Letters to the editor

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to H. H. Hanumat Presaka Swami Maharaj.

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj. Please accept our humble obeisances at Your sweet lotus feet.

We celebrated Vyasa Puja at Thoubal today. Our godbrother Yamuneswar Prabhuji made such arrangements and offerings for the Vyasa Puja. We feel ecstatic the way your good self takes care of us. Feeling Guru Maharaj's presence every moment. How fortunate we are to be blessed by the sweet Lord to be initiated by our Guru Maharaj.

The Bhajans were offered by the Matajis. The Guru Puja and Charan Abhishek were offered by H. G. Banamali Das Prabhuji. H. G. Dushari Gopal Prabhu gave details about Guru Maharaj's enthusiasm in participating in Sri Radha Kund cleaning. We got to listen to nectarean glorification of Guru Maharaj from devotees and we feel immensely blessed.

We offered humble Manipuri prasadam and a cake. Please accept our humble offerings on the 76th Vyasa Puja. Please give us the mercy and the blessings to serve you eternally dear Guru Maharaj.

In the last letter, Guru Maharaj asked about Vrindavan...Guru Maharaj our desire is to serve Guru Maharaj eternally , as only Guru Maharaj can lead us to join the nitya Leela...merciful Gurudev...you opened my eyes to a world of unimaginable bliss....baarambaram pranam.

We are sending some pics. And annual report. Thank you Guru Maharaj.

Your insignificant servant,

Sarad Gaurangi DD

HpS - We feel so so sad that Manipur is not able to share its glories more and more.

Maybe Bhagya candra Maharaja will incarnate in ISKCON.

Please send more news from Manipura.

So many respects to you all.

Ekannatha Das

Bana mali Das

SADHU DAS . ! . Hari Das Swami!.... Thank you.

TLGASP!

Feliz Vyasapuja!

Todas las Glorias a Sri Nityananada que es misericordioso con regalarnos la conexión con el movimiento de sankirtana aún sin merecerlo!

Quiero ofrecer mis respetos a ud, que alumbra con su luz al mundo en este día de su auspiciosa aparición en este plano de la existencia!

Rezo a Sri Nrisimha lo proteja mucho como a Pralada maharaja, y nos de valentía para caminar con las enseñanzas que los Acaryas le han revelado y comparte con todos.

Estuvimos en ferias de Libros y ayudamos a los discípulos de maharaja Praladhananda Swami a distribuir su libro de salud, publicado, en su visita a Perú.

Maya me atrapa y juega conmigo, más no borrará, (ruego a Sri Nityananada) mi gratitud a ud y Srila Prabhupada! Mis seres amados. No entiendo los misterios de la vida, pero siempre hay libros de SP que puedo compartir, todo gracias a ud, y soy feliz!

Mi corazón a sus pies!

Gaura KS dd

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TLGASP!

Happy Vyasapuja!

All glories to Sri Nityananada, who is merciful in giving us the connection to the sankirtana movement, even though we don't deserve it!

I want to offer my respects to you, who illuminates the world with your light on this day of your auspicious appearance on this plane of existence!

HpS - AgtSP!!! Paoho.

I pray that Sri Nrisimha protects you as he did Pralada Maharaja, and gives us the courage to walk with the teachings that the Acaryas have revealed to you and that you share with everyone.

We were at book fairs and helped Maharaja Praladhananda Swami's disciples distribute his published health book during his visit to Peru.

ASA - So nice!

Maya catches me and plays with me, but she will not erase (I pray to Sri Nityananada) my gratitude to you and Srila Prabhupada! My loved ones. I don't understand life's mysteries, but there are always SP books I can share, all thanks to you, and I'm happy!

My heart at your feet!

Gaura KS dd

HpS - Sorry so slow to answer these Vyasapuja letters, but our energy is low. Still it is so nice to hear from devotees!!!

Please send more news from Goloka as you receive it!

All respects to your friends and relations.

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, por favor reciba mis respetuosas reverencias, muchas gracias por su respuesta a mi anterior carta.

Copie lo que me respondió y lo traduje con google traductor.

HpS... podemos reiterar lo que le dijimos a Candra-mukhi Devi Dasi sobre el mismo tema.

