vrindavan, maybe not in this lifetime, but with
us. You are ever so merciful. We would have been perseverance we will. May Lord Krishna take spe-
totally lost without you. Thank you for being my cial care of you.
ever well-wisher. You have given us unconditional
love and mercy, just as a mother that will not give Gopi Kantha
up on her children. I pray that we never ever let go
My dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Gopika Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Chatsworth, Durban
All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. South Africa
THANK YOU for spreading this wonderful Krishna Please bless me so that I do not commit any
consciousness. You suffered two heart attacks on offenses to the holy name nor any Vaisnava-aparad-
the Jaladuta, and with only a few books you came ha. Bless me with your mercy and fill my heart with
to the West to give us Krishna consciousness. You your grace. Bless me always to commit to Your
went through so many struggles, but you achieved Divine Grace, Guru, and Radha-Krishna.
your goals. I am forever indebted to you. Without Thank you for saving me.
Krishna consciousness, I would still be floundering
in the clutches of maya. I am struggling in my spir- Trying to be the servant of the servant of the servant,
itual practice, but by your mercy I am still in this Gopika Devi Dasi
wonderful mission.
& Other Devotees
Govardhana Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
GBC: Southern Africa Please accept my prostrated obeisance’s at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace on the 125th anniversary of your
Johannesburg appearance within this world.
South Africa
MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE empowered by the Lord himself, a chain of perfect
teachers appears, uniquely qualified, as they were
Your diary entry in 1966, New York reads: once themselves students. Even in the case of Lord
“According to Mayapur Panjika , today is Adhivas Brahma the creator.
day of Gour Purnima. Devotees at Vrindaban and We will forever have a living representative of
Nabadwip are enjoying the celebration. I am a here the tradition that you boldly carried to foreign lands.
alone without any devotee companion. But I have Thus, we will always have a living role model in soci-
come here to serve the Lord and not for any person- ety - always personally present from one generation
al happiness. I am prepared to live in hell if I am to the next. It’s not that the members of the param-
able to serve the Lord. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahapra- para are interchangeable persons – They have their
bhu wanted that His mission should be propagated own personal attributes and personalities. Yet, each
all over the world and that is my objective. I do not one has a unique contribution, a unique quality and
mind the inconvenience personally felt.” a unique style. This is Krishna’s greatest gift to the
Srila Prabhupada, you fulfilled a prophesy. By world.
your grace, we have access to transcendental knowl- Srila Prabhupada you are Krishna’s greatest gift
edge, an ancient timeless wisdom in a language we to the world. And for the followers, the greatest ben-
can understand. By your example, we have devo- ediction is the opportunity to serve such a person-
tional service in the form we can execute. By your ality. By some inconceivable good fortune, I have
efforts, we have the institution of ISKCON that stumbled upon your devotees and your books. Today
binds us to a common goal and keeps us fortified your devotees and your books are in truth, my only
in the association of devotees. By your desire, the solace, as I live out my remaining time within this
world has easy access to the holy name, the highest mortal frame.
most sublime form of worship. Just as the majestic beauty of the mountain can-
You fulfilled the desires of all our previous acha- not be seen from close proximity, your full glory
ryas who wanted Krishna’s holy name to be uttered remains unseen to the world, but will bloom with
in every nook and cranny of this rather miserable the passing of time.
world. In the mood of Lord Caitanya, you made the I remain forever grateful for your kindness and
creation dance. for the for the opportunity to serve within your
Srila Prabhupada, we are forever grateful. Most ISKCON.
grateful. Forever indebted. And most indebted to
Your Divine Grace. Your ever-grateful servant,
One of the Supreme Lord Krishna’s greatest gift Govardhana Dasa
to mankind is the disciplic succession. Originally

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Govardhana Sila Das
zz Please kindly accept my insignificant, insincere obeisances at your lotus feet on the most auspicious occasion of your 125th Vyasa- Rondebosch, Cape Town
puja celebration. All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada, and to your wonderful disciples, grand disciples and great grand disciples who South Africa
are tirelessly endeavouring to spread the mission of the most magnanimous Caitanya Mahaprabhu.


IN BHAGAVAD-GITA AS IT IS, Krsna declares, declared that we just have to follow the regulative
“…kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati” principles and chant a minimum of 16 rounds each
(Bhagavad-gita 9.31) day. So, Sri Krsna is bound to your promise, and
thick-headed fools like me are the benefactors of
You explain: “Krsna asked Arjuna that ‘You declare your compassionate nature. When will I open my
to the world that My devotees will never be van- eyes and realise how fortunate we are!
quished.’ Why Krsna asking Arjuna to declare? He One of your grand disciples was meditating on
(Krsna) could declare. He could declare, but the how other faiths have various goals, like attaining
meaning is that sometimes, for the sake of His dev- moksha or nirvana. But Krsna Consciousness! Krs-
otee, He breaks His promise. For the sake of His na Consciousness is about attaining prema - love
devotee.” of Godhead. If we had any idea how lofty this goal
So Krsna, being Absolute and free to do as He is, he exclaimed, we would fall into a state of utter
pleases, is willing to break His own promise, as despondency! Yet that is our goal, and as lofty as it
in the case when Bhismadev challenged Him to might be, we have examples all around us of devo-
raise arms against him and Krsna attacked Bhis- tees who have achieved this goal. And you, dear Sri-
madev with a chariot wheel. Krsna unhesitating- la Prabhupada, have made it simple; it’s very diffi-
ly broke His promise just so that He could uphold cult to achieve, yet very simple, and very satisfying.
the promise of His beloved devotee Bhismadev. We Just chant and be happy, as you’ve so often stated.
see this again when Krsna appeared as Nrsimhade- I recently heard a senior devotee proposing
va to uphold the promise of His beloved Prahlada that in the midst of perceived world leaders like
Maharaj. Alexander the Great, Napoleon and Caesar, you far
How fortunate are we then, to have become the outweigh their accomplishments by dint of the fact
recipients of your causeless mercy dear Srila Prabhu- that, uniquely, you have created a world movement
pada! It’s said that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is more unlike any other, by virtue of the fact that it is grow-
merciful than Sri Krsna, and more merciful than ing even after you have left this world. So exalted a
Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Nityananda Prabhu, personality you are, yet, fortunately for us, so acces-
who even tolerated the beatings of Jagai and Madai. sible to laymen like me!
Yet you, dear Srila Prabhupada, are even more mer- So, as always my dear Srila Prabhupada, I pray
ciful, having made Krsna Consciousness so accessi- that I can become more aware and appreciative of
ble to anyone, anywhere in the world, and you have all that you’ve done for all of us, I pray that I can

& Other Devotees
finally do something which might remotely please
your servants, and that you will allow me to hang Your insignificant, unqualified servant,
on to the back of your dhoti. Govardhana Sila Das
Guru das 4 zz Our dearest spiritual grandfather Srila Prabhupada,

Rucira dasi
Tulasi das
and Maharani dasi
Pretoria THEY SAY YOU DON’T KNOW what you have until its home, and it was glorious. But still, there is a sadness
South Africa gone. This has been my experience over the last year that our mentors, devotees that helped nourish our
of Covid ‘lock down’. Temples around the world have growth, who we could offer our physical service to,
been closed, there was little opportunity for phys- no longer walk this journey with us.
ical association, and the various services we had, But your most important lesson was that your
from festival planning, children’s plays, Sunday instructions are in your books. There is never any
Love Feast cooking, etc. were no longer available. In loss of association, if we take solace in your books.
fact, it left a hole in our hearts, and forced us to con- ‘Lockdown’ has slowed down the fast pace of our
sider how much of meaning and connection these lives and has gifted us with so many online courses
things brought to our lives. With these services, we to help us study your books. This has been our life-
always felt connected to something so much bigger line. We have such a deep gratitude for this. We are
than ourselves. We felt a sense of community and deeply grateful to all the devotees who surround
love. This was our connection to you. us, offering their realisations from your teachings,
Luckily, as the world adapted to a new way of sharing their instructions from the devotees that
doing things so did ISKCON, and we embraced the have left, reminding us of their pastimes, instruc-
online platform. For the last year we have relished tions and inspirations.
the opportunity to listen to any class, at any centre, On this day, which commemorates the 125th
or all classes at all centres. We experienced the thrill anniversary of your appearance day we thank you
of celebrating festivals like Janmastami all day long Srila Prabhupada, you made such a selfless endeav-
at various centres around the world. We had never or to benefit the whole world. You have given us
planned to go to the dhama last year, but during this lifeline and are our constant well-wisher. We
Karttika we were given the amazing experience to are eternally indebted to the dust at your lotus feet.
do virtual Mayapur and Vrindavan parikramas. This
made our connection to you even deeper. Your insignificant servants,
Sadly, the losses were severe. Although we Guru Das, Rucira Dasi, Tulasi Das and
know, that when a Vaisnava leaves us there is no Maharani Dasi
cause to lament. You called your sincere devotees

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Hari Dasa
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories You Divine Grace. Hari Priya Dasi
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. Shakti
and Daksha Krishnan
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale Pietermaritzburg
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine South Africa
“I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES unto His Divine are doing this by listening to sastra and chanting
Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who japa brought to us by your very own disciples on
is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at almost a daily basis. The spoils of material life are
His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto a constant attraction but by association through
you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosva- online programmes we remain secure on our jour-
mi. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord ney in the safety of all the programmes and books on
Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, Krsna consciousness.
which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.” We remain your humble servant for Krsna con-
With folded hands my family and I convey our sciousness advancement in an attempt to re-pay
deepest of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for remind- you for opening our eyes with the torchlight of
ing us of the great treasure that we have in Vedic knowledge.
study and practice.
It is only through clinging onto the lotus feet of Love always,
your servant, our spiritual master HH Bhakti Cait- Hari Dasa, Hari Priya Dasi, Shakti and Daksha
anya Swami that we are able to study your books Krishnan
and increase our taste for Krsna consciousness. We
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Harichandan Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. Isipingo, Durban
South Africa

IT IS ONLY BY YOUR CAUSELESS MERCY that l have been l deserve, and l pray that one day l could play some
given the good fortune to serve your ISKCON move- part in spreading this love of Godhead and remain
ment. You have worked tirelessly day and night until under the shelter of your divine lotus feet, and serve
your last breath just so that we could reap the fruits the wonderful Vaisnavas.
of this blissful ISKCON movement. Thank you. Your ISKCON has been specially chosen to fulfil
Srila Prabhupada you have given me more than the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Personally,

& Other Devotees
you took it to every continent and all the major cities serve this wonderful ISKCON movement.
in the world - thank you. Please be merciful to me
by allowing me to taste a drop of Your Divine nectar Begging to be the servant of your servant,
so that I can develop qualities like your disciples to Harichandan Das
Harideva Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Phoenix Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. My humble obeisances as well unto the lotus feet of all
Mauritius your disciples, grand disciples and great grand disciples. All glories to your International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

DEAREST SRILA PRABHUPADA , this year marks the worship, wonderful Krishna katha and captivat-
125th year of your divine appearance in this world. ing kirtan have become the ‘homes’ of many in the
Your mission for coming was to create the transcen- congregation, including our children. I have seen
dental boat of ISKCON so that all of humanity could my own daughter feeling completely at home at the
cross over the ocean of nescience and return back Temple which she has known and regularly visited
home, back to godhead. One of the parts of that tran- since childhood. She finds solace by being at the
scendental boat was the publishing of the Back to Temple. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for having
Godhead magazine. And my first ever encounter established these beacons of hope and shelter in the
with your ISKCON was through a Back to Godhead desert of this material world and for taking care of
magazine. You knew that the articles that would my daughter. Thank you also for being an inspira-
be written in these magazines would capture the tion for my younger daughter who needs to listen to
attention of the sleeping souls of Kali-yuga. Thank some of your pastimes from your biographies before
you Srila Prabhupada for having created the Back to going to sleep.
Godhead Magazine and saving me. Dearest Srila Prabhupada, you have spent sleep-
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, many times in your less nights writing volumes of books aimed at giv-
lectures you mentioned the guiding principles for ing us, in simple English, the complete understand-
grhastha life as it is an ashram for purif ication ing of who we actually are, who God is, what is our
of existence and no matter what, we need to live relationship with Him, why are we in this material
through it and never contemplate divorce. We need world and endeavouring very, very hard for fleet-
to serve the wife and children, understanding them ing moments of happiness and how we can actually
to be given to us by Krishna for guiding them on become joyful, full of bliss by re-connecting with
their spiritual journey. Thank you Srila Prabhupa- Krishna and serving Him with all our hearts. It is
da for these guiding principles which are still main- now my sacred duty to share this knowledge with
taining my grhastha life. others. You write in your Bhaktivedanta purports
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, you have opened that not doing so is to commit violence upon oth-
108 temples around the world and your followers er living entities. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for
are continuing this. Today, your ISKCON has over being such a deep scholar with an immensely com-
850 temples as per the latest search result on Goo- passionate heart and at the same time giving me
gle. These Temples with beautiful Deities, gorgeous some meaningful engagement and encouraging the

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
development of some compassion in my stone heart. Your servant,
Harideva Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Harini

zz
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet on the glorious occasion of your Vyasa-puja celebration. Tara
Jayalalita Dasi
and Sri-Govinda Dasa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, we are in your debt for the valu- your kind protection. Johannesburg
able knowledge that you have shared with us. We South Africa
have tried in our simple way to help share your Your humble servants,
books and your Vedic knowledge with our greater Harini, Tara, Jayalalita Dasi and Sri-Govinda Dasa
community. We pray that you bless us to stay under
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Haripriya Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Durban

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN simultaneously diff icult and challenges and obstacles that we all faced during
enlivening. Losing my guru maharaja, H.H. Bhak- the lockdown period. There was a sense of com-
ti Charu Swami has really been a trying one. It radery that I had not felt ever before in the devotee
was unexpected and painful to accept. Yet, at the community. It was wonderful and I felt so special
same time, I got to live at the temple for almost five and privileged to have been part of that once-in-a-
months. During this time, I learnt how to do many lifetime experience.
services that I was never exposed to before. Some- Thank you Srila Prabhupada for creating this
times challenging and almost always blissful, there community of devotees who work tirelessly to
were no dull days. please you and your followers. They are the pillars
One of my desires was to offer guru puja arati that steadily hold all of us together, through both
to you Srila Prabhupada, and this was fulfilled mul- good times and bad.
tiple times during my stay. I had the opportunity to I know that you are now pleased having my
cook practically all your offerings and even experi- guru maharaja back in your presence. I however,
enced cooking large quantities of lunch prasad for am devastated in his absence. Please dear Srila Pra-
the temple residents. bhupada give me the strength to endure this great
Whilst most of the devotee population was loss and please keep me engaged under your shelter
deprived of their services, I was engaged for prac- so that someday I can also be in your presence, serv-
tically 8-10 hours per day in your service. My favou- ing you and my dear guru maharaja.
rite part of the day was always taking prasad with Praying for your eternal shelter and mercy.
the devotees. We would sit around the table enjoy-
ing either breakfast or lunch, talking about our days Your servant,
achievements and supporting each other through Haripriya Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Hemant Bhaga 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Gautgeng
South Africa

Oh, magnificent maestro you spent a lifetime

studying, planning and preparing,
To for fill the order of your imperial ‘lion like’ guru,
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura,
Your success is this plant’s saving grace.
Oh, magnificent maestro you presented

so skillfully and unadulteratedly the classic Vedic scriptures,
Your purports adding context and clarity for us,
In addition you authored numerous titles on Vedic philosophy,
These publications are our priceless, matchless gifts.
Oh, magnificent maestro you educated the mass globally

about the mercy of Sri Krishna and the yuga-dharma for this age of Kali,
Its practice facilitated and increased by the members of ISKCON,
No matter the situation it continues,
All this so expertly arranged by you.
Oh, magnificent maestro

thank you for all this continues mercy,
Oh, magnificent maestro
all glories, all glories, all glories onto thee,
I remain forever in your gratitude.
Hemant Bhaga
Hemanthi Bhaga 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious occasion of your Sri Vyasa-puja.
DEAR JAGAD GURU, like a loving Father and Grandfa- offer us shelter in many ways.
ther, you guide us through this material world and Thank you, SrilaPrabhupada, for your ISKCON,

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
your books that reveal the most valuable and confi- Pure devotee of Govinda, most learned, kind
dential knowledge, and for your kind disciples and and compassionate Srila Prabhupada, what other
grand-disciples. hope do I have of approaching Krishna besides your
In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Temple mercy and grace? Only by your mercy and grace and
gatherings are not allowed. However, your disciples that of your disciples and grand-disciples, can we
and grand-disciples sincerely give more of their time approach Krishna.
so we are able to hear dynamic Krsna conscious Everyday I am trying to increase my surrender
talks over the Internet and keep enthused in our to you. You are my hope, benefactor and authority.
spiritual lives. They are creatively making use of Please guide me and accept me in your service.
technology to reach wide audiences and help peo- I am eternally indebted to you for your com-
ple see a higher perspective. passion, Srila Prabhupada. By giving me some mer-
The mercy, knowledge, guidance and love they cy, enable me to make a worthwhile contribution to
gift us with is coming from your mercy and compas- your ISKCON and its’ important mission of spread-
sion for all of the fallen souls. Your books remain the ing Krishna Consciousness.
most reliable support for our spiritual lives, whether Thank you for revealing to us our real purpose
we have access to digital platforms or not. and our true identity. Thank you for giving us pro-
Srila Prabhupada, I am ordinary simple wom- tection from the many dangers and griefs of this
an, plagued by many material considerations material world.
and desires. I have acutely realised that I cannot Srila Prabhupada, please continue to shelter
approach Krsna simply on the strength of my own us with your mercy so that we may keep Krsna in
efforts and endeavours. Even if one is a Bill Gates or the center while walking on life’s path and thereby
Warren Buffet of this world, what hope do we have make spiritual advancement.
of approaching Krishna, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, who cannot be reached through material Aspiring to be your servant,
wealth and knowledge. It is only through the mercy Yours faithfully,
of the pure devotee that we can approach Krishna. Bhaktin Hemanthi Bhaga
Hare Krishna dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Hemendra Prag

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Cape Town

All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. South Africa
I HOPE THIS OFFERING FINDS YOU WELL, Srila Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for teaching us the
Prabhupada. skill of offering our food to Kṛṣṇa. It’s a beautiful
I am very grateful to you, Srila Prabhupada, for feeling being at the temple and associating with the
allowing me to feel Kṛṣṇa within my heart. Through devotees. It is always a spiritual upliftment for me.
chanting, I feel that the link between Kṛṣṇa and For me, when I associate with the devotees, it feels as
myself has become strong, and I thank you for teach- if my spiritual life battery is being recharged. Since
ing us how to correctly chant. I also appreciate that I have been associating with the devotees, my out-
we can eat our way back to Godhead by honouring look in life has changed for the better.
prasadam.

& Other Devotees
I pray to Kṛṣṇa that your movement becomes Your servant,
stronger and stronger. Hemendra
Hridayananda dasa 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Verulam zz Please accept my most humble and prostrated obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
South Africa
ALTHOUGH IT IS STATED that the Srimad Bhagavatam That is our main business”.
is meant to bring about a spiritual revolution in the (Srila Prabhupada Letter to Jayapataka, October 6,
impious lives of a misdirected society, it was due to 1968.)
you only that we received this priceless invaluable “Simply our prayer should be, My dear Krishna,
gift of Krsna Consciousness. please remind me to always chant Your Holy Name,
Without you it would not have been possible to please do not put me into forgetfulness. You are sit-
receive the treasure house of the most precious gift. ting within me as Supersoul, so you can put me into
We were in the dark well of material existence forgetfulness or into remembering You. So please
and you threw us the rope of Krsna Consciousness do not put me into forgetfulness. Please always
and saved us. For this we are ever greatly indebted remind me to chant, even You send me into the hell,
to you. it doesn’t matter, just so long as I can always chant
From just these quotes of yours we can clear- Hare Krishna”.
ly see the unbelievable mercy and compassion you (Srila Prabhupada letter to Devananda, 23 Novem-
have for the living entities: ber, 1968)
“If you have got some time, the best thing would On this most auspicious day of your Sri Vya-
be to chant Hare Krishna more and more. Because sa-puja please bless me, so that I can become a wor-
our life is very short, and we have to finish our Krish- thy instrument in spreading your mission of Krsna
na Consciousness in this life very quickly. We do not Consciousness.
know when we shall meet our next death, our next
exit from this platform. Before going out of this plat- Your very insignificant beggar,
form, we may try to finish Krishna Consciousness. Hridayananda Dasa
Indar Maharaj 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet.
I WAS LOOKING TO WORSHIP one name of God, but alive. My heart was beating yet again when the Hare
no one could show me the way. I looked in Christ, Krishna temple was being built, and I knew that
but that did not make me happy. I read some of the what I was looking for was being delivered. You had
Qur’an, yet I still could not find what I was looking sent Gurudas to show us the way! I never looked
for, but when you came to Chatsworth when I heard back. This was what I was yearning for. I will not
about you, Gurudev, my heart started to beat. I felt forget you, Srila Prabhupada. You have shown me

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
the way to Krishna Dhanyavad, Gurudev. Your servant,
Indar Maharaj
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Indrabhatta Das

zz
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. and Gokula Taruni Devi Dasi
All glories to Your Divine Grace Durban
South Africa
IF EVER I WAS PROFOUNDLY TOUCHED, it was on reading contributions you made and continue to make to
the Lilamrta which was my first taste of the the entire world.
ISKCON experience. Such steadfastness and deter- Dear Srila Prabhupada, I am not qualified in
mination, such generosity, such sincerity amidst any way, but with your blessings, I pray that I may
such great struggle, I had never seen so neatly spend my life glorifying the Lord and His servants,
wound up in one man! and especially you. May my wife and I be eternally
Although I came quite late into the movement, engaged in your service and in the service of Srima-
I was inspired to give weekly classes on your Bhaga- ti Radharani and Sri Krsna.
vad Gita for many years. Even now, at 83 years of
age, I would like to share the glories of the Lilamrta Your humble servants
with those who have no knowledge of the amazing Indrabhatta Das and Gokula Taruni Devi Dasi
Our Eternal Guru, 4 Indranie Ram

zz
Pretoria
South Africa
ALL OBEISANCES TO OUR PREEMINENT Founder acarya of

ISKCON His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada;
His Divine Grace Srila Prabupada is our spiritual master for all eternity,
He will be eternally remembered and forever worshipped and loved,
He is omnipresent, omniscient, he is the deliverer and distributor of the Mercy
of Lord Krishna and Lord Caitanya.
Our Srila Prabhupada made so many sacrifices for us to know the way
back to Godhead.
When you read his books you are transformed and your true spiritual journey
and awakening begins, you have tasted the Nectar of Devotion on your path to
spiritual Self Realisation.
His pure Bhakti should inspire us every day to want to do more seva,
We are his children, all living and working harmoniously together under the
shelter he created, receiving the mercy of Lord Krishna,
Our gratitude for his vision and the creation of ISKCON is unbounded,
We have been blessed by the very best and purest of Vaishnava souls to survive

& Other Devotees
this material world and know Lord Krishna’s love and mercy,
We can only pour our Bhakti every day at the feet of His Holiness Srila
Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya and Lord Krishna.
Hare Krishna Haribol
Indranie Ram
(In loving memory of my late brother Bhakta Dhavaraj Gurusamy Moodley)
Induleka Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Cape Town
South Africa

IT FILLS ME WITH WONDER that at the age of 70 you realizing the truth. The truth is Krishna, the truth
started your journey of changing the world, bring- is chanting the precious name of the Lord, and that
ing millions of people to self-realization and aware- nothing else matters. Focus on Krishna and all
ness of the Supreme Lord. Through your preach- things will be taken care off. All material things are
ing, chanting and singing you started changing the temporary. Hence, I am a true devotee of the Lord.
mindset of people, thus giving birth to the
Hare Krishna Movement. Your humble servant,
Listening to your lectures and reading your Induleka Devi Dasi
books has enlightened me, thus leading me in
Induprabha Devi Dasi 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my most humble obeisances.

South Africa
SINCE I STARTED READING YOUR BOOKS and listening daily by your followers.
to your talks, my love for you has grown deeply. I How best can I show my appreciation, Srila Pra-
reflect on your austerities and sacrifices to serve bhupada? My every attempt just appears so insig-
your Guru and to spread Krishna Consciousness to nif icant. Your message is clear and your instruc-
save us all from repeated birth and death and the tions deep- follow the regulative principles and
miseries of material life. You have done the great- chant a minimum of 16 rounds: in this way, puri-
est service to humankind, and your glories are sung fying oneself and developing one’s love for Lord

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Krishna. Serving Krishna with love and remember approach and realistic advice. I truly want to make
Him always, in this way, one will return back home, him proud, and I truly want to make you proud of
back to Godhead. my endeavours. I promise to listen to your teachings
Every day I take instruction from your teach- daily and follow my Guru’s instruction to read your
ings, Srila Prabhupada. I pray daily to develop my books, especially Srimad Bhagavatam. I will try to
humility by showing respect to others, but the jour- help the devotees with their duties, and I will con-
ney is slow, and often I stumble over my false ego. sistently spread Krishna Consciousness in whatev-
Again I look to your sweet instruction, your kind er small way I can.
words and your strong faith. This way, I feel that I Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for ISKCON, for
am constantly taking from you. When will I be able your books, for the devotees and a pathway to our
to give you something back? beautiful Lord Sri Krsna.
In December 2020, I finally took my first ini- I love you forever.
tiation; my Guru, Kadamba Kanana Swami, leads
with clarity: follow Krishna Consciousness by lead- Your servant,
ing others to Lord Krishna, become selfless. Guru Induprabha Devi Dasi
Maharaj is so kind and so helpful with his pragmatic
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jackie Balaram

zz
Phoenix
South Africa

THIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT on writing an offering. Hap- every second of the day. I beg eternally for your mer-
py 125 year Vyasa-puja. I am eternally grateful to cy. Please bless me so that I can always serve with
Your Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada. You have giv- humility, love and without any offenses.
en and taught us love of Godhead. You opened my I love you Srila Prabhupada.
eyes to the power of the Maha-mantra. Thank you
for also giving us Narasimha Dev who protects me Jackie Balaram
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jade Green

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Rondebosch

South Africa
I AM A fool and a rascal. I apologise for taking so long with nonsense. I still struggle to read your books,
to turn my heart towards you. I was preoccupied but, Srila Prabhupada, I can feel something in my

& Other Devotees
heart. I can feel it growing, and I know that the pro- Prabhupada, I know it is possible.
cess that you have given us is working. I am inspired Thank you for being patient with me Srila
by your disciple, Aindra Prabhu, and through his lec- Prabhupada.
tures and kirtan, I am learning a lot about you and
Krsna. I practice Harinam Sankirtan every day, and I am your blissful servant,
it brings me great joy. I am planning a South Afri- Hare Krsna,
can traveling Sankirtan tour, and I am positive that Bhakta Jade Green
it will be fulfilled. If I can follow in your footsteps
Jagadananda Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Namanta Devi Dasi

Hwange
Zimbabwe
FOR ALL THE THINGS we would never have known, all mercy and your love - we thank you, Srila Prabhupa-
the skills we would never have learned, all the ser- da. And we pray only to make our life an expression
vice we would never have had the opportunity to do; of our eternal gratitude.
for all the friends we would never have made, and You are our saviour and master, and we are your
all the experiences we would never have had; for the ever-striving servants.
wonderful meaning and purpose to life we would
never have discovered and the vast world we would With heartfelt obeisances,
never have had access to without your sacrifice, your Jagadananda Dasa and Namanta Devi Dasi
Jagadananda Pandit Dasa 4 My dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace and all glories to your ISKCON.

EARLY MORNING ON GAURA PURNIMA last year, I had a devotees to employ other devotees and for devotees
dream in which your beloved son, Srila Bhakti Cha- to support other devotee-owned businesses. In this
ru Swami Maharaj, asked me to explain what I was way a template could be created and replicated in
doing. Two months later His Holiness called me, and every country accessing a wide array of networking
I again related what service I was rendering. opportunities. Many congregational devotees are
Many years ago, Srila Gurudev instructed a few unemployed, and some are forced to take up ugra
of us godbrothers to start a Chamber of Commerce jobs just to earn a living. A female disciple working
for the benefit of the devotees. His vision was for for a chicken franchise was the catalyst for Guru

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Maharaja’s instruction. Unfortunately, at that time continue to do so for 10 000 years. So that is not the
we were unable to fulfil his desire. real challenge. The real key is to set up the kshatri-
Recently with the help of a sincere and dedi- yas as the next tier of society. Currently, the ksha-
cated team, we are poised to launch the Lotus Eco- triyas are lying dormant as if in a deep comatose
nomic Forum. This is a registered non-profit organ- condition; to awaken only when a catastrophic cri-
isation whose primary objectives are to address sis occurs, in particular when dharma is severely
poverty; make Temples sustainable; and aims to threatened. Sanatana-dharma is under siege, Srila
promote and protect sanatana-dharma. When we Prabhupada. An extreme war is being waged with
carefully tally just how much Your Divine Grace a multitude of ever-increasing attacks from sever-
achieved in your lifetime, it is almost inconceivable al fronts.
to appreciate that the establishment of varnasrama Bollywood is the weapon of the asuras; some
will be an equally onerous task. This is the other media are hostile and are deliberately falsifying
50% of your work left to be done by your followers. and distorting reportings; saintly personalities are
You clarified to HH Bhakti Charu Swami, that being ridiculed, beaten up and mercilessly mur-
varnasrama was meant for non-devotees. Varnas- dered; Temples and holy places are desecrated at
rama is designed to organise society for the benefit an alarming rate; women, the elderly and children
of “those who will not become devotees” he quoted are without protection; religious texts are being
you as saying. As Vaishnavas, devotees were already deliberately distorted, and the social media space is
beyond the purview of varnasrama. Just as no one inundated with vile villains. Indeed, today’s battle-
person will be able to emulate your achievement of field of Kurukshetra is raging in cyberspace.
spreading the holy name to every corner of the globe, The Lotus Economic Forum has a thousand
similarly the task of establishing varnasrama will participants, representing some 2.5k businesses
require the concerted efforts of several thoughtful and employing almost 100k people. This fledgling
devotees. Business Chamber is a tiny constituent of the glob-
I have, at least in part, taken on this responsibil- al efforts to establish varnasrama. Please bless the
ity to make a start in South Africa and to get many people involved and guide us towards changing the
people to take the first step up the yoga ladder from future landscape for all those who do not become
a completely animalistic existence to at least follow- devotees to at least become favourable and support-
ing some aspects of karma kandiya, so that with the ive of the sankirtan devotees of the Lord. May you
accumulation of heaps of piety they would one day be pleased with the humble efforts to traverse a new
get the mercy of your sincere followers. dimension in improving the lives of the misguid-
Kali is relentless on the inhabitants in this age ed, quarrelsome, indolent and disturbed Kali-yu-
of hypocrisy and quarrel. As a result, the world is ga prisoners.
in a sorry state of self-destruction. South Africa is My dear most Srila Gurudev told us that, on the
no exception. departure of the spiritual master, an intelligent dis-
Ideally, those who show the inclination should ciple should find out where such a great personali-
be made into devotees. Therefore, many devotees ty has gone and to make one’s way to him. Once in
are required to quietly be within the Chamber to anger he bellowed, “As long as I have my Prabhupa-
grab those who demonstrate such potential. In addi- da, I do not need anyone.” A spiritual master does
tion, the establishment of varnasrama-dharma has not need disciples. It is the disciple who needs the
to be directed by your followers. Non-devotees will spiritual master, and I know that he is with you for
not establish varnasrama nor are they able to do so. you are his very life and soul.
ISKCON is churning out brahmanas and will Therefore, I wish to be with you. Through

& Other Devotees
sincere devotional service, we can all find you and
your soothing shelter, and be reunited with your son Your ever grateful grand disciple,
again. Longing for your eternal association. Jagadananda Pandit Dasa
Jalangi Dasi 4 zz Our Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Urukram Das
Bhaktins Shruthi Kirthi
and Shreyah Kairava om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana salakaya,
Durban caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah
South Africa
ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR 125TH birth anniversary, Thank you Srila Prabhupada for teaching us to
let us again express our heartfelt gratitude for giving serve the Deities. This has become the most import-
us shelter in this glorious movement. We owe every- ant way we are attempting to serve. It is only by the
thing to the sacrifices you have made to honour the mercy of Your Divine Grace that we have some
instructions of your glorious spiritual master. opportunity through our spiritual master. We
We can only hope to repay this debt in some remain forever indebted to you and the guru param-
small way by serving under the expert guidance para of ISKCON.
of your disciples, who so wonderfully engage us in We pray that these very naive souls can contin-
serving the Supreme Lord. We pray for your mercy ue to serve on behalf of our spiritual master and Your
and blessings, so that we can continue to serve in Divine Grace, one day realizing and understanding
some small way. Your books are an oasis of inspira- our great fortune.
tion. We hope to be able to share these gems with
as many people as we can, through some endeavors Your forever servants,
to distribute your books. We aren’t very good at it Jalangi Dasi, Urukram Das,
though, but we promise to keep trying. Bhaktins Shruthi Kirthi and Shreyah Kairava
Jasodhra Daldev 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Phoenix Please accept my obeisances unto your lotus feet.

South Africa


Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
ON THIS 125 YEAR SRI VYASA-PUJA of Your Divine me good health and for blessing me with lovely chil-
Grace, I would like to say a big thank you for giving dren and grandchildren.
us Krsna consciousness. Thank you for giving me Thank you Srila Prabhupad for everything.
the opportunity to be able to chant Lord Krsna’s holy Please keep me humble so that I never forget your
name, in the form of the most powerful Hare Krsna wonderful devotees and that I never leave your
Maha-mantra. Thank you for engaging me in Lord ISKCON.
Krsna’s devotional service at our New Jagannath Happy Vyasa-puja.
Puri Temple in Phoenix.
Thank you Srila Prabhupada for being our spir- Your fallen servant,
itual grandfather. I’m grateful to the Lord for giving Jasodhra Daldev
Dearest Srila Prabhupada! 4 Jaya Tirtha Das

zz
and Jnana Sindu Devi Dasi

Johannesburg
South Africa
THE LAST YEAR and a half have been the most intense, trying to serve the Vaishnavas?
challenging and risky days in the world that we have Clearly the answer is not one to speak aloud. We
experienced. With the corona virus pandemic rav- do not have any good quality or ability to please you,
aging millions of lives, the stark reality that the next to serve you. Whatever little knowledge and faith
moment is not guaranteed has become a tangible in the Holy Name we have is due to your exceeding-
reality rather than a sacred belief. ly kind mercy.
This state of the world, has prompted our deep Dear Srila Prabhupada, these lowly servants
introspection and quick realisation that the solu- beg at your lotus feet that you always remain “janme
tion to all these anxieties in the material world has janme prabhu sei” for what is the use of our lives
already been given to us, so we have to question without treading the path of bhakti.
ourselves: How serious are we? How seriously are
we reading your books? listening to your record- Your aspiring servants,
ings? reading your letters? and how seriously are we Jaya Tirtha Das and Jnana Sindu Devi Dasi
Hare Krsna Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jayadeva Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. Johannesburg

Jai Srila Prabhupada! All glories unto you. South Africa

& Other Devotees
I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY to again sub- greatest gift of life. You have boldly and fearlessly
mit my offering to you. This is a momentous time revealed that Krsna is God, whereas impersonalist
for all of us, ISKCON devotees, including disciples, and mayavadis are trying to remove Him from scrip-
grand disciples and aspiring disciples. You are our tures to please atheists. In this way, you have made
grandfather, param guru. a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s mis-
We are very fortunate to have a grandfather like directed civilization.
you. You are respected throughout the planet. In People will suffer in hell for not knowing that
effect, one of your disciples was aspiring for another the goal of life is to search for the Supreme Absolute
guru before he came to ISKCON. When he asked this Truth, Krsna. Being compassionate, you have per-
guru to initiate him, the guru refused and told him formed a great sacrifice of translating Vedic litera-
that he would meet his guru: a guru of the whole ture for the welfare of human society. In this way, by
planet. Later this person met you and took initiation your mercy, people get enlightened and saved from
from you, Srila Prabhupada. This is confirmation the darkness of material existence.
that your position is unfathomable. With our mate- I pray that I never forget how merciful you are
rial senses, we cannot understand you. to me. I always want to remain a servant of your ser-
You have given us the highest and most prac- vants, and in this way, I always try to serve you to the
tical means for attaining pure love of Krsna, devo- best of my ability. I thank you very much for protect-
tional service. This process is so powerful that by ing me from the challenges of this dangerous mate-
following it, one develops divine qualities, attains rial world. Would you please bless me to remain the
love for Krsna, and is finally freed from the bond- servant of your servants eternally?
age of material existence and transferred to God’s
kingdom, Goloka Vrindavan. Insignificant servant of your servants,
You are compassionate to us, knowing our Jayadeva Dasa
weaknesses and shorts. You have given us the
Jayasri Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.


ON THIS VERY SPECIAL DAY of your Vyasa Puja, I beg for introducing me to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; guid-
your causeless mercy. ing me to preach and distribute your books; enthus-
Srila Prabhupada I am grateful to you for so ing Sadhana and an endless list of spiritual treasures.
much. This includes your compassion; teaching me You so emphatically said that this material
how to be engaged in Lord Krishna’s service; teach- world is filled with stress, anxieties and miseries.
ing me that the four regulative principles is the basis And the spiritual world is free from all these prob-
of spiritual life; inundating me with Vedic wisdom; lems. Caitanya Mahaprabhu foretold that the holy

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
name will be chanted in every town and village. Srila Prabhupada on a more personal note, and
Your Divine Grace appeared in this world to fulfil from the depths of my heart, I thank you for having
that prophecy of lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You blessed me with His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swa-
gave the most sublime Vedic culture to the west and mi Maharaj. When you left this material world, he
made ‘hippies into happies’. felt the pain of separation of Your Divine Grace so
You founded ISKCON, a body which attracted intensely. Today, I have a glimpse of what my Guru
so many devotees. These devotees were so faithful Maharaj felt, now that he has departed from this
to your instructions and guidance, and the outcome material world.
was that many temples, art, preaching, prasadam Srila Prabhupada, I humbly beg for your com-
distribution, deity worship all became part of the passion, mercy and blessings to follow and practice
ISKCON institution and the revolutionary accultur- the instructions of my dearest Srila Gurudev. You
alization of society. taught us that the process of birth, disease, old age
Your vision was always global, and your and death is meant to purify our existence. As soon
thoughts were always big, bold and beautiful. Some as we purify ourselves then we are no longer subject
examples I have come to appreciate include the to these vagaries of material existence.
wholesale dissemination of the teachings of Sri- On this very special day, I reaffirm my convic-
mad Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Today tion and faith in your Divine Grace. Please merciful-
we have 650 iconic ISKCON temples worldwide. In ly forgive my countless offences. I remain, a beggar
India alone an astronomical 1.3 million plates of for your blessings and your servant eternally.
prasadam are being distributed daily to children
with almost another 1.7 million plates to adults - Your Servant,
all under the inspiration and desire of Your Divine Jayasri Devi Dasi
Grace.
Hare Krishna dear Srila Prabhupada. 4 Jayendren Naidoo

zz
All glories unto thee. Zakkariya Park

South Africa
I AM JAYENDREN NAIDOO and I am 19 years old. My par- and be more serious in my young spiritual life.
ents and sister are all initiated ISKCON devotees. I
am engaged with the Food for Life programme that Your servant,
my father conducts monthly. Please give me the Jayendren Naidoo
intellect to continue to serve your ISKCON mission
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jayshree Gomti Maharajh

zz
All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. Kempton Park

Hare Krishna. South Africa
I AM SO VERY BLESSED to have been introduced to the ISKCON way of life and more importantly the

& Other Devotees
understanding of the beautiful nectar of wisdom as to respond accordingly with love and respect and
spoken by our most revered beautiful divine master tolerance.
Sri Krishna through your simplicity and numerous Show me how I can show more grace and be
discourses and literature. more grateful and content in all areas of my life.
I am a fallen soul trying to be better every day. Thank you very much for the humanitarian that
Thank you very much Srila Prabhupad for laying you were.
such a strong foundation globally. So grateful for this opportunity to express my
Please bless me in my endeavors to learn to requests and gratitude in this easy format.
serve our Divine Master sincerely in all ways. Bless Much appreciation.
me to recognize and appreciate the many bless-
ings. And bless me to discern negativity and evil Hare Krishna.
intentions upon me or my loved ones and know how Jayshree Gomti Maharajh
Junica Ramsoorooj 4 Hare Krishna Srila Prabupada,

zz
Ballito, Durban Please accept my humble obeisance.

South Africa All glories to you Srila Prabhupada.
“UNLESS ONE IS INITIATED by a bona fide spiritual mas- On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, I
ter, all his devotional activities are useless. A person would like to thank you for loving us all and for giv-
who is not properly initiated can descend again into ing us this home, called ISKCON. I am the most fall-
the animal species.” en soul, but I would like to offer you this poem, I
(Quoted from Hari- bhakti-vilasa (2.6) From the have written to honour you:
Vishnu - yamala)
I walk among every man,

Be him African, European or anything in between
I am a friend to all
And I bring you all this nectar!!

And I humbly beg that you
Take to this path
That leads us to this nectar!!

Holding your hands
With great love and affection
And walking with you on this path of nectar!!
I walk among every man

Waiting anxiously

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
For your return
To this abode of nectar!!
This is my reflections on how you Srila Prabhupada Your Humble Servant,

always loved and cared for everyone, and how you Junica Ramsoorooj
wanted everyone to return home, Back to Godhead. (13/08/2021)
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jyotirmaya Dasa

zz

I WAS ALWAYS SEARCHING for some meaning to my point of coming there is to get cured. If they follow
existence, being unhappy with my life, I lived a mis- the instructions of the doctors and take their med-
erable existence, then one day somehow or the oth- ications, they will be cured. In the same way when
er I received one of your transcendental books and people come to ISKCON, if they follow your instruc-
from that very moment everything changed in my tions and take the medication of chanting the holy
life. I must say that at first, I was skeptical of any name, they will be cured. We are all on this path to
progress I may make due to the fact that my charac- be cured of our material afflictions.
ter and personality was so totally degraded. Now after many years of having been in the hos-
I grew up in a household of atheists and I was pital, I have measured myself to my previous self and
taught to identify as a non-conformist. To whatev- concluded that this process certainly works. There
er the population as whole was doing, I would try are definite changes I observed within myself. I may
doing the opposite. In my first few years in Krishna not have reached the spiritual platform but at least
consciousness, I observed many devotees coming I have reached the mode of goodness. Now I have
and then leaving the movement, even the so-called faith that your words are absolute. It took me a long
senior devotees seem to be lacking in character and time to come to the realization that this process
good qualities. works and that more importantly it works on me!
I had lost faith when during this time Gurus You once said that your Guru Maharaj saved
started falling down. I thought to myself that this you. Srila Prabhupada you saved me! I can’t even
process is certainly not working for them, then what imagine the horrible condition I would have been
to speak of me. I don’t have a drop of devotion they in if it hadn’t been for receiving that one small book
had. Then I came across one devotee quoting an of yours.
example you gave of the process that made perfect Based on these realizations I will try to preach
sense to me. your message as best I can. I pray that I can follow
You had said that ISKCON is like a hospital, in your footsteps and help change the lives of peo-
people go to hospital because they are ill, some are ple for the better in the future.
more ill than others are. Some are almost cured
and ready to leave the hospital. We can’t get angry Praying to remain your servant,
that someone is ill and coming to the hospital. The Jyotirmaya Dasa (BCS)

& Other Devotees
Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krishna dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Kaishori Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. Northriding
THANK YOU, SRILA PRABHUPADA, our dearest Grandfa- many ways and you have given me the holy names
ther and Founder Acarya of the International Soci- for me to get out of here. I am trying to chant with
ety for Krishna Consciousness. more attention, and I beg you again now to help me
I am extremely grateful to you for letting me be to do better. Please bless me to do my service nicely.
a part of your ISKCON, my lord and master, Srila Pra- Thank you very much for service in your ISKCON,
bhupada. Thank you for all the devotee association, I dear Paramguru. Thank you for tolerating me, Sri-
am so fortunate to get due to your mercy. Thank you la Prabhupada.
for your books. Thank you for your Temples. With On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja,
the Coronavirus pandemic, we are all having to try I beg for your mercy to help me to chant more atten-
and cope with, we are not able to attend many live tively and get out of this cycle of birth and death.
programmes and get darshan of Their Lordships nor Please help me to cope with being more surrendered
go on parikram. However, we are very fortunate to because I stress and have a tendency to try to be in
have so many virtual classes. I have had the oppor- control, despite knowing that only Krishna is in
tunity to attend many more classes and scriptural control.
studies than I would have imagined possible, so far. Please keep me as a speck of dust at your lotus
Thank you for your causeless mercy in letting feet always, please dearest Srila Prabhupada.
me get shelter at the lotus feet of your dear disciple, Thank you again.
His Holiness Srila Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja. Haribol
Maharaja is really kind to me, yet I am just a fallen
conditioned soul, struggling along. Your most insignificant granddaughter and servant
I feel like each year, I have more to be grateful of the servant of the servant .....
and thankful to you for, dear Srila Prabhupada. This Kaishori Devi Dasi
material world is literally full of suffering in so many,
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Kalindi Kalyani Beharie

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. ISKCON Lenasia, Johannesburg

All glories to the dust of your lotus feet and all glories to your ISKCON. South Africa

THIS IS MY last offering to you as a teenager, and I am taken your presence for granted. You were always
ever so indebted to you for giving me your wonder- there and always will be as our relationship is an
ful family to grow up in. I would like to apologise eternal spiritual relationship, which I would be no
for those countless number of times where I had where without.

& Other Devotees
Your smile is ever so radiant and so heart-warm- serve your sons and daughters, who have worked
ing and simply by looking at your picture, we can tirelessly since you left in your vani form to main-
already feel the warmth flowing through to us. tain the meaning and importance of your vapu.
Growing up, I vaguely remembered watching Abhay Without them we also would have not been able to
Charan, and I do remember crying at the time the be where we are now.
riots took place and ever since, I said that I will not In your book The Perfection of Yoga, you said:
continue to watch as it was too sad. In 2020, I decid- “To adopt a spiritual life means to more or less
ed I will not cry this time, and I still did but along declare war against the material energy.” However,
with the tears came appreciation, surrender and in this war that’s between our consciousness and
gratitude. I have watched and read your auto biog- spirituality, there is you who is cheering us on to
raphy and it was so beautiful, the most perfect series. win, just as Lord Krishna had been there for Arju-
It’s beyond my imagination to even think of na so too are you for us. You also stated in Bhaga-
how you had so graciously given us so many books vad Gita that Arjuna had won because he has the
to read, and recently I have turned into a bit of a Supreme Lord by his side, which was a sign of aus-
book worm. Once I started, I just wanted to read piciousness already, and so similarly, we have the
more, and at times I would just think wow, ‘all glo- blessings and guidance of his most confidential ser-
ries to you and your BBT’. The impact that you have vant and devotee who is you Srila Prabhupada. You
left on our lives is beyond anything that words can have given us Krishna in many forms including in
describe. the form of his song – and the Lord in His form as
The power of associating with a room f illed Srimad Bhagavatam - not just a vision, you gave us
with devotees, the conch blowing and a whole con- every reason as well.
gregation of devotees chanting “Nitai Gaura Haribol” I have had the good fortune of being a part of
is something so potent that your heart just becomes your family and I thank you for being such a won-
swollen with pride, proud to be a part of something derful grandfather to me. I pray that you please con-
to truthful, meaningful and purposeful. The name tinue to bless me in my spiritual life, please give me
Krishna and its rightful meaning would have not the strength to make you proud of me and to never
been known to any of us if it was not for Your Divine disappoint you. I pray to you to please give me your
Grace. blessings to advance spiritually in your ISKCON.
I know we should not have material desires, but
my desire is to go to India and visit all the wonderful Your eternal servant and granddaughter,
homes that you have given us, and to associate and Bhaktin Kalindi Kalyani Beharie
Kamala Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Blantyre Please accept my humble obeisances.

Malawi All glories to Your Divine Grace.


Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
OVER THE YEARS MY APPRECIATION FOR YOU is increas- I beg, at your lotus feet, to treasure the most
ing more and more. I have started taking very small precious of all that I have got, the ‘Hare Krishna
steps in my spiritual journey. I have not read enough Maha-mantra’, to which I pray to be able to hear and
of your writings, but the little that I have read has chant constantly.
impacted me positively. I am unlimitedly eternally
indebted to you as you have showered me with your Your insignificant servant,
inconceivable causeless mercy of unlimited pro- Kamala Devi Dasi
found love of Krishna and His dear devotees.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Kandarpa Sundari Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to your spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Cape Town
Sarasvati Thakura. All glories to your divine self on your Vyasa-puja celebration. South Africa

namaste sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
SRILA PRABHUPADA it has been an out-of-this world and by the mercy HH Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja I
experience getting to know you through the mem- have been able to complete the Bhakti Sastri course.
ories of your disciples. It has been remarkable, fun- I would have never imagined that I would have had
ny, exciting, and so much more – an epic tale! With the opportunity, but you and Gurudeva have been
each memory having a common theme of deep love very kind. Please help me to remember all that I read,
and respect for you! and please give me your blessings for the Bhaktivai-
Srila Prabhupada I have been looking at so bhava course next year. I started off this paragraph
many pictures of you on social media and recently by saying that you have given us so much knowledge
I have come across pictures of you that have been about Lord Krsna and off course we cannot know
“improved.” This has been really disturbing and I everything that there is to know about the Supreme
hope that people realise that history needs to be Personality of Godhead. What you have said and
preserved and not altered. I have also come across what you have written in your books is all that is
some posts on social media about how the contents important for us to know; but Srila Prabhupada…I
of your books are being edited, or how the pictures just want to know everything about you.
that you once approved for book covers are getting I was thinking the other day that I have heard
replaced. Srila Prabhupada this is horrifying and so many instances where devotees say, Srila
saddening, but I just need to keep the faith that you Prabhupada said ‘X’ but to another person you said
will not let this get out of hand. Everything about ‘Y’ on the same topic. But this is because you were so
you is perfect! And everything that you did and do personal. You didn’t always give general advice, but
is perfect! So, what is the need for anyone to change you looked at the devotee and their circumstances
anything? and then told them what to do/not to do. This is just
Srila Prabhupada you have given us so much one example of how you showed interest in your dis-
knowledge about Lord Krsna, and by your mercy ciples and knew what was best for them. There are so

& Other Devotees
many devotees that have said that when you looked to HG Srutakirti Prabhu. He was speaking about
at them it seemed like you could see right through you and he said something so beautiful that really
them (all of their imperfections), and sometimes touched my heart. He said “Only Srila Prabhupada
even without them voicing what they were think- can give us service within ISKCON and only he can
ing, you knew and said what they needed to hear. take it away.” It was so comforting.
Hearing this mystic side of you I had my first dream There is an incidence that I read about by
about you. In the dream you were on stage and you Jaya Gauranga Dasa: I remember one lady raised
were holding a huge marigold! In front of the audi- her hand after Prabhupada had finished a Bhaga-
ence you said, “One cannot control the moon, but vad-gita class as she had a question. She asked, “In
one can control the sun.” Then you lifted your hand the Bhagavad-gita it is said if one thinks of Krishna
to the sky and turned your hand in one direction at the time of death, one will go to Krishna. Now
and then in another direction which brightened my question is, what if I think of you at the time
and dimmed the sun as you turned your hand. It of death? Will it have the same effect?” Prabhupa-
was a heart-warming dream, and although I know da didn’t answer right away. He closed his eyes for
that you are not God, you are just like God and you two or three seconds as if he was searching for the
are everything to me. answer and then he smiled and said, “That is very
Srila Prabhupada I know that I am so unqual- nice.” He said, “Yes, it will have the same effect.”
ified, but if you see some sincerity, some love and So that is all I want Srila Prabhupada...I just want to
devotion in me, please can I get second initiation? think of you and I want to come to you. That is my
I know that I have so my faults and I know that you greatest desire and prayer. I just want to think of
know all of them, but someday I just want to dress you. Everything about you is so beautiful and per-
Sri Sri Nitai Mayapurchandra. I want to pick their fect! And I just pray that my love for you is enough
outfits and jewelry. And design a fancy turban for for me to always remember you and never forget you.
Them and place dots on Their faces. Place tulasi at
Their lotus feet and offer aarti to Them. What could Begging for your mercy,
be more fulfilling! Imagine if I could offer aarti to Your granddaughter,
you! Actually, I don’t think I would survive the expe- Kandarpa Sundari Devi Dasi
rience (laughing). A few days ago, I was listening
Kanhaiya Das Singh 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Queensburgh Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa

MY DEAR SRILA PRABHUPADA thank you so much for fortunate, I have been born in a family of devotees
everything .Thank you for starting this amazing that are helping me to become a vaishnava.
movement. By your blessings I have been so I am really indebted to you, Srila Prabhuapada

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
for only by your grace we fallen souls can cross the In the service of our “ever well-wisher”
ocean of material suffering. Kanhaiya Das Singh
Dearest, Srila Prabhupada, 4 Kantha Makan

zz
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa

I AM SO INDEBTED TO YOU. Thank you for guiding me the sumptuous Sunday feast relished in the garden
and showing me the way - the way to a fuller, richer ignited in me your concept of “Simple Living and
life with a purpose. If it wasn’t for you, I would be so High Thinking.” In my own little world, life became
lost in a world full of turmoil and strife. Please for- challenging trying to follow a path not according to
give me for all my offences and please guide me in the norms of society, but today I can say I am so glad
my surrender to the Supreme Lord. and grateful to you Srila Prabhupada for the change.
In my early childhood some of my fondest and I bow down at your lotus feet - please accept my
cherished memories of ISKCON is our family vis- humble obeisances. Please accept me.
its to the ISKCON farm that was in Cato Ridge. The Hare Krsna.
peace and tranquility of the place, the kindness and
warmth of the devotees, the spiritual ambience and Kantha Makan
Hare Krsna Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Karishma Muhe

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Mauritius
All glories to your divine grace!
YOU ARE KNOWN AS PRABHUPĀDA and etymologically Godhead.

speaking - Prabhu means “Lord,” while pāda means Prabhupada, the One who sits at the Lord’s feet,
“foot” or “feet.” resolved:
Prabhupada, hence, translates as “One who sits 1. ISKCON
at the Lord’s Feet”. 2. Bhagavad Gita As It Is (including so many books
Please indulge me to portray my crystalline you wrote)
understanding of your name to you. I resolutely 3. The real purpose of life; and
believe that there is no greater delineation of who 4. Experiencing the permanent manifestation of
you are by simply interpreting your name. In my Krsna.
humble opinion if one truly, utterly gets to the gist You are the most exquisite human being that
of your name; he will pave his way to go back to ever existed in Kali-yuga and do you know why?

& Other Devotees
Because when the mundane biosphere brings up me back to my sense through your most daunting
the topic of Prabhupada - we are prompt to think or divinely sarcasm, and your sharp heavenly answers.
refer to Krsna. It is surprising! Or, call it a miracle Cajole me in your most enchanting expression of
that the one who sat at the Lord’s feet, is these days love you have for Krsna and shelter me in your
as prevalent as how Krsna is popular. unbreakable tolerance.
I wonder how precious you are to Krsna that He Srila Prabhupada, please keep on holding my
played His magic where your so-called “tolerance” hands to walk this journey of life so that my dream
for establishing ISKCON made you as much com- of meeting and serving Krsna eternally is fulfilled
monly divine as Krsna’s deific existence. one day just like you.
I find it inexcusable that we common men of Lastly, I would like to share something with you
this age dare to call ourselves devotees as we inop- which I have actually learnt from one of your ardent
portunely have not undergone any penance/sacri- representatives in Krsna consciousness, and who is
fices you did for Krsna. Yet and again, we are bless- my most favourite physically alive advice-giver in
ed for being valued/followed/loved just because of the movement, whom with all due respect I see is a
all you did for us. I am ceaselessly grateful to you for reflection of you. He told me that chanting the holy
introducing to us comfortable ‘sacrifices’ – where name through Japa is like the mother who holds the
still some of us (including myself) take a ‘nose-dive’ hands of her child when even if stumbles never falls.
in conforming. Please bless me to retain this flame of chanting in
Dearest Srila Prabhupada – You are the ‘Jagad my heart burning so that I can climb the ladder to
Guru’! I adore you and cannot be this selfish where Krsna. Help me in studying regularly your transcen-
you have to be accountable to carry part of my kar- dental books and adhere to your instructions - for
ma and sins whenever I am failing out of ignorance me to be able to remove my various thorns of self-
or laziness. I feel bad that you have to shelter us ishness, egoism and spiritual laziness.
despite all our meagerness. Bless us all so that we can be more vibrant and
For this child, you are the leading light of this vigorous to push for growing your movement of Krs-
contemporary era and my most unpretentious na Consciousness.
prayer to you on this most auspicious day is to please Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare,
allow me to feel and live your presence everyday Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare!!!
through reading/listening/watching you express
Krsna in your most piercing teachings. Whenev- Your most insignificant child,
er speculating and acting like a fool, please bring Karishma Muhe
3
zz
Karuna Radhika Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Westdene All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. All glories to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Hari.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your
lotus feet.


Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
sri-krishna-caitanya prabhu nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda
2021, YOUR 125 YEARS ANNIVERSARY, we still are devotees who could speak to him about Krishna.
faced with the pandemic. During this time, I was Lord Krsna fulfilled his desire and he had the oppor-
fortunate enough to complete Bhakti Sastri with tunity to hear Srimad Bhavagtam.
my gurudev, His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami. COVID-19 also taught me how time is limited
I was also grateful to take formal initiation from and we must always engage in devotional services,
my gurudev, His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami. be it in the temple or at home or in one’s mind, but
I received a beautiful name - Karuna Radhika Devi never stop engaging in devotional services.
Dasi. We are also fortunate to learn Brhad Bhagav- Wherever life takes me, I am grateful to be a
atamrta, which we currently learn every day from servant in your ISKCON. You have laid the founda-
Gurudev. tion for so many generations to go back to Godhead.
On Saturdays we are fortunate enough to learn From reading your Lilamrta I know that it was not
Srimad Bhagavatam from His Grace Nrshimananda easy for you, but thank you so much for everything.
Prabhu and Madri Mataji. Although we are unable Srila Prabhupada, I find myself missing kirtan,
to come and see you in the temple, we are thinking missing the physical association of devotees and
about you every moment of the day. the thing I miss the most is Ratha-yatra, serving you
Unfortunately, my family and I tested positive and Lord Jaganatha, and attending all the festivals.
for COVID-19. Chanting japa, listening to lectures I pray that things will change soon and we get
and having Gurudev’s association via social media to come back to temple and have the association
helped me through these difficulties. Without the of devotees, but for now we pray that all the dev-
teachings and translation of your books and the otees are kept safe so we can come with full force
wonderful teachers we have in ISKCON, I don’t know and spread Krsna Consciousness to every corner of
how I would handle such a situation. the universe.
I found myself remembering Maharaj Pariksit Thank you, Srila Prabhupada. Thank you, so
and how he accepted the curse of death as good much, thank you infinity times.
news. At that moment he knew that one who engag-
es in hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Your loving servant and soldier,
Supreme Lord gets liberated from the cycle of birth Karuna Radhika Devi Dasi
and death. He desired to associate with great saintly
Hare Krishna dear Jagad-guru Srila Prabuphada, 4 Karuna Sindhu Devi Dasi
zz
All glories to you, dear Prabuphada. Lenasia South

South Africa
I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU for sharing Lord Krish- is so powerful because when we were in need of
na’s wonderful holy name with us. Only the holy help, and when we were in anxiety, Lord Krishna
name makes me feel blissful. If I were not engaged was there for us. I’m feeling very happy and ecstatic
in chanting and performing seva, life for me would to be chanting, dancing, singing and, not forgetting,
not have been the same. Lord Krishna’s holy name relishing the Lord’s wonderful prasadam.

& Other Devotees
Dear Prabuphada, I’m forever indebted to you. Haribol!
Thank you. Karuna Sindhu Devi Dasi
Karuna-sakti Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Omkhar Jugunanan zz Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Newlands West, Durban All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari, Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra devi, and Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
South Africa
REFLECTING ON THE TURBULENT YEAR PAST, we remem- serving you sincerely and trying to please you in
ber many difficult times that you have rescued us. every way. Would you please bless us to succeed?
Your mercy has reached us constantly: from person- Only through your mercy can we try to attain liber-
ally seeing you in 1975, through getting your instruc- ation from the miseries of this world and attain the
tions from your books, classes and so on, from the eternal service of Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Sri Sri
blessings of your disciples, from the many won- Nitai Gaura Hari.
derful services within your ISKCON, from the holy Bhaktivinode Thakura has sung, “Krsna sei
names as you chant with us, and the Deities whom tomara, krsna dite para, tomara sakati ache. Ami
you have taught us to worship to the dhams that you ta’kangala, Krsna Krsna boli, dhai tava pache pache.”
have instructed us to see. Indeed, you have trans- “Krsna is yours, and you have the power to give Him
formed our entire lives and given us the spiritual to anyone you wish. I am poor and wretched and
world while saving us from all kinds of dangers in running behind you shouting Krsna, Krsna!”
this material world. (Ohe! Vaishnava Thakura by Srila Bhaktivinode
We hold on to your lotus feet that can shelter the Thakur)
whole universe. You have so kindly come to deliv-
er us all from drowning in this ocean of Kali-yuga Your most insignificant servants of the servants of
perpetually. In this wonderful year of your 125th the servants,
appearance anniversary, we dedicate ourselves to Karuna-sakti Dasi and Omkhar Jugunanan
Karuna-Sindhu Avatara das 4 Hare Krishna Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories to you.


Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
I WISH to be in your service, constantly. Your servant,
Karuna-Sindhu Avatara das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Kavita Ranjit

zz
Cape Town
South Africa

THIS WORLD IS TRULY BLESSED to have had you taken in my most difficult of situations. Please always help
birth in it, and we as your children and grand-chil- and guide me in my journey to grow in
dren are extremely blessed to have taken shelter of Krishna Consciousness.
your lotus feet. The strength and courage you had
shown through the first few years of starting the Your humble servant,
Hare Krishna movement is truly inspirational, and Bhaktin Kavita Ranjit
I pray that I can have even a fraction of your courage
Hare Krsna dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Keli Lalita Devi Dasi

zz

ACCORDING TO SATSVARUPA DASA GOSWAMI’S book have been empowered by you Srila Prabhupada to
titled, “Prabhupada, He built a house in which the distribute the Holy names of the Lord. Devotees all
whole world can live in”, it was in 1971 that you envi- over the world engage in kirtan gatherings, hari-
sioned a temple in Mayapur portraying the Vedic nams, lectures, writing Krsna conscious content
planetarium. It is now in 2021 that what you had for the Back to Godhead magazine, book distribu-
envisioned has come alive and it is most majestic, tion, food for life and so much more. It is so inspi-
opulent and grandeur. This project has engaged so rational and motivating to see that what you have
many devotees in such nice service and will attract preached is timeless and it is still being practiced
many others to have association with the devotees. by so many today.
So many devotees have used their time in Krsna’s My heartfelt gratitude to you Srila Prabhupada
service and it is all thanks to you, Srila Prabhupada. for following your Guru’s instruction, having faith
Chanting the Holy names of the Lord and engaging that Krsna would take care and bringing Krsna con-
in service is our true connection with Krsna and sciousness to the Western world. I cannot imagine
you have practically shown us how to participate my life without your mercy Srila Prabhupada. Let
in Krsna’s service. Devotees all around the world me not miss this opportunity to seek your blessings

& Other Devotees
to continue to serve the devotees and forever remain Your humbled and grateful servant,
the servant of the servant of the servant. Keli Lalita Devi Dasi
Kerusha Naidoo 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Durban zz Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa
JAI SRILA PRABHUPADA!

Thank you for bringing us the word of the Lord, Your servant,
the way to the Lord. Kerusha Naidoo
Jai Srila Prabhupada!
Keshava Madhava Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Alberton Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to you, Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa All Glories to your wonderful ISKCON movement.

SRILA PRABHUPADA, thank you so much for start- less anger in me and to never give up. Just as how
ing this amazing movement, which has helped me you never gave up despite all the hardships that you
develop as a person and helped me to understand faced whilst trying to start this ISKCON movement.
the purpose of life. From your last Vyasa Puja, I have I have learnt that no matter how difficult the
committed myself to your ISKCON and I have taken situation might get; no matter how many people
shelter at your son’s lotus feet, His Holiness Bhakti might say it is impossible; no matter how many peo-
Caitanya Swami Maharaj. I have also started to do ple are against you; we just need to have faith in
much more services at the temple in service to your Krishna and never give up - just like you did Srila
son HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj and you Prabhupada. Because you always said everything
Srila Prabhupada. is done by Krishna’s arrangements and His mercy,
I enjoy doing any service that I get the oppor- and if the running gets tough, we just got to put our
tunity to render, I also enjoy staying at Sri Sri Radha head down and go for it because Krishna will help
Radhanath temple. Whilst staying at the temple, I us get through it all.
have matured and learnt to become independent. I Thank you for everything Srila Prabhupada.
am also so grateful for everyone that has come into
my life whilst staying at the temple. Your foolish grandson and servant,
I have also learnt to have more faith in Krishna, Keshava Madhava Das
to be more patient, to be more determined, to have

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Keshavanand Das
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. Gabarone
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. Botswana

LIFE AFTER LIFE
What a wonderful world full of illusioned bliss,

Attached to the temporary, enjoyments abyss.
Numb to death and old age, among disease rife,
Ignorantly toiling in this world life after life.
How many births, how many deaths,

How many struggles and how many breathes,
Day after day tying another knot
A noose of our true identity forgot
Desires chaining the soul to this mortal place,

Knotted in the core of the heart, fallen from grace.
Oh when, oh when will the pride and darkness flee,
Oh when will those magical dreams become reality?
Miserable tale but with a flicker of light,

Divine grace’s mercy, to this sinner’s plight.
Wasted opportunity, your grace the only hope
Your Word Oh Master, the guiding rope.
Awakened from sleep, Heavens abode a reach,
Joking and playing with a beautiful blue boy, you preach.
Yet again eyes close and wander into illusions lure sweet,
Our only saving grace, the shelter of Your Lotus feet.
For sure it’s seen that one cannot do this alone,

Insurmountable sins, impossible to atone.
Therefore, Oh Lord pierce this hearts knot with mercy’s knife,
Make me the servant of the servant, of your servant, life after life.
Your most useless grandson,

Keshavanand Das

& Other Devotees
Kesi-ghat Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Syama Rati Devi Dasi All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath, Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Giriraj Govardhan.
and Raghunatha
Durban
South Africa WE HONOR AND APPRECIATE YOU even more now – This plan for us all.
COVID-19 pandemic has called upon all to rethink Dearest Srila Prabhupada, now is the right time
their values and sobriety. Materialists are in fear of for the World to take full shelter of the message you
dying. Thanks to the mercy of your ISKCON, prac- preached single handedly, throughout the World
ticing devotees differ and are trying to emphasize under such difficult circumstances and at such an
on their sadhana and bhakti. old age. You quietly tolerated all the inconvenienc-
This is only possible by the good fortune of your es so that the present generation and generations
disciples online encouragements and online courses to come can benefit from your teachings of Lord
which is much needed as Temple programmes are Krishna.
temporarily on hold for now. Please give us the strength and conviction to
We have lost the association of great souls like remain in your ISCKON and serve no matter what.
His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, His Grace Pan-
kajanghri prabhu, and many other stalwart soldiers. Your grateful grandchildren,
We can all only console ourselves knowing that Lord Kesi-ghat Dasa, Syama Rati Devi Dasi and
Krsna is the supreme controller and has the master Raghunatha
Khyati Chaganlal 4 My dear most Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Sandton
South Africa
HOW DOES ONE begin

to express their gratitude
when your service to all of humanity
has been of invaluable magnitude?
Having never met you,

I am simply a stranger.
You have saved me, nonetheless,
from life’s greatest danger.
You were sent by Sri Krsna

purely for Mahaprabhu’s mission.
You gave us the holy names
and instructed us to chant and to listen.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Enlightenment you brought
with you the truth about the spirit soul.
May we sincerely practice bhakti,
for this is our eternal role.
May we abscond this temporary world

along with our sinful addictions.
May we develop our sadhana
and steadfastly follow your instructions.
One cannot approach the Lord

without the Vaisnava’s blessing
without which, in this material world,
we will forever be dwelling.
We pray to you, Srila Prabhupada,

to bless us in our bhakti journey
for we are desperately dependent
on your grace and causeless mercy.
In Goloka Vrndavana
we wish to be reunited again
to serve at your lotus feet
and grab your nectar drops of rain.
We fall before your divine self

and worship you with awe and gratitude
for your service to all of humanity
has been of invaluable magnitude.
Your servant,
Khyati Chaganlal
All glories to the Mauritian, Indian and London temples. 4 Kiran Digumber Ramkishore
zz
All Glories to His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada! London

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. England


& Other Devotees
jaya sri-krishna-caitanya prabhu nityananda
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare

Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

DEAR GURUDEV, on this great occasion, I present my Mukunda das, HG Madan Gopal Das, HG Rasika
gratitude, thanking you infinitely for educating the Sindhu Dasa and devotees from London, like HG
World about Krsna consciousness and enriching us Tribhangananda Das and the president of the Lon-
with invaluable knowledge through the teachings donisvara temple, as well as devotees from Vrinda-
of the Vedic scriptures. These teachings are gradu- van Dham, the Mira Road and Chowpatty ISKCON
ally, but surely, changing my life. devotees, HG Mahatma Das (USA), and many other
I always pray to Lord Krishna to give Guru devotees from around the world.
Maharaj a long life free from problems and to con- I successfully complete my 16 rounds of japa,
tinue to bestow His mercy on the disciples and sometimes more, which truly enlighten my life in
well-wishers. this miserable material life. With great support of
my husband and children, I can attend many lec-
tyaktvā su-dustyaja-surepsita-rājya-lakṣmīṁ tures, complete japa and with the mercy of all the
dharmiṣṭha ārya-vacasā yad agād araṇyam Gurus and the Supreme Lord, as a family, we spend
māyā-mṛgaṁ dayitayepsitam anvadhāvad time together chanting, doing kirtan and reading
vande mahā-puruṣa te caraṇāravindam your books. Both children are happy to join the
(Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.34) Gurukul, Krishna clubs, Bhagavad-gita classes, japa
classes, Bhakti school classes and many other Krish-
I dedicate this verse to you, that describes you too na conscious classes.
Gurudev, for the love, affection and sacrifices you I feel very lucky to have parents who believe in
made for us. the Krishna consciousness philosophy. We share
Just like Mother Yasoda was bathing Krishna and talk about Krishna’s pastimes.
with cow dung and cow urine, and doing mantras I humbly beg you to please shower your bless-
to get rid of demon’s evil powers, for me, you are ings on my family and bestow your mercy on us so
our Mother Yasoda, giving us the Hare Krishna that we can develop attraction for devotional ser-
maha-mantra to be happy. vice by serving the devotees. I beg at your lotus feet
With your lectures and the association of dev- to bless us to continue our spirituality and devo-
otees, my way of thinking is changing. I regularly tional service.
attend and listen to lectures organised by exalted I beg to remain your servant.
devotees like HG Amarendra Das, HG Amogh Lila
Das and HG Anand Vrindavan Das; senior Vaish- Always at the service of devotees,
navas from Mauritius like HG Vishwanath Das, HG Kiran Digumber Ramkishore

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Kisori Radhe Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obediences. Queensburg
THIS PAST YEAR HAS BROUGHT a lot of uncertainty into Bhagavatam has helped me through these tough
our lives due to the world pandemic of the Coronavi- times, where there was so little devotee association.
rus. The ‘heavy lockdown’ within South Africa has Your books have been my accompaniment during
lead to all ISKCON temples in our country closed to these dark days and nights and given me a sense of
all devotees living outside the temple. Our devotion- peace and joy. The hardships and struggles that you
al service and Sunday programmes stopped. It was had endured to ensure that Krishna consciousness
truly sad and heartbreaking to not be able to con- is spread to every corner of the world. You left Vrin-
tinue with our service. All we were left with was just davan to come to the West to show us the way back
our japa beads and your books. This time allowed to Lord Krishna. I cannot express enough my appre-
me to go deeper into my chanting and reflect on my ciation for your sacrifices which you made. Thank
life. With the virus engulfing every human in this you for giving me Lord Krishna. Thank you for giv-
world, I realised that I needed to take a step further ing me my eternal spiritual master. Thank you Sri-
in my spiritual journey. Hence through your mercy, la Prabhupada for your love and mercy. I pray that I
I finally accepted a spiritual master and he accepted can continue to spread your mission.
me as his disciple. Thank you for accepting me in the
sampradaya of Lord Caitanya’s movement. Your most fallen servant,
Reading your Lilamrta and listening to Srimad Kisori Radhe Devi Dasi
Dearest Srila Prabhupada. 4 Kripamoya Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Chatsworth, Durban

All glories all glories all glories to you on this your day of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, you always mentioned that mate- a global pandemic, the Corona virus ( COVID-19).
rial life can be finished at any time. In the recent This has brought the world literally to its knees...
past we have seen practically how fragile the mate- millions of lives have been lost and economies
rial fabric is. devastated.
I heard about the tragedy of the ship called The Srila Prabhupada, you have been warning
Titanic - the ship they called the “unsinkable.” the world about this, through your books and lec-
The twin towers were the American emblem tures. Therefore you emphasized on your book
that boasted superiority and power. On the 11 Sep- distribution.
tember 2001, within minutes the “skyscrapers” came Many devotees from all over the world have
crushing down. The many cyclones and tornados taken up the challenge, and during the pandemic
that devasted so many cities. Let’s not forget the the initiative to distribute 2 million Bhagavad Gitas’
tsunami that hit the Indian coastline in 2004 tak- was achieved - and yet more is planned as the world
ing with it about 230 000 lives. And now we facing embarks on a self - destructive mode.

& Other Devotees
Thank you Srila Prabhupada for accepting our
Lord’s offer to come and rescue us. My life is ren- Your undeserving servant of the servant...
dered as a debt to pay. Kripamoya das
Krishangi Dasi Naidu 4 zz Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances.
South Africa All glories to you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SRILA PRABHUPADA!! I had to write a poem for school,

and I choose to write about you:
Oh dear grandfather,
You are as merciful as father.
Never have I met You personally,
Yet You are there eternally.
I went to Tompkins Square Park,

And there I lost my heart.
Oh Prabhupada, You take me by the hand,
Making me understand.
Your glories we repeat,

It makes our lives complete.
Oh what a great man our Prabhupada was,
In our divine cause!
Please bless me to remain always in your family.
Your great grand-daughter,

Krishangi Dasi Naidu (age 11)
Krishnacandra Das 4 Hare Krishna Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Alberton Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories unto you, Srila Prabhupada.


Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
BY YOUR MERCY, I was fortunate enough to receive Srila Prabhupada the world is deteriorating dai-
the shelter at the lotus feet of your son, His Holiness ly and the sacrifices that you made is the only saving
Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj. Since that epic day grace. In conversations with the masses, it becomes
in 2016, my life has been turned right side up and it evidently clear the rate at which people are spiral-
has been a joy. My fortune has not stopped there as ling downwards into ruination. This again brings
my wife and son are also very fortunate to receive me to realise how blessed I am to have received the
your mercy and take shelter at the lotus feet of His shelter at your home.
Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj. For this I know that there are no words to express my
I am eternally grateful unto you, Srila Prabhupada. gratitude to you but by your mercy I hope to please
I am also very fortunate in that I have the you by serving in your home; by spreading this
opportunity of serving at Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari in Krishna Conscious movement to as many people
various capacities. This would never have been pos- as I can; and pleasing your son, His Holiness Bhak-
sible without your mercy and all the sacrifices that ti Caitanya Swami Maharaj. I am a fool and useless
you underwent just to give fools like me the oppor- and I need your mercy and blessings. So please Srila
tunity to return home, back to Goloka Vrindavan. Prabhupada, be merciful upon this useless fool who
I have been reading your books and the knowl- has taken shelter at your home.
edge that I have obtained is immeasurable. It is Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai! Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
through your mercy that I can help share some of Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
this with family members. Please continue to bless
me so that I may be able to continue to give this Your useless grandson and servant,
Krishna katha to my family and hopefully one day Krishnacandra Das
they too can go back home.
My dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Krsangi Radhe Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. South Africa
IT IS WITH DEEP THOUGHTS THAT I WRITE YOU a 2021 has created. Had we been citizens of the material
Vyasa-puja offering. The past year has been partic- world, living through a deadly pandemic without
ularly difficult. Due to the Corona virus pandemic, the reprieve of online sadhu-sanga, japa, having
I have lost so many people close to me. This stark access to your books or prasadam, our lives would
reality brought forward the temporary nature of be dull and desperate. Your Divine Grace has estab-
the world around us; whether we are young or old lished a network of care (both spiritually and emo-
death can come at anytime. This is the fundamen- tionally) to complete the system of love, care and
tal teaching of the Vedic philosophy, to enable us to compassion. Just the other day I was listening to a
pass the final test. talk by one of your disciples who mentioned that
Your life has been dedicated to sharing the glo- had Srila Prabhupada not been compassionate, we
ries of the holy names so that we have an opportu- would not have been devotees of ISKCON - we cer-
nity to make spiritual progress during this lifetime. tainly would not have been initiated or within this
Srila Prabhupada, I have also been thinking spiritual society. To me that just touched my heart
about the wonderful family that Your Divine Grace in the most meaningful way.

& Other Devotees
I have been tasked with a wonderful yet chal- Preaching is the core of ISKCON and we would
lenging service of being a servant to the Vaishnavis love to fulfill Your Divine Grace’s vision of having
here in South Africa. The vision of having Vaishna- Vaishnavis come forward to be the leaders of the
vis come together stemmed over a decade ago when yatra - giving class, offering worship and holding
we hosted the first Women’s Day preaching event managerial roles. We have therefore put together
at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Durban. the first training session for public speaking so that
This attracted hundreds of well-wishers and women Vaishnavis are confident and equipped to come to
who were interested in culture and spirituality. This the forefront of our movement. This has been so well
inspired ongoing activities to bring women together received and I am so happy that we will have many
in Krishna consciousness. more Vaishnavis who will be confident enough to
We have been busy with the groundwork to go out and share the knowledge from Your Divine
reach out to Vaishnavis around South Africa and Grace’s writings. I am also pleased to report to Your
set up structures in each temple/yatra. What I have Divine Grace that the trainers on this workshop are
noticed is that sometimes we tend to spend time on all accomplished preachers who have been giving
policies and fool-proof structures that we lose the classes and presentations around the world.
essence of connecting with our hearts and being kind I beg for your mercy, Srila Prabhupada, to be
and compassionate to each other. This has made me of service to you. In my home we are raising two
think about how Your Divine Grace had spear-head- young daughters who are developing a taste for the
ed and single-handedly established an international holy names. Having grown up in Krishna conscious-
society; one that stretches across the globe. ness, I have had the extreme privilege to have the
How difficult it must have been for Your Divine wonderful association of many spiritual masters
Grace, how tedious the tasks and how clear a vision who visited Durban in the early days. I have fond
and purpose Your Divine Grace would have needed. memories of my parent’s home being blessed with
Ah, I then retort to understanding that Your Divine many programs and luncheons which senior dev-
Grace was no ordinary human being, but rather an otees attended. Years later, having taken shelter of
empowered soul who was granted the boon of bring- my dear Srila Gurudeva, His Holiness Indradyumna
ing ISKCON to life, of fulfilling the desires of your Swami, this had given me the corner-stone to grow
spiritual master and of making the predications of in my spiritual journey.
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu manifest. All we can do During these challenging times of having a new
is pray to Your Divine Grace for guidance and grace, generation grow and the pressures faced thereof,
for strength and fortitude, and for focus and cour- we dive deep into the teachings of Lord Caitanya
age as we try to fulfill our respective service roles. Mahaprabhu to offer our children a well grounded
To date we have been working on a draft poli- spiritual path. The world around us has become a
cy on domestic abuse and the repercussions there- vicious place of toxic negativity. All we have is the
of. We have managed to host several sangas online, joy and hope of the holy names, and essentially that
bringing Vaishnavis together in that way. Also, we is all that we need in this lifetime.
have created a supportive network during the pan- Today, I beg for Your Divine Grace’s continued
demic for Vaishnavis to reach out when they are mercy. I say continued because I have seen Your
particularly in need. Divine Grace’s blessings and mercy in my life (every-
As mothers, the pandemic fatigue has been a lit- day). I see how difficult situations work out and
tle overwhelming and the Ministry has been able to become easier; I see that my service is guided by
offer guidance on keeping the family safe, healthy Your Divine Grace and I see that Your Divine Grace
and happy during this time. protects and nurtures my family. I feel Your Divine

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Grace’s presence in my life, everyday. Thank you for taking me under Your Divine Grace’s
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for giving me the love and care.
blessings of being initiated in the disciplic succes- I beg, I beg, I beg for your mercy.
sion, the most illustrious sampradaya in the Gaudiya
Vaishnava tradition. Thank you for engaging me in Your servant,
devotional service and for trusting me with import- Krsangi Radhe Dasi
ant work that needs to be executed on the ground.
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Krsna Kesava Dasa

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisance. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious occasion of Your-vyasa puja. and Madhavi Devi Dasi
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. Durban
South Africa
YOUR ISKCON IS GIVING US EVERYTHING that is required Without adulteration or compromise you have
to perform pure devotional service. very tactfully preserved the message of our most
sacred scriptures and presented it in a very intel-
sādhu-saṅga, nāma-kīrtana, bhāgavata-śravaṇa ligible manner that’s suitable for both the layman
mathurā-vāsa, śrī-mūrtira śraddhāya sevana and scholarly.
Your mercy knows no bounds since you have
“One should associate with devotees, chant the holy given hope to the eternally condemned.
name of the Lord, hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, reside Your greatest treasure are your numerous books
at Mathurā and worship the Deity with faith and and your purports which you said are your spiritual
veneration.” ecstasies. These are testimonies to your profound
(CC. Madhya 22.128) spiritual realizations and great compassion towards
These five processes as given by Lord Caitanya humanity. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
are very nicely incorporated in the daily morning always stressed that humility and tolerance are the
program as established by yourself. In a very short main adornments of a preacher. Therefore, you are
period, one can attain the highest goal of life, just the most humble and tolerant personality, for you
by remaining within the shelter of ISKCON which have literally used your very last breath in glorify-
very conveniently facilitates these five processes. ing Sri Krishna.
You always said that ISKCON is your body. Srila Prabhupada, on this day we pray that you
You very explicitly express the need to study cast your most merciful glance upon us so that we
your books so that one can become spiritually and always remain within the perimeters of your sooth-
philosophically empowered. By studying your ing divine lotus feet.
books, one is awarded the knowledge to preach,
intelligence in the process of Krsna Consciousness Your most fallen servants,
and the ability to directly, purify the heart. Krsna Kesava Dasa and Madhavi Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Krsni Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
and Shobha Kishori Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances.
Durban All glories to Your Divine Grace.
South Africa
OUR DEAREST Srila Prabhupada

by your inconceivable mercy
you have brought us to the Bhakti road.
Giving us the detailed map
of how to reach Krishna’s abode.
Your vapu we sadly did not have
but your vani was as powerful as can be.
Everything written down in your books
follow it we must, confidently.
For you are the person Bhagavat
no matter what the Age.
Reminding us to “get out”
of this temporary miserable cage.
You led by example daily
in cooking cleaning and serving a guest,
how many challenges you faced
especially when you went to the west.
Your resilience and sincerity
to serving the Lord,
convinced us that
Krishna is the Supreme - God.
May we never stray
from your lotus feet,
but endeavour to repay our debt to you
our spiritual grandfather, so sweet.
Your Servants,
Krsni Devi Dasi and Shobha Kishori Devi Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Kulasekhara Das
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Johannesburg
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this sacred ceremony of your Sri Vyasa-puja. South Africa

SRILA PRABHUPADA words cannot fully express my only by expert managers but by how we perform
love and gratitude I feel for you. Out of your intense our sadhana of rising early attending morning pro-
compassion you crossed the ocean to bring the most gramme, chanting 16 rounds on beads, following
precious gift of Krsna Consciousness to the western the regulative principles, reading your books daily
world. You, like a loving father, nourished your chil- and preaching. “
dren physically by giving them prasadam and spir- Srila Prabhupada I beg you please to bless us
itually by engaging them in devotional service. The all to have a loving and caring mood as you did and
faith your children put in you empowered them to empower us to care for each other like brothers and
help you fulfil your mission of taking the holy names sisters. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for all you did
of Krsna to every town and village across the world. for us. My love and respect always.
Srila Prabhupada you taught by your own exam-
ple how we should engage in Krsna Consciousness. Your grandson and servant
I once heard a devotee say: “ISKCON will go on not Kulasekhara Das
Dearest Srila Prabhupadaa, 4 Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your most revered feet Phoenix, Durban
on this splendid day of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
All glories to Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra Maharani
All glories to Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasunder
All glories to you our master and savior.
SRILA PRABHUPADA, this year started off with quite a things I took for granted, from the basic air that we
scare for me as I was infected with the dreaded coro- breathe to all of the roles that I have been given in
navirus. Thinking and feeling that I was not going this world, but out of all these aspects in my life, the
to recover left me reflecting on my life thus far and one that I was most awaken by was being part of
I must admit I was not very happy with what came our ISKCON family. By the mercy and prayers of my
to mind. I didn’t feel like I was a good enough moth- dearest Srila Gurudeva, His Holiness Bhakti Caitan-
er, wife, daughter, sister and most importantly that ya Swami Maharaja and the wonderful Vaishnavas I
I wasn’t doing my best at being a better disciple and was able to recover. Srila Prabhupada, thank you for
devotee. Being in this dreadful situation of barely creating this life saving movement. Thank you for
being able to breathe I started to appreciate all the allowing me to be part of your ISKCON movement.

& Other Devotees
Thank you for giving me the opportunity of spiritual
self-realization, there truly is no other way, no oth- I love you Srila Prabhupada.
er way, no other way. Srila Prabhupada, you are my
savior and I bow down to you over and over and over Your most undeserving servant,
again. With your blessing may I always be at the ser- Lalita Gopal Devi Dasi
vice of your servant of your servant of your servant.
3
Lalita Kunda Devi Dasi 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Chatsworth Kindly accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
MANY, MANY YEARS AGO we met your soldiers singing then I should correct it immediately as one may nev-
the maha-mantra. They looked very glorious, but er have another chance.
in all my stupidity I thought that, these boys have Good and evil walk hand in hand. If one pur-
nothing else to do and if only they can get some edu- sues only happiness, then one will also get grief. All
cation and hold a job, it would be more worthwhile the wealth, ego and envy is left behind when we
than being on the street. One of the boys spoke so leave, but there is something more we can do before
eloquently to us, but being so ignorant, I didn’t real- we reach the end.
ize that common sense does not come with a degree! Dear Srila Prabhupada, we can be good devo-
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for saving me. tees who are loving and caring just like the lotus
Just lately, I realized that a meaningful life is flower who retains its’ beauty and fragrance even
not about being rich, popular or famous. It is about while growing in slush and dirty water.
being real, humble, strong, and upright, and to be This is a silent reminder to us devotees to
able to share the truth no matter how painful it is. remain steadfast and upright in the quest for the
Only honesty can be shared by others with love, ultimate…to always remember Krsna and never for-
which will in turn take care of others because hon- get him!
esty does not shine on your face, it shines through Thank you Srila Prabhupada for all that you
your heart. have done and all that you continue to do.
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for saving me I beg to hold on to your lotus feet and nev-
again. er leave this beautiful house that you built for the
Life and death are two unavoidable threats in entire world to live in.
life. We should always be wary about how we judge
others and take care of our own deeds. If I die at this Begging always to serve your devotees,
moment, how will I be judged? If I make a mistake Lalita Kunda Devi Dasi
Lilashakti Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Woodstock, Cape Town Please accept my sincere obeisances at your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.
IN WRITING THIS YEAR’S OFFERING to you, I am struck with a wave of déjà vu, for a number of reasons. Last

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
year, I wrote to you the day before my initiation, in a found in the temples or serving from home, content
state of distress. Today, I write the day before my one in their own spaces. Please help me, especially, to
year initiation anniversary, still in a state of distress. be a part of the healing journeys of those who can
I’m not certain that much change has happened in no longer call your house their home, for whatever
my heart and around me. What I am grateful for is reason. This is something that especially is carried
the clarity I seem to be getting with each passing in my heart.
day that pushes me further to take your instruc- I am still distressed, Srila Prabhupada, but I
tions seriously. have faith that this too shall pass. Thank you for sav-
My relationship with the holy name is as much ing my life. Thank you for pushing me closer to the
a rollercoaster as it always has been. I think that ultimate goal of my life. Thank you for bringing me
now, however, I understand better why that is. To closer to the lotus feet of the Loves of my life. Your
cure a disease, it would be best to understand its life is proof that love exists, and I hope that one day
origins, no? I may be able to give that love; that one day I may
I hope that it will please you to know that I’ve receive even a bit of it.
begun completing the Bhakti Sastri course as I I am no scholar, Srila Prabhupada, nor will I
promised. Regardless of the outcome at the end, I ever be or pretend to be. I shall therefore not attempt
am learning, growing. I think that’s what you want- to quote sastra in a bid to describe my gratitude
ed for all the conditioned souls on this planet. towards you. I came to this movement because I
Srila Prabhupada, I pray you will guide me in believe you know what is in my heart. I now know
finding what it is I can do to be a positive contrib- this to be true. Thank you. A million and eight times
utor to my people, my community and this move- thank you.
ment. I pray more so that I find a way in which I can
be authentic to myself, to you, to my beloved Sri Sri Your servant always,
Radha and Krishna. I am here to serve you by serv- Lilashakti Devi Dasi
ing the devotees of the Lord, whether they can be
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, Hare Krishna, 4 Madana Govinda Das

zz
Please accept my sincere obeisance’s at your divine lotus feet where I pray to remain and serve. Johannesburg
All glories all glories all glories to you, Srila Prabhupada. South Africa
THE SAVIOUR OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF SOULS, you, so I started speaking and praying to you to help
whose glories are spread and known over the three and guide me towards Lord Krishna. By your divine
worlds, on this auspicious day I, your insignificant compassion, you sent a transcendental warrior, my
servant of a servant would like to express my grat- Guru Maharaj, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj,
itude to you. to carry this insignificant soul. I am whole heartedly
Srila Prabhupada your causeless mercy is incon- grateful and deeply fortunate to you for shining your
ceivable; I struggled for many years to surrender bright transcendental light on my life, when I was in
completely to this Krishna Conscious process. I had darkness and needed you the most. Thank you over
one leg towards my spiritual path and the other leg and over for saving me and giving me the opportu-
enjoying the sinful material life. A devotee, Kesha- nity to try and render some devotional service.
va Bharati Das, suggested I should write/speak to Through this outstanding process you

& Other Devotees
established, through your brilliant books and teach- try to become your servant of a servant of a servant.
ings, through your incredible preaching methods Thank you again and again a million times over for
and all that you went through for us to know who everything you have done and continue to do for me.
the Supreme Personality of Godhead is and how Your instructions are engraved in my heart,
we can achieve the highest perfection by returning may I always please and serve at your lotus feet
back to Godhead. For this I am eternally indebted at by following and fulfilling them. I love you Srila
your lotus feet jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada.
Only by your causeless mercy is my material
eyes and heart being opened and filled with spiritu- Your insignificant servant of a servant,
al bliss. Thank you Srila Prabhupada over and over Madana Govinda Das
and over for embedding a mood which allows me to
Madhumati Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Nairobi Please accept my most humble obeisances at you lotus feet.

Kenya
AS A GREAT-GRAND DISCIPLE OF YOURS I just want to say I feel very fortunate that I meet you in this birth.
a big thank you on this day of your “Sri Vyasa-puja”. I fall at your lotus feet with all the gratitude and
thank you for so many many things mostly for Krish- I pray to you to give me the strength to carry on
na, for letting me know about Vrindavan where I lost inspite of me having so many anarthas.
my heart, heart warming kirtans, satisfying prasad,
devotee association, the divine mangal artis, your The servant of the servant of your servant,
disciples... and so much much more. Madhumati Devi Dasi
Madhuri Devi Dasi 4 Our dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Jagmohan Das Please accept our humble obeisances to the dust of your lotus feet.
Rondebosch, Cape Town All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to your Sri Vyasa-puja.
South Africa
OUR FRIEND, PROTECTOR, OUR EVER WELL-WISHER, We meditate upon your lotus feet, and you
accepting our services even though our attempts always provide us with solace in the form of the
are meagre. holy name.
You built a house where the whole world can On this Vyasa-puja day, we beg you, Srila Pra-
live. Your soft heart willing to forgive. bhupada, please assist and engage us in your service
You blessed us with family all over the world. by keeping us on the path of Krishna consciousness.
You have given us Lord Nityananda’s mercy. Hare Krishna!
Your books are the potent cinta-mani jewels,
contacting them transforms even us fools. Your humble servants,
We are most fortunate to be under the shelter Madhuri Devi Dasi and Jagmohan Das
of your lotus feet.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Madhuri Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Gauteng
I AM ETERNALLY INDEBTED TO YOU as you have show- Srila Prabhupada it is only because of the
ered me your causeless mercy. famous Ratha Yatra and sankirtana yajna that you
Srila Prabhupada you are always absorbed established so many souls all around the world are
in service to Krishna. Krishna empowered you to getting the mercy of the Lord.
spread His glories everywhere. Srila Prabhupada, I want to thank you for
Srila Prabhupada you took your spiritual mas- changing my life. It took many years to come to
ters Sriman Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gos- Krishna consciousness and I am praying to your
vami’s instructions very seriously and fulfilled his lotus feet please give me your mercy, so that I can
desire to preach in the western world. continue with my service, serving Gaura-Nitai.
Your focal point of preaching started in Amer- Thank you for all the love and kindness that I
ica and ISKCON has become a worldwide brand have received from you and the devotees of Krishna.
name for preaching.
How fortunate we are to have you in our lives. Your insignificant servant,
To have access to your selfless teachings, to have Madhuri Devi Dasi
your guidance and witness your dedication.
Hare Krsna dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Maduri Prag

zz

I HOPE THIS OFFERING finds you well Srila Prabhupada. reading, chanting, deity worship, and prasadam dis-
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for your associ- tribution. Ever since I have been under your associ-
ation through your books, and keeping me and my ation I cannot stop chanting. Thank you.
entire family under your umbrella. Thank you for I pray to Krsna that your teachings may forever
showing us the way of chanting the holy name (Hare be manifested in my heart and will remain eternal.
Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare
Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare). I thank Your servant,
you for showing us and allowing us to do devotional Maduri
service through book distribution, making garlands,
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Mahesh Naidoo

zz

All glories to you Srila Prabhupada on this the most auspicious occasion of Your 125th Vyasa-puja. South Africa
THIS YEAR, the pandemic is continuing and, as much as our temples and management are trying, the

& Other Devotees
festivals and programmes are no longer as they used With this 125th anniversary of your appearance,
to be. Of course, this is no fault of any devotees but so many devotees are glorifying your activities and
a sign of the age of Kali-yuga. We are having many qualities. I recently started working this year and so
festivals and programs online. I must admit, for me managing my time, sadhana and life has become a
personally, I do find it difficult without the associ- lot. This made me think of your wonderful ability
ation of devotees and festivals in-person. or quality to be the most expert manager. You man-
I then thought of you Srila Prabhupada. How aged ISKCON throughout the entire world, while
you, out of the kindness of your heart, left Vrindavan writing books and preaching. How wonderful! Pra-
Dham, the land of Krishna, devotees and festivals to bhupada, I humbly pray to you to please give me
enter the hell of the West. You came by yourself just some blessings and ability to manage just myself,
to save us. There were no festivals or devotees and so that I can help serve in your ISKCON.
yet you still - with Krishna in the heart- magnani-
mously gave us this Krishna consciousness. From Your most foolish grandson on the corner of the
the depths of my heart, thank you so much Prabh- African continent,
upada for you have provided a way for us to escape Mahesh Naidoo
this hell.
Mallika Dasi 4 My dear Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Durban Please accept my most humble obeisances, at the dust, of your divine lotus feet. On this very auspicious day of Your Sri Vyasa-puja I
South Africa would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you have done for me.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU for giving me the great- Your Divine Grace A.C Bhaktividanta Swami
est gift of my life. The Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. Prabhupada, was indeed, a fearless warrior on the
Your books and lectures are also something that are battlefield of this material world. You were a unique
my greatest treasures of my life. Your preaching and person. You single handedly preached and wrote
philosophy are so expertly explained and practi- books, preparing it for us and the future generations
cal for us to follow. This philosophy can allow us to to come. You gave us this knowledge to understand
attain pure love of godhead. the purpose of this human form of life. But how do
Your pure influence has changed the lives of many I practice it? You mentioned:
people. You introduced the chain of the disciplic
succession, and this succession of the parampara With our lips we should be chanting
is now changing the world, and the consciousness With our ears we should be hearing
of humanity at large. You have given us the deepest With our heart we should be crying out for the Lord
and the most sublime philosophical truths of Vedic like a baby does for its mother.
wisdom. You enlightened your loving disciples with Srila Prabhupada please help me to engage my
this great wisdom and knowledge. Your disciples senses so that I get a taste of the holy name. You are
carry your instructions with full faith and are so truly a genuine guru and Gods direct representa-
freely giving it to others. In this way the parampara tive, who came to save us all. I pray to remain eter-
is continued and we live through your instructions. nally at your lotus feet. I also pray that I may never
It helps us to get a glimpse of what a great person- forget all your sacrifices that you made to help us
ality you are. achieve our goals.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
I remain to be, your servant of your servant of Your eternal granddaughter,
your beloved disciples. Mallika Dasi
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Manjari Mahima Devi Dasi

zz
Durban
South Africa
YOU HAVE BESTOWED YOUR MERCY with unflinching advance in my devotional service to you and the
desires to so many fallen souls. I cannot imagine ISKCON movement you left behind for us to enjoy
what I would have been without following you and spiritually.
your instructions through your books which you Jai Srila Prabhupada.
have painstakingly done to uplift me and many
souls. I envy the devotees who served you with so Your servant
much love and why I couldn’t get to do a fraction Manjari Mahima Devi Dasi
of the what they did. Always give me the power to
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Manjumeda Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Pietermaritzburg

All glories to Your Divine Grace and all glories to Gurudeva. South Africa

I’M BLESSED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY to write out at home to accept the humble offerings of bhoga.
an offering to you Srila Prabhupada. It was wonderful to resume my Deity service in
Thank you so much for your causeless mer- August 2020 on the appearance day of our merciful
cy and for leaving your beautiful home for us to Srimati Radharani.
continue with your mission to propagate Krsna I have a part-time business and I spend more
consciousness. time being busy with my devotional service. I do
It’s been a challenge for over the past year with have challenges with this but I’m so grateful for your
the onset of this deadly pandemic that’s affected the mercy dear Srila Prabhupada, that I am able to do
lives of so many people and devotees. all of this.
Despite the various challenges and the fact that I’m also assisting with devotee care. It’s a very
I couldn’t serve our beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Dayal enlivening service to help devotees in need and
Nitai Gaura Hari by doing Deity service for almost 6 encourage them with their sadhana.
months because I’m over 60 years old, I continued I’ve grown so much as a devotee since I was ini-
to cook for the Lords and invited them to my alter tiated in 2009. I feel so blessed to know that I have

& Other Devotees
the mercy and love of you dear Srila Prabhupada With love and great respect from your very
and my spiritual master His Holiness Partha Sarathi worthless servant of the servant,
Das Goswami. Manjumeda Devi Dasi
Maran Pillay 4 zz My dear Srila Prabhupada,

Phoenix, Durban Please accept my prostrate obeisances unto your lotus feet.
South Africa

THE OTHER DAY I was suffering with some bodily with your mission. How merciful you were to us all?
aches and pains and wanted to just retire to bed Thank you so much a trillion times— yet, that too
doing nothing else but rest. Then, I was thinking of is far too less.
you, Srila Prabhupada. You were 30 years my senior, Happy 125 years Vyasa-puja Srila Prabhupada.
boarded a ship with practically nothing, and trav- May your glories live forever.
elled the world to give us Krsna consciousness and
save us from these material contaminations. You Your servant of the servant of the servant,
suffered two heart attacks, and yet still carried on Bhakta Maran
Mathura Mohan Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Mathura Mohini Devi Dasi Please accept our most humble obeisances, All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Prahlad
and Jagannath
Sandton IT IS ONLY BY YOUR MERCY that we have received this who are fully engaged in spreading your mission.
South Africa sublime process of Krishna consciousness. You Please shower your mercy onto us so that we can be
stayed up late nights and early mornings to trans- part of your mission by preaching and distributing
late the scriptures in English for us to understand your books.
God. It is by your books that we received our good
fortune. Your insignificant servants,
On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, give Mathura Mohan Das, Mathura Mohini Devi Dasi,
us the strength so that we can serve the devotees Prahlad and Jagannath

