a.c. bhaktivedanta swami
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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1973 a.c. bhaktivedanta swami |
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22 June 2007 Friday, 22 June, 1973 Mayapur My dear Makhanlal, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 8 June 1973 and I have carefully studied the contents. I am encouraged to hear that you have recommended a total of ten devotees for first initiation from our St. Louis temple. Preaching means to increase our family members, so I can see that the preaching at ISKCON St. Louis is going on very sincerely, otherwise so many would not be interested in becoming devotees. So on your carefully considered recommendation, I am accepting these girls and boys as my initiated disciples and their names are as follows: Thomas Doherty--Tamopaha das; Jim Higgins--Niscinta das; Paul Gibson--Punderika das; Lance Nally--Gaya das; Steven Lisowski--Satyamadhava das; Nancy Alderman--Nikunjarasi Vilasi dasi; Deborah Little--Daksinesvari dasi; Ginette Newman--Govindarupini dasi; Donald Parker--Modandin das; Sylvia Parker--Savitri dasi They may send their beads for chanting along with a copy of this letter to Kirtanananda Maharaja. Now you instruct them carefully that they must chant 16 rounds daily without fail and always follow the four regulative principles as well as engage in daily duties of temple attendance, classes and street sankirtana. The word initiation means "to begin'' not that when he is initiated a disciple becomes slack; rather upon initiation he begins spiritual life in earnest. Regarding second initiation, enclosed is one sacred thread chanted on by me, and the gayatri mantra. This should be instructed to Maha Muni in private, have him hear a tape recording of the mantra in the right ear. Hold a fire yajna for the first initiates. You have asked what is the mentality of the demons who attacked New Vrndavana and why did this happen? You should know this already, that there are two classes of men, devotees and demons. The whole history is that the peaceful devotees are disturbed by the demons but that the devotees are always victorious by the grace of Krsna. In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna ordered Arjuna to declare to the whole world that His devotees would never be vanquished. And in the last verse of the Gita, Sanjaya says wherever there is Krsna and Krsna's pure devotee Arjuna there will always be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality--tatra srir vijayo bhutir dhruva nitir matir mama. But because we are engaged in warfare with the forces of Maya, there will be casualties. Even Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu a 16-year-old boy was killed at the battle of Kuruksetra. We should be prepared to protect the Deities and always expect Krsna's Mercy, because we are always dependent on Him and we cannot do anything on our own without Him. You have asked about whether nuclear devastation on this planet would effect the Sankirtana Movement. No, there is nothing that can stop the Sankirtana Movement because it is the will of God Himself, Lord Caitanya, that His Holy Name be heard in every town and village. Neither can the demons devastate this planet independent of the will of Krsna. Nothing happens without His sanction. If Krsna wants to kill someone no one can save Him, and if Krsna wants to save someone no one can kill him. For our parts we should just be determined to carry out our mission against all opposition, demons, nuclear war, whatever. The whole universe is finally subject to certain annihilation by the will of Krsna, but devotional service is eternal and is the only certain way one can save himself from devastation. We can preach all over the world that the only way to be saved from collective and individual devastation is to take to the chanting of Hare Krsna. In short, this material world is a very precarious place therefore we should always chant Hare Krsna and seek Krsna's protection. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: initiation, questions, St. Louis letters | 16:51 |22 June, 1973 Mayapur My dear Batua Gopala, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15 June 1973 and I have carefully noted the contents. Yes, it is pleasing and encouraging to me to hear how all your programs, book distributing, temple worship etc., are going on so nicely in our Cleveland Center. That you have distributed 10,000 pieces of literature in the last month is very impressive. It will take some time to convince the people of this highest philosophy and the only means to convince them is distribute our books profusely. By chanting Hare Krsna their rough hearts will be paved. And when we speak about Krsna it will be shown exactly like the cultivator who first of all paves the field and then the seeds are sewn and gradually they get the result. On your recommendation I have accepted the four students in your temple as my disciples. Their new names are as follows: Marilee Ash--Mrgaksi dasi Harvey Mechanic--Mrgendra das Dan Cunningham--Gatravan das George Vutetakis--Gopati das Have them send their beads to Kirtanananda Swami for chanting. You can hold a fire yajna for the initiates and invite many guests. Hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: Cleveland, initiation letters | 16:51 |22 June, 1973 Mayapur Dear Kirtanananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 10 June, 1973 and I have carefully studied the contents. After the shooting affair what precaution have you taken? Bharadraja is here and he gave report that the devotees were very frightened. I further understand that the attack was for the second time. Here in Mayapur there are reports of dacoity at least once, twice in a month surrounding our place. So we have now taken two guns under regular license from the government. . So when New Vrindaban has been attacked twice, thrice, why are you not keeping guns? We are not advocates of non-violence when there is aggression we must kill them. So I think you shall immediately arrange for guns and at least 10, 12 men should be trained up so when there is again attack you can properly reply the aggressor. So far as my health is concerned it is improving a little but at the same time another new symptom is developing. Yesterday all of a sudden I have developed eye trouble. They said it is conjunctivitis or something like that. The left eye is swollen and always weeping and I cannot see properly. Syamasundara came here and he also wants me to come to London for talking with some important men. I am thinking of going there by the first week of July but wondering what shall I do if some new symptom of my bad health threatens me in so many ways. But on the whole, if I go to London I think it will not be difficult for me to go to New Vrindaban. Sometimes by the 20th of August I could arrive because Janmastami will take place on the 21st. Just now I cannot promise taking consideration of my bad health. But if I at all go to London there is 90% chance of my going to New Vrindaban. In the meantime I shall be glad to hear from you what defense measures you have taken to protect the life and property of New Vrindaban. This is very important and you must take all steps. Actually the government should have arrested all the gang and punished them properly for their atrocious behavior on unarmed people. Is there an attempt to have the government punish the gang who are well known to your country? We just take measure against occasional attacks by criminals. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: criminals, health, New Vrindavana letters | 16:50 |21 June 2007 21 June, 1973 Mayapur My dear Atreya Rsi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17 June, 1973 and I have carefully studied the contents. Regarding your participation in New Vrndavana during the attack. Although a Krsna Conscious person is free of bodily attachment that does not mean that he does not defend for Krsna's purpose. But that you became fearful in the face of danger is not necessarily wrong. When travelling from London to Calcutta we passed through Tehran, Iran. It appears to be a good city. We found the people to be just like here in India. Human nature is the same everywhere. So also the possibility of accepting Krsna Consciousness is everywhere. You say the owners of the building in New York City may reach a favorable decision in a few months. Why so long? Why not a few weeks rather than so long as a few months? Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: New York letters | 16:49 |Thursday, June 21, 1973 West Bengal My dear Niranjan, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated 14 June 1973 and have noted the contents. I will be glad to see you here in Mayapur when you are able to come after finishing your exams. Regarding the new names of your sister and mother-in-law—-why are you giving them spiritual names? You are not authorized to do this. Spiritual names are given by the spiritual master at the time of initiation. It is not to be done as a whimsical act. Rather, it is done strictly according to regulative principles. I have received your printed invitation and send my thankfulness to your father, please send him a letter of thankfulness on my behalf. I hope this finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: initiation, Varanasi letters | 16:48 |20 June 2007 Wednesday, 20 June, 1973 Mayapur My Dear Gunagrahi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 5 June 1973 and I have noted the contents. Everything appears to be going very nicely there under your management. You are facilitating sankirtana and book distribution by travelling and going to colleges in a trailer, and you are preparing for a large Ratha-yatra festival. This is all pleasing and inspiring to me. Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following as my disciples: Lawrence Burstein's name is now Lokavarnotamma das, Claude Crocker is now Cittaranjan das, Catherine Crocker is now Citraketu devi dasi and David Sherk shall now be called Gadai das. Regarding second initiation, enclosed is a sacred thread for Lalitananda das and gayatri mantra for he and one for Sita devi dasi. Hold a fire yajna for the first initiates and later, privately you may play the gayatri mantra tape for the new brahmanas. Have them hear the tape in the right ear and show them how to count on their fingers. Regarding your questions about Gaura Nitai Deity worship: Yes, it is all right Gaura Nitai may wear turbans as well as crowns. You ask what they may wear in the evening--they can wear different dresses or night clothing just as Krsna is dressed. Make a small symbolical bed and give Them rest in that way. Bathe the Deities mentally by mantra and not by pouring upon them. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: Buffalo, deities, initiation, sankirtan letters | 16:49 |18 June 2007 Monday, 18 June, 1973 Mayapur Mr. Suresh Candra c/o District Commissioner's office Vreeden Roop WB Dem. Guyana, South America Dear Suresh Candra, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 21 May 1973 and I have noted the contents. I am pleased to note that as of January 1st you have given up eating of meat, fish or eggs, as well as intoxicants and gambling. You have asked what is meant by illicit sex. Sex should be used only in marriage for begetting nice children to raise in Krsna Consciousness. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that I am sex life performed according to religious principles. Sex life for any other purpose means illicit sex. The use of contraceptive method for sex enjoyment is very sinful. Restraint in the matter of these four sinful activities is achieved by tasting the superior mellows of Krsna Consciousness. You say that you are chanting 15 minutes daily from 8:15-8:30. Please go on and increase this chanting as much as you can and that will help you very much in advancing in Krsna Consciousness. Regarding your request for cassette tapes, we have organized a whole department for distribution of my lectures on tapes and you may obtain them by writing to Golden Avatara. Productions, 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Simply by hearing the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness and chanting Krsna's names all dirty things will be cleaned from the heart. Hoping this will meet you in good health, Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: regulative principles, sex life, South America letters | 04:50 |17 June 2007 Sunday, 17 June, 1973 West Bengal My dear Carol, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 7, 1973 and I have carefully noted the contents. I can see from your letter that you are very sincere about Krsna Consciousness and Gurukula. Yes, you should always feel yourself most fortunate and glad that you are in the Krsna Consciousness movement where you can learn sanskrit and English from such nice Krsna Conscious teachers as Dayananda and Dinatarine, and not be learning-as in the public schools-how to cheat and eat meat etc. Please stick to this conviction of yours and more and more your natural Krsna Consciousness will develop. I have seen your writing of the sanskrit letters and it is very nice. Your ever well-wisher A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: gurukula letters | 16:47 |17 June, 1973 Mayapur My dear Hamsaduta, Please accept my blessings I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 13, 1973 accompanied by two copies of German BTG #19. The magazine is gorgeous, better than Dia Nippon. Continue the standard, increase the pages, increase the articles, increase the distribution. May Krsna bless you more and more. Offer my blessings to your wife. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda Labels: book distribution, Heidelberg, publishing letters | 04:49 |17 June, 1973 Mayapur My dear Tamala Krsna, Please accept my blessings I have received your telegram regarding Syamasundara asking devotees to leave India to be guests in the new London temple. So let Syamasundara come to Mayapur and we can discuss this and correct any difficulty. Regarding our involvement with the property in Bombay: by chance we have been entangled but now a strong committee should be formed of our life members. Let them take it up, otherwise what can be done? Our men should be engaged for preaching - why should the preaching be stopped? I was very much encouraged when you and Gargamuni Swami purchased jeeps and formed a travelling sankirtana party. So why have you stopped it? Let the matter of the property in Bombay be dependent on the life members. They have paid us for membership and we have paid them, so they are also concerned. Giriraja and a small staff can stay but they must be given visa facility. The next thing is if you take up this travelling sankirtana party seriously. Just as in USA they are sending buses from U.S. centers to the villages so you can do that and entrust this Bombay matter to our life members. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda Labels: Bombay, life membership, preachers, travelling letters | 04:48 | |
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