23.07.2013 Views

Homages from ISKCON Centers

Homages from ISKCON Centers

Homages from ISKCON Centers

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

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 />

the previous teachers; therefore his knowledge is true to its source. In his diary Tamäl Krishna Goswami<br />

recalls this incident <strong>from</strong> June 1977:<br />

In the evening, when I expressed my appreciation for his books, Çréla Prabhupäda began to cry<br />

and said, “I am only child. But I have tried to please my Guru Mahäräja. I have not written. It is<br />

Kåñëa. Kåñëa and my Guru Mahäräja.”<br />

You have taught us by example, Çréla Prabhupäda, O supreme master. You have shown us by your<br />

actions that your excellence stemmed <strong>from</strong> being the perfect disciple. At Kosi, in Vraja-dhäma, when<br />

many of your godbrothers went on parikramä to see the Deity of Çeñaçäyé Viñëu, you stayed by the feet<br />

of your Guru Mahäräja, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, and listened intently to his discourse<br />

for several hours. He was very pleased, and later, when your name was suggested for initiation, he said,<br />

“Yes, he likes to hear. He does not go away. I have marked him. I will accept him as my disciple.”<br />

We can never fully understand the profound gift you have given us—the gift of divine love. As His<br />

Holiness Rädhänätha Swami once described it, it is the gift of utter sacrifice of your body, your mind,<br />

your words, your very life for the welfare of each and every one of us. You have planted the seed of bhakti<br />

in our hearts, and we must nurture it and ensure that it grows into a healthy creeper and continues to<br />

blossom. Rooting out the pride in our hearts, we must be completely open and faithful to your teachings.<br />

We must aspire to be sincere disciples, to humble ourselves meekly before you and say, “I know nothing,<br />

you know everything, please instruct me.”<br />

Your servants at Villa Varñäëä Mandir, Málaga, Spain.<br />

(written by Bhaktin Sara)<br />

Melbourne<br />

oà ajïäna-timirändhasya jïänäïjana-çaläkayä<br />

cakñur unmélitaà yena tasmai çré-gurave namaù<br />

I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge.<br />

I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.<br />

çré-caitanya-mano-’bhéñöaà sthäpitaà yena bhü-tale<br />

svayaà rüpaù kadä mahyaà dadäti sva-padäntikam<br />

When will Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé Prabhupäda, who has established within this material world the mission<br />

to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?<br />

mükaà karoti väcälaà paìguà laìghayate girim<br />

yat-kåpä tam ahaà vande çré-guruà déna-täraëam<br />

By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can<br />

cross mountains.<br />

171<br />

3_<strong>ISKCON</strong> <strong>Centers</strong>_06June2012.indd 171 6/6/12 10:40 AM

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!