Letters to the editor

11/11/14  Esteemed Guru Maharaja: All glories to Mighty Srila Prabhupada! 

Please accept my humbled obeisances.

Since last correspendence and your merciful replies, everything has been very hellish here.  Krsna seems to have his own method of goswami training. 

If i am correct and "goswami" means "one who contols their mind" then my beautiful forest prison is perfect for my spiritual advancement. 

If I did not keep my mind under control through every Krsna Conscious means available, (which I do) I would loose it. 

Just a few little things to contend with i.e autism, clinical depression, . . . In order to keep my sanity in this 600 sq, ft. living space, please know that chanting and thinking of and calling upon Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga is what keeps me sane, which I actually am, and quite so.

However, it is more draining than I have words for.  Still blessed with very sweet and mostly fixed up devotee association in SAC each Sat night.  Very long and, after dark, dangerous drive for 3 hours round trip, but it is truly Krsna's mercy and I seldon miss it.  It seems we really might begin looking for a larger home in Auburn.  Still too very far from association for a nearly 70 year old mataji, but i'll take what I can get.  Its still 1/2 hour closer to association.  You are in my prayers.

I hope I am in yours. 

Your worthless servant, 
KDD

HpS - ASA - Wow! AGTSP! Paoho. The Japa vrata, 16-enthusiastic rounds, is the basis! For at least two hours/day keep the iron-smile on the face and use every trick possible to keep the mind thinking about what the tongue and jaw are vibrating. Then with intermittent dips into the Caitanya-caritamrta and preaching, corresponding etc. keep the minds contents in the right perspective and Krsna, who is trying to connect with us will have half a chance to do so.

We have paid to have some many little animals butchered. If you read "Diet for a New America" or other books you can see that we have supported hells past human immagination, and how much of it we have actually known but still paid and paid and paid!

Oooof! Is that it? Is Krsna giving us the minimum retribution demanded by the plaintiffs?
 

If we look at what the girls and ladies in Africa are going through we see that we are fortunate.

Left in a mass of old men, children, the women hang together after their husbands have left and gone south with the animals to protect them from the military who come as night in helicopters and shoot at the camp to exterminate the "rats" under the cover of darkness.

Girls have been raped 7-times by military and bandits going to water from the only well.

Old men walk with a foot missing with only one weed to chew on for three days but uphold themselves with dignity and humor.

I would say that you are burning up bad Karma like a roaring forest fire. I would say that you are helping others like anything and paying off all the debts you owe.
Please keep on writing and reading! You association really helps a lot of us. You've overcome a terrible childhood in many ways.

Hare Krsna Gurudeva . Please accept our  obeisances to your lotus feet.  

HpS - ASA - AGTSP! Actually our feet are not much swollen at all. I think it is 90% being caused by sitting at a desk. This is not natural for us. We need a platform to sit and write and sleep. I guess we will try to change it as soon as possible.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you 

Its been a while since i havent write you . i guess i didnt know how to do it so i let time passes . but i dont want to do that anymore . 

im chanting all my rounds . trying to read more . thats helping me . and trying to coordinate your coming (actually rati manjari is the one doing all the hard work) . there is a big disconection bettween all of us. im trying my best but its no easy . still we keep trying. there are many things i want to speak to you . but im not able to do it here. maybe when you come here . i would love that Gurudeva . i hope your physichal health its ok . thank you for everything .Who want to serve  Sarad Bihari Dasi

HpS - AGTSP!   Thank you. It is simple, no? We will be disconnected with each other to the degree that we are disconnected with Krsna. So, we have to have more, better Japa, Kirtan, Sankirtan, books, Deity, Temple service etc. for Krsna!

He is very generous, no?

You must be experiencing that. All the efforts we try add up, forever. So keep on working!! Everything that you do that is hard, for Krsna, has permanent, broad effect.

Of course, we can discuss specific details when we are in BsAs, but we can't help 25-people with 3-hours of individual consultation each in one week. So lets start with general questions now.

Takes head work but once the principles are really clear then the details are more natural.

All Glories to Sri Guruji Maharaja and Gouranga Maharaja

Radha Krsna Ki Jay and Goura Bhakta Vrnda Ki Jay

I am submitting my humble obeisances unto Guruji’s padmacharan and asking two questions for my personal advance knowledge.

Eka-kundalah : (Meaning) wearing only one earing.

Translation : Sukadeva Gosvami Continued ……. He pleases His personal associates, the heads of the demigods, by the sweet vibrations emanating from His mouth. Dressed in bluish garments and weariang a single earring, He holds a plow on His back with His two beautiful and well-constructed hands.

Guruji Maharaja, what it really meant? Please high light the underlying.

HpS - ASA - Very nice to hear from you, Manipur vaisnavas. I don't know. I read a few other places also that Lord Sankarsana, Balarama only wears one earring. Maybe somebody who reads this letter and answer knows and can tell us. Lord Balarama also likes blue cloth. I don't know why He has that preverence either??

Vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh: Sambhu, or Lord Siva, in the ideal Vaisnava. He constantly meditates upon Lord Rama and chants Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare Hare. Bhagavatam     3.23.1.

In this quotation  why Lord Siva as an ideal Vaisnava worships and meditates upon Lord Rama but not Bhagavan Krsna and chants Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare Hare not the complete solah nama : Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare. 

HpS - I have had the same question before. I looked some places in the SB and could not find any more information. I think the "Rama" upon whom he meditates is Lord Sankarana. We chant Hare Krsna and let Krsna send the news if he wants to.

What are the differences between a Banaprastha and a Sanyas? Please clear my darkness.

HpS - ASA - First is Brahmacari, the Grhastha, then Vanaprastha. In this stage one goes to the "Vana" forest, to live a life close to God and increase his Japa etc. He may keep his own house and wife with him, but completely celibate. Then in San-nyasa, complete "nyasa", reunciation. The wife goes home to offer leadership to family and now man depends completely on God and travels and preaches and now no contact with wife, not even talking. Or couse, we adjust this in ISKCON to Kali-yuga, West, but is very powerful tool for helping us become fully sirrendered, efficiatnt tools.

Yours fallen servant

Yamunesvara Das

Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Thank you very much for your quick response.

Please accept my humble obeisances

At one point in your answers, about talking to devotees who can help improve the situation, or conversing with devotees who are in the same situation,  I have talked confidentially with some devotees, and some devotees have already made the decision to go to other countries, some are trying to go live out of town and start preaching centers, and others decided to emigrate to other countries in Europe, USA,  and South America, India ... then the temple being left with new people (That's good, because most devotees do), but devotees take years, and are very good devotees are bored of seeing that the movement will not grow, does not want to be a family, much less work together, and they decide to go to other yatras, and good many others go to another organization, or just keep your faith in Krishna but leave to attend the temple.

Once you told me, don't look at those who come, or who leave the movement, you follow the road to Krsna, and that I do, and that many do, but we are in the material world, and is equally sad situation.
As you say, everywhere there are problems, and we will never get perfection.
But it would be pretty much our family Iskcon, if all those defects and problems, WERE united, educated, and happy 100%, 

I'm alone in my point of view, and the things that I observe in my surroundings.
 

Maybe there are people who are in the same situation, maybe they are not.
 

I hope at some point find that sweetness back in motion, as when it comes to movement of srila prabhupada.

Thanks dear Gurudeva, for your advice and words of wisdom.
I will write often, so maybe some of your ideas can help to change the vision to improve our private life as a devotee, and in our movement.
 

Maybe it is Karma, maybe I have to learn something from all this that I am feeling.

Your eternal servant!

Monkey - Piggy --   A G T S P !    "The result of Krsna consciousness is that one becomes increasingly enlightened, and he enjoys life with a thrill, not only for some time, but at every moment." - BG 18.76.
 

So, we can see any problem situation as an ecstatic opportunity to spread Krsna's service!  Jaya!

"The magic will not be done my ME, nor YOU, nor anyone else. The magic will be done by Krsna when we become pure devotes of Krsna."

Preach, teach where ever Krsna has put you right now. That is the best way to understand if you should make any change.

Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva
Please, accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I hope you're fine, I wish your sankirtana is best than ever and your health is good.

It's gong to be wonderfull to have your association this summer I hope I can serve you as I did in your last trip. My life is going fine, reading quite a lot.

This year I've finished The Mahabharata, the Srimad Bhagavatam's first two cantos, I read the Bhagavad Gita for a second time and I'm currently reading the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila and the Light of the Bhagavatam when I travel by bus.

Reading means to me that I have time for doing it, and when I have time, it means tha something in my life is running well and this feeling pervades the rest of my activities, becoming a virtuous circle. Hopefully I can keep it, it's so delicate!

Do you think that knowledge and conviction travels the same path? In which way do knowledge increases willpower? Is this only my perception or it happens effectively? 

HpS - ASA --- AGTSP!!!  Try these answers:
https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/1/2/7
https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/10/11  

In the beginning we can develop knowledge, knowledge with wisdom and act on that with conviction, but as soon as we get a little connection to devotional service, chanting, service the Diety, buy things for the Deity, then knowledge, wisdom, will automatically come from that more and more.
The first result of Dev. Ser. is freedoms from distress. Then everything becomes harmonius, auspicious... then... 

The readings have raised a number of questions, actually. But one of the most persistent have to do with our perception of Lord Govinda: Is the impersonal Brahman perceptible through our senses? Is Paramatma, the partial manifestation, who enables the perception of impersonal aspect? How, do the three aspects of the Absolute Truth are present in chanting the Holy Name?

