Letters to the editor

Todas las glorias a Goura Nitay

Todas las gloria a Srila Prabhupada

Hare krishna Gurudev comienzo mi reporte, me esta costado dormir a la hora que lo hacía antes sigo despertando temprano para mis rondas y el programa de la mañana pero mi cuerpo debe descansar en momentos inadecuados, debe ser por el encierro, estoy con distintas técnicas para mejorar la situación leche tibia con cáscara de naranja, lavanda, melisa etc... lograré mejorar esto, debo regularlo por salud he estado muy bien con respecto a la epilepsia así que es necesario volver a mi descanso anterior, pasando a otro tema, sigo con lectura diaria, estudiando segundo canto Bhagavatam aprendiendo nuevas técnicas de resumir, memorizar, esquemas etc..., continuó con el trabajo por zoom en lecto escritura dos veces por semana haciendo plantillas por powerpoing para motivar a los pequeños , por último sigo predicando por telefono lectura de un libro que las chicas escogieron krishna book además de contenerla en su vida espiritual trato de hacer un buen trabajo para que estén cómodas y sepan que estoy para ellas gracias por su atención preocupación e inspiración se despide su humilde sirviente Raman Reti devi dasi

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All glories to Goura Nitay

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Hare Krishna Gurudev, I begin my report, it is difficult for me to sleep at the time I did before, I continue to wake up early for my rounds and the morning program but my body must rest at inappropriate times, it must be because of the confinement, I am with different techniques to improve the situation warm milk with orange peel, lavender, lemon balm etc ...

I will be able to improve this, I must regulate it for my health I have been very well with regard to epilepsy so it is necessary to return to my previous break,

...moving on to another topic, I continue With daily reading, studying the second Bhagavatam canto, learning new techniques of summarizing, memorizing, diagrams etc ...,

HpS - ASA - Wow! [Guau!]

... he continued with the work by zooming in reading writing twice a week making templates by power-point to motivate the little ones, finally I continue to preach by phone reading a book that the girls chose, Krishna book, (smart girls) in addition to containing it in their spiritual life I try to do a good job so that they are comfortable and know that I am here for them, thank you for your attention, concern and inspiration,

your humble servant,

Raman Reti devi dasi says goodbye.

HpS - Thank you!!!! The Encyclopedia Britannica says that Lord Caitanya was a 'religious epileptic'. So funny. Hmmm. Maybe Raman-reti Devi Das, Madhu-mangala et al are actually covering their intense spiritual ecstacys with medical excuses. Hmmf. Epilepsy, old age, they are both good chances to exam the body and understand how to use for Krsna, even in the next life. Super success with your Sankirtan. Krsna may be preparing you for a big battle.

Hare Krishna dear Gurumaharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisance and gratitude to you, again and again.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!.

While visualizing you to the extend [extent] that our limited perceptual capacity allows us and appealing to your kind and compassionate nature, [we actually have a very selfish demonic nature but by Srila Prabhupada's intense love it is under control and diminishing] we write this as another attempt to approach you.

It is like a mischievous dog after wandering and sniffing around got its muzzle smashed; then, it runs, looking for its master for safety and when it is almost nearby, it crawls towards the master carrying a straw with its teeth along with remorse and embarrassment.

HpS - Sounds like a Bengali dog, Rupa Goswami's dog.

PLEASE FORGIVE me GURUMAHARAJ, due to my rebel attitude, false ego and pride I kept myself aloof from you, starving myself from your direct protection (looking at you from a distance and wishing to be close to you = self-inflicted pain). Please Gurumaharaj help me to COME BACK AND TAKE SHELTER AT THE SHADE OF YOUR LOTUS FEET FOREVER. I don't want to be away anymore!!

HpS - ... and Narottama Das Thakur confesses that he is lower than the Jagai and Madia. I feel that I probably have the same attitude toward Srila Prabhupada in so many ways.

This is a public confession of my mistake = faults.

HpS - Not public, this Blog is only comprehensible to members of the Anjana Suta Academy, a pioneering branch of ISKCON.

Due to your compassionate, practical and visionary nature, one of your instructions to all of us is, to write and contact you using this Blog. There are many reasons for it; mainly, everybody can derive benefits by reading your responses to ours letters; yet, out of false ego, pride and selfishness I dared not to follow your instruction and questioning its validity; excusing myself by saying 'THE BLOG BLOCKS ME', alleging the need for confidentiality (what the heck, Madhumanjari?).

