Letters to the editor

Hare Krishma Guru Maharaj,

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

I am following the 4 regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds every day. (4 days worth of rounds pending).

We have some great news to share. Vishaka gave birth to a baby boy on 27th June at 10.10 pm. The baby is doing fine - eating and sleeping most of the time. Vishaka is recovering from the delivery nicely. The last 10 days have been a bit of a whirlwind getting used to caring for a new-born. We have decided to name him Dhaasharathi, Guru Maharaj. Vishaka had listened to a lecture on Ramayana long back and learnt that of all names of Rama, this is the one she likes the best.

We have given the deities to a friend of ours until the 9th but we are still doing full morning program with Dhaasharathi every day. We also sing kirtan and Bhagavatam stutis during feeding time.

We are having the naming ceremony on the 10th of July at 11am, Guru Maharaj. My parents will be coming from Dallas to spend some time with the baby. Please bless the child to become a warrior in Srila Prabhupada's mission and hope we are able to guide him towards fulfilling this purpose to the best of his abilities. I am finding a newfound drive to become a better person and devotee to set an example for him.

Attaching a few pictures. [For your eyes-only, Guru Maharaj]. Everyone here is worried about "evil-eye". I have tried exhorting them to put more faith in Krishna and that He will do what's best for the child but to no avail. As devotees, how do we handle this "evil-eye" kind of beliefs, Guru Maharaj?

HpS - In general, I guess we ask for some basis to the belief, and explain that Parampara, BG, does not mention them, but if they are not contrary then we can give respect to them, no?

Your humble servant

Sri Rama Krishna Das

Hare Krishna beloved Gurudev PAMHO AGTSP AGTY I wrote in one of the earlier letters, chanting japa minimum 20 rounds every day, that's about the time it takes mangala and darsan aratik on youtube in Mayapur and or Vrindavan temple. I don't know if it's good or maybe not while chanting japa, but I realized that it helps me a lot to focus on the indescribable beauty of the deities. I really miss the asotiacion with devotees,but the nearest Iskcon center is quite far from the village where I live in Serbia. I get up very early finish sadhana after that going to work. I would like to avoid the summer heat for my duties in the orchard and grap yard. Frequent bad weather destroys a lot of fruit, which spoils my mood. I work as a bus and truck driver very rarely. I am asking Krishna to help me in my wishes to come to Spain November when you are there to meet You Hare Krishna.

HpS - Super news. You moved to Serbia?

You sing the Gurvastaka during Brahma muhurta?

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru Maharaj HH Hanumat Presaka Swami Maharaj. Please accept our humble obeisances at Your sweet Lotus feet.

HpSwami - Characteristic of out Siddha-deha.

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj,

Thank you very much for the wonderful, ecstatic Saturday class...we long to hear more and more.

As for the political situation here in Manipur, it is far from okay! Anything can flare up anytime. Only Your mercy has protected us and our services to Sri RadhaGovinda!

We wish to serve Guru Maharaj and all the wonderful devotees accompanying Guru Maharaj at Sri RadhaKund. We wish to bring our Manipur cultural troupe along with us so that we all can serve Guru Maharaj and all the devotees, especially HH Yadunanda Swami. We only wish we could serve all the Vaishnavas at Manipura....we wait but with bleeding arms! Mataji Joybi has an ashram at RadhaKund, very near to Guru Maharaj's ASA, RadhaKund. Should any of the devotees need accommodation, kindly give us the seva.

We look forward to serving Guru Maharaj at RadhaKund. We discussed with HH Bhakti Anand Haridas Goswami Maharaj about Guru Maharaj's visit to Manipur . And we had the same conclusion...not really the safest of times to visit Manipura.

We sent some pics and videos of this year's Rathyatra services through Rituraj Krsna Das...for Guru Maharaj's pleasure.

Started learning Spanish....as instructed by Guru Maharaj. Indeed...lot of similarities with Ingles and Hindi! Thank you Guru Maharaj.

Your insignificant servant

Sarad Gaurangi DD

HPSWAMI-ASA - Thank, agtSP, you, for this definitive answer

Br. Sadhubhusana Das was encouraging us.

We want to visit, but at this time seems best for us to stay based in Sri Vrndavana Dhama for all three weeks.

Will inform Yadu Swami.

Maybe we can make a movie to send there from Vraja.

🌴🐒🐒🐒

Hare Krsna Gurudev.

Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you.

Gurudev. I hope you are well, bringing the good news to Rāma that the ring is now in Sīta's hand.

Gurudev, I have several things to tell you. I don't want to take away your time and energy. That's why sometimes I don't write, and also because there is no relevant news.

First of all, I'm very anxious because I'm going to see you. I planned this trip 100% to be able to see you. If you were going to China or Mars I was going to try to go. But, by your mercy, it seems that I will visit the Holy Dhama, although I am not qualified at all. I am sinful and do not have a single drop of devotion. I am one of your newest initiated disciples, so I did not have much personal relationship with you, which makes me humble, since I am insignificant in all senses of life. That is why I am very anxious to be able to prostrate myself personally at the feet of my spiritual master, who is your beautiful and great person.

HpS - Trnad api sunicena. When we are fully awake we realize how we are servants of everyone.

Now, especially, we are servants of Srila Prabhupada. He is our Guru. He wrote the book KRSNA The SPOG.

He is the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

He also founded the BBT.

He lives forever in his books.

On the other hand, Gurudev, I remember that you once said that a disciple of yours realized, after 10 years of being your disciple, that "my guru is not my psychologist."

This was recorded in my memory and I try to take the relationship with you in a mature way and taking advantage of the fortune of having you, to ask you relevant questions about spiritual life, and to be able to do some service dedicated to you (BG 4.34).

HpS/ASA - AgtSP!

However, Gurudev, I want to ask you: What is success? Sometimes, I feel like I'm a failure in every way.

HpS - Success is ever expanding. The Gopis are successful in giving some novel delight to Krsna, but then is knowledge potency expands and He understands it.

Continuous, delightful competition between his Ananda and Cit zAktis.

Success is being able to chant Hare Krsna//Hare Rama.

If you can chant SKC, PNA... and follow it with HK//HR right now, you life is successful. Continue with that success and it will dictate to you how to make further progress.

🙂

My spiritual life is mediocre, I sing the 16 rounds but without enthusiasm and with many offenses. Yes I follow the 4 principles strictly. I don't have many spiritual realizations. I fail to have substantial friendly relations with the yatra devotees. I also fail to study the Scriptures seriously. I am not consistent in getting up early in the morning... I only distribute some books of Srila Prabhupada, and with that, I try to mentally convince myself that I am doing something for you and for him, but it is insignificant since I am not doing it with pure consciousness.

HpS - How do you know this?

How do you know the metal you have is not gold, unless you know what is gold.

So, you must have some higher consciousness.

Focus on getting up early and getting your rounds' done,

With enthusiasm

ie. meditating on the goal and and the path.

💥

In the material sphere, I also feel that it is a failure. I am 43 years old and within what materialistic society rewards as "success", I have none of that... No worldly love, no money, no worldly prestige, no children... nothing....

HpS/ASA - https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/8/26/ 🙂

So? what sustains me? What should I do with my life, Gurudev?

HpS - Bible:

Look yee upon the Lilies of the field. Neither do they sow, nor do they reap, but I tell you, Solomon in all his splendor was not so arrayed.

If even a little sparrow falls, your father who is in heaven knows of this. Then do you not think that you, who are so much greater than these little beasts, are not being constantly observed by your Father who is in Heaven.

We can be eternal Sankirtan partners in Srila Prabhupada's party.

Act so that people can get help from you in reawaking their unique service, in the Sankirtan party, for Krsna.

Radha Krsna.

I know you don't know the details, but I wanted to ask you and ask for a few words.

Thanks Gurudev.

I love you very much.

I aspire to be your servant and be part of your entourage.

Deva Vrata das

..............

Hare Krsna Gurudev.

Por favor acepte mis humildes y respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Todas las glorias a usted.

Gurudev. Espero que te encuentres bien, llevándole las buenas nuevas a Rāma de que el anillo ya está en mano de Sīta.

Gurudev, tenga varias cosas para comentarte. No quiero quitarte tiempo y energía. es por eso que a veces no escribo, y también porque no hay noticias relevantes.

En primer lugar, estoy muy ansioso porque voy a verte. este viaje lo planifiqué 100% para poder verte. Si ibas a China o a Marte iba a tratar de ir. Pero, por tu misericordia, parece que visitaré el Santo Dhama, aunque no estoy cualificado para nada. Soy pecaminoso y no tengo ni una gota de devoción.

Soy uno de tus discípulos iniciados más nuevos, por lo cual no tuve mucha relación personal contigo, lo cual me vuelve humilde, ya que soy insignificante en todos los sentidos de la vida. Por eso estoy muy anssioso por poder postrarme personalmente a los pies de mi maestro espiritual, que es tu bella y grandiosa persona.

por otro lado, Gurudev, recuerdo que una vez dijiste qie un discípulo tuyo se dio cuenta, luego de 10 años de ser tu discípulo, que "mi guru no es mi psicólogo". Esto quedó grabado en mi memoria y trato de tomar la relación contigo de una manera madura y aprovechando la fortuna de tenerte, para hacerte preguntas relevantes y la vida espiritual, y poder hacer algúm servicio dedicado a tí (BG 4.34).

Sin embargo, Gurudev, quiero preguntarte: ¿Qué es el éxito?

A veces, siento que soy un fracaso en todas los aspectos.

Mi vida espiritual es mediocre, canto las 16 rondas pero sin entusiasmo y con muchas ofensas. Sí sigo los 4 principios estrictamente. No tengo muchas realizaciones espirituales. No logro tener relaciones sustanciales de amistad con los devotos de yatra. Tampoco logro estudiar seriamente las Escrituras. No soy constante en levantarme temprano a la mañana...

Solo distribuyo algunos libros de Srila Prabhupada, y con eso, trato de convencerme mentalmente de que estoy haciendo algo para ti y para él, pero es insignificante ya que no lo hago con al conciencia pura.

En el ambito material, también siento que es un fracaso. Tengo 43 años y dentro de lo que la sociedad materialista premia como "éxito", yo no tengo nada de eso... Ni amor mundano, ni dinero, ni prestigio mundanos, ni hijos... nada....

entonces? qué me sostiene? Que debo hacer con mi vida, Gurudev?

Sé que no sabes los detalles, pero quería preguntarte y pedirte unas palabras.

Gracias Gurudev. 

Te quiero mucho.

Aspiro a ser tu sirviente y formar parte de tu séquito.

Deva Vrata das

HpS/ASA - O.K.?

🐵 🐒 🐒🐒

¡Hare Krsna! Querido Guru Maharaja, por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias 🙇

y todo mi afecto.

Todas las Glorias sean a nuestro muy misericordioso Fundador Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada y todas las Glorias sean a Sus fieles seguidores.🌻

Gurudeva, muchas gracias por su incansable servicio, ejemplo e inspiración, en la ejecución del Servicio devocional. Gracias por empujarnos a mantenernos en este trascendental ejército de Srila Prabhupada.

Solo por vuestra misericordia sin causa, nos mantenemos firmes 16 rondas diarias (mínimo) - 4 principios, Mangala Ararika regular (fallamos 2 o tres veces al mes), servicio humilde en el templo (una vez por semana), mantengo asociación con agradables vaisnavas🙂

, atención (y relación) con nuestras Señorías, Kirtan y Lectura-estudio diario de los significados Bhaktivedanta.

Felizmente continuamos estudiando Bhakti Vaibhava, bajo la magnífica guía de SS Yadunandana Swami, en compañía de compañeros muy eruditos como Jayanta prabhu. Recientemente realizamos la evaluación de la primera sección del 3er canto del Srimad Bhagavatam. Pude darme cuenta, de que por la misericordia sin causa de Sri Guru, las experiencias vividas, nos han empujado a apreciar de manera más profunda los significados Bhaktivedanta, también pude observar de cerca algunos aspectos en los que debo y deseo trabajar. 🤓

La misericordia de Srila Prabhupada se expande a través de su trascendental legado; sus significados Bhaktivedanta, Su ISKCON y por supuesto Sus fieles seguidores. ¡Se lo debo todo!, de no ser por su misericordia ¿Qué clase de vida animalesca llevaría?🙏

Cambiando de tema: Continúo trabajando (poco) en auditoria interna, con buenos amigos que cuidan de mí. Y, como es normal, la salud de este cuerpo sigue deteriorándose, después del más reciente estudio decidí detener todos los procedimientos invasivos, porque el tratamiento ha sido peor que la enfermedad. Así que mantendré los tratamientos más leves y haré lo que esté de mi parte para no ser negligente con el cuidado de este burrito.

Muchas gracias Gurudeva, por su misericordia sin causa (que representa la de Srila Prabhupada y la de Nuestras Señorías) me siento una persona muy afortunada, la única manera que tengo para demostrar mi gratitud es vivir conforme a vuestras instrucciones y tratar de comunicar conciencia de Krsna a todos quienes conozco (Claro, hasta donde puedo entender). Sé que falló con frecuencia, que soy un estudiante torpe y que frecuentemente abuso de su misericordia, le ruego me disculpe… Por favor, bendígame para que algún día pueda ser un soldado útil en esta trascendental misión.

Siempre a sus órdenes

Su aspirante a discípula

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

-0-0-0-

Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances 🙇 and all my affection.

All Glories be to our very merciful Founder Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and all Glories be to the faithful followers of him.🌻

Gurudeva, thank you very much for your tireless service, example and inspiration in the performance of Devotional Service. Thank you for pushing us to stay in this transcendental army of Srila Prabhupada.

HpS - We are 99.9999% puppets. Srila Prabhupada, Krsna, are pulling the strings.

Only by your causeless mercy, we stand firm 16 rounds daily (minimum) - 4 principles, regular Mangala Ararika (we fail 2-3 times a month), humble temple service (once a week), maintain association with nice Vaisnavas 🙂

ASA - NoI 1 --- You can make disciples all over the world!! Do it. Accept people who come to you for shelter.

, attention (and relationship) with our Lordships, Kirtan and daily reading-study of Bhaktivedanta meanings.

We happily continued studying Bhakti Vaibhava, under the magnificent guidance of HH Yadunandana Swami, in the company of very learned companions like Jayanta prabhu.

HpS - ASA - We will be with them in a few weeks, no?

We recently conducted the evaluation of the first section of the 3rd canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. I was able to realize that through the causeless mercy of Sri Guru, the experiences we have lived have pushed us to appreciate the Bhaktivedanta meanings more deeply.

I was also able to closely observe some aspects that I must and wish to work on. 🤓

HpS - Our relationship with Srila Prabhupada, his books, certainly changes more and more. Becomes very individual. You have to develop your own way of understanding, reciting them.

Srila Prabhupada's mercy expands through his transcendental legacy; the meanings of him Bhaktivedanta, the ISKCON of him and of course the faithful followers of him. I owe him everything! If it weren't for his mercy, what kind of animalistic life would I lead?

HpS - You are fortunate. I would be living an amoeba life. 🐛

Changing the subject: I continue to work (a little) in internal audit, with good friends who take care of me. And, as is normal, the health of this body continues to deteriorate, after the most recent study I decided to stop all invasive procedures, because the treatment has been worse than the disease. So I'll keep the treatments lighter and do my part to not be negligent in caring for this burrito.

HpS - Use the donkey Krsna has given you well. Then when it is not useful let it be recycled to make new bodies, and transfer to the next body Krsna sends. Maybe a Mercedes of Lamborginig or ... just come out in your Vaikuntha, Goloka body and laugh and sing!

Really would be nice to hear that you have died a happy death.

Thank you very much Gurudeva, for your causeless mercy (which represents that of Srila Prabhupada and that of Our Lordships) I feel like a very lucky person, the only way I have to demonstrate my gratitude is to live according to your instructions and try to communicate awareness of Krsna to everyone I know (Of course, as far as I can understand). I know that I failed frequently, that I am a clumsy student and that I frequently abuse his mercy, I beg your pardon... Please bless me so that one day I can be a useful soldier in this momentous mission.

Always at your service

His would-be disciple

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

HpS / ASA - Super!!! Now we go to Friday night FES. Thank you!!!! See you soon.

HK, AGTSP, PAMHO,

Dear Gurudeva,

Same old, same old, as they say. Nothing particularly exciting to add, except that existence feels more like waiting to complete a jail sentence in this realm than anything else. Evil always seems to pervade over good in every corner of this world.

