Letters to the editor

All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara

All Glories to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please, accept my try of rendiring humble obeisances unto you.

I'm writing you because in my daily reading of Srimad Bhagavatam I faced this sloka a few day ago:

satyaṁ puṣpa-phalaṁ vidyād

ātma-vṛkṣasya gīyate

vṛkṣe ’jīvati tan na syād

anṛtaṁ mūlam ātmanaḥ

The Vedas enjoin that the factual result of the tree of the body is the good fruits and flowers derived from it. But if the bodily tree does not exist, there is no possibility of factual fruits and flowers. Even if the body is based on untruth, there cannot be factual fruits and flowers without the help of the bodily tree.

(Source: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 8, Text 39.)

That sloka caught my attention, particularly regarding the value of this body. Srila Prabhupada provides insightful comments about it, but one stood out to me, and especially relevant during times of international tension and the threat war on this planet.

"Even if for the sake of argument the material world is accepted as untruth, the living entity entangled in the illusory energy cannot come out of it without the help of the body. Without the help of the body, one cannot follow a system of religion, nor can one speculate on philosophical perfection. Therefore, the flower and fruit (puṣpa-phalam) have to be obtained as a result of the body. Without the help of the body, that fruit cannot be gained. The Vaiṣṇava philosophy therefore recommends yukta-vairāgya. It is not that all attention should be diverted for the maintenance of the body, but at the same time one’s bodily maintenance should not be neglected."

That Prabhupada instruction reminds me of one of the conversations that Srila Prabhupada had with Brahma Tirtha prabhu, registered in the famous in "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers" book.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: So long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws. Suppose you go to a jungle and there is a tiger. It is known that it will attack you, so why should you voluntarily go and be attacked? It is not that a devotee should take unnecessary physical risks. He shouldn’t think, “Now that I have become a devotee, I challenge everything.”

Source: "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers", Chapter SIX, The Perfect Devotee.

Why am I sharing these quotes with you now? So, first is important read the context surrounding.

Context > Good destination south of the south

A couple of hours ago, the United States bombed Iran, and China and Russia aren't "happy" with this. It is well known that. On the other hand, Iran, in its national TV broadcast, a presenter on state television stated that "now every American citizen or military personnel constitutes a legitimate target".

Then, a few days I watched this video of 1:08 length from a specialised Instagram account focused on data about geopolitics.

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZ2enu5ZacIM11d8nO8EB9kxv2sUCXeJ2CmX

Interestingly, they have almost 80.000 followers with only 108 publications at the moment of this post 😄

. (Screenshots attached) The Economic Times from India Times confirmed it: - https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/latest-updates/10-safest-countries-to-seek-refuge-if-world-war-3-breaks-out/chile/slideshow/115623826.cms

So, our proposal and invitation, Guru Maharaj, is that you change you residence to Chile, instead of USA. At least in these crazy moments.

Chile, the country

So, Guru Maharaja, Chile is one of the countries with the most socio-economic stability in South America. Maybe Uruguay, too. But there is no temple there.

Santiago leads Latin America in the recent Global Cities Index 2025 ranking by Oxford Economics (source index.goodcountry.org). This indicator evaluates the global performance of cities, focusing on the economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. 

Specifically, the capital of Chile was chosen as the best city in Latin America, ranking above Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Lima. 

Santiago’s strong performance is largely due to its 33rd place in the Human Capital category, which reflects the quality of its educational infrastructure and the concentration of universities and corporate headquarters that attract talent," stated Oxford Economics’ senior economist, Anthony Bernard-Sasges.

- Chile is the safest country for investment in Latin America (Source: The Economist, Intelligence Unit 2021)

- Two universities in the TOP 5 of the best universities of Latin America now in 2023, and one of them has been number one for a lot of years in a row (Source: topuniversities)

- Chile ranks as Latin America’s most innovative economy in 2022 (Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO))

- Chile’s homicide rate remains among the least violent nations in Latin America. (Source:NGO Insight Crime)

Chile, the yatra

We have four programs every week in the temple: Philosophical Monday, Wednesday of Kirtan, Prabhupada's Night every Friday, and the Sunday Feast starting with lunch.

There are 6 different nama hattas, and 2 monthly programs of public programs with municipalities/yoga studios, and also regular visits from schools and different universities to the temple.

Pictures here of the last week:

Universidad Diego Portales: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YOxAiUOz4Bablmju6I4x6UwVQKQ_W8GP?usp=sharing

Universidad de Chile:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YRP7h0uwIt8XTRFxtNvXcrCN5uwdoEbd?usp=sharing

From this last visit this Monday, I received this WhatsApp after two days of the visit asking for the lectures of the Bhagavad Gita on Monday (screenshot attached too).

