Goswami's of ISKCON

Somnambulistic Wanderings of the Anjana Suta Academy 🚶

🐒

🐖

...

Wed/17 December - Huber Robinson (Brother Ass) flies with HpS/TB/BW et al from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee. ✈

Tandavika Das will pick him up at the airport and then they will have a delightful and productive drive to Franklin for Kirtan, and Krsna Katha with Giriraja!

In the evening Camping with Abhiseka Das, Mataji and Children at their College Grove Ashrama. Hope to have a NIOS Board of Director's Meeting with some very short reports, and good focus on NIOS Nashville with participation of all the local urban, suburban and rural Sankirtan centers.

Thu/18 - College Grove to Vrndavana Forest. There we hope to meet with some of the prominent Leaders and Followers in the Forest, and see and enjoy the development of the Project.

At CG maybe one or two more people can join us, but at VF there should accommodations for up to 12-devotees. RSVP.

Fri/19 - VF to Radha Natabara Ashrama, Murfreesboro. Even Reception and Inauguration for Srila Locana Das Thakura and HpSwami's Vyasapuja (worship of Vyasadeva) in the evening.

Sat/20 - Programs throughout the day on Appearance Day of Locan Das Thakur: Male, Female and Juvenile Gurus in ISKCON. Rivalries between the Six Goswamis, Prabhodananda Sarasvati et al as examples of the same in modern ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada as Guru, HpSwami and Diksa disciples of other ISKCON Diksa gurus, as Gurus et al!

[ ] We need someone to host a completely Spanish language section in the morning, live and online.

[ ] We need someone to organize different programs, speakers, artists. Local participation from Murari, VF, Yoga Soul!!

Sun/21 - Closure with Breakfast by Noon.

For accommodations at Motel 8 for about $150 (2-star but nice) or Hampton Inn at ~$250 (4-star) for Friday and Saturday night, contact Tandavika Das at +1 615 210 6167 by call or WhatsApp. He expects that all programs will be at the Hampton Inn, Murfreesboro.

HpS, TB/BW/UG et al will be camping at 902 Hillcrest Dr, TN 37129. Assembly and some camping facility for single men is available there.

Hall at the HI only accommodates 70-people with strict compliance by the Hotel and Fire Marshal, so to assure participation:

Reservations are required .

Mon/22 - Brother Ass 🏇

with HpS/TB-BW et all fly Nashville - Dallas (11.45AM-1.55PM). That afternoon and evening, Tuesday and Wednesday, until midday, there will be more festivities of the Goswamis of ISKCON ASA Tour with some very special interest for the Disappearance Day Anniversary of Jiva Goswami on Monday.

We are expecting news from Srinatha-krsna Das, Nanda-braja Das et al in Dallas for some idea of events there.

Devotees from Houston might like to join us there.

Wed/24 - Nanda braja Das and HpS join Santa Clause on his Christmas Eve flight from Dallas to Madrid (5.15PM-9.25AM).

🎅 🎅 🎅 🎅 🎅

Ha! Ha! Hare!

asa[e] guru tattva; disciple falls from vows.

Dear Gurudeva,

PAMHO. AGTSP.

I am writing this letter to tell you that I am losing myself spiritually. For several weeks I have not been keeping fully the promise I made to you of chanting 16 good rounds and the Gayatri mantras, and I feel very, very bad.

You always say that if one is not keeping the vow, you are not his/her spiritual master anymore, and I understand that.

HpS - As Diksa Guru, but if you or someone in this position wants, then we can try to function as Siksa guru, Patha-pradarshika guru, again. That is Guru who tries to get us on the formal path, the vows and promises.

Of course, Srila Prabhupada is doing this for all of us through so many media.

It is only my fault. I ask your forgiveness for having failed you and Srila Prabhupada. It is clear that I am not up to the standard. Please, I hope you don’t think that I am getting lost by engaging in sense enjoyment, I mean, more than some weeks ago. Truly, that is not the case.

