Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Guru maharaja,

We watched this video on the ISKCON Ministry of Education YouTube channel about Guru tattva from HH Bhani Swami

https://youtu.be/J5gtm15q3nY?si=q7M_mJ4KcR9Tdbp_

Would you please take a look at it and let us know your thoughts. I found it interesting and would like to hear from you about it.

Your servant,

Nanda-braja das

Ps. here is a video of the presentation, I haven't watched it yet, just the q&a.

https://youtu.be/kSFXTV7TV7A?si=-eZHGp02CfpcrcrJ

HpS/ASA - We, agtSP, looked at it.

It is, a very interesting istagosthi.

of course, we have commented that we feel like we were Chinese, Mexican monks in our last lifetime, and we are technically natives of the Oriental pacific island Guam.

so it seems natural that we have so much affection when we hear from Bhanu maharaja, who is from oriental tradition.

we feel we have a very common perspective with him in so many ways.

one point about uttama Adhikari being a sadhaka. in waves of devotion dhanurdara swami explains a text from BRS that talks about the uttama Adhikari being a saddhaka and he explains that there are two senses for the word. one is someone who is following the rules and regulations as service and the other is someone who is acting in terms of the mellows of devotional service but is still not completely beyond the boundaries of the material structure.

so many statements from SP about guru, no?

it is like easy to make practical decision.

any special thoughts you have in terms of the istagosthi?

Nanda. - One specific question: what do you expect, ask and desire of your disciples who may take on the a role of a siksa guru?

HpS - That is included above, no? Jayananda Das would start casual conversations with people wherever he would go, and then he might comment by saying that his old grand daddy said... and then gives some statement from srila prabhupada.

so we act as Siksa guru differently as the situation demands.

I think Maharaja comments that there are no rituals for accepting someone as a Siksa guru.

From WhatsApp

[10/23/2025 6:24 PM] HP Swami - Prof HHR: "VDM 2.95 Please always remember what Lord Caitanya has taught about the nature of Sri Vrndavana, the nature of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, and the nature of us individual spirit souls."

Studied to 2.99.

To properly understand, apply, these verses one must be eating only enough to keep body and soul together, no?

[10/23/2025 6:37 PM] Krsna-lila Das: I am doomed

HpS/ASA - If Krsna wants us to serve Him directly in Vraja's groves, then let us be determined to become adept. if He wants us to join Radha as Sita, and play Rama-lila, then let us grow a tail and more hair.

🌴

🌴🌴🌴🌴

. . . . 👯.. 🐒....

. . . . .

October 6, 2025

pamho, AGtSP!

TILL DEATH DO WE PART.

  Thought I’d better write before I’m dead, too busy to be this old, yet, am learning to pace better. The jobs are all odd now, aside from “Harinam,’it seems to be a re-honed destiny, bringing reality.

Now having to fix our gate and fence, occasional side work in the trades and keep vigilant with dear Subhra’s compromises in career.

She’s now doing administration and I monitor her stress from the “slaughter house of knowledge.”

Regardless she sometimes, covertly, influences sincere people into the Temples’ fold, something unintentional and quite bold for modern Academic standards.

While all the juggling & balancing go on, the 16-4 is truly what sustains us in days that are sometimes too long. It is our foundation in our house of gyrations, along with some sincere effort in our Buddhi aspirations... carry on, chant the Holy Song!

 YUGA DHARMA FIRST.

 Speaking of duty, the “Gate” has 2 posts out, one to go, then 3 specifically placed 4X’S.

Today just digging out and then off to Gainesville (GNV) for Friday Harinam. Tuesdays we do Harinam in Alachua, seems to help lessen my conditioned state, God knows I do need association, out for now, digging in the dirt, got another post out, one to go... if it wasn’t warped I could of left it there, se la vie.

. . .

Showered up and heading to GNV, 4pm Hari Nam at 13^th & University across from the UF campus, we’ve got a few devotees, mostly seniors and Prabhupada disciples, still more to come, we’re on for 90 minutes, more or less, preferably more! Looks like it will be even more, Football game tomorrow, we come and chant at the pre-game entrance, a lot of good exposure.

. . . 

   Keeping pace on japa this morning, have to keep it going, and then we can focus on the Harinam this afternoon. If done right it will also free time for a bit of the “Honey-Dues” at the house. ‘Grha’ is a tricky ashram and I now know why Vanaprastha is offered, it’s to keep a vision of dharma to prevent from getting buried in a deep-well covered with grass.

