Letters to the editor

All Glories to Sri Guruji Maharaja, Sripada Maharaja and A.C. Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada Radha Krsna, Ki Jay and Goura Bhakta Brnda Ki Jay Dandavat Pranam Guruji Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances unto Sri Guruji's Padmacharan that in the last Sunday, we sit together with all initiated and mandir bhaktas about Guruji's Mnipur visit (Thoubal, Toubul and Imphal) visit and finalized the following tentative programmes. But Guru please highlight if required any changes. One thing, when we met Banamali Prabhu yesterday in the Imphal ISKCON Mandir, he inform me that some days ago Haridas Prabhu, himself and some other recommended and forwarded some names for first initiation (Name Diksha) including one lady from Imphal. I have no knowledge about this, so in the programme, we have not including the initiation programme but simply Guruji's visit to Toubul (Sripada Maharaja's birth place). During this period, if they arrange the initiation programme I have no objection. As I had already mentioned early, this time from our side no one is interested for taking first initiation but two to four members wanted to take second initiation but without getting Gurujis acceptance, I have not yet informed them. Another one is Banamali Prabhu suggested me to hold Guruji one night at Imphal, so in the programme a little change and included Imphal programme. Earlier a separate sitting of the initiated bhaktas were arranged but due to shortage of time the programme was excluded. But during Gurujis Thoubal visit, at least 10 to 20 minutes are very must necessary for such bhaktas for their Sukha-Dukha in their spiritual activities and their expectations (Man ki Bad). From Guruji's side the strict instructions of Do's and Don'ts will give a powerful force to the bhaktas in their day to bhakti sadhana. Yours fallen servant Yamunesvara Das. Hanumat Presaka Swami Maharaja’s Manipur Visit, (Thoubal, Toubul & Imphal) from 24th – 27th Jan. 2017 Programme : 24.01.2017 1.00 p.m. Arrival of Reception Party at the International (Tuesday) Imphal Aairport,. Receiption Party : 1. One vehicle from ISKCON, Imphal 2. One vehicle from A.K. Gopal Singh 3. One vehicle from O. Mukta Singh 4. One vehicle from Dr. L. Nandalal Singh 1.30 p.m. Arrival of Guruji Maharaja with Mukta at the Imphal Airport from Guwahati 3.00 p.m. Arrival of Guruji Maharaja at the Bhagavat Shiksha Ashram, Thoubal Tomjing and receiption with Sangkirtana by all bhaktas 5.00 p.m. Guru Arati and Nama Sangkirtana 5.30 p.m. Shandhya Arati with Guruji Maharaja 6.30 p.m. Name Sangkirtana with Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Guruji Maharaja 8.00 p.m. Prasadam 25.01.2017 4.30 a.m. Mangal Arati with Guruji Maharaja (Wednesday) 5.30 a.m. Nama Japa 7.00 a.m. Darshan Arati 7.30 a.m. Departure for Toubul (Birth place of Sripada Maharaja) 9.30 a.m. Arrival at Toubul 10.00 a.m. Mandir Darshan at Toubul 10.30 a.m. Name Sangkirtana with Guruji Maharaja’s Prabachan on Bhagavatam 11.30 a.m. Bhog Arati 12.00 noon Maha-Prasadam 1.00 p.m. Departure for Thoubal 3.00 p.m. Arrival at Thoubal 3.30 p.m. Cultural Programme (Gouralila) 5.30 p.m. Sandhya Arati with Guruji Maharaja’s Prabachan on Gita 8.00 p.m. Prasadam 26.01.2017 (Thursday) 4.30 a.m. Mangal Arati with Guruji Maharaja 5.30 a.m. Nama Japa 7.00 a.m. Darshan Arati 7.30 a.m. Nama Sangkirtan by ISKCON, Gurupujah with Puspanjali and Guru Dakshina then speech by Guruji Maharaja 9.00 a.m. Nama Sangkirtana (Not Pala of Ashram) 11.30 a.m. Bhog Arati 12.00 noon Maha-Prasadam 2.00 p.m. Question and Answer Progrmme with Guruji Maharaja and all Bhaktas and Matajis and Guruji’s Ashirvad 3.00 p.m. Nama Sangkirtana with Guruji 4.00 p.m. Departure for ISKCON Imphal Night Halt 27.01.2017 (Thursday) 7.00 a.m. Arrival of Thoubal ISKCON Bhaktas at Imphal ISKCON for Guruji’s Darsan before Departure to Imphal Airport 7.30 a.m. Guruji’s Darsan and taking asirbad 9.30 a.m. Departure Imphal ISKCON for Imphal Airport

