Letters to the editor

Dear Hanumatpresak Swami Maharaja,

Thank you for your kind reply to my post on your blog.

HpS - AGTSP!!! paoho. Thank you for your patience in dealing with this buffalo-headed teacher of a Punjabi student.

Yes, our daughters are turning into young women fast. Family life is a great service opportunity for us. 

And, yes, for sure I have lost my mind. Totally mad… he he

ASA - Foto attached.

Please allow me to share some passages from “Aboriginal Spirituality: Aboriginal Philosophy The Basis of Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing”, by Indigenous Australian philosopher, Vicky Greives.

 Page 8: ...Many non-Aboriginal writers and some Aboriginal people have recorded these creation stories from different parts of the country over time. These stories are often characterised as the Dreaming and, as with Spirituality, the English words are not equivalent to the meaning that exists in Aboriginal languages for the basis of the philosophy, and for the Spirituality that is encompassed within it.

Baldwin Spencer and F. J. Gillen, a late nineteenth-century anthropologist and an ethnographer respectively, translated the Arrernte words altijira ngambakala as ‘dreaming’, and altjira rama as meaning ‘to dream’ (Spencer & Gillen 1899). The linguist T. G. H. Strehlow, who grew up the son of missionaries among Arrernte at Hermannsburg in Central Australia in the early twentieth century, noted that the word altjira also means ‘eternal’, and so the idea of dreaming also includes the ‘seeing’ of eternal things during sleep. Thus, the more accurate translation would be ‘originating from eternity’ (Stockton 1995:54).

 Page 11: ....Further, it would be wrong to characterise the Dreaming as a wholly past event: it is everywhen; that is, in ‘all the instants of being, whether completed or to come’ (Stanner 1979:23–4). It can be characterised as an underlining reality, and the term Dreaming is often used to stand for Aboriginal peoples’ ‘experience and knowledge of the manifestations and the secrets of Divinity’ (Stanner 1979:28). Although this can be construed as two co-existent realities—that is, ordinary and dream realities—Sansom (2001) argues that there is ‘a single supervening reality that has “inside” and “outside” truths and stories and, therefore, ‘Dreamings and people are co-presences in one world, treating knowledge as the great discriminating and modifying force’ (Sansom 2001:2–3). Although humans cannot hope to grasp the full knowledge of truths that are embedded in the Dreaming, they have the opportunity to develop as visionaries, that is, as clever men and women who have a privileged understanding and can see right through, their vision penetrating all the way to the inside.

  However, this idea of knowledge ‘allows each person the opportunity to live a life of progressive revelations’ and ‘anyone who lives a fortunate life should come to participate more and more fully in the unity of the Dreaming’ (Sansom 2001:2–3), without being necessarily a person of great insight. In fact, sudden and unasked for revelations of the power of the Dreaming can occur, something anthropologists call irruptions, and these are met with joy, manifest as laughter in the cases Sansom reports (Sansom 2001:2–3). 

“Altjira Rama” sounds a lot like entrance into samadhi to me... 

Ajita Rama?!?!

Ys

Dhruva

Paper available for free download here: https://www.lowitja.org.au/page/services/resources/Cultural-and-social-determinants/mental-health/Aboriginal-Spirituality-Aboriginal-Philosophy

HpS - I think we deal with these states that may be describe in Patanjali's terms as Samadhi etc, more as different states of Smaranam: https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/8/#bb6004

Also, the different aspects of Bhava that are described in the Southern part of the NoD, no?

Can we join together from different religious traditions and enter into deeper states of consciousness?

Make a great change in the world?

Dear Maharaj,

PAMHO, AGTSP!

1) Sadhana

We have been chanting 16 rounds (as attentively as currently possible), and hearing lecture (from you or HH RNS) for 1hr daily.

HpS-ASA -- Jaya!

Our reading of Srila Prabhupada's books is still not regular. We have fixed a bedtime. Now working on getting out of bed when we wake up in morning. It's proving to be a difficult habit to break/'change mindset', since earlier we had been trying to comply to our husband's lifestyle to avoid conflicts. (Still worrying us for when/if he comes back, how to adjust).

We are struggling so much to rise early in the morning. Please help us🙏. We want to please you so much \☺️/.

HpS - Get a partner. Whoever is up first calls the other. Sleep in different corner from other later risers in the house.

