Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Gurudev. Pamho. AgtSP. Agtyou.

How are you, Gurudev? This is Deva-Vrata das, currently living in Córdoba, Argentina (we don't know about tomorrow).

Today, November 30th, my mind is focused on trying to have a good distribution of books during this marathon. With a clear conscience, for my own spiritual benefit, the benefit of others, and to please you and Srila Prabhupāda with this transcendental activity.

Today on the "Japa Joe" program, I asked for your blessings for this endeavor, because without your blessings and those of the paramparā, I am powerless in every aspect.

A year ago, I was with you, Gurudev, in Spain... what a privilege and undeserved gift of life... thank you for everything once again...

What else can I do in life besides distribute Srila Prabhupāda's books? I'm useless, I'm not even good at it, I have no talent, but I do have a bit of stubbornness...

Besides, my faith is weak... but, I ask again, what else can I do?

I know your way of thinking a little... this isn't about selling books... It's about trying to give Krishna to people and encouraging others to do this... And I know you're not interested in numbers... but I need to motivate myself, haha.

I'm recording Vaisesika das's book, "Our Family Business," to motivate myself and the devotees... https://t.me/SankirtanaSrilaPrabhupada

We'll be together in December in the streets of Traslasierra, Córdoba—you, me, and Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna Gurudev

HpS/ASA - Hare Krsna. AgtSP. Paoho. Thank you for this news. Numbers aren't bad. Our only Karma is to think about how to distribute books in anyway possible, but especially by making people into book distibutors.

Offer people five books instead of one. Ask them if they think these might be really useful for some of their friends. Then they are in the Sankirtan mood. Buy a book to learn, is like Jnana, no? Most people cannot do Jnana yoga in Kali yuga. Yet, joining the Sankirtan movement. Learning to teach. Is the Yuga dharma.

Then we have our technique.

SP said, Every salesman has his own technique.

We are worse than you, but we also try.

We bought books, got books from the library. Read books mentioned in other books we had read.

Bought a KRSNA book. Big hardcover from maybe Buddhimanta Das when we was in a dhoti and kirta at the Whole Earth Day festival at our university campus.

Best of wishes for a very pure Marathon!

Hare Krsna Gurudev. Pamho. AgtSP. Agtyou.

¿Cómo está Gurudev?

Aquí Deva-Vrata das, actualmemte viviendo en Córdoba, Argentina (mañana no sabemos)

Hoy 30 de noviembre tengo mi mente enfocada en tratar de tener una buena distribución de libros esta maratón. Con buena conciencia, para beneficio espiritual personal, beneficio de la gente y para complacerte a ti y a Srila Prabhupāda, con esta actividad trascendental.

Hoy en el programa "Japa Joe" pedía tus bendiciones para esta empresa, ya que sin tus bendiciones y las del paramparā soy impotente en todo aspecto.

Hace un año estaba contigo Gurudev, en España... qué privilegio y regalo de la vida inmerecido... gracias por todo una vez más...

¿qué otra cosa puedo hacer en la vida que no sea distribuir libros de Śrīla Prabhupāda? Soy un inútil, ni siquiera soy bueno haciéndolo, no tengo talento, pero si un poco de obstinación...

Además, mi fe es endeble... pero, vuelvo a decir ¿qué otra cosa puedo hacer?

Conozco un poco tu pensamiento... esto no se trata de vender libros...

Sino de tratar de dar a Krishna a la gente y de incentivar que otros hagan esta actividad...

Y sé a tí los números no te interesan... pero necesito motivarme jajaja

Estoy grabando el libro de Vaisesika das "Nuestra empresa familiar", para incentivarme a mi mismo y a los devotos...

https://t.me/SankirtanaSrilaPrabhupada

Estaremos juntos en diciembre en la calles de Traslasierra Córdoba, tú yo y Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Hare Krsna Gurudev

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!!

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja, por favor recibe mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias.

En mi carta anterior me preguntas lo siguiente:

HpS - ¡Jaya! Nunca había oído el nombre ni los pasatiempos de Maharaja. ¿De dónde es? ¿Es sannyasi de ISKCON?

Gracias por la noticia. En cualquier caso, Srila Prabhupada dedicó toda su vida a la preparación, así que quizá tengamos que dedicar veinte vidas a prepararnos, pero en cualquier caso, ya estamos experimentando el desarrollo en Bhakti Yoga que se promete.

Maharaja Bhakti Arjava Priti Vardhana Swami, es de Republica checa.

Es discipulo de SS. Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami y tomo sannyasa con SS. Jayapataka Swami.

