Vadanya devi dasi
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate romapada-svamin iti namine
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Romapada Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.”
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Understanding Guru tattva is so important in Vaisnava sampradaya. It emphasizes that the Guru is the transparent representative of Krsna.
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth”.[Bhagavad-gita 4.34]
tasmad gurum prapadyeta
jijnasuh sreya uttamam
sabde pare ca nisnatam
brahmany upasamasrayam
“Therefore, any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.”[Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.21]
guru-padasraya, diksa, gurura sevana
sad-dharma-siksa-prccha, sadhu-marganugamana
“On the path of regulative devotional service, one must observe the following items: (1) One must accept a bona fide spiritual master. (2) One must accept initiation from him. (3) One must serve him. (4) One must receive instructions from the spiritual master and make inquiries in order to learn devotional service. (5) One must follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas and follow the directions given by the spiritual master.”[Caitanya- caritamrta (Madhya 22.115)]
Just as a child cannot learn to walk without the help of elders, and a traveler cannot reach the desired destination without a map, the soul cannot find its way back to Krsna without the help of a spiritual master. More than words, the guru teaches by example. Without a guru, spiritual life remains like a boat without a captain, drifting aimlessly. With a guru, the disciple gains direction, strength, and shelter. Through the guru’s mercy, the disciple’s life is not only changed it is completely transformed into a life of service, joy, and eternal connection with Krsna.
You are living example of this guru-tattva. Sometimes I feel I can’t see the depth of your reality despite your endless love and care towards not only me but for everyone. I am sleeping like Kumbhakarna. So much mercy flowing from you and I am not taking it. Same with the devotees. Nityananda Pran Prabhuji and Hemangi Mataji are always there for me. I am amazed to see their unconditional love. My Krsna consciousness is because of genuine warmth and love of devotees like them. They are just a call away and all my problems get resolved. I feel your endless mercy through them. Guru Maharaja I need your endless love and blessings so that I will wake up fully someday and realize the truth. Only because of you I am getting such association of devotees.
Please bless me that I may always remember your instructions, serve you faithfully, and dedicate my life in gratitude to your divine mission. May I never forget that you are my eternal well-wisher, leading me, with patience and love, back to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.
Your aspiring servant,
Vadanya devi dasi