Guru-Gauranga

Expressions researched:
"Guru Gauranga" |"guru and gauranga" |"guru-gauranga"

SB Canto 8

SB 8.24.61, Purport:

This commentation has been finished in our New Delhi center today, the first of September, 1976, the day of Rādhāṣṭamī, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the ācāryas. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, tāṅdera caraṇa sevi bhakta-sane vāsa janame janame haya, ei abhilāṣa. I am attempting to present Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in the English language by the order of my spiritual master, Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, and by his grace the work of translation is gradually progressing, and the European and American devotees who have joined the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are helping me considerably. Thus we have expectations of finishing the great task before my passing away. All glories to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.

CC Adi-lila

CC Adi 8.31, Purport:

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura remarks in this connection that if one takes shelter of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda, follows Their instructions to become more tolerant than the tree and humbler than the grass, and in this way chants the holy name of the Lord, very soon he achieves the platform of transcendental loving service to the Lord, and tears appear in his eyes. There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityānanda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityānanda, he is very quickly freed from the reactions to his offenses. Therefore, one should first approach Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda, or worship Guru-Gaurāṅga, and then come to the stage of worshiping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, our students are first advised to worship Guru-Gaurāṅga, and then, when they are somewhat advanced, the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity is installed, and they are engaged in the worship of the Lord.

CC Adi 8.31, Purport:

For an ordinary man, worship of Śrī Caitanya and Nityānanda Prabhu or the Pañca-tattva is easier than worship of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Unless one is very fortunate, he should not be induced to worship Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa directly. A neophyte student who is not sufficiently educated or enlightened should not indulge in the worship of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa or the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Even if he does so, he cannot get the desired result. One should therefore chant the names of Nitāi-Gaura and worship Them without false prestige. Since everyone within this material world is more or less influenced by sinful activities, in the beginning it is essential that one take to the worship of Guru-Gaurāṅga and ask their favor, for thus despite all his disqualifications one will very soon become qualified to worship the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa vigraha.

CC Adi 12.8, Purport:

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being propagated according to this principle, and therefore our preaching work is going on successfully, in spite of the many impediments offered by antagonistic demons, because we are getting positive help from our previous ācāryas. One must judge every action by its result. The members of the self-appointed ācārya's party who occupied the property of the Gauḍīya Maṭha are satisfied, but they could make no progress in preaching. Therefore by the result of their actions one should know that they are asāra, or useless, whereas the success of the ISKCON party, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which strictly follows guru and Gaurāṅga, is increasing daily all over the world. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura wanted to print as many books as possible and distribute them all over the world. We have tried our best in this connection, and we are getting results beyond our expectations.

CC Madhya-lila

CC Madhya 16.281, Purport:

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally renovated Vṛndāvana-dhāma and advised His chief disciples, Rūpa and Sanātana, to develop it and open it to attract the spiritual vision of the general populace. At present there are about five thousand temples in Vṛndāvana, and still our society, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is constructing a huge, magnificent temple for the worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma, along with Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Guru-Gaurāṅga. Since there is no prominent Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple in Vṛndāvana, we are attempting to construct one so that people will be attracted to Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma, or Nitāi-Gauracandra. Vrajendra-nandana yei, śacī suta haila sei. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says that Balarāma and the son of Mahārāja Nanda have advented Themselves as Gaura-Nitāi. To propagate this fundamental principle, we are establishing a Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple to broadcast to the world that worship of Gaura-Nitāi is the same as worship of Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 6.1.10 -- Los Angeles, June 23, 1975:

So this is recommended, and similarly, about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, there is statement in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ...

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ

sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadaṁ

yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair

yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ

(SB 11.5.32)

Therefore our first duty is to worship Caitanya Mahāprabhu. We keep the Deity. In the first we offer our obeisances to Caitanya Mahāprabhu along with His associate, and then, Guru-Gaurāṅga, then we offer Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa or Jagannātha. So because this is the process of Kali-yuga, yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ, if you perform this saṅkīrtana, simply this process, as many times as possible before Lord Caitanya, then your success is guaranteed. You don't require anything else. This is recommended: yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtanaiḥ prāyair yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ.

Lecture on SB 6.1.15 -- Los Angeles, June 27, 1975:

So one may ask, "If it is so difficult to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, so how so many people are becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious? They are not genuine? They are all false? If it is said kecit?" No, they are not false. They are amongst these kecit, amongst those rare persons, those who have become Kṛṣṇa conscious. How? It is due to Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has descended to distribute Kṛṣṇa. That is His mercy. So by the mercy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, so many people are becoming vāsudeva-parāyaṇāḥ. But otherwise, it is not possible. Therefore we first offer our obeisances to Guru-Gaurāṅga, by whose mercy we get Kṛṣṇa. This is the system. Adau gurvāśrayam. Now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu is so kind. Rūpa Gosvāmī could understand, could understand.