As a temple president, I can tell you too that more than 50 devotees are donating as members of the "Membresía Trascendental" every month, and the whole temple is working financially because of those devotees. And another 30 devotees are willing to join without too much advertising. Just one official Bank Account of ISKCON Chile, and a monthly transparent report.

Krishna West in Chile, led by Pancali devi dasi, HDG disciple and your disciple Madhu Mangala, and Pandu prabhu and his wife Madri devi dasi, has more than 60 people chanting japa and with Bhagavatam Classes every day.

If we talk about the preaching programs in the rest of the country, the utsahan expands.

Chile had 4 Ratha Yatras in the last year for the first time (Punta Arenas, Coyaique, Santiago and Viña del Mar).

There is more positive information that I can share privately with you about the yatra here. But now I can tell you

Conclusion

We have different places available here to invite you to stay in this country without any cost, in the countryside, in the city, different neighbourhoods, and of course, the temple itself, suitable for the spring and summer.

So, your presence here could help us to be sure that your physical body is safer for a while, at least until things get more relaxed and less turbulent there in the countries of the north. So Chile is a real possibility.

Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your time to read to us.

Your servant,

Jagad Guru Das.

HpS ASA 🐒🦍🦍🦍

Hare Krishna.

Most fundamental for us is that we have always felt that Peru is our home, Chile is our Sankirtan spot and we need an office, but we are so old and incompetent that at this moment, 6.26pm, we cannot even walk nine mahamantras to our village temple.

Oooof!

Seems we will be camped here until Janmastami, then we just bought tickets for three weeks in Nashville.

After that who knows?

Hare Krishna.

Many surprises in store for you all in Iskcon Chile.

Dear Guru Maharaja,

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

You kindly wrote to me:

“So much of what ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON—not the shadow ISKCON—is, is pioneering.”

If I may ask, could you please elaborate on what you mean by shadow ISKCON? I would be grateful to understand what that refers to, both in theory and in how it might be recognized in practice.

Also, regarding pioneering spirit in Krishna bhakti—through my years trying to serve and grow as a bhakta, I’ve often felt that attempts at pioneering or fresh sharing of Krishna consciousness were met more with caution or opposition, rather than encouragement—especially from some persons in positions of authority.

Of course, I could be wrong in my perception, but I’m trying to reconcile this with the idea of Srila Prabhupada’s movement being so pioneering by nature. If you feel it is appropriate, I would deeply value your thoughts on this tension and how to navigate it in a sincere and constructive spirit.

Your servant, Namacarya Das

HpS - AgtSP. I don't exactly remember by 'shadow' iskcon. it is not a term that srila prabhupada uses, no?

in general it is just a simple concept, no?

srila prabhupada required with great vigor that he be listed on all of his books as the founder acharya of iskcon.

not at only diksa guru etc. etc.

other positions as they are mentioned in his books are certainly wonderful and practical.

yet as a fundamental title, this is the one he put on the cover of all of this books before he left his body.

in the NoI we looked at how he defined iskcon, this movement, and it started with non-envious, following four principles, rounds, up early, associating with discrimination with three different kinds of devotees in the society.

then we have others who claim to accept srila prabhupada as their acharya but don't follow his standards.

we see physical institutions, people in institutional positions, pretending to represent srila prabhupada, but using his good name and institutions good name for little or big deviations to strive for personal illusory fruits.

nothing new, no?

have to learn to distinguish mother yasoda from putana.

-then KRSNA will take care of Putana.

-0-0-0-

we take text three of noi as basis for pioneering in iskcon. utsahan is more important than patience, but without patience, enthusiasm turns into passion.

in one food fight between lord nityananda and adwaita acharya, srila prabhupada comments that LN is avadhuta and AA is smarta. Revolutionaries and Conservatives.

He says that they have never understood each other and they never will.

Left and Right Wing Gopis.

Yet, in spiritual life they love each other like anything. Radha LOVES Candravali, but She loves to fight with Her!

Maya is coming up with newer and newer ways to tempt the conditioned souls, and Krsna and Balarama et al are coming up with newer and newer ways to get them out of Maya.

After each incarnation K/B et al, pause to review this incarnation.

I think when Maya, Vaisnavi, made Agha asura, it was the first time. Krsna was amazed. "Wow💥!.."

