Notes on Srila Prabhupada Tributes 2025
I proofread Srila Prabhupada Tributes 2025 in two and a half days back in July. I took notes on some points that were striking to me in some way, either because they included new information or presented truths about Srila Prabhupada or his message in a creative way. I share with you to honor him on his appearance day. They are in the same order as in the book, by date of initiation, with the swamis first.
Umapati Swami:
“But, you ask, Why only Prabhupada? Other masters in our line also teach about Krishna. Yes my friend, but only one master sailed across the ocean in his old age just to deliver me. And I’m sticking with that one.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
“You turned me into a respectable person. Before I met you, I had many sinful habits, like the four sinful activities – illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication and gambling. I was a lost cause. But the first night I attended your class in the storefront on Second Avenue, I tasted bliss, and I felt I had been saved. Chanting in kīrtana with you brought me ecstasy. I was able to give up all my sinful activities in one night, and from then on, I have always tried to be a faithful servitor to you. I became your servant. I became your disciple after one night. Just by meeting you and joining you in kīrtana and listening to your lecture (although I couldn’t understand your accent so well), I became sworn to serve you always.”
Jayapataka Swami:
“We successfully registered a trust called Sarasvata Gaudiya Vaishnava Association (SGVA). Most of the Gaudiya Mathas have joined this institution, and we celebrate together the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. We are also aiming to collectively honor their disappearance days. After we do our own celebration in the morning, we gather at one Matha or another to celebrate the particular event. In this way, we are trying to unify the disciples and followers of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, as per your wish.”
Kavicandra Swami:
“At one point I thought I was a devotee, sometimes even thinking I was a ‘good’ devotee. Then I thought that I was trying to be a devotee. Now I wonder if I am even trying to be a devotee.”
“We can never repay what he has given, but fortunately he will accept our efforts to serve. Srila Prabhupada taught us everything from every angle in many different ways.”
Janananda Goswami:
“May you cast your glance on France and make us dance. I pray you please shower your glance of mercy on us all that we can continue on the path of becoming your unalloyed servants – fulfilling your desires to preach the sankirtana movement without the self-aggrandizing false ego that drives me on.”
Bhakti Caitanya Swami:
“My prayer on this most sacred day is that Lord Krishna gives me more intelligence so I can appreciate you more and more and reciprocate more and more. Let that be my meditation and the foundation of my life.”
Bhaktimarga Swami:
“Some have perished, some have stayed
Some are on a climb, some are delayed
Men and women, definitely aged
Surely all will be home, fully engaged”
Bhakti Ananda Goswami:
“When I showed my Dad, Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is, his reaction surprised me. He said that all of the great German physicists knew these Sanskrit literatures because ‘that is where they got their ideas from’.”
Varsana Swami:
“In your collective body of ISKCON, we have the ongoing privilege of displaying our love and loyalty by cooperating among ourselves.”
Devamrita Swami:
“Because your boundless, steadfast compassion defied all odds, your apprentices and trainees can break free of the most severe penal servitude – no longer chained by lust, anger, greed, and envy – in the ultimate maximum-security prison that is the material nature.”
Bhakti Vikasa Swami:
“Book distribution and farms: these are our solid programs. They can change the whole world. The whole foundation of animal civilization can be destroyed.” (a Prabhupada quote)
Govinda Dasi:
“This Hare Krishna Mahamantra is the only weapon to defend against the demons of this Kali Yuga. Public sankirtan melts down the sinfulness of the culture—but it must reach the masses. It must be held not only in temples and homes, but in public places. While you were here, my dear Master, we did Harinama Sankirtan at every public gathering, every war protest, every rock concert, anywhere and everywhere, and we were on the streets of every major city for 6 to 8 hours daily—except Sunday when we had your ‘Love Feast.’”
Kanchanbala Dasi:
“The Admiral happened to discover Indrayumna Maharaja’s Bhagavad-gita class in session, and he joined in to hear.