I have simply complicated a little more my life with my new personal situation. At the same time, I am getting older and I have less material strength, and it seems also less spiritual strength. The daily life of a worker woman who lives alone with two children and several bills to pay at the end of the month consumes a lot of hours and energy.

I have the feeling of sinking into a spiral that swallows me and pushes me away from the devotees. Sometimes I think am a burden for the devotees: Jayanta is better living in Brihuega and the devotees who live around here are only interested on when Jayanta can come to have a lecture and a sat sanga meeting.

And I totally understand it. I am only good at my job, driving and some sports.

I would like to thank you for all these years in which, through your great mercy, you have allowed me to remain close to you and benefit from your association, knowledge, and realizations.

I am deeply, deeply sorry for not being up to the level of you, your spiritual master, or your disciples. What frightens me most is that I don’t know if I will ever be able to be. But I am going to keep trying. This soul is fighting.

If you allow me, I would like to continue connecting, whenever I can, to Japa Joe, FMP, and the Sunday classes. Also, whenever needed and if you consider it appropriate, please count on me to help with NIOS.

I am sorry to have to write you such a letter.

I hope you are in good health.

An aspirant hoping to be able to serve you again.

HpS - As usual you are a heroine and leader for so many people. How many people are in the same position and have not taken the brave and honest steps to write here.

Thank you.

Can we act as your Siksa guru?

Vartmana, Patha, pradarsika guru?

Of course, Krsna does not forget all the effort you have made.

It is like taking the rope He is offering from the shore and pulling us closer. Eventually we get to the point that even though we still go under the water, our feet now hit the bottom and we can use that to push ourselves up, as well as take the pull from his rope.

Later we will be 50% out of the water.

Yet in all cases we hold onto the rope. Even 50% of the rivers current can carry us away.

Of course, the rope is 16/4 with enthusiasm.

If we lose the connection we are headed back to the Samsara of the river flow. Again, it is different for one who has chanted than one who has not.

If we have the strength and intelligence to go to work etc. then we have the strength and intelligence to chant some Japa and follow principles to some practical extent.

No whiskey.

No betting on horse races.

0--0

Keep track of how many rounds you owe Krsna.

Take a vow to chant a certain number of rounds daily that you know you can do for a certain period. Eg. "I will chant four rounds per day until Christmas".

Then see the result.

Then take a vow to chant fixed number, more or less, during the next period.

At least one round every year on Janmastami? 😆

This is what Srila Prabhupad and we guess Rupa Goswami recommend in the NoD.

Sangat sanjayate kamah.

Our desires develop from the company we keep.

If you are giving so much help to Nimai the Great and Sarasvati the Charming, then why aren't they chanting with you?

Has Jayanta Das moved full time to Brihuega?

Does he not help with the care of the minor children?

Are the two of you enacting your Spanish lila of Sancho and Teresa?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo7VlD66ISM

Dear Guru Maharaja.

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

We are very excited to have your association here in Dallas and celebrate your Vyasapuja as a glorification to the Parampara. Below is an idea for the program we could have during your stay here

22-Dec - Monday - Srila Jiva Goswami’s Disappearance Day

Afternoon - Arrive and settle down in the Sannyasi quarters in the temple

Evening (5.30-8pm) - Celebration of Vyasapuja in the Temple. We are hoping we get the association of the wonderful devotees in Houston for this program.

23-Dec - Tuesday

7.30 am - Srimad Bhagavatam class (If the energy levels are good)

6.30 - 8pm - Home program on NoI and Srila Rupa Goswami. I can order some copies of TPP for distribution.

24-Dec - Wednesday

7.30 am - Srimad Bhagavatam class

Afternoon - Leave to airport after lunch

If you are ok with the plan, we can add more details for each program Guru Maharaja.

