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Training of Aniruddha dasa (Letters, 1967 - 1972)

Expressions researched:
"Account" |"Activities" |"Aniruddha" |"Aniruddha's" |"BBF" |"BBFD" |"BBT" |"BKF" |"BTG" |"Back to Godhead" |"Bhaktivedanta Book Trust" |"Book Fund" |"Book Trust" |"Book Trust," |"Book" |"Books" |"Branch" |"Branches" |"Business" |"Center" |"Centers" |"Check" |"Checks" |"Consult" |"Consulting" |"Cooperate" |"Cooperated" |"Cooperation" |"Cooperatively" |"Dai Nippon" |"Debt" |"Debts" |"Deities" |"Deity" |"Deposit" |"Distribute" |"Distributed" |"Distributing" |"Distribution" |"Duty" |"Festival" |"Finances" |"Financial" |"Funds" |"GBC members" |"GBC" |"Governing Board Commission" |"Governing Board Commissioners" |"Governing Body Commission" |"Governing Body Commissioners" |"ISKCON" |"Initiate" |"Initiated" |"Initiates" |"Initiating" |"Initiation" |"Initiations" |"Iskcon" |"Kirtana" |"Language" |"Languages" |"Leader" |"Leaders" |"Leadership" |"Leading" |"Literature" |"Literatures" |"M-V trust" |"M-V" |"M.V trust" |"Macmillan" |"Magazine" |"Magazines" |"Manage" |"Managed" |"Management" |"Managers" |"Managing" |"Manuscript" |"Manuscripts" |"Mayapur-Vrndavana Trust" |"Mayapura-Vrndavana Trust" |"Meeting" |"Mission" |"Missionary" |"Money" |"Movement" |"Organize" |"Our society" |"Preach" |"Preacher" |"Preaching" |"Press" |"Print" |"Printing" |"Program" |"Programs" |"Publication" |"Publications" |"Publish" |"Publishing" |"Rathayatra" |"Report" |"Reports" |"Sankirtana" |"Temple" |"Temples" |"The society" |"Translate" |"Translated" |"Translating" |"Translation" |"Translations" |"Zonal" |"Zone" |"Zones"

Correspondence

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Subala -- Vrindaban 27 August, 1967:

Please offer my blessings to Krishna devi dasi, Harsarani, Aniruddha das, Rasikananda das, and Jananivasa, and any others who may be with you.

1968 Correspondence

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

Regarding Dictaphone, Aniruddha is doing something.

Letter to Aniruddha -- San Francisco 13 March, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter, undated, and post-dated March 12, 1968. I am so obliged to you for your hospitality with which you served me so long I was in Los Angeles; I was so much comfortably situated in spite of my not very good health. Krishna will bless you for your strenuous service single-handedly, rest assured. Please continue your service attitude in the same spirit, and Krishna will bless you with all benediction.

In the meantime, Mukunda and Janaki have come there, and I hope together you will do service to the Temple to your best capacity. I have got very good impression of the Temple in San Francisco, and both you and Mukunda may bring up the Los Angeles to the same standard. Don't be depressed because there is no sufficient audience at present, but if you continue your service all in cooperation, in very near future it will be a nice center. Please offer my blessings to Sankarsana das, and Baladeva. and his daughter Haridasi, and etc.

Today we had a very nice lecture at the San Francisco State College; the attendance was very nice, and the meeting was successful, as it was in Los Angeles. They have arranged many other meetings also which I shall attend one after another.

Regarding the casting of Sri Sri Radha Krishna: As soon as the statues are finished, I shall send it for casting, at least one pair. And as soon as you receive this statues, please do the needful.

If Dayananda has left for Florida, please send me his address there.

Letter to Mukunda -- San Francisco 26 March, 1968:

Aniruddha is here and he is waiting for the statues of Radha and Krishna which is being expedited by Gaurasundara, and most probably he will be starting back for L.A. on Friday morning.

Letter to Subala -- San Francisco 30 March, 1968:

The Radha Krishna statues prepared by Gaurasundara have been dispatched to Los Angeles through Aniruddha, and they are going to be cast in yellow brass.

Letter to Aniruddha -- San Francisco 9 April, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 5, 1968, and I thank you very much for it. I am very glad that you are taking responsibility for Krishna's sake, this is advancement of Krishna Consciousness. Krishna is full in Himself. He can exert His energy to do anything wonderful, but still He presents Himself as unable to do so. Just like the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, He said all these men are already dead by my arrangement, none of them are going back home to live, the plan is already settled. And Arjuna was supposed to take responsibility and the credit of being victorious. Krishna is so kind, He does everything, but He gives the credit to His sincere devotee. So the more you take responsibility, Krishna is pleased on you. I am very glad you are feeling such responsibility and Krishna will bless you.

Please work combinedly with respect to develop a very nice Temple, and Mukunda has the transcendental ambition to construct our own temple there, and try to cooperate with him. Stop the idea of casting for the present, unless we see one pair nicely made, we cannot order 17 pairs. If actually he has made such statues nicely, never mind in other forms, made of yellow brass, I shall be glad to see it.

There are two kinds of dissolution. One is when Brahma goes to sleep, and another is when Brahma dies. When Brahma goes to sleep, the highest planetary system does not dissolve, the lower planetary systems, beginning from heavenly planets downwards, everything is dissolved. And when the day comes out, they are again created. When the living entities enter into Brahma, or into the Body of Narayana, they keep their own spiritual body, that is very small, 1/10,000 of tip of hair, and when there is again material creation, they manifest again with different kinds of body. Just like a man sleeps at home without any dress, and when he goes out to work, he dresses himself. So similarly in creation, there is different kinds of bodies for working, and whenever there is no creation they remain in their own spiritual body sleeping. No, there is no complete annihilation at the end of Kali yuga, there may be some disturbances, but not complete annihilation. There are thousands of Kali yugas in every day of Brahma, and they come and go just like seasonal changes.

For dishes, best thing is everyone who is eating Prasadam should wash his plate. Otherwise, one man has to do so many dishes. So even the guests should also wash their dishes, that is the system in the Temple; not leave one man to do it.

Milk and salt should never be mixed, it is improper, and will cause leprosy. But salt can be mixed with yogurt.

