CC Madhya 11.57

bāhya-jñāna nāhi, se-kāle kṛṣṇa-nāma śuni,

āliṅgana karibena tomāya ‘vaiṣṇava’ ‘jāni’

bāhya-jñāna nāhi — without external consciousness; se-kāle — at that time; kṛṣṇa-nāma śuni’ — by hearing the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; āliṅgana karibena — He will embrace; tomāya — you; vaiṣṇava jāni’ — taking you to be a Vaiṣṇava.

“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will be in a mood of ecstatic love, without external consciousness. At that time, as you recite those chapters from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, He will embrace you, knowing you to be a pure Vaiṣṇava.

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Dear Guru Maharaja,

In Bengali wordings says kṛṣṇa-nāma śuni. Synonym says by 'hearing the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa'. Translations says 'recite those chapters from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam!'

I appreciate how SP is giving purport(s) already in the translations and also how, on spiritual plane, some activities looking different from outside are same from inside (exoteric and esoteric?). There is no mention of SB in the verse, even though, there is mention about it before in context of a whole situation.

Another phrase from the verse āhya-jñāna nāhi — without external consciousness. In translation SP adds in a mood of ecstatic love.

From these situations, I remember Bhaktivonoda Thakura who wrote something like: we should understand the spirit of sastra and not (just) words.

Could you comment on this?

HpS - AgtSP. Thanks from everyone here for such nice questions. It is big topic. We hope we can add a little to your investigation in trying to know Srila Prabhupada, his words.

It is very clear to all scholars, external or internal to ISKCON, that Srila Prabhupada's Translations differ from what is in the WFW. Srinivasa Das brought this up in a class in Boise and then Radhika-ramana Das, our Oxford Sanskritist, commented with enthusiasm that Srila Prabhupada tends to translate with the commentaries of Sridhara Swami and write the Purports with the commentary of Jiva Goswami.

So, Translations may be in context of the surrounding verses, maybe they include the comments of our Acharya's like Visvannatha, Bh. Vinode Th, Bh. Siddhanta Maharaja.

Maybe, maybe, maybe Srila Prabhupada's personal ecstatic visions.

That's what I know and how I go ahead with my study of our ISKCON Acharya. We listened to the dictation tapes for the KRSNA book and it was enlivening to see the editing to the first big KRSNA book. Now there are later changes.

Radhika-ramana Das has been on the like 10-man committee that is going through looking at each book and making final edits that then should be the official ISKCON version.

As he describes it, it is going too slow, yet expects good results.

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Changing the subject - You tweeted on 8th Nov: 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class dust? May I ask what you mean by that, in context of the pastime and / or generally? What comes to my mind is that different kinds (energy) of mercy is received from and by different devotees. But cannot connect that to the specific pastime.

HpS - Yes, that is what we were thinking. We can take the dust, offer our respects, listen submissively to devotees in terms of their advancement.

https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/3/#bb5869

Then NoI-5 gives how much each different level is authorized. Eg. at annual Rathayatra for our Temple we se Bhakta Beauford who we know is a very nice guy. Comes to temple, chants some rounds on his beads, but not 16, has some attachment to marijuana etc.

He asks, "Hey, Nama, what's this I hear about Krsna Das (temple president) getting to loose with the ladies".

Nama Swami answers: "There are problems everywhere and devotees are analyzing the situation in a pretty sober way. Hope there is some publich resolution about things for everyone's well being soon that you and I can hear".

If it is Madhyama Adhikari asking then we can discuss in more intimate detail judging their position.

If it is Srila Prabhupada asking then we tell him whatever we know without reservation.

You can bottle it and sell it: 1st, 2nd and 3rd class dust form the feet of Vaisnavas?

Thank you!

Your servant Namacarya Das

HpS - May all your cottages be rented!!! 🙂 More mercy as you can,

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 

Thank you again for letting us camp out with you in Murfreesboro. That was a wonderful time that we are holding on to. Thank you again for tolerating me and engaging me:) 

HpS/ASA - Thank you for your association. We need more and more.

Seems to be some confusion about ISKCON of Boise and The Hare Krsna Temple corporation.

