A letter from China

3 months, 1 week ago by rukmini in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare Krsna, guru maharaja, please accept my humble Obeisances and all glories to Srila Prabhupada. 

Guru Maharaja, Thank you so much for your efforts in the WhatsApp group.You are so kind to do this .I am fortune to receive your chanting videos and other sharing every day.

HpS/ASA - Thanks, agtSP, also to Srinivasa Das who did such practical work to investigate it and set it up.

Thanks to the Administrators of each Group in the Community.

We discovered that if we go to Settings in the Chat area of WhatsApp we have the option to make our phone number private.

After 5 years, Indian visas for Chinese citizens have resumed, and we are planning to spend a few months in Vrindavan. I haven't been to India before. We seek your blessings and guidance. 


HpS/ASA - 😿

Such wonderful news! So wonderful! Hope you can take the dust of Sri Vrndavana Dhama on your head. Hope your esteemed husband rubs some on your head. Hope you can offer some and water from the Yamuna to your esteemed parents and grandparents and everyone who you love and who has helped you become the upright persona that you are.


The place we are living now is a small city, but natural and simple, Dali, Yunnan Province. This place, there are national parks and herbs used for Chinese medicine. Apparently high altitude gives more strength to herbs and roots. I have been doing Traditional Chinese Treatments for some years. Acupuncture is really beneficial for harmonizing and energizing effect on mind and body. Meanwhile, Through my job, I see people suffering so much physically and mentally. Then they have to spend so much money and time to make themsevles feel better. We try to help them, inviting them to home program. This summer, H. H. Indradyumna Swami, He came to Dali ,5-day programs, it's inspiring. Last year, I got initiation yajña in Bali temple with other devotees. Sorry guru maharaja, after a long time, i write this letter.


Please forgive my offence during the service, I'm a such fallen soul, and Maya is so powerful.Without your shelter, I can't survive.

Trying to be sincere servant

Vanara-rani Anjana DD 


HpS - Thank you. So very nice to hear from you. I feel so strongly attracted to China. Of course, we were born on Guam. Must be some connection with China from previous life. Of course, I have heard, and you must know, that some aspects of Chinese culture are among the worst in the world 😆

China is so big, such variety, must be number one in many things! Light of the Bhagavata can shine very nicely there, no?


Please keep nice diary of your travels and report. If you are pure then while you are traveling with your husband, Krsna will send many innocent people for you to meet and enlighten. Lead them to Srila Prabhupada's books.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dali_Town,_Yunnan


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dali,+Yunnan,+China/@25.5722955,99.9011481,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x3727b8a355da57b7:0xdc4ea8f6c9d7b856!8m2!3d25.6064799!4d100.26764!16zL20vMDF6c25m?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


🐵

ASA Archives

3 months, 1 week ago by srinath in Special Category A

Dear Guru Maharaja


Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you!


We had one of the biggest Radhastami festivals in Kalachandji Dham. The deities were showered with petals from about 18000 roses as is the annual tradition. About 1300-1500 people attended the festival. It was wonderful.


Srirama and I have been trying to create a framework for a website that will act as the archive for all ASA content which comprises of audio/video classes, ASA Encyclopedia, DTCs, poems, books, movies, etc., of H. H. Hanumatpresaka Swami Maharaja, Tom Brown, Buck White and Uncle Gizmo . As you always say, before we start anything, we have to answer these 4 questions


Who am I,

Who are we,

What is the Plan,

What Resources do we need


Who am I? - I feel the content from ASA is very valuable and needs to be preserved for posterity. This is because ASA acts as a transparent via medium that serves to illuminate the teachings of HDG A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. It has helped me understand Srila Prabhupada's teachings better. The perspectives of ASA are also unique in many ways that might not be available elsewhere.


From this perspective, I am interested in collecting and archiving the content. We can then later create libraries from the archives on topics we want to highlight. With this as the starting point, Srirama has created a basic website that can act as the ASA archive.


HpS//ASA - AgtSP! Paoho & bw!! Thank you for your letter. Little sorry that it has taken one week to respond, but I guess we are all about the same level of involvement in the Sankirtan of the present season.

Thank you!

Srirama visited us with Mataji and Dasaratha-baby. Was very very intense, ecstatic and productive. I think they also had very nice visit and met so many devotees like Sri Hari, Subhadra, NgD et al!