2) Maharaj I've been wanting to bring a deity to our home for many years 🙏. Is it alright if I bring one deity of Patitpavan (Jagannath) home?

HpS - Yes. It is not actually Arcanam as we understand, but more Pada sevanam. For installed Deity there are so many formalities, but just keep Them clean, have some punctual Bhoga offering, then little Arati of incense, flower, lamp and some fragrant oil.

3) Your Film

If we can make any contribution towards your upcoming film please let us know 🙏. If we know more about it maybe we can apply for some funding to help fund this project Maharaj 🙏☺️. Will be very happy to serve in any capacity 🙏. On another note sometimes I wonder if some films can be made where Bhagavatam stories can be portrayed through characters living in modern life context (similar to current Ragnaruk Netflix series on Norse mythology). Or such a series can be made in ancient era of princes and princesses but perhaps with some "western-characterization-adaptation", so people do not dismiss them as 'Indian'? If it's best to show them exactly, like modern day Mahabharats, should we endeavor in this capacity 🙏?

HpS - Go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrhs0W1X0ThVs2ISR__ZFVSLSAx2g_8f0 and give us your opinion on some of the shows. These are the basis of dialogs that we hope to generate in the movie.

We were telling the Bhagavata stories in terms of modern Iskcon context. It is very effective, but beyond the first two cantos people have to be initiated devotees to enter deeply into the stories.

4) Questions on reading assigned by you to us:

Maharaj we have been reading SB 7.11.25-29. Therein many wonderful Sankrit qualities are attracting our hearts to make prayers to Krsna to decorate our heart 🙏. However, we came upon the purport of 7.11.28, wherein it is instructed that a chaste wife should leave the association of, should not serve a fallen husband (does not follow the 4 regulative principles).

a) In this day and age, is regular addiction to pornography and dealing in the internet market place considered illicit sex and gambling and thus is such association of a husband supposed to be left (in desire to follow translation of 7.11.28), or does he fall under the category of around 75% ok in Kali yuga? 🙏

HpS - We have not heard of the 75% O.K. in Kali yuga for the four principles for ISKCON devotees. Even if one does limit association with such a husband, even returning to fathers or brother's shelter, or Temple association, the wife should stick with her natural feminine compassion and pray and work for the reformation of her husband, and it may happen.

b) In today's age if several of one's spiritual KC superiors induce a girl to marry (saying only Kshatranis can chose their husbands) a man who breaks our ISKCON principles on the subtle level because no better man can be found, should such a man be deemed acceptable because Srila Prabhupada has also instructed that women must get married?

HpS - It's a very specific question. There may be a very clear nice understanding between a boy and girl and their families that the husband has a different view, religion than her, but they have understood how each can follow their program and work together in a marriage relationship. For example, Mother Krsna nandini Devi Dasi, was one of the senior members of the Grhastha Vision team, wife of a Muslim gentleman, mother of many children and the situation was good for everyone.

Should be clear before the marriage what the religious standard of each is going to be and then material compatibility should leave to natural affection and both benefiting from the others religious view.

So, can get married to someone who is not ideal religious partner or just stay single and marry Krsna (your deity).

Our hearts will be filled with gratitude, to hear from you on this matter and dispel ignorance in our heart 🙏. Help us decide what shall we do, should we apply our hearts and minds fully to endeavoring to apply 7.11.25-29, or should we separate and remarry in 6 years if possible to wait that long.

HpS - Again is to specific a question for the Blog to arrive at any detailed advice. Here we hope we have given some general principles, and then they can be expanded in your personal group of advisors.

1. Try to help Krsna solve the problems and have a happy marriage that you have all earned.
2. Separate and become a Sannyasini like Visnu priya.
3. Separate and don't get remarried but enjoy life.
4. Get remarried after six years.
5. Hmmm. Maybe come back again into the same problem.

In any case chant 16-nice rounds daily and follow the 4-principles strictly as explained by Srila Prabhupada and all the details will fall in line. That is what we hear from Sastra and directly experiences in our own life.

Thank you, HpS et al!!

