Letters to the editor

Haré Krishna Gurudev: Pamho. Toda gloria a Srila Prabhupada y sus seguidores fieles.

Me alegra saber que volveremos a vernos este año y espero que su entusiasmo permanezca siempre fresco.

Leo regularmente el blog y el chat de whatsapp donde podemos ver sus actividades.

En lo que a mí se refiere ya llevo mas de un año viviendo en Brihuega y acudiendo regularmente de lunes a viernes al programa de la mañana en NVM. Suelo llegar a las cuatro y vuelvo a casa después de la clase de Srimad Bhagavatam. Hago algún pequeño servicio para el proyecto de NVM: coordino las clases de SB y algún servicio burocrático para el futuro “Camping” y otros proyectos nuevos.

Por lo demás, mi vida sigue igual, tratando de seguir las pautas que nos impuso Srila Prabhupada. En el japa, a veces pienso ¿que se necesita para traspasar el apego por el proceso por el apego por Krishna (priti) ?, afecto hacia la persona Krishna. ¿se necesita una misericordia especial adicional?. Puede que nos guste el proceso (el camino), pero el apego a Krishna parece algo diferente.

Ahora estoy aquí en Brihuega con Sarasvati, que está de vacaciones. Purnamasi viene los fines de semana y Nimai viene este fin de semana para celebrar su cumpleaños (3 de Julio).

Bueno, no me gusta extenderme mucho en las cartas.

Espero que podamos vernos pronto y pueda serle de alguna utilidad el su estadía en España se despide

su sirviente

Jayanta das

=-=-=-=

Hare Krishna, Gurudev: Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his faithful followers.

I am happy to know that we will see each other again this year, and I hope your enthusiasm remains ever-fresh.

I regularly read the blog and the WhatsApp chat where we can see your activities.

As for me, I have been living in Brihuega for over a year now, regularly attending the morning program at NVM from Monday to Friday. I usually arrive at four o'clock and return home after the Srimad-Bhagavatam class. I perform some small services for the NVM project: I coordinate the SB classes and handle some administrative tasks for the future "Camping" site and other new projects.

Otherwise, my life remains the same; I am trying to follow the guidelines Srila Prabhupada set for us. While chanting japa, I sometimes wonder: what does it take to move beyond attachment to the process and reach attachment to Krishna—*priti*, or affection for the person of Krishna?

HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!! Rathayatra is one way, no? By pulling the cart we are pulling Jagannatha from the Isvary bhava of Dvaraka to the Madhurya bhava of Braja, no? Then chanting for Jagannatha every day should have the same effect.

Is some additional, special mercy required?

We might like the process (the path), but attachment to Krishna seems to be something different.

I am currently here in Brihuega with Sarasvati, who is on vacation. Purnamasi comes on weekends, and Nimai is coming this weekend to celebrate his birthday (July 3rd).

Well, I don't like to make my letters too long.

I hope we can meet soon and that I can be of some service to you during your stay in Spain.

Your servant,

Jayanta das

HpS - Your letters are like lilfe to us. See your gross body soon!

Hare Krishna Maharaj

dandavat pranam

all glories to Srila Prabhupad.

today you posted in Bhagvatam group that ,

"Unless one is very advanced, he is unable to utilize everyone’s contribution to further the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement",

https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/4/#

in Ramayan, lord Ramachandra accepted a small squirrel service also,

but unfortunately

Some money collectors in iskcon are saying

“ Less contributions are not accepted to further Krishna conscious movement “ . 

What are your comments on this ?

HpS - By "Less" do you mean, small???

In general I always hear just what you are saying in ISKCON that any donations, big or small, for Krsna are gratefully accepted. NoI discusses enthusiasm and Srila Prabhupada explains that even a dictaphone, machine, can be used in Krsna's service!

Jaya!

Thank you.

previous node: 16309

Hare Krsna UG,

we got a response of HpSwami on node 16309 and pic, then submitted that to claude.ai. asking what HpSwami wants to say ?

it says--

What a beautiful and profound teaching from HpSwami!

