Letters to the editor

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! 

Please accept my humble obeisances. 

I sent you a message several days ago in response to your reply but it seems to have not gone through. Maybe because I used my phone and it didn't save properly..? 

So, in which case, I feel empty to have not heard from you in a while, so I shall try and remember as much of the message I wrote to you previously ;) And a little more ;)  

The school that I go to is public, so that's why I suppose some issues may have arisen from. Anyway, problems are everywhere in this world, no matter what environment we are in. 

At the moment, I am studying the following subjects: English, Maths B, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Chinese and a Diploma in Business. I don't particularly enjoy all of them ;) but Philosphy and Business are fun and interesting. Last year in Philosophy, we had a topic on the existence of God. It was quite fun, but we had to analyse the theories of specific scientists and philosophers and use their ideas. It was unfortunate I could not integrate any of our beliefs into the test. I argued for the existence of God, since we had to examine both sides. The opposing arguments were, to some extent, quite compelling, I may admit ;) but I still recieved an A on the exam :). 

There are no drama teachers for our grade as there were not enough students interested to study the subject, so that they had to cut it overall. 

Currently, I am not entirely sure what I want to pursue as a career in the future. But I do know this - my father always had a desire to open a restaurant, so it is my wish to fulfil that dream. I enjoy cooking as well, so hopefully it may work out in the future some time. Although, my mother says that this may be a hobby for me, rather than a primary job. She wants me to study in University and get a good job. Perhaps, once I have established a profession and earn a substantial income, I may then think about opening either a restaurant, named Krishna's Kitchen, or a food truck. This may be my service to Lord Krsna. I guess my studying Business now will help me in this task for the future. Perhaps I should further my study in something related to Business... I'm so clueless as to what to study. I enjoy everything (except for maybe mathematical and scientific things ;)) There are too many options. I hope you may guide me. 

HpS - Hare Krsna, Mataji!    We did get your letter. I think maybe even twice. We try to answer within three days but some times it slips. We put news in the DTC how many letters we have answered if it is getting slow.

Australia!

We did answer it, and very much our perspective is that it is most comfortable for girls to set their career from their family perspective. If you marry some genius and he becomes Prime Minister of Australia or does epic Star Wars movies, or repairs watches in a carnival, then that will determine a lot what you do, no?

Stay flexible. If you like technical things like accounting then a degree in that would be O.K.  If you want something more general then History is good if you have good teachers. Education is also very super. You learn a lot about how people think. Everybody needs to employ teachers and it can be very closely dovetailed with KC!

I also remember I asked my father if he ever wanted to be temple president. He said no, but if he were to have a role, he may be the head in charge for the kitchen :) This may be a difficult task, but I also desire to open a temple one day. I remember my father saying, Srila Prabhupada said that there should always be chefs in the kitchen, preparing something for the deities. I would like to establish such a standard ;) May be difficult.. I don't know. My mind runs wild sometimes. 

HpS - Ha!   Ha!   Ha!       Ours seldom stops!

In addition, I wanted to ask you some random, non-related questions :) 

1. What is the importance of chanting the Panchattatva Mantra before and after completing a round? I have heard that it does't really do much and we don't necessarily need to repeat it, but I have also heard it helps rectify the sins we have committed during the time of our chanting that round.

HpS - I have never heard that Srila Prabhupada gave a specific rule, but in general there is: https://www.vedabase.com/en/cc/adi/7/4 which give the general principle!

2. Why, on Dvadasi, do we have specific times to break our Ekadasi fast between? Also, what happens if one breaks it later on, not during the designated period? Or not even at all?

HpS - I don't know. I think it is a valid consideration in how the universe works. When we eat grains there is a cosmic effect. So the timing in terms of the Sun and the Moon has a result.

Another one: During the last five days of Kartik, Bhishma Pancaka, when some devotees fast on fruit, etc., should they break their Ekadasi fast (if it so happens that Ekadasi falls during the 5 days) with grain? And if they do break with grain, will their Bhishma Pancaka fasting be broken?

HpS - Hmmm.  Again I don't know the details, but I think the Panchaka always starts with Ekadasi (11th day) and then goes to Purnima (15th day). Kind of standard is Nirjala ekadasi and then even water breaks the fast. If you want to become pious (or maybe dead) quick then you can do Nirjala and then live only on water for five days and chant a LOT of rounds, but consult a doctor!

Sorry, there are like 5 questions there ^^ :) 

Please guide me in both my spiritual and material life. 

I sincerely hope your health is in good condition Maharaj and we are all waiting for your return to Brisbane. Please come, if you can. 

