a.c. bhaktivedanta swami
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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1973 a.c. bhaktivedanta swami |
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10 March 2007 Saturday, 10 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Bhumata dasi: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 2, 1973. I have examined the contents carefully and I think you are doing nice. Because we are all individuals sometimes there is disagreement between devotees. When non-devotees quarrel they cannot stop and end up killing each other. But the devotees' disagreement does not last long because they patch it up for Krsna's sake, because they are all working for the same end--Krsna's service. And devotees do not suffer from skin disease, black or white or brown or red or whatever. In the material world black and white are opposites, but spiritually black and white are varieties. That is the proper vision. Now you can consult my Governing Body Commission for advice in your situation. I have no objection to your establishing a center there in Nashville, but these matters I am leaving up to my GBC. The GBC representative for your area is Rupanuga das Goswami who is presently here with me as my secretary for one month. He will be returning to the USA by the first week in April to New York City and I think you can leave a message for him there where he can reach you and he can see you personally in the matter. In the meantime you can make arrangements again with Atlanta for more literature making the proper arrangement for payment also. I hope this meets you in good health and high spirits. Hare Krsna. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: disagreements, GBC letters | 04:35 |10 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Jagadisa: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 1, 1973 and I have carefully examined the contents. Actually, Hayagriva was not doing any managing or editing of BTG except for his own articles. More importantly he was engaged in working on our books, producing those smaller paperback booklets, etc. Such a talent is not so easily replaced, so we must try to bring him back to the standard for his own benefit. In this connection, I have written his wife, Kirtanananda Maharaja, and the GBC to see what they can do for him. Now I think that you can join me as the next GBC secretary for travelling with me by my side. If I go to New York in the first week of April you can meet me there, or if I go to South Africa you can meet me first here in India. What do you think? If there is some difficulty kindly let me know immediately. I hope this meets you in good health and transcendental mood. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: GBC, publishing letters | 04:35 |8 March 2007 Thursday, 8 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Vijitatma: Please accept my blessings. I have received your $100.00 daksina and I thank you very much for it. Actually, everyone is trying to enjoy Laksmi without Narayana. Ultimately, the Mayavadi is envious of Krsna and wants to enjoy the original Laksmi, therefore they call each other "namo Narayana'', they sit around and address each other as Narayana. This is the greatest offense, and they are actually unfortunate because they do not engage in devotional service. The Goddess of Fortune Laksmi is fickle towards the materialist, sometimes he is prince and sometimes he is pauper. But Laksmi cannot leave the side of Lord Narayana and wherever Lord Narayana is worshipped with care, good fortune and opulence is there. Therefore, the devotee is known as the most fortunate, and you American boys and girls are the most fortunate of all, now make everyone else fortunate by spreading this Krsna consciousness. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: initiation, philosophy letters | 05:20 |March 8, 1973 Calcutta My dear Turya dasa: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 29th January 1973 and I have examined the contents carefully. Your project for a Temple sounds all right to me, and even if you don't get that particular building, Radha-Krsna Deities are approved for the present Temple. Of course, I want that you can work out all these kinds of details with Karandhara, your GBC secretary. Yes, the name Gokulananda for your new son is approved by me, now raise this Sankirtana man up very carefully in Krsna consciousness. Now you can be an ideal householder and one of our Society's leaders, so kindly follow the regulated principles strictly. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Labels: children, deities, grhastha letters | 05:20 |7 March 2007 Wednesday, 7 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Dr. Aggarwal, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated Feb. 25, and I have examined the contents carefully. Thanks very much for the poem. I am very pleased to hear that you are regularly visiting our Washington Temple, and seeing our Damodara Prabhu and the others. Actually one can be perfectly Krishna Conscious without being literate. Education is not necessary. Simply it is required to accept the fact, that we are the eternal servants of Krishna, and engage in some tangible service. Otherwise, there are so many convincing arguments, i.e. the Bhagavad-Gita, to bring us to the right point of surrender. Even the Karma-Kanda, and Jnana-Kanda, sections of the Vedas are designed to bring to the proper Sidhanta, conclusion. And that conclusion is made by Krishna in the Gita, that one who knows the purpose behind the Vedas, surrenders unto Him. Four things can be surrendered: Our life, our words, our intelligence, and our money. So just try to gradually engage these things in Krishna's Service. One thing you can enquire from Damodara, is about our Life Membership Program. Here in India we have now over 2000 members, including may prominent men. You are a learned gentleman, a medical doctor, so kindly apply your determination, to understand this Krishna Conscious movement, and I am confident that Krishna will bless you more and more. Kindly just read our books, and help us as you are able. I am going to Mayapur by the 15th, for the celebration of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Appearance Day, and the opening of our new centre there. Meanwhile I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: life membership, Washington letters | 07:30 |March 7, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Bali-mardana Maharaja: Please accept my blessings and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter, with newspaper clipping, dated nil. I can understand that actually Hayagriva was not involved directly in the management of Back to Godhead and that whatever arrangement you already have there is sufficient. Meanwhile Hayagriva can be encouraged to continue his literary contribution of articles, editing of the smaller books, etc. We shall see what he can do, and if at all possible he should be brought back to the standard. In this connection I have written his wife, Kirtanananda Swami, and the GBC members. Thus far I have received no reply regarding Madhudvisa's suggestion about Hrdayananda from the GBC members. You have been to India so you know the importance of the life membership program here, so I am requesting that you personally attend to some items needed here for the preaching work in that connection. Rupanuga is writing the specifics to you under separate cover. I have received from Kirtiraja the specifics and plans of your proposed building, the Columbia Club property, and it is ideal for all of our purposes so I am anxious to hear of any progress in securing it. I am approving of second initiation for Hari-puja dasi as you requested. My plans are to go to Mayapur as soon as they have finished my quarters and to remain there until the 22nd. Thank you very much for the mostly favorable newspaper article and I hope this meets you in good mood. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Labels: initiation, life membership, management, New York, regulative principles letters | 07:29 |6 March 2007 Tuesday, 6 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Abhirama: Please accept my blessings and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your unsigned report dated the 18th of February. I have just arrived here a few days ago and by the 15th I shall go to Mayapur on the festival celebration of Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day. We are expecting many thousands to visit there and our nice building is almost completed. Yes, your appointment as the new president of the Miami Temple is completely approved by me, now take advantage and preach among all the young people there and recruit some good men. For some time now I have been thinking to have a nice place in Florida and now it looks like you are trying for it. As far as the Deities are concerned, we do not want to repeat the same mistake again, so it is better that you wait to get some more brahmanas before installing Them again. For worshipping the banyan tree, the representation of Krsna, simply offer a little flower, incense and water. Of course, now I am trying to get more valuable time for my translating of Bhagavatam, so you may consult in these matters with Rupanuga Maharaja, your GBC representative. Yes, you are feeling increase in strength with increase in service, and I am not the actual bestower of mercy, rather I am just a messenger for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So just work hard for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His mercy will fall upon you like torrents of rain in the monsoon season. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg letters | 05:11 | 6 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Cyavana: Please accept my blessings and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 10th of February. There has been some delay in replying because of my travels. I have just arrived here a few days ago and by the 15th I shall be going to Mayapur. Yes, I should not travel so extensively any more if I am to finish my work on the Bhagavatam. So I am turning over all the management to the GBC and the presidents. Your program for printing our literature is very encouraging to me because that is our major effort for pushing on this movement, so kindly distribute these literatures far and wide as possible. The marriage of Hari Kripa with the African girl is alright with me if you and Brahmananda Maharaja agree in the matter, these kinds of decisions I am leaving up to you to make in the future. I am very glad to hear that the film, Hare Rama, was defeated there, it is Krsna's grace. This man is a very bad man for our movement's sake, that movie is a great insulting to us. I think there was bribe by the government who does not want this movement. Anyway, the dogs may bark but the caravan passes. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg letters | 05:11 | 6 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Kirtanananda Maharaja: Please accept my blessings. Thank you very much for for your letter dated the 3rd of March 1973 along with your kind daksina $200 check. Thank you very much. I have received your pamphlet inviting to participate in New Vrndavana activities. It is an excellent pamphlet nicely set up, but I am sorry to inform you that your co-founder Hayagriva Prabhu is little disturbed. Sometimes before you told about him participating in intoxication. Then I did not take it seriously, but the same thing is again revived and I am little perturbed. So is it possible to save him from this dangerous position? His is important man in our Society and we cannot allow him to deviate from our principles. Please try to save him. I heard before that Birbadra is under your control, is that a fact? Hayagriva told me is under your control. I shall secure gold Sesa and carry with me for the foundation and most propably while returning to L.A. through New York at that time if the ceremony is being held I shall attend. It will be a pleasure for me. Your vision of 7 Temples on 7 hills is very encouraging. May Krsna fulfill your transcendental desires. The graphic drawings of the Temples are very satisfactory and the devotees working together is very encouraging. May Krsna help you in your noble endeavor to come out successful in the project of New Vrndavana. Your Krsna is most beautiful, just like an attractive boy. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: deities, New Vrindavana, regulative principles letters | 05:10 |5 March 2007 Monday, 5 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Sriman Hariprasada Badruka: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 27th February. I just arrived here the day before yesterday and I am glad to receive your Hyderabad progress report. The Deities mentioned are too expensive. Of course, we cannot collect money without Deity worship. Without Deity worship there is no life, and there must be preaching also. 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 Radha-Krsna 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 Sankirtana Party and think it is a white dance. Anyway, how to gather Indian devotees, that program is wanting. I shall be going to Mayapur by the 15th, remaining there up to the 22nd. I hope to see you soon and I hope this meets you and your family members in good health. Hare Krsna. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Labels: deities, India, preachers, sankirtan letters | 04:20 |5 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Kirtiraja: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of letter and plans for the new building dated the 14th of February. After some delays, I have just arrived here the day before yesterday. I have examined the plans for the building on West 43rd Street just near the corner of 5th Avenue and I think it is perfectly suitable for us in every way. Please work together with Bali Mardan Maharaja and try your best to secure it. Regarding Jadurani's question about the glue, yes she may use it if it is more practical for our purposes. I shall be going to Mayapur by the 15th, remaining there up to the 22nd. I hope this meets you in good health. Hare Krsna! Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: management, New York letters | 04:20 |4 March 2007 Sunday, 4 March, 1973 Calcutta My dear Sukadeva, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 15th February and have examined the contents with care. By your good recommendation I am pleased to accept Leroy Howes and David Joy as my initiated disciples. Their new names are: Paramatmananda Dasa and Pavaka Dasa. To save time and money, kindly forward two sets of japa beads to Kirtanananda Swami in New Vrndavana for the proper chanting, and then you may perform the fire sacrifice. Now they must always follow the regulated principles, such as 16 rounds at least each day, attending Mangala Arati, etc. and gradually they will come to the stage of spontaneously loving Krsna. You also have my permission for the second initiation of Sikhandi dasi and you can obtain an initiation tape and instructions from Karandhar in Los Angeles. Now, keeping very clean, she must never break the regulated principles. A pure devotee always thinks himself as not-devotee. That is a good attitude. If one thinks he is big devotee that is not good, thinking that he is first degree. We should not be puffed up, a devotee avoids it, remaining always in the second degree. A dog is a faithful servant. To become lowest dog is to become on the highest platform of service. Krsna has given everyone something extraordinary and to serve Krsna with one’s extraordinary talent means successful life. I hope this meets you in good health. Hare Krsna. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ABCS/rda Labels: initiation letters | 06:28 |4 March, 1973 India My Dear Trai das: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your nice report dated the 20th of february and I have carefully examined the contents. Your plans for increasing book distribution are very good. If so many books are being sold then very soon we will be finished the second edition. Distribution of all these books is making a firm basis for our movement. The educated gentleman you mentioned who has now become a nice devotee should develop into a very good preacher. Your policy of encouraging his chanting is good, gradually Krsna consciousness is developed, that is natural. That London doctor that Kesava mentioned to Rupanuga Maharaja is bogus. Depend on Krsna and consult a general doctor. Nobody can guarantee life. It is a little hellish but without Krsna nobody can be a saint or relieved from distresses. Regarding Pyari Mohan, Ramacarya, and Nanda devi dasi taking second initiation, if you recommend, that's alright. But now they must keep very clean and never break the regulated principles. Purity is the force and if the people in general notice that we are clean both inside and outside that is to our credit. Regarding your last question, yes, you may call Their Lordships Radha-Gopivallabha. Now I have enclosed three sacred threads duly chanted by me. In Rupanuga Maharaja's absence, you may obtain a tape and instructions from Bali Mardan Maharaja in New York and hold one fire sacrifice. Hoping this letter meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACB/rdg Labels: book distribution, initiation letters | 06:27 |4 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Ksirodakasayi: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 20th February and have examined the contents with care. I am glad to hear of your successful engagements and the photographs are very nice. It is good that you have invited the other devotees for such a program. Let them come, and combine together in cooperation, not to be aloof. There are always some factions, everywhere in this world we find so many factions. But we must, in Krsna consciousness, do the needful and cooperate. So, I am very glad to see your activities and you please continue to keep up the good work. Just yesterday I have arrived here in Calcutta and by the end of the week I expect to visit our new construction at Mayapur. Arrangements are being made for a very grand celebration on the Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I hope this meets you in good health and spirits. Hare Krsna. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACB/rdg letters | 06:27 | 4 March, 1973 Calcutta My Dear Bhakta das: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your encouraging letter dated the 20th February. Just yesterday I have arrived here in Calcutta, and by the end of the week expect to go to Mayapur where are having a grand celebration on the Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Yes, you have my sanction for installing the new Deities with the cooperation of Karandhara and/or Sudama Maharaja (I think he is there on the West coast). They know how to do it. The more you can decorate the Deities soberly, not fanatically, the more you become decorated with all honors. At the present moment, civilized man has forgotten how to decorate, therefore this mini-skirt--the business of the trees--to remain naked. Human being means to be decorated, like Krsna is decorated, not naked. You say that you have eight brahmanas, that is very good, now engage all of them so that everyone becomes expert. By nicely worshiping the Deities we can be so pure in condition of health, mind and intelligence. Yes, all blessings of Krsna upon Saranam dasi, for her loyal book distribution. I am very pleased, and you can give both her and Satyaki dasi second initiation. So now you can have ten brahmanas, yes? I have also received your $100.00 daksina and I thank you very much for it. Regarding Nanda Kumar, try to help him. He is a good boy and he will come out again very nicely. But he must marry that girl, we cannot play with sex-life, that is not our business. If he shows he is faithful for three months, then he again can take care of Radha-Krsna. Your book distribution, that is very nice. Our books are unique, all this distribution means that they are being appreciated. There is no such literature throughout the whole world. Now keep yourself pure and Krsna will help you. Krsna has become merciful upon you. I am only the agent. He has special favor upon Americans, so tell your countrymen to take advantage and spread our teaching all over the world. I hope this meets you in good health. Hare Krsna. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg letters | 06:26 | |
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