“At the end, the Admiral raised his hand and said, ‘This is what I have been looking for.’ “All of a sudden, Indradyumna Maharaja received a call to come back, Srila Prabhupada is arriving in two days to Paris, as they were quite a distance away. The Admiral caught wind of it, and asked, ‘Young man, what is a Spiritual Master?’ Maharaja said, ‘Come with me and see.’ The Admiral was so inspired and moved, spontaneously grasping an opportunity to meet Srila Prabhupada.
“When they arrived in Paris, Srila Prabhupada heard about the Admiral and sent for him to come. The Admiral came in uniform decorated with stripes and medals, sitting with His Divine Grace. Srila Prabhupada spoke with him for two hours, preaching to him very strongly, ‘You are not your body, you are not an Admiral,’ The Admiral was hearing with rapt attention. Towards the end of the meeting, the Admiral addressed Srila Prabhupada, ‘My dear Spiritual Master, what chapter of the Bhagavad-gita should I focus on?’ Srila Prabhupada said, ‘Every day for the rest of your life you read the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita. That is my instruction to you.’ On that occasion, Srila Prabhupada didn’t mention the 4 regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds.
When the meeting came to a close, the Admiral asked Indrayumna Maharaja, ‘What should I do now?’, and Maharaja said, ‘Bow down,’ which he very readily did.
Then, eight years later, while Indrayumna Maharaja was doing sankirtana, he met the Admiral again at a Military Parade in Paris. The Admiral caught sight of Indrayumna Maharaja and said, ‘You are the one who brought me to my Spiritual Master. I read the Ninth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita every day.’ He then asked, ‘How is my Spiritual Master doing?’ It was when Srila Prabhupada had already departed a few years ago. In a devastated state, Maharaja said, ‘I am so sorry to say His Divine Grace has left this world. He has gone back to Godhead.’ Immediately, the Admiral burst into tears. All along, to the end, His Divine Grace gave the final lesson to everyone, was the art of leaving this world remembering Krishna. How Srila Prabhupada had made such a heartfelt impression in one meeting with the Admiral and then he took shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s guidance. It was just so moving to hear.”
Locanananda Prabhu:
“I had no specific qualification to engage in any particular service, but I found my place doing Harinam Sankirtana on the streets of Paris. I was the tambourine man, and it was my role to watch for approaching police vehicles and warn the leader to stop chanting until they had passed.”
Sarvamangala Dasi:
“I am praying to never be bereft of your unfathomable kindness and brilliant enlightening guidance.”
Vishnu Prabhu:
“O Gurudeva, you’ve revealed to me my true home
Within this dark world I’ve no need to roam
Your teachings are a river, flowing endlessly bright
Guiding my soul through the shadows of night
You’ve opened my eyes to the beauty of grace
In my thoughts and deeds, I feel your embrace
You’ve allowed me to take on this artist’s role
But you’ve become the painter of my soul
Your compassion knows no bounds or end
A torchlight of hope, you constantly send
In our moments of doubt, your light breaks through
In the caves of our hearts where we can find you
From the day I found you it became my call
To learn your teachings, so I wouldn’t fall
You’ve silenced the chaos, bestowed on us peace
Because of your kindness, our love will increase
Echoes of your voice resonate in my heart
With each quoted sloka, I feel a new start
You’ve lifted my spirit, dispelled all my fears,
With a love that transcends all ages and years
No foes can deter the path that you’ve set
Your blessings direct us, we’ll never forget
Your mission was a tapestry woven so fine
through Sri Chaitanya’s mercy and parampara line
Through the ancient sages, profound and wise
You’ve revealed the truth that never dies
In the tangled web of this earthly plight
Your guidance shines brightly, a relentless light
In your teachings, all Vedic truths unfold
Every verse in your books is a treasure I hold
Your purports, a beacon, illumines the way
Turning night into day, and ending dismay
You’ve removed the veil of this temporal guise
Revealing the essence, where the eternal lies
With each page I turn, my heart becomes free
Freed by your wisdom, I can finally see
O guide of my heart, forever I’ll strive
To honor your teachings which are always alive
In your divine radiance, I’ll continually bask,
For you have the answers to the questions I ask
When fear looms large and illusions take hold
Your words are the fire, freeing us from the cold
You’ve driven away the demons of deception
With knowledge as armor, you’ve given protection
In the dance of existence, through pleasure and pain
Your love for Krishna has broken the chain
You saw we were imprisoned, slaves of our strife
Then you freed us, and revealed the goal of life
You appeared as the tsunami of the Bhakti sea
My beloved Gurudeva, you’ll always be
And chanting Krishna-nama I pledge to uphold
This sacred vow is worth more than gold
We must cherish your words, like the stars in the night
They guide our devotion, as our souls take flight
With your divine knowledge, we stand ever tall
In gratitude, to your Divine Grace, I surrender my all.”
