© 1999 VNN
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WORLD February 20, 1999 VNN3110 Raghu's - Children Of Krsna "Waste Of Time and New Baby Girl BY RAGHUNATHA ANUDAS USA, Feb 20 (VNN) — This is a small window into the lives of a few 2nd generation friends from family and preaching on TV and radio and figuring out the "Karmi-devotee split" to the affection of old friends past and correcting old friends today. I think its a nice cross section summary of what's happening with the 2nd generation and thought it would prove of interest to the devotees at large. Raghu GURUKULIS VRINDAVAN: New Wife & Baby Girl - Running TV Station GANDARI: CHILDREN OF KRSNA - "Waste of Time" & $ YUDHISTIR: "Figure Out that Karma-Devotee Split" VAISAVA: Nirmala Chandra "Best Friend In Dallas" NIRMALA CHANDRA UPDATE: In Private Correspondence GOVINDA MAY: "Encourage Talents" DEVOTEES DAYANANDA: Poem "Reminds Me of Shakespeare's," GOURI DAS PANDIT: Ritvik Debate "Will Become Like Yadu's beating each other to death" KANDITA: HUMOR "Latest True Stories from World of Technical Support!" VRINDAVAN: New Wife & Baby Girl - Running TV Station Subj: its been a long time, my friend Date:2/18/99 2:29:52 PM Pacific Standard Time From:vedic108@hotmail.com (vrin parker) Dear Raghu, This must be you, Guiffre, John. I got your messages at my address vedic108@hotmail.com. Thank you. I am glad you are active on the net. Amazing tool, isn't it. I got an egroup at vediculture@egroups.com Feel free to check it out and post messages for all the members to read. I took the liberty of signing you up. I don't know if you have heard, but I have moved here to Eugene, Oregon. I have been here since Sept98. I love it. I'm living here with my new wife, Rachel and my daughter, Avani. My wife is going to have a baby in about 2 weeks. We are 99% sure its a boy so we have named him Sharngadhanvan Chakravati Mizuta-Parker. Sharnga is Vishnu's bow Dhanvan means weilder. If it does turn out to be a girl we are going to name her Parijata Sundari Mizuta-Parker. I live a block from Tripurari's temple. He is trying to sell it. He already moved to Vrindavan, India and 2 of his disciples are maintaining the Pujas and taling care of the 2 mini-zebu cows. So I hope you are well. What is the latest in your life? How is your mom? How is your daughter? Say hi to your mom for me. I am involved with community Tv here and put Prabhupad and other Vedic stuff on Tv every week. I run the station on tuesdays. In Hawaii the (rave) parties are still happening. the last 2 were funded by the University of hawaii. The next one is on 2/28.It's called Golden Volcano of Divine Love in honor Guar purnima. it is being held at the Wave Waikiki. Neil and Atma are putting it toghether. So I hope to hear from you soon, yr friend Vrin My number is (541)461-(contact me-Raghu for #). Oh yeah, Happy Birthday!!! Date:2/18/99 2:06:53 PM Pacific Standard Time From:vedic108@hotmail.com (eGroups.com List Manager) This is the eGroups.com service. You have been added to the vediculture@egroups.com group by the group's moderator: vedic108@hotmail.com Here is a welcome message provided by vedic108@hotmail.com: ------------------ Welcome and Namaste. Vedic Cultural Enthusiasts is a support group for people who are interesed in the World's Ancient Vedic Culture. Please invite other interested people to join. Don't forget to check out various Vedic and Indian websites websites like http://members.xoom.com/vedicempire; www.ajeyabharat.com; www.krsna.com; www.shivasena.org; www.bjp.org; hkw@iskcon.net;btinternet.com/ vivekananda; www.hindunet.org; freeindia.org;www.prabhupada.com; www.sunsar.com/WAVES;Please inform us of any other sites that are about Vedic and Indian culture. Members are welcome to post messages on the egroup at vediculture@egroups.com YUDHISTIR: "Figure Out that Karma-Devotee Split" From:Saudamani To:Anudasa Dear Raghunatha, This is Yudhisthira, though the return address is my Mom's e-mail address. I just read the Child Abuse web page and I agree wholeheartedly with your letter. I was completely done with ISKCON until I heard about the reunions, probably through your newsletter, and just last month I left Eugene where I was living pretty much in the mode of ignorance and am back in Philly with my parents for now. One of the motivations is to try to figure out that karma- devotee split you mention. I haven't made the reunions these last few years because of money, but