Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna!!!!

I hope that upon receiving this letter you are in good health.

I don't know where you are now, but wherever you are, I'm sure you are very well taken care of and busy with your preaching work.

I haven't logged into the blog for a long time, and therefore haven't written to you either, but today my ingratitude and procrastination have reached their limit.

I am currently still married, working, and a victim and accomplice of this capitalist system. jejeje..

The world is upside down, with conflicts in the Middle East, in Kashmir... this is how we are... nothing new, self-destructing... It seems that the ethologist Nikolass Tinbergen was right when he said, "On the one hand, man is similar to many species of animals in that he fights against his own species. But, on the other hand, among thousands of species that fight, it is the only one in which the fight is destructive... Humans are the only species that kill en masse, the only ones that don't adapt to their own society. This comment comes from a book by Erich Fromm called The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, which I find interesting. It's an attempt to understand the origin of human aggression and cruelty, from various perspectives (psychology, biology, history, sociology). In short, things of this world.

HpS /// ASA - But bugs, termites, engage in mass attacks and wars, no?

On the other hand, my spiritual life continues, perhaps not at ISKCON standards, but at the one I'm capable of maintaining. I think in my last letter I was in a similar situation. Pfff!!!!

On your last visit, I saw you very well, surrounded by many disciples, whom I know you appreciate very much, who are always there.

Well, I don't know if you'll ever plan to come back here. If so, I hope to spend a little more time with you or just be close by.

Greetings, and my respects.

With affection, Bhadra Vardhana das.

HpS - This was in Spain? Our memory of you is fading! I think I have your image and character in mind!

Traffic control in LIma...

Memorial Day

May 26, 2025

AT THE VEDA FOUNDATION MEMORIAL FOR MAHARAJA BHAKTI CARU SWAMI

Deland to Ksetra-jnana

Dear Maharaja Hanumat Presaka Swami,

please accept my humble obeisances, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Responding to the prior Sadhu Sanga queries, yes, we did have a full size Srila Prabhu Murti there, all else was pretty much digital, aside from Tulsi’s and a few Shalagram Shilas.

DRIVING WITH VAISNAVA’S

After our Sadhu-Sanga blast, we went to Deland for Srila Prabhupada and Maharaja Bhakti Caru Swami’s (BCS) Memorial Monument celebration. Seems Srila Prabhupada is also included on any BCS events, such is BCS desire. We were only an hour and a half drive away from Orlando, and were honored to bring Gopinath Acarya Prabhu, his wife, Lethita from Houston. Everyone was glad to come to this event, though I had some hesitancy.

PRE-EMPT

Had a concern about how much seva was to be required and I was not well enough prepared for it. I only had some yogi pants, kurtas and such, no tools what so ever. Turns out I was used for electric fan assemblies, and they were needed, it was hot. The Memorial started at 1 pm, we got in a little early, to assist where we could, though there were mostly local devotees around cooking, arranging patios and getting water out, the small group of enthusiastic locals kept Spirits up.

It was Surprising that there were no disciples at the staging area. Then a couple of Prabhupada’s disciples did show up, Maharaja Jayadvaita Swami (JAS) and Maharaja Candramali appeared.

Regardless, Feelings of disparity were still coming to me, were anymore Vaishnava’s coming?

I knew it was an improv’ Memorial schedule to take advantage of the Sadhu Sanga turnout, but the more distant locale and short notice invites may have been too impromptu.

HpS/ASA - We got an invitation but it was very late. We suggested to join online with our small contribution but the decision was that many people were coming from the Sadhu sanga and it was going to be invivo, live only.

TRICKLE DOWN ETHICS

Walking towards the stage at the enclosed patio over the boathouse, I meet another guest and realize it’s Dr. Graham Schweig, aka: Garuda Prabhu,, the good Doctor had his seat at the front, while I’m comfortably sitting on the last end of the bench seating,.. noting JAS and Garuda were giving each other full eye-contact. This event may have been their first time to get together since their last “book editing” conversations.

As I prepared for the Memorial event to unfold, there seemed to be a few more elderly Vaishnava’s surfacing at the tents entrance to the patio.

Maharaja Sachinandana’s tall smiling figure was there,

and then an old Soul comes to the foray,

Prabhu “Guru Das” Adhikari!

He arrives as the guest speakers start sharing their sweet pastimes on Maharaja Bhakti Caru Swami.

Now Radhanatha Swami comes to the patio center. Maharaja BB Govinda Maharaja is on the opposite side bench seats, Maharaja Bhakti Prabhava Swami, and Maharaja Purushottama are coming in too.

Guru Das was having difficulty getting a seat, so I gestured to him to take mine, he refused, then I took the seat cushion and shook it and wiped down the seat with my handkerchief placed the cool side of the cushion up, and re-offered. It was a deal he couldn’t refuse... we both just smiled.

