# Association with Devotees Instructions from Śrīla Prabhupāda's letters about the importance of associating with devotees, cooperation among devotees, and the dangers of leaving devotee association. --- ## The Purpose of Association ![[letters/1968/680326_yadunandana|The best thing is therefore not to seek solitude in the beginning but to remain in the midst of pure devotees so that even there is attack of maya, their association will protect us]] —Yadunandana, 26 March, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680409_satsvarupa|Yes, every one of us should be ideal to the other so everyone can get impetus to make progress more and more]] —Satsvarupa, 9 April, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680713_subala|The business of Krishna Conscious persons is to enjoy by mutual association on the basis of understanding Krishna from Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam]] —Subala, 13 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680920_satsvarupa|there is no doubt you can fly in the spiritual sky and meet together without failure. Therefore, individual strength is most important and that individual strength is achieved in the association of devotees also]] —Satsvarupa, 20 September, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681111_sivananda|So one should not imitate such great personalities but one should try to see how much taste he has developed for chanting, so that one can remain alone simply being engaged in chanting. If one can remain alone simply being engaged in chanting]] —Sivānanda, 11 November, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690306_rayarama|I am so glad to learn that you felt too much inconvenience in the company of the karmis]] —Rayarāma, 6 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691225_krsna_dasa|a devotee should associate with fellow devotees, and in relationship to others the devotee should try to elevate them also onto the spiritual platform]] —Govardhana dāsa, 25 December, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700214_sacisuta|by association with pure persons or devotees we can become purified of our acquired bad habits]] —Sacīsuta, 14 February, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710121_bhavananda|Your winter schedule is very nice. I am so glad to hear that temple worship is going on nicely and that you have made a program for discussing all our books. Such group discussion of transcendental topics is so much potent and all should participate]] —Bhavānanda, 21 January, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710723_vrndavanacandra|So far as mixing with society, we can do it. That is all right. But simply for jobs sake, we cannot. To mix with them intimately is not good. So that should be avoided. Lord Caitanya never said stop mixing with nondevotees. He was preaching Himself. How a preacher can stop? The whole world is nondevotees]] —Vṛndāvana Candra, 23 July, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711130_rupanuga|But it is not that we are in business to make profit from each other. With the public, that is a different thing...our centers require so many things like books, tapes, photos, like that--and these should be freely exchanged between the temples to be utilized nicely in preaching work, without profit-making]] —Rūpānuga, 30 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720613_bhargava|Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your God brothers]] —Bhārgava, 13 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721121_niranjana|As there are in Vrndavana some residents like monkeys and hogs, similarly there are many rascals in the name of Vaisnavas, be careful of them]] —Nirañjana, 21 November, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/731126_umapati|One thing is though that we should not take such meetings and committees too seriously, as in the ultimate capacity our chanting is the only thing that will save us]] —Umāpati, 26 November, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740604_bhakta_dasa|I know you are always experiencing difficulties in living with devotees, but we must be tolerant and endure the personal differences, being humbler than a blade of grass, and stick to our duties to the spiritual master]] —Śrī Vallabha, 4 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740906_swami_satpremananda_sarasvati|So try to learn this philosophy nicely in association with other devotees and certainly you will be able to do great benefit to your fellow countrymen]] —Mr. Svoboda, 6 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741122_nrhari|So we associate with one another so that we can assist each other in hearing and chanting about Krsna. That is the purpose of our Society]] —Nṛhari dāsa, 22 November, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750419_mr._ramanbhai_m._patel._ramanbhai_m._patel._ramanbhai_m._patel|By associating and rendering service to the Vaisnavas and hearing the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam as well as chanting Hare Krsna, your life will become perfect]] —Mr. Patel, 19 April, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751115_janajanmadhih|The first thing is to chant sixteen rounds minimum on the beads and it is best to do this in the association of others who also desire to progress in spiritual life]] —Paul Diglio, 15 November, 1975 --- ## Co-operation, Appreciation & Competition ![[letters/1967/670413_kirtanananda|Transcendental jealousy is not wrong but it is absolute. In the transcendental world there are jealous parties also like the party of Radharani and the party of Satyabhama]] —Kīrtanānanda, 13 April, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/670916_janaki|Rivalry between good hearts is a very nice job, but I'm equally pleased with both your sister and yourself]] —Jānakī, September, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671105_rayarama|we shall be very much careful to deal in such provocative situations]] —Rayarāma, 5 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671112_subala|In Krishna consciousness there is variety but there is no discord. We may fight with one another on the point of serving but that is not a discord]] —Subala, 12 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671118_brahmananda|Personal misunderstanding exists even in the higher levels. There is competition of loving Krishna even in the party of Srimati Radharani. It is a kind of rasa to compete in loving affection centering around Krishna]] —Brahmānanda, 18 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671128_nandarani|The mistake is that being addressed as boss or prabhu, one thinks himself as exactly prabhu or the boss. One should not forget himself as humble servant]] —Nandarānī, 28 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1968/680111_gargamuni|If there is competition amongst you, that is good. If Gargamuni says that I shall collect more than Brahmananda, and Brahmananda says I shall collect more than Gargamuni, that is nice]] —Gargamuni, 11 January, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680111_rayarama|So if there is any misunderstanding between the two, I think it should be cleared by now...There is nothing more pleasing to me than to have all my students at one center working conjointly without quarrelling]] —Rayarāma, 11 January, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680115_gurudasa|Please try to work conjointly, but separately, that is our system]] —Gurudāsa, 15 January, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680225_karunamayi|We are trying to serve Krishna and this service must go on peacefully]] —Karuṇāmayi, 25 February, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680303_hansadutta_himavati|Although there may be differences in our personal dealings, we must be always congenial in Krishna Consciousness activities]] —Haṁsadūta and Himāvatī, 3 March, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680530_aniruddha|So go on with your activities and fulfill your responsibilities and use your talents in that way, and try to appreciate Mukunda. He is also a good boy and rendering very nice service, and doing his best according to his taste. So we have to adjust things]] —Aniruddha, 30 May, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680530_mukunda|With so many qualified boys and girls in San Francisco, I wish that all may cooperate and work combinedly for the Glory of the Lord, under your supervision]] —Mukunda, 30 May, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680530_umapati|Do not forget to carry out the mission of your Spiritual Master, but cooperate with all other God brothers]] —Umāpati, 30 May, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680717_brahmananda|Let us organize in such a way that it may be model for the whole world, and therefore, mutual cooperation is very much required amongst ourselves]] —Brahmānanda, 17 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680717_mukunda|Please try to avoid this kind of internal strife and carry on your duties very peacefully]] —Mukunda, 17 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680729_madhusudana|In the spiritual world, there are also varieties, but each variety is complement to another]] —Madhusūdana, 29 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680819_tamala_krsna|Every Vaisnava should help another Vaisnava in spiritual advancement and should not try to put impediments in another's way of making progress]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa, 19 August, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690118_janaki|Our only ambition is to serve Krishna sincerely and this service attitude should be maintained at any cost]] —Jānakī, 18 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690121_kulasekhara|The Krishna Consciousness is full of varieties and anyone who is intelligent can enter into any of these varieties and make his life successful]] —Kulasekhara, 21 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690123_aniruddha|So both of you are very sincere students and I have full faith in you. So try to develop the Krsna Consciousness movement in Hamburg in great cooperation and friendship]] —Aniruddha, 23 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690213_sivananda|Being convinced of a thing, if you push on in your own way, you will be successful. This confidence in Krishna Consciousness must always continue]] —Sivānanda, 13 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690320_rayarama|I think I have done my part by giving the general scheme of Krsna Consciousness and if you think you have got something from me, then please assist me in spreading this movement all over the world]] —Rayarāma, 20 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690321_tamala_krsna|You must always remember that