Letters to the editor

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga,

It is not appropriate for an ordinary practitioner to write about his own life. But on the instruction of His Holiness Hanumat Preshak Swami, as a service to him, I write this Blog.

HpS/ASA - All of the followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are so powerful that any one of them can deliver Krsna to whomever they meet. AgtSP. Paoho.

I was born in fairly religious North-Indian family and I remember the early days of my life, in Delhi, when my grandmother would take me to few Satsang programs with her. I was too young to absorb anything there, being a toddler.

I observed even my father sometimes chanting holy names of Lord Rama. He would also tell us the food we ate was supplied by Lord Vishnu. But, the family was hardly ritualistic. I saw them sitting in front of laminations of gods only once a year, the day of Deepawali.

I also had a religious bent and was a natural believer in God along with my weaknesses. I would chant daily prayers to Hanumanaji (Hanumana Chalisa) for many years. I had sensual weaknesses right from childhood and was attracted to girls and crave for money and fame. All good and bad mixed, I grew up with ambitions for my carrier and worked hard to rise for material success. I did well in my academics to secure always a top position in junior college days in Delhi. There was no space for spiritual inquiries and practices, except on festival days.

When I reached my Bachelors degree course in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, my dream college, I was still obsessed with the desire to attain prestige and money. But in the competitive environment, I would find myself tiny and insufficient.

Despondent, I was no more a topper here and lost interest in going far in my professional carrier.

It was becoming harder and harder with every step in the world of glamour and cut throat competition.

I didn't ( and don't ) look attractive and have always been very poor in flirting, so never thought of having a girlfriend.

Therefore, the material life was gradually slipping away. Krishna was preparing me for some sort of surrender.

HpS/ASA - How many of us are echoing your history like 97%! 🙂

Right when I had been becoming disappointed in my life, Krishna sent His devotees to my room in the hostel, IIT Kharagpur. They pulled me from frustrations and despondency I then faced for my inabilities to make big in material life.

Srila Prabhupada entered my life through his books - the devotees gave me.

I was finding refuge and solace in them.

I remember I would read for hours everyday to feel peace of mind. Devotees' love healed my wounds of frustrations. Srila Prabhupad's books and devotees words combined showed me goals I could be ambitious about with no more competition and envy.

I could be peaceful while pursuing the spiritual goals.

There was no comparisons, no envy, no unhealthy competitions. I was a fit. I would take shelter of Srila Prabhupada's books and the chanting of the Holy names of the Lord attentively.

I realized peace of mind and happiness, that I had never known, in Krishna conscious practices. All questions I had met with satisfactory answers.

By the time I graduated, my consciousness had taken roots in Krishna consciousness and I was no more interested in making a professional carrier, earning money and even in girls.

ASA - Not even Srimati Radharani and the Gopis? 😎

These were exciting days because I was finding freedom from material desires and experiencing deeper insights into Krishna consciousness.

Since, now in this phase, I happily lost interest in material prosperity, I gave up my job in a Multinational company that was planning to post me to France for a project. I was not sure I would be able to maintain my 'consciousness' in France, while being away from devotees, I decided to quit. I decided to join Brahmachari ashram as a full time monk in Kolkata.

The decision to quit job and join Brahmachari ashram was also aided by the fellow devotees who had also graduated with me from IIT Kharagpur and had also quitted their jobs to join ashram.

The next phase, life in Brahmachari ashram was very very thrilling. It was a very disciplined life. Practicing austerities in a disciplined environment with my devotee friends was too good. This is the best phase of my life. I would sleep with satisfaction and rise with excitement. I was in a frame of mind prepared to do any service with happiness. This is when I also received formal initiation from my eternal father - His Holiness Radhanath Swami.

When in Kolkata, I was told to preach to young college students. I spent time travelling to colleges and meeting, talking with boys for about 7 years (my last assignment in IIT (ISM) Dhanbad).

Later in 2016, I stopped youth preaching in the colleges and started taking my studies of scriptures seriously. I did my Bhakti shastri and Bhakti Vaibhav and later became a teacher for the same. I now teach Bhakti Shastri and Bhakti Vaibhav while doing myself Bhakti Vedanta from Mayapur Institute.

I came in touch with His Holiness Hanumat Preshak Swami during one of the classes of Bhakti Vedanta. I feel very fortunate that Maharaj is compassionate on me and considers me worthy of his mercy.

