I am so obliged to you for giving shelter to Sriman Acyutananda Brahmacari when he was in Calcutta. Sriman Jaya Govinda das Brahmacari who saw you in Vrndavana is now staying in our center in Hamburg, Germany where he is in charge of "Back to Godhead" in German language. We are now publishing English "BTG" 50,000 copies per month, German "BTG" 5,000 copes per month and French "BTG" 5,000 copies per month. And very soon we may be able to publish a Spanish "BTG" from Mexico where two devotees, husband and wife are going to open a center.
Germany (Letters 1970 - 1972)
Correspondence
1970 Correspondence
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 23 January, 1970:
In the meantime, I have received one letter from Krishna das in Germany, and he reports that in Germany there is very good scope for preaching our Krishna Consciousness Movement. In this connection he writes as follows:
"If it is Your desire Prabhupada, with the organization of Germany's Sankirtana Party we would like to make a tour of Germany during the summer and if it is with Your blessings, to open a second temple at least by the end of 1970, either in Berlin or Munich.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 23 January, 1970:
Germany (West) has a population of over 50 million, and that is not including East Germany. In England there are over 60 million, but the difference lies in the concentration. In England there are a few large cities (London, Birmingham, Liverpool, etc.) whereas in Germany the folk are spread in hundreds of towns all over Germany, and these towns are situated only short distances apart. Another hint of Germany's importance is that the German Mark (currency) is one of the stablest monetary systems in the whole world. As you have said many times previously, the Germans are a very intelligent people.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 23 January, 1970:
So he suggests that your assistance in Germany would be very much favorable. Do you think that for some time you can go to our German center and organize it very nicely in cooperation with other members. If so, then you decide for yourself and when you come here we shall talk further on this matter.
Regarding the small press which you have purchased, I do not think you can divert your attention for printing separately our message because that will require a separate energy and will not help in the matter of selling our BTG. If they receive such pamphlets, they will not be inclined to purchase BTG. Whatever you want to publish, you can send it in an article form to Boston for being printed in BTG, and with your Sankirtana Party you may concentrate the selling of BTG as far as possible.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1970:
When you presented your scheme for preaching work in the whole of Germany giving an estimate of population of important cities, it gave me so much pleasure. Just on receiving your letter I am already thinking of how to organize it, and have written letters to Hamsaduta and Uttama Sloka etc., but Upendra is destined to go to Australia. I am glad to learn that Trivikrama has joined you. So for the time being go on with your work as usual and consult with Tamala Krishna whom I am also writing in this connection. And try your best to spread the Sankirtana Movement through Germany.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1970:
Regarding Deity worship: I am very much anxious to know how thing are going on, who is taking care of the Deities, whether regular performances are being executed etc. I hesitated to install the Deities when I was in Germany on this account. Anyway, when the Deities are now installed there cannot be any scope of neglecting Them; that will be a great offense. Please, therefore, consult with Tamala how to manage things and if possible get some more assistance from London.
Letter to Jayagovinda -- Los Angeles 3 February, 1970:
Krishna has sent one nice German scholar, ____. Please give her satisfactory care, especially in the beginning because she is new and not accustomed to our Temple habits. I am also glad to learn that Suridas is also going to join you. Most probably Hamsaduta with his wife also will go there. Krishna das in his previous letter wrote me that there are good possibilities for opening various centers in Germany, and Hamsaduta is experienced in organizing Sankirtana Party.
Please be in correspondence about German BTG publishing with Brahmananda. He is now staying in Boston and coming to New York every weekend.
Letter to Jayagovinda -- Los Angeles 3 February, 1970:
We must have close cooperation between America and Germany for the successful publication of our BTG regularly in French, German and English languages. So now you are collecting a staff of translators in Hamburg and they are all very qualified to do the work. Please organize everything nicely so that the French and German editions may be prepared for printing at the same time as the English edition. But you must see that all work is thoroughly correct by mutual checking so that errors of spelling and grammar will not appear in the printing. I do not know the technical details, but I think your idea on standardized columns is very nice.
Letter to Mandali Bhadra -- Los Angeles 3 February, 1970:
Trivikrama is a very nice boy, sincere to Krishna Consciousness activities. In a previous letter, Krishna das asked me if Hamsaduta and Himavati can go there. So I think this pair will be very much helpful in our German centers. Hamsaduta is born in Germany but he came here in childhood, and Himavati is born in Germany although she is Russian originally. She knows how to speak in Russian language. So I have asked them to go there to help you in Sankirtana Movement and other Temple activities. Both of them are experienced in the Sankirtana Movement especially.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 4 February, 1970:
I have received letters from London that they are organizing World Sankirtana Party very seriously; therefore, it would be better if you go first to London and see how things are going on, then you may go to Germany if it is needed. They have asked me to send Visnujan, but I think if Visnujan goes from L.A. there is no second man to organize the street Sankirtana here. Practically, in his absence, his place cannot be immediately replaced. But if you go to London and join the Sankirtana Party, I think the vacancy there will be filled up. So I shall be glad to hear from you what you decide to do.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:
Regarding Temple management, I may inform you that Tamala Krishna may help you how to organize, but if you make him stay in one place and he cannot move to other places then the idea on which he was left in London—that he should see the development of the centers in France and Germany—will be jeopardized. As our branches are increasing it is necessary that somebody shall move from one place to another for improving the particular center's activities. Besides that, you have also requested to send Visnujana to London, but you know that whatever improvement has been made in Los Angeles is due to the Sankirtana Party going outside the Temple. Madhudvisa and Jayananda have gone to San Francisco, and Tamala has gone to London.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:
Tamala has certainly got valuable talent in dealing with outsiders, particularly with regards to arranging engagements, but I think that some of you also pick up his talents and then he will be free to move to other places so that they also may utilize his service. There are pending many important businesses in France and Germany, but if Tamala cannot go there on account of London's business, then their business will suffer. I think, therefore, that Tamala's services and talents should be learned by you and he may be allowed to go at least for a month to Germany and Paris and then come back to London.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:
The whole idea is that he may stay one month in London and then go out for one month to Paris and Germany and then come back again to London. In this way, when things are going on smoothly everywhere, then he can devote more time in London for other important things.
