Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Maharaja

PAMHO AGTSP

I hope you are in good health.

My health has been good, and I remain in contact with my devotee friends, but the truth is that I'm no longer following the Krishna consciousness process. In that sense, as you taught me, we are now friends more than teacher and disciple.

However, I continue some practices and want to keep sharing Srila Prabhupada's teachings through my music and other projects.

I want to continue supporting, but I'm no longer a devotee as such.

Thank you Maharja, I wish that you continue to serve Srila Prabhupada eternally.

Piero (Piyari Mohan das)

HpS/ASA - Hare Krsna, Prabhu, Piero.

Thank you for your news.

We looked for more than ten minutes but could not find the exact citation in the NOD. Maybe someone knows where it is.

Rupa Goswami says that we should not accept more devotional service than we can actually do. Surprisingly, Srila Prabhupada gives the example of chanting 16-rounds. He says, as we remember, that if one cannot chant the prescribed number of rounds instructed by a bona fide, agtSP, spiritual master even after vowing to do so, one should not be discouraged, rather one should chant as much as he can, and this will gradually bring him back to the full standard.

Jaya!

Best wishes for reading and preaching!!

oink! Hare Krsna. Hare Krsna. 🐷

here we are in ISKCON Boise.

the sun is shinning, the wind is blowing, the air is clean and fresh. it is just a few moments in any direction to the high desert plains.

hare krsna. hare krsna.

alone with krsna in infinite space.

enough fresh air and sunlight.

it is like being in the krsna-balarama temple in the afternoons. the 24-hour kirtan is going with two or three people.

deities are 'resting'.

warm, quiet, spiritual without limit.

like the beginning of clifford simak's, 'time is the simplest thing' as we remember it.

we were like 12-years old when we read it.

what do radha and krsna want?

what do they need??

of mother yasoda and the gopi's intuition, we must certainly take heed.

siesta of the gods.

hare krsna. hare krsna.

Atendiendo a tu amable respuesta a mi informe anual, quisiera comentarte con humildad el propósito de mis estudios de filosofía occidental que actualmente realizo de manera virtual en Argentina.

Desde joven siempre me ha atraído la vida universitaria y el estudio; podría decir que me considero un estudiante permanente. Sin embargo, el objetivo principal de estos estudios, así como de los cursos de Bhakti-śāstrī y Bhakti-vaibhava que vengo llevando con Parama Padam Prabhu, es prepararme mejor para la prédica. Nunca los he considerado como un medio para obtener prestigio personal ni para otro beneficio, ya que mi sustento familiar proviene de mi profesión como abogado y de mis actividades particulares.

Mi deseo es adquirir una formación intelectual que me permita presentar la filosofía de la conciencia de Krishna de una manera sólida y bien fundamentada, especialmente ante personas con formación académica o filosófica, sin dejar de servir también a los devotos cuando exista la oportunidad. No pretendo competir con mis hermanos espirituales, quienes poseen sus propias capacidades y realizan un valioso servicio. Mi aspiración es simplemente colaborar en la misión de prédica, ya sea dentro del templo o fuera de él, según pueda ser útil.

También quisiera reconocer con sinceridad una limitación de mi carácter. Debido a mi profesión de abogado y, probablemente, a mi propio karma, suelo tener una inclinación natural al análisis, al debate y a la argumentación. En ocasiones esto puede hacer que parezca una persona conflictiva, aunque esa no sea mi intención. Más bien, procuro comprender profundamente los temas y expresar con honestidad las dudas que puedan surgir.

Siento que mi naturaleza es más bien trabajar de manera individual, sin que ello signifique apartarme de la misión ni del refugio de la asociación devocional. Encuentro una gran inspiración y guía en tus conferencias, tus enseñanzas y en los libros de Su Divina Gracia A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda. Asimismo, valoro y escucho las clases de muchos devotos sinceros de quienes aprendo constantemente.

Si en algunas ocasiones tengo dudas respecto de determinadas conductas, reconozco que ello también puede deberse a mis propias limitaciones y a mi visión imperfecta. Estoy muy lejos de considerarme mejor que los demás; por el contrario, soy consciente de mis numerosas faltas y errores, y necesito seguir purificándome.

Te agradezco sinceramente que me hayas preguntado cuál es el objetivo de mis estudios. Esa pregunta me ha permitido reflexionar sobre mis verdaderas motivaciones y expresar ante ti, con toda honestidad, el deseo de utilizar cualquier conocimiento que pueda adquirir únicamente al servicio de Śrī Kṛṣṇa, de Śrīla Prabhupāda y de tu misión.

