Letters to the editor

­­­10.14.16

Dear Maharaja Hanumat Presaka Swami,

please accept my humble obeisance’s, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

As requested a synopsis of my current observations of reported opinions on ISKCON’s managing affairs. Am submitting as is for Kartik is upon us and feel this needs to be delivered prior. Apologies for late response, Seva has been overwhelming, as usual, which is could be another write in its self.

  
Have recently discovered some controversial articles dealing with Srila Prabhupada’s “Body”,
Our ISKCON institution seems to occasionally have a bit of sand mixed in the sweet rice,  even while the milk is boiling.

The first article I caught was his grace Bhakti Vikasa Swami’s (BVKS) Vyasa puja offering. His reflecting of observations and negative recognition in his efforts to please Srila Prabhupada seemed saddened. Although I’ve only glimpsed his book he referred to, I can understand his perspective as a Sannyasi and how that might be taken by others. “What is the difficulty?” as his grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami coined… guess the difficulty is individual interpretations.

As far as I can tell BVKS is most sincere in his work and was a bit hurt by the offended reactions to his work. When discretion and denial are at a fine line it must take great wisdom to know the difference, not for the weak. Maharaja is not necessarily outspoken but more direct in sharing Srila Prabhupada’s practicalities. He also reveals some apprehensive and duplicity of GBC management thus insuring controversy and distancing in his Vyasa-puja offering. It’s confirmed with BVKS’ current efforts Kali-yuga is working and is dangerous as ever, he remains faithful and secure, surrendering again to his Spiritual Master. Now how the rest of the devotee’s feel is another story. Let’s hope Maharaja’s example will pervade beyond words and bring better service out of this.
http://bvks.com/reader/articles/vyasa_puja_offering_to_srila_prabhupada_2016/

HpS - ASA --- I never got the chance to look at Majaraja's book. I have read some of this biographys and come in contact with him personally during several events.  We saw a lot of popular reactions to his book being banned from ISKCON gift stores and ISKCON official events. We don't know the details.

From our limited point of view, Maharaja can be a little rough in his presentation at times, but his courage in presenting truth makes that a very, very tolerable feature.

In the end he changed the cover of his book and GBC raised its ban, no?

Prthu Maharaja and Indra in the Sixth Canto!

Thank you.

More!!!
The second article is dated, 2006, is about the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) by Jayo Das Prabhu. It deals in relations to financial appropriations and the diverse leadership with standings of dispute on BI’s preaching management leaning on scientific academic recognition and less effort on specific promulgating.

Some conflicts in financing with BBT and Temples also have eroded with this situation, especially with Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI). Seems something so important to Srila Prabhupada and should be a bit more high-profile and monitored.
 

Original quotes from Srila Prabhupada in the late 70’s was $10K a month was allocated to BI (printed in “Ocean of Mercy” by HH M. Bhakti Caru Swami), from what I’ve gleaned that is no longer the case. Promoting  valid Vedic philosophy to significant people seems what his devine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta had in mind, why is deviancy so easily allowed? Obviously the first problem is in management not “managing and/or monitoring”. Is this out of political indifference, uncomfortable bedfellows or just turning a blind eye? Hard to tell sometimes and seems to have been swept under the rug time being. The BI department doesn’t get the same headlines as others, yet it is a most beneficial project for ultimate recognized promulgation. Sure there will be more to come if the existing devotee scientists keep vigilant.

https://www.scribd.com/document/57075074/HG-Jayo-Das-on-BI-and-GBC
 

The third clincher is in video format form Prabhu Krishna Kirti (PKK) and is quite informative on aspects of current mentalities in management versus past precedence’s. Also interesting is PKK’s re-cap on BVKS’ Mothers & Masters along with reminders of past foundational purposes. Some firm stances on existing Vaisnava guidelines.

PKK also has a various charts and documentations of evolved thought and structured mentalities, the process of “modern social evolution” thus far, along with the GBC’s progressions too. PKK has done his homework and is very thorough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sTZnzy-XTY

The standards set by Srila Prabhupada are impeccable for time, place & circumstance. Such adjustments are not for a common man, yet as individuals we each have to make choices too. Not to get lost on simple queries of daily activities that is mundane maintenance, to grasp the grand picture of sadhana and self-realization, even when there are agitations of the bodily and mental platform. As Vaisesika Prabhu mentioned in his book “Family Business” in the chapter “Thoughtfulness Principle” that there are “unchangeable principles” and “adjustable details”.

