Letters to the editor

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, Gurumaharaja,

please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you so much for the letter and prasadam. The illustrations and messages are very refreshing and we feel so fortunate to have this exchange with you. I really like the red that you added to my drawing and letter. It’s a wonderful visual representation of how you enhance and bring color to our lives.

We had a really nice Snana Yatra and now we are gearing up for our Gundicha Marjan tomorrow. Deep cleaning and scrubbing of the heart. Getting the externals and the internals ready for the great Ratha Yatra procession. A truly transcendental parade..there is an electricity in the air and a buzz in the temple. We feel a push forward everyday and a nudge in the right direction.

Loved hearing from you the other day how Jayananda Prabhu would take breaks and read Prabhupada’s books with others. Sometimes I work like an ass and forgot why I’m working and who it’s for and lose perspective.

Been very inspired by watching this again..the documentary and commentary on the SF Ratha Yatra that you filmed:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lyM6nTZN1Cg

and then I heard you mention it in a class right after watching.

Looking forward to having you here very soon. I will be in contact about program schedule and temple card that goes on prasadam packets. Both things are developing. Thank you for the guidance in this regard. You have appeared in my dream three times in a row now guiding me as well. First dream we were setting up for a program in someone’s big mansion. We were building a really nice bench together and I was helping you saw but I got distracted while talking and you told me to focus! Another dream: we were on a walk and I could not keep up with you. You were so calm but somehow moving so fast! There have been so many dreams but these two really affected me. Thank you and see you soon.

your aspiring servant,

Nitisara Das

P.S. here are some pictures of our home Deity’s that you asked about. And some pictures of our siksha gurus:) and a carpentry project that was done while listening to your classes. Every time I see it I think of so many points you made and stories you told ✨ they are infused within it?

hps/asa - we are, agtSP, reminded how a real Vaisnava, Guru, like Srila Prabhupada, can build a palace using bent nails like us.

our experience at the first idaho rathayatra, we built the cart with lokannatha das et al, was that if we can only offer a little bit externally eg. simple cart/kirtan, KRSNA in the audience's heart screams at them to pay attention.

packing for the trip.

...

We did not send this.

So much, emotional, intellectual, physical packing.

Now we are in our cave on ISKCON Martha Street, Boise, Idaho.

We published a trip review in anveSaka, and you and Nanda braja Das are honoring Prasadam in the other room of the cave complex.

Thanks to you all.

The accommodations are more than Vaikuntha. They are Goloka.

This is a good place to sacrifice your entire life!

Please accept my obeisances at your immaculate lotus feet. Eternal thanks for being my Guru Maharaja🙏🎶🙏🎶🌷🌻🌹🙇🏻‍♀️

All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!!

Al Glories to You , my espiritual master eternal🙏🙏🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🎶🌹🌻🌷💐

I was traveling back home and someone threw a rock at the window near where I was standing. A shard of glass fell on me, but it didn't hurt me. A man who was standing near that window hurt his head; fortunately, the others weren't hurt, although all the windows on that side shattered.

This made me think about everything I still want to do. One of the things is that I'd like you to hear all my songs to Krishna before you leave. The truth is, I'm really embarrassed to post them.

When Franco created this YouTube channel for me, I felt uncomfortable posting my dances. And now my songs... I need to learn to dance well. In fact, I almost always make up steps, etc., which is why it takes me so long to post.

I always trembled before dancing, but when I enter the world of the pastime, it makes me forget that I'm recording or that I'm on stage. Only when I remember Your words, Gurudev, and think that I'm contributing to Srila Prabhupada's sankirtan movement and think that our Krishna is pleased, does it make sense, and I want to do all the things I still need to do.

I remember your words, Gurudev: You used to tell me, "Later... later..." to some questions I once asked in public. And I thought... yes! I'm leaving a lot of things for "later." And I don't deserve your answer.