   Finished our Saturday “bonus” Kirtan at the “Gator Game,” now back at our abode, we had a good group of about 25 devotees at the University of Florida, quite few new Russians visiting, we all managed to get fired up enough that the rain held off till we left, free shower after a balmy campus Kirtan. Devotee association really does keep us enthusiastic. Next game is October 17^th in Jacksonville, time for road tour.

 DAILY SEVA TAPASYA.

     Been keeping up with Yantra-Japa now for almost 3 years now, and have been getting some presentiments of shortcomings. If more focus is not applied, sleep becomes an enemy in this “jotting-japa” (as with any japa) and may now see actual deflection of concentration on paper. When my autopilot takes over during nod-offs, immediate scrawls or disfigured shapes graphically appear on the chart.

  The good part is I may retro-fit some fresh mantras in to correct, whereas on mala I tend to lose track. With age, that “sleeping” tendency gets to easy. When consciousness and lethargy hover together it is almost a third state of consciousness, very self-deceptive. Standing up, spray of water, or even a short break does help restore attentiveness. I know this will be an ongoing battle till the end. Challenge is on!

. . .

  Well, well, time does tell, another project within another project. Likened to dominoes, one leads to another. This is a formula that becomes quite a task in daily affairs, along with lifetime practices, yet the needful brings to needed fulfillments, not just for the self, but to persons in “need,” this why the art of seva is so rewarding, it’s not for us... it is US! We are complete when engaged and temporarily surcharged to perform, then rest until the next service; this is peremptory training in my humble opinion. Be it duty or decreed, it will bring satisfaction in selfless activities, just what we need, thus fulfilling closings in daily services, enchanting our Soul and pleasing the Supreme, a worthy goal.

HpS/ASA - Jayananda Das commented that you don't need a big, very significant service at every, even any moment. You just need to always be engaged in service. That service is the best way to be engaged in more intense and broadly significant service. "vidya vadu jivanam"

Kartika

It’s that time again! The month of enhanced awareness and sacrifice, do what I can, maintaining always is a good start.

Love the extra songs with the pastimes, breaks routine to tangible notions of devotion. Pet project is the completion of the SFRY SEVA book and sending it to Granthraja Prabhu. 1st day in, guess this is a good time to drop this letter at the Monkeys tree.

HpS - Maybe learning word by word meanings of part or all of the song.

Learn how to respond to the song without a song sheet. how to lead without a song sheet.

we are reading Vrndavana Dhama Mahimamrta as translated by his grace kusa krata das. posted details on the WhatsApp group!

Thank you for your most valuable time.

sincerely, C.C. your servant in training. 

hps/asa - how much is our time worth by the hour???? is there soul-money? USA Karmi paycheck is in Wally Dollars, no? Money that can be exchanged for any goods or services at Walmart.

We are getting paid in dollars that can be exchanged for things at K-Mart??

[Remember. Money is just Monkey spelled with a K (for KRSNA) inserted in the middle. 😱

Have lots of Mon(k)ey! It's good for you!

Of course, we are eternal and possessed of unlimited energy. Self recharging AAA cells. Thus, all we want to do is serve Krsna.

Haw Haw Hare!

We are manufactured to work for free, forever.

For Go, Gopa, Gopi Govinda-nandana!

Who is Self absorbed in His own narcistic pleasures!

Hare Krsna. Hare Krsna...

Hare Krishna, Gurudev.

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing to you because, while reading the Bhagavad-gita (Chapter 17, Text 9), where the foods dear to each mode of nature are described, I noticed a detail in the translation of certain Sanskrit terms that I would humbly like to share with you.

From my familiarity with Ayurveda, where the twenty attributes (gunas) and the six tastes (rasas) are studied, I understand that these terms have very specific meanings. In the word-for-word translation of the verse, I noticed that:

• The term katu is translated as "bitter," when traditionally tikta is "bitter," and katu refers to "pungent."
• In turn, the word tiksna is translated as "pungent," when its meaning within the gunas is closer to "intense," "sharp," or "penetrating."

This led me to wonder, with all due respect, if the BBT's translation team is aware of these nuances and maintains them for a specific reason, or if it is something that might be considered for future editions.

