Hare Krishna Maharaj,

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

I am Chithkala Dhulipati from India. I am currently pursuing my Bachelors degree in Applied Mathematics at Boise State University.

HpS - Ahhh! All glories to Srila Prabhupada (AgtSP)! We met you in Boise, no? Also, Srinivasa Das et al have been telling us your glories! So nice to hear from you here.

Through Krishna's mercy, I was able to associate with Srinivas Prabhu and Sundari Radhika Mataji from the day I arrived in Boise. I was extremely fortunate to meet you in August, 2018 at their home, when I received my first Bhagavad Gita signed by you. Ever since, I have been attending Gita classes held by Srinivas Prabhu. In April, 2019 when you had visited Boise again, I was able to get a week-long association with you and Srimad Bhagavatam signed by you.

I also attended the Sunday feast at the temple regularly. I helped with various services during the festivals like Janmashtami, Holi and Gaura Purnima. I helped Sundari Radhika mataji and Sugopi when they cooked Sunday feasts.

I have been chanting 16 rounds daily for almost an year now. Sundari Radhika Mataji has helped me cultivate the habit of eating only prasadam, and I have been doing that for one year now. To further strengthen my sadhana, I am trying to wake up at 4.30am daily to chant my rounds. (You told me to do so when we met in March)

I have learned more about Krishna and Srila Prabhupada through Srinivas Prabhu's enriching classes. I have been attending his Gita classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Srimad Bhagavatam classes on Saturdays. I have also been reading verses from both the Gita and Bhagavatam everyday. My parents have been very supportive in my sadhana and their faith in Krishna consciousness has increased significantly since 2018. My mother has also been chanting 16 rounds daily for the past 8 months. Krishna has been mercifully helping me continue with my sadhana and building a connection with Srila Prabhupad.

When I asked for shelter in March during your Boise visit, you told me to read the blog and your website. I have been reading the blog occasionally and read the Guru Tattva document. I am determined to follow your instructions and would be very grateful if I can receive initiation from you.

Your servant waiting for your mercy,

Chithkala.

HpS - From the Guru-tattva document on our web page you can see that initiation requires being pretty fixed in rising early, performing Mangala-arati (incense and flower is enough), Kirtan, SB, 1-1/2 hours before sunrise. Brahma muhurta.

Of course, it is just a habit.

A change in life style.

Then we see the result. Our "material" life improves!! We start have Hare Krsna hopes and happenings in our lives?

How is your getting-up-early life? Don't worry. Krsna sees you and knows exactly what you are doing. He gives all credit for sincerity before the habits may get formed. There are neophyte pure devotees.