Lecture on SB 6.2.24-25 -- Gorakhpur, February 13, 1971:

And gorgeous temple worship according to the principle was possible perfectly in the Dvāpara-yuga. Our, this temple worship, Deity worship, we are following the principles of Deity worship because our ācāryas established temple, but main principle is chanting. Therefore, whatever we are doing, we offering prasādam to the Lord, we are having maṅgalārati, the main principle is chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. This temple worship, it can be avoided, but we cannot avoid chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. As such, we have introduced in several centers that "Begin with Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, keeping the picture of Guru-Gaurāṅga." If it is not possible to worship the Deity according to the rules and regulation, there is no need of establishing temple. But if there are devotees who can actually keep the temple worship method in right order, then... Otherwise, simple, by chanting, everything is complete. But when there is temple worship, there is automatic purification because we have to rise early in the morning, we have to take bath. This kind of purification help..., is helped by temple worship. But when there is grossest type of people who cannot take to this, simply chanting will do. Hari nāmānukīrtanam. Kalau tad, kali, kalau. Kalau, means this age, that cleanliness is very difficult to maintain. Therefore kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt. This is recommended.

Festival Lectures

Sri Sri Kaliya Krsna Deity Installation -- Lautoka, Fiji, May 2, 1976:

So, ladies and gentlemen, today is very auspicious day that in your country, beautiful land, we are now going to establish a temple of Kāliya. Rāmana, Kṛṣṇa. Of course the Deities, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Guru-Gaurāṅga also will be there. There will be three compartments in the fashion of our Vṛndāvana temple. And I thank you very much for your encouraging association in this matter.

General Lectures

Lecture -- Jakarta, March 2, 1973:

So Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you very much. The Gāyatrī mantra, which you have chanted just now, we also chant the same Gāyatrī mantra: oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyaṁ bhargo devasya dhīmahi. So we have got Gāyatrī mantra general, as well as specific. Just like we have got Gāyatrī mantra for Guru-Gaurāṅga, then Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, that completes the Gāyatrī mantra. So this Gāyatrī mantra is also mentioned in the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is the statement, satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi (SB 1.1.1). Satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi, this dhīmahi mantra is in reference to the Gāyatrī. So we have got very intimate relationship. You have uttered the name of Puṇḍarīkākṣam, Nārāyaṇa, these are very known terms in the Bhāgavata pṛṣṭam(?).

1968 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- July 16, 1968, Montreal:

Prabhupāda: It is not... It is more difficult.(?) (Prabhupāda is taking prasādam) (pause) Is there anything about Kṛṣṇa in Vivekananda's speech?

Pradyumna: I wasn't reading his speeches. I wanted to see how he worked things. I know he's a rascal.

Prabhupāda: So you can give me a little milk and finish business. (pause) (devotees offer obeisances) All glories to the assembled devotees.

Devotees: All glories to Guru and Gaurāṅga!

Prabhupāda: Yes. All glories to you because you are interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Certainly it is glorious. Greatest science. Please try to understand it very nicely. You will be all happy. That is my request.

Devotee: Is this picture of He who is considered(?) Kṛṣṇa in the pine tree?

Prabhupāda: What is this? Some imagination. Some imagination. All cheating. (end)

1972 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversations -- April 22, 1972, Japan:

Prabhupāda: Oh yes. But not guru. Ekādaśī observed by jīva-tattva, not by Viṣṇu-tattva. We are fasting for clearing our material disease, but Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu... Caitanya Mahāprabhu also may not be offered grains because He is playing the part of a devotee. Only Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Jagannātha can be offered grains. Otherwise, Guru-Gaurāṅga, no. And the prasādam should not be taken by anyone. It should be kept for next day. What is that?

Morning Walk -- October 15, 1972, Vrndavana:

Indian: "I'm not really (indistinct)." So He left rāsa and went out. Śrī Kṛṣṇa saw that there is no Rādhikā, every, all the gopīs were still, Rādhikā not there, so He left all them and went out and began to search Her. But through roaming about Vṛndāvana He did not caught Her, and after became very regretted. He sat under this tree, and Rādhikā afterwards came here and met Him. In this way, Rādhā Kṛṣṇa (indistinct).

Prabhupāda: (Hindi with Indian) Guru-Gaurāṅga, then Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. Where is my stick?

Devotee (2): Stick? Just here.

Prabhupāda: (Hindi) Accha. If you want to take photo, you can take.

Room Conversation -- October 25, 1972, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Why the government is still keeping this octroi botheration, I do not know. It is old system. Practically in UP and Punjab, this octroi system. In Bihar there is no octroi, in Bengal there is no octroi. I think in Bombay also, Bombay, I mean Maharastra province, there is no octroi. Only in UP and Punjab. There is so much botheration.

Pañca-draviḍa: In Harayana also.

Prabhupāda: Huh?

Pañca-draviḍa: Harayana also.

Prabhupāda: Harayana also. (break)

Gurudāsa: ...Gaurāṅga altar. When he saw that picture, he said, "Why is the door closed in the Guru-Gaurāṅga altar?"

Prabhupāda: There is no closed. No, it is three doors are open. That is not Guru-Gaurāṅga, that is extra.

Gurudāsa: Oh, oh, I see.

Devotee (3): There is two extra. (break)

Prabhupāda: Not regularly.

Indian man: Not regularly.