La siguiente información es de Iskcondesiretree:

https://audio.iskcondesiretree.com/index.php?q=f&f=%2F02_-_ISKCON_Swamis%2FISKCON_Swamis_-_A_to_C%2FHis_Holiness_Bhakti_Arjava_Priti_Vardhana_Swami

Prithi Vardhana Dasa es uno de los administradores de la escuela gurukula de la Academia Bhaktivedanta. Es conocido por ser un devoto cualificado y erudito, un ejemplo de vida sencilla y pensamiento elevado. Lleva casi 30 años sirviendo en el gurukula. Predica regularmente en diferentes países de Europa y también viaja con Su Santidad Bhakti Purusottama Swami para apoyar la predicación de Cuidado Tribal en las zonas rurales tribales de la India. En la auspiciosa ocasión de aceptar sannyasa, recibió el nombre de Bhakti Arjava Prithi Vardhana Swami.

Guru Maharaja le escribí mi reporte anual en Reports.

Bueno Guru Maharaja, me despido, que el Señor Nrsimha lo proteja siempre.

Gadai Gauranga Das

-0-0-0-

All Glory to Srila Prabhupada!!!

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja, please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances.

In my previous letter, you asked me the following:

HpS - Jaya! I've never heard of Maharaja's name or pastimes. Where is he from? Is he an ISKCON sannyasi?

Thank you for the information. In any case, Srila Prabhupada dedicated his entire life to preparation, so perhaps we will have to dedicate twenty lifetimes to preparing ourselves, but in any case, we are already experiencing the promised development in Bhakti Yoga.

Maharaja Bhakti Arjava Priti Vardhana Swami is from the Czech Republic.

He is a disciple of His Holiness Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami and took sannyasa with His Holiness Jayapataka Swami.

The following information is from ISKCON Desiretree:

Prithi Vardhana Dasa is one of the administrators of the Bhaktivedanta Academy's gurukula school. He is known as a skilled and learned devotee, an example of simple living and elevated thought. He has been serving in the gurukula for almost 30 years. He preaches regularly in various European countries and also travels with His Holiness Bhakti Purusottama Swami to support Tribal Care preaching in rural tribal areas of India. On the auspicious occasion of accepting sannyasa, he received the name Bhakti Arjava Prithi Vardhana Swami.

HpS - Thank you!!! I think I may have met Maharaja and know him by his Brahmacari name.

Are you going to take Sannyasa? 🙂

Guru Maharaja, I wrote my Annual Report to you in the Reports section.

HpS - We just checked and sixteen devotees have filed Reports. Considering our incompetence that is nice. If we only have sixteen disciples to serve following Srila Prabhupada in Disciplic succession we might be able to do the job properly.

Well, Guru Maharaja, I bid you farewell. May Lord Nrsimha always protect you.

Gadai Gauranga Das

HpS - Thank you so much.

More News of your developing Sadhana and Sankirtan as it develops.

Hare Krishna, honorable Maharaj, H. H. HpS 🙏🏾

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

PAMHO

to your lotus feet 🐵

Thank you for your MERCY every single day...

These questions are about sunday classes.

Upendra Prabhu talked about Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya Lila, chapter 17. Thanks for his comments.

I have some doubts about this lecture.

In the harinamas, when we go out into the streets, I have seen people get excited and dance, but there are others (few afortunately) who completely reject the Holy name. Why are animals more receptive to the chanting of the Maha Mantra? They are living entities are supposed to be more savage and less evolved than us.

HpS - First, animals and humans are both influenced more by Lord Caitanya than us.

Even with Lord Caitanya it may be that some animals, like some humans, respond.

Spiritually bad animals, like spiritually bad people, do not.

O.K.

Holy Names can directly touch the soul, by pass the Karma, gross body.

Why does this happen, Maharaj? Are animals nobler and more receptive to accept the holy name?

HpS - Usually they are less receptive, and trees worse, but the Holy Names from Sri Gauranga and deep power.

Maybe Human beings may pretend that they do not like it, but deep down, the holy name will gradually cleanse their hearts?

Just as the people who listened to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and became Vaishnavas because Krishna is the Supreme personality of God, completely pure, were present. However, when we go out on Harinama, if we fail to captivate anyone after our journey, does this mean that we are not purifed enough, that is, we are not performing a correct sadhana? Or is it the karma of the people that prevents the chanting from reaching their hearts?

We know Lord Caitanya is the most merciful Lord to the fallen souls and the poor ones, yet there are people who reject him. Is His mercy the same for them, or would they have to surrender and ask for His forgiveness first?

HpS/ASA - In general, our experience is that different people in different communities, countries, respond differently. USA people are more mechanistic. Japanese people have been more inclined to hear from Monks with trust.

Yes, it seems we can improve our chanting!

I can directly see how this can happen.

Yet, there is certainly an effect on them by hearing the Name, even consciously or unconsciously, and certainly when presented by devotees following Srila Prabhupada's instructions.

