Ahmedabad

Long are we ever seeking the dust of your lotus feet, for your infinite mercy holds no bounds. In your eyes you see only Krsna, but in ours we see only lust. By lust and hate we are bound to this world, seeing no light day after day. Then as if the sun had burned away the cloud you freely gave us Krsna, that transcendental sound. From that day on our lives have changed, never to be the same. Then you taught us compassion and taught us to spread this holy name.

So now we are in the desert, where the material flame is burning bright. We're surrounded by a desert that is poison to our sight. But deep within this desert lies an oasis that glitters more than gold. Its taste is like that of nectar and its touch is softer than snow. This oasis is your blessing, which forever seems to grow. Please always let us follow you, for you are the only retreat. Sometimes we find it difficult, and it seems like the fire is too hot, but if we can just learn to take shelter of your lotus feet, we know that you will free us from this troubled knot.

"I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sahkirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please give me your blessing, just one drop of faith with which to obtain the holy name of Krsna." Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings like this and we are trying to understand his words. Please let us understand his words. Please let us understand this holy name so that the lust will fall away. Please give us your soothing embrace so that we may carry on. This is what we ask for, that will be our faith.

To trouble you with our imperfections in not what we desire, but we are fallen fools and know nothing but your grace. To beg, to borrow, to steal like a madman in the night, seeking after prema-bhakti, yet our hands are bound so tight, bound by the darkness of ignorance. O Prabhupada, teach us to surrender more. We fall down just like a rod trying to catch your lotus feet.

As a lotus flower opens, more of its beauty is revealed. As we are learning to surrender, your purity we can feel. How is it possible for you to do so much? There are no limits to your devotion, there are no boundaries in your way.

Like an iceberg in the ocean our hearts have frozen tight. But your words are like the sunshine bringing warmth and light. How can we understand your will, for it is of the Divine. Your words are ever fresh to us as the sun does ever shine. Taking off our shackles of illusion and carrying us back home, there is no way our hearts won't melt, just as from one small seed come flowers and fruits.

Our words seem incomplete in describing what you hold. We are falling at your lotus feet, desiring more and more to be enthusiastic, to carry out this chore. We are lame and blind and foolish in our ways, bowing down before you, praying for your grace.

ISKCON Ahmedabad