# Letters — 1976 ### Letter to Abhinanda **Date:** July 17th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Mayapur My dear Abhinanda dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 7, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. There is a great future for making standing orders in India undoubtedly. So now this program must go on very nicely and Krishna will give you all support. In Kuruksetra University, we gave some books to the Vice-chancellor. Please inquire what is their decision concerning taking books and standing order. Thank you very much for the enclosed reviews from the Indian scholars. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Abhirama **Date:** January 9th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Miami My dear Abhirama, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 8th December, 1975. I have replied your previous letter. I do not know why you have not received it. I accept all the candidates for first initiation as my duly initiated disciples. Their spiritual names are: Bhakta Wayne Melton—Visvavrksa dasa Bhakta Michael Cremo—Drutakarma dasa Bhakta Sunil Awatramani—Adridharana dasa Bhakta Andrew Hooper—Srimaya dasa Bhaktin Bernadette—Andharupa dasi Bhaktin Antoinette—Harestanu dasi Now you must hold a fire ceremony. Everyone must vow to chant faithfully 16 rounds minimum a day and follow strictly the rules and regulations. This will insure spiritual strength. They newly initiated brahmanas are Nandanacarya das, Raghunath Puri das, Langaganesh das, Janardana das, Trimalla Bhatta das, and Nartaka Gopala dasi. They should participate in the fire ceremony and afterward should hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape through the right ear. Brahmin means cleanliness—inside by chanting and externally by regular bathing. Teach them this, not only by precept but by your personal example. Now you have got very excellent land, so develop it very nicely. Miami is a tropical climate, so it should be made very lush with fruit and flower trees. I was very glad to see how your temple is now amongst the big leaders of book distribution. This is a sure sign of spiritual strength, for where there is preaching there must be life. Please go on increasing more and more the book distribution. You are working in the right direction. I hope this meets you and all the devotees at New Naimisaranya Forest in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Abhirama **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Calcutta My dear Abhirama das, Please accept my blessings. Please let me know how negotiations are going on with acquiring the park across the way, for making "Bhaktivedanta Park." You should concentrate on getting the park. The house is of secondary importance. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Abhirama **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Calcutta My dear Abhirama das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 9, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You can continue to work at trying to get the park for constructing our temple there as previously planned. Keep me informed as to the progress. So far the land in Jagannatha Puri is concerned, we can have a nice temple on 21 acres of land.* You can negotiate the rental fees and inform me accordingly before proceeding further with this project. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- *Whether in the land there is vegetation? If it is only sandy then it is not good ### Letter to Abhirama **Date:** June 7th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Calcutta My dear Abhirama das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 29, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Our plan is to be presented in the following way: This is for beautifying the park. Our temple is not sectarian. Just as any beautiful spot is attractive to the public, so all members of the public will be invited to come. We shall decorate the park very nicely, and it will be open for all nations, and all sects. Take it from the beauty side. What is the harm? Suppose that a statue is in a museum, does it mean sectarian? It will glorify Vedic culture, so why the corporation will not agree with our plan? (Of course, the Deity must be there). It will be open to the public and we will invite tourists from all over the world. It shall be an artistic exhibition. And we shall spend any amount of money to make it an attractive spot for world tourists. So try for the sanctioning by all means. Somehow or other, by flattery or whatever, get it sanctioned. It is very important. Convince them it is beautifying the park. And we shall please the corporation, the municipality, in every respect. It is a cultural presentation, not a temple, and it will attract many visitors. Convince them on this point. Also, what about the corner house, on the corner of the park? You can make inquiries concerning this as well. Concerning Puri, whether there is potency of vegetation. That we have to examine. If there is no such potency, then we are not interested. And what about transportation across the hot sand? In the summer season, it will be too hot. So, the question is whether in that sand there is possibility of growing trees and plants, whether the sand is fit for that. Otherwise, it is desert and will not be suitable. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Acyuta **Date:** September 20th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Sao Paulo, Brazil My Dear Acyuta das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 7, 1976 and the enclosed Magazine article. The article looks very nice and the pictures are very positively descriptive. Continue your nice preaching work there with great enthusiasm. On your recommendation I am accepting the following disciples for first and second initiation. First InitiationBhakta Ivan—Indrasena dasaBhaktin Dora—Dharma-patni dasiBhakta Manuel—Madhupati dasaBhakta Mozart—Madhava-priya dasaBhakta Ramacandra—Rangapuri dasaBhakta Luchie—Lilasuka dasaBhakta Paulo—Ananta-padmanabha dasaSecond InitiationParavyoma das brahmacariDurasada dasa brahmacariMahayogisvara devi dasiMadhusvara devi dasiPlease hold a fire sacrifice and the first initiated disciples may receive their names at that time while the brahmana initiates may hear the mantra through the right ear and receive the threads. Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on the beads and give them to the devotees. All initiates must chant minimum 16 rounds on the beads daily and very strictly follow the four regulative principles to insure success on the path of spiritual progress of life. A brahmana must be clean by bathing and chanting daily. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Acyutananda, Yasodanandana **Date:** February 8th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Guntur, A.P., India My Dear Acyutananda and Yasodanandana Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 2 February 1976.Now we have books in so many different languages, they simply have to be distributed everywhere. Then gradually by reading them our movement will be appreciated by all. Go on preaching, chanting, distributing prasadam and selling our books. I shall see you when you arrive in Mayapur. I may go to Bengala Desh at the end of February. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Aditya **Date:** February 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear Aditya, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 28th January, 1976.The spirit soul is equal in either a man or woman. One who is actually engaged in the service of Krishna, there is no such distinction as man or woman. In the Bhagavad-gita, 6th Chapter, 1st Verse it is stated anasritah karma-phalam karijam karma karoti yah/ sa sannyasi ca yogi ca na niragnir na cakriyah [Bg. 6.1]. Anyone acting for Krishna, he is a sannyasi or sannyasini. It is also stated: striyo vaisyas tatha sudras te'pi yanti param gatim. So spiritually everyone is equal. But materially a woman cannot be given Sannyasa. But you should not be bothered because you are serving on the spiritual platform. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Advaitacarya **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Advaitacarya, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter undated. You are taking care of the cows. That is cow puja. Don't bother with anything else. Keep yourself in Krsna consciousness by strictly observing the regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds. Always keep engaged in Krsna's service. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Agent, Central Bank of India **Date:** January 26th 1976 > The Agent,Central Bank of India,Camac Street Branch,10, Camac Street Calcutta 700017P.O. Sreedham Mayapur Dist. Nadia, West Bengal Dear Mr. Dutta, Please accept my greetings. When I first met you you suggested that there are some newly built houses in Akhra. If there is a 4-Bedroom house or at least a 3-Bedroom house, please kindly send me the details and papers. Hoping this meets you well. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Ajita **Date:** May 11th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Cleveland My dear Ajita das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 26, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning renaming your temple, if I have already given a name previously, then what is the need to re-name it. Now I can see that there is good preaching potential everywhere in your country as you mention the good response at the universities. Push on with these preaching activities and distribute my books profusely. They will someday realize how valuable books we have left them. If you carry out your plan to hold Rathayatra, be certain that the Ratha-cart is very strongly made, so that it does not break during the procession. They had a very good cart made in Philadelphia and you can take hints from the devotees there how they designed their cart. Upon your recommendation, I am accepting Lilamohana das and Kesava das for second initiation. Their threads are enclosed and you can play the gayatri mantra with accompanying mantra sheets into their right ear. Also, I am accepting Robert Hamilton (Sthayibhava das), and Joseph Hall (Mahamantra das) as my disciples. You can hold fire sacrifice and their beads may be chanted upon by Kirtanananda Swami. They must agree to strictly follow the regulative principles: no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating, and to chant minimum 16 rounds of japa daily. See that everyone is maintaining this standard of regulation so that there will be no hindrance to developing Krsna Consciousness. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ajita **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Cleveland My Dear Ajita das, Please accept my blessings. As per your letter of request, I am accepting on your recommendation the following for first and second initiation, First InitiationPatricia Taylor—Papsudani dasiDiane Zimmerman—Dinadaya dasiSecond InitiationMaharudra dasThe names and beads duly chanted upon by your local GBC man, may be given at a fire yajna. The brahmana thread and gayatri mantra which must be heard through the right ear, may also be given at the fire yajna. All initiated disciples must chant 16 rounds a day without fail and observe the four regulative principles very strictly. The brahmanas must become learned in the sastras and very clean internally and externally by regularly bathing with water and the holy name. A brahmana must be fixed up in understanding of brahmana. One should not take it cheaply. This initiation is very serious and one should endeavor to follow the orders of the spiritual master with great determination. Daksina should also be offered when one presents oneself for initiation. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Ajitananda **Date:** January 16th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > New Vrindaban My dear Ajitananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 25th, 1976. Considering your problem I will advise you to chant on your lips since you become tired chanting out loud. Also you can sit and hear your Godbrothers chanting. And you can also hear tapes. Do all of these and there should be no problem. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** February 28th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda Swami, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23rd February, 1976.If we get chance, we must open a center in Kanpur. It is a very important city in India. I heard that there was someone who was willing to give us a house. Kanpur is the third most important city in India next to Calcutta and Bombay. We must open a center there, if there is a chance. Padampat Singhania can himself build the whole gurukula. Similarly Banthuram Jaipuria who is our member, I think, can build the whole thing. If anyone gives the whole money for the building, then we can call the building in his name. The mercantile community is advised to follow the brahmanas. So you are bona fide brahmanas. And if the Vaisyas follow your instruction, they will be happy and pious. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** April 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to inform you that one of our life members, Kanailall Taparia, has generously consented that we may use his place in Vrindaban. He has 12 rooms (10 are small and 2 are big), and they are located in the vicinity of Krishna Bhakti asrama in Raman Reti. You can make inquiries just where it is and survey the facilities. Now there is some commotion about all the householders and children at the Temple so they can move there and we can use the 2 big rooms as a Gurukula for now. It does not matter that the land is not ours, that we can negotiate later, but we can utilize for the time being and negotiate later to purchase or not, or even he may contribute outright to us. You can see the property and let me know promptly of the outcome. I shall send you a letter of authorization from Mr. Taparia in short time. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** April 16th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I have received one invitation for a preaching engagement in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. There is some function there from the 6th May to the 13rd May, 1976, and we have been invited for preaching. They have mentioned taking care of all arrangement and expenses. If you are free you can go there and preach at this program. The gentleman's name is: Sri Hari, address below: Sri Hari Mandir, SolanQuarter 3, (number 3)Somash Kanda, Giri Nagar, Kalkazi, New Delhi (110019)You can contact him at this address for further information. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** May 6th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda Swami, Please accept my blessings. We have just come from Fiji Island where we are about to build our first temple outside India. This Krishna Kaliya Temple will be in many respects similar to the Vrindaban Temple as regarding the architectural work. Therefore, I am requesting you to make photos of the altars, and give detailed dimensions of the same, as well as the Vyasasana. Also take photos of the area outside the altar from where people will view the Deities. These items and others requested by the devotees in Fiji should be sent to them directly so that they can go ahead unimpeded in the construction of the new temple. Please do this immediately. The address in Fiji isMr. Deoji Punja (Vasudeva das Adhikari)P.O. Box 125,Lautoka, Fiji IslandThank you very much. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 2, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I am very pleased to hear that Haihaya is doing nicely as manager. He is a good boy. Now train him to be first class manager. You mention attracting more people to stay in our guest house . . . yes, but when will that attraction be made? First attraction is to clear all children out of the guesthouse, otherwise no one will come. It is very much botheration. I had written to you about sending dimensions of the altar and vyasasana, etc. to Fiji where we are presently constructing the Krsna-Kaliya temple, but I have received word from Fiji that as yet they have not received this information from you. Please try to do the needful as they are nearly ready to begin work on that portion of the temple. Concerning the 4 men who were supposed to have come to New Vrindaban for constructing purposes, Kirtanananda Swami will correspond with you directly in the event the need may arise. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- also send photos of the altars and Vyasasana to Fiji as they will need these for making the designs ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** July 5th 1976 — **Location:** Washington D.C. > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 20, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. If you organize you will get so many nice guests and they will contribute. Everything must be neat and clean and silent, then people will come. Safety at Taparia house is that it should not be left vacant at any time. Somebody, at least 4-5 men should be there to remain. Then the thieves will stay away. Everything must be kept under lock and key. You see what is necessary. Previously it was proposed to have a barbed wire fence. I do not know if that is necessary, but if a fence is needed then a high brick wall is better than barbed wire. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** December 12th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8th December, 1976.You have sent me the balances recorded in the passbook, but I want the balance according to the bank. Please do this immediately. Find out from the bank manager what the balance of these two accounts are and send the information to me immediately. Also, what is the progress with the municipal affairs? Please send me a full report. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** December 21st 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Vrndavana My dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessingsIt is very nice that the U. P. State Ministry has booked eleven double rooms in our guesthouse. Kindly give them a good reception and food and deal very nicely with them in all respects. It is very nice that the chokidars have nice uniforms and are working very efficiently. That is wanted. The uniforms for the guesthouse staff should also be ready when the government people come. I am very anxious to know what happened about the Municipal affair. Please let me know at the earliest. I hope this letter will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/gdb --- His Holiness Aksayananda Swamic/o ISKCON Krishna Balaram MandirBhaktivedanta Swami RoadRaman Reti, Vrindavan, Mathura, U.P ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** January 6th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore My Dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated 24th December and 31st December, 1975, and have noted the contents of each carefully. Regarding the land of Sri R. N. Bhargava, since he is offering it to us for our unconditional use, why not take it? Naturally, if we start a Gosala there, later on we can start a Vedic school for the higher class of people. Study of the Vedas is not meant for children. You should ascertain definitely by asking some knowledgable persons, whether or not the Ganges will come again. Another point is whether the government can be induced to build a road there. So, if there is possibility of developing the land, then we can take it. The other piece of land near the Kailash Temple is the most important place in Kanpur. Please enquire from Mr. Kapur what is the actual size of the land and what would be the conditions for transferring it to our name. That land would be most ideal for establishing our center in Kanpur. I am very glad to hear that Sri Mungturam Jaipuria wishes to stay at our Guesthouse when he visits Vrindaban. He is a very big man, one of the big industrialists like Birla and Dalmia. Please deal very nicely with him, for if he is pleased with us he can be very helpful. I am glad to know that new men are coming to help with the activities in Vrindaban temple. The kitchen department should be very clean and things should not be wasted. This is the first consideration. Yesterday we have visited a very old and famous Ranganatha Temple here in Nellore. Everything is being managed very nicely and there are very nice arrangements for those who come for darsana. So similarly our temple in Vrindaban must be managed expertly that everyone who comes is given caranamrta and prasadam of the Deity. The translation of Dr. Radha Raman Gupta is not very good. We have sent Mr. Singh and Mr. Mitra for this purpose. I accept Govinda das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed is his sacred thread duly chanted on by me. Now you have to hold a fire ceremony and let him hear the gayatri mantra from the tape recording in his right ear. If he is going to engage in the Deity's service, he must be taught to be very clean. Brahmin means to be clean—internally by chanting the Lord's glories and externally by regular bathing. I hope this will meet you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** January 13th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 8th January, 1976.Why Saurabha should be consulted for Temple functioning and maintenance? He cannot give you any idea for these things. He is busy with other matters. Dramas are alright if you can perform them nicely. Even if you don't speak them in English, they can be rendered into Hindi on the microphone while the drama goes on. But the puppet shows should be stopped. It is nonsense. What are those Bengali dramas that Nitai is working on? He should work on arcana-paddhati, not divert his attention here and there. He should make Hari-bhakti-Vilasa into short cut, not more than twenty pages. He can consult Nrsimha Vallabha Goswami for help in this matter. This should be his first consideration now. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- N.B. Please let me know how "mukut" department is going to be managed? Who is the manager and what is the management scheme? ### Letter to Aksayananda **Date:** January 29th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrindaban My dear Aksayananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 23rd January, 1976 and I have noted the contents. I have read the letter of Mr. Kapur. I am agreeable to coming to Kanpur; the question is when. You are planning a program at the Prayag Narayana Mandir on the 15th Feb. I know that Temple, it is very famous. If some program is held there, all Kanpur people will come. Just now I am resting at Mayapur, so if it is possible to hold this program without me, then I may not come. Otherwise, if my presence is required* then I can come. Following the Vrndavana festival there is a tentative program for me to go to Manipur. At that time I can easily visit Kanpur on my way to Manipur. Visiting at that time would be very convenient. We should certainly have a centre in Kanpur. It is the third most important city in India after Bombay and Calcutta. It is not possible to give you definite answer on the land of Mr. Bhargava at this time. We have to wait to see what is the condition of the land during monsoon. If it is not too disturbed we can take it. We will have to wait until July at least to decide. If we get the Kailash Mandir land and this land has a Gosala, it will be a good combination. I am glad that you are developing the mukut business. Now the devotees must learn so that in the future professionals will not be required. Regarding holding feasts on Dvadasi days, we don't want to invite some beggar class of men. Don't invite now. When Randas Shastri and Vishvambar think best then we shall invite. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- *being invited by some leading men of the city ### Letter to Akshayananda Swami **Date:** February 10th 1976 — **Location:** VrndavanaMayapur Candrodaya MandirP.O. > Sridham Mayapur Dist. Nadia, West Bengal My dear Akshayananda Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 30th January, 1976.Regarding the program in Kanpur: If the local men are anxious for me to come, then they can spend for my passage. At that time I can go. You should not make me a cheap man simply appearing with others. As I have already said, they can spend for passage for six men going and coming. Regarding the Gurukula plan, I have instructed Tamal Krsna to write you with his suggestions. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda --- His Holiness Akshayananda SwamiKrishna Balaram MandirVrndavana ### Letter to Alain **Date:** February 1st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Paris My dear Alain, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your French letter. Your feelings are very nice. Please continue chanting Hare Krishna, study my books, and follow faithfully the four regulative principles. Your path Back to Godhead will be assured. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Alanatha **Date:** May 26th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Stockholm My dear Alanatha das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 7, 1976, and I thank you for the copy of Easy Journey to Other Planets in the Finnish language. Now go throughout all of Europe with your travelling party and distribute my books profusely, just as the Radha-Damodara TSKP is doing in America. You must remain strong by following the four regulative principles, and chanting 16 rounds of japa daily, and go on distributing my books unlimitedly in Europe. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Alanatha **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Alanatha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil along with two copies of the second volume of the Portuguese Srimad-Bhagavatam. It is very nice. You write to say that the reception is very good in Brazil. So now organize very nicely. Distribute literature to the fullest extent. Thank you for inviting me to come. I shall maintain this ambition. At the first opportunity I shall go. For now I will depend 99% on you to push on there. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. Now hold a fire yajna. Instruct the first initiates to always chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily and to follow strictly the four regulative principles. Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on their beads. Their names are as follow: Kiko—Kirticandra dasa; Mozart—Murari Gupta dasa; Francisco—Vasistha Muni dasa; Paulo—Paramahamsa dasa; Leandro—Lilananda dasa; Tercio—Trilocana dasa; Claudio—Karana karana dasa; Eneas—Isvara dasa; Regina—Rasavihari dasi; Christina—Krsnanandini dasi; Marta—Matsya dasi; Ivonette—Indumati dasi; Dora—Dev dasi; Maria—Murti dasi. For the second initiates, namely Ugraha dasa, Sadhyasrestha dasa, Ananda Murti dasi and Yogini dasi, you should play for them into the right ear the tape of me chanting Gayatri. Teach them how to count on the finger divisions. Regarding the installation of Lord Ramacandra, it is a very good idea. For obtaining these Deities you can take the help of Saurabha. During the festival you are invited to come to Bombay to see the Deities here. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to ALL GBC MEMBERS **Date:** September 15th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban NOTE TO ALL GBC MEMBERS:Please let it be known that Nitai has become a venomous serpent. Be careful of him. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to All GBC Secretaries **Date:** August 19th 1976 — **Location:** Unknown Place > All GBC Secretaries Dear GBC Prabhu: Please accept our humble obeisances at your feet. It has come to His Divine Grace's attention that many members of our society are engaged in the same business that Rsabhdeva (ex-President Laguna Beach) and devotees of Laguna Beach Temple were engaged in. These devotees were recently in Delhi and Calcutta. Some of them also met one of our GBC men in Hongkong. The list of devotees doing this business includes some senior devotees. Furthermore, it was discovered that some GBC members were backing these projects. Exact details on how these activities are carried out were revealed by a participant and His Divine Grace is thoroughly aware of the entire operation now. His Divine Grace is very very unhappy about this. He said that under no circumstances can any GBC or Temple President accept any money from these devotees. This business has to be stopped at once immediately. His Divine Grace wants all of you to refer to the instruction of 3rd verse of Upadesamrta. First and foremost our profession must be very hones—above all suspicion. His Divine Grace said "I am trying to retire from management to translate but if these things come then how can I translate. I have set up the framework and everything should be done within the framework. Kindly see that this business is stopped at once."Your servantsGargamuni Swami GBCGopala Krsna DasHarikesa SwamiApproved: ACBS ### Letter to All GBC's in the U.S.A **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > To All GBC's in the U.S.A My dear GBC disciples, Please accept my blessings. I have met with Tamala Krishna Goswami and it appears impractical to send anyone to China at this time. I am requesting him to resume his old position as manager of the Radha-Damodara TSKP. Book distribution is my most important concern and these devotees should be given facility to distribute books profusely throughout America. They are also helping with substantial contributions to construct the Temple in Mayapur. Please do the needful to see that everything is done very nicely in a cooperative Krishna Conscious spirit. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- n.b. Tamala Krishna Goswami will also be assuming his responsibilities as a Bhaktivedanta Book Trustee for America. ACBS ### Letter to All Governing Board Commissioners **Date:** May 19th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > All Governing Board Commissioners My dear GBC disciples, Please accept my blessings. Over the past ten years I have given the framework and now we have become more than the British Empire. Even the British Empire was not as expansive as we. They had only a portion of the world, and we have not completed expanding. We must expand more and more unlimitedly. But I must now remind you that I have to complete the translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is the greatest contribution; our books have given us a respectable position. People have no faith in this church or temple worship. Those days are gone. Of course, we have to maintain the temples as it is necessary to keep our spirits high. Simply intellectualism will not do, there must be practical purification. So I request you to relieve me of management responsibilities more and more so that I can complete the Srimad-Bhagavatam translation. If I am always having to manage, then I cannot do my work on the books. It is document, I have to choose each word very soberly and if I have to think of management then I cannot do this. I cannot be like these rascals who present something mental concoction to cheat the public. So this task will not be finished without the cooperation of my appointed assistants, the GBC, temple presidents, and sannyasis. I have chosen my best men to be GBC and I do not want that the GBC should be disrespectful to the temple presidents. You can naturally consult me, but if the basic principle is weak, how will things go on? So please assist me in the management so that I can be free to finish the Srimad-Bhagavatam which will be our lasting contribution to the world. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to All Governing Body Commissioners **Date:** January 6th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > South India > > > To > All Governing Body Commissioners > Re: Examinations for awarding titles of Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhaktivedanta and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. Your response is requested immediately by Srila Prabhupada Dear Prabhus, Please accept my most humble obeisances. Srila Prabhupada has requested me to write you in regard to the above examinations which he wishes to institute. Here in India many persons often criticize our sannyasis and brahmanas as being unqualified due to insufficient knowledge of the scriptures. Factually, there are numerous instances when our sannyasis and brahmanas have fallen down often due to insufficient understanding of the philosophy. This should not be a point of criticism nor a reason for falldown, since Srila Prabhupada has mercifully made the most essential scriptures available to us in his books. The problem is that not all the devotees are carefully studying the books, the result being a fall down or at least unsteadiness. His Divine Grace therefore wishes to institute examinations to be given to all prospective candidates for sannyasa and brahmana initiation. In addition he wishes that all present sannyasis and brahmanas also pass the examination. Awarding of these titles will be based upon the following books: Bhakti-sastri - Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Isopanisad, Easy Journey To Other Planets, and all other small paperbacks, as well as Arcana-paddhati (a book to be compiled by Nitai Prabhu based on Hari-bhakti-vilasa on Deity worship) Bhakti-vaibhava - All of the above plus the first six cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam Bhaktivedanta - All of the above plus cantos 7 through 12 of Srimad-Bhagavatam Bhakti-sarvabhauma - All the above plus the entire Caitanya-caritamrta Anyone wishing to be initiated as a brahmana will have to pass the Bhaktisastri exam and anyone wishing to take sannyasa will have to pass the Bhaktivaibhava examination as well. This will prevent our Society from degrading to the level of so many other institutions where, in order to maintain the Temple, they accept all third class men as brahmanas. Any sannyasis or brahmanas already initiated who fail to pass the exams will be considered low class or less qualified. Anyone wishing to be 2nd initiated will sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. Answers will be in essay form and authoritative quotations will be given a bigger score. During the exams books may not be consulted. Srila Prabhupada wishes to begin this program at this year's Mayapur meeting. He requests that you all send your opinions and comments here immediately so that everything may be prepared in time. Hoping this meets you in the best of health and Krsna Consciousness. Approved: Your servant, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Tamala Krsna Goswami Personal Secretary ### Letter to Ambarisa **Date:** March 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Boston My dear Ambarisa das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 8, 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. I am glad to hear of your program. Try to satisfy your parents also. Your parents desire that you become educated also, although they do now know that someone who is a devotee is best educated. I have sent one letter to Srutakirti das in Hawaii. He has been managing the restaurant very nicely in Honolulu and now he can come to assist you in opening another prasadam restaurant there in Boston. I am enclosing a copy of the letter which I have sent to him. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ambarisa **Date:** April 21st 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > Boston My dear Ambarisa das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 22, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. I am happy to know that you are appreciating our work amongst the academic community. This is very important work to gain the acceptance of the academic world. If scientific men and scholars accept, the more that is a great stride. Here we have seen also in India. Burdwan University in Calcutta has taken a standing order. Also, in Benares the university there took 14 Standing orders. Please let me know how the restaurant is developing there, and also assist me in getting our books recognized by the academic circles there in Boston. That will be very nice. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ambarisa **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Boston My dear Ambarisa dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 27, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You should not pay anything without my permission. Who has requested you to give them money? What is this nonsense? Now, you don't give a single paise without first asking my permission. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ambarisa **Date:** August 15th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Boston My Dear Ambarisa das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 2, 1976 and have noted the contents with pleasure. Your idea of opening up an account, depositing in it, and sending me the monthly statements is very nice. I approve of your idea cent per cent. You have voluntarily put yourself under my control. Thank you very much. I hope this letter meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Ambassador of the of United States of America **Date:** March 27th 1976 — **Location:** Delhi The Ambassador of theUnited States of America, Canakya Puri, New DelhiMay it please Your Excellency, I beg to introduce myself as the founder-acharya of the above institution. Our mission is to preach Krishna Consciousness (God-Consciousness) all over the world, and in your country alone we have got about 40 branches in all the important towns of America. In all the countries, the majority of my disciples are Americans. I met Mr. Kenneth Keating, your former ambassador to India and he was a personal friend to my disciple, Sri Gurudasa Adhikari. A copy of his letter is also enclosed herein. I have seen a house situated at 12 Ring Road, New Delhi, which is your property. Immediately we need a house for our residential purposes. My disciples are mostly Americans. Our main activities are to preach philosophical and cultural literatures, a list of which is also enclosed. It is understood that the house is for sale and if you kindly give us some concession rate we can immediately pay you. So kindly do the needful. I am sending you Gurudasa Adhikari to take care of this on my behalf. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Amogha **Date:** February 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Delhi My dear Amogha das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 9 February, 1976.The guests must be pleased when they give a donation. That shows they are pleased. I have received a letter from Gopala Krishna wherein he states that you are distributing our books to libraries. That is solid. Simply by bluffing words these bogus gurus and yogis are actually accomplishing nothing. But when they people read our books then they will get good opinion. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Amogha **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Amogha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 18, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You may remain in Bombay and assist with the temple management in cooperation with Giriraja das. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Amogha **Date:** June 6th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Bombay My dear Amogha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 22, 1976 as well as your letter of May 26, 1976 along with the list of standing orders thus far received. The library party is doing very nicely. It is nectar to my ears to hear the list of schools which are taking our standing order. Concerning the Nitya Svarupa edition of the Srimad-Bhagavatam that was given to us, I was informed by Prabhavisnu das that the professor who has kindly given them is requesting that since the books cost so much he should be given patron membership. I have one set here in Los Angeles however the paper is so brittle that when you touch the paper, it breaks. Practically it is unuseable. Also, the professor has said that the books would cost Rs. 3,000/- but I happen to know that they could only cost about ?Rs. 700/-. In any case, if the pages are brittle, what is the use. We cannot give him patron membership in exchange for the set of books. Anyway, when I return to Vrindaban, I shall see the set of books, and then I can decide further on this matter. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Amogha **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Melbourne My dear Amogha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your very long letter dated 2 December, 1976.I have no objection to your working there in Australia. If you are happy there and can execute devotional service with enthusiasm that is nice. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Anangamanjari **Date:** July 19th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Bombay My dear Anangamanjari, Please accept my blessing. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 28, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. The best thing will be if you come here to New York and leave your situation there at Bombay. You are a very sincere devotee, that I know, and there are many nice girls here like Silavati who you can associate with. We have just had our Rathayatra here down Fifth Avenue and it was a grand success. It is a very nice field for expanding Krishna Consciousness and you will be very happy here I know. It is not advisable to marry again as this may disturb your former husband who is now engaged in preaching activities. So rather you can come here to New York where your service will be appreciated and there is very nice association with so many nice girls. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Atreya Rsi **Date:** January 16th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta My Dear Atreya Rsi, Please accept my blessings. It has come to my attention that the GBC have not been able to fully participate in the Mayapur festivities due to the annual meeting. Therefore, I am asking all GBC members to come to Mayapur early and hold the meeting in my presence beginning the morning of March 6th. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- Copy to all GBC ### Letter to Ayodhyapati **Date:** September 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Toronto My Dear Ayodhyapati das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your undated letter and I thank you for it. Your siddhanta is correct to the sastra and in this way go on reading books and have the correct perception and Krsna will help you. siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa iha haite krsna lage sudrdha manasa [Ādi 2.117]. A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna. You should be always alert in understanding the sastric conclusions that will help you, otherwise we can be misled by bogus philosophies. I am very pleased that you are studying the books. This will make you happy and successful. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Bahudak **Date:** January 11th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Vancouver My dear Bahudak, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 15th, 1975 and I have noted the contents carefully. I was very glad to learn how our devotees are coming out victorious in the preaching to the university professors and students. Other groups have no philosophy nor do they have any idea of spiritual life, what to speak of living it. Our movement is authorized. Our books are based on the statements of the most exalted devotees. And if we follow strictly the guidelines for devotional service as they are given in the Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction, then no one can touch us. Our position is definitely due to our books, therefore I am always pressing on this point. All the groups are declining including the Christians. We are being harassed by the authorities and they are all Christians. Because they are losing ground, and we are increasing, they are trying to stop us. There is always this battle between the demons and the devotees, but the devotees always win because they are protected by Krishna. It is good that you are again the President of the Vancouver temple. Of course the farm projects are important but more stress should be given to Sankirtana. We require so much money here in India. So Jayatirtha has said right. Whatever we are doing in India is from the BBT fund. Continue to go out on Sankirtana. Example is better than precept. The harmonium may be played during bhajan if there is someone who can play melodiously. But it is not for kirtana and arati. All of the devotees you have recommended I accept for initiation. Dharmarupa das, Subavrata dasi, Mahojjvala dasi, Sthanur das, Jagadadija das, Damagosh das and Kanti-mati should after holding a fire ceremony, be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape recording. They must always keep clean, internally by chanting the Lord's glories, and externally by regular bathing. In addition they should regularly study Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Isopanisad and all the paperbacks because soon we shall be holding examinations based on these books for the brahmanas. Those who pass will be given the title Bhakti-sastri. Gail Bergeron's spiritual name is Paratpara dasi. She that she chants minimum 16 rounds daily and strictly follows the regulative principles. I hope this meets you and all the devotees there well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Bahudak **Date:** October 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Bahudak, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your request for initiations. Upon your recommendation I will accept the following devotees for first initiation, as well as the ones you have recommended for second initiation. Hold a fire ceremony and instruct the devotees to follow the regulative principles and to chant a minimum of 16 rounds every day. Play the tape of me chanting gayatri into the right ear of the second initiates. Their beads may be chanted on by Ramesvara Maharaja. The names of the new initiates are: Mark L.—Madhu Pandita dasaMarilyn—Madhava-priya dasiJohn B.—Janapati dasaJames H.—Jaya Hari dasa Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Bahulasva das **Date:** September 29th 1976 > Sriman Bahulasva das,9712 Charnock Ave.Los Angeles,California 90034, U.S.A.Shri Krishna Balaram Mandi,Chattikara Rd., Raman Reti,Vrindaban, Mathura, U.P. INDIA My dear Bahulasva, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3rd inst. and have noted the contents. Thank you very much for the check of $2500.00. Yes, farm-opening, that is good idea. Apart from my Krishna Consciousness spiritual movement I want this--that people may not move from the villages to the town. Krishna Himself was a villager-He did not move to the town. He went to Dvaraka, but Vasudeva is everywhere; Krishna and Balaram like Vrindaban, so Vrindaban means village. Vasudeva is everywhere, but Krishna personally is in Vrindaban. I hope this meets you in good health, Your every well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as --- Sriman Bahulasva das,9712 Charnock Ave. Los Angeles, California 90034, U.S.A ### Letter to Bala Krsna **Date:** October 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Bala Krsna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 6, 1976.Your report of book distribution is very encouraging. Please go on increasing more and more. Yes, you should become the topmost temple for distributing my books. This is a very good proposal. That is the only way to please me. Distribute my books profusely. That is real preaching. The girl who has got health problems must learn to be tolerant. As long as the material body will be there, there will only be pain. Pleasure is a misconception. Upon your recommendation I will accept as my duly initiated disciples the following devotees. Make sure that they strictly follow the regulative principles and always chant a minimum of 16 rounds, avoiding the 10 offenses. Hold a fire sacrifice and have Ramesvara Maharaja chant on their beads. I also enclose one sacred thread and gayatri mantra sheets for the devotees you have recommended. They should also participate in the fire ceremony. Their new names are as follows: Ken Reilly—Krsnacandra dasaCurt Halberstadt—Kunja-bihari dasaBryan Baxter—Varaharupa dasaCraig Escalante—Kurma-rupa dasaDebbie Escalante—Dasarathi dasiSheila Halvie—Syama-priya dasi Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Balabhadra **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Captain Cook, Hawaii My dear Balbhadra das, Please accept my blessings. I thank you for your kind offering of some of the honey you produce at your honey farm. As you know, I have requested the devotees here to construct one beautiful temple on the grounds in order that many people may come from all around and see the gorgeous worship of the Deities. It is a big project and will require so much capital. So if possible you can try to follow the formula recommended practically by Srila Rupa Goswami, that 50% of one's income be spent for propagating Krishna Consciousness. That will be very nice, and then your business endeavours will surely be pleasing unto the Supreme Lord, as stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:atah pumbhir dvija sresthavarnasrama vibhagasah,svanusthi tasya dharmasyasamsiddhir hari tosanam[SB 1.2.13]"O best among the twiceborn, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one can achieve, by discharging his prescribed duties (dharma) according to caste divisions and order of life, is to please the Lord Hari." I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Balarama **Date:** September 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Melbourne My Dear Balarama das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 10th August 1976 and have noted the contents. However the enclosed daksina never arrived for at customs all currencies are confiscated. Therefore do not send cash in the mails again. The beads are duly chanted upon and are enclosed within along with one brahmana thread. The names are, for Bhakta Rarmer __ Vrajaraja dasa, and for Bhakta Ted—Tribhuvanapati dasa. Jyotir Maya das has been accepted by me for second initiation. Now hold a fire yajna and present the names at that time. The gayatri mantras may be heard by tape through the right ear. All of our initiated devotees must strictly chant 16 rounds a day and avoid the four pillars of sinful life completely. These four regulative principles should be lectured on by some expert speaker, as well as the ten offenses to the holy name. The brahmana must possess the qualities mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita (18.42) and take bath at least twice a day to maintain external cleanliness as well as always chanting the maha mantra for internal cleanliness. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Balarama **Date:** November 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Vrindaban My dear Balarama, Please accept my blessings. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the following devotees as my initiated disciples. Now hold a fire sacrifice and instruct the first initiates to always follow the four regulative principles and chant minimum of 16 rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. Let the second initiate hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri in the right ear. Show him how to count on the finger divisions. Their beads and thread have been duly sanctified by me. Bhakta Andre—Atmarama dasaEdward R. Byrne—Brhaspati dasaHeather Abbot—Hari dasisecond initiation—Visvahetu dasa Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Balavanta **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Atlanta My dear Balavanta das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 23, 1976, with enclosed newspaper clippings, and I have noted the contents carefully. In connection with the religious discrimination mentioned in the newspaper clipping from Atlanta; Wherever we live we worship God. We are not official worshippers. We worship wherever we are.satatam kirtayanto mamyatantas ca drdha-vratah,namasyantas ca mam bhaktyanitya-yukta upasate.[Bg. 9.14]"Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion."Our religion is not a part time transcendental recreation. We live in God. Of course, "Hare Krishna" is there on all these newspaper reports, that I want, that somehow or other hundreds and thousands of men will chant Hare Krishna. They have made all plans to avoid God, and our plan is that they accept God. The struggle will become acute, because formerly they thought we were simply hippies, but now they see our books, that we are here to stay. The professors are writing books, like Hare Krishna and Counter Culture, beginning to realize that Hare Krishna is here to stay. So, now the people are becoming envious that in such a short time we are so well known. Do not be discouraged by these fools and rascals, and simply push on sincerely and Krishna will save you. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Balavanta **Date:** July 8th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Atlanta My dear Balavanta dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 26, 1976, with enclosures and I thank you very much. Concerning the distinction between the innocent and the atheists, those who give time to listen to us are innocent. Those who naturally oppose us and have no time are atheists, because we are the only ones talking about God. We don't talk anything about politics, etc. The name for the Tennessee community is "Murarisevak". On the farms we should have mainly grhasthas. Farms are especially meant for the grhasthas. Brahmins and sannyasis are meant for begging food grains from the grhasthas. They depend on the grhasthas and the grhasthas treat them as their children. As the child is not a burden for the parents, so brahmanas and sannyasis are not burden for the grhasthas. They simply take food grains to survive but they give transcendental knowledge for the benefit of society. They have no worries for producing and securing food. That is the business of grhasthas, but they devote their time to spreading spiritual knowledge. That is the system. It is alright that the Charlotte temple be moved into the city a bit closer, but our principle is that people may come or not come, it doesn't matter. We can discuss and chant amongst ourselves. By coming to America, the Indians have not improved their material condition. It is welcome that they have come to us. Wherever one lives he should continue Krishna Consciousness. The enclosed photo of the Mississippi farm Deities is very nice, super excellent. The Deity must be very nicely worshiped, dressed, and fed, etc. In so doing you will always be peaceful and enlivened. From the extra ghee, you can contact Boston restaurant. They can perhaps purchase it. Sell ghee and you'll have good income. If possible in the city of New Orleans, open one restaurant. Someone can go to Boston and see how they are organizing things. You can study the history of how cow-slaughter became prominent in the West and then use for preaching. In Miami there are so many mangos and coconuts. I am enjoying the dobs from Florida. The orange ones especially are very nice. I am taking one each day. From the green mangos you can make pickles. Cut them into pieces with skin intact, and sprinkle with salt and turmeric. Dry them well in the sunshine and put into mustard oil. They will keep for years, and you can enjoy with eating. They are nice and soft and good for digestion. If no vegetable is available, you can eat them with puris, similarly with pickled chilis. When mango pickles and chili pickles are combined, it is very tasteful. The Miami temple sounds to be very nice with bathing place and peacocks, just like Vrindaban. Krishna will supply you everything, don't worry. Just work sincerely. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Balavanta **Date:** October 4th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Balavanta, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters and financial report dated 26th August and 18th Sept. 1976, and have noted the contents. The airport distribution at New Orleans is very good. Regarding the Lord Jagannatha deities, if They cannot be worshiped, They should be thrown in the sea. I acknowledge receipt of check copy No. 1195 on Bank of New Orleans for $1,000.00, and you may send money as you have done to M.V. Fund, L.A.Deity worship should not be expanded anymore if it is difficult to manage, but Nitai-Gaura can be worshiped. If devotees do not stay in the center that means your preaching is not very strong. Regarding offering spinach, just it should be very clean—everything should be done very cleanly. Regarding the name of your farm, Murari is a name of Krishna, so Murari Sevak means servant of Krishna. The public should be convinced of this point: that there is life after death, and then prepare for the next life. Otherwise what is the difference between men and animals? If a man has to go outside his home, he has to make so many preparations, but an animal will not—that is the difference between a man and an animal. Our ultimate aim is to take part in politics, because Krishna took part in politics, we have to follow—but if people do not become Krishna conscious it won't be possible. Actually if we can take up the government, our movement will be very easily spread and beneficial to the people. We can make happy, peaceful men, God conscious—this is our aim. The main thing is to distribute books more and more. That remark by the man in Houston is to your credit, that this movement is becoming an epidemic. Actually, everywhere envious people are against this movement, especially communists, because this movement is a threat to them. The main thing is to distribute books—the communist idea is spread practically all over the world on account of distributing huge amounts of literature, but they have no substance. Introduce Rathayatra very nicely and distribute books. Yes, you are welcome to join me. I wanted that besides my permanent secretary that one of the GBC's may accompany me regularly. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Balavanta **Date:** November 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Atlanta My dear Balavanta, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated November 5 and 9.I am very glad to hear how the book distribution is increasing more and more. This is our greatest weapon. The more the books are distributed, the more the ignorance of the Age of Kali will be smashed. The world is feeling the weight of this Hare Krishna Movement, especially in your country. We have to increase this book distribution work more and more to firmly establish this Movement, which is the only hope for the suffering living entities. The plans for the new temple in Mississippi are very nice. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the following devotees for initiation. Now hold a fire sacrifice. The first initiates must promise to follow the four regulative principles and chant a minimum of 16 rounds daily, avoiding the ten offenses. You may chant on their beads. The second initiates should hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in their right ears. Teach them how to count on their finger divisions.1st: B. Warren Oeshawn—Dvaraka dasa; Bhakta Bill Chilack—Vrndavana dasa.2nd: Munjakesa dasa; Madanamohini dasi; Vedaguhya dasa; Hamsagati dasa; Kokila dasa; Svaha dasi; Bhusaya dasa; Brahmanya dasa. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Barbara Eady **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Barbara Eady, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter undated. I am very glad to hear that you are very serious about Krsna Consciousness and are chanting 16 rounds, following the regulative principles and trying to distribute my books in New Zealand. I will be pleased to accept you as my initiated disciple, but I must have some recommendation. If you will have Tusta Krsna write to me recommending you then I will gladly do so. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Batu Gopala **Date:** February 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Cleveland My dear Batu Gopala das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 31, 1976.I accept Sriman Dhananjaya Pandit das for brahman initiation. You may hold a fire sacrifice and he should listen to the Gayatri mantra in the right ear from the tape. He can be instructed that the duty of a brahman is to maintain cleanliness. Internal cleanliness is always chanting Hare Krishna and external cleanliness is bathing regularly. You yourself must set the example. Regarding your question regarding your household situation, that is not the spiritual master's business. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Bhadravardhana, Hrdayagovinda **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrndavana My dear Bhadravardhana and Hrdayagovinda, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated October 1, 1976 along with a check for $350. Thank you very much. Please perform your service of training up the new men very carefully. Present the philosophy of Krsna consciousness as it is. There is no need to add anything or take anything away. As it is. They must learn to strictly follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds minimum every day, avoiding the 10 offenses. The new men should also go out for samkirtan, chanting or distributing my books. This will make them strong. Also, they must study my books at least three hours a day (including classes). Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Bhagavan **Date:** January 16th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta My Dear Bhagavan, Please accept my blessings. It has come to my attention that the GBC have not been able to fully participate in the Mayapur festivities due to the annual meeting. Therefore, I am asking all GBC members to come to Mayapur early and hold the meeting in my presence beginning the morning of March 6th. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- Copy to all GBC ### Letter to Bhagavan **Date:** January 16th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta My Dear Hansadutta, Please accept my blessings. It has come to my attention that the GBC have not been able to fully participate in the Mayapur festivities due to the annual meeting. Therefore, I am asking all GBC members to come to Mayapur early and hold the meeting in my presence beginning the morning of March 6th. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- Copy to all GBC ### Letter to Bhagavan **Date:** February 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Paris My dear Bhagavan, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 2.Regarding the first volume of Srimad-Bhagavatam, your ideas are very good. Yes, print Krishna-Balarama on the front and the creation on the end pages as you have said. The Bhaktisastri test will not be held this year, but it will be held next year. So from your letters, I think things are going nicely, please continue. The book is also nice. Now sell them in huge quantity and print again. Yes, it is good that you are opening a small centre in Belgium. The boys you have recommended may be initiated. Hold a fire sacrifice and they may vow before the deity, the spiritual master and the fire that they will chant minimum 16 rounds daily and follow the four regulative principles. Their names are as follows: Jean Jacques Poree—Yajnesa dasaBruno Vigneron—Brahma-jyestha dasaPierre Cortier—Pranesvara dasaClaude Maurin—Kutastha dasaAziz Neilli—Akhilesvara dasa______Christian—Jagadvasi dasaJean Claude—Yajnabhuk dasaChristian Mauvillain—Jagatsrasta dasaDairo Lopez—Devarat dasaIan Johnston—Aniha dasaChristan Le Paumier—Jagannidhi dasaGeorges Mauvillain—Ghora dasaNestor de Guili—Niramaya dasaThe photograph of the Gaura Nitai deities is very nice and I have having the picture of the Geneva temple framed and placed on my wall. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Bhagavan **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Los Angeles My dear Bhagavan dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 17, 1976, with the enclosed Dutch edition of the Bhagavad-gita and I thank you very much. It is very nicely printed. This book production is real progress. It is very good news to hear that you are producing so many books in the European languages. This is most pleasing to me. Now we are starting new centres in Athens and a new building is being acquired in Rome. So as you have requested you can make a program for Rome, and I can go there just after the program in France. The program in France and Rome will be between July 26, and August 10, 1976, before I will be going on to India to officially open our Hyderabad centre. I have heard with delight of your preaching attempts in Corsica. That is one of our businesses, to expose these rascals who are cheating and who have no spiritual asset. We don't say publicly that they are rascal, otherwise they will condemn also, but by practical action they will see and compare. Simply chant and dance, distribute prasadam, and where possible some books. Nobody will be grudged. This is our duty, yare dekha tare koha krsna upadesa. Everyone is fed up with this rascal civilization of sex and wine. How long one can artificially live on this. They have no other asset. Therefore, people are turning to Indian culture. Let us push on. Others cannot push on, they have no asset. Your plan to compose the French books in Los Angeles is approved by me. The composition arrangements are very good here. They should always busy composing books. The article from the French-Soir I have given to Ramesvara Maharaja for possible use in connection with Back to Godhead magazine. Try to introduce Rathayatra and Janmastami, at least 4-5 ceremonies and festivals annually. I recall how in the London newspaper, The Guardian, that when our Rathayatra ceremony was taking place in Trafalgar Square, they commented that Rathayatra was rivalling to Nelson, as there is a statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. So in this way they thought that if Rathayatra goes on, Nelson will be killed. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Bhagavan **Date:** July 14th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Paris My dear Bhagavan das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 8, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the proposed meeting with the Pope, I have no objection cancelling or delaying the journey to Tehran if the meeting with the Pope is assured. That is important. But if it is simply a courtesy visit, then what is the use? If he is prepared to discuss seriously how religion is becoming degraded all over the world, then it is worthwhile. Religion is now being taken as a formality. People generally have no real conception of God. Ours is a tangible connection with God. We know who is God and how to serve Him. Everything is fact. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- cc: Atreya Rsi ### Letter to Bhagavan **Date:** November 7th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Paris My dear Bhagavan dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 28/10/76.I have received the books you have sent. They are very nicely done. Thank you. But, I did not receive the BTG yet. Yes, let Haya haya go to Spain and work very carefully. When it is established I shall go there. It is very good news that we are opening a center in Greece. I have been to Zurich. It is a very clean city. Develop it nicely. Many important persons who were very interested in our movement came to see me when I was in Geneva. All the news of these centers is very encouraging. May Krsna bless you that you always remain fully engaged in His service. Also, it is nice that you are holding two feasts each week in Rome. On my next tour I must go there. When people are enlightened they take this movement seriously. We are given to understand that formerly in Europe only the French people were enlightened. Therefore it is to be expected that many people in Paris will join us. Regarding Rathayatra, you can change the date according to a suitable time. You may hold it in Paris whenever it is the best time. It will attract many persons. Please do it. Have there been rains at New Mayapur? There should at least be rains in our area. Yes, increase the flowers. You have got sufficient space. Produce flowers, fruits, vegetables and grains in ample quantities. We should be fully self-sufficient. I like New Mayapur very much. Yes, if Harikesa can go to Thailand that is alright. He can manage nicely. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the following devotees for initiation (first) as well as those you have recommended for second initiation. Hold a fire ceremony and instruct the new initiates to follow rigidly the regulative principles and chant minimum 16 rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. You may chant on their beads. Play the tape of me chanting gayatri mantra into the right ear of the second initiations. The new names are: Bhakta Phillipe—Prana-dhana DasaBhakta Christian—Caitanya-Nitai DasaBhakta Houle—Harivamsa DasaBhakta Pierro—Purusottama DasaBhakta Gianne—Gandharva DasaBhaktin Monique—Manavi DasiI am enclosing herewith a copy of a letter to Ramesvara. Consult with him in the matter and do the needful. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. Everyone has praised the Krsna Book.enclosures: 13 sacred threads, gayatri mantra sheet, cc of letter to Ramesvara ### Letter to Bhagavan das Karani **Date:** February 18th 1976 > Bhagavan das Karanic/o Bhatia Brothers P.O. Box No. 275Dubai, United Arab Emirates Mayapur Candroday Mandir P.O. Sridham Mayapur Dist. Nadia, West Bengal My dear Shri Karani, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of two checks totaling U.S. 12,000 from you and your brother. Thank you very much. The checks will be deposited in our BBT account for printing books. I am instructing my disciple in charge of our BBT branch in Los Angeles to send one full set of our books complete for you and your brother. It is very important that these books be distributed world wide. By reading people will get good opinion of our movement and philosophy. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Bhaja Hari, Mukunda **Date:** February 26th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Bhaja Hari das and Mukunda das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 18th February, 1976.Yes, Harikesa Maharaja can do nicely there. I do not know the program in Hungary, but London speaking is more important, going to the colleges and universities. I am confident that he can speak well. He may read more books and preach, now he is a sannyasa. The bus programme is a good idea. Yes, any lease may be submitted to me for approval. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Bhakta dasa **Date:** August 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Berkeley My Dear Bhakta das, Please accept my blessings. On your recommendation I am accepting the following boys and girls as my duly initiated disciples. John—Jnanagati dasaSpencer—Saktipati dasaOrlando—Pranavananda dasaMark—Mitrasena dasaNadine—Nada dasiCarol—Karuna dasiAll initiates of mine must strictly follow the four principles of no meat, fish or egg, eating; no gambling; no intoxication of any kind; and no illicit sex. They must chant 16 rounds a day minimum with attention, clearly chanting the mantra, and listening very carefully. This is the recommended process for purifying the heart in this sinful age of Kali. Be serious to push on this sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and certainly He will bless you and your life will become perfect, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krtama, anyone who preaches this message of the Bhagavad-gita is the most dear servant of the Lord. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Bhakta Ralph **Date:** January 7th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore Auckland, New Zealand My dear Bhakta Ralph Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you letter, undated. There is no reason why you cannot associate with any of my disciples, providing that they adhere to our principles. As long as Siddha Svarupa Maharaja and Tusta Krishna Maharaja act as sannyasis, ie. dress in dhoti, keep shave headed with sikha, follow strictly the rules and regulations and preach from my books, I have no objection. Sometimes there will be a little misunderstanding between Godbrothers, that is even going on amongst liberated souls. What is important is that everyone must engage in Krishna's service under the direction of the spiritual master. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Bhaktijana **Date:** February 15th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New York My dear Bhaktijana das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 24, 1976.Regarding preaching in Harlem and taking sannyasa order of life, you may speak to Madhudvisa Maharaja and work with him. He is senior man and sannyasa, so I will consider seriously his recommendation. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Bhaktijana **Date:** September 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Bhaktijana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14th inst. Why not make preaching with black people in America your lifetime preaching goal? Yes, limit to this. You preach—that is sannyasa. What is the use of changing dress? Do, actually. Regarding my leaving, I'll not leave the planet until you order. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Bhaktivedanta Book Trust **Date:** July 17th 1976 — **Location:** New York Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, BombayTo whom it may concern, Enclosed please find one postcard in Bengali from one sannyasi: B.N. Niskincana Maharaja, Sri Gaudiya Math, Moti Nagar Lucknow 226004He mentions that he gave Rs. 20/-at Mayapur for a Hindi magazine with the promise of receiving some future issues but as yet he has not received any. Please make inquiries and send him more copies of the Hindi magazine. Please take immediate action and inform him without delay. Thank you, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Bhargava **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New Delhi My dear Bhargava das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 25, 1976, along with samples of the Gitar Gan and the cover in for the Bhagavat-darsana. No, the printing of the Gitar Gan cover this fashion is not at all approved by me. You have done most nonsensically. Why change the cover? When people look to see the Bhagavad-gita they expect to see Krishna and Arjuna, not the picture of Krishna with cow. You have done a great mistake by changing the front picture and it will hamper the sale. In future you don't do any changes without asking me first. Simply because there is no stock of books, we can do anything whimsically??? Is this logic? Gita is not spoken in Vrindaban, it is spoken on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, but this is Vrindaban picture. That chariot drive by 4 horses, that is the real Kuruksetra picture. It is not that because there is no stock we can do whimsically as we like and lose the idea, that is rasa-bhasa. Because there is no bread, you take stone to eat? There is no stock of bread so you will take stone??? The front picture is most important thing and you have changed it. It must remain standard, and not change. Also, the lettering is not nice on the cover. You could have taken a color picture of Krishna and Arjuna and used it black and white (one color) on the front cover. Just as you did with the inside back cover of the Bhagavat darsana, the original picture of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in color but you have printed it in black and white. You could have done this on the front cover with Krishna and Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, but the cover must not be changed. Concerning the Bhagavat darsana cover, this Hindi on the back is not good. Who is translating this? Also, the address on the back of our Vrindaban Temple is not correctly spelled. It has been spelled Chattakara Road; But it should be Chattikara Road. Who is proof-reading? I am glad to see that some Hindi translating is going on but what about that other boy who was translating The Srimad-Bhagavatam in Vrindaban? Do not do anything whimsically in future, and you can write me if you have questions concerning the printing. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Bhavabhuti **Date:** June 15th 1976 — **Location:** Detroit > Madras My dear Bhavabhuti das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Before we can begin any construction in Madras we first of all must complete any temple construction that we are presently doing. They are also in want of money. I understand that the Hyderabad Temple is also in want of money to complete the construction, Gopala Krsna knows it. First of all, Bombay and Hyderabad must be finished. The money which was collected in Madras can eventually be used in Madras, but our present projects must be completed, so why are you asking me? But, where is the local devotees who are coming? You are all foreigners, so how long it will go on? Madras especially they are losing interest in Deity worship. Sometimes the political party is insulting. These atheists class of men who have done this, they should be converted into theism by preaching Bhagavad-gita. So now there are three GBC's in India and they can consult and make a program how to finance the various programs including the Madras development. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Bhavananda **Date:** November 10th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear Bhavananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I have received one telegram from Gargamuni reading as follows; Ras purnima over five thousand books sold four lakhs visit temple Bhavananda signs twenty thousand autographs awaiting your arrival 15th or after please reply. This means that by the grace of Krishna, not only our Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir has become very popular all over Bengal, side by side you have also become the attractive feature in Bengal. So, it is Krsna blessing you. Take this opportunity for preaching in Bengal. Especially please go from village to village with a party of 5, 6 men and preach the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu with great enthusiasm. Along with preaching simultaneously Gitar Gana will be distributed. So far my going to Mayapur, I am expecting to go to Hyderabad, therefore I shall fix up my date later on. In the meantime both Gargamuni and yourself preach vigorously. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- cc: Gargamuni Swami in Calcutta ### Letter to Bhurijana **Date:** January 31st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Auckland My dear Bhurijana, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 16th January, 1976 along with the enclosed donation. Unless there is loving feeling, how is it possible for you to always make offerings to me? The spiritual master is always instructing his disciples and they in turn are always trying to serve their spiritual master. It is a reciprocal relationship of love. Naturally your daughter is chanting the transcendental Name of the Lord. It must be so, because unless one is pious in previous life, one cannot take birth in a Vaisnava family. Give her good chance to become Krishna Conscious more and more, and offer my blessings to your good wife Jagatarini. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Bhurijana **Date:** February 25th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Auckland My dear Bhurijana das, Please accept my blessings. I have recently thought of a scheme to increase funds in our BBT account. I would like to send Indian goods to you for sales to the devotees and others. In the beginning I can have cloth sent, especially saris. So many others are doing it successfully, we can also be successful. I will have the papers sent through Lloyd's bank as I have an account with them in London. So you can find out the Lloyd's branch there. You can deposit all monies received from sales of the saris in the Lloyd's Bank. You may also keep a percentage of the sales for yourself. Please advise me if you are able to execute. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Bhurijana **Date:** October 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Bhurijana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Oct. 11, 1976 and also the letter from your good wife. Thank you for the traveler's checks in the amount of $100.I am pleased to know that you are working hard in the service of Krsna and feeling settled in your engagement. Please take this movement very seriously. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Bhurijana das **Date:** September 29th 1976 > Sriman Bhurijana das,R.D. No.1,Port Royal,Pennsylania 17082, U.S.A.Sriman Bhurijana das,R.D. No.1,Port Royal,Pennsylania 17082, U.S.A My dear Bhurijana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23rd inst. including check for $500.00. Thank you very much. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Sriman Bhurijana das, R.D. No.1,Port Royal, Pennsylania 17082, U.S.A.Acbs/asDeposited 28/9/76 approx. Find out rate - then enter ledgerEntered Hari Sauri Das ### Letter to Bhurijana, Jagattarini **Date:** June 7th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Dallas My dear Bhurijana and Jagattarini, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters with enclosed offering and I thank you very much. I am very glad to hear that you are settling into some steady service. Krishna is sending us so many children and they must be nicely guided and educated so that they can grow up to become first-class Vaisnavas. Go on with your service now and do not be side-tracked and create unnecessary problems. If you simply follow the simple program that I have initiated you will be happy in this life time and in the end you will go back to home, back to Godhead. I hope that this meets you in good health. I have received your check. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Binoy Krishna Mitra **Date:** February 7th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Binoy Krishna Mitra Calcutta Dear Binoyji, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your Bengali letter dated 5 February 1976. I have noted the contents therein and I wish to invite you to come and stay here in Mayapur. Hoping this meets you well, I remain Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dd ### Letter to Bishambhar **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Vrindaban My dear Bishambhar, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 6, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You can spend the Rs. 10,000 necessary to fix up the Taparia house. Utilize the house properly. There is sweet water well there so all the women and children can go there. It is very encouraging that in May the temple and guesthouse income was Rs. 20,000. So kindly help the management as Krishna Balarama is your worshipable Deity. Kindly guide our foreign disciples to manage nicely and increasingly you will be able to please Their Lordships Krishna and Balarama. Although I've established their temple, Their Lordships want me to keep outside the temple for touring. So in my absence you kindly manage nicely. Aksayananda Maharaja and yourself are tested devotees and I fully depend on you. I always think of how you are selflessly working for the temple. Please see that the accounts are kept and that no money is wasted. That's my only request. After all money is collected with great hardship. Not a single paise should be wasted. Concerning Gurukula Construction; Already you have got some money. Begin and try to collect and the balance we shall arrange. Send me the account number and when money will be necessary the money will be transferred someway or another. The power of attorney needed for filing court action against Baba Sarveshwar Das is coming by separate air freight to New Delhi. Also, there is no need to immediately put HaiHaya das as signer on the bank account. That we shall see. For the time being have Aksayananda Maharaja sign checks and when needed you can have them on hand. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to B.R. Sridhara Maharaja **Date:** June 6th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Navadvipa My dear Sripada B.R. Sridhara Maharaja, Please kindly accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Since I saw you last at Mayapur, I left India for my 15th world tour program. From Mayapur we went to Vrindaban, then on to Bombay. Then from Bombay to Melbourne, Australia, then Auckland, New Zealand, and then to Fiji Island where we have observed the foundation stone laying ceremony for our temple there, Krishna-Kaliya Temple. This will be the first temple on that island. There are many Indians on that island but there was no systematic temple worship so we are constructing a temple at the cost of $200,000. In the meantime, I have received one letter from Jayapataka Maharaja in which it informs that Madhava Maharaja and also possibly Damodara Maharaja are making propaganda against our attempt to construct a township in Mayapur, with the centre of attraction being the "Vedic Planetarium." In this connection we have applied to the government for 350 acres of land and the matter is in the process. However, Damodara Maharaja and Madhava Maharaja are trying to frustrate our attempt. I shall quote the portion from Jayapataka's letter to me:"After the report (request for land) was submitted, the District Magistrate sent some land officers to come here to our site to inspect the lands and their position, nature, etc. During this time the local people some how or other came to know about the acquisition. This was mainly transmitted through Damodara Maharaja initially, some persons say. Some local farmers raised a petition against the land acquisition, with about 90 signatures. Petitions for having the development plans go through are also being raised by the local people, the majority of whom support the ISKCON plan. About 2,000 should be raised in total in favor of this project. One supporter, while coming to show me his petition, with 500 signatures on it, was kidnapped and the petition was snatched away. He was taken to Madhava Maharaja's Math doorstep and some of the local cultivators and Prabhu's of the Math threatened him and demanded why he was supporting ISKCON. The supporter was now more determined to raise support in face of the rude behavior. Other persons have been also called to Madhava Maharaja's Math and chastised for helping us. They say our mission is political and we want only the downfall of India and political power. They are so envious." (end of quote). As a matter of fact, I am trying to develop a township in Mayapur spending crores of rupees to give protection against the occasional innundation (flood) and construct a tall planetarium estimated to be 300 feet high. So why they are obstructing this program? What is the harm to them? People are already coming from all parts of the world to see Mayapur and join in the Sankirtana Movement, so if something more attractive is done, more people will come from all parts of the world. So what is their tangible objection? Of course, they cannot do all these things, it is beyond their power, but if somebody else does it, why should they be envious and obstructive to this plan? They are supposed to be very close associates of Your Holiness, so if you kindly ask them not to obstruct this program, it will be very kind of you. My program is until the middle of August, 1976, in Europe and America. In Europe we are going to open 2 new centres, one in Athens, Greece, and the other on Corsica, a French island. Another good news, we are selling books in Communist countries headed by Russia and Yugoslavia, and learned scholars are appreciating our books. We have published the Bhagavad-gita now in so many different languages, some of which are: English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, and now Chinese language, and also Russian language is in progress. We are getting very good response, especially where Spanish and Portuguese are spoken, in South America. Please find enclosed the latest edition of our Back-to-Godhead magazine. I hope that this meets you in good health, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** January 7th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 17th, 1975. As you report that things have deteriorated in Africa, you can stay there if necessary. Your decision to send Dinanatha to join Tamala is a good idea. Tamala is here now. He says that before coming he telegrammed you to phone him but there was no response. The first business is that the GBC must see to the management of their zones. Still, I require a permanent secretary. In addition, one GBC man may come and go. Here we have been given a nice piece of land measuring nine acres. The local people are very enthusiastic and the plan is to construct a Radha Krishna Temple complex. I hope this meets you in the best of health. (What about Navayogendra?) Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** January 13th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 27th, 1975.Our movement is so large it requires expert management and strong vigilence. Now you are finding out so many things were mismanaged, but why didn't you find out before? What is the use of complaining now? It is your fault that you remained absent for so long. The GBC's first business is to manage their zones. You said you were training Cyavana. Anyway, just try to mend things and restore it to its original position. Caitya-guru's case is one of misused intelligence. I have also received complaint about him from Nava Yogendra Maharaja. He has been taken out of any position of responsibility. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** February 9th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 18, 1976.It is good that you are paying your debt to the BBT. Please continue to do that. As far as entering crematorium is concerned, no, we cannot go. That is social system, but we are sannyasis. A sannyasi is in spiritual life, not in social life at all. We cannot pay for Shakti Mati to see her children. Concerning her scheme, who will pay the rent and who will manage? We cannot. It must be solidly discussed. We can consider at the GBC meeting. Things cannot be whimsically proposed and adopted. That was a foolish letter sent by Cyavana. He was crazy. These things should not be done without first asking. Regarding the devotees in Mauritius, first of all they must take care there. So some may come to Mayapur—1 or 2—but they must take care there. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** February 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda Swami, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 1, 1976.If you are needed there, it is all right for you to miss the festival. You will have to accept the decisions made by the other GBC. You can gradually train Nanda Kumar. He is undoubtedly a good pujari. Regarding your visa problem, I think by tactful arrangement they will extend, but you know better than me. Otherwise you can come here to India. Or better, why not go to Mauritius and take missionary visa there and at the same time work vigorously. Mauritius is also a nice place on the sea side. Cyavana is now here in Vrindaban. And Caitya-guru is here in Mayapur working, so we shall see later on about him. Regarding your questions about the problems in your zone and your question about why are you there, these should be taken up with the GBC.Please keep some men in Mauritius to carry on as I have said in my last letter. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** May 18th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 2, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Somehow or other I want that the Nairobi center is maintained, not closed. As sannyasi you can come and go, but my only ambition is that the center may not be closed. You can inform the Mr. Motichand Shah, the gentleman who has started "Krishna Industries," that he can pay at least 50% of his income to the temple. If he wants to serve Krishna and he doesn't spend anything for Krishna, then it is not at all good. I am writing a letter to Caitya Guru das to issue one letter of explanation and apology to Mr. Amarshi B. Shretta, P.O. Box 53, Kisumu, Kenya, explaining what the reason was for not bringing his car at the time appointed. Also, please find enclosed one letter from Sarva Vit das Brahmacari in the Mombassa Temple. Please advise him in this matter as you best can judge the situation being there. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** August 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Nairobi My Dear Brahmananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your Janmastami 1976 invitation sheet, but there is no mention of the Vyasa Puja ceremony. Generally in our centers they issue Janmastami invitations along with Vyasa Puja invitations. I have read your Vyasa Puja offering, so it will be a great pleasure to know whether Vyasa Puja was officially held in Nairobi. I am always anxious to know about Nairobi affairs. If you kindly send a report at least once a month, that will be appreciated. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** October 5th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23rd Sept., 1976 and have noted the contents. I have just informed Tamala Krishna also, that Africans should not be allowed to live in the temple unless they are danger-proof. Of course you must preach but if you allow them to live you must be little careful—better not to allow. Chant and distribute prasada and let them come, take prasada and become practiced for Krishna consciousness. In suitable cases they can be 1st initiated but no 2nd for the time being. Regarding land, yes, contact Ambarisa immediately and remind him that he wanted to invest some money. If he does that, that will be very nice, and I will give my sanction if he wants. You can purchase—that place is nice where Damji lives. (Ambarisa can be contacted through the Boston temple.) Mortgage is not to be done as the interest will be too high. For members nowadays we are not giving books free. First when becoming the member they receive five large books, but after that they must pay for future books. If by distributing books you can collect some money for purchasing land, do it. I was very much anxious for you, therefore Tamala went there. Now I am relieved that you are doing well. This year you must come to Mayapur. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** October 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12/10/76.Cyavana has misspent, that is clear. Therefore, indirectly we are responsible because we could not control him. Slack management Arrange things so that in the future these things may not occur. Whether we require our own house in Mombassa? Why spend energy in that way when there is no money? Preaching is first and foremost. If by preaching people will contribute, then we can get, otherwise, what is the need? Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Brahmananda **Date:** December 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Nairobi My dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 15, 1976.I'm very glad to hear that Mr. Karsan and others are prepared to collect the entire amount for the house in Mombassa. I am enclosing a letter of encouragement for Mr. Karsan. I like your idea for side by side arrangements to preach to the Africans and the Asians. Do it nicely, Krishna will give you all intelligence. I like the pictures you have __ __ __ chanting. One may remain perpetually illiterate, but if one practices the devotional service activities, he will become a devotee. That's all, train them up to become devotees. How to play mrdanga, how to play karatalas, take prasadam, attend arati, etc. They'll never understand the books. They are less than sudras, candalas. Just train as Vaisnavas, then all education is there. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Branch Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** March 16th 1976 > 10 Camac Street,Calcutta-700017Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir,P.O. Sridham Mayapur,Sridham Mayapur, District Nadia,W. Bengal ATTENTION: Mr. Dutta Dear Sir: Replying your kind letter dated 9th March, 1976, I am sending herewith the specimen of signature for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account for your records. I will be sending the document of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust through Sridhar Swami of which you can make a copy and keep the copy with you. This is the original document, the copy may be attested by you as “seen the original document.” That will serve the purpose. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- Enc: 1 specimen of signature ### Letter to Brisakapi **Date:** January 7th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore My Dear Brisakapi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 12th, 1976. I am very pleased that we have now got such a wonderful property in the nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. The photos show that there is good opportunity to develop it into a very important center, and since you say that it is in a most aristocratic location, it is certainly Krishna's mercy. If you can make arrangements for me to meet with the President, I shall surely go. As far as your desire to have Sita Rama Deities, it is a good idea, but you should wait for some time. First see that you have sufficient brahmanas who are very well trained and qualified, then you can consider to install Sita, Rama, Laksmana, and Hanuman. They are the ideal King and it will be very suitable that They reign over the capitol of America. Now you have got Gaura Nitai Deities, so you can go ahead and get Prabhupada and Bhaktisiddhanta Deities immediately. Guru and Gauranga worship is standard for all our temples. I am very much pleased to see how much you and all the devotees have increased sankirtana in the Washington area. This you should all make your main business. For a long time there was not so much book distribution done there, but now that you are all concentrating on it there will be no shortage of anything. It is wonderful how many big books you are able to distribute. I accept John Weber as my initiated disciple. His new name is Ramasena das Brahmacari. See that he chants daily sixteen rounds and follows strictly the rules and regulations. Similarly, I accept Krsna Gopala das, Vardhanya das, Puspuvan das, Gabhira das, Ambujaksa das, and Megha devi dasi for second initiation. Now you must hold a fire ceremony. Enclosed are the sacred threads for the brahmanas. They should be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape recording. Brahmin means to be very clean—inside by chanting the Lord's glories and outside by regular bathing. Teach everyone by your personal example. Also you must see that the brahmanas are given sufficient time to read the books. Soon we shall be introducing the Bhakti-sastri examination which all brahmanas will be expected to pass. It will be based on Bhagavad-gita, N. O. D., Nectar of Instruction, Isopanisad, and the small paperback books like Easy Journey. A brahmana should be pandita. I hope this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Brisakapi **Date:** May 6th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Potomac, Maryland My dear Brisakapi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 2, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I also am desirous of visiting Washington, as I have never before been there. I am presently scheduled to go to Washington, D.C. from July 2 to July 9. I am looking forward to meeting with one State Department official, a Mr. Twohi, who is handling a house which we want to acquire to house our Delhi Temple. I believe that Ādi Kesava Maharaja who is presently in N.Y. temple is supposed to arrange this meeting between myself and Mr. Twohie. So far meeting the President is concerned, you can try to arrange, but it is not the most important thing. On your recommendation, I am accepting Larry Tucker for first initiation, and Bhavanath das Brahmacari for second initiation. The first initiates' spiritual name is Lokaguru das. Have his beads chanted on by one of the sannyasis, and see that the devotees are strictly following the 4 regulative principles: no illicit sex life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. Everyone must chant a minimum of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily, and in this way be protected from the frailties of material existence. You will find a gayatri mantra sheet enclosed. After holding a fire sacrifice for both initiates, play the gayatri mantra into the right ear of the initiate. Brahmin thread is also enclosed for Bhavanath das. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- enc.: one thread and sheet for brahmana initiation ### Letter to Brisakapi **Date:** November 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Potomac, Maryland Dear Brisakapi, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated November 1, 1976.This matter must be decided by the GBC. Let them consult together and decide. Whatever they decide is approved by me. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to B.S. Bodhayana Maharaja **Date:** November 9th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear B.S. Bodhayana Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2/11/76 for which I thank you very much. The Bengali letter delivered with my letter has been delivered to Kamal Narayana. My thanks are also to Santo Maharaja. I'm very much obliged to you that you write to say, "It is clear to me that you are great powerful Acarya in the Vaisnava world at present." Sometimes Sridhara Maharaja also says like that. So, actually if you are feeling like that let us work conjointly. There is great prospect for preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message all over the world and in India also. At least in India we can preach very vigorously if we combine together. It is already tested in many cases. Whenever we held some festival in big, big cities like Calcutta, Bombay, Hyderabad, Madras, Delhi, etc. thousands of men gather and they request regularly to continue the program. Recently we held a similar program in Candigargh and the devotees of Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Math also participated. They invited me in the local center of Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Math and many thousands of people came to hear me. So there is great prospect if we work conjointly at least in India. So you can consult Sridhara Maharaja also. He's also of that opinion you have opined and if in this old age we can do something combinedly it will be a great triumph. I thank you very much once more. Yours affectionately, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. I am expecting to go to Mayapur in January ### Letter to Caitya-guru **Date:** May 19th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Caitya-guru das, Please accept my blessings. I have received on report from Brahmananda Swami in Nairobi about an incident that took place that took place when you were there. One Mr. Amarshi B. Shretta, P.O. Box 53, Kisumu, Kenya, had lent his automobile to you that you might use it for me when I came to Kenya. However, it was reported that you disappeared with the car overnight. Mr. Shretta is very much upset at this and he demands an explanation and an apology. There have been many complaints at the mismanagement in the past and now Brahmananda Swami has worked very hard to regain the respect and support of the Indian community in Kenya. Needless to say they are supporting our movement in Kenya and we must be straightforward in our dealings with them. I want you to write a letter of explanation and apology to Mr. Shretta and also you can send one copy of your letter to Brahmananda Swami at the Nairobi Temple address, P.O. Box 28946, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. Kindly do this immediately. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Caitya-guru **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Chandigarh My dear Caitya Guru das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 5, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Very good. Every thing that you have stated sounds very nice. You are experienced man so do it very conscientiously. Your sign reads "The Perfection of Yoga," actually that is a fact. Bhaktiyoga is the best. Yoginam api sarvesam, madgatenantaratmana . . . [Bg. 6.47]. This Hari-kirtana is the best yoga bhakti-yoga. You just follow our regulative principles and teach others and you will be successful, without any doubt. You are trained up, and you speak the language of the local people, so do everything conscientiously and my blessings are always with you. However, don't create any awkward situation that may be criticized. Caesar's wife must be above criticism. Up to now as I have got respectable situation, I wish that all my disciples will have similar respectable position in society. That will keep my name good. Like father, like son. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Caitya-guru **Date:** October 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Chandigarh My dear Caityaguru dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26/10/76.Yes, Krsna will bless you with good success. Do it rigidly. Krsna will give you strength undoubtedly. I started this movement alone in a foreign country and Krsna gave me all success. Krsna will certainly help you if you simply remain sincere and try to present Krsna consciousness as it is. I know the atmosphere in Chandigarh is very receptive. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Caru das **Date:** December 21st 1976 > c/o ISKCON Berkeley2334 Stuart St. Berkeley, CA 94705, USAHare Krishna Land Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054 India My dear Caru das: Please accept my blessings. I have received a letter from Mr. J. R. D. Sharma dated Nov. 30, 1976, regarding his Deities. They should be returned. What is the use of keeping Sarasvati? We do not require to worship any other Deity besides Radha Krishna.antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam devan deva-yajo yantimad-bhakta yanti mama pi“Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet”. (Bg 7.23)So please return his Deities and avoid any dispute. May this letter find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/gdbcc: --- J. R. D. Sharma ### Letter to Caru Gupta **Date:** February 12th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Auckland My dear Caru Gupta das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 29 January 1976 addresses to Bombay and forwarded here. Regarding the restaurant, I would like to know how it is running on? Please send a description. How many people are responding? Send all the details. By your next letter I shall give my decision concerning your initiations. You are already worshiping Gaura Nitai so that is all right. And your wife is assisting you, so that is also all right. So you wait for a while for initiation and if possible come to India to Mayapur and I shall initiate you. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ddaP.S. --- The name Mrnalini means lotus ### Letter to Catur Murti **Date:** August 9th 1976 — **Location:** Tehran My Dear Catur Murti das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6th August 1976 and your very nice donation. Your desire to please me is very pleasing and your preaching program in Spain sounds very nice. Please push on this movement in the Spanish and Portuguese languages with great enthusiasm and certainly Krsna will bless you for taking so much trouble to preach His glories. A Vaisnava always feels himself incapable to repay his debt to his spiritual master therefore he works very hard in order to try and repay that debt. He knows that without the mercy of the spiritual master one cannot preach this Krsna consciousness and therefore he always tries to act in such a way that he may please his guru. Please continue in this way and keep very strictly the regulative principles and chanting the prescribed number of rounds on the beads and you will clear the way for success in your preaching work. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/yd ### Letter to Chittrakara **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Chittrakara Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22nd September, 1976, I have noted the contents carefully. Hansadutta Maharaja has also given me an account of your activities in Kabul. It doesn't matter that you have been asked to leave the important thing is that you are trying to spread the message of the lord all over the world. In the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says very clearly, that anyone who tries to broadcast his message is considered most dear and there is no one dearer to the lord than such a sincere preacher. If you can collect money there as you have suggested and send it for Nitai Gaura TWSKP activities in India that will be good. There is no restriction for preachers, they may travel everywhere all over the world. Nitai-Gaura means world wide preaching, because Lord Caitanya appeared to spread this movement to every town and village of the world, and by the grace of good souls like yourself the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is being fulfilled in the modern age. So collect and send, Hansadutta Maharaja is doing nicely and can utilize any amount we are planning a big Kumba MehlaYou have my blessings all the time, continue to preach with enthusiasm, keep Hansadutta Maharaja informed about your activities. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Cidananda **Date:** January 15th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Santa Cruz My dear Cidananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 23rd, 1975 which I only received recently. Probably it has been forwarded a number of times before arriving. Anyway, I have read your letter, and it is my opinion that you should return to Santa Cruz. But where ever you stay you must chant 16 rounds daily and strictly adhere to the regulative principles as well as try to study my books. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Citsukhananda **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Vrindaban My dear Citsukhananda das, Please accept my blessings. The proposed farm project in nothern California is approved by me. Such projects as well as constructing temples, protecting cows, gathering milk, then making ghee, then opening Hare Krishna Restaurants are all good programs for grhasthas. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Citsukhananda **Date:** December 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Los Angeles My dear Citsukhananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 16, 1976.I approve your plan to combine together with Kesava to lead a party of Spanish speaking devotees with nama-sankirtana to every town and village in Spain. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Cittahari **Date:** March 27th 1976 — **Location:** Delhi > Adelaide, Australia My dear Citta Hari das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 18 March, 1976 with enclosed daksina and I thank you very much. Now the new devotees must all be trained very nicely how to render devotional service by chanting 16 offenseless ds daily, and following the 4 regulative principles. Kindly set a nice example yourself for everyone and in this way make your lives perfect in full Krishna Consciousness. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Cittahari **Date:** September 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Auckland, New Zealand My Dear Cittahari das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 23, 1976 and have noted the contents. On your recommendation I am accepting Usapati das for brahminical initiation and Kedara dasa shall be the spiritual name for Bhakta Kevin. Please hold a fire sacrifice and present the name at that time. Your local GBC man may chant on the beads. The tape of the gayatri mantra may be played and heard through the right ear. To be a brahmana means that one is clean inside and out by chanting the maha mantra and bathing regularly. All our initiates must chant at least 16 rounds a day and follow very strictly the regulative principles. This will give one spiritual strength. Regarding the $30,000.00 which you will receive, you may deposit it in the Bank of America, Main Office, Los Angeles California, in the ISKCON Mayapur Vrndavana Fund. If you forward the amount to Ramesvara Maharaja there he will be able to deposit it for you. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Cittahari **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Cittahari Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 28th September 1976.It is your money so you can do with it whatever you like. If you feel the money is needed there, then use it accordingly, I have no objection. Jita Garisa Das Brahmacari is duly accepted by me as a second initiated disciple. Hold a fire ceremony and let him hear the tape of the Gayatri mantra chanted by me through the right ear. See to it that he is properly trained up in brahminical habits, cleanliness, truthfulness, tolerance, self control, etc. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Cyavana **Date:** January 24th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > c/o John G. Milner Coral Springs My dear Cyavana, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 5th January, 1976.Your normal life is Krishna Consciousness. If you so desire you can stay in Mayapur without taking any responsibility. Simply read books, take Prasadam, and chant Hare Krishna. Now, for the time being, you stay with your father. Later on you can decide. I hope you are recovering. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Cyavana **Date:** February 11th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Cyavana Swami, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated 6 February, 1976 and have noted the contents. I was informed about your coming to Calcutta, and I understood that you were coming to see me. Then I heard that you left. Now I am pleased that you are in Vrndavana and engaged in the Deity worship. But I think it will be good if you live with me and assist me in so many ways. Here there are other GBC and sannyasis like Jayapataka Maharaja, Bhavananda Maharaja, Tamala Krsna Gosvami, etc. It will be nice if you stay with experienced men. I hope you will be benefited in this way. Hoping this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Cyavana **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Evanston, Illinois My dear Cyavana Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 16, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. I am glad to see that you are trying to remain engaged in Krishna's service. Concerning your engagement, why not come to New York immediately. I shall be there on July 9, and at that time I shall do the needful so that everything will be alright. You can meet me there at that time. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Cyavana **Date:** July 29th 1976 — **Location:** Paris My Dear Cyavana Maharaja: Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated 22 July 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Regarding your desire to return to Africa, I think that it would be best if the matter be decided at the next Mayapur meeting. Therefore kindly wait until then. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Damodara Pandita **Date:** July 17th 1976 — **Location:** New York > New Vrindaban My dear Damodara Pandita, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 12, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the recordings of Krsna dasa Babaji, how can I make any judgment as I have not heard them. However, you should just go on chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra and the Pancatattva mantra and don't divert your attention. You cannot understand the meaning of the Indian songs and simply parrot like chanting of these songs has no value. Concerning making a comparative study and critique of philosophy, unless one is very expert it is difficult for him. First of all, let people understand Krishna. We are doing that. Maybe one or two are interested in philosophy and for so few persons we can't spare so much valuable time. Better to induce everyone to chant Hare Krishna and take prasadam. That will be a mass benevolent activity. In the western countries many Ph.D.'s are out of employment because they did not get any service. We do not want to become great philosophers but rather to understand the philosophy in our own books. If we remain strong in our own literature, we can meet anyone else without any fear. As soon as the palace is complete, I shall go again. I very much appreciated how everyone is living peacefully and happily at New Vrindaban. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Damodara Pandita **Date:** December 30th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > New Delhi My dear Damodara Pandita, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26/12/76 and have noted the contents carefully. You have written that there is one man in Kathmandu who wants to become our devotee. So, take this man's cooperation and start a center. Then even if you are deported, if this couple's attempt is successful, things will go on. If you find him sincere, then we can immediately offer him initiation and he may start the center. Our men may come and go. The program should be the same. Invite persons to love feast, chant Hare Krsna, distribute prasadam. This couple may be in charge of the center. Start with local men, 2, 3, 4, then it will be successful. Take books as much as you like and with the local man's help immediately open a center and try to stay there as long as possible. In your absence the local man may manage. Train him in that way. Thank you for your nice poem. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Danavir **Date:** February 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Danavir, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your news letter of January 22, 1976 and I thank you very much. Your sincere endeavor to engage new devotees is very much appreciated. It is especially encouraging that these new devotees are taking on responsible service within our communities. They should follow our regulative principles, chant Hare Krsna and engage all day in the service of Lord Krsna. That is the only way that they will become satisfied. Please continue with your service. Encourage everyone to take up this Krsna conscious life and set a high standard by your own good example. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to David Alan Ladner **Date:** February 9th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Berkeley My dear David Alan Ladner, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 19 November, 1975.It is very nice that you chant and take prasadam with our devotees in Berkeley. Please continue to chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and your life will most certainly become perfect. Actually real peace is to spread this chanting everywhere. That we are doing. Regarding your request for money, we ourselves are beggars and if we do get some money, we immediately use it to spread the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to David B. Richeter Hughes **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrndavana > World Christ CORDavid B. Richeter Hughes, Founderc/o F.A. Kranert101 Prospect Ave.Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 Dear David, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6, September, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Thank you very much for your kind offer to have me as your Permanent Acarya and Honorary Chairman. I will accept this if your organization and members are agreed to follow the four regulative principles which discriminate animal life from human life, i.e. no eating of meat fish or eggs; no illicit sex life outside of marriage and then only for the begetting of God conscious children; no intoxicants, including coffee, tea, or cigarettes; no gambling, not even bingo. Unless one follows these principles, spiritual life is not possible. I can give you all guidance and direction for there are millions of Christians in the world today. We are not concerned with how, so much as the fact that one must develop his dormant love for God. This is alright that you will chant the names of Christ for after all he was the representative of God. People are lost due to not following a bona fide religious system. If you can revive their God consciousness that will be very good service. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Deoji, Upendra **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Deoji, (and Upendra das)Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your two telegrams from Fiji, and I can inform you of the following. I am scheduled to leave Vrindaban for Bombay on the 12th April and then departing for Melbourne en route to Fiji from Bombay on the 18th April. Allowing some days in Australia, we could be in Fiji on or about the 24th or so of April. The only delay could be that I am scheduled to meet the minister of Haryana concerning the donation of land to us at Kuruksetra. If the meeting is favorable it may be necessary for me to attend a conference in Kuruksetra in late April, April 29th. However, that is not settled yet and so far my plans to arrive in Fiji on or about the 24th April stand. I shall inform you immediately as soon as I know of the Kuruksetra land. In the meantime, you should honor the contract, and if necessary do whatever is required. If I am delayed beyond the date of beginning the construction contract then I shall give you further details what to do. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dharmadhyaksa **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Dharmadhyaksa dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your "Simple Living and High Thinking" magazine. The article is very well-written and convincing. Thank you very much. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dharmatma **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Dharmatma, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 28, 1976.I'm very pleased that you are taking my order to distribute books so seriously. All blessings of Krishna are on these girls who are working so hard to distribute my books. that is very nice that you want to distribute more books than Tamala Krsna goswami's sankirtana party. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Dhrstadyumna **Date:** January 30th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Sri Radha Damodara TSKPTempe, Arizona My dear Dhrstadyumna, Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for sending the conversation between yourself and Professor Verdu. You have talked very nicely. I have asked that the conversation and photos as well as the letter of appreciation from Prof. Verdu, be printed as a small pamphlet by the BBT. Please study carefully my books to be enlightened. You have presented our philosophy very nicely. This engladdens me that our students are presenting so convincingly. This is the way to become future preacher. These T.V. engagements are very popular. If your bus program can arrange many T.V. shows it will be a very good propaganda. I hope this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Dhrstaketu **Date:** July 17th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Los Angeles My dear Dhrstaketu dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 11, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You can use the nickname Krishna-dasa, or Caitanya-dasa, etc., etc. when needed if you require some more simply name is distributing books. Everyone is Krishna-dasa, or Gurudasa, like that. Unless absolutely necessary, one should keep head shaven and not allow the hair to grow long. If absolutely necessary, one can dress like an American gentleman, with short hair, but long hair is prohibited. The reason that one with long hair is not my disciple is because he is against the principle. Unless absolutely necessary one should keep hair short, and if necessary one can dress like an American gentleman with short hair. It is not expected that everyone will join. For that reason we can't compromise. The tendency is there to be hippy. When the acaryas are seen with beard, that is during Caturmasya, July-September. If observed strictly there is not simply a beard. There are so many rules and regulations. One can't eat a variety of foods. Only kitri prepared and poured on the floor, and then licked up. There are so many other rules also. That is not always that they kept beard. Concerning the Vedic statements, if you do not know, what can I do? You have to know it otherwise why do you speak something about what you do not know. If you have heard from the Bhagavatam or other Vedic literatures, what do you want to know more? Have you seen the different inhabitants on the different planets? We have to hear from the authoritative scriptures and accept it. That's all. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dina Bandhu **Date:** December 11th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Portland My dear Dina Bandhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 25, 1976.Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. For first initiation their new names are; Sam R.—Syamasundara dasa and Jim N.—Jyotindra dasa. The second initiates are; Ramyaka dasa, Kaviraja dasa, Girijarata dasa, Abhaya dasi, and Srimati dasi. Now hold a fire sacrifice instructing the first initiates to always chant a minimum of sixteen rounds, and to strictly follow the regulative principles. Their beads may be chanted on by Ramesvara or Hrdayananda. Teach the second initiates how to chant on their finger divisions and let them hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in their right ears. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Dina Dayala **Date:** January 6th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore My Dear Dina Dayala, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 12, 1975, giving a report of your preaching in Greece. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu desires that in every city, town and village Krishna Consciousness should be preached. Therefore I left Vrindaban to come to your country. And now you have left your country also on behalf of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, therefore your life is glorious. May Krishna bless you that your preaching attempt becomes successful. As soon as a devotee endeavors to serve Krishna, Krishna immediately wants to help that devotee. Krishna will certainly protect and maintain you. You are an intelligent sincere boy so try to introduce this movement to the people of Greece. Everyone in the world is suffering. Despite so many attempts on the parts of the governments and planning commissions of the world, still the suffering continues. People are thinking that by more education, hospitals, food and so many other things they will become happy. But we actually have the ingredient which alone can make them satisfied—Krishna Consciousness. So please deliver Krishna to everyone you meet; instruct them in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. If it is possible to get our books translated into Greek that will be very helpful for your preaching. In the meantime as you are preaching to intelligent persons such as the lawyer you met, they will be able to read English, so you can give them our English books. I cannot read the news clipping you have sent. But as you say Lord Krishna's name appears four times, then it is very nice. My Guru Maharaja always see if Krishna's name or Lord Caitanya's name appeared in someone's writing and would appreciate the writing for this alone. Yes, your idea to teach English by having the students read KRSNA book is very good. When you were in Mayapur you saw Bhavananda Maharaja doing this and it was very successful. Simply repeat this. Have them also chant the Hare Krishna mantra and as far as you can arrange, feed them nice Krishna prasadam. That is our entire process. I started this movement just in this way. It is not very difficult. The important thing is that you behave nicely, chant all your rounds and follow strictly the regulative principles. Example is better than precept. These spiritual practices are our actual strength. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Dina Dayala **Date:** February 25th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Athens My dear Dina Dayala das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 6, 1976.It is nice to hear that your activities are going on successfully in Athens. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, prithivite ache yata nagar adi gram sarvasa . . . so now it is actually becoming a fact. This movement is being spread everywhere. Maintain your activities and increase gradually. I have instructed everything in my books. You may translate the Bhagavad-gita first. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Dinesh Candra Sarkar **Date:** August 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Dinesh Candra Sarkas S, Bidya Jagar Rd.P.O. Nabagram Dr. Hooghly W. Bengal My Dear Dinesh Babu, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 24th June 1976 and have noted the contents with care. I am now staying at Delhi at the above address. From here I shall go to Vrndavana. I am also not keeping good health. In New York I caught a cold and it continued for about one month of coughing at night without any sleep. But still I am travelling. I went from New York to London to Paris to Tehran to Bombay to Hyderabad to here. So I am sorry to learn that you are not well. Pray to Krishna and chant Hare Krishna. The body is a temple of disease, janma mrtyu jara vyadhi [Bg. 13.9]. Disease is our inevitable companion. We still have to execute our duty of Krishna consciousness as far as possible and Krishna will help us. We are going to have a very big project at Mayapur. We have to acquire 350 acres of land from the Government and construct a spiritual town at the expense of Rs. 200 Crores. The plans and contemplations are going on in different phases, now when Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be pleased it will be taken up. After Vrndavana, I may return to Mayapur by the month of December and I hope by that time you will be quite fit to come and meet me. Thank you very much for your enquiry. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dipak Kanti Chowdhury **Date:** February 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Dipak Kanti Chowdhury New York My Dear Dipakji, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22 December, 1975, and have noted the contents. I am very glad to learn that you have got your M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering, so do finish your Ph D course. Krsna will bless you with a good situation for the service of the Lord. I am glad to learn that you are daily coming to our New York temple to worship the Deity. Most probably I shall be coming to New York next April where we shall meet and talk more about spiritual progress of life. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Disciples in New Dwaraka **Date:** November 3rd 1976 > 3764 Watseka Ave.Los Angeles, California90034 USATridandi Goswami A.C.Bhaktivendanta Swami Krishna Balarama Mandir My dear disciples in New Dwaraka, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your telegram regarding the avocado tree. As far as possible killing the tree should be avoided. If possible the tree should at least be transplanted. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Dixit **Date:** February 12th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear Dixit das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 5th February 1976 and I thank you for it. Regarding your desire to preach in Hindi and English, that is very nice. My suggestion is that you purchase one or two rooms in our Vrindaban centre. The price is Rs. 50,000 for one room or 60,000 for two rooms and you may have your choice of commodes. Thank you very much for your inquiry. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Dixit **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Osmanabad My Dear Dixit das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23 July 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Thank you very much for offering your services at the new university, but first let us get the opportunity and as soon as we start the establishment it will be a great pleasure. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dixit **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Dixit das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your kind letter dated 14th Sept. 1976 and have noted the contents with care. I am very much pleased to understand that although you are now living away from Vrndavana, your mind is here. That is a very good sign. This is the symptom of loving affection for Krishna. I have constructed this temple and all my other temples so that at least some educated retired men shall live here without any material desires, but at the present moment people are so educated that even up to the point of death they cannot give up the enjoyable items, namely money and women. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore recommends niskincanasya bhagavata bhajano 'numukhasva. So if anyone is very serious to go to the other side of this material ocean for him to be completely freed from material attachment is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately people are reluctant to give up material association: that is the difficulty. So wherever we may remain we can chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra without any offense and that will help us in the future how to become detached from visaya and yosit, or sense gratification and women. So far our Gurukula is concerned, we require some practical assistant who can teach the boys how to be controlled in the mind and senses, how to rise early in the morning, chant the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra, go to the Yamuna for bathing, then study some Vedic literatures like the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam, remain always for the benefit of the guru, and work for him as a menial servant. These things are recommended for the brahmacari. You will find the statement in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto Seven, Chapter Twelve as follows, brahmacari gurukulae vasandanto gururohitam [SB 7.12.1]. I want my gurukula should be in that way, we don't want big big scholars, for doing research work; what research work they will do? Everything is in perfect order in the Vedic scriptures summarised so beautifully in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita is the primal study. So we want to introduce this system of education for the boys who are at the kaumara age. That is recommended by Prahlada Maharaja, kaumara acaret prajno dharman bhagavatan iha [SB 7.6.1]. So this is the practical application in life of the education mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. I am also practically finding that if any of our students artificially try to become scholars by associating with unwanted persons they become victimized, for a little learning is dangerous, especially for the Westerners. I am practically seeing that as soon as they begin to learn a little sanskrit immediately they feel that they have become more than their guru and then the policy is kill guru and be killed himself. So we shall have to teach character and spiritual understanding to the young children. To study other things as a high grade scholar is secondary for us. The first thing is to build up character and be experienced in the understanding of the conclusions of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, hari namanukirtanam, iti nirnitam—it is decided, there is no more need of research work. So think over these matters. You are experienced and if you take up the charge of our gurukula, it will be a great relief for me, but the principles are described above—we do not want anything more or less. The principles are vividly described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and we have to follow and accept. I am glad to hear that you are coming here during Diwali holidays and you are always welcome. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Doctor Ghosh **Date:** September 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Allahabad My dear Doctor Ghosh, Please accept my greetings. I thank you for your letter from Canada dated 1st September, 1976. I hope you have seen all our temples in Canada, especially Toronto where we have got the biggest temple in Canada. Very soon we shall have another big temple in Ottawa. I am hoping to stay in India for some months, and hope to meet you in this time. I hope this meets you in good health. With my regards to Mrs. Ghosh. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Dr. B. N. Shukla **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Dr. B. N. Shukla2, Drivatsa, Bhwati Nagar1 Morris Rd Aligar (U.P.) Dear Dr. Shuka, Please accept my greetings. I am very glad to receive your letter dated September 9, 1976 and have noted the contents. I am glad to hear that you are coming to see me. Sriman Surendra Natha was to come here on the 15th, but he has not yet come. Anyway if he is coming I shall be glad to see you along with him. I am here in Vrndavana at least until 8th October, if not longer, and I hope to see you in the meantime. I hope this meets you in good health and I await your arrival. Thanking you, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dr. Bhatt **Date:** February 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Boston University Dear Dr. Bhatt, Please accept my greetings and thanks for your appreciative review of Srimad-Bhagavatam. I am trying my best to publish the entire Srimad-Bhagavatam, which will be about 60 volumes. Thank you very much for your encouragement. I hope this meets you well. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Dr. Bishnu Prasad Mukherjee **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Bishnu Prasad Mukherjee,Department of Pharmacology,Harvard University,College of Medicine Washington D.C. 20000 Dear Dr. Mukherjee, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 27, 1976, with enclosed brochure, and I have noted the contents carefully. Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is not a Bharatiya artistic one. It is a program to solve all the problems of all the world. We are getting good response, so your cooperation will be welcome, but we are not interested in Bharatiya as there are already so many organizations of this nature. Our workers are all dedicated souls and they are engaging in activities on the spiritual platform. If sometimes you could find the time, perhaps we could meet together and we can talk. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dr. Channa Reddy **Date:** July 14th 1976 > 340 W. 55th Street,New York, N.Y. 10019,U.S.A.**Personal** My dear Dr. Channa Reddy, Please accept the blessings of Lord Krishna. I have been informed by my secretary, Gopal Krishna dasa Adhikari, that a new law has been introduced whereby income from temples is now taxed to the extent of 7%. He further informed me that several other religious organizations such as ours have received tax-exemption status. I trust that you will kindly provide our institution, being a purely religious and non-profit charitable organization, with the same facility of tax-exemption. Thank you once again. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dr. Channa Reddy **Date:** August 22nd 1976 > Governor Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhavan Lucknow, UPHare Krishna Land Nampally Station Rd., Hyderabad, A.P My Dear M. Channa Reddy, Kindly accept my greetings and the blessings of Krishna and Balarama. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 31, 1976. Thank you very much for so kindly taking the trouble of explaining the whole situation to me. I am much obliged to you for your kind appreciation of how we are practically maintaining our temples. Kindly come see our new Hyderabad Temple the next time you visit your home. By the grace of Lord Krishna, we now have more than 100 centers all over the world. Each and every temple is maintained to the best possible standard and this is greatly appreciated by all visitors. Many Indians, who are life members of our Society, have visited our temples in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, etc., and they have highly appreciated the management there. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur states in this connection,sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau,“The spiritual master is always engaged, along with his disciples, in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord.” The temple should be maintained as cleanly and beautifully as the Deity is worshiped. In the absolute sense there is no difference between the Deity and the temple, because the temple is an expansion of the Deity’s spiritual energies. As we have lost our spiritual culture in India, the persons in charge of the temples treat the Deity as the source of their personal income. I am very glad to hear that the government is taking steps to counteract this. According to sastra, it is the duty of the king, or the government, to see that the brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras, are acting properly according to their enunciated positions. The temples are in charge of the brahmanas, and the brahmanas are supposed to maintain themselves by worshiping the Deity and training others how to worship. A brahmana should be a learned scholar in Vedic knowledge and train others to be scholars. A brahmana should live by begging alms from others and any excess should be immediately distributed in the form of bhagavat prasada. Therefore brahmana’s are exempted from government taxation. I am trying to introduce this Vedic culture all over the world. You may be pleased to know that although I am engaged in the management of my many world-wide temples in the daytime, at night I write books. At the present moment we have published about 80 books such as Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta, and so on. These books are being well received by scholars all over the world, as a few of the enclosed reviews show. By the grace of Lord Krishna, the sale of my books has exceeded my expectations. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, which I have founded, stands first in the world amongst all publishers of religious and philosophical literatures. You will be pleased to know that we are selling $60,000.00 worth of these books daily. Fifty per cent of the proceeds are utilized for reprinting new books, and fifty per cent is used for expanding temple construction. I am writing these books by my own effort and they are being sold in huge quantities. If I bring this money, which was collected in the foreign countries, to India for investment, what is wrong with this? But there is a class of envious men who question how I am getting money from the foreign countries. They feel that I am being supported by the CIA and similar other accusations. I do not know how to save myself from these envious persons. Srila Canakya Pandit says, “There are two kinds of envious entities, a snake and an envious person. Of the two, the envious person is more dangerous, because the snake can be brought under control by chanting some mantras or with herbs, while the envious person cannot be controlled by any means.” I am therefore seeking your advice how I may be protected from the attacks of such envious persons. Since I have introduced a very successful Rathayatra Festival in New York this year, the venom of the envious persons has increased and they are making counter propaganda against my movement. Perhaps you have received information of this festival. The American authorities, especially the police department, appreciated that I am trying to make a common platform for the East and West to meet on. Since your Excellency is so very kind to me I am seeking your advice. I thank you once again for your affectionate letter and I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dr. Chatterjee **Date:** September 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta Dear Dr. Chatterjee, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6th inst. and have noted the contents. I have no objection to your proposal and I can finance this proposal also. But I am afraid there will be hardly any students—that is the difficulty. I have seen in foreign countries that practically no students join high philosophical and scientific classes. People nowadays are only interested in money-earning philosophy. Nobody goes to the philosophical classes in universities. A similar institute was imagined by my Godbrother Bon Maharaja in Vrindaban, but it has not become very successful. There are many difficulties in the line, but I like the idea; therefore if some practical solution can be made we can discuss personally, but I appreciate your idea. The only difficulty I'm feeling is whether we can get sufficient students. Some of my disciples who are Ph.D.'s in science, they are also attempting our institution in Boston U.S.A., but I'm still doubtful how far they'll be successful on account of scarcity of students. It is said in the Kali-yuga everyman is on the standard of sudra, and the curriculum suggested by you is meant for the brahmana—that is the difficulty. We are attempting one Gurukula in Vrindaban and we have already begun building, to train children from the very beginning of life as is advised by Prahlada Maharaja:kaumara acaret prajno dharman bha gavatan ihadurlabham manusam janma tad apy adhruvam arthadam[SB 7.6.1]But there is also difficulty of getting students because the parents and the guardians are not interested. Before going to America I approached many respectable friends for giving me at least one boy from each family to be trained up in this line of self-realization, but I was not successful. The parents had no interest—the same difficulty of sudra mentality. Anyway, we are attempting again this Gurukula program, so why not begin from this small endeavor and gradually develop to the ideal university. On the whole if you can arrange such university there will be no financial difficulty. So I think if you kindly begin from this Gurukula attempt and then develop to the International University, that will be very practical. Of course we have to have independent private university because the government is not interested according to Vedic ideology. Bon Maharaja tried for the last forty years to make a Vaisnava university recognized by the government, but he failed. I am here up to 8th October, but I don't think it will be possible for us to meet. When I go to Calcutta I will let you know the exact date. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Dr. Chatterjee **Date:** October 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta Dear Dr. Chatterjee, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 1st inst. and have noted the contents. Your suggestion is very good—if the verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita are presented in classical art it will be something wonderful—the whole world will appreciate. We already have a dramatic party in New York, and their performances are very much appreciated. Indian classical songs are appreciated here and in foreign countries also. This program of presenting the Bhagavatam in classical song is a good idea.vedaih sangapada-kramopanisadair gayanti yam samagah(Bhag. 12.13.1)Regarding your other suggestions, Ayurvedic medicine is a good idea, provided we can get an expert manufacturer. And agriculture we can also take up—we already have land, many farms. Too much modern machinery is not suitable for our country. I shall inform you of our arrival in Calcutta, and trust we shall meet for further discussion there. I hope this meets you in good health Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Dr. Chittaranjan Mohapatra **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Dr. Chittaranjan Mohapatra,Krishna Youth Club Jasotikiri, Akhuapada,Balasore, Orissa 756122 Dear Dr. Mohapatra, Please accept my greetings. In reply to your questions of your letter dated 16-3-76 addressed to my secretary, I beg to offer you the following on the basis of the sastras. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The dictionary defines God as the Supreme Being, therefore, Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita: Mattah parataram nanyat, kincid asti . . . [Bg. 7.7] "There is no Truth superior to Me. Everything is resting upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread." And in many other sastras Krishna is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All the acaryas such as Ramanuja, Madhvacarya, Nimbarka, Lord Caitanya, and innumerable others have come to this conclusion: that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Concerning your question as to why we should sacrifice everything to Him; because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is the Proprietor and Enjoyer of everything; Bhoktaram yajna tapasam sarva loka mahesvaram . . . [Bg. 5.29]. Everything belongs to Him. We have unlawfully encroached upon His property this is mine, that is mine . . . Krishna comes down to teach us real knowledge, therefore He tells you to give up encroaching on His property. Better to deliver it to Him. Therefore, perfection of life is when we deliver or return everything to Him, and He tells us this for our benefit! The sooner we return everything to Him, the better it is for us. Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is teaching this fact all over the world. One should not think that Krishna is an ordinary man. If you think like that then you do not know anything about Krishna. Avajananti man mudha manusim tanum asritah . . . [Bg. 9.11]. "Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature and My supreme dominion over all that be." All the mudhas or rascals consider Krishna to be an ordinary man, but He is not ordinary, He is the Supreme Being. Where do you get this information that Krishna is an ordinary man like us? In no Vedic Literature is it said that Krishna is an ordinary human being. In the Brahma-Samhita it is said: Isvara Parama Krishna . . . He is described as the Supreme Being. I do not know on what authority you can say that Krishna is an ordinary human being like you or me? Sacrifice does not mean murdering. The real work is yajna. Yajna means Visnu. In the Bhagavad-gita, yajna is prescribed. Yajnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam Karma-bandhanah . . . [Bg. 3.9]. "Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this world." Yajna is prescribed in Vedic literature. Yajna means satisfying Lord Visnu. Lord Visnu's another name is Yajna-purusa. One must satisfy Him anyway that He likes. "Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati . . . [Bg. 9.26]. If one offers Me in devotion a leaf, flower, fruit or water, I will accept it." Not that whimsically offer. You also mentioned that how can I give up attraction for woman; when you learn to love Krishna, then you can forget your lusty desires for women. Krishna's another name is Madan-Mohan. When Krishna is within the heart, then the Madan or lusty desires become defeated. If we learn to love Krishna, our lusty desires will be finished, otherwise not. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dr. Dave **Date:** October 1st 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Ahmedabad Dear Dr. Dave, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your kind letter dated 28th September, 1976 and noted the contents with care. I am very much pleased that such a highly qualified person as you desire to join our movement. We require many such persons as you to make our movement successful.yad yad acarati sresthastad tad evetaro janahsa yat pramanam kurutelokas tad anuvartate[Bg. 3.21]"Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues." (Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)It is the Vedic system that after 50 years of life one has to take to Vanaprastha, then take to Sannyasa. It will be a great pleasure to meet you again, and if possible please join us as soon as possible. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Dr. Mohan Singh **Date:** October 16th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh > Chandigarh My Dear Dr. Mohan Singh, It was a great pleasure to meet you this evening. You are a devotee of Krishna and a learned scholar. Meditation is meant for yogis, it is said in the Vedic literature, Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah [SB 12.13.1] a yogi is one who always meditates on the Lotus Feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who meditates on Krishna is the topmost yogi of all. We have explained this fact in our book "Topmost Yoga." I request you to read this book and meditate on Krishna, then you and your followers will be first class yogis performing the best meditation. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantaratmana [Bg. 6.47].I thank you once again for coming here. If possible you may come to Vrindaban. I invite you to stay with me for some time so we can discuss more on this subject matter. I am returning to Vrindaban by 20th October. I hope this letter meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Dr. R.M. Dave **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh > Dr. R. A. Dave,Gokula 6,Prabhu Park Co.Near Rajnagar Society Ahmedabad 380 007 Dear Dr. R.M. Dave, Please accept my blessings. Thank you for your letter dated 6th October 1976.I am returning to Vrindaban on 20th October and shall be there until end of November. I will be glad to meet you there anytime convenient for you. It will be a great pleasure to meet you, you are always welcome. I hope this letter meets you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Dr. S. B. Chatterjee **Date:** September 1st 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Dr. S. B. Chatterjee Ex-Professor and Head Dept. of Geography N. Bengal U. Calcutta Calcutta Dear Dr. Chatterjee, Please accept my blessings. Things are deteriorating on account of the loss of God consciousness. This simple method of chanting the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra will awaken God consciousness, and people will become very grateful all over the world. We welcome you to Vrndavana after the 3rd of September. We have got accommodations and whatever prasadam we have got we can give. If you want to see me in Calcutta, you will have to wait until December when I may arrive there. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dr. Suresh Candra **Date:** December 8th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > West Bengal Dear Dr. Suresh Candra, Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your Bengali letter dated Nov. 26, 1976. I have noted the contents carefully. It appears that you are an unmarried brahmacari. So, if you continue this status of life for the matter of executing devotional service, that will be a great advantage. Many great personalities remain brahmacari throughout their whole lives and get freedom from material bondage very easily. Of course marriage is not prohibited in devotional service, but if one can remain brahmacari, in unmarried life, it is a great facility. I'm very much pleased for your proposal to devote your life for Krishna's service. You are a qualified man. Anyone can become a pure devotee by engaging himself in the business of glorifying the Supreme Lord (Sankirtana movement). So long we have got this material body the problems of birth, death, old age, and disease will continue. Therefore, to help the devotees when they're in bodily ailments is also a great great service. If you so desire you can join our Movement. We have got very good centers, especially in Mayapur, Bombay, Sri Vrindaban, Hyderabad, etc. If you decide to join, we can give you all facilities for rendering this service. At present I am staying at Hyderabad center and very soon I shall go to Bombay by the end of the month. Our Bombay address is as follows: Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054. I shall be glad to hear from you. Thanking you once more for your offering service to Lord Krishna. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Dr. W. H. Wolf-Rottkay **Date:** January 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Dr. W. H. Wolk-Rottkay Los Angeles My dear Dr. Wolf, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17th December, 1975 and also your most recent letter, undated, both with enclosures. Karmis are considered like asses because they are working so hard day and night without profit. The Bhagavad-gita states: antavat tu phalam tesam/ tad bhavaty alpa medhasam [Bg. 7.23]. "Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary." The karmis benefits are temporary and those who are seeking after such benefits are "mudhas." Srila Vishvanath Cakravarti Thakura has identified mudhas with karmis. So we are servants of the acharya, therefore we also cannot give any good position to the karmis. According to Narottama das Thakura: karma-kanda jnana kanda kevala visera bhanda. "The paths of karma kanda and jnana kanda are just like pots of strong poison". Therefore according to the principles, of bhakti, one has to avoid the karmis and jnanis. Regarding your letter to me send to Nairobi, I have handed it over to Svarupa Damodara, so I do not possess it. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Dr. W.H. Wolf-Rottkay **Date:** October 14th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Dr. W.H. Wolf-Rottkay, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated September 27th and October 3, 1976, I have noted the contents carefully. Regarding the scientists, we have entrusted our own three scientists namely Svarupa Damodara, Sadaputa, and Madhva and we leave the matter to them, we do not say anything ourselves, but are leaving it to them. But there are many common men who do not believe that they have gone to the moon planet. So as common men we can simply say, how can dust and rocks reflect so much of light as to illuminate the night, like the sun at day. It is simply bogus to say that the moon is full of dust and rocks. Such a beautiful soothing planet is full of dust and rock with no living beings there is simply unbelievable. You are a learned scholar, do you think it is believable that dust and rocks can illuminate the whole universe at night. It is so soothing and beautiful. I shall be very glad to receive further enlightenment in this connection from your good self. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Dr. Wolf **Date:** January 29th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Dr. Wolf, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of a copy of a letter sent to Sriman Vedavyasa dated January 14, 1976.Mundane books are written by imperfect persons. Everyone has his own theory, which means he is imperfect. The Srimad-Bhagavatam says if there is a real presentation of spiritual understanding, then even if it is presented i broken language, it is accepted by high, saintly persons, because it glorifies the Supreme Person. On the other hand, if literature is highly metaphorically composed, if it does not glorify the Lord, it is compared to a place inhabited by the crows. Actually, if some literature doesn't carry any real knowledge, what is the use of ornamental language? We are not interested in presenting ornamental language. In India the system is that people go to see the Jagannatha Deity. The Deity is not very beautiful from the artistic point of view, but still people attend by the thousands. That sentiment is required. Similarly with our kirtana we are only using drums and karatalas, but people come to the point of ecstasy. It is not the ornamentation, it is the ecstasy. This ecstasy is awakened by sravanam kirtanam by devotees. I hope this makes everything clear. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Dr. Wolf **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Dr. Wolf, Please accept my blessings. I received your kind letter dated March 7, 1976 which was hand-delivered to me. Very soon I shall be able to see you and talk. Kindly chant Hare Krishna, and follow the regulative principles, see the Deity in the temple, and take Krishna prasadam. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dr. Wolf **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Atlanta My dear Dr. Wolf, Please accept my greetings. I beg to inform you that I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 16, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Why should our temples support or denounce Hitler. If somebody says something in this connection it must simply be some sentiment. We have nothing to do with politics. It is after all sentiment, you say something and I say something. In this material world, to say this is good and this is bad has no value. To us, everything material is bad as it is lacking Krsna Consciousness. Just like wet stool and dry stool. Stool is stool, but somebody is saying that wet stool is better than dry stool. What is this good and bad? The top side of some stool is dry and the bottom side is wet, but anyway that you take it, the material world is stool, and it must be given up. Therefore, we are trying to get out of the material world and go back to Home, Back to Godhead. But, of course, everyone has got some sentiment. If you want that my sentiment be decried, what is the wrong if I say that your sentiment should be decried. In this world of duality, this is good and this is bad has no meaning, it is called manodharma, mental concoction. However, the real truth is that Krsna says that: duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15], the world is a place of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. Now this is good misery or bad misery? Misery is misery; and you have to die, good die or bad die? So to us everything material, without connection to Krsna, is to be rejected as stool, otherwise we will waste valuable time needed to solve the real problems of life, namely, birth, death, disease, and old-age. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Dr. Wolf **Date:** September 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My Dear Dr. Wolf, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August, 1976 and have noted the contents. Yes, this attitude will help you. Always pray to Krsna humbly and He will surely help you, tesam satata yuktanam bhajatam priti purvakam dadami buddhi yogam tam yena mam upayanti te [Bg. 10.10], to those who worship Me with love, I give them the intelligence by which they can come to Me. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dr. Wolf **Date:** December 25th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Dr. Wolf, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 1st of December, '76.I'm glad to hear that you are coming to India in the near future. Yes, Krsna wants you, don't try to avoid Him. You are a sincere devotee. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Drstaketu **Date:** August 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Los Angeles My Dear Drstaketu das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter, with enclosed daksina, dated August 7, 1976. Whatever contribution you have, you may deposit in the Bank of America, Los Angeles Branch, a/c no. 6004-7143 (ISKCON Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund). Please also send me the deposit slip. That would be very nice. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Dvarakesa **Date:** January 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sweden My dear Dvarakesa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated Narayana 21.You have asked how you can thank me. Whether you thank me or not, if you understand the importance of this Krishna Consciousness Movement, that is my success. The whole world is thinking in the bodily conception of life and thus remaining like animals. The animals cannot be happy but people want to keep themselves like animals. For peace they are barking in the United Nations. Croaking toads who think they are making a big conference, and then one day the snake of death comes and swallows them up. If there is possibility to preach amongst the communists, you must do it immediately. The intelligent communist people will very easily understand our philosophy. We can convince them on the basis of samah sarvesu bhutesu, a Krishna conscious person is equally disposed to every living entity (B.G. 18:54). You become a communist and make the present imperfect idea of communism perfect. The idea of the communist philosophy is that the state should be benefited. But the state being imperfect, the living entities other than the human beings cannot derive any profit. It is therefore no better than the capitalists. For the benefit of the human beings, the capitalist kills the poor animals. Similarly, the communist does the same thing. Where is the difference? Perfect communism is in the Srimad-Bhagavatam wherein it is stated that you feel for the poor animals as well as the human beings. Srimad-Bhagavatam instructs that even if there is a snake or lizard in the house, it is the duty of the householder to see that they are also eating, not starving. So you have to begin your preaching with such broader idea of communism. So this is a good wish for Krishna's service. If it is possible take immediate opportunity for it. So far as coming out of Hungary once you enter, if you can preach what is the need of coming out? Hoping this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Dvarakesa **Date:** September 29th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Stockholm My dear Dvarakesa, Please accept my blessings. With reference to your letter to Harikesa dated 22nd inst., yes, kirtana and prasada will appeal to even the uneducated. We have means to preach to both the educated and uneducated, the sinful and the pious—dhiradhira-jana-priyau. Regarding the concerts, make mrdanga concert. You will get good mrdangas from L.A. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Dvarakesa, Prabhujaka **Date:** September 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Frankfurt My Dear Dvarakesa and Prabhujaka, Please accept my blessings. I have noted your letter of August 23, 1976 addressed to Harikesa Swami and have noted the contents with pleasure. Please continue your program of preaching in Eastern Europe for this program is very pleasing to me. You should be supplied all funds for this program by the local GBC men there in Europe. This program is very important. People are suffering greatly presently due to having lost all proper vision. They are completely without knowledge as to what is the real purpose of life. They have forgotten what is the real purpose of life. It is up to you to reestablish their lost relationship with Krsna by being sincere to preach the message of Krsna purely by yourself following the instructions of the Lord and his bona-fide representative, the spiritual master. If you follow nicely our Krsna conscious program and preach to these unfortunate people, surely Krsna will recognize your very nice service as He states in Bhagavad-gita, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya krttamma, whoever preaches this message of Bhagavad gita is considered by Me to be the most dear. So continue on this way, you have my full approval and support. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Elaine **Date:** February 1st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Dallas Dear Elaine, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated October 20th, 1975. Your letter must have been forwarded a number of times and I have also been travelling, so I have just now received it. It is your great fortune to be chanting Hare Krishna Mantra. This is the special purpose of human life. In the other forms of life like the animals, this opportunity is not available. So make your life perfect by becoming Krishna Conscious. Spiritual life means to become pure, and chanting Hare Krishna will automatically make you pure. But just as when a physician prescribes a certain medicine, he also describes the conditions under which the medicine will be most effective. Similarly, the chanting will have the most effect if you can abide by the principles of purified living: First, no eating of meat, fish, or eggs. Second, no gambling. Third, no taking of any kinds of intoxicants such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, coffee or tea. And fourth, no illicit sex life, which means sex life only within marriage and then only for the purpose of procreating Krishna Conscious children. If you can follow these principles and chant Hare Krishna, you will make great spiritual advancement. The best thing is for you to associate with the devotees at the Dallas Temple, then it will be much easier. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Foreigners' Registration Office **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Foreigners' Registration Office,Calcutta Dear Sir: Please be advised that my student, Mr. Gregory M. Scharf (Gargamuni Swami) was sent here to India by me for his immediate assistance was required. In New York he was told at the Indian High Commission that an entry visa would take 11 weeks, however, I required his assistance immediately, so he arrived on a tourist visa. Since his service here in India is valuable as GBC (Governing Body Commissioner) for our branch in Mayapur, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, kindly give him visa. Your willing assistance in this matter will be much helpful. Your sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to G. L. Kapoor **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad DelhiSri G.L. Kapoor; Please find below my testimonial in honor of Sumati Morarji."Madame Sumati Morarji is a great friend of our Krishna Consciousness Movement. I first met her in connection with the printing of my Srimad-Bhagavatam and she was so kind as to immediately pay me 500 Rupees for it. Later on, in 1965 when I wanted to go to the USA, I appealed to this benevolent lady again to carry me aboard one of her ships to New York, and she immediately arranged for it. I was able to start for the USA on account of her kindness and taking some books with me I safely reached on September 19th, 1965.When I returned to INDIA in 1970, she gave me a good reception in her office building. Many nice gentlemen also met me at that time. I feel obliged to this benevolent lady in so many ways for her helping this Krishna Consciousness Movement. I wish that Lord Krishna may give her a long life fully engaged in the service of the Lord."Thanking you, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Gabhira **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Washington, D.C My dear Gabhira das, Please accept my blessings. I have received one article from Rupanuga entitled, "Officials approve Krishna Ministry". Thank you very much. We have succeeded by Krishna's blessing. Now do it nicely. It is a great stride. We can start in other places, too. In your office you can hang a nice picture of the Panca Tattva done by a good artist, or a sankirtana picture. I am also recognized as an ordained minister by the immigration authorities. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Gadi **Date:** February 16th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Gainesville My dear Gadi das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 27, 1976.Regarding your questions; Arjuna, Yudhisthira Maharaja, and Draupadi were not killed in the battle. They are always personal associates of Krishna. Wherever Krishna goes, they go. The Bhagavad-gita says: bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava carjuna. "Both you and I have passed many lives; I remember, but you do not."And at the time of death somehow or other Krishna takes special care. He says: aham tva sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami. Regarding distribution of my books, somebody may say something, but that doesn't matter. Somehow or other they are taking our Krishna book. However it should be done so there is not legal implication. And aggressiveness is not good. That should be checked. So you may hold a fire sacrifice and Hiowana Nivens (Hatari das) should vow to chant minimum 16 rounds and keep strictly the four regulative principles. Paramatma das may hear the mantra in the right ear. He should keep clean internally by chanting Hare Krishna mantra always and externally by bathing regularly. You yourself must set the example. Satsvarupa Maharaja can chant on the beads and you can find enclosed brahmana thread duly chanted on by me. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Gargamuni **Date:** June 7th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Mayapur My dear Gargamuni Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated and I have noted the contents with care. Yes, it is simply time wasting and money wasting the way construction is going on in Mayapur at present. I have seen also when I was in Mayapur that 50% of the workers are simply wasting time. Best will be to get a reliable construction contractor and adopt the same method that has been done in Bombay. We can check their bill according to the contract so that they do not cheat us. Taru Kanti Ghosh, since he is favorable, there will be government support. So continue this boat program. I do not know about motor launch or not, but you should consult and do the needful. I simply want to see that the preaching goes on. That's all. In the hot climates, hold programs at nightime, and the daytime can be used for resting. Also, green mango sherbet can be prepared. Roast the green mango, and take out the pulp. Mix this pulp with a little salt, black pepper, sugar, and make a liquid by adding some water, then drink it. This will give protection from stroke from the heat. Concerning the Rs. 25,000 for continuing the food distribution program, Pusta Krsna Swami has discussed with Ramesvara Maharaja and there is enough money in the Food Relief bank account in Los Angeles to send this amount to India for this purpose. So Ramesvara Maharaja should be forwarding this amount to you for the prasadam distribution program in Mayapur. If the Jagannatha Puri land is simply desert, sand, and there is no prospect of growing any vegetation there, like grass and trees and plants, then in the hot season it will be difficult to go there and to remain there. So before we consider this plot of land, it will be necessary to see if there is possibility of vegetation or not. What about the Bhuvaneśvara land? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- cc: Rameswar Maharaja ### Letter to Gargamuni **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Mayapur My dear Gargamuni Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram and I have informed Gopala Krishna to supply you with the needed books. However, he has complained that you have a large debt to the BBT and you are not paying it off. So I request you to gradually reimburse the BBT in Bombay. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gargamuni **Date:** November 13th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My dear Gargamuni, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram reading as follows; "Due to your displeasure with Vrindaban management ..."Before this I received one letter form you addressed to Jagadisa. The reply to that letter is sent with Debu. There I have requested you to come here with the car. I've sent one letter to Bhavananda also, in which I requested him to preach in the interior of Bengal. Now he is in the limelight, so his attention should not be diverted. Regarding management in Vrindaban, it is improving in My presence. I hope it will go on nicely. The only problem is the guest house. There are practically no guests. Out of 44 rooms we cannot engage even one daily. So, here is the real problem. We have invested in this guest house about 25 lakhs. So, without utilization of these rooms, we are losing about 20,000 per month. This is the real problem. Other problems are minor, they can be rectified. So, amongst yourselves discuss this guest house problem, and when you come, please bring the solution scheme. Then I will be able to talk with you how things can be improved. The proposal of closing Calcutta center is very inauspicious. Any center we open cannot be closed at any cost, what to speak of the Calcutta center. You have asked for 2 lakhs loan. That can be also arranged, but why Calcutta center bank account is broken. I'm too much perturbed on this point. I was just planning to go to Mayapur when Jagadisa received your letter, therefore I postponed my journey to Mayapur until I come here and I shall discuss with you. My health is also not very sound, still I wanted to go to Mayapur. But, I think the Calcutta problem would give me more trouble even if I am in Mayapur. Thus, I postponed. So, when you come here we shall discuss the matter in detail. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Gaura Gopala (Govinda?) **Date:** September 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhuvaneśvara My Dear Gaura Gopala (Govinda?) Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 28, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Preaching actually done alone, that is the experience we get from the previous acaryas. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was travelling alone and with great difficulty His associates induced Him to accept an assistant. So far foreign devotees are concerned I can bring immediately 500 devotees from foreign countries but the government will not allow them to stay. If any devotee comes he has to go back again after three months or six months, at 10,000 Rs. expenditure. Still I am struggling and whenever it is possible I am bringing foreign devotees to preach in India and as you say the Indians are cheaters even though not all of them. The majority who come and join us, it has been experienced, they are not sincere. Under the circumstances what can be done, I do not know. Even experienced devotees—perhaps you know Anand Baba—he was asked also to go as there were so many complaints against him. But one hope is there that you are publishing in the Orissan language and it is being distributed and your writing is approved by me. So if you concentrate on these literature printing matters and try to distribute as far as possible that is our great success. You can construct immediately a nice temple there but you say there is no devotees so how temple management can be executed? This is the problem. So you are conversant in the local language. If you bring some sincere souls to join you by preaching then it will be successful. Just like in Europe and America I went singlehandedly and by preaching work the boys responded and therefore we can see some light of success. Unfortunately in India this spirit is lacking. In India generally the young men are after money and woman, this is natural. They have no sacrificing spirit. That is the difference. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** November 17th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhuvaneśvara My dear Gaura Govinda, Please accept my blessings. What is the climate like there in Bhuvaneśvara now? I want to come there. I want to begin work immediately on constructing a temple exactly like Jagannatha's temple in Puri. You can immediately begin to get estimates from contractors. It will be a very important temple. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. What is the progress with the land registration? ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** December 11th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad My Dear Gaura Govinda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 30/11/76.Yes, as soon as we get electricity, the sooner it will be fit for my coming there. For my translation work I require electricity. I am going to Wardha on the 17th. Find out the travel arrangements from Wardha to Bhuvaneśvara. Whether there is a direct railway line? Or are there airplane flights from Nagpur to Bhuvaneśvara? Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. I have just now received your letter dated 8/12/76. You may come to meet me in Hyderabad before the 17th or come to Bombay by the 22nd December 1976 ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** December 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Bhuvaneśvara My dear Gaura Govinda, Please accept my blessings. I am prepared to come to Bhuvaneśvara immediately to begin construction on the following conditions. The growth of the temple should be based on book distribution. I am prepared to print books. You can then sell them and 50% of the collections must then be returned to the BBT to pay for the books. The balance can be used for construction. Whatever you can raise by this method, I am prepared to give an equal amount toward the construction. In other words, the amount required for construction will come 50% from your side and 50% from me. In the beginning I can advance something if necessary so that we may begin immediately. I will print books for you to distribute. You distribute, and whatever you collect, 50% must go to the BBT to pay for the books.* The balance may be used toward the construction. Whatever you can raise in this way for construction, I will give an equal amount. And, in the beginning I may give some advance. Is that clear? So, let me know whether you like this proposal. If you agree, I am prepared to come there immediately to begin work. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- *Some Oriya scholar may be engaged to translate our books under your check to expedite printing work ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** January 31st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Puri My dear Gaura Govinda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 19th January, 1976 and I have noted the contents. Regarding the mutation, I understand the Settlement officer has asked you to wait still another month. Also you have no men nor books. Neither you have any place to live. Therefore, the best thing is that you come immediately to Mayapur where I am staying until Gaura Purnima. You can do your translation work nicely here, and after the Gaura Purnima festival all the necessary arrangements for Orissa can be made. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** February 12th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bhuvaneśvara My dear Gaura Govinda Swami, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 8 February 1976.It is very good that you have completed one cottage. We are trying to send one man, but in the meantime just think that Krishna is with you and there is no need of disappointment. Now that you have your cottage, you may remain there and Krishna will help you. You have my full blessings and you try your best and you will be successful. There is no need of coming to Mayapur now. If you can come for the festival, that will be nice, but it is not compulsory. If you are not getting reply from Gopala Krishna then you may write direct to me. I am also writing Saurabha to send you a plan. If you publish some book in Oriyan language, that book will give you good support. So now you have an opportunity, you are there and Krishna will help. Gradually we will help. Krishna is so kind, He is always ready to help. "dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam upayanti te." I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** February 28th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bhuvaneśvara My dear Gaura Govinda Swami, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 20th February, 1976.Gopala Krishna was just here to see me, so he has been made aware of Sri Jagadisa Prasad again. He is going to contact Mahamsa Swami and certainly if the man has paid the fee, he should get the benefits as much as the others are getting. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ddacc: --- Mahamsa Swami, Hyderabad ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhuvaneśvara My Dear Gaura Govinda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 11, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. In answer to your question as to why the Indian population is so slack in spiritual life: during the British rule there was a secret policy by the British to cut down the Vedic civilization in India. There was a confidential policy by the British government to kill India's original culture and everything Indian was condemned. From the very beginning they took this position. In our childhood and boyhood we had to read some book by a Mr. Ghose called, "England's Work in India". The purport was that we are uncivilized and the British had come to make us civilized. Later on the policy became successful because in our childhood days any anglicised gentleman was considered to be advanced in civilization. In Calcutta the Chowringhee quarters were known as the English quarters and the neighborhood places were maintained very nicely. The Indian quarters were known as native quarters therefore even in our own city there was such a division as English quarters and native quarters. Anyway this policy became successful when our leaders took them as fact. Mahatma Gandhi wanted to refute this white prestigious position but he also failed because he did not understand spiritual culture or God consciousness. During the Moslem time, although sometimes fanatically, there were some cases of breaking the temple, but there was no such policy to kill the Indian culture. On account of this during the Moslem period even during the time of Aurangazeb there were Indian Princes and political leaders like Sivaji and Jaya Singh. So it is a long process how Indians, especially educated Indians, have become victimized by the slowly deteriorating position of Indian culture, but there is no use tracing out the history but generally we have lost our own culture and our leaders are not very serious to revive our own culture to the point. But still the mass of people, not being very much advanced in education, stick to the Indian culture. For example, lakhs of people still visit Jagannatha Puri during the Rathayatra Festival, lakhs still visit the Kumbha mela, and lakhs still visit the holy places of India, but there is no encouragement by the leaders. It is only a continuation of the original culture. So there is no hopelessness; if we revive Krishna consciousness in a systematic way, within a very short time we can revive our original Indian culture on the basis of the teachings of Lord Krishna and the Bhagavad-gita. So we have to work very hard for this purpose and if you follow the path of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it will be very easily done. Arrange for printing the books. We shall supply paper that we have now got from the government. But without the paper you can take estimates from the printers to find the cheapest. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- n.b.—I have three questions: I may come there by the middle of October, what is the climate like? I have heard that there is a famous fountain there whose waters are very digestive for people who are sick and it is a good tonic, is this true, do you know of this? Did you register the lands, complete the forms? ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** October 7th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhuvaneśvara My dear Gaura Govinda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 1st inst. and have noted the contents. Nityananda Kanungo, the father of Bijayananda, can give you information about that land. He is a very famous man, and he lives in Cuttack. Otherwise Bhavananda may be able to give some assistance. You may send me copies of your new publications. I hope this meets you well, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** November 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhuvaneśvara My dear Gaura Govinda Svami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3/11/76.Try to get the certified copy. Otherwise, what can be done? Do not be discouraged. Go on serving sincerely. Your success is your sincere desire to serve Krsna. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Gaura Govinda **Date:** November 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My dear Gaura Govinda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26/10/76.I have already informed you that I received only one document, which I have received from Gargamuni Swami. I received no sale deed. You may take one certified copy and use that. I cannot read the Oriyan books, but I thank you very much. Please go on increasing. You can ask for paper from Gopala Krsna. Ask him where he is printing, what his cost is, the size of the paper, etc. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Gaurasundara **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu My Dear Gaurasundara das, Please accept my blessings. I am presently here in Hawaii and I would be very pleased if you could come to meet with me. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to GBC Secretaries **Date:** June 18th 1976 — **Location:** Toronto My Dear GBC Secretaries, Please accept my blessings. I have received messages that Mahamsa Swami requires 2 more lacs to complete the Hyderabad construction by Janmastami, 1976. Already I have given about 5 lacs of Rupees, and I believe that Hansadutta Maharaja hs also given a sum of money towards Hyderabad construction. So the total amount of the Hyderabad construction was estimated at about 10 lacs, and if I give this 2 lacs then I have given 7 lacs towards the construction so what is the collection in Hyderabad? It is not good that they are always asking me for money. The money is coming from the BBT in Bombay and it will have to be paid back in due course of time. So I am sending advice to Bank of America to transfer 2 lacs of Rupees to the Bombay construction account at the State Bank of Hyderabad, Juhu Beach Branch, Bombay, and I want that the 3 GBC secretaries for India should discuss together whether or not to give this 2 lacs to Hyderabad centre for completing their construction. If you think that Mahamsa Maharaja will be able to repay the BBT this money then you can go ahead and give the money to Hyderabad. Otherwise, there is no rush to open the Hyderabad temple by Janmastami, 1976, it can be postponed until a later date when the Hyderabad temple can be completed by collections in South India. So if you are confident that he will pay back the BBT then it is alright, otherwise you can use the 2 lacs for Bombay construction and the Hyderabad temple can be finished with local collections. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to George Harrison **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > George Harrisonc/o Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Sriman George, Please accept my blessings. I would be very much pleased if you can meet me the next time that I am in London. I am scheduled to be there from July 20th to July 26th, 1976, and for further details you can contact Mukunda das. I am looking forward to seeing you again. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Geza **Date:** February 1st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Elwood, Australia My dear Geza, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your appreciative letter dated December 1st, 1975. Yes, when I come next time I will see you. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Giridharilal **Date:** March 11th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Delhi My dear Giridharilal, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind letter dated March 8, 1976 and I have noted the contents very carefully. It will be a great pleasure for me to meet with you either at Delhi or Vrindaban when I return the 26th of March, this month, to Delhi. More when we meet. In the meantime, I hope this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** February 25th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 10, 1976.It is my intelligence and your cooperation that is working. There is a story of a man who was challenged whether he had any intelligence. He then began to look in his pocket. When asked why he was looking in his pocket, he replied, "if there is money, then there is intelligence". So you have gone so far to collect money and intelligently, but if there is no money, where is the intelligence? Both must combine, then everything works out nicely. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** April 27th 1976 — **Location:** Auckland > Bombay My dear Giriraja das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to inform you that I have sent two separate telegraphic transfers in Indian Rupees to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust a/c 16066, care of the Central Bank, Gowalia Tank Branch, Bombay. I am enclosing the two receipts, one for Rs. 8,857.15 and the other for Rs. 14,797.17. So the total amount is Rs. 23,654.32. Now please see that this is recorded in the passbook and inform me accordingly. I had taken some Rs. 59,000/- from the BBT account, so you can deduct the Rs. 23,654.32 from this. Hence I must still give Rs. 35,345.68 towards this. Tomorrow we go to Fiji for some time, and the laying of the foundation stone of our new temple there, then on to Hawaii, and by about June 1st, we should reach Los Angeles. After that we are planning to visit Detroit, New York Rathayatra tentatively scheduled in late June, then New Vrindaban. Before returning to India, we shall stopover in Europe for about 2 weeks, and possibly Tehran. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Giriraja das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 28, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Seeing the success of the BBT Library Party, I am therefore stressing so much on the book distribution. Let the higher section accept these books, it will be a great triumph. Then the nonsense remark that "kirtana is nuisance" will be stopped. Regarding the Taparia land in Vrindaban, take it! Aksayananda Swami sent me a telegram to say that the place is too secluded, with no road and thieves. Never mind, despite all inconveniences, take the land and when I return I shall see the situation and decide how to use the property. Some of our men can go and live there without difficulty, and begin making the necessary repair work. With regards to the farmland you mentioned; we can not purchase any land for this purpose. If the land is donated, either by this party or that party, we can make use of the land, but we cannot purchase such land. With regards to the question of our devotees being permitted to remain in India, this point should be discussed in Parliament. The point should be raised why our devotees who are coming from foreign lands should not be permitted to remain indefinitely in the Holy Places? We have nothing to do with politics and our cultural and religious movement is being spread throughout the world. When they become actually devotees, it is the instruction of the sastra to live in such Holy Places as Vrindaban, Mathura, and Dvaraka. The references are there in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. Other sects also have their holy places of sanctuary. Even the Buddhists' sect have a place in India, Gaya. Our Vaisnava injunction is there in the sastra, that devotees should dwell in the Holy Dhamas; many hundreds and thousands of devotees live in places like Vrindaban, Haridwar, and many other such places. Similarly, foreigners who have accepted this sect and religious process, they should be allowed on our recommendation to stay in India. So if some Parliament members debate on this question on the basis of cultural platform, it is a glory for India that our Krishna Consciousness Movement is being accepted all over the world, why the government of India should not accept? Even taking into consideration the economic point of view that India has already got overpopulation, that is not a very sound ground. Even it is accepted, these foreign devotees are ready not to take a grain of India's production. They can bring their own food sufficiently for taking prasada themselves, as well as for distribution to others. There is no question of economic problem. Why these cultural and religious facilities should not be given to the foreigners who have accepted them as their life and soul. Our students from India go to foreign countries for learning higher technology, why the foreigners should be be denied to learn the higher transcendental science in India. In addition, we have already published over 56 books which are highly appreciated by foreign and Indian scholars and the educated section. So it is a great science of God consciousness. The government should take it very seriously and help spread this Krishna Consciousness Movement all over the world. At least visa should not be limited to three months, six months, like that. The devotees should be accepted as permanent residents on our recommendation. If it is a question of economics, then they can bring food, and cloth from abroad sufficient for themselves and others. Neither they are going to occupy big, big tracts of land for residential purposes. No, they are trained up to lay down on the floor for taking rest. Whatever is required we shall do, but let them stay. The government allows Christian missionaries to stay, and the foreigners come to learn Indian religion, they are not allowed to stay? This is not a very good policy. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- enclosed you will find another letter addressed to the BBT in Bombay. Please see that it reaches Gopala Krishna and any other people involved in this matter ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** May 5th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Giriraja das, Please accept my blessings. Herewith please find one copy of a letter to the Central Bank of India, Gowalia Tank Road Branch, Bombay. I sent one bank draft to them by registered post. See that the transaction is executed and have the funds entered in the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust passbook. On Yasodanandana Swami's plea, I have sent him Rs. 15,000/- care of the Hyderabad Temple. This will be used for printing books by Yasodanandana Swami in South India. Now, I originally owed Rs. 59,000/-, and I sent 2 telegraphic transfers totalling Rs. 23,654/32 from Melbourne, Australia (see my letter dated 27th April, 1976 to you). So this left the balance at Rs. 35,345/68. However, I gave you Rs. 5,000/- when I (by transfer also) was in Bombay, so the remainder is Rs. 30,345/68. Now, this check for U.S. $2,871.45 is approximately Rs. 25,411/06 at the rate given here of U.S. 11.3 cents equals one rupee. So this leaves the balance at Rs. 4,934/62. This amount will be paid by Yasodanandana Swami. He will give Rs. 5,000/- towards the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account 16066, and the remainder of the loan, Rs. 10,000/- will be paid into my personal account at the Punjab National Bank, Krishna Balarama Mandir branch, savings fund account number 1. In this way he can repay the loan of Rs. 15,000/- and my debt to the BBT will thus be cleared. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** May 11th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Giriraja das, Please accept my blessings. So far the new towers are concerned, not a single space should be allotted without my permission. When completed it will be a wonderful building and we want to keep it open for people to visit from all over the world. We are expecting guests like hotel so the rooms must be available. I also want to know what terms you have arranged with persons who gave substantial contributions for building the rooms in the towers. Please relay this information to me immediately. Also, I am finding that there is one oil which Pradyumna brought with him from Bombay, it is helping to relieve the pressure on the head a little. You can send me 3 bottles of this oil, Brahmi oil, made by the Sadhana Ausadhala; they have a place in Bombay near the intersection of Kalpadevi Rd. and Princess St. It must be packed very nicely otherwise the bottles will break or leak. To stop leakage, you can melt some parrafin, and seal the bottles with the caps on by dipping the side of the bottle with cap into the liquid parrafin, and when it is pulled out and cooled, it will seal the space around the cap. Then also there should be some soft packing around the bottles so that they do not break in transit. Best if someone is coming personally to the U.S.A., they can bring it with them, but if that is not possible at this time, then send it nicely as above mentioned. You can send it to me care of the Los Angeles Temple as we will be there just after the beginning of June. Send it registered and special delivery so that it is handled very fragilely. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** May 26th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Giriraja das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 15, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You can make inquiry as to why the amount received was Rs. 4/- less than the amount which we transferred (telegraphic transfer) from Melbourne. From my letter to you dated May 5, 1976, you will note that the Rs. 59,000/- which I borrowed from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account is now all accounted for and with Yasodanandana Swami's payment it will be completed. Sri Brijratan Mohatta had promised that he would pay for the entire construction of the Bombay Gurukula, but you mentioned that he is only giving Rs. 10,000. Why only 10,000, Gurukula will require Rs. 10 lakhs? Concerning the purchasing of other books for the Bombay library, I never gave a list of books to Saurabha for purchasing. Anyway, we may require but I never gave such a list to him. The devotees must learn Hindi, as many as possible, and take citizenship. What about the Parliament? They were going to raise the question about our men coming to stay in India indefinitely, but I have heard nothing further in this connection. I received the plan of my house in Mayapur from Bombay address. I do not approve of this plan just yet. I liked one plan which I saw in London. Where is that original plan? Then I can make comparison. There was supposed to be a lift from the ground floor to the first floor. Also, why the guest rooms are upstairs, above me. Guest rooms are alright, but they cannot be occupied while I am there. There is also the question of the kitchen. And moreover, if there is no sunshine it will not be very nice. Will sunshine be able to enter my room? . . (there are over-hanging verandas) . . and is there a place on the roof open to the sun for taking massage? In any case, I want to see the plans which I saw in London for comparison. Also, I do not want to go ahead with the construction of my house is Mayapur until I see the master plan of the Mayapur City. It may be that there in a more secluded, less congested, place to situate my house. Being so near the front gate, and the main road, it may get too noisy at times there. So, you can take up these matters with Saurabha, and have him send me the original plan which I saw in London. The site of the house can also be determined only after we have the master plan. The facilities in Bombay appear to be very nice. I think it will be very peaceful up so high in the towers, and it may be a very good place for me to translate Srimad-Bhagavatam. Let us see. Concerning Sri Ramakrishna Bajaj, I sent you one letter dated May 14, 1976, concerning their invitation to me to attend the Gita Pratisthan conference as one of the Co-ordinating Committee. Your letter to me was dated May 15, so you could not have received my letter when you wrote me. I will await a reply from Sri Bajaj before making any decision what we will do in this connection. If they do not honor our request as mentioned in the May 14, 1976 letter, than you will have to read some paper on my behalf which I would send you. However, I will make no decisions in this connection until I have received a reply from Sri Bajaj. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- N.B. Please send me a statement account of Vrinda Book Co. with BBT up to date ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** June 6th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Bombay My dear Giriraja dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 26, 1976, which was delivered to me by hand, and I have noted the contents with care. I have received one reply from Mr. Bajaj of the Gita Pratisthan dated May 25, 1976, and it is not feasible for me to attend this meeting so if appears wise you can go as my disciples on my behalf, both yourself and Gopala Krishna. This is the line that you should adopt: We are already propagating Gita, but "As It Is," without changing. This should be the method. Krishna is not going to flatter the politicians and learned scholars, rather Krishna is teaching them how to flatter Krishna. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah, etc [Bg. 7.15]. If one is not prepared to surrender to Krishna, then what is the meaning of preaching Gita. If one has got their own philosophy, then let them preach their own philosophy, but do not do it in the name of the Gita. This is our protest to all of the interpreters of the Bhagavad-gita. If they do not believe in God, Krishna, and they don't want to surrender to Him, then let him preach atheism. Everyone has got the right to do this, but why through the Gita. This is like a man who wants to smoke ganga, but he does not want to be caught. So he takes a friends' hand and smokes it in his hand, and then when the authorities come, he says, "Oh, I have not smoked ganga, see, my hands are clean!" The idea is that if one wants to preach the Gita, then he must preach it as it is, otherwise, don't go through the Gita. So as my students, you can speak very tactfully. One thing, if they are serious, we are prepared to preach, so together your men, and our men, let us preach. If the Gita is seen as important preaching work, then the Government should help, they should give all facilities. The government can help in the following ways for instance: 1). Our members want to stay and preach but the immigration department is giving us trouble. They are driving us away. So few Indians are coming, but the Americans and the European are coming. Indian educated boys, they are after some service to get income, they are not joining. This must be tackled tactfully. Our mission is to preach Gita. The best thing is that if we can conjointly preach, we can benefit the whole of India, and the whole of the world. Vinobaji is very respected and they can do a great deal to help our preaching mission. Secondly, just like we require vehicles, we can bring vehicles and men, but they should be allowed to stay without the immigration gagging that we should go out, go out. Unnecessarily we have to spend so much money. So do it very nicely and tactfully. Concerning the Bhetnama, you can follow the plan of Tirupathi, that guests cannot stay more than 2 months, 60 days, like that. But, there must be space left vacant for receiving foreign guests. Guests must register like dharmasala, where they come and can spend 3 days, otherwise they create trouble. So for ordinary guests, they can stay for 3 days, the ordinary life members. And for those who have paid for constructing one room, they can stay for up to 2 months per year. In Bombay, apartments are very expensive, 2 lakhs, so everyone would purchase an apartment for Rs. 50,000/ if they knew that they could remain permanently. So we cannot have them as permanent residents, only 2 months per year. Precaution must be taken that people don't take advantage like Mr. Badruka who is occupying 3 rooms, it has caused us so much inconvenience. Be careful. Make it clearly understood when they give the donations towards the rooms that they cannot stay more than 2 months per year, otherwise they may cause trouble. I am anxious to know when my quarters will be ready. In your last letter you gave me an attractive idea of my quarters, so I am anxious for it. Please keep me informed. From Los Angeles, I will go to Detroit, from June 11-16, then Toronto June 16-21, then New Vrindaban June 21-July 2, then Washington, D.C. July 2-July 9, then New York July 9-July 20, then London July 20-26, then Paris farm and Rome July 26-August 10; Then Tehran from August 10-13, expecting to arrive approximately in Bombay August 14. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** June 30th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban My Dear Giriraja dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 24, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I am in the process of answering the questions for Bhavans Journal, and I shall forward this to you when it is completed. Concerning our proposal to be presented to the Parliament, anyone coming from ISKCON should be given permanent residence. India's original culture and religion is being spread all over the world, and out of their religious feeling if they come to stay in Vrindaban especially, why the government should harass them. Our Goswamis have said:nama-gane sada rucih, pritis tad-vasatisthale.(Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.3.25)A devotee is very much anxious to chant Hare Krishna and to live in that place where Krishna has His pastimes, generally Vrindaban, Mathura, Dvaraka, like that. All of our men who are coming to India for this purpose, they are properly initiated and following the regulative principles. In this connection, the certificates of the S. Indian authorities gotten by Yasodanandana Swami can be used, where in they certify that our ISKCON men are proper Vaisnavas, decorated with tilaka in twelve places, etc., etc. Take the land for making the road properly, and use it. We shall make a very nice arrangement for parking cars, etc. In this way, from the other side of the Juhu scheme people may take full advantage of the Hare Krishna Land facilities. Let Brijratan Mohatta help. Personally he can pay 25 lacs or anything. He is a son-in-law of Birla personally and personally he is very rich also. Personally he may give what he wants but let him help collect funds. He is such a big man in Bombay. What I know is that if he likes he can help us, and he is favorably inclined to our movement. Rs. 25,000, he can collect from at least 100 men in Bombay. So he can collect and help raise 25 lacs very easily, although we require about 10 lacs. To pay Rs. 25,000, there are thousands and thousands of men in Bombay who can very easily do it. Bombay is the richest city in India. Concerning the tax exemption, do it nicely and take help from friends. Ours is a public institution. Why wasn't the lift for the towers planned from the very beginning? You can go on with your work and try to install the lift as soon as possible otherwise we will have to wait. When I come I shall see the situation. Mulchand Deomal should be nicely taken care of. He is a very nice gentleman. I know him. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- So far I have not yet received the statement of account for Vrinda Book Company. Please forward this to me ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** July 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bhaktivedanta Manor My Dear Giriraja das: Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated July 17 and have noted the contents with care. This news of the donation of Mr. Malhotra is very good. Take the land and utilize it. Many good guests will come to such a place and I will also come. Estimate the cost and we shall do it immediately. I will come and see the land upon arriving in Bombay. You may print in Marathi the Bhagavat Darsana and Lokanatha Swami may edit the translations done by others. We have government paper so you may print with this. I think though, that there is more than one Maharastrian devotee, but anyway there are many sympathisers who would be willing to voluntarily serve by this translation work. This idea of Mr. Binbani's is very good; you should encourage him. You may say that the entire expense of this issue has been met by the Binani Trust. This will encourage the other trusts to also contribute. It is very nice that he wants to help the printing of literatures. The construction of the temple is going on, now let us have new publications. I am sending by separate registered post the Hindi translation of the Nectar of Devotion. You should print it. Our Bombay center is a general cultural institution for the education of scientific knowledge and spiritual life. I am trying to induce responsible men to fully retire from family life and take to Krsna consciousness. Ashok's mother is a good lady as are all of them. Please give my blessings to her. Regarding this research tax exemption, we have got so many Phd's also, and are starting the Bhaktivedanta Institute for making research work for the improvement of the economic condition of the world. We are introducing many farms and they are very successful. We want to introduce this in India also. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** September 2nd 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Bombay My Dear Giriraja das, Please accept my blessings. The other day you came here but I could not talk to you. All of a sudden you left. For the time being I understand there is a need of an experienced devotee here. Tejiyas is sick and is going to Vrndavana. I think that Jagat Purusa is a suitable man to come here for at least one month and you can arrange to do this immediately. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** September 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. The statement on Bhavan's Journal has been sent to them. Also a copy of my letter to Smt. Morarji has been sent to you by Harikesa Swami. Please acknowledge receipt. Harikesa is not working as my secretary now; he has been sent for preaching work. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** October 14th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Giriraja Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 8/10/76 and have noted the contents carefully. Yes, you can do as you have suggested, reply in the monthly news letter to the members, followed by the reply I sent to Smt. Morarji. Your preaching in the colleges is nice, try to make some Indian devotees. I am enclosing two letters to the Bank of America for renewing the fixed deposits, see that it is done and inform me what has been done about the receipt I left for renewal when I was there last. Also one letter to Ramakrishna Bajaj, do the needful. I hope this letter meets you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** November 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 5/11/76.Yes, if there is no difficulty to finalize the fixed deposit later we can wait until I come to Bombay. Regarding the Gita Pratisthan conference, will they pay for my going or not? Talk to Bajaj personally about it, his secretary is useless. When he returns speak to him. If they do not pay we will not take a sankirtana party. But, if we can transport in our own bus, then we can do. It is good that our friends are coming forward to help in Bombay. Let them present a statement that it is a genuine movement. All Indians are interested in spreading this movement. Krsna is accepted as the Supreme Lord by all Indians. His birthday ceremony, Janmastami, is observed by all Indians. In Bombay there is an embassy branch. Our Bombay friends should go there to express their protest. Encourage Dr. Jhawer, I know he is very enthusiastic. Mohata can give lots of help. One thing, is the sanction there for our Gurukula construction? That newspaper article is very nice. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** November 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22/11/76.Yes, I accept your invitation to attend your Hare Krishna festival. I can come for either date, so you can arrange according to the convenience of the Mayor. That's very nice that we are now getting rear access to our land. That means that more visitors will come. About our tenants; most of them are employed. So, there is good chance of their vacating when they are transferred. You should be very vigilant to see that they do not transfer occupancy to someone else and cause unnecessary harassment. Similarly, when someone purchases an apartment he is liable to vacate. So whenever possible we should take possession of the apartment so we may utilize them for our purposes. I am enclosing copies of the bank notifications for the construction work for the coming month. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** November 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23/11/76.You can reply to Govindalalji Maharaja as follows: What we have discussed is printed in Caitanya Caritamrta. How can we rectify? We can't rectify what is written in Caitanya Caritamrta. We have no bad feeling or disrespect for Vallabhacarya. We consider ourselves the most obedient servants of Vallabhacarya. The exchange between Lord Caitanya and Vallabhacarya was on friendly terms. This was raised in connection with supporting the position of the acaryas. The real point is that Sridhara Swami is still being criticized by you in the following words, ". . . and has shown specifically the nature of the error committed by the previous Commentators including Sridhara Swami . . . Sridhara Swami . . . was never regarded as a Master . . ." So, this criticism of Sridhara Swami was as much intolerable for Caitanya Mahaprabhu as His criticism upon Vallabhacarya is intolerable for you. Such kind of friendly criticism you'll always find among learned scholars, but that does not mean any ill feeling with one another. So, as you can criticize Sridhara Swami in the above words, what is the wrong if in the same spirit the supporters of Sridhara Swami criticize you. There is an English proverb spoken by Lord Jesus Christ, "Judge not others lest ye be judged." So, the conclusion is, as we learn from Caitanya Caritamrta, that in the beginning Sri Vallabhacarya criticized Sridhara Swami and then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu criticized Vallabhacarya. So what can we do now after 500 years? Recently some criticism has appeared in the Illustrated Weekly also. So, such things will go on in this world, but that does not mean we have got any disrespect for any Vaisnava acarya. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** December 5th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Bombay My dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 27/11/76.After thorough deliberation it seems much better for us to go straight from Hyderabad to Vardha instead of going first to Bombay. There is no advantage in going first to Bombay. There is a train which goes direct from Hyderabad to Vardha called the daksina express. It goes every night at 10:15 from Hyderabad arriving in Vardha the next morning at 8 AM. This way I can leave here on the 17th and arrive in time for the meeting with Vinobhaji on the 18th morning. Ask Mr. Bajaj to send us the money for purchasing the tickets. I would appreciate to have four first class accommodations so that we may have one full compartment and the balance seven can be second class. Then from Vardha I would like to go with one assistant to Nagpur and return to Bombay by plane. The balance nine men can go second class by train either to Bombay or Hyderabad. Hansadutta is prepared to bring as many men as possible to make up the quota of ten others. Otherwise the program as outlined by you is accepted. I am preparing now for the meeting with Vinobhaji as you have suggested. We shall not exchange our top floor flat because we have the advantage of the roof. I also approve the suggestion to hold the pandal in Bombay the weekend after returning from Vardha. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Giriraja **Date:** December 12th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Bombay My dear Giriraja, Please accept my blessings. Sriman Sri Krishna Badruka, son of Hariprasada Badruka, who is staying in our temple there, may stay for one month more. By the end of January he will leave his room. So, there is no cause for agitation. Regarding going to Wardha, we could not get reservations till now. We shall try again tomorrow. If reservations are not available we shall have to fly to Bombay and then go to Wardha from Bombay, as it will be suitable. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** January 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear Gopala Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated 13rd and 20th January, 1976 respectively, and I have noted the contents. You say my apartment will be ready by mid-March but without an elevator, how can I use it? Here in Mayapur we have begun construction on a 67 room Residential Quarters along the Northern boundary of the land to be ready for use by Gaura Purnima. I have asked Tamala Krishna to send his Radha Damodara party's collections to pay for it. Caitya-guru is engaged to help oversee the construction. I have already sent by separate post the authorization for the Rs. 22,143/49p to be transferred to the B. of Hyderabad a/c.Regarding the Government trying to acquire our land, I have already told you to finish the Temple immediately. So far paying for Bombay construction, what is the wrong if I issue cheques as per your advice? Bank of America should send credit advices whenever they receive funds. You make a photocopy of the advice and against it I will send cheques. ECC only has to paid after 30 days, so what is the hurry? Haridasa told me he was going to Bombay. If he can't be trusted then let him work in Bombay under supervision. You say you have enclosed copies of the land deeds from Nellore, but I did not receive them. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** February 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Delhi My dear Gopala Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram and have noted the contents. Regarding the house, it is nice, but again after just two years we will have to vacate. Why such a short lease? Why not get a long lease? It is very nice that the Delhi libraries are buying a big order of our Bhagavatam. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** May 16th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Gopala Krsna Das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram from New Delhi relating the latest victories of the BBT Library Party. I have requested Radhavallabha in Los Angeles to send you all the transparencies for printing the color pictures in all of our books. So you can proceed to print all of the books and distribute them profusely. These standing orders need standing respect. So print these books in India using the government paper and see that there is good supply of books to all of our distributers throughout India. Now, Yasodanandana Swami is going to print some of the small and medium size books for his distribution in South India, so you can supply him with the transparencies and he can return them in good condition to you after he has no more use for them. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Gopala Krishna das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your report dated May 4, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. So far that your request for funds to construct Vrindaban Gurukula, is concerned, I approve your plan to take one lac (Rs. 1 lac), out of the money that Bombay receives from Los Angeles. That will leave Bombay with Rs. 6 lacs monthly as you pointed out. I trust that by now you have rented the house in Delhi and there is no immediate difficulty for finding a place in Delhi at present. You mentioned that the chief minister of Haryana promised to give me land in Kuruksetra for constructing our project there, but where is his letter? We must have this in writing. You mentioned that there is not much land available next to the Bengali temple. That will not suit us. In any case send me a site sketch of the available land, giving length and breadth. However, we do not want some land on one side of the canal and some land on the other side of the canal. All the land must be in one piece, together, not separately. If the government gives us 30 acres of land then we shall attempt, otherwise, let it be postponed. We are not anxious to construct next to the Bengali temple, but send the dimensions of the available land in any case. The Gurukula in Bombay was to be financed by Brig Mohan Mota. Giriraja, myself, and he talked together. Now concerning Vrindaban, there is no need to move the mukhuts business to the new house given by Mr. Taparia. It is not safe there, and you will have to employ 3 guards at expense of 500-600 Rupees so what is the use. Let the mukhuts business remain in the guesthouse, however, we must free the other space in the guesthouse. Let all the women and children live in the Taparia house. The daily Gurukula can also be held at the Taparia house. When the Gurukula construction is completed, then the grhasthas can live on the third floor of the new building, but for now they can utilize the Taparia house for women and children, and the brahmacaris can remain in the guesthouse. The mukhut business should be given one room for working in the guesthouse. Do not move all the valuable stock to Taparia house, as it is risky. For protection of the Taparia house, why use barbed wire. Better to build a wall around it of bricks. Barbed wire can be destroyed very easily. Also, send me a plan of the Taparia house, and do not construct any more rooms there at present. When the Gurukula is completed the third floor will be available. So it is not necessary to spend the proposed Rs. 25,000, and neither the Rs. 10,000 for the extra room there. The devotees should attend mangala arati at the temple otherwise it will become a household affair. So according to the situation see that if at all possible the devotees staying at the Taparia house can come to the temple for Mangala arati. If not do not insist. Concerning the rooms for Mr. Badruka in Bombay; they are rich men and they can rent or purchase some other place in Bombay. Why they are utilizing our facility? They have already put us into inconvenience by occupying, but what is this that they are taking it permanently. It is a guest room, not for permanent occupancy.*Concerning the book printing: why are you having Thompson Press import the paper? We can do it ourselves and save the commission that they would take; also we will not be bound to Thompson Press if we have our own paper. Gurukrpa Swami can send the paper from Japan. In that way he can get money out of Japan in the form of paper, for printing books. Why through Thompson Press we must purchase paper, and then export our books? We can purchase paper and export books ourselves. Simply we pay the printing costs, that's all. First thing you will have to take license of import-export. If we are going to get the Delhi land, we can do the whole business in Delhi, importing through Bombay and Calcutta. If the whole thing turns out cheaper and efficient, then we can print all our books there, so long the quality is not diminished. There is law that what you export, to that value, you can import, so part of the payment can be in paper from Japan, so we get as much as possible paper in profit, in addition to payment for the books. If this can be arranged, I do not know. If Thompson Press can import, why we can't import. Then we can also print where we choose and we save so much money in every respect. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- Which devotee is giving the Hindi lecture in the Vrindaban temple?*There are so many flats available in the vicinity. Why do they not take? Why they should create inconvenience to our workers? This is not at all good ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Gopala Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated May 9, and May 16, 1976, as well as one telegram from Bombay that the Russians are appreciating our books. In that telegram you mentioned that the "mantra books" arrived. What "mantra books" are those that the Russians have ordered? Concerning the prices of the Srimad-Bhagavatam at Rs. 13/-, is this the printer's price to us, or our price to the temples? And concerning the price of the Bhagavad-gita that Thompson Press is giving, is that for a soft or hardbound edition? We will have to see what is the price if printed in America or Japan. In America, they are selling the Abridged edition (paperback) for $1.95, to the bookstores. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** June 9th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Vrindaban My dear Gopala Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge reciept of your two letters dated June 2, and June 3, 1976 with typed copies of book reviews from Russia. In your letter to me of May 4, 1976 from Vrindaban you said: concerning the Taparia house, "Dhananjaya and his wife and other grhasthas will live on that land (house). . . . Three or four brahmacarinis who are working on the mukhuts can also live there." You suggested like this, so if some women can live there, why not all? Somehow or other, the guesthouse must be freed from all encumbrances. It will be absolutely used by guests. I have received reliable reports that on account of the devotees staying there, guests were sometimes refused places because all the rooms were taken up by the devotees there. Also, the fact that the mukat business takes up 8-10 rooms is very bad. The guest house cannot be occupied by anything. It is already spoiled, and they must move. Why there are so many women in Vrindaban? Vrindaban is meant for retirement, elderly persons in Krishna Consciousness can devote all their time to devotional service. Such men are wanted to live in Vrindaban, not women and children. That is a fact, the holy dhamas are meant for the sannyasis and brahmacaris especially. If necessary, the management must be done by sannyasis and brahmacaris, not grhasthas. The printing should be managed by the BBT. Yasodanandana Swami is printing through the agency of the BBT, simply for convenience sake due to the inefficiency of the order department in Bombay. Even a letter from Fiji was not replied. However, the accounts should be kept by the BBT. The printing of Yasodanandana Swami is only for some small books. The quality of the big books must remain, and so they should not be printed by Yasodanandana Swami independently. So you can keep the account what is being sold, and what is the profit. But what is the wrong if Yasodanandana Swami prints the books on behalf of BBT for convenience. You are accusing him of so many bogus complaints. What is bogus? What is genuine? If all these complaints come to me it is too much taxation for me. If the Ahmedabad centre is not making progress then if necessary you can decide to close it temporarily or not. Concerning the reviews which you sent me of the Russia[TEXT MISSING]dictated the review and did not actually hand you a written review? Then what is the value of such testimonial? Please clear it. Testimonial means it must be written or typed on their official letterhead, and duly signed by them. If it is not so, then what is the value of it? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** June 15th 1976 — **Location:** Detroit > Vrindaban My dear Gopala Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. Concerning the idea of exchanging our books for Russian books, unless we find sellers in India for Russian books (in English language), what will be the value of getting their books. You must ask the prominent book dealers in India what books from Russia (in English) are in demand and to what extent. Then when we exchange our books with the Russians, then we can request these specific books and we can easily sell them to the Indian booksellers. That way we will have no difficulty. If there is no customer for Russian books in India, then let the Russians take order for specific books and we can send them some of our books free of charge. That will prove that the Russians are actually poor. So you can make this enquiry from the Indian booksellers, "If you are selling Russian books in the English language, if so, kindly send us the list." Then enquire from Russia, "we can supply our books in exchange for particular Russian books in the English language (those titles which are desired in India)." I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban My Dear Gopala Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 12, 1976 and with enclosed news clipping, and I have noted the contents with care. That Mrs. Kochar, she should be brought in to court, immediately. The Hare Krishna Cult is bona fide, why she should say otherwise. She must withdraw this statement publicly. It is Vedic culture. We have so many letters from professors, parents, other swamis, and even in the Encyclopedia Brittanica. All the Gaudiya Maths and Vaisnava Goswamis should join us in fighting this. This must be done very seriously. She should be removed from her post and a responsible person should be there. Therefore, I have wanted to have this Bajaj meeting. In India we have so many things to do. I am sending some copies of some letters to you which you will find enclosed. Now you can utilize your knowledge of marketing for Krishna's service. idam hi pumsas tapasya srutasya va svistasysa suktasya ca buddhi dattayo, etc. [SB 1.5.22] This is the perfection of education. Gurukula education should be trained up for their character. I have already mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Simply they should be able to read our books in English and sanskrit, and explain. That is compulsory. This business of Yasodanandana's party giving life membership to libraries should be stopped. I am also informing him in Hyderabad that the program must be standard all over India, just as they have had so much success in America and are very respected also. Concerning the book exchange from Russia or wherever, first of all see if they can be exchanged, sold, in India. Otherwise we do not want to trouble ourselves with their rubbish literature. If it is not possible to sell their books, then if the Russian institutions take order, we can send them some variety of our books, like Bhagavad-gita, one Srimad-Bhagavatam, one Caitanya-caritamrta, etc., like that. What about the boy in Vrindaban who was translating the Bhagavatam into Hindi? Also, do not print the Back-to-Godhead magazine in English. First of all you organize Hindi BTG up to 100,000 copies, then you think of English. Don't bother too many things at a time. Concerning the book to be written by Mr. Verma, what will he write? Does he know everything about our philosophy? Concerning the new bhakta program, unless one is educated, we should not admit anyone and everyone without discrimination. One who has got culture and education, he can be accepted. Yasomatinandana would be better to go to Bombay and do the Gujarati publications and from time to time he can organize programs in Ahmedabad. That will be better. Concerning Hariprasada Badruka, he must leave and not create any inconvenience to us. However, if he gives in writing that he will stay up to the end of December, 1976 only, we can give him one room and a kitchen. That's all. Concerning Kuruksetra project, I have already replied to you concerning this in my letter to you of May 20, 1976, addressed to Bombay address. Concerning Saurabha's ideas of having plays, When I go I'll personally see; for the time being however stop all these. Concerning the printing of the Bhagavad-gita in India, we cannot pay more than America. It must be lower price than America, otherwise it is useless. Concerning the issue of taxes and tax exemption, the divisional commissioner who was our chief guest one day in Vrindaban the last festival in April, 1976, he is from Agra and he is also favorable. He ordered all of our books and he may be able to help in this connection. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- cc: Vrindaban ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** June 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Gopala Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 17, 1976, with enclosed reviews from professors in Russia, and I have noted the contents with care. I think that the idea of pasting the jacket cover picture on the front of the book is a good idea (the half-bound books which you mentioned). It will not be very respectable. I don't like the idea. Make it hardbound and softbound, that's all. Hitsaran Sharma can not give good quality work at all. Forget him. Last time that we tried him he also did not do good work. You can also get good composition and good prices in Mathura. They have many hindi presses there as well. The Rs. 15,000 was sent personally by me to Yasodanandana Swami for printing books. What right had Mahamsa Swami to spend this money? He is spoiling. South India is a good field for our books. The library party of Mahabuddhi and Bhugarbha are doing very nicely. Indeed there is a good potential or better for our books in Indian libraries and universities. Try to get them visa extension or do the needful in this connection to see that this program goes on increasing. This program is very much encouraging to me. If the Maharastra govt. has given "No Objection Certificate" on the import of our books, then what is the need for the central govt. to approve also? What is the situation? If one government has already sanctioned, then what is the need for another government to sanction? Concerning the clinic idea in Bombay, that we shall have to consider. When I go there then I shall see to it. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- n.b. enclosed you will find some copies of reviews sent to us by Mahabuddhi's library party. They are very important reviews and they can be used in dealing with that Mrs. Kochar. I wanted to bring this rascal women in the public eyes, that she is worthless and still she is posted in a responsible position.cc: Vrindaban ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York My Dear Gopala Krishna das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 26, 1976 with enclosed photos of the New Delhi Temple. So many people are coming to the New Delhi Temple because of the nice Deity worship. This is very good. Keep the standard of Deity worship very nicely. Why should we invest money in a guest room for the New Delhi Temple? After all the house is rented and is someone else's property, so why we should invest money in the house? We cannot receive guests in the New Delhi Temple. It is not possible. Only our own workers should remain. Unpaid guests should be discouraged in New Delhi. This should be discussed in the GBC meetings. No investment should be made. In a rented house we should not spend unreasonable amounts for alterations. To be "big" you must have a dharmasala. One room guesthouse does not make Delhi "big." So far as possible, guests should be avoided in New Delhi and only workers should remain. What happened to Jagat Purusa in Bombay? He is an experienced man in Bombay so why he should be changed to Delhi? This change of Presidents is to be made in the GBC meeting. In the middle of the year there is no question of change. Tejyas can continue as President. Three times changing president is not good. It should first be conjointly considered by the GBC.Unless one is initiated they cannot cook. They must be regular disciples then they can do Deity worship. So there is no question of the outsiders cooking in the New Delhi temple. The Rs. 32,000 should be spent for Gurukula in Vrindaban. Now the construction has begun and it must continue. Do not spend that Rs. 5,000 for alterations in the New Delhi Temple. Unless we have got our own land, where is the question of other projects in New Delhi. Let us continue in the rented house and see how things develop. If local people come and join and take initiation, then we can consider developing. Simply lip-sympathy will not do. They must be regular disciple, follow the regulative principles, and they will develop it themselves. Besides that book distribution and preaching is our most important activity. Opening temples is subordinate. We have to see how books are being distributed and how people are joining wholeheartedly. That is actual development. The Rs. 11-membership is imagination. What is that membership card? And how will you regularly collect such a small sum from the members? It will engage so much money just to collect this. In any case, this is to be discussed with the GBC. Don't discuss anything new haphazardly. I have no experience of the idea. So far I know, retail business is not good in comparison to wholesale business. The Hyderabad Deity is already installed. Simply they are moving Them to their new temple. The installation ceremony (bathing ceremony) can be at noon. Then again there can be the regular Janmastami function at midnight. Concerning my going to Madras, Delhi, etc. there is first priority engagement contemplated with Mr. Bajaj's group in Poona. Giriraja can consult with Mr. Bajaj and get date fixed up then you can make the program. I have no objection however to the pandal in Madras. So many standing orders are being taken out but they are not being executed. Why? I have written to Gargamuni Maharaja to gradually repay the BBT for the books that they are getting but you must immediately supply them books to supply their orders. They can gradually repay. Sridhara Maharaja, if he is in Hong Kong, there is great need of introducing our Chinese literature. Chinese people are interested in India, and Vedic literatures. It is understood that they are purchasing other editions of Bhagavatam from India . . . why not approach the Chinese representative in Bombay for introducing our books. They are establishing good relations with India. In case Sridhara Maharaja cannot stay long in China, that will have to be discussed with Trivikrama Maharaja. But the Chinese Distribution is required. I received information that Stoka Krishna has left Vrindaban and that they want to put the name of Haihaya on the bank accounts for signing. Kindly confirm, and also in the meantime Aksayananda Swami can sign checks and keep them safely in Vrindaban when Bishambar requires to make payments. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** July 14th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Bombay My dear Gopala Krishna dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated July 4, and July 9, 1976, and I have noted the contents very carefully. The power of attorney is presently at the Indian Embassy and by Friday (2 days from now), after it is certified by them, my secretary will send it to Delhi as per your instructions. I am enclosing a letter to Governor Reddy and this may be helpful when you go to see him. If the other groups that you mentioned have been tax-exempted, then our Society should at least have the same facility. Of the two types of paper which you sent me, the white paper (cost: Rs. 4.60 per kg.) is preferable. Why Nitai should be attending lectures outside of our temple? If he is not satisfied with the standard of lectures in our temple, then he should be permitted to give some lectures himself, but this habit of going outside to here others should be stopped immediately. I am writing one letter to Nitai and the copy of this is enclosed for your reference. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- enclosures: 3, letter to Gov. Reddy and the letter to Nitai (copy) were sent only to New Delhi ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** July 17th 1976 — **Location:** New York > New Delhi My dear Gopala Krishna dasa, Please accept my blessings. Enclosed please find the power of attorney which you requested over the telephone from Tamala Krishna Maharaja. It has been duly notarized and registered (recorded) in the court (see the attached blue card), and on the reverse side of the blue card it has been verified by the Consulate General of India in New York. The second blank (unused) page is for use in recording this power of attorney in the court in India. I trust that you will have received this safely and that you will immediately inform me by post upon receipt of this letter. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- n.b. Is the opening of the Hyderabad Centre going to take place as scheduled on August 18, 1976? Please inform me immediately of the program ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** July 30th 1976 — **Location:** Paris > Bombay My dear Gopala Krsna das: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 23, 1976 and have noted the contents. Yes I will go to the Delhi temple when I come. You make all arrangements so that everything shall be nice there. I will also go to Madras if you arrange. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** August 9th 1976 — **Location:** Tehran > Bombay My Dear Gopala Krsna das, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter of July 31, which was addressed to Harikesa Maharaja and I have noted the contents. I shall be returning to Bombay from Tehran on Friday the 13.I have received the color proofs for the books and have noted that it is not as good as the foreign printing. It is missing the luster, but it is not bad. Regarding Tejiyas and Delhi, I have already said that you should arrange whatever is suitable by mutual agreement. Yes, you may fix up the life member rooms by investing a little money. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Gopala Krsna **Date:** September 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New Delhi My dear Gopala Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26th inst. and have noted the contents. Hansadutta is not GBC, you are GBC. No, don't return U.S. Immediately come here and talk with me. Don't do like rascal. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Gopala Krsna, Tejiyas **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Gopala Krishna and Tejyas das, Please accept my blessings. I have received very encouraging reports from the Library Party in India, and it appears that this program will increase more and more. Now, you must be very sure to keep a stock of each and every book so that you can supply all of these orders immediately. You may require a stock of some 300 of each and every volume. So, contact Ramesvara Maharaja and compare your stocks with what you may require in the near future. The point is that you must have these books in stock in order to supply the orders promptly. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksTake --- import order immediately ### Letter to Gopavrndesa **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Los Angeles My dear Gopavrndesa dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your offering of the sanskrit verse which you composed for me and I thank you very much. Now I am encouraging my young disciples to all try to learn at least one Indian language, like Hindi or Bengali. At least those who have the propensity can become proficient in some language, especially Hindi, and then you will be able to preach in India in the native language. It will be very effective. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gopiparanadhana **Date:** September 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Gopiparanadhana das, Please accept my blessings. With reference to your letter to Harikesa dated 21st inst., regarding the purport, 2nd paragraph to Bhagavatam 2.2.38, it is clear. Do not try to change anything. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Gunagrahi **Date:** February 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > San Diego My dear Gunagrahi das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 5, 1976.Regarding your question about the brahmacaris, you may consult the GBC regarding this matter. Tamala Krishna Maharaja especially is qualified to give you good answer. Thank you for the picture of Radha-Giriraja: it is very nice. I am having it framed for hanging in my room here in Mayapur. The boys you have recommended may be initiated. Hold a fire sacrifice and they may vow before the deity, the spiritual master and the fire that they will chant 16 rounds minimum and obey the four regulative principles. Their names are as follows: Dan Cooper—Dhiman DasaMary Sandoval—Mahodari dasiThe six devotees you have recommended for second initiation may also receive the gayatri mantra in the right ear and you may instruct them to be clean inside by always chanting Hare Krishna and clean externally by bathing regularly. You yourself should set the example for them all. I hope this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Gunagrahi **Date:** November 16th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Gunagrahi, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your request for initiations. Now hold a fire sacrifice for these devotees. Make sure they know the four regulative principles and follow them strictly. They must also chant at least 16 rounds per day avoiding the ten offenses. Ramesvara Maharaja chant on the beads of the first initiates. Play the tape of Me chanting the Gayatri mantra into the right ear of the second initiates. Teach them how to chant on the finger divisions. The names of the new initiates are as follows: Enrique Ross—Yogananda dasaFelipe Musquiz—Padmalocan dasaPeter Tapp—Purusa dasaRichard Warfield—Raktaka dasaHeather O'Neil—Harsarani dasi Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- note: the second initiates names are: Ramanya dasa, Parasakti dasi ### Letter to Guptaji **Date:** October 1st 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Delhi My dear Guptaji, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated and have noted the contents. Please come immediately and please bring one nice English to Bengali dictionary, prepared either by Subala Mitra or Ashutosh Deva. The price may be taken from the Temple to purchase it. I shall be in Vrindaban up till the 8th, and then after going to Aligarh and Chandigarh I shall return about 17th-18th inst. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Gurudasa **Date:** November 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Frankfurt My dear Gurudasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14/11/76.I am very happy to hear that you are going to Poland. Bharadraja also speaks Polish. He may come there sometimes if it can be arranged. Sri Garbha's wife doesn't have to go to Mayapur, she may go to the farm in France. it is very nice there. Or she may go to any of our farms. The preaching in Poland is the first consideration. Vrindaban is being managed somehow by others. Aksayananda has one man who is collecting very well (Rs. 15,000-20,000 per month) Vrindaban is becoming self-dependent. If you can preach vigorously in Poland it will be a great asset. You may come to Vrindaban if you like, but preaching in Poland is my greater interest. So, now Vrindaban is somehow being managed. Now the most important work is that side in the Communist countries. If you can do something there, it is more than if you come here. Our business is to glorify Krsna as the Lord of Vrndavana and to popularize Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Hare Krsna Movement. I was a resident in Vrndavana, but at the age of 70 I tried to preach Krsna consciousness a little bit and now this Institution has come out. So, I think it is more profitable to preach about the Master of Vrndavana, Krsna, outside of Vrndavana. A devotee of Krsna can create Vrndavana everywhere by preaching the glories of Krsna. There are many sahajiyas who imitate Rupa Goswami not to go out of Vrndavana, but Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained always outside Vrndavana for preaching purposes, although He is is the master of Vrndavana personally. I have no objection to your coming to Vrndavana, but as you have accepted the sannyasa order, it is more important to preach about Vrndavana rather than to come to Vrndavana. I am getting older and older and it is getting difficult for me, therefore I am requesting all my younger disciples to preach all over the world. Otherwise, you are always welcome in Vrndavana. I have no objection. I am a little hopeful that if we preach in the communist countries, they will like it. According to our Vaisnava philosophy even a snake or lizard is in the house shall not go without eating, what to speak of other living entities. The communists have an idea for feeding human society, but our idea is expanding. We want to see even a snake not fasting. If somebody wants to go to Bangkok it will be very good. The address there is: ISKCON CENTER, 17 Amorn Soi 2 Sukumvit 49, Bangkok, Thailand. In charge there now is Rajni dasi. Alex, who was just here, told me he has given you the money for my house as well as some for purchasing a bus. The house construction money can be sent to American Express International Banking Corporation in Calcutta. The account number is S/B a/c no. 5416. It is in the name Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- (ISKCON). Please send one copy of the deposit notice to me. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Gurudasa **Date:** December 14th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Bombay My dear Gurudasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6/12/76.Jagadisa informs me that Sri Garbha came to him saying that he preferred to go to Mayapur, but that due to pressure from you he had agreed to go to Poland. So, for the time being let him go to Mayapur. We require many men there also. When he has to leave India he can then go to Poland. Are you going to Vrindaban? Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Gurudasa **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Vancouver My dear Gurudasa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 28, 1976, and I have noted the contents carefully. Try to convince them that without God Consciousness, no plan will be successful. Of course, the demoniac class of men will always remain, but unless there is a strong body to present God Consciousness proposals to the leaders of the world, there will be no hope. We have taken Bhagavad-gita as the standard of all human activities. If the leaders of the human society take it as standard, then all the problems will be solved. That we can give practical suggestions for. Any plan of the atheists will never be successful. Your plan to go to Vrindaban in January is very nice. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gurudasa **Date:** September 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Stockholm My Dear Gurudasa Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 24, 1976 and have noted the contents with pleasure. As far as your danda goes if it is too troublesome to carry there is no need for it. Lord Caitanya's danda was broken by Nityananda Prabhu and He never carried it again. But if you want you can make another although for preaching purposes it may be dropped. I am very very pleased with your preaching in Poland and you should continue this program with full enthusiasm. Your coming to Vrndavana is not so important and it may wait. Please expand this program more and more for there is a very good and favorable field there. Try and start a center there, it seems possible. Continue this program of kirtana and prasadam for this will conquer their hearts as they have never experienced anything like it before. I know you are a sincere preacher and they will appreciate your good Vaisnava qualities. Please send me reports of your future successes. Thank you very much. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Gurudasa **Date:** September 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Gurudasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 1st inst. and have noted the contents. Harikesa has gone there to Poland to preach as you are doing, so take him with you. I have given him $1,000.00 for immediate expenditure and he has to return this as soon as possible. So he has gone yesterday morning, perhaps by this time he has reached. He likes to work jointly with Sucandra, but if Sucandra is not free then he may join with you. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Gurudasa **Date:** October 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Gurudasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12/10/76.I never said that you should go undercover for preaching in Eastern Europe. Everything should be done openly and very carefully. Krsna will protect your efforts. Up to date the Vrindaban guest house is a failure. Nobody's coming. You are always welcome in Vrindaban, but I think you can come for the Mayapur festival. Right now, Harikesa and Sucandra are very eager to preach. So, you should find out where they are and make arrangements to assist them. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Gurukrpa **Date:** March 19th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Gurukrpa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. The check for rs. 89,433.44, Check no. 6206 83679, of Bank of America, Bombay, is marked A/C Payee only. So how it can be deposited in my personal account? If necessary you must start an account at my bank, the Central Bank of India, 10, Camac Street, Calcutta-17, which is just near the temple. You can deposit the check in this account in your personal name, Gregory M. Gottfried, and give a formal notice to the bank in writing that when the funds are realized (when the check is cleared), the entire amount should be transferred into my account number 831, in favor of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- This account is with the same branch of the Central Bank on Camac St. Thank you very much. I hope that this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami If necessary this letter can be shown to Mr. Dutta, the Bank Manager ### Letter to Gurukrpa **Date:** May 18th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Melbourne My dear Gurukrpa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I have spoken with Sukadeva das Adhikari, the Honolulu Temple President. It appears that because you had made some derogatory racial remarks against him in the presence of other devotees here in the temple, it has become difficult to manage and win the respect of this devotees. If the GBC undermines the efforts of the temple presidents how will things go on smoothly. This situation could have been avoided by sober dealings in a Krsna Conscious manner. I do not want that Sukadeva be removed from his position as I can see that he is sincerely following the principles at present. The GBC can not whimsically change the temple president, there is a resolution to this effect. Why have you threatened to remove him and unnecessarily created this situation? Please be very sober in your dealings with these temple presidents, they are undoubtedly rendering a valuable service and are worthy of respect and encouragement. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Gurukrpa **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad My Dear Gurukrpa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. During discussions with Jayapataka and Gargamuni Maharaja's regarding the construction of the present new guest house in Mayapur, they informed me that 9,70,000.00 rupees are required to finish the project. I desire that this project be completed as soon as possible. They inform me that the construction can be completed in five months if funds are provided adequately. Therefore you may transfer the above mentioned amount to ISKCON's Mayapur Development Fund in Calcutta, and advise me of the transfer. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- nb—If you have already done business with their bank in Calcutta, then you can send the funds directly, otherwise, if you do not know the details of their account, then you can transfer the funds to my account at the American Express International Banking Corp. Calcutta, in my name, account no. 5416.cc: 4 c/o Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, & Hawaii ### Letter to Gurukrpa **Date:** October 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Gurukrpa, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 15/10/76.The behavior of Sukadeva is very bad. It is good that he has resigned. The fact is that unless the management is strictly supervised, these things will happen. Sudama and Manasvi did the same thing. Be careful so that these things may not happen again in the future. The president cannot take any loans without authorization. This is a declaration. These things must not be allowed. Whatever he has taken must be returned and he must pay back the money that he has kept. How can he claim proprietorship, everything is the property of the Guru. You must inform them wherever he has gone that he must return whatever he has taken. Now you please stay there until you have properly trained up a competent manager and then you must carefully supervise so that this may not happen again. Hawaii is a good field so do it carefully. You have done the right thing to inform me of the situation. Thank you for rectifying the situation. I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. Hold a fire ceremony. Instruct the devotees in the necessary way. You may chant on the beads. Play the tape of me chanting the gayatri mantra, etc. Do the needful. The new initiate's name is Naga-natana dasa. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Gurukrpa **Date:** November 30th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Honolulu My dear Guru krpa, Please accept my blessings. This letter is to inform you that I am sending Bali Mardan to Australia to act as GBC for Australia and New Zealand until the Mayapur festival next year. Now you may concentrate on Hawaii and Japan. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Gurukrpa **Date:** December 14th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Honolulu My dear Gurukrpa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 29 Nov. 1976.Your proposal to purchase a new temple in Sydney is good. I remember the bay side, it is the best side. It's a very nice bay. It will certainly increase the preaching to have a center there. I'm pleased to know the restaurant is again doing nicely. If palatable dishes are available people will certainly come. Srutakirti is a good boy. You can trust him. Cooperation must be there. It is a nice idea to sell prasadam at the beaches from a vehicle. Now with Bhagavad-gita translated in Japanese our standing will be there. Let us sell Bhagavad-gita only in plain dress, we don't require saffron dress. Try to sell to the professors and at the school colleges as we are doing in other countries. Book distribution is our best preaching work. But, all our men must follow the regulative principles. That must not be neglected. Please keep the money you have in the bank. I'm thinking of one temple in Bhuvaneśvara. It will be required later on. India is poor. Hawaii already has a building. A temple is required, but not very urgent. As it is convenient we can do it. Because our devotees are not allowed to enter Jagannatha's temple at Puri I'm thinking to build a duplicate temple at Bhuvaneśvara. You are welcome to come to India. When you come we'll begin the Bhuvaneśvara temple by the 15th of January. They are also arranging a Kumba Mela camp in January. You'll enjoy that also. We have got the land already in Bhuvaneśvara. I'm waiting for the plan and estimate. So keep the $160,000 for this purpose. Further developments I shall let you know. The Bhuvaneśvara address is as follows: Iskcon Center/ Nayapalli/ Bhuvaneśvara-12/ Orissa. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Gurukula Devotees **Date:** March 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Gurukula devotees, Please accept my blessings. I have requested that Dayananda go to take complete charge of Gurukula, so you all please cooperate with him. I do not wish that the Gurukula should be closed. Please work combinedly and endeavour with great determination to keep it going on nicely. Thank you very much. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dba ### Letter to Gururaj **Date:** October 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Gururaj, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Sept. 21, 1976. Thank you very much for the donation you have sent, it is very nice. Please continue to associate with the devotees at our Montreal temple. If you are serious and willing to follow the four regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds daily, you are welcome to live in our Montreal temple. Make an end to this material existence once and for all. There is nothing but suffering in this material world and we are offering the chance for eternal, blissful life. Kindly take advantage of this opportunity. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Haihaya **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Vrindaban My dear Haihaya das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 21, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. The daily collections from the temple should be counted before 3 persons together. The accountant has nothing to do with these things. He simply notes down the figure in the books. This is how it should be done. Yes, the collections will increase as people come more and more. The temple should become self-sufficient, that is wanted. However, see that stealing is stopped. I am doubtful that things are being stolen, otherwise how is the expenditure so high. In addition to the picture exhibition in the guests' reception room, you can also have the appreciations for our books exhibited, as was done during the previous Mayapur festival. Fill up the guesthouse with visitors. That is very important. This business of sleeping devotees should stop. What is the use of such sleeping devotees, simply increasing the expenditures. All of them must be engaged. Women and child should all move to the new Taparia house, and the mukhut business should remain in the Guesthouse for now. Gurukula can also be held daily at the Taparia house, and when the Gurukula is completed, grhasthas may occupy some of the third floor facilities of the Gurukula. But, everyone must be actively engaged. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Hansadutta **Date:** January 29th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Hansadutta, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January, 23, 1976.Your struggle in Germany is the struggle between Hiranyakasipu and Prahlada Maharaja, and Prahlada Maharaja must come out triumphant. When there is so much interference on the part of Kamsa, Krishna must come out victorious, and kill Kamsa. Yes, begin the bus program village to village, distributing kirtana, prasadam and books. That will make our foundation strong. Just pray to Krishna for help. Krishna will come out triumphant without any doubt. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Hansadutta **Date:** February 16th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Delhi My dear Hansadutta das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 7, 1976.Yes, with great pleasure I will accompany and we shall go village to village. I have seen the pictures and the buses look very nice. They appear costly. Regarding London, what I can advise. We must have a city centre. You do the needful, whatever is practical.* I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda --- *At least keep 7 Bury Place London, as our London office ### Letter to Hansadutta **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear Hansadutta Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated March 29 and March 30, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your need for some competent Hindi speaking devotees to assist the village program, I am authorizing that Lokanatha Swami can go with the buses. Also, I am aware of the shortage of manpower at Mayapur and I am sanctioning Bhavananda Maharaja to do the needful and also for some men to go from here, but whether they actually are being sent? If it is not possible for you to come to Vrindaban immediately, that is alright. You can manage conjointly with Gopala Krishna by correspondence. So far Himavati's engagement is concerned, she is organizing the nursery here in Vrindaban for the young children. There is a meeting with one minister of Haryana and if it is favorable we may be given some land in Kuruksetra area. It may then be necessary for me to attend one large function there in late April if we are given the land, anyway, however, nothing is fixed up yet. Otherwise, if my presence in Kuruksetra is not needed, I will be flying to Bombay the morning of April 12, and then leaving for Australia, Fiji, and Hawaii about the 18th of April. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Hansadutta **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Vrindaban My dear Hansadutta Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 20, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You were there in Kuruksetra when Mr. Gupta, the Chief Minister verbally agreed to grant us land and support. You should personally negotiate with Mr. Gupta as Caitya Guru is not so important to deal with him. I wrote one letter to Gopala Krishna dated May 20, 1976, wherein I mentioned that we must have the land all in one piece, not some on this side of the canal, and some on the other side. If the government gives us 30 acres (which was proposed to me by Gopala Krishna) in one piece, then we can attempt. If the land next to the Bengali temple is too small, we are not particularly anxious to construct next to the Bengali temple. But we must have the land in one piece sufficient for our purposes. Also, I will require a sketch of the available land, giving length and breadth. But you should personally do the transaction with the Chief Minister, don't depend on Caitya Guru. Caitya Guru can remain on in Chandigarh for now. Was the house there given to us or simply given for our use? In any case, you should guide him as he requires guidance and vigilance. I know that Lokanatha Swami is very nice. I am glad to know that he is doing nicely. So far your program is concerned, do not worry that Gargamuni Maharaja's party is doing more books and collecting more money. Both of you are doing very nicely. In Solan, if possible take the offer by the Babaji. Land in that part of the country is very nice, with nice climate also. Yes, it will be a good idea if he can give over the asrama to us. How will you keep the buses in India? Please let me know. As sannyasi, you are competent to spend the rest of your life travelling and preaching. Continue in this way with determination. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Hansadutta **Date:** September 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Vrindaban My Dear Hansadutta Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8 September 1976 and have noted the contents. On your recommendation I am accepting David Davidson as my first initiated disciple. His name shall be Visnudutta das. Also on your recommendation I am accepting Parajnana das brahmacari as my second initiated disciple and the thread is found enclosed. He may see me for the mantra and both may have fire sacrifice as you may find convenient. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Hari **Date:** February 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear Hari das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16 February, 1976.Yes, you have better work there. You should stay in Bombay and continue the same work there. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Harikesa **Date:** March 7th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Frankfurt My dear Harikesa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 1, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. I have marked how they are attracted to our kirtana and prasadam there in Hungary. If they consider our philosophy too revolutionary, there is no necessity to print books immediately. First, the heart must be cleansed by chanting Hare Krishna and taking Krishna prasadam. To take birth in such place is due to impious past so it is not easy for them to immediately accept our philosophy. Just give them chanting and prasadam. You must be very tactful to preach in such places. If you like you can print one record there as you have suggested. If the young people become very serious, if you find it is detrimental to have them wear dhoti and shave head, that is not necessary. Simply introduce the chanting and prasadam distribution and gradually they will be elevated to being Vaisnava. A Vaisnava is aloof from all material conditions of life, so even under such circumstances a Vaisnava will not feel inconvenienced. Kirtiraja should be returning to preach in Eastern Europe so you can work together to introduce Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement in this part of the world. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Harikesa **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Frankfurt My dear Harikesa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 10, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning Arabic translations, someone has already done one. He came to me in Bombay. Also, there is no need to give commentary on the Koran. There is no other religion in the world in truth than this Bhagavat-dharma. However, something is better than nothing. The communism book that you have written, they say that there are some words that may be irritating to the communists. We have just finished a book which Hayagriva is editing at present. It is called Dialectic Spiritualism and within that book, your comments can be added if need be for preaching in the Eastern European countries. Don't try for Vaikuntha players, etc. in Eastern Europe at this time. It will make too much encumbrance and you may not be able to manage it. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- when there is such language difficulty as was found in Yugoslavia in that press interview, then we should not give interview. Stop all this bad practice. No interpretation. Otherwise what is the use? ### Letter to Harikesa **Date:** September 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New Delhi My dear Harikesa, Please accept my blessings. I am very much perturbed to hear you are suffering from maleria in Delhi. So don't be worried, you'll very soon recover, but I think it is a hindrance for you going to Europe. I therefore request you not to proceed to Europe immediately, but stay and recoup your health, and then we shall think over your going abroad. In the meantime deposit the money in my account at State Bank of India, Connaught Place. Tejiyas knows the bank and he will do the needful. Hoping for your speedy recovery. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Harikesa **Date:** October 4th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Germany My dear Harikesa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Sept. 30th, 1976 and have noted the contents. I sent you especially for preaching in that quarter therefore I gave you money, otherwise in U.S.A. what is need of money. You have experience in that area, therefore I gave money. So I request you not to go to U.S.A., even if it is a little difficult to preach in that quarter. I have written to Gurudasa and Sucandra to join you—combine together and preach. In U.S.A. there are many preachers, but here no preachers. Otherwise, if you must preach in English then you may preach in England. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Harikesa **Date:** October 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Frankfurt My dear Harikesa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 19/10/76.Thank you for making payment on my loan to you at 12% interest. I'm very glad. It's alright that you have sent it to Los Angeles. I am very pleased to learn of our success in Yugoslavia. When there is a little hope of success in these countries, it encourages me 100 times more than in other places. If they take up this Krishna Consciousness, they'll take it very seriously. This is the perfection of Communist ideology. Everything belongs to God. No private proprietorship. They have gone on the radio, that means they have purified the whole atmosphere. That is the way to introduce, the transcendental sound vibration will act. Utilize this approach. Gradually try to convince them that this movement is the perfection of Communism. Go on singing Krsna kirtana. That is our program. Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to go out chanting. He never spoke philosophy in public, only among higher circles. The chanting is very effective. Along with tampura and mrdanga played very rhythmically let them chant. Perform this musical demonstration and sell books as far as possible, and feasting. Then everything will be successful. It is good that they do not like these bogus yogis and they like Hare Krsna mantra. Give them the chance to chant the Hare Krsna maha mantra somehow or other, then very soon good results will be visible. I am not very much in favor of Gurudasa coming here. Let him know that his former wife, Yamuna, is here, therefore he should not come. Why is he so adamant to come here. He can come later during the Mayapur festival. Why doesn't he join with you until Mayapur at least? Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Harikesa **Date:** November 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Frankfurt My dear Harikesa Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 24/11/76.Yes, I approve of your helping to rectify the situation in Germany. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. I have received the $480 sent with Gurudasa. Thank you very much. I think this clears your loan ### Letter to Harivilasa **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Harivilasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 19/10/76.Let this couple first of all legally marry. After that we bless them by observing a fire ceremony. It is not necessary to burden me with these matters. Please consult with the local GBC. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Hasyapriya **Date:** April 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Los Angeles My dear Hasyapriya das, Please accept my blessings. I have received one telephone call from Srutakirti who is presently with our Ambarisa das in Boston. They are attempting to open a beautiful Hare Krishna Restaurant there and they say it is a good place. Ambarisa is prepared to make substantial investment to do this and the problem is that they require some householders to assist in the maintenance and cooking there full time. They need about 8 devotees to work full-time who are dedicated and would like to assist in the opening of the restaurant. It is also a good opportunity to see practically how this is done as Srutakirti and Ambarisa have good experience from the Hawaii Restaurant. Please contact Srutakirti at the Boston temple and assist them with the devotees necessary if at all possible so that they can develop the Restaurant there very nicely. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pkscc: --- Srutakirti ### Letter to Hrdayananda **Date:** January 4th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Los Angeles My dear Hrdayananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 22, 1975. I am glad to learn that everything is going nicely in your zone. In South America the people are not so rich nor so enlightened as their North American neighbors, but they are very nice people and somewhat pious and that is their credit. Now just try to deliver Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message to them. As you are doing go on publishing books, more and more, in Spanish and Portuguese. It is very good that you have concentrated all the production of Spanish and Portuguese literature to Los Angeles. Please thank all the devotees of the Spanish BBT for the beautiful edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. This book publishing was the most important work of my Guru Maharaja and he ordered me to continue in the Western world. So I am very much indebted to all of you who are helping me to carry out the order of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. Please see that all of our books are translated as nicely as this edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Jagadisa Prabhu also is thinking to come as my GBC secretary for the month of February. If you come in February I have no objection, I can have three dozen secretaries. If your business will not suffer, you are welcome anytime. I wish to remain with all my disciples together, but we have to do preaching work and therefore have to remain separate. But actually there is no question of separation for one engaged in Lord Krishna's service. I accept Sriman Raghava Caitanya das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed please find his sacred thread duly chanted on. Now you must hold a fire ceremony. He should hear the mantra through a tape recording in the right ear. Brahmin initiation means to be very clean, inside and outside. Inside by chanting the Lord's name, and outside by bathing regularly, washing hands and mouth after eating. Instruct him on all these things and do it also yourself—example is better than precept. I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Hrdayananda **Date:** July 31st 1976 Los AngelesMy dear Hrdayananda Maharaja; Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the new KRSNA books and your letter dated July 24, 1976 and with great pleasure I thank you for them. Please offer all the devotees my blessings. Their enthusiasm for distributing my books will please me very much. Not only will I be pleased, but my guru maharaja will also be pleased and they will all be blessed. This is very good news, prithivite ache yato nagaradi grama sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama, this is the way of preaching, to spread the news of Krsna in every town and village all over the world. Thank you very much. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Hrdayananda **Date:** October 7th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Hrdayananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated, and have noted the contents. Thank you very much for your very good printing and preaching work. May Lord Caitanya bless you. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Hrdayananda **Date:** November 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban Los AngelesHrdayananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated nil accompanied by two copies of the first edition of the Portuguese Bhagavad-gita. It is very nice. You are doing very nicely. This enthusiasm is required. It is the basic principle in making advancement in Krsna's service. You have written to say you want to start printing Caitanya Caritamrta. I think it is too difficult. It is better for the time being to simply continue with the Bhagavatam. Caitanya Caritamrta is the post-graduate study. You have written that chanting, dancing and book distribution are going on nicely. Prasadam distribution should also be introduced. This will make the program even more effective. I am glad to know that Pancadravida is doing so nicely. He is a very good assistant. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Hrsikesananda **Date:** November 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Kathmandu My dear Hrsikesananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23/10/76.I shall send Aksayananda as soon as possible. Let him survey the situation there. As soon as possible I shall also come. Worship Saligram Sila nicely, husband and wife. Do not forget to follow strictly the four regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds minimum daily. My thanks are due to H.H. Sri Kali Baba Maharaja and His Majesty for trying to help our movement there. I am eager to open a nice center in Nepal. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Internal Revenue Service **Date:** July 5th 1976 — **Location:** Washington D.C. > Internal Revenue Service United States of America Dear Sir: This is to certify that Miss Elizabeth Luise Reuther contributed the amount of U.S. $50,000 (fifty-thousand) to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust which is a registered charity whose head office is in Bombay. This contribution was made in March, 1975, and these funds are being used for religious-charitable work. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- ,Chairman of the Board of Trustees ### Letter to ISKCON Hare Krishna Land **Date:** September 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban to ISKCON HARE KRISHNA LAND JUHU BEACH, BOMBAY 54WHERE IS GOPAL KRISHNAA.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI ### Letter to Jadurani **Date:** January 5th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Los Angeles My dear Jadurani, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your undated letter along with enclosed sketches. The sketches are all alright as they are. Please go ahead and make the paintings. Yes, if Lord Visnu appeared as a Saivite then He must have Saivite tilaka. The brahmanas in Krishna lila should have shaved heads and sikhas. Since there is no longer such a rush for printing, you may once again send sketches for my approval. Thank you for organizing the art department. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jagadisa **Date:** January 5th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Dallas My dear Jagadisa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 10th, 1975. I accept all the recommended devotees as my duly initiated disciples. Now hold a fire ceremony, and instruct the new devotees to chant 16 rounds daily and follow the regulative principles of devotional service. Their initiated names are as follows: Bhakta Benoit—Jayagovinda das Bhakta Arthur—Sadapusta das Bhakta Alain—Paranagra das Bhakta Michel—Vidyaraja das Bhaktin Louise—Sarada dasi Bhaktin Elizabeth—Ambhoda dasi Bhaktin Joyce—Syamaballabha dasi I accept Medhya devi dasi for brahminical initiation. She should hear the mantra from the tape recording through the right ear. Brahmin initiation means to keep very clean-inside by chanting the Lord's glories, and outside by regular bathing. See that she is instructed on all these things. I hope this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jagadisa **Date:** January 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Dallas My dear Jagadisa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated January 3rd, 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. Jayatirtha has also written me about the future of Gurukula. He was suggesting to have a Gurukula in Santa Cruz. I have replied his letter and am enclosing a copy for you. It is my opinion that considering all points, we will do best to move Gurukula to India. In the letter I have explained everything fully. Another thing, is that you are expecting a BBT loan of $150,000. but the BBT has already taken responsibility for Bombay, Kuruksetra, Mayapur, so this money has to go to India. Therefore, I do not think the BBT can give this loan. Actually it is the responsibility of the parents to maintain Gurukula. By taxing the Temples or taking loan from the BBT the parents are being allowed to avoid their responsibility. Before having a child the parents should see whether they shall be able to pay for their child's education. The GBC should make an injunction that if they beget children, then whatever the expenses are for supporting Gurukula they must pay for it. In another letter to Jayatirtha I have suggested how the parents can earn money for their children's support. So you can discuss everything together and do the needful. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jagadisa **Date:** May 6th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Jagadisa das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 29, 1976, along with photocopy of your letter concerning the organization of Gurukula. You have some experience now with Gurukula, so your full-time engagement should now be how to organize the Gurukulas all over the world. Do it very nicely and thoughtfully. So far your plans are concerned for the same, you can have them conjointly approved with the other GBC. In this way, you may make the Gurukula program your portfolio and organize it throughout the world. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jagajivana **Date:** September 1st 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Sao Paulo, Brazil My Dear Jagajivan das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 27, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. I am very pleased that you have taken up this mission of spreading the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. This is the wish of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that, yare dakho tare kaho krsna upadesa, everyone you see or meet, tell him about krsna; amara ajnaya guru haya tara ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128], and by My command you become a guru and save this land. This was also the mission of my guru maharaj and it is my mission. You will perfect your life if you make it also your mission. People everywhere are suffering on account of being led by blind leaders who are devoid of all knowledge of the soul. Such foolish men lead other foolish men and all concerned suffer. Andha yathandhair upaniyamana, when one blind man leads another, the result is that both of them fall into the ditch. Therefore there is a requirement for a section of society to become first class men, free of the influence of the modes of material nature, who can understand the mission of this human form of life and who can teach it to others. I am trying to create these men, but it is hard, for people have become lost of all intelligence due to the coverings of the three modes of material nature. So I am one man alone, yet now there are so many nice boys and girls like you to help me push on this movement in my old age. I thank you very much for your sincere efforts and you have my blessings that you will without a doubt be successful if you stick to the regulative principles and chant at least 16 rounds a day. Surely Krsna will recognize your service, and as soon as you are recognized by Krsna, then your life immediate becomes perfect. So continue your preaching activities all over South America and try and present this Krsna consciousness as it is without any change or speculation, and distribute as many books as possible, for this will have a very great effect on the lives of all those who are fortunate enough to receive them. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Jagannatha, Nitai **Date:** May 26th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Vrindaban My dear Jagannatha das and Nitai das, Please accept my blessings. I have received a report that you are not working on my books. Why you have stopped editing my books? So what are you doing with my books? You have stopped editing, but what is your occupation now? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jagannatha-suta **Date:** February 1st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Jagannatha suta, Please accept my blessings. Thank you very much for the 10 copies of the latest issue No. 2 of Back to Godhead. It is very nicely done. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jagannatha-suta **Date:** May 29th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Jagannatha Suta dasa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of the latest issue of Back to Godhead magazine, Vol. II, no. 6. I am very pleased with the presentation and the articles of this issue. Thank you very much and continue to work very sincerely and Krishna will bless you. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jagannatha-suta **Date:** June 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Jagannatha Suta das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the most recent issue of BTG issue #7, and I thank you very much. I very much like the idea, "Declaring our Dependence on God." The scientists can manufacture a big jet airplane 747, but they cannot manufacture a tiny mosquito, so what is their so-called declaration of independence. You can also run the quotes from the scholar's book reviews as mentioned. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jagannatha-suta **Date:** August 28th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Los Angeles My Dear Jagannatha Suta das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 18, 1976 and the separate package containing ten Back to Godhead magazines. Thank you very much for them. Actually I am dependent on your mercy. If you kindly follow my instructions and continue to push on Krsna consciousness, that will make me very happy. You must very strictly observe the regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds a day and Krsna will give you guidance. This is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita, tesam satata yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam upayanti te [Bg. 10.10], to those who worship Him with love, Krsna gives the guidance so that they can come back to Him. The more you give service to Krsna, the more you become advanced. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau tasyaite kathita hyarthah prakasante mahatmanah [ŚU 6.23], "Only unto those great souls who simultaneously have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of the Vedic knowledge automatically revealed." This is the secret of success. By the way, there has been some disturbance created by the publishing of a few comments on Vallabhacarya in Back to Godhead Vol. 10, No. 8, page 5, column 3, paragraph 2. Kindly avoid comments such as these in future publications. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Jagat guru **Date:** October 16th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Jagat guru Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated September 28, 1976, I have noted the contents carefully. I understand from Hansadutta Maharaja that you have gone to Dubai borrowing $400.00 dollars from him. So if you want to change your programme again, at least send this money back to him. In the last year you have changed your engagement so many times, it is not good, better to stick to something and complete it than constantly changing. If you can carry out your original plan of collecting from Indian in different parts of the world and sending to India that would be good. Why not stick with Nitai Gaura TWSKP and make this successful? I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- ACBS/ ### Letter to Jagatikanda **Date:** February 1st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Ottawa My dear Jagatikanda dasi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated October 15th, 1975, which has only just now arrived. I thank you for your kind donation and for your willing service attitude. The disciple is always thinking how he or she can better serve the spiritual master, and the spiritual master is always thinking how to help his disciple to surrender to Krishna. Please continue the process of Krishna Consciousness with full enthusiasm and patience and there is no doubt Krishna will surely accept you. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jamadagni **Date:** May 18th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Honolulu My dear Jamadagni das, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated May 15, 1976, and I have gladly noted the contents. Our aims and objects in the Krishna Consciousness Movement are very sublime. Kindly follow and you'll be happy and I'll be happy. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayadharma **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Sydney My Dear Jayadharma das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26 July 1976 with enclosed daksine of Rs. 2000/-and have noted the contents. I am pleased to accept on your recommendation the following as my disciples; Mark Phillips—Mahotsaha dasaJane Phillips—Jagat-priya dasiGreg Jay—Gaura Kesava dasaYou may hold a fire yajna and at that time the names of the initiates as well as their beads chanted on by Gurukrpa Maharaja may be given. Make sure that they are well aware of the four rules and regulations and that they are fixed in chanting the prescribed number of 16 rounds daily on the beads. Without these two principles no one can make advancement on the path of regulated bhakti. Teach them the science of the Bhagavad gita and train them to be first class representatives of Krsna. It is not very difficult, simply one has to hear from the perfect authority who is in disciplic succession from Krsna Himself, and then repeat the same message without any change. If one does this then he is qualified to become guru. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Jayananda **Date:** July 19th 1976 — **Location:** New York > New York My dear Jayananda dasa, Please accept my blessings. For so long I have wanted to have Rathayatra in New York and now at long last you have helped me fulfill this long-cherished dream. The Ratha-carts were very strong and attractive and I thank you and all of your assistants for working so hard to prepare such nice carts. May Krishna bless you all for your sincere service that you may all go on making more and more advancement in Krishna Consciousness. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** May 19th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I wish to have a report of the situation with the land acquisition in Mayapur. I will be in Hawaii until June 1, then in Los Angeles until June 11. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** June 6th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 24, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the "report" which you submitted to the District Magistrate in Nadia District, you mentioned only 300 acres being given to us. I think that we originally had asked for 350 acres. There is no objection that they give the land in two phases as mentioned but the total land required was 350 acres as I recall. What kind of jobs does the M.L.A. want? Yes, in such a big scheme, so many assistants will be required. So any qualified men's assistance will be considered. Do your best and simply depend on Krishna. We are not acquiring the land for sense gratification. It is for Krishna's Glory. nimitta-matram bhava savyascin. 