Seems this is where the Guru is further needed, to reveal what priorities are needed to gain strength in our daily practices so as not to get overwhelmed by the external proclivities, false and true. Best trick is having a regulated life-style that complements our abilities in bhakti-yoga, if this isn’t done the pursuant of sadhana is very difficult even with proper instructions. So, it seems the first land-mark for strong faith will be a regulated schedule of devotional practice

Being a 3^rd party late comer to this fine ISKCON movement there’s been a lot of water under the bridge. Poison conspiracies, Ritviks’, court cases with cloned ISKCON devotees… the list goes on. Since as a fence-sitting “servant-in-training” my opinion is limited and not that important, regardless when the foundation is weak we must repair it, of course getting authorization to repair is another story. Be nice to do something significant for our 50th year here. Another difficulty in this age of Kali is that truth and honesty are suffering so much it makes it difficult to grasp what the truth is; one can spend more time researching than actually solving a problem.

In full, we should always avoid false premise on un-confirmed opinions, we should also minimize harsh and overtly critical commentaries while keeping honest rapport in expressing our observations verbal or written. Keeping open dialogue may bring further clarity in the depths of sadhana bhakti, ultimately we still must walk the walk to get results.

Thank you for your valuable time Maharaja!

Your servant in training,

ccd

Hare Krsna Maharaja

AgtSP

Agt Radha-Krsna

I hope you are fine in all respects. I'm fine.

Budanath das from the little mountain.

Currently I have changed jobs, and have begun to study health care in emergencies. So between work (which is hard and at night), and studies, I do not sleep more than five hours most days, and over I'm finishing a course on hockey pretty intense, and I am overwhelmed (I hope to finish and soon pass this course) and so I could have a little more time on the weekend and regain some of my rounds.

In order to compensate for my lack of sadhana and yoga, I'm trying not stop chanting Hare Krishna / RAMA all the time, and I get especially at work, as it is quite repetitive and mechanical. When I go out I'm so tired that I forget, but I'm trying to fix it.

HpS - We have to make priorities in life. Krsna will never punish us for chanting 16-nice rounds under the authority of Srila Prabhupada!

I've noticed that when I recite all the time HARE Krishna, becomes a little empty if not one's ability to project through the association in the spiritual plane. As if reciting the Holy Names, take you to the association on another plane, spiritual, heart to heart, and if I do not seat on that plane, and I make this material reality pass through that plane where I should be, the recitation of the Holy Names becomes something material, through my fault, and loses steam.

HpS - Yes, sometimes is better to chant Bhajans or SB verses besides our 16-rounds.

On the other hand, I keep my own personal fight against this world, and more and more people like me who decide to join the fight against the evil of this world. The nicest thing is that everyone does it for love of the world and neighbor, not for any material gain, but for children, the world and all its inhabitants ... and for us too, of course.

It's nice to see that there are good people in the world, very different from each other. Many times I forget, and wish the world burned in the fire. It is true that I am sometimes a bit radical, but thanks to many good people, my mind returns to its natural site

I try to prepare my small, to learn everything I can, and then he can walk his way with an inner knowing nothing like the normal people. We sang rounds together, and explain a little Upadesamrta. And I talk a lot of basics that does not understand but already absorbed, and bear fruit in the future if Krsna wants and he allows.

I think about your arguments about that all the magic is done by Krsna and not us ... I totally agree, but when I see witches do their arts, I want to do "my art" and return it harshly. I know that chanting Hare Krsna all the time, if the mantra wants, it is immediate, and if he does not want to, no. I know because I've lived it. But I get very angry sometimes not be immediately ... I'm a little angry at times. I have not seen that only Hare Krishna not be effective. but I have two questions, I'd like to give me your opinion to see the matter in a broader way.

HpS -   Only Krsna and Balarama kill demons in Vraja.  We have to go to next letter now. It is 9PM!   Maybe send rest of this letter again!       Thank you for your creative, Krsna conscious life!!!!  More!

