Letters to the editor

Dear Hanumat presak Swami

Please accept my humble obeisances

All glories to His Divine Grace!

Thank you for your always purifying reply.

Yes,Bht.Wang Pan has fulfilled all the criteria for Harinam Diksa and would like to be Initiated by your holiness.

What are the next steps? Shall we send you the japa beads?

Recommendation letter and Disciple course she has send few letters before.

Your servant Narayan pandit das and other members of Iskcon Singaraja, Bali .....are eagerly waiting for your reply.

HpS - Swami Ji, 😃 (Prabhupada, says that in Bengal, wife addresses husband as "Swami").

Was the recommendation letter attached to a previous Blog post?

Can you just give us the reference number?

Just click on your user name, "Rukmini" and a list of previous letters should result.

Seems that is all that is required, we just see that, then details.

Mailing beads might be difficult, no?

In Peru, several aspirants were to be initiated by, H. H. Jayapataka Swami. Maharaja was in India, so he asked me to chant on the beads and take the vows.

I guess I was a Ritvik Guru.

😅

Is there a regular ISKCON Diksa guru visiting there?

We can join the ceremony by Internet?

¡Hare Krsna! Querido Gurudeva por favor acepte mis entregadas reverencias. 🙏

¡Todas las Glorias sean a Srila Prabhupada y todas las glorias sean a sus fieles seguidores, que son como potentes lunas, iluminando este oscuro bosque!🌙

🌟

Orando siempre porque su salud sea favorable para su Sankirtana, y orando también para poder tener siempre su misericordiosa guía. Le agradezco de todo corazón haberme brindado el refugio de sus instrucciones, gracias porque usted me ayuda a - de algún modo - conectar mi vida con nuestro Amoroso Señor.

Externamente, mi vida parece ser la misma que hace unos meses; danzamos entre adversidades, enfermad, dolor, perdidas, carencias, diferencias con algunas personas… Sin embargo; por su misericordia, la de otros buenos vaisnavas y por supuesto, por la misericordia infinita de nuestro Srila Prabhupada; podemos apreciar que ahora reaccionamos de manera muy distinta ante esas dificultades, esta vez no se trata de algo forzado o artificial, parece ser que simplemente cambiamos de “anteojos” y yo misma me sorprendo de lo diferente que se ve todo ahora. ¡La misericordia de los devotos es inconcebible!

Muchas Gracias Guru Maharaja, sé que este es solo un pequeño descanso, y que vendrán muchas más pruebas que habrán de forjarme. Solo ruego por ser capaz de atravesar cualquier experiencia bajo la guía de los misericordiosos vaisnavas; de usted, querido Gurumaharaja, que ilumina el camino dejado por nuestro Divino Acarya y de los buenos miembros del ISKCON de Srila Prabhupada. Solo por vuestra misericordia, será posible obtener la gracia de nuestras Señorías. 🙏

Cambiando de tema, le comento que este año celebramos el maravilloso festival de Jhulan Yatra desde casa, una de mis hermanas construyó el columpio, y felizmente lo celebramos en compañía de familiares y amigos. Quizá fue un poco austero, pero participamos con gran emoción, muchas gracias por la inspiración que nos brinda.

Por otra parte; Guru Maharaja, desde hace tiempo he visto con pesadumbre su calendario en el Kapi Dhvaja, me gustaría mucho poder tener su maravillosa asociación física, pero (aunque lo deseo) veo muy distante la posibilidad de viajar a Houston o España, por lo que, desde hace tiempo tengo la inquietud de preguntarle, ¿Cree que sea posible una visita (aunque fuese breve) a México o algún lugar de Latinoamérica? Por favor disculpe el atrevimiento, me avergüenza preguntar ya que conozco las dificultades corporales que significan los viajes para usted, quizá estoy actuando egoístamente y le ruego que me disculpe, solo consideré necesario expresar esta inquietud.

Deseando no importunarlo, le agradezco mucho su atención.

Siempre a sus órdenes.

Su aspirante a discípula

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

-0-0-0-

Hare Krsna! Dear Gurudeva please accept my dedicated obeisances. 🙏

All glories be to Srila Prabhupada and all glories be to his faithful followers, who are like powerful moons, lighting up this dark forest!🌙

🌟

Praying always that his health is favorable for his Sankirtana, and praying also that I may always have his merciful guidance. I thank you with all my heart for having given me the refuge of his instructions, thank you because you help me to-in some way-connect my life with our Loving Lord.

