Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

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

It's only thanks to the mercy of Lord Caitanya that I met you this month in Nueva Vraja Mandala and after one week I asked you for shelter.

In answer to your request, here I'll summarize my spiritual biography.

HpS - ASA -- It was also very nice to meet you. Excuse us for being a little slow, two weeks, to answer this letter. We have been in little tumolt after trip to Spain.

In 2006, I started practicing Hatha Yoga and meditation. In 2009 I met in Granada (Spain) Swami Purohit from Delhi (http://www.swamipurohit.com/), and I started a trainning with him, consisting in a course of one day and a half every month, that year I become vegetarian. The porpouse of his training is to purify you consciousness and connect you with your soul, to arrive to enlightment. Each month he gave us a sadhana that we should do every day, consisting in meditation, japa (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya), and differents raja yoga and kriya yoga exercices, to open each chakra, and to purify our physical and subtle body, it took about 2 hours per day, what I did every single day without interruption.

In 2013, I did my first trip to India, to Arunachala (Thiruvannamalay) for sadhana in an ashram (Ramana Maharishi) with Swami Purohit, in which I had my first spiritual experience. I started feeling the energy in the right part of the chest moving around and from the base of the spine to the crown, and I saw light within, I experienced deep joy, peace, and love. When I told it to Swami Purohit asking him what did it means, he explained me that it was the begining of enlightment, what is called the spiritual heart (paramatma). Of course this is nothing, once you have experienced the ocean of Love and Mercy of Lord Caitanya. I only tell you this to let you know that I am so fallen that only after 5 years of practicing austerities, thanks to the unlimited mercy of Lord Caitanya, the path to Krishna Consciousness was opened for me.

In july 2014 I completed de Advanced yoga and meditation course, level II. When I did the second trip to India, in 2014, I went first to Anandamayi maa ashram (the saintly woman of Bengala, daugther of vaisnavas), and the chief of the International center for foreiners, a devotee of Lord Krishna, recommended me and my spiritual brother and sister to go to Vrindaban and he gave us blessings to go there. And we did. I was a strong experience that I have when I arrived to Radha Ramana and Radha Damodara temple.

In 2015, thanks to a devotee, I went to the “kindness festival” for 2 weeks, organized by Audaria Dhama das (Oleg Torsunov), and there I met wonderful devotees and a sannyasi (Valmiki das) that inspired me to start chanting Maha Mantra read Bhagavad Gita, 3 times without comments and later with Srila Prabhupada comments, what I did. A devotee gifted me with maha prasadam of Bhakti Vijnana Goswami Maharaja, and that nigth I had a mystical experience during my night meditation after going to bed.

In 2016, one year later of meeting in Moscow a devotee (Lalana is her nick name) of ISKCON before the festival, she told me I should write a book for women, so I wrote a book called “Conocimiento Vedico para mujeres y no solo para mujeres”, self editing, 90 copies sold. It was my first service.

In January 2017, I met Ekadrsti and Yasoda in Alicante, who made me engage more in Krishna Consciousness. Then last august I went to Vrindaban again, and at that time I started changing 16 rounds every day, without interruption. I did 4 times parikrama arround Vrindavan, one arround Govardhan, Radha and Syama kunda, and visited Gokul, Ramanreti, Varsana, Raval, Mathura, and other sacred places touched by the lotus feet of the Lord.

The first day doing parikrama around Vrindaban, I had a very strong spiritual experience in Caitanya Baitaka, the resting place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, when Maharaja Parijatak put on my neck the garland that was in the body of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhú (Maha Maha Prasad), inmediatly I stared to cry like a baby, and while he was telling me the story of Gaurary Mukta, I couldn’t stop crying, I felt so much pure love coming from him that I, without thinking, fell at his feet, but he said, no no, it’s not me, is the mercy of Lord Caitanya. Few days later, I asked him for advice to Maharaja Parijatak, what to do in order to prepare myself for future inication. He answered that first I should purify my existence, and in order to do it, I should sing 32 rounds every day during 40 days, starting 12 october (or 16th) and also read every day Bhagavad Gita, and I did it, but I failed 3 days. I have also read Mahabharata, Ramayana, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Drama of Lord Jagannatha, Nectar of Insctruction, Fisrt Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam and part of the Second.

