Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupad.

I had sent this letter on you Vyasa Puja day but I think you were very busy and were not able to read it.

HpS - ASA -- Yes, that is probably a fact, 23-cities in 42-days!

We had a very nice celebration of Vyasa puja on December 30, 2016. It was nice to have all the devotees, namely Anantarupa Prabhu and Family, Murari prabhu and family, Balabhadra Prabhu and family, Amrta Mataji and family, Acyuta Mataji and family, Upendra prabhu and Family, Premalila Mataji and family and Anahi Radha Mataji. I have attached a link to some pictures and videos. Thank you so much Maharaj for your  mercy. My offering is below.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwQZrILjA5BFQ0t1XzFXalAyOHc

HpS -- Thank you. Nice pictures.   Was there a pie with sliced bananas on it?

===

Hare Krishna Maharaj, please accept my humble obeseinces all glories to Srila Prabhupad. All glories to you. On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja I would like to thank you for everything you do for us .You are like a grandfather to me and bring gifts for me. This time I was very fortunate to receive your boarding pass on which you drew Radha and Krishna. Thank you Maharaj for tolerating me in Bhakti Shastri class even though sometimes I don't mute  my microphone and talk to my parents, don't pay enough attention to what you are saying or don't know an answer that I'm supposed to know to a question you ask, you  take no offense and continue to encourage me. It was very nice to take your association this year when you came to Boise in May. I was very happy that you stayed for ten days this time instead of one week. The  morning programs were very blissful and I look forward to them every year. By your mercy, this year we did four Kirtan programs in Idaho. Three of them were in Yoga centers and the fourth one was at a farmers market in Eagle. We sang there for 4 hours in shifts, each devotee singing for a little bit. Thank you Maharaj for visiting Boise every year just to check on the devotees and give them strength to continue for the rest of the year when you are not here. We are eagerly looking forward to your next visit. Please bless me that I improve in my sadhana and serve the Vaishnavas nicely. 

Your insignificant servant,
Sugopi.

HpS - Thank you.  We hope we can share more generous gifts for people than just used Boarding Passes. We habe the picture of Radharani that you colored on the wall of our Office/Ashrama here and see it daily. We hope that you have very good results from going to the Sadhu-sanga!  Be careful, be enthusiastic, like a tree that's four feet tall, any twists or bends that it gets now will probably stay with it for the rest of its life, even when it is 30-feet tall.

Who was Dushala?

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Summary of last week’s Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.12 to 1.2.21 :

Verses 1-5 : Suta  goswami’s reply with obeisances.

Verse 6 -7 – Answers to Questions 1 and 2

Verses 8-15 : Only Bhakti should be the goal of any activity we do.

Verses 16-21 The progression in Bhagavatam– Suta Shiksha

Details of the verses:

V13: VAD for smoother  functioning of the society not for oppressing the weaker sections.  The ultimate goal of VAD is Hari tosanam. Pleasing the Supreme Lord.

V14: 4 processes of obtaining the absolute truth Srotavya – hear about Kirtitavya – glorify dhyeyah – remember, pujya – worship.

V15:  We can get liberated from knots of reactionary work by remembering Krishna constantly.

V16:

Mahatsevaya – service to pure devotees.  This is stage 2 . Before that we need the mercy of those devotees whom we want to serve. So

1. Mercy of the pure devotees

2. Service to pure devotees

3. Faith – Shradha. This is not blind faith. The faith we developed by serving the pure devotees.

4. Punya tirtha. Tirtha means guru. Then we take shelter of Guru.

5. Eagerness to worship: Vasudeva katha ruci. We develop taste for hearing the messages of Krishna.

V17:

For the devotee who has developed the urge to hear the messages of Krishna, He personally cleanses the desire for material enjoyment from the devotees’ heart.

V18: Nasta prayesu

6. Bhakti – bhaktir bhavati . Devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

7, Disappearance of obstacles:  nasta prayesu abhadresu. Inauspicious things like nama aparadas disappear.

8. nishta : then steadiness achieved. Naishtiki.

HpS - ASA -- We remember hear Srila Prabhupada comment on this and say that this "steadiness" was always chanting our rounds, always getting up in the morning, not sometimes yes, and sometimes, no. Then he said that this was (!) 80% Krsna conscious.

V19:

Once we achieve steadiness in devotional service modes of passion and ignorance disappear. Lust, hankering, desire will no longer bother us. Devotee will be situated in the mode of goodness and will be happy.

9. ruci : Spiritual taste: Aruchi for the sense objects results in actual spiritual taste anavidham rajas tamah. No affected by passion and ignorance.

10. Asakti – Sthitam – firmly attached.

V20:

11. Rati: Fondness.  Prasanna manasa  Enlivened mind. When fondness for the Lord arises, mind is enlivened.

12.  Prema : Devotional love.  Bhagavat bhakti yogatah.

13: Vision or audience : Bhagavt tattva vijananam. Experience of Krishna form , pastimes etc.

14. Direct experience of the Lord’s sweetness. Bhagavat tattva vijananam.

V21:

Once we see the Lord, we can see ourselves also in proper perspective.

