Letters to the editor

All Glory to Srila Prabhupada, all glory to all devotees.

Please accept my humbles obeisances unto you.

Dear Gurudeva: In these days filled with violence and ever-increasing wickedness, by His mercy I have continued to chant HARE KRISHNA, in fact, I almost never do rounds of 108 mantras; I usually chant 110, 115, or even 200 mantras per round, because I’m not often satisfied with my pronunciation of each mantra.

I’ve also continued studying SP’s books, just as we follow the tireless preaching activities you share with us, I'm finishing reading the Madhya lila, and the SP’s lectures of BG, and I’ve been writing some essays on the Puranas, as well as reading many of the books published on iskcon desire tree by various acaryas, such as the Sad Sandharbas.

I’ve tried to speak only about Krishna with everyone I can,

I don’t have a fixed home to live in—I’m a nomad—and I live only by Krishna’s mercy. I don’t make elaborate plans either, because, as you’ve told me, Krishna has other plans. 

Sometimes, people who follow different traditions also invite me to pray with them in a group, but it’s very difficult to organize programs with local devotees. Unfortunately, preaching is becoming less common these days. Honestly, I’m afraid to approach certain devotees; I don’t want to offend anyone. It’s very sad to see the devotees’ faults, such as the feminist rhetoric that criticizes SP and other acaryas. 

However, we pray that Nitay Goranga will help us in their mission. That is why it is more inspiring to watch and follow programs from other countries. Without a doubt, your efforts and example help us to not lose hope. I'm glad to see other people taking an interest in KC, I see my own smallness in carrying out SP’s purposes and in becoming a true servant. That is why I pray to be able to continue in that direction

Your crew member Aniruddhakrsna Das.

HpS - Thank you.

Srila Prabhupada writes in the NoI etc that he also feels sometimes that there is no help from some of the people who should be the very closest to him by institutional relations.

As you comment at least we should be GBC Secretaries of our bead bags in all circumstances and then we can see what Krsna wants us to do in terms of institutional relations. Community relations.

Srila Prabhupada showed "a lifetime in preparation". Maybe several lifetimes for us.

On the other hand, great political leaders can have a deep personal realization at any moment and the whole world can change in a week.

Gauranga!

Maybe suggest some dialog on specific topics here in our Blog?

HK Maharaj

PAMHO AGTSP

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga

All glory to You

I hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for your kind words and your thoughtful question. I truly appreciate your consideration.

-HpS - Esteemed tail-less monkey, paoho, after so many months of writing this letter has you understanding of the KRSNA book changed?

It is maybe the most central book in all of our meditations-.

Regarding that… my difficulty wouldn't be so much understanding the content, but rather being able to express it correctly. I feel I have a certain degree of appreciation and, above all, faith in what I read, but I don't feel confident or capable of explaining it clearly and completely to others.

Therefore, rather than implying that the book is incomprehensible to me, I should have said that my understanding is still developing, in process, or immature… and that, consequently, my ability to communicate it would also be insufficient or childish. That is what I meant to express. And… that any slight inclination toward the truth… I can only attribute to Srila Prabhupada’s causeless mercy. Because without that mercy, there would be neither interest nor approach.

On the other hand, I'd like to clarify something to avoid any possible misunderstanding. Actually, I don't speak or write English – only at a very basic level – 8%?

What I do is write my texts in Spanish and then translate them paragraph by paragraph using Google Translate. Perhaps that's why the final result might sound elaborate… but that's not really my level of English.

Thank you again for your question, as it is undoubtedly a central book in our meditation.

ENC das…

Tailless monkey begging to be of use during the Lanka fire.

Comprensible Inconcebible y Fe

HK Maharaja

PAMHO AGTSP

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga!!

Todas las glorias a Ti

Espero te encuentres muy bien. Muchas gracias por tus amables palabras y por su significativa pregunta. Realmente aprecio tu consideración.

-HpS - Esteemed tail-less monkey, paoho, after so many months of writing this letter has you understanding of the KRSNA book changed?

It is maybe the most central book in all of our meditations-.

