Anandambudhi dasa, Vrajesvari Pran devi dasi, Yasoda. and Kirtida

My dear Spiritual Father and Savior of fallen souls like me,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I have heard from you that everything is Krsna and Krsna’s. and we can offer Krsna, His name with love. On this most auspicious appearance day, I wondered what I could offer you, Guru Maharaja. With a grateful heart, I tried to offer what you have consistently given us—Srimad-Bhagavatam.

While reading the Seventh Canto, I began reflecting on my own nature. In Hiranyakasipu’s character, I saw traces of my own false pride in small accomplishments, inconsistent determination in performing sadana, speaking philosophy without full realization, and constantly seeking approval from devotees. Yet, it is through Srila Prabhupada’s purports that I am beginning to understand my deep conditioning.

In the section describing the transcendental qualities of Prahlada Maharaja (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.4.30–43), I could clearly perceive these qualities manifesting in Your Holiness. Though we have not seen Prahlada directly, we understand him through Prabhupada’s purports. Though we have not seen Srila Prabhupada personally, we understand him through your unwavering devotion and example. You are a living Bhagavatam, exemplifying Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.

Text 30: (gunair mahad-upasakah) You are reservoir of all transcendental qualities because you are an unalloyed devotee of Prabhupada and guru-parampara.

Text (31- 33): These three verses talk about qualities of Prahlada Maharaja. We can witness all these qualities in your holiness.

1. brahmanyah sila-sampannah : peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge and religiousness are manifest in your Holiness.

Srila Prabhupada writes: Anyone can become a fully qualified brahmana under the direction of a spiritual master. Your holiness is a vivid example of how to accept the direction  of the spiritual master.

1. satya-sandho jitendriyah: you are determined to understand Absolute truth fully controlling the mind and senses.
2. atmavat sarva-bhutanam: you are like super soul to all living entities
3. eka-priya-suhrttamah: the one beloved, the best friend
4. dasavat sannataryanghrih: Surrender to feet of the wise like a menial servant.
5. pitrvad dina-vatsalah: Kind to the poor like a father
6. bhratrvat sadrse snigdho: Affectionate to equals like a brother
7. gurusv isvara-bhavanah: Respectful to gurus seeing them as good as the Lord
8. mana-stambha-vivarjitah: Completely free from pride and impudence
9. nodvigna-citto vyasanesu: Unagitated in dangerous conditions
10. nihsprhah: without material desire
11. prasanta-kamo: Subdued all lusty desires.

Srila Prabhupada writes – The word guru refers to the spiritual master who initiates his disciple into advancement of Krsna or Krsna consciousness, as stated by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura: sri-bhagavan-mantropadesake gurav ity arthah. Through your deep realizations and tireless efforts, you inspire us to hold onto the holy name and advance in the science of Krsna consciousness.

A devotee acquires godly qualities by rendering unalloyed service. Even when physically far, you remain present within our hearts like the Supersoul, constantly guiding us. Whenever we hear about you – from senior devotees like His Grace Nityananda Pran Prabhuji, Her Grace Hemangi Mataji, His Grace Syama Kunda Prabhuji or from the realizations of our peers – our hearts melt. Your glories cannot be enumerated; it proves that you are a great soul(mahatma).

You naturally have deep attachment to Krsna (naisargiki ratih) and no attraction to material affairs (viraktir anyatra ca). krsna-graha-grhitatma your mind is fully attracted to Krsna consciousness. You carefully guide us in understanding the symptoms of real spiritual emotion, helping us distinguish between material sentiment and genuine devotional ecstasy through sastra and commentaries of acaryas.

sa uttama-sloka-padaravindayor
nisevayakincana-sanga-labdhaya
tanvan param nirvrtim atmano muhur
duhsanga-dinasya manah samam vyadhat
[Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.4.42]

Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport: “A devotee is never contaminated by material conditions, but persons subjected to material conditions can become spiritually advanced and blissful upon seeing the behavior of a pure devotee.”

This is exactly what we experience during your yatras or your visits to Bangalore. Your presence purifies our consciousness, and by your mercy, our hearts naturally want to engage in service. Whatever little devotional activities I do I am offering at your lotus feet. I beg you to kindly bless me with the strength and determination to carry out your instructions and remain faithful to your guidance.

Your humble servants,
Vrajesvari Pran devi dasi, Anandambudhi dasa, Yasoda. and Kirtida