Prabhupāda: I simply came to see what they are doing.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- June 6, 1976, Los Angeles:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They just, I found that they don't agree when you say that. They say "I am doing so many things." Just like.... (break)

Rāmeśvara: In your quarters, Śrīla Prabhupāda, or in the temple room?

Prabhupāda: Anywhere is nice.(?)

Bharadvāja: Are there any other Deities besides Kāliya-Kṛṣṇa you want us to make for Fiji?

Prabhupāda: Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Guru-Gaurāṅga.

Rāmeśvara: Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī and yourself, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Hmm.

Bharadvāja: Life-size Deities?

Prabhupāda: You have not seen Vṛndāvana?

Bharadvāja: Just the same size as Vṛndāvana's?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation -- September 5, 1976, Vrndavana:

Akṣayānanda: Yes. So I'll give you a list of the preparations we'll offer for your approval. It means we'll be offering less to the Deity.

Prabhupāda: What is difficulty? (Hindi conversation) How many Deities are there? Guru-Gaurāṅga four, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma two, six, and...

Akṣayānanda: Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā, and the gopīs.

Prabhupāda: Ten. So...

Akṣayānanda: Small Deity of Gaura-Nitāi. (Hindi conversation)

Prabhupāda: What is your idea? (break)

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- January 19, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Rāmeśvara: "Look to your left." (chuckling) This is very exciting, this idea of building in Purī. And Prabhupāda said the main Deities would be Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

Hari-śauri: If we build in Purī, will we have Jagannātha?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Jagannātha, Nitāi-Gaura, Guru-Gaurāṅga...

Rāmeśvara: And Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma.

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma, like Vṛndāvana.

Rāmeśvara: That will also be very wonderful, to have Lord Gaurāṅga on the altar.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation -- February 18, 1977, Mayapura:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He's wondering about his Deities. I told him that the Deities are supposed to be ready by Gaura Pūrṇimā. You gave that time limit. He wanted to know what the size was and how many. So I knew there was Kāliya-Kṛṣṇa and four nāga-patnīs and Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Lalitā and Viśākhā and, I think I told him Gaura-Nitāi, Guru-Gaurāṅga, Gaura-Nitāi, and your deity and your Guru Mahārāja's deity. That makes thirteen.

Prabhupāda: So they are preparing?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I think. Yes, they were told.

Hari-śauri: Rāmeśvara is supposed to be making all the arrangements.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, Bharadvāja is preparing everything. He seems to be a good man.

Prabhupāda: Very good man.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: His wife also.

Prabhupāda: He was misunderstood by Upendra before. He's a good man.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He's very good. He was not properly dealt with, that's all.

Prabhupāda: This boy is crazy, Upendra. He was having turban like Bhajan, that Sikh man.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yogi Bhajan.

Prabhupāda: He becomes influenced by others very easily. Does not stick. Now there is no information of the wife and children.

Satsvarūpa: They're in Hawaii?

Prabhupāda: Last time saw in Vṛndāvana.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: She was very good girl, his wife.

Prabhupāda: Very good girl.

Room Conversation with GBC members -- March 2-3, 1977, Mayapura:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We opened these centers in the previous year, Śrīla Prabhupāda, putting... It's Guru-Gaurāṅga worship, not Deity Pañca-tattva worship.

Prabhupāda: Hm.

Satsvarūpa: And in the Virgin Islands, two cities—St. Thomas and Aruba. And then for the coming year, permission given for opening centers in Phoenix and Albany. I was given permission for opening preaching center in San Francisco and in Colleen, Texas. Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja already has opened an approved center in Bloomington, Indiana; and Columbus, Ohio; and in the coming year can open in Morgantown, West Virginia; Dayton and Toledo, Ohio. Rāmeśvara Mahārāja has already established preaching centers in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Utaḥ. Permission given for opening preaching center in San Antonio, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; Albuquerque, New Mexico...

Prabhupāda: Las Vegas is a dangerous place? Eh? Do...?

Room Conversation-Recent Mail -- July 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Maybe I should show you the pictures first. I've brought your glasses. These are the photographs, Śrīla Prabhupāda, of the Deities to be installed in Fiji. He's sending to you for your approval. First, this is Śrī-Śrī-Guru-Gaurāṅga in day dress.

Prabhupāda: First class. Just like life.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Phew. Yeah.

Prabhupāda: Very, very nice. They're superexcellent. Not only excellent but superexcellent.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Here is a picture of the same Guru-Gaurāṅga in night dress.

Prabhupāda: You can say, "It is superexcellent."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I have written it three times. (laughter) Here is your Guru Mahārāja. He looks like a young man, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (chuckles) Very young. Here he is with full dress and garlanded. Here is Your Divine Grace, mūrti, fully dressed and garlanded.

Prabhupāda: Everything superexcellent.

Room Conversation-Recent Mail -- July 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Without reading books they'll understand the philosophy. That is the advantage. Mass of people, without education, they will understand the philosophy.

Bhāgavatāśraya: It's like the circus.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He says, "I have sent out an advertisement to all centers to encourage them to order Guru and Gaurāṅga Deities from us. We can deliver these to them in very short time and at a lower cost than the Jaipur craftsmen."

