Homages from ISKCON Centers
Homages from ISKCON Centers
Homages from ISKCON Centers
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<strong>Homages</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>ISKCON</strong> <strong>Centers</strong><br />
to transmigrate <strong>from</strong> one physical body to another—perpetually.<br />
Nevertheless, men and women tediously try to block the onslaught of the anomalies and bad luck<br />
that are inherent in material life. But to no avail, for at best they gain only a false sense that they are<br />
helping others, even though their efforts invariably end in defeat.<br />
Lord Åñabhadeva instructed His sons:<br />
As long as one does not inquire about the spiritual values of life, one is defeated and subjected to<br />
miseries arising <strong>from</strong> ignorance. Be it sinful or pious, karma has its resultant actions. If a person<br />
is engaged in any kind of karma, his mind is called karmätmaka, colored with fruitive activity. As<br />
long as the mind is impure, consciousness is unclear, and as long as one is absorbed in fruitive<br />
activity, he has to accept a material body. [Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.5.5]<br />
However, among the innumerable good causes, there is one great cause: taking up the order of Çré<br />
Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Following Mahäprabhu’s command liberates those who embrace it and brings<br />
them to the lotus feet of Kåñëa in the spiritual world, where they live with Him in eternal happiness. This<br />
great cause may be embraced and realized by anyone who is fortunate enough to accept and obey the<br />
authority of Mahäprabhu that comes through the succession of His followers.<br />
In your purport to Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.17.1 you write, “If people would only approach the authority,<br />
then every adverse condition in this universe could be rectified.”<br />
On this day of your divine appearance, we rededicate ourselves—body, mind, heart, and soul—to<br />
your authority.<br />
We also pray to imbibe your specific mood and method for perfectly satisfying Lord Caitanya, which<br />
you have also expressed in another Çrémad-Bhägavatam purport:<br />
The sakäma devotees are self-interested because they do not think of others, and therefore<br />
they are not able to satisfy the Lord perfectly, whereas the pure devotees take the missionary<br />
responsibility of turning nondevotees into devotees, and they are therefore able to satisfy the<br />
Lord more than the demigods. [Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.9.12, purport]<br />
Saìkértana-yajïa-ké jaya! Çréla Prabhupäda-ké jaya!<br />
Your servants at <strong>ISKCON</strong> Silicon Valley, California, USA.<br />
(written by Vaiçeñika Däsa)<br />
Soweto<br />
Dear Çréla Prabhupäda,<br />
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace!<br />
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyäsa-püjä, I can only pay prostrated obeisances at your<br />
lotus feet again and again.<br />
Who am I to attempt to glorify you? Can an insignificant glowworm glorify the sun? I can only attempt<br />
to do so, while feeling encouraged that you will be properly glorified on this auspicious day by your many<br />
worthy disciples and granddisciples who can glorify you so much better than I can.<br />
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