I live in Kolkata now preaching to families here and teaching Bhakti Shastri courses. I will be happy to serve the devotees if I could. I can be reached out at :

[email protected]

Maha Raas Das ( ISKCON Kolkata)

HpS/ASA - So nice. To our perception ISKCON is heading into Phase Three:

1. They will laugh at you.
2. They will attack you and try to destroy you.
3. They will become interested and want to learn from you.

In Phase One we have to appreciate ridicule, in two we have to duck a lot, in three we have to actually know how to guide nations and the world in practical situations. Chapter Three of BG, vrtti, professional devotional service.

• Political Science - Danda Veda.
• Architecture, City Planning - Vastu Veda.
• Medicine - Ayurveda.
• Singing, Dancing and Drama - Gandharva Veda, Lord Caitanya's path!!!
• Etc

All success to Sriman Maha Rasa Das in developing his Sankirtan in Bhagavata Dharma and Daivi-varna-ashrama-dharma!!! Hoping to send other posts to this ASA community as they develop!



Querido Gurudev, acepte mis humildes y respetuosas reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada. Desde el mes de agosto quería escribirle, el semestre se pasa muy rápido sobre todo cuando hay mucho seva en el día a día.

Gracias por cambiar mi visión en esta vida, antes de conocerlo el día de mi cumpleaños era un día muy triste para mi corazón. En esta oportunidad hice una torta de verano, solo de frutas, cuando lo conocí usted me dijo que ese día tenia que preparar Krsna prasadam para compartir con mis seres queridos, nunca mas senti tristeza, y me di cuenta de que siempre he sido feliz pudiendo servir a los demás

Hay tantos servicios que deseo aprender Gurudev. Por ahora estoy ayudando una vez al mes a hacer las guirnaldas de Krsna Balarama en el Templo de Alachua y voy también una vez al mes a preparar el desayuno para Sus Señorías. Es tan inspirador ver en la mañana al equipo de gopis alistando a Sus Señorías en el altar, realmente esto es una pequeña visión del mundo espiritual que me permite ir aprendiendo día a día.

Con Syam participamos en 12 hours de Kirtan en GNV y nos dimos cuenta de que tenemos que aprender a tocar mrdanga, kartalas y armonio, en el semestre de verano de KL (Krsna Lunch) cuando baja la cantidad de servicio junto a sus bendiciones lo haremos. Estamos en temporada alta en estos momentos y eso significa que no solo tenemos un servicio, sino tres, por lo que el día se nos hace muy corto, sin embargo, el corazón crece más y más junto a nuestra alegría de ofrecer nuestras actividades a Srila Prabhupada y a usted. Es muy reconfortante ver su foto en el cuarto del Pujari.

Para Govardhana hicimos dulces, decoramos la Vyasasana de Prabhupada y también hacemos la puja para Sus Señorías de Sri Sri Gaura Nitay en mangala arati y Guru Puja que son extáticos junto al canto amoroso de sus devotos.

Las devotas mayores de Alachua discípulas de Srila Prabhupada son muy inspiradoras, son austeras, recatadas, determinadas, exigentes y a la vez muy misericordiosas, unas sabias maestras de quien aprender todo el tiempo en el servicio devocional. Somos muy afortunados realmente de estar aquí.

Para Radhastami pudimos ayudar para la ofrenda de la tarde, hicimos dos tortas y un surtido de dulces para Radha Syamasundara.

Seguimos haciendo el curso de BS con P. Laksmana Vigraha quien nos inspira mucho en el estudio de los sastras. Ya estamos en la cuenta regresiva.

Tuvimos la trascendental presencia de Krsna Ksetra en Krsna House hace unos días su presencia llenó la atmosfera de fuerza espiritual, ha sido todo muy hermoso Gurudev.

Estamos leyendo un libro de Mahatma Das muy inspirador de crecimiento personal, me dijeron que no era para devotos, pero creo que libros de superación personal siempre deben estar en nuestra mesa de noche para poder servir mejor y tener una mejor conciencia, sobre todo cuando hay cambios tan grande de vida, tanto de país, de asram, de comunidad, etc, etc….no es fácil están en una cultura tan diferente haciendo vida espiritual.

Por favor envíenos siempre su misericordia Gurudev que es el aire vital para poder sostener esta existencia material.

Sus eternos sirvientes Syam Krsna Gopal Das y LaksmiRadha DD

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Dear Gurudev, please accept my humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Since the month of August I wanted to write to you,

the semester goes by very quickly especially when there is a lot of seva in everyday life.