Here, with all the shame I feel for posting this... ☺, are some of my feelings toward our Govinda. I hope you like my Gurudeva and help my son Gopal remain a devotee forever. Eternal thanks for blessing my son.

 https://youtu.be/ASTfUYwn_AY?si=919babAPor_NCO5i

I translated it especially for you, beloved Gurumaharaja🙏🙏🙏🎶🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

Trying to please His adored Lotus Heart, taking refuge eternally in the sweet dust of His immaculate lotus feet:

Radha Japa Prati Jalpa Devi Dasi

HpS/ASA - We, agtSP, will look at them.

Why did you break the window?

It sounds like a crime against humanity, and ultimately Krsna, everything belongs to Him, no?

Even if we neglect to offer proper respects to a richman, or big scholar, even if he is atheist, Krsna will not be happy with us because He has awarded these things.

Thank you.

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Below is text of recent announcement from Bhakti Vikāsa Trust

We are pleased to announce the release of the new three-volume book The Mood and Mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda by Bhakti Vikāsa Swami.

This work presents a detailed, systematic study of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, ideals, and vision for ISKCON. A must-read for all who wish to serve him with clarity and purpose.

Srila Prabhupada is the very life of ISKCON, and service to him is the sure means of success, both for the members of ISKCON and the institution as a whole. But what exactly did Srila Prabhupada want and expect from his followers? What were his plans and his hopes? How relevant are his instructions today? Can we change or neglect them?

Investigation of these vital questions makes The Mood and Mission of Srila Prabhupada essential reading for all devotees who wish to serve Srila Prabhupada in the best possible way.

Also below is link to short intro by the author

https://youtu.be/qsnHpPFurKA

Some details about the book(s)

Name: The Mood and Mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda

Publisher: Bhakti Vikas Trust

Publication Year: 2025

Binding: Hardcover

Pages: 2036

Weight: 5300 gms

ISBN: 978-93-82109-85-3

Table Of Contents

Volume 1

Preface, Editorial Notes, Acknowledgements, Introduction

Part I: Opening Topics

Part II: Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Exalted Position

Part III: ISKCON: Definition, Aims, Scope

Part IV: Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Success

Volume 2

Part V: The Hare Kṛṣṇa “Movement”

Part VI: Societal Perspectives and Initiatives

Part VII: Four Aphorisms

Part VIII: Specific Programs

Part IX: Preaching to Various Types of People

Part X: Political Initiatives

Part XI: Beyond Designations, but Highlighting Regional Differences

Volume 3

Part XII: Highest Welfare Work

Part XIII: Other Religious Paths – Perspectives and Interactions

Part XIV: Śrīla Prabhupāda and His Disciples

Part XV: Wayward Disciples

Part XVI: Rāgānugā-Bhakti and Imitation

Part XVII: Organization and Management

Part XVIII: The Future of His Movement

Appendixes

Index

Your servant,

Gopal

HpS/ASA - AgtSP! Thank you. We have the set and will start reading it soon. All of Maharaja's books that we have read have been solid, inspiring, powerful, practical.

We stand before him like a cat admiring a king. in our ASA we take our Mission Statement from the Preface to NoI.

Our Mission is to help Lord Caitanya in His Mission of giving the Science of Krsna Consciousness to humanity at large by empowering our selves by studying to works of the Six Goswami such as NoI.

Hare Krishna, Gurudeva!

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

So Sadhu Sanga was amazing !

ASA - 🐵 💥 💥 💥

Last year the main problem was that there was a 45 minute to 1 hour wait time for prasadam.

The organizers (Govinda Charan das and his wife Rasika Shiromani Mataji) are very conscious of these types of things.

They really want to provide the best experience ever. So this year,

they picked a huge resort center that had a much better capacity.

Almost 4,000 devotees dined with ease and had little or no wait time!

ASA - 🐷 indeed it is an act of God!

They were serving with 20 double lines manned by about 50 hotel staff.

Everyone loved the prasadam!! (Me too!)

The head chef, Daruka Das, had me on the "A team" this year.

Which basically just means that we wake up and start frying the paneer really early.

I also helped with the salad prep.

HpS - For whom were you cooking?

Here are some photos!

Oh! ... ... Including the spontaneous Mangal Arati that me and Sunanda das had in the hotel lobby.

