Letters to the editor

Hare Krsna Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis rendidas reverencias.

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada, quien es una manifestación personificada de la misericordia de Sri Krsna.

Y todas las Glorias a usted, su fiel seguidor.

Oramos para que su salud se encuentre bien. ¿Cómo es el invierno en su localidad? ¿Le permite continuar con sus caminatas regulares?

Yo me encuentro sufriendo a causa de mi propia estupidez, estoy tratando de aprender de eso.

Sigo tratando de entender un poco sobre la misericordia: La iglesia católica menciona “7 obras espirituales de misericordia”: Enseñar al que no sabe, corregir al que se equivoca, Dar un buen consejo al que lo necesita, Perdonar injurias, Consolar al triste, Sufrir con paciencia los defectos del prójimo, Orar por los vivos y los muertos...

Mientras leo y escribo esto, pienso en múltiples ejemplos de Srila Prabhupada, de Usted y otros fieles seguidores de Prabhupada practicando cada uno de estas "obras"… ¡Si los devotos no poseyeran esta cualidad, con seguridad estaríamos perdidos!  Entonces, parece ser que de cierta forma, ¿Todos los seguidores de Srila Prabhupada deberíamos desarrollar esta cualidad?

Cuando leí por primera vez el Bhagavad-Gita, hubo un verso que me dio mucho miedo:

“A aquellos que son envidiosos y malvados, que son los hombres más bajos de todos, Yo los lanzo perpetuamente al océano de la existencia material, en varias especies de vida demoníaca” BG 16.19

Me asustó porque pensé - Entonces ¿Nunca tendré la oportunidad de salir de este pantano? – Pensé que estaba perpetuamente condenada - ... Ahora, poco a poco parece que estoy entendiendo (a profundidad) que SOLO la misericordia del Maestro espiritual – y de los Vaisnavas- puede salvarme.

"Sin la misericordia del maestro espiritual uno no puede hacer ningún avance"

Por ahora, solo me queda rezar para obtener la misericordia de aquellos a quienes he lastimado. Ahora puedo ver que mis errores me han lastimado más a mí misma, que a las personas contra quienes los cometí… (Me siento avergonzada y arrepentida de eso) Así que creo, que debido a que soy muy tonta, solo esa cualidad de los Vaisnavas (La misericordia) puede salvarme. He cometido y sigo cometiendo muchos errores, pero estoy tratando de aprender de ellos, porque no quiero abusar de vosotros. 

Gurudeva, usted me otorga su misericordia constantemente de distintas formas, Por favor, perdóneme por no ser capaz de aprovecharla. Estoy tratando de aprender desde mi limitada posición. Gracias por ser un ejemplo e inspiración constante.

Su aspirante a sirviente

Karuna- Sakti DD

Posdata: Gurudeva, ¿Existe alguna categoría en el blog, en la que deberíamos colocar las ofrendas de Vyasa Puja? (Quizá eso le facilite identificarlas de las cartas regulares)

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Hare Krsna Gurudeva. Please accept my bowed obeisances.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, who is a personified manifestation of Sri Krsna's mercy.

And all glories to you, your faithful follower.

We pray that your health is fine. What is winter like in your area? Do you allow him to continue his regular walks?

HpS - For our age we are in the top 15% of good health, but teeth, eyes, ears, memory are all dimishing. That is good. Pushes us on to the intellectual, Buddi, wisdom platform.

Still walk every night.

Some snow here but nice when the sun comes out. Enough rain.

Thank you for asking.

I find myself suffering because of my own stupidity, I am trying to learn from that.

ASA - It seems Socrates said that also et al.

I keep trying to understand a little about mercy: The Catholic Church mentions "7 spiritual works of mercy": Teach those who do not know, correct those who make mistakes, Give good advice to those who need it, Forgive injuries, Comfort the sad, Patiently suffer the defects of others, Pray for the living and the dead.

HpS - There seems to be some redundancy in the list??