Thank you for changing my vision in this life,

before I met you, my birthday was a very sad day for my heart.

On this occasion I made a summer cake, only of fruits,

when I met you you told me that that day I had to prepare Krsna prasadam to share with my loved ones,

I never felt sadness again,

and I realized that I have always been happy being able to serve others.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP! 😢

There are so many services that I want to learn Gurudev.

For now I am helping once a month to make the garlands for Krsna Balarama in the Alachua Temple

and I also go once a month to prepare breakfast for His Lordships.

It is so inspiring to see in the morning the team of gopis getting Their Lordships ready at the altar,

this really is a small vision of the spiritual world that allows me to learn day by day.

With Syam we participated in 12 hours of Kirtan at GNV and we realized that we have to learn to play mrdanga, kartalas and harmonium,

ASA - Although clapping hands is really good too!!! In Manipur it is a really developed art.

In the summer semester of KL (Krsna Lunch), when the amount of service drops, along with his blessings we will do it.

We are in high season right now and that means that we not only have one service, but three,

so the day seems very short, however, the heart grows more and more along with our joy of offering our activities to Srila Prabhupada and you.

It is very comforting to see the photo of him in the Pujari's room.

For Govardhana

• we made sweets,
• decorated Prabhupada's Vyasasana
• and also did the puja for Their Lordships of Sri Sri Gaura Nitay in mangala arati
• and Guru Puja which are ecstatic along with the loving chanting of the devotees of Him.

The senior devotees of Alachua, disciples of Srila Prabhupada, are very inspiring, they are austere, modest, determined, demanding and at the same time very merciful, wise teachers from whom to learn all the time in devotional service. We are really lucky to be here.

ASA - Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Srila Prabhupada has turned his dancing while elephants into dancing Angels!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53B0s_zao8

window on a little glimpse of the rasa lila?

For Radhastami

we were able to

help with the

afternoon

offering,

we

made

two cakes

and an assortment

of sweets for Radha Syamasundara 🍰 🍰 🍰

We continue doing the BS course with P. Laksmana Vigraha (agra ja = "born before laksmana" = rama!) who inspires us a lot in the study of sastras. We are already in the countdown.

We had the transcendental presence of Krsna Ksetra in Krsna House a few days ago, his presence filled the atmosphere with spiritual force, everything has been very beautiful Gurudev.

. . . We are reading a very inspiring book by Mahatma Das on personal growth, I was told that it was not for devotees, but I believe that books on personal improvement should always be on our nightstand to be able to serve better and have a better conscience, especially when there is such great changes in life, both in the country, in the asram, in the community, etc., etc….it is not easy to be in such a different culture living a spiritual life.

Please always send us your mercy Gurudev which is the vital air to sustain this material existence.

His eternal servants Syam Krsna Gopal Das and LaksmiRadha DD

HpS - Thank you. It is just complete dark now in Houston. 5.46PM. We are having pretty robust chest pains.

There is no doubt that this Car can be finished at any moment.

That is good.

It may be like getting in the Top Gun airplane with Krsna as the Chariot Driver!!!

Set priorities.

There are an unlimited number of offerings and we cannot do all of them.

Eg. Yasoda and the Boiling Milk!

Thank you.

Meet the students?

Help them advance?

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Todas las glorias a usted.

En respuesta con la carta que mando Manjari Devidasi.

Yo Chaitanya Nitai Martínez Topete, hijo de Valmiki Das (Discípulo de Paramadvaiti Swami) el cual hace algunos años fue presidente del templo en vrinda CDMX y Jana Priya (Discípula de Guru Prasad Swami).

Tengo 23 años, nací el 3 de junio del 2000, en CDMX.

Actualmente realizo servicio en el restaurante Govindas y apoyo a Manjari en su servicio de guirnaldas además de realizar la limpieza del templo. A lo largo de mi vida he observado los principios regulativos vaishnavas y durante mi crecimiento siempre tuve cercanía a conciencia de Krshna por medio de mis padres. En particular de parte de mi padre quien ha practicado el servicio devocional de manera más constante.

Actualmente mantengo una relación afectiva formal con Manjari, ya conocí a sus padres y ella a mi madre.

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All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you.

In response to the letter sent by Manjari Devidasi.

I am Chaitanya Nitai Martínez Topete, son of Valmiki Das (Disciple of Paramadvaiti Swami) who a few years ago was president of the temple in vrinda CDMX and Jana Priya (Disciple of Guru Prasad Swami).

