London devotees

Expressions researched:
"London Devotee" |"London temple the Indian devotees" |"devotee has come from, Syamasundara, from London" |"devotees and all the other boys and girls at London" |"devotees are going to the streets of London" |"devotees coming from London" |"devotees in London" |"devotees may stay at the London" |"devotees there in London" |"devotees with you in London" |"devotees, although they are in London" |"going to London. Six devotees" |"london devotees" |"select devotees from London" |"started for London"

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 13.8-12 -- Bombay, September 30, 1973:

Prabhupāda: So sarva dharmān parityajya mām ekam (BG 18.66), mām, aham, "Me." So in every verse, every chapter, Kṛṣṇa... Mayy āsakta-manaḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. Mayy āsakta, "One who is attached to Me," āsakta-manaḥ, "mind attached to Me, that is yoga." Yogīnām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā. Mad-gata, again mat (BG 6.47). Mad-gatenāntarātmanā, śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ. So everything is given stress, Kṛṣṇa. But the rascal commentators, they want to make minus Kṛṣṇa.

This rascaldom has played havoc in India. These rascal so-called commentators, they want to avoid Kṛṣṇa. Therefore this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a challenge to these rascals. It is a challenge that "You want to make Kṛṣṇa without Kṛṣṇa. This is nonsense."

Now let us report. This morning one of our devotee has come from, Śyāmasundara, from London. Now our this Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, is the topmost selling book in London. All the booksellers, Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. So Macmillan Company is our publisher, and within one year they have published three editions, fifty thousand each. So real thing will have real value. One professor of religion from London University came to see me. He said, "Now we have rejected Dr. Radhakrishnan's Bhagavad-gītā." He said. What is the name of that professor?

Pradyumna: Peringer, Dr. Peringer.

Prabhupāda: So we are very sure, although we are not getting very good response in India. In India they have become so advanced: "Oh, Kṛṣṇa consciousness? We know everything about Kṛṣṇa. This is old story. Kṛṣṇa is our countryman, and we know everything of Kṛṣṇa. And what these people, Europeans and Americans, they can teach us?" This is their... So bui para(?) paṇḍita. In Bengal it is called bui para(?) paṇḍita, "self-advertised paṇḍita."

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 6.1.15 -- London, August 3, 1971:

Because here everyone is Kṛṣṇa conscious. They haven't forgotten Kṛṣṇa. Therefore they are in Vaikuṇṭha. Others may see that "Oh, you are in London. How you are in Vaikuṇṭha?" Just like Kṛṣṇa, in the Bhagavad-gītā is said, īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati: (BG 18.61) God is situated in everyone's heart. So everyone's heart means He is in the heart of the hog also. But if the hog is within the stool, that does not mean Kṛṣṇa is also within the stool. Similarly, the devotees, although they are in London or New York, they're in Vaikuṇṭha. That is to be realized when one is in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Yatra tiṣṭhanti mad-bhaktā tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada. Kṛṣṇa says, "I live there where My devotees are there." So Kṛṣṇa can be everywhere where there is devotee. So this material world, spiritual world means when you forget Kṛṣṇa, that is material. When you are Kṛṣṇa conscious, that is spiritual. That's all. You may remain in the same place. Because everything is Kṛṣṇa's—īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam (ISO 1)—so how you can distinguish what is material, what is spiritual? If every, every part of the creation belongs to Kṛṣṇa, you cannot practically distinguish, "This portion is spiritual, this portion is material." That distinction is due to our forgetfulness. So as soon as you come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness you will find everything spiritual.

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- October 4, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They're very nice, from your disciples. (break) "Marathon to petition Lord Kṛṣṇa for your rapid recovery. The results were a total of 70,122 books distributed."

Prabhupāda: Hmm.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It says, "87,000 points on the saṅkīrtana for the week." It says, "This is the new all-time record for the most books ever made distributed in one week by any temple in the history of the society, and we pray that this news will please you. And we humbly beg you to remain with us for many more years."

