a.c. bhaktivedanta swami
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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1973 a.c. bhaktivedanta swami |
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12 December 2007 13 December, 1973 Los Angeles My dear Tamala Krsna Goswami, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letters dated December 6th and 7th and have carefully noted the contents. I have already advised Guru das to remain in Vrindaban. There is no need for him to come to the U.S.A. at this time. Regarding our Bombay project: I am sending Yasomatinandana das there. He is a qualified engineer and he may deal with Mr. Shah and others. That will relieve you from this work. He is very competent and intelligent. He will return with Giriraja. He is our man and if he requires, he can take help from Mr. Shah. We should keep them all as friends. This is a very important point. Let our men and Mr. Shah do the needful--we don't require to hire any outside engineers. Regarding Mrs. Thirani, try to please her. She is the grand-daughter of Mr. Birla and the sister of Ashok Birla. She is a very important lady. Regarding the printing press for India: the press at ISKCON Press is too old and not practical to send to India. We are ready to manage a Press in India, but where is the money? We require new offset printing equipment. If we print in India we can get a much cheaper rate. Now, also there is a world-wide paper shortage but I have asked Mukunda in London to investigate exporting paper to India. I am in favor of this scheme but whether or not Mr. Gupta and others will support it and will the government allow? The news of the preaching work in New Delhi is very nice--continue with it. There are many intelligent men in that quarter, mostly European. So far as the Russian correspondent, try to convince him about our philosophy. We want to unit the world on the platform of Krsna Consciousness under one state, one government, one religion and one scripture. It will be successful if we work cautiously and maintain our standards. Just now I was reading Krsna Book. It is very interesting and entertaining and written so even a child can follow. In our childhood days we were reading one book, Folk Tales of Bengal. It was very widely read, especially by children. So why not introduce the Krsna book for the same purpose? You may get some sanction from the Minister of Education. It is a very nice book for student study--they will get our cultural idea and learn to read English. Yes, I approve of the Life Member Committee. for the Temple construction in Hyderabad. You may do the same in Bombay also. Yes, the pandal program in Hyderabad may be cancelled at this time. It is not timely at this point. Concerning our Vrindaban project, along with the residential quarters, the remaining work on my quarters must be finished up immediately for my residence. Now your most important business is to finish with Mrs. Nair all matters, especially the income tax certificate and to get sanction from the Municipality for all our plans. See to these matters above all else. Thank you for appreciating this Krsna Consciousness more and more. Carry on faithfully with Krsna, work with greater and greater enthusiasm and be blessed. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS:Kda Labels: Bombay, New Delhi, publishing, Vrindavan letters | 11:52 |3 December 2007 3 December, 1973 Los Angeles My Dear Tejiyas das, Please accept my blessings. I have five days ago safely arrived here in Los Angeles by the Grace of Krsna. Since leaving India, I have not heard from you. Guru das has written that the work has stopped in Vrndaban for want of finances. What is the position of your collections in New Delhi? I am arranging to collect and send money from here for the Vrindaban project and I also want you to concentrate on collecting there. We want to finish this project as soon as possible so that we will have our Center firmly fixed up in Vrindaban. Kindly report to me the progress in this connection. Regarding Mr. Aggarwal's offer to print our abridged Bhagavad-gita As It Is: whether or not he is still serious for this proposal and have quotations for the production been taken? The price should not exceed Rs. 2 per book. The size may be reduced a little to meet this budget if necessary. We want to sell for Rs. 3 at most. This edition is especially meant for the student class. We can print and distribute in India but cannot export them. It will be better not to sell them through bookstores but rather direct to the consumer. The stock should be kept in our custody at our own warehouse. How things are going on at our Delhi Center? There is a good opportunity for cultural discussion to be held there, especially amongst the foreigners, so try to arrange some programs. There must be feasting also, if not weekly then at least occasionally. All our life members and patrons should be invited. For example Mr. Bridge Mohan Chandiwalla who recently donated Rs. 5,000 is very favorable so we must endeavor to keep his sympathy and support. You may inquire from Mr. Kilnani, who was previously a commissioner in Germany, what is the procedure for bringing one automobile into India. Recently he has imported his Mercedes Benz so we also have an auto we want to take to India. How to go about it? Kindly reply soon bearing all news. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/Kda Labels: collecting, New Delhi, publishing letters | 14:16 |29 October 2007 29 October, 1973 Vrindaban My Dear Niranjana Das: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 17, 1973. I am glad that you like the Glasgow temple and that you are going there to preach. We want that the Indian people participate in this movement of Lord Caitanya. My program is to go to Delhi on November 1 for our pandal program starting November 9. The new address there is: ISKCON, G 12 Anand Niketan Extension, New Delhi 110023. So you can come and see me there. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 14:29 | 18 October 2007 18 October, 1973 Bombay My Dear Kirtanananda Maharaja: Please accept my blessings, and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 16, 1973 and I have noted the contents carefully. Next time you come to India, you must come to Mayapur in March, not only you but many others. Our Bombay affairs are almost settled by 90%. The conveyance deed is prepared and it will be signed within one or two days. Now this displeasing of godbrothers has already begun and gives me too much agitation in my mind. Our Gaudiya Math people fought with one another after the demise of Guru Maharaja but my disciples have already begun fighting even in my presence. So I am greatly concerned about it. Following in the footprints of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu: trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna/amanina manadena kirtaniya sada harih. "One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly." We must always remember this verse and be as tolerant as the tree, as we execute the Krsna consciousness movement. Without this mentality we cannot be successful. Material nature means dissension and disagreement, especially in this Kali yuga. But, for this Krsna consciousness movement its success will depend on agreement, even though there are varieties of engagements. In the material world there are varieties, but there is no agreement. In the spiritual world there are varieties, but there is agreement. That is the difference. The materialist without being able to adjust the varieties and the disagreements makes everything zero. They cannot come into agreement with varieties, but if we keep Krsna in the center, then there will be agreement in varieties. This is called unity in diversity. I am therefore suggesting that all our men meet in Mayapur every year during the birth anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With all GBC and senior men present we should discuss how to make unity in diversity. But, if we fight on account of diversity, then it is simply the material platform. Please try to maintain the philosophy of unity in diversity. That will make our movement successful. One section of men have already gone out, therefore we must be very careful to maintain unity in diversity, and remember the story in Aesop's Fables of the father of many children with the bundle of sticks. When the father asked his children to break the bundle of sticks wrapped in a bag, none of them could do it. But, when they removed the sticks from the bag, and tried one by one, the sticks were easily broken. So this is the strength in unity. If we are bunched up, we can never be broken, but when divided, then we can become broken very easily. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs cc: Karandhara Das, ISKCON, Los Angeles Mohanananda Das, Gurukula, Dallas Labels: disagreements, Gaudiya Math, GBC, New Delhi letters | 14:21 |17 October 2007 Wednesday, 17 October, 1973 Bombay My Dear Tejiyas Das: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 13, 1973 and have noted the contents. Regarding your new place, yes, if many more devotees actually remain there, it is a good scheme, but as we have got four or five branches in India I do not wish to increase more centers. Indians are not joining. This is the deficiency of our movement. Only mediocre Indian men are joining and not the very intelligent class of Indians. But, Delhi is a nice place. Formally you proposed Sundar Nagar. What happened to that? If the book distribution facility is there, then it is a first class place. The more we distribute books, the more we get solid ground of preaching work. So far continuing the Deity worship after the festival, that is a very nice proposal. Try to give it a shape. So between 20th to 25th instant I am coming to Delhi for going to Vrindaban. So I may stay in Delhi for one or two days, and then come back from Vrindaban during the festival. In the meantime please inquire if from Delhi to Nairobi there is any flight 747. Bali Mardan is trying to get me a Mercedes car. So he has asked me who will be in charge of it in my absence. So I have suggested your name. So I think in the new building there is garage also. Another thing, I want a diplomatic passport. Please inquire in this because I am always traveling, and this kind of passport will facilitate my traveling. I am a preacher of Indian culture, why they should not give me this kind of passport. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: book distribution, India, itinerary, New Delhi letters | 14:20 |13 October 2007 13 October, 1973 Bombay My Dear Tejiyas Das: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 6, 1973 and have noted the contents. I am glad to learn that your festival preperations are well under way. My program is that by the 25th of October I shall go to Delhi for one or two days and then to Vrindaban up to the 8th of November. I will come to Delhi on the 9th for the festival, and on the 19th or 20th I shall have to start for Nairobi. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 10:22 | 9 October 2007 Tuesday, 9 October, 1973 Bombay My dear Niranjana, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 5th October, 1973, and I have noted the contents. I am very glad to know that you have passed your examination and have been awarded a scholarship. There is no difficulty for arranging your accommodation and Prasadam in Glasgow, as we have got our branch there. When you go I shall personally give intimation to our Glasgow center. When you go there, try to preach. You have learned ho to speak English, so you can preach nicely. Always try to give some service, and that will make you successful. I may be coming to New Delhi by the second week of November, so if possible you may try to see me there. We are conducting a large pandal from November 9th-18th at the most important area, LIC Grounds, Connaught Circle. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami letters | 10:21 | 29 September 2007 Friday, 29 September, 1973 Bombay Dear Shri Khilnani: Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 25.9.73 and I have immediately informed the man in charge in Paris to suspend the marriage. The copy of the letter to Bhagavan Das, the man in charge, is sent herewith. So far education is concerned, our philosophy is: sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma nivedanam iti pumsarpita visnau bhaktis cen nava laksana kriyeta bhagavaty addha tan manye' dhitam uttamam (Bhag. 7.5.23-24) We consider one who is a devotee as being first class learned and educated. If you do not like your daughter being in Paris with the devotees, you can call her back. I have no objection. But, our mission is that everyone should be given the chance to become Krsna conscious. Many thousands of boys and girls in the Western countries are seriously taking to this movement sacrificing many things. Especially they do not indulge in illicit sex life, gambling, meat eating, and intoxication. I think your daughter is very fortunate to be amongst the devotees and living a very happy life. But, if you think it is not good, then you can guide your daughter. I have no objection. I have forwarded your letter for necessary action. Faithfully yours, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami cc: Bhagavan Das, ISKCON, 14 Le Sueur, Paris 16, France At a meeting for Janmastami in London I was present, and the Indian High Commissioner His Excellency Shri Rasagotra came to our temple amongst many thousands of Indians and Englishmen. If required you can inquire from him how this movement is going on in the Western countries. ACBS/ds Labels: disagreements, New Delhi, Paris letters | 16:14 |29 September, 1973 Bombay My Dear Bhagavan das: Please accept my blessings. Herewith please find one letter from Mr. Khilnani, father of Anita, and the contents will speak for itself. I wish that the marriage will be suspended for the time being unless the father agrees to this marriage. According to the Vedic system marriage takes place according to the sanction of the parents, although this is not being followed strictly at the present moment. So read this letter and do the needful so we may not create some disturbing marriage condition. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs cc:K.R.F. Khilnani, New Delhi Labels: disagreements, New Delhi, Paris letters | 16:09 |27 April 2007 27 April, 1973 Los Angeles My Dear Bapi: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 21, 1973 and am glad to learn that you have immigration visa for U.S.A. valid until August 9, 1973. Your former letters I did not receive most probably because they have been missing me because of my extensive travelling. I have come from India to U.S.A. recently on April 1. You can purchase immediately one membership ticket for ISKCON. It costs only Rs. 1111/-, and on this ticket you can stay in any temple for as many days as you like. So you can secure a membership ticket from our membership office at the following address: ISKCON, 66 Babar Road, Bengali Market, New Delhi. When you come to New York, I shall advise the Temple Commander to receive you. As you have been granted visa, you can secure a job. I think you can get it easily because you are qualified. I shall advise my disciples to help you, but this will have to be arranged when you come here. I am sorry to learn that your father cannot see at night. When our time is up, we have to push on even in broken condition of life. At present I am in Los Angeles and most probably will be here during the month of August. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: life membership, New Delhi letters | 13:23 |15 March 2007 Thursday, 15 March, 1973 Calcutta My dear Tejiyas: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 12th and have examined it with great pleasure. This program of approaching MPs 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 MPs 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. Yes, this program for the factories I have already outlined. Let the labor-management disputes be finished by prasada and regular kirtanas with temples right on the premises. Your statement that "no intelligent man can resist becoming the member'' because of our books is a very good observation. Now these beautiful books have become the firm basis for our movement and any intelligent person in any part of the world cannot but fail to admire them. Devotees there or visiting must follow our regulated principles under your direction or they need not stay. Devotees should not be in India on their own business or on a whim, they should have our GBC approval. Everyone must be favorably engaged. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/rdg Labels: India, life membership, New Delhi, preachers letters | 04:47 | |
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