Tu Servidor: VISALA DAS

-=-=-=-

In response to your kind reply regarding my annual report, I would like to humbly share the purpose behind the Western philosophy studies I am currently pursuing online in Argentina.

I have long been drawn to university life and academic study; I consider myself a lifelong learner. However, the primary goal of these studies—as well as the Bhakti-śāstrī and Bhakti-vaibhava courses I am taking with Parama Padam Prabhu—is to better prepare myself for preaching. I have never viewed them as a means to gain personal prestige or other benefits, as I support my family through my profession as a lawyer and my private business activities.

My desire is to acquire an intellectual foundation that allows me to present Krishna consciousness philosophy in a solid, well-grounded manner—especially to those with academic or philosophical backgrounds—while continuing to serve the devotees whenever the opportunity arises. I do not seek to compete with my godbrothers, who possess their own unique talents and perform valuable service. My aspiration is simply to contribute to the preaching mission, whether inside or outside the temple, wherever I can be of use.

I would also like to sincerely acknowledge a limitation in my character. Due to my legal profession—and likely my own karma—I have a natural inclination toward analysis, debate, and argumentation. At times, this can make me appear confrontational, even though that is not my intention. Rather, I strive to deeply understand the topics at hand and honestly express any doubts that may arise.

I feel that I am naturally inclined to work independently, though this does not mean distancing myself from the mission or the shelter of devotee association. I find great inspiration and guidance in your lectures and teachings, as well as in the books of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda. Likewise, I value and listen to the classes given by many sincere devotees from whom I am constantly learning.

If I occasionally have doubts regarding certain behaviors, I acknowledge that this may well stem from my own limitations and imperfect vision. I am far from considering myself better than others; on the contrary, I am aware of my numerous faults and errors, and I need to continue purifying myself.

I sincerely thank you for asking me about the objective of my studies. That question has allowed me to reflect on my true motivations and to express to you, with complete honesty, my desire to use whatever knowledge I may acquire solely in the service of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and your mission.

Your servant, VISALA DAS

HpS / ASA - AgtSP, thank you, Prabhu.

It seems valuable to study the history of the world, human endeavors, with the perspective of the SB.

NoI 3, seems to be the basis of this study perspective.

Being able to put fundamental truths into the context of different cultural heritages seems to be an essential part of preaching.

How much, and in what fashion to do it, seems to be a pragmatic question to some degree. How is our work convincing people to respect Lord Caitanya, no?

Thank you.

Dear Maharaja Hanumat Presaka Swami,

pamho, AGtSP!

Responding to our group email about the ticket-sized flyers, with an accompanying picture. The basis of the "tix" is that my pamphlets are constantly getting depleted, and I need something to hand out when approached, so, voilah', Double- QR (quick reference) codes and non-committal information card.

The QR codes can be changed for different locations, along with the "blurb" for local facilities. We'll see how it goes, I've handed some out to the local Temple authorities to review... nothing yet, guess "no news is good news."

Also, in our last letter, you mentioned reading the 10th canto Purports, and I'm doing so. There are some long ones too, so I went and documented just the purports for easy reading, and am still reading them (that Lord Brahma can be a "rascal" sometimes).

HpS - Jaya! As far as I know srila prabhupada left his body during the 14th chapter, so i don't know how many of those purports are his.

also hrdaya ananda gos. et al, commented that srila prabhupada elected parts of the commentaries of visvannatha goswami et al to put in his purports, but they felt incompetent to include and reject different parts so they ended up with longer purports than Srila Prabhupada.

Finished Nirjala Ekadasi and now am on a Lemonaide juice fast-purge. Can't believe how gross these bodies actually are! Have noticed reductions of flem and mucous and voice changes, sharper enunciation for some reason, sure good for japa. I won't mention the other effects thus entailed. ; ~)

ASA - The 'muladar chakra'.

Looking forward to "normal" dining and a scoop of ice cream someday, that is, if I live through this. Still have a few more days to go, and the diet recovery is slow. At least I learned some caution from the 2008 fast, where a recovery smoothie and burrito almost killed me. I'm going to Love Soups for starters now..."sluurrp".

All your traveling and preaching is so nice that your vehicle is cooperating. We review your schedule as you go along and hope that we may rendezvous at some point soon.

