business-and-money - Śrīla Prabhupāda

# Business and Money Instructions from Śrīla Prabhupāda's letters about business and money in devotional service. --- ## Business ![[letters/1947-1965/651119_sally|One can become rich only by trying his luck in business. It is not possible by serving others. One should have an independent source of income that is possible only if one is engaged in business or in landlordship.]] —Sally, 19 November, 1965 --- ![[letters/1967/671111_mukunda|Regarding your business I have seen many merchants who will supply us incense, frankincense, saris, musical instruments, dancing ghungru (jingle bells for feet, etc).]] —Mukunda, 11 November, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671216_krsna_devi|For business four things are required, namely place, labor, capital and organization.]] —Kṛṣṇa devī, 16 December, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671216_subalaa|I have already given you a business suggestion, namely manufacturing incense locally. Once you are successful in this attempt you will get more money than your expectation and spend it for Krsna's service. I hope you will understand me right and do the needful.]] —Subala, 16 December, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671221_brahmananda|Gargamuni's first experiment in dhupa manufacturing has come out very successful. He is making more and more experiments.]] —Brahmananda, 21 December, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671229_brahmananda|Your idea of manufacturing the incense in one center is my idea also. Here in San Francisco, Gargamuni has told me that he is arranging for it to be produced. From here all the temples will be supplied, not that every temple should make it.]] —Brahmananda, 29 December, 1967 --- ![[letters/1968/680531_gargamuni|Regarding your seeking permission for selling some leather goods and water pipes: I say 'Yes, you can sell.' We have nothing to do with these things, but in special cases, if somebody asks us to sell intoxicants or similar things, we cannot do that.]] —Gargamuni, 31 May, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680607_gargamuni|I wish that you can utilize your best talents in business organization and the result utilized for Krsna's satisfaction is on the absolute platform.]] —Gargamuni, 7 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680619_purusottama|How is your store going on, Krsna's store? You have not written anything about it.]] —Puruṣottama, 19 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680621_brahmananda|a boy, Ranjit Mullick is prepared to export goods from India on the following terms...if the transaction is successful, then you can increase the volume of the business.]] —Brahmananda, 21 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680628_brahmananda|If we do business we must do it independently, without any assistance from outsiders.]] —Brahmananda, 28 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680703_rupanuga|your country the brahmacaris cannot go and beg from door to door;;But boys who are not engaged in the temple service during the day time must try to get some money by working or some other way.]] —Rūpānuga, June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680706_vinode_patel|Generally, people are inclined to do business or make profit for sense gratification and such tendency is the cause of material bondage. But to act for Krsna is the cause for opening the door for liberation. So, I shall not try to implicate you in business if you are not ready to award the profit for Krsna's benefit.]] —Vinod Patel, 6 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680803_gargamuni|Regarding your business: This ebb tide and flow tide of business we should always expect. But so far I know that you can do more business by traveling. Under the circumstances, the showroom you are keeping is extra expense. I do not know who looks after your store in your absence. So you can take action according to the necessity of business, because we must use our full intelligence in any matter.]] —Gargamuni, July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680713_subala|try to get some job, and work for the improvement of the temple. And whenever there is an opportunity, try to chant in public parks, and collect some money from the gathering,]] —Subala dāsa, 13 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680915_brahmananda|In business principle, what is promised, that must be kept. If the promise is not kept, then we are not going to deal with them, with such business firm, even it may be very big.]] —Brahmananda, 15 September, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680918_sivananda|there is an Indian proverb: that you can earn $12 by travelling but you can earn $13 by sitting provided you know how to sit in a place.]] —Śivānanda, 18 September, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680918_sivananda|the brahmacaris, vanaprasthas, and sannyasis are not supposed to earn money like grhasthas. The grhasthas or the householders can engage themselves in earning money, either by accepting a job or some professional work.]] —Śivānanda, 18 September, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681219_gargamuni|you are considering to open a store of Indian imports in the new temple on 61 Second Avenue. This idea is approved by me and please try to do it nicely to help support and make improvements in the new large temple.]] —Gargamuni, 19 December, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690111_gargamuni|So far as selling your incense is concerned, you may be interested to know that I have got connection with one big firm in Bangalore. (The firm is Shree Saibaba