Letters to the editor

All glories to AC Prabhupada, Srila Swarupa Damodar Swami Maharaja.

Radha Krishna ki Jay, Gours Nitya ki Jay, Gourabhakta Vrinda ki Jay.

Dandavat Pranam HpS, Guruji Maharaj!

HpS - All glories to Srila Prabhupada. In Nectar of Instruction, Text Five, last paragraph, https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/5/#bb5954 SrilaPrabhupada gives a very nice illumination of Guru Tattva. We are just presenting ourselves as Madhyama adhikari devotees for taking up this role of Diksa guru on behalf of Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON, and requiring that everyone we initiate is accepting Srila Prabhupada as an Uttama adhikari spiritual master.

How is your relationship with Srila Prabhupada? Do you feel his presence in you life, service?

To be a part of ISKCON we need to have that personal experience of his presence in our life, Sankirtan!

Thank you.

Hare Krishna, please accept my humble obeisanses unto Guruji Maharaja's Padma Charan that the CC I am reading is Pabhu Padas English book. Not only that the Manipuri translation of two different writers, they explain vastly.

Yes, in SB/CC is full of stories of devotees achieving success.

"Took two lifetimes and he we Great Devotees" Who are them?

HpS - Did we say something like this is a previous letter? Of course, Maharaja Bharata is an example of someone who took two lifetimes to become perfect devotee, no? I cannot think of another one right now.

Yes just some days back I read the news in the JayaRama.US.

Guruji it is my personal request that I choose my Sakhi Manjari. Actually such names are offered from the Jagat Guru Gouranga Mahapraphu, but today HpS Gurji Maharaja represents Him so please give me the permission to get Yamunesvari Sakhi and Yamuna Manjuri. My sadhana will fruitful if Guruji give me Gurujis Asirbat (anumati). It is the tradition of Manipuri Vaisnavas.

HpS - We discussed some of this before, no? If we look at NoI, Text 7, paragraph starting, "The conclusion is that in order to get freed from..."

https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/7/#bb5984

we see how Srila Prabhupada develops the verse, "Adau sraddha..." by Srila Rupa Goswami in a very nice way.

This is one of the most quoted verses in the Bhakti-rasa-amrta-sindhu. Srila Prabhupada gives the full Sanskrit in the purport to his Bhagavad-gita Text 4.40.

We have to know in which of these levels we find ourselves: Kanistha, Madhyama, Uttama adhikari. As Srila Prabhupada explains, following Lord Chaitanya, our Siddha svarupa becomes manifest when we come to the stage of Bhava. Of course, we can start to follow in the footsteps of a Manjari, or cowherd boy, etc even in the stage of Raga-anuga Bhakti. We see this as beginning in the stage of Ruci.

Here we are liberated by following Vaidhi bhakti and we can stimulate these eternal feelings of Rasa by trying to follow the feelings of a Gopi or Gopa in our service.

For example, when we offer the Raja bhoga to Radha Govinda Chandra in Mani-mandir, we can try to do it with the mood of Mother Yasoda or a cowherd friend of Krsna.

So, are you "Nistha"? Are you fixed in devotional service? Every day up for Kirtan and Mangala arati during Brahma muhurta? Always chanting 16-nice rounds etc? Then you can, will, naturally begin Raganuga Bhakti, but your real Siddha svarupa will only become fully manifest when you progress to the stage of Bhava bhakti, and it does not have to be a Manjari. We me become like Krsna's garland or his flute. All this is basically explained in the NoI, and then by reading Srila Prabhupadas books like CC, SB, NoD, we become more familiar with the topic.

Naturally, by following Srila Prabhupada, we are following Rupa Goswami. In Vraja lila he is Rupa Manjari, who is serving Lalita sakhi.

Of course, we are following Manipuri tradition through Bhakti svarupa Damodara Goswami and how he accepted its different aspects, and put aside some others.

Please discuss Srila Prabhupada's Parampara instructions from Lord Chaitanya with Haridas Goswami. He knows the Manipuri perspective very well, no? Ask him what he understands about this topic and then have him send a copy of his thoughts to us.

That will be very great service.

I do not remember in CC where Lord Caitanya gives Manjari names to anyone?

Waiting to hear from you and Maharaja. It is certain that if you just go on chanting sixteen enthusiastic rounds while following the four principles under Srila Prabhupada's authority you will come to the platform of Maha bhagavata and you eternal relation and body with Krsna will become manifest again.

Once again Dangavat Prana.

Yours fallen servant,

Yamunesvara Das.

All glories To Srila Prabhupada

Jay Jay Sri Guru and Gouranga

Dandavat Pranam Dear GuruDeva

I beg your pardon for not writing so often, although I meditate on his lotus feet daily.

I am praying that his health is good and allows him to continue in his mission of preaching with all the enthusiasm of all time.