HpS - As far as I can understand, the desire to be an intimate associate of Guru and Krsna can have two elements: Pride and Natural impulse. We remember Srila Sanatana Goswami writing that... every cowherd boy thinks that he is KRSNA's closest friend, and this bothers him... "How can Krsna deal with me like this??? There are so many other boys greater than me, who love Him so much more than I do?".... So he thinks, "I am Krsna's closest friend!?!", and Sanatana Goswami says, "By the nature of the internal potency it is a fact".

So this is a reality. You, me, we ARE Krsna's closest friend. Srila Prabhupada's closest associate. Sikhi-mahiti's sister was one of the 3-1/2 closest associates of Lord Caitanya (try and top that), but as a Sannyasi she never got within smiling distance of Him. Iskcon is OUR movement. Its health and success depends on us.

... but material desire for fame (I am worse than you {I am the most fallen, Ha! Ha! Ha!}) also motivates us to be a 'special disciple of Guru/Krsna. Of course, that very stewpid desire keeps us from becoming and intimate disciples, gotta keep sweeping it out.

This is GURU-APARADA. I have offended you again Gurumaharaj and deprived myself from your guidance and protection, putting myself at risk. Please forgive me Gurumaharaj!!!. I am really sorry!!

Despite of my offences, there is a bit of spiritual consciousness in me, which is there only because of you Sir, you care for us (your disciples), you hold us all alive. I give witness of that.

In spite of my stupidity, the thoughts of you, remembering your example of dedication, service and surrender to Srila Prabhupada, your selfless and intense preaching, by remembering your compassion and forgiving nature, your purity and transparence in your dealings with devotees and people in general, your knowledge, witty and wisdom, your all encompassing and visionary approach to spirituality, your humble and meek attitude, your firm conviction and faith in Srila Prabhupada's books, your deep faith in the Holy Name - Maha mantra HARE KRISHNA, your taste for chanting and remembering Krishna, your creativity and out of the box view of life and death, your constant effort for taking care of us (your disciples) in a personalized manner. The remembrance of all these and more gives me the strength to face my weakness of character and to surrender to you.

What a great fortune!!!

HpS - AGTSP who can use devils as instruments to deliver a pure message.

Due to causeless mercy, we have the great fortune to have you Gurumaharaj as our spiritual master. It is only because of you that we can have the opportunity to be engaged in devotional service, giving real meaning to our existence and be part of Srila Prabhupada's movement (with all that that implies) - ISKCON (Srila Prabhupada's offering to his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura). It is because of you that we all eventually will go back to KRISHNA. For all these and more, THANK YOU SO MUCH GURUMAHARAJ!!.

Gurumaharaj, I pray to you, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna that this attempt to follow and please you, it should not remain just as an attempt rather it should become a constant attitude and a fact.

It seems that this became too lengthy. Sorry Sir.

HpS - It is O.K. It is in English! (😎) Good English.

I planned to write you about many points, but got stuck with this important one; thus, now there is another reason to push me to write you soon.

Please forgive me for all my offences and kindly bless me.

Thank you Sir.

Your aspiring servant

Madhumanjari dd.

HpS - Thank you for giving us some perspective on how to go ahead in our own relation to Krsna and Guru. Honestly we face challenges. Because we are taking this role of Diksa guru for Srila Prabhupada we should comment that we have been able to follow the four principles since before initiation. Of course, in the beginning there were so many bad dreams and etc, but that goes away. However, until death lusty thoughts will not go away, as long as we have this Western body. We get 16-rounds done.. well... but so often have to catch up from day to day.

We have confidential confession from so many disciples about their very unfortunate falls into Maya, but we always remember what we read, that Rama told Laksmana: There is no mistake we can make that we cannot correct.

If we pay for the murder of cows to be served as beef we have to approach them and apologize and compensate for the damage we have done to them until they are happy with us.

Thank you! I think you have done pretty well. At least 65%, maybe 95%. Like you say we have not been too much Siksa guru for your good self, but that is O.K. if you have been taking advantage of others eg. Devamrta Swami? Anniruddha Das? ... Diksa is keeping the link by 16/4. We are your servants!! AgtSP! Next letter.

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept our most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

What an amazing opportunity to even be able to write on this Blog!!

HpS/ASA - https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/4/12/ I think you are like Lord Siva.

It is 6:18 and we need to chant more. We never regret being able to join such a wonderful and sincere group of Japa Joe 4 am chanters. On average we join and thereafter join the LA Temple mangal Arati at 5:30 at least 4-5 times a week. The other two days we just get ready, chant, and sing our mangal arati prayers. Rounds chanted after 8:30 (if over 10) are so mechanical and distracted so we are trying to avoid that. We pray that you, Guru Maharaj-Srila Prabhupada-Krsna will accept our small morsel of sincerity (even from this morsel there is a minuscule amount that is unmotivated) and allow us to continue. Or we literally feel like most of this life is truly wasted!!!

