Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you Guru Maharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Guru Maharaj, we are just starting our journey of spiritual life. And we need to learn many things from you to perfect our spiritual journey.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP. Paoho and Bw.

We are just trying to be one handle on the cup of Vedic wisdom and nectar, that Srila Prabhupada is offering to us from his BBT, ISKCON et al. Please, get many Siksa gurus in ISKCON, 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. Learn to take nectar even from poison.

Whenever I hear or read something related with your early departure from this material world, we are very sad and tears fill our eyes. Thinking for your disciples, please live little longer and please don’t plan to depart soon. We are begging this from you Guru Maharaj.

HpS - https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/13/41/ and the following verses give illuminating dialog. We feel that Narada Muni may even be chiding Yuddhisthira for wanting to be the protector of Dhrtsrastra and Gandhari.

Bharata Maharaja decided to be the protector of a little deer. 🙂

Was he saying, "You are worried about being the Protector of your old aunt and uncle, but come to your senses! You yourself are being stalked by the Tiger of Nescience".

So, who is going to die first?

You or me? 🙂 👍

We can die today. Even now we have chest pains coming at 5.48PM, sky all dark. So, you, me, everyone, let us make some practical plan for death. Learning how to always be in contact.

O.K.?

For your good health, we, few devotees of Silchar, Assam are chanting extra rounds everyday, regularly.

We also are offering extra Dip Dān for you to Sri Gopal Devji everyday. And we are planning to offer 108 tulasi leaves at the lotus feet of Lord Narasimhadeva on every Sunday, starting from the coming Sunday for your good health and long life. Please be merciful on us and live some more years Guru Maharaj.

HpS - Join us on the trip, 🚋 🙂, or stay a little while longer to preach, then we can meet in Nabadvip when Nimai is playing there with Gadadhara, Damodara et al, no?

Following your instructions, I have started reading (online) Krishna book along with many disciples of yours. I have created a Facebook account and started using Kapi Dhvaja. I have met many new godbrothers and godsisters through this Facebook group, and because of their association I am getting prior information of your Classes and I am regularly attending it.

I have requested many of my godbrothers and godsisters, who are known to me and who were not in connection with you for a long time, to listen your classes and read the Blog; and they are now doing it regularly.

Recently, there was one Teachers’ Training Program for around 90 teachers of the schools in Cachar district of Assam. I was part of that and did Kirtan (by humbly begging your blessings in my mind) in that program, everyone was enjoying the Kirtan. Many of them are muslims and christians.

ASA - https://completewellbeing.com/article/understanding-islamic-chants/

There is a tradition called [?] Dikker, which is just like our ISKCON Temple Kirtans, but could not find the link. With this knowledge it becomes easier to inspire Islamic devotees to engage in the Yuga dharma.

Also, Christans to Christmas Caroling and Jews have even reawakened "Jewish Kirtan" after some young Jews joined ISKCON and then returned to their roots, finding Kirtan was a part of Jewish tradition!

I also did some book distribution in that program. Guru Maharaj, please bless me so that I may be able to correctly understand your language, pronunciation and follow your instructions properly.

Guru Maharaj, my mother Padamashri Devi Dasi (one of your disciples and a familial relative of Haridas Maharaj) is also offering her humble obeisances at your lotus feet. She is 72 years old now and terminally ill. Please kindly bless her so that she goes back home back to Godhead when she leaves her body.

HpS - Please send her picture!!! Tell her to preach all about the realizations she is having in old age!

Guru Maharaj, please give me instructions on how can I get advancement in spiritual life and how can I please you. I am a village girl and we are not so smart. But still, I have intense love for you and desire to strictly follow your instructions, Guru Maharaj. Please guide me so that I may attain love of Godhead in this lifetime. 

Your humble servant

Manjuali Devi Dasi

Kaptanpur, Chandam Leikai, Silchar, Cachar, Assam, India

Guru Maharaj, I am attaching herewith some pictures of me, my sisters and mother. They are all your disciples.

HpS - Aaah! We all shall look at them. Hope they are labeled.

All we can say is that you are on the right path and now you just have to learn how to move faster toward the mystical land of Nabadvipa!!!! Hari bolo! Hari bolo! Respects to The Hari das Swami et al!!

