Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna dear Gurumaharaja,

Please accept my humbles obeinsances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Quite some time has passed since the last time I wrote to you. I was having some difficulties with the password to access the website. Today, I tried again with a different password and it worked.

asa - 🙂

https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/6/24/#bb1688

Currently, we are living in Cordoba, Argentina. About a year ago, we managed to purchase a place where we could live and at the same time carry out educational projects. It's a 3.5-hectare property with 3 houses, each of them varying in size. Thanks to the infrastructure of the houses, in early 2023, we were able to host Bhakti Bhushana Swami and accommodate 30 devotees.

asa - 👍

In the middle of last year, along with Dhanvantari Swami, we conceived the idea of establishing the Jaladuta Institute here on our premises for the year 2023. After a lot of effort, we were able to bring the project to fruition. 13 devotees from different parts of South America enrolled, and since May, we have been conducting the Bhakti Sastri course in our home, which will conclude by the end of November 2023.

Maharaja Dhanvantari stayed with us for 3 months at the beginning of the course, teaching his Bhakti Sastri curriculum.

The course is progressing very well; we have fixed morning programs every day, along with open Sunday programs for the community.

The Jaladuta Institute project in Argentina is inspiring many individuals, and we have received excellent feedback from local yatra authorities.

Being fully engaged in this project has brought tremendous enthusiasm to my family and me to serve in Srila Prabhupada's mission and to continue assisting in the field of education within ISKCON.

We offer this service at the lotus feet of our Gurudevs and hope to be able to continue serving in this area.

Maharaja Dhanvantari has the idea of conducting the Bhakti Sastri course in person every other year in Argentina, alternating with a year in Brazil, one year in Portuguese and the next in Spanish.

We would greatly like to extend an invitation for you to visit Argentina and spend some days here during this year.

HpS/ASA - 😦

Are you reading the 'Kapi Dhvaja'? 😃

It is so nice to have the invitation, but looking at at least three different factors we are estimating that we will be leaving this old, tired body, donkey, about September 2023.

Tired dog.

But happy.

At least we only travel now if someone picks us up at our door and brings us back.

Certainly we are considering invitations to talk about Krsna and go places, but we have to put them in proportion to our energy. 🚥

Such nice, news. Hear Srila Prabhupada's books, read the to others.

Nothing else needs to be done, no?

Please engage us in your Sankirtan as you see our nature and strength!

Thank you.

Thanks to, Mataji, all the Cordobites!

Thank you!!!

Your servant,

Devaki-nandana Das

Hare Krsna, Gurudev.

Please receive my most humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you.

I hope you are well in every way 🙏

Thank you for everything you do for Krsna, Srila Prabhupada, your godbrothers, your disciples and for humanity 🙏

ASA/HpS - We are like little babys taking first steps, no? Whatever progress we make is because our father is holding our hand.

AgtSP!!!

16 and 4 okay.

Gurudev, I have a question and a need... How can we surrender, be submissive, humble?

HpS - The question is like, "How can I build a vast economic empire that spans the world, and occupies my efforts for the next 14-lives". 🙂

Yet, the basic answer is the Bhakti-yoga that SP has given us.

Just do it then. . . SB 5.18.12.

Yet, Krsna, Advaita Acharya, is sending lessons in humility all the time, no? Our job is to accept them, learn from them. Then we can become BIG humble guys! 😄

Jaya!

Jaya ananda Das said that humility does not mean to just avoid being artificially large. it also means to avoid becoming artificially small.

humility is self realization.

"I am the 25th best book distributor in argentina. o.k. i will get better at that. follow those ahead of me, teach those behind me of me!".

In the sense that everything that happens to us in life is our responsibility, and no one (not even Krsna) is to blame for what we conceive as our frustrations, failures and misfortunes....

How can we accept?

Surrender, resign ourselves, sink... how is it done?

HpS - Answer above, but Krsna/Radha, et al, are responsible in at least one sense. they are causelessly merciful. prabhupada said that his karma was to be a rich dude, but KRSNA and guru saw that is would not be good for his spiritual life, so they frustrated him again and again

Maybe someone can be very productive in Sannyasa ashrama as civil Widow, so Radha Krsna arrange a quick marriage experience that shows them what the situation actually is.

There is pretty well documented quote from Edison, who said that before he found out how to make an electric light bulb he had 1,000 failed attempts.

So, we might need to make 1,000 failed attempts to get to pure devotional service, so start making failures [and learn A LOT from each one].

thank you for everything Gurudev and for accepting me despite my lack of qualification.

Your would-be servant DevaVrata das

..........................

Hare Krsna, Gurudev.

Reciba mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada y a ti.

