Letters to the editor

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to HH. Hanumat Presaka Swami Maharaj.

HpS - Awwwg! Very few glories to HpS but yes, AGTSP!

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet Guru Maharaj.

HpS - Lettuce feet. AGTSP.

Guru Maharaj, I am Nilanda Ningthoujam ( a medical aspirant), a 19 year old aspiring devotee from Manipur. I have been attending Mangal Arati and Sandhya Arati since 21st February 2020.

HpS - Wow! Radha Govinda-chandra must know you!

I have read 'The Science of Self realisation', 'Perfect questions and perfect answers', 'The Nectar of Instruction' etc and it has been an eye opening experience.

HpS - So, so much depth in Srila Prabhupada's books! Treasure them like beautiful works of art. Look at each one from different perspectives at different times. Place them in relation ship to each other. Use them properly for the different situations and people you meet.

I am also currently reading Bhagavad Gita As it is and The Path to perfection.I am also chanting 16 rounds everyday.I have been very fortunate to have the association of some amazing devotees(namingly Saradiya Gaurangi Devi Dasi and Ramanujana Das Prabhu) and they have served as a guiding light for me.I would be forever grateful to them.

Also I got to know about you Saradiya Mataji.

Guru Maharaj,It's been less than a month but I am already experiencing some major changes.The ecstacy I feel when attending temple services,while chanting and reading about Krishna is unprecedented and fantabulous. Srila Prabhupada books are so enchanting and I want to read it again and again.Also my curiosity and spiritual spurt seem to be on a rise every day.I want to devote all my time into devotional service and reading Prabhupada books but being a medical aspirant I also have my academic duties.So it is very challenging to manage my time between both.

HpS -Yes, one of ther first things in our devotional career is how to establish priorities. Ultimately service Krsna safifies all offer demands.

Also,Guru Maharaj, I would like to know from you the relative importance of participating in temple services, chanting, association with devotees, reading books and other devotional activities and also how to balance them.

HpS - Srila Prabhupada gives a balance: 16-nice rounds first, 4-principles, full morning and evening program.... associate with some Brahmanas like saradiya en Manipura and they can tell you. Then you have to adjust in terms of your detailed situation. Krsna in the heart will give inspiration.

Also I want to get initiated very soon. I have seen a glimpse of the life of a devotee and it fascinates me more than anything. I would also love to know some of your earliest experiences in spiritual life. What is your advice to a youngster who is held spellbound by the amazing revelation made by Iskcon about spiritual culture.

I offer my humble regards to Guru Maharaj again

Continuing with our Bhakti Sastri

Your insignificant servant

Nilanda Ningthoujam

HpS - Please read the Kapi Dhvaja and letters to other devotees here and I think a lot of your questions will be answered, because many of them will be answered in letters to others.

Ultimately you can just chant the Maha-mantras, follow 4-principles and all your formalities will be acomplished and all you questions answered!

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada

Todas las Glorias a Usted querido Guru Maharaja, por favor acepte mis rendidas reverencias.

HpS - Hare Krsna!!!!! TlgaSP!!!!!!!!!! !!!

Supimos de la gran odisea que fue su viaje a Boise, agradecemos su ejemplo y aspiramos poder seguirlo, mejorando nuestro propio ritmo.🐜  

Oramos continuamente a Lord Nrsmhadeva para que le proteja y para que su Sankirtana, a los pies de Loto de nuestro Divino Acarya, alcance a muchos corazones.

Actualmente a causa del Corona Virus parece que en el ambiente reina la confusión, incertidumbre y miedo. ¡Nada nuevo para Kali Yuga! ¿No?... 

ASA - Va ser peor! Ja! Ja!

¡La muerte está en cada paso! Aún así la vemos como algo lejano. Así que, me parece que la situación nos recuerda la fragilidad de este cuerpo.  Quizá es una oportunidad para reflexionar sobre la utilidad de nuestra existencia... ¿Si muero hoy, seré capaz de recordar a Sri Krsna en el examen final? 🤔

HpS - Los gopas sacando unos fruitas nuevos, sabrosas, del arboles del bosque de Vraja y pensando como estas frutas va a satisfacer a Krsna. Recordado Krsna.

... Quizá el resultado de esta pandemia podria ser en mayor apego a nuestra Japa, mejora de nuestro sadhana y mejora en la prédica a las personas cercanas (ya lo decía Don Quijote de la mancha "bien prédica quien bien vive") 🙂

Por mi parte... Sí, mi cuerpo también "se siente como el infierno" lleno de dolores físicos y emocionales... El neurólogo me pidió extremar cuidados a causa del corona virus, así que esta semana tuve que dejar el trabajo temporalmente y estoy viviendo en casa de mi madre. Mi sadhana es estable, aunque tengo mucho por mejorar; diariamente realizamos 16\4, regularmente programa matutino y vespertino, atendemos a Sus Señorias, Los Amos de mi hogar, y tenemos lectura regular de Srila Prabhupada. Lentamente mi estado de ánimo también parece mejorar.

Algunos vaisnavas y su sirviente estábamos trabajando en un proyecto para fortalecer y ampliar nuestro Sankirtana a través de "Crecer Vaisnava" pero tuvimos que retrasarlo hasta que pase la contingencia. Mientras tanto estamos trabajando de manera interna, esperamos, por la misericordia sin causa de Sri Krsna, pronto poder comunicarle algo concreto.

