Training of Kartikeya dasa (Letters, 1968 - 1972)

Correspondence

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Jayananda, Kartikeya, Syama, Dorothy, Visnujana, Dan, Tom, Russell, Michael, Krsna Devi, others -- Montreal 26 August, 1968:

I am so grateful to you for your invitation to come to San Francisco as soon as possible, and equally I am also anxious to go there, but for certain unavoidable reasons, I cannot immediately go to San Francisco. One of the reasons is that I may have to go to Vancouver and I am expecting instructions in this connection at every moment. So if I go to Vancouver then from Vancouver I shall go to San Francisco, and if I do not go to Vancouver, then probably by the end of September I must go to San Francisco.

I am in due receipt of your letter, Jayananda, dated August 21, 1968, and I am glad to learn that one Indian gentleman, Sri Ranchhoubha Patel, is returning to India and upon returning they will send two 18" marble Radha Krishna Murti, and certainly when you receive those Murtis, we shall have a grand festival. In the meantime, the Murti of Murli Manohar when arrives by the end of September, I must be present and do the needful nice ceremony. When I go to San Francisco, I shall deal with these Indian ladies and gentlemen, and in the meantime, keep them alive in the activities of our temple. It may be that we may open another center in San Francisco, near this Patel community. Anyway, let Murli Manohar come, then Radharani will automatically come.

Regarding the Associated Press: It is a very good opportunity to push our publicity through this sympathetic press. I have got so many things to say to such press representative, and if you can see the gentleman and arrange to send a representative here in Montreal, so it will be a nice opportunity to speak to them personally.

You wanted to send me one certificate for the police officer, and I also confirmed this, but I have not received as yet the certificate. If possible, please send it immediately.

I am so much pleased with the good reports of your Sankirtana party there, and please continue to spread our Krishna Consciousness movement in this way, and you will receive the blessings of Lord Caitanya. I am very happy to hear of the so many new boys and girls taking a sincere interest in this philosophy, and I am also very eager to meet with them when I come there to San Francisco.

In the meantime, please continue your very excellent work of spreading this Krishna Consciousness all over that part of the country, and try to attract more and more new boys and girls to this great movement.

Thanking you once more for your many kind letters of invitation, and hoping you are well and happy.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

N.B. Please send my stationery (like this sheet), which is lying with you there, if you have not yet done so, as we will be needing it very soon.

Letter to Yamuna, Mukunda, Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 8 November, 1968:

Regarding giving protection to our students called by the draft board, I think the botheration may be stopped in future as there is a clause under form No. Cal-301 (REV.12 FEB 60L); Budget Bureau No. 33-R 140.3, the "Questionnaire for Registrants Claiming IV-D", which when filled up with my certificate of teaching, our men can be saved. As experiment I am giving certificate to Kartikeya who is already called, and let us see the result. I think it will be fruitful because another student, Dindayal das, he is also fighting on this point. I think Krishna will help us in this connection.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 24 November, 1968:

Just yesterday I received your tape. I could not however play it immediately because the tape recorder that Govinda Dasi has wasn't big enough to hold the tape. So this morning I got Dayananda's larger tape recorder and heard with great enjoyment your speech and kirtana. Myself, Purusottama, Kartikeya and Govinda Dasi joined with your kirtana clapping and we enjoyed transcendental bliss. Thank you very much for your endeavor and all blessings of Thakura Bhaktivinode and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati will be bestowed upon you because you are trying to push on their life long mission. Thakura Bhaktivinode, in the year of my birth, first attempted to introduce these missionary activities in McGill University and the same attempt is being renovated by your combined efforts. I am sure that Lord Caitanya and His eternal Associates, Bhaktivinode Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarisvati, will be pleased to bestow their mercy upon you. Please try to continue this attempt and I am sure you shall be successful. I shall keep this tape for a few days more and then return it to you. I hope you have received my previous letters.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 25 November, 1968:

So far Uttama Sloka's draft situation, by the time needed I shall give him certificate for being minister of religion student, as I have given to Kartikeya. And I think when a boy is under religious ministerial order he can be saved. Please inquire about it, and if required, I shall immediately issue him certificate. I am recognized ordained minister of religion, and our society is religious society incorporated, and we are teaching our students to preach religion and theological concept of life.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Syama -- Los Angeles 18 January, 1969:

I am glad to hear that you are helping out in tending the Deities. This is very spiritually beneficial engagement and, along with chanting the required number of rounds of Hare Krishna, Krishna is sure to give you all facilities to perfect your life in full Krishna Consciousness. In this connection, the recipe for the caranamrta is enclosed here by Kartikeya.

