Accept disciples (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"accept a bona fide disciple" |"accept a disciple" |"accept a disciple" |"accept any disciple" |"accept any disciples" |"accept as a disciple" |"accept disciples" |"accept him as a disciple" |"accept him as his disciple" |"accept many disciples" |"accept somebody as disciple" |"accept this boy as disciple" |"accept you as my disciple" |"accept you as my disciple" |"acceptance by my other disciples" |"accepted a disciple" |"accepted as a disciple" |"accepted as his disciple" |"accepted as our disciples" |"accepted disciples" |"accepted him as disciple" |"accepted him as his disciple" |"accepted many thousands of disciples" |"accepted me as a disciple" |"accepted me as a disciple" |"accepted me as his disciple" |"accepted some disciples" |"accepting a disciple" |"accepting disciples" |"accepts a disciple" |"accepts charge of disciples" |"accepts disciples" |"accepts his disciple"

Notes from the compiler: VedaBase query: "accept* disciple*" or "accept * disciple*" or "accept* * * disciple*" or "accept* * * * disciple*"

1947 to 1965 Correspondence

Letter to Mr. Nakano -- Delhi 18 April, 1961:

I left education influenced by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 and joined for some time in the national liberation and other social service movements. I was secretary of the Social Union movement of which Late Mr. J. Choudhury Bar-at-law was the president. In this movement there was a great stir for intercaste marriage in favor of Patel's (Vithalbhai) bill. I was married during my student life in 1918 with Radharani Devi and she is in Calcutta with her sons and daughters five children and a few grand children also. After my education I was appointed (1921) as the Asst. Manager of Dr. Bose's Laboratory Ltd of Calcutta and then engaged myself in my personal business in the chemical line. I was a research student in chemical and medicinal composition and for the first time in India, I introduced Gadine preparation in the medical profession. I met my spiritual master Late Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami in 1922 and he desired me to preach in the foreign countries the spiritual movement started by Lord Caitanya for enlightenment of all materialistic men all over the world. He gradually turned my mind from matter to spirit and I was accepted as his disciple in 1933 after full association of ten years. He left this world in 1936 and insisted to explain the mission in English. I started my paper Back to Godhead in 1944 and left home for good entirely to execute the order of my spiritual master in 1954. Since then my H.Q. is at Vrindaban and devote in literary work.

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Umapati -- Calcutta 23 November, 1967:

When you left us I simply prayed to Krishna for your return to Krishna Consciousness because that was my duty. Any good soul who approaches me once for spiritual enlightenment is supposed to be depending on my responsibility to get him back to Krishna, back to home. The disciple may misunderstand a bona fide spiritual master being obliged to do so under pressure of Maya's influence. But a bona fide spiritual master never lets go a devotee once accepted. When a disciple misunderstands a bona fide spiritual master, the master regrets for his inability to protect the disciple and sometimes he cries with tears in the eyes. We had an experience while my Guru Maharaja was alive. One of His disciples who accepted sannyasa was one day forcibly dragged by his wife. My Guru Maharaja lamented with tears in His eyes saying that He could not save the soul.) We should always, therefore, be careful in the matter of being attacked by Maya's influence and the only means of guarantee is to chant Hare Krishna offenselessly.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Jaya Mazo -- Los Angeles 18 January, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your nice letter dated Jan. 12, 1968, and have noted carefully the contents. And because you are already acquainted with Krishna, I have no objection to accepting you as my disciple. Practically, I do not have any disciples; I select so many masters to train them in the service of the Lord. Your natural attraction for Krishna makes it show that in your previous birth you have cultured this science of Krishna Consciousness. In your Poetry, last line, I have changed the word "beautiful transforming Being" into "beautiful eternal Being." Krishna does not transform, but He has millions and billions of expansions which are all eternally existing simultaneously. Just like the sun at noon, and the sun at morning time, and the sun at evening time; they are simply by names and they are eternal. To the sun there is no morning or evening or noon, still we say morning sun, evening sun, noon sun. There is a nice verse in Brahma-samhita—that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and has multi-expansions like Rama, Nrsimhadeva, Vamana, etc.

Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 13 February, 1968:

Your strong desire to serve me is very beautiful; your serving me means serving Krishna. I am also your servant so I cannot accept your service from you, or from any of my disciples. I accept service from my disciples on behalf of Krishna. Just like a tax collector must collect for the treasury, not for himself. If he himself touches so much as a farthing it would be unlawful. So I have no right to accept service from any disciple, but on behalf of Krishna I can accept. Sincere service to the Spiritual Master is service to the Supreme Lord. As stated in the prayer, "Prasadad Bhagavat Prasadad". That means because Krishna accepts service through the via media of Spiritual Master, therefore pleasing the Spiritual Master is equal to pleasing the Supreme Lord.

