Letters to the editor

Dear Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Personal Sadhana:

4 Regulations: Following nicely.

16 rounds: Was not good but continued to chant irregular rounds.

Reading: Started reading more regulated manner.

HpS - Regularity is the most important eg. little Lilamrta during breakfast every day. Little CC before Mangala arati. You become addicted!

My most important activity which is chanting was not done well for several reasons like health, major distractions, got sucked into investment into Bitcoin related which took out all my energies throught-out the year and caused derailment of senses.

HpS - Did you learn a deep lesson? Sometimes I saw that I was getting deviated, got deviated, and had to separate from the situation for sometime to get back on track, but then usually we could avoid that particular trick of Maya in the future.

I am balancing again with specific goals using proper tools to track every day.

I have added reading Bhagavad Gita shlokas 10 to 15 every day last few months. Started memorizing 1 shloka with translation too, per week (started recently). And chanting 1 round at the dot of the hour by phone notification. I am hopeful to pull myself up to be a good chanter. Health was a major concern at work bcoz was unable to participate in group meetings due to hyper acidity thru out the day.

HpS - Amazing. You must have kicked a dog or something in a last life to get this incurable acid thing.

Attending temple but only for kirtans due to the same health reason and unable to attend live classes. Plan to regularly hear Srila Prabhupada lectures (Google Home has play feature request, "play Hare Krishna Lectures", which plays 24 hours Prabhupada lectures).

HpS - Vaikuntha. Hearing from Prabhupada! Then the heart becomes pure then you can hear from within!!!

Priyanarma Padmavathi DD wanted me to post on her behalf.

She has been chanting 16 rounds successfully with minor letups. Busy with kids managing them alone in Hyderabad, India. She has not been doing much reading as such I think. Solely keeping up the chanting and not much of other KC services including association. We have Gaur Nitai deities and offering them some service. I could not set them up for devotee association when in India bcoz i could not attend home programs due to my weird health issues. So they are like we will go only if you go and in India the only access to KC is home programs. Temples are far call due to distance and time and traffic.

HpS - First priority, Kirtaniya sada harih, four principles, healthy morning program... get up (to bed) early and get your rounds done.

your servant

Kolavecha Sridhar Das.

HpS - It is so nice to hear from you. We realize that you have BIG challenge in staying in Sattva guna with the body problems you have, but you can make a little island of goodness in your heart, then even if you are superficially in Tama guna externally it will be related to Krsna. Eg. Jayananada Das was a mechanical engineer, working with gross matter, grease, steel, but he worked on the Rathyatra cart, not Air Force One. It is Balarama. Cutting, painting is touching the body of Lord Balarama!

More!

Hare Krishna maharaja

Dandavat pranam at your lotus feet.

ASA - Obeisances to your tulip feet.

As I said I will start again .I started but couldn't chant regularly or wake up for mangal aarti . Getting back to proper standard is again the goal . And I will keep trying . I reduced coffee (just few sips whole week ) which I will stop . I made the coffee but then throw it mostly after one sip.

HpS - ASA --- !!!! You don't need no caffeine. You just need a love injection from God!

I introspected and realized my fall down mental and then gross started since April 2017 . In the middle I used to be strict .I remember following everything from August 2017 to November 2017 properly . December 2017 I had met you and then you advices me to return the sila . After returning back I felt more discouraged that even Krsna doesn't want to accept service ..And I slowly deteriorated more .Sadhana became more bad . In between I follow few days and then I don't follow few days .This has been going on whole 2018. In June 2018 my health deteriorated and Krsna punished me for my sins I guess . But his punishment is also blessing in disguise I hope . In Vrindavan I had many times that I want to die soon and it seems he has accepted it but with a twist .

I have realized one thing that I cannot be in the grey zone ..I like being either perfectly following or not following at all. The middle way is not for me .You had once said" the paramhansa platform is the only platform in this movement "

Now I choose to follow .I want to follow and elevate my self . I will aim for the highest goal. At least when if I fail I will consider that I at least tried.

HpS - So many times I realize that it is my choice if I want to be happy or sad. All I have to do is SMILE... "Hare Krsna", and I have a positive attitude!!

