Dear Maharaj,
PAMHO, AGTSP!
1) Sadhana
We have been chanting 16 rounds (as attentively as currently possible), and hearing lecture (from you or HH RNS) for 1hr daily.
HpS-ASA -- Jaya!
Our reading of Srila Prabhupada's books is still not regular. We have fixed a bedtime. Now working on getting out of bed when we wake up in morning. It's proving to be a difficult habit to break/'change mindset', since earlier we had been trying to comply to our husband's lifestyle to avoid conflicts. (Still worrying us for when/if he comes back, how to adjust).
We are struggling so much to rise early in the morning. Please help us🙏. We want to please you so much \☺️/.
HpS - Get a partner. Whoever is up first calls the other. Sleep in different corner from other later risers in the house.
2) Maharaj I've been wanting to bring a deity to our home for many years 🙏. Is it alright if I bring one deity of Patitpavan (Jagannath) home?
HpS - Yes. It is not actually Arcanam as we understand, but more Pada sevanam. For installed Deity there are so many formalities, but just keep Them clean, have some punctual Bhoga offering, then little Arati of incense, flower, lamp and some fragrant oil.
3) Your Film
If we can make any contribution towards your upcoming film please let us know 🙏. If we know more about it maybe we can apply for some funding to help fund this project Maharaj 🙏☺️. Will be very happy to serve in any capacity 🙏. On another note sometimes I wonder if some films can be made where Bhagavatam stories can be portrayed through characters living in modern life context (similar to current Ragnaruk Netflix series on Norse mythology). Or such a series can be made in ancient era of princes and princesses but perhaps with some "western-characterization-adaptation", so people do not dismiss them as 'Indian'? If it's best to show them exactly, like modern day Mahabharats, should we endeavor in this capacity 🙏?
HpS - Go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrhs0W1X0ThVs2ISR__ZFVSLSAx2g_8f0 and give us your opinion on some of the shows. These are the basis of dialogs that we hope to generate in the movie.
We were telling the Bhagavata stories in terms of modern Iskcon context. It is very effective, but beyond the first two cantos people have to be initiated devotees to enter deeply into the stories.
4) Questions on reading assigned by you to us:
Maharaj we have been reading SB 7.11.25-29. Therein many wonderful Sankrit qualities are attracting our hearts to make prayers to Krsna to decorate our heart 🙏. However, we came upon the purport of 7.11.28, wherein it is instructed that a chaste wife should leave the association of, should not serve a fallen husband (does not follow the 4 regulative principles).
a) In this day and age, is regular addiction to pornography and dealing in the internet market place considered illicit sex and gambling and thus is such association of a husband supposed to be left (in desire to follow translation of 7.11.28), or does he fall under the category of around 75% ok in Kali yuga? 🙏
HpS - We have not heard of the 75% O.K. in Kali yuga for the four principles for ISKCON devotees. Even if one does limit association with such a husband, even returning to fathers or brother's shelter, or Temple association, the wife should stick with her natural feminine compassion and pray and work for the reformation of her husband, and it may happen.
b) In today's age if several of one's spiritual KC superiors induce a girl to marry (saying only Kshatranis can chose their husbands) a man who breaks our ISKCON principles on the subtle level because no better man can be found, should such a man be deemed acceptable because Srila Prabhupada has also instructed that women must get married?
HpS - It's a very specific question. There may be a very clear nice understanding between a boy and girl and their families that the husband has a different view, religion than her, but they have understood how each can follow their program and work together in a marriage relationship. For example, Mother Krsna nandini Devi Dasi, was one of the senior members of the Grhastha Vision team, wife of a Muslim gentleman, mother of many children and the situation was good for everyone.
Should be clear before the marriage what the religious standard of each is going to be and then material compatibility should leave to natural affection and both benefiting from the others religious view.
So, can get married to someone who is not ideal religious partner or just stay single and marry Krsna (your deity).
Our hearts will be filled with gratitude, to hear from you on this matter and dispel ignorance in our heart 🙏. Help us decide what shall we do, should we apply our hearts and minds fully to endeavoring to apply 7.11.25-29, or should we separate and remarry in 6 years if possible to wait that long.
HpS - Again is to specific a question for the Blog to arrive at any detailed advice. Here we hope we have given some general principles, and then they can be expanded in your personal group of advisors.
- Try to help Krsna solve the problems and have a happy marriage that you have all earned.
- Separate and become a Sannyasini like Visnu priya.
- Separate and don't get remarried but enjoy life.
- Get remarried after six years.
- Hmmm. Maybe come back again into the same problem.
In any case chant 16-nice rounds daily and follow the 4-principles strictly as explained by Srila Prabhupada and all the details will fall in line. That is what we hear from Sastra and directly experiences in our own life.
Thank you, HpS et al!!
Your aspiring servant,
Yajnaseni DD
