Vyasa Puja Offering ~ A letter to Srila Prabhupada
~by Rukmini Walker
This is my vyasa puja offering to Srila Prabhupada for this year 2022.
**To listen to Rukmini's audio recitation of this letter, please click here or on the video image below***
My Eternal Father and Master, Srila Prabhupada,
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-
This year 2022, is the celebration of the anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Govinda-ji's arrival and installation in New York's Brooklyn temple on Henry Street, where I was serving as pujari. I made grieves offenses to your Lordship at that time, and we heard that you were furious about all that we'd done at my instigation. I was ignorant, but as I have heard you say many times, ignorance is no excuse; fire will burn even an innocent child if she comes too close. I was that ignorant child, and I was so remorseful after hearing about your anger. I felt that my spiritual life was over and that I would surely die. I wrote you a letter expressing my grief and shame, but your compassion and forgiveness surpassed my comprehension and imagination. Your return letter never mentioned my offenses but rather stunned me with undeserved praise.
Here is a quote from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya-līlā verse 4.47 --
- “If by chance a servant falls down and goes somewhere else, glorious is that master who captures him and brings him back by the hair.
Later that year, you personally came to our Brooklyn temple. Sri Sri Radha Govinda-ji were dressed in a simple outfit. Govinda-ji in His classic yellow dhoti and Srimati Radharani in a Vrindavan style skirt and chuni. The temple room was crammed with guests eager to hear your Sunday lecture. You entered the long narrow temple room and walked to the front, where you stood with folded hands, gazing at your worshipful Lords for a very long time. I had just finished performing the aarti ceremony, and I hid behind the left had curtain trying to be invisible. As you started to bow down to offer your obeisances, I saw tears shoot out of your eyes like a syringe, just as we'd seen in pictures of Lord Caitanya at Ratha Yatra. The devotees on the right side of the temple room were splashed with tears. I saw them looking around to see where the water had come from. Had the pujari thrown water from the aarti ceremony over their heads? As you so humbly bowed down, I jumped off the side of the altar, telling my friend Palika, those are Srila Prabhupada's tears. We both gathered your precious sacred teardrops up from the floor and smeared them on our heads again and again.When shall my eyes be decorated with tears of love such as yours? When shall my heart be decorated with compassion and forgiveness such as yours? When will that day be mine?Thank you for your glorious, divine, amazing grace and forgiveness, which is fathomless and beyond my comprehension, without which my life would be meaningless.I beg to remain your servant eternally.Rukmini devi dasi[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD8bHMm_RZI[/embed]
Vyasa Puja Offering ~ A letter to Srila Prabhupada
~by Rukmini Walker
Dear Srila Prabhupada, My Eternal Master, My Eternal Father,
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-
On that day in 1968, in Montreal, we ran quickly down the street, barefoot, from the bowling alley temple on Park Street, to the tiny apartment a few blocks away, where you stayed on West Prince Arthur Street, near McGill University.Sharp gravel on the driveway pricked our feet as we ran to your door, as though they were sins, anarthas, or obstacles in the heart needing to be destroyed before seeing you for the first time.I can’t deny that when I first saw you, I saw an effulgent shining- radiating from you, lighting the room all around you. Like the saints and angels in ancient paintings there you were, before us all in that room.Immanent, and transcendent, deeper than an ocean, yet joyful as well.You were delighted to see your dear ones - Mukunda and Janaki; Gurudas and Yamuna; and Shyamasundar and Malati, with new baby Saraswati in tow.After pleasing you in service in San Francisco, they were now on their way to London to please you more. They had come to Montreal to seek your blessings before embarking on their new adventure in your service.Like a particle of dust blown in with a windstorm of their devotion, I’d come with them. They offered me to you. A tiny grain of sand lifted up from the suffering ocean of this world, and placed at your lotus feet.Yamuna Devi said, “This is Wendy. She is only sixteen years old, and she wants to become your disciple”.You looked at me so tenderly, so compassionately, and said, “But where are your parents?” As though you were feeling their pain, feeling the pain of our whole culture in upheaval.With the foolish arrogance of a teenager, I said, “My parents and I get along better when we’re not together.”You immediately looked away, and I felt the sting of my pride that caused you distain. Even today, I wince remembering how my conceit caused you to look away in that moment.Then the mercy of your gaze fell on Malati and baby Saraswati. And you said, “I dreamt of that child last night! Yes, that very child!”Were you seeing your future playful pastimes with her that so charmed the crowds in India, and anyone who witnessed them? Were you perhaps recognizing an old friend from a previous life?When will I bring you joy each day in simple love like an innocent child, free from false pride? When will I grow up, and offer you mature and selfless love every day, every hour, and every minute of my life?I have no realization of pure devotion. I only know that you saved me from a fate worse than I can imagine. Fifty-three years later, once again, I ask you to please accept me. This time, I pray for genuine humility, simplicity, and maturity as I beg you to kindly engage me in your eternal loving service.Your eternal daughter,Rukmini devi dasi
O Prabhupada, Brilliant Moon
Forty-three years ago on November 14th, 1977, our beloved Guru Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada departed this world from Sri Vrndavana Dham, ending his pastimes here in this world, and returning to the Vrndavan of the spiritual world. According to the lunar calendar, we are honoring that day today, Wednesday, November, 18th.Here is a video remembrance of Srila Prabhupada by his spiritual daughter and disciple, Pranada Devi Dasi that evokes his mood of brilliant compassion. Please click here to watchSrila Prabhupada, thank you for showering this world with your divine compassion,Your eternal daughter,Rukmini Devi Dasi
In Remembrance of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaj
Today, on this day of Guru Purnima, the day that traditionally the guru is honored, our world has lost the presence of a rare and holy teacher and sadhu. His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami has left this world, and so many are weeping, feeling his loss.
