Letters to the editor

Dear Gurudeva All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

All glories to your lotus feet.

First of all I want to answer your question.

Yes, I see Subra and her husband, at the temple on Sunday. The last time I saw them in a Gurukula musical “The Lion king” We help the school with the elaboration of the customs for the elephant and hippopotamus. My daughter did the head and I did the body.

Please Gurudeva from now I will write here my comments and not directly to your phone. I was taking with my husband about this matter and he preaches to me very nicely. Thank so much for your patience.

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

your stubborn servant.

HpS - Thank you. If there are very detailed questions then we can discuss them with ladies and their husbands et al in individual conversations, but here 90% of the basic communication takes place and 85% of it is common to others, so TB and BW don't have to write basic answers again and again.

Dear Gurudeva All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

All glories to your lotus feet.

First of all I want to answer your question.

Yes, I see Subra and her husband, at the temple on Sunday. The last time I saw them in a Gurukula musical “The Lion king” We help the school with the elaboration of the costumes for the elephant and hippopotamus. My daughter did the head and I did the body.

Thank you!!!

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing to you after reading the latest update on your blog regarding your upcoming trip to India, scheduled from late September until October 20th, which will be focused on the field of Ayurveda.

In order to correctly align my efforts and understand how to best serve your mission on this trip, I would like to kindly ask for a clarification. Based on the illuminating conversation we had in Chile, I was left with the clear impression that the main purpose was strategic: to head a delegation of healthcare professional devotees to establish agreements, networks, and institutional ties between the Government of India and our local yatras. However, in recent conversations with Anantesvara Prabhu, he mentioned to me that the primary objective of the trip is for you to undergo medical treatment for your own health.

Given this scenario, I come directly to you to inquire: Do you consider that my presence and service on this specific trip would be of real utility and benefit to you, or do you estimate that on this occasion it is not strictly necessary for me to accompany you?

In the event that you consider it valuable for me to travel to India at this time, I would like to propose the possibility of bringing some of my advanced students with me. I believe it would be an invaluable, first-hand experience for their training within Vedic medical science and their connection to the mission.

I remain attentive to your instructions, answers, and any details you deem appropriate to share.

Trying to serve you always, your passionate disciple,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - AgtSP. At our stage of life we do not take leadership in any projects except the most simple and esoteric. Yadu Swami lead the last trip to India. Anantesvara Das has taken charge of this suggested trip to India.

Just trying to do it has lead to so, so much information.

The current reality is that I bought a round trip ticket to Madrid from Dallas for 23 Sept to 21st October. If things work out we can go to Udipi and Radha Kunda during the stay in India.

They may.

Ranchor Das and Anantesvara have been trying to work very very hard to investigate and set up and experience at Udipi.

HpS would be the test subject and Anantesvara Das would manitor. They whole thing would be to make a documentary for you, your students, professors et al in Chile and Peru et al.

Hope in the next few days to know more.

I bought ticket for Anantesvara to go to Madrid the same day as me and come back after one week. We can do good work there at least and his ticket allows changes of dates.

Right now it seems that he wants to do a completely isolate clinical experience for us that can be documented, to show the world what is actually possible. How this fits into education or publich health policy is something that will have to happen later.

Talking with Abhirama and Jagad guru et al. Looks like last week of October and first three weeks of November could be for a visit to South america.

Querido Gurudeva, Por favor, acepte mis más humildes reverencias a sus pies. Todas las glorias sean a Srila Prabhupada.

Le escribo tras haber leído la última actualización de su blog acerca de su próximo viaje a la India, programado desde fines de septiembre hasta el 20 de octubre, el cual estará enfocado en el área de Ayurveda.

Con el fin de alinear correctamente mis esfuerzos y comprender cómo servir mejor a su misión en este viaje, me gustaría pedirle una aclaración. Basándome en la iluminadora conversación que tuvimos en Chile, me había quedado la clara impresión de que el propósito principal era estratégico: encabezar una delegación de devotos profesionales de la salud para establecer convenios, redes y lazos institucionales entre el gobierno de la India y nuestros yatras locales. No obstante, en conversaciones recientes con Anantesvara Prabhu, él me mencionó que el objetivo primordial del viaje es que usted se someta a un tratamiento médico para el cuidado de su propia salud.

