Dvadasi, Gaura Paksa
Sridhara Masa, 533 Gaurabda
Paksa vardhini Mahadvadasi
Fasting for Pavitropana Ekadasi
Srila Rupa Gosvami -- Disappearance
Sri Gauridasa Pandita -- Disappearance
Radha Govinda Jhulana Yatra
Dear Guru Maharaja,
To share days with you was a completely uplifting (I love this English word) experience, as always but fortunately, every time I can appreciate it more.
Certainly, to be your emergency translator is challenging as always too, mainly, because it requires three things that are most difficult for me: a good English vocabulary, listening skills and a focused mind. Sometimes I make a parallel with my spiritual advancement in devotional service, I feel that I'm advancing but when there are moments of tests, I can realize that my improvement is almost imperceptible, but still, something is there. My conclusion is we'll continue trying. I hope to be useful when you still need it.
With this trip, I remembered how good is to have the association with guru directly, if is possible to get it. Thank you and Abhiram Prabhu and my Peruvian godbrothers and sisters for allowing me taking your valuable association and their.
When I came back I couldn't say goodbye, but I thought that is pretty possible to have your association in the year also because you give us so much chances to do it like this monkey warrior blog.
So, here is my attempt to do it.
Sadhana
My new year resolution was don't go to the bed without chant 16 rounds. I know that this is our initiation promise, but a way to accomplish for me was deleting the "debt of rounds" concept. Only one day in march I chanted 15 but the next day immediately I chanted 17. That day was before Gaura Purnima, so, still, I'm doing well with this new year resolution.
HpS - My dandavats to you.
One of the results of this is that several days I went to bed at 2 am, to finish my rounds. Is interesting, because is a very suffering situation, but still I feel that my relationship with the Holy Name is in peace now. When I stay one entire year like this I plan to share something related to (article, workshop) because I know that a lot of devotees have this problem of debt rounds.
Reading
Like to teach is to learn, twice I had this idea of preparing the Janma Seminar, a three days seminar about Sri Krishna Bhagavan's Birth, one day every week before Janmastami. Your suggestion about to consider Gopal Campu was excellent.
I was considering taking the book "Srimad Bhagavatam Tenth Canto Symphony of Commentaries, Volume 1 (Chapters 1-3)" by ISKCON Devotees, Gaurapada Dasa (Translator) and Matsya Avatar Dasa (Editor) (the only of the series that I have), and others like Garga Samhita, like you suggested me too. And also some scholars books. I discovered a very good encyclopedia about Krishna called "Krishna, Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names" by Lavanya Vemsani Ph.D., a history teacher from a university from Ohio.
However, obviously, I started with "Krsna The Supreme Personality of Godhead". When I just started my re-reading plan I realized how not ready I am to talk about these topics because basic questions arose. It wasn't frustrating to know that this sweet seminar should wait at least one year more to be prepared. Actually, it was wonderful to know it because my new propensity to study one specific topic profoundly would be completely covered to study these three first chapters of the 10th Canto from different perspectives. One smile draw in my face when I discovered my inability. Just plan something about Krishna Katha is sweet.
SO, here my first basic question Gurudev, if you could help me to understand more:
Considering that Prabhupada wrote in the KB, first chapter:
"It is said, therefore, that a saintly person can tolerate all kinds of miserable conditions of life, a learned man can discharge his duties without awaiting favorable circumstances, a heinous person like Kaṁsa can act in any sinful way, and a devotee can sacrifice everything to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
So, from this, Could we understand that Vasudeva and Devaki really suffered the loss of their first 6 sons and the whole painful situation with Kamsa, only for Lila, for the Krishna pleasure, and not that they should learn or suffer something from their previous birth like sages?
HpS - I don't know. Their previous lives are described as Prsna and Sutapa or something, no? They seem to be very free from Karma, but we also se Devahuti and Kardama Muni who were the mother and father of God, but still had some attachment. Aditi was Mother of God, Lord Vamana, but she was attached also, no? I don't know exactly.
Family
My wife Carolina and Rasarani are very well.
HpS - That's nice. We hope their hearts are becoming purified constantly.
We travelled to NYC to attend the Ratha Yatra there and to be with H.H. Radhanath Swami and other Prabhupada's disciples one week. It was impressive. Regarding initiation, Carolina should wait more time to take initiation. 5 years until now already since she has this desire. But it happens if you want to take initiation from a guru who is not visiting your zone, I tell her. But she is very convinced and will wait any time necessary.
HpS - \'o'/
We are the Ananda Vardhana's partners in Madhu now. Since this year, only devotees work there cooking everything: Our good cousin Luis Ramirez (we called Yiyo. He likes your lectures a lot), his wife Andrea Tapia (Bhakti Sundar Goswami Aspirant), Gargacarya Das (your disciple) and his wife Nitya Siddha Devi dasi (Bhakti Marga Swami's disciple). And the consciousness has changed, we can appreciate the importance, not just to offer the bhoga but cook with Krishna consciousness. And this month Eloy Arcos (sheltered by Bhakti busana Swami) a young devotee who lives in the temple, have joined us in the Sales area but here in Santiago. Finally, a senior lady works there also, just a few hours once in a week putting the labels on the bags of the bread.
My whole experience managing and learning from my current fulltime job at iF is demanded here. My role is the general management of the company and the financial area. Is very challenging but I'm a father now so I take it very seriously also.
On the other hand, Carolina wants to be fired out from her job because she wants to dedicate 100% time to Rasarani, at least the first years. She has sick leave now.
Also, the idea to be an entrepreneur, with the experience in our company Madhu is encouraging her to create another thing. Is pretty possible to arrange something to receive some money from L@t@a-m Airlines because her 13 years working there, and with good evaluations. Now is with We'll see.
Rasarani is a very smiling and active little girl of 1 year and month now. In April she suffered and domestic accident, she had been hospitalized for an occipital fracture, that is, in the lower area of the skull. When I received the call it was a very powerful experience like a new father. We asked the blessing and prayers from everyone, even we requested 'good vibes' from our atheistic friends, and it worked very well. She doesn't have any sequel, nothing physically at least.
HpS - Incredible. Unless we chant good rounds it will be impossible for a man to not become attached to his daughter. We heard Srila Prabhupada say that father's attachment for daughter is the strongest attachment in the material world. There is sex desire, there but it is subtle, I am the supreme friend, "suhrdam sarva bhutanam".
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So, I will finish here, I had another two sections; Service and Education and The Sacred, but I will prefer to dose the information because I think that I might be fatiguing you. Just one thing connected with this topics, the festival managers asked me to give the Balaram class festival, do you have any suggestion, a particular story to share, something that you think that could be good for the new people and devotees who will attend to hear?
HpS - Discuss a little how Balarama is Guru. How Krsna has to be "GOD" but out of His kindness He expands Himself as Guru, O.K.? So many stories!! Give a little summary of them. Pick one and read it also??!
Thank you for your time.
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj.
Your servant
Jagad Guru Das
HpS - Thank you. AgtSP!! We will put our news in the DTC after we answer some more letters.