He was gentle and kind, and always most ardent in his dedication to our guru, Srila Prabhupada. And he begged us all to follow that mood of service.
Before leaving India, a few weeks ago, remembering his dedication to the service of Srila Prabhupada, he quoted this stanza from Rabindranath Tagore to our dear friend, Radhasundari Devi Dasi, who had loved and admired him since her childhood:
‘Who is there to take up my duties?’ asked the setting sun. ‘I shall do what I can, my Master,’ said the earthen lamp.
We will all miss you, and cherish your example, Bhakti Charu Maharaj. And we pray to imbibe your mood of selfless service,
Your servant,
Rukmini
**Following is a letter from the ISKCON Governing Body Commission that highlights the extraordinary lifelong service of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami.
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Dear Devotees,Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.It is with overwhelming heartache that we announce to you the departure of our beloved godbrother and a dearmost servant of Srila Prabhupada, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami.From his earliest days as a young devotee, Maharaja had the extraordinary privilege of serving as one of Srila Prabhupada's confidential, personal servants. And ever since, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja's life has been an offering of love at the lotus feet of his spiritual master.Indeed, there was not a service that Maharaja did not perform for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. As instructed in their very first meeting, Maharaja translated every one of Srila Prabhupada's written works into Bengali, the language of Srila Prabhupada's own birth. To fulfill this cherished order, Maharaja took on years of austerity, rising at midnight to carefully translate his spiritual master's divine words.Maharaja served as one of the most active members of the GBC Body, he was an initiating spiritual master with many dedicated disciples all over the world, and he shared Krishna consciousness in every segment of society from simple Bangladeshi villages to the British parliament. Maharaja encouraged and advised ISKCON leaders in management and spiritual topics, he saved more than one ISKCON project in times of despair, and did his utmost to contribute to the welfare of the most vulnerable members of society.One of Maharaja's unique contributions was the "Abhay Charan" television series that brought the glorious life and pastimes of Srila Prabhupada to the world on an unprecedented scale. And most recently, Maharaja again heightened the glory of his spiritual master by building a marvelous temple and devotee community in the holy city of Ujjain.Maharaja's voice, sweeter than honey, has immortalised many of our acaryas' prayers, and most famously, Maharaja's heartfelt rendition of the gopis' song of seperation from the 10th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam rings in our ears.Despite his position and many qualifications, both material and spiritual, Maharaja was a humble and loving gentleman who took pleasure in serving devotees. Indeed, one of Maharaja's favorite pastimes was to personally cook and serve prasadam for the devotees. As in all aspects of his service and gentle and cultured nature, Maharaja's cooking was highly refined and infused with bhakti.There are no words that provide solace when facing separation from such a glorious Vaisnava, but we can take some comfort in the fact that His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja lived constantly in meditation on how to serve Srila Prabhupada and his mission. Undoubtedly, he now continues that service under the direction of His Divine Grace.Let us offer true homage to Maharaja by continuing his legacy of service in our own lives. Let us commit ourselves, mind, body, and soul, to the service of Srila Prabhupada, following in the footsteps of his beloved servant, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami.One of Maharaja's most cherished instructions from His Divine Grace was, "Your love for me will be show by how you cooperate together after I am gone." Now, in Maharaja's absence, we are reminded to take that instruction to heart and reaffirm our dedication to ISKCON, and to each other.We also commit ourselves, as Maharaja's servants, to assist and care for his loving disciples in his absence. It was very important to Maharaja that we operate as one family in Srila Prabhupada's service and we remind you today that although Maharaja is no longer physically present, you are protected by the shelter of many devotees who are ready to offer you the support you may require at this difficult time and in the future.As Maharaja often glorified Srila Prabhupada with the beautiful words of the gopis, let us also remember Maharaja as that most munificent Vaisnava who will eternally inspire the followers of Srila Prabhupada to share the glories of Lord Krishna:tava kathamrtam tapta-jivanamkavibhir iditam kalmasapahamsravana-mangalam srimad atatambhuvi grnanti ye bhuri-da janah"The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent."His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami ki jaya!Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!Hare Krsna,Your servants,Ramai SwamiBhakti Caitanya SwamiBhanu Swami,GBC Executive Committee
Happy 85th Birthday, Dear Kenneth!