HpS/ASA - Monkey, Piggy, Uncle Gismo and the Anjana Suta Academy, Supreme, Undifferentiated, Absolute, Commando have met and decided that you deserve the "Distinguished Survivor Mama" award. You may not be perfect Prabhu, but you ain't dead yet and your shooting back at The Witch. Thank you! O.K. Now onto the next award "Victory Mama". How is The Murari Das et al?

Next steps are: we are going on with our Canto 2 Sunday school study (now Chapter 8 and 9) but we need to do this a little more frequently since it happens a few days a week at most. We also are studying the intro to the Bhagavad Gita with our ladies group. It’s become more of a lecture or class by one person the last two months. The TPP starts chapter 1 so this should help us delve in more deeply. Thankyou !!!

HpS/ASA - The Intro seems impossible to follow in any logical development. We always want to get behind the flow and see why Srila Prabhupada is writing one thing after another. It made Hari sauri Das a devotee!

Also...we notice our consciousness waking up to just wanting things more organized and clean. This may sound weird, but it’s been a focus/meditation for us (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kundo).

ASA - Thank you!!!

We work for a private primary medical practice now as the sole counselor. So much to read, orient ourselves with the diverse clientele and some clients that are 15-20 years older than us. 13-17 hours a week seems about what we can manage along with all the tasks That come with taking care/homeschooling the kids. We do some devotee care/coordination work for weekly seva but this seems to not be too cumbersome and increases during festivals.

This is our update. We also have some news and humbly request it can be kept confidential

HpS - O.K. but as Sannyasis and B'caris we have to consider these things in the association of a competent Grhasta, so we will share it with CCD/Subra.

With great respect and reverence Guru Maharaj for tolerating us! So many waves 🌊 to ride. We will become professional surfers 🏄🏻‍♀️ 🏄 under your guidance. HK HK KK HH!!! HR HR RR HH.

Your servant,

Kamagayatri Dasi

HpS - ASA === O.K. We prepare for Hawaii Class.

Hare Krishna Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada, our founder acharya; all glories to you for your devotional service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.

It's Sunday evening, and I was doing my evening arotika just minutes ago. The house is very quiet and feels empty, although it is not. As I was doing my service, I found myself thinking about all the arotikas that I have been doing over all my years as a devotee: particularly in Denver, where I was first trained as a pujari on the altar some 37 years+ ago. Because the house was feeling so quiet and peaceful during the arotika ceremony I felt this great emotion arising from within.

HpS - ASA -- !!

I found myself thinking of how I've never had any second thoughts or doubts in my entire career as a devotee about coming to Krishna consciousness. I wonder why Krishna hasn't sent me away, because of so many sinful desires in my heart. It's not like I have some special realizations whereby Krishna deems me as someone of special importance or significance.

HpS - According to our understanding of Sanantan Goswami we are ALL of special importance. We are designed to fill a unique need!

The very idea that I am still doing arotika, in spite of still having so many material desires, brought tears to my eyes: even as I was performing my service to Their Lordships. I can understand the concept of "causeless mercy" in principle, but the realization of such mercy still escapes me: or else it is very, very shallow at best.

I often find myself thinking of the shelter that you have given my wife and I over the years, particularly during our years of isolation. At times I still feel so very isolated. Too many sinful desires in my heart. These thoughts brings tears to my eyes too. I just wish that I could say or do something to express some sincere gratitude for your kindness.

HpS - I think if Srila Prabhupada was putting your and me in cases in the tool box we would go in the same case. We have a little bit different Karma etc. so our situations are a little bit different, but I think that am just as bad as you, and any 'mercy' that I give has some little, little credit to me, but is mostly Srila Prabhupada using a bad tool to accomplish his goals.

However, I feel like such an incompetent old fool, set in his ways and unable to have any serious change of heart. What a hopeless and helpless case I am!

HpS - Like it or not in a few more years we either be in our Siddha svarupa (unlikely) or be incompetent YOUNG fools again! 🙂 But maybe we can take birth in Nabadvipa with Nimai and Srila Prabhupada, and join the fun right from the beginning!

Lately we have been inviting the devotees over to our home once every other weekend just for kirtan and prasadam. It seems to be going well, or so the devotees all tell me. I have shared with them how I would like to invite each household over to our home on a "one on one" basis: just to chant japa together, read together, and take prasadam together. I look forward to the shelter of your blessed association.