We had perfect time to sit and go over this project and others.

We were able to discuss some of the fundamental aspects of the idea and some of the practical details. We were of course on the phone with you some of that time.

I think our fundamental perspective is that it the ASA archive, not the HpSwami archive. the Head of ASA has been HpSwami, but we really consider that as a mostly administrative servant role. ASA definitely is open to anyone and everyone within its Sankirtan participation in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON.

We also discussed that the webpage and periodicals would not archive everything but would in part be resource for links to other things. Eg. we have done a lot of lectures at Nila-madhva Dhama, ISKCON Houston, and they seem to have some value in illuminating Srila Prabhupada and his great followers. So, the webpage would not archive those, but give links of maybe some intelligence.

We also discussed that the webpage might serve as an ASA Archive, like an aggregate, roughly cataloged collection of stuff, and then from that specific Libraries could be generated. Eg. all the stuff on NoI even including links to Hari Pari ara Das' lectures.


Your comments above are some nice. Seem so clear.

We do not feel it is a priority ISKCON project. Distribute Srila Prabhupada's books! Of course, that requires a lot of people behind each soldier in the field.

Personally we don't feel that we need to leave much of anything behind in writing except the advice to chant the Maha-mantras under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet from the core of your heart.


This is a big task and needs a lot of help. I am writing this letter to see if the members in the Blog would be interested in such an endeavor. Once we have a few members who have answered the Who am I and Who are we questions, we can move to answering the planning and resources questions.


I am always grateful for your association and guidance Guru Maharaja.


Your servant

Srinatha Krsna dasa


HpS - AgtSP! Again, we don't see it as a priority project anywhere as near important as what Jambavati Devi Dasi and Asta sakhi Devi Dasi and so, so, many other ASA friends, members and intelligent enemies have and are doing.

Only because Srila Prabhupada is so, so, kind do we feel that it is one small line that directly connects to Srila Prabhupada's march along the path back to Godhead.

Thank you!

YASODA DEVI DASI ESPAÑA

Hare Krishna, my dear and always remembered Gurumaharaja 🙏🏻

Please accept my sincere obeisances 🙏🏻

All glories to our savior Srila Prabhupada 🙏🏻


HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!!


Dear Gurumaharaja, I hope you are in good health. I always see you well. Although I know you are always smiling for us, your students in the spiritual life.


Gurumaharaja, I apologize for not being able to join the GoTo program these past few weeks, but since the last time I spoke to you, my life has been like a whirlwind, and for now I'm happy about it. I have a few things to tell you; I'll try to summarize:


ASA - 🐵 🐵 🐵


By Radharani's arrangement, we got a larger space to spend the summer season. We are in a village very close to NVM. We'll probably return to NVM in the winter because the owner of the house doesn't want us to install a fireplace (God's arrangements?).


I was accepted for a temporary job (6 months) at the town hall, cleaning in the villages near Brihuega. I am very grateful to Radha Govinda Chandra for the opportunity to collect.


HpS - Super!


I left my service caring for the 92-year-old devotee. We took care of him for two years. It's time to step back and allow others to collect (I feel incredible peace not being responsible for someone else's life).


I still maintain my service at the inn (I really enjoy working with Jambula; he always reminds me of you. Jambula is organized, not a Hare Krishna fanatic; he's protective; he's one of the few best godbrothers I have). I also keep the mini-room so I can rest (I think a woman should always keep her room in her family's home, for safety. Even though I'm married, etc., I'm a single woman in a foreign country and continent).


WHAT AM I?


ASA - WHO.... are you! 😃


Gurumaharaja, I've been analyzing my life in this material world, the various jobs/services I've performed, and I'm still not clear on exactly WHAT AM I? I remember the first time I spoke to you, you asked me, "WHO ARE YOU?" and when I told you my name, you told me YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL SOUL, WE ARE SERVANT DOGS OF SRILA PRABHUPADA (and you showed me the kanti saying that it was our leash) I was very shocked. Every so often that I meditate on the subject I ask you, another day you told me YOU ARE BRAHMANA (my father and brothers are lawyers) VAYSHA (my mother and her family are business merchants) AND SUDRA (we all are) I asked the same question to several devotees and some said "I am a brahmana, I am future vanaprastha (oh no!), I am a leader, I am a grihastra, etc etc" I am not very clear at what stage or what I really am, BUT I know that now I HAVE TO COLLECT.


