Letters to the editor

hare krsna maharaj,
Pamho, agtsp

according to this post
https://www.facebook.com/drew.danaher/posts/1561252760568159

"Please join us in prayers for a very dear young friend of mine, Raktak Das who just left his body in Vrindavan on Ekadasi! Was only 44, but apparently had a heart attack, leaving his wife and 3 children behind! "

I am actually shocked. I just read his letter to you.

@ritu raj prabhu can you confirm this

harsh

HpS - Yes, Dhanesvari Dasi and Dhruva Das called us from Australia to tell us and then we called Param Das in Vrndavana who had all the news and was helping with all the arrangements. We then Tweeted the news and Tweeted a link to a pptx show that we put in our Archives about him.  It is named "raktak-das.pptx" as I remember. Thank you for posting this. You could have called us also if you wanted.

Of course, it is sad, shocking that we will not have his direct association. It is like going to see your father, husband, brother, brother-in-law off on a boat for China from San Francisco where he will work for 18-months before the time of air travel. You are very sad not to see him for the time, but you know you will see him again, there will be letters, little presents, telegrams, long distance phone calls once a month, and then a big reunion with big news, gifts after 20-months.

On the other hand it is one of the most glorious departures of which I have ever heard. He had just come from the Panjab where he attened the wedding of his niece, Silky, so he and his good wife and children had finished his responsibity as an uncle in this life. They were only staying in Vraja for two nights. He arrived, next morning went to see Krsna-Balarama and then had some dizziness. He asked to go see a Doctor. He was with his nephew Chunky and a very, very intense, life long, Brijabasi friend, Jaga-mohan.

They took him to see the doctor, and the doctor told him that it was not a minor thing, that he had just had a heart attack, and could have another more severe one at any moment. He apparently laughed it off, had another heart attack and died, leaving his body in Vrndavana on Ekadasi, during the month of Katyayani vrata. We were doing Nir-jal ekadasi, which we haven't done in maybe 15-years.

He loved the Vraja-vasis, they loved him. All the ISKCON devotees knew him and loved him. His real home was Vraja, not Australia or Fazilka, Panjab. When the cremation takes place the Temple President, the Temple Barber and half of Rama-reti may be there.

Of course, Priya, his good wife, can be classified as one of the most fortunate mortals on the face of the earth to have such a husband, but of course, she also has the right to go half-mad with grief, but I don't think she should worry about who will love her and take care of her and the children now. While she is in Vraja she will be surrounded by and ocean of people, then when she goes home there is her sister, mother, brother-in-law and there must be so many of her and Raktaka's friends. If Krsna took him in this way then Krsna will take personal responsibility for his family responsibilities.

In our Guru Disciple relationship he had been expressing a lot of frustration that he had not been advancing as much as he wanted for many years and that he felt he was cheating his family and the devotees by not becoming more austere. In such a state we sometimes pray repeatedly to Krsna and Balarama to FORCIBLY drag us forward. Maybe that is what has happened.

We see an incredibly auspicious, glorious, aspect to this event (trying to avoid our feelings of separation now) and expect that bigger things are yet to come from Raktaka Das.  Maybe we will see an excellent street dog lounging at Jag-mohan's house after a few months taking lots of Maha-prasada with a humorous glint in his eye.

How many days after the passing due we have the "Sraddha ceremony".  His picture can be by the altar in his Temple, any Temple, any ISKCON altar, and first Maha-prasada offered, and nice recollection of his Vaisnava qualties, at the Sunday feast, no?  We will cook for him. He once said that our cooking was very simple but completely satisfying. Purnima festival.

He has not left us, he is leading us, lets go!!!

acepte mis mas humildes y respetuosas reverencias .

todas las glorias  a srila prabhupada y al movimiento de sankirta.

gurudeva ,estamos muy felices de su pronta visita esperamos estar en su vyasapuja,disculpeme  por no escribir tan seguido , mi esposa es mas constante y me informa siempre de sus actividades , participamos en los programas y el restaurante es nuestra predica principal, mi esposa va dar a luz hoy dia  es un niño  y nos gustaria que usted le de el nombre y  pedir sus bendiciones ,  le enviaremos fotos del bebe.

tambien empezaremos la maraton de srila prabhupada , nos pusimos la meta de  6000 libros, mi esposa y  el pequeño govinda envian sus reverencias,  por favor envienos sus bendiciones  nos vemos pronto en mexico df, vamos  air un grupo de devotos de monterrey.

att su aspirante  a sirviente  gadadhar gosai das

HpS - Hare Krsna!    Best wishes for the Mother!   She did not tell us of this wonderful event. Please write to us as soon as the baby arrives and we can try to help with a name. Also any suggestions for name that you have.

