Johannesburg & Durban

By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember my spiritual master. And at least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.

This verse, which has been given to us by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, carries with it the key of success in devotional service. As success in devotional service is due to the mercy of the spiritual master. Without the spiritual master one cannot actually know anything regarding devotional service, and without knowing anything about devotional service it is not possible to find any happiness in life, whether individually or collectively as a society.

Therefore, great saints and sages like Srila Vyasadeva, Narada Muni, and Prahlada Maharaja have concluded after careful study and consideration that the problems of life, especially those confronting our modern civilization, can only be solved by the method of widespread propaganda to promote the cult of bhakti-yoga, devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna

The sufferings of the conditioned souls are due only to their being neglectful of the order of the Supreme Lord. And thus the conditioned souls are being forced by the laws of nature to transmigrate through the bodies of 8,400,000 species of life, where they must suffer the pains of janma (birth), mrtyu (death), jara (old age), and vyadhi (disease). Only when one comes in contact with the bona fide spiritual master is it possible to receive the seed of devotional service.

After receiving the seed of devotional service from the bona fide guru, one has to then cultivate the creeper by the watering process, which is to chant the maha-mantra: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. As the main creeper of devotional service begins to grow one has to take special caution to check any weeds with may try to kill the growth of the creeper. These weeds appear in the form of the ten offenses to the holy name.

While the watering process is going on one must also inquire from the spiritual master on matters regarding devotional service and one must render all kinds of service to him also. This will then provide good ground so that the creeper may spread its roots. All that then remains for the successful growth of the creeper is that it be placed under the open sky to receive the mercy of the suns rays. Thus it is by your mercy only, Srila Prabhupada, that we are able to advance in Krsna consciousness. You appear to us to be just like the shining sun.

It is our constant anxiety that when will the people of the world give up their foolish attachments to the cycle of birth and death and simply hear your messages of Godhead, as we have done, and thus become joyful.

How can we express with words our gratitude for your having bestowed upon us the ocean of Krsna mercy? Our humble Vyasa-Pūja homage is like to offering of a small flame of fire to the sun globe. For what can we say to glorify you, which you have not taught us in the first place? Whatever we have heard from you we take as our heart and soul. We have no desire to hear from any other source however perfect it may appear to be, just like a chaste lady does not look to any other man other than her husband. We as your disciples do not know any other shelter than your lotus feet, which you have so kindly placed upon our unworthy heads in the form of your books. Therefore we hold your books close to our heart and we know that only by their distribution will the unfortunate inhabitants of this Kali-yuga be delivered.

Please accept whatever we have been able to say to show our love for you, Srila Prabhupada, for we are like weak children before the powerful father.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Africa's Johannesburg and Durban Yatras