YE’ OF LITTLE FAITH

During the session, somber and personal tales are shared with each guest speaker, a lot of influences with BCS, he really is a Vaishnava’s Vaishnava.

Then, looking behind me from my new seat, I saw the entrance was getting even more crowded. A majority of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples were locked up in the kitchen cooking the offerings for today’s event.

Everyone was out, and it was getting packed! My shallow expectations were quelled and the restoration of the Vaishnava’s eternal potency revived,

just an amazing get together on this lone abandoned Christian campground, now being revitalized by sincere devotees and disciples of BCS,

even the cows were even mooing.

INSATIABLE CONCLUSION

The tributes flowed for hours, then the Memorial dedication was called for; everyone was heading to the eastern central portion of the Veda Foundations land. A fresh and sturdily built stone and mason tower was erected, and it was time for Agni Yajna. Maharaja Sachinandana was having difficulties getting over to the Memorial, so I offered to escort him over, carefully voicing permission and passing, we managed to blaze a trail in for him. The Yajna began, Salutations and sincere oblations abound, kirtan to accompany, was most ecstatic!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Then the Prasadam Hall was wide open! Superb entrees, Lasagna and sweets galore, Srikand, Rasa Mali’s and ice cream too. A perfect conclusion of a Memorial if I ever saw one, we filled to our delight, then we packed a plate and drove to Daytona Beach for a soak in the ocean... with such an event-filled weekend, we needed a break.

All Glories to the Vaishnava’s ! !

Your servant in training,

ccd

NEXT LETTER; NIRJALA EKADASI.

HpS/ASA - Thank you so, so, much!!! Just like being there.

THANK YOU!

M O R E!

Dear Maharaj,

Please accept my most humble obeisances Maharaj, and all glories to your service to Srila Prabhupada. I am so very happy to provide some service in the form of articles to send to Abhiram Prabhu for the Solaris magazine. I am very glad that I can be of some service to Abhiram Prabhu and the editors of the Solaris magazine.

Thank you for your association and for involving me in some academic service.

Your humble aspirant servant,

Aja Govinda Das

HpS - Thank you! We hope to read your articles. We hope that Solaris is well formatted and distributed.

We would like to see articles that give our ISKCON, BBT, OCHS, BRC, BI perspective, but also give us links to other groups with whom we can learn, partner and help!!!

We are going to an evening program now in Boise.

Kama gayatri Devi Dasi's Brother's Yoga/Sound center.

Hope to share and compare with many sincere yogis.

Hare Krishna Gurudev. Dandavat pranam. AGTSP.

Gurudev, In gita my most favorite sloka is 8/14.

https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/8/14/

My prayer unto your lotus feet is to bless me for attaining this devotional stage and type of devotional service.

At present by your grace we are practicing anusmaran of our ASA, Sri Radha Shyamsundar. My prayer unto your lotus feet is to instruct me, the type of lord's seva.

Gurudev knows me how i am foolish, incapable of preaching, even to understand after reading books. So forgiving all my aparads, kindly guideme your spiritual instruction.

Dandavat pranam gurudev.

HpS - Hare Krsna!

Of course, the service is 16 nice rounds, and 4 principles strictly.

It works, it works.

Keep your altar according to your wealth.

Serve with love.

Cleanliness.

Punctuality.

Then more or less paraphernalia and ritual according to your means.

At least have Mangala arati. Can be simple, but clean, punctual regular, brahma muhurta, bhajan kirtan, then read Srima Bhagavatam.

Srila Prabhupada has explained things so that even first class fools like us can understand.

Srimad Bhagavatam also means CC or Krsna book.

If we do this then Krsna will give us intelligence how to build on this foundation, many new friends and students!!

So nice to hear from you.

You have very special character and qualities. Share them.

PAMHO AGTSP! All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!

HK Maharaj!! Good morning, how are you?

HpS - Struggling with great pain. 9.32PM here in Boise, still light enough outside to barely read a book.

Now we get your association.

Are you still in the states? How’s your health doing? I tried to follow you on X but found out you’re not there anymore, and Vrisabanu told me you have a WhatsApp group, well here I’m sending you my number, would you please add me and delete it from the post??

HpS - I cannot add you. Ask Nikunja bihari Das in Argentina.

Well here things have been working out better, my parents went on a trip to Brasil and I was left home alone, and well that gave me the peace to adjust my sadhana and get back to normal.

The relationship with them was a bit hard, they’re on their 70s and well they have a lot of tricks, my father specially usually makes a big problem out of nothing, he curses and insults, so I’m avoiding them whenever that happens, I will just stay away from trouble.

I began English classes with a new teacher from Berkeley, if my memory doesn’t fail you went to college somewhere around that city, am I right?

hps - yes.