Ante este panorama, acudo directamente a usted para consultarle lo siguiente: ¿Considera que mi presencia y servicio en este viaje específico serían de verdadera utilidad y beneficio para usted, o estima que en esta ocasión no es estrictamente necesario que lo acompañe?

En caso de que usted considere valioso que yo viaje a la India en esta oportunidad, me gustaría proponerle la posibilidad de llevar conmigo a algunos de mis estudiantes avanzados. Creo que sería una experiencia de primera mano invaluable para su formación dentro de la ciencia médica védica y su conexión con la misión.

Quedo atento a sus instrucciones, respuestas y a los detalles que considere oportuno compartir.

Intentando servirle siempre, su apasionado discípulo, Nikunja Bihari das

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP. Please accept our obeisances at your feet. Hope by your sincerity we are able to serve you in some capacity as guru.

I am writing these lines as it has been 15 years and 7 months since my first letter sent to this blog. It is amazing to observe how the world and our circumstances are transformed under the influence of kala, time, which is none other than the external manifestation of Paramatma.

ASA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUHImtxGuuI&t=3835s (1.06.08)

"After changes upon changes we are more or less the same."

Despite these changes, by Krishna's mercy, we remain fixed and enthusiastic in our spiritual life, residing in the sacred land of Sri Govardhan alongside my wife Julieta and our daughter Margarita, and receiving the loving, sporadic visits of our elder children.

In your last reply you asked: Do you have any associates in the Yatra in Argentina? My main association is Prabhu Krishna Laulyam, a neighbor who is in very good standing in spiritual life. There are other devotees living at the farm, but they are not very fixed. Also we maintain sporadic chat with Our spiritual brothers Adi Yajna and Devavrata Prabhus. With Devavrata we are thinking of starting a SB study group along with Gadhadar Gosai Prabhu from Spain.  

Currently, we maintain a steady sadhana routine: we attend the mangala-arati program at least five days a week, strictly fulfill the chanting of our 16 daily rounds, and follow the four regulative principles.

Just as we see that you are entering the culminating stage of the sannyasa-asrama, the paramahamsa platform, we also feel a deep necessity to advance towards a stage of greater maturity, seriousness, and responsibility in our spiritual life. With this purpose, this year I will take the Bhakti-sastri course, taking advantage of the summative assessment opportunity provided by the ISKCON Ministry of Education, with the firm intention of continuing next year with Bhakti-vaibhava.

I deeply thank you for your reflections in the letter https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/16257/. You have always been exceedingly clear regarding our relationship and the disciple's contract with the guru, just as you rigorously expressed it in your article on Guru-tattva (a standard we have always carried in our hearts). Srila Prabhupada's instructions are perfect and axiomatic; it is truly difficult to fathom the immense good fortune we have in having come into contact with the pure devotee, who gave us his life in his glorious books and purports. We feel immense gratitude for ISKCON because it allowed us to have a much higher sanga than we should have because of our karma.

Looking within, I recognize that my current state of consciousness fluctuates between the rigorous instruction of Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.12.11) https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/12/11/#bb47314 —which warns us about the danger of distractions for one who seeks to control the mind— and the hopeful refuge of the purport of Bhagavad-gita (3.31) https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/3/31/#bb1048, where Srila Prabhupada reminds us that a sincere devotee, even if he cannot perfectly execute the injunctions at first, should not become resentful, but should continue executing the process with faith and without envy.

We are fully aware of our conditioning, our karma, and our current level. Always remembering your wise instruction that "artificial renunciation is more dangerous than the lack of renunciation," I choose to embrace my reality and my circumstances with honesty. I continue firmly attached to the process of bhakti, with the certainty that, at the proper time and under the correct guidance, spiritual blossoming will arrive.

Thank you, Gurudeva, for your constant presence, for your sharp instructions, and for the unblemished example you have provided us throughout all these years. We are determined to press forward despite our limitations. We know well that advancement is only possible through guru-kripa. My only desire is to remain fixed in your service so that, in some way, I may aspire for a drop of that unlimited mercy that the spiritual master pours upon his disciple.

Trying to serve you always, your passionate disciple,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS/ASA - Where is the Center? Another song. Maybe the most famous in the history of the world, "Amazing grace...". It gives us liberation and then.... after liberation it gives us guidance even how to navigate withing the spiritual world, ISKCON.