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

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.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 10 February, 1969:

Regarding Kartikeya, I am sorry to inform you that all of a sudden he has been captivated by maya, and since yesterday, he has left my company. The day before yesterday afternoon, he was absent for more than three hours and when he came back, he explained that he was out walking in the street. Later on, it was found that he went to see a Christian priest who had impressed upon his mind that one can drink wine after offering it to Lord Christ on the first Friday of every month. I had been informed by Kartikeya that before his coming to our Krishna Consciousness camp he was drinking too much. So now he wanted to give me evidence that drinking was good when it is offered to Lord Christ. I tried to convince him that drinking is not at all good. The very fact that one should drink on the first Friday of each month means it is rigidly restricted; one can drink only once every month, but in the case of bread, it is said that one should pray daily for bread from the Lord. In this way there was some remonstration, but he was silently hearing from me while being not at all satisfied. I understood from Purusottama that the whole night he was not satisfied. The next morning, that was yesterday, Tamala was talking with me and I asked him to keep Kartikeya for some time in his Kirtana Party. But Kartikeya got immediately upset, and just within 15 minutes, he took away his bags and baggage and phoned his sister and went to her place. This morning, Sudama phoned him that if you do not like to live in the temple, you can come back and live with Swamiji. But he has not come back. Therefore, for the time being, it is to be understood that he is victimized by the stroke of maya. I do not know what is awaiting his future lot, but I am sure that his service to Krishna and to his Spiritual Master will not go in vain. But individual independence and maya are so strong that they can stop progress at any moment. So long as he was here, he was taking care of me very nicely, and I am very much obliged to him. I simply said that he may live for some time with the Sankirtana Party, and he became upset. So I do not know what to do.

Letter to Vamanadeva -- Los Angeles 16 February, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your special delivery letter dated February 14, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. The best thing I can advise you is that you should insistently try to classify yourself under 4-D section which is your actual position. In case they do not accept it, then you will have to go to court. Similar cases are pending in the matter of Dindayal as well as Kartikeya. Actually, our students are divinity students; there is no doubt about it, and there is a law that divinity students can not be called by the draft, so why should you not take advantage of it?

Letter to Bhurijana -- Los Angeles 25 February, 1969:

You will be pleased to know that one devotee, Kartikeya, has already received his 4-D ministerial status from the draft, and I am enclosing herewith carbon copy of the letter I have sent to your draft board. So we shall save you from the draft. If you stick to the study of our books and continue as a preacher, there will be no difficulty for you to get 4-D classification.

Letter to Purusottama -- Hawaii 10 March, 1969:

Dindayal wants me in San Francisco for a few days. So I have agreed. You can talk with him by phone & ask him to send me the passage money. As soon as I get it I shall start for San Francisco because here there is no serious engagements. Of course the climate is nice & I am keeping nice here. Kartikeya is ill for indigestion. Hope you are well. Please offer my blessings to all there. The condition of the centre is not very satisfactory. So I am trying to rectify it.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Hawaii 11 March, 1969:

I have come here last Monday, the 3rd March. The place is very nice, with both sunshine and seaview and fresh air. But the boy Kartikeya has fallen sick and it is apprehended that he is developing appendicitis trouble.

Letter to Upendra -- Hawaii 24 March, 1969:

Regarding your Draft Board questions: We are trying at the moment to get our society recognized by them as a bona fide religious institution, and if this is successful, rest assured that there will be no trouble for you. Kartikeya has been classified in 4D ministerial status, because the officer who came to inquire about him was satisfied, but his instance is not generally recognized. We have to submit our bona fides and as soon as we get recognized then everyone of our boys will be saved.

Letter to Gaurasundara, Govinda, Vamanadeva, Balabhadra, Sudama, Kartikeya -- San Francisco 2 April, 1969:

I beg to inform you that I have safely arrived as scheduled in San Francisco, and I am thinking fondly of you all. Cidananda has received one telephone call from Satsvarupa requesting advice as to what should be Jadurani's program, and I have advised that if the doctor wishes Jadurani to go to Hawaii immediately then she should do this. Otherwise she will wait in Boston till after I go there on April 22nd about. So when this matter is decided you will be notified about her arrival there.