HpS - Once upon a time a man named Jose (whose wife was named Maria, and who also happened to be a carpenter) moved to another country. This happend long ago in a different universe, but one very similar to ours.
When he got to the country he found the people were honest, the economy was good, religious life was practiced in many churches, people looked forward to life and even death with no fear. They wanted to learn.

After living in the city for some time he was noticed for his ability and sincerity and was asked by some friends if he would like to work on a project doing civic design. He said, "Yes", and very soon was even in meetings with the King whom he had heard of earlier and even seen in events. As he expected it was the character of the King that generated all the effects that he had seen in the Kingdom, but now he got to see him and know him in detail.

Then, one day after one meeting, the King approached him, they had already been formally introduced and even made exchanges during meetings, but now the King asked him, "Sr. Jose, you are from Alderbran, right?"

"Yes, your majesty"

"Do you have and aunt named, Lucinda?"

"Yes, your Majesty"

"Ho, ho, ho! We are cousins, and please stop calling me, "Your Majesty". Alf, will do. Do you have a moment, can you come for lunch with me today? Maybe you will invite me and Maharani to lunch in a few days"

Do you see Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavam realization? Are your questions answered by this?         Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
\'0'/

Next year, we are going to live in Chosica. The Lord has allowed me to make arrangements to come to Lima to teach classes only two days a week dedicating the remaining time to devotional service. He is very generous with us, despite being so foolish and stupid. We are excited about this change of circumstances. I've started the online Disciple's course given by Param padam prabhu, today I had my second class. We met through a Google video conference provider. The course is interesting and, despite being a course online, he is very helpful with us for the understanding of all the issues discussed.This online sessions are complemented with further readings and forum written discussions, very similar to what I've seen in this kind of virtual academic activities at the university. NIMSAR's idea is to entrust me the the dictation of this course in a future, now that is mandatory for the first iniciation. I hope to have better conclusions later. 

I say goodbye to you, hoping not to bother with my inquiries.

Haribolo Guru Maharaja.

Your servant

Bhakta Germán

HpS - Thank you very much. All respects to your good wife also! !     !

Hare Krsna beloved Gurudeva

AGTSP 

PAMHO ¡¡

 I hope this meets U in really good health ¡¡¡¡

Our Sadhana is ok fixed in mangala artik, 16 rounds daily, our reading MUST improve ¡¡¡ But the new BV semester will help a lot ¡¡¡ 

Our life has changed a lot, we are not in charge of pujari anymore but we have service as pujari in wilson, also we go to chosica once a month, but we guess that on December we will go all Saturdays due to on January we will go the ASA TOUR ¡¡¡ and will be absent for two months ¡¡¡

We continue helping Jagad Guru for the Latin American Congress in Education ¡¡¡ we like really like the meetings and the group we work with ¡¡¡

Being in a relationship is really nice we learn a lot from each other, specially to be tolerant, and symphatetic. For me is a new service. I try to do it with patience and dedication. We as ladies  protect them  and get strong by being chaste right Gurudeva?? What else can I do to help him???

 HpS - ASA - Well, AgtSP!     Paoho....  You are (almost) Bhakti-vaibhvin, no? So, what have you learned practically about Stri-dharma in your studies? Starting from Upadesamrta, NOD, BG, Isopanisad, SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: Canto One, Canto Two ... Three...  Where are there good instructions how to execute your Dharma.
Everyone is waiting for your answer!
 

It is really nice try to do service together. On Govardhana puja we did service in pujari and the whole festival was really nice ¡¡¡ NBD has so many good qualities that is very easy and natural for us to serve him. But we have a lot of challenges to face also.  However we know that by putting Krsna in the center, worshiping the deitiy and being fixed on Sadhana everything will be all right. Please Gurudeva any further advice may U have???

ASA - Same as above to start with, no?

Tomorrow is Ratha Yatra ¡¡¡¡¡¡ uffffff many many devotees specially young devotees made a lot of effort to carry on with this festival ¡¡¡

We hope that Lord Jagannatha may be at least a little please with us ¡¡

JAYA JAGANNATHA ¡¡¡

We are attaching also one picture from Rama Vijaya we did the flower dress for Sita (the small one)

Thank u for your daily associaton ¡¡

Trying to be your disiciple [disciple] '0'

Candramukhi dd

HpS - ASA -  We add some Rathayatra photos. It is very special chance to go from Vaidhi-bhakti to Raganuaga Bakti to even Vraja-bhakti in the mood of Radharani. Pull Then back to Vraja.
CC Madhya 13.120-133. Then Lord Jagannatha is in Vrndavana for two weeks or more after the Rathayatra, so Wilson will be Vraja for two weeks. Prabhupada requested a festival every day during this time and then a return Rathayatra. You could take little Deities back. If we try to arrange all these festivals Laksmi Devi will help us.