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Maxine Wittmann
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Pretoria
All glories to you on this most auspicious day that you appeared in our lives with the torchlight of knowledge. South Africa
WHEN I THINK OF WHAT TRUE LOVE and compassion I have never looked back since reading that very
is, I think of your divine lotus feet. You tirelessly first book and I feel a change in my life as though
carried out the orders of your spiritual master with this darkness is starting to dissipate from my mind
such faith and conviction that you were able to con- and the light of the Lord is enveloping my heart.
vince the Western world to give up their material- Your influence has been so great in my life as well
istic ways and to just surrender to the Lord. You did as in every living entity on the planet whether they
not discriminate, and you did not judge, you freely know it or not. You gave us the greatest gift of all, the
distributed the fruits of love to everyone and any- maha-mantra that can render all benedictions to
one. When I sometimes feel like I don’t have enough living beings and allow us conditioned souls to eas-
time or energy to do anything I just think of how you ily approach the Lord. You have completely engaged
started a spiritual revolution in the world as well as our minds and senses to always think of Krishna
publish countless books on spiritual knowledge for and to always be engaged in His service. You knew
the benefit of the world. All this was done without that we are so distracted and impure that we need
ever asking or expecting anything in return. If the to be constantly reminded to think of the Lord and
world could have just a morsel of your compassion, chant His glories. Your presence and influence is
humility and faith, we would all be swimming in always felt in our associations with the devotees.
prema. Your mood, your love and compassion has seeped
My life has never been the same since open- into the hearts of all of your followers and it contin-
ing and reading the first book I ever read of yours. ues to be an inspiration with every encounter with
I was living a life of sin and under complete con- a devotee.
trol of the material energy, but with one encounter I hope to carry your orders by serving the dev-
with a devotee who handed me one of your books otees nicely and favorably and to try my best and
(matchless gift), I gave up everything and knew that in my own capacity to spread the glories of Krish-
I had to follow every one of your instructions to the na through your books, preaching and Mahapra-
tee. Every word you said struck me and penetrated bhu’s Sankirtan movement. Thank you, an infinite
deep into my heart that I knew this was everything amount of times, for bringing Krishna to us, with-
I was looking for. Your words were so succinct and out you we would all be in the darkest regions of our
perfect and got me completely out of my ignorance. own ignorance. Krishna favored you so much that
I feel indebted to you and your complete surrender He gave you the task of bringing back home all the
and mood of service. The only way I can ever repay conditioned souls of Kali-yuga. I am but a small and
your unalloyed and unmotivated service is to fol- insignificant aspiring devotee with a big dream to
low in your footsteps and take every moment and be the servant of the servant.
opportunity to spread the holy name of the Lord to I pray that you may always be present in my
anyone and everyone willing to accept. I am inade- heart and thoughts and that I can always be remind-
quate but through your mercy and inspiration, any- ed and inspired by your complete surrender and
thing is possible. attachment to the Lord. If I can just receive a drop

& Other Devotees
of your mercy, I know that any obstacle in devotion- shelter of your lotus feet upon all living entities.
al service can be vanquished. Thank you for this
matchless gift of pure love that you have bestowed An aspiring servant of your servants,
upon all of us most unfortunate souls. I pray for the Bhaktin Maxine Wittmann
Mayuran Pillay 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada

zz
Pretoria All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa On your great appearance day, I would like to wish you a happy Vyasa-puja.
IN THIS WORLD WE ARE BORN in the mode of igno- divine prasadam, spiritual books, blessed lectures,
rance, but the Lord comes in the form of a spiritual ISKCON temples and devotees that keep our temples
master to save us fallen blinded souls. Being born in running and devotees united in serving humanity.
the material world with my own past karma having On this appearance day I pray you to bless me
played out its role sometimes can be harsh but hav- and guide me on my on spiritual journey so that I
ing taken shelter under your divine lotus feet has may be of service to your dear devotees.
been so merciful. I am grateful for you coming to
this world and starting the ISKCON movement and Your servant,
I am so happy to be part of it. I’m grateful for all the Bhakta Mayuran Pillay
McKayla Carstens 4 My Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Sandton Please accept my most humble obeisances at your glorious lotus feet.
South Africa
WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU? I shudder at the wrote such a beautiful book, which brings me to
thought. By your mercy, I have met the sweet, soft tears mostly every time I read from there. His love
hearted devotees of Radha Krishna. I am forever for you shines through every page like the sun, illu-
indebted to you, your disciples, and every person minating and melting the ice around my heart. By
who has ever helped me to come closer to Krish- the mercy of your dear disciples, I pray to love and
na. I can only pray to follow in the footsteps of such serve you as much as they do, and to deepen my grat-
great devotees. itude and surrender to you.
Nectar of Devotion says that if a person receives As long as I can continue to contribute to your
the association of a pure devotee and becomes expanding transcendental shelter- the Internation-
attracted to Krishna in that way, then he is very for- al Society for Krishna Consciousness, I will consider
tunate. I am incredibly fortunate to have received my life a success. Otherwise, what is the use of my
your association through your books and lectures, existence here? Please keep me always at your lotus
and by serving your murti form. feet, and let me remain determined and enthusiastic
This year I have come to understand you, and to serve you in your Divine mission. In a letter to one
your relationship with your disciples, with a lit- of your disciples, you wrote: The explanation given
tle more insight. Your disciple, Srutakirti Prabhu, by Ramesvara that sankirtana is Lord Caitanya’s

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
lila, which he compares to the gopis trying to engage schools, assisting with decorations and set-up for
others in Krsna’s service, is the correct understand- programmes and festivals, painting deities, man-
ing. By your mercy, thousands upon thousands of gal aarti and guru puja offering, pujari backup ser-
souls have been given the opportunity to take part vices (garlands, ghee wicks, ironing), Harinam, and
in the lilas of the Lord, in this world and in the next. book distribution. The Bhagavad Gita classes are
We often hear how you built a house that the whole going very well- the children are very enthusiastic
world can live in. Thank you for allowing me to live to hear and chant, and ask excellent questions. At
in your temples, which have become my home. You the temple, we are going to build a beautiful home
have given me every kind of shelter. I researched the for Tulasi Devi. Some personal services that I have
most remote places in the world, to check if Krish- begun offering under Maharaja’s guidance, include:
nas devotees have shared Krishna Consciousness assisting with South Africa’s Ecovillage projects,
in such places. Thus far, I have not found a place on assisting with Krishna Conscious children’s educa-
earth where Krishnas holy names have not been tion systems within South Africa, and creating art-
sung. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada! works of Radha Krishna and Their associates. My
Mostly, thank you for giving me my spiritual most personal service to you is distributing your
master, who is my shelter, guide, guardian and inspi- books, a service which brought me closer to you
ration. I finally have direction and clarity. It amaz- from the very first day. I pray that I can continue to
es me that even after so many births in the material distribute your books as long as it is possible for me
world, only now am I really realising that it does not to do so. I offer all of my services at your lotus feet.
matter where in the material world I am, as long as I have no doubt that the demigods are praying
I can serve and please my beloved spiritual master, to take birth here on Earth, just to relish your Divine
His Holiness Partha Sarathi Goswami Maharaja. By association. What great austerity and prayer must
the mercy of guru and Krishna, I will be receiving one observe to attain your merciful glance? What
initiation within the next few months. I pray I can great penance must one go through to attain you as
please you by becoming your grand-disciple. By the their son? You are an ocean of Srimati Radharani’s
mercy of my spiritual masters, my bhakti lata bhija mercy. All glories to you, your disciples, and your
will surely grow towards Krishna’s lotus feet. I can Divine mission Srila Prabuphada! Please shelter my
never repay the mercy I have already received, but I soul under your lotus feet eternally.
pray that my service is pleasing to you.
I have remained at ISKCON Sandton for about With sincerest gratitude
two years now, continuing with services including; Your servant,
taking care of Tulasi Devi, managing Krishna Kids McKayla Carstens
department, teaching Bhagavad-Gita classes at local

& Other Devotees
Mohini Murti Bharuth 4 Dear Srila prabhupada,
zz
Cape Town
South Africa
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS and

making it so easy to get back to Lord Krsna, I pray Your servant,
that I take advantage of all the resources you have Mohini Murti Bharuth
provided me with to be able to come to you.
Mukunda Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to you Srila Prabhupada on your 125th Vyasa-puja anniversary.
SRILA PRABHUPADA at one time a disciple asked you: without your incessant mercy upon us. After all
“You said that one gets devotional service if they what adhikari or ability do we really have?
have done all these spiritual practices. But in my Appreciating the rarity of devotional service
life when I look back I don’t see any such qualifica- and your causeless mercy, I pray that I can somehow
tions, how did I get devotional service?” Srila Prabh- at least attain the level of sincerity in my continu-
upada you replied: “I made your good fortune for you” ation of serving you and attempt in being of some
Your reply is so true Srila Prabhupada. Where value to your ISKCON mission.
would we be without this good fortune, where I pray Srila Prabhupada that you continue to
would we be in this world or creation, what would nourish ISKCON so that the spiritual health of ISK-
have become of our existence here had you not cre- CON can continue to flourish.
ated this fortune for us. No amount of effort, deter-
mination, enthusiasm or even the ability of trying Your most unappreciative recipient of good fortune,
to understanding the concept of devotional ser- Mukunda Das
vice would have been effective in our endeavour
Mukunda Datta Das 4 Hare Krishna dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz

South Africa All glories unto your divine lotus feet.
THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN OFFER you, for you have You are that wonderful magical person, the
Krishna— you have everything, and you have the mantra-upasaka who has brought Lord Krishna all
power to give Krishna to others. Somehow I was for- over the world. I cannot imagine a life now without
tunate enough to come into contact with your dev- Krishna consciousness and association of the devo-
otees and this beautiful Hare Krishna movement. tees, all of whom are your followers. Nothing in this
My life has been completely transformed, just like entire movement can move without you because
everyone else who comes in contact with you. we all rest at your divine lotus feet. Our spiritual

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
masters are our links to you, and by service to them, you for everything.
we are able to connect with you.
Thank you for giving us such wonderful oppor- Your eternal servant of the servants,
tunities to return home, back to Godhead. Thank Mukunda Datta Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Nadiya Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Johannesburg

All glories unto your Divine Grace. South Africa
THIS PAST YEAR has been like nothing I have ever As our well-wisher, you kindly sent forth your
witnessed before, a year scourged by unprecedent- sons and daughters to continue to enlighten every
ed turmoil and people afflicted with despair and sleeping soul; how proud you must be to witness
devastation. Yet through all this, your ISKCON has their tireless endeavours to please and serve your
provided a refuge of spiritual solace and guidance; mission.
thank you! There is no limit to the mercy and grace that
Srila Prabhupada, you always conclude your your ISKCON offers.
letters with the famous words “Your ever well-wish- I know that I could never repay this debt, so I
er,” and I see how apt it is. Being a well-wisher, your humbly submit myself to your lotus feet and pray
words help navigate our way through material life that despite my many flaws, you always keep me
turbulence and offer us a glimpse of spiritual reality. close to your lotus feet and rein me in when I wander.
As our well-wishers, you are conscious of our I am eternally grateful to you, Srila Prabhupada,
struggles and aspirations and mercifully guide and for being my ever well-wisher.
protect us from difficult situations.
As a true well-wisher, you supply a constant Your struggling granddaughter,
downpour of causeless mercy to uplift our con- Nadiya Devi Dasi
sciousness and contemplate eternal truths (tattva).
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Namacarya Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet. Honeydew
All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to your ISKCON. South Africa
ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY of your divine appear- some very senior sons and daughters of Your Divine
ance I pray to you to shower me with your mercy, I Grace. We also lost the association of some of your
know I am underserving but I am a mercy case. It grand disciples.
is almost two years now that the COVID-19 is caus- Although the whole world is in a hopeless situa-
ing an obstacle to our sadhu sanga and Temple wor- tion but we as devotees are getting darshan, classes
ship standard are adjusted to the bear minimum. and japa programmes digitally. We seem to be in a
Most importantly book distribution and preaching better situation than before because we are daily lis-
is adversely affected. We are very sad that we lost tening to classes and chanting our rounds together. I

& Other Devotees
also helped a little towards devotees completing their ISKCON and the wonderful devotees.
Bhakti Sastri degrees. The past year saw the most
number of devotees completing their degree not only Your unworthy servant,
in South Africa but other parts of the world as well. Namacarya Dasa
Praying to always be in the shelter of your
Nanda Maharaja Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Yasodamayi Devi Dasi Please accept my humble obeisances.

Pietermaritzburg All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa
RECENTLY MY SPIRITUAL MASTER HH Bhakti Caitanya when HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja delivered
Swami Maharaja told us disciples in an online class a class from Bhagavad-gita As-It Is at the Heath-
that we should pray as follows: “Oh Lord please give er Secondary School. Maharaja presented such an
me the intelligence to see how fortunate I am”. authentic lecture that jolted me from maya. I was
I have certainly taken this to heart and through amazed that an African bodied person had so much
this prayer of gratitude I am really able to see how Vedic knowledge to offer. When I met and listened
very fortunate I am. Guru Maharaja also told us we to my eventual spiritual master HH Bhakti Caitanya
should not forget where we got our Krishna con- Swami Maharaja as well as HH Partha Sarathi Das
sciousness from. I clearly remember a softbound Goswami Maharaja I was also amazed that these
light-blue copy of Teachings of Queen Kunti in our non-Indian persons were presenting Vedic teach-
house sometime late in 1975 or early 1976. This mer- ings in such an appealing manner. I became really
cy arrived in our home just after your visit to Piet- attracted by their purity. These personalities actu-
ermaritzburg on 12 October 1975, I was 13 years old ally introduced you to me Srila Prabhupada. It was
and never bothered to read the book. The material then that I was convinced that ISKCON was my real
world offered far more entertainment to a 13-year- home. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada, all glories
old than reading a book which had such a long name to your loving disciples.
for an author: “His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta I am indeed very thankful for the mercy you
Swami Prabhupada”, so I thought. and your disciples shower on me Srila Prabhupada.
After graduating through the school of hard I am privileged to render personal service to you at
knocks I began a search for spiritual relief and in the ISKCON Pietermaritzburg.
late nineties, I was fortunate to attend a class by His On this day of your Vyasa-puja Srila Prabhupa-
Grace Rohininandana prabhu, a first cousin, having da I wish to express my deep heartfelt gratitude to
being encouraged by another relative who was also you and your disciples, to you for building a house
a work colleague. This was followed later by a Jan- in which the whole world can live and to your dis-
mastami public program. Real interest captured me ciples for opening the doors to this house for fallen

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
conditioned souls like me. Please bless me with
intelligence to always appreciate my good fortune Your grand disciples,
Srila Prabhupada. Nanda Maharaja Dasa and Yasodamayi Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Nandanandini Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. Cape Town
All glories to you on your 125-year birthing celebrations, and the most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, this year marks 125 years of your picture. As soon as this medium saw your picture,
most auspicious appearance. On this day, it was she at once exclaimed, “you are going change this
declared by the astrologer that you would become world”. This medium could also see that you are not
a sannyasi and travel across the ocean to preach. an ordinary person.
Everyone was so happy to hear such good news. In Srila Prabhupada, your divine activities and
the years to come, not only did all this become a pastimes would only prove that you are the sena-pa-
reality, but it also became a spiritual revolution. ti bhakta. Your divine appearance is not by accident
Once, when asked in an article written by or karmic activities, but by the will of the Supreme
Bhavin Kataria (2013), “Is Srila Prabhupada’s appear- Lord. So, you are no ordinary person. The Lord per-
ance and activities predicted in scriptures? If so, sonally sent you to us and, in time, we can under-
please tell us where?”, it is written that Srila Prabh- stand your eternal relationship with the lord.
upada did not claim that his authority for preaching Srila Prabhupada, your divine activities have
came from scriptural prediction but merely from led to so many extraordinary incidents which made
the parampara system and instructions from his me realize how profound these daily glorifications
spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati of you are:
Thakur. His purpose to present Krishna conscious-
ness is based on sadhu-guru-sastra. sri guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu,
In the same article, it describes Lord Caitanya lokanath lokera jivana, ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho
Mahaprabhu’s plan to spread Krishna conscious- more pada-chaya, ebe jasa gusuk tribhuvana
ness in India, and then He says He will personally
send his sena-pati bhaktas to spread bhakti, “devo- “Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, friend of
tional service”, to other parts of the world: poor, and lord and master of devotees. O master! Be
merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus
prithivete ache yata nagaradi grama feet. Your fame is spread over the three worlds.”
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama You are our lord and master. I have seen how
much love and care devotees feel for you. They have
Srila Prabhupada, later on, your unique position given up attachment to the material world to con-
could be seen by many. I was reading an article by tinue your preaching mission. But sadly, some of
a devotee. Her mum had taken a picture of you to your soldiers have returned to you. We understand
show a medium who was her friend. Although she they are yours to help whenever you need. Besides
was chanting, she still had a lot of faith in this medi- the ones that have taken shelter of your divine lotus
um and had some good experience with her. She feet, there are others that unknowingly received
wanted to see this medium’s reaction on seeing your your mercy.

& Other Devotees
A while ago, a devotee was relating a story of a spiritual master, a person can get the mercy of the
how he came across a village in a remote area. He Lord. So amazing!!!
was doing book distribution. He came across one Srila Prabhupada, there are so many more won-
house in the village. An old lady lived there. When derful incidents of how your mercy has changed
she saw him, she looked very scared. At once, she people’s lives. I feel so lucky and fortunate to have
asked if he came to collect a book. He was stunned taken shelter of your divine lotus feet and to be a
as he had never been here before. Later, the lady part of your ISKCON. Your footprint remains for-
explained that a few years back another devotee ever in my heart. I know being so fallen and condi-
had come by selling books. It was a difficult time tioned, I cannot fully glorify you according to your
as she had just lost her husband and was lonely and divine position.
sad. Although she could not read the book, he gave Srila Prabhupada, I pray that you can please
a Krsna book. He told her that whenever she was accept this meagre offering and allow me to contin-
feeling distress, she should hold the book. So, many ue taking shelter of your divine lotus feet.
years later, she still held the book and kept it at her
bedside table. The devotee looked at the placing of Your most fallen granddaughter,
the book and realized that it looked like a murti of Nandanandini Devi Dasi (disciple of His Holiness
Srila Prabhupada, although the picture of the Lord Bhakti Caitanya Swami)
was on the other side. We understand only through
3
Narahari Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
and Family Please accept my humble obeisances.

Yellowwood Park, Durban All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL for your great sacrifices and immense literature, what to speak of your astute dis-
huge endeavours you have made just for the benefit ciples and great grand disciples. They epitomize and
of the whole of humanity, what to speak of us insig- glorify you in so many ways... Thus, Bharath has now
nificant practicing devotees! engraved your achievements in their currency. No
Millions of dandavats and obeisances to your one else can claim an accolade of this nature... just
lotus feet for opening our eyes and hearts with the for the pleasure of their Lordships Radha-Krishna.
shining lamp of knowledge which destroys the igno- Thus, we all, as beggars, timeously offer our humble
rance born of darkness. Amidst the attack from this obeisances and dandavats, and always seek shelter
unforeseen worldwide pandemic, Covid-19, many at your lotus feet. Our earnest prayers to their Lord-
have suffered in one way or the other, but you, Sri- ships Radha-Krishna are to allow others to take shel-
la Prabhupada, have given us the anecdote to heal ter of the holy names too!
from within via the shelter of the holy name. Thank you kindly, dear Srila Prabhupada, for
It was a tumultuous task to spread this anec- thinking of us fallen and insignificant souls in these
dote worldwide, but you single-handedly master- trying and wicked times of Kali-yuga!!!
minded the Krishna consciousness “brand” to every
town and village in the world. Your love for their Your most fallen servant of the servants of the
Lordships Radha-Krishna flows like the Ganga servants...
through every town and village worldwide via your Narahari Das and Family

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Narrottam Das
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your Lotus feet. and Radhangi Devi Dasi
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious event of your Vyasa-puja. Durban
South Africa
THE VEDIC SCRIPTURES SING THE GLORIES of the acarya world, given by the order of your spiritual master
and our guru parampara is surely beyond compare, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura Swami
but the transcendental beauty of personality just Prabhupada. You carried the dignity of the Gaud-
stands out pulsating, dynamic and strong, deliv- iya sampradaya all over the world. Even when you
ering the message of Lord Sri Caitanya. Bold, ded- had nothing you maintained a positive attitude and
icated and brave you are the perfect master Srila remain fixed in Guru Nistha knowing that all suc-
Prabhupada. cess will come in faith of guru. Today we beg a drop
All the expertise of language cannot do justice of your mercy to develop guru nistha so that we can
in extolling your greatest gift you have given to this make simple progress in our Spiritual life.
material world. What can one say to Glorify you Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
that has not already been said a million times more
proficiently how many garlands of praise can even Your most fallen servant of the servant,
glorify you .You carried the message all over the Narrottam Das and Radhangi Devi Dasi
Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda, 4 Nashvin Gangaram

zz
Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. Durban
All glories to Your Divine Grace! South Africa
THIS YEAR, I FELT LIKE THANKING YOU for some things simply by eating!
that I usually take for granted. Thank you for firmly establishing the purpose
Thank you for creating a worldwide family, of my life. Without this, any accomplishments or
where even strangers can be delighted to see each endeavours would be ultimately meaningless.
other, just because of their mutual connection to Please continue bestowing your favour upon
you. me even though I do not deserve it.
Thank you for the impact you have had on my Also, so many of your followers are presently
personal family members. It is so wonderful to have suffering with their physical and mental health.
the close association of loving people who are also Please take special care of them as they face these
inspirational and beneficial to our spiritual lives. difficulties.
Thank you for prasādam. In a world where so
many are sadly going hungry, we are not only nour- An aspiring servant of your loyal followers,
ished, but we are also making spiritual advancement, Nashvin Gangaram

& Other Devotees
Neeraj Maharaj 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Phoenix All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada, on your most glorious Vyasa-puja.
South Africa
UNFORTUNATELY, SRILA PRABHUPAD, we do not have pandemic to subside and give us the strength and
much to offer you as we could not engage in book the ability to carry on distributing your books.
distribution as we have done previously. Please for- Thank you again and again, Srila Prabhupad.
give us, Srila Prabhupad. Due to spiritual weakness,
I did not have the faith and determination to distrib- Your servant,
ute books amid the pandemic. Neeraj Maharaj
Please, by your grace and mercy, allow for this
Nikunja seva Das 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Chatsworth Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of your Sri Vyasa-puja.

SRILA PRABHUPADA, I am very grateful to Your Divine others.

Grace for allowing me to reside at one of your homes, Srila Prabhupada, you mentioned that 90% of
and giving me the privilege of devotional service. In our advancement in Krishna consciousness is based
this time of the pandemic, where people are restrict- on association, this is most difficult for me, and I
ed from going to their places of worship, I am very can never get it right - it’s like a razors edge, one
fortunate that by your causeless mercy, I can still slip and you can cut yourself. Please help me Sri-
come to your morning programmes and be able to la Prabhupada so that I can get it right in this one
render devotional service. It is very easy to become lifetime and not to want to come back to rectify the
complacent in one’s practice and to also become same fault.
over familiar. Please help me to remain focused and Srila Prabhupada, I am very indebted to Your
not to get side tracked. Divine Grace for everything that you have given us,
Srila Prabhupada, on days like these your mer- and for making our lives so simple and easy to prac-
cy is more easily accessible, so I pray to Your Divine tice spiritual life.
Grace that you bestow your mercy upon this most Eternally indebted to Your Divine Grace.
fallen conditioned soul so that I may be able to dive
deep into your books and be able to churn the nec- Your unworthy granddaughter and servant,
tar, and also to be able to give this good fortune to Nikunja seva Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Nilacala Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Gqeberha
All glories to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Ṭhakura. All glories to you. South Africa
A FEW MONTHS AGO, I saw you in a dream. You were that we should chant a minimum of 16 rounds of
teaching a large group of people in a packed stadi- japa every day. The word minimum stresses that 16
um how to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in rounds are the goal, but we shouldn’t stop once we
the dream. It seemed as though the event was adver- have reached that goal.
tised as a kirtan program. You took your time to Another example of this is how you fulfilled
make sure that the audience pronounced every sin- your promise to your spiritual master of spread-
gle syllable of the mantra correctly and kept empha- ing Krishna Consciousness worldwide. You did not
sising that we should say it with meaning. You did stop once you had achieved this but continued on
this for a very long time. It seemed like hours and in service to him. Success was not enough. Mastery
hours of making sure that everyone got it right. At was the ultimate goal. This made me realise that in
some point, I became frustrated as I was waiting for that dream from a few months before, you wanted
the kirtan part to begin, but it never came. I woke to teach me and others that were present that we
up and went on with my day while trying to figure should take the time to master the basics before
out the meaning of that dream. moving on.
Recently. I was researching a project I was My dear Srila Prabhupada, thank you for always
working on, and the difference between success teaching me by example and showing me the way.
and mastery was being covered. The speaker spoke This is what makes a true spiritual master.
of how success was the arrival at a specific goal and
that mastery was going beyond that and not just Your aspiring servant,
stopping once you have reached that goal. This got Nilacala Devi Dasi
me thinking about why you have always stressed
My dear Srila Prabhupada, my spiritual father, 4 Nilesh Luckhoo

zz
Please Accept my humble obeisances. Cape Town

IT IS Father’s Day today and the small offering that wish that I can have more attraction to Krsna and
I have is to thank you for setting such a wonder- His devotees and less for engaging my sense in mun-
ful example for us by leading and actually practic- dane life. Please guide me to follow your instruc-
ing what you preach. Please be merciful to me and tions through the scriptures and your books.
family so that we can follow in your footsteps by Thank you so much for all the sacrifice that you
hearing the instructions and immediately acting on have made so that we could have Krsna conscious-
them. You have never wasted any of your precious ness in our lives. We would be lost without you.
time engaged in material activities, you are fully
absorbed in love for Krsna. You are the perfect exam- Your insignificant servant,
ple of what a devotee of the Lord should be doing. I Bhakta Nilesh Luckhoo

& Other Devotees
Nimai Mistry 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Johannesburg Please accept my most humble obeisance’s at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to your divine grace on this most auspicious occasion of your 125th Vyasa-puja.
SINCE YOU GAVE US ALL THE INFORMATION about Krsna Thank you for all the mercy and your blessings
within your books, we can learn about Krsna in this that you give us. Please continue to give us your mer-
way and for this, we love you so much. cy and your blessings to always remember Krsna and
You have taught us so many things like how to never forget Him.
cook for Krsna, how to honour Krsna prasadam, how
to do arati, how to pray, how to play instruments Your aspiring servant of the servants,
and so much more. Nimai Mistry (5 years old)
Niroshan Govinde 4 DEAR MOST GURU, I’m devoted to thee.

zz
Phoenix Dear most Guru, I’m devoted to thee.

South Africa A surrendered soul I’m bound to be
With all my heart, my mind, my body.
Casting myself across your path,

An instrument of your will, is all that I want.
Your precious feet, the key to bhakti,
That which distributes so much mercy-
Krishna’s loving grace,
His tousled ecstasy.
Straight to my heart, your sweet words speak.

Helter-skelter, the material desires flee.
Tis only through your compassionate reach
Our hopes and desires, we can achieve.
My resolve impelled, I’m bound to your feet,

Overwhelmingly.
Oh the dear-most Guru,

I wish to serve infinitely.
In the Vedas his virtues
Extolled eternally.
Through loving devotional service
Our ignorance erased,
Our hearts enlightened,
Our vision is raised.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Oh my friend that’s true, my well-wisher the dear-most Guru,
An ocean of mercy you permeate, the fallen souls you extricate.
Inundated with love and care,

You are indeed the life of all, especially of those who bear,
testimonials of your fame.
Give us the sagaciousness to proclaim,
As your eminence resonates,
throughout the three worlds, it never abates.
If I could just get shelter, under your lotus feet.

An instrument of yours, I entreat.
Serving Sri Krishna, my devotional service replete.
Dear most Guru, I’m devoted to thee.
Dear most Guru, I’m devoted to thee.
A surrendered soul I’m bound to be
With all my heart, my mind, my body.
Niroshan Govinder
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Nithin Prakash Gukhool

zz
Please accept my humble and heartfelt obeisances at your lotus feet. Quatre-Bornes
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. All glories to your wonderful ISKCON. Mauritius

I WISH TO EXPRESS my deepest sense of gratitude for Our world now stands in the midst of a cata-
the knowledge, values and culture of devotion that clysmic turn of events, as you have often predict-
you have spread in this world under the order of your ed would happen. We are now imploring your mer-
Guru Maharaj and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. You cy so that we can be the change that the whole
have spread the authentic teachings of the Srimad world wants to see in the future and hence usher
Bhagavatam, which describes the Science of God in in a new enlightened world where purity and devo-
full detail, and you have also spread the activities of tion is not a rarity but is more and more plausible.
devotion, helmed by the pure chanting of the holy Kindly bestow your mercy upon us so that we may
names, the topmost method of deliverance in this continue to be empowered to spread the teachings
Kali-Yuga. We will always remain indebted to you of Sri Krishna into this world to contribute to its
for planting the seed of devotion in our hearts! betterment.

& Other Devotees
On your Vyasa-puja day, I wish to congratulate Hare Krishna! All Glories to Sri Guru and
you for all your divine efforts in contributing to the Gauranga!
deliverance of the fallen souls of Kali Yuga and beg Dandavat pranams
for your mercy and eternal guidance so that we
may continue to remain solidly situated in Krishna Your humble servant and son,
Consciousness and serve your mission. This would Nithin Prakash Gukhool
make our lives undoubtedly successful in every way!
Nitya Seva Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Rasa Sundari Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances on this auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
Johannesburg All glories to your Divine Grace.
South Africa
SO OFTEN WE WONDER what we did to deserve a place not for you and your merciful guidance, we would
in your home. You have accepted us open-heartedly, not be able to see this path.
sharing your mercy with us so freely even though we Everywhere in the world we can find people
are so undeserving of it. It does not come natural- who are inspired by you and your way of preaching.
ly to us to find the right words because none of our How wonderful it is to be part of ISKCON, a place
words would ever be able to express how grateful we where we can call home, where we have family that
are that you gave us shelter, protection, and uncon- so warmly accept us and love us. Thank you dearest
ditional love. No one can estimate your glories or the Srila Prabhupada for giving us shelter.
depth of your devotion and attachment to Krishna. Thank you for nourishing us and for being
You are always engaged in chanting the holy name our lifeline. All glories to you on your Vyasa-Puja.
of Krishna and this chanting gives so many of us May your glories be known to all. Today we pray to
encouragement. Your words often envelop us and always think of you and offer you our words, our
sweep us up in the mood of Vrindavan, taking our service, love and our life. Today we pray to be your
minds and meditations so easily to the groves along servants deeply in heart, not just in body. Thank you
the bank of the Yamuna. We cannot comprehend for being so merciful, loving and inspiring.
the depth of love that flows with each recitation of We pray to develop unflinching faith in your
the Maha Mantra, but we do see its effects on the orders so that we may properly serve your lotus feet.
conditioned souls like us who hear it and become We pray for your mercy to chant the Holy Name with
inspired. love so that we will never give it up no matter what
We were lost but somehow, we always felt your happens.
presence like a golden thread that kept everything Please allow us to always take shelter of your
together, always offering us some hope. We know lotus feet.
that the path of devotional service is not a straight-
forward expressway, but a beautiful winding path Your humble servants,
with many hooks, turns and crossroads that require Nitya Seva Devi Dasi and Rasa Sundari Devi Dasi
careful attention and consideration, and if it were

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Nityananda Das
zz Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Your Divine Grace! Vasudha Devi Dasi
All glories to your disciples! Durban
South Africa
ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY of your appearance 6. Expert (Daksa)
anniversary, we would like to acknowledge our eter- 7. Friendly (Maitra)
nal indebtedness, gratitude and appreciation to you! 8. Faultless (Nidosa)
You have provided us with all the means to 9. Grave (Gambhira)
practically perfect our lives in this lifetime. In the 10. Kind to everyone
current times we find ourselves in, there is much 11. Magnanimous (Vadanya)
distress and anxiety. Even under these circumstanc- 12. Merciful (Krpalu)
es you continue to provide guidance and a way out 13. Mild (Mrdu)
of dealing with distress. In the purport to Srimad 14. No material hankering be satisfied with Krish-
Bhagavatam 3.16.37 you mentioned “When some- na’s presence in your heart, and don’t collect
thing is arranged by the Supreme Personality of more than you need. (Aniha, Akincana)
Godhead, one should not be disturbed by it, even if 15. Non-def iant, never quarrel with anyone
it appears to be a reverse according to one’s calcula- (Akrta-droha)
tions.” “Seeing all these reverses affect devotees, one 16. Peaceful (Santa)
should not be disturbed; one should simply under- 17. Poetic (Kavi)
stand that in these matters there must be some plan 18. Pride less – meek and humble (Amani)
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Bhāga- 19. Respectful – well-behaved; respect, love, serve
vatam’s conclusion is that a devotee is never dis- all big and small (Mana-da)
turbed by such reverses. He accepts even reverse 20. Sane (Apramatta)
conditions as the grace of the Lord. One who con- 21. Self-Controlled (Vijita-Sat-Guna)
tinues to serve the Lord even in reverse conditions 22. Silent- no nonsense speech, gossip, prajalpa.
is assured that he will go back to Godhead, back to Speaks of Krishna (Mauni)
the Vaikuṇṭha planets.” For us, this is proof that you 23. Simple—always be sincere, straightforward in
will live forever in your books. heart (Sarala)
More and more, we are coming to appreciate 24. Steady – remain f ixed in truth, Sri Krishna
your exalted and exemplary position. Your charac- (Sthira)
ter is perfect, and you possess divine qualities of a 25. Surrendered to Krsna completely (Mat- sarana)
pure devotee: 26. Truthful (Satyasara)
Thank you for building a house in which the
1. Clean (Suci) whole world can live in.
2. Charitable – give to others, do good to all Thank you for facilitating us to take shelter of
(Sarvopakaraka) your disciples and thereby be connected to you.
3. Balanced-Eater – only eat what’s needed (Mita- You have given us everything.
Bhuk). “Eat to live - Don’t live to eat” Thank you!
4. Compassionate (Karuna)
5. Equal in material happiness or distress, fame Your servant of your servants
or infamy (Sama) Nityananda Das and Vasudha Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Noleen Durgapersadh 4 Dearest Srila Prahupada,
zz
Durban Dandavat pranams Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa Please accept my obeisances at the shelter of Your Lotus feet.

TODAY, 20 JUNE 2021, is Fathers’ Day. I am reflecting disciples and grand disciples. I desire to always
on how fortunate I am to have you as my eternal serve in your mission, ISKCON, distributing your
father, grandfather, mentor and hero. You are the books, spreading the Holy names, and engaging in
most magnanimous universal father to hundreds of many other services. I humbly request you to please
thousands of devotees around the world. Your sac- bless me in these endeavours, and to always allow
rifices and contributions to saving humanity and me to stay in the shelter of the association of your
advancing the course of spiritual life is unparalleled devotees and your ISKCON.
in the history of mankind. You have given meaning, Thank you so much Srila Prabhupada. Happy
purpose and direction to our lives so we could live Vyasa-puja. Hare Krsna.
civilized, regulated lives as aspiring devotees of Sri
Radha Krsna. Aspiring to be a servant in service to your servants
I will always be grateful to you for saving me and your ISKCON,
from further material entanglement by elevating Noleen Durgapersadh
the purpose of my life through the mercy of your
Nrshima Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

South Africa
THANK YOU for bringing my family and I into your only devotees can give.
Krishna conscious family, you saved us from going Again, on this most auspicious day of your Vya-
to hell by your teachings. We can’t thank you enough sa-puja Srila Prabhupada thank you very much for
for what you have done with your books and guiding changing our lives.
the whole world in the right direction.
You have changed the lives of many people, just Your grand disciple,
by your lectures you taught us to associate with Nrshima Das
devotees so we can listen to Krishna katha which

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Padmanabha Das
zz Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. All glories to Sri Sri Gaura and Padmavati Dasi
Nitai Hari. All glories to Your Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Lenasia
South Africa
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda
WE WOULD FIRSTLY LIKE TO THANK YOU for creating Your words have helped my family and me during
ISKCON and the Vaishnava community. During this tragic time.
the last month my family and I had tested positive Thank you once again for creating ISKCON, a
for COVID-19, but due to the prayers and mercy of home we all live in harmoniously.
our guru maharaj, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Hare Krsna.
Goswami, Bhakti Caitanya Maharaj and the Vaish-
nava community, we managed to recover from Your loving grand disciples, Padmanabha Das and
COVID-19. Padmavati Dasi
My Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Parama Karuna das

zz
Germiston, Johannesburg
South Africa

THANK YOU for allowing us to be in the Hare Krishna We want to distribute 125 books packs as an
movement. Thank you for giving us so many books offering to you. Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
to read.
Your humble servant,
Parama Karuna das

& Other Devotees
Paramatma Dasa 4 My dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
South Africa All glories unto you, the saviour of the fallen souls.
WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO YOU for being part of the and the loving and humble devotees who are serv-
disciplic succession, spreading Krsna consciousness ing under the temple and who have spread your
so wonderfully, and spreading the glories and teach- teachings.
ings of Sri Krsna. I was fortunate to have come across such won-
Your disciples are also spreading Krsna con- derful devotees who have helped me to understand
sciousness very nicely and lovingly and are always our purpose in life and how we can be closer to Sri
determined to awaken the lost souls that have for- Krsna. I pray that by your blessings we won’t take
gotten Krsna. birth again but to serve Sri Krsna selflessly in his
Your books and writings have always captivated loving abode.
me and help in strengthening my faith that Krsna
is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that we Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
are meant to serve him.
You have started an amazing ISKCON that has Your servant of your servants,
been established for this purpose, to spread Krs- Paramatma Dasa
na consciousness. We are most grateful to ISKCON
Paramisvara Das 4 Hare Krishna dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Paramisvari Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances as we bow down to the dust at your divine lotus feet.
King Williams Town All glories to His Divine Grace Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. All glories to Your Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa
WE ARE HUMBLY WRITING TO YOU to wish a very happy more than ever before. Your books are reaching out
Vyasa-puja on this most auspicious day of our lives. further and further as people are in a crisis situation
We beg you at your divine lotus feet to please accept and have become thirsty for answers. Your divine
this very simple offering of our love and gratitude. books have all the answers, and we simply present
Never in our wildest imagination would we it to them, and they eagerly take them.
have ever thought that a worldwide pandemic Unable to make close contact with people due
would be such a blessing to us. Isolated from each to this pandemic, a lot of hidden ideas have sur-
other and unable to get physical association of all faced, and book distribution is continuing very nice-
your loving sons, daughters and grandchildren, we ly without endangering ourselves and others. We
were forced to associate with them all through tech- are unable to even get direct darshan of the deities,
nological means. This has proven to be most glori- but now, thanks to the wonderful devotees in the
ous. Now we are getting far more association and temples who send live video footage and pictures,

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
we are able to get darshan of the deities through- Due to our dull intelligence, we cannot f ind the
out the world. appropriate words to describe our gratitude to you.
Your divine power is really surging through all We once again beg you to please accept this very
your disciples who are in turn connecting that ener- simple offering. Thank you dearest Srila Prabhupa-
gy to us to serve your divine mission. We thank you da. Hare Krishna
so much our dearest Srila Prabhupada. You are our
Lord and master, and we are lifeless without you. Your lowly and insignificant servants of your dear
Tears flow from our hearts as we relish beautiful servants,
thoughts of your sweetest presence in our lives. Paramisvara Das and Paramisvari Devi Dasi
Thank you, thank you thank you Srila Prabhupada.
To our dear father His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, 4 Paravyoma Dasa
zz
and Puspasara Devi Dasi

importantly chanting and remembering the names Pretoria
of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krsna. Thank you, our South Africa
WE CONSIDER OURSELVES MOST UNFORTUNATE to have beloved father, for your endless mercy, even in these
taken birth in this material world and most fortu- trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic, you have
nate to have received the Lord’s mercy, your divine allowed us to serve you, we cannot even try to truly
blessing and the loving association of the Vaish- express the gratitude we feel.
navas in this lifetime. Thank you, dear Srila Prabh- You have distributed the most precious gift of
upada for opening our eyes and enabling us to see. the spiritual world to humankind. This auspicious
It is still so mesmerizing, how you have been so occasion of your 125th birthday anniversary serves
merciful to the entire world, such a selfless soul. The as a reminder that we; your grand disciples are the
thought often crosses our minds: What did we do to instruments in spreading Lord Caitanya Mahapra-
receive the mercy of such an exalted, pure soul and bhu’s mission, in every town and village and by your
what would have become of us had we not received causeless mercy this will be achieved.
the mercy of your disciples? Srila Prabhupada ki jai.
The entire world is in distress, but we have
no fear as you have given us the ultimate edu- Your most fallen and undeserving servants,
cation, which is to read, understand and apply Paravyoma Dasa and Puspasara Devi Dasi
the Lord’s instructions in our daily lives. Most
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Patita Pavana Nitai Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. Durban
South Africa


& Other Devotees
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at
Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who His lotus feet.”

“Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiri- very connected to you Srila Prabhupada. I pray to
tual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswa- continue performing the service and become more
ti Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message enthusiastic without being proud.
of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western
countries, which are filled with impersonalism and In that way I can get the favor of Your Divine
voidism.” Grace, your guru maharaja and rest of the disci-
plic succession. To survive in this material world, I
I FEEL SO FORTUNATE to be part of the Internation- strongly feel we need the mercy of our predecessors.
al Society for Krishna Consciousness. By coming Thank you Srila Prabhupada for giving us your
in contact with the society, a person can gradually Bhaktivedanta purports, your qualified disciples
develop love for Krsna, simply by following the sub- and followers, the amazing Temples, etc.
lime process of bhakti-yoga. Currently the world is faced with a pandemic,
ISKCON and Your Divine Grace are nondifferent. which you are aware of. The association of devo-
You are an ocean of mercy, because you mercifully tees are not so easy to get and access to the temple
established ISKCON to bring all the fallen souls back is limited. Your transcendental books are guiding
to our real home, Goloka Vrindavan. me to build a temple in my heart. Your wonderful
You are extremely merciful because you gave us and compassionate son, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda. has kindly taught Bhakti Sastri and guided me and
Srila Prabhupada, you are a genuine and autho- many other devotees during these trying times. By
rized ambassador of the spiritual world. It’s difficult your mercy via the Vaishnava, we all are still getting
to describe a personality like yourself because you dosages of Krsna consciousness. Now we are blessed
are magnanimous. with a new book titled ‘I’ll Build You a Temple: The
I am amazed with your humility and authori- Juhu Story’ by HH Giriraj Swami, who is very dear to
ty; you never took credit and always acknowledged you. The book that you wanted, is now available for
your guru maharaja. That’s a sign of a humble per- the world. Maharaja is kindly making your glories
son, he doesn’t want to be recognized. known via this great book.
On your auspicious Vyasa-puja I am meditating Srila Prabhupada, I pray to continue being a ser-
on my service to you. I have developed some attach- vant of your servants. That’s all I want.
ment to book distribution and harinama.
I realized by performing these activities, you Happy Vyasa-puja.
will be pleased, because your spiritual master, His
Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabh- Trying to be a real follower,
upada is very fond of transcendental book distribu- Patita Pavana Nitai Dasa
tion. From my experience of book distribution, I feel

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Paul family
zz Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. Cape Town
South Africa
THANK YOU FOR SPREADING KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS scriptures in so many languages and explaining the
all around the world. We are grateful that we can go meaning of Sri Bhagavad Gita.
anywhere around the world, visit an ISKCON Tem- Srila Prabhupada, please continue to keep your
ple where we can pray and sing the maha-mantra. merciful glance upon us and show us the way for-
We are grateful that our children can also know ward with Krishna consciousness.
about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krish-
na through ISKCON and your books. Thank you for Your servants,
translating the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Paul family
Caitanya Caritamrita, and so many other Vedic
Dear Srila Prabhu, 4 Prabha Durgapersadh

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Durban

South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA WAS MAGNANIMOUS in the tru- He radiated pure unalloyed compassion for us.
est sense of the word, as his gifts to the world were Srila Prabhupada’s mercy is inconceivable and
unlimited and filled with tremendous spiritual val- unlimited. Prabhupada, our ever well-wisher. I
ue. He gave us a wonderful philosophy to live by and offer my respectful obeisances to him a thousand
knowledge of our true spiritual identities, as well as times. Thank you Srila Prabhupada , for without you
beautiful Deities to worship, the Holy Name to chant , I would be in eternal anxiety , stress and engaged
and delicious Krsna prasadam on which to feast. in material sense gratification. Your teachings , phi-
Srila Prabhupada asked nothing for himself, losophy and unconditional mercy, love and writings
but simply that we give this opportunity to others, are a priceless gift which I revere and treasure.
refrain from sinful activities and chant Hare Krsna.
In this way, unselfishly giving of himself at every Your aspiring servant,
step. Prabha Durgapersadh
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Prabha Durgapersadh

zz
Please accept my humble obeisance’s. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. Durban
South Africa
THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN QUITE A ROLLERCOASTER jour- took over the world bringing down every econo-
ney for me as aspiring member of your Illustrious my and creating uncertainty in the lives of people.
ISKCON. I together with a group of 12 devotees took over the
Firstly, we had this Covid-19 pandemic that entire deity service program which was prior to the

& Other Devotees
pandemic equipped with 180 devotees, this was very The coming together of so many devotees
trying and all we did was chant and serve to ensure that prayed and cried for HH Bhakti Charu Swami
that the deity service would not be compromised showed the ISKCON that you created to the full-
very much. We had to reduce the standard to be est extent, the love, the outpouring of grief and the
able to manage. ability for the members all over the world to come
The most difficult part was trying to manage together to show support and be able to support
the f inances, which we expected to stop due to each other and all the disciples of HH Bhakti Cha-
many persons not earning an income, however I ru Swami.
have seen that Lord Jagannath personally makes I am grateful to be in your ISKCON and I see the
his own arrangements for his service and due to merit of having a collective management system
the Lord’s causeless mercy, we were able to receive that you insisted on and how this can hold together
donations that allowed us to serve. in times of need.
The second shock was losing my dear Guru Thank you Srila Prabhupada for allowing me
Maharaja, HH Bhakti Charu Swami, his sudden to be a part of your society and on this most auspi-
departure due to the Covid-19 virus was unbear- cious day of your appearance, I pray that you bless
able to me as an individual and I have struggled me to always stay in the service of HH Bhakti Charu
with his loss. Even today it is hard to accept, it took Swami, because through that service, I will be able
quite some time and many senior devotees’ glorifi- to serve you through your loyal and devoted son.
cation to come to an understanding that you, Srila
Prabhupada needed HH Bhakti Charu Swami for Your most insignificant servant of your servant,
some more important service than was needed here. Prabhanu Das
Pranayini Radhika Dasi 4 Hare Krishna dearest Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Verulam Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of Your divine lotus feet.
South Africa
HAPPY VYASA-PUJA Srila Prabhupada. As I journey Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for all your effort. We
into the treasure chest of your Vedic literature books remain ever indebted to you.
you left behind for us, I remain ever mesmerized. I
have never come across such information. There Your insignificant grand disciple
is still so much for us to do. Every book of yours Pranayini Radhika Dasi
is full of gems unheard of before. Glories to you
Prema Datri Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Germiston, Johannesburg Please accept my humble obesiences. All glories to you.

South Africa
I want you to know how much I appreciate and feel so honoured by your mercy you are bestowing upon

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
us daily. I am so fallen and feel so insignificant with Thank you Srila Prabhupada for carrying me
all my faults that I cannot look at you but at the same and my boys through our ordeals in 2020 till now.
time I cannot be without your company. Just hear- We wouldn’t have got through this if it was not for
ing your voice gives me strength and great comfort you and our Supreme Lord Krishna’s mercy. Words
and I feel I can overcome any anxiety that comes cannot express my gratitude and love that flows
my way. You know what I am thinking and by your unconditionally for you.
grace my questions are answered. Thank you for always taking care of me and my
This bond that I have developed with you boys and all your other devotees.
amazes me because I feel your presence and guid- May we always have your blessings and mercy to
ance which puts me on another platform because I always follow your rules and regulations and to
feel privileged like I have my father by my side and spread the holy names and teachings.
nobody can touch my feelings. I haven’t felt this
close to anyone before you. This is such a secure Unconditional Love - Your servant
feeling that I know and feel. Prema Datri Devi Dasi
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Premarani Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Lenasia
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU from the bottom of my me. I sincerely thank you for them and beg for your
heart for the causeless mercy you have bestowed forgiveness for my offensive mentality.
upon me. I have no qualification yet you allow me to Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
chant the holy names of the Lord, honour prasadam,
associate with Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita and the Premarani Devi Dasi
devotees. These are the jewels that you have given
To my dearest grand-spiritual master Srila Prabhupada, 4 Premika Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Lenasia South

South Africa
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE that you brought Krishna receiving my spiritual name, performing bhakti-yo-
consciousness to us, spread the message of Lord ga, pulling Lord Jagannath’s chariot, relishing prasa-
Chaitanya around the world, and made us devo- dam, learning the mrdanga, and also making friends
tees. If it were not for you, we would not have known with very nice devotees.
who Lord Krishna, Jagannath, Baladeva, Lady Sub- Dear Prabhupada, I’m forever indebted to you.
hadra Maharani, Lord Nrsimha, Panca-tattva, the
asta-sakhis, and also my Guru Maharaj are. Haribol!
I would not have been chanting Hare Krishna, Premika Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Priya Darsini Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
South Africa Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
I AM ETERNALLY INDEBTED TO YOU for the mercy that nice arrangements for me to serve. By your mer-
you have bestowed upon me. You rescued me from cy I was able to give class, something that I never
this fallen world and guided me on my path in Krish- thought I could do.
na consciousness. You sent one of your disciples to You continue to shower me with good fortune
also help me on this path, HH Bhakti Charu Swami. and keep me in Krishna consciousness. I pray that
You personally trained him in Krishna conscious- you continue to help and guide me.
ness and with your mercy he had accepted me as
a disciple. Your most fallen servant,
You have given me the opportunity to serve the Priya Darsini Devi Dasi
Deities and serve the devotees. You have made such
Priya Malini Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Midrand Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you.