Según nuestro entendimiento del libro de KRSNA, las Gopis viven en tres niveles y esto se puede aplicar perfectamente a ISKCON:

1. Son buenos ciudadanos de la aldea de Nanda Maharaja. Pagan sus impuestos, intercambian el precio del yogur. Se quejan de lo que consideran incorrecto. Esto es ISKCON a nivel institucional.
2. Tienen su círculo de amistades dentro de la institución. El amigo más cercano del Presidente del Templo puede ser el lavaplatos del Templo. Las gopis miran a su alrededor para ver quién las observa ordeñando vacas y luego empiezan a hablar confidencialmente con otras gopis, sus hermanos, etc.
3. Cada uno de ellos experimenta una relación directa con Krishna. Claro que esto se da a través de muchos medios transparentes, pero esos medios son transparentes, incluso inconscientemente. Nosotros, tú, yo, debemos estar experimentando una relación transparente y directa con Srila Prabhupada. Por la naturaleza de tu potencia interna, eres el discípulo más íntimo de Srila Prabhupada. En nuestro servicio como guru en ISKCON, solo intentamos actuar como ese medio.

¿Quizá estos entendimientos solo sean para devotos avanzados?

A mi me puede tomar mucho tiempo en comprender todo esto, quizá a otros devotos menos.

Hemos estado y estamos viviendo esto personalmente y conocemos a otros que también lo han estado.

¿También?

¡Nunca abandones el ISKCON de SRILA PRABHUPADA!

No puedo dejar Iskcon, aunque algunas veces lo estuve pensando, pero es muy difícil dejar Iskcon, no hay otra cosa mejor que Iskcon, no hay!!!

Nunca tengas miedo de actuar con entusiasmo, valentía y honestidad, para servir en los tres niveles.

Si hay problemas en la Institución, entonces tal vez estén allí simplemente para lograr que los devotos peruanos hagan mejoras, resuelvan problemas que guiarán al mundo entero.

¡No existe ninguna restricción para que usted tome Sannyasa y se convierta en Presidente del GBC!

Hace unos años atrás seguí muchos consejos de tener una vida tipo Vanaprastha, por más que lo intente no funciono en mi persona, ahora en la actualidad y conociendo mi naturaleza nunca tomaría sannyasa.

Es muy importante conocerse a uno mismo, y aceptar su realidad, en lo personal si me tengo que volver a casar o ser Grihasta me casaría, si tengo que tener hijos los tendría, uno no puede reprimir sus sentidos auto-engañándose, mis sentidos, tengo deseos sexuales, no es un tabú, no puedo auto-engañarme, no puedo tapar el sol con un dedo, claro tampoco estoy desesperado, es una lucha a diario.

Para que alguien tome Sannyasa tiene que tener muchas características astrológicas en su carta astral, las cuales yo no tengo.

¿Si uno se conoce a si mismo, tendría que actuar de acuerdo a ello o tendría que ir en contra de su naturaleza?

Bueno Guru Maharaja me despido que el Señor Nrsimha lo proteja siempre y le pido que me perdone cualquier ofensa en mi comentario y en mis preguntas.

Hare Krishna.

Gadai Gauranga Dasa.

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All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja, please accept my respectful obeisances. Thank you very much for your response to my previous letter.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!!! paoho.

I copied what you replied and translated it with Google Translate.

HpS... can we reiterate what we told Candra-mukhi Devi Dasi on the same subject?

According to our understanding of Krishna's book, the gopis live on three levels, and this can be perfectly applied to ISKCON:

They are good citizens of Nanda Maharaja's village. They pay their taxes, exchange the price of yogurt. They complain about what they consider wrong. This is ISKCON at the institutional level.

They have their circle of friends within the institution. The closest friend of the Temple President may be the Temple dishwasher. The gopis look around to see who is watching them milking cows and then begin to talk confidentially with other gopis, their brothers, etc.

Each of them experiences a direct relationship with Krishna. Of course, this happens through many transparent means, but those means are transparent, even unconsciously. We—you and I—must be experiencing a transparent and direct relationship with Srila Prabhupada. By the nature of your internal potency, you are Srila Prabhupada's closest disciple. In our service as a guru in ISKCON, we only try to act as that medium.

Perhaps these understandings are only for advanced devotees?

HpS - Different levels of understanding these things, but I think that even at the level of 1st initiation one can experience a direct relationship with Srila Prabhupada.

It may take me a long time to understand all this, perhaps less so for other devotees.

We have been and are experiencing this personally, and we know others who have as well.

Also?

Never leave Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON!

I can't leave ISKCON, although I've sometimes thought about it, but it's very difficult to leave ISKCON. There is nothing better than ISKCON, there isn't!

Never be afraid to act with enthusiasm, courage, and honesty, to serve at all three levels.

