Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna, Gurudev.

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing to you because, while reading the Bhagavad-gita (Chapter 17, Text 9), where the foods dear to each mode of nature are described, I noticed a detail in the translation of certain Sanskrit terms that I would humbly like to share with you.

From my familiarity with Ayurveda, where the twenty attributes (gunas) and the six tastes (rasas) are studied, I understand that these terms have very specific meanings. In the word-for-word translation of the verse, I noticed that:

• The term katu is translated as "bitter," when traditionally tikta is "bitter," and katu refers to "pungent."
• In turn, the word tiksna is translated as "pungent," when its meaning within the gunas is closer to "intense," "sharp," or "penetrating."

This led me to wonder, with all due respect, if the BBT's translation team is aware of these nuances and maintains them for a specific reason, or if it is something that might be considered for future editions.

Of course, this observation is purely technical and does not at all impede the transmission of Srila Prabhupada's instruction, nor does it diminish the immense potency of the Bhagavad-gita. I am simply sharing it as a reflection that arose from my study, with no intention of offending anyone.

Thank you very much, Gurudev.

Your servant,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - Hare Krsna. Thank you very many! Maybe these are English word usages that were prominent during the time of Bhaktisiddhant Sarasvati.

For example, I think at that time one might say that he went into the Bosses office and he was, "making love to his secretary". In current common English that my community uses, this would be interpreted as complete physical, sexual interaction, but at the time of Bh. Siddhanta, beginning of the 20th century (India) it would mean by what my community means, "flirting, hitting on her", verbal interplay.

Where are the translations you are using coming from?

Is very nice, practical discussion.

Hare Krishna, Gurudev.

Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Le escribo porque, mientras leía el Bhagavad-gita (capítulo 17, texto 9), donde se describen los alimentos preferidos en cada modalidad, noté un detalle en la traducción de ciertos términos en sánscrito que me gustaría compartir humildemente con usted.

Desde mi familiaridad con el Ayurveda, donde se estudian los veinte atributos (gunas) y los seis sabores (rasas), entiendo que estos términos tienen significados muy específicos. En la traducción palabra por palabra del verso, noté que:

• El término katu se traduce como "amargo", cuando tradicionalmente tikta es "amargo" y katu se refiere a lo "picante".
• A su vez, la palabra tiksna se traduce como "picante", cuando su significado dentro de las gunas es más cercano a "intenso", "penetrante" o "agudo".

Esto me llevó a preguntarme, con todo respeto, si el equipo de traducción del BBT es consciente de estos matices y los mantiene por alguna razón específica, o si es algo que podría considerarse para futuras ediciones.

Por supuesto, esta observación es puramente técnica y no impide en absoluto la transmisión de la instrucción de Srila Prabhupada ni opaca la inmensa potencia del Bhagavad-gita. Simplemente lo comparto como una reflexión surgida de mi estudio, sin intención de ofender a nadie.

Muchas gracias, Gurudev.

Su sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Hare Krishna, Gurudev.

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing to share a recent experience.

I spent five days in Brazil, associating with His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami.

As Srila Prabhupada says in text 5 of the Upadesamrita, the association of advanced devotees is the most precious thing there is.

I can tell you that this association created a turning point in my spiritual life: a before and an after.

I had the realization that I was unconsciously identifying with the mind and believing I was my emotions. Due to traumas from my childhood and the past—such as losing part of my family in an accident and the subsequent abandonment by my first wife—I associated bhakti and relationships with suffering and loss. Suddenly, I realized that I am not my body, but I am also not my mind.

HpS/ASA - ❗

I understood that devotional service, Krishna Prema, is an extremely powerful device. However, due to those fears, traumas, and my identification with the mind, I was not being serious in my spiritual life. I was chanting my rounds at any time, not waking up early, and eating food prepared by anyone. Somehow, I was unconsciously boycotting my progress out of fear of suffering. Today, I think about how I wasted my time and held back my progress all these years. I feel ashamed; I have associated with so many advanced devotees who made great sacrifices to visit us, and I was simply asking childish questions. It's like having invited Albert Einstein to my home only to ask him what 2 + 2 is: a complete waste.

This realization has given me an impetus and a strength that I cannot describe in words. It is a great mercy. Since that moment, I am determined to follow your instruction to wake up early and chant my rounds during the Brahma Muhurta. The truth is, it's another level, another reality. Chanting the rounds before sunrise is the perfection of life; the day truly flows in a different way.

The auspicious month of Kartik is approaching, and I am meditating on my vows. I truly want this Kartik to be special and to take advantage of the mercy of Radharani and Damodara to advance as quickly as possible. I feel that I have already lost a lot of time, and it is time to become serious so that I can become your disciple. You always said it, the instruction was clear: "wake up early and chant your rounds," but out of fear and identification with the mind, I did not want to listen.