Prabhupāda: Who sends?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That was sent by the devotees in London, Śrīla Prabhupāda, who you were with. You went to them for two weeks, and they developed so much attachment, they all went out all the time to distribute books for one solid week. They distributed over seventy thousand different types of books in one week's time, the London devotees. They said this was their way of petitioning Lord Kṛṣṇa to please cure you.

Prabhupāda: Where is Upendra?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Upendra? He went out. (aside:) You want to get Upendra? There are more telegrams. That was a telegram. Should I read the others?

Prabhupāda: Um hm.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- Montreal 17 July, 1968:

Have you sent the cable to Dwarkin? We want Mrdangas very urgently because very soon we shall be going to London. Six devotees from the West coast and six devotees from the East coast, 12 for Kirtana besides my humble self, and one or two Brahmacaris. Henceforward our plan should be to push Sankirtana and sell our publications. For books, Brahmananda, for magazine, Rayarama, for Sankirtana, Hamsaduta and Mukunda, and for suggestion, my humble self. Please let us concentrate this integration and I am sure our movement will be successful.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Montreal 26 August, 1968:

I hope by this time the San Francisco devotees have already started for London, and I shall be glad to hear if there is any news from them, or about them.

Letter to Sivananda -- Montreal 31 August, 1968:

Other devotees from San Francisco have already started for London. Mukunda's address as follows

Michael Grant

c/o American Express Co.

Haymarket St.

London. U.K.

I hope you have also received my former letter addressed to you c/o American Express Berlin.

Letter to Sivananda -- San Francisco 14 September, 1968:

You will be glad to know that the 6 devotees who started for London by the end of August, 1968, have already met together in London and their address is as follows: Michael Grant, 80 Herne Hill, London S.E. 24, England. They are also very much hopeful for the Indian cooperation whose number there is not less than 200,000 to 500,000 Indians. So I shall start for Europe, either for Berlin or for London as I may be required by the devotees there. And I shall be glad if you be in regular touch with me at least once in a week, by writing me letters.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Seattle 22 September, 1968:

I have sent Gaurasundara to Hawaii to open a branch there, and I have received letters from London that the 6 devotees there are prosecuting their regular duties, namely kirtana in the morning, and on the weekdays as we do generally, and they are having love feast also, although not in our own place, but in different places. And they are searching after a suitable place for our temple. Similarly, in Berlin also, we are hopeful for starting a new branch there. And Krishna das, and Uttama Sloka (Uttama Sloka is a German boy) they are going there. And I have also advised Acyutananda to return back to Germany. So I think 4 or 5 of them will do very nice in Berlin, and the 6 devotees in London, they will also do very nice there. And I think as soon as they are prepared to take me there, I shall go immediately, in Europe.

Letter to Mr. Chagan Govinda -- Los Angeles 17 December, 1968:

Actually this movement is now becoming very popular in the Western countries. Our followers in the West are neither Hindus nor belonging to any principle sect following the Vedas but, by Krishna's Grace, they are accepting this very nicely. Some of them are very advanced as you might have seen from the characteristics of our devotees in London.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 21 February, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 14, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. Regarding your joining the Sankirtana Party, please wait for the time being and I shall call you at the right time. I have this in my mind. When I go to London and by Krishna's Grace we fix up for going around the world, or even if not that, if the London devotees need to strengthen their Sankirtana Party with more attractions, then your services will be required there. But in the meantime you must keep in mind to train somebody there so that in your absence he can take charge.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Columbus, Ohio 15 May, 1969:

I very much appreciate your securing the letters from the Hindu centers in London in support of our activities. I am also pleased to note that the BTG's are selling nicely. Try to sell them more and more, along with sales of our other books, TLC and BG. Kindly offer my blessings to the other devotees with you in London. I hope this will meet you all in good health.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 17 June, 1969:

You write to say in your your letter, "Please come to Los Angeles immediately, Prabhupada. There are so many devotees who are so much anticipating Your Divine Appearance." So considering this urgent call, I may go immediately to Los Angeles as I have not got any important business here. So you can send me passage money, and I shall go to Los Angeles along with Purusottama. The London devotees want me by the end of July, so even from Los Angeles I can go to London, and in this way spend at least one month in Los Angeles. Then after that period, if London wants me urgently, I can go there from Los Angeles. There is no difficulty. Under the circumstances, I am prepared to go to Los Angeles immediately as requested by you.