Next week’s syllabus is 1.2.22 to 1.2.29.

Thank you.

Your servant,

Sundari Radhika dd.

HpS - ASA -- Thank you!  We are getting more and more educated by these classes. When does Ananta-rupa Das get back?

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva

AGTSP !!! AGTU

PAMHO

Very nice to have your daily association in FMP. That is perfection of life.

Well I finished my advanced studies in English in 2002. And in 2003 I started to teach at Alas Peruanas University. Then I study my master, doctorate but I have always wanted to improve my English in order to read better SP's books and in order to serve U better.. so many things, stupid things, actually distracted me from that goal.. so today I give [took] a test in order to classify [qualify] to [for] a course that prepare[s] us for The Certificate of Proficiency in English...  I passed the classsification Exam yeeeee [yeah!]. So[,] on monday [Monday] I will start my classes.

I feel.really happy. My only desire is to serve U better and better.. other things are really irrelevant to me.

HpS - We have many attachments. If you or anyone wants to serve me, or anyone like me, then seems they must keep a direct awareness of Srila Prabhupada also. We make mistakes and then one can comment: Maharaja, it seems that Srila Prabhupada explained this, acted, differently, and we can correct our mistake!

Please give me your blessings... So[,] maybe then[,] when I got [am] 60 I will move to n[N]ova g[G]okula or India and finishes [finish] my days in this material world and see U again in Gokola[,] jaja [Ha! Ha! ]I am pretty greedy[,] but I have to be[.] IF U want to be greedy[,] be completely greedy.

I got invited again to the radio[.] I was thinking next time [to] talk about how to deal with your material duties and also practice a spiritual process. Is that ok[?].. They do a facebook live so I am recorded .. maybe I can go with my sari [and gold ornaments!]... I am a Hare Krsna nun. And so proud of my lineage.

Pujari in w[W]ilson once a week

TLC amazing reading!!!

HpS - ASA -  Yes!  We think it should be a part of th Bh.Vai. study just like Southern Part of Nectar of Devotion.

Thank U for all iur [ur] support

See U in June

Trying to be useful

Candramukhi dd

HpS - ASA ---   You English is probably many times better than my Spanish. Are you reading Srila Prabhupada's books once a week with your sister or mother in English?  It helps so much just to read them outloud. We don't learn a language as much as absorb it, right?

Thank you for the news!   Now other letters.

From: David Aguilera. Vsvambara Das - bhaktischool.org
To: HpS (HHR) <[email protected]> 
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2017 5:25 PM

Dear Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.  All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 

Apologies for being out of communication. You have caught me at an incredibly busy time as we prepare for our International Baccalaureate authorization visit this coming week. This is the culmination of 4 years of work that will determine if Bhaktivedanta Academy becomes an International Baccalaureate World School. 

I look forward to participating in the conference this year. The June date is much better. Let’s connect after April 1 to discuss how I can best be of service. 

I think Alachua is a natural location for the 2018 conference. Our students perform Shakespeare yearly, so we will plan on putting on a show for you. :-)

Yours in service, 
Visvambhara Dasa
Head of School
Bhaktivedanta Academy
386-462-2886 x1 (office)
===============================

HpSwami

Esteemed Visva-ambara Das et al,
Hare Krsna!!!        AgtSP!!!!     paoho.....      Thank you for the letter.     We hope the accreditation work is very successful.  The Symposium is developing very well as far as we can see.  Again, the dates are Thursday, 15th June to Sunday, 18th June, at the Seattle ISKCON.

We have a very balanced crew now with representation from Pre, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Schooling. Educational perspective of ISKCON Ministry of Education. Temple Presidents. Grhasta Vision Team. University and Government Educational Preaching. Sastric Education.

Harivilasa Das has taken the post of Anchor-man for the Seattle Temple as we start off and says that they can accomodate about 15-devotees in private homes. Also, the Temple can supply Prasada for a small fee to cover their costs, and the meeting space is perfect.

CONFIRM ACCOMODATIONS
We need to know soon who is going to be coming in their physical body (and who will be participating on line). Now, physical presence, we have confirmed:

Partha Das and Uttama Devi Dasi (Accomodate Two)
Nitya-ananda Das (Accomodate One)
Sesa Das (Accomodate One)
Kartamasan Das (Accomodate One)
Rama-giri-dari Das (One)
Hari-lila Das (One)
Subra Devi Dasi (One)
Ananda-vrndava Devi Dasi (One)
TOTAL T/D - Accomodate Nine

TRAVEL
See if you can travel with another local person. For example, Myself, Rama-giri-dhari and Hari-lila Das will all be coming on the same flight from San Jose. Maybe Ananda-vrndavana Mataji would like to join us. Temple is about 45-minutes from the Seattle-Tacoma airport.

SCHEDULE
Now we are roughly planning:

Thursday - 6-8.30PM - Supper, Reception and Orientation. Possible presenters: Sesa, Harivilasa,
Nityananda, Temple President Seattle, Rama-giri-dhari Das.

