Letters to the editor

ASA [e] Kevalastakam

(1)

madhuraḿ madhurebhyo ‘pi

mańgalebhyo ‘pi mańgalam

pāvanaḿ pāvanebhyo ‘pi

harer nāmaiva kevalam

1) More sweet than all other sweet things; more auspicious than all other auspicious things; the greatest purifier of all purifying things. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [11]

(2)

ābrahmā-stamba-paryantaḿ

sarvaḿ māyā-mayaḿ jagat

satyaḿ satyaḿ punaḥ satyaḿ

harer nāmaiva kevalam

2) The entire universe, from exalted Brahma down to the lowly clump of grass, is a product of the illusory energy of the supreme Lord. The only thing that is reality, reality, again I say reality. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [39]

(3)

sa guruḥ sa pitā cāpi

sā mātā bandhavo ‘pi saḥ

śikṣayec cet sadā smartuḿ

harer nāmaiva kevalam

3) That person is a true preceptor, or a true father, a true mother, and a true friend also only if they teach one to always remember. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [50]

(4)

niḥśvāse nāhi viśvāsaḥ

kadā ruddho bhaviṣyati

kīrtanīya mato bālyād

harer nāmaiva kevalam

4) There is no certainty when the last breath will come and put an abrupt halt to all one’s material plans; therefore, it is wise to always practice chanting from very childhood. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [57]

(5)

hariḥ sadā vaset tatra

yatra bhāgavatā janāḥ

gāyanti bhakti-bhāvena

harer nāmaiva kevalam

5) Lord Hari eternally dwells in that place where truly exalted, spiritually advanced souls sing in the mood of pure devotion. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [62]

(6)

aho duḥkhaḿ mahā-duḥkhaḿ

duḥkhād duḥkhataraḿ yataḥ

kācārthaḿ vismṛtam ratna-

harer nāmaiva kevalam

6) Aho! What a sorrow, what a great sorrow! More painful than any other misery in the world! Mistaking it as a mere piece of glass, the people have forgotten this jewel. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [77]

(7)

dīyatāḿ dīyatāḿ karṇo

nīyatāḿ nīyatāḿ vacaḥ

gīyatāḿ gīyatāḿ nityaḿ

harer nāmaiva kevalam

7) It should be heard again and again with one’s ears; It should be uttered over and over with one’s voice; It should be perpetually sung and sung anew. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [89]

(8)

tṛṇī-kṛtya jagat sarvaḿ

rājate sakalopari

cid-ānanda-mayaḿ śuddhaḿ

harer-nāmaiva kevalam

8) It makes the entire universe seem insignificant as a blade of grass; it reigns supreme over all in a splendorous manner; it is full of eternally conscious divine ecstasy; it is supremely pure. The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything. [99]

HpSwami/ASA - Thank you so much. AgtSP.

What is the history of this poem, the author?

Hare Krishna beloved Gurudeva

Please accept our humble obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I am deeply moved. During the las weeks reading the Srimad Bhagavatam for Bhakti Vaibhava study has led me to meditate on you. You embody Srimad Bhagavatam's values, attitudes, and behaviors, reflecting the very qualities of your Gurumaharaja. Many of my memories of your association and your words relate to my studies, and I am grateful for your integrity. Furthermore, my careful reading of Tava Pache Pache has opened a threshold of understanding I didn't know how to access. Thank you for shedding light on the meanings of the Upadesamrta and for weaving that "mandala" of relationships between Prabhupada's various texts, reality, and my own life.

I hope you are well, Gurudeva.

Ys. Gandharva das

HpS - AgtSP. One devotee was complaining how hard it was to make other devotees into competent leaders that he could rely on.

Hansadutta Swami replied, "Srila Prabhupada made his leaders out of MUD!"

TlgSP!

Nuestro Muy Querido Gurudev, deseo que se encuentre muy bien de ánimo y bienestar. Gracias por los escritos durante Japa Joe, es muy hermoso poder estar junto a ustedes cantando los SN.

En respuesta a su pregunta: Si, estoy terminando una certificación de Neuropsicología Budista para Terapeutas. 

Ésto me permite ser acompañante de bienestar en personas con cuadros de ansiedades, depresiones, traumas, etc. Desde un abordar científico con las aplicaciones del Budhismo secular.

Ha sido de gran beneficio a nivel personal y un gran paso hacia mi naturaleza de terapeuta. 

En cuanto a mi compromiso, mantengo los principios un 99% y 16 rondas (hay días en que no alcanzo a cantarlas) aún así hay un leve gusto y calma al sentir las cuentas en mi japa, es un apego y refugio muy importante para mí, aunque cante 16 "pésimas" rondas. 

Yí Lin lo recuerda constantemente. Vendrá en unos meses más? Deseamos que si!! 

Gracias querido Guruji por leerme, por su tiempo y misericordia. 

Le dejamos un gran abrazo espiritual. 

Pd. Un recuerdo y las guirnaldas que hacemos :)

Vanca kalpa. Jay Radhe!

=-=-=-=

TlgSP!

Our Dearest Gurudev, I hope you are in good spirits and good health. Thank you for the writings shared during Japa Joe; it is truly beautiful to be with you all, chanting the SN.

