Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaja,

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

As per your brilliant suggestion, yesterday we made a cake for NOI's anniversary (pictures attached),

HpS/ASA -- Jaya Srila Prabhupada. Maybe it will become more robust! Add more pages from having so much birthday cake.

. . . and offered it to the NOI copy that you signed for us many years ago. I also read the Sanskrit and English translations as you mentioned in the SB class.

HpS - Rupa Goswami, Rupa Manjari, must like that!

Guru Maharaja, after three years of being initiated, my dull self is finally beginning to realize the importance of strict Sadhana that you emphasize. A few days ago you mentioned in a class that getting up at 4 AM, FMP, chanting, morning SB class, and evening BG class are essential for all devotees, regardless of their Varna and Asrama. Then, if one is a brahmana, one has to do at least 1-2 hours of extra reading a day.

HpS - We heard Srila Prabhupada instruct a Temple President that no intelligent man (or woman (or thing)) would be happy without one hour of reading each day. An intelligent person needs to satisfy their mind with stories, reading, no?

I always tried to wake up early at 3:30 or 4 AM and it would happen for about 3 days of the week, and then I would fail for the rest of the four days. But recently, I have been trying to follow that instruction and by your causeless mercy, as I have no strength, I was able to wake up at 4 AM for 6 days of the last week and finish my rounds (there is still a lot of progress to make in controlling the mind) before the Bhagavatam class. I also am trying to listen to either Srila Prabhupada's class or another class on BG in the evening.

HpS - Radharani and the Gopis will give you your Super-girl cape in a few weeks if you keep this up! Then you can fly all over the world with Them fighting evil in the hearts of men! We are not joking (much [we are basically monkeys])!

My reading was also on and off before. For the first few months of the year, I read 30 minutes of Bhagavad-gita every day (with only a few rare exceptions) and finished reading it once, but then I stopped that when my Sanskrit course started. Now I decided that I should read something (whether a paragraph or a few pages) every day based on the workload I have from school.

HpS - Yes! Just read a little of CC before Mangala arati, Lilamrta during Prasadam.... Read little here and there regularly and you will become addicted.

In another class you mentioned that this is a Sankirtan movement and we all cannot just hear and be content. We have to spread the message to others. So I am trying to make a simple graphic containing a quote from Srila Prabhupada based on my reading for the day. I post them on my whatsapp status and some people look at them (though I am not sure if they read them :)).

HpS - If the same thing keeps happening again and again and again and agaain... and.... someone will notice it, no?

Guru Maharaja, how do we gain enthusiasm to follow the process strictly?

HpS - 'Tad gada mula hantri', NoI Three, no? How does a dry sponge become wet by being repeatedly plunged in the water? Watch it! Science experiment.

I also watched a cartoon of the three little pigs story to learn more about how to connect it with the modes.

HpS - For some like you, with which pig do you identify? What construction materials do you get from Home Depot? Who is the Big Bad Wolf in your life?

Guru Maharaja, I beg for your mercy that I may follow your teachings and Srila Prabhupada's teachings sincerely. The reason I wrote all of this is because I am a very dull-witted and fallen soul and I have no power to fight Maya other than your mercy. I didn't want to be bragging in any way, I hope it did not come through like that. I am only learning the basics of devotional service.

With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation,

your insignificant servant,

Sugopi Radha DD

HpS - We are still learning the basics. Hope we can help you a little is relating to Srila Prabhupada. We all continue as eternal members of his Sankirtana Party. Super respects to your esteemed Father and Mother and (Aunts and Uncles??).

You have joined a University with incredible heritage. I guess the Wikipedia article is correct.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_University#Women

Beautiful looking cake!

Beautiful looking house.

HK///HR