 En cuanto a ello… mi dificultad no sería tanto la de entender el contenido, sino en poder expresarlo correctamente. Siento que tengo cierto grado de apreciación y sobre todo fe en lo que leo, pero no me siento seguro o capaz de explicarlo de manera clara y completa para los demás.

Por eso, antes que dar a entender que el libro me resulta incomprensible, debí decir que mi comprensión aún está en desarrollo, en proceso, o inmadura… y que por ello también mi capacidad para comunicarla sería insuficiente o infantil. Es lo que quise expresar. Y… que cualquier leve inclinación hacia la verdad… solo puedo atribuirla a la misericordia sin causa de Srila Prabhupada. Porque sin esa misericordia, no habría ni interés ni acercamiento.

Por otro lado, quisiera aclarar algo para evitar un posible malentendido. En realidad, no hablo ni escribo inglés – solo apenas con un mínimo nivel- 8 %?

Lo que hago es redactar mis textos en español y luego traducirlos párrafo por párrafo utilizando Google Translate. Quizá por eso el resultado final puede que suene elaborado… pero no es ese en verdad mi nivel de inglés.

Gracias nuevamente por tu pregunta, ya que sin duda se trata de un libro central en nuestra meditación.

ENC das

Mono sin cola que ruega poder ser útil durante el incendio en Lanka

 HpS - ASA - AgtSP.

I guess that as we hear more, that will stimulate our chanting and then we will be able to stimulate those sincere souls Krsna sends on our path to also enter into smaranam.

Google.com is grateful that we understand 8% English and give it help by selecting corresponding Spanish no?

Because we cannot talk to our neighbors we have to use anti-social media to talk to people on the other side of the moon.

{Picture of werewolf with tilka howling under the moon}.

Let us, lettuce, look at one more Blog post.

PAMHO AGTSP!

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga!!

HK Maharaj!! how are you?? where are you now?? how's your health doing?? frankly speaking I haven't been following you that much on X, should follow you more.

Long time no see 😃 I have been thinking of you, willing to write you.

Well, here I've been working here 😃 now I have a new job as an affiliate marketer, I run ads for third party companies and get comission fees for the selling. So it went good for some time and now I'am on a break, waiting for some money to arrive.

Also am studying digital marketing, and well I like it. Well I like more all that has to do with productivity and time management for being honest. Sometimes in a while I watch some video on the internet and gain some new process to implement in my productivity system.

Now I've learned how to prioritize my daily tasks (usually personal stuff to do), I set an order for the arranged by importance or urgency. I works fine for me now everything is more ordered.

I've been learning some Italian 😃 and was good, and been attending to an italian conversation club 😃 so great really nice people there.

I paused my Portuguese classes for some time because of some personal situation, and well still practicing at the Portuguese conversation club 😃 I really have a passion for languages 😃

Well I'm still exercising 😃 have been going for a run every single day (with some minor exceptions) and I've lost like 10kg. Now I'm more in shape.

What else can I tell you, well I've learned about this productivity hack of a monthy reflection, I have a simple questionnaire of 8 points, and I'm going through it every month. For instance I write down what are the 5 better things that happened during that period, which one was the best of it, what would I change for the next month, what should I be grateful for, and so on.

I find it a way of perfecting myself and correcting whatever it needs.

I have a feeling that I need new kind of friendships, like more of the kind of people who practice sports and wake up early in the morning, even during the weekends.

I really feel a bit tired of going out for dinner, or staying up late fridays and saturdays, it's not that I stay up really late but I feel that if I hang out more with sportsman I would have more a chance of well, practicing sports, that is something I really like, and also generally speaking those guys they wake up "with the sun".

What do you think about all of this Maharaj?? any productivity advice you would like to give me? How do you manage your daily life and tasks?

hope to see you soon 😃 HK!!!

Federico

HpSwami - AgtSP

Thank you your news.

In Chile headed to USA by the 30th.

When I could not live near the 🛕 Temple I was taking Karate classes from a friend of my family's work place.

Is good how we can chant more Mantras bettah [better].

Hope you can follow us on this Blog and WhatsApp.

