Letters to the editor

ASA [e] VAD, grhastha, 16-rounds.

Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I've written many letters to you in my notebooks, but they always seem incomplete, irrelevant, or even inappropriate. I know I need you to progress in my spiritual life, and that's why I'm returning to the blog. Please excuse the delay.

HpS - AgtSP!!!

[ASA - Following content edited for public display. TB/BW]

My operation was successful. I felt Krishna's mercy like the company of an unconditional friend, who gives you his hand even if you do nothing for him, without negotiations, in the silence of pure friendship.

On another note, I want to tell you that I'm on vacation at my mother's house, near Cuernavaca, Morelos, where you stayed a few years ago.

Several months ago, I was thinking about staying with my daughters at my mother's house for a trial year of separation from my esteemed husband.

This year in Monterrey, we had some very tough tests, and we didn't pass several. The vast difference in my husband's upbringing and way of thinking and mine has caused constant friction all these years together.

On the other hand, it has also been a mercy from Krishna because it has helped us both polish great anarthas.

Today I feel that this friction is hurting me more than I can tolerate, although I also understand that austerity is necessary. You have said that the heart can harden if it is not done intelligently.

Although my husband doesn't demand that I wait for him until late at night with a hot meal, I can't help but feel obligated to receive him. If nighttime doesn't come, he still goes to sleep very late, this makes noise or turning on lights that a mother's hearing and sensitivity can't miss.

At one point, I started sleeping less so I could make my rounds early, but my temper was worse than usual because I really can't take naps during the day.

I also tried asking my husband to accommodate his work and leisure times, but it didn't work. So I finally gave in and went to bed late and woke up late, just like him. It didn't work. The rounds aren't sung well in the afternoon; it's very distracting.

I emphasize my rounds because my principles are sound, but I can't settle for that. My vows are to chant 16 good rounds every day and thus stay connected to the paramparam. The other frictions with Prabhuji are more mundane, I wonder about cesarean births, other medical treatments that really make us feel like animals rather than ladies and gentlemen.

In Vedic culture, was more than one wife accepted? What are the arrangements?

HpS - Polygamy was normal, but the social ambience was much more mature. As I see, Srila Prabhupada suggested that it might be a practical solution for everyone involved if they were mature enough to do it, as opposed to the modern system of divorce and remarriage three or four times! For some men who asked about it he chastised them and called them lusty dogs.

Should I go to Cuautla Morelos, where there's a lot of crime, and live with the basics but with better sadhana? (I'm chanting my 16 rounds before 6:00 am) Should I raise both arms once and for all?

Please forgive me for bringing up grihastas. I've resisted telling you for a long time. I've taken advice from several counselors, and yours is the most important. Forgive me.

HpS - Thank you! First, I think that this is normal symptom of Kali yuga. The family life is bad. The international and local politics are bad. Wars everywhere. Useless government... but scriptures say that there is one very good thing. Just chanting Hare Krsna will give you liberation and take you to Goloka.

If we don't save ourselves, we cannot save anyone else.

By trying to save others it is great, GREAT, G R E A T, contribution to saving ourselves.

Have to chant, pray, get combination of social welfare work and personal private work.

It is just no doubt that sixteen good rounds are the first priority.

GOOD!

Not with evil intent.

Of course, even with evil intent, chanting Hare Krsna will give good results.

It is like living off of beer and potato chips.

You will get nutrition, but you will also have terrible health.

Chanakya Pandita says that victory comes from good advice, and good advice comes from many counselors.

seems to us you are doing a super, super, super job of living your life as a service to everyone who is fortunate enough to have your association.

go ahead. your success is guaranteed.

i cannot give you much detailed advice because i do not, and really cannot know the details of your situation.

i work on detailed solutions for the development of a department of media development here in the houston temple.

we hope to hear how you come up with funny solutions to your problems.

graduate as a victor and help so many others, with the help for KRSNA who plays and laughs as He dances on the heads of Kaliya!!

asa[e] suicide

Hare Krishna beloved Gurudeva:

AGTSP PAMHO

Thanks Gurudeva for encouraging us to enhance our sadhana. I hope to be able to join japa joe someday.

