Letters to the editor

Dear Maharaj:

Pamho. AgtSP. Hare Krsna!

1. First off, thank you for your referral to Sri Kara das. I found him quite pleasant and very well informed. He also told me of his prior associat with the BI in the East Bay. I look forward to developing a nice association with him. Again, thanks!

2. I discussed with him my findings regarding Gaura Purnima dates and he agrees there is a real problem. Moreover, he doesn't even use the GBC Vaishnava calendar finding it full of errors including Ekadasi dates. He also told me that he doesn't even know where to begin to address these issues inside Iskcon GBC.

3. He also recommends an educational program regarding Vedic (Hindu) astrology for Iskcon/Gaudiya Vaishnava Krsna devotees. I certainly agree that an educational program is needed for the proper study of Vedic astronomy which should include Hindu astrology.

4. Nonetheless, I'm ready to start with appropriate GBC individuals responsible for the Vaisnava calendar. Let's start with the top and give a power person I can talk with.

5. Also, regarding the Zodiac and the 5th Canto. Yes, of course, they are listed but this topic requires some discussion which I will postpone to a future post.

Yhs, Saranga Thakura das

Hanuman Ki Jaya!

HpS - ASA - Jaya.   We hope that your moments of Peace and Clarity are expanding more and more.   They are very nice.   How is the Japa vrata.

READERS: Saranga Thakura Das, anu das, anu das, is in Alaska and fighting with super physical health problems.

Saranga - I don't know so much about the GBC astrology community.  The person who comes to mind is Prahlad-ananda Swami.  Of course, these are super, Super, SUPER, S U P E R, busy people so you have to approach them as you are in this letter, with the motivational necessity of your interests shinning in the forefront.

prahladananda swami <[email protected]>

AGT Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

AGTSP PAMHO

Accept my Dandavats Dear Guru Maharaja!!!

In your last visit to chile you mentioned that for 3 or 4 devotees who had Shelter on You but somehow or other they lose (i.e. breakin principles or movin away of sadhu sanga) it would be necessary to write a new commitment. and now they  come back to the process but slowly and My questions are :  Do they be treated as a devotee in Prabhupada´s asraya stage? or in the Guru Asraya Stage???  all my questions are in the Case they want to take a future initiation.

HpS - ASA -  AGTSP   pamho.    In the Upadesamrta etc. Srila Prabhupada makes distinction between Hari-nama Diksa (1st initition) and Gayatri Diksa (2nd initiation).  Everything else, Aspirant, are things created by GBC and individual Gurus.    I only use, and as far as I know officially, the GBC only use Aspirant, which means that one has to be following properly for six months.  Then they can become official Aspirant.  If they follow for six months more they take first initiation.  The designations that you mention are I think ones that Jayapataka Maharaja uses.

Sorry for taking  your Your precious time for this enqueries. And thank you for your advice and Enlightment.

your servant

Om Kesavaya Dasa

AGTSri Guru y Sri Gauranga

TLGSP PAMHR

Querido Guru Maharaja por favor acepte mis reverencias a sus pies de Loto!!!

En su ultima visita a Chile, hubieron 3 o 4 devotos que tenias refugio formal en UD. pero de una u otra manera la perdieron para ellos es necesario re tomar los votos otra vez. mis preguntas son:Ellos deben ser considerados como en la etapa Guru Asraya??? o en Prabhupada Asraya??? en el caso de que ellos quieran tomar futura Iniciación de Ud o de otro Guru Iniciador.

Mis disculpas por hacerle erder su tiempo y muchas gracias por su consejo e iluminacion en este tema.

su sirviente 

Om Kesavaya Dasa

HpS -  Thank you for your precious time, association in Japa Joe workshop.   What are you doing?   Studying in secular world, becoming a millionaire?  Selling books!

Dear Maharaj:

Pamho. AgtSP.

1. Actually, every 32.5 months (2.8 years) to keep the two in sync. The Vedic method of calculation is quite old and pre-dates contact with the Greeks which intoduced the sign of the Zodiac and methods to calculated the estimated positions of the planets. I don't think too many devotees ( or people) know this fact. The point is that the Vedic method of 28 nakshastras is perfect all by itself but using signs of the Zodiac is easier to visualize and not a bad place to start, especially for us Westerners.

