Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja

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

Thanks to Dhruva prabhu, we were able to get your lectures and photos from Australia on Facebook. Hope you are getting some rest in India after the busy schedule down under.

I am travelling to India in December to get my work visa stamped. My mother has been wanting to go to Vrindavan for some time now and I have never been there either as I have never felt qualified enough to go to Vraj alone. Radhika Raman prabhu is also there in India during that time and said he can take us to Vrindavan. I wanted to request your blessings and shelter for our visit to Vrindavan so that we may go to the Dham in the proper mood.

My company's facility in SLC is shutting down in June 2018 and they laid off many people. Fortunately by Krishna's mercy, I have been offered relocation to Richardson, TX. It is about 20 minutes from Dallas. On one hand I feel relieved that I still have a job and on the other, I want to look for a job in SLC as I have very nice association here. Radhika Raman prabhu is only a 1.5 hours away and Boise is 4.5 hrs from here. Moving to Richardson seems the logical choice career wise as I like the work I am doing in my company and they value me a lot, but I am not able to make that decision easily.

Gurudev, please guide me on how I should proceed. 

I have also uploaded lectures of yours that I had and most of them from IDT to a common soundcloud account - https://soundcloud.com/user-938973912

I request all my godbrothers and godsisters to send the lectures they have to [email protected] so that I can upload them to the soundcloud account and have all the lectures at the one place.

Your servant

Srinatha Krsna dasa

HpS - Hare Krsna. AGTSP Paoho. Thank you for the letter. Best wishes for visiting Vraja. It is very covered by the bright glare of Kali-yuga, Bollywood, materialism, but with some mercy from Srila Prabhupada you can see behind that.

Richardson sounds nice if it is just twenty minutes from Dallas ISKCON. Nice devotees there. Also taking association of Radhika-Ramona Das can be nice also. Read the Damodara lila story in the 10th cannot of whether M. Yasoda should have stopped giving her milk to Krsna or let the pot of milk boil over.

Hare Krishna
We are sitting alone in a room in ISKCON Kolkata after just having listened to the Saturday morning ASA Srimad Bhagavatam workshop recording, SB 7.5B, from Startmeeting.com.
Of course it is extremely difficult for us wandering miscreants to get internet connection etc but the motivation to get the association of devotees is so powerful.
Thank you.
We were enlightened by M. Sundara-Radhika DD's presentation and then the comments from the devotees were practical and heart warming. We hope LAD's cold improves.
Our first principle is just get association. Go to the Sunday Feast. Then later, for members of ISKCON the requirement is daily SB class. We have tried to develop this in our part of ISKCON and gone as far as we can considering or Ashrama and the mercy of others. So next step is to approach our GBC man, Badri-Narayan Swami and his help.
SB 1.1.1 - This SB focuses on the highest truth, reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all.
In the end we must all go to Srila Prabhupada for any direction, intelligence and strength.
Our respects to every one. Two weeks more and we can join on line.
Anjaneya, Hanuman Ji, Ki Jay.
 

Hare Krishna Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada !!
All glories to Hanumatpresaka Swami !!
By the mercy of Sadai Nimai-Nitai, things have turned out to be very favorable for sankirtan:

1. The meeting with Dr. Alejandro Neyra, Director of the National Library of Peru, was a success. At one point during the meeting he told me: "I want to congratulate NIOS for the organization of their events, I have seen with pleasure the videos in your Youtube channel. " At the end of the meeting, I instruct the Image Director and other officials to provide us with all the facilities and all the environments we need to carry out THE ART AND THE SACRED in October 2018 (this includes the web and using the logo of the BNP and the Ministry of Culture). HpS - Very, very nice. Do we have a signed contract?
2. Our calendar of activities for 2018 is the film THE ART AND THE SACRED, THE PATH OF A PILGRIM, the exhibition of Art SACRED IMAGES and the I INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM. For 2019 we have planned the MEGA-EVENTO EL ARTE Y LA SAGRADO at El Teatro Nacional. By arrangements of Mr. Nityananda, 2019 Peru will be the WORLD HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORUM OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS, FINDING IN THE CULTURE ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE HUMAN SOCIETY, the Forum is made up of India, China, Greece, Egypt, Peru, Mexico, Italy , Iraq and Iran. The Minister of Culture participates actively in this Forum. The Director told me that if we do a good Project it is possible to join the activities that the Ministry of Culture is organizing for 2019.
3. Robert Conlon is officially the SOLARIS style proofreader in English. He is a senior at Literature at the University of Austin in Texas His mother is Mexican and I teach him Spanish to communicate well with his maternal relatives, so he handles both languages ​​very well. I already pass the articles to him, he weekly will send the advances. HpS - We tried to talk with him before we left USA but could not. It is on our Calendar to call him as soon as we arrive back in Texas.
4. Walter proposes a preliminary event for February, within a week we have a meeting together to refine details. Everyone (Ramón, Hector, Walter and Miguel) suggests that we make a fine bilingual brochure (printed and digital) about ART AND THE SACRED. Please, what is your suggestion? HpS - It sounds very nice. Can we start looking for local sponsors also?
5. I have already passed on to your main mail the progress of all the transcripts of the NOI. HpS - O.K. We will try to find the first one and edit it. We need your little reminder to do this.