I have advised Hamsaduta to go to London and then to go to Germany for organizing Sankirtana. I could not follow the meaning of the last line of your letter, "We look forward to the day when You grace us with Your Holy Instructions for Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana." If you mean by this line about the World Sankirtana Party, then I may inform you that for this purpose you will have to wait for some time more.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:
World Sankirtana Party, then I may inform you that for this purpose you will have to wait for some time more. The purpose of World Sankirtana Party will be to establish a center in each and every city and village of the world. This idea is taking practical shape in various centers. Just like you started for London Yatra and now after one year it has taken a shape, similarly in Germany also it has taken a shape, but in Paris it has not taken as yet. Therefore World Sankirtana Party means to establish a center everywhere we go.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:
From Krishna das' letter it appears that in Germany there is good prospect for opening many centers. When you last went to Germany it was very effective. Why not first of all start a center in Paris and a few other centers in Germany and then think of the World Sankirtana Party on the basis of starting a center wherever you go. Both Tamala and yourself, Gurudasa and Syamasundara think over this idea, and in the meantime, as you are yourself a musical instructor, you can teach the newcomers in the Kirtana performances for future program.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:
I have received one letter from Krishna das that there is good potency for opening many branches in Germany. I think, therefore, you should go to Germany at least for one or two months and see how things can be managed for opening more branches. I have therefore asked Hamsaduta to go to Germany for this purpose. He has also got organizing power as he has well done in Berkeley. So with your cooperation I think in your absence he may be a great help in the German center. I have asked him to go via London. So these are the things for practical solution.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 10 February, 1970:
I have seen the list of "Hare Krishna Mantra" record distribution and I am surprised to see that Germany alone has taken 57,000 records. Therefore we should open more branches in Germany immediately. So Krishna das has also written me about this prospect and I have asked Hamsaduta to go to Germany via London immediately for this purpose and I have written to Tamala about this. For you this engagement of press propaganda, I think, is the best occupation, assisted by Gurudasa.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 11 February, 1970:
For the time being Visnujana cannot be spared from Los Angeles. There are four experienced workers here, out of whom Visnujana is one, and three have already gone outside. Under the circumstances, he can't go to London immediately, but I have advised Hamsaduta to go there and if his service can be utilized in London, because in sankirtana he is as good as Visnujana, then it is alright. Otherwise he will go to Germany. I can follow that Visnujana's service is very much needed in London but he is as much needed in Los Angeles also. So how he can be spared for London at the cost of Los Angeles business? So far brahmacaris are concerned, majorities of advanced students are in London, so why they should be lacking in training to enthuse these new brahmacaris?
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 14 February, 1970:
I have already sent Hamsaduta to oversee the Germany center and help them be organized.
I am very happy to learn that you are arranging for opening another center in San Jose. From your letter I can understand that it will be a good start in spreading our Krsna Consciousness movement to the Spanish speaking people. I do not care whether the center is opened this place or that place, simply I want to see that eventually a center is opened in every place. So far now you may start the center in San Jose, and as you say that there are many advantages to this procedure, you must develop it nicely.
Letter to Bapi -- Los Angeles 15 February, 1970:
So I welcome you and when you come here you will be at liberty to stay in any one of my preaching centers. I have got now twenty-six different centers in Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Japan, and Australia beginning from Hamburg, Germany down to Tokyo, covering about 14,000 miles. Generally I stay in Los Angeles because the climate of this city is almost like our Bengal.
Regarding my help for your coming here, there are three ways. You may apply for acceptance at a university here. If you are accepted by a university, they can arrange a job for you. Then you may come here by the university's arrangement as a foreign exchange student. Second: Another way is that if I can show a bank balance in your favor to the extent of $12,000 to $15,000 and because I am an immigrant and thus I sponsor you, you can come here as immigrant immediately as my relative. Now, for this bank balance, how you will arrange?
