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City (Letters 1974 - 1977)

Correspondence

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Dhananjaya -- Los Angeles 5 January, 1974:

So it is very good news. Now recruit more Italian devotees. It is a very good chance to have a center there in that important city. Organize everything and when it is all going nicely I will come.

As for seeing the Pope, I can see to that when I go there. Mr. Pant knows me well. Please convey my greetings to him and I shall be glad to see him when I go to Rome. You say there are important Indians there so make them all life members and distribute our books to them.

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1974:

This is not a practical plan. No one from a for country will go to London for agricultural work. If you cannot find local men, how can expect men from other countries to come and work? I have experienced that even men of this country do not go to New Vrindaban. You know, Srutakirti who was my personal servant. He has now become married and Kirtanananda Maharaja asked him to go to New Vrindaban but he said he doesn't like farm life. People are now accustomed to live in the city and if all of a sudden he is transferred to the village then certainly he feels difficulty. Especially in the western countries, gradually even farmers are leaving their professional business and going to the city to enjoy facilities there. If you get local men to work at this agricultural attempt that will be better. Otherwise, don't spend time and money in distributing this newsletter.

Letter to Satyahit -- Vrindaban 16 March, 1974:

I am pleased to hear you have been preaching among the Gujarat community in Panama City and that they are sympathetic to our movement. We see now at our function in Vrindaban that hundreds of members are attending from all parts of the world. In this way our movement is unique, that not just the people of India are hearing about Krsna, but from all countries they are joining and becoming Vaisnavas by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, and refraining from the pillars of sinful activities. This was Lord Caitanya's desire that the Holy name be heard in every town and village.

Letter to Kanu Gandhi -- Bombay 26 March, 1974:

So if you are seriously interested in maintaining a Vaisnava temple, why not go and try to help my disciples there in Boston, whether they are going to sell and relocate or remain, if you are financially able to assist them, that will be taken by Krishna as a great service. The young men and women at the ISKCON temple are giving everything they have for giving others a chance to come and worship at an authorized Radha-Krishna temple, so I request you to inquire into their situation and help them maintain our Vaisnava temple in the important city of Boston.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 6 April, 1974:

I am presently fixing a traveling schedule for visiting Paris, France in the second week of May. Then I will visit, Geneva, Rome, Stockholm, and three or four cities in Germany, each place for no more than four or five days. So since I will not have to return to India until August, after Europe I can go to Australia for your Rathayatra if you can purchase our tickets. You can reply to me here in Bombay until the second week of May, when we shall go to Paris.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 7 April, 1974:

Between Mukunda and Madhavananda they are opposing camps and cannot cooperate, and Syamasundara is not even present. So go at once and do the needful. You may write to me at Bombay until the second week of May when I am leaving for Paris. At that time I intend to visit also Geneva, Rome and Sweden not staying for more than 4 or 5 days at each place, and then I will go to Germany and visit 3 or 4 cities. A Mr. Hans-Werner Erdman of D 8011 Baldham bei Munchen, Fichtenstrabe 11 visited me in Bombay and was very enthusiastic for my visiting Germany. He was wearing sikha and said he would make arrangement for my travel tickets and visiting prominent men. You can get in touch with him and if he is serious plan together my visit to Germany.

Letter to Puranjana -- Bombay 7 April, 1974:

Because of the critical condition of affairs at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Bury Place London, and the inability of present managers to work out a solution together, I have asked Hamsaduta to go there immediately and take charge of the situation. It is not good that things have deteriorated to such a stage as you describe in your letter, but let us try to rectify and save the situation. I myself will be traveling to Paris in the second week of May, for a tour of European cities, and I will meet with Hamsaduta then as well as other leaders, and we will make a decision for the permanent leadership of the centers.

Letter to Tejiyas -- Bombay 8 April, 1974:

Regarding the offers of land in different places, you should take them. First accept them, then we shall see how to manage them. We will have to import brahmanas to man them. If our men are trained, one man can run a place. One experienced man can sit down in a hut and simply talk about Krsna and organize the local people. This is how I started in the beginning at 26 Second Avenue in New York City. If there is genuine preaching they will be attracted, so long the preacher has no self motivation, but simply chants and preaches. Anyway, take the offered land.