-How can I recite it constantly to witches who try to mess and absorb the minds of people without falling into a ritualistic process (I imagine not wanting a specific outcome in my own way and taste)?

-Shall I better use it to open my heart and dazzle with a stream of light to these people?

I try to be better devotee and not be so attached to my way of seeing things. I think it is also true that many of these people are deceived by what I call "spider brains." A person is only really bad, and others are driven by mental movements of these spider people, and are as only half bad because they do not realize they are being deceived and means controlled by these evil brains. The problem is that if they take much longer to realize, it will be too late to return back. They'll be very transformed and engaged, and only a very very fat would make them open their eyes, and that if they are lucky.

As always, it is a pleasure to write. Best of the week.

Please Maharaja, I know it's not normal, but ask Nrsimhadeva for me, that I would love to fight in their lilas many lives, with great friends.

Yours, Budanath das. A fool who considers you his friend, and other big too.

Have very good weeks with all your issues and programs so big and amazing. And a big hello.

HARE KRSNA.

Dear Gurumaharaja please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am writing you from Chile with the intense desire to let you know about our service with our musical group "Krishna Sambandha". 

We are participating in a contest to play this year at the Music Festival "IF FIIs" in which an audience of 10 thousand people are expected. More than 1500 bands worldwide postulated for this event and Krishna Sambandha was among the 14 selected. We  need the support of all devotees so were are asking everyone to give a like on facebook via the following link: 

https://www.facebook.com/iFMusicOficial/posts/1158312567559155

We want to share the Maha Mantra Hare Krishna with thousands of souls along with a deep and sincere message of spiritual life and Krishna consciousness.

So we want to ask your blessings on this service because it is very important for all of us to receive them.

Without taking more of your time, I want to tell you that all devotees miss you a lot in Chile and they are sending their bows and affection to you. 

Thank you so much. 

with deep afection. 

your eternal servant, Abhimanyu Das

HpS - AGTSP! Paoho.  We hope everyone here in the Blog sends to the FaceBook and we will send this to our Yahoo Group in Tennessee and hope they send it to VNN, Pamho, etc!    We also miss being in Chile, walks on the Alameda, Kirtan.  See you in April!!!  Send news of your activities, your father!

Vaisnavi

• Folio hits: 13 lectures, 3 conversations, 2 correspondence, ...

"That personality is Govinda, the Supreme Person. I am offering my respectful obeisances." So Maya is acting under the direction of Krsna just like the shadow is moving under the movement of the original. So Maya's position is not degraded. Don't think like that. Therefore Vaisnava offers all respect to Maya because she is working under Krsna. She is Vaisnavi. She is also energy of Krsna. Therefore she is also Vaisnavi. In the Candi... (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.8-12 -- Los Angeles, November 27, 1968

Devotee: What does the name Vaisnavi mean?

Prabhupada: Vaisnavi?

Devotee: Yes. You gave my daughter the name Vaisnavi.

Prabhupada: Oh.

Pradyumna: It is...

Prabhupada: "Associated with Vaisnava."

Devotee: I saw in Krsna book two you explained that Vaisnavi is another name of Yogamaya.

Prabhupada: Yes. You do not like? (laughter) Yes. So let your daughter become a Durga. Why you are afraid of? So now no more talking. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.2 -- London, August 18, 1971

That is stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta. But Haridasa Thakura was not entrapped, because he was strong, strong enough. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti. Maya could not do anything. Although Maya came there at dead of night, very beautiful, attractive dress, attractive feature, attractive words -- this is maya -- so he was not allured. The... Rather, the vesya, or the prostitute, became converted into a Vaisnavi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.32 -- Vrndavana, August 13, 1974

So, in these two verses the important point is that Draupadi is sympathetic. That is Vaisnava. She is Vaisnavi. This is the attitude of the Vaisnava. Para-duhkha-duhkhi. Vaisnava is para-duhkha-duhkhi. That is Vaisnava's qualification. He doesn't care for his own personal distresses. But he, a Vaisnava becomes aggrieved, distressed, when other is suffering.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.47-48 -- Vrndavana, October 6, 1976

So the feeling of Vaisnava is like that. Similarly, Draupadi is Vaisnavi. She is feeling more than herself, the wife of Dronacarya, mother of Asvatthama, how she will feel. Therefore Vaisnava's qualification is, para-duhkha-duhkhi. Personally a Vaisnava is not unhappy, but a Vaisnava becomes unhappy for others" distress.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.47-48 -- Vrndavana, October 6, 1976

But you know the story of Haridasa. He was young man at that time, and one man instigated a prostitute, young prostitute, to deviate him, but she was unable. On the other hand, the prostitute became a Vaisnavi. This is the difference between a devotee and a nondevotee.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.63 -- Vrndavana, August 30, 1975

Jaya-gopala: What type of living entity is Mayadevi?