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 18 February, 1970:
I think Hamsaduta and Himavati are already on their way to Germany. Most probably they will reach Germany directly; if not, they may go via London. Anyway, Hamsaduta's presence in your center along with Himavati will certainly enhance your spiritual activities. Both of them are sincere devotees and senior members. If he agrees, I think he can be made the president because he is the seniormost amongst you. In outside Sankirtana Party he will be a first class asset, and for Deity worship Himavati will be second to none. So try to utilize their service properly and increase the movement more and more in Germany.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 18 February, 1970:
Germany is a good field for expanding this movement because practically I know the largest number of "Hare Krishna Mantra" records have been sold in Germany; and from your report it also appears that their response is very encouraging as you have sold so many BTGs in one day.
Regarding your jewelry engagement, you must finish the examination very satisfactorily first. Things which have taken for so long time must be terminated in good result and the same may be offered to Krsna. Krsna is ready to accept service from all directions, and our Krsna Consciousness movement is particularly meant for this purpose. So when you pass your examination, then we shall consider what to do next.
Letter to Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970:
I am very happy to know that so many young boys and girls are now becoming attracted to the Hamburg Temple. I can understand that there is great interest in Germany for Krsna Consciousness. So continue to push our Sankirtana movement more vigorously so that the people may become more and more attracted by this transcendental sound—Hare Krsna—and that will be the greatest service to bring them the true welfare and happiness of life.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 20 February, 1970:
Please see that the French and German issues of BTG are published as soon as possible. I hope Hamsaduta has met you by this time, and when you go to Germany along with him I think he may be situated as the president of the center being the seniormost member. I am so glad to learn that you expect to open another center in London in the hippy quarter as soon as possible. When I was in London I went to Oxford and there was a very successful meeting. Therefore I think Oxford will be a good center for our activities.
Letter to Aranya Maharaja -- Los Angeles 27 February, 1970:
Sriman Jaya Govinda Das is now in Hamburg, Germany, in charge of our German publication department (Magazines and Books), and Sriman Acyutananda Brahmacari is still in India and is trying to develop a center at Sridhama Mayapur. At the end, I may inform you that the American boys and girls are wonderful, and they are cooperating with me with great sincerity and thus Krsna is blessing them with advanced Krsna Consciousness.
Letter to Sumati Morarjee -- Los Angeles 4 March, 1970:
For the present, I have a plan for opening 108 centers all over America, Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia. I have got at present 26 centers. I have sent some of my devotees in Germany where people are more interested in this Hare Krsna movement. You will be pleased to know that simply in Germany alone our "Hare Krishna Mantra" record has been sold to the extent of 57,000 copies.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 4 March, 1970:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 1 March, 1970.
I am glad that you have gone to Germany along with Hamsaduta and his wife, and I am so pleased to learn that things are being arranged nicely—that is my satisfaction.
Marriage or no marriage, that is not our problem. If we find it suitable that by marrying one will be able to serve better, than by not marrying, then one must marry—that is our principle. So as you are thinking that accepting Jyotirmayi as your wife you will be happy and your duties in Krsna consciousness will be enthused, then I have got all sanction, and you do it.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 4 March, 1970:
While you are in Germany, please see that Vasudeva is given all facilities for his painting work. He is a very good painter and very enthusiastic, so make arrangement that he can devote full time to his painting and may not feel any inconvenience in his work. He can begin immediately to paint pictures on the many different subjects as you know. I will write to him separately, in the meantime do the needful.
Letter to Vasudeva -- Los Angeles 6 March, 1970:
I have noted your enthusiasm for painting, but I learn that there is need of many adjustments so that you may be able to execute the work properly. I have written therefore, in this connection, to Tamala Krsna to arrange for your working conveniences before he leaves Germany.
I am also very pleased to learn that the Deities are now receiving proper service and you are developing a great love for Them. Please continue your sincere service with even greater vigor, and your love will grow increasingly more. Actually when this dormant love for Krsna is aroused in the heart of the devotee, there are for him no more problems of life. So continue to chant regularly Hare Krsna and be happy. Your nice service attitude is most encouraging to me.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 20 March, 1970:
So now your Deities are being cared for under Himavati's direction, and Sankirtana Party is more successful led by Hamsaduta and Tamala. Now with this good organization please continue to work combinedly for spreading our Krishna Consciousness movement throughout Germany. You have said that there is such great scope for preaching there, so I am very hopeful that you will be very eager to carry out this preaching work, starting many new centers.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 1 April, 1970:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 27th March, 1970. I have duly received your $300 transferred from Germany and I understand that you are transferring another $1,500 to my account. The mail strike is already over. I am enclosing herewith a letter for Himavati, giving her instruction.
So far Sankirtana is concerned, I am so much pleased to learn that you are taking Sankirtana as your life and soul.
Letter to Bahulasva -- Los Angeles 18 April, 1970:
By the by, I understand from Hamsaduta's letter that he has advised from Germany to dispatch $1,500 from Berkeley for credit of my account here. If it is not yet done, please do it.
Letter to Jayagovinda -- Los Angeles 18 April, 1970:
For the time being there is no question of going to India, but if we get a good place there and a nice branch there, then I may ask you to go there for some time, but your headquarters will always be in Germany.
Both husband and wife learn how to work on the composer machine because we have to print so many things in German language as we are doing here in English language.
