Regarding Vrndavana, I am glad you have already made a contribution. You can now make a full estimate of the ingredients needed for finishing the Vrndavana Temple by next Janmastami festival. The ingredients should be immediately acquired and whatever money is collected there in India that is all to the good and the balance I shall pay from here. I will come to India by the end of January so the money will be ready. You go ahead now and purchase the ingredients immediately. Do the needful in consultation with Guru das.
Collect (Letters 1974 - 1977)
Correspondence
1974 Correspondence
Letter to Tejiyas -- Los Angeles 6 January, 1974:
As informed to you in my letter last, I beg to inform you further that I plan to send to India $100,000 for completing our Vrndavana scheme as soon as possible, before Janmastami ceremony. Out of this $100,000 our two sannyasis, Gurukrpa Maharaja and Yasodanandana Maharaja have collected $40,000 and the balance Karandhara will arrange to supply even by taking a loan from the bank. The idea is we must finish Vrndavana temple construction work on or before Janmastami ceremony. There is another three lacs promised by Asoka Birla of Bombay.
So I am reaching India by the 1st week of February. But if you can open the account in the meantime then send me the reply of the bank to my letter enclosed herewith and the number of the account, then immediately money will be dispatched.
Letter to Nadia -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:
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.
I am very pleased that you are working together on travelling sankirtana to collect funds for Mayapur and Vrindaban. Please distribute as many of our books as possible and Krsna will be very pleased. And always be vigilant that you do not grow lax in following the regulative principles and always chanting 16 rounds at least, every day without fail.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:
So I will come. We are four men and we will arrive in India by February 1st; we already have our tickets for around the world.
Regarding your invitation to go to Dvaraka, yes I have already written you I have accepted, and I can go there. Hearing that you have collected Rs 81,000 in the month of December is very pleasing; you are a very good boy.
Now Krsna is sending you new devotees to help in India. Yasomatinandana is a good boy, now utilize him properly. We are planning that he can open a center in Surat and he will attract many Gujaratis. He is sincere, learned, enthusiastic and qualified. Keep him nicely engaged. He has left $7,000 with me for starting a center in Surat. This money I have deposited in the Mayapur-Vrindaban Fund and when I shall start a center in Surat I will draw from that fund.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:
I am glad to hear you have a nice secretary there in Aditya; now take care of sending the BTG out regularly. There are some complaints in this department. So make Bombay the center for distributing BTG to life members.
Yes I know very well that Gargamuni Maharaja is an expert collector and preacher. He is so expert in collecting therefore I call him Gargamoney. Regarding the BBT debt of Calcutta, you can wait for that. Not that the payment can be washed off, but we can wait. It is very good news that Gargamuni Maharaja is supporting both Calcutta and Mayapur. Now you cooperate and you yourself develop Bombay. In the meantime, Jayapataka and Bhavananda Maharajas want money for land. Karandhara has sent $4,000 so I have allowed them to purchase more land. I will pay and have arranged for that. You can advise Jayapataka and Bhavananda to purchase land whenever there is an opportunity and we shall arrange to pay. But it should not exceed Rs 5,000 per month.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:
You say more land is needed for growing crops. So for the time being go ahead and purchase land and I will pay at the rate of Rs 5,000 per month. But do not acquire more land than we can use. Purchasing land and keeping it without use is not my policy. What is Gargamuni Maharaja doing with the money he is collecting for Mayapur? Regarding money being used for construction of gosala, pavilion etc., at Mayapur, I shall consider that after going there. I have arranged to transfer $100,000 which will be done by next Monday. But this is for the temple in Vrindaban. You cannot expect all the money to come from here. I will, however, be trying to carry as much money as possible.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:
Yes, Bhavananda and Jayapataka Maharajas are the approved directors of Mayapur. They are selfless workers. Regarding food for the Mayapur Festival, in other temples they are going and collecting their food, and yet we have to purchase in Mayapur? If you depend always on collecting money from here only it will not be successful. If for buildings, festivals, etc. you have to collect from here, what is the use?
The completion of Vrindaban temple by Janmastami is my whole hearted desire. Please do it by all means. The 3 lacs from Ashok Birla plus the $100,000 from here will I think be sufficient to finish the temple. It will please me very much to see it completed timely.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Honolulu 26 January, 1974:
"Our position is not as precarious as it was before." If you sincerely preach everything will become smooth, and our preaching work will become smoother and smoother. One thing is very gratifying that you are doing the preaching work in Africa without any financial help from here. But in India the case is different. We have to send always financial help from America. I have collected and dispatched to India about 40 lacs of rupees. Even today I have dispatched to Gargamuni Swami $5,000, or about Rs 50,000 by telegram. Krsna is arranging everything. Let us work cooperatively nicely all over the world.
Letter to Saurabha -- Bombay 6 April, 1974:
As for the shortage of coolies, our men can do this job. Any man can work as a cooly, so our men should join. We shall also send men from here and elsewhere so you may have 10 or 20 men. Cooly means non expert, and so many of our men are non expert so they may join and work as coolies.
If you are collecting money from Mr. Bajoria or any life members take it and send it to the construction fund at New Delhi, in the Punjab National Bank. As far as Mr. Somani, let him come here and I will be very glad to receive him. If he can supply us paper we can start a Back to Godhead magazine in Hindi and Gujarati.
Letter to Ramesvara -- India 10 April, 1974:
This kind of criticism and counter-criticism is not good. Those who are advanced devotees try to see only the good that other devotees are doing, just as bees are attracted to honey, while flies are attracted to sores. Gurukrpa Maharaja and Yasodanandana Maharaja have gone to Tokyo with my full knowledge for sankirtana and collecting funds for our projects in India. In the past they have collected very nicely and sent $40,000 to India. So let them work peacefully, and you engage yourself fully in Los Angeles and BBT matters. You have great responsibilities in that connection. Let us try to work cooperatively, otherwise the fighting spirit will ruin our great movement.
Letter to Dayananda -- Bombay 11 April, 1974:
I was discussing this point in my lecture last night here in Bombay, that human life means tapasya, and tapasya must begin with brahmacaryena, life at Gurukula. The boy is supposed to lie down on the floor, collect alms for the spiritual master—not that they are trying very hard to make a comfortable material arrangement. But the result is that although in this age everyone is born a sudra, we are producing first class brahmanas who can actually do good for their fellow man.
I think also that you are the right man to be in charge of our school. It is especially nice to hear that the boys are becoming first class preachers; that is especially needed. Without preaching, our institution becomes all rubbish. So it is very good they are becoming good preachers. So along with Jagadisa you investigate the practical aspects of expanding by purchasing new buildings.
Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 13 April, 1974:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 4, 1974, and I have noted the contents.
I am glad to hear that the Calcutta temple is progressing nicely under your direction, that devotees are going out daily distributing books and collecting. As far as my meeting with the indutrialist G.D. Kothari and others to discuss building a Calcutta temple, my present schedule is that I am remaining in India until May 15, and then going to Pairs, France. On April 18 I am going to Hyderabad for a week and from there spend a week in South India traveling. So after that, if such a meeting can be arranged before I leave? Otherwise, when I return to India at the end of July I can meet.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Hyderabad 24 April, 1974:
I have received a letter from Tejyas on the same day as yours. I am sending him the checks he has requested for construction, but he has requested one check for "Lalita Prasad", for Rupee 3,000 which you say is a down payment for four sets of clothes for the deity. But we cannot pay for these dresses. It was already agreed that you and Yamuna would collect separately for the deities, not that it would come out of the construction fund, but now you and Tejyas are requesting it come out of construction. Besides that, why go to the tailor? Lalita Prasad charges extraordinarily. We don't want to go to them. Whatever our devotees can make, that is all right. Have you already contracted from them? This check cannot be issued neither is it our plan to pay from construction for the deities. Where is the money you collected for this purpose?
Letter to Tejiyas -- Hyderabad 24 April, 1974:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters of April 11th, and April 22, 1974 and I have examined the contents.
I am enclosing the list of checks requested by you by Registered post except I am not sending one check for Rs 3,000 for deity clothes to be paid to the tailor Lalita Prasad of Vrindaban. Deity paraphernalia is supposed to be collected separately by Gurudasa and Yamuna, not come out of the construction fund as you have requested. Besides, I have advised Gurudasa not to pay any tailor but to make clothes by our own devotees for the deities.
