Letters to the editor

Su Santidad; por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias, me ha dado mucha alegría el recibir una carta suya, y sus palabras me inspiran a seguir firme en el camino que Śrīla Prabhupāda nos mostró, me pesa el hecho de que por mi indecisión y falta de Bhakti se me fuera el tiempo y la oportunidad de servirle formalmente, pero así es la decisión de Śrī Kṛṣṇa y mi karma, aunque me siento infinitamente bendecido con sus palabras y su indicación.

Śrīla Prabhupāda solo siguió la indicación de su Gurv amado y Śrī Kṛṣṇa le dió todo, yo no soy ni siquiera polvo de los pies de Loto de Jagatha Gurv, no soy nada, pero por su misericordia y la de Śrīla Prabhupāda puedo intentar seguir su ejemplo y también servir de forma correcta a Śrī Gurv y al Supremo, aún recuerdo sus indicaciones de usar una consertina Alemania (cómo acordeón) en mi Show y el aparecer a muchos Devotos saliendo de un automóvil pequeño haciendo Śrī Saṅkarṣaṇam, no tengo mucho Lakṣmī Mahārāja y no he podido cumplirlo pero en eso estoy trabajando, le pido perdón por no haberlo hecho aún, es debido a esa indesicion y falta de Bhakti, la muerte de mi madre me dió la fuerza para ser firme en la conciencia de Kṛṣṇa y tener buen sadana bhakti, su instruccion es para mí su misericordia, trataré de recordar a Śrīla Narottama dāsa y Servirle en un humor de separación su Santidad. Gracias por su misericordia infinita, tan solo su Darśana es para mí todo Mahārāja. No sé cómo podré lograrlo, pero lo haré. Me contactaré con Madre Asthasakhi y buscaré el refugio de Su Santidad como UD me lo indica.

Gracias eternas Su Santidad, UD. Siempre será para mí la inspiración y la fuerza para seguir en conciencia de Kṛṣṇa.

Aunque tenga que tomar refugio con otro Santo Vaiṣṇava, en mi corazón Siempre será Ud. Mi padre, Grácias por su Siksagurv Mahārāja, con éste contactó me siento muy felíz e inspirado.

Dandavats Praṇāmas Mahārāja

Que Kṛṣṇa nos permita tenerlo mucho tiempo más.

Su sincero bienqueriente y servidor Kazzymiro el Clown.

Hare Kṛṣṇa

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Your Holiness; please accept my humble obeisances, it has given me great joy to receive a letter from you, and your words inspire me to continue firm on the path that Śrīla Prabhupāda showed us, I am saddened by the fact that due to my indecision and lack of Bhakti It was time and opportunity to serve Him formally, but that is the decision of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and my karma, although I feel infinitely blessed with His words and direction.

Śrīla Prabhupāda only followed the indication of his beloved Gurv and Śrī Kṛṣṇa gave him everything, I am not even dust from the Lotus feet of Jagatha Gurv, I am nothing, but by his mercy and that of Śrīla Prabhupāda I can try to follow his example and also correctly serve Śrī Gurv and the Supreme, I still remember his instructions to use a Germany concertina (as an accordion) in my Show and seeing many Devotees getting out of a small car doing Śrī Saṅkarṣaṇam, I do not have much Lakṣmī Mahārāja and I have not been able to fulfill it but I am working on it. I apologize for not having done it yet. It is due to that indecision and lack of Bhakti.

The death of my mother gave me the strength to be firm in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and have good sadana. bhakti, your instruction is your mercy to me, I will try to remember Śrīla Narottama dāsa and serve you in a mood of separation your Holiness. Thank you for his infinite mercy, his Darśana alone is all Mahārāja for me. I don't know how I'll be able to do it, but I will. I will contact Mother Asthasakhi and seek the refuge of Her Holiness as You direct me.

Eternal thanks to her Holiness, YOU. He will always be the inspiration and strength for me to continue in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Even if I have to take refuge with another Vaiṣṇava Saint, in my heart You will always be you. My father, Thank you for your Siksagurv Mahārāja, with whom I contacted I feel very happy and inspired.

Dandavats Praṇāmas Mahārāja

May Kṛṣṇa allow us to have it much longer.

His sincere well-wisher and servant Kazzymiro the Clown.

Hare Kṛṣṇa

HpS - Krsna never left the Vraja vasis. When He went to Mathura he stayed in his Lila smarana svarupa, which is a MORE intimate form. After that there is more, more. We must learn to be more and more integrated as Sankirtan partners.