Letter to Jayagovinda -- Los Angeles 18 April, 1970:
Regarding printing our literatures in Germany, in your last letter you wrote to say that you could do it there, but if there is no question of your doing it, forget it. Regarding the composing machine, yes, I have heard that Brahmananda is helping you out in this connection.
Regarding jobs for householders, there is no confusion. If your whole time is needed for Sankirtana Party there is no need of working in a Karmi firm. Actually all our devotees are supposed to be brahmanas. A brahmana's business is to preach the glories of the Lord, to learn the essence of Vedic knowledge—Krsna Consciousness—and to teach others of the same knowledge.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 26 April, 1970:
Now you should recruit men for our purpose from Europe as many as possible, in France, Germany, England, etc. All of you do everything conjointly, and at the same time try to organize the World Sankirtana Party. Always be in touch with Tamala, Mukunda, Umapati, Syamasundara, etc., and perform Rathayatra ceremony in London very gorgeously this year because all of you are there.
Umapati has already selected the French girl, Ilavati, as his wife, so I am sanctioning this marriage because it will be help for the French language work. So for Haripriya Dasi Krsna will give very soon a nice husband. Best thing will be for her a German husband who can help us in our German language work.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 1 May, 1970:
So for European activities, I have sent you there, and for its nice organization I am counting upon you very much. You have so kindly written to say, "Please order me in any way Your Grace desires, everything I have including myself belongs to You, and Your Grace may do with me as You wish." So it is my desire that in Europe you will kindly occasionally visit the three countries—England, France, and Germany—and see that the things are going very nicely.
Letter to Sivananda -- Los Angeles 16 May, 1970:
Regarding your staying back during Rathayatra, I think that is just a nice arrangement because someone must remain with the Temple during the absence of the others. Also since you are having some trouble with the immigration because of draft, and you already got a nice German wife, the best thing will be to make your headquarters there in Germany. So in this way manage things nicely in consultation with Hamsaduta, and Krsna will provide you with ample opportunities according to your sincerity to spread His Movement. Just try to make our Krsna Consciousness Movement strong in Germany and you will also automatically become strong in such devotional service or Krsna Consciousness.
Letter to Himavati, Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
I have received your pictures and the Deity's pictures look very nice, but I think you should decorate the Deities with more flowers. Krsna belongs to the village atmosphere of Vrndavana and He is very fond of flowers. I think in Germany the flowers are very expensive, so as far as possible try to increase the quantity of flowers.
Regarding Lord Jagannatha, it is alright to install Him as you propose with fire ceremony. Bath Him with water and milk mixed and scented, accompanied by chanting Hare Krsna Mantra. Regarding the picture of Radha Krsna in Vrndavana, if it is a nice picture, then it can be hung elsewhere on the wall, and the backdrop to the Deities' Throne may be painted simply Vrndavana woods—that will be nice.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:
Boston about $20,000, but still it is not well equipped and the major portion of our printing work is being done in Japan. Until we can open a very nice press and print our literature up to date it will not be a good investment. If you want at all the BTG in French and German languages published locally, better you try to get it from a local first class press. I understand that in Germany and Holland there are many well equipped presses.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:
I am so glad to know that since Himavati and Hamsaduta have gone to Hamburg the center has grown and improved in so many ways. This is very encouraging news that Hamburg center is becoming more and more important. Hamsaduta is very anxious to open many branches in Europe and Germany. Please help and cooperate with him.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Tokyo 20 August, 1970:
Go on painting the pictures for II Canto as many as possible. Regarding other pictures, Tamala Krsna is arranging for them being painted in Germany and France. But if Jadurani has spare time she can also go on painting the same pictures of Spiritual Masters and Pancatattva. I think the cover of First Step in God Realization is not to the point. There is a picture in Gita Press Bhagavata where Sukadeva Gosvami has been offered a nice raised throne and the king Pariksit along with the sages sitting on the floor on the bank of the Ganges and it is very nice. The king Pariksit has no beard. His face should be very nice looking, young king between 30-40 years age.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Calcutta 6 October, 1970:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated August 31st, 1970, and September 28th, 1970. I am very encouraged to hear of your Sankirtana Party activities and your program of visiting different cities weekly is very nice. Krsna is giving you very good intelligence. In the future you may maintain a permanent Sankirtana Party that will regularly visit in the cities all over Germany and in this way you will be able to distribute our literatures without any difficulty.
Here in Calcutta we are daily travelling to different engagements and the response is very favorable.
Letter to Sivananda -- Bombay 12 November, 1970:
I'm very happy to hear that you are once again in Berlin. When you first went to Germany by yourself, I was praying that Krishna would help you in every way to establish a center there in Berlin. Now you have done it by the grace of Krishna. Berlin is one of the most important cities in Europe and is one of the gateways to the communist world, and since your temple has a central location with good room space, everything is set for our preaching program. It is a good sign that the Berlin people are receiving our Sankirtana so well that with only one other devotee you have distributed 100 magazines in an afternoon. Yes, on Sankirtana we want everyone we meet to go away with a magazine and having heard and chanted Hare Krishna Mantra.
