Dear Guru maharaj,

Please accept my dandavat pranams, All glories to Srila Prabhupad. How is your health maharaj?

I am not very good with my communication skills, so, please forgive me if I make any mistake in communication.Thank you for remembering me and for sending the nice book. As soon I read the letter, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  I wanted to respond back immediatly, but I postponed it for couple of hours as I had to go out. Sorry for the delay in responding back. 

It was my pleasure to see you in Dallas and I was feeling bad that the trip was very short. I wish I could assocaite more with you.  I am doing my 16 rounds loudly and waking in the morning before 4AM and taking shower, then do mangalarathi, then I chant around 9-10 rounds in the morning before 5:45 and leave to work. Rest of them, I am doing them in the evening. I have not been very successfull in my endeavours for avoiding onion garlic or coffee. When I listen to your lectures or when I remember your words, I make a determination to avoid coffee, onion and garlic. After couple of hours, I go back to normal.  I wanted to write to you that I was successfull in following all the principles for 6 months, but I have failed so many times. although I feel hopeless about it, I will keep trying.  

Part of the problem is, I am so ingrained to go with the crowd that, I sometimes bend too much and I lack that determination to say no.  When I say no to others and avoid all the things for couple of days, then suddently I just go to restaurent and eat all the food with onion and garlic.  That makes me feel like a hypocrite. Hopefully by Guru and Krishna's mercy I can follow all the principles.

Thank you again for your kindness in remembering me.

your aspiring servant

Nataraj

           HpS -  ASA --  Jaya!        AGTSP!!!        Paoho.     Why do you take the onion and garlic. I or somebody else may have a chocolate addiction.  Why?   Chant Hare Krsna why you are taking them and see what it is that makes you addicted. Is it a social need?  Is it a fundamental way of avoiding Krsna?    Is it a physical need of your body or mind?

         Include reading from Caitanya-caritamrta in your morning program?

         You are defnitely on the right path.  Success is guaranteed.  Just go ahead and work on your problems.  Solve them.    There is such important mission that Krsna has for you as soon as you can escape.