En nuestra carta más reciente usted dijo: “Por favor envía también algunas noticias de tu Yatra, México, amigos, competidores, etc”

Respuesta:

En este lugar de ISKCON, las cosas parecen estables. Aun en medio de un lago de rencillas administrativas y entre devotos, el ISKCON de Srila Prabhupada se mantiene firme y en desarrollo como una flor de loto. Es debido a la misericordia sin causa de Srila Prabhupada, que los devotos, desde sus propias posiciones están luchando por mantener el entusiasmo y continuar en la misión. Observamos que, durante la celebración de los festivales, todos los grupos trabajan de forma armoniosa, es posible que haya un poco de competencia por complacer al Señor, pero aun así, cada uno toma la posición donde es más hábil, felizmente ejecuta su labor y ¡todos brillan como si se tratara de joyas engarzadas en uno de los anillos de los Pies de loto de nuestro Señor!

“Amigos”- Por su misericordia sin causa, luego de su visita a México he recuperado la amistad con varios devotos, entre ellos, algunos de sus agradables discípulos y estamos intentando apoyarnos en diferentes proyectos. (Espero pronto estar en posibilidad de comunicarle los esfuerzos de todos ellos).

Medité mucho en el concepto de “competidores”, pero para donde quiera que miré solo encontré devotos intentando contribuir en la misión de Srila Prabhupada, así que me sentí incapaz de verlos como competencia, me pareció identificarlos más como “compañeros de lucha”... Sin perjuicio de lo anterior, debo decir que también he aprendido a mantener cierta distancia de algunos devotos pues, aunque de corazón aprecio y admiro su servicio y a ellos mismos, no comparto algunas de sus prácticas o ellos las mías 😊

Desde mi perspectiva ¡ISKCON es enorme! y hay ocupación para todos, por lo que no hay necesidad de competir entre nosotros por un lugar, pues por la misericordia de Guru, siempre habrá algo que hacer. Por mi parte solo aspiro poder ser útil de algún modo, bajo su misericordiosa guía.

Muchas gracias Gurudeva

Su aspirante a sirviente

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi 

🙇

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In our most recent letter you said: “Please also send some news about your Yatra, Mexico, friends, competitors, etc.”

Answer:

In this ISKCON place, things seem stable. Even in the midst of a lake of administrative and devotee squabbles, Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON remains firm and developing like a lotus flower. It is because of Srila Prabhupada's causeless mercy that devotees, from their own positions, are struggling to maintain enthusiasm and continue in the mission.

We observe that, during the celebration of the festivals, all the groups work harmoniously, there may be a little competition to please the Lord, but even so, each one takes the position where he is most skillful, happily executes his work and They all shine as if they were jewels set in one of the rings of the Lotus Feet of our Lord!

“Friends” - Through his causeless mercy, after his visit to Mexico I have regained friendship with several devotees, among them, some of his pleasant disciples and we are trying to support each other in different projects. (I hope to soon be able to communicate the efforts of all of them to you).

I meditated a lot on the concept of “competitors”, but everywhere I looked I only found devotees trying to contribute to Srila Prabhupada's mission, so I felt unable to see them as competition, I seemed to identify them more as “fellow fighters”. Without prejudice to the above, I must say that I have also learned to keep a certain distance from some devotees because, although I wholeheartedly appreciate and admire their service and themselves, I do not share some of their practices or they share mine 😊

HpS - Hmmm. Candravali and Radharani are "competitors"? They regulate Their distances? Hmm.

From my perspective ISKCON is huge! and there is occupation for everyone, so there is no need to compete among ourselves for a place, for by the mercy of Guru, there will always be something to do. For my part, I only hope to be useful in some way, under his merciful guidance.

HpS - We have same realization. ISKCON is no longer and institution, it is now a movement, like Democracy or Surrealism. Even the institution is very big, like the USA or Mexico. We must try to be a part of the big picture, but we must also be part of local team.

Also, we realize, we are constitutionally unique. We have been created unique. No one can do what we do, and not even KRSNA realizes our full potential. We have to discover more and more our potentional for service.

Thank you very much Gurudeva

Your would-be servant

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

HpS - Thank you. go ahead. Develop a great Sankirtan.

🙇

Your in my heart and soul, love doing diety worship with your photo on the alter it keeps me connected to you your servant mani bandhani das

HpS//ASA - Thank you. AgtSP.

Hope service in San Diego ISKCON also great.

Making friends.

Fighting Kamsa.

Serving Krsna.

no content!!!

Dear Gurudeva, here is my phone number. Afternoon, late afternoon, or evening are better. 

+1 872-xxx-xxxx

My bio family in Argentina is doing well; I communicate with them weekly. Gokulananda is still in Vrndavana, I don't think he will come back to Chicago, and yes, serving Kishore Kishori is like serving the royalty :)

Sincerely, 

ys Etasa Krsna Das

HpS - We have worked, agtSP, to develop relations between NIOS and Gokulananda Das // Bhagavata Maha-vidyalaya at side of Govardhana. I will try to call you today.

Hare Krishna, Beloved Gurudeva,

Please accept our humble obeisances,

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

Here we are, in Florianópolis, Brazil.

