Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja Reverences All Glory to Srila Prabhupada!!

HpS - Thank you very, very much!!! Your brother??

Bharat is doing well, working as a Professor and also practicing law. He has already graduated as a Lawyer and Professor, and this year he received his second degree (Professor of Legal Sciences). I speak with him every two months, sometimes less. We have a great friendship, but we also have very strong thoughts and opinions. He is the one who introduced me to the Devotees.

Any progress we make is eternal, right? 100%. It’s impressive and exciting to see how the spiritual capacity increases, even if just a little. Seeing Krishna in more places, more happiness, more peace, less loneliness.

Perhaps we will be born again in this material world, but maybe with Nimai in Nadia, in a family that will inspire us in a more intimate, practical service from the very beginning. Maybe your whole family will be there! Nimai! I would love that; it’s very likely to be so.

What are "screens"?????? The cellphone, YouTube, and TV, movies, but sometimes it feels so tasteless.

Why not many photos of everything and everyone? We only take photos at birthdays; I might have some here. Esta foto es del Cumpleaños de mi hermana, pero en la proxima carta voy a enviarle algunas fotos de aqui

A Su Servicio Adi Yajña Das

HpS - Thank, agtSP, you!! Just like being with you in Argentina.

We think of us all in Nabadvipa with Nimai, in some universe, with Srila Prabhupada, and then we begin to recognize everyone: Hey! You were that man in ISKCON on the earth and now you are the Chand Kasi.

Hey, now your are Kirtan leader in Gaura lila! You used to do nice Kirtans in the Temple in Buenos Aires! I appreciated how you did not even really like big audiences, you just chanted as you duty for Gaura Nitai!

Mother, Father, you made it!!!

Bharata Das! You are a Secretary for Sarva bhauma Bhattacharya!!!!!!!!!

Please accept my humble obeisances to your lotus feet GuruMaharaja!🐾 🪷 🪷 🪷 🪷🌺 🌹 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🙏🏻🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏻🙇‍♂️🙏🙇‍♂️

HpS - AgtSP!!! Are you sure we have lotus feet! You are such an advanced devotee that you can see that?! Wonderful. I was thinking that maybe I have lotus roots, and am a blade of grass in Vaikuntha, Goloka?

Maybe lotus hooves.

Well, obeisances to your lotus feet of your Siddha deha form also.

All Glories To Srila Prabhupada !!!👏👏👏💐❤️🎵🎼

All Glories to You adored Gurudeva!!!👏👏👏👏🎵🎼❤️💐🌺🌹

I want to tell you that I am very happy because thanks to Mother Astasakhi Devi Dasi, who shared with us a Vaishnava calendar app—an app that works perfectly offline!—we have started reading the biographies, etc., of all the Vaishnava festivals. I have been trying for a long time to download each festival, each appearance of a Vaishnava, to read their biography and learn more. I love learning about these days in great detail. We were able to read about the life of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, the life of Haridas Thakur, and the appearance of Jiva Goswami! We continue reading about his life and about Vamana Dvadasi. I hope you had wonderful festivals, Gurudeva! I wish you always be happy. We still have a long way to go to learn to honor each sacred day like these! I believe it is infinite! Jaya GuruMaharaja! Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

HpS/ASA - We got it also. It is wonderful. It also tells us when is B. Muhurta etc!

We read in FMP that you might be coming to Latin America? Chile, Peru? Franco told me he hopes we can travel to Chile to have darshan with You. On the other hand, I confess that since the last time you came to Cordoba, I really wanted you to visit our home. I've dreamed that you've come here and that many devotees have come! But again, I'm so idealistic... my house is not comfortable at all, so small... although the land is medium-sized, and I always think that devotees could come and stay in tents... but it might be austere for them... The most important thing is your health, Gurumaharaja, and I think it's so good what I've heard that perhaps you will stay in a fixed place for the three months that your visa allows. On the other hand, when I look around where I live, it is so beautiful. There is the river right in front of the house, and although it is not clean, the good thing is that it rains often and clears up. Since I first came here, I thought that with the devotees, we could organize riverside programs because it's an open campground.