HpS - AgtSP. Paoho. Sorry slow to answer this. Where you reading the DTC? Maybe not practical because in English. We had very, very, very hard travel 23 December until today. Seriously planning to die in the airplane. Much better now.

If letter is urgent just write that in the Subject field and were respond the fastest.

The schedule seems short but the trip to Maharaja's birthplace seems like a loss of valuable time and opportunity. Seems were could serve him better in Thoubal or Imphal.

Better not to go to Toubal unless you expect chance for helping the preaching there. WE NEED GOOD TRANSLATOR for all programs.

When we go to Imphal we need time for one good class.

Also, because time is so short seems we should also eliminate the full Gaura Lila.

Let us have a seminar for several days on Upadesamrta with many copies for distribution.

What do you think?

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudev,
    Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
    All glories to Guru parampara.

    Gurudev, Thank you so much for your caring. Without you, i am nothing.

    Maharaj, as i did not booked air ticket earlier so not aware about the process,
    so please book your ticket for Pune, i will pay for the same.
    
    While i am communicating with Temple authority for your programs and schedules, will keep you posted the updates.

your fallen servant,
Girivaradhari-Gopal Das

HpS - Hare Krsna! How is your fathers consciousness?

Feb 1st, Vistara flight 997, arrive Pune 12.30 pm

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudev,
    Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
    All glories to Guru parampara.

    Gurudev, Extremly sorry for all delay.

    Just back in Pune, was in Home town. Father had a sever heart attach, so was not in a possition to communicate
    with anyone for last one month. He is stable now but under medicine.

    And due to bad schedule for last one month, my health got affected also.

    Are you in India now ?

your fallen servant,
Girivaradhari-Gopal Das

Hare Krsna. Agtsp. Paoho. We were all really worried about you!  Hope you father is getting big benefit out his health crisis.  We are here. If you look at the DTC for today. 3(Tu) it has our phone number. So we should go to Pune on the 1st  Februrary and then leave on the 3rd for Navi Mumbai?
Please take care of your body.

Hare Krsna, Anantarupa Das,

Thank you for YOUR letter. I hope we hear from The Upendra, Srinivasa, Sundara-radhika Dasa, Dasi, and now also the Srivasa Pt. Das. 

Respected Maharaja:

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

Thank you for your email and thoughts.

Srimad Bhagavatam, thanks to your wishes, is again being read and discussed in the temple Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 9 AM (which is within the timeframe done in all the temples). . . .We are on Ch.2 sloka 11 of Canto 1 - one sloka every day.

A. HpS - It is for Temples with big local community, no?  But Hawaii E-sanga for example is 6.30AM. Physical participation may be just like two people or so in the Temple, but on-line they have as many as 40-devotees and good participation in discussion, many of whom attend the Sunday programs etc.

Can we do that?  Basically I would require regular participation by any of my 'disciples' in the local classes, Sanga. That is the way we have designed the Bhakti-vaibhava program from San Jose also. Correct Srivasa pt. Das?    First Sanga, then Systems, last Content.

So, we are jumping right in, taking the program Radha-banki-bihari are arranging and reading SB 1.2.11 etc. with our little comments below.