you can never do any wrong so long as you are working under my directions]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa, 21 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690323_satsvarupa|I thank you very much for your appreciations. Actually, I am very much indebted to all of my students who are helping me in this movement]] —Satsvarūpa, 23 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690403_krsna_dasa|Our movement is based upon the principle of love and respect for all. So if you carry on activities with one another with love and respect, all will be successful]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 3 April, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690724_brahmananda|Any action done for Krishna is never lost]] —Brahmānanda, 24 July, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690830_brahmananda|There is a great field in your country to spread this movement and I want that all my students should work together cooperatively in this great mission]] —Brahmānanda, 30 August, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690908_gargamuni|My mission is to establish Krishna Consciousness all over the world and I want all of my advanced students to assist me in this great task]] —Gargamuni, 8 September, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690909_brahmananda|One thing is that if there is any misunderstanding between the God brothers they should try to understand one another]] —Brahmānanda, 9 September, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690928_brahmananda|Whatever you are doing now, it is all Krishna's service. So do it nicely and seriously]] —Brahmānanda, 28 September, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691001_tamala_krsna|Relationship between Godbrothers must be very genuine. The principle is that everyone is acting as sincere servant of Krishna. Then all demands and requirements are adjusted]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa, October, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691115_brahmananda|Krishna is the center, so let us act for Krishna jointly and individually]] —Brahmānanda, 15 November, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700426_umapati|our business is just to follow the footsteps of our predecessors and try to execute the orders received through disciplic succession]] —Umāpati, 26 April, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700430_jayapataka|Cooperation means to work together for the sake of mutual satisfaction. So my satisfaction is in spreading Krishna consciousness worldwide]] —Jayapatāka, 30 April, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700510_bali-mardana_upendra-mardana_upendra-mardana_upendra|The fighting spirit will destroy everything]] —Bali-mardana and Upendra, 10 May, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700614_jayapataka|Simply work very hard, as hard as you are able, and Krishna will help you in all respects]] —Jayapatāka, 14 June, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700727_satsvarupa_uddhava|This is called cooperative spirit...If you have no cooperative spirit, then how do you expect to do good to others?]] —Satsvarūpa and Uddhava, 27 July, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700806_upendra|You are very sincere boy and also very intelligent. Simply go on with your work for Krishna and that will be pleasing to me and to Krishna]] —Upendra, 6 August, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710101_karandhara|Each and every member should feel responsibility for the whole Society]] —Karandhara, 1 January, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710813_suresh_candra|Competition in Krishna's service is nice, but it should not become unhealthy]] —Suresh Candra, 13 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710831_ekayani|So I want that all of my students shall work cooperatively for achieving the desired goal of our Society. Personal differences may be there, but they can be resolved amongst yourselves]] —Ekāyani, 31 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711209_jayatirtha|We should always remember that we are cooperating with Krishna in executing His plan]] —Jayatīrtha, 9 December, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711222_upendra|Please continue to work very hard for Krishna and cooperate with all the devotees]] —Upendra, 22 December, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720204_atreya_rsi|We should always try to cooperate with one another for making life successful. This is the test of Vaisnava advancement]] —Atreya Ṛṣi, 4 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720219_upendra|I want all of my students to work together cooperatively in this great mission]] —Upendra, 19 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720422_dharma|Just have very nice kirtana, follow all the regulative principles, and be very happy. This is the sum and substance of our movement]] —Dharma, 22 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720509_amogha|Cooperation means working together for the common interest of spreading Krishna consciousness]] —Amogha, 9 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720613_sankarsana|Simply do your best to serve Krishna, follow all the rules and regulations very carefully, be happy in chanting Hare Krishna, and everything will be successful]] —Saṅkarṣaṇa, 13 