Letters to the editor

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.

VYASAPUJA OFFERING

2023

With great humility we offer our obeisance at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Prabhupada, author of the book, KRSNA, The Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Srila Prabhupada, you have given us the Holy Names of the Panca-tattva, and Smt. Radharani, Krsna and Lord Balarama.

You have given us Dvaraka and Krsna's pastimes with Vasudeva and Devaki and all the Dvaraka-vasis.

You have given us the worship and friendship of Lord Nrsmha deva in thick-and-thin.

The list goes on without limit.

What have we given to you?

It seems mostly whole bunch of petty, greedy, selfish desires.

Oooof!

It is just amazing that we can look at your transcendental Murti and feel some presence of you there looking back at us.

You're concern for your disciples new and old is very personal. It is not just black or white. You are upset with their offenses and appreciative of their little efforts in so many detailed ways.

We feel like dogs.

Mostly we are just driven to serve in your Iskcon by the modes of material nature.

What could be more fun, freeing from fear etc than to belong to your ISKCON?

Yet, like a dog, when put into the mode of goodness by the arrangement of his master, he can sometimes actually make a little personal, conscious effort to do some real causeless service.

Thank you, again and again.

Thanks to all your disciples and well wishers.

By your divine grace we will continue to try to do something for your Sankirtan efforts to illuminate Radha Krsna and transcendental world, and hope to be a part of your Sankirtan party life after life.

Hanumat-presaka Swami

Todas las glorias a nuestro Fundador Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda! 

Querido Gurumaharaja

Por favor acepte nuestras respetuosas reverencias. 

Orando y agradeciendo al Señor Nrisimhadeva para que siempre proteja su energía consagrada al sankirtana eterno de Śrīla Prabhupāda y porsupuesto para que proteja mi contaminado corazón de nuestro enemigo más grande: la lujuria.

Prontamente se celebrará Janmastami, por la bendición de Śrīla Prabhupāda desde el corazón purificado podemos saber que existe una atmósfera de paz y prosperidad en todas partes y en todas las direcciones pero quizás nuestros ojos materiales no pueden ver, sin embargo las estrellan brillarán en su máximo esplendor por el nacimiento del Señor Krishna.

Estamos leyendo los libros de Śrīla Prabhupāda y escuchando algunas clases regularmente, tenemos algunas preguntas.

De acuerdo a Srila Jiva Goswami el paribhasa sutra del Srimad Bhagavatam es el 1.3.28 , nos gustaría saber por favor si es correcto que el paribhasa sutra del BG es el 18.65 ? 

Atma Tattva 

•BG. 2.24

El alma está en todas partes y es inmóvil..

Cómo entendemos está aparente contradicción? 

También queremos aprovechar la oportunidad para solicitar por favor su ofrenda para el Vyasapuja 2023 de Śrīla Prabhupāda para poder leer en el templo.

Muchas gracias por su misericordiosa atención.

Disculpe por favor nuestras ofensas. 

Vuestra eterna aspirante a sirviente

Asta Sakhi dd

Prabhu Manash Ranjan le ofrece sus respetuosas reverencias. 

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All glories to our Founder Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Dear Gurumaharaja

Please accept our respectful obeisances.

Praying and thanking Lord Nrisimhadeva to always protect his energy consecrated to Śrīla Prabhupāda's eternal sankirtana and of course to protect my polluted heart from our greatest enemy: lust.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP. . . . ! . We wonder how we can continue in devotional service, since we are very insincere, but maybe it is because of the best wishes of other devotees!

Janmastami will soon be celebrated, by the blessing of Śrīla Prabhupāda from the purified heart we can know that there is an atmosphere of peace and prosperity everywhere and in all directions but perhaps our material eyes cannot see, however the stars will shine at their maximum splendor by the birth of Lord Krishna.

We are reading Śrīla Prabhupāda's books and listening to some classes regularly, we have some questions:

According to Srila Jiva Goswami the paribhasa sutra of Srimad Bhagavatam is 1.3.28, we would like to know if it is correct that the paribhasa sutra of BG is 18.65?

HpS/ASA - As we remember, we have read from devotees that the most cited verse by Srila Prabhupada is BG 18.66. Yet, we remember one comment by Srila Narayana Maharaja that BG 18.65 was the essence of BG.