Your servant

Srinatha Krsna Dasa

HpS - Seems nice. Practical. Of course, Monday is Disappearance Anniversary of Jiva Goswami so any events should be put in perspective of that, no?

Just about one month until we arrive!

Radha Kala chandji!!!!

Hare Krsna.

Su Gracia, Abhirama Thakura Das, en Lima, ha respondido a nuestra solicitud de un líder para organizar el programa Vyasapuja en vivo y en línea el sábado 30 de diciembre por la mañana.

Él dirigirá el servicio, así que contáctenlo y estén atentos a los detalles aquí.

Gracias.

Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and to his faithful and truthful followers such as yourself.

 HpS/ASA - We have a some distance to go before we can say that we are completely faithful to all of Srila Prabhupada's instructions eg. Bathing three times daily and applying Tilak, avoiding completely hearing mundane news etc.

It has been several months since I last reported on the blog. Because of that silence, someone might say, “It seems that Manuel monkey has distracted himself in some leafy tree in Pogo Park” But that is not the case. I am always very attentive to your sankirtana. My ears, my hands, my tail, and mainly my heart stay alert, trying to receive your mercy and to be of useful in the seva.

Thank you so much for giving us delicious bananas of bhakti every day in the FMP and a transcendental feast every Sunday in the ASA Workshops.

Allow me, then, to offer you a brief report on the editorial fruits that have already ripened and those that are still developing on the branches of the NIOS publications tree:

I) Book for the 40th Anniversary of Grupo Integro: It has already been published. Your greeting letter in both English and Spanish appears inside, and the NIOS logo is included in the credits.

HpS - Didn't NIOS pay to receive some copies???

II) Educating Krishna’s Children: This is the Spanish version of Mother Aruddha’s book. It is fully typeset. The interior layout and the cover have already been approved by Radhika Raman Prabhu and his mother. We expect the printed copies to be ready during the first week of December. This book is beautiful and helpful for parents and caregivers, as well as for anyone who needs to remember that Krishna is mischievous and joyful, and that raising and educating Krishna-conscious children can be delightful and in fact it is a very valuable service for the pleasure of Guru and Gauranga. The translation was done by Mother Purnamasi, and the layout and design by ARTd. Do you have any suggestions?

HpS - No. Wonderful to hear. Hope it can be made readily available in Spanish community. Create a revolution. Be presented in Santiago in February/March.

III) WOD (Waves of Devotion in Spanish): It is currently 80% typeset, but we cannot complete it as a part of the English edition’s typography is still missing. ARTd spoke with Dhanurdhara Swami, who said he would contact the disciple responsible for the editing of his books, but that has not happened yet. ARTd will try one more time to contact Maharaja. Do you have any suggestions?

HpS - Send a copy of the letter to Maharaja to us. We may even see him personally when we are in Radha kunda.

IV) SOLARIS No. 9: It is in the midst of the layout process. In addition to the Spanish articles, this issue includes four articles in English. (Our goal is that each issue can contain between 30% and 50% of its content in English.)

One more point: ARTd has been talking to Hector, Miguel, Oscar, Raul, Pablo, and Walter to prepare a NIOS-Perú proposal for the academic Sankirtana during your stay in Lima. (they have a group meeting next Thursday Nov 20th). He is coordinating activities with Laksmana-agraha to organize with ISKCON to host events on Varna-asrama dharma and Guru-tattva. He is also talking with mothers and devotees such as Candra-mukhi, Palika, Mitravinda, Nitya-kisori, Gita-Govinda, Gandharva, Ray Ramananda, and others; they are all very happy about your arrival. So, starting next week, I will send you a report and a proposal from NIOS-Peru for the academic Sankirtana and activities with ISKCON. All of this, of course, considering that you are now making this trip as emeritus professor. 

Radhika Raman, his mother, and other scholars from Latin America will also attend on certain days during that period.

We are happy that, Krishna willing, we will have your auspicious association next March along with Tom Brown, Buck White, and the entire ASA team.

