Expression (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"express" |"expressed" |"expresses" |"expressing" |"expression" |"expressions" |"expressive" |"expressly"

1947 to 1965 Correspondence

Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 14 September, 1951:

While I appreciate contribution by Swami Nikhilananda of Ramakrishna Mission in New York towards "India American relation—A way to world peace." It will not be out place to mention that comparative study & philosophical ideas expressed by different religious heads will not only bring large contributions to the said _ _ but will also give the public at large a conviction of the Bhagavad. gita.

Smoke emanates from the fire under certain condition but it is a disturbing condition of the fire. We need the fire and not the smoke.

Letter to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of Indian Union -- Delhi 21 November, 1956:

It is the custom of India from a time immemorial that a citizen of the state would approach the king, to express his grievances for redemption and the king would very kindly consider his case as duty bound and give him necessary relief by the royal judgement:

At the present moment, your excellency is seated in the position of the king by the will and Grace of the Lord and as a true Vaisnava I must accept your excellency as the representative of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, as He has expressed Himself in the pages of Bhagavad-gita. As such I beg to lay before your most exalted honour, the following few lines for favorable consideration and do the needful in pure consciousness.

Letter to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of Indian Union -- Delhi 21 November, 1956:

To make a world wide propaganda for this most essential service to humanity, it is necessary that your excellency will stretch the helping hand necessary in this matter, as your exalted honour is personally fit also to do this job. Although the method is very simple for universal adoption, it is not possible for me to express in this letter all the words that I wish to tell your honour. As such, I am seeking an interview with your honour herewith. When your excellency will see personally the papers and programme of work about my bona fides, I am sure your excellency will be interested in co-operating with me. There is immense work to be done so far India's spiritual asset is concerned and I think the Govt. may take up the matter scientifically for the good of all men. India's specific culture demands that there should be a ministry of spiritual affairs to save the great culture of "Bharatavarsa".

Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru -- Bombay 4 August, 1958:

Both the Americans and the Russians are better materially advanced and although they have different political philosophy of life till they are not materially happy and peaceful because both of them are unconciously hankering after spiritual realization as the child cries for the mother without expression by language. You can help the people of the world for satisfying their spiritual hankering as the true Indian messenger of peace. The world has recognized your sincere effort for endeavouring peace in the world and this is the suitable time to help your friends and at the same time glorify the standard of Indian spiritual advancement of knowledge for world peace. Please take up the matter in cool brain.

Letter to Dr. Y. G. Naik M.Sc., Ph.D -- Delhi 28 March, 1960:

I may also inform you that my concept of anti-matter is exactly what you call it anti-material. Technically it may be that I could not express the exact word used by the physicist but I have tried to explain the word anti-matter in the light and sense of what you say as anti-material which is spirit. But spirit is not apara as you have pointed out. In the Bhagavad-gita The Supreme Truth or the Absolute Personality of Godhead is the transcendental purusha and the two energies namely para and apara are emanations from Him. The Apara or the Inferior material energy may consist of many other elements like matter, anti-matter, proton, electron, neutron etc. in terms of physical science but according to the authority of the Bhagavad-gita—all of them are produced of the inferior energy called by the name Apara Prakrti. The Apara Prakrti consists of gross and subtle matters like mind, ego and intelligence. Spirit is transcendental to all these. The spiritual energy para Prakrti is simultaneously one and different from the spirit whole. Qualitatively they are one but quantitatively they are different. The Brahman Ray is the effulgence of the Supreme Person.

Letter to Mr. Toshihiro Nakano -- Delhi 1 April, 1961:

My advance copy of speech, which I have already sent you, together with the pictographical explanation, may be formed into one book and the pictures may be drawn in colorful expressive tone by your good Japanese artist. Japan is famous for artistic work and India is famous for spiritual culture. We should now combine together for uplifting the unhappy human being from the muddy things of gross materialism.

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

The hope and expectation of the Congress is undoubtedly very great and I wish that I may fully utilize this opportunity for general welfare of the entire human society. I have fully explained my views authoritatively in my statements already sent to you for publication and the gist idea is expressed in the letter of the Mayors the copy of which is also enclosed.

Letter to Tirtha Maharaja -- New York 8 November, 1965:

Kindly accept respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. Since I have come to the United States of America I had several correspondence with Sripada Govinda Maharaja. While I was in Calcutta at that time as well as in our different exchange of letters there was some hint from Sripada Govinda Maharaja, I should work in cooperation with your holiness and in my last letter I have already expressed my readiness to cooperate with your holiness and I had to ask from Govinda Maharaja as to the basic principle of that cooperation. Before I took Sannyasa perhaps you will remember it that I proposed to join you if my publications were taken up. But some how or other it was not possible and we missed the chance.

1966 Correspondence

Letter to Sumati Morarjee -- New York 18 March, 1966:

Since I received your last letter of October 9, 1965, I was very much encouraged when you wrote to say "I feel that you should stay there till you fully recover from your illness and return only after you have completed your mission". I think these lines dictated by you are the words of Lord Bala Krishna expressed through your goodness.

Letter to Madhava Maharaja -- New York 1 August, 1966:

I hope that you are aware of the correspondence which I had been exchanging with Sriman Brahmacari Mangalaniloy and you also know it that I am desiring to get him here in United States of America for my assistance. You may also know that I am trying to construct a Temple of Sri Sri Radha Krishna in New York specially and I was trying to get exchange from the Government of India. I am very sorry to inform you that the Government of India Finance Ministry has expressed its inability to sanction Exchange Release from India but the Indian Embassy in America at Washington W.C. has directly sanctioned to raise funds from the Indian residents in America and directly from the American citizens.

Letter to Janis -- New York 10 December, 1966:

I am so glad to receive your kind letter, dated November 30, 1966, with enclosure of $50.00 on account for my books. Thank you very much. Just on receipt of your letter, I have already sent you, through the Railway Express Company, the following books and literatures:

18 sets Srimad-Bhagavatam

25 copies Krishna the Reservoir of Pleasure—25 cents

25 copies Who Is Crazy?—25 cents

40 copies Introduction to Gitopanisad—35 cents

40 copies Back to Godhead (#1)—15 cents

35 copies Back to Godhead (#2)—15 cents

35 copies Back to Godhead (#3)—15 cents

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Malati -- New York 4 May, 1967:

I am in receipt of your letter of the 25th, April 1967, and I am very glad to know the sentiment expressed therein. You are a very sincere girl and your sentiment is also very nice. One should always feel very humble, that will help one to make progress in Krishna Consciousness. So your humble feeling that you are shrouded by illusion is very nice, at the same time your feeling that Krishna Consciousness is so nice that it makes everything easy.

Letter to Janaki -- Delhi 16 September, 1967:

I am so glad to receive your letter of Sept 5, 67. I'm so pleased for your writing such nice sentiment. I've especially noted that you could express yourself so beautifully. I know both you and your sister have inherited a good heart from your good mother. Your eagerness to get me back in the states will surely be a success because I'm also eager to return. Tears for Krishna is as good as associating with Him personally. In the spiritual world separation is more valuable than meeting. So your feelings and tears of Krishna Consciousness will make you more enriched in spiritual advancement.

Letter to Devananda -- Delhi 27 September, 1967:

Your nice letter with deep regard for Guru is quite appropriate. Guru and Krishna are two parallel lines on which the spiritual express runs very smoothly. In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is said "Guru Krsna prasade paya bhakti lata bija (CC Madhya 19.151)." By the Grace of Guru one gets Krishna and by the Grace of Krishna one gets a bona fide Guru. Therefore Krishna consciousness means staunch faith both in Guru and Krishna. One minus the other is no good for the devotee.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Calcutta 19 October, 1967:

I am in due receipt of your letter of Oct. 11. It was a great pleasure to note the contents, now you have nicely expressed your real mind, In your previous Letter in which I saw a little tendency of being turned by foolish Kirtanananda. but I was confident that Kirtanananda was not so strong as he would be able to defeat you. I was completely confident of your sincerity of service & my choice of your being president of the society is right. I may disclose herewith that I never took Kirtanananda into complete confidence but I was trying to improve his position because he has also rendered much personal service to me.

Letter to Umapati -- Calcutta 22 October, 1967:

I thank you very much for your letter dated Oct. 15. It is so nice & enjoyable. Your appreciation of Krishna Consciousness is much improved by the grace of Krishna—because you are chanting Krishna's Holy names constantly. There are some truths which you have expressed as really sublime, especially the portion where you write to say "even though He Himself is unchanging, His glory will always increase." Krishna's name is Acyuta, unchanging, but He is Bliss although always full, still increases, to increase the blissful existence of the devotee. Please continue to think of Krishna & you will feel more & more the Blissful pleasure transcendental to all material contamination. I am very thankful to you for appreciating my humble service.

Letter to Rayarama -- Calcutta 5 November, 1967:

This attitude of service will help you progress in Krishna Consciousness and perfect Krishna Consciousness will help us to go back to home, back to Godhead. I have already sent you my congratulations for improving the get-up of BTG and I am sending news to Gaurasundara for his wonderful service to the cause. 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.

Letter to Rayarama -- San Francisco 14 December, 1967:

Regarding your last but one paragraph of your letter under reply. I may inform you that you cannot be fool as you have humbly expressed yourself. Better to remain an ever fool before the spiritual master. But if a disciple is actually fool it reflects on the spiritual master. To think of becoming a fool is the real qualification for a bona fide disciple. As soon as one thinks that he has become the wiser man than the spiritual master one is surely doomed. We should remain everlastingly a fool before the spiritual master. Not artificially but feelingly and then we can make real progress. Even my spiritual master a great scholar remained a so called fool before His spiritual master Who was outwardly an illiterate village fellow.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 20 February, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your nice letter dated Feb. 15, 1968. I can appreciate your advancement in Krishna Consciousness by the sentiments expressed by you. As I have repeatedly said, that Krishna Consciousness is developed by following two parallel lines, means service of Krishna, and service of the Spiritual Master. This is the secret of success. The Spiritual Master must be bona fide, that is, he must come down from a bona fide Spiritual Master and must act according to the directions of the Spiritual Master, and by doing so, he gives proper directions about Krishna and the devotees serve Krishna under the direction of such Spiritual Master, and Krishna accepts service, and in this way the whole thing becomes beautiful and successful. I am very much pleased that you are following the same principle and there is no doubt that you will develop more and more in the service of Krishna. I always pray to Krishna for your advancement, and what I can do more than this.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 24 February, 1968:

One, he must be fully surrendered to Krishna. Two, intimately in friendly relationship with devotees trying to elevate conditioned living entities to Krishna Consciousness and rejecting the nondevotee class. So if you find a nondevotee eager to listen submissively you can show your mercy to elevate him to Krishna Consciousness, but a nondevotee who is already poisoned by the serpent of the demon class swami or yogi is very difficult to be dealt with, so the best thing is to reject them and not waste time for their elevation; but a person who is willing to hear us submissively must be given chance to understand the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness. I am very much obliged to you for expressing your good sentiments on account of my humble service to you all. Your appreciation of my humble service is thankfully accepted.

