Complaint (Letters)

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"complain" |"complainant" |"complainants" |"complained" |"complainer" |"complainers" |"complaining" |"complains" |"complaint" |"complaints"

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Nripen Babu -- San Francisco 18 March, 1967:

I am very much surprised to note that indulgence in liquor within the temple is going on. Of course I had personal experience that indulgence in Ganja was freely going on and now it has deteriorated to the utmost degree. Please do the needful immediately otherwise things will deteriorate to many more things. I think Governor Visvanatha Das is already aware of the condition of the temple. Many people at Vrindaban has complained against the Gosain of Radha Damodara Temple and consequently the Governor withdrew his promise to pay yearly Rs 500/- for Kirtana in the Temple on Janmastami day.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Stinson Beach, Calif 11 July, 1967:

Jayananda in a nice car brought me to the house, which is situated in an exceptionally nice spot, and the house itself is aristocratic. So there is nothing to complain about the house and place. The only difficulty is that I cannot go to the temple on account of the zig-zag course of the road in crossing the mountains.

Letter to Jadurani -- Vrindaban 22 August, 1967:

Yes I am definitely improving, and I expect to return soon. In the meantime it has been decided by me to transform Kirtanananda into a Swami, and he may then go back to Montreal for improving the center, and for opening more centers in that country. He has no complaint now for his health, and I hope, by Krishna's Grace, he will keep well here.

Letter to Rayarama -- Calcutta 5 November, 1967:

I've received one letter from Hayagriva expressing his sorrow about Kirtanananda's plight in relation with his God-brothers. He has complained that some of the boys had spat upon Kirtanananda's body and it is a fact it is the most regrettable incident.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Karunamayi -- Los Angeles 25 February, 1968:

I have no complaints with my health and I am feeling well. Hope you are well.

Letter to Harivilasa -- Montreal 25 July, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 8, 1968, and regarding your previous letter or any other letters, it is my habit to reply each and every letter. You have complained that in Canada your letters are missing. This is not a fact. Of course, since the last four days there is a postal strike, nation wide in Canada, and there may be some irregularities now.

Letter to Krsna Devi -- Montreal 21 August, 1968:

So the best solution is that we should train our all first-day small babies in such a way that they are always satisfied and there will be no disturbance in the meeting, and there will be no complaint.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 12 November, 1968:

When you write to Jaya Govinda please acknowledge receipt of 6 phials of medicine which I have this morning received intact, forwarded by you. This packing was very nice, and there was no loss of medicine. But remind him that 12 phials of medicine which he sent previously by surface mail to Montreal address is not yet received. Ask him to lodge a complaint to the post office there, referring to the parcel registration number, and date.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Tosana Krsna -- Los Angeles 17 February, 1969:

Regarding your headaches, your bowels are not clear. This is the cause of the problem. So you should take more milk and fruits, and eat less wheats and rice. If sandalwood oil is available, you try to massage on your shaved head. Let me know how this trouble is improving. A brahmacari should not have any complaint of bodily disease.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Allston, Mass 5 May, 1969:

Regarding the United States Customs, we had been importing books from India, and I do not know what is wrong there if we import books from Japan. So far as publication is concerned, our Society has got branches all over the world. It is written in the book "published by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, branches throughout the world, Headquarters USA". So if we have got branches in Japan and get our books printed there, what is wrong there? I think this complaint has no meaning.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Hamburg 27 August, 1969:

It is understood from different sources that Rayarama has written you a letter complaining that the charge of BTG has been taken from him without any justification. But the actual fact is that he was spending 600 dollars per month for maintenance of Iskcon Press with the result that the number of subscribers was only somewhere about 300.

Letter to Manager of The Bank of Baroda -- Tittenhurst 30 September, 1969:

We have received complaint from the Bina Musical Stores that on their inquiry about $400 dispatched from America you have replied in the negative. The $400 was sent by cable on the 3rd September 1969, and before that you received $300 and odds. Then why you should reply them in the negative? For this reply the dispatch is held up and delayed. Kindly inform the immediately in the affirmative so that the consignment may not be delayed. Please reply this letter to my above address. Thanking you in anticipation.

Letter to Brahmananda -- London 2 December, 1969:

Regarding Japan, for the time being let only one man go. If they require more men later on, we shall consider. To send a man is a very expensive job. The principle is that they should recruit men locally. Forty years ago when Bon Maharaja, my Godbrother, came here, he complained of getting some manpower from India. That is not a good policy that for preaching work one has to get men from another country. One has to create manpower from the local environment. That is success of preaching.

