Letters to the editor

Dear HPS. Hare Krishna from Sacramento, California. AGTSP.

If you remember when you were in Sacramento I did this recording link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkT5JnZufgE

HpS - AGTSP! It is always very freaky when we see ourselves in videos!

Thank you for your replies. Now I need some things clarified according to what I have read, so I am quoting your replies from the other conversation.[https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/10619/]

ASA - Yes. The Six Goswami's would meet and discuss philosophy, strategy, no?

HPS: As far as I know Jayathirtha chanted on my beads, Bhakta Das recommended me for first initiation and Nita Das chose my name. Whose disciple am I. Ha! Ha! Ha Ray!!

Question: This means that Srila Prabhupada authorized his senior disciples to do your initiation on Srila Prabhupada's behalf. Does this also mean you had a "rittik initiation" [ritvik] – representative of the acarya"?

HpS 2109 Dec 1 (191201) - The problem for us is that we have never seen Srila Prabhupada us this word Ritvik one time in any Purport, so we don't see it as a word with any depth. I am a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Anybody who is intiated by his disciple is his disciple. They are also diciples of Narottama Das Thaura and Lord Caitanya. Disciple means one who follows the discipline. Prabhupada's comment.

Who is your Diksa guru? I would say that I am the diksa guru in connection with Prabhupada. If I fall down from my connection with Srila Prabhupada or I just die at 76-yers old, there is no need to take Diksa again. You were connected to Srila Prabhupada, no?

HpS ._. Answered above, no? We are not opposed to people having as much direct relationship as they can with Srila Prabhupada. We are just trying to act as one channel. If that involves be a link in the formality of initiation. O.K. If that involves explaining the books O.K. but our only desire is to just be a transparent via media to Srila Prabhupad and Krsna.

Question: So HPS as an official ISKCON Guru, is following the same system of initiation on behalf of the Acarya? So the initiate is actually a disciple of Srila Prabhupada as per the letter below and HPS is just doing the formalities, explaining the books, inspiring, setting a good example, etc.. and most importantly connecting the initiate to Srila Prabhupada? I want to know what is the consciousness or mentality of HPS!

Or HPS thinks that person HPS is initiating on behalf of Srila Prabhupada is HPS disciple, meaning that HPS is initiating and HPS is the authority, not Srila Prabhupada? You get it..where I am going with this..very subtle.

For example: if HPS says something that contradicts Srila Prabhupada's version, we can accept Srila Prabhupada's version (error on side of caution) and neglect HPS version..

HpS - Certainly, but trnad api sunicena... we try to discuss it with HpS and so often he says, "Oh, wow, thank you!".

Srila Prabhupada uses the word my disciple over 89 times in his letters, so him being the Acarya he can claim because without him I won't be here. but the officiating person cannot claim because he has no rights, he is acting under order.

HpS - One thing, as far as I know Prabhupada never authorized the letters to be published. There is even a letter to Brahmananda where Prabhupada says not to distribute his letters unless they are specifically for wide distribution, but Hansadutta Das, one of my principal, Siksa gurus, got a hold of them and published them so I guess the BBT had to follow. I like reading letters, but I belong to the Jayadvaita Swami school which puts the in a different category from Bhaktivedanta Purports.

Then, I don't understand your reasoning very well. From one perspective we can say that Srila Prabhupada has no authority of his own either. He is just acting under the aurhority of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta.... back to Krsna is the original Guru.

I like Sridhara Swami's comment... Trnad api sunicena... amanina manadena... our goal is not have as few Guru's as possible, but as many, to see everyone as our Guru, but... the proper style.

I can be a Madhyama adhikari and accept disciples but unless I do it in connection with Srila Prabhupada it has no meaning. Of course, we only accept people as disciples, students, who have a clear idea of who is Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON and who are we. BG 10.10-11. The Paramatma is Guru... That doesn't change with the fire sacrifice.

O.K.???