As I am leaving on the 17th, please try to send the kit before then, otherwise you send to N.Y.

Letter to Aniruddha -- New York 29 April, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 24, 1968, and I thank you very much for all the nice news. I am so much pleased to learn that the Los Angeles temple is improving in opulence. Please tell Janaki that I am so glad to learn that she has framed the pictures very nicely and that both she and Mukunda are working to improve the condition of the temple. This is all very nice.

Yes, the idea to make S.F. our headquarters, that is in my mind, but that church is not yet settled. The man is prolonging it. Actually, if you get the church I shall make that my headquarters, and I shall come there to your temple occasionally. How is Sankarsana and Baladeva. I have not heard anything from them.

I have ordered one half dozen mrdangas to be dispatched to San Francisco port, so you will have good opportunity to take procession of Sankirtana with 2 or 3 mrdangas, karatalas, etc.

Regarding the Radha Krishna statues, for the time being, suspend it. Keep Them dressed nicely, as Janaki is doing. I have received the second transcribing set. On Wednesday, May 1, I am going to Boston, where there are so many nice college engagements arranged. Just recently we went to Philadelphia, to Temple University, where we held kirtana and lecture very nicely. And for our transportation and lecture they paid us $150.00; similarly, tomorrow we have got engagement at New York University at Stoney Brook, Long Island, and they are paying us $200.00 for our coming there. So we are spreading this Sankirtana very nicely here also. Please keep me informed of all your activities there, and hoping you are well.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Allston, Mass 30 May, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 25, 1968, and I have also received one letter signed by three of you, Mukunda, yourself and Umapati, recommending the new boy Stanley Broderick. I have received his beads also, and I am sending him the beads properly initiated, and his initiated name is Sacisuta. Sacisuta means the Son of Saci, or Lord Caitanya. So I am very pleased that this boy is attracted to Krishna Consciousness and he is being initiated by the Grace of Krishna. Please try to save him from the hands of Maya.

Regarding your personal sentiments not being in agreement with Umapati: I am very sorry that this thing has happened. We are preaching Krishna Consciousness, the greatest platform of harmony, and if we dissent amongst ourselves, and disunite, it doesn't look very well. You are sinceremost servant of Krishna. I know that you have worked very good for Krishna. I think you should not be disturbed by minor disagreement. If you think that you cannot agree with Umapati, you can stop discussing with him, and if there is any point of judgment, you can refer to me. I am always at your service. So long we are individual souls, there must be disagreement also, because that is the symptom of individuality. But when such individual is surrendered unto Krishna, there should not be any disagreement. Of course, Subala is working alone, and he is doing very nice to his best capacity, but if you want to go there, I have no objection because it will be a great help to Subala. But I know also that much depends on you about the L.A. temple, and I am afraid if you go, the temple in L.A. may suffer. Therefore, I would advise that you should consult with Mukunda about this because he is very calm and coolheaded boy, and then decide whether to go to Santa Fe or not. I am writing separately to Mukunda also, as well as to Umapati in this connection, and I wish to know why there is disagreement. There cannot be any disagreement in discharge of duties in Krishna Consciousness.

I am leaving for Montreal on June 3rd, 1968, at 11:00 a.m. and you know Montreal address so that you can reply this letter there. Again I say that don't be agitated on some flimsy ground but cooperate on the platform of Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Mukunda -- Allston, Mass 30 May, 1968:

In the meantime, I have received another letter from Aniruddha that he is in disagreement with Umapati. I do now know what is the basis of this disagreement, but when you are there, I request you to see to the matter and try to mitigate their illusory disagreement. Even there is disagreement, the platform should be Krishna Consciousness, and in that platform if there is disagreement there is no inebriety.

Letter to Umapati -- Allston, Mass 30 May, 1968:

It is understood that Aniruddha and yourself are sometimes not in agreement in subjects concerning Krishna Consciousness. Of course, disagreements may be there, but there should not be dissension. I shall be glad to hear from you what is the point of dissension, and if it isn't very serious, I think you should ask Aniruddha not to be affected by such flimsy disagreement.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 16 June, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter of June 5th, 1968, and I thank you very much for it. Yes, I have noted your questions about the serving of prasadam. The main thing is that whenever prasadam is offered to the Lord, everything should be very respectfully and cleanly presented and prepared. In Jagannatha Puri, the Lord eats 56 times. So the Lord can eat as many times as you can offer. But only thing is whatever is offered must be with respect and devotion. (He is neither hungry nor poor, nor unable to eat, but He accepts everything, when such eatable is within the groups of vegetables, fruits, flours, milk, water, etc. is offered to Him with love and devotion, and faith. He wants our love only, and that makes Him hungry for eating as many times as you may offer. He is absolute, therefore, all contradictory points coincide in Him. He is hungry and satisfied simultaneously. So the purport is that everything should be offered very cleanly and pure things should be given.)

If a preparation is cooked all together, then offer all together. But if it is prepared separately, then the milk, the sugar and the cereal should be offered separately. But if the milk, sugar and grains are all cooked together, that can be done. (Everything should be prepared very carefully and cleanly within the groups of foods listed. And nothing should ever be eaten before offering to the Lord. Best thing is to prepare separately each preparation. No, food which has been offered should never be put back into the refrigerator with the unoffered foods, or brought back into the kitchen. You should prepare as much as can be consumed, and after offering, nothing should be put back in the refrigerator, or kitchen. Refrigerator should always be very cleansed and pure. Everyone should be careful to make only as much as they can eat; they cannot keep any leftovers in refrigerator. I know this is a practice in your country, but in the temples or at homes of any Krishna Consciousness persons, a person should not indulge in such unclean habits. If there is any food extra, that should be kept separately; and if there is a separate refrigerator, not within the kitchen and not having in it any unoffered foods, then you may have such special refrigerator for leftover prasadam. But it cannot be kept within the same refrigerator as the unoffered, unprepared foods. That cannot be. One should never eat within the kitchen, there is ample place to eat so why should one eat in the kitchen? Kitchen should be considered as good as the Lord's room, and nobody should wear shoes in the kitchen, smelling and tasting of foods being prepared for the Lord should never be done, talking within the kitchen should be only what is necessary for preparing the prasadam, or about the Lord, and dirty dishes (those taken from kitchen and eaten from) should not be brought back into the kitchen (but if there is no other place to wash them, then they should be put into sink and washed immediately.), hands should always be washed when preparing prasadam, and in this way, everything shall be prepared very cleanly and pure.)