As I read and write this, I think of multiple examples of Srila Prabhupada, You and other faithful followers of Prabhupada practicing each of these "works" ... If the devotees did not possess this quality, surely we would be lost! So, it seems that in a way, all of Srila Prabhupada's followers should develop this quality?

HpS - Prayers by the Vedas Personified: Krsna's greatest quality is mercy, not justice based just on truth, so servant of Krsna is like that.

King says to criminal that he has heard all the evidence and if he acted just according the law then the he should kill the man, the criminal, but he says that and then says, "but I can see that things were very difficult for you, so this time I am going to be merciful, now get out of my court and I don't expect to see you back here ever again".

Criminal: Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir, thank you Sir. Never again."

When I first read the Bhagavad-Gita, there was a verse that scared me very much:

"Those who are envious and evil, who are the lowest men of all, I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence, in various species of demonic life" BG 16.19

It scared me because I thought - So I'll never get a chance to get out of this swamp? - I thought I was perpetually doomed - ... Now, little by little it seems that I am understanding (in depth) that ONLY the mercy of the spiritual Master - and the Vaisnavas - can save me.

HpS - Perpetually means, God's time. The king puts his son in the prison. The decision is eternally in force, but the king can finish it in one day or as long as he wants. Until we change our personal relationship with the king we are damned to hell.

"Without the mercy of the spiritual master one cannot make any progress"

For now, I can only pray for the mercy of those I have hurt. Now I can see that my mistakes have hurt myself more than the people I committed them against ... (I feel ashamed and sorry about that).

ASA - Us too. It is very embarrassing, but there is no mistake you can make that you cannot correct!

So I think, because I'm very dumb, just that quality of Vaisnavas (Mercy) can save me. I have made and continue to make many mistakes, but I am trying to learn from them, because I don't want to abuse you.

Gurudeva, you constantly bestow your mercy on me in various ways. Please forgive me for not being able to take advantage of it. I am trying to learn from my limited position. Thank you for being a constant example and inspiration.

Your would-be servant

Karuna- Sakti DD

Postscript: Gurudeva, is there a category on the Blog, in which we should place the offerings of Vyasa Puja? (Maybe that makes it easier for you to identify them from regular cards).

HpS - AgtSP! I think Personal Sadhana is the best, but with declaration of a Vyasa puja Offering in the Subject field. 🙄

Todas las glorias a Goura Nitay

Todas las gloria a Srila Prabhupada

Hare krishna Gurudev, comienzo mi reporte un poco atrasada, en estas semanas he estado ocupada haciendo exámenes de salud glicemia, minerales, anemia, hígado etc..... (salieron muy bien) recolectando mi historial médico, medicamentos, recetas para llevar a Perú. le cuento que continuó mi programa diario con p. LAD mañana y tarde inspirador para el día . Estoy llendo al templo a limpiar y organizar el servicio de limpieza y jardín para que siga funcionando a pesar de que no esté presente. me comunicaré con las devotas a diario por que es el mismo grupo al que le leo los libros de Srila Prabhupada, lo seguiré haciendo desde donde esté, las chicas estan muy felicen dicen que aprenden y les gusta como pongo énfasis en la lectura, terminé la biografía de Srila Prabhupada ahora continúo con biografía de El señor Caitanya a las demás estoy con krishna book, luz del Bhagavata y Néctar de la Instrucción después de la lectura hago la explicación de conceptos o alguna idea, para su comprensión según lo que dice Srila Prabhupada en otros libros del tema.Para terminar mi trabajo lo conservare seguiré con Hermán y dos niños más a la distancia. ya queda poco para viajar así que organizando... 😅. Trato de siempre mejorar en todo lo que hago, cada día un hermoso servicio para krishna con la inspiración de Srila Prabhupada y usted podré lograrlo.