HpS/ASA - Body is O.K. Becomes dead and dull, then regular daily Sadhana, Sankirtan movement, gets us moving. Builds our intelligence, what are we supposed to do...

In response to your question: Yes, I am finishing a certification in Buddhist Neuropsychology for Therapists.

This allows me to support the well-being of people dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, etc., using a scientific approach combined with the applications of secular Buddhism.

It has been of great personal benefit and a significant step toward embracing my nature as a therapist.

As for my commitment, I uphold the principles 99% of the time and chant 16 rounds (though there are days I don't manage to complete them all). Even so, I find a subtle sense of joy and calm in feeling the beads of my japa mala; it is a vital source of attachment and refuge for me, even if I chant 16 "terrible" rounds.

Yi Lin remembers you constantly. Will you be coming back in a few months? We certainly hope so!

Thank you, dear Guruji, for reading this, and for your time and mercy.

Sending you a big spiritual embrace.

P.S. A memento and the garlands we make :)

Vanca kalpa. Jay Radhe!

HpS - !! "big spiritual obeisances" might be more appropriate than a big spiritual embrace. 😆

Remember who needs your work as a counselor the most!!!

agtsp

paoho

4.40pm

have to prepare to leave with balabhadra das for m. kamagayatri devi dasi's holistic mental health clinic program at 5pm.

rathayatra weekend was incredible. many challenges adjusting to local schedule and deity service.

the maha-mantra adjusts our mind, habits and heart.

about 25-devotees here for every program and over 150 for all the different programs.

mangala arati.

japa.

class.

prasdaam.

sankirtan.

krsna lounge.

home programs.

mail.

preaching to whom ever KRSNA puts in our daily path.

Hare Krsna!!!

When Ravana kidnapped Sita, she called our with such distress that the entire universe went off of its axis. everyone including lord brahma wanted to help her, but they were afraid of ravana.

lord brahma said, this is terrible!!!!!! but our purpose it served. ravana is a dead man.

just go on with 16/4 with enthusiasm and our purpose is served, lord caitanya's mission of giving the science of Krsna to everyone is accomplished.

pamho, AGtSP!

Please accept my humble obeisances, Maharaj!

Your last WhatsApp, which listed a request for your blog, was it viewing or writing?

I wasn't sure, so I'm doing both!

Picking up from my last write to you.

Finishing the juice fast tomorrow, and weaning in soups, the benefits of the purge are felt, more so than last year. Though this time it was more focused and purposeful. Managed to actually get overweight in 2025. We knocked it down a peg and now ecstatically going on Hari Nama's & dancing with Vaisnava's!

The aspects of ksetra-jnana really helped me along too. Our young Counselor, Gyan-Shyam Prabhu, was giving a class at NRR, covering the "seer, the seeing, and the seen." Much evidence on the separation of body, mind and Soul and where they are together. Questioned GS on the relation of Ksetra-jnana (he corrected me, "jnana," said the last 'a' is silent), and he mentioned that Ksetra's spectrum goes further than the Paramatma. Seems am getting closer to the right place here.

We returned yesterday from Deland, Florida, where we attended a Tiro-Bhava of his Grace Maharaja Bhakti Caru Swami. Light turnout this year, still all good, the more dedicated devotees delivered archives, remembrance, and a fantastic feast (too bad I was still fasting)!

Got back to our camp later that day and reflected on how HH BCS disciples were continuing his Veda Foundation's Farm. We know you're batting for the Murari Goshalla ( ISKCON Murari Sevaka – Krishna conscious farm community) too!

Alrighty then, we're up to speed for now, still cashing in on those 2 a.m. Rounds, just wonderful. Now to get some things done before I'm dead.

Thanks again for your most valuable time,

your servant in training,

C.C.D.

ASA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Greffl1UVYc

Respected Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. All glories to Srila Pravupada.

Actually I am writing this letter after a long gap. This year in the month of January I got superannuation from govt service. I had been working as vety doctor for the last 34 yrs. Last time unfortunately we had to cancel our visit program to Iskcon, Imphal, Manipur due to sudden fixation of marriage date of my daughter. But this time we will be coming to Radhakund in the month of October when you come there. We are eager to know the date when you will arrive Radhakund. On 10th of this month I with my wife will be going to Mayapur dham and will stay there for few days. We will attend Jaganath Ratha yatra festival at Mayapur. Our God sister Manjuwali Devi Dasi will also be going to Mayapura. We are practicing regular sixteen round mala jap, doing mangal arati etc. Yesterday we were lucky enough to listen one hour bhagawat class from His grace Sadhu bushan Das of Iskcon, Manipur over telephonic conference.

So please be merciful up on us.

Hare Krishna.🙏

Your most fallen servant

Chaitanya Dham Das

Hailakandi, Assam, India

HpS - So, so, so, agtSP, nice to hear from you.

Your service is not stoppable.

I think with great certainty we will travel to Radha Kunda in October, but the dates are not yet fixed. Watch here under the "Letter Type" category, Calendar Development.

Go ahead, become Jagat Guru on Lord Caitanya's order.