Letters to the editor

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!           ASA -   Ooof!  Objctively we get maybe 1% credit for any success we have as devotees.

I hope your throat infection is better now and you have been able to rest after your hectic travels.

HpS - ASA - We wrtoe about it in the DTC!!  Not better, not worse.  Don't live don't die.   Ha!     Ha!     Ha...      Three weeks now.  Think being strict about only offering Suddha Sattva Khanna to Lord Nrsmhadeva will solve 90% of the problems!   All the cooks have to be vegetarian, not just the cooking!

It is so nice to read about your travels and your instructions on the blog. Krsna Ksetra Prabhu and I were reading a few entries together and appreciating them very much.

After finishing teaching in Radhadesh, I came to Slovenia, where I am working for a few weeks with Krsna Ksetra Prabhu on our Bhagavatam book project. It is very nice here. Every day I count my blessings to have KK Prabhu's association. We chant together every morning and it is very inspiring. We recently received the copyedited files from Columbia and now we are going through them. It is such a painstaking process. And we are also trying to move ahead with the translation project for our second Bhagavatam book. In a couple of weeks I will go to Kenya for the delivery.

HPS - ASA -- He means his wife's delivery. Such a debt we have to our Mothers to be good workers for society.

I just checked my messages in Williamsburg, and received the message from you. Thank you so much for confirming your Labor Day visit to Virginia! The devotees are very happy. We are trying to organize a one-day program at the University of Virginia (in Charlottesville, 45 minutes from Richmond.) Mayapriya Mataji and Amit Achara Prabhu hold a very nice student program there on a weekday. Saturday, Sunday would be in Richmond for the devotees there. Williamsburg is about an hour away--unfortunately Amrita Keli and Chaitanya will not be there, but I would like to show you my university.

So maybe if you could arrive on Friday, Aug 31 and stay until the 5th or 6th of Sep, depending on when we need to be in Murfreesboro for the program there. I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I would be busy on those days, but otherwise I should be free. The best would be to fly into Richmond (RIC), since the programs will be there on the weekend. SWA flies to Norfolk,  which is about 2 hrs away from Richmond, one hour from Williamsburg. We would be happy to look for possible flights if you like.

Guru Maharaja, as you know, we are looking forward to the birth of our second son in a few weeks. Would you please bless him by giving him a name? We would be very grateful. After he is born, I can email you the possible first letters based on astrology, or you could give without consideration of astrology. Either way we would be happy.

I am sorry about the long letter. Thank you again for taking so much trouble to help us in our Krsna consciousness.

your aspiring servant,

Radhika Ramana dasa

HpS - ASA -  AGTSP   paoho.   We are a little bit delerious from this chronic fever and mouth infection.  Makes us a little light headed and humous (as if we weren't that way always).   Super good news about your publication and association with the Krsna-ksetra Das.   Brahma-muhurta???       In the Krsna-book it explains that Krsna even stopped the Rasa lila to observe Brahma muhurta.  I have to fight to keep it during this disease also.       If we get worse and die from doing Hari-nama yajna during Brahma muhurta then it is Krsna's desire. Who can be a better friend to our family than Krsna.  We can just help him.    Maybe we are in the way and should die now.

We will look for tickets.

Advaita from Torchlight has a good Frieght Forwarder who can ship Dr. Bandyopadhyay's book from Kolkatta. It is first class academic publication. We will send a program from the Museum show with yours and Garuda's abstracts to Boise.  We will see Garuda and everyone in 10-days.  This academic preaching has its effect, no?   Little by little.

Jaya Srila Prabhupada.

Please send us the date of next babies birth adn we will consult with al the authorities on a proper name.  Of course you also!!! and he MOther et al!

O.K.   We look for ticket.    Maybe we can do a little developed Light of the Bhagavata symposium. We have such Excellent movies.  Hari lila Prabhu said that if it is no burden he might like to come also. We stayed together in Mexico. It was very nice.

Querido Maharaja HpS Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada Primero que nada oro al Sri Krsna por usted y le pido a Srimati Radharani que lo acobije en su servicio en goloka vrindavan! Si muere en ese campo de predica como un buen seguidor del Señor Caitanya , va ser glorioso ! Pero vamos a extrañarlo mucho! Su insignificante sirvienta Mahabhava cintamani dd

HpS - ASA -  Jaya!   TlgaSP      Estamos en-transito para 20 horas en Brussels!        Nos vemos en EEUU pronto.    Esperamos podemos desarrollar cuerpo apropriado servir en el puueblito de Goloka!

Dear Maharaj:

Pamho. AgtSP. Hare Krsna!

1. You're right, I am new to the Vedic calendar. However, I'm not new to naked eye astronomy which has been my favorite science since childhood.

