Letters to the editor

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.

Hare Krishna, Dear Guru Maharaja,

At the Hare Krishna Fair, sponsored by Municipalidad de Quilicura, we distributed more than 300 USD in books, Guru Maharaja! They gave us 18 stands to sell prasadam and books. Chandramukha Swami was our guest.

HpS/ASA 🐵

🐒

🐒 🐒 Super!!! All respects to Maharaja and all the Sankirtaneros.

All the video: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DPjKJutDQuk/

And pictures here: The Embassy of India in Chile https://web.facebook.com/IndiaInChile/posts/pfbid0XEhkC7HnaNrgfDwjVRkikdBJ1SQcLQkw48vCzSFxGcttq5A7TrKWx7QXutjozL6Cl

We had a spiritual retreat with 16 people in Puerto Varas, south of Chile (12 hours in bus, 1,5 h. plane). Most of them are complete newcomers. There, the preaching is led by Bhaktin Monica Ramirez and her husband, Matias Valiente are doing a very good job preaching and cultivating new people. They are inspired by Kamalanandini, our senior preacher in Coyaique, because this young couple adopt el bhakti there in Coyaique. They invited me to their first retreat to introduce everyone to mangala arati and Bhagavatam. The main topic was Upadesamrta. I talked for 6 hours in two days. I was exhausted, but it seems that everyone was happy, according to their final feedback. But eveyrhing is good seeing the Llanquihue lake there, the second largest of Chile.

ASA - It must be a reflection of a lake in Vaikuntha. Ayodhya. Lanka[?].

The Ratha Yatra was organised by Dina Dayal and his team. It was just two days ago, so there are no details yet about how many books and everything, but it was a very successful effort.

HpS - Here they had their second Rathayatra in the neighborhood park. Very intense!

Here are some pictures. Mahavisnu Swami Maharaja is here with us. He came because of this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQytgzNETVS/?img_index=1

What's next

Also, the Indian Embassy invested more than 2000 USD in buying 200 Bhagavad Gitas to distribute in an event next Friday here in the temple. We are inviting mayors, congressmen, dignitaries and leaders of society to this event:

• We have had this invitation to a school this 21st November where children since 7 to 17 years old will be there. We visited several times because they organised this event about different religions. We used to do kirtana and distribute and give for free some books. We also have a conversatorio with the teacher and students, and a general presentation on the stage with most of the students there.

Finally, the November 23rd, we are participating in a program called Yoga para Todos led by a friend of devotees Fran Kirtidev in San Miguel. We went once and we distributed a lot of books, but now more people will attend.

I have two more reports waiting. They are about the Spiritual Intelligence project and 3rd Latin American Congress on Education with ISKCON - Santiago, Chile.

HpS - Thank you! For us we kind of feel like Nashville was our office, Lima our Home and Santiago our Sankirtan spot.

All the pictures of Rama lila were there on the windows.

The picture of Hanumatpresaka Hanuman was right by the door, go out to preach!!

Govinda carana Das is sending Blog Posts about fixing dates for our ASA visit to Lima:

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/15926/

Yadu Swami is pushing his travel agent for good tickets from Marid to Stg. for the two (or more) of us.

You also have Radhika-ramana Das's dates now, too, no?

Seems like we can fix some dates and buy the tickets pretty soon, no?

Try to keep ourselves pure, then KRSNA will send innocent people, and they must remain patient to hear the situation of this material world and its contrast with the spiritual world. One, Two, Three.

We really hope we can fit into this movement and these events.

1. Why are you (me [readers]) personally involved in The Congress etc.
2. Who are our partners, who have answered 1 above.
3. Base upon 1 and 2 then... making plans.
4. Based up 3 acquire resources eg. venue.

Given 'em a book! Straight to the heart!!!!!

📚



All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please accept my humble obeisances, dear Gurudeva. 🙏

I hope you are doing very well.

HpS - It is 8.54PM.

We have pretty nice Ashrama space in Houston Temple. Nice community. Very, very, very intense Rathayatra program for last two days.

Our body is 81% functional.

Many good doctors!!

In general, we feel that life is a battle of Kuruksetra. You get defeated in damaged in encounters with Prasadam and association with people, media, but you win some very strategic fights like Sixteen Rounds early, four princely pals, Full Morning Service, different Sankirtan service, and every victory is eternal!

We were almost dead after the Rathayatra fair grounds and parade!!!!!! Honored Prasada pretty well. Rested and then we look at our priority list, schedule the next few hours and get some results!

Answer mail.

I wanted to share that we recently had the Deity Worship Course organized by the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry, led by Prabhu Nrishimha Kavaca and his team here in New Vrindaban. Rohini, Gopi Radha, and around thirty devotees participated, including some from New York, Houston, Canada, and other places. Today was the final day of the exams, and we are very happy to have completed it.

HpS - Super! My old friend.

Personally, I realized that over the years I have tried to maintain service in deity worship, but much of it may have been mechanical, sometimes a little better. Now, everything seems to make sense—the mantras, the items, the cleaning, the concentration—but most importantly, the inner transformation that must happen within ourselves. How can we demonstrate external cleanliness if our minds and hearts are not clean? Everything we are is reflected in our deity worship. Our values, our efforts, everything we cultivate within ourselves can be seen there.

It was very inspiring to see the devotees with their different natures, showing love, gentleness, sweetness, and dedication to the deities, despite any limitations they might have. It is not easy to see my own faults, but Krishna always shows me that not everything is wrong.

I am still learning to speak English, Gurudeva, but I try every day to speak and understand as best I can. I sincerely wish to learn more from so many devotees and their vast experience in deity service.

HpS - One level is that you know enough to write things so that Google will be able to translate them well and your can see any big mistakes in the translation!

Thank you very much, Gurudeva, for all the facilities and blessings you give us, thanks to which we can now be in this place and learn from wonderful devotees. May Lord Nishimhadeva grant you His protection under the shade of His lotus feet.

Your servant,

Gopi Radha DD

HpS - I think 25-people with find your news like nectar on the tongue of a thirsty man!!!

Any photos?

We cannot see until we post the letter.

Who are your regular associates.

Family?