Sometimes it reminds me of Chosica.And I remember you said it would be good to buy the part of the land next to the temple so it would be bigger. And I think: How much longer will I be alive, Franco? Will Gopal stay here alone? I'd like this place to be for Srila Prabhupada and His ISKCON💕

Eternal thanks, Gurumaharaja. Please forgive any offenses here, any offenses in the programs, my misuse of the keyboard. But the devils are in the details, as you said.

May the dust of all devotees' feet allow me to always chant the holy name. Jay Gurumaharaja!

I keep running after you chanting Hare Krsna!! Ohe Vaisnava Thakura!!! Doyara Sagara..!

🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🌹🌺🎼🎵

Japa Prati Jalpa Radha Devi Dasi

PD. I tried to shorten this letter and edited it. I apologize at your lotus feet if I caused you any inconvenience.

HpS - Thank you!!! We still had to scan it, to not lose chance to answer other letters, but we got the essence and the sentiment.

Thanks to Sripada Franco!!

Really we are not sure that we are not going to die at any moment.

Eyes, respiration, ears, heart are all old.

Natural.

Live Old Age so that your bodily elements can be nicely composted and recycled to make new bodies to satisfy the ambitions of the creator of this school.

We just plan to chant Hari Kirtan more and more, internally and externally.

Cooking carrots is a dance.

Yet, we do tend to see tendencies, and, considering the general medical conclusion about our body and it's medical condition, then maybe we go to South America again.

Maybe we go over the border to Mexico October 2-21 when Oscar and Anna are there???

Maybe we go to Spain second week of January for some time and during that, join Yadu Swami trip to India.

Maybe!

For sure, have a Campsite reserved in ISKCON Houston Sannyasi Quarters until December end.

Thank you.

asa[e] - Grhasta, Radha Krsna Worship.

Hare Krishna, guru maharaja,

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

I really liked the story you wrote of the man visiting the prison and the inmate who is reading KRSNA. It makes me realize than anyone in any position can benefit by hearing or reading about Krishna's pastimes. It's a sweet story!

HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!! I think it was Buck White's 🐷 tale!!! I'm sure he thanks you!!

Maharaja, am I allowed to worship deities of Radha Krishna? I have seen some of your replies regarding other deities such as Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra. At home, we currently have Krishna and Balarama and I suppose I should have asked permission before getting Them but my intelligence was totally clouded then. Looking back, I wonder if that is why Balarama came with a broken arm- we fixed it though!

There is just a desire to worship Radha and Krishna in my heart and during my japa, supersoul gave me the intelligence to ask you first.

Only by your and Srimati Radharani's mercy have I had the strength to complete my japa.

Sorry for the rambling.

your aspiring servant,

Rasa-mandali dasi

ps. I love that I have a godsister in China who is named Vanara-rani Anjana. That is rad!

HpS - When I was just visiting the Temple in San Francisco from Sacrament, 90-minute drive, not even understanding what initiation was, but having read the KRSNA book for one year alone and had a lot of heart shaking experiences with Prabhupada, even though we did not know who he was, this same question came up in BG class in the evening.

H. H. Tamal krsna Goswami was visiting with his Radha Damodara bus party, and was not quite sure, but Jayananda Das, ostensibly a Sudra, mechanic, but respected by everyone as maybe even a Nitya-siddha dude, was in the audience.

He raised his hand and said, as always, I don't know, but I remember reading in the BG that Prabhupada says that Grhasthas should keep Radha Krsna deities in their homes and worship them, so on that basis it seems O.K.

TKG enthusiastically said, 'That is the correct answer! That is correct'.

If They are being related to as installed Deities, then according to our understanding it is of Archanam, of the nine processes. Then you have to be and serve like a Brahman in the Temple. The investment is enormous and the result is enormous.

Yet, if you are just worshipping them informally according to nice standard, then it is Pada sevanam of the nine processes.