That is all for now. HARE KRISHNA, Bhakta Manuel.

HpS/ASA - As per our conversation, you will take charge of organizing the online Vyasapuja on the 20th December in the morning.

We will post that under a separate post also.

Thank you.

This is all such substantial work.

We hope that other groups in Latin America will also make such great reports.

Of course, they should all be also released at the Third Latin American Congress in Santiago, no?

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frutos que Maduran:

Reporte de las Publicaciones de NIOS en el Perú

Hare Krishna. Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada y a sus seguidores fieles y veraces como usted.

Hace varios meses que no me reporto en el blog. Quizá, por ese silencio, alguien podría decir: “Parece que el mono Manuel está entretenido en algún árbol frondoso del parque Pogo”. Pero no es así. Siempre estoy pendiente de su sankirtana. Mis orejas, mis manos, mi cola y, sobre todo, mi corazón están atentos para tratar de recibir su misericordia y ser útil en el seva. Muchas Gracias por regalarnos todos los días deliciosos plátanos de bhakti en el FMP y un banquete trascendental todos los domingos en los Talleres de ASA.

Permítame entonces, esta vez, hacer un pequeño reporte sobre los frutos editoriales que ya maduraron y los que todavía están en la rama, madurando, en el árbol de las publicaciones de NIOS:

I) Libro por los 40 años del Grupo Íntegro: Ya se publicó. En los interiores está su carta-saludo en inglés y español, y en los créditos aparece el logo de NIOS.

II) La Educación en el hogar de los niños de Krishna: Esta es la versión en español del libro de la madre Aruddha. Ya está totalmente diagramado. Los interiores y la carátula han sido aprobados por Radhika Raman Prabhu y su mamá. Esperamos que la primera semana de diciembre ya estén impresos. Este libro es bonito y útil para padres, madres y para quienes necesiten recordar que Krishna es travieso y divertido, y que criar y educar a los hijos conscientes de Krishna puede ser algo alegre y, de hecho, un valioso servicio para el placer de Guru y Gauranga. La traducción la hizo la madre Purnamasi, y la diagramación y el diseño, ARTd. ¿Alguna sugerencia?

III) WOD (Waves of Devotion en español): Ya está diagramado al 80%, pero no podemos finalizarlo porque nos falta una parte de la tipografía de la versión en inglés. ARTd habló con Dhanurdhara Swami, y él dijo que lo iba a conectar con su discípulo encargado de la edición de sus libros, pero aún no sucede. ARTd intentará una vez más comunicarse con Maharaja. ¿Alguna sugerencia?

IV) SOLARIS No. 9: Está en plena danza de diagramación. Aparte de los artículos en español, esta vez tenemos cuatro artículos en inglés. (La meta es que, en cada número, entre el 30% y 50% del contenido esté en inglés).

Un punto más: Para hacer una propuesta de NIOS-Perú para el Sankirtana académico durante tu estadía en Lima ARTd ha estado conversando con Héctor, Miguel, Óscar, Raúl, Pablo y Walter (tienen una reunión grupal el jueves 20). Con Laksmana-agraha está coordinando actividades con ISKCON para realizar eventos sobre el Varna-asrama dharma y el Guru-tattva. Y también está conversando con madres y devotos como Candra-mukhi, Palika, Mitravinda, Nitya-kisori, Gita-Govinda, Gandharva, Ray Ramananda y otros, todos están muy contentos con su llegada. Entonces, comenzando la próxima semana le enviaré un reporte y una propuesta de NIOS-Perú para el sankirtana académico y actividades con ISKCON. Todo esto, considerando, por supuesto, que ahora usted realiza este viaje como profesor emérito.

Radhika Raman, su mamá y otros académicos de Latinoamérica estarán presentes, algunos días, para esas fechas.

Estamos felices de que, Krishna mediante, en marzo tendremos su auspiciosa asociación junto con Tom Brown, Buck White y todo el equipo ASA.