My very good friend Lizett Graham asked me to travel with her to Miami. We both are professors at universities. We were very stressed. The trip was nice. She respects that I am vegetarian that I do not drink alcohol, etc. We had a really good time. We relaxed at the beach, we went shopping But the best part is that we visited the temple there. Lizett is also a yoga instructor. So she bought some books related to yoga. We were there for the evening program. It was really nice.

Gurudeva. I am going to ask you a question as a psychologist. There were many suicides at universities last year. My question is what to tell teenagers or even adults that suicide is not an answer. Some of them do not know why do they live. How to find a reason to live? As a professor I feel that I have the duty to help. I have realized that mental health is really paramount in our lives

Ulyses had a surgery this last Tuesday. He is ok recovering. The doctors are amazed how a Golden retriever of almost 15 years old can be so strong. What is his mission in this life? Do dogs an cats have mission? Zebras obviously don't haha.

I am attaching a picture of Him before his surgery.

Thanks Gurudeva for reading

Hope to go and visit you soon

Trying to be your disciple

CMDD

HpS - Bh. Vinode Thakur prays that even if he takes birth in this world in the house of a devotee as a dog that is O.K.

Suicide - God is a reasonable, nice, father. Check out this hypothesis. If we are so determined to establish at that God is evil and we are good, to the point of even destroying our toys and human body, then He will let us do it, like any father, but stay with us and try to get us to give up these tantrums an learn to use our body correctly to get back to the spiritual world.

consultation is particular. it depends on the audience. the above is for people who can listen to the God consciousness comments!

Others you just cannot help. they only want to hear from you to enhance there self pity, happiness.

Others can hear a next life, without God comment.

In pirates of the caribbean, Captain Davy Jones says, this life has not been pleasant, why do youexpect the next to be any better.

is there really more opportunity with the tools you have in this life to correct your mistakes, than the kind of donkey or tortoise body you may get in your next life.

Hare Krishna, Beloved Gurudeva:ila Prabhupada.

Gurudeva, we observe a pattern in Kali Yuga: it is becoming increasingly easy to achieve material advances, but at the same time, it is more difficult to find spiritual values.

HpS - AgtSP!! Guess this is exactly what the inhabitants of Sri Lanka of Ravana were appreciating. The demons acquire almost all the mystical potencies.

A recent Harvard Business Review study, "How People Are Really Using Gen AI in 2025," confirms this. The report reveals that the three main uses of artificial intelligence are no longer technical, but existential:

1. Therapy and companionship
2. Life organization
3. Finding purpose

This change is significant, as "Life organization" and "Finding purpose" were not even topics of study in 2024, while "Therapy and companionship" moved from second to first place in just one year.

The family is in crisis: men do not want to take on emotional responsibilities, and women no longer want to have children in pursuit of career achievements. A clear example of this is that in Japan, more adult diapers are sold than baby diapers.

All of this leads me to the following question: we know that the world is heading towards the abyss, but how much should we worry about this? Should we be alert and try to reverse the situation or simply be content.

Thank you very much, Gurudeva,inue chanting Hare Krishna while the planet sinks, like the musicians on the Titanic? How did ISKCON members deal with technological advancements in the past?

Thank you very much, Gurudeva,

Your foolish servant,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - Kali yuga is only 10% of the Satya, Treta, Dvarpara, Kali yuga cycle, yet is necessary. Mother tries to get kids to learn and grow up, but if they don't then she just gives them time with rounded sissors, washable glue and crayons, to do whatever they want to do. those who want to join her i the kitchen making cookies for KRSNA can join here.

some of us will only learn the hard way but.... it is all really a shadow show.

we, iskcon, tries to give the kali yuga dharma to everyone. we respect that KRSNA gives kali yuga as mercy. he even arranged to remove M. Parikshit!

O.K?

Hare Krishna, Amado Gurudeva:

Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Gurudev, observo un patrón en Kali Yuga: cada vez es más fácil lograr avances materiales, pero al mismo tiempo, es más difícil encontrar valores espirituales. Un estudio reciente de Harvard Business Review, "How People Are Really Using Gen AI in 2025", lo confirma. Este reporte revela que los tres usos principales de la inteligencia artificial ya no son técnicos, sino existenciales:

• Terapia y acompañamiento (#1)
• Organización de la vida (#2)
• Encontrar propósito (#3)

Este cambio es significativo, pues “Organización de la vida” y “Encontrar propósito” ni siquiera eran temas de estudio en 2024, mientras que “Terapia y acompañamiento” pasó del segundo al primer lugar en solo un año. 

