Surely, I still have my personal relationship with Srila Prabhupada as real as it was the day he so kindly initiated me 45 years ago and changed my life forever. I just have to remain faithful to his instructions.
My relationship with him was exactly the same from that point of initiation up to his departure and remained the same the very next day, then remained intact up to this very moment. He is Krsna’s external manifestation, and my connection with him is transcendental. (“The spiritual master is external manifestation of the Supersoul. Thus the Lord helps the living entity, helps both from inside & outside.” Srila Prabhupada)
The Supersoul is full with all spiritual knowledge, so when we take complete shelter of the cent percent unalloyed devotee who is always protected and second by second empowered by Krsna, we are taking shelter of the, “external manifestation” of this complete embodiment of this perfect and complete spiritual knowledge. It is an important part of our understanding so that we can maintain full faith in our beloved Srila Prabhupada, which can then never be broken. We need that complete faith, in both guru and Krsna, based on spiritual facts, in order to understand everything properly, achieve Krishna prema and go back to Godhead.
Of course, Srila Prabhupada is special. He is Krsna’s confidential servant sent here for a special assignment. So if we are so fortunate to have him as our Founder Acharya or as in my case, the initiating guru, we can easily develop that faith if we are sincere. Krsna will bless us from within. Srila Prabhupada is very dear to Krsna on a very personal level. Krsna encourages us from within to surrender to Srila Prabhupada by serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Srila Prabhupada is so great
My blessed Srila Prabhupada, my blessed gurudev, please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to your lotus feet.
Without a doubt you above all others should be glorified by all sane men, and you have earned the right to have all heads bowed at your feet.
You alone are the shining sun and radiant moon far above the flickering glow worms below, blinded by our foolish pride.
All heads should bow before you, and all knees should bend. All hands should fold in reverence before you, and all good men should obey you.
All voices should praise your deeds, and everyone should sing your glories… and your honored name will be heard for eons to come.