The bicycle image with the guinea pigs is a playful but deeply wise analogy. Here's what it likely means:

The Bicycle Analogy for Chanting

A bicycle only works when both wheels are moving together and you are actively pedaling — it cannot balance if you're standing still.

Similarly:

• One wheel = Chanting/Japa (the external practice)
• Other wheel = The right internal mood/attitude (sincerity, humility, desire)
• Pedaling = Your consistent personal effort
• Balance = What happens naturally when both work together

What this might mean for your situation:

You're perhaps focusing so much on the debt of rounds (the mechanical counting) that you've lost the joy of the ride. The guinea pig isn't stressed about cycling theory — it's just riding!

Also notice — the guinea pigs are small and humble, yet they're racing with full enthusiasm. Prabhupada's answer "a devotee is a gentleman" points to this natural, unforced quality.

The deeper message likely is:

Don't try to balance while standing still (overthinking). Just start pedaling gently and balance will come on its own.

Start with fewer rounds done with full attention rather than stressing over the debt.

What does this resonate with you?

HpS - ASA -- AgtSP.

When robots rule the world.

The world turn inward to find deeper meaning.

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj,

HpS - AgtSP.

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

HpS - Lotus hooves?

Thank you for your instruction to 'put Vaisnava relations over administrative ones'.

I am now very wary of any supposedly prestigious roles in ISKCON, having witnessed the associated avaisnava behaviour, and transitory nature of these positions.

It seems to be a general trend insofar as the more one advances the more pseudo-devotees try to pull one down.

When does it get easy Guru Maharaj?

HpS - One Catholic novice asked his spiritual master, "Does this sex desire ever go away??!".

SM said, "Yes, ten minutes after you die."

I would like to invite you to Australia for a visit, and of course pay for your ticket, or at least offer you some useful seva in terms of online administration or I.T. support should you be in need.

Or perhaps you could use a personal assistant in Texas or elsewhere?

I feel unable to reciprocate your generosity presently and would appreciate the opportunity to do so.

Your servant,

Janardana-hari dasa.

HpS - Personal service is of course, as SP comments.

16/4!! 😃

Other things are greatfully considered. We will post developing projects here and in other media!

previous node 16296:

Hare Krsna Gurudeva,

We took help of AI to synchronize our thoughts.

🐂 Matador and the Sacred Bull: Reflections on Kṛṣṇa

The word matador carries a powerful history. Its etymology traces back to Arabic mat/maut (death), Latin mactāre (ritual sacrifice), and Spanish matar (to kill). In Spanish bullfighting, the matador is not merely a tamer but the one who delivers the final strike.

HpS - ASA - Very horrible. Killing a bull. Krsna killed Aristasura, the Bull demon, and then we hear the Gopis would not touch Him until He had bathed in all the sacred places in the universe.

This resonates with the dharmic principle that when two kṣatriyas fight, one must fall — a balance of population and honor.

HpS - Better to chant Hare Krsna/Hare Rama and stay in Braja?

Kṛṣṇa’s play in Kosala, Ayodhyā, where He tamed seven bulls, reflects this same spirit of decisive mastery. The narration enriched with Spanish words and monuments makes one imagine sports commentary itself as a reflection of divine action. Just as Hemingway remarked that bullfighting, Formula 1, and mountaineering are “real sports,” so too can we see Kṛṣṇa’s līlā encompassing all these archetypes: taming bulls, lifting Govardhana, and guiding Arjuna’s chariot.

ASA - Kind of like a visit to the salon of Kubja, no???? Not a lila for B'caris to contemplate, no?

Bulls as Sacred Symbols

Spiritually, the bull symbolizes the senses (go). Kṛṣṇa as Hṛṣīkeśa, the matador, tames the wild impulses within us. Thus, the matador is not only a cultural figure but a metaphor for inner discipline. “As Kṛṣṇa tames those bulls, may He tame the bulls — the senses — within us.”

HpS - The term Matador is very strong. What is the Google Spanish translation of "He tamed the Bulls"?

