8/21/19

Dear Ishvara Upamana/Madhu Krishna das/Michael Sheludko/Researcher

Please accept my humble obeisances in remembrance of my Divine Masters.

I am a researcher, doing religion studies at the Ukrainian Catholic University, so the first interest is of this intention.

Prabhu, in Christian theology what is the term for a person who, once a Christian, turns away from Christ? Is the term not “heretic” or, perhaps, apostate? A heretic is one that believes in or practices heresy, which is defined as follows:

1) belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine:

2) opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted:

As for apostate, we find this:

a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle

Applying the above principals to your case, Read More...

(Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada in Melbourne)

Date: 8/18/19

To my friends in the grhasta-ashrama.

My dandavats Sriman Uddharan.

By chance after advising you not to take advantage of your gentle wife’s no fighting stance I happened to read this demand of Srila Prabhupada upon a bride to be (“I do promise to always serve and obey my husband . . . ”):

Śyāmasundara: “Henceforward from this day…”

Prabhupāda: Let him promise.

Śyāmasundara: Hmm.

Prabhupāda: You promise, “I…”

Śyāmasundara: You, Sanaka dāsa…

Prabhupāda: Say, “I, Sanaka dāsa…”

Sanaka: I, Sanaka dāsa…

Prabhupāda: Ah! “…take charge of you…”

Śyāmasundara: “…take charge of you…”

Read More...

Srila Sridhara Maharaja: I am in my old age. To continue the distribution of this highest welfare of our Guru Maharaja, I have appointed Govinda Maharaja, to do on my behalf. If you connect with him you will be able to know what is his inner capacity to deal with all these things. I hope you will appreciate, appreciate and you will find higher things in him. With this I retire. vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca… .

— 86.02.19.A @12:30

Dear Sripada Candrasekhara Swami,

Please accept my humble obeisances in remembrance of my Divine Masters.

It was kind of you to call me and follow up with your written invitation to celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s avirbhava with you at 26 Second Ave. I appreciate this gesture initiated by His Holiness Sripada Jayadvaita Swami, one of my long time friends.

If I had been asked to speak to the participants I might have considered this a preaching opportunity. But I was not and, therefore, hardly see the point of my attending as I already know what to expect and do not see any benefit for myself or Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Global, the Mission I represent. I will extend these remarks by asking, in light of them, what benefit would there be for others should I attend?

When we spoke by phone Read More...

Dear Sriman Narada dasa,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

I thank you for your reply but don’t notice any substantial difference between your present email and the one before it.

Whatever you want to know about Gaudiya Vaishnavism should be learned under the tutelage of one advanced in spiritual knowledge by following this method:

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

Synonyms
tat — that knowledge of different sacrifices; viddhi — try to understand; praṇipātena — by approaching a spiritual master; paripraśnena — by submissive inquiries; sevayā — by the rendering of service; upadekṣyanti — they will initiate; te Read More...

Date: 6/22/19

Dear Vedran,

You asked:

I came from Croatia. What do I need to join the movement in India?

It is a good question which I am happy to answer.

The “movement” you refer to is the preaching and practicing of Krishna Consciousness as they have been disiminated by Sri Krishna Chaitanya through His direct instructions and those of His most devoted followers, as enunciated in the teachings of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura.

Those teachings and practices fruictified, flourished and were further embellished by those I will refer to as our trinity of Gurus. They are: Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my initiating spiritual master; Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhara Maharaja, my sannyasa guru and Srila Bhakti Sundara Govinda Maharaja, my instructing spiritual master.

What Read More...

Date: 6/16/19

Dear Devotees and friends,

This morning Sriman Uddharan dasa brought this to my attention under the subject “Passing of a vaisnava.”

— Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram website

Sripada Parvat Maharaja was a very dear friend to me. I knew him to be very demanding while maintaining a stance of wonderful humility and softness; qualities that are difficult to align.

Years ago I asked him to look after our New Jersey Math while I was visiting and travelling with Srila Govinda Maharaja. It was a big responsibility for which he had no obligation except as a favor to me. He happiy accepted my request and continued the programs here in my absence. He also personally served our Deities, Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari jiu to a higher standard than I could Read More...

(Preaching in Odessa, Ukraine 2014)

Date: 4/19/19

Dear Sriman Hrdaya Krishna dasa,

Please accept my blessings and well-wishes in remembrance of my Divine Masters.

Yes, from time to time I can give classes on Sundays.
And yes, I quote my acaryas again and again, depending on the subject of the class.

While this is encouraging news, I am sure it violates the rules, laws and spirit the ISKCON GBC, as the ultimate ISKCON authority—both managerial and spiritual—promotes and demands of all those serving in ISKCON.

The preaching and guidance you are giving with reference to Their Divine Graces, Srila Sridhara Maharaja and Srila Govinda Maharaja must, therefore, take place only in the shadows and back alleys of ISKCON where it is tolerated while the prevailing view and governing doctrines Read More...