Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna, gurudev, PAMHO AGTSP.

Dear gurudev thank you very much for your kind blessing. SORRY for being late in responding. By your grace I was able to visit many places in India and as the result all of my family and other relatives started chanting at least 4 rounds of japa and are vegetarian.

HpS/ASA - 👍

👍 👍

Month of Kartika was very special and was regularly offering dipa at home along with my family.

We were also having at least 3 programs at people's houses during weekends where everyone got a chance to light lamps.

May I know Gurudev where you are at this point?

Your insignificant servant

Rupanuga siddhanta das

HpS - Let us offer our obeisances to you. You are so fortunate by birth and accomplishment, yet you still offer your assets to the service of Srila Prabhupada.

🙏

Every two weeks we have been fortunate to be posting our news, location, Sankirtan work in the "Kapi Dhvaja" at our WebPage:

www.JayaRama.US

Just click on the "News" link.

You can see, "WANDERING MISCREANTS

Camped in Nila-madhva Dhama, ISKCON-Houston.

(3402 Radha Ln; Houston, Tx 77018; USA).

O.K.???

Thank you for the Sankirtan news.

How do you find this Japa vrata prescribed by Srila Prabhupada? Getting rounds done early???

How is the ice business?

Hemalaya! ⛄

Thank you!!!

Hare Krishna, Devotees,

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

H. H. Hanumat Presaka Maharaj's Vyasa puja is on January 13th at ISKCON Houston.

We created a WhatsApp group for all the devotees who will be visiting Houston for this event.

We will share relevant information for the Vyasapuja visitors in the WhatsApp group.

If you will be in Houston for the Vyasapuja celebration, please join the group so that we all can together make this a wonderful event.

Link for Vyasapuja WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BccNtSj7rcaAWYSmVYSHec

Your servant,

Sundari Radhika dd.

HpS/ASA - Just, agtSP, five weeks from now. Personally we are satisfied to just go to Srinivasa Thakura, Sundara Radhika Devi, Sugopi Radhika Devi Das' Azrama on the 11th for a Spanish language live and virtual program, and in the Temple on the 13th for the English program.

As other devotees, such as M. SRDD here, make suggestions we will certainly be happy to try to serve them.

This 'Group seems like fine forum.

Also, Friday 12th is:

1. 20th- Anniversary of NIOS,
2. Huber Hutchin Robinson's appearance,
3. Gala Premier of DTC(UT) Spain movie.

Hare Krishna, Beloved Gurudeva,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your Lotus feet (I know you will say lettuce feet, but the one that is hanging from SP’s Lotus feet, develops Lotus-sprouts feet),

ASA - Hmmm!🤔

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

HpS - That's the Key! AgtSP!. He does 99.9999.... % of the work!!! We are ashamed of how much we exploit his mercy. 😞

Again, Guru tattva.txt is the Gold Standard, with the purports to BG 3.31/33, and the Help from Senior Vaisnavas who have given shelter to us, we feel protected!!

We are still with our family. Sometimes we see it as a burden, sometimes as our shelter!! VAD!!

H. H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami accepted us as his Siksa disciple, he allowed us to chant his Pranam mantra, but still we can not do it. We don't know whether it is appropriate.

HpS - I don't know. For me Siksa guru is an informal relation. Of course, chanting a Mantra with respect to a Vaisnava as Diksa or Siksa guru or Founder Acharya are all appropriate. It is just having a practical understanding of how they are all situated in the Parampara.

I spoke twice with Sriman Panca Tattva!! First time I was a little bit worried. But the second time I noticed him better.

Although he is not following your instructions, he still has faith in you and Srila Prabhupada!!

HpS - Maybe his story will be in SB in the future, like Maharaja Bharata or Vyasadeva and Narada Muni. 😆

Such a nice person.

Maybe he is seeking his identity in society, I guess.

His story, I could say is a mixture between Ajamila story in 6th canto of SB, and Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa with the Bhaṭṭathāris, from CC. Madhya lila.

HpS - Ooof!

We realized that although we are busy fools, we can follow the standard of FMS and FES!! And there it is the strength.

Today We watched some videos of you at ISKCON Houston!! We feel so happy watching you relishing the Holy Names. We are struggling to follow in your footsteps!!

