Letters to the editor

AGTSP!

Paoho...    At your lotus and lettuce feet.  Here we are in our cave.  It is 7.11PM and now DARK ourside.  Only insane people go out walking at this time. The cars move around like they have no drivers, but we have the Maha-mantra and your association.  Was so, so busy today: BG 15, Fifty-minutes of Vaisesika Das lecture...   NGD and everyone just got back from the ISKCON Doctors Conference at Gita Nagari. We are letting them rest tonight so we will pass the evening alone here.
 

O.K!   Thank you for your association.  We ahswered about five letters.  Many times we are just exhausted and don't know what we can do, but the desire to do something, a little bit of anything comes along and then we go forward. We will all die soon and then have another body. Only if Krsna comes and meets us will we meet Him and each other again, and then go on with new fun!

HpS - Everywhere people report using Vedabase.com.  What happened to the Share Line, Tweet, button that was on each page. We used it. If it is too much of a problem that is o.k.    Also, as you get more and more languages it seems that you are going to have to put them in a Pull Down List, no?    Do you get Book Distribution Points for every hit?

Yes, new version uses dropdown so screen is kept clean. I removed Share Line because added more languages. Tried to put back widget but for some reason it doesn't work anymore. 

No book distribution points :) But this month we broke round number of 55000 record (in last 30 days it is 55,823 unique visitors).

HpS - Very nice!!!   We were hoping to hear from you!   So, you settled back in Sridama Mayapura?

I will try to post news more often. We are in Mayapur only temporarly. Planning to go to Europe as in case of pregnancy medical care here is unacceptable and Mataji who was doing homebirths (with many years of experience and over 1300 birth) had to leave Mayapur this year due to situation. So February, March or April we will be moving to Slovakia for some time it seems.

We read that some devotees got a public apology and cash, but you didn't get any cash. (Ha! Ha! Ha!)

I didn't want to go there, but Jayapataka Swami was only manager who contacted and spoke with me and then he send one of his servent and ask me to come, so couldn't refuse him. Was funny as 2 hours talks were just about that to use violance against devotees is not good :)  Two of attacker who got indentified went to apologize. My mental state is better although when I am on mangala arati my mind comes with all different scenarios what will happen, who will attack or kill whom. So generally I don't like to be in temple much.

Can you send your annual financial report for NIOS.  Where the money came from and where it went to?
 

Will prepare it and send you.

Our respects to your good wife.  Are you going to live as Vanaprastha couple??

I hope not, at least not in next 20 years. We would like to get children, but due to period intervals (2 or 3 month) we didn't get much oportunities. Just before last calculated day my wife got heavy ear infection, so had to cancel. I am somehow ok as I have faith Krishna will send us children one day who will be devotees, but my good wife is getting stressed. One devotee friend also suggested that maybe somebody using black magic or some curse on us. Let see what is Krishna's plan.

Your servant Prahlad-nrsimha das

HpS -  Black is beautiful!      Took Nanda and Yasoda a long time to get a son, but they did pretty well.       Just keep so busy, with early Japa at the basis that there is not time for speculation, then you will eventually become a Great Wheel in the Big Machine!!!!     Has your father found any interesting bells lately??

Hare krsna gurudev

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Please accept my pranams at your lotus feet.

HpS - Wow!   AGTSP!!!   Everyone keeps writing that we have lotus feet, but we sure don't see that. We are wrestling with desires to drown our sorrows in Sweet Rice, but keep some control.    We hope we are useful servants to Srila Prabhupada. May he be glorified in our lives.

Braj dhama is very merciful like mother and also strict like a father. My sadhana is again unstable but trying to become stable again. Sense control is also not good but will try better. You asked how long I plan to stay ? Maybe if krsna and your mercy stays then maybe till Kartik 15 th November or atleast till 10th November. But don't know if krsna will allow.

I am planing to shift with other devotees. I was living alone before so I think mind and body was not allowing me to do bhakti properly. If I stay with devotees then maybe under them I may improve. They are very sincere so might be I will become sincere.

HpS - It certainly shall help.

I am learning slowly about myself. Should we love ourselves?

HpS - Of course, but just enough to serve Krsna!  He is very unhappy without our service, friendship!

If with all the faults and unnatural perverted tendency should I love myself. Does spiritual life means dislike towards one's body. We are not the body but should we dislike ourselves?

HpS - Again, it is not so much a matter of like or dislike. It is a matter of understanding: This is the kind of body, mind, Karma that I have.  Everything comes from Krsna. How can I use it for Krsna's service.   Of course it is always an individual challenge!  Always new. Different. You are not a spefici type of dog. You are a new type of dog.

Gurudev, I got  Gaura Nitai deities and am arranging the paraphernalia for their worship. Maharaj kindly give them a name and pray for Them to come in the deity. Mukunda Dutta Prabhu taught me deity worship .The sodaso upachara  puja.

HpS - Well, they are not really, "Deities". They are Gaura Nitai. Thing is to get to know Them as soon as possible so They can be comfortable in your home.