Perfumery Works, No. 40, 1st Cross, VI Main Road, Chamarajapet, Bangalore 18, India). I have asked this party to send me samples and quotations and we shall see whether they are favorable to others.]] —Gargamuni, 11 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690205_gargamuni|After a long time, I beg to thank you for your letter dated 31st January 1969 from the Spiritual Sky store. You have given a very nice name. At least you are giving ideas to the people in general that there is a spiritual sky and they will get information sufficiently about the spiritual sky, the planets thereof, the inhabitants of these planets, etc., through the medium of your store, Spiritual Sky.]] —Gargamuni, 5 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690217_gargamuni|I am pleased to note that your store, the Spiritual Sky, is doing successfully. Krsna has given you nice talent for doing business, and I am glad to see that you are using it well.]] —Gargamuni, 17 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690508_gargamuni|I have advised Uddhava to inform you of what is decided regarding your business, and you may invite Kartikeya to come there to help you, as I have advised Uddhava to inform you. But your business must cooperate with the other departments, so that all departments can go on smoothly. Otherwise it is not a very good situation.]] —Gargamuni, 8 May, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690515_dinesh]] <span data-hi="Regarding your idea of pressing a 10" record, if you can sell these in ordinary stores that's all right, but don't depend simply on temple sales. Depending on temple sales is not business-like"></span> —Dīneśa, 15 May, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690515_gargamuni|P.S. Successful business means it will improve in volume]] —Gargamuni, 15 May, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690701_mukunda|If you adulterate our sankirtana movement with some business motive, then it will be spoiled immediately. Be careful in that way]] —Mukunda, 1 July, 1969 ---     --- ![[letters/1969/690728_krsna_dasa|if you divert your attention for a separate business in Indian goods, that will not be a very good idea. It may be done conveniently as a secondary engagement,]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 28 July, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690813_jayagovinda|Regarding your accepting a job in the graphics profession, I think you can accept this job because it is paying, as well as you can get experience in the profession. So as Krsna dasa has advised you, I confirm it.]] —Jaya Govinda, 13 August, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690905_brahmananda|I think we should not do anything which may be business competition between centers. Business is in one sense very dangerous allurement of maya.]] —Brahmananda, 5 September, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690922_gargamuni|I am pleased to note your attitude regarding business. Our policy is: nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe. We shall accept all kinds of civil activities, including business, trade, industry, only in connection with Krsna. I am glad that you are following this principle and Krsna will be very, very pleased upon you to make you advance in Krsna consciousness.]] —Gargamuni, 22 September, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691008_krsna_dasa|Regarding your idea for a jewellery shop, it is nice. You become an expert jeweller and you must open a jewellery shop to earn millions of dollars for spending in Krsna consciousness.]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 8 October, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691029_gargamuni|Regarding your business and spiritual practices, I give you special permission as follows: you find out of the 24 hours at least one hour conveniently for chanting Hare Krsna]] —Gargamuni, 29 October, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691111_gargamuni|Krsna can be served and approached by businessmen, by lawyers, by scientists, by artists, by musicians, by philosophers, even by thieves and rogues;]] —Gargamuni, 11 November, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700218_krsna_dasa|Regarding your jewellery engagement, you must finish the examination very satisfactorily first. Things which have taken for so long time must be terminated in good result and the same may be offered to Krsna;;Krsna is ready to accept service from all directions, and our Krsna consciousness movement is particularly meant for this purpose. So when you pass your examination, then we shall consider what to do next.]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 18 February, 1970 ---     --- ![[letters/1970/700416_gurudasa|So far the incense business is concerned, you can do it very nicely as they are doing here. Gargamuni will cooperate fully in this connection and both Jivananda and Mukunda are very intelligent boys. So do it nicely.]] —Gurudāsa, 16 April, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710116_jagadisa|So far as the devotees at our Montreal center working at regular jobs during the winter months, that is not very good, but if there is no other way what can be done? If they can pull on without work, then they can chant Hare Krsna day and night inside. For a Vaishnava to work for a karmi is not very good.]] —Jagadīśa, 16 January, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710413_mukunda|It is very much encouraging to hear that the incense business is beginning to flourish and by that program you are paying off your debts. So continue it vigorously and recuperate your financial position.]] —Mukunda, 13 