Letters to the editor

Your Holiness,

                          Please accept my prostrated obeisances. All glories to your good self.

I feel blessed that you have shown so much compassion to me by writing to me.

HpS - Oooof. Please excuse the lateness of our letter. We did a USA tour of 14-cities in five weeks, came back to our base in Tennessee for Radhastami Festival and then our annual akhanda sankirtan and interfaith dialog. Theh were both wonderful.

Then we had to put both shoulders to the wheel and with five devotees organize our annual participation in the Celebrate Nashville Festival. Usually 40,000 people come and we had four booths and 40-minutes of stage time to organize. That was last Saturday and now on Wednesday we are 67.3% recovered and now... turning to our main focus, Carl G. Jung and the Bhagavata.

I knew His Holiness Bhaktisvarup Damodara Swami. He invited me and my father to have prasadam with him. He especially liked my father who is a complete heretic and invited him for conferences a couple of times. Now I go two to four days a week to the Kolkata BI centre, and render whatever little devotional service I can.

HpS - This is the center in Raghunatha pur, no? I was the first person to live there. It was the hottest summer in 30-years, 1996.

Who is working there now?

Our very, very good friend is Professor Samaresh Bandhyopadyay who domiciles in Lake Town.

I am very interested in scientific preaching because of obvious reasons that if scientists are convinced then convincing the general masses is far easier. I was aiding in the BI stall in the Kolkata Book Fair and I saw, how inerested people would become when we would show them how Nobel Laureates are interested in the spiritual dimension of life. Of course not everyone would be interested or impressed. Yet I felt that if notable scientists back the spiritual frontier it becomes easier to be interested in spirituality not just for neophytes but even for someone like me who has been trying to practice for the last 15 years or so. I remember how I felt comfortable being an atheist after a superficial reading of a book by Richard Dawkins and I know that many unfortunate people feel the same way and I would like to help them. I also feel satisfaction from seeing the defects in the best of atheistic arguements and thinking how fortunate I am to believe in a personal God atleast to some extent. 

My big weakness is that I do not have a very credible academic degree having earned just a bachelors degree in engineering with very ordinary grades.

Right now I am having a difficult time because ever since 2004 my parents are forcing me to stay at home and be treated for a disease called "paranoid schizophrenia". They are not allowing me to go and stay in a monastery which I would like to do. They force me to take medicines which, make me sleep 10-12 hours a day, slur my speech and make mantra chanting difficult, and cause my body to tremble constantly. They have also admitted me to mental hospitals on three occasions and the doctors tortured me quite severely.  On one occasion they kept me there for about 10 months. My father keeps threatening me that they will again put me in the mental hospital.

I keep thinking of how to deal with my situation. I feel that Narasimha stuti will help me. But there are different Narasimha mantras and I do not know which one to chant and how many times a day. I would be very grateful if you could kindly guide me in this matter.

I feel very interested in the service you are doing regarding working on Carl Jung. I would be only too grateful if you could kindly reveal to me how I could be of any use in your project. 

Because of the effect of the drugs, which slow me down physically and psychologically,  I am not able to do all the things I wish to or resolve to do.  That is why I did not write to your blog for a long time. Please forgive me. 

I am a member of the British Council Library. Also I have access to the BI library. So I will be only too happy to do some research work that you might so wish to give me the opportunity to do. 

I look forward to your kind replies.

Your aspiring servant

jashodev

HpS - Of course, we graduated first in psychology and then the President of our NIOS is Nitai-gaurasundara Das, Director of a Psychiatric hosptital here. He says if you are a rich white lady you are diagnosed bi-polar, but if you are a poor black lady then you are diagnosed schizophenic.

Can you read Carl Jung's biography. It would probably help with all these things.

Then write again. Don't hesitate to write even if we don't answer. From the DTCs you will see what is happening with us.

Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We just read the last 7 pages of the blog and feel truly blessed. Your article on remarriage, a woman's dharma is very very clear. We look forward to further personal instructions on 'how to become a goswami'! We're not sure what we would do without this blog.

HpS - ASA - AGTSP! Paoho... With Prahlada-nrsmha Das' mercy in the form of this Blog, we would all be sinking into a Bog. Of course if it was a Bog of a Tom (which Kindle can pronounce) then it would be O.K.