Letter to Bhaktijana -- Bombay 10 April, 1974:

Since you are facing so many difficulties alone in Harlem, New York City, I think it would be better if you return to Mayapur, under the direction of Bhavananda Maharaja and Jayapataka Maharaja, and I have no objection to your return there.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 11 April, 1974:

I have written you earlier that my plans are to travel to Paris by mid May and then spending 4 or 5 days in each place, I will visit Geneva, Rome, and three or four cities in Germany. Then I will be prepared to go to Australia for Rathayatra. So let me hear from you in this regard.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bombay 13 April, 1974:

As for my own activities as you have requested, my schedule is: leave for Hyderabad April 18; after one week in Hyderabad I will travel one week in southern India; by middle of May I will leave India for Paris, and will travel 4 or 5 days in each place to Geneva, Rome, Sweden, then 3 or 4 cities in Germany. Then I may go to Rathayatra in Australia and back to India by Janmastami. After that I will go to England and then the U.S.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Hyderabad 21 April, 1974:

Now Shayamasundar has wired me that he will send tickets for myself and three secretaries for coming to London. I have asked him to send me tickets and I can leave India for London about May 1st. As I have already informed you I am going to Paris the second week of May and Bhagavan das is arranging for a tour of Geneva, Rome and Sweden. I may also visit cities in Germany if you will arrange for that. So when I arrive in London if Syamasundara sends tickets, or when I arrive in Paris, I shall discuss these matters further with you. Now we are in South India at Hyderabad and will visit the Balaji temple in Tirupati and then return to Bombay prepared to leave for London on May 1st.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 4 May, 1974:

Please find the enclosed copy of a letter I have sent to Bhurijan. He has written me that he has stepped down from his duties as president of Hong Kong and has given them to Devaprastha. I think Bhurijana was doing nicely preaching to the Chinese boys but he has written that he is uninspired and feeling incapable and wants to spend more time with his wife. This sudden turn of events is a surprise to me. Moreover he admits that the boy who is taking over, Devaprastha has been very unsteady in the past. So whether you want to send someone there who is more steady and will stay there and develop. There is definite potential there and it is a wealthy city. If you can enlighten me more on the subject of why Bhurijana is leaving I would appreciate it.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 10 May, 1974:

Yes, I have heard myself about Winipeg, that it is a big city in Canada. So if you think it better to move Regina center there that is approved by me. Yes, you plan to keep headquarters 1/2 year in Chicago and 1/2 year in Dallas, that is approved by me. Please send regular reports.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 12 May, 1974:

On June 15 I go to Koln where Hamsaduta has arranged a lecture tour continuing in Heidelberg and Amsterdam through July 6. So it will not be possible for me to attend Rathayatra if you have scheduled it for June. I am immediately going to the US after Europe to attend Rathayatra in Chicago on July 6 and then Rathayatra in San Francisco on July 8. From there I will come to Australia toward the middle or end of July. If it is possible for you to reschedule your Rathayatra for the end of July then I will attend. But I will come to Australia at that time anyway. I do not know if you will be able to reschedule your Rathayatra. So if you wish to communicate with me I will be in the European cities as dated above.

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Geneva 4 June, 1974:

Regarding your looking for a more suitable building and location for the San Francisco temple, one thing is be very careful you don't again buy a place in a bad neighborhood or neighborhood that is about to become bad. And although you are at the same time looking for a farm community land outside the city, you must keep a temple in the city of San Francisco also. So we can discuss things further when we meet.

Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Paris 10 June, 1974:

I want to thank you a hundred times for the excellent way you are worshiping the Deity there as I can see from the color photographs you have sent. From my very childhood I was also worshiping Lord Jagannatha. When I was six years old my father gave me a ratha and I was performing the Ratha yatra in my neighborhood. And now in the western world you are worshiping Lord Jagannatha so gorgeously and it pleases me very, very much. Thank you again for the way you are conducting the deity worship in the Philadelphia temple. As for the Ratha ceremony, you go on with it, I shall attend there next year. But you go on holding a splendid ceremony for the people of the city. I am sure it will be a success.

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Melbourne 28 June, 1974:

I can, however, only stay a few days in San Francisco after the Festival. I am due back in Vrindaban, India by about the 25th of July, and I wanted to visit Los Angeles as well as other cities in the U.S., so that does not leave me much time for staying in one place. My plan presently is to leave S.F. for L.A. on the 11th July. So any engagements you can make in S.F. before that time will be fine.