Letter to Brahmananda -- London 10 December, 1969:

Another thing, I have received a great complaint against the United Shipping Corporation regarding supplying goods to our Hawaii branch. So pending inquiry, you should not forward any order to them, and if you have got any money due from them, you should try to adjust by taking goods from them immediately.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 1 April, 1970:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 25th March, 1970. Yes, the same things are going on. I am trying to change diets and sometimes fasting. But after all, it is old body, so dizziness is not unnatural. Regarding herb teas for colds and sore throat, up to now I have no such complaint, so they are not necessary.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 9 April, 1971:

You write to say that you are relocating in N.Y. but I have received a letter from Satsvarupa saying that he cannot leave because of some financial difficulties. This complaint is practically coming from every temple. Why there is financial difficulty?

Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 24 April, 1971:

Two pairs of Deities were to be dispatched to L.A. and Boston out of the three sets given by Dalmia. One is there already and the other two were to go to Boston and L.A. I have received news from Boston that they have received one set but L.A. complains that they have not received. What happened?

Letter to Umapati -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1971:

You have complained about those devotees who have mistreated their wives and children, but that is not the example. Those who have deserted this movement are not the example. So why are you citing them as example? There are so many devotees like Dayananda, Syamasundara., Hayagriva and others who are living with their wife and children very peacefully. There are so many. So why take bad examples; there are so many good examples to be taken. I have gotten married so many of my disciples. Gurudasa, Tamala, there are so many living peacefully. If someone has deserted, then he is wrong and not the example.

Letter to Umapati -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1971:

So you are a grhastha. You should set an example. I do not know why you left Europe without consulting me. Who made you obliged to leave Europe? You were engaged in translating work and all of a sudden you left and now you are complaining about others. I was so much surprised when you left Europe. Anyone who is somehow or other engaged in the society's work, their position is higher.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 14 August, 1971:

It is proposed by the 15th September a meeting of GBC will be held there. We require to hold this important meeting of the GBC to formulate the rules and regulations how things will be worked on. Sometime there are complaints against the GBC which is not very favorable. I set up the GBC with hope that I shall get relief from administration of the mission but on the contrary I have become the center of receiving so many complaints. So it is not a relief for me, rather it is becoming a little troublesome. Anyway, by the grace of Krishna things will be settled up very soon.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 14 August, 1971:

Regarding Ramananda at Gorakhpur, he is very important hand as Hindi translator. So I do not find any reason why Chopra or other members in Gorakhpur should complain against him. So things should be handled very carefully because everyone engaged in Krishna's service should be given a chance to exercise this transcendental business very nicely. I am getting older and the 76th anniversary of my birth observed by my disciples means that I am getting older. Naturally my health does not allow me to work very hard but still I am working as hard as possible to advance this mission and I request all my disciples to give their full cooperation in this great task.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Mombassa, Kenya 16 September, 1971:

Also enclosed was a copy of the letter to Hans Roy Gupta from K. C. Pant. Thank you for securing this nice letter. You should send a copy of this letter to all our centers in India so that if there is any harassment of the security police, we can utilize it. I think that in Bombay since they have received this letter, our devotees are not complaining about police harassment. Also it is understood that Bhatliwalla that most disturbing element, is now a days also silent.

Letter to Gaura Hari -- Nairobi 24 September, 1971:

When Caitanya Mahaprabhu was personally present, He used to send His most confidential disciples to go out on the street and canvass house to house to accept the Sankirtana movement and even if the magistrate would object to such Sankirtana movement on the complaint of some demons, Caitanya Mahaprabhu would still send out his disciples and at the same time He exhibited a great civil disobedience movement on account of the magistrate's order to stop Sankirtana.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Nairobi 5 October, 1971:

I have seen your letter addressed to Brahmananda Maharaja complaining that Madhudvisa Maharaja in Bombay is not cooperating. The books are very urgently required here because we have made about 35 members and none of them have been supplied with any books. Every day they are asking for books and this is not very good for us.

Letter to Vasudeva -- Nairobi 14 October, 1971:

I have heard a serious complaint against you that you are in intimate relation with Aradhana's wife Santanu. I am not only surprised but I cannot believe that a nice boy like you should be thus accused. Anyway young boys and girls sometimes commit mistakes due to age but we should remember that we are considered to be the most responsible persons in the society. Rejection of illicit sex life is our first motto. So I request you to stop immediately all this nonsense and remain fixed up in your good character.

Letter to Vrinda -- Nairobi 14 October, 1971:

Our ISKCON Society married couples means that both parties fully are engaged in Krishna's service. I have noted your several complaints against the devotees but it would be better to set the example rather than to criticize the defects of the devotees. We should always remember that we recruit members from people in general. It is not expected that every one of our members should be immediately to the standard qualification.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Amogha -- Madras 15 February, 1972:

Now I have just got a complaint, both in writing and in person, from a man studying here in Madras who is supposed to be engaged to marry a young girl by name of A. Satyabama, who lives at #8A Krishnan Temple, Taiping, Malaysia. He complains that you and others of our devotees in Malaysia have somehow or other caused some disturbance in the girl's family, especially Hanuman, and has requested me to ask you to not interfere in the matter anymore. Now I do not do not know what are the details, but you may inform me. We must be very careful to avoid anything scandalous in our dealings, and always keep to the highest standards of respect and courtesy.

Letter to Upendra -- Calcutta 19 February, 1972:

Dhoop arati may be performed in the morning if there is unusually great complaining, but it is better to hold full arati, but quietly, as in Bombay they play a tape-recording of myself singing arati softly and hold full arati.

Letter to Kirtiraja -- Mayapur 28 February, 1972:

I am so much disgusted by this troublesome business of marriage, because nearly every day I receive some complaint from husband or wife, and practically this is not my business as sannyasi to be marriage counsellor, so henceforward I am not sanctioning any more marriages, and those who want to marry must know in advance and be prepared to make outside income to support wife and home separately from the temple, and in the temple husband and wife shall live separately, that must be or what is the meaning of spiritual society like ours? I made a concession, but how can I encourage something which has proven to be so much trouble?

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Sydney 11 April, 1972:

Recently I have received from one Sannyasi complaint about another Sannyasi who is not chanting regularly. So our view is that we shall be strictly following the rules and regulations. Monetary matters are secondary. On principle, we should better starve than neglect our rules and regulations. We are trying to present an ideal Society to the world, so although we are very rigidly following these principles, still, we are very liberal to everyone. For this reason we are being appreciated everywhere.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Auckland 14 April, 1972:

One thing, I have received on complaint from Damodara Maharaja that there was some quarrel with Acyutananda Maharaja. I do not know what is the fact, but we should avoid any quarrel with our godbrothers, and always be very nice and kind to them, and cooperate with them. Because Damodara Maharaja is offended, so Acyutananda Maharaja should go to Damodara and beg his forgiveness, and bow and touch his feet. There is no harm in such behavior of begging forgiveness.

Letter to Giriraja -- Tokyo 2 May, 1972:

Also I have got complaint from Nara Narayana that he is not being allowed to work on his gardening as I instructed him to do it. So you let him go on with that work of gardening; sometimes he may be difficult to live with, but good manager means he is able to satisfy everyone and live in cooperative manner with all the devotees, so if you manage things nicely he can do tremendous work.

Letter to Giriraja -- Honolulu 15 May, 1972:

I have received reports from Mahamsa and Cyavana, and it appears they are doing nicely. Some of the men, however are complaining they have no sufficient engagement. Two girls have left already Bombay and their complaint was that they had no sufficient engagement. Similarly I have received letters from Puranjana, Varadhana, and Atmarama and either they are not willing to work according to direction or otherwise, how do they complain there is no sufficient engagement? I think there is more than sufficient engagement for everyone. We have got so much to do. We have to deal with so many men with different personalities. So kindly utilize their energies and at the same time keep them satisfied. That is leadership.

Letter to Bhavananda -- Honolulu 16 May, 1972:

Giriraja has written you one letter but you have not replied it. Life Member money cannot be spent for eating and sleeping. The landlord K. Prasad Singharoy has written me one letter complaining that there was a fight between our men and some outsiders, servant class men, and he says that it is disturbing to the whole area. Perhaps he's designing to eject us on these grounds. I shall be glad to hear from you what is the actual position.

Letter to Jyotirmayi -- Los Angeles 28 May, 1972:

Harivilasa is complaining that the French people do not so much like our "Back to Godhead" as it is not suitable to the French taste. So I have appointed Bhagavan dasa adhikari to be the GBC representative for France zone and Mediterranean zone, so he shall be going there sometime this summer for taking charge of things, and I hope that you and your good husband will also go there to Paris and take charge of this French literature.

