On this most auspicious day, the appearance day of His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Astottarasata Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I am once again faced with my own poor-heartedness, my inability to properly glorify my own spiritual master, who is the great spiritual master and founder of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s ISKCON.
Prabhupada’s purity is such that simply by remembering his divine appearance day, and one’s duty to properly worship him on this day, one immediately remembers one’s own dull and humble position. Many times I have sat to write a Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada, and now, thinking back on what I have felt and written previously, I do not think that in my fallen condition I will have much new to say. Perhaps one humble realization is worth passing along to those fortunate persons who will read and hear these many offerings to Prabhupada.
I offer this simple fact: We must worship and glorify Srila Prabhupada by serious dedication to his divine service. Everyone has heard this point, and I myself have stated it in many previous Vyasa-puja offerings. Therefore, I can only submit at the feet of the Vaisnavas that by the causeless kindness of Srila Prabhupada, this year I feel an extra inspiration, a special comprehension of this simple, yet all-powerful fact – that we must surrender to Srila Prabhupada by selflessly dedicating and rededicating ourselves to his preaching mission, and our loving service in spreading his mission will truly establish and clarify his glories throughout the world.
Yes, of course it is true that the path is fraught with dangers, that we become lazy, selfish, foolish, and even crazy due to the pernicious atmosphere of this age and our own woeful impurity. Still, the mercy of Srila Prabhupada is so sublime that it will lift his sincere followers over the monstrous obstacles placed in our path by the illusory potency of the Lord.
A comfortable life in the domestic spirit is a great obstacle both for householders and sannyasis. A cheerful, loving willingness to forego such ease and comfort and undergo personal inconvenience for the sake of our beloved master is certainly the right medicine and the right nectar to bring us to a happy, pure life of eternal loving service at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.
Praying for the mercy of the Vaisnavas who truly love Srila Prabhupada, I remain a tiny servant at the feet of his servants.
Hridayananda Dasa Goswami
1987
