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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1974 |
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31 December 2008 31 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Gopala Krishna das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated December 16th and 21st, 1974 and have noted the contents. The only thing I am thinking is that you are getting good money to be used for Krishna. So anyway, if you look after Spiritual Sky business, I have no objection. Hamsaduta is here and I have discussed with him. I have given the decision over to the GBC men. Whatever they decide, I shall accept. Regarding Gurudasa, he is in L.A. and has engaged himself in preaching work, so I have advised him separately. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps letters | 10:00 | 28 December 2008 28 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Tamala Krishna Goswami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12-11-74 and have noted the contents carefully. I was extremely pleased to hear your report from your traveling buses. It sounds as if your program is very very wonderful and I am very encouraged to hear that such a program is coming along so nicely. I am glad that you have understood the importance of my books, therefore I am stressing it so much. Let everyone take these books. If he simply reads one page then he is getting something substantial, a real eternal benefit. Or if he hands it over to his friend and he reads one page the same result is there. So continue these festivals constantly and make them all Krsna Conscious. Over flood the whole country by this preaching work. Let the whole United States become Vaisnavas, then everyone else in the whole world will follow. That is my real ambition. Therefore your program is very glorious. This is really preaching. Your intelligence is being properly utilized. In the beginning you took up the distribution of BTG's and you sold the most. Now you have taken up this van program and you will also be successful in the same way. This preaching spirit will make you recognized by Krsna. There is so much wonderful potential in USA for this type of program. So organize hundreds of such parties. This is fulfilling the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I am very glad to hear that not only you are maintaining such program but that you want to expand it. Yes, this is our philosophy; anandambuddhi vardhanam. It means to expand or to increase. Therefore I strongly encourage you to double your program by getting three more buses if you can do it. There is no difficulty. BBT will help. I have written Hamsaduta one letter to give you the loan of $30,000. BBT means fifty percent is for printing books and fifty percent for construction of temples. So your buses are all moving temples. Don't worry. There will be no scarcity of money. Go on with your program and increase and increase more and more. In the end of your letter you mention that people are not very much eager to go to Temples but with your program you are bringing the temples to the people. Yes, this is a very important point. You have picked up this idea very nicely, of bringing the temples to the people. In this way you will give everyone the opportunity to step in the direction of back to Godhead, back to home. So you and Visnujana Maharaja and all of your nice brahmacaris continue strongly with great enthusiasm and determination to spread this Krsna Consciousness movement all over your country and Lord Caitanya will certainly be pleased with you. Labels: book distribution, buses, New York letters | 06:42 |27 December 2008 27 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Gopijanavallabha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegrams dated the 23rd and 24th of December and have noted the contents which reads as follows: "WE WOULD LIKE TO INTIMATE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFIED DEVOTEES FOR ABHISEKA CEREMONY JANUARY 1 DOUGLAS CURRIE FRANK NATALI GABRIEL FRIED BHARAT JAGERNAUTH ORVILLE GRIFFITH PAUL HERSHEY TAB MATTLER KAREN SILVERSTEIN KATHY MCGUIRE PAULA GENSTSCH FOR SECOND BHADRA SEN LOKA MANGALA SADACARA TIRTHAPADA ALARKA DUKHAHANTRI HARANETRANI THEY HAVE ALL WRITTEN NICE PAPERS RUPANUGA CAN CHANT BEADS IF PRABHUPADA AUTHORIZES PLEASE WIRE NAMES AND AUTHORITY FOR SEVEN BRAHMANAS CAN ALL INTIMATED DISCIPLES POUR WATER ON SMALL DEITIES AT ABHISEKA AS IN LA PLEASE INCLUDE BHUMI DASI AND MATSYA DAS FOR SECOND INITIATION YOUR SERVANT GOPIJANA BALLAVA DAS." I have answered your telegram also by telegram but I am confirming with this letter and also enclosing threads and mantra sheets for the second initiations. I have accepted as initiated disciples for first initiation the following; Douglas Currie--Darpaha Frank Natali--Pravartaka Gabriel Fried--Gopisa Bharata Jagernauth--Bhtadi Orville Griffith,-- Arcita Paul Hershey--Paramaradhya Tab Mattler--Taraka Karen Silverstein--Kamra devi Kathy McGuire-- Kamalini devi Paula Genstsch--Parasakti devi. Their beads should be chanted on by a sannyasi preferably Kirtanananda Swami if he has not already done so. I have accepted the following for second initiation Bhadra Sen, Loka Mangala, Sadacara, Tirthapada, Alarka, Dukhahantri, and Haranetrani. Also Bhumi dasi and Matsya das. I hope everything is going nicely there. Always keep yourself engaged in Krsna's service and maya will never attack. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps Labels: initiation, New York letters | 06:34 |21 December 2008 Saturday, 21 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Gopijanavallabha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 24, 1974 which was sent to Hong Kong. I think by this time all of your questions in your letter have been answered. I am very anxious to get that building in New York City. Rupanuga has given photographs as well as floor plans in his most recent letter. I like it very much, so I want you to immediately take it. As far as the $300,000 down payment I don't think there will be any difficulty with that. Keep me informed on this matter as the negotiation has already begun. So you along with Rupanuga keep the atmosphere there very pure by holding regular classes, having morning and evening arati and kirtana programs and ensuring that everyone chants their 16 rounds and follows the four regulative principles without fail. And try to increase my book distribution as much as possible. I hope this meets you all in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps Labels: building, New York, standard practices letters | 11:18 |20 December 2008 20 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Jayadvaita, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 1l, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully. Yes, in the future you should make sure that all the books, no matter what size or color, have the words Bhaktivedanta Book Trust under the logos. Whether it is clear or unclear it should be there. Yes you are correct, when one associates with one who is in illusion or mislead naturally he will also become influenced by that illusion. So you must pray to Krsna to protect you from such bad association. Do not forget our most important business which is to develop pure Krsna Consciousness by following our strict regulations and Vaisnava standards, and always be engaged in service. Yasya prasadad bhagavata-prasadao, yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi, anyway by Krsna's grace everything is going on there very nicely. So you are one of the officers there, please continue working very enthusiastically and setting a good example for others. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps letters | 11:14 | 18 December 2008 Wednesday, 18 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your two letters dated Dec. 4, 1974 and Dec. 16, 1974 and I have noted the contents very carefully. I was very much relieved to hear all of the good reports coming from you about New York and I thank you very much for seeing that everything is going on nicely there. As you mention in your letter that the United States is probably the most fertile preaching ground in the world and that the East coast is the best out of that, therefore our New York city temple is an extremely important center and the standard of purity in Krsna Consciousness must be maintained there by all means. If somehow or other we can convince the majority of the United States population to take to Krsna Consciousness then the whole world will become Krsna Conscious. This is a fact. The United States is the leader of all other nations. You simply educate the people in this Krsna Conscious philosophy and then there will be no difficulty in capturing the government. In your country there is very good system of democracy. As we have seen just recently the people, as the common people have so much power, that they were able to get down this Nixon, who is obviously a rascal. So if we can simply convince a good majority of persons then they will automatically want a Krsna Conscious leader. And if there are Krsna Conscious leaders in the government then they will act as Krsna's representative and will be able to save the world from the disastrous condition of life. At the present moment there is nothing but great calamity but by injecting Krsna Consciousness into the masses we can change this situation greatly. Because New York is such an important center we must have a very good building. Therefore I want that you somehow or other get this New York Theological Seminary building at once. From the photographs it appears very big and capable of satisfying all our needs. And according to your letter it is an excellent location. And we can arrange for the money. So there is no difficulty. Try to get it as soon as possible. This will be very pleasing to me. Your sankirtana reports are very encouraging, especially that one girl, Gauri dasi, who has set an all ISKCON women's record of 108 big books. This is very wonderful. Formerly this would have been considered impossible, but now by Krsna's grace everything is becoming possible. Encourage them all to increase more and more. Now Tripurari Prabhu is there and he can train the others. This book distribution is the essence of our mission. Our farm projects are an extremely important part of our movement. We must become self-sufficient by growing our own grains and producing our own milk, then there will be no question of poverty. So develop these farm communities as far as possible. They should be developed as an ideal society depending on natural products not industry. Industry has simply created godlessness, because they think they can manufacture everything that they need. Our Bhagavad-gita philosophy explains that men and animals must have food in order to maintain their bodies. And the production of food is dependent on the rain and the rain of course is dependent on chanting Hare Krsna. Therefore let everyone chant Hare Krsna, eat nicely and keep their bodies fit and healthy. This is ideal life style. We do not condemn modern civilization but we don't like to get it at the cost of God Consciousness, that is suicide. Your farm in Pennsylvania sounds very nice. As far as Bali Mardan beng involved with the management he will have nothing to do with that. The two men you have appointed, Paramananda and Devakinandana Prabhus, are both capable and experienced men from New Vrndavana and I am sure they will manage everything very nicely there. What do you think of exporting nice United States cows such as the ones you have there and in New Vrndavana to India so we can raise them in our Vrndavana and Mayapur projects and provide nice milk? Is it possible? This isolation that has been imposed on the New York temple that you speak of is not good and it should be dissolved. Your program of travelling to the nearest temples is a good program. You should continue that. Our GBC members should always visit the different temples to see that everything goes on well, and to see that the management is being done very nicely. In connection with the devotees coming to India for the Mayapur festival in 1975, if they come on the 20th of March that is alright. Our installation for the Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana will be on April 20th so the devotees should get visas that will allow them to stay until this installation ceremony takes place in April. I think if you make a special request to get these visas explaining about our two very important festivals that there will be no difficulty and they will give them. But I want that the devotees will stay until the temple in Vrndavana opens. Your idea about Gopala Krsna going to L.A. to see how things are going, for a week, is a good idea. He can do that. But I do not want him to give up his job. If he could manage Spiritual Sky without giving up his job, that would be one thing, but I don't want him to lose that job. And your second suggestion about him coming to India for GBC business that is also a very welcome idea. He is fully capable and qualified for being GBC of India. But I want him to maintain his job for now anyway. Immediately although, you can make him one of the GBC men. His name can be added to the list. We can decide about the idea of him coming to India at our next GBC meeting in Mayapur. You asked in your letter whether Gurudasa Prabhu is authorized to collect money from US temples for Vrndavana project. No, he is not authorized to do this. In regards to the $180,000 that was received in discounts. That money should be reinvested in printing books. New York is now saved from the hands of this woman. Unfortunately it has victimized our Bali Mardan. He is a very nice boy but somehow or another he has become victimized by this woman. I do not know how he could be victimized by such a woman who is of mothers age. Somehow or another we must save Bali Mardan as he is very much attached to this woman. You mention that in our Buffalo project that Saptaratha Prabhu is there making nice doll display for the temple. You should tell him that others should also learn from him how to make these dolls. We have to make these doll displays for all of our temples all over the world, on all different subject matters, from the scriptures. It is a very nice way of attracting all people especially in the West. Please continue as GBC there in New York and make sure that everything is going on in a fully Krsna Conscious manner. Everyone should be engaged and everyone should be staunchly following all of our principles. We must pray to Krsna to save us from the attack of so many bad elements. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps Labels: book distribution, New York, political sankirtan letters | 02:20 |15 December 2008 Sunday, 15 December, 1974 Bombay My Dear Bhakta Mark, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil, and have noted the contents. It is very nice that you have met with my disciple, Visnujana Swami and you should try to remain with him and learn as much as possible about this wonderful philosophy of Krsna Consciousness from him. In regards to your initiation it is necessary that you are recommended by one of my elder disciples, such as Visnujana Swami himself or any one of our temple presidents. If he feels you are ready for initiation he can write me a letter and recommend your initiation to me and then we will see. For now I simply request you to continue with this wonderful Sankirtana program and remain as you say in your letter,, cent per cent engaged in serving Krsna and spreading Krsna Consciousness in every way possible by mind, body and words. You can use all of your talents for spreading Krsna Consciousness. So please work closely with Visnujana Maharaja and whatever he says try to do it. And always chant Hare Krsna. As far as the seven transcendental meters for singing the names of the Lord, that is not so important for now. Better to try to increase the purity of the chanting first, that is our most important thing. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps Labels: initiation, New York letters | 02:09 |12 December 2008 Thursday, 12 December, 1974 Bombay My Dear Gopijanavallabha das: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 27, 1974 and have also seen your letter addressed to Brahmananda Swami dated November 21, 1974. I never said that what Taitiriya was doing should be overlooked because of getting the buildings. Anyway where are the buildings? Bali Mardan says he will know who she is in the next 8 weeks, so just see he has made her pregnant twice, thrice, and he does not know who she is? I was tolerating because she was to give the buildings. Bali Mardan said she was this and that, and so I believed. Anyway somehow or other they are out. This is nice. So you all have acted very sensibly. So go on with your Krishna consciousness business. Rupanuga and Kirtanananda Swami I understand are going there, so organize things nicely. We shall try to save Bali Mardan from this fall down. He is a good boy, but he has been mislead. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs N.B. What about getting a new building there? This I want. Labels: building, difficulties, New York letters | 02:05 |8 December 2008 8 December, 1974 Bombay My Dear Gopijanavallabha das: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 1, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully. Regarding the abhiseka ceremony, actually it is to be done. There were mlecchas activities. But it does not require to be done because hari nama is going on, but if it is done for the general satisfaction, it will be better. It is Krsna's mercy how easily they were purged out, otherwise it was reported that they were creating a very dangerous situation. Regarding the discounts from BBT, that may be stopped. You should receive books at the regular temple price. Then when there is the necessity of money the BBT will supply for purchasing the house. No further discount is required. I am simply surprised how Bali Mardan became so influenced. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 06:06 | 8 December, 1974 Bombay My Dear Radhavallabha das: Please accept my blessings. I have seen your letter addressed to Brahmananda Maharaja dated November 26, 1974 and I am glad to learn that the situation in New York is proper again. Thank you very much. So now do everything nicely and cooperate together, and keep everything purified. That is the brahminical qualification, truthfulness and cleanliness, satyam and saucam. These are the first qualifications. Then controlling the mind and the senses, simplicity, full knowledge, and practical application of knowledge, and faith in the Vedas and the spiritual master. Those who are initiated by the brahminical thread, their first duty is to maintain cleanliness and truthfulness. I hope you can understand the importance of this. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 06:05 | 8 December, 1974 Bombay My Dear Hamsaduta das: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 27, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully. If there is a possibility of moving the Press within a year, then you may not move the Press now. It will be a unnecessary expense. Rupanuga's letter in this connection is not yet received. Yes, New York needs a big house. I am not expert in giving my opinion in this matter, so you three, Ramesvara, Radhavallabha, and yourself consider and do what is best. Regarding the couple Lisa and Will, upon your recommendation I can accept them as disciples, but other business of purchasing the farm that I cannot tax my brain. Regarding the BBT and the Society corporation, yes I want this kind of umbrella corporation. But if there is any difficulty, we have got BBT already tax exempt in India. If there is difficulty in getting BBT tax exempt in USA then we have got it here. You say that the lawyer suggests that BBT be a satellite organ of ISKCON, but does that mean that BBT is separate from ISKCON or not? Ramesvara gives the hint that ISKCON may go into liquidation. I cannot think of it. But, anyway, I cannot at any cost risk BBT if ISKCON goes into liquidation. Why risk the BBT by amalgamatng it into ISKCON? Therefore I want to keep BBT separate. Or there is no need of keeping a separate BBT account. The BBT is here in India. That BBT may or may not keep an office in Japan where the majority of the books are printed. The printer ships the books to, say, ISKCON LA, who can warehouse and distribute to other ISKCON centers. BBT India issues the advice what amount ISKCON LA has to pay the printer. And ISKCON LA pays 50% directly to the printer for goods received and 50% may be deposited in the ISKCON Mayapur Vrindaban Fund, to be used for temple construction or purchasing property. In this way there is no need of keeping any separate BBT account which may be taxable. And, ISKCON LA acts as the appointed agent of BBT India. So, if ISKCON LA goes into liquidation, BBT India will not be affected. If the agent goes into liquidation, does it mean that the supplier must also go into liquidation? So ISKCON LA receives goods and pays according to advice