Dear Jayapataka Maharaja,

Please accept my obesiances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On the occasion of your sixty-second appearance day, I offer my utmost appreciation of the constant surge we all know as your determination in devotional service.

Bhakti, not an affair of the material world, is totally independent of materialconditions and circumstances. But how to see that?

Your present example is precious, for its clarifying, illustrating the true nature of bhakti, which sits in this material world as a lotus flower, its petals untouched by the water. Thank you for clearing the way forward—the shining path through Prabhupada's lotus feet back to Godhead.Krishna has packaged your circumstances to reveal an extraordinary role model.

Your heroic example mercifully prods the question to arise in our heart:

"What would I do in his shoes—how would I respond?"

In you we can see the raw, dynamic determination to serve Srila Prabhupada and Krishna no matter what—come what may.

"O brahmanas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart. Let the snake-bird—or whatever magical thing the brahmana created—bite me at once. I only desire that you all continue singing the deeds of Lord Visnu." (S. bhag. 1:19:15)

Your servant,
Devamrita Swami.