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

I am in due receipt of your nice letter dated Feb. 15, 1968, and I thank you very much for it. I can see how you are advancing in Krishna Consciousness by the feelings expressed therein, and I am so glad you are feeling such transcendental pleasure in serving the Lord. This transcendental pleasure is unlimited and increases as we increase our desire to give more and more voluntary service. To surrender to Krishna all at once is not generally possible, but as we serve Krishna more and more, we gradually become more and more surrendered at His Lotus Feet. So you please continue to serve Krishna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others.

Letter to Harikrishnadas Aggarwal -- Los Angeles 3 March, 1968:

Some years before, when I was staying in your Prem Kutir you expressed your desire to organize a SANKIRTAN party, and I wish that it may be done now to help me in my mission. If you have got opportunity to purchase one copy of Life Magazine, published Feb. 9, 1968, you will find there on page 56, how nicely the American boys and girls are dancing and chanting the Holy Name of the Lord. A Sankirtana party as they can be organized in India is not possible here. Here the boys and girls, they are very serious about chanting, but they are not trained singers, or singers in the tune we chant in India. Therefore, I wish that if you organize a Sankirtana party there, completely trained in spiritual ways, and the American students combine with them, I think a very nice Sankirtana party can be organized to travel all over the world.

Letter to Nandarani, Dayananda -- San Francisco 29 March, 1968:

I thank you for your nice letter of March 25, 1968, and the kind sentiments expressed therein. I am very happy to learn that you have a nice place in Florida, and you are feeling comfortable and your little Candra is enjoying the sun and the atmosphere. Candra's name is quite nice; you can simply add another word to make it become Candramukhi, which means, face resembling the moon. So sometimes the associate Gopis are are also addressed like that because all of the Gopis are transcendentally beautiful. I am very glad that you have invited me to Florida prior to my going to Bahamas. So far we have not received any letter from Bahamas, so my Florida program for the time being, is suspended. If I go however, to the Bahamas, in the meantime certainly I shall go to your place, and I shall inform you beforehand. But shortly I am visiting New York, and from there I shall go to Boston, then I may go to Montreal; this is the present program.

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

So I was praying to Krishna that He may save Kirtanananda from his misunderstanding and if ever he chanted Hare Krishna at least once in sincere heart, I am sure Krishna would not allow him to go out of his influence. Therefore, I believe that he can never forget the Form of Krishna, neither he can deny His Personality. It is good news that he is trying to establish a new Vrindaban, which I suggested through Hayagriva Brahmacari, and if he is successful, in his attempt, certainly it will be considered a great benediction upon him by Lord Krishna. When I offered him Sannyas, I expected such great achievements through him and if Krishna desires, he will come out successful in his great attempt. Yes, I expressed my desire to go there through Hayagriva Brahmacari, and if I am invited, to go there, by Kirtanananda Swami, it will be my great pleasure to see the place and enjoy his company.

Letter to Upendra -- Allston, Mass 3 May, 1968:

I am in receipt of your letter dated April 27, 1968, and noted the contents. Your feelings of separation are very strong, and I thank you for your kind sentiments expressed therein.

So far the date of the Rathayatra festival, it is to be on the 28th of June, and will continue for 8 days. There are two festivals; one going, and one returning. So you can make plans like that.

Yes, if it is necessary then you can make a nice bed for Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balarama, and keep them nicely until I return. It is your responsibility to see to keeping all the things which I left there very nicely, so please see to it.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Allston, Mass 5 May, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your very nice letter dated 4/27/68, and the sentiments expressed in that letter by you gives me more pleasure that you are appreciating the importance of our movement. I am sure that you must appreciate like that because I am always of opinion that both you and your elder brother are the result of a good mother. So I very much appreciate both yours and your brother's activities and it appears that both of you were in your previous birth advanced in this line of Krishna Consciousness, and here is another chance to complete it. So by the Grace of Krishna you have got good intelligence, you are born of a great nation, and good family; just utilize the opportunity to finish the business of Krishna Consciousness, without waiting for further incarnation.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Allston, Mass 23 May, 1968:

But my request is that as you have accepted Sannyas in this order of our disciplic succession, you must do some more service to Krishna than chanting and meditating, and the opportunity you have got. I understand that the land is very big area; I heard that it is 320 acres of land, and in the letter addressed to Janardana, you expressed your desire to convert this beautiful piece of land into New Vrindaban in U.S.A. I wish that you may try for this New Vrindaban to your best capacity, and Krishna will give you all help. And if this piece of land is turned into New Vrindaban then I shall forget to return to Indian Vrindaban. I am getting older and older, so actually if I get a peaceful place as described by you, the rest of my life will be continued in translating Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Goswami literature, assisted by some of my disciples like you. So anytime you take me to your new hermitage, I shall be very glad to go there.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Montreal 18 June, 1968:

I thank you very much for your letter dated June 11, 1968, and noted the contents. Your sentiments expressed in this letter are transcendentally relished. Certainly you are mine and I am Krishna's, therefore you are also Krishna's. In the Krishna Consciousness activities that is the process. By following the disciplic succession, beginning from Krishna, everything becomes ultimately connected with Krishna. And Krishna being absolute, anything connected with Him becomes absolute, without any duality of concept like in the material world. In the material world, it is called illusion because everyone thinks I or my. But in the spiritual world, everything is Krishna. We being part and parcel of Krishna, when we surrender fully unto Krishna with sincerity of purpose, through the transparent via media of the spiritual master. One who thinks himself as Krishna's, he is non-different from Krishna. So the attitude which you are mentioning is the Grace of Krishna, and I wish by His Lordship's Mercy you will continue this aptitude of becoming more and more progressed in Krishna Consciousness. Thank you very much for thinking in such a nice way.

Letter to Dayananda -- Montreal 7 July, 1968:

Another point is that I would have preferred to have permanent residence visa in USA rather than in Canada, and I have heard that if somebody adopts me as a child or something else, I can get the permanent visa. But if you adopt me as your old child, probably the visa department will laugh, that what you will do with an old child who is going to die very soon. But, if there is possibility to adopt me as old father, then you can try for it. If there is any law that you can adopt any old man as your father, and take care of him, then you can inquire from the Los Angeles immigration department and try for it.

Thanking you once more for your nice sentiments expressed in your letter under reply, and hoping you are all well.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Montreal 19 August, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 13, 1968, and noted the contents with so happiness. I am glad to see in your letter indication that within very short time, you have been entrapped by Lord Krishna's Grace and you have expressed your transcendental feelings in such a nice way, that I cannot but admire your capacity to grasp so quickly about the whole philosophy and I must pray to Lord Krishna for your more and more advancement in Krishna Consciousness, and be happy and successful even within this very life. That is my ardent desire.

Letter to Syama -- Montreal 30 August, 1968:

The nice sentiments expressed in your letter under reply is very much pleasing to me. When I initiated you, I accepted you on that very moment as my daughter. So you are eternally my daughter and I am your father. There is no doubt about it. And our relationship is based on Krishna Consciousness, so the more successful you preach and help Krishna Consciousness movement, the more our relationship in transcendental platform is firm and fixed up. Our business is to chant and glorify the Holy Name of Krishna and wherever we may remain, Krishna is with us, Krishna is within your heart, Krishna is within my heart. So, spiritually there is no question of separation, even physically we may be in far distant place. So I am very glad that you are taking more and more interest in this movement, and I pray to Krishna that you be fixed up in that position, eternally.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- New York 31 August, 1968:

Your sister Srimati Saradia has gone to Boston. She is as nice as her nice brothers and she has expressed her desire to marry a nice boy. I agree with her proposal but I have asked her to wait for another year as she is too young.

Letter to Janaki -- Seattle 13 October, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter, very nice letter. You have expressed very nice sentiments and this shows that you are positively advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Your talk with the Indian ladies and gentlemen is very interesting. They inquire from you, and they are astonished that you are very serious. That means they are not at all serious. They take Krishna Consciousness as something fictitious. So they are not very hopeful combination, but try to make them interested as far as possible, it is our duty. We do not mind whether he is Englishman or Indian or any man; our duty is to impress Krishna Consciousness as far as possible.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 16 November, 1968:

Regarding Purusottama, both you and Rayarama have inquired from me what specific duty he will have to execute here. My intention of calling him is that he expressed a strong desire to live with me in Montreal, so I wish to keep him with me at least for some time and train him to act as secretary. Of course, he will work in other spheres also, to secure advertisement, but in case Govinda dasi goes to Hawaii, I shall require a secretary. Govinda dasi is quite competent to act and she is doing very nicely, she is willing worker, educated and intelligent, everything complete, but the only thing is that she is young girl and I am a Sannyasi.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Los Angeles 23 November, 1968:

Regarding your article in Back To Godhead about Ayurvedic Medicine, I do not think this is very worthwhile endeavor. You have shown nice ability for writing so it will be more appreciated if you continue to study Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita and express the same by your assimilation. We have enough Krishna Consciousness matters to discuss so there is no need of wasting time with such topics as Ayurvedic Medicine.

Letter to Annapurna -- Los Angeles 5 December, 1968:

The landlord has offered them the place free of rent until the house is disposed of so I think that they should try to influence the landlord to donate the building for our great cause. At least he should let us conduct our business there for the benefit of all of mankind. It is understood that the landlord belongs to the hippie group and he has purchased the house for hippie propaganda but now wishes to sell the house and property. If some concessional rate is offered then we can also try to purchase the property. So consult with your godbrothers and Gurudasa is the best man to tackle with this landlord and appeal to him to donate this house free for this great cause of spreading Krishna Consciousness. So again I thank you for your nice letter and the sentiments expressed therein and please keep me informed as to your well-being.

Letter to Janaki -- Los Angeles 9 December, 1968:

With the greatest satisfaction I have just now read over your nicely composed and hand-written letter of December 12, 1968 and I thank you so much for the kind sentiments you have expressed therein. I had also been thinking of you because you were thinking of me, but as your letter has arrived first it is for me to answer it. Actually, I always think of you as my naughty daughter and from the start of this movement, you and your very good husband have always shown to be very sincere and important members of our society. So I know that both of your services are most sincere and I will always appreciate this.

Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 9 December, 1968:

I thank you so much for letter of November 30, 1968 and the glorious sentiments you have expressed therein. I am so glad to read that you are doing very well and keeping always engaged. This is the key to elevating in Krishna Consciousness that we always keep our thoughts, our words and our actions centered around our life and soul, this being Krishna. If we remember to practice this process then automatically all distresses and botherations will become nil. So I am very encouraged that all of you are progressing in learning this technique.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 11 December, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your very nice letter dated November 5, 1968 and I thank you very much for the kind sentiments that you have expressed therein. Because you are very nice, sincere boy so Krishna is now giving you very good facilities by which you can serve Him and at the same time perfect yourself for going back to Godhead. So if you try to continue in the humble attitude you have now, with little time you will have wonderful success in further developing your Krishna Consciousness. Actually the Krishna Consciousness is already there, but it is now covered up so we must wipe away the dirt of maya from our consciousness so the pure essence of consciousness, or love for Krishna, may once again shine forth. I am always praying to Krishna to help you more and more so if you remember to always increase your efforts to make progress in spreading this movement, then Krishna will certainly save you, rest assured.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 12 December, 1968:

You have expressed some new ideas to improve BTG of the English Back To Godhead, but I think that there is no need to interrupt their way of thinking. Now you have a chance for your own edition so do it nicely and according to your own ideas. You are artist, so you have facilities to make a very nice edition to sell to the French public. Since in Montreal 75% of the populace are speaking French I think you have very good chance to popularize and improve this magazine.

Letter to Saradia -- Los Angeles 12 December, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your recent letter and I have noted the contents with pleasure. Your kind thoughts which you expressed are very nice and encouraging to me. Also you have asked some intelligent questions and I am answering them here.

You have asked how Krishna is with the spirit soul in the spiritual world and the answer is that Krishna is the heart of the spirit soul, or spiritual body, So Krishna is never apart from us. Either He remains in the heart of the material body, or He remains in the heart of the spiritual body. This is Krishna's Causeless Mercy to all of His beloved children, or living entities.

Letter to Paramananda -- Los Angeles 13 December, 1968:

I was so pleased to receive your letter of December 8, 1968 and I have noted the contents with great pleasure. Such attitude of humbleness which you have so nicely expressed along with your very good service attitude is very beautiful and will take you far to advance more and more.

I am happy that you and your very good wife, Satyabhama, are finding such satisfaction in executing your Krishna Consciousness activities and such pleasure will only increase more and more as you continue to advance further. This is my blessing upon you both that your lives may become happy and successful. So my one request to you is that you keep yourself always engaged in Krishna's service sincerely and that you help your wife in this matter also. Now there is enough engagement with popularizing our books and magazines so you will have enough work to utilize all of your time in this important endeavor. You are strong, intelligent boy so there is so much of such service that you can render and be a great asset to this Krishna Consciousness movement.

Letter to Lilasukha -- Los Angeles 17 December, 1968:

With great pleasure I have read your letter of December 9, 1968. I thank you for your kind sentiments expressed and your nice attitude of humbleness and devotion.

It is very good that you and the other girls are preaching in school to your class mates. This will bring the greatest benefit not only to them but also it will help you to progress more and more in your devotional service. Krishna Consciousness is so nice that when one makes some gain it does not detract from another's gain, but, rather, it means that there is gain for the whole world. When one is chanting or speaking of Krishna or working for Krishna then so many living entities hear him or help him in some way and thus find benefit also. This is why the devotee is dear to all creatures and to Krishna. So always be engaged as you are doing and with your all good qualities Krishna will surely bestow his full mercy, rest assured. So all of the girls you have mentioned, such as Ekayani, Kancanbala and Indira are similarly very good souls and I am always praying that Krishna will help you all more and more.

Letter to Malati -- Los Angeles 24 December, 1968:

I thank you for your letter of December 17, 1968, I am always so glad to be hearing from you. Your sincere attitudes expressed are very nice and I thank you for them. I am very pleased that you are serving your husband nicely and helping him so that he may advance his Krishna Consciousness. When the husband advances, automatically the wife shares in his success so there is all around benefit. So a good wife is a great boon to her husband and to her children so please continue in this way and I know that your life will be very successful. Kindly convey my blessings to Syamasundara and Sarasvati Devi. I hope that you are all well.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 6 January, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated January 2, 1969 and I have carefully noted the contents. You have expressed the desire to become an Ayurvedic physician but I do not think that this proposal is very good. This science is not so important to us now because in your country there is ample facility for receiving medicines. Besides many of the herbs which are needed for Ayurvedic treatment would have to be sent here from India, and this is not very practical. This homeopathic medicine you have mentioned is not genuine and therefore is a bluff. So the first medicine which you should be concerned with is to chant Hare Krishna and to become increasingly steady in Krishna Consciousness. Study Bhagavad-gita As It Is and Srimad-Bhagavatam and continue to help your god-brothers in developing Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Mark Buchwald -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1969:

You have also consulted me for advice about some of your personal problems, and I think that for these matters you should consult Hamsaduta to help you work out some solution. Things will be shaped as Krishna desires. I thank you again for the kind sentiments expressed by you in your letter. If you simply stick with Krishna Consciousness you will very practically see how your life will increasing become more and more sublime. I hope this meets you in good health.

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

I am very pleased to know that you are taking a very sincere interest in perfecting your life in Krishna Consciousness. You are fortunate to have the association of your godsister, Jadurani, and I am sure that she, along with the other devotees in the Boston temple will be able to help you in many ways. Be sure to chant your sixteen rounds daily and read one chapter of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, one chapter daily. Follow the four regulative principles strictly, and I am sure that Krishna will see that your life quickly becomes more and more happy in devotional service. The attitude which you expressed is very nice, and please continue to develop this attitude always.

Letter to Anuradha , Tulsi -- Los Angeles 27 January, 1969:

I am in due receipt of both your letters dated January 25, 1969 and January 21, 1969 respectively, and I have carefully noted the contents in each. You have both expressed a sincere desire to leave San Francisco immediately and come to Los Angeles where you can share an apartment for both of you and your children. This idea seems to be a good solution to both of your problems, and as soon as you are able you may do it. If neither of you are very peaceful staying in San Francisco then it is not very good for Krishna Consciousness, and I think the conditions will be improved if you come to Los Angeles. So as you are able, I shall look forward to seeing you again with your children in Los Angeles.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 28 January, 1969:

Regarding Jaya Govinda, if he is willing to go there, you can deposit the fare money to the American Express Company in Hamburg, and the American Express Company in Delhi should deliver to Jaya Govinda the ticket. But he should not be sent cash money. Make arrangements so that, if upon receipt of the ticket he still does not come, the money shall be returned back only to you in Hamburg. In this way make the arrangements.

Please convey my blessings to Sivananda and Uttama Sloka. I hope you are all very well.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

NB: You may have the ticket for Jaya Govinda sent to the New Delhi branch of American Express Company at the following address: American Express, Hamilton House, block "A", Connaught Place (tel. 43553). Three hundred and fifty dollars is about 2625 Rupees. I am writing to Jaya Govinda today to give him this address also.

Letter to Dr. Chaudhuri -- Los Angeles 6 February, 1969:

Some time before in your letters you expressed a desire that we should jointly present Indian cultural ideas in this country. I think you will remember this proposal, and I replied that if we want to present the real Indian cultural traditions, then we must present the Vaisnava philosophy as it is. Poet Tagore became very popular in the western countries by presenting his Gita Anjali which is full of Vaisnava sentiments. We have immense literatures, especially in the Gaudiya Sampradaya of the Vaisnava sect which is enriched by the contribution of the Gosvamis. These should all be presented to the western world. Similarly, Vedanta commentary by the Vaisnava acaryas like Ramanuja, Madhva, Baladeva., Sridhara Swami, etc. can all be presented successfully. You are a learned philosopher, and your Cultural Integration Fellowship Institute advocates universal religion and cultural harmony. I think if you will turn your attention to the Vaisnava literature you will find all of these ideas in complete fulfillment.

Letter to Tirtha Maharaja -- Los Angeles 7 February, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your rubber-stamped circular letter of January 29, 1969 regarding the Golden Jubilee Festival of Sri Caitanya Math. Previous to this I heard about it from Sripada Sraman Maharaja and Sripada Y. Jagannatham, and expecting your invitation, I expressed my desire that during the ceremony a special home for the EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN BRAHMACARIS MAY BE ESTABLISHED AT MAYAPUR. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura and Srila Prabhupada desired that such American and European devotees may live at Mayapur for studies of Sri Caitanya philosophy, and now the time is ripe when many American, European, and Japanese students working as my disciples are ready to go there for this purpose. In 1967, when I went to India, five American disciples were with me.

Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 11 February, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 4 February, 1969, and I have noted all of the contents. I thank you very much for the humble sentiments which you have expressed, and I am sure that Lord Nityananda is seeing your sincerity and will be pleased to bless you. Regarding your coming to see me in Los Angeles, you may do this as soon as possible, because I am expecting to be leaving there by the beginning of March. So I will be expecting to see you very soon.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 13 February, 1969:

When a person is willing to help with our mission, he is also a devotee, so there is no question of him being nondevotee. But they must translate as it is, they must not deviate. Anyway, our motto should be to somehow or other express the objectives of Krishna Consciousness to the German-speaking people. There is a verse in Srimad-Bhagavatam that a book or poetry in which the Holy Name of Krishna is depicted, such language is revolutionary in the matter of purifying the material atmosphere. Even though such literature is presented in broken language or grammatical inconsistency or rhetorical irregularity, still, those who are saintly persons adore such literature. They hear such literature, and chant it and adore it, simply because the Supreme Lord is being glorified in this literature.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 20 February, 1969:

In the material world the same thing is expressed in a perverted form. But in the Spiritual world to accept one's inferior position does not mean envious mentality upon the other. Unhappiness experienced by devotee on account of feeling himself inferior is not unusual rather such mentality is impetuous to further development of devotional service.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Hawaii 10 March, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 5, 1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. The letter heading is very nicely set up but the color black is not so attractive. It should have been two colors as you suggested, namely violet and black. I am pleased that you are going to have two color set up next printing. I thank you very much for your nice sentiments so expressed in this letter; that I am not unreasonable—rather you have taken the responsibility on your part. Actually we are all conditioned souls so our demand from Krishna to accept us is unreasonable. From my personal point of view, I think that I am so sinful that I cannot even approach Krishna to show me any favor.