What is the difficulty of enforcing these rules? They are rules, and they are simple rules, and must be followed. One must be prepared to follow the rules for Krishna. Otherwise where is the proof that he loves Krishna. And they are not very difficult to follow.

I am very happy to hear that your center there is progressing nicely, and please continue doing like that.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 24 June, 1968:

Just now I understand from Mahapurusa das that you phoned here to inquire whether the temple can be closed for your going to San Francisco on the Rathayatra Festival. Since the temple is started, the temple cannot be closed on any day. This is the serious business of opening a center. In no case, even in the most urgent case, the temple cannot be closed even for a single day. The Deities should be offered prasadam regularly, and worshiped regularly, so if you are going to San Francisco, somebody must remain to look after the temple affairs.

I am also in due receipt of your letter, dated June 19, 1968. And I am so glad to learn that Sacisuta is doing very nicely. You will be also glad to know that our students who have gone to India, they are also trying and nicely. Yesterday I received one letter from Harivilasa, and I was so pleased to note his activities. Similarly, Subala is also struggling alone but he is doing nicely. Krishna Consciousness is such a thing that it is so nice that it cannot keep anyone idle. Because a conscious person means a living force, and Krishna Consciousness is the topmost consciousness. Therefore anyone who is actually injected with Krishna Consciousness is always anxious to serve in whatever capacity he can. So you can please give Sriman Sacisuta all good encouragement, as I am very much pleased with his good service attitude. Similarly, I am very much pleased to read about Gargamuni's successful store in S.F. Yes, he is using his good selling ability to serve Krishna, and Krishna is pleased with him so He is giving him all aid to become successful.

I am glad to hear Dayananda and Nandarani will soon return to L.A., and please let me know when they come, and ask them to write me. I am also very much anxious to hear from them. They are good souls and sincere servants to His Lordship, Sri Krishna.

Letter to Dayananda -- Montreal 7 July, 1968:

N.B. Please deliver the enclosed letter to Aniruddha das.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 7 July, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 2, 1968, describing very briefly and emotionally about the nice success of our Rathayatra festival. When Gargamuni came here the other day he also described it so nicely and now you can understand the specimen of transcendental pleasure in which the human society as a whole can take part and realize transcendental bliss. The Car Festival was very simple. After all, it is a car with 4 wheels, but it attracted the people so enthusiastically because there was His Lordship, the Jagannatha. Atheistic people may call it that the Jagannatha Murti was made of wood, and the car was also made of wood, but the spiritual bliss can be exacted from anything, simply in Krishna Consciousness. Even accepting the whole affair as wooden, a Krishna Consciousness person can understand that wood is nothing but display of Krishna's energy. So it is the Krishna Consciousness energy that gives us transcendental bliss, just like it is the electric energy passing through copper cable which gives us electric light and heat. Simply the Krishna Consciousness electric energy can immediately be attractive by developing our sense of Krishna Consciousness, which I am sure you are experiencing gradually how easily it can be done. Now, it may be mentioned in this connection that India's electric energy of Krishna Consciousness is gradually developing in your country, and prior to this movement, anyone who came to this country from India to give the American people spiritual enlightenment, simply speculated on the mental platform. In the Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said that devotional service which is called Rajayoga, or the king of all yoga systems, is transcendental and very pleasing to perform. (I have received one letter from Dayananda also, and the reply is sent herewith, about his improved realization of Krishna Consciousness.)

There is a good chance for opening a center, in Florida, through the exigency of Mr. John Fugate, a friend of Dayananda. To implement this transcendental bliss to the people of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Rathayatra festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to overflood your country with waves of transcendental bliss, by the Grace of Krishna. We can introduce various other ceremonials in connection with Krishna and His different expansions or incarnations in such a nice way that people are sure to be attracted by such thing and become immersed in Krishna Consciousness. So far your center is concerned, now you have also got to introduce such ceremonies in Los Angeles. We have got altogether now 7 or 8 centers, and if each and every center endeavors to rise up to the required standard, it will be a great success.

Yesterday Janardana took me to a nice church here called Notre Dame, a very nice wooden structural workmanship with colorful figures and windows, decorated with nicely painted pictures about the Crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ. Everything was grotesque. Generally the Roman Catholic religion depends on this Crucifixion incident in the life of Lord Jesus Christ, but I think depiction of this incident simply stimulates the tensions of difference of opinion, and difference of religious principles, between the Jews and the Christians. My idea is that if simply by narrating the Crucifixion incident of Lord Jess Christ, the Roman Catholic Religion can spread to such a wide area of the world, how much there is great potency of spreading our Krishna Consciousness by depicting hundreds of thousands of such incidents like Rathayatra. There is not one incident like Rathayatra, but there are many hundreds of thousands of incidents in different appearances of the incarnations of Lord Krishna. In different cities and different centers we can introduce such multi-pastimes ceremonies of Lord Krishna. And certainly people will be engladdened to observe such transcendental and happy ceremonies. So in Los Angeles, as promised by Mukunda, you try to construct a grand temple and then we shall introduce gradually many ceremonial functions, which the people will be so glad to enjoy.

Think of Krishna always and try to work sincerely, and everything will come automatically.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 24 August, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your three letters, dated August 19, August 13, and July 25. I beg to thank you very much for them. After the postal strike is over, there are so many letters congested and therefore, I am sorry that I am late to reply your letter. But I have carefully seen the contents of the three letters and I understand that you are moving near Hollywood vicinity, and some of the devotees from San Francisco are going to your place to join Sankirtana and I am sure this will be a great successful attempt. I also understand that Sankarsana is coming to the temple, but Baladeva. has ceased to come on account of influence of his wife. But if you let me know his address, I can write to him personally.

