ISKCON—Denver

Throughout our childhood and into our youthful days we watched the world around us. In the schools we heard the instructions of our teachers; how artfully they skirted our questions concerning ourselves and the nature of life around us. "A tale told by an idiot … signifying nothing" echoed from the podiums, announcing the philosophy of the time upon our straining ears, left us baffled and angry, aimless in our wandering. Daily the tension increased, gripping our stomach in a tight knot of fear and desire, as hot and cold war raged uncontrollably on every level of society. Scientific advancement promised the golden age but produced instead the plague of pollution, boasting the power to destroy the world ten times over by the mere pushing of one red button. Politicians passionately pledged the final solution but retired instead fattened by the blood and tears of their 'welfare state.' Even the priests, the representatives of religion, also fell free to the tide of lust, anger, false knowledge, and hypocrisy, leaving the churches and temples only as social centers. From our parents' mouths we heard the final cry, "No one knows the meaning of life; you had better not ask."

You stood alone, the great soul, untouched upon your island of transcendental purity, as the whole of humanity swirled at the lip of the seething whirlpool of material lust. Braving the lowest depths of Maya's prison you, with the light of your radiant knowledge, pierced the darkness and we followed you through the maze-like corridors into the sunlight. The fever of Maya's bite maddened us, but with your cooling strokes of transcendental sound you pacified our lust-crazed hearts, nursing us back to health. With fathomless patience you led us to the bank and let us drink of the ocean of Caitanya's mercy. Still we cannot see the greatness of your lotus-like heart, nor can we understand your causeless mercy.

You have found us wandering among the crows, picking through the garbage, the chewed remnants of the stagnant material world. You are the Paramahamsa, the topmost swan-like devotee of the Lord, teaching the art of picking nectar, even from the refuse. Only by your association can we learn this art, only by your mercy can we make any advancement in spiritual life, only by your association can we fulfill the mission of life.

In the Fourth Chapter, 34th verse of the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna tells Arjuna that in order to learn the truth, one must approach such a bonafide Spiritual Master, making relevant inquiries with submission and service. Only such a self-realized, Krsna conscious Spiritual Master can answer all questions perfectly because by his own deliberation and arguments he himself has realized the conclusion of all revealed scriptures, and has therefore seen the truth. Because he is in the disciplic succession from time immemorial, beginning with Lord Krsna, the Supreme Truth Himself, he is the direct representative of the Personality of Godhead and the Supersoul. Therefore by serving such a bonafide Spiritual Master, one can serve the Lord directly thus opening the path to the Vaikuntha world.

Lord Krsna confirms in the Bhagavad-gita, in the 18th chapter:

In conditional life, deluded by the three modes of material nature, It is impossible to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Who is completely transcendental to all this material world. Nor could we discover what He wants hidden as He is by the curtain of maya (Bg. 7.25). From our situation it is impossible to estimate His position. And that is why Krsna has given the instruction for our deliverance, which we found in the 4th chapter of Bhagavad-gita. "You just approach a Spiritual Master …" Krsna says that in order to learn the truth, in order to come to the platform of devotional service, we must contact such a surrendered soul, a soul already fixed up in devotional service to the Lord. Such a great soul is 100% engaged in devotional service, and by sincere and steadfast execution of his orders we can also attain this platform. Without following the directions of the Spiritual Master we will surely fail, we will simply waste our valuable time.

This is confirmed in the Caitanya-caritamrta, where it is said:

So it is confirmed here, and supported in numerous other places in the revealed scriptures, that acceptance of the shelter of the bonafide spiritual master is the crucial point in spiritual life. Without this connection with the spiritual master there is no access to devotional service to the Lord, and therefore no connection with Krsna can be made.

From the descriptions in the revealed scriptures, from the statements of the great devotees and acaryas of the past, and from our own experience, Srila Prabhupada, you are that great soul. You are the bonafide Spiritual Master, the direct representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The truth which has baffled all our attempts to discover, you have seen. You have smashed the false knowledge of the mental speculators and are delivering the entire earth from the clutches of the heartless vacuum of the impersonalists. You are the mercy of Sri Krsna Caitanya, delivering Krsna freely to whomever will take. Leaving aside all material considerations you have completely surrendered unto the Lotus Feet of Lord Krsna, and are therefore the topmost cream of all great personalities. By your pleasure alone we can be delivered, and by your displeasure no one can be saved. Our success or failure depends entirely on your satisfaction. Therefore we are praying to Lord Krsna that by His mercy we may surrender ourselves at your lotus feet. Please accept us as your most menial servants,

ISKCON Denver