Gurudeva, I humbly apologize for sending this report a few days late. The health of my donkey a little delicate, I have been with severe bronchitis and now I have a strong irritation in the eyes. Hare Krishna respected Gurudeva, his insignificant servant, Abhiram Thakur das

HpS - If you are chanting 16-enthusiastic rounds daily and following four principles strictly then all that is happening to your family, friends, community and body is under Krsna's control for you to advance in devotional service. We will be in Srila Prabhupada's Sankirtan movement life after life.

What do you think of the thesis that I published on WhatsApp? There is no response from Miguel, Hectar nor Ramon. Our basic suggestion that all art trying to achieve the sacred, eternal life, has as its first impulse fear of death, old age and disease.

Telecommunications here in India is difficult but if you can call us please try. +91 88 00 58 67 45. We are free after noon.

Everyone thanks you so much for this contribution. So much. We will go on with the work of developing the Web-page and fund raising.

URGENTE: 3er informe EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO
Hare Krishna Gurudeva, por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias
¡Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!
¡Todas las Glorias a Hanumatpresaka Swami!!
Por la misericordia de Sadai Nimai-Nitai las cosas han salido súper favorables para el sankirtan:

1. La reunión con el Dr. Alejandro Neyra Director de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú fue un éxito, en un momento de la reunión él me dijo: “quiero felicitar a NIOS por la organización de sus eventos, he visto con agrado los videos en su canal de Youtube”. Al finalizar la reunión instruyo al Director de Imagen y a otros funcionarios para que nos brinden todas las facilidades y todos los ambientes que necesitemos para realizar EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO en octubre de 2018 (eso incluye la web y usar en la publicidad el logo de la BNP y del Ministerio de Cultura).
2. Nuestro calendario de actividades para el 2018 es la película EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO, EL CAMINO DE UN PEREGRINO, la exhibición de Arte IMÁGENES SAGRADAS y el I SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL. Para el 2019 tenemos planeado el MEGA-EVENTO EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO En El Teatro Nacional. Por arreglos del Señor Nityananda, el 2019 el Perú será la SEDE MUNDIAL DEL FORO DE CIVILIZACIONES ANTIGUAS, ENCONTRANDO EN LA CULTURA RESPUESTAS A LOS PROBLEMAS DE LA SOCIEDAD HUMANA, el Foro lo integran India, China, Grecia, Egipto, Perú, México, Italia, Irak e Irán. El Ministro de Cultura participa activamente en este Foro. El Director me dijo que si hacemos un buen Proyecto es posible integrarnos a las actividades que el Ministerio de Cultura está organizando para el 2019. 
3. Robert Conlon es oficialmente el corrector de estilo de SOLARIS en inglés. Él es alumno de último año de Literatura en la Universidad de Austin en Texas Su mama es mexicana y le enseño español para que se comunique bien con sus parientes maternos, así es que el maneja muy bien ambos idiomas. Ya le pase los artículos, él semanalmente va a enviar los avances. 
4. Walter propone para febrero hacer un evento preliminar, dentro de una semana  tenemos una reunión para afinar detalles. Todos (Ramón,Hector,Walter y Miguel) sugieren que hagamos un folleto fino bilingüe (impreso y digital) acerca de EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO. Por favor cual es su sugerencia.
5. Ya le pasé a su correo principal el avance de todas las transcripciones del NOI.

Gurudeva, humildemente le pido disculpas por enviar este informe con algunos días de retraso. La salud de mi burro esta un poco delicada, he estado con bronquitis severa y ahora tengo una irritación fuerte en los ojos. Hare Krishna respetado Gurudeva, su insignificante sirviente, Abhiram Thakur das.
 

All Glories to A.C. Prabhupada, Sripada Maharaja All Glories to Gouranga Mahaprabhu and Goura Bhakta Vrnda Ki Jay! Guru Maharaja! Dandavat Pranam, Please accept my humble obeisances unto Guruji Maharaja's padmacharan that I am continuing the reading of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 2:2:70. The sangskrit words used here, the meaning and the translation into English are very tough and difficult to graps the idea. For example “ Raga, Raganuga-Bhakti, Ragatmika-Bhakti, Vaidhi-Bhakti etc.” In Gita 2.56 the word Raga is translated as attachment and in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu and other related books it is the process of thinking in the spiritual life. The Ragatmika is related only the inhabitants of Vraja. Please explain the differences between Bhakti and Vaidhi Bhakti, Seva and Bhakti. Guruji, please explain in a simpler way or form of expression of the above mentioned sangskrit words.

