On the 17th of August this year, we celebrated the 110th anniversary of the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada.The appearance day of the spiritual master (or acarya) is technically called Vyasa Puja. This is because the spiritual master is the true representative of Srila Vyasadeva, the original compiler of all the Vedic literatures and the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
To be a true representative of Srila Vyasadeva, the acarya should in no way differ from the opinion of Vyasadeva or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the Bhagavad Gita (15.15), Lord Krishna says, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah. After scrutinizingly studying all the Vedas one comes to the conclusion that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, He is the supreme enjoyer, supreme proprietor and the supreme friend of everyone. But elsewhere in the Bhagavad Gita (7.19), Krishna also says:
bahunam janmanam ante
jnanavan mam prapadyate
vasudevah sarvam iti
sa mahatma sudurlabhah.
"After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare. "
This means that one who understands the true message of Vyasadeva is not common. To understand the message as it is, one has to receive it from a bonafide disciplic succession. A bonafide disciplic succeession is nothing but an unbroken chain of spiritual masters who are at the highest realization of the Absolute Truth. Such personalities are extremely rare. They are worshipable by everyone because they have the solution to all the problems of the suffering humanity and they can give the highest perfection of life even to the most fallen.
It is our great fortune to come into contact with such a person. Although we cannot repay the debt to our spiritual master, we can show our gratitude by following his instruction.
On the Vyasa Puja Day, all the people whose lives have been touched by the transcendental messages from the lotus lips of the pure devotee acarya offer their writings glorifying his uncommon qualities and pastimes.
The Sri Krishna Mandir celebrated the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada, who by his pure devotion unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, broadcasted the pure message of the Vedas all over the world awakening all the sleeping souls in this dark material world.
The abhisheka ceremony (bathing ceremony) was performed at noon following which was the puspanjali (flower offering), the kirtan accompanying both the events. About 200 people enthusiastically participated in the ceremony.
The best part was the devotees' expressing their love for Srila Prabhupada in their written offerings. Almost all the people present, including the kids and old alike, read out their offerings. It was a very touching experience. It has to be because the Singapore Yatra is especially blessed by Srila Prabhupada. All the devotees could feel this very intensely. The reading went on until 2:30pm and the prasadam was delayed by an hour but no one complained! They were all blissful in glorifying a pure devotee of the Lord.
Srila Prabhupada must surely have felt satisfied by the sincere, although possibly imperfect, prayers of his beloved disciples and followers.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