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720730_jayapataka|The principle of cooperation must be there, and that is the test of our Krishna consciousness]] —Jayapatāka, 30 July, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720829_gurudasa|We should work together cooperatively. That is the meaning of this Krishna consciousness movement]] —Gurudāsa, 29 August, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720918_govinda|The more you cooperate with one another in executing the mission of Lord Caitanya, the more you will advance in spiritual life]] —Govinda, 18 September, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721225_sri_govinda|So on the above statements you must make some compromise. Both Tripurari and yourself are intelligent]] —Śrī Govinda dāsa, 25 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730304_ksirodakasayi|The more we cooperate in Krishna consciousness movement, the more we shall be successful]] —Kṣīrodakaśāyī, 4 March, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/730310_bhumata|We are all working together for one goal, so there should be very good cooperation between us]] —Bhūmatā, 10 March, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731018_jagadisa|Now this displeasing of Godbrothers has already begun and gives me too much agitation in my mind]] —Jagadīśa, 18 October, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731209_babhru|The test of our actual dedication and sincerity to serve the spiritual master...Try to convince Gaurasundara and Siddhasvarupa to return to ISKCON and let us forget whatever has happened in the past]] —Babhru, 9 December, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731225_gurukrpa_yasodanandana|to bury the hatchet and join together to push on this movement cooperatively...Whatever imperfections and discrepancies may exist, if you all agree to my directions and cooperate in the right spirit then everything will turn out]] —Gurukṛpā Mahārāja and Yaśodānandana Mahārāja, 25 December, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740101_madhavananda|There is always some difference because we are...not impersonalists, we are personalists and everyone is different]] —Madhavānanda, 1 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740107_malati|Do not cause a crack there with any fighting spirit or competition]] —Mālatī, 7 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740111_nadia|If there are any misunderstandings which arise, as they will, settle them up. You are all qualified American boys, now push on this glorious mission without letting it be hampered by personal difference]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, 11 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740403_jayapataka_bhavananda|So please go on, all working together in a cooperative spirit and do the needful]] —Jayapatāka and Bhavānanda, 3 April, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740501_jayatirtha|You have dedicated your life for Krsna and therefore you should be ideal. We are introducing Krsna consciousness movement for the harmony and good will of humanity...Stop this fighting, tolerate, chant and read our books]] —Trivikrama Mahārāja, 1 May, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740505_ramesvara|Those who are advanced devotees try to see only the good that other devotees are doing, just as bees are attracted to honey, while flies are attracted to sores]] —Rāmeśvara, 5 May, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740608_syamasundara|We have to keep Krsna always in the center, and then although there are disturbances and sometimes fall downs we will be able to work together and keep our Society intact]] —Haṁsadūta, 8 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740625_yadunandana|I am requesting my disciples to always stay in the association of devotees and to propagate the sankirtana movement all over the world]] —Yadunandana, 25 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740915_resolution|In Bengal there is a proverb that even if there are some dead metal utensils but when they are together they make so much noise, so what to speak of living utensils]] —Rāmeśvara dāsa, 15 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741006_madhavananda|We should utilize our talents without being envious of others...In material life there is simply envy of other's progress, but in spiritual life...one encourages another]] —Madhavānanda dāsa, 6 October, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741203_agent_central_bank_of_india|I am glad to understand that you are living and working peacefully with the others there. This is required]] —Madhavānanda dāsa, 3 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741206_sri_govinda|So on the above statements you must make some compromise. Both Tripurari and yourself are intelligent. Sometimes we may differ, but Krsna is the center]] —Śrī Govinda dāsa, 6 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741228_sukadeva|The temple president is in charge and the sannyasi should not contradict the instructions. Although if he does see something wrong or if he sees a fault or defect he should bring it out directly to the temple president]] —Sukadeva, 28 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750116_krsnavesa|My request to you is that you try to follow the authorities there, the temple president, the GBC, etc.