On that note, we feel insufficient on how to thank you for the gift  of your Nw American tour this last August. All of us, Nick included felt very inspired. St. Nicholas is doing his best since you left to follow the regs and chant everyday. He's been spending time with devotees in Portland. He's burnt out on trying to 'make it' by being a musician per your prediction. I'm trying, and I mean trying, to approach it per your advice and Hari Vilas's, like a doctor!

I need to do my job and not go beyond my duty; Support him in his Krsna Consciousness and be a dutiful family woman and mother to Aja (not Nick :) ). I remember too, per your instruction, to keep the Utsahan fire going and be a positive thinker as much as I can. All of us spend time together on the weekends. Nick has a job interview today and is trying his best to find a place. I let him know where I'm at: 4 principles strictly (my God Krsna, I am the Values teacher...) and that for now let's not rush into living in the same place for a year. Hari Vilas is going to meet with him in a month (Nick wrote a letter) to discuss his progress in chanting, etc..  We're giving this one to Krsna. Who knows what the results may be!

ASA - Jaya! Guinea Pig Olympics. Kama gayatri in round five with Maya devi! Our respects to St. Nicholas. Tell him to chant with purpose of letting Krsna send the impression of what kind of job he should do. He should not think of giving up anything. He should think of taking it all to the next level. 

Detachment, doing my duty, being good association, tolerance, keeping up with my sadhana seems to be the key so Krsna, Paratmatma, can help lead the way. It seems like an amazing test for my ego and intelligence. We ask for your very amazing blessings and any further advice/instructions Maharaj.

There is more to write, but we hope to give you a more detailed report very very soon!

We are beyond grateful for the mercy you and Srila Prabhupada have given us. Thankyou thankyou and we hope to keep maya astray and serve the best we can. We pray for protection and to be steadfast on our path of purification from your very powerful Nirsinghasev murti and ask for your blessings to stay engaged Maharaj the best we can.

Your fallen servant,
Kamagayatri dd

HpS - How's the school? Nice foto Aja Raj.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Please accept my humble obeisances

Dear Guru Deva:

In these days I could have listened to beautiful classes of Mahatma Prabhu. Training to be able for devotees' service. I visiting some devotees but more time a new bhaktas.

I'm tryng to share and learn with them. We have big challenges, as helping to develop a balance in the personal activities that is propitious to Chant. I try to wake me to Mangala aratik everyday just when I sleep too late I wake up late but I'm Chanting in morning. and taking the challenger to keep me in the way to follow ISKCON for all my life. Just appreciating the favorable things and suppressing the envy and lust of my heart.

I'm using siksa program (by Congregational Development Ministry), I think that is very important tryning and learning. The Education Program is very need for development congregation. I pray for you guide to can keep good rounds and chanting between the devotees.

your simple crew member AniruddhaKrsna Das

HpS - ASA --- AGTSP. paoho. It is very nice to hear from you. What book are you going to write? It should be a story about an owl and rat, no?    Maybe somebody else. Tell us about the story.

Querido Gurumaharaj pamho tlga SP

Hemos estado un tiempo sin comunicación pero la verdad que no habia nada exitoso por mi parte que contar.

HpS - ASA: Srila Prabhupada, "Aun viviendo!"

El sadhana sigue igual ni mejor ni peor  los cuatro principios y las rondas solo que alguna vez.

No las termino en el Brahma muhurta y trato que sea lo minimo pero aveces no es facil

Ahora tengo el cuidado de mis dos hijas una semana alterna y la otra suelo ir a la NVM hacer servicio

Bhakti G y Yadunandana Swami me pidieron que haga el servicio de administracion y contabilidad de el templo el instituto Bhaktivedanta y el gosala y cuando puedo y me dejan adoracion a Sri Sri Radha Govinda Candra Sri Sri Gaura Nitai y Sri Sri laxmi Nrisimha vestir o cocina o cualquier servicio que los devotos me ocupen, no es mucho pero tampoco estoy totalmente muerto

Ha sido un verano muy intenso en servcio y actividades que ha terminado este fin de semana con las reuniones de lideres y ayer con los gbc´s europeos que apoyan este proyecto

A nuestro querido Venudhara le dieron un premio como reconocimiento a sus 32 años de  servicio

Pero como es natural por su humildad no lo quiso recojer.

