Letters to the editor

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

Por favor reciba mis reverencias querido Gurudeva.

Han pasado muchas cosas desde la ultima vez que lo vi en Houston Gurudeva, tengo tanto que informarle. Comenzare con decirle que después de la platica que tuvimos con usted, prabhu Vidagdha y yo estamos a la espera de saber que pasara con el asunto del restaurante en Hosuton. Aún no sabemos si será posible que puedan contratar a prabhu Vidagdha. El presidente del templo de Houston nos pidió una carta de recomendación por parte de SS Guru Prasada Swami, y una de usted solo para tenerla como referencia me imagino. Su santidad Guru Prasad Swami, ya esta enterado de los pormenores. Aún estamos a la espera, que las autoridades correspondientes tomen la desición.

HpS - Hare Krsna!   Quiere una carta de nosotros???

Mientras tanto, continuamos con nuestros proyectos personales y nuestros servicios en templo.

Con respecto al programa dominical (ASA KIDS), como le mencione me encontraba un tanto desanimada al respecto, pero me he encontrado con la sorpresa de que cada día más devotos y familias, se están uniendo al respecto. Eso me da mucha tranquilidad, y ya no siento tanto la presión con la que estaba realizando ese servicio. Me siento muy apoyada y confiada, en que seguiremos adelante con los proyectos infantiles. Le pido me disculpe mi falta de responsabilidad, pero en ese momento era para mi necesario hacer una pausa, y retomar mi servicio con más entusiasmo y entrega. A finales de este mes, iniciaremos con las clases dominicales, y la idea es entrenar a un grupo de devotas jovénes que se han unido para dar talleres de pintura, barro, etc, a los niños.

HpS - Plan de Minstry of Education es presentar un curriculum super para todo el mundo, si quiere, para escuela dominical, Janmastami est ano, y metodo de entrenamiento de profesor para dominical escuela con esta curriculum en 2017~

Tratando de aterrizar un mejor servicio de mi parte para ISKCON, decidí estudiar una Licenciatura en Pedagogía online,

HPS - Jaya!

...yo tome en cosideración los consejos que usted me dio al respecto, de hacer una investigación de contenidos, fuentes, etc... Madre Lalita Gopi y una devota profesora de primaria en México, me ha orientado al respecto; y he recibido un gran apoyo por parte de ellas. Por supuesto tengo el apoyo de prabhu Vidadgha, que fue quién más me motivo a tomar la desición. No pude antes darle la noticia porque usted se encontraba en India, así que tuvimos que tomar la desición mi esposo y yo, sin poder consultar con usted, le pido disculpas por eso Gurudeva.

HPS - Esta bien!   Buen consejo.

Mi deseo es poder prepararme profesionalmente, y contribuir más eficazmente en los proyectos infantiles en ISKCON. Me he dado cuenta, que me desarrollo bien en áreas dondé tenga que realizar trabajo de organización y unificación de familias, para cumplir própositos educativos en la comunidad infantil. Solo que me hace falta mucha técnica, y me he encontrado con muchos errores en la práctica. Espero poder tomar lo mejor de la enseñanza ácademica, y llevarlo a la práctica conciente de Krishna  en los proyectos de educación en ISKCON. 

Le agradezco mucho su tiempo y quiero que sepa que extraño mucho su asociación en vapu, extraño verlo por las mañanas en el inmenso templo de Houston. Espero verlo muy pronto Gurudeva. Mi hijo Mukunda le manda saludos, el lo recuerda con mucho cariño.

Su sirviente Gopi Radha DD.

HPS - Jaya Mukunda!   Tenemos horrible dolor de estomago hoy dia.   Posible vamos a morir de cancer en unos dias.  Ha!  Ha!  Hare!    Posible Mukunda antes, y Vd antes.

Proxima vida como esta vida.

Ya vamos a clase de Hawaii on line.  10.51AM aqui. clase a las 11.00am.  Somos presentadoros.