HpS - AGTSP!!  Paoho. It is such an inspiration to get you association. For a simple answer to your question as we understand Rupa Goswami: Raga means attachment or taste. Bhakti is the general process it has three categories: Sadhana bhakti, bhava bhakti and prema bhakti. Sadhana bhakti can be divided into Vaidhi bhakti and Raganuga bhakti. In Vaidhi bhakti we do our Seva, service, Bhakti, according to rules given by an Acharya. The prophet Mohammad tells his followers they must bow down several times (5?) a day to Mecca, fast for Ramadan etc. These rules have the potency of waking up our spontaneous, Bhava bhakti. Bhakti, love for Krsna, which is always manifest with Seva, service to Krsna, and is an eternal aspect of the soul: 'nitya siddha Krsna prema...' (quotes in Nectar of Instruction). When that Bhava is a little bit awake we can start to do our service not just according to external rules for the mind, speech, body, but with feeling if we have the association of a Raga-atmica devotee, a devotee whose soul (atma), is fully awake to its natural attachment (raga) to Krsna.

You practice the piano in a very mechanical way following the written notes, but your teacher comes and says,"You play on the piano, I will play on the violin". In his association you can play with feeling. You are above plain Vaidhi bhakti and can do Raga anu ga bhakti. A raganuga bhakta follows a ragatmica bhakta. When the soul itself begins to express its natural rasa, raga, with Krsna that is Bhava bhakti. It is like a green mango, and when it is fully ripe, awake in its seva, bhakti, then it is prema bhakti.

O.K?

See you in a few days.

We try calling but there is no good connection with Manipur. Tell the Gaurangi that Dr. Samaresh is not coming. Things were not organized well enough so for his necessities so he will be going to Delhi for work then. Our apologizes. We suspect she has been doing the best that anyone can do. 

The regular Sunday Bhagavatam Patha is also continuing and as a part of it I will narrate the portion of 9:10.4 and will continu further. In the meantime, we are planning for the Guruji’s Manipur visit programme from 1-4 Nov. 2017. We will finalise the exact number of Prasadam and books required for the function with Banamali Prabhu, Ekanatha Prabhu and Sadhubhusan Das shortly in Imphal and the amounts to be deposited. How was Australia tour completed?

HpS - Australia tour was very, very, very hard work with very, very, very good results. We will talk about it when we arrive.

We are eagerly waiting Guruji Maharaja's arrival on the 1st Nov. 2017 at 10.00 a.m.,

HpS - Indigo 523 arriving 10.30AM.

. . . though our service (seva) will not be satisfactorily. Please bear the troubles of inconveniences cause from our side. What types of prasad will be arranged and who are accompanying this time excluding Dr. Samaresh and family? Yours fallen servant; Yamunesvara Das

HpS - From Kolkata only myself but from other states others are coming. Some pasta is good for our body - macaroni, spaghetti, simple Dahl.

See you very, very soon.

Hare Krsna. AGTSP. Paoho.

Here we are the second day in ISKCON Kolkata. Our telecommunication and word processor are working pretty well.

The work with Dr. Samaresh is a big challenge but Srila Prabhupada has given us unlimited determination!   AGTSP!  !   ! ! ! !    !

We worked for about two hours on the next copy of Viplavah, MOE Journal, collecting stuff from the internet on our little little HP Elite screen and then passing it to Palak Partha Sarathi Das' computer and editing it and then back to cell phone for sending. Ooof.   Get the job done by improvising whatever you need to do.

It is 3PM... Little warm but no mosquitos. Got 13-rounds done. Dr. Samaresh had to go to a meeting room at the airport instead of the National Museum so we are not sure we can meet today.

O. K. Our eyes need a break. Bath, Gayatri, Japa.

We also listened to the first SB 7.5 class from Boise on Start Meeting.com and today and gave class in the Temple. We are eating once a day at b'cari breakfast and maybe little fruit and milk in the after noon.

Thank you. We look for URGENT letters now.

Hare Krsna, Prabhus,
AgtSP, Paoho & be.

Our eyes are just coming to a complete computer failure.

We traveled for 27-hard hours between New Govardhana Dhama in Australia to ISKCON Kolkata. Was amazing. It proves again the efficacy our Yoga and this path.

It is 2.30PM. We have a nice, simple accomodation, Bhakti Logitech Keyboard is paired with Bhakta HP Elite 3x and tying this letter on the phone card maintained by Sri Hari Das.

Our phone here again is +91 880058 67 45. If want to call to say hello, we will also say hello and then good-bye. That is good.

We are checking the Blog for URGENT mail and you can see from the other posts that we are getting the Yahoo mail caught up with the VIPs. We talked with Dr. Samaresh and that work is underway.

We will go to Salt Lake at 5-pm for program there.

Devotees here have helped so much.

Dhruva, M. Manjari, A.Adri, Dh. Isvari......  All helped to much in Australia. We hope we are of help to them. So much we can do.

Looks like we can get some writing work done here. Not so many individual consultations to make, but our eyes make a limit of about two-three hours a day.

O.K. Hare Krsna.

How is Dr. Ravi et al?

Next we will contact the Harsh and Delhi.

Look at larger Calendar.

First priority is 16-nice rounds, four principles strictly, FMP, then Sankirtan in ISKCON!!

Send some Urgent letters!

PPP - Our stomach pains have almost disappeared! Our fever is 99% done. We are still riding an old ass and death is possible for us at any moment. Then a new body.