Letter to Sivananda -- Bombay 12 November, 1970:
Now you have a nice German devotee wife, and together you should give all the people of Germany the example of how husband and wife can be engaged for the service of Krishna, not in the service of their senses. The two of you, along with Sucandra and Gunai, should lead a nice regulated daily schedule of chanting 16 rounds, reading all our books, going on Sankirtana Party, and taking nice Prasadam. Then this will keep you pure and potent in your preaching work.
Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 30 November, 1970:
Similarly Krishna is not poor. He can supply any amount for the devotees who are engaged in broadcasting His glories. I see that you are moving in the schools and universities for preaching. That is very good. Krishna says that this knowledge is the king of education. So it will be appreciated.
Your program to visit nearby cities and towns with a travelling party is nice. Krishna Das has also started this program in Germany and the success has been good.
1971 Correspondence
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Bombay 1 April, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 9th and 26th March, 1971 respectively and they are most encouraging. You have taken the matter very intelligently and now we have got invitation from one Professor G. G. Kotovsky in Moscow. So I agree to go to Germany as soon as I hear from you in reply to this letter. Please let me know the following points.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Bombay 1 April, 1971:
2) Whether we shall go in a party or simply we shall go 2 or 3 persons on the meeting days and come back again to Germany, as you write to say that it takes only two hours. So there will be no difficulty to go to Moscow or any other city and come back again. But if we get some place to stay there for a week or a fortnight, that will be nice.
3) What about visas?
4) If we go some day and come back as I did when I was in London; we all went to Amsterdam and came back the same evening.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 19 April, 1971:
The second check, no. CHT/A-T492827 for Rs. 9,700/- is also enclosed herewith. Please find, and acknowledge receipt by telegram. In the mean time I have received a letter and telephone message from Krsna das in Germany. Most probably I shall have to go to Russia for a fortnight. So my passport is immediately necessary. I think Amritanananda and Rahul may be required to go with us because their names have been suggested. So Rahul may be in uncle's house.
Letter to Niranjana -- Calcutta 27 May, 1971:
I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well in your German studies. If you become a German scholar, then I shall send you to Germany for preaching work.
So far as controlling "kam" or lust, best thing is don't eat any highly spiced food stuffs and always think of Krishna. Chant regularly and get yourself married as soon as possible, and live a peaceful householder's life in Krishna Consciousness.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- London 7 August, 1971:
Your duty is here in Europe. Whatever done is done. You organize there nicely, and stick to that place. Krishna Das has been advised to go to Russia. Presently he can be reached care of San Francisco temple. So be in correspondence with him and help him to get to Moscow. He is very enthusiastic to go there. So stay in Europe and help others—Germany, France, Holland, and organize things nicely.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Nairobi 8 October, 1971:
So when you have got literature and books, there is no question of poverty in our society. Simply we have to organize things nicely and manage carefully. I hope henceforward you will not feel at all discouraged. All of you there push on this movement in Germany which is the best country in Europe. The most intelligent class of men are there. Try to convince them about our philosophy. The German scholars are especially inclined toward Indian philosophy. There are many learned scholars well versed in Sanskrit. So our books with diacritic marks and original Sanskrit verses must be very much appreciated by all schools, colleges, libraries and the general public. So develop the press there very nicely. The press already has been declared as the greater mrdanga.
Letter to Vrinda -- Nairobi 14 October, 1971:
Regarding children, when you are married you will have children undoubtedly, but you should wait for the opportune moment when Krishna will bestow upon you all good fortune. Our line of action is enthusiasm and patience.
cc: Sivananda; c/o ISKCON Berlin
W. Germany
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Vrindaban 30 November, 1971:
So now you organize everything with Hamsaduta and your godbrothers there so that this Movement may be spread very effectively in Europe. For a long time our centers in Europe have been suffering for want of literature and so many things. But now I see that in England things are going very nicely, and Hamsaduta writes me that everything is improving in Germany, and I hear that new centers are being opened. This is all very good news to me, because I consider that these western countries are the most important field for our work. So now do this work in a gradually progressive manner, and do not be concerned too much even there may be some temporary setbacks. Because we are in this material world we are not perfect, and so these setbacks are natural occurrences and we should not be too much disturbed by them.
Letter to Damodara -- Delhi 3 December, 1971:
I am very glad to hear that a new devotee has given $6,500 to your temple. A similar report has just come from Hamsaduta in Hamburg, Germany. So it is a very good sign that people are coming and of their own accord giving everything, that is the proof of your powerful preaching work. If we simply remain pure and become very convinced of this Krishna philosophy, any sane man will agree with us when we speak. And if we are determined to please Krishna with our routine work despite all kinds of economic handicaps, He will provide all relief. Just see. If preaching is strong, management will be strong. That is the rule.
Letter to Sivananda -- Delhi 12 December, 1971:
Your idea to take German citizenship and organize the whole of Germany is the first class plan. If you can recruit many members there and get German language books published, that is the very best idea. When Mayapur place is organized you can come and see it, but your place is Germany. The German people are very intelligent and advanced in philosophy. Lately we have been discussing some of their philosophers like Kant, Hegel, Marx, and so on, so I can understand that there are many intellectual people in Germany who will appreciate our Krishna philosophy. They have got good respect for India's philosophy, so now we must take advantage and present it purely.