I have another question about the relationships with relatives.

It is said about service to the Lord that by performing it we are nourishing the source and everything else will be nourished; however, I had a conversation with a very Catholic person, and it made me wonder as well. For example, if I serve to a sick person, a relative or another person who needs anything, in this way I am serving Krishna and offering my service to Him, does that service have the same value as, for example, serving the Deities?

this question arises because my family, my closest ones, do not understand devotional service. They believe that by going to the temple and attending to the Deities or in my house when they see me offering flowers, incienses, bhoga to my Deities, so I am neglecting my relationships with family members. They are convinced my priority is just adoring Krishna and go to the Temple.

How should I manage this kind of topics with my family? Thank you for your guidance, Maharaj, your time and patience 🙇🏽‍♀

HpS - As far as I know, there are identical questions in the Bible, Koran etc.

If we follow the process given by an authorized Acharya like Srila Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya, the Prophet Mohammed, Lord Jesus Christ, then our spiritual understanding will gradually wake up, just like someone awakening from sleep and dreams.

Then we will see the position of God and all of His children.

We can serve our relatives for selfish motives.

We can worship the icons in the temple for selfish motives,

or we can see how the fingers, hands and arms are related to the whole body and serve them in proper perspective.

Some one is scraped in a travel accident and their is some mild blood flow. Yes, we should clean and dress the wound, but that is silly if they are suffocating to death.

We want to serve God and His family, and as we wake up we can see how they are related.

Half awake, we should keep a full morning and evening Temple program etc. and serve all of our brother and sisters in the world during the day time.

Many more details, but that seems like some basic thoughts.

O.K.?

Your silly but very thankful servant,

AGTSP

AGTHPS

Annie from Lima 🐦

Please adored Gurumaharaja accept my humble obeisanced to Sweet dust of Your lotus feet🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🙏🙏💖🌷🌹🌷💐🌻🌹🌷💐🌻🎵🎶

HpS/ASA - We feel really unhappy when people talk about "the sweet dust of our lotus feet". It seem kind of like what a lady might feel like if her husband washed her feat in public and sprinkled the water on his head and the head of others. 😆

In Vaikuntha I guess we all have lotus feet (or lotus hooves) but here they are maybe just venerable as chaste ladies, austere Sannyasis, no?

AgtSP!!!

All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!!!🙇🏻‍♀️🙏💐🌻🌹🌷🌻💐💖

HpS/ASA - 👦 🐒 🐖 Jaya! !

All glories To You Gurudeva!!!🙏🙏🙏🎵🎶🙇🏻‍♀️💐🌻🌹🌷🌹🌻💐🌻💐🌷💐🌹🌻💐🌷💖

We have been concerned about your throat for a long time, and we are very happy to be allowed to talk about this on the blog. How can we help? ... I always think that a little tea with honey and perhaps ginger would help... but I really don't know what is good for your dosha.

If any well-intentioned disciple knows what is best for you, it would be so good if they could help you so that this stops once and for all. It is very painful to think that your throat might be hurting from the inflammation caused by making that sound that helps you continue speaking.

I think—please correct me if I am wrong, beloved Gurudev—that although, as disciples, we cannot advise you, and that is taken as offensive, there is also the example of the gopis, who did not care about going to hell if they had to give the dust of their lotus feet to cure Krishna's headache. And... even though we may not be advanced or pure like Them, I think it's normal to feel pain if you see the most beloved person in the world suffering, and you know how to help, but... for fear of offending, you don't help.

So... I sincerely hope that some devotee who knows how to reduce the swelling in a throat that's draining... water? from Her lotus nose, can help stop this and allow you to have some peace of mind, at least about this.

Please forgive me if I've caused any offense... I've long wished this could finally stop bothering you.

On the other hand, it's so lovely and inspiring to see my brothers and sisters wanting to follow SDG Srila Prabhupada so well! My deepest respect to all! I hope we can all understand how to improve our service and relationship with You. Better and better, clearer and clearer...!!! Jaya Gurudeva! Your class was so wonderful; it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Always aspiring to serve the dust of her fantastic lotus feet;

Japa Prati Jalpa Radha Devi Dasi

HpS/ASA - Very nice ayurvedic doctor here, Ananta isvara Das. South Indian Brahmana boy.

Very, very nice.

I hope that he and Nikunja and others can all be in touch.

Maybe a Latin American Tour.

We have some specific medicine, daily: Chaywan Prash, specifically blended for our nature. Is very strong.

Other than that our throat, eyes, ears, skin, heart are all under systemic care that seems to be the best remedy.

Of course, when we get up in the morning we have to wake up everything, so there is some coughing to clear the throat.