That is all I know.

It seems to me that Srila Bhakti siddhanta might have comment that it is the PBS.

Certainly very important verse, often emphasized and used by Srila Prabhupada, no?

Atma Tattva

•BG. 2.24

The soul is everywhere and it is immobile.

How do we understand this apparent contradiction?

HpS/ASA - In the Purport Srila Prabhupada makes some comment on this: https://vedabase.io/es/library/bg/2/24/#bb572.

The souls collectively are distributed everywhere.

🐒 Bh. Tom suggests it is like saying that in Mexico Tamales are everywhere and immobile.

Also, we remember that SP comments the soul is sarva-gataḥ (omnipresente) means within the entire body... by its consciousness.

We also want to take the opportunity to please request your offering for Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vyasapuja 2023 so that we can read in the temple.

ASA - We searched our files on our computer and letters in our E-mail account and cannot find it.

🤔

We will compose a little offering in another Blog Post!

Thank you very much for his merciful attention.

Please excuse our offenses.

Your eternal would-be servant

asta sakhi dd

Prabhu Manash Ranjan offers his respectful obeisances.

HpS - Thank you! What will be our next ASA service assignment from Srila Prabhupada! Will he give us one??!1

Thank you.

Respond to other posts.

Come with us?

W/A

AGTSP

PAMHO

Jay Gurumaharaja, we have already booked a house 20 mins away. With 3 bedrooms and full kitchen we can organize a small program there also , we may cook some pizza for you as well as anything else, we were wishing to be calm and close to you mainly, so I think it worked out perfect. Thank you

HpS/ASA

Very nice. Srila Prabhupada mercy.

What is the location?

How do you find Krsna Consciousness?

🐒🐒🐒🦍

asa[e] - ISKCON; Stay away! ISKCON Will Break Your Heart

WhatsApp from Carudesna Das (Name Changed to Protect the Innocent):

Hare Krishna, Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada.  I hope that all is going well for you in your devotional service. 🙏 

I feel very embarrassed and afraid to share with you the following information.  There was some kind of discussion that took place with the GBC and the leaders of this community.  As a result of that discussion, I was so hurt by what our GBC shared with me that I have decided to stay away from the temple indefinitely.

I only know what the GBC shared with me in our drive back to the airport and nothing more.  I don't wish to burden you with my grief, but because you have always been so kind and merciful to me in the past, I have this great responsibility to let you know well in advance what has transpired and why I will be absent during your visit. 

Our GBC and I are good friends. I hold no blame, no ill thoughts or feelings towards him for anything.  By Krishna's grace I have been spared such foolish tendencies.🙏🏻

He actually gave a genuinely warm and compassionate hug when I dropped him off at the airport.  So, I feel very confident of his support. 🙏🏻

Please forgive me for my offenses. You are still a siksha guru in my life. 🙏🏻😞🙏🏻

HpS/ASA - AgtSP! AgtSP's ISKCON. We have discussed so many times that there are three ISKCON"s. The institution. The circle of friends and finally our individual, directly experienced relationship with Srila Prabhupada FAOI.

Jaya.

I have hellish, HELLISH, H-E-L-L-I-S-H experiences in ISKCON, usually in management relations eg. Temple Presidents, GBC. B. S. Damodara Swami expressed the same to me. Three other GBCs I know express the hell of being involved with the situation.

Even today, I wrote we write notes in our Diary of how to deal with these things:

Devotees in the institution who are causing intense pain to others may be doing it because of the hell they personally, confidentially, are experiencing. They torment others, even to such a degree that they hope others will react with physical violence and kill them. (Direct admission of the tormenters revealed to us).

O.K, we have to avoid, mentally, socially, physically this problem and keep ourselves in a situation where we can give as much help to them as possible.

Of course, this may be Hanuman "helping" the Raksasa army that Ravana sent to the Asokavan when he was talking to Sita. He snuffed them all. (To help them 👍) but he left Ravana for Rama to chastise!

In general, in our association with your self, we never see that you act in such a way as to cause anything other than a desire for your association! We want it!

Maybe... some misunderstanding??

Maybe GBC miscommunicated something??? Possible??? Go to the source and ask them politely if this is true.