Letter to Janardana -- New York 26 April, 1968:

The statements of Thakura Bhaktivinode are as good as scriptures because he is liberated person. Generally the spiritual master comes from the group of such eternal associates of the Lord; but anyone who follows the principles of such ever liberated persons is as good as one in the above mentioned group. The gurus from nature's study are accepted as such on the principle that an elevated person in Krishna Consciousness does not accept anyone as disciple, but he accepts everyone as expansion of his guru. That is very high position, called Maha-bhagavata. Just like Radharani, sometimes thinks a subordinate of hers as her teacher, to understand devotion of Krishna. A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake, but there are persons who are less qualified or not liberated, but still can act as guru and acharya by strictly following the disciplic succession. It is the injunction of the sastras that anyone who sees the Deity in the Temple as made of wood or stone, or considers the acaryas and gurus as ordinary common men, and discriminates Vaisnavas or devotees as belonging to a certain group or caste, are called hellish. Your question about Bon Maharaja in relation with his disciple is very intelligent and intricate, and we shall discuss at long when we meet.

Letter to Janardana -- New York 26 April, 1968:

Regarding Kirtanananda's letter, I may inform you that I always think of him and pray to Krishna for his good sense. That is my duty. Anyone who comes to me for my help or wants advance in Krishna Consciousness, and whom I initiate and accept as my disciple, I must pray for him and his welfare always. So Kirtanananda personally served me, especially during my illness, which I always remember. But because somehow or other he has misunderstood our activities that does not mean that I am no longer his well wisher. I write at the end of my letters to my disciples, "Your ever well-wisher", and as such, I cannot become otherwise than being ever well-wisher of my disciples, even though he may leave me. So I was praying to Krishna that He may save Kirtanananda from his misunderstanding and if ever he chanted Hare Krishna at least once in sincere heart, I am sure Krishna would not allow him to go out of his influence. Therefore, I believe that he can never forget the Form of Krishna, neither he can deny His Personality.

Letter to Vinode Patel -- Montreal 6 July, 1968:

Generally, people are inclined to do business or make profit for sense gratification; such tendency is the cause of material bondage. But to act for Krishna is the cause for opening the door for liberation. So, I shall not try to implicate you in business if you are not ready to award the profit for Krishna's benefit. The best thing will be that if you can come here for some days, say, at least for a fortnight, you can remain here with us in the temple here, and talk with me in details before you become my disciple. Actually, I shall be very glad to accept an educated and intelligent disciple like you, but first of all we must meet and you should know whether you can accept me as your Spiritual Master, or I can accept you as my disciple. This is preliminary necessity. I am therefore requesting you to come here at least for a fortnight, and let us understand one another. I think it is better if you reply me this letter in English, because I find it difficult in reading Gujarati, script, though I can understand Hindi fairly well.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Prahladananda -- Los Angeles 14 February, 1969:

I am very pleased to accept you as my disciple, and your spiritual name is Prahladananda. This means one who is as cheerful as Maharaja Prahlada in all kinds of critical tests. With these chanting beads, this Hare Krishna Mantra is coming down by disciplic succession, so you receive it, and chant at least 16 rounds daily, and follow the prohibitive regulations. Take assistance from your godbrothers there, and engage yourself purely in the business of Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Jahnava -- Los Angeles 14 February, 1969:

I am very pleased to now accept you as my disciple, and your spiritual name is Jahnava Dasi. Janava Devi was the consort energy of Lord Nityananda. This process of Krishna Consciousness is offered to every one, but only one out of many thousands of people will accept it. Therefore you should be very serious about perfecting your life in Krishna Consciousness, and thereby becoming qualified to enter into the Kingdom of God, Goloka Vrindaban. So please receive these beads, duly chanted upon by me, and chant at least 16 rounds daily and follow all of the regulative principles. Take assistance from your godbrothers and godsisters there, and engage yourself purely in the business of Krishna Consciousness. This will bring all success to you. You can be certain of this.

Letter to Rayarama -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 3, 1969, and I have noted the contents. So I am glad to learn that your program is to do some work independently, and at the same time to do work for our Krishna Consciousness Movement. This formula I have already accepted, and I have given you permission according to your leaning. If possible, then try to give the results of your work to Krishna. We do not disapprove of any activities of the world provided the result is given to Krishna. That is the whole instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. You have learned this philosophy for so many years, so try to execute it to your best capacity. So far as I am concerned, I have accepted you as my disciple and you have accepted me as your spiritual father. This relationship cannot be ended anymore. It is eternal. So it will be my duty always to pray to Krishna for your further and further improvement in Krishna Consciousness, so you should go on serving this movement to your best capacity. So far as your coming here, if you get money you can come by the 16th or 17th of July as you have stated, and then return to New York, that is all right. But I am scheduled to go to San Francisco by the 25th, and after finishing the Rathayatra Ceremony, in all probability I will be going to Germany.

