Homages from ISKCON Centers
Homages from ISKCON Centers
Homages from ISKCON Centers
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Homages</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>ISKCON</strong> <strong>Centers</strong><br />
could have performed such simply incredible deeds other than you, a pure devotee, whom Lord Kåñëa<br />
describes as noble and selfless?<br />
Besides setting the scene, Çrématé Rädhäräëé sent waves of compassion through you that touched<br />
everyone’s heart. Before leaving for New York, you had cried out <strong>from</strong> your heart because of the seemingly<br />
impossible task before you. What else could make this task possible other than the extreme compassion<br />
within your heart of gold that impelled you to work for “the welfare of all living entities.”<br />
Dear Çréla Prabhupäda, you never failed any of us. Your mercy knows no bounds. The devotee youth<br />
of today are eternally grateful to you for having had the courage and compassion to start and develop<br />
your <strong>ISKCON</strong>. Because you did so, today they are able to enjoy kértana, and will do so forever in the<br />
association of swanlike spirit souls. Wherever there is kértana, the youth are to be seen. Those with an<br />
inquisitive and critical mind see truth in your words and books. Those who aren’t ready for a program<br />
of full sädhana-bhakti just love you for providing them with love feasts and a happy lifestyle of dancing<br />
and music. The children of devotees build up lifelong bonds that will some day be their saving grace.<br />
Those who are serious about spiritual life chug along and engage in your service despite all difficulties.<br />
Those whose lives dictate that they spend most of their time away <strong>from</strong> the temple are certainly there<br />
when it’s time to glorify you on the most auspicious day of your Vyäsa-püjä. Some don’t understand<br />
why they’re attracted to you. You just happen to offer them a type of shelter and solace that they never<br />
knew existed.<br />
In the past, some became devotees and life members just by reading Planting the Seed, volume 2 in<br />
the six-volume edition of the Çréla Prabhupäda Lélämåta. This is the volume that depicts the struggles you<br />
endured in 1965–66 to establish a house where the whole world can chant and dance their way back to<br />
Godhead. Just imagine someone who knows nothing about Kåñëa but who decides to become a devotee<br />
or friend of Lord Kåñëa just by understanding the struggles you went through to establish this movement.<br />
Dear Çréla Prabhupäda, please instill within our heart a minute fraction of your compassion, nobility,<br />
dedication, and spirit of sacrifice so that we aspiring devotees in the Brisbane yäträ can work together to<br />
please you, the rest of the paramparä, and Their Lordships Çré Çré Gaura-Nitäi. Despite all the troubles our<br />
yäträ is going through, we humbly pray at your lotus feet to be able to build a temple for Their Lordships.<br />
So today, on this most auspicious day of your Vyäsa-püjä, we beg for your mercy so that members<br />
of the Brisbane yäträ can all work together intelligently and collaboratively to achieve your goal.<br />
O Säragrähé Vaiñëava soul,<br />
Thou art an angel fair;<br />
Lead, lead me on to Våndävan<br />
And spirit’s power declare.<br />
We beg to remain<br />
Your servants at the <strong>ISKCON</strong> temple in Brisbane, Australia.<br />
135<br />
3_<strong>ISKCON</strong> <strong>Centers</strong>_06June2012.indd 135 6/6/12 10:40 AM