Below are their picture. Kindly give them a name and please request to appear into the deity . I am not qualified to worship them but somehow please you and Srila prabhupada allow me to assist you in your service to them.

Always trying to be a servant and indebted to you and Srila Prabhupada .

Rturaja krsna das 

Vrindavan

HpS - Start with the names Nitai and Nimai and see how They like that. Better get some clothes for Them before they freeze to death!

Hare Krishna dear Gurumaharaja

Please accept my humble obaisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I hope you are in good health and preaches continue with more force.

ASA - Jaya!

I write and delete this letter many times, and to be honest I'm not sure how to write this letter. For first time in my life I felt that I disappointed someone that really loves me, who gave me the more precious gift ever and showed mercy upon this cover with anarthas soul.  I jump your autorithy and I acted in a capricious way, moved by my own desires. I feel so embarrassed, but I beg for forgiveness. I can do nothing without your blessing.  Instruction is our primary relationship and I forget.

HpS - ASA --  Yeah, yeah, a few superficial irregularities, but basically you seem to be acting as a very nice. Thank you.

Just before to travel to India I was in a unconfortable situation, trying to fix my mind on my service in the school but fighting with the desires of family life. When I approach to elders they were trying to help me; my parents and even some of them under your request (like CC and subhra), looking for prospects for me. It became and spiral of interchange of life perspectives and information to end in nothing, I just felt unfaithful and a waste of time. I was talking at that time to my now husband Ranchor Krishna Das, but in the end I stop to talk to everybody. I stop my prayer to the Lord for a good husband. I just realized how silly I was to ask Him that when he can fulfill everything! He can create and destroy everything in a blink.

When I reached Vrindavana finally I felt in peace. I didn’t have knowledge of how to start to see vrindavana. I was reading the book that you recommend me, but still was hard for me. After just one day I saw Ranchor, he was there. He help me and the family that I was traveling with to take darshan in the different places in Vrindavana, Barsana, Gokul, Radhakund-Syamakund, I did with him my first vrajamandala parikrama and also my first Govardhan parikrama. I felt greatful.

I feel that Krishna knew my hidden desires in the heart. Ranchor and I were very honest about our expectations and direction in grihasta life, and we find a very similar perspective. He inspires me very much in devotional life and is very supportive in a personal aspect. He talked to my parents and we talked to his Siksha guru and they agree with the idea of us together. And Im a rasal [rascal], because even you were in my mind all the time, many details in Vrindavan remind me your person, I just remain coward and never write to you. I just beg for your understanding and trust that I took a good decision in my association.

We interchange garlands in Noida temple and sign papers in Delhi, the same day I flew back to Houston. Was maybe after one week that i realized the whole situation. Since then we were been reading SB, Queen Kunti together trying to focus our mind and soothe the separation.  We were being learning and asking from different grihastas details about how to keep a good relationship with each other keeping Krishna in the center. Mind is little bit more peaceful.

HpS - ASA --  Finding a perfect marriage situation in Kali-yuga is like finding a Brahmana in Las Vegas.  From your descriptions it seems like you have acted in sane fashion. This is Kali-yuga. Varna-ashrama-dharma is the best use of a bad bargain. If you stick to devotional service as you have then your marriage will be nice. Can be super-nice (as service together). Ranchor seems like he might have been a Mexican in his last life??!

In my service to Goswami Academy I feel confident managing the classroom and interacting with the other staff. Im also trying to improve in my teaching skills, I took a TOEFL test; it was around 4hrs long, so soon I will have the chance to start college English classes. I got my degree evaluation and seem that is equivalent and complete in the U.S. According to the evaluating agency I completed Bachelor of Science in Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

HpS - Wow!   You can revive dead bodies, turn lead into gold, rescue super-man from Kryptonite!   That is a pretty heavy degree.

Reading some points in SB about varna asrama dharma, sadhana going in a bumpy road, and japa sometimes hitting the 16 very late, fighting with our eating.  Working some Krishna art projects (sculpture and paintings). We took Guru disciple course with Anuttama prabhu, very interesting and inspiring ( Srila prabhupada ki jay!), lots of association here in Houston.

Dear gurudeva, I don’t know how all this blessing are coming to us, I just know that is by your mercy and Srila Prabhupadas. Please keep this family at your service, and consider our ineptitude our disease..

Another enjoyer monkey

Govinda Pramodini Devi Dasi

HpS - Congratulations.   Number one, get up early and get your rounds done!!!

Bigger deals are yet to come.

Hare Krishna Dear Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine feet, All glories to Guru and Gauranga, Hope you are fine in your health.

HpS-ASA  -- Don't look divine.    Guru-Gauranga, Ki Jai!    Our health is O.K., but we are mentally deranged, conditioned soul, you know.

This is Ranchor Krishna Das from Vrindavan Dham. I know you don't know me. I just want to introduce myself to this family and want to tell about my relationship with Govinda Pramodini Dasi.

