Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna dearest Gurudeva,

Please accept my profound respects and obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, to the guru-parampara and to you! Ananta koti vaishnava vrinda ki Jaya!

I’m grateful for having the opportunity to write to you. Praying that the Lord kindly keeps you in good health.

HpS - He is the Guru! Srila Prabhupada is our General. Who is Captain of our Unit is a natural attachment, but we have to develop a supernatural connection with all these authorities.

I moved to Houston a month ago, I consider myself very fortunate and blessed to be here, I feel total gratitude to be surrounded by dedicated devotees who are also your well wishers, after I left Mexico almost 6 years ago I hadn’t been in a community where they know you neither have god siblings around (except for Dallas, with Srinath Krsna prabhu and Sri Divya) but devotees here appreciate you and like your preaching very much, and CC prabhu reminds me of you so much!

By your grace I’ve been attending mangal-aratik at the temple 98,99% of the times, chanting 18 rounds everyday- on this note- I’ve been reading and memorizing the Japa Affirmations from the pocket book by Mahatma prabhu, it’s helping me to chant with the proper mindset and mood [most of the times] to approach the Holy Names as something sacred and dear to me. I registered to take the japa retreat with HH Romapada Swami in two weeks, you and the pure exalted vaishnavas from our tradition emphasize and praise the chanting of the Holy Name, you always instruct me to “chant, chant, chant” so I think, if this is the essence of all our practice, if the Holy Names are going to stay with me at the very end of my physical life and They’ll go with me even beyond that...then I better make it my priority, I have a desire to improve my chanting and to connect with Krsna through ‘Hare Krsna’. I’m also following the 4 regs. Waking up my home and traveling deities, Sri Sri Nitai Mayapur Candra every day and offering them water and whatever I cook, when I do so. Leading Gaura aratik on Mondays and Fridays for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Nila Madhava. I also make chandan for the deities on Fridays. And I attend to Conscious Houston on Wednesdays, an outreach program. Learning vaishnava songs, to enter the mood of Gaura Purnima, I chose Parama Karuna and Arunodaya Kirtan as for these couple of weeks. I finished reading Twirl Your Beads, there were many insights and poems that you wrote that I like. Thank you once again for the sincerity in your service gurumaharaja. I’m currently reading How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, I’ve heard it’s a good one to improve communication with children, be more effective with them and supportive of oneself, make the relationships less stressful and more rewarding, it gives practical advices, promotes skills and the book even has exercises.

Work wise, I’m about to start my 4th week at the Goswami Academy, I’m a teacher assistant for PreK 2 and 3 (they are the little ones at the school) and I’m also the after school teacher, I teach Spanish to the children in PreK 4 and 1st & 3rd grade on Wednesdays, my work hours are Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. I’m excited and really looking forward to learn from Vaikuntha Priya Mataji [Vaikuntha Lakmi?] and Rama Giridhari prabhu, who will be with us this week. I signed the contract with the school until the middle of July, we’ll see how Krsna wants us to serve him after that...! (?) I’m praying to be given the intelligence to see (maybe understand?) and follow His plan.

I’m praying to Krsna to let me see you and serve you when you come back to this dham in June. Please keep me in mind for any services that you may need for the symposium or anything like that.

I was carefully looking at your itinerary in the calendar and it says “June-August— based in the Boro?” Is there a possibility for you to stay in Houston after the symposium instead of going back to Tennessee? And what about the month of September? It might be a good option for you to take a break from traveling and give some nice rest to your body.

I’ve been wanting to study Bhagavatam systematically, (I haven’t passed from the 3rd canto, and it’s been a long time since then). My reflection is that in order to love Krsna, to know how He is, what does He like, who is His family, friends, and devotees, to develope a genuine relationship with Him and also to keep nourishing my faith I need to read more Prabhupada’s books, Srimad Bhagavatam. So I would like to ask you for guidance here, do you know of any programs or anything that you could recommend me for this?