HpS - Super, SUPER, S U P E R ! Karuna virus, Ki Jai!

Your lowly servant, BbD

"Even fleas have little fleas that bite them, " William Blake. Servant of your servant, HpS. Let's go to the next letter.

Report Month of Sriddhar and Hrishikesha

Hare Krhna dear Gurudev

Please accept my respectful reverences at your beautiful and lovely feet, like lotus feet!

I wish that you are fine and happy in the beautiful companion of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. I am sending this letter through Sara Morey, a friend living in Lima. She attended your conferences there. She has also been at Vrndavam Dham and she is the one who brought us as a gift Gopal Makhanchor and Radha Krsna.

Gurumaharaja, since Sarita is helping me sending my letters, I could send them once a month as you requested from me when we were in Buenos Aires. Since you didn´t answer me I have been thinking that perhaps one letter per month could be too frequent so I could send them every two or three months. Your wishes are orders for me. My last letter was not translated by google. Please forgive me, that time I was in a square and had little battery while Fran and Gopal were talking to me. Sorry, but I could download one of your lessons and Fran also downloaded exercises, there are so good! and since I practice streching and Manipur dance every morning before mangalartik, it´s great to have such a companion.

Plese do not worry if you can not answer me. I understand that I am not doing any preaching work and perhaps you only reply more important letters, I can understand that. Just writing and knowing that you read my letter makes me very happy.

My report:

In these two months of sadhana every thing is beautiful and sweet. I enjoy these early morning hours while Gopalito sleeps by my side. These hours savored with Your association, Srila Prabhupada and my ladhu gopal are important for me and make me psicologically strong. If I do not savor these hours I become weak. I just want to cry for Krsna. I will always be grateful to you Gurudev for all the inspiration you gave to us.

I was reading some verses of the Bhagavad Gita via whastapp to some favorable girls.

I was thinking ... whether my songs may be really suitable to be danced and published.. perhaps they are composed in a crazy foolish way.

I have dreamed a lot with You and devotees. You were saying very pleassant words. I also saw you in a bus. You were standing there preaching to us. I considered your words as answers to my letters.

I send you here an introduction of my future dancing school. It may be very crazy to talk about a school in the middle of a pandemic but I prefer to go ahead. I would like to listen to Your valuable opinion: Academia de Danza Radha Natyan Academy, or do you think it better to be Radha Dance Academy. I considered Natyam for the encyclopedia of Indian dance, theater and music: the Natya Sastra. I wait for your answer.

Thank you very much for Your time Gurumaharaja. The only communication I have from time to time is via whatsaapp and I am now in the group of spiritual brothers where they posted the news that Prabhu NitaiGaurasundara had symtomps of Covid. How is He? We also read that You had published that your diagnosis was negative. I wish with all my heart that my eyes have the joy to see You and serve You again. I wish you enjoy a wonderful month of Purusottama!!!

You are receiving this message thanks to Sara Morey. She speaks English and is translating this letter. She was also sending me some of Your reports in Jaya Rama and Your DTC in the blog.

I beg You to forgive any offense committed unintentionally in this letter.

I wish to please you every moment,

your attempt of disciple who wants to serve you eternally,

Radha japa prati jalpa devi dasi

Kindly accept also reverences from Franco and Gopalito

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Report Month of Sriddhar and Hrishikesha

Hare Krishna dear Gurudev

Please accept my respectful reverences at your beautiful and lovely feet, like lotus feet!

HpS - "My lotus feet" are the feet of our Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, only by his mercy.

I wish that you are fine and happy in the beautiful companion of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. I am sending this letter through Sara Morey, a friend living in Lima. She attended your conferences there. She has also been at Vrndavam Dham and she is the one who brought us as a gift Gopal Makhanchor and Radha Krsna.

Gurumaharaja, since Sarita is helping me sending my letters, I could send them once a month as you requested from me when we were in Buenos Aires. Since you didn´t answer me I have been thinking that perhaps one letter per month could be too frequent so I could send them every two or three months. Your wishes are orders for me. My last letter was not translated by google. Please forgive me, that time I was in a square and had little battery while Fran and Gopal were talking to me. Sorry, but I could download one of your lessons and Fran also downloaded exercises, there are so good! and since I practice streching and Manipur dance every morning before mangalartik, it's great to have such a companion.

Plese do not worry if you can not answer me. I understand that I am not doing any preaching work and perhaps you only reply more important letters, I can understand that. Just writing and knowing that you read my letter makes me very happy.