In the Bhagavad-gita, it is said that even a very small attempt in the path of Krishna Consciousness can save one from the greatest danger. Krishna Consciousness is spiritual consciousness, and whatever is achieved in the matter of realization of this spiritual progress, will never go in vain. The fact is that there are two kinds of consciousness: Krishna Consciousness, and non-Krishna Consciousness. A man may perform Krishna Consciousness to a certain percentage, and another man may perform Krishna Consciousness to greater percentage or cent per cent progress. So those who are not able to perform the cent per cent progress, they have to remain in the material world, but according to the percentage of progress, they are allowed to take their next birth either in a rich family or in a very pure family; in both the cases, one is given the chance to have human form of life so that one can make progress from the point where he ended in his last life. The best thing is that every intelligent man must try to finish this business of Krishna Consciousness in this life. Finishing means one has to conclude that he has no more any necessity for material enjoyment. Spiritual enjoyment of life is the reality, and when one is perfectly prepared to accept spiritual enjoyment, and completely understands the uselessness of material enjoyment, that is the perfectional point of view.

I received letters from Dayananda, and Nandarani, and I am going to reply them separately. Our Bhagavad-gita as it is, which is being published by MacMillan company will be ready by the end of October 1968, and I think Teachings of Lord Caitanya also will be ready by that time. So if Sankarsana can help us in selling our books, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, it will be a great service to the society. The status of Back To Godhead is certainly improving, and I hope it will improve more and more, and two boys, namely Advaita and Uddhava, they are working in a press, and as soon as they are confident that they are competent to run on a press, we shall start our own press at any place. You will also be glad to know that Hayagriva Brahmacari has taken a 99 year's lease on a very large plot of land about 134 acres, for constructing New Vrindaban. So Krishna is giving us gradually facilities to make progress in Krishna Consciousness, and if we work sincerely, there will be no scarcity of help in every respect. I have received the copy of the initiated disciples of the society.

Chanting in the park and on the street is our new movement and it is successful. It has become successful in San Francisco, in New York, as well as in Montreal. So if we adopt this means in Los Angeles, I am sure it will also become successful. In San Francisco, I understand the Kirtana party collects sometimes up to $40.00 daily, and Montreal, the other day, Hamsaduta collected $24.00, similarly I hear from Boston, they are also making good collection. So if you can organize this Sankirtana party chanting in the parks and in the street, with permit from the authorities, there will be no scarcity of money, and people will be very glad to contribute.

The more we struggle for advancing our Krishna Consciousness movement, the more we become advanced on the path. Really, devotional service means that we have to employ our energies for the purpose of Krishna Consciousness, and it does not matter what is the volume of such energy, because different persons have got different type of energies, but the best means is that one has to apply his energy as far as possible, that is the secret of success in Krishna Consciousness. It does not mean that one has to acquire the energy of an elephant or one has to become very learned or intelligent man, simply one has to become sincere and employ whatever energy he has in his possession in the service of the Lord. That is the secret of success in Krishna Consciousness.

Hope this will meet you in good health, and I shall be glad to hear more from you about the progress of your Sankirtana movement recently adopted.

Letter to Aniruddha -- San Francisco 9 September, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 30, 1968, and noted the contents carefully. I have already written one letter to Balarama, as you gave me his address. Regarding Barry Major, I think I have already replied his letter from New York, and I am asking him to see me in San Francisco. You will be glad to know that just yesterday I have come to San Francisco, at 3:00 local time yesterday afternoon. And here the Indians are very willing to cooperate with our temple activities. Regarding minor boys who want to be trained by us; as Brahmacari. It is a very nice opportunity to train such young boys, but there legal implication. Now, our society is a registered, recognized religious society. So we can consult some lawyer whether such religious institution where we are teaching specifically how to become moral in character. We are teaching them prohibition of 4 principle sinful activities, and we are teaching them God consciousness. Whether we can teach such minor boys as Brahmacaris and training them. I am very sorry that these people do not want to see their sons develop high character and knowledge in God conciousness, but they want to push them in the stereotyped way of materialistic life. But even we are prepared to help them, if the legal implications are there, what can we do? You can however encourage the boy as he is making progress, but he may have to wait for initiation because he is not still habituated to give up meat-eating. Any person trying to serve Krishna sincerely, certainly Krishna will give him all opportunity to overcome the difficulties.

This time, Back To Godhead is very nicely printed. Perhaps they will send you copies as usual. But in San Francisco we have brought some copies.

You can inform Nandarani about her letter which she addressed me in Montreal, and I received that letter, redirected from there. And I shall reply her in detail. In the meantime, I have requested Gaurasundara and his wife to go to Florida, as suggested by Nandarani, if they are able. If not, I shall try some other boys to go there, as we must have a center at Florida. That is my great desire.

In the meantime, I have received letter from Syamasundara. in London, and the prospects are very hopeful to open a center there. Similarly, we are getting good reports from Seattle where Gargamuni has gone, and my next program is to go to Seattle from San Francisco.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Seattle 27 September, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated Sept. 24, 1968, and it is very encouraging. May Krishna bless you all. I am so glad to learn that Nandarani and her husband are all so enthusiastically trying to render service to Krishna and you have got very good assistants—Harer Nama, and Varaha Murti. It is so encouraging to learn that Varaha Murti has got permission from his Hiranyaksa-father. Perhaps you know this story of Varaha Murti. Hiranyaksa put the earthly planet within the water, and Lord Varaha lifted the merged earthly planet by His big tusks. So Krishna has given you all a good chance for developing Hollywood, and I hope in the near future all the artists will take to Krishna Consciousness movement, and Hollywood shall become a holy place.

Regarding my going to Los Angeles: I can go at any time, but I think if you are serious to call me you can do so by the middle of October. I think that will be nice. Now, my plan is that personally I shall try to retire from active participation, but I want a place where I can live with at least 15 devotees engaged in editorial work, recording work, photographic work, painting work, etc., so that I may prepare materials for the preaching party who will go with all these paraphernalia and preach Krishna Consciousness all over the world. If you think that you can help me in this respect then it may be I can make Hollywood as my headquarters. In the meantime, I have received letter from Hawaii, and it appears that a good center can be opened there. So let us organize all the centers which are already opened. And until we are fully organized, all these places are fully organized, we shall not make any more attempts.

Dinesh is a good technician in the matter of film making, and gramophone record making, and it is understood that in Hollywood is a good place for such kind of activities. So somehow or other, you organize your center nicely, and I shall be glad to visit if necessary by the middle of October.