se despide su humilde sirviente Raman Reti devi dasi

pd las fotos del jardín y las chicas de lectura en el reporte anual

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All glories to Goura Nitay

All Glory to Srila Prabhupada

Hare Krishna Gurudev, I start my report a little late, in these weeks I have been busy doing health exams blood glucose, minerals, anemia, liver etc ..... (they went very well) collecting my medical history, medications, prescriptions to take Peru. I tell him that he continued my daily program with p. Inspiring morning and afternoon for the day. I am going to the temple to clean and organize the cleaning and garden service so that it continues to function even though I am not present. I will communicate with the devotees daily because it is the same group that I read Srila Prabhupada's books to, I will continue to do so from wherever I am, the girls are very happy they say they learn and they like how I emphasize reading, I finished the biography of Srila Prabhupada now I continue with biography of Lord Caitanya to the others I am with krishna book, light of the Bhagavata and Nectar of Instruction after reading I do the explanation of concepts or some idea, for your understanding according to what Srila Prabhupada says in other books on the subject. To finish my work I will keep it I will continue with Hermán and two other children at a distance. there is little left to travel so organizing ... 😅. I always try to improve in everything I do, every day a beautiful service for Krishna with the inspiration of Srila Prabhupada and you will be able to achieve it.

his humble servant Raman Reti devi dasi says goodbye

ps the photos of the garden and the reading girls in the annual report

HpS - ASA --- Very nice!!! We make an "Urgent" reply also! Write a cookbook with Laksmana agraja Das. Stories and philsophy also.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada

Hare Krsna querido Gurudeva, porfavor acepte mis humildes reverencias, estuvimos perdidos en el estudio, la tesis, el trabajo, la familia.

En el transcurso de estos meses, estuvimos cantando 16 rondas, levantándonos a las 3am, cocinando temprano para llevar el almuerzo al trabajo, durmiendo tarde para presentar el informe final de tesis, obtuvimos el unichek por el asesor, ya está todo listo para la exposición de la tesis, también estudiando.

Hicimos el bhisma pancaka con frutas y agua, después hicimos una limpieza del hígado a lo cual nos sentimos muy bien de salud, ya no renegamos, jajaja, y tengo mucha hambre más que antes, aprendimos un poco de clases de kunfu, pero la verdad es que no somos para eso, nuestro cuerpo no tolera la rudeza, así que lo dejamos y seguimos con la natación y corriendo en las mañanas, pranayama y hatha yoga.

Este año ha sido muy duro para mi mente, me he vuelto muy emocional, cosa que antes no lo era, pasé muchas pruebas en mi matrimonio, mi esposo fué muy comprensivo conmigo, me ayudó como un amigo de verdad, mi padre me decía que el matrimonio es para valientes, jajaja, pero creo que la fortaleza son krsna, Prabhupada y el Guru, he entendido que a veces uno debe rendirse completamente y dejar que krsna haga lo demás, "si tu no puedes, dejar todo en las oraciones", ése es mi lema, por más que intentaba controlar la situación no pude, yo en lo personal no tengo la fuerza suficiente, pero Prabhupada estaba conmigo todo el tiempo.

Pasamos navidad con mis padres y familia, fué todo muy bonito, hicimos pachamanca vegetariana, nuestros cumpleaños fueron de P. gadai el 18 de diciembre y el mío el 26 de diciembre, pero festejamos un mismo día con regalos y una cena especial.

Este mes no hice sankirtana de libros, pero mi esposo es un guerrero del sankirtana, él siempre con su ejemplo me sigue enseñando, así que daré la mitad de mi sueldo para que compre más libros y los distribuya, espero salir de vacaciones y viajar con él como antes lo hacíamos, en verdad es un gran honor tener como esposo a un gran sankirtanero como él.

Gracias por un año más llena de pruebas, enseñanzas y realizaciones espirituales querido Gurudeva, porfavor nunca me suelte, me agarraré más fuerte de su manto ésta vez.

Hare Krsna

Nadiya Nivasi Dasi

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Trans/Gaggle.asa

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krsna, Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances, we were lost in study, thesis, work, family.

HpS - Have you joined Nimai in His school in Nadia?

In the course of these months, we were chanting 16 rounds, getting up at 3am, cooking early to bring lunch to work, sleeping late to present the final thesis report, we obtained the unichek by the advisor, everything is ready for the exhibition of the thesis, also studying.

