Letters to the editor

Dearest Gurudeva,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

Please accept my humble obeisances, 

I am writing to you with a heart full of inspiration following your recent visit to Chile. Thank you so much for giving us your incredible association during that wonderful trip; thank you for always being available and for keeping the door of your bhajan-kutir open to us. Those personal moments with you are priceless treasures.

I feel deeply inspired by the presence of such advanced devotees. It was an honor to share time with Their Holinesses Dhanvantari Swami and Yadunandana Swami, as well as with Prabhu Navina Nirada.

The work that my dear spiritual brother, Jagad Guru Das, is performing alongside the entire ISKCON Chile team—Arjuna Das, Parasurama, the kitchen team, and so many others—is truly impressive. The Education Congress was a wonderful display of the unity and effort of our movement. It was beautiful to see brothers from other yatras, such as Abhiram Thakura Das, Gadadhara Gosai, and Deva Vrata Das. And, of course, my dear brother and friend, Adi Yajna Das.

The mercy continued upon my return to Argentina. We were blessed with a three-day visit from His Holiness Yadunandana Swami. He truly stole everyone's heart; the fact that he speaks Spanish greatly facilitates preaching and deep connection. Additionally, we just bid farewell to Prabhu Navina Nirada, who also stayed at my home for three days.

As you often mention, associating with these great Vaishnavas accelerates our advancement. I received a special gift from Krishna: while we were reading the Chaitanya-charitamrita (Antya-lila) regarding the pastimes of Jagadananda Pandita with Lord Chaitanya, I began to feel a profound happiness—a glimpse of the nectar and the rasa of the relationships between the Lord and His devotees. It was incredible! I was able to get a glimpse of why you have such a yearning to be born in Navadvipa with Nimai!

Gurudeva, seeing you so enthusiastic and with a renewed health perspective, knowing that you will be with us for many more years, fills me with indescribable joy. That energy motivates us all to continue serving. 

At the end of this month, I will travel to Brazil for ten days to associate with His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, always seeking more of that nectar.

I am very happy and enthusiastic about ISKCON, the challenges, and all the service that lies ahead. I feel it all as the pure mercy of Gaura-Nitai and Srila Prabhupada. More purification, more challenges—the service is expanding! Anandambudhi-vardhanam!

Regarding my personal practice, Gurudeva, I wanted to share that I am striving to strengthen my sadhana. I am attending Mangala-arati five days a week and chanting my 16 rounds daily, trying to complete them before 8:00 AM, before I start my work day.

Additionally, I listen to at least one class every day, whether it is yours, one by His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, or by Prabhu Navina Nirada. In my studies, I am currently reading the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Canto 2, Chapter 1), as well as the book Waves of Devotion by Dhanurdhara Swami and The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya. This constant study and hearing are giving me great strength and clarity for my service.

Thank you for being there for all of us, Gurumaharaj. I continue trying to be a small part of the mission of Lord Chaitanya and his Sena-pati Bhakta, Srila Prabhupada.

Your servant,

Nikunja Bihari Das.

HpS - AgtSP!!!! Thank you for this wonderful post. We felt the same way about our visit to Chile (Peru (Mexico)))... Do you have any associates in the Yatra in Argentina?

Gratitud por su visita y el néctar de la asociación en Latino Loka

Querido Gurudeva,

Todas las glorias sean para Srila Prabhupada.

Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias a sus pies.

Le escribo con el corazón lleno de inspiración tras su reciente visita a Chile. Muchas gracias por darnos su increíble asociación en ese maravilloso viaje; gracias por estar siempre disponible y por mantener la puerta de su “bhajan-kutir” abierta para nosotros. Esos momentos personales con usted son tesoros invaluables.

Me siento profundamente inspirado por la presencia de devotos tan avanzados. Fue un honor compartir con Su Santidad Dhanvantari y Yadunandana Swami y con Prabhu Navina Nirada.

