Respected Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeiscances.
We are missing your Vapu association, which you provided us so mercifully.
Currently I am at Darbhanga. Most of the time alone in a rented room. There are 3-4 devotees, who sometimes come. I have few preaching engagements - in villages or house programs. Progress of preaching is very slow.
HpS-ASA - You have an audience here! https://vedabase.io/en/library/noi/3/#bb5880 . You, we, all have to start our own branch of ISKCON from our personal connection with Srila Prabhupada. Then we cultivate our friendships in the movement and third, we deal with the institutional aspect of ISKCON.
If one and two are good then three is easy.
O.K??
I think I have loaded myself with too many things and hardly I am able to give justifiable time to any. While I am staying at Darbhanga, Patna Temple President expects that I preach in Patna too. Personally, I find it very discouraging to preach in Patna because- 1. Almost no other support system for Brahmacharis, besides place for stay and prasadam. 2. Too much money minded devotees 3. No financial freedom at all 4. Presence of some anti-preacher insider.
HpS - Sounds tough! I think I had the same in the first years in Berkeley, but did what I, in my limited way, could do, and little by little got better Sankirtan partners, ISKCON institution for me, eg. Bhaktivedanta Institute.
Also sounds like Srila Prabhupada and much of the Gaudiya matha, no?
Not only that, there is expectation for preaching in other regions of Bihar as well.
As far as studies are concerned, I recently attended a course- Research Skills by HH Krishnaksetra Maharaj. Nice classes, but I am lagging hugely in regards to submission of assignments. Last date- 28th February.
Then I have taken admission in MA (Sanskrit) through correspondence. I haven't started my studies, while exams expected in June.
HpS - Which institution? We have heard that Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is good resource, but not MA I think .
And of course, the last semester exams of Astrology - I had to miss in Feb/March as I haven't read anything in past one year. Again there is re-exam in June.
HpS - Maybe it is your Karma! 😎
Besides that there are a couple of online classes. Overall our schedule leave no scope for doing much waste. I dont know how time is simply passing so fast.
Some devotees were suggesting and I was also thinking to get Sri Sri Gaur Nitai (as personal deity). What is your opinion? Kindly suggest. What standards are expected for service, as daily service and service for festivals. Also what to do if I need to go out of station for some reason?
HpS - I see no harm. It can be very nice. Can get small deities so that they can travel and then if you are participating in a Temple where there is regular worship, then They will accept that worship, and you just need to keep Them clean and comfortable.
- Love. Simple practical relation with Them.
- Cleanliness
- Punctuality. If Arati with just incense and flower little Bhoga once, twice a day, is fine, but fix regular times.
- Rituals. Adjust in terms of your Ashrama and personality.
We hope and pray for you better health. Interestingly here is a devotee who claims to cure different diseases with few medicines combined with Bhakti process. I am also taking treatment for my skins from him. There appears to be some improvement in - past 2 months of treatment.
I suggested him to keep the name of treatment as 'Bhaktipathy'. What is you suggestion?
ASA - Sounds good. We have "Psycopaths" so why on Bhaktipaths.
There is no other disciple of Gaura-Nitai like you. You have a unique mission. Define it. Do it. Engage the ASA crew!
Yes, set priorities for your work.
Hoping and praying for your good health,
Your aspiring servant,
Purushottam Keshav Das