received from BBT India. Regarding the film making BBT has already financed the film, so the film is made, so let them sell it and finance other films. Continually it is not possible for BBT to finance. So let them sell and fiance and make films. Regarding Spiritual sky becoming independent from ISKCON, that's all right. I have no objection. But whatever the owe to BBT must be repaid. We have already suggested that Spiritual Sky be separate, but all debts must be repaid to BBT. Regarding the bindery, yes, if it is losing concern, then it must be sold. Who has financed the money to purchase the bindery? And who has financed the purchase of the farm for New York? Yes, someone is definitely required for BBT in New York. We shall decide in our next GBC meeting. Regarding the new lawyer Mr. Whitehorn, what he has informed about the other lawyer Mr. Sherman, just see. But who knows if this present man is a competent lawyer? I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs N.B. I have received reports from Madhavananda, Bhagavata das and others that the number of devotees at the Manor has decreased. This is not a good sign. Why has this happened? I am planning to reach Honolulu by December 20th. letters | 06:05 | 2 December 2008 December 2, 1974 Bombay My Dear Jayadvaita das: Please accept my blessings. I have seen on the new books printed that on the spine of the jacket the words Bhaktivedanta Book Trust have been omitted. Formally they were there on all the books. It is understood from Ramesvara that you removed these words. Why did you do this? Who authorized it? Did Bali Mardan authorize it? These things must be there. Please see to it. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: BBT, New York, unauthorized letters | 01:35 |28 November 2008 28 November, 1974 Bombay My Dear Gopala Krishna das: Please accept my blessings. I have read your letter dated November 21, 1974 addressed to Brahmananda Swami with enclosed picture from Back to Godhead. Even they have changed her face, still it was not possible to hide the fact that she is old, like great grandmother. Because you are a devotee you could not tolerate the nonsense. You are a very good boy. I know that whatever money you have left over from maintaining your family, you give that to the Society. You do not even keep anything for yourself. This is very good. It is very good that you are still trying for a new building. It is long overdue. Why not the same Park Avenue building if it is available? I think that if you all try, it will not be difficult to obtain the required money to obtain it. You have marked that she bought a Toyota car with temple funds, so how could she be a Toyota. You have used your common sense. She wanted to hide herself in so many ways, just like this picture, but she could not. Bali Mardan says that taking milk is also the same as eating meat, therefore you can eat meat. Therefore does it mean that because what I eat all turns to stool, then I should eat stool? If everything I eat turns to stool, does it mean I should eat stool? Is this sound logic? He was a sincere boy, but he has fallen down by bad association. Still I can rectify both of them, provided they agree. If possible send me his address. I want to write to him. I asked him to correct himself, not to leave. Anyway if he agrees he can be corrected. Jagai agreed to the terms of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was corrected by the Lord. I Hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 02:16 | 23 November 2008 23 November, 1974 Bombay My Dear Kirtanananda Swami: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 6, 1974 with the enclosed investigation report. In your letter you mention a recent letter relating to Bali Mardan's plan to infiltrate East Coast temples. What is that letter? Regarding the prasadam, I never approved Mr. Malkani cooking in the temple. He is not initiated. Of course he is Hindu, but he went there to start his business. But, he is not initiated to cook in the temple. Any paid cook is not desirable. Who was cooking formally? He wanted to start his business, not to be engaged by us. The independent cooking done in the temple kitchen is not good.* Why Taittiriya should have a servant? Godbrothers are not meant for being servants. Without the spiritual master's order, nobody can utilize the service of a godbrother as one's personal servant. We address each-other as prabhu, so how can we engage our godbrother as servant? Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu engaged Govindadas who was His god brother as His servant, but that was only on the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's spiritual master. So the best thing is that Bali Mardan live with me. This is the only solution. Regarding ghee for India, what is the price? Australia is also sending in exchange of books. We have received from Australia ghee for Rs. 10-per kg. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami *The right thing is that only twice initiated brahmana disciples cook in the temple. ACBS/bs Labels: New York, paid cook, spiritual master's order letters | 02:01 |21 November 2008 21 November, 1974 Bombay My Dear Tamala Krishna Goswami: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 8, 1974 with enclosures. Regarding your letter dated October 8, 1974 it was received on October 22, 1974 and replied on October 23, 1974. If you have not yet received it, the copy can be mailed to you. Regarding the book distribution, apart from our books, the Communist Party has become popular simply by distributing their literatures. I know in Calcutta the Communist agents were inviting friends and reading their literature. The Russians never came to India, but by distributing literature in every language they get a pretty good number of followers. So if it possible for ordinary third class mundane literature, why not should our transcendental literature create devotees all over the world. I see practically how our books and magazines are becoming popular in your country. So there is good potency for pushing on these literatures very vigorously. So organize this propaganda work very carefully and our movement will be very much successful by introducing literature from village to village. Lord Caitanya wants this, so carry out His order. Everyone says the Investigation Committee. report is dispatched, but it is not in my hand.* It is very good that you have purchased a third bus and also that you are rotating the men. This is a good idea. Yes, train up the brahmanas very carefully. Many Indians and foreigners criticize us how we can create brahmanas. They are under the impression that brahmanas are born like horses and asses are born. According to Bhagavad-gita brahmanas are according to guna and karma. So the training of brahmanas should be so nice that people will be forced to accept them as brahmanas by guna, quality, and karma, action. So go on with your preaching solidly. Krishna will be pleased and Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be kind. He is already kind. You simply have to go village to village, and your life will be perfect. I hope this meets you n good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami * N.B. The report is received in hand today. ACBS/bs Labels: communists, New York letters | 13:49 |8 November 2008 8 November, 1974 Bombay My Dear Taittiriya devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. With further reference to your letter dated September 11, 1974, I beg to inquire whether you have taken possession of the house at 5th Avenue, and if not please let me know why it is delayed. Please send Bali Mardan with detailed information and necessary documents. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 00:30 | 3 November 2008 3 November, 1974 Bombay My Dear Bali Mardan das: Please accept my blessings. I have sent you one letter dated 20/10/74 but not yet received any reply. The copy is enclosed herewith. I request you to come here and see me in India. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: New York letters | 18:46 |23 October 2008 23 October, 1974 Mayapur My Dear Tamala Krishna Goswami: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 8, 1974 and have noted the contents. Your letter was forwarded from Bombay, but the letter from Ramesvara was not enclosed. Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, both should go on, but book distribution is more important. It is brihat kirtana. In Tokyo airport one boy had come up to me asking if he could speak with me. I said yes, and then he asked me "Swamiji, where do you get all that knowledge in your books?" Of course it is Krishna's knowledge, not mine. But the effect is there. So for _ kirtana book distribution is better. Book distribution is also kirtana. Regarding making hundreds of travelling parties, yes do that please as far as possible. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: book distribution, New York letters | 02:58 |9 October 2008 9 October, 1974 Mayapur My Dear Pariksit dasa: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 13, 1974 and have noted the contents. The answers to your questions are as follows: 1. Regarding Krsna das Kaviraja, there is no such information, but as far as possible, he was brahmacari. 2. Lord Nityananda and the associates appeared in the room. 3. The stick held by Lord Nityananda is like your sketch. 4. The bodily hues of the devotees of Lord Nityananda, why green? But, it can be done, there is no harm. 5. You can continue not showing Srimati Radharani's feet. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: art, New York, questions letters | 05:12 |9 October, 1974 Mayapur My Dear Jadurani devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated and have noted the contents. The answers to your questions are as follows: 1. For the portraits of Gaura Kisora and Jagannatha das Babaji, yes you can use the mangalarcana prayers, and also the same for Bhaktivinode Thakura. 2. You can sign your paintings with your personal names. 3. Regarding Devahuti's painting for Adi lila, yes you can use it. I think it is nice. You can also use the painting you had suggested previously. Both can be used. 4. Yes, it is understood that your paintings are offered to the Deities when they appear in books or on the temple walls. It is understood like that. 5. Regarding asking me questions, yes you can ask, but unless it is sanctioned by me, you cannot act on it. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: art, New York, questions letters | 05:11 | |
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