Hare Krishna, Gurudev,

Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, to you, and to all the Lord's devotees.

Dear Gurudev, this is Deva Vrata das from Argentina speaking.

I am so happy to see you in the Holy Dhama in ecstasy, the super-excellent Radha Kunda.

I have been watching your classes, which are so generously shared by the devotees who are with you there.

Gurudev, the other day I was reading the section in Caitanya Caritamrita about Raghunath das Gosvami. I've always been very drawn to him and his renunciation. I think that's also what attracts me most to you. And I was thinking about how similar you are.

Jay Gurudev! Jaya Raghunath das Gosvami!

Here, I am still mired in material suffering, struggling with the bad karma I have sown through my misdeeds and trying to practice SOME sincere devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is very difficult because I have been a fraud since time immemorial. I always have hidden desires for selfish enjoyment in every action, which causes everything to be frustrated, and I obtain neither one thing nor the other.

HpS - Well, agtSP, at least that would mean that you are not a demon.

Arjuna, in the Bhagavad Gita, is troubled about what will become of the yogi who embarks on the devotional path but falls due to his worldly mindset. Will he be lost (disappear) like a cloud in the sky? Will this practitioner find no success in any sphere, neither material nor spiritual?

Gurudev, how can one live a reasonably "normal" life in this world? (I mean, neither pretending to be a mahatma, nor becoming a two-legged animal.)

I have neither the qualifications to become a great transcendentalist nor the qualifications to become a successful "karmi" practitioner... what should I do?

I truly feel that this life in this body is already flawed, skewed from the start, from the moment I was born. I wish (if I could) to change bodies right now and have a slightly more favorable birth.

Truly, Gurudev, one cannot live without obtaining any enjoyment in any sphere, neither material nor spiritual.

I always remember a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam recited by Mahatma Vidura that sums up the situation:

SB 3.7.17

Both the lowest of fools and one who is transcendent to all intelligence enjoy happiness, while those in between suffer material torments.

https://vedabase.io/es/library/sb/3/7/17/

Gurudev... how do we take that step to become transcendentalists, in a pleasant and viable way, without having to revert to the folly of "mudha" and seek base enjoyment in material things? How do we tolerate the torment of having no enjoyment in any sphere, neither material nor spiritual? Who can live a "dry" life in every sense?

Thank you, Gurudev, for your constant inspiration, because you are living proof that there are great souls who are experiencing the transcendental pleasure of serving God without personal desires.

Please excuse the defeatist tone of this letter.

Hare Krishna

Deva Vrata das

HpS - AgtSP. Paoho. This letter seems to be written long time ago.

So nice to have your association here in Santiago.

Your question seems to be something that will take some time to answer.

First initiation should inform us that we have a friend who will help us in our journey and is waiting for us at the end also.

Second initiation should be the beginning of DVAD. I am shudra ksatriya brahmana brahman.

Then more details come.

Fundamentally we do not fit here, some there can be material peace on the trip but it will always be a trip.

o. k.? See you in few minutes!

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

Hare Krsna Gurudev

Por favor acepte mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada, a usted y a todos los devotos del Señor

Querido Gurudev, aquí habla Deva Vrata das de Argentina

Muy feliz de verlo en el Santo Dhama en éxtasis, el superexcelente Radha Kunda.

Estuve viendo sus clases que muy generosamente comparten los devotos que están con usted allá.

Gurudev. El otro día leía la sección del Caitanya Caritamrita sobre Raghunath das Gosvami. Siempre estuve muy atraido a él y a su renunciación. Creo que también es lo que más me atrae de tí. Y pensaba en lo parecido que eres.

Jaya Gurudev! Jaya Raghunath das Gosvami!

Acá seguimos en el fango del sufrimiento material, peleando con el mal karma que uno sembró con sus fechorías y tratando de practicar ALGO de servicio devocional SINCERO a la Suprema Personalidad de Dios, lo cual es muy difícil porque soy un farsante desde tiempo inmemorial. Siempre tengo en mente ocultos deseos de disfrute egoísta en cada acción, lo cual hace que todo se frustre y que no obtenga ni una cosa, ni la otra.