Your aspiring servant,

Yajnaseni DD

asa-e, Janma, mrtya, jara, vyadhi

From A Family News Group

• 10.15AM - Hare Krishna, everyone. Ashish Prabhu is in the ICU in Lucknow. Let’s please keep him in our prayers.
• 2.15PM - Ashish Prabhu left his body

HpS - ASA -- In 1938, one little boy of six years old, and his sister of seven, along with their mother and aunt, said good bye to their daddy at the San Francisco port. He was going by ship to work on an oil contract in China for three years, and they were very, very sad.

Yet, it did not mean that he ceased to exist, nor that there would not be very responsible mail, telephone, telegraph communications.

Then after three years he returned and you can imagine the greeting party at the dock then, and the presents.

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/11/4-5/

We can focus on the separation from the family member or we can focus on the next destination he has achieved.

Christians preachers long have chastised their followers for the hubris of predominant lamentation on the departure of a congregational member.

https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/antya/11/ Starting Text 53

I have the image of Ashish being born into Gaura-lila in Nabadvipa as a boy the same age as Nimai when Nimai was going around causing all kinds of delightful havoc for young girls, His Mother, neighboring ladies, big Pandits etc.

Of him in ecstasy at the youthful energy in his body, and his attraction for Nimai along with his friends, the other boys.

Even just a little contact with the mercy of Gauranga qualifies one to approach the supreme abode of Krsna, no?

Hare Krsna. Hare Rama.

Ashish Ji, Ki Jaya!

TB/BW

Hare Krsna

Good night!

Hare Krishna Guru Dev, please accept my respectful obeisances and all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We are all very much looking forward to your visit to Boise. We are eager to start organizing programs for you when the time is right.

How many programs a week would you like to do?

And are you okay with doing some home programs as well as temple programs?

Also, Mother Tulsi wants to have a program on her and her husbands property an hour outside of Boise and she is wondering if would be interested in having a program there. I can get more details if you are interested. Or ask her to write here on the blog.

I have many more questions but don’t want to bombard you with too many.

Your aspiring servant,

-Nitisara das

HpS - ASA

August 2 - August 24 - AgtSP. Thank you for your association.

• 18 = Ekadasi. A great day for increased hearing and chanting about Krsna's pastimes.
• 18-22 = Juhlan yatra. We can swing Radha and Krsna and have different programs for them in the park etc.
• 22 = Balarama Purnima. Anniversary of installation of Radha Bankibihari. We could have presentations by founders of the Temple. Badri., Anantarupa., M.Arruddha etc. "How new Bihavan has been, and should be, one of the greatest bridges between East and West, Gauranga and Great Potatos"

RrDas (Prof. R. Gupta [et al]) will be coming for the weekends. He has administrative activities other days with the university, so we could be organizing on line seminars on the weekends with different scholars.

Can we refer people from all over the West Coast that want to visit to contact you? Of course, they would have to find clean condos for rent in most cases, no?

• White water rafting one day?
• Park other days?
• Two hours round trip sounds too far... but other safe programs seem fine. Only six weeks so we should stay in touch.

Monkey and Piggy are sailing to New Biharvan with a message for Sita from Rama.

.

.

JAYA SRI SRI GURU AND GAURANGA !!

ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA !! and his loyal and dedicated disciples like you.

Since the previous report to date we have had four meetings, two with the technical team and two with the communications team, then we had a very good joint meeting of both teams with Filmmaker Raúl Zevallos (mother Vrisabhanu-nandini and Ambarisa also participated , the meeting lasted almost three hours).

An important point of the meeting with Raúl was to define the conceptual framework of the Film: THE DEFINITIVE JOURNEY is based on the perspective that the life of SS Hanumatpresaka Swami is a practical and inspiring example that comes from the lineage of devotees consecrated to devotional service for pleasure of the Guru and Krishna.

From that point of view, the film seeks to glorify the Parampara because its objective is to show and demonstrate that spiritual success is based on pleasing the Guru and Gauranga. Based on this perspective, the characteristics of the SS HpS personality are shown: humble, merciful, erudite, austere, transparent and truthful, all of this well kneaded with a good dose of joy, irony and fine humor. Our initial goal is to make a 3-5 minute trailer for the month of July.

HpS -ASA - We disagree violently. 😎 More below.

Right now we need to gather as much information as possible about the life of SS HpS. If someone from the community who reads and writes in this blog has photos, videos, writings, anecdotes, audios or any material that they consider valuable to be used in the film, please write to us at: [email protected]

HpS - ASA - We really like this title: DIARY OF A TRAVELING CREATRURE - The Ultimate Trip. Is it bad in Spanish? Viaje Ultima? "Definative" is very booring, technical word in English.

