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Character (Letters)

Correspondence

1947 to 1965 Correspondence

Letter to Sri Puri -- Vrindaban 1 June, 1962:

Yesterday evening I have come to Vrindaban for a flying visit and shall return to Delhi on Monday 4/6/62 to attend the Jayal meeting on Tuesday 5/6/62 morning. I am glad to see that my Thursday lectures have brought some changes in the mind of the young offenders. If the lectures are continued I am sure to turn these offenders into saintly characters. The means which I have adopted is spiritual and it works quickly than any material means. If you give me chance to speak to all the members of the Jayal, it is quite possible for me to turn them into ideal characters.

1966 Correspondence

Letter to Sumati Morarjee -- New York 27 April, 1966:

My typewriter and tape recorder and some book have been stolen with more than Rs 1000/- goods and therefore I am changing the place to the above address. This present typewriter has been given by a devotee and thus there is no difficulty and another friend has also supplied a tape recorder. It is understood that such crime as it has been committed in my room is very common in New York. That is the way of material nature. The American people have every thing in ample and the worker gets about Rs 100/- as daily wages and still there are thieves for want of character. The lower class men daily workers are cent percent drunkards.

1968 Correspondence

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

The four principles of restriction, namely, no illicit sex relations; no animal food; no intoxication; and no gambling, are acting on their character. Character building is the groundwork for seating Krishna Consciousness and the Vedic injunction is that one can advance in spiritual life by following the rules of austerity and celibacy.

Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 21 March, 1968:

By Grace of Krishna, Advaita is being transferred to Bellevue; now try to get him out with the help of the psychiatrist who helped to get out Kirtanananda. That will finalize the matter, but we must find out a way to take permission from the draft board that our institution is a recognized religious institution of Hindu Vedic origin, and we are training students for preaching God-consciousness, and building up their character by strict moral principles. Therefore, these students cannot be called for fighting.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Montreal 27 June, 1968:

So, reading of the literature and hearing of the chanting is the medicine, and prasadam is the diet. So, if diet and medicine are properly administered the disease of maya will be cured. But the physician must be always healthy. People may not say, physician is ill thyself. That means the preachers must be of highly elevated character, following strictly the rules and regulations and chanting regularly in the temple. There may be so many odds in the progressive march of Krishna Consciousness, but if we pin our faith in Krishna, everything will come out successful in due course.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Montreal 3 July, 1968:

If you can manufacture gold, then we can very soon spread our Krishna Consciousness, but I think Krishna will not give us that opportunity, because as soon as we get large quantity of gold, we forget Krishna. That nature is incumbent in our character.

Letter to Pope Paul VI -- Montreal 3 August, 1968:

The Krishna Consciousness movement is meant for overhauling the whole situation. We are creating men of character, and we are training our disciples to become Lovers of God, or Krishna. From the very beginning, they are trained to refrain from the following four principles of degradation: 1) Sex life outside of marriage, 2) Meat eating, or eating of any animal food, 3) All forms of intoxication, 4) Gambling and idle sports. The teachings are based on authorized movement of Lord Caitanya, on the principles of Bhagavad-gita, as the beginning, and Srimad-Bhagavatam as the graduation.

Letter to Aniruddha -- San Francisco 9 September, 1968:

Now, our society is a registered, recognized religious society. So we can consult some lawyer whether such religious institution where we are teaching specifically how to become moral in character. We are teaching them prohibition of 4 principle sinful activities, and we are teaching them God consciousness. Whether we can teach such minor boys as Brahmacaris and training them. I am very sorry that these people do not want to see their sons develop high character and knowledge in God conciousness, but they want to push them in the stereotyped way of materialistic life.

Letter to Sivananda -- San Francisco 14 September, 1968:

This Krishna Consciousness movement through music, philosophy, spiritual culture, and personal behavior culminating in ideal character of the devotees. All these heavenly contributions combined together will certainly bring about a major change in the life of Western people.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Seattle 7 October, 1968:

If we can think of starting a small institution, I think we shall get help from government and many foundations, if they understand that we are actually a training people for building up character and health along with imparting education.

Letter to Madhavi Lata -- Los Angeles 28 December, 1968:

It is nice that you are doing preaching work there, but you should know that such practices like stealing are against the principles of Krishna Consciousness. I always want that my students should be very ideal in character and not discredit our society. Actually, one who is in Krishna Consciousness automatically develops all of the good qualities which are possessed by the demigods.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Archbishop of Canterbury -- Los Angeles 1969:

There is practically no more family life, and the union of man and woman is gradually degrading to the standard of mere sexuality. Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is meant for overhauling the whole situation. We are creating man of character, and we are training our disciples to become lovers of God, or Krishna.

Letter to Sri Balmukundji -- Los Angeles 18 January, 1969:

So I am very glad and proud that you have so much appreciated the character, discipline and devotional service to the Lord of my six young disciples who are working there with faith and confidence. You will be pleased to know that all of my disciples are trained from the beginning to build up character, and such character is built up by following the restrictions of no illicit sexual connections, no meat-eating, no intoxication, and no gambling. So this Krishna Consciousness movement is meant for a complete overhauling of the whole social, political, religious, moral, educational, and hygienic principles. Human society without following these principles cannot rise to the spiritual platform.

Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1969:

I have received report from Mr. Parikh and others that they are enamored by your behavior, your character, and your devotion. In the newspaper cuttings also they gave such hints. In other words, everyone is appreciating your presentation. Please keep up this standard of behavior. Do not make any artificial discrepancies amongst yourselves because you are acting on a very responsible business.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 26 January, 1969:

In London, the six couples who are working very hard there have been very much appreciated by the people of London, and their character, behavior, and devotion are attracting sincere people to our movement. I want similar thousands of couples for my disciples to propagate our movement throughout the world.

Letter to Hrsikesa -- Los Angeles 31 January, 1969:

For spiritual advancement of life, we must go to one who is actually practicing spiritual life; not to some head of a mundane institution, not to one who has offended his Spiritual Master in so many ways. I do not wish to go into all details here, but I must inform you that this Bon Maharaja may be considered as a black snake, and at the time of His Disappearance, my Guru Maharaja did not even wish to have him in His presence due to the character of this Bon Maharaja.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 4 February, 1969:

These two boys, Girish and Birbhadra are sent by Krishna to our care, and we must be very much attentive for building their character in Krishna Consciousness. Here, the boy, Birbhadra, is taken care of personally by Vishnujana, and, by Krishna's Grace, you have to take care of Girish.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 4 February, 1969:

Our exemplary character depends on strictly following the four principles, and this will conquer the whole world. Our boys and girls in London, by there exemplary character have drawn the attention of many respectable persons and even some public papers. Our movement is not only for some theoretical teaching, but it is for developing practical character and definite understanding.

Letter to Vibhavati -- New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969:

I think by this time, by your sincere practice, you have come to this conclusion that a Krishna Conscious situation is the only means for peace and happiness. I am very glad to see your sarcastic remark in the article where you write, "cigarette smoke hangs heavy in the air." The leaders of the peace movement must be all men of character, and to raise such men of character there must be the four regulative principles; namely, no illicit sex-life, no meat-eating, no gambling, and no intoxication.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 22 July, 1969:

But do not be misled by the man who is described in your letter as "like Mr. Payne". If someone's character is doubtful, we should not associate with him and get into trouble.

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:

So it is my request to you all that you establish an exemplary character and show how householders can be the first class transcendentalists. When I feel that my householder disciples are preaching so nicely I actually feel very much proud.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Hamburg 9 September, 1969:

My suggestion to meet the business men is to convince responsible men of your country to understand the importance of this Krishna Consciousness Movement and how we are molding the character of younger generation by giving them peaceful home, philosophy of life, artistic sense, musical entertainment, nutritious foods: and above all these, we are giving them spiritual enlightenment, which is never to be found elsewhere throughout the whole world.

Letter to Unknown -- Tittenhurst 1 October, 1969:

The state laws are specifically meant for making citizens men of good character, and good character means avoiding the following sinful activities: intoxication, illicit sex life, gambling and meat-eating.

Letter to Sucandra -- London 8 December, 1969:

You have already mentioned the exemplary character of Lord Jesus Christ that he sacrificed everything for God. This example should be taken. The process should be to follow the example, not to imitate the exact activities.

Letter to Cidananda -- London 15 December, 1969:

In our Krishna Consciousness Movement, Deity worship helps to keep us externally purified and Sankirtana helps to keep us internally purified. So as far as possible we shall execute both of these processes simultaneously. And by your exemplary character, the general mass of people will be benefited. Our hearts in material condition are filled with all dirty things, and this Krishna Consciousness Movement is the cleansing process.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Janardana -- Los Angeles 16 January, 1970:

These Smarta Brahmanas contest that unless one is born in a Brahmana family one cannot be given these facilities. But Narada Muni says no; a man should be judged by the symptoms of his character.

Letter to Hanuman Prasad Poddar -- Los Angeles 5 February, 1970:

By now, as people in general are appreciating our movement—that we are devotees of the Lord, boys and girls of nice behavior and character—they give us as far as possible all concessions. The government draft board has accepted our Society as religious, so they are kind upon us.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 19 March, 1970:

Our program is sublime. Our philosophy is practical and authorized; our character, the purest; our program, the simplest; but our ultimate goal is the highest. Similarly, we have to convince people of your country. They are intelligent, well to do, and receptive.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Los Angeles 30 April, 1970:

Regarding your questions how to offer respects to Sannyasis. Every Sannyasi, even if you see a Mayavadi Sannyasi, offer him your respects—there will be no harm. As you have observed we shall follow Lord Caitanya's instruction that we give all due respects to others regarding their position, but there is no need of always associating with each of them. Even if one is Vaisnava, but not of good character, we can give him the Vaisnava respect, but we cannot associate with him.

