Farewell 2012. From Yamuna Kunja 12/30/12

Dear devotees
Receive my affection from Yamuna Kunja.

We are almost at the closing  of the year 2012. Today I want to tell you that I feel very close to you, to say that you  are my life. This is thanks to my spiritual master. You are my saviors, because you all make me feel at every moment that my spiritual master is looking after me fondly. Thanks to him and thanks to all of you, I do not feel so alone in this world. Not only do I feel accompanied, but I feel accompanied by the most amazing people that I  could of never have imagined.

All of you who are present now in Yamuna Kunja, are people with whom we are sharing sacrifices. You have strongly collected for a ticket and to be here today trying to do a service to the Dhama. You came here to pick up trash as a service. And we're not talking about just any trash, but the trash that is polluting the Dhama (although the Dhama is pure by nature). So, we are trying to follow the footsteps of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan and my Gurudeva, of course. So we've also had the mercy to arrange nicely some gardens in important temples such as Radha Gopinath Mandir or Vamsivat.

Today in our journey, in the afternoon, we could see all these wonders and feel that Vrindavan is an amazing site, and we have received beautiful temples like Vrinda Kunja, which is practically an oasis, a real privilege. And these privileges come to us so we can serve with courage and fight so Sri Vrindavan is respected and appreciated in the world as it should be. Because Vrindavan sent us to his pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada, to save us. He was in Radha Damodara and could have stayed there doing bhajan ending his life, but driven by his infinite love and the will of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he came to spread the love around the world and invite everyone to Vrindavan.

When one comes to Vrindavan you are amazed by all that can be found here. The "problem" is that Srila Prabhupada made Vrindavan too famous ... as a brajavasi told us today, many people come here just to "see" with material eyes and eat a few pakoras in the streets and not truly hear the prayers of the devotees nor come to be purified. So, he complained of modernization and suggested that those who did not come to pray and serve, better that they were sent back to their homes.

Next year is our big chance to correct any error that has existed in the relationships we have with Vaishnavas. For this reason the World Vaishnava Association exists. When we speak of technical and philosophical understanding, we can find many differences. But when we consider the real need of the planet, we realize that we must address the problems in a united forum ... and it seems that the same miseries of the material world will unite us. Because, for example, when water runs out in the world, everyone will be affected: Christians, Muslims, rich or poor. So, there are many examples that can be given in this connection.

This is a time of purification, without out a doubt ... and problems are all elements to help us purify. I pray to Krishna so that you always have enthusiasm and good health, that Krishna satisfies all your desires that do not cause hindrances to your spiritual progress, for he knows better than us what we should do.

With these little words I want to finish the Chat. Tomorrow we will bid farewell to the year. Where everyone is going to do a self-assessment of their year. I leave my love and affection
Jay Srila Prabhupada.

Your always well wisher,

Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti