Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaja,

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

If you feel I am qualified to serve Lord Narasimhadeva and Uncle Gismo in relation to the ASA Encyclopedia, it will be my great fortune.

Your insignificant servant,

Sugopi Radha Devi Dasi

HpS - ASA -- AGTSP!!! paoho..... Thank you for volunteering! Who was the youngest person to lead a national army?

1. We are trying to structure our ASA literary work. The ASA Encyclopedia seems like a good idea, but until we finish with our MOE and NIOS admnistrative responsibilities it may be too much.
2. Another approach is to work on OUR index to the NOI. That may be a better way to organize stuff.
3. Because of our Ashrama situations: Sanyasis and Brahmacarini, we would have to include someone or several others. Ambarisa Das and Vrsnbhanu n. D. D. are already great supporters of this work!! Of course, your esteemd parents. Let us see if others respond to this topic.
4. Here we have Letter types, Category A and B. We were thinking that Category A should be stuff to be considered for the Kapi Dhvaja and Category B should be stuff considered for the ASA(e).

Let us see what others think.

It would be ASA (e), not HpS(e).

Hare Krisna a todos los blogueros, locos y cuerdos. Pamho.

Quiero dar mi perspectiva sobre varna-asram-dharma-iskconiana.

ASA - Translation/Commentary Google: At -=-=-=-

Hace algún tiempo que quería comentar algo al respecto y cuando Laksmana Agraja prabhu hizo su comentario me anime a decir algo:

.- Llevo 22 años en servicios administrativos en ISKCON y pienso dejarlo en 2022. He sido Encargado de Departamento, Presidente de Templo, Secretario del Consejo Nacional y Presidente del Consejo Nacional en España. Es una experiencia cuando menos interesante. Por un lado sueles asociarte con devotos buenos, entregados a la misión y con experiencia ( o sea los administradores de otros proyectos, GBGs,etc). También tienes el estimulo que produce la prédica en si misma y estás informado de cosas que suceden en otros lugares, incluso si son confidenciales, etc.

Pero eso tiene un precio y, como dice Gurudev, estás metido en un sistema donde administrar se parece un poco a tratar de coordinar a una manada de gatos. Tienes que acostumbrarte a ser el blanco de las criticas, etc; en fin, a todo trabajo lo cubre algún tipo de defecto.

Podríamos decir que mi perspectiva es básicamente desde el punto de vista del administrador mas que del administrado. Aunque siempre tenemos a alguien por encima.

En primer lugar quiero recordar que la mayoría de nosotros entró en contacto con la Conciencia de Krisna a través de los libros, pudo asociarse con los devotos gracias a los templos y también encontró devotos que lo ayudaran en su vida espiritual dentro de este organigrama administrativo al que le debemos la mayor parte de nuestro progreso. Todo esto fue posible gracias a la buena, regular o mala administración de ISKCON.

Dicho esto voy a opinar brevemente sobre las reflexiones de Laksmana Agraja prabhu.

1) - ¿El administrador es un ksatriya?

Salvo situaciones de emergencia y breves lapsos de tiempo la cualidad predominante en el administrador debe ser la pasión (idealmente seguida de la bondad). Pero la pasión debe ser predominante. Si la cualidad predominante y clara de uno es la bondad debe dedicarse a leer, cocinar, tomar prasadam, hacer fuegos, y dar clases, cursos y seminarios pero no debe dedicarse a administrar.

2) - ¿ Cual es su cualificación?

Debe acercarse lo máximo posible a las caracteristicas del B.G. 18.43.

A) Es mas importante la naturaleza que la preparación. La preparación se puede adquirir, la naturaleza ya está adquirida. Por supuesto que un Raja Risi sería lo ideal, pero quizás es pedir demasiado. (Si tenemos un problema con la justicia no necesitamos a una buena persona que sea abogada sino a un buen abogado que sea persona). Necesitamos un buen administrador para administrar y si no es muy bueno dando charlas para eso están los brahmanas. El único hombre orquesta que conozco, que sabe hacerlo todo perfecto es Bhaktivedanta Swami.

3) Protección y cuidado de los devotos.

