Uma devi dasi

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

Dear Srila Romapada Maharaja,

Hare Krsna! Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

At the 2015 ISKCON 50 kick-off festival in Houston, one devotee posed the question, “What do you think is the thing that most attracts the conditioned soul to Krsna consciousness?” And you gave the reply, “Very simple…loving relationships.” The reciprocation you exhibit in the diverse relationships you have is exemplary, and I have great appreciation for this. The relationship I have developed with you over the years has certainly been uplifting and enthusing for my Krsna consciousness.

Another quality I appreciate is how you are so personal! There is so much personalism in everything you do, Maharaja. Personalism is such a rare thing to come across in this world. I myself am terribly impersonal, so when I see how personal you are, it’s very moving. Something else you brought up in Houston was that one of the purposes of ISKCON is to help people come to understand that God is a person. I find that simply being in your presence can help one grasp this concept of personalism; Krsna is a person!

I remember when you visited Tampa in December 2013, you gave so much time to the devotees there. Despite your having to travel to Orlando the same evening, you stayed after the talk and spent personal time getting to know some of the devotees individually. You were asking the devotees questions to understand them better and then giving some feedback to encourage their piritual practices. You are so personal, so reciprocal and so compassionate!

I heard a recording of a class you gave on Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day in 2014. You read a portion of Volume 6, Chapter 55 of Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta and I want to bring out one statement in the reading: “Śrīla Prabhupāda,” said Tamāla Kṛṣṇa, “the way you deal with us simply deepens our attachment every moment.” Over the years, at different points in my life, you have kindly assisted with my spiritual growth and encouraged me in serving Srila Prabhupada to the best of my abilities. Your kindness and genuine concern for my progress has increased my attachment to yourself and to hearing from you.

I am very grateful to Krsna and Srila Prabhupada for allowing me to have your association. Last year I recall standing in front of Srila Prabhupada at the end of the Labor Day Retreat in Gita Nagari. I prayed very intensely that Srila Prabhupada might please allow me to somehow serve his very dear disciple, Srila Romapada Swami.

Once you explained: “Gratitude is a feeling. It’s not just the politeness of saying ‘thank you’ like a parrot.” I know I cannot properly convey the deep gratitude I feel for everything you have given to me. And not only to me, to everyone, for everything you have done and are doing for Srila Prabhupada! I can only say, thank you very much for your kindness and encouragement and most of all for tolerating me, Maharaja. There are so many unwanted things in my heart, and you have so kindly accepted and are still accepting me.

Rendering service to the pure devotee can almost completely destroy the troubles of the heart and award us with loving serve to Krsna, so I continue to pray to be able to somehow render some service to you. I pray that I may serve wholeheartedly, without any doubts; in a way that is pleasing to Krsna, Guru Maharaja and yourself.

Please forgive my offenses and give your blessings, as you desire.

Thank you very much!

Your servant,
Uma devi dasi