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: "I hope that this meets with your approval."

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Very good.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They're not made of marble.

Prabhupāda: But as good as marble. They... Are they?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I don't know. I hope so.

Prabhupāda: They are being made from marble powder?

Room Conversation-Recent Mail -- July 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Well, what about Guru-Gaurāṅga? Just like in Kṛṣṇa-Kāliya temple they're going to have it on the altar.

Prabhupāda: So one place will be good, the same.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So if there's enough room on the altar it can be there.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Otherwise on the vyāsāsana.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation Varnasrama -- July 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Yes. No protection. Somehow or other, she came to see me when I got into Los Angeles.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: In that way you saved all of us, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: A very nice letter came from Yamunā devī with a few photographs. Would you like to see it?

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Bhakti-caru: (Bengali)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: She has very good handwriting. "Śrī Śrī Guru-Gaurāṅga Jāyate. Dearmost and respected Śrīla Prabhupāda, please accept our repeated humble obeisances at your sanctified lotus feet. Although we are certainly unfit to offer you our prayers and offenseless chanting for your well-being, still we beg to become purified to pour the nectar of the holy name of the Lord into your eternal transcendental service by following your divine instructions. From the beginning you have instructed to serve in sincere faith in vapu or vāṇī. That is our life's work, to make each and every moment a fit receptacle for receiving your benedicting rays of mercy. Enclosed is an offering of digestive spice for your pleasure as well as two photos of Śrī Rādhā-Vana-vihārī on Candana-yātrā and Śrī Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī. Viśākhā devī remained here to photograph for the upcoming Vedic cookery book. The program here is flourishing under your shelter and glories. We beg to remain your servants eternally. Yamunā devī dāsī and Dīnatāriṇī devī dāsī." They sent these preparations. It says, "savory," and "sweet." It looks like they made these. Very expert.

Prabhupāda: So you can give me little bit.

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda, Hayagriva, Kirtanananda, Satsvarupa, Gargamuni, Acyutananda, Jadurani -- San Francisco 19 January, 1967:

Please accept my greetings and blessings of Guru Gauranga Giridhari Gandharvika. You have already got the news of our safe arrival and good reception by the devotees here. Mr. Allen Ginsberg and about fifty or sixty others received us on the air port and when I arrived in my apartment there were some press reporters also who took note of my mission. Two three papers like the Examiner and the Chronicle etc. have already published the report. One of the reports is sent herewith please find. I wish that 1000 copies of this report may be offset printed at once and 100 copies of the same may be sent here as soon as possible.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to All Devotees -- New York 7 September, 1968:

ALL GLORIES TO SRI GURU AND GAURANGA

MEMO TO ALL DEVOTEES

RE: NEW VRINDABAN

I have just returned from a two days stay at our newest center New Vrindaban in Moundsville, West Virginia, near Wheeling. This New Vrindaban is under the direction of Sriman Hayagriva and Kirtanananda Maharaja and promises to be a great step forward for Krishna Consciousness in America.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 30 January, 1969:

First of all I have to thank you for the desk pen with golden glories to Guru and Gauranga. It is so nice that I am using it with great pleasure, and you have the blessings of my Guru Maharaja and Lord Gauranga.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Jayagovinda -- Los Angeles 3 February, 1970:

The Nitai-Gaura emblem is nice. Our first obeisances are to Guru and Gauranga; then we approach Radha Krishna. Perhaps while you were in India you have heard that we glorify in the following way: Guru Gauranga Chandarbika Giridhari. Four "G"s. So Guru-Gauranga you understand, and Chandarbika-Giridhari means Radha and Krishna. So you can make your emblem suitably according to space and convenience.

Letter to Vamanadeva -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:

You are an intelligent and educated boy and highly skilled carpenter as well as devotee and your wife is well qualified similarly. I want that you should continue our program as you are already doing and in this way you will advance in Krsna consciousness more and more. So you set the ideal standard of householder life for the benefit of others and they will gradually be influenced to follow your example of sincere service on Krsna's behalf.

Regarding the arrangement of the Deities on the altar, the arrangement here in L.A. temple is

Guru-Gauranga

Radha-Krsna

Jagannatha

Gargamuni has taken some pictures of the Temple room and I shall send a copy to you when they are printed. So make the altar very gorgeous according to your facilities there. That will be nice.

Letter to Jagannatham Prabhu -- Los Angeles 1 July, 1970:

ALL GLORY TO SRI GURU AND GAURANGA!!

My Dear Jagannatham Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind letter dated 24th June, 1970, and I am very glad to learn that your last responsibilities in family affairs are now discharged, your two daughters are now married. Now in this ripe old age you can devote yourself for spreading Krsna Consciousness Movement all over the world.

Letter to Vasudeva -- Tokyo 15 August, 1970:

It is very encouraging for me to learn that you are so enthusiastic in the execution of your devotional services. So please be engaged 24 hours daily in sincere transcendental loving service of the Lord and your life in Krsna consciousness is sure to be successful. Many of our Temples are now requiring pictures of Pancatattva and Acaryas, principally your Spiritual Master and my Spiritual Master, for their Guru Gauranga worship. So I am confident that you can help them in this connection by painting many of these very important pictures of our Temples. No we have got so many new branches of our Society, so your assignment is already given to provide them in this way with paintings.