2. I have not yet contacted any Vedic atrologers but will take this next step with Srikaradas. However, please send me your current email address so that I can keep you in the loop. I really want to keep you in the loop, so that it adds more credibililty to the discussion.

3. Thanks Maharaj very much for taking this matter seriously. Over time, it will become obvious to each person that looks at it.

YHS, Saranga Thakur

Haribolo!

HpS - Jaya!     Just send copies of the letters you send and receive from Sri Kari Das to the Blog here.           The signs of the Zodiac are in the SB, Canto Five, no?

Dear Gurudeva Maharaj:

Pamho. AgtSP!

Thanks for hanging in there with me on this important topic!  The simpliest explanation I can come up with is that Gaura Purinama is always the last full moon of the  seasonal (tropical) year which ends BEFORE  the first day of Spring (Vernal Equinox) or BEFORE March 20th  (3/20) of the new calendar year;  the new devotional year begins the day after THIS FULL MOON.

The next projected date for Gaura Purnima as per the calendar produced by Iskcon GBC for the end of this year 526 is Mar 27th, 2013,  which is 7 days PAST  the Vernal Equinox (3/20). THIS IS THE PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL: One third of the dates we have been celebrating as the Lord's birthday (GP) have been AFTER the Spring equinox. This is a clear No No. The correct date  for Gaura Purnima 526 should be Feb 26th 2013.

I really hope this helps helps clarify the problem and the need for change.

Your Humble Servant, Saranga Thakura

Haribolo!

HpS - AGTSP   pamho.   The general idea is a little more clear.   Seems that we are talking about the differences that result from the contrasts with the luna calendar and the solar calendar, no?    For this there is an extra month every few years to put the two in sync.

Have you discussed this with any ISKCON astrologers?   One nice one is Srikara Das [email protected]  

Jay Srila Prabhupada !
Jay Sri Vrindavam Dham!

Pranams dear gurdeva, my humble service to you and your students blessed.
Here we are, even keeping my vows and commitments (Radha Krishna Mercy)
I followed his advice and some things are taking better color.
I am applying for a Music scholarship to India, krishna is doing these things, often i acted selfishly with these plans, just thinking about me  but i know, Bhakti music is my goal.
I dont know how to surrender to you dear guruji, my mind today seems like a volcano in eruption, many desires and little kindness.
Im doing the same service in the temple, worship deities, cooking, 12 horas kirtan program(This month we meet ONE year of this program), respectful Vaishnava Sanga, Reading wonderful Vaishnava poems (songs); I have a question in relation to this ¿Can i sing or read about Mira bhai? I know the story and is very devotional.
I miss her association Guruji
I hope to be useful in your mission.
My life at your service
Lalita Madhava Das

HpS - ASA -  AGTSP   paoho   Esteemed Mad Man.     Thank you for your letter. All our generla news in the DTC.    Soooo nice to hear from yoiu.        Mira bhai.  I think Prabhupada liked "her" and her songs, but she is just not clear enough to be regular food on the table to ISKCON devotees.

For example, scholars say that there are like six times more songs written by "Mirabhai" after the date of her death than while she was alive.

Hmmm?   See the problem?            Seems she existed and was a nice devotee. Maybe she had some little attachments here and there, but there is no paramapara acharya from her to give her to us clearly. So many of her songs are written by many other people after she left.

So... as general Vaisnava poetry it can be nice. We have to judge it in terms of the Acharyas and in the Temple programs seems Prabhupada thought it not correct. In public cultural programs, even in the Temple, Prabhupada was more liberal.

Let's see your other letter.

Dear Maharaj:

Pamho. AgtSP. Hare Krsna!

I only have time for a short response. I realize this is more difficult to explain than I thought it would be but I'll work that out. For now, regarding your last response, sometimes we are celebrating Guara Purnima a month late but not always. This past GP celebrated on 3/8/2012 was the correct date. However, the next one to be celebrated on 3/27/2013 will be one month late.  I will explain this in more detail in my next post.

Yhs, Saranga Thakura das

HpS - Jaya!   We are advancing!    AGTSP    pamho..