Letter to Balavanta -- Tirupati 28 April, 1974:
Yes inflation is due to paper currency. As for land ownership, in the Vedic civilization the land was given to the people for cultivation not for ownership, and a tax was collected which was 25% of the person's income. The land belonged to the state and the man would cultivate it and pay 25% to the state. If he has no income then he doesn't have to pay. If he doesn't pay tax he may be disowned of the land. One cannot get land from the government unless he agrees to produce something and if everyone produces food then there is no scarcity. At least he has his own food produced by himself. Now people are educated as sudras. They are going to work to produce what is not urgently needed by society.
Letter to Govinda -- Bombay 30 April, 1974:
The vivid example is Visnupriya devi, Lord Caitanya's wife. When Lord Caitanya left home accepting the renounced order of life, sannyasa, at that time Visnupriya was on the summit of youth, 16 years old, but when her husband became sannyasi she also became greater than sannyasa. She was chanting her rounds on the beads and after one round she was collecting one grain of rice. In this way all day and night, as many rounds as she could finish, that many grains she would cook and eat. Just she how much austerity she underwent! Visnupriya is the incarnation of the Goddess of Fortune but to teach us how much austerity and penance she underwent, I think you should follow the footsteps of Srimati Visnupriya. You have good writing capacity, and good artistic ability. Now devote your life to chanting Hare Krsna and if possible write articles on Krsna Consciousness, as many as possible with your own paintings and send it for publication to BTG.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 1 May, 1974:
We have given houses with the purpose to execute devotional service exactly like the Brahmacaris and sannyasis. Otherwise, why purchase houses near the temple? The whole idea is to live near the temple and take advantage of the temple program.
Regarding the apartments, how is the rent being collected and where is it being deposited?
Locana das may deposit his contributions with the Mayapur Vrindaban fund for going to the Krsna Balarama temple. Kindly advise the Union Bank to send the monthly interest to ISKCON Mayapur Vrindaban Trust Fund. I still don't know how many installments they have sent or how quickly they are getting the money to the Punjab National Bank in Vrindaban.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Bombay 9 May, 1974:
In your letter of April 29 you give the astounding report that in the year 1973, 4,169,004 total books were bought by the temples from BBT. What is the calculation of money collected for that amount?
This regular reporting is very encouraging for everyone of our devotees and I have faith in your words that next year the figures will be far beyond what they were last year. It is the nature of the spiritual energy, it is always increasing if we just apply our energy.
Letter to Madhavananda -- Vrindaban 6 August, 1974:
Regarding the meeting you propose, you may arrange it, and I shall come. For Janmastami I am already engaged here, but your proposed meeting is very encouraging. So when you expect me, let me know, and I shall make my program. The Indians there have been cheated by so many rascal swamis who have come simply to collect money and then leave. So our work will be done locally.
Regarding the plans for the temple, I have just now spoken with Saurabha and you shall be getting the plans very soon.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 13 August, 1974:
Regarding sales figures, please endeavor in this way. The sales figures—this is the only solace in my life. When I hear that my books are selling so nicely, I become energetic like a young man. It is very good report that the printers are surprised at our sales figures.
Regarding moneys collected, do not keep this money. Immediately spend on printing books. Perhaps we may require money for building purposes. This should be strictly followed: 50% for printing and 50% for building.
Letter to Gurukrpa -- Vrindaban 14 August, 1974:
This money was properly utilized for development of the Mayapur and Vrindaban schemes. Now I am in Vrindaban, but you may have been informed that the opening ceremony has been postponed until the temple and asrama are completed.
I would like to know how much money you have collected and how it was spent. Formally it was understood that money was paid to Dai Nippon and BBT paid to M-V Fund.
Letter to Giriraja -- Vrindaban 16 August, 1974:
This should be very much encouraged. He is a good preacher in Gujarati and Hindi. Regarding engaging the men, it is required that nobody should sit idle.
Regarding reducing the expenditure, you should reduce the conveyance account by 50%. You should localize your preaching and collecting programs as much as possible. The attempt should be made to raise monthly subscriptions from gentlemen in Juhu and Ville Parle Scheme. No one will give less than Rs. 5/- and you can collect Rs. 20,000/- monthly if you organize it properly, so you may not have to go downtown. Juhu and Ville Parle schemes are developing rapidly and all important men are coming to this side.
Letter to Giriraja -- Vrindaban 16 August, 1974:
You make up some monthly subscription books like a passbook with the name and address of each subscriber each with a number and the amount of the monthly subscription and the date paid, and when the subscription is collected the subscriber signs his name. In this way three or four men can go house to house. Now that our temple is recognized, everyone will pay. Now there is a food program that is popular amongst the local people, so they will pay. They can also pay in goods such as rice and dahl.
Letter to Sri Badruka -- Vrindaban 20 August, 1974:
With your active interest I am very confident that everything is going on very smoothly.
I have sent to Mahamsa Swami Rs. 60,000/- so that the immediate construction may not be hampered. In the meantime please see that the life members there start collecting.
If the temple is completed by next Janmastami, I will be pleased to come to inaugurate the opening.
Letter to Dixit -- Vrindaban 20 August, 1974:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 23rd and have noted the contents. Yes your idea about minimizing the expenses of the Juhu project are very good. I have just written a letter to Giriraja suggesting that they do this and the way is to localize the collecting program. They should collect their funds from the local people in Juhu and Veille Parle Scheme. So I have given them a plan for taking subscriptions from respectable men who are living in that area. So I may request that you help them to make these subscriptions amongst the local inhabitants. I think if you work with them in this way then everything will be alright.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Vrindaban 7 September, 1974:
The people there are very intelligent. They are prepared to accept the real truth. Germany was always famous for its intelligent population. You are also appropriately fit to push on this cult in Germany. It will be a great success. Get the German people to take this movement seriously. Utilize the money you are collecting there for printing more and more books in German language, and profusely distribute our books in German language. I am very pleased that you are printing in German the books you have mentioned.
Letter to Manager of Liberty Bank -- Vrindaban 16 September, 1974:
The passbook may be kept with you until I collect it from your office.
Letter to Sri Govinda -- Mayapur 29 September, 1974:
Your hall is far better than Los Angeles, I think. You have installed the Deity there so nicely with all nice decorations, and I have seen how clean you are keeping it. And, the room was fully packed even the balcony. On the whole that building is just suitable for our purpose. Your scheme for collecting from the Indian community is all right and I approve the inscription for the plaques. Krsna is giving you all good facilities for spreading Krsna consciousness, and I can assure you that He will supply even more. You are a boy of great energy and the more you use your energy in Krsna's service, the more He will supply you, rest assured. So it is up to you how much you want to endeavor for Krsna's sake.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Mayapur 1 October, 1974:
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 5, 1974 and have discussed the contents with Srila Prabhupada. The Dollars 5,000 which you have collected for Food Relief may be sent for the construction of the Prasadam Distribution Pavilion here at Mayapur temple. One thousand people will be able to be fed at a time and it will cost Dollars 25,000. Gargamuni Swami has pledged to provide one half of the funds. Hamsaduta Prabhu has just sent Dollars 4,000 for Food Relief which will also be used for this project. Please send your money directly to Gargamuni Swami's Calcutta account, with a separate letter to this effect.
Letter to Madhavananda -- Mayapur 1 October, 1974:
Regarding the Parikrama in the village if they object, then don't agitate them unnecessarily. They are Christians, so why do it? You say that the houses are being put up for sale, but where is the money to buy them? What about the Life Member fees you are collecting? If you are keeping them for temple construction, they may be used to purchase these houses for the householder devotees. BBT loan is not meant for residential quarters. You purchase and they will pay rent and you get interest. Use the temple construction fund for this purpose. You say that you have gotten L50,000 in pledges, but we will require much more.
Letter to Visala -- Mayapur 7 October, 1974:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 15, 1974 with enclosed donation of Rs. 211/- and I thank you very much for it.
I think you can let me know how you are doing there in Delhi for collecting for our Vrindaban temple.