I've worked as a teacher (15 years), ASA - Brahmani


a waitress in a bar, ASA - Sudra (survive each day!)


my dad's secretary, managed my mom's family business, I'm a wife, I was a pujari for over 10 years, etc., and now a cleaning laborer, ... and I feel tired of EVERYTHING... Once you told me "you're an old soul, you've lived through almost everything before."


In Vrindavan they told me "you're a Westerner, contaminated, you only chant HARE KRISHNA and take prasadam." I feel that THAT ANSWER is the essence of my existence. And one day you told me, "You are my third-class disciple." That's the answer that makes me feel completely happy (whenever I remember you, I AM HAPPY).


HpS - Third class?????? I don't know what that means. You seems to be doing pretty good as an affectionate mother to whomever you meet. Nice person. Someone easy for everyone to love.

Current world is a mess!!!!! Have your noticed! Relatively speaking ISKCON is pretty good. In some respects it is good in that it does not deceive people too much into thinking that it is great.

So, your life is materially chaotic and it is going to get more so. At 77 years plus, mine gets more more chaotic daily. I have control over smaller and smaller world but.... that is GREAT! Sages and Sagginis pray for Kali yuga. No way to get attached to anything more than 27% and just pause and chant:

Hare Krsna

.. in the presence of your Bead Bag. [Keep it nearby, tied up all day] and you are a liberated soul and you are going more and MORE and M O R E back to Goloka.

  1. So, keep chanting more and more.
  2. Look more and more for Sankirtan Partners in whatever institutional relationship.
  3. Be ready to grab the mercy when it passes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozX0KazFoDk



INDIA

VRINDAVAN, EXTERNALLY, IS VERY SIMILAR TO PERU... BUT IT IS A SPIRITUAL PERU... Vrindavan is a place I would like to return to... RADHARANI❤️ I think I saw my Gopal in the form of a child in some places in Vrindavan (am I going crazy?).


HpS - Yes.


I had many beautiful experiences and experiential teachings in my short time in India. I felt like I had lived there before. I dressed as a man, and when I went out on the streets, I felt so natural... Wow! Thanks to the monkeys and motorcycle horns, I was able to realize I was in the material world... RADHE RADHE❤️ Without her, nothing happens! RADHE is the queen of everything and everyone!

SPAIN

Gurumaharaja would like to ask you to pray. Please have the mercy to visit us soon in New Vrajamandala (NVM). Gurumaharaja, without you, I feel like I don't want to be in this place anymore... I feel so alone without you... When I clean the NVM staircase, I remember your feet stepping on each step and I get so emotional!!! I remember you staying at NVM and the service I receive seems so beautiful... I beg you, please have the mercy to visit us again... 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 We will organize everything better than the last time you visited us. We will welcome the godbrothers with more devotion. Please 🙏🏻 We are an HpS team at NVM Yugala, Tarangakshi and I (it's only because of you that I'm still at NVM)

Missing and remembering you every day

In vain, trying to be your third-class disciple

Yasoda Devi Dasi

May Lord Nrisimha continue to protect you 🙏🏻


HpS - We only plan to chant HK. Dream a lot of Sankirtan. Act as a sleep walker in the sensual world.

Seems that we will be Camped in Nila-madhava Dhama, Houston, ISKCON, until December, with another visit to ISKCON Nashville in November. Maybe another in January on the way to Spain. Stay for some time with my heart meds, then go with Yadu Swami to India/Radha Kunda.


Of course, Putin may start a nuclear war, but seems likely because that would stop the internet, and FOX Communications Corporation would not like that!!!

SB workshop ~~ Sunday Morning, September 07, 2025 continue reading CC Madhya 15 ** Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya Offers Parsadam

3 months, 2 weeks ago by upendra1 in Calendar Development

Dear Maharaja and devotees;

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


On Sunday, September 07, 2025, at 7.30am, Houston time (CST ~~ time zone), we will continue reading Chapter 15 (Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya offers Parsadam~~Madhya Lila); verse 15.169 onwards and we might be able to cover about 40 verses.


Thank you to H. G. Mitravinda Mataji for willing to doing Spanish translation for class on September 07, for reading notes of CC and also to H. G. Lakshman Agraja Prabhu for willing to do Spanish translation Maharaja's class.