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710421_ranadhira|Incense sales are clearly business only, but when we sell our books, that means we push forward our movement. Of course they can both be done together]] —Ranadhīra, 21 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710421_bhagavan|Organization of book selling is more important than incense distribution. Incense sales is clearly business only. But when we sell books that means we push forward our movement. So unless it is absolutely necessary, we should not become ordinary businessmen. Try to understand this point.]] —Bhagavān dāsa, 21 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710422_john_milner|Yes, incense distribution has been very helpful in many centers for maintaining financially, but we are not businessmen. So producing candles for distribution is not at all necessary. We do not want to increase factories. We want to increase Krsna Consciousness and this can be done best by distributing our books and preaching. So in that way you can make your program.]] —John Milner, 22 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710805_sri_govinda|This incense business is all right as a supplement, but we should give all our energy to distribute these literatures and magazines. Then we maintain ourselves and at the same time push on this Krsna Consciousness philosophy.]] —Śrī Govinda dāsa, 5 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710817_hansadutta|you have engaged all our sankirtana members of Amsterdam to work in a cigarette factory. I do not know how you could dare to do this without asking me or any other GBC members;;Our principle is not to work like the karmi or under a karmi]] —Haṁsadūta, 17 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710824_hansadutta|So far work is concerned, when it is absolutely necessary it can be done. But as far as possible we should work in our own field and on the basis of our principles.]] —Haṁsadūta, 24 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710825_sivananda|if there is no other way then temporarily you may take some job and help, but that is not a permanent business. Our main business is to distribute Back to Godhead and sankirtana]] —Śivānanda, 25 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711115_lalita_kumara|try to avoid too much business as this distracts us from our real mission. If Krsna sees that we are very active to spread information about Him, He is Master of the goddess of fortune, He will give everything.]] —Lalitā Kumāra, 15 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711120_hansadutta|Regarding your question about incense. Karandhara has just informed me that our Spiritual Sky incense business is making now $1,000,000 a year to spend for Krsna. How can that be maya?]] —Haṁsadūta, 20 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711130_rupanuga|it is not that we are in business to make profit from each other. With the public, that is a different thing. But our real business is to spread Krsna consciousness]] —Rūpānuga, 30 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711208_hansadutta|if there is need for money and you can run this business without interfering in our routine work, then I have no objection.]] —Haṁsadūta, 8 December, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711209_jayatirtha|I want that our literatures be profusely distributed, so if you can assist me in this way by your Spiritual Sky business, I am greatly satisfied.]] —Jayatīrtha, 9 December, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720102_yajnesvara|Of course, for doing business with businessmen you have to lie business. Just like Krsna Himself, the Supreme Personality of God-head, sometimes He also had to also fabricate something in emergency situations]] —Yajñeśvara, 2 January, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720120_hansadutta|business is secondary to our basic routine work. If the routine Krsna consciousness program is neglected for other things, then everything else will fail]] —Haṁsadūta, 20 January, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720120_hansadutta|We should not make exorbitant profit by exploiting each other in the matter of vital Krsna consciousness paraphernalia such as books, tapes, etc. which are vital for our preaching work and for the devotees personal advancement in Krsna consciousness.]] —Haṁsadūta, 20 January, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720515_giriraja|As far as possible we shall not deal in business. That will not be very good for our spiritual progress. But if somebody contributes for our good cause, that is different.]] —Girirāja, 15 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730105_tejiyas|There are four pillars of a successful business, and that is land, labor, capital and organization. So first is the land. If you get nice land, then everything else will follow. So we have got place, labor, you are gradually getting more, we have got some capital, and we are organized, therefore I see no reason that we shall not be very much successful in India, as we shall be also all over the world.]] —Tejiyās, 5 January, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/730509_jayapataka_bhavananda|Side by side increase our spiritual consciousness by attending to the temple routine work, Deity worship, sankirtana, attending class. The idea is we must have the necessities of our life as far as possible independently. But we should not be business-minded. Our main business is to develop our dormant Krsna consciousness. Side by side we may take to such enterprises as will maintain us very nicely.]] —Jayapatāka and Bhavānanda, 9 May, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731019_karandhara|it