2. I discovered these errors quite unexpectantly; moreover, I couldn't believe it myself that so many people could miss this but now I understand why. 

3. First off, I was puzzled that the particulars of the Lord's birth in Phalgun, Sakabda 1507 didn't seem reflected consistently by our Vaisnava calendar. Second, it wasn't until I could understand the present method of calculation that I was confident of my conclusions. The present method is the one followed by the Indian National Calender with respect to the national Hindu holidays. The present method of calculation makes sure that every lunar year begins after the vernal equinox (Mar 20/21), instead of simply following the astrological sign of Pisces to determine the start of the new year. In additon,  there is a strong sentiment in India amonsgt the so called educated to rid Indian of it's passion for astrology, so therefore, the equinox is favored over the sidereal Sun sign.

4. Next, the topic of the Hindu lunar calendar is very complex. So, it's very easy to see why anyone in Iskcon would miss this. Moreover, it's easy to see why the whole Vaisnava community chooses to accept the national dates. Afterall, who would want to buck the national standard; unless, of course, that person was absolutely sure of what they were doing. I'm becoming quite knowledgeable on this topic.  I have already spent 100's of hours research on this topic.

5. I have already pointed out that this change can be pinpointed to 1957 when the Indian government adopted and set the standard for the Saka calendar. Prior to that the Sri Caitanya Math determined the correct dates. Since any knowledgeable person knows about the precession of the equinox, it would be easy over time with each new generation of devotees to miss this point about the Lord's birthday and other errors regarding the lunar calendar.

6. Also, as a result of this enquiry, I have been able to completely cracked the mystery of the 27/28 nakshastras of the Vedas but I will go into this in the near future.. As I pointed out in the beginning, change will happen slowly and for some it will never happen. My plan is simply to present the facts and hope the reader will become educated on this topic.

7. In closing for now, it is amazing what this research has revealed to me about dating in the Vedas, etc.  Also, the astrology community doesn't really have a vested interest in this historical aspect. What they do works perfectly well for today's birthdates and horoscopes.

YHS, Saranga Thakura das

HpS -ASA - AGTSP!!!!!    Still no handles for us laymen!   Do you mean that Gaura purnima is the purnima one month earlier than the one we celebrate?

Dear Maharaj:

Pamho. AgtSP.

Thanks for your last reply regarding the Vaisnava calendar.

You're right Ekadasi is OK except of course any specific one; such as Pandava-Nirjala which is celebrated on the eleventh lunar day of the waxing moon in Trivikrama Masa. This year this Ekadashi is OK but not next year which is due to there being added an Adhika Masa (Purusottama) during Hrsikesa Masa this year when there isn't suppossed to be one. 

All holidays are at the right times for this year (526) until 18 Aug 2012. This also means every holiday next year in 2013 (527 Gaurabda) will be wrong. FYI, the correct date for Guara Purnima 526 is 25 Feb 2013 not 27 Mar 2013. More on this in a later post as time permits.

YHS, Saranga Thakura das

 HpS - ASA -   AGTSP    paoho.   Very interesting.   WIthout using technical names that are not introduced slowly, one after another, can you explain what is the problem with our calendar?    Also, why have so many other people not seen this..... Hmmmm?    You are just beginning astrology few months ago, no?  Yet these mistakes are being made by people with years of experience. from birth, in the astrological Vedic community! 

Dear Maharaja;

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

Thank you for your valuable association through e-mail, personal association in Bhakti Vaibhava class and through study notes.  Maharaja on very first class (March 10, 2012), I humbly requested the few suggestions for the up coming calendar, at that time you told me that we will discuss the changes afterwards; unfortunately we didn’t got the chance to discuss the changes for the calendar.  Maharaja, I humbly request you to please discuss the following changes for the Bhakti Vaibhava calendar with the examination board and with Srivas Pandit Prabhu:

According to current calendar, Evaluation of Module 15 is on July 15^th; it will be big help if we can have semester Evaluation (similar to semester 1 & 2) on July 22^nd, so that we can discuss the complete Semester 3 Evaluation on July 29; similarly we can have semester 4 evaluation one week after the module 25 review.  The Semester 3 examination we can have on August 4, 2012.

We can have vacation from August 4 to September 3 (Labor Day).  According to current calendar, we will have 2.5 months of vacation after semester 4 – January 13, 2013 – March 25, 2013.  Because of leap year, next year the Gaura Purnima is in last week of March.  The one month break after semester 3 will help the student to finish up essays for semester 3 and we will have 1.5 month break instead of 2.5 month after semester 4.  Maharaja, to be honest with you many times due to hectic work load and due to family life it becomes very difficult for me to finish up one page essay every week; semester vacation helps me to finish up essays after the exam.