South Africa
A Vaisnava is para-dukha-dukhi ..
guru and Sri Krsna. It is such a joy to read your books.
BECAUSE A VAISNAVA FULLY TAKES SHELTER of the Reading your books is like going on a new adventure
Supreme Personality of Godhead ,he personally every day and discovering precious gemstones not
has no problems , but because he is compassionate of this realm.
toward the fallen, conditioned souls , he is always Words from my insignif icant self are inade-
thinking of plans to save them from their hellish quate to glorify you. But, I offer my repeated obei-
life in this body and the next. ( SB , Canto 6 ,Ch. 1, sances at the dust of your lotus feet and I salute you
text 6 - purport ). O’ senapati of Sri Krsna.
Although the purport is in context to Pariksit All glories to your ISKCON. All glories to the
Maharaj it aptly refers to you, Srila Prabhupada. You devotees of ISKCON who are serving tirelessly
are a Vaisnava, a living Bhagavat. Your entire life is to continue your legacy. May ISKCON grow from
evidence of this. strength to strength.
You have made and are still making indelible
impressions in my life creating positive transfor- Your insignificant grand servant,
mations so that I can become a worthy servant of Priya Malini Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada 4 Pundarika Vidyanidhi Das
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace. Durban
All glories to your BBT. All glories to your ISKCON. South Africa
ON THE MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Vyasa-puja, I compassion for us. Your generosity and kindness to
beg to offer my sincere appreciation, gratitude and mankind are unfathomable and quite beyond rea-
thanks for the exemplary contribution your divine son and compare.
grace has made to help every living being with a Srila Prabhupada, please bless us that we may
guaranteed chance of becoming enlightened, and be able to aptly understand the instructions in your
a good hope of going back to godhead. books and act accordingly, and in so doing we way
You have invested so much of your time, ener- benefit ourselves and all those around us. I firmly
gy and health in compiling these books without believe that this will please you most and probably
any desire for recognition, praise or reward. The make you proud.
effort is simply your affection and compassion for All glories to your kind, compassionate, merci-
all the living entities - regardless of color, creed or ful and ever-caring nature.
qualification.
As I read and hear your divine grace more Your ever-aspiring servant
every day, I am overcome with affection and attach- Pundarika Vidyanidhi Das
ment to your divine grace for your unparalleled
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Purnendu Krishna Das

zz
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace. Chandramukhi Radhe Devi Dasi
All glories to your ISKCON and your sincere empowered followers. Gaura Gopal
Midrand
ALL GLORIES TO YOUR MOST COMPASSIONATE NATURE of your lotus feet and engaged us in pure devotion- South Africa
as you continue to awaken the sleeping souls, lift- al service. You gave not only the most confidential
ing them up through the mercy of the disciplic suc- and potent means of purification but the opportu-
cession. You gave the chanting of the holy name, nity to be situated in our original spiritual position
palatable, transcendental literature and continue and develop a loving relationship with the Supreme
to guide us on the path of pure devotional service Personality of Godhead through pure devotional
through your instruction and personal example. service. The measure of this great gift can never be
You continue to distribute this fruit of devotion- fully understood.
al service indiscriminately just as Sri Caitanya In these uncertain times where there is dan-
Mahaprabhu did, with full faith in our disciplic suc- ger at every step, you still make it possible for us
cession, you lift us up from our diseased condition. to serve in new ways with all the facility that you
You continue to give, expertly cultivating the many kindly bestow upon us. You teach us the value of the
receptive souls for the priceless gift of pure devo- principle of Yukta-Vairagya, especially when self-
tional service and even when there is ingratitude or ishness is so prevalent in times of crisis. Thank you
offences, you still shower your mercy unrestricted- Srila Prabhupad for all the facility you blessed me
ly. All glories to you, dear most associate of Sri Cait- with and I pray you continue to bless me with the
anya Mahaprabhu for you have given us the shelter intelligence and greater facility to better serve you,

& Other Devotees
the Vaishnavas and the mission. In a letter to Visala example how we should endeavor with confidence.
Dasa, 16 June 1969, you highlighted that we should Through various trials, you taught us to be patient
at every moment be engaged in serving Krishna and and trust in Krishna’s mercy. You gave us the per-
his pure devotees with the result being us becom- fect programme to become regulated, fixed and to
ing purified in Krishna Consciousness as Krishna advance in Krishna Consciousness. Your various
is always willing to shower his mercy and we just instructions become clear as we tread this path of
have to be receptive to this mercy by devotional bhakti. Through these lessons, I am grateful for the
service. Vaishnava seva and preaching are very strength you give to abandon envious association
dear to my heart, as you know, and yours togeth- and grow with purpose. Please continue to remove
er with my spiritual masters inspirational exam- the many obstacles in our path and guide us in our
ple, is what drives me. You always provide timely decision making to better serve you. I pray to always
guidance for our growth, knowing our heart and follow in your footsteps and pray to fulfil the many
I am grateful for this. In this way you remain cen- instructions you gave for the onward growth of our
tral and personal in our life. Thank you for work- society. I pray the present and future generations
ing through my cherished mentors and guiding me will cooperate, appreciate and follow the structures
through their instruction and example. Thank you of spiritual authority that you set out and continue
for blessing and empowering your followers as they to empower. I pray there may be oneness in purpose
embrace technology to preach to a broader audience. to follow and please you.
This service offering is a great source of spiritual We have so much gratitude for your matchless
strength and inspiration for many bereft of physical gifts and remain forever indebted to you for this
association. Please bless these great souls with all and all your sacrifices. Your legacy will live on and
success in their preaching efforts. As much as the be carried forward by your dedicated and sincere
pandemic has robbed us, we have gained so many followers. Please empower us to always remain the
opportunities to make advancement in the associ- servant of the servant of the servant of Lord Krish-
ation of devotees we would not have had the good na and to always remain humble while endeavoring
fortune of engaging with. This is all by your mercy with all faith. You are my lifeblood, a ray of hope, the
as you manage our wellbeing in all circumstances. one I turn to in every situation. I pray we are forever
Thank you for making this possible so we can con- engaged in pure devotional service in your ISKCON
tinue to cooperate and collaborate to drive the mis- and always have the shelter of your lotus feet. Please
sion forward. You taught us when there is no ulterior bless and protect over my family, our material and
motive or personal ambition then there is certain- spiritual lives whilst empowering us so we can uti-
ly oneness in purpose and agreement of principles. lize every facility in growing the preaching. Please
You are the source of inspiration and energy for continue to shower your mercy and blessings so we
all your followers and the many to come. I pray all grow in quantity and quality remaining eternally in
the generations to come will know you as their lov- your service as instruments of your mercy. Thank
ing spiritual father through a relationship like no you for our ISKCON family and thank you for keep-
other as you lovingly reciprocate their loving senti- ing us all united in purpose. We love you and pray
ments. You are our ever well-wisher in every sense, to remain,
an expert spiritual gardener, cultivating, directing
and nurturing us. Your main concern is always for Your insignificant servants, Purnendu Krishna Das,
our wellbeing and advancement in Krishna Con- Chandramukhi Radhe Devi Dasi and Gaura Gopal
sciousness. You showed us by your enthusiastic
3

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krishna dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Pushpavelli Soobraya
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Chatsworth
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of your Sri Vyasa-puja. South Africa
I WANT TO THANK YOU Srila Prabhupada, for every- in. Srila Prabhupada, I love you - from the core of my
thing. I pray, that by your mercy, I can develop a sin- heart to your lotus-feet.
cere, profound mood of gratitude for you and that I
remain forever indebted to your lotus-feet. I beg you Servant of the servant of the servant of the Vaish-
to please enable me to stay within the confines of navas, Bhaktin Pushpavelli Soobraya
your home, ISKCON, that you built for us all to live
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Puspamalini Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Lenasia
I AM INDEED THE GREATEST FOOL and rascal for taking grateful for your causeless mercy. I beg that I may
your mercy for granted all these years, however you become a worthy servant of your servants and the
never gave up on me. Your magnanimity knows no ISKCON family that you have built.
bounds. Thank you for teaching us practically and
philosophically the true purpose of life, and giving Your insignificant servant,
us the simplest process to achieve it. I am eternally Puspamalini Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Pyari Mohan Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Olivedale

All glories to your Divine Grace. South Africa
THE BASICS OF YOUR TEACHING was the paribhasa sutra primary 64 qualities in full. Lord Krishna satisfies
from the Srimad-Bhagvatam: ete camsa-kalah pum- all of these completely.
sah krsnas tu bhagavan svayam indrari-vyakulam Let us offer our complete obeisances, surren-
lokam mrdayanti yuge yuge (SB 1.3.28). der and respect to him, and reject Mayavad philoso-
Although there are many personalities of God- phies which claim that all is one, all is God, and that
head like Rama, Varaha, Vishnu, etc., and although those demigods mentioned above are also Supreme.
there are many powerful demigods like Brahma, This can be simply done by chanting: Hare Krish-
Rudra, Indra and Durga, Lord Krishna himself is the na Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare
original personality of Godhead, the svayam bhaga- Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Thank
van. As you have taught us, for one to be bhagavan, you for giving us this holy name.
one must have the six opulences of beauty, strength,
wealth, renunciation, fame and knowledge. And, for Your servant,
one to be svayam bhagavan, he must have all of the Pyari Mohan Das

& Other Devotees
Raam Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
and Chandrika Devi Dasi Kindly accept our most humble obeisance at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
Durban All glories to your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, YOU TAUGHT US by your example transcendental literature.

and left for us a magnitude of transcendental knowl- We humbly pray to you to keep us forever under
edge through your nectarian spiritual literature, the shelter of your lotus feet as our Guru Maharaj,
which is second to none on this planet. His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, always reminded
We are so fortunate to have taken shelter under us: “no matter what happens, never leave ISKCON.”
your lotus feet in the family of ISKCON. Please show-
er your blessings upon us so that we can help in With loving gratitude and dandavats from your
Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan movement to spread the grand disciples,
holy names of the Lord and the distribution of your Raam Das and Chandrika Devi Dasi
Radha Bhakti Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Toshan Krsna Dasa The founder-acarya of ISKCON, our dear grandfather.
Durban
South Africa nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta

Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His
lotus feet.

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktis-
iddhanta Saraswati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord
Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with imper-
sonalism and voidism.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU, for giving us Krsna con- We became inspired to join ISKCON, after hearing
sciousness. We are very grateful to your transcen- your glories. It’s you, that changed our lives and sent
dental books, it’s our saving grace. By studying them, your enthusiastic and compassionate followers to
one can develop love for Krsna and His devotees. our home.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Although we was faced with challenges, your life Thank you Srila Prabhupada, words cannot express
story gave us hope in this material world. how grateful we are to you. Because your glories is
Your love for us, is incomparable. Therefore, unlimited.
you are the general of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Praying to stay in your divine shelter.
sankirtan movement. Which is mentioned in the
Vedic literature. Your servants
Radha Bhakti Devi Dasi and Toshan Krsna Das
Beloved Srila Prabhupada, 4 Radha Damodara Das,

zz
Please accept our most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace on the occasion of Bhaktin Ashika
your Sri Vyasa-puja 2021. and Radhika
Durban
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale South Africa
As one offers a little Ganges water to Mother Ganga In the purport, you have written Srila
in worship and honour, so Srila Prabhupada, each Prabhupada:
year we focus on a specific wonderful quality of your It is stated in this verse that bhakti dissolves
munificent gift of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the world, the subtle body. The spirit soul has two coverings
in honour of Your Divine Grace. This year marks – subtle and gross. The gross body is composed of
the grand occasion of your 125th appearance anni- earth, water, fire, air and ether. The subtle body is
versary. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for allowing composed of mind, intelligence and ego. Of the eight
us to be a part of your great society, ISKCON. It is material elements, five are gross and three are sub-
a society filled with wisdom, grace, real opulence tle. We cannot see the subtle, and the soul is even
and love. Everyone in the world is seeking a life of more subtle. Anyone with eyes can see the body, but
deep meaning, fulfilment and love, and the life of not everyone can perceive the soul, the actual per-
Kṛṣṇa consciousness offers this and more. Our sol- son. When we understand that the soul, or the per-
emn duty is to spread your munificent teachings as son, has left the body, we cry, “Oh, my friend has left.”
far as possible. We can perceive that the body is there, but some-
thing is obviously missing. Thus one’s friend is actu-
Quoting Teachings of Lord Kapila, text 33, ally different from the body. At the present moment
when we say, “This is my friend,” we refer to the body,
jarayaty āśu yā kośaṁ but that is simply the vision of an animal. Animals
nigīrṇam analo yathā think, “This is my dog friend, and this is my mother
dog.” They cannot see beyond the gross body. Sim-
Bhakti, devotional service, dissolves the subtle body ilarly, we cannot see the soul, and if we cannot see
of the living entity without separate effort, just as the minute soul, how can we hope to see God with
fire in the stomach digests all that we eat. these blunt eyes? We cannot actually see one anoth-
er. How, then, can we hope to see God? It is stated:

& Other Devotees
ataḥ śri-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indri- presentation as you have given, Srila Prabhupada.
yaiḥ. “Material senses cannot appreciate Kṛṣṇa’s Your love for Sri Kṛṣṇa is boundless and your kind-
holy name, form, qualities and pastimes.” ness to make everyone into Kṛṣṇa’s devotees is lim-
The depth of knowledge of the Vedic wisdom is itless. This combination has been a benediction to
unfathomable and gives precise and perfect answers the world. It is evident, while it may seem that only
about the spiritual reality. You have made this wis- a small percentage of the world population are actu-
dom accessible through your compassionate yet pro- ally devotees, that your teachings and your society
found presentation and through your mercy, many has changed the world for the better in many ways.
persons can easily understand this great knowl- Thank you Srila Prabhupada for the rich life of
edge. How will modern scholars ever understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and for your great and con-
that in order to stop the cycle of birth and death, stant kindness upon all of us. We will continue
or to stop a life of constant anxiety, one has to van- to increase our determination and effort to serve
quish the material subtle body? And in order to van- Kṛṣṇa and distribute your books more.
quish the subtle body, one must perform devotion-
al service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Your insignificant servants,
There is no concept, even amongst so called great Radha Damodara Das, Bhaktin Ashika, and
philosophers of ancient Indian wisdom. Nobody Radhika
has provided such a lucid and compassion-drenched
Radha-dyuti Dasi 4 My Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet again and again. All glories to you on the most auspicious occasion of your
South Africa Vyasa-puja.
ONCE MORE I HAVE THE FORTUNATE opportunity to glo- A wonderful post that I had recently read was
rify you on this wonderful occasion but yet again, I that of His Grace Sri Nathji Prabhu. He was relaying
find myself constantly at a loss. There are those dev- the story of his last interaction with You and how he
otees who are philosophically adept and then those was driving you to the train station on your journey
who serve you with their whole being and even still back to Vrindavana. Your compassion was so great
there are those devotees who possess both these that even at the time when you were ready to leave
attributes. But for myself I possess neither and there- your body you still called for him, thanked him and
fore my offering is particularly lacking. even left your garland for him on the steering wheel.
Recently in a class, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Such is your compassion, Srila Prabhupada.
Das Goswami spoke about how Yogamaya ensures I also appreciate all that you have done to
that those with prema who have come to assist the ensure that the women in ISKCON are given the
Lord with his preaching mission here on earth, are opportunity to advance and participate in all the
covered so as not to leave this material body out of glorious activities you have inaugurated over the
separation from the Lord. I found that to be so beau- years. His Holiness Giriraja Swami related a pastime
tiful and profound and remembered how, out of your in Bombay of how you, Srila Prabhupada, would
causeless mercy, you chose to stay longer with your have the matajis ride to programs in your car while
disciples even though physically you had endured the men took rickshaws, indicative of your protec-
much hardship. tive nature towards the women in ISKCON. One

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
such illustrious disciple is Her Grace Yamuna-devi “Internally, they remembered His association within
dasi. Her love and devotion for you translated into their hearts, and externally Uddhava helped them
her deep faith, taste for the Holy Name, and also in associate with Krishna by his conclusive instruc-
the perfection with which she lived her very life. tions.” I hope to one day associate with you, Dear Sri-
During this pandemic we have often been la Prabhupada, through your instructions and have
bereft of the good fortune of much needed person- pure attachment for your sublime words.
al Vaisnava association. It is through this reality that Praying to be a worthy recipient of your bless-
we are gradually coming to understand the impor- ings and favour.
tance of the devotee’s instructions, and how this will
help relieve us of these longings. The Lord shows An aspiring servant of the servant.
by his personal example in Krishna book where- Radha-dyuti dasi (PSDG)
in Udhava is speaking to the Gopis and it is stated,
3
Dear Srila Prabupada, 4 Radha Mohan Das

zz
and Syama Mohini Devi Dasi

Tongaat
South Africa
THANK YOU FOR APPEARING in this world to save us Even during these trying times of the Covid-19 pan-
from this material attachment even though you demic, we have been distance from the Lord and the
had to face so many difficulties, travelling to the association of his devotees, but we are still kept in
west to bring Krishna to us. You so selflessly and association with you through your books, and by the
bravely travelled to do what few other persons has Lords mercy we will one day be fortunate to once
ever attempted, with your faith and dependance on again be in the association of the Lord’s devotees.
Lord Krishna. You have delivered so many souls and Thank you Srila Prabhupad for always inspir-
you are still delivering so many souls through your ing us through your books, causeless mercy and
books. You have left with us so many teachings and blessings.
so many lectures that are all helping us to go back
to Godhead. Radha Mohan Das and Syama Mohini Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Radha Radhanath Das

zz
All glories to you dear Srila Prabhupada. Durban/Cape Twon

All glories to the devotees. South Africa
I WANT TO THANK YOU for all that you have done for directions and has mainly affected my sister. I know
the souls of this world. My father and I are trying we are not supposed to be attached to family, but if
our best to spread the name of the Lord, but due to that is the case, what is the point in taking the form
Covid-19, we can only have a namahata on a Sun- of a human body? Only animals forget their families.
day. Unfortunately, karma is attacking us in all

& Other Devotees
So I decided to set my goals, and I am working Your servant, who grew up with the love of a father
hard for them. I do not want to live in this cycle of supported by my sister and granny,
suffering anymore. I ask for your blessings, dear Sri- Son of Rasaraj Das (disciple of Partha Sarathi Das
la Prabhupada. Goswami),
Radha Radhanath Das
Radha Raman Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Priya Kishori Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Durban All glories to you, Your Divine Grace.
South Africa
HAPPY SRI VYASA-PUJA , Srila Prabhupada. In our gen- and having the opportunity to connect with your
eration, it is the first time we are experiencing a spiritual family around the world allows us to appre-
pandemic and during these tough times, we are so ciate you and understand your greatness even more.
grateful to you for giving us the knowledge to get Thank you for passing down this knowledge to us
through this. You have given us the knowledge and and for giving us examples to follow through you
understanding that these types of situations are and our senior devotees who have fully surrendered
only temporary and that our time should be used to you.
in service to Sri Krishna and serving the devotees. We are so grateful to you for sending us our
Your legacy lives on around the world, no matter spiritual masters and we beg for your blessings to
what the situation is. become an instrument in their services to you.
Over the last year, we have taken shelter of Sri-
mad Bhagavatam and it has been a revolution in our Your servants, Radha Raman Das and Priya Kishori
spiritual life. Somehow, by your mercy, our lives are Devi Dasi
being slowly centered around Srimad Bhagavatam
Radha Sharana Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa
THE COMPASSION YOU HAVE SHOWN to us is unfathom- merciful, that even though you are not physically
able and incomparable. You are ara-duḥkha-duḥkhī, present anymore, you still continue to save the con-
always aggrieved about the distressed condition ditioned souls from this life of suffering.
of the living entities. So much so in fact that in a It is difficult to understand how much you have
conversation between yourself and Sampat Kumar saved me from the burning fires of this material
Bhattacarya you declared: world. But being as fallen as I am, I am unable to
“Even when I leave, I will keep continuing tak- fully appreciate this wonderful opportunity I have
ing their suffering, and make them free so they can to serve your ISKCON movement.
keep chanting Hare Krishna.” I pray that you will guide me, so that whatever
Thank you dearest Srila Prabhupada, for being so little service that I am able to offer will somehow

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
be pleasing to you.
Thank you for kindly bestowing your glance of Begging to eternally remain in your service,
mercy upon me. Radha Sharana Das
Hare Krsna dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Radha Thakurani Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Somerset West
South Africa
THANK YOU SRILA PRABHUPADA again and again for Please guide this fool and teach me so that I can eter-
accepting me into the parampara lineage. Eternally nally and humbly serve the devotees. Your books,
indebted at your lotus feet. This year on your 125th talks and quotes inspire and strengthen me greatly.
birthday my heart ever longs for a drop of your mer- I pray to increase my devotional service for the next
cy. How fortunate that earlier this very year on the year as an offering at your lotus feet .
auspicious Gaura Purnima I received harinam ini- Happy 125th Krsna conscious appearance. Your
tiation. It was truly blissful and forgive me for tak- presence is ever felt yet ever missed and still the
ing so long. Your mercy keeps flowing through your greatest gift to humans. Thank you Srila Prabhu-
strongest soldiers and my fortune is multifold for pada for being so merciful and compassionate to us
having Bhakti Caitanya Swami as my spiritual mas- most fallen souls. Miss you dearly but feel your love.
ter. Please bless me Srila Prabhupada to serve him
in the best possible way so he may continue to serve Your foolish servant,
you so nicely. Radha Thakurani Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada. 4 Radha Vinoda Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisance at your lotus feet. Durban

South Africa
ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY I wish that your glory I love you very much and all Glories to your Divine
spreads all over the world and everyone honours grace.
you in every town and village. Srila Prabhupada I
thank you for all you have done for me. Giving me Your servant,
the opportunity to chant the holy name of the Lord. Radha Vinoda Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Radhadarshani Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Sandton All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
South Africa Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.

DEAR SRILA PRABHUPADA, because of your causeless Your dream was to spread Krishna Conscious-
mercy, fallen souls like me have the valuable gift of ness throughout the world, and today we can see
Krishna bhakti. You gave us the most precious gift of your dream is coming true. I will try my best to keep
Krishna prema. Srila Prabhupada, you are so loving fulfilling your dream in every capacity that I can.
and kind to all fallen souls that you sacrificed day Thank you, dear Srila Prabhupada, for giving us shel-
and night to write so many books, not only for our ter at your lotus feet.
benefit but for the entire universe, so that everyone
can progress in Krishna Consciousness and learn Your eternal servant and granddaughter,
how to go back home. Radhadarshani Devi Dasi
Radhakund Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Douglasdale Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari. All glories to you, dear Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your beloved spiritual master His
Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, upon whose instruction you mercifully brought Krishna consciousness to the
West!
SRILA PRABHUPADA, this is the second year that the more than ever how dangerous and miserable this
world is experiencing wave upon wave of the relent- material world is.
less Covid pandemic. We have sadly lost many of Prabhupada, those of us who have chronic ill-
your beloved children and grandchildren due to the nesses are suffering even more during this pandem-
pandemic. As the pandemic continues its momen- ic. Lack of medication and lack of treatments have
tum, it has become a time to reflect deeply as to why made our physical situation extremely challenging.
we are continuously in such miserable conditions Prabhupada, all these miserable challenges have
in this material world. Prabhupada, you had once given me a strong impetus to end this cycle of birth
remarked that we could be dancing and singing and death. As your beloved son, His Holiness Bhakti
with Krishna, instead we are in this material world Tirtha Maharaja once said: “When you have a debil-
rotting like dogs and hogs! We can now personally itating condition, it gives you the opportunity to
see how this is unfolding throughout the world. In reflect and realise that this material world is not so
India, people are dying in the most heart wrench- nice after all! And that this material body is not so
ing manner. Sometimes, the deceased cannot even nice after all!”
get a decent cremation. Prabhupada, this pandemic Prabhupada, in your book titled The Match-
has lifted me out of my comfort zone, and I realise less Gift, I came across this beautiful and heartfelt

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
plea to Krishna: “My Lord Krishna, I was forgetful of with which Kadama Kanana Maharaj sings, even his
You for so long, for so many lives. Now I have come harmonium appears to dance in beat to his singing!
to consciousness; please accept me”. Prabhupada, And he is the only sannyasi who appears to dance
this has now become one of my daily prayers. I pray even whilst sitting and singing and playing on his
that soon I will imbibe the spirit of this beautiful harmonium. Even his head continues to appear to
prayer. Now, I am trying even harder to develop my be dancing in ecstasy with the intense heartfelt
love for Krishna in this lifetime, so as to be eligible kirtan!
to be delivered at the lotus feet of Krishna at the end Prabhupada, on this auspicious day of your Sri
of this lifetime. Vyasa-puja, I feel deeply grateful and indebted to
Prabhupada, we regularly take association, your ‘matchless gift of Krishna consciousness’ to us,
with the aid technology, of the kirtans on YouTube. whereby we can be permanently removed from this
Your dear sons, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana miserable and dangerous cycle of birth and death
Maharaj and His Grace Agnideva Prabhu contin- and attain Krishna’s lotus feet.
ue to give us wonderful glimpses of the singing and Prabhupada, I beg of you to please give me your
dancing that we can attain in Goloka Vrindavan. mercy and blessings to continue to find innovative
Their melodious kirtans continue to create waves of ways to distribute your books and Back to Godhead
ecstasy for hundreds of devotees packed in temple magazines, and thereby give Krishna conscious-
rooms to full capacity, during pre-Covid-19 times. ness to other souls. I beg you to please give me the
The intensity with which your dear sons sing the strength to cling to your lotus feet, through my phys-
holy names continue to give all of us ripples of ecsta- ical challenges.
sy throughout the world as we get absorbed in the His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada ki jai!
singing of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. It gives
us tiny glimpses of what we could experience by Your indebted granddaughter,
singing and dancing with Krishna once we have Radhakund Devi Dasi
attained Goloka Vrindavan. Actually, the intensity
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Radha-Priya Chivers

zz
Rondebosch
South Africa
I BOW DOWN BEFORE YOUR EMINENCE and thank you more) temples is only due to your mercy. I pray
for bringing me to the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Your that you guide me in the correct direction that will
presence in every temple guides us in our attempts allow me to attempt to worship the Supreme Lord,
to worship the Lord. Without your sacrif ices, I Sri Kṛṣṇa.
would not have the fortune to gaze at the beauti-
ful deities in every temple I visit. The upliftment of Your humble servant,
humanity through the establishment of 108 (and Radha-Priya Chivers

& Other Devotees
Radharani devi dasi 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa
you are my only shelter and saving grace. My life
DEAR PARAM GURU, you are the embodiment of mercy would be lost without you and I would be drown-
for you have appeared just to save this whole world ing in an ocean of misery. Thank you for picking me
by giving us Krishna consciousness and your ISK- up from this ocean of suffering and bestowing your
CON movement. You have so kindly saved me from causeless mercy on a fool like me.
a life of darkness and ignorance. Even though I’m
undeserving of so much of your mercy over the years, Praying for your eternal shelter,
you still kindly engage me at your lotus feet. I may Your grateful granddaughter,
not know much, but whatever little I do know is that Radharani devi dasi
Radhe Radhe Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
South Africa
ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS OCCASION of your 125th Many people now are gradually understanding that,
Vyasa-puja, we reflect on the good fortune that you yes, there is ‘someone out there who is in control’,
have presented us with by rescuing us from this con- and this is a wonderful opportunity to enlighten
ditional life and directing us in our spiritual path. them on the gems presented in your Vedic literature
As conditioned souls, daily life presents so - which supplies the answers to all their questions.
many challenges, but when we resort to the simple When people receive your books, this food for
methods of chanting, hearing and remembering thought nourishes their spirit soul - and this is what
Krishna in all that we do, all of these so-called chal- you initiated - this process of enquiry has been ignit-
lenges become surmountable and we can resume ed by the preaching mission of ISKCON.
our activities in this material world. The panacea for society lies not in the most
By your special mercy you have bestowed upon recent advancement in medical science but in the
us the rare opportunity of devotional service to wealth of knowledge presented in your Vedic litera-
Krishna, thereby steering us further in our spiri- ture, since the literature teaches us how to develop
tual path and like the expert boatman, you have our relationship with the most important person -
ensured that your literature would remain to guide Lord Krishna.
us through the darkness of this material world - Thank you for opening our minds to our curious
which as you said is only darkness - dispelled by nature - to question for instance, the landing of man
the rise of the sun and the moon. on the moon. We all were taught this in our schooling
From the Sri Isopanisad, we are reminded of the careers as the truth then. So much more is currently
Ishavasya principle, which establishes the Supreme happening in society, you have equipped us with the
Personality of Godhead, Krishna, as the Supreme knowledge to understand that we must not accept
controller and owner of that was, is and will be. all that is presented to us by the so called present day
leaders but to turn to your books for the solutions.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
In this desert of our material existence, our In terms of preaching, there is so much more that we
thirst is quenched by the association of devotees - all can do and so much to do, but every contribution
which nowadays has been mainly by online media. made will contribute to a lot of progress in this path
When people reach for their mobile phones of preaching. Every little helps.
rather than a book, it’s comforting to note that we We humbly beg that you continue to shower
can encourage these people to search for spiritual your mercy on us, unqualified souls,
sites and knowledge so they can have the correct
association which will enhance the positive ener- Your eternally grateful grand disciple,
gy globally. Radhe Radhe dasi
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Radhika Kripa Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Gauteng

OVER THE PAST YEAR I have developed a deeper appre- It is often very easy to get caught up with the
ciation for your books. The current world pandemic temporary aspects of career, social standing, wealth,
may have forced us to be physically apart from many and even the number of services we may be doing
of our loved ones and from the devotees but, it has but the key ingredient that has given meaning to
certainly given us an opportunity to associate with life and to service is Krishna. It is so wonderful to
you through your books a lot more. In a way technol- be engaged in devotional service, but if we do not
ogy has bridged the gap between provinces, coun- understand why we are engaging in the service it
tries and even continents in the sense that simply becomes like any other philanthropic exercise. Sri-
by logging onto a zoom call, or any such platform we la Prabhupada you had said:
can easily connect. It has been so beautiful to con- “You are restless because you don’t read. I am
nect with many devotees over scripture, an experi- laboring so hard for you, but you don’t take advan-
ence that I very much look forward to every time. I tage…Take advantage of these books! Then your life
just never know when a devotee is going to say that will be successful.”
something that almost holds up the mirror to me, {SB 2.9.6- 14 lecture, Tokyo, 2 May 1972}.
forcing me to introspect and examine myself, the This statement really made an impact on me as
quality of my character, as well as my sadhana. After I came to realize that through reading your books I
all that is what Krishna consciousness is about, the begin to understand why I need to follow the rules,
art of self-realization. Not just any kind of self-real- and why I am trying to engage in devotional service
ization of what my talents and skills are but who am despite all my anarthas and layers of conditioning.
I really? What is my true self? The books give us the ‘why’. There has to be a reason
True self is really servant of Krishna, but we are that propels us to act in the ways that we do. In the
so covered by the different modes of material nature practice of bhakti, it is love that propels action. That
and the muck of conditioning that it is often diffi- is what prema-bhakti means, devotional service in
cult to understand who we truly are as spirit soul love of Godhead. Love is action. Many times, it is dif-
and servant of Krishna, for that is the most blissful ficult to even begin to comprehend this relationship
state of the soul. that we are trying to build with Krishna. Krishna is

& Other Devotees
unlimited, transcendental to the modes of nature, Srila Prabupada through your books we receive
all pervading and the most loving person we could so much of inspiration to continue on this path of
ever know. Yet, as the jiva we are the complete oppo- bhakti and to remain inspired on this journey back
site and by taking to this path of practicing sadhana to Krishna.
bhakti through vaidhi bhakti we slowly start peel- It is a tough journey, as there is so much work,
ing away the conditioning and shedding the anar- we have to do on ourselves to even be slightly eli-
thas, as difficult and painful as it may be, so that we gible to receive the mercy of Krishna, the mercy of
can connect more and more with our true identity guru and the mercy of sadhu.
as servant of Krishna. But I have also come to understand that even
In Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.24 purport it states though I may be really unqualif ied there is so
that much to look forward to in spiritual life, you just
“Svādhyāyam means that one should keep going deeper and deeper and there is no end
study Vedic literature according to his individual to the unlimited depth of the exhilarating beau-
ability and also teach others”. “Specifically, ty and emotion that comes with trying to practice
one should study those books which increase one’s bhakti-yoga.
desire to serve the Supreme Personality Thank you Srila Prabhupada, for all your sacri-
of Godhead”. “. . . when the principle of svādhyāyam, fices, going without sleep, walking to the printers
or Vedic study, is applied to these books, such as Śrī- to save laxmi, foregoing meals just to help humani-
mad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Caitan- ty at large to understand what true self-realization
ya-caritāmṛta and The Nectar of Devotion, the sincere means. I pray that I may be able to always find some
reader becomes infused with the ecstatic determina- enthusiasm to read your books so that I may remain
tion to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” grounded in my practice of bhakti and try to always
The purport ends with: “. . . nor should one try serve you through this wonderful house of ISKCON,
to read many books to increase his false prestige as a that you created, for the whole world to live in.
so-called scholar. One should read those books which
inspire practical spiritual advancement in knowledge Your servant and granddaughter,
and renunciation, as exemplified by the books of Śrī- Radhika Kripa Devi Dasi
la Prabhupāda”.
3
Radhika Priya Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Sharisha, Hare Krishna.

Gopika Manjari, Please accept my respectful obeisance’s. All glories to Your Divine Grace, the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna
and Alanath Das Consciousness. All glories to our Guru Parampara.
Durban
South Africa ANOTHER YEAR HAS PASSED with the world facing a the reality and are making the best use of a bad bar-
pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. The year gain. We are limited in what we can do and doing
is 2021 and majority of the people in general are it none the less. In Chatsworth, Durban South Afri-
adapting to the new normal and conforming to gov- ca, we as a Nama-hatta are still hosting virtual pro-
ernment guidelines in all countries. Some are skep- grams twice a week centered around the Bhagavad
tical about this disease others afraid and some are Gita As It Is - classes are presented from junior to
ignorant that it is real. senior level and the participation is inspiring. We
For the devotees of ISKCON we have accepted also ventured out doing Harinama Sankirtan in

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
different areas - people from all walks of life and Srila Prabhupada please continue to bless and
faiths were happy to receive us, take your books and keep your disciples, grand disciples, great grand dis-
gave us donations. We have distributed just over 400 ciples, and future generations of ISKCON devotees
books since February 2021 to May 2021. Our Temple to come to be blessed and safe within your ISKCON
in Durban, South Africa also conformed to govern- movement. We still require the presence of your dis-
ment guidelines and held programs with limited ciples that are present now and we need their guid-
participants. It is not the same, but we are doing our ance and shelter now more than ever. Please keep
best. With vaccination roll outs in all major cities - them safe and healthy. Under their guidance we are
this brings hope and the opportunity that soon we nourished and protected. We need them for many
can hold programs as we did in the past. years to come, there is still a lot to be done by them
Srila Prabhupada whatever we have gained is by and the learning has only just begun.
your divine appearance in this world, please bless us Srila Prabhupada, thank you. Please bless
so that we can always continue spreading this good us so that we can always remain within ISKCON
fortune to others. Bless us so that we can be resilient and the association of your disciples and the Guru
in pushing ISKCON and the values you have left us Parampara.
with to new boundaries. Bless us so that we can find
innovative ways of presenting Krishna conscious- Your aspiring servants,
ness to the masses and thereby also present them Radhika Priya Dasi, Sharisha, Gopika Manjari and
with your books. Your books are the key to the spir- Alanath Das
itual world and a passage back to Godhead.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Raghava Pandit Das

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet. Durban
South Africa
A COOLING DROP OF HOPE
“I am too weak and too lazy to do even the small- CD is playing in the background with you singing
est devotional service, so when I hear of the peer- Gaurangera Duti Pada, your voice laden with an
less and difficult-to-perform services performed intensity of devotion I cannot quite describe, but
by great devotees in ancient times, my heart burns it touches me in the depth of my soul. Your voice
with despair. O, Lord! O killer of Aghasura! When can melt a stone. Even a most hard-hearted per-
I hear that the waves of Your mercy splash every- son can become a Vaisnava - and have not we seen
one from the demigod Brahma down to the most this over and over again in your manifest pastimes
insignificant creature, my heart is sprinkled with a on this earth. My heart is sprinkled with a cooling
cooling drop of hope” (Sri Stava-mala of Srila Rupa drop of hope that if I remain attached to your lotus
Goswami). feet, however, fallen I may be, my destination will
I write my Vyasa-puja offering to you this year be auspicious.
with great enthusiasm after having read Giriraj You told Giriraj Swami, “When I am no longer
Swami’s book “I’ll Build You a Temple”, in which present, you can listen to this song (Gauranga Duti
your glorious pastimes unfolded so beautifully. A Pada) and remember your spiritual master”. I am

& Other Devotees
now listening to this song and remembering both received that day swelled into a thunderous ovation
of you - the glorious servant of a glorious master befitting the simha guru that you are. How I wish I
(Giriraj Swami’s realization is equally poignant). could have seen you on that vyasasana, what a sight
I considered why Srila Prabhupada had singled out that must have been?
that song. One verse says gauranga-gunete jhure - “Who can surrender to anyone other than You?
if anyone feels ecstasy and cries from appreciating Who is so dear? Who is so truthful? Who is so friend-
Gauranga’s transcendental qualities, he becomes ly? And who is so grateful? You are so perfect and
eligible to perform pure devotional service. I was complete that even though You give Yourself to Your
confident that if I, or we, remembered Srila Prabh- devotee, You are still full and perfect. You can there-
upada in that mood of appreciation, with such feel- fore satisfy all the desires of Your devotee and even
ings of separation, we would get the same result. deliver Yourself unto him.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam
How I wish I could have seen you in 1975 at your 10.48.26).
public talk at the Durban City Hall. My mother had Lord Krishna has endowed you with the same
already seen pictures of you in the local Post and potency to deliver your disciples. You lovingly ful-
Leader newspapers, and she instilled excitement filled all their desires. You had the key to the back
in us to go to that event. However, my father, who door of Goloka Vrindavan, you once said. The pas-
worked in that vicinity, was reluctant to take us back time with P.L Sethi illustrates this, and it sprinkles
after returning home. my heart with a cooling ray of hope.
I constantly desired to see your vapuh, and “I am a sinful man”, said Mr Sethi. “How can I go to
the book made you alive again for me. Your fierce Krishnaloka?”
determination to build the temple was something “That I will see to”, you assured him. “This is not
to behold. your duty. I will see that you will go to Krishnaloka.”
“I will be the last man to give up Hare Krishna And so, hoping against hope, I continue to cling
Land to that rogue,” you said. to your lotus feet.
At the Azad Maidan Pandal, which happened to be
your last public event, you spoke like a lion even Your servant,
though your health was fragile. The applause you Raghava Pandit Das
Raghukul Tilaka Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and the Maharaj Family Please accept my most humble obeisances. All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Sriman Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Srila Giriraj
Durban Govardhan. Hare Krishna,
South Africa
A VERY HAPPY 125TH VYASA-PUJA . Wow, what is it that will be able to repay this by relishing the nectar
we can say that could equate to the splendid glorifi- by chanting the holy names and engaging in ser-
cation of yours! We are absolutely proud and fortu- vice to Srila Prabhupada, the devotee’s of this won-
nate to be a part of this wonderful home and insti- derful home and Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Sriman
tute of ISKCON, which has given us all our identity. Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Srila Giriraj Govard-
Thank you so much for this shelter Srila Prabh- han Maharaja.
upada. Srila Prabhupada you have given us every- On this day we ask for your blessings so we may
thing and in turn we wish, pray and hope that we fulfill those wishes of Srila Prabhupada. Thank you

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
so much for everything you have given us.
Heartiest congratulations on this day. May
your legacy continue forever. We love you Srila Your insignificant servants,
Prabhupada. Raghukul Tilaka dasa and the Maharaj family
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Raghunath Bhatta Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace. Chatsworth, Durban
South Africa
I’M RESIDING AT THE SRI SRI RADHA RADHANATH TEMPLE Recently, I had a dream of you, wherein you acknowl-
and have the good fortune to see you daily in your edged my presence. I knew this because some devo-
murti form and chant by you. I also have the great tees came looking for me as I was out of their sight.
opportunity to do your arti. While offering you the You responded that I was around. In that dream I
lamp, water and flowers, I mention to you that this is was also looking for you and I could not see you but
from our deities. I am confident that you are hearing still I could feel your presence.
me but due to my conditioning I am not hearing you. I am praying that when I leave this world that
Still, I must say that this has helped me to develop I can be in your association in Goloka Vrindavana.
a personal relationship with you. I look forward to
performing arti to you in your murti form and I do Your servant
so in a deep and meditative way. Raghunath Bhatta Das
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Raghunath Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the divine dust of your most merciful lotus feet. Flacq
Mauritius
All glories to Your Divine Grace.
All glories to your divine society ISKCON.
All glories to your divine touch stone like books.
All glories to your dear sons and daughters who are very strongly and sincerely carrying your orders.
All glories to your followers.
ON THIS MOST BLESSED EVENT of your Vyasa-puja, your You very sincerely, while dedicating your life at the
most merciful appearance on the planet earth I lotus feet of your guru maharaja, planed, prayed,
would like touch upon your most merciful nature, cried for and worked tirelessly to fulfill his desire of
and your kindness upon the condition soul of this taking Krishna consciousness to the Western world.
age of quarrel. That was an amazing and praiseworthy service. No
Since your appearance the efforts you made to one has performed such a herculean task in history,
save the Jagai and Madhai like fallen souls were very nor anyone will be able to do in the future.
prominent in your life. By your great intelligence you organized ISK-
CON in such a way that everyone could be engaged

& Other Devotees
in devotional service, by reading your books or just follow, we will succeed without fail. Sometimes I
by touching this transcendental literature; by chant- think how so many souls got the shelter at the lotus
ing the holy name or by just coming in touch with feet of Lord and in the coming ten thousand years
the servant of the holy name - the devotees perform- how many millions upon millions of souls will be
ing harinama sankirtan in every town and village. reclaimed by your mercy through your ISKCON.
By your inspiration trough books and your ISKCON Thank you so much Srila Prabhupada.
movement so many Chariots festival of Lord Jagan- Dear Srila Prabhupada being our very merci-
nath are being organised around the whole world ful friend and guide please accept the little efforts
including eight yearaly Ratha-yatra festivals in we are doing to help to propagate this Krishna
the very small island of Mauritius. Thank you Sri- consciousness.
la Prabhupada for being the backbone of all these
activities. I beg to remain your most insignificant but hopeful
Srila Prabhupada, you have so expertly grandson,
designed every aspect of the society, if we shall Raghunath Dasa
Raghuvir Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Nandadulal Das Please accept our humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet,
Palika Devi Dasi All glories, all glories to Your Divine Grace,
and Ananda Tirtha Das All glories, all glories to you, the saviour of the three worlds,
Johannesburg, Gautang All glories, all glories to you, jagat guru Srila Prabhupada,
South Africa All glories, all glories to the founder-acarya of ISKCON, dearest Srila Prabhupada,
All glories, all glories to you Srila Prabhupada our saviour and mentor,
WHEN I SAT TO DOWN to make this most feeble to the most beneficial food relief in the history of the
attempt in trying to glorify Radha Krsna’s most dear world, your Food for Life program.
and confidential associate, I struggled. I struggled Dearest Srila Prabhupada we are totally indebt-
not for what to write, but I struggled as to where to ed to you for saving us from the gutters of material
begin. A personality such as yourself, is rare to find existence. We were rotting here, and we have been
in this day and age. Most persons that are claiming thrown a lifeline, now it is up to us to capitalise on
to want to assist us conditioned souls are actually this gift you have given us.
cheaters, like you have so many times pointed out.
But you dear Srila Prabhupada are entirely differ- mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
ent. You want to give to the masses Radha Krsna paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
not wanting anything in return except for the con- yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
ditioned souls to return back home back to Godhead. śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
This is absolutely indicative of only you, Srila Pra-
bhupada. Once when you were in India and saw the “By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can
children fighting with dogs for a morsel of food from become the greatest orator, and even a lame man
the trash can, you wept. You have so much compas- can cross mountains.”
sion for the living entities that this almost insignifi-
cant battle between the children and dogs gave rise Our dear master, you have indeed created our great

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
good fortune. I am an instrument in your divine been without your divine love, compassion and care.
lotus hand, the expert surgeon, now use me as you Knowing very well that we are unable to repay
please and make this useless member of your ISK- this huge debt that we owe to Your Divine Grace,
CON useful. we continually pray at your lotus feet to train and
empower us insignificant souls to take this Krsna
tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ consciousness to everyone we meet. We also pray
kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham that you kindly bless us to overcome our shortcom-
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad ātataṁ ings and become nicely situated, so that we can be
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ free from a disturbed mind to preach. In order to
be free, we need to be properly situated material-
TRANSLATION ly so as to ensure that the children are taken care
“The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of of. Please continue to bless us so that we may be
Your activities are the life and soul of those suffer- able to assist you in pointing millions back to their
ing in this material world. These narrations, trans- eternal constitutional position as servants of the
mitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reac- Lord through your ISKCON. My guru maharaja, His
tions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami made us vow that no
them. These narrations are broadcast all over the matter what always remain in ISKCON and never
world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly leave. I beg you to always keep us a speck of dust at
those who spread the message of Godhead are most your divine lotus feet and assist us back to my dear-
munificent.” est guru maharaja’s lotus feet and I am convinced
This verse is a perfect description of you our that we shall then attain your divine lotus feet and
dear master. Your purports Ihave realised are as association.
you have stated your personal ecstasies. You came We thank Your Divine Grace for giving us this
with the message of Godhead and are most certain- rare opportunity to take up shelter within your
ly most munificent, beyond any doubt. extremely rare ISKCON and we now pray for your
You left the comforts of your dear Sri Vrinda- exclusive guidance, training, shelter and blessings
van Dhama at the late stages of your time on this to make this life successful, not only for us but those
Earth planet and journeyed around the globe sever- unfortunate not to have as yet come in contact with
al times during which your health deteriorated. Still you and your ISKCON.
you did not care for your comforts but continued to
preach for our benefit. You went literally to the ends Your servants of the servant in your divine service
of the planet, all this just to benefit mankind. Those and your ISKCON
that have come in contact with you or your books Raghuvir Das, Nandadulal Das, Palika Devi Dasi
have attested that you have changed their lives. I and Ananda Tirtha das
shudder to think as to what our lives would have

& Other Devotees
Rahul Prag 4 Hare Krsna Dearest Srila Prabhupada.
zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisance’s.
South Africa All Glories to You Srila Prabhupada.
I JUST WANTED TO SINCERELY THANK YOU for all you serving him, but that is only up to Lord Krishnas
have done, for all you have written and translated will. But I will always cherish the memories and
for us and for all you have sacrificed to bring Lord moments that were made.
Krsna into our conscious existence. I will always stay eternally humbled and grate-
My life would be a complete, utter, materially ful to you Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for your
infested wreck if it was not for you. This year I had mercy and love to all of these fallen souls includ-
the opportunity to serve your disciple, Bhakti Cai- ing myself.
tanya Swami. Words cannot describe the amount
of mercy and lessons I learnt from my time serv- Your Servant,
ing Maharaj. In my heart I would like to return to Bhakta Rahul Prag
Raksha Gosai 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my humble obeisances.

OVER THE YEARS I MOVED BLINDLY through the circum- On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-pu-
stances of life, in constant search of a higher pow- ja, I pray at your lotus feet that I will be safeguarded
er to guide me towards the right path. Throughout against Maya’s attempts to undermine my faith, and
the rollercoaster ride, I always had a constant com- that I will always remain loyal to your teachings and
panion, a friend, my saviour, my Krsna. Thank you remain free from all desire for self-aggrandizement,
for uniting me, my dearest Srila Prabhupada, with materialism, and unconscious behaviour.
my companion. Please bless me so that I never lose faith, trust,
I have had the privilege to travel in my life, and and guidance of your divinity. As a servant to you,
in every country I have been I have experienced the and my dearest Krsna, I want to always be at your
powerful Krsna Consciousness movement. Please lotus feet and be of service to the movement.
guide me to further the movement by using my Aspiring to remain forever at your lotus feet,
skills to empower others to see the Absolute Truth.
Your servant,
Raksha Gosai
Rama Gopal Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban All glories to You Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada.

South Africa Please accept my humble obeisances.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
WORDS ARE SO HARD TO DESCRIBE ALL that I am grate- it gave me a feeling that cannot be explained. It is
ful for Srila Prabhupada. hard to describe with word as I am not one that is
Last year being infected with the COVID-19 good with words.
virus. I felt why me, what could I have done to Srila Prabhupada this 125th Vyasa-puja I would
deserve this? So, during my days of isolation I had like to thank you for everything and hope and pray
time to read and from that wonderful nectar I real- that I may continue in this wonderful ISKCON soci-
ized that everything happens in life for a reason and ety with your guidance.
at the precise time. Which got me thinking as to how
far I have progressed in my spiritual life, and then I Your Fallen Servant,
remembered the very first day that I had entered a Rama Gopal Das
ISKCON Temple and offered my obeisances to you
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ramanandini Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your divine lotus feet. Stellenbosch, Cape Town Yatra
All glories on your most auspicious 125th Vyasa-puja day. South Africa
All glories to your continued guidance to the ISKCON sanga! May there be ever-increasing glorification of your transcendental and
lifegiving instructions.

namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU for your wonderful Despite all this, association of devotees is continu-
books, for the sankirtana, for the chanting of the ing, and devotional service continues worldwide. It
holy names, for the association of devotees and shows graphically that devotional service, which
for the beautiful temples in your unique ISKCON you distributed all over the world, is independent
institution. of the prevalent material conditions.
All these aspects of devotional service have I have been fortunate to have continual asso-
helped so much in negotiating the onslaught of the ciation of devotees via electronic media through
past year and more. So many materially inauspi- hearing lectures, sastra readings and study, which
cious things have occurred worldwide - a global are only due to your and my guru maharaja’s mercy.
pandemic, economic downturn everywhere, rise Cape Town Temple has arranged ongoing Harinam,
in so many crimes, depression and sadness effect- which I have been fortunate to take part.
ing many people.