Letter to Karandhara -- Mayapur 8 October, 1974:
As alleged by you I have received complaints against Bali Mardan and his wife, so seriously so much so that the girl has declared that Bali Mardan is an incarnation of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on my name. In India some of the important members they have collected huge amounts in the name of the Society and spent it luxuriously. I wanted you all my experienced disciples should manage the whole institution very cleverly without any personal ambition like ordinary materialistic men. The Gaudiya Math institution has become smashed, at least stopped its program of preaching work on account of personal ambitions.
Letter to Tejiyas -- Mayapur 11 October, 1974:
One letter from Harikesa has been received regarding getting maintenance money. Gurudasa has all of a sudden left. How will the Vrindaban expenditure be met? Where is the money Gurudasa collected for the Deities? Where is it kept and what is the account? Yamuna is very clever, and I know they have collected huge sum.
Letter to Murtidas -- Mayapur 13 October, 1974:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 3, 1974 as well as your Sankirtana report. I do not know why you are not satisfied with your service there in Delhi. I am very glad that now Tejiyas is regularly collecting and sending to Vrindaban for maintenance, so what is the harm of your helping? This lamentation you have got is not good. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma/ na socati na kanksati (BG 18.54). This is not Krishna consciousness. Do not lament, but go on with your collecting engagement enthusiastically. This is what pleases me. Why are you doubting?
Letter to Gurudas Prabhu -- Mayapur 14 October, 1974:
Your letter to Srila Prabhupad dated October 3, 1974 in transit has been received. Srila Prabhupad affirms that he never gave you permission to leave India, but only to leave Vrindaban. You left without informing me of you intentions. Now you are asking for him to write a letter so you can collect money. But what about the monies you have already received? Where is the account? So far I know you have received from Murtidas Dollars 4,000.00; from Nanda Kumar 1700.00; from Srila Prabhupad before he left India Rs. 60,000/-, and from Karandhar Rs. 40,000/-. You must present the account of how these monies were spent before getting any facility for collecting additional funds. As GBC I must request you not to try to collect any money until you account for this money.
Letter to Gurudas Prabhu -- Mayapur 14 October, 1974:
What is the need of your going out side of India to collect? Ample money is already coming without your having to go, and Srila Prabhupad has taken responsibility for providing funds whatever you need himself. He wanted you to stay in Vrindaban and manage there. Why have you left?
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 15 October, 1974:
Regarding publishing the philosophy book, first of all I want to see the copy after it is edited. Hayagriva can do it. He is paid for that.
Gurudasa is coming to London, but he cannot be allowed to collect on any account. Enclosed is one letter from Brahmananda Maharaja to me that will explain.
Regarding German Switzerland territory, you cannot do anything with them? You cannot make any adjustment? Why are you referring to him this small thing?
I think George's home address is Henley-on-Thames. I have been there. Is this the correct address?
Letter to Gurukrpa -- Mayapur 17 October, 1974:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 30, 1974 with enclosed Credit Note No. 125 from Dai Nippon for Dollars 39,474.73. I am very glad to receive it, and I thank you very much. My blessings are there for you in your collecting program. After all you are already Gurukrpa.
Letter to Giriraja -- Mayapur 20 October, 1974:
For all book orders the BBT will present the invoice and shipping documents to your bank a/c BBT for collection. The orders may be shipped by rail, so the temples will pay the invoice amount in order to receive the shipping documents from the Bank, and then collect the goods. Now that the inventory has been sent to all centers, there should be no complaint that there are no books being made available. Let them pay for what they order, and you fill the orders promptly, so there should be no difficulty.
Letter to Behari -- Mayapur 23 October, 1974:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 12/10/74 and have noted the contents. I could have recommended something for you, but you could not reply me a proper account, what was collected and what was spent. Several times you gave me different figures, so how can I recommend you.
Letter to Amogha -- Bombay 31 October, 1974:
And, personally I become very much encouraged when I get the report of my books being distributed.
Regarding Indonesia program and Gaura Mandala Bhumidas assisting and so far collecting money in Australia for the project, these things should be consulted with the GBC man. Please give me relief from all the managing so I can devote my brain to the literary work. It requires a great deal of concentration.
Letter to Harikesa -- Bombay 1 November, 1974:
Already people are saying that it surpasses all temples of the district in beauty, and I think it surpasses all temples in India. So now it must be managed very nicely. You have followed my instructions for making the kirtana program there the center, so I know that everything will go on nicely there.
Regarding Gurudasa, please inquire as to how much he has collected and send me the report. I want to know what he has collected and what was the expenditure. Encourage the U.K. devotees to stay in India because they do not have any visa problem.
Letter to Dhananjaya -- Bombay 15 November, 1974:
I am writing to him in this regard separately. Krishna has sent both these Governors.
Regarding your inquiry about your position, that is a bona fide position to remain a servant of the servant of Krishna (CC Madhya 13.80). So for the time being you can help Tejiyas in Delhi collecting and preaching.
In the meantime please go and see the Manager of Punjab National Bank, Vrindaban with the enclosed two letters and take replies. I also want to know how many Fixed Deposit Receipts are in their custody. Give me all the numbers and amounts. They should keep the certificates but you should mail me the particulars.
Letter to Tejiyas -- Bombay 15 November, 1974:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 8, 1974 with enclosure of emigration application. I shall keep it aside and inform you. Regarding your question about collecting, whatever money sent it is all the hand of Krishna. When Krishna gives, you get. Don't be disappointed if you do not get any collection after working. Always depend on Krishna, and everything will be all right. Fight and depend on the results on Krishna. yudhyasva vigata-jvarah, fight without being lethargic, Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita.
Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 18 December, 1974:
I want him to maintain his job for now anyway. Immediately although, you can make him one of the GBC men. His name can be added to the list. We can decide about the idea of him coming to India at our next GBC meeting in Mayapur. You asked in your letter whether Gurudasa Prabhu is authorized to collect money from US temples for Vrndavana project. No, he is not authorized to do this.
In regards to the $180,000 that was received in discounts. That money should be reinvested in printing books.
Letter to Yadubara -- Bombay 25 December, 1974:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 16, 1974 and I have noted the contents carefully.
I just saw your film last night and it was very nice. We can collect a lot of money with this film, for ISKCON Food-relief program. But not a single farthing of that money should be used for any other thing. It should all go to our ISKCON food-relief fund, nothing else. Otherwise we will definitely run into trouble, such as Hamsaduta has in Germany.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Bombay 31 December, 1974:
I like that-more of preaching. If Yamuna has left you, why remain as grhastha? Better take sannyasa like Tamala Krishna Gosvami. I know Yamuna has Krishna in her heart. She'll not be spoiled, but let her have some temporary independence and be more Krishna Conscious. I am glad you have sent the money to India that you have collected. Now, you left Vrndavana on account of Yamuna, but she has left you there also, although you wanted to live with her. Anyway, try to forget all this material attachment and try to be attached to Krishna more and more. Actually, I want many parties like the party of Tamala Krishna and Visnujana, and they can preach all over—USA especially. So, Tamala Krishna has attained experience in this type of preaching work, so you also take advantage of this experience. If you like, you can stay with him for some time. If you can preach there, it is better that you remain in USA. Vrndavana will be managed somehow or other.
1975 Correspondence
Letter to Ramesvara -- Bombay 1 January, 1975:
Regarding the length of books, it is alright if it goes a little over 400 pages, but don't let it become 500.
Whatever fund is collected for food distribution should be sent to India. Why is it not sent? The other funds coming from sales of books can be accounted for properly, so where is there any fraud? Sometimes a salesman can say something extraordinary in order to sell something, but that is not fraud. Just like they are selling this oil, saying that if you rub it on your bald head, hair will grow.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Bombay 1 January, 1975:
Just like they are selling this oil, saying that if you rub it on your bald head, hair will grow. Where is the case where a bald man's hair grew from this oil? But the government is not charging with fraud. Don't use these UNICEF cards, that will not be good. You can make ISKCON FOOD RELIEF cards. But the money collected using this card must be sent to India where we are actually feeding people. If we simply speak nicely to a person and try sincerely to get him to take the book he'll take it. Why should we adopt unfair means? We should not do anything which will create a bad impression or make us unpopular. People are after these books, they are hankering for them. We don't need to take cheating method. I never had to use any cheating method when I first began. I simply presented the real thing.
