Most of us here have no doubt heard this, but I thought it a nice occasion to post it here:
You are all his contribution. Swami Maharaj (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) brought you here, attracted you to this side, and I have been given some opportunity to serve you in this way (by speaking to you). Willingly or unwillingly, I am forced to do some service in that line.
It was so wonderfully and tremendously done by Swami Maharaj, his preaching to the foreign countries is an inconceivable thing - so I say Saktyavesavatara: some supernatural transcendental power, the Grace of Nityananda, entered into him, and as an instrument, he has done for his Lord a tremendous work to attract your attention towards the culture of Mahaprabhu Chaitanyadev. Sri Gauranga's gift attracted your attention. Bhaktivinoda Thakura could see this, and our Guru Maharaj began in his mild way.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura saw it as self-evident that the intelligentsia could not but be attracted by such a plain, simple and dignified gift - the gift of Mahaprabhu, the conception of Mahaprabhu. Such a magnanimous conception of their position, as foretold by Mahaprabhu, could not but be accepted by the sincere intelligentsia of the
world. He could see this general truth. Guru Maharaj began, and Swami Maharaj successfully completed that work. After all, the Divine Will was fulfilled. It is not in the jurisdiction of the lower agents of this world, the subordinate gods or agents.
We are attracted by this - die to live, reality is for itself. We are to sacrifice everything 'for Himself.' We are 'for Himself.' Our prospect is in His Service. All our prospect is in His Service, but in the highest degree it is loving service - service of affection, without any calculation of loss and gain. It is above that, in the area of love and affection, beauty and charm. We are members there. Our prospect is there. It is offered to us. Above justice, above knowledge (jnana-sunya-bhakti).