Letter to Dayananda -- Seattle 9 October, 1968:

In reply, I may inform you that I have got very good appreciation for you and your good wife, Nandarani, as well as for Aniruddha. I can understand that Nandarani is little displeased with Aniruddha, but I think this is a family quarrel between brother and sister, and you may try to mitigate it. If it is not possible to mitigate, then I shall ask Aniruddha to leave and join the Sankirtana party, who are going very shortly in Los Angeles.

Letter to Dayananda -- Seattle 9 October, 1968:

I am very pleased to learn that you have taken complete charge of the Los Angeles center, and do it very nicely, and if Aniruddha is a displeasure to Nandarani I will ask him to join the Sankirtana Party who are going there within 10 or 12 days.

Letter to Dayananda -- Seattle 9 October, 1968:

Please offer my blessing to Nandarani and your little child, and also Aniruddha, and I beg to remain,

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Letter to Nandarani -- Seattle 18 October, 1968:

P.S. I have just received one letter from Aniruddha who is now staying in San Francisco, and he has asked my permission to stay there, and I am therefore advising him to stay there at least for the time being or if you want him to assist him you can call him back.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Seattle 19 October, 1968:

I am duly in receipt of your letter of Oct. 16, 1968, from San Francisco. You have asked my permission whether you can stay in San Francisco, but I think your service will be required in Los Angeles. The Sankirtana party is going to Los Angeles very soon, and I shall decide about you when I go there. In the meantime, you stay in San Francisco, and help Cidananda as secretary.

Regarding Dr. Bagchee—we must always know that we are executing the topmost yoga system, Krishna Consciousness, and we do not require any inferior quality yoga system. You must have read in Bhagavad-gita in the 6th chap., last verse, that one who is constantly in Krishna Consciousness, he is the topmost yogi (Bg 6.47). So the process which we have adopted cannot be compared even with any other yoga system. That is a fact.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 14 November, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated Nov. 7, and I am very glad to know that you are working in San Francisco equally with the same enthusiasm as I saw you here when I was in Los Angeles last year. Perhaps you have heard it that for the time being we have no temple. The landlord in Hollywood Blvd. did not like our devotees to stay there, and he returned $450 so that we would move our articles there from the storefront. So the Deities are here in my apartment, so I do not know how we shall find out a suitable place. And when there is a nice suitable place for our temple, then I shall consider whether you are to come back. For the mean time, you work in San Francisco, and try to organize sales of our Back To Godhead as many as possible. I have not heard anything from Cidananda since a long time, and I hope he along with the other devotees are all well. I understand that on the average you are collecting $22 a day, so this is nice, just go on trying to increase.

Whenever the Indian community invites you to go and take Prasadam, be always kind with them, and go there and chant Hare Krishna. They are vegetarian, so whatever Prasadam they prepare you offer to the Deity and enjoy it.

Regarding your questions: Your first question, "Are great sages put under yogamaya or maya? Also are all the eternally liberated souls under yogamaya?" Yogamaya means the mercy of the Supreme Lord which connects a devotee in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and mahamaya means the external potency of the Lord which puts a conditioned soul into illusion that he will be happy by material adjustment. So great sages who are impersonalists are also under the spell of mahamaya, because a conditioned soul in the material world wants to improve his material position as exalted as possible, and the concept of becoming one with the Supreme Lord is the greatest illusion for them. Because it is a fact that nobody can be equal or greater than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such, anyone desiring to become one with the Supreme means that he is still in the trap of maya. On the other hand, a humble devotee who may not be a great sage, but simply by his implicit acceptance of the Lotus Feet of the Lord as the goal of his life means that he is under the protection of yogamaya. I think this will clear the idea.

Your next question, "Is there a difference between Arjuna's body and his soul, and how does this apply to all Krishna's eternally liberated souls described in the scriptures. Is Arjuna always the same in his appearances with Krishna or is a new soul taking his body each time?" Yes, there is difference. Therefore he forgets his past activities. Just like we forget ourselves while dreaming because our subtle body acts at that time differently from the gross body. Similarly, by changing this body or transmigrating from one body to another, we forget all the activities of our previous body. The associates of the Lord, even though they have a different body, or even though they forget the activities of their past body, still they are associates of the Lord. These explanations are given in the Bhagavad-gita as it is.

Your next question, "Is a pure devotee eternally liberated and if so is he at any time a conditioned soul? We are eternally conditioned, but as soon as we surrender to Krishna do we then become eternally liberated? When Lord Christ appeared he seemed to be conditioned in his growth. Was he a specific incarnation or a conditioned soul who became liberated?" You are not eternally conditioned. You are eternally liberated but since we have become conditioned on account of our desire to enjoy materialistic way of life, from time immemorial, therefore it appears that we are eternally conditioned. Because we cannot trace out the history or the date when we became conditioned, therefore it is technically called eternally conditioned. Otherwise the living entity is not actually conditioned. A living entity is always pure. But he is prone to be attracted by material enjoyment and as soon as he agrees to place himself in material enjoyment, he becomes conditioned, but that is not permanent. Therefore a living entity is called on the marginal state, sometimes this side, sometimes that side. These are very intelligent questions. And I am very glad that you are putting such intelligent questions and trying to understand it. It is very good. But best thing is that one should know he is in conditioned life and try to cure it. When a man is in diseased condition he should try to get out of diseased condition without harassing his brain when the disease has begun. But it is to be understood that the disease is not our constant companion, it is temporary. So the best thing is to cure the disease, and not waste our time to find out the date when it began. Forgetfulness of Krishna is the disease, so let us keep ourselves always in Krishna Consciousness, and get out of the disease, that is healthy life. Yes, Lord Jesus was jivatattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva tattva becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called saktyavesa avatara. Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of saktyavesa avatara.. But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared; they came to teach here.

You should all read very carefully Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, and you should be able to answer all questions like this, and only in rare cases approach me. But it is important that our students must be able to answer all questions for becoming preachers.