Letter to Patita Uddharana -- Bombay 3 January, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 27th, 1974 and have noted the contents. Madhavananda is now being sent to Hong Kong to collect for Krishna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana.
So, all your desires are fulfilled. Now, work more enthusiastically in Krishna's service and do not deviate from my teachings and everything will be a success.
Letter to Prabhavisnu -- Bombay 4 January, 1975:
Regarding book distribution, this is my foremost desire to have my books circulated profusely. I have just discussed with Hamsaduta about lowering the prices for England. Keep the grounds there nicely. That is important. I am glad to hear how nicely the cows are doing. Send some milk here.
Madhavananda is being sent to Hong Kong to collect for Krishna-Balarama Mandira in Vrndavana.
As far as the initiations are concerned, Hamsaduta was not so sure about all of them, so he can go over the list with you in London, and after hearing from him, we shall consider.
Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 9 January, 1975:
Everyone should adore our members as honest. If we do something which is deteriorating to the popular sentiments of the public in favor of our movement, that is not good. Somehow or other we should not become unpopular in the public eye. These dishonest methods must be stopped. It is hampering our reputation all over the world. Money collected for feeding people in India should be collected under the name ISKCON Food Relief. Not any other name. And every farthing of that money must be sent to India, or better yet, buy food grains there and ship them here and we will distribute. But every farthing collected for that purpose must be used for that purpose. I have already sent one letter to Ramesvara explaining these points.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 17 January, 1975:
I am going to Hawaii on Jan. 26th via Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. You can report the next incidences to Hawaii. The program is that from Hawaii I may go to Mexico and Caracas as invited by Hrdayananda Gosvami.
All money that is collected on behalf of the Food Relief program should be sent to India. (or if possible, send grains) Why has this not been done? That money (700,000 dm) that has been blocked up in the bank account there, as soon as it is freed, you should send whatever portion of it was collected on behalf of food distribution program to India. All money should be sent to Bank of America, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Mayapur-Vrndavana Fund, account no. 16026 in Bombay.
Letter to Prajapati -- Bombay 17 January, 1975:
You don't have to worry so much about recruiting new people. Just work nicely with the dancers you have now. Make full utilization of the facilities that you already have. Regarding your plane fare to India, it will be best if you can collect that money by selling some books on sankirtana. Then there will be no shortage.
Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 17 January, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil and have noted the contents. Why is it that money that has been collected on behalf of ISKCON Food Relief program has not been sent to India? Where is that money? This is not good. If you are not intending to send for food distribution, then do not collect in the name of Food Relief. Whatever is collected for India food distribution, must be sent as soon as it is collected, to India. You should send it to: Bank of America, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Mayapur-Vrndavana Fund, account no. 16026 in Bombay. It must be sent, otherwise it will be a discrepancy. The plan that the lawyer has proposed to you is very good. There can be two separated accounts, ISKCON Food Relief, and BBT.
Letter to Lilavati -- Vrindaban 17 April, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 2, 1975 and have noted the contents. Bhagavan das and Brahmananda Swami have suggested that you go to London and collect the money for your ticket there and then immediately go to Africa to help there. I think that will be nice. Make sure that you follow all of the rules and regulations, and chant at least 16 rounds daily. That will make you out of the reach of Maya.
Letter to Jamuna -- Perth, Australia 11 May, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 28, 1975 and have noted the contents. Your husband recently came to Delhi and Vrndavana and he has sold so many properties of ISKCON through the Mukutwalla. His only business is to acquire money. He is collecting money like anything and is not contributing to the society. So what can I do? I did not say anything to him. I am simply praying to Krishna for his welfare.
It is good that you are now living separate from him. Wherever you live, you can follow the regulative principles and my instructions along with chanting. That will make you happy. Do not deviate from the path I have chalked out for every one of you.
Letter to Giriraja -- Honolulu 28 May, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 19th, 1975 and have noted the contents. So far the managing committee is concerned, when I shall return to Bombay, I shall personally form it. In the meantime, go on managing as it is. If there is any possibility of getting money from Africa, then you must go there and collect. That Major Jagdish Sah should be encouraged to continue nicely as he is doing.
Letter to Kirtanananda -- Honolulu 9 June, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 6, 1975 and have noted the contents. Your report is very nice. It is wonderful to hear that you are distributing 1000 magazines and collecting $1,000 daily. Now, you have plenty of money, milk, fruits, flowers, grains, everything, and you are living in the jungle. What more could you want? I may be coming there immediately after the Philadelphia Rathayatra, and I shall stay until after Janmastami.
Letter to Bhagavata -- Honolulu 10 June, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 28, 1975 and have noted the contents. I am very glad to hear that things are going on very nicely there. Keep on working with this nice enthusiasm and carefully observing all the rules and regulations, chanting, reading,—in this way, you will always be a success. Regarding Nandulala, Gurukrpa Maharaja wanted her to go to Japan and collect for some time there and then afterwards, if she likes, she may come again to Calcutta.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 21 June, 1975:
If he can send only Rs.. 7,000/—, then you should maintain with that Rs. 7,000/- per month is no joke. Are other temples there spending like that, , Rs. 18,000/—per month? I do not like that Madras should pay for Vrindaban maintenance. Neither should Aksayananda Swami go out of Vrindaban on a collecting party. His business is to remain there and organize the temple program. I have heard reports that Dhananjaya is not following the schedule. So Aksayananda Swami must be there if Dhananjaya is not so expert. Also, the guest house should be organized to make income. Why have we invested so much money in the guest house? Please organize this.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 21 June, 1975:
Actually he has no business experience. Of course he may be trained up, but in the meantime he should not be in charge. I have given him charge of the publishing work, but what is he doing? Better not to change. Yes, the accounts must be kept very carefully. The book inventory must be recorded, and what is collected and what is spent must be there.
One thing I want is for the book sales to be organized there in India. There are many English books selling there on the market, and there are many English publishing houses. So why it cannot be organized? Even if our own men cannot do the selling, we can hire some agents to do it. Our books are very much appreciated in India, and the people will purchase. Even the clerks they can purchase the small books. We have so many small books. This kind of preaching work is very important. The people must be given some impression of our philosophy.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 21 June, 1975:
Our books are very much appreciated in India, and the people will purchase. Even the clerks they can purchase the small books. We have so many small books. This kind of preaching work is very important. The people must be given some impression of our philosophy.
Regarding the food distribution program, you spend whatever is collected. Why are you asking me?
Regarding Vrindaban construction, you may have all of the creditors submit their final bills and together with the accountant you check them vigilantly and make a full settlement. Then conveniently we shall see how the further work will be done. Now I am very much doubtful. I think there has been some cheating.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 21 June, 1975:
It is my habit to see that money is not being squandered. If money is spent unnecessarily, I feel very badly. You are collecting with great effort, and I do not like to see it spoiled. I am thinking that Guru-krpa's collections may be used for book publishing only. He can print books in Japan and send there to you for selling in India. From these sales, you can spend 50% on construction and 50% on Hindi publishing. And anyone who can manage such an organization, he can manage the BBT. But one must do it. It is simply a matter of organization. We can send you unlimited number of books. You simply have to apply your brain how to sell them. Then you will have plenty of money.
Letter to Gurukrpa -- Los Angeles 21 June, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 9, 1975 and have noted the contents carefully. I can understand that you are feeling something regarding your collecting program. These things can be decided by the GBC. One thing is that I may take up one project of constructing a Varna Ashrama College and Temple in Kuruksetra in India. I am presently negotiating for this, and if we get the opportunity, I shall spend the money here first. So in Japan you go on collecting, and I shall tell you how to spend.
Anyway you don't feel any botheration. Dai Nippon has agreed to take money in exchange of books. Whatever money you pay, you print books and send to India. You can also send to Australia or to USA if they want. You begin with Srimad-Bhagavatam and the small edition of Bhagavad-gita.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Denver 28 June, 1975:
I have not received any report from you. I gave you 1 1/2 lakhs of Rupees, and I want to know what you have done with it. How have you spent it, and what is the progress.
Gargamuni Swami is collecting for Mayapur. Is he sending you any money? How is the money being utilized?