Letter to Karandhara -- Calcutta 19 September, 1970:

Regarding Deity worship, Silavati and Yamuna Devi may be considered expert, so if some new hands come and take their help, that is a good proposition. Once established, however, Deities should not be removed. We should treat the Dieties as the Personality of Godhead, and to invite Him to come to your home you must worship regularly. You cannot remove. If there is scarcity of pujaris, then Deities should not be installed, only pictures of Guru and Gauranga should be worshiped. Irregularity in worshiping Guru and Gauranga can be tolerated, as they are always kind and forgiving, but irregularity in worshiping Lord Jagannatha and Sri Sri Radha Krishna is not good.

Letter to Govinda -- Bombay 5 November, 1970:

Your description of past incidents may be forgotten. We are not concerned with past misunderstandings; we are concerned only with progressive service to Krsna. I know that both you and Gaurasundara are sincere devotees and you have done your best in Hawaii in accordance with my desire and the luxurious growing Tulasi devi is giving evidence of your sincere devotion. Kindly take care of Guru-Gauranga, Radha Krsna and Tulasi devi and be happy. Try to make others also happy by spreading this Krsna Consciousness.

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

I am in due receipt of your letter dated on November 24, 1970. Perhaps you are my only Godbrother who has appreciated my humble service to the cause of Guru Gauranga. All my other Godbrothers are very much envious, as I can understand from their behavior.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Upendra -- Bombay 4 January, 1971:

Regarding your tendency to become angry in public, that is alright provided there is positive reaction. Otherwise we do not wish to create any unnecessary enemies and you should curb your anger by your advanced intelligence in Krishna Consciousness. We have to better correct the faulty habits of the conditioned souls by persuasive authoritative preaching and personal example without stop. The mantra to Ganapati is not bona fide. That is another nonsense. Your worship of Guru-Gauranga and Nrsimhadeva is very nice. Please make it as attractive and gorgeous as possible though simple. The leaves and flowers of Tulasi may be offered to the devotees of the Lord for offering to the Lotus Feet of the Lord Krsna, not even Srimati Radharani. It appears that Fiji is very nice place for Krsna consciousness from the appearance of such nice flowers and Tulasi for the worship of Krsna there.

Letter to Visnujana -- Allahabad 8 January, 1971:

It is good news that you have now got a house and are remodeling it for the Temple. You may immediately arrange an alter for worship of Guru-Gauranga and that will be very suitable for the present. Later you can increase the Deity worship, but for the first while worship of Guru-Gauranga will be within your present situation very nice.

Letter to Sukadeva -- Allahabad 27 January, 1971:

So far as Deity worship is concerned, for the present you can have a Guru-Gauranga altar and later on when there are more devotees there and you have facility, Lord Jagannatha or Radha Krishna Deity may be installed. Only initiated devotees may tend the Deity or cook for Him, so for the present you can set up a very attractive Guru-Gauranga altar and that will be very nice.

Letter to Krsna Devi -- Gorakhpur 16 February, 1971:

Yes, you can set up a Guru-Gauranga altar and if you can offer full arati ceremony, that is nice. Panca-tattva are most merciful.

Letter to Rsabhadeva -- Bombay 25 March, 1971:

I am so glad to note how nicely your Sankirtana activities are going on there in Laguna Beach center. You write to say that you are considering the possibility of celebrating feast days with festivals on the street. That is very good program, so do it nicely. Aratik ceremony may be done also, if possible. Otherwise, it is not necessary. So long as there is Guru-Gauranga worship, Yamuna Prabhu may act as pujari. Otherwise, one must be initiated to tend the Deity.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1971:

The restaurant proposal is very nice. It should be very neat and clean and in the center column there should be Guru Gauranga altar. Everything prepared should be offered and kept on a table and the customer or guest should come and take prasadam on a plate to his full satisfaction. He can sit at table with chair. The items of prasadam you already know; kachori, Luglu, Samosa, sweet balls, simply wonderful, vegetables, chutneys, puspana, halava, etc; The ingredients are easily available. As other things are available, you can increase your menu. And any party who pays more than $5.00 can be presented with a small book like Easy Journey, or Krishna, the Reservoir of Pleasure, and a copy of our magazine. And if possible, continually tapes should be played of kirtanas and songs and record albums also.

Letter to Sri Govinda -- London 5 August, 1971:

Your idea for a festival much like the one we held in Calcutta and Bombay, at all the university campuses is a very good proposal, so do it nicely. Simply pictures of Guru Gauranga will do; there is no need of taking along Jagannatha Deities. And so far getting Jagannatha Deities from Jayapataka Swami, why you are making that extra expenditure? All our Jagannatha Deities are locally carved. Any boy who knows carving can carve Jagannatha. If you want you can order Gaura Nitai Deities; that is all right.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Mangalamaya, Madhupuri -- Calcutta 20 February, 1972:

So far your deity-worship of Lord Jagannatha, don't bother with it for the time being, that is my opinion. Householders can have small altars, and Guru-Gauranga and Jagannatha may be worshiped, but you should not spend a lot of time in this way to try to make the worship "first-class" as you say. You cannot make it first-class. That requires much time and money and men, so better to leave the worshiping of deities very nicely to the temples, and you may go there and worship. A small Guru-Gauranga altar, offer incense and flowers in morning, offer all home-prepared foodstuffs there—that's enough for the time being. Better to spend time chanting and following the other regulative principles and preaching and selling books.

