My first offering to Srila Prabhupada - Vyasa Puja

I never knew that on Vyasa puja day this is the tradition. But the experience of hearing what devotees have to say was transcendental. So here is my first humble offering to Srila Prabhupada.

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

First of all, I want to offer my humble obeisances at the lotus feet of my Hero SP. I also offer my humble obeisances to the wonderful devotees on the Thursday call. It is by their mercy and kind words that I'm progressing in my Krishna consciousness.

I grew up in Mysore and I remember Krshna always gave me a chance to know him and be back with him. We had an Iskcon temple next road to where we lived and I always longed to go there to have some prasad. I had never seen american devotees that too dancing and singing. I'm sure that experience of having prasad, going for Janmastami celebrations left a mark somewhere on me.

Then when I started working in Bangalore, I got the chance to visit the Iskcon Bangalore temple. I noticed a statue of a brown bald man and everybody was bowing down to him. I didn't understand who you were or why people were paying their respects. That was the first time I ever saw you. Fast forward to Roanoke, VA.

I want to offer my humble obeisances to my Hari prabhu who is my first guru. He was the one who so kindly took me to Prabhupada village to experience Gaura poornima. He gave me my first beads and beadbag. He was the one who gave me your first book - Science of Self realization and he kickstarted the BV program in Roanoke, VA. I always questioned why Roanoke and you gave me the answer. Hari prabhu was the one who inspired me to go to FOI 2011 and after that experience seeing everybody there really changed my life.

SP, I'm indebted to you for everything. Your story of coming on the Jaldutta, taking so many hardships, having couple of heart attacks and still coming here for us is so special. You came here with your kartals, love for Krishna and your immense knowledge. Even though you were busy establishing Iskcon, you took out time from your busy schedule to write so many books. Thank you for doing this SP. I have so much joy reading the BG and SB and best of all hearing from advanced devotees. If not for your mercy, nothing would have been possible.

My desire is to be able to read all your books so the dirt in my heart is cleaned. SP, I also want you to bestow your mercy so I am surrounded by wonderful devotees who can lead me on the right path to KC.

Thank you SP.

SRILA PRABHUPADA KI JAY!