Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja,

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

First of all, I am humbly seeking your forgiveness for not writing to you for a long time.

His Holiness Bhakti Ananda Haridasa Goswami is from our village, but later on Maharaja had settled at Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. He is a very good friend of my father who passed away in 2010. When my father was alive, Maharaja used to visit our home from Guwahati and do preaching. While leaving his body, my father requested His Holiness to keep on visiting our home and do more and more preaching at Cachar (a district of Assam). Maharaja has made many devotees from that preaching till date. Maharaja is not yet an initiating Guru of ISKCON, but it is under process.

Guru Maharaja, I am renting one room at Lakhipur and staying there for my job which is little far away from my home village, Kaptanpur. Here at Lakhipur, preaching of ISKCON is almost none. During the last visit of Haridasa Maharaja, I had invited him and organized one preaching program. Around 70 people attended the program. It was very nice and a successful program with nice prasadam distribution. Everyone was happy. They all appreciated the program and they are asking for more in the future.

During the Ratha Yatra of ISKCON Silchar, I did book distribution along with few devotees. One Bengali Bhagavad-gita and other 26 Srila Prabhupada books were distributed in that. Because of the summer’s scorching heat, I am unable to go out for book distribution, regularly. But sometimes I am doing it. Kindly forgive me Guru Maharaja for this irregularity.

Guru Maharaja, my sister in Vrindavan – Kalpalatika Devi Dasi, your disciple is pregnant for her second child. In the last week of August, she may deliver a baby. Kindly bless her and her baby in the womb. By your blessings, let she and her family be able to render more and more sevas for Srila Prabhupada and your satisfaction.

Guru Maharaja, I regularly read monkey warrior blog posts, your twits in the X and regularly attend your online classes. We are eagerly waiting for your arrival in India. Myself and few other devotees are arriving at Radhakund on 14 September and we are eagerly waiting to get your divine association at Radhakund. If Guru Maharaja is going to Manipur, we also will accompany you there. Thank you Guru Maharaja. Some photos of the program are attached here.

Your servant

Manjuali Devi Das

Silchar, Cachar, Assam

HpS/ASA - Thank you! AgtSP.

Paoho.

Please read the two posts from today. One from Sadhu in Manipur and one from 'Rose of the East'.

We will win.

The "Black Witch" cannot keep everyone.

We will learn how to do Sankirtan better and better.

We are sitting in the "Sannyasi Room" in the old Temple in New Jersey.

It is big, big, building. Very nice, but collapsing.

They have new, big marble, place ready to open.

Yet the biggest temple in the world is an open heart, no?

In one hour we go with Subal Das to pick up renta car, then go to Nama-rasa Das' podcast. Tomorrow we go to Spain with Yadu' Swami.

22-hours of travel!

Very tough for our old donkey.

Maybe we get drone bombed or Maharaja go crazy.

Maybe we make it to Radha kunda!

Hari Bolo.

Hare Krsna!

All glories to Sri Sri Radha Krsna

All glories to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

All glories to you

Please accept my obeisances

I haven’t written in almost three years. During that time, so much has happened that deeply impacted my mental health, but now, I finally feel like I'm starting to be myself again.

To begin with, my husband suffered from severe burnout and had to stay in a psychiatric facility for five months. The months leading up to that were incredibly difficult, watching his mental state deteriorate while being unable to help him. When he was admitted to the clinic, I was left to face the harsh reality of being alone in a new country. The isolation, loneliness, and overwhelming sadness took a toll on me, and I became ill. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, sensitivity to light and sound, and constant nausea left me unable to leave the house or even care for my basic needs. Eventually, I too needed treatment and spent time in a psychiatric facility.

After being discharged, I continued therapy and, following a series of tests, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and Atention Deficit Disorder. This diagnosis didn’t come as a shock, as I had always struggled in various ways. Many times I prayed to Krishna, asking for clarity and understanding about what was wrong with me, hoping to become a better servant. Now that I had an answer, I embraced the opportunity to learn more and develop strategies to manage my symptoms.