Muchas gracias por brindarnos su misericordiosa asociación y guía querido Guru Maharaja.

Su aspirante a sirviente

Karuna-sakti Devi Dasi 

HpS - Gracias KSDD y todos su siguedores fieles. Sus alumnos estan esperando encontrar a Vd. Busca ellos en sus pasos.

Haaaa Rey Krsna!!! Haaaa Rey RAma!.....

Un pie en esta mundo, otro en Goloka. Hari Bolo! !#..

 Querido Maharaja por favor reciba mis humildes reverencias. 

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada! 

Maharaja he estado batallando con el envío de mis cartas, ya me está ayudando madre Astasaki a resolver el problema. 

Primero que nada agradecerle por haberme aceptado formalmente como candidato para la iniciación harinama, muchas gracias! tengo una pregunta, ¿puedo dirigirme a Usted como Gurumaharaja o debo esperar iniciarme? Lo pregunto para observar apropiadamente la etiqueta vaisnava. 

Estoy muy contento que usted estuviera en México y poder estar sirviendole en los eventos que se realizaron también por la reunión que tuvimos entre Usted y los aspirantes . Estaré más constantemente enviando cartas en el blog y así estar más en contacto con usted. Sigo con mis servicios en el templo, cantando mis 16 rondas diarias, siguiendo los 4 principios y preparando mis tramites para conducir el taxi. 

Muchas gracias Maharaja por haber estado en México , disfrutando de su hermosa presencia. Su aspirante a sirviente Marco Antonio Galván

HpS - TlgaSP. Esta carta a ido meces pasando como mucho mas, pero no podemos responder a todos. Nuestras reverencias a todos quien a enviado cartas sin respuesta.

Problemas arrelegar el sacrificio del fuego. Aprovecha del administracion y a pandemica!

Jaya, Brujita Negra!

Esperamos organizar los formamlidades para un ceremonio de iniciacion para Vds. y unos mas!

Querido Gurudev: Pamho. Toda Gloria a Srila Prabhupada y sus seguidores fieles.

Espero que esta carta lo encuentre bien de salud y animado con su sankirtan.

Estamos aquí en el epicentro del "corona virus" en España. Todo bien. Trabajamos en dias alternos (uno sí y uno no). Un compañero de trabajo ha sido afectado por el virus, pero no se ha muerto (cinco noches con fiebre alta y problemas respiratorios, dolores musculares, etc).

Estamos leyendo un poco mas y practicando para la próxima etapa de "jubilado" (lleno de júbilo por no trabajar). Por aquí están muriendo mas personas de lo esperado pero, curiosamente y aún despues de la advertencia de Maharaja Yudisthira, nosotros estamos pensando que a nosotros no nos va a pasar y hacemos planes para veinte años más. La muerte podría llegar hoy y lo mas positivo es que tenemos en mente volvernos buenos devotos (no es fácil). No sé si cuando me falte el aire y no pueda respirar podré seguir con ese deseo. Si no es así espero que Dios me ayude.

Suelo leer el blog de forma regular , aunque no todas las cartas, y observo su predica desde la distancia.

Sin enrollarme mas se despide

su pobre (de espíritu) sirviente

Jayanta das

HpS - ASA -- TlgaSP! Pfanrh. Una vez mientras estuvimos colgado la ropa mojado en la cuerda detras del templo y estuvimos cantando HK/HR tuvimos la experiencia que pudimos recibir la misma energia que estamos acostombrado sacar del aire o comida.

En la comenza es un poco impersonal, no relacionado con la aire del cuerpo material, pero despues relacionamos con el cuerpo de Krsna!

Despues de dejando aire tenemos que dejar espacio!!!

Virus Karuna!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to HH . Hanumat Presaka Swami Maharaj. Please accept our humble obeisances at Your sweet Lotus feet dear Guru Maharaj.

HpS - AGTSP!!

Thank you Guru Maharaj for the subtle mercy that we keep receiving. Thank you so much. Still celebrating the appearance of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu amidst the material duties.

HH Bhakti Ananda Haridasa Gosvami Maharaj is with us and as usual we are continuing the Holi celebrations.

We have some young aspirants....all of 19 years , a young aspiring devotee with ambition to be a doctor but parents are worried that she is too involved in Srila Prabhupada books and Krishna . The mother is really worried. Can she write in the Blog here? She asks a lot of intelligent questions.

HpS - Certainly!

There is also another boy who is attending SB classes regularly....aspiring for initiation. Very soon they will be writing to you dear Guru Maharaj ....if only you allow us to do so.

HpS - We seem to be able to handle a survival level of mail here. Please have them read the Kapi Dhvaja and then include the KDPC from the current issue in the Title field.

Continuing with our Bhakti Sastri online

Your insignificant servant,

Sarada Gaurangi DD

HpS - Wonderful. We are in ISKCON Boisie, Idaho. Very much we are all adjusting to the Global Pandemic. It is amazing what a resource SB is in this effort.

In general, our instrument is getting older. Our eyes cannot handle as much computer time as before.

Traveling is always a GREAT challenge with change of diet from cook to cook. Srila Prabhupada would travel with a cook.

It is so nice to hear from you and other such devotees how they are taking the potent content of all the stories in SB and letting them enter their actual lives and societies.

The War of the Witches

Radha and Her followeres vs. Kali and Her followers!

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.