We came here in a desperate attempt to recover our spiritual health!!

It is causing effect. It is amazing the potency of Sadhu Sanga, especially of a great Vaisnava. It reminds us of your teachings about Bhaktivinode's Thakura song, Ohe Vaisnava Thakur!!

We were and still are in an intense and sweet retreat with His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami. Waking up at 2AM, chanting japa before Mangala Aratik. Lectures every day, helping him with his deities, harinam in Downtown. We feel blessed. Causeless mercy. Great realizations, that in some way pierce our heart but pushes us foward.

First of all I want to apologize with you. You gave us Harinam Diksa almost ten Years ago, and we were never serious. We were proud, we thought that we would be able to render any service without following your instructions. That we could accomplish anything just by our own capacity. But now, after suffering so much because of spiritual disease, we realize how mistaken we were.

We feel pain Gurudev, cause you were always perfect, your Vani was always and It still remains pure and clear as crystal water.

HpS//ASA - We are, agtSP, still trying to not eat too much, wrongly, at right times with KC attitude.

You were always loving and compassionate with us, with every answer in this blog, with every lecture you gave, every vapu association you gave us. You were always pure, and we always took you for granted.

We thought that we had time, that tomorrow we will be serious.

We read in the blog and in the KD how you are having some physical disturbances, how you are not travelling so much anymore, how you are barely accepting diksa disciples. Many times you mention that you are leaving next year. Odana Sasti 2024. And what we have given you?

We were such a passionate fools during all these years, that we haven't prioritized your divine instructions, which were always for our benefit!! You doesn't need us, but you were so kind, that you tried to engage us in devotional service. You were always giving Gurudeva, and we took nothing.

We remained complaining about our "difficult situation/service", we lost focus, we weren't able to catch your mercy!!

We are crying, we are lamenting. We have no excuse!! Pandavas, Draupadi, Queen Kunti, Haridas Thakur, Jesus Christ. They were no complaining, and succeeded.

Your text about Guru Tattva which I have read many times is so clear. Sixteen good rounds (1728+), four principles strictly, FMS and FES + SB/BG reading every day are compulsory. You were always repeating what Srila Prabhupada said. And we fools think that we can change the process he gave and do it diferently?

You are so magnanimous, that you never leaved us, you explain that if you can not act as Diksa Guru because fools like us don't follow our vows, you can act as Vartmana Pradaksika Guru, showing the path.

Why we are not being serious? There is no excuse!! We are in a stable situation (if that thing is possible in the material world).

We want to renew our vows!! We must do it.

How can we serve you Gurudev? What can we do to please you?

Keep pushing Sri Govardhan Project? Puppet shows, theater plays, preaching at the University, making friendship with Bernardo Nantes?

Ten month ago, in the letter

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/13631/

after we tell you:

"Thank you so much for being a straight pathway to Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet. Your vani accompanies me all the time, and is a huge help for everyday endeavors".

Your answer was:

"HpS - Hopefully we are at least 77% clear pathway to Srila Prabhupada and we certainly beg you to find other ways to reach him also Eg. Books, Other ISKCON devotees".

We want to tell you that we consider Aravinda Prabhu our Siksa Guru for ISKCON affairs in Latino Loka, Navina Nirada Prabhu for preaching and team building, H. H. SB Kesava Maharaj for inspiration and determination. But after meeting His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, I was struck with his preaching. It remainded me the first time I met you in Iskcon Buenos Aires, Andonaegui mandir. We feel that under his guidance and benedictions we are going to be able to reach your lotus feet, gateway to the Guru Parampara!!

Please Gurudev, we are running behind you. We are struggling to become a genuine disciple, don't let us go.

Determined to remain in the Sankirtana Party,

Hanging from your dhoti,

A heavy burden,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Ps: attached photos of Maharaja altar!

HpS//ASA - Guess that 99.99999999999...% of any good qualities that you see in us is the work of Guru and Krsna. AgtSP! HK/HR!

There is nothing specific that we can see for you to do for us.

Your Sadhana and Sadhu-sanga is great for us.

Is your family with you?

Maybe try to check in on The Pancha-tattva and see what is happening with him? What story in SB he is in?

More news as it comes.

FMS.

Going as you are but finer and more intense.

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Hare Krishna Amado Gurudeva,

Por favor acepte nuestras humildes reverencias,

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada,

Aquí estamos, en Florianópolis, Brasil.

¡¡Vinimos aquí en un intento desesperado por recuperar nuestra salud espiritual!!

Está causando efecto. Es asombrosa la potencia del Sadhu Sanga, especialmente de un gran Vaisnava. ¡¡Nos recuerda sus enseñanzas sobre la canción Thakura de Bhaktivinode, Ohe Vaisnava Thakur!!