Just as I began to feel better, my husband confessed that he had been unfaithful. It was devastating, pushing me into an even deeper depression, unsure of how to cope. At that time, my sadhana was almost nonexistent, though I was just taking care of my beloved Gopalito. 

With the support of therapy, medication for ADHD, depression, insomnia, and, most importantly, with Gopal’s company, I slowly began to heal. I’m in a much better place now, and my sadhana has improved. I haven’t yet reached the standard, but I’m working towards it.

One thing that weighed heavily on me was the feeling of unworthiness. I feared I was not fit to be in contact with you because I had struggled to keep my vows during this period. Your words in Guru-tattva.txt echoed in my mind: 

“Unless you are chanting 16 nice rounds, and that means Mangala-arati, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sankirtana, and maintaining a practical relationship with ISKCON, while strictly following the four principles, we cannot function as your Diksa-guru, representative of Srila Prabhupada and the Guru-parampara. If you want, we can serve you again as Vartmana-pradarshika-guru, help you get back on the path, and then we can be Diksa-guru once more. But don’t cheat yourself.”

When I took initiation, I believed I would always be able to follow, so I didn’t think much about these words. Now, they are constantly on my mind. I find myself thinking what it all means—am I no longer your disciple? Am I no longer connected with the parampara and Krishna?

Perhaps I’m being overly emotional, but I still don’t fully understand the idea that you are no longer my guru, but could become so again. Is our connection not eternal?

Your aspiring servant,  

Rose of the East

HpS/ASA - Esteemed Ravaged Rose. I have applied the practice that as long as I can breath, I can chant.

Of course, Imay not have gone through anything like you, but from my experience of physical and mental distress, I can raise both hands in the air like Draupadi and chant ´"hey, Govinda", "Krsna Krsna Hare".

I got a simple job description as described above.

I'm not Prabhupada, but if I cannot function as your Diksa guru and you are sincere then Srila Prabhupada will come and tell me, it's O.K. let me take charge of this one, no?

Yet, as said, I can function as pat-pradarshika guru and help you get back on the path ie. 16-rounds. 4-principles.

"The amount of mercy a real guru will show to a sincere disciple is practically inconceivable", Bhavananda said that Prabhupada said.

So, write to us.

Pray to Prabhupada.

Krsna will engage you in Lord Caitanya's movement.

[.. and maybe give your husband a good swift boot in the butt 😎]

Hare Krishna Maharaja,

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

Maharaj, we really love you and we have a lot of appreciation for you. You are the only person among the godbrothers of Guru Maharaja who is genuinely helping the devotees of Manipur after Guru Maharaja’s departure from this material world. Even if we did commit many mistakes to you, please kindly forgive all of us considering that we are fools. We love to see you as many times as possible in Manipur. This time also during your India visit, we want to see you in Manipur and get the opportunity to serve you.

I have been closely monitoring the situation of Manipur since long time ago to invite you Maharaj and His Holiness Yadunandan Swami. It was quite normal till Janmastami festival. There was huge turn up from the public for the festival. Huge crowd was there. The festival was a grand success. We were expecting good number of visitors for Radhastami too which falls on 11 September. But the situation of Manipur has changed suddenly into worse. There were bombings by using drones and rocket bomb attacks, escalating the violence in Manipur further. Now also, strikes and agitations are going on in manywhere demanding government’s proper and swift action to control the situation immediately. From the last 3-4 days, public curfew has been imposed by one civil society organization. Schools, colleges and all educational institutes are closed. We have regular visitors of 250-300 congregation devotees for Sunday programs. But yesterday’s Sunday program was less than 100 congregations. The current situation impacted the devotees too.