& Other Devotees
Please guide the devotee project that is being for- Please forgive my many offenses.
mulated here.
I pray that you continue to shower your mercy, and Your eternally grateful aspiring granddisciple,
may I never forget you. Ramanandini dasi
Ramatirtha Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Rasavalli Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
Queensburgh All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of your Sri Vyasa-puja.
South Africa
THERE IS NO WAY that we can ever sufficiently thank are always ready to do our daily sadhana. We also
you. During these challenging times with lockdown dedicate time to reading your transcendental books
and restrictions, we hardly have the association every day. We pray to you to guide us in all aspects.
of devotees. It is through your mercy that we are
attracted to this wonderful movement. This Krish- Your grand disciples,
na consciousness is so blissful to the heart, that we Ramatirtha Das and Rasavalli Dasi
Ramkinkar Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada

zz
Vaidarbhi Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Dr Krishna Prasad Rambarran
Dr Vamsidhar das
Sri Radhika Preethi Devi Dasi nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Sri Naradi Gopi srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Vibhav namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
and Damodar Ramsuran nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Durban
South Africa sri-krishna-chaitanya, prabhu-nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara, srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
WE ARE TRULY INDEBTED to Your Divine Grace for tak- your spiritual association, through your books, let-
ing the trouble at a very advanced age to travel to the ters, conversations, your deity form, God family,
west at the risk of your personal well-being a huge mercy, assets, Krishna prasadam, chanting, danc-
responsibility Your Divine Grace shouldered, sin- ing, philosophy and so lovingly invited us to the spir-
glehandedly began teaching the science of Krishna itual world in the form of ISKCON.
consciousness. Unfortunately, we have become intoxicated
We have become most fortune to have inherited with a huge wish list of enjoying our senses, rather

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
than serving your vision, mission and strategic goals of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna
to invite more souls to the Krishna consciousness Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare
family. Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, follow-
On this auspicious appearance day of your Vya- ing the 4 regulative principals of freedom, hear-
sa-puja, we humbly beg your forgiveness for all our ing Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavat Gita As It Is, etc.
short comings and pray for your blessings to follow and taking the association of advanced devotees is
your example of being the ideal servant of the ser- always giving us hope to overcome all odds, on our
vants of Lord Krishna. journey back home back to Godhead.
Being our ever well-wisher, Your Divine Grace Today, we renew our pledge, vows and loyalty to
has conquered the earth planet by planting the continue your missionary work, thereby transform-
seeds of devotion in our hearts, thus reminding ing the material world into a spiritual world. A her-
us to focus on re-establishing our lost relationship culean task that can be easily achieved, collectively.
with Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna, through Srila Prabhupada we thank you for saving us
the disciplic succession, through Lord Nityananda from sliding down to the lower species of life. We
Prabhu and Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahapra- were guilty of squandering this rare human form
bhu, the most magnanimous Lordships for this most of life.
degraded age of Kali-yuga. We thank Your Divine Grace for engaging us
Of recent we have been reminded of your mercy in book distribution, harinam, Food for Life, cow
through the Covid-19 Corona Virus pandemic that protection and Deity worship. We were completely
has brought the world down to its knees due to the ignorant of this very important devotional service
hard lockdown. to Lord Krishna.
Unfortunately, we tragically lost the best asso-
ciation of your sons and senior leaders in your glori- Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai.
ous movement ISKCON - His Holiness Bhakti Charu
Swami, HG Pankajanghri prabhu and many dev- Thank you very much.
otees due to the Covid-19 Corona Virus pandemic.
Your Divine Grace has constantly reminded us, With love.
that, there is danger at every step, and we are not Ramkinkar Das, Vaidarbhi Devi Dasi, Dr Krishna
the body, but spirit soul, servants and therefore duty Prasad Rambarran, Dr Vamsidhar das, Sri Radhi-
bound to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead ka Preethi Devi Dasi, Sri Naradi Gopi, Vibhav and
Lord Krishna. Damodar Ramsuran
Your spiritual programs of chanting 16 rounds
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ramphul Devakinandana

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Bundhun Road Laventure

All glories to you and Your glorious lotus feet. Mauritius


& Other Devotees
WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH to glorify you and your My dear Srila Prabhupada, it is only thanks to
divine qualities. On this auspicious occasion of you that the holy dhams such as Vrindavan, May-
your Vyasa-puja Mahotsava, I wish to thank you for apur and Rajapur have been revealed to us. Once
everything you have done for us, especially me. It is Lord Nityananda has predicted to Srila Jiva Goswa-
in fact through your books and lectures that I am mi: “When our Lord Caitanya disappears, by His
taking to devotional life very seriously. Although desire, the Ganges will swell. The Ganges water will
being born in a devotee family, I have not been seri- almost cover Mayapur for a hundred years, and then
ous in my sadhana-bhakti. the water will again recede. For some time only the
Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu has predicted that place will remain, devoid of houses. Then again, by
the holy name will be spread in every town and vil- the Lord’s desire, this place will again be manifest,
lage and by the mercy of the Lord you have made and the devotees will build temples of the Lord. One
this prediction come to reality. Your Guru Maharaj, exceedingly wonderful temple (adbhuta-mandira)
His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati will appear from which Gauranga’s eternal service
Thakur, had instructed you to go to the West and will be preached everywhere.”
preach the message of Lord Caitanya in english and By your mercy this prediction is coming to full
you have taken this as your life’s instruction and existence. The adbhuta mandira has already been
travelled to the West at a very advanced age of 70. built in Sridham Mayapur. My dear Srila Prabhupa-
You have even forgone your sleep-in order to write da you have created a global home, where everyone
books such as Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, can join their hands and thus chant the holy name
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, among others for condi- of lord Hari.
tioned souls like us. My dear Srila Prabhupada, this material world
Srila Prabhupada, it is only thanks to you that is like an ocean and we, conditioned souls, are
Krishna consciousness is flourishing everywhere. drowning in that ocean. ISCKON is like the ship, and
In fact, you once predicted that Mauritius will be you are the captain of that ship Srila Prabhupada.
one of the first countries in the whole world and It is due to your compassion for conditioned souls
this prediction is coming to reality as many people like us that you have let everyone, regardless of their
are taking up Krishna consciousness very serious- caste and class, on board of this ship and thus you
ly. By your grace, we have great devotees such as have saved us from the constant suffering of maya.
HG Sriniketan Prabhu and HG Arjuna Prabhu in My dear Srila Prabhupada, I wish you a happy
our midst. It is through their efforts that ISCKON is Vyasa-puja. I pray to you to please bless me so that I
standing firmly in Mauritius. We even have many can become instrumental in serving this movement,
temples and centres across the whole island. We are the Parampara and ultimately Lord Krishna. I also
even celebrating many festivals such as Gaura Purn- pray to you to please let us continue get association
ima, Sri Krishna Janmashtami and many other festi- of your disciples as we need them in our spiritual life.
vals. Here the Mahebourg festival has become well
known among many people. We used to celebrate Your fallen grandson and servant,
the Ratha yatra festival frequently. Bhakta Ramphul Devakinandana

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ramvijay Dasa
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Pinetown
THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED the way we allurements” of this world, ceased to exist within a
do everything in this world. I was hopeful, when very short time. The precariousness of our existence
it started that it would force us all to become more in this world were laid bare before us and suddenly,
thoughtful and contemplative. I thought it would so many things that gave us security and comfort
give us, as a society and the people in general, some (outside of the Supreme Lord), were no longer there.
time for introspection and review of everything we I have been forced to re-visit my dependence on
did. these material facilities and opportunities and see
I never expected it to last so long and even that Krsna is showing us how He is our only shelter.
worse, I never expected that we would lose so many I want now, more than ever before, to develop
of our spiritual leaders and devotees to this pandem- my relationship with Him exclusively without the
ic. I am devastated by this but move along knowing distractions of this material world. I want the mercy
that Krsna’s devotees are under His direct control and shelter of the devotees, more than ever, seeing
and that the pandemic was just a means to fulfill His how fixed they are in your service. I’ve been privi-
plan for them. Somehow, I thought that the devotees leged to have the association of many very advanced
would be spared the effects of this virus. and elevated devotees through most of my spiritual
As we all learn how to deal with this new situ- life and that continues even now. I feel greatly bless-
ation, I was fortunate to have had the rare oppor- ed for this association, Srila Prabhupada. This asso-
tunity to have lived at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath ciation has carried me through this most difficult
temple for the first 5 months of the pandemic. It was times and I hope will thrust me deeper under the
truly an opportunity that I don’t know I would ever shelter of your lotus feet.
be fortunate enough to have again. This experience Please help us take our place in this new situa-
showed me at close quarters, what you created and tion. Help us see what we are meant to do and how
presented me with so many opportunities of ser- we are meant to do it, to better reach out to the peo-
vice and learning. I got to see and participate in the ple of this world and to properly care for, and nour-
inner workings of a temple in a very unusual situa- ish our devotees. Please help us navigate the com-
tion where we had to navigate through unchartered plexities of the current world situation so that we
waters. Everything I have seen and experienced has can do something that is pleasing to Krsna in this
brought me to the realization of how this movement situation.
is running on your mercy. Please allow us to remain at the shelter of your
This experience has shown me in reality, what lotus feet and in service to your sincere followers.
you have always taught us, that this material situ-
ation is temporary and the happiness of this world Your grandson,
is flickering. We have seen how all the “glory and Ramvijay das

& Other Devotees
Ranga Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
KwaZulu-Natal Please accept my humble obeisances.
South Africa All glories to you on this most important day of Vyasa-puja.
SRILA PRABHUPADA, YOU GAVE US THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, times, but just by assisting your sons and daughters,
where every step is a dance and every word a song your disciples, we are sure to please you through our
and a festival every day. The question is, how did you little endeavours.
do it in your ripe old age? Indeed it was divine inter- By saying “thank you, Srila Prabhupada”, is
vention and the eagerness to save us fallen souls putting it mildly to show our appreciation. What
from the quagmire of material entanglement. Your is required is for us to live our lives cent per cent
soft heart and compassionate nature gave you the according to your instructions. That is the best way
impetus to cross the seas to reclaim Krsna’s servants to repay our debt to you because we owe you our
who were loitering in this world, oblivious of their lives.
spiritual identity. Srila Prabhupada, you left behind I want to sign off with these words, as it was
the great teachings of the guru parampara, which your desire for us to express our love for you by the
surpasses all other knowledge. It cannot be chal- way we cooperate with each other.
lenged because it is directly coming from the source
of all knowledge, Krsna. What a wealth of informa- Lots of love,
tion that transforms the heart of all sincere seekers Your granddaughter,
of the Absolute Truth. Ranga Devi Dasi
It is diff icult to preach in these challenging
Rasaraja Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Tableview, Cape Town All Glories to your Divine Grace, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
South Africa All Glories to your ISKCON. All Glories to all the assembled Vaishnavas.
All Glories to my initiating spiritual master, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami.
As I typed this offering, devotees were chanting for

His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu
Sadly, His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu left this mortal world
Devotees have quoted what you about these two brothers had told
Dear Srila Prabhupada, you appeared in 1896, 1 September

Your message is to never forget Krsna and always his holy name to remember
You received a European-styled education at the Scottish Church College

You met your spiritual master in 1922 and left to preach at a ripe old age
Your wife sold your manuscript to a bookseller in exchange for tea

You established ISKCON, the cult of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - bhakti

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Easy journey to other planets
No meat-eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex and no gambling bets
The Science of Self Realization
Bhagavad Gita As It Is
If you get some money - Print Books is how you, your Guru did, please
ISKCON a Global Organization
Chant a minimum of 16 rounds

Hare Krsna maha-mantra that transcendental sound
Covid-19, now the world is bound
I am just trying
I am just crying
I am just dying
This year, 2021

I can think of nothing significant that I, for you, have done
My prayer is that where ever your soul maybe
Please look down upon us
This Rasaraj das
Is struggling and swimming in a maya’s sea
Forever indebted to you

My heart lies bare but still is true
Your humble aspiring servant,

Rasaraja Das
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Raseshvari Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. and Premo

All glories to your lotus feet on your appearance day. Cape Town
South Africa
I LOVE YOU A LOT because you are the best devotee him. Happy Birthday!
and you brought Krishna in my heart. Please bless
me to always remember Krishna and never forget Raseshvari Dasi and Premo (5 years old)

& Other Devotees
Rathnaleka Gopi Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Sandton, Johannesburg
South Africa
MY DEAR SPIRITUAL FATHER , Srila Prabhupada, my doubt that you were sent on a mission to retrieve
meeting you on two occasions is the reason why us. I can say mission accomplished because I under-
I made it to where I am in my spiritual life now. I stand my constitutional position.
was also so very fortunate to iron your dhoti when I still have much more service to do, to uplift
you paid a visit to Vrindavan while I was there on myself further and pass your ever fresh message to
holiday. So it is true that association with senior other confused souls. At least I know the direction
devotees helps one advance in their spiritual jour- and the impediments from your explicit commen-
ney. Imagine had I not met you or read your books, taries. Please bless me to advance further so that I
I would still be following fruitive, ritualistic activi- can come out of entanglement.
ties with no clue that the truth was something else.
Your magnanimous contribution in literature Hare Krishna.
through very difficult situations has saved many a Your eternally grateful servant,
soul. You were definitely not an ordinary soul. Your Rathnaleka Gopi Devi Dasi
legacy is beyond this material plane. There is no
Reetha Nundulall 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg
South Africa

MY HUMBLE RESPECTS and obeisance to Srila Prabh-

upada, without whom I would have still been in the Your servant,
mode of ignorance. Reetha Nundulall
Remuna Devi Dasi 4 Respected Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Somerset West Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this auspicious occasion.
South Africa


Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
I AM MOST GRATEFUL AND INDEBTED for your mercy. In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.14-16) you wrote in your
You have tirelessly given your life for the benefit of purport:
others. You have travelled at a mature age only to “By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives
give the most precious gift of Krsna consciousness the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of
to many who could not even understand the value the spiritual master, one cannot make any advance-
of this endeavour. The whole world is most indebted ment. Therefore, I should always remember and
for the sacrifices that you have made to give us tran- praise the spiritual master. At least three times a
scendental literatures in English and in many other day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto
languages. You have made the most valuable jewel the lotus feet of my spiritual master.”
of transcendental Vedic knowledge palatable for I beg to have the intelligence and strength to be
even the most ignorant people all over the world and able to continue sincerely to try and please you your
connected us to Lord Caitanya, His mission and the devotees. I beg to be allowed to serve you eternally.
Holy Name: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Your Servant,
Rama Hare Hare. Remuna Devi Dasi
Hare Krisha dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Remuna-priya Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on your illustrious 125th Vyasa-puja! Johannesburg
South Africa
TODAY, GLOBALLY, 20 JUNE 2021, FATHER’S DAY is being - facilitated by HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja.
celebrated, a day that we celebrate that personality I developed a greater appreciation for the nectar in
who is responsible for bringing us to where we are in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness philosophy, a philosophy
this world - a day that we show gratitude for all that that previously felt beyond my reach. I have greater
he has done for us. But, Srila Prabhupada, for us in appreciation for the effort that you put in, in your
the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, vast translations, despite your bouts of illness and
that day is every day. And this Vyasa-puja celebra- advanced years. You carried on, till your last breath
tion gives us insignificant individuals an opportu- - which in an ordinary instance, would be proverbial
nity to pay homage to an incomparable personality, in nature, but in your extraordinary way, it proved
someone who navigated tremendous personal and to be in the literal sense as well.
physical difficulties to bring us the glories of the Your determination to bring us Kṛṣṇa con-
Supreme Personality of Godhead. sciousness did not slow down, and you have given
My gratitude extends beyond any given day us a treasure trove of literature and memories to
and is something that I am and will be grateful for, carry us forward.
for the remainder of my life in this material world. Please continue to bless us Srila Prabhupa-
In the year since my last Vyasa-puja offering to da, so that we may always make you proud, but
you, I was able to complete my Bhakti Sastri degree more importantly, so that we continue to raise our

& Other Devotees
ISKCON flag for all and sundry to see. Please bless I pray to always remain at your lotus feet.
us so that we develop a taste for chanting of the holy
name, reading your books and spreading the glories Your servant always,
of our glorious sankirtan movement. Remuna-priya Dasi
Rishikesh Ramjith 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to you on your auspicious Vyasa-puja.
South Africa
THIS YEAR IS YOUR 125TH ANNIVERSARY. A very signif- will never forget.
icant milestone. I wish there was a lot more I could Due to the current pandemic situation, many
do for this anniversary. With the lockdown there temples around the world had to close their doors
isn’t much that we can do. I am a part of a Srila Pra- to the public and the congregation. However, this
bhupada 125 events team and one of the things I am did not stop devotees from meeting online. Not
working on is a jingle. Like a cheer to encourage peo- just in South Africa but all around the world. Your
ple to appreciate you and act in that appreciation. house had to go online, with so many maharaja’s
But with this lockdown, it has been very difficult. and great devotees doing livestreams for Sunday
This past year has been rough, having to sit at classes, for festivals etc. Seeing all this connectivi-
home and not be able to go outside, not able to go ty between devotees, gave me that feeling of being
to the temple and see the deities. However, I have home again and has eased my yearning for the tem-
recently realized that even though we cannot phys- ple and devotees.
ically go to the temple, we are always in the house I have been particularly enjoying Bhakti Chait-
that you have created. The home for all Hare Krish- anya Swami’s livestreams. I started watching them
na devotees, called ISKCON. when he started Bhakti Shastri and would be lives-
I distinctly remember this feeling of being at treaming the lessons for all the Russian and South
home when my family and I were in Bali. We were African devotees. I really enjoy the way he explains
looking for the ISKCON temple. The first temple we Vedic philosophy and the way in which he describes
went to, had a strange “vibe”to it. There were unfa- past times of Krishna.
miliar gurus on the altar and unfamiliar Balinese This year, he has been living in Sri Sri Radha
religious artwork in this temple and the devotees Radhanath Temple in Durban and hasn’t been able
wore their devotional attire in a strange way. It felt to travel due to the lockdown. In the mornings, he
off. A few days later, when we had spoken to some streams himself chanting and the morning pro-
devotees and found out that temple was not an ISK- gramme. It has been so lovely to watch because it
CON temple and has had a complicated history with feels like I am there.
ISKCON, landowners and other Vaishnav groups. On one of the festival days, I believe it was Nsri-
When speaking to other devotees around the town ngadev’s Appearance day, he was giving initiation
where we stayed, we had managed to find a real ISK- to some devotees that had been aspiring for him.
CON temple in Bali, as soon as we stepped on the Watching him give initiation, something just hit me.
property, we instantly felt at home. The feeling of I knew I wanted to take initiation from him.
“this is Srila Prabhupada’s house”. That experience I It took a few weeks, but I wrote to him a letter

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
saying how much I appreciated his livestreams, and Dear Srila Prabhupada, you understand my strug-
what I am currently doing and that I wanted to take gles, both materially and spiritually. I pray that by
initiation from him. He responded with a video mes- your mercy, I can overcome these struggles and get
sage. And watching it, was the most comforting feel- to a place where I deserve initiation and officially
ing I have ever felt. He even spoke in Russian in the become part of your family. Only you know when I
video, because I had told him that I was learning will be ready.
Russian, though I did not understand most of it.
I really want to take initiation from him, but I Your servant,
know that I am not ready yet. I need to work on that. Rishikesh Ramjith
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Rohini Kumara Dasa

zz
Please accept my most heart-felt obeisance’s. All glories unto you! Midrand
South Africa

sri-caitanya-mano-’bhistam sthapitam yena bhu-tale
svayam rupah kada mahyam dadati sva-padantikam
WHILST CONTEMPLATING THE FOCUS of my glorification even in the most difficult times.
of you this year, my mind was drawn to the insur- Being a teacher by profession, even though my
mountable complexities of the material world over ‘task’ is mundane, I often try to emulate your method
these many months and how you, although not of teaching which is leading by example. Sri Krish-
physically present for many decades, are providing na knew that only His senapati bhakta could live
great solace for the entire world. this - not just setting standards but leading them by
In Bhagavad Gita As It Is (3.21), Sri Krishna pro- “exemplary acts”. Even though you went through so
pounds: “Whatever action a great man performs, many inconveniences, you perfectly executed these
common men follow. And whatever standards he exemplary acts only to show the world what real
sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” This leadership is - selfless and compassionate - which
sloka perfectly encapsulates Your Divine Grace in our world is lacking. Thank you for being the barom-
every possible way. eter for us all!
Many decades later, whilst your physical My only prayer is that by Your Divine Grace,
absence could have been a threat to the growth of more and more souls come to the shelter of your
your movement, we see that many, many people lotus feet and see how the path of unalloyed bhakti
are taking to your teachings and practically living to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna
by them. Your dedicated disciples remain your flag is the answer to our innumerable problems.
bearers and with the torch light of your potency, Praying to always remain near the shade of your
everyone is getting the opportunity to take on the padukas.
goal of this human form of life. Though preaching
is different now, your sprit (though your followers) Your servant,
is still giving this world a chance for eternal peace Rohini Kumara Dasa

& Other Devotees
Rukmini Devi Dasi 4 My dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Durban
South Africa

I BOW DOWN BEFORE YOU. Each year gives me more Help me know you so that I know when to bend with
reasons to be humble and opportunities to be grate- the breeze and when to be a windbreaker.
ful and leaves me star-struck at your grace. You wanted us to go to the future, the one place
I’m hoping to meet you in this offering. If I were you could not go in physical form. You wanted us to
to sit before you, where would it be? Vrindavana - in treat people in such a way that they would know that
your rooms in Vrndavan or maybe at your samadhi Krishna loves them. This vision blows my mind. I am
in the early hours or the by the raw red bricks of in the future and I feel your love. Soon I will be in the
your kitchen at Radha Damodara. I’d choose the red past. To learn to treat every individual in this fash-
bricks because, there, they remind me of raw hon- ion, to actually see a person, takes so much. To show
esty and maybe that is the only way I can meet you. Krishna’s love in how I treat every being means I
And my next thought is, “What would you think have to also see myself in that light too. Panditah
of me?” Would you look at my half-baked attempt of sama-darsinah. I doubt that I have it in me. I can’t
Bhakti with disdain or compassion? Maybe both. If be satisfied until I do.
I had the courage to look you in the eye, what would Dear Srila Prabhupada, help me be such a per-
I tell you? son and inspire that mood in others. The spiritu-
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for giving me a al master gives one a vision for one’s life that is far
wonderful life. Whatever I am is by your kindness, greater than we can ever have on our own. The
whatever I am not is my lacking. acarya has a vision for the world and every soul in
I struggle, Srila Prabhupada, to bridge the gaps it, a customized one.
between “doing” and “being”. I see the need to be For this moment, Srila Prabhupada, I put aside
authentic and introspective in my practice, but I what I think I know. I kneel at your feet, gently wor-
fear that it comes at the cost of losing focus on your shiping them, and ask: How can I with integrity and
mission. It is my naivety. Whatever happens let me authenticity align with your vision?
be true to you and to myself.
I feel the winds of change blow through your A servant of your servant’s servant,
home. The dust rises, obscuring my vision. And yet Rukmini Devi Dasi
change can be a great thing even if it feels impossible.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Rupa Cintamani Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Plumstead, Cape Town
South Africa
I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU SRILA PRABHUPADA for all of joy and appreciation. Without you, Srila Prabh-
that you have given to us so that we can make prog- upada, and the mercy of the Lord and our spiritual
ress in our spiritual lives. We have come so far with masters, we will have nothing - We will simply just
your teachings and through learning from your be lost in this material world.
amazing disciples. Without your disciples, books Thank you so much for all that you have giv-
and the mercy of the Lord we will have nothing. It en us. I am so indebted to you Srila Prabhupada for
is with the memories of you, Srila Prabhupada, and saving my soul from the miseries of this dark mate-
your knowledge and books that we are trying to rial world.
strive in our Krishna consciousness.
We are so indebted to you Srila Prabhupada, Your eternally grateful servant,
that every time I look at you, it makes me cry tears Rupa Cintamani Devi Dasi
Dearest Srila Prabhupada 4 Rupa Goswami Das

zz
Pease accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Bedfordview

All glories to you on this auspicious day. South Africa
AGAIN, WITH THE UTMOST GRATITUDE to you dearest Your books continuously remind us of this, but it
Srila Prabhupada, for carving out a path for us to has taken a pandemic for many to realise this real-
Krishna consciousness. This last year has made me ity. So, thank you Srila Prabhupada for guiding me
realize how short life is and how easily lives can be towards liberation.
lost and become meaningless in a matter of days. My guru maharaja instructed me that we must
Many souls have departed this material World from all help to grow your mission. I have been entrusted
our ISKCON family including my guru maharaja – together with a strong team called Sastra Dana are
His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami. This was so pain- distributing your Back to Godhead magazines and
ful. In a short space of time with my guru, I had nev- your books. We beg of your mercy to grow this ini-
er expected to grow so attached to him. In fact, in tiative, and thus help to grow your mission.
some sense, the pain of his loss being the same or
more than my own parents. My realization was that Thank you.
it reaffirmed that the ISKCON/Krishna conscious-
ness movement is real, simply by my own feelings Happy Vyasa Puja.
and experience.
Even with some material comforts, the pain Your Humble Servant,
and battles that we endure to survive in this mate- Rupa Goswami Das
rial world are not worth the temporary material life.

& Other Devotees
Rupa Manohar Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Hare Krishna Land, Phoenix Please accept this fallen conditioned soul’s humble and respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet and forgive the offences I have
Mauritius committed over my lifetimes. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
I AM INDEBTED TO YOU, SRILA PRABHUPADA, to be a part by establishing the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, you
of your glorious Hare Krishna Movement. I offer you had become the largest publisher of Indian Vedic
my humble prayers on this auspicious day of your literature in the history of the world. No doubt, self-
appearance in this material world. less unconditional love for your spiritual master and
Srila Prabhupada, you have given footsteps to prac- Lord Krishna, selfless unconditional compassion
tice Krishna Consciousness so nicely, elaborately for all of us and to share the highest treasures of
and systematically and f inally make the human the spiritual world was your only motivation. Srila
life successful. Your instructions are eternal for Prabhupada, for me, this is your unparalleled gift
us because the jiva carries his freewill always and to humanity.
to serve Krishna eternally we need you and your You live in your books, your lectures, your conversa-
instructions. tions, your murti and your preaching exactly in the
I pray for your causeless mercy to follow these prac- same way when you were personally present. With-
tices regularly and sincerely in order to achieve out you personally being present, Lord Caitanya’s
the human goal of life. My only desire is to always mission would not have reached this height today.
remember your divine instructions in my eternal During this lockdown, I had the opportunity to
journey of Krishna conscious life. Please give me further my spiritual journey and my faith in Lord
the strength to follow your divine instructions with Krishna.
faith and conviction and bless me so that I can fol- I pledge to sincerely chant the holy names and
low in your footsteps. regularly study your transcendental books. I fall at
It is only by your grace that people around the world your lotus feet and beseech you to undo all my short-
are taking up Krishna Consciousness just by read- comings that have arisen due to my selfish ego and
ing your transcendental books, which are being dis- spiritual laziness.
tributed all over the world by your beloved disciples. On this auspicious day, I seek your blessings Sri-
You are so merciful to the fallen souls that by your la Prabhupada. My prayer to you is that I continue in
books one can understand his original constitu- this process of devotional service all my life and that
tional position. I also keep receiving your divine mercy eternally so
I remember reading in your biography that there as to continue engaging in Lord Krishna’s service to
was a time when you were the only book distributor. your satisfaction.
You would take the magazines and go from tea shop
to store in your old age trying to convince people Your insignificant servant,
to accept the message of Krishna in the form of the Rupa Manohar Das
Back to Godhead magazine. And in a few years’ time,

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ryan Mark Naidoo
zz Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. Durban
South Africa

THANK YOU SRILA PRABHUPADA for being both the sun than even the Lord who had saved Jagai and Mad-
and moon on our lives for you have spread the rays of hai for you will save even those more fallen all over
the benediction moon of Lord Chaitanya through- the world such as me.
out the entire world and have removed the dark- Srila Prabhupada, on this auspicious Vyasa-pu-
ness of my life. Where would I be without you Srila ja day I beg you, my dearest Srila Prabhupada and
Prabhupada? Probably I would be buying myself an greatest well-wisher please give me the strength I
eternal place in the hellish worlds, but thanks to need to accept all that is favorable in becoming your
you I am now chanting the holy names, learning of follower and serving you and be able to reject all that
the transcendental pastimes of Sri Krishna and Sri which is displeasing to you so that I may one day be
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada you are able to be a true servant your lotus feet.
so merciful to us that you saved even a wretched
fallen soul like me and given me, the most fallen, a Yours aspiring servant,
way to go back to Godhead. You are more merciful Ryan Mark Naidoo
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Saci Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Jagganath, Baladev and Subadra Maharani. Midrand
SRILA PRABHUPADA , we are 18 months into this global have taught us how to deepen our sadhana irrespec-
pandemic of the Corona virus. The last time I wrote tive of the circumstances. You have given us every-
to you, I described the gifts that we received because thing! And for that I am and will be eternally grate-
of it. Due to the lengthy time that has passed, it has ful. Thank you for building a house that we can all
now become very difficult. I long for us to go back to live in, thank you for giving me some space in that
enjoying multiple programmes, having ecstatic and house.
joyous kirtan, planning and celebrating every fes- Please use me and instruct me in whichever
tival, smelling incense and most importantly being way you choose. I am yours.
free to embrace your beloved devotees.
But you have taught us how to carry on with our Trying to be your servant,
Krishna Consciousness no matter the situation. You Saci Devi Dasi
3

& Other Devotees
Saci Priya Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
and Prabhu Peri Please accept our humble obeisance’s on this most auspicious anniversary of your divine appearance.
Shallcross
South Africa
WE - YOUR MENIAL AND ASPIRING SERVANTS - offer indebted to you. You urged us to fully utilize our
ourselves, heart and soul in your service eternally. lives in devotional service and to not waste even a
Gurudeva, you are our father, our friend, our guide, moment. As we approach old age and can see death
our protector, our ever well-wisher and we are ever coming, we are beginning to comprehend the true
so grateful to you for all the love, kindness, strength, value of your instructions.
determination, intelligence, and ability to perform Our capacity to overcome the impediments
devotional service, which you have imparted to us. and to chant - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna
Our hearts are overflowing with the deepest appre- Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama
ciation for all that you have sacrificed and given Rama, Hare Hare - depends on our diligence and
to us. dedication to following your instructions, while we
To fulfil the order of your spiritual master, you still have the capacity to do so. For this ability we are
came to the West in your old age, and at great phys- completely dependent on your mercy. Please help us
ical risk, just to save and spare us. We are grateful to continue to stay at your Lotus feet and let us not
and joyful to you for providing us with your spiritu- stray away from your recommended spiritual path
al reservoir that we can aspire to. We are eternally of Krishna Consciousness.
THIS ACRONYM OF YOUR NAME KEEP US CLOSE TO YOU:
P - Presented the scriptures in English.

R - Read the scriptures you translated.
A - Ability to share your knowledge.
B - Books to be shared length and breadth of the universe.
H - House you built for us to live in.
U - Understand the books and distribute.
P - Practice the 4 regulative principles.
A - Association with devotees.
D - Devotional service.
A - Always remain at the Lotus feet of our spiritual master.
Thank you Srila Prabhupada for blessing me

with my spiritual master HH Bhakti Caitanya Swa- Your aspiring servants,
mi Maharaj. Please forgive me if we caused any Prabhu Peri and Saci Priya Devi Dasi
offences.
3

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krishna, dear Srila Prabhupada, dear grandfather. 4 Sadhu Das
zz Pretoria
South Africa

I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES unto His Divine looking after me. Thank you for sending your dev-
Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who otees to preach to me and teach me. Thank you for
is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at sending such an amazing aspiring devotee to me
His lotus feet. to be my wife so that we can grow together in our
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spir- Krishna Consciousness and learn together how to
itual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswa- serve you and your ISKCON best. Thank you for cre-
ti Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message ating a home for a fallen soul like me to come to and
of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western somehow elevate my existence.
countries, which are filled with impersonalism and You are the light that most people only ever
voidism. dream about. Thank you for leaving so much of your
Srila Prabhupada, I am honestly without words writing and instructions so that we may have your
to describe the depth of the gratitude that I have for association always and that we can spread this won-
your holy self for spreading the rays of the benedic- derful Sankirtana movement to others as this world
tion moon to the Western world, for bringing us the desperately needs it.
holy names and teaching us how to live in a Krish- I pray that you please grant me strength and
na Conscious way. intelligence to preach for you and to distribute your
Without your causeless mercy, I would still literature to as many people as possible. I lack the
be like a ship without a rudder, aimlessly sailing foresight to make this service of mine grow. Dear
through this material ocean and never finding the Srila Prabhupada; please assist me. Please help this
correct direction for me to travel along to reach my nonsense, broken brain, and mind work well togeth-
destination. By your infinite and causeless mercy, I er to please our sweet Lord Krishna. Please also
am an initiated disciple of your disciple. I have been teach me how to teach my daughter to develop her
given shelter at his lotus feet and, therefore, at your dormant Krishna Consciousness.
lotus feet. I know that what I make of this is my own, I love you so very much, and if it pleases the
and I pray that with your blessing, I can advance Lord, I would like to continue serving you for as long
slowly but surely in my Krishna Consciousness. as I live in whatever way I can.
Thank you so much, dear grandfather, for Hare Krishna, dear Srila Prabhupada and happy
engaging me in serving your deity form in the tem- 125th Vyasa-puja. The day when the spiritual mas-
ple in Midrand. I so love our mornings together. ter of all spiritual masters appeared, what a joyous
They make my whole day so sweet. Every moment occasion!
spent serving you and thinking about how to please
you more puts me in a state of bliss. Your lowly, fallen servant,
Srila Prabhupada, thank you so much for Sadhu Das
3

& Other Devotees
Sadhu Priya Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Rondebosch Please accept my humble obeisance’s.
South Africa All glories, all glories to your divine lotus feet.

LIKE MOST PERSONS, I was searching for the unadul-

terated truth about our true nature, where we come mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim
from, and how we can go back. After some time, I yat-kripa tam aham vande sir-gurum dina-taranam
gave up and continued living a foolish and pathetic
life, but then Srila Prabhupada, you appeared in my Without your mercy, Prabhupada, we would not
life about 9 years ago, in the form of your books and be able to cross this grand mountain of material con-
a great set of devotees. ception of life, let alone get an opportunity to back
You changed my life dear Prabhupada, I would home, back to Godhead, and because we are so dull
not have been where I am without your mercy and headed, complex discussions and such intricate phi-
the mercy of the devotees who are following your losophy, we would not even be able to understand,
instructions. Srila Prabhupada, by your mercy and let alone speak and preach about it. Thank you for
kindness, the whole world is getting saved. I am tru- everything you have given us Prabhupada.
ly grateful for all your guidance, your kind words
when we need to hear them most, your graceful sing- Your Servant
ing and, opening your home for rascals like myself. Sadhu Priya Das
Sakshi Gopal Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Rose-Hill
Mauritius

I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES unto His Divine message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the
Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who Western countries, which are filled with imperson-
is very dear to Lord Krishna on this earth, having alism and voidism.
taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obei- While reading your books, notably the Krsna
sances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of book, and more precisely the intimate sections, Krs-
Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the na’s past times with Rukmini. The way you describe

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
it, you transport me to the palace of their Lordships. years after your physical departure from this plan-
It’s very beautiful and luxurious tour you gave me. et your influence is bringing light to my miserable
Picturing mother Rukmini in the exact way you existence. Remembering Srila Prabhupada, a tes-
describe her with high breasts all while she was at timonial channel on YouTube related by your dis-
an age of having grown up sons, I can conclude that ciples about the pastimes they had with you. They
only a pure devotee can give such description and transport me to your association. I love being with
yet be completely renounced as you are. You are a you. I think of you, but I do not love you enough. This
rare gem the envoyé of the supreme personality is my great misfortune. If I had enough love for you,
of godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Caitan- I would have immediately given up sense gratifica-
ya Mahaprabhu predicted only one senapati devotion. By your mercy I have at least advanced to the
tee will spread the holy name in all towns and vil- neophyte stage and started to chant the Hare Krsna
lages. Some of your godbrothers could not accept maha-mantra. On your 125th birthday I am seeking
that it was not them, the selected one. A proof that your special mercy so that I may become a suitable
even after associating with ‘the lion spiritual mas- person to fit in your perfect society, The Interna-
ter’ your own guru maharaja, His Divine Grace Sri- tional Society for Krsna Consciousness. Thank you
la Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatI Thakura, were having for taking the trouble to come down to this miser-
difficulty to uproot envy, the very root cause of our able material world, to claim us back. Many happy
appearance in this material world. Quite a lesson returns of the day to you. Happy 125th Vyasa-puja
for us, not to fall prey of envy. oh my dear saviour.
You have trained the most fallen class of men
from the hippy party and made them spiritual lead- Your most fallen servant
ers. You are a real magician such and so that so many Sakshi Gopal Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sanasha Sewpershad

zz
All glories to Your Divine Grace A .C Bhakivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. and Family
Durban
South Africa
I OFFER YOU MY HUMBLE OBEISANCE at the spiritual appreciation towards you.
feet of our spiritual master and offer my gratitude. I am an inspiring servant of yours and wish
You have given us the ultimate gift, the gift to salva- to take forward your mission by following your
tion, the gift to not only look after the body but the instructions.
soul and the gift to return to godhead, what else
can one ask for. Your faithful servant, Sanasha Sewpershad and
You are a true, pure and humble spiritual mas- Family
ter and no words are good enough to show my

& Other Devotees
Sankarshan Das 4 Hare Krishna dear Jagat-guru Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Verulam Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to Sri Gauranga.
IN 2008 I HAD TO DO SOME ARCHIVING of documenta- most importantly he has brought me right down
tion in a completely dusty room, something I detest- to your lotus feet for shelter, and got me to remain
ed. I stood at the door and thought what have I got in the shelter of the words in your transcendental
myself into this time? Something at the far end of the books.
room that looked like a little box attracted my atten- By your mercy, great personalities, all your
tion. I hopped over the chaos to get there, picked up disciples, the main two in my life being His Holi-
a few files, picked up this thing that looked like a box ness Bhakti Caitanya Swami and His Holiness Par-
which felt a little heavy and I was curious to know tha Sarathi Das Goswami Maharaj have given me
what was within. Holding this item in my left hand, lessons in life that I was yearning for probably too
I used my right palm and fingers and tried to wipe many lifetimes, and have also made me want to
off the dust. What did I see? Krsna the Supreme Per- share the mercy I received by reading your books of
sonality of Godhead. I immediately dusted it off a bit our Sweet Lord. These books transformed me from
and couldn’t take my eyes off the most beautiful Sri what you would call a “rascal” to who I really am, a
Sri Radha Krishna on the cover. I lost interest with menial servant, the best position, the best title ever.
the task at hand, took the book into the office, and Thank you Srila Prabhupada for sacrificing your
asked everyone if this belonged to them, and every- time, energy, separation from your family, bodily
one replied no. There were a few reps traveling so comforts, etc. just so that you could save me from
I thought it was one of theirs, so I cleaned it nicely, this conditioned material life. I am forever indebt-
left it on my desk and simply admired Sri Sri Radha ed to you and hope that someday soon, I can fulfill
Krishna every day. After 2 weeks nobody claimed a desire to bring at least one soul to your lotus feet.
it, so I took it home and began to read a little each So, you could take him/her back to Sri Krsna. I know
night. In all my life prior, 41 years including school I have a rebellious nature and sometimes go about
and university, I never completed reading a single things in complete contradiction to certain rules
book from end to end because they I felt they were and regulations, but my heart desires a place in your
just too boring, but this Krsna Supreme Personality mission, to do it all for Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
of Godhead, had every part of me wanting to go back Lord Jagannath has advised me to share this
home to continue reading till the end. Chapter 20 with you, something which awakened the inner-
blew my mind. Everyone, including my teachers at most feelings in my heart, the duty of a devotee
school always depicted autumn as a dry, depress- which I have unintentionally overlooked because
ing, dull season, but in our Lord’s pastimes this was of my incorrect thoughts that I am superior.
a time of real celebration. Sri Krsna’s childhood pas- Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā Chapter
times opened up my heart to a whole new world, a Twenty, The Śikṣāṣṭaka Prayers
whole new experience to life, a whole new loving, The entire chapter is divine nectar but these 2
caring family of devotees, and most importantly a texts stand out from the rest...
new father, my most dear guru maharaj, His Holi- Text 52: “I do not mind My personal distress. I
ness Rama Govinda Swami. Who teaches me right only wish for the happiness of Kṛṣṇa, for His happi-
from wrong, chastises me in such a gentle manner, ness is the goal of My life. However, if He feels great
guides me in the right direction, encouraging me happiness in giving Me distress, that distress is the
every step of the way to help me back home, but best of My happiness.”

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Text 53: ““If Kṛṣṇa, attracted by the beauty of Jai Sri Sri Krishna Balarama
some other woman, wants to enjoy with her but is Jai Sri Sri Radha Krishna
unhappy because He cannot get her, I fall down at Jai Sri Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra
her feet, catch her hand and bring her to Kṛṣṇa to Maharani
engage her for His happiness.” Jai Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundara
Srimati Radharani, our divine mother, teach- Jai Srila Prabhupada
es me that no matter what devotees do, or any other Jai Srila Gurudeva
person for that matter, I should not chase them away,
but rather fall down at their feet, take them gently by Thanks once again Srila Prabhupada, all glories
the hand and bring them back to Sri Krishna. This to Your Divine Grace.
will prove my tolerance and humility and will also
ensure that I offer respect to l, because everyone is a Servant of a Servant of your Servant
child of the one and only Supreme Father, Supreme Sankarshan das
Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. (Sathia Moonsamy)
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Santa Rati Devi Dasi

zz


I THANK YOU, Srila Prabhupada, for opening so many of the Bhagavad Gita is my daily recital. I also say
temples worldwide. I am so fond of the Sri Sri Radha a very big thank you for bringing my family under
Radhanath temple in South Africa. You made it pos- your umbrella.
sible for me to make many devotee friends. I love the Please forgive me for my many offences.
sankirtana movement.
As I approach my 8th birthday, I now realise Your servant,
how grateful I am for the chanting of the Maha Man- Santa Rati Devi Dasi
tra, which has become my companion. Chapter 12
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sarvakanthie Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. Phoenix
South Africa
SINCE I HAVE A PASSION FOR CHILDREN AND COWS, I shall the wars on this planet are due to cow killing and
write about the eco-village lifestyle. You said that that we cannot bring children into a war-torn world.

& Other Devotees
I want to share a poem from G. Vincent titled how many pails of milk I lose, as long as I don’t lose
“Oh Sacred Cow.” the cow.” As soon as there is a discrepancy in the
protection of cows, there will be no more peace in
“If you ask me the world (Srila Prabhupada lecture, Los Angeles,
India is the place to be December 4, 1968).
There cows are sacred Many times He [Krsna] has repeated, go-rakṣya.
none are objects of hatred Why He did not say “pig-rakṣya”? No. He said
There cows roam free” go-rakṣya because, without cows’ milk, there is no
civilization. You will not have a nice brain to under-
Cows are cool; love them as Phyllis Miller once stand things; simply speculate (Srila Prabhupada
said: “I asked the waiter, ‘Is this milk fresh?’ He said, Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.21, Honolulu,
‘Lady, three hours ago, it was grass.’ May 21, 1976).
When you are in the jungle, you are a tiger, you Otherwise, you are ungrateful. You are drinking
can eat animal. But when you are civilized, when milk, you are taking so much butter, milk product,
you can produce nice foodstuff, so many nice grains, and as gratitude, you are killing cows? You should
fruits and milk, why should you eat meat? That be ashamed. Even if you have no human feelings...
means you are misusing your advanced intelligence You suck the breast of your mother and kill? Is that
improperly. Therefore you must suffer. You must suf- humanity? (Srila Prabhupada lecturer on Bhaga-
fer. (Srila Prabhupada lecture on Srimad-Bhagavat- vad-gita 3.11-19, Los Angeles, December 27, 1968).
am 1.15.38, Los Angeles, December 16, 1973) Just to mention, the national animal of Cuba is
Now, “Mother, your cow is your mother. You a Cow, simply glorious.
drink milk of cow. And the bull is your father.
Because without the bull, without the cow and bull Roses are red,
being united, there is no milk. So how is that you are Violets are blue,
eating your father and mother?” It is a great chal- If I am a simple cow,
lenge. Actually, those who are meat-eater, beef-eater, what’s that to you?
they are killing their father and mother and become
implicated in sinful life. My dearest Srila Prabhupada, a very happy Vya-
(Srila Prabhupada lecture on Srimad-Bhagava- sa-puja to you. You will be happy to know that your
tam 1.16.3, Los Angeles, December 31, 1973) granddaughter, Sarvakanthie Dasi, will soon start a
The bull and the cow are the symbols of the campaign for cow protection and village programs.
most offenseless living beings because even the You said, “simple living, higher thinking.”
stool and urine of these animals are utilized to ben- Srila Prabhupada, I pray that you always keep
efit human society. me at Your lotus feet.
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 1, chapter seven-
teen, text thirteen. Your somewhat humble granddaughter,
An old Russian proverb declares, “I don’t care Sarvakanthie Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krsna my dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sarvanga Sundri Devi Dasi
zz Kindly accept my most humble obeisance at your divine lotus feet. Durban
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. All glories to Your Divine Grace. South Africa
THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD. We devotees. Your many books have served as a remark-
lost many devotees due to the Covid pandemic. The able aid in my spiritual life and created a sweet con-
lockdown was also a blessing in a way because it nection with you.
gave me a chance to realize that I should not take Recently I had a few dreams about you which
devotee association for granted. uplifted my spirit. They gave me much encourage-
My realization is that you created this beautiful ment to continue to try to better my spiritual life.
transcendental movement for us and made devotee Thank you for all that you do for us Srila
association accessible through the many temples Prabhupada.
and namahattas.
During lockdown we tried to maintain the Your insignificant servant,
association via virtual methods. It gave me more Sarvanga Sundri Devi Dasi
time to listen to your lectures and lectures by other
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sattvatanu Das

zz

All glories to you on this most glorious day of your Sri Vyasa-puja. South Africa
WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS my gratitude to you. for me to be a recipient of that very special mercy
Recently I had listened to a lecture given by His and for that I am forever indebted to you.
Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami, wherein he men- I pray to remain an instrument in service to you
tions “A pure Devotee of the Lord is an extension of and your ISKCON.
the mercy of the Lord” Please accept my menial offering.
The past year has been the most important year Thank you once again.
in my spiritual life, it is only by your mercy that I
was able to receive initiation into your most glori- Your most fallen servant at the dust of your lotus feet,
ous ISKCON. Sattvatanu Das
Although I am unqualified, you have allowed
3
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Saunaka Rishi Das
zz
Sandton
South Africa

srimate krishna-das-swamin iti namine

& Other Devotees
ALL GLORIES TO YOU, Srila Prabhupada, on this most prominent instructions, i.e., to chant Hare Krishna
auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja. and distribute your books. Since your books are to
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for connecting me lead humanity for the next 10 000 years, it’s impera-
with my beloved spiritual master who has so nicely tive that we dedicate our lives to your mission.
empowered me to serve your mission in the matter My desire is to distribute at least one million of
of book distribution and devotee cultivation. your books before I depart this world. Please bless
Since a bona-fide guru is eternal, his instruc- me so that I can be a ‘maharatha’ book distributor
tions to disciples are also eternal. Thanks to this I and distribute a million. Everything is possible by
have no need to replace my guru after he has depart- the mercy of the pure devotee.
ed to the spiritual world as would be the case if my Finally Srila Prabhupada, please bless me so
guru had fallen or deviated. Just the prospect of con- that I can remain steadfast in the tracks left by you,
sidering replacing one’s guru creates a hellish men- my siksa- guru, and by my diksa-guru.
tality. It is thanks to Your Divine Grace that I’m firm- Om Tat Sat.
ly attached to the dust of the lotus feet of my Guru
Maharaj. The servant of your servant,
My life is dedicated to following your two most Saunaka Rishi Das
Senthamarai Govender 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Lenasia I offer my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet.