Espero que te encuentres bien en todo sentido 🙏

Gracias por todo lo que haces por Krsna, Srila Prabhupada, tus hermanos espirituales, tus discipulos y por la humanidad 🙏

16 y 4 ok. 

Gurudev, tengo una pregunta y una necesidad...

¿Cómo podemos rendirnos, ser sumisos, humildes? 

En el sentido de que todo lo que nos pasa en la vida es nuestra responsabilidad y nadie (ni Krsna) tiene la culpa de lo que nosotros concebimos como nuestras frustraciones, fracasos y desdichas.... 

¿Cómo podemos aceptar? Rendirnos, resignarnos, sumirnos... 

¿cómo se hace?

gracias por todo Gurudev y por aceptarme a pesar de mi falta de cualificación.

Tu aspirante a sirviente DevaVrata das

asa[e] = vad; grhastha; older wife

we have heard that srila prabhupada said that if the wife is older than the husband, then marriage will not be successful.

of course, there are details, details, details.

yet in general we have seen it to be true.

[maybe our expectations have caused the result] ❓

ideal is that girl is maybe 10-years old when she is engaged and boy is like 18-years old.

she can very easily idealize him.

civil marriage, live together at 16.

doesn't mean that man/boy cannot have sisters, aunts, cousins older than him.

no, no, no. doesn't mean that.

very tranquil.

very nice.

subtle sex.

no gross stimulation.

''nirbandha krsna sambandhe

yukta viaragya ucate''.

Hare Krsna Gurudeva, AGTSP, PAMHO

Can you kindly describe/elaborate on ability of swan to separate milk from water?

What can we learn and implement from it?

Devotees are like swan or bees, or both?

Connection with you is the only hope.

HpS - If that is the case, you in a lot of trouble Bobba!

🙂

Take advantage of the books that Srila Prabhupada has given us through ISKCON, use us in our capacity. God is in your heart.

He is controlling your life in detail.

🌷

We cannot get much detail on these analogies. Guess mechanically it is like us filtering liquid from beans through our teeth!! ?

In general the analogy seems to be the same, yes:

Swami takes only the milk from the lotus.

Bees look only for the honey from the flower.

Smart guy accepts good lady for wife from low class family.

Nectar from poison.

Gold from stool.

Education from low class teacher!

Harsh pradhan

[Haya griva Avatara Das???]

I knew a Harsh pradhana, but he died!

Hope he has not become a Zombi.

7.02Pm we must go for a walk or die!

Thank you so much. Hari bolo! Hari bolo!

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

Please accept my obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for your answers and for not letting go of my hand despite my setbacks. I feel that you are my best friend on this planet, since you are the representative of the Supreme Friend, Krishna, but I feel like Arjuna seeing the universal form.

HpS/ASA - 🐒 AGTSP! ! . . !

Well, maybe in my next birth I will have a better body and mind to serve you better, without making so many mistakes.

HpS/ASA - Ditto! 👍

I have some questions:

1.- You suggested I do yoga to improve my meditation, but when I practice it I feel pain in the joints that I have affected, perhaps it is because I do not do it properly or I am not constant.

However, I really like Chi Kung, which is similar to Tai Chi, and it doesn't bother me when I practice it. Do you think that chi kung serves in the same way as yoga for that goal?

HpS - I don't know the details. In general, Dancing for our Chanting is the best Pranayama, but considering the modern circumstances, we don't see that these practical systems are bad! Also chance to give KC association to fellow students and teacher!

2.- There are 4 dogs in my parents' house and sometimes I have had to give them dog food, which is made from meat. Is it okay for me to feed them? I say this in the sense that with this action the killing of animals is still being perpetuated.

ASA - Very strong statement by Srila Prabhupada in https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/7/37/.

Tell people that because of the details of your religious principles and personal feelings of compassion you don't get involved in killing, transporting, cooking, serving animals.

3.- When one achieves liberation, does the false ego disappear or is one simply so elevated that one no longer identifies with it even though it is still there?

HpS - Different levels of liberation. Taking "false ego" as "ahankare" it is there is the beginning phases and has some influence but it is reduced as we go from first to second to third initiation. At second initiation it is under control, but is still there.

When we leave the material atmosphere it is not there.

https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/7/#bb5987

🙂

4.- The soul does nothing more than wish, the modalities are the ones that act through our mind and body in each action, but when one performs a Krishna conscious activity, does it follow the same operation or is the soul the one that is acting directly?

HpS - Who is riding the bicycle? Father holds it up in every way while the child sits on it in the beginning, but child becomes more and more responsible as he matures in his senses and skills, no?

We are always small, but as we become sincere then Maya ceases to engage us through external energy and Radha takes over. Then She realizes our desires of service.