Regarding Guru Nanak:

"Common man should accept the ācāryas. They must follow. Ācāryopāsanam. Just like in India the Sikhs, they follow Guru Nanak. So Guru Nanak says, "Yes, Kṛṣṇa, incarnation of God." So they should accept, that's all. Not that every Sikh is expected to be unlimited as Guru Nanak. That is not expected. But they should follow Guru Nanak. Then they will understand. Guru Nanak says, "Kṛṣṇa is incarnation of God." The all the Sikhs should accept, "Yes, Kṛṣṇa is..." Then it is all right. It is not expected that every Sikh will understand Kṛṣṇa. Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.186]."

HpS - Thank you!!

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Letter to: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents—

Vrindaban

9 July, 1977

77-07-09

To All G.B.C., and Temple Presidents

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the

GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada

indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as

"rittik" [ritvik] – representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing

initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so

far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:

His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami

His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami

His Holiness Jayapataka Swami

His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami

His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami

His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami

His Holiness Hansadutta Swami

His Holiness Ramesvara Swami

His Holiness Harikesa Swami

His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari

His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari

In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada

recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada

has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send

2

recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven

representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the

recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated

disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of

second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada

has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as

His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these

representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the

fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly

initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or

her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated

Disciples" book.

Hoping this finds you all well.

Your servant,

Tamala Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

Approved: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

HpS - Thank you again. For me it is simple. I am following Srila Prabhupada and I am going back to play with Krsna and anybody following me following Srila Prabhupada will also go back. Back to your service in the Sankirtan movment at any level and it will all become very clear.

Photo of us attached.

Pamho! AgtSP! la Madre tiene su cuenta en el blog pero no tuvo exito, no se ve el texto.

Muy apreciado Maharaja Hanumatpresaka Swami, reverencias a sus pies.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Agradezco mucho la oportunidad de poder comunicarme directamente con usted.

Mi nombre es Lavanga dasi (GPS) Luz María Villarruel Ponce, lo conozco desde la primera vez que vino a México creo fue en 1996, he intentado seguir sus actividades ya que su prédica me parece sumamente importante.  

Me entere que nuevamente somos afortunados de tenerlo con nosotros y quise estar más informada para poder participar en las actividades que tienen planeadas y apoyar. Así que madre Asta Sakhi dd muy gentilmente me indico que estar en este blog es la mejor forma.

Por favor Su Santidad, considere que soy su sirvienta y permita que pueda yo apoyar su proyecto educativo, estoy invitando al conversatorio “La Educación lo Sagrado” a unas amigas maestras, ojala puedan poner este día en su agenda.

Con profundo afecto y consideración.

Su sirvienta

Lavanga dasi

HpS - AgtSP Paoho. Please use translate.google.com to read this letter. We will be happy to see you on Mexico. Please read our Kapi Dhvaja, news bulletin, on our Webpage

Thank you. Very best wishes for your Sankirtan.

NAMA OM VISHNU-PADAYA KRISHNA-PRESTAYA BHUTALE

SRIMATE HANUMATPRESAKA SWAMI ITI NAMINE

Apreciable Guru Maharaji. Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias. Espero que se encuentre bien y esté gozando de buena salud. La presente carta es para comunicarle que hace algunos días tuvimos una reunión entre algunos hermanos espirituales (Madre Lalita Gopi, Madre Gopi Radha, Prabhu Sacinandana, Madre Saranagati, Prabhu Aristasena). La finalidad de la misma fue iniciar un dialogo mediante el cual pudiéramos expresar nuestras inquietudes y preocupaciones con respecto a la forma en estan pasando la comunicación y organización de sus visitas.  

             En la conversación dada entre hermanos espirituales se sugiere que se forme un comité de devotos con segunda iniciación a fin de generar equidad en la toma de decisiones para hacer posible la integración y participación. Dicho comité estaría integrado por Prabhu Jagat Bandhu, Madre Lalita Gopi, Madre Gopi Radha, Prabhu Sacinandana, Madre Saranagati, Prabhu Aristasena.