Letter to Jayagovinda -- Hawaii 30 March, 1969:

Therefore I hope you might have already received the ticket for returning to Germany. But before your leaving Delhi, either for Bombay or for Europe, please book the unsold goods taken delivery from Atma Rama and Sons and send to our shipping agent in Calcutta, so they may ship them to N.Y. Your sympathetic expression about my magnitude of work with which I am pressed here is undoubtedly very much encouraging to me, and certainly I am pressed with heavy work. I am receiving letters about 12 daily, from different centers with different problems and then at the same time I am just trying to write my books, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, and Krishna, and lately Vedanta Sutra. So certainly this is heavy task but by the Grace of Krishna, it does not depress me. I feel encouraged to act so busily day and night. But the body sometimes does not allow me to do so.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- San Francisco 3 April, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 27, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. In the first portion of the letter you have expressed your desire how to learn surrender. This surrendering process is unconditional. Surrendering does not mean that one should surrenderly only in favorable circumstances. That is not surrender. Surrender means in any condition the surrendering process must continue. In the latter portion of your letter it appears that you have been disturbed on some trivial matters, and you wish to leave the place and go to London. That is not at all good. You must work conjointly. That is my desire, and if you fight amongst yourselves for some individual interests, that is not surrender. Whatever the other two boys may do, that I shall see, but unto you my request is that you must remain in Hamburg until I order you to leave the place.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Buffalo 19 April, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 12, 1969, and I have noted the contents with pleasure. I am glad to learn that two new boys, Robb and Kelly, have moved into your temple. Also, it is good news that you now have a weekly course in the University there. Regarding the draft lawyer, I have enclosed the circular which I am sending out to the temples.

I thank you for the nice sentiments you have expressed in your letter, and I hope this will meet you in good health. Please convey my blessings also to the other devotees there.

Letter to Govinda -- Buffalo 21 April, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your nice letter dated April 1, 1969, and I have noted the contents with pleasure. Your humble sentiments are very nicely expressed and I thank you for them. I have already written to Jivananda and Harsarani, and they are inclined to go to New Vrindaban but I have advised them to go to Hawaii after spending a short period in San Francisco training up the devotees there in Deity worship and Sankirtana Party. So you may correspond with them to make more definite arrangements. From Sudama's letter I can understand that some people are coming to your kirtanas, so try your best to develop your center and Krishna will surely help you. We have not brought your Srimad-Bhagavatam here, but when I get opportunity, I will send you one volume one.

Letter to Revatinandana -- Allston, Mass 6 May, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 1, 1969, and I have signed the letter to the draft board as you have requested. If it will be of help to you, I shall also send you one certificate stating that you are my disciple. I thank you very much for the nice sentiments you have expressed, and surely this nice attitude will be a great asset for your further advancement in perfecting your life in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Allston, Mass 6 May, 1969:

Your letter dated May 1, 1969, delivered by special express mail is very much thought-provoking. Actually, if we get that church in negotiation, it will be a great achievement. Mr. George Harrison is sometimes coming forward to help us and sometimes he is not straightforward. But because he is chanting Hare Krishna and he has some faith in Krishna, a little respect for me, I am sure he will come forward to help our movement.

Letter to Indira -- Columbus, Ohio 14 May, 1969:

I thank you very much for your nice letter dated April 5, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. The sincere sentiments you have expressed are very nice, and surely Krishna will be pleased to bless you because of your nice attitude for serving Him. I think that because you are unable to tend the Deities in the temple, that you and your sister, Ekayani, may serve the small Radha-Krishna Deities which you will be receiving soon. Try to follow all the rules and regulations of Deity worship as are followed in the temple.

Letter to Jayagovinda -- New Vrindaban 22 May, 1969:

For the present, even though some people may think that our translation work is terrible, there is nothing to lament. After all, German language is a foreign language for us, and our main business is to present our thoughts to the German people. If in a foreign country a man is met with some catastrophe such as fire, he has to take help from the neighbors even though he has no language to express himself. Some way or other he has to inform his neighbors there is a fire in his house so that they can help him. So if the foreigner cannot express himself in very good language, he is not at fault. So there is a blazing fire of maya, and we have to inform the people, even if we must use broken language. That is no fault. But by Krishna's Grace this problem will soon be solved. Don't worry.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- New Vrindaban 7 June, 1969:

When I was in Montreal Saradia expressed her desire to marry Vaikunthanatha, and immediately I asked that he would remain reserved for her. He is a very nice boy, and I hope they will be happy in their future homely life in Krishna Consciousness. I have received also news from Mandali Bhadra and Vrndavanesvari that they have already purchased their tickets and are going on the 27th of June, so when they arrive, please cooperate with them nicely. You are all sincere workers, and they also are very sincere souls. So cooperate together nicely, and I hope our Hamburg center will very soon become the important center in Europe. In London they have not yet been able to find out a suitable place, but still they are prepared to celebrate the Rathayatra Festival there. But so far I have received no definite information on this festival. Under the circumstances I am not yet certain whether or not I shall go to London, but in your letter under reply you have expressed the desire of my going to Germany, so do you think you are able to receive me there at the present stage? My going to Germany means lots of expenditures, including travel fare, etc. If you think that you will be able to meet these expenditures, then I have no objection for going there directly.

Letter to Dinesh -- New Vrindaban 10 June, 1969:

There are some points in the contract which are not very clear, so you may explain them to me further by post. The points are as follows: "ISKCON shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to collect preserve and distribute all tangible expressions of said sound vibrations." "Said sound vibrations shall be fixed in a tangible form solely by ISKCON" "ISKCON shall have the exclusive right to any existing sound recordings contained in any medium of fixation that have been previously recorded by the SWAMI" "ISKCON shall have the sole and exclusive right to use the name and likeness of the SWAMI for all purposes and activities encompassed by this agreement."

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969:

Trivikrama das Brahmacari from Buffalo wanted to open a branch in Sacramento or Santa Monica, but I have advised him to go to London because recently I received a letter from Syamasundara that they have secured a nice house. It is not yet all settled up, but he wants the help of some brahmacaris. So I shall be glad to know if you can spare some brahmacaris for London. They are of course planning something very gorgeous, but till now it has not been tangible. But because they are working very seriously and sincerely it will be successful. At present my plan is that by the 10th of July either I go to London or to Los Angeles. That is certain. So even if I do not go to Los Angeles, the Festival will be nicely performed there. If I go to London I shall see that the Rathayatra Festival is also performed there, and I have written to Syamasundara expressing my great desire like this. But everything depends on Krishna's disposal.

Letter to Vamanadeva -- Los Angeles 27 June, 1969:

I thank you very much for your letter dated June 23, 1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. You idea of going to Columbus for the weekdays and to New Vrindaban for the weekends is very nice, so you may do this. I have just left New Vrindaban on June 23rd, and I think you will be a great asset to the construction projects that will be going on there. Similarly, in Columbus there is much interest in our movement, and as they also are in need of more brahmacaris, your presence there will be very encouraging. So you may execute this plan as soon as possible. I thank you very much for the nice sentiments you have expressed in your letter, and if continue to develop such feelings and engage all of your energy in the service of the Lord, then surely you will come out successful in perfecting your life in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Gajendra -- Los Angeles 20 July, 1969:

I thank you very much for your letter of July 17, 1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. The sentiments you have expressed are very nice, and they are just suiting for spiritual advancement. The actual Vaisnava always feels himself lowly and unqualified, but this submissiveness and humbleness is his actual qualification for becoming perfect in Krishna Consciousness. In material life everyone is thinking that I am so wonderful, I am so expert, but actually the living entity is an insignificant spark of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. So when we see we are becoming aware of our infinitesimal nature, then we begin to also understand something of how infinitely great Krishna is. One cannot be falsely puffed up and still expect to make progress in spiritual life. Rather one must learn to accept his constitutional position of Krishna's tiny servant. Then Krishna is pleased to reveal Himself to such devotee, and the devotee becomes more and more perfect in rendering transcendental service to the Lord.

Letter to Rukmini -- Los Angeles 12 August, 1969:

I thank you for the nice sentiments you have expressed, and I am awaiting to see the pictures that you and Bharadraja have completed. Please offer my blessings to Bharadraja and to the others. I hope this will meet you in good health.

Letter to Damodara -- Los Angeles 16 August, 1969:

I very much appreciate the nice sentiments you have expressed, and Krishna is available only through service. We cannot demand from Krishna to know about Him. When you actually learn to serve Him, He reveals Himself. That is the process. And the success of life is simply by pleasing Him. That is the version of all Vedic literature. Knowledge means to know Him, and success means to please Him. And how He is pleased, that can be known through the transparent medium of His confidential servant. This is the process of understanding Krishna Consciousness. I was very much anxious to hear from you, and this letter is encouraging. Similarly, Hamsaduta and Himavati are trying in Berkeley, and although they have not found as yet any temple, their work is going on nicely. Please offer my blessings to Madhusudana, Dinesh and Krishna Devi. I hope this will meet you all in good health.

Letter to Jayagovinda -- Tittenhurst 15 October, 1969:

When you came from India to Germany you told me that you felt complete satisfaction being in Germany, having a good engagement for serving Krishna. But at present you express that you may not be feeling that satisfaction intact. If you would explain to me why you are feeling like that, then I can help you. We are trying to manage a great institution of Krishna Consciousness Movement, so there is possibility of adjusting so many circumstances. But in all circumstances we should have our staunch faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then we will never be shaken off. I hope this boy, Kulasekhara, will be much helpful in your department and you will feel more strength in pushing on this German edition of BTG. There is a proveb in Sanskrit literature that enthusiastic persons achieve the favor of the Goddess of Fortune.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- London 24 October, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 20, 1969 and have read it carefully. The arrangements as stated by you appear very nice. Mulgibar Patel is a nice gentleman, and when he offers $5,000 he can be elected a life trustee of our temple. That is a nice proposal. If the arrangement is successful, then immediately complete the negotiations and purchase the house. I am also glad that Tamala Krishna, Gargamuni and Jayananda also agreed. So it is a good chance, and the best opportunity is that we can keep the three Rathas in the garage. As expressed by you, our Rathayatra Festival in San Francisco must be continued every year with increased gorgeousness. I hope Krishna will bless you. So try to complete this purchase. I have got complete approval.