Thank you very much Gurudeva

I wish I could always remember you

be able to serve you

And to be able to intensify my devotion towards Radha and Krishna

your servant

Piyari Mohan das

Hare Krsna!!

asa[e] - vad; sannyasa; in iskcon

Please accept my humble obeisances, Guru Maharaja.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Regarding your question about taking Sannyasa, this is a very important question, because it is you who is asking it.

For the moment, I must say that I am not prepared (although it feels difficult and lacking to say No to one's own Guru).

At the same time, I will explain myself and seek your understanding.

I am about to turn 40 years old. My mind and nature are solitary and content, and in a few years, they will mature further in that direction.

I have many desires to read and study various things, both in spirituality and material pursuits, achieving a certain balance and realization.

Personally, I enjoy speaking and assisting devotees when they ask questions, or nurturing ideas so that they don't lose their enthusiasm or faith, or both.

Due to my passionate nature, there is always something new to investigate or learn, and the Vedic worldview does not allow for giving up.

However, it is difficult for me to be in a position (sannyasa) that sets me apart from others, especially within an institution with a lot of diplomacy (bureaucracy), which I find exhausting. One knows oneself in their heart; I try to be a simple servant, making an effort to rise above the modes of passion and ignorance.

HpS - 😁 This is almost exactly my answer to Hansadutta (and then B. S. Damodara, Trivikrama, Ramesvara and Tripurari Swamis and Atreya rsi Prabhu) when they pushed us to take Sannyasa.

"The purpose of Sannyasa seems to be to get free from respect and worship, but it seems to be the exact opposite."

Srila Prabhupada quotes a V. Puja offering from Sril Bh. Siddhanta S. P. where is he says that Majaprabhu preaches Trnad Api Sahisuna, but here I (Bh. Siddhanta) am sitting like a big arrogant beast up on an elevated seat above everyone else.

The conclusion is that in most cases it is the best thing to do.

We have to show people an example of what they should do.

It is like having a public wedding ceremony. You and your "novia" are fully committed to living a chaste Vedic life together, but the ritual is not without meaning.

It has an effect.

It makes you humble, "Why are all these people offering obeisances, donations to me???"

"Because they see Krsna and Prabhupada acting through me."

Unless you realize that you are the mailman and not the sender of the letter, then you will fall down.

I follow the regulative principles and chant the 16 rounds. I understand the advantages this has in life. Brahma Muhurta is crucial in the equation, as are Ekadasis. Reading and memorizing are enjoyable and uplifting.

I spend 4 days a week in Govardhan (MDP), attending 4 Mangalartiks, sometimes 3. 3 days in Mar del Plata at a devotee's house, studying welding and electricity from 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, and electricity from 6:40 PM to 9:30 PM on Wednesdays. I return to Govardhan on Thursday morning.

I cook most of the food I offer, although there are some items that I don't cook and it shows; this should improve over time, I believe.

I associate only with married devotees or those who intend to marry (good devotees). Nevertheless, I interact with others as needed (since it happens naturally). I have a strong sense of my purpose, and my nature doesn't lend itself to much socializing.

Enthusiasm: reading, Mangala Japa, and Ekadasis; I also watch Mayapur TV. I also engage in Prajalpa, watch some movies or series, but I recognize that these are temporary pleasures, and there's some inertia from this life.

I still discuss worldly topics, perhaps in this lifetime we will reach a point where we only speak Krishna Katha.

HpS - Or see how everything is related to Krsna in a fascinating, practical way.

I have distanced myself from senior devotees who visit. I try to be respectful and maintain a distance, as otherwise, it might not be good for my enthusiasm.

The plan is to continue studying electricity and other trades this year and the next, while also studying the Srimad Bhagavatam, slokas, fire sacrifices, etc. I am laying the groundwork for the future. My parents are now 74 and 70, and my plan is to spend a few months with them in 2025 and then return to Govardhan. This is what I can project.

Looking at this panorama, I don't see myself ready for renunciation, nor do I understand it in the way I currently perceive it. Being a public figure is also a significant obstacle.

Thank you for accepting me as your disciple, despite my circumstances, and for being an example. Please forgive me for talking so much about myself.

At your service,

Adi Yajña Das

HpS - Jaya! Super. Personally I think you are excellent candidate for Sannyasa. You can show everyone how even the greatest idiot in ISKCON must become Goswami and if in a male body try to take Sannyasa formally as a declaration of becoming exclusively a maidservant of the Gopis in their service to Krsna.

The GBC rules, as we remember, are that you mist be 50-years old except for special adjustments.

So, your plan seems good, but it seems that you and most others as discussed should take Sannyasa. Seems we may formally be gone from this gross atmosphere ten years from now. Maybe we will take birth in New Govardhana. 🙂 😼😼😼

but Yadunandana Swami seems like someone who would be a deligtful Sannysa Guru.

Thank you.