Friday/Saturday -  Full-morning Program (SB class), Breakfast, Three lecture and discussion programs each morning, lunch/rest, Workshops in individual interest areas each afternoon, supper and cultural program each evening.

Possible presenters (Theme):

1.   Partha-Uttama (Educating in VAD, Grhastha-ashrama, how it should be implemented in our Primary, Secondary schools etc.),
2.   HpSwami-Harivilasa (Philosophy, Strategy for Education),
3.   Vaisesika Das (Education for Book Distribution in Primary, Bhakti-sastri etc.),
4.   Visvambara Das-Synergy School Leader (Primary+ ISKCON Schools in North America)
5.   Sastric Education (Hari-lila Das, HpS, Srivasa Pandita Das, Govardana Das), University Level Studying and Preaching (HpS, Radhika-ramana Das).
6.   Poster Session (Many people get three minutes to introduce themselves, then can stand by their "Poster Display" which will all be up for the entire symposium so attendees can pass from display to display to ask questions.

Each Lecture Discussion Program would be about one hour with no more than 25-minutes in the first pass and then discussions. Presenters can submit Abstracts by end of April and a full document by end of May. PLEASE add subtract adjust this list, workshop list!

Sunday - Breakfast, Closure, Fixing Final Action Items, Fixing Standing Committees.

We are also expecting physical confirmation and on-line participation from Ananta-rupa Das, Boise, M. Arrudha Devi Das, Srivasa Pandita Das, educators from Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina. Maybe 75-local Seattle devotees and 85-on-line. Everything will be well recorded.

O.K. That's our news now. The result depends on everyone making personal commitment. We will be in Spain from 1-12th of April, but should have some communication. We will be in Boise and San Jose for one week each before Seattle and we expect to be working on all these themes there, so the fun starts now!   Ten weeks of communication, demonstration, integration and Spifibivication for The Witch.
ISKCON Ministry of Education, Ki Jai!    ISKCON's cutting edge Sankirtan team.
Radha-Nila-madhava, ISKCON Seattle, Ki Jai!

HpS - Mnistry of Education, Anjana Suta Academy, NIOS

P.S. Grhastha Vision Team et al: What do you think of the video of The Taming of the Shrew with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor for the Cultural Program one evening?  Let's have fun. Let's see rapid progress.

HpSwami - 209 505-3219. [We get texting even while in Spain.]
Harivilasa Das - 425 499-6408.

Todas las glorias a Srila prabhupada!

Todas las glorias a Sri Sri goura Nitay!

Todas las glorias a usted querido gurudeva! !

Muchas gracias por tomarse el tiempo de leer y responder mi carta, se que se encuentra ocupado en su servicio.

quería comentarle que estamos pensando ir a Chile para poder verlo a usted! ! Y tambien quería preguntarle que piensa sobre mi iniciación, hable con devakinandana (el director del Bhakti sastri) para ver si me puede hacer la carta de recomendación.

HpS - Hare Krsna!!   I hope we see you in Chile.  If you have been chanting 16-nice rounds and following the four principles strictly for one year and have recomendation from Temple President then most likely you can, should take initiation if you want to.  Have you read "http://www.jayarama.us/peru/archivos/guru-tattva-es.txt"?

también quería decirle que estoy consultando a Maharaja Dhanvantari Swami como mi siksa guru. Usted está de acuerdo?

HpS - Claro!   Reverencias a el. El es buen siksa, diksa, vartmana-acharya guru para todo el mundo.

espero su respuestas y le pido sus bendiciones para tener la fuerza y la inteligencia de poder seguir sirviendo a la misión que nuestro gurú Srila Prabhupada nos dejó!

Su sirvienta María Bernarda.

HpS - When does your course of study end in Brazil?

Hare krishna Guru Maharaj! !!!

 TlgaSP!!!!! Todas las glorias a usted!!!!!

 He deseado ser un buen discípulo, nunca lo he logrado.

HpS - Me, too! 

 Me esfuerzo por participar del Harinam cada semana. Así ocurre!  Vamos junto a esos maravillosos seguidores de Sri Caitanya!  Llevamos 1.500 galletas!!!

HpS - Hare Krsna!  !

Bailamos y tratamos de hacerlo para el placer de krishna! Tratamos de cantar y escuchar. 

 Por otro lado he vivido una dolorosa telenovela , de esas que influencia  cupido y solo vemos lagrimas y desolación!  Mi corazón y el de otros está roto! !!! He cometido errores,   he luchado para no sucumbir . Ha sido mi más feroz batalla.

 Quedaré con cicatrices profundas. Me refugio en usted,  con la esperanza de que no me abandone. Deseo seguir en el movimiento de Sankirtan! !! Deseo complacerlo a usted . Nos vemos en Santiago! !!

Madhu, tiene un tienda en un lindo barrio en santiago. Distribuimos mucho Prasadam !!!!

HpS - Claro, espero que pasa todos sus desafios bien!  Si, no la primera vez, esforzar para segunda vez. Nuestra principio fundamental es distinguir la realidad de la ilusion para la bienestar de todos. Vd, mi, familia, comunidad y KRSNA.  Es posible!

Va a ser exitoso satasfer a todos.