# EDUCATION CHILD RAISING AND NURSERY ## Parents' Responsibility for Children 67-06 "I am also glad to learn that you have a child within your womb, and please accept all my blessings for the newcomer whom we shall be very glad to receive just after a few months. Please take care of your health so that the child may grow very healthy and become Krsna conscious. Prahlada Maharaja was in the womb of his mother and heard the instructions of Narada Muni and later on he became the most famous devotee of Lord Krsna. ==It is the duty of all parents to make every child Krsna conscious, so that the fortunate child born of Krsna conscious parents may not have any more to take birth in this material world." ([[letters/1967/670609_nandarani|Nandarani, 9 June, 1967]]) *** 67-08 "I am also very happy to learn that Himavati is going to have a baby. ==A child is a rare gift given by Krsna, but at the same time a great responsibility; every parent has the responsibility to see that his child grows up Krsna conscious. *== * I know that you understand this and will always make Krsna the center of your home. Now as to what you should do; there are a number of courses of action open to you. First of all you are a family man, and usually at this point a man must think about providing for his wife and child. So if you like you can take a job in New York or elsewhere and settle as an ordinary householder, like Rupanuga and others; or, if you prefer, you can continue to work within the temple, either at Montreal or wherever there is sufficient space to accommodate you. But you must think of your health. I had already noticed a deterioration when I was in New York and now you say it has gotten worse. That is not good and you must correct it. So do the needful. Above all don't be worried. Krsna will help you. If it is necessary to go to work in order to maintain your wife and family nicely, Krsna will give you all support necessary." ([[letters/1967/670815_hansadutta|Hamsaduta, 15 August, 1967]]) *** 68-03 =="Yes, to be determined that the child will have its last birth into ignorance is very good. It is true that one should become a parent only if he can deliver his ward from the clutches of death. And that is possible only with Krsna consciousness. This is a very great service for Krsna, *== * to give all opportunity for the child to be trained up in devotional service, and it is very good that you are thinking very seriously on this." ([[letters/1968/680303_hansadutta_himavati|Hamsaduta and Himavati, 3 March, 1968]]) *** 68-03 "Yes, I can perform spiritual weddings for my initiated disciples. I have gotten so many young devotees married, and they are executing Krsna consciousness nicely. ==That is the real purpose of married life; to live together peacefully, execute Krsna consciousness, bring up children in Krsna consciousness, so they will not again have to enter into this world of birth and death." ([[letters/1968/680306_janardana|Andrea Temple, 6 March, 1968]]) *** 68-07 =="Yes, this is very nice sentiments. All parents should think like that. Maharaja Prahlada, Dhruva Maharaja, they are ideal child devotees and everyone's children should be trained in the ideal of such great personalities." ([[letters/1968/680704_balai|Balai, 4 July, 1968]]) *** 68-07 "I ==am so glad to learn that Miss Sarasvati devi is doing very well with her good parents. Please bring her up nicely in Krsna consciousness and that is the duty of responsible parents." ([[letters/1968/680715_syamasundara|Syamasundara, 15 July, 1968]]) *** 68-08 "Regarding the child problem: I may inform you that all our children born of the Krsna conscious parents, they are welcome and I want hundreds of children like that. Because in future we expect to change the face of the whole world, because the child is the father of man. Anyway, I have seen Malati is nursing her child so nicely that she attended my meeting every day and the child was playing and she never cried. Similarly, Lilavati's child also never cries or disturbs the meeting. Lilavati was always present with her child, so it depends on the mother. How to keep the child comfortable, so that it will not cry. The child cries only when it feels uncomfortable. The child's comfort and discomfort depends on the mothers attention. ==So== the best solution is that we should train all our first-day small babies in such a way that they are always satisfied and there will be no disturbance in the meeting, and there will be no complaint.== But there cannot be any hard and fast rules that only children who are grown up, 7 or 8 years old, can be admitted and no other children can be admitted. That is not possible, and I am not going to sanction any such rule. Rather I shall welcome a baby from the very beginning, so that the transcendental vibration may enter into its ear, and from the very beginning of its life, it becomes purified. But of course, the children cannot be allowed to disturb in the meeting by crying; and that is the mothers responsibility to keep them comfortable, and not to disturb the meeting." (SPL to Krsna devi, August 21st, 1968) 68-08 "Regarding the child problem: ==I may inform you that all our children born of the Krsna conscious parents are welcome and I want hundreds of children like that. Because in future we expect to change the face of the whole world, because the child is the father of man. *== * Anyway, I have seen Malati is nursing her child so nicely that she attended my meeting every day and the child was playing and she never cried. Similarly, Lilavatis child also never cries or disturbs the meeting. Lilavati was always present with her child, so it depends on the mother. How to keep the child comfortable, so that it will not cry. The child cries only when it feels uncomfortable. The child's comfort and discomfort depends on the mother's attention. So the best solution is that we should train all our first-day small babies in such a way that they are always satisfied and there will be no disturbance in the meeting and there will be no complaint. But there cannot be any hard and fast rules that only children who are grown up, seven or eight years old, can be admitted and no other children can be admitted. That is not possible, and I am not going to sanction any such rule. Rather I shall welcome a baby from the very beginning, so that the transcendental vibration may enter into its ear, and from the very beginning of its life, it becomes purified. But of course, the children cannot be allowed to disturb in the meeting by crying; and that is the mother's responsibility to keep them comfortable, and not to disturb the meeting." ([[letters/1968/680821_subala|Krsna devi, 21 August, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 20th, 1968 and previous to this letter I received another letter from you dated November 7th and instead of replying you directly I have said the following words in a letter addressed to Brahmananda dated on November 12th and November 16th, that, 'If he feels too much inconvenience at the care of his father, he may come back to you and help you in New York' I was very much perturbed when I received your letter of November 7th, 1968 and I prayed to Krsna that He may put His merciful glance upon you. So by Krsnas grace, I learned from Tamala Krsna that your father has already given you a nice apartment. So it is a sort of tug-of-war between your material father and spiritual father. And you are the rope in between. So in the first test I think I have come out successful. But this is a sporting. I have already told you that your father and mother are very good souls. They might be under the illusion *of maya* but still I must say that they are good souls, otherwise they could not have produced such nice children like Brahmananda and Gargamuni. ==We are trying to educate our disciples to produce Krsna conscious children, *== * but your father and mother, without being Krsna conscious, have produced such nice Krsna conscious boys, so I am very much obliged to them. The facilities which your father is giving you is going to his credit in Krsna consciousness. The more he gives you facility, the more his balance in Krsna consciousness increases. He does not know his Krsna consciousness balance is increasing, but one day will come when you will see that actually your father is a good soul. So try to win the love and affection of your father in some way or other. You are very intelligent boy and Krsna will also give you extra intelligence how to deal with your father. But you must treat your father as respectful as myself; even if you are sometimes ill-treated, you should tolerate. You should follow the example of Prahlada Maharaja. His father continually tortured him in so many ways, but he never protested against his father, but he never agreed with the opinion of his father. That should be your policy also, that you will never agree to your fathers demoniac principles, but still you will try to serve him as faithfully as a nice obedient son. I am sure your father will be responsive and gradually our mission may be successful. I am always praying to Krsna to protect you because I know purposefully I have sent you in a fiery condition of *maya.* But our philosophy is different. We do not hate *maya* because we know *maya* is a faithful agent of Krsna, but her task is very thankless. Our mission is to dovetail everything in the service of Krsna because everything belongs to Krsna. Your father or any other businessman may think it improperly that the business belongs to him, and he is entitled to enjoy the profit, but we think everything belongs to Krsna, and Krsna is entitled to enjoy the property. That is the version of *Bhagavad-gita.* When the Lord says, I am the Supreme Enjoyer of all results of sacrifices, austerities, fruitive actions, etc. People try to be renouncer of this material world, but we do not see the material world in that angle of vision. We see everything is the product of Krsna’s energy and how everything can be dovetailed for serving the purpose of Krsna. Please try to follow this principle and always remember the vivid example of Arjuna, how he utilized his special talent in the matter of warfare to serve Krsna so lovingly. He sacrificed all his good sentiments for his kinsmen but he accepted the order of Krsna and thus he came out victorious in the fight. We are therefore neither renouncer nor enjoyer; we are simply servitor of Krsna. Please follow this principle and you will be never disturbed in any frightened condition offered by the *maya.* I am glad also to learn that your father has also increased your salary to $100 per week. Chant Hare Krsna regularly and see the pictures of Lord Caitanya and Krsna and you will be happy. Thanking you once more." ([[letters/1968/681122_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 22 November, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "I am so happy that you are looking to your marriage with Lilasukha and she also is happy with this arrangement. On Christmas day, Hayagriva and Syama dasi are to be married in Los Angeles and this is very encouraging because ==we will welcome the arrival of nice Krsna conscious children to carry on this movement for which we are laying the ground." ([[letters/1968/681219_uddhava|Uddhava, 19 December, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "Our policy of Krsna consciousness is very nice. ==We are offering people good family life with faithful wives in Krsna consciousness. Similarly, able husbands in Krsna consciousness *== * so that the younger generation will be happy to have nice home, nice wife, nice food, nice dress, nice philosophy of life, nice culture and ultimately, nice Krsna. So this movement is the nicest of all other movements. Simply the ministers should be ready, intelligent, honest, and sincere. Then surely the Krsna consciousness movement will be accepted by all considerate men and women." ([[letters/1968/681224_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 24 December, 1968]]) *** 69-02 "But immediately my request to you is that in London you try to sell at least two to three thousand *Back to Godheads.* In other words, I am just claiming this contribution as your pet child. ==My father was very much affectionate, and in my childhood, whatever I wanted from my father he would at once give me. One time he purchased for me one rifle, and so after taking it I demanded that he must give me another. *== * My father denied, 'You already have one. Why do you ask me for another?' So my argument was that I must have two rifles, one for each hand. Due to my obstinacy my father finally agreed. Later on when I was young and lost my father, I was very sorry to have lost such affectionate father, but by Krsnas grace I have now many American fathers and mothers. So I am appealing to all of my American fathers and mothers to help me by this contribution. Please let me know if you will do this. I am awaiting your early reply." ([[letters/1969/690220_mukunda|Mukunda, 20 February, 1969]]) *** 69-02 "You have written to say that you are my disobedient son, but I think I am your disturbing father. I am putting more and more burden upon you but you are so tolerant that you have no hesitation to accept my demands even although sometimes they are unreasonable. So practically you are acting as my father. ==In my childhood I was a very naughty boy, and I used to catch my father in so many ways demanding unreasonable things, and my father used to satisfy me. *== * So although I lost my father in 1930, about 40 years ago, by Krsna's grace I have got so many American young fathers. But the same nature continues, and I am demanding from my fathers the same thing which may be a little burdensome. But I am sure Krsna will be very much pleased if you will kindly tolerate some unreasonable demands from me." ([[letters/1969/690227_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 27 February, 1969]]) *** 69-06 =="The father and mother are also as good as the spiritual master, and we are indebted to father and mother in so many ways.== So as they are dependent on your income, try to help them as far as possible as well as spend something for Krsna also. Rupa Goswami spent 50% for Krsna, 25% for emergency, 25% for relatives. You can also try to follow this principle as far as possible. Your main business is to keep in Krsna consciousness, and if you keep that point in view, you can deal with the others according to social conventions without being attached." ([[letters/1969/690621_gurudasa|Gopala Krsna, 21 June, 1969]]) *** 69-07 =="The basic idea of raising children as they are described in the Vedic literature *== * is that from birth until the age of five years the parents may be very lenient with the child. From the ages six to ten they should tighten the discipline of their child, and from the ages of ten until the sixteenth year the parents should be as strict as a tiger with their child so that he will be afraid to be disobedient at all. Then after the sixteenth year the parents shall treat their child as a friend, and the child is allowed to gradually develop his adult responsibility and independence." ([[letters/1969/690715_vibhavati|Vibhavati, 15 July, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "I thank you very much for your letter dated July 23, 1969 and the photographs of your little daughter. These photos were so nice and I was very much engladdened to see how jolly Subhadra is. You write that she is already very enthusiastic about *sankirtana* party, so train her up very nicely. ==If such a pious child is trained properly as you and Murari are doing, then surely she will play a very worthy role in our Society== and in helping to improve the world condition by the propagation of Krsna consciousness. It is not unusual that a little child is often very jolly, but in the material situation this jolliness passes very quickly. But in Krsna consciousness, because the spirit soul is by nature very jolly and blissful, this jolliness only increases more and more as the bliss of serving Krsna increases more and more. So now your daughter has a very good opportunity to make final solution to her births in the material world, so keep her very nicely. Krsna will be kind upon you for this. I can understand that you are feeling for a playmate for your child. In New Vrndavana we were thinking of having such place for many children, but at the present it appears to be difficult because there is not sufficient accommodation there." ([[letters/1969/690731_lilavati|Lilavati, 31 July, 1969]]) *** 69-09 "I am so glad to learn that Candramukhi is getting Krsna consciousness from the very beginning of her life. This is the advantage of her previous life's advancement in Krsna consciousness. Please take care of your children and make them perfectly Krsna conscious. That is a very great service. ==If by your endeavor one or two souls who come under your protection become liberated in this life, that is a great transcendental service to the Lord. *== * So I am sure your children under the care of both you and Dayananda [will] surely have salvation in this life, along with their parents, and they will not have to come back in this miserable condition of material life. That is the injunction of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* to the Krsna consciousness parents. Please offer my blessings to Kartikeya and Silavati for their good service and also please hand over the enclosed note to Srimati Rekha. I hope this will meet you in good health." ([[letters/1969/690930_nandarani|Nandarani, 30 September, 1969]]) *** 69-10 "==I am so glad to learn that a Krsna conscious male child has been born now. His name should be Premananda Brahmacari. Premananda means one who is always absorbed in love of Krsna. So take care of this nice child and raise him along with the other boys in New Vrndavana, so that a new generation of Krsna conscious children will come out of this movement." ([[letters/1969/691027_paramananda|Paramananda, 27 October, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "It is very good news that Visnu-arati is advancing nicely in Krsna consciousness and I know that you and your husband will always do your best to bring her up on the right path of Krsna consciousness. ==To raise one soul to Krsna consciousness is counted by Krsna as a very great service, so you do this duty carefully and Krsna will surely bestow His blessings upon you.== I am also glad to learn that you are developing more and more a taste for thinking of Lord Krsna and His devotees. Such thinking is required and you will see that as you think in this way your taste for relishing the nectar of such meditation will increase more and more. This is called the limitless ocean of the nectar of devotion. This ocean is unending and therefore the pleasure of relishing the nectar of this ocean is also increasing unendingly." ([[letters/1969/691102_hayagriva_vamanadeva_pradyumna|Krsna Devi, 2 November, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "I always think of you, how nice Krsna conscious beautiful girl you are. ==So Krsna has given you a nice daughter to take care of. *== * Here the daughter of Malati, Sarasvati, is giving us much pleasure in her Krsna consciousness activities. She is so nice that as soon as there is chanting sound of *kirtana,* immediately she begins to dance and clap. Even the audience becomes astonished and they follow her activities. It is very nice. I think your daughter may now be walking, so she may also be trained for dancing and clapping." ([[letters/1969/691115_balai|Balai, 15 November, 1969]]) *** 70-01 "So far the Calcutta land is concerned, your ambition to have a place like Mullicks Thakurbati, the pilgrimage of my childhood, is also my ambition. When ==I think of Radha-Krsna I think of first the Radha Govinda vigraha of Mullicks Thakurbati because from my very childhood I am devoted to the same Deity; *== * but at the same time it is not an easy task to have such a big plot of land in Calcutta city at the present moment." ([[letters/1970/700127_acyutananda|Acyutananda, 27 January, 1970]]) *** 70-06 "Please accept my blessings and offer the same to your good wife, Arundhuti, and your firstborn son, whom you may give the name Aniruddha. This is very good news. Now you must take the responsible post of both husband and father to guide both these good souls, your wife and son, to the perfection of human life in Krsna consciousness. ==You and your wife are both intelligent and advanced in devotional science, so work conjointly to raise your son in the best atmosphere of ideal family blessed by Krsna in Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1970/700621_pradyumna|Pradyumna, 21 June, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "Now you husband and wife must work together combinedly with great responsibility for raising your new child in ideal Krsna consciousness. ==Children learn by imitation of their parents, so if you both set Krsna conscious example the child will very naturally and easily become advanced in Krsna consciousness by following. *== * Please offer my blessings to your good wife, Laksmimoni, and your son." (SPL to Jagadisa, July 9th, 1970) 70-07 "Your report for organizing village schools in England is very encouraging. Similarly I have received report of Amsterdam also very nice. So it can be easily guessed that Europe is a very good field for spreading this movement. So in consultation with Tamala kindly take up the grammar school organization immediately. ==In childhood the impression taken continues lifelong, so try to train little English and Dutch boys to be accustomed to chant and dance."== (SPL to Syamasundara, July 19th, 1970) 71-11 =="You may name your daughter Mitra dasi, I have no objection. You may call your children as you like, but you should always inform my secretary to make sure the name is entered on our list to avoid repetition. Later, the children may be given another name upon initiation, as it is seen fit." ([[letters/1971/711127_abhirama|Lalita Kumara and Jambavati dasi, 27 November, 1971]]) *** 72-04 "Your ideas for Ratha-yatra are nice, so do it like that. If you want any suggestions or points, I shall give you. I suggested to make a smaller *ratha* of wood finely carved with silver plating if possible; if not, you can have a nice *ratha* in the normal way. ==In childhood, my ratha used to go to this temple, so if this is again introduced, it will be again very much appreciated by Radha-Govinda."== (SPL to Bhavananda, April 14th, 1972) 72-05 "Regarding Radha-Govinda s temple, it is in shabby condition, that I saw in 1967. I stayed there, and it was a great painful experience for me at least. ==In my childhood, Radha-Govindaji were the source of my enjoyment. I asked my father to give me Radha-Govinda Deities and he gave me and I worshipped. And I also asked hem to give me ratha, *== * and the *ratha* was going from my home by the side of Syamasundara's house. Our house was later termed to be Govinda Bhawan, 151 Mahatma Gandhi Road. So Syamasundara is just like my younger brother, we call him by nickname 'Gabu.' His elder brother was Siddhesvara Mali and his nickname was 'Subida,' and he was calling me 'Moti,' so we were very intimate friends from the perambulator. We were riding on the same perambulator when we were very small children. We were so intimate that he would not go in the perambulator without me. We would not separate even for a moment. But he is now dead and gone. Now ask Gabu to help us to hold the Ratha-yatra Festival for eight days at Radha-Govinda temple and have one continuous *kirtana* and distribution of *prasadam* at the Chadni Hall. It is a big hall, at least 1,000 men can be accommodated there, and in front there is a nice veranda and the Deities can be kept there for eight days with gorgeous decoration, and in this way establish nice performances. Syamasundara may invite his relatives to partake of *prasadam.* If you hold every year, each year you can take to different Radha Govinda temples. There are many such temples in Calcutta proper, I shall gradually give you introduction." (SPL to Bhavananda, May 9th, 1972) 72-09 "I am very happy to hear that you have got a son for dedicating for Lord Caitanyas *sankirtana* movement. Yes, his name of Gauranga dasa is very nice and I have no objection for calling him like that. Now we are at the Dallas school and it is very nice place and just suitable for educating your son here when he becomes old enough, at least four or five years old. ==Note give him all facilities to become conscious of Krsna from very birth, and this will be the greatest service for Krsna if you can deliver Him one pure devotee." ([[letters/1972/720910_rsabhadeva|Rsabhadeva, 10 September, 1972]]) *** 73-02 "I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 1st, with the nice pictures of the Sri Sri Radha-Kalacandji Deities in ISKCON *gurukula.* I am very pleased that the Deities are worshipped so nicely and as this continues, the children there will become more and more purified. These children in *gurukula* are the most fortunate children in the world, because right from the beginning they are having the association of Radha and Krsna. ==This was the case in my childhood also. My father was pure Vaisnava and he gave me and my sister the Radha-Krsna Deities to worship and in this way we were trained. And still to this very day my sister is worshiping these very same Deities in Calcutta." ([[letters/1973/730218_gurudasa|Bhaktin Toni, 18 February, 1973]]) *** 73-04 "I am very much disturbed to hear of (name withheld) activities, and I advise you that so long he is engaged in these nonsense activities, you should not have any association with him. Best thing is that you remain in the association of devotees, and take part in the temple worship here, not separately. Worship of Radha and Krsna is no cheap thing. It cannot be done whimsically, but it must be very carefully executed under strict regulation. Not that there can be LSD taking and all sinful activities, and then Deity worship. I have made it a point that unless one is able to keep to the same standard that is kept here at the temple, he should not worship the Deity separately. Best thing is to keep a Guru-Gauranga altar at home and take part in the Deity worship program at the temple. You have got a very big responsibility to give your daughters a good Krsna conscious atmosphere for developing into nice devotees. If you also take up these sinful activities and neglect the principles of Krsna consciousness, then that is a great misfortune. ==Your first consideration must be to see that your children become Krsna conscious, and if your husband will not take this responsibility, then what can be done? Simply you must keep to the principles, and pray to Krsna to help you." (SPL to (name withheld), April 25th, 1973) 73-12 =="I have met your son. His lovely features are very nice and he appears to be a first-class brahmacari. Always be an example to him by being steadfast in Krsna consciousness and your motherhood will be perfected." ([[letters/1973/731208_madhudvisa|Kadamba dasi, 8 December, 1973]]) *** 74-06 "I want to thank you a hundred times for the excellent way you are worshiping the Deity there as I can see from the color photographs you have sent. ==From my very childhood I was also worshiping Lord Jagannatha. When I was six years old my father gave me a ratha and I was performing the Ratha-yatra in my neighborhood. *== * And now in the Western world you are worshiping Lord Jagannatha so gorgeously and it pleases me very, very much. Thank you again for the way you are conducting the Deity worship in the Philadelphia temple. As for the ratha ceremony, you go on with it, I shall attend there next year. But you go on holding a splendid ceremony for the people of the city. I am sure it will be a success." ([[letters/1974/740610_ravindra_svarupa|Ravindra Svarupa, 10 June, 1974]]) *** 74-09 "I am in due receipt of your letters dated September 5 and 9, 1974 with enclosed clippings of my visit to Chicago Ratha-yatra. The clippings are especially nice, and I am requesting that they be displayed here at Mayapur for our Gaura Purnima festival. I very much liked your Chicago festival, and I encourage you to increase it next year. ==This Ratha-yatra festival is very dear to me from my very childhood days, so I very much appreciate your holding this festival in Chicago." ([[letters/1974/740929_jagadisa|Sri Govinda, 29 September, 1974]]) *** 74-12 "Now you are raising your third child. ==So more and more you are becoming responsible for these living entities who are your dependents. You must see that they do not take birth again in this material world. That is your duty.== Therefore you and your good wife must endeavor strongly together to become fully Krsna conscious through this simple, sublime process that I have given. By simply following this process without deviation, chanting sixteen rounds, following the four regulative principles, attending classes and *mangala-arati,* rising early, these things will gradually bring you to the platform of pure love of Krsna." ([[letters/1974/741228_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 28 December, 1974]]) *** 75-03 =="Regarding your young boy, do not be sorry because he is a little mischievous. This is only natural for a young boy. It is not anything unusual. Pray to Krsna that he may become a great preacher and try yourself to train him for that by being Krsna conscious mother."== ([[letters/1975/750314_mr._dennany|Sivani devi dasi, 14 March, 1975]]) *** 75-10 =="Please accept my blessings and offer the same to your wife, Gauridevi, and your children. I am enclosing herewith some foreign stamps for your beloved son, Kirtana." ([[letters/1975/751019_kartikeya_k._mahadevia|Kartikeya, 19 October, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="As a child when I was going to the neighboring Mullick temple, I was thinking then, 'When will I have such a nice Deity to worship and now Krsna is so kind that I am establishing so many nice temples all over the world.' *== * Now I want that there should be established 108 temples before my death, so you think how to do it. Make some program, train up devotees. All temples in Melbourne, London, Paris, Bombay, all are very nice. Everything is very bright and brilliant. The Deity is proof of the sincere service. It is the duty of the GBC now to maintain this. Their duty is how to enthuse them and maintain." ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Madhudvisa Swami, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 77-03 "From your letter I can understand that you and your brother Indresa are both great devotees. You are very fortunate to have devotee parents and from your very childhood taken to Krsna consciousness. ==I also had the good fortune to have a devotee father and mother and when I was young they gave me Radha-Krsna to worship and I was also performing Ratha-yatra festival with my young friends. *== * I am always thinking of you and your brother, what nice devotees you are. Please continue with your service to Srlmate TulasI devl and to Radha and Krsna and your life will be sublime." ([[letters/1977/770316_minakshi|Minaksi, 16 March, 1977]]) ## Children's Nursery 69-03 =="No, I do not think you should give Jagannatha to small children because they will not take proper care and make offenses. *== * In this country their parents do not give them proper example of worshiping the Deity with all respects. Just like in my childhood, I was seeing my father bowing down and offering respects to the Deity and I did the same thing on seeing him. But this is not done here, so it is better to take some care in giving Jagannatha out." ([[letters/1969/690330_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 30 March, 1969]]) *** 70-01 =="I am so pleased to learn that you are studying arithmetic so quickly. Five plus five is equal to ten. Two plus two is equal to four. So Krsna plus everything is Vrndavana. Do not forget Krsna, and you shall always be in Vrndavana." ([[letters/1970/700124_ekendra|Ekendra, 24 January, 1970]]) *** 71-09 "Krsna has blessed you with a very nice child, Ananga dasi, and I am very much pleased to note how she has got some affection for Lord Jagannatha. That is very nice. And actually there is no harm in her playing with Jagannatha but ==how the Deity will be kept from being mishandled or kept in a dirty place or even thrown away at the whim of the child? You cannot always check her. Therefore to such a small child the Deity of Lord Jagannatha should not be given. *== * Let her grow up a little so that she can follow some instruction in this connection and then you can give her." (SPL to Saradiya devi, September 25th, 1971) 71-11 "You have a natural inclination as a teacher of small children, and I think that you should utilize it to instruct the young children of Hamburg in Krsna consciousness. ==Children especially are inclined to appreciate Krsna's pastimes, so begin by reading to them from Krsna book. *== * They are not yet covered by false prestige and will very quickly take to *tapasya* as if it were amusing like a game! Just see the young *brahmacaris* in India. The Guru says do this, do that—immediately they do—they go out and beg all day in the hot sun and come back with a little rice, then take rest on the floor no covering. And they are enjoying, it is pleasurable to them to work very hard. So it is very important to train children to endure all sorts of hardships and restrictions at the boyhood stage. Later, no one will renounce what he has accepted as the standard of enjoyment to accept a standard of less enjoyment. So I think you should begin immediately holding class regularly and advertising for it. I understand the German people are very fond of kindergarten schools, so let them send their children to us for receiving the highest education." (SPL to Himavati, November 17th, 1971) 72-02 "Your idea to start a nursery school in New Vrndavana is very good proposal and you may immediately try for it by cooperatively consulting amongst yourselves how to do it. But one thing, we are teaching Bhakti by practical attendance and by decreasing playing desire or drive. If the children simply do as their elders are doing, that is, regularly attending *mangala-arati,* rising early, chanting, eating *prasadam,* looking at books, worshiping the Deities, like that, then automatically they will become trained up in the right way and there is no need for a special program for education. Children will always do as they see others doing, so if by the good association of their parents and the other older persons, they will come out nicely fixed in Krsna consciousness, and because they are not spoiled by an artificial standard of sense gratification, they will think that performing austerities is great fun, just like in India we see the young *brahmacaris* are sent out to beg for their spiritual master to teach them humility and non-attachment, and they spend the whole day in the hot sun and come back at night, take a handful of rice, and sleep without blankets on the hard floor—and they take this type of life as very much enjoyable and great fun. This is how ==we train our children in Krsna consciousness, just keeping them always attending our regular program and associating with Krsna devotees, *== * teaching them in spiritual realization by giving them the idea that sacrifice and *tapasya* for achieving the highest goal of life is a very nice way of life. Not that we shall give them many games for playing, these so-called scientific methods of learning are artificial, unnecessary, and on the whole I do not have much trust in this Montessori system or any other such system of teaching. Your idea for having altars to train the children in Deity worship is very nice." (SPL to Satyabhama, February 28th, 1972) 72-05 "I have seen your wife Nandarani dasi here in Los Angeles and she is doing very well. I want that she shall help me improve the conditions at our Dallas school by going there and teaching the children. If children are allowed to play just like Krsna was playing with his cowherd boyfriends, then little ABC, then see the Deities and have *arati,* then take little *prasadam,* in this way if they are always diversified, they will be always jolly and become fixed-up devotees at young age. ==And small children, they learn better these things from their mother and women in general.== So I think that some mothers of our children should go to Dallas and take charge of teaching the children, especially how to play nicely the pastimes of young Krsna. If you ask one child to be a tree, he will immediately hold out his arms 'Just see I am a tree.' If you ask him to be a cow he will walk on his hands and knees immediately and you can hit him with a stick and say "hut, hut.' And if they will not take *prasadam* you can say 'Now you are a cow and you must eat the grass' and immediately they will stand on hands and legs and eat *prasadam* like cow eating grass. So in this way our children in Dallas school should be trained because I want that a new generation of devotees shall carry on this great mission successfully" (SPL to Dayananda, May 20th, 1972) 72-06 =="The women are best for teaching small children, especially if they are themselves mothers, and when they become brahmacaris at five or six years old then they may be instructed by the men. *== * If Stoka Krsna is finding difficulty to manage things then you find out some men to help him from your zone. Let him do all of the organizing and be the authority in charge—how everything is running—and let others follow his direction and free him to supervise." (SPL to Satsvarupa, June 16th, 1972) 72-07 =="I am simply surprised that you want to give up your child to some other persons, even they are also devotees. For you, child-worship is more important than Deity-worship. If you cannot spend time with him, then stop the duties of pujari. *== * At least you must take good care of your son until he is four years old, and if after that time you are unable any more to take care of him then I shall take care. These children are given to us by Krsna, they are Vaisnavas and we must be very careful to protect them. These are not ordinary children, they are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them chance to advance further in Krsna consciousness. That is very great responsibility, do not neglect it or be confused. Your duty is very clear." ([[letters/1972/720730_arundhati|Arundhati, 30 July, 1972]]) *** 75-10 =="The idea of the nursery school is very good idea." ([[letters/1975/751017_cyavana|Ramesvara dasa, 17 October, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="The nursery school program is very good. That is good that the mothers are being freed to increase their devotional service. It is not that women should only produce children, but they are meant for advancing in devotion." ([[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|Jayatirtha dasa, 20 November, 1975]]) *** 76-04 =="So far Himavati's engagement is concerned, she is organizing the nursery here in Vrndavana for the young children." ([[letters/1976/760402_v.g.k._dipple|Hamsaduta Maharaja, 2 April, 1976]]) ## Children in Krsna Consciousness 65-11 "I thank you very much for your letter of the 9th instant and I am very glad to note that your little Bijo is growing to be more adventurous nowadays. ==Generally the son acquires the qualities of the mother and the daughter acquires the qualities of the father. And such children become happy in life. *== * You have acquired the qualities of your intelligent father and your son will be as intelligent as you are and thus your son will be as good as your noble father. I wish that you be happy more and more with your growing children. You can take me also as Old Bijo and therefore even at my ripe old age I have taken some adventurous task and as your little Bijo requires your help always in his little adventures so also your old Bijo requires your help in his adventures in America." (Sally, 13 November, 1965) *** 68-05 "I thank you very much for your letter of May 14, 1968, and I have noted your kind sentiments with appreciation. Don't wait for next life for finishing up the business of Krsna consciousness; try to finish up this business in this life. And pray to Krsna that if your Krsna consciousness business is unfinished in this life, He may give you a chance to take birth in a family where the father and mother are in Krsna consciousness. That is a great opportunity. *Similarly,* ==the child who is coming in your family is supposed to have executed Krsna consciousness in his previous life. *== * I ====have not heard from your husband in many days." ([[letters/1968/680528_malati|Malati, 28 May, 1968]]) *** 68-10 "It is so much encouraging that your *sankirtana* party is going every day collecting some money and encouraging also that you are selling *Back to Godhead.* Similarly, the *sankirtana* party here also led by Tamala Krsna is doing very nicely. ==I understand that the son of Tulasi Devi, Karnapura, has chosen coins in his anna-prasana ceremony. It is very nice. I think this boy will earn enough money for spreading Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1968/681015_cidananda|Cidananda, 15 October, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "From your letter I can understand that you are anxious to become householder and this is very good. We require so many householders to set example to others how in Krsna consciousness we can live peacefully and sanely, even in married life. Also, ==we require so many Krsna conscious children to show how nicely and beautifully a child can develop when he is following the principles of God consciousness."== (SPL to Nandakisora, December 11th, 1968) 69-07 "I thank you so much for your letter of July 15, 1969 and I think of you very often that you are most ideal devotee wife. Your husband, Advaita, is working very hard and nicely in Krsna consciousness, and when the husband is executing his activities very nicely it is a credit not only to the husband himself, but it is a credit to his wife also. In materialistic marriages generally there are too many troubles and frustrations because the basic principle for both the husband and wife is there own personal sense gratification. Therefore, there is inevitable conflict and divorce petition. But in a Krsna conscious marriage the basic principle is for both the husband and wife to serve Krsna nicely and to help the partner advance in spiritual life. In this way, both the husband and wife are true benefactors for one another and there is no question of any serious conflicts or separation. So I am sure that to have such nice parents who are devotees of Lord Krsna, your child Nandini is very, very fortunate. In *Bhagavad-gita* Krsna instructs us that for one to be born in the family of devotees means that such person was the most pious of all living entities. So raise Nandini very carefully in Krsna consciousness, and Krsna will bestow all blessings upon you and your family. ==Regarding your question about+ the ceremony of offering Srimad-Bhagavatam and some coins to your child, yes, this may be done. *== * Several months ago this same ceremony was performed with Visnu-arati, the daughter of Krsna Devi and Dinesh Candra, and Visnu-arati chose the *Bhagavatam." ([[letters/1969/690721_balai|Balai, 21 July, 1969]]) *** 75-09 =="I am in due receipt of your telegram regarding the baby born to Rama Prasada. So far the name is concerned you can call him Bhaktivardhana dasa. All my blessings are there for the child so that he may become a pure Vaisnava. I hope this meets you in good health." ([[letters/1975/750904_gatravan|Madhudvisa Swami, 4 September, 1975]]) *** 75-11 =="I note that your wife has given birth to one girl child. Are all your other children also dasi's or do you have any dasa's? We want more dasa's than dasi's." ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Bahudaka dasa, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 77-03 "From your letter I can understand that you and your brother Indresa are both great devotees. ==You are very fortunate to have devotee parents and from your very childhood taken to Krsna consciousness. *== * I also had the good fortune to have a devotee father and mother and when I was young they gave me Radha-Krsna to worship and I was also performing Ratha-yatra festival with my young friends. I am always thinking of you and your brother, what nice devotees you are. Please continue with your service to Srimate Tulasi devi and to Radha and Krsna and your life will be sublime." ([[letters/1977/770316_minakshi|Minaksi, 16 March, 1977]]) ## Child Discipline (see also Discipline) Child Discipline 69-03 =="Keep Narottama dasa very nicely. He is a very good boy, sometimes he is attracted by maya but this is not a very unusual thing. So kindly try to protect this boy as much as possible, and when you come to New York he may also come so that I may see him again." ([[letters/1969/690323_himavati|Himavati, 23 March, 1969]]) *** 72-04 =="So far my chastising you at Mayapur for your questions it is simply out of love that I chastise any of my students. *== * It is a father’s duty to raise his son to be a strong, useful citizen, and sometimes he must reprimand him for some mistake in order to teach him. But this harshness is only for his son's benefit. Similarly, you are all my spiritual children, and my only concern is to see that you all become strong in your devotion to Lord Krsna, so sometimes scolding may be there, but you should always remember that it is done with love and it is only for your benefit. You are an intelligent boy, and I want to train you very nicely so that you will be able to preach this great Krsna conscious philosophy with conviction, and help to deliver all the spiritually-starving souls in this world. Therefore, you should take this chastisement as an opportunity to advance in Krsna consciousness and not in any other way." (SPL to Niranjana, April 12th, 1972) 72-05 "We have got so much to do. We have to deal with so many men with different personalities. So kindly utilize their energies and at the same time keep them satisfied. That is leadership, if one man is appointed as leader, all must follow him and be obedient. ==Obedience is the first law of discipline. *== * They are pointing out irregularities, but they themselves are not doing their duty, so they are pointing out the irregularities in others. They came to serve, now they don't want to serve so there is some excuse. 'Oh, irregularity, let me go away'. The workers should not suggest irregularities." (SPL to Giriraja, May 15th, 1972) 72-11 "One thing is, I am very much sad to learn that you have left the company of the devotees over this incident at *gurukula* school. Now you are living by yourself because you have been hurt by seeing that the children are sometimes mistreated, and because no one has taken your good advice in this connection. But you may be assured that I am always anxious about the welfare of my disciples, so that I am taking steps to rectify the unfortunate situation. Now my advice to you is to give up these feelings and return to your life of Krsna consciousness devotional service, and if you go back to Dallas school and demonstrate to the other teachers there just the proper way to instruct and discipline the students nicely, that will be a great service. I am forwarding the copy of this letter, with your letter, to Satsvarupa for his immediate attention. Now the thing is, ==children should not be beaten at all, that I have told. They should simply be shown the stick strongly. So if one cannot manage in that way then he is not fit as teacher.== If a child is trained properly in Krsna consciousness, he will never go away. That means he must have two things, love and education. So if there is beating of child, that will be difficult for him to accept in loving spirit, and when he is old enough he may want to go away—that is the danger. So why these things are going on—marching and *chanting japa,* insufficient milk, too strict enforcement of time schedules, hitting the small children? Why these things are being imposed? Why they are inventing these such new things like marching and *japa* like army? What can I do from such a distant place? They should run and play when they are small children, not forced to chant *japa,* that is not the way. So I have given you the guiding principles, it is not that I must be consulted with every small detail, that is the business of the in-charge, but if no one is there who can manage in the right way, what can I do? Now if you have got the right idea how to do it, you may go there again and take some responsible post for correcting the situation, that will be your real duty, not that there is some disagreement and I go away disgusted, no. That is not Vaisnava standard. Standard should be that, never mind there is some difficulty, my spiritual master has ordered me to do like this, now let me do it, that's all." ([[letters/1972/721118_rupa_vilasa|Bhanutanya dasi, 18 November, 1972]]) *** 72-11 "I am very glad to learn that the children at *gurukula* school are making good progress in their Krsna consciousness education, that is very good news. Yes, if we simply train them properly they will come out just to the highest standard of Vaisnava devotee. And what is that training? Simply they should be engaged in such a way that they are somehow or other remembering Krsna at every moment, that's all. It is not something mechanical process, if we force in such a way they will come out like this, no. We are persons, and Krsna is a person, and our relationship with Krsna He leaves open as a voluntary agreement always, and that voluntary attitude—Yes, Krsna, I shall gladly cooperate whatever you say—that ready willingness to obey is only possible if there is love. Forcing will not make me agree. But if there is love, Oh!, I shall gladly do it. That is *bhakti,* that is Krsna consciousness. So, similarly, if we train children by developing and encouraging their propensity to love Krsna, then we shall be successful in educating them to the topmost standard. Then they shall always very happily agree to do whatever you ask them. So I have heard that there has been some beating with sticks on the children. Of course I do not know, but that should not be. ==You may show the stick, threaten, but better art is to somehow or other, even by tricking them, avoid this matter of force and induce them to obey out of loving spirit. *== * That is success of disciplinary method." ([[letters/1972/721118_rupa_vilasa|Rupa-vilasa, 18 November, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "Regarding your question: Should force be used on children? No, there shall be no forcing the children to do anything. Child should not be forced. This is all nonsense. Who has devised these things? If we want them to become great devotees, then we must educate the children with love, not in a negative way. Of course, ==if they become naughty we may show the stick but we should never use it. Child is nonsense, so you can trick him to obey you by making some little story and the child will become cheated in the proper behavior. But never apply force,== especially to his chanting and other matters of spiritual training. That will spoil him and in the future he will not like to do it if he is forced." ([[letters/1972/721210_brahmanya_tirtha|Brahmanya Tirtha, 10 December, 1972]]) *** 76-01 "Yes, try to encourage book distribution as much as possible. Books are the basis of our movement. Whatever appreciation we are getting on account of our books, it is because we are following the path chalked out by exalted devotees. We are not writing something whimsical. So far devotees being hesitant to distribute books on account of pressure, ==sometimes pressure is required, especially when one is not so advanced. Of course it has to be applied properly, otherwise there may be some bad taste. But spontaneous service can only be expected from advanced devotees. Just like a child by pressure goes to school and is made to read. *== * Then after some time he wants to read, even without pressure. We have all got experience of this. It is *vaidhi-bhakti—vaidhi* means 'must.' Sometimes devotees are promised a plate of *maha-prasadam* for the biggest distributor. There is no harm. Actually one should try to serve Krsna to his or her full capacity without thought of reward—service is itself the reward. But this takes time to actually realize and until that platform is achieved some pressure or inducement is required." ([[letters/1976/760109_vishambhar|Tusta Krsna Maharaja, 9 January, 1976]]) ## Children Playing 69-07 "I thank you very much for your letter dated July 23, 1969 and the photographs of your little daughter. These photos were so nice and I was very much engladdened to see how jolly Subhadra is. You write that she is already very enthusiastic about *sankirtana* party, so train her up very nicely. If such a pious child is trained properly as you and Murari are doing, then surely she will play a very worthy role in our Society and in helping to improve the world condition by the propagation of Krsna consciousness. ==It is not unusual that a little child is often very jolly, but in the material situation this jolliness passes very quickly. *== * But in Krsna consciousness, because the spirit soul is by nature very jolly and blissful, this jolliness only increases more and more as the bliss of serving Krsna increases more and more. So now your daughter has a very good opportunity to make final solution to her births in the material world, so keep her very nicely. Krsna will be kind upon you for this. I can understand that you are feeling for a playmate for your child. In New Vrndavana we were thinking of having such place for many children, but at the present it appears to be difficult because there is not sufficient accommodation there." ([[letters/1969/690731_lilavati|Lilavati, 31 July, 1969]]) *** 71-08 "Your ideas for toys are nice, but I don't think that is a very sound proposal. You have to engage your time in that way where you could better be selling magazines and books. That is better utility of your valuable time. ==Our Krsna consciousness children are not very much after toys and playthings. They are given from the very beginning beads and they are happy chanting in that way. *== * So I don't advise you to do this since it will take up too much of your time. Anyway, do you think they would be saleable on the market? I don't think there would be a demand on the general market for them." (SPL to Locana dasa, August 17th, 1971) 72-06 "Yes, the proof of your teaching method shall be seen in the spiritual improvement and fresh enthusiasm exhibited by the children. If they are allowed to worship the Deity by practicing performing *arati* very seriously, plus always be engaged in different various activities centered around Krsna, then their education will be completely successful. ==The children should always be instructed by taking advantage of their playful mood and teaching them to play Krsna games like become cowherd boys, cows, peacocks, demons *== * and in this way if they always think of Krsna by playing just like they are actually present in association with Krsna then they will become Krsna conscious very quickly. In addition, there should be a little ABC, then *prasadam,* then worshiping the Deity, then more playing Krsna games, some *kirtana,* a little more ABC, like that. In this way, always keep their minds and bodies engaged in different activities because children are restless by nature so they will want to change often." (SPL to Stoka Krsna, June 13th, 1972) 72-06 "So far the children are concerned they should know simply four things: ==1) Simply think of Krsna always, == 2) become Krsna's devotee, ==3) offer Krsna worship, == 4) offer Krsna obeisances. These four things should be taught and everything else will follow nicely and they will be learned persons. Give them nice food, let them play. Some can be cowherd boys, some can be cows, like that. Play and take food and be Krsna conscious. ==As soon as they begin playing they will be inspired, only one has to direct how to play, that's all. *== * They should attend the regular *aratis* and dance before the Deities, just like the children are doing in Los Angeles, and there should not be separate special *aratis* for the children, although they may also learn how to do *arati* in the class before one picture. They must all go to bed by nine pm and arise at four am for *mangala-arati,* and in day-time a little rest." (SPL to Satsvarupa, June 16th, 1972) 72-07 "So far the school of Sumati Morarji, make the children into Vaisnavas through English medium of learning. We are not going to abide by the government schedule. They should simply be taught our books as soon as they can read and write. The idea is that those who will later on accept service, they cannot be accepted by us for schooling, we cannot help them. They must be the sons of rich and important men who will not be taking education simply to use it for eating and sleeping. They should be taught just to do like the elders, that is, rise early, cleanse, attend *mangala-arati,* read our literatures, chant, go for *sankirtana,* like that, and besides that, a little ABC, mathematics, geography, history, that's all. And ==teach the small children to play Krsna games: one child is a cow, another is cowherd boy, they go to the forest, there are demons there, Krsna kills the demons, like that; *== * in this way, let the children play Krsna games, then attend *arati,* then learn some ABC, then play some more, have *kirtana,* little ABC, and by keeping them always diversified they shall not lose interest and will keep their attention always focused around Krsna." ([[letters/1972/720730_giriraja|Giriraja, 30 July, 1972]]) *** 72-11 "Now the thing is, children should not be beaten at all, that I have told. They should be shown the stick strongly. So if one cannot manage in that way then he is not fit as teacher. If a child is trained properly in Krsna consciousness, he will never go away. That means he must have two things, love and education. So if there is beating of child, that will be difficult for him to accept in loving spirit, and when he is old enough he may want to go away—that is the danger. So why these things are going on—marching and chanting *japa,* insufficient milk, too strict enforcement of time schedules, hitting the small children? Why these things are being imposed? Why they are inventing these such new things like marching and *japa* like army? What can I do from such a distant place? ==They should run and play when they are small children, not forced to chant japa, that is not the way.== So I have given you the guiding principles, it is not that I must be consulted with every small detail, that is the business of the in-charge, but if no one is there who can manage in the right way, what can I do? Now if you have got the right idea how to do it, you may go there again and take some responsible post for correcting the situation, that will be your real duty, not that there is some disagreement and I go away disgusted, no. That is not Vaisnava standard. Standard should be that, never mind there is some difficulty, my spiritual master has ordered me to do like this, now let me do it, that's all." ([[letters/1972/721118_rupa_vilasa|Bhanutanya dasi, 18 November, 1972]]) ## Children's Health and Diet 70-03 =="I== am glad to learn that the children are feeling very well in open atmosphere, so let them enjoy life for some time." ([[letters/1970/700503_lilavati|Lilavati, 3 May, 1970]]) *** 71-10 "Regarding your teacher problem, I have advised Pradyumna to go there and teach students primary Sanskrit lessons at least to learn the alphabet, so that in the future when they go to India they may learn Sanskrit very easily. The students should be taught Sanskrit both in *Devanagari* and Bengali alphabets. Satyabhama in New Vrndavana has written a nice book for elementary lessons in English. I think this book may be printed immediately. If not the manuscript may be used to teach the students. The important matter is that the children are taken care of nicely. Bhavananda was talking with me that in New Vrndavana students were very much neglected. Therefore they were immediately transferred to New York. Every parent wants to see that their children are taken care of nicely. That is the first duty. If they are not healthy then how they can prosecute their education? If they are undernourished it is not good for their future activities. ==They must have sufficient quantity of milk and then dal, capatis, vegetables, and a little fruit will keep them always fit. There is no need of luxurious fatty foods but milk is essential. *== * A big building is also very good for the children's health. They can move freely and run and jump." (SPL to Satsvarupa, October 9th, 1971) 71-11 =="You ask if children may be taken to ordinary medical doctors. Why not? Of course we do not always trust that these doctors may be doing the right thing, but what can be done? *== * The governing principle for our activity should be to do what is favorable for pleasing Krsna. So if your child requires medical attention to be fit for serving Krsna, then it is only practical she should get it. Same thing—if the government is giving you money, why not use it for Krsna? Only thing we must avoid cheating them or falsely claiming something to get money Then we are risking our very high reputation as pious people. But if they are willing to give us money and food, then of course we should accept it." (SPL to Lalita Kumar and Jambavati dasi, November 27th, 1971) ## Children's Books 68-05 =="Yes, to make a Krsna conscious coloring book for children is a very good idea for serving and for spreading Krsna consciousness to the young children. Please do it. I will give you hints how to do it; just let me know when you are ready to begin. It will be a great service." ([[letters/1968/680528_malati|Malati, 28 May, 1968]]) *** 68-12 =="If you want to write books for children, story books about Krsna's pastimes, I shall give you nice hints and Hamsaduta and Himavati can help you with nice pictures.== I shall give you some facts about Lord Jagannatha also. I am very glad to learn the practical result of Deity worship in your behavior. I am so glad to learn that you are feeling development of a bit of affection for Jagannatha by personal taking care, and that is the way of increasing our love of Godhead. Deity worship is the practical demonstration and hearing from the spiritual master is the nourishment of the idea. Krsna consciousness is so nice that anyone who has a little taste of it must feel a distinction between his past and present life. It is not only the case with you but it is the case for everyone who has the fortunate opportunity for coming into contact with Krsna." ([[letters/1968/681227_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 27 December, 1968]]) *** 69-03 =="Yes, the idea of beginning children's books for our school at New Vrndavana is very nice...I shall give you instructions how to do it nicely." ([[letters/1969/690324_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 24 March, 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 Vrndavana 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, it will be a great idea and people will like to have such literature." ([[letters/1969/690330_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 30 March, 1969]]) *** 70-03 =="Regarding the condensation of Krsna book, I have read it and it is very nice. Try to work on it as time permits; and in the meantime, you can have some xerox copies made, then later on we shall find opportunity to print it." ([[letters/1970/700314_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 14 March, 1970]]) *** 70-03 =="Yes, you can make nice children's books and in this connection you can correspond with Satyabhama who is already working on a condensed version of Krsna book. *== * And you should continue your painting, then with love and devotional practice, your pictures will become all attractive because of the bona fide transcendental subject matter. However, in the meantime, you write to say that you have painted Mother Yasoda light blue color. Please let me know where you have received this information. Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja should be colored as Indians are, generally of a light brown tan, like wheat." ([[letters/1970/700315_ekayani|Ekayani, 15 March, 1970]]) *** 70-07 =="I am very glad to know that you have got the experience and talent as well as the desire to write Krsna conscious children's books. *== * I have very encouraging report from Syamasundara that the grammar school children in the villages of both England and Holland are very eager and ready for Krsna consciousness and their instructors are also very enthusiastic to introduce our program. So you can write many books for children and insert pictures, then they will be a sure success. The books should be written in simple language. First of all try to explain what is God, then what is the relationship of God with the world and the living entities. Then explain what is our duty in that relationship with God. In this way write the subjects very clearly. What one learns as child is not lost throughout the life. So this is a very important business. Please execute it with great care and seriousness of purpose. May Krsna bless your sincere endeavor in his service. The more you work for Krsna, the more He will bestow auspicious intelligence upon you for furthering your loving service unto Him." (SPL to Yogesvara, July 19th, 1970) 70-07 =="Regarding your program for the grammar schools, Yogesvara wants to write some books for children. So let him write and introduce them in the schools. If nice pictures are inserted the== books will become very popular. I have already said; again I repeat, go from village to village and get them interested in Krsna." (SPL to Syamasundara, July 19th, 1970) 70-07 =="Yes, it is very good work that you are doing by making children's books on Krsna conscious subject matter. We have got so many children now *== * in New Vrndavana and it is also learned that in England and Holland the young grammar school boys and girls are eagerly taking to this process of chanting Hare Krsna. So what is learned in the early years of life, will not depart for whole life, therefore do this work very carefully to explain simply and directly who is Krsna, who we are, what is the material world, what is the relationship of Krsna with the living entities, how we should act in that relationship, etc. And if you can illustrate these books with pictures they will certainly become very, very popular in the schools. Sriman Yogesvara is also doing this work in London. So in consultation with your husband make some nice Krsna conscious children's books and we shall then see to printing them. You are also a skilled painter so I think this venture will be successful" (SPL to Ekayani dasi, July 25th, 1970) 70-10 "I beg to thank you so much for your letter dated September 21st, 1970, along with your copy of *Who is God?—A Childrens's Introduction to Krsna Consciousness* which I see you have done with great care. I have gone through the book, and I think it is very nice. Devananda and others have also seen it and have also approved your efforts. But ==I think this book is meant for somewhat older children, about ten to fifteen years. We are also immediately requiring some books for much younger children, say five to ten years age. *== * Another thing you just see that every and each item and example for discussion is made very clear in continuous context, so that it will be easy for their understanding. As you have done this first book it is a very good beginning, so go on writing and improving and make a series of such books and we shall see to their printing. Also have the pictures done very nicely and in color if possible as it is done by our Art Department in Boston. And if you have any questions in this regard you may correspond with them directly. That will be very nice. In the meantime, have all your works read by the other devotees as they may find it convenient to do so and they can give you further suggestions. ==So go on writing more books; we need many such books for distributing to the public schools as well as for our own schools *== * and send me draft copies as you make them up. I will be very glad to see them." ([[letters/1970/701004_yogesvara|Yogesvara, 4 October, 1970]]) *** 71-01 =="Yes, you may write some of the stories in simplified version for the children. That is very nice. *== * The story of characters cannot be changed or anything made up, but simply the language may be changed. Also it is good to note that you are writing these children's books to comply with the academic standards of the public schools. In this way you should seriously work to compile these books along with the help of Krsna Bhamini. Then they can be printed by our press and dispatched to New York centers as well as all our other centers. Krsna consciousness is for everyone and so we can present your books to the public also in that light. You can send me copies of some of the stories you have written in which there are personified animals and I will tell you if they are all right. So go on compiling these books. Do it nicely and Krsna will bless you." (SPL to Satyabhama devi dasi, January 27th, 1971) 71-06 =="Yes, these children's books are very important because our next program is to start children's schools in all our centers. *== * We want to train all children from the beginning of life in Krsna consciousness. In Bombay there is very good prospect for such children's school. So many children come to *arati,* take *prasadam* and are liking to look at our books also. So it is a good opportunity for preaching our mission." (SPL to Yogesvara, June 12th, 1971) 71-12 "Your ==proposal to make a series of smaller books is approved by me. It is very nice. That will help in teaching the young children also. *== * If the Press is running twenty-four hours, then everything is all right. Something must always be produced. I am very encouraged by the small pamphlets sent to me by Karandhara which he is printing in Los Angeles. I wanted that our Press from the very beginning should print such leaflets, but that they have not done—simply trying for equalling Dai Nippon, consuming money like Dai Nippon, and producing nothing." (SPL to Bali Mardan, December 28th, 1971) 73-12 "Just now I was reading *Krsna* book. It is very interesting and entertaining and written so even a child can follow. ==In our childhood days we were reading one book. Folk Tales of Bengal. It was very widely read, especially by children. So why not introduce the Krsna book for the same purpose? *== * You may get some sanction from the Minister of Education. It is a very nice book for student study—they will get our cultural idea and learn to read English." ([[letters/1973/731213_beharilal|Tamala Krsna Goswami, 13 December, 1973]]) *** 77-03 "Our literature is not sentimental stories. It is meant to be understood by the intelligent class of men. Children and those with child-like mentalities will do better to chant 'Hare Krsna' and take *prasadam.* We cannot water down the philosophy to make it more palatable. ==Our books must remain as they are. Do not waste your time any more with such attempts. We are not going to publish it. Whatever books we have got, let them try to understand, *== * and if they cannot then let them chant 'Hare Krsna' and take *prasadam." ([[letters/1977/770331_lilavati|Lilavati dasi, 31 March, 1977]])