Externally, my life seems to be the same as a few months ago; we dance between adversities, sickness, pain, losses, shortcomings, differences with some people... However; by his mercy, that of other good Vaisnavas and of course, by the infinite mercy of our Srila Prabhupada; we can appreciate that now we react very differently to these difficulties, this time it is not something forced or artificial, it seems that we simply changed our “glasses” and I myself am surprised at how different everything looks now. The mercy of the devotees is inconceivable!

HpS - In one drama of Mahabharata, when Bhima kills his own cousin, Dhusasana, he tells Draupadi, "We were not born to be happy!"

We are born to do austerities.

Thank you very much Guru Maharaja, I know that this is only a small rest, and that many more tests will come that will forge me. I only pray that I am able to go through any experience under the guidance of the merciful Vaisnavas; from you, dear Gurumaharaja, who illuminates the path left by our Divine Acarya and from the good members of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON. Only by your mercy, it will be possible to obtain the grace of our Lordships. 🙏

HpS - The situations just wake us up to our original nature! Will you play the role of Draupadi in the next incarnation?

Changing the subject, I tell you that this year we celebrate the wonderful festival of Jhulan Yatra from home, one of my sisters built the swing, and we happily celebrate it in the company of family and friends. It was perhaps a bit austere, but we participated with great emotion, thank you very much for the inspiration you give us.

Besides; Guru Maharaja, for a long time I have seen with regret your calendar in the Kapi Dhvaja, I would very much like to be able to have your wonderful physical association, but (although I wish) I see the possibility of traveling to Houston or Spain as very distant, for which, from I have been wondering for a long time to ask you, do you think a visit (even if brief) to Mexico or some place in Latin America is possible? Please excuse the audacity, I am ashamed to ask since I know the bodily difficulties that travel means for you, perhaps I am acting selfishly and I beg your pardon, I only considered it necessary to express this concern.

HpS - Gadadhara and Asta sakhi Das asked us about this, and we answered there. Did you read it? Maybe when we get to Houston we will be able to travel to Mexico, but would have to be stronger than now,

😃

Wishing not to bother you, I thank you very much for your attention.

Always at his command.

Your would-be disciple

Karuna Shakti Devi Dasi

HpS - I think you are Guru to many people. You give them some window on Srila Prabhupada.

Let us look at one more letter and then maybe we go walking with NgD.

Hare Krsna Gurudeva, AGTSP, PAMO

I know by reading the subject line, it might have hurt you a lot.

HpS-ASA - AgtSP. No, want to understand why.

Our avoidance is not due to Srila Prabupada's work, but due to our own limitation and experience.

When we heard Srila Prabhupada, a sense of urgency of achieving the purpose of human life develops, which develops in to mode of Passion, and we become rash.

While reading books, there are so many concepts/ ideas to be pursued we got lost

like SB 1.17.38 gives the manifesto ..

there is mention of girls marrying by 16 and boys by 25 or use of contraceptives etc.

we dont see any one working in that direction, we see happy married couples (initiated) using contraceptives-- ok thats there business-- but now should we also use it. and whenever we read books, section like these give rise to doubts. a dwand is always there.

Books are used to understand/feel/apply -glories of Krishna/holyname/ Guru-Parampara, histortical facts (hearing past times).

Moreover somehow our mind is repeats "the purpose of books is convince us that chanting is the only thing". https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/adi/7/71/"

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied to Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, “My dear sir, kindly hear the reason. My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me.")

somehow we are just trying to chant.

due to our limitation, we are looking for intermediary between him and us, so that we can

apply his teachings .

-- I know Srila Prabhupada always live in his books, he talks through it, but we may not know how to talk through books.

we thank you for this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smz7zghQLaY (Prabhupada Singing )

in letter 14226 your esteemed self asked

"may be [email protected] might help to find answers to questions

HpS - Who's address is this?"

Parth Pratim Das (PPD) disciple of Bhakti caru swami who talked with you on whatsapp

in letter 14243, your esteemed self asked,

"I knew a Harsh pradhana, but he died! Hope he has not become a Zombi."

we are not doubting your statement, but sharing our experiences,

"there are flashes of life before initiation, people around him are still referring to him as Harsh Pradhan" there might be changes but this soul can not observe.

personally we think we become Hayagriva Avatar Das, when we come to second initiation platform (probation confirmed, experiment successful)

dwindling between Harsh Pradhan and Hayagriva Avatar Das

HpS - Hare Krsna. AgtSP!

