Letters to the editor

Tom Brown - AGTSP paoho. Ooops. We missed this! If you don't get an answer within three with a Priority Code, then write to us again!

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Since the beginning of this year, I've been contemplating the benefits of taking second initiation. I remember how you often mention in your classes that first initiation is experimental, and that real initiation is second initiation. At the time of second initiation is when Krishna accepts one as similar to Himself.

Guru Maharaja, I wake up at 3:45 AM daily, chant my rounds, do Mangala Arati, and listen to SB and BG classes. I wanted to humbly request for second initiation from you. I received first initiation in 2017 and have seriously kept my vows since then. I think that second initiation will help me achieve a greater degree of purity, cleanliness, and punctuality to serve Krishna.

If you bless me with second initiation, I wish to serve Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra, and Gaura Nitai along with my parents, after the grand opening of our temple on October 3rd.

Your servant,

Sugopi Radha Devi Dasi

HpS - It is fait accompli. We are struggling to be good machines for our Spiritual Master but we have challenges from being in foreign country, needing to use an old donkey etc.

Have you done the Bh. Sastri course? I think so.

When shall we have the ceremony?

Need a letter from The Piyari-mohan Das.

What useful are you learning in Yale?

Any friends, students or teachers of KC there?

Hare Krsna Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Muchas gracias por la respuesta a mi carta, usted ha sido de mucha inspiración en mi vida espiritual y estoy en deuda con usted, eso me alegra porque estaré meditando siempre en esforzarme.

He visto a algunos devotos alejarse de conciencia de Krsna a causa de problemas personales y han caído o no han regresado. Tengo un poco de temor de no recuperar el entusiasmo y determinación de antes en mi vida espiritual.

Muchas gracias por los obsequios Gurudeva, usted siempre acordándose de nosotros.

Espero darle mejores noticias la próxima vez y verlo pronto.

Y ser más útil en su Sankirtan.

Perdone mis ofensas.

Que nuestro Señor Nrsimhadeva siempre lo proteja...

Su aspirante a discípula

         karuna Mayi Devi Dasi.

Hare Krsna Gurudeva

Please accept my respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you very much for your response to my letter, you have been a great inspiration in my spiritual life and I am indebted to you, that makes me happy because I will always be meditating on trying.

I have seen some devotees drift away from Krishna consciousness due to personal problems and have fallen or have not returned. I am a little afraid that I will not regain the enthusiasm and determination of earlier in my spiritual life.

HpS - The gopis have the same fear, but more intense. Let us all stay together and make it back to Krsna. See Him and Srila Prabhupada face to face!

Thank you very much for the gifts Gurudeva, you always remembering us.

Hope to give you better news next time and see you soon.

HpS - Yes, we have a big box of Gel Pens of different colors and beautiful, large size sketch-book with art paper for you.

And be more useful in your Sankirtan.

Forgive my offenses.

HpS - The only offense is to stop chanting more and more!!

May our Lord Nrsimhadeva always protect you ...

Your would-be disciple

          Karuna Mayi Devi Dasi.

HpS - Krsna is resolving all problems but takes a little dhairyat (NoI 3) to get the final results. More news. Art projects, Sankirtan news.