What if we ask our GBC Secretary to make an official Branch of ISKCON Los Angeles as ISKCON Boise, that has a formal agreement with Hare Krsna Center about use of buildings etc?

Too much?

It is like getting married. It is a formality but not a meaningless formality.

ISKCON Boise needs to make a cultural conquest!

We will look at the photos and hope to hear more about our Temple in Boise and everyone.

Hope the Kapi Dhvaja and these Blog posts are adequate.

Feel really energized to see you in the FMS!

H.G. Kalakantha Prabhu was very happy to receive your letter and copy of Tava Pache Pache. I was able to help him with some things around his farm and talk to his cows. Also, had the great fortune to live like a Krishna House student for a couple of days and do some service. These little glimpses and experiences of brahmachari life seem to be very helpful for our grihasta life. We hope to be a full fledged brahmachari  grihastha someday. Not sure if that’s a bonafide term. Maybe what I mean to say is just a matured grihastha. 

We are happy to hear that the fourth DTC movie is complete. Looking forward to seeing this one that is set in Spain. These movies are very inspiring to us on many levels. I have always been around artists, writers, eccentric intellectuals..through out our little life for some reason. We see a great opportunity for these types of people in our circle/village to be inspired by these movies. These people can go deeper and become truly mad. Mad for Krishna! This is a desire I am trying to cultivate. The bridge is there? I just need to say “hey, you got to see this and check out what this guy has to say..”? 

There are a couple film festivals in the area(North West) that I’ve played shows at that I think would be very interested in one or all of the DTC movies. Is it okay if I propose to them/submit? I have good contacts for both. They happen annually. 

Then eventually I want to muster up the strength to get the first movie into the Egyptian theater downtown. They play all kinds of stuff and quite a lot of independent films and documentaries. So why not Diary of a Traveling Creature: The Ultimate Trip on the marquee !? 

The GoTo meeting morning program has been very good for us. Very helpful in setting the right perspective for the day with your association and the devotees. Propels us into our local program!

So much struggle with the false ego though and our ignorance and remaining enthusiastic. Making baby steps and falling down a lot but always lifted up by your mercy.

This quote often comes to mind when trying to get through the work day and when cultivating my monkey mind to get my rounds done early(: “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible” 

-Saint Fransis 

ASA - 😮 Amazing! Just amazing. Prabhupada said that St. Francis was a BHAKTA!

We have sent film number four to our Board of Director's for their comments and then we will do a larger Critic's Review, we hope with a copy for you, then Gala Release. We hope Jaga-guru Das in Chile can lead this.

Maybe you can work with him.

Invite devotees from Chile to Boise!

Thank you Maharaja !! 

Your aspiring servant, 

Nitisara das 

P.S. here are some pictures from the RY festival: 

Hare Krishna Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Here is a picture of my favorite bead bag. It's got Radha Kalachandji on it!!

Jaya Radha Kalachandji!!

Plus the wrist pouches look cool!

HpS - AgtSP. We were asking for Photos of My Favorite Bead! 🙂

https://vedabase.io/en/library/kb/35/#bb91411

It may show up on V'base.com on our screen as the previous paragraph.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada

Todas las glorias a sus pies de loto

Mis más humildes reverencias

Haré Krishna querido Guru Maharah

Respecto a la última carta le informe al residente del templo pero no me dió una respuesta, solo recibió la información.

Tuvimos una reunión hace unos meses en dónde se consideró para un año mi carta de recomendación para tomar iniciación, sin embargo no desisto en este camino espiritual que tanto me encanta y es parte de mi vida.

Por otra parte me gustaría comentarle que recientemente inicie a salir con un devoto llamado Caitanya Nitai hijo de Jana Priyaa disipula de SS. Gurú Prasad Swami y Valmiki Das discípulo de SS. Paramadvaiti Swami.

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All glories to Srila Prabhupada

All glories at his lotus feet

My most humble reverences

I will do (Hare 🙂) Krishna dear Guru Maharah

Regarding the last letter, I informed the resident of the temple but he did not give me a response, he only received the information.

We had a meeting a few months ago where my letter of recommendation to take initiation was considered for one year, however I am not giving up on this spiritual path that I love so much and is part of my life.