I hope this will meet you in good health and cheerful mood. Please keep me informed to your well-being and the progress of your center.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

P.S. I am reaching L.A. on 6th and N.Y. on 9th

Letter to Sudama, Kartikeya -- Buffalo 19 April, 1969:

I was very much anxious to receive your letters, so now I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of them. I can understand that things are improving all around, and that is very satisfactory. So depend upon Krishna, work very sincerely, and everything will be complete without any doubt. On the kirtana nights you should all assemble together in the temple and if this is not possible then you can chant in your apartment. I am pleased that you are working for our activities in Japan, and in three months you should be able to gather at least $1,500.00 together. Don't spend money needlessly. Try to save as much as possible, because you have very important work to do for the service of Lord Caitanya.

Regarding Kartikeya's question about worshiping Lord Jagannatha, He should always be worshiped with awe and reverence. Krishna's picture as a Naughty Child should not be treated by us as a naughty child. We should always worship Krishna as the Supreme Lord.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Columbus, Ohio 8 May, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 6, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. I have advised Uddhava to inform you of what is decided regarding your business, and you may invite Kartikeya to come there to help you, as I have advised Uddhava to inform you. But your business must cooperate with the other departments, so that all departments can go on smoothly. Otherwise it is not a very good situation.

Letter to Sudama -- Columbus, Ohio 8 May, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your two letters, sent Special Delivery, dated May 5th and May 6th, 1969. I was very much anxious for Kartikeya after receiving the first letter, so now that he is somewhat improved, try to protect him. He is a very nice boy, but sometimes he gets crazy. You should treat him as your younger brother and with kindness. In the meantime, if he wants to go to the New York center, then he can go there, and Brahmananda can take care of him. Or if he wants to go to New Vrindaban, I will be going there soon, and he will be glad to remain with me as usual. But try to keep him from getting upset. I do not know why he becomes at intervals like that. I can only pray that Krishna will save him from this upsetting business.

Letter to Sudama -- Columbus, Ohio 20 May, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 19, 1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. I understand that Kartikeya has left for San Francisco, and there is no grudge. I hope in the association of the devotees there, he will feel jolly, and his moroseness will be cleared off. So far as you are concerned, I do not think living alone in Honolulu will be very good. If there is possibility of your living in the temple along with the other devotees, then live there. Otherwise you may also return, either in Los Angeles or San Francisco. You can work anywhere because you have got abilities, and from anywhere you can start for Tokyo. So for going to Tokyo it is not very much necessary that you have to remain in Honolulu alone. I do not advise any of my disciples to live alone; that is not good. If Vamanadeva would have lived with you, that would also have been better. So live in the temple, or with Vamanadeva, or else go to Los Angeles or San Francisco. When the time is mature, Krishna will help you to go to Tokyo with some other devotees. We shall see later on.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 23 May, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 17, 1969, and I am so glad to learn that your presence in San Francisco has not only settled up the tension, but also has improved the conditions. Krishna is gradually giving you power to serve Him and more nicely, and thus you are one of the future strong pillars of the society. Your idea of training preachers in Los Angeles and my staying there is already approved. Most probably, if I do not go to Europe, I shall return there by the end of June. In the meantime I shall be glad to know what is the position of your finding out a better place. I do not know whether or not Kartikeya has arrived there yet in San Francisco, but it is understood that he has left Hawaii.

The Rathayatra Festival pr

Letter to Cidananda -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1969:

I thank you very much for your letter dated June 24, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. Madhudvisa has already gone there as desired by you, and I am sure he will be very helpful. He is now a veteran trained man, and the Los Angeles temple is now an ideal place for all centers to take example. Now I hope you will be able to make San Francisco as important as Los Angeles temple in cooperation with Madhudvisa and the other devotees there. Please convey my blessings to Jayananda, who is helping so much now in organizing for the Rathayatra Festival. Regarding Kartikeya, if he wants to go to Germany, he can go, but if you require him in San Francisco at present, don't encourage him to go at present. But in Germany there is a need for brahmacaris, and Kartikeya knows a little German language. In Germany they are now printing a very fine German edition of Back To Godhead, and I am enclosing some clippings and a leaflet they have printed there. If Kartikeya can explain the words on these pages, then he can be encouraged to go to Germany. Just today I have received invitation from Krishna das that they want me to go immediately there, and even they have purchased one ticket for me. I will not be able to go to Germany immediately, but perhaps after the Rathayatra Festival this may be arranged.

Please convey my blessings to the others. I hope this will meet all of you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

NB: Enclosed is one letter to be given to Umapati, along with German papers for Kartikeya and one note for Madhudvisa.

If you meet Reka the Bengali Lady, tell her that I have received her letter without her present address. If she wants to come here she is welcome otherwise I am going there until Ratha Yatra festival.

