Letters to the editor

Dear Guru Mahārāja, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please accept my humble obeisances.

CC Ādi 1.35, purport

Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.

My understanding of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s statement, where he cites Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, is that a sincere seeker who is ready to accept a spiritual master should not do so on the basis of hereditary succession (birth, dynasty, nationality), customary or social conventions, or ecclesiastical and institutional procedures.

It seems to me that accepting a guru is an intimate and deeply personal spiritual relationship, founded on realization, qualification, and genuine guidance in Kṛṣṇa-bhakti — not merely on social structure or organizational authorization.

At the same time, within ISKCON there is a formal institutional process by which one is recommended, evaluated, and approved to act as a dīkṣā-guru. This creates some uncertainty in my mind about how to reconcile that structured procedure with the principle that accepting a spiritual master should not be based on ecclesiastical conventions.

From this question, several other challenges seem to arise. One example is whether a jīva-ātmā in a female body could act as an initiating spiritual master.

That is my specific doubt here. Since I try to follow Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words carefully and faithfully, I would very much appreciate your comments and guidance on this matter.

Thank you!

In an attempt to be your servant,

Namacarya Das

HpS - AgtSP.

What comes to our mind is that a baby should not accept milk from a nanny goat.

In the beginning it is not so much of an intimate relationship, no?

Somebody is offering us a ripple and the result is good.

We take Prabhupada at path-pradarsika Guru and become intimate enough to get Baptized by him.

He does not require blind faith.

As long as he is advancing us, we agree to follow the process.

Then we see him from the level of Brahman, then paramatma, then bhagavan, then brajabasi

Narada muni can direct us to Radha kunda but cannot go there.

The institution is like Nanda Maharaja's village.

They are formalities but not without meaning.

When proper even the institutional authorities know that these are roles they play and behind them are there personal friendships and dealings in the community.

O. K.?

One step forward?

The Gopis Attracted by the Flute of Krsna?

PAMHO AGTSP!

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga!!

HK Maharaj!! how are you?? where are you now?? how's your health doing?? frankly speaking I haven't been following you that much on X, should follow you more.

Long time no see 😃 I have been thinking of you, willing to write you.

Well, here I've been working here 😃 now I have a new job as an affiliate marketer, I run ads for third party companies and get comission fees for the selling. So it went good for some time and now I'am on a break, waiting for some money to arrive.

Also am studying digital marketing, and well I like it. Well I like more all that has to do with productivity and time management for being honest. Sometimes in a while I watch some video on the internet and gain some new process to implement in my productivity system.

Now I've learned how to prioritize my daily tasks (usually personal stuff to do), I set an order for the arranged by importance or urgency. I works fine for me now everything is more ordered.

I've been learning some Italian 😃 and was good, and been attending to an italian conversation club 😃 so great really nice people there.

I paused my Portuguese classes for some time because of some personal situation, and well still practicing at the Portuguese conversation club 😃 I really have a passion for languages 😃

Well I'm still exercising 😃 have been going for a run every single day (with some minor exceptions) and I've lost like 10kg. Now I'm more in shape.

What else can I tell you, well I've learned about this productivity hack of a monthy reflection, I have a simple questionnaire of 8 points, and I'm going through it every month. For instance I write down what are the 5 better things that happened during that period, which one was the best of it, what would I change for the next month, what should I be grateful for, and so on.

I find it a way of perfecting myself and correcting whatever it needs.

I have a feeling that I need new kind of friendships, like more of the kind of people who practice sports and wake up early in the morning, even during the weekends.

I really feel a bit tired of going out for dinner, or staying up late fridays and saturdays, it's not that I stay up really late but I feel that if I hang out more with sportsman I would have more a chance of well, practicing sports, that is something I really like, and also generally speaking those guys they wake up "with the sun".

What do you think about all of this Maharaj?? any productivity advice you would like to give me? How do you manage your daily life and tasks?

hope to see you soon 😃 HK!!!

Federico

HpSwami - AgtSP

Thank you your news.

In Chile headed to USA by the 30th.

When I could not live near the 🛕 Temple I was taking Karate classes from a friend of my family's work place.

Is good how we can chant more Mantras bettah [better].

Hope you can follow us on this Blog and WhatsApp.

Hare Krishna, Gurudev,

Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, to you, and to all the Lord's devotees.

Dear Gurudev, this is Deva Vrata das from Argentina speaking.