is very risky to handle material things and business. We are naturally business minded, and so as we get some opportunity, that mentality becomes strong.]] —Karandhara dāsa, 19 October, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731211_makhanlal|Yes, if you are able to acquire some farm land and produce grains that will be nice. Especially we want to export grains to India. Do not, however, change or disrupt the existing temple program. The economic situation is always precarious but we are dependent on Krsna only.]] —Makhanlāl, 11 December, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740108_jagadisa|Regarding Spiritual Sky incense business in Canada, the best thing is if you can find some competent managers to handle this so all your time is not spent in selling incense. I understand that you have taken it on because you wish all the centers to be financially sound. So now that you have been managing the business for four months, you should find a suitable manager to take it over.]] —Jagadīśa, 8 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740329_trivikrama|If by starting an incense business economically you become solvent to run on your center then it is good, and for this purpose I will advise Bali Mardan to give you the necessary capital on your approval]] —Trivikrama Mahārāja, 29 March, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740608_syamasundara|If you have sufficient experience and are careful then you can do the business. I think it requires great experience, otherwise you will be cheated.]] —Śyāmasundara, 8 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740609_krsna_dasa|It is pleasing to me to hear that you are happily engaged in devotional service and living as an ideal grhastha. Please go on as you are doing; keep your business separate and wherever you remain keep your family in Krsna consciousness always chanting Hare Krsna and observing the regulative principles. Cultivate your business for Krsna, remain happy in Krsna consciousness and always serve Krsna.]] —Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 9 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740813_tamala_krsna|Regarding the Society's leaders emphasizing business, you should understand what is the meaning of business. Business means to help the preaching. Preaching needs financial help; otherwise, we have no need for business. So far as I understand our book business is sufficient to support our movement. I do not want the preaching to be at the expense of managing. Manager must also be a preacher otherwise who will want to follow him?]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, 13 August, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740908_ksirodakasayi|Regarding the incense factory; yes, you can guide them but you should not be very much involved with business. Be on the sidelines and help them.]] —Kṣīrodakaśāyī dāsa, 8 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750202_duryodhana_guru|I want that someone learns how to make mrdangas in the Western countries. As far as I know Isana has not' produced any mrdangas. So how will he teach your wife how to make them? First let him produce something, and then he can teach others. I have no objection. If somehow or other someone can learn how to make good mrdangas in America, it will be a great service.]] —Duryodhana Guru dāsa, 2 February, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750511_yamuna|Your husband recently came to Delhi and Vrndavana and he has sold so many properties of ISKCON through the Mukutwala. His only business is to acquire money. He is collecting money like anything and is not contributing to the Society. So what can I do? I did not say anything to him. I am simply praying to Krsna for his welfare.]] —Yamunā, 11 May, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750701_mr_lapidus|Actually we are not fond of having businesses. Although for spreading Krsna consciousness we can use millions of dollars, yet we do not like to employ many of our men at great endeavor in the competitive business world.]] —Mr. Lapidus, 1 July, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750704_jayapataka|In Hawaii they are arranging for manufacturing plastic khols. You can arrange one or two Bengali experts in making and fitting the heads of the khols. They must be prepared to stay with us for at least one year. We will pay their transportation to Hawaii and return and also a small salary. Our men can then learn from them. We now require so many khols for expanding our sankirtana movement.]] —Jayapatāka Swami, 4 July, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750704_paramahamsa_srutakirti|Now we have a plan for expanding our sankirtana and we will be needing so many hundreds of mrdangas. So you have got the fibre-glass shells there, so I am informing Jayapataka Swami to arrange for one or two Bengali craftsmen to come and stay with you for at least one year to make the skins. Then our men can learn from him. We will pay the transportation and some salary.]] —Paramahaṁsa Swami and Śrutakīrti dāsa, 4 July, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750821_nityananda|I have seen your farm, and it is very nice. Develop it very nicely. You have already done nicely, so develop it further. That is very nice that you are saving money U.S. $250.00 per month on cow feed. Grow food for animal and man as far as possible. That is Krsna's order: annad bhavanti bhutani. It is also nice that you are making so much profit from your Spiritual Sky. Use it wisely.]] —Nityānanda dāsa, 21 August, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750904_paramahamsa|The brahmacaris and sannyasis must stick to the temple