Of course, this observation is purely technical and does not at all impede the transmission of Srila Prabhupada's instruction, nor does it diminish the immense potency of the Bhagavad-gita. I am simply sharing it as a reflection that arose from my study, with no intention of offending anyone.

Thank you very much, Gurudev.

Your servant,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - Hare Krsna. Thank you very many! Maybe these are English word usages that were prominent during the time of Bhaktisiddhant Sarasvati.

For example, I think at that time one might say that he went into the Bosses office and he was, "making love to his secretary". In current common English that my community uses, this would be interpreted as complete physical, sexual interaction, but at the time of Bh. Siddhanta, beginning of the 20th century (India) it would mean by what my community means, "flirting, hitting on her", verbal interplay.

Where are the translations you are using coming from?

Is very nice, practical discussion.

Hare Krishna, Gurudev.

Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Le escribo porque, mientras leía el Bhagavad-gita (capítulo 17, texto 9), donde se describen los alimentos preferidos en cada modalidad, noté un detalle en la traducción de ciertos términos en sánscrito que me gustaría compartir humildemente con usted.

Desde mi familiaridad con el Ayurveda, donde se estudian los veinte atributos (gunas) y los seis sabores (rasas), entiendo que estos términos tienen significados muy específicos. En la traducción palabra por palabra del verso, noté que:

• El término katu se traduce como "amargo", cuando tradicionalmente tikta es "amargo" y katu se refiere a lo "picante".
• A su vez, la palabra tiksna se traduce como "picante", cuando su significado dentro de las gunas es más cercano a "intenso", "penetrante" o "agudo".

Esto me llevó a preguntarme, con todo respeto, si el equipo de traducción del BBT es consciente de estos matices y los mantiene por alguna razón específica, o si es algo que podría considerarse para futuras ediciones.

Por supuesto, esta observación es puramente técnica y no impide en absoluto la transmisión de la instrucción de Srila Prabhupada ni opaca la inmensa potencia del Bhagavad-gita. Simplemente lo comparto como una reflexión surgida de mi estudio, sin intención de ofender a nadie.

Muchas gracias, Gurudev.

Su sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Hare Krishna, Gurudev dandavat pranama...

Pamho agtSp...;

HpS - So nice, agtSP, to get your association.

I saw in your WhatsApp channel that you need actors and director I have interest to know whats your plan for that and what is all about. Maybe we can help with this artistic project...

I hope you're in good health and that we can see each other soon

Your servant

Parama Karuna das

HpS - Thank you. We were referring to travel companions et al, for this tour: Nashville, Dallas, Madrid (NVM), Chile, Lima, USA.

Because of our general abilities at 77-years old, we should probably be traveling with a companion.

Of course, if we have attendant to and from the airplane door, then we should expect good care by the airlines.

NIOS has funds to contribute to travel costs of people.

Of course, the overwhelming nature of anything realistic in Kali-yuga is Sankirtan, so, while traveling, we are looking for partners in Sankirtan, movie making, improvisational theater.

Right now. I think we will travel alone mostly to Spain, as the tickets on our flight to Madrid have probably gone through the roof by now.

Then, India, Santiago... probably with Yadu Swami.

Yet, if someone wants to go along with their ideas of Sankirtan. Filming whatever ASA TSKP does that is fine with us.

We publish our itenararies.

Thank you.!

Hare Krishna, Maharaja and Devotees.

We have lost another disciple of Prabhupada today, Vishvareta Prabhu. I met him in India in the 80's and reconnected with him in Miami. He, without a doubt, was my very good friend. Anyone that came in contact with him will say the same.

He departed today in the glorious month of Kartika surrounded by devotees. Oh, if only I could be so fortunate.

I am sharing a picture of him and me in New Vrndavaba 1986. This material world is so temporary and we (more me) are baffled to believe we will be eternally healthy and good looking.

I plan to be more active here as long as no one is offended

YS

Jaya Krishna das

HpS/ASA - AgtSP!! We had little contact with Prabhu. Of course, his son, Bhakti Visvareta was famous for being attended by by Prabhupada and leading Kirtan even as a child.

We will chant the Maha-mantra in front of his picture, and ask other so also chant!!

If you like, keep a picture of him prominent in your Ashrama and chant Maha-mantra in front of it as you decide, no?