Prabhupada: She is Vaisnavi. She is great devotee of Krsna. But she has accepted a thankless task, to punish. The policeman is a sincere government servant, but he has accepted a task, nobody likes him. (laughs)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.8 -- Seattle, October 21, 1968

Just like this child. She has taken birth having Vaisnava father and mother. So she must have been a Vaisnavi or a Vaisnava in her previous life.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 7.91-2 -- Vrndavana, March 13, 1974

Tamala Krsna: No, no. Is Maya, Mayadevi, a pure devotee?

Prabhupada: Yes, certainly. The police force, are they not honest servant of the government? Does it mean the police force tortures you; therefore they're rejected from the government servant? Their task is thankless task, that's all. Similarly, Maya is also serving Krsna, but there is no thanks. That is the difference. She has taken a thankless task to punish persons who are godless, that's all. So Maya as it is, it is not that she is out of touch of Krsna. Vaisnavi. In the Candi, in the book of Maya, it is state that "Vaisnavi." The Maya is described as Vaisnavi. Just like pure devotee is called Vaisnava, she is also described there as Vaisnavi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Lecture -- Seattle, September 27, 1968

This child must be executing devotional service in her past life. Therefore, she has got the opportunity, a Vaisnava father and Vaisnavi mother.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Pandal Lecture -- November 14, 1971, Delhi

Prabhupada: My first step will be to capture all the hoarders and distribute the grains free. Immediately public will be obliged to... There are immense food grains; they are simply hoarded. They are not selling without good price. This is going on. Immediately she can capture the public. And some of the hoarders should be hanged, yes, so that in future nobody will hoard. People are hungry. And she says she has got some program, garivi hatta(?), "Drive away the poverty." This is the point. If she can supply all consumer goods for the time being free to the poor, then immediately the whole population will be after her. And the hoarders should be exemplary punished. Shoot them, that's all. Then nobody will hoard. But to remain the dictator she requires spiritual knowledge. Otherwise it will be another disaster. If she wants to remain the dictator, then she must be a spiritual man. She must become a Vaisnavi. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- July 10, 1975, Chicago

Tamala Krsna: Yeah, it's even mentioned in the Krsna book. Prostitutes came out of Dvaraka.

Prabhupada: Yes. In Calcutta in our childhood I have seen many big, big prostitutes, Vaisnavi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Conversation -- June 23, 1977, Vrndavana

Prabhupada: Just see. She is natural Vaisnavi. Natural Vaisnavi. So give them proper education. This is real education.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Meeting With Governor of Tamil Nadu -- July 31, 1977, Vrndavana

Another news is that Mother Syama dasi came to L.A. with some of her Gujarati devotees. She appeared to be nice Vaisnavi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yamuna -- Hawaii 13 March, 1969

So far your daughter, there is already one devotee named Visakha, so instead your daughter may be named Vaisnavi Dasi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Sucandra -- Tokyo 22 April, 1972

HpS - ASA -- Thank you. Indira Gandhi was to become a Vaisnavi!
What about "Mataji".  How does that appear?

PAMHO! Crystal radio is actually the most famous free-energy machine which was widely presented to public. I hope we'll soon get away from this Shiva's technology of heat..  and start to use the cold electricity or still better mantras...  hoping that the AI doesn't get the hold on humanity with the cold electricity. Like it sometimes seems when there is even indications of very time and history changing... and the holy books by the influence of the modes of nature.