Letter to Stokakrsna -- Los Angeles 20 June, 1972:

The children should e allowed to eat as much as they like, therefore if children are complaining from hunger we must feed them. On the second point, if someone is coming to our school for the first time, still, they must eat what we are eating, namely Krsna prasadam.

Letter to Giriraja -- Amsterdam 30 July, 1972:

I have got one letter from Gargamuni wherein he complains he is not getting cooperation from Bombay for his travelling party. He is doing very well, I am very much in favor that his work shall not be hindered, so kindly extend to him every facility, any small thing he requires you supply. And I have advised him also to please work nicely with you and let whatever is done be finished and go on progressively in a cooperative manner.

Letter to Citsukhananda -- London 8 August, 1972:

I am very glad to hear that those boys have joined you, and I have also received one happy report from Daniel that he is living with you and he has no complaints, he is very happy. So you give Daniel all cooperation for expanding this movement in Mexico, he has got good energy and he is a very good soul.

Letter to Madhudvisa, Amogha -- Los Angeles 24 August, 1972:

What you have is all right, now go on preaching as you are doing. So far the presidents are concerned, they should not be abruptly changed in future. If there is any complaint they should be first of all informed to me. One thing we should always remember is that all of our devotees picked up here are accustomed to all of these bad habits in their past life, so if sometimes they reveal their old characteristics, instead of rejecting them, it is up to us to rectify them as far as possible. So try to reform Mohananandan there.

Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Los Angeles 24 August, 1972:

Yes, Karandhara said that Sriman Siddha Svarupa Ananda is not up to the point of our preaching work, especially when the "Sai Speaks" booklet was distributed there was some discrepancy from our standard. So when this complaint was lodged I called him here and I asked him to stay with me for some time. When I went to London I made arrangement that Siddha Svarupa Ananda Maharaja would speak in the sanctuary of Los Angeles Temple and this was settled up and he remained here in Los Angeles when I went to London. After coming back I understood that he left immediately when I left for London. I have received no letter from him. So there is no misunderstanding, but I want to keep him with me for some time, so if you have got his address you can ask him to come to me and live with me again for some time. It is better not to draw any wrong conclusions from so little evidence, actually he is very sincere soul and everyone knows it and I like him very much and so does Karandhara, so you need not worry in this connection.

Letter to Karandhara, Tamala Krsna, Giriraja, Bhavananda -- Vrindaban 24 October, 1972:

The transaction is finished, he has illegally delayed to give us the conveyance. Now through the courts we can force him to give. We shall stick to the purchase agreement, nothing else. And take police precaution that he is threatening us. Go to the magistrate and tell him we gave Nair money and now he is threatening violence to drive us away. We shall go to the court, there is no other way. Criminal court means complaint that we have given money, he has not given conveyance, he is threatening by force to drive us from the place. This is the only settlement possible, that he returns our Rs. 2,70,000 immediately and we vacate, or immediately file criminal case.

Letter to Karandhara, Tamala Krsna, Giriraja, Bhavananda -- Vrindaban 24 October, 1972:

In my opinion if you apply a petition before the magistrate that Nair has taken the money, that he is not giving the conveyance, playing tricks, and that now he is threatening by violence, such petition will clear everything. He is afraid of going to court, that is our favorable point. My clear-cut view is simply to present a petition to the magistrate. It costs only 12 annas. This complaint should be submitted, take a good criminal lawyer and file, then everything will be clear.

Letter to Bhutatma, Kesava -- Vrindaban 2 November, 1972:

Regarding our travelling parties, I have got some complaint from London and other places, so I have given Dhananjaya this policy, that from outside if any one party comes they must work under the direct supervision and instruction of the local management, not that they shall remain separate competitor, no. I want to sell as many books as possible, that is the main thing. By selling books, that is the best preaching work. But so there may not be any complaint, your travelling parties must cooperate with their local temple officers, and that means they shall operate wherever they are allocated, that they shall only sell books, no collecting without selling books, and that, above the wholesale price of the book, any profit there is must be given at least 50% to the local temple.

Letter to Cyavana -- Vrindaban 11 November, 1972:

Mr. Shah has sent me one letter of complaint in financial matters, so I have forwarded it to Brahmananda. Now you together deal with these money matters and Mr. Shah, should I always have to be consulted in these things?