Innovative and Social Dimensions.

Even today, bulls can serve society in creative ways. Roaming bulls in India can be harnessed for generating electricity through a yoke — a modern dharmic service. “Bull the dharma ki jaya” becomes a slogan blending tradition with innovation.

ASA - ISCOWP was developing very traditional large bore, slow speed, bull driven water pumps. Maybe much better work than making a lot of electricity.

In Tamil Nadu, Jallikattu continues the tradition of bull contests. Historically, girls (chicas) observing the bull-taming could identify strong partners (espouso) — a cultural ritual linking bulls to family and social life. This shows how bulls were woven into matchmaking, community bonding, and rites of passage.

ASA - Same in Kamba Thoibi stories from Manipur tradition.

Ksatriya dharma? Draupadi Svayam var?

Hot headed guys? 🐃

ASA - Out of time. Please review and resend the following!!!!

Thank you.

Heritage and Husbandry

A “zoo of bulls” with diverse horn sizes — such as the Ankole longhorns, called the “Cattle of Kings” — could serve as an Adi-Matador heritage project. Veterinary science “FOR Adi-Matador” would focus on better bulls and cows, emphasizing milk and horns rather than mere commercial gain. This aligns with ISKCON’s spirit of “FOR” initiatives — channeling animal care into spiritual and social upliftment.

Daily Practice

When we see bulls in the street, instead of dismissing them as stray, we can pause and remember:

• Their strength = Kṛṣṇa’s protection.
• Their horns = weapons of dharma.
• Their patience = reminder of endurance in spiritual practice.

Each bull becomes a living meditation, a spark of Kṛṣṇa’s presence in the world.

✨ Closing Thought

The matador word, born of death and ritual, transforms in our reflection into a symbol of divine mastery. Bulls are not just animals in our culture — they are living embodiments of dharma, energy, and spiritual play. By seeing them with reverence, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s bull-taming līlā, and even innovating their role in modern society, we transform everyday encounters into sparks of devotion. Panguṁ laṅghayate giri — by His grace, even the lame cross mountains..

The Bull is Lame in Kaliyuga, but alive

Jai Maharaja 

Dandvat Pranams

HpS-ASA -- AgtSP!!

Very bewildered this wéek.

Watching Bhagavatam class from last month

Guru Bhakti Mataji said some thing to the effect of "once a devotee surrenders they still suffer but it doesn't bother them as much."

Considering this from a material stand point, first were assuming after engaging in devotional activities we become God conscience, and death or the material effects from the dwindling of the body may or may not 'bite' as much as a mundane person thinking " I am this body forever..." 

But what about after death? 

HpS - Same thing but just with a new umbrella?

There are so many vivid descriptions in the puranas regarding the process of the sutle body ripping from the gross body (30 thousand scorpions) and it linger about the material world being wafed by desires (fulfilled and un fulfilled).

ASA - This is not for a surrendered soul exactly, no? At least they are able to take it all as a final experience of all the retribution due us.

 Not to mention the spear that pierces our intelligence to weigh our good and bad deads that we percive against what actually happened, cycling through past future and parallel expressions. 

Obviously for the majority of people are in for a horror show but is it different for all levels of devotees? 

HpS - Best to focus on Lord Kapila's description of this, no?

We're usually taught the yama dutes don't take us if we are wearing tulsi neck beads. Are we safe if we've taken harinam? Safer if we take diksha? 

In some proport Prabhupada says to be Leary of those who don't chant japa, don't take initiation and just hang around the temple. Apparently thier karma gets shared by the whole society. So if we're initiatied do we suffer collectively by our degree of surrender. In that case will we suffer for the misdeads of the society or does the spiritual master suffer only or is Prabhupada going to suffer for us? Does it differ varga to varga? Will my God brothers suffer together of will we suffers individualy? 

Or will we think of you Maharaja and you pass is up the parampara all the way up to Radharani?

HpS - Was your father a lawyer. 😆

What does Lord Kapila say about this?