I keep in contact with my family, parents, sister, grandma and doggie who at the moment are living in Mexico. Thanks Krsna over all they are well. Hopefully if is Krsna’s will, one day we’ll be all serving together.

To end this letter, I would like to request you to please send me a hard copy and also a digital copy of your Diary of a Traveling Creature if available and possible. My temporary address is 1407 W 34th 1/2 St, Houston, Texas, 77018.

Thank you very very much Gurudeva for your service, love, kindness, truthfulness and compassion, for settling and leading with your example. As I have said it before, your life is a sublime offering to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and the whole disciplic succession.

Jaya Jaya Radhe Jaya Jaya Syam Jaya Jaya Sri Vrndavana Dham!!!

Aspiring to be your eternal servant,

Aindavi devi dasi

HpS - ASA --- AgtSP.... paoho.... We heard about you from Rukmini Devi Das also! Subhra Devi Dasi... Of course, with the rapid spread of the Karuna Virus all travel plans are changing quickly. It is so simple, just calm down and listen and Krsna is there? We may be asking, "Which car should I bay???", and if we really listen He may be saying, "Buy a horse, don't by a car".

We have to be ready to hear things that require surrender of our prestige, fame, comfortable self image.

In the end its only a reflection of ourselves in a projection.

Who are we?

Just get out as quick as possible, unless Krsna wants us to play a role here.

HpS - This letter was exactly the same as the other.

For us your work is so essential. There is so much content in Srila Prabhupada's books to fuel the work of any academically minded person. Such people can give specific plans to more action oriented folks. Can you please send your Whatsapp address here? I will see it but not post it.

I know several people who were attached to self-medication, smoking. Chanting all the time you are smoking is of course the best cure. One cases the person began to give up smoking very quickly but them realized that there were very deep reasons why he was smoking and that he had to deal with those before he could handle the superficial manifestation. Another was able to quit on one cigarette! HK/HR.

Hari Bol! Dear Maharaja, please accept my humblest obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada !!

I hope you are well in all aspects, it has been 3 months since I last wrote and 4 months since we were at the Complutense University.

A few weeks ago I had a meeting with the director of the Institute of Religious Sciences to continue advancing in the relationship between this institute and the NIOS Institute. We talked about the possibility of formalizing a collaboration agreement, the point is that the Complutense University only establishes agreements with other Universities so that the way to make the agreement would be through the University with which NIOS has an agreement in Peru.

On the other hand, I talked about the program “Art and the Sacred” and they agree to make a conference on the subject when you return to Madrid.

In relation to the contact with the Royal Superior School of Dramatic Art, I am investigating the departments in which it is structured, the study program and the subjects to find the contact that may be more useful, such as theater history or classical theater (Greece etc ). When I make the first contact I will tell you the possibilities.

On a personal level, in relation to my spiritual practice, I tell you that since the last time I saw you I continued singing a minimum of 16 rounds a day in the early morning, and I spent 1 hour reading every day. In these months I have finished reading the Bhagavad Gita and the book of Krishna, and I am currently reading the Bhagavatam and the Nectar of Devotion. When I sing the Mahamantra I am aware of how tight the knot of ignorance is in my heart but I have faith that the practice will allow me to progressively purify.

I am currently complying with 3 of the 4 regulatory principles, I have not yet managed to stop smoking intoxicated, although I am reducing it and I would like to stop before a month has passed to meet the necessary requirements for initiation.

I collaborate with Jivatatva Prabhu in the development of the “Madre Tierra” rural community project, and in these months I have been to the Madrid temple on some occasions, my intention is to go more frequently to seek more association with devotees.

Thank you very much for your patience and attention, please accept my humblest obeisances. Hare Krishna!

HpS - AgtSP! Paoho.... We continue to struggle here. Following strict control of senses at any level eg. taking a vow of no cigarettes before noon, or only eating one grain of rice for each Maha-mantra we chant, so much depends on association. Of course, these exchanges of letters are such good association.