Hare Krishna My dear Gurudev

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances

I have not written to you for a long time and I apologize for that. I'm still alive! and fighting for Krishna. A while ago I consulted an astrologer about what career and profession to follow and he told me: Culinary Arts. Although I do not feel very confident in this regard. I remember once I asked you in 2015 if a devotee should study for a college degree? And you explained to me that it depends on each type of case, it may or may not work for me. Nowadays I still think about that and although I know that it is not the most important thing in life, I understand that could help me in professional or work development, especially in Grihastha Asrama, that is why I wanted to tell you that I got married on May 19, 2019, at the present moment I have been married for more than 2 years. My wife, Noemi, took shelter whit ss. Japayataka Swami and probably take initiation very soon. Nowadays we are just fine, thanks to Krishna, I keep chanting my 16 daily Rounds and following the 4 principles, attending Mangal Aratik almost 3 times a week. I live with my wife just 1 block away from the Ikscon center in Asunción - Paraguay. I usually go to the temple to serve in Kirtan, Pujari, lectures, and to cook. It is very nectar all the services we perform, although my favorite one is Kirtan, and I feel that over time I learn more and I can do better service for Krishna and his devotees. One time I asked you, in 2018, How to serve properly in Iskcon? And you explained to me that by finding my position. so I'm still looking for that position so that I can properly serve you and Srila Prabhupada. Today I sincerely ask you what I can do in this life to serve and please you and Srila Prabhupada? 

Finally, I thank you infinitely for your spiritual guidance and your patience with this conditioned soul. I hope we can meet, maybe on your next visit to Peru or where Krishna arranges it, so maybe I can cook for you and listen to your Lectures. 

I Attach photos of our Janmashtami Festival In which all the devotees prepare +95 dishes for Krishna!

I hope you are in excellent health, my dear Master.

Your servant, Vijaya Govinda Das

HpS - Basically chant 16-nice rounds and follow the four princples. Then BG 10.10-11 will happen.

Please read the Kapi Dhvaja and write us with the current Priority Code.

Por favor lea el Kapi Dhvaja y escribanos con el Codigo de Prioridad actual

Estimado Maharaja:

Hare Krishna, acepte mis humildes reverencias a sus pies de Loto, Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

Espero que su estadía en Nueva Asoka-van sea de su agrado, ¿cómo encontró el clima? ¿Le gustó la casa? A mí me pareció maravillosa! ¿Y la bienvenida? Espero que se hayan colmado sus expectativas.

Soy Patricia Palomino, bhaktina del yatra de Chosica, hermana de Indira Shakti D.D. y cuñada de Gandharva Dasa, sus discípulos y bienquerientes que me han hablado tanto de Usted y claro de la Suprema Personalidad de Dios!

Lo conocí personalmente en Chosica en el año 2016, en una circunstancia que para mí fue una misericordia de Krishna! Yo esperaba ir al Mangala Arati con mi hermana y me preparé puntualmente, no la encontré cuando fui a buscarla, entonces pensé: “algún devoto va a pasar por el Psje. Santa Isabel para el templo, esperaré cantando rondas”, no recuerdo cuantas rondas canté, oí pasos apresurados pasando por el pasaje, cuando salí ya me habían sacado una buena ventaja! Los alcancé corriendo, adelante mío iban 2 devotos y madre Mitravinda, que fue la única que volteó, allí también la conocí a ella. En mi ignorancia de entonces (bueno, ahora disminuyo sólo un poco) no me percaté quién iba delante, sólo al llegar al templo, usted se descubrió la cabeza Maharaja, ¡fue un momento muy emocionante para mí!

Desde ese entonces usted ha sido para mí de tanta la inspiración que anhelo profundamente que usted me pueda aceptar como una de sus sirvientes, como una de sus discípulas y preguntarle humildemente si, por favor me puede instruir en mi proceso, me sentiría profundamente honrada Maharaja.

Le contaré algo de mí, empecé a conocer a Krishna hace 7 años más o menos, mi hermana empezó a predicarme, me hice vegetariana y adopté los 4 principios desde esa época, también aprendí a cantar el Santo Nombre.

Soy madre de 3 hijos, Ariel de19, Matías de 9 años y Zoe de 7 años. Con el papá de ellos tengo una relación singular, nos volvimos a separar, pero vivimos en la misma casa, no será así para siempre, la pregunta es hasta cuándo? La convivencia es pacífica, dormimos en habitaciones separadas desde que nos separamos en marzo de este año. Aunque él es amigable con mi proceso, no deja de tener sus vicios y me pregunto Maharajá qué tengo que aprender de esto, ¿y hasta dónde él está involucrado en mi proceso?

En estas últimas semanas estoy enfocándome en mi sadhana, pues en estos años lo que aún no he podido regular son mis rondas, pero, Maharaja pienso que estoy en el momento de mi vida donde toca decidir y pelear por lo que anhelo, por lo que quiero, entonces asumo con usted el compromiso de regular mis rondas, siento que es el momento para esto! Le estaré escribiendo más frecuentemente para contarle sobre mi proceso, estimado Maharaja!

En cuanto a mi servicio, actualmente, además de atender a mis Deidades de Goura Nitay en casa, trabajo junto a mi hermana Indira en el periódico mural del Templo del Entendimiento en Chosica, le pido Sus bendiciones; también leo y escucho sobre el SB durante la semana, esto me entusiasma y motiva muchísimo!

También me entusiasma su visita Maharaja! Quiero madurar y ser más constante, tener más inteligencia para elegir cuando Maya me distraiga, avanzar en mi proceso hasta poder recoger el polvo de sus pies de Loto, y seguirlo aquí, en la India, y en las vidas que hagan falta hasta regresar al hogar, sirviendo al Sirviente del Sirviente!

Jaya S.S. Hanumatpresaka Swami!

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Jaya Sri Sri Radha Krishna!!

Bk Patricia Palomino

Aspirante a sirviente

P.D. Disculpe si fui muy extensa, agradezco su misericordia! 

-0-0-0-

Dear Maharaja:

Hare Krishna, accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus feet,

HpS - ASA -- Lettuce feet. AGTSP!

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I hope your stay in New Asoka-van will be to your liking, how did you find the weather? Did you like the house? It was wonderful to me! And the welcome? I hope your expectations have been met.

HpS - ASA - Thank you for the banner. We are using it in our movine. Thank you. Reception, Ashrama are functioning well so far! Many things to arrange.

I am Patricia Palomino, Bhaktina of the Chosica yatra, sister of Indira Shakti D.D. and sister-in-law of Gandharva Dasa, her disciples and well-wishers of her who have told me so much about You and of course about the Supreme Personality of Godhead!

HpS - Yes, we had heard about. 🙏🙂🙏

I met him personally in Chosica in 2016, in a circumstance that for me was a mercy from Krishna! I hoped to go to Mangala Arati with my sister and I got ready promptly, I didn't find her when I went to look for her, so I thought: “Some devotee is going to go through Psje. Santa Isabel for the temple, I'll wait singing rounds ”, I don't remember how many rounds I sang, I heard hurried footsteps going through the passage, when I left they had already taken a good advantage of me! I caught up with them running, in front of me were 2 devotees and mother Mitravinda, who was the only one who turned around, there I also met her. In my ignorance at the time (well, now I decrease only a little) I did not realize who was in front, only when you arrived at the temple, you uncovered Maharaja's head, it was a very exciting moment for me!

ASA - ! !!!

Since then you have been such an inspiration to me that I deeply long for you to accept me as one of your servants, as one of your disciples and humbly ask if you can please instruct me in my process, I would feel deeply honored Maharaja .

HpS - Have you read: http://www.jayarama.us/peru/archivos/guru-tattva-es.txt

This gives nice description of our idea of Guru -tattva. Is it O.K?

I will tell you something about myself, I began to know Krishna 7 years or so ago, my sister began to preach to me, I became a vegetarian and adopted the 4 principles from that time, I also learned to chant the Holy Name.

I am a mother of 3 children, Ariel, 19, Matías, 9, and Zoe, 7 years old. I have a unique relationship with their father, we parted again, but we live in the same house, it won't be like this forever, the question is until when? Coexistence is peaceful, we have slept in separate rooms since we parted ways in March of this year. Although he is friendly with my process, he is not without his vices and Maharaja asked me what I have to learn from this, and to what extent is he involved in my process?