Muy bien su esfuerza. Krsna esta completamente en control de su situacion.

Necisita carta de nosotros???

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudeva

AGTSP and U!!!  ____'0_  PAMHO

please accept my humble obeisances...  How are U?

I'm ok (For the body i recieved), still dealing with stomch problems...

HpS - Me too!

...but i guess it is part of taking a lot of pills for so many years...Doctors said i not only lost weight but also years.. jojojo.... they are surprised...health is 80% ok... energy is 50% ok so I try to dose it cause my mind wants to do many many many things ... 70% are for krsna... so the other 30% has to be delete or changed for krsna!!! we are working on that... 

Im studying at the university for a degree on Education in Arts... Im also studying for a specialization in Waldorf Pedagogy... and i will start studying hindi again in the Embassy of India... helping a little bit ART with the Conference for  June... 

We are very exicted cause our altar is now in the living room... My family is very happy with that... It pushes me to be a good example...they are doing some service for our deities... buying flowers, making garlands, etc... they respect a lot and want to learn more...

Our Sadhana is getting more fixed... 16R, 4P, MA, worship, ... our reading is better... we also read small books in the bus cause people always ask about it so we have a good excuse to preach and give books...

thanks a lot for all Ur support and for sharing the DTC on the Blog... 

always trying to be a useful tool for Ur sankirtan!!!

at your feet

Patraka Das

HpS - Thank you for this letter. We heard yesterday that you can't do this job as Secretary for Abhirama for the June program!  Big surprise. Please help as much as you can. Suggest a substitute. He needs a translator for the letters, phone calls.

Our respects to you family!!! We hope there is a good program in your Barrio (San Isidro?) also!!

Hare Krsna dear maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I felt the need to write you so here am I. I'm living in Mayapur for almost 6 months ago and many many many things happened to me. It's amazing how can a pure place as Mayapur and with so advanced devotees can change the mind.

It was and still a great challenge because in such atmosphere I can discover who am I and which anarthas (that maybe I was thinking I didn't have) I have to work in. 
Deeply I can realize that I'm very fortunate to live here and I must to take advantage of that (sometimes I think too much, and this discouraged me) 

So I'm getting a very awesome association from many pure devotees. I was taking Kirtan academy course and now I'm studying Bhakti sastri part time again with Atul Krsna prabhu in Mayapur Institute. All the devotees here are very advanced.  I feel like the worst one haha. Good for my false ego. 
What happened to me sometimes is like I need to have many things to do at the same time, and need to be busy because if I don't, I start to think too much and It's not good. I feel anxiety because my asram is not clear now and all this environment influence me in a certain sense. So it's a little difficult sometimes to focus in my service beacuse of that. I think is normal, but I have to solve it, Isn't it?

ASA - It seems so!  Prabhupada says, "Girls should be married by 16-years old": http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/1/17/38. Of course, you could marry Krsna I guess.

Living here in India is a huge challenge for me because the differences between cultures but I really appreciate to have had the opportunity to realize that and I think indian traditional culture is closer to vedic culture than western's so I have many things to learn from them. 

Even all of my "troubles" in my mind I really love to live here. I can't even think about come back to the city. (At least till Mayapur becomes a city ha!) 

I don't know If I deserve the initiation as I'm not qualified at all but somehow I got it again because some special mercy. Maha Hari Prabhu was here so he did the arrengement for that. Was really nice moment and the day after that I went to Vrndavan. No words which can describe that. 

So that's my situation. I'm very good.. only this little anxiety but nothing else. Krsna is giving me a lot of mercy. Too much and I can not understand why. I feel selfish because I'm always thinking more in what I want instead of what he wants (unless he and I both want the same, I would not be pleasing him) A clear example of this is that my guru maharaja is giving me a lot of service with videos and at the same time I'm taking another services and studying which Is what I want to do but of course takes me time. So this kind of negligence in his service (because of course by doing many things I don't have his service as a priority) sometimes makes me feel guilty. Why this things happens?