Letter to Nityananda -- Bombay 25 November, 1972:

I am forwarding the copy of your letter, along with my reply, to Satsvarupa in Dallas. I think he is the GBC man in that zone, and he is the best man to come there immediately and see what is the situation and do the needful. Of course I do not know what are the facts, but I have seen that you have done very nicely there, so far I know. And no one has made complaint to me. So maybe there is a little fighting amongst yourselves, that is natural, but you are advanced disciple, don't be disturbed by these things. Actually I want that householders shall manage in the temples, because they have got propensity to manage things and they want to take responsibility and they will not go away.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Ahmedabad 13 December, 1972:

Now conduct your preaching in such a way that when anyone becomes attracted to get something from us he may be induced or allured into serving Krishna in his own way as he likes to do it, not being forced to do something else he may not like to do, that will discourage him and no intelligent men will come. But I think you have mastered this art perfectly well, and because I have not got any complaints from anyone since you have come to Paris temple—although before I was getting many complaining letters—I think the devotees there are feeling themselves satisfied by your engaging them happily in Krishna Consciousness life. Thank you very much for assisting me in this way.

Letter to Jayadharma -- Ahmedabad 13 December, 1972:

So far your question, how far should the orders of my duly appointed officers like GBC, etc., be obeyed and followed, the answer is that they must always be followed exactly as he says. Have you not heard me on this point? Why these questions are repeated again and again? This individual begging must be stopped. So many questions, it's not good at all. This question-begging is going on, even some of the important men are doing like that, that I know. So how I can say your question from here? I do not know what you are trying to do by such question. Of course, my authorities and so-called officers, they sometimes also order in such a way that everything becomes topsy-turvy. So you may write to me your grievance—what can I do?—but meanwhile you must follow him exactly whatever he says. If there is complaint, I can make adjustment later. But first of all you must without hesitation obey. It is something like the appealing to the higher court if one is not satisfied by decision of the lower court.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Hayagriva -- Bombay 9 January, 1973:

Who tells you not to edit? I have never said. I said to stop this intoxication, but not your editing. You say it is rumor only, but I have heard it several times from other persons. So let it remain as rumor, don't let it be fact. That will give me great hurt. I am also coming to Calcutta soon and we may discuss everything further when I come there. And why you are living with that ganja smoker? He has got his wife and family, so you should separate from him and live in the temple as the others are doing. If there is such complaint against our senior men it does not look well.

Letter to Mr. Robert Keene -- Bombay 9 January, 1973:

You have got a daughter who is now become devotee of Krsna, therefore I can understand that you are also very nice persons, everyone related to any devotee of Krsna becomes also great in our estimation, therefore I beg your assistance in this matter by giving something donation towards our temples, or especially the Boston Temple, for purchasing cloth and medicine, and other things for the devotees there. If there is any further complaint, you may please address me at any time and I will try to rectify the matter.

Letter to Lynne Ludwig -- Los Angeles 30 April, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter from California dated November 27, 1972, and I have noted the contents carefully, although due to extensively travelling and preaching tour in India, I have not yet got the opportunity to reply you at length until now. Your complaint is that you have met two of my young disciples in California and they appeared to you as having "a very negative outlook towards the people they meet." Of course, I do not know the case, what are the circumstances, but kindly forgive my beloved disciples any unkindness or indiscretions on their part. After all, to give up one's life completely for serving the Lord is not so easy thing. And Maya, or the illusory material energy, she tries especially hard to try to get back and entrap those who have left her service to become Devotees.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Calcutta 25 June, 1973:

Regarding your complaint that Syamasundara was canvassing some of our Indian workers to go to London, that I have already stopped. So there is no cause of anxiety in this regard.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 27 July, 1973:

When my Guru Maharaja was present even big, big scholars were afraid to talk with His beginning students. My Guru Maharaja was called "Living Encyclopedia", he could talk with anyone on any subject. He was so learned—so we should be like that as far as possible. No compromise—Ramakrishna, avataras, yogis, everyone was enemy to Guru Maharaja—he never compromised. Some God-brothers complained that this preaching was chopping technique and it would not be successful. But we have seen that those who criticized, they fell down. For my part I have taken up the policy of my Guru Maharaja—no compromise. All these so called scholars, scientists, philosophers who do not accept Krsna are nothing more than rascals, fools lowest of mankind etc.. So you go on with your work, it is very encouraging to me. Thank you.