Thank you Gurudev,

Hanging from your Lotus feet,

Nikunja Bihari das.

ps: Manu is going to the US next February. I will send you a gift with him. Photo attached. Not the photo I wanted to send. Couldn't delete them.

ps 2: I used a lathe to make my own mala for japa!!

HpS - We saw the little village lathe they were using in Vraja about 25-years ago. Was an old drill bit, a mail, some rubber from a bicycle tire. It was great. Worked fine. Guy could chant like one mantra for each bead.

Now we just need a Global Kirtan to turn all the U-238 in the world into lead over the period of one months, no?



Hare Krishna Amado Gurudeva,

Por favor acepte nuestras humildes reverencias a sus pies de Loto (sé que dirá pies de lechuga, pero el que cuelga de los pies de Loto de SP, desarrolla pies de brotes de Loto),

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada,

Nuevamente, Guru tattva.txt es el Estándar de Oro, con los significados de BG 3.31/33, y la Ayuda de los Vaisnavas Mayores que nos han dado refugio, ¡¡nos sentimos protegidos!!

Seguimos con nuestra familia. A veces lo vemos como una carga, a veces como nuestro refugio!! ¡¡VAD!!

SS Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami nos aceptó como su discípulo Siksa, nos permitió cantar su mantra Pranam, pero aún así no podemos hacerlo. No sabemos si es apropiado.

¡¡Hablé dos veces con Sriman Panca Tattva!! La primera vez estaba un poco preocupado. Pero la segunda vez lo noté mejor.

¡¡Aunque no sigue tus instrucciones, todavía tiene fe en ti y en Srila Prabhupada!!

Quizás esté buscando su identidad en la sociedad, supongo.

Su historia, podría decir, es una mezcla entre la historia de Ajamila en el canto 6 de SB, y Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa con los Bhaṭṭathāris, de CC. Madhya-lila.

¡Nos dimos cuenta de que, aunque somos unos tontos ocupados, podemos seguir los estándares de FMS y FES! Y ahí está la fuerza.

¡¡Hoy vimos algunos videos suyos en ISKCON Houston!! Nos sentimos muy felices viéndolos saborear los Santos Nombres. ¡¡Estamos luchando por seguir sus pasos!!

Gracias Gurudev,

Colgando de sus pies de loto,

Nikunja Bihari das.



Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada

Todas las glorias a sus pies

Mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias

Muchas gracias por su respuesta en la anterior carta, me hubiera gustado responder antes, pero estuve esperando respuesta de las autoridades, lamentablemente no tuve respuesta.

Desafortunadamente la relación con la autoridad del templo que yo tengo es por medio de mensajes, el presidente del templo los ve, pero no responde y físicamente es complicado de encontrar.

Por lo que solo nos queda recordar la última respuesta del devoto en donde al respecto de la carta de recomendación si todo va bien considera poderme recomendar en un año o bueno ya son como 10 meses y medio. Por lo que yo comprendí fue porque no estaba haciendo Mangalarti de manera frecuente en casa si no desde hace unos meses desde que recibí sus indicaciones.

HpS - Thank you! We received letter from your conjugal friend, no? We suggested that he help you with these bureaucratic formalities. They are formalities but not without meaning. ISKCON as an institution is like the Pandava army!

Respecto a eso nos esforzamos en casa, mi familia me ha apoyado a cumplir sus indicaciones.

Por mi parte sigo con mis principios, seguimos ofreciendo mínimo 16 buenas rondas, estudiando las escrituras y realizando servicio de guirnaldas para Sus Señorías.

Con respecto también a la última conversación que tuvimos el devoto ya escribió en el blog y se presentó.

Muchísimas gracias por seguirme leyendo, del mismo modo agradecemos las herramientas que nos brinda por seguir en contacto.

Mis más humildes reverencias.

Esperamos pronto poder leer un Libro Diario De Composicion.

HpS - Thank you. If you have 4-principles strictly, regular temple program in the morning at home, japa, for six months, then seems you are ready for initiation. Of course, we very, very, very, much respect Temple President, senior devotees in Mexico opinions of things. Srila Prabhupada did not formally take initiation for years after he met Srila Bh. Siddhanta, yet he NEVER gave up on the process and idea.

You will become an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada in Parampara if you are determined!

Send us an email and whatsapp address that includes your father et al for Monkey to send a copy of his Diary of a Traveling Creature. We won't post it.

Thank you!!!

