Hare Krsna.
Today is Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance day, when he left the planet at 7.21pm, in Sri Vrndavan dham, chanting and still translating Srimad Bhagavatam until his last breath, surrounded by his loving disciples in kirtan.
While the Vaisnavas consider the Appearance and Disappearance of such great souls to be the same, still it is an occasion for deep contemplation, and feelings of sadness at his departure.
We meditate with deep feelings of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for the tremendous difference he made to the collective and individual consciousness of this planet, his unfathomable achievements to establish Krsna consciousness throughout the world, all that he gave us in knowledge, his books, the proper understanding of our position, magnificent temples, beautiful Deities, farm communities, festivals like Ratha Yatra, prasadam, kirtan, sadhu sanga, his wonderful sons and daughters, the pure lifestyle, the holy dhamas and the entrance into the spiritual world
What he has given is unprecedented in annals of history. Those of us who have not personally associated with Srila Prabhupada often regret…. If i had been born just earlier by some many years perhaps I may have? . However we can reflect that we have his association through his books, lectures and videos. We have his association by our daily guru puja. We have his association through his Deity. We have his association through hearing about him from his disciples. We have Srila Prabhupadas association by being sincere followers within the structures he has authorized.
Srila Prabhupada will remain the Founder Acarya of ISKCON and pre-eminent siksha Guru of us all. His position can never be replaced or eclipsed by anyone.
Let us deeply contemplate our good fortune, let us pray to Srila Prabhupada to guide us, let us pray that Srila Prabhupada remains the centre of our lives, the polestar in all that we do. Let us pray for guidance to always do which is correct, and by engaging in devotional service with the proper attitude of love, enthusiasm, and humility one day we will be able to meet Srila Prabhupada and account to him that we served properly within his ISKCON, and we did what he asked of us, and we will experience that oceanic smile and nod of acknowledgement that will be ultimate reward for all our attempts, the benediction only by which Sri Sri Radha Krsna can be bought to give us Their favorable glances.
Jai Srila Prabhupada ki jai.
Sri Vrndavan dhama ki jai!
Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar, Sri Sri Krsna Balaram, Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari ki jai!
Your servant
Smita Krsna Das
