Introduction

September 2, 1972

The spiritual master is honored as much as the Supreme Lord because of his being the most confidential servitor of the Lord This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities.

Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna].

-Sri Gurvastakam

sri-guru karuna-sindhu
adhama janara bandu
lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya
deho more pada-chaya
ebe jas ghusuk tribhuvana

Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor and the lord and master of the devotees. O, master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.

-Vaisnava poet

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet."

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

"Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami, You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism."