Letters to the editor

Hare Krsna, Gurudeva

My respected Gurudeva, please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Jaya Gurudeva, thank you very much for FMP AGTSP!

HpS - AgtSP. NoI. ISKCON Bhakta vrnda.

Rounds, principles, they are simple but sometimes difficult. They require great effort, but there we go. Doing them, I feel greater enjoyment, conscious, in these latter times.

I am still here, in the material world; now I am a curious old woman.

hps - it is easy or difficult depending on KRSNA, no? it is not just physical challenge like the gymnasium, but moral and spiritual. very personal dialog with KRSNA through Srila Prabhupada.

Gurudeva, perhaps reaching a higher level of consciousness, has to do with a "quantum leap."

HpS - quantum leap means it cannot go in infintesimal, continous steps. it was a debate about the orbital states of electrons, no?

yet, our progress can be one syllable at a time... haw ... ray ... krs ... na! its eternal.

Krsna is unlimited and magnanimous; He is the Supreme.

Does this great number of expansions or cows have to do with the idea of quantum physics of the "possibilities of existence that a thing has"?

hps - I studied quantum physics at U. C. Berkeley with good scores, and our professor commented that many times people use the example of billard balls to explain the action of atoms and molecules, but personally he had never seen a billard ball and his own knowledge of billard balls was from his knowledge of atoms and molecules!

So, I don't know too much of the philosophical ideas imbedded in quantum physics, but I have seen that some of them are very deep ideas about ontology. Wave or Particle is very much like achintya bheda a bheda tattva.

Does spiritual power allow one to see all possibilities?

HpS - Well, we do not become Paramatma, but we have all the power we need to understand things for our service.

Purity gives us access to the Absolute Truth, things as they are. The key to the Absolute Truth today is the Maha Mantra, right?

HpS - At the current moment chanting the Names of God is the best yajna. Maybe the only one.

Allah.

Jehovah.

God.

Krsna.

Narayana.

!

Perhaps a comic could be made with this; and "enjoying life."

Thank you very much for your attention Gurudeva, your time and mercy.

Your disciple

Rohini dd

HpS - What do you mean about "enjoying life"?

Sometimes Krsna shows marvelous things to the Brijavasis. Mother Yasoda saw all the universe, pastpresentfuture, when She looked into Krsna's little mouth. She thought she was having a psychotic break down.

Many big physicists had very philosophical questions, realizations.

Go ahead!

Next life you may be a powerful Brahmana in Nabadvipa!!??

Hare Krishna

Querido y recordado Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias

TLGASP!

No se cómo explicar ni defender mi mal comportamiento, sólo quiero decirle que estoy tratando de salir adelante en mi vida espiritual, con muchos tropiezos, muchos anarthas, algunos pocos avances pero también retrocesos, esa es la verdad.

Actualmente mi servicio en el Templo de Arequipa es administrativo, y gracias a las madres y devotos que realizan su servicio devocional de forma satisfactoria, las actividades son relativamente buenas, ha crecido la comunidad de devotos, la prédica a los nuevos amigos de Krishna es diaria y constante; cada cierto tiempo salimos a las calles a hacer Harinam Sankirtan y Food For Life. La concurrencia del público al Templo es buena en las fiestas devocionales. Pensamos realizar un ratha yatra este año en el Corso de la Amistad por las principales calles de la ciudad, pero aun es solo un proyecto (seria el 15 de agosto 2025).

En lo personal, he vuelto nuevamente a estudiar el Srimad Bhagavatam todos los miércoles con el grupo de estudio de prabhu Laksman Agraja das. Eso ha despertado mucho entusiasmo en mi y también me sirve de repaso, como también la lectura del Bhagavad Gita y Néctar de la Instrucción entre otras obras.

Mi sadhana todavía es muy debil, a veces no llego a cantar todas mis rondas, con la promesa de recuperarlas al día siguiente, algo que no logro cumplir; pero aun así trato de seguir cantando como sea y donde pueda sin perder la atención en el canto. No logro despertarme más temprano de mi horario habitual, soy un tanto perezoso debo confesar. A pesar de ser vegetariano desde hace muchos años, no siempre me alimento de Krishna prasada. Por lo demás, sigo los 4 principios regulativos de manera formal.

Le debo confesar algo, si no le he escrito anteriormente es porque me he sentido avergonzado de no ser un buen discípulo, ni siquiera un candidato de discípulo para usted, a quien considero un fidedigno representante de Dios en la tierra. Pero le estoy profundamente agradecido por su infinita misericordia y por darme la oportunidad de poder mejorar y ser un digno representante del movimiento Hare Krishna de ISKCON.

Su insignificante seguidor,

Raya Ramananda das

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Hare Krishna,

Dear and remembered Gurudeva

Please accept my respectful obeisances.

TLGASP!

ASA - AGTSP!!!!!!!! !!!

I don't know how to explain or defend my bad behavior. I just want to tell you that I'm trying to move forward in my spiritual life, with many setbacks, many anarthas, some small advances, but also setbacks. That's the truth.

Currently, my service at the Arequipa Temple is administrative, and thanks to the mothers and devotees who perform their devotional service satisfactorily, the activities are relatively good.

The community of devotees has grown.

Sermons to new friends of Krishna are daily and constant.

Every so often, we go out into the streets to perform Harinam Sankirtan and Food for Life.

Public attendance at the Temple is good during devotional festivals. We plan to hold a ratha yatra this year on the Corso de la Amistad (Friendship Parade) through the main streets of the city, but it is still only a project (it would be on August 15, 2025).

HpS - Do it!!

Personally, I've returned to studying Srimad Bhagavatam every Wednesday with Prabhu Laksman Agraja das's study group. This has sparked a lot of enthusiasm in me and also serves as a review, as does reading the Bhagavad Gita and Nectar of Instruction, among other works.

My sadhana is still very weak; sometimes I don't manage to chant all my rounds, promising to make them up the next day, something I fail to do. But I still try to keep chanting however and wherever I can without losing my focus on the chanting.

I can't seem to wake up earlier than my usual schedule; I'm a bit lazy, I must confess. Despite being a vegetarian for many years, I don't always eat Krishna prasada. Otherwise, I follow the four regulative principles formally.

I must confess something: if I haven't written to you before, it's because I felt ashamed of not being a good disciple, or even a candidate for one, for you, whom I consider a true representative of God on earth. But I am deeply grateful for your infinite mercy and for giving me the opportunity to improve and become a worthy representative of ISKCON's Hare Krishna movement.

Your insignificant follower,

Raya Ramananda das

HpS/ASA - You, me, are better than some, worse than others.

NoD/Rupa Goswami, Srila Prabhupada, says that if we cannot chant our 16-rounds, then fix a number that we know we can chant for a fixed number of days eg. I know I can chant 9-rounds/day until the next Ekadasi.

Then don't accept excuses from your mind. Do it!

Then judge by the results and take the next vow of number and days.

It works, you will be fixed in doing it, because it works!!!

Thanks for your report.

Your association is always desireable.

So much respects to everyone in Hari Kripa.

Hope to see you soon.

All Glories To Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!

PAMHO AGSTP!

HK MAHARAJ! how are you???

HpS / ASA - AgtSP. Died and gone back to heaven.

well in response to your letter I would really like to discuss with my new devotee friends topics related to digital marketing, advertising and ayurveda within ISKCON. Also would love to meet entrepreneurs if possible.

Maharaj I would like to please ask you about some other topic which is communism. I know Srila Prabhupada had a standpoint very against it (https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/adi/8/20), yet some devotees proclaim themselves as communists.

What is your opinion about this matter?

HpS - In my opinion he is against Materialistic Communism and in favor Spiritual Communism. To our mind it is not a very well defined terms and people use it in very different ways.

Prof. Hector Behar has commented that as far as he knows there is not a major political movement in the world today that declares itself Marxist which Marx himself would accept as Marist!

Thank you once again :))

please accept my obeisances,

Federico Molnár

HpS - Hari bol from Heaven!

Join us in next letter.

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj! 🙏

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet! 🙇

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 🙏

hps - agtSP. all glories to your lotus feet. can you see our siddha deha??

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

HpS/ASA - This body does not get diseases, this body is disease, but that can be impetus to connect with our spiritual situation, no??

Firstly, I apologize for not consistently writing to you, Guru Maharaj. I am writing to you now because I really wanted to share a life update with you - I am moving back to India in June, Maharaj. I came to the US in 2018 to do my bachelor's degree (in Applied Math) and started working as a data engineer after graduating.

Now, after almost two and a half years of working, I have decided to go back to India (to Bangalore, Karnataka) to live with my parents.

I will hopefully continue working for the same company from India. 

I hope to strengthen my sadhana in India alongside my mother (Name - Meera), who is very enthusiastic about Krishna consciousness. She chants 16 rounds, eats prasadam, and tries to do some service at the temple as well.

Since 2018, when I got the opportunity to get into Krishna consciousness in Boise with the help of Srinivasacarya Prabhuji, Sundari Radhika Mataji, and Sugopi, my mother and I have been very grateful.

She wanted me to convey her gratitude to you, Guru Maharaj, for accepting me as your disciple and bestowing your mercy on me.

I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you.

Thank you so much, Guru Maharaj!

I will continue to push forward on this path, even in India, as I start a new phase in my life. I beg for your blessings before I start this new phase. 

I hope to have your darshan in India, maybe in Mayapur, Vrndavan, or wherever you visit, Guru Maharaj.

My mother would also be elated to have your darshan. 

And I will be more consistent in writing to you with my updates, be it big or small. I again beg for your blessings to make my sadhana stronger.

Thank you once again, Guru Maharaj! 🙏

🙏

Trying to be your insignificant servant,

Citrasakhi Devi Dasi

HpS//ASA - Besides your good Mother [!], Srinivasa Das and his very esteemed family, what is your experience of ISKCON in general and specifically ISKCON Boise or other Temples and communities that you have known so far?

Thank you!!!

How has your Sadhana of 16-enthusiastic rounds and 4-principles strictly been???

Even more thank you!!!!!!!

Hare Krsna Gurudev

Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you.

Here Deva-Vrata das

Dear Gurudev, after a few months I am writing to you again. I haven't written since my annual report.

HpS - ... and after one month we are catching up on all of the Posts!!!!

As I wrote in my year-end report, spending those months with you in Spain and the Holy Dhama was the most powerful spiritual experience of my life.

HpS - Being together in Radha Kunda!

Living the complicated and detailed life of Sadhana Bhakti in Spain.

Traveling together from Radha kunda to Spain!!!

I am happy when I remember those moments, and I want them to remain forever in my memory to inspire my spiritual life.

Your kind qualities are immeasurable. When I speak of you, I can't help but be moved and filled with feelings of admiration and love for you.

HpS - AgtSP who can make human beings out of mud.

Also, as a contrasting feeling, I feel that I am unqualified to have a teacher of your stature; you are very exalted to me. My prayer to Krishna is to follow in your footsteps and become your disciple (a disciple is someone who follows someone's discipline, you said).

Dear Gurudev, after my experience with you, my faith is stronger. I feel more mature on the path of Krishna consciousness. Although externally I have my challenges (waking up early, eating less, motivation, enthusiastic rounds, etc.), internally I feel that I am on the right path, AgtSP and Agtyou, on the path to Krishna.

The 16 rounds and the 4 principles are fine, by your mercy.

I strongly feel that my instrument in the ISKCON orchestra is the distribution of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada's books. I ask for your blessings to be able to carry out this activity for the rest of this life and those to come. And to contribute the best I can so that Srila Prabhupada's books are in every home on this planet.

As a personal challenge, I set myself the goal of being well within myself. To become a happy and grateful person. I need to work on self-love, gratitude, and acceptance.

I also need to have better, more sincere, and real relationships with devotees.

Many personal challenges and I wish to polish this personality that is full of anarthas.

Sankirtana Report:

Books distributed as of March 2025: 623 bigs and small, and 11 Bhagavad Gitas.

We continue with the WhatsApp program "Bhagavata en familia" (Bhagavata in Family), where we send a daily Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam class to approximately 300 contacts.

Constantly reading Srila Prabhupada's books.

I have decided that I will not begin Bhakti Vaivabha yet, unless you instruct me to do so.

I traveled to Rosario and Mendoza, Argentina, and participated in their respective Ratha Yatras. In Rosario, I was at the book table and distributed (along with my mother—I invited her to help me at the book table) almost 40 books.

We drove to find Navina Nirada Prabhu in the province of San Juan, and he visited our neighborhood for two days. His association was very good; I had the opportunity to speak with him at length.

Well, Gurudev, sorry for the lengthy report.

I've been feeling a bit optimistic lately! I know good things are coming. Or we'll die trying!

Thank you for everything, Gurudev. It's impossible to repay a debt to a person like you. You are pure generosity, tenderness, and mercy. I hope to become your disciple.

Hare Krsna!

Deva Vrata das

HpS/ASA - Thank you!!!! Who are your neighbors in Cordoba. Campaklata DD, Sastric Studies Teacher and Wife (forget his name now!?), Madhavendra, Kesava Swami? What are you relations to them?

Especially the seven people in the last photo!!! 🐵 🐷 🐦 ...

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

Hare Krsna Gurudev

Por favor acepte mis umildes y respetuosas reverencias

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada

Todas las glorias a ti

Aquí Deva-Vrata das

Querido Gurudev, luego de unos meses vuelvo a escribirte, no había escrito desde mi reporte anual.

Como te escribí en el reporte de fin de año, haber estado junto a ti esos meses en España y el Santo dhama, fue la experiencia espiritual más fuerte en mi vida.

Soy feliz cuando recuerdo esos momentos y quiero que queden guardados en mi memoria por siempre para entusiasmar mi vida espiritual.

Tus cualidades bondadosas son inconmensurables. Cuando hablo de ti no puedo evitar emocionarme, y llenarme de sentimientos de admiración y amor hacia ti.

También, como sentimientos contrapuestos, siento que estoy descualificado para tener un maestro de tu talla, eres muy elevado para mí. Mi ruego a Krsna es poder seguir tus pasos y convertirme en tu discípulo (discípulo es aquel que sigue la disciplina de alguien, dijiste).

Querido Gurudev, luego de mi experiencia contigo mi fe es más firme. Me siento más maduro en el camino de conciencia de Krsna. Aunque externamente tengo mis desafios (levantarme temprano, comer menos cantidad, motivación, rondas entusiastas, etc. etc.) siento internamente que voy por buen camino, AgtSP y Agtyou, en el camino a Krishna.

Las 16 rondas y los 4 principios están bien, por tu misericordia.

Siento fuertemente que mi instrumento en la orquesta de lskcon es la distribución de libros de Su Divina Gracia Srila Prabhupada. Pido tus bendiciones para poder realizar esta actividad todo el resto de esta vida y las que sigan. Y aportar lo mejor que pueda para que los libros de Srila Prabhupada estén en cada hogar de este planeta.

Como desafío personal me propuse estar bien conmigo mismo. Volverme una persona contenta y agradecida. Necesito trabajar con amor propio, gratitud y aceptación. 

También poder tener mejores relaciones con los devotos, más sinceras y reales.

Muchos desafíos personales y deseo pulir esta personalidad que está llena de anarthas.

Reporte de Sankirtana:

libros distribuidos a marzo de 2025: 623 entre grandes y chicos y 11 Bhagavad Gita.

Seguimos con el programa de WhatsApp "Bhagavata en familia" donde enviamos una clase diaria de Bhagavad Gita o Srimad Bhagavatam a aproximadamente 300 contactos.

Leyendo constantemente los libros de Srila Prabhupada.

He decidido que no voy a empezar el Bhakti Vaivabha aún, a no ser que tú me lo instruyas.

Viajé a Rosario y Mendoza, en Argentina, y participé de los respectivos Ratha Yatra. En Rosario estuve en la mesa de libros y distribuimos (junto a mi madre -que la invite a que me ayudara en la mesa de libros-) casi 40 libros.

Fuimos en auto a buscar a Navina Nirada prabhu a la provincia de San Juan y estuvo de visita 2 días en nuestro barrio. Muy buena su asociación, tuve la oportunidad de hablar bastante con él.

Bueno Gurudev, perdón por lo extenso del reporte.

Siento un aire de optimismo en los últimos tiempos! Sé que se vienen cosas buenas. O moriremos en el intento!

Gracias por todo Gurudev. Es imposible pagar la deuda con una persona como tú. Eres pura generosidad, ternura y misericordia. Espero convertirme en tu discípulo.

Hare Krsna!

Deva Vrata das

Hare Krishna Maharaja

PAMHO AGTSP

I need to know how I can control my sexual drive so that I can remain in my vow of celibacy.

Thank you.

Ramai pandit Das

HpS//ASA - AgtSP. paoho. All of these questions are very individual, no? That is the special thing about this movement. We simultaneously are complete dependent upon our community and Krsna, but inconcievably fully independent.

Of course, this is very practical. Unless we give our full effort to developing our own character and transcendental skills, then we have nothing to contribute to the community.

Yet, we see that it is with our relationship with KRSNA and Vaisnava that we can develop these.

So, a broad answer is that one very important thing is to go on reading all of the Bhaktivedanta Library. The Srimad Bhagavatam and it's natural commentary, Caitanya Caritamrta, is full, FULL, F U L L, of stories and lessons of success, failures, recoveries with, in, from, sexual abstinence.

Of course, reality is that sex desire is Adi-rasa. The essence of all other Rasas, so we have no desire to refrain from it. We want to cultivate it.

We want to learn to assist, Radha, Krsna, Gopis, Laksmis, in Their every expanding delightful, shy, modest, intense conjugal relationships.

As we experience that higher taste, then attraction for the perverted taste in the material perspective will become insignificant, in proper proportion and a very funny, funny, binding force for the recalcitrant children who have dressed up as Radha and Krsna, and are trying to imitate them in Material Consciousness.

"Gṛhastha devotees, however, are generally engaged in material activities, and therefore if they do not take to Deity worship, their falling down is positively assured. Deity worship means following the rules and regulations precisely. That will keep one steady in devotional service."

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/5/23-24/#bb45382

So, if you are not in Brahmacari ashrama and can follow a Sannyasi physically to preach but are staying at home in the house of the Spiritual Master as a B'cari then you should engage in Deity worship.

Have your deities.

Serve Them with love by:

• Cleanliness,
• Punctuality,
• Offering Arati and Bhoga and other rituals according to your means.

O.K.? Is this some help? It is a progressive path.