Divya svarupa Das in Radha Kunda!!!

Querido Gurudev, acepte mis humildes y respetuosas reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada. Desde el mes de agosto quería escribirle, el semestre se pasa muy rápido sobre todo cuando hay mucho seva en el día a día.

Gracias por cambiar mi visión en esta vida, antes de conocerlo el día de mi cumpleaños era un día muy triste para mi corazón. En esta oportunidad hice una torta de verano, solo de frutas, cuando lo conocí usted me dijo que ese día tenia que preparar Krsna prasadam para compartir con mis seres queridos, nunca mas senti tristeza, y me di cuenta de que siempre he sido feliz pudiendo servir a los demás

Hay tantos servicios que deseo aprender Gurudev. Por ahora estoy ayudando una vez al mes a hacer las guirnaldas de Krsna Balarama en el Templo de Alachua y voy también una vez al mes a preparar el desayuno para Sus Señorías. Es tan inspirador ver en la mañana al equipo de gopis alistando a Sus Señorías en el altar, realmente esto es una pequeña visión del mundo espiritual que me permite ir aprendiendo día a día.

Con Syam participamos en 12 hours de Kirtan en GNV y nos dimos cuenta de que tenemos que aprender a tocar mrdanga, kartalas y armonio, en el semestre de verano de KL (Krsna Lunch) cuando baja la cantidad de servicio junto a sus bendiciones lo haremos. Estamos en temporada alta en estos momentos y eso significa que no solo tenemos un servicio, sino tres, por lo que el día se nos hace muy corto, sin embargo, el corazón crece más y más junto a nuestra alegría de ofrecer nuestras actividades a Srila Prabhupada y a usted. Es muy reconfortante ver su foto en el cuarto del Pujari.

Para Govardhana hicimos dulces, decoramos la Vyasasana de Prabhupada y también hacemos la puja para Sus Señorías de Sri Sri Gaura Nitay en mangala arati y Guru Puja que son extáticos junto al canto amoroso de sus devotos.

Las devotas mayores de Alachua discípulas de Srila Prabhupada son muy inspiradoras, son austeras, recatadas, determinadas, exigentes y a la vez muy misericordiosas, unas sabias maestras de quien aprender todo el tiempo en el servicio devocional. Somos muy afortunados realmente de estar aquí.

Para Radhastami pudimos ayudar para la ofrenda de la tarde, hicimos dos tortas y un surtido de dulces para Radha Syamasundara.

Seguimos haciendo el curso de BS con P. Laksmana Vigraha quien nos inspira mucho en el estudio de los sastras. Ya estamos en la cuenta regresiva.

Tuvimos la trascendental presencia de Krsna Ksetra en Krsna House hace unos días su presencia llenó la atmosfera de fuerza espiritual, ha sido todo muy hermoso Gurudev.

Estamos leyendo un libro de Mahatma Das muy inspirador de crecimiento personal, me dijeron que no era para devotos, pero creo que libros de superación personal siempre deben estar en nuestra mesa de noche para poder servir mejor y tener una mejor conciencia, sobre todo cuando hay cambios tan grande de vida, tanto de país, de asram, de comunidad, etc, etc….no es fácil están en una cultura tan diferente haciendo vida espiritual.

Por favor envíenos siempre su misericordia Gurudev que es el aire vital para poder sostener esta existencia material.

Sus eternos sirvientes Syam Krsna Gopal Das y LaksmiRadha DD

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Dear Gurudev, please accept my humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Since the month of August I wanted to write to you,

the semester goes by very quickly especially when there is a lot of seva in everyday life.

Thank you for changing my vision in this life,

before I met you, my birthday was a very sad day for my heart.

On this occasion I made a summer cake, only of fruits,

when I met you you told me that that day I had to prepare Krsna prasadam to share with my loved ones,

I never felt sadness again,

and I realized that I have always been happy being able to serve others.

HpS/ASA - AgtSP! 😢

There are so many services that I want to learn Gurudev.

For now I am helping once a month to make the garlands for Krsna Balarama in the Alachua Temple

and I also go once a month to prepare breakfast for His Lordships.

