Anandambudhi dasa, Vrajeswari Pran devi dasi, Yashoda and Kirtida
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
“I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate romapada-svamin iti namine
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Srila Romapada Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.”
My dear and most respected spiritual master and eternal father,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of your appearance and many more to come.
As I was about to write this year’s Vyasa-puja offering, I was meditating upon you and the following verse from Sri Gurvastakam came to my mind:
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
pratiksanasvadana-lolupasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
“The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Sri Sri Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.” [Sri Gurvastakam Verse 5]
We are extremely fortunate to witness the meaning of this verse each and every day of our lives. You inspired us to take shelter of the Divine Couple during the pandemic, and showed us how to engage ourselves in the mood of service to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna by your own example by glorifying their Holy names and pastimes all the days and all the time.
- In this pandemic, we got the opportunity to connect with your vani more frequently than previous years. You are expert in the subjects and make the teachings simple.
Example: Srila Prabhupada kept the language simple, and his purports further broke down the complex matter into simpler comprehensible blocks. Similarly, no matter how complex a concept is, it is your ability to make it simple through your slide presentations and your realizations that make a great impact on us.
- These many years I was under the impression I am doing bhakti, but not really knowing what it is. Through the opportunities given by you, I am able to understand it clearly.
This year, the constant message from your lectures I heard was attentive chanting.
Starting from this point of attentive chanting, I got the opportunity to read “JAPA” book and it completely changed my bhakti life. I am observing that most of the problems are mental concoction. These many years I was crying and lamenting due to failing to understand the devotees, family and used to offend them. Because I never seriously thought about “Mind” and its duality and it tricks on us.
Indifference lecture made me thunder struck, showing me where I am lacking in bhakti.
Finally developing and strengthening my faith in the Holy Name as complete shelter for all the solutions – harer namaiva kevalam.
- While reading the first Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam where Sri Narada Muni receives the mercy of the bhakti-vedantas, we remembered your special mercy towards children. Wherever you go, you give special mercy and attention towards young children to encourage them in their spiritual life. And it is beautiful to witness your gestures.
While you were talking about Verse 1 of Sri Namastakam, you spoke three times “Tips of the toes of the holy name”. This became my children favorite line and they always remember this.
I know that everything that is happening in spiritual life is only happening because of your mercy. There is no limit to my gratitude to you.
Desiring to remain eternally at the dust of your divine lotus feet,
Vrajeswari Pran devi dasi, Anandambudhi dasa, Kirtida.
Yashoda’s Offering:
Hare Krsna Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Wish you happy Krsna conscious birthday!!!
You travel extensively throughout the world giving wonderful classes on different topics and I love the Powerpoints you present. They have lots of pictures which are rarely seen. I really like the gestures you make. Me, and my sister (Kirtida) see them 3 to 4 times.
One of my favorite lecture series is “Govardhan parikrama” and I have presented some topics like Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami and I collected most of the points from your lectures.
On this special occasion I have composed a poem and I would like to dedicate to you…
Please bless me.
Your humble servant,
Yashoda