activities. Only the grhasthas can take part in the restaurant.;;Our aim should not be to work for profit]] —Paramahaṁsa Swami, 4 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751022_tulasi|I have marked how you are making mrdangas. Make many mrdangas. It will solve a great problem.]] —Tulasī dāsa, 22 October, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751109_rupanuga|I do not think that the jewellery business should be encouraged. We are after preaching, not money. Their endeavor should be utilized for selling books. That is different from the endeavor of selling jewellery.]] —Rūpānuga dāsa, 9 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751114_bhagavan|Regarding the contract with the incense manufacturer, don't supply them if they do not pay. That is very good to separate the Spiritual Sky business from the temple.]] —Bhagavān dāsa, 14 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751120_jayatirtha|The mrdanga-making is very important. The new bhaktas, they can be engaged in the mrdanga-making and also help Baradraja with the doll making.]] —Jayatīrtha dāsa, 20 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751120_satsvarupa|Sankirtana is very good, but grhasthas under condition can do other business, only if they give at least 50%, but sankirtana is the best business.]] —Satsvarūpa dāsa Goswami, 20 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751120_jagadisa|Trading leads to envy, jealousy and cheating, and then everything is lost. I am seeing now that the business activities in our Society, they are increasing.]] —Jagadīśa dāsa, 20 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760122_jayatirtha|You have suggested that some men are best engaged in doing business. I agree. All grhasthas who are interested in doing business should do so in full swing]] —Jayatīrtha, 22 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760129_aksayananda|I am glad that you are developing the mukhut business. Now the devotees must learn so that in the future professionals will not be required.]] —Akṣayānanda, 29 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760221_rupanuga|It is nice they are maintaining and increasing the Rathayatra program in Philadelphia. Last year's program was very nice. That is good they have sold the jewellery business; we have got so nice book business, why shall we have this? You say Atlanta has pledged $33,000 that is nice, whose business can give us profit like that?]] —Rūpānuga dāsa, 21 February, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760509_balabhadra|try to follow the formula recommended practically by Srila Rupa Goswami, that 50% of one's income be spent for propagating Krsna consciousness. That will be very nicely and then your business endeavors will surely be pleasing unto the Supreme Lord,]] —Balabhadra dāsa, 9 May, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760606_prabhupada_dasa|Concerning the production of toothpaste and cosmetics for which I may be able to supply the information, etc., you can come to see me in Toronto when I visit there.]] —Prabhupāda dāsa, 6 June, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760711_gopala_krsna|So far I know, retail business is not good in comparison to wholesale business.]] —Gopāla Kṛṣṇa dāsa, 11 July, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761023_jayapataka|Regarding this cooperative point, who will manage all the expenditure? We will spend so much money, why should it be managed by a cooperative? The cooperative society proposal is absurd. The poor members cannot pay adequately, neither are they interested. It is not tenable from all angles of vision. In the beginning the report was given to the DM. Now again DM, DM. Why again DM, be first given proposal?]] —Jayapatāka, 23 October, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761108_rupanuga|Regarding our men becoming lawyers, yes do it. For a graduate it is not difficult. You can also take a degree. However, five years is too long for our men to work as a clerk. That is not good.]] —Rūpānuga, 8 November, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761228_kurusrestha|It is good that you have stopped all business ventures. Now, stick to it. Book distribution is sufficient. You should not divert for any other business.]] —Kuruśreṣṭha dāsa, 28 December, 1976 --- ![[letters/1977/770124_prasadam_distributing|I have received your invitation to the opening of Prasadam Distributing International Inc., and I found it nicely presented. Krsna will give you intelligence how to engage in honest, brilliant, glorious work on His behalf. There is no need to engage in anything dishonest. Krsna has given enough money, now earn by honest means.]] —Prasadam Distributing International, 24 January, 1977 --- ## Money ![[letters/1967/671013_hansadutta|'Money is the honey' goes so far as it is employed for Krsna consciousness]] —Haṁsadūta, 13 October, 1967 --- ![[letters/1968/680212_gargamuni|So I think if you take the risk of $150, for Krsna's sake, Krsna will supply you the required money undoubtedly. It depends however on your personal discretion]] —Gargamuni, 12 February, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680612_subala|Yes, you can have the band play there in the temple as you are in great need of money to carry on there. When we are in need of money to carry on Krsna's work, then we can resort to whatever means there is available. So long it is always for Krsna and never for personal sense gratification. So you can try to get some money in that way.]] —Subala, 12 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680614_himavati|I think it is good to remain financially poor because always we shall be able to pray to