Arati is performed at 1 1/2 hour before sunrise to awaken the Deities. Each offering is made by moving it in 7 big circles, starting at the Lotus Feet of the Lord, and going clockwise round. First of all, burning camphor or ghee (5 fires if possible) is offered in this way, slowly circling them before the Lord. With left hand bell is being rung, and with right hand the offerings are made by circling. Next burning dhupa is offered. Then water is offered in a conchshell. Then a nice handkerchief is offered. Then a nice flower, as a rose. Then the Deities are offered a fan, nice peacock feather fan. And the last item is the blowing of the conch shell three times. Throughout arati there is bell ringing, cymbals, mrdanga, gong, harmonium, etc.

Hope you are all well, and please keep me informed on the progress of the temple there.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 30 November, 1968:

Regarding the boys, I shall ask their mother, Silavati, to open correspondence with you, and you write to her also. She is presently here in Los Angeles, along with one of her sons, Birbhadra das Brahmacari, and her other son, Girish das, is in San Francisco under care of Aniruddha das Brahmacari.

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

I have received your letter dated Nov. 30, 1968 and I thank you for the report of progress at your temple.

Now it is understood that you are taking charge of Girish and I think that you may teach him very nicely the principles of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Then, when this is learned you may go on to Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way we wish to train all of the boys of his age who come to our temples. If you can take charge of this teaching, we can immediately open a teaching department where such instructions can go on. Hayagriva has agreed to take charge of such a teaching department and when he comes to see me soon, I will talk with him in detail. We want such teaching department to teach and raise children to the standard of Krishna Consciousness. You can make trial with Girish and let me know how it is progressing.

Yesterday, we have contracted one nice temple site on La Cienega Boulevard. It is previously a chapel but now I wish to organize it to be one nice temple for Krishna Consciousness. Let us see how Krishna will help us. But there is good possibility to develop it into a nice temple. The rent is $500 each month but they have agreed to $400 for the first year.

So far as the lady psychiatrist making tests with our children, you should know that our children are fireproof and waterproof due to Krishna Consciousness so there is no harm for them. Let them test if they wish, we shall come out successful.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 19 December, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your letter of December 17, 1968 and I thank you so much for it. From this letter I can see that you are taking serious interest in the welfare of Girish and this is very nice. You are quite right in your estimation that engagement in Krishna's service will help him to progress more and more. And keeping him engaged will similarly keep you engaged so I can see that there is all round benefit for you both. I do not think that at this time it will be necessary for you to obtain a teacher's certificate. You have so many other important duties to perform in your center. Also, I understand that in West Virginia that the qualification for being teacher is simply that one has graduated from high school so there will be no necessity of such teacher's certificate. Before long we are hoping to obtain a schooling program in New Vrindaban where our boys may be trained up in the principles of Krishna Consciousness as well as reading, writing and arithmetic. In Los Angeles, Visnujan is taking care of Birbhadra and this boy is also doing very nicely. Certainly this boy is very good soul to be in contact with Krishna Consciousness even at such an early age so be patient with him and I think that he will continue to progress very nicely.

Please convey my blessings to Cidananda. I have received his letter and am encouraged that he is taking interest in selling our Bhagavad-gita As It Is. You may all try to distribute this book as far as possible and it will be a great service to our movement. If any sincere person reads this book I think that he will be impressed by the solid footing on which our Krishna Consciousness is based. All of the nonsense Bhagavad-gitas that deny Krishna are simply bluffs so if one is intelligent he is sure to get some inkling of the authorized nature of our Krishna Conscious philosophy. So try to promote sales as far as you are able and Krishna will surely help you in this important endeavor.

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

Both you and Aniruddha are sincere devotees with good talents, so anything you do by combined consultation has my 100% approval.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 23 January, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 22, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. I can understand from your letter that there has been some disagreements or misunderstandings in the temple, but I think that you should know that all such disturbances must be solved peacefully and with consideration of the entire situation. Cidananda is the president there, and I think you understand rightly that everyone must cooperate with him in keeping the temple nicely and without any unnecessary tensions.

Any way, if you are feeling too much inconvenience staying in San Francisco, then you are welcome to come to Los Angeles and stay here with me. But if you can help to smooth over the difficulties there that will be the best thing. You are a sincere and intelligent boy, so if you along with all of the members combine to cooperate with one another in our mission of spreading Krishna Consciousness that will be very nice. I am pleased to note that Girish is progressing nicely under your guidance. Our plan for a school is progressing very well, and already we have many qualified teachers amongst our disciples who are looking forward to beginning this activity there. Next month, Paramananda and his wife, Satyabhama, who is a qualified teacher, will be going to New Vrindaban to stay, and similarly there are many others who will be going there in the near future to start work on this new venture. So the future of our movement will be very bright, and similarly your future will be very bright also, so there is no need for you to be depressed about any previous misunderstandings. Simply you have to remember to chant Hare Krishna always, tell others to do the same, help in all respects to spread the glories of Krishna Consciousness, and certainly Krishna will help you in your efforts to solve any of the difficulties that may be taking place. But if you think that staying with me in Los Angeles will be better for you then you may consider this.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 4 February, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated January 29, 1969, and I am pleased to learn that everything is going nicely with full cooperation of all of your godbrothers. Our center of activities is Krishna, and if we are actually Krishna Conscious there will always be full cooperation between ourselves for the satisfaction of Krishna.

These two boys, Girish and Birbhadra are sent by Krishna to our care, and we must be very much attentive for building their character in Krishna Consciousness. Here, the boy, Birbhadra, is taken care of personally by Vishnujana, and, by Krishna's Grace, you have to take care of Girish. In New Vrindaban, nothing can immediately be done because there is no sufficient accommodations, but I am in correspondence with Hayagriva for renting one two-story big house near New Vrindaban for starting the press. I think we will be able to secure the house by next April when I will also go there, and our project of starting a school, press, etc., will be seriously taken at that time.

You are right when you say that setting a good example for the boys is the best precept. There is a saying that an example is better than a precept. Our exemplary character depends on strictly following the four principles, and this will conquer the whole world. Our boys and girls in London, by there exemplary character have drawn the attention of many respectable persons and even some public papers. Our movement is not only for some theoretical teaching, but it is for developing practical character and definite understanding. I will be glad to know what is your future program. Do you think you will be continuing as brahmacari, or in the future will you wish to become householder? The idea is that when we open our educational institute, we will require some dedicated monks, just like Christian Fathers, who have no connection with women. In that case, we can start a theological school also, along with a boys primary school. Our theological school will regularly teach our published books, such as Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion, Brahma Samhita, and Krishna.