Dear Gurudeva, PAMHO

We have received the association of HH Bhakti Gaura Vani Goswami in Lima, who gave us very much energy to service Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON. Maharaja is a great artist.

I continue perform service in NIMSAR. I present me like a servant, I feel I have to help others , but I know some times the people don’t want help and nevertheless I have a NIMSAR commitment and I want to work up to have gray hair.

HpS - ASA --  Oh, you will stop before white hair! <img alt="wink" height="23" src="http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/wink_smile.png" title="wink" width="23" />

We are keeping the NIMSAR service within our heart and many devotees want collaborate with NIMSAR but we need an appropriate system. NIMSAR direction is something nebulous. (Management)

I consider a part of NIMSAR strategy, for example:

Hitherto our strategy has been develop NIMSAR in 3 items: Promotion, integration and service:

Promotion: To inform and invite devotees to NIMSAR, to associate NIMSAR with other educators like Aravinda, Baladeva….

Integration: To take advantage the talents of our collaborators. Acintya veda aveda tattva, we know the people work better in little groups. But we must have the ability to integrate them. It is interdependent work.

Service: To give the confidence that their service have a valuable.

We think we can improve in the Communication Topic:

Communication: Internal (to develop an appropriated environment – good association) and external (With authorities).

When we can offer a properly environment for all this interdependent and autonomous teams we can grow spiritually and institutionally. So we should give a healthy level of fluid and transparent communication.

The Proposal is to have interdependent NIMSAR branches with work autonomy, like NIMSAR LIMA and NIMSAR CHOSICA. In this way, we can receive and respect the work of all collaborators and not lose the talent of many different devotees.

The crisis: I think we all have bad or hard day, it is normal. It is our opportunity to improve and change. I know what I say is not going to like but we have enthusiasm without head. (Management - Driving)

INTEGRATION CRISIS (for example)

LAD doesn’t want to work with Gandarva.

Yugala doesn’t want to work with Jivasakti.

We need more collaborators and need open our NIMSAR to people with other abilities. There is more details, but it is not necessary to tell.

It is my opinion, I am an artisan half an artist, 40 % sudra, and 60% anything. I am attached to the form and when I can’t see that I become dissatisfied. Now I have to fight to improve these objectives, integration, service, etc.

ys abhinanda das

HpS - 90% of your success has just been accomplished. You wrote such a nice letter to this ASA Blog.   This Blog, the Kapi Dhvaja are the Backbone of ASA. ASA is a Branch of ISKCON. We have lost contact with Tamohara Das, our GBC Secretary. Written to Anuttama Das, other GBC Secretary about it!

First understand your nature and responsibilities. Then you can relate to others who have that resolved.

We can only work in detail with a maximum of about 5-people. In this Blog we can relate to so many in general. One Branch in Lima is all we can handle! [We are also consultant to Abhirama Das and Sattva, but they are more like Branch of NIOS, and Nitai-gaura-sundara Das].

What kind of ASA activities do you want, need, to do!

Think BIG, b-r-o-a-d and . . 

D

E

E

P !    !

Term “mataji”

Hits in SP Folio.

In books there are no hits for the term mataji.

In lectures 10, conversations 11, letters 21 hits. Total 42.

~

This question was raised by Pariksit Maharaja when Sukadeva Gosvami described the rasa-lila. So that... "Krsna appeared on this material world, dharma-samsthapanarthaya, paritranaya sadhunam [Bg. 4.8], dharma-samsthapanarthaya. So why He violated these rules of dharma?" Violation because, according to Vedic civilization, nobody can mix with other's wife or other woman. Even in moral principle, as Canakya Pandita said, matrvat para-daresu. "All women should be treated just like mother." Not like the present society. Formerly, every woman should be addressed as "mother," Mataji. And now they have invented "Bahinji." No. Woman should be addressed as "mother." Matrvat para-daresu.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 4.14 -- Vrndavana, August 6, 1974

Devotee: When you address a woman do you use the word "Mataji"? Is that the right, proper word for her?