So again I will try to follow all the things I promised 16 rounds , 4 regs , mangal aarti and srimad bhagawatam and deity pada sevanum.

HpS - I am flattering you when I say that we need you. You have great personal challenges from your Karma, but you can see that other devotees have conquered similar challenges. Of course, yours is different, personal, individual, but when you become deep, then you can do it and become a responsible person in society and this movement. When you are sixty years old you will offer shelter to others.

One thing I wanted to inquire . Do you want me to keep chanting my gayatri mantra or stop chanting them. And if u suggest that I stop chanting them then should I keep wearing the brahmin thread or open it . (I do not want to be a pretender).

HpS - Don't create big social problem if that will be the result in your Yatra. If it will help, that you are showing people that you need help then remove it. Until you are following first initiation standard for at least one year then I think it is best to stop. The chanting may have a reverse result. "One who does good my friend in never overcome by evil", Krsna, BG.

The gayatri I used to keep chanting during the whole time of my fall downs (irregularly but still I used to chant .)

Please advice me in this regard.

Regarding Mumbai I am ok with staying with you if Rama girudhari prabhu allows or I can try to arrange to stay separately ( I do not want to give trouble to you or him ) Whatever is comfortable to both of you.

HpS - Just work out the details with him. I am happy with any arrangement.

Thank you .

Trying to get back to standards and be connected to you again as diksha disciple.

Rturaj krsna das.

HpS - How are the Daddy, Mommy, Family??

Hare Krishna !!!

All Glory to You dear Guru Maharaja, please accept my obeisances at His Lotus Feet.

All glory to Srila Prabhupada, the Savior of the fallen

Thank you Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna for sending me to My Spiritual Master

Dear Guru Maharaja, happy Vyasa Puja, I hope that on this day I have a great time feeling our affection and gratitude.

Guru Maharaja you are a great example, as a preacher as. Sankirtanero (distributor of Srila Prabhupada's books), as speaker, in His Sadhana in the Morning in his Attendance to all the programs in the afternoon, You are constants, as well as His patience is without limits, being this very inspiring and proof of love . In You is manifested a Perfect Vaishnava Character, and therefore a great example to follow. Thank you for being a transparent medium of Srila Prabhupada's enlightenment, it is through You that we know Him, and we are motivated to improve in our humble Service

Striving to be a DICIPEL and SERVANT of your liking, following His footprints, so as not to disturb His Lotus feet

Adi Yajña Das

Hare Krishna!!!

HpS - Hare Krsna!!! Will we see you in Argentina in June-July? Take all the things your said your letter and see how they apply to you. Whatever we are doing now you have to do it.

Toda gloria a Usted querido Guru Maharaja, por favor acepte mis reverencias a Sus Pies de Loto.

Toda gloria a Srila Prabhupada, el Salvador de los caidos

Gracias Srila Prabhupada y Sri Krishna por enviarme a Mi Maestro Espiritual

Querido Guru Maharaja, feliz Vyasa Puja, espero que en este dia lo pase muy bien sintiendo nuestro afecto y agradecimiento. 

Guru Maharaja usted es un gran ejemplo, como predicador como. Sankirtanero(distribuidor de los libros de Srila Prabhupada) ,como orador , enSu Sadhana en la Mañana en su Asistencia a todos los programas en la tarde, Usted es constantes, asi como Su paciencia es sin limites , siendo esto muy inspirador y prueba de amor . En Usted se manifista un Caracter Vaishnava Perfecto, y por lo tanto un gran ejemplo a Seguir. Gracias por ser un medio transparente de las enceñanzas de Srila Prabhupada, es a traves Suyo que lo conocemos a El ,y nos motivamos a mejorar en nuestro humilde Servicio

Esforzandome por ser un DICIPULO y SIRVIENTE de su agrado, siguiendo Sus huellas, para no molestar a Sus pies de Loto

Adi Yajña Das

Happy happy Vyāsa Puja beloved Śrila Gurudev HH Hanumatpreśaka Swami 

Hare Krishna! 

All glories to Śrila Prabhupada. Dandavats Pranam.