Es impresionante el trabajo que mi querido hermano espiritual, Jagad Guru Das, está realizando junto a todo el equipo de ISKCON Chile: Arjuna Das, Parasurama, el equipo de cocina y tantos otros. El Congreso de Educación fue una muestra maravillosa de la unidad y el esfuerzo de nuestro movimiento. Fue hermoso ver a hermanos de otros yatras, como Abhiram Thakura Das, Gadadara Gosai y Deva Vrata Das. Por supuesto también a mi querido hermano y amigo Adi Yajna das.

La misericordia continuó al regresar a Argentina. Tuvimos la visita de Su Santidad Yadunanandana Swami por tres días. Él realmente se robó el corazón de todos; el hecho de que hable español facilita enormemente la prédica y la conexión profunda. Además, acabamos de despedir a Prabhu Navina Nirada quien también estuvo en casa por tres días.

Tal como usted menciona, asociarse con estos grandes Vaishnavas acelera nuestro avance. Tuve un regalo especial de Krishna: mientras leíamos el Chaitanya-charitamrita sobre los pasatiempos de Jagadananda Prabhu con el Señor Chaitanya, en el Antya Lila, empecé a sentir una felicidad profunda, un destello del néctar y el rasa de las relaciones entre el Señor y Sus devotos. ¡Fue increíble! Pude tener un atisbo de el porqué de su anhelo de nacer en navadwip con Nimai!!

Gurudeva, verlo tan entusiasta y con una perspectiva de salud renovada, sabiendo que estará con nosotros muchos años más, me llena de una alegría indescriptible. Esa energía nos motiva a todos a seguir sirviendo. A finales de este mes viajaré diez días a Brasil para asociarme con Su Santidad Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, buscando siempre más de ese néctar.

Estoy muy feliz y entusiasmado con ISKCON, con los desafíos y con todo el servicio que tenemos por delante. Lo siento todo como la pura misericordia de Gaura-Nitai y de Srila Prabhupada. Más purificación, más desafíos, el servicio se expande!! Anandambudhi vardanam!!

En cuanto a mi práctica personal, Gurudeva, quería compartirle que estoy esforzándome por fortalecer mi sadhana. Estoy asistiendo al Mangala-arati cinco días a la semana y cantando mis 16 rondas diarias, tratando de terminarlas antes de las 8 de la mañana, previo a comenzar mi jornada laboral.



Además, todos los días escucho al menos una clase, ya sea suya, de Su Santidad Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami o de Prabhu Navina Nirada. En mis estudios, estoy leyendo actualmente el Srimad-Bhagavatam (Canto 2, Capítulo 1), así como el libro Waves of Devotion de Dhanurdhara Swami y Las Enseñanzas del Señor Chaitanya. Este estudio y escucha constantes me están dando mucha fuerza y claridad para mi servicio.

Gracias por estar ahí para todos nosotros, Gurumaharaj. Sigo intentando ser una pequeña parte de la misión del Señor Chaitanya y de su Sena-pati Bhakta, Srila Prabhupada.

Su sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari Das.

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja!

Please accept my respectful obeisances!

All glories to your lotus feet!

HpS - AgtSP. We feel 90% insincere and 75% impressed by your sincerity. I guess in Goloka we all have lotus feet (or hooves (or roots))?

All glories to your lotus feet.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

HpS/ASA - Jaya!!!!!

So a couple weeks me and Isaac fed all the cows. We emptied the fridge and tried to get the metal twist-y ties off as fast as possible...but the cows are too hungry!!

!!!

They were chomping to claim, tongues curling to chew for about 2 hours!! It was an amazing cow party!!

I've really enjoyed feeding them, and now It's almost every day. 🙏

Mangala is older and slower, and Shyamala and Vrinda are younger. They all have hilarious personalities.

Also I was able to serve out some prasad to the artists at the art car parade with Sarva Bhauma das. They were awarding trophies made out of art junk and I really liked them all!