Don't be surprised if vast and ever expanding material resources flood into your life and the life of your community. What is the Center? Ultimately it is not something we chose. It is our nature, no?

Querido Gurudeva,

Por favor, acepte mis más humildes reverencias a sus pies. Todas las glorias sean a Srila Prabhupada.

Le escribo estas líneas al cumplirse ya 15 años y 7 meses desde mi primera carta enviada a este blog. Es asombroso observar cómo el mundo y nuestras circunstancias se transforman bajo la influencia de kala, el tiempo, que no es sino la manifestación externa de Paramatma. A pesar de estos cambios, por la misericordia de Krishna, nos mantenemos fijos y entusiastas en nuestra vida espiritual, residiendo en la sagrada tierra de Sri Govardhan junto a mi esposa Julieta y nuestra hija Margarita, y recibiendo la amorosa visita esporádica de nuestros hijos mayores. En su última respuesta me preguntó: ¿Tienes algún compañero en el Yatra en Argentina? Mi principal compañero es Prabhu Krishna Laulyam, un vecino muy fijo en la vida espiritual. Hay otros devotos viviendo en la finca, pero no están muy fijos. También mantenemos conversaciones esporádicas con nuestros hermanos espirituales Adi Yajna y Devavrata Prabhus. Con Devavrata estamos pensando en iniciar un grupo de estudio del SB junto con Gadhadar Gosai Prabhu de España.

Actualmente, mantenemos una rutina sadhana constante: asistimos al menos cinco días a la semana al programa de mangala-arati, cumplimos estrictamente con el canto de nuestras 16 rondas diarias y seguimos los cuatro principios regulativos. Así como vemos que usted está entrando en la etapa culmen del sannyasa-asrama, la plataforma de paramahamsa, nosotros también sentimos la profunda necesidad de avanzar hacia una etapa de mayor madurez, seriedad y responsabilidad en nuestra vida espiritual.

Con este propósito, este año realizaré el curso de Bhakti-sastri, aprovechando la oportunidad de la evaluación sumativa otorgada por el Ministerio de Educación de ISKCON, con la firme intención de continuar el próximo año con el Bhakti-vaibhava.

Le agradezco profundamente sus reflexiones en la carta https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/16257/. Usted siempre ha sido sumamente claro respecto a nuestra relación y al pacto del discípulo con el guru, tal como lo expresó rigurosamente en su artículo sobre Guru-tattva (un estándar que siempre hemos llevado en el corazón). Las instrucciones de Srila Prabhupada son perfectas y axiomáticas; es realmente difícil dimensionar la fortuna tan inmensa que tenemos al haber entrado en contacto con el devoto puro, quien nos entregó su vida en sus gloriosos libros y significados. Sentimos una inmensa gratitud por iskcon porque nos permitió tener un sanga mucho más elevado del que deberíamos tener por nuestro karma.

Al mirar hacia adentro, reconozco que mi estado de conciencia actual oscila entre la rigurosa instrucción del Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.12.11) https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/12/11/#bb47314—que nos advierte sobre el peligro de las distracciones para quien busca controlar la mente— y el refugio esperanzador del significado del Bhagavad-gita (3.31) https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/3/31/#bb1048, donde Srila Prabhupada nos recuerda que un devoto sincero, aun si no puede ejecutar perfectamente los mandatos al principio, no debe resentirse, sino continuar ejecutando el proceso con fe y sin envidia.

Somos plenamente conscientes de nuestro condicionamiento, de nuestro karma y de nuestro nivel actual. Recordando siempre su sabia instrucción de que "la renuncia artificial es más peligrosa que la falta de renuncia", elijo abrazar mi realidad y mis circunstancias con honestidad. Continúo firmemente apegado al proceso de bhakti, con la certeza de que, al momento debido y bajo la guía correcta, el florecimiento espiritual llegará.

Gracias, Gurudeva, por su presencia constante, por sus instrucciones cortantes y por el ejemplo intachable que nos ha brindado a lo largo de todos estos años. Estamos determinados a seguir adelante a pesar de nuestras limitaciones. Sabemos bien que el avance solo es posible a través de guru-kripa. Mi único deseo es mantenerme fijo en su servicio para, de alguna manera, aspirar a una gota de esa ilimitada misericordia que el maestro espiritual derrama sobre su discípulo.

