# COW PROTECTION, FARMS, SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ## Cow Protection 68-01 "Rayaramas suggestion to open an *asrama* is very nice. ==If it is possible to keep sufficient number of cows in the *asrama,* there can be very nice milk business and that may make sufficient income for maintaining one institution for educating children in Krsna consciousness. Actually, the modern educational institutions are different grades of slaughterhouses. If you can open an ideal institution for the future children of our associates, it will be a great service. Actually as I have already discussed in my Srimad-Bhagavatam, for economic problem one requires a little land and a few cows. Then the whole economic problem is solved.== We should use our time for elevating ourselves in Krsna consciousness than for so-called economic development. If we are satisfied with plain living, with minimum time and the balance time is engaged for elevating our Krsna conscious program, then every man can be transferred to Goloka Vrndavana, just in this very life. The modern civilization has encumbered the mode of living and people are engaged all the time in the matter of eating, sleeping, defending and mating. Both yourself and your wife, Himavati, are good combination. If you can develop such an institution for future children of our Society, or outside the Society, it will be a great service for humanity. I am sure Krsna will give you more and more intelligence in this matter, if you seriously think on the subject by gradual evolution. Offer my blessings to your good wife and I pray to Krsna for your all round prosperity. Hope you are both well." ([[letters/1968/680111_gargamuni|Hamsaduta, 11 January, 1968]]) *** 68-07 "Vrndavana conception is a transcendental village, without any botheration of the modern industrial atmosphere. My idea of developing New Vrndavana is to create an atmosphere of spiritual life where people in bona fide order of social division, namely, *brahmacaris, grhasthas, va-naprasthas, sannyasis,* or specifically *brahmacaris* and *sannyasis,* and *va-naprasthas,* will live there independently, completely depending on agricultural produce and milk for the cows. The life should be simplified without being hampered by laboring day and night for economic development, without any spiritual understanding. ==The New Vrndavana idea is that persons who live there will accept the hare necessities of life to maintain the body and soul together and the major part of time should be engaged in development of Krsna consciousness.== The whole Vedic principle is to develop Krsna consciousness, without creating much botheration for the program of sense gratification. Industrial development (or mining industry) in the neighboring places will mar the whole idea. Now you have to consider, yourself, looking forward to the future, of the land, and then decide what to do. I do not like to have New Vrndavana with industrial or mining areas. I have got experience of them in India, that the mining areas are simply next to dungeon. The workers in the mines are considered to be residing in hell. And we can never expect any good behavior from such workers. So we must think of the atmosphere around Vrndavana. In India also our present government, they are trying to develop industries in the vast tracts of land around Vrndavana and creating an hellish atmosphere. So I shall request you to be assured of the future of the land, and then do the needful." ([[letters/1968/680717_brahmananda|Hayagriva, 17 July, 1968]]) *** 68-08 "I am so pleased to learn that Kīrtanānanda, you have already attracted the neighboring devotees by your presentation of *prasada.* ==I== * * ==am sure this prasada attraction will make our neighbors friendly and surely they will come in number in future so that New Vrndavana will be ideal place for visiting from the neighboring provinces, counties,== I ==think so and it will be done nicely.== I am so glad to learn that you are feeling too much engagement in New Vrndavana and this is a spiritual inspiration. Our Society should never be a devil's workshop, but it should be certainly the most magnificent platform for spiritual activities." ([[letters/1968/680822_mr._david_exley|Hayagriva and Kīrtanānanda Swami, 22 August, 1968]]) ==68-11 "Regarding the six year old cow, it is too old and== I ** ==do not advise you to purchase."== ([[letters/1968/681126_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 26 November, 1968]]) *** 69-00 "International Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in London, I shall try to see if there is any similar society here. But one thing ==I can suggest, as you have asked me to give a thought to this problem, that go-seva, according to our Vedic injunction, is specially entrusted to the mercantile community.== Of course, during the Hindu government in India, the kings were mostly Vaisnavas like Maharaja Pariksit, and he at once caught the black man, Kali, who was attempting to kill a cow. But those days are no more. Neither there is a king like Maharaja Pariksit, nor the present government of India is inclined to give protection to the cows. But the mercantile community, specially the Gu-jaratis and the Marwaris are undoubtedly rich in India, and I do not know why such mercantile communities do not open large-scale dairy farms. That will certainly give actual protection to the cows. From *Bhagavad-gita* we understand that the *vaisya* community is specially responsible for giving protection to the cows as much as the *ksatriya* kings are responsible for giving protection to the citizens of the state. As such, if you can organize—and I believe you can do so, because by the grace of Krsna, you are in a good position amongst the mercantile community—big dairy farms with large pasturing grounds, then the problem of milk supply and cow protection will automatically be done. I do not know how much you will appreciate my suggestion, but if you can do such organization, it will be a great service to the country and to the animals, and to this cause of Krsna consciousness. If you be serious on this point then I can help you with all of my possible energies." (SPL to Sumati Morarji, no date available) 70-07 "New Vrndavana, a transcendental community project, modeled on the Vrndavana site of Lord Krsna's pastimes, is developing nicely in the mountains of West Virginia. The primary message of Lord Krsna is to surrender all one's activities unto Him, that is to carry out one's duty for the sake of Krsna, as it is delivered in the *Bhagavad-gita* is practically undertaken in New Vrndavana. All work in Vrndavana is specifically executed in full knowledge of its being transcendental loving service to Krsna, the supreme proprietor of everything and all souls. This natural environment for living in pure Krsna consciousness or plain living and high thinking develops the spiritual character of the inhabitants and especially the Society's children who are conceived, born, raised and educated in Krsna science or natural spiritual consciousness. New Vrndavana school system provides education for children which is both practical and spiritual. This site situated in the mist of the beautiful West Virginia mountains provides an ideal setting for demonstrating the simplicity of naturalistic living based on brahminical culture and cow protection in Krsna consciousness. ==Cow protection practically solves the problems of sustenance and the greater portion of time of the devotees, being not engaged in the frantic scramble of materialistic competition for food and shelter, is kept engaged in the pursuit of spiritual perfection.== The activities are centered on the temple schedule of *aratis (six daily, very regularly), * kirtanas* and classes in the Vedic scriptures. Work is in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, dairy and construction as well as devotional studies." ([[letters/1970/700716_nevatiaji|Nevatiaji, 16 July, 1970]]) *** 72-02 =="I== have read your Cow Protection Report, and I am very much encouraged, especially by your proposal to supply our centers with ghee. This should be done, and you can take money. Now I wish to donate five cows, so kindly send me the cost of five cows and I will send you check."== (SPL to Hayagriva, February 13th, 1972) 74-01 =="I was very pleased to hear your report of our cow protection program, and I had part of your letter read aloud to a group of devotees how you have one cow who will be giving 70-80 pounds a day. The cow is so wonderful and valuable in society.== But you should also use the bulls by engaging them in tilling the ground. People may call this the primitive way but it is very practical for engaging the bulls—have them work in cart loading, transporting, etc.....You inquire whether you can make cheese? Why cheese? Make sufficient ghee. If you can send ghee to India that would be nice service as there is scarcely any ghee there. Cheese is not good. We should produce ghee so all our centers can have enough ghee." ([[letters/1974/740107_malati|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 7 January, 1974]]) *** 74-09 "Regarding the farm, the exhibition is there in New Vrndavana. Kīrtanānanda Maharaja has organized very nicely. The same principle you can follow and organize it in Germany. Let the people be happy with self sufficient food grown in the field with milk products. When I was in Frankfurt around our place ==I was so happy to see the farms and the cows. Unfortunately they will kill the cows. So if we organize a farm without killing any cows, that will be a great example== in that country. Instead of killing cows, if we let them live, we can get so many nutritious foodstuffs filled with vitamins." ([[letters/1974/740907_batu_gopala|Hamsaduta, 7 September, 1974]]) *** 74-10 =="Regarding New Vrndavana I was very happy when I was there, not only myself but all devotees and GBC members all enjoyed the atmosphere of New Vrndavana, especially the cow protection scheme.== May Krsna give more facilities to advance the cause of New Vrndavana, and I am expecting very soon to go there and live in my proposed palace at least for some time. From the pictures anyone will see that you have organized New Vrndavana very nicely. It is just like Krsnas Vrndavana. Now they are happy in New Vrndavana both animals and men. Here in one picture is Kīrtanānanda instructing the cow to chant Hare Krsna. In another picture the boys and the cows are being taken equal care. Everyone is living very peacefully and eating very nicely. There is so much land. This is real Vrndavana life. In Vrndavana Krsna calls the cows each by his own name. When cows were purchased in the beginning I have seen them crying because the calf was taken for killing. They can understand. Not that they are animal and cannot understand. The neighboring farmers come and they are astonished at the nice preparations made from their milk. I see in the small cottages they are living very, very happily. The cows are grazing, and the male members are doing the work. Local flowers are used for the garlands. Yes, New Vrndavana is almost a small state. Some of the rogues are envious. Rogues are always envious when they see something nice. Even Hayagriva will not leave that place. He is living very happily there. The plans for the palace are very nice. It is a temple, like Jagannatha temple. It is very calm and quiet there. I like it. In the beginning when Hayagriva purchased, I immediately gave him the idea of New Vrndavana—cow protection. On the whole our New Vrndavana scheme is successful." ([[letters/1974/741005_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 5 October, 1974]]) *** 74-12 =="What do you think of exporting nice United States cows such as the ones you have there and in New Vrindavana to India so we can raise them in our Vrindavana and Mayapur projects and provide nice milk? Is it possible?"== ([[letters/1974/741218_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 18 December, 1974]]) *** 75-04 "I have heard that you are a very good man with cows. Your service would be very valuable here in India. I think that you could ==travel to the centers here where we keep cows and try to establish a very high cow-protection standard. Our cow protection program in India should be the exemplary standard for the whole world.== So, if you like, come to India as soon as possible. You may come directly to Calcutta and from there you can easily go to Sri Mayapur Candradoya Mandira. I want to improve our gosala here in Mayapur first." ([[letters/1975/750408_gupta|Devakinandana dasa, 8 April, 1975]]) *** 75-05 =="If the GBC has no objection to your going to India to help with the cow program, then I encourage you to go there. This program is very, very important.== If you can help to organize our cow program in Mayapur, it will be a great credit for you. We must be able to grow our own fodder for the cows. We don't want to have to purchase food for the cows outside from some other party. That will run into a great expense. Cow protection is the business of the *vaisyas* and along with our preaching, this is most important work. We must have a good section *of brahmanas* in our Society and we must also have a good group of *vaisyas* who can grow grains and tend cows, and thus supply the Society with food grains and milk products from the cow like ghee, curd, cream, etc. If you can help in Mayapur it would be very much appreciated." ([[letters/1975/750526_hasyakari|Hasyakari, 26 May, 1975]]) *** 75-05 *"Your report is very nice to hear. If you give the right protection to the cows, then they will* ==give so much milk, that the ground of New Vrndavana will he muddy with milk. European and American civilization will be finished on account of this sinful activity of killing the cows."== ([[letters/1975/750531_hansadutta|Klrtanananda Swami, 31 May, 1975]]) *** 75-09 "I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 3rd, 1975 with enclosed clippings and the booklet on cow protection. ==Cow protection is one of the items of the Krsna consciousness movement:== *krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam; raksya* means protection. It is especially mentioned. Mukunda has done a great service. I am asking them to reprint it here. It will be very useful for preaching to the Indians. If you are sending men they can bring copies with them." ([[letters/1975/750909_hansadutta|Hamsaduta dasa, 9 September, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="Regarding Miami, it is very good news that they have gotten their land and they have got cows and it is good news to know that the cows will live on eating the mango leaves. This is the injunction of Krsna in Bhagavad-gita, to produce enough food both for human beings and the animals and you become happy. The animal is happy. If the animal is happy he will produce enough milk so what is the use of killing them."== ([[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 9 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="I am glad also that you have a new gosala. Let other farms see what is our behavior for the cows and how we derive benefit from them and that will be the living example to persons who are using cow flesh rather than cow milk."== ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Kīrtanānanda Swami, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 75-12 =="Our cows are happy, therefore they give plenty of milk. Vedic civilization gives protection to all the living creatures, especially the cows,== because they render such valuable service to human society in the shape of milk, without which no one can become healthy and strong. In your country the dog is protected and the cow is killed. The dog is passing stool and urine in the street, he is considered the best friend of man, and the cow is all pure, stool, urine, and milk, but they are taken to the slaughter house and killed for food. What land of civilization is this? Therefore we have to preach against all this nonsense." ([[letters/1975/751207_sivarama|Rupanuga dasa, 7 December, 1975]]) *** 76-01 =="Another thing, is that the grhasthas may be encouraged to do agriculture. In the Indian villages like in Vrndavana, they get enough ghee for their personal use and sufficient excess to be sold to the merchants, who then also get some money. Cow protection means good food and good trade. So I can give you suggestions how to manage everything, but it is up to the GBC to practically execute all these points."== ([[letters/1976/760122_jayatirtha|Jayatirtha, 22 January, 1976]]) *** 76-07 =="You'll be pleased to learn that along with the Hare Krsna movement in the foreign countries, we are taking care of cow protection very vigorously. There are already dozens of such centers and farms where we are protecting cows,== like our New Vrndavana community in West Virginia, Bhaktivedanta Manor in London, altogether over fourteen such projects have been started throughout the world to date. We are giving protection to the cows with great profit. We are getting huge amounts of milk from which we are preparing lovely yogurt, *dahl, sandesa, rasagulla, gulabjamon,* etc. We have sufficient quantity of ghee for preparing *kacori, samosa,* and other very palatable confectioneries. The people of this country are gradually taking this idea very seriously for vegetarian diet and stopping cow killing in a practical way. We have got more than one hundred temples all over the world and attached to every temple we are opening farms and in many cities restaurants, and all of them are going on very successfully. In India the difference is that no enthusiastic young men with education are joining this movement whole-heartedly whereas in the foreign countries hundreds and thousands of qualified respectable men are joining us. I hope that you are a young man and along with other young friends you should also join us whole-heartedly, then we can do the same work in India. It is the duty of the *vaisyas* to take to agriculture and cow protection. That is mentioned in the *Bhagavad-gita: krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam, vaisya-karma svabhava-jam (18.44). Unfortunately in India, the * vaisyas * are not very much interested in agriculture and cow protection. They are more interested in opening factories. So how things can be done if the * Vaisyas* give us free advice for cow protection and then they themselves are more interested in opening factories? Then how can cow protection be properly done? If you see me personally in this connection I shall talk to you in detail." (SPL to Krishna dasa, Maheshvari, 11th July, 1976) 76-10 =="You are taking care of the cows. That is cow puja. Don't bother with anything else. Keep yourself in Krsna consciousness by strictly observing the regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds. Always keep engaged in Krsna's service."== ([[letters/1976/761025_whom_it_may_concern|Advaitacarya dasa, 25 October, 1976]]) *** 76-11 "You say we must have a gosala trust, that is our real purpose: *krsi-go-raksya vanijyam, vaisya-karma svabhava-jam (Bhagavad-gita* 18.44). Where there is agriculture there must be cows. ==That is our mission: Cow protection and agriculture and if there is excess, trade. This is a no-profit scheme. For the agriculture we want to produce our own food and we want to keep cows for our own milk.== The whole idea is that we are ISKCON, a community to be independent from outside help. This farm project is especially for the devotees to grow their own food. Cotton also, to make their own clothes. And keeping cows for milk and fatty products. Our mission is to protect our devotees from unnecessary heavy work to save time for advancing in Krsna consciousness. This is our mission. So there is no question of profit, but if easily there are surplus products, then we can think of trading. Otherwise we have no such intention. We want a temple, a gosala and agriculture. A community project as in Europe and America. We are making similar attempts in India in several places. Immediately I'm going to Hyderabad to organize the farm project there. We have six hundred acres. We have the permission from the government. There is no question of ceiling." ([[letters/1976/761128_sridhara|Yasomatinandana dasa, 28 November, 1976]]) *** 77-01 "That the Miami newspapers are appreciating our temple ground is very good. ==Why artificial insemination? We should avoid that. The physiology is, if the semina is more, then comes bull.== *So,* take more land and engage them in agriculture, ploughing by the bulls instead of tractor. Bulls can be engaged in ploughing and transporting. Nice bullock carts village to village for preaching. Make the farm the center and go ten miles this side, ten miles that side, ten miles this side, etc., with four bullock carts. Sell books and preach and live peacefully on the farm. People used to engage the bull for this purpose. So there was no problem which way to utilize them. First of all this artificial way should be stopped, and the bulls should be engaged in ploughing and transporting, and smashing the grains. To avoid machinery, petrol, machine oil, by natures way. Your description of the Tennessee farm is very nice." ([[letters/1977/770103_amarendra|Balavanta dasa, 3 January, 1977]]) *** 77-03 =="Regarding keeping the cows, unless there is sufficient grazing land and cultivation, it is very difficult. But there has been some discussion about having a farm in California. You may write to Ramesvara Maharaja and Satsvarupa Maharaja in this regard. In any case the cows must be protected and cared for. If the farm is gotten then they can be shifted there, otherwise continue to care for them as best you can."== ([[letters/1977/770328_candravali|Candravali dasi, 28 March, 1977]]) ## Farms and Simple Living 68-01 "Another important scheme is to start a nice press next spring. So these duties are there in New Vrndavana, and ==we shall have to live there self-independently, simply by raising cows, grains, fruits and flowers.== I have already explained these things to Hayagriva and he is now married and a responsible *grhastha.* You are, of course, *sannyasa.* Your duties will be more to preach and supervise the activities there. But do everything jointly. Many *grhasthas* and *brahmacaris* will join you for full cooperation. Some of them have already prepared to go there immediately, and perhaps you have received some letters about this. So everything appears very bright in the future. We have [to] deal with things sagaciously and success will surely be there. The immediate necessity is to construct some simple cottages for living purposes and then everything will gradually come out, one after another. I hope that you are already in touch with Hayagriva and he must have spoken to you about these ideas. May Krsna bless you with long life in executing the idea of our New Vrndavana scheme. Thanking you once more." (Kīrtanānanda, 12 January, 1968) *** 68-06 "They have been advised to turn San Francisco gradually into New Jagannatha Puri, and I have advised Kirtanananda and yourself to convert West Virginia into New Vrndavana. I understand the spot is very beautiful, and the hills may be renamed as New Govardhana. And if there are lakes, they can be renamed as Syamakunda and Radhakunda. Vrndavana does not require to be modernized because Krsnas Vrndavana is transcendental village. They completely depend on natures beauty and nature's protection. The community in which Krsna preferred to belong was *Vaisya* community, because Nanda Maharaja happened to be a *vaisya* king or landholder, and his main business was cow protection. It is understood that he had 900,000 cows and Krsna and Balarama used to take charge of them, along with His many cowherd boyfriends, and everyday, in the morning He used to go out with His friends and cows into the pasturing grounds. So, if you seriously want to convert this new spot as New Vrindaban, I shall advise you not to make it very much modernized. But as you are American boys, you must make it just suitable to your minimum needs. Not to make it too much luxurious as Europeans and Americans are generally accustomed. Better to live there without modern amenities, but to live a natural healthy life for executing Krsna consciousness. ==It may be an ideal village where the residents will have plain living and high thinking.== For plain living we must have sufficient land for raising crops and pasturing grounds for the cows. If there are sufficient grains and production of milk then the whole economic problem is solved. You do not require any machines, cinema, hotels, slaughterhouses, brothels, nightclubs—all these modern amenities. People in the spell of *maya* are trying to squeeze out gross pleasure from the senses, which is not possible to derive to our hearts content. Therefore, we are confused and baffled in our attempt to eschew eternal pleasure from gross matter. Actually, joyful life is on the spiritual platform, therefore we should try to save our valuable time from material activities and engage them for Krsna consciousness. But at the same time, because we have to keep our body and soul together to execute our mission, we must have sufficient (not extravagant) food to eat, and that will be supplied by grains, fruits and milk. So if you can develop this place to that ideal life, and the residents become ideal Krsna conscious men, in that part of your country, I think not only many philosophically minded people will be attracted but they will be benefited also. So far I am personally concerned, the United States Immigration Department has denied my application for permanent visa on some technical ground. In other words, just to avoid a *svami,* because the government is disgusted with so-called *swamis* who exploit the innocent public in your country. The difficulty is that the people in this country, they want to continue their practice of sense gratification, and at the same time they want to become transcendentally advanced. One can advance in transcendental life by the process of negating the general practice of materialistic life. The exact adjustment is in Vaisnava philosophy, which is called *yukta-vairagya,* [which] means that we should simply accept the bare necessities of our material part of life and try to save time for spiritual advancement. This should be the motto of New Vrndavana, if you at will develop it to the perceptional stage. And I am always at your service to help you by practical suggestion and assistance also. On the other hand I was thinking that if I get a permanent visa in Montreal, I shall make Montreal my headquarters and at that time I may require your help in so many ways. As we passed correspondence previously, that we should live together either in India or in this part of the world for the publication of so many Vaisnava literatures. But if you want to develop New Vrndavana, I can spare you for that purpose, and it may be that we can live there together. For the time being, if you actually want to develop such ideal *asrama,* we must have sufficient land and all other things will gradually grow. For raising crops from the land, how many men will be required? That we must estimate and also for herding the cows and feeding them. We must have sufficient pasturing ground to feed the animals all round. We have to maintain the animals throughout their lives. We must not make any program for selling them to the slaughterhouses. That is the way of cow protection. Krsna, by His practical example, taught us to give all protection to the cows and that should be the main business of New Vrndavana. Vrndavana is also known as Gokula. *Go* means cows, and *kula* means congregation. Therefore, the special feature of New Vrndavana will be cow protection, and by doing so, we shall not be [the] loser. In India, of course, a cow is protected and the cowherdsmen derive sufficient profit by such protection. Cow dung is used as fuel. Cow dung dried in the sunshine is kept in stock for utilizing as fuel in the villages. They get wheat and other cereals produced from the field. There is milk and vegetables and the fuel is cow dung and thus they are self-sufficient in every village. There are hand-weavers for the cloth. And the country oil-mill (consisting of a bull walking in a circle round two big grinding stones, attached with yoke) grinds the oil seeds into oil. The whole idea is that people residing in New Vrndavana may not have to search out work outside. Arrangements should be such that the residents should be self-satisfied. That will make an ideal *asrama.* I do not know if these ideals can be given practical shape, but I think like that; that people may be happy in any place with land and cow without endeavoring for so-called amenities of modem life—which simply increase anxieties for maintenance and proper equipment. ==The less we are anxious for maintaining our body and soul together, the more we== ** ==become favorable for advancing in Krsna consciousness"== ([[letters/1968/680614_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 14 June, 1968]]) *** 68-07 =="Another thing, I shall not advise you to purchase horses for conveyance. It will be a botheration for you, because now you have not got sufficient assistance. If you keep horses you have to take care for them and for a little convenience of transportation, you have to take so much botheration to keep the horse fit."== ([[letters/1968/680714_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 14 July, 1968]]) *** 68-08 "I am so glad to receive your note dated August 13th, 1968, with the copy of lease agreement and I have gone through it carefully. When you were here I suggested to purchase the land outright. But I think it has not been possible. But on the face of the lease it appears as good as sale document. But the clause, 'Excepting and reserving however, all of the coal within and underlying said property, and subject to the mining rights and privileges set forth in the deed conveying said coal made by Joseph E. McCombs, et al., dated March 30, 1903, recorded in the said clerks office in Deed Book 98, at page 185,' has caused my headache. I do not know what is written there in the Clerk's office in Deed Book 98, but on common sense, it appears that the area is coal mine or oil mine. Under the circumstances, if in future [the] coal industry is developed and if it is required, the government may at once ask us to vacate and no law can stop it. Even the government does not acquire our land, if in our vicinity some such industry (coal or oil industry) is started, the whole idea of New Vrndavana will fade away. Vrndavana conception is a transcendental village, without any botheration of the modern industrial atmosphere. My idea of developing New Vrndavana is to create an atmosphere of spiritual life where people in bona fide order of social division, namely, *brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas, sannyasis,* or specifically *brahmacaris, sannyasis,* and *vanaprasthas* will live there independently, completely depending on agricultural produce and milk from the cows. The life should be simplified without being hampered by laboring day and night for economic development, without any spiritual understanding. ==The New Vrndavana idea is that persons who live there will accept the bare necessities of life to maintain the body and soul together and the major part of time should be engaged in the development of Krsna consciousness.== The whole Vedic principle is to develop Krsna consciousness, without creating much botheration for the program of sense gratification. Industrial development (or mining industry) in the neighboring places will mar the whole idea. Now you have to consider yourself, looking forward to the future of the land, and then decide what to do. I do not like to have New Vrndavana with industrial or mining areas. I have got experience of them in India, that the mining areas are simply next to dungeon. The workers in the mines are considered to be residing in hell. And we can never expect any good behavior from such workers. So we must think of the atmosphere around Vrndavana. In India also, our present government are trying to develop industries in the vast tracts of land around Vrndavana and creating a hellish atmosphere. So I shall request you to be assured of the future of the land, and then do the needful. The summary is that the face of the lease agreement appears to be all right, but I am thinking of a spiritual development. I hope you have received my previous letter and I am expecting your reply as soon as possible." ([[letters/1968/680817_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 17 August, 1968]]) *** 68-09 "I ==am very glad to learn that all the members there are doing very nicely, and living happily. I hope that New Vrindavana will give shelter to so many unhappy men of this country and they will be happy by working there and living there in good association of devotees."== ([[letters/1968/680922_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 22 September, 1968]]) *** 68-10 "Next—regarding your point: program for a spiritual world civilization—it is a very nice suggestion. And practically our Krsna consciousness movement is built on this idea, that ==we want to make a world civilization on the basis of spiritual understanding. So am giving you some points which you may expand or do it for understanding of the people in general.== But the point should be as follows: First point, that any civilization devoid of God consciousness or Krsna consciousness, is no civilization at all. It is simply a polished type of animal society. This is the first point. So at the present moment, the modern civilization on the basis of so-called scientific knowledge and economic development is trying to avoid God consciousness, or Krsna consciousness—that is the defect of the modern civilization. Therefore, in spite of all advancement it is zero. So zero has no value. And millions of zeros put together does not make any value. But one is put on the left side of the zero and it increases the value. Then one zero becomes 10, two zeros become 100, three zeros becomes 1,000, so it is very nice. This point should be clearly discussed, that without God consciousness, Krsna consciousness, any attempt of human civilization so-called philosophical or political or economic or labor, they are all zeros. The human society should be divided as a social order, as the intellectual men, the administrator class, and the mercantile class, and the laborer class. And so far spiritual order, they should be divided as the renounced order of life, retired order of life, householder and student life. Third point, all these eight divisions are meant for understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead and this Krsna consciousness movement is meant for teaching these necessities of human civilization. Fourth point, so far the administrator class of men, or mercantile class of men and laborer class of men there are many institutions but to train a first-class intellectual man, there is no institution all over the world. And there is no institution for spiritual training also. So this Krsna consciousness movement is trying to help the human society on these two points, which they are lacking. So we have therefore taken a large tract of land to begin with, in West Virginia, and the place is called New Vrndavana. So we want to train students for becoming the first-class intellectual persons and instruct the whole human society about the aim of life and Krsna consciousness or God consciousness. So we are inviting the desiring or intending students to join us in our institution and we invite the public and government to cooperate with our movement. The fifth point is that in whatever division one may be situated, this very aim of life should be to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is the duty of everyone; it doesn't matter in what status of life he is situated, but if he wants to have a successful life, then he must learn to see how by his activities the Supreme Lord is satisfied. That should be the aim. Then it does not matter what is the position and occupation of the man, but he is in the right order of civilization because his very aim is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Next point, in order to learn this art, how he is able to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one has to take instruction or education in the art of Krsna consciousness, by reading *Bhagavad-gita As It Is,* by reading *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* which are calculated the science of God, and following the *Teachings of Lord Caitanya.* Such practice should be performed twenty-four hours. It is not that one may meditate for fifteen minutes and he becomes spiritually advanced, it is not possible. So the Krsna consciousness movement is training people how to be absorbed in the thought of Krsna twenty-four hours. Take for example, the *Bhagavad-gita:* the instruction of Krsna in the *Bhagavad-gita* is just suitable for a perfect human civilization. So one should learn this teaching of *Bhagavad-gita As It Is.* Next point: in order to understand these teachings of *Bhagavad-gita* and *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* there should be centers where people can assemble daily, morning and evening, and try to understand this Krsna consciousness or God consciousness movement. So we are trying to open branches all over the world in every city, in every town, in every village, and people should take advantage of it. There is no question of monetary transaction to enter into these centers and institutions, but because we have to maintain such institutions, all the public should voluntarily contribute and that is very gladly accepted. Next point, when people are accustomed to associate with these different centers of Krsna consciousness movement, they will one day come out of the material concept of life. Just like one becomes awakened from sleep. While sleeping, one sees so many nonsense dreams, but as soon as one is awakened he becomes conscious that Oh!, I was seeing so many nonsense dreams, actually it has no existence. Similarly, when a person becomes Krsna conscious, he can understand the false representation of this material civilization. Next point, and when he is awakened, he becomes completely detached from the so-called affection for designations, namely, society, friendship and love. Next point, by such understanding one is not so much materially active. 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. The defect of modern civilization is that everyone is earning money undoubtedly in large volumes but he does not know how to spend. He is spending simply for sense gratification and the last word of sense gratification is sex, therefore all money is being spent up for intoxication and sexual life, nudey dance, nudey theater in so many ways. That means they are spoiling their human source of energy. Next point, one should be so trained up that within the heart he will be freed from all material attraction but so long the body is there, to keep the body and soul together, he has to work like an ordinary man. Next point, the society, friendship and love of material existence may be accepted without any attraction, and whenever the so-called society, friendship and love wants to take service from us, one should simply say, yes, it is very nice, but actually he should give more importance for spiritual advancement of life. Next point, one should know it for certain that material resources, either in this planet or in other planets, either in the sky or within the earth, namely in the mines, all the properties, that are being utilized at the present moment as economic development, one should understand definitely that all the ingredients supplied or all the ingredients stocked, for example, the petroleum now stocked within the earth, and people are utilizing it for so many power machinery—one should know that this petroleum belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is not man made. Nor the scientists can manufacture. Similarly, everything, all things, all properties, they are made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding must be there. Next point, one can enjoy such properties but with this understanding, that they belong to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just like one is situated in the public park in a very nice garden, but one should always remember that the public park does not belong to him, personally. But it is the property of the government or the state. Next point, therefore the properties made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be utilized by all living entities. Every living entity, not only the human beings, but also the animals, they have got right to live on the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Next point, nobody can encroach upon the right of other living entities. Everyone is supplied by the Lord, the food, the shelter, by natural arrangement, so nobody should encroach upon the right of living of others. As such, the human being considered to be the highest developed conscious animals, so if they utilize this consciousness in relationship with Krsna, that is called Krsna consciousness. Next point, a Krsna conscious person does not encroach upon the right of other living beings. As such they do not approve organized slaughterhouses for killing animals. Next point, if you maintain slaughterhouses then you have to suffer the consequence, because in the law of nature there is no distinction between one life to another. Every living entity is equally valuable. Next point, every living entity is claimed as the son of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they may be dressed differently, because the body is the dress; the body is not identification with the living entity, therefore the living entity may be dressed in 8,400,000 of different dresses, and the living entity as he is, there is no qualitative difference between human being and animal. Therefore, their material necessities are the same, namely, eating, sleeping, mating and defending. Next point, the foolish idea that animals or plants or other living entities have no life, *is the basic cause of sinful activities.* Next point, one should be satisfied only to fulfill the belly, that is the eating process. If you can satisfy your belly by such things as grains, vegetables, fruits and milk, you have no right to kill another animal for satisfying the taste of your tongue. The human society is meant for living on the natural production, namely, grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk. They should not indulge extravagantly for other things. And if actually they are Krsna conscious they know the art of how to prepare thousands of palatable dishes only from the varieties of vegetables, grains, fruits and milk. If anyone takes more than he requires then he is to be understood a thief. Nobody should accumulate for future consumption of family, society, or nation, more money or more grains or more vegetables or more eatables, one should have only as much as he requires. *If there is greater production, that should be distributed to persons who need them.* Because food grains, especially, they are meant for all living entities, they should not be spoiled. Next point, therefore, one who spoils food grains unnecessarily, he is criminal. And one who accumulates more money than is actually required, he is also criminal. And according to the law of nature, or according to the law of God, such persons are surely to be punished. This punishment may not be visible in this life, but because life is eternal, it is continuity, one must be prepared to accept such punishment in this life or next life, and because they are taking the risk, therefore, the living entity is transmigrating from one body to another, and that is his problem of life. The human life is meant for solving this problem. All animals like deer, camel, ass, monkey, even flies and snakes, none should be ill-treated. Even they enter into the house or in the fields and take their eatables, they should not be stopped. Because they have also got the right to eat, eatables supplied by the Lord. And they will not eat more, neither they will take at home. They are better than human beings. If a human being is allowed to enter into the field or into the garden, he will try to take away something for selling or stocking, but the animals do not. So the innocent animals should be accepted as children of the householder. ==Nobody should take to very hardship labor. The modern civilization had discovered severe types of dangerous industries and laborers are attracted for high wages. But they should not accept such work.== Then naturally there will be less capitalistic idea. Because the laborer cooperates, therefore demoniac persons they take advantage and make unnecessary increase of artificial demands of the body. Better one should be satisfied with agricultural produce than go into large cities to be engaged in industry. Peaceful life depending on agricultural produce can bring him real happiness and prosperity, not otherwise. The more persons will be satisfied at home, with home economics, not to go outside the home, that is peaceful life. In India, Mahatma Gandhi tried to organize villages in that way so that not to drag the people to the town. So peaceful atmosphere can be attained only when there is large-scale village organization, actually village life. Not to borrow the ideas from the cities in the village life; poet Cowper said that country is made by God, and the cities and towns are made by man. So that is the distinction. There are many such nice ideas for living peacefully on this planet and executing Krsna consciousness, so that one may become completely freed from contamination of material existence, and get eternal life just after quitting this body. This is confirmed in the *Bhagavad-gita: tyaktva deharh punar janma, naiti mam eti so 'rjuna.* By simple prosecution of Krsna consciousness, one goes back to home, back to Godhead, just after quitting this present body. If people cooperate with this Krsna consciousness movement, certainly a better type of civilization can be introduced for permanent peace and prosperity of the whole world." ([[letters/1968/681017_rayarama|Rayarama, 17 October, 1968]]) *** 68-12 =="I have noted from your letter that you have available a Lincoln automobile which you are able to donate to us in Los Angeles. At the present we are requiring just such a car so I think you may make arrangements to have it brought here. This is all Krsna's grace so, as you are able, please make arrangements for this. So far as your utilizing machinery at New Vrndavana, if such machinery is helpful then you may take advantage of them. We are not enemies of machines. If they can be used for Krsna's service then we welcome them."== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, December 8th, 1968) 68-12 =="You have asked whether you may use charcoals to use for fuel during the winter and since this is the simplest thing to use in your present situation, certainly it is all right.== In all such questions as this you need only use your good common sense and depend upon Krsna as always to guide you nicely. So far as the government making repairs on the roads, if they are willing to do it this is very good. With nice roads we can invite many people to New Vrndavana as well as facilitate our own activities there so such proposal is welcome. For construction of ponds I don't know if you will be able to use them for bathing in the cold winter so it is better if you can construct a well if this can be more used in the winter. So if you are pressed now for time, the ponds may be constructed in the spring." ([[letters/1968/681208_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 8 December, 1968]]) *** 68-12 'I thank you very much for your taking my time in this way. May Krsna be pleased upon you; both you and your good husband will be more and more spiritually happy by your nice service attitude in Krsna consciousness. ==Actually, I have no desire to start the school in any city. City life, especially in this Age of Kali-yuga, is very much polluted. Poet Cowper stated that the city is made by man and the village is made by God.== So in the village there is a natural tendency for Krsna consciousness, so we want to develop such atmosphere in New Vrndavana. Your cooperation in this matter will very much encourage me." ([[letters/1968/681227_himavati|Satydbhama, 27 December, 1968]]) *** 69-01 =="So these duties are there in New Vrndavana, and we shall have to live there self-independently, simply by raising cows, grains, fruits, and flowers.== I have already explained these things to Hayagriva, and he is now married and a responsible *grhastha.* You are of course *sannyasa.* Your duties will be more to preach and supervise the activities there. But do everything jointly. Many *grhasthas* and *brahmacaris* will join you for full cooperation. Some of them have already prepared to get there immediately and perhaps you have received some letters about this. So everything appears very bright in the future. We have to deal with things very sagaciously and success will surely be there. The immediate necessity is to construct some simple cottages for living purposes, and then everything will gradually come out, one after another. I hope that you are already in touch with Hayagriva, and he must have spoken to you about these ideas." ([[letters/1969/690112_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 12 January, 1969]]) *** 69-03 "I think I have replied your former letter also, which I hope you have received by this time, and I am so glad to learn that you are feeling very happy in New Vrndavana. The basic principle of our life in Vrnda-vana will be cow-keeping. ==If we can keep cows sufficiently and grow our necessary foodstuffs, then we shall show a new way of life to your countrymen—completely spiritual life in healthy atmosphere in divine consciousness.== And you will have ample opportunity to educate children and write books for them because there is sufficient matter for publishing such books from the *Puranas, Mahabharata, Srimad-Bhagavatam* and many other allied literatures. There are thousands of ideal historical events, which if we can put with suitable pictures, will be a great idea and people will like to have such literature." ([[letters/1969/690330_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 30 March, 1969]]) *** 69-05 =="At present I am living in New Vrndavana. It is a very nice place, but there is no facility of modern amenities. It is completely aloof from city life, and we have to adopt so many things. In comparison to city life it is very inconvenient. But still the atmosphere here is very pleasant."== ([[letters/1969/690525_ananda|Ananda, 25 May, 1969]]) *** 69-06 "So far as milk is concerned, I can arrange for financing in the matter of purchasing cows. The arrangement will be like this, that I shall ask all the centers to finance at least for one cow, and you will have to pay them back the price by supplying ghee. Suppose somebody advances $200 for purchasing a cow; you will have to repay the debt by supplying $200 worth of ghee. After that, the cow becomes your property. But to produce this ghee means there must be regular churning. ==The men should be engaged in producing vegetables, tilling the field, taking care of the animals, house construction, etc. and the women shall do the indoor activities. Of course, those who are engaged in typing, like Syama dasi, they cannot do any other work.== So you may arrange things in this way." ([[letters/1969/690624_mrs._davis|Kīrtanānanda, 24 June, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "You have suggested that people coming from various centers to New Vrndavana should have their expenses underwritten by the temples at the rate of $25 per person, paid for one year. I think that will be a new introduction in our institution. In our so many centers the members go and come but there was no such demand from any center, and if New Vrndavana demands like that it will not sound very nice. But I can understand the financial position of New Vrndavana so the best thing will be to stop any more influx in New Vrndavana until the place is self dependent. ==The whole idea of New Vrndavana is that men who are living there should produce their own food, of which milk is the principal thing.== Unless that position is achieved it will not be advisable to ask anybody to go there. Better to ask them to go there if they are willing to work and produce their own food. Otherwise, nobody should be advised to go there. Besides that, I have received letters from the girls there that they are feeling inconvenience. Therefore, without having adequate place to live nobody should be advised at the present moment to go there. I am glad that the boys have been working for the house and the project will be completed satisfactorily. My advice is that you make the place very peaceful. You should admit only such persons who can work without any disturbance. For the time being you may not admit any more men and ask them to pay you $25 per month. That will not sound very nice." ([[letters/1969/690731_subala|Kīrtanānanda, 31 July, 1969]]) *** 70-11 "I'm very pleased that you're opening a nice center in the important city of Pittsburgh. Please develop the Pittsburgh and New Vrndavana plan conjointly. If Pittsburgh center can help contribute financially to our New Vrndavana, that will help relieve many financial problems. I am often thinking of New Vrndavana and I'm so much glad that you have taken the initiative to establish that program. ==Before I came to your country, I was thinking to establish an ideal Vedic community. So please work very hard to make New Vrndavana grow.== I will agree with you that we must not strain by having more devotees there than we can fit comfortably. Things must be done in such a way that no one feels inconvenienced. That is one of the problems of our modern metropolis. Everyone is packed together so tightly that the condition is always unbearable. Develop things in New Vrndavana in the natural way, so that gradually, as you have more facilities, more men can come." ([[letters/1970/701108_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 8 November, 1970]]) *** 70-12 =="That you are working hard to build cottages there in New Vrndavana is very encouraging to me. I want very much to see this project grow, so you please continue to work in this respect. So far as what materials to be used to finish the cottages, I think whatever is easiest and least expensive is best."== ([[letters/1970/701219_satsvarupa|Nara Narayana, 19 December, 1970]]) *** 72-01 "Your proposal for establishing a Krsna consciousness community on the land which you have is very good. Whenever we get some land available we should take the opportunity to develop it into an ideal community as envisioned for New Vrndavana. We can have a great many such communities all over the world so that people everywhere can see how, by leading a pure and simple life of Krsna consciousness, all ones needs in life can be satisfied. Actually, the so-called civilization of the Kali-yuga with its over industrialization, has not been able to give man the happiness he is seeking. So as you say that your land is very suitable for cow protection and for *Tulasi* to grow, then Krsna is giving you the opportunity to develop this program. ==Protect some cows, grow crops, and if possible provide fresh milk and butter for the temples nearby. And the rest of the time chant Hare Krsna and read my books.== In this way you can live very peacefully without any disturbances from anyone." (SPL to Von Paul Reed, January 2nd, 1972) 73-06 =="You have asked about whether nuclear devastation on this planet would effect the sankirtana movement. No, there is nothing that can stop the sankirtana movement because it is the will of God Himself, Lord Caitanya, that His holy name be heard in every town and village.== Neither can the demons devastate this planet independent of the will of Krsna. Nothing happens without His sanction. If Krsna wants to kill someone no one can save Him, and if Krsna wants to save someone no one can kill him. For our parts we should just be determined to carry out our mission against all opposition, demons, nuclear war, whatever. The whole universe is finally subject to certain annihilation by the will of Krsna, but devotional service is eternal and is the only certain way one can save himself from devastation. We can preach all over the world that the only way to be saved from collective and individual devastation is to take to the chanting of Hare Krsna. In short, this material world is a very precarious place therefore we should always chant Hare Krsna and seek Krsna's protection." ([[letters/1973/730622_makhanlal|Makhanlal, 22 June, 1973]]) *** 73-07 "I can understand your concern about the deterioration of the civilization. Yes, ==the city will be more dangerous place as Kali-yuga advances. It will be very deteriorating.== The modern civilization is so corrupt and as sinful activities are more and more committed, the people will be forced to face more troubles, by natures order. Our business, however, is simply to take shelter of the Hare Krsna *maha-mantra* and pray to the holy name to give us protection. ==We shall be unaffected by all that will happen. Krsna will provide us with working facilities. Be assured of this, that the devotees will be protected by the holy name. Others will have to suffer in the days that are coming."== ([[letters/1973/730723_kurusrestha|Kurusrestha, 23 July, 1973]]) *** 73-12 =="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."== ([[letters/1973/731211_makhanlal|Makhanlal, 11 December, 1973]]) *** 74-01 "Regarding your proposed newsletter to all ISKCON branches for recruiting men for agricultural work at Bhaktivedanta Manor. This is not a practical plan. No one from a foreign country will go to London for agricultural work. If you cannot find local men, how can you expect men from other countries to come and work? I have experienced that even men of this country do not go to New Vrndavana. You know, Srutakrti who was my personal servant. He has now become married and Kīrtanānanda Maharaja asked him to go to New Vrndavana but he said he doesn't like farm life. People are now accustomed to live in the city and if all of a sudden he is transferred to the village then certainly he feels difficulty. Especially in the Western countries, gradually even farmers are leaving their professional business and going to the city to enjoy facilities there. ==If you get local men to work at this agricultural attempt that will be better.== Otherwise, don't spend time and money in distributing this newsletter." ([[letters/1974/740112_mukunda|Mukunda, 12 January, 1974]]) *** 74-04 "As far as the cows suffering from no good shelter, why have you not built them something solid? I sent $5,000 on one occasion, and then $4,000 previous to that for construction for the cows. So why are they not protected? Your report on the harvest of crops is a paradox, when compared to the fact that you have to spend money for maintenance. If there is so much harvest, you have cows, vegetables, then why do you require money for maintenance? I have read in your letter how the *brahmacaris* find it very difficult to plough. It will be very difficult if we do not work the land ourselves. The difficulty can be overcome provided we are sincere. ==I think we can use modern machines; to drive a tractor, for example, is as easy as driving a car.== Suppose we hire a tractor for the time being. I heard they are available from Krishnanagara. In America they take to agriculture; they are farmers, although they are not Indians. So why can't the Americans work and farm in India? We just have to adjust in order to raise as much crops as possible for the animals and men. I have seen many farmers near New Vrndavana working nicely with tractors and growing food. One day Kīrtanānanda Swami hired one and within two hours he tilled many acres of land very nicely, although the land was not even. So in Mayapur the land is even; in a few hours we can till all the land we possess. My point is if somehow we cannot utilize the land then why purchase it at such expenditure? Self-help doesn't mean Rs 10,000 spent monthly." ([[letters/1974/740403_gurudasa|Jayapataka and Bhavananda, 3 April, 1974]]) *** 74-04 =="Also, if you purchase land it must be properly utilized. It is no use purchasing land to be wasted by costly laborers. If you actually produce some grains or vegetables, then where is the necessity for further money for maintenance.== For maintenance we require 100 rupees per head without any risk for purchasing lands and cultivating the same. I understand there are only 20 men there at present, so utmost 2,000 rupees is necessary for maintenance. I am not competent to understand everything concerning what you plan to do, but that is my rough estimate." ([[letters/1974/740420_bhavananda_jayapataka|Bhavananda and Jayapataka Maharajas, 20 April, 1974]]) *** 74-06 =="It is very good news that there are persons there who want to cooperate to help us start a varnasrama college project and that they may supply us land for living as an ideal community producing our own food from the land. So this should be followed up carefully."== ([[letters/1974/740617_malati|Brahmananda Maharaja, 17 June, 1974]]) *** 74-09 "Regarding the Buffalo project, New Vrndavana is the example. You should develop in a similar way. Have milk, vegetables, simple living, and chanting Hare Krsna. ==The whole world is engaged in unnecessary hard labor with their factories. It is a brain killing civilization. Let them come to free life, spend time chanting Hare Krsna, reading books and making their lives successful.== This is very essential propaganda. People must be informed." ([[letters/1974/740904_temple_president|SPL Rupanuga dasa, 4 September, 1974]]) *** 74-09 =="I have seen in New Vrndavana how happily our devotees are living there with fresh air, fresh vegetables and ample milk. Simple living in cottages. What more do you want? We should not neglect the upkeep of the body and we should save time to chant Hare Krsna. This mission should be propagated. Save time and chant Hare Krsna."== ([[letters/1974/740907_batu_gopala|Hamsaduta, 7 September, 1974]]) *** 74-10 =="Regarding the farm, farm opening is not very essential, but if you can do it conveniently, then do it.== The *varnasrama* system is for convenience sake in the material world. It has nothing to do with spiritual life. Acceptance of *varnasrama* means a little easy progress to spiritual life, otherwise it has no importance to us. For example, all my European and American disciples have no *varnasrama* position, but spiritually because they have followed the rules and regulations and also my instructions, their advancement spiritually is being appreciated by everyone. Always remember that *varnasrama* life is a good program for material life, and it helps one in spiritual life; but spiritual life is not dependent upon it. After all, the system of *varnasrama* has to be realized before accepting spiritual life and the renounced order of *sannyasa* is the last stage of *varnasrama." ([[letters/1974/741019_hansadutta|Hamsaduta dasa, 19 October, 1974]]) *** 74-12 =="I am very glad to hear about your new farm asrama existing there. We want to develop many such farms all over the world. You are enthusiastic and intelligent and it appears that you are managing it nicely.== Why not call it New Gokula instead of New Mayapur. I think that is better. It is all right that you have purchased machinery and are using on the farm but if you can do without as much as possible that is better. It sounds as if the living conditions there may be a little extreme. But if the devotees can learn to tolerate as you say they are determined, and can stay and work there, that is very good. And I give all encouragement to them." ([[letters/1974/741215_tribhuvanatha|Bahudaka, 15 December, 1974]]) *** 74-12 =="To develop a farm community such as the one you are doing, it requires much hard work and endurance. But if you work sincerely then Krsna will give you all facilities and men. Therefore continue working and follow the good example that the devotees in New Vrndavana have set and everything will go very nicely. If you have any specific questions you can refer to New Vrndavana and they may be able to help you."== ([[letters/1974/741215_tribhuvanatha|Bahudaka, 15 December, 1974]]) *** 75-01 "So far the Nellore property is concerned, that is a nice proposal. Now we should have self-sufficiency. This means to make our own food grains grow and to weave our own cloth—like Mayapur. If we have food grains, milk, and cloth life becomes easy and we can save time for preaching and chanting. ==Not that everyone should do these activities of farming, but if one is less intelligent, or not intelligent enough to preach nicely, he can do.== If one is capable, then he should preach. On the whole, our Society should be divided into four divisions but such divisions are not material. Just like Krsna belonged to the *vaisya* community, but He is worshipped by the *brahmanas.* We shall utilize everything for Krsna's service." ([[letters/1975/750119_radhavallabha|Mahamsa Swami, 19 January, 1975]]) *** 75-02 "I am very happy to hear your report. ==Krsna is giving you facility there to develop a very nice varnasrama society in New Zealand.== Try your best to develop an ideal society there to set a perfect example for the human society of how one can live very simply, chanting Hare Krsna and developing love for Krsna. Make sure that you keep the whole program pure by carefully following all of the rules and regulations that I have given, rising early, attending *mamgala-arati* and holding classes, chanting sixteen rounds daily, observing the four basic principles, no intoxication, meat-eating, etc. Then everything will be a great success. You are an intelligent boy, so, I think you can understand how to manage things very nicely there." ([[letters/1975/750202_sahadeva|Tusta Krsna Swami, 2 February, 1975]]) *** 75-02 =="Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 5th, 1975 and have noted the contents. I am very glad to hear that your farm project in Mississippi is going on nicely. Develop it nicely like New Vrindavana."== ([[letters/1975/750215_svarupa_damodara|Nityananda dasa, 15 February, 1975]]) ==75-05 "As far as machines are concerned, it is better to avoid using them as far as possible."== ([[letters/1975/750519_mahamsa|Hamsaduta dasa, 19 May, 1975]]) *** 75-07 =="Your farm appears very nice, open plain land. The cows are very nice and so are the sheds. This farm project you should consider very important. The idea is that people can be self-sufficient and raise their own foodstuffs and have sufficient milk to save time and chant Hare Krsna. Why should they work so hard in the hellish factories? Let everyone live simply and be Krsna conscious."== ([[letters/1975/750701_nityananda|Nityananda dasa, 1 July, 1975]]) *** 75-07 "Regarding the farm, if by getting money from the cash crops you can improve the place, then do that. Construct temple and residential quarter. ==Somehow or other you have to keep the men who are there engaged. If they are allowed to become idle, gradually they will again become hippies.== If the farm cannot be utilized, then it may be sold. What is the use of keeping a bad cow? But if you are utilizing, then we can purchase the truck to help. But what about the idea of selling the bus and repaying me $3000? What happened to that idea? I have lent $5,000 and that should be repaid somehow or other. Everyone I advance money to, they repay. Brahmananda Swami took Rs16000, and he has returned, so why not you also? Anyway if there is some potential there then keep it and go on. But if you are able to make profit, then why not purchase the truck?" ([[letters/1975/750716_paramahamsa|Paramahamsa Swami, 16 July, 1975]]) *** 75-08 "Anyway without court permission we shall not take the land. In the meantime it is all right that you invest only in moveable property. Of course ==you should not be thinking to sell any of the crops for profit. That is not our purpose. The village organization is that the local people produce their necessities== like grain, vegetables, milk and cloth; ==and for recreation they have the chanting of Hare Krsna.== They should live there comfortably and have spiritual recreation. They should not come to the cities. I wish to introduce this ideal now. Then if we are successful this cheating civilization will stop. They have made these cities as hell. If people do not cooperate with them, then how will the factories run on? And, if the people are satisfied by this arrangement then what will the communists do?" ([[letters/1975/750803_mahamsa|Mahamsa Swami, 3 August, 1975]]) *** 75-08 "You can present to them for the tax exemption that all over the world in different parts we are training men to live in the interior parts of the country and to produce their own food grains, sufficient milk, and produce cloth also. The attraction is Krsna consciousness, spiritual enlightenment. With the foreigners in Europe and America we have already started such centers. In Hyderabad, India we are attempting such a center. ==The idea is that local inhabitants will be satisfied with their bare necessities of life and their attention will be diverted towards spiritual development of life.== That is the aim of human birth. We are trying this also in Africa, and it is partially successful. The whole scheme is that if a man becomes a devotee all good qualities inherent in him become manifest, whereas a person, without being a devotee, even though he has so-called academic qualifications, he will remain on the mental platform and will again be brought to the material field of activities which will always bring dissatisfaction. The total scheme is for simple life and high thinking and exalted character of the human society. As a matter of fact all of our members refrain from eating meat, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex." ([[letters/1975/750804_gopala_krsna|Giriraja dasa, 4 August, 1975]]) *** 75-08 "At the present moment I am staying in our French castle in the village of Lucay-le-Male. We have purchased recently two hundred and fifty acres of land, with a big palace. Some photos are enclosed herewith. ==I am now organizing in Europe and America many farm lands so that my devotees can live there peacefully, grow their own foodstuffs, produce cloth, and save time for chanting Hare Krsna.== This scheme has been successful in New Vrndavana, West Virginia, New Orleans and Pennsylvania. So the same attempt is being made here in France. This place is a little interior from Paris about one hundred and eighty miles, and there are about one hundred devotees already. They are growing vegetables, fruits, and flowers and keeping cows with great enthusiasm. They are chanting Hare Krsna also village to village in buses, so the propaganda work is going on nicely." ([[letters/1975/750811_bon_maharaja|Sripada Bon Maharaja, 11 August, 1975]]) *** 75-08 =="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 US$250 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."== ([[letters/1975/750821_rupanuga|Nityananda dasa, 21 August, 1975]]) *** 75-09 =="Regarding the farm, our business is not farming. Our business is to spread Krsna consciousness. So in favor of Krsna consciousness, whatever policy is suitable that we should take. Even if you move the farm, how will it be conducted if your devotees are not interested? No, it is not a good idea. It will mean our attention will be diverted. If you have got more men, then it can be tackled."== ([[letters/1975/750909_hansadutta|Hamsaduta dasa, 9 September, 1975]]) *** 75-09 "I understand that you are saving on the milk bill by supplying your own milk from the farm. This is wanted. If these farm projects are successful then all this industry will be closed. We do not have to make propaganda, but automatically people will not want. The people are innocent. ==The rascal leaders say it is primitive to remain on the farm, but to do business in the city and become rogue and rascal, that is advanced. They have dog race, horse race, gambling, Coca-cola, Pepsi-cola—all unnecessary.== There is no use for it but the business is going on. They take to cigarette and TV because they have no good engagement. They are chewing the already chewed." ([[letters/1975/750929_gargamuni|Rupanuga dasa, 29 September, 1975]]) *** 75-10 =="Now, our next program will be to organize farming land to set an example to the whole world how people can be peaceful, happy and free from all anxieties simply by chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra and living an honorable life in Krsna consciousness.== In India especially people are religiously inclined. They like to live in village and also like to love Lord Rama, Lord Krsna. This idealism is running through their blood and veins. We have to organize their natural tendency and elevate them again back to home, *Back to Godhead.* Please think over these points very seriously and as soon as I return we shall take up the program. My beloved *sannyasi* disciple Swami Pusta Krsna has promised to give me a car, and as soon as I get it I shall move from village to village along with some selected assistants and organize this farming village development program." ([[letters/1975/751019_kartikeya_k._mahadevia|Karttikeya, 19 October, 1975]]) *** 75-10 =="Regarding our farming scheme, it is almost settled that we shall get some land. Now we have to organize carefully. In this respect, I am counting upon your good help.== On my return to India I wish to hold immediately one meeting of Krisans or agriculturist society. The idea is that the land is there and Krisans may be engaged to grow food both for men and for the animals, namely the cows. The cow should be maintained very healthy so that they can give sufficient good milk. The Krisans shall live comfortably in the cottages. They should produce their food, their milk and their cloth. Everything produced will be used by themselves. If there is any excess production then the question of trade will arise. That we shall see later on. All the products produced will belong to Krsna-Balarama. Everyday at least thrice, all the Krisans meet in the local temple of Krsna-Balarama, chant Hare Krsna *maha-mantra,* and take *prasadam.* In this way they should live peacefully locally without going outside for their livelihood. This is the general program. Now we have to itemize so that things may go on very nicely. So I am returning to India by the end of this month. Please arrange to hold a meeting successfully for this purpose." ([[letters/1975/751020_srutakirti|Digambhar Singh, 20 October, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="So in the Western countries they are selling their churches and farms which we require. That is also Krsna's plan. In USA there is enough land and if we organize we can become very big party, Hare Krsna party. We can occupy America and make them all become Krsna conscious. Regarding St. Louis farm, yes, we can work and build some small cottages with thatched roofs provided we get men. It is very encouraging; you should get this farm. Ten at least are sufficient to run a farm."== ([[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 9 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="The farming and opening the restaurant are correlative—in farming you produce enough milk and milk products, at least ghee, and the ghee is dispatched to the restaurant in the city and with that you prepare first-class samosas, kacoris, vegetables, halavah—so many things people will like very much. The principle is that not a drop of milk should be misused."== ([[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|Tusta Krsna Swami, 9 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="Regarding Atlanta, everywhere again expenditures more. Why was the airport distribution closed down in Atlanta? I am glad that their farm project is successful. Milk, fruits, flowers and also food grains can all be produced in the farm. Cannot flowers be produced in the farm? This will reduce their expenditure."== ([[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|Rupanuga dasa, 9 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="Regarding the Vancouver farm, yes, the log cabin-type structure you have mentioned, that is nice. Whatever is suitable, that you should do. This is the meaning of plain living and high thinking. If the chanting of Hare Krsna is not there, then there will not be any high thinking."== ([[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|Jayatirtha dasa, 20 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="So far increasing the New Orleans farm, yes, if you have got more men, you can get more land.== You should make a stock of ghee from the farm and if possible open a restaurant in the city for attracting people. You can prepare *samosa, kacoris, rasgullas,* sweetballs. In Honolulu they are doing nicely this restaurant. You can take information from Srutakirti dasa. And the farm will get money by selling ghee to the restaurant. And also you can sell the ghee to the Indian people in the city." ([[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|Jagadisa dasa, 20 November, 1975]]) *** 76-01 =="It is good that you are again the president of the Vancouver temple. Of course the farm projects are important but more stress should be given to sankirtana. We require so much money here in India. So Jayatirtha has said right. Whatever we are doing in India is from the BBT fund. Continue to go out on sankirtana. Example is better than precept."== ([[letters/1976/760111_bahudak|Bahudaka, 11 January, 1976]]) *** 76-04 =="The proposed farm project in northern California is approved by me. Such projects as well as constructing temples, protecting cows, gathering milk, then making ghee, then opening Hare Krsna Restaurants are all good programs for grhasthas."== ([[letters/1976/760402_v.g.k._dipple|Citsukhananda dasa, 2 April, 1976]]) *** 76-07 "The name for the Tennessee community is 'Murarisevak.' ==On the farms we should have mainly grhasthas. Farms are especially meant for the grhasthas.== *Brahmanas* and *sannyasis* are meant for begging food grains from the *grhasthas.* They depend on the *grhasthas* and the *grhasthas* treat them as their children. As the child is not a burden for the parents, so *brahmanas* and *sannyasis are* not a burden for the *grhasthas.* They simply take food grains to survive but they give transcendental knowledge for the benefit of society. They have no worries for producing and securing food. That is the business of *grhasthas,* but the *sannyasis* and *brahmanas* devote their time to spreading spiritual knowledge. That is the system." ([[letters/1976/760708_balavanta|Balavanta, 8 July, 1976]]) *** 76-08 'Tour idea and completion of the *kirtana* hall etc. is very nice. You can visit our farm projects at New Vrndavana and the New York Farm in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. They do everything very nicely and you can develop your farm on their model. That you are growing all your own grains is very good. It is my ambition that all devotees may remain self-independent by producing vegetables, grains, milk, fruits, flowers and by weaving their own cloth in handlooms. ==This simple life is very nice. Simple village life saves time for other engagements like chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.== Generally people are spoiling their lives for decorating the dead body and giving no attention at all to the spirit soul within. Our business is just the opposite, to give more time to the spiritual life and accept material necessities only as required. This makes life perfect. This is the Vedic way of life. We do not reject or accept anything until it is seen in the light of our Krsna consciousness movement. Anything favorable for Krsna consciousness we accept and anything unfavorable we reject: *anukulasya sankalpah pratikulyam-vivarjanam." ([[letters/1976/760823_tusta_krsna|Tusta Krsna dasa, 23 August, 1976]]) *** 76-10 "You say the farm is only five miles from the city, so we will build our temple on that land. The farmers should be trained up to become devotees of Krsna. The same idea I have already given for Hyderabad farm. Invite the local farmers to participate in *kirtana* and *prasadam* distribution, engage them to work the land. They may keep whatever they require for their maintenance and the excess production may be traded or sold. But ==we are not going to develop a competitive farming enterprise for making money. The basic principle is to become independent of artificial city life, working in factories producing nut and bolts.== Gandhi had this idea, the one defect was that there was no Krsna in the center. So the same idea of village organization, but keeping Krsna in the center should be introduced on our farm projects." ([[letters/1976/761014_sriman_bajaji|Yasomatinandana Prabhu, 14 October, 1976]]) *** 77-01 "Try to concentrate on these farm projects. Let the villagers come and hear and distribute *prasadam.* In this way draw their sympathy and gradually they'll become our associates. Then they can come to live with us and work with us. In this way let them be induced. In the evenings you can hold *klrtana* and invite them to come and distribute *prasadam.* We are doing this now on our farm near Hyderabad. Gradually they may be invited to come and live and work with us. We will give them food, clothing and shelter and they can live simply and save time for developing their Krsna consciousness. Do this and then our movement is successful. ==Our only motive is how to interest people in Krsna consciousness. That's all. There is no economic problem. We can produce our own food and clothes gradually and save time for spiritual life."== ([[letters/1977/770104_balavanta|Balavanta dasa, 4 January, 1977]]) *** 77-01 =="I do not think this ship will be successful. Getting and managing a farm is a good proposal. I am encouraging farm projects everywhere. That is a very important, solid program. So do this enthusiastically and Krsna will be pleased."== ([[letters/1977/770113_jayatirtha|Uthala dasa, 13 January, 1977]]) *** 77-03 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 3rd, 1977, with enclosed photos. The farm you describe sounds nice and if you can supply grains, butter, etc. to Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa as you suggest, it is very good. From the photos it seems that it gets very cold there. Will the weather hinder the farming as happened at the Vancouver farm? There they were forced to sell the farm. The farm may be called 'Subha Farm.' I have already given general guidelines for our other farms. Whatever is available easily we can use. There is no objection to using electricity. But we should not be dependent upon it. Produce oil from castor seeds and stock the oil sufficiently. It can be used in so many ways—for burning, grease, cooking, and as a purgative to cure all diseases. And oxen can be used for driving carts and go preaching village to village. What is the question of killing them? Here in India our Lokanatha Maharaja has successfully organized such a program and it is a great success. He has traveled all over India and everywhere they distribute books, *prasadam* and perform *kirtana,* village to village. Each night they stop at a different village. We can introduce many millions of such carts all over the world. ==As far as possible try to adjust to a natural way of life, free from dependence on machines. But our principle should he that we are against nothing and for nothing. Only for Krsna. We want whatever is favorable for Krsna.== From the farms we should get sufficient foodstuffs and these can be sent to be used at our restaurants. Along with the restaurants there can be *'Bhaktivedanta Reading Room'* where all my books can be kept and people can come and sit comfortably and read. The people will like these restaurants and reading rooms. They will take them as non-sectarian." ([[letters/1977/770316_minakshi|Subhavilasa dasa, 16 March, 1977]]) *** 77-03 "If you are getting enough milk from the cows simply by pasturing them, then that is all right. But if you require more then you may have to feed them special grains. ==We want to do whatever is easy and save time for Krsna consciousness.== As far as you are able to adjust to a natural way of life, do it immediately. Our principle is that we are against nothing and for nothing. Only for Krsna. We want whatever is favorable for Krsna. I am returning one Deity photo to you. This dressing style is not authorized. But the other photos are very nice. Please go on very enthusiastically developing your farming community. I hope this meets you in the best of health." ([[letters/1977/770316_minakshi|Nityananda dasa, 16 March, 1977]]) *** 77-04 "Yes, ==if our householders cannot distribute books, then let them live in the farm communities. They can produce thread for cloth, spinning, and other such activities. But they must do something, not sit idly, for an idle brain is the devil's workshop."== ([[letters/1977/770412_nityananda|Nityananda dasa, 12 April, 1977]]) ## Self-Sufficiency 68-10 "But ==in New Vrndavana, our program is that the inhabitants should produce their own food. Somehow or other they should be self-independent. Otherwise, what is the use of occupying such great tract of land?== If we can think of starting a small institution I think we shall get help from the government and many foundations, if they understand that we are actually training people for building up character and health along with imparting education." ([[letters/1968/681007_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 7 October, 1968]]) *** 69-01 "So these duties are there in New Vrndavana, and ==we shall have to live there self independently, simply by raising cows, grains, fruits and flowers.== I have already explained these things to Hayagriva, and he is now married and a responsible *grhastha.* You are of course *sannyasa.* Your duties will be more to preach and supervise the activities there. But do everything jointly. Many *grhasthas* and *brahmacaris* will join you for full cooperation. Some of them have already prepared to get there immediately and perhaps you have received some letters about this. So everything appears very bright in the future. We have to deal with things very sagaciously and success will surely be there. The immediate necessity is to construct some simple cottages for living purposes, and then everything will gradually come out, one after another. I hope that you are already in touch with Hayagriva, and he must have spoken to you about these ideas." ([[letters/1969/690112_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 12 January, 1969]]) *** 71-08 "I learned from other members of our Society that you kindly sometimes visit our Mayapur center where we have already got one cottage. When I was in Calcutta we talked of purchasing more land. I am still prepared to purchase if we get bargain price or at least at the current local price but I have heard that people are asking more than the expectation. So conveniently you may go sometime at Mayapur and stay with our men and negotiate with persons. If they are prepared to sell the land at the right price, then I can purchase all the available land. ==My idea is to purchase land for agriculture so inmates may not depend on outsiders but grow food there and things may go on nicely."== (SPL to Dinesh Babu, August 14th, 1971) 72-07 =="I am glad to hear that you are purchasing more land for expanding.== What about our former land purchased from some Ghose that is on the left side of our land? From so many wonderful varieties of vegetables, you will get very soon full of vitamins. ==Keep a cow, then there will be no question of scarcity or relying upon somebody else for your maintenance.== Now you have got a big hall on first floor, so keep rice stock there to protect from floods. I think the whole atmosphere in Mayapur must be now very, very nice and I shall be so much glad to return there sometimes in the month of September, so kindly finish up the work by that time. Malati has expressed desire to decorate my quarters there, so as soon as they are ready she may come there and prepare everything very nicely." ([[letters/1972/720730_jayapataka|Jayapataka, 30 July, 1972]]) *** 73-07 =="Yes! Go on acquiring the surrounding lands and in this way we will establish a local self governing village and show all the world a practical example of spiritual life as Krsna Himself exhibited in Vrndavana.== Agriculture and protecting the cow, this is the main business of the residents of Vrndavana, and above all simply loving Krsna. The cows, the trees, the cowherd men and *gopis,* their chief engagement was loving Krsna, and in New Vrndavana we want to create this atmosphere and thereby show the whole world how practical and sublime our movement is. I shall go to New Vrndavana as soon as your palace is finished. *Jaya!* For the small cottages I suggest to construct as the diagram below—wooden beams and between the beams fill with gravel cement. The roof may be tile. The size may be 12' x 15.' This design is especially suitable for *grhasthas,* who can feel very comfortable there, and you may house four *brahmacaris* in such place. Every day you can build one such house, ten may be required, and in one month you will have 30 such nice shelters." ([[letters/1973/730727_tamala_krsna|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 27 July, 1973]]) *** 74-01 =='You== inquire whether you can make cheese? Why cheese? Make sufficient ghee. If you can send ghee to India that would be nice service as there is scarcely any ghee there. Cheese is not good. We should produce ghee so all our centers can have enough ghee."== ([[letters/1974/740107_malati|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 7 January, 1974]]) *** 74-04 "Yes, inflation is due to paper currency. ==As for land ownership, in the Vedic civilization the land was given to the people for cultivation, not for ownership, and a tax was collected which was twenty-five percent of the persons income.== The land belonged to the state and the man would cultivate it and pay twenty-five percent to the state. If he has no income then he doesn't have to pay. One cannot get land from the government unless he agrees to produce something and if everyone produces food then there is no scarcity. At least he has his own food produced by himself. Now people are educated as *sudras.* They are going to work to produce what is not urgently needed by society. The actual social structure should be that the first intelligent class, the *brahmanas,* should be for studying and educating people for God consciousness. They are the *gurus* of all other classes. ==The second class, the ksatriyas, give protection from dangers and they can distribute the land.== The third class, *vaisyas,* are for producing. So after the first, second and third class, the remaining should help the upper three classes, then everybody will be employed. As for speaking this knowledge effectively, that requires a little experience. The more you experience then you will be able to give examples." (SPL to Balavanta, April 28th, 1974) 74-11 =="To promote Vedic research work in the area of agriculture and animal husbandry and alternative energy sources according to the historic Vedic texts for the sound and healthy development of body, mind, and soul; and to promote and distribute this research work. Seen:== ACBS" ([[letters/1974/741117_agent_central_bank_of_india|Draft of Additions to Memorandum of Association for Calcutta Registration, 17 November, 1974]]) *** 74-12 =="Our farm projects are an extremely important part of our movement. We must become self-sufficient by growing our own grains and producing our own milk, then there will be no question of poverty.== So develop these farm communities as far as possible. They should be developed as an ideal society depending on natural products, not industry. Industry has simply created Godlessness, because they think they can manufacture everything that they need. Our *Bhagavad-gita* philosophy explains that men and animals must have food in order to maintain their bodies. And the production of food is dependent on the rain, and the rain of course is dependent on chanting Hare Krsna. Therefore let everyone chant Hare Krsna, eat nicely and keep their bodies fit and healthy. This is ideal lifestyle. We do not condemn modern civilization but we don't like to get it at the cost of God consciousness, that is suicide. Your farm in Pennsylvania sounds very nice. As far as Bali Mardan being involved with the management he will have nothing to do with that. The two men you have appointed, Paramananda and Devakinandana prabhus, are both capable and experienced men from New Vrndavana and I am sure they will manage everything very nicely there." ([[letters/1974/741218_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 18 December, 1974]]) *** 75-07 "Your ==farm appears very nice, open plain land. The cows are very nice and so are the sheds. This farm project you should consider very important. The idea is that people can be self sufficient and raise their own foodstuffs and have sufficient milk to save time and chant Hare Krsna. Why should they work so hard in the hellish factories? Let everyone live simply and be Krsna conscious."== ([[letters/1975/750701_nityananda|Nityananda dasa, 1 July, 1975]]) *** 75-08 "I have been told by Sri Ram Pandey who is the Editor of INPF Samacar Samiti, Allahabad, and the District Youth Counsellor for the District Planning Office, Allahabad; that there are enough barren lands that are not suitable for agricultural use that are lying unused in Allahabad District. ==If you could kindly give over these lands to use we could develop it into a self- sufficient community producing foodstuffs, grains and vegetables, milk products and cloth== involving the local peoples for their greater benefit, as we are already doing at our Mayapur Candradoya Community Development Project in West Bengal, Dist. Nadia, and which we are now planning near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. I hope you may enquire into the availability of lands for such a complete development scheme which will benefit the people at large." ([[letters/1975/750831_minister_for_land_revenue|Minister for Land and Revenue, 31 August, 1975]]) *** 75-09 "So ==you get from all the farms all your necessities, then it will be successful. Fodder, milk, grains, vegetables, and animals and man will be satisfied, and you can chant Hare Krsna. No unnecessary cow killing and no unnecessary needs of the body. The women's SKP, that is very good."== ([[letters/1975/750929_gargamuni|Rupanuga dasa, 29 September, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="Regarding the New Orleans farm, do not make sugar. Just boil it and make molasses. You can eat the molasses instead of sugar.== Just boil it and keep boiling it until granules form and then keep in a pot. ==Don't try to make sugar and sell it.== That will simply increase the botheration. If you start trading business, then so many problems will be there. You ==should produce just enough for our own use.== Trading leads to envy and jealousy and cheating, then everything is lost. I am seeing now that the business activities in our society, they are increasing. Originally I allowed that Gargamuni could start the incense business. I thought that the Ramakrishna Mission, they are doing and the incense we are using, so if we make some and sell it, then what is the harm. But now I see that Spiritual Sky, they have so many products. And now there is jewellery business going on. So why should the business increase? Nanda Kumara, he came here to India simply for doing business. This is not required. So I have given him *sannyasa* and now he is finished with all business, and he will go to Africa to preach. So this business should be discouraged, otherwise, if they do it, our men will again become *karmis.* Our business is simply book distribution." ([[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|Jagadisa dasa, 20 November, 1975]]) *** 75-12 "The bearer of this letter is my secretary of our Mayapur establishment, and he will explain to you about our activities there. It will be a great satisfaction if you kindly visit our Mayapur establishment to see how things are going on there. ==We are developing a plan there to be self-sufficient. Namely, to produce our food grains, maintain cows for drinking milk, and weave cloth for garments, and for this purpose we want a considerable tract of land.== For this purpose I wish that the government may acquire some land for us so that we may develop our plan, and I hope you can help me in this connection. Sriman Jayapataka will further explain to you and I hope you will kindly do the needful." ([[letters/1975/751217_mahamsa|Sriman M.N. Chaudhuri, 17 December, 1975]]) *** 76-01 =="We shall never use this artificial fertilizer on our farms. It is forbidden in the sastras. If you plant easily grown crops once in the year, then the earth will not become exhausted. Don't over use the land."== (SPL to Rupanuga, 11th, January, 1976) *** 76-03 "Please accept my greetings. Last night at the Thakura Bati we had a very nice meeting, so I wanted to talk with you of improvement of the Uddharana Datta Thakura Path. I know you are managing the establishment so nicely till now but still further improvement can be done if you cooperate with us. We want to establish a small *gurukula* as mentioned in the *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* accommodating willing Vaisnavas who will follow the Vaisnava behavior strictly; arranging worship of the Deity by the sincere devotees who will not take any remuneration and who follow the Vaisnava principles. I do not know how many devotees are staying there for taking *prasadam,* but I want at least 25 devotees to stay there regularly for taking *prasadam,* occasionally holding festivals also for distributing *prasadam* to anyone who visits the temple. I am thinking in this line. I am hoping that you can give me your considerate opinion as to how it can be done. Furthermore, I wish to be enlightened to know how much land the *mandira* possesses for cultivation because ==I wish the temple community to be self-sufficient by producing their own food grains. In foreign countries we are organizing our centers on this principle. Here also in Mayapur we are doing the same thing,== and we have just taken on another place, Haridaspur, the place of Haridasa Thakura. There are 6 *bighas* of land and they have donated it to us, and we are trying to develop it according to the above mentioned program." ([[letters/1976/760324_devotees|Bahu, 24 March, 1976]]) *** 76-11 =="Have there been rains at New Mayapur? There should at least be rains in our area. Yes, increase the flowers. You have got sufficient space. Produce flowers, fruits, vegetables and grains in ample quantities. We should be fully self-sufficient. I like New Mayapur very much."== ([[letters/1976/761107_bhagavan|Bhagavan, 7 November, 1976]]) *** 76-11 "So far the magazine is concerned, in India it is very difficult to send attractive magazines by post. The peons take it away. I have seen this myself and others have also seen. Therefore, we are publishing one local magazine from Hyderabad. A copy is sent herewith. If you like I can advise the managers in Hyderabad to send you a regular complimentary copy. By the middle or end of November I may be going to Hyderabad. There we have got six hundred acres of land to develop a farm project. We have got one very nice temple in Hyderabad City. ==As we are doing in Mayapur and many other places, I want to develop self-sufficient centers with cloth and food production by the devotees locally and save time as much as possible to devote themselves to chant Hare Krsna."== (SPL to Syamasundarji, Sri Purusottama Math, Puri, 15th November, 1976) ## Economic Development 58-08 "Therefore, India may not waste her time in imitating the Western way of life. You have admitted it that the position of India's culture is of a very high order. But at the same time you want to bring in material prosperity of India by scientific advancement of knowledge. And what is that scientific knowledge? Spiritualism is also advanced scientific knowledge. Material advancement of scientific knowledge cannot give even the desired material prosperity to the people in general without our spiritual help. *Svaraja* of Mahatma Gandhi was adjusted in spiritualism more than materialism. Do you think that the horseless carriage, or telephonic or radio communication, or any other such ephemeral facilities of life can bring material prosperity? No it cannot. ==Material prosperity means that the people must have sufficient to eat or to maintain the body and soul together in sound health for further development in spiritual consciousness== which is conspicuous by its absence in the sense gratificatory life of the animal. Do you think that your different plans have brought in that standard of material prosperity or that modern Western civilization can bring in that ideal prosperity? Even they are given all the facilities of material need yet the unrest will continue to go on until there is spiritual satisfaction of life. That is the secret of peace. Both the Americans and the Russians are better materially advanced, and although they have different political philosophy of life still they are not materially happy and peaceful because both of them are unconsciously hankering after spiritual realization, as the child cries for the mother without any expression by language. You can help the people of the world for satisfying their spiritual hankering as the true Indian messenger of peace. The world has recognized your sincere effort in endeavoring for peace in the world and this is the suitable time to help your friends and at the same time glorify the standard of Indian spiritual advancement of knowledge for world peace. Please take up the matter with a cool brain. Poverty means poverty of knowledge. Prime Minister Canakya Pandit used to live in a thatched house or cottage but he was the dictator of India in the days of the Emperor Candragupta. Mahatma Gandhi, your political *guru,* voluntarily accepted the ways of the so-called poor Indians and still he was the dictator of India's destiny. But was he actually poverty stricken on account of his plain living with the primitive *charkha?* He was always proud of his spiritual knowledge. Therefore, it is the spiritual knowledge which makes a man really rich and not the radio set or the motor car. Please therefore, try to understand this position of Indian culture, and try to give it to the Western brothers in the prescribed standard method of the liberated persons and that will be an exchange of Indian culture with Western material advancement and will necessarily bring in a happy life in the peaceful world." (Prime Minister Nehru, 4 August, 1958) *** 68-01 "Rayarama's suggestion to open an *asrama* is very nice. If it is possible to keep sufficient number of cows in the *asrama* there can be very nice milk business and that may make sufficient income for maintaining one institution for educating children in Krsna consciousness. Actually, the modern educational institutions are different grades of slaughterhouses. If you can open an ideal institution for the future children of our associates, it will be a great service. Actually, as ==I have already discussed in my Srimad-Bhagavatam, for economic problem one requires a little land and a few cows. Then the whole economic problem is solved.== We should use our time for elevating ourselves in Krsna consciousness [rather] than for so-called economic development. If we are satisfied with plain living, with minimum time and the balance time is engaged for elevating our Krsna conscious program, then every man can be transferred to Goloka Vrndavana, just in this very life. The modern civilization has encumbered the mode of living and people are engaged all the time in the matter of eating, sleeping, mating and defending. Both yourself and your wife, Himavati, are good combination. If you can develop such an institution for future children of our Society, or outside the Society, it will be a great service for humanity. I am sure Krsna will give you more and more intelligence in this matter, if you seriously think on the subject by gradual evolution. Offer my blessings to your good wife and I pray to Krsna for your all round prosperity. Hope you are both well." ([[letters/1968/680111_gargamuni|Hamsaduta, 11 January, 1968]]) *** 68-08 "My idea of developing New Vrndavana is to create an atmosphere of spiritual life where people in bona fide order of social division, namely, *brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprastha, sannyasis,* or specifically *brahmacaris, sannyasis* and *vanaprasthas,* will live there independently, completely depending on agricultural produce and milk from the cows. ==The life should be simplified without being hampered by laboring day and night for economic development, without any spiritual understanding.== The New Vrndavana idea is that persons who live there will accept the bare necessities of life to maintain the body and soul together, and the major part of time should be engaged in development of Krsna consciousness. The whole Vedic principle is to develop Krsna consciousness without creating much botheration for the program of sense gratification." (SPL to Hayagriva, August 17th, 1968) 68-10 "Next point, one should know it for certain that material resources, either in this planet or other planets, either in the sky or within the earth, namely in the mines, ==all the properties that are being utilized at the present moment for economic development, one should understand definitely that all the ingredients supplied== or all the ingredients stocked, for example, the petroleum now stocked within the earth, and people are utilizing it for so many power machinery—one should know that this petroleum belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is not man-made. Nor the scientists can manufacture. Similarly everything, all commodities, all things, all properties, they are made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding must be there. Next point, one can enjoy such properties but with this understanding, ==that they belong to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.== Just like one is situated in a very nice garden in the public park, but one should always remember that the public park does not belong to him personally. But it is the property of the government or the state. Next point, therefore the properties made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be utilized by all living entities. Every living entity, not only human beings, but also the animals, they have got a right to live on the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (SPL to Rayarama, October 17th, 1968) 68-12 "So I think that Krsna has seen that your services can be better utilized in the new temple where all the other work is going on and He has seen fit to give you clue to leave your father's business and come back to the temple. So because you are sincerely in Krsna consciousness there is no loss. Actually, for the devotee who is working for Krsna there is only gain of spiritual advancement. ==The fruits of our work are always given to Krsna and so Krsna accepts the responsibility of what these fruits shall be. So this is our principle of work== and I request you to always remember this." ([[letters/1968/681219_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 19 December, 1968]]) *** 69-03 "In the meantime, I may inform you that your newspaper cutting, *'Non Christian Unity Ruled Out,'* is not very surprising. Religious bigotry is one of the strong material symptoms, therefore, in the beginning of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* it is said: *dharmah projjhita.* This means that the idea of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and endeavors for merging into the impersonal absolute are the different activities for the materialistic person. Leaving aside the too grossly materialistic persons, who are without any moral principles or social conventions, if we take the right type of civilized man, then we find that he is engaged in some types of religious principle. It doesn't matter if he is Christian, Moslem or Jew, the symptom of a civilized man is that he must have the recognition of religious principles; that is required for civilized man. But ==generally men take to religious principles for economic development. Just like in the Christian religiosity the prayer is for solving the economic problem or bread problem.== Similarly, in the Vedic rituals, also different methods of sacrifices are recommended for pleasing the demigods so that they will supply quantity of rain and there will be enough grain for eating. In this way, religious principles are generally practiced by men for some economic development. In this modern age, people being scientifically advanced, they seek economic development without any reference to worship of God or following any religious principles. So such people are gradually forgetting [rather] than for so-called economic development. If we are satisfied with plain living, with minimum time and the balance time is engaged for elevating our Krsna conscious program, then every man can be transferred to Goloka Vrndavana, just in this very life. The modern civilization has encumbered the mode of living and people are engaged all the time in the matter of eating, sleeping, mating and defending. Both yourself and your wife, Himavati, are good combination. If you can develop such an institution for future children of our Society, or outside the Society, it will be a great service for humanity. I am sure Krsna will give you more and more intelligence in this matter, if you seriously think on the subject by gradual evolution. Offer my blessings to your good wife and I pray to Krsna for your all round prosperity. Hope you are both well." ([[letters/1968/680111_gargamuni|Hamsaduta, 11 January, 1968]]) *** 69-03 "In the meantime, I may inform you that your newspaper cutting, *'Non Christian Unity Ruled Out,'* is not very surprising. Religious bigotry is one of the strong material symptoms, therefore, in the beginning of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* it is said: *dharmah projjhita.* This means that the idea of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and endeavors for merging into the impersonal absolute are the different activities for the materialistic person. Leaving aside the too grossly materialistic persons, who are without any moral principles or social conventions, if we take the right type of civilized man, then we find that he is engaged in some types of religious principle. It doesn't matter if he is Christian, Moslem or Jew, the symptom of a civilized man is that he must have the recognition of religious principles; that is required for civilized man. But ==generally men take to religious principles for economic development. Just like in the Christian religiosity the prayer is for solving the economic problem or bread problem.== Similarly, in the Vedic rituals, also different methods of sacrifices are recommended for pleasing the demigods so that they will supply quantity of rain and there will be enough grain for eating. In this way, religious principles are generally practiced by men for some economic development. In this modern age, people being scientifically advanced, they seek economic development without any reference to worship of God or following any religious principles. So such people are gradually forgetting their eternal relationship with God because they think that without God they can acquire sufficient progress in economic development which is required for sense gratification. Some of them, when they are frustrated, try thinking of voidness or merging into the impersonal absolute truth. So voidness or impersonal idea of the Absolute Truth is just an opposite of material variegatedness. So this idea can also be accepted as the material concept of transcendence. So things are going on like this, not only now, but it is the nature of the material world. Therefore, the *Srimad-Bhagavatam* has used the suitable word: *dhar-mah projjhita.* That means to kick out the so-called religious principles, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. According to *Bhagavata,* these are all cheating processes, because by following such processes the living entity can never be happy. Such principles in different forms according to different circumstances of candidate, place and time, are simply cheating formulas. So our Krsna consciousness movement does not belong to any such cheating process. They are cheating processes in the sense that the basic principle is for economic development, and if it is simply for solving the problem of bread, it is not true religion as described by the *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* Even if the living entity is born with a silver spoon in his mouth he will not be happy, so such plans for economic development are simply cheating processes. Therefore, the great *rsis* in the forest of Naimisaranya inquired of the great sage, Suta Goswami: 'How can the living entities actually be happy?' *Srimad-Bhagavatam* answers this question that the topmost super excellent religious principle is that which following, the protagonist becomes a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without any motive and without being checked by any material impediments. That will make a person completely satisfied and that is our process. We are educating people how they can develop their dormant love of the Supreme Lord without being impaired by any material condition." ([[letters/1969/690302_janardana|Janardana, 2 March, 1969]]) *** 69-03 'Your seventh question: 'How is it that there is so much material "advancement" in the USA even though there is no formal demigod worship? Is a man after economic development, automatically worshiping Lord Siva whether he is making *yajna* or not?' Actually there is no material advancement in the USA. Material advancement means there is amply opportunity for sleeping, mating and defending. Superficially, it appears that in the USA there is sufficient provision of eating, sleeping, mating and defending but actually nobody is safe even in his good apartment. I have got practical experience in New York. Several times my typewriter and tape recorders were stolen and the police could not take any action. There are many persons in the Bowery street, they have no shelter to live. So if a certain fraction of the people are supposed to be very materially happy at the cost of others, that is not material advancement. Had it been so, then why there are so many persons confused and frustrated? So actually there is no material advancement here. Here I am seeing practically that Gaurasundara, such a nice intelligent and qualified boy, has to work hard twelve hours simply for his subsistence. I think there are many instances like that, so ==this is not material advancement. You can call it capitalist advancement== and the reaction for such advancement is communism. Such movement is simply suppressed in your country, but actually the reaction is this. ==So the Western type of civilization, industrialism and capitalism, is no material advancement. It is material exploitation.== When one gets the bare necessities of life, namely peaceful home, sumptuous eating, necessary sex life and feeling of security, then it is called material advancement. In the absence of such four preliminary necessities of life it is not at all material advancement—just try to understand. According to Vedic civilization, a man is supposed to be rich when he has got sufficient grains and cows. Here we have neither sufficient grains or cows, but you have got sufficient quantity of papers only—falsely thinking that it is money. When there is some catastrophe, this bunch of papers will neither supply milk or grain. They will be seen only and the man will starve." ([[letters/1969/690314_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 14 March, 1969]]) *** 70-06 "Things are going here nicely. The younger generation is taking very serious interest, and whatever advancement is made it is due to their cooperation. They are taking seriously to the *sadacarya* process—good behavior. The thing is that this country is not poverty stricken. So ==after material opulence the natural tendency is for something which is better. That better thing is spiritual enlightenment.== The leaders of these countries could not deliver that better thing to the hankering souls, and as such some of them have become frustrated and confused. Now, having received this transcendental message of *Bhagavad-gita As It Is,* they are feeling relieved. So there is very good possibility of advancing this movement, and I am so glad that you are ready to offer your cooperation in this connection." ([[letters/1970/700606_radha_madhava_sharan|Sri Radha Madhava Sharan, 6 June, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "The boys and girls here, naturally they are born of a rich nation and materially cultured families, but there is no spiritual guide. According to *Vedanta-sutra* this human form is meant specifically for spiritual understanding. ==So a person or a community or nation, when in the top position of material enjoyment still does not find any peace, he searches after something better. That is the position of the Western countries.== But they have no information what is that better. Therefore, the younger generation especially they are turning to be confused and frustrated and they are generally known as hippies. Here in this Krsna consciousness movement, because the actual solace and remedy is there, they are finding it very nice and gradually they are being attracted. Some of them actually experience that before coming to this movement they did not know what is spiritual life. So there is a great potency of spreading this movement all over the world. The Indian government has a Department for Cultural Affairs; if they would have taken this cultural movement as the background of Vedic civilization, then the whole world would have been happy, and India's glories would have been magnified many thousands of times rather than by simply imitating Western technology which is on the verge of failure." ([[letters/1970/700716_nevatiaji|Nevatiaji, 16 July, 1970]]) *** 73-12 =="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."== ([[letters/1973/731211_makhanlal|Makhanlal, 11 December, 1973]]) *** 75-10 =="Herewith please find one letter for Digambhar Singh Chowdhury your friend. The letter speaks for itself, as you will see, and now we have to hold meetings for organizing the Krsan community, better the Vaisya community, for producing food and milk. I have given the idea, now you have to organize it properly."== ([[letters/1975/751020_srutakirti|Sriman Visvambhara Dayala Agarwal, 20 October, 1975]]) *** 75-12 "I can understand from your letter that you are very intelligent. Generally Indian people are not taking up this movement, although it is their original culture, ==they are now in favor of economic development and technological advancement which can never do any good to the people in general, neither material nor spiritual.== After all, a living being lives by the grace of God. He cannot eat nuts and bolts, however nicely they may be manufactured. We live by food grains, vegetables and milk products as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gita:* 'All living bodies subsist on food grains which are due to rains come by proper performance of sacrifice.' Human life is meant for sacrifice to please Visnu. *Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam, sarva-loka-mahesvaram.* 'The sages knowing me to be the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices, the Supreme Lord of all planets, and the well wishing friend of all living entities, attain peace from the pangs of material miseries.'" ([[letters/1975/751218_all_temple_presidents|Tulasi dasa, 18 December, 1975]])