Ramakrishna, Snehal, and Visnu
Hare Krsna Maharaja
Please accept my most humble obeisances and All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
“I was boring in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”
Please accept my wishes on your Holiness’ divine appearance day. On this auspicious occasion, I want to express my deepest heartfelt happiness for the direction you have given me in Krsna consciousness.
abrahma-stamba-paryantam sarvam maya-mayam jagat
satyam satyam punah satyam harer namaiva kevalam
Understanding that the only reality is the Holy Name of Krsna and to act in that understanding can move a neophyte devotee slowly in steps towards practicing Krsna consciousness. Your repeated instructions on how to take shelter of the holy name of Krsna is helping this fallen soul to associate with the holy name through chanting, hearing, and in worship.
Recently, I read a scientific news where there is an invisible link found between various planets in the universe showing the path of River Ganges coming down from higher planetary systems on the way to planet Earth. I remembered your specific instruction regarding Vaisnavas infinite mercy and could relate that in a similar way the infinite mercy of Krsna consciousness is always available throughout the creation, coming down from Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and the acaryas in Sri Brahma Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya. The practicing Krsna conscious devotees can access this mercy through diligence in chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra and sincere meditation on the lotus feet of Vaisnava acaryas in the Vaisnava sampradaya. This mercy, though invisible to the neophyte devotee, is always the divine, sublime power which continuously assists to make progress in Krsna consciousness.
Your holiness’ infinite mercy through the online medium is giving divine association to your servants who are located throughout the world. You provide your divine blessings through your instructions online and are always available through internet in kirtanas, lectures, festival programs etc. These divine instructions help fallen souls like me to reinforce the priorities in my life and assist me in dovetailing my activities in Krsna consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada in one of the lectures mentions and makes it so simple to understand that Krsna consciousness is not a complex term or process but can be identified as the following:
Offering flowers to Krsna, offering food to Krsna, offering water to Krsna, walking to a market to get gifts for Krsna, going to the temple to see Krsna, study about Krsna, discuss about Krsna with devotees, charity for Krsna conscious programs instead of charity to social organizations, celebrating Krsna festivals etc. These activities define Krsna consciousness, it is just that fallen souls like me does few of these activities on daily basis and I just need to put Krsna as the center thus purifying my activities day-day basis. I hope to work on this path and it is only possible to make progress with your divine blessings on this fallen soul.
Maharaja, with your infinite mercy this fallen soul had blessings through darsana of Sri Alarnatha temple, Sri Yadagirigutta temple, Sri Simhacalam temple, Sri Kurmam temple and Sri Jagannatha Puri dhama this year. Your holiness’ specific lectures from South India yatra that are available on the website also assisted in understanding and glorifying Sri Krsna’s pastimes and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s pastimes. This is the invisible great support I keep receiving from your holiness without which my visits to these temples would not have been possible.
andhasya me hrta-viveka-maha-dhanasya
cauraih prabho balibhir indriya-
namadheyaih mohandha-kupa-kuhare
vinipatitasya laksmīnrsimha mama dehi
karāvalambam
(Sri Lakshmi Nrsimha karuna-rasa-stotra, sloka 15, written by Sripada Sankaracarya)
I only pray to Your Divine lotus feet to help me in proper application of my discrimination and have the determination to continuously chant the Holy Name of Krsna and serve Vaisnavas with utmost humility.
Sri Siksastaka, Verse 1:
ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-mahadavagni-nirvapanam sreyah-kairava-candrika-
vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam pratipadam purnamrtasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam
“Let there be victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Krsna expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.”
Maharaja, to conclude, my activities in Krsna consciousness continue with your infinite mercy and I only pray that year after year, this fallen soul can get opportunities to serve your servants and continuously chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra.
I am a menial servant of yours, please forgive me for any offenses I have made in writing this letter of offering.
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah
I offer my humble obeisance to your lotus feet. Once again accept my congratulations and best wishes on your holiness’ divine appearance day.
Your servants,
Ramakrishna, Snehal, and Visnu