Letters to the editor

Dear Guru Maharaja,

According our last personal meeting at Houston, we are waiting confirm your tickets to Brazil but I'm realizing plus the VISA is more difficult for you.

In my last chat with Nrishananda last week, he agreed that we can charge 5% money extra to the devotees whose will attend the program to help speakers like you with some expenses like VISA an like that. Is part of the plan, help even with the fl tickets if is possible, however the problem is we don't know how much will be everything.

For example, Param Padam told me that their ticker will be 400 USD each. But we need to calculate the general cost of everyone to know how much exactatly we should cover.

Now, the whole capacity is 170 SPOTS onsite, divided in 157 devotees + 12 guests speakers in Chales and staff in somewhere else. I think Nrisimhananda is considering brazilian staff outside this numbers.

So, the point is if 157 devotees attend the whole program (not only weekend festival but two nights more also, with more profound workshops and talks) we could have US 1.442 for help our speakers to come. In that case we could help you also with this amazing prices that you should pay. Other thing that I can looking for some sponsor from Brazil. 

With this 5% extra, the final cost to every night to the all devotees will be:

Chale: 1 Night  > 70.77 USD   - 5 nights >  353.85 USD > 9 spots available

Suite: 1 Night > 52.29 USD > - 5 nights >  261.45 USD > 27 spots available

Ashrams: 1 Night > 30.76 USD - 5 nights >  153.85 USD > 41 spots available

Camping: 1 Night  > 30.76 USD - 5 nights >  153.85 USD > 80 spots available

If we make a good marketing campaing, we could do it, in Brazil there are a lot of devotees. So, for this reason your confirmation is so important for us.

On the other hand, Param Padam is contacting Aravinda and Dhanvantari Swami, asking their topics to presente and Rama Keli prabhu told me the last week that Hanuman Prabhu is considering make the BBT Latin America meeting the same dates to attend this program.

This the news guru maharaj, 

Always available to recieve the comments.

Hare Krishna.

HpS - Hare Krsna!   AGTSP  paoho.    As we mentioned in the previous post, after our very stimulating meeting in Houston, we went home and tried to adjust the entire calendar and then find an exact ticket. Everyway we looked at it the trip to Brazil would mean reducing our eliminating our trip to the West Coast USA. Then the cost was enormous. It is not just the Visa. That would be $320 if we go to Argentina also, but the ticket itself is going to be $1500!   Ooof, and Nandananda Das has disappeared as an Organizer, no?  It seems too much for you to do alone. Also, no one else has been in contact with us about the program.

I very much want to hear the opinion of others, but for the reasons above we can't think now that we can come physically during these dates or that the program could be organized in a sane fashion. We have our tickets to Peru, Bolivia (Ecuador), Chile in June and July. We would like very much to join this kind of work in those places at those times.

Again, our opinion is based upon the above information and experiences. If there is more to learn then we are very much eager to listen, adjust our plans.

In any case lets go ahead!!!

Hare Krsna, Anantarupa Das,

Thank you for YOUR letter. I hope we hear from The Upendra, Srinivasa, Sundara-radhika Dasa, Dasi, and now also the Srivasa Pt. Das. 

Respected Maharaja:

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

Thank you for your email and thoughts.

Srimad Bhagavatam, thanks to your wishes, is again being read and discussed in the temple Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 9 AM (which is within the timeframe done in all the temples). . . .We are on Ch.2 sloka 11 of Canto 1 - one sloka every day.

A. HpS - It is for Temples with big local community, no?  But Hawaii E-sanga for example is 6.30AM. Physical participation may be just like two people or so in the Temple, but on-line they have as many as 40-devotees and good participation in discussion, many of whom attend the Sunday programs etc.

Can we do that?  Basically I would require regular participation by any of my 'disciples' in the local classes, Sanga. That is the way we have designed the Bhakti-vaibhava program from San Jose also. Correct Srivasa pt. Das?    First Sanga, then Systems, last Content.

So, we are jumping right in, taking the program Radha-banki-bihari are arranging and reading SB 1.2.11 etc. with our little comments below.

If regular class is at 8.15AM, after Srngara Arati, not before. Then devotees like Upendra, Sinivasa might be able to participate by listening on the way to work. Record the classes for later listening. Have a summary Sanga on the weekend, Saturday morning. This last idea sounds the most practical and immediate. What time would it be possible for you to lead, join, a community class on Saturday morning???   Is it possible??    Then we could join physically.  Make it a priority before going to Home Depot. During the week we could read the same verses and then have review and discussion on Saturday.

This is my life and soul.

Disussing Srimad Bhagavatam in the association of devotees.