In these last weeks I am focusing on my sadhana, because in these years what I have not yet been able to regulate are my rounds, but, Maharaja I think that I am at the moment of my life where I have to decide and fight for what I long for, for what I want, then I assume with you the commitment to regulate my rounds, I feel that it is time for this! I will be writing to you more frequently to tell you about my process, dear Maharaja!

HpS - Very, very nice. Get some association for chanting rounds. Join us on line. Read the Kapi Dhvaja. Get a Japa partner and call them about how many rounds done, wake up each other. Bhakti yoga will adjust your social realtionships. It is wonderful

As for my service, currently, in addition to attending to my Goura Nitay Deities at home, I work with my sister Indira in the mural newspaper of the Temple of Understanding in Chosica, I ask for his blessings; I also read and hear about SB during the week, this excites me and motivates me a lot!

I am also excited about your visit Maharaja! I want to mature and be more constant, have more intelligence to choose when Maya distracts me, advance in my process until I can collect the dust from her Lotus feet, and follow her here, in India, and in the lives that are necessary until I return to the home, serving the Servant's Servant!

Jaya S.S. Hanumatpresaka Swami!

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Jaya Sri Sri Radha Krishna !!

Bk Patricia Palomino

Aspiring servant

P.S. Excuse me if I was too extensive, I appreciate his mercy!

HpS - We are in New Ashokavan Sta Eulalia, with Abhirama Thakura Das. He explained that you are three sisters. You are spiritual being from Vaikuntha. You have more intelligence and power than all the Indras in all the material universes combined. Wake up! No one is doing your service. Radha and Krsna are suffering from your confusion.

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!!

Acabo de recibir su mensaje de WhatsApp. Le agradezco mucho que se tome un tiempo para preocuparse por nosotros. 

Ahora tenemos un mejor plan de datos, suficiente para soportar la conexión en Gootomeeteng… 

Pero no quiero incomodar a nadie ahí con los chismes que giran a mi alrededor. Estoy tomándome un tiempo prudente para volver a conectarme a sus programas. Los sigo por Facebook en tiempo diferido, y no completos, porque para ser sincero aún no me repongo del hecho de no poder estar ahí sirviendolo… 

Estoy sintiéndome muy ansioso por estar en asociación con devotos, extraño el Kirtan, Harinam… Las clases ya las había dejado de dar desde hace varios meses…

Estoy cantando mis rondas diariamente... Pero me falta mucho la asociación… Y apesar de saber que los verdaderos amigos son muy, muy pocos, siempre considero que los devotos son mi familia, y me siento mal de estar lejos de ellos… 

Me estoy refugiando en el Santo Nombre en japa, y escucho Kirtan, o hago un poco aquí… Pero no es igual como cuando estás con los devotos…

Escuche unos chismes desafortunados sobre mí, pero he decidido quedarme callado… Y solo responder a quien me pregunte… 

Los verdaderos amigos siempre preguntan, menos mal…

De todos modos no quiero hablar públicamente de ese tema, no mucho por mí, sino por aquellos involucrados a quienes les pueda afectar… Hice una promesa de quedarme callado y aceptar todo, y solo contarle mi verdad a Ustted, y algunos, como lo hice en la carta que le envié… Estoy tratando de que mi ego no aflore y responder lo mínimo, y quedarme callado, incluso si fuera injusto o no sea verdad lo que se dice… Intentaré superarlo… Me repito constantemente que soy responsable completamente de esta situación, eso me ayuda a tolerar lo que venga… Y lo que menos quiero es afectar más a todos los que les afecto esta situación… 

He pensado mucho en dejar Iskcon, dejar Perú, este cuerpo, pero el tiempo, Arjuna, Margie, y Karuna me están ayudando mucho a superar esos complejos mentales…

Pero no se que voy a hacer… Usted tiene alguna idea para nosotros? 

Me siento extraño buscando trabajo, pensando en hacer algún negocio, o un lugar para radicar...

