"The World Is One Family"
Om ajnāna timirāndhasya jnānanjana-śalākalā caksur unmilitam yena tasmai śri-grave name
All glories to my Harinam Guru Śri Śrimad Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja and to my Dikśa Guru Śri Śrimad Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Maharaja!
Oh Gurudeva, this is the last day for the opportunity to write an offering unto your merciful lotus feet. It has been one week since I have been coming up with ideas and remembrances for the attempt of glorify You. But today I realise that without being under the lotus feet of those who really diligently loved You, I can not attempt to glorify You.
Since You have dedicated and still dedicating Your life, prana and soul for the satisfaction of Your Gurudeva and He has made You the recipient of His mercy, You are not different from Him. Therefore I took from the book "Volcanic energy", the glorification of Bhakti Pramoda Puri Maharaj and Bhakti Raksaka Śridhar Maharaj to Param Gurudeva Madhava Maharaj.
This is the glorification of Bhakti Pramoda Puri Maharaja (page 143-152):
"His most enchanting, divine lotus face; his peaceful, soft and pleasing bright complexion, which sparkled like gold; and his extremely soft body, which was just like a lotus, befit his unlimitedly compassionate heart, which was completely full of egalitarian kindness for all. His divinely benevolent character was completely devoid of concept of 'mine and yours'. He truly embodied the phrase "vaisnava kutumbakam- the world is one family*". His sweet voice, which sounded as if were submerged in honey, was ripe with true love and affection. He was insurmountably passionate in preaching the principles of pure devotion service to Śri Guru-Gauranga; and his efforts to that end were untiring.
He was able of drawing out the jewel-like essence of any subject by churning the ocean of the scriptures, and what is more, he virtuously preached those teachings by imbibing them in his personal conduct. His attachment to Bhagavad-bhajana was astonishing. His tolerance and humility were exemplary; he considered himself as worthless, even though he possessed the most desirable qualities in terms of family background , conduct, knowledge and intelligence. Despite possessing these qualities , he was completely devoid of pride.
He desired to assist every living entity in attaining his or her eternal spiritual welfare. He was completely devoid of any desire for wordly gain, recognition and fame. He possessed sincere faith in rendering service to Śri Hari, guru and Vaisnavas.
These are but a few of his countless divine qualities. As these qualities appear one by one in the consciousness of the devotees [who now feel themselves bereft of his association], the agony of their separation from him is exponentially increased in the core of their hearts.”
In few days is Your Vyasa puja, Oh Gurudev. And is the first year where You are not manifest physically. I think many Your intimate associates would feel like Bhakti Raksasa Maharaj has written in his glorification to Param Gurudeva (page 138):
"Being deprived of his [direct] association, my heart is striking with grief. Yet, during today 's great ceremonial festivities, I am gradually able to recognize his presence in the great efforts and services being rendered by his most qualified and beloved followers today, and am thus relishing the indescribable, nectarean joy of meeting, while [remaining immersed] in [the experience of] separation. For [this experience] I feel deeply grateful."
* In regard of "vasudhaiva kutumbakam- the world is one family" I would like to share my view and say that with Gurudeva this was true, because at one point all the senior disciples of Bhakti Pramoda Puri Maharaj, Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja and many others had reunited at Gurudeva's lotus feet. Even though with many varieties of devotion; under the lotus feet of Gurudeva everything was clarified and with the same unique objective; to attempt to please the intimate associates of Gaura-Nitai.
I would like to end my letter with a verse of the song of Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
Sarvasva tomara, carane sapiyā,
Podechi tomāra ghare
Tumi ti thakura, tomāra kukura, boliyā jānaha more(1)
Having surrendered everything at Your lotus feet, I remain prostrated at Your house. You are my Lord. Kindly accept me as Your dog.
Oh Gurudeva, may the song of Bhaktivinoda Thakura be my prana!!
Your aspiring worthless servant,
Vrinda dasi.