I am so happy to see you in the Holy Dhama in ecstasy, the super-excellent Radha Kunda.

I have been watching your classes, which are so generously shared by the devotees who are with you there.

Gurudev, the other day I was reading the section in Caitanya Caritamrita about Raghunath das Gosvami. I've always been very drawn to him and his renunciation. I think that's also what attracts me most to you. And I was thinking about how similar you are.

Jay Gurudev! Jaya Raghunath das Gosvami!

Here, I am still mired in material suffering, struggling with the bad karma I have sown through my misdeeds and trying to practice SOME sincere devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is very difficult because I have been a fraud since time immemorial. I always have hidden desires for selfish enjoyment in every action, which causes everything to be frustrated, and I obtain neither one thing nor the other.

HpS - Well, agtSP, at least that would mean that you are not a demon.

Arjuna, in the Bhagavad Gita, is troubled about what will become of the yogi who embarks on the devotional path but falls due to his worldly mindset. Will he be lost (disappear) like a cloud in the sky? Will this practitioner find no success in any sphere, neither material nor spiritual?

Gurudev, how can one live a reasonably "normal" life in this world? (I mean, neither pretending to be a mahatma, nor becoming a two-legged animal.)

I have neither the qualifications to become a great transcendentalist nor the qualifications to become a successful "karmi" practitioner... what should I do?

I truly feel that this life in this body is already flawed, skewed from the start, from the moment I was born. I wish (if I could) to change bodies right now and have a slightly more favorable birth.

Truly, Gurudev, one cannot live without obtaining any enjoyment in any sphere, neither material nor spiritual.

I always remember a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam recited by Mahatma Vidura that sums up the situation:

SB 3.7.17

Both the lowest of fools and one who is transcendent to all intelligence enjoy happiness, while those in between suffer material torments.

https://vedabase.io/es/library/sb/3/7/17/

Gurudev... how do we take that step to become transcendentalists, in a pleasant and viable way, without having to revert to the folly of "mudha" and seek base enjoyment in material things? How do we tolerate the torment of having no enjoyment in any sphere, neither material nor spiritual? Who can live a "dry" life in every sense?

Thank you, Gurudev, for your constant inspiration, because you are living proof that there are great souls who are experiencing the transcendental pleasure of serving God without personal desires.

Please excuse the defeatist tone of this letter.

Hare Krishna

Deva Vrata das

HpS - AgtSP. Paoho. This letter seems to be written long time ago.

So nice to have your association here in Santiago.

Your question seems to be something that will take some time to answer.

First initiation should inform us that we have a friend who will help us in our journey and is waiting for us at the end also.

Second initiation should be the beginning of DVAD. I am shudra ksatriya brahmana brahman.

Then more details come.

Fundamentally we do not fit here, some there can be material peace on the trip but it will always be a trip.

o. k.? See you in few minutes!

...............................................................................................................................................

Hare Krsna Gurudev

Por favor acepte mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada, a usted y a todos los devotos del Señor

Querido Gurudev, aquí habla Deva Vrata das de Argentina

Muy feliz de verlo en el Santo Dhama en éxtasis, el superexcelente Radha Kunda.

Estuve viendo sus clases que muy generosamente comparten los devotos que están con usted allá.

Gurudev. El otro día leía la sección del Caitanya Caritamrita sobre Raghunath das Gosvami. Siempre estuve muy atraido a él y a su renunciación. Creo que también es lo que más me atrae de tí. Y pensaba en lo parecido que eres.

Jaya Gurudev! Jaya Raghunath das Gosvami!

Acá seguimos en el fango del sufrimiento material, peleando con el mal karma que uno sembró con sus fechorías y tratando de practicar ALGO de servicio devocional SINCERO a la Suprema Personalidad de Dios, lo cual es muy difícil porque soy un farsante desde tiempo inmemorial. Siempre tengo en mente ocultos deseos de disfrute egoísta en cada acción, lo cual hace que todo se frustre y que no obtenga ni una cosa, ni la otra.

Arjuna, en el Bhagavad Gita, está perturbado acerca de cual será la posición del yogi que emprende el camino devocional, pero que por su mentalidad mundana cae ¿se perderá (desaparecerá) como una nube en el cielo? ¿este practicante no tendrá éxito en ninguna esfera, ni en la material, ni en la espiritual?