If regular class is at 8.15AM, after Srngara Arati, not before. Then devotees like Upendra, Sinivasa might be able to participate by listening on the way to work. Record the classes for later listening. Have a summary Sanga on the weekend, Saturday morning. This last idea sounds the most practical and immediate. What time would it be possible for you to lead, join, a community class on Saturday morning???   Is it possible??    Then we could join physically.  Make it a priority before going to Home Depot. During the week we could read the same verses and then have review and discussion on Saturday.

This is my life and soul.

Disussing Srimad Bhagavatam in the association of devotees.

B. A second topic, maybe even more delightful, is our possible visit to Boise. We were trying to balance all of these engagements in India, South America etc. and finally we just could not fit in the 3rd Annual Symposium on Education with ISKCON in Brazil in February, and have sufficient time for West Coast. So, we are passing on Brazil and then we can be sitting on our Asana in Nashville from 15 Feb to 15 May. Then ...  Boise, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver.. ? .   15th-18th June is supposed to be the 4th Annual Education Symposium, in Seattle.  Of course, we want to focus all this traveling on these educational programs and Sanga..

Anybody have any suggestions for dates. Gotta fix the Calendar soon.  We were thinking Maybe taking the Amtrac up the coast together for part or all of that stretch. It is very refreshing.

C. Finally, Bhaktivedanta Study. Sriman Vaisesika Das is ready and waiting to start that program. I agree. ISKCON already has many devotees who know Prabhupada's books to the standard he suggested fort Bhakti-vedanta. So, we should get an organized standard and show the opulence of Srila Prabhupada's disciples, men and women, to the world.

Of course, this is a discussion in progress, about the standard, Boise students et al. Yet specifically Vaisesika Das, our Sankirtan leader agreed to give four master's classes as part of his diploma requirements. We already have three. They have been wonderful. Preaching Strategies in Cantos 1-4. We need to hear Canto 5-6! One more lecture from Vaisesika Das!

Also, all the candidates need to clean up their 100-pages of essays, and Vais Prabhu was probably going to get his four lectures transcribed and edit them. They would be wonderful for publication.

When, if, all this is done we can look at starting the Bh.Vedanta study, no, Sr. Pt Das?

It is 10-weeks until Gaura-purnima, 12 March. You think it could start before then SPD? I think Vais. wants to, but I don't think his essays will be ready AND you, many of us, want to work on the structure of this next session, the standard, the evaluations and record keeping.

SPD, did you print the Tests for all the students?

We are attaching our notes for Vais's last lecture.

We are attaching our personal investigation on Verses Cited in the NOI up to Text Six.

T h a n k   you  all for your association. . .   This project is central for us. ISKCON.

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SB 1.2.11-15 NOTES

SB 1.2.11
Is very important verse. For BhVai it should be memorized.

This whole Second Chapter is so basic, quoted again and again, maybe because it is the first time (and complete) the SB is presented.

Why are they called Hiranyagarbhas?
“Therefore, there is a duality of inferior and superior energy, whereas in the absolute realm both the knower and the known are of the same superior energy”, but this is Mayavada philosophy?
 

SB 1.2.12

“And the third-class transcendentalists are those who have barely realized the spiritual focus of the Absolute Person.” . . . So even Brahman realization requires some personal realization?

“…which is fixed by the aural reception of the Vedānta-śruti”… Hear SB = Hearing Vedanta sutra?

“one has to make definite progress from the position of material devotional service to the second-class devotional position. In the second-class position, the devotee can see four principles in the devotional line,” . . . the same is presented in NOI almost word for word the same..

Usually we think of third class devotee as smoking marijuana etc, but here and other placed it is emphasized that Kanistha adhikari can be in the external mode of goodness also.

1.2.13
“saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam” … Important Sanskrit, no?

1.2.14
“Without these principles of life, no one can exist. . . . Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying.”

1.2.15
“granthi – knot” … Must untie the knot.

“Karma overcoated with devotional service is called karma-yoga. Similarly, empirical knowledge overcoated with devotional service is called jñāna-yoga.“ … In all cases it is Yoga, so we must learn to distinguish differnent types of Yoga.