We wish to hold examinations and award titles such as Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, and Bhaktivedanta. The whole program will continue for seven years, and the students who will be fully engaged in this study of a seven year course will be classified in the 4-D section of the draft board. Such students will not be called for military activities. In this connection, an experiment is going on with Kartikeya, and if it is successful then we can give protection to many such students provided they take things seriously.

Apart from the draft board chasing, actually we require many enlightened students who can go to any part of the world and establish there a center. Anyone who is a little bit conversant with the above books can go anywhere, chant Hare Krishna, distribute Back To Godhead, and hold classes on the above books. I have received one letter from Gurudasa today that they have got permission to chant Hare Krishna in all the streets and parks of London. The world needs this consciousness of Krishna, and we have to manufacture many preachers for this purpose. I wish that you can also take the responsibility of teaching staff when we actually open our theological school in New Vrindaban.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 13 February, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter of February 11, 1969, and I was pleased to note the contents therein. I am glad that everyone at your temple is working hard and in full cooperation for keeping the temple nicely and spreading our movement as far as possible. This should be our motto. We have so many things to do for improving our Krishna Consciousness movement, and I am so glad to learn that there is a newspaper report wherein it is said that "Krishna Chants Startle London." Please send me at least one copy of the paper immediately. I want to read it. It sounds very much encouraging.

I have sent back the beads for Girish by separate mail, after duly chanting upon them. I am very glad to learn that he is completing daily his rounds at any cost. It is an example even for the elderly students. Please encourage this nice boy. He is given under your protection so take care of him very nicely. Just produce one nice Krishna Conscious youth. It will be a great service to Krishna and recognition of your nice service.

It is very nice that you are wishing to remain as a brahmacari. In London they are ideal householders. So actually it doesn't matter if one is householder of brahmacari. Sincerity of purpose is the only qualification for Krishna Consciousness. Sri Narottama das Thakura says that he hankers after the company of any person, never mind whether he is in the renounced order of life or in householder life, just as long as he is merged into the ocean of Krishna Consciousness. That is the one qualification.

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 17 February, 1969:

I have learnt that in San Francisco there was an article published with the title, "Krishna Chant Startles London." You may ask Aniruddha to send you a copy of this.

Letter to Cidananda, Dindayal, Aniruddha, Makhanlal -- Los Angeles 23 February, 1969:

I have duly received all of your elaborate letters, and there are so many points to reply, it will take time to reply you properly. In the meantime, my request to you is that you take very seriously our program of Back to Godhead, and, as you have promised to contribute your quota of $750 per month against delivery of 5,000 copies of Back To Godhead, I am so much obliged to you all.

Now, who will work and who will not work that is consideration between yourselves. It is local affairs, and how can I advise you that one is to do something and another is to do something. Neither you should depend upon me for such local administrative business. All of you are sincere devotees pledged to the missionary activities, so you should sit together and decide what to do and what not to do.

But I am begging from you $750 per month against 5,000 copies of Back To Godhead. Out of this 5,000 copies, if you simply sell 1,500 copies you immediately realize your $750. The balance of 3,500 copies will be in your hands. If you can sell them at any price, not less than 30 cents per copy to stores, then whatever amount you realize will be clear profit for the Temple. If still there is some balance copies, then these copies we can distribute free by post to heads of the society, schools, colleges, libraries, and so many other institutions. So we have to make a list of them, and take concession rates from the post office. In this way we can make vigorous propaganda with Back to Godhead. Besides that, if you can introduce Sankirtana and classes and Back to Godhead in Berkeley, that will be another great advantage.

So I am reading your letters carefully and I shall answer them duly. In the meantime, you consider my appeal and do the needful jointly. For Aniruddha my instruction is that immediately there is no program in New Vrindaban because unless there is suitable houses for residence, we can not begin any work there. So I have instructed Hayagriva to make houses first. Then we can consider programs for going there. Now there is other important matters such as Back To Godhead which we should try for.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Hawaii 24 March, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter of March 19, 1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. Yes, I shall be arriving there in S.F. on the 31st of this month and I shall be happy to see you all there at that time. I have noted carefully the situation with Girish, and we shall best discuss the whole matter when I shall arrive there next week and make program. I am happy to learn that Dindayal and Makhanlal are doing well at Berkeley also.

Mahapurusa Brahmacari is prepared to go with me on the 31st instant, if you can send his passage fare of $75, and he will do the cooking and upkeep of my apartment while I am in San Francisco. So you can find his enclosed note to you in this connection.

I shall be happy to greet you on Monday next, and we shall discuss all things further; in the meantime, I hope you are feeling well and happy there.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Tittenhurst 21 October, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letters dated October 5, 1969 and October 7, 1969 and have noted the contents carefully. As you were not fixed up in any place I could not reply. Now I understand from Brahmananda's letter that you have returned back to New York temple, so I am glad to hear this. Please note it carefully that you cannot leave Krishna Consciousness. That is a fact. And even if you want to leave, Krishna will not leave you. That is also a fact. Under the circumstances you should adjust your situation and continue Krishna Consciousness very enthusiastically. I know you are a very intelligent boy, industrious, so you can do tremendous service to Krishna by utilizing your inherent qualities. I am very glad you decided to marry and I quite approve of it. My married couple disciples are doing very nice service to Krishna Consciousness in Hawaii, Japan, London, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, etc. So you also get yourself married, and if you like you open a new branch, and husband and wife together advance the cause of Krishna Consciousness. Anyway, I recommend your married life very strongly. That will give you extra strength to serve Krishna. So do it as soon as possible. I think Brahmananda will help you in this matter and that will solve all your problems.

Letter to Aniruddha -- London 26 November, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 21, 1969. I am glad that you have received my letter to to you, addressed to New York. Therein I have expressed my opinion about your marriage. So it is very nice program. Just get yourself married, and as you propose to go to Argentina with Citsukhananda to open a branch there, I have all approval. So you accept some girl who will marry you, either Sacidevi or anyone else. In our Indian way there is no question of acceptance or rejection. The parents arrange for marriage and whatever boy or girl they select for their son or daughter, that is accepted. Even there is some disagreement at times, that is not taken very seriously. In this way, in mature life they become happy. I want to introduce this system in the Western countries, amongst my disciples at least. Their primary business should be Krishna Consciousness. Other relationships are mundane and therefore not very important. So please try to open a branch in Argentina, and it is not very difficult. Recently Vamanadeva who was in Columbus, now has married and has ventured on my advice to open a center in St. Louis. I have received his report several days ago, and it is very encouraging.

I hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

P.S. The Radha Krishna deity carved from wood by Gaurasundara at San Francisco was delivered to you. Perhaps you remember. I want those deities now. Please let me know where they are.

Letter to Aniruddha -- London 7 December, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 2, 1969, and it is very encouraging that Saci Devi is coming. I know she is a very nice girl, so if you agree to marry her, then you must treat her very nicely so that you can live very peacefully. Our marriages are never meant for separation. You must live together very peacefully in all circumstances. Our Vamanadeva, after marriage, has opened a new center in St. Louis, and they are doing very well. So far as Hamsaduta is concerned, immediately there is no possibility of his leaving Berkeley center. It is a very important center, and as you say he is doing very well you require to stay there, husband and wife, and improve the center very magnificently. If you want to open a center, you are already experienced, and you should do it independently.

Please continue to read the literature very attentively. Try to understand very soberly and you will feel ecstasy undoubtedly. The more we understand the spiritual literatures the more we become engladdened. Lord Caitanya has written ananda ambhudhi bardhanam. This means the ocean of bliss is always increasing. So continue to execute your duties with enthusiasm and patience, and I am certain Krishna will be pleased make you successful on all accounts.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Aniruddha -- London 14 August, 1971:

I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated 9th August, 1971. I have already chanted your beads and they are enclosed herewith.

Please be engaged in the service of Lord Krishna very enthusiastically. You are my old disciple and I know how much enthusiastically you were working in the beginning at the old L.A. temple. Now you can revive the same old energy and develop San Diego center. Krishna is giving you a nice place to serve so utilize it properly.

Letter to ISKCON San Diego, Bhakta dasa, Surya, Rajiblocan, Aniruddha, Paratrikananda, Norah, Annapurna, Marney, Nrsimha Caitanya, Marybelle, others -- London 15 August, 1971:

I beg to thank you very much for your kind feelings of appreciation of my humble service unto you. You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. So whatever you have spoken, it is simply due to them. I am simply the via media to receive them, on behalf of my Guru Maharaja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada.

Letter to ISKCON N.Y., Bhavananda and others -- London 15 August, 1971:

I beg to thank you very much for your kind feelings of appreciation of my humble service unto you. You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. So whatever you have spoken, it is simply due to them. I am simply the via media to receive them, on behalf of my Guru Maharaja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Svati -- Unknown Place January 1972:

We should avoid as far as possible any physical punishment to train children. It is better to use sweet words or if it is absolutely necessary to punish then you may bind with ropes in one place or show the cane, but do not use—like that. I have recently explained to Aniruddha in Dallas school and you may write to him for details.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Bombay 10 January, 1972:

I am in due receipt of your letter of 12/10/71, and I am very much pleased that you are enthusiastic to instruct our KC children at ISAVASYA SCHOOL. I have heard from Satsvarupa that we have not got that big building we were trying for. Never mind, the important thing is that we continue our work nicely for educating children, and Krishna will give us all facility.

I have read that you are "screening very carefully" the children who want to come there. That is not a very good proposal. All children of devotees should be welcome. Even they have developed some unfavorable qualities, they are only young children, how do you expect them to behave in the best way? You have to make them very nice behavior by training them and simply giving discipline. So let everyone come to our school. That is our policy, not to discriminate.

The children should be trained in early rising, attending mangal arati, some elementary education: arithmetic, alphabet, some of our books, like that. They should go to bed by 8 p.m. and rise by 4 a.m. for mangal arati, getting 8 hours sleep. If they take 8 hours sleep, they will not fall asleep during arati. When they get up they should wash with a little warm water, at least three times wash face. They may sleep one hour in the afternoon and there is no harm. Encourage them to chant as much japa as possible, but there is no question of force or punishment. If there is need you may shake your finger at them but never physical punishment is allowed. Try as far as possible to discipline them with love and affection, so that they develop a taste for austerity of life and think it great fun to serve Krishna in many ways. Rising early and mangal arati, this is enough austerity. Besides that, let them learn something, chant, dance, eat as much prasadam as they like, and do not mind if they have playful nature—let them also play and run, that is natural. It is nice if they eat often—if children overeat it doesn't matter, that is no mistake. Boys and girls should be educated separately.

Please keep me informed your progress there, and if you have any further questions. Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Calcutta 16 February, 1972:

One thing, if Aniruddha is shaky in his Krishna Consciousness, how he can teach the children? Unless one is firmly convinced about Krishna Consciousness, I don't think the children will learn properly from such a person. Other experienced teachers may be called from other centers if they are required, that you should discuss with the GBC.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Calcutta 7 March, 1972:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Jan. 31, 1972, and I have noted the contents. I am very glad to learn that you are enthusiastic to teach the children. Most of your questions I have answered as above to Satsvarupa. Simply follow the program of the elders, let the children associate as much as possible with the routine KC program, and when the others go out for working and business matters, the children can be given classes as you describe. They can learn our method of Krishna Consciousness by rising early, cleansing, plus knowledge of Sanskrit, English, a little Mathematics, history, geography, that's all. We haven't got to take any help from the government by getting so-called accreditation. If outsiders want to send their children to us, it will not be for their accreditation, but because they will get the best education for relieving them of all anxieties of material life and for this education the government has no idea. Where is such thing as transmigration of the soul being taught in classroom? If they simply learn to rise early, cleanse, all hygienic principles, their study will be greater than any government program. Whatever the elder members are doing, the children should do if possible. But for teaching the teachers themselves should be fixed up initiated devotees, otherwise how the children can get the right information and example? Thank you very much for serving Krishna in this way, and if you go on sincerely serving like this, chanting, and following the regulative principles strictly, all your questions will be answered by Krishna automatically.

Page Title:Training of Aniruddha dasa (Letters, 1967 - 1972)
Compiler:Alakananda
Created:04 of Jun, 2010
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=43
No. of Quotes:43