Letter to All Temple Presidents -- Tokyo 22 April, 1972:

ALL GLORIES TO SRI GURU AND GAURANGA TO ALL TEMPLE PRESIDENTS

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my most worthless obeisances. I am presently in Japan with Srila Prabhupada and we are meeting conjointly with Dai Nippon to organize book production. As a follow up to Srila Prabhupada's letter to all Temple Presidents of April 9, His Divine Grace has instructed me to inform you all of the following:

The formula for ISKCON organization is very simple and can be understood by everyone. The world is divided into twelve zones. For each zone there is one zonal secretary appointed by Srila Prabhupada. The zonal secretaries duty is to see that the spiritual principles are being upheld very nicely in all the Temples of his zone. Otherwise each Temple shall be independent and self-supporting. Let every Temple President work according to his own capacity to improve the Krishna Consciousness of his center. So far the practical management is concerned, that is required, but not that we should become too much absorbed in fancy organization. Our business is spiritual life, so whatever organization needs to be done, the Presidents may handle and take advice and assistance from their GBC representative. In this way let the Societies work go on and everyone increase their service at their own creative rate.

Now, so far the BTG and Book Funds are concerned, these matters shall be managed separately from the GBC by a body known as The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The Book Trust shall be comprised of Srila Prabhupada, Karandhara dasa, and Bali Mardan dasa. They shall combinedly collect the sales proceeds from each Center and utilize all funds for the printing of Srila Prabhupada's books and the construction of ISKCON Centers all over the world. Not a farthing is to be spent for any other purpose.

The Book Trust shall see to the printing and distribution to Centers of books and magazines and it will be the serious responsibility of each Temple President to see that the billed amounts for these are paid to the BTG and Book Funds regularly. The billings and collections shall come from and to Los Angeles where Karandhara dasa will collect and keep accounts. We request that everyone will take these formulas to heart and execute them very conscientiously. In this way we shall certainly be successful in pushing on this movement.

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga

APPROVED: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Founder-Acarya of ISKCON

Your lowly servant at Prabhupada's lotus feet,

Karandhara dasa Adhikari

c.c. To all ISKCON Temple Presidents

Letter to Lalitananda -- New Vrindaban 2 September, 1972:

Yes, if there is arrangement for swinging the deities sometimes, that is all right. Anything may be done which will be pleasing to the Lord, and He is often fond of swinging motions. You may place cows and peacocks on the altar at Montreal, that will be nice. So far I am concerned, I have no objection if there is carved form of guru on the Guru-Gauranga altar, but one thing, is unless that sculptor is very excellent, it should not be attempted.

Letter to Citsukhananda -- Los Angeles 13 September, 1972:

Regarding the new altar, Sri Guru and Gauranga altar would be appropriate. If you are able to make that show in the theater for the public of our kirtana and aratrika, etc., that will be very very nice. And I am very much pleased to hear that you have purchased some land for asrama and that you will be having cows there on six acres. I shall be anxious to see that place when I come back from India.

Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 16 September, 1972:

All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!

Dear

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet. Prabhupada just spoke with me regarding the distribution of foreign (other than English) language literature. His direction is that 10% of the gross income on the sales of all of our literatures, books, and magazines, should be sent to The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The BBT is financing many world-wide projects for the society, and therefore all income from literature distribution should contribute and support it. Please therefore make the necessary arrangements. A simple way to accomplish this would be to figure at the end of each month what your gross (total; before subtracting production costs and overhead) income from the sale of literature was for that month, calculate 10% of this figure , and send this to BBT in care of myself in Los Angeles. I know that you will understand that this subsidy will greatly facilitate the growth of Society-wide programs and everyone will benefit. From your local view it may appear to be an imposition, but I assure you that overall it is in the interest of Lord Caitanya's Movement. Regarding your regular remittance, it will be left solely to your integrity and "for the overall benefit" conscientiousness. I am sure you will do the needful.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Melbourne 10 February, 1973:

As far as staying in some boys apartment, this is permissable if everyone in the house agrees to follow the principles while you are there. That is no smoking, no drinking, etc. You may also install a small altar there with a picture of Guru and Gauranga and the Spiritual Masters there and perform mangala arati every morning and hold classes etc. Under these circumstances you can live in others apartments. The point is we must not lower our position but we must educate others to come up to our standards. Regarding your writing, you must know that it is the duty of sannyasa to write always to save the cripple minded man and women. In fact sannyasa must do everything.