South Africa
YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS SO WIDESPREAD that it inspired It is because of your teachings Srila Prabhupa-
me start reading the Bhagavad Gita As it is. I was da that I chant daily and find peace of mind when
so inspired and humbled upon learning about the doing so. The past year has been extremely difficult
most beautiful and true friendship that is shared due to the COVID-19 pandemic and I miss attend-
between Arjuna and Sri Krsna. Even on the battle- ing the Sunday Love Feast Programmes at ISKCON.
f ield, Sri Krsna who is the Supreme Lord, was so And most of all, I miss the lordships and Gaura Aarti.
kind enough to be Arjuna’s charioteer, and Krsna I pray that you free us from this pandemic so
also answered all of Arjuna’s questions so patiently. that we may resume our services.
As much as Arjuna did not want to fight, Sri Krsna
stood by Arjuna and encouraged him to fight. And Your humble servant,
because Arjuna listened to the instruction of the Senthamarai Govender
Lord, all victories went to him and the Pandavas.
Seva Manjari Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Gaborone Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Botswana All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
YOUR MOST DESIRED AND VALUABLE PROJECT, which these books, to inspire us to become Kṛṣṇa con-
was predicted in the scriptures, will be complet- scious and go back home back to Godhead in this life.
ed in Mayapur Dham, and opened to the world in All our ‘why’s’, you have answered in these books.
2023. As desired by Your Divine Grace, the planetary As part of my daily sadhana, I read your books
system will be displayed in the centre dome. This for about twenty minutes, and then listen to lectures
temple will attract people from all over the world by my Guru Maharaj on the Nectar of Devotion, Sri-
to the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to mad-Bhagavatam and Brihad-Bhagavatamrita.
engage them in Kṛṣṇa’s devotional service. We have Srila Prabhupada, I am so fortunate to be your
already seen the Sudarsana cakra installed in a glo- granddaughter, but I am in fact totally unqualified
rious ceremony. to serve your lotus feet directly. Hence, I beg for your
We, in Gaborone Botswana, are serving our forgiveness and beg to allow me to serve my gurude-
Lordships Sri Sri Kṛṣṇa Balaram behind ‘closed va’s servant’s servant
doors’ because of the Covid-19 pandemic. By reading
Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Sri Please accept my dandavat pranaamas at your
Caitanya-caritamrita, I have kept myself connected lotus feet,
to Your Divine Grace. You gave up your sleep to write Sevamanjari Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Seva

zz
Clairwood, Durban
South Africa

srimate partha sarathi goswami iti namine
I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES to my grand spir- indebted to you, Srila Prabhupada.

itual master, whom I am forever grateful to because
of him; I have the privilege of knowing Krishna. I From this fallen servant of the servant of the servant,
want to thank Srila Prabhupada for bringing Krish- Bhakta Seva
na Consciousness to South Africa. I am forever

& Other Devotees
Shānth-Roop Devi Dāsi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Durban I offer my respectful obeiances onto your divine lotus feet.
South Africa

I AM SURE THAT THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN DIFFICULT for inspired when I share these links.
everyone. It certainly was tough for me to not be I also sent links of your life pastime,
able to go to the mandhir and take dharshan. On Mahabharath and Vishnu Puran. I am currently
the other hand, this time has also opened our eyes sending links on topics of Sri Krishna. I did an over-
to what is around us, and has made us more grate- view of Bhagavad-gita in 18 days with ISKCON Man-
ful. I now understand what it is like to be separated galuru. There was a quiz for each chapter. It was
from the Lord and to appreciate the time that we are very lovely and enlightening. Every ekadashi they
allowed in the mandhir. recite the entire Bhagavad-gita As It Is. I also share
Lots of people have left us due to the Covid pan- YouTube links so that everyone can chant with you.
demic and due to other issues. It has been challeng- One of my devotee sister’s sends Mangal Aarti and
ing. Right now, my heart is so heavy, yet I am trying Shringar Dharshan daily. I post the dharshan pic-
to be positive. tures on my status - you will be pleased to know
I have joined the Prabhupad Prem Namahatta that one individual of the Muslim faith is receiving
on the Whatsapp group, and we have weekly sath- these daily.
sang via Zoom on Thursdays. We did get to have The Karthik video link last year with all the
a small sathsang recently with our Namahatta at devotees and places was so amazing.
the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath mandhir and I really Everything has been amazing from the holy
appreciated it. dhams and all the parikramas.
I have been doing my preaching on Whatsapp, There was also Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama. I
sending one Bhagavatam verse daily. I have also am grateful to all your children for organising such
shared some links of two matajis - Kisori Jani and online parikramas. I learnt so much and shared
Vrinda Kund - that are doing some children sessions. with everyone around me.
There is also the Madhavas Rock Band that had the
children reciting verses from the Bhagavad-gita. Your servant and grand-daughter,
Whenever I see children learning so nicely, then Shānth-Roop Devi Dāsi
I am inspired. I do hope that someone else is also
Shatrughna Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Pinetown Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
YOU HAVE TAKEN THE WORDS of your guru maharaj to Please bless me that I always stay at your lotus
be your life and soul. feet and never leave ISKCON
Thank you Srila Prabhupada for your glorious
ISKCON. Your humble servant,
I have no words to glorify you Srila Prabhupada. Shatrughna Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Shravan Bharuth

zz
Cape Town
South Africa
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE A SERVANT of you

and Krishna. Please allow me to keep this privilege Your servant,
and give me your mercy to go on with my spiritu- Shravan Bharuth
al life.
3
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Shukadev das

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine Lotus feet. All glories to you on your most auspicious and revered appear- Tongaat
ance day. South Africa

AS THE YEARS GO BY in the material world, days get Srila Prabhupada you have given us hope, by
tougher, health takes more strain, tasks become opening up our eyes to the world of bhakti and sur-
more difficult and the burdens of this life become rendered service for the ultimate pleasure of Sri Sri
more enduring to conquer. I reflect on your words Radha Krishna. This you’ve guaranteed to us is the
from conversation pieces and purports of your nec- best system of living in this life. There is an unspo-
tarean instructions in your books, and realise how ken satisfaction, a feeling of purpose and complete-
you, dear Srila Prabhupada have pointed all of this ness, that I feel is an enveloping of a special shakti
out to us, educating us so selflessly to not waste our that protects the devotees who try to adopt a hum-
time, trying to create a material cushioning, as we ble life in bhakti-yoga.
would be rudely surprised that a cushion is but tem- Our true happiness will be felt whilst dancing
porary and time will devour it all, and to our death jubilantly in the sankirtan of Lords Nitai Chaitanya
we shall go without anything. - This is ‘that’ true happiness that we are searching

& Other Devotees
for but yet sometimes look for in bland, dull materi- Prabhupada. Please bless me to keep trying, to keep
al life. But how would many of us have known this being blessed so that my enthusiasm is devotional
pristine system of a world in a world. A rich and joy- service, and my actions are devotional service and
ous culture that cuts the fake happiness of material my voice is devotional service. May I labour every
life like a sword of hope - only you Srila Prabhupa- day to bring a little bit of pleasure unto my guru
da could teach this to the world, and for this I am in maharaja and ultimately unto you. I am not capa-
awestruck indebtedness. I’m so thankful to be one ble of anything great, but may I always try to make
of many that has had the great fortune of finding my you proud and by this may I keep remembering you,
guru maharaja and in his service, I will try my best remembering our dear Lord Krishna and never ever
to please him, as I know he is a pleasing personality forget Him, in all of eternity.
unto you, following your instructions so rigidly for Your blessings are the only hope that exist, so
the betterment of mankind at large. I beg dearly at the dust, at your lotus feet, my dear-
Your great preaching and books have turned est Srila Prabhupada to kindly give me your divine
the grim world into a hopeful place with a golden mercy, that I may always be in the company of your
river that cuts through all cities and towns across great house and may I serve unconditionally in your
the planet, with the water being your voice and ISKCON.
instruction that purifies all over this material mass.
We have been saved! In all true sense of these words. Always in your service.
We have been saved! Your ever-loving grandson,
My sincere gratitude to you oh dear Srila Shukadev Das
Shyama Gopi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada

zz
Queensburgh All glories to Your Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

South Africa My humble obeisances to you Srila Prabhupada.
I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY to humbly thank you for cargo ship in perilous weather and ill health just to
all your teachings and books written by your holi- teach the world and give us the golden knowledge
ness. Reading and understanding your books has of the scriptures. My heartfelt thanks to you Srila
changed my life to spiritual bliss. There’s so much Prabhupada for the supreme teachings of Krishna
positivity in your teachings in the holy books of the consciousness and giving us the ripened fruits of
greatness and awareness of Krishna consciousness. knowledge through the holy scriptures.
I find myself amazed with the contents of the books All glories all glories to Your Divine Grace Sri-
you have lovingly written which enlightened my la Prabhupada.
mind about Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupa-
da you sacrificed your own health by travelling in a Shyama Gopi Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Shyama Vilasini Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. La Laura, Moka
All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada. Mauritius

THE WHOLE WORLD is going through great turmoil tirtha-bhutah svayam vibho
today. Everybody is helpless in the face of the Coro- tirtha-kurvanti tirthani
na pandemic. The common person is in great anxi- svāntaḥ-sthena gadābhṛtā
ety trying to find solutions to his unending tribula-
tions. People have lost faith in their leaders, health My Lord, devotees like your good self are verily
providers, and role models and are completely holy places personified. Because you carry the Per-
bewildered. They do not know who to turn to for sonality of Godhead within your heart, you turn all
answers to their questions. The only ray of hope places into places of pilgrimage.
and light are your books and your teachings, Srila Wherever you went, you turned that place into
Prabhupada. Vrindavan. You preached by your example that a
Only through your teachings can one under- devotee should consider the spiritual master to be
stand that the material world is duhkhalayam asas- as good as the Lord, follow his instructions with
vatam, a place for miseries, and it is also tempo- great determination despite all odds and hardships
rary. One will be kicked out despite ones elaborate and have firm faith that true success lies in pleasing
arrangement for permanent settlement. We are not the spiritual master. Despite innumerable challeng-
this body but a spirit soul - part and parcel of Krs- es, no support and single-handedly, you made the
na, and our goal is to re-establish our relationship impossible possible by your complete dedication to
with the Supreme Lord, Krsna. It is only by your mer- the order of your Guru Maharaj. After struggling for
cy that so many conditioned souls worldwide have more than forty years with no success in India, you
access to this transcendental knowledge through did not give up hope even at such an advanced age.
your books, your society, your various temples and You kept trying all your might. Nothing nor anyone
centres, the activities you initiated like harinaams, could divert you from your goal. Since day one, you
prasadam distribution, preaching programs and fes- were very clear about your mission. You incorporat-
tivals. The lives of so many souls have been trans- ed the International Society for Krsna Conscious-
formed as they have been purified, by your mercy, ness and stipulated the seven purposes of ISKCON
to take to devotional service. to avoid any possibility of diversion in the future.
You came from the spiritual world as a messen- You always thought big and had a perfect vision of
ger of Lord Caitanya to deliver humankind, entan- ISKCON in times to come with temples full of devo-
gled in sense gratification due to gross ignorance. tees of all colour, creed and nationality, all around
the world, with headquarters in Mayapur, with a
Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 1, chapter 13, text 10 plan for the Temple of Vedic Planetarium. Can any-
states one believe that such an achievement was possible
by someone at the age of seventy-two within twelve
bhavad-vidha bhagavatas years with no capital?

& Other Devotees
Lord Krsna created this cosmic manifesta- fallen soul so that I may become purified of my anar-
tion as a complete whole, and by the laws of nature, thas and false ego and engage my body, mind and
everything is being maintained and sustained auto- words in serving your servants and pleasing them.
matically - purnat purnam udacyate. Similarly, as an Please engage me in your service eternally and make
expert craftsman, you, Srila Prabhupada, created me f ixed in my determination so that I may cul-
ISKCON in such a way that by your design, the soci- tivate a consistent state of enthusiasm to execute
ety is operating wonderfully and expanding even fif- the orders of my spiritual master despite all types
ty years after you departed from this material world. of challenges.
You have so lovingly trained and inspired your disci-
ples that they are, in turn, carrying out the mission Your granddisciple,
of ISKCON with great enthusiasm and dedication. Shyama Vilasini Devi Dasi
On this most auspicious Vyasa-puja day, I wish Sri Sri Radha Golokananda Mandir
to request you to kindly bestow your mercy on this
Shyamghat Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Radhaghat Dasi

Randburg
South Africa
smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur
vismartavyo na jātucit
sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur
etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ
“Kṛṣṇa is the origin of Lord Viṣṇu. He should always the spiritual master, but he must first abide by the
be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All spiritual master’s order to chant a certain number of
the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the śāstras rounds. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we
should be the servants of these two principles.” (Śrī have recommended that the neophyte chant at least
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.113) sixteen rounds. This chanting of sixteen rounds
In the purport to this verse Srila Prabhupada is absolutely necessary if one wants to remember
explains: “This verse is a quotation from the Pad- Kṛṣṇa and not forget Him. Of all the regulative prin-
ma Purāṇa. There are many regulative principles ciples, the spiritual master’s order to chant at least
in the śāstras and directions given by the spiritual sixteen rounds is most essential.”
master. These regulative principles should act as Dear Srila Prabhupada, on this most auspicious
servants of the basic principle — that is, one should day of your Vyasa-puja, we pray that we can always
always remember Kṛṣṇa and never forget Him. This follow this most essential regulative principle giv-
is possible when one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. en by you.
Therefore one must strictly chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa
mahā-mantra twenty-four hours daily. One may Your insignificant servants,
have other duties to perform under the direction of Shyamghat Das and Radhaghat Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Siva Sankara Das
zz Please accept my humble obesiances at the dust of your lotus feet. and Guna Manjari Devi Dasi
All glories to Your Divine Grace. Fresnaye, Cape Town
South Africa
THE EVENTS THAT HAVE UNFOLDED during the last year beacon of light that illuminates our path and gives
having been trying. Strength is bred through adver- us the impetus to fight on.
sity. The strongest steel is forged by the hottest fires. We thank you for all that you have done and for
It is pounded and struck repeatedly. The fire gives it all that you are doing. May your glories be celebrat-
power and flexibility, and the blows give it strength. ed in all the worlds.
Through your infinite mercy and compassion, we Always begging for your continued guidance
have emerged a little stronger. and the shade of your lotus feet,
You are our rock and inspiration. It is you that
we look to in times of need. You lift us up when we Your servants,
stumble and fall. Your love is our anchor, our seat Siva Sankara das and Guna Manjari devi dasi
of comfort and our hope rests on you. You are that
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sivarama Das

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Newcastle

DEAR SRILA PRABHUPADA , on this very auspicious association, sadhu-sanga. Thank you for the numer-
occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I would like to express ous books that you have translated into many lan-
my sincere and heartfelt gratitude and deep appre- guages for us. During this pandemic, I heard many
ciation for all that you have sacrificed to share such lectures by your disciples and grand disciples giving
transcendental knowledge and information from lectures from these books.
the ancient wisdom texts of India with the entire My sincere prayer is that you please help me to
world. I consider myself most fortunate to have develop a taste for hearing and chanting the holy
the honour and privilege of associating with you names of Lord Krsna. Please help me develop a sense
through your transcendental literature. of compassion for all living entities and develop
Through your example, you have taught us to deep, loving relationships with devotees and serve
realize this knowledge by putting it into practice devotees.
and living and dedicating your life to demonstrate
to us how to realize the knowledge of the scriptures. Your servant,
One of many lessons that I have learnt during Sivarama Das
this current Covid pandemic is the power of

& Other Devotees
Soimone Govender 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Lenasia Please accept my humble obeisances.
South Africa All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to you, Prabhupada, for devotional service.

your most beloved teachings and important litera- I bow down to your lotus feet with great care
ture. Your books have served as a guideline in help- and attention.
ing my family and I through this most trying pan-
demic that is Covid-19. Your words give solace to us Your humble servant,
during a time of struggle and strengthens us in our Soimone Govender
Sri Hari Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Malvern, KwaZulu-Natal Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
ON THE PASSING AWAY of Srila Haridasa Thakura, close and intimate circle. You knew that there would
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “Being merciful be problems in the future when you departed. You
upon Me, Kṛṣṇa gave Me the association of Harida- related the history of the Gaudiya Math and warned
sa Thakura. Being independent in His desires, He us not to make the same mistakes as your godbroth-
has now broken that association”. Similarly, Srila ers. You instructed that such dangers can be over-
Prabhupada, being merciful upon us, you gave us come through collective management.
the association of His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami His Holiness Bhakti Caru Maharaja spent
Maharaja. Now that he has served you to your full many years establishing your position as the found-
satisfaction, you have taken him back into your per- er-acarya of ISKCON. He knew that this was not just
sonal association. a title but a transcendental system intended to pro-
We are eternally indebted to you, Srila Prabh- tect, preserve and give longevity to an institution
upada, for all that you have done for us. We can- dedicated to the mass liberation of conditioned
not imagine the struggles and hardships you have souls all over the world in this dark abysmal age
undergone to pick us up from this dark and miser- of Kali. Full implementation of this system in ISK-
able place. You said that it took gallons of blood to CON is crucial to the fulfilment of Lord Caitanya
make one devotee. You saved us from many millions Mahaprabhu’s prediction.
of lifetimes of suffering in conditional life. You gave We are eternally grateful to you Srila Prabhu-
us your books and sent to us your devotees to nur- pada. How can we ever repay you? I prostate myself
ture and guide us through this treacherous ocean of in the dust of your lotus feet and offer my repeated
material existence. You have showered us with your obeisances. I pray that I may become purified of all
compassion and kindness. You will continue to do material desires so that I can render unmotivated
so for the next ten thousand years. and uninterrupted loving devotional service to you
You were extremely concerned about the future in full surrender.
of ISKCON and you discussed such crucial mat-
ters with His Holiness Bhakti Caru Maharaja. You Your insignificant servant,
brought him, a trusted and loved disciple, into your Sri Hari Das

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada 4 Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Pinetown, Durban
All glories to you. South Africa
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale

srimate bhakticaitanya-svamin iti namine
namami bhakti caitanyam prabhupadanuse vinam
sri-vraja-dhana-mahatmya-pradarsakam krparnavam
BY YOUR UNLIMITED MERCY, I remain trying to be a ser- life also involves tapasya, voluntary acceptance of
vant within your ISKCON society, and I feel blessed some inconvenience. However, such inconvenience
to offer you my limited appreciation on your divine is not as dangerous as material attempts to mitigate
appearance day. Your appearance day marks the all miseries.” Srila Prabhupada, how would I have
beginning of good fortune for the entire world. ever known that I was miserable, or under any illu-
You appeared in this world and, in so doing, sory energy at all — if it were not for the existence
gave the world the good fortune to hear from and of your ISKCON temples, or your books, or your glo-
associate with the Supreme Lord’s pure devotee. You rious sons and daughters who have committed their
appeared on the divine instruction of the Supreme lives at your lotus feet?
Lord for the sole purpose of freeing the living enti- What life would I be leading if it were not for
ties who are enslaved by the illusory energy of the you, who brought Vedic knowledge to the western
material world. world, and in so doing, gave me an understanding of
You appeared in this world and endured a seem- my identity, purpose and meaning in my life?
ingly endless array of challenges to establish ISK- How would I be surviving this life if it were not
CON, so that I might understand that my life is more for the safe shelter of my spiritual master, your dear
than an endless cycle of serving my mind, senses, son, His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, the shel-
and body. Through establishing ISKCON, you gave ter of the holy name, japa, kirtana, prasadam, sad-
the greatest mercy to the world, because ISKCON is hana, seva, and sadhu-sanga?
the vehicle through which the mercy of the spiritual You have given me every assurance that I am
master, and the mercy of the entire guru-parampa- loved, valued, seen, heard and understood by the
ra flows. Without the mercy of the spiritual master, Supreme Lord. You have given me every means pos-
one cannot become engaged in devotional service, sible to purify my consciousness and realise my spir-
one’s heart cannot become purified, one cannot get itual position as the servant of the Supreme Lord.
the mercy of Lord Krishna, and one cannot become You have given me your flawless example in how
freed from the cycle of birth and death in this mate- you led your life. You have given me the promise,
rial world. that regardless of how incompetently unqualified I
In the purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.18 you may be to surrender wholeheartedly, if I just remain
write: “This material world is miserable, regardless as fixed as I can in following your instructions, then
of one’s standard of life. Of this there is no doubt. perhaps I may be able to still gain entry through
Attempts to mitigate the miseries of material exis- the backdoor of the spiritual world by hanging on
tence by material methods will never be successful. to your dhoti.
One must take to Krishna consciousness to become You have given me so much, Srila Prabhupa-
really happy; otherwise, happiness is impossible. da, but what can I give you in return? All I can offer
One might say that becoming advanced in spiritual you is my desire to become your instrument and to

& Other Devotees
internalize the missionary spirit of your ISKCON consciousness. Please bless me with the spiritu-
society. In recognizing my gratitude to you and al intelligence and strength in my endeavour to
ISKCON, I pray that I can become more focused in become your humble instrument.
sharing Krishna consciousness with others, and to
bringing more souls to the shelter of your lotus feet. Your aspiring servant,
I pray that I can be an asset to your ISKCON and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Devi Dasi
be a sincere and authentic practitioner of Krishna
3
zz
Sri Mukunda Das 4 My Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Durban Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance day.
South Africa
mukaṁ karoti vacalam

paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-krpa tam ahaṁ vande
sri-gurum dina-taraṇam
“By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator
and even a lame man can cross mountains.”
I offer my obeisances to such a guru, the deliverer of the fallen.

ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY I want to thank you Sri- which is the only spiritual platform that can deliv-
la Prabhupada for creating ISKCON. You sacrificed er the soul back to Krishna. There is no way I can
your whole life for us. I wake up every day and thank repay you Srila Prabhupada life after life. My life
you, Srila Prabhupada for what you have created for has found a meaning and purpose, freedom from
us. I have something to look forward in life. You so bondage, freedom from suffering, and freedom from
simply thought us you not alone, Krishna is always material existence altogether.
present and Srila Prabhupada you are forever pres- Begging for mercy at your lotus feet.
ent in our life through your books and teachings. I
love you Srila Prabhupada my guiding angel. Your unworthy servant of servants,
Please bless me to improve my chanting and Sri Mukunda Das
reading. I am so grateful to be part of your ISKCON

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Srimati Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances. Phoenix
All glories to Your Divine Grace. Mauritius
TIMES ARE NOT CHANGING
IN 1962, BOB DYLAN RELEASED a protest song in its core recognizes that all the world’s problems are
response to America’s Civil Rights Movement, a reflection of an inner spiritual crisis. What really
which became a worldwide anthem for peace, free- needs to change is our consciousness and the state
dom, and change. Titled ‘Blowing In the Wind’, of our hearts.
some of the words went: How many times must a To achieve this, you empower and encourage us
man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t to adopt the process of bhakti-yoga and the chanting
see? How many ears must one man have Before he of the Lord’s holy name. This will uproot unwanted
can hear people cry? Yes, and how many deaths weeds such as human greed from our hearts, and
will it take ‘til he knows That too many people have in its stead, enable love for God and all of His cre-
died? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind, ation to flourish.
the answer is blowin’ in the wind! What is more, is that you explain who we really
As a teenager growing up amidst an avant-gar- are, giving us our true identity, a sense of self-worth
de crowd in Cape Town, a city in a country that was and dignity.
similarly plagued with political and social injus- You have also introduced us to a way of life
tices that needed reform, I was drawn to such songs. that supports simple living and higher thinking.
I would listen to it over and over again. Now it is the Through the vegetarian diet and accepting Prasa-
year 2021, yet we are still listening to the same song! dam as grace, you instilled in us reverence for all
The words are as relevant today as they were back life forms.
then, and I ask myself, has anything really changed? Srila Prabhupada, I am eternally grateful to you.
Amidst endless campaigns against human On this most auspicious day, I pray that I can apply
injustices and exploitation of our ecosystems, man- your teachings in my own life so that my own heart
kind continues a path of blowing in the wind. That is, and consciousness can become purified and that I,
although we have the ability to see, we choose not to too, can become an instrument for change. Under
see, being blinded by our own material condition- your guidance, peace and harmony can indeed be
ings. Therefore, we have no real ability to affect the achieved. The answer, my friends, need not be blow-
cycle of endless suffering. ing in the wind. The answer need not be blowing in
Srila Prabhupada, what attracted me to your the wind!
ISKCON was that you not only addressed current
issues of the day but offered practical solutions to all Thank you, Srila Prabhupada!
of humanity’s problems through your presentation
of the timeless wisdom of the Vedic teachings. You Your most fallen granddaughter,
introduced the concept of spiritual ecology, which at Srimati Dasi

& Other Devotees
Sripad Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Umhlanga Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
South Africa
DURING THIS PAST YEAR, this material world contin- that we have to distribute your knowledge which is
ues to be ravished by the Covid-19 pandemic instill- the actual panacea to all world diseases.
ing fear in the hearts of many. The escalating global On your appearance day I pledge to assist you
death rates are negatively impacting many psycho- dear Srila Prabhupada in spreading your teach-
logically. If only they took to your message, they ings just as how we have come in contact with your
would understand that we are not this body, we are divine teachings by your causeless mercy.
eternal, part and parcel of Lord Krishna and death
truly means changing bodies. As practicing devo- Your unqualified servant,
tees of your wonderful movement it’s a reminder Sripad Das
Subal Sakha Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Newcastle
South Africa
namo om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

“ISKCON FOUNDER-ACHARYA A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swa- Krishna prema.

mi Prabhupada”. These few words are a wonder to “The splendid path of pure devotional service,
meditate on. In a flash, they expand the complete which bewildered the great sages in the past, which
colourful and dramatic history of how you estab- material intelligence has no power to enter, which
lished Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s sampradaya Sukadeva Gosvami was not able to understand, and
outside India. Are you not the birthplace of Bhakti which merciful Lord Krsna never revealed to His
in the West? But what do we, or the scientists who closest friend, is the place where the dear devotees
want to measure you, really know about the length of Lord Gaura happily enjoy pastimes.” [Sri Caitan-
and breadth of your perfectly non-envious charac- ya-candramrta, Chapter Four: Sri Caitanya-bhak-
ter or the treasures you bring? You enunciate basic ta-mahima, Text 18]
laws of Manu for a progressive civilization. You also Some would say you are an agent, an instru-
give the gift of love in its purest form. This particu- ment in the Lord’s effortless divine play. Yes. Cer-
lar gift is not to be had in billions of years. It is most tainly. Others say, Krishna’s name, His form, His
rare. Pure love is to be relished only in Vrindavan - pastimes, and His pure devotees, they are all the
nowhere else! This gift is bestowed only by residents same. Others may add, a powerful devotee of the
of Vrindavan. You must be the greatest emissary of Lord is, by the grace of the Lord, more than the Lord
Vrindavan, distributing far and wide, on behalf of Himself. Therefore, your appearance and pastimes
Lord Chaitanya, the most confidential treasure of as author, philosopher, kirtaneer, project manager,

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
servant, leader, healer, cook, pujari, scientist, a host This of course is easier said than done. Your words
par excellence and founder-acharya, must directly mostly contain limitless eternal truths with many
represent Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. angles of vision. Let our mundane vision not taint
Academics and scholars would have us believe your sastric prescriptions. And certainly, as genera-
that your mission is no different in its evolution tions of your followers rise in numbers, let us not in
and experience than any other religious move- the near future, unnecessarily interpret or correct
ment. This may be true. However, it is not known your intentions.
if other religious movements have direct connec- [Yamaraj to his servants SB 6.3.27]: “My dear
tions to supremely glorious preceptors like Lord servants, please do not approach such devotees, for
Nityananda, Srila Haridas Thakur, Srila Bhaktivi- they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the
node Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thak- Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are equal to
ur, Sri Narada Muni and others. In terms of preach- everyone, and their narrations are sung by the demi-
ing the cult of loving Krishna only and no one else, gods and the inhabitants of Siddhaloka. Please do
no other religious movement comes even a distant not even go near them. They are always protected
second. We dare say, they are not to be seen. Does by the club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
the philosophy and munificence of Lord Chaitanya and therefore Lord Brahma and I and even the time
Mahaprabhu have any comparison? Do your books, factor are not competent to chastise them.”
which reveal confidential secrets buried deep in Postscript: Yesterday, your words rang strong
the heart of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, have any and clear. Krishna seemed near. Caught in the del-
comparison? uge of your servant’s enthusiasm, I thought I loved
ISKCON is built on the principle of submissive- you. Although most grateful for the today you have
ly hearing your words. The principle of serving your given us and the promise of tomorrow, I long for
words and pleasing you has astounding results. This yesterday.
is the way to success. Let powerful karmis, the most
brilliant of the jnanis, great yogis and the humble Your fallen grand-disciple,
gaura-bhaktas all cooperate to serve your words. Subal Sakha Das
My dearest beloved Srila Prabhupada, 4 Subhadra Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. and Tusta-Krsna Dasa
All glories to you! South Africa
Planet Earth of catur-mukha Brahma
ON THIS FATHER’S DAY, please allow us to make an love. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada for saving
attempt at glorifying you. Nothing in the three the whole world! Even after you physically left us
worlds can compare to you Srila Prabhupada! you are still here saving everyone with your books,
What you have done for the world at large is close instructions and presence on the vyasasans every-
on impossible. Only one as empowered as your mag- where in the world!
nanimous self could pull it off. From the so-called You are truly the epitome of mercy! We owe
humblest beginnings to what your ISKCON has everything to you!
grown to today is a true testament of your power, Please bless us to remain eternally in your ser-
causeless mercy and absolute purity. Every day we vice, holding on tightly to your dhoti and being your
are constantly reminded of your magnificence and instruments. Please bless us to be the change, the

& Other Devotees
revolution, the continuation of what you established Your eternally aspiring servants Subhadra Devi
as we live our lives eternally in your service at the Dasi (grand disciple) and Tusta-Krsna Dasa (great
dust of your lotus feet. grand disciple)
Subhaga Das 4 zz My Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Mount Edgecombe, Phoenix
South Africa
ON THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY of your Sri Vyasa-puja, I offer by yourself and assist in temple duties.
my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for establishing
Srila Prabhupada, I want to thank you most ISKCON temples throughout the world and I have
sincerely for allowing me to be a part of your mag- endeavored to visit many temples in India, Malaysia,
nanimous International Society for Krishna Con- Mauritius, South Africa and Bangkok. Srila Prabh-
sciousness and for giving me my spiritual master, upada, please continue engaging me in your move-
His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami Maharaj, ment so that one day I may become a better disciple
without whose guidance I would have been a lost of my spiritual master who was so fortunate to be a
soul, wandering in this world. By your mercy my direct disciple of yours.
consciousness has been reawakened and I am now
chanting a minimum of 20 rounds of japa daily, read- Your aspiring servant,
ing Srimad Bhagavatam and other books authored Subhaga Das
Sudama Das 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Rasika Dasi, Please accept our most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
Radhika All glories to your Divine Grace.
and Gopika
Durban THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL VERSE in the Srimad Bhagavat- place where there are no material miseries, not
South Africa am which goes as follows: the place where there is danger at every step. - SB
10.14.58
samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ This verse speaks about the boat of the lotus feet
mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ as our ultimate shelter. That boat is represented by
bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ your boundless mercy in the form of ISKCON. This
padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām boat of your mercy is so huge, that it simply dwarfs
the material world. So much so that the demigods
For those who have accepted the boat of the in the heavenly planets are waiting to take birth on
lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cos- this planet, so that they can take shelter in this boat
mic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the ene- and attain to Vaikuntha. It is our only shelter and
my of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material if we accept it and come on-board, the ocean of the
world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof- material world becomes like the water contained in
print. Their goal is paraṁ padam, Vaikuṇṭha, the a calf’s hoof print.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Furthermore, in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.31 it from the Srimad Bhagavatam:
is stated:
aho bakī yaṁ stana-kāla-kūṭaṁ
svayaṁ samuttīrya sudustaraṁ dyuman jighāṁsayāpāyayad apy asādhvī
bhavārṇavaṁ bhīmam adabhra-sauhṛdāḥ lebhe gatiṁ dhātry-ucitāṁ tato ’nyaṁ
bhavat-padāmbhoruha-nāvam atra te kaṁ vā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema
nidhāya yātāḥ sad-anugraho bhavan
Alas, how shall I take shelter of one more mer-
O Lord, who resemble the shining sun, You ciful than He who granted the position of mother to
are always ready to fulf ill the desire of Your dev- a she-demon [Pūtanā] although she was unfaithful
otee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree and she prepared deadly poison to be sucked from
[vāñchā-kalpataru]. When ācāryas completely take her breast?
shelter under Your lotus feet in order to cross the
f ierce ocean of nescience, they leave behind on - SB 3.2.23
earth the method by which they cross, and because
You are very merciful to Your other devotees, You Srila Prabhupada - we lack so much of faith and
accept this method to help them. are full of demonic propensities, but alas, how shall
This verse shows how you very expertly and we take shelter of one more merciful than you? Just
mercifully provide the method by which people in as Lord Krishna, delivered Putana and promoted
any condition, can cross this vast ocean. And you’ve her to the spiritual world, by her approaching Him
done this in the form of your books, instructions, in a motherly way, in the same way, you are able to
ambitious preaching, the holy name and by being extract nectar from a stock of poisonous qualities,
an ever-well-wishing friend to all. You made adjust- in all of us. You are able to deliver us and the entire
ments according to time, place and circumstances, world by fanning the spark of devotional service and
while keeping the essence of pure devotional ser- rekindling our faith. With this mood, we pray that
vice to the Radha and Krishna, as expounded in the we may always remain within the shelter of the boat
bona-fide scriptures, intact. You chalked out the of your lotus feet (ISKCON) and under your bona-
path of bhakti and built a house in which the whole fide representatives - always.
world can live in - eternally.
It is currently the year 2021, the 125th anniver- Hare Krishna.
sary year of your appearance on this planet. On this
most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, we Your ever-grateful servants of your servants,
simply submit our shortcomings and pray to you in Sudama Das, Rasika Dasi, Radhika and Gopika
the mood of this final verse which we quote again
Hare Krishna dearest jagad-guru, Srila Prabhupada. 4 Sudarsini Dasi

zz
Please accept my koti-koti pranams at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this Johannesburg
most auspicious occasion of your 125th Vyasa-puja. South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, on this most auspicious occasion be part of this wonderful ISKCON family. This plan-
of your Vyasa-puja, I feel humbled and honored to et was blessed to have had a divine being such as

& Other Devotees
yourself Srila Prabhupada. Bhagavatam even until your last breath.
Only a specially empowered being could take Even if we take millions of births, we will not
the names of Lord Krishna to every town and vil- be able to repay our debt to you Srila Prabhupada.
lage. Where would we have been without you and You have given us so much of your mercy
your loving mercy? already, but I beg for you to please help us with a
One has to take many millions and millions single drop of your mercy so that we can remember
of births in this material world before one has the to serve the Lord and his devotees in this troubled
good fortune of hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from and miserable world, and to chant the Lord’s glories.
a pure devotee. You followed the instructions of We can’t thank you enough for building a house
your spiritual master to preach and you could have in which the whole world can live peacefully in.
preached very comfortably in India, but you chose All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. All glories
to go to the opposite side of the world to preach to to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
godless and materially attached people. You were
like Bhisma Dev who chose to fight on the side of the Your servant of the servants,
Kauravas, although his heart was with the Pandavas, Sudarsini Dasi
just to please Lord Krishna. You preached Srimad
Sudevi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Johannesburg Please accept my most humble obeisance’s at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspi-
South Africa cious occasion of your 125th Vyasa-puja.
IT IS JUNE 2021 - more than a year later and we find possible in one year if we did not have this lockdown.
ourselves in yet another lockdown in South Africa. Again, I take the blessings that have come out of this
On the one hand there is so much of sadness and on pandemic.
the other, so much of blessings – I gladly embrace We are also doing some weekly service for our
the blessings and realise that there is no better shel- spiritual master, HH Partha Sarathi Das Goswami,
ter, than being in our Krsna consciousness society. I who is currently residing in Johannesburg. How for-
heard this example given by HG Agnidev prabhu at tunate are we to be able to get this rare opportuni-
one of the Kirtan mela festivals in Radhadesh (audio ty to get our guru maharaja’s association? Another
recording) as he spoke about you, Srila Prabhupada. one of the special lockdown blessings I am intense-
I am taking advantage of this shelter by lis- ly grateful for.
tening to virtual classes whilst work life continues, There is another group of devotees in Mayapur
whilst cooking, doing the dishes, cleaning, etc. We who are systematically doing your Lilamrta through
have so much access and association virtually, it is WhatsApp voice notes, Srila Prabhupada. I have
hard to keep up! I am however, really relishing HH been trying to read your Lilamrta for a while now,
Bhakti Caitanya Swami’s weekly classes of Brihad but reading has never been my strong suit. Even
Bhagavatamrita, as Maharaj takes us on a journey though I do not get to read your Lilamrta all the
through the different planetary systems, explor- time, I can still listen to the audio voice notes and
ing the different levels of consciousness with Gopa keep up. Again, another one of the lockdown bless-
Kumar. ings I am taking.
Completing Bhakti Sastri would have not been As we navigate through these new ways of

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
living, I am taking all the blessings that come with deeply indebted to you Srila Prabhupada, and I sin-
it. I also realise that nothing would be possible with- cerely pray that you keep us all sheltered at your
out your mercy and for that, I am eternally grate- lotus feet and in the fire of enthusiasm for Krsna
ful. Thank you for everything that you have given consciousness.
us and continue to give us dear Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for creating this shelter for us and help- I beg to always remain, your servant of your
ing us to understand, that there is no better shel- servants,
ter than being in the association of the devotees - Sudevi dasi
albeit virtually, devotees are our life and soul. I am
Dearest Srila Prabhupada 4 Sudhir Nimai Das

zz
Please accept our most humble obeisances. Sarika Priya Devi Dasi
All glories to Your Divine Grace Bhaktin Vrindavani Radhika
Durban
ANOTHER YEAR HAS PASSED and now it has come for devotee association and devotees themselves for South Africa
your glorious Vyasa-puja celebration. Thank you granted. The four symptoms of this world, being
so much for your divine appearance and blessings birth, old age, disease and death was so evident. It
during this age of Kali. is truly a place of suffering. We are so fortunate for
The years 2020 and 2021 have been very chal- you to have enlightened us about these symptoms
lenging for all of us. This was because this planet and that we are not this body, but spirit soul. It is
had been struck by a terrible virus which is still liv- only by your Divine Graces arrangement that we can
ing and causing a global pandemic. Due to this, we free ourselves and this is by staying in your ISKCON,
could not freely associate with the devotees which, the transcendental boat that will take us across this
as you taught us, is a crucial part of our devotional ocean of misery.
life. We have realised even more so, on how import- Srila Prabhupada, you have given us everything
ant your vani is and how vital it is to take shelter we really need, and it is only by your causeless mer-
of your books. You have taught us that we can use cy that we can be saved and taken back to our true
everything that we have in the service of Krishna home, back to Krishna and His associates. Thank
and in so doing, we are using modern technology to you Srila Prabhupada, for your most valuable teach-
associate with the devotees through their lectures ings. We remain ever so grateful and indebted to you.
and activities in Krishna consciousness.
The disappearance of your dear disciple HH Your aspiring servants,
Bhakti Charu Swami Guru Maharaj and many oth- Sudhir Nimai Das, Sarika Priya Devi Dasi and
er devotees was a shock to us and the Vaishnava Bhaktin Vrindavani Radhika
community. We have realised that we cannot take

& Other Devotees
Sukumari Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Chatsworth (Sri Sri Radha
Radhanath Temple)
South Africa
I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES unto your divine please make me an object of your mercy and allow
grace, the most magnanimous personality whose me to perfect this life.
compassion for all of us brought you to the West, I am remembering your words in the Nectar of
to rescue us from our material entanglement and Devotion, Chapter 18, quoting our previous acha-
revive our understanding that we are eternal ser- ryas, and I offer the same prayer to your lotus feet:
vants of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. “I have no love for Krsna, nor for the causes of
The present pandemic has given me an oppor- developing love of Krsna – namely, hearing and
tunity to render more service to Sri Sri Radha Rad- chanting. And the process of bhakti-yoga, by which
hanath and Their dear devotees. It is a wonderful one is always thinking of Krsna and fixing His lotus
and enlivening experience engaging in service I’ve feet in the heart, is also lacking in me. As far as phil-
not done before. This has encouraged me to pray osophical knowledge or pious works are concerned,
deeply for your mercy as I am incompetent and inex- I don’t see any opportunity for me to execute such
perienced. Srila Prabhupada, I feel you by my side activities. But above all, I am not even born of a nice
day after day, week after week, month after month, family. Therefore, I must simply pray to You, Gopi-
and now over a year later, we are still serving under jana-vallabha [Krsna, maintainer and beloved of
lockdown. I am so grateful for your divine grace’s the gopis]. I simply wish and hope that some way or
mercy. Now a glimpse of knowing what it means to other I may be able to approach Your lotus feet, and
be an instrument in the hands of the spiritual mas- this hope is giving me pain, because I think myself
ter is dawning upon me. quite incompetent to approach that transcenden-
This service has instilled in me a small han- tal goal of life.”
kering to serve your divine grace in the spiritual All glories to your divine grace!
world. I know the quality of my service is poor, my
appreciation of our dear devotees is weak, and I am Your grateful and dependent granddaughter,
a wayward representative of your divine grace. Still, Sukumari Dasi
Sundarananda Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Pretoria
South Africa

IN THIS TIME OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC , when the precious gift of Krishna consciousness.
whole world is suffering, I’m so grateful that, by Now I’m part of an enviable few who see the
your mercy, I was lucky enough to receive this most world through your eyes. That is, that our only real

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
business is devotional service to Krishna and this insignificant in comparison.
material world is one of millions that I have lived
through. Thank you for showing me what is import- I’m forever in your debt,
ant in life and giving me a process on how to achieve Your servant always,
it. Knowing this makes this Covid-19 pandemic look Sundarananda Das
Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Surabhi Kunje Devi Dasi

zz

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11.26.32 states: “The devotees philosophy of Krsna consciousness, sharing the mer-
of the Lord, peacefully fixed in absolute knowledge, cy of Lord Caitanya at the ecstatic festivals, taking
are the ultimate shelter for those who are repeat- darshana of the exquisite Deities you established
edly rising and falling within the fearful ocean of world-wide, visiting the holy places of pilgrimage
material life. Such devotees are just like a strong that you gave us entrance into, associating with your
boat that comes to rescue persons who are at the devotees, and countless other spiritual activities
point of drowning.” overwhelm my heart with happiness. Not only is
Not only have you come to rescue the entire the journey blissful, but the destination is eternal
world from unlimited suffering, but you also gave bliss too. You made it possible to give up our lower
us the ingredients and recipe for eternal happiness. standard of enjoyment for the highest enjoyment.
Your compassion is boundless. You really felt the My heart is conquered by your selflessness, to
great burden of misery permeating this world, and the point where I try to stretch it beyond its cur-
you intelligently defeated all materialistic influenc- rent capacity in order to share this gift of Krsna
es that drive us to relentlessly endeavour for wealth, consciousness with others. But due to my lack of
fame, external beauty and sense gratification. You maturity, selfishness, weakness of heart, innumer-
destroyed all ideas of mundane happiness by show- able anarthas and uncontrolled mind, I fail in my
ing us what true spiritual happiness means. I always attempts. I am hopeless and helpless without your
meditate on these words of yours: mercy, so please allow me to overcome my limita-
“Our mission is to see sarve sukhino bhavan- tions in order to serve you. I want to be your instru-
tu: everyone become happy. We don’t want to see ment in sharing Krsna consciousness. I want to
that we exploit somebody else and I become hap- make people happy, just as I have become happy, by
py. No. We want to see everyone happy. But they do the sublime process of bhakti-yoga. I want to make
not know how to become happy. Therefore we are you happy, and I know that you are most pleased
trying to spread this Krishna consciousness move- when we distribute your books, so please give me
ment so that everyone will be happy. “ (Los Angeles, the energy, ability and inspiration to do so. I also
December 4, 1973) pray to become a true representative of you and
Every aspect of this process of Krsna conscious- develop the qualities of saintliness. I pray that my
ness you gave us is thoroughly joyful “ reading the life is an expression of my gratitude to you.
books you translated until your last breath, chant-
ing the Holy Names and dancing in kirtana, rel- Your servant,
ishing Krsna prasadam, hearing the pastimes and Surabhi Kunje Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Surangi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada, please accept my humble obeisances at your divine feet.
zz
Umhlanga All glories all glories to Their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani.
South Africa All glories to Sri Nitai Gaurasundar. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath
SRILA PRABHUPADA, YOU DEFIED OLD AGE, ill health, Life, discourses, dancing, prasadam there is no end.
no financial backing, and no support structure. You This empire built single handedly by you, our
endeavoured, despite innumerable challenges post dearest Father, Grandfather, param Guru. Thank
landing in Boston. In an age of uncontrollable drug you Srila Prabhupada. Thank you.
addiction, illicit sex, wavering minds, you bared Now we f ind ourselves in equal challenging
many a hardship. times. I feel conflicted in my own situation, miss-
C.S Lewis wrote : ing immensely the service I once lived every Thurs-
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for day for, versus my own failing health issues amidst
extraordinary destinations!” a ravaging, deadly virus.
Of course we all know that you were no ordi- I selfishly chose my personal safety over serv-
nary soul. So, it’s only logical that your resulting ing, and it eats at me. Although, I try to do other ser-
effects be as great as it currently is. vice, like devotee care. I feel like a cheater.
More than 108 ISKCON Mandirs worldwide. Please forgive me Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees of all colour, creed, nationality. The philos- Help heal the world, making it a safer place,
ophy, pastimes, logic and gurus stealing the hearts help me to serve as I once used to.
and minds of the young, aged, disabled and diseased.
So many channels for preaching: Temples and Dei- Your so fallen grand servant,
ty worship, sankirtan, book distribution, Food for Surangi Dasi
Suresh Makan 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Family
Pretoria
South Africa
YOU MAGNANIMOUSLY, WITH NOBLE-SPIRITEDNESS and reconnect ourselves in devotional service as eternal
great generosity, openly distributed the secret of all servants of the Lord.
secrets, normally kept for and by the paramham- Consequently, you revealed to us your majesty
sas or erudite scholars of the Sanatan Dharma sect by revealing the transcendental secrets of all time,
in India. You brought the message of Lord Caitan- which are:
ya Mahaprabhu, the latest incarnation of Sri Krsna,
some 500 years ago in Bengal India, to every town 1. We must chant the Holy Names “Hare Krs-
and village, to everyone on planet earth; the tran- na, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare
scendental secret essence of the Vedic knowledge Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare,” is
of chanting the holy names of the Supreme Cause the only mantra which is effective in this age
of All Causes, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, of Kali-yuga-an age of quarrel and hypocrisy -
Sri Krsna. This being the chant of deliverance from SB 3.21.6.
the material ocean of gross ignorance and forgetful- 2. We must always remember Sri Krsna and never
ness of one’s eternal relationship with the Lord, to to forget Him, even for a moment. (CC Madhya

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
22.113 and Padma Purana), and one’s actual purpose of life; which is to be an eter-
3. We must follow the regulative principles and nal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
lead a noble life. Sri Kṛṣṇa. Sri Kṛṣṇa, tells Arjuna that He is relating
4. We must get the mercy of Sri Krsna or his pure this supreme secret to him, because Arjuna has the
devotee, and be connected to the parampara by qualities and relationship, and therefore qualifies
initiation, to fully achieve liberation and merge as His devotee and His friend.
in devotional service of the Lord. The purport of this is that Bhagavad-gita and
These four processes will effectively deliver one other Vaisnava literature, like the Nectar of Devo-
from material bondage to the Spiritual Sky of Golo- tion, which is essentially in pursuance of this teach-
ka Vrndavana, within one’s lifetime, guaranteed by ing are discourses meant for the devotees of the Lord.
Krsna in BG 18.65 and 18.66. These devotees are extraordinary paramham-
To this end, you are the real and true jagad-gu- sas, or erudite scholars, friends and pure devotees
ru, of all time, since of the Lord, like the Pandavas, subsequently this is
Jagadguru, literally means the Guru of the uni- clearly seen by how Arjuna accepted this secret tran-
verse, is a title used in Sanātana Dharma. Histori- scendental knowledge in Bhagavad-gita. This exam-
cally, Jagadgurus have established a lineage (Param- ple should be noted and followed, to also transcend,
parā), established an institution to spread Dharma, the material modes of nature, and go back home
who have been based in Varanasi, famous for being to Godhead. His manner of acceptance is given in
the centre of Sanskrit study and the “Capital of All the Tenth Chapter (10.12-14),is for the whole world
Knowledge”. ~ Source: Definitions.net. to pursue for world peace, prosperity, unity and all
In Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3 you’ve happiness (ananda), free from anxieties like, floods,
explained to us nicely: droughts, forest fires, pandemics – Covid-19, and
The Vedic literature, for emphasis, clearly states other natural disasters, etc. and to perfect human
three times that in this age of Kali, there is no oth- life on planet earth, by being all knowledgeable (cit)
er alternative, no other alternative, no other alter- for all time, eternally (sat), actually Sri Kṛṣṇa in His
native than harer nāma, chanting the holy name original form is sat cit ananda, rupam (form).
of the Lord. To this end, one will surmise, that 99% of mod-
ern man in the human race will not qualify to break
SB 3.21.6, PURPORT: out the chains of repeated cycles of birth and death,
It is understood herein that Kardama Muni through some 8,400,000 species of life, and tran-
meditated in yoga for ten thousand years before scend the recycling or repetitive material life cycle
attaining perfection. Similarly, we have information to a spiritual life, of loving devotional service to the
that Vālmīki Muni also practiced yoga meditation Supreme Lord. This is due to being born in gross
for sixty thousand years before attaining perfection. ‘darkness of ignorance,’ and being educated in mate-
. . The Vedic literature, for emphasis, clearly states rial misinformation. We are not this body, but eter-
three times that in this Age of Kali — kalau nāsty nal loving jiva atma’s or spirit soul’s, the eternal
eva nāsty eva nāsty eva — there is no other alterna- servant’s of the Supreme Lord, Sri Kṛṣṇa, who are
tive, no other alternative, no other alternative than currently in a material contaminated or marginal
harer nāma, chanting the holy name of the Lord. conditional state.
You have revealed to us, that Srila Rupa Gos- Consequently the systematic study of Srila
vami, says that devotional service, is the ultimate Rupa Goswami’s Nectar of Devotion is the road map
perfection of human life. Consequently, in one’s or ‘torchlight of knowledge,’ to remove ignorance
ultimate perfection of human life, one also fulfils and improve our Kṛṣṇa consciousness, by ‘wiping

& Other Devotees
off the dust of material conditioning or material arcarya of ISKCON, who is an alchemist, i.e. one who
contamination on our mind,’ such as ‘lust anger and knows how to turn bell-metal into gold by adding
greed-being the gateways to hell-BG 16,21‘ covering mercury; this purport means he is able to cultivate,
our spirit soul accumulated trough million’s of life- develop and change one’s activities in life, from ordi-
times (since infinity); one step at a time, and trans- nary degraded human beings, by ‘churning of the
migrating one from even lower than the Kanistha milk’ or chemicals, into Uttama or 1st class devotees
3rd class devotee to become an Uttama or 1st class with similar loving qualities and attachment to Sri
devotee - like Sri Arjuna; and in the process, Sri- Kṛṣṇa such as Sri Arjuna in friendship and loving
la Rupa Gosvami says one will completely annihi- devotional service to Sri Kṛṣṇa, which is the ulti-
late the two vicious witches seated in our hearts as mate goal of life, and annihilating the two witches
Bhukti (material enjoyment) and Mukti (liberation seated in our heart and their ‘karmic activities’ – BG
from material bondage and to become one with the 2.27, of revolving cycle of birth, old-age, disease and
Lord) from the chains of their bondage in the mate- death, as shown in both photos above.
rial cycle of life. Therefore, today we highly honour your appear-
ance day, aka your Vyasa-puja day, on behalf of
BG. 16.21 TRANSLATION our human race, in gratitude and appreciation, as
“There are three gates leading to this hell – lust, anger we’re deeply in debt to your ISKCON’s magnanimi-
and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for ty, vision and enthusiasm for saving our human race
they lead to the degradation of the soul. from extinction to the realisation of Godhead, and
for ending our material bondage with your love and
PURPORT extraordinary compassion. You are truly ‘our ever
The beginning of demoniac life is described here- well-wisher.’
in. One tries to satisfy his lust, and when he can- Thus, we end our loving offering at your lotus
not, anger and greed arise. A sane man who does feet, from what little we know, in the words of Sri
not want to glide down to the species of demoniac Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
life must try to give up these three enemies, which
can kill the self to such an extent that there will We remain your eternal dasa dasa dasa
be no possibility of liberation from this material dasanudasah
entanglement.” Suresh Makan and Family
Consequently, it is out of your sheer causeless 20 June 2021
mercy Srila Prabhupada as our pre-eminent founder
Surika Civilcharran 4 My dearest Srila Prabhupada.

zz
Bellevue Please accept my humble obeisances.