So I still keep journaling, now I’m doing one day all in English and the other day I do it in Portuguese, because I learned that it better to keep separate days for each language learning activities.

I began studying a marketing program called NextMBA, they have there Philip Kotler and some other famous guys. Well I’m founding it interesting so far.

I’ve been feeling my Japa better. You know I’ve been feeling closer to paramatma than ever. I would love to connect deeper with Krishna, could you give me any piece of advice?

HpS - The process works! Just keep doing it. You will become more soft and awaken your real self.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Christian music lately, if makes me feel so well, I feel like if I were chanting Japa whilst listening to it.

And the last thing, I’ve been looking to get married, been searching for a spouse on the Vaishnava Marriage website, which is supported by Jayapataka Swami. Some Matajis sent my a proposal, but usually they live in India and aren’t willing to move to Argentina 🇦🇷 so now I’m trying to look for someone who might live closer.

I was remembering you these days. Is there any rural community in the states that you would recommend me to visit? I quite don’t remember if asked you already that question…

HpS - None special. We are camping in Houston until Janmastami! Nice place, but Gokula is the best.

Maharaj I would like to ask you for your blessings, if you found it useful, to start an English-Spanish exchange conversation club for members of ISKCON :) what do you think about it?? I’ve been attending, as I once told you, to some of those groups here in Buenos Aires, and I thought might be awesome to share that experience with devotees

HpS - I guess it would be O.K. Why bilingual? Guess just start with one or two friends, no?

What do you think of Govardhana Das letter from today????

Thank you very much Maharaj in advance for everything,

I hope we can meet up someday in near future.

HpS - We are meeting now. Physical is not much if any different, no? 🙂 We meet in our Sankirtan at Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet.

PAMHO, HK

Federico Molnar

Hare Krishna, Dear Gurumaharaja, pamho,

All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!!! ! ! ! Paoho......

Dear Gurumaharaja, hoping you are well, in the mercy of Sri Radha and Krishna.

Please excuse the delay in writing. Since last year I've been traveling for work. I was in Arequipa, which wasn't a very pleasant experience, as the people my friend who took me to work there got into some trouble, but I always stayed out of it; I more or less knew where things were going. Once some people attacked us on the street. My friend took the worst of it, but nothing happened to me. I think I'm doing something right... but anyway, now I'm working in Cusco, a little more peacefully.

HpS/ASA - !!! hare krsna!

Mother Yogamaji dd is now in charge of the program in Cusco. Last month, Harinam programs were held on Saturdays, very good, and books were also distributed. I wasn't able to participate because I travel to Abancay on weekends to be with my family. My wife still works there as a kindergarten teacher, and she's doing very well. My children have grown quite a bit. Nilacandra turned 15 and is in third year of secondary school. She's learning to play the bass guitar with her friends. She's forming a rock band with her friends. My daughter, Vrsabhanu-nandani, is now 13 and in her first year of secondary school. It's a struggle to deal with two teenagers at the same time. I hope Lord Krishna gives us the intelligence to guide them properly.

ASA - Any little help with have a long lasting effect. Talk to them, but just as important, even more important is to set a proper example, no?

LAD and RR visited us in Cusco. We're taking the Bhakti Vaibhava course with him. We're studying and trying to wake up before Mangala Aratik to chant the rounds. We're still in the process.

We are personally doing an online program, Mangala Aratik online. Not many devotees connect, sometimes one or two, but usually we are alone, but we continue anyway, this to encourage the devotees of Cusco. We know that little by little everything will improve. I will connect later to your FMP; you inspire us and fill us with energy. All glories to you.

I told you a few years ago about doing a program, "Clinic for the Soul," an online preaching program. We believe that this way we will be able to preach, introducing Krishna Consciousness to people; that is what we want to do. I will soon send you more details about its structure. Please, your blessings for the success of these projects.

We have formed a company called "HPS108 Corporation," to carry out some of my personal business activities as a business consultant, including financial education, among other activities. We are seeking to become independent; we already have five clients.

Dear Gurumahara, thank you so much for your infinite mercy. Truly, without it, our lives would be meaningless. Sometimes we think about giving up, giving up, but in the end, like a slap in the face, a reboot of our Windows, we realize that the true path is to serve you and Srila Prabhupada, our beloved Acarya.

Dear Gurumahara, thank you so much for reading this letter and for all your instructions. May the mercy of Sri Radha and Krishna be showered eternally upon you. Jay Srila Gurudeva!!!!!!

Your useless would-be servant

Govardhana dasa

HARE KRISHNA

HpS - Maybe there are three people like you in the whole world. You stand like an island in the middle of a raging ocean at night.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let us go to the next few letters together.

I hope others read your letter and get as inspired as we are.

RADIO CUSCO