Alarka devi dasi
Hare Krsna. According to Rupa Gosvami in his Stavamala, Srimati Radharani likes to wear pearls. Sometimes when playing as a little girl, Her garlands and pearls would become loose. One day, Her necklace broke and the pearls fell. Her friends tried to gather them all. But one pearl fell straight through Goloka and landed in Utica, New York on December 27, 1948. That priceless pearl, even more brilliant than ever, grew up to be our Guru Maharaja.
What is a Guru anyways? Someone that just gives you a name and you don’t talk to for months or years? Someone that looks for your every fault and chastises you severely? No, a Guru is a parent, a protector, a mentor, and the best of friends. Although I am surrounded by loving family and friends, I would feel so lonely because I know they aren’t mine. If bodily designations are taken away, we would have no relations. Ah, but there are two persons left: Krsna and my Guru Maharaja!
By your accepting me, I have Srila Prabhupada and the whole sampradaya. I have a father to call my own not just for one measly life, but for all eternity. I never asked for his mercy, never worked a day in my life to try to earn it. But when my mother asked for his shelter you soon graciously extended it to me as well. Sixteen-year-old didn’t know the blessing I had received.
In late 2022, my family fell into bad association. We had an offensive devotee friend who was very critical of gurus. This person filled our heads with Vaisnava aparadha. I even offended you Guru Maharaja. As soon as I realized what I had done, I was in distress. I just committed the most grievous guru–aparadha! I knew I had to reach out to you, you immediately forgave me for my spiritual crime and told me to stay away from that person. Like a loving father with a stupid daughter, you forgave and understood me. To my surprise that wasn’t the end of it. Like a loving father you were worried about us and emailed me again and again, reminding my family to avoid that person. And in classic Guru Maharaja style, you quoted many verses from scripture. You are so smart. Although you completely forgave me, guilt and remorse still haunted me. I reached out again begging for your mercy, as I was in distress. In reply, you consoled me. Who does that? Seriously, how many spiritual masters would put that effort into a random disciple? And that’s the beauty: you didn’t have to. Additionally, you sent the most adorable cartoon-like painting of Lord Nityananda to give me comfort and protection. It was so random and cute that for the first time in months, I smiled. And then it hit me. This person is innocent– the same kind of beautiful innocence found in Rangini, Tungi, Bahula and all the sweetest pets in Vrndavana. I’m 1000% sure that it is impossible to find someone this pure and soft in this world.
People say that it is good luck when a son takes after his mother and when a daughter takes after her father. I pray I take after my Guru Maharaja. Never asking even once for anything and yet giving his life, time, effort, and wisdom to everyone. And most importantly, I hope and pray I learn to love and serve Krsna just like you.
Guru Maharaja, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for your library full of knowledge. Thank you for your free counseling and advice. Thank you for your protection. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for adopting me. I pray that I serve your lotus feet now and in every life. Hare Krsna.