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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1974 |
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8 December 2008 8 December, 1974 Bombay My Dear Ameyatma dasa: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil together with photos of the paintings and card, and layout sketch. Regarding the two portrait paintings of myself you have done, both are nice but the close-up one is better. Regarding the sketch of the Six Goswamis I think it is some imagination. Too much imagination is not good. It is better not to go beyond the limitations as described in the Sastras. What is that scaffolding? So better not to do this idea. Regarding the painting of the arati ceremony, yes do it as it is described in the song. The ceremony was held inside. No arati takes place in the open. Lord Caitanya was a householder at the time. Navadvipa lila means householder lila. The form exhibited was the Panca-tattva form, as it is described: dakhine nitaicand bame gadadhara. Not only are Brahma and Lord Siva but all demigods are offering. And, everyone has got sikhas, why you are asking if only Narahari and others have got? Srivasa was grhastha, and Advaita acharya was grhastha. Regarding your suggestion for a big, big index, who will do the work? I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: art, Los Angeles letters | 06:08 |21 November 2008 21 November, 1974 Bombay Sriman Kirtiraja das: Please accept my blessings. I have seen your letter dated November 12, 1974 addressed to Brahmananda with enclosed samples of the Christmas cards and the calendar. The pictures are very nice. This sort of painting was done during the Muslim Moghal period. But, we don't encourage Christmas greetings. They are nice pictures undoubtedly. It is all right, but the general public will take Krishna as an ordinary man. This will deteriorate from the standard. Every picture is with the gopis. People are generally inclined to man and women connection, and by selling these pictures will affirm their sinful activities in the name of Krishna. These are not meant for the common man but for advanced devotees. If we would distribute them, they would misuse it. I hope you can understand this. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: art, Los Angeles letters | 14:53 |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 |27 September 2008 29 September, 1974 Mayapur My Dear Radhavallabha das: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram dated September 26, 1974 and have noted the contents. Your telegram reads as follows: FOR JADURANI'S NO. 23 PAINTING WHAT SHOULD LAKSMI HOLD IN HER FOUR HANDS PLEASE REPLY BY CABLE - RADHABALLAVA Laksmi holds in her two hands lotus flower and offers blessings with the other hand like you see with the murtis of Radha Krsna with palm open and facing forward. I have never seen Laksmi with four hands, so I do not know what she is holding. I do not think it necessary to reply this matter by cable. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: art, New York, telegram letters | 12:08 |8 September 2008 8 September, 1974 Vrindaban My Dear Jadurani devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated August 14 & 20, 1974 and have noted the contents. Regading Picture #1, it was not enclosed, but yes Mother Yasoda feeding Krsna is parental love, or sometimes you can show Krsna with great difficulty placing the slipper of Nanda Maharaja on his head. Yes, sketch #2 is all right; it is supported in the Caitanya Caritamrta. #3 is also all right. #4 is also all right. Regarding #5 Visnu, Laksmi must always be with Mahavisnu. Yes there should be devotees around the garden or town. Yes, they would look like Visnu. Lord Visnu is never alone. Inside the building is proper. #6 of Krsna and Balarama fighting as bulls is completely rejected by me. It is not good. You have made it demoniac. Make Them as they are themselves, as boys fighting. Never show like this. Everything is there in the Krsna Book. Don't imagine. Regarding question #7 why red background? You can show the full Visnu form. Regarding #8 the color is referred to in the text, so you have to see that portion of the book. Regarding your letter of August 20, Narada can have yellow dhoti. Brahmacaris can be shown in both yellow or saffron, both are correct. Yes, you can make the flower ships as you have described. Why have you discontinued writing the mantras on the bottom of the portrait paintings? I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: art, demoniac, New York, questions letters | 02:14 |9 August 2008 9 August, 1974 Vrindaban My Dear Jadurani devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated August 14 & 20, 1974 and have noted the contents. Regarding Picture #1, it was not enclosed, but yes Mother Yasoda feeding Krsna is parental love, or sometimes