Eso es todo por ahora. HARE KRISHNA, Bhakta Manuel.

Hare Krishna, honorable Maharaj, H. H. HpS 🙏🏾

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

PAMHO

to your lotus feet 🐵

Thank you for your MERCY every single day...

These questions are about sunday classes.

Upendra Prabhu talked about Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya Lila, chapter 17. Thanks for his comments.

I have some doubts about this lecture.

In the harinamas, when we go out into the streets, I have seen people get excited and dance, but there are others (few afortunately) who completely reject the Holy name. Why are animals more receptive to the chanting of the Maha Mantra? They are living entities are supposed to be more savage and less evolved than us.

HpS - First, animals and humans are both influenced more by Lord Caitanya than us.

Even with Lord Caitanya it may be that some animals, like some humans, respond.

Spiritually bad animals, like spiritually bad people, do not.

O.K.

Holy Names can directly touch the soul, by pass the Karma, gross body.

Why does this happen, Maharaj? Are animals nobler and more receptive to accept the holy name?

HpS - Usually they are less receptive, and trees worse, but the Holy Names from Sri Gauranga and deep power.

Maybe Human beings may pretend that they do not like it, but deep down, the holy name will gradually cleanse their hearts?

Just as the people who listened to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and became Vaishnavas because Krishna is the Supreme personality of God, completely pure, were present. However, when we go out on Harinama, if we fail to captivate anyone after our journey, does this mean that we are not purifed enough, that is, we are not performing a correct sadhana? Or is it the karma of the people that prevents the chanting from reaching their hearts?

We know Lord Caitanya is the most merciful Lord to the fallen souls and the poor ones, yet there are people who reject him. Is His mercy the same for them, or would they have to surrender and ask for His forgiveness first?

HpS/ASA - In general, our experience is that different people in different communities, countries, respond differently. USA people are more mechanistic. Japanese people have been more inclined to hear from Monks with trust.

Yes, it seems we can improve our chanting!

I can directly see how this can happen.

Yet, there is certainly an effect on them by hearing the Name, even consciously or unconsciously, and certainly when presented by devotees following Srila Prabhupada's instructions.

I have another question about the relationships with relatives.

It is said about service to the Lord that by performing it we are nourishing the source and everything else will be nourished; however, I had a conversation with a very Catholic person, and it made me wonder as well. For example, if I serve to a sick person, a relative or another person who needs anything, in this way I am serving Krishna and offering my service to Him, does that service have the same value as, for example, serving the Deities?

this question arises because my family, my closest ones, do not understand devotional service. They believe that by going to the temple and attending to the Deities or in my house when they see me offering flowers, incienses, bhoga to my Deities, so I am neglecting my relationships with family members. They are convinced my priority is just adoring Krishna and go to the Temple.

How should I manage this kind of topics with my family? Thank you for your guidance, Maharaj, your time and patience 🙇🏽‍♀

HpS - As far as I know, there are identical questions in the Bible, Koran etc.

If we follow the process given by an authorized Acharya like Srila Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya, the Prophet Mohammed, Lord Jesus Christ, then our spiritual understanding will gradually wake up, just like someone awakening from sleep and dreams.

Then we will see the position of God and all of His children.

We can serve our relatives for selfish motives.

We can worship the icons in the temple for selfish motives,

or we can see how the fingers, hands and arms are related to the whole body and serve them in proper perspective.

Some one is scraped in a travel accident and their is some mild blood flow. Yes, we should clean and dress the wound, but that is silly if they are suffocating to death.

We want to serve God and His family, and as we wake up we can see how they are related.

Half awake, we should keep a full morning and evening Temple program etc. and serve all of our brother and sisters in the world during the day time.

Many more details, but that seems like some basic thoughts.

O.K.?

Your silly but very thankful servant,

AGTSP

AGTHPS

Annie from Lima 🐦