—cooperate nicely with them. Our movement is based on love and trust, so if we do not cooperate, then how is that love and trust?]] —Krsnavesa dasi, 16 January, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750119_radhavallabha|This is called transcendental competition. Everyone should feel proud of his particular type of devotional service, but the pure devotee never minimizes the importance of other devotees]] —Satsvarūpa Mahārāja, 19 January, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750318_hanuman|If you can work co-operatively, that is wanted, but if you cannot work with Narayana, that doesn't mean that you can disturb his program]] —Hanuman, 18 March, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750904_gatravan|you should chant Hare Krsna and read my books and cooperate with the authorities]] —Gatravana dāsa, 4 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750911_giriraja|Regarding the other matters, a difference between Godbrothers is natural. That difference of opinion will continue, what can be done? Siddha Svarupananda Maharaja and his group, whenever they see me, they give me money. So they are not against me. So it is a natural thing for the brothers to fight, as long as they all stay obedient to the father]] —Bhūrijana dāsa, 11 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751107_madhudvisa|My point is that even if somebody does not go in one line with the rest of the Godbrothers, he can remain separately, but it does not mean that he may disobey the principles that I have laid down. So long as one follows the principles, he continues to be my disciple]] —Madhudvīsa Swami, 7 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|Let us act cooperatively, maybe sometimes separately, but the central point and aim should be one—Krsna]] —Tuṣṭa Kṛṣṇa Swami, 9 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751113_gargamuni|Do everything amicably. This fighting is going on everywhere. It is not a good sign]] —Alanātha dāsa, 13 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|I am very glad to see that you have out-collected the Sri Sri Radha-Damodara party. This is good competition]] —Jayatīrtha dāsa, 20 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751207_sivarama|Krsna consciousness is just the opposite, if someone is doing well then the attitude of the devotee is to give him all facility to go on and improve more and more]] —Yogeścandra dāsa, 7 December, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760103_ramesvara_prabhu_prabhu|The transcendental competition is nice. If Jayatirtha Prabhu defeats Tamala Krsna...Maharaja, then Tamala will have heart failure. Go on selling books]] —Rāmeśvara dāsa, 3 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa|Everything should be done cooperatively. 'Our' and 'Yours' are material conceptions and have no place in our Krsna consciousness movement. If the members of our movement are unable to cooperate it will be very difficult to spread the mission of Lord Caitanya]] —Satsvarūpa Mahārāja, 5 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760106_aksayananda.c._kapur|Sometimes there will be a little misunderstanding between Godbrothers that is even going on amongst liberated souls]] —Bhakta Ralph, 6 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760107_upendra|As to your question concerning whether relationships between devotees are eternal, the answer is 'Yes']] —Upendra, 7 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760118_ramesvara|In the material world competition, one thinks, 'My competitor can do so much, how can I bring him down?' But in the spiritual world there is appreciation, 'He has done so nicely, I could not do so well]] —Rāmeśvara, 18 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760516_gopala_krsna|So there is no question that one activity is more important than another or that Deity worship is more important than sankirtana]] —Prajāpati dāsa, 16 May, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760809_sumati_morarjee|Devotees always humbly offer respect to everyone, but when there is a discussion on a point of sastra, they do not observe the usual etiquette: satyam...bruyat priyam bruyat]] —Madame Sumati Morarji, 9 August, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761125_giriraja|Such kind of friendly criticisms you will always find among learned scholars, but that does not mean there is any ill feeling with one another]] —Girirāja, 25 November, 1976 --- ![[letters/1977/770113_jayatirtha|This transcendental competition is very encouraging. But combined together, we must defeat maya and her influence]] —Jayatīrtha, 13 January, 1977 --- ![[letters/1977/770417_ramesvara|Due to competition one program should not be diminished for another]] —Rāmeśvara, 17 April, 1977 --- ## Criticism Among Devotees ![[letters/1967/671109_rayarama|we should not be angry with these poor souls. Try to convince them by argument and reason but do not become angry with them]] —Rayarāma, 9 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1968/681013_janaki|But by the grace of Krsna, practically all the devotees and disciples who have kindly joined me, they are, their symptoms are pure devotees. Even if they have got some ulterior desire, that will be removed very soon]] —Jānakī, October, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690728_mandali_bhadra|I do not know exactly what is the point, but if there is some honest criticism there should be no cause of becoming