Dear Srila Prabhupada (from Manu)

Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

I wasn’t even born when you left this material world, but today on the 45th anniversary of your disappearance day (Tirobhav Tithi), I cannot help but reminisce the unparalleled contributions you’ve made in raising human consciousness.

On your birth, a distinguished astrologer, after analyzing your birth charts declared that you were a person capable of building a home in which the whole world could live peacefully and happily. And as a matter of fact, years later, you did create that house which now exists, open for all. It is like an extension of the original abode of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, Goloka Vrindavana. 

At an age when one usually thinks of retreating into the cocoon of a retired life, you circled the planet non-stop for 12 years to bring the science and spiritual process of Krishna Consciousness to all the people of the earth.

There is no way I can ever express my gratitude for bestowing upon all of us the unconditional mercy and boundless love of a realized devotee who is completely one with his object of devotion. You gave your whole life for the true benefit of mankind. When I think of you crossing the ocean in a small cabin of Jaladuta and having survived heart attacks at such an old age while being on the ship, at once I become overwhelmed by strong emotions of immense gratefulness and love for you. 

It is thanks to your one-pointed focus, relentless commitment and unalloyed devotion that millions of lives got totally transformed. What you’ve offered to humanity is not just another physical space, temple, ashram or farm community, what you’ve offered us is far bigger than any physical space can accommodate, you’ve offered us the eternal reality existing in this transcendental sound vibration, which originally emanated from the lotus lips of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. 

You’ve offered us the remembrance of Krishna and His sublime pastimes, you’ve offered us the very possibility to transform our sensations and emotions to such a higher pitch that we’re able to transcend the limitations of our senses and consequently create a divine resonance within us and even around us.
It is through your causeless mercy that I’ve had the opportunity to tap into an exuberant experience of oneness and resonance with Radha-Krishna and their extraordinarily beautiful creation; only to enter a state of unbounded love and joy. 

Two things that your life’s work and mission have taught me are: Nischalatatvam and Guru Nishtha which means unflinching devotion and unwavering attention to what truly matters to you along with unshakeable faith in Guru.

Here, at your birthplace, under the infamous jackfruit tree, I bow down to you, not just in reverence, but in utter heartfelt thankfulness, hugging your lotus feet and thanking you for bringing me closer, in essence, to the juice of human life, to my everlasting beloved Sri Sri Radha-Madhav.

Forever in service to the cause of alleviating human suffering through Krishna Consciousness,

Your Dāsānudāsa,

MANU