Nanda-nandana dasa

Respected Guru Maharaja,

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances unto your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

On the auspicious occasion of your appearance day, I would like to express my gratitude for the undeserved opportunity that is being given to us to perfect our lives.

Srila Vyasadeva deeply meditated upon the disqualifications of the people of the age of Kali and a solution that is within their reach (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.5-7). Following in the same line, Srila Prabhupada has explained the Upadesamrta and assured us of perfection if we chant 16 good rounds of Hare Krsna maha mantra every day and follow the four regulative principles. Even though the principles seem externally simple, it is increasingly dawning upon me that it is only by the guided mercy of the parampara that anyone can attempt to follow them.

We have repeatedly heard from Sir and also personally seen glimpses of your faith in the chanting of the holy name. Sir often reiterates your statement that everything we need to go back to Godhead is in our bead bag. This is your gratitude for the gift that Srila Prabhupada has given.

Being very loving and dedicated to you, Sir has placed his full faith in these principles and has always made us see the solution to any problem and the way to perfection within these fundamentals only.

These principles that are very dear to you, are exclusively the basis and means in the careful training in Krsna consciousness that Sir is giving us. Following these principles sincerely, through the proper execution of our varied duties, is bringing about steadiness and focused service attitude towards the parampara. I hope and pray that our meager yet eager attempts to abide by Srila Prabhupada’s simple and powerful teachings (passed down untainted), would give pleasure to you.

I am very grateful that I have been given this uncalled-for mercy. I seek your blessings to internalize these principles and follow them gratefully in a manner pleasing to my preceptors, you and Srila Prabhupada.

Aspiring to be a sincere servant,
Nanda-nandana dasa