Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of Vyasa Puja!

Each year that I write my Vyasa Puja offering, I feel less and less worthy of presenting myself before you. I know I have such a long way to go in spiritual life, so many attachments to overcome, and so much to still understand. When I see your example, I am awed and encouraged at the same time. I do not have words to fully express my gratitude for your example, guidance, and affection.

But there is one quality in particular that I would like to highlight on this occasion, which is your seamless integration of scholarship and devotion. This is a hallmark of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sampradaya---from Srila Rupa Gosvami to Srila Prabhupada---and you follow this same ideal of bhakti-vedanta.

What I find so amazing is how you hold these two things in perfect balance. You understand, appreciate, and actively engage in the academic service. And yet even in the academic environment, you maintain a simple, straightforward faith in Srila Prabhupada and his essential instructions---4 regulative principles, 16 good rounds, morning program, and sankirtana. This combination is so rare; indeed, many would say that a simple faith is incompatible with academic insight, but you have shown them wrong. How fortunate I am to have a master like you!

I have so much work to do in the essential practices of hearing and chanting; I am still not steady in my sadhana. But your example allows me no excuse for my weakness. Gurudeva, once again on the occasion of Vyasa Puja, I beg for the strength to become steady in my sadhana and service. I cannot do it without your blessings.

ekaki amara, nahi paya bala, hari-nama-sankirtane

tumi krpa kori’, sraddha-bindu diya, deho krsna-nama-dhane

Please continue to look with compassion upon this fumbling child of yours,

Radhika Ramana dasa

            HpS - ASA -  Jaya, Srila Prabhupada. We can only hope you make the little adjustments you need to do to put any basic Sadhana in order in your very broad devotional life. Maybe you are 75% efficient now and adjusting the priorities a little then 85% efficient. What does Krsna want us to do? A big battle of Kurukestra?