Very interesting letter.

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna.

Chanting Hare Krsna to get plans for acting, chanting Hare Krsna while applying those plans as a way to confirm them.

That is about all I know.

Does BG As It Is also have the same over exciting results from reading?

It is basic principles, no?

Hare Krishna Gurumaharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

H. G. Maniradha Devi Dasi left her body on the morning of the auspicious day of Balarama Purnima (8/31/2023) in India. I just saw your message and wanted to send you this before I go to make offering to Nila Madhava.

Your insignificant servant

Srinivasacarya dasa

HpS - Mataji was mother of Sundara radhika Devi Dasi, wife of Srinivasa Das. She was initiated at very advanced age, but took to chanting with seriousness. In last few years she was disable even in recognizing people, but this will happen to all of us at the time of death anyway, no? It is the change of heart that is important.

Please chant Maha-mantra for her while keeping auspicious attention on here picture.

Thank you!

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna . . .

HK Dear Maharaja, TgaSSGN . TGASP.

I share the moment that I have to live

Living in the material world

Like a crazy person

I accept the fate that I meet at every step

Trying to conquer the mind in elation or facing “misfortune” HK-HR

My head may be separated from my body at any time.

Or that this body of a donkey lying on an operating room stretcher perishes.

Or that my approval rejoices my senses while dreaming at night I see myself flying like a bird that overcomes the gravity of the atmosphere with its effort.

We know thanks to SP (all glories at his lotus feet) that:

Bg. 9.31

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā

śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati

kaunteya pratijānīhi

na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

- He soon becomes virtuous and achieves lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, boldly declare that My devotee never perishes. –

Dear Lord… I beg you to accept me as Your devotee.

And may this heart of stone turn to sand and melt like transparent glass free from all malice.

My cowardice is great and my fear is like an unforeseen arrow that crosses this capricious mind and poisons it.

May my desire to serve you be sincere in the perfectible transit of this human life.

And may my memory never forget the words of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura who describes surrender to the Supreme Lord as follows:

mārabi rākhabi — I icchā tohārā

nitya-dāsa-prati tuyā adhikārā

«My Lord, now I have given myself to You. I am Your eternal servant; if you want, you can kill me, and if you want, you can protect me. In any case, I am fully delivered to You».

Dear Majaraja Thank you for this space that you so kindly give us.

His mercy should have no limit. Because otherwise we wouldn't be so lucky.

All glories to you.

HpS / ASA - I am sorry that I don't speak Spanish well enough to contemplate your words even more deeply.

They are very inspiring for me.

Maybe we will meet in Sankirtan dreams with Srila Prabhupada.

I'm sure everyone would like to hear more of your ideas as you see fit.

Thank you!!!

HK Querido Maharaja, TgaSSGN . TGASP.

Comparto el instante que me toca vivir

Viviendo en el mundo material

Como un loco

Acepto el destino que encuentro a cada paso

Tratando de conquistar la mente ante el júbilo o enfrentando la “desdicha” HK-HR

Puede que mi cabeza sea separada de mi cuerpo en cualquier momento.

O que perezca este cuerpo de burro tendido en la camilla de un quirófano.

O que mi beneplácito regocije mis sentidos mientras soñando por la noche me vea volando como un pájaro que vence con su esfuerzo la gravedad de la atmósfera.

Sabemos gracias a SP (todas las glorias a sus pies de loto) que:

Bg. 9.31

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā

śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati

kaunteya pratijānīhi

na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

- Prontamente él se vuelve virtuoso y consigue una paz perdurable. ¡Oh, hijo de Kuntī!, declara osadamente que Mi devoto nunca perece. –

Querido Señor… te ruego que me aceptes como Tu devoto.

Y que este corazón de piedra se vuelva arena y se derrita como el cristal transparente libre de toda malicia.

Mi cobardía es grande y mi temor es como una flecha imprevista que atraviesa esta mente caprichosa y la envenena.

Que mi deseo por servirte sea sincero en el transito perfectible de esta vida humana.