I am 23 years old, I was born on June 3, 2000, in CDMX.

I currently perform service at Govindas restaurant and supports Manjari in her garland service as well as cleaning the temple. Throughout my life I have observed Vaishnava regulative principles and during my growth I was always close to Krishna consciousness through my parents. Particularly from my father who has practiced devotional service more consistently.

HpS/ASA - 😮 So fortunate!! So inspiring of hope for a better world! Maybe you become Mayor or Mexico City???? ! Shoot for the rhinocerous. Thank you!

I currently have a formal emotional relationship with Manjari, I have already met her parents and she has met my mother.

HpS/ASA

Very nice. Seems you are both very fortunate. Please help her work out the details of Hari nama Diksa! Please.

Dear Maharaj,

PAMHO AGTSP!

Maharaj for the past 15 days I’ve been working to submit university applications for graduate studies. Thanks to help from your esteemed self, Prof. Dr. Bandyopadhyay, Aja Govinda and my father.

My goals until then: 1) Hanuman Film with Yogi, 2) complete Odissi workbook for my students, 3) complete Kalaripayattu Martial Arts training and workbook, 4) complete making online Odissi curriculum and choreographies and video lectures, 4) build separate courses for Kalaripayattu and yoga, 5) bring in more teachers to create various courses and curriculums for online university and eventual accreditation together with Aja Govinda and my father.

HpS/ASA - Seems like a lot! Very nice. What is your general strategy for these five projects? How do you see them fitting into helping Lord Caitanya with His mission? Nabadvipa and Boston?

Personal Sadhana: chanting 16 rounds before breakfast, reading SB regularly. Trying to hear your lectures on iskcondesiretree regularly.

ASA - Got cohorts? 🐵

🐖

🐖

🐖

your aspiring servant,

Subhadra Mayi DD

ASA - Do you have some people who inspire you? Eg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Reiniger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Guy-Blach

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_film_and_television_directors

Yadubara Das and Vishaka Devi Dasi????

Dear Guru Maharaja, Hare Krsna. Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

If I may ask, 

-question in a short form- 

What are your views, experiences, and thoughts about editing of Srila Prabhupada's books? 

HpS - As Srila Prabhupada desires it to be done, we should do it. Eg. he had his KRSNA book dictation tapes edited into regular college level English, no?

-question in enlarged form-

We put a lot of emphasis on books for inspiration and our progress, it is our approach and faith that what is in the books is what SP wrote (wanted to be written there). 

My background to the question: over the years I watched some videos here and there from both sides. I read about it, too.

I find it a complex situation. Because SP dictated and had different devotees type and edit his books. To me it looks like SP wanted the books to be edited, that is for sure. But how much and until when, is a question? 

As one devotee says one thing and another says another, for me it is difficult to distinguish the truth. I was not there to see how it happened from 1965 to 1977. Even if I was there, there were a lot of personal exchanges on the topic. 

I am not in favor or against the editing. 

What I do is read and try to see what SP is saying about the same point somewhere else. This is maybe not a perfect solution, but one that I do until there is some new insight. Also, I may confer upon caitya guru, but I leave that to my inner world and do not share it. 

Thank you!

Your servant Namacarya Das

HpS - Our thought exactly!

👍👍 👍 👍👍

Hare Krsna, Gurudeva.

AGTSP, PAMHO.

We will be quick so that your bodily eyes are not strained.

We request you to use speech to text for writing replies.

HpS - Thank you. Send more suggestions as they occur. Takes more energy for us speak than type. That is why we don't talk on phone too much.

"We think we are enjoying holy name, can you write in detail for humanity and us --

how do we serve holy name? what are ways we can enjoy holyname ?"

ASA - Serve Holy Name by Chanting, He.

HK HK KK HH... !!!

With attention and meaning!! Meeening!

"Oh, Radha, please pray to Rama/Krsna to help us with our Sankirtan".

HK

HR

---

HK

HR.

2) We don't want to enjoy the Holy Names, no? Serve them.

Chant more clearly. Chant louder. Chant and Dance.

Do some Karma yoga while we chant. Eg. Cook for Krsna while you chant. Chant while you draw. Chant from your heart while your mind plans. Play recording while you answer mail.

trying to be Das of (Hayagriva Avatar) or ( just HpS Swami and parampara).

HpS/ASA - Trying to follow your examples in many ways. What do you think of Ganesha? Thank you for all the ISKCON India work!!!!!!!

More.