Abhistada devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaja,

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

In order to know about Krsna, one should approach the spiritual master. It is a relief to understand that I don’t need to make anything up or reinvent the wheel. And when things get sour and I find myself weak and illusioned, I can survive because you are looking at me from a picture and saying “Keep trying. Don’t give up.”

Some people hesitate to accept a guru because they are afraid that they do not qualify. That is true. But I think it is foolish to not accept mercy when it is available. Accepting a spiritual master is the biggest mercy and I am ever grateful for it. Mercy does not require qualifications. Just like when I met you, Guru Maharaja, you reached out to me even though I was completely unqualified.

In one of your lectures, you said that being ungrateful has no excuse and no atonement. But what does it mean to be grateful to one’s spiritual master? To me, it means making small steps towards my spiritual goal. And when things get sour, just look at your picture, and keep trying. Never give up. Thank you so much for the mercy!

Warmly,

Abhistada devi dasi