Letter to Sacisuta -- Tittenhurst 19 September, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 8th, 1969, and I have noted the contents with enclosures. I have very much appreciated the interview article with you in the paper Ethos, and I am so pleased to know that you have given right interpretation of our Krishna Consciousness Movement. Now you have got a nice wife, Indumati, and combinedly together you preach the mission of Lord Caitanya as far as possible. I have seen what you have written about your protection by my humble self, but that is inevitable when a Spiritual Master accepts somebody as disciple. Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita that He takes charge of a surrendered soul; so much so that Lord Krishna protects His devotee from all his sinful activities in the past. Similarly, the Spiritual Master, when He accepts a disciple and the disciple surrenders unto Him, He has got the responsibility of absorbing the sinful reaction of His disciples life. This is a great responsibility of the Spiritual Master. We should therefore be very careful not to overburden our Spiritual Master by further repetition of sinful activities.

Letter to Yadavananda -- London 2 December, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 25, 1969 along with your beads. I have chanted one round upon these beads, and I am pleased to accept you as my disciple. Your initiated name is Yadavananda, which means He who gives pleasure to the Yadu dynasty. This is Krishna, and you are Yadavananda das, the servant of Yadavananda. Except for persons who are in Krishna Consciousness, everyone is to one degree or another the servant of Maya, or illusion. The purpose of our society for Krishna Consciousness is to train people in the science of breaking their servitorship to maya and re-establishing their relationship with Krishna as His loving servitor. When we act in this position of Krishna's servitor very soon we understand that this is our natural, constitutional position, and thus we regain our constitutional qualities of eternity, bliss and knowledge. Actually these qualities are always there, but now they have been covered up by material contamination.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Professor J. F. Staal -- Los Angeles 30 January, 1970:

This is accepted by the exemplary disciple, Arjuna, who has perfectly learned the conclusion of spiritual science from the Yogisvara, master of mystic knowledge, Krishna, recognizing Krishna to be the Supreme Brahman, Arjuna addresses Him: "Sthane Hrsikesa . . ." (B.G. 11:36)—"the world becomes joyful hearing Your Names; and thus do all become attached to You." The process of chanting is herein authorized as the direct means of contacting the Supreme Absolute Truth the Personality of Godhead. Simply by chanting the Holy Name, Krishna, the soul is attracted by the Supreme Person, Krishna, for going home, back to Godhead.

Letter to Dindayal -- Los Angeles 2 February, 1970:

I am very glad to accept you as my disciple, and I am returning herewith your beads duly chanted upon by me. Your initiated name is Dindayal das Brahmacari. Din means poor and dayal means merciful. Krishna is so very merciful to those who are very humble in their attitude engaged in the service of the Lord. Lord Caitanya advised, therefore, one should be humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree and thus be seriously engaged in glorifying the Lord. This world is very awful. Anyone is ready to create some disturbance, especially they are very much apt to disturb Krishna Consciousness persons because that is the way of demoniac life. So, in order to protect us from all dangerous elements, we have to chant the Hare Krishna Mantra regularly being humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree. Then Krishna, Who is Dindayal, will bestow His Mercy upon us.

Letter to Jyotirmayi -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:

I am in due receipt of your kind letter dated 28 January, 1970 along with your beads. I am very happy to accept you as my disciple as you are eager to love Krishna. I am returning your beads herewith duly chanted on by me and your initiated name is Jyotirmayi. Jyotirmayi is the effulgent energy of Krishna.

Letter to Mandakini -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 28 January, 1970, along with your beads. Thank you very much. I am very glad to accept you as my disciple because you want to learn how to serve Krishna, and I am returning your beads duly chanted upon by me.

Letter to Manmohini -- Los Angeles 21 February, 1970:

I have immediately offered the flower garlands to Radha and Krsna and they are so nice looking. I am very happy to accept you as my disciple and I am glad to know that you are praying to Lord Krsna only that you may always remember that your position eternally is to serve and take shelter of His transcendental lotus feet. So I am returning your beads duly chanted by me, and your spiritual name is Manmohini Dasi. Manmohini is another name of Radharani and Manmohini dasi is the maidservant of Radharani. Now please chant Hare Krsna mantra and be sublimely happy.