Hare Krsna :) 

Yours servant, 

Lakshmi Dasi

HpS - All respects to everyone. What is Bhima doing?

Hare Krsna Maharaja.

How are You, I wish You are fine in all aspects. I´m fine.

Agt SP

Agt Guru Gauranga

Jay Radhe Jay Krsna Jay Vrndavan!!!

I´m Bhakta Pablo of the Parikrama, from Spain.

I´m doing services in New Vrajamandal, I wish for long time.

I want say to You a lot of things but I don´t want be tire.

I try, on my way, to follow your readings. Here I share something with You (all). I think I can imitate You and do one power point…more funny I think. What do You think?

HpS - Yes!

In BG 18.58, Krsna say […but act through false ego, not hearing Me,…] I think is literally, that we must hear to Him anytime, every moment (His flute sound-Gayatri?!...all that attract to Krsna..like the verse of CC). Interesting no that we must hear Krsna all time, feel His vibration…isn´t it?... as cloistered nuns hearing the Holy Spirit, the Primeval Sound, the “Nada” Sound of the Soul and everything….no?

The translation to the verse of BG 9.32, found in the SB 1.11.19, not equal to the original verse in BG 9.32…I think that is more expanded and enriched, in translation. So nice. And purport […the only reformation that is necessary in society is…][…all good qualities of…][…will overtake them in their own way…]….Guau!!, no?. What a flowery language, so mystical, so secret, so sweet, so devotional, so scientific. Every day I understand more to Gour Govinda Swami, “all is in the books of Prabhupada, only is needed extract and expand”

I hope one day, one word, will transport me to other world, place. (at time of death??…”Radhe-Krsna”…maybe two)

BG 18.65 purport [ concentration of the mind in the form of Krsna…] Most confidential secret…but Krsna is impersonal, located (mystic), and a person.  Must we think from where came the flow and follow the stream…? From what inner nature that I have access in that present moment is the flow to Krsna deliver to us…? Must we let go of the ropes literally and run after Krsna?

HpS - Krsna creates the fluid path in many ways. Of course, in Kali-yuga it is "Hare Krsna / Hare Rama", no?    Then His Deity form and His pastimes follow!!

Like always I don´t know what more to say, and never hazar with the rhythm and time…i´m helping something vedabase, and I´m translation the Brahma-samhita (a lot of days one line, one hour. Is like deep meditation, is so profound try to understand the mind of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to translate. A lot of suffering also, this surprises me).

HpS - As I understand Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati just took the commentaries of Jiva Goswami on the Brahma Samhita and then presented them in modern language, late 19th early 20th century language and concepts.

Very nice!

Thanks You very much for the recordings, are like a flow of Varuni on twitter.

Your servant, PabloParikrama.

Dandavats, Hare Krsna.

HpS - We hope to get to Spain this summer or autumn.

I think you must be right, before Prabhupada showed me that you tried to freeze him, but today he showed, that actually you are his disciple,,, so I am sorry for inconvenience,, all, but don't want to also be dog, nor a sheep, nor a wild turkey, xexe :     дикий індичка (in ukrainish) Дикая индейка (in russian)  :) eastern women, are very superb, sir, with all respects of the peoples :) ;( ;) Hare Krishna :)

HpS - https://www.snopes.com/disney/waltdisn/frozen.asp, Hare Krsna.

:) hare

HpS - Who are 'they'?   <img alt="smiley" height="23" src="http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.png" title="smiley" width="23" />

All glories to Sri Sri GouraNitay !!!!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada !!!!

All the Glories and my most humble obeisances to you dear Gurudeva!

Hare Krishna Gurudeva, I hope you are in good health and in every respect, Lord Nrsimha is always protecting your steps, I have been fortunate enough to be able to connect to the start meeting programs and it is so exciting and inspiring to hear and know at the same time that although the devotees are in different places doing their programs we are connected in some way and you are with us encouraging us in our sadhanas and the chanting of the Holy Name, my favorite part of the program is when you read us the NOD, it is a loving father reading to your children, I thank you so much for all your effort to always be there, although as I do not always take advantage of it ... I hope to stay connected with you through this means, it is my great opportunity to obtain your association.

I know that I am writing to you after a long time, last year was so intense of a lot of study, we have very little left to finish the university (I am studying for a midwife) and I was approved in all the branches in 2017 and I had my internships in hospitals, incredible to see how people just need to be treated well or a kind word, it was a very nice experience since I felt much more confident with what I have learned these years.