Letter to Govinda -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 28 July, 1973:

There should be no complaint, under all circumstances we must chant regularly 16 rounds and attend the morning and evening classes, for Krishna we can work like anything, but one lick done for maya it is useless, overendeavoring.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 23 August, 1973:

I have received one complaint from Indian devotee at Mayapur Prabharupa Das Brahmacari that he is mal treated by our American devotees. Kindly inquire into this matter and do the needful. Either Indian or foreign whoever joins us they are not under any obligation, our only tie is Love of Godhead. It should be our definite policy that nobody is ill treated that he may go away. We recruit a person to join us after spending gallons of blood. Everyone comes for reformation, you cannot expect everyone to be perfect, rather it is our duty to make everyone perfect as far as possible. So we shall be very much cautious and careful in this connection.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 19 October, 1973:

Today I received the same complaint from Kirtanananda, and the reply is enclosed. This is applicable everywhere. Unless we become very strong in Krsna consciousness, it is very risky to handle material things and business. We are naturally business minded, and so as we get some opportunity, that mentality becomes strong. We have already got our book-selling program. It is better not to divert to other lines of business. This boy Rsi Kumar appears to be lost coming in contact with business. I heard he was coming to India and staying in the hotel without coming to the temple. Similarly Hayagriva is also lost almost. So, the situation is not very favorable.

1974 Correspondence

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

Madhavananda and Kausalya are an able couple. I have already written to Madhavananda and Mukunda about their difference of opinion. We have so much work to do, we cannot lose our solidarity. Do not cause a crack there with any fighting spirit or competition. Whenever I hear complaints or disturbances in our centers my mind becomes too much disturbed and I cannot properly translate my books. So please spare me from such disturbance by cooperating all together Godbrothers and Godsisters.

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.

Letter to Raghunatha -- Bombay 7 April, 1974:

You complain that as a householder it is very difficult. Especially you want to preach. There are examples of great preachers who were householders, such as Bhaktivinode thakur, although we cannot hope to imitate him. You have not mentioned whether you are attending the activities of the temple and associating with the devotees in Melbourne, and these things are essential. Madhudvisa Swami is my representative in charge of devotional affairs in Australia and if you will discuss the specific situation with him, he will see that you become engaged in work just suitable to your situation as a householder.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 13 April, 1974:

Regarding your complaint that Jayapataka Swami does not give you account of the money you send there, please try to rectify this amongst yourselves. I have sent Brahmananda Swami your elder brother, to Mayapur just to help organize their management. Now among yourselves you are all senior members, rectify this rift between Calcutta and Mayapur.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Paris 8 June, 1974:

You have taken the right decision. For the time being you suspend your GBC responsibilities and let Hamsaduta manage as he is doing nicely. Hamsaduta saw me recently, however, and was complaining that he is meeting with an opposing party there, although he is working as authorized GBC. I think if you ask all of them to cooperate with him while you stry to improve your business separately that will pacify things. I am hopeful and praying to Krsna that you become successful.

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 Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 15 September, 1974:

I am hearing so many things about management. My request is that until I am able to return to the USA you all please work peacefully. At our next annual meeting at Mayapur all complaints and counter complaints will be heard in the presence of all GBC and I will also be present. In the meantime work peacefully without disturbing the situation.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 19 September, 1974:

Your resignation will be placed before the GBC meeting at Mayapur and a decision will be taken at that time. I hope in the meantime you will come to your real condition of mind. Your duty is to carry out my orders. There cannot be any question of resignation. If anyone surrenders to Krishna wholeheartedly and engages in His service he cannot say later on I resign. It is not something like material service. Once surrendered, it cannot be withdrawn. So never mind. Don't be agitated. Any complaint may be put before the GBC meeting. In the meantime go on with your duties. That is my request.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 29 September, 1974:

Regarding Bali Mardan we have decided to review the complaints and do the needful at the next GBC meeting. Bali Mardan came to me when I was in Vrndaban and he showed a tendency for retirement, because he knows there are so many complaints against him. Three or four times he said he would like to live in Vrindaban. So anyway he has given service to the Society, but when there are all GBC present they may consider the complaints and do the needful. But, so far I have studied, if all the GBC so desire, he can retire. Personally I wish all the existing GBC may be trained up so perfectly that in the future in my absence they can manage the whole Society very nicely and strongly. That is my desire. At least in this stage of my life it is not at all desirable that there be any factions amongst yourselves. Try to settle up amicably and correct yourself.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Mayapur 5 October, 1974:

Recently there has been some provocation in our Society regarding Bali Mardan and his wife. Jayatirtha has received a bunch of complaints. Similarly Brahmananda Maharaja has also received, so far so that his wife is eating chicken in the temple. This has hampered me very much, so I wish to form an investigation committee. of three members, namely Tamala Krishna Goswami, Rupanuga Prabhu, and yourself. I am informing them also in this connection with a copy of this letter. So you combine together and investigate about the charges against Bali Mardan and his wife made by the following devotees: 1. Tosana Krishna, 2. Cindy Liston, 3. Kirtiraja, 4. Omkara Dasi, 5. Navadvipa 6. Ramesvara das, 7. Sudama Swami, 8. Jaya Ram das, 9. Sunita devi, 10. Gopala Krishna, 11. Atreya Rsi, 12. Anonymous. Kindly try your best to stop this provocation in our Society and I shall be much obliged to you all. Please submit your combined report as soon as possible.

Letter to Madhavananda -- Mayapur 6 October, 1974:

The Ratha is very gorgeous. I have already written that if there is complaint, you should not agitate the villagers. If you have complaints against Hamsaduta, then they can be presented at the GBC meeting at Mayapur and a decision can be taken.

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 Karandhara -- Mayapur 8 October, 1974:

So complaints against Bali Mardan is very serious, and I have appointed an enquiry committee, consisting of three men. Let us know the report. So far yourself is concerned, you know I had full faith in you, and whatever you did I never objected. But, in the meantime twice thrice you resigned. That has given me a little agitation.

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 Rupanuga -- Bombay 8 November, 1974:

I have not yet received the report from the Enquiry Commission, but there are four points to be enquired. The first is the meat eating and chicken eating in the temple and even in the Deity kitchen where the prasadam for the Deities is prepared. This is the most serious complaint. And, in spite of the meat eating Taittiriya was allowed to worship the Deity. The second is the complaint of abusing the devotees and exploiting their service for accumulating money and for aggrandizing himself and herself both. The third is her real identity. And, the fourth is whether actually the building negotiation is going on.

Letter to Subala -- Bombay 25 November, 1974:

So far your health is concerned, so far the body is there the question of health and unhealth will always be there. Sometimes there will be complaints, and sometimes not. In the Gita Krishna says these things come and go like the seasonal changes. So we have to tolerate.

Letter to Sudama -- Bombay 2 December, 1974:

Regarding the complaints against yourself you have mentioned, I do not find any complaints. But even if there should be such complaints, you must remain pure, and automatically the complaints will vanish. And, if there is any truth in the complaints, you should rectify and be purified.

Letter to Yasomatinandana -- Bombay 2 December, 1974:

I have received one letter from Sucarudev das, a devotee there who has some complaint, that he is left in charge when Mahamsa Swami goes out on tour, and no one cooperates with him, just sleeping and eating. So please enquire and let me know actually what is the situation there, and how things are going on.

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

I am in due receipt of your letter undated together with clippings and photos, and thank you very much. I think the article about the book distribution at the airport is indirectly an advertisement. People will come to know about our books and our movement. Here in Bombay they also have the complaint that we are nuisance. What can be done? the writer of the article calls us Hare Krishnas. He calls us this over and over again. He does not know that by doing this he is chanting the holy name and will be benefited.

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

Our books are better than the nonsense books. You have written them to the point. And, even if there is some complaint, they are getting the real thing from our books. they are forgetting the aim of life.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Jamuna -- Perth, Australia 11 May, 1975:

Tejyas was complaining that Madira has also gone with Gurudasa.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Philadelphia 14 July, 1975:

Who is writing complaints? I have not received any complaints about your management.

Letter to Cyavana -- Los Angeles 23 July, 1975:

Now I have received one letter from Bhakti Mati and she has some complaint. She also says there was some physical attack against Navayogendra. This is not good. So I think they can open a separate temple in Mombassa for the Asian community. The Africans and the Asians will not like to mix. So there is no harm in opening separate temples. Both will preach Krishna consciousness and the kirtanas will go on. So do like that.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 15 September, 1975:

Brahmananda Swami and Gopala Krishna were suggesting that I go to some other place in India, but if Tamala Krishna flies 10,000 miles to lodge some complaint against Jayatirtha what can I do? If you all leaders cannot work together, then how can you expect the others to cooperate with you?

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Ahmedabad 29 September, 1975:

Regarding the Hyderabad project, you will be the principal man for finances. I have received report that they have planted 20 acres of paddy, some being bashmati and rest local variety. Regarding Dr. Wolf, why has he gone against us? First of all consult with Svarupa Damodara. What is his complaint?