Arjuna, en el Bhagavad Gita, está perturbado acerca de cual será la posición del yogi que emprende el camino devocional, pero que por su mentalidad mundana cae ¿se perderá (desaparecerá) como una nube en el cielo? ¿este practicante no tendrá éxito en ninguna esfera, ni en la material, ni en la espiritual?

Gurudev ¿Cómo se puede vivir en este mundo una vida medianamente "normal"? (quiero decir, ni fingir ser un mahatma, ni tampoco volverse un animal de dos patas)

No tengo ni la cualificación para volverme un gran trascendentalista ni la cualificación para volverme un karmi exitoso... ¿qué hago?

Realmente, siento que esta vida en este cuerpo ya está trunca, torcida de entrada, desde que nací. Quisiera (si pudiera) ya (ahora) cambiar de cuerpo y tener un nacimiento un poco más favorable.

Realmente, Gurudev, no se puede vivir sin obtener ningún disfrute de ninguna esfera, ni material ni espiritual.

Siempre recuerdo un verso del Srimad Bhagavatam recitado por Mahatma Vidura que resume la situación:

SB 3.7.17

Tanto el más bajo de los necios como aquel que es trascendental a toda inteligencia disfrutan de felicidad, mientras que las personas que se encuentran entre ambos sufren los tormentos materiales. https://vedabase.io/es/library/sb/3/7/17/

Gurudev... ¿cómo hacemos ese paso para volvernos trascendentalistas, de una manera amena y viable, sin tener que volver a la necedad del "mudha" y buscar disfrute burdo en la materia? ¿Cómo toleramos los tormentos de no tener disfrute de ninguna esfera, ni material, ni espiritual? ¿Quién puede vivir una vida "seca" en todos los sentidos?

Gracias Gurudev por su inspiración constante, porque usted es una prueba viviente de que existen grandes almas que están tocando el placer trascendental del servicio a Dios sin deseos personales.

Disculpe por lo derrotista que parece esta carta.

Hare Krsna

Deva Vrata das

Dear Siksha Guru Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada; all glories to your good self for your many years of devotional service to Prabhupada and Krishna; all glories to all the devotees of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I am always thinking of you, especially when I begin my japa period. Those mangala hours are the most precious to me, as I am in my most sober state of mind. It is during those hours that I feel the greatest impulse and strength to write to you, but it conflicts with my needs and interests to chant my rounds. The rest of the day is way too hectic and disturbing to express what my true feelings and thoughts are, so here I am again, trying to share some things when I should be chanting.

My wife has been once again diagnosed with cancer, and this time the disease is more invasive than it was a couple of years ago. We are awaiting to hear the doctor recommendations on how to go forward with treatment plans. We always talk about moving, but we are still here, and it puzzles us both to wonder why. If and when we do move, my only concern is knowing that my wife will have a support system in place: meaning more than just myself. I am constantly reminded of the pastime of how when Srila Prabhupada was lying on his death bead, he told his young disciples (who were in their teens and twenties) "don't think this won't happen to you." Death is no secret; it is all around us; it is in the news, the entertainment industry, the hospitals and nursing homes, the morgues and mortuaries: and lastly the grave yards. And still we are living each day as if things will be normal as usual.

I worship my Deities every morning and evening, as usual. During my morning worship I reflect on how in Denver I was often alone during the Sayana Arotika, and I felt like I had Krishna to myself. Krishna would then rob me of such moments, by having some other devotees come in for a quick last minute darshana. It saddens me to think that those days seem so very far away, as if in another world, or another lifetime. Why didn't I take my pujari service more seriously? Why did I give it up, only to wish that I hadn't? My sadhana continues as normal. It is only by your kindness and the mercy of Krishna that my daily devotional service is still happening. My wife struggles so much more with her own sadhana. At times I worry so much about her, but she is a fighter, refusing to quit no matter what. She has been a blessing for me in my own life as a devotee. I don't tell her enough, but she amazes me with her determination to keep trying, in spite of all her own emotional and physical challenges. It saddens me to see her struggling so hard.