Please accept my humble obeisances onto YOUR lotuses feet and this simple offering on the special and auspicious occasion of YOUR Vyasa Puja.

Hope this meets YOU well full of bliss and joy from Our Lord Krishna's.

Dear Gurudev I'd humbly like to THANK YOU for all YOUR efforts, lessons and YOUR example on how one should live in this material world (Martya loka) where we're facing lower energies and where the mind controls one's life setting bad habits and patterns far away from what our original essence once was: absolutely spiritual and full of ananda with Krishna's Consciousness.

Whenever I was living in the ashram the spiritual life was there 24h once I've stepped out it's the real deal test (still is) where I've fully realize how much I was fortunate in having YOUR mercy. 

Now I'm in a different ashram, my dear husband (Ajamil das) always remind me how I'm fortunate in having YOU as my spiritual master, Gurudev. 

I beg YOU to forgive that lately I was off track I've been dealing with a huge challenge which ends up in another achievement. Finally I've got successfully my Bachelor major on Petroleum Engineer and Offshore Renewable Energy.

HpS - Sounds like something from a James Bond movie!! Can you fly in the air and creat planets!

 On my final research paper the main topic was ENERGY it wasn't impossible not relate with KRISHNA but how would I put His energy in such an academic paper on my conclusion... full of numbers , equations ? I was in doubt and scared in failed then I remember that a devotee should always bring awareness wherever goes so my last words on my final paper was about KRISHNA and His energies.

When I've presented my research to the Academic border they've fulled approved. 

On the day of my final paper presentation I went blank after 3 years of research few minutes before my presentation to the border I've sat away took out YOUR photo, chanted few rounds and just the fact in seeing YOU all my doubts vanished away, because YOU took all my fears & tears away ...summing up among all the presented paper on my major degree I've got the higher score in the history of my course at my University.

HpS - Even a dog can swim across the ocean by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.

 Just because as in the words of the Academic border :"Brilliant approach, something different and new". It wasn't me only obviously...Krishna is the one who gives us inteligence & remembering.

And the difference was that we've got the spiritual guidance thru Krishna, Śrila Prabhupada & Spiritual Master by offering the efforts of our activities there's no way one fail, right?!

HpS - Very easy if we do it all for Krsna. 

Dear Gurudev don't want to be longer that I should ... whenever I think of YOU the only feeling I've got is Gratitude in have YOUR mercy, wisdom,unique humor, kindness and care.

Being grateful it is a divine virtue that is so important that other divine virtues could not exist without it. 

Our spirituality grows like seeds within our heart...by being under YOUR shelter we become spiritual warriors. The goodness of our lifestyle protects that seed. 

Our spiritual life: saddhana, chanting , reading, bhakti & sadhu sanga waters this precious seed. 

Nevertheless gratitude is what makes the ground fertile so that all these other virtues will actually have its maximum effect. 

A fertile soil( Spiritual master) allows the seed to have deep roots and grow very strong and for that a grateful heart is essential. 

I humbly thank you in allow this fallen soul to be part of this beautiful family, which has given me wonderful god brothers & god sisters.

Thank you, Gurudev! I owe YOU my life & salvation.

Thank you to allow me continued in the only process in the Kāli Yuga which is chanting the Holy Names, Harinama Sankirtana.

Wishing YOU a beautiful & blissful VYASA PUJA in Mexico.

All glories and blessings to YOUR life, GuruMaharaj!

Keeping rocking us with YOUR guidance, please. HpS ki jay! 

All glories to Śrila Prabhupada!

Hare Krishna, always at YOUR service, 

Yhs 

Radha Madana Manohara dd

(Rio de Janeiro🇧🇷 / Toronto🇨🇦)

HpS - Such nice news. Go ahead. Go ahead. Candra-mukhi Devi Dasi spent time with you, no? Our respects to Sriman Ajamila Das. What is he doing?

Dear Guru Maharaja,

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

 Here we are in Jaipur, leaving today back to the States. While traveling in India, I have been reflecting on how deeply I am indebted to you. In every aspect of my Krishna consciousness, your example and instructions have been my guiding light.