In general, it is o.k. Weaker that ten years ago, but still functional.

I hope to get a new one when this one is finished!!!

Thank you!!!

I think you speak for many people.

Hare Krishna Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you. 

Thinking about you a lot and your upcoming travels. I am wanting to travel with you and wanting to travel blind…but knowing I must serve you more and more in the vani sense. Sometimes it feels as though you are physically present in our morning program. I’m finding over and over again that anytime I feel discouraged, depressed, no enthusiasm..all that needs to be done is to cry out in the Guruastikam song then like magic or mysticism some enthusiasm comes in and I feel connected again(and japa improves like a symbiotic relationship). Sometimes it’s as if you are dancing in front of me. Each verse iconographic and a world of discovery. It’s sobering and blissful simultaneously. I’m committed to this experiment and we are not missing a single morning. Sometimes it works at home but mostly it is most potent at the temple(The rugged ignorant individual in me doesn’t like this!). But more then just relief from suffering it is the perspective.

Slowly slowly losing this taste for wanting to be a great man/bad man. Some intelligence is telling me to just secretly be a good disciple.  

“Day by day, stone by stone

Build your secret slowly

Day by day, you'll grow too

You'll know heaven's glory”

-Little Church inspired by Saint Francis

It’s an amazing thing, Gurumaharaja..every single Thursday program and so many conversations at work and in the street Carl Jung is mentioned. And when I simply repeat some things I’ve heard from you, their eyes light up.

Another possible bridge we are experimenting with is this book: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. We have started a new series on it for our Thursday program. Each chapter or agreement has been a wonderful jumping off point to basic Bhakti topics and specificity Nectar Of Instruction. Seems like 80 percent of people here either have read the book or have wanted to read it. I got it when I was a teenager and it may have helped me come to KC. Very famous book. Curious if you know it or know his other book Beyond Fear. Who were these Toltec people and what was their relation to Vedic culture? Is a question that keeps coming up. 

Lastly, many politics and changes in infrastructure in our temple and in the US government. Our temple’s government has been shut down in a way as well. But it’s going in a good direction and this has raised a lot of questions for me personally: Do we need both conservative and liberal devotees for a healthy spiritual  community? And should the two aspects be balanced within us? Like Prabhupada talks about the razors edge.. and can we put smarta Brahmins, consrervitives, and more dictative speakers all in the same general category and then Avadhutas, liberals and provocative speakers all in the same general category as well? And are these two mentalities eternal?  

Thank you for all the enlivening classes recently. The redwood tree that is Houston temple is a great inspiration for our Boise bonsai tree temple. The squirrel moving the stone is just as important to Lord Ram as the big boulders the monkeys carry?  

Your aspiring servant, 

Nitisara Das 

HpSwami ASA 🐒- Lord Nityananda and Srila Advaita Acharya engage in mock joyful arguments about conservative and liberal attitudes.

Srila Prabhupada comments that there have always been these two attitudes: Avadhuta and Smarta, and they have never understood each other and they never will.

Yet their conflicts stimulate each other and they love each other like anything.

Yes, in the drama, there are no small parts, just small actors!

Realize Boise is the center of the universe.

Will look at above book.

See you soon.

Respects to all?

jaya Gurudeva! please accept my obeisances to sweet dust of your lotus feet🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🪷👣🌷🌹🌷🌹💖All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

All glories To You my eternal Gurumaharaja 🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🪷👣🌷🌹🌹Our idea is just to read the book. Do not comment on anything extra. It wouldn't be doing any other work. but to help these books of Prabhupada can be heard in Spanish, to make a service for ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada. On the other hand, if you want to comment on something, I don't think you can do it. Srila Prabhupada explains everything very well and I feel unable to add anything.

It would be what is now called audio book. If you Gurudeva is fine with you and you want me to comment, I would make an effort to try to comment on something... but I think it would be useless...it would take me longer to upload it and maybe I'll lose Srila Prabhupada's job. We will ask the devotees. Thank you very much Gurudeva.

Please forgive any unintentional offense🙏🙇🏻‍♀️👣🌷🌹💖

Trying to please your lotus heart🪷🌹🏞️

Japa Prati Jalpa Radha Devi Dasi

HpS - ASA /// Same comment as before. I think Jagadisvara Das had the same result, and I have heard of others having the same result.

They just want to reproduce the BBT material in different media, but then after investing a great deal of effort they get a polite but firm legal notice from the BBT, that they must take everything down because they do not have BBT copywrite approval.

I think in one aspects they are forced to do this by Copywrite law. If a copywrite holder knows that someone is distributing there material on mass media and do not tell them to stop, they are giving permission and then others can do the same thing.

Again, asks Caturatma Das and Mataji for help.

Of course, I think you can read some and share with friends.