# PREACHING IN INDIA ## Before Coming to the West 47-07 "Besides you have not quoted any authority for your statements. So it is more or less dogmatic. If different men put forward different dogmatic views about religion and its essentials who is accepted and who is not? Therefore, *the approach shall be and must be authoritative, scientific and universal. Your delineations do not conform to all these necessary things. That is my main contention.* If you have time to discuss on it, I shall be glad to substantiate my contention as far as possible. My basis of argument will be *Bhagavad-gītā* which is the most authoritative, scientific and universal. To summarize the conclusions of *Bhagavad-gītā* it may be said that, 1) God is one and everything is in Him and He is in everything. 2) To render transcendental service unto God is to serve everything that be, just like to water the root of the tree is to water the different branches and numerous leaves of the tree or to supply food to the stomach is to vitalize all the senses and the sense organs of the body. 3) The parts are automatically served when the Whole is served but when the parts are served the Whole may not be served or not served at all. 4) The parts and the Whole being eternally related, it is the eternal duty of the parts to render service unto the Whole. 5) A recipient of the services of the parts, God's *sat-cid- ānanda-vigrahaù* , i.e. the all-attractive cognizant and all blissful personality eternal, He can reveal Himself by His own potency without any help of the external potency called *māyā* in order to be cognizable by the limited potency of the parts and as such He is not only the greatest of all but He is the smallest of all. That is His prerogative. 6) He is better realized when He by His causeless mercy agrees to descend in this mortal world, but He is never realized by the partial speculations of the empiric philosophers however systematic and longtermed it may be. 7) Śrī Kṛṅña is the Personality of Godhead and is the summum bonum cause of all causes proved by fact and figures in the statement of *Bhagavad-gītā* , but He reserves the right of not being exposed to the sensual speculations of the empiric philosophers. 8) One should therefore surrender unto Him if one wants to know Him as He is and that is the real process to approach the Infinite by the infinitesimals. 9) Śrī Kṛṅña is easily available by the religion of love, i.e. by love and service as conceived by the damsels of Vraja who had practically no education whatsoever and much less any claim for high class birthright. 10) The highest service that can be rendered to mankind is therefore to preach the philosophy and religion of *Bhagavad-gītā* for all times, all the places, and all the people. I hope you may agree with me and thus make a combined effort in this direction for die benefit of mankind." (Rāja Sahib, 13 July, 1947) *** 49-02 "Revered Sir, May your Honor accept my humble *namaskāra* . Your Honor is well known as the iron man of India but I know that you are the most practical man who can take things as they are. With this idea in view I venture to approach your Honor for submitting the following few lines for your consideration and necessary action. Funds are being collected to commemorate Mahatma Gandhiji in a fitting manner and I beg to suggest that the same may be done in the Gandhian way and not otherwise. Gandhiji's whole life was dedicated to the service of humanity at large with special interest for raising the moral standard. His later activities showed that he was equal to everyone and all the people of the world knew him more as the spiritual leader than a mere politician. Devotion to Godhead was his ultimate aim and when I say that his sacred memory should be perpetuated not in the ordinary way but in the Gandhian way. I mean that fitting respect to his memory will be done in the following manner: 1) In the midst of his multifarious duties, Gandhiji never missed to attend to his *Rāmadhūn kīrtana* meeting. This is one of the soundest methods for the culture of devotion to God. In the opinion of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* one who is imbibed with devotion of Godhead is also endowed with all the good qualities of the gods. But one who is not a devotee of Godhead has not any value for his good qualities because he utilizes his so called good qualities for ulterior purposes. As such the easy way to raise the moral standard of people in general is to make this *saṭkīrtana* movement more popular all over the world by philosophical discourses based on reasoning and moral and ethical codes. The *Vaiṅñava ācāryas* , especially Lord Caitanya and His six Goswami disciples, give us ample opportunity and scope for this work. Lord Caitanya first inaugurated the *saṭkīrtana* or *Rāmadhūn* movement and the later Goswamis supported it by scholarly philosophical synthesis. The Six *Sandarbhas* by Śrīla Jīva Goswami are marvelous in this respect. 2) The second item is to take up the temple entry or temple worship movement. This is, in the real sense, a theistic cultural movement and the facility or opportunity shall be open to everyone whatsoever he may be. All the past *ācāryas* accepted everyone who desired to offer his respect to God inspired by transcendental love and devotion. We can support this movement of Gandhiji on the authority of *śāstras* . There are thousands and *lakhs* of temples all over India but they are not always properly managed. Some of them have become the positive dens for undesirable activities and most of the owners or trustees of such temples do not know how to utilize these sacred buildings. Neither modernized gentlemen have any interest for these neglected theistic institutions. Originally the aim of these temples was to diffuse spiritual culture in every quarter. These temples or theistic institutions should therefore be reorganized as the center of spiritual culture according to authentic principles as laid down in the scriptures like *Bhagavad-gītā* . 3) The third item is to take up the Harijana movement. This movement is, in the real sense, a spiritual initiation movement and this should be organized in such a manner that people all over the world may take interest in it. The Harijana is a word which shall not be used neglectfully as it is done now but attempt should be made to make everybody a Harijana. Harijana means the recognized man of Hari the Personality of Godhead and thus he is as important a man as the knight of the king. So Harijana movement should be strengthened more scientifically to turn every person who is now *mayājana* into harijana. The *māyājana* is a word which is applicable to a person who is ordinarily engaged in the service of materialistic pursuits, whereas Harijana is the person whose main business is to attain perfection of human life, as Mahatma Gandhi did, by spiritualistic realization. This movement should therefore be conducted under strict disciplinary methods as prescribed by the *mahājanas* or the Harijana of accredited merit. In such a movement we shall have full cooperation of the *sādhu* community in India. 4) The fourth item is to organize the much discussed caste system as a solution of natural division of the human beings all over the world. Nationalistic division of human races is artificial but scientific division of the caste system as envisaged by the *Bhagavad-gītā* is natural. We shall have to pick up *brāhmanas* and others not only from the Indian people but from the peoples of all over the world. The vitiated caste system of present India is never sanctioned by the scriptures. But the caste system is made by God according to quality and work of the subject and it was never designed for the benefit of accidental birthright. Thus whatever is made by God cannot be destroyed by man. Destruction of the caste system as contemplated by some exponents, is therefore out of the question. By the modes of nature different persons are imbued with different qualities and the scientific way of division of human society, from the qualitative aspect, by the caste system is quite natural. But the basic principle of such caste system is to serve the plan of Godhead and by doing so the four orders of caste system make a headway by the cooperative methods. When such spiritual progress is definitely made, the materialistic progress is automatically affected as a matter of course. That makes a real classless society. The above four-fold Gandhi movements, if done in an organized, scientific way supported by all the authentic scriptures of all religiosities, will bring in that tranquility of peace respite of all harshness and bitterness of the present world, which we have longed for until now. ==I wish to organize a spiritual society for the above movements and therefore I seek your active help and support for this.== The immediate need is to start an organization center in a suitable place, preferably in New Delhi under your direct supervision and train up a batch of young men for this transcendental service. If possible to conduct a monthly magazine in this respect for propaganda work. If your honor will allow me an interview, I shall be very glad to explain the whole idea personally and let you know how the scheme can be given a practical shape for subsiding the general unrest all over the world. Such an organized movement shall be the panacea of all social maladies. The State is giving help for so many man-made purposes and I pray that a sum of Rs. 2000 per month may be allowed for starting these Gandhian movements in organized form and that on authentic basis I think if your Honor as a renowned practical man accepts my humble suggestion it may be by the will of God that the whole atmosphere of the present world calamities may be mitigated altogether. My humble self had the privilege of taking this training under the lotus feet of my spiritual master and I am confident to organize this work in a scientific way if I am helped by the State. Hoping to be excused for intruding upon your valuable time and awaiting your reply with deep interest. With my best regards, I beg to remain, Yours faithfully, Abhaya Caran De" ( *SPL to Dr. Vallabhaiji Patel, 28th February, 1949* ) 49-03 "Please accept my respectful *namaskāra* . The sacred meeting organized by you at your place yesterday will be remembered by me with great reverence and I must thank you from the very core of my heart for giving me a chance to serve the cause of the potency of the Almighty God. I think you have inherited some transcendental talents by the good deeds of your past life and as such you have taken birth in the family of *śrīmatāḥ* , as stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . God willing you shall render tremendous transcendental service in the rest of your life and by doing so you shall not only glorify the family in which you have taken your birth but also the community and the country will be benefitted. Yesterday evening when we were talking at your veranda, we had some talks over the Advent Day of Lord Caitanya which falls today the most auspicious *Dol-yātrā Pūrñima* day and as such myself along with some members of my family today are observing a fast *until* the Advent moment of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu just in the evening. Guru Mahārāja Sāstrīji advised the members assembled yesterday to observe a fast today and this is being done as a matter of course on the occasion of Gaura Jayanti day. I was so glad to hear from you that you know Lord Caitanya as the Incarnation of Godhead. Yes He is so and there are ample proofs of His being so in the different *śāstras* such as *Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Upaniṅads* and many other *Purāñas* . So on the occasion of Lord Caitanya's 463rd Advent ceremony I am taking this opportunity to remember about Him which will help my Vrata observed today. I hope you will not mind for intruding upon your time with this statement. In the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* when Karabhajana Muni was elucidating the different incarnations of Godhead in different *yugas* he said, "In the Kali-yuga the intelligent persons will worship the incarnation of Śrī Kṛṅña, by the transcendental *saṭkīrtana* method. This incarnation of Kṛṅña will be non-blackish in the color of His body but will constantly chant the name of Kṛṅña along with His many disciples who will act as the soldiers for the deliverance of the fallen souls of the Kali-yuga." Śrī Kṛṅña Caitanya preached as one of the Vaiṅñava *ācāryas* like Rāmānujācārya and others and His mission was to establish the same theory propounded by ŚrīKṛṅña Himself in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . In the *Bhagavad-gītā* the Lord personally described as to the method of approaching Him, His real features, His different potencies known as the *mahāmāyā* and the *yogamāyā* , His *virāta* appearance, His method of creation, maintenance and destruction of the material world, information of the transcendental world which does not annihilate even after the annihilation of the material world, the living entities souls, the process of migration of the souls, the description of the *mahātmās* , their duties and lastly the duty of every body after elaborate elucidation of the three modes of nature: *sattva, raja, tama* , and the different human races, work, knowledge, devotion, worship activities under the influence of such modes of nature. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* a clear distinction has been made between the *āsura* , *prakṛti* and *daivī-prakṛti* and He has vehemently deprecated the demoniac or *āsuric prakṛti* and eulogized the *daivī-prakṛti* . The Mahāmāyā who is known as Durgā, Kālī, Candi, Bhadrākālī, Mahā Lakṅmī, etc. is the embodiment of His external potency as described in the *Candi* and it is the thankless task of the Mahāmāyā to punish the *āsuras* with her all powerful weapons in the ten directions of the material world. She does not only create and maintain this material world but also she annihilates it according to the direction of the Almighty God. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* this Mahāmāyā has also been described as Daivimāyā and she is so powerful that the *āsuras* cannot by-pass her at any rate. The *āsura* can get remission from the stroke of the Triśūla of Mahāmāyā when he the *āsura* surrenders himself to Śrī Kṛṅña, the Personality of Godhead. As superintendent of the material world the Mahāmāyā has been described Durgā as the protectress of the great *durgā* or fortress of the grand universes. She gives all the necessities for our existence but as soon as we become an *āsura* like the Mohisāsuras, Rāvanas, Hirañyakaśipus, and in later ages like the Mussolinis and such others for the exploitation of the material energy, the Durgādevi at once appears herself with her dreadful trident and begins to devastate the whole existence by such tribulations as war, famine, pestilence or sometimes annihilation of a total existence. The methods of annihilation as are invented by the human brain such as the atomic bomb etc, are also her creations but the deluded *āsuras* who are caused to act by the modes of material nature, think themselves as the originator or inventor of such weapons. In that way a constant struggle is going on between the *āsuras* and the prakṛti and the *āsuras* are thus being punished in different ways which the *āsuras* cannot overcome by any method except by full surrender unto the Almighty God. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* the last instruction is to surrender fully unto Him the author of the *Bhagavad-gītā* , but unfortunate men of demoniac mentality misunderstood the teachings of the *Bhagavad-gītā* as a method of sophistry and therefore the same Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṅña in the garb of a transcendental devotee preached the same techniques of *Bhagavad-gītā* , i.e. full surrender unto Almighty God or His different potencies in a demonstrative way. The method of His demonstration was also very suitable. He inaugurated the saṭkīrtana movement accompanied with melodious song which method has been found practically very effective amongst the masses. It is not possible for the masses to study the *Vedānta* or to undergo the difficult mystic processes especially in the Kali-yuga when the general people are indolent, unfortunate, short-lived and always disturbed by physical and mental tribulations. So they the general mass of people are fallen in the estimation of the great saints and as such for them Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the only hope for deliverance. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited Benares He was invited to a philosophical discourse by the Prakāsānanda Sarasvatī a great scholar and *sannyāsi* of the Māyāvādī or Śaṭkara *sampradāya* and discussion was made on *Vedānta* philosophy. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was victorious in that discussion and converted the great *sannyāsi* with his 60,000 followers to His cult of devotion and established His easy method of saṭkīrtana movement, the most suitable method for the deliverance of the people in general. ==So on the occasion of the Lord's 463rd advent day I beg to suggest that in the Guru-mañòala some such preaching method as was adopted by Lord Caitanya, may also be adopted for the benefit of the general people.== The *upāsānā* of yoga system as recommended by Śāstriji may not be suitable for the people in general because hardly they will be able to adhere to the principles of yoga and it may be as suggested by the Rajguru Śāstriji that in the default of such yogic method the performer may fall ill and thus become doomed for his life. You have encouraged your mill employees by establishing a recreation club and the amiable feelings of your employees with the benevolent proprietors as has been exhibited in yesterday's function may be supplemented by infusing them with spiritual inspiration by the simple method as done by Lord Caitanya. In the last portion of His transcendental pastimes, Lord Caitanya lived in Purī- *dhāma* and worshipped Lord Jagannātha. By some way or other your mill area has been named as Jagannātha Purī and I suggest that an actual temple of Śrī Jagannāthaji may be erected by the Guru- *mañòala* for the benefit of those mill workers. If they simply make melodious *kīrtana* of Rāma or Kṛṅña or both combined and they are offered the *prasāda* of Śrī Jagannātha surely they shall imbibe the spiritual tendency inherent in every human... [page missing]" (Jagannātha Babu, 14 March, 1949) *** 49-06 =="On the conclusion of the All Religious Conference held at Bombay very recently, I may submit that nothing practical has come out of it for uniting the different faiths of the world.