La familia está en crisis: los hombres no quieren asumir responsabilidades afectivas y las mujeres ya no quieren tener hijos por buscar logros laborales. Un ejemplo claro de esto es que en Japón se venden más pañales para adultos que para bebés.

Todo esto me lleva a la siguiente pregunta: sabemos que el mundo se dirige hacia el abismo, pero ¿cuánto debemos preocuparnos por esto? ¿Debemos estar alertas y tratar de revertir la situación o simplemente seguir cantando Hare Krishna mientras el planeta se hunde, como los músicos del Titanic? Cómo lidiaron los miembros de iskcon con los avances tecnológicos en el pasado?

Muchas gracias. Gurudev,

Su tonto sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Hare Krishna, Beloved Gurudeva:

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

Gurudeva, we are writing to give you a small report. Our personal and family life is stable. We live with our wife Julieta and little Margarita in the Sri Govardhan Eco-village, the land of Krishna, together with the devotees.

As you always ask us about the roads, we confirm that we have improved them by laying gravel, and we will do maintenance again after winter.

HpS - !

We also have plans to improve our temple. The one you knew was a devotee's private home, and now we are moving our place of worship to what used to be Prabhu Panca tattva's ashram. We will make renovations to have our place of worship there, since the morning program is currently held in a very small space.

We feel fortunate to live with the devotees and with Srila Prabhupada, as we have his life-sized murti here and Sri Sri Sara Siromani Gaura Nitai, who are infinitely merciful. Our older sons spend more time in the city and visit us from time to time. Manu is working and focused on music, while Benja is in his last years of high school and very into boxing. They are good boys who remember Krishna and chant their japa. Manu does it every day; Benja and his mother, I don't know how often, but I know they have an attachment to the Holy Name.

Personally, we identify with Devavrata Prabhu's letter. We understand that we cannot chant enthusiastic rounds if we do not participate in the morning program. Personally, We feel we are in a survival sadhana: 16 rounds and four principles of deplorable quality. We understand there is much room for improvement, but at the same time, we accept this defeat and our conditioning. We are very passionate.

Our focus now is on transforming our career as a health professional into a health services company, to expand our income and be able to concentrate on what truly motivates us: opening a school. We will tell you more details about this in another letter. The great dilemma is the same one Srila Prabhupada had: money first, and then preaching, although Krishna did the opposite with him. We shall see.

Regarding our work, we have had a study group for five years where we are training collaborators. This will allow us to expand the group dynamics we're setting up, such as workshops and a membership, in addition to offering different types of medical consultations. After 23 years as a doctor and thousands of patients, we feel we have the experience and prestige to take advantage of this and focus our energy on giving this offering to you and Srila Prabhupada: a school based on dharma for children aged 10 to 18.

We continue to give classes at the university, where we work with groups of up to 12 students in a problem-based learning scenario. This gives us the possibility of having more space to talk about spiritual life.

Again, we feel that our life is peaceful and we have peace in our hearts. We live in a home with love and we are taking care of our health, training with calisthenics, and eating healthily. We feel a deep gratitude for you and Srila Prabhupada, who are our lighthouses, our role models, and the light that allows us to continue in the right direction, despite being immersed in the madness of Kali Yuga, which wreaks havoc even within Vaishnava congregations.

It is strange, but somehow we felt we had prepared for your departure in Odana Sasti 2024. The fact that you are still here with us on this planet is pure mercy. I feel your presence very close and we are very grateful to Upendra Prabhu for giving us the possibility of doing a small service for you every Sunday. Spiritual life is wonderful.

Your foolish servant,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - We were expecting to leave on Odana sasti, and did have heart fibrillations which freaked out three different doctor devotees. they had a devotee on the other side of the door sleeping all night and made us keep a bell to ring if we had a heart attack. blook clot. then next day for an emergency scan, medication, from Doctor Suneja.

