101st Vyasa-puja Offering From Haripriya Dasi

On June 19, 1999, on Deribasovskaya Street in Odesa, an encounter took place that changed my entire life!

I met a procession of unusual people who were singing incomprehensible songs and looked very special. An irresistible force drew me toward them—I joined in, began to dance, sing incomprehensible words, and, most importantly, felt an overwhelming desire for everyone around to witness it. Deep in my heart, I was crying out to the world: "Look, I am with them!"

When the Nagar Sankirtan came to an end and everyone bowed down, I saw HIM—my eternal Gurudev, who, by his causeless Mercy, comes into this world to save me and my spiritual brothers and sisters, with only one purpose—to grant us eternal well-being and guide us back to our True Home.

From 2000 to 2004, by indescribable fortune and the Mercy of Gurudev, I was granted the opportunity to be near His Lotus Feet, following him on his travels across India, visiting our Maths and disciples who organized both grand and small festivals in his honor. Thanks to Gurudeva’s closest servants, I was able to render some seva. These moments are the brightest and most true in my life.

Remembering them brings tears to my eyes—tears of longing for those times, for that immense fortune… and tears of shame for my present existence, filled with an inner struggle between the desire to enjoy material life and the promises, the true understanding of well-being, that came to me through Gurudeva.

I understand very little about spiritual life. I have neither adhikar nor any qualities worthy of treading the spiritual path. The only thing I do have is the deepest Faith in the one and only Miracle in this material world. And that Miracle is the Love and Causeless Mercy of our Gurudeva. It is only because of Him that I, such an insignificant person, still remain on the path of Bhakti. And no matter what, I am firmly determined to continue walking this Path!

Jai Gurudev!!!

—Haripriya Dasi, Russia