By the mercy of Guru and Krishna, and because this process is scientific, this anartha is gone. Now I am sure that there is no danger in advancing towards Krishna; that Krishna consciousness and the Holy Name are the greatest benediction a living entity can receive. I truly want to worship the Holy Name and to be a positive instrument in the Sankirtan movement and in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON mission.

Thank you, Gurudev, for your austerities, for your extremely clear vani, and for always being there for us.

Your humble servant,

Nikunja Bihari das .

HpS/ASA - I think I can relate to what you are describing fairly well. I have always related it to:

"...because they are too materially absorbed, the conception of retaining the personality after liberation from matter frightens them. When they are informed that spiritual life is also individual and personal, they become afraid of becoming persons again, and so they naturally prefer a kind of merging into the impersonal void.", https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/4/10/

So, we kind of make our Sadhana practices something kind of impersonal and they float around without personal commitment. Verse relates to your realization? BG 4.10. Purport includes the "adau sraddha verse..."

Hare Krishna, Gurudev.

Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Le escribo para compartir una experiencia reciente. Estuve cinco días en Brasil, asociándome con Su Santidad Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami. Como dice Srila Prabhupada en el texto 5 del Upadesamrita, la asociación con devotos avanzados es de lo más preciado que existe. Podría decirle que esa asociación generó una bisagra en mi vida espiritual: un antes y un después.

Tuve la realización de que, inconscientemente, me estaba identificando con la mente y creyendo que yo era mis emociones. Debido a los traumas de mi infancia y del pasado —como la pérdida de parte de mi familia en un accidente y el posterior abandono de mi primera esposa—, asociaba el bhakti y los relacionamientos con el sufrimiento y la pérdida. De repente, me di cuenta de que no soy mi cuerpo, pero tampoco soy mi mente.

Entendí que el servicio devocional, Krishna Prema, es un dispositivo extremadamente poderoso. Sin embargo, debido a esos miedos, traumas y a mi identificación con la mente, no estaba siendo serio en mi vida espiritual. Cantaba mis rondas en cualquier momento, no me levantaba temprano y comía alimentos preparados por cualquiera. De alguna manera, boicoteaba inconscientemente mi avance por miedo a sufrir. Hoy pienso en cómo desperdicié mi tiempo y frené mi avance todos estos años. Me siento avergonzado; me he asociado con tantos devotos avanzados que hicieron un gran sacrificio para visitarnos, y yo simplemente hacía preguntas de niño. Es como haber invitado a Albert Einstein a mi casa solo para preguntarle cuánto es 2 + 2: un completo desperdicio.

Esta realización me ha dado un ímpetu y una fuerza que no puedo describir con palabras. Es una gran misericordia. Desde ese momento, estoy determinado a cumplir con su instrucción de levantarme temprano y cantar mis rondas durante el Brahma Muhurta. La verdad es que es otro nivel, otra realidad. Cantar las rondas antes de que salga el sol es la perfección de la vida; el día realmente fluye de otra manera.

Ya se acerca el auspicioso mes de Kartik y estoy meditando en mis votos. Realmente quiero que este Kartik también sea especial y aprovechar la misericordia de Radharani y Damodara para poder avanzar lo más rápido que pueda. Siento que ya perdí mucho tiempo y es momento de ponerme serio para así poder convertirme en su discípulo. Usted siempre lo dijo, la instrucción fue clara: "levántate temprano y canta tus rondas", pero por miedo y por identificación con la mente, yo no quería escuchar.

Por la misericordia de Guru y Krishna, y porque este proceso es científico, esta anartha se ha ido. Ahora estoy seguro de que no hay peligro en avanzar hacia Krishna; que la conciencia de Krishna y el Santo Nombre son la bendición más grande que una entidad viviente puede recibir. Quiero realmente adorar al Santo Nombre y poder ser un instrumento positivo en el movimiento de Sankirtan y en la misión de ISKCON de Srila Prabhupada.

Gracias, Gurudev, por sus austeridades, por su vani extremadamente claro y por estar siempre para nosotros.

Su humilde sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Please Gurudeva accept my respectful obeisances to the life-filled dust emanating from His merciful lotus feet. You are taking us to Vrndavam!

All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!

All Glories To You, Our GuruMaharaja!

We've spoken with the respected Prabhu Abhiram to give you some dakshina. And he very kindly replied that it would be difficult to send you if it's a little money. So I want to tell Gurudev that, no matter how expensive it is to send you via Western Union, please send me your details so I can send you some dakshina. It's the least I can do for helping me so much. I don't have much money to send, but whatever I have, I want to send it to you. Please give me your mercy so that I can somehow reciprocate.

Very grateful, asking for forgiveness for unintentionally committing any offense, I await your response.

Radha Japa Prati Jalpa Devi dasi

asa - he, agtSP, is right. western union etc are useless. maybe start an ASA account with Ambarisa Das, vrsabhanu devi das et all and then we can use it for ASA work in Cordoba, Are Gin Tee Na.