Maharaja, it is my humble request to you to please look at above matter.  I am extremely sorry for bothering you during hectic preaching schedule.  I hope this meets you in a good health.  Once again thank you for helping me to read srila Prabhupada’s books on regular basis

Your Servant

Upendra Dasa  

HpS -  Jaya!   AGTSP   pamho   So nice to hear from you.  OUr pace is just as crazy.     If we weren't so much engaged we would probably be waisting a lot of time.   It is impossible for me to consider the changes you are suggesting in my current condition.  I would have to look at the details on paper in front of me.  CUrrently it is 6.13AM.  We have 16 rounds done.  We downloaded 25 papers for this seminar with the Indian Museum.  We are in Dr. Samaresha's good house in Kolkatta.  We have answered all the Blog posts up to one week ago.  The internet is starting to get slow just now  That is why we had to adjust to doing this now rather than doing it during the day and havng more morning program.

So we are adjusting like that.

Rohini and Ananga worked a lot on the Calendar to try to make it as balanced as possible and they also don't think its perfect.

The changes you are suggesting are for July so it looks like we will have time to think about it when we get back to USA and stop traveling for three weeks in June  Jaya.   I think you are suggesting and extra week of Evaluation and Review at the end of the Semester .   That sounds nice.

If we cant do all the work we do what we can and then keep a record of what we have to do to catch up.

This is all learnging, so we can teach, Sadhana Bhakti in the modern world!

It seems that you are doing well!!!

OK.   Then we can discuss and plan when we have a desk in front of us in June!!

O.K??

Hare Krishna my dear teacher! receive my most humble obeisances!
All glories to His Divine Grace Sri Prabhupada!

Thank you for your prompt replies and your instructions, I try to follow your best, but I am very fall for that I help you Krishna and that alone I can not. The truth is that I feel I get much help, I have no fear deserve. And thinking that I'm wrong a good devotee and I deserve it.
We continue studying the Bhagabad Shastri Bakty-Gita and I feel very strong in my heart the words of Sri Krishna to Arjuna as if I spoke directly to me. I keep chanting 16 rounds at 5:30 am., I meet the 4 principles and read the scriptures for at least 2 hours a day.
I have also stopped working in architecture in La Paz, because I want to prepare to go to Mayapur and all the holy places.
I will try to work in Mayapur CHANDRODAY MANDIR, if Krishna wants'm looking for contacts to send my resume because I worked and works like that in Spain the kind that companies are taking charge of the construction of Chandrodaya MANDIR, if Krsna does not want Mayapur will try to go by my means, to visit holy places and that my dear son Gabriel in a Gurucula study, to be educated as a good devotee.

Maybe I'm so wrong?
Please give me your blessings Maharaj.
Krishna bless you always!

Dasi Krishnita

Hare Krishna mi querido maestro!!! reciba mis más humildes reverencias!
Todas las glorias a su divina Gracia Sri Prabhupada!!

Gracias por sus prontas respuestas y por sus instrucciones, trato de seguirlas lo mejor posible, pero soy muy caída por eso pido ayuda a Krishna y a Usted por que sola no puedo. La verdad es que siento que recibo  mucha ayuda, tengo miedo no merecerla. Y equivocarme pensando  que ya soy una buena devota y que me lo merezco.
Seguimos en Bakty Shastri estudiando el Bhagabad-Gita y siento muy fuerte en mi corazón las palabras de Sri Krishna a Arjuna como si me hablaran directamente a mí. Sigo cantando 16 rondas a las 5:30am., cumplo los 4 principios y leo las escrituras por lo menos 2 horas al día.
También he dejado de trabajar en  arquitectura en La Paz, por que quiero prepararme para ir a Mayapur y todos los lugares sagrados.
Voy a intentar trabajar en MAYAPUR CHANDRODAY MANDIR, si Krishna quiere estoy buscando contactos para enviar mi currículum pues ya trabajé en obras como esa en España en empresas del tipo  del que se está haciendo cargo de la construcción de CHANDRODAYA MANDIR, si Krishna no quiere que vaya a Mayapur Chandroday Mandir   trataré de ir por mis medios, para visitar Los lugares Santos y para que mi Hijito Gabriel estudie en un Gurucula, para que se eduque como un buen devoto.

¿Tal vez estoy muy equivocada?
Por favor deme sus bendiciones Majaraj.
Que Krishna lo bendiga siempre!

Krishnita Dasi

HpS - ASA   -  Jaya!   AGTSP     Thank you for your news.      There are many devotees with professional degress working on the project in Mayapura, so I don't know how successful you will be getting service there, but it certainly may be possible.  Try.   Also, ask them about other service possibilities.   There is a lot of construction going on in India by devotees.    Really this material world is not a place for a gentleman.  So you should just chant and pray to Krsna to give you any simple adjustment for your maintenance so you can become purified and go back to Him as soon as possible.   Within three years! ? !

HHpS