Espero tener siempre su misericordia para poder mantener o incrementar mi sevicio y mi sadhana por lo menos la calidad.

Esperamos verlo el poximo año por españa le pediremos a Krsna para que nos haga un sitio en su agenda.

Su  sirviente

murari dasa

HpS - Si, hace mucho tiempo no tener su asociacion por la manana en internet. Dos horas para era demasiado: Director de la Show. O.K. Una hora con Mangala arati, NOD, and Japa. Ya esta bien. Buen base. Puedo incrementar. Es la misma para Vd. Aparece que esta intentando hacer demasiado servicio, y tambien con demasiado variedad.

Pienso es mejor tratar tomar unos servicios fijos y entonces ocuparse en otros de una manera espontaneo. Eso es como aparece de 3,000 miles distancia. Esperamos ir a Espana Octubre 2015!

Mas cartas!

Hare Krishna

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

all glories to Sri Guru and Gouranga

Its not doubt that only by guru's mercy we can advance (literally) 

HpS - ASA - AGTSP! paoho. Srila Prabhupada has had to put up with so much selfishness from us for so long. When will we get free from it.

Thank you so much for your support with my visa process , i dont want to disturb you in any way.

Today i wrote my essay acording your recomendation and i send it to Saranga Thakur prabhu. We will know news until oct Monday 13 or Tuesday 14, but if is not resolution by 15 i cant stay in US longer, permission expire in oct thu 16.

The service in the school it hard but with a looot of rewards. Last week was Giriraj Maharaj vyasa puja and He was here, the kids made a card for him and a little presentation.

The parents are really happy with the results in this first month. The pure devotion in this kids inspire me, i feel like im learnig more of them . We have 7 kids in our class and 5 with Subra mataji. 

Gurudeva,   I'm in complete dependence of you and Krishna's desire.

Your servant  Govinda Pramodini DD

HpS - Rupanuga Das told us that Prabhupada said, "When will my Sannysasi become like these Christian Fathers and teach in the Gurukula?!". If Krsna wants you to stay, you will stay. If He has some other plan, you will go. Nothing but bright future if you get up early and get 16-enthusiastic rounds done.

Let us know the results.

Super fotos!

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudev,
    Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

HpS - ASA - AGTSP! Paoho.  Thank you for your letter. Looking at our feet they seem to be a little bit chronically swollen lately and we seem to be struggling to more precisely control our diet for better service to Srila Prabhupada, Nitai-Gauranga and Radha-Krsna.
    All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
    All glories to Guru parampara.

    Gurudev, we seek your views and comments on all the below points:

    1. we will start with my parents on 27 Oct 2014 for Vrandavan, will stay till 3 Nov 2014.

HpS - We see this as very nice. Of course, you can introduce them to the nice Vaisnavas there.
    2. What could be the best activity in vrndavan during our 8 days stay.

HpS - That depends on the level of advancement of your parents. Visiting Govardhan and Varsana with some devotees. Attending lectures by learned devotees. Doing some shopping. Chanting Hari kirtan.
    3. Will prepare my daily notes, daywise for you of Vrandavan Trip.

HpS - Ah, very nice. Look at http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/texts/vrndavana-mahimamrta.php

    4. Have selected few topics to be discussed with my Shiksa Guru in
       vrandavan - BG, SB, Chantings, determination for bhakti, what else need to include.

HpS - What he thinks are good topics.
    5. What activity need to include during vrandavan stay so that we can fix our mind onto Lord and bring & make Lord stay in our heart always.

HpS - Same as "2." The link above is very nice. Chant and ask Radharani for Her mercy. Usually it is nice in the Temple in the afternoon when it is closed and there are just afew devotees there for the akhanda sankirtan.

Also the Gosala is peacful place.
    6. What else you would advise for our vrandavan trip.

HpS - Nothing more. Try writing some English poetry. Keep notes that you can refer to until your next visit. Remember every experience, good or bad, is good in Vraja.

We add one picture.

    Thank you, Guru Dev.

your fallen servant,
Girivaradhari-Gopal Das