If there are problems in the Institution, then perhaps they are there simply to encourage Peruvian devotees to make improvements, to solve problems that will guide the entire world.

There are no restrictions for you to take Sannyasa and become President of the GBC!

A few years ago, I followed a lot of advice about living a Vanaprastha-type life. Try as I might, it didn't work for me. Now, knowing my nature, I would never take sannyasa.

It's very important to know yourself and accept your reality. Personally, if I had to remarry or become a Grihasta, I would. If I had to have children, I would. One cannot repress one's senses by deceiving oneself. My senses. I have sexual desires. It's not a taboo. I can't deceive myself. I can't hide the sun with a finger. Of course, I'm not desperate either; it's a daily struggle.

For someone to take Sannyasa, they must have many astrological characteristics in their birth chart, which I don't have.

If one knows themselves, should they act accordingly or go against their nature?

ASA - 🐵 😆 😆 😆 - Like Krsna advises Arjuna, we should purify our nature and then use it in Krsna's service, no?

Well, Guru Maharaja, I bid you farewell. May Lord Nrsimha always protect you. I ask you to forgive any offenses in my comments and questions.

Hare Krishna.

Gadai Gauranga Dasa.

HpS - So, nice. Thank you.

Hope you get chance to get out OUR O U T with Srila Prabhupada on Sankirtan. See you in a few moments.

Hare Krishna Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

This is an answer to Namacarya prabhu's question in his letter https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/15502/ about the letter's statement about the pH requirements of starches and proteins. I am going to relate this to the Ayurvedic concepts of Rasa, Virya and Vipaka.

The key to relating these two perspectives is to understand that Ayurveda and modern biochemistry use different frames of reference to describe the same phenomenon: the difficulty the body experiences when trying to digest certain food combinations.

• The letter Framework (Biochemistry):
• The letter's statement ("starches require an alkaline environment, proteins require an acidic environment, enzymes are neutralized") describes a possible explanation of the digestive mechanism at the molecular level (enzymes and pH). It is based on the observation that certain digestive enzymes (such as amylase for starches in the mouth and small intestine, alkaline environment, and pepsin for proteins in the stomach, acidic environment) function optimally at different levels of acidity or alkalinity. The letter suggests that by combining foods that require these opposite conditions, the digestive system is challenged, leading to inefficient digestion. This is called Viruddha Ahara, incompatible combinations,in Ayurveda.

• The Ayurvedic Framework (Rasa, Virya, Vipaka, Gunas, Agni, Ama):

• Ayurveda describes digestion in terms of the strength of the Agni (digestive fire) and how qualities (gunas), the Rasa (flavor), the Virya (power) and the Vipaka (post-digestive effect) of foods interact with each other and with the Agni and the Doshas.
• Ayurveda does not talk about enzymes or pH. Instead, note that foods with Gunas opposite or very different, or with Virya or Vipaka incompatible, or that they are simply very heavy (Guru), impose an excessive burden on Agni.
• Let's consider complex starches (like grains) and proteins (like dairy or legumes). Both are often considered heavy (Guru) in Ayurveda. Combine two or more foods heavy in a single meal requires very strong Agni to process them completely. If Agni is weak, digestion will be slow and incomplete.
• Furthermore, by their Vipaka they can be different (Madhura for starches and some proteins, but Katu for legumes). Agni has to simultaneously process substances that will end up having different end in metabolic effects, which can also be a challenge for the system.

The Relationship:

The relationship is that both frameworks describe a situation that leads to suboptimal digestion when certain types of foods are combined:

• The letter (biochemical framework) says: Combining starches and proteins can be difficult because the enzymes require different pHs, which can cause "enzymatic conflict" and poor digestion.
• The Ayurveda framework ( R/V/V, Gunas, Agni) says: Combining starches and proteins (especially if they are heavy) can be difficult because their qualities (Gunas) and its transformation processes (Vipaka) are different or impose a heavy burden on the Agni, leading to incomplete digestion.

In essence, the letter's claim about enzymes and pH, offers a possible modern biochemical explanation of why the combination of starches and proteins can challenge the digestive system. Ayurveda describes this same difficulty based on the inherent qualities of food (your Rasa, Virya, Vipaka and Gunas) and their impact on the life force of digestion, the Agni, resulting in the formation of Ama (the undigested material that the letter might, from your perspective, describe as "toxins").

It is not that the Rasa, Virya and Vipaka cause directly the need for a specific pH, but these Ayurvedic properties tell us how the food will affect Agni and the body, which, from a modern perspective, involves a cascade of enzymatic reactions and pH adjustments that can be compromised by incompatible combinations.