Letter to Aniruddha -- London 26 November, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 21, 1969. I am glad that you have received my letter to to you, addressed to New York. Therein I have expressed my opinion about your marriage. So it is very nice program. Just get yourself married, and as you propose to go to Argentina with Citsukhananda to open a branch there, I have all approval. So you accept some girl who will marry you, either Sacidevi or anyone else. In our Indian way there is no question of acceptance or rejection. The parents arrange for marriage and whatever boy or girl they select for their son or daughter, that is accepted. Even there is some disagreement at times, that is not taken very seriously.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Los Angeles 10 January, 1970:

The procedure should be exclusively for chanting Hare Krishna mantra or singing other songs just like Govinda jaya jaya, Gopala jaya jaya . . ., and nothing more. Demigod worship in your house or thinking a demigod as equal with Narayana or Krishna should be stopped altogether, actually that is not the fact. Special stress should be given on chanting Hare Krishna mantra, reading from Bhagavad-gita As It Is or Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the Bhagavad-gita editions, you will find a peculiarity that, in place of Krishna, they have mentioned Paramatma or Paramisvara, or like that. These expressions are more or less indications of impersonalism. Therefore, when Bhagavad-gita should be recited, always read "Krishna." This transcendental word should be mentioned. So, in that way, you may continue your Tuesday class. Both you and your wife should decorate your foreheads with urdhapundra tilaka.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 7, 1970 and noted the contents. The sentiments that you have expressed in your letter are all due to my Guru Maharaja who has deputed me to pick up all good souls like you in this part of the world. Fortunately, we are now together and with great enthusiasm and patience let us erect this mission of Krishna Consciousness. I am so glad to read the portion of your letter in which you show your determination to preach this cult in all countries of the world. Please continue this determination and keep all your contemporary Godbrothers alive on this point. Surely we will bring in a new chapter in the history of the world.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1970:

You wanted an urgent reply so I am sending this letter by express delivery. Here in L.A. things are going very nicely. Last night I was present in the Temple. Visnujana played a nice short drama about Kali Yuga and its entrance. It was very nice. There were about 100 guests besides our own men. Gargamuni is taking care of me very nicely. Hope this will meet you alright. Offer my blessings to Syamasundara, Mukunda and Gurudasa and the boys and girls. I am so glad to learn that Yamuna is doing very nicely. Now she may train Visakha who must have come by this time to London.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 14 January, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated January 5 and 8 1970 respectively, and I am so much moved from your kind sentiments that you have expressed for my humble activities. Actually I am not worthy of any one of the words spoken by you but all of them are due to my Spiritual Master Who was so kind to me. In fact I am a worthless person because my Spiritual Master ordered me to take up this work in 1922 but I did not carry his order until 1958, when I was obliged to carry out His order by His arrangement only.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 25 February, 1970:

So these songs were sung by Lord Caitanya Himself, therefore they are the most authorized songs.

I am very glad to learn that he has given up composing nonsense songs, it is a great advancement of his spiritual life. But as he has got the aptitude for writing songs, I shall be very glad to give him many such themes of songs on which he can write in his own language and expression.

Letter to Trivikrama -- Los Angeles 7 March, 1970:

I know as you expressed your desire in London, that you are very much anxious to come back to the States; so you can do so at your earliest convenience.

I do not think that Hamsaduta is pressing you for marriage. Marriage is a concession for a person who cannot control his sex desires. Of course it is a difficult job for the boys in this country because they have free access to intermingling with the girls. Under the circumstances, it is my open order for everyone that everyone can marry without any artificial pose. But if somebody is able to remain a Brahmacari, there should not be any canvassing for his marriage.

Letter to Bali Mardan 1975 So. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, Cal. 90034 March 13, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7 March, 1970. I am so much obliged to you for the fine sentiment you have expressed in connection with my humble service; but this is not very extraordinary—every human being, for his own interest, should accept a Spiritual Master and abide by His order. This is the Vedic system, and whatever we are trying to do, it is in pursuance of the old order.

Letter to Patita Uddharana -- Los Angeles 19 March, 1970:

I am very glad to know that your pen is inspired to create, because we are in need of many intelligent writers who can express our Krishna consciousness philosophy nicely just following exactly the transcendental words and purports of our vast Vedic scriptures according to the previous Acaryas of our Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya. And if you continue to work in this writing and publishing of our literatures with steady enthusiasm and sincerity, your success in Krishna Consciousness is certain. Therefore to keep your spiritual strength, always observe the regulative principles strictly and chant at least sixteen rounds of beads daily without fail. This is essential for understanding our philosophy practically to advance in Krishna Consciousness. And we should always avoid mental speculations.

Letter to Pradyumna -- Los Angeles 5 April, 1970:

So far grammar is concerned, one has to learn Sanskrit grammar for at least 12 years, then he becomes an expert grammarian. In India, those who are Sanskrit scholars studied in the beginning, from 5 to 15 years—that is for ten years continually—and they study grammar thoroughly. When one is expert in grammatical rulings and formation—that is to say: sabda, dhatu, sandhi, samasa, prakaran, vidhan, pratyaya, adhikarana—after this they study nyaya. In this way, when one is expert in 10 to 12 years, that is by the age of the 17th year, a student becomes very much expert and any departmental knowledge he can master in 1 to 2 years. But you need not become such a scholar. You require simply to understand Sastras Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc. and chant Hare Krsna Mantra as much as possible. The thing is if you give more stress on scholarly line, other devotees will try to imitate you. Already your wife has express such intention, and as soon as we try to be scholars, our devotional line will be slackened. These points are to be kept in view always.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 7 April, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 2nd April, 1970, and I am very much pleased for the nice sentiments you have expressed therein. But you should always remember that whatever we are doing, it is in the parampara system beginning from Lord Krsna, down to us. Therefore, our loving spirit should be more upon the message than the physical representation. When we love the message and serve Him, automatically our devotional love for the physique is done.

Letter to Pradyumna -- Los Angeles 20 April, 1970:

Another point is that there are some errors in the English also. On page 2 it should read ". . . decided to kill his sister, Devaki." but it has become sisters, plural. Then, what does it mean?: "The Lord's compromise was that He had Vasudeva propose . . ." This does not seem to be very clear or at least it is very awkward expression. So please see that the editors make a very careful final proofreading before printing the final copies.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 21 April, 1970:

In the beginning I was seriously corresponding with Indian friends to get some good mrdanga players, but when I found it too difficult to get a man from India some of my students were given the rudimentary lessons in playing and simply by practice they are putting on Sankirtana Party everywhere. My Guru Maharaja used to say that in a foreign land where you cannot speak the language with the natives very nicely, what do you do when there is a fire in your house just to get their help? In such emergency one has to express himself somehow or other to his foreign friends and get their help to extinguish the fire. But if he wants to learn the language first and then talk with the foreign friends to get help, then everything in the meantime would be finished. Similarly if we have to learn and then paint, it will be a long-term affair. But immediately we want so many pictures for all of our books, so all the artists may always be engaged in painting works and that painting itself will gradually teach them how to make things nice.

Letter to Sri Birlaji -- Los Angeles 23 April, 1970:

Regarding the two pairs of marble murtis, I do not know where you have ordered them. I hope you must have ordered them from Jaipur because in that city there are many good artisans for manufacturing such murtis. But kindly see that the facial expressions be as nice as the bust I have sent you of our London Deities.

Letter to Sandini -- Los Angeles 19 June, 1970:

So I am very happy to accept you as my initiated disciple, and your spiritual name is Sandini Dasi. Please keep this nice attitude of service which you have expressed in your letter, this is very necessary. Always chant the sixteen rounds of Hare Krsna Mantra on your beads, follow the four restrictive principles very rigidly, live peacefully according to the rules and regulations and your life will be perfect and sublime. Serve Krsna to the best of your capacity and when you are 24 hours engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord that is the highest stage of transcendental bliss or Krsna Consciousness.

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

I thank you for your express letters and have noted the contents carefully.

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

Letter to Jaya Gopala -- Tokyo 25 August, 1970:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 18th, 1970, and I thank you very much for the nice sentiments expressed therein.

Regarding your marriage, I have no objection, but if you accept a girl for marriage she should be younger than you. At least she should not exceed your age. I know you are a very sincere devotee and I wish everyone of my devotees may purify himself from all material contamination and thus be eligible for entering into the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Material life means indulging in sense gratification which diverts our attention from spiritual importance and thus we remain captive under the bewilderment of Maya. This is the most dangerous of our condition of life. Intelligent persons therefore try to avoid it under the protection of Krsna and the Spiritual Master.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 4 November, 1970:

I have not received the monthly $15 maintenance from any Canadian centers. Please see that this is sent in readily negotiable American Express checks, as personal checks take one to two months to clear.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 4 November, 1970:

No one has sent my $15 monthly maintenance checks. So I am asking you to please expedite this matter among your centers. They should send readily negotiable American Express checks rather than personal checks which take up to two months to clear.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Bombay 4 November, 1970:

I have received reports from my European centers that there has been some disturbance. I think that London is the most important center in Europe and the leadership must be very strong there, so I am asking Gurudasa and his wife Yamuna to return there. They are now in Delhi with some brahmacaris and, since they have come so far, they may remain in India for some time, but in time they will return to the London Temple. I have received one letter from Bali Mardan Das Brahmacari and he has expressed enthusiasm for his GBC post, so he shall continue in that capacity.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bombay 4 November, 1970:

I have received your letter of 23 September, 1970, along with the note from your good wife, and have read them with attention. The sentiments which you have expressed are very much encouraging to me, that I have got such disciples as yourself who are more anxious to serve me than my own children. You are one of my oldest and best-qualified students, so now you may, along with the other men of GBC, take over from me management of ISKCON affairs and work combinedly to open as many centers as possible all over the world. If you simply carry out the instructions which I have given you Krsna will reward you with all success.

Letter to Kenneth -- Bombay 17 November, 1970:

I beg to thank you for your letter Dated 23rd August, 1970, expressing your humble realizations concerning Krsna Consciousness process.

Yes, it is the only way that one can approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Lord Krsna's instructions to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita, this science is passed down perfectly only via the bona fide line of disciplic succession. So one has got to find out some representative of the Lord who is in the bona fide disciplic succession and then follow the Lord's instructions that after finding out such a Spiritual Master one should try to learn the truth from him by inquiring submissively and rendering service unto him. This method of approaching Krsna must be accepted because it is offered by the Lord Himself.

Letter to Gaura Hari -- Bombay 20 November, 1970:

I beg to thank you for your nice letter dated 26 Damodara 484 Caitanya Era. It is my great pleasure that so many fine young boys have joined this Krsna Consciousness Movement and they are finding that their lives have been saved by this simple process. I have many times expressed my sympathy with the frustrated and unhappy younger generation of your country and it is our duty to teach them this formula for peace and happiness by chanting the Mahamantra. This is the business of a devotee, he himself finds the secret that by simply loving Krsna one automatically acquires love for all other beings and he takes it as the prime duty of life to spread this sublime knowledge to everyone he meets.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Bombay 24 November, 1970:

egarding Printing of Bhagavad-gita complete and unabridged edition, it may be printed with our ISKCON PRESS and 5,000 copies may be sent, printed and folded to Bombay because I notice in your ISKCON PRESS newsletter that Advaita has expressed his opinion that if sent by ship without folding first, it would not be possible for the books to be properly folded and printed here in India. Regarding the missing verses, I will see if it is required and will send you at a later date.