Plus they have an entire park dedicated to mosaic tiles. It reminds me (a little bit) of Gaudi. But his work is way more beautiful!

Here are some pictures of the art car awards and the cows. Hopefully I can find some of the mosaic park!

The apple juice jar is full of cow urine for Sundari Radhika m. (I recycled it from your fridge) Thank you!

Thank you for all your mercy!!

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Your servant,

Jaya Hari Das

HpS - AgtSP. Thank you. We can only pay our obeisances to you. This letter was some time ago, no? It got misdated by the robot. Why???

Talking with you daily it seems that yogi and his sons and wife are so involved with the work in this ISKCON Gosala.

You are doing feed twice a day now.

It is nice that we have some kind of Hare Krsna button or something that gives people to approach us for Vedic knowledge as we go though the secular world, even in otherwise secular dress, not Dhoti and Kurta.

We are all grateful for your posts here!!

Hare Krishna Maharaj pamho agtsp!

Maharaj thank you for sharing such an amazing point of view agtsp!

here it’s a new little report of the current book distribution that it’s going on at the tattoo shop BCN ink in Barcelona.

this time Caitanya Candra das send me a good mix of books as you can see on the pictures.

often the experience that I have when I give the books to people and clients in general it’s : they take the book and reed the cover next thing they do it’s they hold it close to they hearts and then they say thank you I need it. Thought it was interesting to share.

anyway despite all my material attachments this it’s still happening.

thank you Maharaj.

Hare Krishna

ys Bhakta Jorge

HpS - Thank you so much!!!. AgtSP. You are doing a wonderful service. I guess Krsna will inspire you more and more!!!!

Please Gurudeva accept my humble obeisances🙏🏼💖👣🪷🌷💐🌹

All glories to SRILA PRABHUPADA!

all glories to YOU OUR WORSHIP, OUR GURUDEVA 🙏🏼💖👣🪷🌷💐🌹

Following Gurudeva's request, I write this on the blog, asking for greater enlightenment through His Divine Grace:

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena

santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti

yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ

govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

(Brahma-saṁhitā 5.38)

(10) I adore Govinda, the primordial Lord, who resides in his own kingdom, Goloka, with Radha, similar to his own spiritual form, the embodiment of the ecstatic power possessed by the sixty-four artistic activities, in the company of his confidants [sakhis], incarnations of the extensions of his body form, impregnated and vitalized by his ever-blissful spiritual rasa.

I found this translation on Iskcondesiretree.com.

And , in the vedabase I found:

La Brahma-saṁhitā (5.38) dice:

Although Krishna's transcendental form is black, devotees who love the Supreme Personality of Godhead appreciate the beautiful black form of Lord Shimasundara. The Lord's form is so beautiful that the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.30) also states:...

Today we found Srila Prabhupada singing it in its entirety in Veda Base and we recorded it! It was so beautiful to be able to hear it.

I couldn't find the verse You gave us that talks about the tribhanga... Is the complete Brahma Samhita available in Veda Base? I don't know why I can't find it. I only find quotes.

Thank you so much, adored Gurudeva, Please forgive my offenses; I always hope to improve in order to please You :

Japa Prati Jalpa Radha devi dasi🙏🏼💖👣🪷🌷💐🌹

PS

I wanted to tell you that near our house there's an open space where they regularly have parties. Whenever I hear them doing a soundcheck, I think, "I'm going to lose my connection for Japa Joe..." ☺️ They usually do a soundcheck on the day of the party, which is generally on Fridays, but this last time, three days ago, they did a soundcheck the day before, on Thursday. It was funny because I immediately thought it was Friday and I was sad that I wouldn't have a connection for Japa Joe. Japa Joe has become my great daily joy, my source of daily learning and inspiration 🙏🏻👣🪷🏞️💝

So we had a signal early Friday morning, but of course nothing early Saturday morning until about 10 AM. My neighbor told me some very sad news: they sell drugs inside that place and kids are dying at parties there, but they don't say anything because they'd get the place shut down.