Planifique mi vida para estar estos años con Usted… Soy conciente de haberlo arruinado… Quizás me quedé chance para poder estar en Vrndavan con Usted… a menos que Usted me sugiera otra cosa… Nosotros pensamos hacer todo lo posible para encontrarlo en Vrndavan… 

Por ahora hemos decidido solo "respirar" quizás pronto aparezca un buen plan.. Y cuando tengamos fuerzas de nuevo, empezaremos a colectar para los pasajes a India…

No creo tener la pureza para ir a Goloka en esta vida, pero cada vez estoy más seguro de que este mundo material es un lugar muy incómodo para estar… Muchas gracias por toda su ayuda, todos estos años…

Su aspirante a sirviente AmD.

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada !!!

HpS - Hare Krsna! So nice to hear from you. FMP/KD PC are not the Full Morning Program/Kapi Dhvaja Priority Codes. Those are the names of the priority code. We give the FMP PC on request each morning during the FMP, and in the KDh each fortnight.

Using them as the PC is like trying to eat the word "apple" written on a piece of paper. 🙂

I just received your WhatsApp message. I really appreciate you taking the time to care about us.

HpS - AgtSP! You certainly deserve that and more!! Forgive us that we are not more sincere in serving the devotees.

Now we have a better cell phone data-plan, enough to support the connection in Gootomeeteng ...

But I don't want to bother anyone there with the gossip that revolves around me. I am taking a reasonable amount of time to reconnect to your programs. I follow them on Facebook in a delayed time, and not complete, because to be honest I still have not recovered from the fact of not being able to be there serving him ...

HpS - You can use a pseudonym like HKDas.

I am feeling very eager to be in association with devotees, I miss Kirtan, Harinam ... I had already stopped giving classes for several months ...

I am chanting my rounds daily ... But I lack association a lot ... And despite knowing that true friends are very, very few, I always consider devotees to be my family, and I feel bad being away from them ...

HpS - If we are chanting, following four principles, readin Sp's books then it is like the fruit on a tree. If it is growing healthy then that means that the root is healthy. Whatever has happened did not damage the root.

I am taking refuge in the Holy Name in japa, and I listen to Kirtan, or do a little here ... But it is not the same as when you are with the devotees ...

I heard some unfortunate gossip about myself, but I have decided to keep quiet… And only answer to those who ask me…

True friends always ask, thank goodness ...

Anyway I do not want to speak publicly about that issue, not much for me, but for those involved who may be affected ... I made a promise to keep quiet and accept everything, and just tell my truth to you, and some, as I did. in the letter I sent you ... I am trying to keep my ego from coming out and answering the least, and keeping quiet, even if it is unfair or what is said is not true ... I will try to overcome it ... I constantly repeat myself that I am completely responsible for this situation , that helps me to tolerate what comes ... And what I least want is to affect more to all those who are affected by this situation ...

I have thought a lot about leaving Iskcon, leaving Peru, this body, but time, Arjuna, Margie, and Karuna are helping me a lot to overcome those mental complexes ...

But I don't know what I'm going to do ... Do you have any ideas for us?

I feel strange looking for work, thinking of doing a business, or a place to settle ...

I planned my life to spend these years with You ... I am aware that I have ruined it ... Maybe I stayed a chance to be in Vrndavan with You ... unless you suggest otherwise ... We intend to do everything possible to find you in Vrndavan ...

For now we have decided to just "breathe" perhaps a good plan will appear soon .. And when we have the strength again, we will start collecting for the tickets to India ...

I don't think I have the purity to go to Goloka in this life, but I am more and more sure that this material world is a very uncomfortable place to be ... Thank you very much for all your help, all these years ...

Your would-be servant AmD.

HpS - Yes, we can talk a little in private, but all I have heard was just a little description of some misunderstandings in Arrequipa from Patraka Das who was asked to give some advice about the situation and was certainly everyone's friend.

