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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1974 |
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28 December 2008 28 December, 1974 Bombay My dear Jagadisa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 9, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully. Regarding your first question, you have not committed such a serious offense. My request is that you atone for your actions by engaging in devotional service with great enthusiasm. Wherever your health is good, you should remain there and serve. Regarding Gurukula I am very happy to hear that the financial crisis has passed. That is very good. This is real management. As far as the children are concerned, people are accusing us sometimes that our children are undernourished, underfed and note cared for properly. So it is good that you are seeing that they are happy and healthy. They should be given milk at least 8 ounces a day if possible 16 ounces a day. Dahl, capati, rice, vegetable this will keep them fit. If possible a little bit of fruit also. As for fixing up the Deity house in Dallas with marble altars, this is not necessary for now. We shall see later on. For the time being organize the health, education and care of the children and continue the Deity worship as it is going nicely now. Deities are satisfied with bhakti not marble. Therefore try to increase the bhakti. I think that you should immediately try and get the church in Toronto. Take it immediately. Church is always cheaper as there are not many other purchasers. This way we can bargain with them and bring the price down. The psychology behind it is that the Christians will hesitate to tear down a church. They would rather see it still standing. Gradually you should buy all the churches and make them into temples. There are so many churches actually they should give us these churches free, if they were actually God-conscious. But they are sectarian. Anyway purchase this church immediately. It is not very costly. $200,000 you can arrange. If it is available from BBT at this time then I have no objection. You can make the $150,000 loan from BBT. I do not know though if that much is available. Increase the Rathayatra festival in Chicago. Make it twice as big, that will be very nice. This festival must be introduced wherever possible. It is so nice. In connection with your using your efforts to make television shows, no, that is not important now. Don't waste time in this way. Better to have nice festivals like Rathayatra festivals. If they see us on television show then the next moment they will forget. But if they come to a festival and participate that is eternal benefit. Now you are raising your third child. So more and more you are becoming responsible for these living entities who are your dependents. You must see that they do not take birth again in this material world. That is your duty. Therefore you and your good wife must endeavor strongly together to become fully Krsna Conscious through this simple, sublime process that I have given. By simply following this process without deviation, chanting 16 rounds, following the four regulative principles, attending classes and mangala arati, rising early, these things will gradually bring you to the platform of pure love of Krsna. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ps Labels: Chicago, Church, gurukula, Rathayatra, Toronto letters | 06:44 |3 September 2008 Wednesday, 4 September, 1974 Vrindaban My Dear Rupanuga das: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated August 17 1974 and August 26, 1974 and have noted the contents. As you are appreciating my books, so if all educated people in your country also appreciate, that will expand our missionary activities. One thing I received one letter from Gurukula regarding the Krsna Bowl contests, and I want you to know that nothing new should be added. Whatever I have introduced should remain. Nothing new should be added. New things means their brain is not clear. Carefully manage things what I have established. I am glad to learn that in Philadelphia they are increasing Sankirtana. It is our life and soul. Sankirtana should be increased as much as possible. Side by side is book selling. Then our mission will be successful. It is also good that in Atlanta they are doing college courses. Similar attempts should be made in other places. Regarding the Buffalo project, New Vrindaban is the example. You should develop in a similar way. Have milk, vegetables, simple living, and chanting Hare Krsna. The whole world is engaged in unnecessary hard labor with their factories. It is a brain killing civilization. Let them come to free life. Spend time chanting Hare Krsna, reading books and making their lives successful. This is very essential propaganda. People must be informed. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: farm, gurukula, nothing added, Washington letters | 01:58 |19 August 2008 19 August, 1974 Vrindaban My Dear Hiranyagarbha das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 26th 1974 and have noted the contents. Jagadisa prabhu has informed me that he has already gone over the points with you at New Vrndavana recently. In teaching the children, you should refer very carefully to my books. The qualities of a brahman as mentioned in BG chapter 18: sama dama tapasocam. You must teach these qualities. These qualities will naturally come out, if you just give the process purely. The information is there in my books so if you strictly adhere to them then your program of teaching will be successful. First of all you must teach by your personal example. This is the principle of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu (apani acari bhakti pracaram). So you yourself must chant 16 rounds and follow the regulative principles and automatically they will do as you are doing. Then they will become strong Vaisnavas. Regarding the initiation of Jon Walsh, please let me know if he was initiated there in New Vrndavana. If not then I will initiate him. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs/ps Labels: gurukula, New Vrindavan, regulative principles letters | 20:55 |20 July 2008 Saturday, 20 July, 1974 New Vrindaban My Dear Suchitra devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your very nice letter and I thank you very much for your kind sentiments. I understand that you are the mother of the little boy Purnima das. He is very nice boy. He is Vaisnava. So you are very fortunate to have such a son. You can take it that Krsna has given you this son. So you must take care of him nicely and raise him in Krishna consciousness. All these boys must be taken care of very nicely. They are the future hope. When he is ready, he must be taught English and Sanskrit. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/bs Labels: child, gurukula, New Vrindavan letters | 09:42 |18 June 2008 18 June, 1974 Frankfurt My dear Jagadisa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your zonal report of May 28 and have examined the contents. From your report it appears that the transfer of the older Gurukula boys above ten years old has proven successful. I am glad to hear they are housed in a clean building with electricity and hot and cold water and that their teacher from Dallas is with them instructing them just as before. I am always eager to hear that Gurukula is going well so be very vigilant that this program with the older boys in New Vrindaban as well as all levels of teaching at Dallas are just to the standard as I introduced it. There is no more important school in the world, so it requires careful guidance. Yes, the farm plan in New Orleans is fine. But one thing is if we get land we must first be sure we will be able to fully utilize it, otherwise, if we cannot use it what is the use? I want the world to see by our example that life can be lived naturally, peacefully if one is self sufficient with land, some cows and chanting Hare Krishna. That is the idea of purchasing land. It is not necessary that every temple have a farm, but as many as can be efficiently managed locally is all right. Let them see our centers are self sufficient. Whatever can be managed conveniently. If they can manage a farm in Detroit also, what is the harm? Yes, consult with BaliMardan and if the new building required for our Montreal center is reasonable in all respects then purchase it. I can understand that you are travelling widely and managing many projects over a great area. Krsna will give you stamina and intelligence to carry out more and more projects successfully in His Name - provided you are sincere and remain strong spiritually by following the regulative principles. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: Chicago, GBC, gurukula, land, New Orleans letters | 06:15 |10 May 2008 10 May, 1974 Bombay My dear Jagadisa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 26, 1974 and noted the contents. I can appreciate that you are traveling widely in your recently expanded zone and you plan to first become acquainted with the temple presidents by traveling is good. As far as you leaving Uttama Sloka in charge of Toronto and sending Sripati to Montreal, that is alright. I know Sripati was already there in Montreal and he is experienced. Regarding your Gurukula report, why are the older boys being sent to New Vrindaban? What are the facilities like, what is the program there, what is the need for them to move? As things are not fully explained in your letter, I am inquiring regarding this very important change. As for buying a new house and land in order that the pre-school children may go there, what is the need of them being separate. If they cannot rise early, why should you take care of such young ones at Gurukula. But if they are rising early and attending arati, then why must they be separate from the other little children? Please explain further. You are right when you say Deity worship must be maintained. This is most important. I know Nandarani is expert in Deity care but I think she is working with the children. Your wife is also expert, so she can maintain the sewing and Deity worship program. But the standard must always be kept up. Sankirtana is also a part of Vaisnavism. All our activities are a part of Vaisnavism. So Sankirtana should also be developed at Dallas. Yes, I have heard myself about Winipeg, that it is a big city in Canada. So if you think it better to move Regina center there that is approved by me. Yes, you plan to keep headquarters 1/2 year in Chicago and 1/2 year in Dallas, that is approved by me. Please send regular reports. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: Canada, Chicago, Deities, gurukula, sankirtan letters | 12:34 |4 May 2008 4 May, 1974 Bombay My dear Bhavatarini, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 23, and I have noted the contents. Your enthusiastic response to my instructions is very encouraging. Actually the disciple is supposed to find relief from all his problems just by carrying out the orders of the spiritual master. Just as Arjuna in the beginning was completely confused and lamenting, but after accepting Krsna and hearing from Him he said, "Now my illusion is over, and I am prepared to do whatever you say." If the guru is a representative of the Supreme Lord in disciplic succession and the student is sincere, only then he can get him out of the clutches of the material energy to become situated in spiritual happiness above all material desires, in Krsna Consciousness. As you say you have on hand a check for $41,880.83, I request you deposit that in the Mayapur Vrindaban Trust Fund. The last time I was in Hawaii I established an account in this name in one Honolulu Bank. You will find a Savings Deposit slip enclosed. You can just fill in the exact amount and deposit it with the main branch of the Liberty Bank in Honolulu account 35785, in the name of Mayapur Vrindaban Trust Fund. As for the $150 you will be receiving each month for the next five years, I think that will be sufficient tuition for your two children at Gurukula, and that will oblige your debt to Gurukula. As for Sudama Maharaja, it is better that he write to me separately; I will send him money from here for his projects. If you like to come to India you will be most welcome. The sites at Mayapur and Vrindaban are just for my American and European students who can come and get the benefit of these holy places. You seemed to have taken a new grasp on Krsna Consciousness when you say, "As for where to live, my only concern now is to live where I can best serve you." A pure devotee actually has no problems for himself; wherever he is he can read books like Krsna Books and chant Hare Krsna, get some prasadam and always think of Krsna. Prahlada Maharaja prayed like that: I have no problem for myself. The only concern of the devotees is that so many rascals are suffering in the concocted civilization of illusory sense enjoyment, how can they be saved? So our Krsna Consciousness movement is made for that saving the rascals. This donation you are making in all sincerity will also help us to push on and make some effect in bringing persons back to home, back to Godhead. I will be glad to hear from you, how you have disbursed the money and how you are settling up your personal situation. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: disciple, gurukula, Hawaii, spiritual master letters | 08:56 |13 April 2008 13 April, 1974 Bombay Dear Bali Mardan, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge your letter of April 29, 1974 with copy of the $50,000 check. I have also received a telegram from you today reading, "Money traced to Central Bank of India Madurai 1 Tamil Nadu South PO Box 8 Second cable sent to transfer funds to Bombay Gowali Branch." Now Giriraja reports that the check has finally been deposited in the Gowalia Tank Branch. I have also seen your reports of BBT loans to temples for various projects in the upcoming months. Regarding using New Vrindaban land for building for the older Gurukula boys it is a very good idea. As for the younger children it may be better to keep them in Dallas. But there are only 100 of them; whether they actually need new buildings in Dallas? This is to be investigated and decided upon by the GBC. As for my own activities as you have requested, my schedule is: leave for Hyderabad April 18; after one week in Hyderabad I will travel one week in southern India; by middle of May I will leave India for Paris, and will travel 4 or 5 days in each place to Geneva, Rome, Sweden, then 3 or 4 cities in Germany. Then I may go to Rathayatra in Australia and back to India by Janmastami. After that I will go to England and then the U.S. What is the news on our buildings in New York? Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/sdg Labels: bank, gurukula, itinerary, New York letters | 12:08 |9 January 2008 Wednesday, 9 January, 1974 Los Angeles Dear Gurudasa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 27, 1973 and I have noted the contents carefully. Regarding transfer of money from the U.S.A., I have somehow or other arranged to transfer about $20,000; $10,000 of this is for purchasing land with a view to maintaining our temples in Mayapur and Vrindaban, and $10,000 for completing Vrindaban temple. I have already sent $4,000 to Mayapur for purchasing land there and I am coming to India by February 1st with the money for Vrindaban construction. In the meantime you can purchase as much material as possible and as soon as I reach India by February 1st, I shall pay them immediately for their bills. I am thinking of coming to New Delhi so when we meet in New Delhi we can pay the bills for materials you have purchased. Most probably you will be purchasing in New Delhi. Temple construction must be finished by or before Janmastami. If you can finish my portion on or before my reaching India then I can personally go to Vrindaban and see what is the situation and how to manage. I can remain at Vrindaban through the month of February to estimate and supervise temple construction and then by the 1st of March I may go to Mayapur. The money sent by Tamala Krsna Goswami is given by Bhogilal Patel, and Giriraja told me that was his contribution for the temple. Never mind, you can employ all collections in India for the asrama, but the money I shall take will be devoted to finishing the temple. For finishing my quarters I don't think it will require more than Rs 5,000. Do the needful and I am coming with the required money. But what you have heard from Giriraja, some utopian 22 lacs, is not correct. So begin work immediately. Regarding starting a school in Vrindaban, we don't want any school for studying philosophy. Simply a school for teaching our members sanskrit and Hindi. Dr. Kapoor has expressed his inability to teach language, that's all right, for the time being we don't require any philosophical teacher. Start with Hari Goswami for teaching Hindi and Sanskrit. Regularly he can teach 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the evening. He can be paid a reasonable renumeration, maybe at least Rs 200 per month. He can be assisted by another teacher available in Vrindaban. I have noted down the Punjab National Bank Account number, 6112, and I thank you very much. Most probably, I will be leaving January 14th to Hawaii on my way to India. Our Hawaii address is as follows: ISKCON, 1578 Ala Aoloa Loop, Honolulu, Hawaii. Hope this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Labels: construction, gurukula, Mayapur, Vrindavana letters | 15:16 |7 January 2008 Monday, 7 January, 1974 Los Angeles Dear Dayananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 30, 1974, and I have carefully examined the contents. On your recommendation, I am glad to accept the following devotees as my disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows: Geoffrey Simpson - Jyotir das Shawn Kennedy - Stavya das Kenneth Grenham - Kedaranatha Nancy Grenham - Kama-nagari You may send their beads to Kirtanananda Maharaja to be chanted on. Please impress upon these students that they must now chant at least 16 rounds daily without fail, and strictly observe the regulative principles. If they follow these things their spiritual advancement will be very swift. You may hold a fire yajna for the initiates. I have accepted the devotees whose names you have sent me for second initiation, Aksobhya das, Jnanagamya das, Carucandra das, Rathangapani das, Krsna Kumari dasi and Bisa Laksi dasi. I am enclosing four sacred threads chanted on by me, and six copies of the gayatri mantra. Have them hear the mantra on the tape through their right ear, and instruct them carefully on Brahminical life. I am always thinking of and appreciating the important work you are all doing there in our Krsna Conscious Gurukula. Please keep steadfast in the program as I have instructed. Hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Labels: gurukula, initiation letters | 15:13 | |
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