Coincido plenamente con prabhu Laksmana que esa es la prioridad: "Cuidar a tus hombres"(devotos de asram, congregación, mujeres, niños, etc., porque los templos no son llevados por un presidente sino por un equipo que lidera el presidente.

Por supuesto el lider debe tener un sadhana ejemplar y público siempre que sea posible. De ahí adquiere la fuerza (visión, determinación, confianza, etc) necesaria para continuar con su servicio.

El lider debe saber que va a ser criticado, con razón y sin razón. Eso forma parte del cargo y tiene que asumirlo. Cuanto mas purificado esté menos conflictos personales tendrá que resolver.

Mi opinión es que antes de criticar a un devoto que tiene una función administrativa: ya sea lider de pujaris, jefe de sankirtan, comandante o presidente de templo, GBC, etc., deberíamos haber pasado por las situaciones que están pasando ellos y luego criticar o callarnos según corresponda.

Es evidente que hay o habemos muchos devotos desempeñando puestos y posiciones ( administrativas, docentes, espirituales, etc.) para los que no estamos cualificados, pero nadie salta por la ventana y se convierte en el Presidente de Templo. Hay un proceso para ello.

Pienso que ISKCON tiene un handicap con el tema administrativo, guru tattva, etc, que tiene que solucionar; pero no creo que sea algo tan sencillo en una institución tan grande y con varias generaciones y perspectivas diferentes conviviendo juntas.

vuestro sirviente

Jayanta das.

P.D.- He sentido necesidad de dar mi opinión sobre este asunto para sentirme bien yo mismo. En ningún momento pienso que soy poseedor de la verdad absoluta sobre el tema, y estoy seguro de que otros devotos tendrán visiones mas claras que las mías. Mis opiniones son fruto de mi vivencia; nada mas.

-=-=-=-

I wanted to comment on this for some time and when Laksmana Agraja prabhu made his comment he encouraged me to say something:

.- I have been in administrative services at ISKCON for 22 years and I plan to leave it in 2022. I have been Head of Department, President of Temple, Secretary of the National Council and President of the National Council in Spain. It is an interesting experience to say the least. On the one hand, you tend to associate with good devotees, dedicated to the mission and with experience (that is, the administrators of other projects, GBCs, etc.) You also have the stimulus that the preaching produces itself and you are informed of things that happen in other places, even if they are confidential, etc.

But that comes at a price, and as Gurudev says, you're in a system where managing is a bit like trying to herd a pack of cats. You have to get used to being the target of criticism, etc; Anyway, all work is covered by some kind of defect.

We could say that my perspective is basically from the point of view of the administrator rather than the managed one. Although we always have someone above.

First of all I want to remember that most of us came into contact with Krishna Consciousness through books, was able to associate with devotees thanks to the temples and also found devotees to help him in his spiritual life within this administrative organization chart by that we owe him most of our progress. All this was possible thanks to the good, regular or bad administration of ISKCON.

That said, I will briefly comment on the reflections of Laksmana Agraja prabhu.

1) - Is the administrator a ksatriya?

Except for emergency situations and short periods of time, the predominant quality in the manager should be passion (ideally followed by kindness). But passion must be predominant. If one's predominant and clear quality is kindness, he should engage in reading, cooking, taking prasadam, making fires, and teaching classes, courses, and seminars, but he should not engage in administration.

2) - What is your qualification?

It should be as close as possible to the characteristics of the B.G. 18.43.

A) Nature is more important than preparation. The preparation can be acquired, nature is already acquired. Of course a Raja Risi would be ideal, but perhaps it is asking too much. (If we have a problem with the law, we do not need a good person who is a lawyer but a good lawyer who is a person). We need a good administrator to manage and if he is not very good at giving talks, that's what the brahmanas are for. The only male band I know who knows how to do everything perfectly is Bhaktivedanta Swami.

3) Protection and care of the devotees.

I fully agree with Prabhu Laksmana that this is the priority: "Take care of your men" (asram devotees, congregation, women, children, etc., because the temples are not run by a president but by a team led by the president.

Of course the leader should have an exemplary and public sadhana whenever possible. From there he acquires the strength (vision, determination, confidence, etc.) necessary to continue his service.

