You may have seen things on the internet written by “Madhudvisa Dasa.” And you may have wondered, Is this the Madhudvisa, the senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada? Or perhaps you assumed it was.

In fact, there are two Madhudvisas, two entirely different people.

The senior Madhudvisa Dasa	The junior Madhudvisa Dasa

For those who doubt we live in a world where peace is attainable, I saw this advertisement today in Leicester, UK, in the window of a mortician:

“Discover the peace of mind that comes from planning and paying towards your funeral.”

Mr. William F. Buckley, Jr., the politically conservative founder of the magazine National Review, an opinionated intellectual whose views I have sometimes agreed with, sometimes disagreed with, and often not known or cared about but whose skill as a writer I have often admired, died on Wednesday at 82.

Among his other roles, for thirty-three years he served as host and combatant on “Firing Line,” a television program of highbrow discussion and debate.

An article today in The New York Times about Mr. Buckley and his program relates an anecdote told by Richard Brookhiser, a conservative writer and a frequent guest on the program:

And there was the time that Allen Ginsberg asked Mr. Buckley’s permission, in the middle of an episode, to sing a song in praise of Lord Krishna.

“That was a howl—sorry, sorry about the word choice,” Mr. Brookhiser said. “Bill was very gentle with him. He said of course.”

Mr. Ginsberg proceeded to play a long and doleful number on a harmonium, chanting along slowly and passionately, Mr. Brookhiser said. “And when he was finished, Bill said, ‘Well, that’s the most unharried Krishna I’ve ever heard.’ ”

I subscribe to a free e-mail newsletter that arrives twice a month with brief extracts from valuable Krishna conscious writings. In the latest issue I found these instructions from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, which I thought I’d share:

varjile e saba sanga sadhu ninda naya
ihake ye ninda bale sei varjya haya

One should avoid the association of persons who criticize saintly devotees.

ei saba sanga chadi ananya-sarana
krsna-nama kari paya krsna-prema-dhana

Anyone who avoids these persons, chants Krishna’s holy name, and takes shelter of Krishna and no one else attains the treasure of love for Krishna.

You can request to receive the newsletter, Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu, by writing to katha@gopaljiu.org.