Letter to Nevatiaji -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1970:

All work in Vrndavana is specifically executed in full knowledge of its being transcendental loving service to Krsna the supreme proprietor of everything and all souls. This natural environment for living in pure Krsna consciousness or plain living and high thinking develops the spiritual character of the inhabitants and especially the Society's children who are conceived, born, raised and educated in Krsna science or natural spiritual consciousness.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Tokyo August 21, 1970:

If the GBC members can arrange to send at least twenty initiated devotees to India. I think by your exemplary character the Indian public will be surprised and they will take to your way of life. This is the second phase of my missionary activities. I want to take some of my exemplary character devotees for performing sankirtana in India so that they may see what is their defect. Your spiritual strength will depend only on the basis of unflinching faith in Krsna and the Spiritual Master, chanting sixteen rounds on beads and following the restrictive items.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Satyabhama -- Allahabad 27 January, 1971:

Yes, you may write some of the stories in simplified version for the children. That is very nice. The story of characters cannot be changed or anything made up, but simply the language may be changed. Also it is good to note that you are writing these children's books to comply with the academic standards of the public schools.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1971:

Yes, the government officials should come forward from the practical side, that we are creating young men, devotees of God, with character. They are getting married and leading nice family lives. They are very clean in their habits and take bath twice and thrice. And they are so hopeful of their future life—so much so that people call them bright-faced. So apart from God consciousness, there are these practical results and others.

Letter to Madhusudana -- London 18 August, 1971:

The point is that these drawings should be realistic. Not that you make Krishna a cartoon character and therefore laughing stock. And hippy ideas shouldn't be used either. Whatever technique is there, make it realistic. That will be nice.

Letter to Tamala Krsna, Gurudasa -- London 23 August, 1971:

Our mission is solid. Our philosophy is not utopian. Our men are being trained for exemplary character. So we shall have a unique position all over the world provided we stick to the principles, namely unflinching faith in Spiritual Master and Krishna, chanting not less than 16 rounds regularly and following the regulative principles. Then our men will conquer all over the world.

Letter to Citsukhananda -- Nairobi 12 October, 1971:

It is very good that you have registered the society. It is very important. Actually we are not a religious institution. We are presenting a cultural program, making men of good character. Therefore it is a cultural institution.

Letter to Vasudeva -- Nairobi 14 October, 1971:

Rejection of illicit sex life is our first motto. So I request you to stop immediately all this nonsense and remain fixed up in your good character. I have got very much appreciation of your abilities and I hope you will do the needful so that there may not be any more accusation against your good character. Any god-brother's wife or any unmarried girl in our society should be always treated as mother and sister. Any married woman should be treated as mother.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Minister in charge of Immigration -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 24 November, 1973:

So, if every individual is peaceful, naturally there will be peace and prosperity in the community, society, and nation of all over the world. This is our principle. We are trying to broadcast this message on the authority of Vedic knowledge. Everywhere we are very much peaceful, trying to reform the character of the modern man. We teach our students to follow the following regulative principles, namely no illicit sex life, no meat eating, no intoxication, and no gambling.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Rupanuga -- Tirupati 28 April, 1974:

The GBC must be vigilant by following the regulative principles and teach by ideal character the presidents of the centers, and the presidents by their ideal character must teach the others then automatically all members of the whole institution will be ideal to the human society. Then we can dictate to administrators or sometimes take hold of the administration. In the absence of competent leaders we may take the post.

Letter to Caru -- Bombay 9 May, 1974:

Your entering politics is good. You should make political propagation on the basis of reforming the whole human society. The leaders must be an ideal class of men, with ideal character, free from the four sinful activities: no meat eating, no gambling, no illicit sex and no intoxications, as well as chanting. They should chant the names of God. This is essential for leaders. Leaders must be ideal men so others will follow them. So make propaganda on this basis. We are Krishna Conscious candidates, so our political propaganda must be 100% Krishna Consciousness. As to importing the HARMONIST or doing one locally, do as suitable.

Letter to Devaprastha -- Bombay 12 May, 1974:

I regard Hong Kong as an important center and I agree with your statement very much that if the Chinese are approached intelligently they will become strong devotees, because their moral character and steadfast nature is very strong.

Letter to Sri Govinda -- Bombay 6 December, 1974:

Actually what is our aim? Our aim is to create men of ideal character. And, if our men are distributing books on this account, they are doing the best service to the society.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Batu Gopala -- Honolulu 1 February, 1975:

We must all become ideal in our character and then people will be very impressed with such purity. A devotee is faultless. He has no flaws.

Letter to Giriraja -- Detroit 4 August, 1975:

The idea is that local inhabitants will be satisfied with their bare necessities of life and their attention will be diverted towards spiritual development of life. That is the aim of human birth. We are trying this also in Africa, and it is partially successful. The whole scheme is that if a man becomes a devotee all good qualities inherent in him become manifest, whereas a person without being a devotee even though he has so-called academic qualifications, he will remain on the mental platform and will again be brought to the material field of activities which will always bring dissatisfaction. The total scheme is for simple life and high thinking and exalted character of the human society.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Honolulu 18 May, 1976:

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.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 24 June, 1976:

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.

Letter to Dixit -- Vrindaban 18 September, 1976:

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.

Page Title:Character (Letters)
Compiler:Visnu Murti, ChandrasekharaAcarya
Created:02 of Dec, 2010
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=47
No. of Quotes:47