Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah!

I was the 4th child from my parents that are Srila Prabhupad's disciples, but when i was born they were not so connected with the devotees anymore, after spending maybe 20 years living inside the temples. From time to time my parents would bring me to the temple, and when i was small we had a nice community of devotees around and we had regular programs, but outside the temple. I've always liked Krsna, and the maha-mantra. But i was not so interested in listening to the classes, etc.

When I was 14, i met Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja, who until now is very famous in our sanga, even though he never left iskcon. I felt very inspired by him, everything about his perfected devotional character inspired me to try devotional life. So i asked him if i could be his disciple, and he said yes, he asked me to keep contact through e-mail, and said that soon he would be back in Brazil to give me formal initiation. After one year was passed, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharja came to Brazil, this was in 2003 and i was 15 years old then. We heard that Gurudeva was in Brazil, and that many were forbidden to go see him, but we went anyway, me, my mother and father.

I remember very clearly the first time i saw Srila Gurudeva's lotus face, my heart was completely gone from my chest and i was his from that moment on. I remember i could not stop crying, and i took harinama and diksa while crying. And the whole experience was very strong, because Srila Gurudeva was the part that was missing inside of me, it was like I've always known him, and without him i was empty.

So i am very thankful to Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja (who left this world in 2006), for accepting me as his disciples and for isnpiring me and making me ready to meet my Gurudeva, and i hope i can always serve both of them with all my heart. I also hope that Srila Gurudeva will never leave me, meaning that i will realize that Gurudeva is eternally with me just like Prabhupada is eternally with his disciples, and he even manifested externally in the form of Srila Gurudeva.

dandanvats to all Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis,

sincerely,
Ananda Mayi devi dasi (from Brazil)