Letter to Sridhara Maharaja -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1974:

I am so much thankful for your appreciating my preaching work in the Western countries. Fortunately these American boys and girls are so kind upon me that we are happily preaching this movement all over the world. This time my world touring covers many European cities like Rome, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt,; then I went to Australia to Melbourne, then to Chicago via Fiji and Hawaii. From Chicago I came to San Francisco and at present I am staying at Los Angeles. From here I shall go to Dallas, Texas. From there I shall go to West Virginia to our center New Vrindaban. From there I shall go to London. In London our Ratha yatra festival has been held up, and I think behind this obstruction there is some communal feeling. The local religious sect is not always happy on account of our movement being so fast growing. Especially thousands of young boys and girls are interested in this Krishna consciousness movement. So I think there is some plot to check up this fast growing movement. We are trying our best to counteract this opposing element but everything will rest upon Krishna.

Letter to All ISKCON Presidents -- Bombay 30 July, 1974:

This is to introduce Sri and Smt. Karatieya Mahadevia of Bombay who are my good friends and our Life Members. They are now making an extensive tour of American and European cities and will be especially visiting all our centers. I want that they should be well received and accommodated and also given prasadam, and they may be offered whatever assistance they may require on their journey. Sri Mahadevia has kindly hosted me in Bombay before we have gotten our own place, so I am eager to see that he and his wife are nicely received at all our temples.

Letter to Mr. Lourenco -- Vrindaban 19 August, 1974:

Regarding performance of Sankirtana yajna, this is explained in my book the nectar of devotion. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us the chanting of the Maha mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. It may be performed as sankirtana congregational chanting in public. This done by our sankirtana parties that go daily into the streets in many cities of the world. Or this yajna may be performed quietly and privately with one's self by chanting on beads. This is known as Japa. So this I think can be performed by you very easily.

Letter to Giriraja -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1974:

It is very good that you are making life members daily locally instead of going to the city. Better to get sympathy in the neighborhood. As soon as they will see our activities, they will be very much pleased. You must keep in touch with them, that is their real complaint. It is a very big scheme. Hundreds of thousands will give for this scheme. Let them come in the evening, see kirtana, take prasada, and liberally contribute. They will feel releaved to contribute to such a good cause. Try to publish in Hindi and Gujarati our literature.

Letter to Uttamasloka -- Mayapur 24 October, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 27, 1974 with enclosed plans for the new temple and it is all very nice. You are taking on a big responsibility, and I am very pleased. Toronto I think is a very important city in Canada, and it is fitting that you are contemplating to make a first class temple there. Do everything very carefully, in consultation with Jagadisa Prabhu, and do not spend anything unnecessarily. Whatever money we are getting it is from Krishna, so nothing should be misspent.

Letter to Sripati -- Mayapur 28 October, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 6, 1974 with enclosed Deed of Sale. I am very glad that you have gotten this house. Now make it very nice for Krishna. It should be so attractive that people will want to go there and take advantage of this Krishna consciousness movement. Do not make it simply for comfortable living. Yes, if you distribute my books side by side than that is a very good arrangement, and your temple will be glorious in the city of Montreal. I will want to go there and visit you when I next come to the USA, so I will look forward to that.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 12 November, 1974:

Regarding Gurukula, they are in financial difficulty, so introduce book distribution. Sankirtana and Book Distribution should be pushed side by side, and there will be no difficulties. That is our experience.

If men are available, yes, you can open a center in Kansas City,; that will be nice. Regarding moving the older boys to New Orleans, that is to be decided by the GBC.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 28 November, 1974:

Now enclosed please find one letter to Bank of America. Please see that this letter is executed properly. The Punjab National Bank is taking too long to credit the transfers. You have sent on November 7th and they have credited on November 20th, so we have lost interest for 13 days. So the Bank of America account is now opened. We have also opened an account with First National City Bank in Bombay, and Brahmananda has cabled the account number to Ramesvara, as it is understood he was to transfer Dollars 60,000.00 given by Gurukrpa.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 1 December, 1974:

Regarding the DM 5,000 transfer, yes that has been received and sent to Calcutta for Mayapur Prasadam Pavilion. So for transferring money we have opened new accounts so from New York money can be sent through First National City Bank to their Bombay Branch in favor of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Mayapur Vrindaban Fund A/c No. 17168; and from Los Angeles they can send through Bank of America to their Bombay Fort Branch also in favor of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Mayapur Vrindaban Fund A/C No. 16026.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Bombay 4 December, 1974:

I have received a letter from Gurukrpa Swami that he has given to DNP on November 26, 1974 Dollars 60,338.98. This money is not yet received here. If you have not sent it to ISKCON MAYAPUR VRINDABAN FUND A/c No. 17168 at First National City Bank, Bombay; then you can send it through Bank of America in favor of ISKCON MAYAPUR VRINDABAN FUND A/c No. 16026, Bank of America Bombay Branch.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 18 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your two letters dated Dec. 4, 1974 and Dec. 16, 1974 and I have noted the contents very carefully. I was very much relieved to hear all of the good reports coming from you about New York and I thank you very much for seeing that everything is going on nicely there. As you mention in your letter that the United States is probably the most fertile preaching ground in the world and that the East coast is the best out of that, therefore our New York city temple is an extremely important center and the standard of purity in Krsna Consciousness must be maintained there by all means. If somehow or other we can convince the majority of the United States population to take to Krsna Consciousness then the whole world will become Krsna Conscious. This is a fact.