Gurudev ¿Cómo se puede vivir en este mundo una vida medianamente "normal"? (quiero decir, ni fingir ser un mahatma, ni tampoco volverse un animal de dos patas)

No tengo ni la cualificación para volverme un gran trascendentalista ni la cualificación para volverme un karmi exitoso... ¿qué hago?

Realmente, siento que esta vida en este cuerpo ya está trunca, torcida de entrada, desde que nací. Quisiera (si pudiera) ya (ahora) cambiar de cuerpo y tener un nacimiento un poco más favorable.

Realmente, Gurudev, no se puede vivir sin obtener ningún disfrute de ninguna esfera, ni material ni espiritual.

Siempre recuerdo un verso del Srimad Bhagavatam recitado por Mahatma Vidura que resume la situación:

SB 3.7.17

Tanto el más bajo de los necios como aquel que es trascendental a toda inteligencia disfrutan de felicidad, mientras que las personas que se encuentran entre ambos sufren los tormentos materiales. https://vedabase.io/es/library/sb/3/7/17/

Gurudev... ¿cómo hacemos ese paso para volvernos trascendentalistas, de una manera amena y viable, sin tener que volver a la necedad del "mudha" y buscar disfrute burdo en la materia? ¿Cómo toleramos los tormentos de no tener disfrute de ninguna esfera, ni material, ni espiritual? ¿Quién puede vivir una vida "seca" en todos los sentidos?

Gracias Gurudev por su inspiración constante, porque usted es una prueba viviente de que existen grandes almas que están tocando el placer trascendental del servicio a Dios sin deseos personales.

Disculpe por lo derrotista que parece esta carta.

Hare Krsna

Deva Vrata das

Dear Siksha Guru Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada; all glories to your good self for your many years of devotional service to Prabhupada and Krishna; all glories to all the devotees of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I am always thinking of you, especially when I begin my japa period. Those mangala hours are the most precious to me, as I am in my most sober state of mind. It is during those hours that I feel the greatest impulse and strength to write to you, but it conflicts with my needs and interests to chant my rounds. The rest of the day is way too hectic and disturbing to express what my true feelings and thoughts are, so here I am again, trying to share some things when I should be chanting.

My wife has been once again diagnosed with cancer, and this time the disease is more invasive than it was a couple of years ago. We are awaiting to hear the doctor recommendations on how to go forward with treatment plans. We always talk about moving, but we are still here, and it puzzles us both to wonder why. If and when we do move, my only concern is knowing that my wife will have a support system in place: meaning more than just myself. I am constantly reminded of the pastime of how when Srila Prabhupada was lying on his death bead, he told his young disciples (who were in their teens and twenties) "don't think this won't happen to you." Death is no secret; it is all around us; it is in the news, the entertainment industry, the hospitals and nursing homes, the morgues and mortuaries: and lastly the grave yards. And still we are living each day as if things will be normal as usual.

I worship my Deities every morning and evening, as usual. During my morning worship I reflect on how in Denver I was often alone during the Sayana Arotika, and I felt like I had Krishna to myself. Krishna would then rob me of such moments, by having some other devotees come in for a quick last minute darshana. It saddens me to think that those days seem so very far away, as if in another world, or another lifetime. Why didn't I take my pujari service more seriously? Why did I give it up, only to wish that I hadn't? My sadhana continues as normal. It is only by your kindness and the mercy of Krishna that my daily devotional service is still happening. My wife struggles so much more with her own sadhana. At times I worry so much about her, but she is a fighter, refusing to quit no matter what. She has been a blessing for me in my own life as a devotee. I don't tell her enough, but she amazes me with her determination to keep trying, in spite of all her own emotional and physical challenges. It saddens me to see her struggling so hard.

Driving for Uber has its interesting moments for preaching as well. The other day I picked up one passenger from a slaughterhouse situated some 15 miles outside of Boise. I asked him "why do you work in such a place?" His only response was how he needed the money. So I preached to him, slightly flattering him with how he is a better person than this, as I could see that he was polite and receptive. I gave him the pamphlet "On Chanting Hare Krishna," as well as the book "Laws Of Nature." I preached to him about how there is so much violence and wars, because of such violence to animals in our own hearts and homes. He listened quietly and respectfully. On another occasion there was an Asian lady who was familiar with Mahabharata and Ramayana, as she said that she used to read such things to her students in her own country. In our conversation the name Bhagavad gita came up, and she was familiar with it. I told how the the title "BHAGAVAD GITA" literally means "SONG OF GOD." She was so excited to hear that, and she gladly accepted a copy for herself. I gave her some tips on how to read through the book so that it would be easier for her to follow. I felt it necessary as reading our version of Bhagavad gita could prove to be quite the challenge for people, because of all the academics that went into the publication.