Letter to Kasturika -- Los Angeles:

I am very happy to accept you as my disciple, and your initiated name is Kasturika Dasi. I am very glad to know that you have been recommended for initiation by Sriman Rishi Kumar, and now please continue to follow strictly the four regulative principles of no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no taking of intoxicants including coffee, tea and tobacco, no illicit sex-life, and no gambling. Be sure to always chant daily your sixteen rounds on your beads, and be happy in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Harivilasa -- Los Angeles 14 June, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd June, 1970, along with recommendation of Sriman Suridas Adhikari. So immediately I have accepted you as my disciple. Your spiritual name is Harivilasa Das Brahmacari. Your beads are sent back to you by separate air post. Here is enclosed the list of regulative principles and offenses. Further assistance you should take from Tamala Krsna Das Adhikari, Suridas Das Adhikari and Umapati Das Adhikari. Follow their example, and whenever there is difficulty, try to understand from your Godbrothers.

Letter to Abhirama -- Los Angeles 14 July, 1970:

I am very happy to accept you as my disciple as you have requested and your spiritual name is Abhirama Das Adhikari. Abhirama means one who is inclined to worship Lord Rama. I have chanted your beads duly and they are returned to you enclosed herewith. Please follow the rules and regulations for progressive spiritual advancement and be sure to chant regularly sixteen rounds of Hare Krsna mantra daily. I am enclosing one sheet listing standard practices for devotees and ten offenses to avoid in the matter of chanting the Holy Names.

Letter to Satsvarupa, Uddhava -- Los Angeles 27 July, 1970:

You are all my children and I love my American boys and girls who are sent to me by my spiritual master and I have accepted them as my disciples. Before coming to your country I took sannyasa in 1959. I was publishing BTG since 1944. After taking sannyasa I was more engaged in writing my books without any attempt to construct temples or to make disciples like my other Godbrothers in India. I was not very much interested in these matters because my Guru Maharaja liked very much publication of books than constructing big, big temples and creating some neophyte disciples. As soon as he saw that His neophyte disciples were increasing in number, He immediately decided to leave this world. To accept disciples means to take up the responsibility of absorbing the sinful reaction of life of the disciple.

Letter to Sagar Maharaja -- Bombay 3 November, 1970:

I beg to thank you very much for your Bengali letter dated 16th, October, 1970. In Calcutta, the following inquiry should be made immediately: Madhudvisa Maharaja wrote me a letter which is missing, that somebody is willing to pay to my book fund 11,000 rupees on my return to Calcutta. So please inquire from Madhudvisa Maharaja if my immediate return to Calcutta will be helpful in this connection. If so, he can send me immediately a telegram and I shall go to Calcutta by plane. So far your acceptance by my other disciples is concerned, in the beginning there may be some inconveniences but if your decision is to work with us without any reservation, then there will be no difficulty. When I come to Calcutta this will be adjusted. Another thing is that since I've come to India, I've received many Hindi and Bengali letters. So if you work as my Indian secretary, it will be of great help to me. I shall be glad to know your decision in this matter. You have inquired from me about your future activities with our mission. Therefore this is the first offer to you.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to John H. Morgan -- Allahabad 16 January, 1971:

I have received Sriman Jagadisa's recommendation for your initiation and I am glad to accept you as my disciple. You can send your beads here or if you would like tulasi wood beads then send $5.00 to cover cost and shipping charges and I shall send the beads to you after having duly chanted on them.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Allahabad 4 February, 1971:

I am pleased to note that Karen Anderson has been endorsed by you for initiation and certainly I will accept her as my disciple. Presently I am inquiring into purchasing a quantity of tulasi beads here. When I secure them, then I shall duly chant on one set for Karen and dispatch them forthwith. The $50.00 initiation donation was duly received and you can thank Karen very much for her contribution to my book fund. Actually that is the parampara system. The newly initiated disciple is immediately supposed to beg alms and make a presentation to the spiritual master. If such presentation is not made, if they do not follow the system, how the effect will be there? So far as Bhaktijana getting himself married, I have already written him about this.

Letter to John Milner -- Bombay 24 March, 1971:

So far as your taking initiation from Brahmananda Maharaja, I have no objection, but it is the etiquette that in the presence of one's Spiritual Master, one does not accept disciples. In this connection, Swami Brahmananda may write me and I will instruct him.

Letter to Anandini (Karen Anderson) -- Bombay 30 March, 1971:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 14th January, 1971 as well as the $50.00 gift sent by you also. Thank you very much. I am so glad to accept you as my disciple. Your spiritual name is Anandini Devi Dasi; Anandini means "pleasure." Your beads are also duly enclosed and to keep them strong they should be soaked in oil; mustard oil will do. Also they should be restrung properly.