You may have a picture of Lord Nrsmha next to your front door, and when every you go out you ask Him from protection and you declare that you are going out for His service. The picture may go with you to three different houses, and you may develop a very personal relationship with Him. Sometimes you may take off our coat and not go out because you realize that it is not for His service. It is for your lust.

As far as we understand it is Pada sevanam, not Archanam.

So, if you are following first initiation vows nicely, Raghunatha Das Goswami standard, but nicely and learning how to chant better rounds, then it can be very nice to invite Radha and Her Sweetheart to your home.

1. Serve Them with love.
2. Keep Them and Their space clean.
3. Keep a regular schedule to Their service.
4. Adjust the service to your facility. This is different than Archanam.
5. Simple things to offer are a) Incense, b) Lamp, c)Flower, d) Scented Oil, e) Food.

Keep it clean, keep it simple, be regular in the basics, eg. offering morning and evening. Chant for Them, read for Them, take them to the Beach with your friends.

Our thoughts.

Hare Krishna Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my obeisances at Your Lotus Feet.

HpS/ASA - Agt your lotus feet!

All Glory to Srila Prabhupada!!!

ASA - !

I am very well here, with some challenges but always attached to Srila Prabhupada. I am currently in the South (Patagonia), with my parents—they are well but getting older. My father is one year younger than You, and my mother is 72 years old. They are doing fine, thank Krishna.

I feel good to be here. My health is fine, and the climate where I am is very dry and hardly rains, which suits me very well.

I am studying law at university, right across from my parents' house. I have promoted some classes, and it’s interesting.

The kirtans are going well; the quality varies but there are very good moments. The principles are good, of course with challenges but alright—always reading and singing Bhajans.

I am very grateful to Srila Prabhupada for the Vaishnava worldview, the clarity with which He transmits it through His books, and the realizations His words bring.

I remain quite hermit-like in my path, postponing some things I desire but which have not yet materialized. I believe it’s just a matter of time. I go swimming twice a week. Basically, that’s my day-to-day: kirtans, studying, being with my parents, and swimming.

Sometimes I struggle with screens [?}; I lose a lot of time—they stimulate material Rasa, jaja—but we can observe it and return to Bhajan, feeling that other Rasa, that joy for a while, until pride takes over again, and we fall into that spiral. But Krishna teaches us and doesn’t leave us.

I really enjoy participating in Your Gotomeeting program in the mornings, seeing and singing with You and the devotees. Thank you always for everything.

Always at Your Service,

Adi Yajña Das

HpS - Many, many thanks!!! Your Brother??

Whatever progress we make is eternal, no?

Maybe we will take birth again in this material world, but maybe with Nimai in Nadia, in a family that will inspire us in more intimate, practical, service from the very beginning. Maybe your whole family will be there!

Nimai!

What are "pantallas"??????

Why not many photos of everything and everyone?

Hare Krishna Querido Gurudeva.

Por Favor acepte mis reverencias a Sus Pies de Loto.

Toda Gloria Srila Prabhupada!!!

Aquí estamos muy bien, con desafíos pero siempre apegados a Srila Prabhupada, me encuentro en el Sur (Patagonia), estoy con mis padres, están bien pero ya son grandes, Mi padre tiene un año menos que Usted, y mi Madre con 72 años, están bien gracias a Krishna, me siento bien por estar aquí. La salud mía bien, el clima es muy seco donde estoy y prácticamente no llueve, y eso me sienta muy bien, estoy estudiando en la universidad Abogacía, queda justo en frente de la casa de mis padres, promocione algunas materias, y es interesante. Las Rondas están bien , la calidad varia pero con momentos muy buenos, Los principios bien, claro con desafíos pero bien, como siempre leyendo y cantando Bhajams. Muy agradecido a Srila Prabhupada por la cosmovisión Vaishnava, la claridad con la que nos la transmite en Sus libros, y las realizaciones que dan sus palabras, sigo muy ermitaño, en mi camino, posponiendo algunas cosas que deseo, pero que no se han dado, pero pienso que es solo tiempo, voy a natación dos veces por semana. Básicamente ese es mi Dia a Dia , Rondas, Estudio, Estar con mis Padres, y nadar. Con las pantallas tengo desafío a veces pierdo mucho tiempo, estimulan el Rasa material, jeje, pero lo podemos observar y volvemos hacia el Bhajam y sentimos el otro Rasa, esa alegría por algún tiempo, hasta que nos volvemos orgullosos, y de vuelta a esa espiral, pero bien Krishna nos enseña y no nos deja.