Narayani Dasi:
“Nanda devi dasi came to Vrindavan to leave her body but it took 20 years for her to leave. Because of her disease, she could not chant properly, finish her rounds or go to the temple. Just before she left her body, she had a vision. She was walking on the path back to Godhead, and Srila Prabhupada was walking next to her. On both sides of the path were people criticizing her, saying things like, she didn’t chant her rounds properly, she is a woman so she can’t go back to Godhead, she didn’t go to the temple regularly… But then Srila Prabhupada turned to the people and said, ‘It’s ok. She is with me.’ Then the people on both sides of the path started praising her.”
Somadas Prabhu:
“I heard later when some of your disciples asked you if it was ok to pray to Lord Nrsiṁha Deva for your protection. You said we should pray to him for the protection of the spiritual master, for the protection of ISKCON, and the protection of all the devotees in ISKCON. . . . Also, I pray that all living entities become members of ISKCON so they get that protection. And I wish that all living entities develop pure love for Krishna and chant 16 rounds without offense and follow the four principles, Krishna if You so desire.”
Vishnugada Prabhu:
“During one reading of the Lilamrta, we came across an exchange between you and a professor during your visit to Philadelphia in 1975 to attend the first large Ratha Yatra festival on the East Coast. The professor entered your darshan with some of his students. When he was introduced as a professor of religion you requested he tell you his understanding of religion. He responded saying ‘no’ and that it would be better for you to tell him your understanding. At that, you turned to Svarupa Damodara Prabhu, sitting nearby, and said: ‘What do you make of this, a religion professor who can’t explain religion?’ Svarupa Damodara said: ‘I think this is a cheater Srila Prabhupada.’ At that there erupted a heated exchange between the two of you and the professor left.
“A devotee attending the reading became disturbed and confused hearing the pastime. He asked me: ‘What kind of Vedic hospitality is this, inviting someone to your place and then insulting him? Aren’t we supposed to treat even enemies with respect when they come as our guests?’ I responded that it was a good question, and I didn’t have a good answer. However, I suggested there was likely more to the story than what was included in the Lilamrta. I encouraged him to call Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, who was present during the incident, since he might be able to give a more complete description of what went on. The call was made.
“Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu admitted he was the one who invited the professor. The professor’s name was actually Dr. Yadav, indicating he was a descendant of the Yadu dynasty, the family of Lord Krishna. Ravindra added that the next morning when he accompanied you on your morning walk, he apologized for inviting a professor who was not very respectful. You just chuckled, saying it was your business to chastise rascals.
“Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu then mentioned that some time later he met the same professor in Philadelphia. The professor eagerly inquired about you. When Ravindra updated him, professor Yadav spontaneously exclaimed: ‘Your guru saved me!’ and proceeded to explain that despite being born in an exalted family he had become involved in all kinds of degraded activities. But upon meeting you, Srila Prabhupada, your strong words shook him out of his illusion and were instrumental in bringing him back to an appreciation of the Bhagavat dharma of his roots. He then profusely thanked Ravindra Svarupa for inviting him for your darshan.