Would be nice project to write down all the problems we have in the SB, and then. . . how they were solved.

If Srila Vedavyasa and Maharaja Bharata can have such problems what to speak of us, no?

You seem to be on the correct path with as much sincerity as anyone else!

We will talk with you as soon as possible.

We really need your association!!!



Hare Krsna, Guruji Maharaja, Dandavat Pranam!

All Glories to Sri Krsna, Sri Gouranga Mahaprabhu, and Goura Bhakta Brinda.

Please accept my humble obeisances unto the padmacharan of Guruji Maharajah that I am so so sorry that I could not communicate You the opinion of H.H. Bhakti Ananda Haridasa Goswami Maharaja in relation to my previous letter. He came from Gauhati yesterday only, He advise me to talk directly when He is in Manipur, Imphal so I wait and took a long time. As Guruji’s desire, I am enclosing herewith His writings as under : “ Regarding my experience about PARNALIKA SYSTEM of devotional service or Gopi Bhava seva ……… I was being an initiated devotee of the said path would like to inform you that it is not at all authentic as well as it is a disciplic succession. To serve Krsna as in the form of one of the gopis plus manjuris as entitled or selected according to one’s initial local pseudo spiritual master ……. what is not at all practical today. But a few of our fanatic Manipuri Vaisnavas appreciate this culture as sublime ……. that is all.”

In the discussion, it is also mentioned that “at the time of Sannyasa only, this matter is discussed”. It means that, Gurujis (Sanyasis) got the names of Sakhi-Manjari). If it is true, then we are unqualified, OK. No need to think about it on our stage.

Really speaking, I was influenced by Partha Sarathi Das & Nanda Gopa (Nandakishore Sharma) and came to ISKCON. They are my Shiksha Gurus. The ideas of Shakhi-Manjari are the opinion/guideline of them. They have experience with both systems and continue as ISKCON bhaktas. Now, my simple question is what is harmful to following the path observing the ISKCON rules? As I had mentioned earlier in my previous letter that I want to take the Sakhi-Manjari name as ISKCON bhakta. Guruji! Save me from the Nama Aparadhas no. 3 of the 10 (to disobey the instructions of Spiritual Master). Yes, it is fact that the Manipuri Vaisnavas are not observing the four principles.

Guruji! I am so so sorry, excuse me thousands of times because I had wasted Guruji’s valuable time, energy, and mind unnecessarily for an unqualified (kaniska) bhakta.

Yours fallen servant,

Yamunesvara Das                                       

HpS - No, not waste of time. These are important topics to discuss. First thing is I don't know the details of the Manjari yoga system that exists in Manipur. That is why I suggested you talk with Haridasa Maharaja.

In general, we are following Rupa Goswami as authorized representative of Lordby Caitanya. We have Bhakti rasamrta sindhu which is complete science of Bhakti yoga Srila Prabhupada's summary study, Nectar of Devotion, and then other books by him and Sanatana Goswami etc. Our Sampradaya is well versed in the teachings and practice of Lord Caitanya's path.

This is summarized in Nectar of INstruction in the last paragraph of Text Eight. Also, in the verse adau sraddha... We do not have to take Sannyasa formally to realize our intimate relationship with Krsna. Even in Grhasta ashrama like Bhakti vinode Thakura we can go through:

1. sraddha
2. sadhu sanga
3. bhajana kriya
4. anartha nivrtti
5. nistha
6. ruci
7. asaktis
8. bhava prema.

At the level of ruci, after becoming fixed like a Swami in following four principles, Mangala arati, all the practices, we can begin to experience our Svarupa and stimulate that realization. It may be Manjari bhava or it may be as one of Krsna's flutes or garlands, or as one of his parents, uncles etc.

At that point we realize our name and service in the spiritual world, by waking up!

O.K.

Read 7 and 8 in NOI and see if it becomes clear.