B. A second topic, maybe even more delightful, is our possible visit to Boise. We were trying to balance all of these engagements in India, South America etc. and finally we just could not fit in the 3rd Annual Symposium on Education with ISKCON in Brazil in February, and have sufficient time for West Coast. So, we are passing on Brazil and then we can be sitting on our Asana in Nashville from 15 Feb to 15 May. Then ...  Boise, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver.. ? .   15th-18th June is supposed to be the 4th Annual Education Symposium, in Seattle.  Of course, we want to focus all this traveling on these educational programs and Sanga..

Anybody have any suggestions for dates. Gotta fix the Calendar soon.  We were thinking Maybe taking the Amtrac up the coast together for part or all of that stretch. It is very refreshing.

C. Finally, Bhaktivedanta Study. Sriman Vaisesika Das is ready and waiting to start that program. I agree. ISKCON already has many devotees who know Prabhupada's books to the standard he suggested fort Bhakti-vedanta. So, we should get an organized standard and show the opulence of Srila Prabhupada's disciples, men and women, to the world.

Of course, this is a discussion in progress, about the standard, Boise students et al. Yet specifically Vaisesika Das, our Sankirtan leader agreed to give four master's classes as part of his diploma requirements. We already have three. They have been wonderful. Preaching Strategies in Cantos 1-4. We need to hear Canto 5-6! One more lecture from Vaisesika Das!

Also, all the candidates need to clean up their 100-pages of essays, and Vais Prabhu was probably going to get his four lectures transcribed and edit them. They would be wonderful for publication.

When, if, all this is done we can look at starting the Bh.Vedanta study, no, Sr. Pt Das?

It is 10-weeks until Gaura-purnima, 12 March. You think it could start before then SPD? I think Vais. wants to, but I don't think his essays will be ready AND you, many of us, want to work on the structure of this next session, the standard, the evaluations and record keeping.

SPD, did you print the Tests for all the students?

We are attaching our notes for Vais's last lecture.

We are attaching our personal investigation on Verses Cited in the NOI up to Text Six.

T h a n k   you  all for your association. . .   This project is central for us. ISKCON.

=============================

SB 1.2.11-15 NOTES

SB 1.2.11
Is very important verse. For BhVai it should be memorized.

This whole Second Chapter is so basic, quoted again and again, maybe because it is the first time (and complete) the SB is presented.

Why are they called Hiranyagarbhas?
“Therefore, there is a duality of inferior and superior energy, whereas in the absolute realm both the knower and the known are of the same superior energy”, but this is Mayavada philosophy?
 

SB 1.2.12

“And the third-class transcendentalists are those who have barely realized the spiritual focus of the Absolute Person.” . . . So even Brahman realization requires some personal realization?

“…which is fixed by the aural reception of the Vedānta-śruti”… Hear SB = Hearing Vedanta sutra?

“one has to make definite progress from the position of material devotional service to the second-class devotional position. In the second-class position, the devotee can see four principles in the devotional line,” . . . the same is presented in NOI almost word for word the same..

Usually we think of third class devotee as smoking marijuana etc, but here and other placed it is emphasized that Kanistha adhikari can be in the external mode of goodness also.

1.2.13
“saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam” … Important Sanskrit, no?

1.2.14
“Without these principles of life, no one can exist. . . . Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying.”

1.2.15
“granthi – knot” … Must untie the knot.

“Karma overcoated with devotional service is called karma-yoga. Similarly, empirical knowledge overcoated with devotional service is called jñāna-yoga.“ … In all cases it is Yoga, so we must learn to distinguish differnent types of Yoga.

“They have chalked out ways for all classes of men in terms of the different castes and orders of life in pursuance of the teachings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and similar other authoritative scriptures.” … So, SB class is for practical application.

Dear Maharajs and Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

Jay Srila Prabhupada!

Here is the offering for Srila Prabhupada and Iskcon 50th anniversary at the Peruvian Parliament published by Iskcon news:

http://iskconnews.org/srila-prabhupada-praised-at-iskcon-50-event-in-peruvian-parliament,6003/

Your servant,

Bhadra rupa das

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please accept my humble obeisances,

Hare Krishna Gurudeva,

I wrote a letter to you some days ago, and I receive in my mail a notification that it was answered, with the link to the blog, but when I click in the link to read it, it appears that its broken or not workin, I don’t know if you receve it or if the web page is having some problem. Here I send you my letter again. 

HpS - We just answered it!

Dear  Gurudeva,

Hare Krishna, hope your health is fine. Sorry for writing no so often. This year has been of great changes, challenges, still trying to take some perspective, sattva guna.

The 6 of December our daughter Lalita was born, she was expected for the end of December, but due of some health problems of yasoda my wife, the delivery come before, it was a very intense experience, but now mummy and baby are ok. Is a very interesting experience, now complete renounce in many ways. I think maybe she come from a devotee life, is a nice experience when she starts crying the only mantra or song that calms her down is Radhe Radhe J

Also finishing building a house, it have been a very very very struggling experience dealing with  workers, not to be cheated , but it goes on, maybe next month or the other we can move there, grihasta ashrama is coming complete, very much exhausted of this material world, this thing taking me much energy.

Last months opening a yoga – therapies space in the north of cordoba city, quite near from were  we re living.  Working there with Ayurveda, yoga, sound therapies, courses, little by little more people getting in touch and participating. Planning for next year, start some kirtan programs, maybe also bhagavad gita, samskaras.

Sadhana isn’t very good, chanting my rounds, but  finishing them in time to time when I could do it, needing to improve,  passing across a funnel.

Also last letter I write you ask me how was asociation were I live there are not much devotees a few no very active, more devotees in cordoba city, taking more close asociation with my friends Ambarisa and Vrishabanu time to time.

Here I attach  some photos also of last Ratha Yatra in November we were with the mantra yoga and meditation tent.

Yr servant,

Madhavendra Puri Das

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please accept my humble obeisance’s,

Dear  Gurudeva,

Hare Krishna, hope your health is fine and Sorry for writing not so often. This year has been of great changes, challenges, still trying to take some perspective, sattva guna.

The 6 of December our daughter Lalita was born,

HpS - ASA -- Jaya!  She must be some very, very special Soul!

   she was expected for the end of December, but due of some health problems of Yasoda, my wife, the delivery come before, it was a very intense experience, but now mummy and baby are ok. Is a very interesting experience, now complete renounce in many ways.

HpS - Yes, after experiencing the problems of childbirth, many men and women decide, once is enough!

Also finishing building a house, it have been a very very very struggling experience dealing with  workers, not to be cheated, and being cheated some times, robed , but it goes on, maybe next month or the other we can move there, grihasta ashrama is coming complete, very much exhausted of this material world, this taking me much energy.

HpS - We experience same thing working to maintain our little Ashrama in Tennessee. Is a very maturing experience, education, something your father, uncle, should teach you.

Last months opening a yoga – therapies space in the north of cordoba city, quite near from were  we re living. Working there with Ayurveda, yoga, sound therapies, courses, etc. it s starting to work fine little by little more  people approaching, planning for next year to start in there some kirtan , maybe samskaras, Bhagavad gita programs for people in general.

HpS - Bring Nikunja bihari Das some times?

My Sadhana isn’t very good, chanting my rounds, but in the times I  have some space to do it, have to improve that, needing to do it, to organize better my life, now passing throw like a tornado.

HpS - Yes!!!  We have the same struggle. Maya always trying to make us forget that if our rounds improve EVERY THING ELSE will improve in the best way possible.

Last letter you ask me if I m near devotees. In the place I'm living, there some here but not practicing , not active.  Mostly in the Cordoba city are more devotees, and time to time take the association of Ambarisa nd Vrishabanu, they are like 1 hr from here.

Here I attach also some photos from last Ratha Yatra in November  we were with mantra yoga and meditation.

yr servant,

Madhavendra Puri Das

HpS - ASA -- Thank you for all this wondeful news. We hope this year is much, much better. You meet friends to expand your cultural center and educated many people in the principles of SB, CC!!!

Nice photos!

Sannyasi has to see babies different than Ghrastha. Is funny. Don't forget. Grhastha is preparation for Vanaprastha.

Hare Krsna gurudev

Dandavat pranam at your lotus feet. [Lettuce feet]

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. [!!!]

Hare Krsna!

How can conditioned soul like me glorify truely the qualities of a pure devotee like your holiness who is dear to srimati radharani and Krsna and Acharya Srila Prabhupada. So I will just say what my heart (not in sattva guna) feels.

HpS - For us it is easy. 99.9997% of any good qualities we manifest are Guru-krpa!   AGTSP!

Gurudev for me you are the ashraya vigraha of Sri Krsna and his extreme form of Bhakta vatsalya. The ways that you constantly guide me with motherly love and care is something I am indebted too. I dont have realization regarding Krsna or higher spiritual truths but I have faith in you.

HpS - Gotta be careuful. Srila Prabhupada warned that unless we see Guru as representative of Krsna it will become Mayavad philosophy very easy!

The only offering i can make to you is that I am trying and will keep trying to make my sadhana better. I fail multiple times and days but I get up and try again. As you always say " utsaha nischaya and dairya " . I treasure this words and will keep trying . Hopefully by end of this life I can become a human being freed of lusty desires and then next life do some real bhakti.

HpS - Prabhupada comments that if we keep trying we are guaranteed to succeed!

I hope to meet you when you come to Manipur and accompany you till vraj if you and Krsna desire. 

Thank you is a insignificant word for my gratitude towards you.

Your selfish servant 

Rituraj Krsna das 

Assam 

HpS - Yes, see you in the Northeast! Maybe we  can die there and take birth there.