“We had a golden opportunity to learn from this encounter. It demonstrated to us that you are always fully transcendental and acting for a person’s ultimate benefit, even when we may not understand how. Although you are usually a cordial, charming, and attentive host, when the opportunity arose to elevate someone in Krishna Consciousness, that purpose was paramount. It was even more important than adhering to the rules of etiquette. The incident reminded us of your commentary when Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked Lord Caitanya why Sripad Isvara Puri kept Govinda, a person from a sudra background, as a disciple. You noted: ‘An authorized spiritual master is as good as Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If Hari is free to act as He likes, the empowered spiritual master is also free. As Hari is not subject to the criticism of mundane rules and regulations, the spiritual master is also not subjected.’ (CC Madhya 10.136) Like Narada Muni cursing the sons of Kuvera to extract them from their intoxicated lifestyle facilitating their meeting with Lord Damodara, your strong words brought the professor to his right consciousness.”
Sankarshan Prabhu:
“As a hippy singer/songwriter, I was on a mission to deliver the world from chaos. For this purpose, I wrote hundreds of songs and sang them in many different venues. But, because I was totally in a state of chaos myself, lost in material sense gratification, there was no question of my being able to do anything at all to deliver the world from chaos. After two years I finally realized my lost state. In an attempt to free myself from chaos, I was inspired by Lord Jesus, who prayed to be able to serve God’s will instead of his own will. Thus, I prayed to God to guide me how I could become His perfect servant. Krishna heard and answered my sincere prayer by sending your representative, His Holiness Vishnujana Swami, to Austin to open an ISKCON center. That most glorious sannyasi expertly guided me how to practice the sublime science of Krishna consciousness.”
Anuttama Prabhu:
“Srila Prabhupada, with each year that passes it becomes more and more obvious how dependent we are on your mercy, your teachings, and your example.”
“Thank you for guiding us via hundreds of recorded lectures, in which you at once plead, coach, embrace, and call out to each of us to come closer to you and to Lord Krishna.”
“But sadly, the world around us impels us to hurt ourselves and others. The world impels us to cheat. The world impels us to be full of hate and anger and jealously and envy. It is practically demanding that we do so. It is tempting us to do so. It is prodding us to do so. But you have given us the secret to rising beyond all that, the Lord’s holy name:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare”
“Srila Prabhupada, you were and are the perfect manifestation of authenticity. This is one of your greatest qualities – one that attracted thousands and today attracts millions to take shelter of you. If we want to be counted as among your followers, if we want to preach and teach and serve you and follow you, we too need to become authentic. Not shallow, and not proud; but to become humble Vaishnavas, trying our utmost to respect all others, to be kind to all others, and to be servants of all others.”
Jitamitra Dasi:
“I can thank you every day for having the great compassion to accept and trust me to be your disciple despite not knowing me personally. I will continue to try to personalize my relationship with you by always taking guidance through your instructions and by keeping my initiation vows as my most treasured possession that cemented our relationship in love and trust.”
Janakaraja Prabhu:
“Every time I chant, my faith is restored, my conviction that you have given the greatest gift that can heal the desert-like hearts of us conditioned souls.”
Vaisnavananda Prabhu:
“In July 1975, at an arrival address in San Francisco, he said that just as Krishna is in anxiety regarding the welfare of His devotee, so the spiritual master is in anxiety regarding the state of his disciples. Prabhupada told us that if we sincerely maintain our practice of Krishna consciousness but fail to return back home back to Godhead in this lifetime, that he will take as many births as needed to come back for us, but that we should not abuse that privilege and become serious in our sadhana bhakti.”
Ali Krishna Devi Dasi:
“First, you gave us yourself, a unique personality, full of countless exceptional qualities. You gave us the vision of your beautiful, timeless face, a face both old and young at the same time. You gifted us with your oceanic smile and your seriousness, your humor, and your gravity.”
“Another beautiful gift you gave us is our names. You gave each of us new names to call one another so that we could remember our true origin and the bond that unites us.”