you can show Krsna with great difficulty placing the slipper of Nanda Maharaja on his head. Yes, sketch #2 is all right; it is supported in the Caitanya Caritamrta. #3 is also all right. #4 is also all right. Regarding #5 Visnu, Laksmi must always be with Mahavisnu. Yes there should be devotees around the garden or town. Yes, they would look like Visnu. Lord Visnu is never alone. Inside the building is proper. #6 of Krsna and Balarama fighting as bulls is completely rejected by me. It is not good. You have made it demoniac. Make Them as they are themselves, as boys fighting. Never show like this. Everything is there in the Krsna Book. Don't imagine. Regarding question #7 why red background? You can show the full Visnu form. Regarding #8 the color is referred to in the text, so you have to see that portion of the book. Regarding your letter of August 20, Narada can have yellow dhoti. Brahmacaris can be shown in both yellow or saffron, both are correct. Yes, you can make the flower ships as you have described. Why have you discontinued writing the mantras on the bottom of the portrait paintings? I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs letters | 04:33 | 9 June 2008 9 June, 1974 Paris My dear Muralidhara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of May 16, received only now in Paris. Regarding your questions for painting: The enclosed sketch of Lord Visnu visiting the sacrificial arena of Maharaja Prthu is all right as it is, the architecture is nice. Visnu should rest His left hand on Garuda's shoulder. But in the picture of the four kumaras visiting Prthu Maharaja, why are the Kumaras seen as if coming through the ceiling from above? I think it would be better if they were coming inside through the doorway. I am sorry to hear of your wife's poor health. You have tried so many treatments, pills and better climates and visits to doctors, but there is no improvement. I think you can admit her to the hospital on a longer term basis for recooping her health. You should not expect to have children until she is in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: art, health, New York, wife letters | 06:08 |25 May 2008 Sunday, 25 May, 1974 Rome My dear Muralidhara, Jadurani and artists of the art department, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 22, hand delivered to me by Atreya Rsi prabhu. As far as your questions which information you urgently need for completion of the paintings, the answers are as follows. It is correct to show Prthu Maharaja giving a speech to the Kumaras inside his home. For Lord Visnu's appearing at Prthu Maharaja's sacrifice, the sketch you have enclosed is all right. Lord Visnu should rest His left hand on Garuda. As for the wooden sacrificial instrument mentioned during Daksa's sacrifice, yes you can use it in Maharaja Prthu's sacrifice. [ILLUSTRATION] It looks like this. It is a block, like the bottom on a guillotine on which the animal is made to lay his head and then his head is cut off. When Prthu and Archi appeared they looked about 30 or 40 years old. They were dressed opulently like King and Queen with crowns. So I am glad that you are fully absorbed in your work and very concerned that it be executed just to my satisfaction in parampara standard. This is your perfection. I am hopeful we will continue our cooperation as I have many many more books to write if you can only keep up with me in publishing and painting. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg letters | 05:32 | 15 May 2008 Wednesday, 15 May, 1974 Bombay My dear Jadurani dasi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your undated letter, and I have examined the contents. You mention that in the picture where Lord Caitanya is discussing with the Kazi about cow killing, Lord Nityananda is there with a drum. No, there is no mention of Him being with a mrdanga. He should not have a shaved head as a brahmacari but in the same feature as we always see the two, Gaura Nitai. Nityananda was brahmacari and became grhastha but you should always paint them in the Gaura Nitai style and feature you are already accustomed to doing. Do not feel frustrated about the slowness in producing paintings. Simply paint as many as possible. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: art, New York, Nityananda letters | 03:23 |2 May 2008 Thursday, 2 May, 1974 Bombay My dear ISKCON artists, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of April 19, 1974 and have noted the contents. I will answer the points as best as I can. 1. Fresh rice and paddy grains are simply some grains. Still in this country of sandalwood pulp and rice grains are used to put on the forehead in different blessings. 2. Saci should wear a nice sari and nice ornaments, wearing vermillion on the part of her hair. She is dressed not like a queen but a well to do householder. 