The leader must know that he is going to be criticized, rightly and wrongly. That is part of the job and you have to take it on. The more purified you are, the less personal conflicts you will have to resolve.

My opinion is that before criticizing a devotee who has an administrative function: be it leader of pujaris, head of sankirtan, commander or president of temple, GBC, etc., we should have gone through the situations that they are going through and then criticize or shut up as appropriate.

It is evident that there are or we have many devotees holding positions and positions (administrative, educational, spiritual, etc.) for which we are not qualified, but no one jumps out the window and becomes the Temple President. There is a process for it.

I think ISKCON has a handicap with the administrative issue, guru tattva, etc, which it has to solve; but I don't think it is something so simple in such a large institution and with several different generations and perspectives living together.

your servant

Jayanta das.

P.D.- I have felt the need to give my opinion on this matter to feel good myself. At no time do I think that I am the holder of the absolute truth on the subject, and I am sure that other devotees will have clearer visions than mine. My opinions are the fruit of my experience; nothing more.

ASA - Cool! Super. Mailman of God as well as Temple President who retired without having been assassinated. https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/14/31/

Hare Krsna Maharaj,

Though it is audacious suggestion, but seeing your work load, will it be possible if some [of] your advanced disciple can be assigned task/option of replies to bBog letter. then later you can add comment if required.

ASA - AGTS! Paoho... We could list addresses of some Sub-Editors in the "Letters to the Editor" section of the Kapi Dhvaja, no? With their character, interests, abilities eg. Vedanta, Japa, Yoga, Dogs, Mud, Clothes, Movies, Career, Evil and Business Must Mix, in the context of finding Mother Sita!

Is good idea?

We like it.

Should accept application for Sub-Editors now?

AGTSP!!!

Paoho.... Viplavah 2020/3, the Journal of the Ministry of Education of ISKCON, Edited by HpS and RrD and formatted by ArtD et al is up, beautiful and interesting:

www.jayarama.us/archives/viplavah2020-3web.pdf

Hare Krishna,

PAMHO, AGTSP

we are writing small letters, which you can reply at your discretion. hope that is fine, and this is also sankirtana.

HpS - It is good!!!

we hear your sat class, where you were talking about some post in SAS, which you floated and then, nobody applied, and your grace roled it back. our passionate eyes can not see such advertisement. please can you consider our application, qualification and intent for such post.

HpS - Hmmm. Don't understand. Yet, maybe others know the exact situation you are addressing.

SAS - Sweet African Syrup?

Hare Krsna Maharaj, PAMHO,AGTSP,

You are great Brahmana who not only knows Social etiquette, but also how to connect people to God at their respective levels.

ASA - Too much devotion is the sign of a thief! Yes...... what is it you want?? 🙂

what we are asking you because you seem to us person who we think knows us best.

Since our wife and kid left, our parents are staying with us. Our father is very much attached to us, and do lot of service to us. seems to be "harsh conscious" most of time.

My father acknowledges power of god like Indra. he does yagya, shrad , hanuman worship.

My mother is tolerant, and just breathing. I am very grateful to her that she read ramayaana when i was in her womb. though not much philosophy or rituals. But i am saved becasue she read ramayan.

but some times he talkes to mother in very verbally disgraceful manner (not abuses).

HpS - ??? Not abuse? What does he talk about??? Heavy metal Rock Music??

what should i do ?

HpS - Don't know the details. Ask others what they think. Chant and ask the Lord in the Heart. Do what comes naturally.

as brahamana i can think its between karma between two people, and just like person who is silent on somebody's rape , can go ahead.

i can tell what i did, I have mode of passion, and As ksatriya, i just fired my father, and said i am ready to forget father son relation, the way you treated this woman. rest details you can understand.

some thing like BG: where for wifes revenge, Arjuna has to kill his grandfather.

please guide this ignorant:passion>goodness. soul

HpS - Again we don't know details. It is very, very, very old relationship. It is in Oedepus Rex. Freud talks about it. Basically, again, talk to other family members, friends, about the exact situation, chant Hare Krsna, and act naturally FOR EVERYONE'S BENEFIT.