nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate gunagrahi das goswami swamin iti namine
srimate gunagrahi das goswami swamin iti namine
nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine
namaste sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarinesrimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine
nirvisesa sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Gunagrahi das Goswami,
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Gunagrahi das Goswami. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this glorious day of your divine appearance, I humbly and respectfully offer the following:
Reflecting on the past few years and the fact that Krsna has given me the opportunity to serve such a fine Vaisnava as yourself, I cannot help but realize that mercy most-undeserved has been poured out upon me, from both you and Him.
You, Gurudeva, never stop giving of yourself and distributing your inconceivable mercy upon this very fallen soul. Although my circumstances have changed, you still kindly bestow your mercy upon me, engaging me in your service, while I know full well that there are others who would be able to do the same service, undoubtedly much better.
Lately I have been thinking about all you have given me and one thing that keeps coming to mind is your infectious love of kirtan. I cannot express how grateful I am that you have shared that with me. I cannot go one day without hearing devotees blissfully chanting the holy names in song. It is a balm for my world-weary soul. It is enlivening, uplifting, comforting and, like you recently said, it is “the only sane thing, in dreams or otherwise.” I often return to the kirtans I recorded in Tennessee on your very first visit there in 2008 and thank Krsna over and over again that He made the arrangements for us to finally connect in this lifetime, a gift I never dreamed of but was given nonetheless.
Lord Caitanya brought the glorious chanting of the holy names to the world and you are faithfully following in His footsteps by sharing your gift of voice and drum with us all. How fortunate I am to have you in my life. You are my greatest blessing, my greatest encourager, and my ever well-wisher.
I beg forgiveness for my innumerable shortcomings and offenses and for the countless times I have disappointed you. I can only hope to remain at your lotus feet, being ever mindful that your mercy is all that I am made of.
Your insignificant servant,
Bhaktina Terri