Very nice efficient successful cardiac specialist.

the heart beat monitor for ten days, the eliquis, the scan, the blood tests, said that there was not danger of immediate death.

the fibrilations stopped.

we got on four more kinds of minimum dosage. ayurvedic help and then started general and later, detailed scans.

we are in top 15% of people in our age and social group for health.

no angioplasty necessary.

looks like maintenance for three to five years then probable some more major adjustment.

of course,

we can see the decay of the body. as it decays it becomes elements for a new body for someone else.

artificial heart supplement.

artificial hearing supplement.

maybe catarac eye surgery.

maybe that is the limit. a pace maker seems like too much for us. just get a whole new car.

feel like your professional report is inspiring for other devotee professionals.

Hare Krishna, Amado Gurudeva:

Por favor, acepte nuestras humildes reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Gurudev, le escribo para darle un pequeño reporte. Nuestra vida personal y familiar se encuentra estable. Vivimos con mi esposa Julieta y la pequeña Margarita en la Ecoaldea Sri Govardhan, tierra de Krishna, junto a los devotos. Como siempre me pregunta por las calles, le confirmo que las mejoramos al poner granza, y después del invierno volveremos a darles mantenimiento.

También tenemos planes para mejorar nuestro templo. El que usted conoció era la casa particular de un devoto, y ahora mudamos nuestro lugar de adoración al que era el asrama de Prabhu Panca tattva. Haremos reformas para tener nuestro lugar de adoración allí, ya que ahora el programa de la mañana se da en un lugar muy pequeño.

Me siento afortunado de vivir junto a los devotos y junto a Srila Prabhupada, pues aquí tenemos su murti en tamaño real y a Sri Sri Sara Siromani Gaura Nitai, que son infinitamente misericordiosos. Mis hijos mayores pasan más tiempo en la ciudad y de vez en cuando nos visitan. Manu está trabajando y enfocado en la música, mientras que Benja está en sus últimos años de secundaria y muy enganchado con el boxeo. Son buenos chicos que recuerdan a Krishna y cantan su japa. Manu lo hace todos los días; Benja y su madre, no sé con qué frecuencia, pero sé que tienen un apego por el Santo Nombre.

En lo personal, me siento identificado con la carta de Devavrata Prabhu. Entiendo que no podemos cantar rondas entusiastas si no participamos en el programa de la mañana. Personalmente, siento que estoy en una sadhana de supervivencia: 16 rondas y cuatro principios de calidad deplorable. Entiendo que hay mucho terreno para mejorar, pero al mismo tiempo, acepto esta derrota y mi condicionamiento. Somos muy pasionales.

Mi enfoque ahora está en transformar mi carrera como profesional de la salud en una empresa de servicios de salud, para expandir mis ingresos y poder concentrarme en lo que realmente me motiva: inaugurar una escuela. Le contaré más detalles sobre esto en otra carta. El gran dilema es el mismo que tuvo Srila Prabhupada: primero dinero y después prédica, aunque Krishna hizo lo contrario con él. Ya veremos.

Respecto a mi trabajo, hace cinco años tengo un grupo de estudio donde estoy formando colaboradores. Esto me permitirá expandir las dinámicas grupales que estoy armando, como talleres y una membresía, además de ofrecer diferentes tipos de consultas médicas. Después de 23 años como médico y miles de pacientes, siento que tengo la trayectoria y el prestigio para aprovechar esto y enfocar mi energía en dar esta ofrenda a usted y a Srila Prabhupada: una escuela basada en el dharma para niños de 10 a 18 años.

Seguimos dando clases en la universidad, donde trabajamos con grupos de hasta 12 estudiantes en un escenario de aprendizaje basado en problemas. Esto nos da la posibilidad de tener más espacio para hablar sobre la vida espiritual.

De nuevo, sentimos que nuestra vida es pacífica y tenemos paz en el corazón. Vivo en un hogar con amor y estoy cuidando mi salud, entrenando con calistenia y comiendo de forma saludable. Sentimos una profunda gratitud por usted y por Srila Prabhupada, quienes son nuestros faros, nuestro modelo a seguir y la luz que nos permite seguir en la dirección correcta, a pesar de estar inmersos en la locura de Kali Yuga, que hace estragos incluso dentro de las congregaciones vaisnavas.