Since the beginning of the pamdemic we keep with Majulali (Manjuali) DD in the distribution of Prasadam in various ways daily lunches, cakes and bakery, my mother helps us with some things when she can.

The music: The presentations were almost nil, now she is reactivated a little, but, everything is still very slow, I have

I recorded some Vaishnava songs in video format to keep me somewhat active.

The service: In the temple very little since it is going through different times, although at home I am with daily service

to the deities that my mother, manjulali and I. I will be helping the temple with a very security and emergency plan. necessary in any situation that you need such as controlling a fire, evacuating in case of earthquake, safety in kitchens, pujari room and salons.

Majulali DD: A day ago she took the exam for the initiation, I spent time reinforcing her knowledge and serenity to leave the result in the hands of Krishna, including a series of letters of commitment and declarations.

After everything that happened in our temple, my faith in Krishna consciousness, Srila Prabhupada, you and the devotees

has not changed, I believe that these situations bring us closer to the reality that we live in this material world and increase our desire to stop suffering by following the examples that you give us daily, thank you very much for all your effort and sacrifice for us.

Hoping to be helpful in your mission and putting myself fully at your service, your servant

Lalita Madhava Das 

HpS - Thank you . It is just like walking with you around the Temple in Santiago in the afternoon with the long autumn sun rays.

You are on the right path. You loving ability will reawaken taking all these lessons.

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances

All glories to you, All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Sorry Guru Maharaja for not writing for so long…

Hope you are doing well…

I am daily chanting my sixteen rounds and following four regulative principles…and by your mercy doing few seva in Kalachandji Temple… and somehow trying to serve our deties Nitai Navadwip Chandra..

Guru Maharaja as per your instruction in the previous letter I have started reading Bhagvatham, and now in completed 14th Chapter in the First Canto.

We have also made a small Bhagavatham study group where we daily read Bhagavatham for about 40 mins. We have finished till Chapter 7 of the first canto.

Somehow by your mercy I am able to read daily and get some association of Srila Prabhupada through his books.

Guru Maharaj I have completed my Bhakti Shastri course with Gopal Hari Prabhu and he also informed us that he will soon receive the certificates.

If you think I am ready for second initiation, I wish to take second initiation, when we meet you in Houston, so that I can cook and dress the deities in the temple.

We are eagerly waiting to come to Houston and to see you and get your association.

Please always keep me in your service Guru Maharaj.

HpS - AgtSP Seems fine to me. Romapada Swami is giving initiations on 17th morning as far as I understand. Maybe Saranga Th Das and Maharaja will let us join the same fire. Ask Saranga Th. Das.

We need a letter from Temple President, Nityananda Das. He might ask Saranga Th. Das.

Hare Krishna Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisance in your Divine lotus feet..

All Glouris to you

All Glouris to Shrila Prabhu Pad ji..

I want to wish you A Very Happy 125th Apparence Day of Our beloved Shrila Prabhu Pad ji..

Today I am missing you lot..

I really need your kind Mercy..

When I met you in May 20th..in Houston temple.. from that day..I am reading all letters here..and very inspiring and very very helpful for me..

I am following All your instructions.

Maharaj my English is Not good..

That's why I didn't write any letter..

Can you please share your email address..so, I can write personally..

Maharaj.. Yesterday we celebrate Shri Krishna Janmashtami Festival.

Today we are going to celebrate our beloved Shrila Prabhu Pad ji Apparence Day..

Maharaj.. I Love to cook..

Since last 10 years I am cooking here for All devotees in Houston,.

All devotees like my cooking..

But unfortunatly I can Not cook for Shri Shri Radha Nila Madhav..

Yesterday so many devotees cook for Shri Shri Radha Nila Madhav, but I can't..

I serve 3000 devotees..but I want to serve Krishna also..

Maharaj..

I am begging your mercy..

Please accept this unfortunate soul also.. I know you're so merciful..but I am very sinful ..

Please forgive me and All my bad karma 😭

Please accept me like your daughter and very foolish servant 🙏🙏

Thank you so much Maharaj

Sumitra Sharma Houston

HpS - AGTSP paoho Your English is not good and I only have two eyes. 😁 With the company of a gentleman we are happy to have detailed discussion with ladies, but only after the topics are discussed in general in our very respected Blog.

Eg. Maybe you are having a problem with the Temple President, so here you write: Maharaja, how do we deal with situation when our ISKCON administrative authorities seem to have this that problem. . .

85% of the answer we can give will be in our answer to these general questions and 3-4 other people will have the same question answered by seeing our answer to you.

Before we had this Blog we were getting 400-500 letters/month. With the Blog it is ony 150/month.

After the general discussions we can certainly pass a few efficient minutes in a private email with ladies and their kind protectors.

Is O.K.? We talked with Gopinatha and Saranga Thakur about first initiation for your good self and other.

