Sudama dasa and Sangeetha
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate romapada-svamin iti namine
Dear and Respected Guru Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Divine Grace on the auspicious occasion of Vyasa-puja.
Almost ten years back, in January of 2007, we had the good fortune of meeting you in Vrndavana. I (Sudama dasa) was there only for few days of the yatra. Almost every day, when your lectures would happen, I would go away and stand near the bus until the class was over, and was also not very keen to meet you. I was already lost in several material entanglements and I had no clue then that I would become your disciple after ten years.
Years later, in 2011, when I first wrote to you from Qatar, we never expected any reply. We were very happy that you replied instantly and gave us four instructions, which we still keep to close our heart. I was totally unaware of the mercy that was to come down from you to our family. From then on, we automatically developed a longing to actively apply the instructions you gave us. We would also write to you frequently, for which you promptly replied without fail.
One of your instructions in 2011 was to associate with devotees of the Lord. We wrote to you in 2013, feeling helpless that there is no association available in this country. It was only by your mercy that we were connected to the devotees in Doha, Qatar through your God-brother, His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja. All this happened instantly, within 24 hours of your email. This connection with devotees made a big change in our lives and sadhana practices. We will be always indebted to you for this act of mercy upon fallen souls like us.
You have always inspired us through your lectures. Your South India yatra lectures in 2015 were truly inspiring. Being from South India, we never had heard about the glories and pastimes of the temples around our native place. I shared this with you in one of my email exchanges and you promptly recommended me to visit the Adi-kesava temple. We realize that your grace is always available in the form of sound vibrations through your sweet and deep lectures.
I have heard that the Spiritual Master is eternal and that the Supersoul guides a soul who is truly seeking a Spiritual Master. This proved correct for me when I was thinking to approach you for initiation. But before even I presented my desire, I was approached by your disciples, and then everything was like a dream come true.
There was a misunderstanding on the day of the initiation ceremony day about Sangeetha not attending the initiation ceremony. Please accept our sincere apologies for the same. When I first met you after the initiation ceremony, you instructed me not to put pressure on my wife regarding spiritual development. You appreciated her maturity for her decision to wait for some more time before initiation. You are an embodiment of humility and tolerance, and you were accommodative and supportive. This really inspired both of us.
We sincerely pray that we always remain attached to the shelter of your lotus feet and be engaged in your service. Please forgive us for any offence we have committed in our insignificant attempt to glorify your divine personality.
Your aspiring servants,
Sudama dasa and Sangeetha