The Final Letter

One final letter of instruction to receive,

From guru the present world about to leave.

Call for preaching to west in it again stated,

To spread message of Chaitanya reiterated.

World’s guru taking message so seriously,

Soon to write and preach so vigorously.

Desire to magazine Back to Godhead gave birth,

English explanations of bhakti, a wonderful first.

As the message of Bhaktisiddhanta its pages told,

So even with difficulty swami many issues sold.

The original so many imitators to spawn,

Myself included, on Prabhupada’s wisdom drawn.

A Kindred Spirit

Person just like yourself ever met?
Who as if your true nature to get.

Tulsidas that person to me,
Into depths of my soul to see.

But roamed this earth in time long ago,
So how my thoughts and feelings to know?

That he wrote personally to me I feel,
For my loneliness and sadness to heal.

That he didn’t write more is so unfair,
So to his words I offer utmost respect and care.

"Why not preach bhakti-yoga in the west,

Only Chaitanya’s teachings to stand time’s test.

In English language already quite proficient,

So thoroughly explain Krishna, the most munificent."

Upon request at first a little hesitant,

In accepting worthiness of mission reluctant.

But Supreme Lord with much higher plan,

To reform even wretches like me through one man.

For that fateful meeting always I’m thankful,

Bore fruit of shastras in language delightful.

Let words of guru replace all rubbish in your mind,

In Divine Grace’s instruction eternal wisdom find.