Letter to Puri Maharaja -- Bombay 2 December, 1970:

I shall go to your place from Vrndavana or from Allahabad, and we have to arrange in that way. We are thirty men and women all together. Whether you want us all to visit? Perhaps if we go from Vrindaban we shall have to take advantages of the Grand Trunk Express. Of course there is sufficient time now, and I shall be in regular correspondence with you on my tour, but I accept to visit all the places mentioned by you when I go by that side.

Letter to Tamala Krsna, Syamasundara -- Indore 9 December, 1970:

The best way for you to go is to purchase reserved tickets from Bombay through Gorakhpur according to the following schedule. Leave Bombay on the 17th December by the 5 (down C.R.) Punjab Mail AC departing at 15.20. You will arrive at Bhopal Jn. by 6.20 next morning. Most probably we shall join you at Bhopal with tickets reserved on the same train. The 5 Punjab Mail will then reach Jhansi at 11.40. At Jhansi the train divides and one part goes on to Luknow called the 43 (down C.R.) Jhansi-Lucknow Mail departing Jhansi at 13.20 and arriving Lucknow at 20.05. From Luknow the Lucknow Express (E.R. down #16) departs at 21.15 and arrives in Gorakhpur at 3.05.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Surat 17 December, 1970:

Regarding the account with American Express, you should keep the present deposit with them and if you like them better than the Central Bank there is no need at present for opening a new account with the latter. If required in the future I shall return the papers to you with my signature as per. If there is no difficulty in withdrawing from the American Bank that should be the criteria for keeping the accounts with them. Wherever the money is kept, it must be ready for being withdrawn without any difficulty, in either the Central Bank or the American Express Bank.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Sai -- Allahabad 8 January, 1971:

I beg to thank you for your letter dated 29th December and the nice sentiments expressed therein. I am very glad to inform you that I have seen your photograph and from your features it appears that you have improved very much spiritually.

Letter to Visnujana -- Allahabad 8 January, 1971:

I am glad to note that from your recent letter under reply you are feeling better than you previously expressed. So when you may feel morose, chant Hare Krsna Mantra loudly and hear it. That will reestablish you on the platform of transcendental bliss. Sometimes it appears that the devotee is put into some difficulty unreasonably, but the devotee does not take even this adverse circumstance as other that a manifestation of the Lord's Supreme Mercy. Anyway, such feelings come and go like seasonal changes and we should not deviate for that reason from our prescribed duty.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Allahabad 4 February, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14th January, 1971. Also I have received the two American express money orders one for $65.00 and one for $1.00 enclosed therein as well as a $15.00 maintenance fund check sent by your good self some weeks before and received by me on 29th December, 1970.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Gorakhpur 23 February, 1971:

You have asked for some men so immediately another batch of two men, Revatinandana and Durlabh Das Adhikari are going today carrying this letter. Durlabh Das has got camera films and machine and so he will be very good for your work there, and Revatinandana is very well known Sankirtana leader. Next on the 28th February, 1971 all of us are going to Calcutta, reaching on the 1st March by the 82 Down Express reaching Howrah at about 4:30 P.M. My desire is that all of you should visit Mayapur at least for one or two days during Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthday. If the Hamilton House is available, then I shall also go and finish the business of paying them in full as they want. When I shall go, I shall go with full, money for paying them, but in case the transaction does not mature, then I shall not go to Calcutta but go to Bombay and you all my disciples may visit Mayapur and chant Kirtana as many times as possible and return to Calcutta. Most probably Hamsaduta and his party will go to Calcutta by the 10th March.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Gorakhpur 23 February, 1971:

Regarding Hamilton House, they will take up the decision on the 26th February, 1971 as I understand from your letter. So immediately you will send me the decision by express telegram because on this decision it will depend my going to Calcutta or to Bombay. So kindly take this as very urgent and do the needful. I am very glad you have nice commodious quarters and you have got it free of charge. Thank Krishna.

Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Saradia -- Bombay 4 April, 1971:

I remember the days when Saradia expressed to marry you and I immediately reserved you for marriage to Saradia. Later on in Boston you were married and since then you are working so nicely. I am very pleased upon you. Simply use this marital life for spreading the glories of Lord Krishna and in this very lifetime you will be promoted to associate with Krishna in Goloka Vrindaban. So please stay on the purity platform; chant 16 rounds daily and without fail, follow all the regulative principles, and read all our books and your life is sure to be successful. Unless one is sufficiently empowered, one cannot preach Krishna Consciousness. So the fact that you are preaching so nicely is proof that you are already benedicted by Krishna. So preach Krishna Consciousness and be happy.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 13 April, 1971:

With reference to your telephone conversation yesterday morning, I am sending one check, no. CHT/A-T492826 for Rs 8300/- in favor of American Express Banking Corporation, Calcutta, account number 090031. (I hope immediately upon presentation of this check you will get the money from American Express.) There is no question of pilferage because it is account paid. Conveyance deed should be in the name of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness at #3, Albert Road; Calcutta-16. You should consult your friend Mr. Kashore Mukherjee or his friend Mr. Shah and make the deed nicely and send me a copy for my approval. The deed may be drawn in either English or Bengali, as it is required but be careful in every other detail in consultation with pleader Kisora Mukherjee.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 19 April, 1971:

The power of attorney will follow by express mail. Whether you have dispatched the money from Calcutta to the book fund and building fund and the membership statement also? That is urgent. Enclosed please find a photo copy of Birla's letter, as well as a letter from Karandhara addressed to you. We shall send the marble deities as soon as they can be packed.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Calcutta 26 May, 1971:

You will be glad to know that I have ordered 50,000 paperback KRSNA books. Rupanuga has expressed his opinion that we should get $1.95, but that is too much. I will make it $.95 instead of the $.75 originally proposed.

Letter to Jadurani -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1971:

Nobody is free from anxiety. The soul is suffering and that is expressed through the manifested body. Not that the body is suffering separately. Just like, face is the index of the mind. Nobody can see the mind, but by the face it is understood that the person is in good mental condition. So the body suffering is the reflection of the soul suffering. So the king in your painting is not really happy, but rather full of anxieties. That is to be shown. Another example is that when my garments are dirty, I, the living entity, am not taking care of my dress. So from my dress, it appears how I am taking care. Similarly the condition of the soul is expressed through the body. When water is hot, that you cannot show by painting. You cannot paint the heat; you must touch the water. So by seeing the expression of the bodily features, one can understand whether the soul is happy or not.

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

So far your questions: The demigods, when they try to ascertain who is the Supreme, they become bewildered, what to speak of ordinary men. Their senses are also limited. Therefore the speculation process is condemned. The picture is fine. There is no need to show the demigods bewildered; I have already explained in my previous letter that inside the body the soul is suffering and that suffering is expressed by the bodily features. Everyone in this material world is suffering. So simply the idea is there, that's all. All the details it is not possible to show. Suta Goswami is not a very old man, but that is all right. Krishna in a boat with the gopis, that picture is all right. He is enjoying. This is spiritual rest and enjoyment. That is the real feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Why should he work? So finish the picture nicely.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Brooklyn 25 July, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22nd July, 1971 and have noted the contents. Also I have received your clippings. So far your American Express Money Order, sent to Bombay, I have not received it as of yet. Perhaps you should trace it, because it should have been forwarded to me by now.

Letter to Giriraja -- London 12 August, 1971:

Keep on with the practice of writing articles; in the midst of your heavy duties go on writing something glorifying the Lord and put our philosophy into words. Writing articles means to express oneself how he is understanding the whole philosophy. So this writing is necessary for everyone.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 5 January, 1972:

Tamala has gotten one letter from Birharilal that there are four mrdangas and twelve pairs of karatalas ready for shipment to Madras. We are going to hold a very large function in Jaipur and are leaving Bombay for Jaipur by the 12th instant. So I think these instruments will be required for this program. So please immediately dispatch this shipment to Bombay so that we may take the instruments with us to Jaipur.

PPS The Rs. 3200/- requested for the purchase of the two bighas of land in Mayapur has been sent by wire to your American Express Banking Corporation account no. 090031 in calcutta. Please acknowledge receiving it.

Letter to Atreya Rsi -- Bombay 4 February, 1972:

I am in due receipt of your very nice letter of January 10, 1972, and I am very much pleased by the sentiments expressed therein. It is not so much that because there may be some faults in our godbrothers and godsisters, or because there may be some mismanagement or lack of cooperation, that this is due to being impersonalists, no. It is the nature of the living condition to always have some fault. Even in the Spiritual World there is some fault and envy—sometimes the Gopis will quarrel over Krishna's favor, and once Krishna was so much attracted to Radharani that by mistake he tried to milk the bull instead of the cow, and sometimes when the Gopis used to put on their dress and make-up for seeing Krishna, they would be too much hasty and smear kumkum and mascara in the wrong places and their ornaments and dresses would appear as if small children had been trying to dress themselves and they were not very expert, like that.

Letter to Giriraja -- Sydney 12 April, 1972:

Madhudvisa has written one letter to Syamasundara expressing his desire to come to this side. So if you think that you can manage without his help, then he is welcome to come this side. There is very good scope this side for Sankirtana Party. The Sydney and Melbourne people are doing especially nice.

Letter to Secretary to Minister of Education and Culture -- Los Angeles 7 June, 1972:

With reference to an article entitled "Baptists Besieged" published in the international edition of "Time" Magazine of June 12, 1972, page 66, it is understood that your people are now protesting against atheistic government. So far we know your government is pledged not to believe in God. But this kind of suppression will not be tolerated by the general mass of people. It is understood also that your Constitution allows freedom of religious expression. But it appears from the facts that you do not wish to indulge in religious principles which are simply sentiments. We agree wholeheartedly that without philosophy, religion is reduced to sentiment or "the opium of the masses." We are likewise in full agreement with your national leaders that the state and the citizens in general must be organized upon philosophical principles.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972:

I have received your letter from Sydney dated May 30, 1972, wherein you have expressed some hesitation to become the GBC Secretary for the Pacific zone. Actually you may be misunderstanding the present position or policy of this GBC. I have instructed all of the GBC men to give up their staying in one place and to remain always constantly traveling throughout their zones from temple to temple. Recently, I have given Sannyasa order of life to Rupanuga, Satsvarupa, and Bali Mardan, and I have made Brahmananda the GBC man for Africa, and I wanted that you should be GBC man for South Pacific zone. So being Sannyasi is no hindrance for being also GBC. In fact, the duties of the GBC men are now to be just like the duties of the Sannyasis.