Letter to Gopijanavallabha -- Bombay 21 December, 1974:

I think by this time all of your questions in your letter have been answered. I am very anxious to get that building in New York City. Rupanuga has given photographs as well as floor plans in his most recent letter. I like it very much, so I want you to immediately take it. As far as the $300,000 down payment I don't think there will be any difficulty with that. Keep me informed on this matter as the negotiation has already begun. So you along with Rupanuga keep the atmosphere there very pure by holding regular classes, having morning and evening arati and kirtana programs and ensuring that everyone chants their 16 rounds and follows the four regulative principles without fail. And try to increase my book distribution as much as possible.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 21 December, 1974:

Regarding my coming to Mexico City and Caracas, yes I want to come there very much. Now we are in Bombay trying to get permission from the government to build our temple. And it appears that we will possibly be getting the permission next week. If this works out then I will immediately be going to Honolulu and from Honolulu I can go directly to Mexico City, then Caracas, and then to Australia by the end of Jan. If the Bombay situation is not settled up I may have to stay till mid-Jan. or so and then in mid or end of Jan. I will be going to Australia to stay for one month. After Australia we had planned to go to S. Africa for two weeks, but if this does not work out then I could come to Mexico City and Caracas at that time. Anyway I will let you know as soon as our plan becomes definite. I am always anxious to hear your reports of new book publications and sales.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

As far as my coming there is concerned, I can come immediately. And the programs that you mention in your letter would be very nice. Try to arrange many such programs with all different kinds of respectable gentlemen, philosophers, scholars, educationalists, etc. We will be coming by way of London where we will probably stop for a few days. Also we will be stopping in Bermuda on the way from London to Mexico City for one or two days to have a program there if it can be arranged. In this connection we have contacted Rupanuga das. One telegram has already been sent to you to inform you of this and to request tickets immediately. If you have not sent the tickets as of yet please send them without delay. The tickets should be sent to the Quantas office in Bombay. They should be Bombay to London by Quantas Airlines, London to Mexico City by British Airways or Quantas if possible, via Bermuda and Nassau. The tickets should be open so that we can make reservation as is necessary according to our schedule. The tickets should be made out to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Paramahamsa Swami and Neal Gorton Delmonico. Three tickets are required. If you wire them to the Quantas office in Bombay it will only take a few days. If you can arrange nice programs in Brazil then I will also be very pleased to go there. It sounds as though the people there are very eager for Krsna Consciousness. So let us have a program there also.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

Thank you again for printing so many nice books. Continue distributing them in huge quantities and Krsna will shower His blessings.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/ps

copy sent to Mexico City

n.b. Our arrival date in Mexico City should be a little after mid-Jan. As soon as exact dates are fixed up you will be cabled immediately.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

My program is now to go to Mexico City and S. America on invitation from Hrdayananda Goswami. I will probably be stopping over in London on the way. I should arrive in Mexico City a little after mid-Jan.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bombay 31 December, 1974:

So, I wanted to go to Hawaii immediately, but the Bombay business has obliged me to stay here a few days more. After this, I have a program to go to Mexico, so I was thinking of going via Hawaii and to meet you all to study personally what can be done for all the misunderstandings that have taken place. The money you wanted to return, kindly send directly to either of these banks in Bombay: Bank of America, a/c no. 16026, INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS "MAYAPUR VRINDAVAN FUND." or First National City Bank, Bombay a/c no. 17168, "ISKCON MAYAPUR VRINDAVAN FUND."

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Sridhara Maharaja -- Mexico City 14 February, 1975:

Then I went to Hawaii and I received your letter there. Then I went to Los Angeles. Now I am staying at our Mexico City temple at the address below. Here the Mexicans are taking part in sankirtana and Deity worship very nicely. They have become very good devotees. In the neighboring countries like Venezuela, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Trinidad and the Dominican Republic we have also got our temples. So, I am touring in these temples to see how things are going on, and by the grace of Krishna, everyone is becoming Krishna Conscious.