Prabhupada: Mataji. Yes, very good. "Mother." All right. Chant. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 4.14 -- Vrndavana, August 6, 1974

So senses are so strong. Balavan indriya-gramah. It is prohibited. What to speak of others. Therefore, the common moral teachings and the Vedic civilization is to accept any woman except his own wife as mother. Matrvat para-daresu. Para-daresu. Everyone is supposed to be married. Dara means wife. Para-daresu, other's wife. It doesn't matter if she is younger or older, but she should be treated as mother. Therefore it is the system in Vedic culture, as soon as one sees another woman, she (he) addresses her, "mother," Mataji. Immediately, "mother." That makes the relationship. The woman treats the unknown man as son, and the unknown man treats the unknown woman as mother. This is Vedic civilization. So we should be very careful. In our society, you are all Godbrothers, Godsisters. Or those who are married, they are like mothers. So you should be very careful. Then you will remain dhira, sober. That is brahminical qualification, brahminical culture. Not that "Because I have got facilities to intermingle with nice girls, so I shall take advantage and exploit them." Or the girls should take... No. Therefore our restriction: no illicit sex.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.13 -- Los Angeles, September 18, 1972

That is the system still in India, any unknown woman who has no introduction with you, (s)he is addressed "Mataji." Address her. She may be just like daughter or granddaughter, but one would address, as a respect to the woman, as "Mother, Mataji." This is Indian system. Now some rascals have introduced "Bhaginiji, sister." But that is not shastric. In the sastra, all the woman, except one's wife, should be addressed as "Mother."

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.10 -- Los Angeles, January 7, 1974

Except his own wife, he should treat all women outside, taking them as mother. Therefore, still in Hindu society, every woman is addressed by an unknown man, "mother." It doesn't matter if a person is unknown. He can speak with another woman, addressing him first..., addressing her first, "mother," "mataji." Then nobody will be offended. This is the etiquette.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.56-57 -- Bombay, August 14, 1975

Woman should be looked as mother. Still in India, a unknown woman should be addressed, "Mother." They have introduced now in the northern India, bahinji (?). No, this was not the etiquette. "Mataji." This is Indian culture, not bahinji (?).

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976

Now Mataji requested me to explain one verse, so I have tried to explain.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Radhastami, Srimati Radharani's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 30, 1968

Perhaps Mataji knows this. (chuckles)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Appearance Day, Evening -- Gorakhpur, February 15, 1971

Boliya mataji. Prasna boliya? There should be question. (another long silence)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Lecture Engagement at Birla House -- Bombay, December 17, 1975

No, she is different. I know one Mataji. She came to see me from Vrndavana in Los Angeles. She's in London.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Allen Ginsberg -- May 11, 1969, Columbus, Ohio

Prabhupada: Mataji?

Allen Ginsberg: Srimata Krsnaji.

Guest (1): Mathura, I think this Mataji lives so(?).

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Allen Ginsberg -- May 13, 1969, Columbus, Ohio

(chuckles) And that Mataji, she has taken land.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Meeting with Devotees -- June 9, 1969, New Vrindaban

In Bombay we can go to you..."Mataji we have no more money, please give me some."

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation -- July 5, 1972, London

But why a woman should be refused? This is not authentic. Why Rupa Gosvami should refuse her? They were bhiksu, madhukari. So when one goes for bhiksa, so how he can check that he will not see any woman? How it is possible? He has to go to the householder, "Mataji, a capati lijiye."(?) Or he'll stand. Generally woman comes to give capati. So how it is possible to restrict the eyes? That is, he does not...I think I cannot accept this, that Rupa Gosvami refused. Why he should refuse? Vaisnava is kind. But we must mix with women cautiously. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. He never says, "Only to the men."

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation -- December 26, 1976, Bombay

My Dear Kedar Mataji,

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Kedar Mataji -- Los Angeles 25 January, 1969

Regarding this Syama-Mataji Dasi from Vrindaban, does she sing Hare Krishna Mantra or not?

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Malati -- Los Angeles 28 January, 1969

I understand that Mataji Syama Devi is back there in London, so she will also help in your efforts.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Syamasundara -- San Francisco 5 April, 1969

And what about Mataji? When she was here she assured me so many things hopeful that she wants to work conjointly. I understand that Syamasundara. has gone to Mataji to build an altar. This means that she has already started the temple. She wanted me also to go to London, and I told her that as soon as opening of temple is assured, I shall go to London, leaving aside all other engagements here. But since she has departed she has not written me anything, although I have written her one letter forwarded through Malati, acknowledging receipt of her book, Mataji Charitavali.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Gurudasa -- Allston, Mass 27 April, 1969

If you have no place to live together immediately, ask Mataji to give you a place.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Gurudasa -- Allston, Mass 27 April, 1969

Regarding Mataji, she must have some trouble because she has done something which is nescience.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Gurudasa -- Columbus, Ohio 15 May, 1969

… as well as one letter from Mataji Syamadevi in Hindi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mukunda -- New Vrindaban 22 May, 1969

When Mataji Syamadevi came to see me...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mukunda -- New Vrindaban 22 May, 1969

On the whole, Mataji Syamadevi is ready to cooperate with me...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mukunda -- New Vrindaban 22 May, 1969

...either send it yourself or through Mataji, ...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mukunda -- New Vrindaban 22 May, 1969

Mataji Syamadevi has invited ….