One may wonder: Is what we were promised in the sastras truly delivered, fully developed, or attained (for the lack of a better term), or is it all a fantastic hoax? Humbly, I reiterate the question from my previous report that remained unanswered:

HpS - AgtSP. Previous report?? Did not see it! 😲

So, nice to hear from you.

https://vedabase.io/en/library/lob/28/

"The devotees of the Lord, therefore, make the best use of the bad bargain by utilizing the temporary creation in the service of the Lord."

We are in a prison. There is chance for psycho-therapy, occupational training, family counseling. We want to get out, but right now this is the best place for us. We become ready for the spiritual world. Not dumped back into prison again after three months out because of our violent nature and inability to make money nicely.

We can even become psychologists and guards!

I would like to ask about CC Madhya 22.158, regarding siddha-rūpeṇa. I've read a brilliant article by Vraja Kishor Prabhu on Madhurya Kadambini titled Why Our Japa Still Stinks, where he suggests a logical progression to improve Japa by using the eight steps of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra as a template. The immediate goal would be to finally reach some substantial improvement in concentration, thus leading to nishta-bhajan (Dhyana and Samadhi). The author emphasizes that after Pratyahara, or trying to leave behind the "false" identity to stop distracting thoughts successfully, it is crucial to fill that gap with a "real" identity fit and ready to serve Krsna in a particular way, embracing this role internally, Dharana. Even if, at the beginning, it is a faceless character, chanting from such a role is what allows more depth while chanting.

Of course, this seems to be a very personal practice, but this devotee insists that if we think we are not qualified for it, we shoot ourselves in the foot. What is your advice on this matter? What do you suggest as reading/practice to start working towards that step? Is any specific approach facilitated by the spiritual master, or does it all fall into a homogeneous, holistic, general instruction?

ei nivedana dhara, sakhira anugata koro, seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi

Thank you very much for giving me shelter, Dear Gurudeva.

Respectfully and affectionately,

Your servant,

Etasa Krsna Das

HpS - Preparing for Friday night class. Stomach ache. 90-degrees Fahrenheit. 🙂

Same as you, no?

We think about above a lot.

We remember Srila Prabhupada says, that for every stage in the Astanga yoga system, there is a corresponding stage in the Bhakti yoga system.

In our practice it seems so.

Above description of stages in contrast seems fine. We see little different but not means we are better.

Don't remember exact list from SP of the comparisons.

Eg. we take Pratyahara as the change when we stop letting the drum play us and we play the drum.

In the beginning it is very gratifying to the senses to beat the drum in regular strong strikes. It is sense gratification.

Because it is dovetailed with Hari kirtan it is like Nama-bhasa. It liberates us. We like the freedom.

Yet, we are not withdrawing from the external sensual experience and hearing the meaning of the Mantra or trying to use the percussion to ornament, illuminate, the Mantra. When that happens, even though it may not be ecstatic for the senses, we feel ecstasy, satisfaction in illuminating the meaning, punctuation, for the Mantra.

We take it to a deeper level.

Of course, the senses begin to like this position more than their blind, juvenile, gratification with no depth.

O.K.?

Is one idea.

Chanting and Dancing obviously handle aZana and prAnayAma, no?

Four principles, Tri-sandhyas ~= Yama, Niyama.

When you come to Goswami ... ? .... nistha/ruci... you start Raganuga Bhakti. Goswami, male, female, eunich, must be very intuitive: Gita = jitAtmana prasAntasya paramAtma samAhita, Intro to NoI = Once one becomes goswami everything else about how to advance will be automatically revealed.

So, our use of Srila P's books becomes more intuitive, not so regulated and linear, German, when we reach goswami - Pratyahara/dharana/dhyana.

Also, not like quantum jumps - You are Nistha! or you are Ruci!

More like a Bell Curve.

I might be little bit of neophyte, mostly Nistha, beginning Ruci and sometimes Prema (once every five years).

O.K.?

If we want to discuss more we should organize a colloquia, no? 🙂

References: To Dance in the Downpour of Devotion: A Summary Study of Madhurya Kadambini by Vraja Kishor.

Picture: The Book of Hours at the University of Chicago