Next it is Hanumatpresaka lila. Hanuman looking for Sita to give Her Rama's ring and message, and then take back Sita's Crest jewel and Her message to Sri Rama.

Trying to build bridges between the world of Rupa Goswami and other eg. C. G. Jung. and Bh. Siddhanta Sarasvati. Exchange goods.

Huber Robinson is one personality, HpS another, but Srila Prabhuapada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is the most prominent personality through them and Tom Brown, Buck White, Uncle Gismo... It is the Diary of Tom Brown et al looking for Sita... Yes, a trailer!

What we have to offer to Sita is coming up at YouTube, ASA Audio Visual.

O.K.???

On the other hand, as we said in report No. 2, in this report, we are going to complete the responses of the members, who were absent.

1st question: What is SOLARIS for you?

NITYA KISORI D.D. / It is a preaching with an inclusive approach, which challenges us to communicate our philosophy in academic terms to audiences with other beliefs. We must learn to demonstrate the value of our tradition, and be willing to exchange ideas with others, without seeking to impose our beliefs. People we come in contact with are not necessarily going to become temple devotees, but they can be enriched by a credible exposition of the Vedic Vaisnava tradition.

ASA - So nice! We would suggest "...in academic terms ..." is O.K. if we look at it like Plato's Academy, where Drama was one of the principle subjects, no?

RATI MANJARI D.D. / SOLARIS connects us with the University, this is of utmost importance now for the growth of ISKCON. It is the opportunity to present the importance of our knowledge and the Culture of our spiritual Tradition. It is a means of academic presentation with a new perspective and image.

ASA - Same as Nitya-kishori DD. University is O.K. if it includes Bernardo Nantes university and Ivan Rodriguez of Ricardo Palma's idea of university.

JITENDRIYA D. / SOLARIS represents for me one of the testimonies of Gurudeva's work. It is one of the extensions of his thought and personality and of his vision with respect to the spiritual and temporal world, the call to the intelligences to build a future where tolerance and respect are unshakable principles. It will be one of the vehicles to achieve the permanence of the knowledge of Guru-Maharaja, surpassing space and time even in the absence of his creator on this material plane.

ASA - Wow!

2nd question: What is your motivation and perspective to be and stay in SOLARIS?

NITYA KISORI D.D. / Serve and please Krsna. Please my spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada. Please my older brothers who occupy me in service. Associate with devotees in the context of devotional service. Stay connected to practical devotional service and preaching. Learn to present my ideas in a meaningful way to any audience. Demonstrate the intellectual and philosophical value of our tradition. Expand the impact of our philosophy for the spiritual benefit of all.

RATI MANJARI D.D. / Gurudeva is our Sun, that is reflected in the magazine. This service represents a privilege for me because I can serve you directly. Another point is the Sadhu sanga with the devotees.

JITENDRIYA D. / I am motivated by the mercy of the Supreme through Gurudeva, because this service is something unexpected. To be able to develop the talents and knowledge sometimes dormant in the service of my Guru is a great motivation. The youth, energy and qualities of my sisters and brothers are also a motivation for me because teamwork pursuing the same cause is a spiritually rewarding experience. I hope to continue learning from everyone and to be able to serve my teacher effectively and consistently through his work.

Please excuse the delay in the report, next time I will start writing my report 2 days before ekadasi and I will send it on the same day of ekadasi.

HpS-ASA -- Ha! Ha! Ha! I also, "will" to complete the KDh more timely, and it is improving, but our "will" is so small. Real but small. It hope that Krsna wills that we get the work done on time.

That's it for now, thank you very much, HARE KRISHNA

HpS - ASA -- We see Solaris as meant to follow the DTC-UT.

Very important. We should do one part focused on Quixote, no? For this we can hopefully get full support from Ramon Mujica and the Fundacion Real Cervantes, no?

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJlgio-UOng

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Impossible_Dream_(The_Quest)

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Desde el informe anterior a la fecha hemos tenido cuatro reuniones, dos con el equipo técnico y dos con el equipo de comunicaciones, luego tuvimos una muy buena reunión conjunta de ambos equipos con el Cineasta Raúl Zevallos (también participaron Vrisabhanu-nandini y Ambarisa, la reunión duro casi tres horas).