Now is really a hard time in Manipur. In this current scenario, we are unable to decide whether it is good time to invite or not to invite you to Manipur along with HH Yadunandan Swami. Maharaj, please you decide. Temple is not much affected by the current situation even though the number of visitors is very less. We can have nice programs inside the temple campus. I had spoken to many professors of Manipur University to organize a seminar during your visit to Manipur. But the situation is not conducive for such programs now. Everyone is in tension in Manipur except the devotees.

Maharaj, preaching is growing in Manipur amidst the ongoing crisis, Namhatta program has started. Our target is, by the end of this year, to open at least 20 Namhatta centers. I am sending herewith some pictures from the Janmastami Festival.

Eagerly waiting for your reply Maharaj. Hare Krishna.

Your humble servant

Sadhubhusan Das

ISKCON Imphal, Manipur

HpS - So, very nice to hear from you. AgtSP. We love Manipur.

Sarad bhari Devi Dasi said that in her opinion and ofter consulting with devotees and Haridas Swami it was too dangerous to visit.

That was few months ago.

She said devotees would be coming to Radha-kunda to visit us.

"We're all going to die.

It's how you live that counts!", Conan the Barbarian 😆

With the above news, many devotees will come to visit us in Radha-kunda.

Yet, again, we all love Manipur.

We hope that Krsna-kirtan and keep it safe.

Maybe we could visit before we leave India from Delhi on the 9th of October?

Sankirtana in New Vrindaban

All glories to Srila Prabhupada All glories to Srila Gurudeva

Please accept our obeisances dear gurudeva

General report of the activities in the New Vrindaban community

New Vrindaban has different areas where each devotee can find their place in Srila Prabhupada's Sankirtana: Deity Worship, Gosala, Eco village, Gift Shop, Govinda's Restaurant and Govinda's express and the lodge.

The food for life program operates 365 days a year and is responsible for preparing more than 200 plates of prasadam daily for NV residents and pilgrims and more than 800 plates on weekends. Some dishes are made with milk, cheese and ghee made with milk from the gosala.

The school is located next to the apartments where families and devotees of the community live. The gurukula teaches from preschool to seventh grade.

The entire community works through work teams: management team, pujaris, cooks, kitchen helpers, cashiers, gardeners, dishwashers, tour guides, pilgrim care, accountants, lawyers, designers, event organizers, musicians, artists, construction team, sales, etc, etc.

Of course, the main attraction of NV is Prabhupada's Golden Palace. In the summer season, thousands of visitors are received and it is one of the strongest preaching areas where new people and others interested in learning about Srila Prabhupada's history and the practices of the devotees are received. It is a truly beautiful place and one can appreciate the effort and love of so many devotees.

The main festivals and educational programs that are celebrated annually are: Ratha Yatra, Children's Camps, Art Workshop with H. H. Bhakti Marga Swami, 24 hours of Kirtana at the beginning of spring and at the beginning of Kartika, Puspa abiseka, Japa Retrat with H. H. Sacinandana Swami, Man Retrat, the Boat Festival and the main festivals such as Sri Krishna Janmastami, Radhastami, etc.

Tourism continues throughout the year from Canada and other nearby states of the USA, but once winter begins, visits decrease.

In the month of December, resident devotees have more time to deepen their japa or spend more time in activities that strengthen their spiritual purpose. The activities are not so focused on external preaching, but on strengthening the community internally. So, we thought it would be good if you would like to come to NV and spend some time with the resident devotees. We are a community with around 200 devotees, brahmacaris, families, children, youth and senior devotees. There are many devotees here with interest and talents in the arts, the study of Srila Prabhupada's books and transmitting Srila Prabhupada's instructions to new generations. It is really important that you share your vision and experience in preaching through the audio-visual content that you have made with the film of the Light of the Bhagavat and your book Tava Pache Pache. There are many resources for preaching here; only, perhaps it is necessary to further expand the experiences and effectiveness of the preaching, making use of more current pedagogical tools.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP. Paoho. Thank you for the Report! 😃

What about a New Vrndavana Media Department producing and distributing regular material like movies for YouTube etc.