We made the bhisma pancaka with fruits and water, then we did a liver cleanse to which we felt very healthy, we no longer deny, hahaha, and I'm very hungry than before, we learned a little Kung Fu classes, but the truth is is that we are not for that, our body does not tolerate roughness, so we leave it and continue with swimming and running in the morning, pranayama and hatha yoga.

ASA[TB} - Google: Super girl? Queens of Dvaraka would play tennis on the roof!

This year has been very hard for my mind, I have become very emotional, which I was not before, I passed many tests in my marriage, my husband was very understanding with me, he helped me as a true friend, my father told me that Marriage is for the brave, hahaha, but I think that the strength is Krishna, Prabhupada and the Guru, I have understood that sometimes one must completely surrender and let Krishna do the rest, "if you can't succeed, leave everything in prayers" That's my motto.

HpS - Draupadi's conclusion. She is kind of a Ksatriya girl like you, no?

As much as I tried to control the situation, I couldn't, personally I don't have enough strength, but Prabhupada was with me all the time.

TB: 🙏

We spent Christmas with my parents and family, it was all very nice, we made vegetarian pachamanca, our birthdays were P. gadai on December 18 and mine on December 26, but we celebrated the same day with gifts and a special dinner.

HpS: Reflection of the birthday partys you will have together in the spiritual world!

This month I did not do book sankirtana, but my husband is a warrior of sankirtana, he always with his example continues to teach me, so I will give half of my salary to buy more books and distribute them, I hope to go on vacation and travel with He, as we used to do, is truly a great honor to have a great Sankirtanero like him as a husband.

ASA - A Good Man is Hard to Find!

Thank you for another year full of tests, teachings and spiritual realizations dear Gurudeva, please never let me go, I will hold on to his mantle tighter this time.

Hare Krsna

Nadiya Nivasi Dasi

HpS - AGTSP. Paoho. I think you express the feelings of a lot of people. I think you express them well, and I think you set a good example for a lot of ladys in our company.

I have been through very similar experiences and sometimes it is just like Draupadi's situation. It takes a lot to make a grown man cry, but I think you ask any devotee, man, in ISKCON, and they will say that sometimes they have been through things with Krsna, devotees, that left them just like Draupadi. Both hands in the air and, "Hey Govinda!", and He responds! He does big or little miracles. We just have to go on chanting, "Hare Krsna, Hare Rama // Hare Krsna, Hare Rama" and They will give us clear intelligence to get back into the fight!

Thank you. We hope you, your husband, poppa, everyone has a very successful New Year in Krsna's battle with Evil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOCcSmP_t8U&t=750s

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja,

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

I hope you receive this in good health and spirit.

HpS - Only by Guru krpa! Other wise we should have died at about 65.

I've read in your updates about your physical struggles, and since my body is also giving me trouble with ageing, i can appreciate it more. I admire your strength in maintaining your purpose. Please find below a general update.

Tom Brown - Please find attached a photo of General Ape.

We are still a family, two daughters 8 and 5, doing relatively well. Surroundings are below average, kids education and development above average. Physically going through challenges. No strength of determination to chant 16 but i do 5 or 8. Listen to classes and audio SB or CC, read with children (Hanuman / Ramayana, Krishna Book for Children, right now Dr Edith Best's Learning English books with spiritual stories, and with the eldest we always read the "Golden Book" Srimad Bhagavatam First Canto for children before sleeping.) We listen to devotional music at home, but not all the time. Plus the children are half Russian, so that also gets attention.

TB - Top half? Bottom half?

I have devotee friends with whom i meet regularly and others with whom i call. We visit home programs, and we organise kirtan events occasionally, also in connection with ISKCON Amsterdam. Occasionally a book goes out (i carry them with me on walks). So it's still going steady, but at the same time i don't meet my vows with chanting. Some days i don't have the time or the mental (+ spiritual) energy, and some days i just relax.

My favourite days are when i have insomnia and get down to chant in the middle of the night, because the rounds are usually the best, but sometimes it is too much and i just have insomnia and no strength to chant. To chant while undergoing mental or physical challenges is really next level chanting. I never quite managed to pull that off.

