Sandhya devi dasi

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

mukum karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande sri-gurum dina-taranam

vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah

namah om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhu-tale
srimate romapada-svamin iti namine

Dear Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances in the divine dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

This year is special for me, Maharaja, because I retired from work about six months ago, and that is a big relief for me. I am trying to chant more peacefully and am doing a few small services at the center that keep me busy. I have no big skills, nor much physical strength – it is simply your mercy that keeps me engaged in Krsna’s service somehow or the other, whether it be cleaning, running errands, reading SrimadBhagavatam or helping with altar service.

Participating in Prema-tarangini Mataji’s Bhakti-sastri course is giving me an opportunity to study in-depth some of the books that are the foundation of the science of devotional service. Though late in life, I feel blessed, Maharaja, to be able to receive this knowldege, which is very necessary to properly understand the bhakti yoga principles and to spiritually advance.

Overall, I hope to make the best use of this quiet period in my life for hearing and chanting as much as possible. I humbly pray for your blessings, which alone can help anchor my mind so that progress is possible.

Wishing you good health and many happy returns on your appearance day. May the winds be most favorable to you in your efforts to spread the glories of Gauranga and Krsna’s holy names across the globe.

With many obeisances unto your lotus feet,

Yours humbly, Sandhya devi dasi