I was born in Mumbai near Radha Ras Bihari Ji temple (which is also called Srila Prabhupada's office).  My whole family stay there and father have a small business there. So, I used to go to temple from my childhood because my school was in front of ISKCON Gate. So I was attending everyday Darshan Aarti before School.. dancing with Saffron Brahmachari, offering flowers to Prabhupada and that special delicious Sweetrice Prasad and later I also started to go Sandhya Aarti everyday and then I came in contact with my Shiksha Guru His Grace Praneshwar Das, he was head of ISKCON Youth Forum (IYF) and then after meeting with him I started to chant 16 Rounds everyday at that time I was in 8th grade,  slowly I became a part of IYF and started to serve, assit in preaching and also started to serve Praneshwar Prabhu personally.

Actually my parents were not positive with of My Krishna conscious life they were always chastising me even sometimes beat me for going to temple I was feeling so sad to be in home I had desire to become full-time to help in Srila Prabhupada's movement. So I am just waiting to be 18 and then join Ashram but my Siksha Guru not supported me and told me to finish my studies and then join,and I agreed with him and continued my studies..some years passed like this but slowly my father became so Anti ISKCON. And he started to become more violent on me, not allowing me to go to temple and also chant, at this time I was in High School in 12th grade, at that time I decided to ran from home and joined Temple with the blessings of my Siksha Guru.

So,I joined Sridham Mayapur as full time Brahmachari at age of 18, I was serving in Mayapur Institute department there and after year so, my Siksha Guru took me to another preaching project in middle India, I was serving there for next 4 years as a Youth Preacher in colleges with him before coming to Vrindavan, meanwhile I got my both Harinaam and Brahmin initiation from his holiness Radha Govind Goswami Maharaj. 2 years before I decided to change my ashram and started to serve in Braj Mandal Parikrama and started to do some Restaurant business with my friends.

Last year my Shiksha Guru told me about Govinda Pramodini. Actually he is online Bhakti Sastri teacher, he has online Bhakti Sastri group in Dallas, Texas and then we started talk nearly everyday and share about Krishna consciousness and started to read Srila Prabhupada's books together.. teachings of queen Kunti,Krishna Book and share our realisations. We really like each Others thoughts and everything. I met Govinda Pramodini for the first time personally in India at with my Siksha Guru ,we spent some time everyday together and I took her everywhere in Braj, she did her first Vrindavan and Govardhan Parikrama, we were so happy together. actually I didn't met such a wonderful devotee in my life with such a wonderful service attitude towards Krishna and also Vaishnavas.

These days, I really feel deep in my heart that she is the one and together we can serve Krishna nicely and I also got approved her from my Siksha Guru and together me and Govinda with my Shiksha Guru and my guardians decided to get engaged and get paper marriage.

And after taking blessings from My Gurudeva, My Guardian and Govinda family, her parents and all the Vaishnavas we got engaged on July 5th, in ISKCON Noida temple.

Actually, Maharaj we know ,we did everything in rushing and fastly but at that moment I was thinking I don't want to lose her, I was afraid and finally we did everything.

I'm really sorry that I didn't took your blessings at that time. Please forgive me and consider, accept me like your fool Son and Please shower your mercy on us. so, that we can serve in Srila Prabhupada's movement nicely.

Begging for your Mercy,

Your Humble Servant, Ranchor Krishna Dasa

HpS - Very interesting.    It seems like an ISKCON novel.     I think everything will be very nice if at heart  you just take marriage like Deity worship. It is a service that you do to Krsna and you have to learn how to do it. In the beginning the specific personal relations are important but just as important is the dedication to taking marriage as a service to Krsna.

Please send us news from time to time about your service!!!   Very nice to meet you and hope to be of great service to you, and hope that Krsna's plans for you are revealed in a very practical and steady way!!

AGTSP
Paoho

Saturday is very, very hard for us.  WE have two classes and that is a lot of work for us in one day on the internet.
The it is 32 degress centigrade here, so we suffer from the heat, mosquitos, bad allergy, hay-fever. The traffic outside is lots of trucks, cars, ambulances. All of this makes life hard.
Then we don't have any intimate association in our Karma-yoga, people calling us about their passion in with Carl Jung.
I think that you all have just the same problems as us.

We need more exercise than we are getting. Devotees here are content with brisk walks but we need intense exercise. They finish the evening walk in 44minutes, but when we did it at our own pace last Friday we did it at 33 minutes and we see that we could progress a lot more in that line.
We can only do so much of this administrative and preaching work each day, then we want some "sense gratification" so now we are reading

http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks14/1403241h.html

It is boring in many ways, but it lets our mind stop thinking and get systematic stimulation from the mode of goodness-passion.
We could just read the KRSNA book and live on water and Goloka maybe. Real possibility, but if we are to stay in this world then we have to feed and read somethings for our Stupid Ass.

Hmmm.

O.K.  We answered all the mail to four days ago. Responed to one more disciple report. In your association had dalh and rice from Mrs. Desai, fruit and nuts.

Let's go walking and see you at Noche Sabado Vivo!!