They are two different languages ​​describing the same observable truth: the combination of certain foods, such as starches and proteins (especially if they are heavy or have very opposite qualities), can make digestion difficult and generate toxic waste (Ama).

I hope this explanation helps Namacarya prabhu see the connection point between both approaches. If you have any more questions, please let me know.

At your service,

Nikunja Bihari das.

ASA 🐵

- Nikunja Bihari Das is regular Western M. D. and Ayurvedic savant and successful practitioner for many years in Argentina. He has/had a nice dog and wife and children and rural and municipal estates.

We will send this link to Sripad Anantesvara Das who is very experienced Ayurvedic Doctor here in Nila madhava Dhama.

Hare Krishna Gurudev,

Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias,

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada,

Esta es una respuesta a la pregunta de Namacarya prabhu en su carta https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/15502/ acerca de la afirmación de la carta sobre los requerimientos de pH de los almidones y las proteínas. Voy a relacionar esto con los conceptos Ayurvédicos de Rasa, Virya y Vipaka.

La clave para relacionar estas dos perspectivas está en comprender que el Ayurveda y la bioquímica moderna utilizan marcos de referencia diferentes para describir el mismo fenómeno: la dificultad que el cuerpo experimenta al intentar digerir ciertas combinaciones de alimentos.

• El Marco de la Carta (Bioquímica):
• La afirmación de la carta ("los almidones requieren un ambiente alcalino, las proteínas requieren un ambiente ácido, las enzimas se neutralizan") describe una posible explicación del mecanismo digestivo a nivel molecular (enzimas y pH). Se basa en la observación de que ciertas enzimas digestivas (como la amilasa para almidones en la boca y el intestino delgado, ambiente alcalino y la pepsina para proteínas en el estómago, ambiente ácido) funcionan óptimamente en diferentes niveles de acidez o alcalinidad. La carta sugiere que al combinar alimentos que requieren estas condiciones opuestas, el sistema digestivo se ve desafiado, lo que lleva a una digestión ineficiente. Esto se llama Viruddha Ahara, combinaciones incompatibles.
• El Marco Ayurvédico (Rasa, Virya, Vipaka, Gunas, Agni, Ama):

• El Ayurveda describe la digestión en términos de la fuerza del Agni (fuego digestivo) y cómo las cualidades (Gunas), el Rasa (sabor), el Virya (potencia) y el Vipaka (efecto post-digestivo) de los alimentos interactúan entre sí y con el Agni y los Doshas.
• Ayurveda no habla de enzimas o pH. En cambio, observa que alimentos con Gunas opuestas o muy diferentes, o con Virya o Vipaka incompatibles, o que simplemente son muy pesados (Guru), imponen una carga excesiva al Agni.
• Consideremos los almidones complejos (como cereales) y las proteínas (como lácteos o legumbres). Ambos son a menudo considerados pesados (Guru) en Ayurveda. Combinar dos o más alimentos pesados en una sola comida requiere un Agni muy fuerte para procesarlos completamente. Si el Agni es débil, la digestión será lenta e incompleta.
• Además, sus Vipaka pueden ser diferentes (Madhura para almidones y algunas proteínas, pero Katu para legumbres). El Agni tiene que procesar simultáneamente sustancias que terminarán teniendo efectos metabólicos finales distintos, lo que también puede ser un desafío para el sistema.

La Relación:

La relación es que ambos marcos describen una situación que lleva a una digestión subóptima cuando se combinan ciertos tipos de alimentos:

• La carta (marco bioquímico) dice: La combinación de almidones y proteínas puede ser difícil porque las enzimas requieren pH diferentes, lo que puede causar un "conflicto enzimático" y mala digestión.
• El marco Ayurveda ( R/V/V, Gunas, Agni) dice: La combinación de almidones y proteínas (especialmente si son pesados) puede ser difícil porque sus cualidades (Gunas) y sus procesos de transformación (Vipaka) son diferentes o imponen una carga pesada al Agni, llevando a una digestión incompleta.

En esencia, la afirmación de la carta sobre las enzimas y el pH ofrece una posible explicación bioquímica moderna de por qué la combinación de almidones y proteínas puede desafiar el sistema digestivo. El Ayurveda describe esta misma dificultad basándose en las cualidades inherentes de los alimentos (su Rasa, Virya, Vipaka y Gunas) y su impacto en la fuerza vital de la digestión, el Agni, lo que resulta en la formación de Ama (el material no digerido que la carta podría, desde su perspectiva, describir como "toxinas").

