Today is the most auspicious disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada. Both the appearance and disappearance days of our acaryas are glorious occasions. They help us reminisce about their beautiful qualities, their glorious devotion, and their unlimited service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to the entire humanity.
This year, we are observing the 49th disappearance anniversary of Srila Prabhupada. Although it has been 49 years since Srila Prabhupada departed from this world, he continues to appear before us in multifarious ways, filling our lives and hearts with charm, surprises, grace and infinite love.
What Krishna Left Behind
When Lord Krishna departed from this world, He left behind Srimad Bhagavatam for the masses of people. Srimad Bhagavatam (1.3.43) describes this:
kṛṣṇe sva-dhāmopagate dharma-jñānādibhiḥ saha
kalau naṣṭa-dṛśām eṣa purāṇārko ’dhunoditaḥ
The Srimad Bhagavatam is as brilliant as the sun, having arisen on the horizon after Lord Krishna’s departure, to dissipate the darkness of this age of Kali.
The Priceless Legacy of Srila Prabhupada
In the same manner, when Srila Prabhupada departed from this world, he left behind an incredible legacy. He left behind the wealth of his disciples, who embody his values, his mission, his vision and, in many ways, his very existence.
Srila Prabhupada left behind his instructions for us to continue and expand this movement. He left behind Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita for us to not only become purified but also remain forever delighted in devotional service.
Prabhupada left behind ISKCON, a society that can unify the whole world, a society that will go down in history for having saved the entire humanity, a society that offers unlimited opportunities to serve.
He also left behind the association of devotees. Through this association, we can share our struggles, aspirations, challenges and deepest desires. It is an association where we can seek guidance and assist others. A society where we can find our home.
The Unlimited Grace of Srila Prabhupada
When Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared, He offered a benediction to Prahlada Maharaja. Prahlada Maharaja, however, prayed for the deliverance of his father, Hiranyakashipu.
Lord Nrsimhadeva assured him that not only his father but twenty-one generations of his family would be delivered. Lord Nrsimhadeva thus bestowed upon Prahlada Maharaja the benediction of delivering twenty-one generations.
But by the grace of Srila Prabhupada, the scope of this benediction has expanded beyond our imagination. It is not just twenty-one generations. For the next 10,000 years, generation after generation will have the opportunity to be delivered through the movement Srila Prabhupada established. That would mean more than 1,200 generations!
Such is the beauty and grace of Srila Prabhupada’s compassion. He continues to bless generations of souls through the legacy he has left behind.
On this auspicious disappearance day, we need to look within and assess our hearts.
Can I see the presence of Srila Prabhupada in my life? Do I experience his presence through his books, his instructions, his disciples and the association of devotees? Do I feel connected to the mission he so compassionately established for us?
On this day of disappearance, we can pray to Srila Prabhupada that he keeps on appearing every moment in our hearts, and filling our hearts with unlimited grace.
