Vyasa Puja Offering from Chaturatma Dasa:

“2006 Vyasa Puja Offering – Personal”

My dear father, master, eternal guide and friend Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you!

Gangara parasa hoile pascate pavan
Darsane pavitra koro ei tomara guna
“Merely by the touch of the sacred Ganges one becomes liberated, even if one is the lowest of persons. Yet, just by seeing you the same effect is achieved.”

My alarm clock went off this morning, I rose, bathed, and went to the kitchen to prepare my deities morning offering. Looking at my reflection in the mirror over the sink I put on my tilak. While doing this I heard an unusually loud ticking. It actually sounded to be in stereo. I looked around and found the source of the sound. It was the ticking of the clock above the kitchen sink. Tick, tick, tick passing by went the seconds, the minutes, the hours, the days, the years—my life. As I stood there I realized that I am on the losing end of times passage. It is passing me by quicker each day. Have I developed love for you? Have I developed a taste for the chanting of the holy name? Have I developed a desire to study and understand your books? Have I developed the desire to serve Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara? Sadly, I saw that I have not. I constantly battle with the minds desire, the pulling of the senses, the dragging of material life. I am regularly brought down by these enemies. Yet in this struggle I have refuge. I have the shelter of your lotus feet. The strength of your instructions. The standard of your daily example in life.
I can remember your warm smile, your supportive words, your kind encouragement. These give me hope that I can develop these qualities of a devotee, a disciple, a vaisnava. That I can become a genuine follower of yours. Thinking in this way, I finish putting on my tilak, chant the mantras and begin to serve my Lord. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for giving me hope.

Your humble servant,
Chaturatma dasa