Letter to Giriraja -- Evanston, Illinois 4 July, 1975:
I have received your report via telephone and it is a very good news that you have received the NOC for the construction of the temple. So, you begin the work, and money will come to you by the grace of God. Don't worry, just finish the buildings as soon as possible and somehow or other money will come. In Bombay you collect as much as you can, and the balance money will be sent rest assured. I am instructing Ramesvara to send Gurukrpa's collection to Bombay. So you just finish all the buildings as soon as possible. You must also keep proper account. Not a single farthing should be wasted. I will see the accounts personally when I return to Bombay.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Evanston, Illinois 4 July, 1975:
I may inform you that in Bombay they have received the sanction for constructing the temple in Juhu. Until further order whatever money you collect should be sent to Bombay. You should print books as far as possible, and whatever money you collect should be sent to Bombay.
Gurukrpa has informed by telephone that he is sending you almost $75,000.00. This should be sent to Bombay.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Berkeley 17 July, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 12, 1975 and have noted the contents. So it is all right that Aksayananda Swami travels and collects provided that the management of Vrindaban does not suffer. This collecting is also preaching. But not only collection, but expenditure must also be stabilized and srutinized. Nothing should be spent extravagantly. That you have to see. Do not bother my brain how to do it. I have put you in charge how to do it.
Regarding purchasing a car, why not purchase one Mercedes car, so when I am in India I can utilize it. I do not like very much the Ambassador car.
Letter to Bank of America -- Los Angeles 23 July, 1975:
Enclosed please find a copy of the cable transfer advice No. 177654 from Bank of America Branch No. 553, San Francisco to your bank in favor of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS A/c. No. 16026 for the amount of Dollars 24,846.39 (twenty four thousand eight hundred forty six and thirty nine cents).
Please place the entire amount on a Fixed Deposit for six months in the name of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The Fixed Deposit receipt may be kept with you, and when I return to Bombay I shall collect it from you.
Letter to Aksayananda -- Los Angeles 26 July, 1975:
It is very nice, and you are a good preacher, so I am sure that you will do it nicely. It is a good idea also to train up other good preachers there in India. This is our need there.
Regarding the Madjar center, sending funds for the deity maintenance in Vrndaban, you are already collecting money, so it is not required that Madjar send money to Vrndaban. Rather the money in Madjar should be used for printing. Not that we should use all collected money for maintenance. Better to print books and distribute.
Letter to Deoji Punja -- Dallas 29 July, 1975:
Your purpose that the land cannot be transferred will be served because a temple on leased land cannot be sold or transferred. So your purpose will be served. ISKCON is locally registered with yourselves as the incorporators, and the lease can be made. So do the needful. The adjacent land, that can also be purchased. The money can be collected locally.
Regarding my coming there, yes I shall go there again and again because there is temple there. I was always thinking of how Fiji can be developed and organized. It is a nice place.
Regarding the plans you sent, it is not clear whether the front stairway leads to the temple or the first floor rooms. There should be a space for a large kitchen for preparing mass prasadam. The first floor kitchen seems too small for this purpose.
Letter to Mahamsa -- Detroit 3 August, 1975:
Regarding the Malaysian trip being called off, everything must be done very cautiously because our Indian people they are very poor and are prone to steal. We collect money with so much hard labor. But, one thing is that the money is not important. If the man goes away taking our money that is our discredit. The man is more important than the money. We admit everyone to our society, including the cheater, the drug addicted, all qualified. We should take the responsibility to train them. Why has he left? It is our responsibility to train and rectify them.
Letter to Giriraja -- Detroit 4 August, 1975:
Regarding Malaysia, postpone it. Hamsaduta sent to Hyderabad L1,000. Where is that money? Please check it. Yes, it is nice that you go to Ahmedabad for collecting only. It is also good that you are selling books in the Santa Cruz Airport.
Letter to Dr. Y. G. Naik -- Toronto 7 August, 1975:
And, sometimes they pay three rimes or four times the requested price. So about money matters they are very liberal. Krishna has given them money, and they spend it very liberally.
You will be interested to know we are collecting about Dollars 250,000 per month. This means about Rs. 20 lakhs per month from book sales. I have written about 50 big books of 400 pages each and about a dozen small books, and all of them are being sold in the above mentioned figures. We spend also very liberally, and whatever we collect we spend it also. The first book was started with your foreword, Easy Journey to Other Planets. Now they are selling revised editions and perhaps it is the best selling item. Since I have come to this country, I might have sold this Easy Journey about one half million copies. My Krishna books are selling more than that.
Letter to Gurukrpa -- Vrindaban 26 August, 1975:
He must give the account or we shall prosecute. Yes, Srutakirti he is a good boy, so he can be made the President as you suggest.
You are GBC so you must stop all this from going on. The best procedure is that the Treasurer takes all money collected and immediately writes it in the book and then daily deposits everything in the bank. None of the collection should be used for spending. All expenditures should be done by check as far as possible. Check means two signatures, so in this way this nonsense will be stopped. Please see that all temples are following this system. These report are very much disturbing to me. How can I translate?
Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 15 September, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your August BBT Report and the August BBT Trustees Report. What is the Prabhupada Maintenance a/c? How is the money collected and how is it dispersed? I have received the latest appreciations from the professors. These should be all collected and published in a booklet. I see from your report that you are planning this. 1,000 copies should be sent here to India, and you may send 250 copies of this and your new catalog to Vrinda Book Co., 30/1B College Row, Calcutta—700009. They are attempting to sell our books all over India.
Nitai has sent additional chapters of Sixth Canto with Tamala Krishna. He is also expecting to send more in a couple of days.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Mauritius 3 October, 1975:
In Bombay I have paid in advance Rs. 25,000/- to Bhavananda Maharaja for Food Relief poor feeding; so whatever you have collected for poor feeding may be sent to Bombay Bank of America.
Letter to Aksayananda -- Bombay 9 November, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 5, 1975 and have noted the contents. Regarding the Life Member collection, Rs. 20,000/- collected locally is not a joke. To collect so much from visitors is Krishna's grace. This is very good. If you simply please the visitors, you will get so many Life Members. Simply I want that by the local collection and the receipts of the Guest House you maintain everything. We are considering to get a temple in Kuruksetra, so the collection from Delhi may be employed there. So it is a good sign that the visitors are becoming Life Members. So follow this policy, and very soon your temple will become self-sufficient.
Letter to Tripurari -- Bombay 9 November, 1975:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 13, 1975 and have noted the contents. I am glad to learn of your success at the Chicago airport for distributing 800 big books and collecting $4000. I think you should distribute more parties to go in different parts of the U.S.A. Regarding adding the name Krsna to the airport name, anyway you tried. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's blessings that everyone of us should become a sadhu and preach Krsna consciousness. So far Krsna consciousness is concerned, we have got new and sufficient number of books and if we read them carefully and reproduce the purports in our own language, that is perfect preaching.
Letter to Trivikrama -- Bombay 9 November, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 30, 1975, and I am glad to hear from you, that you are carrying out my order there in Tokyo. What is this stealing and violence. This is not good. By stealing, did Gurukrpa Maharaja collect that money? Stealing is not our business. Our business is to become Krsna conscious. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. This is our program.
I am writing a letter to Sacideva instructing that Sukadeva should send him immediately to you in Japan. What is that pleasant surprise?
Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 13 November, 1975:
So I am glad to see that you are doing well. Similarly, now we are getting literature published all over the world. I just received very nice books in Swedish and also Italian Isopanisad and similarly our Bhagavad-gita is being prepared in Dutch language. And also our literatures are being received very nicely. Bhagavan das in Paris has reported that they are collecting $20,000 per week in literature distribution. Our Bhagavad-gita in French language is being received very enthusiastically by the people, libraries and schools.
Letter to Bhagavan -- Bombay 14 November, 1975:
I think our books will never keep us in a poverty-stricken condition. This is the blessings of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada. He is very pleased that you are distributing so many books. The American program for distributing books is very successful in this connection. So you collected $20,000 in one week. Now you are a rich man. We are also constructing the Bombay temple and the work has begun and if you so desire, you can send some contribution. Also we now have got Hindi and Gujarati publications. Do you require any for the Indians there? Now you are going to print the small Bhagavad-gita. One thing is if the people will get the small Bhagavad-gita at the cheap price, then will they want to purchase the bigger one? Will that be good? How will you distribute the bigger ones at the more expensive price when there is the cheaper one also available?
