Nandimukhi devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaja — My most benevolent spiritual master and eternal father,

I beg to offer my most humble and submissive obeisances unto you. All glories to you and Srila Prabhupada.

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

Long dark nights of materialistic pursuits and the egoistic “society, friendship, and love” thereof have an amazing ability to render human beings aimless and hopeless, and impel them to crave for the light of real knowledge and reach towards an eternal shelter. There are those who, although being placed in a youthful, vigorous physical body, still drag on an old, lifeless life. Somehow or other, by the kindness of you and Krsna, I was given a new life even in the very same physical body. “The Vedic knowledge is considered mother, and the spiritual master is considered the father. And by the help of the spiritual master, when one gets into transcendental knowledge, that is called second birth.” (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada: Initiation of Hrsikesa dasa and Marriage of Satsvarupa and Jadurani — New York, September 5, 1968)

This statement of Srila Prabhupada is not merely metaphorical. While a parental relationship may seem to originate from biological proximity, it is rooted in acceptance and commitment. When begetting a child, the parents hardly know anything about the child’s past experiences or future trajectories, nor does the child know anything about the parents. Yet, the parents commit themselves to take care of the child to the best of their ability. In return, the child accepts them as father and mother and acts accordingly. In this way, the family bond is formed. The blood relation between the parents and the child is but a token of their mutual acceptance and commitment. A relationship in the bodily conception of life, however, cannot last for long. Under some circumstances, such as disease, death, disputes of interest, etc., both parties in a relationship would be either forced to or willingly give up the commitment. On the other hand, a commitment whose basis transcends the modes of material nature can certainly endure.

Every disciple has a unique and irreducible relationship with the spiritual master. It is not by the qualities of the disciple that the disciple becomes dear to the spiritual master. Rather, it is by the qualities of the spiritual master that each and every disciple is held dear. And what are those qualities? Among the topmost is perhaps the devotion to the service of his own spiritual master. “A filial person is one who inherits the will of the ancestors and spreads their activities and contributions. This is an explanation of filial given in Zhong Yong (中庸, 500-400 BCE), a classical Chinese treatise on morality and self-cultivation that is attributed to Kong Ji, a grandson of Confucius. Undoubtedly, you have been a filial follower of Srila Prabhupada, your most beloved spiritual master and eternal father, and, consequently, equally giving your attention and affection to all disciples.

Seven years have passed since I was first introduced to you, by the kindness of Maha-mantra prabhu, during an evening home program in northern Virginia on January 3rd, 2017. I only hope I am more mature, responsible, and dedicated to your service than I was seven years ago. I only hope I can be a good disciple of yours. Looking into the future, I see that my personal development is inseparable from the development of Srila Prabhupada’s mission — the matchless gift he and his filial followers have been dauntlessly and tirelessly distributing worldwide, and there is no alternative that can bring life into my life. Still, unable to envision a clear path, I am hesitating and intimidated to dive in. Time is slipping away. I beg you, therefore, my most affectionate master and father, to kindly keep me, a minute creature in the nature, always close to you in your service. Please take me with you and allow me to be with you. Staying by the side of your lotus feet, may I muster the courage to follow your footsteps.

Your eternal servant,
Nandimukhi devi dasi