“There’s some who claimed you bent the rules
To spread the yuga-dharma
Yet millions more you’ve lifted
From the wreck of Kali’s drama
And countless souls around the world
Are touched by your compassion
As they chant Lord Krishna’s holy name
Untouched by fad or fashion”
Badarayana Prabhu:
“There is the internal path of cultivation of bhakti, and there is the external path of delivering the conditioned souls. You desired that we cultivate these two paths simultaneously with tivrena bhakti-yogena, great force, intensity and dedication. You set the example as the acarya that we do so until our dying day. Your mood was imbued with love, compassion and urgency.”
“We now see that prophecy being realized with Tulsi Gabbard, a serious Vaishnavi, not only having run for POTUS [President of the United States], but now holding the highest position in US intelligence agencies. And Kashyapa Patel, as the head of the FBI, who in his first Congressional acceptance hearing declared for all the world to hear, “Jaya Sri Krishna.” Another powerful Vaishnava. And there’s Usha Vance, the vegetarian Hindu/Vaishnava wife of the current vice president JD Vance. How could it be that there are so many Vaishnavas in top positions of US government, who themselves have had their own internal great awakening, if not by the mercy, will and plan of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself the Supreme Personality of this age?”
Kadamba Devi Dasi:
“Thank you for your gift that I can never repay. Let my understanding and love for Krishna flourish under your guidance and protection.”
Citraka Prabhu:
“We are but fallen souls striving to follow your footsteps. We face internal challenges, grapple with the complexities of maintaining the integrity of your institution, and struggle with our own imperfections.
“We pray for your mercy to overcome these obstacles, to remain united as a spiritual family, and to continue expanding your mission with sincerity and dedication. We seek your guidance to navigate the turbulent waters of Kali-yuga, to deepen our sadhana, and to develop a genuine taste for the holy name.”
Govardhan Devi Dasi:
“Like the maha-mantra, your glories grow sweeter the more they are sung. What a gift you have given the world!”
“You told us that your Bhaktivedanta purports were your ‘emotional ecstasies’. I’ve always thought of that as referring particularly to the purports where you reflect on the Lord’s pastimes. It strikes me now, though, that your constant urging, through your Bhaktivedanta purports, that we strive to leave this material world and return back to Godhead is just as much a part of your repeated ecstasy.”
Dravida Dasa:
“The Hare Krishna movement’s a desire tree, whose fruits
Are all the splendid ways Lord Gaura’s army wins recruits.
To plant that tree upon the earth, from Krishna’s realm he came—
To Srila Prabhupada I bow, his glories I proclaim.”
“There have been many ups and downs, still, the unseen power, compassion of the Lord and of you, dear Srila Prabhupada, has kept me in the association of devotees.”
“ISKCON is the manifestation of your love for us and all the other parts and parcels of Lord Krishna.”
“The lesson I learned from associating with devotees is that humility is the greatest asset one can imbibe. Humility is the solution to all problems of life one has to solve in one’s sojourn.”
“On one of those days, as you sat serenely on your vyasasana, you told us while looking directly at me, ‘So one day you may feel no desire to chant Hare Krishna and no desire to do any service.’ This statement shocked me greatly because I wanted to do nothing else at that time. And then you continued, ‘Then you can pray to Mother Radharani, “My dear Radharani, I am feeling no desire to chant my japa and no desire to do any service. But please bless me that I may chant just one more round of japa and do some little service.”’ ‘If you can get a taste for that,’ you said, ‘you will never fall down.’ This made perfect sense to me. You continued and said something incredibly amazing to me still:
“‘Actually, that is the highest taste.’”
Ksetrajna Prabhu:
“One by one as they approached you out of curiosity or to inquire or to speak, they were won over to the path of devotion to Krishna.
“Thank you for allowing me to be amongst your miracles.”