ASA - https://vedabase.io/es/library/bg/6/24/#bb1688

On the other hand, I would like to tell you that I recently started dating a devotee named Caitanya Nitai, son of Jana Priyaa, a disciple of His Holiness. Guru Prasad Swami and Valmiki Das disciple of HH. Paramadvaiti Swami.

HpS - What does "dating" mean to you and devotees in your community? Is interesting that is means something different in India, Spain, Ecuador and MEXICO, no?

Nice to hear what it means in Mexico and to your personal community.

If there is delay in the formal response from the administration about recommendation for initiation, then please send us a copy of your letter here with names and addresses of the administrators.

It is very simple matter.

We can deal with it in simple but significant way.

Thank you.

Each of us is supposed to be Guru for so many people!!!

Can Caitanya-nitai Das write to us here! 🙂

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj Please accept my respectful obeisances All Glories to Srila Prabhupada All Glories to your Service and immense Sankirtan. I pray that the Lord always grants you improvement in your health I begin my report by thanking you for always inspiring us with your example.

My sadhana is good (although it could be better), four regulative principles, 16 rounds and gayatri mantra (maybe sometimes not at the corresponding times) ok.

Worship at home with Lalita Madhava, distribution of prasadam and music.

I am pursuing BS in its final stage (studying Upadesamrta), Bhagavad gita, Sri Isopanisad and Nectar of devotion ok, my teacher Priya Sakhi.

Guru Maharaja please instruct me on how to face certain adversities with respect to service, many times I see how far away it is to be able to have an advance in my spiritual life because every day I must fight with my ego and work on my character (it is difficult for me not to react to unfair situations of negligence) but I know that Krishna always controls, but many times this attitude works against me, how should I act?

I have asked devout brahmanis for advice. I know that the attitude is to be submissive, but should I always be submissive, even if the situation is unfair? CC Ādi-līlā 7.50, I think pure devotees like you can only have this attitude, how can we kaniṣṭa-adhikārī devotees achieve this attitude?

If madhyama-adhikārī is too big for us sometimes.

Currently I am still doing worship service (until two weeks ago) and in charge of the Initiation Committee, it has been hard, we were mainly 4 members and now only 2.

Guru Maharaj this service has been unpleasant for me at times because it demands what our GBC gives us, the devotees think that it is personal, my attitude is to provide service in a favorable way and with the intention of being a contribution, but I think that perhaps I have completed my cycle in this service, you in the previous letter recommended that I try, it will be that I have already completed my cycle?

Currently there is a significant decline in devotees who are not going to the temple due to unresolved internal problems, for work or because they have simply stepped aside due to unresolved issues, that makes me sad.

What is the attitude I should take in this situation? Waiting for your instruction Your would-be servant Manjuali Devi Dasi November 5, Santiago de Chile.

HpS - Hare Krsna! Thinking about you so often and now we hear from you, thank you.

Your question is like 99% like the question that Sadhubhusana from Manipura just asked.

Did Sriman Lalita madhava Das go with us to Manipura one time?

Please read, translate.google.com {?}, https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/14443/.

Is O.K.?

There are some details in your questions that are not in this letter to S Bh Das, but most.

Others we have already discussed, no?

How long have you been on the Diksa community? Did you make an arrangement with GBC et al for how long you would do it?

So many times we have suggested that that is essential aspect of administrative service.

Please, give us your comments on letter to S.Bh. Das.

Any news from, dreams of your father?

Hare Krishna, Dear Maharaj,

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

Maharaj, we are sincerely praying to Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra for your good health and long life. 

Hope to get your divine darshan again soon in Manipur.

HpS - As soon, agtSP, as I read this, tears come to my eyes. So, sad, but... it is like https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/11/, our separation is only temporary. We are eternally related.

Krsna goes to Hastinapura for some time but then He returns to Dvaraka!

Last night, in my dream, Maharaj [H. H. B. S Damodara Swami? or us?] was present in the Brahmachari Ashram of ISKCON Manipur, and Maharaj was trying to send some messages to your Blog from my computer and you were indicating me to send it. Thinking that this is an indication to write something to you, I am writing this letter to you Maharaj. Long time I have been out of touch with you. Kindly forgive me for that.