3. As a baby, boy and young man Lord Caitanya should be dressed opulently. Ornaments are essential. 4. Show the land opulent for the appearance of Maharaja Prthu. 5. & 6. These questions require researching the Bhagavatam. I have asked Pradyumna to look them up for you. 7. No Prthu does not have effulgence. He was a saktyavesa avatara, a living entity empowered. 8. Dhruva should be just as he is shown in your sketch. 9. The sketch is all right. An orange-red dhoti is all right. 10. The airplanes are all right as drawn. 11. The demigods planes are almost equal to the Vaikuntha planes. 12. Yes, the inhabitants of a particular Vaikuntha planet have the same arrangement of symbols in the hands. Nanda and Sunanda should hold as follows: lower right: conch, upper right: disc, upper left: club, lower left: flower. 13. Pracetas should be not clean shaven, but with beards as mendicants. Siva is different colors. Not always yellow. There are eleven kinds of Rudras. 14. No, Siva should not be wearing a garland of skulls. Yes, he can be wearing a short dhoti. 15. They should all be standing around the fire at the sacrificial altar. Do not show the horse there. 16. Yes, although you may not know what Maharaja Prthu or Sita look like, they are present in your paintings due to your consciousness. I am always pleased and looking forward to seeing more beautiful pictures in our books. In India we make life members simply from the high quality and appearance of our books with illustrations. Our society is unrivalled in this respect and this is your credit who are working so selflessly to illustrate my books. Thank you very much. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg letters | 04:43 | 16 March 2008 Saturday, 16 March, 1974 Vrindaban Dear Dhrstaketu, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 28, 1974 and I have examined the contents. Yes, it is all right that you devote your time to painting instead of street sankirtana. The main thing is that you be engaged in some worthwhile work for Krsna without wasting even a moment. Unless we are constantly engaged then there will be sickness and illicit sex automatically. So there is a good need for pictures in our preaching work, especially in illustrating our books, and if you are seriously painting I have no objection to your proposal. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: art, illict sex, preaching letters | 14:28 |7 March 2008 Thursday, 7 March, 1974 Mayapur Dear Muralidhara, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter sent to Mayapur with a list of questions regarding your painting pictures for my books. The answers are as follows: 1. Kardama Muni should look something like you have pictured Vyasadeva, with beard and top know of hair, not as you have pictured him in your drawing. Generally munis have beards. 2. a) The kinnaras and kimpurasas should look like demigods. b) Ghosts and hobgoblins look all rights as you have them pictured. c) There is nothing peculiar looking about Yaksas and Raksasas; they are meat eaters. Just as meat eaters in the ordinary world do not look different. You may show them eating meat, or something like that. d) The Manus should look like kings, they should not have beards, but mustaches. 3. As far as wearing beards one class of men like Advaita Prabhu never wore clean shaven appearance but always had a beard. The other process is to be nicely clean shaven, by the barber. King PratapaRudra was a king so he should not wear a beard but mustaches. 4. Svarupa Damodara should look like a brahmacari. He should not have a beard. 5. In Panca-tattva everyone has an effulgence, but especially Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. 6. The Mayavadi sannyasis generally wear their dhotis up over their knees, and because Lord Caitanya took sannyasa from a Mayavadi sannyasi He is shown like that. So He is seen like this as a sannyasi. 7. Lord Nityananda never took sannyasa. He was independent, like a brahmacari, and later he became married. 8. You may depict both the sages and Yaksas on the ground in the battle with Dhruva. 9. Yes, show Dhruva's soldiers along with him. 10. Ghosts sometimes manifest a body and sometimes they do not. When they took a body it was golden. 11. Dhruva was a Vaisnava, portray him like that. There is not harm that he have a mustache, also helmet, ornaments, and pearl necklace. 12. Svayambhuva Manu is a king, portray him with mustaches. Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya is clean shaven. 13. The picture you have enclosed of Siva Linga is approved by me and it is in the right proportion. It may be black or white according to the stone. Feel free to write me if there are further questions so that our paintings are completely bona fide by the parampara. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg letters | 12:32 | |
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