My children are very well Manjari is 14 years old and Giridhari 13 grew so much that I am already a dwarf next to them, they are learning many interesting things both are participating in a program during the year at the Catholic University where they will carry out workshops and science courses, Mathematics, art, ecology, astronomy and sports, languages, poetry, really is a very interesting program that encourages them to be more inquisitive and reflective with knowledge.

I'm improving my sadhana, singing the 16 rounds and following the 4 principles, increasing the reading and learning songs I write them on a poster and I stick them on the wall so every time I spend I memorize something until I learn it, it's a good technique to learn verses too . During the past year I found it very difficult to perform a service in the temple, for my studies, children and home duties, I hope this year to have the opportunity to perform some service, or perhaps hold meetings in my house taking advantage of the space and The environment of the field, while at home we take care of Sri Sri GouraNitay and Tulasi who has already been two years with us, it has already been two winters and although the winters here are not as cold as in the USA it is a blessing that Tulci is in our home .

I say goodbye to you, Gurudev, hoping that you are well and thanking you once again for all the inspiration that you give us and that impels us to go ahead and improve, excuse all my negligence and offenses.

 Alankrti Devi Dasi

* The Japathon was very good to start the year 28R, it could be repeated *

HpS - Thank you!!   Another technique is to put a verse on your refrigerator door and chant it everytime you open the door.

You seem to be going ahead very well. Just continue....   engage others wherever you go.

Hare Krishna dear Hanumat  Presaka Swami!

In your last answer you said me that you don’t remember who i am. Nowadays I’m not a pigeon. I’m a girl from Valencia, Orthodox nun in my last life.

Thanks you for your answer. You say the first step is get initiated.

I read your text about guru-tattva.

Some time ago I started to feel the need of follow somebody who could instruct me to serv better to Srila Prabhupada. Something formal, with commitment. Because is easier for me be fixed an motivated in service if I have that responsability. Srila Prabhupada gave meaning to my life and i have a big desire to serv him.  Hanumat Presaka Swami please, help  and instruct me in that way! I would like to take instructions and diksa from you.

I have experienced that be ocuped in devotional service ( or trying to do it) is the only thing that makes me really happy and pacefull. I desire  cultivate true love for Krishna and never have material desires. Please hepl me to establish a relationship with Prabhupada.

I listen your lessons practically every day. I feel special inspiration from you, I like the way you see the world and explain questions. They turn on my brain.

My personal situation is:

-In January of 2017 I started to read and chant 3 rounds daily. I was following the 4 principles. In September I started to chant 16 rounds every day.  Try to chat them nicely but  is quite difficult.

-I read some Prabhupada Little books, The Upadesamprita, Have started the BG (i am reading it even).cRead Sri Isopanishad and started with the first Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.

- I participe constantly in temple programms. I use to leader kirtans. We are not many devotees so we use to altering in other services like cooking, serv prasadam, clean…

Now we started with Santirtan. I have distribute some books in university and in my town. With devotees we sarted to do harinama and sankirtana in Valencia center.  I really  like this service , But i preffer distribute to people  something close to me.

-I rise normally at 4, but lately i fall asleep until 4.30-4.45. Somedays i find hard to pick me up alone. Then I chant ronds and do mangala arati!!The best moment of day!

Thanks you for your continuous inspiration!

I would like to be your formal aspirant disciple, is it possible?

My authority is Thirtaraja Das, the president of temple.

 Hare Krishna!! Your servant, Arina.

Which airport, beautful, 

HpS - AGTSP!!!   Pamho...  Thank you for your letter.  We may understand that there is God, the Supreme Controller, and then we begin to appreciate Guru, like Lord Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammad, Lord Caitanya. Like that our knowledge of Guru-tattva expands: Diksa Guru, Siksa Guru, Vartmana-pradarshika/Pradarshika Guru, Ashrama guru etc. Our knowledge of Balarama!   Nityananda!

In the Guru-tattva we tried to explain how we feel we are a guru in ISKCON.  By joining this Blog this should become more and more clear. You can connect with Srila Prabhupada just by his books: read them, apply them. You can connect with him through citta-guru, the paramatma. You can connect with him by many Siksa gurus. Some devotees may be siksa-guru in Varna-ashrama dharma, others in book distribution, others in sastra others in personal spiritual development.

We are working as Diksa guru, and as Siksa-guru, here we are, Blog-ether-guru, and we travel to Spain. Your local association with Senior Vaisnavas, Spanish Vaisnavas, is essential but of course you have to learn their assets and liabilities.