Letter to Dr. G. Ghosh -- Tehran 15 March, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Feb. 8th, 1975 and have noted the contents. On my world tour, I have received your letter redirected to New York City. I started from Bombay on the 24th of Jan., then via Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Caracas, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, New York, and London, now I am here in Tehran in our center as above mentioned. I shall be starting from Bombay tonight and will be staying for 2 or 3 days. Then I shall go to Calcutta from there. And after that, I shall go to Mayapur to hold our annual ceremony celebrating Lord Caitanya's Birth day. You are cordially invited to attend our ceremony there and then also our ceremony in Vrndavana. I wish that you may visit our temple along with your wife Mrs. Ghosh.

Letter to Radheswarananda Goswami -- Tehran 15 March, 1975:

I thank you very much for your letter dated Feb. 8th, 1975. I am now on world tour. I left Bombay on Jan. 24th, 1975 and traveled to Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Caracas, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, New York, London, and now I am at our Tehran center as above mentioned. And again, I am going back to Bombay tomorrow. So, your proposal is very nice. I wanted to take a party of sankirtana movement all over India, if some of the leaders like you co-operate with us. So, I am reaching Bombay tomorrow and I shall stay there until the 19th. If possible, please come and see me at my Bombay center as follows: Hare Krishna Land, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054. Or, if the letter does not reach you in time, I am inviting you to come to our festival at Mayapur from the 23rd-27th of March. Then we have also got the opening ceremony for our Vrndavana temple on April 10th, 1975. If it is convenient for you, please try to come and join the ceremonies.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Melbourne 19 May, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your report dated April 30, 1975 and have noted the contents. When our Mexico City branch is open, how can we close it? That building there is very nice and we have been there for five years now. I am not at all in favor of closing such a temple. Stay there in that building somehow or other, and if you like, you may also open a center in Guadalajara. We can keep men in Mexico City who are approved by the government, why should we close it? Jagadisa prabhu is there, so, work together with consultation so that we may remain in that building. Jagadisa has met one good lawyer and he is helping us. It looks favorable for us. You and Jagadisa please arrange it so that we may not have to leave Mexico City. That is my desire.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Honolulu 28 May, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 21, 1975 and have noted the contents. Try everything to remain in that house in Mexico City. I like that house very much. The best thing to do in Guyana is to kick out Mr. Rama, but if it is not practical, then let him buy us another house of our choice for our use—at least as good as that house, if not better. Regarding registration in Guyana, you simply have to show in court how we are an international society, not for any particular creed, race, or nation. Show them that we are a cultural movement. You should not back away when things get difficult.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Honolulu 31 May, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 23, 1975 and have noted the contents. I approve your ideas. Yes, London is a city where we can open many centers. If possible, do it.

In Melbourne, I saw one devotee girl who looked almost exactly like Himavati. Therefore I asked about her. Yes, she is welcome here if she likes.

Letter to Dinanatha -- Honolulu 14 June, 1975:

You will find on the 2nd page of the enclosed magazine, a list of our important centers all over the world. In big cities like London, Chicago, New York, Paris, Rome, Geneva, Tokyo, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and in India, Vrndavana, Navadvipa, Bombay, Calcutta, Hyderabad, etc. I wish that you may retire from family life and live in one of our so many centers wherever you like, and preach the cult of Krishna Consciousness. That will make your life successful.

Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Denver 27 June, 1975:

Yes, I am coming to your city on Friday morning July 11, 1975 from Chicago. I look forward to meeting the professors. July 15 is all right, as I may be going to San Francisco on Wednesday, July 16.

Letter to Bon Maharaja -- Evanston, Illinois 7 July, 1975:

So after making all these arrangements I shall have to go to go to Philadelphia where I shall attend the Ratha Yatra ceremony, and then I shall go to San Francisco where as usual our Ratha Yatra will take place for the seventh year. The Mayor of the city of San Francisco has declared two days local holiday for this particular ceremony. This will take place on the 20th of July. If you could have found the time to come to Hawaii, I thought I would take you with me to all these places and surely you would appreciate my humble attempts. I thank you very much for your appreciation, "A wonderful job in this country."

Letter to Tejiyas -- Philadelphia 13 July, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 1, 1975 and have noted the contents. It is nice that Mr. Agarwal wants to construct a temple for us in Meerut. It is a good, big city.