It is so inspiring to see in the morning the team of gopis getting Their Lordships ready at the altar,

this really is a small vision of the spiritual world that allows me to learn day by day.

With Syam we participated in 12 hours of Kirtan at GNV and we realized that we have to learn to play mrdanga, kartalas and harmonium,

ASA - Although clapping hands is really good too!!! In Manipur it is a really developed art.

In the summer semester of KL (Krsna Lunch), when the amount of service drops, along with his blessings we will do it.

We are in high season right now and that means that we not only have one service, but three,

so the day seems very short, however, the heart grows more and more along with our joy of offering our activities to Srila Prabhupada and you.

It is very comforting to see the photo of him in the Pujari's room.

For Govardhana

• we made sweets,
• decorated Prabhupada's Vyasasana
• and also did the puja for Their Lordships of Sri Sri Gaura Nitay in mangala arati
• and Guru Puja which are ecstatic along with the loving chanting of the devotees of Him.

The senior devotees of Alachua, disciples of Srila Prabhupada, are very inspiring, they are austere, modest, determined, demanding and at the same time very merciful, wise teachers from whom to learn all the time in devotional service. We are really lucky to be here.

ASA - Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Srila Prabhupada has turned his dancing while elephants into dancing Angels!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53B0s_zao8

window on a little glimpse of the rasa lila?

For Radhastami

we were able to

help with the

afternoon

offering,

we

made

two cakes

and an assortment

of sweets for Radha Syamasundara 🍰 🍰 🍰

We continue doing the BS course with P. Laksmana Vigraha (agra ja = "born before laksmana" = rama!) who inspires us a lot in the study of sastras. We are already in the countdown.

We had the transcendental presence of Krsna Ksetra in Krsna House a few days ago, his presence filled the atmosphere with spiritual force, everything has been very beautiful Gurudev.

. . . We are reading a very inspiring book by Mahatma Das on personal growth, I was told that it was not for devotees, but I believe that books on personal improvement should always be on our nightstand to be able to serve better and have a better conscience, especially when there is such great changes in life, both in the country, in the asram, in the community, etc., etc….it is not easy to be in such a different culture living a spiritual life.

Please always send us your mercy Gurudev which is the vital air to sustain this material existence.

His eternal servants Syam Krsna Gopal Das and LaksmiRadha DD

HpS - Thank you. It is just complete dark now in Houston. 5.46PM. We are having pretty robust chest pains.

There is no doubt that this Car can be finished at any moment.

That is good.

It may be like getting in the Top Gun airplane with Krsna as the Chariot Driver!!!

Set priorities.

There are an unlimited number of offerings and we cannot do all of them.

Eg. Yasoda and the Boiling Milk!

Thank you.

Meet the students?

Help them advance?

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Todas las glorias a usted.

En respuesta con la carta que mando Manjari Devidasi.

Yo Chaitanya Nitai Martínez Topete, hijo de Valmiki Das (Discípulo de Paramadvaiti Swami) el cual hace algunos años fue presidente del templo en vrinda CDMX y Jana Priya (Discípula de Guru Prasad Swami).

Tengo 23 años, nací el 3 de junio del 2000, en CDMX.

Actualmente realizo servicio en el restaurante Govindas y apoyo a Manjari en su servicio de guirnaldas además de realizar la limpieza del templo. A lo largo de mi vida he observado los principios regulativos vaishnavas y durante mi crecimiento siempre tuve cercanía a conciencia de Krshna por medio de mis padres. En particular de parte de mi padre quien ha practicado el servicio devocional de manera más constante.

Actualmente mantengo una relación afectiva formal con Manjari, ya conocí a sus padres y ella a mi madre.

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All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you.

In response to the letter sent by Manjari Devidasi.

I am Chaitanya Nitai Martínez Topete, son of Valmiki Das (Disciple of Paramadvaiti Swami) who a few years ago was president of the temple in vrinda CDMX and Jana Priya (Disciple of Guru Prasad Swami).

I am 23 years old, I was born on June 3, 2000, in CDMX.

I currently perform service at Govindas restaurant and supports Manjari in her garland service as well as cleaning the temple. Throughout my life I have observed Vaishnava regulative principles and during my growth I was always close to Krishna consciousness through my parents. Particularly from my father who has practiced devotional service more consistently.