Letter to Pusta Krsna -- Bombay 14 November, 1975:
One telephone call has come from Dinnath that Sharma the president has left Africa because of fighting with Cyavana Swami. When I was in Nairobi I took away from Cyavana all managerial duties. There were so many complaints against him from our men and from outsiders. He could not manage nor could he collect. I had wanted that Sharma and Shakti Mati manage themselves without any interference.
Now I want you to manage things there. The management was not being done properly when I was there. The accounts were not being kept properly, and they were spending everything. Please rectify the situation. Cyavana Swami should go to Europe for preaching and travelling. Caitya-guru das may be sent here to India for starting our Kuruksetra Project.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 20 November, 1975:
I am very glad to see that you have out-collected the Sri Sri Radha-Damodara party. This is good competition. So now is Tamala Krsna defeated by you? So one month you defeat him and another he can defeat you and in this way Radha-Damodara service will be increased by transcendental competition. This is very nice.
Regarding San Diego temple, from the pictures it appears very nice. So you can get this building. It is a good house. They are all selling to ISKCON, the Christians and the Jews. They are all going to liquidation. So take it without any doubt.
Letter to Nalinikanta -- Bombay 21 November, 1975:
So you thought that by getting married you would expand your service. So you should do that. Actually all my disciples are sannyasis because they have surrendered everything in the service of Krsna.
I have read the clipping and you have also mentioned of the women wearing karmi clothes and going into sex movies and bars late at night for collecting. So this kind of canvassing should be immediately stopped.
Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following two brahmacaris as my initiated disciples. And their names are Malcolm Perey is Yamunapata das and Monte Flynn is Kalatita das. It is your responsibility since you are recommending them that they follow strictly the rules and regulations and remain strong in Krsna consciousness. They must attend the mangala aroti and the Srimad-Bhagavatam class and Bhagavad-gita class and chant 16 rounds minimum daily and also follow the four rules and regulations.
Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 23 November, 1975:
I am glad that you are traveling and preaching. This is the business of a sannyasi. Please follow my order in this regard. Africa is huge field, so you have plenty of opportunities for traveling and preaching. This will keep you enthusiastic. So do not neglect it. Of course if the young people there are interested, then you should stay there to instruct them. Then if you can collect and send money to Nairobi, that is very good. In this way their debts can be paid. I am also glad to see that you are taking seriously the Life Member program. So many Life Members they are complaining they are not receiving books or they are not being treated nicely. So if you can rectify this situation, that would be very good.
1976 Correspondence
Letter to Ramesvara Prabhu -- Nellore 3 January, 1976:
We have had to guarantee them seven lacs Rupees per month for the next nine months. And thereafter we shall immediately begin the Mayapur temple. So I think $50,000 will not be sufficient. Gopala Krishna Prabhu suggests that in addition to sending this amount, if the Radha Damodara Party is given books at the printer's cost, then whatever else they collect they can send directly to me in India. In this way we shall be able to meet the Rs. 7 lacs per month. So please make this arrangement to send $50,000 per month as well as supplying Radha Damodara Party at cost. Begin this immediately.
The new Sixth Canto Bhagavatams are very nice. Yes, actually they are worshipable Deities. Be careful that our books do not appear like Bible printing. Sometimes the Christians also put gold guilding on their books, but people are adverse to purchasing Bibles. Neither our books should be given free, there must be some renumeration, otherwise it will be like Bible selling.
Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 11 January, 1976:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 26th, 1975, and I have noted the contents.
The bombastic distribution of Krsna Trilogies in New York is wonderful. I have read the report given in the Sankirtana Newsletter. But one thing is whether they have collected enough to cover all the costs. I have heard that despite all this distribution, now there is a big debt to the Book Fund. The GBC has to manage so expertly that there will not be debts. This debt to the Book Fund must be cleared immediately, if possible by the Mayapur meeting. Now we require so much money for the Temple projects in India, but if the Temples do not pay their book bills from where will I get the money?
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Mayapur 20 January, 1976:
Many people will contribute to expand this program and the Krishna-Balarama Mandir is the finest in the world. All the devotees in Vrindaban, especially the children are in fine health and their needs are being guaranteed by the members. They can even beg from door to door and collect enough to feed themselves nicely. This is the system. This is the required training. But if this is done in America, they will accuse us of child cruelty although this is actually the saving grace of the child and he becomes very blissful. Therefore in all ways it is obvious that the best place to have this gurukula is in Vrindaban and this should be done before the US Government starts to cause a disturbance which will harm us, and before we have to waste large sums of money on a risky endeavor which may turn out to be a complete failure.
Letter to Giriraja -- Mayapur 25 February, 1976:
It is my intelligence and your cooperation that is working. There is a story of a man who was challenged whether he had any intelligence. He then began to look in his pocket. When asked why he was looking in his pocket, he replied, "if there is money, then there is intelligence". So you have gone so far to collect money and intelligently, but if there is no money, where is the intelligence? Both must combine, then everything works out nicely.
Letter to Nalinikanta Roy and others -- Vrindaban 24 March, 1976:
I heard from Prabhu Swarup Das that one gentleman has already promised Rs. 10,000/- so another Rs. 10,000/- can also be given by us. The other Rs. 30,000/- can be collected by your endeavour and the thing can be started immediately. I wish that before the next rainy season we can begin work.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Honolulu 18 May, 1976:
Whatever the case may be, print books and present the bill to the bank. It is a good case in our favor. We are printing books in Germany in the German language. So why the money is frozen? Some good lawyer should be gotten. It will be good publicity and at the same time we will have the books. Whether the money was collected illegally or legally, the money is being spent in Germany. it is not going outside so why it is being held up illegally. Let it be spent in Germany. That is our money, there's no dispute. It is not the aim of our society to mislead the public; you can show them our aims. Maybe some workers have done like that but we are trying to enlighten the whole world and the people of Germany with good knowledge. You can show them the full set of books that we are going to print in the German language, and use all of the professors quotes to show how authoritative our books are amongst the scholarly circle throughout the world. So it is not the aim of our society to exploit money for drinking, illicit sex, etc.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Honolulu 18 May, 1976:
We live a simply life based on the aims and objects of our society. If some individuals have done wrong it shouldn't jeopardize our entire community. People accustomed to all nasty habits have joined our society and are leading pure, happy lives. They want to take the money from us, but who will take payment of all that money that we collected to fulfill the aims of our society? Convince them that, never mind, in your opinion it was collected illegally, but it is being spent in Germany for a good cause. These books are being appreciated all over the world. Let the money be paid to the printer, whatever it may be it is being paid to the German people. In the meantime print the books, that will save us. When the educated circle supports our movement, there is no danger. We have already printed some books in German language.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Honolulu 18 May, 1976:
So what is the loss on their part? We are spending the money in Germany. Print the books; get the government to pay the bill (allow us to spend the frozen money for payment of the books; if the court decides that we must pay the money to the government, then at least we must be able to print the books, pay the bill, and after selling the books we can pay the government as a last resort. Our mission is for enlightenment.
You will require an intelligent lawyer. Collect the opinions and standing orders from all over the world and present it to a first class lawyer to present on our behalf very nicely.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Honolulu 23 May, 1976:
Concerning the new temple, that you are going to purchase in London, when Madhavananda and Hamsaduta were there, they were collecting funds to construct a temple there at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Please report to me what was done with these funds.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Honolulu 26 May, 1976:
I noticed that there is outstanding loan debts of almost $1 million, and also that there is similarly nearly $1 million outstanding owed for books by the temples. What is being done to collect these funds?
Now concerning the London loan, I know that Madhavananda who is presently in Detroit, and Hamsaduta Maharaja both were collecting funds to construct a temple at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. What was done with these funds? And what is done with the money collected from Book sales in Germany and France?
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Honolulu 29 May, 1976:
Was the house there given to us or simply given for our use? In any case, you should guide him as he requires guidance and vigilance. I know that Lokanatha Swami is very nice. I am glad to know that he is doing nicely. So far your program is concerned, do not worry that Gargamuni Maharaja's party is doing more books and collecting more money. Both of you are doing very nicely.