Many other little tidbits of nectar could be shared, but mostly I just wanted to reach out and express my gratitude for your own caring about the devotees like myself. All too often it can feel like we are all alone; and in one sense I guess we are. I am reminded of how Srila Prabhupada once said "I never felt alone. I always felt the presence of my spiritual master." It is my understanding that Krishna accompanies the conditioned souls just so as we are not completely lost and forgotten. That is incredible to think about. How I wish I could have such moments of feeling the constant association of guru and Krishna. But I am so unfortunate that I cannot even surrender. I can only grieve out of self pity for my lamentable state of mind. I will need to close here, before I become more offensive with such pretense of devotion. Your kindness and mercy are my only hope. I hear you will be in Boise for Ratha Yatra. I will be in attendance for your classes: Hare Krishna.

Your lowly servant,

Balabhadra Dasa

HpS - ASA - - So, agtSP, much news!

Have to post here more often

Frankly, you seem to me to be doing just fine.

You seem to be in exactly the position where Krsna wants you.

Learning the lessons He wants you to learn, ether for this lifetime or the next.

5.17pm.

Quick bath.

Supper if squash.

Three more rounds Gaura arati etc.

HK. TgSP. TgHPS.                                        

Please accept my humble reverences

                                                       Lotus flower at dawn

You were singing… I didn't understand.

What were you expressing?

My heart was translating the beautiful song.

And I, without understanding

The washing began upon the resplendent Deities

Outlining the refreshing play of Their brilliance

the heart, your words…

Beautiful… divine

Those I didn't understand…

Later

The day again…the sun and the clouds, the memory

The heart without stopping

Neither by night nor by day…

I, without understanding

the resplendent Deities

Beautiful… divine

HK Govinda HK Ram Rama

KK Madusudana HH Radha Radha

HR Ram Ram HR Hare Hare

RR Krisna Krisna HH Radha Radha

ENC das

HpS - "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_van_Dyke_Jr."

Time is

Too slow for those who Wait,

Too swift for those who Fear,

Too long for those who Grieve,

Too short for those who Rejoice,

But for those who Love,

Time is not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_20U1xqKnk

🐵 🐒 ⌛ 

⌛

 

⌛⌛

⌛⌛⌛⌛

Thank you.

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Hk TgSP TgHPS

Por favor acepta mis humildes reverencias

                                            Flor de loto en el amanecer 

Cantabas… yo no comprendía

¿Qué exponías?

El corazón traducía la hermosa canción

Y yo sin entender

El lavado principiaba sobre las refulgentes Deidades

Contorneando el juego refrescante de Sus brillos

 el corazón, tus palabras…

Bellas… divinas

las que no comprendía…

Más tarde

Otra vez el día…el Sol y las nubes, la memoria

El corazón sin detenerse

Ni de noche ni de día…

 yo sin comprender

las refulgentes Deidades

Bellas… divinas

HK Govinda HK Ram Rama

KK Madusudana HH Radha Radha

HR Ram Ram HR Hare Hare

RR Krisna Krisna HH Radha Radha

ENC das

Hare Krisna

TGSP

TGHPS

PAMHO

Dear Maharaja:

I write the letters I send to the blog in Spanish… then I separate the paragraphs with ample spaces, and each paragraph is translated into English individually using Google Translate. Perhaps, by operating the program this way, the translation will be easier to read.

HpS - Do you understand English? I have comprehension of Spanish like a 12-14 year old.

As for the percentage of comprehension achieved by reading the book Krishna in Spanish, I don't know…

I recall hearing from you about your personal experience with the book Krishna (II), that you acquired it without knowing exactly what it was about. And how, after finishing it, you reflected on the work, questioning its veracity, or perhaps the incredible "deception" that what was manifesting itself before you at that moment might represent.

Among other things… I remember imagining him at that moment, trying to ascertain the possibility of missing or stuck-together pages…

In my personal case… by the time the book Krishna (I) in Spanish came into my hands, I was extremely passionate about the first literary forays of The Bhagavad-gītā as it is… after having identified it by the quote —8:17— mentioned in The Science of Self-Realization.