11.33. Just like Arjuna was asked to fight by Krishna, so it was Prabhupada's dream to make Mayapur a transcendental city. What do we care for Madhava Maharaja or Damodara Maharaja. They are figs. We must be fixed. Just see; Madhava Maharaja is against us and he was supposed to be the greatest preacher. I am very much encouraged by Bhavananda Swami and Gargamuni Swami's preaching attempts. Now we have just published 30,000 Gita-Gan's (although I am not satisfied with the new cover, why they have changed?). So go on preaching very very nicely. Everyone will like our program.*Concerning my house in Mayapur, I have requested Saurabha in Bombay to postpone any idea for beginning the house until we have the master plan of the city. I may decide to move the location away from the front gate to a more secluded place, less congested area. Also, I am not satisfied with the plan that he had submitted to me. I had seen one plan in London which I would like to compare to the present plan. I am enclosing a copy of the letter which I sent to Saurabha and Giriraja in Bombay concerning this matter explaining in more detail about this. So the house should not be started until I choose a place for it in the master city-plan. Concerning the fixed deposit with the bank, we must know what is the minimum amount that they would consider, then we can decide on the matter. Concerning the festivals, it is a very good idea to have festivals on the major celebrations, at least 4-5 each year. Concerning the request for another vehicle for preaching, you mentioned the cost of $9,500, Ramesvara Maharaja has informed me that Gargamuni Swami still owes $13,000 or so from when he was in America to the BBT. Ramesvara Maharaja has proposed that Gargamuni Swami purchase the vehicle and then Ramesvara could deduct this amount from Gargamuni's debt with BBT.I have noted how the Block Development Officer was favorable inclined. So the officials are in favor. Concerning Prabhu Svarupa das of Haridasa-pur, he is a good man so utilize him. Concerning the deposit slips which you are holding for me, where were these deposits made? And how many deposits were made? What is the amounts? You can hold these deposit slips for me until I ask for them. So you are using that newsclipping from Melbourne. Actually it is a fact. The United Nations is barking like dogs, what have they done? Any sane man can understand that after 30 years they are simply barking. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** June 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 11, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the doubts of the commission: 1). Christians also convert. It is not conversion from Christian to Hindu. We convert atheist class of men to take God-consciousness. God is one. It is not the question of Christianity, Hindu, Muslim; any religion that teaches to love God is genuine. It has nothing to do with Hinduism, Mohammedanism, etc. 2). Sources (of funds) means we get contributions from all over the world. All of our branches will gladly contribute. Practically this institution is the real U.N. We have the co-operation from all nations, all religions, all communities, etc. It will be an international institute. To see the planetarium and how things are universally situated has nothing to do with sectarian ideas. It is a scientific presentation of spiritual life. 3). The local Mohammedans have already agreed. Concerning the food relief funds, I am not holding them. The food relief funds go directly from Los Angeles to Calcutta. I have already informed Ramesvara Maharaja to transfer the funds to Calcutta that are available. He has agreed to send Rs. 25,000 already and you should be receiving that soon. Enclosed are some copies of important book reviews and letters which may be helpful in dealing with the commission. The letter by Subrahmanyam is especially very nice. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- Why Prabhu Svarupa das from Haridasapur is now living with us? He was supposed to arrange for the transfer of the land to us, but now no further word? I understand that he is a disciple of Bon Maharaja and he may have ulterior motives; inquire and inform me ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** July 19th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 12, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Gurukrpa Maharaja is arranging to send you monthly $10,000 which can be used to continue the construction in Mayapur. This money is being sent to the American Express Bank, Old Courthouse Road, Calcutta, India, in account name of International Society for Krishna consciousness, a/c #090031. It is a good policy to use the local builders as you mentioned. Go on building and the money will be supplied for now to the extent of $10,000, monthly which is over Rs. 90,000.Enclosed please find clippings of our New York Rathayatra which was held last Sunday. You can show these to your friend Mr. Choudhary and others. I always remember Mr. Choudhary and his good wife. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** July 26th 1976 — **Location:** Bhaktivedanta Manor My Dear Jayapataka Maharaja; Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 21, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Regarding your meeting me to discuss about the land acquisition matter, I shall inform you later on as to my arrival time in India. For the time being I shall stay at the farm in France. But as far as going to see the Chief Minister is concerned, let him decide on the merit of the report. A full report is there in hand, so let him decide as he likes. I have not seen any one of the officers as yet, but anyone who came I saw. If the Chief Minister comes to Mayapur then that is alright. Otherwise officially whatever he likes he can decide on the merit of the project. Regarding the approval of the University, we have got both students and teachers and can supply the list to them. But first we must know the conditions which they are asking of us to fulfill. It was very good that they liked the prasadam. Introduce the recitation of Gitar Gan in every school. That will be a nice credit. Abhirama prabhu should kindly inform me what is the situation of the park. I did not receive the bank statement as yet. The latest report from Tamala Krsna Goswami is that we are selling $60,000 worth of our books daily. It is because you are helping me that all this has become possible otherwise how can I do anything alone, ekaki amara nahi paya bol, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that I cannot do anything, alone I am helpless. So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna Himself and he wants the help of His devotees and what to speak of me. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** September 7th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My Dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. Here is a Bengali letter from Sri Kamal Krsna das. The letter speaks for itself. He wants to live in our Mayapur Center. You can call him, talk to him and if he is useful give him shelter. He is very much anxious to live in our place. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** September 10th 1976 — **Location:** Vrndavana > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. This is to introduce Sri Radha Pada das Adhikari. He is a family man and an electrician. He wants to join with us wholeheartedly with all family members. Please talk with him personally and do the needful. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ad ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** September 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My Dear Jayapataka Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. We should not criticize the Ramakrishna Mission by name, or directly, for they have become somehow or other popular and people are against us for it. So carefully avoid this type of preaching. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- URGENT AND CONFIDENTIALN.B. All the letters from public to me may send to me immediately ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** September 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23rd inst. and have noted the contents. Regarding the Haridasapur land, first give the site plan and boundary statement and then we shall make plan with Saurabha. Yes, Gaura-Nitai Deities can be installed firstly as we generally do, also Lord Jagannatha and then Radha-Krishna, in three compartments. Formerly the construction was estimated at Rs. 50,000/-out of which Rs. 10,000/-is already with Prabhu Svarupa, Rs. 10,000/-we shall see for and Rs. 30,000/-shall be raised. If further investment is required that we shall see to it, but presently Rs. 50,000/-is maximum. Thakura Haridasa's murti can be installed. Regarding our proposal for West Bengal: West Bengal people may come and join us without any distinction of caste and creed. The occupation will be according to one's capacity. They will be employed in cottage industry backed by spiritual advancement of life, to understand the mission of human life or relationship with God and act accordingly. The idea is that we are prepared to give all facility for maintenance of the body without sinful activities like illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. Everyone should live peacefully in healthy condition of life with the purpose of advancing in spiritual consciousness. In this concept we can accept anyone from any part of the world, what to speak of West Bengal, and give them shelter, food, occupation and enlightenment. I had no contact with Chief Secretary. Regarding handloom, can they not produce fine cloth? Fine cloth will be received in any part of the world. Regarding food distribution, they may come to take at our Temple. With travelling sankirtana we can distribute wherever we go, but not to the emergency spot, like that. Who is managing Bengal Bhagavata Darsana? Raghunath Kundau (Radhe Syamasundara) has come here, and he is now first initiated. He can be used for this preaching work, he's willing. I understand the visitors in our Temple have increased on account of the propaganda. Have we increased distribution of Gitar Gan or not? Yes, whenever strong and probable false statements are made against ISKCON are made, we can take defamation case against them. I have given one statement in English,* Bengali and Hindi which I will send you, this may be published through the English and Bengali Press Trust of India (PTI). Sravanananda has a film on the last New York Rathayatra, so show this in every town, city, and village and present my statement in Bengali. Radhe Syamasundara is coming there to help, and I will send some newspaper clippings. Go on with our regular work and chanting. You can also show our book distribution figures from Sankirtana newsletters. You are open to enquire anything from me. There must be my consultation in everything. Who is main acharya after departure of Tirtha Maharaja? I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as --- *enclosed herewith ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** October 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Jayapataka, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 19, 1976.Regarding this co-operative point, who will manage all the expenditure? We will spend so much money, why should it be managed by a co-operative. The co-operative society proposal is absurd. The poor members cannot pay adequately, neither are they interested. It is not tenable from all angles of vision. In the beginning the report was given to the DM. Now again DM, DM. Why again DM, he was first given proposal? It is up to Mr. Chowdary now. The chief minister has handed the matter to him for decision. He said to wait 2-3 months for a decision. So let us simply wait. Regarding the concessional paper, we are already getting government paper. If you want we can get as much as you require. It is already sanctioned. However many tons you require just tell Gopala Krsna and he'll do the needful. Your description of how you are managing is nice. This is management. The British government was conducting the management of 600 million people with just 200 Britishers. We cannot expect all foreigners to come and manage Mayapur affairs. The best management is to turn the local men into devotees. Make the management perfect in this way. Things should be developed in such a way, based on devotional service, that there may not be any racial feelings. This is Kali-yuga. Very easily racial feelings are awakened on the material platform, but on the spiritual platform there is no such thing. Yes, what you are describing is the banking system. Every day, until the trial balance is calculated, no employee can leave the bank. That was the old system in Indian business. One elderly gentleman, who claims to be my Godbrother, named Jayanarayana das Babaji, from Burdwan district, will be coming there. You may give him a place. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** November 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am advising you by this letter to advance Rs. 10,000 to Prabhusvarupa in Haridasapur. He is to add another Rs. 5,000. With the Rs. 15,000 you may open a bank account there. You, Bhavananda and Prabhusvarupa may be the signers. Any 2 or 3 may sign on the cheques. Send site plan to Saurabha. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Jayapataka **Date:** December 4th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated Nov. 2 and nil. If you can get concessional paper there that's alright. Do it. Damodara Maharaja is a dangerous man. Remain very cautious with him. He is always causing difficulty. Regarding the two men who have come to us from Gaudiya Math, for the time being we should try not to give shelter to such persons unless they are tested. Regarding the Narayana Kavaca mantra, the Hare Krsna mantra is everything. But, I think that you are working too hard. Your illness is the result of too hard work. Remain in Mayapur. Take rest as much as necessary. And work through your assistants. And chant Hare Krsna. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayapataka, Bhavananda **Date:** December 7th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Mayapur My dear Jayapataka and Bhavananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 3, 1976.Yes, I sanction your getting the necessary funds from the MVT (1 1/2 lakhs). One thing is, you say you have received $10,000 from Gurukrpa for a generator. However, that should not cost more than $6,000. The balance can be utilized in the building scheme. The boat party must continue preaching. It is very nicely responded to. The educated men you have mentioned, who have joined us must be kept very satisfied. These men are required. You say that everyone is working without any caste or race consideration. That is required. That is the basic standard of Krsna Consciousness. Regarding Sri Jaya Narayana das Babaji, don't allow him any more. He has gone out without telling, that's alright. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayarandas Kuthiala **Date:** October 16th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh > Chandigarh My Dear Jayarandas Kuthiala, Please accept my greetings. I was very glad to see you. I'm sorry that I could not speak to you in detail because other visitors were waiting. I am very much pleased that you are interested in my scheme at Jyotisar, I think that I shall require your help when this plan is in action. If you have time you can come to Vrindaban to discuss some important matters. So far I know His Holiness Ram Tirtha was a sannyasi, but you have written in your letter that he was a source of love to Japanese girls. I was very much surprised on this point. Kindly let me know what was the point in this connection of Swami Ram Tirtha. It was surprising, as far as I know a sannyasi is completely aloof from womanly connection. I shall be very glad to be enlightened in this connection about Swami Ram Tirtha. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Jayasacinandana **Date:** February 8th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Jayasacinandana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of January 22, 1976, and I have noted the contents. Thank you very much for your nice translation of Markine Bhagavata-dharma. It is well appreciated. I think it can be included in the front of the new printing of the song book, and it can be sung in kirtana like the other songs of Bhaktivinode Thakura. I have included a few corrections below which can be noted. The other prayer can be called Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krsna, and I will be sending comments on that shortly. Corrections: Verse 2: synonyms: ei—in this ugra-sthane—terrible placetranslation: . . . to this terrible place. Verse 3: synonyms: prasanna—is happy or jubilantVerse 5: transliteration: bujhalesynonyms: bujhale nija-vasa—under your controlling powerVerse 8: synonyms: kane—by aural receptionbara bara—again and againVerse 9: translation: accumulated in the core of the heartVerse 15: synonyms: dhara—determinationtranslation: . . . in my mind there is only great determination Hoping this meets you well, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/DDA/nd ### Letter to Jayasacinandana **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Los Angeles My dear Jaya Sacinandana dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your offering of Bhaktivedanta-astakam, and I thank you very much. It is very nicely done. I have noted that you also have the aptitude for Bengali language, so you can learn this nicely and then you will be able to preach in Bengal in the native language. It would be very effective. Also, you can chant the Gita-Gan in Bengali and people will profusely take out Gita-Gan. Thank you very much. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayasacinandana **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Mayapur My dear Jayasacinandana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 30, 1976 accompanied by your translation of Srila Bhaktivinode's songs. Thank you very much. You have done nicely. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** January 13th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Berkeley My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 24th, 1975.The $1900 payment should be used half for Gurukula and half for the Temple. Regarding Yamuna and Dinatarine, they want to live independently, that is the defect. A woman cannot live independent. According the the Vedic culture a woman is always to be protected by a man. Why they should purchase a house? We already have Los Angeles. If they want they can have a separate asrama supported independently of ISKCON. Every woman in America has money, so why do they want support? No, the BBT cannot give them loan. You may check that they are chanting and following the rules but do not get involved with their management. So far your suggestion that they sew clothes for the sannyasis Deities it is not possible. Sannyasis may have no connection with women. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** January 20th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Jayatirtha; Please accept my blessings. Regarding the ISKCON Gurukula presently situated in Dallas—The Gurukula must be based on the principle of renunciation; vairagya vidya nija bhakti yogam [Cc. Madhya 6.254]. Bhakti is based on the principle of the renunciation of material desires beginning from the earliest age; kaumaram acaret prajna dharman bhagavatan iha [SB 7.6.1]. From the very beginning, a boy must be trained to perform devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and not to be attached as the fruitive workers, the karmis, to the so-called fallible soldiers; dehapatya kalatradisu atma-sainyesu asatsv api tesam prammato nidhanam pasyanapi na pasyati [SB 2.1.4]. The karmis are attached too much to their bodies, children and wives, who are like fallible fighting soldiers who must ultimately be destroyed. Although they are sufficiently experienced, they still cannot see this. Therefore our young men must be trained at the earliest age to not be attached to so many things like the home, family, friendship, society, and nation. To train the innocent boy to be a sense gratifier at the early age when the child is actually happy in any circumstance is the greatest violence. Therefore; brahmacari gurukulae vasan danto guror hitam [SB 7.12.1]. The brahmacari lives at the place of the spiritual master and works for the benefit of the spiritual master by begging for his maintenance, by cleaning, learning the principles of Krsna consciousness, and engaging in the process of bhagavata dharma, whereby his life will have a firm, sane foundation with which he can overcome the forces of maya by strong training in the beginning. The karmis cannot accept this because they are too much attached to their bodies and cannot tolerate any austerities. Since they are too attached to their children they are even more insistent that the child be drowned in bodily consciousness so that he may avoid all types of austerities and enjoy life to the fullest, thereby going to hell at the earliest age; mahat sevam dvares ahur vimuktes tamo-dvaram yosita sangisangam [SB 5.5.2]. Those who associate with the mahatmas through service to them become eligible for liberation whereas those who are associating with woman or those who are too attached to woman are paving their way to hell. Therefore the school systems require so many codes and regulations so the children will not feel any inconvenience. The training is geared to producing cats and dogs who will feel quite at home in a society of sense gratification. Therefore how can they accept our school system which teaches that the young men must undergo tapasya to become purified? Tapo divyam putraka yena sattvam suddhyed yasmad brahma saukhyam tv anantam [SB 5.5.1]. They will never accept that one must undergo austerities to break the influence of the modes of material nature upon the living entity in order that he may experience the transcendental bliss on the platform of pure goodness. Therefore they see our school as a threat and a cruel punishment to the children. If we were to run our school as it was actually to be run, they would close it down, and factually they will place more and more codes and restrictions as the school develops to water down the process until it becomes unrecognizable and useless. We cannot be forced to follow the standards of the mlecchas and yavanas. One may build so many buildings to follow this and that code, but the basic principle of such codes is sense gratification which we are against. There are so many thousands of buildings in the west which are filled with illegalities, but how is it that we must come to a perfect standard or be closed down? This is not the standard of law, but prosecution. If in illusion we think that we must spend money to come to that standard what guarantee is there that they will not simply find another standard for us to follow which will cause so much more trouble and cost so much more money and ultimately they will pass some law making the gurukula illegal. Therefore the school should be moved to India, specifically to our new gurukula project in Vrindaban, where the facility will be just to our needs and the needs of the brahmacari to develop spiritually because it is based on authentic scripture. To live in Vrindaban is the highest perfection and to grow up in Vrindaban the greatest fortune. Who can compare Vrindaban to the nasty western culture? Even to live in Mathura-mandala for a fortnight guarantees one liberation. In Vrindaban no one will place restrictions on the school and it will be encouraged by the government. The people will see such a school and the example will encourage thousands to send their children there to be trained as human beings and devotees. The cost for maintaining such a place is minimal and when compared with the exchange rate in dollars, a very substantial savings. Some have objected to the cost of transport to India for the child, but children ride at a very reduced rate and require no visa. The one way fare can be arranged at a very small cost which will be made up in no time. For the child it costs $100 per month in the USA, but in India the cost will be a fraction of that amount. The average Indian makes about Rs. 400 per month ($50) and supports an entire family nicely. The savings will more than compensate for the ticket and maintenance, and once in a year, during the hot season of April, May and June, the child may return to the parents. Certainly the government will give cheap rates on a return ticket once they find out about the program. This is much cheaper than altering the present building or building a new one to meet the so-called codes. The atmosphere in Vrindaban is beyond compare and the teachers are far more experienced as we have many men willing to work there who are retired and qualified professors, what to speak of our own scholars who are living in Vrindaban and starting this gurukula project. Many people will contribute to expand this program and the Krishna-Balarama Mandir is the finest in the world. All the devotees in Vrindaban, especially the children are in fine health and their needs are being guaranteed by the members. They can even beg from door to door and collect enough to feed themselves nicely. This is the system. This is the required training. But if this is done in America, they will accuse us of child cruelty although this is actually the saving grace of the child and he becomes very blissful. Therefore in all ways it is obvious that the best place to have this gurukula is in Vrindaban and this should be done before the US Government starts to cause a disturbance which will harm us, and before we have to waste large sums of money on a risky endeavor which may turn out to be a complete failure. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hd ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** January 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Berkeley My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 12th, 1975 reporting on your Zone for November, which arrived late due to having been redirected a number of times. Your Zone's book distribution is most commendable. It is to your credit as a good manager that there are now no longer any debts to the Book Fund from the Western USA Temples. Now you will have to meet a very stubborn competitor, Madhudvisa Swami, who I have sent to New York to organize the new building and preaching activities. All of the leaders should study my books books very carefully, since now everyone will have to appear for the examination. But I don't get any time to go into seclusion. My Guru Maharaja also did not approve of seclusion. He used to say: "Dusta mana, tumi kisera Vaisnava? Pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nama kevala kaitava." My dear mind, what kind of Vaisnava are you? Simply for cheap adoration you sit in a solitary place and pretend to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, but this is all cheating. Many times in the past it has proven difficult to get the support of the Indians in San Francisco. Because Citsukhananda said there were many men who were willing to help I was encouraging. Now abandon it. Citsukhananda should join Berkeley instead of wasting time. The Berkeley project is actually important. Your idea for establishing a center in San Jose is nice, so you may bring it up before the GBC at Mayapur. As you are finding a good preaching field at the colleges in Berkeley, you will find all places similarly receptive. Human psychology is the same—simply you have concentrated on Berkeley thus far. Now make this propaganda very vigorously every where. Regarding the donation of $6000 for distribution of books, you can send one or two copies to very distinguished men. You can address them: Sir, kindly have a glance over these books. If you like you can keep them and send the price or if not you can return them at our cost. In this way you can write them. But don't give them freely. There should be either the option to pay or return. Neither you should give the books to the Librarians of public and hospital libraries, it will not be fruitful. They have their managing committee's, so approach these men individually to purchase books for the libraries. Regarding your question about having a Gurukula in Santa Cruz, I have replied this in a separate letter enclosed, a copy of which I have also sent to Jagadisa. You may consider carefully the points and do the needful. You have suggested that some men are best engaged in doing business. I agree. All grhasthas who are interested in doing business should do so in full swing. Yat karosi yad asnasi, yaj juhosi dadasi yat/ yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusvamad arpanam [Bg. 9.27]. Let this be the guiding principle. So let all the grhasthas who wish to, execute business full-fledgedly in the USA and in this way support Gurukula. Business must be done by the grhasthas, not by the sannyasis or brahmacaris. Neither the sannyasis or brahmacaris can be expected to support Gurukula. The parents must take responsibility for their children, otherwise they should not have children. It is the duty of the individual parents. I am not in favor of taxing the Temples. The parents must pay for the maintenance of their children. Neither can the BBT be expected to give any loans. Now the BBT 50% for construction is pledged to the projects in India—Bombay, Kuruksetra, Mayapur. The profits from the businesses should first go to support Gurukula and balance may be given for the local Temple's maintenance. Grhasthas can do business. It is best if the Temple Presidents are either sannyasis or brahmacaris. If the grhasthas want to do book distribution, they should be given a commission of 5 to 10% of which part must go to Gurukula. For any others who are engaged in important Society projects, they must get something for maintaining their children at Gurukula. So far as Prasadam and residence, they are already getting that free. But sometimes, grhasthas make their own arrangement for cooking. For that we can give no expenditure. Just try to improve the Prasadam system so nicely that one will not want any other arrangement. Another thing, is that the grhasthas may be encouraged to do agriculture. In the Indian villages like in Vrindaban, they get enough ghee for their personal use, and sufficient excess to be sold to the merchants, who then also get some money. Cow protection means good food and good trade. So I can give you suggestions how to manage everything, but it is up to the GBC to practically execute all these points. You cannot survive without my mercy and I cannot survive without your mercy. It is reciprocal. This mutual dependence is based on love—Krishna Consciousness. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** January 30th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Berkeley My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I am forwarding to you the enclosed letter from Mr. Morris Yanoff, for necessary action. Please do the needful. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** May 18th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Jayatirtha Das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 9, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. The house that you mentioned in London, if it is necessary, I approve the L40,000 loan. There is another Hindu very sympathetic by the name of Mr. Modi. See if he cannot be of some service in the absence of Mr. Samani. It is very encouraging to hear the reports of increased sankirtana. Go on like this more and more. Concerning the situation in Germany: So you are the right man to train them up. It is Krsna's desire that Hansadutta is replaced by you. I have certified that you are our first class temple manager in our society. A little change is invigorating, so try to serve me to the best of your capacity. As Harikesa Maharaja appears to be very nicely there, why not Harikesa Swami be your assistant. Your plan to print the books in German language is thoroughly approved by me. Make the same propaganda as in America to attract the scholarly world. Do it immediately. It doesn't matter where you print the books. You can print with Dai Nippon or in India. But why not Germany? We have got money in Germany, and you can present the bill to the bank for payment. Whatever the case may be, print books and present the bill to the bank. It is a good case in our favor. We are printing books in Germany in the German language. So why the money is frozen? Some good lawyer should be gotten. It will be good publicity and at the same time we will have the books. Whether the money was collected illegally or legally, the money is being spent in Germany. it is not going outside so why it is being held up illegally. Let it be spent in Germany. That is our money, there's no dispute. It is not the aim of our society to mislead the public; you can show them our aims. Maybe some workers have done like that but we are trying to enlighten the whole world and the people of Germany with good knowledge. You can show them the full set of books that we are going to print in the German language, and use all of the professors quotes to show how authoritative our books are amongst the scholarly circle throughout the world. So it is not the aim of our society to exploit money for drinking, illicit sex, etc. These are not the aims and objects of our society. If some individual did wrong, the society is not held responsible. The society's aim is to build men and women of character and knowledge. We live a simply life based on the aims and objects of our society. If some individuals have done wrong it shouldn't jeopardize our entire community. People accustomed to all nasty habits have joined our society and are leading pure, happy lives. They want to take the money from us, but who will take payment of all that money that we collected to fulfill the aims of our society? Convince them that, never mind, in your opinion it was collected illegally, but it is being spent in Germany for a good cause. These books are being appreciated all over the world. Let the money be paid to the printer, whatever it may be it is being paid to the German people. In the meantime print the books, that will save us. When the educated circle supports our movement, there is no danger. We have already printed some books in German language. So what is the loss on their part? We are spending the money in Germany. Print the books; get the government to pay the bill (allow us to spend the frozen money for payment of the books; if the court decides that we must pay the money to the government, then at least we must be able to print the books, pay the bill, and after selling the books we can pay the government as a last resort. Our mission is for enlightenment. You will require an intelligent lawyer. Collect the opinions and standing orders from all over the world and present it to a first class lawyer to present on our behalf very nicely. Please keep me informed of the developments there. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Jayatirtha das, Please accept my blessings. Concerning the new temple, that you are going to purchase in London, when Madhavananda and Hansadutta were there, they were collecting funds to construct a temple there at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Please report to me what was done with these funds. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Jayatirtha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 14, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the idea of having a restaurant with the temple, if the temple and restaurant are mixed then it is not a good idea. However, if the restaurant is completely separate entrance and the activities of the restaurant do not mix with the temple at all, then it is possible, otherwise not. I am writing and enclosing the two letters of invitation that you have requested, one to Mr. Modi, and one to Mr. George Harrison. In Germany they are not able to sell the big books, that is not very good. I am informing Tamala Krsna Goswami in New York to try to arrange to send some men to Germany to help train the men and distribute these books. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrndavana My dear Jayatirtha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13rd September 1976 and also the BBT Trustees report and have noted the contents with care. Enclosed please find a letter of authorization to Lloyds Bank Ltd. Southampton Row Branch for a transfer to your account in the same branch of pounds 4,500.00. You may deliver this letter and advise me accordingly. Please save the wood and soundproofing from the Bury Place Temple as it was quite expensive to install. I think there is a very good scope for preaching in Yugoslavia as the recent reports show a good success there. You should encourage this preaching program and support it fully. I have received today the Spanish Edition of Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.4. They have printed 75,000 copies. Similarly you should print in the German language as many copies as possible. That is my only life. When I see that there is publication of the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other books in other languages that gives me life. It is very nice that you will print in Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Polish and Russian. It is approved by me if you want to give less than 25% of the BBT income for the Mayapur construction as you require to print books. Your scheme for an English magazine for Great Britain is nice. You should print more and more books and increase your inventory. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** September 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. Harikesa was doing nice preaching work and recently he has received one letter from Sucandra. Both of them can work there very nicely. So, as you know, I am interested very much for preaching work. I have sent him yesterday to Poland etc. I have given him one month's expenditure, also including his fare. I have paid him $950.00. He's enthusiastic to preach in that part of the world in co-operation with Sucandra. Try to encourage him in preaching work. So far this $950.00 it is given to him as loan and is to be returned as soon as possible. Before this I have advised Lloyd's Bank to transfer 4,500 pounds (four thousand, five hundred pounds) to ISKCON a/c (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) of the same branch, from my account number 8006334. This I have advised in a letter dated 18th inst. Please see to it and do the needful. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** October 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindavan My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 16, 1976.Yes, it is a good plan to leave the money in my account until you need it. What is the use of keeping money unless thereis a need. It is also a good idea for you to fill in the position of GBC for South Africa until the Mayapur meeting. You are a fit man. I think you are the best experienced GBC. Yes, go to South Africa as soon as you get the opportunity to see that everything is going on there nicely. Regarding my car, the present exchange rate is not proper. So, deposit the money from selling the car either in my account in Lloyd's Bank or Punjab National Bank. I shall pay here for purchasing a new car. I am very pleased to see how nice the book distribution is increasing in Germany. Give those two boys who have done so nicely my thanks. Krishna will bless them. ye yatha mam prapdayante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham [Bg. 4.11]. Krsna becomes more and more pleased by seeing the increment of book distribution. Devotional service is absolute but one who preaches His message becomes very dear to Lord Krsna. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** November 1st 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 25/10/76.So, if we can stay at Bury Place that is Krsna's arrangement. Let Mr. Patel purchase the new property. In that case there is no need of sending the pass book. The transfer order may be torn up. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** December 17th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due reciept of your letter dated December 1st, 1976 from South Africa. That the devotees refuse to follow those who do not keep strictly to the regulative principles is very nice. These practices are our spiritual strength. I'm glad to hear that you are feeling spiritually strong. Krsna will give you all intelligence and protection. You are a sincere servant. I will be glad to go to the Rathayatra festival in Durban next year if they will allow me into the country. They are very strict. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayatirtha **Date:** December 20th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Jayatirtha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil. Yes, then we can purchase. Why should we remain in doubt about 7 Bury Place. The place is nice, but the building is not so nice (7 Bury Place that is). The building on Soho is nice, I've seen it. Your idea to in the future build a major temple is very good. Then we can either sell the building on Soho or we can keep it for a restaurant if it is profitable. We can make the whole building a restaurant or a hotel. The Indians would like a completely vegetarian hotel. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jayatirtha, Bhagavan **Date:** December 10th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad Dear Jayatirtha and Bhagavan prabhus, Please accept my blessings. I am very satisfied with the work Harikesa Swami is doing there in Germany and Eastern Europe, therefore in order to encourage him and give him facility to rectify the situation in Germany, I have appointed him as acting GBC/BBT until the Mayapur meeting. You GBC men should please help him in his efforts to win the case there as this case will decide the future of our movement there in Europe. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jennifer Lynne Davis **Date:** June 9th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Los Angeles Bhakti Jennifer Lynne Davis My dear daughter, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1976, with enclosed guru-daksina and I thank you very much. Simply follow the regular program of chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha-mantra daily and abstain from illicit sex-life, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication. In this way you will surely make rapid progress in Krishna Consciousness. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Jitadusana **Date:** November 20th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Jitadusana, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated Nov. 10, 1976.Devotional service does not depend on material assessment. It is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam, "ahaituki apratihata". Devotional service must be without any material ambition and there is no material impediment which can check advancement in devotional service. Srila Gaura Kisora das Babaji was unable to sign his name, and yet he became the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the most erudite learned scholar of His time. We should begin our devotional service in whichever position we are. It isn't that we have to learn something extra for advancing in devotional service.sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksajaahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati[SB 1.2.6]vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitahjanyayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam[SB 1.2.7]If one is materially well equipped it is welcome but devotional service does not depend on material qualifications. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jnana, Lilavati **Date:** December 25th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Mombassa My dear Jnana das and Lilavati, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 10/12/76 along with all the letters from the children. My blessings to Dinesh, Nitin, Kamlesh, Rekha, Minaxi, Raksha, Shila, Hitesh, Malti, Mradula, Sumir, Dipak, Sangeeta, Vijay, Ketan, Raj Kumar, Renu, Shilpa, Niraj, Samir, Rakesh, Sanjay, Dipak, Hiten and Prupdarsana. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Jnanagamya **Date:** January 27th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Jnanagamya, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 26th, 1975.Regarding making a movie to help people become Krishna Conscious. If we show such devotional activities as worshiping the Deity, the karmis will think it is some sentiment, people worshiping a statue. Unless they hear from devotees and then practically perform devotional service themselves, what benefit will there be? As far as your point that those who say movies about Hitler identified with him and followed him, Hitler was still finished despite so much propaganda. Napoleon, Mussolini, Churchill—they all made so much propaganda—but the French, Italian, British, and German empires are all lost now. Our real propaganda is to chant the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, and let the mass of people chant and dance with us. If this movie induces people to chant and dance it is O.K. If it aids our cause then it is welcome. The best thing is for you to give this subject matter to your GBC for discussion at this year's GBC meeting in March. The photos you have sent are very nice. Thank you. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Joan Fields **Date:** July 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bhaktivedanta Manor My Dear Joan Fields: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your very nice gifts and the donation towards the book fund. This is the way to advance in Krishna consciousness. One should always offer to the spiritual master whatever one can. One should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least 16 rounds daily and follow the four regulative principles then one's life can become perfect. Always try to remember Krsna in all your activities and gradually He will help you to break free of all material attachments of life and along with your sincere desire your path back home back to godhead can be clear. One should always be sincere to please the spiritual master by following his instructions, then life is very easy. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Justice A.C. Sen **Date:** February 26th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Justice A.C. Sen Calcutta Dear Sir, All Glories to Lord Sri Krishna. I understand from our Life Member Sri Saral Kumar Das Gupta that you are interested in Krishna Consciousness Movement. I therefore invite you to come to Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir to stay with us and see our Krishna Conscious activities here. We will then have an opportunity to present you with Krishna conscious books like Bhagavad-gita As it is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta etc. for your perusal and comments. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Kacoriaji **Date:** October 4th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Kacoriaji, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 28th August, 1976 and have noted the contents carefully. Thank you very much for your kind sympathy. Thank you also for the check ($25.00 No. 88 dated 8th Sept. '76).I suggest you approach Tamala Krishna Gosvami at our New York branch. (340 W. 55th St., N.Y. 10019, N.Y.) You may go and join them there, they have a dramatic group, and if your ideas can be developed, I have no objection, that will be very nice. I hope this meets you well. Your well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Kapardini **Date:** July 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bhaktivedanta Manor Dear Kapardini dasi: Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your very nice gift. I thank you very much for it and hope that you and your son Gaurahari das are advancing very nicely in your Krsna consciousness. Please always follow the regulative principles and chant your rounds carefully and surely such sincere practice will lead you to success. Pleasing the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life and offerings made with love and devotion are always pleasing to the spiritual master. Please continue in this way. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Kapoorji **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Vrindaban My Dear Kapoorji, Please accept my blessings. I have just received your letter dated 4th April 1976. I have been away on a tour of Europe and America and upon returning to Bombay I have just gotten your letter. Therefore I have not replied sooner. I shall be coming to Vrndavana within a short time and we can talk there. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Kapurji **Date:** April 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Kanpur, India My dear Kapurji, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your kind letter dated April 2, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the Chitra Studio, I very much appreciate your offering and I am sending Gopala Krishna das Adhikari along with one of our experienced photographers and filmmakers, Yadubara das Adhikari. They will surely arrive within the next couple of days and do the needful in this connection on my behalf. Thank you very much. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Kapurji **Date:** April 10th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Kanpur, India My dear Kapurji, Thank you very much for your letter dated April 9th, 1976. I am very sorry I could not go personally because the Ramnavami function is going on, and there was other function in Mathura yesterday; it was very successful meeting. Tomorrow I am going to Bombay, and then Australia. I will be in Bombay up to the 17th, at Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054.I can understand from your letters that you want to retire from business. It is very good proposal, but instead of devoting yourself to solitude, why not come with me and travel in foreign countries for some time? This will help you to obtain direct experience of our activities, and maybe you can become a preacher like me. Hoping this meets you in good health, Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Karandhara **Date:** January 29th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Karandhara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 21st, 1976.The photos of my murti are very nice. The murti of the Spiritual Master should be treated as good as the Deity. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih/kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya, The guru should be treated as good as God. This is stated in all the sastras. The difference is that God is master-God and guru is servant-God. So the installation ceremony for such a murti should be similar to that done for other Deities. All Temples can have this Deity if they like. But Temples which have only Panca-tattva painting worship should not be given this Deity. You should make a murti of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and then they may be worshiped together as is now being done in our Krishna Balarama Temple. They should be placed with Gaura Nitai—Guru Gauranga. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Karandhara **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Karandhara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 5, 1976 which was delivered to me by Ramesvara. Hrdayananda Maharaja has suggested that why don't you come to South America and assist him in responsible management. That is good idea. Please keep me informed of your activities. I hope that this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Karandhara **Date:** April 13th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Los Angeles My dear Karandhara das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 30, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your going to South America to assist there, if you like there is no need to go immediately. First you can complete the exhibit there in Los Angeles. There is no need to go immediately. I shall be visiting our centres in Melbourne, Auckland, Fiji, then Hawaii. After some time I shall then come to Los Angeles. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Karandhara **Date:** August 31st 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Los Angeles My Dear Karandhara das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your nice letter dated August 13, 1976. So you are already engaged in the service of Krsna. Stick to it and that will make you perfect. You are following the regulative principles. This is our spiritual strength and you are most fortunate that you have got a very good wife. Your wife met me in NY and New Vrndavana and she is a very great devotee. I know that you are competent to manage any department, whichever department you like you can render your service and keep yourself peaceful with your good wife. There is no impediment for grhasthas to become fully Krsna conscious. All of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's associates were grhasthas and all of them helped Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His missionary activities. Later on He took sannyasa and specifically He was assisted by Svarupa Damodara, but still He had intimate relations with grhasthas like Advaita Acarya, Nityananda, Gadadhara, and Srivas Thakura. So, in whichever status of life you may remain, if you stick to the principles, then you are alright. I am going to Vrndavana. If it is convenient you can stay for some time in Vrndavana with your family. I always think of you as I do think of my other disciples, and surely Krsna will help you to become a very strong devotee of the Lord. Please offer my blessings to your wife and children. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Karandhara **Date:** September 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Karandhara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 18th inst. and have noted the contents. Regarding the skyscraper scheme, yes, that I have already sanctioned since the idea was given to me by you. If you make 2500 mrdangas per year, that is very good, then distribute to the whole of American people. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Kashinath Mullick **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Calcutta My dear Sriman Kashinath Mullick, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 12, 1976, to my Vrindaban address, and I have noted the contents with care. Since then I have left Vrindaban on my European and American tour and your letter was redirected to me here. From Vrindaban, I went to Australia, then Auckland, New Zealand, and then to Fiji Island where I laid the foundation stone for our new temple there. It was very gorgeously executed. I am very glad to know that you are going to discuss the proposed matter amongst your contemporaries of the Subarnabanik Community and I shall be glad to hear the report. I shall be staying in Hawaii at least up until June 1, 1976, at the above address, and then I shall go to Los Angeles where I can be reached at the following address 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90034, U.S.A. Thank you once more for your kind letter. Conveniently, if you find time you can visit our Krishna Balarama Temple in Vrindaban at Raman Reti which has now become the best attraction in Vrindaban. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to K.C. Kapur **Date:** January 6th 1976 > K.C. Kapur > c/o IFOM > 44, Kailash > P.O. Box no. 31 > Kanpur-1 > Hare Krishna Land > Juhu, Bombay-54 My dear K.C. Kapur, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 28, 1976. Thank you very much for your kindly making available your house in Allahabad during the Kumbha Mela. I will have my disciple Gurudas Swami pick up the keys from Dr. Ram Das Tiwari as you have indicated in your letter so that he may make preparations for my coming on the 11th instant. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to K.C. Kapur **Date:** December 23rd 1976 > Sri K.C. Kapur44 Kailash P.O. Box no. 31Kanpur-1Hare Krishna Land Juhu, Bombay-54 My dear K.C. Kapur, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 10, 1976.Thank you very much for the offer of the use of your place in Allahabad during the Kumbha. Yes, most probably we are going. I shall let you know later on. I will give your address to my disciple who is organizing our camp there. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Kirtanananda **Date:** March 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Delhi > New Vrindaban My dear Kirtanananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 8, 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. Why should they complain about the way we are living there? We have our cottages and we take our own food. However, if it is necessary to make alterations, you can do. Concerning plumbing indoors, that is not difficult. This can be done very easily if you have a high water tank, and sufficient water there. Just like sometimes we see at big, big factories. If the water supply is sufficient, there is no question of insanitation. Disease comes when there are dirty conditions. Also, don't eat more than necessary. As soon as palatable food is offered, they eat. That is the disease. Concerning the outhouses, if they are not approved then you can have a septic tank, or pass stool in the open field. I was doing that. I never liked to go to the nonsense toilet so I was going in the field. Your request to take out a loan in books can be arranged so it is good idea. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksHandwriting: --- I have recived your check for 1111.00 ### Letter to Kirtanananda **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New Vrindaban My dear Kirtanananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 25, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the construction of a new temple for Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Candra, our men can see how the Indian mistris are doing the work there, and they can learn the art. During the construction, the Deities can be moved to some temporary place. The worship must continue, it doesn't matter if the Deities are moved. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Kirtanananda **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Kirtanananda Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 1, 1976 and have noted the contents carefully. A film showing illegal techniques of distributing my books (Money shuffle) was never authorized by me. If it is actually a fact what you say, then stop it immediately. In all our dealings we should be above suspicion. They say first impressions are lasting. If someone feels cheated by our men because they are using dubious methods of distribution and collecting money our purity may be doubted and reputation spoiled. So please do not allow such film showing to take place until I have seen the film personally. Thank you for the enclosed check. I am glad to note that your book distribution is going on nicely. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- P.S. Jabier Rodriguez has been accepted by me as a duly initiated disciple, his name is Jaya Caitanya. Enclosed please find one Brahmin thread for the second initiate, and a mantra sheet, other may make copy ### Letter to Kirtanananda **Date:** November 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New Vrindaban My dear Kirtanananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the October issue of Brijbasi Spirit. It is very nice. I have read with great pleasure the article about the construction of my palace. When is it going to be finished? When it is finished I will be anxious to come there to stay. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Kirtiraja **Date:** January 11th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Taunus, West Germany My dear Kirtiraja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 3rd January, 1976, giving a report of your preaching in Poland. I also received your letter dated December 7th, 1975 and replied it. Yes, you should get my books translated into Polish. Wherever our books are being distributed, our movement is established on a firm basis. Therefore I came to your country with books. So try to get the books translated. You ask what you should do about your wife and child. What can I advise if your wife doesn't want to take inconvenience. Preaching means some inconvenience. There is no reason why you have to be settled in one place. The actual education of a child doesn't begin until five years. Before that the child is free. Thereafter, the child may be sent to Gurukula in Dallas. This is the Vedic system. The most important aspect of our preaching is Kirtana. Induce the people to chant, that is the only thing. Then everything else will follow. The goal is to make devotees and books; both are required. Distributing the books will make devotees. To make a devotee means to make someone purified. Reading the books will purify the intelligence. A purified heart and mind means Krishna Consciousness. Don't try to become big very fast. That is not possible. Go slowly. My advise is that you and your wife should preach together. But your wife doesn't like this so what can I do? Hoping this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Kirtiraja **Date:** November 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Kirtiraja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2/11/76.Now you have got good contact in Poland. You must immediately supply the books for the University library. It is a very good order. Yes, encourage them to visit other libraries. It is my earnest desire to have my books translated and published in Russian and Polish. Yes, the translations must be checked. Work with Jayatirtha in that connection. I think Easy Journey to Other Planets will be very much appreciated because it is the scientific basis of our Krishna Consciousness Movement. I approve your plan to relocate to Bhaktivedanta Manor within the next year. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Krishna Mahesavari **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Krishna das Mahesavari,Son of Lava Pokaar das Sharma Gali,P.O. Hatras U.P. India Dear Krishna das, Mahesavari, Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter (Hindi postcard) addressed to my Vrindaban Mandir address. You'll be pleased to learn that along with the Hare Krishna Movement in the foreign countries, we are taking care of cow protection very vigorously. There are already dozens of such centres and farms where we are protecting cows like our New Vrindaban community in West Virginia, Bhaktivedanta Manor in London, altogether over 14 such projects have been started throughout the world to date. We are giving protection to the cows with great profit. We are getting huge amounts of milk from which we are preparing lovely yogurt, dahi, sandesh, rasagulla, gulabjamon, etc. We have sufficient quantity of ghee for preparing kachori, samosa, and other very palatable confectionaries. The people of this country are gradually taking this idea very seriously for vegetarian diet and stopping cow killing in a practical way. We have got more than 100 temples all over the world and attached to every temple we are opening farms and in many cities restaurants, and all of them are going on very successfully. In India the difference is that no enthusiastic young men with education are joining this movement wholeheartedly whereas in the foreign countries hundreds and thousands of qualified respectable men are joining us. I hope that you are a young man and along with other young friends you should also join us wholeheartedly, then we can do the same work in India. It is the duty of the Vaisyas to take to agriculture and cow protection. That is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita: Krsi goraksya vanijyam, vaisya karma svabhava jam (18.44). Unfortunately in India, the Vaisyas are not very much interested in agriculture and cow protection. They are more interested in opening factories. So how things can be done if the Vaisyas give us free advice for cow protection and then they themselves are more interested in opening factories, then how can cow protection be properly done? If you see me personally in this connection I shall talk to you in detail. I am returning to India on August 14, 1976 and you can reply this letter to my Bombay Office which address is below.c/o Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400-054,India I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Krishnakanti **Date:** April 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Krishna Kanti das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 27, 1976 with enclosed cassette tape and I thank you very much. I very much liked the chanting on this tape. It is very excellent and should be popularized and it will be a great success. Introduce this into every home and that will help them, and if they read our books then finished, no more material life. Yes, when I come also I can make a tape of chanting Hare Krishna but the chanting of Hare Krishna by the other boys on this tape is very nice. Thank you. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Krishnanga **Date:** February 15th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrindaban My dear Krishnanga devi dasi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 4th February 1976.Do not let your mind be disturbed by so many things. Our movement is for chanting Hare Krishna. One can be happy under any condition. Samah duhkha-sukham dhiram. Krishna Consciousness does not depend on any external arrangement. You should not go outside of the shelter of this ISKCON. Just try to be happy by chanting Hare Krishna and following the regulative principles. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Krsna Kanti **Date:** December 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Los Angeles My dear Krsna Kanti, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 23, 1976 along with the record album. The music is nice for the nondevotee class of men. However, the picture on the album cover is not nice. Why this crazy picture? This will not help our cause. They will not be able to understand. They will think it is change of body, not of heart. We have got so many nice pictures of Krsna. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Krsna Mahanu Bhava **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Hyderabad Dear Krsna das Mahanu Bhava, Please accept my blessings. Thank you very much for your kind offering of books and daksina. May you be blessed by Lord Krishna so that you may become His pure devotee. I do not know Marathi but I appreciated the books very much. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Krsna Vilasini **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Krsna Vilasini dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 13, 1976.As long as the body will be there, there will only be pain. Pleasure is only a misconception. Do not be sorry if you are in an "unfortunate" situation. It can also be fortunate if you take advantage by becoming serious to become Krsna consciousness. Follow the regulative principles, chant 16 rounds and as far as possible render service and study my books. Success is sure. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Kuladri **Date:** October 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Kuladri, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 7, 1976 along with a check for $1,111. Thank you very much. Yes, I was there in Buffalo, it is nice. Nitai Gaura is there. It is a very good opportunity. Take advantage and do it nicely. Surely Nitai Gaura will give you strength. Upon your recommendation I will accept the following devotees as my initiated disciples. Please be sure that they know and follow the four regulative principles and that they always chant at least 16 rounds daily trying to avoid the 10 offenses. Hold a fire ceremony and have Kirtanananda Maharaja chant on their beads. Their new names are as follows: Charles Vogler—Cakrapani dasaBernald Ely—Vallabha Caitanya dasaMary Tepas—Manasvini dasiTheresa Pericola—Tilakaini dasiBrenda Moffit—Bhaktinistha dasiPat Lawrence—Prema-manjari dasi Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Kurusrestha **Date:** September 5th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Denver My Dear Kurusrestha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 23, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Your scheme to purchase that building with BBT loan is fully approved by me. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Kurusrestha **Date:** December 28th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Denver My dear Kurusrestha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 12, 1976 and have noted the contents carefully. I have seen the pictures of the Deity installation you have sent. It appears to be very nicely done. Stick to the principles. All the brahmana devotees appear to be very nice. Do this and be happy. In your country hundreds of temples like this must be opened. Town to town, village to village. I am very pleased. Another temple opened, another book published, that is the success of this Movement. Without book distribution the temple worship standard will also diminish. Therefore both of them should go side by side. I can see in the pictures so many outsiders offering respect with awe and veneration. This Deity worship is very important. As soon as you get sufficient initiated brahmanas try to open another center. It is good that you have stopped all business ventures. Now, stick to it. Book distribution is sufficient. You should not divert for any other business. Regarding Bhakta Wayne, yes let him work as you have described. That is real preaching. That will be very good preaching if he meets professors of his standard and they are convinced of our philosophy. That will be a great success. I am very much pleased, thank you very much. Krsna will bless you. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept as my duly initiated disciples the devotees whose names are as follows: Larry—Lalitananda dasa, Otis—Sridama dasa, Nancy—Nidra devi das, Jody—Jagajjanani dasi, Lisa—Lila devi dasi, Pam—Pandurani dasi. Now hold a fire sacrifice. Ramesvara Maharaja may chant on their beads (or Satsvarupa Maharaja in his absence). Instruct the new initiates to chant a minimum of 16 rounds daily and to follow the four regulative principles very strictly. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Locanananda **Date:** January 5th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Amsterdam My dear Locanananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 31, 1976 and have noted the contents carefully. Your Deities shall be named Radha Gopinatha. Your report is very encouraging about book printing. The more we distribute books our mission becomes solidified. Yes, we should always remember following the regulative principles and reading our books. That will give us spiritual strength. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept as my initiated disciples: First initiation; Mr. Claude Nowe—Klesapaha-dasa, Bert de Vos—Vrsnivamsa-dasa, Belgin Kaya—Vedasmrit-dasi, and Maria Eugenia Jorquera—Marutvati-dasi; Second initiation; Jaya Gopala dasa, Janaraja dasa, Aharadi dasa. Now, hold a fire sacrifice and instruct the devotees to follow strictly the regulative principles and always chant a minimum of 16 rounds. Let Bhagavan dasa chant on their beads. Play the tape of me chanting Gayatri into the right ears of the second initiates and teach them how to count on their finger divisions. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Locanananda **Date:** January 10th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Amsterdam My dear Locanananda dasa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated November 28th, 1975. Your letter was received late so it was not possible to send you a reply in time for your Deity installation ceremony. I have received the names of all the candidates for initiation and I accept them all as my duly initiated disciples. Their new spiritual names are as follows: Jan Appelman—Jayagopal dasaFreddy Van de Buerie—Mahasrnga dasaRaymond Nota—Jnanaraja dasaHenry Fluster—Akhiladhara dasaPeter Vander Heyden—DivyasinhadasaPatricio—Krtayajna dasaJannie Smit—Mangalaya dasiTettje Meursing—Aharada dasiFrancisco van der Linden—Atitagamana dasiI also accept Yasodavatsala das and Bhasyakara das for second initiation. Enclosed you will find their sacred threads which I have chanted on. Now hold a fire ceremony and the brahmanas may afterward be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape recording through the right ear. First initiated devotes must vow to always chant minimum 16 rounds daily and strictly observe the regulative principles. The Brahmins must practice cleanliness, internally by chanting the Lord's glories and externally by bathing regularly. In addition the brahmanas should study carefully, especially Gita, Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction as well as all the small paperbacks. Soon we will have yearly examinations for brahmanas based on these books and those who pass will be awarded Bhakti-sastri titles. I hope this meets you all well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Lokanatha **Date:** June 12th 1976 — **Location:** Detroit > Vrindaban My dear Lokanatha Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 2, 1976 and I have noted the contents with pleasure. I am very glad to see that you are enthusiastically pushing forward with this preaching work and the young Indians are coming forward to join our sankirtana party. It is very encouraging to me. Anyone who has life he can preach, so go on very enthusiastically and there will be all facility given by Lord Krishna. On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees for initiation:1st initiation: Bhakta Adhira whose spiritual name is Abhayasraya-dasa2nd initiation: Dharanidhara das Brahmacari, Vrajesvara das Brahmacari, Enclosed please find a copy of gayatri initiation and two brahmana threads. After the yajna, the brahmana initiates should hear the gayatri mantra in the right ear. The devotees must all bear in mind that they are promising to follow the four regulative principles, i.e., no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating, and also chanting a minimum of 16 rounds of japa daily. This promise is made before the spiritual master, before the Deity, the devotees, Vaisnavas, the Supersoul, and the fire. Everyone should take very seriously this vow and make steady and sure progress in Krishna Consciousness and go back to home, back to Godhead in this lifetime. When I return to India, I shall surely try to travel with your buses. It is a very nice program and I want to see it go on very enthusiastically. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Lokanatha **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Vrindaban My Dear Lokanatha Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 13 August 1976 and have noticed the contents with care. I am very very pleased to learn that you are preaching so nicely. May Krsna bless you and give you more and more abilities. I shall let you know my program when I reach Delhi. I shall be in Delhi on the evening of the 25th of this month. Then after a week I shall go to Vrndavana. I shall chalk out my program at this time. Either I go with you or not, the program which you are doing is completely approved by me. Go on steadily with your program. As long as we are following the regulative principles of devotional service I am always with you. So be encouraged to continue this program more and more and expand it so that the preaching may be heard in every town and village. I am very pleased by your report with the enclosed news clippings. Thank you very much. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- nb.—the initiations may be done when I reach Vrndavana ### Letter to Lokanatha **Date:** September 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Delhi My dear Lokanatha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 21st inst. I am also happy to hear your very nice activities. I wish I could have joined you. I like your program very much. If you continue this program you will be benefited, people will be benefited, and everyone will be happy. If possible you can collect something for our Gurukula and Temple also, and if some high-class men want to offer their children to Gurukula we can accept. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Lokanatha **Date:** December 14th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Kanpur My dear Lokanatha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 10/12/76.The preaching work you are doing is very good. Continue this program enthusiastically and increase your number of company. You have to create devotees by your preaching work and train them according to your needs. Krsna has given you and your companions a very nice responsibility. If you like you can go all over India and make it more and more in that way. Try to distribute Hindi and other vernacular literature. Do not depend on outside help. Also, for financial support depend on Krsna. That is preaching success. People's appreciation will be practical when they help you financially also. Also, book distribution. We are maintaining our huge establishment by selling books. That is wanted. In foreign countries they are distributing huge quantities of books. Money is needed, that you have to collect. You can't expect money from outside. That is not successful preaching. Regarding starting a center in Kanpur, that is a very good proposal. Yesterday one gentleman came from Kanpur to see me. His name and address are as follows: Mr. G. Pant/ 111A/87 Ashoknagar/ Kanpur 208012. He's a great devotee, he can help you. But, the center should be for this purpose, that you go to the villages for preaching and come back. But, if you become packed up in the center, that is not wanted. The center should be opened for financial help for the preaching program. Just like our Aksayananda Maharaja is sending out men to the surrounding villages and towns preaching and holding programs. This should be the purpose, otherwise you may simply go on as you are now and simply depend on Krsna. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Lokanatha **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Kanpur My dear Lokanatha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil. Regarding having more Hindi books to distribute, that you'll have by the end of the month. Ask Gopala Krishna when they'll be ready, they can be sent to Kanpur. Prasad distribution and chanting and book distribution is sufficient for your program. There is no special method other than this simple program. You must train up the men. I hope you will be able to do that. Keep your behavior right to the point, set a very good example and others will follow. Yes, I want you to concentrate on preaching. You must see whether Gopala Krishna can give any men as you have suggested. It will be nice if you can organize Kanpur preaching. The men there are __ and rich also. In this connection you can take advise from Aksayananda. He has got sufficient experience. The more you get popular you can increase the propaganda paraphernalia. There is enough money in Kanpur. There you can raise any amount. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to M. M. De **Date:** November 1st 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My dear M. M. De, From my side there is no instruction for stopping payment. There is a good job for you in Bombay. Free quarter and boarding and salary up to one thousand per month. If you like you can come to see me immediately. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to M. M. De **Date:** November 16th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My Dear M.M. De, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12/11/76.Thanks for your determination. Why not act as liaison, agent, and representative of Krsna following in the footsteps of your father? Your father didn't despise the service of Krsna; because service of Krsna is eternal engagement of the living entity. Practically, your father's books sell all over the world to the extent of Rs. 5 to 6 lacs per day. If he would have taken the royalty to the minimum of 15% his daily income would have been Rs. 75,000/- per day. But he does not take a single paise and is engaged as representative of Krsna day and night. Why not follow this tradition of your noble heritage? Hoping this will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- P.S. At Bhuvaneśvara (Orissa) I want to construct a Jagannatha temple exactly like that in Puri. If you like you can do the full charge to do this job. I shall spend as much money as it is required to do it nicely. ACBS ### Letter to M. N. De **Date:** December 20th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Calcutta My dear M.N. De, Please accept my blessings. Regarding Bhuvaneśvara temple, whatever you have said is alright, but we have received estimate much less than that of yours. It is almost 50% less than what you have said. Besides that we are not prepared to spend so much for this project. So, for the time drop this matter. But, I am going to Bhuvaneśvara by the first week of January 1977. So, as proposed, you can accept the other responsibility as proposed by Govinda. He is not pestering, but he is your real well-wisher to give you a good chance. If you desire you can see me at Bombay between 21st to 31st December 1976 and do the needful. With all my good wishes, I beg to remain, Yours affectionately, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Madhava **Date:** February 17th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Boston My dear Madhava das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter and article entitled "Matter Comes from Life".It is very nice and why not publish in BTG? It must be published in BTG. And you must also publish in other journals. That is our business. Let them protest or accept. If they protest, we will reply them again. If they accept, then that is victory. It must be recognized that we are not just a religious sect. People are being kept in darkness, so we are trying our best to give this to the world; we must work in that spirit and become qualified. Regarding your questions, matter originally is spirit and when spirit is not distinctly understood, that is matter. Just like a tree is also a manifestation of spirit soul, but the consciousness is covered. When the tree is cut, it does not protest. But the moving entity has stronger consciousness than the tree. There is consciousness in the tree though. Also consciousness in a dormant state is matter; consciousness in a completely developed state is spirit. Matter is the symbol of undeveloped consciousness. Thinking is a subtle form of matter. Just like it says in Bhagavad-gita: "bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh . . . [Bg. 7.4]." Like the ether is subtle, the mind is more subtle—subtle form of matter. As for your third question is concerned everything is in the spiritual world. Krishna is the sum total of spirit and everything is coming from Him. Aham sarvasya prabhavo . . . [Bg. 10.8]. Matter, spirit, everything comes from Him. He is the supreme life, the origin of spirit and life. Therefore matter emanates from life. Nityo nityanam . . . He is the Supreme Consciousness of all other consciousness. The moon is situated 1,600,000 miles above the sun. You may refer to the fifth canto and read carefully. By the grace of Krishna you are already able to increase your service to me. It is very nice to hear that the students and teachers appreciate our philosophy. Your program will also help them. I am very much pleased with your program. Thank you very much. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Madhava **Date:** October 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Boston My dear Madhava, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22nd Sept. 1976 and have noted the contents. Regarding details of the universe, be satisfied by reading only Bhagavatam. What is the use of reading other books—you are not going there. Some portion of the earth is flat. When you stand in any place you see flat, so for us to some extent it appears flat, but it is round. Simply keep faith that whatever we describe, that is a fact. After all, we are an insignificant creature in the universe, so whether you take the modern scientists or Sukadeva Goswami, it is inconceivable. It is best to keep faith in Sukadeva Goswami, because actually our only business is to go back to home, back to Godhead. So whether Sukadeva Goswami or the modern scientists are right or wrong, it is nothing interesting to us. We want to go back to home, back to Godhead—yanti mad-yajino'pi mam. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as --- P.S. Bharata-varsa in 5th Canto refers to the whole earth ### Letter to Madhava Sharnaji **Date:** April 13th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Gorakhpur My dear Madhava Sharnaji, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6 April, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I am going to Australia shortly, and thereafter to New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, etc. It will take about 4 months to come back. There will be another temple opening ceremony in Hyderabad by August, 1976, and probably I shall return by that time. Kindly try to meet me when I return and we shall talk more when we meet. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Madhavananda **Date:** February 11th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Madhavananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 2, 1976, and I have noted the contents. I am very pleased to see that you are distributing 40-60 books daily. Please go on doing this; it is very good. Tripurari Maharaja is well advanced in this art and your intelligence combined will produce a good effect. Please stick to this engagement, and in that way you will be successful. In India we haven't established a very strong distribution, but I want to organize sales here. Please consider this, and if you have any suggestions how to do it, please give them to me. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda --- P.S. Kausalya is there in Bombay. She cooked for me for a few days ### Letter to Madhudvisa **Date:** January 7th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Melbourne My dear Madhu-dvisah Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 10th December, 1976. I have noted the contents carefully. Mr. Deoji Punja came to see me in Bombay. If any of the trustees are to be dropped, this has to be discussed between the trustees themselves. These are all important men and we should be careful lest they become offended. If I say something it will not look well. If some of the trustees are not abiding by the principles or not chanting 16 rounds, then they should be induced by the other trustees who are following, to step down. I think you can follow what I mean. Now Upendra is waiting in Hawaii, so please direct him how he should proceed. I have also asked him to write Mr. Punja. I hope this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Madhudvisa **Date:** April 21st 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > New York My dear Madhudvisa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of April 11, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. I have sent you and I have experience that you have done nicely in Melbourne, and so you are the right one to organize the New York centre. I am here in your temple, I'm feeling your separation. But, I'm seeing everything is going nicely, the same as when it was under your management. The devotees here, they are jumping and dancing very nicely. You can also establish the kirtana hall on the farm and install Gaura Nitai Deities. Gaura Nitai can be established anywhere, and it is simple to worship Them simply chant before Their Lordships. He doesn't mind that you have not decorated very nicely, but if you chant and dance He is very pleased. So you have my permission to take loan for this purpose, as you have mentioned for $25,000.Rathayatra, that will be your achievement. Nobody has done it before. Rathayatra in New York should have been introduced long ago but there was no competent men to do it. So Krishna has sent you there and most likely I shall attend the New York Rathayatra. New York is the place where I first landed and now we have our own place and books, so if you do it very nicely it will be a great triumph. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Madhudvisa **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New York My dear Madhudvisa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 15, 1976, and I have noted the contents with great care. I want to meet you immediately. If you do not come to Hawaii and you want to come to Los Angeles to meet me, then I can go to Los Angeles immediately. If you actually want to give me service, then you can live with me. I want your service. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Maeve Davies **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Maeve Davies, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7 February, 1976.Please do not be worried. Our movement is essentially for spreading this chanting of Hare Krishna world wide. And the main responsibility of my disciples is to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds without fail. Please worry about that first. The best thing is to send your daughter to Gurukula, but if you cannot do that, then somehow see that she is trained nicely in Krishna Consciousness. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Mahabuddhi, Library Party **Date:** May 11th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Mahabuddhi and Library Party, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 8, 1976, and I have noted the contents with great pleasure. Continue with this program of standing orders. It is very important preaching work. At least if they read our books they will not speak nonsense that kirtana is nuisance. I have asked Gopala Krsna and Tejyas das to keep sufficient stock of all of our books so that we can supply the standing orders immediately. They very much appreciate the fine printing and color illustrations which are not available in other Indian publications. So somehow or other introduce these books into the universities and libraries like that. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- n.b. what books do you give with a standing order? Please list them ### Letter to Mahabuddhi, Library Party **Date:** June 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Mahabuddhi das and other members of the library party, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter with enclosed reviews and I thank you very much. The reviews were particularly important. Why don't you try to arrange with India to extend visa somehow or other? I am very much encouraged by the efforts and response that you are getting from the universities and libraries. Indeed, the field is as good or better than the U.S.A. for this type of work. That is nice even if the libraries are taking only 6 volumes per year. The libraries that you mentioned: associated with the Ministry of External Affairs, Education, Information and Broadcasting, Defense, and Indian council for cultural relations, they can all take our books. Let them see the certificates given by all these big, big professors. I remember when I sold the first one volume personally to the Archeological University. I sold them personally long ago. Now you must work conjointly with the other library men in India. Don't let there be undue competition amongst our men. Do combinedly, it is very much encouraging to me. You can let Vrindaban De work Orissa and W. Bengal and Bihar, and when I go back I shall see how he's working. I am giving him a chance so let me see how he's done. For the time being at least, let him do it until I return. Now import the books which are needed to carry on supplying all your orders. Gopala Krishna says that he has secured the needed license from Maharashtra Government. It is a very good report so continue to work enthusiastically. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** January 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Hyderabad My dear Mahamsa, Please accept my blessings. I have already informed you what is our purpose in the matter of the Nellore establishment. The ladies must be clearly informed that we are not at all interested to be dictated by them. We cannot construct a meditation hall with Sarasvati and Ganesa or create a library with hodgepodge books. We can simply have our Radha Krishna Temple with facilities for the people in general to study our philosophy joining us in our Krishna Consciousness Movement and as we are doing in our other centres we shall act accordingly. If they refuse to give us in so-called charity the whole land then we can purchase the vacant land at the price mentioned in the document and because we have already installed the foundation stone, we do not wish to go back. We shall construct the Temple and Residential Quarters as we see fit. But we cannot follow their dictation. The idea is that the land, both vacant and occupied, must be given in a real charitable mentality, not to take advantage of our ability and get a temple and then create some trouble. This is not at all possible. We are also prepared to purchase the main land with garden and building by paying the the fixed price. If they are not interested in selling, we can accept charity. But in either case we can allow the two sisters to live in one portion of the building as devotees. On these grounds you should make a document and do the needful. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** January 26th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Hyderabad My dear Mahamsa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your telegram regarding the Nellore affair. I have already written you one letter on 18th January in this regard. The summary is, don't relax the conditions. We can either purchase for the price mentioned in the deeds or take in charity, but we cannot accept any conditions. My letter makes everything explicit. If they decline then try to acquire the land through Government because we have already installed the Foundation Stone. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** February 27th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Hyderabad Dear Mahamsa Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of The Hare Krishna Explosion, vol: No. 21. You must stop circulation of this paper immediately. It is not being properly managed. Who is this rascal who is writing such articles. See to this immediately. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** June 12th 1976 — **Location:** Detroit > Hyderabad My dear Mahamsa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 26, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the installation ceremonies, it is approved that you get some leading Ramanuja Pandits from S. India. The Vrindaban Pandits were useless. But one thing. Along with the panditas, our men should also join in. Concerning the Nellore project, it will automatically be dropped. Simply forget it, and there is no need to go there. Let them rather drop it instead of we dropping it. Let them say, you are not doing anything so we drop it. Your plan to have travelling parties go out village to village preaching and distributing my books in Telugu language is very important. Do it nicely. Regarding the trustees for the land, first of all get the land transferred to the ISKCON Trust, then I can send you the names of the 6 trustees from our side. I am having the GBC discuss the matter of trustees in New York and at that time the matter can be taken up in detail. I am presently in Detroit and after that I shall be going to Toronto, New Vrindaban, Washington, D.C., and reaching New York by July 9th. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** October 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Mahamsa Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13/10/76.I am awaiting your visit. We shall discuss further regarding the land you have described when you come. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** November 15th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Hyderabad My dear Mahamsa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2/11/76.I am ready. When you call I shall come. So far Kadal kanal is concerned, I shall decide when I am in Hyderabad. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Mahamsa **Date:** December 29th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Hyderabad My dear Mahamsa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23/12/76 and have noted the contents carefully. Kindly make this farm project successful so that the majority of my time I can spend there. I like this place. You should work with full energy and endeavor to make this program successful. There will be no scarcity of financial help. Chant Hare Krishna and there will be good rainfall. Your suggestion for paying back the loan is approved. You deposit in my account and whenever you require money I shall request the bank to transfer again. In this way keep regular accounts. Please find enclosed the original and duplicate copies of a letter of advice to the Punjab National Bank to transfer Rs. 46,500 into the Trust account. You may do the needful. I am glad to hear that the sankirtana party is collecting nicely. That is very hopeful. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. What is the road like from Madras to Kodai Kanal. Is it a pakka road? Or is it not very good? Is it a winding and twisting road, going up into the mountains? ### Letter to Mahatma Prabhu **Date:** September 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Seattle My Dear Mahatma Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated with the enclosed sankirtana report. I thank you very much for the good news. The enthusiasm of the devotees is a very good sign. The more they become enthused and anxious to preach the more they become Krishna conscious. ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg 18.68 and 18.69]. One who explains the supreme secret to the devotees is the most dear to Krsna and never will there be one more dear. So always keep them enthused in this book distribution. This pleases me very much. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Mahavirya **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Nairobi My dear Mahavirya, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 1-3-76, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your request for babaji initiation, when I come to Nairobi we can discuss it further. I gave babaji initiation to one other devotee but now he is off somewhere restless. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Makhanlal **Date:** October 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > St. Louis My dear Makhanlal, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 13/10/76, along with a check for $25.Yes, you must rectify this mistake. All society stationary must bear my name as founder-acarya. Please do it immediately. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Makhanlal **Date:** January 15th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > St. Louis My dear Makhanlal, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 1st, 1976.I accept all the new devotees as my initiated disciples. Their names are: Glenn Wharton—Isvaripati dasaAndy De Souza—Sarvadevamaya dasaThomas Wyhaupt—GuruvagmiHarry Troy—Vedatma dasaNow you must hold a fire ceremony. Everyone must agree to chant daily minimum of 16 rounds and follow strictly the rules and regulations. I also accept Gopta Das for second initiation. I have enclosed his sacred thread duly chanted on. After the fire ceremony he should hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape. Brahmin means to be very clean, inside by chanting the Lord's glories and externally by regular bathing. Teach him these things by your personal example. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Makhanlal **Date:** October 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Makhanlal, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 10/7/76.My blessings are always with you as you have requested. You are a very good devotee and servant of Krsna. So far your questions are concerned. Nityananda is the principle of the Guru. So, the Gurudeva is the incarnation of Nityananda. Anyone strictly following the instruction of the Guru is following Nityananda. The price one has to pay if he wants to become Krsna conscious is that he must dedicate himself to following the order of the spiritual master, mahat seva. If the Spiritual Master is pleased with disciple then the blessings of Guru will be there. That is the best way to become Krsna conscious, and Krsna is non-different from Nityananda. You may pray to Lord Nityananda to help you become dedicated in the service of your Guru. Krsna consciousness cannot be achieved artificially. You should approach Nityananda Prabhu through your Spiritual Master. I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. Please be very sure that they all know and follow the regulative principles and chant minimum 16 rounds daily. Hold a fire sacrifice and have Rupanuga chant on their beads. Their new names are: Willard—Vaisnava dasa, John—Jivapati dasa, Adam—Akruranatha dasa, Nancy—Nitya-manjari dasi. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Manager, American Express International **Date:** June 26th 1976 > The Manager,American Express International Banking Corporation,21, Old Court House Street,Calcutta 700-001, India Hare Krishna Land,Juhu Road, Juhu Bombay 400-054,India Dear sir: Please send me a detailed statement of deposits up to the end of June, 1976, for account number 5416, in the name of " A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- " Thank you. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Manager, American Express International **Date:** October 5th 1976 > The Manager,American Express International Banking Corporation,21, Old Court House Street,P.O. Box 2311CALCUTTA 700 001Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Chattikara Rd., Raman Reti,Vrindaban, Mathura, U.P.TRIPLICATE(Handwritten) By Regd. Post Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your verification form showing the balance of my account No. 5416 at Rs. 4,13,231.61 (Rupees four lakhs, thirteen thousand, two hundred and thirty-one paise sixty-one only). I am returning the form herewith duly signed.1. Bahulasvadasa Mission Bank, 22359 $2,500 30/7/76800 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach, California 926512. Raj. B. Kachoria Central Trust Co., 88 $25 8/9/76 Bhagwanti Kachoria Rochester., N.Y.3. Jack Maurice Bnk. Of Montreal 0537-0794 $100 15/9/7615E Main St.,Fruitvale, B.C.2 Wall St., N.Y.TOTAL AMOUNT: $2,625.00(American Dollars two thousand, six hundred and twenty-five only.)Please acknowledge receipt of these cheques and send receipt of the amount in Rupees. Please credit these cheques immediately at current rate. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as --- (c.c. ISKCON Calcutta)Encl. 3x cheqs + notification note ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** May 24th 1976 > The Manager,Central Bank of India,Camac Street Branch,10 Camac Street,Calcutta 17,India51 Coelho Way,Honolulu, Hawaii 96817,U.S.A.per registered post Attn: Mr. Dutta Dear Sir: Herewith please find a copy of advice to the Liberty Bank in Honolulu, Hawaii, to transfer U.S. $6300.00 (U.S. dollars six thousand and three-hundred) in favor of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The Calcutta agent for the Liberty Bank is the Bank of America, Calcutta. Please receive this money, and put is it on fixed deposit for one year at 8% in favor of "Bhaktivedanta Book Trust." You can hold this fixed deposit receipt (F.D.R.) for me in safe keeping until I return to Calcutta at which time I will collect it from you. Kindly acknowledge receipt of these funds being transferred, and inform me of the particulars in detail of the fixed deposit receipt. Thanking you. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/PKS --- enc.: one (1) ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** June 12th 1976 > The Manager,Central Bank of India,Camac Street Branch,10 Camac Street,Calcutta-17, India197 Danks Street, Albert Park,Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Dear Sir: The monthly interest accrued from the Fixed Deposit Receipt in the name of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust may be transferred to Vrinda Book Co. account with your branch for the 3 months of May, June, July of 1976, unless otherwise advised. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- ACBA/pksCc: Vrinda Book Co ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** June 12th 1976 > The Manager,Central Bank of India10 Camac St.,Calcutta-17, India340 W. 55th. St.,New York, New York 10019U.S Dear Sir: On April 21, 1976, I advised you the following: "The monthly interest accrued from the Fixed Deposit Receipt in the name of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust may be transferred to Vrinda Book Co. account with your branch for the 3 months of May, Jun, and Jyly of 1976, unless otherwise directed." I sent one copy to the Vrinda Book Co., and the original was sent to you. To this day, I have been recently informed that this order has not been executed. I want that this be executed immediately and also that you inform me accordingly at my New York return address promptly as the delay in executing this order. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** July 10th 1976 > The Manager,Central Bank of India,10 Camac Street,Calcutta 700-017,India340 W. 55th. Street,New York, N.Y. 10019U.S.A.Re: F.D.R. in name of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, effected 4-3-76 Dear Sir: With reference to my letter to you dated June 12, 1976, I have received your replies dated May 3, 1976, and June 22, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Rather than pay interest from the fixed deposit receipt to the Vrinda Book Co., for the months of May, June, and July, 1976, you can rather pay the Vrinda Book Co. the interest for the months of March to June, 1976. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- Cc: Vrinda Book Co ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** September 6th 1976 > The Manager Central Bank of India10 Camac St.Calcutta 700-017Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir Chattikara Rd. Raman Reti Vrndavana Math. Dist. U.P.Re: FDR in name of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust effected 4-3-76 Dear Sir: With further reference to my letter dated July 10, 1976 I beg to request you to transfer the interest to Vrnda Book Company account until further notice. Thanking you. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- Cc: Vrnda Book Company ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** September 24th 1976 > The Manager,Central Bank of India,10 Camac Street,CALCUTTA 700-017Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Chattikara Rd., Raman Reti,Vrindaban, MATHURA, U.P Dear Sir, Ref: Your letter No. FDR:ASB:9-15/76 dated 16th Sept. '76 FDR in the name Bhaktivedanta Book Trust No. 8/27You may pay interest on the 4th of every month to the credit of M/s Vrinda Book Company. Thanking you. Yours, sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as --- (c.c. to M/s Vrinda Book Company) ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** January 16th 1976 [Hand written]Please to Sulaxmana Dey Rupees Two thousand only and debit my S.B. a/c 831 Rs 2000/- A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** February 6th 1976 > Manager Central Bank of India Camac Street Branch10, Camac Street Calcutta Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir P.O. Sridham Mayapur Dist. Nadia, West Bengal Dear sir, Please add Sriman Sridhar Swami as the co-signer in ISKCON's current account in your branch. The other co-signers are Purnaprajna das Adhikary and Syamlal das Brahmachary. Your faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** February 19th 1976 > Branch Manager Central Bank of India Camac Street Branch10, Camac Street Calcutta-17Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir P.O. Sridham Mayapur Dist. Nadia, West Bengal Dear Sir, I beg to enclose herewith two foreign bank drafts. The first Dubai Bank, no. 75/3213/1517 for U.S. $8,000.00. The second Commercial Bank of Dubai Limited, no. 009148 for U.S. $4,000.00. Please enchash these two drafts and make a fixed deposit for one year at eight percent (8%) interest in the name of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. I gave got a Bhaktivedanta Trust account in your Gowalia Tank Branch in Bombay and the account number is 16066. I am the authorized signatory of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. So you can make the Fixed deposit in your branch in Calcutta, but if you feel any inconvenience then transfer the cash derived from the above foreign drafts by mail order to your Gowalia Tank Branch in Bombay in favor of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account number 16066. You wanted some money fixed deposit in your branch. So you can make it in your branch and keep the receipt in your custody. When I return I shall take it. In the meantime I advise you also that you can make fixed deposit for one lack for one year deficiting my personal account with you number 831. These two fixed deposit receipts may be kept in your custody until I return to Calcutta. I hope you will find this in order. Please acknowledge receipt per bearer and oblige. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Chairman Bhaktivedanta Book TrustEnclosure - 2 checks ### Letter to Manager, Central Bank of India **Date:** April 2nd 1976 > Branch Manager,Central Bank of India,10, Camac Street,Calcutta- 700017Krishna Balaram Mandir,Chattikara Road,Raman Reti,Vrindaban, Dist. Mathura,U.P Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th. March, 1976, with my passbook a/c number 831 enclosed. I thank you very much. Your faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Manager, Liberty Bank **Date:** May 24th 1976 > The Manager,Liberty Bank,Main Branch,99 N. King,Honolulu, Hawaii,U.S.A.51 Coelho Way,Honolulu, Hawaii 96817,U.S.A.True Copy Re: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust,Savings account no. 1100035786 Dear Sir: Please herewith find our passbook for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust as well as $297 for deposit in the same account. Kindly transfer $6300.00 (U.S. dollars six-thousand three hundred) to your Calcutta agent, the Bank of America in Calcutta, with special instructions to transfer the same money to the Central Bank of India, Camac Street Branch, 10 Camac Street, Calcutta 17, India, in favor of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust under fixed deposit receipt no. 8/27, printed no. 044895. You can deduct this amount, $6300, plus bank handling fees, from our account with you in Honolulu, a/c no. 1100035786. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter and kindly issue a confirmation in writing when the transaction has taken place with details. You can transfer these funds to Calcutta by mail transfer. Thank you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- ,For the Bhaktivedanta Book TrustEnc.: Passbook, $297 cash.cc: Mr. Dutta. ACB/PKStriplicate ### Letter to Manager of Bank of America **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > The Manager, Bank of America,Bombay Branch, Express Towers,Nariman Point, P.O. Box 10080,Bombay-1, India Re: a/c International Society for Krishna Consciousness,(Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund) savings account no. 16026 Dear Sir: Please prepare an account payee only bank draft to the credit of Engineering Construction Corporation Limited, for a sum of Rs. 2,48,848/95 (Rupees two lakhs, forty eight thousand, eight hundred and forty eight and ninety five paisa), and debit our account no. 16026,Please send this account payee only bank draft to the following address: by registered post. The Manager, Engineering Construction Corporation Limited,(Registered Office),L &T House, Narottama Morarji Marg, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box 278,Bombay 400-001,IndiaThank you very much. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pkscopy: --- Giriraja ### Letter to Manager of Central Bank of India **Date:** May 5th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > The Manager,Central Bank of India,Gowalia Tank Branch,Bombay, India Dear Sir: Herewith please find enclosed one bank draft for U.S. $2,871.45 (U.S. dollars two thousand eight hundred and seventy one and forty five cents). The check is a Bank of Hawaii check (Honolulu Main Office), draft number FH 099223 dated May 5, 1976. Please credit this amount to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust savings fund account number 16066 with your branch. This is meant for printing books. Kindly inform me of this transaction upon completion. Thank you. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pkscc: --- Giriraja, Bombay ### Letter to Manager of Lloyds Bank **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban The ManagerLloyds BankSouthampton RowLondon, EnglandRe: account number 8006334in the name of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- Dear Sir, Please withdraw the sum of forty five hundred English Pounds Sterling (4,500 Pounds) from the above mentioned account and transfer it to the account of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Hare Krishna Society) in your branch, and advise me that you have done so. Thanking you,yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Manager of Punjab National Bank **Date:** February 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > The Manager Punjab National Bank Vrndaban Dear Sri Manager Sahab, REG.: The opening of your bank's office at the Krishna-Balarama Mandir, Raman Reti, Vrindaban, U.P.Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your both letters dated 7th and 14th February, 1976. I am very glad to know you have gotten sanction for the branch office at our Krishna-Balarama Temple. I thank you very much for your appreciation. So far as going to Vrindaban, I am engaged here until 17th March. Therefore the earliest that I can reach there by the 18th to 20th March, 1976, if you think you can wait up to that date. But if your order is to open immediately, I have no objection. I have all my blessings upon you all and you can do that. In case you open the branch earlier then let me know the exact date. On or before that time I shall dispatch five (5) laks of rupees as desired by you. But if you think you can wait until my arrival by the 18th to 20th March, then I shall personally deposit the money on that date while opening the ceremony. Thanking you. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Mangalananda **Date:** February 1st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Mangalananda, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January, 9th, 1976, and I have noted the contents. Your proposal for a varnasrama college shall be discussed at the GBC meeting at Mayapur, this coming March. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Manidhara, Rohinisuta **Date:** October 27th 1976 — **Location:** India. My Dear Manidhara and Rohini Suta, Please accept my blessings. I have received a Letter from Jayatirtha saying that you have distributed in one week 522 and 521 big books respectively. This is very wonderful. I thank you so much. Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham [Bg. 4.11]. Krsna becomes more and more pleased by seeing the increment of book distribution. Devotional service is absolute but Krsna is especially pleased to see someone preaching His glories. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Mantrini **Date:** July 29th 1976 — **Location:** Paris My Dear Mantrini devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your offering of July 27, 1976 of 108 pounds and I thank you very much for it. Actually you are correct, it is not possible for the disciple to repay the debt to the spiritual master. Therefore the disciple remains eternally indebted to the spiritual master and continually works in such a way that the spiritual master may become pleased upon him for such sincere services rendered. Always follow the four principles, take prasadam, and above all chant your sixteen rounds a day, and thus you will make steady advancement in devotional service. Continue to preach this movement all over the world and thus you will become happy and you will make others happy also. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mark Phillips **Date:** January 15th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Mark Phillips Darkwood, Australia Dear Mark, Please accept my best wishes. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 22nd December, 1975, along with your contribution. Please continue to chant Hare Krishna, read our books, and associate with the devotees. In this way you will surely become Krishna Conscious. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Members of the family of Hirjibhai Gelabhai Baba **Date:** February 9th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur To the members of the family of Hirjibhai Gelabhai Baba. Respected ladies and gentlemen of the family: I am very sorry to learn that His Holiness Hirji Baba has recently disappeared from this material world. Last time when I was in Nairobi, I had some talks with him when we were preparing to take lunch at the house of Damji Devji. That was our last talk. So it is a great shock that he is not visible to our eyes. But as we know, the living being does not die. It is said about the saintly persons: moro va jivo va which means that the saintly person devoted to the lotus feet of the Lord is always glorious, either physically present or not present. So I wish that the devotees who took shelter of this saintly person continue to progress in spiritual life. May Krishna bless all of you in spiritual life. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ddacc: --- Damji Devji ### Letter to Michael S. Darby **Date:** February 15th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur Michael S. DarbyWheeling, W. VirginiaMy dear Michael Darby. Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 15 February, 1976, and I have noted the contents. Later this year I plan to come to America and at that time you may find out my itinerary from Kirtanananda Swami and you may come and see me. Regarding the history of ISKCON, please ask Kirtanananda Maharaja; he knows everything. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Morris Lapidus **Date:** February 9th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Morris Lapidus, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated January 29, 1976.Since we have already moved to our new location and everything is going on according to our standard program, we cannot possibly think of moving again or purchasing another building. Actually it is out of the question altogether. If you have any further questions in this regard, please consult with Madhudvisa Swami as I have instructed you in my last letter. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Morris Lapidus **Date:** November 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Brooklyn My dear Morris Lapidus, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated October 22, 1976.I am sorry to see that you have so many quarrels with my disciples. They are working very hard on my behalf trying to serve Krsna. Why not try to cooperate with them, instead of trying to get them to cooperate with you. I understand you are older, but then please just try to be tolerant and help in whatever way you can. Krsna will see your sincere desire, and if He wants you will be recognized and if not, there is nothing you can do to force it. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Mr. B. J. Murdock **Date:** July 29th 1976 — **Location:** Paris > Mr. B. J. Murdock Manager,Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.Naviti St.P.O. Box 56Lautoka, Fiji Dear Sir: In regards the loan of $80,000.00 solicited by Deoji Punja in the name of ISKCON, or any other loans solicited in the name of ISKCON, as the Founder-Acarya and final authority on all ISKCON matters please be informed that until you receive authorization from me you may kindly wait in these matters of loans until further notice from me. Thanking you, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- cc: Tamala Krishna GoswamiGurukrpa Swami, Upudata, Vasudeva ### Letter to Mr. Dhawan **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mr. Dhawan Sunenri Dham Mohalla Dehra,Manimajra, Chandigarh Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind invitation dated Chandigarh, 19-3-76, addressed to my Bombay address. I am very glad to learn that you are endeavouring to understand the prime goal of life, without which the facility of human life becomes futile. I have just come back from Delhi yesterday and I'm preparing for going to Australia by the 10th April, therefore, I am very sorry that I must inform you I will not be able to attend the function, however, I am sending herewith the answers to your questions, as far as I know. As we have received this knowledge from the greatest authority, Krishna, these answers will be acceptable in every sphere of spiritual activity. First question: What is the true aim of human life? Answer: The real aim of life is to go back to Home, back to Godhead. We all living entities in different forms of body numbering 8,400,000 forms beginning from the aquatics up to the best advanced form of human life, there is a regular evolution by the laws of nature. The real fact is that we living entities although part and parcel of God, on account of our own disobedience have come down to this material world under different circumstances. We have different types of material dresses to fulfill the tendency for sense gratification, and this by the laws of nature, by association with the 3 modes of material nature. We are transmigrating through different forms of life. So this human form of life is given to us as an opportunity to understand our position because in the human form of life we have more developed consciousness than the lower forms of life like the aquatics, insects, plants, birds, beasts and the civilized and uncivilized human beings. So the point is that a human being must know the aim of life is to go back to Home, back to Godhead. Question #2: Which is the exact path to attain this aim? Answer: God is great and we are all subordinate to God. In other words, God is the Supreme Master and we are all living entities, servants of God. Therefore, the path which teaches this fact, that a living entity is eternal servant of God, that is the only single path which leads one back to Home, back to Godhead. Question #3: How many leaders have actually achieved this aim? Answer: This aim is a fact, and the path is a fact, and anyone who takes this path, he can achieve the goal. According to our authorities who have achieved this goal, there are many, many acaryas. In the recent years, within 1500 years, the following acaryas are actually leaders of this goal of life. They are Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu svami, and Nimbarka, and latest within the last 500 years is Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. There are many such leaders who have achieved the goal of life and if you want to follow them, the path is very clearly mentioned. Question #4: why all the present religions and spiritual systems came into existence, contradicting each other when humanity is meant to follow only one religion? Answer: Religious system means the law given by God. In every system of religion the order is to follow the instruction given by God or His representative. Unfortunately, the so-called followers deviate from the orders of the master and sometimes create their own concocted religious system. Otherwise, there can't be different religions. We therefore accept only one religion which teaches one how to love God. Any religious system which doesn't teach this, how to love God is not religion, but is cheating system. The conditioned souls who have come to this world on account of forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with God is prone to be cheated, but a person who is sincere is not cheated, but he takes up the path which leads one to the perfection of life, how to love God. The present religious and spiritual systems in varieties come into existence on account of imperfect leaders who defied the authority of God. My suggestion is therefore that the leaders who actually agree as eternal servant of God may sit together and find out the ways and means of one religious system in this world. God is one. There cannot be many gods, otherwise there is no meaning of God. In the English dictionary, you find that God means the "Supreme Being." There are unlimited number of living beings, but God is one Supreme Being. Supreme Being must be one. Nobody can be equal to Him, and nobody can be greater than Him, otherwise there is no meaning of God. At the present moment it has become a fashion to become God very cheaply, therefore, such system being very cheap and not authorized, there are so many religious systems. Otherwise, God is one, all living entities are His eternal servants, and therefore, the real religious system is to learn how to serve God. Question #5: What has Hasur Mohammed Sahib said about 14th Century and why? Answer: I have not sufficient information about the instruction of Hazur Mohammed Sahib, but if you mean Mohammed, the inaugurator of Islam religion, I accept him as empowered servant of God because he preached God consciousness in those parts of the world and induced them to accept the authority of God. He is accepted as the servant of God and we have all respect for him. I do not know what he has said about the 14th Century, therefore, I cannot answer this point. You are mentioning the Holy Names of Nanak, Krishna, Kabir, Christ, Mohammed, etc. Out of all of these names we accept Krishna as the Lord and all others representative servant of God, Krishna. In the English dictionary, it is said God is the Supreme Being, and when Krishna appeared on this earth He proved to be the Supreme Being in all respects. We are spreading this Krishna Consciousness Movement all over the world and if all the leaders would accept this philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, then I am sure that the world would be fortunate to follow one type of religion, and accept one God without any faulty conviction. I thank you once more for your invitation and I regret very much that I will not be able to attend but it will be a great pleasure for me if the leaders of the conference will like to correspond with me regarding our conclusions as above mentioned. Thanking you once more, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mr. Fagan **Date:** April 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > The United States Consulate, Visa Section24 Albert Road,Melbourne, Australia,Attn: Mr. Fagan Dear Sir: This is to inform you that I am leaving Melbourne for the United States to visit my disciples in our centres in the U.S.A. We are departing from Australia the 26th April, 1976, and first of all we will be visiting our centre in Hawaii. For the past several months, one of my disciples, Mr. Denis Harrison, holding British passport number P606464, has been my personal secretary and for this reason I require that he accompany me to the U.S.A. I know that he is a good boy as I have had ample time to study is character, and I can assure you as the Founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness that our society will take care of all his expenses, including maintenance and upkeep, as well as his air tickets to the next place after America; at this time we are scheduled to go to England after our program on the Eastern coast in New York city. I trust that you will do the needful to help me keep my schedule as I am expected to be in certain places on certain dates, and I require the accompaniment of Mr. Harrison, so kindly if you will issue him the required U.S.A. visa for the 3-4 months that he may be there in time before our departure on Monday April 26, 1976.Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mr. George Twohie **Date:** May 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Mr. George Twohie,State Department,Washington, D.C Dear Sir, I have been informed through one of my disciples that one application for negotiating a house owned by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has not yet reached your Washington office. In order to expedite matters, I am enclosing one "true" copy of the original application dated March 27, 1976, and addressed to the Ambassador of the United States in New Delhi. I am hopeful that we may be able to meet in this concern when I visit Washington between July 2 and July 9, 1976.Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mr. Gupta **Date:** August 28th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Chandigarh Dear Mr. Gupta, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 24 August 1976 and have noted the contents. You may come and see me after September 3rd in Vrndavana where we can discuss all these affairs. There is also a nice guest house there. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Mr. Hunter **Date:** June 5th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Houston Dear Mr. Hunter, Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter with enclosed contribution towards the development of our Mayapur City in W. Bengal, and I thank you very much. We are trying to construct a city where people from all over the world can come to visit and live according to the Vedic tenets of "simple living and high thinking." I am pleased to hear that you appreciative of our humble efforts and if you would like to contribute in the future towards this great spiritual city you can send your contributions to me care of: Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400-054, IndiaI am enclosing one copy of our latest issue of Back-to Godhead magazine as you mentioned you have read some of our past issues. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mr. Jootee Boonsoong **Date:** August 1st 1976 — **Location:** Valencay > France Mr. Jootee Boonsoong2nd floor Sarasin Building14 Surasak Road Bangkok, Thailand Dear Mr. Boonsoong, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge reciept of your nice gift of silk cloth which has been presented to me by my disciple Yogesvara Das. He has also spoken to me of your interest in the activities of our movement. I thank you very much. This Krsna Consciousness Movement is based on the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. We have attempted to present this great philosophy to the world in a pure way, without material motive, and by the grace of Lord Krsna our effort has come out successful. People everywhere are taking to Krsna Consciousness, following the simple principles, and becoming happy. At least no one has ever seen such high character as in our boys and girls. And thoughtful men like yourself are appreciating. Again, my thanks for your consideration. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/yd ### Letter to Mr. Karsan **Date:** December 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad Dear Mr. Karsan, Please accept my blessings. I have heard from Brahmananda Swami that you are organizing the purchase of the house in Mombassa that we want as Krishna's temple. All the blessings of Krishna are with you.na ca tasman manusyesu kaccin me priya-krttamahbhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi[Bg. 18.69]Anyone who preaches Bhagavad-gita is very dear to Krsna. So, you are helping this preaching. Certainly you'll be dear to Krsna. It is an open secret, anyone who helps spread Krsna consciousness becomes very dear to Krsna. Others are simply wasting time in the valuable human form of life. Simply help to the best of your capacity. Krsna will be pleased to recognize you. Krsna is the root of everything. If He is pleased, everyone will be pleased. If you pour water on the root, the water will be distributed all over the tree. This is the best service to humanity. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Mr. Morris Lapidus **Date:** January 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Mr. Morris Lapidus Brooklyn My dear Morris, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 5th, 1976. I am forwarding your letter to His Holiness Madhudvisa Swami who I have sent to New York to organize things. You may meet with him. I hope this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Mr. Mukherjee **Date:** July 14th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Bombay Dear Mr. Mukherjee, Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 6th July, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I am returning to Bombay by August 14th, 1976, when I shall be glad to see you in our Juhu Temple and talk in detail about this scheme. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mr. Prem J. Batra **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Prem J. Batra,97, Amatragar, Chakala Kurla Road Ardhes; Bombay 400-043 My dear Mr. Batra, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 27, 1976 with enclosed article. Concerning your questions raised, the process is simply to hear from authority and accept it. From the Bhagavad-gita we can understand Krishna because He is explaining Himself. What is the difficulty to understand. There is somebody Superior in all aspects of material activities. The sun rises exactly on time, the seasons changing, fruits appearing, and flowers. There is no change in the law of nature. Don't you think that there is a Superior Being managing these things. Why not accept this proposal. It is no explanation that it is simply accident that all these things are going on so nicely. "Mayadhaksena prakrti suyatte sacara caram . . . This material world is working under my direction, O son of Kunti, and it is producing all moving and unmoving beings. By its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again." [Bg. 9.10].Reasoning is there if you simply explain that Krishna is full in 6 opulences: strength, knowledge, wealth, beauty, fame, and renunciation. No one can excel Krishna in opulence. Nobody is equal to or greater than Krishna, therefore He is God. The word for philosophy is tattva darsana—the Bhagavad-gita recommends that one approach a spiritual master who is tattva darsana, one who has seen the truth. This is philosophy. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mr. Raja Sajid Husain **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Raja Sajid Husain,Chairman, Indian Humanist Union,Kotwara House, Kaisarbagh,Lucknow, U.P., India Dear Mr. Raja Sajid Husain, Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 16, 1976, and I have noted the contents carefully. Your idea of the "unity" of man is utopian. It will never become. The United Nations has tried for so many years, and they will never agree. If we keep human beings in the status of cats and dogs, in the bodily concept of life, how can they live in peace? They will simply fight like cats and dogs amongst one another. However, when members of the human society come to the spiritual platform, then there is a genuine possibility of unity. Without God Consciousness, nobody can be ethical. In the Vedic literatures, we find this verse:yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincanasarvair gunais tatra samasate surah,harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-gunamanorathenasati dhavato bahih.[SB 5.18.12]"All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge, and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavour of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in the service of the Lord's external energy. How can such a man possess any good qualities?"I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mrs. Blasko **Date:** April 21st 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > Tuscaloosa, Alabama Dear Mrs. Blasko, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 12, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Now that the Dallas Gurukula has been closed we have opened many smaller regional Gurukulas on some of our farming communities, such as our farms in Vancouver, Pennsylvania, and also Mississippi as well as others. It is best if you go to one of these regional Gurukulas where you can be nicely engaged in Krishna's service, and your young daughter can go to Gurukula. Concerning the 88 acres of land there in Alabama, you can contact our GBC secretary for that area, Balavanta das Adhikari, c/o Iskcon Atlanta, 1287 Ponce de Leon Ave., N.B., Atlanta, Georgia 30306. He can assist you in this connection. I hope that this meets you and your daughter in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mrs. Perera **Date:** April 27th 1976 — **Location:** Auckland > Melbourne My dear Mrs. Perera, Please accept my blessings. I wish to thank you for your kind offering which I have duly given to Srimati Radharani. This is the way, to give the very best thing to Radha-Krishna. Decorated with love, Krishna will accept even the humble offering of a leaf, fruit, flower or some water from His devotee. Anyone, anywhere in the world can worship Krishna following this simple formula. Now you are placed in some awkward circumstances for rendering devotional service as you have mentioned in your letter to me. Devotional service is so powerful that it cannot be stopped in any circumstance. There are histories of many great devotees, like Prahlada Maharaja, who was living in the house of his demon father, Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyakasipu did not even like to hear the name of Krishna, but Prahlada had perfect faith in chanting the Holy Names of the Mahamantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and in this way Krishna saved Prahlada in the end. So please be patient and go on chanting Hare Krishna and try to visit the temple as much as possible. Krishna will offer you all protection and make all suitable arrangements for His devotees to engage in His service. Thank you for your keen interest. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Mrs. Tania Perera **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Mrs. Tania Perera, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated nil. I have noted the contents carefully. Yes! I remember you and the gold chain you gave me I gave to the deities in Melbourne. Regarding your situation, the only alternative is to move into the temple and take complete shelter of the devotees and Krishna. Prahlada Maharaja was only 5 years old and because of his becoming a devotee of the Lord his father tried to kill him in so many ways. So that your husband is against Krishna is nothing astonishing, it is quite normal. So if you like you can leave him, and move into the temple of your choice. I hope this letter meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Nalinikanta **Date:** January 31st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Phoenix My dear Nalinikanta, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 12th, 1976.I accept Mr. and Mrs. Kelley as my disciples. Their spiritual names are Sarvasiddhirat das and Svayamprabha dasi. Now you must hold a fire ceremony and they should vow to always chant minimum of sixteen round daily and strictly to adhere to the regulative principles. Regarding Phoenix Temple, this should be discussed at the forthcoming GBC meeting. I want that in every village and town there may be Temple. But how far this is possible now, that has to be discussed. I am glad that you are bringing 10 devotees to Mayapur for the festival. We are constructing 67 rooms more and we hope they will be ready when all the devotees come. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Nalinikanta Roy, Panchu Gopal Paul, Swarup, Govinda Tarafder, Bijoy Kumar Pramanik, Gopal Chandra Mandal, Gour Chandra Mandal, Surendra Nath Mandal, Mani Lal Mandal, Kartick Chandra Mandal, Balai Chandra Mandal, Dharani Dhar, Debaki Dulal ... **Date:** March 24th 1976 — **Location:** VrindabanDatta > Gour Kishore Majumder Nalini Kanta Roy Sri Panchu Gopal Paul,Gopal Nagar, Bangaon, Village Matiganj,District 24-Parganas, P.O. Matiganj,W. Bengal District 24-Parganas,W. Bengal Prabhu Swarup Das,Sri Govinda Tarafder, Sri Bijoy Kumar Pramanik,Sri Gopal Chandra Mandal, Bangaon Bazaar,Sri Gour Chandra Mandal, P.O. Bangaon,Sri Surendra Nath Mandal, District 24-Parganas,Sri Mani Lal Mandal, W. Bengal Sri Kartick Chandra Mandal,Sri Balai Chandra Mandal, Sri Dharani Dhar Das,Village Haridaspore, Village Shimultala,P.O. Chhayagharia, P.O. Matiganj,District 24-Pargana District 24-Parganas,W. Bengal W. Bengal Sri Debaki Dulal Datta, Sri Gour Kishore Majumder,Datta House, Bangaon, Geeta Products, Matiganj,P.O. Bangaon, P.O. Matiganj,District 24-Parganas, District 24-Parganas,W. Bengal W. Bengal Dear Sirs: With reference to our meeting on March 20, 1976 at Haridaspore, I beg to propose that immediately we require at least Rs. 50,000/- for development of the place. Kindly let me know exactly what is the area of the land (include a sketch of the land), and then we can make a site plan and a building construction plan. I heard from Prabhu Swarup Das that one gentleman has already promised Rs. 10,000/- so another Rs. 10,000/- can also be given by us. The other Rs. 30,000/- can be collected by your endeavour and the thing can be started immediately. I wish that before the next rainy season we can begin work. I hope that this meets you in good health, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Nandarani **Date:** July 8th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Tehran My dear Nandarani dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the information you sent in your letter of June 10, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Try to publish Persian books as many as possible. That will be a big success. Iranians have very much respect especially for the Americans and your dealings with them will be very much appreciated. Also, if the collections are very good there you can send some money to Gargamuni Swami in Mayapur for the project. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- n.b. I am scheduled to visit Tehran for several days in August ### Letter to Nandevara **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Montreal My dear Nandevara das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telephone message from my secretary and on your recommendation I am accepting Allan (spiritual name Taraksa das) for first initiation, and the following devotees for second initiation: Dyapaka das, Jitarati das, Dayalaji das, Gauranga das, and Jaganmatha devi dasi. You can hold a fire sacrifice and you can have Taraksa's beads chanted on by one of the sannyasis. Give the beads and spiritual name at the time of initiation. For the second initiates, after the fire sacrifice, you can give the men their brahmana threads and play the tape of gayatri mantra into the right ear. I have enclosed a copy of the gayatri mantra for them to follow. The initiates are promising to follow the principles of no illicit sex, no intoxication, no meat-eating, and no gambling, as well as chanting a minimum of 16 rounds of japa daily. This promise is made before the Deity, the spiritual master, the devotees, the fire, like this, one should very strictly keep this vow and make progress in Krishna Consciousness. The brahmanas must keep clean externally by bathing regularly, and within by always chanting Hare Krishna. The symptoms of the brahmana are explained in the Bhagavad-gita and one should cultivate these qualities in their devotional service. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Narahari **Date:** October 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Narahari, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 11, 1976.I'm happy to hear how nicely things are going at our Miami temple. Upon your recommendation I accept the devotees you have requested initiation for. Robin Teter's initiated name is Rama Gopala dasa. I am enclosing 2 gayatri mantra sheets and one sacred thread duly chanted on by me. Now, hold a fire ceremony. The first initiates beads may be chanted on by Balavanta. Play the tape of me chanting gayatri mantra into the right ear of the second initiates. Be sure that these devotees and all of my initiated disciples there are strictly following the four regulative principles and chanting a minimum of 16 rounds every day, avoiding the 10 offenses. Also, be sure that the second initiates know the brahminical principles given in Bhagavad-gita, 18,42. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Narayana **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > San Jose, Costa Rica My dear Narayana das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 27, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. On your recommendation, I am accepting Bhaktin Shanna Wollerman for first initiation. Her spiritual name is Nilacala dasi. Also, I am accepting Saurani dasi for second initiation. Those who take initiation must vow to refrain from illicit sex life, intoxication, gambling, and meat-eating, and to chant minimum of 16 rounds japa daily. The brahmanas must practice cleanliness internally and externally. Externally by bathing regularly, and internally by always chanting the Mahamantra. You can perform the fire sacrifice, and at that time give out the japa beads (which should have been chanted on by one of the sannyasis beforehand) at the time of initiation. Also, after the yajna, the gayatri mantra should be played into the right ear of the devotee who is taking brahmana initiation. I am enclosing a copy of the gayatri mantra for learning the gayatri mantra. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Navayogendra **Date:** August 31st 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Mombassa, Kenya My Dear Nava Yogendra Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your Vyasa Puja and Janmastami cards and I thank you very much for them. Please continue to render very nice service and certainly Krishna will be pleased upon you. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Niranjana **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Niranjana das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 16th March, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your translating into Hindi, you had translated some small books into Hindi, where are they? Please send them to Bombay address. Also, you can write small articles for the Hindi magazine here, "Bhagavata Darsana." Also, translate more small books into Hindi and send them to Bombay. There was one Hindi translation of "Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu" which I saw, I do not know the name of it. It was published in Benares and I saw it at one friend's house. One of my Godbrothers attempted also to translate the same into Hindi with Sanskrit slokas but he only completed a few pages. If you like his address is Sridhara Maharaja, P.O. Navadvipa, Dist. Nadia, W. Bengal. Your program of visiting the local Hindu temple and giving discourse on our philosophy is nice. Try to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds daily and you will gradually make progress in Krishna Consciousness. I hope that this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Niranjana **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Glasgow My Dear Niranjana das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3rd August 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Thank you very much for your concern. I have gotten much better. The opening of the temple in Hyderabad was very successful. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- n.b.—Your idea of putting the disassociated sloka below the original is not good. Do not do it. The Hari-bhakti-vilasa in Hindi is not very important. Neither is the chart of Lord Caitanya's activities, but you can keep it for future reference ### Letter to Nirmala **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear daughter Nirmala, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 11-3-76 and it is very nice how you are appreciating. It is also nice that you are caring for the devotees. They have left everything for me, so they should be treated as sons and daughters. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksMy --- regards for your good mother-in-law ### Letter to Nitai **Date:** January 9th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Vrindaban My dear Nitai, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your unsigned letter dated January 1, 1976.Regarding the translators, I like the work of Nrsimha Vallabha Goswami best, and I want to settle up with him. I have already written Visvambhara in this regard. Sri Tripathi is after money, so we do not want him. Dr. Premlata Paliwal's translation is not bad. Later on we can decide on her. So far Dr. Radharamana Gupta is concerned, first let us have a Gurukula, then we shall see who will be the headmaster. We will consider about him later, but his translation was not very good. Now beginning from this year's Mayapur festival the devotees will begin preparing for Bhakti-sastri examination. Therefore we require a guidebook for Deity worship, arcana-paddhati, based on Hari-bhakti-Vilasa. All brahmanas will be responsible to learn this book. I would like to have the manuscript ready as soon as possible, preferably my Gaura Purnima. So please work diligently for this. Pradyumna began this, but I do not know what he has done with his work. I hope this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Nitai **Date:** January 24th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrindaban My dear Nitai, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 13rd January, 1976.Please continue to work on the Arcana-paddhati and finish it. We can not be sure that Pradyumna will come in time. Also, you can go on translating the drama of Girish Ghosh. Everyone here has appreciated it. As you translate the scenes, there should be people rehearsing it. In the syllabus of Nrsimha Vallabha Goswami, the Sankhya-karika must be by Kapiladeva, Devahuti putra. The other is atheistic. There are two sankhyas—theistic and atheistic. The Sanskrit in the Visnu Purana is even easier than in Raghu-vamsa. Yes, Bhagavad-gita As It Is should be studied from the beginning. There must be study from my books also. Whatever the syllabus you make up, the point is to somehow or other get recognition. The syllabus can always be changed later on. If we can get equivalency for our degrees that will be even better than affiliation. But whichever is possible that you should get. It is very important because as soon as we are recognized then our students will be able to come very easily. As far as the Bhakti-sastri and other examinations are concerned, that we will discuss at the GBC meeting. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Nitai **Date:** February 25th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrindaban My dear Nitai, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17 February, 1976.We will wait for the letter from Giridhari Lal. As for the college, anyway take some affiliation, that will help students to come here on student visa. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Nitai **Date:** June 7th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Vrindaban My dear Nitai das, Please accept my blessings. I have received information that some of our devotees are mixing with the babajis in Vrindaban. This has produced so many problems amongst our men and women who visit Vrindaban. Here in Los Angeles, we have found that there is a group of about 40 devotees who privately meet to discuss the intimate pastimes artificially thinking that they can enter into the understanding of the gopis prematurely. This will create havoc in our society, and the result will be that if this is allowed to go on, our preaching work will be greatly hampered. This premature desire to understand the lila of Krishna is due to mundane sex-life desire as we have seen amongst many of the babajis and sahajiyas in Vrindaban. Our Jagannatha das came back from Vrindaban asking me that he had heard some babaji speaking about siddha-deha and he also was listening to these babajis. So I want this immediately stopped. If it continues, this mixing with the babajis, then it will mean spoiling. In many cases, these babajis keep 2 or 3 women. Asatsanga tyagi. Their association is to be avoided and prohibited amongst all of our devotees who visit Vrindaban. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Nitai **Date:** July 8th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Vrindaban My dear Nitai das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 19, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Continue with your program in the temple. It is a good program and it sounds that you are doing very nice! You may begin translations of Brhad-Bhagavatamrtam, and Laghu-Bhagavatamrtam as requested. So you stick to Vrindaban some how or another. Use the security rooms below the Deities and look after it nicely and I will give you silver plates for the Deities on hearing from you assurance that they will be properly cared for. Previously I haven't introduced because of insecurity. Yes, be attached to the Deity and your life will be successful. One thing, how is the Deity collection box checked and accounted for? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Nitai **Date:** July 14th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Vrindaban My dear Nitai dasa, Please accept my blessings. I have received reports that you have been developing the habit of going outside the temple to hear lectures by others outside like Nrsimhavallabha. Also, I have heard now that even some of the Indian devotees are doing likewise. Strictly nobody should go outside to hear lectures by others. If you are not satisfied by the calibre of the classes at the Krishna Balarama Mandir, then you should give another class, but you cannot go outside for hearing others' lectures. Kindly stop this habit immediately. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Nityananda **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New Orleans My dear Nityananda das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 17, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You can call your farm, Talavana. Concerning constructing a temple at the farm, it is feasible only if you have sufficient brahmanas to take nice care otherwise no. You have seen our Vrndavana temple, also the temple in Melbourne and Los Angeles. So things must be at this standard in order to have a temple. The standard must be very high. Neatness and cleanliness are the first business of temple worship. I shall see later on whether or not that Krishna Balarama can be installed there. You cannot paint the Deity with paint to make bluish. Don't manufacture ideas. What is standard you must follow. Don't make it a farce. On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees for initiation: Lee Sutton—Kuruksetra dasErnie Courey—Vidyapati dasBarbara Sutton—Parijata dasiPadavja das Brahmacari (second initiation)Hold a yajna and instruct the initiates that they must follow the 4 regulative principles: no intoxication, no meat-eating, no gambling, and no illicit sex-life, and chanting minimum 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. The brahmanas must cultivate the brahminical qualities as mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita and in the other literatures. They must keep clean externally by bathing regularly each day, and internally clean by always chanting Hare Krishna. The beads of the first initiates can be chanted on by one of the sannyasis and the thread for brahmana initiation is herein enclosed. After the fire yajna you can play a recording of the gayatri mantra played into the right ear of the brahmana initiate. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Nityananda **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New Orleans My dear Nityananda das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 18, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. If the Varnasramadharma can be instituted it is welcome, but it is a little difficult today to do. If it can be done we want that. Training is required. The things are there but who will take up the training? Otherwise, the symptoms are mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita and if according to the symptoms some training is given, it is alright. But, everyone is after money and as soon as money is there they drink, eat meat, illicit sex, so who is there to be trained as a Brahmin? On your recommendation I am accepting Danny Miller and Michael McKinly for first initiation into Hare Krishna chanting. You can have sannyasis chant on their beads, and give them their spiritual names and beads at the fire sacrifice. They must abide by the regulative principles; no illicit-sex, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating, and chanting minimum of 16 rounds daily. Then there will be steady and sure progress. Their spiritual names are: Danny—Kalaksara dasMichael—Gunavasa das I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Nityananda **Date:** July 5th 1976 — **Location:** Washington D.C. > New Orleans My dear Nityananda dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 1, 1976, and I have noted the contents carefully. On your recommendation I am accepting Jvarajit das Brahmacari for second initiation. Hold a fire sacrifice and after the fire sacrifice a tape recording of the gayatri mantra should be played into his right ear. Enclosed is one brahmana thread and gayatri mantra sheet. Brahmin must practice cleanliness both externally and internally. Externally he must bathe regularly, and internally he must chant Hare Krishna. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Odette **Date:** July 29th 1976 — **Location:** Paris My Dear Odette: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your poem offering and I want to thank you very much for it. I have appreciated the sentiments expressed within and I hope that you will continue to advance more and more in your Krsna consciousness. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to P. R. Mohapatra **Date:** March 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > P.R. Mohapatra, M.A.Senior Deputy Manager (P.O.)Food Corporation of India,42-Hem Candra Street,Calcutta-23 My dear Mr. Mohapatra, Please accept the blessings of Lord Krishna. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 21, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Here in Mayapur we are trying to create a place of inspiration for people throughout the world. It is in Mayapur that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, appeared. This information comes to us from the Srimad-Bhagavatam.krsna-varnam tvisakrsnamsangopangastra-parsadamyajnaih sankirtana-prayairyajanti hi sumedhasah[SB 11.5.32]"In this age of Kali those who are intelligent perform the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appears in this age along with His associates to inaugurate the sankirtana movement, or chanting of the Holy Names. That incarnation is yellowish in hue." This description is there in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and there are other references also in the Mahabharata, etc. This sankirtana of the Holy Names is the Yuga-dharma and all intelligent men will appreciate, as you are also appreciating the importance of this movement. As you know March 16 is the birthday celebration of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and you are welcomed at any time to visit our centre in Mayapur. I thank you for your interest and look forward to your visiting our Mayapur centre with your family in the near future. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Palika **Date:** June 18th 1976 — **Location:** India My dear Palika dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters of 17th and 25th March, 1972, and shall answer as follows: 1. There is no question of bathing Caitanya deity. Of course He is bathed many times daily by Hare Krishna Mantra, but for bathing of such deities requires Salagrama Sila, and I have not introduced yet, but I shall do so later. Of course you should always cleanse Him with dry or damp cloth from time to time, but no daily bathing process is recommended by me for the time being. 2. You may dress Him in the same manner as Lord Krishna. 3. Deities should be changed in early morning, after mangala arati, before noon offering, and before Sundara arati They should be put on Their fine dress. 4. The Govardhana rock should be returned to Mt. Govardhana as soon as possible. I am very glad that you are doing such a nice service by worshiping Radharani and Krishna so nicely and giving Them so many nice clothes and ornaments and taking such nice care, so now I am very much relieved to know everything is going well in Calcutta during my absence. Now you make Mayapur into a gorgeous palace for Radha and Krishna, and I shall come there immediately and sit down there permanently to stay by Them. Hoping this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- P.S. Please have my Bengali book Gitar Gan composed by some printer there in Calcutta in the next two or three days, and immediately send it to ISKCON Tokyo. I will correct it personally and hand it over to Dai Nippon for printing. I have asked Jayapataka Maharaja to do this, but he has not done anything yet, so you do it immediately and please do not delay. Books are being sent to our branches in India from Japan, at no cost to you. You may sell them and use the profits for our building funds, 50%, and book fund, 50%. I do not know if we may require the COP permission, so you may inquire this from Gurudasa ### Letter to Pancadravida **Date:** September 20th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Buenos Aires My Dear Panca Dravida Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3, September, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. On your recommendation I am accepting the following as my duly initiated disciples. First InitiationBhakta Gustavo—Gunesvara dasaBhakta Damian—Deva-srestha dasaBhakta Marceline—Mathura-mandala dasaBhakta Javier—Japananda dasaBhakta Kique—Kasi Misra dasaBhakta Osvaldo—Agnipati dasaBhakta Juan—Sacisuta dasaSecond InitiationCaitanya Svarupa das brahmacariNitya Tripta das brahmacariHold a fire sacrifice and Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on the beads. Give the bead, threads, and names at this time and the gayatri mantra may be heard by tape through the right ear. All initiated disciples must chant at least 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha-mantra daily on the beads and the brahmanas must remain clean outside by regularly bathing and clean inside by chanting the maha-mantra. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Pancaratna **Date:** September 29th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My dear Pancaratna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26th inst. and have noted the contents. I have not received the Bengali Bhagavata Darsana yet. We want first class printing—offset method is cheaper and good. You may use Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura's translation of the Siksastakam. Also, Bhakti-Katha is alright for the title of compilation of my articles from the Gaudiya Math magazine. Sri Isopanisad is being translated by one of my friends here, and as soon as it is ready we can send you a copy. Regarding help, you may negotiate for Jayasacinandana to come from Los Angeles center. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Pancaratna **Date:** December 7th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Mayapur My dear Pancaratna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2nd November, 1976.Yes, try to make Bhagavata Darsana a regular monthly journal. We have got enough material. Simply it has to be translated to Bengali. Either from old Back to Godheads or from our books. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Parent **Date:** March 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear parent, Please accept my blessings. There has been a serious mistake. I do not wish that Gurukula should be closed down in Dallas. So you kindly arrange to send your child back to Gurukula. One thing is at least for the time being, you must arrange to pay the tuition for your child. If you like, you can get my books and sell them and you can pay tuition in that way. You purchase at the temple's price and sell them and with the profit you can pay your tuition. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Parmanand Patel **Date:** July 31st 1976 — **Location:** Paris Sriman Parmanand PatelAsst. Eng. Division OfficeMadhya Pradesh Electricity BoardBurhanpurPost Bulharpur, Dist.-Khandwa (M.P.)INDIADear Sriman Patel; Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3.6.76 which was addressed to Los Angeles now redirected to here. Therefore I am late in replying to your letter. By reading your letter, it seems that you are very fortunate. Krsna has given you the best opportunity for developing your Krsna consciousness and certainly He wants to help you. Therefore He has advised you to approach me. As it is the desire of Krsna it is my duty to help you in every respect. At present I am in Europe, France, and very soon I shall return to Bombay; the latest by the 15th August, 1976. My Bombay address is as follows: Hare Krishna LandGandhi Gram Rd.Juhu, Bombay 54INDIAI shall be very much pleased to see you in person in Bombay and certainly Krsna will give us the opportunity to engage you fully in Krsna conscious service. You are naturally a devotee of Krsna. Pray to Him always for help and chant the maha-mantra; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Certainly very soon you will get all possible facilities for advancing in Krsna consciousness. I am sorry I could not reply to you in Hindi because I have no Hindi Secretary here. I hope this will find you in good health. More when we get together. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Patita Uddharana **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Indre, France My dear Patita Uddharana das, Please accept my blessings. I received one letter from Shaktimata Devi Dasi whom you know from London. She is presently in Nairobi and is looking for a good husband for her daughter. She wrote one letter appealing that you might consider marrying her daughter. So, if you are agreeable then I have not objection. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- n.b. her address in Nairobi is: Srimati Shaktimati, P.O. Box 41770, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa ### Letter to Personal Secretary to the President of the United States **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Office of the Presidentof the United States White House Washington, D.C.Personal Secretary to the President Dear Sir: On your new $2 note it is stated "In God We Trust," and directly beneath "Declaration of Independence, 1776." On the 200th anniversary of this occasion, why not begin teaching the science of God as described in the Vedic literatures, like the Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is authorized and appreciated by all learned professors in the universities throughout the whole world. This Krishna Consciousness Movement is going on since 1966 throughout the whole world, especially in the United States of America. It is a great fortune for the American people that they "Trust in God." Why shouldn't this spiritual education be given to the American people in an organized way? The whole world is going down and becoming Godless. If the American people, who trust in God, constitutionally, take this movement seriously, it will be a great service to the human society. We are prepared to cooperate in this connection if the American Government takes it very seriously. Awaiting your reply with interest. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Prabhanu **Date:** September 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Port Louis, Mauritius My dear Prabhanu, Please accept my blessings. With reference to your letter to Harikesa Swami dated 15th inst., Sriman Srineketan das Brahmacari may take second initiation at the next Mayapur festival. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Prabhas **Date:** February 17th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Poona My dear Prabhas das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your Bengali letter dated 6 February 1976.In reply I have sent you one telegram as follows: Prabhas immediately come to Mayapur. Signed: Bhaktivedanta Swami. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Prabhavisnu **Date:** June 5th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Vrindaban My dear Prabhavisnu dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 20, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the set of Srimad-Bhagavatams that Dr. Tripati gave us in Aligarh, I happen to know that the complete set should not cost more than Rs. 700, like that. And besides that, the paper may be so brittle that it may be useless. That I can examine when I see the set of books personally in Vrindaban. But, I know that the set of books could not cost so much, Rs. 3,000/-. So wait until I see the books in Vrindaban on my return and then we shall do the needful. At this point there is no need to immediately give Dr. Tripati honorary patron membership. I thought that he was giving the books as an offering. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Prabhupada **Date:** June 6th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Vancouver My dear Prabhupada dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 31, 1976, and I have noted the contents carefully. Concerning the production of toothpaste and cosmetics for which I may be able to supply the information, etc., you can come to see me in Toronto when I visit there between the 16th of June until the 21st of June. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Prabhusvarupa **Date:** November 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Haridasapur My dear Prabhusvarupa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8/11/76.Yes we shall begin work immediately. Where is that Rs. 10,000 which you have already collected. With that 10,000 plus 10,000 from us you can begin work immediately to construct a boundary wall. I am going to Mayapur by the fifteenth instant. From Mayapur I may go to Haridasapur and begin work immediately. Our architect has been ordered to make a design plan. The boundary wall you can begin immediately. Please chant regularly the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and observe the regulative principles. Then you'll get spiritual strength. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Prabhusvarupa **Date:** November 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Haridasapur My dear Prabhusvarupa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23/11/76.I am advising Jayapataka to advance Rs. 10,000 to be added to your balance of Rs. 5,000. The Rs. 15,000 may be deposited in the bank in ISKCON's name. Jayapataka, Bhavananda and yourself can be the signers. Any two may sign on the cheques. Where is the site plan? Give me the length and breadth of the site. I can give it to Saurabha. He'll make a nice building plan. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Prabhusvarupa **Date:** December 11th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Haridasapur My dear Prabhusvarupa Das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 4/12/76.Regarding the construction of the boundary wall you may consult with Jayapataka Swami and Bhavananda Goswami. They'll do the needful, I have already advised them. Please work very closely with them in all matters. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- very soon I shall go to Bombay and send you the new plan ### Letter to Prabhuswarupa **Date:** April 6th 1976 > Prabhuswarupa das, Sebait, Sripat Bari(Thakur Haridas Sevashram)Haridaspore, P.O. Chhayagharia, P.S. Bongaon, Dist. 24-Parganas, W.Bengal Krishna Balaram Mandir,Chattikara Road, Raman Reti, Vrindaban, Dist. Mathura, U.P My dear Prabhuswarupa das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2 April, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. On the enclosed letter of yours dated April 1976 and signed by the good men of the community involved with Sripat Bari, there are several points which need clarification. Firstly, the sketch of the land is not containing any dimensions. A more detailed map should be sent to me with the length and breadth measured in yards and clearly indicated on your sketch. How can a plan be drawn up without this information? Secondly, you mentioned in your letter under #2 that you "unanimously accepted the proposals contained" but "with some reservations." Kindly indicate clearly what reservations there may be. Thirdly, approximately what amount has Sri Gour Kishore Majumdar thus far contributed to the Sripat Bari, and what amount is he to contribute further towards the development of the Sripat Bari. You can send this information to my Bombay center at the following address:c/o Hare Krishna LandGandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Bombay 400-054I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours faithfully, A. C. Bhaktivedanta SwamiACBS/pks ### Letter to Prabhuswarupa **Date:** December 21st 1976 > Sriman Prabhuswarup Das Sripat Bari, (Thakur Haridas Sevashram)Haridaspur, P.O. Chhayagharia, P. S. Bongoon Dist. 24 Parganas (W.B.)Hare Krishna Land,Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054 India My dear Prabhuswarup Das: Please accept my blessings. I have already met with Jayapataka Swami and have given him full instructions regarding our Hare Krishna Centre at Haridaspur. So you may contact him and the other local managers at Shree Mayapur regarding your effort. May this letter find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/gdb ### Letter to Prabudha **Date:** February 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Miami My dear Prabudha dasa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 2, 1976.Regarding the sales and distribution of your fruits, please kindly work out the details with Abhirama and Satsvarupa Maharaja. Satsvarupa Maharaja is GBC and senior man, he knows everything about prasadam distribution. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Pranada **Date:** March 27th 1976 — **Location:** Delhi > St. Louis My dear Pranada das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 16, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your questions about tantric sastras; the Vaisnava tantras are bona fide literatures, just like Narada-pancaratra, but not the atheistic tantra which have nothing to do with the Vedic literatures.sat-karma-nipuno vipro, mantra-tantra visaradah,avaisnava guru na syad, vaisnavah sva paco guruh(Padma Purāṇa)"Even if a brahmana is very learned in Vedic literatures and knows the six occupational duties of a brahmana, he cannot become a guru or spiritual master unless he is a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, if one is born in a family of dog-eaters but is a pure devotee of the Lord, he can become a spiritual master."The point is that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He is always purusa (male) not female (prakrti). "purusam sasvatam divyam, adi devam ajam vibhum." Worship of the mother aspect is prakrti, not recommended by Krishna for the intelligent class of men. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Premyogi **Date:** April 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Chandigarh, India My dear Premyogi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your kind letter of 3 April, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. If you are serious about serving Krishna, then remain with us for sometime to learn the transcendental art. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Presidents of all ISKCON Centers **Date:** September 9th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > To the Presidentsall-ISKCON Centers Dear President, This is to introduce Srimati Lalita Bose, who is our friend and well-wisher. Wherever in our centers she goes, she should be received free of boarding and lodging at least for three days. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/aks ### Letter to Prthu Putra **Date:** January 24th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrindaban My dear Prthu Putra Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 12th January, 1976 along with the news clippings. The newsclippings show that the public has appreciated very much our Movement. You can hold similar such programs in every big city and you will always get a nice reception. This is really preaching and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu will surely be pleased with you and bless you. That you cannot stay anywhere very long due to the rules of your visa is a blessing in disguise. It is very good for a sannyasi. Narada Muni was similarly cursed by Daksa that he could not stay anywhere very long and this only increases his preaching. So you also increase your preaching and be more merciful to a greater number of persons. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Prthu Putra **Date:** February 13th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Vrndavana Dear Prthu Putra Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated 5/1/76 from Kanpur and I have noted the contents with pleasure. The private programs you held in homes in Allahabad were very nice. I would also like you to arrange a suitable place for us to have a tent at the Kumba Mela. We shall go there and have a nice festival. Regarding the engagements in Kanpur on the 14th and 15th of February, you certainly have my blessings. Please hold a nice program there and invite all the audience to our Vrndavana temple. In fact, wherever you go you should invite people to our temples (Vrindaban).Thank you very much for your kind sentiments. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Prthu Putra **Date:** November 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Cairo My dear Prthu Putra, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23/10/76.I am very happy to see you are trying to spread Krsna consciousness in Egypt. You should present Krsna consciousness not as a religion, but a science of God realization. Try to convince them that it is not just a kind of faith. It is a chance to understand God. In every religion there is a glimpse of the idea of God. This Movement is explaining what God is. The educated persons should be convinced about this fact. Every sane man should be interested to know God and then love Him. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Punjabi Premanand **Date:** April 16th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Bombay My dear Punjabi Premanand, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13 April, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your questions: Yes, it will help to read Bhagavad-gita but to have to hear from the realized person. Without the help of guru, if you read independently, you may be misguided. Therefore, so many politicians, scholars, etc. not being guided by the parampara system, have simply misled the public. The Bhagavad-gita is the standard book of knowledge in India and many eminent persons like Gandhi, Aurobindo, Dr. RadhaKrishnan, etc. they tried to understand the Bhagavad-gita, but could not do it. They were themselves misled and on account of their big position they misled so many followers. Our system, the Vedic system, is to approach the right person and hear from him exactly as Arjuna listened from Krishna. Mental speculation will not help. Hearing is the main point. In the Bhagavad-gita, it is written, dharmaksetre kuruksetre . . . when you hear from a realized soul, a person who knows things, he'll explain that Kuruksetra is a place where religious ritualistic ceremonies are performed from time immemorial, from the time before the Battle of Kuruksetra. But, if you read the books of some cunning politician, he'll mislead you and you'll learn that Kuruksetra means this body which is not actually the fact. That is the difference, hearing from devotees, the sound vibration coming from the realized person. Reading the book is the same thing . . . tattva-darsana—hearing from one who has seen the truth. Reading or hearing from the realized person there is no difference, but hearing the sound vibration from the realized soul is still more effective, better. Concerning your offering of doing padayatra, travelling village to village; what is the use of getting the land in the hands of politicians who cannot properly utilize the land according to the instructions of Krishna. That's a fact, but if Indian young men join me I am immediately ready for this travelling touring from village to village, town to town. However, my foreign disciples have the language defect, they can't speak the village language, otherwise I would have started this program long ago. If some young men like you would join me then along with some foreign disciples I can immediately take up this program. If you are very eager, please get hold of at least half a dozen young men like you then with another half dozen foreign disciples, I can immediately take up this program and tour village to village and town to town. It will be very, very effective, I know that. To think of Krishna 24 hours a day, if you are serious this can be done. It is not very difficult. Your associates are harassing you for your interest in spiritual culture, yes, that is due to India's great misfortune. They're impressed with so-called politicians and scholars of the modern age. The example is given in this connection that when a man is ghostly haunted, he speaks all nonsense. At the present moment they're all ghostly haunted and in this delirious condition the only cure is chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Puranjana **Date:** April 21st 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > Los Angeles Dear Puranjana das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8 April, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the alternatives, it sounds like the printing cost of $1.25 is best as this will keep the price down and will also allow the full purport to be there. The general practice in deciding such matters shall be to have the BBT trustees discuss amongst themselves, and then they can submit their plan to me for final sanction. I have noticed how you are producing so many of our books now in the Spanish and Portuguese language. This is very good. I shall be in Fiji by the 28th April, and shortly thereafter in Hawaii. I hope that this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Puranjana **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Puranjana das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the Spanish edition of the Srimad-Bhagavatam first Canto, Chapters 12-15, and I thank you very much. These books are the life of human society. Others may be disturbed, but they cannot disturb this Srimad-Bhagavatam. Let any man come, but here they cannot touch. We are putting these books for deliberation before the topmost thinkers of human society. Therefore, I have to see that in all languages all of our books are published. If we strain, and if he takes one book home, some day people will come to understand what valuable knowledge they have received. It is transcendental literature. Nobody can challenge it. It is done so nicely, without any spot, the spotless Purana. Please continue like this to print books in all the languages for the benefit of suffering, misdirected humanity. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Purnaprajna **Date:** December 11th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Calcutta My dear Purnaprajna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 7/12/76.Who says you are a bhajananandi. Don't be a bhajananadi. As soon as you become a bhajananandi you'll be spoiled. You'll be spoiled as Nitai has spoiled himself. You have an intense desire to preach, so do that. So far as your engagement is concerned, you are already engaged as pujari, so do that and whenever you get time preach Bhagavad-gita. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Puru **Date:** April 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Puru das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 7, 1976 addressed to Hrdayananda Maharaja. Concerning the use of sour cream in the temple, it should be stopped immediately. Nothing should be offered to the Deities which is purchased in the stores. Things produced by the karmis should not be offered to Radha-Krishna. Ice cream, if you can prepare, is o.k., but not otherwise. Now, you have such a big stock of this sour cream, so sell the stock at any cost. Who is the rascal who has purchased without permission? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Purusottama **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Lusaka, Zambia My dear Purusottama Das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 6, 1976, which has been forwarded to me by our Nairobi centre as you had requested there in. Life cannot be prolonged by heart transplant. You cannot increase the duration of life. One can perhaps give some relief to disease, that is another thing, but the duration of life is destined. From the dead body, one cannot bring life. Similarly, it may appear that one is prolonging the duration of life by medicines or heart transplant, but that is not the case. If one lives 4 years after having had a heart transplant, then by nature's law he was destined to live four years with or without having had a heart transplant. So what is the value of heart transplant? Only by the yogic process can one prolong the life. By stopping the breathing process, keeping in samadhi, the breath period is not being misused, and he increases the life span. Therefore, destiny can only be changed by devotional service or yoga. Otherwise, what you must suffer, you must suffer, and what you must enjoy, you must enjoy. For a devotee however, whatever it may be, he takes the opportunity to chant Hare Krishna, and if by Krishna's Grace destiny is changed, then it is alright. Nature's law will work. We cannot change that, but Krishna, the Supreme Controller, He can change it; just like if a man is sentenced to be hanged, no one, not even the judge can pardon him, except the king or president. He only can excuse the offender. Similarly, I have to execute Krishna's order, and suppose I have to suffer to execute this order. Therefore, devotional service and the devotee is so dear to Krishna. The devotee is prepared to die at any moment, but he simply wants to be engaged in Krishna's service. "I am suffering, I cannot carry out the order of Krishna. . ." This line of thinking is sense gratification. Suppose a devotee had to suffer in preaching work, just like Haridasa Thakura or Prahlada Maharaja. Prahlada's father, Hiranyakasipu was giving so much trouble, but to Prahlada it was not trouble. He was simply concerned to see that others who were suffering might take to Krsna Consciousness. That is the Vaisnava's concern. For myself, let me go to hell, I can chant Hare Krishna, but the Vaisnava is simply lamenting for the nondevotees who must go immediately from the room? No. The living body or the dead body, either way it is the same, simply earth, air, water, fire, and ether. What is the proof that they have gone to the moon? Why they are not now utilizing it, and they simply remain quiet? They have simply squandered so much money but there is no proof that they went. A foolish man squanders and does nothing and still we are to believe that they are scientists? According to the Bhagavad-gita, yanti deva vrta devan . . . without the necessary qualification, namely visa, etc., one cannot even go to another country what to speak of another planet, and the moon planet, Candra-loka, being a heavenly planet, how can we accept that they have gone to the moon? Our point is that they are accepting foolish men as scientists. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Pusta Krsna **Date:** January 10th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Tanus, West Germany My dear Pusta Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your two letters dated December 23rd and 24th respectively. I have just sent you a telegram: "Yes Purchase Mercedes." For so long there has been contemplation to buy this car. But where is the car? We are spending crores of Rupees to finish this Bombay construction, but whenever I arrive at the airport, I am picked up in a borrowed car. What kind of impression is it to the members that we always have to approach them to borrow their car? Please get it. But one thing is that I have heard that you are taking the money from the BBT to pay for it. There is one story that a guru went to his disciple's home and was greeted very elaborately. When he enquired how was it possible for his disciple to afford such nice arrangements, his disciple told him: every-belongs to you. Later the guru saw that he had no money left in his bank account and he could understand that his disciple had spent all of his money. So whether you are also making such arrangements? I do not want to spend the books fund money for such things. If you can not pay for it, then Tamala Krishna says he will pay Ramesvara who can send you the money. Thank you for appreciating Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. There is no need to feel sad at the end of a chapter or a volume because there is always another chapter and another volume. There is no scarcity. You want more nectarine and the supply is also there. Those who are actually looking for spiritual culture will find immense wealth in Caitanya-caritamrta. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Pusta Krsna **Date:** January 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > West Germany My dear Pusta Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 15th January, 1976.I am very glad to know that you have already purchased the Mercedes. For such a long time this car has been required and now you are fulfilling that desire. Thank you. But you must pay your entire debt to the Book Fund in the future, otherwise you will become that disciple who spends the money of his Spiritual Master. Since you are paying, there is no need for Radha Damodara Party to pay. Their money is already being utilized for construction in Mayapur. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Pusta Krsna **Date:** August 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Pusta Krsna Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 30, 1976 and have noted the contents. If you relieve me of the burden of management, that will be a very great service to Krsna and the movement. See that everything is going on nicely. With great endeavor we have made the framework, now we have to see that things are going on nicely. Yes, this preaching work is our mission. It is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission, my Guru Maharaja's mission, and my mission. It is through the parampara. As I am trying to discharge my Guru Maharaja's mission, you also try and things will go on nicely. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever-well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- nb—Where is the Bhavan Journal Questions and Answers? Send it immediately ### Letter to Pusta Krsna **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Berkeley My Dear Pusta Krsna Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 6, 1976 and have noted the contents. Please send that Bhavan's Journal Manuscript to me in either Delhi or Vrndavana. It is approved by me if you want to sell the farm. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Pusta Krsna **Date:** October 29th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Berkeley My dear Pusta Krsna, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 10/10/76.I know that you are intelligent and can act very nicely to help spread Krsna consciousness. If you feel Maya attracting, then live an honest life as a householder and contribute to our movement. As a family man you can join Svarupa Damodara to help with the Bhaktivedanta Institute. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says it doesn't matter whether one is a sannyasi, grhastha, brahmana, or sudra. You have intelligence. Study more and more. If you think that you should be married, then do that and assist Bhaktivedanta Institute by giving service. My request is, don't become an ordinary foolish man. Keep Krsna consciousness in any condition of life. That is success. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Radha-Damodara TSKP **Date:** May 5th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New York Radha-Damodara TSKP My dear disciples, Please accept my blessings. As it is impractical for anyone to be sent to China at this time, I am sending Tamala Krishna Goswami to resume his old position as manager of Radha-Damodara TSKP. Now all of you work cooperatively. I was very pleased to see how you were working so hard last year to distribute so many books. There is no instance of religious books of philosophy being distributed in such magnitude in history. Now go on enthusiastically and increase this book distribution unlimitedly. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Radha Sarana **Date:** July 5th 1976 — **Location:** Washington D.C. > Santa Domingo Dear Radha Sarana dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 16, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. On your recommendation I am accepting the following for first and second initiation: First Initiation: Bhakta Carlos—Karunamaya dasaBhakta Lalo—Lalitagovinda dasaBhakta Jonathan—Jyotsna dasaBhakta Willo—Visvadeva dasaSecond Initiation: Minaksi dasa BrahmacariHold a fire sacrifice and the initiates should refrain from the four pillars of sinful life: no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. This is very easy when one chants daily their prescribed rounds seriously, at least 16 rounds daily. Enclosed you will also find one brahmana thread and gayatri mantra. After the sacrifice the tape of gayatri should be played in the right ear of the brahmana initiate. To become brahmana one must be clean outside and inside. Outside by regularly bathing and inside by always chanting Hare Krishna. The beads for first initiates can be chanted upon by Hrdayananda Maharaja and they should be given these beads and names at the time of initiation. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Radha-sarana **Date:** October 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Radha-sarana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter to my secretary dated October 2, 1976.According to your recommendation I am accepting for second initiation Amala-harinama das Brahmacari and Viraja dasi. Now hold a fire ceremony for attendance of devotees only. You must be sure that these devotees are very strictly following the regulative principles and chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds daily. They must be fully engaged in devotional service, 24 hours per day. Please find enclosed two gayatri mantra sheets and one sacred thread. After the fire sacrifice, play the tape of me reciting the gayatri mantra into the right ear of these initiates and show them how to count on their fingers. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** January 5th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore My Dear Radhavallabha Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 27th, 1975 and I have noted the contents carefully. Also, I wish to thank you and all the devotees serving at the BBT for helping to produce these new volumes. Thank you very much. This type of decoration on the books, the gold guilding and gold stamping, is generally found on Bibles and Shakespearean texts. Whether people will now confuse our books with these others? Our get-up is already approved, you should not unnecessarily increase the price. You say that these additions will be especially useful for libraries, but if the price is increased they may not accept them. Of course, it depends on the local sellers—they can say whatever is best. You should only make these changes if the sales will actually be increased. I don't want the BBT or the temples to lose. The Nectar of Instruction has come out very nice. It is very important and must be immediately read by all devotees. In the near future we shall introduce the Bhakti-sastri examination for second initiation and this shall be one of the required books of study. Anyone who reads it will immediately understand what Krishna Consciousness is. Some minister in Bombay recently asked me how to create morality amongst the students, because the students are all vagabounds. If this book is introduced for study in the schools and colleges it will give a clear idea of what morality actually is. It is a most important book. Yes, I have already seen the Gopala coloring book. I will have to see personally what are the mistakes in the synonyms and also how you intend to correct them. I was not satisfied with the corrections that were made before. I saw some changes which I did no approve. Nitai may correct whatever mistakes are there, but the corrected material must be sent to me for final approval. So reprinting the volumes will have to wait until the mistakes are corrected and approved by me. In the meantime you can supply the standing orders whatever new volumes are published. Yes, try to supply the damaged books to the prisoners. That is a very nice idea. The books should not be wasted, just for some small defect. Please dedicate your life to publishing all our books. It is our most important work. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** February 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Radhavallabha, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January, 19th, 1976.If the gold stamping on the bindings will increase the appeal of the books then it is O.K. Yes, I have also seen that the old cover cloths were very poor quality. It is good that you have improved them. You can add to the Songbook the poem I wrote before arriving at the Boston Port when I first came to America. This can be printed at the beginning of the books. Ramesvara has asked some questions regarding the art work for the 7th canto, 1st volume. Please inform him of the following:1. The sketch showing Hiranyakasipu very big is the better of the two. Yes, you should show fire emanating from his head.2. There should be no effulgence around Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu should not be shown with a pipe. He was a non-smoker.3. Krishna killing Sisupala took place inside, not outside.4. To illustrate Prahlada being protected when he is thrown of the cliff, there should be a semi-visible Krishna waiting below, as if to catch.5. Yes, you can show dead bones, skulls, and snakes in the dungeon. Prahlada was not actually attacked with the tridents, just threatened. Please also inform Ramesvara that in future any transfers to Bank of America, Bombay, he should send me a photocopy of the bank advice to wherever I am. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Radhavallabha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 22, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Yes, there is no need for corrections for the first and second Cantos. Whatever is there is alright. Once Pradyumna comes to join me here from India, then there will be no need for Nitai das or Jagannatha das to edit the Srimad-Bhagavatam. I would like to know who has done the advertising layout for the ad on page 98 and 99 of the brochure entitled, Association for Asian Studies, San Francisco, March 24-25, 1975. Please make enquiry and inform me who has done the layout and who placed the advertisement. If you do not know, then perhaps Ramesvara das Swami or Satsvarupa das Maharaja would know. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** August 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Los Angeles My Dear Radhavallabha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 13, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. You may title this book, Teachings of Lord Kapila, but it must be subtitled, "The Son of Devahuti". That will remain, do not try to change it. The Americans may like it or not like it, but we must make the distinction between devahuti putra kapila, and the atheistic Kapila. Do not try to change anything without my permission. I will give you a foreword for this book. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** September 7th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My Dear Radhavallabha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated August 25 and 31 and have noted the contents. Concerning the editing of Jayadvaita Prabhu, whatever he does is approved by me. I have confidence in him. Your changes which I have seen of the sanskrit synonyms is also approved by me. Tanmayataya refers to the fact that the trees and the father were absorbed in the same feelings. Titling of the Ninth Canto as Liberation is good, and the Tenth Canto should be called "The Summum Bonum". As far as the 11th and 12th Cantos are concerned they shall be named when they are presented. The title which you have given to the Eighth Canto was a little hard to understand at first but if it refers to pralaya, then it is alright. You must consult with me on such matters. Do not manufacture anything. All of the sketches which you have sent to me while I am in India are approved. The picture of the Mohini Murti capturing the demons should take place outside on grass, there is no floor or walls. Prahlada Maharaja does not have a beard. Always avoid beards. It is not true that there are no shoes in Krsna lila, rather there are shoes except for the Vrndavana pastimes. But the shoes are of another quality, they are beautiful with jewels etc. On the battlefield they must wear shoes. The severed head of Rahu should look like the head of a demon, not round like a planet. By controlling sex desire one becomes the most perfect sober person, kandutivan manasajivam visaheta dhirah. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** September 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Radhavallabha, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 17th inst. and copies of 8th Canto, vol 1 Srimad-Bhagavatam. Thank you very much. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Radhavallabha Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated October 5th 1976.Geetar-gan [Bengali] may be added in the front piece as you have suggested, spelling as above with Bengali in brackets. There is no need to print Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His Life and Precepts, it is already there in other books.Ādi-Lila may be printed in 4 volumes as suggested by you. Let me finish 9th canto then I shall decide, most probably I shall start 11th canto, but as yet I have not decided. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Radhavallabha **Date:** November 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Radhavallabha, Please accept my blessings. I am on due receipt of your letter dated November 15, 1976 regarding the Dialectical Spiritualism book. However, you have called it Spiritual Dialecticism. It should be Dialectical Spiritualism. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Radhe-Syama **Date:** August 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Bhaktivedanta Manor My Dear Radhe-Syama das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 5th August 1976, and have noted the contents with care. I thank you very much for your many gifts to me and your concern for my well being. This is the correct attitude for a disciple. The disciple should be prepared to offer everything he has including his body, mind, and words, in the service of the guru. Anyone who is sincerely serving to his greatest capacity becomes dear in the eyes of the Lord. So continue in your efforts to spread Krsna consciousness and to help Jayatirtha prabhu win this case, and always follow the regulative principles of devotional service without fail. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Raja Laksmi **Date:** February 17th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Auckland My dear Raja Laksmi dasi, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 9 February, 1976.My advise is always chant 16 rounds minimum and follow the four regulative principles. All of my disciples must agree on this point otherwise they are not my disciples. Let one live anywhere, but stick to the principles. Disagreements will continue in this material world. So one may live in a suitable place, but one must follow these five principles. My disciples must follow these principles living either in heaven or hell. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Rajani **Date:** February 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Paris My dear daughter Rajani, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your Hindi letter dated 11/11/75. I am so pleased to understand that you are living in our Paris temple under the good care of Bhagavan dasa. I shall be coming to the USA in April and on the way I may stop in London. From London I may go to Paris and see you there. I am so pleased that you are chanting the Hare Krsna mantra 16 rounds regularly and following the principles. Stick to these rules and regulations and Krsna will bless you with Krsna consciousness. Thank you very much once more. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Rajiva **Date:** December 12th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Delhi My dear Rajiva, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil. Regarding your working on the translation of the second canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, we shall see later on, for now just try to finish what you have begun. I am going from Hyderabad on the 17th to Wardha for Gita Pratisthan conference. From there I will go to Bombay by the 22nd. After Bombay it is not yet fixed up, but most likely I will go to the Kumba Mela in Allahabad in January. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Rajkumar **Date:** September 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta Dear Rajkumar, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 16 September and have noted the contents. You may please come and see me here in Vrndavana. I will be here until October 8th. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Rajni **Date:** October 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Rajni dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 5/10/76.Yogesvara is supposed to come there very soon to check on the situation and then report back to me. You may please keep in correspondence with him. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Rajni **Date:** November 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bangkok My dear Rajni, I am in receipt of your letter dated 5/11/76. Please accept my blessings. Please be sure that anyone who comes to live with us there follows strictly the four regulative principles and chants a minimum of 16 rounds daily. Try to distribute my books as much as possible, as this is the best method of giving a chance to the conditioned souls to understand Krsna consciousness. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ramakrishna Bajaj **Date:** November 1st 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Ramakrishna Bajaj, I have received your letter dated October 21, 1976. In that connection, whatever Giriraja will accept, arrange and I'll do. One thing has developed now in the Western countries. They are feeling the weight of our movement. Therefore, an attempt is being made to suppress or stop the movement in Europe and America. In America the parents of my disciples are combining together. On account of the Hare Krsna Movement people in the Western countries are being attracted. There is now counter-propaganda by the enemies. They are now organizing opposition. Will Gita Pratisthan help this Hare Krsna Movement to face the cultural fighting between East and West? The idea is, that the rapid advancement of the Hare Krsna Movement has threatened the foundation of Western Civilization. One American politician has remarked in this connection, that the Hare Krsna Movement is spreading like an epidemic. If we do not take steps to stop it, it may one day capture the government. This is a good certification for our success, but the time has come now when we have to meet strong opposition. After all this Hare Krsna Movement is Indian culture. If the leaders of Indian culture will take it seriously, then certainly India's glories will be magnified. In the foreign countries India is much advertised as a poverty stricken country. But, if India can give Her spiritual culture, Krsna consciousness, she will be glorified everywhere. This should be the aim of Gita Pratisthan. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to RamaKrishnaji **Date:** May 14th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu My Dear Sriman RamKrishnaji, Please accept my greetings. I thank you very much for your invitation letter dated April 28, 1976, addressed to my Bombay headquarters, forwarded to me here in Honolulu. When you came to see me in Bombay I had already accepted to become the member of the Co-ordinating Committee of the Gita Prachar Conference. As you know I am trying my best to preach the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita all over the world, and I am experiencing some glimpse of success in this connection. Naturally, I'm inclined to preach the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita very fervently in India. India is the land of spiritual culture. But gradually, India, being influenced by the material allurement; Its spiritual culture is being forgotten. It is the duty of the Indian Leaders to note this degradation. There is no harm to become materially advanced, but if simply for material advancement we forget our spiritual basis, it will be a great loss. Therefore, I am also very eager to revive India's spiritual culture with the help of the Gita Foundation. The difficulty is, I have come out of India with a program scheduled to continue up to August 14th, 1976, the expected date of return to Bombay. Now, if I suddenly return to India, I will have to cancel all other programs, or if I go to India by the time, June 28th, I would have to return again to complete the scheduled program, which means very heavy expenditures. Two secretaries travel with me inevitably, so I am in this dilemma; whether I shall return and again come back spending heavily. So, I shall be glad to hear from you what you advise. In this connection, you can contact my secretary, Giriraja das Brahmacari, at our Bombay center. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- n.b. The teachings of the Bhagavad-gita are so potential that if it is practiced seriously, it can bring in a new life and civilization. Now you have established a Gita Pratisthan, so do it very seriously ### Letter to Ramakrishnaji **Date:** July 5th 1976 — **Location:** Washington D.C > Bombay My dear Sriman Ramakrishnaji, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 1, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I shall be returning to Bombay on or about August 14, 1976, after which time I shall be able to attend the Coordinating Committee meeting when the date is fixed up. After visiting our Washington, D.C. centre I shall be going on to New York where we are scheduled to have our Rathayatra procession down 5th. Avenue on July 18th, then London, Paris, Rome, Tehran (Iran) where we have our centers, and reaching Bombay thereafter. I hope this meets you in good health. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ramakrishnaji **Date:** July 19th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Bombay My dear Sriman Ramakrishnaji, Please accept my greetings. Enclosed please find newsclippings of our Rathayatra Festival held on 5th. Avenue, New York last Sunday. They are taking it seriously now, "East meets West. . ." This is the real platform of United Nations, spiritual understanding. I wish that the coordinator of the Gita Pratisthan will preach the gospel of the Gita on this understanding. Tomorrow I am going on to London. I hope to return to Bombay on or about August 14th. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ramanuja **Date:** December 21st 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Berkeley My dear Ramanuja das: Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated December 7, 1976 and have noted the contents. The newsletters which you have sent are very nice. Thank you very much. I hope this letter will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/gdb ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** January 12th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letters dated December 18th and December 25th respectively. The quote book, "The Krishna Consciousness Movement is Authorized", is very important. From each city find out important persons names and post it. You can send it to important members of the Government, businessmen, entertainers, sportsmen, etc. Another device is that you can address it to "Any Respectable Gentleman, Post Office . . ., City . . ., State . . .". The postman will then deliver it to some respectable gentleman. Everyone who gets it will think: "I am a most respectable gentleman because he has give it to me." The best thing is to find out the customers list to some big magazine like "Time" or "Life", and post it to them. I think the post office can give concession rate for huge numbers of postings. Yes, go on adding any new important quotes in the reprinting. Regarding the improvements of gold stamping and gold guilding on the Bhagavatams, I have already advised Radhavallabha Prabhu. Simply to make fashionable and increase the price may hamper the sales. Rather decrease the price. That so many people are purchasing our literature in Los Angeles indicated that it is being advertised: Oh, I have got a very nice book. Then their acquaintances want the book also. The books distribution in Los Angeles during the six day period is transcendental samadhi. They are working in trance, not on the material platform. No common man can work so hard, it is not possible. Working without sleep means no death. Sleeping is dead condition. "Jiv jago, jiva jago, gauracanda bole, kota nidra yao maya-pisacira kole." Your book distribution is really intoxication. Please thank Jagannatha suta for the 10 copies of BTG. Thank you for printing the photo of the Mauritius meeting. I hope this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** January 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your sending the monthly BBT newsletter. The results for December and for 1975 are wonderful. In the material world competition one thinks my competitor can do so much, how can I bring him down? In the spiritual world there is appreciation: he has done so nicely, I could not do so well. Just like in the material world there is attraction between men and women and this attraction is stronger than anything else. In the spiritual world there is also beautiful men and beautiful women and there is attraction but this attraction is not so strong as the attraction for chanting the Lord's glories. The results show that there is no limit to our book distribution. Our books are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly. We are not fiction writers. It is a fact that no expert booksalesmen can compete with our men. The Librarian has noted the difference between our men and other publisher's men. We are working for heart and soul, not for money. Such expert salesmen would have to be paid at least $1000 per month. That means if the had as many men as our Library Party they would have to pay at least $15,000 per month. You are charging too much for the "Krishna Conscious Movement is Authorized". It should not cost the Temples more than 10 cents or whatever the cost price is. This is our advertisement and is meant for mass distribution. I have already suggested to you how to do this. The Nectar of Instruction is also over-priced, in comparison with other books of its size. Print at least 100,000 and charge the appropriate price according to the other books. Hoping this meets you in good health. From the December ratings there appears over $800,000 was received. There should be $400,000 for construction. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** January 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. Last year at the Mayapur meeting it was decided to build another residential building. Now the festival is fast approaching, so construction has begun today on a very long residential quarters. Due to urgency, I have asked Tamala Krishna to supply funds immediately. So whatever money his Party sends should be credited against their book bill. Also in the ratings it should be shown for book distribution, not as a Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund donation. They are sending the money as usual, simply I have asked them to send it directly to India. I have received a letter from Pusta Krishna Swami. He has already paid for the Mercedes from his own money and he intends paying his debt to the Book Fund entirely in the future. Considering this, there is no need for Radha Damodara Party to pay for the car. Their money is already engaged for construction. Another point is that BBT cannot give loan to Dallas for Gurukula construction. That is not possible. Jagadisa Prabhu is expecting a loan of $150,000 from the BBT. So I have told him that the money is already needed for construction here in India, in Bombay, Kuruksetra, and Mayapur. The best thing is that Gurukula should be moved to India. Somehow or other arrange to give a loan for $40,000 for a new Temple in Houston. It is a worthy cause. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** January 26th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Sri Radha Damodara TSKPTempe, Arizona My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 16th, 1976, and I have noted the contents. Regarding supplying the Radha Damodara TSKP books at discount, there is no harm. The BBT should charge them the printing cost only and the balance they will send to India. It is the same as before, but instead of the money being sent to the BBT and then to India, this is shortcut and the money will go directly to India. As their collections depend entirely on book distribution, whatever amount they transfer here plus the amount paid to BBT in Los Angeles may be combined for listing in your monthly ratings as book distribution. In this way they will be encouraged to go on increasing the book distribution more and more and at the same time they will be encouraged to send more and more for the construction. There is no question of discounting them ore money than is needed in India, because we require crores and crores of unlimited funds. America has the money, so this is co-operation between the blind men and lame men. This will be a good name to your country, that Americans are building such nice buildings. It will make good relations between India and America. The next chance I have for meeting with Indira Gandhi I shall inform her about how much foreign exchange we are sending. After receiving your encouraging assurance that as book distribution increases the amount BBT sends will also increase, we are now going to attempt the Kuruksetra project and the Jagannatha Puri project. For the time being we are spending in India, but eventually we will spend everywhere. This will greatly enhance the American's spiritual position. Always remain dependent on Guru and Krishna and your progress will always be assured. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** January 30th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. Enclosed please find a conversation between Dhrstadyumna das and a Professor Verdu of the University of Kansas. It was a television program as you can see from the enclosed photos. The professor has very much appreciated the discussion and he has written that he will now teach a course with special attention to the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This conversation can be published as a small pamphlet similar to the one published originally as the "Vedic Way". The photos can be used for the front and back covers. The letter from the Prof. Mr. Verdu, can also be included. You can also include some reviews from important professors on Caitanya-caritamrta. There should be an advertisement for Caitanya-caritamrta 1st Part _ pp.; 2nd Part _ pp.; 3rd Part _ pp.; Complete _ pp. It should be printed so that Temples can give to persons who offer small donations, even too small to give a BTG to. It will also impress all intelligent people, that our students can present our philosophy so nicely and authoritatively. Now work is proceedingly full scale here on the new residential building and in Bombay work is beginning under the guidance of Larson and Tubrow. So Rs. 7 Lakhs will be required immediately this month for Bombay. In your BBT Trustees report you say that $200,000. has been put in fixed deposit for one month. That one month is now over so you can immediately transfer $100,000. to the Bombay Bank of America account. The balance can be put on fixed deposit for another month and transferred to B. of America Bombay in the beginning of March when it matures. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** February 6th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara dasa, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated January 27, 1976 and have carefully noted the contents. Regarding the Nectar of Instruction, why not distribute it to the common men? Every book is meant for everyone, but especially for the devotees. Please try to print a large number so that it can be distributed just like Sri Isopanisad. Regarding Krsna Consciousness is Authorized, the first thing you should do is arrange to have a few thousand sent to India immediately. They can be sent to the Calcutta temple but addressed to me. I am organizing an office of book distribution under my direct supervision, and I shall post these books to officers, professors, lawyers, etc. I think that the mass mailings of this book can be done by the BBT Mailorder department and BBT can cover the whole cost. But because we will be distributing it freely for the most part, you should try to get the cost reduced as far as possible. You can try to get a good response from your mailings, but regardless of the response, we should distribute this book indiscriminately to selected persons as I have already indicated: renown business, medical men, government officials, scientists etc. Your new membership publication should be included with the Krsna Consciousness is Authorized in any mass mailing. Regarding the money for Bombay, you may send it by the first week of each month. There is no need to ask Gopala Krsna. Following each transfer of money, please send a xerox copy of the transfer slip to me. Hoping this finds you well, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** February 25th 1976 — **Location:** India Dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of BBT trustee's report dated February 13, 1976.Regarding the devotees coming to Mayapur-Vrindaban, I would have liked they come all at least once in a year, so let the other trustees consider. If they come once every five years, then it will be five years vacant. the installment plan is better. Jayatirtha is experienced; he is very good at negotiations. It is nice that he be retained as consultant/negotiator. The others are neophyte; sometimes they are cheated. George Harrison was cheated 20,000 pounds by reality men. I have asked several times that you send a copy of the transfer slip when you transfer money to Bombay. You must send it regularly, whenever you transfer. What is the use of Radha-Damodara monies going to Los Angeles; he is sending direct. He will send and you can note. It is good that the philosophy book is being arranged properly by Hayagriva. Regarding the BBT book catalog and Mailorder catalogs, do not mention the commission. That will be settled up by the sellers. Sudama Vipra Maharaja is here and he has advised me that he will order 10,000 Bhagavad-gitas, abridged edition. You can give him concession rate as far as possible and he will pay cash down something. Please advise Mailorder to send one or two copies of their new catalogs to me. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara das Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I have received very encouraging reports from the Indian Library Party. Now, there must be sufficient stock of each book in our India warehouse to supply all of these orders immediately. I have written one letter to both Tejyas and Gopala Krishna in this connection, now you should find out their inventory and see that they have sufficient books to meet all of the orders promptly. Perhaps 300 of each book is required for this purpose in stock in India. So they should take inventory in India and order from the Los Angeles warehouse accordingly. Please supply these books promptly upon realization of the actual needs. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** May 26th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your BBT Trustee's Report dated May 22, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. You have mentioned this Kingsport Press which is now printing our books in America. Where is this located? I am interested to know the details of several expenditures. Firstly, it appears from your report that the BBT is paying for 50% of the Diorama project. Why the BBT should spend money for the Diorama project? Secondly, I want to know how it requires $50,000 per month to maintain ISKCON Press as you have mentioned this on page 2 of the report under "Budget Projections." Concerning the need for a new larger warehouse for stocking and disbursing our books, why not use one entire floor of the new New York building. That will be very nice. There would be a warehouse on the West coast, and one on the East coast as well. The management should not be difficult as Tamala Krsna Goswami is going to make his office in New York and he will have a staff to assist him. Then we could avoid having to locate a new place in Los Angeles for the time being. I noticed that there is outstanding loan debts of almost $1 million, and also that there is similarly nearly $1 million outstanding owed for books by the temples. What is being done to collect these funds? Now concerning the London loan, I know that Madhavananda who is presently in Detroit, and Hansadutta Maharaja both were collecting funds to construct a temple at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. What was done with these funds? And what is done with the money collected from Book sales in Germany and France? Bhagavan das owes money on a loan which he got for purchasing the Chateau. He can return that money for being used to loan to London to purchase their new temple. Then you will not have to lay out that money from Los Angeles as you mentioned that funds are low this time. Between French and German book sales, it may be possible to loan this money to London. I am sending a copy of this letter to Jayatirtha and Bhagavan to discuss this matter. Since you are all BBT Trustees, you can discuss and come up with some idea how this can be done. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pkscc: --- Bhagavan, Jayatirtha ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara das Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 19, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the $12,000 given to me by Jagat Guru Maharaja, that has nothing to do with Nairobi debts. It was an individual contribution to the book fund. Contributions and debt clearing are two different things. On your recommendation, I am accepting the following devotees for brahminical initiation: Vamanajana das Adhikari, Dayalanitai das Adhikari, Gopavrndesa das brahmacari, Bahulavana das Adhikari, Brahmakarika dasi, Jaganmayi dasi, Rukmavati dasi, Viharini dasi, Jalasayi dasi, Khandita dasi, Darmada dasi, Anavijnani dasi, Srila dasi, Hold a fire sacrifice and for the male initiates you can give them sacred thread. The gayatri mantra should be played for them into the right ear and the brahmanas should practice the principles of cleanliness both outside and internally. Outside by bathing regularly, and inside by always chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. You mentioned that the lawyer was working to open the national parks, etc. What about the L.A. airport situation? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- n.b. They require books and magazines in Fiji. Kindly supply them as soon as they make their order. N.B. food distribution fund may be sent to Jayapataka immediately. He wants it ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of one letter from Srivatsa Goswami, 45 Dumrao Bagh Colony, Assi, Varanasi 221 005, India. He has written that Santosa das met him at his residence in Vrindaban and proposed to give Srivatsa Goswami all of my books in exchange for a set of "Goswami literature" edited by Sri Puridasa; all this was done without my sanction. Why has Santosa asked him for this? No one told him to do so. Write to him and ask him who gave him permission to do this! What is this swop??? Why haven't they asked me first??? We have nothing to do with any publication by these people. Those books should be returned at once. Do the needful. Already they have sent several of my books to Srivatsa Goswami and Srivatsa Goswami mentions that he received 2 volumes of Caitanya Caritamrta from Los Angeles BBT Warehouse. Who is doing this? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** June 25th 1976 — **Location:** New York My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. Enclosed please find one check for $2,000.00 (two thousand dollars), check # 1959, from Iskcon, New Vrindaban, account with The Bank of McMechen, McMechen, W. Virginia. this check is to be immediately deposited in the ISKCON MAYAPUR VRINDABAN a/c # 4-07143, at the Bank of America in Los Angeles (office no. 600). Please do the needful and send me the receipt to the New York address. Thank you very much. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- enc.: 1 check ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** July 8th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am enclosing one bank draft for amount of U.S. $2190.00 (two-thousand one-hundred and ninety) for deposit in the Mayapur-Vrindaban account ("ISKCON Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund a/c #6004-07143) at the Bank of America, 600. Please deposit this and send me receipt to the New York address. Thank you, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- enclosed: check 65-318/550(#59302) ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. Please find enclosed one bank draft 1-8/210, 4 (number 262) for the amount of U.S. dollars 1,737.00 (one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven). This is for deposit in the Bank of America on favor of ISKCON Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund a/c no. 6004-07143. Kindly send me the deposit slip when the transaction is completed. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Delivered by hand. Received, signed by Ramesvara Swami ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** July 17th 1976 — **Location:** New York My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I herewith enclose three cheques for deposit in the Bank of America, ISKCON Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund, a/c # 6004-07143, in Los Angeles. The details are as follows: Bank Check # AmountCitibank, New York (1-8/214)4, (#293) $3,987.50Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. 1-30/210, (#130) 50.00Empire National Bank, HopewellJunction, New York 50-165/213 (#193) 101.00---------------TOTAL $4,138.50Please deposit the sum of $4,138.50 (Four thousand one hundred and thirty eight dollars and fifty cents) in the above mentioned account and send the deposit slip to me by post. I thank you very much, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Enclosed: 3 checksHand delivered to Ramesvara Swami: Received by, signed by Ramesvara Swami ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** August 5th 1976 — **Location:** France My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja: Please accept my blessings. Please find enclosed one bank draft #672 from Provident National Bank on account 588 587 6 for the amount of #382.43 (US$ three hundred eighty-two and forty-three cents). This is for deposit in the Bank of America, Los Angeles, in favor of ISKCON Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund a/c no. 6004-07143. Kindly send me the deposit slip when the transaction is completed. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- Enclosed: one check ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Los Angeles My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the BBT Trustees report and have heard your proposal for funding the Mayapur project. Yes your proposal sounds very nice and you may do it. It is very good that this project be a world-wide effort. Gurukrpa Maharaja has taken charge of the collecting for Mayapur now. You can simply send his food relief collection money to Mayapur. When the Bombay project is finished and Mayapur begins, the Mayapur project should be financed in the same way. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrndavana > Los Angeles My Dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 29, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. It is very good that all this business has stopped sato vrtte sadhu sange. Revatinandana Swami is a very good preacher and you should encourage him. He can do nicely. Let the restaurant go on. This is a very nice plan and I have discussed this with Rsabhadeva das. He may show you some communications on the subject. The householders who cannot sell books should be encouraged to work honestly on this restaurant project. It will be very nice if you GBC men can relieve me from the heavy burden of management. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 9, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. I am very pleased with your report and your contact with this author and producer. Now you may take it as my direct order that you must finish the Theistic Exhibit before the Mayapur festival, otherwise what is the use of all this endeavor? Yadubara should be encouraged as he has given good service. Both his wife and himself are both serving nicely. I approve their work and they should be encouraged in all respects. In future we shall get more and more valuable services from them. These management affairs sometimes disturb me. Kindly manage nicely. I want that the properties should not be jeopardized. So the idea of the declarations from the presidents is absolutely required. Nobody can do anything without my signature; that should be enforced. In general, if any translator of my books requires the original manuscripts for his work, he should be supplied them by you. If you can succeed in spreading this movement to every town and village throughout the world that will be your great credit. Kindly do this and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be pleased and my Guru Maharaja will be pleased and I, as their humble servant, will also be pleased. That is our main goal in life, our svartha gatim. Enclosed please find one check for $1,000.00 from ISKCON BBT Library and College Sales Dept. Kindly deposit this in the ISKCON Mayapur-Vrndavana Trust Fund in Bank of America, LA, and advise me. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** September 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 17th inst. including two transfer receipts for $70,000 from BBT to B/A Bombay a/c and $1900 rent to M/V a/c LA.Regarding the Fiji situation, your solution to amend the constitution is nice. Let Vasudeva become president. Your idea to sell BTGs, collect donations, hold kirtana and distribute prasada profusely, yes, do that. I was given the impression that this temple was to be controlled by the Punja family and our devotees would not have any hand. This was the impression given. We want that a very nice relationship be kept with Vasudeva. It was wanted that he follows our instructions including following the GBC, so that everything can go on nicely. Let one brother be president and one treasurer, and give one good man who can act as secretary. I have not lost confidence in Vasudeva. Now the matter is clear—I'm very much pleased with him so let him remain president and that will please him more, and his brother treasurer with one secretary. If the temple remains permanently in ISKCON Fiji's name and cannot be sold, that is very nice; it is not for selling, it is for improving more and more. Local men must understand our philosophy, then it will be very successful. We cannot import men from outside. We sincerely want that local men either from Vasudeva's family or any other family which will take on the work. We have to work on that line. Just like some of my Godbrothers wanted to take men from India to London but the attempt was a failure—but when I trained up local men then it was successful. I have no objection if the whole Vasudeva Punja family be trained up and take charge of the temple. Local men should not simply become a visitor but they should be trained up to take charge of the temple. That is what I want. As soon as one is a devotee there is no personal ambition—life is dedicated for Krishna. If my books can be translated and published there, I have no objection. Since Tamala and yourself are there for some time everything will be alright. Vasudeva must be president. Gurukrpa is feeling inconvenience regarding Australia because of the long distance. His interest is mainly Japan. You or another man may take care of Australia. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** October 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Rameswar, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 11, 1976.Yes, my blessings are there that you may always have the strength to act according to my orders. Yes, I am feeling a little better. You are welcome to come in January. Thank you for your wanting to help relieve me from the management burdens. It is my satisfaction that everything is going nicely in Los Angeles. I want to see that those programs that we have begun will go on expanding and improving more and more. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** October 26th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 17/10/76.Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the following devotees for first initiation and also those whom yo have recommended for second initiation. Hold a fire ceremony. Instruct the new initiates to strictly follow the regulative principles and chant minimum 16 rounds daily avoiding the 10 offenses. Allow the second initiates to hear the tape of me chanting the gayatri mantra. You may chant on the beads. Allen Z.—Amala-bhakta dasaSteve M.—Stambha dasaMike D.—Mukunda-mala dasaSteve F.—Satyasena dasaJames C.—Jaya Saci-natha dasaSteve R.—Svarocisa dasaJack G.—Jagadisananda dasaPhilip M.—Puspadanta dasaCarl D.—Kavi Datta dasaMike M.—Mahadeva dasaGary D.—Gaura-pada dasaCathy G.—Citradevi dasiCheryl N.—Subhra dasiTerry B.—Tulasi-carana dasiTracy A.—Tusita dasiMichele G.—Mayura dasi Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** October 29th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 19/10/76.It is a fact that we are different from all bogus groups. Now we should present our movement very nicely so that people will be able to understand. We are trying to raise the animal-like humans to real human status. Yes, this book distribution movie should be excluded. Why has this been taken. Even if there is some bad dealing in the family, it should not be exposed. What about that book Dialectical Spiritualism edited by Hayagriva? Also, the rejection by the BTG staff has somehow or other alienated Dr. Kapoor. You must carefully oversee which articles are being accepted for BTG.I approve your efforts to sue this Ted Patrick and his publisher. It must be done. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** November 7th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. Please find enclosed two letters which have just reached me here in Vrindaban after being forwarded several times, and my reply to them. I think this matter is serious. Previously I sent one newsletter asking that this boy be returned to his father or at least that his father be notified of his whereabouts. My directions were not followed and now this is becoming a very burdensome situation unnecessarily. Why should we sacrifice the reputation of our Movement for one boy? If Krsna wants, how can his father force the boy not to become Krsna's devotee? We should do everything legally. Just show in the court that the boy wants to remain with his mother and that the mother wants to keep the boy very nicely. You can say that his father may force the boy to eat meat, etc. and in this way convince them not to take the boy away from his mother. I understand that due to this incident we are now voted out of our Evanston temple by the city council, and that in San Diego we have been stopped from purchasing one building. Now, this Mr. Yanoff is creating a very bad impression of our movement. What is our gain? These things should be done legally not whimsically. If the father is victorious in the courts then what can we do? Our business is not to kidnap. People must come voluntarily. It is always voluntary. Krsna is offering the chance to go back home, Back to Godhead, but He leaves the choice up to the living entity. The example of Prahlada Maharaja is there. Despite all efforts on the part of his atheistic father to change him, he remained a staunch devotee of the Lord. It is undoubtedly unfortunate circumstances, but why should we jeopardize the reputation of our Movement? You have been handling the affair. Please now rectify the situation. Do everything legally. Do not cause unnecessary troublesome situations. Our main business is to distribute my books and people will come gradually. Everything should be done for that purpose. People will criticize and oppose us, there is no doubt, so why should we create more trouble unnecessarily. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- N.B. They have also given us trouble in getting visas for the Gurukula boys to come to India on account of complaints to the U.S. embassy by Mr. Yanoff.cc: Bhagavan dasc/o Paris temple ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** November 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 3, 1976.It is good that you are engaging so many people to speak on behalf of Krishna. I did not receive, however, the list of quotes from parents of the Los Angeles devotees that you say was enclosed. We can print the books written by Dr. Judah, Dr. Gerson, etc., only if they will agree not to charge royalties. If they want royalties, then we shall not print. Yes, these attempts to stop our Movement will completely fail. It is Krishna's plan for us to become more prominent. In Bengal the press tried to defame our Bhavananda Maharaja, but now he has become a great hero. He signed 20,000 autographs on one holiday. Go on increasing the book distribution more and more. That is the key to our success. Thank you very much for the pictures of Rukmini Dvarakadhisa. They are very nice. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- P.S. Today I have received the December issue of Back to Godhead. The interview with the London reporter is very important. This should be presented in the courts. It is 95% of the evidence we require to prove that Krishna Consciousness is genuine. This is not a sentimental faith or religion, it is a great science. Everyone is changing bodies. Regardless of his so-called faith, the Christians as well as the Hindus are changing bodies. This is science. There is a Bengali story. A deaf man used to call his wife. She would reply, "I'm coming!" But, he couldn't hear her. He would think, "The women's deaf." Actually he was deaf but he accused her of being deaf. Similarly these people are brainwashed and they are accusing us of being brainwashed. This we have to prove. We have the real science. This should be preached and proven in the courts. Use this article as evidence and with a good lawyer prove that Krishna Consciousness is the real science and that all others are brainwashed ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** November 26th 1976 — **Location:** NEWSLETTER Dear Ramesvara Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. The following is an extract from a morning class on S.B. 5/6/3, delivered on 25/11/76. Srila Prabhupada has requested that it be sent to all temples and G.B.C."If you pat your subordinates it will increase their faulty habits and if you chastise them, they will improve. Therefore it is advised that either your son or disciple, you should always chastise them, never give them leniency. So a little leniency, immediately so many faults will grow. Now for our practical life we are known all over the world as shaven headed, is it not? Now we are becoming hair-headed, we are forgetting shaving. Because there is a little leniency, immediately faulty things are creeping in. So we should be known as shaven-headed, not hair-headed. This is discrepancy. At least once in a month you must be clearly shaven-headed. On the bright fortnight, on the day of purnima, four days after ekadasi. Once in a month, in the bright fortnight we must be shaven-headed. It is not desirable that in grown up age also, you be chastised. that is not desirable-that is also difficult because when the disciple or son is grown up, if he is chastised, then he breaks. So before being chastised we should be conscious that this is our rules and regulations, we must observe. Therefore it is advised by Canakya Pandit [Sanskrit] After the 16th year of the disciple or son, he should be treated as friend because if you chastise when he is grown up then he will break up- that is also another risk. So our request is that instead of chastising, with folded hands I request you, don't you become hippies again by growing hair. Keep your head cleansed at least once in a month. That is my request. Neither I can chastise you, I am an old man and you are young men."And in the room after the lecture: S.P.: "At least once in a month you must be shaven-headed."Dev.: "Actually we usually shave more than once a month-every two weeks because even after two weeks it looks a little dirty. Dev.: "You can get good wigs."S.P.: "No. There is no need. That is also mental concoction. Nowadays you can go with coat, pant and shaven head, no one will criticize. It has become fashion. Russians, they use, Krushchev, I have seen, shaven head. Dev.: "They don't have a sikha. That's all."S.P.: "It is practice only"And also there was some discussion regarding the new G.A.P. record: "A Change of Heart". In your recent BBT newsletter you quoted Srila Prabhupada as saying: "Why not in the temple." When he was asked whether it could be played in the temple. However, I was under the impression that he had said "Not in the temple." Therefore, to clarify matters Jagadisa prabhu again inquired from His Divine Grace. Please bear in mind that Srila Prabhupada has heard one full side of the album. His Divine Grace's comments were as follows: HSd.: Srila Prabhupada, when you were in L.A., you heard that new record by Krsna Kanti...HSd.: ...this pop music, you know, the tape you just got. The western style musicHSd.: In the new BBT newsletter which just came yesterday, there is a statement by Ramesvara that you were asked whether this record could be played in the temples and you replied: "Why not in the temples" Hari Sauri thought you said, "not in the temples," but Ramesvara,..S.P.: No, not in the temple. If the wordings are alright, if there is no mistake in the set up of the wording, the change of musical tune, that is not harmful. Hare Krsna, this vibration you can make in different tune, we are already doing that. HSd: But we are talking about these songs they are writing, philosophy songs, like this "caterpillar had a change of heart"S.P.: Therefore we see the wording. D: If the words are alright, can they be played in the temple? GKd: Because no one can hear the words, it's the pop music that people hear. Ak Sw: The words are just like modern pop songs, you can't really tell what it means. I suggested to these people: "Why don't you put music to Prabhupada's books. Take the words straight from prabhupada's books...HSd: No, Prabhupada has approved this method for attracting karmis, but the thing is, when you become a devotee,..S.P.: Yes. Ak Sw: That kind of music reminds us of past bad sinful activities,..HSd: The question is whether it should be played in the temple or not? S.P.: Temple it may not be played. What is the use of playing in the temple? GKd: I know from practical experience Srila Prabhupada, I just played the record, it is all current pop music with English philosophy wording and the brahmacaris were so agitated. They came to listen to it and they were taking fun of it like the pop songs. Ak Sw: Because that style of music reminds us of the night club. S.P.: Therefore I said it is better not to make these records. GKd: Just your records and parampara records should be played I think. There are so many tapes of your records. HSd: Yes, but this style they are doing now they explain that they wanted it because then that way they will be able to get them played on the radio; otherwise, they won't play bhajans or anything on the radio. But there's a distinction between that kind of music and pure Krishna Consciousness music. Even though the words indicate Krishna Consciousness, most of the songs are written in such a way that it's like, indirect. It's not directly Krsna. It's indirect. S.P.: Yes, indirect. HSd: Like they give this thing: "A caterpillar changed his mind," like that. It provokes some speculation. S.P.: No. Indirect (it's) for gross outsiders. not for us. Therefore it should not be played in the temple. Gross outsiders only. Kindly send a copy to each of our centers as soon as is conveniently possible. His Divine Grace specially requests that the system of shaving on the fourth day (the head) after Ekadasi, on Purnima, be introduced immediately in all centers. Hoping this meets you in good health and Krsna Consciousness. Your eternally worthless servant, Hari Sauri Das, personal servantApproved: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** December 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 26, 1976.If they are giving us trouble to distribute at the airports, then go to the courts. What can be done? We already have favorable decisions from some courts. We are doing something good for the whole world. Present the scholars' opinions. They have the power, we are powerless. What can be done? Depend on Krishna. You write to say that we are getting good response from the latest issue of BTG. These testimonials should be presented in the court. Dharmadhyaksa's article is very nice. Such articles should be published. Take the psychologists opinion in writing. If somehow or other people chant, they'll be our men. So, somehow induce them to chant. Regarding these deprogrammers, we must defeat their false accusations in the courts. We do not force anyone. They may stay or go, the freedom is there. Out of their own accord they don't want association with meat eaters, drunkards, and debauches. Just as there is warning from the government that if you steal you'll be punished. We are convincing people not to commit sinful activities or associate with sinful persons. Are these bad tactics? We are making men of good character. It is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss. Even 10 year old boys are smoking, so much degraded. We are trying to convince people to become first class men rather than fifth class men. We have to fight. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ramesvara **Date:** December 27th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Ramesvara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram as follows: Christmas week book distribution in Los Angeles despite closed airport better than ever by your grace 112000 BTGS 8000 Gitas sold stop on invitation of governor Brown of California 50 devotees visited State mental institutions to help improve conditions and morale by giving religious message publicity very good Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. This is very good. Fight and depend on Krsna, that will bring you victory. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ramesvara Prabhu **Date:** January 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. Thank you for your letter dated December 15th, 1975. I have noted the contents carefully. Regarding the suggestion for book selling, the point is that the Temples must pay the cost of printing. Then they may sell for whatever price they like. The transcendental competition is nice. If Jayatirtha Prabhu defeats Tamala Krishna Maharaja, then Tamala will have heart failure. Go on selling books. My Guru Maharaja was very much anxious about selling books and preaching, so you are pleasing him by this bombastic flood of books all over the world. Thank you. I hope this letter meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hda/tkg --- N.B. Your letter dated December 27, 1975 has been delivered by Tamala and I have noted the contents. In regard to sending money for the India projects, after covering the costs of printing, whatever balance is left should be sent. The printing cannot stop, it is the first consideration. But if there is more printing then there is more income, so what is the difficulty? One thing however, is that we have just engaged the best and most experienced construction company in India, Larson and Turbrow, to complete our Bombay project. We have had to guarantee them seven lacs Rupees per month for the next nine months. And thereafter we shall immediately begin the Mayapur temple. So I think $50,000 will not be sufficient. Gopala Krishna Prabhu suggests that in addition to sending this amount, if the Radha Damodara Party is given books at the printer's cost, then whatever else they collect they can send directly to me in India. In this way we shall be able to meet the Rs. 7 lacs per month. So please make this arrangement to send $50,000 per month as well as supplying Radha Damodara Party at cost. Begin this immediately. The new Sixth Canto Bhagavatams are very nice. Yes, actually they are worshipable Deities. Be careful that our books do not appear like Bible printing. Sometimes the Christians also put gold guilding on their books, but people are adverse to purchasing Bibles. Neither our books should be given free, there must be some renumeration, otherwise it will be like Bible selling. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Ramesvara, Radhavallabha **Date:** August 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Ramesvara Maharaja and Radhavallabha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the package from Los Angeles containing the Vyasa Puja and the latest BBT newsletter and I have found both to be extremely pleasing. The report of the book printing is both encouraging and surprising. Every time I see this I remember the words of my Guru Maharaja when he told me that wherever there was money it should be used to print books, not that we shall have big big temples and then fight in the court. He asked me to do this and I am trying my little bit, that's all. It is all by his blessings for without his blessings this wonderful thing would not have happened. He said personally to me, "If I could sell this Gaudiya Matha building, that would have been better." He predicted that there would be fire within these walls. So I took it, "O, His Divine Grace wants some books." So I accepted it, "Yes, I shall do it." It is all by his blessings. Mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim, by his mercy a dumb man can speak and a lame man can cross a mountain. Regarding the return of Indrapramada to the press, thank him for coming back. Krsna is so kind that anyone who does some service for Him, Krsna immediately captures him. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat, a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear. There are many instances. Tyaktva sva-dharman caranambujam harer bhajan na pakvo'tha patet tato yadi... [SB 1.5.17] "If someone gives up self-gratificatory pursuits and works in Krsna consciousness and then falls down on account of not completing his work, what loss is there on his part? And if one performs his material activities perfectly, what gain is there?" So let us try to render service to Krsna very sincerely. Even a drop will never go in vain, nitya. In this connection Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prayer, ayi nanda tanuja kinkarama patitam mam . . . is very instructive. Let us remain in that attitude and Krsna will give us protection. I have received the photocopy of the August transfer to Bank of America, Bombay. I think that the reprinted books should have a list of the numbers on the first page. The totals listed will be very good publicity. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Ramesvara, Ranadira **Date:** April 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > Los Angeles My dear Ramesvara das Maharaja and Ranadhira das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 19, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Firstly, there is no need to print the Reservoir of Pleasure as if it were an excerpt from Dr. Judah's book. Furthermore, we can use some book review when it is favorable, otherwise reject it. Why should we print the Reservoir of Pleasure as if it were Dr. Judah's writing? Furthermore, you should not distribute Dr. Judah's book. We should not distribute anyone else's book except our own. So far the sign is concerned, why should we make such an expenditure of so many thousands of dollars for a sign . . . what benefit shall we derive? Whether it will be beneficial or not? Everyone knows that it is Hare Krishna Centre so why should you spend some thousands of dollars? One thing, however, I can suggest. If we display there a new picture or painting of our Hare Krishna Movement regularly, very nicely painted. Also, you can have a book display, with pictures and paintings also. That will be good advertisement. In regards to the International Yoga and Meditation Conference in Chicago, there is no need for any of our men to participate. However, you can have a Bhakti-yoga bookstall, and paintings, a painting of Dhruva Maharaja as 5 years old alone in the forest. One painting of a devotee sitting in a nice place chanting japa Hare Krishna. We have got yoga meditation . . . and quote authoritatively giving evidence: Yoginam api sarvesam, etc [Bg. 6.47]. One who chants Hare Krishna is the topmost yogi. The highest perfection of yoga is Radharani . . . Krishna goes to Mathura and all night She is crying, "Where is My Krishna?" But what they can understand? So you can have a bookstall, and show paintings, like that. I am going on to Auckland by the 26th April, then to Fiji for 28th April where we are laying the foundation stone for our new temple there. Afterwards, I shall go to Hawaii and then to Los Angeles at the end of May, or early June. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- n.b. Yasodanandana Swami wants to print the Brahma-Samhita with color paintings. The BBT Trustees can discuss amongst themselves and if they agree then I have no objection ### Letter to RamRam Maharaja **Date:** February 28th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sanskrit Vidyapith Ajmer, Rajasthan My dear RamRam Maharaja, Thank you very much for your kind letter dated 11th February, 1976. And please accept my greetings. As I am scheduled to stay in Mayapur up to the end of March, I am giving a copy of your letter to my zonal secretary. So you should hear from him shortly. I beg to remainYours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/ddacc --- Gopala Krishna das ### Letter to RamRam Maharaja **Date:** March 5th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Kulapati Ram Ram Maharaja Sri Brahma Puskara Sanskrit Vidyapith Puskara, Ajmer (Rajasthan) Dear RamRam Maharaja, Thank you very much for your kind letter dated 11th February, 1976. And please accept my greetings. As I am scheduled to stay in Mayapur up to the end of March, I am giving a copy of your letter to my zonal secretary. So you should hear from him shortly. I beg to remainYours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- cc: Gopala Krishna das ### Letter to Ranadhira **Date:** March 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Ranadhira das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 5, 1976 along with the lists of libraries and professors who have taken standing orders. Yes, you can compile a list of all the professors who have taken at least 1 of our books and please note his address as well as the title/s of the book/s that he has taken. I thank you very much for your hard work in sending out the 200,000 Krishna Consciousness is Authorized pamphlet to leading citizens. Please continue with this important work. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ranadhira **Date:** July 5th 1976 — **Location:** Washington D.C. > Los Angeles My dear Ranadhira dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 17, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. This is to certify that you should send the Back-to-Godhead magazine regularly to Sridhara Swami in Navadvipa as already requested. I am glad to see that you are now conscientiously executing your duty. Always check with me first before sending out any literature to persons who have not been specifically approved by me. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ranadhira **Date:** November 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Ranadhira, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters accompanied by the fall quarterly newsletter and the BBT calendar. Thank you very much. They are very nice. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Rasa lila **Date:** September 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Nairobi My Dear daughter Rasa lila dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your congratulations letter. Please accept my hearty thanks for your good wishes. Continue your practicing Krsna consciousness by strictly following the four rules and by always chanting at least sixteen rounds daily. These spiritual practices will make us strong and able to defend ourselves from the onslaughts of maya. Krsna is always ready to help us for He is more eager to have us come back to him than we are to go. Simply we have to accept His helping hand and then all our worries are over. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Ratan Mala **Date:** February 7th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Delhi My dear Ratan Mala devi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your invitation letter and I am very glad that your daughter Kum Kum is going to be married. Please convey all my blessings to the bride and bridegroom. I shall remain in Mayapur up to the Gaura Purnima festival in April. Then I shall go to Delhi for our festival there. It will be a great pleasure for me to see you, your daughter and your new son in law at that time. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Ratnamala **Date:** January 16th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > New Delhi My dear Ratnamala devi, Please accept my blessings. Thank you very much for the nice greeting card. May Krishna bless you. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Revatinandana **Date:** January 27th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Laguna Beach My dear Revatinandana, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 2nd January, 1976.Where ever you deliver your lectures to students try to introduce at least our small books. If the students purchase these cheaper, smaller books, they will get a permanent impression of Krishna Consciousness. Especially present them Easy Journey to Other Planets, Topmost Yoga, Beyond Birth and Death, Krishna Trilogy, and Nectar of Instruction—these are cheaper and they can purchase them and read them easily. Yes, for returning to England you should consult Hansadutta. When you come to Mayapur and Vrindaban you will very much appreciate how everything has developed since you were last there. There are also very nice accommodations for the devotees living. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Revatinandana **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Laguna Beach My dear Revatinandana Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 17, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. On your recommendation I agree to accept the following persons for first initiation. Their spiritual names are as follows: Leon Lane—Devala dasMark Haley—Agastya dasChriss Glenn—Devadatta dasLenny Willoughby—Svetadvipa dasWayne Bell—Sankhadhara dasBeverly Bell—Dvarakavasini dasiLaura Banks—Candravamsi dasiYou can chant on their beads and give them their names and beads at the time of the fire sacrifice. They must promise to follow the four regulative principles: no meat-eating, no intoxication, no gambling, and no illicit sex-life, and to chant a minimum of 16 rounds of japa daily. Also on your recommendation I am accepting Padmagarbha das and Papharini devi dasi for second initiation as brahmanas. After the fire sacrifice you should play the gayatri mantra into the right ear of the initiates. Enclosed please find one brahmana thread and copy of the gayatri mantra. The brahmana must be clean both inside and outside by following the regulative principles strictly, and bathing regularly. The initiates as above mentioned are all taking vow before the Deity, the Supersoul within, the devotees, the spiritual master, the fire, and so they are vowing before so many witnesses to keep faithfully these regulative principles. So my request to them is that they take very seriously this vow and make progress in developing love for Krishna. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Revatinandana **Date:** September 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrndavana > Laguna Beach My Dear Revatinandana Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13 August 1976 and have noted the contents with care. On your recommendation I am accepting Simhesvara das brahmacari as brahmana and his thread is enclosed within. The name of Tyaga dasa may be given to Terry Gardner and the name Sarana devi dasa may be given to Sandra Joaquim. The newly initiated brahmana may hear the mantra from the tape in the right ear at the time of the fire sacrifice which you may perform and the thread is enclosed within. The names of the first initiates may also be given at that time. Their beads may be chanted upon by Ramesvara Maharaja the GBC for your temple. Please impress upon the initiates the necessity of chanting 16 rounds daily on the beads and following the four regulative principles. And the brahmanas must become clean outside by taking bath regularly and inside by chanting the maha mantra. Avoid sinful life and spiritual life becomes easier. Without following these principles there is actually no possibility of spiritual life. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Riddha **Date:** June 15th 1976 — **Location:** Detroit > Durban, South Africa My dear Riddha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 7, 1976 with enclosed newspapers and pictures of Durban yatra. In that newspaper, The Leader, it is very good indication of our acceptance by the South African community. They are clearly rejecting all these bogus rascals like Sai Baba and in the same issue they are glorifying our Rathayatra festival. So this is good sign that they welcome Jagannatha and so you can arrange to have Jagannatha Deities and Rathayatra festival in Durban. Just like when I first began our Rathayatra in San Francisco, all we had was a flatbed truck for the Ratha-cart. So do it immediately. They are eager for it, and this will give life to the Hindus in South Africa. Actually these rascals are simply creating magic and jugglery. Even during the time of Krishna, Paundraka was there and Krishna immediately cut of his head. That is the only punishment for them, to immediately cut off the head of such rascals who pose themselves as God. They are simply cheating the people. Concerning the Rathayatra festival, you can hold it in the warm months, just like in Melbourne, the festival is held in January. Pusta Krsna Swami is going to arrange to have Jagannatha Deities sent from Puri if there is no one expert enough to make Jagannatha Deities in South Africa. Svarupa Damodara is the best candidate for the post at the university. What the other candidates will know? Therefore he is writing so many books. He has rejected the so-called scientific knowledge. It has no basis. So if he is chosen for the post he can go there to Durban and take up the post. On your recommendation, I am accepting the following devotees for first initiation: Bhakta Warrick—Caitanya-carana dasaBhakta Peter—Krsnasraya dasaBhakta Mike—Ādi Purusa dasaNadira—Syamasundari dasiHold a fire yajna and you can have Jagat Guru Maharaja chant on their beads. The initiates are vowing before the Deity, the Spiritual Master, the fire, the Vaisnavas, and the Supersoul to follow the four regulative principles: namely no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no meat-eating, and no gambling, and to chant daily at least 16 rounds of japa. In this way if they hold firmly to this principle there will not be any obstacle to their steady progress in Krishna Consciousness, and one can go back to home, back to Godhead in this lifetime. There is good potency there in South Africa and the Europeans are also taking up Krishna Consciousness seriously so continue enthusiastically to preach and distribute books and develop a nice center in Durban. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Robert **Date:** March 8th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Dallas My dear Robert, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 18, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. You mention that the scientists try "to simplify the problem at hand by neglecting any complex factors that may be present." What is that simplification? That there is no God. Their position is "sour grapes." They try by their speculation to understand things, and being unable they say there is no God. So we can use this science to defeat them, just as I have many other disciples, such as Svarupa Damodara. He is Ph.D. in Chemistry and now he is using his scientific background to defeat their atheistic arguments. There is a Bengali proverb: tor shil tor noda, tor bhangi dater goda. I take your mortar and pestle and I break your teeth. This means that we use the scientists own weapons and with them we defeat their atheistic philosophy. There is another example. A hatchet is sitting before a tree. The tree asks, "what are you doing here?" The hatchet replies, "I have come here to cut you down." The tree then said, "You can not cut me down, alone, but with the help of my descendants you can do it." The idea is that the ax-handle is made of wood, and so without the assistance of the wooden tree, the hatchet is useless. Similarly, we can use our materialistic knowledge to defeat the atheistic philosophy of the scientists. So you also can continue your studies and learn what is shil and noda (mortar and pestle) so you can break their dater goda (break their teeth). I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Rucira **Date:** July 31st 1976 — **Location:** Paris > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Rucira dasi: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your gift and note dated. This process of offering whatever one has in one's possession for the pleasure of the spiritual master or Krsna is recommended in the Bhagavad gita by the Lord Himself when he says, "yat karosi yad asnasi yat karosi dadasi yat... [Bg. 9.27]." and "tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya. . . [Bg. 4.34]". This process of offering everything in one's possession or ability is the recommended means for losing all attachment to material things and all attachment to material sense gratification. When one has become purified by this process of offering everything back to the Supreme he becomes simply attached to pleasing the Supreme Lord. This is the perfection of life. It is attained simply by following the four regulative principles, chanting sixteen rounds daily, and regularly offering one's time and effort in the propagation of this Krsna Consciousness Movement. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** January 11th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > New York My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 26th, 1975, and I have noted the contents. The bombastic distribution of Krsna Trilogies in New York is wonderful. I have read the report given in the Sankirtana Newsletter. But one thing is whether they have collected enough to cover all the costs. I have heard that despite all this distribution, now there is a big debt to the Book Fund. The GBC has to manage so expertly that there will not be debts. This debt to the Book Fund must be cleared immediately, if possible by the Mayapur meeting. Now we require so much money for the Temple projects in India, but if the Temples do not pay their book bills from where will I get the money? Svarupa Damodara has written me about the Bhaktivedanta Summer Institute. It is a very good idea. If possible try to accommodate it on one of the farms we already have. To buy another farm simply for this purpose is not very practical. The Institute should not only stress book study but there must be equal time given to kirtana, arati, prasadam, etc. There must be spiritual life, then book study will have meaning. Many people have mentioned the nice prasadam distribution program in our New York Temple. I have heard also that on Sundays there are 500 people attending. So there is tremendous scope for preaching. Now this building must be organized very expertly. I want to come in April or May, but whether my quarters are ready or not? In the six day book distribution, Eastern zone was first. This is our most important work. All the leaders should tax their brains for increasing the sales of our books. I have always said that if we simply rely on book distribution all our needs will be met. We shall never use this artificial fertilizer on our farms. It is forbidden in the sastras. If you plant easily grown crops once in the year, then the earth will not become exhausted. Don't overuse the land. I accept Bhakta John as my disciple and also Padmamalini dasi for second initiation. His name is Amara das. Now hold a fire ceremony. She may be allowed to hear the mantra through the right ear from the tape. Instruct them both on the meaning of first and second initiation respectively. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** January 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17th January, 1976.Madhudvisa Swami has come here from Australia and as he is free I am sending him to New York. I have discussed with him how I want my rooms to be. As things have generally not been so well managed there I have asked him to be ad-hoc President of New York Temple until the coming GBC meeting. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** February 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Deleplane, Virginia My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 31, 1976.I have before me the Sankirtana Newsletter for January 12-18, so why are you standing third? Regarding Philadelphia's move, yes, that is all right. And yes, we require many Ph.D.'s for our Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Study. The program in Amherst is nice, continue it and develop it more and more. As far as New York is concerned, that is nice. Let Madhudvisa be in charge. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Delaplane, Virginia My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated January 30 and February 13, 1976 respectively. Regarding the examination, I never meant that the examination would be held this year. It will be held first next year. The examination is meant for the intelligent class, not all. Neither it is compulsory. So to pass the examination means one must have knowledge. There are higher intelligent class of disciples, otherwise it is not compulsory. So how to organize it, how to do it, you GBC can decide. I have given the idea, now how to do it is up to the GBC.Regarding the purchase of the Washington temple, that is all right if it is certain that all the monies paid out will be applied toward the cost price. Better purchase than rent. And I think that Brisakapi should follow the example of Rupa Goswami. Rupa Goswami took sannyasa and gave 50% in charity, 25% for family use, and he kept 25% for emergency. Krishna wants to see that the life is sacrificed, but also accumulation, money, should be given to Krishna. Life to Krishna and money to wife is not a good decision. Thank you for getting this chaplaincy. Now it should be done nicely and started in other places. It will be very nice if we can get it in every school. It is nice they are maintaining and increasing the Rathayatra program in Philadelphia. Last year's program was very nice. That is good they have sold the jewelry business; we have got so nice book business, why shall we have this? You say Atlanta has pledged $33,000, that is nice, whose business can give us profit like that? Yes, this supplying of milk to the temple is wanted. Thank you. In the way that Atlanta is doing, every center must have a farm so we can get all milk and if possible vegetable, even fruit, flowers and milk. They are getting a flat-bed truck, then no blocking. They can sit comfortably and chant and people will hear. He (Madhava das) is giving a class at MIT, that is very good. I challenged them where is the technology to understand the distinction between a dead man and a live man. Regarding relocating New Kuruksetra and beginning the Bhaktivedanta Institute there, first of all decide among the scientists, Svarupa Damodara and party, and if they agree then I have no objection. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** September 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Delaplane, Virgina My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13rd September, 1976 and have noted the contents. Regarding the editorial policy of BTG, if the editorial board is not expert enough they should be changed. Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor also had put a similar complaint. Yes, scientific articles must be published when sent by our men. I cannot see every article, but some of you should examine why nice articles are rejected. See if the board can be changed. If experienced editors are not there it will be unpopular magazine. These things are to be seen to immediately by the GBC. The board should be judged immediately and be changed if required. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** November 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Potomac, Maryland My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 28, 1976.Yes, we should take advantage of this opportunity to preach. I see it that somehow or other they are chanting Krsna. Either they criticize or chant. The article you have sent from the college newspaper can help our counter-propaganda. Ramesvara should be informed. This incident with the president of our Washington temple is not good. He can't even maintain one wife. Just see how lusty he is. Now he'll dare to take another. Anyway he cannot live in the temple. If he wants two wives it must be done outside. He should maintain his family by working and give 50% to the temple. He may not live off temple funds. Temple president is generally meant for sannyasi, but a grhastha may be if he is restrained. It is not good if he remains as president. Our place there is very nice, now develop it. It is nice if you can begin Bhaktivedanta Institute there. You have mentioned that they are looking at a new building in St. Louis, a church, that's nice. It is very good that there are now 55 devotees at our Montreal temple. It is a big temple, a good place. Regarding our men becoming lawyers, yes do it. For a graduate it is not difficult. You can also take a degree. However, five years is too long for our men to work as a clerk. That is not good. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your son has arrived here. I am happy to see him. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** November 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Potomac, Maryland My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. Upon your recommendation I will accept the devotees whose names appear below for first initiation and also the one you have recommended for second initiation. Please hold a fire sacrifice and instruct the new initiates to follow the four regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. You may chant on their beads. Play the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in the right ear of the second initiate and teach him how to count on his fingers. Bhakta Andy—Ananta dasaBhakta Randy—Raghunatha Bhatta dasaBhaktin Gayle—Gopamatrka Dasi (from Baltimore) Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Rupanuga **Date:** December 20th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Potomac, Maryland My dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 29, 1976.Kirtanananda's offer to Brisakapi is good. If one is fully engaged in preaching, his mind will be subdued. That is the only way. Yadavadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravinde. Your description of the steps being taken to rally support is nice. It is wanted, both from the parents and the Indian residents. If you can take the lawyer training as you have described that's nice. The cover for Sa-vijnanam is very good. Yes, Makhanlal is very sincere, so try to work with him. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to S. B. Bartarya **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh > S. B. Bartarya M.A. L.L.B.Geeta Margh, Srinigar Hapur. (U.P.) Dear S.B. Bartarya, I am in receipt of your letter dated October 6, 1976 and have noted the contents carefully. I shall be returning to Vrindaban on the 20th October and shall be glad to see you any day thereafter at 4:30 PM. Please bring this letter with you and show it to my secretary on my arrival. I hope this letter meets you well. Respectfully yours, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to S. N. Sharma **Date:** November 9th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear S.N. Sharma, I am in receipt of your letter dated 6/11/76 and have noted the contents carefully. Yes, if you want to give us this land we shall be willing immediately to invest in developing a project there. We have long been interested in developing something in Delhi, but we were waiting for the opportunity. What Krishna preaches is meant for the weaker section. If they feel weak and abide by my direction, it is not my direction, it is Krishna's, they can be raised to the standard of the most exalted persons, even if they are all fools and rascals. The teaching is very simple, "man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru" [Bg. 18.65]. Even a child can do it. Even the weakest child can do it if he is trained up. Let all the weaker section come to me. I shall train how to become first class men by chanting Hare Krishna Maha mantra and be fit for Krishna consciousness. That will solve all their problems. It is doing practically all over the world. I don't think there is any other institution throughout the whole world which can take charge of a weaker section and raise them to the standard of most exalted persons. We have no business with Tagore's Gitanjali. We are simply interested in spreading Krishna's Gita. When the greatest author, Krishna, is there, there is no need of bringing smaller author. When there is brightest sunshine, there is no need of bringing small lamp. When there is brightest moonshine, there is no need of bringing glowworm. This is our principle. If you want to write something, read our Bhagavad-gita As It Is carefully and write something simple to benefit the common people. In Gitanjali there is a little hint to surrender to the Supreme. Faithfully yours, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to S. N. Sharma **Date:** November 17th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Dehradan, India My dear S.N. Sharma, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14/11/76.I am here at least for another fortnight, so if you can come immediately it will be very kind of you. We have good accommodation and good prasadam for you. You can just bring your clothing and personal needs. It will be a great pleasure for me to talk to you on the various topics you are interested in. It will be best if you can come immediately upon receipt of this letter. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Sacimata **Date:** February 13th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Munich Dear Sacimata devi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6 February 1976, and the copies of the newspaper. Thank you very much. I have instructed that these copies be displayed in our international literature display at our festival in March. Please continue with the nice work. Hoping this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sacimata **Date:** October 15th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Sacimata Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 3rd October 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. There is nothing mystical about getting Gaura Nitai deities for worshiping. The Lord is all powerful and omnipresent, he knows the heart of the devotee and reciprocates with the devotee accordingly. So now the Lord has come to your home and agreed to be worshiped by you, therefore everything should be clean and neat. Nice prasadam should be offered regularly and distributed to guests. Kirtana may be performed morning and evening and some discussion from Bhagavad-gita as it is, or other books from our publications. Your activities in Germany are all right, try to help the sankirtana and preach to your own circle of friends. I think at this time there is no need for you to come to India. If there is need I shall let you know. You are all little older and India will be difficult for you, for the time being please remain situated as you are. Chant Hare Krishna and help spread this movement in the best way open to you. Hansadutta Maharaja has told me about you, and he is presently acting as my secretary. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Sacimata **Date:** November 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > West Germany My dear Sacimata, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 26/10/76.You may send the money (1.000 DM) that you have offered to my account here in the name of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- The name of the bank is Punjab National Bank, Krishna Balarama Branch, account #1. Thank you very much. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Samjata **Date:** March 8th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Melbourne My dear Samjata dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13 February, 1976 with enclosed daksina and I thank you very much. Now you must very strictly follow the orders of your spiritual master by chanting 16 rounds of japa daily and accepting the 4 restrictions; no illicit sex life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. In this way you will surely make progress in Krsna Consciousness. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sampath Kumar **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Hyderabad Dear Sampath Kumar, Please accept my blessings. I am pleased to thank you for your kind help in organizing the Pratistha Yajnas for the opening ceremonies of the Sri Sri Radha-Madana-mohana Temple in Hyderabad. The Yajnas were conducted very nicely and everything was very clean and neat. Actually in the Kali yuga the real yajna is the sankirtana yajna as it is prescribed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,krsna varnam tvisakrsnamsangopangastra parsadamyajnaih sankirtana prayairyajante hi sumedasah[SB 11.5.32]This is the sacrifice for Kali-yuga, harinama sankirtana. My request is that you should help us to spread this Krsna conscious brahminical culture over the world. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sastriji **Date:** September 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New Delhi Dear Sastriji, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your kind letter dated 26 inst. I am so enthused by understanding your desire. Yes, we require qualified men like you for spreading the Krishna Consciousness Movement all over the world. I shall request you to come here immediately with this letter of identification and see me without delay. We have got good accommodation for you. I am here up to 8th October. The best thing will be that you come and see me on receipt of this letter. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Satadhanya **Date:** February 16th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Mikajima Ohaza, Japan My dear Satadhanya das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6 February 1976 and have noted the contents. It is nice that you are continuing to distribute BTG. If karmi dress is favorable, then go on with karmi dress. We have to execute missionary activities; dress is not fundamental. Try to renovate our own position. Rectify it with the blessings of Krishna. Trivikrama Swami is well expert in Japanese dealings. Yes, your idea is correct. The Japanese boys should join our movement. Gurukrpa Swami has arrived here this morning and if he is not needed there I can send him to Bengala Desh. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Satadhanya **Date:** September 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur My Dear Satadhanya Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6 September 1976 and have noted the contents. Please continue this program of preaching and distributing Gita-gan as far as possible for this is our real business. As far as your visa goes, if you have an entry visa, it can be extended. What is the nature of your visa? I shall telegram you if something can be done here. It is very nice that this publicity has attracted so many people to see our mandir. This is wanted. But are you selling books from the temple? I may be there in Mayapur by the beginning of December. As you depend on me I similarly depend on you, parasparatam. The brahmanas and ksatriyas should cooperate, that is the Vedic civilization. The hands and legs should cooperate with the brain in order for the whole society to work properly. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Satish Kumar Varma **Date:** December 29th 1976 > Satish Kumar Varmac/o Jagdamba Chhavikala Ksetra Bagla Marg, Hathras Dist. Aligarh, U.P.Hare Krishna Land Juhu, Bombay-54 My dear Mr. Varma, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your Hindi letter dated 25/11/76.Come to Kumbha Mela by the 14th January. Please find our camp and try to meet us there. Everyone in this material world is suffering. It is called dukhalayam ashasvatam. Why should you give up your life? Instead come and live with us the life of eternal bliss and knowledge. Do not unnecessarily complain. Just come and meet us in Kumbha Mela and we shall decide further. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Satsvarupa **Date:** January 5th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Los Angeles My dear Satsvarupa, Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your monthly GBC report dated December 14th, 1975. I have noted the contents carefully. Now you and all of your men are experienced in distributing books to the libraries. If you can get our books placed in the public libraries it will be a great victory. Do whatever you think bet to make this possible. Yes, the reviews you are getting are very important. Many times I am showing them to influential gentlemen. Everything should be done co-operatively. "Our" and "your's" are material conceptions and have no place in our Krishna Consciousness movement. If the members of our movement are unable to co-operate it will be very difficult to spread the mission of Lord Caitanya. Gaura Nitai deities should not be taken into university classrooms. The professors and students will think we are fanatics. It is better to keep a big picture of Gaura Nitai which can be seen by everyone, rather than taking deities into a classroom. Yes, as a Sannyasi and GBC your first duty is to read my books. Otherwise how will you preach? In order to remain steadily fixed in Krishna consciousness there must be a sound philosophical understanding. Otherwise it will become only sentiment. Whenever you find time please read my books. Shortly we shall be introducing the system of examinations for those students who are ready for second initiation as well as sannyasa. According to the degree, devotees will be expected to read and assimilate our different books. Our first business is this book distribution. There is no need of any other business. If this book distribution is managed properly, pushed on with great enthusiasm and determination and at the same time if our men keep spiritually strong, then the whole world will become Krishna conscious. I hope this will meet you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Satsvarupa **Date:** January 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Dear Satsvarupa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your Zonal report for December dated January 13rd, 1976. Your November report was also received by me and I have replied it on the 5th January. By now you should have received it. I am always very much pleased with our Library Party's preaching. Their work is most important. Ramesvara has sent me some recent review from Professors and there is no doubt that these intelligent men are deriving benefit from reading my books. These reviews make me very encouraged. also, the Krishna Consciousness Movement is Authorized has come out very nicely. The review or appreciation of your lecture sent by the professor shows that they are appreciating how nicely our men can present this perfect philosophy of Krishna Consciousness. Go on vigorously expanding this preaching. You are proceeding in the right way. It is good that now you have arranged for independent support of the party. The church proposal in Houston is a good offer. I think somehow or other the BBT must give you loan for it is a worthy cause. The photographs of the St. Louis farm appear very nice. There seems to be ample grazing ground. In India you can't get such nice land, but there is enough good land in America. Just introduce this new type of Krishna Conscious civilization and the whole world will thank you. I have seen that the Temples in your zone are now leaders in Book Distribution in their respective categories. Particularly Miami, Gainesville, and Houston. I am glad to see that Abhirama is doing well. He is a very intelligent boy. Now he is concentrating on book distribution so there will be no difficulty. This should be our first business. Temple opening is secondary. Yes, I approve Amarendra's program to have the men go out on book distribution and distribute the feast at the Temple instead of at the college. Regarding closing the Phoenix center, since there is no Deity installed, it can be closed if you decide to do so. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Satsvarupa **Date:** February 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Satsvarupa, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 23rd, 1976.Regarding the examinations, the idea is that anyone, after studying the books, who wants to gain the title of Bhakti-sastri, can take the exam. This is academic. Just like a brahmana with sastric knowledge and a brahmana without. It is optional—one who wants may take. The real purpose is that our men should not be neglectful of the philosophy. The examinations will begin on Gaura Purnima, 1977, not this year, so there is no reason why any of the devotees should give up their normal engagement. So far your idea for teaching classes, this should be discussed at the GBC meeting. If it does not hamper our normal procedure then it is welcome. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Satsvarupa **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Los Angeles My dear Satsvarupa Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 19, 1976 as well as your copies of two purchase orders from two universities for the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.The public libraries can order many sets, 50 to 100 at a time, for all their branches. Your tactics sound very good. The Indian professors reviews can be used to stimulate American orders, and the American professors' reviews can be used to stimulate orders in India. So now with so many testimonials, why these libraries will not purchase? The scientists cannot make a machine from a seed. Why not? Can they make a typewriter machine tree, or an automobile tree, that you plant a seed and you get an automobile . . . it gets bigger, bigger, bigger until it is a full size automobile. They cannot make even one egg, and they are going to manufacture life? And we have to believe it? They are lunatics, this is demoniac. They want to compete with God. Concerning the Deities in Chicago temple, if you want to have large size Gaura-Nitai then I have no objection. Your new travelling mobile temple sounds very nice. I shall be glad to see it when I visit Detroit. Keep yourself comfortable so that you can work nicely. There is no need of dry vairagya. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Satsvarupa **Date:** October 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Krishna Balaram MandirMy dear Satsvarupa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your report dated October 4, 1976.I am happy to hear of our great victory at the Chicago airport. Do not mind the dogs barking to get us out of the temple in Chicago. Stay in the temple and prolong as far as possible. In Bombay they tried to evict us in so many ways, but Krsna allowed us to stay and now we are going forward. Regarding your library work, yes you simply have to try your best. We simply have to work sincerely. Success or no success, that is up to Krsna. Duhkhesv anudvigna-manah/sukhesu vigata-sprhah/Gita 2.56. Yes, you may familiarize yourselves with psychology, sociology, etc. I, also, touch upon these subjects wherever possible. Krsna is all-pervading, therefore we touch everything. Here in India they are also getting good numbers of standing orders from the professors. It will be a great achievement if you can write this book on the theme, “anything undertaken without Krsna fails.” Here in India we have just seen how they have made a big, big plan for the city of Chandigarh. So much land is lying vacant, and in the meantime people are going hungry. Because they are not Krsna conscious, they do not know how to utilize anything properly. They are simply thinking of satisfying their own senses. So many big, big plans, but the result is that people are unhappy. Napoleon and Hitler made big, big plans, where are they now? All failures. Churchill wanted to keep India under control. Gandhi wanted to drive away the Englishmen. Now, the Englishmen are driven away and things are going on by the laws of nature. Churchill and others have remained in comatose condition before dying due to excessive attachment to their plans. All failures. Yes, there is no harm if you have to do some research. Krsna will supply the materials. You may write slowly, but give something full of meaning and instruction for the misguided people of this age. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. Please find enclosed some questions and answers I have given for Bhavans Cultural and Religious Journal in Bombay. This may give you some help in writing your book ### Letter to Satsvarupa **Date:** November 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My dear Satsvarupa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 6, which has just now reached me. Your report on the library party is very encouraging, especially regarding the use of Bhagavad-gita as a text for College courses. So far the professors helping us, take affidavits from them. If necessary we may ask them to go to court, but as far as possible avoid this if it is unnecessary. Regarding your coming to be the secretary in February. You arrange amongst yourselves. All of you are welcome. Thank you for sending the $500 from Detroit. Yes, it was due. Regarding the difficulty at Chicago airport, my advice is to depend on Krsna. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Satsvarupa Goswami **Date:** June 30th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrndavana > His Holiness Satsvarupa Goswami ISKCON1014 Emerson St.Evanston, Illinois 60201 My dear Satsvarupa Goswami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 28, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. We are concerned with service. What is the meaning of the post, that is, president, secretary, etc., etc. I am glad to see that Govardhana is doing nicely. I have confidence that things will go on nicely there, but he should be encouraged to faithfully follow the rules and regulations and chant 16 rounds daily. Why was Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Krsna Deities put on the Ratha cart in Chicago? Who has sanctioned this? This is not authorized. It does not mean that we shall make Rathayatra a conglomeration. Everything should be done by proper sanction. Concerning the installation of Deities of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja Prabhupada and myself, you have my permission to have them for the Chicago temple. With regard to your question about Bengali style kirtana and mrdanga playing, one or two styles is best. To introduce more styles is not good. It will become an encumbrance. Who is that Krsna das Babaji who is teaching? If we introduce so much emphasis on style of kirtana, then simply imitation will go on. Devotional emotion is the main thing. If we give stress to instrument and style then attention will be diverted to the style. That will be spiritual loss. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Saucarya **Date:** June 18th 1976 — **Location:** Iskcon Toronto My Dear daughter, (Soucharya devi dasi)Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 18, 1976 and I have received your two checks. Thank you very much. Simply chant Hare Krishna and follow the four regulative principles and Lord Krishna will surely give you all protection. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Saurabha **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Saurabha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 9, 1976, and I have noted the contents carefully. Incidentally, you mentioned that there was a sketch of my house in Mayapur enclosed however I did not find it enclosed in the letter you sent me. There is no hurry to build the exhibition hall in Mayapur if you have not yet made the site plan for the city. Also, the basement of the buildings means a risk of flood, also these buildings are for residential purposes. How can it be used for exhibition? Try to give me more information about these basements which you mentioned as I am not familiar about them, or at least wait until I return before going further on the exhibition hall plan. Concerning the Vrindaban, I have written Gopala Krishna in Bombay what to do with the women and children in the guesthouse. It should allow for a better situation and sufficient room for guests. Concerning marriages in the Bombay centre as a means of income, if it does not disturb the daily routine, then it can be done. However, the marriages can not take place before the Deity in the temple. Where in the tower would you plan to have the marriages take place? What rooms would be utilized for this purpose? I am enclosing a copy of the letter to the Bank of America requesting them to issue payment to the ECC (Engineering Construction Corporation). See that this copy is given to Giriraja das, and he can see that this transaction takes place according to instructions contained therein. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Saurabha **Date:** June 7th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Bombay My dear Saurabha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 28, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the altars, it is not necessary to have three altars of different style. All the three altars should be of the same style. I am enclosing the copy of the style which I have approved for all three altars. This style is nice, the one which you had chosen for Lord Ramacandra's altar, so you can use this style for all three. Your plan for holding marriages in the theater, and on the theater roof will be acceptable. What will be the expected income? For worshiping the Deities in Bombay, including Sita-Rama, there is absolutely no change in worship. Adopt the same method as in our Vrindaban centre, simply with 3 pujaris just like in Vrindaban. They are all Visnu-tattva, Ramacandra, Radha-Krsna, Gaura-Nitai. No additional kirtanas, simply do exactly as in Vrindaban. I want to know what it would cost to have Kaliya-Krsna Deity (with four mermaids offering prayers, Nagapatnis), and also Radha-Krishna with Lalita and Visakha, and also Guru and Gauranga; what would be the approximate cost for production and transportation of these Deities to Fiji Island? I have already written about the house in Mayapur. No further plan should be done until I see the original London plan and the master city plan of Mayapur City. Then I can select the spot where I want my house to be. There is no hurry, we can wait until the master plan is available. Concerning the workers who were not allowed to go to America, there is no question of illiterate or literate. They are going to construct a temple. They are good workers so we should take them. Concerning using some Indian gentlemen for managing our buildings, that is a good idea. Mr. Vyasa is a competent man, but the difficulty is that he is not joining. Together, I know that they can manage very nicely. Concerning the Govardhana hill sila (stones), keep them there with you and when I come I shall see. Enclosed please find the letter to the Bank of America, Bombay for transferring Rs. 3 Lakhs to the State Bank of Hyderabad as requested. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Saurabha **Date:** June 18th 1976 — **Location:** Toronto > Bombay My dear Saurabha das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 9-6-76 (June 9th), and I have noted the contents with care. I do not think that it will be a good idea to construct my residence over the Gurukula as it will be very noisy with the children there so close. You can begin the "kutir" as you mentioned by the side of the present tank, but it may require some trees and flowers and plants, then it will be alright. It is alright to have the guest rooms as shown in the plan of 3-6-76. I like the idea of being near the west gate as I want to go to the Ganges daily and during the summer I can take bath there. It may not be a good idea to start immediately as the monsoon will check the work. The monsoon rains have already begun so how you can work? Who will take the contract to construct my house? It has been suggested that perhaps the kitchen should be separate from the house (like in my Vrindaban house) as there is sometimes much noise coming from the kitchen. You can think this over. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- the hand-looms should also be moved if my house is going to be constructed there by the tank ### Letter to Saurabha **Date:** July 14th 1976 — **Location:** New York My Dear Saurabha dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 5, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. The bill which you submit to me should be signed by three persons before we issue payment to ECC. At present you and Giriraja are signing, but I desire that Gopala Krishna also sign. The copy of letter to Bank of America is enclosed, requesting payment of Rs. 5,21,506.60 to the ECC.The idea to have a wider larger altar for Radha-Krishna is approved however on the plan which you have enclosed it appears that there are pillars separating Lalita and Visakha from Radha-Krishna. There should be no pillars in between the Deity of Visakha Lalita and Radha-Krishna. The scheme should be just like in our Krishna-Balarama Mandir. So from the front there should not be a pillar in between Radha-Krishna and Visakha or Lalita. Concerning the back road for the land, you should simply acquire the land, but do not begin any construction of the road or gate until I arrive in about one month's time. Simply get the land transferred to us for use and I shall see when I come what will be done. Concerning the payments for Vrindaban Gurukula construction, you can submit to me bills just as you are doing in Bombay and the funds can be transferred directly from Bank of America to the Punjab National Bank savings account 6685 (ISKCON construction) in Vrindaban. Concerning Mr. D. Mukerjee, I am always prepared to do anything for spreading Krishna Consciousness. It may be that with our name he will collect from big men. But, the best thing is to wait until I see Mr. Mukerjee when I go to Bombay. Your proposal sounds nice but in Mr. Mukerjee's letter he does not mention anything about anything except to open an audio-visual laboratory. So we don't want to be used by some film producer who might collect money in our name. In any case, I can see him when I return in one month's time, and I am enclosing a copy of my letter to him for your reference. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Saurabha **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Los Angeles My dear Saurabha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12/12/76.I have no objection to your going to visit your family and then to Los Angeles to discuss the doll exhibitions for the planetarium. Yes, make this guesthouse the most beautiful building in Bombay. You have got the credit for Vrindaban, now take the credit for Bombay. Your service will be commemorated as long as the buildings remain. Krsna will shower all blessings for your long life and spiritual advancement. Perhaps when you come back you can take the still more wonderful Mayapur project. One thing, making the hallways Kotastone is not good. It has no aristocratic value. Why not tiles? Of course, as you decide. This is my suggestion. I think Kotastone pavement is no better than cement pavement. Yes, the management must be very first class. If required we can keep some paid men. Amateur management is not always efficient. I approve of your ideas for management. We shall get it passed by resolution meeting. I like the ideas. Keep in contact with Mr. Kitumera. His help may be required. Yes, you may keep thinking about the Mayapur planetarium. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Saurabha **Date:** February 12th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Bombay My dear Saurabha, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of one letter from Gaura Govinda Swami in Puri. In his letter he states that he is ready to submit plans to the municipal authorities. So I am herewith requesting you to send him a plan. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sevananda **Date:** May 15th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Hong Kong My dear Sevananda das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 9, 1976, with the enclosed 3 copies of the Chinese edition of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. It is a great triumph, and now you should see that this work continues. It is very important, and Krsna will bless you all for your sincere determination. Regarding the two initiations, on your recommendation I agree to accept Yasomatisuta das for second initiation. Enclosed you will find his brahmana thread, and a copy of the gayatri mantra. After the fire sacrifice, you should play a tape of the gayatri mantra into his right ear, teaching him how to count on the fingers the prescribed number of times. The brahmana should remain clean outside and inside by regular bathing and chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Also, I agree to accept Bhakta Richard as my disciple. A disciple promises to refraim from the four pillars of sinful life: no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. In addition, one must chant at least 16 rounds of japa daily and in this way progress in Krsna Consciousness. One promises before the spiritual master, the Deity, the fire, the devotees, the Supersoul, so it should very strictly be followed. You can have Gurukrpa Maharaja chant on his beads before the Fire Sacrifice, and present his beads to him at the time of the sacrifice. His spiritual name is Satyasena das. See that everyone is strictly following by presenting an ideal example yourself, and try to distribute these new Chinese Bhagavad-gita as much as you can. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Shaktimati **Date:** April 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > Nairobi My dear Shaktimati dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 10-3-76, and I have noted the contents with care. It is best that you stay there in Nairobi. There you have your family, and you can assist in the activities of the Nairobi Temple. If there is any further question in this connection, Brahmananda Maharaja is there and he can further direct you. So far your daughter's marriage is concerned, I have no business. I cannot negotiate marriage. That is impossible. Neither there is any need for her to be sent to India. So you continue there in Nairobi, and take direction from Brahmananda Swami, that will be best. Try to remain always engaged in Krishna's service. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Shaktimati **Date:** December 29th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Carlgary, Canada My dear Shaktimati, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your Hindi letter dated 18/11/76.You can open a center along with all the members of your family. Just make sure to follow all the regulative principles. Wherever you stay just chant the Holy Name. At present I'm in Bombay. In a couple of days I am going to Bhuvaneśvara, then probably to Kumbha Mela and then to Mayapur. So, open a center now and when I get an opportunity I will come. Hoping this will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Sharma **Date:** September 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Nairobi My dear Sharma, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated and have noted the contents. So, why did you leave Mayapur if you are so expert in chanting? Read my books and do some menial service, but why you have left Mayapur? You are restless, so what can be done. You were chanting in Mayapur. Wherever you may live, you have to abide by the order of the authority. Because you are restless you are not fit for chanting absolutely. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Shasta **Date:** November 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Honolulu My dear Shasta, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 25/10/76.Regarding Sukadeva, it has been found that he has got a substantial amount of money in private bank accounts. Perhaps you do not know this. He has caused a great difficulty in the management of our Honolulu temple. Of course Gurukrpa has got to handle the situation nicely, but what can I do from here. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Sir **Date:** January 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > West Bengal Dear Sir, Please accept my greetings. It is understood from His Holiness Babaji Advaitanandan das Bhaktibhusan that some respectable gentlemen, headed by your Honor, have selected me as the President of Sri Krishna Caitanya Sangeet College, Bhaktivedyalaya Bisramtala, at Serampur. I wish to speak in detail about this institution. For this purpose I should like to invite you on Sunday, 1st February, 1976, or if this is not convenient, then on such day as is convenient to you. I am here in Mayapur and it will be a great pleasure for me to see you along with your associates. I invite you also to respect noon-day Prasadam with me. Please confirm through Babaji and we shall arrange to receive you. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sivani **Date:** October 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Sivani, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 11, 1976.I am forwarding your letter to Jayapataka Maharaja in Mayapur. He will contact you whether it is alright for you to come there to work for Krsna as you have requested. Please take this Krsna consciousness very seriously and make your life perfect. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to S.L. Dhani, Deputy Secretary **Date:** November 14th 1976 > Krishna Balarama Mandir Chattikara Road Vrindaban, U.P.Subject: The Times of India Article of November 7th 1976 concerning your paper on the Puranic theory of evolution Dear Sir, The abovementioned International Society for Krishna Consciousness has published within the last ten years English translations of the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam (Maha-purana), Caitanya Caritamrta, Isopanisad and many other volumes of India's most ancient Vedic cultural heritage, which are now translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, etc. and which are being purchased by the millions all over the world. Now, here in India, we are planning construction of a very large "Vedic Planetarium" or "Temple of Understanding". Within the planetarium we will construct a huge, detailed model of the universe as described in the text of the fifth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Within the planetarium the model will be studied by onlookers from different levels by use of escalators. Detailed information will be given on open verandas at the different levels by means of dioramas, charts, films, etc. The planetarium is planned to be approximately 400 feet high and will have floor space of approximately 90,000 sq. ft. The model will depict: (from bottom to top)1) The lower planetary system (pataladi-saptaloka)2) The earthly system (bhu-mandala with Sumeru in center, seven islands (saptadvipa), seven oceans (sapta-samudra), Manosattara Parvata, Lokaloka Parvata, Alokavarsa.3) The Bhuvarloka (Siddha-caranadi-loka)4) The upper planetary system (Svarga loka) beginning from the Sun, showing with electrial apparatus both its horizontal and vertical rotations, Rahu, the Moon, the Naksatras, the other seven planets ending with Saturn (Saniscara), the Saptarsis, and Dhruvaloka with Ksirodakasayi Visnu on the Ksirodaka ocean.5) Maharloka6) Janaloka7) Tapoloka8) Satyaloka9) Garbhodakasayi Visnu lying on Sesanaga on the Garbhodaka ocean10) The seven coverings of the universe11) Sivaloka12) Karanarnavasayi visnu lying on the Karana-samudra13) Impersonal brahmajyoti14) Vaikunthaloka with the various Visnumurtis15) Goloka VrndavanaThis model (approximately 200 feet high and 100 feet wide) will be engineered to suspend from the structure of the dome and rotate according to the real movement of the planets. The plans for this very large project are being taken solely from the references found in fifth canto Srimad Bhagavatam and its authoritative commentaries by important acaryas, along with other Puranas and Samhitas like Brahma-samhita etc. As you can appreciate, the work involved in this project will be gigantic and the advice of many experts from all fields will be needed to make it come out successful. It will be a glorious exhibition of India's Vedic culture that will attract visitors from all the world. I am inquisitive to know how you can help us with this project, as I know you are an expert in the field of Puranic astronomy. Hoping to hear from you in the near future. Faithfully yours, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jdareply --- c/o:Saurabh DasHare Krishan LandGandhi Gram Rd.Juhu, Bombay 400049 ### Letter to Smt. & Sri Sadajiwatlal Chandulal Bahl **Date:** April 13th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Bombay My dear Smt. and Sri Sadajiwatlal Chandulal Bahl, Please accept my blessings to you and your family. I received your kind invitation to attend your daughter's wedding and I thank you. As you know we are constructing the Hare Krishna Land project in Juhu Beach and we trust that you and your family members will take advantage of the facilities for generations to come. I hope that this meets you in good health.* Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksI --- am going to Australia on the 18th ### Letter to Sons and Daughters **Date:** April 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > The Assembled Devotees Australian Yatra My dear sons and daughters, Please accept my blessings. I am very grateful for all your offerings of daksina to your spiritual master. This is the system. Now all of you must very sincerely follow the regulative principles. Four don'ts and one do: No illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat-eating . . . and always chanting Hare Krishna, minimum 16 rounds daily. If you take very seriously these principles then Krishna will bless you without any doubt. I hope that this meets you all in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sons and Daughters **Date:** August 14th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My dear Sons and Daughters; Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 9, 1976 and the enclosed daksina and pictures of the murtis in New Dvaraka which I am having framed and put on my wall here in Bombay. If you feel at all indebted to me then you should preach vigorously like me. That is the proper way to repay me. Of course, no one can repay the debt to the spiritual master, but the spiritual master is very much pleased by such an attitude by the disciple. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru nandana [Bg. 2.41], "Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one." Our only business is to be fixed up in devotional service by pleasing the spiritual master. Those who are not fixed up they have various lines of action (eka means 'one' and bahu means 'many').The real ocean of mercy is Krsna and it is the duty of the spiritual master to tell his disciple to come to the ocean and be happy. The spiritual master's duty is to lead the disciple to this ocean. I am trying my best and if you try to follow surely you will benefit. Bhaktivinode Thakura has sung, "Krsna sei tomara, krsna dite para, tomara sakati ache. Ami ta'kangala, krsna krsna boli, dhai tava pache pache." "Krsna is yours and you have the power to give Him to anyone you wish. I am poor and wretched and running behind you shouting Krsna, Krsna!"Krsna is unlimited, no one can catch Him, but if someone follows the parampara, he agrees to be captured. Everyone is afraid of Krsna, but Krsna is afraid of Mother Yasoda. That is Krsna's special mercy. I hope this meets all of you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Residents of New DvarakaISKCON3764 Watseka Ave. Los Angeles, CaliforniaUSA ### Letter to Sravanananda, Bhavabhuti **Date:** February 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Madras My dear Sravanananda and Bhava Bhuti, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 30th, 1976.In Madras we have to construct a very gorgeous temple. In Nellore the owners of the land are putting so many impossible conditions that we cannot construct. So that foundation stone can be brought to Madras and used for the Madras temple. Now immediately find out some land and begin the construction. Never mind what the cost will be. We are not concerned with the amount of money, but we want a very attractive temple. The money should come from the gentlemen of Madras. The foreign funds are reserved now for Bombay, Kuruksetra, Jagannatha Puri and Mayapur. But if absolutely required, something may be arranged. Go on sending funds to Hyderabad. That construction should be completed as soon as possible. But whatever amount you have sent there, Hyderabad will repay you after their Temple is finished. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Ajita Kumar Chatterjee **Date:** January 27th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Ajita Kumar Chatterjee Calcutta Dear Sri Chatterjeeji, I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 23rd, 1976. Please come with your articles and see me at Mayapur, we shall discuss on the articles and if they are correct, then we shall publish them. It will be our great pleasure. But first I must see how they are written. We have got sufficient place so you can stay here and we shall read them together. Your theme is O.K. There were many devotees of Lord Caitanya like Advaita Acarya, and even Lord Nityananda who were grhasthas. Lord Caitanya left His grhastha life. It is a matter of understanding Krishna—that is the real qualification. Whether one is grhastha or sannyasi, how well he knows Krishna. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has sung: "grhe va vanete thake, he gauranga bole dake". Lord Caitanya sayskiba vipra, kibra nyasi, sudra kene nyaya,yei krishna tattva vetta, sei guru hayaSo please come and we shall discuss your articles. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Ajita Kumar Chatterjee **Date:** February 12th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Ajita Kumar Chatterjee Calcutta My dear Ajita Kumarji, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7th February, 1976.The message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was to give the same message as Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita: "surrender to Krishna". The pastimes of Radha-Krishna relationship are confidential and are not for the distribution to the ordinary public. Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to discuss with Svarupa Damodara, Ramananda Ray, Sikhi Mahiti, but not publicly. Ordinarily he was chanting the Hare Krishna mantra with ordinary devotees at the Jagannatha temple. So I think you should not discuss Radha-Krishna pranyayavikritih openly among ordinary conditional souls. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sri Birendra Kisora Roy **Date:** January 27th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Birendra Kisora Roy Calcutta Dear Sri Roy, We have received your letter in Bengali. Please come here to Mayapur. We shall talk and then we will do the needful. I hope this meets you well. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Chaudhuri **Date:** January 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Department of Development and Planning Government of West Bengal Raj Bhavan, Calcutta Dear Sri Chaudhuri ji, Please accept my greetings. I was very pleased to meet you at the airport in New Delhi. I think it was ordained by Lord Krishna because I need your help in the service of Lord Krishna. The bearer of this letter is the secretary at our Mayapur establishment, and he will explain to you about our activities there. I am presently at Mayapur and it would be a great satisfaction if you could kindly visit our establishment and see how things are being conducted. We are developing a plan to be self-sufficient. Namely, to produce our food grains, maintain cows, for drinking milk, and weave cloth for garments. We have plans for erecting a magnificent international city based on this Vedic culture. For this purpose we want a considerable tract of land, and I therefore wish that the Government may acquire some land for us so that we may develop our plan. I hope you can help me in this connection. I would be very glad if you could come to Mayapur, see our activities, take noon-day Prasadam and discuss with me. I hope this letter meets you well. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri D. C. Cakravarti **Date:** February 19th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri D.C. Cakravarti Calcutta My dear Dwipen, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17 February, 1976.Please kindly come to see me here. I can provide all accommodations for you and your good wife, Uma and any others you wish to bring. Looking forward to seeing you shortly, I hope this meets you well. Yours affectionately, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sri Debasis Bagahi **Date:** January 24th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Debasis Bagahi New Delhi Dear Sri Bagchi ji, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 26th December, 1976, which has only now just caught up with me as I was travelling. Please go on with your translation work. When I see the translation, then we shall consider the honorarium. I am presently in Mayapur and will be remaining here until mid-March. I will be going to Vrindaban at that time. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Ghosh **Date:** September 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My dear Sri Ghosh, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 22nd inst. and have noted the contents. You are welcome to come and visit us here. By 8th October '76 I will be going out of station, so you may come before then. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Sri Govinda **Date:** May 11th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Evanston, Illinois My dear Sri Govinda das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 7, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I know that you are a very intelligent devotee and that you are very capable. Why not contact Tamala Krsna Goswami in New York and see if you can work together with him to distribute our literature all over the world. He is now formulating plans how to increase our distribution everywhere, and perhaps you can be instrumental. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sri Gunendunath Chaudhury **Date:** January 27th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Gunendunath Chaudhury Calcutta Dear Sri Chaudhuryji, I am in due receipt of your Bengali letter and I request you to come here to Mayapur. Live with us for some time, see the situation and conduct of your living with us, and then we shall decide what to do next. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri I Kulabhandra Singh **Date:** January 31st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri I, Kulabhandra Singh Secretary, Manipur Gita Mandal Imphal Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 8, 1976. I am looking forward to visiting Manipur in April. The list of Foreign and Indian devotees who will accompany me which Mr. L. Kulabidhu Singh has is quite alright. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Jayadayal Dalmia **Date:** January 10th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Sri Jayadayal Dalmia4 Scindia House New Delhi-1 Dear Sri Jayadayalji, Please accept my best wishes. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7th January, 1976. As you have suggested that someone from our institution be opted as a member of the Managing Committee, I have selected Sri Vishvambhar Dayala as well as myself. Both of us may be made members, and I shall give instructions through him. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- Copy forwarded to: Sri Vishambhar Dayala, Nitai Niwas, Raman Reti, Vrindaban ### Letter to Sri K. C. Kapur **Date:** January 31st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri K.C. Kapur Kanpur Dear Sri Kapurji, Please accept my greetings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 17th, 1976.I am remaining in Mayapur most likely until the end of March. At that time I shall be going to Vrindaban. Vrindaban and Kanpur are not far from each other, so it will be most convenient for me to come. From Vrindaban I am tentatively scheduled to go to Manipur, so I am thinking to stop in Kanpur on the way. In the meantime I am sending Sri Gopala Krishna das Adhikari, ISKCON's Zonal Secretary for India and Southeast Asia, to see the land. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri K. K. Joshi **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Sri K.K. Joshi, Secretary Indian Humanist Union Kotwara House, Kaisarbagh Lucknow, India Dear Sriman Joshiji, Please accept my greetings. I thank you very much for your letter dated 3/5/76 and I have noted the contents with care. Just now I am on my 15th world tour and your letter was forwarded to me here in Hawaii from my Bombay address. It will take at least 3 months to return to India. I am very much pleased that you have invited us to cooperate with you in this matter of humanitarianism. I shall be glad to know in detail what is your program. Our program is to awaken the human society to God Consciousness. The living entity is eternal and changing body by the evolutionary process. In this material world there are 8,400,000 forms of body and the living entity is passing through the cycle. When the living entity is given a chance in the process to become a human being, he has to decide which way he wants to go. We are preaching on the basis of the Vedic literatures, which are considered to be the most authentic knowledge by Indian scholars, religionists, and people in general. This authenticity is being appreciated now by all scholarly sections throughout the whole world. Our books are being received by all libraries, universities, and scholarly persons, and I wish also that your institution may also order for all these books so that you can understand our point of view. Enclosed is one catalog which vividly describes some of these books. They are available to your institution through our Bombay branch where address is: Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400-054.With reference to your statement that you are concerned with this life alone, I could not follow what you mean by this. In this life also, you take care of educating your children. So if the child is not educated for the next stage of life, then how do you account for the child's youth-hood age. Life is a continuation. The baby grows to become a child, the child grows to become a boy, the boy grows to become a young man, the young man becomes a middle-aged man, and the middle-aged man becomes an old man. So with which stage of life are you concerned? I shall be glad to know in which stage of life you are interested. If you don't take care of the child and simply become concerned with the young man, is it possible to act properly in the matter of humanitarianism? And according to the transmigration of the soul, a man can become a dog in the next life. So you take care of this life, and if in the next life he becomes a dog, then what? Immediately, of course, we do not insist on philosophy, but if people join sankirtana, chanting and dancing and taking prasadam, then immediately we can begin cooperating without any distinction of Hindu, Christian, Muslim, etc. Unless we make our program in an authorized perfect way, anything we try to do will be a failure. So I shall be glad to hear from you further in this matter. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sri K. Raghupati Rao **Date:** January 13th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Sri K. Raghupati Rao5 Raja Annamali Road,Madras 600084 Dear Sri Rao, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 5th January, 1976.You say that there is some contradiction in the Bhagavad-gita, that is your defective understanding. The direct meaning of the 15th Chapter 7th verse is that every living entity is the eternal part and parcel of Krishna. How can you think of contradiction in the Bhagavad-gita? Krishna is not an ordinary human being. How can you think that Krishna is contradicting Himself in His own statements? It is your concoction. The jiva is jivatma and Krishna is paramatma. Where is the contradiction? Why do you manufacture "iva"? That is the defect of Mayavadi philosophy. They concoct ideas. Yes, Krishna can enter into anything. The body is also His energy. "Bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh" [Bg. 7.4]. And in Srimad-Bhagavatam in the prayers of Queen Kunti, Krishna is described "antar-bahih", within and without. In the Brahma Samhita it is stated by Lord Brahma about Krishna: "andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stam'', He is present in His fullness in every one of the atoms. Where are the words "iva" and "sadrsa"? You cannot rectify Bhagavad-gita with new words of Sankara. And even if you take sadrsa it can be taken to mean qualititative. "Nityo nityanam cetanas' cetananam", the Supreme Absolute is the supreme eternal being amongst all other eternal beings. This is sadrsa, not eternal in quantity, just in quality. Krishna never falls into Maya. Therefore His name is Acyuta. But the living entities can fall into Maya so how can they be sadrsa in all respects? If you take gold and a little fraction of gold, the quality is the same. Only the quantity is changed. This is common sense. There is no question of "breaking" as you have mentioned. The jiva is eternal, sanatan. Just like the sun and the sunshine. The sun is a combination of bright molecules and both are eternally existing. Similarly, Krishna and His qualitative fragmental parts are also eternal. Therefore the jiva is explained in the Bhagavad-gita as acchedyah (2:24) so how can it be broken? It is eternally existing as vibhu and anu. Svarupamsa is not jiva, it is Visnu Tattva. Visnu tattva is known as svansa and the jiva is known as Vibhinamsa. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Kamal Krishna **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Mayapur Dear Sri Kamal Krishna Das, Please accept my blessings. In reply to your Bengali letter registered posted to Delhi, I have advised the president of the Mayapur center to do the needful. The copy is enclosed and you can see personally. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sri Kapur **Date:** January 11th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > International Foundation of Meditation44 Kailash Mandar,Kanpur Dear Sri Kapur, Please accept my best wishes. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 25th, 1975. I shall be returning to Vrindaban by the end of March. At that time I shall try to visit Kanpur to see the park. Hoping this meets you well. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Karani **Date:** February 18th 1976 — **Location:** India My dear Sri Karani, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of two checks, one for U.S. $8,000.00 and the other for U.S. $4,000.00 from you and your brother. I thank you very much. The monies will be deposited into our Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account for printing books. I am instructing our Los Angeles BBT headquarters to send half of all of the books printed to you and half to your brother. One full set of all of our books between you. They will send air freight prepaid. Recently we have received many acclaims by prominent educators, scholars and scientists throughout the world for our books. Dr. R. E. Asher, Professor of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland said, "It is axiomatic that no book can be expected entirely to satisfy all it's potential readers. Her is one, however, which can be said to come remarkably close to ideal...Here we have the ideal of what an edition of a Sanskrit text for a western audience should be...It is beautiful planned and printed..." I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Sri Kashinath Mullick **Date:** March 24th 1976 — **Location:** Delhi > Sri Kashinath Mullick,39 Jatindra Mohan Avenue,Calcutta-5 My dear Kashi Babu, Please accept my greetings. Last night at the Thakura Bati we had a very nice meeting, so I wanted to talk with you of improvement of the Uddharana Dutta Thakura Path. I know you are managing the establishment so nicely till now but still further improvement can be done if you cooperate with us. We want to establish a small gurukula as mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, accommodating willing Vaisnavas who will follow the Vaisnava behavior strictly; arranging worship of the Deity by the sincere devotees who will not take any remuneration and who follow the Vaisnava principles. I do not know how many devotees are staying there for taking prasadam, but I want at least 25 devotees to stay there regularly for taking prasadam, occasionally holding festivals also for distributing prasadam to anyone who visits the temple. I am thinking in this line. I am hoping that you can give me your considerate opinion as to how it can be done. Furthermore, I wish to be enlightened to know how much land the mandir possesses for cultivation because I wish the temple community to be self-sufficient by producing their own food grains. In foreign countries we are organizing our centres on this principle. Here also in Mayapur we are doing the same thing, and we have just taken on another place, Haridasapur, the place of Haridasa Thakura. There are 6 bighas of land and they have donated it to us, and we are trying to develop it according to the above mentioned program. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sri Kuwar Candra Prakash **Date:** August 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Sri Kuwar Candra Prakash Simha M.A.D.L.A.Brahma Nagar Sitapura Rd.Lucknow U.P Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind letter dated 29 July 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Thank you very much for it. Just now I am in New Delhi at the above address and am going to Vrndavana by the 2nd or 3rd of September. It will be a great pleasure for me to see you personally and if possible we may talk about a program how you may be engaged in the service of Krishna Balarama. You are a very qualified person and can render many valuable services to the Lord. Please excuse me that my secretary could not write in Hindi, therefore the reply is sent in English. Please accept my good wishes and more when we meet. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sri M. N. Chandhuri **Date:** January 26th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri M. N. Chandhuri Calcutta Dear Sri Chaudhuriji, I beg to thank you for kindly accepting my invitation. It will be our great pleasure to receive you this coming Sunday, the 1st of February, atI hope you are well. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Modi **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Bhaktivedanta Manor Dear Sri Modi, Please accept my greetings. It would give me great pleasure if we could meet together when I am next in London. I am scheduled to be in London from July 20th up to July 26th, 1976. You can contact my secretary, Sriman Jayatirtha das Adhikari at the Bhaktivedanta Manor for details. Looking forward to seeing you then. I hope that this meets you in good health. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sri P. L. Khanna **Date:** January 24th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri P.L. Khanna Calcutta Dear Sri Khanna ji, Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17th January, 1976, and I have noted the contents. Regarding the person in question, I have no such news so far. Be assured, my devotees in foreign countries do not admit unauthorized persons without first getting my permission. Thank you for your concern. I hope this meets you well. Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Paramanand Patel **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Sriman Paramanand Patelc/o Yoga Vidyalaya Ashram Rajnandjaon M.P Dear Sri Paramanand Patel, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 16 August 1976 and have noted the contents with care. I have already left Bombay and I presently am at my Hyderabad center, leaving for Delhi on the 25th of August. I shall remain there up to September 2nd or 3rd and then we shall go to Vrndavana. The distance from Delhi to Vrndavana is not very much. By car it is two and a half hours and by bus it is four hours. So if you come timely in Delhi that is all right, otherwise you have to come via Delhi to Vrndavana. So do the needful and in the meantime I hope you are in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sri Pillai **Date:** January 15th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > ABC Model House Bombay Dear Sri Pillai, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your kind appreciation of my humble preaching activities. Please continue to read Bhagavad-gita As It Is. You will derive all spiritual benefit from it. Also if you can find the time, I will request you to visit our Temple in Juhu, Hare Krishna Land. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Radha Krishna Dhawan **Date:** September 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Sri Radha Krishna Dhawan4 & 5 - L Model Town Yanumanagar Ambala Dear Sri Dhawan, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated August 20, 1976 and have noted the contents. The Hyderabad temple has been completed on Janmastami August 18, and the temple is called the Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana Mandir. You can come and see me here in Vrndavana if you like, or perhaps we will come to Chandigarh by the first week in October for programs there. Thank you very much for your nice letter. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sri Rathindranath Ganguly **Date:** September 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Sri Rathindranath Ganguly13 E. Dr. N. L. Bhattacarya Rd.P.O. Srampus Dist. Hooghly Dear Sri Ganguly, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 22, 1976 and have noted the contents. You may come and see me in Vrndavana* at the above address until about the first week in October, otherwise I am expecting to be in Calcutta sometime in December. It is very nice that you have written to me offering your services. This is the mission to all those who have taken their birth as human beings in the land of Bharata-varsa. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, bharat bhumite manusya haila janma yara janma sathaka kare karo para upakara. Therefore it is very good that you are taking these instructions of the Lord seriously by surrendering yourself under the direction of His bona fide representative. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- *Here you can stay with me at least for a month and we can chalk out a programme ### Letter to Sri S. N. Nayar **Date:** January 16th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Sri S. N. Nayar Delhi Dear Sri Nayar ji, Please accept my greetings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 21st December, 1975. I have gone through your translation, but it is not acceptable. We have already settled with a Vrindaban gentleman. I am returning herewith your manuscript. Thanking you. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri S. R. Acarya **Date:** March 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri S.R. Acarya,Sripally, Palta,P.O. Bengal Enamel,District 24-Parganas (N),W. Bengal Dear Sriman Acarya, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your postcard dated 10-3-76 and I am very much pleased that a learned scholar like you is prepared to cooperate with our preaching activities. If you kindly come in Calcutta* on the 22nd or 23rd March, 1976, at any time between 10-12 in the morning, or 5-7 in the evening along with your papers, I shall be very glad to meet you and talk with you on the subject matter. Thanking you. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- * 3, Albert Road (near Theater Road and Camac St.)Calcutta ### Letter to Sri S. R. Acarya **Date:** March 24th 1976 — **Location:** Delhi > Sri S.R. Acarya,Sripally Palta P.O. Bengal Enamel,District 24-Parganas W. Bengal (N) My dear Acaryaji, Please accept my blessings. I am in due reciept of your letter dated 21-3-76, and I have noted the contents with care. I shall be in Vrindaban up until the 10th April after which time I shall be going out of India. You can come to our Vrindaban Temple. You have got enough scope for engaging yourself in journalism and peaceful living. If you are in difficulty then by showing this letter you can take a railroad ticket from our Abhirama das Adhikari, the president of our Calcutta temple located at 3 Albert Road, Calcutta-17, near Camac Street and, Theater Road. It will be a great pleasure to talk with you when we meet. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sri S. R. Kejriwal **Date:** September 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Sri S. R. Kejriwal Kejriwal House, Dorbhanga My dear Sri Kejriwal, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 17th inst. and have noted the contents. Regarding your invitation, yes, if you can arrange for our reception, we can go. Hoping this meets you in good healthYour well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Sri Santosh Kumar Pyne **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Sri Santosh Kumar Pyne Daspara Maiden Daspara Chursurah, Dist. Hooghly W. Bengal My Dear Santosh Babu, Please accept my greetings. After a long time I have received a letter from you with mixed information. I am sorry to learn that one of your sons is in mental disorder, so do your best for treatment and depend on Krsna for the ultimate result. The chequered history of family life is the same for everyone. According to our philosophy we call it samsara dava nada lida loka the blazing forest fire of material life. In the forest fire takes place without any human effort and it burns into ashes all the trees and animals without any relief. The relief comes from the cloud above the head. Similarly the relief from this material world comes from above as we have got instructions in the Bhagavad-gita. So if you like you can retire from family life—you are old enough—and it may be possible for us to give you some shelter. I am in Vrndavana at present and shall remain here at least for one month. If you so desire you can come here and meet me. With my good wishes for all your family members, I am yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sri Subrahmanyan **Date:** January 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > 55 North Car Street > Thiruvanai Koil > Trichi Tamilnad, India 620005 Dear Sri Subrahmanyan, Please accept my greetings and prayers for your well being. Thank you for your kind appreciation of our Society's activities and of my humble effort on behalf of Lord Krishna. Regarding your request for some books, the best thing will be if you ask some able person to buy them for you. Or you may ask for the fare to come to Madras and live with the devotees of our Movement. The address in Madras is 50, Aspiran Gardens, 2nd Street, Kilpauk, Madras-10. If you live with our men following our program then you will also get opportunity to read all our books. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS:tkg ### Letter to Sri Sudhi Kumar Dutta **Date:** February 7th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Sudhi Kumar Dutta Calcutta My dear Sudhi, Please accept my blessings. When I met with you last in Calcutta I wanted to know whether or not you could organize the sales of our books. If you are interested in this connection, I can help you up to the extent of Rs. 500 per month. Please let me know your decision if you are able to do this business. Yours affectionately, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sri Tikandas J. Batra **Date:** January 26th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Tikandas J. Batra Bombay Dear Sri Batraji, Please accept my greetings. I beg to thank you for your nice letter dated January 20th, 1976.Those who take Indian philosophy and scripture as mythological are not at all intelligent. They have been described in the Bhagavad-gita as "sinful", "rascals", "lowest of mankind", "bereft of all knowledge", and "atheistic". Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah/ mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah [Bg. 7.15]. This psychological conception of the so-called Indian philosophers has killed Indian civilization. There is no question of mythology when Krishna says: dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara/ tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13]. A baby grows to become a child, and a child grows to become a boy, and a boy grows to a young man, and a young man develops to middle age, and grows to an old man, and then what is next for the old man. The so-called mythologists don't know what will happen to the old man. Neither they believe in the next life, and even if they do believe they don't know what will happen to the old man or what kind of life he will get next. Therefore they are all fools and rascals. How a rascal can become a professor? That is the defect of modern day education. It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam: Na te vidhuh svartha gatim hi visnu. Philosophy means to find out the actual source of everything. Our Vedanta philosophy begins athāto brahma jijñāsā, to enquire about Brahma, that is real philosophy. And the Supreme Brahma is described as the original source of everything: Janmady asya yato [SB 1.1.1], etc. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the real philosophy because it describes the original source of everything—Janmady asya yatah. The first chapter of Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with this verse. Accept this, all other philosophies are simply jugglery of words to mislead the less intelligent class of men. You are benedicted by Lord Krishna that you are doubting the philosophical speculation of the mudhas. Please try to read real philosophy—Vedanta Sutra and its right commentary by Vyasadeva, Srimad-Bhagavatam. And the preliminary study, Bhagavad-gita. If you[PAGE MISSING]directly in the Bhagavad-gita. My request is that you read carefully the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and do not be mislead by the fools and rascals. The fools and rascals have spoiled Bhagavad-gita simply by their interpretation. We have published it As It Is. Try to visit our center at Juhu—Hare Krishna Land—and associate with the devotees. They will be able to answer all your philosophical questions. I hope this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Sri Triloki Natha Acarya **Date:** March 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sri Triloki Natha Acarya,Jnana, Gudadi (Gudri)Vrindaban, (Mathura District)U.P Dear Sri Acaryaji, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 24th February, 1976. It was addressed to Calcutta temple but on account of not mentioning the zonal number, it was delivered very late in Calcutta, then it was redirected here in our above temple. However, I am so glad to receive your letter and I reply that I require your good help in my preaching work. We are preaching all over the world with great success and you'll be pleased to know that we are selling our books tremendously. The general estimate is collection of Rs. 1 lac to Rs. 5 lac daily. Our preachers are very much enthusiastic but in India they have got a language difficulty. If you cooperate with us along with other learned devotees, we can immediately take up preaching work in India with great enthusiasm. We have got 8 big and small buses and one very nice car for my personal use. If you will start sankirtana movement from town to town and village to village with the cooperation of other learned Indian men like yourself, I'm sure that in very short time our endeavour ill be successful. Kindly see me on the 30th March, 1976, at Vrindaban in my Krishna-Balarama Temple either in the morning between the hours of 10-12 or in the afternoon between the hours of 5-7 p.m. along with this letter. Thanking you once more for your willing cooperation. Yours sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sri Tripathi **Date:** August 26th 1976 — **Location:** New Delhi > Lucknow Dear Sri Tripathi, Please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 15 August 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Thank you very much for your enquiry. I shall be in Vrndavana by the 2nd or 3rd of September. Please come and see me at that time. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sri Viswesha Tirtha Swami **Date:** April 10th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban KarnatakaDear Sri Viswesha Tirtha Swami jiPlease accept my greetings. I have received your letter from Guntur inviting me to Udupi through my disciple Yasodanandana Swami. I am very eager to come however due to prior comitments my program has already been scheduled. I am building one Kaliya-Mardana temple in the Island of Fiji and I will go there via Australia, where we have 4 centres, then New Zealand, where we have a center in Auckland, then on to Fiji. Afterwards I will visit my centre in Hawaii, Los Angeles (California) and New York. In spite of my preaching program overseas, the scheduled program in Udupi on the 11th 12th 13rd may may go on and my sannyasi disciples Yasodanandana Swami and Acyutananda Swami will carry on the program there. Please help them to make this program a success. Yasodanandana Swami has written an article on Madhvacarya and Udupi and it has been submitted to my monthly journal Back To Godhead, which has a circulation of 10 lakhs copies monthly. This Sanatana Dharma pracara is the real path followed by all pure acaryas such as Madhva, Ramanuja, Sri Caitanya and others. Kindly help us to spread this Krishna Consciousness movement all over the land of Bharata Bhumi. I hope this meets you in good health. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Sridhara **Date:** February 19th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Calcutta My dear Sridhara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. Herewith Vrindaban is going to you. Please hand over the key as I instructed you and take the letters signed by him. Make three (3) copies in the letter heading of Vrinda Book Co. Keep two (2) copies with you and one (1) copy give to Vrindaban. I hope you have already furnished the room, if not do it quickly because they will enter the house tomorrow in the morning. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sridhara **Date:** June 4th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Calcutta My dear Sridhara Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 25, 1976, and I have noted the contents carefully. I was very pleased to note that you are willing to go to China as we have just printed a Chinese Bhagavad-gita. I am most eager to see this distributed throughout Southeast Asia to as many Chinese speaking people as possible. For this reason I am sending Trivikrama Maharaja to Hong Kong immediately, and he will be followed by two of the big book distributers on the Radha-Damodara TSKP, being sent by Tamala Krsna Goswami. I wish that you will meet Trivikrama Swami in Hong Kong and combinedly organize distribution of the Chinese Gita profusely. It will be a great triumph. After all, one third of the world is Chinese speaking, and they are also human, they have a very old culture, so why shouldn't they be benefited by Lord Caitanya's movement. You can go dressed as gentleman because it will be easier to travel in this part of the world. I have given full instructions to Trivikrama Maharaja and the both of you can cooperate in this very important mission. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sridhara **Date:** November 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Sridhara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 16/11/76.I am very satisfied by the report of your activities. I fully approve your plan to come to India for Kumba Mela and to work mainly in India after that, visiting America every six months to see that everything is going on properly with the life membership program. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Sridhara Maharaja **Date:** March 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur My Revered Sripada Sridhara Maharaja, Please accept my humble dandabats. As we are eager to meet, I am sending hereby Sriman Satadhanya das to hand over this message: I can send my personal car at any time you like to come here. Kindly let me know when I shall send my car to bring Your Holiness here to our temple. I hope this meets you in good health. Yours very sincerely, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Sridhara, Trivikrama **Date:** July 30th 1976 — **Location:** Paris > Hong Kong My dear Sridhara and Trivikrama Maharaja's: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 7 July 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Yes, I immediately accept for initiation Naisen Wang. Her name shall be Nitya lila dasi and I have personally chanted on her beads which are enclosed. She is a very good devotee and she must immediately be initiated. This girl should be trained up and educated to speak in Chinese and recruit Chinese boys and girls. Just try to create a Chinese group of devotees from Taiwan then all other things are done automatically. We require immediately a Chinese group of devotees. Tamala Krsna Goswami is arranging for the money, you can communicate with him. He has also just sent two men there to assist you. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- encl: japa beads ### Letter to Sriman Arjunan **Date:** June 30th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Bombay My dear Sriman Arjunan, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter and have noted the contents with care. You can come and meet me personally in New York. We shall talk. I will be in New York from July 9th-July 20th, 1976. You can come and stay with me between these dates and when you come we can clear up the whole matter. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Sriman Bajaji **Date:** October 14th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh > Bombay Dear Sriman Bajaji, I thank you very much for your letter dated October 4, 1976, I have noted the contents carefully. I accept your invitation. I will advise Giriraja, my secretary in Bombay to see you in this connection. I wish to take with me my sankirtana party whether you would like to accommodate them. If not then only my personal secretaries, all together five, will go with me, so you have to arrange accommodation for them. I am sending a copy of this letter to Giriraja to do the needful. I hope this letter meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Srinath Khanna **Date:** February 28th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sahitra Ratra Azamgarh, U.P., India My dear Srinath Das Khanna, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15th January, 1976.It is too bad that you are suffering too much. However this may be taken as the mercy of the Lord. If the Lord gives us some inconvenience then we may take it that He has reduced our actual punishment and just given us a token punishment. So you remain fixed up at the Lotus Feet of the Supreme Personality Sri Krishna and by always thinking of Him and trying to render some little service to Him, everything will come out all right. It is nice that you are chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and reading the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Continue that and Krishna will surely give you protection as He states: kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhakta pranasyati [Bg. 9.31]. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Srivatsa Goswami **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Srivatsa Goswami45 Dumrao Bahg Colony,Assi, Varanasi 221 005,India Dear Sir: Please accept my greetings. With reference to your letter of June 5, 1976, I regret to inform you that this transaction has taken place without my sanction. We are not interested in book exchange. If you want our books you should purchase them from our Bombay centre: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Rd., Juhu, Bombay 400-054, IndiaOur Los Angeles office has been notified to return all your volumes to you. I hope that you have not been too much inconvenienced. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Srutadeva **Date:** October 30th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Srutadeva, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated October 14, 1976.The Deities in London are named Radha London Isvara. Krsna is the proprietor everywhere but especially London. Yes you have my permission to sing as you have requested. One has to be qualified to preach. It is a gradual process that one becomes sense controlled and a personal example. Preaching is not an easy thing. In the beginning one should worship the Deity and follow the basic practices. When one becomes advanced he can preach. The kanistha adhikari is not condemned. It is a comparative study. The kanistha adhikari can also achieve perfection. If one does not preach, it does not mean that he is fallen, condemned. It is not artificial, one gradually becomes perfect by association. It is correct that the brahma-jyotir is comprised of spiritual souls and that ultimately nothing is impersonal. Dead matter means forgetfulness of Krsna. If you want to stay in Krsna Consciousness you will have to develop firm faith in Guru and Sastra. Therefore, you must study my books very scrutinizingly, follow the four regulative principles very strictly and chant 16 rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. Don't take this movement as something cheap. Thank you for the picture of the Deities. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- "N.B. The tulasi or whatever leaves you sent were too old and dried out when they got here. Srila Prabhupada said the test is by smelling and tasting." ### Letter to Srutakirti **Date:** March 14th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Honolulu My dear Srutakirti das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter, hand-delivered, dated March 5, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I have received one letter from our Ambarisa das. He is presently in Boston living at the following address: Alfred Ford, 124 Chandler St. #5, Boston, Mass. 02116, U.S.A. He is very eager to open another restaurant there in Boston. Boston is a very good city for there are many, many young people and a Hare Krishna Restaurant where we serve delicious Prasadam will be appreciated there. So there is some disagreement that you are having there in Hawaii so better that you immediately go to Boston and work with Ambarisa das to open another successful restaurant. I hope that this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- cc: Ambarisa das ### Letter to Srutakirti **Date:** October 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Srutakirti, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 10, 1976.Since Tamala Krsna, Gurukrpa, Ambarisa, and yourself are all in agreement to develop the restaurant in Hawaii rather than in Boston, I have no objection. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Subhash Cander Batra **Date:** March 6th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Subhash Cander Batra,22 Medina Crescent,Scarborough,Ontario, Canada My dear Mr. Batra, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter with enclosed check and I thank you very much. I am very happy to learn that the new Toronto centre has been acquired and I thank you for assisting our mission in this way. It is also very nice that the building is now transferred into the name of our ISKCON. All over the world we are acquiring so many nice centres and this is Krishna's mercy simply to help us push on our preaching work. Thank you very much. Hoping this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Subhavilasa **Date:** January 10th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear SubhaVilasa, Please accept my blessings. I received your letter and I gave it to my secretary with instructions to reply it. Anyway, all blessings upon you for securing this church. Krishna will certainly be pleased upon you. Now you and your good wife are both initiated, chant faithfully 16 rounds daily, and follow the four regulative principles. This will insure your spiritual perfection. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Subhavilasa **Date:** December 29th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Don Mills, Canada My dear SubhaVilasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 9, 1976 and have noted the contents. Thank you for helping in this way by taking signatures in support of our movement from the Indian people in Toronto. Yes, I will be happy to visit your home again next time I come to Toronto. In the meantime, please give whatever assistance you can to help manage the temple affairs there. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Sudama **Date:** October 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Sudama, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 7, 1976.Yes, there was some rumor, but I did not believe it. I am confident now that you'll stick to our Krsna consciousness and do the needful. May Lord Krsna bless you. I never said that your troupe should come to Bombay for the opening. That is not very necessary. I appreciate very much your dedication to preaching in Japan. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Sudama **Date:** December 22nd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > New York My dear Sudama, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 4, 1976.Yes, you need to come to the festival this year. Your health must be taken care of first. Regarding the others, it is alright that they may or not come as convenient. Sita should address Lord Ramacandra as "My Lord." The matter of drawing the line is not very important. There is a summary of the Ramayana in the 9th canto. That will help you. You can show the fight between Rama and Ravana. The monkeys were throwing big, big mountains and trees blocking the passages in Lanka. Hoping this will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Sudhir Kumar Dutta **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Sudhir Kumar Dutta Calcutta My dear Sudhir, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 18, 1976. You can come immediately and talk with me at Mayapur. You can inquire from our Calcutta temple, because often our men go here by jeep. So you can take that opportunity to go by jeep. You may also phone the Calcutta temple; the telephone number is 44-3757. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sukadeva **Date:** February 4th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Hawaii My dear Sukadeva, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated. I am very glad to know that you have worked so diligently that the BBT debt has become almost nothing. It is very good that you have gone to Hawaii. It is a very good preaching field and our house there is one of the nicest in ISKCON. It simply requires very enthusiastic preaching and side by side very careful management. So I am confident that you can do both. As you say that the mango season is fast approaching, then I will come and visit by April or May. Everyone knows that I am very fond of mangos. Actually amongst all fruits I like them most. They are considered the king of fruits. And Hawaii has very excellent mangos. The Panca-tattva should not have long hair. It should only come to Their shoulders as you have shown in the drawing. Please correct this. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- P. S. If Gurukrpa Maharaja is there please ask him to send me a report. N.B. The initiation letter is coming by separate post ### Letter to Sukadeva **Date:** February 5th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Honolulu Dear Sukadeva dasa, Please accept my blessings. I have received the names of the candidates for initiation which you included in your recent undated letter and I accept them all as my duly initiated disciples. Their new spiritual names are as follows: Scott Wheeler Whitley—Sauri dasHoward Lee Sewell—Haravapu dasRoberta Marie Rivet—Radhanarupini dasiShinna Theresa Diaz—Sakhi dasiI also accept Kanva das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed you will find his sacred thread which I have chanted on. Now hold a sacrifice, a fire ceremony, and afterwards the brahmana initiate may be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape recording through the right ear. First initiate devotees must vow to always chant minimum 16 rounds daily and strictly observe the regulative principles. The brahmanas must practice cleanliness internally by chanting the Lord's glories and externally by bathing regularly. You personally should set a high standard for the new devotees to follow. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sukadeva **Date:** September 11th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Honolulu My Dear Sukadeva das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 16, 1976 and have noted the contents. On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees for initiation: First InitiationWilliam Jerald Leonard—Vidyagati dasaSteven Edward Kulakowski—Svatantra dasaLaura Ellan—Krsnalaulya dasiSecond InitiationPiyuskanti das brahmacariSarva Satya das brahmacariPlease hold a fire sacrifice and present the names at that time. The newly initiated brahmanas may hear the mantra by tape in the right ear. The local GBC man may chant on the beads. All initiates must practice chanting 16 rounds daily and strictly follow the four regulative principles which must be stressed with great care so that they are very familiar with them. The brahmana must be clean inside and out by bathing with water and mantra. They must become fixed up in the sastra so that they may overcome the bondage of maya with the sword of knowledge. As far as the problems mentioned in your letter, especially the comments attributed to you, I may clearly say that I never said that. But the GBC is there and others also, so these matters should be decided by them. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Sukadeva **Date:** September 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Honolulu My dear Sukadeva, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 7th inst. and have noted the contents. Gurukrpa Swami is coming there, and whatever he may advise may be done, regarding the deities. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Sukadeva **Date:** December 12th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Seattle My dear Sukadev, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 26, 1976.So, Gurukrpa says one thing and you say something else. What can I say? Now you should consult with Ramesvara and Hrdayananda Maharajas about your engagement. Work under their direction. That will be alright. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Sukadeva **Date:** December 29th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Seattle My dear Sukadev, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 30, 1976.So far your question as to whether it is more important to organize the women's book distribution or to work on College preaching, the book distribution is more important. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Sukirti **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Paris My dear Sukirti das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil. Thank you for serving steadily and taking responsibility in Krishna Consciousness. The spiritual master cannot be approached for solving marriage problems. That is not the business of the guru. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Sumati Morarjee **Date:** August 7th 1976 — **Location:** Valencay , France76-08-09BombayMadame Sumati Morarji, Please accept my blessings. Since I have not heard from you for a very long time, I was very glad to receive your letter dated 29th July 1976. I came here to our temple to install Krsna Balarama murtis, and the function has now been completed. I shall go to Tehran, Iran from here and shall stay there for a few days before returning to India as soon as possible. I am sorry to learn that you have become a little agitated regarding the publication of an article in our Back to Godhead magazine. It is certainly unpleasant, but the officers who publish the magazine do not know satyam bruyat priyam bruyat, in this material world only palatable truth should be spoken. Unpalatable truth should be carefully avoided. The cause of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's agitation was much the same as your own. As you are irritated by the criticism of Sri Vallabhacarya, similarly Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was also agitated when Vallabhacarya criticized Sridhara Svami. Sridhara Svami is accepted as the original commentator on the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Perhaps you know that there is an edition of the Srimad-Bhagavatam by Krsna Sankara Sastri "abhinavah sukah" Vedantacarya, Sahitya-tirtha, sribhagavatasudhanidhi, from Ahmedabad. In his book he has given almost all the important commentaries on the Bhagavatam, as follows: 1. Sridhara Svami 2. Sri Vamsidhara 3. Sri Gangasahaya 4. Srimad Viraraghavacarya 5. Srimad Vijayadhvaja Tirtha 6. Srimad Jiva Gosvami 7. Srimad Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura 8. Srimad sukadeva 9. Gosvami Sri-giridharalal (Vallabhacarya Sampradaya) 10. Sri Bhagavat-prasadacarya, etc..Among all commentaries, Sridhara Svami's is given the first position. This parampara has existed for a very long time. It was also accepted during Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's time, but Sri Vallabhacarya violated the system. Instead of acknowledging Sridhara Svami's pre-eminent position, he wanted to take it himself. I am enclosing herewith some photocopies of the important verses from the original book Caitanya Caritamrta that specifically deal with the subject matter. These verses are from Antya lila, Chapter 7, entitled "Lord Caitanya meets Vallabha Bhatta". I would like to draw your attention to verse 113 on page 55 where Vallabha Bhatta says:"In my commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam," he said, "I have refuted the explanations of Sridhara Svami. I cannot accept his explanations."Moreover, verse 114 states:"Whatever Sridhara Svami reads he explains according the circumstances. Therefore he is inconsistent in his explanations and cannot be accepted as an authority."Vallabha Bhatta's declaration certainly agitated Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Consequently, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu remarked sarcastically that He considered that anyone who did not accept the svami (or Sridhara Svami) as an authority was a prostitute. Prabhu hasi kahe; but he smiled and said this jokingly, because they were friends. Although this point is very controversial, it is not based on hearsay, as you have stated, but it is authoritatively documented by the Caitanya Caritamrta. As you have written in a friendly spirit, I do not wish to discuss this point further. If you will kindly take a little trouble to read this chapter "Lord Caitanya meets Vallabha Bhatta" you will understand the whole situation. Actually Vallabha Bhatta should not have criticized Sridhara Svami, because even now Sridhara Svami is very respected. Even authorities like Sri Jiva Goswami and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura mention in their commentaries, svami caranat, as we have learned it from the lotus feet of Sridhara Svami. So when Vallabha Bhatta criticized Sridhara Svami, Caitanya Mahaprabhu criticized Vallabha Bhatta strongly. This is a fact, but this does not mean that Vallabha Bhatta and Caitanya Mahaprabhu were inimical. Vallabha Bhatta honored Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as a superior. Sometimes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would chastise Vallabha Bhatta and sometimes He would favor him, because this was their relationship. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would never refuse the occasional invitations of Vallabha Bhatta. Everything will become clear if you kindly read this chapter with attention. For example, we see that two lawyers in the courtroom may fight vigorously about a law point, but upon returning to the law library, they talk and embrace like friends. So you should always remember that we have no ill feelings towards Vallabha Bhattacarya. We have full respect for him, so there is no harm if these facts are discussed in the society of devotees. Devotees always humbly offer respect to everyone, but when there is a discussion on a point of sastra, they do not observe the usual etiquette, satyam bruyat priyam bruyat. They speak only the satyam, although it may not necessarily be priyam. I hope you will understand the whole situation. If you still have any doubts, I shall be glad to hear from you and shall try to satisfy you to the best of my ability. I am presently not in very good health, nonetheless I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Surendra Babu **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My Dear Surendra Babu, Please accept my blessings. On my return from Europe and America I have received your Vyasa Puja greetings and I thank you very much for the sentiments you have expressed therein. I am presently in Vrndavana and I am expecting to come to Mayapur as soon as possible, latest in December 1976 where I shall be very glad to meet you. Thanking you, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Susheel Asnani **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Bombay My dear Sriman Susheel Asnani, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 27, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. The best thing is that you engage yourself in chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra as many times as possible and Krishna will save you. I wish that all your family members should chant, your wife especially, for your prolonged life. Whenever you find time please go to the Bombay temple and offer your sincere obeisances to Lord Krishna. Nobody's life will continue in this material world but if we practice Krishna Consciousness, then certainly by giving up this body one goes back to Home, back to Godhead. As said by Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad-gita:janma karma ca me divyamevam yo vetti tattvatahtyaktva deham punar janmanaiti mam eti so 'rjuna[Bg. 4.9]"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal Abode, O Arjuna." I hope that this meets you in good spirits. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- Please find one U.S. postage stamp enclosed for your son ### Letter to Svarupa **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Svarupa Das, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 20/10/76.As soon as everything is complete in the matter of registration of the "deed of gift" and the land is in the name of ISKCON, we shall begin immediately. Please communicate to Jayapataka Swami in this connection and he will inform me of the situation. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Svarupa Damodara **Date:** January 10th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Svarupa Damodara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 26th, 1975, and I have noted the contents carefully. Your plan to have the Bhaktivedanta Summer Institute in one of our farms is a very good idea. But you say that there is a chance that none of our farms will be suitable. Why not? Anyway, you will be discussing it at Mayapur at which time you should fix-up everything definitely. I have read the aims and objects of the Institute and it is done very nicely. I am satisfied that you are properly understanding the philosophy. The analysis you have given in the section "What is the Bhaktivedanta Institute", regarding the scientists, technologists, and other so-called authorities is most accurate. According to Bhagavatam, they are all asses and cows, sa eva gokhara. I have also suggested for the GBC's consideration, that we introduce a system of examinations for the devotees to take. Sometimes there is criticism that our men are not sufficiently learned, especially the brahmanas. Of course second initiation does not depend upon passing an examination. How one has moulded his life—chanting, attending arati, etc., these are essential. Still, brahmana means pandita. Therefore I am suggesting examinations. Bhakti-sastri—(for all brahmanas) based on Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, and all the small paper backs. Bhakti-vaibhava—the above plus first six cantos of S.B. Bhaktivedanta—the above plus cantos 7-12 S.B. Bhakti-sarvabhauma—the above plus Caitanya-caritamrta. These titles can correspond to entrance, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. So just consider how to organize this Institute. At Mayapur we shall finalize everything. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Svarupa Damodara **Date:** January 29th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Atlanta My dear Svarupa Damodara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 21st, 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. If you cannot come to India there is no harm. Ordinarily, if you leave, your application will be closed. Better not to take any chances. You instruct your assistants who are coming how and what to discuss with the GBC on your behalf. In the tentative course outlines some additions are as follows. In the philosophy section there should be a class dealing with all the Vaisnava philosophies (the four sampradayas). Music class can be based on the Sama Veda. In the Political Science class Maharaja Prthu's life may also be studied. There should also be a discussion with the GBC regarding what titles should be awarded to students who pass. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Svarupa Damodara **Date:** February 11th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Atlanta My dear Svarupa Damodara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 2, 1976.Regarding your initial points you may refer to my previous letter dated 29th January, 1976.As far as the College and University Lecture Party is concerned that is very important and it may be done very seriously. As a matter of fact Tamala Krishna Maharaja is here and he suggests that our educated gentlemen travel with his buses. So what is the use of working alone. Working conjointly is better. Therefore I have instructed him to call you when he returns to the United States. He has assured me that his college programs are very organized and he is very enthusiastic to increase. Regarding publishing books, these books can be published by you and men in your rank. Ordinary man cannot write such books. So therefore if a book is written by one man with "Bhaktivedanta" or "Bhakti-sarvabhauma" and it is of high quality then it may be considered by me for publishing. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Svarupa Damodara **Date:** April 27th 1976 — **Location:** Auckland > Atlanta My dear Svarupa Damodara Das, Please accept my blessings. Now our Ph.D's must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium. My final decision is that the universe is just like a tree, with root upwards. Just as a tree has branches and leaves so the universe is also composed of planets which are fixed up in the tree like the leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. of the tree. The pivot is the pole star, and the whole tree is rotating on this pivot. Mount Sumeru is the center, trunk, and is like a steep hill, like the alps mountains which also have very high peaks. I have seen in Switzerland one mountain peak which was so high that is penetrated through the clouds. The tree is turning and therefore, all the branches and leaves turn with the tree. The planets have their fixed orbits, but still they are turning with the turning of the great tree. There are pathways leading from one planet to another made of gold, copper, etc., and these are like the branches. Distances are also described in the 5th Canto just how far one planet is from another. We can see that at night, how the whole planetary system is turning around, the pole star being the pivot. Each planet has its orbit fixed but the sun is moving up and down, north and south. It is not that we shall accept the theory that the sun is fixed up and the others are all going around the sun. That is not correct. Even the 7th star is rotating once around the pole star in each 24 hours. The whole universe is just like a big tree, that is a fact. I do not think that the modern astronomers have any such idea that the whole universe is like a big tree. The planets which are full of living entities are one after another, one above the other. The relative positions of the planets is fixed up but the whole thing is turning. The sun is going north and south, it has its own orbit below the moon. So now you all Ph.D.'s must carefully study the details of the 5th Canto and make a working model of the universe. If we can explain the passing seasons, eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night, etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda. I am sending this letter to you, and you can make photocopies of it and send to our other Ph.D.'s and begin serious research into the matter in detail. But one thing, I am convinced that the universe is just like a great tree as described therein. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Svarupa Damodara **Date:** May 20th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Atlanta My dear Svarupa Damodara das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter with contents dated May 15, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. The idea of lecture seminars is very good. This is required. It is a very nice idea. Concerning your immigration application, that is o.k. that you may not be able to leave Atlanta for some time, do not worry. They require some bank balance. Whatever bank balance they require, we shall supply. The health examination is there. You are employed by ISKCON, a registered association in the U.S.A.Concerning the emblem for the Bhaktivedanta Institute, the words "Athāto brahma jijñāsā" is alright, however instead of inside the emblem, you can put athato on top (in Devanagari) and brahma jijnasa on the bottom (in Devanagari). That will be nice. Enclosed you will find your copy with the ideas written on the appropriate place. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Svarupa Damodara **Date:** June 6th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Atlanta My dear Svarupa Damodara das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your short note dated June 3, 1976, which was hand-delivered to me by Dr. Wolf. I won't have the opportunity to visit Atlanta on this tour, however, I shall be in New York from July 9th to July 20th. You can see me in New York if it is possible for you. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Svarupa, Ranadhira **Date:** February 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Los Angeles My dear Svarupa and Ranadhira, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 30th, 1976 with the important enclosures. The membership pamphlet is very nicely done. That you have got $20,000 in 1975 from the members is certainly very noteworthy. Develop the program more if the results are so good. Also, along with the pamphlet and The K.C. Movement Is Authorized you can send our book catalog. Then the philanthropists will be able to purchase our books. The reviews have very much encouraged me. Especially those of Prof. Bhatt and Prof. Vajpeye. I have personally written a letter of thanks to Dr. Bhatt, that he has so much encouraged me. Dr. Vajpeye's review we are gong to print and widely distribute, especially in Bombay and Madras, where there is so much propaganda from these bogus gurus and yogis. He has got practical experience of how they are cheating the innocent people in foreign countries and he has written; "The authorized edition of Bhagavad-gita will help to stop the terrible cheating of 'gurus' and 'yogis' who are false and unauthorized." I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg --- P.S. The large blow-ups of the reviews are most important ### Letter to Syama **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > San Francisco My dear Syama dasi, Please accept my blessings. I understand from Hayagriva that now you are living in San Francisco along with your youngest son. I hope that you are doing well, but I shall be glad to see you in Los Angeles by the 2nd of June, 1976, when I shall be arriving there. I hope that this will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Syama Sundarji **Date:** November 15th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Sri Purusottama Math Puri My dear Syama Sundarji, Please accept my humble obeisances. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 30/10/76 and have noted the contents. You have given me the credit of being the best disciple of Prabhupada. That is very kind of you, but I am just trying to serve him. Whatever success there is is due to his mercy. In my last meeting with him in Radha Kunda he advised me to print some books if I get money. I took it very seriously and by His grace we have now published my translations of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Upadesamrta, etc. to the extent of 84 books. You'll be surprised to know that these books and my magazine Back To Godhead are selling daily 5-6 lakhs of rupees in the foreign countries. Out of such proceeds I am bringing foreign exchange of not less than 10 lakhs per month for construction work in Bombay, Mayapur, Vrndavana, etc. So, this is all due to the blessings of Srila Prabhupada. I have no credit in this connection. These American boys are helping me in this endeavor, therefore, until they are admitted to the Jagannatha Puri temple I'm not inclined to go there. My disciples are trying for this purpose. The government officials are in favor. Maybe it will be soon. So far the magazine is concerned, in India it is very difficult to send attractive magazines by post. The peons take it away. I have seen this myself and others have also seen. Therefore, we are publishing one local magazine from Hyderabad. A copy is sent herewith. If you like I can advise the managers in Hyderabad to send you a regular complimentary copy. By the middle or end of November I may be going to Hyderabad. There we have got 600 acres of land to develop a farm project. We have got one very nice temple in Hyderabad City. As we are doing in Mayapur and many other places, I want to develop self-sufficient centers with cloth and food production by the devotees locally and save time as much as possible to devote themselves to chant Hare Krishna. I thank you very much for your kindly remembering me. Sometimes I wish to take Jagannatha prasada, because nowadays I have no appetite here. I went to Jagannatha Puri in 1958 during some special function. I was taking Lord Jagannatha prasada very sumptuously. I am praying to Lord Jagannatha to take me there again at His will and honor His remnants of food. Hoping this will find you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to T. B. Randler **Date:** January 15th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta > Carlton Apts.Santa Monica Dear T. B. Randler, Please accept my best wishes. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December, 1975.From your letter I can understand that for the time being you are not fixed up. I shall most probably be coming to the U.S. in May, so try to see me at that time and we shall talk about all your points. In the meantime go on chanting Hare Krishna and reading Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. Hoping this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Taksya **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Trinidad My Dear Taksya das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 27, 1976 and have noted the contents. I am pleased to accept on your recommendation Bhakta Walker for first initiation. His name will be Vayuvahana dasa. You may give him his name at a fire yajna and his beads may be chanted on by Hrdayananda Maharaja. Make sure that he is well aware of our four rules and regulations and that they are followed. Also make sure that he chants the prescribed number of rounds. Every initiated disciple must chant 16 rounds a day without fail. If one follows the rules and regulations of devotional life then he may advance very quickly on the path of devotional service. Kindly take up the mission of spreading the message of the Lord all over the world with greater and greater enthusiasm. Preaching is our life. But in order to preach one must become firmly fixed in the spiritual practices otherwise his words will not act. It is the duty of every initiated disciple to try and please the spiritual master by rendering service and inquiring submissively. There should also be an offering of daksina whenever one presents himself for initiation. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Tamala Krsna **Date:** October 4th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Tamala Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 21st Sept. 1976 and have noted the contents. I have received and approved Ramesvara's report from Fiji. I am awaiting your report on Africa. You see what is the situation in Africa, it appears to be a little mess. Yes, that's a fact, New York is the most important city in the world, and our Temple is situated in the most important center. Jayatirtha may act as GBC for South Africa as you have proposed. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Tamala Krsna **Date:** October 5th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Tamala Krishna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter from Nairobi dated 3rd inst. and have noted the contents. Africans should not be allowed to live in the temple there unless they are dangerproof. Of course you must preach, but if you allow them to live, you must be little careful—better not to allow. Chanting and prasada distribution is very nice. Let them come, take prasada and become practiced for Krishna consciousness. In suitable cases they can be given 1st initiation, but no 2nd for the time being.*Yes, the GBCs should move and visit other other zones, and I quite approve that the GBC chairman can do this. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as --- *Note: this has been informed to Brahmananda ### Letter to Tamala Krsna **Date:** October 30th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Tamala Krsna, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 22/10/76, along with pictures, newsclippings, etc. Regarding the point about whether our movement is bona fide, you can use the following arguments. Bhagavad-gita has got so many editions. Our books are older than the Bible. In India there are millions of Krsna temples. Let the judges and juries read our books and take the opinion of learned scholars and professors. Regarding the second point about the parents jurisdiction over their children here are some suggestions. Do the parents like that their children become hippies? Why don't they stop it? Do the parents like their children to become involved in prostitution and intoxication? Why don't they stop this? When the government takes the children for the draft neither the parents nor the children like it. This question should be raised. There are so many men over 30. Are they brainwashed? It may be a minority in your country, but in other places it is the majority. The diamond seller caters to a minority. Why are they allowed to sell. Always when there is something valuable only a minority will be able to purchase. Our books are not commercial, they are religion and philosophy. They are now feeling the weight of this movement. Formerly they thought these people come and go, but now they see we are staying. Now we have set fire. It will go on, it cannot be stopped. You can bring big, big fire brigades but the fire will act. The brainwash books are already there. Even if they stop externally, internally it will go on. Our first class campaign is book distribution. Go house to house. The real fighting is now. Krsna will give you all protection. So, chant Hare Krsna and fight. One movie expert has opined there are so many ideas in our movement. Try to get our ideas into movies. Get some Indian professor's opinions. Get a list of standing orders from Indian Universities. Take this opportunity for being well advertised. They are afraid. So many young men are being affected. They have rightly said that it is an epidemic. Let all the Indians say that this is bona fide. Have profuse testimony. Collect testimony in London and Toronto. Ask SubhaVilasa to collect opinions that this is bona fide Indian culture. This same attack came in Germany. By propaganda you cannot suppress the truth. You cannot suppress fire by propaganda. Now we have to become strong to defend. The fighting has become acute, but if you stick to the regulative principles, Krsna will give all strength. Whatever is done is by Krsna's mercy. They are afraid that a different culture is conquering over their culture. param drstva nivartate [Bg. 2.59]. That is natural. If someone finds something better he'll give up the old, how can he stop? It is a fight, do not be afraid. I am not very enthusiastic about the Harmonist idea, but if you have to sell Back To Godhead for minimum $1.00 then do it, what can be done? Regarding SubhaVilasa as Canadian GBC, if the presidents are satisfied with things the way they are and do not want SubhaVilasa that is alright. It was just a suggestion of Hansadutta. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Tamala Krsna **Date:** December 20th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > New York My dear Tamala Krsna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 9, 1976.Your book distribution report is very encouraging. If I see our leaders are enthusiastic, that gives me more enthusiasm. Your suggestion to get new buses is good. I always recommended that. I don't like old vehicles. I think one hundred buses are not sufficient for America. You propose to induce the American people to surrender to Lord Caitanya by expansion of book distribution, that is wanted. When you come to that, that is success. Then you can take charge of the government. And, as soon as in America the Krsna conscious boys are in power the whole world will be changed. The idea is to bring under control all atheist class of men. There are two ways of bringing the opposition under control. One is by logic and philosophy, the other is by force. That was done by Bharata Maharaja when he was king of this planet. Why the wife should be disturbed if she is living not in the association of her husband. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to East Bengal for preaching, his first wife was alone. Wife's duty is not to disturb the husband. That is Vedic principle. The marriage relationship is not for sex. Of course, that is the way in this age. So, such wife may marry for the second time, what can be done? Vedic marriage is not for sex. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Tarun Kanti Ghosh **Date:** June 9th 1976 — **Location:** Los Angeles > Woodland Hills, California My dear Tarun Kanti dasa, Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your guru-daksina. Concerning the initiation of your wife, Revatinandan Swami has approved her being recommended for first initiation, and he has been informed accordingly of her spiritual name. As disciples you must strictly chant 16 rounds of japa, Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, daily. Also strictly avoid the unwanted habits of illicit sex-life, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication, and in this way make progress in Krishna Consciousness and be happy. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Tejiyas **Date:** February 15th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Delhi Dear Tejiyas, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8 February 1976 and I have noted the contents. Regarding our sending someone to see Mr. S.M. Patnaik at Bhuvaneśvara, we can do this immediately, however, we may not get a good reception from this man. I would like to have a letter of introduction sent here from Mr. J.B. Patnaik. When we have a positive letter introducing our organization, we can send one man to see Mr. Patnaik in Bhuvaneśvara. Hoping this finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Tejiyas **Date:** March 16th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Delhi My dear Tejyas, Please accept my blessings. I am enclosing one copy of a letter to the Punjab National Bank, Bengali Market, New Delhi. Kindly attend to this immediately. We can discuss further when I come to Delhi on the 24th March. Hoping that this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Tejiyas **Date:** May 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New Delhi My dear Tejyas, Please accept my blessings. I have received one letter from one of our life members in Delhi, and I am enclosing his letter addressed to me, that you might straighten this matter out. Why he should not have been issued with a receipt for his contribution at least? I have been informed by Ādi Kesava Maharaja that the people in Washington are prepared to approve our purchase of the Delhi house at 12 Ring Road, but they cannot do so until* they receive the application which we submitted in New Delhi. So much time has passed and still they have not received the original application in Washington from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Please look into the matter and inform me in Hawaii where I shall most probably remain until the end of the month of May. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- *Did you take any receipt of the application to the office? ### Letter to Tejiyas **Date:** May 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New Delhi My dear Tejyas das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14-5-76, and I have noted the contents with care. The house that you have rented in New Delhi appears very nice. However is there any garden?*Concerning your personal service, when I come I shall personally take this up with you. You can come and personally speak with me when I return to India. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- *What is the size of the lecture hall and my quarters? ### Letter to Tejiyas **Date:** June 18th 1976 — **Location:** Toronto > Delhi My dear Tejyas das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 11th, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. If you can arrange with Gopala Krishna then I have no objection to you increasing your preaching activities there. If Gopala Krishna wants to be interim president, then if that is your "mutual" arrangement, then you can do more preaching work, especially to the government officers. I was very pleased to see how you are getting top-ranking men to read my books. That is real preaching. If all the government officers at least purchase some of our books, it will be a great credit so do it very nicely. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks --- Gopala Krishna das AdikariGargamuni SwamiHansadutta SwamiGBC Secretary for Indian.b. The mentioned how the programs are being well attended at the new centre in New Delhi, so when I stay in Vrindaban, we can arrange meetings with important government officials at our new centre and I can come for the weekend and return to Vrindaban. New Delhi is the most important place for preaching to the leaders of India ### Letter to Temple President and GBC for Hawaii **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Temple President and GBC for Hawaii My dear disciples, Please accept my blessings. I have consented that when and if a new set of Pancatattva Deities are installed in the Hawaii Temple, the old set of Pancatattva Deities may be given to Govinda dasi. Please comply this at the said time, as Govinda dasi would like to worship these Deities if new Deities are installed in the Temple. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to The 14 Cooperative Societies **Date:** March 27th 1976 — **Location:** Delhi > Chairman,Managing Committee,The 14 Cooperative Societies,Juhu Ville Parle Development Scheme,V.L. Mehta Marg,Juhu, Bombay-56 Dear Sir: As you may know, our Hare Krishna Land is very popular with the residents of Bombay, in particular the local residents and devotees of Juhu Beach and surroundings. Many visitors regularly attend religious services and we are trying to provide suitable facilities to this end. Now with so many devotees visiting from the colony, it is necessary that we have access from the colony side to the temple. At present we only have access to the temple from the sea-side and it is proving a great inconvenience to visitors coming from the colony side. We therefore request that access be kindly granted to us on the colony side for the benefit of the many worshipers who regularly visit the temple. We request that you kindly give us permission to construct a suitable access to our property from the colony side and that you kindly provide us such land for use as may be necessary. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Tribhangananda **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Tribhangananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 3/10/76.Thank you very much for your report of the temple activities there. Please offer my thanks to Mr. Pankhania for his kind assistance to our movement. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- N.B. please be sure that everyone there is following strictly the four regulative principles and chanting a minimum 16 rounds daily ### Letter to Tripurari **Date:** October 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Tripurari, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 14/10/76 along with a copy of National Geographic magazine.*Please go on with your program, preaching and distributing my books, encouraging others to remain pure by following our simple program of chanting, reading, Deity worship, etc. Krsna will certainly help you. Keep yourself always engaged in the service of Gaura-Nitai and that will keep you liberated from material contamination. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda --- *It is overmaterialistic ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > San Francisco My dear Trivikrama Swami, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 8, 1976.Regarding having Parivrajakacarya go to Asia to preach, yes, I agree. It is all right. Satadhanya will be required to stay in India after the festival. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** May 9th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Japan My dear Trivikrama Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. It is understood that you have come back from Korea. I do not know why you have come back. You wanted to organize our preaching there. If Korea attempt has not proven very fruitful, you can come immediately to the U.S.A.I am here in Hawaii and when you come we shall talk in detail. Maybe you shall be required by Tamala Krishna Goswami and Dhrstadyumna Maharaja for organizing world book distribution. In any case, I have heard the report from Pusta Krishna Swami concerning the visa situation in Korea, and if you are trying for Missionary Visa then you can apply for it here in America. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** May 15th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Japan My dear Trivikrama Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 10, 1976, along with enclosed pamphlet printed in Korean language and photographs of preaching activities in South Korea. I am very pleased to know that you are doing something solid there. What should be the objection on the part of Gurukrpa Maharaja that you cannot stay there several weeks until you get your missionary visa? There is no cooperative spirit. So you are actually doing preaching work in South Korea, and our mission is one, so why there is objection that you stay in Japan for receiving visa for Korea? Under the circumstances, I have no objection to your staying there with your party until you receive the missionary visa for South Korea. Gurukrpa Maharaja should assist you in whatever way he can and both of you work cooperatively together. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- We have just received advance copies of the Bhagavad-gita Chinese translation, the first 6 chapters. Might this be of some value to your preaching work in South Korea? ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** May 16th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Japan My dear Trivikrama Swami, Please accept my blessings. Yesterday my secretary received a telephone call from you indicating that everything was mended between yourself and Gurukrpa Maharaja, and then today he received a call from Gurukrpa Maharaja saying that the both of you were not cooperating. So what am I to do? I have appointed Gurukrpa Swami the GBC for Japan and for now at least it will be necessary to comply with him. He has suggested that you leave Japan while waiting for the reply from the S. Korean embassy there, so you can please comply with his request. He suggested one island called Okinawa where you could go for the time being, and if that is not possible then you should come here to me in Hawaii. In any case, for whatever reasons Gurukrpa Maharaja has requested like this and he is delegated GBC by me, so follow this course of action for the time being so that things can go on peacefully in Japan, as you know it is a very touchy situation with the government, and being GBC, Gurukrpa Swami is given sanction by me to develop the program along guidelines which he can choose. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pkscc: --- Gurukrpa Swami, Melbourne ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** August 20th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > New York My Dear Trivikrama Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated July 29, 1976 and have noted the contents. Your idea of raising some funds and support in the West and then going back to Taiwan is a very good idea. Do it. This is a very good program. This is a very gentlemanly idea. Unless one has an office and a sitting place, no one really cares about you. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** September 8th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Hong Kong My Dear Trivikrama Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 13, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. Unless there is some favorable opinions there is no need of opening a temple there. Unless one understands what is Krishna they will simply accuse us of having idol worship. They must first understand the science of Krsna then they may appreciate the temple. So go and and distribute as many books as possible. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** November 13th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Taipei, Taiwan My dear Trivikrama, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Oct. 25, 1976.I'm very glad to hear about the good response you are getting in Taiwan. Krsna is blessing you. You have taken a bold step. Krsna will help you. My blessings are with you. Do your best, surely you'll be successful. Print books and distribute. For now there is no need of opening temples. If you can go to the mainland that will be the greatest mercy of Krsna. Once we can set the fire of Krsna consciousness in the country, there will be spontaneous combustion. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** December 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Taipei, Taiwan My dear Trivikrama, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 9, 1976.Your description of how you are distributing Bhagavad-gita is very nice. Follow that principle. There is no need of sannyasa dress. Organize this system all over Southeast Asia and distribute as many books as possible. I think that in Taiwan the Chinese people are very friendly to the Americans. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Trivikrama **Date:** January 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Nellore My Dear Trivikrama Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. Replying your letter dated December 17th, 1975, I beg to inform you that until the next meeting of the GBC no new arrangements can be made. Now Gurukrpa Maharaja is being sent to Japan, and as he is already the GBC, you both should work cooperatively. That is the best thing. After all, it is all Krishna's business; there is no personal considerations. When you all come to the Mayapur festival, at that time all suggestions will be heard and the needful will be done. I am very glad to know that you want to recruit devotees. Unless we get local devotees it is very difficult to maintain. So try to maintain the center with local devotees, that is my urgent desire. Regarding the "dust" supposedly brought from the moon, that dust can be gotten anywhere. It has already been openly admitted that the same dust is available on this earth planet. These astronauts and scientists are all bluffing. But Srila Vyasadeva is the correct authority. Just study Srimad-Bhagavatam carefully with full faith in Krishna and Guru and all knowledge will be revealed. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Tusta Krsna **Date:** January 9th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Auckland, New Zealand My dear Tusta Krishna Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter sent in September, which has only now reached me, having been redirected a number of times. I am very pleased to get your report. Your home to home preaching is very good. The important thing is to make arrangements that they hear and chant. That will make your preaching successful. Once they begin chanting then automatically they will want to follow the rules and regulations, attend Arati, take Prasadam, etc. Yes, try to encourage book distribution as much as possible. Books are the basis of our Movement. Whatever appreciation we are getting on account of our books, it is because we are following the path chalked out by exalted devotees. We are not writing something whimsical. So far devotees being hesitant to distribute books on account of pressure, sometimes pressure is required, especially when one is not so advanced. Of course it has to be applied properly, otherwise there may be some bad taste. But spontaneous service can only be expected from advanced devotees. Just like a child by pressure goes to school and is made to read. Then after some time he wants to read, even without pressure. We have all got experience of this. It is vaidhi bhakti—vaidhi means "must." Sometimes devotees are promised a plate of maha-prasadam for the biggest distributer. There is no harm. Actually one should try to serve Krishna to his or her full capacity without thought of reward—service is itself the reward. But this takes time to actually realize and until that platform is achieved some pressure or inducement is required. I am glad to know that a restaurant has been started. In Hawaii you may have seen that the restaurant is very successful. Now that boy's money will be used properly. Instead of maintaining a slaughterhouse, he is paying for prasadam distribution. Very good. But we should not waste time encouraging vegetarianism as opposed to meat eating. We want to encourage prasadam taking and that is automatically vegetarian. The karmis are concerned for vegetarian-non-[PAGE MISSING]Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhaktivedanta, and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. All our brahmanas and anyone wanting to become brahmana, will have to sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. They will be expected to know Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad, a book soon to be published on Deity worship, as well as all the small paperbacks. If they pass the examination they will be awarded Bhakti-sastri certificate. Sannyasis will be asked to sit for Bhakti-vaibhava examination which will include the first six cantos of Bhagavatam. In our Vedic Universities we will not encourage anyone to be merely a bookworm. There must be life—rising early in the morning, attending mangala arati, taking prasadam, etc. The man who is studying will be brahmana, the farmer will be vaisya. In this way there will be divisions, but they are all one in service to Krishna. I hope this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Tusta Krsna **Date:** June 18th 1976 — **Location:** Toronto > Auckland, New Zealand My dear Tusta Krsna Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 11, 1976, with enclosed outline of the temple which is being proposed. Concerning your questions: First of all, no, you should not have the four symbols of Visnu on the four corners of the temple. Make the temple in our Vrindaban style. Three domes are there, over the Deities, and then you can have 2 domes or either side in the front. The idea is given in the sketch below:[SKETCH]On the inside veranda, you can have Gaura-lila carved. It will be a great attraction and I shall be very glad to have it. Either plaster or wood is alright, whichever is easier and cheaper to do, you can do. Of course, it would be very attractive in wood. But it is my fervent request that the devotees not make any "bombing-lila" as it was publicized recently. Just like in our Vrindaban temple, you can have 3 Deity compartments. Facing the altar, Nrsimhadeva can be on the left, Guru-Gauranga in the center, and Jagannatha-Subhadra-Balarama on the right so that you can organize Rathayatra. You can begin the construction with cornerstone. I would like to receive copies of the letters that you have written to the government officials there as you had mentioned, and also the copies of their replies. Concerning the preaching to the local people, let them chant Hare Krishna mantra, nothing else, and dance and take prasadam. There is no need of teaching them philosophy in the beginning. In America also, neither white nor black like each other, but in our society they are chanting and dancing. This is on the basis of Hare Krishna; everyone can join. On the small invitation it should read: Singing names of Krishna (God). I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Tusta Krsna **Date:** August 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Auckland, New Zealand My Dear Tusta Krsna Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of 10 August 1976 and have noted the contents. Your idea and completion of the kirtana hall etc. is very nice. You can visit our farm projects at New Vrndavana and the New York Farm in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. They do everything very nicely and you can develop your farm on their model. That you are growing all your own grains is very good. It is my ambition that all devotees may remain self independent by producing vegetables, grains, milk, fruits, flowers, and by weaving their own cloth in handlooms. This simple life is very nice. Simple village life saves time for other engagements like chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Generally people are spoiling their lives for decorating the dead body and giving no attention at all to the spirit soul within. Our business is just the opposite, to give more time to the spiritual life and accept material necessities only as required. This makes life perfect. This is the Vedic way of life. We do not reject or accept anything until it is seen in the light of our Krsna Consciousness Movement. Anything favorable for Krsna consciousness we accept and anything unfavorable we reject, anukulasya sankalpah pratikulyam-vivarjanam. Giving classes and holding feasts is our preaching. We should hold sankirtana as much as possible and distribute prasadam. Gradually when their heart is softened, then we will talk of philosophy, not in the beginning. I have read your telegram of Vyasa Puja offering and I thank you very much for your nice feelings. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Tusta Krsna **Date:** September 18th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Auckland, New Zealand My Dear Tusta Krsna Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 11, 1976 and have noted the contents with care. I fully approve of your temple design, it is very nice. I thank you very much for your very nice presentation of the issue of birth. You have assimilated the process of birth very nicely through the books. This has pleased me very much and I wish that all my students can become as adept at presenting the information in the books like this. You can make this a grand subject for agitation in that country and your preaching on this point alone will make you very famous. Therefore you should speak everywhere on this subject matter from the Bhagavatam and gita and you will be glorified. As the disciple is glorified so also the spiritual master becomes glorified more. Use this issue to advance your propaganda and become a leader in the society. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs --- n.b.—the Nrsimhadeva Deity should have Hiranyakasipu and Prahlada and should be simple, not very complex ### Letter to unknown 2 **Date:** September 28th 1976 Bhagavan Shri Krishna Chaitanya foretold, "The singing of My name is sure to be spread in every village and in every town throughout the world." In order to materialize this divine saying both Shri Shri Bhaktivinode Thakur and Prabhupada Shri Shri Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Goswami tried their best and under their direction even at the old age of 70, I started for America. There, for a full one year I had to experience great difficulties in my single handed mission on this account, and at last at New York with the help of a few friends, we were successful to have the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) already formed during my stay there, registered in 1966 under the Local Government Rules. The intention was that the men of that continent may easily grasp the teachings as well as advice of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. With the grace of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by and by ISKCON's 40 temples in America's important cities were constructed and throughout Europe in England, France, Germany, Italy and in Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, New Zealand, Auckland, Africa, Canada and Tehran and other places as well in the world all total of 102 such centres of ISKCON for distribution of Krishna cult were established. Amongst all these the very big temples in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit can be specially mentioned. In these temples the minimum number of devotees attached is 50 and maximum 250 and they are engaged to distribute Krishna hymns leading an austentious life. Everywhere the Deity of Radha and Krishna is being worshiped. From India a large number of renowned persons frequently visit these temples throughout the world and they have made remarks to the effect that in each and every temple arrangements for daily worship and functions relating thereto are remarkably done smoothly and methodically. The artistic way of make up in all respects are exceptionally good and for all these a lot of expenses made towards everything are unparallel. The devotees attached to these temples out of natural devotion frequently visit to have a glance of the holy birthplace of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Mayapur, Navadvipa, and that of Shri Krishna at Mathura and His lila-ksetra at Vrndavana, and that they do so in thousands. Bharatavarsa land is a sacred place. Bhagavan Buddha was born here. Buddhists from different places in the world come to have a darshan of Gaya and Varanasi. What harms them if the devotees of Shri Krishna come here to have a darshan of the birthplaces of Shri Krishna and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? They are after being initiated with Vaisnavism by having their head shaved and keeping sikha and yajna-sutra and adorning with twelve tilakas, being engaged in Hari sankirtana are not all these things a pride for us Indians? But it is a matter of great regret that recently in my birthplace, West Bengal, there are some who are making agitations and various uncalled for remarks without knowing the real facts. All these have pained me to a great extent. Shri Krishna and His name Krishna are the same. Just after the advent of Shri Krishna, even while He was a mere child, even then Kamsa, Putana, Aghasura, Bakasura, Gardhabasu, Pralambasura and other such demons tried their best to kill Shri Krishna. But their attempts failed. They could not harm Shri Krishna in any way. They were themselves destroyed. So the movement for Krishna Consciousness can in no way be stopped and be faded away. Rather those who are trying to do any harm by uncalled for agitation after spreading false facts, they are sure to be disheartened. It seems if these people without adopting the aforesaid wrong way of doing harm to our International Society for Krishna Consciousness, do themselves join our movement, there is every chance of a formation of the body of a Great United Nation. After the last great war the existing body of the present United Nations was formed, but what real benefit there has been to be mentioned of for the worldly people. The ISKCON movement has actually got together all nations in the world by their adoption of nonviolence creed and spreading of Krishna's name, door-to-door. Amongst us there are Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists and others who in the same way initiating themselves with shaved head, sikha, tilaka and sacred thread are engaged in singing Krishna nama in accordance with the scripture, "krsna kirtana gana nartana parau." So I fervently request my gentle countrymen to have a thorough investigation of our affairs so as to discontinue their uncalled for agitations. There has been various remarks about our income and expenditure, and on this some questions were raised in our Lokeshava and discussions made there to. The Lokeshava members accepted the fact that our various expenses are met up with our income of selling various books, as well as various donations from the public. Up till now my humble self could write at least 84 books and print them in English. Those are Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto I to VII (24 volumes), Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Shri Chaitanya Charitamrta (17 volumes), the Nectar of Devotion, Krishna Consciousness The Topmost Yoga System, Shri Isopanisad, etc., etc. These books are sold throughout the world, and the amount of their daily average sale is a little over five lacs, and for this Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, a registered body has been formed, with the intention that 50% of the sale proceeds will be utilized for printing books and the balance to be spent towards building temples, maths, and their day to day expenses. At the age of 70 I had the energy to go outside India and apart from other various duties, engage myself in writing books even at night without sleep. All these have been done in accordance with the direction of my Prabhupada Gurudeva. My foreign devotees, with the help of various machines, do the needful for printing all these books written by me. These books are sold throughout the world for which an all round very hard labor is required. If sale proceeds of my books sold outside India are brought for aforesaid expenses in India, what harms and what is to be envied of. They have been spent for the benefit of the general public, materially as well as spiritually. We get help from foreign government is an absolute false report. What an unjudicious thinking. How can anyone think of that a foreign government will subscribe money for the promotion of Krishna Consciousness? So my request is not to do injustice to us in any way by unnecessary anti propaganda, but to cooperate with us by joining our Krishna Consciousness movement so that it may spread more and more satisfactorily, and for this we shall be highly obliged. Our cooperation on this account is much coveted for. Hare Krishna. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Founder Acharya ISKCON (all over the world)Vrindaban 28/9/76 ### Letter to Upendra **Date:** January 7th 1976 — **Location:** Nellore > Honolulu My dear Upendra, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 13rd December, 1975, and I have noted the contents. Sri Deoji Punja came to see me in Bombay and he explained the whole situation, of how you missed him. Now you may write him and he has promised me that he will do the needful. Be determined and Krishna will surely help. As to your question concerning whether relationships between devotees are eternal, the answer is "yes." This is confirmed by Sri Narottama dasa Thakura: " cakhudana dilo yei, janme janme prabhu sei ", he is my Lord birth after birth. In this way you have to understand, by studying carefully the philosophy. We have got so many books now and I want all of my disciples to read them carefully. Soon we shall be instituting Bhakti-sastri examinations and all brahmanas will have to pass. So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered. I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Upendra **Date:** February 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Honolulu My dear Upendra, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 5 February, 1976.It is nice to hear that your ministers visa is being processed. In the meantime you can just wait. You will be the right person to be in charge of the temple. Krishna is giving you time for being perfectly trained up. If others are not listening, then better not cause disturbance, but inform the GBC. On any serious matter you should inform me directly. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Upendra **Date:** May 19th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Upendra das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 13, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the domes, the domes must be over the three Deities. The domes should not be brought to the front of the building. Their place is over the Deities, whether they are visible to the passersby or not. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Upendra **Date:** June 30th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Upendra dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 20, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Unless the temple is fully under our control, we are not interested. Then we shall call it back. I will decide on receipt of the reply to this letter to Vasudeva dasa (Mr. Punja). So far the Fiji constitution is concerned, where it says: "supplying needs to the sick, poor, and orphans, etc." That is not our program. We distribute prasadam to everyone, not particularly to the needy. We make no discrimination, rich or poor. I think that the enclosed copy of letter to Vasudeva is self-explanatory and I am awaiting his reply in New York where I shall further inform you concerning our project there. We cannot keep the temple in his private name and use our ISKCON name. Please keep me informed of the situation. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Upendra **Date:** July 19th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Upendra dasa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 15, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the domes for the temple, you can inquire from Aksayananda Swami in Vrindaban who did the domes on the Krishna-Balarama Temple. To date I have not received any letter from Vasudeva in reply to my last letter. If perhaps there was some delay, you can send the letter to Paris as I am leaving for London tomorrow and shortly thereafter to Paris. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Upendra **Date:** December 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Honolulu My dear Upendra, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 7 December, 1976.If you want to stay with Satsvarupa, I have no objection, but what about your wife and children? They cannot travel. If without wife and children you can travel that will be alright. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to V. G. K. Dipple **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > V.G.K. Dipple,9 Kensington-Garden-Square,London W-24Bh,England My dear Dipple-Kularatnam, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15-3-76 and I have noted the contents with care. I have forwarded your letter to one of my disciples who is presently in South India, and I have advised him that the two of you can conjointly work together to open a centre in Colombo. That will be very nice, so if by mutual cooperation the two of you can begin a centre there it will very much please me. You can correspond with Pradyumna das Adhikari at the follow address: Pradyumna das Adhikari,c/o Raghurama Acarya, Sri Pejavara Math, Car Street, Udipi, S.K.Karnataka, India I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Vakresvara **Date:** February 9th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Puebla, Mexico My dear Vakresvara das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated January 12, 1976.Thank you for the sentiments you have expressed. As far as serving me is concerned, you should chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and obey the four restrictions—no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication, and no illicit sex life. Also as much as possible go to our temple in Mexico City, nearby you, and associate with the devotees there. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Vasudeva **Date:** November 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Vasudeva, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 30/10/76.I have replied to Ramesvara as follows: Regarding the Fiji situation, your solution to amend the constitution is nice. Let Vasudeva become president. Your idea to sell BTGs, collect donations, hold kirtanas and distribute prasada profusely, yes, do that. I was given the impression that this temple was to be controlled by the Punja family and our devotees would not have any hand. This was the impression given. We want that a very nice relationship be kept with Vasudeva. It was wanted that he follows our instructions including following the GBC, so that everything can go on nicely. Let one brother be president and one treasurer, and give one good man who can act as secretary. I have not lost confidence in Vasudeva. Now the matter is clear; I'm very much pleased with him so let him remain president and that will please him more, and his brother, treasurer, with one secretary. If the temple remains permanently in Iskcon Fiji's name and cannot be sold, that is very nice; it is not for selling, it is for improving more and more. Local men must understand our philosophy, then it will be very successful. We cannot import men from outside. We sincerely want that local men, either from Vasudeva's family or any family which will take on the work. We have to work on that line. Just like some of my Godbrothers wanted to take men from India to London but the attempt was a failure; but when I trained up local men then it was successful. I have no objection if Vasudeva's whole family is trained up to take charge of the temple. Local men should not simply become a visitor but they should be trained up to take charge of the temple. That is what I want. As soon as one is a devotee of Krsna, there is no personal ambition. Life is dedicated for Him. Whatever Ramesvara and yourself will do, that is alright. Now you order huge quantity of Hindi and Gujarati books from our BBT office in Bombay. Distribute as much literature as possible, English, Hindi, and Gujarati. That is real preaching. Thank you very much. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vasudeva **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Vasudeva das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 18, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I am requesting the BBT in Los Angeles to forward you the books which you require. There is no need to deal through Australia. You can place your order directly to Ramesvara Maharaja and I am also notifying him to fill your order immediately so that your preaching work goes on there. Concerning the Deities, I have commissioned Bharadraja in Los Angeles to make them for Fiji, however if anyone else is able to do it nicely and cheaply then it is alright. You can correspond with Bharadraja in Los Angeles concerning this matter. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- n.b. I have also sent a reminder to Aksayananda Swami in Vrindaban to send the dimensions of the altar and Vyasasana of the Krishna Balarama Temple. I trust that you will receive this shortly ### Letter to Vasudeva **Date:** June 30th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Lautoka, Fiji My dear Vasudeva dasa, Please accept my blessings. In connection with our ISKCON project in Fiji, I beg to inform you that we are managing our Krishna Consciousness Movement by the Governing Body Commission, GBC. We have got about 20 GBC's looking after the whole world affair, and above the GBC I am there. Below the GBC there are the temple president, secretary, treasurer in every centre. So the temple president is responsible to the GBC and the GBC is responsible to me. In this way we are managing. But why are you proposing a separate trustee for Fiji. We have up to now no separate trustee. If this is for security purposes, that we can discuss. If you have got some new idea please explain to me how you want to manage. But I think Fiji Temple cannot be managed in a separate way. But still I will entertain some idea if you have difference you can write me explaining. The deed for the property and temple should be made in favor of "His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami --- Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness." It cannot be dedicated to any of the office bearers. So I suggest that you become the president of the temple and Upendra become the secretary, and either your brother or your wife can become treasurer. There is no need of trustees. But in any circumstance the temple can't be a private property in the name of ISKCON. If you want to keep it a private property then the ISKCON name should not be utilized. I am very much anxious to get your clear reply to this thing. So many things are unclear, so let it be cleared up. I would like you to send me a copy of the deed to New York address along with your reply. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swamicc: Upendra ### Letter to Vasudeva **Date:** July 29th 1976 — **Location:** Paris My Dear Vasudeva das; Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the undated joint letter from you and Upendra dasa and have noted the contents with care. Regarding the situation in Fiji, it is necessary that we come to a proper understanding as to the status of the land and the organization of ISKCON Fiji itself. The first point is that the governing board of ISKCON may have yourself and your brother as members, but must also have the GBC for the zone, Gurukrpa Swami, the GBC Chairman, Tamala Krsna Goswami, and Upendra das as members. The second point is that after ISKCON has been organized in the above way the land which the temple is being constructed on must be leased to ISKCON Fiji with a 99 year unconditional lease with option to renew which I shall approve. In case you do not like this arrangement then you may keep the temple as your private property and as my disciple I will give you guidance. But you may not use the ISKCON name to collect funds or to take loans. In this connection until this matter is resolved no loan may be taken from the bank or elsewhere and all collections in the name of ISKCON, must stop. If you desire to keep the temple as private property then Upendra das may return to Hawaii and ISKCON Fiji may be dissolved. If you want to consider this project as an ISKCON project then you must abide by the orders and direction of the GBC, which you do not like to do. Now whatever you like let me know. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Vegavan **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Stockholm My dear Vegavan das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 14, 1976 with enclosed copy of affidavit and I have noted the contents with care. Now you can try to introduce all my books into the Swedish Universities just as we are doing everywhere else. Approach them with all 54 volumes in English and also in all other languages. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Vegavan **Date:** December 17th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Stockholm My dear Vegavan, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 76/12/03.Regarding the question you have asked, you can give a very straight answer. Bhagavad-gita says, "dehantara praptih [Bg. 2.13]". The soul transmigrates, but there is no regular process. In the beginning of creation, when all the world was water, all living entities were aquatics. Then gradually from aquatics the soul passes into plant bodies, then insect bodies, then bird bodies, then animal bodies, then human beings. In the human form the soul can decide whether to go back to home, back to Godhead or return to birth and death, accepting material bodies according to his karma. Therefore, it is advised to take advantage of the human form of body to go back home, back to Godhead. Our movement is for this purpose, to offer all human beings a chance to go back home, back to Godhead. That is very good news that they are going to use our Bhagavad-gita as it is in the high schools. That you are getting new devotees who are not from Sweden doesn't matter. Anyone coming is welcome. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vic **Date:** February 17th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Orleans My dear Vic, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated nil. Thank you for the nice sentiments expressed therein. Go on chanting and reading our books, and gradually you will advance in Krishna Consciousness. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Vicitravirya **Date:** February 25th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > London My dear Vicitravirya das, Please accept my blessings. I have recently thought of a scheme to increase funds in our BBT account. I would like to send Indian goods to you for sales to the devotees and others. In the beginning I can have cloth sent, especially saris. So many others are doing it successfully, we also can be successful. I will have the papers sent through my personal account in Lloyd's Bank and you can deposit all monies received from sales of the saris in my account. You may also keep a percentage of the sales for the London temple. Please advise my secretary if you are able to execute. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Vicitravirya **Date:** September 30th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Vicitravirya, Please accept my blessings. With reference to your letter to Harikesa dated 14th inst., on your recommendation I am accepting the following disciples for first initiation. Radha Krishna Pillay—Rama-Sarana DasaGordon McMillan—Gaura-Nitai DasaBrian Daulby—Bhajanananda DasaEamon Morton—Atmatma DasaBenedict Bygott-Webb—Bhagavad-bhakta DasaGabriel Zajac—Giri-Govardhana DasaTony Smullen—Tulasi-priya DasaJanet Pillay—Janaki Devi DasiLaureanne Mcmillan—Lal Gopala Devi DasiHold a fire sacrifice and the disciples may receive their names at that time. Jayatirtha may chant on the beads and give them to the devotees. All initiates must chant minimum 16 rounds on the beads daily and very strictly follow the four regulative principles to insure progress in Krishna Consciousness. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/as ### Letter to Vicitravirya **Date:** December 10th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Bhaktivedanta Manor My dear Vicitravirya, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8th December, 1976.Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees; Tirthakara das, Mahavidya das, Jagatam dasi, Jagannathaisvare dasi, for second initiation. Now, hold a fire yajna for devotees only. Let the new brahmanas hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri in their right ears, and teach them to chant on their finger divisions. It is a very nice report of book distribution. Your proposal to make 20 devotees per month is also very nice. Yes, the accounts must be kept very clearly. Then everyone will be pleased with us. Not a single farthing should be wasted. That will be our credit. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vidya **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban My Dear Vidya dasi, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 27, 1976.If it is not possible for Tulasi to survive the winters when planted in the ground, then a suitable house should be provided for her. Even in the Canadian temples which are in a much colder climate are keeping Tulasi nicely. Why should there be so much difficulty in Los Angeles, which has such a nice climate. Just do everything very carefully. Tulasi flourishes where there is love and devotion. In answer to your questions; 1) Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krsna. 2) Tulasi's body is spiritual. 3) Yes, jewelry is alright. 4) If possible. 5) Tulasi leaves should be offered to the Deity. 6) If possible. 7) Yes. 8) Yes. 9) You may cut the dead branches, but what is the necessity. 10) I never said that. 11) No. 12) Yes. 13) Use the wood for beads as far as possible, the balance may be placed within the earth. 14) I said no chemical sprays. 15) Undisturbed means what? 16) Use common sense and if you have none then consult with others. 17) No. 18) Don't try to introduce something new. The most important thing is the love and devotion. Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vidyabadhu **Date:** September 6th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Los Angeles My Dear Vidyabadhu devi dasi, Please accept my blessings. You and your son should come immediately to Vrndavana and stay under the direction of Gurukula. You may engage as a teacher of young children and your son will be a student. You will be supported by a pension that your husband has now received from the US government. There are three enemies. One of them is the mother with child who marries again. The child should be raised in Krsna consciousness movement where both of you will advance in developing love of God. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Vikas **Date:** September 12th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Calcutta My Dear Vikas, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8 September 1976. I am very very sorry to learn that your father has expired. Your father was my class friend and neighborhood friend. During the time of your grandfather your whole family was living at Varanasi Ghose St. Our residence was on the same street and because we went to the same college, Scottish Church College, and were in the same class, we were very intimately connected since 1916, more than 50 years. Naturally I am very very sorry to learn the death news of your father, my beloved friend. So offer your mother my condolences for the bereavement, but there is nothing to be very sorry for. According to Bhagavad-gita your father has not died, he has changed his body, na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20].Certainly I shall pray to Krishna for his better situation in the next life. Offer my blessings to your children and wife and I hope that this meets you in good health. I will most probably be in Calcutta in December next and I shall be glad to see you at that time. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Vishambhar **Date:** January 9th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Vrindaban My dear Vishambhar, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter undated. I have received so many samples of translations from different persons. Most of them are not very good. Of all, I like the Goswami Nrsimha Vallabha. I want to settle terms with him. Hoping this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Visvakarma **Date:** January 10th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Toronto My dear Viswakarma, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your undated letter. Yes, it is the mercy of Krishna that we have got such an important building in Toronto. It is a top-most triumph. If you can fix up a neon sign always moving with the maha-mantra Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, that will be a great achievement. The sign can be on from evening to mid-night, that will be the proper utilization of such an ideal building and location. Christianity is now declining, therefore they are having to sell all their churches to us. Because they have got no clear idea of God, people are not satisfied with them. But we can explain what God is, so people are appreciating more and more our Movement. Now by Krishna's grace you have a beautiful Temple, use it to preach very vigorously. If you all strictly follow the principles and chant sixteen rounds, your spiritual strength will be insured, and our Movement will become increasingly prominent. I accept the recommended devotees as my initiated disciples. Their spiritual names are: Errol Lewis—Ugresa dasaCraig Harper—Asuramarjara dasaSubash Batra—SubhaVilasa dasaAsha Batra—Ashalata dasiNow you have to hold a fire ceremony. Instruct everyone to faithfully chant 16 rounds and follow the regulative principles. Teach them by your personal example. Regarding Bon Maharaja, in the future he should be completely avoided. We shall have no further connection with him. Enclosed is a letter to SubhaVilasa which you may please deliver to him. I hope this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Visvakarma **Date:** November 19th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Toronto My dear Visvakarma, Please accept my blessings. I have received your recommendations for initiation through Jagadisa. Yes, I will accept these devotees as you have recommended; Jita Kandarpa das and Subuddhi dasi for second initiation and Bhakta Clem for first initiation. His new name is Kartikeya dasa. Hold a fire sacrifice. Instruct Kartikeya to always follow very strictly the four regulative principles and chant a minimum of 16 rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. The second initiates should hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri in their right ear. Instruct them how to chant on their finger divisions. Kirtanananda may chant on the beads of the new initiate. No, you may not serve decaffinated coffee in the restaurant. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vrikodara **Date:** December 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > New Orleans My dear Vrikodara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 8, 1976.Upon your recommendation I will accept the devotees you have recommended as my duly initiated disciples. Now hold a fire sacrifice. Instruct them on the offenses to be avoided while chanting the Holy Names. They must promise to always chant a minimum of 16 rounds and strictly follow the four regulative principles. Balavanta may chant on their beads. Their new names are; Victor—Vedanta Krt dasa, Albert—Ananda dasa, Paul—Paramatma dasa. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vrikodara **Date:** December 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > New Orleans My dear Vrikodara, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram as follows, "Dearest Srila Prabhupada please accept my fallen obeisances I am requesting permission for second initiation for following boys RasaVilasa das brahmacari Janananatha das brahmacari they have both been chanting 16 rds daily without fail for 10 months and have taken their service very seriously your fallen servant Vrikodara das adhikary".Upon your recommendation I will accept these boys for second initiation. Now, hold a fire ceremony for devotees only. Let them hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in their right ears. Teach them how to chant on their finger divisions. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Vrindaban Chandra De **Date:** April 7th 1976 > Sriman Vrindaban Chandra De,Vrinda Book Co.,30/1B, College Row,Calcutta-700-009,W. Bengal Krishna Balaram Mandir,Chattikara Road, Raman Reti,Vrindaban, Dist, Mathura, U.P My dear Vrindaban, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 27, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care. I am sure that the Fixed Deposit Receipt itself is there with the Punjab National Bank because I have their letter of acknowledgement which is lying in Bombay. So you can see them immediately and show my letter confirming that F.D.R. is there with them. I am also very much anxious to know how much business you are doing on the matter of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. I have already assured you that you will get in advance your money for propaganda work, but you must give me order for at least double the amount you take advance. I am leaving for Bombay the 11th April, 1976 and then for Australia on the 18th April, so between this time if you come to see me in Bombay I can give you all suggestions how to organize business. The passbook may be kept with you and when you come to Bombay, bring it with you. There is no need of sending it by post, but keep it carefully. If you can secure good business, then I'll give you facility for opening a branch of your book company in Bombay so that facilities for supply both inward and outward can be very easily done. I have sent you a bunch of keys to your apartment and I hope that you have already received it. Hoping that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Vrindaban Chandra De **Date:** April 13th 1976 > Sriman Vrindaban Chandra De,Vrinda Book Co.,30/1B, College Row,Calcutta-700-009, W. Bengal Hare Krishna Land,Juhu Road, Juhu,Bombay 400-054 My dear Vrindaban, Please accept my blessings. With further reference to my letter dated 7/4/76, I beg to enclose herewith a "true copy" of the receipt by Punjab National Bank. You can go immediately to see the bank manager and do the needful. It is signed (signature illegible) by a bank official and it has the official stamp of the Punjab National Bank dated 5/3/71. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Vrindaban Chandra De **Date:** April 21st 1976 > Sriman Vrindaban Chandra De,Vrinda Book Co.,30/1B, College Row,Calcutta-700-009, W. Bengal197 Danks St., Albert Park,Melbourne, Australia My dear Vrindaban, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14 April, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. By this time you must have received my letter dated April 13, 1976, along with the enclosed copy of letter verifying that the F.D.R. should still be lying with the Punjab National Bank. Now you can enquire further and they must search it out. Kindly keep me informed in this matter. It is very good that you have sold Burdwan University the order of books. Now go on securing orders. I will give you all facility that you require. I have already written you that I will advance you money for your propaganda work, but you must give me order for at least double the amount that you take advance from me. This is the equivalent of 50% commission on all sales. In regards to opening the Bombay branch, it is not immediately necessary. It can wait until later as I am presently in Australia and when I return in 4 months time, we can further discuss this proposal. Concerning the tour of Orissa, for the time being you have got sufficient funds for Orissa, and when you come back I shall advance you further money. In the meantime, I am advising the Central Bank to pay you something from the month of May. The copy of the letter is enclosed herein. Give me report of what business you are securing every month, just as you have reported as your report has engladdened me. So try to secure orders for Rs. 5,000/- each month and you shall know that your business is successful and you are lucky. So there will be no scarcity for your travel but the principle must be maintained that whatever you take in advance must be repaid double in terms of your orders. I wish to suggest a method to you as follows: you go on posting leaflets regularly at least daily 100 to the addresses of respectable gentlemen taking from an authorized mailing list or else from the telephone book. After a week from the posting date you can ask the gentlemen by phone as follows: "Sir, we have sent you one pamphlet about our books now I wish to show you the books personally. If you give me some time I can go with the books personally without any obligation on your part. Simply I want to show you." So if you get the appointment with the gentlemen, inspired you go there and do the needful. I hope that this process will help you get so many orders from respectable gentlemen. The matter of Mr. S.N. Poddar has been referred to Gopal Krishna das Adhikari, and he will write to Mr. Poddar and send you a copy of his reply. Gopal Krishna will attend to this matter and send you a copy of Mr. Poddar's reply accordingly. Keep the Punjab National Bank passbook with you and when I return I shall collect the same from you. Actually, I have the passbook with me in Bombay. I reported it as missing but that is really with me in Bombay. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksenc: --- 1 __(handwritten: "three (3)")__ ### Letter to Whom it may concern **Date:** May 4th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu BombayTo whom it may concern, I have been informed by Upendra das in Fiji Island that he wrote one letter similar to the enclosed letter herein and that one month has passed without any reply. What kind of management is this? So these things should be rectified immediately. There is good scope for distributing Gujarati and Hindi books in Fiji, but if there is mismanagement then what can be done. Please reply this letter to Upendra das and other such inquiries at once upon receipt. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Whom it may concern **Date:** October 25th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban To whom it may concern: It is a great pleasure for me that Dr. S.R. Chakravarti has sung some important verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam, now made into a record album. I have heard these songs and am confident that anyone who will listen to these nice songs will be inclined to read my complete translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, now available in English (60 volumes), which has been published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in Los Angeles, U.S.A.Faithfully, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Yamuna, Dinatarine **Date:** January 13th 1976 — **Location:** Calcutta My Dear Yamuna and Dinatarine, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 24th, 1976.I am very pleased to see the nice photos of your Deities Radha Vanebehari. The singasana has also come out very nicely. You can attract the fair sex community. Most of them are frustrated being without any home or husband. If you can organize all these girls they will get a transcendental engagement and may not be allured to the frustration of life. Your engagement should be chanting and worship of the Deity Jiva Goswami advises that in the Kali-yuga sankirtana is the principle worship. Even if one chants many mantras it must be preceded by glorious sankirtana. Sankirtana is the maha-mantra. Yes, you are right, women are generally after sense gratification. That is the disease. Chant 24 hours a day and don't dress nicely to attract men. It is better that you don't make a large program. Remain a humble program. In bhakti there is no grotesque program. A humble program is better. We are doing all these grotesque programs to allure the masses. My Guru Maharaja used to say that no one hears from a person coming from a humble, simple life. You remain always very humble. So far as giving loans, I think it won't be possible because in India we require a huge amount of money for Bombay and Mayapur. We also have to build nice Temples at Kuruksetra and Jagannatha Puri. The Americans are accused of being C.I.A., so counteract this. We want to prove how Americans have constructed very large temples. Certainly it is not for C.I.A. propaganda. Sita Devi, Mother Laksmi, wife of Lord Ramacandra, went to live with Valmiki Muni in a cottage. Although she was a King's daughter and a King's wife, she preferred to live very humbly in the cottage of Valmiki Muni with two sons in the absence of Ramacandra. That should be the ideal example. Women when not with husband must live very very humbly and simple life. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Yamuna, Dinatarine **Date:** February 21st 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Murphy, Oregon My dear Yamuna and Dinatarine, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 4, 1976.Enclosed please find a true copy of my reply to your letter dated December 24th, 1976.The thing is cow protection is not possible for women. You can keep two or three cows, but on larger scale it is not possible. You should not try to take care of more. It is not women's business. Women's business is getting milk and making milk preparations. On the whole larger scale is not to be attempted by women. Manage a small asram, but don't try bigger scale, then you require the help of men. Don't try manual exertion, then again there is mixture and that is not desired. Simply keep yourself aloof from men—chanting, many more times as possible, read books, worship the deity. I am very much pleased with this girl Svati—she has adopted this white dress. She must not be attractive at all. A widow is forbidden to use ornaments, nice sari, decoration, combing the hair nicely. These are forbidden for the woman who is not with husband. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Yamuna, Dinatarini **Date:** May 15th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Murphy, Oregon Yamuna devi dasi Dinatarini devi dasi My dear daughters, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters with photographs enclosed of Sri Sri Radha-Vanabehari, dated May 10, 1976. I am very glad to see how nicely you are caring for the Deities. I am scheduled to be in Los Angeles from June 1 to June 11. I am even contemplating coming to see you there on your farm if you are unable to come to see me. Please continue to develop things there for women devotees as previously instructed. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasasvini **Date:** July 24th 1976 — **Location:** Bhaktivedanta Manor My Dear Yasasvini devi dasi: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your very nice offering and I thank you very much for it. Pleasing the spiritual master is the most important principle in spiritual life so go on acting in such a way that the spiritual master may be pleased. Always chant at least 16 rounds daily and follow the four principles without fail. Then you will be strong in your spiritual life. By always following the principles, chanting, and performing regulated worship of the Deity, one can make steady advancement. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodalala **Date:** July 8th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Baltimore My dear Yasodalala das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter with enclosed check and I thank you very much. The only way that we can overcome maya is by seriously and sincerely taking shelter of Krishna. Daivi esa guna mayi mama maya duratyaya, mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te [Bg. 7.14]. So chant very sincerely and follow the four regulative principles strictly and very soon you will be able to find shelter from the miseries of material attachment. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanananda **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Hyderabad My dear Yasodananandan Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. It is a good idea to use the money which had been collected in Madras to complete the Hyderabad Temple. The immediate necessity must be met first. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanandana **Date:** April 2nd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Hyderabad My dear Yasodanandana Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22 March, 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. My program will be confirmed by the end of April. There is a proposed meeting with the chief minister of Haryana for organizing Kuruksetra and if that meeting is serious, then certainly I shall remain in India. The minister is supposed to meet me in Vrindaban before the 10th April and after the meeting I shall let you know my program. Concerning the story of Prahlada (Varaha Nrsimha), if the story is mentioned in the Puranas then it is alright. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanandana **Date:** April 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Melbourne > Hyderabad My dear Yasodanandana Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 14 April, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning the printing of the Brahmasamhita, I have informed Ramesvara Maharaja that the BBT Trustees can discuss this, and if they approve it, then I have no objection. You have stated that you would also assist in the printing costs. I can write an introduction to the book if it is approved by the others to go ahead and print it. On your recommendation I agree to the second initiation of Jagaman das Brahmacari. Impress upon him the seriousness to follow the regulative principles strictly, keeping clean outside and inside by constantly chanting Hare Krishna. You can hold fire yajna and play a tape of the chanting of Gayatri Mantra into the right ear. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanandana **Date:** May 16th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu My Dear Yasodanandana Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 4, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. By this time you should have received the money I sent for your book printing in Hyderabad. I sent you one check care of Mahamsa Swami, bank draft FH 099222, for $1,700, the equivalent of just over Rs. 15,000/-, which you requested as an advance for printing books. I have to this time received no reply from either Mahamsa Swami, and neither an acknowledgement of reciept of the bank draft from yourself. Please check on this, it was sent to the Hyderabad temple address by registered post care of Mahamsa Swami. Further I gave instructions in my letter to you of May 5, 1976, how you can repay this loan to you. I am concerned to see that this arrived safely through the post. I have informed Gopala Krsna that you may also use the color transparencies for the printing of your books in South India. Radhavallabha is sending Gopala Krsna all the transparencies from all of our books as we intend to print all of our books in India for profuse distribution. I am very encouraged to hear about the large crowds that are coming to the programs and taking our books. Concerning the new boy who has joined you from the Hubli program, you can keep him with you as you see fit, but be careful about money matters. Sometimes they will join with some ulterior motive. In the beginning, be very careful with money matters. As regards your desire for Sadbhuja Deity, if your divert your attention to worship, that will not be good. Time is short. You can keep one picture for your darsana. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanandana **Date:** May 26th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Hyderabad My dear Yasodananda Swami, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of the Hare Krishna Souvenir printed from the Madras Centre. It appears that you neglected to advertise my books. It was a very good opportunity but why was it overlooked? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanandana **Date:** June 24th 1976 — **Location:** New Vrindaban > Hyderabad My dear Yasodanandana Maharajaand Acyutananda , Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 10, 1976 with enclosed photographs; especially the one taken in Bangalore of the Bar Association members taking my books was best of all. The people of Bangalore have again shown nice response to our coming, so keep the relationship very friendly, and deal carefully. I am very pleased to read the letter of commendation from the other sannyasis in South India. Now you can make copies of all these letters and send them to both the Jagannatha Temple in Puri, and the Ranganatha Temple in Vrindaban and get their official reply. Our movement is for everyone. It is not sectarian. When we speak of no intoxication, it is meant for everyone. You should always remember the statement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu:yei bhaje sei bada abhakta-hina chara"Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore in the discharge of devotional service of the Lord, there is no consideration service of the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one's family." [Cc. Antya 4.67].The devotee is great and the nondevotee is downtrodden. And in the matter of devotional service of Krishna, there is no concern of caste and creed. Krsna also says, mam hi partha vyapasritya ye'pi syuh pata-yonayayah [Bg. 9.32]. Even the papa-yonayayah, if he takes to devotional service, he also goes back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. This conception of caste on the basis of birthright has killed the Vedic culture. Also in the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said:yasya yallaksanam proktampuso varnabhivyanjakam,yadanyatrapi drsyetatat tenaiva vinirdiset[SB 7.11.35]So despite all these things, these people are still insisting that one can only be Vaisnava if born in a brahmana family. That is not a very learned position. As yet I have not received a confirmation from[TEXT MISSING]which I had sent to him c/o Hyderabad temple. Also, the BBT Bombay says that you owe Rs. 83,000 to them. So why haven't you paid yet? You are such a big preacher, why you shall remain in debt? I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasodanandana **Date:** July 29th 1976 — **Location:** Paris My Dear Yasodanandana Swami: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 17 July 1976 and have noted the contents. In regards to your point on the brahmanas being dispersed all over the world, Rsabhadeva's sons were both brahmanas and ksatriyas and were throughout the world. The sons of Nava Yogendra were the brahmanas and another son's progeny were the ksatriyas. So continue this preaching work more and more. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** January 18th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > New Zealand My dear Yashomatinandan, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of the names of the persons recommended for first and second initiation. I accept all the new devotees as my initiated disciples. Their spiritual names are: Bhakta Phil—SarvaksadasaBhakta Mark—Parivadi dasaBhakta Jimmy—Kalasamvara dasaBhakta Bruce—Rudracandi dasaBhakta Martin—Krodhesvara dasaBhaktin Karen—Sarvaga dasiBhaktin Sue—Brahmapatni dasiAll of them must agree to faithfully chant 16 rounds minimum daily and rigidly abide by the four regulative principles. I accept Sriman Ram das and Sriman Dayasara das for second initiation. Their sacred threads are duly chanted on and are enclosed. Brahmin means to be clean—inside by always chanting the Lord's glories, and outside by regular bathing. Brahmin also means pandita, so they must be able to support their preaching by quoting sastric references. Particularly, they should study Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction as well as all the small paperbacks. There will be a yearly examination for all Brahmins based upon these books. Now you must hold a fire ceremony. Afterwards, the brahmanas may hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape recording. Teach everyone to follow the principles by your personal example. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** February 15th 1976 — **Location:** Mayapur > Ahmedabad My dear Yasomatinandana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12 February, 1976 and have noted the contents. I am very pleased with your monthly Bhagavata-Darsana. That is a solid program. Please continue it steadily. One thing is, you must be careful with the subscription books so that they are not counterfeit or used by cheaters. One man, Agarwal, was cheating us in Kota and is now captured and given to the police. Unless one is authorized no one should be given a receipt book. Therefore you must have printed on each receipt: "NO BEARER CHECK; NO CASH; ACCOUNT PAID CHECK ONLY—MAKE PAYABLE TO INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS ONLY."Yes, I approve your distribution ideas, namely subscriber agents, news agents. The subscription drive is a solid program. And if you regularly publish and get registered, you can get a one or two paise charges (postal concession). All right, you may take advertisements. Go ahead and educate the public regarding our philosophy and ISKCON activities. Also in the future there are many cities such as Bombay, Surat, and Calcutta with large numbers of Gujaratis, you may arrange for getting subscriptions there. Gradually as you work there, you will get local men to join you. I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/dda ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** May 26th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Auckland, New Zealand My dear Yasomatinandana das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 23, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. I remember how so many people were coming to visit the temple. The Deities should be very beautifully decorated so that people will be able to see the gorgeous worship in the temple. Now you have also received shipment of books so distribute my books profusely. This distribution is the greatest welfare work for humanity. What will be the benefit of so many skyscraper buildings if in their next life they have to take birth as a cat or a dog? Where will be the advancement in such an arrangement? Actual progress is to become fit for going back to home, back to Godhead. Concerning the incident where the two boys were killed in what appeared to be a bomb blast, it is unfortunate that the newspapers have made it appear that these boys are Hare Krishna devotees. Of course, anyone can chant Hare Krishna, just like we go on the streets chanting, and others will imitate us. However, in our aims you will not find that our organization is dedicated to such methods or goals. Our aim is to awaken people throughout the world to Krishna Consciousness, God consciousness, by chanting the Holy Names of God. We have published so many books to explain our viewpoint, and why we should sit idly by and allow the press to unfairly take advantage of such a situation to misrepresent the Hare Krishna Movement. In any case, the movement cannot be judged simply by the activities of some individuals, but these men were not in our camp and still the press took unfair notice of all the facts. We should demand at least equal time from the press to explain the entire situation clearly, and when necessary we should file suit against such newspapers in order that things are not distorted. It is not in our aims anywhere to build bombs for any purpose. The same mentality is involved in trying to blow-up a slaughterhouse as is there in meat-eating. Such things will not stop people from unnecessary animal slaughter. It is only by educating people in the science of Krishna Consciousness that they will automatically develop all good qualities. Yasyatma bhaktir bhagavati akincana, sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. And the nondevotee will not have any good qualities even they may be vegetarians. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad guna manorathenasati dhavato bahih [SB 5.18.12]. So we should clearly establish our aims in such situations and sit by idly. We must preach very boldly whenever the situation is favorable. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** July 11th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Ahmedabad My dear Yasomatinandana das, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your new Gujarati magazine with enclosed letter dated June 28, 1976, and I thank you very much. Your program in Ahmedabad is very encouraging. Do it. Why not take the government land immediately. If you can publish these magazines you will get many supporters and sympathizers. If the order department in Bombay is not despatching the orders on literature to the foreign temples then you can sometimes go to Bombay and organize things. You are one of the trustees. You can organize it or have some professional shipping agent do it. Ahmedabad is such a big city. Aren't there any shipping agents there? Why from Bombay, why not from Ahmedabad? The distribution results from the Rathayatra are very nice. There is no question of profit. Distribution is the first consideration. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** September 24th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Ahmedabad My dear Yasomatinandana, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 19th inst. and copy of Gujarati magazine. It appears to be nice. So you have got a new house very suitable for our purpose; it is very nice. So try to purchase some land as soon as possible. Regarding against propoganda, it is going on practically everywhere, especially Bengal. So we have to work very sincerely and Krishna will give us protection. The only hope, we can understand that demons are disturbed. That is quite natural. When Krishna was born, from the day of His birth, the demons wanted to kill him in so many ways but practically it was found that demons were killed by Krishna and He established His mission yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata/ abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamyaham [Bg. 4.7]. So if we work sincerely, the Krishna Consciousness Movement is non-different from Krishna. As Krishna killed all the demons, we should also be able to kill all demons if we remain faithful in the discharge of our mission. I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hs ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** October 14th 1976 — **Location:** Chandigarh My Dear Yasomatinandana Prabhu, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 8/10/76 and have noted the contents carefully. You say the farm is only five miles from the city, so we will build our temple on that land. The farmers should be trained up to become devotees of Krishna. The same Idea I have already given for Hyderabad farm. Invite the local farmers to participate in Kirtana and prasadam distribution, engage them to work the land. They may keep whatever they require for their maintenance and the excess production may be traded or sold. But we are not going to develop a competitive farming enterprise for making money. The basic principle is to become independent of artificial city life, working in factories producing nut and bolts. Gandhi had this Idea, the one defect was that there was no Krishna in the center. So the same idea of village organization, but keeping Krishna in the center should be introduced on our farm projects. Do not install Gaura Nitai deities until sufficient men are there to take proper care of them. Regarding men; everywhere there is shortage, we cannot continue to import men continually. I hope this letter finds you well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/hds ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** November 28th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Ahmedabad My dear Yasomatinandana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 11/30/76 (somehow mistakenly dated).I am very encouraged by your book distribution report as also your enthusiasm to publish my books in Gujarati. One thing, what is the reason no local men are joining? This is wanted. Then the center there will become strong. You say we must have a gosala trust, that is our real purpose. krsi-goraksya-vanijyam vaisya karma svabhava-jam, [Bg 18.44]. Where there is agriculture there must be cows. That is our mission: Cow protection and agriculture and if there is excess, trade. This is a no-profit scheme. For the agriculture we want to produce our own food and we want to keep cows for our own milk. The whole idea is that we are Iskcon, a community to be independent from outside help. This farm project is especially for the devotees to grow their own food. Cotton also, to make their own clothes. And keeping cows for milk and fatty products. Our mission is to protect our devotees from unnecessary heavy work to save time for advancing in Krsna consciousness. This is our mission. So there is no question of profit, but if easily there are surplus products, then we can think of trading. Otherwise we have no such intention. We want a temple, a gosala and agriculture. A community project as in Europe and America. We are making similar attempts in India in several places. Immediately I'm going to Hyderabad to organize the farm project there. We have 600 acres. We have the permission from the government. There is no question of ceiling. You may call the gosala: ISKCON Gosala and Farm Project Trust. The trustees shall be; myself as chairman, Pranlal Bhogilal, yourself, Gopala Krsna, Mahamsa, Hansadutta, Kartikeya Mahadevia, Aksayananda, and the life member you have mentioned in your letter (You haven't mentioned his name, but you say that he is an actor and has a farm of his own).Hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** December 14th 1976 — **Location:** Hyderabad > Ahmedabad My dear Yasomatinandana, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 7/12/76.The publishing you are doing is very good. That is very enthusiastic propaganda work. I'm going to Bombay by the end of the third week of December. If possible, try to see me there. Regarding the artist you have written about, if he can paint improved paintings, we shall publish. Yes, you can bring him to Bombay when you come. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Yasomatinandana **Date:** January 9th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay > Ahmedabad My dear Yasomatinandana, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 3rd January, 1976 and I have noted the contents carefully. I have sent you a telegram reading as follows: "Gandhi asrama house useless Letter follows." As described by you, there are so many disadvantages of that building. Therefore, forget it. We are not at all interested in it. The entire structure would have to be dismantled. The other house which you describe sounds very nice. You can accept the offer immediately and begin living there. You say they are prepared to give it for a good cause. What is more public welfare than Krishna Consciousness? To awaken everyone's original consciousness is the best public welfare in the whole world. So occupy this house and show some good work and in this way they may be induced to let us stay. Even if you can only stay for three months, what is the loss? You can always look for another place. Now people are seeing how genuine our movement is, they are coming forward to offer us so many places. We simply have to maintain our strict principles, keeping ourselves pure, Otherwise, there are so many bogus institutions doing business in the name of God and simply cheating the people. We have to be careful not to degenerate like these others. Our strength depends upon regular chanting the required 16 rounds and rigidly adhering to the regulative principles. Regarding Dr. Ashok's address, my secretary shall be sending it to you by separate post. Hoping this meets you in the best of health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/tkg ### Letter to Yasomatisuta **Date:** May 15th 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > Hong Kong My dear Yasomatisuta das, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your translation into Chinese of the first 6 chapters of the Bhagavad-gita. It is a great triumph and is very well done. Some how or another now push it amongst the Chinese. Don't worry about money for printing books. If you require money, it will be supplied; and I am informing Gurukrpa Maharaja and Tamala Krsna Maharaja in this connection. You simply have to find out the market and push these books amongst the Chinese. Do not be concerned that there may be some difficulty in preaching to the Chinese. Krsna has designated you to raise them to the higher level. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is to raise the degraded to the higher platform. So Krsna has sent you amongst the Chinese people to save them . . . so don't be disheartened and go on with the work, you'll get strength. Whatever financial help you require, I shall see that it is provided. As your spiritual master, I have my whole-hearted thanks for your service. May Krsna bless you. You have done a great service for being recognized by Krsna, and continue with this work. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Yudhisthira **Date:** October 27th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > Friendship, New York My dear Yudhisthira, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated October 13, 1976, along with photographs of your farm. It appears very nice. As far as the farm being authorized, you discuss with Kuladri and Kirtanananda Maharaja. Whatever they say I agree. Kuladri is an experienced man so you may organize things there taking his advice. Please just work sincerely and Krsna will bless you. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ādi-kesava **Date:** December 26th 1976 — **Location:** Bombay My Dear Ādi Kesava, please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 24, 1976. I have noted the contents carefully. Mare krsna rakhe ke rakhe krsna mare ke. If Krsna protects, who can kill? And, if krsna kill, who can protect? So, if we are sincere servants, then Krsna will give us protection. Who can kill us? This Bombay land, such a huge attempt was made to kill us. Now we are the owner of this huge property. We were going to be driven out, now we are the richest men. In Bombay nobody has got such property. The society of friends in support of the Hare Krsna Movement is a very good proposal. So, induce them to do that. That will be great success. If such persons organize a movement that the Hare Krsna Movement is genuine it is a very, very good success. Try to do it. All the scholars who have given certification will join. That will be great success if that corporation is formed. So our scholars, students like Svarupa Damodara and others can join with them to form this corporation. This should be organized. This is a very good proposal. Somehow or other try for that. That you are gathering good support from the Indian community is nice. This Candra Swami has said that "In America there is no one turning Christians into Hindus except for the Hare Krsna Movement." That means his support is genuine, he's appreciating. Yes, it is dangerous to associate with such men, you should always remember that. But to take our interest, if the help is coming from such persons, we should not lose it also. But you must be very careful. If it is by his arrangement that we shall be able to see Carter, then we shall take advantage. If we can explain our philosophy that will be nice. That Krsna is on our side is our only hope. Still we shall endeavor to do the needful. We want that Krsna's name will become the most prominent in the Western world, directly or indirectly. Either they paise Krsna or criticize they are being purifies. this is very curious. They are helping to sell our books. They are curious: "What is this nonsense?" That's nice that Krsna is now appearing on the front page of the New York Times. Yes, be assured Krsna will bless you to be strong against these demons. Regarding the use of Ostrich feathers, we don't find such things mentioned in the sastras, only peacock feathers. But, there is no harm. It is for dressing the Deity. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Ādi-kesava **Date:** May 3rd 1976 — **Location:** Honolulu > New York My dear Ādi Kesava Maharaja, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 21, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Your plan to have the Rathayatra on July 18th, down 5th Avenue, is approved by me and I shall try to be there definitely. However make the carts very strong, not that while the procession is going on, the wheel breaks on the cart. It is better to have one first class cart. The cart in Philadelphia was done very nicely. If you are unable to make three strong carts, then make at least one very nicely. But, if you can make three very strong, then I have no objection. Concerning the house in Delhi, I am surprised to hear that the State Department in Washington has not yet received our application from their Delhi office. I am herewith enclosing a true copy of the application with explanatory note to this effect. I want you to see that this is delivered to the proper person in Washington, and if possible you can arrange an appointment with him so that I can meet with him and finalize matters if possible when I visit Washington. I am tentatively scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. between the 2nd July (friday) and the 9th July (friday). If we can finalize this business during this time in my presence, that will be very nice. I shall likely remain here in Hawaii until the end of May, then I will be in Los Angeles for about 10 days. Please inform me of the outcome of your endeavours. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pksn.b. --- Please enclose one "Krishna Consciousness is Authorized" and one copy of the letter from Kenneth Keating to Gurudasa (if available) when you present the application to the State Department official in Washington ### Letter to Ādi-kesava **Date:** July 19th 1976 — **Location:** New York > Iskcon, New York My dear Ādi Kesava Maharaj, Please accept my blessings. I wish to thank you for assisting in organizing such a grand Rathayatra on 5th. Avenue in New York. I am very much pleased with your sincere efforts. Go on like this and Krishna will surely bless you. I hope that this meets you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/pks ### Letter to Ādi-kesava **Date:** November 14th 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Ādi Kesava, Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated 3/8/76 which has just now reached me. Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the boy you have recommended for initiation. His new name is Giridhari dasa. Please make sure he knows to strictly follow the four regulative principles and chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. Hold a fire sacrifice. Tamala Krsna may chant on his beads. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda ### Letter to Ādi-kesava **Date:** November 24th 1976 — **Location:** Mathura > India My Dear Ādi Kesava, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 8, 1976.I have studied all the letters and clippings in our support. It is very good. This is very important. By Krsna's grace, due to this apparent setback, now this Movement will become more prominent. Sometimes these tactics are also employed in military encounters. Temporarily retreating, then coming forward with stronger force than before. You may consult with Tamala Krsna and Ramesvara and whatever expenditure is required for emergency legal costs may be loaned from the BBT. We must spend for this purpose. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ### Letter to Ādi-kesava, Dhrstadyumna **Date:** November 23rd 1976 — **Location:** Vrindaban > New York My dear Ādi Kesava and Dhrstadyumna, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 9, 1976.Upon your recommendation I will be pleased to accept Drsya Krsna, Hamsarupa, and Subuddhi Raya for second initiation. Now hold a fire sacrifice for devotees only. Let the initiates hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri in the right ear. Teach them how to chant on the finger divisions. Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ACBS/jda