You have always been distinguished as a guru ahead of your time, for your up-to-date and academic preaching; for that reason, we think it is of great importance that you visit New Vrindaban.

We think that on your return from Spain, since your return ticket is to New York, it would be very close to New Vrindaban. We can do everything necessary for your visit, transportation, lodging and also offer facilities to our spiritual brothers who wish to come and spend time with you and the beautiful community of New Vrindaban. The hotel can accommodate more than 200 guests for one day or for long periods.

We will be really happy to receive you and do everything possible so that our brothers can spend a truly wonderful spiritual vacation.

We will continue reporting on the blog and we hope to be of help in your sankirtana to SrilaPrabhupada

Thank you very much dear gurudeva.

Your servants Rohini kumar D, Saranagati DD and Gopi Radha DD.

HpS/ASA - Was so, so nice to see all of you and receive and distribut the boxes of Prasadam.

Devotees here felt your presence as very substantial and vibrant.

Gracias.

We are also thinking that visiting from our return to USA in New York might be possible, but as our senses and mind are only 60% functional a decreasing, by December we may have been stuck in Radha kunda and declared Medically Unfit for Travel. 😃 😃 😃

So, let us stay in touch as we are and see what is the Lord's next plan as work (the Pandavas Retire Timely).

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 

Very nice hearing your voice on the phone the other day. Been feeling uplifted ever since. I want to answer your question a little deeper here perhaps..what is your place in the Sankirtan movement?!?: 

Maybe finding the answer to this question will take a lifetime or many but I’m starting to realize more and more that I want to make songs for Krishna and I also want to help create a wonderful environment for young people to practice KC. Not sure how these two things harmonize yet. They seem pretty separate. What would you like me to do? 

HpS-ASA - Do, agtSP, what you are doing, but do it better.

As we wake up we realize our Sankirtan position.

Thank you so much for your pervious response to my letter and I apologize for taking so long to write again. There has been too much travel and over endeavoring for mundane things. We need the temple and devotees to make any progress. Rugged individualism is slowly dissipating.

Anyway, I really appreciate you sending the links to Abraham Lincoln quotes about power. I’ve always liked Bhakta Abraham since I was very young, thought he was cool. And that other quote about power is something that really struck me when I heard you say it years ago: “Great men are almost always bad men..” thank you for sending that link! 

And thank you for letting me share these songs with you. Music for a long time has felt like a separate thing to KC. My desire is for there not to be duplicity in my endeavors. So offering and sharing songs with you is a huge help in that. Also, extremely humbling. There has been some nice and natural preaching opportunities in interviews about the album.

Just wanted to share two more songs as they both have been very inspired by you. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6OAd3hpqpk8&list=OLAK5uy_l09Rsg4_j-eqlUz6QPEiVoexH0dI3j15w&index=6&pp=8AUB

Transitional Phase

Just a transitional phase 

He’ll be back soon

Says he’s gotta learn this way 

And It’s fine

It’s alright

It’s alright 

It’s alright

Did you hear the sermon 

It was written for you 

You stood with your head down

In the back of the room 

Guess all your old dreams are coming true 

Is it too much? (Karma and mode of passion; working so hard for something and then not being satisfied) 

It’s all a mess anyway 

We’ll sort it out

We’re in this together you say 

But what now 

What now 

What will God allow

Are you really happy(false merriment) 

Don’t get lost in the waves (Maya)

What’s buried deep down 

Is on its way(anarthas) 

Look he’s running for help

But there’s no one around 

Can you relate?  

