from Ananta Sesa Das – India, Mayapur

Dearest Srila Gurudev,

Please accept our most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to you, our beloved lord and master. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who delivered us in this dark age of Kali, by his causeless mercy.

Gurudev, I use this opportunity to thank you for all these things you have given me out of your causeless mercy. I could see how you were there for me, in the most difficult times of my life. When I was in desperate need of guidance and help, Gurudev, you were there for me in terms of your personal phone call, or your appearance in my dreams or your personal association. Now I am convinced of the Srimad Bhagavatam’s statement. In Srimad Bhagavatam in the discussion between Sage Prabuddha, one of Navayogendras, and King Nimi, Sage Prabuddha spoke as follows: “My dear King, a disciple has to accept the spiritual master not only as spiritual master, but also as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the super soul”.
Gurudev, once you mentioned in a lecture — Krishna Lila is like watching the diorama from a distance: one needs proper qualification to be a part of Krishna Lila; and Chaitanya Lila is like becoming a part of the diorama, and playing in it — any one and every one can play a role. We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet, Gurudev, for allowing us to participate in Sri Chaitanya Lila. It is only your unlimited mercy upon us, Gurudev. You opened our darkened eyes and filled our hearts with transcendental knowledge, Gurudev.

cakhu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei, divya jñān hṛde prokāśito
prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte, vede gāy jāhāra carito

“He who has given me the gift of transcendental vision is my lord, birth after birth. By his mercy divine knowledge is revealed within the heart, bestowing prema-bhakti and destroying ignorance. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.” [Sri Guru Vandana, verse 3].

Gurudev, by your blessings and unlimited mercy, we have now completed our fifth year of stay in Sri Navadvipa Dhama serving at Mayapur Institute. We desire to keep serving Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His servants until the last breathe of our lives here in Sri Navadvipa Dham. Gurudev, we now understand that this Gaudiya Vaishnava line of parampara is so exalted, it is a line of paramahamsas. Some time when we think of our good fortune to be a part of this glorious disciple succession, we understand, that our only good fortune is your causeless mercy which anchors us to this glorious parampara. We are eternally indebted to you Srila Gurudev for connecting us to Srila Prabhupada.

Gurudeva, please give these servants just one drop of mercy. We are lower than a blade of grass. Give us all help. Gurudev, please give us strength. Bless us and empower us to emerge victorious in our struggle with our mind and senses, our own anarthas, influence of Maya and various offenses. May our words, thoughts and actions be pleasing to you and Srila Prabhupada.

Please bless us and empower us Gurudev, so we may not act whimsically, but act in a way pleasing to you and Srila Prabhupada. May we develop guru-nistha, and become free from all anarthas and become qualified to serve you with pure heart. Gurudev, we earnestly beg at your lotus feet to bless us to invite a devotee as good as Sri Prahlada Maharaja as our son, so we will be able to serve such a maha bhagavat devotee, by the dust of their lotus feet, may we become qualified to serve you and Srila Prabhupada. I heard that, it is possible only by the blessings of saintly people. Even the words fall short to describe the good fortune that we have received and are receiving from you, Gurudev.

gurudeva!
kṛpā-bindu diyā, koro’ ei dāse
tṛṇāpekhā ati hīna
sakala-sahane, bolo diyā koro
nija māne spṛhā-hīna

“Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations.”

sakale sammān, korite śakati deho’ nātha! jathājatha
tabe to’ gāibo, harināma-sukhe aparādha ha ‘be hata

“Give me energy so that I can properly give respect and honour to all. Then I shall be able to happily chant the Holy Name, and my offences will go away.”

kabe heno kṛpā, lobhiyā e jana kṛtārtha hoibe, nātha!
śakti-buddhi-hīn, āmi ati dīn koro’ more ātma-sātha

“Oh my Lord! When will such mercy fall to this person. I am weak, bereft, and devoid of intelligence. Please allow me to be with you.”

jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi tomāra karuṇā sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāṇḍiyā kāṇḍiyā prāṇa nā rākhibo āra

“If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is everything to me. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.” [Saranagati, Bhajana Lalasa, song 11, Bhaktivinoda Thakur].

Your most unqualified servants,
Ananta Sesa Das, Manoharini Priya Dasi