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This year I was honoured to be requested by one of my teachers to write a homage to Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), on behalf of everyone at the Govinda Valley project.

The annual Vyasa-Puja book contains all homages, prayers, gratitude, glorification, love and adoration for Srila Prabhupada from his world-wide students, god-children and grand-god-children.

To have my words printed in this book is a great blessing for me. Should anyone feel inspiration upon reading it, I am also uplifted (spiritual interest-rate!)

Some of its language is quite traditional for Vaishnava theologists (Hare Krishna's). If you have any questions about such terms, inquiries are most welcome.

Please enjoy =)

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Nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-swamin iti namine

Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvesesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

Dear Srila Prabhupada, please accept our humble obeisances.

Our expressed words can barely touch the full reality of your manifest existence, but at least by trying we hope for but a drop of your mercy and inspiration in reciprocation.

Your shining example contrasted against our faults is one of the greatest gifts you brought. Through it we are humbled and because of it we can glimpse that standard of consciousness that is the aspiration of every soul.

Kali Yuga is not a favorable time or place for anyone to be taking birth. Yet due to your presence even demigods line up to incarnate, aspiring to serve the General of Lord Caitanya's sankirtan mission.

Anyone who favourably recieves your message experiences an awakening of consciousness, a sublime clarity. Relieved to hear of the Absolute Truth in no uncertain terms, they let go of useless things, turning their minds and hearts towards Sri Krishna's lotus feet, the reservoir of all pleasure and the dwelling place of your Divine Grace.

Although we haven't physically met your grace, the tangible spiritual experiences wrought by following your instructions and example are flavored with your personal presence, your special mercy. And even though our quality of devotion and faith are hardly pure, we know that by clinging to your lotus feet, present in the form of your instructions and knowledge, we will surely make spiritual progress.

Countless fortunate souls are eternally indebted to you. Bowing down at your lotus feet, kindly accept us among such souls.

The aspiring servants of your servants at Govinda Valley, Sydney, Australia.

     Written By Acyutananda Das