Of course, the arrival of the book Krishna (I) in Spanish—27 years ago—provided the necessary surge of enthusiasm to make me devour it without the slightest hesitation. TgsSP.

To this day… after having read it several times, I am unable to provide a detailed and understandable explanation for others about “1/The Advent of Lord Krishna.” And, from what I understand… this inability would be evidence of not understanding the pastime correctly.

Since this pastime is preliminary… I can deduce that I would not understand the rest either, despite “believing” I could acceptably explain such successive pastimes.

Aside from what has been said… I feel that my faith in Krishna(Krisna-lila) is sincere… that the Lord is present in everything… and that, by the grace of Srila Prabhupada, we have begun to understand Him by intending to remain surrendered in the dust of His lotus feet. And that… by the mercy of His pure devotee, this insignificant ant can accept—with a certain urgency and determination—raising its arms in constant supplication…

Hare Krisna Hare Krisna

Krisna Krisna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

And, in that accessible, merciful and so “simple” way, evolve as far as Krishna allows.

Please, Maharaja, I humbly beg you to forgive my offenses and be merciful to this tailless monkey.

Thank you for everything!…

All glory to SP

All glory to You

ENC dās

HpS - Esteemed tail-less monkey, paoho, after so many months of writing this letter has you understanding of the KRSNA book changed?

It is maybe the most central book in all of our meditations.

In 2022 AI consumed 4.4% of all USA electrical power. By 2028 it expected to rise to 12%!

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Hare Krisna

TGSP

TGHPS

PAMHO

Querido Maharaja: Las cartas que envío al blog las escribo en español… luego separo los párrafos con espacios amplios y así, cada párrafo en particular (por separado) es traducido al inglés por medio del Google Translate. Quizá, operando el robot de esa manera, la traducción se lea mejor.

En cuanto al % comprensivo obtenido por leer el libro Krisna en español, no lo sé…

Recuerdo haber oído de usted, su experiencia personal respecto al libro Krisna (II), que habiéndolo adquirido sin saber exactamente de qué se trataba. Y como… luego de haber concluido su lectura… reflexionara acerca de la obra… preguntándose a sí mismo sobre la veracidad, o bien, sobre el increíble “embuste” que podría significar aquello que se manifestaba en ese momento ante usted.

Entre otras cosas… recuerdo imaginarlo en ese instante, tratando de constatar la posibilidad de páginas faltantes o pegadas entre sí…

En mi caso personal… para el momento en que llegara a mis manos el libro Krisna (I) en español, me encontraba sumamente apasionado en las primeras incursiones literarias de El Bhagavad-gītā tal como es… luego de haberlo identificado por la cita —8:17— mencionada en La ciencia de la autorrealización.

Por supuesto que la llegada del libro Krisna (I) en español —hace 27 años— significó la sobrecarga de entusiasmo necesaria para abalanzarme sobre su lectura sin mediar el mínimo cuidado. TgsSP.

A la fecha de hoy… luego de haberlo leído ya varias veces, no podría desarrollar una explicación detallada y comprensible para los demás sobre “1/El advenimiento del Señor Krisna”. Y, por lo que tengo entendido… dicha incapacidad sería evidencia de no comprender el pasatiempo correctamente.

Siendo dicho pasatiempo lo preliminar… puedo deducir que tampoco estaría comprendiendo el resto, pese a “creer” poder explicar de manera aceptable los pasatiempos sucesivos.

Al margen de lo dicho… siento que mi fe es sincera respecto a Krisna-lila… que el Señor se encuentra presente en todo… y que, por la gracia de Śrīla Prabhupāda, hemos comenzado a comprenderlo mediante la intención de permanecer rendidos entre el polvo de sus pies de loto. Y que… por la misericordia de Su devoto puro, esta insignificante hormiga puede aceptar —con cierta urgencia y determinación— alzar sus brazos en constante ruego…

Hare Krisna Hare Krisna

Krisna Krisna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

Y, de esa manera accesible, misericordiosa y tan “simple”, evolucionar hasta donde Krisna lo permita.

Por favor, Maharaja, le ruego humildemente que perdone mis ofensas y sea misericordioso con este mono de cola amputada.

¡Gracias por todo!…

 Todas las glorias a SP

Todas las glorias a Ti

ENC dās