Regarding the Jaipur land, yes it is situated in an important place, a good locality although a little deserted. If Mr. Jaipuria gives the land and builds the temple, we can take it. Many pilgrims go there. I am enclosing a copy of my letter to him.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Dallas 29 July, 1975:

Regarding getting a different house in the City, that's nice. In the City purchase a first class house, and the Indians will pay for it. Now the Indians are interested to come to the temple, and in the City they will take more interest. Yes, utilize the land at the Manor, and purchase a first class building in the City. There are many churches that are vacant. Find out one. I saw many nice churches when I was there with Dayananda. He has much information about them, but he does not remember. If required he can go there for one month and find out some church and negotiate. There is one Paddington Church. Also there is one I saw with a weak roof, but we can repair it. There was also a YMCA building available near our temple. So you find out some nice building or church.

Letter to Mahamsa -- Detroit 3 August, 1975:

Anyway without court permission we shall not take the land. In the meantime it is all right that you invest only in moveable property. Of course you should not be thinking to sell any of the crops for profit. That is not our purpose. The village organization is that the local people produce their necessities like grain, vegetables, milk, and cloth; and for recreation they have the chanting of Hare Krishna. They should live there comfortably and have spiritual recreation. They should not come to the cities. I wish to introduce this ideal now. Then if we are successful this cheating civilization will stop. They have made these cities as hell. If people do not cooperate with them, then how will the factories run on? And, if the people are satisfied by this arrangement, then what will the communists do?

Letter to Mahavirya -- Vrindaban 7 September, 1975:

The modern civilization is a condemned civilization. The innocent people are being dragged from the villages and exploited in the cities. But in the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna recommends them to remain where they are and produce grains: annad bhavanta bhutani. Grow your food, eat sumtuously, and chant Hare Krishna. This is real life. If we establish such projects all over India, we shall be the proprietor of India. Similarly in the USA. And if USA and India join together in such Krishna consciousness projects, then the whole world will be paradise. Krishna provides everything, but we mismanage it. Even in this condemned world He has provided everything complete. He is so perfect. Krishna wants us to pass on our days here in Krishna consciousness, and then go back home, back to Godhead.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Vrndavana 18 September, 1975:

Regarding Houston temple, it is best thing if they recruit their own men as the other temples are doing. I find that in the United States and also in Europe there are many Indians in every city. Encourage them to take part in our programs.

Letter to Kurusrestha -- Ahmedabad 26 September, 1975:

Regarding your festivals with prasadam, yes do it occasionally. There is no need of accumulating wealth more. You can get wealth more, and also spend wealth more. This is brahmanaism. Get and spend, but not to spoil and squander. This example should be shown to others. That the City was paying you means that they are appreciating. Gradually they will all appreciate very much.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Ahmedabad 29 September, 1975:

You should minimize the expenditure and increase the income, otherwise how will you liquidate the debts? I understand that you are saving on the milk bill by supplying your own milk from the farm. This is wanted. If these farm projects are successful, then all this industry will be closed. We do not have to make propaganda, but automatically people will not want. The people are innocent. The rascal leaders say it is primitive to remain on the farm, but to do business in the city and become rogue and rascal, that is advanced. They have dog race, horse race, gambling, coca cola, pepsi cola—all unnecessary. There is no use for it but the business is going on. They take to cigarette and T.V. because they have no good engagement. They are chewing the already chewed. That is nice that the parents are donating. They will donate more and more, because they see here is something good.

Letter to Kartikeya K. Mahadevia -- Johannesburg 19 October, 1975:

I am enclosing herewith some foreign stamps for your beloved son, Kirtana. I am very much pleased that now you are taking more active part in the propagation of our missionary activities. Regarding Ahmedabad Centre, we must have a place there. I am also very much eager to open a centre there, Ahmedabad being one of the most opulent and important cities of India. Last time when we held our festival in Ahmedabad it was certainly very encouraging. People are naturally Krishna Conscious there. If we organize properly, people will get enlightenment more and more and they will be happy. We have to organize in the neighboring village from where the Raja Saheb came to offer his respects to me. He has promised to hold a meeting of the agriculturists of 20,000 people minimum and this will be a great opportunity. Now, our next program will be to organize farming land to set an example to the whole world how people can be peaceful, happy, and free from all anxieties simply by chanting Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and living an honorable life in Krishna Consciousness. In India especially people are religiously inclined.