We will look at your more recent letter and make more humble comments to your spectacular news there!

todas las glorias a Goura Nitay

todas las gloria a Srila Prabhupada

Hare krishna Guru.M comienzo mi reporte contándole que sigo con mis servicios fijos en cocina 2 días a la semana,

leyendo a diario,

preparandome para comenzar el curso del primer y segundo canto del Bhagavatam con p Lakshman

además de seguir con mi rutina matutina de rondas

el fin de semana en el templo haciendo servicio.

le cuento que arreglamos con un grupo de devotas el espacio de la fachada del templo para hacer un jardín nos quedo lindo y ahora cuidando para que crezca.

por último le cuento que seguiremos trabajando para restaurar el templo hacer más jardines dentro del templo, [Super!]

pintar etc...se despide su humilde sirvienta Raman Reti devi dasi

HpS - Small gardens are wonderful. The touch of the sun for warmth, the song of a bird for mirth, you are more at home in a garden, than any place else on earth! Sit with Krsna and the Gopis and Gopis in the natural gardens on the bank of the Yamuna and play games and make plans.

Dear Gurudev, please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! 

Enjoyed reading the KD very much.

We are in Vrindavan Dham now sick as a mangy dog. We had a very uplifting experience in Mayapur at the ILS a couple weeks ago. I’m wanting (in the spirit of the name that you gave us) to be a good messenger and bring some of these gems back to Boise unspoiled. Highlight for us was The Power of Japa class given by mother Devaki Devi Dasi. All of our problems are because of our inattentive chanting! She has a great German/Australian accent and has written some incredible books that we are starting to scratch the surface of. Just read this from her book entitled Sheltering Relationships:

“As a result of catching our selves doing the wrong thing, we will regret, repent and lament. Crying out to Krishna for help. We will beg him to enter our heart to kill this demoniac tendency. Ultimately, only Krishna can kill this Aghasura demon, who resides in our heart causing cruelty, violence and trouble to others out of envy. Lord Nrsimhadev is very expert in performing heart surgery with his sharp nails. All we have to do is urgently request him to do so. Our problem is that we hang on to our envy within our heart, hoping that it will give us some tasty fruits. We do not want to let go of it. Instead we embrace and protect it, thinking it will offer us some enjoyment and satisfaction. We cling on to it. However, we seriously pray to Krishna to remove it, lamenting: ‘Oh, Krishna when will the day come when I can finally let go of it all’ Then krishna will reciprocate and do what’s required”.

We are missing Boise. Boise feels like the Shire (lord of the rings ref.) and we are in the depths of Mordor. But the spontaneous and sincere kirtans and nice classes here are pulling us through. Gratitude is also keeping us somewhat sane. Trying to stay engaged here and not be a selfish tourist caught in the externals. The youth taking selfie's, the air pollution and trash..trying to see all of this as motivation to become a devotee and to get serious about spiritual life but at the same time not just seek liberation. Trying to get out of the fruitive mind set. 

In regards to your question: Who? Is the mime that said: “I stopped trying to be interesting and started to be interested” I asked my Neihbor (who I heard this from) and looked on the web but could not find a name. I realized I should verify my sources before publishing. My apologies, Maharaja. I will let you know if I find and I’ll be more careful about publishing “hear say”.

HpS - No, its great!

We are very much looking forward to your visit to Boise(the shire) We are like simple hobbit people and you are our beloved Wizard lol:) 

Thank you for initiating me into this wonderful Krishna conscious movement. I want to learn how to clap on beat in Srila Prabhupada’s band. With the four principals of freedom from animal life and 16 quality rounds, FMP and reading Prabhupada’s transcendental books everyday it looks there is hope for even me!  

Trying to be your servant,

Nitisara das

P.S. Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra came to us in Ekacharka! But we do not feel at all qualified to take care of them. What should we do?