Later I did Introduction to Bhakti Yoga with Nityananda prabhú, and this 2 weeks before I met You, I did the course for disciples with Yadunandana Swami, who suggested me to come back in april in order to meet you. From the first day I meet you, I started to think about asking you for taking shalter, and after talk with Yadunandana Swami I did. Now I pray to the Lord to let me see you as soon as possible, to be able to serve you.

Although I am a fallen soul, you accepted me only because you are full of mercy.I commit myself to keep on following the four principles with determination and enthusiasm.

Please accept my humble obeisances.

Bhaktin Maria

Note: Please excuse me if I made any mistake telling you some things that are not relevant. And sorry for a so long letter.

HpS - ASA == Wow!   After reading this I feel that maybe I should ask you for shelter. Of course, we are most likely doing these things for several life times. One does not become a fixed Yogini like this at just the drop of a hat, but in any case, ISKCON, Gaudiya Vaisnavism, is a wonderful tradition. We might really look at it as the pinnacle of yoga and religious experience. Of course, that means that it is greedy to take any benefit that is offered by and serve any other yoga tradition.

Welcome to this Blog. It is a great community.

How can we serve you?    Of course, you already have so many counselors and friends in ISKCON, especially Yadu Swami, but if we can serve formally as Diksa Guru, we would try to do that.

Have you read our description of our understanding of Diksa guru at http://www.jayarama.us/peru/archivos/guru-tattva-es.txt?

Any questions or comments about this?

Please write every now and then with your yoga news and the news of the other yogis in Spain etc!

Thank you . . . 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! All glories to Guru Maharaj HPS,

Dandavat Pranam Guru Maharaj,

Kindly accept my humble obeisances at your sweet lotus feet [ASA - lettuce feet].

I had been wondering the past few days whether my letter reached Guru Maharaj or not.....a little anxious ...but all the while leaving everything to Krishna. Oh yes!! Yesterday I did pray to Hanumanji on his birthday...please!! please!! would You please let me hear from Guru Maharaj!! Today, during my break time at the hospital, as I was going through the 5th volume of Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta, I received this beautiful reply...and I am feeling so happy and abundantly blessed!Thank you so much. Guru Maharaj ki jai!!

Last Sunday, we started our Kirtan from Govindaji Mandir and had to pass through a number of meat shops mostly run by Muslims. I am sorry for specifying the community . To my surprise, all of them accepted the little prasadam offered to them. An elderly Muslim gentleman even gave his blessings....it was simply amazing!! On some earlier occasions, I have found them refusing  Krishna prasadam and we had to patiently explain to them .....feel very hurt when some of them still refused after all our efforts. Same with some of our Christian followers. Kindly give us Your blessings Guru maharaj.

Banamali Prabhu leads the group most of the time. He has prepared pamplets for distribution . All of us are too busy and too absorbed in the Kirtan that we forget to take snaps. This Sunday I will try my best to take some snaps and upload them ASAP.

Oh....one more thing , Guru Maharaj....which books will be best for distribution during Nagarkirtan? Usually...I carry some spiritual items...like incense sticks, Stickers, Chandan, lockets.....besides, of course, the Prasadam.

Thank you so much Guru Maharaj,

I remain,

Your humble servant...forever seeking guidance and protection,

Sarada Gaurangi Devi Dasi.

HpS - Hare Krsna!!!   Thank you for your wonderful news from the wonderful land of Manipur!!!!   I don't know what books are available.  Of course, some small books that people might consider looking at quickly and then taking. "Krsna, the reservoir of pleasure", in English is very nice. Prabhupada said that we can even photocopy certain purports that we like and distribute them. Ask people to take them, help with a small donation for our printer if they can and then if they like them just contact you and you can give them more for their friends and contacts.

Are you working??  Do you have any contact with Sriman Yamjnesvara Das in Thoubal?   How is Brahmacari, Sadhu Das??

PAMHO

AGTSP

My dear guruji:

Long time since I wrote to the blog, but as I told you when you were here in Vrndavan, it has been very difficult for me to login, finally I got it, wow, I cannot believe it, these hi-tech devices make me crazy.

ASA - We must become mad like Gauranga!