Un punto importante de la reunión con Raúl fue definir el marco conceptual de la Película: EL VIAJE DEFINITIVO se basa en la perspectiva de que la vida SS Hanumatpresaka Swami es un ejemplo practico e inspirador que proviene del linaje de devotos consagrados al servicio devocional para el placer del Guru y Krishna. Desde ese aspecto la película busca glorificar el Parampara porque su objetivo es mostrar y demostrar que el perfeccionamiento espiritual se basa en complacer al Guru y a Gauranga. En base a esa perspectiva se muestran las características de la personalidad de SS HpS: Humilde, misericordioso, erudito, austero, trasparente y veraz todo eso bien amasado con una buena dosis de alegría, ironía y humor fino. La meta inicial que tenemos es hacer un tráiler de 3 a 5 minutos para el mes de julio.

En estos momentos necesitamos acopiar la mayor cantidad de información acerca de la vida de SS HpS. Si alguien de la comunidad que lee y escribe en este blog tiene fotos, videos, escritos, anécdotas, audios o cualquier material que considere valioso para ser usado en la película por favor escribanos a: [email protected]

Por otro lado, tal como dijimos en el informe No. 2 en este informe vamos a completar las respuestas de los miembros que faltaban.

1era pregunta: ¿Qué es SOLARIS para ti?

NITYA KISORI D.D. / Es una predica con enfoque inclusivo, que nos desafía a comunicar nuestra filosofía en términos académicos para públicos con otras creencias. Debemos aprender a demostrar el valor de nuestra tradición, y estar dispuestos a intercambiar ideas con los demás, sin buscar imponer nuestras creencias. Las personas con las que tengamos contacto no necesariamente van a volverse devotos de templo, pero podrán enriquecerse con una exposición fidedigna de la tradición védica vaisnava.

RATI MANJARI D.D. / SOLARIS nos conecta con lo Universitario, esto es de suma importancia ahora para el crecimiento de ISKCON. Es la oportunidad de presentar la importancia de nuestros conocimientos y la Cultura de nuestra Tradición espiritual. Es un Medio de presentación Académica con una nueva perspectiva e imagen.

JITENDRIYA D. / SOLARIS representa para mi uno de los testimonios de la obra de Gurudeva. Es una de las extensiones de su pensamiento y personalidad y de su visión con respecto al mundo espiritual y temporal, el llamamiento a las inteligencias para construir un futuro donde la tolerancia y el respeto sean principios inamovibles. Será uno de los vehículos para lograr la permanencia del conocimiento de Guru-Maharaja sobrepasando el espacio y tiempo incluso ante la ausencia de su creador en este plano material.

2da pregunta: ¿Cuál es tu motivación y perspectiva para estar y mantenerte en SOLARIS?

NITYA KISORI D.D. / Servir y complacer a Krsna. Complacer a mi maestro espiritual y a Srila Prabhupada. Complacer a mis hermanos mayores que me ocupan en servicio. Asociarme con los devotos en el contexto del servicio devocional. Mantenerme conectada al servicio devocional práctico y a la prédica. Aprender a exponer mis ideas de una manera significativa ante cualquier público. Demostrar el valor intelectual y filosófico de nuestra tradición. Expandir el impacto de nuestra filosofía para el beneficio espiritual de todos.

RATI MANJARI D.D. / Gurudeva es nuestro Sol, eso se refleja en la revista. Este servicio representa un privilegio para mí porque puedo servirlo directamente. Otro punto es el Sadhu sanga con los devotos.

JITENDRIYA D. / Me motiva la misericordia del Supremo a través de Gurudeva, porque este servicio es algo inesperado. Poder desarrollar los talentos y conocimientos a veces adormecidos al servicio de mi Guru, es una gran motivación. La juventud, energía y cualidades de mis hermanas y hermanos son también una motivación para mí pues el trabajo en equipo persiguiendo una misma causa es una experiencia espiritualmente gratificante. Espero seguir aprendiendo de todos y poder servir de forma efectiva y consecuente a mi maestro a través de su obra.

Disculpe la demora en el informe, la próxima vez comenzaré a escribir mi informe 2 días antes de ekadasi y lo enviaré el mismo día de ekadasi.

Eso es todo por ahora, muchas gracias, HARE KRISHNA