HpS - Just lie on your back with your eyes half open and your beads in your hand and chant: Haw!

Ray!

Krish!

Na! .... Realizing that EVERYTHING in the three worlds will the maximum benefit from yhou sacrifice.

As for internal matters, i experience progress in seeing Krishna in everything and everything in Krishna.

TB - !

That's basically my life in a nutshell. Basically i do believe that Sri Sri Radha Gopinath or Sri Sri Karuna Nitai Gaurachandra still accept me because i do feel connected, but finding myself a wayward disciple because of the above, i don't feel very much part of our monkeywarrior yatra. I seek your blessings in finding a siksa guru with whom i can physically associate.

HpS - Me too! Krsna is so, so, so, so kind, no? https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/3/2/23/

Before i forget it, you mentioned Journey to the West, and i've read Monkey (the Arthur Waley Edition), and it was such a fabulous story!! A good reason to burn incense.

ASA - And be celibate, and only drink monastic wine, and be vegetarian, and try to get an as you like it cudgel. Then you could become the Duke of Amsterdam and set things in more order.

Still with mixed feelings of dedication and fear of rejection,

Your aspiring servant,

Raghava Pandit das

HpS - Hey, could be a L O T worse. You seem to be on the right path. As you get older and your daughters marry young men just like you, you will get a lot of impetous for Sannyasa life. You wife will be pleased with that and your daughters will fight over with whom see stays.

Work on getting more energy. How to honor Prasadam better. Does your donkey need more Pasta?

Start your own business.

Don't work for others.

¡Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

Querido Gurumaharaja

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias.

Ya falta únicamente dos semanas para la celebración del Sri Vyasa-puja, por favor nos puede decir cuál es su recomendación de ofrendas de alimentos por favor. 

Alguna o algunas preparaciones en particular que podamos ofrecer con amor y devoción? 

Muchas gracias por ocuparnos en el trascendental servicio al Guruparampara en una de las actividades que más complace al Señor Supremo y a sus devotos.

Vuestra eterna aspirante a sirviente

Asta Sakhi dd

HpS - Realmente ofrecemos todo al Señor Nrsmha Deva. Le gusta el caldo de hinojo y guisantes. Cuece las semillas y los guisantes en agua un rato con un poco de sal y luego extrae el caldo y ofrécelos con naranjas, yogur, para el desayuno.

Utilice las semillas y los guisantes que le quedan a Kitri en la tarde. P.ej. agregue avena y zanahorias y un poco de mantequilla o aceite de oliva.

Por la noche batata al horno con mantequilla.

Por supuesto, siempre le gusta la pizza con ensalada verde fresca y sopa minestrone.

Le gusta la pasta.

Pastel.

Sorbete de jugo de naranja congelado mezclado con leche.

Etc. Le gusta lo que quiere cocinar con amor.

Pregúntale a Rupanuga qué cocinar.

Hare Krishna!

Dear guru maharaj,

Please accept my dandavat pranams.

All glories to Srila Prabhupad.

Regarding your suggestion "Why don't you write? Interview people. Make comments on modern world? Krsna will give you opportunities."

The more I am getting older, I am realizing what a dumb headed fool I am.

HpS - Awww! That was Socrate's realization. He is pretty famous guy.

I was thinking that if I try to open my mouth, my foolishness is revealed. I honestly don't have any skills, guru maharaj, and kind of simpleton.

Even my chanting is mechanical and I have to walk or do something else physically so that I don't fall asleep.

I don't have slightest determination guru maharaj.

HpS - I can't believe that or your would not be bathing and smell bad.

Probably one of the most disqualified that you have as a disciple.

HpS - No!!! There was one worse! What was his name?? I forget. 😁 He only bathed once a week.

I am very much attached to money and other things. If I talk about Krishna consciousness, I would sound like a hypocrite.

your aspirig servant

Nc das

HpS - Why are you attached to money? Write for the Blog. How much money is enough in the modern world? Dollar amount with explanation? What would you want with the money?