Letter to Kanya Kumari (Carol Bouchier) -- Bombay 1 April, 1971:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind letter dated 2nd February, 1971 as well as your beads. They have been duly chanted on and enclosed herewith. I am glad to accept you as my disciple and have given you the spiritual name Kanya Kumari Devi Dasi. Kanya Kumari means "virgin girl." She is Krishna's energy.

Letter to Rsabhadeva -- Bombay 7 June, 1971:

I thank you very much for your letter post dated 13rd May, 1971 and have noted the contents. So far as your getting yourself married, I have no objection and if after referring the matter to Karandhara Prabhu, he agrees, then all my blessings are there. And you may inform Yamuna that I am glad to accept her as my disciple and just as soon as I go there, she can be initiated. Presently I am in Bombay and very soon I shall be going to London and perhaps to Moscow. From there I shall be going to N.Y. and on to Los Angeles, perhaps for Rathayatra on June 27th, 1971. At that time, if she is qualified, then she may take over pujari duties there in Laguna Beach. That will be very nice. And you can help her in Deity worship also.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Delhi 20 November, 1971:

I have not received any letters from Peter Kaufmann and Jan Plantoner for initiation, but as soon as I do I shall be glad to accept them as my disciples, on your recommendation.* I shall send under separate cover sacred threads for Bidhan Candra and Jaya Gaura das Prabhus, duly chanted on, as well as two copies of Gayatri mantra. Hold a fire yajna and give them both Gayatri mantra. Yogesvara had a tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra, so you can get this from him. One thing is that the tape should be heard through earphones into the right ear. If letters from the two boys come I shall be sending their beads also. So if you like you may wait and the fire yajna can be held for all four devotees.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Sons and daughters -- Los Angeles 8 May, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your very nice letters and daksina of $650.00.

Upon the recommendation of Govardhan I am pleased to accept you as my disciples. You new names are:

James Ferris - Yamunatatacara das

Charles Wilkoit - Carurupa das

Tina Chojnacki - Taijasatmika dasi

Donald Chojnacki - Dosavarajita das

Lynne Davis - Daksayani dasi

Christine Stein - Krodhasamani dasi

Gregory Stein - Gopalbhatta dasa

Now you must all carefully follow these four regulative principles (1) No meat eating, (2) No illicit sex life, (3) No intoxication, (4) No gambling. Always be sure to chant minimum sixteen rounds daily. Study my books carefully, go for sankirtana and engage in Deity worship in the temple. You are all very sincere boys and girls and now I request you to make your life successful for going back to home, back to Godhead.

Letter to Spiritual Sons and Daughters -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 27 July, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. On the recommendation of Govinda Das I have duly accepted you as my disciples.

Human life begins when there is systematic education in the science of God consciousness. Just some days ago I was discussing with Professor Alister Hardy—Head of Religious Experimental research unit Oxford, it was his opinion that the problems of human life are over-population, environmental pollution etc.. But from Bhagavad-gita we understand that God is the father of all living beings, so the father must be competent to provide for all the children, and in the case of the Supreme Father this is actually so—we get it from Vedic Literature "nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13)—Amongst all the Eternals there is one chief Eternal Being and he is engaged in supplying and fulfilling the desires of all the others." Therefore our conclusion was that the real problem is not over-population or pollution, malnutrition etc., but the actual problem is Godlessness. So you are all intelligent boys and girls—therefore my request to you is that you study this science of Krishna Consciousness and solve all the problems of the world by systematic propaganda as far as you are able to do it.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 4 October, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 15th, 1973 requesting initiation for seven devotees and second initiation for three devotees. Upon your recommendation I accept them as my disciples. Their spiritual names are as follows:

Lewis: Upendranath dasa

Richard: Premarupa dasa

Sandy B.: Sanhari dasi

Sandy F.: Soubardya dasi

Merrissa: Mulaprakrti dasi

Sria: Kadamba dasi

Diane: Anandavidya dasi

So now you should duly perform the yajna, chanting on their beads, and instruct them carefully to follow all the rules and regulations. At the same yajna you may also perform the second initiation of the three Brahmins. This yajna is best held in the morning amongst devotees.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Los Angeles 7 January, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge your requests for initiations of devotees at New Vrindaban, contained in your letter of December 30, 1973.

Upon your recommendation I am glad to accept the disciples for first initiation, and their spiritual names are as follows:

Susan Burchell—Madanalasa dasi

Jim Newsham—Jayanta dasa

Evelyn Newsham—Candrarekhika dasi

Sandra Chiefa—Kunjari dasi

Haynes Busby—Hari-dhama dasa

You may chant on their beads and instruct them seriously to always chant at least 16 rounds daily and obey the regulative principles. Only in this way is spiritual advancement possible.

