Sri Sundari devi dasi
Dear Father Gurudeva,
On the occasion of your auspicious appearance day, please accept devotional obeisances offered by your humble disciple! All glory to dear Romapada Swami gurudeva! All glory to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Gurudeva, in a flash, it has been three years since I received initiation. These three years have been the most important time in my life. My life has changed radically from the shadows of irritability, anxiety, pain, etc., to the sunlight of peace, knowledge and joy. I know that you are the warm and bright sunshine, the cool moonlight that dispels the pain of ignorance, and the heavenly rain that nourishes the young sprouts. I am a soul drifting in the universe, had the good fortune to meet the pure devotee of Krsna. Under your merciful care, the seedling of love broke out and grew up. It is because of your unbounded kindness that I grew from an ignorant child with no understanding of spirituality, full of materialistic desires, painful struggles, and began to babble and toddle. It is because of your unbounded kindness that I, like a bird in its shell, grew up with wings and tried to fly. I know that without your kindness, I would not have been born; without your teaching and love, I would not have been awakened; without your example and model, how could I have known how to serve with love? I know that without the mercy of my spiritual director, loving service would not be possible at all. I have already received your unbounded mercy, and all I can do is to kneel at your lotus feet and pray for more of your mercy to this most fallen, foolish, and helpless soul.
Dear Gurudeva, although the epidemic has prevented us from directly serving your lotus feet and seeing your kind and smiling face, we can still link with you through the internet. Whenever I see your hale and hearty appearance on the screen, hear your eloquent and transcendental knowledge and your wise answers to questions after the class, I feel from the bottom of my heart how happy, how lucky, and how much I can rely on you. In this link of separation, my attachment and dependence on you grew deeper and deeper. When you smile, all the flowers in the world bloom, and when you are serious and solemn, I feel like a soldier in formation following orders, immediately shaking my spirit and ready to go.
Dear Gurudeva, by your example, you show how a disciple can serve his spiritual master. You are the one we confide in when we, have joy; you are the one we turn to when we have difficulties; you are the one we ask for advice when we have questions. You perfectly and purely demonstrated the example and power of a pure devotee. You not only give us guidance, you give us the means to act, and the resources you have so that we can receive practical guidance and help. You are the representative of Krsna, you are right beside us, watching over us, encouraging us, guiding us, and pushing us. We are immensely proud to have a spiritual teacher like you, and following your example, we strive to follow in your footsteps and practice your teachings.
Dear Gurudeva, I have kept you in my heart at all times during this separation service, trying to participate in the classical studies of the training system and doing what I can to serve the local devotees. I know that as your disciple, I am your representative. I want to hold myself to a high and strict standard, demonstrate the spirituality and service ability of devotees, guide and promote them to progress on the path of loving service. Through your mercy, the missionary work in our area is going smoothly. Four groups are now conducting regular study and fellowship, and more people have heard the holy name, picked up the rosary beads, started chanting regularly, and are spreading the glory of the holy name. We have two new devotees this year who have been inspired by your mercy and are engaged in active service in the training system and group fellowship. Dear Gurudeva, all this is the result of your kind care and guidance. We should remember your teachings, systematically learn transcendental knowledge, and strive to practice your instructions to spread Krsna consciousness and the Lord’s holy name to as many people as possible, so that everyone can understand the purpose and meaning of life and ultimately return home back to Godhead.
Dear Gurudeva, once again, I wish you a happy birthday! May Lord Krsna bless our Gurudeva with good health! All the best! May your missionary work be more successful!
Your humble disciple,
Sri Sundari devi dasi