Transitional phase (the reins being given to Radha)

In-between words and dreams 

There’s only a line 

And you’ve crossed over it 

So many times 

It’s been alright 

It’s alright 

It’s alright 

Just run through the curtains (running to Krishna)

And out the gate 

Completely sober for many days(sober in the subtle sense) 

What a shock to the system (going against the norm/materialism)  

What brilliant way to celebrate(kirtan) 

Transitional phase 

It’s only a phase 

Transitional phase 

And this one: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BpLNa8CsrsM&list=OLAK5uy_l09Rsg4_j-eqlUz6QPEiVoexH0dI3j15w&index=2&pp=8AUB

Brave New World

Hoping for hope

There must be some hope 

Show me the way 

It’s a brave new world 

It’s a brave new world 

There’s blood on the streets

George said “I can’t Breathe” 

Now we believe 

It’s a brave new world

It’s a brave new world 

So much work to be done (devotional service)

For good change to come 

Love wins 

Love(Krsna)is supreme 

Locked up inside 

Staring at the mirror 

Looking in (seeing one’s short comings and potentials)

It’s a brave new world 

It’s a brave new world 

There must be 

More then I can see 

Looking out (sastra)

It’s a brave new world 

It’s a brave new world 

So much work to be done 

For good change to come 

Love wins 

Love is supreme 

Hold on to hold on (sadana)

Breathe deep and keep on fighting (the good fight, keeping vows to you also the battle of Kurukshetra!)

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna 

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama 

Rama Rama Hare Hare 

Oh Govinda

Hallelujah 

Jaya guru dev

So much Love(Krsna/mercy)is needed

It’s a brave new world 

It’s a brave new world 

Love wins 

Love(Krsna)is supreme 

Thank you Maharaja. A few temple updates that I will give in my next letter. 

I am excited to see and hear this next movie based in Tennessee that you are making. We would like to add it to our movie night at the temple roster. Starting this Fall. Mocktails, popcorn and discussion after showing. First Saturday of every month. More on that later too. 

Hare Krishna! 

Your aspiring servant, 

-Nitisara das

P.S. we had a wonderful Ratha Yatra at Fourth of July parade. I think we were the best one lol here are some photos: 

HpS / Thank you!!!!

Many attractive songs that are not directly, obviously KC. Eg."One Toke Over the Line".

Yet all attraction is from Krsna.

One Toke... is about going beyond the mental platform?

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja, por favor reciba mis respetuosas reverencias.

En la carta anterior usted me hizo la siguiente pregunta:

HpS - AgtSP. ¡¡¡Gracias!!! Por favor, conviertan todas sus actividades en Sankirtan, ¿no? Si hacen astrología, ¿la relacionan con el Sankirtan?

El trabajo que tengo es de editar libros vinculados a la consciencia de Krsna y de Jyotish.

A veces trabajo y a veces no, no es algo fijo.

El Jyotish mayormente lo utilizo para mí en algunas cosas y cuando salgo a Sankirtan, a las personas les hablo de las influencias planetarias y que su remedio o medicina son los libros de Srila Prabhupada.

Estoy leyendo el Krishna Book (Segunda parte) "La llegada de Akrura a Vrndavana", Mangal Artik 4 y 30 am, 4 principios regulativos, 16 rondas de Japa a veces un poco más.

A veces pienso que no atiendo bien a las Salagrama Silas y en especial a la Govardhana Sila. Tengo mis errores. Trato de atenderlas lo mejor que puedo. Quizá todo lo malo que me ha pasado es por que no las atendí como es debido y cometí ofensas. ¿Qué debería de hacer?

HpS - Hare Krsna. TlgaSP. pfanrh. No se mas de Vd. Tiene que ser fuerte en purificarte de sus apegos materiales. La purificacion es eterno.

si es muy fuerte.. rompiendo 4 principios.. entonces el pujari debe volver los silas a govardhana or rio gandaki, no?

Me despido Guru Maharaja, que el Señor Nrsimha lo proteja siempre.

Hare Krsna

Gadai Gauranga Dasa

HpS ... thank you. your news is so good for all of us. i think H. H. Bhanu Swami uses astrology and palmistry the same way as you.