South Africa
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS and guiding me have bestowed my kids with enthusiasm to serve
with my devotional service. I pray that you never let Sri Dayal Nitai and Sri Gaura Hari.
go of my hand, because I definitely cannot do this on
my own. Thank you for all the service that you have Your servant Surika Civilcharran
given me and by the mercy of your lotus feet, you

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krsna to my dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Suyesha Choubae
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on your most auspicious of days. Alberton
All glories to Guru Maharaj. South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN? Words up chanting the Hare Krishna mantra simply due to
cannot even thank you enough for saving me time external difficulties. Under all circumstances, you
and again. You have given me all the answers to all should always chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
my problems, but with your knowledge, Srila Pra- Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama
bhupada, I will surely solve them. I promise to try Rama Rama Hare Hare.” Srila Prabhupada letter to
to improve myself and my Krishna Consciousness. Sudhindra Kisora Roy, Honolulu, 10 June 1975.
I am truly thankful to be at your lotus feet forever.
“Even if there may be some problems, always try Your beloved granddaughter,
to remain in the Krishna Consciousness. Don’t give Suyesha Choubae
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Svasti Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Midrand, Gauteng

All glories to your divine lotus feet. All glories to all the wonderful devotees who serve your mission. South Africa
I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT ‘what a year this has been’. Vrindavan. For the first time, that painting was no
From when I last wrote to you last year, the world longer just a pretty painting hanging on my wall. I
has literally been turned upside down. All the dan- remember standing there staring at it and finally
gers that you warned us about unfolded right in understanding, on a very small scale, that this is
front of our eyes in just one short year. The world how the gopis must have felt when Krishna had to
was plagued with a scary, ugly, and unrecognisable leave. That painting opened a door in my heart and
disease that was met with panic, destruction, and allowed me some entrance into understanding the
immense pain. emotions that they were experiencing — the feel-
Devotees all over the world saw truth in your ing of separation. I now no longer see that painting
words that this world is really such a place of suffer- with material vision. Every day, when I glance at
ing and misery. They say that experience is the best it, it makes me sad, because I now understand how
teacher, and I think for the first time those words sad they were.
were not just words, it became our reality. This hor- Even though I was never in close association
rible disease first hit home when it took away His with Maharaj, the void and gap he left in me was
Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami from our material indescribable to me. It pained me very deeply, and
vision. The sadness, loneliness, and the feeling of it put all devotees all over the world in so much pain.
helplessness that we were left with, were, and still His wonderful followers have taken key messages of
are, just unbearable! what he has been trying to teach us all these years,
I remember walking past a painting that hangs and just hearing his voice come through in those
in my living room which I’ve been glancing at for videos makes me so sad. I take solace now with the
many years. It’s a painting of where the gopis are fact that we had him, and that he walked amongst
crying in separation of Krishna as he is leaving us and did so much for us. Thank you so much for

& Other Devotees
giving him to us. If I was not grateful before, I am so, echoing out to us left behind saying, “We’ve been
so, so grateful now, and I consider myself so fortu- blessed by the best. We’ve been blessed by the best.”
nate. And, in the same breath, I consider myself most Then, His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu left, and
unfortunate for not serving and loving him more. again I was left so bereft. I had never had associa-
His Holiness Jaypataka Swami told us, “Do not tion with him, and yet the void it left in my life was
lament. When we go back to the spiritual world, also again unexplainable. I was robbed to have not
Maharaj will be waiting for us. Srila Prabhupada will had association with such a soul. With the 100’s of
be waiting for us. They will take us and introduce heartsore tributes that poured in from every cor-
us to Krishna.” That night I had some peace. I even ner of the world, I would read in awe of his glories.
felt excited. When I finally do make it back Home, How rare and special are these souls who could be
Maharaj is going to be the first person I see. I still so intelligent to take your words so close to their
smile when I think of that sight. I’m holding onto hearts, serve your mission so expertly, perfect their
that vision very strongly and no matter how many lives, and then leave us here with all the pain of their
lives it takes me, I know he will be waiting for me. departure.
His Holiness Jaypataka Swami also remarked With each passing of these amazing devotees,
when Maharaj departed that his passing marks the the sad sense of separation and loss made me fall to
decade long of tears for us in ISKCON. Those words my knees in the vulnerability that all my shelter is
are etched deep in my soul, and it scares me. Is this leaving — that scares me very much.
a lesson designed specifically for me to make it clear My dearest grandfather, it’s strange how, in just
that we are not meant to be here? How much more 1 year, I have gone through a kaleidoscope of emo-
ugliness can this world show me and still I am so tions. With all the lessons of loss, sadness, and sep-
foolish to want to be here? Words like these, ema- aration, it has also been a year of bliss, knowledge,
nating from the mouth of pure souls, hold so much and association with the most amazing devotees.
power and so much truth. As the year went by, so With this pandemic, and everyone living ‘online’,
many more of your sons, daughters and grand disci- I had the most glorious experience of associating
ples left us, each one of them achieving the success with the most glorious souls from different parts of
of perfecting their lives. The tributes and blessings this world who are working tirelessly in your mis-
of the devotees is a testament to that. The manner in sion. Normally, I would have not been given that
which they lived their lives, and the firm conviction opportunity to do so. I’m struck by how intelligent
they had in Krishna, is a testament that it’s more they are to preach so boldly to every sphere of this
than possible to go back in this one life. universe. Covid has awarded me an insatiable desire
I especially look up to Mother Krishna Nandi- to hear, and hear, and hear the words emanating
ni who battled cancer and yet showed us, even till from these devotees who are so expert. They give
the very end, how to hold our heads up high and not me the direction to that pin drop on the roadmap
lose focus of the goal. She had so much faith in you of where I want to be.
and Krishna. It was so evident whenever she spoke I am embarrassed, my dear grandfather, that
that she knew her purpose. When she left this world, I can never do an inch of what others are doing. I
I felt robbed and bereft of her association. But then, am embarrassed, as I have nothing to offer to this
I smiled. Because I could almost see her trudging mission. I am embarrassed that all I do is take. I am
ahead, with her head held high, proudly marching embarrassed to be here and only enjoy the fruits of
and saluting towards you. Because that’s the per- the hard labour. I am embarrassed when I see devo-
sonality she was. Fixed and determined in the goal. tees working so hard to make a change. I am embar-
In the background, I could hear her beautiful voice rassed that I will never be enough.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
But I do have something small to offer you today. assignments, the studying, the reading, the exams,
A blessing of this pandemic is that it has allowed me were all just pure joy for me. I offer this small accom-
to study your books that have sat on the bookshelf plishment to the feet of all the wonderful devotees
for 20 years. With the mercy of your divine son, His who tread this world.
Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, a larger-than-life My dear grandfather, I am a work in progress.
personality, he has awarded me the mercy of knowl- Every day I am trying to be a better version of myself,
edge. I am so grateful to Maharaj. He has opened my but every day I am failing. I will never stop trying. I
eyes from ignorance that clouds my vision. I cannot will never forget the goal. I will never take for grant-
put into words my appreciation for his selfless ser- ed my great fortune to walk amongst extraordinary
vice to teach us, to rescue us, to open our hearts to souls that make this world a little bit more bearable.
Krishna. After 20 years of trying to become a dev- Thank you for everything. Thank you for that
otee, I have completed my Bhakti-sastri degree, an lifeline you threw out for us. Please know that I am
achievement I never thought was possible for me. I trying to hold on very, very tightly.
am proud of nothing, my dear grandfather, but I am
so proud of this accomplishment. The entire journey With all my love and gratitude,
was one of pure sweetness. Every night, I would be Your granddaughter,
captivated by hearing the glories of the Lord. The Svasti Dasi
Dear respected Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sveta Manjari Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to you. Cape Town

South Africa

ON YOUR VYASA-PUJA DAY, the words I share can be desired level and with a pure consciousness. Please
nothing more than gratitude and shamefulness. push me along. I do not give myself 100 per cent, yet
Let me start by saying that I am always grateful when a small per cent of offering is made, it brings
to you for saving me and many others from rotting immense pleasure. However, I am foolish enough to
in this material world by giving us the process pre- still not give more.
sented by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Without your Please help me on this path of Bhakti.
teachings, life would have been useless. Thank you,
Srila Prabhupada, for the opportunity to regain our Your granddisciple,
lost relationship with Krishna. Sveta Manjari Devi Dasi
I am ashamed that I do not practice at the

& Other Devotees
Swarup Damodar das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Durban Please accept my respectful obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace!
nama-srestham manum api saci-putram atra svarupam

rupam tasyagrajam uru-purim mathurim gosthavatim
radha-kundam giri-varam aho radhika-madhavasam
prapto yasya prathita-krpaya sri-gurum tam nato ‘smi
“I bow down to the beautiful lotus feet of my festivals put on indefinite hold. Of all of your gifts to
spiritual master by whose causeless mercy I have us, one that I have come to most appreciate during
received the supreme holy name, the divine mantra, this time is the association of your advanced fol-
the service of the son of Sacimata, the association lowers. Being separated from them has proven to be
of Svarupa Damodara, Rupa Gosvami, and his old- exceedingly painful. My spiritual life has been pri-
er brother Sanatana Gosvami, the supreme abode marily dependent on the association of your beloved
of Mathura, the blissful abode of Vrndavana, the spiritual sons and I have experienced a minute frac-
divine Radha Kunda and Govardhana Hill and the tion of what Srila Ramananda Raya expressed:
desire within my heart for the loving service of Sri krsna-bhakta-viraha vina duhkha nahi dekhi
Radhika and Madhava in Vrndavana.” para
Sri Mukta-carita (Srila Raghunatha dasa “Apart from separation from the devotee of
Gosvami) Krishna, I know of no unbearable unhappiness.” CC.
Srila Prabhupada, you have blessed us with an Madhya 8.248?
array of transcendental bequests - the all-merciful The Lord’s independent will manifested
holy names, your books, temples and gorgeously through the pandemic also caused for us the per-
worshipped deities, festivals, Krishna prasadam, the manent separation (hopefully only for this lifetime)
holy dhamas, service, and the association of your of some of those dearest to us and most dear to your
devotees. Your genius and practical-styled arrange- entire movement. In particular, I am still coming to
ments of these gifts in our lives have bestowed terms with the disappearance of your dearest ser-
immense auspiciousness in all of our lives. The ben- vant, Srila Bhakti Charu Swami. His commitment
efit of these gifts is perceptible while we are linked and love for you truly inspired everyone. How proud
with them, but their auspiciousness is most percep- you must have been to have him as a disciple?! He
tible when we are separated from them. was that servant of yours who inspired in me a com-
While in the midst of a global Covid-19 pandem- mitment of lifelong service at your lotus feet. I owe
ic over the past eighteen months, we were deprived so much to him.
of our usual connection to your many gifts and had Srila Prabhupada, what would we do without
to adjust and resort to novel approaches to connect your intimate followers?! They are truly your great-
with your gifts. Many devotees used the situation to est gift to us. They carry your love, your example,
their spiritual advantage by systematically access- your precepts, and your dreams in their hearts. And
ing your books through the abundance of classes they inspire us to connect with your love and mis-
and courses presented by so many of your advanced sion. In the many of your intimate disciples whom
followers. Still, so much changed! Deities and tem- I have had the benediction of serving, I can easily
ples were inaccessible, honoring prasadam in the detect the purity of commitment to your lotus feet.
association of devotees no longer possible, and In my spiritual master, His Holiness Giriraj Swami,

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
one can appreciate a deep surrender to do anything Swami, we find a deeply intelligent commitment to
and everything you would ask of him. A remark- your books; the books you painstakingly endeav-
able example of a surrendered disciple inspired by ored to gift to the world.
the ultimate example of your deep commitment In this way, hundreds of your intimate followers
to your Guru Maharaja. We marvel at His Holi- are carefully reflecting your many wonderful qual-
ness Indradyumna Swami’s constant and innova- ities. Despite the uninspiring challenges posed by
tive endeavors to share the mercy of Lord Caitanya, immature and envious persons, these followers of
something you exemplif ied like no other acarya yours find great pleasure in deepening their rela-
in history. In His Holiness BB Govinda Swami, we tionship with Your Divine Grace and guiding thou-
f ind the love of a genuine friend no matter what sands of others to do the same.
their circumstances are. You too saw the spirit soul Srila Prabhupada, thank you for your disciples
in all persons and, manifesting the potency of the and followers. They are faithfully and determinedly
Lords friendship, became everyone’s best friend. In continuing the Gaudiya parampara by your empow-
His Holiness Partha Sarathi das Goswami, we learn erment and blessings. Please guide us all to worship
how to transform adversity into opportunity. No one your lotus feet by also worshipping those that are
quite manifested this trait like you, Srila Prabhupa- dedicated to those lotus feet.
da. Despite so many setbacks and disappointments, Please bless me to be eternally associated with
you persevered and relished your service to your your devotees. Hare Krishna.
spiritual master and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. In
His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, we find the Always desiring your service,
strengthening example of consistency in spiritual Swarup Damodar dasa
practices you displayed. In His Holiness Devamrita
3
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Syama Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance. Pretoria
All glories to you, the saviour of the whole world. South Africa

I AM SO FORTUNATE to be a part of your ISKCON, and guru and the devotees. Please bless me on this won-
I am truly grateful to you, Srila Prabhupada, for this derful day so that I become a worthy disciple. Also,
greatest treasure. I am so blessed by your associa- please bless me so that I am ever willing to co-op-
tion, as you have said - you live through your books erate with a guru and the devotees. Please forgive
and lectures. You are always instructing us in such me for all my offe
wonderful ways. I am completely convinced, and I nces. I place myself at your lotus feet and beg for
am free from any doubt about the philosophy. your mercy. Please deliver this fallen soul.
Thank you immensely for this. I sincerely pray
to you on this most glorious day, dearest Srila Prabh- Your humble servant always,
upada, that I never am separated from your ISKCON, Syama Dasi

& Other Devotees
Syama Gori Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Johannesburg Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
South Africa
THE PAST YEAR has definitely been one full of peaks would like to express my sincerest gratitude to you,
and valleys. However, I can confidently say that the my dearest Srila Prabhupada. May I eternally serve
only reason I made it through it all was exclusive- you.
ly due to your mercy, your compassion to save the
fallen souls. Your granddaughter and aspiring servant, Syama
On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, I Gori Devi Dasi
Syama Radhika Devi Dasii 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Bhakta Purushottama Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
Durban Happy Sri Vyasa-puja Srila Prabhupada!
South Africa
YOU ONCE MENTIONED TO YOUR DISCIPLE that there are santah santv avalambanam
no stumbling blocks on this path because you can
kick all the stumbling blocks out immediately, pro- “My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are
vided that your disciple accepts your guidance. On slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints
this day Srila Prabhupada, we beg for your mercy to help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as
always be guided by you, to help us on our path so my support.” (CC Antya 1.2).
that we too may have our stumbling blocks kicked Therefore, on this occasion of your 125th Sri
out by you so that we may be able to please you in Vyasa-puja Srila Prabhupada, we pray to you just as
our services to Krsna. We pray to hold on to your you prayed on board the Jaladuta: “O Lord, I am just
lotus feet lifetime after lifetime for we are nothing like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought
without you Srila Prabhupada. me here to dance, then make me dance, make me
It’s been a tough year for everyone due to the dance. O Lord, make me dance as You like.”
Coronavirus pandemic. This year especially we have Thank you for giving us this inexplicable mercy
seen how Kali-yuga is deteriorating and this mate- of Krishna consciousness, without you, we would be
rial disease has taken over with no cure. However, lost. You have saved us from an ocean of suffering
we are so grateful that you have given us the cure in this material world and we owe our whole life to
and spread it all over the world already - we have you. Please use us as an instrument to practice and
the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. We will forever be preach Krishna consciousness and to never ever
indebted to you for building a house for the whole leave your shelter. Happy Vyasa-puja Srila Prabhu-
world to sing and dance in. pada! Thank you for being our saving grace!
In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is mentioned: May we always remain a tool in your service.
durgame pathi me ’ndhasya Your servants,

skhalat-pada-gater muhuh Syama Radhika Devi Dasi and Bhakta
sva-krpa-yasti-danena Purushottama

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Syamakanta Dasi
zz Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace. Durban
South Africa

HAPPY VYASA-PUJA SRILA PRABHUPADA. It is with great proud of these precious devotees, who are nothing
gratitude that I thank you Srila Prabhupada for the short of being a blessing in this world and a portal
legacy that you have left us with, namely the books to the Lord’s mercy.
and wonderful devotees whose association I cherish. On this blessed day of your Vyasa-puja, I pray
You will definitely be happy that I have been that I am always surrounded by the association of
engaged in devotional studies over the past year, well-wishers, who nourish my faith and kindly guide
presented by your grand-disciples. What a rekin- me on the right track. I also pray to be able to give
dling of faith and outpouring of gratitude I felt when respect to each and every one of the Lord’s children.
taking the association of these devotees. I feel so for- This will please the Lord, and will therefore please
tunate to be here when these sincere devotees are on you as well.
this earth planet, and are humbly and whole-heart-
edly sharing the message of sanatana-dharma in Your servant,
such a practical and relevant way. You must be so Syamakanta Dasi
Hare Krishna dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Syamalata Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Phoenix

HAPPY 2021 VYASA-PUJA. May our founder-acharya including my spiritual master, for continuing your
of ISKCON’s name live forever! Divine Grace’s mission in spreading the teachings
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for our ISKCON, of Lord Krishna and his associates.
in which the entire universe can take shelter and At present, even though there is a pandemic,
become happy as I am. your soldiers are still on the battlef ield f ighting
It has just been blissful to live my life by fol- maya.
lowing the rules and regulations described in your I pray that I never leave the shelter of your lotus
books, making my time on this earth and beyond a feet.
fabulous adventure. I hope to thread my path back
home back to Godhead in this blissful state. Your insignificant grand disciple,
I am incredibly grateful to all your disciples, Syamalata Devi Dasi

& Other Devotees
Syamananda Das 4 Hare Krsna Dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Germiston, Johannesburg Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories unto you.
South Africa

I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES unto His Divine you Srila Prabhupada. We’ve seen your direct hand
Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who in so many instances in this whole situation and
is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at have surrendered the results to you and Krishna. We
His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto can only do so much and are not in control.
you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Thank you for keeping us somehow engaged in
Saraswati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the distributing your books through it all. This is our
message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the saving grace when all is said and done. Allow us
Western countries, which are filled with imperson- to continue in this way, in this life and the next as
alism and voidism. we know this is what pleases you the most together
We are thankful to have another opportunity with your guru maharaja. Every day we are learn-
to submit an offering to you. Nothing we say or do ing more and more how special and unique you are.
will be enough to repay you for all you have done We pray to be able to continue to spread your fame
and are doing for us. far and wide as best we can. This is the only hope
A big thank you for carrying us through this for us all.
challenging time, especially over the last year with We remain forever indebted to you Srila Prabh-
the whole situation we found ourselves in with upada. All glories unto you on this 125th year anni-
regards to the centre. Things are still touch and go versary of your divine appearance. Hare Krsna.
and we will see how it plays out.
We came to this path because of you and the Your struggling servant,
only reason we still hanging around is because of Syamananda Das
Syamananda Krsna Dasa 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
and Premalila Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Cape Town All glories to Your Divine Grace.
South Africa
WHILE CONSIDERING YOUR GLORIES, we are reminded the fallen souls in some places by meeting them
of a passage from the Antya-lila of Caitanya-carita- directly, in other places by empowering a pure dev-
mrta. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami relates that otee, and in still other places by appearing before
Lord Krsna, in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahapra- someone Himself. Later in the chapter, Srila Krsna-
bhu, descended to this world to deliver all the living dasa Kaviraja Goswami says: “To deliver the people
entities of this universe. He also describes that He in regions throughout the universe who could not
caused their deliverance in three ways. He delivered meet Him, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
entered the bodies of pure devotees.” like a loving father. A close relationship with you is
From this description there can be no doubt also available through your followers. Our own spir-
that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has entered your itual father as well as our spiritual uncles bring your
body. There can be no other explanation for your presence very close through their remembrances
monumental achievements. Lord Caitanya spread and realisations. They amplify your presence and
the sankirtana movement throughout India while illuminate your constant influence and guidance.
He was present, but you have fulfilled His own pre- They allow us to come close to you in ways that
diction that His name would be chanted in every would otherwise not be possible.
town and village all over the world. In the Brah- Another way that we can understand your des-
ma-vaivarta Purana, in a conversation with Gan- ignation as jagat-guru is that you are the current
ga-devi, Lord Krsna describes that after 5,000 years acarya who guides the destiny of the community of
of Kali-yuga have passed, His mantra-upasaka, the Vaisnavas in a broad historical sense. An acarya is
great sage and worshiper His holy names, will understood as one who teaches not only by instruc-
appear and spread the chanting of Krsna’s names tion, but by his own personal example. Therefore,
throughout the world. Certainly, you are the person- the term acarya is used to indicate a bona-fide spir-
ality Lord Krsna predicted in this passage. itual master who is a learned teacher of the spiritual
The greatness of a person is measured not only science. But in the highest sense, the acarya is the
by their achievements while present in this world, soul sent by Lord Krsna Himself to teach the whole
but by their influence when they have departed. world. This is the truest sense of the term acarya as
When we consider you in this way, Srila Prabhupada, it is applied to you Srila Prabhupada. All those who
your true glory becomes apparent. Even after your wish to practice Krsna consciousness in the most
departure from this world, you continue to influ- perfect way must validate their realisations and con-
ence the souls of this Kali-yuga to take up the pro- clusions in reference to your teachings.
cess of Krsna consciousness and purify their lives By careful analysis of your life and teachings,
through the agency of your books. Also, your glo- we certainly come to the conclusion that Sri Cait-
rious ISKCON society provides the shelter where anya Mahaprabhu has personally empowered you
people can gain relief from the blazing fire of this to reveal in the clearest and most perfect way the
Kali-yuga. They can receive the association of devo- Lord’s desire for this world. Also, that you, Srila
tees and make spiritual progress. Srila Prabhupada, Prabhupada, embody flawlessly the mission of The
ISKCON is your asrama and it extends all over the Supreme Lord in this world, in the current age.
world. Therefore, you are known as jagad-guru, the In a very personal way, we want to thank you
guru for the whole world. for revealing our own spiritual father to us. We feel
In the asrama of the guru, he is naturally the so blessed that we have not only our glorious spiri-
most prominent personality. This is the prop- tual father but so many spiritual uncles as well. We
er understanding in ISKCON also. Therefore, you can also appreciate that you are easily and so per-
insisted on the title of Founder-acarya. Not to gain sonally available in your books, your Deity form and
personal prominence, but to protect your asrama through your followers. We feel so fortunate to be
after your departure. In the asrama of the guru, connected to your ISKCON.
everyone naturally has a close relationship with It is true that so many blessings are available
him. In ISKCON this is also the case. You are avail- when one is a member of your ISKCON asrama. It is
able in many ways. You have yourself said, “If you also true that as asrama members there are respon-
want to know me read my books.” You are also very sibilities. It seems to us that the responsibility we
much present in your Deity form, watching over us have to you, our own spiritual master, our spiritual

& Other Devotees
uncles and the previous acaryas is essentially quite we will be able to do something to help you spread
simple. Namely that having realised something this mission.
of your glories and the incredible mercy that you
are offering, we should try to connect others to Your servants,
that mercy. We should try to become your good- Syamananda Krsna Dasa and Premalila Devi Dasi
will ambassadors. Therefore, we pray to you that
Syama-premi Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to your spiritual children.
South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA, since I was a child I would love Thank you for simplifying Krishna conscious-
to sit below your murti, in the temple room, feeling ness for us. Thank you for carrying Vrindavan with
protected beneath your gaze, the source of all spir- you around the globe and for sharing your Krishna
itual shelter. with us. Thank you for your books which contains
I may not know you through your personal asso- the answers to all our questions. And thank you for
ciation. But I know you through the instructions in your wonderful disciples and grand disciples who
your books, the sound of your voice in your record- very mercifully share your love with us.
ings, and your image in photos and videos. But most- Thank you for everything you have given me.
ly I know you through the love your disciples have Without you I would never have seen or been able to
for you. I cannot explain why but one of the most worship the beautiful form of Sri Sri Radha Radhan-
blissful things I have experienced is listening to ath. I would never have been to Sri Vrindavan and
your disciples describe their memories and appre- Mayapur dham. I would never have had gotten the
ciations of you. association of the devotees. I truly would not have
Hearing about Krishna-lila is wonderful but dif- anything of value in my life.
ficult to understand for me. Hearing about Gaura-li- Thank you for constantly showering me with
la is also wonderful but still sometimes difficult to your causeless mercy. I am so fortunate that I have
fully appreciate. But hearing about your activities been given the shelter of one of your dear disciples,
is something which can easily be appreciated by and I now have the privilege of being your grand-
the whole world. daughter. Please continue to give me your mercy and
Through watching videos of you I most appreci- forgive any mistakes I may commit as a grandfather
ate the straight forwardness in your dealings, your forgives his grandchild.
simplicity and humility. But most of all I appreciat- I pray to you to please bless me that I may
ed the love you showed to your disciples, treating always remain under the shelter of your lotus feet
them like your own children, teaching them Krish- and that I may do something to please you within
na consciousness step by step. Even though you are this lifetime.
the most exalted devotee of the Lord and spiritual
master of the world, you made yourself accessible to Your granddaughter,
anyone and everyone. Syama-premi Devi Dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Sybil Dantu
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Cape Town
South Africa
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU for always helping me to Thank you, always.
chant and listening to your talks helps me to under-
stand. Thank you for helping my mood of prayers Your servant,
and for the daily inspiration in these times of dis- Sybil Dantu
tress. It is with gratitude and sense of appreciation.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Tamohara Dasa

zz
Merumala Devi Dasi

and Tarini
Cape Town
A few short words just to say,
How grateful we are for you today.
125 years gone by,
Your causeless mercy to all we should not deny.
What do they speak of when they see a blissful bhakta singing through the street?
That those Hare Krishna’s never miss a beat!
Or that we have the best soul food in town?
That our books are the greatest literature around.
But the best is to hear that you are the guru who started it all,
You conquered our hearts by heeding your spiritual master’s call.
A golden smile and words that melt the heart,
Wish we were there all those years ago but it doesn’t feel like we are far apart.
Thank you dear Srila Prabhupada time and time again, we pray,
That as long as we have your guidance, we know everything is going to be okay.
Your servants of the servant,

Tamohara dasa, Merumala devi dasi and Tarini
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Taralaksi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. Narada rsi Das

All glories to your Divine Grace. Vasudhama Das
Bhakta Arjun
YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON US the greatest boon of destroying the fear of material existence. You are Phoenix, Durban
the goal of life. You created a spiritual atmosphere, truly most magnificent. South Africa
preaching endlessly, purifying the living entities, We beg for your mercy. May we always remain

& Other Devotees
in your shelter! Knowledge of Krsna is such a great
gift that it is impossible to repay the benefactor. Trying to be the servants of your servant,
Kindly give us the shade of your divine lotus Taralaksi Dasi, Narada rsi Das,
feet. Vasudhama Das, and Bhakta Arjun
Taralika Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your divine lotus feet.
South Africa
ON THIS DAY OF YOUR APPEARANCE, I wish to thank you does not exist anywhere else besides ISKCON.
for giving us ISKCON. Your Divine Grace has given ISKCON is our life and soul. Your Divine Grace
us everything we need to make advancement in our under went through so many hard ships so that we
spiritual lives. fallen souls may try to make advancement in our
Thank you for temples all over the world and spiritual lives.
for the devotee association that we are so privileged I will always try to be a credit for you and your
to have. ISKCON.
You have arranged a management structure Begging to always remain at the dust of your
that ensures a perfect and ongoing existence of your lotus feet and that of my spiritual master and the
precious ISKCON. devotees
How can we ever sufficiently appreciate the
spiritual masters and senior devotees who are guid- Aspiring to be a better granddaughter,
ing us in our spiritual lives? Such amazing mercy Taralika Devi Dasi
Tattva Darshan Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR COMING to South On this auspicious day I pray to you to help me
African and giving us your mercy. I had the good to advance in my spiritual life and give me the ener-
fortune of associating with your disciples from gy to serve ISKCON.
the beginning and have had made a lot of spiritu-
al advancement. I am no connected with your by Your grand servant,
taking shelter of His Holiness Lokanath Maharaja. Tattva Darshan Das

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Tirumala Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your most merciful lotus feet. Fourways
All glories to Your Divine Grace on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja. South Africa
IN THE INTRODUCTION to the Bhagavad Gita you otherwise been an abyss of misery. Despite my lack
explain, “this material world is a reflection of the of qualification, you have blessed me with oppor-
spiritual world. The material world is but a shad- tunities to serve.
ow of reality.” Yet I am so clumsy and still stumble on the
By your sacrifice and mercy not only have you path. Thank you for the temples, kirtan, prasad-
have given us glimpses of the spiritual world, but am, parikrama, thank you for your most treasur-
you have also provided a well lit path for us to fol- able books, but most of all thank you for the devo-
low to return home. By your spiritual potency you tees. Whenever I scrape my knees, they are always
have created shelter for us in this otherwise perilous encouraging me to wipe my tears and get up again.
world. You brought the wealth of the entire spiritual I am forever in your debt.
world with you and shared it causelessly.
Oh Srila Prabhupada, even though I am unde- With love,
serving, still so childish and playful, you have filled Your great granddaughter,
my life with great abundance in what would have Tirumala Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Trishna Mayi Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept our humble and joyful obeisances at your lotus feet. and Hari Mohan Das
Rose Hill
Mauritius
WE CAME TO KNOW OF YOUR MOVEMENT after attending culture and did not know anything about Bhagavad
a programme given by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Gita. We were extremely amazed to see that devo-
Swami Maharaja at the MGI, Reduit, Mauritius in tees from western origins were well versed in Vedic
the year 1995. culture. We were a bit ashamed, but at the same
We learned how you spread Krishna conscious- time were very pleased to be able to learn about the
ness all over the world in just twelve years at the age Bhagavad Gita from them and to receive knowledge
of 70. We concluded that this great miracle would about dharma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
not have been possible without the blessing and the regulative principles, and the process of bhakti.
mercy of Lord Krishna. Such benediction is not giv- We are extremely indebted to you, Srila Prabhupa-
en to ordinary human beings. In appreciation of da, for the spiritual knowledge we received. Through
your wonderful service for spreading Krishna con- association with the devotees of your movement, we
sciousness, we decided to join ISKCON. We started have been able to create a Krishna consciousness
our devotional service at the Vedic Cultural Centre, family. Our three sons and our daughter in law are
Rose Hill, Mauritius, under the expert guidance of all following the four regulative principles and we
Prabu Madhavendra Puri, a respected servant of His are greatly confident that after our departure from
Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja. this material world, we will leave behind children
We came from a family with a Hindu back- that will continue to serve your movement.
ground. We were however totally ignorant of Vedic Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for giving us

& Other Devotees
ISKCON and your followers. You have given us an association of devotees, chant the holy name and
exemplary diksha guru, His Holiness Bhakti Cha- do bhakti-yoga. You taught us how Krishna recip-
ru Swami Maharaja. We are also getting different rocates to His devotees as mentioned in the Bhaga-
opportunities to serve you by reading your books, vad Gita.
hearing your lectures, and watching your videos. We humbly pray to you, Srila Prabhupada, to
We are also following the instruction of our guru bless us and to continue to engage us to serve ISK-
maharaja who instructed us to always serve you CON and our gurus and leaders who are following
and never quit ISKCON. Currently we are engaged your instructions so that the prediction of Caitan-
in doing service at the Sri Radha Golokananda Tem- ya Mahaprabhu, that the holy name will be chant-
ple in Phoenix, Mauritius. ed in every towns and villages in the world become
Srila Prabhupada, we have also learned that it a reality.
is not necessary to be born in high and rich fami-
lies to engage in devotional service. We understood Your respected and humble servants from Mauritius,
that we just have to surrender to Krishna, stay in the Trishna Mayi Devi Dasi and Hari Mohan Das
Tulasi Devi Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Durban Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
DEAREST SRILA PRABHUPADA, thank you for descend- auspicious and king of all days, this day of your glo-
ing on this earth planet at the time that this earth rious appearance that I may in some way please you.
needed you more than ever before, due to the deg- I pray that by the mercy of my guru maharaja, I will
radation of everything in the name of lust and greed, one day meet you personally and offer you my heart-
in a time of cheaters and of those that want to be felt gratitude, and pour out my love and appreciation
cheated. for having given us this wonderful ISKCON which
You appeared to save the conditioned souls and is your body.
you have causelessly benefited anyone that reads Begging for your loving merciful glance and
your books or hears your glories, and your contri- the intelligence to serve your ISKCON movement in
butions to the world and society at large with love some small way without faltering. I beg to remain
of God. the servant of your servant of your servant dearest
You have shown us the righteous path to tread, Srila Prabhupada.
and you have given us instructions to live by and All glories to you dear Srila Prabhupada!
promised to lead us back home back to Godhead.
This reassurance you have given us is so Your insignificant undeserving,
comforting and reassuring. I pray on this most Tulasi devi dasi

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ujjvala Prema Devi Dasi
zz Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Midrand
South Africa
YOU QUOTED IN YOUR PURPORT, Bhagavat-gita As It nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ

Is 7.8: saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ
“The jurisdiction of Krsna conciousness extends
everywhere, and one who knows Krsna concious- TRANSLATION:
ness is blessed. Those who do not know Krsna are After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs
in illusion, and so knowledge of Krsna is liberation in devotion, never return to this temporary world,
and ignorance of Him is bandage.” By your divine which is full of miseries, because they have attained
example, you proved this statement true, over and the highest perfection.
over again. Today we are faced with this pandemic, a mis-
Your one goal was to take the instructions of erable situation, but you have thought us to have
your guru maharaj, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati utmost faith in Krsna, chanting His holy names and
Thakura, and spread the eternal message of Krsna to practice devotional service to the Lord and his
all over the world. You did it! Your Divine Grace, you pure devotees. This will relieve us of all the anxiet-
are that extraordinary servant of Sri Radha and Sri ies of this material world.
Krsna, who is impossible to describe. Thank you Srila Prabhupada, for always being
There is not enough words to express our sincere close to us by instructing us through your vani. Only
gratitude to you for the innumerable spiritual truths by your mercy and protection, are we able to move
that you have gifted us with. on. Please bless us that we may follow our spiritual
The one simple truth you thought us, is to just master’s instructions, chant the holy names offense-
love Krsna, and that this material world is a place lessly, and that we may help more unfortunate souls
of miseries and it is temporary. to become fortunate and be blessed by this Krsna
consciousness movement.
Bhagavad-gita 8.15.
Your granddaughter and servant of the servant, of
mām upetya punar janma the servant,
duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam Ujjvala Prema Devi Dasi
My Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Ujjvala Rasa Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Durban

South Africa

YOU ARE OUR GLORIOUS FOUNDER-ARCARYA of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,

& Other Devotees
our param-guru and savior of the whole world! I families. I quote this same verse and try to simply
am most grateful to you for creating my good for- explain each sentence for their understanding.
tune by bringing Krishna Consciousness to the West “Abandon all varieties of religion...” - I tell them that
and gifting us transcendental books such as Bhaga- by simply praying to Lord Krsna, all the demigods
vad-gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam. Living in are satisfied and that there is no need to worship the
Krishna Consciousness, by your mercy only, is my demigods separately.
good fortune! “...and just surrender unto Me.”- I explain to them
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur wrote: ”He reasons that the chanting of the holy names is the only pro-
ill who tells that Vaishnavas die, cess for deliverance in this age of Kali. We can sim-
When thou art living still in sound! ply surrender to Lord Krsna by chanting,
The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
To spread the holy name around!” Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Recently, while reading some verses in your Hare Rama Hare Rama
Bhagavad-gita As It Is, I realized that you were Rama Rama Hare Hare
speaking directly to me! I felt your presence sudden- “I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions.” - I tell
ly! Oh, Srila Prabhupada! It took me so long to real- them that by surrendering to Lord Krsna, He will
ize that you are here with me, guiding me through save us from all sinful reactions that have accumu-
your words, both in writing and in sound, for I listen lated over the many previous lifetimes, and even in
to your lectures too. this present life.
Again and again, I have heard you quote this verse “Do not fear.” - I tell them that Lord Krsna is making a
wherein Sri Krsna speaks to Arjuna: promise to us, that He will protect us from all kinds
of danger, if we simply surrender unto Him.
sarva-dharmān parityajya Thank you, dearest Srila Prabhupada, for the
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja family of devotees in whose association we learn to
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo serve the devotees with humility and learn to culti-
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ vate devotion to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for the shelter at
TRANSLATION: your lotus feet.
“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender
unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Your humble servant, your grand-daughter, Ujjvala
Do not fear.” (Bhagavad-gita 18.66) Rasa Dasi
Feeling bold, I try to preach to my sisters and their
Vanmali Das 4 My dear Srila Prabhupada, Please accept my humble obeisances.
zz
Verulam
South Africa
I BOW TO YOUR LOTUS FEET with great awe and rev- your books and chanting the maha-mantra I found
erence. All glories to your lotus mouth from which great peace within myself. No amount of words I say
nectar flows out. I thank you for your books which would ever do justice in expressing my gratitude
enlightened our spiritual consciousness. By reading to you for everything you have done for me. I pray

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
to you to have some mercy upon me and keep me All glories to you Srila Prabhupada who is the
under the shelter of your lotus feet. I thank you for only shelter for fallen beings such as myself.
the countless sacrifices, you made for us the fallen
souls. I thank you for working so tirelessly and for Your servant,
making the perfect arrangements to help save us Vanmali Das
and future generations to come.
My dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vaisnavi Mistry

zz
Midrand
South Africa
You have given us fallen souls the opportunity to when I make mistakes and guide me to be better in
find our way back home back to Godhead, where my Krishna consciousness. For this I am really grate-
your beloved Lord Krishna is enacting his pastimes. ful. Please keep me under your lotus feet forever.
I don’t know how to thank you for all the amazing
things you have done for me. By your mercy I have With love, your servant of the servant and great
met the most amazing devotees that teach me many granddaughter,
things like playing the mridanga, correcting me Vaisnavi Mistry
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vashil-Bhanoo Nowbuth

zz
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, and Family
having taken shelter at His lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to Guru-parampara. Umzinto Southcoast
South Africa
MY GREAT GRANDFATHER joined in 1975 by the mercy Thank you for giving us love for Krishna.
of Srila Prabhupada and his wonderful disciples. I
continue to live up to his legacy by trying my best Your unworthy servants,
to serve guru and Gauranga. Vashil Bhanoo Nowbuth (PSDG) and Family

& Other Devotees
Vasu Ghosh Das 4 Hare Krishna dear Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Zakkariya Park All glories unto thee.
South Africa
THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving us the jewel of Krish- Your servant,
na consciousness. I am indebted to you and all your Vasu Ghosh Das (disciple of His Holiness Partha
disciples. Sarathi das Goswami Maharaja)
3
Vasudev Das and Devaki Devi Dasi 4 Dear Beloved Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Pretoria East Kindly accept our most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
South Africa

THE PAST YEAR has been very trying for most of us the wonderful spiritual masters and the wonderful
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Devotees all over devotees whom we constantly engage with on social
the world could not get personal association of each media. Without your mercy and blessings nothing of
other, and also could not visit the Temple. this kind would have been possible. These engage-
However, your most qualified children have ments have made us appreciate the devotees and
hosted many wonderful and beautiful programmes ISKCON even more. With this being said, we pledge
on online platforms. In this way we got wonderful never to leave ISKCON, co-operate with the author-
association of many senior Vaisnava’s more than ities of ISKCON and, to maintain our consistency,
we received in the past. This year we would like to always. We love you, we love your ISKCON and we
thank you very much for your wonderful disciples always will.
who you so expertly trained, they have been taking
forward your mission in many innovative ways. We Your most fallen grand disciples,
personally thank you for this wonderful ISKCON, for Vasudev Das and Devaki Devi Dasi (GRS).
Veronica Panday 4 Hare Krsna, my dearest Jagath Guru Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Morningside, Durban Dandavath Pranaam. Please accept my humble obeisance.

South Africa All glories to you dear Srila Prabhupada.
IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR. So much has happened, more to say. However, you know my heart, my long-
and you know all about it. Would you please help us ing, my weaknesses.
to help ourselves. Thank you for the topmost wor-
ship, the topmost books and the topmost devotees. Your aspiring servant and grandchild,
I wish you were here at times, but then I remem- Veronica Panday
ber your words “I am in my books.” I have so much

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vidura Dasa
zz Please accept my humble obeisances. Phoenix
All glories to Your Divine Grace. Mauritius

śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
THERE HAS BEEN MANY GURUS who have contributed systematically your universal teachings using new
to spread spiritual knowledge, but you stand out of communication technologies during confinement
them all. History will record your unparallel contri- periods, thus contributing to the educational mis-
butions starting from a modest attempt towards the sion of ISKCON.
downtrodden people of society to all spheres of life. We have embarked together with your disciples
By your mercy we are witnessing the develop- and grand disciples around the world the study of
ment of ISKCON around Mauritius from book dis- Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta. Your tribulations and
tribution, Harinama, gorgeous festivals and Temple keeping your vision in mind are living motivational
constructions. You are the inspiration behind just gems for us to also serve. Srila Prabhupada your trib-
singing, dancing and feasting- this magical formu- ulations are like a torchlight for us to follow. What
la is attracting new souls. a lifetime of lessons you have provided for us and
Srila Prabhupada, had it not been for you future generations.
through your visit to Mauritius in 1975, I cannot Srila Prabhupada kindly give me inspiration,
imagine the darkness and ignorance we would have blessings and mercy to continue to serve your
been in. Thanks to your literally contributions we mission.
are f inding solace especially in the challenging
times of the Covid 19 pandemic. Your servant,
Through the Bhaktivedanta College of Educa- Vidura dasa
tion and Culture dedicated devotees are preaching
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vilasa Manjari Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Durban
South Africa
I THANK YOU FOR COMING to this world and showing for Krishna throughout the world. It’s beyond my
us the path of bhakti. You went through so many imagination how you singlehandedly wrote and
challenges and difficulties to wake up the sleeping translated so many books in so short a time. You
souls like me. Your mission for spreading the holy sacrificed so much, sleeping only 2 to 3 hours a day
name is continuously growing. It is through your writing books, and travelling around the world dis-
causeless mercy that I have come to ISKCON to live tributing the mercy. You said that after you leave
in this big house that you built. this planet, you will continue to live through your
You distributed the most precious gift— love books— and you really are.

& Other Devotees
I read in a letter of yours that someone asked are all in this pandemic, we have the association of
you how many temples you have. There were only these devotees while we are in lockdown.
about ten then, and you replied that you have one Thank you for bestowing your mercy upon this
hundred, but the only thing in between is time. Yes, fallen soul. Thank you for distributing the mercy of
Srila Prabhupada, there are hundreds of temples the Lord. Thank you for your precious books, lec-
around the world with your blessing. tures, etc.
Once, in a lecture, my Guru Maharaj said that I bow down again and again to your lotus feet,
you did not want to come to this planet, but because and beg for your mercy so that I can follow your
Lord Krishna wanted you to come and save us, you teachings and spread your words.
appeared. We have hundreds and hundreds of dev-
otees around the world forming this great wall of Your most fallen servant of the servant,
protection around us from Maya, for which we are Vilasa Manjari Devi Dasi
so grateful. Especially at the present time, when we
Virabadhra Das 4 My Dearest Srila Prabhupada

zz
and Mani Manjari Devi Dasi Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on the occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
Durban Please forgive us for all our offences we have brought upon you and your ISKCON Society.
South Africa
WE ARE SO HAPPY that you came to save us from this point that the only way back to Godhead is
drowning in this materialistic planet of misery. through the holy name. You have undoubtedly made
Please be merciful and give us the shade of your an incredible impact in the world. You certainly
lotus feet. deserve all the praises.
I bow down to your lotus feet by whose cause-
less mercy, that we obtained the holy name and Your most fallen grandchildren,
the association of Vaisnavas. You have stressed Virabadhra Das and Mani Manjari Devi Dasi
Virachandra Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Keli-Kunja Dasi Please accept our humble obeisance. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
and Subhadra
Phoenix
South Africa TODAY WE CELEBRATE your auspicious appearance aids one, to easily cross over the ocean of nescience.
in this material world. You will continue to live on, Words cannot describe our indebtedness to you.
through your books. Thank you for these most valu- Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
able gems. Please bless us, so we may be engaged in
fulfilling Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s prophecy. Your insignificant servants,
Thank you for establishing ISKCON, which Virachandra Das, Keli-Kunja Dasi and Subhadra

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, All glories to Sri Sri Radha Madhava and the Astasakhis. All glories to Krishna Balarama. All glories to Jagan- 4 Vishaka Devi Dasi
zz nath, Baladev and Subhadra devi. All glories to Pancha Tattva. All glories to Sri Nrsimhadev. All glories, all glories to your Divine Lenasia
Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Srila Prabhupada. Jaya, Jaya, Jaya, Srila Prabhupada, the saviour of the whole world! South Africa
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED to me, most fallen, serve in your ISKCON movement by risking their
going in the wrong direction in material advance- lives even more.
ment and thinking that is the right way. Thank you, With your association, dear Srila Prabhupada,
thank you, thank you, dear Srila Prabhupada and through your books, vani and dedicated devotees,
the devotees who so mercifully showed me the right I am trying to move on spiritually. I pray and pray
way, the divine knowledge of Krishna Conscious- I will have the opportunity to meet you in vapu,
ness. With devotees endless love and dedication, I Srila Prabhupada. I have complete faith and trust;
am sure, Srila Prabhupada, that you must be proud through your parampara, I will be saved and always
of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur. remain at your lotus feet and serve you eternally
Now with Covid-19, the world has become a more
dangerous and chaotic place. Your empowered disci- Your most fallen servant,
ples and grand disciples and even great grand disci- Vishaka Devi Dasi (PSDG)
ples are taking the great opportunity to preach and
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vishek Deeplal

zz

I AM SO FORTUNATE to have found the rope that you world access to through ISKCON.
have thrown to me and the rest of the world drown- I always consider myself fortunate, through
ing in the ocean of material nescience. the association of the pure devotees, for having a
The Covid pandemic has surely affected the strong spiritual affinity toward the most amazing
association of devotees with one another, and I am movement you have founded, and I hope that I may
so lost without them and the marvellous ISKCON always please you by always contributing in some
festivals that usually bring us all together to chant way or another.
and absorb ourselves in the pastimes of the Lord. All glories to you, saviour of the whole world.
I pray and beg for your mercy to always allow
me to hold onto this rope that you have given the Your fallen servant, Vishek Deeplal
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Visvambhara Dasa

zz
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. Cape Town

All glories to the 125th anniversary of your divine appearance in this material world. South Africa
DAY BY DAY, YEAR BY YEAR, it becomes so much more earthly planet 125 years ago to create something
apparent how great you are. You appeared on this great, and you have done exactly that. The greatness

& Other Devotees
of your creation is that it keeps on giving and grow- Just like Brahma personally went to speak to
ing year on year. In this regard, you are like Lord and convince Priyavartha Maharaja to leave his
Brahma. Lord Brahma is such an exalted personality, meditation aside and take up family life and become
he is the head of our Sampradaya, yet he would come emperor of the world as there was a shortage of qual-
down from his superior planet and deal with import- ified personnel to rule the world, you also person-
ant issues in a hands-on way. He is an expert leader, ally got involved in so many devotees’ lives to guide
knowing when to chastise and reward - always to them, instruct them, convince them and empower
get the correct result in any situation. them to take on services that would ordinarily seem
Just as Brahma meditated before he started cre- beyond their abilities. Although the head of a global
ation, you meditated, constantly meditated on the movement, you would, when required, get personal-
Supreme Lord before you embark on the mission of ly involved in details. An example of this was when
creating a worldwide spiritual revolution. The dev- the Sri Sri Krishna Balaram temple was being built;
otee in Shatipur fondly remembers how you would you were personally instructing devotees to secure
sometimes go to that temple in the town of Advai- and store cement which was in great shortage at that
ta Acarya. On your last visit there, you prayed to time. Like this, there are many similarities between
Advaita Acarya for His blessings to help you fulfil Lord Brahma and yourself.
the instruction of your guru Maharaj of spreading There is a difference, however, between Lord
this Krishna Consciousness movement throughout Brahma and yourself. Lord Brahma was captivated
the world. Just like Lord Brahma who took whatev- by Vak, who emanated from his body, and he was
er materials were offered to him by Lord Vishnu also bewildered by the Supreme Lord in the Brah-
and filled up this universe with living entities, you ma vimohana lila. We do understand that there
too took whatever was offered to you by the Lord of are more profound points being made in these pas-
your heart, and created this International Society times. However, it is a fact that you were never for a
for Krishna Consciousness and filled it up with liv- moment captured by the glaring effulgence of mate-
ing entities who were interested in following your rial nature. You never for a moment lost faith in your
instructions. Supreme Lord, even in the darkest of moments that
Brahma asked the more junior Prthu Maharaj you underwent. You were never confused about the
to stop the 100th asvamedha sacrifice as the insecu- Divine Couple and their relationship with you and
rity of Indra, the king of heaven, was causing much others and the nature of His external energy. You
disturbance in this world. Lord Indra was causing are always f ixed in your consciousness, and you
the uprising of apa-sampradayas by his many antics. constantly try to get your followers to follow in your
You similarly tolerated and accepted your disciple footsteps. This is your magnanimity. You are at the
with their followers, who were not strictly following bottom end of our Sampradaya, but you hold true
your instructions. You held the view that they will the mood, mission and activities of the head of our
be rectified in due course, and for the greater good, Sampradaya, Lord Brahma.
it was to be tolerated. The behaviours of these dev- I pray that I may be able to follow in your foot-
otees, as we understand, could be considered mary- steps someday, with your blessings, if possible. I
ada vyatikrama aparadha ‘the offence of overstep- have complete and firm faith in you.
ping senior devotees’, yet you tolerated this offence
for the greater good of the devotees. You did not see Your servant,
the offence. You just saw the opportunity that the Visvambhara Dasa
offending devotee would rectify themselves.
3