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 26 May, 1969

I am writing Mataji Syamadasi in Hindi,… …. on the principles of Mataji,

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yamuna -- New Vrindaban 27 May, 1969

Regarding Mataji, I have noted your remarks...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 3 June, 1969

Regarding Mataji Syamadevi's temple ...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mukunda -- New Vrindaban 10 June, 1969

I understand that Mataji is going to donate one pair of Sri Murtis.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yamuna -- New Vrindaban 21 June, 1969

I learned that Mataji has arranged for the Radha-Krishna Deities for our temple.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1969

Regarding Mataji Syamadevi, she cannot live there at any circumstance.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Mukunda -- Los Angeles 2 July, 1969

Regarding Mataji Syamadevi, she wanted to give us some pairs of Deities, but since she has left the USA she has not mentioned what she is going to do. … In any case, if Mataji does not contribute the Deities, I shall take with me some Deities when I go to London.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yamuna -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1969

I am pleased to learn that you now have Radha-Krishna Murtis given to you by Mataji Syamadevi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yamuna -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969

You were very much anxious to worship Radha Krsna Deity and you took one pair from Mataji. At that time I advised you to wait. Now when the pair of Deities were taken by Mataji again and you were little bit sorry...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yamuna, Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 16 April, 1970

Hoping this will meet you and your good wife, Mataji, in strong health and lively mood.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Hamsaduta -- Bombay 10 January, 1972

Mataji Himavati can train your wife or someone how to worship the deities nicely, and you both stay there for the time being.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Krsna dasa -- Bombay 10 January, 1972

====================

HpS - We also remember where Prabhupada was talking about Narayani Devi Dasi and said, "Mother Narayani".   We feel it is just as respectable a title as Maharaja for a Sannyasi.  Of course, there is not resticition to say, Narayani Mataji, Prabhu, no?

Living and knowing we can die at any moment

Dear Guru Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

How can I live by knowing and thinking that I will die at any moment ? That this is maybe the last breath?

If I know I will be dying at the next moment or hour or even week, I will right away close all my jobs, probably stop eating, drinking and catch japamala and chant. If finances would allow, go to Mayapur or Vrindavan or any welcoming ISKCON temple. That I will do if I knew I am going to die at next moment/hour/week. I will not think about all the complexities of job, health, food, broken car, broken heating system, humidity and mold in the house, whatever is going on in a world near me or far from me which affect my activities now. Surely, will try to close down things that are possible to close down in a nice manner. Like kiss dear wife goodbye and pay whatever bills are there to pay. Close people will probably understand me, knowing that I will be leaving, passing away to the other side :-)

All this looks pretty different than what I am doing and how am living now, even knowing that this may be the last breath. There are different things that I try to continue rolling on because they are kind of needed for a continuation of average human life now on this planet and country.

Hmmm… I am not sure if I expressed myself enough.

Pariksit Maharaja knew that he will “die”. So he closed down the business and sat down hearing Krsna-katha. Not doing any other thing. That is different than what he was doing before that. He took care of his job and engaged in other relationships needed for functioning of societal activities.

So, how can I live practically today, tomorrow… and still knowing this is (may be) last moment?

Your servant Namacarya das

HpS - Jaya!!!   You must have been The Count of Croatia in your last lifetime. Time to get back to the postion? Run for President of Croatia??
I think the difference is in between, "Knowing we will die in the next moment", and "Knowing that we may die", no?   Because we may also, "Be living the next moment?"

Is good?

Fool thinks that he will live forever and plans that way.

Intelligent man, Muni, has his travel bag packed, his wife informed that he may go, his accounts in order so that if others take over they can continue the companies business with GREAT ENTHUSIAM.

Is O.K.  Your questions makes me think.
Can you send a picture of your family? Father et al??

Now we write the DTC....            BG 13.8-12 … “…Unless we have a pessimistic view of this material life, considering the distresses of birth, death, old age and disease, there is no impetus for our making advancement in spiritual life….”

Dec 31 - Arrive Delhi 11.35 PM

Jan 1st to Tirupatti - Vaisnava Christian Dialog
5th to Chennai - SB Symposium
9th to Calcutta

Above fixed

18th to 25th, Manipur etc.
25th to Feb 1st, Delhi Vraja
Feb 1st to 8th Navi Mumbai, Pune etc
8th to 10th Calcutta
10th to 14th - Mayapura Guru, Sannyasi, GBC Sanga etc.

14th Kolkatta to Houston.

Please circulate this and start to fill in the details or suggest changes.