South Africa

Let me offer my humble obeisances from the core of my heart to my spiritual master, Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Were it not for him, I could not even begin to imagine the self-made hell I would be in, at present.

What is the special quality of my Gurudeva that evokes the unconditional self-surrender of my many sincere Godbrothers?

The spiritual master is the representative of Lord Nityananda. As such, one who has attained Sri Guru's lotus feet will be surely freed from all material desires. He will be a fit candidate to chant the holy name offenselessly. How long will I remain a materialistic rascal, devoid of the desire to surrender to Sri Gurudeva? Let me fall at his lotus feet at this very moment, so that I may offer myself as his menial servant. The sound of my spiritual master's voice thrills my heart. I want to continually drink in that vibration which produces genuine health.

Let me not be unchaste like a prostitute, nor idle like the tree. I long to cling to and serve his lotus feet at every moment of my too short life. I long to be awakened from the horrible nightmare of repeated birth and death. My Gurudeva is the most benevolent personality in the three worlds, as he has risked accepting even an insincere wretch such as me for a disciple. As a master of duty, let me not dishonor my Gurudeva for some trivial whimsy. To lose the shelter of Sri Gurudeva is to be hurled again into the cesspool of foul stinks, darkness, and ever-painful associations. I implore everyone! Do not take the shelter of my Gurudeva lightly! He carries the lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead within his lotus-like heart. If one experiences even the dim reflection of my Gurudeva's mercy, he will immediately reject everything else as worthless and empty. Anyone who is actually interested in his own true well-being will never ignore the shelter of Srila Prabhupada.

Let me also offer my respectful obeisances to my many Godbrothers, who are like so many moons reflecting the soothing mercy and teachings of my spiritual master. Let us strive together to please Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is also known as Visvambhara (the maintainer and leader of all living beings), as this is the heartfelt desire of His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada.

Your unworthy servants,