upset]] —Vṛndāvaneśvarī, 28 July, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/701125_satsvarupa|Yes. You have the right attitude towards disturbing comments of fellow devotees]] —Satsvarūpa, 25 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710709_umapati|if you don't do anything and simply remain grhastha, then what is the use of criticizing others? The whole movement is meant for rendering service]] —Umāpati, 9 July, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711014_vrinda|it would be better to set the example rather than to criticize the defects of the devotees]] —Vṛndādevī, 14 October, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720824_giriraja|it is better to correct him to the standard point by friendly gestures. We can reject anyone, that is very easy, but to reform him that requires great skill and tact and if you can reform him there by kind words and dealings, that is best]] —Madhudvīsa and Amogha, 24 August, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720826_gaurasundara|We should not find fault with others and criticize and go away, that is not the Vaisnava way]] —Gaurasundara, 26 August, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720915_gurudasa|everyone can become a pure devotee, if he has no other desire than to serve Krsna and the spiritual master]] —Sudevī dāsī, 15 September, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721118_madhumangala|We should not criticize each other, as Vaisnavas, because there is fault in everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism]] —Madhumaṅgala, 18 November, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721125_nityananda|Simply criticizing and no work, that is the business of inferior men. So do not be disturbed by them, go on with your work, increasing more and more. Never mind the jackals howl]] —Nityānanda, 25 November, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721214_visvambhara|All of my disciples are pure devotees. Anyone sincerely serving the spiritual master is a pure devotee...As soon as we distinguish here is a pure devotee, here is a non-pure devotee, that means I am a nonsense]] —Tuṣṭa Kṛṣṇa, 14 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721229_deva_mira|He has done so much wonderful service and I appreciate him so much. No amount of your foolish words will touch my estimation]] —Deva Mīrā, 29 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/731127_jayadharma|So sometimes in the neophyte stage of devotional service, in order to withstand the attack of maya and remain strong under all conditions of temptation, young or inexperienced devotees will adopt an attitude against those things or persons possibly harmful and threatening to their tender devotional creeper]] —Lynne Ludwig, 27 November, 1973 --- ## Leaving Association of Devotees ![[letters/1967/670827_mrinaline|I am so glad to learn that you have returned to Krsna. Krsna is so kind that He does not let us go, anyone who sincerely takes to Him]] —Mṛṇālinī, 27 August, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671115_rayarama|The incident of Kirtanananda and Hayagriva chapter may be now closed. We shall always pray to Krsna for their recovery and we should not seriously take the counter propaganda]] —Rayarāma, November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671123_woomapati|When you left us I simply prayed to Krsna for your return to Krsna consciousness because that was my duty]] —Umāpati, 23 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671229_brahmananda|He has committed a blunder, but just so that he may be encouraged to come back, you may mention his name]] —Brahmānanda, 29 December, 1967 --- ![[letters/1968/680221_satsvarupa|Yes, it is as you say, therefore we should keep always ourselves engaged so there is no possibility of falling down. So far mistakes done imperceptibly by such devotees engaged in Krsna consciousness activities]] —Satsvarūpa, 21 February, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680919_hansadutta|I am glad that Kulasekhara has come back. I think he cannot go from our Society because he has already rendered some service to Krsna. So Krsna is not going to leave him at any cost. So treat him nicely so that he can be fixed up there]] —Haṁsadūta, 19 September, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681018_umapati|Each and every one of you is a very important assistant for me, so do not try to leave us, but try to adjust things as far as possible]] —Umāpati, 18 October, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681202_upendra|because he left our association he became slackened, so if again he may associate with us it will be so nice]] —Kīrtanānanda, 2 December, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681217_sivananda|You mentioned that leaving is the best thing for your devotional service, but you should know that without the instructions of the spiritual master that there is no question of devotional service]] —Sivānanda, 17 December, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690210_govinda|Therefore, for the time being, it is to be understood that he is victimized by the stroke of maya]] —Govinda dāsī, 10 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690323_himavati|A devotee even if he is sometimes found that he is attracted by sex life, that does not mean he is degraded. That is by chance]] —Himāvatī, 23 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690520_sudama|I do not advise any of my disciples to live alone; that is not good]] —Sudāmā, 20 May, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690607_uttamasloka|you had left the temple but now you have returned again. This is most encouraging, because it means that Krsna is very kind upon you. Although you left Him He did not allow you to go away. It is His special favor upon you]] —Uttama Śloka, 7 June, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691125_brahmananda|he has drifted from our Society completely and his letter is very discouraging. He has accused everyone save himself]] —Brahmānanda, 25 November, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700921_isana_vibhavati|So please patch up any crack that may have come between yourself and ISKCON...So please do not consider leaving as you are spiritual children of mine]] —Īśāna and Bibhāvatī, 21 September, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701117_bhaktajana|I am so glad to hear from you after a very long time. It is my pleasure that you have come to stay with us in our New York temple. I do not think you are able to leave Krsna any more because He does not let anyone go away who has once come forward in His service]] —Bhakta Jan, 17 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701130_karandhara|I am glad to hear new devotees are coming and do not be worried about some of our members leaving; they will come back. Krsna never forgets the service rendered to Him by the devotee and once tasting the nectar of devotional service to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is not possible to forget Him]] —Karandhara, 30 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710215_karandhara|and I am so much glad that you have again come to our camp after some time being misled by maya. You should take severe warning from this incident and not treat the matter as very light]] —Yugalakiśora dāsa, 15 February, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710701_cidananda|I am very sorry that you are separated from the temple for the time being. But don't worry. Krsna will save you, you can be sure. There is no doubt about it. So go on chanting Hare Krsna at all costs and never mind these tribulations of maya. Go on chanting Hare Krsna. Krsna is in your heart. Pray to Him for your protection and soon all things will be adjusted and you will again be in the association of devotees. Of that you can be sure]] —Cidānanda, 1 July, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711009_upendra|Those who have left the Society I am always thinking of them]] —Upendra, 9 October, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711022_rayarama|I welcome you for your coming back to our Society and you are feeling very nicely the association of devotees]] —Rayarāma, 22 October, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711112_nityananda|So long as one is engaged in devotional service, he is immune to the reactions of his past sinful activities, but if he chooses to give up this devotional service, then he has to undergo all these reactions]] —Nityānanda, 12 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711130_krsna_dasa|I am very pleased that you are determined to rectify whatever may have been done in the past, in order to push on in Krsna consciousness, to a very bright future. Never mind the past]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 30 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720220_rudra_radhika|you may have thought something wrongly about our philosophy—that is one of maya's favorite tricks for convincing us to stop our spiritual life and enjoy her]] —Rudra dāsa and Rādhikā devī dāsī, 20 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720523_friends|of living separately, away from our Krsna consciousness program is a great mistake]] —Friends, 23 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720826_gaurasundara|Because there is some fighting or bickering amongst us, that does not mean that I should go away...even my Godbrothers may not cooperate or there may be fighting, still, I must perform my duty to my spiritual master and not become discouraged and go away]] —Gaurasundara, 26 August, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720909_bhakta_dasa|even my Godbrothers may not cooperate or there may be fighting, still, I must perform my duty to my spiritual master and not become discouraged and go away, that is my weakness]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 9 September, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721118_rupa_vilasa|Now my advice to you is to give up these feelings and return to your life of Krsna consciousness devotional service]] —Bhānutanya dāsī, 18 November, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730331_karandhara|You have committed a very grave error. I am depending on you leaders for the future of our Society, yet there is all this interest in illicit sex life]] —Kāliya Kṛṣṇa, 31 March, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731019_karandhara|Sometimes we may artificially renounce the world, but as soon as the opportunity of sucking blood is there, we turn again into a bed bug]] —Karandhara dāsa, 19 October, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731107_tamala_krsna|if you cannot cope with the GBC men...I shall deal with you directly. But, do not leave the Krsna consciousness