Letters to the editor

Hare Krsna Maharaja,

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

I am happy to hear you enjoyed hearing of the associates of Sri Sri Radha Damodara.  I do not know if the restaurant near Gita Nagari is open currently.

             HpS - ASA -  AGTSP      we were asking about the Denver Temple's, Govinda's Buffet.

I moved to Denver 2 years ago from Maryland, so what I wrote of Radha Damodara's associates is from memory.

I left out a very important associate of Radha Damodara in my previous posting.  Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja is very dear to Them, even to this day, for he is still alive in the spiritual world.  There was a time when I was considering taking initiation under him, as he is very inspiring.  I chose not to, because I had a sentiment that it would be nice if my wife and I could have the same guru.  I could see in 2003 or so that might not be possible, as Maharaja was not going to be around forever in vapu, so I failed to get initiated.  Since then I had looked at 3 other Maharajas for some time each, as Srila Prabhupada said one should look into a guru for some time before considering initiation, but did not feel as inspired or connected to any of them as I have to you.  As I have mentioned, it did not work out in marriage, and some of that was that in the end, I was the one with a desire to surrender to guru.

Maharaja, I am going through an anartha right now.  Spiritual life begins with initiation, correct?

                HpS - ASA - As far we understand it is like investigating different schools, their curriculum, fee structure, character. In the course of that you may sit in on a few couses with the instructor's permission.  Then you decide you want engineering not law and Mudge Coller, not Budge College, is the place for you. You satisfy the requirements for matriculation and start taking the courses. Some you have already had so you advance quickly but it is now formal and their is credit.

So does that mean what I am doing now, attending mangala arati (sometimes early to get a few rounds in), chanting 16 rounds (but 24-32 for the past month, sometimes only 20), only taking prasad the past 10+ years, no garlic/onion/mushroom, strict celibacy, no gambling/intoxication, occasional service for Radha Govinda, reading Srila Prabhupada's booka, prayer, etc, is all not spiritual life?  Does this mean devotional service starts with initiation?  I feel like the past 10+ years, and now while my chanting, mangala arati, etc have increased, that I am a big pretender, an offensive imitator, a rascal and a fool because I am not initiated.

               HpS - Most of the answer above.  Everyone is different. Prabhupada took long time to initiation after meeting Bh. Siddhanta Sarasvati.    If you are sincere then the formality will happen, just like a boy and girl who are dedicated to each other.  Chaste, but there still has to be a wedding.  It is a formality but not a formality without meaning.

I want very much to be in the service of Radha and Krishna, but I am so fallen that I haven't even taken the first step toward coming to them (initiation).  If someone new to the movement were to take initiation, they would be senior to me.  If someone were initiated bit stopped following, at least they were initiated, whereas I am so lowly that even though I may be following (or at least appear to be following), at least they are initiated and are my senior, worthy of all respects.  I am just a dog and an ass, but even a dog can chant, at least.

This has been troubling me for the past 10 years, but even moreso now that I am striving harder to finally attain to spiritial life.

Hoping to become,
Your servant,
Bhakta David II

    HpS - Here is a classical discussion of this point. Little dense maybe.  Tell us what you think!    http://vedabase.com/en/cc/madhya/15/102

Respected Guru Maharaj,

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

In a week, we would be going to India and Azerbaijan for almost two months.

Occassionally, I see your power point presentation of Goloka-Darshan---you fill-up my senses.  I have bought one small software, which converts power point to avi, now this goloka darshan has been transferred to portable device, I see it often.
  I also saw Susan's---I dreamed a dream, though I don't understand it, but I know it is bonafide, because guruji likes it.

I am working as a dish-washer, security guard and traffic-controller.  I cook every Friday in the temple and a lot of people come to eat prasadam. Today, read from Krishna Book---Gopis searching for Krishna, yesterday was the deliverance of Muchukunda.  A few days ago, was reading from CHANT HARE KRISHNA AND BE HAPPY, an interview with  George Harrison.

Waiting for Kapi-Dhvaja newsletter. Thank you very much, HARE KRISHNA.

yours servant,

Raktak Das

                        agtsp....               ... 0'........     you a pure devotee yet???   such an elevated birth, now you have to become a pure devotee. chant your rounds with just one question on your mind, "what service do you want from me today, my lord"?   ....    ? ?