The Mandela-effect is the most interesting psychological/quantum physical investigation that I would say the western world can give. In this video about Mandela-effect the bible change in text from lion with lamb to wolf with lamb (Isaiah 11:6)and was changed to a photo with wolf and lambs with all black eyes. It came in effect, according to my investigation about two years ago. There is many things in technology and science that will prove more subtle worlds coming. Still I'm very much attached to Gandharva Veda. All the glories to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swamin Srila Prabhupada!!

HpS - Thank you. We built a Crystal radio in 7th grade in our school. Takes energy from the AM transmitted radio waves in the air!
By pranayama, chanting and dancing, we can influence so many sublte energies in the body. Are the pieziolectric crystals in the body?

Respected Gurumahārājā,

Hare Kṛṣṇa. Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srīla Prabhupāda.

I was reading how mother Yaśodā becomes struck with wonder when she sees the entire universe in baby Kṛṣṇa's mouth.  http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/10/8/43. Then I saw the word Vaiṣṇavīm in a later verse that was used to refer to yoga-māyā. That reminded me of Monkey/Bhakta Tom’s post here: http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/node/6920 and thought I would share some of my findings on the topic.

Vaīṣṇava (masculine) and Vaiṣnavī(feminine)

The word Vaiṣṇava literally means one whose worshipable lord is Viṣṇu. Based on the sūtra sāsya devatā, the suffix a[ṇ] is applied after Viṣṇu which eventually gives the word Vaiṣṇava through various grammatical rules. This is a masculine word. By adding a suffix ī[p] we get Vaiṣṇavī the equivalent feminine word for Vaiṣṇava. Srīla Jīva Gosvāmī, in his grammar book, Harināmāmṛta Vyākaraṇa, uses the word Vaiṣṇavī a few times and he means a female Vaiṣṇava.

Some of the examples are:

1. Male and female who thinks he/she is a Vaiṣṇava
   1. Vaiṣṇavam <2.1, object form of Vaiṣṇava> + man eventually becomes Vaiṣṇava-mānī (“one who thinks himself a Vaiṣṇava”)
   2. Vaiṣṇavīm <2.1, object form of Vaiṣṇavī> + man enventually becomes Vaiṣṇava-māninī(“one who thinks herself a Vaiṣṇavī”)
2. In one of the compound word examples we find Vaiṣṇava-bhāryaḥ.  The commentator elaborates that the vigraha(separation of the constituent words) of Vaiṣṇava-bhāryaḥ is Vaiṣṇavī bhāryā yasya (“one whose wife is a Vaiṣṇavī”).
3. In another example we see atithir Vaiṣṇavī (“the female Vaiṣṇava guest”).
4. From a philosophical point of view, Jiva Gosvāmī doesn’t assume that everyone in their present condition is already a Vaiṣṇava. This I say because he gives examples such as vaiṣṇavī-kṛtya (“having made into a Vaiṣṇava). Other examples that show gradation among Vaiṣṇavas using the word vaiṣṇava in a compound are eka- vaiṣṇavaḥ (“the best Vaiṣṇava”), purāṇa- vaiṣṇavaḥ (“an old vaiṣṇava”), kevala- vaiṣṇavaḥ (“A pure vaiṣṇava”)

Ātman, a masculine word

However I didn’t find any examples for the masculine word ātman in feminine gender. Monier William’s dictionary says that the masculine word is used as a reflexive pronoun in all three genders and gives the example ātmānam(masculine object form) sā (feminine subject she) hanti (verb strikes).

One of the main things is that in Sanskrit, the gender doesn’t really mean the literal gender. For example tree (vṛkṣaḥ) is masculine and creeper(latā) is feminine. However when it comes to the names of humans and the pronouns used for them there are masculine and feminine words matching the genders. I find ātman an exception but there are feminine words like yoginī, brāhmanī, gopī whose masculine forms are yogī, brāhmaṇa and gopa. Vaiṣṇava and Vaiṣṇavī are in the similar category.

Your insignificant servant

Srinivasacarya dasa

ASA - Tom Brown, PhD  ---  Thank you very much Srinivasa-acharya Das. We saw many cases of Vaisnavi in the Vedabase.com, and except for like three these refered to Durga, Yoga-maya, like the citation above. The others seem that may be coming from a little tinge of the bodily concept of life.
What is the Sanskrit for Canakhya Pandita's statement that one should see every woman except for his wife as Mataji?