I hope to be in New Vrindavan this year, hopefully even sooner than the reunion. So what have you been up to? Where do you live? What are you doing? Probably the last time I saw you I was still in the Navy. I got out in '95, started growing my hair, and moved to Austin, TX to play music -- the "live music capitol of the world" and all that. Got sick of Texas, moved to Tucson for a winter, and then to hippie-haven Eugene, OR. I was in a band for awhile with a little small-town success, but I met up with Prthu Prabhu there and realizing I was forgetting all my innate purity of Gurukula youth, started reading the Bhagavatam -- just to remember the stories you see -- and I guess through the purification process, started developing a distaste for my rock-n- roll lifestyle. Even without the spiritual aspects though, I'm deep in debt and wasn't using my abilities in any real way. I felt I was atrofying mentally and spiritually.Anyway, I'm back with my parents and the association of the devotees atleast for now. I just started a temp job to hold down the fort while I wait for further inspiration. I must say it was a shock to read the newspaper one day and see the AP article on the ISKCON Communication Journal article. I agree with your analysis, though I can't completely fault the devotees for looking out for ISKCON's public relations. Your stories of Srila Prabhupada were very encouraging, however. Well, I guess I'll close with a big THANK YOU -- for the Youth Veterans, the reunions (some of my favorite times, even if not completely KC), and your letter. I hope to see you soon. Sincerely, Yudhisthira dasa Dear Yudi, Wonderful. I'll write more later, but let me get this next issue of my newsletter out and use yours in the following issue. I'll send you a copy of the first one and please show it to your mom and your beautiful sister. Your Mom has always been such a sweat heart to me. give her my thankz. Your sister has been too, well she still owes me $300 from 5 years ago, but a cutie pie all the same. Even your dad has been one of the few to support my early efforts in both word and deed. He is one of the only GBC's to have given a donation to ISKCON Youth Veterans newsletter when the others would have noting to do with me at best. So show it to him too. Well, I guess this has turned into a full blown response - such is the internate. Hearing from you is very enlivening to me as a devotee and friend. I believe many others are going to be as moved. Thank you for your endorsement of Prabhupada's Magic. I've gotten a lot of flack for it and writen off in many formal ISKCON circles, but my good friends have found it on target. The AP artticle is only the beginning. I think this year is going to see alot. I look forward o seeing you again - maybe N.Vrind. I'm now in LA working, school, after a two month vacation in Hawaii where Mata lives on the Big Island. More details later. Raghu VAISAVA: Nirmala Chandra "Best Friend In Dallas" Date:2/17/99 9:49:53 PM Pacific Standard Time From:ehrlichman@hotmail.com (dave Ehrlichman) To:Anudasa@aol.com Hey Ragu, good to hear from you. I actually liked the poem alot, though I was in a hurry and merely scanned it. It was quite long and as such can run the risk of losing a reader's attention. But I found it to be well synchronized and contained delightful choices of words & rhymes. I admit I'd have to read it again to critique it, maybe some day I'll send you one of my own. On another note, could you ask Nirmal if you can put me in touch w/ him, or give him my e-mail. I remeber him as my best friend in Dallas And at the time his mom & dad were also very close w/ my mom & dad. I would love to be in contact with him for the first time since France (15 years ago). He canreach me at Ehrlichman@hotmail.com or at 1800-((ask me - raghu for 3) (work -- so ask for Dave) or 503-((ask me - raghu for #). Also let me know of his web site. Take Care my dear friend, I'll be in touch. Vais. Dear Vais thank you vais. Youve always been generious with me like all your friends. I'm happy you enjoyed the poem. I gave nirmala a complete copy of your email. let me know if he contacted you. Raghu NIRMALA CHANDRA UPDATE: We have exchanged emails discussing our differences further and privately as he demanded. GOVINDA MAY: "Encourage Talents" Subj:RE: Newsletter Responses Date:2/17/99 8:31:26 PM Pacific Standard Time From:Houghfam To:Anudasa I just read your newsletter and the responses to your poem. I do not understand how unkind some of these people treat you. Now that I am on the internet I receive hundreds of e-mails, some I like, some I do not. That people would discourage your writing and your poetry is beyond me. Poems mean something different to every one who reads them. Your poem may mean one thine to me and another may find different meaning with it. I encourage you to continue with your poetry and with your writings. Maybe if the children in Isckon had been encouraged in their talents, instead of belittled, we would not have the problems we have with the Gurukilis (you know what I mean by problems) You have all my blessings and encouragement in what ever you choose to do. I may not allways agree with you, but then I know you are entittled to your opinions and feelings (as we all are) I just wish "people" would take it or leave it, instead of crushing your spirit. I know it has been very hard for you, and a little kindness is long over-due. So, keep up the excellent poetry (I really did enjoy it) and do not let anyone touch your spirit. Govi Dear Govi. thank you. I don't think of myself as a poet as one who was struck by the passion of poetry in a sudden and rare flash of a romantic that could suddenly speak verse as he has always felt. It was more magic to me then craft and so feel as reserved about the experience as we are apt to be with sacred magical moments. Thank you all the same. Raghu DAYANANDA: Poem "Reminds Me of Shakespeare's," From:dayananda@msn.com (Dayananda das) OK, Rags. I got your two recent newsletters, so I read them and your poem that I had previously neglected to read. I'm impressed. I like, "Love is the staple of the soul the language of the heart the medium of divinity the substance of transcendence and the secret of happiness." It reminds me of Shakespeare's, "sleep--the death of each day's life, sore labour's bath, balm of hurt minds, chief nourisher in life's feast, great nature's second course." (Macbeth) Love, however, is the other side of the coin. I could never understand why he went on about sleep. I don't know the sonnets, so I can't compare your "What is Love Anyway" with them, but I didn't think it was impersonal as Jnanagamya has commented. I like the lines, "so rare are some few with a love so great that the Lord is but two - left helpless to their loves' embrace...." I don't know precisely what you meant by that, but I have my own understanding. I am touched by what you say there and what you have written in general. Words, knowledge and education are indeed powerful. We live in a time when a majority of us are too busy. We have too many words, too much knowledge, and too much education. Yet we say little, know little and remain ignorant. It seems to me that you are attempting to find value in words and that you are trying to be an educated gentleman. I have deep respect for someone like that, for you. On another topic, you have referred to your essay, Prabhupad's Magic. If you get the chance, please send that to me. In closing, I wonder if I might cheaply purchase your friendship by continuing to read your stuff. ys, dayananda Dear Dayananda Yes, a writer like any artisan is easily won with admiration for thier craft and so as pleased of your appreciation. Thank you for your kind words. As for "the Lord is but two" it refers to the Lord becoming one in heart with his beloved devotee in which they become two faces of the same heart. Raghu GOURI DAS PANDIT: Ritvik Debate "Will Become Like Yadu's beating each other to death" From:Gauridas In a message dated 99-02-17 13:06:02 EST, you write: OF course the wack-os interpret the distance others keep from them (at the LA meetings) as a sign of fear of exhile from ISKCON but that's really pretty feeble. They rationalized away the bad attendance in LA in January with that silly excuse. The fact is they (rikviks) are all so angry and entrenched in faultfinding they have a hard time getting along with each other and can't do very much other than criticize. Why should I try to make sense to the sensless? Dear Raghu, PAMHO AGTSP! The Newsletter looks good; it will surely give alot of food for thought. I took exception to the above statements by an anonymous writer though. The attendance at the LA meeting was more than expected. These devotees have the courage it takes to stand up to unrighteousness. They should be given all credit. If this person actually attended the meeting