Letter to Caitanya -- Los Angeles 25 April, 1973:

Worship of Radha and Krishna is no cheap thing. It cannot be done whimsically, but it must be very carefully executed under strict regulation. Not that there can be LSD taking and all sinful activities, and then Deity worship. I have made it a point that unless one is able to keep to the same standard that is kept here at the temple, he should not worship the Deity separately. Best thing is to keep a Guru-Gauranga altar at home and take part in the Deity worship program at the temple.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- U.K. 15 August, 1973:

Regarding the old lady blessing the king, although the part of a constable is not very big, but the blessing is big always. Just as Krishna wants from his devotee a little flower, a little leaf, a little water, or a little fruit, these things are not very big things, still if a faithful devotee offers to Lord Krishna with love and service, Krishna accepts them very gladly. So Krishna's gladness and the devotee's love and sincerity, they are taken into consideration. Similarly when a person offers something in sincere faith and love that is always welcome either by big or small men. So as you are spreading Krishna consciousness in Australia. Hamsaduta is also spreading in Germany. He has got 8 vans and they are out regularly preaching sankirtana and selling books and he is now well to do even financially, and I hope you are also well to do, otherwise how you can promise for the next year 11,111.00 dollars. It is very nice. So you continue this system of preaching village to village by increasing the number of Sankirtana parties, it will be appreciated by Guru Gauranga. Do it nicely, you are a fit person, Krishna will bless you.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 15 August, 1973:

To install Deities in a moving vehicle is not very good. There is always danger of falling and breaking. Sudama already has experience of this. Why is Deity worship being introduced? It should not be introduced because it is very difficult to maintain the standard under such circumstances. If you have picture of Guru Gauranga that is sufficient. You are wondering if you did the right thing by giving the Deities to Sudama, so the answer is no. The deities may be brought back and worshiped in the temple as before. The idea of traveling Sankirtana is to distribute books not to do Deity worship, it is very difficult to maintain the standard of Deity worship in the temple, how will it be maintained in a truck?

Another thing is that opening temples should not be encouraged at this time. Subala did the same thing in Santa fee years ago, why again he is doing the same thing? Hamsaduta in Germany instead of increasing the temples and Deity worship he has increased the Sankirtana parties. He is running on 8 New buses and distributing large quantities of literature, this is more important. Neglectful Deity worship means offense. So make propaganda in this way, but in the bus there should not be Deity worship, simply the picture of Guru Gauranga.

Letter to Sudama -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 28 August, 1973:

I am happy to note that you are traveling and preaching, this process was also practiced by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the beginning of his sannyasa life he traveled all over India for almost six years and my Guru Maharaja also traveled, and similarly I am also traveling. One thing is that I do not know how practical it is to carry deities in the truck, by the jarring of the vehicle there may be some damage and also I think that it is not possible to keep the top standard of worship, cleanliness, punctual offerings etc. We must be very careful about deity worship, if it is neglectful then it is very offensive and that will not help us, we should not do it simply for show. My suggestion is that all our buses should be outfitted with the picture of Guru Gauranga, that will be quite nice. Main business of traveling buses is to distribute books profusely, what do you think?

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- New Delhi October 11, 1973:

I thank you very much for installing Radha-Giridhari. From my childhood I was very much fond of Radha-Krsna, and now my good disciples are helping me to open so many Radha-Krsna temples all over the world. It gives me so much pleasure. Now introduce Ratha Yatra. That was my childhood activity. I want to see my disciples all over the world introduce two items, opening Radha-Krsna temples and Ratha-yatra festivals. Do this under the protection of Guru-Gauranga.

Letter to Karnamrta -- Los Angeles 3 December, 1973:

ALL GLORIES TO SRI GURU AND GAURANGA!

My dear Karnamrta,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 30, 1973 along with the Vaisnava poem.

Your humble attitude is very much appreciated by me. Always chant Hare Krsna and as far as possible help me push on this movement by preaching this philosophy and distributing our books.

Yes, you may go to India and on your way you may stop in Los Angeles and visit me. I shall be very happy to see you.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Letter to Sri Govinda -- Los Angeles 3 December, 1973:

ALL GLORIES TO SRI GURU AND GAURANGA!

My dear Sri Govinda,

Please accept my blessings. Enclosed find the names of the devotees you have recommended for initiation which I hereby accept as my duly initiated disciples:

Bryan Davis—Basu-Ghosh das

Paul Wax—Pandrika das

Andy Frenkel—Sankirtana das

Puspu Singh—Yasoda devi dasi

Pat Langlois—Subhadra dasi

Edie Manischewitz—Virmila dasi

Also, find one sacred thread and two mantra sheets for the second initiates. Hold a fire yajna and afterwards the second initiates may listen to the Gayatri mantra tape through the right ear.

I hope this finds you well.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Letter to Mahendra -- Los Angeles 11 December, 1973:

You should not install the Deities until you have a complete program to see that regulated worship may go on nicely. Until then, simply worship Guru and Gauranga in pictures.

Letter to All Centers -- Los Angeles 13 December, 1973:

ALL GLORIES TO

SRI GURU AND GAURANGA!

MEMO TO ALL CENTERS

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Today we received a newsletter from Syamasundara. Prabhu regarding gems and I assume every Center received the same letter. I discussed the contents with Srila Prabhupada and His Divine Grace instructed me to immediately issue the following letter.