Letter to Sivananda -- Los Angeles 11 July, 1969:

I am very pleased to note that Oliver is doing nicely, and he is now completing a Vyasa Asana and a picture of Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana. Please offer my blessings to this boy and encourage him as far as possible to continue enthusiastically as he is now doing. I am still considering that I shall be going to Germany by the beginning of August, and I hope your temple is corresponding with the London devotees regarding the plane fare for myself, and if possible, for Purusottama also.

Letter to Mandali Bhadra -- Tittenhurst 2 November, 1969:

The London devotees are planning to go to Hamburg for four days this month, so if they take me during that occasion, surely I shall come to see you again. It is around the middle of the month of November, and I shall let you know in my next letter what is the exact date. I am sorry to learn that Visvanatha and Kunti Devi did not take this very seriously. What can be done? They will have to wait to the next life, or if Krishna's Mercy is there, they will come back surely. I am pleased to learn however that the nice girl who was at the Vyasa Puja ceremony is now coming more often. Any person who becomes interested, try to educate him or her rightly. Everything depends on preaching.

Letter to Umapati -- London 18 November, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 8, 1969 with pictures enclosed. They are very nice. I understand the whole situation that you have not yet been able to find out a suitable place for living together, although Janardana is there. I think the same problem was experienced by the London devotees previously. Anyway, you will be pleased to learn that Tamala from Los Angeles has come here, and our Sankirtana Party has got some engagement in Hamburg from the 20th through the 24th of this month, so they will stay in the Hamburg temple for 4 or 5 days. Janardana wrote me in some letter a few days back asking if I can go there, but due to the climatic condition I do not wish to move further from here. So you consult amongst yourselves whether you require Tamala's and the Sankirtana Party's help. You can let them know immediately in Hamburg.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 6 January, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 2nd, 1970 and accordingly I have issued one letter to Mr. Allen Klein, the copy of which is enclosed herewith, please find. I have advised Brahmananda to see him. I am so glad to learn that Sriman George is making good advancement in Krishna consciousness. He is a good soul and I am praying for him to Krishna, so surely he will make advancement. His book, Krishna, is already ready for being sent to the press. Please let me know if I shall send the manuscript to the press or I shall await further instruction from you. Now I am in Los Angeles and you can contact me here after consulting George. I am very glad to learn that London Temple as well as the householder devotees are all doing well. I have received letter from you and Mukunda also, but I have received no letter from Tamala. Please offer my blessings to all the boys and girls and devotees in London Temple.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 27 January, 1970:

Next year he has a proposal that he will take 40 of our select devotees from London to India in February, 1971. I am very much anxious for that trip. In that trip we shall travel all over India with Sankirtana Party and thereby we will recruit many Indian sympathizers for this movement.

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:

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. 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 Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 8 February, 1970:

You have written to say that no one can deal with the devotees except Visnujana; that is not a good proposal. There are so many old and experienced devotees in London; but for management of other devotees, if there is no one to look after them, that does not sound very good. For musical training I think Mukunda has sufficient knowledge. Anyway, for the time being, Hamsaduta is going and Mukunda is there and you are also there. See if the Worldwide Sankirtana Party can be organized without Visnujana. For the present Visnujana cannot be freed from the Los Angeles engagements, but in future if somebody is trained up to take his place then I shall recommend him to go to London.

Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 2 March, 1970:

Please offer my blessings to all the new devotees and all the other boys and girls at London Temple. Hope this will meet you in good health.

Letter to Sumati Morarjee -- Los Angeles 4 March, 1970:

I am also enclosing herewith a picture of the Deities in our London Temple. These Deities were donated by one London Devotee, Mr. Goyal, and they were purchased from Jaipur. The Deities contributed by Dalmia Jayan Trust and Birla Trust (5 Pairs) are made in Vrindaban, 24 inches high brass Deities, but these London Deities are made of first-class marble from Jaipur, and they are 42 inches high.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 6 May, 1970:

While Trivikrama is coming here, the books which I have left in London—one large Bhagavatam, one small Bhakti-Rasamrta Sindhu, and maybe other books—he may bring here. So I am awaiting his arrival along with the books very soon.