HpS - Bring Them back. They are 80% merciful. You ar 20% pure!!!! Total = 100%

We talked with Srinivasa, Radhika, Anantarupa, did a ton of research and we are coming on Wednesday. He says you are in the Safe House, so we may only see each other from a distance on Wednesday but even that is O.K.

Us the KDPC (Priority Code in the Kapi Dhvaja to get immediate attention!), not the abbreviation. Thik you did really good in the Dhama!!!!!

NitayGoura Premanande!!! querido y siempre recordado Gurudev,

Todas las glorias eternas a Patita pavana "Srila Prabhupada"

en este auspicioso dia de su Sry Vyasapuja por favor , permitame Glorificarlo:

HpS - Iluminarnos va a ser posible, pero glorificarnos van a ser deficil sino estamos observando lo que Srila Prabhupada ha producido en nosotros por su esfuerza constante. TlgaSP!!! Pfanrh...!

ud. es el Maestro Espiritual Fidedigno!!! digno representante del Paramparam,

como se describe en las escrituras sagradas, ud. es el Guru Genuino que no tiene interés en la vida materialista,

HpS - Estamos bastante apegado a "popsicles" aveces!

. . . que sólo le intereza Dios y solo Dios "Brahma-nistham" está absorto en la verdad absoluta,

HpS - TlgaSP!

srotriyam brahma- nistham, está bien versado en las escrituras y en el conocimiento védico y, depende por completo del Brahman, .... ud. es el representante del Señor Supremo constantemente motivando a todas las almas condicionadas a volverse Concientes de Dios ,, completamente absorto en su conciencia de ser Sirviente de Dios , invita amablemente a que retomemos nuestra Conciencia Original de ser sirvientes eternos de Dios"".

ud. se ha vuelto perfecto al seguir el proceso purificatorio de Conciencia de Krishna perfectamente,

HpS - Puese pienso 60%.

Sarvopadhi-vinirmukta (Madhya 19.170) ... tat-paratvena nirmalam : "cuando nuestra Conciencia queda purificada de toda designación , las actividades que ejecutamos con nuestros sentidos purificados nos vuelven perfectos"

ud. a alcanzado la etapa perfecta en Conciencia de Krishna : "sarva-dharman parityajya ma, ekam saranam vraja" pues fué su deseo sincero de entrega a Dios que lo ha llevado a ese nivel , nivel que millones y millones de entidades vivientes no queremos aceptar , por eso ud. es Sudurlaba, un alma muy dificil de encontrar.....

HpS - Pienso Vd. es como Senor Siva. El mal busca faltas en otros aun inventando, hombre comun vea el bueno y mal de uno, y buen hombre solamente vea el bueno, pero Senor Siva, y posible Vd. vea los mal qualidades com buen cualidades. Por eso todo nos otros ofrecemos reverencias a Vd. y su Sankirtan, cuidada de su papa en los circumstancias mas deficil.

Uddhava funciona como guru para las gopis. Claro no era aun en nivel de un Brijavasi, que hablar de una gopi. Entonces podemos tratar de ayudar como guru abajo de Srila Prabhupada de una manera o otro.

Tenemos el Monito y Puerquito de Vd en nuestra Templo en Tennessee, y su tryptico de Gaura-Nitai y Gopal, y vrnda en nuestra altar.

Espero tiene mejor, y mejor integracion con los devotos, amigos en Peru, y anima ellos en disribution de libros!!!!!!!

eternamente agradecida a Dios de que lo haya puesto en mi camino querido y adorado Gurudev, por favor disculpe mis ofensas y mi escaza inteligencia para entenderlo y seguirlo,,,, solo clamo humildemente sus bendiciones para honrar a todas las personas en estado de humildad como ud. nos enseña y fortalecerme en el servicio de Prédica de Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "todas las glorias a ud. querido Gurudev " HANUMATPRESAKA SWAMI,KI JAY!

su inutil y torpe sirvienta

m. jambavati d.d.