== The practical solution is lying in the transcendental message of Śrī Kṛṅña the Personality of Godhead as given by Him lately in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . In this sacred philosophical discourse the Supreme Godhead declares Himself as the begetting Father who impregnates the seeds of the living entities in the womb of Mother Nature who in turn gives birth to all varieties of living species. So the plain truth is that the Supreme Godhead is the Father, the nature is the Supreme Mother and all living entities are so many children of the Almighty Father Godhead and the Mother Nature. The whole arrangement is just a family unit and we should wonder as to why there is so much anomaly in this great universal family affair. The answer for this is also given in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . It is said that there are two classes of children in the creation of Godhead and nature. One class is called *daiva* or godly and the other class is called *āsura (demoniac or Godless). As sons of the Almighty Father Supreme Godhead, all living entities have individual independence and when some of the children misuse the God-gifted independence for their sense gratification and not to fulfill the plan of Godhead, they develop the demoniac qualities and become * āsuras *. But those who do not misuse their God-gifted independence for sense gratification continue to remain as * devas *. For sense gratification the * āsura * children of Godhead and nature forget the plan of Godhead and thus they begin to exploit and trouble the mother nature and other obedient children of nature for their own benefit sometimes centralized and sometimes extended. Those children who do not do like this are gods themselves distinguished from the * āsuras*. The Mother Nature is, as she should naturally be, the most faithful mistress of Godhead and she becomes angry with the behavior of the *āsura* and thus assumes the role of Daivīmāyā (generally known as Mahakālī, Bhadrākali, Durgā, etc.) and takes at once her grim trident and inflicts the weapon in the heart of the *āsura* who is also her son. The *āsura* thus becomes subject to the threefold miseries and this is done according to the plan of Godhead as the mother has to chastise the disobedient son in order to make him all right. This process of chastisement is necessary for both the benefit of the *āsura* and *deva* sons in order to stop disorder in the great plan of Godhead. As soon as as the *āsura* , however, surrenders unto Godhead as the obedient son and servitor of the plan of Godhead the *āsura* is turned into a *devatā* . The angry mode of Mother Nature at once subsides and she appears to such godly sons as the most affectionate Mother in the role of *yogamāyā (commonly known as Lakṅmī, Sītā and Rādhārāñī, etc.) So according to the *Bhagavad-gītā* the whole trouble of the world is due to the increase in the number of the *āsuras* and the decrease in the number of *devas* . Who is a *deva* and who is an *āsura* is clearly defined in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . Thus the whole problem has to be solved according to expert advices and it is not possible to solve the world problem so easily as by holding occasional discussions by some who are already themselves under the influence of the *āsuric* qualities. That should be done most scientifically which is above mistakes and illusion. As stated above, the *āsura* as soon as he surrenders to Godhead makes the whole problem solved. But unfortunately the___to the threefold miseries of Mother Nature and thus befooled by his repeated foolish activities will not easily surrender unto Godhead due to his long forgetful relation with the Almighty Father. It is a hard job therefore to turn the *āsura* to be a *deva* but the process has been made easy by the Personality of Godhead Himself in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . Mahatma Gandhiji took up this cause to begin with but he is gone without further progress in the matter. If we are intelligent enough we should again take up the matter more scientifically and do the job very nicely for the peace of the world. I have according to the instruction of my spiritual master, chalked out a program of work according to *Bhagavad-gītā* and I wish to discuss it personally with your good self to give the plan a practical shape. Will it be convenient for you to see me for this purpose? I am prepared to go to you at my cost and wait upon you if so desired by you. Awaiting your early reply and thanking you in anticipation." (SPL, unidentified, 1949) *** 49-09 "Secretary Śrī Gita Mandira Trust I am so much obliged to your kindly conveying the blessings of Revered Swamiji 108 Śrī Śrīmad Vidyanandji Mahārāja. I am very glad to learn that your program for preaching in the foreign countries is still under consideration. ==I beg to submit herewith my missionary views in respect of preaching Bhagavad-gītā and I shall be glad to know the reaction of your Association in respect of my views. *== * I believe that a practical solution for the world unrest is tying in the transcendental message of Śrī Kṛṅña the Personality of Godhead as given by Him lately in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . In this sacred philosophical discourse the Supreme Godhead declares Himself as the begetting Father, who impregnates the seeds of living entities in the womb of mother nature who in turn gives birth to all varieties of living entities or species. So the plain truth is that the Supreme Godhead is the Father, the nature material is the mother and all living entities are so many children of the Almighty Father Godhead and the Mother Nature. The whole arrangement is just a family unit and we should wonder as to why there is so much anomaly in this great universal family unit. The answer for this is also given in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . It is said there that there are two classes of men in the creation. One class is called *devas (godly) and the other class is called * āsura (demoniac or godless). As sons of the Almighty Father Supreme Godhead, all living individuals have their respective independence. One can utilize this God-gifted independence properly or improperly. When a living entity improperly uses God-given independence and applies such independence for sense gratification without fulfilling the will or plan of Godhead, he at once develops the demoniac qualities in contact with the illusory energy of Godhead and becomes a full-fledged *āsura* . But one who does not misuse the God-gifted independence and does not engage himself in the act of sense gratification but fulfills the plan of the Godhead continues to be a *deva* or godly. In this act of sense gratification the *āsura* children of Godhead forget the plan of Godhead and therefore try to exploit the state of Godhead for their own benefit which is sometimes centralized and sometimes extended. The gods or the godly sons of Godhead do not act like this and they are therefore distinguished from the *āsuras* . The Mother Nature or the Material Energy of Godhead, as she should naturally be, is the most faithful mistress of Godhead. She does not tolerate the exploitative motive of the *āsura* children of hers and for this she has to assume the role of Daivimāyā and takes at once her grim trident and inflicts the weapon in the very heart of the *āsura* although the latter is her own son. The *āsura* is thus subjected to three-fold miseries and this is done according to the plan of Godhead. The mother nature, therefore, chastises her disobedient sons in order to bring them to the right path of fulfilling the plan of Godhead. This process of chastisement is necessary for both the *āsuras* and the gods alike. Such process reestablishes the plan of Godhead. The *āsuras* however when turned to act according to the plan of Godhead, at once become a god. When the *āsura* becomes a god the angry mode of nature subsides." (SPL to Secretary, Gītā Mandira Trust, 1st September, 1949) 51-06 "Śrī R Prakaśa MA To the Officer in Charge for Social Upliftment & Prohibition With reference to my personal interview with your honor, I beg to introduce myself as a humble disciple of His Divine Grace Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Goswami Mahārāja of Śrīdhāmā Māyāpur at Nadia, the holy birthplace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the divine inaugurator of the *saṭkīrtana* movement. In the spiritual line of disciplic succession from Śrī Brāhmaji who was the first transcendental student of the *Vedas* down to my spiritual master as above mentioned, the Vedic culture is aimed at reestablishing the eternal relation of the living entity with the Absolute Truth of whom the living entities are but parts and parcels. Forgetfulness of that eternal relation is called *māyā* or illusion. This illusory energy of Godhead is conducted under three modes of nature under the name of mundane goodness, passion and ignorance. The whole material world is the creation of the external energy of Godhead and the living entities who forget the eternal relation with Godhead are, so to say, entrapped by *māyā* to undergo a conditioned life under the modes of nature. Out of 84 *lakhs* or varieties or species of life there are only four *lakhs* varieties of human beings. Out of these varieties of human being those who can acquire the qualities of goodness out of the three modes of nature can also realize the proper self which is not the product of the material world. The Vedic culture determines the standard of social upliftment in terms of the degree of self-realization and as such the social division was estimated accordingly in terms of goodness (intelligence and higher learning), passion (martial spirit to lord it over the world,) passion-cum-ignorance (the spirit of productivity) and ignorance (the spirit of passive acceptance of being controlled by the laws of material nature). According to the Vedic scriptures the present age is called Kali-yuga and almost all human beings are now degraded to the standard of the mode of ignorance and therefore the greater number of population are subjected to the pangs of the threefold miseries of material existence in the most horrible manner. In such rabid condition of human being the panacea is Kṛṅña *saṭkīrtana* recommended in all scriptures. By this process, the forgetfulness of human beings of their eternal relation with Godhead is removed altogether. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as confirmed incarnation of Śrī Kṛṅña the Personality of Godhead inaugurated this *saṭkīrtana* movement and He reclaimed all conditioned souls from all ranks of life, even from animal kingdom, for being reinstated in the transcendental relation and activities of loving service to the Absolute Truth. Ṃhākura Haridāsa who happened to appear in the family of a Mohammadan was one of His principle associates and His transcendental movement embraced all varieties of people beginning from the most erudite scholar *brāhmañas* to the one who came in the family of *yavana* and *cañòāla* . The speciality of His movement was that the fallen *cañòāla* did not remain a *cañòāla* after his initiation but he was made to raise up to the status of Vaiṅñava which is far above the status of *brāhmaña* and other orders of life. That is the process of social upliftment. And we follow the footprints of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates who were all kind enough to raise the social status of everyone concerned irrespective of birth and occupation. Such process is not only transcendental to all sorts of mundane speculation, but it is very simple and innocent. The principle is a sort of curing a disease not only by ministering proper medicine but also by supplying proper diet at the same time. The medicine is administered through submissive aural channel as Hari *saṭkīrtana* which means: 1) To sing *bhajan* songs glorifying the Almighty and His pastimes. 2) To preach the teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā* , *Rāmāyaña, Bhāgavata* , life of such saints as Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Tulasī dāsa, etc. 3) To establish the philosophy of devotional life as against fruitful action or dry speculation of empiric philosophy and meet the opposite elements with all logical weapons, i.e. the medicine of Hari *saṭkīrtana* is administered by threefold action, namely by a) melodious songs b) by propaganda through press and c) by propaganda on platforms. The diet portion of the transcendental treatment consists in the distribution of *prasāda* , i.e. in all gatherings the audience should not only be sustained by melodious musical performances of Bhajan Sangat or by religious or theistic discourses but they must be given some sort of remnants of foodstuff offered to God, as recommended in *Bhagavad-gītā* . By this process of medical treatment people become gradually free from the following four kinds of addictions of sins namely: 1) illegitimate connection with women 2) habit of animal killing 3) addiction to intoxication habits 4) lure of gambling The conditioned human beings are enwrapped in the above four special—due to the influence of Kali-yuga and by the transcendental treatment of Hari *saṭkīrtana* the mirror of the heart of the human beings becomes cleansed of all the above mentioned dusts. As soon as the dusts are removed the human being is able to visualize a clear conception of his real self and thereby he becomes free from the miseries pertaining to the body and mind, pertaining to the other living beings and pertaining to the onslaughts of nature. As followers of *Bhagavad-gītā* we are firmly convinced that the onslaught of nature which is constantly being inflicted upon human society is a sort of police action by the laws of the Almighty and as soon as we surrender unto the divine will of the Almighty we not only become *mahātmās* and saints but also the attack of unkind nature is vanquished at once. That is the teaching of *Bhagavad-gītā* and that is the demonstrative preaching of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The real life begins when we are freed from the clutches of *māyā* which is nothing but a bewildered conception of materialistic life. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has changed the face of it spiritually. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said that the common folk follow the leading men of society. At the present moment of democratic age the government of the state is conducted by the leading men of society. As such it is a good sign that the government has taken up this work of social upliftment as a right measure at a right time. And in order to give the scheme a right direction the government may take authoritative hints from the scriptures like the *Bhagavad-gītā* . It is a common saying that example is better than precepts. The example of the leading men in the right direction will very soon be followed by the common men. Mahatma Gandhi set the example at his fag end of life and his daily prayer meetings in the midst of gravest political occupation must be taken note of. So also in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . The Arjuna in the gravest moment of warfare learnt the teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā* and he changed his personal opinion in the manner of fighting. So the present process of human thinking for material gains only has to be changed by an organized preaching work of *Bhagavad-gītā* as done by Lord Caitanya, not only for the benefit of the people of India but also for all the people in the world. Lord Caitanya's way of preaching is—but a practical demonstration of the way of *Bhagavad-gītā* . No amount of dry speculation by easy chair empiric philosophers will be able to implement the teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā* unless we adopt the practical ways of Lord Caitanya as above mentioned. I think that immediately an organized body of devotees may be registered with suitable memorandum and articles of association to embrace all kinds of people and then individual members must sacrifice a portion of their income for God's sake. They should not only accept the amenities of life for nothing from the agents of God but they must now repay the debit by some personal sacrifice. That is the way of *yajïa* as stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā* . If your department will give me proper encouragement, I can give a___to this transcendental movement with a batch of workers who are mostly dedicated life for this cause. We do not want anything as personal remuneration. Because nobody can write up this transcendental transaction who will work for material gain. That is the secret of this movement. Every member and worker must learn to sacrifice for Cod's sake, that is the principle of this movement. The government shall only meet the initial expenses only to give a___of this movement and gradually this will be self supported by public sympathizers. I said in this connection Śrī M.S.___, Governor of Bīhār and had long interview on the subject. Dr. Rajendra Prasad also has his good wishes for me. But I could not give the starting for financial difficulties. I want Rs. 10,000 to give it a starting. The general program of work will be as mentioned above in terms of medical treatment by the *saṭkīrtana* movement. There is a batch of selfless workers, mostly *brahmacārīs* and *sannyāsīs* at my disposal, with whom I can give it a starting but arrangement has to be made for training students and selfless young men to further interest of the work. I am confident that many self-sacrificing young men will join us as soon as we begin the work. We have to work this scheme from village to village and town to town which we will have to develop by a gradual process. There are *lakhs* and *lakhs* of temples all over India and these centers have to be utilized as local preaching centers. Members are to be recruited from all sections of people and I am sure when actual work is begun there will be no dearth of financial help. To begin with we can utilize the Gandhi Memorial centers all over the country for organizing this *saṭkīrtana* movement and if we do the work properly government may recommend the Gandhi Memorial Fund for helping this movement. I am already in negotiation with an American Federation and if proper work is done, such foreign federation will also help us. The thing is nowadays nobody is blind to any practical work. So as soon as people will find in it a practical utility surely they will come and join with men and money. I wish that you may recommend this scheme of work to your government and the financial help may be awarded to the board of governors made according to the memorandum and articles of association and I shall work as the___for the association throughout my life as ordered by my spiritual master Oḥ Viṅñupāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Goswami Mahārāja. Exhibition: 1)Back to Godhead* 2) Gurus Visit 3) Rajendra Prasad's letter 4) Education Minister's letter 6) Memorandum of Association 7) Magazines-etc" (R. Prakash, 22 June, 1951) *** 51-09 "Mr. Daniel Bailey Information Officer American Reporter Dear Mr. Bailey, I am in due receipt of your kind letter No. AR2295 of the 7th Instant and I thank you very much for the same. You have written to say that 'The United States and the American Reporter are keenly interested in bringing together the East and West closer on a philosophical and religious basis as well as economical and political.' Certainly this attempt is not only a laudable thing but also a stepping stone towards the ultimate self-realization. When we speak of philosophy it is something higher than the attempt of combining the East and West. The whole cosmic situation is a complete unit and unless a genuine attempt is made for harmonizing the whole disturbed system, a partial attempt on our part, however large in magnitude, will fail to approach the ultimate goal. Sages of India realised this by a perfect deductive process which descends on human consciousness by the transcendental unbroken chain of disciplic succession—that material civilization is a gigantic temporary demonstration of a rabid process of sense gratification. In that mode of civilization the sense organs are given unrestricted liberty to gratify ever-increasing desires and the whole show of cultural advancement in science, art, education, trade, industry, economics and politics is only varied activities of the sense organs. While I appreciate the contribution by Swami Nikhilānanda of Ramakrishna Mission in New York, towards India-American relation and a way to world peace, it will not be out of place to mention that comparative study and philosophical ideas expressed by different religious heads will not only bring large contributions to the said *—* but will also give the public at large a conviction of the *Bhagavad-gītā* . Smoke emanates from the fire under certain conditions but it is a disturbing condition of the fire. We need the fire and not the smoke. The present smoky materialistic or sensuous civilization has to be kindled into the fire of reality or spiritualism. It is neither difficult nor impossible and is much more simple than any other method. It is just a simple process of fanning the fire in order to get rid of the disturbing smoke. Such fanning process is eternally one and the same, and the empiric speculators have nothing to invent now in it. The great philosophy of *Bhagavad-gītā* is the authoritative book to guide us in this respect. We have nothing to drag in it by forcing empiric interpretations. Let it be understood as it is because it is just like the sun. The sun does not require to be helped by other light. So there is no need of interpreting *Bhagavad-gītā* by any indirect meaning. Let us understand that Kurukṅetra is Kurukṅetra and it is still a sacred place of Hindu pilgrimage. The Pāñòavas are the sons of Pāñòu as it is stated in the history of Mahābhārata. The Pāñòavas and the Kurus met at the battlefield of Kurukṅetra and the philosophy of *Bhagavad-gītā* was told by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṅña. I wish that the American people may try to understand the *Bhagavad-gītā* in terms of its direct meaning. Let it not be unnecessarily misunderstood by the empiric speculative method for making a show of the vanity of so-called learning without any living experience. Such academic erudition has nothing to do with living reality. I wish to present an analytical study of *Bhagavad-gītāAs It Is* . If your people can grasp the direct meaning of *Bhagavad-gītā* it will be possible for us all to understand the basic principle of cosmic harmony. When that is done we shall know then that all adjustment of our existence is not only peaceful but an eternal bliss distinguished from the ephemeral sensual satisfaction. We shall then only know that here is a world where there is no struggle for existence and every living entity, never mind what it is, is fit to exist. Thanking you in anticipation, Yours truly, Abhaya Carañāravinda Bhaktivedanta " (Mr. Bailey, 14 September, 1951) *** 57-05 "There are two different processes for acquiring knowledge. One is the deductive process and the other is the inductive process. In the deductive process we deduce the conclusion from the statement of higher authorities whereas by the inductive process we make a research in the truth by our own imperfect knowledge and induce a conclusion. Say for example if we want to know how man is mortal, then we have to make a research into the statistics of daily death occurrences. Rāma dies, Śyāma dies, father dies, mother dies, he dies, she dies, etc. all these experiences may help us in the conclusion that after all man dies and therefore the conclusion 'man is mortal' is