Letter to District Judge of Agra, Mr. S.D. Kulshrestha -- Nairobi 29 October, 1975:

I am very sorry to learn that Judge Saheb was sick and we could not meet. Anyway I am returning to India on November 2nd and afterwards I have to go to Vrindaban. So if Judge Saheb makes any program for my going to Agra and to arrange for a meeting of the leading people of the city, it will be a great pleasure for me to meet them and present my appeal so that they may join this great movement.

Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Bombay 9 November, 1975:

The farming and opening the restaurant are correlative—in farming you produce enough milk and milk products, at least ghee, and the ghee is dispatched to the restaurant in the city and with that you prepare first-class samosas, kacoris, vegetables, halava—so many things people will like very much. The principle is that not a drop of milk should be misused.

Letter to Svarupa Damodara -- Bombay 12 November, 1975:

Regarding your letter of September 21, yes, it is a very good idea to have a meeting at the Mayapur meeting time to thoroughly discuss the Bhaktivedanta Institute. So please do the needful. It will be a great service if you can organize such an Institute in the U.S.A. In Dallas there is one former army base which is now vacant that has a number of buildings and enough land. It is located about 70 miles from the city of Dallas. So you should immediately correspond with Jagadisa. It is very big and nice. I think we should take it for the Bhaktivedanta Institute. The climate there is also nice.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Bombay 14 November, 1975:

Regarding Rome, that is very good that you have 50 devotees. Are they all Italian? Yes, that is nice that you are looking for a new building in Rome. Rome is a crowded city. We must have there a very big building. The climate there is also nice. It is always sunny. In Rome I have seen many houses exactly like Indian houses. Also in Paris I have seen this. I have received the Italian new literatures and they are very, very nice. Thank you very much.

Regarding Spain, yes, don't risk anything. You've got sufficient engagement in the other European cities. Do everything slow but sure. The new French Back to Godhead is very nice. Amsterdam temple has also grown to 55 devotees. This is a credit, not that the temple should be a place simply for good residence. It should be a place where there is constant activity in Krsna's service. The Westerners have good brains, but they do not have any good leader. Now the Krsna consciousness movement will provide them with good leader if they take it seriously. Regarding the contract with the incense manufacturer, don't supply them if they do not pay. That is very good to separate the Spiritual Sky business from the temple.

Regarding Paris, the house there in the city must be kept very nicely. It is a very nice house. I always remember my quarters there. Also the Parisian people are very intelligent. So you are selling 100 French Bhagavad-gita's per day at $12 per book. That's $1,200 per day. This is no joke.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 20 November, 1975:

So this business should be discouraged, otherwise, if they do it, our men will again become karmis. Our business is simply book distribution. So far increasing the New Orleans' farm, yes, if you have got more men, you can get more land. You should make a stock of ghee from the farm and if possible open a restaurant in the city for attracting people. You can prepare samosas, kacoris, rasgullas, sweetballs: In Honolulu they are doing nicely, this restaurant. You can take information from Srutakirti das. And the farm will get money by selling ghee to the restaurant. And also you can sell the ghee to the Indian people in the city.

Regarding the Deities of Gurukula, Lord Kalacandji, why you should move? The Deities shall stay. If you want you can install another set of Deities in a new place. There's no question of selling the building; it must be maintained.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 20 November, 1975:

Regarding Berkeley temple, I note that permission for living in the building is not yet finalized. Please keep me informed. Portland is a very nice city. I am glad that we have our temple there. That is very good that Seattle does not have any debts. This is proper management. This is very much wanted. It is also very good that Jayadvaita is in Laguna Beach and is preaching there. This is our process of preaching, that one shows by his personal example, not that we preach something and then do something else. That is called cheating and that is going on in the religion, especially. We are not that kind of cheaters. And we are not that kind of so-called religionists. Yes, so you keep an eye on things there in Laguna Beach, and see that whoever takes over as temple president is trained up.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 18 December, 1975:

Yes we can print instead of 20,000, 50,000 copies of the first editions of each book, ask Ramesvara to do it.

Your idea for holding Jagannatha festival in the big cities is approved by me, do it. yes you come in January.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 22 December, 1975:

Thank you for your letter dated November 29th 1975. The poem is very nice, however one should not think himself a devotee, poem 3. should read

"Your servant's calling so sadly,"

"Your servant's falling so badly,"

"A servant's trapped in the city."

one cannot call himself a devotee, but servant he can call himself always.*

Your bus program sounds nice, it is approved my me.

I hope this letter meets you well.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Dina Dayala -- Nellore 6 January, 1976:

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.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Calcutta 12 January, 1976:

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.