T L G S P !
Todas las Glorias a Usted Guru Maharaja, perdone mi ausencia casi dos meses sin poder reportarme devido a que cai en la mente y pase por un momento de aflixion devido que usted no me recuerda <img alt="sad" src="http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/sad_smile.gif" title="sad" /> ce que tiene muchos discipulos y trabajo en servicio a krsna pero fue inevitable, pero bueno algunos de sus Discipulos hablaron conmigo y me an quitado ese tipo de pensamientos <img alt="smiley" src="http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.gif" title="smiley" /> y se que tengo que esforzarme mas.

                   HpS - Jaya.  TlgaSP... pfanrh...  Y no hablo bien Espanol.   Revatinandan Swami dijo a nosotros que una vez pregunte a Srila Prabhupada que sus discipulos piensan que cuando estan limpiando el piso en el templo Srila Prabhupada era conciente de lo que hacen ellos, y pregunte de Srila Prabhupada si era un hecho.    Srila Prabhupada respondio que, "Yo no soy el super-alma. Cuando necesito entender algo acerca de un discipulo, Krsna me informe, y usualmente de una manera exterior".

O.K. Mas que comunicamos mas que conocemos uno a otro, pero Krsna conoce todo!

Querido Guru Maharaja gracias a krsna tenemos un trabajo en donde tambien podemos servirle a el, asi que de ese modo intentamos hacercar a la gente al movimiento por medio del Prasadam dando clases de cocina, las clases se llaman Jagannatha Seva tenemos un pequeño grupo de amas de casa que desean aprender mas de la filosofia junto con su familia, asi que esperemos por la misericordia de Srila Prabhupada y de usted, nuestro servicio logre tener frutos.

Por ultimo Guru Maharaja seguimos manteniendo nuestro servicio todos los domingos en la cocina de Sus Señorias Sri Sri Radha Madan Gopal, esperando nos regale de su asociacion si su salud se lo permite en Octubre Guru Maharaja, cuatro principios aun luchamos contra la lujuria <img alt="sad" src="http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/sad_smile.gif" title="sad" />,  16 rondas y seguimos esforzandonos por pararnos temprano sin mas por el momento quedo a sus ordenes su intento de sirviente Bhakta Octavio.

                         HpS -   Lujuria es natural.  Si estamos agitado por deseos sexual es es natural, saludable, y si estamos pensando en mantener celibato con el propuesto de se buen padre cuando estamos casado, muy bien.   Todo la conciencia de Krsna es la manera mas natural y feliz vivir en el mundo material.    Podemos tener 8-esposas y 48-hijos si es nuestra karma. Krsna enviare todo lo que necesitamos.   Buen fotos..... .. . .    

                     Mas noticias!!

AGTSP...  We have to run to the temple room.   We spent a long time on the "Panorama oF Madrid" letter, but was REALLY worth it.      This is where we surpass all other Yoga groups. We talk about our problems with love and then we advance.  We are at Tandavika'S house for the weekend.  We sleep a little too much because of stupidity and also stress, and want to learn to improve so we can do better service.

O.K.  Temple!

AGTSrila Prabhupada,

Dandavats Pranam Maharaja,

First at all, I do hope your health and providence are as better as it can. You´re always in the Hands of Sri Gouranga Maharaja, so please give light to some of my questions:
It is appropiate for a fallen soul like me offering bhoga to Krsna? I have been told that the key is to offer bhoga to Srila Prabhupada, as I am not qualified to make it directly. Please let me know your direct instruction and I will follow it as you´re Srila Prabhupada and Krsna representative I am sure you can take away all duplicity in me.

It is always a pleasure to be in contact with you Maharaja, we´re all enthusiastic to know more about you and to please you and serve you here in Argentina. Whenever Krsna make you come to here we will serve you in all you need.

Reverences to you Mahatma,

Yours, Bhakta David.

              HpS - AGTSP.   Thank you your nice letter!!!!       YES. You can cook with no meat, fish, egges, onion or garlic and offer it to Srila Prabhupada to offer to Krsna, and if there are remnants then you should distribute them and take some yourself!!!   You can also offer Mahaprasadam from the Temple to your picture, foto of Srila Prabhupada, in your residence, on your altar. and take the remnants.  Yes, as we improve our character Krsna appreciates the offerings more, and for installed deities must be brahmanas who offers.

Send foto of your altar.