To my beloved family of devotees in Italy
This is a letter sent by His Holiness Radhanath Swami to his dear friends, the devotees in Bologna, Italy and shared with the devotees all over Italy. His wisdom and concern are so poignant and instructive for us all right now… ~Rukmini Walker
To my beloved family of devotees in Italy,Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.With my heart and soul I am praying for all of you. Please do whatever is best to protect your health. Our bodies are gifts that Krishna has entrusted to us for divine service.Srimad Bhagavatam was spoken by Sukadeva Goswami to a man destined to die in seven days. Srila Prabhupada often told us that no one knows for sure if we have even seven minutes in our present bodies. Like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, life in the material world is always uncertain and vulnerable to disease, old age and death. But, for one who takes shelter of our supreme ever-well-wishing friend and lover, who resides within our hearts, Sri Krishna, then the joy of eternal life in divine love is awakened. That is our true fortune. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada have given us the Holy Names of Radha Krishna, Srimad Bhagavatam, association of devotees, worshipful Deities, and wonderful opportunities to serve. Let us sincerely remember and remind each other of these precious gifts.My heart is breaking to think of the struggles that you and the people of Italy are passing through. I offer my sincerest prayers to our beloved Lord to protect you and to shower intimate blessings and grace upon you.Thank you very much for your life of devotion.With gratitude, your servant,Radhanath Swami
A Letter to a Young Woman Devotee
This is my reply to a young woman who is new to the path of Bhakti. She has been regularly attending temple programs in one city in the US. Sometimes she is discouraged hearing a sectarian or misogynist slant coming from the speaker during the morning class. With her name omitted, I thought to share my reply to one of her emails. I hope you will find my reply to her helpful in your life as well. ~ All the best, Rukmini Walker
Dearest Sister,My very fond affection to you. Jaya Prabhupada.There are always many reasons to become discouraged, especially when interacting or serving in a multicultural international community or environment where people have different values and cultural norms. Please always remain vigilant to be a seeker of the essence and don't lose the precious baby when throwing out the bathwater. It's most important. Never allow yourself to become isolated from the temple sanga, no matter how discouraging some voices may be. Find the ones there with whom you find resonance. Prabhupada has shed many gallons of blood to establish these communities for you- and for all of us, without discrimination.Certain speakers at the temple might be speaking with a sectarian perspective, or sometimes you might think the Bhagavatam itself is that way. Actually, Srimad Bhagavatam exposes materialistic thinking wherever it appears - in men, in women, in high caste people, in low caste people... Generally, it will tell stories that bring down the proud, the high and mighty; and uplift the humble people - time and time again. We have to read it all in context. Like water, grace flows down. Like water, keep flowing down, keep going around any obstacles, keep seeking your Source - Sri Krsna, the origin of us all.You and I - and so many others - love the ideal of the worship of Sri Radha, but we also always have to remember that she is divine - and also that we are ourselves are not women - we are atma, jivatma, beyond this material body. The controlling, dominating ego must be given up - whether it appears in the mind and heart of a man or a woman. Of course, we hear that spiritually all living beings are of the feminine nature, in relation to the one Supreme male, Sri Krsna.There is the beautiful story of Mirabai when she came to Vrndavan and sought the darshan of an esteemed holy man. She approached the ashram and asked the brahmacarya disciple if she could have the saint's darshan. The disciple said that his guru doesn't see any women. Then Mirabai, in her deep wisdom and realization replied, "But I thought that Sri Krsna was the only male in Vrndavan!" The disciple was stumped and said, "Ok, let me go ask". Then he came back and said to her, "Yes, you are welcome, my guru said to come immediately!"So what an example she is. Mirabai was certainly humble in herself, in her prayers, and in her outlook. But her ardent love made her bold also. She could not be dissuaded from her love for Krsna. When Srila Prabhupada was asked by one woman book distributor, how can we be both humble and bold at the same time? He replied, "Be a lion on the chase, and a lamb at home". Not easy, but these dichotomies can be resolved with deep realization.In order to understand Sri Krsna, we seek the compassionate sidelong glance of Sri Radha. But today, on the Appearance Day of Nityananda Prabhu, we seek His blessings in order to achieve the grace of Lord Caitanya. Grace flows down like water, seeking the lowest place, seeking those who are humble.There is a pivotal verse given in the Sri Caitanya Candramrita of Prabhadananda Sarawati. It says:
yatha yatha gaura padaravinde
vindeta bhaktim krta-punya-rasih
tatha tathotsarpati hrdi akasmad
radha-padambhoja-sudhambu-rasih
When a pious person attains the dust of the lotus feet of Lord Gaura (Lord Caitanya), the ocean of nectar from the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani suddenly floods his heart.You are a deep thinker, and you are also trying to enter deeply into the consciousness of loving Krsna. Our candid conversations are a joy and an honor for me. Let's please keep these conversations going, ok? Hare Krsna,With all my love and prayers for your continuing advancement in Krsna Bhakti,Your sister in service,Rukmini