Bhagavān dāsa Adhikārī

Let me reflect upon my spiritual master, Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada, who is my very life and reason for existence. I pray that I can always remember him in my attempt to go back to Godhead. Wherever he may travel he goes in one absolute direction, and I beg that he takes me with him. Please let me cling to you Srila Prabhupada because you are the perfection of the soul.

To preach the message of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam is the climax of knowledge. It is the greatest challenge because everyone who has come to this material world harbors the weapons of envy and hatred towards the Supreme One. Therefore such work of the pure devotee is transcendentally pleasing to Sri Krsna. My master has chosen to enter the arena on Krsna's behalf fighting the haughty challenges of slaughter houses, prostitution and the laws and graft of big business and their police henchmen. You have faced them with conviction in your spiritual master. You have fought with them, sung to them, preached to them, and brought them to surrender, rebirth and contentment. My powerful father, let me take shelter in your fearlessness and fight along your side.

Without purity, no one can lead. But you have shown the world that your life belongs only to Krsna, and your words have never differed from your actions. In this world there is nothing so pure and sublime as you and your mission. As such you can attract the lowest mind to have faith in Radha and Krsna. O standard of the universe! Please purify my wretched being so that I can give some service to the sahkirtana movement of Lord Caitanya.

Because you are Krsna's friend and devotee you are situated in complete and perfect truth. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is described that the nature of the Absolute Truth is His ability to release people from the miseries of material existence. Only a blind man could not see how you have brought fortune and auspiciousness to the most fallen. The demonic teachers who are respected and worshipped by the foolish class of men only bless their followers with distress and anxiety. My teacher and guide, please let me share in your wisdom and help you relieve the burden of the world.

In this material world even goodness is conditional. Although one may give something in charity, if the recipient is ungrateful the charity stops. But you are like the rain cloud that pours the mercy of love of God even on the rocks. Each time it rains the same rocks again receive water. You are the ultimate in mercy. Even though offenses are constantly committed at your lotus feet, you still offer blessing after blessing. Srila Prabhupada you are just like Lord Nityananda. May my stone heart melt in the glow of your compassion.

Because the ocean is so deep the disturbances on the surface cannot reach into its depth. In the same way there is no way to measure how deep you have gone into the loving affairs of Radha and Krsna, or how much you are feeling for your spiritual master. Because of this you are never disturbed by the duality of this material world. But my mind is so fickle that even though I stand on the edge of the ocean of nectar I think of sitting in the mud of sense gratification. May my mind also become deep in love for Krsna and thus be a source of ecstasy in this life.

To broaden the sway of your spiritual master's plan you gave up everything. For the ordinary person to give up family, wealth and society would be like giving up one's life. But you had strict faith in your spiritual master that one should live only for Krsna's cause. Weak as I am, my countless attachments pull me like horses from every side. O Gurudeva! Heaviest of the Universe! Please bless my mind, body and speech with unalloyed devotion to your feet.

Because you are aware of the supreme plan of the Absolute Lord you have no hankerings for the temporary pleasures of this material world. Whatever gain comes or whatever is taken away you consider as the mercy of the Lord and thus the ropes of material entanglement can never bind you. For you something has value when used in Krsna's service. Srila Prabhupada, please keep me from being carried away by the waves of false needs. Please let me take shelter in your simplicity.

Today people are so frantically searching for the end to violence, but to learn non-violence they must come to you. Every moment that one has your auspicious association, he comes that much closer to immortality. Even if the trees and grass are present when you chant the holy name of Krsna, they become elevated. How glorious you are! You have become the shelter of every species of life!

Your only motive is to deliver the truth that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and chanting the holy name will release one from all miseries of life. If no one accepts your message still you will not alter your position. And if one fortunate soul becomes liberated by taking to Krsna consciousness you see it as success for your mission. Like a log drifting in the river, somehow I have stopped at the port of your lotus feet, the entrance to Vaikuntha. Let me glorify you whose every limb and motion sing of the truth.

You are the most fortunate because you know the transcendental position of Lord Krsna. Krsna is the never-failing friend, the ultimate proprietor and highest enjoyer. Therefore there can be no illusion or anxiety for you. Please awaken me from my slumber and take me to Krsna consciousness so that I too can have transcendental peace.

Countless living entities move throughout the universe sentenced to birth and death by the nature of their work. They peer out through a myriad of eyes, each giving a newer version of illusion. Before they can ever become satisfied in life, death again comes. Let me therefore run to your expansive arms of freedom. Please carry me back to my real home beyond this dark place.

On your request we go into the festering cities to deliver the holy names. How have I been able to join in this most merciful movement, being empty of compassion? Insult stings my mind and ignites my anger. Intolerance rises like a belligerent beast. Please let me drink of the waters of your forgiveness and learn how to love.

May each year of my life free me more from my bondage to material life and take me closer to your lotus feet. I do not want to fool myself-please take pity on me Srila Prabhupada and take me back to Godhead.

Bhagavan dasa Adhikari
G.B.C.-France and the Mediterranean