Vancouver

My dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept our most humble obeisances at your feet. We are finding that by accepting you as our spiritual master you are transforming ourselves and the world from lonely drifters in a miserable place to blissful devotees in Vaikuntha, the anxiety-free abode. This miracle is being granted by association with you. By this precious gift we are becoming cleansed just as garbage in the street is purified by contact with the powerful rays of the sun. By your mercy, a nation that was absorbed in the literature of the crows-sex and violence-is now blessed with an inundation of mercy that we are allowed to vigorously distribute-the science of the soul and the sweet pastimes of the Lord Sri Krsna. You have planted the seed of knowledge and devotion deep in our hearts by the medium of spiritual sound vibration. And, as the perfect gardener, you are cultivating with the nutrition of spiritual discipline and regulative principles the most precious fruit, love of God.

In this age of hypocrisy and cheating, the instructions of Krsna to the fallen souls are perverted by persons overcome by an intense desire for bodily sense gratification. Thus the transcendental potency of all the great scriptures of the world has been diminished by the unqualified tinkering of speculators and religionists, who are thrashing in the tangles of sectarianism. Into this region of ignorance, where pretentious, self-proclaimed savants offer sugary illusions to those hungry for real knowledge, you have come as the manifestation of Krsna's mercy. As it is stated by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita, "Even if one is considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries." The more detailed information as to how to obtain this knowledge is then given: "Just try to learn the truth by approaching a bona fide spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him, the self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the Truth." Only a person who is free from all material desires can know intimate and confidential information about the Personality of Godhead. And only a person who is transcendentally situated has the right to comment on such transcendental knowledge. When perfect knowledge is communicated by one who is completely qualified at act as spiritual master then this knowledge has the ability to pierce the layers of contaminated consciousness and spark the growth of real self-development.

You have rescued us from the control of our seething minds whose deep and shameful absorption in the principles of kama, or lust, deteriorates all the good qualities of the human being. Your transcendental instructions have freed us from enslavement to old habits and masters and your devotion to Krsna is so all-attractive that our attention has been turned from the flickering glitter of the material energy to the eternal peace and satisfaction of devotional service, bhakti-rasa. Decorated with all the finer sentiments and noble qualities of the perfected saints, you have attracted even us who had become the cynical and renegade deifiers of all authority . Even those who cannot understand your words are attracted by your sublime character.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Third Canto, Fifth Chapter, Vidura says: "O my Lord, great philanthropic souls travel on the earth on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to show compassion to the fallen souls who are adverse to the sense of subordination to the Lord." And again in the First Canto, Chap. 19, verse 32-33, King Pariksit says: "O brahmana, by your mercy only you have sanctified us, making us like unto places of pilgrimage, all by your presence here as my guest, by your mercy, we, who are but unworthy royalty, become eligible to serve the devotee. Simply by remembering you our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home?" Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic!

From these statements evidencing the great appreciation shown by self-realized souls for the pure devotees of the Lord, we can only fall at your feet and marvel at the mercy of the Lord who has allowed us to serve you. All glories to this most holy day of your appearance.