Letter to Nadia -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. Gurukrpa Maharaja has recommended you for first initiation, and I have accepted you as my disciples. Your spiritual names follow respectively:

Eddie Yazegean—Nadia das

Ron Pala—Mayapur das

Jesse Mathis—Godrumia das

I am also accepting Kritagama and Pundarika das Brahmacaris for the second, Brahminical initiation. Your sacred threads chanted on by me are enclosed, as well as gayati mantra. Please secure the tape of me chanting gayatri mantra from the temple president there and hear it through the right ear, under his supervision. Receive further instructions on brahminical life from Gurukrpa Maharaja.

Letter to Damodara -- Honolulu 16 January, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 3, 1974.

I have accepted as my disciples, those devotees recommended by you, and their spiritual names are as follows:

Edward Striker, Aindra dasa

Neil Kallmyer, Nilambara dasa

James Machuga, Jagara dasa

Pamela Machuga Padma malini devi dasi

Letter to Hasyakari -- Bombay 21 March, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of names recommended by your for first initiation. On your word I have accepted them as my disciples and their spiritual names are as follows.

Philip Cote—Phanamandita dasa

Keith Weber—Kalpavrksa dasa

Ron Burnstein—Muktakesa dasa

Cheryl Denbroff—Siladitya devi dasi

Candy Burton—Kamya devi dasi

Pam Parker—Padmahara devi dasi

You may send their beads to Rupanuga Maharaja for chanting. Hold a fire yajna in the temple and impress on all these new devotees that they must chant at least 16 rounds daily, without fail and refrain from the four sinful activities. If one observes just these principles he will be rapid progress in spiritual life.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Bombay 24 March, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I have received the names of the devotees recommended by you for first initiation, and upon your word I have accepted them as my disciples. There new spiritual names are as follows.

Francine Steinberg—Rangini devi

Jenny Gilbert—Jagatkirti devi

Danielle Mary—Dandakesa devi

Maureene Remila—Mandahasa devi

You may chant on their beads and hold a fire yajna in the temple. As GBC you must see that they and all the devotees in the temples are first of all chanting at least 16 rounds on beads. Be sure they are aware of the ten offenses to chanting, and that they remain enthusiastic about improving their devotional service in that way.

Letter to Rsabhadeva -- Paris 9 June, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of May 4, 1974, just received here in Paris.

I have accepted as my disciples the devotees recommended by you and their spiritual names are as follows:

Gary—Gopta dasa

Joe—Jyotirganesvara dasa

Peter—Padmagarbha dasa

Steve—Stavapriya dasa

Paya—Papaharinidevi

Rebecca—Rangavalli devi

Jayatirtha prabhu may chant on their beads and you may hold a fire yajna. Initiation means to begin so now these devotees, under your supervision must take the vow with utmost seriousness to chant everyday at least 16 rounds on beads and to refrain from the four sinful activities.

Letter to Sukadeva -- Vrindaban 9 August, 1974:

You say that Krsna is sending you only one new devotee every six months, but He says in the Bhagavad gita that out of millions of men one only becomes a devotee. You have sent a list of six men for initiation, so why you are disappointed? Do not think of changing the place. Stick to that place and chant Hare Krishna. Krsna will send more men, rest assured. Devotees may come or not come, but you do your duty.

The men you have recommended I accept as my disciples, and their name are as follows:

John Philion—Jyotiraditya dasa

Shannon Philion—Sarada

Sherman Alston—Shasta dasa

Karen Alston—Krsnapriya dasi

Eric Thomas—Aja dasa

John Rowe—Jagadadija dasa

I hope this meets you in good health.

Letter to Mahamsa -- Vrindaban 16 August, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 12, 1974. Regarding the initiations I have accepted them as my disciples and their spiritual names are as follows:

Krishna das—Kauravesvara

Ravindra—Raghavendra

You may hold a fire sacrifice and chant on their beads and impress upon them they are taking vows before Radha and Krsna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas. They must always chant 16 rounds daily and avoid the four sinful activities.

Letter to Dina Bandhu -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 15, 1974 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I have accepted as my initiated disciples the following devotees and their names are:

1. Ed—Edhaniyasvabhava das

2. Pat—Pati das

3. Linda—Lila devi

Also enclosed are sanctified threads for Mahi Barta das, Krta krta das, Sarva das, Sretha das, Now hold a fire sacrifice and impress upon the devotees that they are taking vows before Radha and Krsna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas. Everyone should attend mangal arati and chant 16 rounds daily.