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
To our dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vraja Priya Devi Dasi
zz Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. and Revati Devi Dasi
Tongaat
South Africa
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL to receive this rare opportu- Thank you, our beloved Srila Prabhupada, for every-
nity, once again, to extend our appreciation to Your thing you have done for us. We love you uncondi-
Divine Grace on this most blessed event, your Vya- tionally. Lord Kṛṣṇa has showered His causeless
sa-puja. Without you, we would have been drown- mercy unto us by giving us the greatest benedic-
ing in this ocean of material existence. You have, tion of serving His beloved devotee. We hope and
with your unlimited kindness, given us the benedic- pray that we lead our lives in your service.
tion of your blessings and mercy. Therefore, on this We love you our dearest Srila Prabhupada, and
most auspicious day, we pray to Your Divine Grace pray you bestow your causeless mercy onto us. All
to please bless us so that we can become worthy glories to you on this most auspicious day of your
servants of our Guru Maharaj, your dedicated son, appearance.
His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj. By
pleasing him, we shall please Your Divine Grace, and Your insignificant servants,
ultimately our dearest Lord Kṛṣṇa will be pleased. Vraja Priya Devi Dasi and Revati Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vraja Vallabh Das

zz
My dandavats to your most beautiful lotus feet. Pretoria

All glories to your divine grace, savior of my soul. South Africa
EVERY YEAR I REFLECT to see what I have done for you. for you will be shown by how well we cooperate with
All I can see is a big zero. I read your books and I other devotees. I simply ask for that, let me learn
try to give your love to everyone that I come across. how to cooperate in pushing the mission of Lord
These past 2 years, it’s been the most difficult years Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
in our Krsna consciousness. On this day, I would Thank you, my lord, for giving us the kingdom
love to pray at your lotus feet for more guidance, love of Krsna in this material world.
and appreciation of this most amazing movement
and the devotees that you have given us in ISKCON Your servant,
Pretoria (RSA). Vraja Vallabh Das
You have mentioned in your talks that our love

& Other Devotees
Vraja Vilasini Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Cape Town Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to Your Divine Grace on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
mukam karoti vacalam

pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
paramananda-madhavam
I OFFER MY RESPECTFUL OBEISANCES unto my spiritual present still in your pictures and murtis. But most
master, who turns the dumb into eloquent speakers importantly for me, is that you live in the hearts of
and enables the lame to cross mountains. It is only your sincere disciples and grand disciples. You have
by the mercy of the spiritual master that the mercy touched so many so deeply; I cannot help but feel
of Krishna can be accessed. The spiritual master’s that I know you so intimately just by hearing and
mercy is so potent and so transformational that a reading of their experiences with you. Srila Prabh-
sincere disciple feels and remains indebted, lifetime upada, I am most unworthy to have received the
after lifetime. As disciples and grand disciples, we mercy of being in your family, and what to speak of
strive to express that gratitude by dedicating our life being allowed to serve within it. Realising my insig-
to your service. Vyasa-puja offers me this precious nificance has caused me to be even more grateful
opportunity to stop, meditate on and better appre- and appreciative of your blessings and those of your
ciate the gifts you have given us Srila Prabhupada. beloved disciples who allow me to serve.
Indeed, Srila Prabhupada, you are the perfect master Srila Prabhupada, you emphasized that the
and showed us how to be perfect a disciple too. You theme of cooperation was central to the success of
are purely and selflessly surrendered to Krishna, as the Society, and so, in essence, the theme of ‘unity in
was Arjuna at the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.73). diversity’. We can only become unified through our
You are not just the conveyor of Krishna’s will, but love for you. Srila Prabhupada, here in South Africa,
rather the gateway to Krishna for us. the leaders have undertaken to ensure we lead in an
In the Bhagavad-gita 3.21 it is stated, “Whatever inclusive and transformational manner, ensuring
action a great man performs, common men follow. unity in our diversity. Please bless us so that we are
And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, able to achieve this—that we will transform our-
all the world pursues.” Srila Prabhupada, you plant- selves, as individuals and as a society, so as to be able
ed the seeds to create “revolution in the impious to encompass more and more South Africans within
lives of this world’s misdirected civilization”. Today, the embrace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprahu.
we are seeing those seeds fructify, as we witness The Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 1.205
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu garlanding the world is very fitting to describe my mood and feelings:
with the holy names of Lord Krishna. In a world that Indeed, I am just like a dwarf who wants to cap-
has been locked down by a virus, we have seen dev- ture the moon. Although I am completely unfit, a
otees come together now more than ever (without desire to receive Your mercy is awakening with-
having to leave their homes)! in my mind. This is my position. I am completely
You are the living example of purity, determi- unworthy and most fallen, therefore by showing
nation, fearlessness, and devotion to Krishna. You me your mercy, your mercy is most successful. You
are present in your books and instructions. You are are our patita-pavana, the savior of the fallen souls.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
I have no good qualities; born of low birth, without up your business in this lifetime and go back to God-
good intelligence, without beauty, or wealth. I am head.” More and more of your disciples and my spir-
a fallen soul, desiring only your causeless mercy to itual uncles and aunts are departing this planet and
be bestowed upon me. I am scared— how will we go on? Considering these
You have given us the gift of aspiring to go back things, please bless me, Srila Prabhupada, so I can
to Godhead. You taught us from the Bhagavad-gita serve nicely, and I too can “finish up” and serve you
that one who knows the appearance and activities eternally.
of Krishna does not at death return to the material Praying to remain always in your service
body but attains Krishna’s eternal abode. And you eternally,
told us that your spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta
Saraswati Thakur, used to tell his disciples, “Why Your servant and granddaughter,
should you wait for many lives? You should finish Vraja Vilasini Devi Dasi (BCaiS)
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Vrajavasini Devi Dasi

zz
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. Sandton, Johannesburg
All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada. South Africa
BESIDES EVERY OTHER DAY, today is the special day of have sacrificed for the world’s benefit. Words can-
your Vyasa-puja that we get to open our hearts and not describe how fortunate I feel, especially in this
show our gratitude for the many golden opportuni- time of the pandemic. You have opened the doors of
ties you have given us. The opportunity of Krishna bhakti and taught us how to take shelter of the Holy
Prema, freeing oneself from this material entangle- name, yet I have no attraction for the Holy name. I
ment and many others. am so fallen. Please be merciful, and guide me to
We have faced so many uncertainties and fear chant without any offenses and with an intense love
during the past year due to the pandemic, yet our for the Holy name.
faith and bhakti have strengthened each and every I pray that I can always serve you, your mission
day, together with thinking how much time we have of spreading Krishna Consciousness and always
left in this material world. Srila Prabhupada, this is remain at your lotus feet.
all because of your unflinching teachings of Krish-
na Consciousness. Your humble servant and granddaughter,
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for all that you Vrajavasini Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Vrinda Kund Devi Dasi

zz
Pretoria
South Africa
“ANY RELIGION, IT DOESN’T MATTER whether Hindu reli- developing love of God, then you are perfect in your
gion, Muslim religion, Christian religion, if you are religion.” – 3 May 1970, Los Angeles. This is what you

& Other Devotees
once mentioned in your many years of preaching. conditioned souls. Souls that would have been wan-
When I first read this quote, I was taken aback at the dering about hopelessly, lost and miserable with
simplicity at which you taught others. At the end of the pangs of material nature. And I was thinking
the day, the ultimate goal is cultivating love for the the other day, ‘how could one man make such a big
Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is something difference, and such a profound impact on the lives
that we would never have thought much about if it of billions of people?” I say billions, because this
wasn’t for you. You helped us realize our true pur- knowledge that you have given us will be passed
pose, instead of us wasting away our lives, falling down for generations to come. Only a very special
more and more into material existence. personality would be able to take up such a task.
It is said that there are 8.4 million species of You are no ordinary soul. You are our saviour. And
life, and that we have to go through all 8.4 million for that, we will forever be in your debt.
species of life to get a human body. This shows us Thank you, for all of your sacrifices and thank
how rare of an opportunity it is to be able to find our you for your unconditional love.
way back to Krishna, which we wouldn’t have even
had, if it wasn’t for your selflessness and determi- Your loving daughter always,
nation to travel the world with the sole purpose of Vrinda Kund devi dasi
preaching to us fallen conditioned souls. Yes, fallen
Vrndavana Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada

zz
Thakura Das Please accept our humble obeisances.

Caitanya Lila Devi Dasi All Glories to Your Divine Grace
Randburg, Johannesburg
South Africa nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
OUR OFFERINGS USING OUR INTELLIGENCE are mea- our animal propensities, propagating that human
gre, we can only turn to your own words and offer life is meant for self realisation or Krsna conscious-
those to you on this auspicious day. Kindly accept ness. Throughout the Bhagavatam we read that a
our humble attempts to please you. sadhu is not concerned with his own liberation, he
In SB 3.25.21 you describe the qualities of a sad- is always thinking about others welfare. The sages
hu which adequately describes your nature, Srila of Naimisaranya noticing the qualities of Kali yuga
Prabhupada. infiltrating, gathered to perform a thousand year
Your concern and mercy to the people of this sacrifice, not for themselves but for the welfare of
world is shown by you appearing in this world to people in general. Srila Prabhupada followed in the
enlighten us in the devotional service of the Lord. footsteps of these and other great devotees men-
Without your appearance we would have spoilt our tioned in the Bhagavatam, by not being content with
human life. You travelled all over the world advising retiring in Sri Vrndavana dhama, you left at great
people not to spoil their human lives by fulfilling inconvenience to spread Lord Caitanyas mission to

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
the western world, showing karunika, great mercy with all conditioned souls for their ultimate relief
to us fallen souls, displaying tolerance with so many from material entanglement.
opposing elements. Srila Prabhupada adopted the Obeying the orders of the Lord by following the
thankless task of impressing upon us the impor- principles of scripture, Srila Prabhupada you dis-
tance of devotional service. Thankless, because we played the qualities of the demigods, a sadhu and a
are not prepared to receive this knowledge, our dis- great devotee of the Lord. Engaging in staunch devo-
ease is that we do not like it. Your tolerance, perse- tional service without deviation, for the pleasure of
verance and mercy cleansed our hearts and brought the Lord you renounced all connections like family
us to Krsna consciousness and delivered us. and friends within the world.
Srila Prabhupada you are the well wisher not only of
human society but animal society as well. Your com- Your servants
passion includes all living entities that have accept- Vrndavana Das, Thakura Das and Caitanya Lila
ed a material body, cats, dogs, trees etc interacting Devi Dasi
3
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Yadava Rai Das
zz
My humble obeisance’s to your lotus feet Srila Prabhupada. Vishnupadi Devi Dasi
Tamal Krishna
and Tungavidya
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado ISKCON Estcourt
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi South Africa
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath

All glories to Sri Sri Dayalu Gaura Nitai
All glories to you Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Srila Guru Maharaja
All glories to Vaishnava devotees of the Lord.
YOUR SINCERITY, PURITY AND DETERMINATION and life was changed, and it gave me a second chance.
determination to please your guru maharaja’s I am totally indebted to you Srila Prabhupada, for
instructions to spread Krishna consciousness to giving us the process of bhakti-yoga (loving devo-
the West, has changed and saved so many lives in tional service) without which I would be lost in this
the West, including my life. material wilderness.
How did you save my life? From the age of 17 On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja,
years I suffered with my kidneys, but the doctors at please bless me to grow your movement in Estcourt
the time could not find my problem, over the years and help save many lost souls, who are searching
I never bothered to check my kidneys. When I final- for love of God.
ly checked my kidneys at a nephrologist, he told
me that if I were eating meat or drinking alcohol, I Your enternal servants,
would have had kidney failure. It is through reading Yadava Rai das, Vishnupadi Devi Dasi, Tamal
your book ‘The Science of Self-Realization’ that my Krishna and Tungavidya

& Other Devotees
Yestha Rasa Priya Rubichand 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Pietermaritzburg Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
South Africa All glories to your Divine Grace.

TO SAY I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to you would be an I never felt it because I always felt close to Krsna,
understatement. There are not enough words to say even though I could not see the Deities as often as
thank you for bringing Krsna Consciousness to the I wished.
Western world. Your teachings will forever help me get closer
If I ever found true happiness, it was only from to Krsna.
Krsna.
During this pandemic, I found myself read- Your servant,
ing more of your teachings and listening to more of Yestha Rasa Priya Rubichand
your classes. Even though the world is in shambles,
Zara Deva 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
Rondebosch, Cape Town

South Africa


THANK YOU FOR SPREADING KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS to spread Krsna consciousness. Such dedication is
around the world. Because of you, I have learnt many something I will always be thankful to you for.
important life lessons and values, such as being gen- Thank you very much.
erous, kind, honest and truthful. You are a father to
us all, teaching us the way of life, yet also being strict Your humble servant
and disciplining us. I have such admiration for you Bhaktin Zara Deva (age 14)
for leaving your home, travelling around the world

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Hare Krishna Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Zethu Mtshemla
zz All glories to Sri Sri Radha Krishna and to you. Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam
THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT PASSES where your compas- daughter, Lunathi Skye and I accept it fully. I have
sion does not touch me is some significant way. If often seen the beautiful, permanent mark that you
it had not been for the sacrifices that you made in leave on the heart of each and every person who
order to spread the Vedic teachings and scriptures comes across your books, your teachings and the
to the entire planet, I don’t believe I would have sur- incredible legacy which you left us with. It is in these
vived until today. Time and time again your teach- moments that I realize that you did not really leave
ings have spared me and my loved ones. us at all. I feel your energy is in your books, your
Since the moment I picked up your book, The devotees and in the voice inside my heart. I want to
Perfection of Yoga, all those years ago, my life, my thank you Srila Prabhupada on this Vyasa-puja, for
heart has gradually been blissfully transformed giving us a life worth living.
beyond anything I could’ve imagined. I know that
I’m still a work in progress with so much still to Your aspiring servant,
learn. I acknowledge the responsibility I have of Zethu Mtshemla
carrying your teachings forward in how I raise my

& Other Devotees
u
OFFERINGS BY
ISKCON CENTRES
v
Our dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 ISKCON Botswana
zz Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to you, on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja.

SRILA PRABHUPADA , the last year and a half has been regretful situation.
quite difficult for us here at ISKCON Botswana and However, Srila Prabhupada, as soon as this pan-
the whole world in general. The COVID-19 pandemic demic starts to improve, we will all go back to our
has caused our normal everyday lives to be flipped illusioned lives; thinking everything is perfect and
on its head. We aren’t allowed to hold any festivals, forgetting these miseries. Therefore we need your
Food For Life programs or even congregate in large mercy now more than ever to keep us serving at Sri
numbers at the temple for Sunday programs. It is as Sri Krishna Balaramji’s lotus feet and not fall back-
though we are living during a world war, but with wards into old ways.
an invisible enemy. Srila Prabhupada, you were so As Srila Bhaktivinnoda Thakura writes:
right when you told us, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sar-
asvati Thakura said that this material world is no kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāro,
place for a gentleman. tomāra śakati āche
Many people did not realise how bad the mate- āmi to’ kāńgāla, ‘kṛṣṇa’ ‘kṛṣṇa’ boli’,
rial world is, even after many warnings in your dhāi tava pāche pāche
books. Material life was advancing at such a pace
that it was easy to get swept up in the illusion that TRANSLATION
this material world may not be such a bad place.
However, the pandemic reset everything and made Krsna is yours. You have the power to give Him
many realise it’s a miserable place after all. to me. I am simply your servant running behind you
Srila Prabhupada, your teachings have helped shouting, “Krsna! Krsna!”
and have guided devotees through this most diffi- Today on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-pu-
cult time. It made us understand that your Krish- ja, we pray you keep us in your shelter and shower us
na Consciousness movement is the only way out with your mercy. Only by your grace can we contin-
of this harsh world. No amount of money, power or ue serving our Lordships, and we pray to stay your
influence can help one overcome the eventuality of eternal servants, life after life.
death. However, fully surrendering unto the Lord
and His holy name is the only way by which we can Always praying for your causeless mercy,
overcome all these anxieties and be free from this Your insignificant children from ISKCON Botswana
275 ISKCON Centres

ISKCON Cape Town 4 Dear Srila Prabhupāda,
zz
South Africa Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to your divine lotus feet.
IN THE CAPE TOWN YATRA , the theme seems to be that The flames of hāriṇam are burning steadily and
the caravan of Lord Caitanya’s sankīrtan movement well, sharing warmth with all the souls lost out in
moves on, no matter which dogs may bark. the lonely winter of material existence. It is said
The global pandemic we are in the midst of that for every step one takes towards Lord Krishna,
definitely feels like a large barking dog, minimis- He takes 1,000 steps towards them. Some devotees
ing many preaching efforts. One thing has become walked 12 kilometres to the beat of the holy names,
clear though, this movement cannot be stopped. in honour of your 125th appearance anniversary,
In a letter in 1975 you said “This is very import- in an attempt to bring you and the Lord closer into
ant business, Deity worship. The more the Deity their hearts. May you bless them.
is decorated, the more your heart will be decorat- These devotees are now endeavouring to spread
ed with Krishna Consciousness.” Sri Sri Nitai May- the holy names to 125 towns within the Western
apurcandra have been unfailingly worshipped by Cape region and we hope for your gracious smile on
merely a handful of very dedicated brahmanas. This their endeavours.
has been a very tall order for a rather small team, We have a small, steady group of university stu-
and they have risen to the occasion purely on the dents who are sincerely enquiring about spiritu-
strength of their love for you. al life.
In a letter in 1971, with regards to BTG distribu- Gathering of people has become diff icult to
tion, you said that, “New devotees are coming. That navigate but it is clear that this material circum-
is a sign of your sincerity.” stance cannot stop the progress of your mission.
Book distribution still lives. Recently, a young Your ISKCON is divinely ordained. It seems like
girl visited the temple because of having found a all one can do is pitch up and audition for a part in
copy of the first Canto of your Śrīmad Bhagavatam the epic pastimes of this historic movement and
in a charity shop. She’s also met a book distributor accept the role Your Divine Grace grants us. Even
prior to that. Who can understand the mysteries of when there seems to be no more actors on the empty
the far-reaching effects of your magnanimous writ- stages or no audience filling the chairs of the desert-
ings which seem to have a will and life of their own? ed auditoriums, the show goes on, and the mercy
The devotees held the main book distribu- finds a way to reach the sincere seekers.
tion marathon in December last year and a second May we always be sheltered at your lotus feet
mini-marathon a few months later. and granted a role in your magnificent movement.
A very sincere devotee family made special
efforts to install your books in many schools across Your hopeful servants,
the Western Cape. ISKCON Cape Town
We pray this pleases Your Divine Grace.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 ISKCON Durban
zz Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace. South Africa
SRILA PRABHUPADA , you left a multi-faceted legacy shared with me that when her life was in turmoil
for the world. There are facets yet to be discovered, some years ago, she would come and sit in the temple
and as we progress and become pure of heart, more every day, which was the only time she felt solace.
and more will be realized. A visible facet of your Your mission was not to build structures for the sake
legacy is your temples. Your temples are training of structures; it was to give shelter to the heart.
camps, retreat getaways, celebration destinations, Your temples are heart spaces where we can
welfare centres, sanctuaries, places of pilgrimage, cultivate our humanity, our psychological transfor-
and beacons of divine shelter. Over the last thir- mation, and our ascension into bhakti. Sri Sri Rad-
teen months we felt the pinch of what it means to ha Radhanath stand in Their breathtaking temple
be without them. willing and waiting because of your intention, your
“What have you missed about the temple?” I vision, and in testament of your devotion. Millions
asked a young devotee skeptically. “Everything!” he of people have seen Them because of you. Millions of
answered in a voice filled with longing. “The devo- people have eaten prasada offered to Them because
tees, the kirtana, the amphitheater, Govinda’s, the of you. The trajectory of millions has forever been
garden, the moat, the fish, the bridge, the marble elevated because of you.
floor, the gold windows, the art ceiling, the Deities… We bow down again and again and yet again in
,” the words fell out of his mouth fast and fervent. He gratitude. We pray that you will guide us and help
is not alone. I am not alone. We are not alone! It is a us align with your vision and be instruments in your
shared longing for the house you built. legacy.
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is particularly
magnificent not only because of its unique aesthet- Your servants,
ic appeal or its popularity as a tourist destination; At Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple,
its crowning glory is the sanctuary it is. A lady once ISKCON Durban
Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 ISKCON East London

zz
Please accept our dandavat pranams at your divine lotus feet. South Africa

SO TRY TO IMPROVE YOUR PREACHING WORK , distribute movement, without any doubt.
all the books, and print more, and in this way, Krish- Letter to Yadubara – Vrindaban, 11 November, 1972:
na is the husband of the Goddess of Fortune, you Srila Prabhupada, you did not go to America as
will get as much money and as many big buildings a beggar. In fact, Your Grace went to America to give
as you need for spreading Krishna Consciousness the beggars of America this great fortune of the Hare
277 ISKCON Centres

Krsna movement. Beggars - by def inition meaning those that are
The fortune you bestowed upon this world was hungry. Hungry - whether they know it or not. Your
like a transcendental time bomb that had a switch books will satisfy their hunger eternally.
that you were controlling. The explosion happened Whether big buildings follow as a result of the
and the effects of that explosion are being felt even distribution of your books, time will tell. However,
up to this day. our success as a Yatra will be measured by how we
Unlike the shrapnel of a material bomb planted follow your instructions and how much desire do we
for some ulterior goal, the effect of the explosion of have to beg for your mercy, so that we can then be
your bomb was the spreading of devotional service. empowered to give others this most blissful, loving
Our mood in East London and King Williams devotional service, thereby transforming beggars
Town is to continue to endeavor in planting these into messengers of fortune.
devotional bombs in as many hearts as possible;
to try to distribute your devotional bombs in the Your servants at
forms of your books to as many beggars as possible. ISKCON East London
ISKCON Lenasia 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
South Africa Please may you accept our humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.

nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-
IT IS OUR GOOD FORTUNE that we are able to sub- quantity of our bhoga offerings to Their Lordships
mit our report to Your Divine Grace of the humble Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari, although, by Their grace and
attempts we at Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari Mandir have mercy, we have maintained during this period the
made to advance your mission of spreading Krish- standard daily six offerings and aratis.
na consciousness, and providing a place where dev- And yet, Srila Prabhupada, our devotees and
otees and people in general can share in the tran- teams at Sri Sri Nita iGaura Hari have made great
scendental pastimes of Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai endeavours to please you during this time by a num-
Gaura Hari. ber of initiatives. During the last Kartik month, we
We have not been exempt at Sri Sri Nitai Gaura kept the temple open to allow members of the public
Hari Mandir of the privations and hardships expe- to take darshan of Their Lordships and to offer their
rienced by society at large during this time of the lamps. As far as possible, we have kept our Govin-
Corona Virus. From the beginning of 2020 up until das restaurant running on Sundays, in an attempt
now, barring a few periods of relief, we have been to reach more people by the distribution of sumptu-
obliged to keep our doors closed to the public to ous prasadam, and we have celebrated the festivals
guard the health and safety of our resident devotees, and appearance days of the Lord to our utmost, with
and to contribute to the public effort to contain the teams of dedicated devotees going to great lengths
spread of the pandemic. We have had to reduce the to cook additional offerings, decorate the temple,

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
and serve and share prasadam with our guests. eager to establish Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari Temple as
But it has been a difficult time, Srila Prabhu- a pre-eminent cultural centre in the South of Johan-
pada, during which we have had to see the painful nesburg for the propagation of the sublime teach-
reduction in services, preaching programmes and ings of Lord Caitanya for the people of this fallen
congregational chanting of the holy names, and of and unfortunate age.
devotee association.
Please allow us to pray that we may use this dif- Your aspiring servants, and the servants of the ser-
ficult time to deepen our faith and commitment to vants of Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari, at
your mission by intensifying our sadhana, and that ISKCON Lenasia
we may emerge from this period stronger, and more
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 ISKCON Lusaka

zz
Zambia

Srila Prabhupada, you have thought us how to
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR MOST HUMBLE OFFERING on the one live in this material world which is full of suffer-
hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of your aus- ings only. The current pandemic has caused imped-
picious appearance and Vyasa-puja celebration. The iments to congregation gatherings at the centre.
day is also celebrated as Nand Utsav, the very next However the regular preaching efforts are continu-
day after the appearance of the Supreme Personali- ing using electronic media. There is daily Bhaga-
ty of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna. vad-gita class, a weekly Bhagavad-gita study group,
Srila Prabhupada, you have given the whole and a weekly Children and Youth meet via ZOOM.
world the taste of the holy name and have trans- The daily temple program continues, though
formed the lives and philosophy of millions of peo- the inflow of devotees has reduced. The devotees
ple throughout the globe. Srila Prabhupada, you are affected by the pandemic and the whole world
have given us Krsna, His love, His devotion, His is worried of this pandemic. We have belief in the
name, and enriched us with His beautiful form, His teachings of Bhagavad-gita and soon this pandem-
qualities, His pastimes, and His mercy. ic will disappear.
There is no day and moment of our lives when We have failed to conduct our 6th annual
we do not remember you in our lives. We are indebt- Rath-yatra in 2020, but hopefully we shall conduct
ed to you for bringing us Krsna Consciousness and it in 2021, as we have seen the rays of hope when see-
showing us the path of spiritual life; taking us out of ing the 2021 New York Rath-yatra recently.
ignorance of this material existence. Srila Prabhupada, you are watching over your
We are grateful to you for your constant com- devotees all over and you, as our jagad-guru, know
passion, guidance and protection. You are our savour hearts and feelings. We submissively pray at
ior and inspiration. your lotus feet to approach Lord Krsna, since you
279 ISKCON Centres

are closer to Him than us fallen souls, and remove Srila Prabhupada, please bless us so that we can
this major obstacle in the form of the Corona virus, continue to be part of your preaching mission, to
in the spiritual lives of the devotees. serve you and your movement, and please you and
Srila Prabhupada, please continue showering Lord Caitanya.
your mercy unto us so that our efforts to build a new
ISKCON temple in Lusaka is successful. Your insignificant servants,
ISKCON Lusaka
ISKCON Midrand 4 Our dearest Srila Prabhupada,

zz
South Africa Hare Krsna,

Please accept our humble obeisances, all glories to Your Divine Grace.
LIKE MANY AROUND THE GLOBE , at ISKCON Midrand uninterrupted. We are genuinely grateful to the dev-
in South Africa, we continue to face diff iculties otees who have often gone the extra mile to facilitate
imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not these activities, as well as serve you (in your murti
sure how much longer it will go on for, and there- form) daily despite the challenges presented by the
fore are experiencing difficulties in nicely planning pandemic. We were most fortunate to have had your
the maintenance, as well as preaching activities for disciple HH Partha Sarathi Das Goswami Maharaja
your Temple in Midrand. We accept that we are here and HH Rama Govinda Swami Maharaja personally
because of our own doings but will endeavor to do associate with the devotees at the Temple and pro-
our best to prepare ourselves for the ‘new normal’ vide us with the nourishment of devotional associ-
lifestyle. As the management of your Temple, out of ation that we all so desperately needed.
love and dedication to you, we feel heartsore and This pandemic has also forced us to rethink our
terribly disappointed when we cannot perform sat- behavior and re-commit ourselves to our intend-
isfactorily to please you. ed strategy for ISKCON Midrand. We beg for for-
There are hundreds and thousands of lost souls giveness from you, our seniors, and our congre-
that come through the gates of your Temple, and we gation for our poor performance, and assure you,
have the responsibility to help reconnect and bring that we will try to perform better. During this past
them closer to Sri Krsna under your direction and year, we encouraged our congregation to study your
instruction. These past 15 months appear to have books further and attend the online classes by your
been a lost opportunity. We had decided to put our esteemed disciples and grand disciples. You will be
attention into some programmes, both on-line and pleased to note so many of our congregation have
in-person, taking the necessary safety pre-cautions attended the Bhakti Sastri course facilitated online
and restrictions with attendance; prasadam distri- by HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja and his
bution; some book distribution; a few harinama; and team, and we are confident this will bode very well
the incubating of our youth programme. for ISKCON in the future.
Further, through your mercy and the mercy of During this last year we lost dear devotees who
your devotees, we were able to take care of all the have played an integral role in our Yatra, and also
residents on site, both human and others; main- have some devotees who are struggling with health
tain the property as best as could be done under the issues. We pray to the Lord for these devotees’ wel-
circumstances; and ensure daily service remained fare and take comfort in knowing of their surrender

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
to you. We appreciate our relationships with the dev-
Now more than ever, your books are telling and otees and pray we don’t fall back into taking our
instructive for navigating through life. We pray that friendships for granted. Without you, our dearest
we receive the mercy to better realise its purpose Srila Prabhupada, none of this association would
and value. As a management team, we pray to always have been possible. Despite the difficulties, we feel
serve you and your devotees without any personal safe and fortunate in the association of your devo-
motivation. Srila Prabhupada, if possible, we beg tees in your ISKCON. You are indeed our savior!
you for your mercy to grant us intelligence, strength,
courage, and determination to serve the devotees Your servants,
nicely. The ISKCON Midrand Management Team
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 ISKCON Sandton

zz
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. New Varshana Dham
All glories to you and your divine mission. South Africa
ON BEHALF OF OUR ISKCON SANDTON YATRA , we would how you showed us to use everything in Krishna’s
like to offer the sincere services of all the devo- service, desiring nothing for personal sense gratifi-
tees who have contributed to your temple and the cation. By hearing from your disciples, we are able
preaching mission here, over the past year. to catch a glimpse of your exalted position.
Even our combined efforts to serve your lotus feet To meet you, in all the three worlds, is very rare.
can never repay you for the priceless gift you have This is our great fortune! Although now we suffer
given to each of us- an opportunity to be a part of the bittersweet pain of separation from you, still we
the sankirtan mission of Sri Caitanya Mahapra- can find you in your books. You have written over 80
bhu- to share the message of Godhead, and revive volumes of spiritual literature to light the way back
our deepmost love for Radha Krishna. We pray that Home. The legacy of your books will surely continue
you will be pleased by our book distribution, hari- to guide and nourish your followers for generations
nam, pujari seva and our daily sadhana and services. to come. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada!
Although our contributions may be small, please “Sri Caitanya-Caritāmṛta Madhya Lila 19.151
allow us to become instrumental in your mission, says: ‘By the mercy of the spiritual master who is
allowing Krishna to reveal how He can make the a pure devotee and by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa one can
impossible possible. achieve the platform of devotional service. There
We have already experienced how, although we is no other way.’” - The Nectar of Devotion. By the
may be undeserving, He has made it possible for us mercy of Krishna, one gets guru, and by the mercy
to meet and serve you, His pure devotee. You have of guru, one gets Krishna. It is only by mercy that
explained: “A pure devotee is he who loves Krishna, we have been allowed to meet you, and it is only
without any material desire. Such pure devotees are by following your instructions that we can attain
very rare.” Just by observing your life and teachings, pure love for Radha Krishna. Yasya prasādād bhaga-
and by hearing about your pastimes from your disci- vat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi: with-
ples, we can begin to understand your glories. Sru- out the mercy of the spiritual master, one cannot
takirti Prabhu, who was your personal servant for make any advancement. As param-guru of the Inter-
three years, has shared many pastimes revealing national Society for Krishna Consciousness, may
281 ISKCON Centres

we all continuously seek shelter at your lotus feet. all the challenges we face individually and collec-
Towards the end of your life in 1965, you gave up tively, let us never deviate from serving your divine
the sweet and sheltering residence of the Holy Dha- mission. You have said that we can show our love for
ma, journeying to the concrete jungle of material life you by how much we co-operate with one another.
in the United States, to fulfill the instruction of your May we show our love for you by accepting our chal-
spiritual master. You arrived in the West with only lenges as opportunities to deepen and strengthen
a few pennies and books, no support, and a lot of our relationships with one another, with our spiri-
discouragement from your family, friends and God- tual masters, and with the holy names.
brothers- but you had full faith in the holy names, Please accept the contributions made towards
and in the mercy of your gurudeva. Even in the face your mission, from our Yatra at ISKCON Sandton.
of so much difficulty, you never gave up your fierce We are eternally grateful for the blessings that you
determination and brilliant confidence. continue to shower over us. May we continue to
In only a few years, you established and inspired show our gratitude through enthusiastic service.
hundreds of ISKCON temples to be built. You have We pray that you will always be pleased to reside
built a house the whole world can live in. How many at our temple.
thousands of souls would be spiritually homeless Please accept our heartfelt prayers to please you
without you? as we gaze at the sunrise of a universal sankirtan
Ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana: your fame is spread movement, in hopes that our contributions assist
all over the 3 worlds. Though we may not be able positively with the inevitable spread of Radha Krish-
to understand the full extent of your glories, still na’s holy names- to every town and village. By your
we can find eternal inspiration from even a brief mercy, may our Bhakti creepers flourish towards
encounter with you. Many of your disciples have the lotus feet of Radha Krishna, and may many
expressed that one moment of your association was more thousands of souls, be inspired to embark on
enough to fuel their spiritual enthusiasm for the rest the quest of self-realization. All glories to you Srila
of their lives. Prabhupada!
May your compassion for each of us melt our
hearts and continue to inspire us to serve by follow- With gratitude and sincerity,
ing in the footsteps of your mood. Even throughout Your servants at ISKCON Sandton
ISKCON Soweto 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

zz
South Africa Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace and all glories to your ISKCON movement.

om ajnana timirandhasya jnanananjana salakaya, caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri gurave namah

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to you Srila Prabhupada. your books we are lost. You once said and I quote: “I
Thank you for everything you have done for us. May am working so hard for you, but you are not taking
your fame and glory spread throughout the three advantage of this opportunity. Don’t take advantage
worlds. Your ISKCON movement you singlehand- of food and sleep. Take advantage of these books.
edly started is growing from strength to strength Then your life will be successful. It is my duty to give
and everything about ISKCON is ultimately meant you such valuable things, spending days and nights
to bring us together for one common goal and that trying to convince you, one word after another. And
is Krishna consciousness. All the nine processes if you are not taking advantage of this, then what
of devotional services beginning from sravanam can I do for you?” This is a lecture from Melbourne,
(hearing) to atmanivedanam (full surrender), and April 13, 1972.
the nine stages of development, beginning from Your books will always be there for all human-
sraddha (faith) up until prema (pure love of Krish- ity and for all times and for the next 10 000 years.
na), all this is ultimately meant to bring us to that Your books will guide us through tough times and
stage of pure Krishna consciousness. good times. May you live forever Srila Prabhupada
For this, we thank you Srila Prabhupada for cre- through your books and the ISKCON movement.
ating sadhu-sanga worldwide, so that all the Kali-yu- Thank you Srila Prabhupada we will always remem-
ga products can take advantage of this and perfect ber you through your deeds and especially your
their lives and go back home, back to Godhead. books. May we always follow in your footsteps and
One of your most important contributions to the footsteps of the previous acharyas.
the world is your books. Books are the basis and
without a strong base, how can we move forward or Srila Prabhupada Ki! Jaya.
even begin to be strong in Krishna consciousness. Your most fallen and unworthy servants
We are moved and guided by your books. Without ISKCON Soweto
283 ISKCON Centres

u
OFFERING BY
BBT AFRICA
v
Dearest Srila Prabhupada 4 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Africa
zz Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to your Divine Grace. Johannesburg, South Africa
IN NOVEMBER OF 1935 you traveled to Sri Vrindava- “There are six principles favorable to the execution
na Dhama to meet your dear spiritual master Srila of pure devotional service: (1) being enthusiastic, (2)
Bhaktisiddantha Saraswati Prabhupada. At the holy endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4)
place of Sri Radha Kunda he gave you a very pivot- acting according to regulative principles [such as
al instruction namely “I had a desire to print some śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam – hearing,
books. If you ever get money, print books!” chanting and remembering Kṛṣṇa], (5) abandoning
In Hari-nāma-cintāmaṇi by Srila Bhaktivinoda the association of nondevotees, and (6) following in
Thakura it specif ically goes into the offenses the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. These six prin-
towards the holy name, wherein the third offense ciples undoubtedly assure the complete success of
is to disobey the orders of the spiritual master. pure devotional service.”
At times the instruction of the spiritual master Devotional service means to act in love. Love is
may seem difficult to execute immediately. Srila not always a convenient notion or action, but rath-
Prabhupada you showed us by your own example er an act to please the beloved. In order to please
how even if the instruction cannot be immediately Krishna and love Krishna we have to also please the
executed, or you are faced with many challenges spiritual master, for that is the way of the culture of
in executing the order of the spiritual master, you Bhakti. To be a servant of the servant of the servant.
were always meditating on this instruction of Gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ
printing books. Therefore, it came to fruition. You (Cc. Madhya 13.80)
never ignored the request nor did you give up when If you love someone naturally you want to
you encountered many challenges and obstacles please that person, and to please that person we
that presented themselves. You never wavered in will do anything, and from there determination nat-
your determination. Despite the fact that when you urally manifests as the purpose is not one’s own
went to print the first Back to Godhead Magazine comfort or convenience but rather the pleasure of
in war ridden India, you were denied paper due to the object of love. Love is all encompassing, selfless
government restrictions. You remained persistent and has depth, a stark contrast to infatuation which
and got permission to print. You slept minimally to is self-centered and shallow. You showed us what
translate volumes of books into English and have true love for the spiritual master is and in turn what
them distributed. Initially you even walked to the true love for Krishna is. You manifested that through
printers to save money and didn’t even eat breakfast. your determination and as you had described in a
You remained impervious to the circumstance and Bhagavad Gita class in Los Angeles: “So determina-
soldiered on for the pleasure of your spiritual master. tion, your enthusiasm, patience, working in the reg-
The beautiful mantra 3 from Nectar of Instruc- ulative principle. These are the different functions
tion states: of determination. Determination means one word
of all these things, enthusiasm, patience, working
utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt hard, with confidence. These are different features
tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt of determination.” (Bhagavad-gītā lecture 6.16–24.
saṅga-tyāgāt sato vṛtteḥ February 17 1969)
ṣaḍbhir bhaktiḥ prasidhyati When we look at the journey from shraddha
to prema we can see that this verse of nectar of
287 BBT Africa

instruction is the third verse. This falls part of the we may be able to adopt this mood of always being
shraddha or faith component on our journey back to the servant of the spiritual master as well as remain-
Krishna. You have so expertly taught us how to apply ing determined and enthusiastic, as you were, to
this verse and in many ways how to live in Krishna further the sankirtan mission under your guidance
consciousness. Particularly highlighting this aspect especially through your books. Many times you said
of determination and enthusiasm in devotion which that BBT is your heart and as servants of the BBT
forms one of the foundational principles in order to we pray that we can further serve and please you
progress in our journey of Krishna consciousness. by engaging in book publication and distribution
Thank you for showing us what it means to remain which is so dear to you.
determined in our devotional service despite any
uncomfortable situation. Your servants,
Srila Prabhupada on this most auspicious occa- BBT Africa Team
sion of your 125th year birth anniversary we pray that

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
u
OFFERINGS FROM
OTHER SOURCES
v
Our Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Bhakti Yoga Society UJ APK Campus
zz Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of Your lotus feet. Johannesburg
All Glories to Your Divine Grace. South Africa
THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF has been a time where Grace has said that the youth is what drives this
none of us could have well imagined how the world glorious movement. I am remembering when Your
would change so drastically. The most diff icult Divine Grace was on the planet, how you attracted
thing to come to grasp with is not being able to go so many youth and they served and assisted with
to the temple and preach Krishna consciousness in the movement in such wonderful ways. Today on
a personal way. This has been the most challeng- your glorious appearance day we are praying at your
ing. Last year we managed to start having regular lotus feet that we may be able continue with this
programs at the University of Johannesburg, which preaching project and some sincere souls will sur-
was well attended, but just after three programmes render at your lotus feet and become devotees of
we went into lockdown and have not been able to Krishna.
have in-person programs ever since. The devotees Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
though being dedicated to the service have contin-
ued with online programs. We have lost many stu- Your insignificant servants,
dents during this time, but we have remained com- Dinesvara Krsna Das, Syama Gauri Dasi and
mitted to continuing this service, as Your Divine Bhaktin Kajal
Hare Krsna our dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Food for Life in South Africa
zz
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to your devotees.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR APPEARANCE DAY, Your by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krs-
Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, can only be na, instructs that the mind should remain fixed in
described as being as signif icant as Nandotsava the trance of self-realisation in order to attain the
was to the devotees 5000 years ago, especially as divine consciousness. Your Divine Grace Srila Pra-
we celebrate the 125th anniversary of this spiritu- bhupada succinctly points out in the purport that in
al occasion. On your Appearance Day, Your Divine order to do so: “One has only to carry out the orders
Grace Srila Prabhupada, it is for us to reflect on our of Kṛṣṇa or His representative, the spiritual master.”
actions and values against your contribution and How simple this appears, and how characteristic of
instructions in helping the fallen souls that are in our dearest Founder Acharya to dissect a subject so
so much distress to reconnect with our Supreme deep, and present it so nicely for us all.
Personality of Godhead. There is no greater representative of Sri Krsna,
Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 2, verse 53 spoken Mahaprabhu and the Vedic scriptures in the modern
291 Other Sources

age other than you, our dearest Srila Prabhupada. change.”
Your compassion, mercy and love shown by estab- Room Conversation with Lt. Mozee, Policeman —
lishing the International Society of Krishna Con- July 5, 1975, Chicago
sciousness (ISKCON), and your dedication and ser- In South Africa, Food For Life (FFL) initially
vice to everyone through your books and preaching distributed prasadam through the universities and
are immeasurable. As devotees of your devotees, other outreach programmes and, consequently, was
we are humbled, deeply moved and very grateful formally established as an independent legal enti-
for your sacrifices made for our liberation. We are ty in 2003.
forever indebted to you. Since then, FFL has established twenty-eight
In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto branches with approximately three hundred devo-
1 Chapter 5 Verse 24 it is said that, “Without being tees and volunteers preparing and serving prasad-
self-controlled, without being disciplined and with- am on a daily basis. The FFL vision is: “To alleviate
out being fully obedient, no one can become suc- hunger, in every community through the distribu-
cessful in following the instructions of the spiritu- tion of freshly prepared, plant-based meals served
al master, and without doing so, no one is able to go with love.”
back to Godhead.” This highlights for us some of the Our distribution of prasadam is guided by the
qualities that we strive to attain by your mercy. We prayer as articulated by you, our dear Srila Prabh-
are fortunate for your clear instructions and pray upada, in your Nectar of Devotion commentary in
we have the determination, intelligence and skills, Bombay, January 9, 1973:
together with humility and selflessness to carry out “My dear Lord, by Your mercy one who has got a lit-
your instructions. tle, fragmental portion of Your mercy, prasāda leśa…
Dear Srila Prabhupada, you also conceived Prasāda means mercy, and leśa means very small
and established a food relief programme in 1974 in portion. Anyone who has got a little portion of Your
Mayapur, India where you gave your disciples a now mercy, he can know You.”
famous injunction that no one within 10 miles of an We recognize the importance of your instruc-
ISKCON temple should go hungry. tion to establish a relief program for the distribution
“Hṛdayānanda: This food relief program that of prasadam and are humbled to serve you in FFL.
you started in India could also be used in other We seek your blessings and the blessings of your dev-
countries where there are also economic problems. otees to nicely serve in FFL with humility, tolerance
Prabhupāda: Why not? But prasādam, not ordi- and in co-operation.
nary food. From all our centers you can distribute
food, prasādam, because that prasādam means vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca kripa-sindhub-
they will gradually become Kṛṣṇa conscious. Oth- hya eva ca
erwise, if you give them ordinary food, they will patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo
get strength, and they will increase their sex desire, namo namah
that’s all. Problems.”
Morning walk — Feb. 21, 1975, Caracas Your humble servants,
“Prabhupāda: …give us facilities, the authori- On behalf of Food for Life in South Africa
ties, to chant the holy name of God and distribute Board of Directors:
prasādam. Prasādam means… Hari Priya dasi, Goma-tila das, Bhakta Rajen Nage-
Lt. Mozee: Yes, I understand. sar, Bhakta Shamit Bansi, Avikara Krishna das,
Prabhupāda: …some refreshment as remnants of Navina Radhika dasi, Radhe Shyam das
foodstuff of God. Then it will make tremendous

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 ISKCON Independent
zz Please accept our heartfelt obeisances. Complaints Office (ICO)
South Africa

I WAS BORN IN THE DARKEST IGNORANCE , and my spiri- Bhagavad-gita 3.26 to not disturb the materially
tual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowl- attached, but should rather act in ways that illus-
edge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. trate the correct understanding. Indeed, you com-
You have so often said that this movement is ment that our actions speak louder than our words
like a hospital where the materially afflicted beings and that even one with minimal realisation of Krish-
of this world may come take shelter and receive an na has the ability and responsibility to show the cor-
opportunity of having their relationship with Krish- rect behaviour for the benefit of all.
na restored. The International Society for Krishna This newly established Office has been mandat-
Consciousness, under your divine supervision, is in ed to assist the Vaishnava society to deal with inci-
the most essential way paving a path and offering dents of material identification with understand-
the whole world a chance at redemption. Like in any ing and care. Our sincere prayer to you is that we
hospital, there are many cases of individuals who may become exemplary persons of Krishna Con-
have varying afflictions and thus require various sciousness in the discharge of our duties and by so
treatments in order to come to their natural state doing, help inspire others. We are by no means per-
of being. This hospital is no different; so often, as fect exemplars, but have accepted this service with
conditioned living entities we come into the move- the aspiration of not only hearing with compassion
ment illusioned by various material predicaments. and understanding the plight of our fellow Vaish-
We selfishly identify with our material coverings navas, but to also open ourselves to be guided by
and as a result we act in ways that are unfavour- the community so that we too may be cleansed of
able to the path of love and devotion. Thus, we are our material conditions.
plunged into further suffering, remaining ignorant We pray for your continued guidance and mer-
of our true identities. cy as we slowly heal in this hospital you have built
Alas, being confronted with such a situation for us and beg for the heart to understand our fellow
begs the question whether or not our movement will patients with care and respect.
stand the test of time; will we be able to adequate-
ly administer your spiritual prescriptions and aid Your servants,
this materially afflicted world to return to a loving ISKCON Independent Complaints Office (ICO)
relationship with Krishna? The Lord advises us in
293 Other Sources

Krsna Balarama Youth Group 4 To our loving grandfather, Srila Prabhupada,
zz
Johannesburg, South Africa Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace, on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
125 YEARS AGO, IN THE CITY OF KOLKATA , you entered 18 years ago, inspired by your son, HH Bhakti
into this world with the sole purpose of fulfilling Tirtha Swami, a group of youthful devotees saw a
the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. From need to encourage and motivate one another amidst
a young age, your father instilled in you the quali- their struggle of finding a balance between their
ties and teachings of a true Vaishnava. Your passion spiritual, professional, and personal lives; and thus,
to share this message with the world raged like a the Krsna Balarama Youth Group was formed. Over
burning fire. the many weekly programs, melas and Ratha-Yatras,
56 years ago, you left your home in Vrindavan strong relationships have been built. Despite the
and boarded the Boston-bound Jaladuta to fulfill many differences between each of us at KBYG, we
the desire of your spiritual master, His Divine Grace are all connected by our common goal of trying to
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. You faced many serve you to the best of our ability.
challenges along the way, but your deep compassion Presently, we are creating an environment in
to save the fallen souls was unshakable. which the youth can harmoniously serve you. The
55 years ago, you inaugurated the International continued existence of KBYG is exclusively due to
Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON, which your mercy. When so many people love the same
gave us the greatest blessing- association with the person, together they can do whatever it takes to
Lord’s devotees. With the creation of ISKCON, you please that person. This is our only desire at KBYG,
have given us a purpose, a sense of community, and to continuously serve you. So, on this day of your
for that, we are eternally grateful. Vyasa-puja, we would like to express our deepest
44 years ago, you left this material world and gratitude to you, our beloved grandfather, our dear-
entered the spiritual world to serve the Lord eter- est Srila Prabhupada. May we serve you eternally.
nally. Even though you may not be with us physically,
you have left behind an endless supply of literature Your aspiring servants,
and lectures from which we can still receive your Krsna Balarama Youth Group
divine association.

Vyāsa-pūjā 2021
sarva-desa-kāla-daśāya janera kartavya
guru-pāśe sei bhakti praṣṭavya, śrotavya
“It is therefore the duty of every man — in every country, in every

circumstance and at all times — to approach the bona fide spiritual
master, question him about devotional service and listen to him
explain the process.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.122)

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Śrī vyāsa-pūjā

THE MOST BLESSED EVENT

His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa

A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPĀDA

His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa

Founder-Ācārya of the International

© 2021 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Africa

The copyrights for the offerings presented in this book remain

Quotes from books, lectures, letters and conversations by

Cover and artwork courtesy of

www.bbtafrica.co.za y www.bbt.org y www.krishna.com

All Rights Reserved

THE MEANING OF VYĀSA-PŪJĀ 1

ISKCON CENTRES 273

THE BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST 285

OTHER SOURCES 289

4 TIRUMALA DEVI DASI

T HE spiritual master is receiving bene-

C HANTING the holy name, dancing in

T HE spiritual master is always engaged in

T HE spiritual master is always offering

T HE spiritual master is always eager to hear

T HE spiritual master is very dear, because

T HE spiritual master is to be honored as

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo

B Y THE mercy of the spiritual master one

golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana

My dear Lord and Master Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Please accept my most humble obeisances.

Bhakti Carudesna Swami 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada.

Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine holy feet.

My dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami

Please, kindly accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.

HOW SHALL I TAKE SHELTER OF ONE MORE MERCIFUL THAN YOU?

Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Jayadvaita Swami

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhūtale

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya

Prasuti Dasi 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Sydney Please accept my humble obeisances.

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

Dear SrilaPrabhupada, 4 Ramanujacharya Dasa

WITH SRILA PRABHUPADA IN VRINDAVANA DURING KARTIKA

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Acharya Ratna Das

Please accept my respectful prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet. Moka

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Acyuta Kesava Das

IN A LECTURE on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.1-2 in Mel- minute with Srila Prabhupada.

Acyutananda Das 4 Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Adharamrita Devi Dasi 4 My most dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Gauteng Please accept my humble obeisances.

Dearest Srila Prabhupada, 4 Advaita Acharya Das,

All glories to you on your appearance day. Gandharvika Devi Dasi

Dear Srila Prabhupada 4 Ajay Caitanya Dasa

Akhil Gangaram 4 Hare Krsna dear, dear Srila Prabhupada.

Dear Srila Prabhupada, 4 Amrtavani Devi Dasi

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Durban

Ananda Gaurangi Devi Dasi 4 Dearest Srila Prabhupada,