Letters to the editor

Link: http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/node/6637

HpS - We have seen an exchange of letters from Prabhupada about Chocolate. It seems similar to onions. They bother contain theo-bromides as far as we understand. So, they stimulate lower chakras. This can be source of good energy under certain circumstances, but usually we want mode of goodness. I read that Prabhupada said that Grhasthas could take some, but it could not be offered to the Deity. GBC banned it, then canceled there ban. So seems, that under certain circumstances it maybe O.K.    Urad dahl is more acceptable but also not for regular diet.   Any cocoa product.
O.K?

ND: Guru Maharaja, so it can be taken, but not offered to the Deity. Does it means to:

• consciously take bhoga, or
• offer it to the picture as not to the Deity. It looks there is the acceptence among some devotees that some preparations which can not be offered to the Deity, can be offered to the picture. (Sure, Deity can be made of paint, so this could open new discussion about what is, if any, difference.)

Note: personally, I do not eat cocoa for different reasons, but was intrigued by what you wrote.

ASA -- Hare Hare Krishna! When we saw that citation we also wondered about how it should be taken. I suspect it means that it cannot be offered to installed Radha Krsna deities, but could be presented to Srila Prabhupada for his approval as special rations in this Sankirtan.

Can you get the thoughts to Krsna ksetra Swamis side?

Would take chocolate peanuts while under heavy stress while traveling sometimes, but could definitely feel the negative side effects.

Best to live on milk, fruits and nuts.

All glories to His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Let me offer my respectful obeisances onto your lotus feet.

HpS- ASA - Just feet.

Hare Krishna!

Excuse me for delaying so much in writing back. The last letter I sent may have lost during your visit to India. I hope you had an excelent trip. How are you now? I heard you had headaches. I sincerily hope you are better by now.

ASA - We still have a little Poison Ivy reaction but body and mind are fit for devotional service to Guru and Gauranga! You?

 I just want to let you know that I am living at Sri Sri Radha Madhan Gopal Mandir since 6 months ago. I feel that living here has helped me a lot to progress in my spiritual understanding. I have to honestly admit that it has not been easy for me. My mind always tricks me to run away, specially because I was the only Mataji in the ashrama for some time. Previously I taught that I had am lot of problems. But thanks to Prabhupada's mercy, I could understand that those problems were only related to this bodily conception of life. Now I am happier focusing on how to be Krishna consciouss. I am very motivated due to the love and humbleness that you show at each and every time. It is my desire to take shelter from you because I am sure that your instruction will save me. 

Thank you for always teaching me by your example. Let me offer time and again  my respectful obeisances. I am looking forward to seeing you in Mexico.

Admiringly, Bhaktin Diana Karla

ASA - HpSwami - - Esteemed Mataji,

Please do no think that the austerities that you are doing are small either in terms of your own spiritual life, the life of ISKCON or the happiness of the whole world. From your letter it seems they you are on the right path and still you have to do is to Latin how to travel faster.

Please send us news of how many people in Mangala arati and who lead the Kirtan for the next week!

Hare Krsna.

Hare Krishna 

PAMHO. AGTSP!

Maharaj,

I understand your reluctance to fly way down under. I would avoid it myself, but I was born here. What to do..

Yes I recently went out on Sankirtana (book distribution) after a hiatus of a few months. Prior to that I had made a vow to go out for at least one hour per week, which I found very uplifting, and great training. I was doing this for some time. I think I have done about 2 years on books all up since 1995.

Presently, we have organised giving Bhagavan Gita class at the farm village we have here for travelling youth who help out, by doing labour for the temple. I love giving class.... kirtan, dancing, prasadam...and basically everything in KC. I think it just took me 20 years to really understand, register and appreciate the philosophy Srila Prabhupada has given us.

I put up some A4 posters today (x2) for the class which is scheduled on Sundays for 12:30. Hopefully if it is received well (I am told) then I can carry on with it.

I am still on the farm and go to the morning program everyday, and usually try to assist building up the attendance of sandhya arotik by assisting or leading the kirtan.