HpS - I don't know. It could be because you are a selfish witch or it could be because you are an incarnation of Lalita Devi and no service is ever enough to make you feel like you are doing enough.

If you are sincere, Krsna will tell you. You know when you are being sincere. Of course, Guru, Krsna, Sastra and Vaisnava are there to help us.

Is this lack of surrender knowing the deep desire that my gurudeva has in his heart to develop his project and not spending 100% of my time supporting him?

So I think that's all. Wishing your health is good and your preachings programs going on successfully! 

 I wanted to see you when you was here but somehow I couldn't. I hope there's another chance in a near future

Thank you so much for your time and please let me know what you think about all of these things. Your advices are very important for me. I appreciate you a lot.

trying to serve,

Syamasundari devi dasi.

PS: I took the first picture  in Govardhana. I would have liked not to leave that place never. And the other one was from yesterday. Rama navami. 

HpS - Ah!   I think I saw you in a Start Meeting program.

Congratulations. Respects to our esteemed God-brother, Maha atma Das when you get the chance. Please send news from time to time at least!!!!

All Glories to Sri Guruji Maharaja and Gouranga Mahaprabhu

Radha Krsna Ki Jay and Goura Bhakta Ki Jay

Please accept my humble obeisances unto Sri Guruji's padmacharan that when I read Srimadbhagavatam the explanation of 5.17.1. Among the exaplanation there is some portion " Standing on His right foot and extending His left to the edge of the universe, Lord Vamana became known as Trivikrama, the incarnation who performed three heroic deeds.

My simple question is what are the three heroic deeds? Guruji! Please explain clearly so as to understand smoothly.

I could not get the answer of my previous letter.

HpS - Yes, we are demons!! But we have just answered.

Yours fallen servant

Yamunesvara Das

HpS - Think it is His three steps. Each one was super human!!!

Hare Krsna!

HpS --- Esteemed Manipuri Bhakta, Yamunesvara Das, Ki Jai!. So sorry that this has taken so long to answer. We have been exhausted by the work here.

At any time put "URGENT" in your letter Title and we will answer quickly.

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

All Glories to A.C. Prabhupada and Sripada Swami Maharaja

Radha Krsna Ki Jay and Gouranga  Mahaprabhu Ki Jay

Goura Bhakta Ki Jay.

Dandabat Pranam

Pl  accept my humble obeisances unto Guruji's padmacharan that when reading my regular spiritual books in Bhagavatam  I could not graps fully the translation and purpurts. Please explain in easier way. The following bold lattered portions.

5.13.21   Bhagavatam

Translation

“King Rahugana said: This birth as a human being is the best of all. Even birth among the demigods in the heavenly planets is not as glorious as birth as a human being this earth. What is the use of the exalted position of a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to profuse material comforts, there is no possibility of associating with devotees.

Purport

Human birth is a great opportunity for self-realization. One may take birth in a high planetary system among the demigods, but due to the profusion of material comforts, one cannot gain release from material bondage.…….. Money and women are the basic principles of material attachment. Sri Caitanya Mahaprobhu therefore advised those who are actually serious about returning back to Godhead to give up money and women in order to be fit to enter the kingdom of God. Money and women can be fully utilized in the service of the Lord and one who can utilize them in this way can become free from material bondage.

My simple questions are :

a)       Why human birth is more glorious than demigods?

b)      How money and women can be utilized in the service of the Lord and mind will be peace?

HpS - When we have association of obliging ladies, wives, daughters, sisters... they offer us good food and good drink. . . etc. and we can become attracted. In demigod's planets it is so powerful that it is BIG struggle not to think of these things.

On Earth there is some good some bad so we are not bothered so much. I Hell the bad is so intense we can not think of Krsna.  The Mormons, big Christian group, also say the same thing.