Letter to Sri Govinda -- Mayapur 29 September, 1974:

Regarding the initiations, I accept for second initiation upon your recommendation Mrgendra dasa, Bhaktavasya dasi, Subhadra dasi, and Krsna mayi dasi. Enclosed are the thread and sheet. The following I accept as my disciples and their names are as follows:

1. Tom Obnibene—Trinakarta dasa; 2. Chuck Ryskamp—Cakri dasa; 3. Bill Byars—Visvatomukha dasa; 4. Lee Sutton—Lamala dasa; 5. Barb Sutton-Brmhani devi dasi.

Now hold a fire sacrifice and impress upon the devotees that they are taking vows before Radha Krsna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas. The beads may be chanted upon by a sannyasi or GBC man.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Bombay 21 November, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 18th, 1974, with your recommendations for first and second initiations. The following are those who I have accepted as my disciples and they are to be given the Hare Nama Initiation. Their names are as follows. Jerry Boy—Janakisa Dasa. Bill Jones—Bimbadhara Dasa. Cris Hall—Krpamaya Dasa.

Letter to Nrsimha Caitanya -- Bombay 21 November, 1974:

Regarding the devotees whom you have recommended for initiation I am pleased to accept them as my disciples. Their spiritual names are as follows: Mike—Mahahasaumya Dasa. Ken—Ksamaula Dasa. Karen—Kriyasakti Devi Dasi. Dilana—Duravanya Devi Dasi. I am also please to accept Saunaka Dasa Brahmacari as twice born initiated Brahman. Enclosed is the sacred thread sanctified by me as well as the mantra sheet. Please hold a sacrifice and the Gayatri mantra can be heard by him through the right ear of my recorded type.

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Bombay 24 November, 1974:

Regarding the devotees you have recommended, I am pleased to accept them as my disciples and their names are as follows: Marilyn—Manini devi; Jamie—Janjapukandhi devi; Carol Hansen—Kelilalita devi; Carol Tungate—Kalpalatika devi; Huber—Hanumatpresaka dasa; Steve—Satkrta dasa; Lou—Lankesa das; Kirk—Kalanidhi dasa. Also I accept the following as twice born initiated brahmanas: Vatsala dasa; Sasikhala devi; and Vaisesikha dasa. The sanctified threads and the mantra sheets are enclosed. Hold a fire sacrifice, and the gayatri mantra should be heard through the right ear from my tape recording. I am glad to see that you are taking these initiations seriously.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 1 December, 1974:

Regarding the new proposal for a farm, yes arrange for it. So make it another like our New Vrindaban. You have already named it Govardhana Hill. That's nice. If possible add Giri Govardhana Hill. How far is it from the Frankfurt center? As you have recommended for initiation Lisa Reuter and Willy, I have accepted them as my disciples. Their names are Lekhasravanti devi dasi and Bimbasya dasa. Please see to it that they chant on their beads and follow the regulative principles carefully. You are authorized to chant on their beads.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

Regarding the couple Lisa and Will, upon your recommendation I can accept them as disciples, but other business of purchasing the farm that I cannot tax my brain.

Letter to Gopijanavallabha -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

I have answered your telegram also by telegram but I am confirming with this letter and also enclosing threads and mantra sheets for the second initiations. I have accepted as initiated disciples for first initiation the following; Douglas Currie—Darpaha, Frank Natali—Pravartaka, Gabriel Fried—Gopisa, Bharata Jagernauth—Bhtadi, Orville Griffith,—Arcita, Paul Hershey—Paramaradhya, Tab Mattler—Taraka, Karen Silverstein—Kamra, devi, Kathy McGuire—Kamalini devi, Paula Genstsch—Parasakti devi. Their beads should be chanted on by a sannyasi preferably Kirtanananda Swami if he has not already done so.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Kerry Welsh -- Melbourne 20 May, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your note and your hand-knitted sweater gift. Thank you very much for this sweater. I have been using it here in Melbourne as it is a little cold here. Please continue living nicely in Krishna Consciousness, chanting 16 rounds daily minimum, rising early, following the rules and regulations, reading my books, and make your life perfect. Regarding your initiation, I will be pleased to accept you as my disciple if Tusta Krishna Swami gives me his recommendation. It appears from your letter that you are following everything very nicely, so if Tusta Krishna Maharaja will recommend you to me, then I will be very happy to accept both you and your wife for first initiation.

Letter to Kurusrestha -- Denver 2 July, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 2, 1975. Upon your recommendation, I am accepting the following twice born brahmanas; Koshalendra Das Adhikari, Jyoti Das Adhikari. Enclosed please find their threads sanctified by me. I also accept as my initiated disciples the following devotees and their spiritual names follow: Al Rhiener—Adhata, Cleef Athey—Kamari Das.