Preach like Visnu priya Devi!

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you Guru Maharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Guru Maharaj, we are just starting our journey of spiritual life. And we need to learn many things from you to perfect our spiritual journey.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP. Paoho and Bw.

We are just trying to be one handle on the cup of Vedic wisdom and nectar, that Srila Prabhupada is offering to us from his BBT, ISKCON et al. Please, get many Siksa gurus in ISKCON, 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. Learn to take nectar even from poison.

Whenever I hear or read something related with your early departure from this material world, we are very sad and tears fill our eyes. Thinking for your disciples, please live little longer and please don’t plan to depart soon. We are begging this from you Guru Maharaj.

HpS - https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/13/41/ and the following verses give illuminating dialog. We feel that Narada Muni may even be chiding Yuddhisthira for wanting to be the protector of Dhrtsrastra and Gandhari.

Bharata Maharaja decided to be the protector of a little deer. 🙂

Was he saying, "You are worried about being the Protector of your old aunt and uncle, but come to your senses! You yourself are being stalked by the Tiger of Nescience".

So, who is going to die first?

You or me? 🙂 👍

We can die today. Even now we have chest pains coming at 5.48PM, sky all dark. So, you, me, everyone, let us make some practical plan for death. Learning how to always be in contact.

O.K.?

For your good health, we, few devotees of Silchar, Assam are chanting extra rounds everyday, regularly.

We also are offering extra Dip Dān for you to Sri Gopal Devji everyday. And we are planning to offer 108 tulasi leaves at the lotus feet of Lord Narasimhadeva on every Sunday, starting from the coming Sunday for your good health and long life. Please be merciful on us and live some more years Guru Maharaj.

HpS - Join us on the trip, 🚋 🙂, or stay a little while longer to preach, then we can meet in Nabadvip when Nimai is playing there with Gadadhara, Damodara et al, no?

Following your instructions, I have started reading (online) Krishna book along with many disciples of yours. I have created a Facebook account and started using Kapi Dhvaja. I have met many new godbrothers and godsisters through this Facebook group, and because of their association I am getting prior information of your Classes and I am regularly attending it.

I have requested many of my godbrothers and godsisters, who are known to me and who were not in connection with you for a long time, to listen your classes and read the Blog; and they are now doing it regularly.

Recently, there was one Teachers’ Training Program for around 90 teachers of the schools in Cachar district of Assam. I was part of that and did Kirtan (by humbly begging your blessings in my mind) in that program, everyone was enjoying the Kirtan. Many of them are muslims and christians.

ASA - https://completewellbeing.com/article/understanding-islamic-chants/

There is a tradition called [?] Dikker, which is just like our ISKCON Temple Kirtans, but could not find the link. With this knowledge it becomes easier to inspire Islamic devotees to engage in the Yuga dharma.

Also, Christans to Christmas Caroling and Jews have even reawakened "Jewish Kirtan" after some young Jews joined ISKCON and then returned to their roots, finding Kirtan was a part of Jewish tradition!

I also did some book distribution in that program. Guru Maharaj, please bless me so that I may be able to correctly understand your language, pronunciation and follow your instructions properly.

Guru Maharaj, my mother Padamashri Devi Dasi (one of your disciples and a familial relative of Haridas Maharaj) is also offering her humble obeisances at your lotus feet. She is 72 years old now and terminally ill. Please kindly bless her so that she goes back home back to Godhead when she leaves her body.

HpS - Please send her picture!!! Tell her to preach all about the realizations she is having in old age!

Guru Maharaj, please give me instructions on how can I get advancement in spiritual life and how can I please you. I am a village girl and we are not so smart. But still, I have intense love for you and desire to strictly follow your instructions, Guru Maharaj. Please guide me so that I may attain love of Godhead in this lifetime. 

Your humble servant

Manjuali Devi Dasi

Kaptanpur, Chandam Leikai, Silchar, Cachar, Assam, India

Guru Maharaj, I am attaching herewith some pictures of me, my sisters and mother. They are all your disciples.

HpS - Aaah! We all shall look at them. Hope they are labeled.

All we can say is that you are on the right path and now you just have to learn how to move faster toward the mystical land of Nabadvipa!!!! Hari bolo! Hari bolo! Respects to The Hari das Swami et al!!

Divya svarupa Das in Radha Kunda!!!

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!