First, I want to thank you very much for allowing me to serve you while in Delhi and Vrndavan, it has been very refreshing for me to listen to your lectures and to have personal answers to my questions, please forgive all my offenses.

ASA - '@'ink~~

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Navadvipa and Jagannath Puri,  [Jaya!] it was amazing to see all those beautiful places where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was living, his birth place, the place where he met Nitai, the house of Srivas where they used to make sankirtan, the Ghambira, Sarvabhauma Battacarya's place, the place where Nitai broke Mahaprbhu's danda, so many beautiful places full of pastimes and the magnificent temple in Mayapur, with the Panca Tattva and Radha Madhava with all the gopis. In this trip Goura-Nitai gave me the big mercy to understand just a little bit more of their lilas.

HpS - Ecstacy!!!!

Now, back in Radhakund, trying to be more engaged in serving Radha-Kunja Bihari.

       ASA - Shhhh!

Some days ago, Gopi Radha from Mexico was here giving me the opportunity to associate and try to serve one of my beloved godsisters, we had very nice days, doing parikrama to Govardhana, to Radhakund, we also went to the Janma bhumi of Krsna in Mathura, thank you my dear Guru Maharaja, for propitiating this association.

Now, I am trying to reinitiate my seva in Radhakund and I have a request to all my godbrothers and godsisters who can help me donating and bringing me at least two "pool cleaners" that kind of nets are very useful to clean the kunda to take out all the prasadi flowers, these nets are not available in India, that is why I am asking for your help. If somebody want to make this service, Radharani personally will bestow on him all her mercy.

HpS - They have the nylon mess in India, no??   Maybe make one there??  But also can bring!

Thank you again and again, my dear guru maharaja, for all your causeless mercy to this fallen soul.

In another letter, I will try to send my humble tribute to our beloved Raktak prabhu, which I mentioned to you.

Your (trying to be humble) servant

Tungavidya devi dasi

=====================================================

It was a shock for me to know about the disappearance of our beloved godbrother, and I feel the necessity of writing about him.

HpS - Ooof!

He was the embodiment of a perfect disciple, always engaged in serving his guru maharaja, accomplishing all his needs, cooking for him when required, trying to be with him all the time he could, but specially, his complete surrender.

HpS - He had some attachments (smile)!

He has a lot of the qualities of a good disciple, tolerance, silence, simplicity, humbleness, among others, and as mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam, “the disciple should learn giving mercy to the suffering, showing friendship to equals and showing humility and respect towards superiors”.

He had a proper conduct, he was a truthful representative of our guru maharaja and at the same time, he was very gentle towards us, his godsisters and godbrothers, always smiling, observing and hearing our problems and trying to advise us the best, always remembering and inspiring others to remember Krsna.

I remember last time I saw him he told me “from this year on, I will be with Guru Maharaja in every vyasapuja, no matter in which country it is held, I will do that because I want to be with him in that special day and also to meet more godbrothers and godsisters all around the world and to take a lot of pictures to share with all of them”.

I read in a sastra “just as the spiritual master is – so is the disciple, and of course Raktak Prabhu acquired all his qualities trying to emulate our guru maharaja.

HpS - Yeah!  We also have "some attachments".

As Guru Maharaja said in the blog, ‘we will miss him, but we won’t miss him”, we will remember his teachings, his smile, his advises, his gentleness but the most important thing is not only to remember him but to try to emulate him, to be a little bit like him, to learn how a good disciple should be, how to behave with our guru maharaja and so we can get his causeless mercy and at the same time of Radhe-Syam.

I am sure that Krsna needed a soul like him to engage him in his personal service and that is why he decided to take him back home. 

My dear godbrother, thank you very much for your association.

Your (trying to be humble) godsister

Tungavidya dd

HpS - Yes, we think a lot about visiting Australia just to see his friends there also.   We are very tired, now. Little head ache coming, but maybe one more letter.  Join us.    We want to call Jagmohan. Our respects to your family. We hope your cow is fine. Can see our suggested India visit in letter to Dhruva, Australia. 27th Sep - 18th Oct

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudev,
    Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
    All glories to Guru parampara.

    Deity seva going excellent. Actually you are doing the seva, i am just assisting you.