Estuvimos y todavía estamos en un intenso y dulce retiro con Su Santidad Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami. Despertar a las 2 de la madrugada y cantar japa antes de Mangala Aratik. Da conferencias todos los días, ayudándolo con sus deidades, harinam en el centro. Nos sentimos bendecidos. Misericordia sin causa. Grandes realizaciones, que de alguna manera nos traspasan el corazón pero nos empujan hacia adelante.

Primero que nada quiero disculparme con usted. Nos ha dado Harinam Diksa hace casi diez años y nunca fuimos serios. Estábamos orgullosos, pensábamos que seríamos capaces de prestar cualquier servicio sin seguir sus instrucciones. Que podríamos lograr cualquier cosa sólo por nuestra propia capacidad. Pero ahora, después de sufrir tanto a causa de la enfermedad espiritual, nos damos cuenta de lo equivocados que estábamos. Sentimos dolor Gurudev, porque usted siempre fue perfecto, su Vani siempre fue y sigue siendo puro y claro como el agua cristalina. Siempre fue amoroso y compasivo con nosotros, con cada respuesta en este blog, con cada conferencia que dió, cada asociación vapu que nos dio. Siempre fue puro y siempre lo tomamos por sentado. Pensamos que teníamos tiempo, que mañana hablaremos en serio.

Leemos en el blog y en el KD cómo está teniendo algunos disturbios físicos, cómo ya no viaja tanto, cómo apenas aceptas discípulos diksa. Muchas veces menciona que se va el año que viene. Odana Sasti 2024. ¿Y qué te hemos dado? Fuimos unos tontos tan apasionados durante todos estos años, que no hemos priorizado sus divinas instrucciones, que siempre fueron para nuestro beneficio!! No nos necesitas, pero fuiste tan amable que trataste de ocuparnos en servicio devocional. Siempre nos estabas dando Gurudeva y nosotros no tomamos nada.

Seguimos quejándonos de nuestra "difícil situación/servicio", perdimos el foco, no pudimos captar tu misericordia!!

Estamos llorando, nos lamentamos. ¡¡No tenemos excusa!! Pandavas, Draupadi, Reina Kunti, Haridas Thakur, Jesucristo. No se quejaron y lo consiguieron.

Su texto sobre el Guru Tattva, que he leído muchas veces, es muy claro. Dieciséis buenas rondas (1728+), cuatro principios estrictamente, FMS y FES + lectura de SB/BG todos los días es obligatoria. Siempre estaba repitiendo lo que decía Srila Prabhupada. ¿Y nosotros, los tontos, pensamos que podemos cambiar el proceso que él dio y hacerlo de otra manera?

Eres tan magnánimo que nunca nos dejaste, explicas que si no puedes actuar como Diksa Guru porque tontos como nosotros no seguimos nuestros votos, puedes actuar como Vartmana Pradaksika Guru, mostrando el camino.

¿Por qué no hablamos en serio? ¡¡No hay excusas!! Estamos en una situación estable (si eso es posible en el mundo material).

¡¡Queremos renovar nuestros votos!! Debemos hacerlo.

¿Cómo podemos servirle Gurudev? ¿Qué podemos hacer para complacerte?

¿Seguir impulsando el Proyecto Sri Govardhan? ¿Espectáculos de marionetas, obras de teatro, prédica en la Universidad, hacer amistad con Bernardo Nantes?

Hace diez meses, en la carta

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/13631/ nosotros le contamos:

"Muchas gracias por ser un camino directo hacia los pies de loto de Srila Prabhupada. Tu vani me acompaña todo el tiempo y es de gran ayuda para los esfuerzos cotidianos".

Su respuesta fue:

"HpS - Ojalá tengamos al menos un 77% de camino libre hacia Srila Prabhupada y ciertamente les rogamos que encuentren otras formas de llegar a él también, por ejemplo, libros y otros devotos de ISKCON".

Queremos decirle que consideramos a Aravinda Prabhu nuestro Siksa Guru para los asuntos de ISKCON en Latino Loka, a Navina Nirada Prabhu por la prédica y la formación de equipos, a SS SB Kesava Maharaj por su inspiración y determinación. Pero después de conocer a Su Santidad Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, me sorprendió su prédica. Me recordó la primera vez que lo conocí en Iskcon Buenos Aires, Andonaegui mandir. ¡¡Sentimos que bajo su guía y bendiciones vamos a poder alcanzar sus pies de loto, que son la puerta de entrada al Guru Parampara!!

Por favor, Gurudev, estamos corriendo detrás de usted. Estamos luchando por convertirnos en un discípulo genuino, no nos dejes ir.

Decidido a permanecer en el movimiento de Sankirtana,

Colgando de su dhoti,

Una carga

pesada,

Nikunja Bihari das.

PD: ¡adjunto fotos del altar de Maharaja!