HpS/ASA - 😮 So fortunate!! So inspiring of hope for a better world! Maybe you become Mayor or Mexico City???? ! Shoot for the rhinocerous. Thank you!

I currently have a formal emotional relationship with Manjari, I have already met her parents and she has met my mother.

HpS/ASA

Very nice. Seems you are both very fortunate. Please help her work out the details of Hari nama Diksa! Please.

Dear Maharaj,

PAMHO AGTSP!

Maharaj for the past 15 days I’ve been working to submit university applications for graduate studies. Thanks to help from your esteemed self, Prof. Dr. Bandyopadhyay, Aja Govinda and my father.

My goals until then: 1) Hanuman Film with Yogi, 2) complete Odissi workbook for my students, 3) complete Kalaripayattu Martial Arts training and workbook, 4) complete making online Odissi curriculum and choreographies and video lectures, 4) build separate courses for Kalaripayattu and yoga, 5) bring in more teachers to create various courses and curriculums for online university and eventual accreditation together with Aja Govinda and my father.

HpS/ASA - Seems like a lot! Very nice. What is your general strategy for these five projects? How do you see them fitting into helping Lord Caitanya with His mission? Nabadvipa and Boston?

Personal Sadhana: chanting 16 rounds before breakfast, reading SB regularly. Trying to hear your lectures on iskcondesiretree regularly.

ASA - Got cohorts? 🐵

🐖

🐖

🐖

your aspiring servant,

Subhadra Mayi DD

ASA - Do you have some people who inspire you? Eg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Reiniger

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Guy-Blach

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_film_and_television_directors

Yadubara Das and Vishaka Devi Dasi????

Hare Krishna, Dear Gurumaharaja

Please accept my hubmle obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Writing after very long time.

HpS / ASA - Not so long. Ag ag tSP! Paoho. So nice to hear from you.

I am very happy to share that my Mangala Arati attendence is by your's and Krishna's mercy finally perfect. Sometimes there are only 2 of us, pujari and me. Sometimes we are 4. For long long time I was part of the problem by my bad sadhana, but I pray I will be able to continue as good example. So now just to keep it fixed and to improve consciousness.

HpS - Param drstvam nivartante[?]. When we see the natural, happy result of good Mangala arati then we keep it fixed.

Learn the word by word meaning of the song.

Get some rounds done before Mangala arti! ... See Radha and Krsna listening to you all! . . .

Our son, Balarama, is energetic and cute child. Bringing us both happiness and distress :)

He loves to offer lamps with us for Damodara.

My wife is working on design for puppets for another devotee who will make Ramayana puppet plays for nursery schools.

My wife likes to do things like this.

Working on new vedabase.io version.

Last few days I struggled somehow with user authentication system and trying find way of connecting it with current data.

It makes me insane, but I hope I am very close to make it working nicely.

Once that is done, I can quickly finish other stuff and make online beta version. Then when it will be consider stable it will replace current vedabase.io. 

After new version will be running I can finally finish offline Vedabase app. It became more urgent due to attitude of Indian BBT toward all other projects, causing one devotee who made offline reader few years ago to delete it.

As I mentioned last time we spoke Indian BBT is trying to remove Online Vedabase too, but by Prabhupada's protection we will not give up and instead increase preaching even on more.

Your servant Prahlad Nrsimha das

HpS - Thank you so, so, much for this facility. We certainly feel that online Vedabase.io is an essential Sankirtan tool for so, so, many devotees. It allows us to quickly access texts for Sankirtan and share precise citations.

Maybe BBT India and others will be more enlivened if they see orders for hard copies of books coming in through online VedaBase?!!

Maybe you can offer then space to develop their advertisements.

Hare Krishna, Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances;

ASA - 🐵 . . 🐒🐒 Paoho.... !

all glories to Srila Prabhupada;

ASA - ❗❗❗

all glories to your good self for your wonderful service to Prabhupada and Sri Krishna. After having read your response to my last letter, I gave some thought to your advice to come down to Houston for a short retreat. I have reservations for a flight to Houston to visit you during your Vyasapuja celebration, but out of a sense of trepidation I have purchased it with the option of being able to cancel it.