REQUEST

Mathuradis Prabhu got on my case today, about simply explaining to you that I have been around ISKCON long enough now, and given my seriousness, and desire to take a vow before the deities and formalise my initiation then I should just directly ask now.

I have been chanting hare krishna and following all up for about 5 years (having come and gone several times), but have again been very strict and serious in the past 9 months. If fact more serious than ever. Now I am 41 years of age and feel I finally have the maturity, and the 'clearing' after completing my studies, and being now divorced from my karmi wife, to undertake this lifelong committment.

In fact since first joining the Melbourne brahmacary ashrama in 1995 I have never felt more ready formalise this connection to our sampradaya. (When I joined I had a fleeting temple name of Janardan Das (Montreal spelling), and so when I left the devotees in 2005 I decided I did not want to forget Krishna entirely, so changed my original karmi name 'Jonathan Edward Kingsford Andrews' to 'Janardan Das Andrews' via depol / the government. Not-so-bonafide but there it is. Perhaps you can sanctify it Maharaj).

I would really appreciate being initiated by your kind self very soon. I can get the recommendation from Ajita Prabhu here upon request, so I am simply dependent on your mercy. 

Your servant,

Jay.

HpS - Thank you so much for all these austerities. Yes. Move ahead. If you have been following everything for one year, have letter of recommendation from Temple President and did this ISKCON Disciple Course, then, of course, you should take first initiation.

Reporte de mayo

Please accept my humble obeisances Gurumaharaja

Todas las glorias aSrila Prabhupada

Todas las glorias a sri sri Gaura Nitai

Todas las glorias a Sri sri Radha Madhana Vihari!

I hope you are happy. This may was interesting for me.

My gopalito serred four years of life on the 15 th,  i still think its my little newborn... watch it grow is to see the magic of krsna and.. as draws...!!!

When he starts to draw you forget everything and just dives into whar makes ....we surprised a lot to see. I ask your GM blessings for my child continue to grow happy and healthy to serve krsna.

HpS - Hare Krsna!

With respect to your  question  about  whether doing kirtan, i tell you  that  lately . When we sing, we like humming follows the rhythms of each song remenber very well.

Learns fast. This is manifest from very small.i look forward to that later  can sing for krsna. Look at many pastimes of krsna and likes a lot. When you look krsna aur kamsa in part pastor grab a wooden stick too..!! See this feeling is indescribable. The songs of the movie are beautiful, meaning ( when krsna approaches, our world changes)  the part when krsna eat butter with your friends and start to berp and krsna makes music whit that! Gopal is killed with laugther!! And the part of the flute...! We were in awe. The movie is charming.

HpS Ooof. This is all we can read now. It's very good news, but we have to run to San Marcos now.

With respect to the sadhana i'm keeping it well, but franco worries me up so early in the intense cold here...a few days to get up and leave everything  a little later. But then read a quote from SP saying a true dancer dance althougth not entirely  favorable, also a genuine devotee practice his duties althougth the circumstances are not favorable" and inspired me a lot.

Now I try  to make a service like a bathing or cooking deities while listening to are class o FMP  to take advantage of the morning. I try  to chant 16 rounds them rehearse and then mangalartik, deities bath and cook. All very simple. Ofrenda, prasadam and collection.

My experience is that the chant  16 rounds before mangala, i have much more energy, i fell  more positive than when i do. It 's  like  something magical. Jaya Prabhupada! Gurumaharaja thanks!

I had a question: can fell ruci being in anartha nivritti? 

I went to harinama with BBS Maharaja . I was looking forward very much a harinama so enjoy it a lot. Gopal and franco because  it was very cold that day stayed home.

I' m dancing in the pedestrian and some presentations. Franco supportive of me and appreciates what i do. Gopalito and let my try. Continued distribuyendo direccion of center of preaching and sometimes the maha mantra a the people in the strett during the collect. One girl like much the maha mantra and now listen maha mantra music in the celular!!!

Many thaks foy your association! Que your preaching in peru sea one exito!!!