Es extraño, pero de alguna manera sentí que me había preparado para su partida en Odana Sasti 2024. El hecho de que usted todavía esté aquí con nosotros en este planeta es pura misericordia. Siento su presencia muy cercana y estoy muy agradecido con Upendra Prabhu por darme la posibilidad de hacer un pequeño servicio para usted cada domingo. La vida espiritual es maravillosa.

Su tonto sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Hare Krishna, Beloved Gurudeva:

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

We are sharing with you the educational proposal we are working on, with the intention of starting the first cohort next year. We would very much like to know your opinion; any reflection, criticism, or advice would be most welcome.

We also extend this invitation to the rest of the devotees, so they may give us their feedback and help me improve each stage of the educational proposal.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kpgddXI4eV-L8Nm46s5jXWNecUou3w4nf19gGVgPSDo/edit?usp=sharing

Your foolish servant,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - O.K. It 🌞 is at 3.55PM. Fasting for Janmastami. We will look at the google doc above, but also do some more letters to the Blog.

Amado Gurudeva:

Por favor, acepte mis humildes reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Comparto con usted la propuesta educativa en la que estoy trabajando, con la intención de comenzar la prHare Krishna, imera cohorte el próximo año. Me gustaría mucho conocer su opinión; cualquier reflexión, crítica o consejo será siempre bienvenido.

También extiendo esta invitación al resto de los devotos para que me den su retroalimentación y así poder mejorar cada etapa de la propuesta educativa.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kpgddXI4eV-L8Nm46s5jXWNecUou3w4nf19gGVgPSDo/edit?usp=sharing

Su tonto sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.

Hare Krishna, Dear Gurudeva,

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

By the mercy of Abhiram Thakur Prabhu, who encouraged donations for your hearing aids, we sent a message to the group of our spiritual brothers in Argentina. We sent $750 to the devotee Devendra Prabhu, who was in charge of the collection. Of this amount, $720 was a donation from Deva Vrata Prabhu, and the remaining $30 was from me.

HpS - AgtSP! We feel so guilty that we invested so much money in the apparatus, but several senior medical people here all agreed on it and the ASA Board voted 5 to 2 to invest.

They do work well, and we even suspect they will be in use after we leave this body. Thank you all!

We are personally working on an educational proposal, a kind of gurukula, which we are offering to you and to Prabhupada, who wanted to promote this kind of project. We will tell you more details about this in another letter. We want to invest our capital in that project, as we feel that is our dakṣinā to you.

HpS - One letter we remember Srila Prabhupada said to Grhastha that the Gurukula was his first responsibility and the temple his second.

Our discernment tells us that, due to your current service, focusing our energy and investment on this project might be a better service to you than giving you money personally. However, we would like to ask you if this is the right thing to do or if, on the contrary, we should make an annual donation, as we have always done.

HpS - Your choice and Deva vrata Das' both seem fine!

Thank you very much, Gurudev, for everything you do for us and for the embodied souls in this material world.

Your foolish servant,

Nikunja Bihari das.

HpS - Thank you. Hoping you can meet with Ananta isvara Das, ayurvedic doctor here!

Thanks to everyone.

Hare Krishna, Amado Gurudeva:

Por favor, acepte nuestras humildes reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

Por la misericordia de Abhiram Thakur Prabhu, quien impulsó las donaciones para sus audífonos, envié un mensaje al grupo de mis hermanos espirituales de Argentina. Le envié al devoto Devendra Prabhu, encargado de la colecta, $750 dólares. De esta cantidad, $720, fueron donación de Deva Vrata Prabhu, y los $30 restantes fueron míos.

Personalmente, estoy armando una propuesta educativa, una especie de gurukula, la cual hago como una ofrenda a usted y a Prabhupada, quien quería impulsar este proyecto. En otra carta le contaré más detalles sobre esto. Quiero invertir mi capital en ese proyecto, ya que siento que esa es mi daksina para usted.

Mi discernimiento me dice que, debido a su servicio actual, enfocar mi energía e inversión en este proyecto podría ser un mejor servicio para usted que darle dinero personalmente. Sin embargo, quisiera preguntarle si esto es lo correcto o si, por el contrario, debería hacerle una donación anual, como siempre lo he hecho.

Muchas gracias, Gurudev, por todo lo que hace por nosotros y por las almas encarnadas en este mundo material.

Su tonto sirviente,

Nikunja Bihari das.