               Teniendo la encomienda de ser comunicador sobre las anteriores inquietudes, y deseando servir a sus pies de loto, se despide su sirviente.

Aristasena das

¡Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

AGTSP, AGTHPS, PAMHO

NAMA OM VISHNU-PADAYA KRISHNA-PRESTAYA BHUTALE

SRIMATE HANUMATPRESAKA SWAMI ITI NAMINE

Dear Guru Maharaji. Please accept my humble obeisances. I hope this letter gets you in good health. The present report is to inform you, that a few days ago we had a meeting between some spiritual brothers (Mother Lalita Gopi, Mother Gopi Radha, Prabhu Sacinandana, Mother Saranagati, Prabhu Aristasena). The purpose was to initiate a dialogue through which we could express our concerns regarding the way in which has been conducted the communication and organization of your visits. What was considered was the following aspects and conforming a Committee, which, if you approve, take charge of these matters and a direct communication to you:

We suggest forming a committee of Prabhu Jagat Bandhu, Madre Lalita Gopi, Madre Gopi Radha, Prabhu Sacinandana, Madre Saranagati, Prabhu Aristasena for organizing and representing México´s Yatra, of spiritual brothers and aspirants. Also the communication charge that allows a contact to you.

[Translation, Lalita Gopi d. d.]

HpS - Hare Krsna. AGTSP. Paoho. Primero Ingles y despues Google.com.

Thank you so much for this letter. We ask people to use the Priority Code given in each Kapi Dhvaja because that means that they should be looking at and reading the Kapi Dhvaja. If the don't do that then we have to repeat and inform them of so many basic things that are mentioned in the Kapi Dhvaja that we cannot possible have efficient communication.

We try to answer other letters but especially when we are traveling it is very difficult. We have six hours of regular preaching programs daily and converse with dozens of devotees.

Next, from Bhakit Svarupa Damodara Swami, our Sannyasa guru, we learned that in this kind of format we can glorify devotees by name but best to villify them only with reference to general principles.

Criticizing other devotees is very delicate and we should do it in terms of Upadesamrta 5.

In terms of communicating with us, we are always trying to start with the Kapi Dhvaja and personal communication while traveling. Then there is this Blog. Anyone can write in the proper way and then we all can make decisions about initiations, travel plans, public preaching programs and engaging junior devotees in good programs.

Just because we give Diksa to someone does not mean that we have to be their principal Siksa guru or Sankirtan leader. It can be natural. Of course Srila Prabhupada is the principal Guru in both of these cases, no? Our Sankirtan party is the Anjana Suta Academy and we can coordinate cooperation though that institution rather than by an institution of devotees who have taken Diksa from us. O.K? Of course, Vyasa puja is an annual event related to this Diksa process and there are others that are a part of our Sankirtan. Diksa and Sankirtan are connected. You have to investigate how to coordinate the two.

As far as a committee goes, let us discuss it when we are in Mexico. You and me, others.

If we communicate here then we can form committees, working teams etc. very naturally. O.K?

Waiting for your next letter (with current Priority Code 😁).

HpS - ASA

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HpS - Hare Krsna. AGTSP. Paoho Primero Ingles y despues Google.com.

Muchas gracias por esta carta. Le pedimos a las personas que usen el Código de prioridad dado en cada Kapi Dhvaja porque eso significa que deberían estar mirando y leyendo el Kapi Dhvaja. Si no lo hacen, entonces tenemos que repetir e informarles de tantas cosas básicas que se mencionan en el Kapi Dhvaja que no podemos tener una comunicación eficiente.

Tratamos de responder otras cartas, pero especialmente cuando viajamos es muy difícil. Tenemos seis horas de programas regulares de predicación diariamente y conversamos con docenas de devotos.

Luego, de Bhakit Svarupa Damodara Swami, nuestro gurú Sannyasa, aprendimos que en este tipo de formato podemos glorificar a los devotos por su nombre, pero lo mejor es vilipendiarlos solo con referencia a principios generales no nombre.

