Taking Shelter of Those Lotus Feet
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by Jahnava dasa
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This is my humble offering to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on his Vyasapuja 2009.
Although undeserving I feel most fortunate to have received one of Srila Prabhupada's books (The Higher Taste) on the streets of Vancouver Canada in the year of 1991. The timing was right, as I just survived a nearly fatal car crash (son was killed) the year before, but this was also my destiny and fortune, as I had a good understanding of birth and death as I was very close to leaving the world at that time, medics were alarmed I survived. My first lesson in devotional life was when the timing is right for the particular soul Krishna will reveal himself at the appropriate moment, so the beginning of my true purpose while having been given a human birth really began to unfold.
As proof of how fallen I actually am, it has taken me years of many trials and errors to get to a place where I am now able to practise Krishna Consciousness to some degree. I now realize my only hope is to fully take shelter of those Lotus Feet of our most Dearest and Sincere Srila Prabhupada. I have seen some this life, but Srila Prabhupada has seen much more, and has the real ability to see the soul in all beings existing in this world. He understands each and every one of us and all problems present in the material world, nothing is misunderstood to Srila Prabhupada, his formula is workable for all to have joy and bliss in their daily lives, and all have some good given talent they may offer to Krishna.
I must offer my obeisances to your Lotus Feet at least three times a day, as without taking complete shelter of your teachings and instructions, I would be lost with only the wait for death to arrive and then birth, death, old age and disease all over again, and again and again.
But as I chant my rounds, read your books, listen to your lectures, I am slowly cleansing my heart of accumulated clutter, and I am beginning to experience some joy and bliss.
Every day I now live my life with you by my side like my closest relative, as you truly have become my closest relative, and I am seeing that this human birth can have a new vision and a higher purpose. My only wish is to offer you some small service in return.
This fallen soul is so ever thankful Srila Prabhupada for being obedient to your spiritual master and delivering this Krishna Consciousness to the Western World in the language and way we can begin to understand. Thank you for adapting this method and being patient while we try to learn of a method that is so brand new to this western culture, where material abundance dominates the culture.
I bow to your Lotus Feet and hope to also be obedient and follow your instructions, and slowly pray to begin to understand your teachings to the best of my ability.
Thank you Srila Prabhupada for your unlimited Mercy and Understanding.
Your undeserving servant,
Jahnava dasa
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