The Earth is know as punya-bhumi. Here we can do austerities. In Hell just suffer, in Heaven just enjoy.

In all cases we can engage OUR ladies in serving Krsna, especially the Diety. They can cook, make clothes, festivals, sing for the Deity. In Srila Prabhupada's movement even more chance to engage them.

We have not received any letters or calls from ANYONE in Manipur except you. Radha charan, Mani, Brahmacari... No one!    Just like last visit. All promising to communicate but no communication...   Ooof, we will try to communicate with them, but you see is struggle for us to just keep up this Blog.

We are little guys also.

I think there are more letters from you.

Please don't abandon us. We need your association.

Yours fallen servant

Yamunesvara Das

* The mandir management group is not fully ready to continue the systems although they are initiated under the guidance of ISKCON. Until  their acceptance we could not enter or join the process that is why we are still waiting without speaking anything.

I am doing my chanting at least 16 rounds daily sometimes 32 or more. It is my weakness. Pardon me.

HpS - Please - Write to us with little extract of what you are reading, Manipuri life and politics. Photos, etc.!

Hare Krsna Hanumat Presaka Swami!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Please accept my humble obeisances.

It's Bhaktin Marta, Jara Mara Hari Das's wife.

HpS - AGTSP!!!   Yes, I know. It is very nice to get your and through you his association. We hope he is happy. He does such austerities for Krsna and for the devotees!  He is a wonderful person.

Hope you've had a nice way back to the USA, you are recovering from all travelling, you are feeling well.

Thank you very much for your visit! It's been a great pleasure to share your association and presence in Madrid, Nueva Vrajamandala and Barcelona.
Thank you for Jung lectures. 
Also thank you very much for the meeting you had with Jara Mara Hari Das and me. It was truly helpful for him, for me.
Feeling fortunate and grateful.

These days we've reinforced friendship with devotees like Bhadra Vardana Das, Sananda Devi Dasi, Mathura Mani Devi Dasi, and many devotees from the farm and Barcelona. Also making new friends like Mani Sati Sita Devi Dasi, Sukanya Sita Devi Dasi and his [her] husband Prema Das.

I want to reinforce my relationship with Prabhupada. So I want to achieve chanting sixteen rounds again (just chanting between four and six rounds lately).
While living in Madrid's Temple it was easier. Now, living in the beautiful countryside in Cantabria, my tricky mind says I am already connected with Krsna through nature... Anyway, I am determined to improve this.
I'll try to assist to a three days "Disciple Course" in Nueva Vrajamandala next month.
I also need to improve reading Prabhupada's books, I enjoy listening more than reading...

Happily following four regulations and Dharma as a woman and wife. Regarding Dharma, still trying to find and keep balance. 

These days I am in Barcelona meeting family and old friends while Jara Mara is attending the permaculture course in Girona (he is learning and enjoying it a lot).
Situation with my family is getting better. My father has definitely disinherit me but I've finally accepted it and almost forgotten it. I love both mother and father very much.

HpS - Well, if he "disinherited" you that must mean that he loves you, no?!!   Ha!   Ha!  Hare.      99.99% of the cases parents begin to see the value of ISKCON and become very favorable after a while. Just keep giving your association to them as you can.

I have a dream: Jara Mara and I are travelling to wherever you are. You are giving him second initiation, giving me first initiation. We are getting married through Vedic sacred fire ceremony. All at once. 
This life? Next life?

ASA - Last life???   Every life??????

Thank you for keeping this communication channel, this is really helpful for all us. 

HpS - Sorry it has been slow. We are stuggling very, very much.

Good Lord Ramachandra's appearance day tomorrow! There will be a nice theatre festival in Barcelona's Temple.

Hare Krsna!

Your eternal servant,

Bhaktin Marta

HpS - ... and now!   Lord Nrsmhadeva's festival!

Lord Balarama is the Supreme Gardener. Carries a plow!

Hope to hear from Jara Mara!  Got many gardening questions.