Letters to the editor

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!!

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

Ahora en la ciudad de Tarapoto y las lluvias ya comienzan por aquí y el ambiente se vuelve un poco más fresco.

En la carta anterior me dijo lo siguiente:

HpS/ASA - Gracias.

Colocar avisos ofreciendo servicios en restaurantes vegetarianos, etc. sobre servicios de Jyotish y Samudrika.

Comience las clases enseñando los dos, pero desde la perspectiva de KC.

Comencé a hacer algunos avisos por internet a comienzos de este año 2025, y por ahí me salieron algunas consultas astrológicas. Al analizar sus cartas astrales y hacerles quiromancia les distribuía los libros de Srila Prabhupada, especialmente el Bhagavad-Gita.

El resultado fue que dos señoras van al templo de la madre Laksmirani en Huancayo, una de ellas va siempre y la otra por motivos de trabajo va a veces. Los programas son todos los sábados en Huancayo.

Comience las clases enseñando los dos, pero desde la perspectiva de KC.

La idea es buena, pero quizá por internet, pienso que hacer videos y subirlos al internet es muy bueno, claro toma tiempo y paciencia en obtener el resultado.

La idea es hacer videos cortos, ya que en la actualidad son muy pocas las personas que ven videos largos. Quizá clases cortas, de unos minutos. También podría ser algunos videos largos.

Acá le envió algunos videos cortos que hice para el canal que tengo en YotuTube:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gE9JvX8IpsY

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gC1WQaNes1k

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f0JkmU4TvHU

HpS - Estamos oyendo a la primera. Es bueno. Para nosotros la gente occidental, actual, puede apreciar

la palabra "destino", no? El concepto. Eso es Karma, no?

Bueno, todo está en un proceso de desarrollo, quizá tenga mucho errores por corregir, pero, las ideas y sus aportes nos ayudan muchísimo a mejorar.

Bueno Guru Maharaja, me despido, y nuevamente muchas gracias por sus buenas ideas y consejos, que el Señor Nrsimha lo proteja siempre. Hare Krsna.

Gadai Gauranga Das.

HpS - ASA -- Gracias as Vd! Krsna.

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja!!!

AgtSP

PAMHO

Forgive me for the long time with no news,

HpS - AgtSP!! I think that is something we both have to apologize for, no? Of course, to some degree we just have other priorities that we need to do.

... after stopping my relationship with that young lady I was a bit lost, I stopped chanting all of my rounds and I didn't got any plans after that, was very hard for me because I think I was very attached to her but always Krsna does the right thing.

HpS - I think it was right thing, not to think about going into Grhastha ashrama with her as your partner. As we have heard and seen, for the wife to be older than the husband is very, very, big challenge. Srila Prabhupada's comment is that it is lot of work for wife to have natural respect and deference for husband who is younger than her. Maybe requires God Himself to intervene.

Yet, it does not mean that you cannot look at someone like her as a big sister.

So after that experience I moved out to a temple in Germany called Goloka Dhama, they were amazing and the deities took my heart, I was there from the 27th of August till the 29th of September.

HpS - Long time!

Now I'm living in New Mayapur in France and probably I will go back to Germany for a few weeks to get some money and be able to travel to see you in Spain.

Anyways Krsna is always has a plan and now that I'm here I something really nice just happened, I meet a not so old mataji (maybe 40 years old) that wants to open a Gurukula in New Mayapur, for some reason I was speaking to her and I told her that I'm the oldest from 8 siblings and that I can speak 4 lenguages (Spanish, Portuguese, English and German with intentions to learn at least 3 more) and she invite me to form part of the teacher group in the Gurukula, of first she told me to ask for your blessing and also start so do some online studies so I be a teacher with certifications.

Also since a few time I was thinking to be a teacher but the "modern" way of giving classes is totally unattractive for me so I think is a good chance to be a teacher in a safe devotee enviroment.

That Gurukula if Krsna allows it will start in September of the next year.

Also how are you?

HpS - As you describe it, the situation seems nice. What age students would you be teaching? I think it might be good for you and the school to make a commitment for a specific time, eg. one year. two years.

To start even for a few months.

Then do it even if there is some difficulty, and everyone reevaluate after the time is finished.

Not to join with an open ended commitment.

I always ask for you health but also how do you feel?

HpS - Our health is very good for a 77-year old American Donkey. AgtSP!

I'm now chanting all of my rounds going to morning program every day and doing Cow seva in the Goshala, also I'm taking care of the seva of 2 kids, they kind of remember me to some of my siblings.

HpS - Big Brother! 👹

Please accept my most humble obeisanses.

Hope that health is good at this time.

Haribol :D

ASA - =[;0]/\___ Send some news about the Yatra next month.

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.!