Criticar a otros devotos es muy delicado y debemos hacerlo en términos de Upadesamrta 5.

En términos de comunicación con nosotros, siempre estamos tratando de comenzar con el Kapi Dhvaja y la comunicación personal mientras viajamos. Luego está este Blog. Cualquiera puede escribir de la manera adecuada y luego todos podemos tomar decisiones sobre iniciaciones, planes de viaje, programas de predicación pública y la participación de devotos jóvenes en buenos programas.

El hecho de que le demos Diksa a alguien no significa que tengamos que ser su principal gurú Siksa o líder Sankirtan. Puede ser natural pero tambien puede ser otro, por ejemplo Bh. Bhusana Swami. Por supuesto, Srila Prabhupada es el Gurú principal en ambos casos, ¿no? Nuestra grupo de Sankirtan es la Academia Anjana Suta y podemos coordinar la cooperación a través de esa institución en lugar de por una institución de devotos que nos han dando Diksa. ¿OKAY? Por supuesto, Vyasa puja es un evento anual relacionado con este proceso de Diksa y hay otros que forman parte de nuestro Sankirtan. Diksa y Sankirtan están conectados. Tienes que investigar cómo coordinar los dos.

En cuanto a un comité, podemos hablemos de ello cuando estemos en México? Tú y yo, otros.

Si nos comunicamos aquí, entonces podemos formar comités, equipos de trabajo, etc. de forma muy natural.

Esperando su próxima carta (con el Código de prioridad actual😁) HpS - ASA

TlgaSP! Pfanrh Estamos recibiendo algunas cartas de México sobre cómo organizar la administración de nuestras actividades allí.

Quién se iniciará, cuál será nuestro itinerario mientras esté allí.

El principio básico es solo la comunicación aquí en el Blog. Astasakhi Devi Dasi nos ha estado escribiendo regularmente sobre estas cosas para que le respondamos.

Si otros escriben aquí, por supuesto, responderemos. Usamos el Código de prioridad en la sección Kapi Dhvaja, Cartas al editor.

HpS - ASA

AGTSP paoho

Caturatma Das wrote to the GBC Executive Committee et al and His Holiness Jayapataka Swami answered him with copy to us. Here is our answer to Maharaja et al ---

Hare Krsna!     AgtSP!!!

Esteemed Jayapataka Maharaja et al,

It is very humbling for us to be remembered by your esteemed self. First, we have to demur that we have never been "requested to discuss with the Peruvian leaders and come to a solution". As a visiting Sannyasi we have been consulted and informed on these political and administrative issues for about 20-years, but only a few months ago we were asked with Mathuresa Das and Bhakti sundara Swami to form a committee to investigate the criticisms of Ganga-mayi Devi Dasi`s administrative dealings with money and power in Peru.

We did that and sent the report that I think you saw.

My conclusion was that without opportunity to talk with you I could not go any deeper into the investigation and you quickly solved that by contacting us. Thank you.

In conclusion of that phone call I understood that whatever Ganga Mataji and devotees working with her had done in terms of Miraflores rental and renting a new building was within general bounds understood and approved by you. Details you did not know.

Second that it is of highest priority to install the three Property Trustees so that the properties cannot be sold or encumbered without their approval. For that I felt I had to talk with a lawyer directly.

We did that. With Caturatma and Karuna Krsna Das we visited one very intelligent, friendly, competent, successful, common sense guy. From that discussion I understood that it is a detail of Peruviana law that the outgoing President is supposed to sign in the incoming officers, but if he does not act there are other ways to get it done, and that even though the concept of Property Trustees is not so commonly used in Peru it can be accomplished according to one or two details of what we are trying to accomplish.

Besides that we had very good communication with H. G. Caitanya candra Das, M. Ganga DD and Yamunesvara Das. Of course there has been ongoing communication with Mathuresa Das, Karuna, Caturatma and other leaders. I get along very well with Caturatma because we both have the tendency of being lawyers, which at times I feel must be frustrating to your esteemed self and H. H. Hrdayananda Gos.