Disfruto mucho de participar de Su programa de gotomeeting en la mañana y poder verlo y cantar con Usted y los Devotos. Gracias por Todo Siempre

A Su Servicio Siempre Adi Yajña Das

Hare Krisna Maharaja, Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada 🙏🏽 Soy Narayani G. Devi Dasi.

Necesito su ayuda con respecto a su discípulo Vijaya Govinda Das 

Desde hace un tiempo vengo escuchando cosas que está diciendo de mí y de nuestra separación.. quiero contarle a través de este medio todo lo que pasé y lo que me llevó a tramitar legalmente el divorcio, y no solo una simple separación.

HpS / ASA - AgtSP, Thank you, Prabhu. This media is like the devotees who come up around the speaker after a Sunday Feast lecture and wish to talk about more specific topics and not things that new guests and others would want to hear and discuss.

We are trying to discuss these things in a private WhatsApp group with Anandamaya Das, and Rohini kumara Das as a neutral Grhastha approved by both, since as Sannyasis, even though Diksa Guru under Srila Prabhupada's authority, we certainly have some very real personal concern for the situation. We just made AmD an Administrator in the Group so you might participate as you wish. Of course, we are trying to be in good correspondence with Vijay govinda Das and Mother Madhava priya Devi Dasi, whom we understand as Temple President of the Center in Uruguay (or is it Paraguay?).

Let us go ahead and look at your letter. We will certainly edit it and comment if we feel some things are too particular for this Group and should be handled in the above mentioned Group.

Really don't think this place is best for a dialog between participants.

Many participants may chose to just not proceed beyond this point as they chose. Maybe having enough problems just like yours of their own! 🙂

This material world is a joke for the pure spirit soul!

En mi carta anterior mencioné que no quería exponer todos los motivos públicamente pero creo que es conveniente dada la situación. A la vez me gustaría que le pida por favor a su discípulo que me deje en paz.

Él está diciendo a todos los devotos que yo lo engañé estando juntos, pero nuestra separación se dio mucho antes del divorcio… lastimosamente los trámites llevaron un buen tiempo y por fin salió el 02/06/25, antes de eso y a pesar de nuestra separación sin divorcio yo nunca salí con otra persona en un humor sentimental. 

Le envío copia del documento del Divorcio.

Desde los primeros años juntos, él demostró tener problemas con el control de sus emociones, temas que su familia conocía.. y desde siempre fue muy difícil para los dos ponernos de acuerdo en cualquier decisión importante q debíamos tomar.

Él me informó que sufría de depresión y tenía tendencias suicidas, y que ya había intentado quitarse la vida antes… información que no tome con la debida importancia. Creí que con cariño y servicio devocional juntos, eso podría desaparecer. Cuando él se frustraba en cualquier ámbito de su vida (discusiones entre nosotros, su trabajo o sus estudios) él me amenazada que quería suicidarse y buscaba la forma de hacerlo y tenía actos de furia e ira donde rompía muebles; golpeaba y tiraba cosas al piso, gritaba y a veces hasta se golpeaba a sí mismo. Eso me causaba temor y desesperación constante y fue así que le llegué a decir que nunca tendríamos hijos.. lo que me causó mucho dolor ya que mi idea de casarme era formar una linda familia en CK,

ASA - 🤔

pero teniendo a mi lado a un esposo inestable mentalmente, lo veía imposible ya que no soy lo suficientemente fuerte como para sobrellevar la carga de ser madre y además tener que sopórtalo a él en sus crisis diarias. 