No es que el Rasa, Virya y Vipaka causen directamente la necesidad de un pH específico, sino que estas propiedades Ayurvédicas nos indican cómo el alimento afectará el Agni y el cuerpo, lo cual, desde una perspectiva moderna, involucra una cascada de reacciones enzimáticas y ajustes de pH que pueden verse comprometidos por combinaciones incompatibles.

Son dos lenguajes diferentes describiendo la misma verdad observable: la combinación de ciertos alimentos, como almidones y proteínas (especialmente si son pesados o tienen cualidades muy opuestas), puede dificultar la digestión y generar residuos tóxicos (Ama).

Espero que esta explicación ayude a Namacarya prabhu ver el punto de conexión entre ambos enfoques. Si tienen más preguntas, por favor, háganmelo saber.

A su servicio,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Dear Maharaja and devotees;

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru and Gauranga.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 7.30am, Houston time, we will continue reading chapter 13 (The Lord's Dancing at Ratha-yatra~~Madhya Lila), verse 13.115 onwards; we will be able to finish about 40 verses

ASA 🐵 🐖 . ..🐖 we are waiting with great enthusiasm.

Thank you to H. G. Nikunja Bihari Prabhu & H. G. Mitravinda Mataji for doing Spanish translation for class on April May 11 for CC reading notes and Maharaja's class. For May 18, 2025, class: both of them has graciously agreed to do Spanish translation for reading notes on CC & Spanish translation for Maharaja's class.

Maharaja, thank you for engaging everyone in reading systematically books of Srila Prabhupada.

Your Servant

Upendra dasa

77th Maharaja’s Vyasa Pooja offerings 2024

Nama om vishnu padaya Krishna presthaya bhu tale

srimate HanumatPresaka Swamin iti namine

Om ajnana timirandhasya

jnananjana salakaya

caksur unmilitam yena

tasmai sri gurave namah

mukam karoti vachalam

pangum langhayate girim

yat kripa tam aham vande

shri GuruMaharaj dina taranam

Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my sincere and humble obeisances at your lotus feet. 🙇‍♂️

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to you, Gurudeva!

Happy Krishna Conscious 77th Birthday to you, Gurudeva!

On this most auspicious day of your appearance, I humbly offer my gratitude, though I feel unqualified to do so.

Gurudeva, I still remember the first time I saw you in 2020 at the airport and received your vapu association. You are such an expert preacher, empowering so many people like me with your vapu and vani. Every time I hear you speak, I am amazed—my questions are answered even before I ask them.

Today, we are celebrating your 77th Vyasa Puja. Not only your disciples but the entire ISKCON of Richmond congregation is celebrating with love. Every devotee in our congregation has at least one memorable moment with you, Gurudeva. That is how much love you have shared with us.

Your compassion knows no bounds, as you see Krishna in every living being. I still remember an incident in your ashram where some ants were near the sink. I was about to kill them, but you stopped me. You carefully took them and threw them outside gently, sparing their lives.

You also bring joy with your sense of humor. I recall wearing Adidas shoes once, and you pointed out, saying, “Did you see that? It says ‘Adi Das.’” Since then, I stopped wearing that brand!

Gurudeva, your every visit gives us memories to cherish for a lifetime. I will hold onto these moments until my last breath.

Thank you so much for always emphasizing the importance of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra attentively and studying Srila Prabhupada’s books with great faith and enthusiasm. After hearing your dynamic lectures and the way you explain Srila Prabhupada’s purports so strongly, I truly feel that Srila Prabhupada is living in his books.

Please continue to guide me and help me to remain under your shelter always. I pray for your mercy and blessings to overcome my unwanted desires and steadily progress on the path of bhakti.

Our sincere prayers to Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu are for your health and energy so that you can continue distributing His love to millions of conditioned souls.

Gurudeva, it is my sincere desire to assist you in some small way in your service to Srila Prabhupada. Please allow me to stay in devotional service and remain close to your lotus feet.

Thank you very much for accepting me as your disciple.

Your insignificant servant,

RamaKrishnananda Das

HpS - When, agtSP, we see you in the full morning program we are always happy.

we see you as an engine in mechanics ville just filling your furnace with fuel. doing your work in the field and making all your neighbors think about KRSNA, the SPOG!!!

Gaura Nitai!

GAURA NITAI!

:::: ! ::::

Hope you have more and more chance to meet your neighbors and engage them in deity worship.

braja raja krsna das!

adi das shoes and products are nice, no?