movement at any cost]] —Tuṣṭa Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, 7 November, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731111_govinda|Why I have opened this Society. I was living with four children, and now I have 4,000. There is no good in living alone]] —Govinda devī dāsī, 11 November, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740201_mukunda|I am glad you are cooperating with Madhavananda. That I want. As long as we are sincere there is no question of split amongst us; the split only means someone is not sincere, otherwise there is no question of it]] —Mukunda, 1 February, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740207_mukunda|I was very much shocked when I learned from Tamala Krsna Maharaja that you have left our company and were living outside]] —Caityaguru, 7 February, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740428_balavanta|In the hospital many patients are there and the attempt is made to cure them, not to tell them to go away or to kill them. They try their best to cure them]] —Rūpānuga Mahārāja, 28 April, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740501_markandeya_rsi|You say the U.S. is too demonic, but unless one takes shelter at the lotus feet of...Krsna within the society of devotees, he will be inconvenienced wherever he goes. So you have to consider seriously within yourself whether you are ready to live with the devotees and follow the regulative principles and schedule of temple life]] —Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, 1 May, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740605_nrsimha_caitanya|Do not worry about past mistakes and...falldowns. Krsna has given you a new chance in taking care of one of His ISKCON temples...so the future is very bright. There is nothing to worry about, simply yourself be ideal to...all the devotees there by chanting as much as possible and following carefully all the regulative principles]] —Nṛsiṁha Caitanya, 5 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740905_vijoyadhvaja|He should be reformed by amicable dealings. We are training our men since a long time. It is very difficult to get trained up assistants]] —Bali Mardan dāsa, 5 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740929_jagadisa|One man is trained up with great difficulty especially in spiritual life. Everyone has got some weakness and deficiency. It is better to correct or mend it than to break it]] —Haṁsadūta dāsa, 29 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741128_ajita|He was a sincere boy, but he...has fallen down by bad association. Still...I can rectify both of them, provided they agree]] —Gopāla Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 28 November, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741220_jayadvaita|Yes you are correct, when one associates with one who is in illusion or misled naturally he will also become influenced by that illusion. So you must pray to Krsna to protect you from such bad association]] —Jayadvaita, 20 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741227_parvati|If you leave the association...of devotees to follow these regulative principles will be very difficult. Therefore stay in the association of devotees]] —Pārvatī, 27 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750314_bhanutanya|The fact that you have left our movement just on account of some minor disagreements shows that you are not...actually serious about going back to home, back to Godhead]] —Bhānutanya dāsī, 14 March, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750526_hasyakari|You have taken initiation from me...so actually you are obliged to do this. You have promised, therefore there is no choice—you must follow strictly. Otherwise, you are carving your pathway to hell]] —Gauragopāla dāsa, 26 May, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751006_revatinandana|it is very dangerous...to live outside the association of devotees]] —Revatīnandana Mahārāja, 6 October, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760124_cyavana|Your normal life is...Krsna consciousness. If you so desire you can stay in...Mayapur without taking any responsibility. Simply read books, take...prasadam, and chant Hare...Krsna...Now, for the time being, you stay with your father. Later on you can decide]] —Cyavana, 24 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760215_bhaktijana|Do not let your mind be disturbed by so many things. Our movement is for chanting Hare...Krsna...One can be happy under any condition...sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram. Krsna consciousness does not depend on any external arrangement. You should not go outside of the shelter of the ISKCON. Just try to be happy by chanting Hare Krsna and following the regulative principles]] —Kṛṣṇāṅga devī dāsī, 15 February, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760217_madhava|My advice is always chant sixteen rounds minimum and follow the four regulative principles. All of my disciples must agree on this point otherwise they are not my disciples. Let one live anywhere, but stick to the principles. Disagreements...will continue in this material world. So one may live in a suitable place, but one must follow these five principles. My disciples must follow these principles living either in heaven or hell]] —Rāja Lakṣmī dāsī, 17 February, 1976 --- **[← Back to Śikṣāmṛta](wiki/compile/siksamrita)**