om ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. Jai Srila Gurudeva. All glories to Param Pujya Sri Sri 108 Premdasa Babaji Maharaj.
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism. Jai Srila Prabhupada. All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
This article is about my very first conversation with Srila Gurudeva over the phone. After my offering Dandavat Pranams to Srila Gurudev, the first word Srila Gurudev uttered was “Aashirvad”. Words cannot do enough justice to the feeling and bliss that I experienced upon hearing this one word from Srila Gurudev in his kind, gentle and compassionate tone.
At this very moment, I knew I had found my Sadguru – my eternal spiritual master and that I was done. Done with what? Done with everything that this material world has to offer period. I was amongst the most fortunate, blessed souls across the 14 planetary systems, for I had received Srila Gurudeva’s causeless mercy, shelter and blessings. Gurudev is the very embodiment of scriptures (Sastra), Sadhu Sanga, Sambandha, Abhideya and Prayojana – The summum bonum. What more can one ask or aspire for?
Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4: Transcendental Knowledge, Verse 34*
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
The reality of this verse had finally reached me. I had found my Sad Guru – my eternal spiritual master unto whom I shall surrender and render service in the spirit of this verse. The rest will happen automatically per Gurudev’s desire.
My sincere prayer is that all Jeevas be given this same opportunity to receive Gurudev’s Aashirvad – The Blessing and to serve him in the spirit of this verse.
Reference(s):
* – Bhagavad Gita As It Is Macmillan 1972 Edition – By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
-RadhaCharan Das
Charan Pahari 