This was one of the highlights of the trip this year, because he happened to have Lord Nityananda's Holy Paduka with him and we worshipped Them during mangal aarti. 🐒🐒🐒

And when I was at Radha Kalachandji's dharma, ... ... I got to worship Radha Kalachandji !!!! Thank you !!! 🙇🙇🙇 HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!! Paoho....

Also, there are some photos of the beautiful Goverdhan Sila that someone brought to the kitchen. (I guess He was hungry!!) 🍰🍰🍰🍰

Mangal Aarti ki Jaya!!

Your servant,

Jaya Hari das

HpS/ASA - Along with CCD/SDD report this is great. The ultimate basis is the hearing and chanting, no? The potency of the Kirtan.

A danger is that it becomes to much of a professional show and there is no advancement as a society: https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/4/10/#bb1200

Is true?

Hare Krishna, dear Gurudeva, Pamho, AGTSP!

My wife and I are doing very well. We're trying to do service as much as we can. Now we have the opportunity to travel to Cusco. By the mercy of Govardhana prabhu, we have been invited to preach a little and take advantage of the opportunity for RR to get to know Cusco.

HpS/ASA - Super. AgtSP!!

In the afternoons I will be teaching some seminars (communication, leadership, conflict resolution), and in the morning I will be conducting a series of sastric studies (ISO, NOI, and NOD).

My courses are going very well. I have 12 Bhakti Vaibhava students, 7 Bhakti Sastris, and 8 in Introduction to Bhakti Yoga. I am very happy with my service. I learn a lot from my students, and they fill me with enthusiasm to continue my service. It is very enriching to hear the students' realizations and perspectives. There is a lot of participation and interaction in my classes.

ASA - SUPER, SUPER!

My donkey is lame.

We are doing pre surgery tests to renew its legs, if possible.

It makes it a little difficult for us to get around, but it's okay, no problem.

I have insurance, so I don't have to spend anything.

If I didn't, I wouldn't bother doing all that business that costs thousands of soles.

There are more important things to invest in with Laxmi, like prasadam distribution, etc.

HpS/ASA - We just came back from the Audiologist. Very nice lady, associate of Mother Guru bhakti Devi Dasi.

Our donkey is also 'lame', rather hearing impaired.

The recommended hearing aids at $7000.

That's $90/month over the never 84-months [seven years].

Is it worth it?

We have been experiencing a lot of dwindling of our bodily parts during the last few weeks, maybe two months.

Like you, we don't want to spend our actual cash on a doomed donkey.

The Kauravas were continuing to exist on the results of sinful acts only. So, purify the body of it's resources of sinful acts eg. eating more than necessary.

Find out what are the real, transcendental, resources and continue using that.

We have a Standby Ticket on the plane to a good destination, no?

Nabadvipa with Srila Prabhupada and Nimai?

Yet, they may call us at any moment: Standby passenger, Laksman agra ja Das, HpSwami ... ASA.. please report to Gate 108 for an immediate departure.

Do you have all you need packed into your carry-on luggage?

We are participating 100% in the FMS. Yet, we aren't involved much in the Sunday classes. It overlaps with the temple service and festivals. Also, our organizer is very demanding and wants the service to be guaranteed by Tuesday at the latest, which is a bit complicated for me. Besides, I'm getting older and have to make way for other younger devotees. I've translated for you for many years. I have wonderful memories and funny anecdotes. One day I will write about it, as a tribute to your wisdom, your preaching spirit, and your unique and fun character.

ASA - 🐷 🐖 🐖

That's what I wanted to tell you for now. I don't usually write much. You know what I do, my loyalty to you, to Srila Prabhupada, to ISKCON (Chosica).

Thank you so much for the mercy you shower on this, your unconditional servant,

Laksmana-agraja das (LAD)

(Better known as the Blue Baboon)

ASA - We know you as both. How does Srila Prabhupada know you?

Hope your trip to Cusco has been great. Heard you will be visiting historical sites especially for the imolument of Raman-reti Devi Dasi!!

Than you!