Letter to Ramesvara -- Ahmedabad 29 September, 1975:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 19, 1975 and have noted the contents. Why has Dr. Wolf gone against us? What is his complaint? Just consult with Svarupa Damodara.

Letter to Svarupa Damodara -- Bombay 30 September, 1975:

I hope this meets you in good health. I have heard that Dr. Wolf has turned against us. What is his complaint?

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Johannesburg 16 October, 1975:

There is no question of removal at the present moment. We shall sit together in Mayapur if there is any complaint against one another. At the Mayapur meeting, whatever we have decided that is good for one year. So if anything has to be done it will be decided by majority decision of the GBC. I do not wish to give any decision without the GBC's verdict.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Johannesburg 16 October, 1975:

My only grievance is that I appointed GBC to give me relief from the management but, on the contrary, complaints and counter-complaints are coming to me.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Johannesburg 16 October, 1975:

So far I know you are approved manager, so why complaints are there I do not know.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Johannesburg 17 October, 1975:

If Dr. Wolf has become envious then we must simply avoid him. What is his complaint?

Letter to Bahudak -- Bombay 10 November, 1975:

Regarding complaints by the sannyasis, these things shall be discussed in everyone's presence at the Mayapur meeting. There is no question of change but sometimes change is invigorating.

Letter to Pusta Krsna -- Bombay 14 November, 1975:

There were so many complaints against him from our men and from outsiders.

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 23 November, 1975:

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.

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 23 November, 1975:

So far your becoming GBC is concerned, yes, I had wanted that, but there are so many complaints. This is not good.

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 23 November, 1975:

GBC must mean that by his managing, there is not any complaints so that I can be relieved in order to do my translation work.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- Calcutta 13 January, 1976:

Our movement is so large it requires expert management and strong vigilence. Now you are finding out so many things were mismanaged, but why didn't you find out before? What is the use of complaining now? It is your fault that you remained absent for so long. The GBC's first business is to manage their zones. You said you were training Cyavana. Anyway, just try to mend things and restore it to its original position.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Calcutta 13 January, 1976:

Caitya-guru's case is one of misused intelligence. I have also received complaint about him from Nava Yogendra Maharaja. He has been taken out of any position of responsibility.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Delhi 23 March, 1976:

Why should they complain about the way we are living there? We have our cottages and we take our own food.

Letter to Caitya-guru -- Honolulu 19 May, 1976:

One Mr. Amarshi B. Shretta, P.O. Box 53, Kisumu, Kenya, had lent his automobile to you that you might use it for me when I came to Kenya. However, it was reported that you disappeared with the car overnight. Mr. Shretta is very much upset at this and he demands an explanation and an apology. There have been many complaints at the mismanagement in the past and now Brahmananda Swami has worked very hard to regain the respect and support of the Indian community in Kenya.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 9 June, 1976:

The printing of Yasodanandana Swami is only for some small books. The quality of the big books must remain, and so they should not be printed by Yasodanandana Swami independently. So you can keep the account what is being sold, and what is the profit. But what is the wrong if Yasodanandana Swami prints the books on behalf of BBT for convenience. You are accusing him of so many bogus complaints. What is bogus? What is genuine? If all these complaints come to me it is too much taxation for me.

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

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your telegram and I have informed Gopala Krishna to supply you with the needed books. However, he has complained that you have a large debt to the BBT and you are not paying it off. So I request you to gradually reimburse the BBT in Bombay.

Letter to Gaura Gopala (Govinda?) -- Vrindaban 6 September, 1976:

The majority who come and join us, it has been experienced, they are not sincere. Under the circumstances what can be done, I do not know. Even experienced devotees—perhaps you know Anand Baba—he was asked also to go as there were so many complaints against him.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Vrindaban 23 September, 1976:

Regarding the editorial policy of BTG, if the editorial board is not expert enough they should be changed. Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor also had put a similar complaint. Yes, scientific articles must be published when sent by our men. I cannot see every article, but some of you should examine why nice articles are rejected. See if the board can be changed. If experienced editors are not there it will be unpopular magazine. These things are to be seen to immediately by the GBC. The board should be judged immediately and be changed if required.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 7 November, 1976:

They have also given us trouble in getting visas for the Gurukula boys to come to India on account of complaints to the U.S. embassy by Mr. Yanoff.