Intentando servirle siempre, su apasionado discípulo,

Nikunja Bihari das

AGTSP, PAMHO,

Dear Gurudeva, thanks to you and Sri Nitay Gaura, I spent the month of Purosottama reminiscing about the pastimes of Krishna and his devotees.

that I have strived to seriously follow the sadhana bhakti, the more difficulties have appeared.

People I barely know turn against me with a lot of psychological and moral violence, and many conveniences I used to have are gone.

When I didn't know much, everything seemed easier, the circumstances weren't so complicated, and when I started to consider that it was due to my karma or offenses, everything became very complicated.

Currently, there aren't many devotees to associate with, and it's not easy to make friends. I have had difficulties being more meticulous with what I eat, with the sadhana times, and that has left me in constant material deprivation.

I see devotees who were more serious before they took initiation, some seemed to start losing enthusiasm even by the second initiation, however, I sincerely wish them all much success in their lives.

Even so, I continue chanting the rounds and studying what is possible for me, sharing where there is no censorship of the Krishna's consciousness.

Thank you for being a constant inspiration and hope in my life. Your simple crew member AniruddhakrsnaDas

HpS - AgtSP. How can Krsna not be very aware of us if we are sacrificing 2-hours daily to think of this Name by Japa and follow the four principles strictly.

If things are getting to tough, maybe Nimai is telling us He needs us in a different universe where He is executing His pastimes?

Sometimes we take initiation, second initiation, and then we can't keep the higher standard and become offensive. Best to do the best we can and try to come to the higher, goswami, standard without artificial desires or pushing.

we have to wake up!

first goswami and then pure devotee ie awake.

"Hare Krsna! So nice you are back".

Always, glad to hear from you.

previous node : 16282

Hare Krsna TB, paMho, agagagTSP, agtHpS

this video was great

TB - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69bxX--w7n8

Barnaby said that bullfighting and race car driving were the only two really manly sport. ???? BG???

we look for etymology of Matador-

Arabic- Mat-Maut ( death)

Latin-mactare --ritual

Spanish - matar - to kill..

till now Harsh though Matador only tames not kills. Yeah when two Kstariya fight some one has to die. population check balance.

the Narration in the video was fantastic with some Spanish words , monuments etc..

dont know for preaching if we can have a movie .The original matador,

and his marriage with Satya (CHAPTER 58), obviously matador were servant , something like gladiator, but people would enjoy , esp the Spanish, hearing Krsna actions in Detail as Bull tamer.

The way person narrated/ commentary , now will be imagining all commentaries in sports (here) to be reflection of Krsna as Matador.

The fight of seven bulls happened in Kosala, Ayodhya. So great link.

thanks for nice perspective. google says that Ernst Hemingway says F1, bull fighting and mountaineering are real sports. thinking how Krsna played mountaineering..

but why you wrote BG at end ??..

reflections.

As Krsna tames those bulls, may he tames bulls- go- senses in us.

Hrisikesa the matador.

this word has sparks of Krsna, dont see Kaliyuga, but see sparks

one innovative use of roaming bulls in India is Generating electricity, by a yoke.. bull the dharma ki Jaya.

HpS ki jay..

pangum lambayate giri

Vancha Kalpa.

bulls with diff Horn Size --Longhorn Ankole Cows: The Cattle of Kings

a zoo with collection of diff bulls with horns for Adi-Matador, might be good service.

The chicas can take care of Bull to find potential espouso. something of this sort happens in India still Jallikattu - Wikipedia

International Animal Husbandary FOR Adi- Matador. like FOR in ISKCON,

Veterinary Science FOR Better bulls and cows ..Milks and Horns -- not Mills & Boon...

HpS/ASA - AgtSP. Paoho. Bull fighting as practiced in Spain was not good, no? They fought the bulls and sometimes the man and sometimes the bull died.

not necessary.

maybe manolete paid part of his debt for his profession by his death.

i liked it as a good example of how to make a movie.

Please send more developed thoughts as you can! We have to scan through a lot of the content now without understanding exactly.

Thank you!!