All glories to your service,

Your grateful servant in training,

Caitanya Caritamrta das, das anu das.

HpS - AgtSP, Thank you. THANK YOU. T H A N K Y O U!

Your service is challenging example for all of us.

NOTE: Looked at the cards. Little had to read.

We face exactly this same problem.

Don't know how to solve it perfectly, but regular business size cards seem essential. Sometimes there are double wide, folded in half cards.

Bigger pamphlets with little philosophy, eg. one purport to LOB, that fit into chest pocket also seem practical idea.

Hare Krishna, dear Gurudeva!

Please accept our humble obediences.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I hope you are in good health and thank you for the darshan you allow us to receive from Their Lordships Radha Nila Madhava, the devotees, and from you.

HpS - We, agtSP, feel ashamed that we can only offer such meager association. We would like very much to be with you in Peru.

I wanted to inform you that two weeks ago I finished teaching a course on home deity worship for the devotees of the Miraflores temple.

We divided the course into two parts: the first was for beginner devotees interested in starting worship using images and paintings of deities (Panca Tattva and Srila Prabhupada).

During the second session, we taught murti worship using mantras for waking, offering food, and preparing the deities for sleep, as well as basic puja and care, and some reflections from Srila Prabhupada's books and the Pancaratra-pradipa.

HpS/ASA - Super!!!

We had an average attendance of 12 devotees, and I hope they were satisfied with our performance.

On the other hand, I am writing with some concern about the noticeable decline in the quality of worship at a particular temple.

1. What happens when a contingency measure becomes the rule?
2. What did Srila Prabhupada say about exceptions?
3. Is it better to worship the deity incorrectly than to stop worshipping at all?
4. What happens when devotees take on duties that are not theirs to perform?
5. Does this affect their fulfillment of their prescribed duties?
6. What about negligence in cleanliness and punctuality?

Thank you in advance for your response.

Your servant

Gandharva das

HpS/ASA - Jaya!!! AgtSP. On an institutional level we should report problems to the local GBC Secretary. If no proper action is taken, then we can report to regional gbc (for latin america).

We can also report to national council if there is such, other temple presidents.

first principle is to love the deities. second, their cleanliness. third, the punctuality of their regular service. fourth, the details of the rituals, offerings, bathing etc.

that is the institutional level. if no response from local and other gbc secretaries then there is the executive committee, then taking direct action in terms of your responsibility to Srila Prabhupada!

of course, this is institutional response.

gopis are good citizens of nanda maharaja's village, but behind that they have their friendship relations. try to work on that level even more than the institutional level.

thirds they have direct connection to KRSNA even though so many transparent via media. we have to have that direct relationship to Srila Prabhupada.

set and example yourself as much as you can.

basically the same answer for deity worship and comportment of administrative and brahmnical leaders. eg. are they chanting their rounds?

how can i set a proper example of how to do these jobs? correctional responses by higher authorities. working as a friend.

running my own or participating an exemplary branch of the institution.

some ideas.

basic principle is to chant hare krsna and expect specific inspiration from him

Hare Krishna, Gurudeva

pamhO, agtSP

We are trying to internally convince ourselves to increase our participation in the local ISKCON. We were inspired to search for the seven purposes of ISKCON. We became a little confused regarding the priorities of these aims. Therefore, we humbly request you to kindly deliver a lecture on the seven purposes—similar to how you present Param-Pada and BhVai for temple audiences, and NOI, LOB, and Science and Religion for audiences outside the temple.

HpS - AgtSP!!! ! ! Thank you.

We searched on the internet for 'seven purposes of iskcon' and the https://krishna.com/the-international-society-for-krishna-consciousness-iskcon/seven-purposes-of-iskcon/

krishna.com link was the most helpful that showed up.

it mentions that they were a part of the incorporation document for iskcon in new york.

did srila prabhupada ever mention them in any other place?

the seem to echo the introduction to his SB, no?

:::

for us, local temple begins with mangala arati, kirtan and srimad bhagavatam as mentioned in NoI.

the community that regularly attends and builds those programs is our 'local temple'.

with them we develop other sankirtan activities.

of course, we have our 'local temple' based upon our media connections. in the beginning for iskcon this was BTG, letters, traveling preachers, telephone, regional festivals.

now we have more 'social media' so we develop different communities.

is it practical to expect much of a geographically 'local community' where you live?

do people have to travel too much to different occupational sites to be able to live in one colony?