🙏🏻👣🪷In the photo I sent You, it makes me so happy to see Franco with his Guru!!! at ISKCON Chile!! Franco is right next to his teacher. He tells me I'm lucky because I get to see you so often. He only got to see you once...!!!! At that moment, Franco was chanting 25 rounds.

HpS - AgtSP. Paoho. Sorry little slow to answer. Several reasons: Lust, laziness, old age.

I don't remember talking about "tribanga". Can you give the source for that?

On Vedabase.io what you are citing as 38 from Desire Tree seems to mixed with 37 in the Sanskrit and English. Also, the translation is different from what you have cited above.

The second citation you make, about Krsna being black, we do not find in the purport of 38 on vedabase.io at all?

Vedabase.io and the BBT Vedabase program off line seem to be the same.

Spanish or English?

Jai Maharaja

Dandvat pranams 

PAMHO AGTSP 

Wanted to inquire in the matter of worship of the demigods as per Srila Prabhupada instructions...

On the surface Prabhupada says it's for cheaters who abandon the path of kevala suddha Bhakti as we are desiring fruits other than Krishna Seva, but in the case of Shiv-ji Prabhupada says he is top most Vishnava and must be regarded as such.

On the same token in one of your Classes you say that sometimes we need more purification so we may worship Shiv until we come to a platform where we can perform sincere service to the Divine Couple.

HpS - AgtSP. I don't remember saying that exactly, but in general, seems correct, especially if we clarify who is the "we" that we are talking about.

The Lone Ranger or Tonto?

 Also, in Canto 10, when Krishna steals the Gopi clothes while bathing they are performing puja to Katyayani/Durga. The same energy as Maha Maya or Yoga Maya. In a BG proport Prabhupada says Maya is one energy but can either manifest as illusion or self realization. 

Can you provide clarification as to the appropriate mood for this sentiment so we can cultivate it to achieve the results of self realization while avoiding the pitfalls of the pious fruits that come from performing these modalities of worship-assuming one cannot take full advantage the mercy given from current assocation.

Also bearing in mind it's usually customary in Sanatana Dharma to worship Shiva and Ganesa before performing puja of Radha-Krishna.

Thanks in advance for the clarification on the matter we don't want to continue to be offensive in our worship but we are pulled like a bull with a ring in his nose by his senses.

Begging for a minute particle of your mercy

Anartha Priya

HpS/ASA - Thank you, agtSP, for this nice question.

https://jayarama.us/media/topic/DZY2ZkErBVDkIE3stxme

Has some general references in our ASA(e), ASA Encyclopedia, edited and produced by ASA Tom Brown, Monkey.

Sri rama krsna Das, Divya sri Devi Dasi and others also far greater than we, HpS, are working on it.

We would suggest that one essential reference should be added at the top of the ASA(e) entry:

https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/adi/7/157/

What do you think of that one?

Trnad api.... a Vaisnava respects even and ant, what to speak of jivas who have qualified to take such responsible service positions.

Maybe we can discuss more if we meet in person also, no?

Jaya Gurudeva!

AGTSP!

PAMHO, espero que se encuentre bien. 🙏🏼🌸

Aquí Jahnava Devi dasi---Juli Fillmore reportandose. 🐒

Le comparto unas fotos de SS Sri Sri Nitay Gourasundar.

HpS - Del, tlgaSP, Templo de Bs As?!

En Buenos Aires ya hace un poco mas de frío y justamente ayer Los bañamos y perfumamos y les pusimos un poco de abrigo para el placer de Srila Prabhupada y Usted Gurudeva.

Una humilde ofrenda. Hare Krishna!

🌿⚘️🌿Jaya Sri Vrindavan Dham🌿⚘️🌿

HpS - Deities de su Ashrama?

Wherefore you got Them.

What is Their diet?