HpS - 😿

We hear that there is a terrible internet block, but fortunately we get some news from Sarad bhihari and Yamunesvara et al.

Recently, few days ago, we had an online meeting with the concerned ISKCON leaders of the Eastern India for the approval of the Guruship of H. H. Bhakti Ananda Haridasa Goswami Maharaj. No positive result from the meeting. We have to again wait for another 6-7 months.

I have been regularly attending our Eastern India’s Divisional Council meetings. What I experience from those meetings is that – most of the leaders are very aggressive, not afraid of criticizing/offending exalted pure devotees, and are not respectful of the devotees.

Whenever, I am in such kind of meetings, I am very much afraid of myself whether I am in the midst of critics/offenders of the devotees. Please guide me on this matter Maharaj.

HpS - Not just, agtSP, you, myself, other Sannyasis and even many GBC Secretaries that we know express their distress with GBC meetings.

That is one point that these are meetings in the mode of passion, administration, men, money, family relations.

Srila Prabhupada says that fighting is a necessary part of family life, so no one should be to disturbed by it.

... but the Sannyasa, Brahminical culture should govern the administrative culture. The strong, pure character of ISKCON Brahmanas, Sannyasis, who do not get too much involved with the details of men and money, should give the perspective to these "dirty and lusty" activities. 🙂

Did you pass stool and urine today?

Of course, I did.

We all do.

It is necessary, but it should be regulated in social, polite perspective by higher Chakras.

Is O.K.?

Participate from Ksatriya-Brahmana perspective as is proper for your character and Ashrama but beyond that don't be involved.

Be sure that your criticisms and requirements as Brahmana are properly expressed and then depend upon Brahminical work like this Blog and Krsna and Balarama's Vrndavana Demon killing activities to take care of the rest.

In Vrndavana (ISKCON?) only Krsna and Balarama kill demons. Of course, they may enter our bodies and minds to do it, but then it is obvious that They have taken control.

Everyone else calls: Hare Krsna! Hare Rama! Hare Krsna! Hare Rama!

We learn love of Srila Prabhupada from our Guru Maharaj. We get strength to serve Srila Prabhupada more and more from our Guru Maharaj. But our Guru Maharaj is no more physically present amongst us. Because of my stupidity, impureness ……, I am unable to feel his physical presence now and then. We are facing a lot problem in his physical absence. And always thinking – how his desires on ISKCON Manipur would be fulfilled in the midst of insurgency problems, communal riots, strong anti-hindu feelings among the Manipuri youths, etc., etc., … and in midst of very narrow minded, envious, non-cooperating management heads of our division? Please guide me in proper direction Maharaj.

HpS/ASA - We get, agtSP, nice perspective from https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/28/ starting with Verse 48. For example, Srila Prabhupada says: "...when he disappears, things once again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the ācārya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master."

We try our best then Krsna and Balarama act.

Sometimes Krsna wants Duryodhana, Hiranyakaspur to have external success. So we have have to let there be external defeats.

Maybe ISKCON will just be you, me and Prabhupada 😅

😅 😅. We can try. There will always be results if we try.

Draupadi was complaining often about Yuddhisthira's not taking arms to claim his rights instead of living in the forest, no?

She complained to Krsna, no?

Yet she never lost faith that Krsna was ultimately in complete control and things would work out for the best.

Since Guru Maharaj’s disappearance, you are the only person who comes to Manipur regularly, giving your valuable time and energy for delivering the fallen souls of Manipur. Thank you very much Maharaj for your love of ISKCON Manipur and Sripada Maharaj. Offences we have committed to your goodself during your Manipur visits, kindly forgive us considering that we are fools.

We hope that Maharaj visits to Manipur again and again. Kindly forgive me if I have committed any offence at your lotus feet knowingly or unknowingly.

Your servant

Sadhubhusan Das

ISKCON Manipur

 HpS - 😅

you are damn rascal Sadhubusan Das!

Damn Rascal! 😅 😅 😅 We love Manipur. We love Manimandir. We can only make very small contribution. Your comments make us feel like we should be visiting right now, but we know that Krsna Candra is in charge!

If he needs you, me, he will take us there, no?

Did Krsna abandon the Braja-basis and go to Mathura?