Please offer my blessings to Srimati Yamuna Dasi, and to all the other devotees there in London.

Letter to Govinda Maharaja -- Los Angeles 24 May, 1970:

We have got now 30 centers, and in each center the devotees are going to the streets of London, Hamburg, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, etc, and they are selling "Back to Godhead" and other books very nicely. The magazines are sold in each center at the rate of 100 to 400 copies daily, and the price is $.50 per copy which is in Indian exchange Rs. 3.50.

Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 24 June, 1970:

It is very nice that you have decorated Their Lordships with complete new outfits just befitting Their excursion. I am enclosing also a description of the sankirtana parties and how they should be arranged for surrounding the London Ratha. I have received the tape recording of London devotees chanting and thank them all very much.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Tribhuvanatha -- Brooklyn 17 July, 1971:

I have received the bead bag made by Malati, the karatala pouch made by Dinadyadri, the sweets and breads made by Mandakini, Aditi, Jill and Clare, the photos of the festival taken by Serge, and photos of the very beautiful paintings done by Vasudeva. All these presentations are so very nice. You are all so kind to me. Thank you very much. Also one letter has come with the signatures of all the London devotees. Please offer them all my blessings. Hoping this will meet you all in good health.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Tokyo 25 April, 1972:

We want to unite everyone culturally. Without this, every society is imperfect, but with it, society is perfect. All intelligent leaders of society should try to understand in depth this fact. So take the help of Sri Bhakti Turyasrami and implant one center there at Jessore. He has land but no money, so we should invest a little money and open one center. Have a huge prasadam program. Gurudasa has secured foodstuffs from the American government, and I think he has acquired an excessive amount, so balance can be distributed, part to Jessore, part to Bombay, where they are also having a successful prasadam distribution program. Now there are many devotees coming from London and USA, so utilize them for vigorous propaganda in India and Bangladesh. All these reports are very much encouraging to me. Thank you very, very much.

Letter to Revatinandana -- Bombay 31 December, 1972:

Because you are so much qualified and advanced in Krsna consciousness, therefore Krsna is giving you great strength and pleasure is being derived by you from your working in this way. By this traveling and preaching in the schools, colleges, youth clubs, like that, selling books, this program is very very much appreciated by me, and I think that you are accomplishing more good preaching result than anyone. Yes, let the good men go with you to preach all over England, and the less advanced devotees may stay at the London temple and become trained up to the point of becoming experts and then they also may go out for preaching in traveling party. And I think if you continue as you are doing in this traveling and preaching program in British Isles that very soon the entire population of that place will become our good devotees of Krsna. I am very much pleased upon you for your working and helping me in this way. It is the highest achievement of this human form of activity.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 12 October, 1973:

So you are doing excellent preaching, while I am here fighting with Mrs. Nair. I want that when this business is finished to return for Europe or America, perhaps via Africa. You will be pleased to know that the London devotees that you have trained in Sankirtana and book distribution are doing very nicely. This past month they have sent dollars 10,000 to Los Angeles against their debts. Mukunda is there in charge, and Syamasundara. is here in India.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Malati -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated November 19, and December 3, 1974, and have noted the contents. So why the devotees in London are unhappy? What is the situation? Yes, it is a very good idea to join with your husband. Try to bring him in line. Induce Syamasundara. to follow the regulative principles and chant Hare Krishna, and then his position will be secure. Do you think his business is improving or not?

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 20 November, 1975:

Regarding Chicago, it is very surprising how they distributed 800 big books in one day. Here in India we could not sell 800 books in one month because there is no market. Here there is only a market for technology and black market. This is the advantage of the Western countries. There is enough resources, but simply it should be used in Krsna's service. Then it will be nice. Yes, you should develop better relations with the Indians in Chicago. 30,000; that is no joke. In the London temple the Indian devotees are doing everything for the maintenance of the temple. So as soon as the Indians in Chicago come to know, then they will help you. Here in India the temples are maintained by the grhastha bhaktas.