My Dear Devotees,

Jaya Srila Prabhupada. I am writing to share with you dynamic and ecstatic events in my own life. As we know Lord Krishna has personally divided human life into various divisions of varna and ashrama. We also note that a normal human naturally being passes through different stages of life.

My material body has now completed sixty-one years, and it is therefore natural and necessary that I consider how I will utilize the remaining years of my life. My goal is the goal that we all share: to serve the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada in the best possible way.

Lord Krishna has made it very clear to me, and Srila Prabhupada confirms in his writings, that my most important contribution is literary. For years I have tried to balance this service with other duties, like that of GBC, but I find it is very difficult to do both both services at the same time.

Fortunately, in my GBC work both in North and South America, Lord Krishna has blessed me with the opportunity to work with exceptional leaders who are distinguished both in personal character and leadership abilities.

Given the necessity to complete certain books before I leave this world, and given the excellent leadership in my zone, and especially given the will of Lord Krishna which He has revealed to me in unmistakable ways, I am retiring from my service as GBC secretary. Again, in doing so I am sure that I am obeying Lord Krishna’s desire.

I want to make clear that despite my present writing retreat, in the future, I will be happy to continue to help the devotees to the best of my ability. In fact, my GBC service for the last several years has consisted of offering advice and guidance, rather than directly managing. I will continue to offer this service, as needed and desired, so there will be continuity.

In North America, the GBC has already made various arrangements for the continued management of my zone. In Brazil, Lord Krishna has blessed us with an unusually good Executive Committee, which will manage there for up to three years, during which time they will select, with the International GBC, a permanent GBC representative.

I want to assure all the devotees that I have never been happier in my own spiritual life, that I am fully inspired in my service, and that I pray to continue to serve Srila Prabhupada’s servants in a meaningful way.

With best wishes,
Hridayananda das Goswami
January 18, 2010