Letter to Sivananda -- Delhi 12 December, 1971:
They have got good respect for India's philosophy, so now we must take advantage and present it purely. Therefore the printing of so many books in German language is very necessary. I have heard that you may be going to Heidelberg, Germany, where there is a very large and important university. That is our best field. Become yourself very convinced and learned in our Krishna philosophy and take it into such university and contaminate everything with it. We are not afraid to challenge every mundane philosopher and defeat them, because they are simply operating on the mental platform which is constantly changing, so they cannot have any real authority. But because we are hearing from the Source of all knowledge, Krishna, through His representatives, the saints and acaryas in disciplic succession, we have got solid basis for understanding.
Letter to Sivananda -- Delhi 12 December, 1971:
If we are very much convinced to preach in this way, the intelligent class of men will respect and join us, and this will be your success in Germany. If a Marx can change so many men's minds to follow his imperfect philosophy, what can Krishna, the Supreme Perfect, accomplish! If we remain pure and teach others purely, then we will achieve all success and the whole world listen to us and be delivered from their very dangerous condition. Thank you very much for assisting me in this great endeavor, I think you are convinced that it is the highest and most exalted activity of all.
Letter to Himavati -- Bombay 26 December, 1971:
Both you and your good husband are very sincere and hard-working, and practically you together have saved our European centers from collapse. Krishna has given you very nice ability to serve Him, better than most, therefore I have relied on you completely to save centers in Germany which had fallen into neglected condition, and because you have done so nicely, I am very very pleased with your both service. So there is no question of dissatisfaction. Because you are serving Krishna, that is my satisfaction enough. But because you are also preaching so nicely, and helping to spread this Krishna Consciousness movement all over the world by being big leaders, then I am more than satisfied with you, so never think dissatisfaction.
Letter to Yogesvara -- Bombay 28 December, 1971:
Though we have been settled in European countries for many years now, only now you are printing the first book in French language, and there is only one book done in German language. So the record has not been good, therefore our preaching work in these countries has not been going very well, and I think now things are not going too well in France and Germany centers. So if somehow or other you can produce profuse books for these places, spend your all time translating, organizing, printing and distributing such books in foreign languages, then I think you will be able to improve the situation there. If there are amply books, everything else will succeed. Practically our Society is built on books. One book is not very impressive. Still, a blind uncle is better than no uncle at all, so it is very nice that one book has appeared, and that BTG is appearing at least several issues in other languages.
1972 Correspondence
Letter to Ajita -- Bombay 4 January, 1972:
I am in due receipt of your letter from Sydney dated December 24, 1971, and I am very, very happy to note that you want to go back to your native place of Sweden, along with your good wife and some other Swedish boys, devotees, from Germany and other places, for opening our center there. That is a very good proposal. I think Krsna das tried to start something before in Stockholm, but he could not do anything. His wife is Swedish girl, and she has got two sisters who are also our disciples in London, so you may correspond with them whether they can assist you in some way. I think Vegavan is there also in Australia, he is also Swedish boy, whether he can assist you as well?
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 10 January, 1972:
I beg to acknowledge your letter of December 18, 1971, and I am very much pleased that now both of you and Krishna das are working there very nicely together. Now you both couples just remain together for some time and build up Germany centers very strong, especially Hamburg, and then you may return at a suitable time to your zone of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. I think that Brahmananda is doing very nicely in Africa, so for the time being there is no need to go there or interfere.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 10 January, 1972:
I am always wondering why after so many years nothing can be done to print profusely my books and literatures in European languages. Translators are there, all facilities of German first-class printing machines are there—simply we are not serious to do it. Now you and Krishna das work combinedly to arrange for printing of so many books in Germany, French, and other languages. That will be a great help to me. I have given Krishna das suggestion to purchase one van there and drive it to India. What do you think?
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Bombay 10 January, 1972:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 17, 1971, and I am very much pleased that you are now in Germany and that everything is going very nicely there. You stay there in Hamburg with Hamsaduta for some time and make that center very strong, then you may both return as it was, and Hamsaduta may go to his zone of Mediterranean countries and Near East, and you as husband and wife can conduct everything there. Mataji Himavati can train your wife or someone how to worship the deities nicely, and you both stay there for the time being. You are both men of experience so work together combinedly to make Germany zone very strong.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Bombay 10 January, 1972:
Very soon we shall begin constructing the Temple there, and our devotees from all over India will come there to live in tents and build and collect money. For this collecting money, we shall require that some of our men go every day into Bombay some distance away for seeing rich men and persuading them to give something. And I think for this purpose a suitable van or bus from Germany would be very nice. If you like, you may purchase there and drive here in that van as soon as possible and then go back. Syamasundara has written to Karandhara that he may assist you in sending money to purchase, so you may consult Karandhara.