Con el tiempo empecé a enfermar físicamente. Mi madre que es psicóloga me ayudó bastante a entender la razón de esos dolores, fui al doctor y no encontraron la causa.. y entendimos que estaba somatizando frustraciones.

Más adelante también empecé a encerrarme en mi misma… y caí en depresión.. sus crisis depresivas ya eran crisis de ambos. Solo quería dormir y llorar.

En esas crisis que él tenía también me pedía constantemente que me divorcie, que yo era cobarde por no hacerlo; y muchas otras cosas más.. todo esto nos llevó a separarnos, y hace más de un año vivíamos en cuartos separados. 

En más de una ocasión él me dijo que ni yo ni nadie lo conocía en realidad, que yo no dimensionaba de lo que él podía ser capaz… que él no estaba mentalmente bien… 

Ya separados este año yo tuve que salir de casa de mis padres donde vivíamos, porque los trámites del divorcio estaban encaminados pero no podía pedirle que se marchara, por miedo a que se autolesione o atente con la vida de mi familia o me ataque en una de sus crisis. Sé lo impredecible que es por sus problemas psicológicos y traté de ser lo más cuidadosa posible, así que avisé a mis padres y me fui esperando que él también saliera de ahí por su cuenta, para yo poder volver.. tardó varios meses en salir y en ese tiempo no pude ver a mis padres como antes. 

Más adelante prometió pagarme un dinero que me debía y hasta hoy en día no lo ha hecho. 

En el templo de Asunción a donde yo iba , varías veces expresé que lo nuestro no estaba funcionando…ya que me veían a veces llorar o no podía ir a hacer servicio, y más de una vez las autoridades del templo me recomendaron que me divorcie; y como también tienen los datos de nuestras cartas astrales ; llegaron a mencionar que en futuro íbamos a separarnos. 

Otros devotos y devotas solo me decían q el matrimonio era así y que debía aguantar.. pero nadie sabía en detalle todo lo que yo estaba viviendo. 

En una ocasión escribí a una madre mayor discípula de usted para que por favor hable con su esposo y con usted para que puedan hacer algo para ayudar a VGD, ya que me amenazaba todo el tiempo, y tenia temor de que se quitaría la vida pronto…. Mi gran error creo que fue no querer exponer demasiado nuestros problemas y cuando pedía ayuda nadie dimensionaba que yo ya no podía sola con él.

En un intento de disminuir sus crisis; él trató de ir al psicólogo pero después de la primera sesión nunca más fue. 

El año pasado fui a india y después de mucho rogarle y llorarle que vayamos juntos, decidió acompañarme. 

Creí que después de ese viaje QUIZA podrían mejorar nuestra vida pero no pasó así.. 

Gracias a Krishna mi divorcio está hecho legalmente en mi país... y me gustaría que me dejen en paz.. yo traté siempre de no molestar a nadie ni meterme en la vida ajena.

Lastimosamente sigo decepcionándome cada vez más de las autoridades del templo de Asunción ya que no les basta con hablar mal de todos los que van a templo incluyéndome a mí y a Vijay, y Vijay mismo lo sabe... ahora pasaron al nivel de querer perjudicar a otros devotos.

Disculpe por favor que haya usado este medio para expresarme pero necesito su ayuda.

Deseando que nuestro Señor Sri Krisna lo proteja siempre, me despido de usted muy atentamente.

NGDD.

HpS/ASA - Wow! Oooof! Let us write in English and then you can use Translate.Google.com to translate. I remember we met in the Transit area when you both were returning from India. Vijaya govinda Das was recovering from some intense anxiety attack, and had taken some help from the medical staff in the airport.

We are too far away from this situation to offer practical, detailed advice. We are just trying to help a little with the four or five communities here in Middle Tennessee with a physical visit for four weeks etc.

Next Vijaya Das may come back and make some contrasting description of the situation from his perspective.