made. But the defect of this process of knowledge is that it may be that we have not seen a person who is still living even after some thousands of years. As soon as we get this information the whole conclusion that a man is mortal—is at once changed and we have to say that some men are mortal. In this way the research work of scientific thought is constantly changing because the very research work is done by a person who is himself conditioned by the four principles of mistake, illusion, cheating and imperfections. Therefore, the deductive process is more effective. Man is mortal; we have heard it from very authoritative sources like the *Vedas* and we have accepted it. The *Vedas* say that stool is impure but the stool of the cow is pure. The *Vedas* say that bone is untouchable but the conchshell which is also a bone is perfectly pure. For the common man the statements of the *Vedas* appear to be contradictory. But in spite of such contradiction, because we Hindus accept the *Vedas* as authority we accept cow dung as pure and allow it to be used even in the kitchen. So also we accept the conchshell. The conchshell is after all the bone of an animal but because it is accepted by the *Vedas* we allow conchshell to be used in the sanctified room of our family Deity. If we examine in the physical laboratory or analyse it by chemical test we won't find any difference between the stool of a man and that of a cow or the bone of an ox and that of a conch. And yet the whole Hindu-Muslim conflict, the whole struggle of Gandhi and Jinnah and the whole question of Kashmir problem in the UNESCO have arisen from the petty differences of bones only. In the Hindu temple the bone conchshell is already there but as soon as a Mohammadan throws a piece of bone of the ox in the temple the whole trouble began, resulting in the partition of India and Pakistan. So an impartial mundane student who will enter into the research of such bone affairs in the annals of Indian history—surely he will come to the conclusion of unrestricted obedience to the words of the *Vedas* or that of the Koran or that of the Bible that lead to all sorts of Jihad and crusade. As a matter of fact the so-called intelligent persons of the modern age have taken the shelter of secularism on the strength of past unfortunate religious feuds. This is another type of nonsense. Therefore in the present age respect for deductive process is dwindling whereas respect for inductive process is increasing although we know so far the inductive research is concerned, the process has not been successful. The conclusion is that we have lost our faith in the traditional Vedic knowledge handed down from the guru to *celā* or from the father to son, although such system of deductive knowledge from authority is the most perfect form of knowledge. The ultimate truth which is far beyond the reach of our imperfect senses can never be known by such inductive research work. The imperfect senses could not even measure the distance of the physical product, the sun or the innumerable stars in front of us. And what such imperfect senses can make a research in the *mantras* which are purely spiritual affairs? We have to accept the *mantra* and its potency from the Vedic source and follow the practice and principle only to arrive at reality of truth. Research work by imperfect senses is practically a revolt against the established truth. Let us therefore accept the Vedic injunction of Bṛhad Nāradīya Purāña." (Śrī Padampatji, 7 May, 1957) *** 58-06 "My dear Brother, Please excuse me if I have offended you by calling you my dear brother. Actually, you are my dear brother and when you know me you shall be pleased that I have called you as such. You are my brother in relation to our common and eternal Father the Almighty Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṅña, the revealing author of the great book of philosophy *Bhagavad-gītā* . And from this book of transcendental knowledge, I have known that you and all other living entities, in whatever form they may be, are all my brothers. But I know some other less intelligent brothers who are now in the animal kingdom, will not be able to recognize me even if I address them as my dear brothers, for the reason of their being grossly enwrapped in material consciousness. But as you are a human being and as you have developed the consciousness of a human being, I have ventured to approach you and address you directly as my dear brother. Please therefore do not mistake my endeavor. You may be, although I do not believe it, one of those other brothers who do not believe in the existence of any person like Godhead our eternal Father. But if you so believe, I shall tell you that you are mistaken. Your conviction as such is due to your either being misled by another waylaid brother or due to your failure to make communion with our eternal Father. You are not therefore in the right consciousness if you do not believe in Him. I am prepared to convince you in every respect that there is our eternal Father and He wants you and all of us to go back to our permanent home. ==If you argue that there is no such Father God at all then I am still more prepared to argue with you in all seriousness. In that case you may kindly let me know your definite viewpoints relevantly so that I may try to reply these points one by one *.== * And should you desire to argue with me, then my only request to you will be that for all such arguments we must be always very sincere and serious. Once we are convinced in that way, we must be prepared to act accordingly. You may also argue that if there is any God at all let Him be peacefully at His pleasure at any place He likes and we have no business with Him whatsoever. In that case I shall again say that you have every business with Him by reestablishing your forgotten eternal relation with Him. Suppose you are a rich man's son and you have left your home, forgetting your father's property, home and happiness. And if somebody gives you information about your paternal property of immense value which you can inherit by your birthright claim will you neglect that friend? I am sure you will not. I am able to give you such important information. I can challenge you that you are not happy in the present set-up of your affairs. You may have in your possession your so-called accumulated wealth, health or happiness but still you are already feeling some insufficiency and frustration and thus you are not happy as you ought to have been. If you do not feel like this, then you must be either an abnormal man or a liberated saint or in gross ignorance of lower consciousness. Should you feel yourself abnormally happy, I shall ask you the following plain questions. They are as follows: 1) Do you like to die? 2) Do you like to take your birth again? 3) Do you like to be an old man? 4) Do you like to be a diseased man? I am sure that you will reply to all these questions by saying no. If you think yourself happy then have you solved all the above problems in any way? Have your vast resources of material knowledge helped you in solving these seemingly common but very big problems? Do you think that you shall ever be able to solve the above problems at any length of time? If you say so, I shall again call you in abnormal condition. So do not become a madman in false conviction. Do not remain in ignorance for your problems. Be just like a fully developed conscious man and acknowledge that you have never been happy in the true sense of the term neither your ideal of happiness has ever been fulfilled. The way in which you are seeking to be happy or trying to make others happy in your manufactured ideology is called *māyā* or illusion. By such illusory way of making yourself and others happy, you have simply been credited with creation of much disturbances and entanglement for all concerned. That is the record of history of the material world. Empires may come and empires may go but the problems of life remain the same. Please therefore be cool headed and patiently ask within yourself if you are really happy. The happiness which you are hankering after is possible to be attained as soon as you learn to introspect yourself within yourself. You are yourself your friend and you are yourself your enemy. You can raise yourself by your self-effort and you can down yourself by the same effort. It is simply to know the direction and the way. In the right direction you can make yourself happy in the right way. Please therefore contact us and we shall help you to raise yourself to your normal happiness. It is no dream neither any bluff. You shall know yourself how far you have made progress in that path and our duty will be to help you only. Thinking that you shall be a prospective member of the League of Devotees, I am sending you herewith a copy of the prospectus and I wish most sincerely that you should become an active member of this great institution. Pay or pay not you can become a member without obligation and the League welcomes you always accepting you as the divine child Yours sincerely, for the League of Devotees, Abhay Charan Bhaktivedanta, Secretary" (*SPL to a prospective member of the League of Devotees, 1958) 58-08 "Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu who is Kṛṅña Himself in the form of a devotee preached the cult of *Bhagavad-gītā* for all practical purposes and benefit of the humanity at large. As it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that a person who takes the responsibility of preaching the *bhakti* -cult by all means is the most favorite person of the Lord. This mission has to be taken up in the modern light of understanding and for this purpose I have registered the association of the name as above mentioned. I wish that a personality like you may accept the head man ship of this institution and conduct the missionary work in a suitable manner befitting the time and circumstances of modern civilization. The old way of leaving the matter to the irresponsible class of men will not help the preaching work of this important mission. Responsible gentlemen who are managing all other affairs, must also take up the responsibility of this branch of activity and then it will be successful. The present world situation is too much entangled == *.== It is the duty of all sane men to loosen their tightened condition by the simple method of Bhagavad-gītā and the result is sure to be successful. * I hope you will take the matter very seriously and do some practical service for the satisfaction of the Lord." (Anand Prakash, 14 August, 1958) ==58-08 "You are thinking of adjusting Western ways of material adjustment with Indian culture of spiritualism and I beg to give you herewith the clue== **that materialistic conducted with an aim of reaching spiritual perfection is the right adjustment of human activity. If the aim of spiritual realization is missed the whole plan of materialism is sure to be frustrated and that is the law of nature. The law of nature is so made by the superior authority and nobody can surpass the intricacies of material nature simply by partial adjustment of material science. The history of the West beginning from the time of the Creeks and the Romans down to the modern age of atomic war—is a continuous chain of sense gratificatory materialism and the result is that the Westerners were never in peace within the memory of 3,000 years of historical records. Neither will it be possible for them at any time in the future to live in peace till the message of spiritualism just suitable to the present age reaches their hearts. 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. Svarāja 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 realisation, as the child cries for the mother without 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 recognised your sincere effort for endeavoring 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 in cool brain. Poverty means poverty of knowledge. Prime Minister Cāñakya Pañòita 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 *carkha* ? 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 necessarily bring in a happy life in the peaceful world. Here is a program of spiritual movement (an appeal enclosed herewith). I am struggling alone very hard to give it an effective shape without any help from persons like you. You can help the movement a lot without the least difficulty or disturbances. My humble advice to you, as I am your old friend from Allahabad, is that you should now take leave from your present responsibility of Prime Ministership and as you are a popular gentleman of the world you can just engage the rest of your most valuable life in this organized spiritual movement to achieve the aim of your life which is yet to be known by the world. By pushing on this authorized spiritual movement you can make a real adjustment of the Western material science combined with the Indian way of spiritual realization. Please therefore think over this proposal very seriously and let me know your reaction upon it and oblige. If you can spare a little time, I am sure to convince you about its importance more quickly. Thanking you in anticipation and awaiting your early reply." (Nehru, 4 August, 1958) *** 62-06 "Yesterday evening I have come to Vṛndāvana for a flying visit and shall return to Delhi on Monday 4/6/62 to attend the Jayal meeting on Tuesday 5/6/62 morning. I am glad to see that my Thursday lectures have brought some changes in the mind of the young offenders. If the lectures are continued I am sure to turn these offenders into saintly characters. The means which I have adopted is spiritual and it works more quickly than any material means. ==If you give me a chance to speak to all the members of the jail it is quite possible for me to turn them into ideal characters.== In my next lecture on Tuesday the 5/6/62 morning, I would request you also to be present and see it personally how the transcendental medicine is acting upon them. I am just trying to make the spiritual method as much practical as any other material cures with greater and persisting effect.... [PAGE MISSING]" (Śrī Purī, 1 June, 1962) *** 73-05 "I can understand your difficult position in preaching work. Not only you, but I also had the same difficulty when I wanted to start this Kṛṅña consciousness movement from India. ==I approached many respectable gentlemen and requested that, 'My dear sir, you have got four children, out of them can you spare one only under my guidance, because I want to make a brahminical society all over the world.== ' Everyone replied in this connection, 'Sir what benefit will there be in becoming a *brāhmaña* ? The position is that the Whole world is full of *śūdras* . The *śūdras* business is to somehow or other catch up some nice service under some good master and get a nice wife and home. That is their success in life. This is the position of India especially. The whole of India is now under technological instruction which means to become *śūdras* . Just like carpenter can manufacture so much nice furniture by his technological education, but in our Vedic society, the carpenter is considered a *śūdra* . Similarly a tannery expert was called a cobbler. So these things are now lost. Everyone is prepared to become a cobbler, a carpenter, a chemist, a physicist, an electrician and so many other things, but they do not know that after such education one has to depend on other's mercy. So-called highly qualified technologists cannot earn their livelihood without getting a suitable job. It is just like a dog, however stout and strong it may be, it cannot be happy without having gotten a wealthy master. Without being protected by a wealthy master it is nothing but a street dog and he is never happy. So all the students at the present moment are getting educated how to become first-class *śūdras* . How they can be interested in Kṛṅña consciousness, which is the business of high class *brāhmañas* and Vaiṅñavas? Still it is our duty to preach, and our sincere endeavor for preaching work will be appreciated by the Lord. That much we want. Our mission is to see that Lord Caitanya is satisfied, never mind if we could not turn many of them to this cult. Here is a quotation from Caitanya Mahāprabhu's instruction: *yāre dekha, tare kaha "kṛṅña'-upadeśa, āmāra ājïāya guru haïā tāra' ei deśa. Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā,* 7:128. So our mission is, by the order of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we shall try to teach people about the *Bhagavad-gītā* and *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* , etc., without being depressed whether people are accepting them or not. This is our credit. We shall be judged by the quality of our work and not by the material return." ([[letters/1973/730521_ekendra_shawn_christina_dvarakadhisa_kimi_tonya_joe_john_candramukhi_carol_peggy_lisa_stephanie|Niraïjana, 21 May, 1973]]) ## India in General 49-02 "2) The 2nd item is to take up the temple entry or temple worship movement. This is, in the real sense, a theistic cultural movement and the facility or opportunity shall be open to everyone whatsoever he may be. All the past *ācāryas* accepted everyone who desired to offer his respect to God inspired by *transcendental* love and devotion. We can support this movement of Gandhiji on the authority of śāstras. ==There are thousands and lakhs of temples all over India but they are not always properly managed.== Some of them have become the positive dens for undesirable activities and most of the owners or trustees of such temples do not know how to utilize these sacred buildings. Neither modernized gentleman have any interest for these neglected theistic institutions. Originally the aim of these temples was to diffuse spiritual culture in every quarter. These temples or theistic institutions should therefore be reorganized as the center of spiritual culture according to authentic principles as laid down in the scriptures like *Bhagavad-gītā* ." (Dr. Vallabhaiji Patel, 28 February, 1949) *** 68-03 "I have received your letter addressed to Mukunda and Gurudāsa in which you write to say that I may send you a telegram sanctioning your return. This means that you have become very much anxious to return back to the USA and I have become also very anxious for you to return back to the USA and I have also already sanctioned it, in reply to your last letter post-dated February, 21st. The real thing is that you are feeling alone, and because you are so to say, child, you have become nervous. Otherwise, for a preacher there is no difficulty anywhere, irrespective of climate and conditions. I came here in the month of December, and as my country is warmer to yours, so similarly your country is colder to me. I am also in diseased condition. When I first came to your country I passed through practically all the seasons. I came here in 1965, September and I remained in the northern portion of your country, namely New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, etc., continuously from September 1965 to December 1966. And you know how much severe cold is New York; I passed through snow on the New York street, so certainly *I wasn't very much in comfortable situation. Still I had the strength of mind, and I continued to stay. Similarly, if you have strength of mind, you can stay always in India even in the most inconvenient condition.* Another difficulty is that although you are four already in India you cannot live together. Rāmānuja left the camp as soon as I left you. You do not like Harivilāsa. So you are living scattered. That is another difficulty. If you would have lived together with mutual cooperation, there would have been no trouble, but I think that is also not possible. In my plain opinion, I think if you can all three at present moment, namely yourself, Harivilāsa and Hṛṅīkeśa live together, there will be no difficulty. You are going to Vṛndāvana, so formerly you told me that you selected a very nice house at Rs. 50/-per month, why not take that house and live together, all three, chant Hare Kṛṅña, and try to remain in transcendental peace. In Vṛndāvana, the system is that during the day-time one can live downstairs and with door closed, and electric fan running on. I was staying in Rādhā-Dāmodara temple in my room in the same way, by closing the door, making it complete dark and running on the fan. I was never in trouble. So if one is determined to stay things could be adjusted to live together in Kṛṅña conscious cooperation." ([[letters/1968/680301_acyutananda|Acyutānanda, 1 March, 1968]]) ==68-03 "India government is worthless management. So there is some anomalies which will be rectified. In the meantime get the goods cleared with Indemnity Board if so required.== ([[letters/1968/680301_acyutananda|Brahmānanda, 1 March, 1968]]) ==68-06 "As you have liked the place Hṛṅīkeśa, why not try to establish yourself there and organize a center for our ISKCON there. I know that many European and American students go in that part of India to search out real spiritual enlightenment,== but unfortunately they fall in the trap of so-called yogis and are misled. If you can draw such searching students to this real platform, spiritual platform of Kṛṅña consciousness, it will be a great service to the Western students, as well as to Lord Kṛṅña." ([[letters/1968/680610_harivilasa|Hari Vilāsa, 10 June, 1968]]) ==69-03 "Regarding distribution of Back to Godhead in India by the Universal Book Distributors: *== * I have read the letter sent by them and I do not think it is very practical. I am returning herewith the letter as desired by you for keeping in your file, and you can reply them on the following points: 1. That you submit us every month a list of 1,000 libraries. We shall dispatch free copies from here directly, and we shall print your name as the sole distributor in India, provided. 2. When you receive orders or inquiries from such parties, you immediately order from us at least 500 copies lot and we shall deliver you C.I.F. less 40% on the face value. The present face value is $.50 per copy. Payment: cash on delivery. On receipt of your confirmation, we shall send you the appointment letter and the business will begin. 3. You shall send us regularly 1,000 new addresses every month, and we shall post copies to them from this end. In this way, you can write to them. Another thing, the Library of Congress has got one agency in India, and they have recognized my *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* , you know it. And they have open order for 18 copies of each volume as soon as published. Why not bring this fact to the Librarian of Congress, and introduce my other books, including *Bhagavad-gītā, Teachings of Lord Caitanya* , etc.? And there are so many public libraries, and university libraries also, who may receive them. So, business has to be organized and I hope you will do the needful. Regarding *Back To Godhead* circulation: I shall be glad to know what is the decision of the National Distributor. Whether you have received any reply from the Japanese printer about *Back to Godhead.* " ([[letters/1969/690310_madhusudana|Brahmānanda, 10 March, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "I quite appreciate the difficult problems in India, and I quite agree with you cent per cent that India is now in a miserable condition by its poverty, and natural atrocities like floods, earthquakes, etc. Your suggestion that this can only be solved by Lord Kṛṅña, the Omnipotent, is also right. Therefore, if you want to do something for India, the only remedial measure that you can take is to spread Kṛṅña consciousness amongst the peoples. Otherwise, the next step is surely communism as you have already suggested. You say that there is a communist menace, and materialism is trying to dominate, but at the same time, religious faith is also progressing. Two things cannot go on simultaneously. Actually, India is the country of religion. The present government policy to kill religious faith of the people is resulting in frustration of religious life because it is not organizedly taught. But ==by nature the people of India have a hankering for spiritual advancement, and therefore the present situation is a natural result of the clash between two opposite ideals. In this case also the best treatment is to give the people scientific religious ideas which are very clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gītā.== But unfortunately, unscrupulous and rascal so-called scholars, religionists and philosophers have misinterpreted the teachings of Lord Kṛṅña in the *Bhagavad-gītā* , and they have misled the whole population. *Bhagavad-gītā* is popular not only in India, but also all over the world. Unfortunately, the real idea has been distorted. We have therefore presented our *Bhagavad-gītāAs It Is* , and perhaps you know it; it is published by MacMillan. I have tried to explain in this book the real purpose of the *Bhagavad-gītā* . *Bhagavad-gītā* is the authorized book to teach people how to love Kṛṅña, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is nothing else except devotional service to the Lord described there, but great politicians have misinterpreted the sunshine-like clear statements of *Bhagavad-gītā* with a cloud of mental concoctions. So if you think seriously to improve the condition of India, you can begin even in a small-scale the propagation of Kṛṅña consciousness, and if you do it seriously and sincerely, surely you will be successful. I came here alone in 1965. Gradually the young men here took the philosophy very nicely, and now they themselves are spreading and opening many branches, even without my presence. Similarly, you can do this also, under my instructions. Just begin with a small endeavor, and gradually it will spread. You have asked me what are the formalities that you have to observe for recruiting Kṛṅña devotees in India, and the first principle is that you have to become a pure devotee of the Lord. Then you can attempt to convert others to become devotees. To become a pure devotee means one should be firmly convinced of his being the eternal servant of Kṛṅña." ([[letters/1969/690708_rayarama|Mr. Kair, 8 July, 1969]]) ==69-09 "Regarding your correspondence with the leading men in India, I don’t think it will be very much fruitful. Personally I have no faith in them, but if you decide to open correspondence with them, I have no objection. But my personal opinion is not very hopeful."== ([[letters/1969/690903_gopala_krsna|Gopāla Kṛṅña dāsa, 3 September, 1969]]) ==70-03 "I am very glad to learn that you have prepared one long article for sending to the 'Illustrated Weekly of India.' That is very nice, and if possible write some further articles, either in Hindi or English, for being published in India."== ([[letters/1970/700309_gopala_krsna|Gopāla Kṛṅña, 9 March, 1970]]) ==70-04 "Yes, if you live in India it will be a better facility that you have some preliminary knowledge of the local language. This was recommended even for big British officers who used to go to India either for business or for political purposes.== **I was a student in the Scottish Churches College and 90% of our professors were Europeans. All of them learned Bengali just to understand the local language. Although all of them were speaking with us in English, still they could understand Bengali nicely. Acyutānanda has already learned Bengali, so I think for preliminary knowledge in Bengali there will be no difficulty for you." ([[letters/1970/700417_jayapataka|Jayapatākā, 17 April, 1970]]) *** 71-01 "We have recently been preaching and holding *saïkīrtana* in some small villages and the result is very good. ==The simple villagers are very much attracted by this saïkīrtana process and they join with us very nicely and listen attentively.== So I am glad that you are also preaching in the outlands. That is very nice. Lord Caitanya wanted that His movement should be spread everywhere, to every village and city and now by your land cooperation His holy desire is being fulfilled." (SPL to Upendra, January 4th, 1971) 71-04 "It is understood that our devotees have got some difficulty in the matter of extensions of visas. Now you can consult our lawyer friends that I want my foreign disciples to remain here to assist me in my activities of *saïkīrtana* movement, so whether the government can ask them to go away? ==Our Society is registered, our activities are bonafide, I am a preacher and if I maintain my disciples and assistants properly, how can the government ask them to go? Please consult about this legal implication and if they are refused to stay in India, by visa, I wish to take legal action in this connection.*"== ([[letters/1971/710419_bali-mardana|Tamāla Kṛṅña, 19 April, 1971]]) ==71-12 *== "If you like you can take Indian citizenship, at least some of our men who have been here after two years may take Indian citizenship. Some of our men from abroad must be in charge and remain here seriously." (SPL to Jayapatākā, December 22nd, 1971) ==72-04 "The newspaper report of Hindus and Moslems eating together which has been printed in Amrita Bazar Patrika will persuade many rich men to help us. *== * I am very glad that Amrita Bazar Patrika is helping us in this way by printing these articles. So if you can show this handbill you have printed and these articles, so many men will give for human welfare basis. I am enclosing one card given to me by one man in the Calcutta airport just as I was leaving there last time, and this man has got a brother in the steel business in Calcutta and he has promised me to help us secure free steel from him. So try for it." (SPL to Tamāla Kṛṅña and Jayapatākā, April 2nd, 1972) 72-06 "I am very glad to hear that the American officers in Delhi are very much favorable to our movement. It is very good news. ==If you can persuade them to give us foodstuffs directly, then we shall use it properly and America's prestige will be widely spread throughout India. We can organize for distribution of prasādam all over India, in factories, schools, and so on. *== * If we simply have *kīrtana* and distribute nice *prasādam* , everywhere there will be good respect for us. So I hope you will stick very closely to this matter of acquiring surplus foodstuffs from your government and seeing to it that the food is distributed widely throughout India by our Kṛṅña consciousness devotees. This is a very great favor to me." (SPL to Gurudāsa, June 12th, 1972) 72-07 "One thing is, you have mentioned Bhavānanda will require four more *lakhs* for Māyāpur. But he told me four *lakhs* total, and of that I have sent two and a half *lakhs* , so he shall require further only one and three quarter *lakhs* . That must come from selling books. The books are coming at no cost to you, you simply sell them and utilize the entire money for building for Bombay, Vṛndāvana, and Māyāpur. ==That will be the real task ahead, to sell many, many books all over India and use all the money for building.== Why do you see any difficulty? Yes, try for getting free manure from some gośala." ([[letters/1972/720722_acyutananda|Girirāja, 22 July, 1972]]) *** 72-07 'Your letter under reply gives me great pleasure when I understand from your childhood you are a great devotee of Lord Kṛṅña, and now in your old age you are still anxious to preach the doctrine of Lord Kṛṅña, namely, to surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Actually, the whole world requires to understand the *Bhagavad-gītā As It Is* . Although the *Bhagavad-gītā* is a very popular book, widely read all over the world, unfortunately unscrupulous *sannyāsīs* and yogis presented the gospel in a perverted way so that people could not come to become a devotee of Kṛṅña, instead they have become impersonalists. ==This infectious disease is spread in India, especially by the Māyāvādīs, sannyāsīs and philosophers, therefore we have got greater task in India than in the Western countries. *== * In the Western countries they have lost practically any religious system, and Christianity is declining. I was in London and practically I saw hundreds and thousands of churches are for sale because nobody is going there. The same position is in America also, but still a section of persons there are interested in church. But in Europe especially I see they have lost all respect for religious life. The same thing is there in India also. I therefore suggest that when you return to India next time, that you take *sannyāsa* in your ripe old age without any family responsibility, and let us together do something tangible in India. In 1970 I went to Amritsar, invited by Swami Nirmalānanda, and I saw the people of Amritsar are greatly devoted. We were invited by many temples and private persons, and we were made very much welcome, and somebody wanted to give me some land also. Anyway land is not very difficult to gain, but we require some men to work for this great mission. The educated younger sections are required to join this great movement. We have already got our land in Bombay, in Vṛndāvana, as well as in Navadvīpa. Gradually, we can open a center in each and every important city of India. I shall request you to think over this proposition very seriously and make some tangible program, then when you return to India in October, by that time I shall be there also, and jointly we can do something tangible in India also. I shall be very glad to hear from you your reaction on this proposition. Thank you very much." ([[letters/1972/720725_satsvarupa|Śrī Joshiji, 25 July, 1972]]) ==72-08 "I am very much pleased to hear that you are leaving Calcutta for your tour of the cities of south India== . This is very pleasing news to me, and I think that you will have the first-class reception in places such as Bangalore. I shall myself be coming to India sometime in October, so if you are able to arrange any nice engagements in the south part of India for me, I shall be glad to come there." ([[letters/1972/720809_cyavana|*SPL to Yaśodānandana and Gurukṛpa, 9 August, 1972]]) *** 72-08 "I have received one letter from Mādhavānanda and he has assured me that the collecting is going on well. He has also mentioned that you are planning your Maidan Pandal from 7th October to November 5th tentatively. ==But these things must be consulted amongst all of you leaders, not that one man decides these things whimsically.== My program is already sent to you earlier, I shall be in Vṛndāvana from middle October to middle November, but after that time I am free to come to Calcutta for holding our festival, but these things should be decided amongst all of you leaders in India, including Gurudāsa, Girirāja, Tamāla, Bhavānanda, Gargamuni." ([[letters/1972/720826_jayapataka|Jayapatākā, 26 August, 1972]]) ==72-09 "I have been very much encouraged to see some advertisement booklet printed by Air India wherein the theme is exclusively dedicated to Kṛṅña and Vṛndāvana. With this idea the Air India Company is enticing tourists to come to India simply to experience the spiritual life around Kṛṅña.== * * So in future I expect that our Bombay project will be one of the most important show-pieces in the world for foreign tourists to actually come and get actual experience of Kṛṅña consciousness or the real Vedic culture. So with this idea in mind work very vigorously and with renewed spirit to do the work very gorgeously and raise up first our temple and later on the apartment houses as you have planned." ([[letters/1972/720913_upendra|* SPL to Yadubara, 13 September, 1972]]) *** 72-09 "I beg to inform you of one matter which may be of interest to you, namely that we have now got thousands of disciples and well-wishers in the Western countries and out of them many are desiring to travel to India in the near future, at least 200 persons at a time, to see all the temples, especially the Vaiṅñava temples. So Air India has got a cheap round-trip fare to India and we want to take advantage and bring hundreds of members of our Society and others to see all of the temples, so what will be the arrangements? You are the Minister for India of Civil Aviation and Tourism, so I think this news should be of special interest to your department. Now we are prepared to bring thousands of visitors to your country, but we need also your help and cooperation to do this in proper manner. ==Now we have created interest all over the world in Kṛṅña and Vṛndāvana, for instance the Air India is using the Kṛṅña theme in their advertising campaign, so we have created this atmosphere of interest in Kṛṅña in the Western countries, and I think that cooperatively we may work together to increase the foreign tourism in our country of India.== What will be the arrangement for foreigners to see the temples, will they be allowed or what is the situation for government sanction for foreigners to see the temples? Now I am returning to India in middle of October, and I am coming first to Vṛndāvana and New Delhi for holding our second annual *Bhāgavata-dharma* Discourses and Hare Kṛṅña Festival, and if Kṛṅña desires it, we may meet again at that time." ([[letters/1972/720918_govinda|Karan Singh, 18 September, 1972]]) ==72-10 "But so far recommendation of the Indian government is concerned, they will not help us, that is to be expected. They are the most corrupt of all, simply levying taxes, living nicely at the public expense, plotting how to get votes, and if anyone approaches 'please help us spread God-consciousness' they say "No" and make some excuse, that's all.== **Nevermind, we do not rely upon Indian government or any government, we shall take our strength from Lord Caitanya and He has said that His Name shall be heard in every town and village, and He is God and we are doing His business, so what some government officials can do? But because we want to engage everyone in the service of Lord Caitanya, therefore we approach these rascals, just to engage them. So you may continue in this way to canvass government leaders, the Indian Tourist—Kenneth Keating, and anyone and everyone to help us, there is no harm." ([[letters/1972/721024_rupanuga|Rūpānuga, 24 October, 1972]]) ==72-12 "...I am very happy to hear of your new plan for forming the travelling Hindu saïkīrtana party. That is a very nice idea.== So you may organize the party as you see fit, and if you yourself are able sometimes to go with them, you will be able to instruct them how to do it in the best way possible. You have got good experience for managing in business world, so why not you become also expert organizer for Kṛṅña? That plan is very much liked by me, now do it nicely, and may Lord Kṛṅña give you His all blessings more and more. Thank you very much for assisting me in this way." ([[letters/1972/721203_ekayani|Gopāla Kṛṅña, 3 December, 1972]]) ==72-12 "== You may inform Acyutānanda that I want that he shall come here for the *pāñòal* program, to lead == == the kīrtana and preach in the 'Questions and Answers' tent. He should remain prepared, and if I call to bring Deities, he can bring. Otherwise he may reach here by first of January, in any case. Others may also come from that side, especially Gargamuni may come if he likes, he is first-class preacher to preach == to many thousands who will attend the Questions and Answers tents *,== * so you may inform like that." ([[letters/1972/721219_jayapataka|Jayapatākā, 19 December, 1972]]) ==72-12 "...I have very much appreciated hearing from you the news of your successes in preaching tour. You are the pioneer preachers in South India. That is very important portion of India, and there is much to do there in future, so you are paving the way.== **I know that you are both best preachers and you will not stand by idly and listen to any nonsense ideas or Māyāvādīs. That is very nice. My Guru Mahārāja was also inclined toward his bolder preachers. Therefore I am requesting that both of you, with your party, join me very soon at the Hare Kṛṅña festival in Bombay, Cross Maidan, at least you should come by January 1st. This is our big opportunity to emphasize our preaching strength to the big men of India and population in general. There is arrangement of 'Questions and Answers' tents for the general public, just by the main street of the city, wherein we shall conduct throughout day and night preaching by my disciples by answering any and all questions put forward by the public. I think that you will enjoy preaching in that way, and I want to place my best preachers there for that purpose of defeating all challengers. Kindly oblige and do the needful." ([[letters/1972/721221_meenakatan|Yaśodānandana and Gurukṛpā, 21 December, 1972]]) *** 73-01 "I have made order from Dai Nippon for 5,000 of each of our big books and 10,000 of each smaller book for distributing in India. We shall henceforward concentrate our full energy in this program of distributing books in India. ==We shall not be very much concerned any more with properties and big, big temples, now we have got our place at Vṛndāvana and our place at Māyāpur, that is sufficient, now let us spend our hard-earned money for printing Kṛṅña's books and distributing widely all over India. *== * If someone steps forward to donate us land or building, that is another thing, but we shall not be very much interested to spend for that." ([[letters/1973/730105_kirtanananda|Tejyas, 5 January, 1973]]) *** 73-02 "One thing to consider before we take any action is that if we buy lots of land, the government may become envious to feed so many men without them working etc. and the communists they are notorious for confiscating property. ==So I am concerned that if we develop this scheme the government may take some action against us. If you can develop an education institution, that may help to pacify them.*" (SPL, Tamāla Kṛṅña, Jayapatākā, Bhavānanda and Gargamuni, 10th February, 1973) 73-03 "But the thing is, without Indian devotees rural preaching cannot be effective. They are mostly illiterate, how they will understand? ==We must avoid the risk of a separatist movement, unity is our purpose; just like in London where the Indians are starting their own Hindu Rādhā-Kṛṅña temple. We want to avoid skin disease and the Indian people are like the tannery expert== . Such a cobbler is expert at skin disease. They will see our *saṭkīrtana* party and think it is a white dance. Anyway, how to gather Indian devotees, that program is wanting." ([[letters/1973/730305_kirtiraja|Śrīman Hariprasad Badruka, 5 March, 1973]]) *** 73-03 'This program of approaching MP's is very, very important. If you can get this petition approved, that would be a great boon to our movement. Even if 15 or 20 MP's join our Society that will be a new chapter for us. And your petition is very attractively worded == *.== Actually India is the spiritual leader of the world but the fools and rascals are trying to sabotage the position. Your school preaching is very much welcomed by me.* We are in need of new recruits to carry out so many ambitious programs here in India, so if you can infiltrate the school system as you did in America that will be a great service." ([[letters/1973/730315_jayatirtha|Tejyas, 15 March, 1973]]) *** 73-11 "I thank you very much for kindly allowing an interview to my disciples Śrīman Gurudāsa Adhikāri accompanied by his wife also, Śrīmatī Yamunā devī. Perhaps your Excellency is aware of our Kṛṅña consciousness movement all over the world. We are not only preaching the cult by chanting and dancing, but also by presenting in the English language the books of the *bhakti* cult, especially *Bhagavad-gītā* and *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* all over the world. You will be pleased to know that our books are being well received in all parts of the world, and recently we have information from London that in two months time we have sold 30,000 copies of the *Bhagavad-gītāAs It Is* . I am sending herewith one copy of my book *Bhagavad-gītā As It Is* as my humble presentation. I hope at your convenient leisure time, you can have a glance over this book, at least the preliminary statement in the Foreword, Introduction, and Preface, which will convince you of the importance of the book. We think that *Bhagavad-gītā As It Is* without a wrong interpretation can solve all the problems of human society, namely social, political, religious, economic, philosophical, cultural, or from any angle of vision, because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is above all deficiency, namely mistake, illusion, cheating, and the imperfection of the senses. So we in our humble way are trying to spread this cult of *Bhagavad-gītā* all over the world, and my American and European disciples, two samples of them are meeting with you, are helping me in this connection. After all, *Bhagavad-gītā* is the sublime cultural knowledge, and of course religion is included there, but it is not fanaticism or sentimental religion. It is based on pure science, philosophy, and logic. ==I wish that our Indian government will be proud to take up this cultural movement very seriously, so that the whole world will be benefited, and India will be glorified.== I hope Kṛṅña will give you the proper sense to understand my humble presentaion, and it will be a great pleasure to know you have relished this *Bhagavad-gītā As It Is* without any unauthorized commentation. Thanking you once more for giving us the opportunity to see you in this connection." (SPL to Śrīmati Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, 6th November, 1973) 73-12 "Just now I was reading *Kṛṅña* 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 Kṛṅña 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|*SPL to Tamāla Kṛṅña Goswami, 13 December, 1973]]) *** 74-03 "Now I am especially concerned to distribute grains, rice, wheat in the form of *dāl* and rice *prasādam* to hungry people all over India. The people here are very disturbed because, partly due to the punishment of nature, and partly due to the mismanagement of the demon class of men, food is not available. If the people do not even have sufficient food they will not even be able to receive spiritual instructions ==*.== So I am hopeful that if we can widely distribute free foodstuffs to the people of India, by giving it out at our centers as well as by travelling parties to villages, we will win over the whole country and the whole world by this activity on Krsna's behalf." ([[letters/1974/740316_satyahit|Satyahit, 16 March, 1974]]) ==74-04 "Regarding the offers of land in different places, you should take them. First accept them, then we shall see how to manage them. We will have to import brāhmañas to man them.== **If our men are trained, one man can sit down in a hut and simply talk about Kṛṅña and organize the local people. This is how I started in the beginning at 26 Second Avenue in New York City. If there is genuine preaching they will be attracted, so long the preacher has no self motivation, but simply chants and preaches. Anyway, take the offered land." ([[letters/1974/740408_tejiyas|Tejyas, 8 April, 1974]]) *** 74-04 "I am asking Pradyumna to send you a list of Vaiṅñava functions which you can give to the Indians who are inquiring about it at the New York temple. ==Other than the bona fide Vaiṅñava functions we cannot divert our devotees' attention to such participation in so called religious functions. This has spoiled the Hindu religion into a hodge podge pseudoreligion.== For advancement in Kṛṅña consciousness we should simply concentrate on Kṛṅña; therefore we can help them but the function has to be in connection with Kṛṅña." ([[letters/1974/740427_pusta_krsna|Gopāla Kṛṅña, 27 April, 1974]]) *** 75-02 "Regarding the bus, now I am serious to purchase one bus at least and I have secured money. So, arrange for this immediately with the help of Śrīdhara. We do not want the seats—it should be vacant. As such, the price should be reduced considerably. Gurukṛpa Swami will go to India to lead the party, but at least 6 Indian men must go with him. ==As soon as I return to India, I shall take up this bus saṭkīrtana very seriously.*" ([[letters/1975/750204_giriraja|Girirāja dāsa, 4 February, 1975]]) *** 75-05 "Regarding opening a center in Saurastra, it will be my pleasure to do it immediately if the local important men like you will cooperate with me. I wish to open centers in the villages. The mass problem at the present moment in India is actually a food problem. I have therefore decided to start some village organization program—namely, people should be invited to live in the village, produce their own foodstuff (grains, fruits, and vegetables), maintain a sufficient number of cows to get a large quantity of milk, produce their own cloth, eat sumptuously for keeping fit in health, and then they can regularly sit down and chant Hare Kṛṅña *mahā-mantra* . I shall arrange for the irrigation of the land and the people living there should give their labor for their own food and clothing, and then chant Hare Kṛṅña *mahā-mantra* and cultivate Kṛṅña consciousness. Besides that, ==our men should go from village to village with saṭkirtana party, hold festival, namely distribution of Bhāgavata prasādam and induce them to chant== and join with us in vibrating the Hare Kṛṅña *mahā-mantra* . In India, they are not less than ninety-five percent villagers and Mahatma Gandhi wanted this village organization. I think this is a solid program. The people must eat sumptuously (not voraciously) and make them fit for working and chanting. In this way, they will be purified and everything will be nicely organized." ([[letters/1975/750510_giriraja|Radheswaranand Goswami, 10 May, 1975]]) ==75-06 "One thing I want is for the book sales to be organized there in India. There are many English books selling there on the market, and there are many English publishing houses. So why it cannot be organized?== **Even if our own men cannot do the selling, we can hire some agents to do it. Our books are very much appreciated in India, and the people will purchase. Even the clerks they can purchase the small books. We have so many small books. This kind of preaching work is very important. The people must be given some impression of our philosophy." (SPL to Gopāla Kṛṅña 21st June, 1975) 75-07 "The Chand Society flat may not be sold. It can be used as office and residence of Vaikuṃhanātha and Yaśomatīnandana. Two rooms used as residence and one room office and stock. The BBT should provide facilities for offices and stock go-down. BBT should pay for the rooftop go-down. ==By my calculation you should be able to sell in India at least four lakhs of rupees worth of books per month. You simply have to organize it.*"== ([[letters/1975/750704_ramesvara|Girirāa dāsa, 4 July, 1975]]) *** 75-07 "Shyamlal Gupta is well known to me. He is an able man, and if he likes he can help us in so many ways. You can inform him that we are selling our books all over the world between 30-40 *lakhs* worth per month, but not in India are we selling because we do not have any sales organization. But, to give him the exclusive rights, they have to guarantee some minimum amount of order per month == *.== We are selling 30-40 lakhs around the world so we shall expect at least sales in India of one lakh per month of rupees.* So on experimental stage we can make them the exclusive sales agent for six months to one year, if they can guarantee a certain reasonable amount of monthly order. If they agree to Rs. 1 *lakh* per month then for the first four months they must pay us Rs. 50,000/-per month and then Rs. 1 *lakh* per month upon delivery. Yes, you can print small books as much as possible. The paper sample you sent in your last letter is all right if it is acceptable for the Indian book market. If the sales will go on, even if the paper is inferior, then it is all right. S. Ghand Co. they are able to sell 1 *lakh* of Rs. of our books per month. They can do this if it is organized properly. But, they should not get any commission on books we sell ourselves, nor will we sell our books at prices below that of the retail shops. For printing additional small books you can use the loan repayment from Bombay. I gave so much loans and that must be paid back. Or you can take from the $50,000 that was just now sent. But, money will come do not worry. Did the Oberoi-Sheraton purchase the books? The hotels must purchase the books for putting in their rooms. Incidentally, it is my 80th birth anniversary, not 79th." ([[letters/1975/750717_brijratan_s._mohatta|Gopāla Kṛṅña dāsa, 17 July, 1975]]) *** 75-08 'Your success of book distribution to the libraries has given me great pleasure. Gopāla Kṛṅña has discussed with me the problem of selling books imported under the present CCP. We are planning to import books for sale to libraries through an importer of books in Delhi. The arrangements will be finalized in about two weeks, and then we will be able to supply you with all the books you need for libraries == *.== This distribution of books to the libraries is very encouraging. Please expand this program all over India.* In one library carrying my books, hundreds of people will be able to read." ([[letters/1975/750817_kirtanananda|Abhinanda dāsa and Gopeśvara dāsa, 17 August, 1975]]) *** 75-08 "If we are offered land in the future, you can consult with me or Gopāla Kṛṅña before accepting it. ==I would like to have a temple in every village in India and invite everyone to come and eat prasāda, and live with us provided they follow our principles.== The only problem is that we do not have enough devotees to manage so many centers. But, if you can make local devotees who have management ability, then you may accept as many plots of land as are offered." ([[letters/1975/750817_kirtanananda|Mahāḥsa Swami, 17 August, 1975]]) *** 75-09 "I am very glad to hear that you are working so nicely in developing the project there. It is very important, and I am very encouraged that you are taking it seriously. The modem civilization is a condemned civilization. The innocent people are being dragged from the villages and exploited in the cities. But in the *Bhagavad-gītā* Lord Kṛṅña recommends them to remain where they are and produce grains: *annād bhavanti bhūtāni* . Grow your food, eat sumptuously, and chant Hare Kṛṅña. This is real life. ==If we establish such projects all over India== , we shall be the proprietor of India. Similarly in the USA—and if USA and India join together in such Kṛṅña consciousness projects, then the whole world will be paradise. Kṛṅña provides everything, but we mismanage it. Even in this condemned world, He has provided everything complete. He is so perfect. Kṛṅña wants us to pass on our days here in Kṛṅña consciousness, and then go back home, back to Godhead. The village program is for the ordinary class of people, and for the intellectuals we have got our books. We are not lacking in anything. I hope this meets you in good health. I very much like that place in Hyderabad. That tree is very nice. I was sleeping underneath it, it is a pleasant place. Now develop it first-class." ([[letters/1975/750907_balavanta|Mahāvīrya dāsa, 7 September, 1975]]) ==75-09 "I wish to make an experiment in preaching by bullock cart. One cart can hold six to eight men sitting and two men for sleeping." ([[letters/1975/750909_hansadutta|Mahāmsa Swami, 9 September, 1975]]) *** 75-12 "The pictures are very encouraging, and the reports of your life membership and books sales is also nice. There is tremendous field in India for selling books, if you continue this effort you will soon be competing with America. Gopāla Kṛṅña Prabhu is arranging to print *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* Hindi, First canto, Vol. 1, 5,000 copies, also *Bhagavad-gītāAs It Is* . == *== So there is a big field in India, 600,000,000 people. In every home there should be at least one BBT publication, so the field is very big." ([[letters/1975/751204_mark_phillips|Acyutānanda and Yaśodānandana Swamis, 4 December, 1975]]) *** 75-12 =="Just this month we have sent preachers to Ahmedabad and Kanpur for opening centers, and we are planning to build a gorgeous Kṛṅña Arjuna temple at Kurukṅetra in cooperation with the late Home Minister G.L. Nanda."== ([[letters/1975/751208_sri_d._n._mishra|Sree Krishna C. Batra, 8 December, 1975]]) ==75-12 "I had been in Kurukṅetra with the idea of constructing a temple, the negotiations are going on with the late Home Minister G.L. Nanda."== ([[letters/1975/751208_sri_d._n._mishra|Dinanath, 8 December, 1975]]) *** 76-02 "If we get chance, we must open a center in Kanpur. It is a very important city in India. I heard that there was someone who was willing to give us a house. ==Kanpur is the third most important city in India next to Calcutta and Bombay. We must open a center there, if there is a chance.== Padampat Singhania can himself build the whole *gurukula* . Similarly Banthuram Jaipuria who is our member, I think, can build the whole thing. If anyone gives the whole money for the building, then we can call the building in his name. The mercantile community is advised to follow the *brāhmañas* . So you are bona fide *brāhmañas* . And if the *vaiśyas* follow your instruction, they will be happy and pious." ([[letters/1976/760228_ramram_maharaja|Akśayānanda Swami, 28 February, 1976]]) *** 76-03 "Please accept my greetings. ==Last night at the Ṃhākura Bati we had a very nice meeting, so I wanted to talk with you of improvement of the Uddharana Datta Ṃhākura 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 *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* , accommodating willing Vaiṅñavas who will follow the Vaiṅñava behavior strictly; arranging worship of the Deity by the sincere devotees who will not take any remuneration and who follow the Vaiṅñava principles. I do not know how many devotees are staying there for taking *prasādam* , but I want at least 25 devotees to stay there regularly for taking *prasādam* , occasionally holding festivals also for distributing *prasādam* 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 Māyāpur we are doing the same thing, and we have just taken on another place, Haridaspur, the place of Haridāsa Ṃhākura. 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|Kashi Babu, 24 March, 1976]]) ==76-05 "You mentioned that the chief minister of Haryana promised to give me land in Kurukṅetra for constructing our project there, but where is his letter? We must have this in writing.== **You mentioned that there is not much land available next to the Bengali temple. That will not suit us. In any case send me a site sketch of the available land, giving length and breadth. However, we do not want some land on one side of the canal and some land on the other side of the canal. All the land must be in one piece, together, not separately. If the government gives us 30 acres of land then we shall attempt, otherwise, let it be postponed. We are not anxious to construct next to the Bengali temple, but send the dimensions of the available land in any case." ([[letters/1976/760520_manager_of_bank_of_america|Gopāla Kṛṅña, 20 May, 1976]]) ==76-05 "The devotees must learn Hindi, as many as possible, and take citizenship. What about the Parliament? They were going to raise the question about our men coming to stay in India indefinitely, but I have heard nothing further in this connection."== ([[letters/1976/760526_yasomatinandana|Girirāja, 26 May, 1976]]) ==76-06 "Our plan is to be presented in the following way: this is for beautifying the park. Our temple is not sectarian. Just as any beautiful spot is attractive to the public, so all members of the public will be invited to come. We shall decorate the park very nicely, and it will be open for all nations, and all sects.== Take it from the beauty side. What is the harm? Suppose that a statue is in a museum, does it mean sectarian? It will glorify Vedic culture, so why the corporation will not agree with our plan? (Of course, the Deity must be there.) It will be open to the public and we will invite tourists from all over the world. It shall be an artistic exhibition. And we shall spend any amount of money to make it an attractive spot for world tourists. So try for the sanctioning by all means. Somehow or other, by flattery or whatever, get it sanctioned. It is very important. Convince them it is beautifying the park. And we shall please the corporation, the municipality, in every respect. It is a cultural presentation, not a temple, and it will attract many visitors. Convince them on this point. Also, what about the corner house, on the corner of the park? You can make inquiries concerning this as well." ([[letters/1976/760607_gargamuni|Abhirāma dāsa, 7 June, 1976]]) *** 76-06 "South India is a good field for our books. The library party of Mahābuddhi and Bhugarbha are doing very nicely. ==Indeed there is a good potential or better, for our books in Indian libraries and universities== . Try to get them visa extension or do the needful in this connection to see that this program goes on increasing. This program is very much encouraging to me." ([[letters/1976/760626_manager_american_express_international|Gopāla Kṛṅña, 26 June, 1976]]) *** 76-06 "Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter with enclosed reviews and I thank you very much. The reviews were particularly important. Why don't you try to arrange with India to extend visa somehow or other? ==I am very much encouraged by the efforts and== response that you are getting from the universities and libraries. Indeed, the field is as good or better than the USA for this type of work.== That is nice even if the libraries are taking only 6 volumes per year. The libraries that you mentioned: associated with the Ministry of External Affairs, Education, Information and Broadcasting, Defense, and Indian council for cultural relations, they can all take our books. Let them see the certificates given by all these big, big professors. I remember when I sold the first one volume personally to the Archeological University. I sold them personally long ago. Now you must work conjointly with the other library men in India. Don't let there be undue competition amongst our men. Do combinedly, it is very much encouraging to me. You can let Vrindaban De work Orissa and W. Bengal and Bihar, and when I go back I shall see how he's working. I am giving him a chance so let me see how he's done. For the time being at least, let him do it until I return. Now import the books which are needed to carry on supplying all your orders. Gopāla Kṛṅña says that he has secured the needed license from Maharashtra government. It is a very good report so continue to work enthusiastically." ([[letters/1976/760626_manager_american_express_international|Mahābuddhi and library party, 26 June, 1976]]) ==76-07 "There is a great future for making standing orders in India undoubtedly. So now this program must go on very nicely and Kṛṅña will give you all support.== **In Kurukṅetra University, we gave some books to the Vice-chancellor. Please inquire what is their decision concerning taking books and standing order. Thank you very much for the enclosed reviews from the Indian scholars." ([[letters/1976/760717_damodara_pandita|Abhinanda dāsa, 17 July, 1976]]) ==76-09 "In answer to your question as to why the Indian population is so slack in spiritual life: during the British rule there was a secret policy by the British to cut down the Vaiṅñava civilisation in India. There was a confidential policy by the British government== to kill India's original culture and everything Indian was condemned. From the very beginning they took this position. In our childhood and boyhood we had to read some book by a Mr. Ghose called, *England's Work in India* . The purport was that we are uncivilized and the British had come to make us civilized. Later on the policy became successful because in our childhood days any anglicised gentleman was considered to be advanced in civilization. In Calcutta the Chowringee quarters were known as the English quarters and the neighborhood places were maintained very nicely. The Indian quarters were known as native quarters therefore even in our own city there was such a division as English quarters and native quarters. Anyway this policy became successful when our leaders took them as fact. Mahatma Gandhi wanted to refute this white prestigious position but he also failed because he did not understand spiritual culture or God consciousness. During the Moslem time, although sometimes fanatically, there were some cases of breaking the temple, but there was no such policy to kill the Indian culture. On account of this during the Moslem period even during the time of Aurangzeb there were Indian Princes and political leaders like Sivaji and Jaya Singh. So it is a long process how Indians, especially educated Indians, have become victimized by the slowly deteriorating position of Indian culture, but there is no use tracing out the history but generally we have lost our own culture and our leaders are not very serious to revive our own culture to the point. But still the mass of people, not being very much advanced in education, stick to the Indian culture. For example, *lakhs* of people still visit Jagannātha Purī during the Ratha-yātrā Festival, *lakhs* still visit the Kumbhamelā, and *lakhs* still visit the holy places of India, but there is no encouragement by the leaders. It is only a continuation of the original culture. So there is no hopelessness; if we revive Kṛṅña consciousness in a systematic way, within a very short time we can revive our original Indian culture on the basis of the teachings of Lord Kṛṅña and the *Bhagavad-gītā* . So we have to work very hard for this purpose and if you follow the path of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu it will be very easily done." ([[letters/1976/760918_dr._b.n._shukla|Gaura Govinda Mahārāja, 18 September, 1976]]) *** 76-12 The preaching work you are doing is very good. Continue this program enthusiastically and increase your number of company. You have to create devotees by your preaching work and train them according to your needs. ==Kṛṅña has given you and your companions a very nice responsibility. If you like you can go all over India and make it more and more in that way. Try to distribute Hindi and other vernacular literature.== Do not depend on outside help. Also, for financial support depend on Kṛṅña . That is preaching success. People's appreciation will be practical when they help you financially also. Also, book distribution. We are maintaining our huge establishment by selling books. That is wanted. In foreign countries they are distributing huge quantities of books. Money is needed, that you have to collect. You can't expect money from outside. That is not successful preaching." ([[letters/1976/761214_gurukrpa|Lokanātha, 14 December, 1976]]) ## Vṛndāvana ==67-03 "Regarding your question about the inhabitants of Vrajabhumi or Vṛndāvana, it is to be understood that Vṛndāvana is the original abode of Lord Kṛṅña as He is the original Personality of Godhead. In that transcendental plane He has His transcendental associates in different exchanges of humor." ([[letters/1967/670321_satsvarupa|Satsvarūpa, 21 March, 1967]]) ==67-08 "Any of our students who wish to learn more about the Goswami literatures will have the greatest facilities for living here at Vṛndāvana, free of boarding, lodging, and tuition.== * * This has been offered by my Godbrother Swami Bon Mahārāja, at his Institute of Oriental Philosophy. I've got his official letter in this regard, and I shall be glad if some of the students volunteer to come to India and learn the Vaiṅñava philosophy at a recognized institution." ([[letters/1967/670824_gurudasa|* SPL to Mukunda, 24 August, 1967]]) ==67-09 "Regarding your work in the temple by painting, wherever you remain, if you are fully absorbed in your transcendental work for Kṛṅña consciousness that place is eternally Vṛndāvana—it is the consciousness that creates Vṛndāvana. The Lord remains in the hearts of every living entity. He lives in the heart of a hog, and the hog lives in the filthy place. That does not mean that the Lord lives in a filthy place. The Lord lives always inconceivably in His transcendental abode. Similarly, a fully Kṛṅña conscious person lives always in the pastimes of Lord Kṛṅña by such consciousness only. The material atmosphere is no impediment for continuing our Kṛṅña consciousness in any circumstance."== ([[letters/1967/670909_jadurani|Jadurāñī, 9 September, 1967]]) ==67-09 *== "If in the meantime your London branch is opened then I shall stop in London before going to USA. We have tremendous task before us. Vṛndāvana is an inspiration only but our real field of work is all over the world. Even if I die you are my future hopes and you will do it. I am feeling very much for you all." (Rayarāma, 10 August, 1967) *** 67-12 "I am very glad that you are prepared to go to Vṛndāvana. Many students, boys and girls are also prepared here to go to Vṛndāvana. I am just in negotiation for a good place for you and as soon as it is fixed up, we shall go to Vṛndāvana, at least one dozen students. Acyutānanda and Rāmānuja had very good reception and they are planning to preach Kṛṅña consciousness and to open a branch there, and I have encouraged them in that idea. ==My dream is that at least one dozen students shall remain in Vṛndāvana and, trained up nicely and sent for preaching work all over the world.== *" (SPL to Madhusūdana, December, 1967) *** 68-03 "Vṛndāvana is of course, very ==impressive for devotional service, but that also is not advisable to remain alone. I am trying to get a nice place at Vṛndāvana and when that place is there I shall personally be present with some devotees and appreciate the atmosphere of Vṛndāvana.== So long we are engaged in devotional service with proper guidance certainly we are always in a transcendental position, and the transcendental position is unlimited; it doesn't matter whether you are in Vṛndāvana or the USA But still, for everyone, Vṛndāvana's atmosphere is very sweet. But so long we have not completely freed our material attachment, even Vṛndāvana residence becomes uncongenial. Just like in the case of Kīrtanānanda, it so happened. This seeking for solitude is simply a reaction on our past nonsense activities, or it is negation, voidism. Our sound position is always being engaged in the service of Kṛṅña; that is the positive standing." ([[letters/1968/680326_yadunandana|Yadunandana, 26 March, 1968]]) *** 69-07 "Regarding my going to Hamburg, I am writing to Kṛṅña dāsa separately, and you will understand the situation. Regarding New Vrndavana, I think we shall have many advantages here that are not in Vṛndāvana in Mathurā. ==The Vṛndāvana in Mathurā is now congested with so many worldly men. Formerly, Vṛndāvana was excavated by the Goswamis and only pure devotees were going there.== But at the present moment this has become a place for the bishoys, materialists, and in the interior part of Vṛndāvana there are so many rogues and robbers. Formerly, a devotee could live peacefully in any corner of Vṛndāvana; it is about 180 square miles but now if somebody lives in some secluded corner he will be attacked by so many rogues and robbers. Perhaps you know there is a place known as Nandagram, wherein Bon Mahārāja has got a place. I have heard that it is very nice, but nobody can live there securely. So at least in New Vṛndāvana I hope there will be no such disturbances. If we nicely organize as it is going on now, only selected persons will live there and peacefully cultivate Kṛṅña consciousness." ([[letters/1969/690704_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 4 July, 1969]]) ==70-02 "It is correct that Nanda, Kṛṅña, the gopas and gopīs left Gokula to move to Vṛndāvana. There is no discrepancy because the whole area of Mathurā is known as Vṛndāvana. *== * Every place there is known as Vṛndāvana, but there are different quarters. Some of the gopīs were detained, not allowed to go see Kṛṅña, we accept that the gopīs danced with Kṛṅña anyway, and they went in their spiritual body. Whatever was detained was material body." ([[letters/1970/700222_pradyumna|Dāmodara, 22 February, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "Regarding your question why does the moon appear in pictures of Kṛṅña yet ==the abode of Kṛṅña is described as having no need of sunlight or moonlight, the answer is that these pictures show Kṛṅña as He appeared in Vṛndāvana 5,000 years ago.== It may be understood therefore that it is the moon of this world which is seen along with Kṛṅña in these pictures." (SPL to Indrānī, July 26th, 1970) ==71-11 "I am currently in Vṛndāvana with a party of 40 devotees, and we are having daily parikrama of the holy places.== We shall return to Delhi tomorrow by coach. The officials and residents of Vṛndāvana have greeted us very nicely, and they are simply astounded to see our *saṭkīrtana* party chanting with great jubilation through the city streets. The Mayor has publicly proclaimed that I have done something wonderful, and practically speaking, they realize that before I went to the Western countries no one there knew about Vṛndāvana. Now hundreds of visitors and hippies from your country come here to see Kṛṅña's place. The Vṛndāvana devotees have understood that Vṛndāvana is now world-famous due to my preaching work, so they are all very much appreciating their hometown Swamiji." ([[letters/1971/711130_chairman_of_municipal_committee_of_vindavan|Rūpānuga, 30 November, 1971]]) ==72-02 "I have just now received your letter, and I thank you very much for understanding our philosophy correctly. Yes, if one is always engaged in following the orders of the spiritual master, even in hell, that is Vaikuñṃha or Vṛndāvana."== ([[letters/1972/720215_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 15 February, 1972]]) *** 72-05 "Regarding a pilgrimage to Vṛndāvana, yes, that is a good proposal, everyone can go in a group to Vṛndāvana for a few days and then altogether return. But the program in Bombay should not be hampered by everyone leaving. So you can plan accordingly, but the program in Bombay is the important thing, never mind vacations or pilgrimages if they will interfere with our work there == *.== We are not tourists, but if a trip to Vṛndāvana will enhance spiritual life of the devotees without interfering with our Bombay program then it will be all right to go there for a short time,* hold nice *saṭkīrtana* widely throughout the city, and return altogether." (SPL to Girirāja, May 28th, 1972) 72-07 "Regarding the Cox and Kings proposal, that is very nice. I have no idea about Haridvāra and Hṛikeśa. I think Acyutānanda was there, along with Harivilāsa. But our point is that ==the tourists may concentrate in Vṛndāvana with us, live with us, and learn from us the spiritual life. What is the use of wandering here and there, simply seeing this and that and going home? Our main business is to teach them Kṛṅña consciousness.*" ([[letters/1972/720714_rsabhadeva|Gurudāsa, 14 July, 1972]]) ==72-08 "Regarding the visa problem in Vṛndāvana, if you always remain very careful with the authorities there, then we shall have no problems in the future. But if there is even one incident or scandalous rumor, that may ruin everything."== ([[letters/1972/720801_batu_gopala|Gurudāsa, 1 August, 1972]]) *** 72-08 "Now you please remain there and jointly help Gurudāsa and the other two Indian boys and hold as much as you can *kīrtana* and discourses widely all over the Vṛndāvana village. Take help from Viśvambhara Goswami and the other good Godbrothers and ==make our presence in Vṛndāvana very impressive and prestigious, and that will be the greatest service. That is my advice. Keep your prestige very nicely there in Vṛndāvana== . Follow the principle of leading *saṭkīrtana* party every day from Rādhā-Dāmodara Mandira to our new place in Raman Reti. And wherever possible hold *kīrtana* and speak in Bengali and English. If you are able to have such engagement from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, do that" ([[letters/1972/720805_bali-mardana|Acyutānanda, 5 August, 1972]]) ==72-08 "Have a European preaching center and try to enlist all the hippies and tourists who come to Vṛndāvana. Give them nice prasādam, engage them in chanting, cleaning the temple, reading our books, and give them all facilities for becoming devotees." ([[letters/1972/720811_gangadevi|Gurudāsa and Yamunā, 11 August, 1972]]) *** 72-11 "If you are serious to be an important assistant in our Society you should fully engage yourself in translation work, and do not mix yourself with my so-called Godbrothers. ==As there are in Vṛndāvana some residents like monkeys and hogs, similarly there are many rascals in the name of Vaiṅñavas, be careful of them. And do not dare to question imprudently before your spiritual master. Further talks we may discuss when we meet.*" ([[letters/1972/721121_joshiji|Niraïjana, 21 November, 1972]]) *** 73-01 "Most of the money collected in India has been deposited in my Bhaktivedanta Book Trust fund for printing and purchasing books for distribution in India == *.== Actually, our main business in this shall be to distribute our books profusely. Māyāpur, Vṛndāvana, these temples shall be utilized for the most part by foreigners.* So far the work in India of spreading Kṛṅña consciousness, there are already millions of temples, so what shall our two more temples accomplish for spreading Krsna consciousness? They are meant for the foreigners and big life members. But our emphasis for preaching work will be on these books. Just as I introduced this life membership program based entirely on books, so you and other leaders here in India meet together or correspond frequently to devise more and more methods for introducing our literatures to the Indian public. That is the most important business." ([[letters/1973/730103_prabhavisnu|Bhavānanda, 3 January, 1973]]) *** 73-07 "So by your diligent work and devotion, all permission is secured and all materials are on hand. Let us pray to Krsna for speedy progress on the construction of our Kṛṅña Balarāma temple ==*.== Now many of our American and European devotees are coming to our temple in Māyāpur and on completion of the Vṛndāvana temple we shall be able to give facilities to our ISKCON devotees all over the world to visit these two most holy places in the world." ([[letters/1973/730704_gurudasa|Gurudāsa, 4 July, 1973]]) *** 73-08 'Tour idea to get our men made as official government guides is nice, also if the government agrees to build one or two rooms in our temple that will be good. If respectable gentlemen become interested in our Kṛṅña conscious movement then our temple in Vṛndāvana will stand first, because all other temples in Vṛndāvana gather general mass of people without philosophical understanding. So 50 years ago some Christian priest went to Vṛndāvana and inquired from many residents why Kṛṅña enjoyed *rasa* dance with another's wife which is against the Vedic principle, but nobody could satisfy him. On this point my Guru Mahārāja said that Vṛndāvana is inhabited by neophyte devotees. ==So we wish our temple will be able to reply anyone in the matter of Kṛṅña consciousness, then many modern philosophers and scientists will come to Vṛndāvana, that will be very much prestigious.*" ([[letters/1973/730815_jagadisa|Tejyas, 15 August, 1973]]) *** 74-01 "Thousands of people go to Vṛndāvana daily. They make the arrangement of visiting so many holy places. Arrangement should be made. If we have no place, still there is no scarcity of place in Vṛndāvana. There are hundreds of *dharmaśāla* . The *pāñòa* will arrange for the *dharmaśāla* for three days, namely the 12th, 13th and 14th. The pilgrims shall stay there for three days. Buses should be engaged to take the devotees one day to Govardhana and Rādhā-kuñòa, Nandagram and Barsana. The other day, Douji and another day to some other places. From *dharmaśāla* the buses will take the devotees to visiting places and then come back to their respective *dharmaśāla ==.== * ==If there is a little inconvenience, still the devotees must visit Vṛndāvana.== In Mathurā there are *dharmaśālas* of Kṛṅña-janma-bhūmi and Jaya Dayāl Dalmia constructed just for foreigners. Arrangement should be made with the help of the *pāñòa* ." ([[letters/1974/740117_gurudasa|Gurudāsa, 17 January, 1974]]) ==74-03 "0ur Vṛndāvana temple is perhaps our nicest building in the whole movement and I want at least twenty-five good men here at all times.== Because it is Vṛndāvana, those who come should be exemplary so that all the people of Vṛndāvana, even those who would be prone to criticize, will see that we are actually following the six Goswamis headed by Rūpa Goswami. I want that those who come here, whether *grhasthas* or *sannyāsīs,* behave on the level of real *gosvāmīs* . Goswami means controlling the senses and always glorifying Kṛṅña by varieties of engagement in devotional service twenty-four hours a day. You may write to Gurudāsa further about your plans." ([[letters/1974/740323_damodara|Mūrti dāsa, 23 March, 1974]]) *** 74-05 "Regarding the article published *in Back to Godhead* 53, there was nothing wrong in that article rather it was the same statement as you said. =='In a holy place sins are magnified four-fold, etc.'== But some interested persons who come within this category are making malicious propaganda taking advantage of the article. Anyway, we have published a corrigendum for being published in *Back to Godhead* , the copy of which is enclosed herewith please find." ([[letters/1974/740516_bhima_krsna_dasa_sanat_kumara_nityananda_samba_joseph|Śrī Pannalalji, 16 May, 1974]]) *** 74-07 "I am spending my last two days in Australia and after this I shall go to the U.S.A. In the meantime, I wish to give you some instructions regarding our Janmāṅṃami installation in Vṛndāvana. The main thing is ==the ceremony shall be conducted by our own men. We do not have to be dependent on taking help from persons who will not even eat with us, thinking us inferior.== All over the world, in Paris, New York, Australia, etc., our men and women are worshiping the Deity very nicely and I am very proud of their worship. There is no reason why we have to think we are dependent on any Indian *gosvāmī* in order to conduct our ceremony in Vṛndāvana. So you understand this and be convinced of it, and let them come as invited but we shall conduct the affair ourselves. You can also arrange to have the Govinda dramatical players and our own players as well. There should be abundant *prasādam* for whoever comes all day long. The kitchen should go on. So see there is sufficient stock of rice, attar, ghee, etc. The life members should be especially cared for and invited. We shall manage our own affairs. If they come that is good but if not we shall manage. From our side everything should be done nicely. All big officers in Mathurā and Vṛndāvana should be invited. Goswamis and Godbrothers also. Also invite local Marwaris and invite Parthak also. Practically by distributing a general invitation card we shall invite everyone. All the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana will be invited to come and see the Deity and take *prasādam* . There should be special arrangements for life members, Mr. Birla and many other respectable visitors. There is no question of money. Let it be first-class, 1-A arrangement. Kṛṅña will provide all expenditures so try to make it gorgeous. Gorgeous means sufficient stock of *prasādam* and temple decorations as gorgeous as possible. The internal management of dressing can be done by Yamunā, Madira and Jayatīrtha, they are all expert. The *śāstric* direction can be from Pradyumna." ([[letters/1974/740701_gurudasa|Gurudāsa, 1 July, 1974]]) ==74-11 "I am glad to note that the Home Minister is looking into the visa problem for our men. The idea is that we are spending so much for constructing these projects but no local Indians are coming forward to join us. So who will manage these projects? We require the foreigners to manage. In Vṛndāvana we will keep at least 50 foreigners."== ([[letters/1974/741115_atreya_rsi|Dhanaïjaya dāsa, 15 November, 1974]]) *** 75-05 "I was very much encouraged by this nice report you have given. Continue to organize the guest house. This is very important. Do it very nicely with the cooperation of Dr. Verma. In the evening, you must have many varieties of first-class, ghee-cooked preparations offered to the Deity and you can sell the *prasāda* . The L.A. standard is good, but still you should have a better standard. You should make *kacoris, samosā* , etc. If it is required, a professional confectioner may be employed. The Deity worship must be done very gorgeously == *.== The twenty-four hour chanting is very encouraging to me.* Please continue all as I have given you. I have full faith in both of you." ([[letters/1975/750526_hasyakari|Akśayānanda Swami and Dhanaïjaya, 26 May, 1975]]) ==75-06 "That is nice that Upendra wants to stay and is calling for his family. Anyone who can stay permanently is welcome. I want that as many devotees stay permanently and become Brijabasīs. That will be very inspiring."== (SPL to Dhanaïjaya dāsa, 1975) 76-06 'I have received information that some of our devotees are mixing with the *bābājīs* in Vṛndāvana. This has produced so many problems amongst our men and women who visit Vṛndāvana. Here in Los Angeles, we have found that there is a group of about 40 devotees who privately meet to discuss the intimate pastimes artificially thinking that they can enter into the understanding of the *gopīs* prematurely. This will create havoc in our Society, and the result will be that if this is allowed to go on, our preaching work will be greatly hampered. This premature desire to understand the *līlā* of Kṛṅña is due to mundane sex-life desire as we have seen amongst many of the *bābājīs* and *sahajiyās* in Vṛndāvana. Our Jagannātha dāsa came back from Vṛndāvana asking me that he had heard some *bābājī* speaking about *siddha-deha* and he also was listening to these *bābājīs* . So I want this immediately stopped. If it continues, this mixing with the *bābājīs* , then it will mean spoiling. ==In many cases, these bābājīs keep 2 or 3 women. Asatsaṭga tyāgī. Their association is to be avoided and prohibited amongst all of our devotees who visit Vṛndāvana.*"== ([[letters/1976/760607_gargamuni|Nitāi, 7 June, 1976]]) *** 76-06 "In your letter to me of May 4, 1976 from Vṛndāvana you said; concerning the Taparia house, Dhanaïjaya and his wife and other *grhasthas* will live on that land (house)....Three or four *brahmacārīnis* who are working on the *mukhats* can also live there.' You suggested like this, so if some women can live there, why not all? ==Somehow or other, the guesthouse must be freed from all encumbrances. It will be absolutely used by guests. I have received reliable reports that on account of the devotees staying there, guests were sometimes refused places because all the rooms were taken up by the devotees there.== Also, the fact that the *mukhat* business takes up 8-10 rooms is very bad. The guest house cannot be occupied by anything. It is already spoiled, and they must move. Why there are so many women in Vṛndāvana? Vṛndāvana is meant for retirement, elderly persons in Krsna consciousness can devote all their time to devotional service. Such men are wanted to live in Vṛndāvana, not women and children. That is a fact, the holy *dhāmas* are meant for the *sannyāsīs* and *brahmacārīs* especially. If necessary, the management must be done by *sannyāsīs* and *brahmacārīs* , not *grhasthas* ." ([[letters/1976/760609_tarun_kanti_ghosh| *SPL to Gop* ā*la Kṛṅña, 9 June, 1976]]) *** 76-11 "I am very happy to hear that you are going to Poland. Baradrāja also speaks Polish. He may come there sometimes if it can be arranged. Śrī Garbha's wife doesn't have to go to Māyāpur, she may go to the farm in France, it is very nice there. Or she may go to any of our farms. The preaching in Poland is the first consideration. Vṛndāvana is being managed somehow or other. Akśayānanda has one man who is collecting very well (Rs. 15,000-20,000 per month). Vṛndāvana is becoming self-dependent. If you can preach vigorously in Poland it will be a great asset. You may come to Vṛndāvana if you like, but preaching in Poland is my greater interest. So, now Vṛndāvana is somehow being managed. Now the most important work is that side in the Communist countries. If you can do something there, it is more than if you come here. Our business is to glorify Kṛṅña as the Lord of Vṛndāvana and to popularize Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu's Hare Kṛṅña movement. I was a resident in Vṛndāvana, but at the age of 70 I tried to preach Kṛṅña consciousness a little bit and now this Institution has come out. So, I think ==it is more profitable to preach about the Master of Vṛndāvana, Kṛṅña, outside of Vṛndāvana. A devotee of Kṛṅña can create Vṛndāvana everywhere by preaching the glories of Kṛṅña.== There are many sahajiyās who imitate Rūpa Goswami not to go out of Vṛndāvana, but Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained always outside Vṛndāvana for preaching purposes, although He is the master of Vṛndāvana personally. I have no objection to your coming to Vṛndāvana, but as you have accepted the *sannyāsa* order, it is more important to preach about Vṛndāvana rather than to come to Vṛndāvana. I am getting older and older and it is getting difficult for me, therefore I am requesting all my younger disciples to preach all over the world. Otherwise, you are always welcome in Vṛndāvana. I have no objection." ([[letters/1976/761118_satsvarupa|Gurudāsa, 18 November, 1976]]) ==77-02 "Your suggestion that the devotees visiting Vṛndāvana engage in preaching and chanting and not in gossiping is very good. I have instructed that this be taken to the GBC and implanted. *== * We have sacrificed our life for Kṛṅña's service, where there scope for sleeping and gossiping? You can see in my example, not a single moment is wasted. This idleness is the business of the *karmīs* . They can be seen sitting in the park gossiping, 'My son in law said this, this man has cheated me.' But it has no place in devotional service, so your suggestion is well made. Your suggestion for groups teaching practical subjects like book distribution, Deity worship, is also good. These things are wanted." ([[letters/1977/770205_gurudasa|Gurudāsa, 5 February, 1977]]) ## Māyāpur and Calcutta 69-07 "But there is another program: ==Bhaktivinoda Ṃhākura desired that American disciples would come to Māyāpur to take advantage of the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I wanted to make one American home there,== and I asked for a piece of land there from my Godbrother, Tīrtha Mahārāja. He has simply acknowledged receipt of my letter and there has been no other reply as of yet. In the meantime, Acyutānanda has given hope of purchasing land there. If we purchase some land, it may be that some American people will construct a nice temple there and a home for American visitors. So what is your idea if we purchase some land there? But if we do something there, it must be done very nicely. Otherwise it will be an insult to your people who are so rich. People must go there to see the American home and the American devotees. That is my idea. I shall be glad to know your opinion about this." ([[letters/1969/690711_gopala_krsna|Brahmānanda, 11 July, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "When you go to India, as you asked me for something to do, and also as you have an inclination to construct a temple somewhere in India, ==I would request you to consider if you can construct a temple at the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. *== * My disciple, Acyutānanda, is already there in search after a suitable land for developing an American home for the Kṛṅña conscious devotees, and when you go to India, if you cooperate with him, it will be a grand success. He is alone there, and when you go you will be two, and maybe another two American disciples may go there so jointly you can develop a nice center for the foreign students who may go to visit the holy birthplace of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I think if you can organize it nicely there, maybe some other Americans may come and contribute for a nice temple. So keep these things in your mind. It is a hint for your work in India, and you can think this scheme over conveniently." ([[letters/1969/690711_gopala_krsna|Gopāla Kṛṅña, 11 July, 1969]]) *** 70-02 " ==I want to start a center in India at the birth site of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu especially for accommodating non-Indian students for taking lessons in this great transcendental art.== When Indian young men will see that foreign students from England, America, Canada, Australia etc. are taking interest in the spiritual left by *ācāryas* headed by Lord Kṛṅña, then naturally they will also take part. It will be a great expensive job, but still if one half the expense is borne by the Indians, I shall manage to send the other half from America and Europe. As your good self has voluntarily offered some service on account of this Kṛṅña consciousness movement, I shall be very much pleased if you kindly consider this proposal." ([[letters/1970/700205_hanuman_prasad_poddar|Hanuman Prasad Poddar, 5 February, 1970]]) *** 71-08 "I learned from other members of our Society that you kindly sometimes visit our Māyāpur 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 Māyāpur 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 Dīnesh Babu, August 14th, 1971) 72-07 "Why you shall send Māyāpur a monthly allowance? The plan was that Calcutta or Tamāla Kṛṅña was to maintain Māyāpur. How is it Calcutta is not sending collections to Bombay? Unless they send their collections you cannot pay them anything. Bhavānanda and yourself, you consult and do the needful. Why everything is referred to me? ==I instructed that Calcutta should support Māyāpur. Otherwise what is the use of maintaining such big establishment in Calcutta?*"== ([[letters/1972/720713_yadubara|Girirāja, 13 July, 1972]]) *** 72-07 "So far the speakers for Ratha-yātrā are concerned, that is all right, but it is also a good idea to offset their nonsense by our own speakers. Yes, we should stand in our position and defy all nonsense propositions. Our *māth* in Māyāpur is not for Bengalis, the *māth* is for you foreigners, to give you facility for offering respects to Lord Caitanya. I have notified Karandhara to send you the ten *Kṛṅña* books as you have requested, but in future I want at least two signatures to be there. One thing is, I have heard that Jayapatākā is requesting Girirāja that Bombay should send maintenance allowance to Māyāpur monthly. But I instructed in the beginning that Calcutta should maintain Māyāpur. Also, you are not sending your collections regularly to Bombay, so how they can support you? If Bombay is maintaining, what are others doing, eating and sleeping? Why does Jayapatākā want allowance? Anyone who cannot collect money, they should go to Māyāpur and live there and simply eat and sleep, like women and widows. I shall arrange for their eating and sleeping. But in cities, those should live who can collect and earn. The widows are not earning in Hindu society, they eat and sleep at others' expense. So if you are not able to earn in Calcutta, better all go to Māyāpur and eat and sleep and I shall accomodate all widows, women, and others at Māyāpur and Vṛndāvana. Otherwise why should we maintain such large establishment in Calcutta simply for eating and sleeping and spending. These two places will be reserved for those who cannot collect. For them I am making provision. ==Only the active members who can collect, they shall live in the city. Eating, sleeping members, they shall live in Māyāpur, that's all.== As soon as the first residence is finished, no more cash will be sent, only books. Therefore, you must work very hard to sell the books. Not that money will come from somewhere and we shall eat and sleep and so-called chanting. We must work hard like *karmīs* , but not for sense gratification but for Kṛṅña....Formerly, I told that Calcutta should support Māyāpur. So whoever can take charge of both, he should be president. You should discuss these things amongst yourselves. Simply taking title of president will not help....Whether you can deal with so many problems? I am receiving so many letters daily from Calcutta. The temple officers are appointed to minimize my time, not increase it with so many letters. Best to stop expanding, or if you cannot raise funds there, close up the Calcutta center. It is not that the officers should be expert in one field only, they should be expert in everything." ([[letters/1972/720714_rsabhadeva|Bhavānanda, 14 July, 1972]]) *** 72-07 "Regarding funds, we are supplying for building purposes from here, but if there is emergency, then Girirāja can help. But for the present we are sending whenever you have requested. But your form of requesting has not been as we had arranged, therefore there has been delay. I told you at least two must sign, but in the last request from Bhavānanda, even he did not sign, the letter was not even signed by one person! Try to be very careful in these matters at all times, we are doing very responsible work. And so far the maintenance, Calcutta is taking care, so there is no problem. Yes, you are correct, all membership and book collections shall be sent to Bombay, donations for maintenance may be kept there and spent locally, unless they are very sizeable, then they can go to Bombay. Very soon you will be receiving many, many books. I shall instruct Girirāja to send you as many books as you shall require for selling there for raising funds for Māyāpur project. I do not wish to send more funds from here, but we shall send you free of charge many books and the whole money collected from them may be spent in building. ==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 Māyāpur 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. Mālatī 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_giriraja|Jayapatākā, 30 July, 1972]]) *** 72-07 "If you make it a first-class temple, there will be no lack of visitors for preaching, you will never even have to leave that place for preaching. And if you serve nice *prasādam* , the whole of India will come. So stick to our principles very rigidly, and everyone will come to see these American Vaiṅñavas. ==I want that we shall excell the Caitanya Maṃha. They have been struggling for the last 50 years, and we shall surpass them in two years. We are working two shifts of labor: that is American style of doing things. I am very pleased if you can continue in this manner of American style.== But if you do not, then I shall remain on the same level, then it is a great discredit to the Americans. But if I defeat my godbrothers, then I am worthy to be called the guru of the Americans. Even there is competition in spiritual life." ([[letters/1972/720730_giriraja|Jayapatākā, 30 July, 1972]]) *** 72-08 "I am very, very much pleased to hear about the progress in Māyāpur, and this working with one hundred men both day and night is the American style. ==If you do something wonderful at Māyāpur that will be my credit and I can truly be called the guru of the Americans. But if you do not do anything there, then that will be a great discredit for me and I will not defeat my Godbrothers as I desire.== So practically I am depending completely upon you in both these cases to finish up the Māyāpur business in grand style and to get a good start in Vṛndāvana. That will be very much to your credit." ([[letters/1972/720801_batu_gopala|Tamāla Kṛṅña, 1 August, 1972]]) *** 72-08 "I have informed Bhavānanda and Tamāla Kṛṅña Goswami that they must try to increase the distribution of prasādam program in Māyāpur, otherwise, as you have told me, the authorities of your country may revoke their foodstuff donation." ([[letters/1972/720801_batu_gopala|Gurudāsa, 1 August, 1972]]) *** 72-08 "One thing is, I have just now heard from Gurudāsa that the American government agency which is providing us the foodstuffs for Māyāpur is prepared to give us much, much more provided we fully utilize what they have already given. And I am informed by Gurudāsa that the distribution program in Māyāpur is not very widespread. Why you have neglected this very important program? ==I want that you shall distribute prasādam at least to hundreds of persons daily, and advertise very widely ad over Nadia Province for people to come there and take prasādam daily without charge.== Otherwise the whole thing is a farce. We have worked so hard for so long to get this foodstuff donated by your government and now we are neglecting? And if you expand this program to their satisfaction, they will give so much more of different varieties of foodstuffs and we can expand this program widely throughout India and become very much popular with the people as a whole. So try to expand this program as much as possible at Māyāpur and let me know." ([[letters/1972/720801_batu_gopala|Bhavānanda, 1 August, 1972]]) *** 73-01 "Most of the money collected in India has been deposited in my Bhaktivedanta Book Trust fund for printing and purchasing books for distribution in India == *.== Actually, our main business in this shall be to distribute our books profusely. Māyāpur, Vṛndāvana, these temples shall be utilized for the most part by foreigners.* So far the work in India of spreading Kṛṅña consciousness, there are already millions of temples, so what shall our two more temples accomplish for spreading Kṛṅña consciousness? They are meant for the foreigners and big life members. But our emphasis for preaching work will be on these books. Just as I introduced this life membership program based entirely on books, so you and other leaders here in India meet together or correspond frequently to devise more and more methods for introducing our literatures to the Indian public. That is the most important business." ([[letters/1973/730103_prabhavisnu|Bhavānanda, 3 January, 1973]]) *** 73-02 "While travelling here to Melbourne I was thinking how wonderful our Māyāpur project is and how it can be developed in the future == *.== I want that Māyāpur be self-sufficient by having its own production of grains, vegetables, fruits and milk products etc., to the extent that you will be able to feed at least 500 men daily. This will be better than trying to arrange for maintenance funds to come from outside.* So we can make some scheme for purchasing sufficient quantity of land. The land there is very fertile and if our men can manage the program then we can go ahead. The low land we can purchase at Rs. 600/-per bigha and the high land at Rs. 800/-per bigha. So now you all make inquiries for purchasing as much land as we shall require and immediately inform me how much money shall be required." (*SPL to Tamāla Kṛṅña, Jayapatākā, Bhavānanda and Gargamuni, 10th February, 1973) 74-10 *"Here at Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, Śrīla Prabhupāda gave further impetus to the main temple project. It will be a 30 story skyscraper temple based on the following verse of Brahmā Samhitā:* There will be the main temple that will extend upwards the full 30 stories, as well as different levels depicted in doll tableaus, first the material world, *Devī dhama* ; then *Maheśa dhama* , then *Vaikuntha dhama* , and finally Goloka Vṛndāvana. Already a competent engineering firm in Calcutta, which is the only firm in India to use an IBM computer in its calculations, has been contacted for making the foundation. 'It will not be difficult,' assured Śrīla Prabhupāda. He further revealed, 'I have named this temple ŚrīMāyāpur Candrodaya Mandīra, the Rising Moon of Māyāpur. Now make it rise, bigger and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this moonshine will be spread all over the world. All over India they will come to see. From all over the world they will come... Kṛṅña will supply the money. Don't bother. The money will come either locally or from USA.' When informed that the government here will pay 2/3 of the cost for road and bridge development if 1/3 is put up locally, Prabhupāda said we should immediately inform them that he wall put up 1 crore (dollars 1 million), and they can give 2 crores to develop the entire Māyāpur area. He wants roads, parks, gardens, like the descriptions of Dvārakā in the *Kṛṅña* book. Prabhupāda personally surveyed the sites for a large lake as well as the second residential building. He called for a wall with a large front gate to be built. Work on a spacious kitchen complex near the Bhaktisiddhānta Road is progressing, but Prabhupāda ordered that a second story should be added so that women and householders can live there and that the kitchen operation in the present residential building be moved there so that additional guest rooms can be added in the present kitchen and women's quarters. A $25,000 Prasādam Distribution Pavilion attached to the new kitchen complex will also be built. Gargamuni Swami has pledged half the cost, and Hamsadūta Prabhu has sent $4,000 from Germany and promises more. One thousand people will be able to be served *prasāda* at one sitting. Turning to philosophy, Prabhupāda had some things to say about his godbrothers. 'He is just sitting on Caitanya Mahāprabhu's birthplace waiting for people to come and give money. He has taken that now this is his own hereditary property. He has taken it that he and Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvati Ṃhākura were associated together in an enterprise, and now that the senior partner is gone, it is his property. We should make a scheme so that everybody will come here and not there. We are not competing with Yoga Pitha but with the proprietor of Yoga Pitha. Actually the birthplace of the Lord is not as important as the place of His activities. Kurukṅetra is more important than Mathurā because the whole world knows the *Bhagavad-gītā* . It is because of the activities of the Lord that people take interest in His birthplace. The *karma* is more important than the *janma* . Even when Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was present people went to see Him at Jagannātha Purī, but they did not come to His birthplace because His activity was more important than His birthplace. To His birthplace we offer our *namaskars* , but from the place of His activities we get inspiration. And what was the Lord's activity at Purī? It was preaching. Our temple must be active with preaching and not a dead place.' It was pointed out to Śrīla Prabhupāda that out of all the temples in Māyāpur our *maṭgala-āratī* at 4:15 A.M. is the first of the day and that at Caitanya Maṃha it is suspected to take place after sunrise. When asked if he wanted to see the new temple for Bhaktivinoda Ṃhākura that has been constructed near the entrance at Yoga Pitha, Prabhupāda replied, 'I do not want to see how he has made Bhaktivinoda Ṃhākura the gatekeeper.' Within our movement Māyāpur temple is the first. 'Nowhere do we have such a nice temple in such an open place,' Prabhupāda remarked on one morning walk. In Bombay a shipment of 2,000 kilos of Australian ghee has been sent by Madhudviṅa Mahārāja. It will be sold to the Indian temples and used for the festival for the opening of the Vṛndāvana temple to be held after the Gaura Pūrñima festival in April. For the Māyāpur festival ghee will be supplied by each and every devotee who comes. Everyone should bring one tin of ghee. It can be brought for personal use. I mentioned to His Divine Grace that air fares will be increased next year due to the petrol shortage, and this might affect the number of devotees who attend the Gaura Pūrñima festival. Prabhupāda asked me, 'How much foodstuffs have you eaten in your whole life?" Quite a lot I had to admit not understanding why he asked this question. 'And what is the cost of all those foodstuffs?" That I could not say. 'So, do you stop eating because there is so much cost? No. You go on eating and whatever is the cost, you spend. The principle is that if you have got money, then you can spend, but if you do not have money, then you cannot spend. So as many as possible should surely come if the money is there.' In the morning after his lecture from the Prayers of Queen Kunti in *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* Śrīla Prabhupāda takes great pleasure in the *kīrtana* with the devotees singing and dancing very nicely. The large temple area affords ample space for everyone to take part in the dancing, and as we move to and fro, up and down the temple Prabhupāda pelts us with handfuls of flowers. Afterwards he circumambulates the Deity house of Rādhā Mādhava three times, each time ringing the temple bells three times and turning around completely in front of the Deities. Your servant, Brahmānanda Swami, Personal Secretary Seen by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami" (Letter seen by Śrīla Prabhupāda to Rameśvara Prabhu, October 25th, 1974) 76-06 Navadvīpa My dear Śrīpada B.R. Śrīdhara Mahārāja, Please kindly accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Since I saw you last at Māyāpur, I left India for my 15th world tour program. From Māyāpur we went to Vṛndāvana, then on to Bombay. Then from Bombay to Melbourne, Australia, then Auckland, New Zealand, and then to Fiji Island where we have observed the foundation stone laying ceremony for our temple there, Kṛṅña-Kāliya temple. This will be the first temple on that island. There are many Indians on that island but there was no systematic temple worship so we are constructing a temple at the cost of $200,000. In the meantime, I have received one letter from Jayapatākā Mahārāja in which it informs that Mādhava Mahārāja and also possibly Dāmodara Mahārāja are making propaganda against our attempt to construct a township in Māyāpur, with the center of attraction being the 'Vedic Planetarium.' In this connection we have applied to the government for 350 acres of land and the matter is in the process. However, Dāmodara Mahārāja and Mādhava Mahārāja are trying to frustrate our attempt. I shall quote the portion from Jayapatākā's letter to me: 'After the report (request for land) was submitted, the District Magistrate sent some land officers to come here to our site to inspect the lands and their position, nature, etc. During this time the local people somehow or other came to know about the acquisition. This was mainly transmitted through Dāmodara Mahārāja initially, some persons say. Some local farmers raised a petition against the land acquisition, with about 90 signatures. Petitions for having the development plans go through are also being raised by the local people, the majority of whom support the ISKCON plan. About 2,000 should be raised in total in favor of this project. One supporter, while coming to show me his petition, with 500 signatures on it, was kidnapped and the petition was snatched away. He was taken to Mādhava Mahārāja's Maṃha doorstep and some of the local cultivators and Prabhu's of the Maṃha threatened him and demanded why he was supporting ISKCON. The supporter was now more determined to raise support in face of the rude behavior. Other persons have been also called to Mādhava Mahārāja's Maṃha and chastised for helping us. They say our mission is political and we want only the downfall of India and political power. They are so envious.' (end of quote). As a matter of fact, ==I am trying to develop a township in Māyāpur spending crores of rupees to give protection against the occasional inundation (flood) and construct a tall planetarium estimated to 300 feet high.== So why they are obstructing this program? What is the harm to them? People are already coming from all parts of the world to see Māyāpur and join in the *saṭkīrtana* movement, so if something more attractive is done, more people will come from all parts of the world. So what is their tangible objection? Of course, they cannot do all these things, it is beyond their power, but if somebody else does it, why should they be envious and obstructive to this plan? They are supposed to be very close associates of Your Holiness, so if you kindly ask them not to obstruct this program, it will be very kind of you. My program is until the middle of August, 1976, in Europe and America. In Europe we are going to open two new centers, one in Athens, Greece, and the other on Corsica, a French island. Another good news, we are selling books in Communist countries headed by Russia and Yugoslavia, and learned scholars are appreciating our books. We have published the *Bhagavad-gītā* now in so many different languages, some of which are: English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, and now Chinese language, and also Russian language is in progress. We are getting very good response, especially where Spanish and Portuguese are spoken, in South America. Please find enclosed the latest edition of our *Back to Godhead* magazine. I hope that this meets you in good health, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami" ([[letters/1976/760606_b.r._sridhara_maharaja|B.R. Śrīdhara Swami, 6 June, 1976]]) ==76-08 "We are going to have a very big project at Māyāpur. We have to acquire 350 acres of land from the government and construct a spiritual town at the expense of Rs. 200 crores. The plans and contemplations are going on in different phases, now when Caitanya Mahāprabhu will be pleased it will be taken up."== ([[letters/1976/760820_sampath_kumar|Dinesh Chandra Sarkar, 20 August, 1976]]) ==76-12 "Yes, try to make Bhāgavata Darśana a regular monthly journal. We have got enough material. Simply it has to be translated to Bengali. Either from old Back to Godheads or from our books." ([[letters/1976/761207_pancaratna|Païcaratna dāsa, 7 December, 1976]]) ==77-01 "In the meantime, what is the position of the Pānihāṃi scheme? I want you to negotiate with the municipality so that we can take over management of Rāghava Pañòita's house. Our first project will be to take pictures of this house, and then tear it down for exact reconstruction. Therefore, complete the negotiations so we can proceed. More when we meet."== ([[letters/1977/770129_ramesvara|Jayapatākā Mahārāja, 29 January, 1977]]) ## Bombay ==68-10 "Bombay is a place where there are many, many rich merchants who will be glad to donate money simply for our Back to Godhead magazine== . There are many such magazines published from Bombay and they collect Rs. 200/- as donation for each page, simply for advertisements of their name—that the page is donated by such and such person. You can distribute the magazines to such persons and very easily collect Rs. 100-200/- daily, if you are good workers. If you find inconvenience at Mr. Karambar's place, then I shall give you many other friends' names in Bombay who will be glad to help you. There are many Vaiṅñavas in Bombay, and they are very rich and charitable also. And if they are convinced that Kṛṅña consciousness is being propagated in foreign countries and you American students are working in India, surely you will be welcome. As a matter of evidence, you have seen Seth Dalmia's attitude, how he has helped you with monthly allowances and all. So you have to pick up many such persons, and if you work combinedly together, strictly following my instructions, I am sure you will be successful. So before returning either to Germany or USA, both of you should give a try in Bombay. If you fail there, also, however, then there will be no other alternative than to return back to your own place. But before going either to Bombay or back to your own country or Europe, please try to realize Rs. 2000/- from Hitsaran, because if you come back without realizing this money, and I am here, then the money will be swallowed up by him, as you have already given me hints that he is a debtor. I am enclosing herewith a copy of the letter in which Hitsaran acknowledges receipt of Rs. 2000/- for purchasing paper for printing my books. But now it appears that he has spent the money for personal expenditures, and has not returned the manuscript to you. You should see Seth Dalmia at his home: 2, Tilak Road, New Delhi, and explain to him and try to realize the money through his influence, and purchase the Deities as I have requested. I have already written you about this in my last letter, that we require many Deities for our temples as well as for our many devotees who want to worship Rādhā-Kṛṅña at home. So we want to introduce this Deity worship in this country and as such, we may require hundreds of pairs of Deities in different sizes, and many other goodies in this connection. So if you remain there as our representatives, there will be tremendous possibility of working for our Society. After all you have to work with confidence and faith in Kṛṅña, under my direction, and I am sure you will come out successful. Anyway, my last request is that is if you have decided to come back, please help me in realizing the money from Hitsaran through the influence of Seth Dalmia or Hanuman Prasad Poddar. And purchase some Deities with the money, and then come back, and what can I say more? In case you have to take legal proceedings against Hitsaran then I have got a lawyer friend in Delhi, whose name is as follows: Bepimbehari Misra; 7 Deputy Gung; Sadar Bazaar. You can see him. The thing is you have to become a little enthusiastic and give up the idea of being a guest of somebody and living peacefully." ([[letters/1968/681013_janaki|Acyutānanda and Jaya Govinda, 13 October, 1968]]) ==72-05 "So far the temples in India are concerned, the independent and self supporting method does not apply in India. In India Bombay is the headquarters and all other centers shall send their funds for centralizing in Bombay. In return you shall supply everyone with enough books and you shall pay construction bills as required by them." (SPL to Girirāja, May 24th, 1972) ==72-08 "The Maidan programs in India should be done in consultation with all. We have now got our reputation and we must do everything very carefully to keep it. Same process, four or five or six big men, whatever they think the others must say all right I shall accept.== Nothing should be done by personal whims. This should be avoided. Our prestige should be always kept, that means we must be very sincere and serious to execute our work; then it will be all right." ([[letters/1972/720826_jayapataka|Mādhavānanda, 26 August, 1972]]) ==72-09 "I am coming to India soon, at least by October, and I want to see that the building projects in Bombay, Māyāpur and Vṛndāvana are going on nicely. This Bombay project is one of our most important projects in the whole world and I am looking to you and the others there in Bombay to see that it is done very magnificently." ([[letters/1972/720913_upendra|== **SPL to Yadubara, 13 September, 1972]]) *** 77-03 **"Thank you, yes, I am feeling a little stronger now. On the 28th instant I shall be moving into my new quarters and then we have to organize Bombay as our world headquarters from every point of view, culturally, scientifically, philosophically, etc." ([[letters/1977/770325_gurudasa|Gurudāsa, 25 March, 1977]]) ## Jagannatha Puri and Bhubaneswar ==70-02 *"== In India, especially in Bengal and Orissa, there are millions of followers of Lord Caitanya.* *In Maharastra a saint of the name Saint Tukaram was also follower of Lord Caitanya and he has overflooded the whole Western India with saṭkīrtana movement. So the saṭkīrtana movement in India in all the provinces is very much popular and anyone who is taking part in saṭkīrtana movement is specifically devotee of Lord Kṛṅña or Lord Rāma. There is not a single Hindu in India who is not more or less Kṛṅña conscious." ([[letters/1970/700203_mandali_bhadra|Mañòali Bhadrā, 3 February, 1970]]) *** 74-04 "I have not visited Jagannātha Puri because my men are not allowed to see the Deity. When you arrange that we can visit the temple with my disciples then I can come immediately. Now I am in India up until May 15 then I am going to Europe to visit in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany etc., and then I will come back and remain until the end of August, and then go again to England, and the US. This is my program. I am still here until the 15th of May. I am going to Hyderabad on the 18th of April and then going to Tirupati. So from there I can go to Jagannātha Puri if arrangements can be made. It is very regrettable that these European and American boys who are purely Vaiṅñava and who follow all principles are not allowed by the rascals to enter the temple. As stated in the *Padma Purāña: arcye visñau śilā-dhīr guruṅu, nara-matir vaiṅñave jāti buddhir.* I do not know what makes the management take this attitude. If you can remove this restriction you will do a great service to the Gauòīya Vaiṅñava community. According to *śāstra* anyone who wears *tilaka* and *sikha* and *kunti* over and above the Vaiṅñava dress or Vaiṅñava *sannyāsi* must be accepted especially while chanting Hare Kṛṅña *mantra* with bead bags. Kindly convince them and induce them to allow these Vaiṅñavas to enter Jagannātha temple. One friend in Orissa has offered to give us land in Bhubaneswar and I have a desire to construct a big Jagannātha temple there for our men if we are not allowed to enter Jagannātha temple in Puri. In Jagannātha temple people come from all the Indian states. Now when Jagannātha has expanded His jurisdiction over the whole world why the so called servants of Jagannātha should not allow them to see the Lord of the Universe? I don’t know their philosophy. We shall see that your copies of *Back to Godhead* are dispatched to you. In conclusion, I shall come to Jagannātha Puri as you have kindly insisted, but only when they allow entry to all my disciples. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami." ([[letters/1974/740408_tejiyas|*SPL to Śyāmasundara Brahmacāri, 8 April, 1974]]) *** 74-05 "It appears there is good chance we may get pemission for our men to enter Jagannātha Puri temple if we can present the right documents. My idea is that you present the enclosed statement proving our men are bona fide Hindus to Swami Cinmayananda who you say is sympathetic to us on this point. Have him copy this statement on his own letterhead and sign it. In addition, take a similar signed certificate from Mr. Sujya Nārāyaña Rajooa who is the Endowment minister of Andra Pradesh and who came to receive us at Tirumala. I think with signed statements from these two this will be enough and that we do not have to get the government sanction. So if you can take these statements from these two men it will be an important achievement for our Society. Try for it in earnest and Kṛṅña will help you. ([[letters/1974/740531_sukadeva|Achyutananda Maharaj, 31 May, 1974]]) *** 74-11 "If you have got a copy of *Bhavan’s Journal* , Dīwālī Number No. 8, November 10th, 1974, you can see on page 197 under the heading ’Our Reader’s Page,’ there is question: ==’Should non-Hindus who have adopted the Hindu way of life e.g. the followers of the Hare Kṛṅña movement, be allowed to enter Hindu temples?’== So immediately you reply to the Editor of Bhavan’s Journal, Dr. K.M. Munshi Marg, Bombay-400 007, enclosing the letter of Swami Chinmayananda’s letter about the approval of learned *pañòitas* and *sannyāsīs* about the Hare Kṛṅña movement members entering into Hindu temples. You can mention also that we are allowed to enter into the biggest temple in India, Tirupatī, as well as Nāthadvāra where the head of the temple received us very well and presented some gifts. Except the Jagannātha temple in Purī nowhere have we been check admission. This time we wish to go to the Jagannātha temple again, and let us see what they do. The Hindu Vishva Parishad approves us as rigid Hindus as it will be clear from the letter of Swami Cinmayananda. So immediately write a letter and send me a copy of your letter as well as Swami Cinmayanandas letter. We shall request them to publish the letter of Swami Cinmayananda in this connection as well." ([[letters/1974/741125_subala|Mahāḥsa Swami, 25 November, 1974]]) ==76-05 "So far the land in Jagganātha Purī is concerned, we can have a nice temple on 21 acres of land.' You can negotiate the rental fees and inform me accordingly before proceeding further with this project. Whether in the land there is vegetation? If it is only sandy then it is not good."== ([[letters/1976/760520_manager_of_bank_of_america|Abhirāma dāsa, 20 May, 1976]]) ==76-06 "Concerning Purī, whether there is potency of vegetation. That we have to examine. If there is no such potency, then we are not interested.== And what about transporation across the hot sand? In the summer season, it will be too hot. So the question is whether in that sand there is possibility of growing trees and plants, whether the sand is fit for that. Otherwise, it is desert and will not be suitable." ([[letters/1976/760607_gargamuni|Abhirāma dāsa, 7 June, 1976]]) ==76-06 "If the Jagannātha Purī land is simply desert, sand, and there is no prospect of growing any vegetation there, like grass and trees and plants, then in the hot season it will be difficult to go there and to remain there. So before we consider this plot of land, it will be necessary to see if there is possibility of vegetation or not. What about the Bhubaneswar land?"== ([[letters/1976/760607_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 7 June, 1976]]) ==76-11 "What is the climate like there in Bhubaneswar now? I want to come there. I want to begin work immediately on constructing a temple exactly like Jagannātha's temple in Purī. You can immediately begin to get estimates from contractors. It will be a very important temple."== ([[letters/1976/761117_gaura_govinda|Gaura Govinda, 17 November, 1976]]) ==76-12 "Because our devotees are not allowed to enter Jagannātha's temple at Purī I'm thinking to build a duplicate temple at Bhubaneswar."== ([[letters/1976/761214_gurukrpa|Gurukṛpā, 14 December, 1976]]) ## Delhi ==71-08 *"== Delhi is the most important city in India because the capital is established there. Mostly the population is educated.* *Many foreigners are there also and embassies of different countries. So from the cultural point of view Delhi is the most important city. Many cultural centers are there also, many libraries, many schools, colleges, varieties of mercantile offices and different presses. So if you can influence them it will be a great propaganda center. I think in Delhi also you should hold one festival pañòāl meeting like in Calcutta and Bombay. There is a big ground open near Connaught Place." (SPL to Tamāla Kṛṅña August 20th, 1971) 72-12 "One thing is, I have received report that Tejās is having difficulty in Delhi because no men are there to assist him. Delhi is the cultural capital of India, but we have not yet done very much to develop in Delhi. Tejās is very sincere and hard-working boy, so we must encourage him. So I have asked Tamāla Kṛṅña and Śyāmasundara to find some men to go there, and they will do the needful. ==There are so many intelligent boys and girls in Delhi, that I have marked, and I think there is more potential there than other places in India== , so if you and Yamunā go to Delhi from time to time to help Tejas with the preaching work, especially preaching to the student class of young persons, that will be nice. If there is shortage of men, we must recruit some men, first-class men, to help us do the work. If that is attempted sincerely, this preaching work, Kṛṅña will provide men to help us. Kṛṅña does not like to see His men suffer or become frustrated and depressed on His behalf, no. If we remain always faithful to Him, working very hard despite all difficulties, very quickly you will meet Kṛṅña face-to-face, you may know it for certain." ([[letters/1972/721219_jayapataka|Gurudāsa and Yamunā, 19 December, 1972]])