Letter to Sucandra -- Bombay 11 January, 1972:
Now I want that our books and magazines in German language be printed profusely and distributed all over Germany, so if you cooperate with Hamsaduta and Krishna das to do this very nicely, I think that will be your great credit. If these books are introduced among the student class they will have powerful effect. So become yourself very convinced of our Krishna philosophy and introduce it into the schools and colleges, as I think the German people are very much fond of philosophy.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Jaipur 20 January, 1972:
So far Krishna das is concerned, I have already told that he should stay there in Hamburg with you until the Germany centers are very solid and printing of literature has been made very regular and substantial. Then he may go to other places. If he wants to open other centers. I have no objection, but he should send other men to do it until things are very well established in Germany.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Sydney 2 April, 1972:
I am very much pleased to hear from Mandali Bhadra that so many BTG's in German language are being printed and distributed by you, and also that you have opened so many centers in Germany. You are the right person to control over Germany, so Krishna will give you strength, and I'm sure you will be successful. Your German blood injected with KC drug will do tremendous good to the German people. So I think that you shall remain in charge of German-speaking centers of Europe, and let us keep Krishna das in charge of Scandinavian zone, for developing Sweden and other places in the far northern part. Now you develop Germany very nicely, perfectly, and turn the whole nation into devotees, that is your task, and later we shall see, but I am thinking to appoint other qualified men to supervise as GBC members for Mediterranean, Near East and African countries, as these areas also need to be developed, but you are so much necessary and important there in Germany, and practically Germany is the most progressive country in Europe, so I cannot think of your being absent from there.
Letter to Mandali Bhadra -- Sydney 2 April, 1972:
It appears that in Germany we have got very good possibility, and I am glad to hear from Hamsaduta that he has expanded more centers, and that all programs are increasing. That is his success and your success. Actually, everyone in the world can accept this Movement very easily. My angle of vision is that throughout the whole world everyone is good and innocent, only they have been misled and corrupted by rascal leaders. If you can organize everything nicely, the Americans and Europeans of the future will come out very nice, that is my opinion. I have just seen one Sanskrit dictionary of Pradyumna's, and it is compiled by one Englishman, Williams, and he has taken so much trouble and he has made thorough study and it is very nice and scholarly books, so this dictionary is proof of the superior nature of this Indian Vedic culture.
Letter to Rupanuga -- Sydney 4 April, 1972:
You mentioned that you are taking great help from Atreya Rsi, but Atreya Rsi is not a member of GBC nor has he any position in my scheme to manage the whole society. And I am wondering what is Hamsaduta's idea to leave Germany and take larger position of power in the United States? I have just sent him one letter wherein I have told him to remain permanently in Germany and the German language countries. This is his best field, and I do not think that we shall change any of our managers throughout the world except as I shall direct.
Regarding MacMillan agreement, whatever is done with MacMillan company is done, so that can remain. The introduction by Mr. Dimock is nice and it will appeal to the scholarly class.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Melbourne 6 April, 1972:
YOUR MATERIAL LEGAL FORMULA WILL NOT HELP US ONLY OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE CAN HELP US I HAVE NO APPROVAL FOR ANY THESE PLANS STOP YOU REMAIN GERMANY DON'T LEAVE AGAIN STOP ATREYA RISHI HAS NO AUTHORITY FROM ME TO MANAGE ANYTHING REMOVE HIM ACKNOWLEDGE CABLE URGENT 26 RENNY STREET PADDINGTON SYDNEY
Letter to All ISKCON Temple Presidents -- Melbourne 7 April, 1972:
1. JAI! ALL MY MISGIVINGS CONFIRMED BY YOUR TELEGRAMS. RAISED STRONG OBJECTIONS AT GBC MEETINGS. LETTER SENT TO YOU ON 30TH ABOUT THIS. DETAILS TO FOLLOW. HAMSADUTA LEFT 30TH FOR GERMANY. ATREYA RISHI NOTIFIED. GBC NOTIFIED. NOTHING SIGNIFICANT CHANGED YET. DO NOT WORRY. HARE KRISHNA.
RUPANUGA.
2. I WILL REMAIN IN GERMANY AND FOLLOW YOUR INSTRUCTION. WILL REMOVE ATREYA RISHI.
HAMSADUTA.
Letter to All ISKCON Temple Presidents -- Melbourne 7 April, 1972:
2. I WILL REMAIN IN GERMANY AND FOLLOW YOUR INSTRUCTION. WILL REMOVE ATREYA RISHI.
HAMSADUTA.
3. HAMSADUTA HAS RETURNED TO GERMANY. ATREYA REMOVED. AWAITING ANY FURTHER INSTRUCTION.
KARANDHARA.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Sydney 11 April, 1972:
We are trying to present an ideal Society to the world, so although we are very rigidly following these principles, still, we are very liberal to everyone. For this reason we are being appreciated everywhere. So anyway, I am not at all dissatisfied with you, but it is my duty to point out the mistakes. You are in charge of the Germany organization. Please do it nicely there, not very much on the material side, more on the spiritual side. Example is better than precept. Every one of you must be the perfect examples, then everyone will follow.
Letter to Sucandra -- Tokyo 22 April, 1972:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 17, 1972 and I have noted the contents. I am very glad to know that you are working sincerely to distribute this great science to the people of Germany. Not only the people in Germany, but all over the world, people are suffering due to lack of this knowledge. When the son is suffering, the father is also afflicted. So Krishna, the Supreme Father, does not like to see his parts and parcels suffering in the material world. To deliver the fallen souls, He gives His instruction, He sends His representatives, and sometimes He even comes Himself just for the benefit of all the living entities. So it is our duty, as His representative, to canvass. "Please take this knowledge and make your life successful."
