Gaurasundara dasā Adhikārī

I have been given this commission to write about the glories of Srila Prabhupada and find myself unable to adequately fulfill it. Srila Prabhupada stands supremely glorified by all that he is and all that he radiates. So I feel like a man offering a candle to the sun in that it is not what I can offer that is significant as much as the spirit in which it is done. Whatever I can say has no value that is not derived from him.

The exuberance in others that prompts them to offer flowing rivers of praise is well enough done by them. However, if I were to merely echo them I would not highly esteem my own honesty. For me personally to offer similarly grand speeches would be to court the estate of flattery. I do not feel qualified to summarize the qualities of my spiritual master any more than I do to pass judgments on them. I do not pretend to be able to appreciate everything about him. But still I aspire to dedicate myself to his service. I want to cling to that spirit of devotion throughout all turmoils of worldly existence.

It seems to me that the best form of gratitude is not susceptible of being reduced to a facile phrase but finds its expression in the sincere desire not to misrepresent the spiritual master. I see him as the forever living inspiration of the universal church of humble love of God. I do not like to see him misrepresented and yet I cannot feel that I am able to champion the cause of his representation against the forces of self righteousness, superficiality and sectarianism. It is the responsibility of the disciple not to betray the spiritual master by his insincerity. Devotion to God is the source of all sincerity. I can only pray to be established in love of Godhead by the mercy of my spiritual master and to be forgiven for my blundering attempts at his service.

Gaurasundara dasa Adhikari
G.B.C.-South America.