Krsna, asking His help to execute His service. If all of a sudden we become very strong financially, maya may dictate to us for sense enjoyment and we may fall prey to her tactics.;;for the preaching purposes, we can accommodate to receive all the riches of the world.]] —Himāvatī, 14 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680621_hansadutta|you must be very careful that we should not divert our attention for money-making too much.]] —Haṁsadūta, 21 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680621_hansadutta|On the whole, we can endeavor for money making if it doesn't hamper our devotional service. Otherwise, we shall prefer to starve and chant Hare Krsna]] —Haṁsadūta, 21 June, 1968 ---     --- ![[letters/1968/680628_brahmananda|the best source of our income should be by accepting contributions from the sympathetic public, and selling our own books and literature. That is also a sort of business, but it doesn't matter.]] —Brahmananda, 28 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680630_rupanuga|boys who are not engaged in temple service during the day time must try to get some money by working or some other way. Without money it is not possible to exist in the material world.]] —Rūpānuga, 30 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680918_sivananda|the brahmacaris, vanaprasthas, and sannyasis are not supposed to earn money like grhasthas]] —Śivānanda, 18 September, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681017_rayarama|One is satisfied with income which can simply maintain his body and soul together and he is no more interested to increase the bank balance unnecessarily for sense gratification.]] —Rayarāma, 17 October, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681017_rayarama|one who accumulates more money than is actually required, he is also a criminal. And according to the law of nature, or according to the law of God, such persons are surely to be punished.]] —Rayarāma, 17 October, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681219_brahmananda|Regarding my apartment, if it is possible to keep it with no strain on your financial condition it is all right. Otherwise I am not very serious about retaining the apartment. Everything should be performed with no strain because too much financial strain will hamper our progress in Krsna consciousness.]] —Brahmananda, 19 December, 1968 ---     --- ![[letters/1969/690121_gurudasa_yamuna|When we serve some mundane master, he gives us sufficient salary, so when we serve the Supreme Master, how is it possible that He will keep us fasting?]] —Gurudāsa and Yamunā, 21 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690214_kirtanananda|people have grabbed my money up to many thousands of rupees;;If I go to litigation, I will have to put myself in so many anxieties. It is better to forget.]] —Kīrtanānanda, 14 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690419_sudama_kartikeya|I am pleased that you are working for our activities in Japan, and in three months you should be able to gather at least $1,500 together. Don't spend money needlessly. Try to save as much as possible, because you have very important work to do for the service of Lord Caitanya.]] —Sudāmā and Kārttikeya, 19 April, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690426_vrndavanesvari|I understand that Krsna has helped you with some source of income. All the money we require is simply to meet our necessities and we do not require any more for the purpose of sense gratification. But for our necessities we can always know that Krsna will help us with all facilities. Some way or other if Mandali Bhadra gets the facility of fully working on his translation work, it will be a very nice thing.]] —Vṛndāvaneśvarī, 26 April, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690504_sivananda|Simply we have to work and people will give contribution for this good cause. It is better to get money by collections than to work.]] —Śivānanda, 4 May, 1969 ---     --- ![[letters/1969/690621_gopala_krsna|Rupa Goswami spent 50% for Krsna, 25% for emergency, 25% for relatives. You can also try to follow this principle as far as possible]] —Gopāla Kṛṣṇa, 21 June, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690831_syamasundara|We should be satisfied with such grace of Krsna. We do not want any extra money for sense gratification, but Krsna is so kind He is supplying the necessary amount.]] —Śyāmasundara, 31 August, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691001_tamala_krsna|Money depending on others is no money]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami, October, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691120_gargamuni|But we should be very careful that we may not be extravagant. For necessary expenditures we have no grudge]] —Gargamuni, 20 November, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691215_gargamuni|I very much appreciate this example, but it is my order that whenever you are in such trouble, you should not minimize any expenditure.]] —Gargamuni, 15 December, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700208_tamala_krsna|If we are in spiritual strength there will be no scarcity of money: and the spiritual strength is that each and every one of us must chant the sixteen rounds of beads and follow the rules and regulations with great adherence]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa, 8 February, 1970 ---     --- ![[letters/1970/700919_bhagavan|We should know it well that Krsna is no poor man, and He can give us any amount at any time. Simply He is waiting to see that we will use it according to His desire. So the more we spend in His service, the more He will provide, rest assured.]] —Bhagavān dāsa, 19 September, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700925_gargamuni|So please continue your capacity in this way to supply money to the Society. That will please Krsna.]] —Gargamuni Mahārāja, 25 September, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701130_karandhara|My Guru Maharaja used to say, 'Don't worry about money. Do something nice for Krsna and money will come.' So we should always be thinking how to distribute the message of Krsna and surely He will give us facility. Even an ordinary man if he wants publicity then he gives so much money for the propaganda work. Similarly Krsna is not poor. He can supply any amount for the devotees who are engaged in broadcasting His glories.]] —Karandhara, 30 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710116_jagadisa|That there is a scarcity of money certainly means mismanagement. I have seen it myself that sometimes they sell books and do not send back the money. Why is that? This situation must be rectified. An accurate account of all dealings must be kept by those involved. How else things will be managed?]] —Jagadīśa, 16 January, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710814_acyutananda|My Guru Maharaja's policy was to give nice facility to devotees so that they may chant Hare Krsna mantra peacefully and make advancement. But we cannot be luxurious]] —Acyutānanda Mahārāja, 14 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720412_giriraja|If we have regular plan of selling books, then there will be no scarcity of money, and it will be easier to get books from Japan and sell them and utilize them than to receive money from America.]] —Girirāja, 12 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720515_giriraja|So far our investing, where is our money to invest? We have no money to invest. Our process is to collect and spend, from left hand to right hand, or from right hand to left hand.]] —Girirāja, 15 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730720_tamala_krsnaa|Now you have taken a loan of Rs. 1,50,000 from the BBT, so with these excellent collections you are now taking, I request you to fill up that debt and then collect further, and the balance I shall arrange. I have read how you have dispersed your recent collections to repay BBT, and Vrndavana construction and it is all right. Please deal cautiously and do not spend unnecessarily]] —Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, 20 July, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/741011_sri_govinda|Debt is not good. It is said that a happy man is he who lives at home and has no debts. That is a happy man. Please try to correct this situation.]] —Śrī Govinda dāsa, 11 October, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741201_hansadutta|Yes, we must invest our money in books and land, but note there will be a collapse as you have anticipated]] —Haṁsadūta dāsa, 1 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750117_prajapati|Regarding your plane fare to India, it will be best if you can collect that money by selling some books on sankirtana. Then there will be no shortage.]] —Prajāpati dāsa, 17 January, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750618_karandhara|To help the preaching work, that is also preaching. If you can get money to help expand our preaching activities, that is preaching. We require money]] —Karandhara, 18 June, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750621_gopala_krsna|It is my habit to see that money is not being squandered. If money is spent unnecessarily, I feel very badly. You are all collecting with great effort, and I do not like to see it spoilt.]] —Gopāla Kṛṣṇa, 21 June, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750926_kurusrestha|Regarding your festivals with prasadam, yes do it occasionally. There is no need of accumulating more wealth. You can get more wealth, and also spend more wealth. This is Brahmanism. Get and spend, but not to spoil and squander. This example should be shown to others. That the city was paying you means that they are appreciating. Gradually they will all appreciate very much.]] —Kuruśreṣṭha dāsa, 26 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751109_trivikrama|What is this stealing and violence? This is not good. By stealing, did he collect that money? Stealing is not our business. Our business is to become Krsna conscious. This is our program.]] —Trivikrama Mahārāja, 9 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760209_david_ladner|Regarding your request for money, we ourselves are beggars and if we do get some money, we immediately use it to spread the chanting of the holy name of Krsna]] —David Alan Ladner, 9 February, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760221_rupanuga|And I think that Brsakapi should follow the example of Rupa Goswami. Rupa Goswami took sannyasa and gave 50% in charity, 25% for family use, and he kept 25% for emergency. Krsna wants to see that the life is sacrificed, but also accumulation, money, should be given to Krsna. Life to Krsna and money to wife is not a good decision.]] —Rūpānuga dāsa, 21 February, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760225_giriraja|'If there is money, then there is intelligence.' So you have gone so far to collect money and intelligently, but if there is no money, where is the intelligence?]] —Girirāja, 25 February, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761214_lokanatha|Do not depend on outside help. Also, for financial support depend on Krsna. That is preaching success. People's appreciation will be practical when they help you financially also.]] —Lokanātha, 14 December, 1976 --- **[← Back to Śikṣāmṛta](wiki/compile/siksamrita)**