Formally would need letter from Temple President and then spend six months exchanging some letters like this to get to know each other in this relationship. So, that is one possibility. we meet with Saranga and get recommendation letter and communicate even with the help of others who speak English well, then when we return to Houston in six months we do the first initiation.

Let us see what Sarang Th. Das says.

Thank you.

Krsna eats at your house!

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva:

AGTSP, PAMHO.

I have just got a message from Jambavan d he is extremely overjoyed due to your association. He is the brother I never had.

Well, I want to make a report. I went to the beach for one week. I went there in order to relax before the classes start. I basically woke up with the sound of the sea. It was very pleasant.

My internet connection was not good enough to connect to gotomeeting. Nevertheless, I followed FMP through facebook which is free for me.

I traveled with my Nrimshadeva, and when I was returning, at the airport someone asked me what is the statue that you have in your purse. Many times My Lordships wanted to be seen by others so I took Him out, He is my personal deity I said. He looked at Him and nodded.

We are very looking forward to meeting you in New Asoka dham.

I got my complete vaccination (Pfizer). I work at home, and just go out for buying groceries.

My service is to give classes for Iskcon Chosica once a month. In the last class I prepared a presentation, because the format that they use is just to talk in front of the camera, I used to do that but I tried to prepare something more.

16 R ok

4P ok

So, I guess that it is all for now, see you tonight at zoom

Trying to be your disciple

CMDD

HpS - Yes, it is so nice to prepare slide shows or other kinds of puppet shows!!!

From Whatsapp:

Hare Krishna, Maharaj,

Dandavat pranam! 

All glories to sri guru and gouranga! 

All glories to srila prabhupad! 

Dear maharaj, 

This is Isana das from Imphal, Manipur. 

I have taken brahman diksha from your good self in 2012 in imphal. Maharaj, may I have a request to serve you in the long run and take your shelter... 

It has been so long that I would like to contact you and have your sublime association..... Actually maharaj I am serving here at manipur university as guest faculty in the department of sociology. And I am planning to organize an international webinar in connection with the disappearance day of srila sripad Maharaj which is to be sponsored and supported by intellectual forum of North East (IFNE). The theme is on manipur vaishnavism. And I would to request your good self to be one of the main speaker on the life and work of sripad Maharaj. I therefore humbly request you to kindly accept my sincere approach to serve guru Maharaj. If you kindly accept my request, I would like to further intimate you and would like to send you details of the webinar. 

Yours servant, 

Isana das

HpS - ASA - AGTSP!!! Esteemed Isana Das Prabhu, Please accept our humble obeisances.

Thank you for your Whatsapp post. We were getting 400-500 letters a month until we we started this Blog. Now it is down to maybe 150/month, and in general we are getting old and our eyes failing, so we will be doing less and less tying here. We can start to use help from Secretarys.

We had similar request to join in very nice program in Bolivia from very nice devotee(s) there and our response is the same. We have to have the program, calendar development, here is the Blog. Then the ASA community can take up the project.

With the program in Bolivia the communication some how or other broke down. We were receiving topic and time assignments in in Whatsapp and we responded that we could not participate without more developed communication, then finally we got a notice one or two days before the Congress with conflicting timings and an expectation for a 1-1/2 hour presentation on a topic we did not know well!

We tried. We even started trying to do a last minute Power Point show, but everything went beyond even our limited human imagination of how to adjust the situation. It was causing disturbances in our regular ASA programs, so we just collapsed, ran away. 🙂

🚂

🚂 🚂 🚂

We are all actually very small devotees. We must work together in the institution, Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON. More internally we must develop our friends ships. Finally we must have a direct experience (through so many transparent via media) of Srila Prabhupada's awareness of our service. 1. 2. 3.

We are all eternally associated in the Sankirtan movement of Srila Prabhupada. I was the first person to read a letter from Srila Prabhupada to Jaya tirtha Das in San Francisco about different management details and then Srila Prabhupada finished it by writing: You cannot exist without my mercy...

I was shocked by the force of the statement, but swallowed and accepted it: That is what Guru says!

... but then I read the next comment and was even more shocked:

... and I cannot exist without your mercy. This mutual respect, this mutual love, is Krsna consciousness.

So, what we learned from organizing these symposia from H. H. B. S. Damodara Swami and several others, even at the level of Noble Prize winners, is that first there should be personal contact:

Eg. For all the Nobel professors and others who came for the First World Congress in Bombay, Maharaja assigned three PhD candidate boys to see to their accommodation and practical communication.

At our level, we would just need one person who is in personal contact with us and maybe another participant. Ie. we may equal 1/6th of distinguished professor. 😁

Then we have to see if the dates work.

Then the themes.

Then who else is speaking.

Then when a synopsis of our papers and the papers of others is due, so we can all read what others are writing.

Then final paper or PPTX.

Then arrangements for publishing the results.

O.K. Let us do this so the whole world can see the glory of Manipur and benefit.