namo oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhūtale
śrīmate gaura-govinda svamin īti nāmine
My dear Divine Master,
O guiding light, your inspiring life and realized teachings pierce the dark shell of ignorance covering this world.
asato ma sadgamaya
tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
mrtyor ma amrtam gamaya
om santi, santi, santi
(Brhad-aranyaka Upanishad)
Om, asato ma sadgamaya, lead me from the unreality of transitory existence to the reality of Self, from the asat to the sat, from non-existence, non-reality and untruth, to existence, reality and truth. Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, lead me from the darkness of ignorance to the light of spiritual knowledge. Ignorance, like darkness, obscures true understanding. And in the same way that the only remedy for darkness is light, the only remedy for ignorance is knowledge of one’s true nature. In the darkness of my ignorance, I believe myself to be bound and limited. But guru and śāstra are telling me that, in truth, I am not, never will be and never have been bound. Eternally I am sat-cit-ananda. The only thing that can remove my ignorance regarding my true nature is a spiritual education at the hands of a true master. At the culmination of such an education, light floods my room, and darkness vanishes. Mrtyorma amrtam gamaya, lead me from the fear of death to the knowledge of immortality, not to live endless years in heaven or on earth. Om santi, santi, santi. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
This prayer is to Srila Gurudeva, for assistance in realizing the truth, that I was never born, nor can I ever die, as I am not the body, mind and intellect, but an eternal servant at the feet of the all blissful consciousness, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa. This prayer is an admission of my sense of limitedness and my heartfelt cry for assistance in transcendence. It is not a prayer for the things of the world. It is not a prayer for food, shelter, health, partnership, riches, success, fame, glory or even for heaven. Such things are full of holes, soaked in pain and, even in abundance, will forever leave her wanting. “O, Gurudeva, help me free myself from misunderstandings regarding myself, the universe and God and bless me with true knowledge.”
On this day, pour down your blessings upon all your dear disciples, followers and well-wishers, all souls everywhere, who are suffering in ignorance. I could not express my love for you when you were here physically, but every day a little more realization comes that proves you are filled with the love that sustains the world, and that you alone are to be loved and cherished, meditated upon in all situations.
Especially on this day I pray that Srila Prabhupāda’s kutir will be restored to its former glory, as the peaceful sanctuary that it always has been.
Your eternal servant,
Mahashakti Dasi
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare