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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1974 |
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5 April 2008 Friday, 5 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. Here in India we require paper of the size of Back to Godhead magazine, and I wish to know if you can supply it from Stockholm. We would like to purchase first-quality paper, so please let me know the ways and means. Send paper samples and prices and also let me know how things are going on there. I have not received a report since Ajita sent one in January. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg letters | 21:03 | 5 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Sukadeva, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter, undated, and I have noted the contents. Your write that our society should provide some medical facility, insurance or personnel to handle devotees who become chronically ill and thus ostracized from our society. Of course this kind of management of affairs is better handled by the GBC which I have created for this purpose, I cannot be expected to handle problems of this sort while at the same time writing my books. First of all, there is not question of a devotee becoming ostracized because he has become ill, nor do I think this is being widely practiced. Who has been ostracized? One of the symptoms of a devotee is that he is kind, so if our Godbrother becomes ill it is our duty to help him get the proper medicine and treatment so that he can recover. Recently our Giriraja became chronically ill in India and had to return to the U.S. for proper medical treatment. There, in our Los Angeles center, he was given his own room, and was able to recuperate comfortably, and now he has returned to his full duties in Bombay. Now Tamala Krsna Goswami has just had a successful hernia operation which was arranged free of charge at one of the most modern hospitals, and there is also a girl devotee undergoing operation there also. Tamala Krsna is now living in a room at our temple; the devotees see that he gets all facility, a hospital bed, proper prasadam, and personal care and visiting. So there is no question of ill treating of our own Godbrothers simply because they are sick, nor should you allow such neglect to go on. So long we have this material body there will be sickness, but we have to remain on the transcendental platform nevertheless. As far as a centralized medical plan for the whole society, no such plan or facility or insurance has seemed practical as yet. The best thing is to work it out locally, try to find the services of a free medical facility in Seattle, or some way that sick devotees can be cared for; that is your responsibility. I think further questions of this sort can be handled by the GBC. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: medical, ostracized, Seattle letters | 21:02 |5 April, 1974 Bombay My Dear Tejyas, Please accept my blessings. With reference to your telephonic conversation with Bhagavata das, enclosed please find one check for Rs 23,000.00 (Rupees twenty three thousand only) in favor of the Punjab National Bank. I think you require this check for purchasing iron. But you have not mentioned for what purpose. Please acknowledge receipt and let me know for what purpose it has been used. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: bank, construction letters | 21:01 |4 April 2008 Thursday, 4 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Atreya Rsi, Please accept my blessings. Very suddenly Tamala Krsna Goswami underwent treatment for a surgical operation for a hernia. Now he is completely invalid and cannot move. It will take about two weeks more to recover, and then he desires to go to the U.S.A. for preaching work, and retire from the GBC. We have discussed about you because immediately you have no portfolio. I am now in India, so in my presence another GBC may not be required, but if required in my absence, my question is whether it will be possible for you to take charge? Kindly guide me how it will be possible, while keeping you occupation intact. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg letters | 21:01 | 4 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Tejyas, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of March 27th with check book and statement. In your footnote you have given discouraging information about the land in Kalkaji. The best thing is if you three, Saurabha, Gurudasa and yourself jointly inspect the land and see if you can utilize it for our purpose. We can use any land, but if you think it will be very, very difficult then what is the use of accepting it. You say I will have to go in person to the registrar office, but that is not a problem. In Hyderabad they gave me land and a Power of Attorney was given to Mahamsa Swami and he took delivery. So the three of you inspect and give a joint report. If it is useless then don't bother. For the time being we are paying Rs 2,500 monthly and no sufficient water and the neighborhood is opposing. In consideration of this, I wanted the Kalkaji land, which is developing equal to Connaught Circus. Kindly send me an exact site plan. The road and access plan may be hand-drawn, it doesn't matter, showing the length and breadth, the surrounding neighborhood etc. The point is, we are not going to make any big scheme anywhere else unless we have sufficient manpower. At present we have to import men from foreign countries and manage in that way. It is not possible to accept any big scheme in New Delhi. Therefore if we could get even small land just to keep our office, for the purpose I thought the land was nice. Visit, and if you all think even for that purpose it is no good then give up the idea; what can be done? But at Kalkaji there is a big Anandamayi asrama and surrounding colonies are inhabited by Bengalis. Anyway, you see and examine further and send me a report with site plan and we shall finally decide. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: Hyderabad, management letters | 21:00 |3 April 2008 Wednesday, 3 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Bhavatarani; Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 24, 1974, and I have noted the contents. I can understand that due to material circumstances you are feeling distressed, and this sum of money which you are about to receive is also causing you distress because you don't know what is the best thing to do with it. I very much appreciate that although you are filled with doubts and suspiscions and although you have many of your own plans for what to do and how to live, you have, nevertheless put the matter before your spiritual master and asked him to direct you. This is a great qualification, and this attitude made Arjuna eligible in the Bhagavad-gita, to receive the full mercy of Krsna's instruction. I think the best thing is to contribute this money to the Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust Fund which you can do either in the U.S. or in India. You have learned from the devotees who have been here, what a large scope our plans are for these two centers in India. During the festival hundreds of devotees from countries all around the world all very much appreciated that these transcendental spots, Mayapur and Vrindaban are place of spiritual inspiration for all devotees of ISKCON. They are the best places in the world to come and chant Hare Krishna and prepare for going Back to Home, Back to Godhead. So you can help by your contribution so that all your Godbrothers and Godsisters can come and find shelter here. As for yourself and your child, these places are for you also. You can come to Mayapur where you can have a separate room, also Bombay this facility is there and it is very comfortable, or Vrindaban, or L.A. or wherever you choose. My only desire for my disciples is that they chant Hare Krishna Mantra at least 16 rounds, follow the rules and live in association of devotees then you will be happy and peaceful and not disturbed. As for money for Hawaii, that we will arrange in a different way. You can consult with Sudama Maharaja how to send money to the Mayapur Vrindaban Trust Fund whether through the Los Angeles Union Bank, which can be handled by Jayatirtha, or direct to my account in Vrindaban. I will be glad to hear from you further in this matter. You have already done much service in raising two children and sending them to Gurukula, so you should not be so disturbed by temporary inconveniences. You can also arrange from this contribution to go on paying tuition for your children at Gurukula, as far as possible. You can write me if you have any further questions. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta *or Liberty Bank, Honolulu where I have a/c letters | 20:59 | 3 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Gurudasa, Please accept my blessings. I have not heard from you in some time and I am eager to hear a report on construction of Krishna Balarama Temple. Have you obtained the marbles slabs, are they being set in? Please let me know how things are going on by sending a report to me in Bombay. Hope this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: Vrindavana letters | 20:58 |3 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Jayapataka and Bhavananda Maharajas, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter and I have carefully noted the contents. As for the advance of Rs 25,000 so that work can continue at Mayapur, that has already been sent from New York by Bali Mardan. There has been some delay in receiving it here but from our Bombay BBT account we have already forwarded the sum of Rs 25,000 to Calcutta, so that question is already answered. You have the money and work should go ahead full force to be completed as agreed. As far as the cows suffering from no good shelter, why have you not built them something solid? I sent $5,000.00 on one occasion and then $4,000.00 previous to that, for construction for the cows. So why are they not protected? Your report on the harvest of crops is a paradox, when compared to the fact that you have to spend money for maintenance. If there is so much harvest, you have cows, vegetables, then why do you require money for maintenance? I have read in your letter how the brahmacaris find it very difficult to plough. It will be very difficult if we do not work the land ourselves. The difficulty can be overcome provided we are sincere. I think we can use modern machines, to drive a tractor, for example, is as easy as driving a car. Suppose we hire a tractor for the time being. I heard they are available from Krishnanagar. In America they take to agriculture; they are farmers although they are not Indians. So why can't the Americans work and farm in India? We just have to adjust in order to raise as much crops as possible for the animals and men. I have seen many farmers near New Vrindaban working nicely with tractors and growing food. One day Kirtanananda Swami hired one and within two hours he tilled many acres of land very nicely, although it was not even land. So in Mayapur it is even land; in a few hours we can till all the land we possess. My point is if somehow we cannot utilize the land then why purchase it at such expenditure? Self help doesn't mean Rs 10,000 spent monthly. As for working with the architects, if you think the soil test is necessary you can consult together, you two and Gargamuni Maharaja and Brahmananda Maharaja and decide yourselves. Tamala Krsna Goswami has no extraordinary experience, so you can do it yourselves. Tamala Krsna is sick now, recovering from a hernia operation, and after he has recovered he is going to America. Yes, it is a good idea to go preaching in Bangladesh. If possible some men may go there. Gargamuni has some experience; when he went there it was Pakistan but still he had good reception. If you go to Bangladesh and establish a center it will be a great achievement. We have a center in China and one in Moscow why not Bangladesh and Pakistan? As for Panca Dravida Swami, I know he is a good preacher and collector. Let him work there for some time and then come back. He is needed in South India and Acyutananda Maharaja is waiting for him. But it will depend on Panca Dravida, he can decide himself which part of the country he can preach best in. Wherever better facilities are we should work, it doesn't matter if it is Nadia or South India. So please go on all working together in cooperative spirit and do the needful; then I may be spared taxing my brain over so many matters and I can go on my real work of translating. I will be glad to hear your further progressive reports. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: agriculture, cooperation, Mayapur, self-sufficiency letters | 20:58 |1 April 2008 Monday, 1 April, 1974 Bombay My dear Syamasundara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated 13 April, 1974 reading as follows: "My most humble obeisances departed India today for America. All signs favorable for good success kindly inform c/o Brooklyn Temple how and where you wish funds repaid. Also how many and where to send your tickets for London plus expected arrival date. Suggest early May for English fragrant Springtime etc . . ." I have already sent you a telegraphic reply reading as follows: "Thank you for your telegram. All blessings of Krsna to you. Letter to follow." I am very much engladdened to receive you telegram and I am prepared to go to London by the 1st of May. My preaching program is to go to Hyderabad on 18 April and after a week to visit Tripati Balaji Temple. I think I can come back to Bombay by the 1st of May and then London as invited by you. You can arrange tickets for myself and my three secretaries, Paul Sherbow, Neil Delmonico and Stephen Guarino (Pradyumna, Nitai and Satsvarupa). Your program to meet her majesty and many responsible elites in London is very attractive to me. You have also proposed that George is preparing some wonderful surprises like my classes with Prince Charles etc. It will be a great opportunity to get cooperation of such big men for rejuvenation of the whole human society. Our men in the U.S.A. are already taking part in politics for the time being superficially we have registered our political party under the name, In God We Trust Party. Similarly we can work in England and if the leading personalities cooperate we can have the whole Parliament as Krsna conscious men including her majesty the Queen. My next program is to reinstate the Vedic divisions in society as recommended in the Bhagavad-gita: catur varnyam maya srstam guna karma vibhagasah tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam [Bg. 4.13] Without this division there cannot be any systematic peaceful running of human activities. There must be a very intelligent class to guide the whole population with brahminical qualifications. There must be a class of people to give protection to the people at the time of danger and ordinarily to maintain peace and order, the ksatriyas. There must be a section to produce food and grains sumptuously for feeding both animals and humans without discrimination. Especially cows must be protected by this class. The meat eater class may not be encouraged but if they are stubbornly attached they can eat hogs and dogs or goats or lambs under certain conditions only, but not by maintaining slaughterhouses. Then human society will be very peaceful and everyone engaged in employment without producing any idle brains which only are devils workshops. If England and America as well as France and Germany can understand this philosophy there will be great theistic revolution which will counteract the atheistic philosophy of Marxism. The present communistic philosophy must be countered by revival of the principles of catur varnyam. I understand that some philosophers in Russia are thinking of autocracy with good sense. I am also advocating this philosophy. I have explained many times, the Vedic system of autocracy or monarchy in good training of God consciousness can save the world though less political thieves have failed with Marxism but if in England people can come to Krsna Consciousness monarchy is superficially maintained, and if the next Krsna Consciousness autocrat it will be a great revolution in the political field. Such noble king is not an autocrat but is guided by Brahmins how to rule and see everyone employed in their respective duties as Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra and no one unemployed. There is no question of unwanted upheaval in society. All such educational instructions are there in the Gita. We simply have to follow them rigidly and the whole human society will be benefited in this life and the next. I know you have ideas and full faith in Krsna and in me and also you have an opportunity to associate with some important persons. So I think you should think over day and night all these proposals. Let us do something which will bring a peaceful revolution to the whole human society. I am sure I have good assistants like you and if you all cooperate with me I am sure of success. So far you are personally concerned, I repeat, if the business in which you have spent so much time is actually profitable, then stick to it and do the needful. Otherwise, I request you to reture and devote your own work in Krsna Conscious activities. I am glad you are now ready to return the money. You can deposit in Lloyds Bank, Southampton Row Branch number 30-97-81 in London in my account 8006334. (Saving Bank) For the time being I can stay in London utmost two weeks then I have to go to France and spend some time, say a month in Geneva, Rome, Sweden, Germany etc. Then if need be I shall come back to London or back to India. So you can think over this matter and do the needful. But if there is important program in London I may not come back to India immediately. Your ever-well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg c.c. to London Labels: New York, politicians, varnashram letters | 20:57 |1 April, 1974 Bombay RESOLUTION At the meeting of the members of the Bureau of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, held at the Hare Krishna Land, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054, on First April, 1974, the following was resolved: 1. That the Society will construct one additional floor on each of the six existing buildings on the Hare Krishna Land, (purchased in October, 1973.) 2. That the President, Secretary, and Treasurer are hereby authorized to appoint any architect, labor contractor, other contractors, engineers, to purchase, etc. for the purpose of construction. 3. That the construction may begin immediately upon approval given by the Bombay Municipal Corporation. Signed for INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurudasa Adhikari Dated this First Day of April, 1974 -/bs Labels: Bombay, construction letters | 20:57 |31 March 2008 Sunday, 31 March, 1974 Bombay My Dear Jaya tirtha, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 20, 1974. I have noted the contents and duly received receipts for money deposited in the Union Bank. I understand three checks totalling $1,278.21 are sent for collection to various countries and you will notify me when these are credited to my account at the Union Bank. In your letter you made no reference to my letter of March 15 to you, and I am therefore enclosing a copy of same. Please let me hear from you on this. I want arrangement that the money from my interest of the Certified Deposit arrive at the Punjab National Bank three days after remittance by the bank in the U.S. If the Union Bank cannot arrange this I want you to inquire to see if the Security Pacific Bank is able to do it, as stated in my letter of March 15. In reference to your proposal that you switch banks in order to get higher rates that should be investigated very carefully that the bank is very reliable. Hope this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Labels: bank letters | 19:17 |30 March 2008 Saturday, 30 March, 1974 Bombay My dear Sriman Pranava das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 28th March and I have noted the contents. Last time when I was in Vrindaban I saw both the lands and we decided that we shall take both of them. The first land which is front side four bighas on the road and six bighas behind, if they are prepared to give us the land for payment of Rs 28,000.00 or less we can take. That we settled up last time. And in between the two lands, the two bighas that also we can take never mind the land is rough, still we are prepared to take it. The other land, twenty bighas, ten bighas in front and ten bighas at the rear can be taken at a total price of Rs 70,000.00 or utmost, Rs 75,000.00. In this way, if the land is available we are prepared to pay immediately. You have suggested it will cost Rs 90,000.00 but that is too much. The front portion at Rs 4,000 and the rear at 3,000, so 70,000 or utmost 75,000. So if they are prepared, arrange for the purchase of the land. My money will be ready the second of May. You can do the needful. In Bombay we are meeting the opposition peacefully and I hope things will come out successfully. Kindly ask Tejyas to send me a statement of account of Delhi, in the name of Vrindaban Construction Fund, Punjab National Bank. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: land, New Delhi, Vrindavana letters | 19:17 | |
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