Letter on Management, Srila Prabhupada established the GBC and said that he had also established Sannyasa and they had their duties also. one of which was to report to the gbc on possibilities of places for establishing new center.

report new communities.

new blog spots.

mangal ananda das was composing new songs in english.

they were tasteful and philosophically correct and very inspiring.

he asked SP if it was O.K. and commented that some of the senior men in iskcon said that he should not do it.

SP is reported to have said, "the cows will moo, but the caravan will pass".

hope this is useful! 🐵

Hare Krsna, Dear Devotees,

PAMHO, AGTSP.

Steve Brown here, sub-divisional secretary of Tom Brown. 🐵

As you may have heard, Tom Brown, Hanumat Presaka Swami et al are replacing Twitter with a Whatsapp Community.

The Community name is anveSika - HPS Updates. There are a few Whatsapp Groups created that will be part of this anveSika - HPS Updates Community.

If you live in USA or Canada please join this Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JjUV5GtZ1u6CkJ8hjzx37M

If you live in Latin America please join this Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E1AhFXc1ZsWKyKWCP8RqiQ

If you live in Mexico please join this Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CoX72drYK280CcN3k9pwZ2

If you live in India or Australia please join this Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LtqCHz9QqXT99VSk9BxjGu

Spain or Europe this Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EWkPLJEDdpFCJfJekfkTbe

Any other place on this planet or any of the planets mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, please join this General group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IFKaYDJvQhF4UxzYxSwm43

There is also a group for eccentric Academics which will be shared individually.

All of the above Groups are just to receive of announcements from the WhatsApp Community. No member chatting. Use the Blog.

The group admin, from the same region, can validate people requesting to join.

Admin will speak same language, be some one the requester may know.

Finally all test groups used so far will be removed from the community. So, please join one of the above groups to be part of these announcements.

Steve Brown

Please, agtSP, chant Hare Krsna, in front of photo of Caturatma Das' father (attached). Give him good association on subtle platform: Bhur, Bhuvah, Sva.

Maha Mantra at Radha Nila Madhava Dahm Diwali 2023

https://youtu.be/y6g8umpMKJU?si=jkpljK2QHrtzFyec

ASA/UG -Hare Krsna! This link goes No Where??!

Hare Krsna! Muy querido Guru Maharaja, por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias 🌺

Todas las Glorias sean a Srila Prabhupada, y todas las Glorias a sus fieles seguidores 🙇🏻‍♀️

Orando siempre por su bienestar. Le agradezco de todo corazón, por llevarnos siempre con usted -en línea-. (Estos últimos meses yo he teniendo algunas dificultades, pero por su misericordia, seguimos vivos y en la lucha. En otra carta escribiré al respecto.🫡)

Leímos el Twitt: "Start using WhatsApp group for ASA Search Team immediate notices instead of Twitter?"...

Desde nuestra perspectiva; el grupo de WhatsApp puede aumentar la accesibilidad. La desventaja de los grupos es que frecuentemente se saturan de respuestas repetitivas de los miembros, por lo que quizá se pueda habilitar la función para que solo el administrador pueda enviar mensajes.

Cabe resaltar que Twitter nos ha parecido una buena vía de comunicación, pues:

*Almacena archivos, videos e imágenes sin necesidad de descargarlos en los dispositivos de los seguidores.

*Mantiene la privacidad de los miembros.

*Facilita la búsqueda organizada de publicaciones anteriores.

(Lo que es de gran ayuda al integrar los post asa-e)

*La única desventaja que, como ASA carnaval observamos en Twitter, es la dificultad para descargar los videos que usted comparte.

Hasta aquí nuestra limitada perspectiva, espero no importunar con nuestros pequeños comentarios.

Siempre a sus órdenes.

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

HpSwami ASA - 🐒 TlgaSP.

Paoho.

Thank you many for this nice analysis!

We expect that you will be one of the eternal leaders of ASA 🐒 🐵 🙉 if such a thing exists.

Hope to see soon.

Listening to you, Srinivasa-acharya Das, Twitter survey et al, The Supreme Absolute Undifferentiated Commando (SABUNCO) of ASA has decided that we will use a WhatsApp Group to communicate immediate Sankirtan chatter to all search party members.

HpS and maybe five more devotees can be Administrators.

Only they will post.

Every person who uses WhatsApp's with a chosen name and phone number are public. So, joining the Group doesn't do much to compromise privacy, no?

Membership will be by Administrator approval only.

Maybe five ASA members can agree to become Administrators until Janmastami?? Then Regional Members can contact them if anything needs to be posted on the Whatsapp Group. Of course, in general it is just a broadcast for Tom Brown to notify Members of the different immediate events such as lectures etc.

O.K.?