It is by the prayers of the devotees that the most auspicious outcomes are achieved and while no one can know the plan of the Lord, even though great philosophers inquire exhaustively and remain bewildered;

na hy asya karhicid rajan
puman veda vidhitsitam
yad vijijnasaya yukta
muhyanti kavayo 'pi hi

the fact remains that devotees can appeal to the Lord with their sincere prayers for the well being of other devotees.

HH Jayapataka Maharaja has not requested us to pray for him but as he is such a senior devotee who has done so much for Srila Prabhupada's mission and of course had so much intimate association with His Divine Grace, we feel we must make this request on Maharaja's behalf.

Srila Prabhupada once wrote:

"I came here [to America] with a great mission to execute my spiritual master's order, but my heart is stabbing me. If I die in this condition, my mission will remain unfulfilled. Please therefore pray to Prabhu Lord Chaitanya and Vrindaban Bihar [Krishna] to rescue me this time. My mission is still not finished" (Letter to Sri Krishna Pandit, 1967)

We are all so thankful that Lord Krishna allowed Srila Prabhupada to remain with us for another 10 years and achieve so many extraordinary feats in the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Likewise if the Lord decides to allow Maharaja to remain with us he can continue to build on all the wonderful successes he has achieved on behalf of Srila Prabhupada.

Therefore we are sincerely and humbly urging you all to offer your prayers for the well being of HH Jayapataka Maharaja, whatever the plan of the Lord may be.

Thank you.

Your servants,

Praghosa dasa GBC Chairman
Sesa dasa GBC Vice Chair
Bhakti Charu Swami GBC 2nd Vice Chair