In Solan, if possible take the offer by the Babaji. Land in that part of the country is very nice, with nice climate also. Yes, it will be a good idea if he can give over the asrama to us.
Letter to Bhavabhuti -- Detroit 15 June, 1976:
They are also in want of money. I understand that the Hyderabad Temple is also in want of money to complete the construction, Gopala Krsna knows it. First of all, Bombay and Hyderabad must be finished. The money which was collected in Madras can eventually be used in Madras, but our present projects must be completed, so why are you asking me?
But, where is the local devotees who are coming? You are all foreigners, so how long it will go on? Madras especially they are losing interest in Deity worship. Sometimes the political party is insulting. These atheists class of men who have done this, they should be converted into theism by preaching Bhagavad-gita.
Letter to Giriraja -- New Vrindaban 30 June, 1976:
In this way, from the other side of the Juhu scheme people may take full advantage of the Hare Krishna Land facilities.
Let Brijratan Mohatta help. Personally he can pay 25 lacs or anything. He is a son-in-law of Birla personally and personally he is very rich also. Personally he may give what he wants but let him help collect funds. He is such a big man in Bombay. What I know is that if he likes he can help us, and he is favorably inclined to our movement. Rs. 25,000, he can collect from at least 100 men in Bombay. So he can collect and help raise 25 lacs very easily, although we require about 10 lacs. To pay Rs. 25,000, there are thousands and thousands of men in Bombay who can very easily do it. Bombay is the richest city in India.
Letter to Bishambhar -- New York 11 July, 1976:
Their Lordships want me to keep outside the temple for touring. So in my absence you kindly manage nicely. Aksayananda Maharaja and yourself are tested devotees and I fully depend on you. I always think of how you are selflessly working for the temple. Please see that the accounts are kept and that no money is wasted. That's my only request. After all money is collected with great hardship. Not a single paise should be wasted.
Concerning Gurukula Construction; Already you have got some money. Begin and try to collect and the balance we shall arrange. Send me the account number and when money will be necessary the money will be transferred someway or another.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- New York 11 July, 1976:
Opening temples is subordinate. We have to see how books are being distributed and how people are joining wholeheartedly. That is actual development.
The Rs. 11-membership is imagination. What is that membership card? And how will you regularly collect such a small sum from the members? It will engage so much money just to collect this. In any case, this is to be discussed with the GBC. Don't discuss anything new haphazardly. I have no experience of the idea. So far I know, retail business is not good in comparison to wholesale business. The Hyderabad Deity is already installed. Simply they are moving Them to their new temple. The installation ceremony (bathing ceremony) can be at noon. Then again there can be the regular Janmastami function at midnight. Concerning my going to Madras, Delhi, etc. there is first priority engagement contemplated with Mr. Bajaj's group in Poona.
Letter to Yasodanananda -- New York 11 July, 1976:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care.
It is a good idea to use the money which had been collected in Madras to complete the Hyderabad Temple. The immediate necessity must be met first.
Letter to Saurabha -- New York 14 July, 1976:
Concerning Mr. D. Mukerjee, I am always prepared to do anything for spreading Krishna Consciousness. It may be that with our name he will collect from big men. But, the best thing is to wait until I see Mr. Mukerjee when I go to Bombay. Your proposal sounds nice but in Mr. Mukerjee's letter he does not mention anything about anything except to open an audio-visual laboratory. So we don't want to be used by some film producer who might collect money in our name. In any case, I can see him when I return in one month's time, and I am enclosing a copy of my letter to him for your reference.
Letter to Jayapataka:
I am in due receipt of your letter undated and have noted the contents carefully. Let Prabhu Svarupa transfer the land immediately, we shall do the needful. You are an intelligent boy so you can take it from me that this Haridasapur scheme is for making a link with Bangladesh, so we have to deal from that point of view. Let him collect the funds and see that it is done properly there. We shall organize a nice organization there. It doesn't matter that he cannot assure the full money. As far as the fresh initiation goes, we shall see later on. I am expecting to receive the land upon arrival.
Letter to Vasudeva:
In case you do not like this arrangement then you may keep the temple as your private property and as my disciple I will give you guidance. But you may not use the ISKCON name to collect funds or to take loans. In this connection until this matter is resolved no loan may be taken from the bank or elsewhere and all collections in the name of ISKCON, must stop. If you desire to keep the temple as private property then Upendra das may return to Hawaii and ISKCON Fiji may be dissolved. If you want to consider this project as an ISKCON project then you must abide by the orders and direction of the GBC, which you do not like to do. Now whatever you like let me know.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Hyderabad 23 August, 1976:
I am in due receipt of the BBT Trustees report and have heard your proposal for funding the Mayapur project. Yes your proposal sounds very nice and you may do it. It is very good that this project be a world-wide effort.
Gurukrpa Maharaja has taken charge of the collecting for Mayapur now. You can simply send his food relief collection money to Mayapur. When the Bombay project is finished and Mayapur begins, the Mayapur project should be financed in the same way.
Letter to Lokanatha -- Vrindaban 24 September, 1976:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 21st inst. I am also happy to hear your very nice activities. I wish I could have joined you. I like your program very much. If you continue this program you will be benefited, people will be benefited, and everyone will be happy.
If possible you can collect something for our Gurukula and Temple also, and if some high-class men want to offer their children to Gurukula we can accept.
Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 26 September, 1976:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 17th inst. including two transfer receipts for $70,000 from BBT to B/A Bombay a/c and $1900 rent to M/V a/c LA.
Regarding the Fiji situation, your solution to amend the constitution is nice. Let Vasudeva become president. Your idea to sell BTGs, collect donations, hold kirtana and distribute prasada profusely, yes, do that. I was given the impression that this temple was to be controlled by the Punja family and our devotees would not have any hand. This was the impression given. We want that a very nice relationship be kept with Vasudeva. It was wanted that he follows our instructions including following the GBC, so that everything can go on nicely. Let one brother be president and one treasurer, and give one good man who can act as secretary. I have not lost confidence in Vasudeva.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Vrindaban 5 October, 1976:
For members nowadays we are not giving books free. First when becoming the member they receive five large books, but after that they must pay for future books. If by distributing books you can collect some money for purchasing land, do it.
I was very much anxious for you, therefore Tamala went there. Now I am relieved that you are doing well. This year you must come to Mayapur.
Letter to Kirtanananda -- Chandigarh 15 October, 1976:
A film showing illegal techniques of distributing my books (Money shuffle) was never authorized by me. If it is actually a fact what you say, then stop it immediately. In all our dealings we should be above suspicion. They say first impressions are lasting. If someone feels cheated by our men because they are using dubious methods of distribution and collecting money our purity may be doubted and reputation spoiled. So please do not allow such film showing to take place until I have seen the film personally.
Letter to Jagar guru -- Chandigarh 16 October, 1976:
So if you want to change your programme again, at least send this money back to him.
In the last year you have changed your engagement so many times, it is not good, better to stick to something and complete it than constantly changing. If you can carry out your original plan of collecting from Indian in different parts of the world and sending to India that would be good. Why not stick with Nitai Gaura TWSKP and make this successful?
Letter to Chittrakara -- Vrindaban 25 October, 1976:
In the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says very clearly, that anyone who tries to broadcast his message is considered most dear and there is no one dearer to the lord than such a sincere preacher.
If you can collect money there as you have suggested and send it for Nitai Gaura TWSKP activities in India that will be good. There is no restriction for preachers, they may travel everywhere all over the world. Nitai-Gaura means world wide preaching, because Lord Caitanya appeared to spread this movement to every town and village of the world, and by the grace of good souls like yourself the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is being fulfilled in the modern age.