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


Your Servant

Upendra Dasa


ASA - 🐵 🐒🐒🐒🐒

Guidance on Performing Prenatal Samskaras

3 months, 2 weeks ago by am in Other

Dear Gurudev,


Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

Happy Radhastami🎊


I hope this message finds you in good health and blissful Krishna consciousness.


Thank you so much for your guidance and considerate responses.


I am writing to seek your guidance regarding the prenatal samskaras (Garbhadhana, Pumsavana, and Simantonnayana) as I am currently 6 weeks pregnant and residing in Peru. I have only received Harinam Diksha and am not married. I am eager to perform these samskaras to spiritually bless my child and seek Krishna’s protection, but I am unsure how to proceed given my circumstances.


Is there a way you could conduct or guide these samskaras remotely, or should I approach a local ISKCON temple for assistance? Additionally, does ISKCON offer specific procedures for these samskaras, especially for someone in my situation?


I am deeply grateful for your wisdom and guidance on this matter. Please let me know how I can proceed to ensure the spiritual well-being of my child and myself.


Your humble servant,

A


HpS - AgtSP!! We are not expert in these things! Local devotees with some Brahminical training should be able to help, but the essence of any ceremony in Kali-yuga is Hari kirtan.

Eat nicely for your baby. Read and Chant for your Baby individually or in groups, Sankirtan.

That really is very, very good.

Send us more news as things develop.

What is the Most Important Temple in the World?

3 months, 2 weeks ago by hps in Special Category A

[9/2/2025 10:09 AM] HP Swami:

Sri Krsna Sankirtan.

Sanatana Gosvami says that every cowherd boy thinks that he is the most intimate friend of Krsna. This surprises him. They all think that so many, maybe every other boy is better friend to Krsna than they are, but SG says that by the nature of the internal potency it is a fact. Not just a material adjustment, a fact. So what is the most important ISKCON community in the world!?


[9/2/2025 12:55 PM] Mitravinda Devi Dasi: The most important ISKCON Community in the world is the nearest one to each of our homes. Whichever official ISKCON Temple is geographically nearest us is the most important in the World. And if That ISKCON Temple is protecting Cows, than 2x as important. If that Temple has more than enough funds coming in, then one must support the nearest ISKCON Temple which is in serious need of serious donations. Established by Srila Prabhupada Himself? Most Important!!! ISKCON Murari Sevaka Temple/Farm, established by Srila Prabhupada in 1975. The ISKCON Temple for Tennessee, Upper Alabama, Middle and Southern Kentucky. And much further as far as Cow Protection is concerned.  Mayapur TOVP must always be supported as well as our Home location.🙏🏼🌸🐄


HpS/ASA - Thank you, Mataji! We were

  • President,
  • Treasurer,
  • Head pujari,
  • Pot and Bathroom Washer,
  • Cow Milker,

For Radha Gokulananda in San Francisco (Berkeley) for ten years before we took Sannyasa. Then for some time after that we were Kuticaka, and Bahudaka Sannyasis, living in a little Bhajan kutir in New Jagannatha Puri, San Francisco, then moving around the NJP community in North California from house to house, Temple to Temple.


Then we took off and traveled all over the world.


ISKCON Temples, Rural Communities, Gurukulas etc are all a part of the magnificent, transcendental institution that Srila Prabhupada is maintaining, no?


We've have ben trying to work toward integrated work in Middle Tennessee, and Murari has been foremost in that in the theme of Simple Living and High Thinking.


ISKCON country living Sankirtan is natural basis for Varna ashrama development, no?!!


From Sanatana Goswami's quote we have especially taken the very personal view, that I have complete personal responsibility for Srila Prabhupaada's ISKCON. So many times I am alone or with just a few devotees for Mangala arati, Kirtan, Class, and maybe the participants are neophyte in spiritual development or don't play the Kartals with good rhythm, and our tendency is to just hunker down and "get through it", but then this citation, reminds me, "There is no one else, no other Temple than the one I am in, at 902 Hillcrest, Murfreesboro or the big Temple in Houston et al, that is going to enliven ISKCON. It all depends on me. ISKCON will have a good day globally or not depending on what kind of Kirtan I am able to help build in the Sanga of devotees with whom I am that morning".


Achinty bheda abheda Tattva?

100% individual responsibility to Krsna and Guru and 100% surrender to social structure. They are mystically integral.