We, and I guess this forum, cannot offer much more to this in practical advice.

We might have been more involved with our limited strength but it didn't happen.

Our obligation is to act as Diksa Guru in ISKCON for AMD and for that we are discussing in the Private Group.

We feel that as Diksa guru we must be involved with these formal varna ashrama relations, such as marriage etc.

When that is lacking we feel that we all are not capable of acting on the real Brahmnical platform that the Parampara we represent requires.

Worshipping Silas, wearing Brahminical threads, is a challenge that Srila Prabhupada directly in his purports delays or limits for his Western disciples like us who have not been born in Brahmana families until we have demonstrated that we have come to that level.

So, we pretty much want to put an end to this discussion in this forum with comment that details of all of this from different perspectives has not been presented here, but anyone who wants to know more for positive help can certainly contact the individuals involved, and we are certain that this process is wonderful for making the very best progress in dealing with the reactions that we have from previous lives!!!

Please, Guru Maharaja, accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. You are so merciful! You give us thousands of opportunities to purify ourselves, to listen to you, and I, for so many stupid reasons stemming from my bad karma, fail to take advantage of them.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! All glories to You my adored Spiritual master!!!

Today I woke up at 2. My body has gotten used to it, (due to his mercy Gurudeva and that of the devotees who taught me by example), to wake up at this hour, I feel calm, in peace, I can sing calmly. Sometimes Franco also wakes up at the moment, but especially at 5 he comes to greet us. He rests in his work workshop he is building.

I always put a cell phone in a very high window from where I send a signal to another phone that is inside the house. So I can connect by being inside the house. The phone that Watsap has is the one that I go up to the high window almost like the roof of the house and that sends a signal. Today, foolishly, I thought: I am going to concentrate well on singing rounds and then I look at the messages. And you had done the Goto program!

I thought about the importance of time. Today is the appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur!!! I love his songs, his devotion!! I infinitely thank you and Srila Prabhupada! Thanks to you we can honor these days! But one day as important as today, I lost your Gurudeva association at the most beautiful and quiet time for me. How can I wait to sing only the Holy Name?... I just have to run after you! I was very stupid. But I learned this: I should never think that I can. It is only thanks to his blessing that I can sing with determination. Gopal used to wake up quickly but now, sometimes, I have to fight to wake him up and I don't want to bother him either, I wish he was something beautiful and natural for him. It's amazing, but when he falls asleep early he wakes up alone.

You are so merciful, GuruMaharaja, that you are present on these applications like WhatsApp to stay in touch with Your disciples. Before, I had gotten used to doing everything alone, due to my lack of internet connection, but also to the temple. There is a program here twice a month, on Sundays. We never go! Because on Sundays the buses pass every one or two hours, and Franco doesn't want to go because of that and worries a lot about me going alone because waiting for the bus there is dangerous; there are no people. So that's why I don't go. I resigned myself to doing everything at home; I know that's okay too. Because I resigned myself to this, I think maybe that's why my mind got used to thinking that I can do it alone.

This could be a response to your instruction that we go to the Sandya Artik to the temple!

I used to suffer a lot from this situation because in Peru I was so used to being with devotees. But then I was glad to understand that my Govinda put me in this situation, and it's perfect for me now. So I try to make the most of what I can. But these imperfections in my mind can arise, like believing I can do it alone. Today Govinda showed me this. He is always so merciful!! He always gives us opportunities to learn! ❤️

I hope you recover Gurumaharaja! of his throat and the headache... I can only continue singing for you. Thank you eternal for being our spiritual teacher. Today after singing basic rounds and while I started singing Sri Guru Astaka, I fell asleep for 30 minutes and when I woke up I saw: You had done Japa Joe!! I'm very sorry, but I learned: I can't do it alone! Please forgive me if I committed an offense in this letter, unintentionally:

Japa Prati Jalpa Radha Devi dasi

HpS/ASA - Thank you for this news. We could not read all of it, but we are not the only Monkeys in this Circus!!!