Buffalo

We offer our respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is always situated in transcendence, beyond this temporary material world, and whose wonderous lotus feet offer eternal shelter for the surrendered soul.

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

All glories to you. You are the captain of the ship that can save us from the whirlpool of material duality by sailing us to the eternally fertile shores of Goloka-Vrndavana.

Kindly forgive us. Our lack of sincerity prevents us from offering all respect to you. We know that you are giving us the most priceless gift of eternity free of charge: blissful association with the embodiment of all opulences, Bhagavan Sri Krsna, the reservoir of unlimited spiritual mellows. Our minds, which have bathed in stool and urine, are factually being washed clean in the transcendental ocean of devotional service. You are so kindly taking us by the hand, like children awakened to see the first dawn. You are prodding us gently, walking with us, leading us out of the darkness of our feverish mentalities, to show us Krsna's dazzling beauty.

You have said that a devotee would much rather dance with Krsna than merge with Him. Thus you are inviting us to the spiritual sky where all the perfect beings are eternally engaged in their dance of love, free of any tinge of material inebriety. Out of natural attraction, we can no longer resist this invitation. We look around us, marvel at the paltry intelligence of our former cohorts and wonder that only a few months ago we were wallowing in the same ignorance, filthy in body, filthy in mind. And so we come to realize that it has been through your divine association alone that we have gained the intelligence to understand our most obedient real position at Krsna's lotus feet.

He has kindly accepted us as his spiritual sons and daughters.

Thus, although we are trying to feel some appreciation for what you are doing for us, we feel ashamed at the coldness of our hearts. Although we deserve nothing, still we pray at your lotus feet for the desire to render some small, sincere service on your behalf.

The Lord addresses his pure devotee, Brahma, "All of Me, namely My actual eternal form, My transcendental existence, color, qualities, and activities-let all be awakened within you by factual realization." (S.B. 2.9.32) Thus Krsna benedicts the surrendered soul with His personal association. "…In that joyous state one is situated in boundless transcendental happiness and enjoys himself through transcendental senses.." And now, as Krsna's representative, full of compassion, you are offering to all the same supreme benediction, transforming this forsaken planet into glorious Vrndavana.

How foolish are the impersonalists and voidists burdened with the disease of mental speculation, denying their spiritual senses and decrying the very existence of God. And what a mission it is to spiritualize this planet which is so ridden with these material infections. We know that this responsibility is ours: to aid you heart and soul in this endeavor, and thus we offer our danḍavats again and again and pray that we may realize the pertinence and seriousness of our lives in your service. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Chapter 10, verse 9, "The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me." You alone are glorifying Krsna with every breath. You alone are enlightening the whole planet about the appearance and activities of the Lord. You alone are teaching how to sport in the ocean of mercy on waves of transcendental sound.

Calling Krsna's name, you beckon all…Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Your unworthy servants at Buffalo ISKCON