    Deity seva takes me to a different world. It is very personal. Lord reciprocate, i would provide you all the details when
    we meet next time.

your fallen servant,
Girivaradhari-Gopal Das

==================================

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudev,
    Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
    All glories to Guru parampara.

    An un-favorable update.

    i have checked with some senior b'chari in temple that there will be HH Radhanath Swami's Vraja trip in Kartik this year.
    So most of the B'chari and Grihasta (householder) or congregation devotee won't be available in Pune at that time.  

    So senior b'chari requested not to schedule your classes at that time as they all want to hear you.
    They don't want to miss your classes. Also they want, you stay in old temple (Sri Sri Radha Kunja Bihari Temple).

    I am bit in dilemma that if we invite you during Kartik most of the devotee won't be able to hear you.
    And those who will be in Pune, would be very busy in services (ad hoc services).

    Please advise.

your fallen servant,
Girivaradhari-Gopal Das

HpS - Jaya!  Giri-vara-dhari!   Jaya Pune Yatra!!!  Just writing to you takes us there.   All you need it Kirtan, Japa, SB and Murti-avatara!!!       If you look at the letter Australia today you can look at the efforts to plan the India, Australia, Hawaii trip.  What do you think of those dates. We would be for several days at the GBC meeting. I guess it would be in Bombay.  Maybe before Kartika.  What do you think of that.  Think GBC meeting, Delhi (Vraja), Kolkatta >>>>>

Dear maharaja
PAMHO AGTSP

In Mayapur (Feb) you asked me how was the youth program here at New Govadhan. I had no reply because I couldn’t recall one, which was silly because in 2011 (Vrindavan) I had asked you for advice on running a youth program. I was driving on to New Govardhan farm a few weeks ago and I saw the place what once was Hanuman House and I remembered. We did have a youth program! I just forgot about it. It was called "Hanuman House". A team of my generation would get together once ever couple of months and take the local youth camping on the Krishna farm, do archery, swimming and cooking the Sunday feast. We did this 2012-2014 and even built a club house. After leaving Murwillumbah for 2.5 years I forgot about it. It went well but was hard for us to find the time to maintain with our busy grihasta lives. Also the club house blew down in a storm and was recycled.

HpS - Probably was extremely effective!

Australia Visit September 2017:
Sorry if I’ve missed any details on the blog.

Please, when you are ready, tell me the day and city you want to arrive along with your personal details to this email [email protected]. We will arrange your ticket. I will make arrangements as you wish for Brisbane/Gold Coast/Murwillumbah, Sydney and Melbourne.

HpS - Wow!    This Calendar stuff is intense: Half the time planning the travel, other half traveling and then tryin to preach.  O.K.   Here is the progress.   We finaly looked at it and we get back from Boise, Sacramento, San Jose, Seattle, Houston, Mexico, Lima, Santiago, Lima, Chosica, Cusco, La Paz, Lima, Arequipa, Houston .....  on the 26th July.  Gonna be a little exhausted, Ei, Mate!!!   So, it seems sane that we rest our Ass for two months before we start off again.  That would mean heading for Boise, Hawaii, India .. about the 26th Sept.  O.K. with Hawaii,    BUT     .heavy pressure to go to the Interim GBC Meeting on the 9-17th of October (We've been researching tickets carefully also).   So, that would mean that it would be best to go to India first then Australia then...

What do you think of that!???    I guess something like:

27 Sept - 18 Oct -- India (3 weeks)
18 Oct - 1 Nov -- Australia (2 weeks)
1 Nov - 8th Nov -- Hawaii (1 week)

Yesterday I listened to your lecture on SB 5.18.12 (2012-05-05 Radhadesh) with pastime of HG Jayananda.

Ratha Yatra in Brisbane CBD, May 6^th. I’ve been called to guard His chariot. Jai Jaganatha!!!
Your servant
Dhruva

HpS - Wow!  Right at the beginning of the Vancover Rathyatra I saw the cart run right over the foot of a 75 year old India lady. She fell unconscious and went to the hospital!   Good luck!!

What do you think of this new calendar proposal?   It would be good for us also in a few other ways.

Hare Krishna, dear Gurumaharaj, Pamho, AGTSP!
This is my regular ekadasi report. I'm trying to discipline myself a bit more. Writing to you every two weeks compels me to readjust things constantly.