Taraka Prabhu:
“Your blessings, too vast to ever recount,
Flow through our lives in an endless amount,”
“With boundless compassion, he reached every shore,
Welcoming all to Vaikuntha’s door.
Regardless of background, caste, or creed,
He called every heart to the spiritual need.”
“Yet never swayed from the truth’s clear stand,
Even among the elite of the land.
Like Vyasadeva, he built a family vast,
Disciples of disciples, a lineage to last.”
“To the spiritual master, our eternal guide,
Who channels Vyasadeva’s wisdom far and wide,
We offer our thanks, our obeisances pure,
For the path of truth that shall always endure.”
“Fortunate are we to serve your feet,
In your mission, our lives complete,
Your presence lingers, far and wide,
In words, in deeds, and by your side.
“In every book, in every line,
Your spirit lives, your truth divine,
In countless languages, your words do fly,
Transforming hearts, lifting them high.”
Trilokanatha Prabhu and Mahojjvala Devi Dasi:
“The sweetness of God is yours to bestow:
Like Mahaprabhu, you give the high to the low.
This understanding is what keeps us afloat.
In this material ocean, you captain our boat.”
“As we stumble and fall, in the midst of this maze,
Your words ring so true ‘be surprised at who stays!’
And still, amid grace, we fume, and we fuss.
Our prayer is that you will be patient with us.”
Moksalaksmi Devi Dasi:
“Thank you for all the incredible life experiences I have had because I chose to join and stay in your movement. It’s been an incredible life spent trying to serve you in some way or another.”
“You can either love it or hate it or both at the same time as you hate that you can no longer have those intimate quiet moments with the deities but you love the fact that your preaching, Srila Prabhupada, has been an unparalleled success. You have single-handedly put Vrindavan well and truly back on the map. You have reminded the whole of India about Krishna and turned Vrindavan from a quiet forgotten village into a hub of countless souls seeking out the mercy of Krishna and the incalculable benefits of Sri Vrindavan Dham.”
Sandamani dd:
“New devotees come from all walks of life
See the mundane world with its hatred and strife
Krishna Consciousness is the true alternative
Whether one is moderate, liberal or conservative.”
Satyaraja Prabhu:
“Clearly you are still with us, for you live in your instructions, and if you were not in some sense here, how could we write Vyasa-puja offerings? These offerings themselves are one of the many ways that your presence can still be felt throughout the world.”
Sriniketan Prabhu:
“Although for a conditioned soul the path back to Godhead appears very difficult, by the mercy of a bona fide acarya like yourself, the process becomes simple and blissful. In fact it is so completely satisfying that we don’t even care so much about going back to Godhead, as long as we can stay in your service and association. Because when we are in your association – you who are always absorbed in transcendental activities to please Krishna – this is actually as good as being back to Godhead.”
Narakantaka Prabhu:
“You once recounted how a priest, acting on his own accord, approached you and said, ‘Swamiji, I see a brightness in the faces of your students. How have you created this brightness?’ (Room Conversation with Dr. Karan Singh, November 25, 1971, Delhi).
I know precisely why: because you dwell within our minds.
Indeed, you own our minds.
That is why your devotees now possess such ‘bright faces.’ It is your brightness that shines through!”
Jagannathesvari dd:
“Every time I write a Vyasa-puja offering to you, it means one more year as your disciple. Each passing year tightens the bond and brings me closer to you and further away from distant memories of previous lifetimes in the material world. Every year increases my amazement at my good fortune to be your disciple. What are the odds? How is it possible that I have become an initiated disciple of the Jagat Guru, the person chosen by Lord Chaitanya to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world? It is inconceivable to my tiny brain. Every year increases my wonder, awe, gratitude and love for you.”
Atitaguna dd:
“In Kali-yuga there are not many good qualities. You gave us the only good qualities we have in this life.”
Gopimata dd:
“Thank you for your kindness and compassion. Thank you for your ability to see right through the tamasic layers that cover our pure soul. To us, these layers appear to be very complicated and important, but you see that they can be easily removed.”