 Excuse please my offens. Please want served with the heart forever.  Want always remenbered sweet krsna and not forgive

Our humble obeisances: Radha, Franco and gopalito.

All Glories to Sri Sri Gaura Nitay!!
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
All Glories and respectful obeisances unto you, Gurudeva!!
I hope you are very well in all aspect Gurudeva and may Lord Nrsimhadeva protect you in all moment when you are doing your service of Sankirtan around the world. I know that you are so near of Chile... l feel like if you are here only a one step to all chilean disciples and well-wishers. I will be attentive what is happening with your stay in Peru. You bring  blessings and happiness where you are.
My report in this time, 16 rounds daily, 4 strict principles, mangalarati 3 to 4 times a week but l'm wishing to be 7/7!!
I continue with my service in the temple, l making garlands for Sri Sri Gaura Nitay once a week.
The group of devotees that make garlands for the deities, is a group very special, all work together, they help to each other, they collect funds for keeping the service (e.g. flowers). I feel so grateful for having association of vaishnavis they are so sincere with a kind heart.
They have become my friends and  lovely sisters too.
I also cook for the deities once a week, RamanReti mataji will enter with me some days. For that reason, l feel so enthusiastic and happy.
I continue serving my deities at home with the help of my sons, Rupa Manjari and Giridhari. My older daughter is 13 years old, she is a very intelligent girl and she cooks very well. In the kitchen l'm her assistant.
Giridhari is 11 years old, he is so sweet and very committed with the school. He is one of the most beloved for his classmates, he is a good friend. I'm striving to improve because l want they become better people and l want guide them on my best way.
I continue studying at the university, l'm 3rd grade, l won a scholarship and thanks to that, this year and maybe next years, l will be studying free. 
My health was not very well until some time, actualy I'm receiving an homeopathic treatment with a doctor who has too much experience, she is like a grandmother for me. She knows all diseases with only look the eyes. She told me l have skin allergy and l was nervous, so she recommended that l have to dance. So l take advantage each kirtan for dancing.
This is my report until today Gurudeva, l'm striving to improve my japa and reading the Srila Prabhupada's books each day.
I hope everything turns auspicious and you finish successful in all programs that you have during this month for too many people be benefited.
I hope serve to you forever,
Alankrti Devi Dasi

HpS - Very nice letter. You are going forward very nicely! Yes! Dance in every Kirtan, even if you don't feel like it! In the beginning of Yoga it is like being a soldier. You have two or three children?

Can you get fragrant flowers? Even some.

Hare Krsna Su Santidad Hanumatpresaka Swami.
Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias!
Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada! 

Le escribo con motivo de la recomendación para refugio formal de: 
Bhaktin Diana Karla González Ramírez 
Nacida el 04- nov- 1994  
Vive en el templo de ISKCON CIUDAD DE MÉXICO como devota interna por 5 meses, desde el 31 de diciembre de el 2015.

Aspira tomar refugio en Usted desde el año 2013 

Lleva 2 años cantando 16 rondas, 8 meses siguiendo los 4 principios regulativos y práctica del sadhana. 
Tiene muy buena actitud en la práctica del servicio devocional y en el respeto a sus autoridades. 

Nos gustaría  que tuviera la oportunidad de servirle formalmente, si usted lo considera apropiado. Muchas gracias por tomarse el tiempo de leer esta carta.

Su insignificante sirviente: Dhramaraja das
Presidente del templo de ISKCON en Ciudad de México

HPS - Sriman Dharmaraja Das es gran placer pensar en Vd. Esperamos nos vemos pronto. Aparece muy bueno para Diana ser un Refugiada en ISKCON. Podemos hablar con Ella mientras pasamos por Mejico 13 Julio?

Asta sa. D.D. Hare Krsna! Va a dejar Su cuerpo pronto! Ya merece. Muchas gracias para las cuentas. Estamos distrusndo unos, no son muy bien de esta forma. Estamos volviendo con Laluta gopi con $100 Como donativo, Prasad, para el devoto Como puede cambiar con nudos entra cada cuenta y no hilo eladtico.

Hare Krsna!!