Letter to Bob -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972:

I thank you very much for your letter dated June 12, 1972, and I have noted the sentiments expressed therein with great pleasure. I am very much glad to hear that you are associating with us, and I know that you are a very good boy, very intelligent and your behavior is gentle, so I have all confidence that very quickly Krishna will bestow all His blessings upon you and you will feel yourself becoming perfectly happy in Krishna Consciousness. One makes his advancement in Krishna Consciousness by giving up voluntarily his attachment to material nature or maya and such renunciation is called tapasya.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Amsterdam 30 July, 1972:

I think the whole atmosphere in Mayapur must be now very, very nice and I shall be so much glad to return there sometimes in the month of September, so kindly finish up the work by that time. Malati has expressed desire to decorate my quarters there, so as soon as they are ready she may come there and prepare everything very nicely.

Letter to Suresh Candra -- London 11 August, 1972:

I have received your letter from Guyana dated 16 July, 1972, duly forwarded to me at my London address. Thank you very much for the sentiments expressed therein. A disciple means one who is always following the orders of the spiritual master. So I instruct my disciples to refrain from four prohibitions, namely no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex life, no taking of intoxication, including tea, coffee, cigarettes, etc., and no gambling. Besides that my students must chant sixteen rounds of japa-mala of Hare Krsna mantra daily. So if you are able to follow these principles without fail, then you are as good as my disciple. And after you have practiced these things for a few months' time, then we can see to your formal initiation. This chanting of sixteen rounds of japa-mala daily, chanting the full Hare Krsna mantra, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, on each bead 108 times in each round, this process will very quickly purify your existence, and you will come to your rightful spiritual understanding in very short order.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Vrindaban 17 October, 1972:

I have duly received two express delivery letters jointly signed by you. Fortunately, yesterday evening the chief minister of Assam, Sriman Mahendra Mohan, came to see me and I have requested him to write a letter to Mr. Naik, the chief minister of Maharastra. He has promised to write a letter immediately to Mr. Naik. I hope this will be advantageous for your purpose. Mr. Mahendra Mohan has promised to send me a copy of the letter he is going to send to Mr. Naik.

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

I am just now in receipt of your letter dated October 20, 1972, and Visakha dasi has just arrived and has told that you have not received any letter from me, and that you have sent several telegrams and letters. I have not received all of them I think. I received one express letter from the four of you dated Oct. 16th on Oct. 20th, four days from posting. Your letter dated Oct. 19th was received by me however on Oct. 21st, and just now I have received the letter of Oct. 20th. Enclosed find the copy of my letter of 20th.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Vrindaban 3 November, 1972:

I am in due receipt of your express delivery letter, and I am glad that you have chosen the right course of action to sue Nair and finish the business once and for all. We are prepared to take back the money and cancel the whole thing. Why doesn't he return? Now stick to the principles of the original agreement to file suit. Don't change your decision. It appears that from the building fund Rs. 29,000/- was transferred to International Society general account, it is not yet returned, neither the Rs. 70,000/-. Anyway, the cheques given to you must be torn-up immediately. A letter should be issued to the bank to stop payment for cheques #CHT/A-T 492833 from Building Fund and #GT/HS 306873 from Book Fund, both in favor of Ambhubhai and Diwanji, Solicitors, Bombay, but I shall do it. We shall make no compromise with Nair unless we come to the court.

Letter to Nirmala -- Ahmedabad 15 December, 1972:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil and thank you very much for the nice sentiments expressed therein. We have neither changed our plan nor have we any intention of changing our plan of developing Hare Krishna Land in Bombay. We shall stick to the place to the last moment and we require your cooperation very much.

Letter to Meenakatan -- Bombay 21 December, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge reciept of your letter dated 12/7/72, and I have noted the contents. Thank you very much for the sincere sentiments expressed therein, and I am very much pleased that you are happy in Krishna Consciousness. For the time being, you may assist Subala Maharaja by working there in Delhi for collecting and making Life Members for the Vrindaban project. At present there is shortage of men to help there, so kindly give your full co-operation. For now, I am not making any more sannyasis, but we shall see later on.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Ramesvara -- Sydney 14 February, 1973:

I do not know if this applies to you or the devotees under your care, but I must stress again that we must have our classes one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and the devotees must also chant regularly their sixteen rounds and follow the principles. The rest of the time they may go on distribution of my books. So I hope you will do the needful in this regard. Still again I must express my appreciation for Sriman Tripurari Prabhu's outstanding service, as well as all the devotees in your party. So my request to you is to go on in this way with more enthusiasm. This is the key. Always remain enthusiastic and inspire others and your life will be glorious and at the end you are sure to go back to Home, back to Godhead. I hope this finds you in good health.

Letter to Sir Alistair Hardy -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 28 July, 1973:

So all these problems are due only to a lack of God consciousness. Therefore is you can actually help people to know about the supreme powerful that will be a great help. But I see that your method is not very satisfactory. You are making research by accepting the statements of common peoples expression of religious sentiment. There is no need of research, the result of research in this matter is already there perfectly presented in Bhagavad-gita, all we have to do is accept it and the whole problem of research is solved. You want to establish your conclusion of religious experience by taking the opinions of laymen. A laymans sentimental expression about religious problems is not a practical understanding of religious problems. Religion as we have explained means the orders of God, therefore it must be scientifically studied, what are his orders, how to abide by them. Simply by taking statistics of the sentiments of common men we cannot come to the right conclusion.

Letter to Ramesvara -- India 12 October, 1973:

I also thank you for sending the copies of the letters of the people expressing their appreciation of our books. I am glad that these letters are being answered promptly by you. This is important.

Letter to Mukunda -- New Delhi 11 November, 1973:

I am sending a copy of this letter to Dhananjaya in care of American Express, so you can consult with him and do the needful.

Letter to Gurukrpa , Yasodanandana -- Los Angeles 25 December, 1973:

Karandhara has received a letter from Tamala Krsna Goswami and he is expressing some hesitation about your returning to India. I can understand that previously there must have been some quarrel amongst you and that sometimes happens amongst god-brothers. Whatever is done is done; the main thing is we must not carry grudges or continue to quarrel amongst one another. So I am asking you personally, along with Tamala Krsna Goswami to whom I am sending a copy of this letter, to bury the hatchet and join together to push on this movement cooperatively.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 9 January, 1974:

Regarding starting a school in Vrindaban, we don't want any school for studying philosophy. Simply a school for teaching our members sanskrit and Hindi. Dr. Kapoor has expressed his inability to teach language, that's all right, for the time being we don't require any philosophical teacher. Start with Hari Goswami for teaching Hindi and Sanskrit. Regularly he can teach 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the evening. He can be paid a reasonable renumeration, maybe at least Rs 200 per month. He can be assisted by another teacher available in Vrindaban. I have noted down the Punjab National Bank Account number, 6112, and I thank you very much.

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

The sentiments you express are very praiseworthy in devotional service. Especially it is pleasing to me that you are so happy in your service to the deities. Krsna Consciousness means blissful life, and also that blissful life is eternal and full of knowledge. You say rightly that you are very very fortunate to be serving the Lord. So please work with the other ladies and with your Godbrothers at Bhaktivedanta Manor and make it such a blissful, peaceful atmosphere that many persons will be attracted to come and live with us.

Letter to Jayapataka , Bhavananda , Brahmananda -- Bombay 22 March, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your express letter which arrived in Vrindaban March 19th, and I have noted the contents.

Of course I do not know what is the actual expenditure, but I request you to finish the business as far as possible and the money will be supplied. But this time when I go I want to see that everything under construction is completed. Brahmananda Swami has already gone there to help you in this connection so kindly do the needful. Combine together and get the things completely done.

Letter to Tejiyas -- Bombay 8 April, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your express letter of 4 April, 1974 along with the list of needed checks and I have examined the contents.

As far as the checks needed for Vrindaban construction I am handing them along with this letter by hand delivery by Gurudasa who is here now. One check listed by you for Rs 23,000 to Punjab National Bank has already been send separately by express post. the other checks are all given to Gurudasa.

Letter to Govinda -- Bombay 30 April, 1974:

Engage your life fully for Krsna Consciousness. Only chant Hare Krsna Mantra day and night, read books and expressing the philosophy in your own words write articles for publishing in BTG. Don't bother anymore with rascals like Gaurasundara or anyone else. Take Krsna as your Supreme Protector and Krsna will help you in all respects. Practice this prescription and you will be happy eternally.

Letter to The Management of Tirupati-Tirumala-Devasthanam -- Bombay 4 May, 1974:

I wish to express my heart-felt gratitude for the kind treatment given me and my disciples, members of the Hare Krishna Movement on our recent two day visit in Tirumala. The special excess we were given for darsana before Balaji is something we will always remember favorably, and for my American and European followers it was a rarely given privilege for which they are fully appreciative. We all left Tirupati feeling very much inspired by the darsana and by your excellent management, and we hope to return when we are able again.

Letter to Bhima, Krsna dasa, Sanat Kumara, Nityananda, Samba, Joseph -- Bombay 16 May, 1974:

I thank you very much for your letters which were sent to me by Paramesvari Das Brahmacari on the 15th of April. All of the sentiments expressed in all of your letters are just according to the Vaisnava parampara. This means that you are understanding the Krishna Consciousness philosophy rightly and I am very pleased. It is a fact that by serving the spiritual master one becomes free from material life and makes spiritual advancement. I have not done anything personally, very wonderful. I am simply serving my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja and all the acaryas in the disciplic succession.

Letter to Indra-pramada -- Rome 25 May, 1974:

I have just received a copy of Back to Godhead number 62 and I wish to express to you how pleased I am with the layout and design of the magazine. I have been especially admiring the pictures in the story of our Los Angeles center, and the way the pictures are placed and the use of the color throughout the magazine is very pleasing to me. I think this American company Donnelly, is better than Dai Nippon and the magazine is improving more and more. Try to keep up this present standard and think of new ways to make it always fresh and attractive. Krsna is all attractive and evergreen, and you must use your talent to layout the magazine so that Krsna appears in print as He is. Thank you very much and offer my good wishes to Jayadvaita and everyone who has worked on this issue.

Letter to Karandhara -- Los Angeles 14 July, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your express letter dated July 6, 1974 and have noted the contents. The festival must be gorgeously done. It should not be poor. If there is a scarcity of money, it will be supplied. There must be full prasadam for all the guests. You plan for that, and I will supply the funds. Complete prasada distribution must go on.

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

Regarding your coming to Vrindaban during our festival, I may assure you that I shall arrange for your comfortable journey in the following way. One way is to come to the Dum Dum airport from Navadvipa by car, and then fly to Delhi, and then to Vrindaban by car, this will take a few hours only to reach Vrindaban. Another second alternative is to come to Howrah Station by rail, then take the Delhi Expression First Class, and come directly to Mathura, and from Mathura directly to Vrindaban. So as soon as you decide, everything will be arranged for your good self as well as one accompanying servant. If you so desire some of our god brothers whom you select may come with you, and you may let know there names, and I shall issue invitational cards to them.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Vrindaban 16 August, 1974:

With regard to the collections of Gurukrpa Swami that he pays to DNP henceforth, the equivalent amount should be transferred to India as follows: 50% to Mayapur Project in care of American Express Calcutta ISKCON a/c # 090031; and 50% to Vrindaban Project direct.