Watch for devotees traveling to USA, Mexico etc. and they can hand carry it!!

Hare Krishna, Gurudev dandavat pranama...

Pamho agtSp...;

HpS - So nice, agtSP, to get your association.

I saw in your WhatsApp channel that you need actors and director I have interest to know whats your plan for that and what is all about. Maybe we can help with this artistic project...

I hope you're in good health and that we can see each other soon

Your servant

Parama Karuna das

HpS - Thank you. We were referring to travel companions et al, for this tour: Nashville, Dallas, Madrid (NVM), Chile, Lima, USA.

Because of our general abilities at 77-years old, we should probably be traveling with a companion.

Of course, if we have attendant to and from the airplane door, then we should expect good care by the airlines.

NIOS has funds to contribute to travel costs of people.

Of course, the overwhelming nature of anything realistic in Kali-yuga is Sankirtan, so, while traveling, we are looking for partners in Sankirtan, movie making, improvisational theater.

Right now. I think we will travel alone mostly to Spain, as the tickets on our flight to Madrid have probably gone through the roof by now.

Then, India, Santiago... probably with Yadu Swami.

Yet, if someone wants to go along with their ideas of Sankirtan. Filming whatever ASA TSKP does that is fine with us.

We publish our itenararies.

Thank you.!

Please accept my humble obeisances to the dust of Your adorables Lotus feet🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🌺🎵🌹💐💖

🎵💐💖🌹All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!🎵💐💖🌹

🎵💃🙇🏻‍♀️🌹💐💖🙏All Glories To You our Spiritual Master 🎵💃🙇🏻‍♀️🌹💐🙏

When I read the last verse you posted on Anvesaka, about chanting the holy name, I felt worried, because I don't remember asking your permission to increase the number of rounds. I only remember being excited when I read that Srila Prabhupada said: Never decrease, always increase. !!!! This motivated me a lot. And that's why I increased my chanting. As you say; Better late than never. So I ask your permission, the dust of your feet, to increase my number of rounds! and to always be able to perform the days of Ekadasi vrata better and better. In general, to increase the quality of my service to You.

Thank you very much, eternal thanks Sri GuruMaharaja ki Jaya!!!!!!!!🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🌹🌺💐💐🌺🌹🎵💃🎵💖🌹🙏

always trying to please the adorable and sublime dust of His lotus feet:

Radha Japa Prati Jalpa Devi dasi 🌹

HpS/ASA - I guess, agtSP, we can chant more rounds any time and it does not mean that we have to chant that number of extra rounds the following day.

if we make some formal commitment to chant more rounds daily, then we have to do that.

we can make a promise to chant more rounds during this kartika month, but not every kartika month, no?

i guess you and others have our permission to chant more rounds like that.

asa(e) sankirtan; writing

Please accept my obeisances to your adorable lotus feet, which I miss so much watching dance🙏💐💖🌺🌹🎵

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!🙏🙇🏻‍♀️💐🌺🌹🌺💐🌺🌹🌺💐💖🎵

All Glories To You our Spiritual master!!!🙏🙇🏻‍♀️💐🌺🌹💖🎵💖🌹💐

I hope I can please Uncle Gismo and that he will engage me in His service🙏🙇🏻‍♀️

always trying to please him:🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🌹🌺💐🌺🌹🎵

Radha Japa Prati Jalpa Devi dasi 🌹💖🎵💃

I've been writing garbage since before I was a devotee, and when I first encountered the movement, the figure of Krishna and his beautiful face inspired me so much. He was and is my sole inspiration for writing. You and Srila Prabhupada's immense love! Everything combines to make my heart write. I never think, "Now I'm going to write." Sentences just come out, and I have to run to get paper and pencil so my songs or poems don't get lost.

Now, by Your mercy, I'll take some time out of the week to write. It's so beautiful. And then, do I send you my writings? In fact, before sending you my poems and songs, I always thought, while laughing, "Where is the current Ramananda Roy?" to show him my writings and see if they're appropriate, and if they don't have rasabasa... but I never asked who could read them before you. I just sent them to you. Please forgive the mistakes. So, what should I do? I've accumulated a lot of junk😅, a few more songs for Govinda... How should I refine them? Can I send you what I'm writing and polish it little by little? Whatever you say, it'll be a pleasure to continue.

I would like Uncle Gizmo to engage me in His service. Thank you, Gurumaharaja, and please forgive any unintentional offenses in this letter.

. I'm trying to please you:

JPJ Radha devi dasi

HpS/ASA - AgtSP.

First

write once. then edit right after you write for better grammar, choice of words, rhythm and rhyme.

Second

look at it after one week and edit again or shred it and use it for fire starter.

after one week you will not be able to remember the personal thoughts that you had while you were writing and which your reader will not know.

you will be able to read it much more like your audience is reading it.

Third

post it to the Blog and HpS/ASA will comment as best they can.