During mangal arati, I remember your enthusiastic chanting and dancing, and it inspires me to give up my lethargy and also dance. I reflect on how you sing the Gurvastaka prayers with so much attention to the meaning, and I try to follow in your example.

During kirtan, I remember your instruction that kirtan is a dialogue, not a monologue, and so I attempt to listen attentively. During japa, I reflect on your instruction to chant with meaning and with feeling. Every Bhagavatam class that I give is replete with examples and lessons I have learned from you---they come naturally, without having to remember them or plan them. During Prasadam, I recall your incredible austerity and the meager portions that you take, and I try to reduce my own eating, although I usually fail to control my tongue.

In my academic service, the principle you have taught me has provided guidance for so many years—“We should acquire as much knowledge as is useful for our service.” This principle has helped me remain sober when I am troubled by the desire for atyahara. In grhastha life, your reminders to follow the example of Kardama Muni and Devahuti help us to maintain proper perspective and determination to advance.

In interpersonal relationships, your admonition to “duck” the attacks that come our way, and your reminder that “in Vrindavan, only Krishna and Balaram kill demons,” has helped us to avoid many sticky and painful situations. Your sense of urgency in Krishna consciousness helps me avoid complacency and maintain a desire to advance.

 Gurudeva, this is just a small sampling of the many, many ways in which I am indebted to you. The list could go on endlessly. As you have said several times, “No one can receive everything that the spiritual master has to offer.” It is no doubt impossible to repay one’s debt to the spiritual master. All I can do is offer my gratitude and continue in my attempt to follow your instructions. You have given me everything—much more than I can hold.

Now, all I have to do is to practice what you have taught, but that has not been easy. I am weak, and I repeatedly fail, but I am determined to advance, and thus I beg for your mercy. As Srila Sridhara Svami says at the beginning of his commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam:

kvāhaṁ manda-matiḥ kvedaṁ

mathanaṁ kśīra-varidheḥ

kiṁ tatra paramāṇur vai

yatra majjati mandaraḥ

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ

paṅguṁ laṅghayate giriṁ

yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande

paramānanda-mādhavam

(śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam)

 “Where am I, so dull-witted, and where is the churning of the milk ocean? Alas, what can a tiny atom do where even Mount Mandara sinks? Nevertheless, by the mercy of Guru and Krishna, even a mute person can become an orator and lame person can scale mountains. I offer my humble obeisances to Śrī Guru, the deliverer of the fallen.”

 Gurudeva, please never withdraw your guidance, compassion, and affection. It is all that I am made of.

 Your hopeful servant,

Radhika Ramana dasa

HpS - AgtSP!!! Paoho. It seems that we are all being stimulated by everyone else's sincerity. Disciple is stimulated by Guru, Guru is stimulated by Disciple, Krsna stimulates us all, Godbrothers stimulate Godbrothers. Thank you for your association. I hope we can all stay in association forever.

Thank you. We wish you all success in your Sankirtan. All success.

Hare Krishna Gurudev!

Please accept my humblest obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupad!

A quick update- morning program is better again- not top notch but still getting there! Reading before bedtime and during breaks at work.

ASA - Super!

I just came back from Dallas from Kirtan 50 and had some nice association so that helped significantly. That’s been lacking in the DC temple but with mercy, I can keep it up.

HpS - 'daya bak' - That's all that is necessary. Take the mercy and 'keep it up'. All the Sun has to do is to 'keep it up', rise and walk every day. Adds us and then BOOM the magic happens.

 I’ve been focusing on sadhana and work and all else is on the backburner. No relationships, courtships to report. Just keeping faith that whatever Krishna decides is for the best. As always- you are right- we go forward, one way or another. I hope to keep this momentum going. I’m also trying to visit Vraj in March. Hopefully Vrinda devi lets us (mom and sister as well) in.

Lots of slips but always getting back up. Sometimes slowly -but surely.

Thank you for your mercy maharaj.

Your fallen [still attempting to be] servant,

Sugopi dd

HpS - ASA -- You are a fighter Sugopi DD. Just like your father's mother?? You get knocked down but you get back up and go ahead with your chain saw. Got any friends, victims, at work??? Thank you so much for your effort. Respects to Papa, Mama, sisters...