Letter to Ramesvar Prabhu -- Vrindaban:

Regarding the Dollars 7,500 Giriraj is supposed to have received, that I am enquiring from him, but in the meantime the balance, which comes to Dollars 22,490.63 should be immediately transferred to Bombay American Express account with notice by separate post informing me as such.

Letter to Giriraj Prabhu -- Vrindaban 19 September, 1974:

Ramesvar has written that Dollars 78,531.75 has been transferred from L.A. to Bombay American Express account. Please have this money transferred by Telegraphic Transfer to Punjab National Bank, Vrindaban Branch a/c No. 6685, ISKCON Savings Fund.

Ramesvar also informs that you have received there the equivalent of dollars 7,500 from Life Members, so this should also be sent by you here to Vrindaban is the some manner, He has deducted this amount from what he has transferred from Guru Kripa's collection.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Vrindaban 20 September, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 9, 1974 with enclosed deposit slip. Regarding the collections of Gurukrpa Swami I have instructed to Ramesvara that the entire amount should be transferred to the Bombay American Express account. Ramesvara has written that he has sent only a portion of the collection.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 1 October, 1974:

Your statements expressing your surrender to your spiritual master is proper. If this principle is followed you will remain pure and always protected by Krsna. Always follow my instructions and my example. This should be your life and soul.

Letter to Giriraj Prabhu -- Mayapur 17 October, 1974:

I am in do receipt of your registered letter dated October 7, 1974 with enclosed true copy of gift deed and CBI receipt for the fixed deposit certificates. Srila Prabhupad would like to know what is the balance of the Central a/c in American Express Bank. We are expecting that shortly L.A. is to transfer Dollars 40,000.00 in that account, and this money should be kept there until you receive the balance pf that account to date.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 31 October, 1974:

Regarding the registration of ISKCON Calcutta center as a separate entity, it should be clearly understood by you that the registration cannot be applied for unless my express sanction is there. No papers should be filed without my permission. Any papers you may draw up must be submitted to me first before filing.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 10 November, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your cable reading as follows: FIRST C.D. MATURED NOVEMBER SEVENTH 9858 DOLLARS INTEREST EARNED TRANSFERRED TO PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK VRINDABAN ALSO 8000 DOLLARS BBT LOAN FOR KITCHEN PROJECT MAYAPUR TRANSFERRED AMERICAN EXPRESS CALCUTTA -JAYATIRTHA.

Letter to Subala -- Bombay 25 November, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 13, 1974 and have noted the contents. Regarding your registration, it should be clearly stated that no property can be sold or mortgaged without my express sanction. I am glad to note that you have got three brahmacaris there. Train them up nicely.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 6 January, 1975:

Enclosed is one letter from Ajita das (president of Stockholm) wherein he expresses anxiety and confusion coming from this record distribution.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Bombay 7 January, 1970:

Enclosed is one letter from Ajita das who is the Stockholm temple president. He is expressing the typical type of anxiety and confusion which arises from this record selling business.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 9 March, 1975:

I have received notice from Saurabha in Vrndavana that we owe 25,000 rs. to the Mukutwala and another 12,500 rs. to Lalita Prasada, and he says that still there are many other deity goods that only been ordered and not paid for. So, I request you to please send the equivalent of at least 30,000 rs. to Vrndavana because there are no collections coming in at this time for the deities and you have ordered this paraphernalia. You should send this money to the Bank of America in Bombay in favor of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Mayapur Vrndavana Fund) account number 16026. Address is Express Towers, Nariman Point, Bombay-1. Please send me a copy of the bank receipt after you send the money.

Letter to Padmanabha -- Denver 2 July, 1975:

I thank you very much for your guru daksine gift and your nice letter expressing your appreciation for your spiritual master. This is the proper way to receive the blessings of Krsna, by begging the mercy of the spiritual master. yasya prasadad bhagavata prasadao. If one pleases the spiritual master, then it is to be understood that Krsna is pleased.

Letter to Bhumata -- Philadelphia 12 July, 1975:

Regarding sending money to Mayapur, you can transfer money through your bank by wire in favor of International Society for Krishna Consciousness, American Express Bank, Calcutta, India, Account No. 090031.

Letter to Mr. Gordon T. Gattone -- Dallas 30 July, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 20, 1975 and have noted the contents. Your feeling on seeing the Ratha Yatra in Philadelphia, which you say cannot be expressed in words but which has since given you great peace in your life—is not astounding. In the authoritative transcendental literature which we have published as The Nectar of Devotion, it is stated that one can be liberated from all material suffering simply by seeing the Ratha Yatra cart passing.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Vrindaban 9 September, 1975:

From St. Louis I have received not only the Affidavit but also a "Quit Claim Deed." This decree very nicely expresses very clearly that the property cannot be sold without written permission by myself or the GBC. Such a declaration should be from all centers. Please see to this.

Letter to Prem J. Batra -- Ahmedabad 28 September, 1975:

So mind and intelligence are already there in the soul, but in the conditional stage the same mind and intelligence become polluted as false egotism or enjoyer. The bhakti process is to purify everything. The mind is not the soul but is a venue for expressing the soul's desire. So if the mind is purified, then things go on nicely in its original position. If he does not go on rightly he falls down in conditional life. The whole yogic system is to convert the mind from matter to spirit. You can utilize the mind in both ways. When the mind is spiritually trained up it is the best friend of the soul, and when the mind is materially polluted, it is the worst enemy.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Vakresvara -- Mayapur 9 February, 1976:

Thank you for the sentiments you have expressed. As far as serving me is concerned, you should chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and obey the four restrictions—no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication, and no illicit sex life. Also as much as possible go to our temple in Mexico City, nearby you, and associate with the devotees there.

Letter to Vic -- Mayapur 17 February, 1976:

Thank you for the nice sentiments expressed therein. Go on chanting and reading our books, and gradually you will advance in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Jayapataka -- New York 19 July, 1976:

Gurukrpa Maharaja is arranging to send you monthly $10,000 which can be used to continue the construction in Mayapur. This money is being sent to the American Express Bank, Old Courthouse Road, Calcutta, India, in account name of International Society for Krishna consciousness, a/c #090031. It is a good policy to use the local builders as you mentioned. Go on building and the money will be supplied for now to the extent of $10,000, monthly which is over Rs. 90,000.

Letter to Odette -- Paris 29 July, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your poem offering and I want to thank you very much for it. I have appreciated the sentiments expressed within and I hope that you will continue to advance more and more in your Krsna consciousness.

Letter to Surendra Babu -- Vrindaban 8 September, 1976:

On my return from Europe and America I have received your Vyasa Puja greetings and I thank you very much for the sentiments you have expressed therein. I am presently in Vrndavana and I am expecting to come to Mayapur as soon as possible, latest in December 1976 where I shall be very glad to meet you.

Letter to Giriraja -- Vrindaban 6 November, 1976:

It is good that our friends are coming forward to help in Bombay. Let them present a statement that it is a genuine movement. All Indians are interested in spreading this movement. Krsna is accepted as the Supreme Lord by all Indians. His birthday ceremony, Janmastami, is observed by all Indians. In Bombay there is an embassy branch. Our Bombay friends should go there to express their protest.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Vrindaban 18 November, 1976:

Alex, who was just here, told me he has given you the money for my house as well as some for purchasing a bus. The house construction money can be sent to American Express International Banking Corporation in Calcutta. The account number is S/B a/c no. 5416. It is in the name Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (ISKCON). Please send one copy of the deposit notice to me.

Letter to Giriraja -- Hyderabad 5 December, 1976:

After thorough deliberation it seems much better for us to go straight from Hyderabad to Vardha instead of going first to Bombay. There is no advantage in going first to Bombay. There is a train which goes direct from Hyderabad to Vardha called the daksina express. It goes every night at 10:15 from Hyderabad arriving in Vardha the next morning at 8 AM. This way I can leave here on the 17th and arrive in time for the meeting with Vinobhaji on the 18th morning. Ask Mr. Bajaj to send us the money for purchasing the tickets. I would appreciate to have four first class accommodations so that we may have one full compartment and the balance seven can be second class. Then from Vardha I would like to go with one assistant to Nagpur and return to Bombay by plane. The balance nine men can go second class by train either to Bombay or Hyderabad. Hamsaduta is prepared to bring as many men as possible to make up the quota of ten others.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Jayananda -- Mayapur 26 February, 1977:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 21st, 1977, and I thank you for the check as well as the nice sentiments you have expressed. In the beginning you also gave me $5,000 and now again you have sent.

Letter to Srila Prabhupada -- Unknown Place 13 March, 1977:

I just wanted to take the opportunity of expressing my heartfelt thanks for Your Divine Grace's kindness in allowing me to serve you these last sixteen months. I can honestly say that I have never been more satisfied at any time than when I had the opportunity to associate with you personally. Sri Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that a person who knows Him in truth is a very rare personality, and actually, as I have traveled all over India and the world with you I have seen these words substantiated. I am convinced beyond a doubt that only one person on this entire planet has really realized who the Supreme is and how to serve Him, and that person is you.

Letter to Hari-sauri -- Mayapur 18 March, 1977:

I beg to thank you for your letter dated March 13rd, 1977. Your letter is very nice. You have expressed transcendental sentiments.

As far as knowing Krsna, I am not so fortunate that I claim like that. But still, as a child, I claim the Person Krsna is reality. My estimation may be childish. Just like our Syamasundara's daughter Sarasvati, she believed: "You know who Krsna is? He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead!" Like a child.

Letter to Gurukrpa -- Bombay 3 May, 1977:

Yesterday, Gopala Krsna spoke with Ramesvara Maharaja, and it is understood that you are waiting for a letter from me before sending the second amount of $100,000. It is also understood that no money will be coming this month from the BBT. Therefore you can arrange to immediately send the $100,000 to the Bank of America, Express Towers, Nariman Point, Bombay, India to the advice and credit of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Mayapur-Vrndavana Fund, Account no. 16026. Please advise me when this transfer has been made.

Letter to Dasanudasa -- Hrsikesa 13 May, 1977:

The two essays which you have sent are very nicely written. It appears that you have good talent for writing, so kindly continue to develop in this way and write more and more of your realizations based upon our books. There is no need to concoct anything new. You simply have to study carefully our books and then in your own words try to express what you have read. This will automatically make you a very successful preacher.