US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Offers Appreciation to Srila Prabhupada in Her 2015 Janmastami Message:
“Aloha. Jaya Sri Krishna.
I’m Tulsi Gabbard and I wish you and your family a very happy Janmastami, Today is the day millions of people around the world celebrate the appearance of Lord Krishna.
When we speak of Krishna, we’re not speaking of a Hindu god or a Christian god or a Muslim god. We’re not speaking about someone who is a stranger, who we don’t already have a relationship with.
The name Krishna means, “He Who is All-Attractive.” Whether we know Him as Krishna or by one of his countless other names, He is the origin of each and every one of us. He is the Supreme Father, our Best Friend. He is our source, and our refuge.
In the Bramha Samhita, our eternal kinship with Krishna is described:
“The jiva (soul) is eternal and is for eternity without a beginning, joined to the Supreme Lord by tie of eternal kinship. The soul is transcendental spiritual potency.”
Not only are we related to Krishna, we belong to him. In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says:
“And when you have thus learned the truth, you will know that all living beings are but part of Me—and that they are in Me, and are Mine.” BG 4.35
I belong to Krishna. My longing for happiness, my longing for freedom from fear, my longing for spiritual food, my thirst for transcendental happiness can be quenched only by taking shelter in Him, by loving Him. I, the spirit soul, can be truly happy and content by giving Krishna my heart, by embracing him with my love.
Each and every one of us can give our heart to Krishna. And once we do that, then no matter what our situation in life, no matter how fearful, no matter how dangerous, we can always take refuge in that eternal relationship, and find peace and happiness in that loving relationship with Krishna. Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 18, text 66:
“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.”
Every single one of us is a part and parcel of Krishna. He is our best friend, our shelter, our strength. He is in our heart right now, calling out to us, “Come. I’m waiting for you. You are My eternal child and friend. Take refuge in Me. I will take care of you. Just love Me. Give your heart to Me. Surrender to Me. I welcome you into My embrace. I will give you all protection. Just love Me.”
He is waiting for each of us to say, “Dear Krishna, my life is yours,” so that we may truly and finally achieve peace, and true happiness. This is no better way to honor and please Krishna on this holy day of Janmastami.
I also want to take this opportunity to offer my deepest respects and gratitude to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, who 50 years ago made the arduous journey from India to the United States to share Krishna with the Western world. Without him, I and millions of others would never had known about the all-attractive, supremely-lovable Lord Krishna.
Jaya Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. Jaya Sri Krishna!”