or looks at the tapes he/she will see that the devotees were very satvik. I didn't seen much anger at all. At the same time to be angry at a bad thing is good. There was alot of emotion. This issue touches the core of our hearts. some of the extreme ritviks do go overboard with the criticism of ISKCON 'gurus' when all we should really do is what Srila Prabhupada said. I prefer to push the GBC for reform basing 'souly' on what Srila Prabhupada said to do, bas! Otherwise it will become like the Yadu dynasty with us beating each other to death. From the looks of the GBC resolutions this year it's not going to get any better any time soon. Still we must try to remain patient and remain determined. In time it will all be rectified. These devotees are some of the smartest around and humblest too. There was Madhuha and Madhu Pandit and Ram Parahar and Maniman to name a few. To call all of them 'senseless' is an offensive and 'senseless' statement. Shame on the anonymous one! And if he/she is criticizing some of the devotees excuse for not attending (because they would be branded or banned or evicted by ISKCON INC.) then why do they have to write anonymously? anyway, nothings perfect, Keep up the good work. The dogs may bark the the carivan of reform rolls on! Hoping this meets you well and we'll get together soon to improve even more. Your servant, Gauridasa Pandita KANDITA: HUMOR "Latest True Stories from World of Technical Support!" From:kbrett@hawaii.edu (Kristen Brett-Kandita-Hawaii) Here's the latest collection of dandy TRUE STORIES from the world of Technical Support! -------- Tech Support: "How much free space do you have on your hard drive?" Customer: "Well, my wife likes to get up there on that Internet, and she downloaded ten hours of free space. Is that enough?" ----- A woman called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer. The tech asked her if she was "running it under Windows." The woman then responded, "No, my desk is next to the door. But that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his is working fine." ----- Tech Support: "Ok Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program Manager." Customer: "I don't have a 'P'." Tech Support: "On your keyboard, Bob." Customer: "What do you mean?" Tech Support: "'P' on your keyboard, Bob." Customer: "I'm not going to do that!" ----- Overheard in a computer shop: Customer: "I'd like a mouse mat, please." Salesperson: "Certainly sir, we've got a large variety." Customer: "But will they be compatible with my computer?" ----- I once received a fax with a note on the bottom to fax the document back to the sender when I was finished with it, because he needed to keep it. ----- Customer: "Can you copy the Internet for me on this diskette?" ----- I work for a local ISP. Frequently we receive phone calls that go something like this: Customer: "Hi. Is this the Internet?" ----- Some people pay for their online services with checks made payable to "The Internet." ----- Customer: "So that'll get me connected to the Internet, right?" Tech Support: "Yeah." Customer: "And that's the latest version of the Internet, right?" Tech Support: "Uhh . . . uh . . . uh . . . yeah." ----- Tech Support: "All right . . . now double-click on the File Manager icon." Customer: "That's why I hate this Windows -- because of the icons. I'm a Protestant, and I don't believe in icons." Tech Support: "Well, that's just an industry term sir. I don't believe it was meant to --." Customer: "I don't care about any 'Industry Terms'. I don't believe in icons." Tech Support: "Well . . . why don't you click on the 'little picture' of a file cabinet . . . is 'little picture' OK?" Customer: [click] ----- Customer: "My computer crashed!" Tech Support: "It crashed?" Customer: "Yeah, it won't let me play my game." Tech Support: "All right, hit Control-Alt-Delete to reboot." Customer: "No, it didn't crash -- it crashed." Tech Support: "Huh?" Customer: "I crashed my game. That's what I said before. Now it doesn't work." Turned out, the user was playing Lunar Lander and crashed his spaceship. Tech Support: "Click on 'File,' then 'New Game.'" Customer: [pause] "Wow! How'd you learn how to do that?" ----- Seen as graffiti on whiteboard during video presentation at JavaOne conference: if (you.canRead(this)) you.canGet(new job(!proble Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9902/WD20-3110.html
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