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Tokyo 24 April, 1972:
Sivananda is a good soul, and you should try to encourage him. He is just like your younger brother. So far your apologies what is done is done, it doesn't matter. Just go on doing your work. You have got immense field for working in Germany, so with the help of Sivananda and Mandali Bhadra, organize Germany very successfully, and Krishna will be pleased. I have received one copy of the German BTG from ISKCON Press, and it is done very nicely. Sivananda can be given sannyasa, and when I go to Los Angeles, I shall let you know regarding this. I must know who the other boy is and then I can consider his case. Actually, all of you are more than sannyasis. Anyone who has dedicated his life to Krishna, he is sannyasi, yogi, and everything. That is the statement of Bhagavad-gita—one who does not work for his personal benefit is a sannyasi. It doesn't matter what is his dress. So all our devotees are more than sannyasis.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Tokyo 2 May, 1972:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 21 April, 1972, along with photos of busses. I do not know about these things, but I think a double-decker bus may not pass all the road obstacles such as bridges and tunnels between Germany and India, so I think a single-decker bus may be more practical for driving there. So far Germany, you can purchase one bus and let us develop that program gradually, if we see it is successful. You can report to me how the bus is running, and you may correspond with Kirtanananda Maharaja in Boston as he has got many such busses. He can give you best advice.
Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 22 May, 1972:
Since a long time I have known both of you and I consider that you are among my very dearest disciples. Now do not worry that your husband will take sannyasa. I think I have told you before that I will not give him sannyasa at this point. He may travel very widely throughout the Germany zone and still remain Grhastha. He is more than Sannyas.
Letter to Gargamuni -- Los Angeles 28 May, 1972:
Bhagavan dasa in Detroit is trying for some cars __. Also , Hamsaduta has got some very nice buses in Germany __ has written to me that he can purchase one for sending to __ there is need. but I do not think it is possible to drive __ India by crossing over Pakistan, because the border has been __ Anyway, in the near future we shall be dispatching some vehicle __ India, but meanwhile you should concentrate on this plan of distributing books and magazines very extensively in Bombay area.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1972:
So any way, I am very much pleased to accept the boys as my duly initiated disciples, and their letter is enclosed herewith. Also please find enclosed herewith three sacred threads and four copies of Gayatri mantra duly chanted by me. Now hold a fire yajna, and teach the other big officers in Germany temples how to perform this fire yajna very perfectly, and give Gayatri mantra to Astaratha, Surabi dasi, Sacinandana, and Cakravarti. I think you have got a copy of the tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra, so play it to them through the right earhole with earphones.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1972:
I am very pleased to see the things are going on, and that new centers are opening many in Germany. Now I am feeling very much inclined for retiring behind the scenes to translate my Srimad-Bhagavatam. This means that now you all leaders, especially the GBC members, must become very much responsible and do the work that I am doing to the same standard. So I want you leaders especially to become very much absorbed in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and become yourselves completely convinced and free from all doubt. On this platform you shall be able to carry on the work satisfactorily, but if there is lack of knowledge, or if there is forgetfulness, everything will be spoiled in time.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Dallas 9 September, 1972:
When you went to Europe last time, I was hopeful that you would organize in Sweden. You have got the capacity to do that, you are one of my old disciples and you have proven your abilities to organize things very nicely. You went to Germany and organized very nicely. I know you have got that capacity. Why you have come back? You could have organized Sweden very gorgeously. You are very intelligent and also your wife is intelligent. Formally you were alone, now you are assisted by your good wife. Husband and wife equal double strength. You can do nicely anywhere. You know very well how Gurudasa, Mukunda, and Syamasundara organized the London center with great labor and hardship and now it is one of the first class temples. Syamasundara induced George Harrison to cooperate with us and he paid us nineteen-thousand dollars for Krsna Book.
Letter to Giriraja -- Los Angeles 29 September, 1972:
We shall be leaving Los Angeles by the 6th October for San Francisco, thereafter we shall leave for India, arriving in Delhi by 16th October. Kindly keep me informed daily what is the progress in this connection. Karandhara is in Germany and London on some business, so if it is required he can come there immediately to assist you. I want that this conveyance business be finished up immediately. I am sending also Tamala Krishna and Bhavananda there to help you do the needful. You may inform me by cable if you have got the bank loan or not, or if you require Karandhara to come.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Ahmedabad 10 December, 1972:
Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life. So now you have practically become inseparable from Germany temples, and you have introduced this strict brahminical standard in those countries and it is coming out successful. So I am always appreciating you and your good wife, Himavati, for your kindly helping me in this way. May Krishna shower you with His all blessings.
Regarding the new initiates, I am sending their letter along with beads duly chanted by me under separate posting. So far the Hindi typewriter is concerned, keep it with you for the time being and we shall see later, I will let you know.
| Page Title: | Germany (Letters 1970 - 1972) |
| Compiler: | Visnu Murti, RupaManjari |
| Created: | 17 of Dec, 2011 |
| Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=83 |
| No. of Quotes: | 83 |