Switzerland

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine feet. I do not know how or where to begin appropriate glorification of your lordship. I am a miserable fool quite unfit to serve your lotus feet or sing your praises, but I must confess that I have no other attraction.

Out of your compassion, you came to this material world where we were wandering aimlessly from one body of misery to another, and you delivered the absolute science: that Lord Sri Krsna, who appeared in Vrajabhumi (Vrndavana), is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is therefore worshipable by all. Your message has been heard and has penetrated to the core of our heart.

Some, may complain that you were with us for only a few fleeting and insufficient moments. Others may claim that they did not obtain enough of your personal association. Still others may lament that your departure was "untimely," that we were not "ready" for you to leave.

What was our claim to have even met you? To have become your servants? To have received even once-what to speak of many times-your personal instructions? Or to have captured your merciful glance? None. We dare not view your glorious pastimes through the prism of our imperfect senses and mind. Like the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna, whose pure and perfect devotee you are eternally, you are beyond our empiric area or experiencing jurisdiction. "The materialistic demeanor cannot possibly stretch to the Transcendental Autocrat who is ever inviting the fallen conditioned souls to associate with Him through devotion of eternal serving mood," you proclaimed sublimely, as you ever invited us to associate with you through devotion of eternal serving mood.

The value of a moment's association with such a pure devote as yourself bestows sarva-siddhi, or all perfection, upon us. Such a moment, Srila Prabhupada, is better than crores of years on the heavenly planets or eons of so-called liberation in the Brahman, what to speak of the customary pleasures which are available to the dogs and stool-eaters. "Fleeting" means that which comes momentarily and then, like bubbles in the ocean, passes away irretrievably. Rather than being fleeting, our association with Your Lordship must be deemed the only thing which is permanent, as we have unconditionally accepted you as the captain of our ship-life after life. While countless numbers of bygone lives of sense gratification and mental speculation have already been condemned to oblivion (who remembers them?), we shall continue our eternal serving mood at your lotus feet, in separation, during the rest of this life and wholly expect to resume your personal service in the next. Caksu-dana dila yei, janme janme prabhu sei.

Eternal father, you need not worry that the reservoir of our attachment to you was nourished only by your physical presence amongst us. Even when you were personally present, the devotional service of most of your disciples was regularly executed in loving separation, as Your Divine Grace journeyed overseas for preaching. Several years ago you confided to Hamsadūta Maharaja that the acarya remains forever within the material world and journeys from one planet to another for preaching-and that his intimate disciples accompany him. The Bhagavatam describes each planet within the universe as a dvipa, or an island surrounded by the "ocean" of space. On behalf of Lord Caitanya's mission, you have simply extended the preaching further overseas than ever before. Somewhere you are lecturing on the janmady asyayatah verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam, taking your morning walk, and founding another 1SKCON temple. Therefore, you are still with us in the same way as before-and always will be. Actually, as there is no separation between fire and air, so there is no separation possible between your lordship and your servants. "Uddhava continued: These are the words from the Personality of Godhead, 'My dear gopis. My dear friends, please know that separation between ourselves is impossible at any time, at any place, or under any circumstances.' "

I offered arati to Your Lordship shortly before your departure from our mundane eyes. I could see that you were tolerating bodily discomforts far greater than any of your disciples could imagine. I could understand that you might leave our midst, but I could not believe it nor could I accept it. I know why. You cannot leave us. You did not leave us. That is why. Desa-kalartha-yuktani hrt-tapopasamani ca haranti smaratas cittam govindabhihitani me: "Now I am attracted to those instructions imparted to me by the Personality of Godhead [Govinda] because they are impregnated with instructions for relieving the burning heart in all circumstances of time and space." (Bhag. 1.15.27) I only know that somehow or other-through no merit of my own-Your Divine Grace has allowed me to come into the shade of your lotus feet, which you will never withdraw and from which I never wish to leave. You live forever by your divine instructions and your followers live with you.

The guru is as much with the disciple as the disciple wants him to be. Thus, Providence may allow one to come close to Your Divine Grace physically, but if one is not your sincere servant, you still may not be with that person. Similarly, for the sincere devotee your constant company is assured, for in the core of his heart that devotee has erected a throne on which you gladly sit. Such a faithful disciple can never neglect you or your instructions, nor can he ever be neglected by you. He remains with you as your eternal associate.

This is my only wish. O son of Maharaja Nanda! No matter how hard I cry, please do not fulfill any of my desires, save one. Allow me to always assist my lord and master, Srila Prabhupada, in any menial way. You may deem appropriate, and thus become his intimate associate. "I am not at all afraid of the thunderbolt of King Indra, nor am I afraid of the serpentine, piercing trident of Lord Siva. I do not care about the punishment of Yamaraja, the superintendent of death, nor am I afraid of fire, scorching sun, moon, wind, nor the weapons of Kuvera." Neither do I fear being denied entrance to Vaikuntha. Yet, I am terrified that I may forsake your sacred devotional service. Catch hold tightly of this puny servitor. He has eternally sold his head at your lotus feet and never wishes to be released by you.

The devotees of ISKCON Switzerland.