Letter to Chittrakara -- Vrindaban 25 October, 1976:
So collect and send, Hamsaduta Maharaja is doing nicely and can utilize any amount we are planning a big Kumba Mehla
You have my blessings all the time, continue to preach with enthusiasm, keep Hamsaduta Maharaja informed about your activities. I hope this letter finds you well.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Vrindaban 30 October, 1976:
Get some Indian professor's opinions. Get a list of standing orders from Indian Universities. Take this opportunity for being well advertised. They are afraid. So many young men are being affected. They have rightly said that it is an epidemic. Let all the Indians say that this is bona fide. Have profuse testimony. Collect testimony in London and Toronto. Ask SubhaVilasa to collect opinions that this is bona fide Indian culture. This same attack came in Germany. By propaganda you cannot suppress the truth. You cannot suppress fire by propaganda. Now we have to become strong to defend. The fighting has become acute, but if you stick to the regulative principles, Krsna will give all strength. Whatever is done is by Krsna's mercy. They are afraid that a different culture is conquering over their culture. param drstva nivartate (BG 2.59). That is natural. If someone finds something better he'll give up the old, how can he stop? It is a fight, do not be afraid.
Letter to Vasudeva -- Vrindaban 3 November, 1976:
Regarding the Fiji situation, your solution to amend the constitution is nice. Let Vasudeva become president. Your idea to sell BTGs, collect donations, hold kirtanas and distribute prasada profusely, yes, do that. I was given the impression that this temple was to be controlled by the Punja family and our devotees would not have any hand. This was the impression given. We want that a very nice relationship be kept with Vasudeva. It was wanted that he follows our instructions including following the GBC, so that everything can go on nicely. Let one brother be president and one treasurer, and give one good man who can act as secretary. I have not lost confidence in Vasudeva.
Letter to Prabhusvarupa -- Vrindaban 12 November, 1976:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8/11/76.
Yes we shall begin work immediately. Where is that Rs. 10,000 which you have already collected. With that 10,000 plus 10,000 from us you can begin work immediately to construct a boundary wall. I am going to Mayapur by the fifteenth instant. From Mayapur I may go to Haridasapur and begin work immediately. Our architect has been ordered to make a design plan. The boundary wall you can begin immediately.
Please chant regularly the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and observe the regulative principles. Then you'll get spiritual strength.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Vrindaban 18 November, 1976:
He may come there sometimes if it can be arranged. Sri Garbha's wife doesn't have to go to Mayapur, she may go to the farm in France. it is very nice there. Or she may go to any of our farms. The preaching in Poland is the first consideration. Vrindaban is being managed somehow by others. Aksayananda has one man who is collecting very well (Rs. 15,000-20,000 per month) Vrindaban is becoming self-dependent. If you can preach vigorously in Poland it will be a great asset. You may come to Vrindaban if you like, but preaching in Poland is my greater interest. So, now Vrindaban is somehow being managed. Now the most important work is that side in the Communist countries. If you can do something there, it is more than if you come here. Our business is to glorify Krsna as the Lord of Vrndavana and to popularize Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Hare Krsna Movement. I was a resident in Vrndavana, but at the age of 70 I tried to preach Krsna consciousness a little bit and now this Institution has come out.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Hyderabad 2 December, 1976:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 15, 1976.
I'm very glad to hear that Mr. Karsan and others are prepared to collect the entire amount for the house in Mombassa. I am enclosing a letter of encouragement for Mr. Karsan.
I like your idea for side by side arrangements to preach to the Africans and the Asians. Do it nicely, Krishna will give you all intelligence. I like the pictures you have __ __ __ chanting. One may remain perpetually illiterate, but if one practices the devotional service activities, he will become a devotee. That's all, train them up to become devotees. How to play mrdanga, how to play karatalas, take prasadam, attend arati, etc. They'll never understand the books.
Letter to Lokanatha -- Hyderabad 14 December, 1976:
Also, for financial support depend on Krsna. That is preaching success. People's appreciation will be practical when they help you financially also. Also, book distribution. We are maintaining our huge establishment by selling books. That is wanted. In foreign countries they are distributing huge quantities of books. Money is needed, that you have to collect. You can't expect money from outside. That is not successful preaching.
Regarding starting a center in Kanpur, that is a very good proposal. Yesterday one gentleman came from Kanpur to see me. His name and address are as follows: Mr. G. Pant/ 111A/87 Ashoknagar/ Kanpur 208012. He's a great devotee, he can help you. But, the center should be for this purpose, that you go to the villages for preaching and come back. But, if you become packed up in the center, that is not wanted.
Letter to Gaura Govinda -- Bombay 24 December, 1976:
Whatever you can raise by this method, I am prepared to give an equal amount toward the construction. In other words, the amount required for construction will come 50% from your side and 50% from me. In the beginning I can advance something if necessary so that we may begin immediately. I will print books for you to distribute. You distribute, and whatever you collect, 50% must go to the BBT to pay for the books.* The balance may be used toward the construction. Whatever you can raise in this way for construction, I will give an equal amount. And, in the beginning I may give some advance. Is that clear? So, let me know whether you like this proposal. If you agree, I am prepared to come there immediately to begin work.
Letter to Mahamsa -- Bombay 29 December, 1976:
In this way keep regular accounts. Please find enclosed the original and duplicate copies of a letter of advice to the Punjab National Bank to transfer Rs. 46,500 into the Trust account. You may do the needful.
I am glad to hear that the sankirtana party is collecting nicely. That is very hopeful.
1977 Correspondence
Letter to Charles Gold -- Bhuvanesvara 29 January, 1977:
Although they spend billions of dollars of the public's money for ventures like going to the moon and collecting dust there, they cannot solve the basic miserable conditions of birth, death, old age and disease. Neither do they give us definite information of the cause of the universal manifestation, nor—despite their wild claims—can they produce even the smallest form of life. As stated in the Bhagavad-gita, everything in the universe is actually under the control of the Supreme Being, the Cause of all Causes, and He is Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Hearing from the perfect source of the Supreme Being, one can get answers to solve the miseries of life, which begins with self-realization, knowledge of the self as the soul, beyond the body.
Letter to Giriraja -- Bhuvanesvara 31 January, 1977:
In five days at Kumbhamela we were able to distribute 30,000 pieces of literature. Therefore we can expect to receive 1 lakh collections per month from all the centers.
It is good news hearing good preachers like Jagat Guru and Sridhara Swami Maharajas, and Madhavananda are arriving to Bombay to push on the membership, other preaching and collecting.
As for your plan to invite university students to spend the weekend, it is very good; do it.
Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 6 April, 1977:
That much I want. Other things are external. And their behavior and character must also be most upstanding. Now you are all senior intelligent men so yourself, Yasodanandana Maharaja and Aksayananda Maharaja cooperatively do everything.
So far a letter authorizing the collecting program which you propose, Tamala Krishna Maharaja has already written as GBC so it is not necessary for me to write.
Adopt whatever means are necessary for raising funds for the loan repayment and permanent maintenance of the Gurukula.
Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:
Here are the points in brief: 1) Anyone who comes to a zone from outside must sell books only, no collecting; 2) They must follow explicitly the directions of the local presidents, e.g. they cannot be independent and live separately from the temple. So I suggested to Dhananjaya that each day he designates an area of London for them to distribute in which we have never touched before, especially for instance South London, Greenwich, Woolwich, Brixton, Herne Hill, like that—so they do not interfere with our Oxford Street. So in this way you must control them, and if (they) object or disobey in any (way), they must be sent away; 3) Ultimately the decision rests with the President whether their presence in London (or anywhere else) is favorable for the local situation, or if it is unfavorable.
Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:
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. Rather here must be place for them to come and see how this Krsna Consciousness way of life is practically applied, such as deity worship, cooking, rising early, cleansing, study, like that. Otherwise they are reserved people, they will not be easily convinced, and only if there is place where they may attend for many years even will they gradually accept.
Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:
So that should be the program in Hong Kong. I read(?) to the Chinese residents, do not bother with the Hindu businessmen except to collect for the preaching work. Actually, the Indians will be glad to donate if they see you are converting Chinese to their religion. They will provide immense funds for this purpose, because they have got interest for improving Indian and Chinese relations for their business. So preach widely and enthusiasically to Chinese population, especially to the young people, and they may not respond quickly, but they are very sober-minded, when they decide to join us that will be fixed decision. So in this way go on and make some Chinese devotees, then they will manage things and spread further to other places in China.
| Page Title: | Collect (Letters 1974 - 1977) |
| Compiler: | Visnu Murti, RupaManjari |
| Created: | 21 of Feb, 2012 |
| Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=129 |
| No. of Quotes: | 129 |