Cleveland

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

The poet Narottama dasa has sung "sri-guru-carane rati, ei sei uttama-gati." Attachment to the lotus feet of one's guru is the perfection which fulfills all desires. How is it that we, who are expert only in sinning, have been given this chance to attain the summit of self-realization? This is your causeless mercy upon us. You have descended to display the potency of the Supreme Lord, whose absolute purity cleanses anyone in contacts. By your grace, you are traveling everywhere to benedict the most fallen souls of the Age of Iron. The results are apparent. Wherever your lotus feet have touched, devotees have come forth and temples have grown up. But for your good self, we find no one else so active, so successful in realizing the prophesy of Lord Caitanya.

Your mission has been given by Lord Gaurasundara Himself, who commanded that anyone who takes his birth in the land of Bharata-varsa is responsible for delivering this sahkirtana movement to the rest of the world. Now, you have come, as foretold by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, just to fulfill that promise.

All of us here are without knowledge of the Vedas and know nothing of austerity. Because of our low nature we are unfaithful to our vows and even after accepting initiation from you, we fail to surrender. But you are the epitome of patience. You never turn us away, despite our countless offenses, but over and over repeat instructions to us who are so slow to learn.

Most munificent spiritual master, please grant that all our mundane ambitions will become destroyed. In time, even our worthless selves will become purified by your mercy, if only we remain under the shelter of your instructions. Kindly save us from the unceasing onslaught of the witch maya, who is constantly reminding us of our former ways and attempting to lure us back. Our memories are short, our minds are decayed and our senses are very strong, having had control over us for so long. But for your grace we have no hope at all, no possibility of rising above animal life. Our position is so fearful. If we had perished before, there would have been no great loss, because we were so fallen already. But now that we have caught sight of the supreme goal, now that we have tasted a drop of the nectar of Krsna consciousness, now there is so much at stake. Please don't let maya cheat us anymore. We want to become your disciples; we want to work for you because we have never before seen anyone capable of delivering so much good to so many men. We want to see the fulfillment of your mission because no one else has ever brought us such a vision of total happiness.

We are your eternal servants; our link with you is your instructions. In this way, keep us in contact with your lotus feet. Their touch alone can cure the disease we suffered from time immemorial. All glories to your unbounded mercy!

The devotees of Cleveland ISKCON