Letter to Tulsi -- Dallas 29 July, 1975:

I also accept the following disciples as twice born brahmanas. Devamrta dasa brahmacari and Gopiparanadhana das brahmacari. Their threads duly sanctified by me are enclosed. Please have the beads chanted upon by a GBC sannyasi and hold a fire sacrifice. The brahmanas should hear the gayatri mantra with the right ear from my recorded tape.

Letter to Nityananda -- New Delhi 21 August, 1975:

Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following disciples as initiated and their names are as follows: Thomas White—Padavja dasa; Henrietta Whelan—Jayaprada dasi; Katherine Kern—Kamarikanta devi; Jim Tucker—Jagatkarta dasa. I also accept for second initiation Sanatanai devi dasi. The mantra sheet is enclosed. I think you can inquire from Jagadisa about getting the tape. Hold a fire sacrifice amongst the devotees and let her hear the tape through the right ear.

Letter to Balavanta -- Vrindaban 7 September, 1975:

Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following as twice-born initiated brahmanas and their sanctified threads and mantra sheets are enclosed: Ballabadra Bhattacarya das Brahmacari and Mahejya das Brahmacari. I also accept as my initiated disciples the following and their spiritual names are: Dr. Richard Thompson, Ph.D.—Sadaputa das; Mike Dunn—Vedaguhya das; Chuck and Diana Sanders—Munjakesa das and Madamohini dasi; and Cindy Barber—Janmasunya dasi. Please see that they are chanting 16 rounds without fail. You should hold a fire sacrifice and let the second initiates hear the mantra from my recorded tape through their right ear. I hope this meets you in good health.

Letter to Tusta Krsna -- New Delhi 2 December, 1975:

Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your Spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Locanananda -- Nellore 5 January, 1976:

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.

Letter to Nityananda:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter and have noted the contents with care.

On your recommendation I am accepting the following disciples for first and second initiation:

First Initiation:

Michael Hyldahl—Vamsimohana dasa

Rodolfo Rios—Rasa-Vilasa dasa

James Lanclos—Jnana-natha dasa

Willie Butch McCord—Vaninatha Raya dasa

Second Initiation:

Jitamitra das brahmacary

Hold a fire sacrifice and present the beads and gayatri mantra tape with brahmana thread at that time. The initiates should follow our four principles of Godly life namely; no eating of meat, fish or eggs; no gambling, no intoxication, and no illicit sex. All devotees must also chant the prescribed 16 rounds on the beads daily, without fail.

Letter to Vegavan:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 1, 1976 and have noted the contents with care.

On your recommendation I am accepting the following disciples for first and second initiation:

First Initiation:

Bhakta Anders—Atma-nivedana dasa

Bhakta John—Yogindra dasa

Karen Johnstone—Kama-gayatri devi dasi

Second Initiation:

Turiya das brahmacari

Jamadagni das brahmacari

Radhanatha das brahmacari

Paragati das brahmacari

Hold a fire sacrifice and the initiates should refrain from the four pillars of sinful life: no illicit sex no meat, fish or egg eating (only Krsna prasadam), no gambling, and no intoxication. All devotees must also chant the prescribed 16 rounds daily on the beads. Enclosed you will also find four brahmana threads and gayatri mantra. After the fire sacrifice the tape of the gayatri mantra should be played in the right ear of the brahmana initiate. To become brahmana one must be clean inside and outside; outside by regularly taking bath, and inside by always chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. the beads for the first initiates may be chanted on by Sriman Jayatirtha das and they should be given these beads and names at the time of the fire sacrifice.

Letter to Acyuta -- Vrindaban 20 September, 1976:

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.

Letter to Vicitravirya -- Vrindaban 30 September, 1976:

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 Dasa

Gordon McMillan—Gaura-Nitai Dasa

Brian Daulby—Bhajanananda Dasa

Eamon Morton—Atmatma Dasa

Benedict Bygott-Webb—Bhagavad-bhakta Dasa

Gabriel Zajac—Giri-Govardhana Dasa

Tony Smullen—Tulasi-priya Dasa

Janet Pillay—Janaki Devi Dasi

Laureanne Mcmillan—Lal Gopala Devi Dasi

Hold 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.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Radha-sarana -- Juhu, Bombay 17 April, 1977:

I also accept as my disciples Bhakta Dhimas and Bhakta Ramon. Their initiated names are:

Bhakta Dhimas—Devaprastha Dasa

Bhakta Ramon—Raya Bhavananda Dasa

During the fire ceremony they should vow to faithfully follow the four regulative principles and to chant minimum 16 rounds daily.