My report:

In these two months of sadhana every thing is beautiful and sweet. I enjoy these early morning hours while Gopalito sleeps by my side. These hours savored with Your association, Srila Prabhupada and my ladhu gopal are important for me and make me psychologically strong. If I do not savor these hours I become weak. I just want to cry for Krsna. I will always be grateful to you Gurudev for all the inspiration you gave to us.

I was reading some verses of the Bhagavad Gita via whastapp to some favorable girls.

I was thinking ... whether my songs may be really suitable to be danced and published .. perhaps they are composed in a crazy foolish way.

I have dreamed a lot with You and devotees. You were saying very pleassant words. I also saw you in a bus. You were standing there preaching to us. I considered your words as answers to my letters.

I send you here an introduction of my future dancing school. It may be very crazy to talk about a school in the middle of a pandemic but I prefer to go ahead. I would like to listen to Your valuable opinion: Academia de Danza Radha Natyan Academy, or do you think it better to be Radha Dance Academy [Best]. I considered Natyam for the encyclopedia of Indian dance, theater and music: the Natya Sastra. I wait for your answer.

Thank you very much for Your time Gurumaharaja. The only communication I have from time to time is via whatsaapp and I am now in the group of spiritual brothers where they posted the news that Prabhu NitaiGaurasundara had symtomps of Covid. How is He? We also read that You had published that your diagnosis was negative. I wish with all my heart that my eyes have the joy to see You and serve You again. I wish you enjoy a wonderful month of Purusottama !!!

HpS - His body is fine. He went through it with extra rest and tylenol. No great destruction, but still weak, though back at work.

You are receiving this message thanks to Sara Morey. She speaks English and is translating this letter. She was also sending me some of Your reports in Jaya Rama and Your DTC in the blog.

I beg You to forgive any offense committed unintentionally in this letter.

I wish to please you every moment,

your attempt of disciple who wants to serve you eternally,

Radha japa prati jalpa devi dasi

Kindly accept also reverences from Franco and Gopalito

HpS - Thank you for the news!!!!! But any art from Franco or Gopalito? Find the ways to do Sankirtan in the changing world!!!

Haré krishna Gurudev pamhr,tlgaSP,dandavats pranams

Este año es muy inusual nunca antes vivido por mi persona un caos mundial, familiares muy cercanos como mi padrastro dejaron el cuerpo y sus partidas fueron sentidas en mi familia., sin embargo continuamos cantando los santos nombres por misericordia de Krishna Prabhupada y nuestros amados gurus.

Hemos realizado en nuestro hogar todos los festivales mas importantes del calendario vaisnava, atendiendo a nuestras deidades, cocinando, cantando, leyendo, ayunando y viendo crecer a nuestro hijo, todo con un sentimiento de esperanza, buen deseo y compromiso en el corazon, hace unos dias realizamos la ceremonia nama karana y anna prasana para nuestro hijo Soren Prahlada Nieto Arias (este es su nombre completo y legal). Fue un bello y un gran paso en nuestra herencia como vaisnavas y nuestro deseo es que nuestro hijo siga en esta linea de la ciencia por la autorealizacion.

Gracias por asociarse con tantas personas atraves de sus plataformas en linea y nos sentimos parte de su sankirtan el cual siempre estamos dispuestos a ayudar con nuestro talento y entusiasmo. Mi esposa le ofrece reverencias a ud. Y juntos pedimos humildemente su bendición para nuestro querido bebe hoy cumple 9 meses de nacido, jay Srila Prabhupada ki jay...!

Su sirviente Parama karuna das

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Hare Krishna, Gurudev, pamhr, tlgaSP, dandavats pranams,

HpS - AGTSP!!! Paoho. So nice to hear from you.

This year it is very unusual that I have never experienced world chaos before, very close relatives such as my stepfather left the body and their departures were felt in my family. However, we continue to chant the holy names out of the mercy of Krishna Prabhupada and our beloved gurus. .

We have held all the most important festivals of the Vaisnava calendar in our home, attending to our deities, cooking, singing, reading, fasting and watching our son grow, all with a feeling of hope, good desire and commitment in our hearts, a few years ago. days we perform the nama karana and anna prasana ceremony for our son Soren Prahlada Nieto Arias (this is his full and legal name). It was a beautiful and a great step in our heritage as Vaisnavas and our desire is that our son continue in this line of science for self-realization.

Thank you for partnering with so many people through your online platforms and we feel part of your sankirtan which we are always ready to help with with our talent and enthusiasm. My wife offers obeisances to you. And together we humbly ask your blessing for our dear baby today she is 9 months old, jay Srila Prabhupada ki jay ...!

Your servant Parama karuna das

HpS - Hare Krsna!!!! Are you getting to know your neighbors better???