“They have chalked out ways for all classes of men in terms of the different castes and orders of life in pursuance of the teachings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and similar other authoritative scriptures.” … So, SB class is for practical application.

Hare Krsna Gurumaharaj

Pamho agtSP

Just a short message with a request. Please could you allow us to join you in Delhi and take part of your various programs.

We are planning to come to Delhi on Dec 31  after BVB class in VIHE and stay till Jan 04. Accommodation in temple guest house has been arranged. Tungavidya mataji, Sudevi (a young Aussie devotee) and I are planning to be there if you allow us.

Is there any way how we can serve you there?.

Counting down each day.. few more to come and you will be here.

Thank you, Sir

looking forwar to hear from you

your child

Madhumanjari dd

HpS - ASA --- Aaaa!    You are like a transcendentail lightening-bolt. You appear one place with drama and flash, and then before Maya can get you, you appear someplace else!

     I guess, so!   It seems fine to us. All being together in Delhi.

We feel like street cats that got on the pirate ship and don't know where we are going. It will be very nice to see everyone there. Radhika will also be there.  Probably can do a lot of work.  We are thinking that our next trip to India (God willing) we can go through Hawaii, Thailand, Australia.

Good idea, Ei, Mate?????

Sannyasi, Guru, GBC Sanga

Hare Krsna, Braja-bihari and Anuttama Das et al,

We are in Mexico for five packed days then off to India. We will be presenting at University of Madras, Kolkata, Bombay etc. etc.   We finish with the three days of SGGS in Mayapura. We gave some comments about the Sanga to your good selves but have not been able to follow up. We are planning on developing some thoughts in writing in association with other. This letter will hit our Blog for reactions and advice.

1. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all.

2. The first year, we attended, and there was one day of break-out sessions where we non-GBC Guru/Sannyasis had a chance to exchange views without GBC devotees presence. I think it was Bhakti-rasamrta-sindu Maharaja who made the statement that in Bhuddhism that the Sangha (Administrative work) is meant to serve the Sanga (association). There was a very broad feeling that the non-administrative Sannyasis needed more time to talk about there individual experiences of the current and fututure GBC-Sannyasis relationship. I know I submitted a request that we have another break out session to do that, but it didn't happen.

3. Within the last two months one Grhastha guru and one Sannyasi both told me when I asked if they were attending the SGGS this year that it really seemed to be inclined toward the 'GBC pushing their agenda' and they weren't planning on going at that time. I was a little shocked to hear this comment, but analyzing why I didn't go last year etc. I realized that that was a part of the reason for myself also. Others included just schedule conflict.

4. Prahladananda Swami is our Minister of Sannyasa services. When I asked him if he was going to present at the Sanga he said, "No", but he hoped to see us there. Shouldn't he be offered an assignment for presenting???

5. I really feel that this movement is strong enough now to run a candidate for President of the United States. If we do then these Socio-political questions will become even more important.

6. These are my opinions, perspectives. One opinion that I hold very strongly is that my opinions are limited or incorrect often enough that I need feedback all the time. tyhank you.

Vrindavana Dhama Mahimamrta - Sataka One - Trans. Kusa Krata Das

45 O, look at Vrndavana, so beautiful with many blissful, splendid groves of kalpa-vrksa trees, with many parrots and other birds intoxicated by singing Vedic hymns glorifying Krsna, with many deers so pleasing to Krsna, with splendid transcendental lakes, ponds and streams, all filled with water sweet as nectar, and with mountains of valuable jewels.

46 Is this the wonder of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s opulence? Is this the wonderful sweetness of the shoreless nectar ocean of transcendental bliss? Is this the seed of many splendid kalpa-vrksa forests? Is this Vrndavana, the glorious and wonderful transformation of pure love for Krsna?

47 Where do all people automatically and effortlessly obtain pure ecstatic love for Krsna? Where does the Supreme Personality of Godhead manifest His supremely wonderful pastime form? Where is the empire of the bliss of devotional service to Krsna’s lotus feet manifest? O brother, listen I will tell you a secret. All this is present here in Vrndavana.