Y que nunca mi memoria olvide las palabras de  Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura que describe la entrega al Señor Supremo de la siguiente manera:

mārabi rākhabi — yo icchā tohārā

nitya-dāsa-prati tuyā adhikārā

«Mi Señor, ahora me he entregado a Ti. Soy Tu sirviente eterno; si quieres, puedes matarme, y si quieres, puedes protegerme. En cualquier caso, estoy plenamente entregado a Ti».

Querido Majaraja Gracias por este espacio que tan amablemente nos brindas.

Su misericordia no ha de tener límite. Porque de otro modo no seríamos tan afortunados.

Todas las glorias a ti.

ENC das

Dear / respected Hanumat Preshak Swami

my obeisances ,

all glories to His Divine Grace

We are happy to receive your mail. Apologies for delay in reply. We are not using SIM cards so our access to internet is only when we have WI FI.

We noticed that nothing is really so urgent.

We were back and forth from City to the farm that is on the hills where there are lots of rain, so internet by the grace of Indra deva doesn't work regularly.

We noticed we are more personal to each other and others when we are not connected 24/7.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP! ... One of our very good friends, Prof. Hector Behar, very prominent social scientist and former political revolutionary commented that these are not "social media" they are "anti-social media".

🤔

In regards to some suggestions from the first hand about possible improvements in the service of my esteemed wife, Bht.Wang Pan, there are few things that I can mention.

Overall, for the stage and her previous upbringing she is more than average in contribution and personal development.

Seeing that there is community and individual in the community there are few aspects that we have to consider.

Personal development does depend on personal introspection and practice, as well as harmonizing with community of devotees and managerial side.

Often there could be some differences between this currents but it is only external.

Her personal sadhana is externally good.

Attitude is also good , but as the master Vaisesika Prabhu says, ABS, always better service, we can always review our attitudes.

Tom Brown🐵 - What is the biggest room in the world?

Buck White🐷 - ???

TB - "The room for self improvement!"

Places to improve could be more cultivating variety of relationships with devotees.

Here is little limping.

Could be due to being in a foreign land and could be Chinese politeness that we westerners interpret as impersonalism.

However we are here to transcend/overcome our conditioning for the pleasure of the Lord.

As Prabhupada says it takes a village to rise a child.

I would personally encourage her to more interact with devotes in variety of service for better grow and appreciation of others and their services.

In the lines of Prabhupada statement , we need a father, mother, friend, uncle, brother,neighbour etc...to be more settled.

Its good that she is dependent on me, but being overly dependent is not good.

Just like there are liberals and orthodox.

Both are fine if there is not extreme.

As soon as one goes into extreme, there will immediately be disbalance and our services to Prabhupada internally and externally checked.

HpS - Avadhutas and Smarta. Nityananda and Adwaita!

In the same lines, to be to dependent or too independent is in general not proving good.

That's what comes to my mind at the moment.

As we know formations in the battlefield of Kuruksetra were daily different, we have to expect that as we progress in spiritual life there will be constant need of modification and working on different fields.

As Srila Prabhupada letters always ended encouraging to follow regulative principles and chant 16 rounds and as you always add , chanting them early in the morning, we belive that whatever happens whether externally good or bad is always for our ultimate good. So,we are marching forward in unison.

In regards to initiation there is a confusion about when, where and how.Could you please helps solve this mystery Maharaja.

HpS - Formally if the candidate has been chanting 16-nice rounds daily and following 4 principles strictly for one hear, has passed the disciple course, has a letter of recommendation from Temple President or such authority, and has been in contact with an ISKCON Diksa guru (like us) for six months to consider what Diksa means etc.

Then... candidate can be initiated.

I think Mataji has done all these things, no?

I remember once one of my gurus once put me on "pause" for my overly "creative idea" for months. Means he was not talking to me as usual. It was actually mercy because I kept on thinking and rethinking about my idea and that purified me nicely.

Again and again , we are blessed by somehow cross your path and we feel refreshed in that state.

Yours in the service of Guru and Gouranga

Narayan pandit das & Bht.Wang

HpS/ASA - Thank you for your very frank thoughts. I hope that your good wife does not feel a little shy at such considerations, but that is the characteristic of one advancing in KC that they are getting detached from praise and blame of their ego, and only want to hear good reflection on their character for self improvment.

If you send an email address we can also converse particular points in KC as you like. Of course, we won't publish it.

Thank you!

We hope we can relate our iconic Sun Wu Kong with the Bhava of Lord Chaitanya