HpS - ASA -- Publishing the Kapi Dhvaja every two weeks forces us to live a more regular life!!

Personally I do not have much to say. I regularly follow everything: 16 rounds, four principles and mangalartik. Some days I'm still a bit loose (I'm mandah, lazy). Chocolate ice cream and Netflix. But I do not stop doing my duties.

I have several students, classes practically every day, I continue to help in the temple, etc. I have even actively participated in a couple of FFL.

My basic concern is to implement education in the region more systematically. Today we have a meeting in Wilson several of the former NIMSAR to continue working on the subject of Bhakti sastri and Bhakti Vaibhava and the possible revival of NIMSAR. Is it possible?

I hope that when you come we will have things more clears and can help us to up-lift these programs.
I have a very good relationship with Mathuresh Prabhu and I hope to collaborate with him as much as I can on the subject of education along with other devotees.

The experience of Cuzco was very good and I will return in August to continue my service there. If Arequipa invites me, I can also help with the educational issues.

I also saw M. Goura Gadhadara and perceived that his [her] service was too strong [heavy]. In fact, a few days ago he had pneumonia. She had suffered from her lungs since she was very young. It [she] is going to take some time off. She will go to the Sacred Valley for a few days to recover. This tells me once again that the authorities of ISKCON have to watch over the welfare of the devotees. Their duty is to protect and give service, but often they only give service until the devotee collapses and goes home. Education for the Brahmanas, but also for all Ksatriyas and all.

Well, I hope to see you soon to receive your holy association and try to progress a little more in my spiritual life and my service.

We have to talk soon about your SA tour. I have a couple of suggestions and topics to develop here. Organize some initiations, education, etc.
Ys, lad

ASA - Hare Krsna. LaD.  How is the Blue Baboon!!   Of course, we talked for one hour this morning on Skype about all this.   As we just wrote in the letter to Yugala-kishora Dasi if we are going to re-activate Nimsar in Peru then we would have to have a clear proposal with selection of President et al, and then aproval of the National Council or other local authorities.  This morning you mentioned developing the ISKCON educational ministry in Peru as another option.

We have to develop very careful program of Netflix or next lifetime we will be worms in vegetarian stool in India or wife of Indra or something, no!

Start writing stories! Lad-Flixs!

We discussed this morning here is the current proposed Calendar:

June
21[We] – IAH – MEX (6.00AM – 8.30AM), MEX – LIM [5.00PM – 10.45PM] In Mexico City for at least six hours.

23[Fr] – Disp. Gadadhara Pandita, Bhaktivinode Th. 

25[SU] – Chosica, Temple.

26[MO] – Early morning, Universidad La Cantuta (Art and the Sacred); 6-9PM, Biblioteca National (Psychology and the Sacred)

27[TU] – 10am-2pm, Jesuit, Ruiz Montoya University (Psy-Sacred)

28[WE] – 10am-2pm, San Marcos University (Psy and Sacred); Lima to Santigo [7.15pm – 11.45pm] 

July
04[tu] – Ekadasi

12[we] – Santiago to lima [6.30am – 9.30am]

15[sa] – Lima to Arrequipa

16[su] – Arerrequipq to Lima to Chosica to Lima

17[mo] – Lima (8AM – 9AM) Cusco

18[tu] – Cusco > La Paz (7.45AM - 9.45AM), then to Cochabamba

24[mo] – Cocha > Lima (10.40AM – 12.20PM)

26[we] – LIM – MEX [12.15AM – 6.30AM], MEX – IAH [1.45PM – 4.00PM] 6-hours in Mexico City

Of course, co, co co-ordinate with Abhirama Das who is doing so much program development and everyone else.

When we arrive in Lima, yes, it seems best if we can stay in Wilson, but other times in Callao, near airport.  SANKIRTAN!

Also as we discussed, everyone can get oriented to the June 15th-18th, Fourth Annual Symposium on Education with ISKCON, in Seattle. We will broadcast it on Start Meeting and you all can join.  Maybe one Session can be Education with ISKCON in the Western Hemisphere and you can even get a similtaneous translator for then.

O.K.  Thank you for your association.  Hope your internal life is waking up and you are only dealing with this reflection for purification and Sankirtan!!!!!         See you next Monday at 7.57AM.

1728+++