In conclusion, considering the emotional, political, legal, practical situation our suggestion to Mataji and the incoming Legal Officers is that everyone signs an agreement that you will be timely and clearly informed of any actions taken by the new Officers that can lead to legal action against Mataji and that they agree to add the Trustees as soon as possible by changing the statutes of the association in a format agreed upon by the current lawyer and the new fellow we met, then she will complete the formalities of signing in the new officers.

We have asked Mathures Das to see if Mataji can accept this and Caturatma to see if Caitanya candra can accept this.

Besides this as far as I have been informed the authority for the President to sell any property on their sole authority WAS removed by a change in the Statutes at the meeting in August.

There are other details, but we will not mention them now.

In general we are warmed by your sincere love for everyone involved. We see that everyone has faults, maybe all about on the same level, but if we go ahead with the Sankirtan we can make reasonable adjustments to the political situation.

Hanumatpresaka Swami

We are in Cordoba, Argentina, 4.45PM after and exciting monsoon, and with incredible Sankirtan with the Jungian community on a global basis!

Querido Gurumaharaja 

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias!

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada! 

Estoy recordando está pregunta "Vamos a ser separados por la muerte?"

Se habla de la relación eterna con el maestro espiritual y como expresa Bhaktivinoda Thakura, razona mal quien piensa que el vaisnava muere pues siempre vive en el sonido... en sus obras y ejemplo vivo . 

Siempre he tenido una pregunta ¿como reconoceré a Gurumaharaja en el mundo espiritual? Ha sido un pensamiento constante. 

Hace un tiempo tuve un sueño.

Gurumaharaja informó a sus discípulos: he decidido dejar de viajar por diferentes países, me retiraré a un lugar sagrado, busco el desapego de la fama y seguidores, no sabrán donde estaré pero estaré bien, debo prepararme para la muerte. Fue un gran shock!! 

Tomé la desicion de encontrarlo porque era muy difícil no saber de Usted, soy muy sentimental. 

En el sueño viaje por variados lugares místicos, diferentes a este mundo material, hasta que llegue a un lugar especial en donde se sentía la escasez de cualquier identificación material. 

Habían muchos renunciantes, sannyasis, con un chadar en la cabeza, no se sabía quien era quien, caminaban con trascendencia uno tras otro. 

De pronto un grupo pasó frente a mí a mediana distancia y pude reconocerlo de espalda, parecía igual a los demás pero si era Gurumaharaja!! Grité fuerte Gurumaharaja!!!! Lo encontré!!! 

Usted movió ligeramente sus hombros sin voltear pero aprobando mi hallazgo. 

Me pregunto, así lo reconoceré en el mundo espiritual? 

Puede ser un cuerpo espiritual diferente o igual a otros pero sabré que es Usted? Presiento que si.

La muerte no separa al discípulo del maestro. 

Únicamente tenemos que seguir fielmente las instrucciones que son las únicas que nos acompañarán en el momento de la muerte, cada quien en su propio avión.  

Disculpe que ocupe Su valioso tiempo por favor. 

Su eterna aspirante a sirviente 

Asta Sakhi dd.

HpS - ASA --- TLGASP!!!! pfanrh.... Pienso la primera coneccion voy a ser por inclinacion. Vamos a encontrar uno a otro en mundo espiritual o en actividades espiritual en el mundo material y ser atraido servir a Krsna juntos. Basicamente vamos a ser inclinado tomar refugio de Srila Prabhupada en proxoma vida y servir juntos en el Sankirtan otra vez. Pienso tenemos formas, de vaca, burro, cucuracha, en Goloka o Ayodhya y llegamos a esta nivel podemos relacion de nuestra forma eterno en terminos completa acuerda de nuestras pasatiempos en ISKCON en el mundo material, despues de volver a mundo espiritual.

Es como dos prisionerors saliendo del prision. Tiene su vida, familia, pero nunca dejando la relacion que tuvieron en la prision. O.K?