Driving for Uber has its interesting moments for preaching as well. The other day I picked up one passenger from a slaughterhouse situated some 15 miles outside of Boise. I asked him "why do you work in such a place?" His only response was how he needed the money. So I preached to him, slightly flattering him with how he is a better person than this, as I could see that he was polite and receptive. I gave him the pamphlet "On Chanting Hare Krishna," as well as the book "Laws Of Nature." I preached to him about how there is so much violence and wars, because of such violence to animals in our own hearts and homes. He listened quietly and respectfully. On another occasion there was an Asian lady who was familiar with Mahabharata and Ramayana, as she said that she used to read such things to her students in her own country. In our conversation the name Bhagavad gita came up, and she was familiar with it. I told how the the title "BHAGAVAD GITA" literally means "SONG OF GOD." She was so excited to hear that, and she gladly accepted a copy for herself. I gave her some tips on how to read through the book so that it would be easier for her to follow. I felt it necessary as reading our version of Bhagavad gita could prove to be quite the challenge for people, because of all the academics that went into the publication.

Many other little tidbits of nectar could be shared, but mostly I just wanted to reach out and express my gratitude for your own caring about the devotees like myself. All too often it can feel like we are all alone; and in one sense I guess we are. I am reminded of how Srila Prabhupada once said "I never felt alone. I always felt the presence of my spiritual master." It is my understanding that Krishna accompanies the conditioned souls just so as we are not completely lost and forgotten. That is incredible to think about. How I wish I could have such moments of feeling the constant association of guru and Krishna. But I am so unfortunate that I cannot even surrender. I can only grieve out of self pity for my lamentable state of mind. I will need to close here, before I become more offensive with such pretense of devotion. Your kindness and mercy are my only hope. I hear you will be in Boise for Ratha Yatra. I will be in attendance for your classes: Hare Krishna.

Your lowly servant,

Balabhadra Dasa

HpS - ASA - - So, agtSP, much news!

Have to post here more often

Frankly, you seem to me to be doing just fine.

You seem to be in exactly the position where Krsna wants you.

Learning the lessons He wants you to learn, ether for this lifetime or the next.

5.17pm.

Quick bath.

Supper if squash.

Three more rounds Gaura arati etc.

HK. TgSP. TgHPS.                                        

Please accept my humble reverences

                                                       Lotus flower at dawn

You were singing… I didn't understand.

What were you expressing?

My heart was translating the beautiful song.

And I, without understanding

The washing began upon the resplendent Deities

Outlining the refreshing play of Their brilliance

the heart, your words…

Beautiful… divine

Those I didn't understand…

Later

The day again…the sun and the clouds, the memory

The heart without stopping

Neither by night nor by day…

I, without understanding

the resplendent Deities

Beautiful… divine

HK Govinda HK Ram Rama

KK Madusudana HH Radha Radha

HR Ram Ram HR Hare Hare

RR Krisna Krisna HH Radha Radha

ENC das

HpS - "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_van_Dyke_Jr."

Time is

Too slow for those who Wait,

Too swift for those who Fear,

Too long for those who Grieve,

Too short for those who Rejoice,

But for those who Love,

Time is not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_20U1xqKnk

🐵 🐒 ⌛ 

⌛

 

⌛⌛

⌛⌛⌛⌛

Thank you.

-0-0-0-0-

Hk TgSP TgHPS

Por favor acepta mis humildes reverencias

                                            Flor de loto en el amanecer 

Cantabas… yo no comprendía

¿Qué exponías?

El corazón traducía la hermosa canción

Y yo sin entender

El lavado principiaba sobre las refulgentes Deidades

Contorneando el juego refrescante de Sus brillos

 el corazón, tus palabras…

Bellas… divinas

las que no comprendía…

Más tarde

Otra vez el día…el Sol y las nubes, la memoria

El corazón sin detenerse

Ni de noche ni de día…

 yo sin comprender

las refulgentes Deidades

Bellas… divinas

HK Govinda HK Ram Rama

KK Madusudana HH Radha Radha

HR Ram Ram HR Hare Hare

RR Krisna Krisna HH Radha Radha

ENC das