Dear Maharaj,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet!

Recently, I was contemplating on the way and manner you received the Hare Krishna
Mahamantra in your sojourn in this world – The first time – from Mother Ganges herself, and
the second time – from the lotus lips of Shrila Prabhupada. In the very beginning of the
Journey Home also, you mention the verse containing the description of Mother Ganges –
tvayi me 'nanya-viñayä
matir madhu-pate 'sakåt
ratim udvahatäd addhä
gaìgevaugham udanvati
O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction
be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else.
You mention – “Without being diverted to anyone or anything else”

Who can understand the language of Mother Ganges? She was unwilling to come to this
material world. But Krishna promised – My pure devotees will come and bathe in you, and
thus you will remain pure. Actually, there is no reason for contamination of Mother Ganges.
The polluted water, and the people with polluted consciousness lack the capacity to cause any
harm to the efficacy and purity of mother Ganges.

Shrila Prabhupada was also unwilling to come to this world. He says, “Krishna said to me –
Just go and write some books. I will be there with you always.” And thus Shrila Prabhupada
made his appearance.

The Hare Krishna Mahamantra also belongs to the spiritual world – golokera prema dhana
harinama sankirtana. Can it be just a coincidence that a person receives the topmost treasure
of the spiritual world from the two greatest brand ambassadors of spiritual world who were
unwilling to even come to this world?

Maharaj, I feel you also were unwilling to come to this world. But your love for Krishna
which took the form of your unending compassion made you appear in this world. Just as
Mother Ganges showed so much compassion while herself undergoing all the tribulations,
just as Shrila Prabhupada sacrificed so much for all of us, your life is an example of endless
sacrifice to help each jiva come closer to Krishna by taking multitude of difficulties on your
head.

janasya kåñëäd vimukhasya daiväd

adharma-çélasya suduùkhitasya
anugrahäyeha caranti nünaà
bhütäni bhavyäni janärdanasya
“Great philanthropic souls travel on the earth on behalf of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead to show compassion to the fallen souls who are averse to the sense of subordination
to the Lord.”

Mother Ganges was called for by King Bhagiratha to deliver his descendants. But Mother
Ganges didn’t disappear after that. She didn’t just deliver them, but she is intent on delivering
people even now! Shrila Prabhupada was ordered by his spiritual master to preach in the
West. But Shrila Prabhupada preached in the East and the West also. And as you reveal to us
– Shrila Prabhupada prayed for each and every one of us. Maharaj, one time you were asked
the reason for your travelling so much, especially to US, now that many things have been
accomplished, you have fulfilled the desire of Shrila Prabhupada what he had intended the
devotees to do in New Vrindaban by creating the masterpiece of Govardhan Eco Village.
And you said – If Shrila Prabhupada asks me what have you done for Western preaching,
what answer will I give?

You understood the song of Mother Ganges when she spoke to you. You understood the
mood and mission of Shrila Prabhupada which you have perfectly encapsulated in the
teachings of Lord Caitanya wherein he says,
tåëäd api sunécena
taror api sahiñëunä
amäninä mänadena
kértanéyaù sadä hariù
"One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower
than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of
false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant
the holy name of the Lord constantly."

Ganges flows toward the ocean without any hindrance. Shrila Prabhupada, from his very
childhood, led his life in a way where he was totally devoted to Krishna. Maharaj, in your
life, you didn’t stop in your journey until you reached Vrindavan. And you have just moved
on, like mother Ganges, like Shrila Prabhupada, with your attraction firmly fixed on the lotus
feet of Radha and Krishna.

Is there any iota of doubt that Ganges doesn’t purify? Is there any confusion for one
following the teachings of Shrila Prabhupada that he or she won’t attain the ultimate
destination? Similarly, Maharaj, for a person who follows your instructions, and keeps them
within his or her heart always, what can be the danger for that person?

Even if one runs with his eyes closed, neither will he slip, nor will he ever fall down. In every
situation in our life, if we just remember your instructions and try to apply them, that is the
greatest success of our life. The instructions that you have given, and that you repeatedly give
to us are non-different from the Absolute. It is guaranteed that if one follows your
instructions, one will attain the highest perfection of life. If pleasing you only matters in life,
why to waste time in petty little quarrels, disputes and endeavors for mundane sensual
gratification? If pleasing you can award Goloka, why to hanker for the insignificant profit,
adoration and distinction of this world? Likewise, If any challenging circumstance in life
helps us remember you, If undergoing hardships and making sacrifices for others acts as a
booster to make our heart grow fonder in gratitude to you, if by serving others, we can act as
instruments in serving you, what can be the greater benediction than that?

Thank you Maharaj for showing your utmost compassion on this wretched soul. I always
remember the verse which Sudama says after meeting Krishna in Dvaraka,
kvähaà daridraù päpéyän
kva kåñëaù çré-niketanaù
brahma-bandhur iti smähaà
bähubhyäà parirambhitaù
Who am I? A sinful, poor friend of a brähmaëa. And who is Kåñëa? The Supreme Personality
of Godhead, full in six opulences. Nonetheless, He has embraced me with His two arms.
Without having any qualifications, you have bestowed the greatest mercy upon me. I am not
fit to be called as your initiated disciple. I beg you to grant me the strength to do your will,
the intelligence to remember and apply your instructions, and the humility to accept my
mistakes. Thank you very much!

Your servant,
Hari Bhakti Das.