I can't explain the reason(s). It's like I am afraid of feeling unwelcomed all over again; afraid of feeling left out of the ecstacy that should be there when celebrating Vyasapuja.

HpS/ASA - Hmmm. For us it is a chance to glorify Vyasadeva and the Parampara: Krsna,

Radha,

Lord Caitanya,

Six Goswamis,

Narottama Das Thakura,

Gaudiya Vaisnavas,

Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta,

Srila Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta!,

ISKCON,

Me and You,

Our disciples = Whoever is following our discipline in following Srila Prabhupada's discipline.

In 'NoI' we always remember SP saying that devotional service is not a matter of imaginative ecstasy nor sentimental speculation, rather practical activity in the forefront of spiritual life.

Wow.

Work!

Please come and join, lead, us in the work!!

🙂

My wife and I are still dealing with some fallout. Not a day goes by when I am not dwelling on what happened. Still, we are managing to stay connected with those devotees whom we still have friendship: few though they may be.

My sadhana has taken a big hit. I have not been able to rise early in the morning like I used to due to despondency.

ASA/HpS - We Remember Srila Prabhupada Saying (WRSPS) that Maya's big weapon at the time of death is depression, despondency. I remember Vaisesika Das say, citing, "Don't become a vicitim". Introspection: Did I do something wrong to deserve some chastisement???

a) if I did, then there is not mistake we can make that we cannot correct (Sri Rama to Laksmana).

b) if I did not, then it is a mistake by the chastiser, material world, and I will try to help them, with KRSNA's help. I am not the target. they are chastising something about me that stimulates, fear/anger in them. etc. 🌴

These days I am up by 6AM, if I am lucky; and that means my Mangala Arotika is not until 6:30. Daily readings from Srimad Bhagavatam is not so daily, but I try to keep up my attendance in the Bhagavatam classes from Hawaii.

My japa is splayed out throughout the day, thanks in part to my work as a driver for Uber; but still I am chanting every day and observing the four regs.

ASA - Wars are not won by intact soldiers who never take a wound, nor never fall down. They are won by wounded soldiers who show the world how to get back up again and go back into the fight against The Evil One and His Companions, with a wounded body! 🌴

I just concluded my observance of Damodara prayers, and returned the Murti of Yashoda Damodara to Their place on the bookshelf next to Lord Nrishinghadeva and Sita Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman murties.

I don't wish to sound like I am overstepping my low level of puny realizations, but this year, as with previous years, when I have chanted the last round of Damodara prayers, when I have lit the last candle for offering, and returned Yashoda Damodara to Their place on the bookshelf, there is a sadness that is felt: as if I am saying goodbye until next year, although I see Them every single day.

I would be lost without Deity worship in our home.

I guess I am very attached to the very process ofDeity worship here: even if for no other reason than I would be completely scared and lost without it.

I still have online Bhagavad gita classes on Tuesdays, and I try to attend online Bhagavad gita classes from Hawaii every Wednesday and Friday evenings.

I perform evening arotika nightly, which is only a Dhupa Arotika.

It's not so easy because of my days of driving around for Uber, but still I do it because it is my protection.

I have been distributing books to passengers and preaching, when the occasion allows it.

Some passengers are really grateful, as they are needing to hear something that gives them hope and direction in life.

Most are just curious and open minded, but into doing their own thing.

My preaching through IPM devotional correspondence with inmates continues, but it is not so easy.

I don't always have the stamina to take time out to write to them, since writing is not a skill that I am blessed with.

ASA - 🐷 🐵 📿

Same for us! Thank you!

Still, it is an opportunity to preach, and I need all the opportunities I can get; so I read their letters, and try to make time to preach to them in my replies to their letters.

I will close here, hoping to get your blessings and association soon. Please kindly forgive me for being such a weak and nonsensical devotee: Hare Krishna.

Your lowly servant,

Sriman Balabhadra dasa

HpS - ASA - Jaya Balabhadra! Jaya Balabhadra Das!!! Hope to see you soon! Hear from Srinivasa Das that you are talking with him about accomodations.

Problems with the family, problems with the community, church, government, enviroment. 'kalu dose nidhe rajan...'