First of all, Srila Prabhupada never sanctioned or encouraged this program of buying or selling jewels. Furthermore, Srila Prabhupada does not want us to purchase jewels and gems for decorating the Deities in our own Temples. Expensive gems and jewelry will only attract thieves and rogues. It was because of the jewels in Indian Temples that the Mohammedans invaded India, destroying the Deities and Temples and plundering the jewels. In previous ages, when people were honest and pious kings maintained law and order, then the Deities and Temples were decorated with costly jewels but in this age it is not advised. Srila Prabhupada said, "Bhakti does not depend on seeing the Deity with jewelry—it is a different matter. We worship the Deity by strictly observing the rules and regulations of Deity worship—not by decorating with jewelry. Jewels will not attract anyone except thieves and rogues. People will be attracted by our preaching. I don't advise the Temples to purchase jewelry. Do not expose the Deity to this danger. I am not in favor of this." Furthermore, "purchasing jewels means increased anxiety only. It is not the days for this practice. I do not advise buying or selling jewelry."

In addition to thieves and rogues, there is risk that even our own men may fall victim to stealing. We have the examples of Kausika and Mahadeva, both devotees who stole from Temples. Prabhupada said, "Our men are coming from outside with so many bad habits and the stealing mentality is there. We are trying to reform, but if the opportunity is there, the mentality may come forward and they may fall down. We will loose our money, our prestige and out students. Why expose them in that way? No jewelry! It is not the time for that."

In summary, purchasing jewelry for the Deities is unnecessary, dangerous and unauthorized. Prabhupada said to "write elaborately to all Centers on this point. Try to understand the principle."

We improve on Deity worship by regulated puja, purified chanting and bold and enthusiastic preaching work. Those are the real ornaments with which to decorate the Lord.

Haribol Prabhus.

Your unworthy servant,

Karandhara das Adhikari

/kdd

APPROVED: ACBS

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Detroit 4 August, 1975:

I have read your letter addressed to Pancadravida Swami dated July 23, 1975. So a temple may not be wanted there now. But, someone must stay there and print literature. Keep Guru Gauranga altar. But there is no good preacher. Even Pancadravida fails. Trivikrama failed. You should simply print literature and distribute. Get the smallest rental place. Let Yasomatisuta do it. Give up the present flat if necessary.

Letter to Dr. Y. G. Naik -- Toronto 7 August, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 11, 1975. After long years it is pleasing and surprising to receive an affectionate letter from you. I think I met you sometimes in the year 1958. Since then in 1965 I came to America and started this missionary activity from New York in 1966. Now the Society has got about 100 branches all over the world. And, everywhere we have got Deity worship; Guru Gauranga, Radha Krishna, and Jagadisa.

Letter to Mr. Longo A. Ali -- Nairobi 29 October, 1975:

N.B. Regarding becoming my disciple is concerned, first you have to follow our rules. Besides chanting on the beads 16 rounds daily minimum, you should take only prasadam of vegetarian foodstuffs offered to Guru Gauranga. Jnana das can instruct you in this.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Brisakapi -- Nellore 7 January, 1976:

As far as your desire to have Sita Rama Deities, it is a good idea, but you should wait for some time. First see that you have sufficient brahmanas who are very well trained and qualified, then you can consider to install Sita, Rama, Laksmana, and Hanuman. They are the ideal King and it will be very suitable that They reign over the capitol of America. Now you have got Gaura Nitai Deities, so you can go ahead and get Prabhupada and Bhaktisiddhanta Deities immediately. Guru and Gauranga worship is standard for all our temples.

Letter to Karandhara -- Mayapur 29 January, 1976:

The photos of my murti are very nice. The murti of the Spiritual Master should be treated as good as the Deity. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih/kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya **, The guru should be treated as good as God. This is stated in all the sastras. The difference is that God is master-God and guru is servant-God. So the installation ceremony for such a murti should be similar to that done for other Deities. All Temples can have this Deity if they like. But Temples which have only Panca-tattva painting worship should not be given this Deity.

You should make a murti of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and then they may be worshiped together as is now being done in our Krishna Balarama Temple. They should be placed with Gaura Nitai—Guru Gauranga.

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

For worshiping the Deities in Bombay, including Sita-Rama, there is absolutely no change in worship. Adopt the same method as in our Vrindaban centre, simply with 3 pujaris just like in Vrindaban. They are all Visnu-tattva, Ramacandra, Radha-Krsna, Gaura-Nitai. No additional kirtanas, simply do exactly as in Vrindaban. I want to know what it would cost to have Kaliya-Krsna Deity (with four mermaids offering prayers, Nagapatnis), and also Radha-Krishna with Lalita and Visakha, and also Guru and Gauranga; what would be the approximate cost for production and transportation of these Deities to Fiji Island?

Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Toronto 18 June, 1976:

Just like in our Vrindaban temple, you can have 3 Deity compartments. Facing the altar, Nrsimhadeva can be on the left, Guru-Gauranga in the center, and Jagannatha-Subhadra-Balarama on the right so that you can organize Rathayatra. You can begin the construction with cornerstone.