Letter to Sri Chaudhuri -- Mayapur 23 January, 1976:

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.

Letter to Prthu Putra -- Mayapur 24 January, 1976:

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.

Letter to Aksayananda -- Mayapur 29 January, 1976:

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.

Letter to Aksayananda -- Mayapur 29 January, 1976:

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

*being invited by some leading men of the city.

Letter to Vakresvara -- Mayapur 9 February, 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.

Letter to Yasomatinandana -- Mayapur 15 February, 1976:

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.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 16 February, 1976:

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.

Letter to Aksayananda -- Mayapur 28 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.

Letter to Srutakirti -- Mayapur 14 March, 1976:

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.

Letter to Mr. Fagan -- Melbourne 22 April, 1976:

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.

Letter to Saurabha -- Honolulu 20 May, 1976:

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.

Letter to Giriraja -- Honolulu 26 May, 1976:

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.

Letter to Mr. Hunter -- Los Angeles 5 June, 1976:

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, India

I 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.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Los Angeles 6 June, 1976:

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.

Letter to Saurabha -- Los Angeles 7 June, 1976:

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.

Letter to Giriraja -- New Vrindaban 30 June, 1976:

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.

Letter to Balavanta -- New York 8 July, 1976:

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.

Letter to Yasomatinandana -- New York 11 July, 1976:

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?

Letter to Krishna Mahesavari -- New York 11 July, 1976:

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.

Letter to Gaura Govinda -- Vrindaban 18 September, 1976:

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.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Vrindaban 28 September, 1976:

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.

Letter to unknown 2 -- 28 September, 1976:

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.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Vrindaban 4 October, 1976:

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.

Letter to Yasomatinandana -- Chandigarh 14 October, 1976:

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.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Krishna Balaram Mandir October 22, 1976:

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 Chandigargh. 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.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Vrindaban 7 November, 1976:

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.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 7 November, 1976:

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.

Letter to B.S. Bodhayana Maharaja -- Vrindaban 9 November, 1976:

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 s 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.

Letter to Syama Sundarji -- Vrindaban 15 November, 1976:

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.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Rayarama -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 9. So far the ideas for San Francisco or India are concerned, they are dropped for the time being. Better the press idea be fulfilled in N.Y. I have got a greater attachment for N.Y. than any other city of your country. You better stick to N.U. for the time being and do your money making schemes. The India plan will be fructified when I return there.

Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:

So this or that you may find out something flaw if you want. But Krsna says surrender unto Me and I will give you all protection, perfect knowledge of everything. You should not go to modern scientists for perfect knowledge. They cannot supply that. Krsna will supply you. Of course, sometimes there is allegorical reference in the Vedas, just like the body is called the city of nine gates, like that, so we may sometimes misunderstand due to our imperfect reading. Even it is true that they have landed on the moon, so what is their accomplishment? If I come to Earth planet and land in the Sahara desert, then I say, "Oh, this planet is a barren desert, no one lives here?" The moon may be like that or like this, so what does that help to our Krsna consciousness movement. We have nothing to do with moon planet or this planet and that planet in Krsna consciousness. We simply want to serve to Krsna, that's all. Do not be disturbed by these things. Simply go on with your work in positive mood. That will be best for you and for other also. After all intelligence to understand Krsna is not within the range of your material senses. You cannot make any experiments and calculations and expect to find Krsna. But if somehow or other you are fortunate enough to find out a pure devotee of the Lord, then you get opportunity to him, and as you surrender Krsna gives you the intelligence by which you may come to him, that is sure. No other process will give us any intelligence to understand things as they are, except Krsna consciousness.

Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:

Now you have left the Hong Kong temple and no one is remaining there. Of course, it may be, as you say, strictly a city for doing business and no one is interested in Krsna Consciousness seriously. But still it is one of the most important cities of the world, so do not neglect it completely, that will be discredit. I have very, very much appreciated the Chinese BTG, that is a great victory for us. So far I know, no one else Indian spiritual movement has produced such literature in Chinese language. That is a big credit for you. And you have mixed with the Chinese people and they have purchased, there is good response, so why we are leaving that place? Your plan is to go there from time to time to collect money from the Hindus for spreading Krsna Consciousness in other places in Far East, that is nice. But if there is good opportunity to preach amongst the Chinese population, why not try for it? It will not accomplish much to go to them from time to time and preach something and then go away, no.

Page Title:City (Letters 1974 - 1977)
Compiler:Visnu Murti, Mayapur
Created:25 of Feb, 2012
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=94
No. of Quotes:94