Letter to Nandarani -- Tittenhurst 30 September, 1969:

I am so glad to learn that Candramukhi is getting Krishna Consciousness from the very beginning of her life. This is the advantage of her previous life's advancement in Krishna Consciousness. Please take care of your children and make them perfectly Krishna Conscious. That is very great service. If by your endeavor one or two souls who come under your protection become liberated in this life, that is a great transcendental service to the Lord. So I am sure your children under the care of both you and Dayananda surely have salvation in this life, along with their parents, and they will not have to come back in this miserable condition of material life. That is the injunction of Srimad-Bhagavatam to the Krishna Consciousness parents. Please offer my blessings to Kartikeya and Silavati for their good service and also please hand over the enclosed note to Srimati Rekha. I hope this will meet you in good health.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Sudama -- Surat 1 January, 1971:

Married life does not mean that there will be no disagreement between husband and wife—that is a custom from time immemorial. According to Vedic system, disagreement or quarrel between husband and wife should never be taken very seriously. The Vedic system therefore gives a concession for the wife to separate from her husband for some time and go to her father's house. So Cintamani may come to me for some time, but you cannot deviate from your responsibility in Japan. If so desired, Kartikeya Maharaja and Bruce can go immediately to help you, so arrange for their passage and I shall send them back. I think Bruce has got his return ticket.

Letter to Sudama -- Allahabad 22 January, 1971:

In my letter to your good self dated 5th December I gave my permission for Visnujana Swami to go there, but now it has been arranged that Kartikeya Swami will be going there instead. He is enthusiastic for going and will accompany Bruce Prabhu.

Yes, both the boy mentioned by you as well as Bruce may be engaged in translation work and you may start with Bhagavad-gita as planned. Our beginning is Bhagavad-gita, next Srimad-Bhagavatam, next KRSNA book, and then Teachings of Lord Caitanya. And anyone who reads these books will surely become Krishna Conscious.

Please keep me informed of your progress there. Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/adb

P.S. I have just received your letter dated 15th January, 1971. You may send passage for Kartikeya Maharaja and as soon as he receives the ticket, he shall go there immediately. He will be going to Calcutta, so you can send the ticket there. The address is as follows: 11B. Jatindra Mohan Ave; Calcutta-6, India. Simply instruct him at what airlines office he can pick up his ticket. Bruce Prabhu already has passage money, so you needn't send a ticket for him.

Bruce has had a change of heart and the day after tomorrow, January 25th, he will take initiation. So first of all let the two go there and then after we finish our Indian business, we shall think of going to Tokyo. For the present, though, both Kartikeya Maharaja and Bruce Prabhu should be a great help to you there.

ACBS

Letter to Sudama -- Calcutta 25 May, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 7th May, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. So even though you are there by yourself, I can understand that things are going on nicely. And the Japanese boys and girls are taking a more responsible role in order to help you out. That is very encouraging. And soon Bhanu and Kartikeya Maharaja will be there to assist you. You will be glad to know that Bhanu is now a complete devotee, that is to say he has received Gayatri mantra. So when he goes there both you and him can convert many young Japanese people to becoming Krishna Conscious devotees.

I understand that you are needing one tape recording of Sri Isopanisad mantras, so I am recording them and they will be sent by separate post. You should be receiving it soon.

Hoping this will meet you in good health and eager for Krishna's service.

Letter to Bhavananda -- Los Angeles 1 July, 1971:

Last time Karandhara arranged for five tickets: Tamala Krishna, Madhudvisa Maharaja, Kirtanananda Maharaja, Kartikeya Maharaja and Devananda Maharaja, as well as myself. So this time you can arrange for three tickets only. So keep the date open and when the day has been fixed up, I will let you know.

Letter to Sudama -- Brooklyn 31 July, 1971:

In regards to Kartikeya Swami, I have already written him one letter and replied the point. Most probably very soon I shall be sending another sannyasi there to help you.

Please offer my blessings to your good wife Cintamani. Hoping this will meet you and Kartikeya Maharaja both in good health.

Letter to Sudama -- London 11 August, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 4th August, 1971 and have noted the contents. I am very glad to hear that Kartikeya Swami has changed his mind and is wanting to preach also. If he can go to South America that will be very nice. And he should take to preaching very seriously. A sannyasa should be strong minded, not childish

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Sudama -- Bombay 5 January, 1972:

We have received the 50 sets of tapes you have sent and are recording on them daily. I have written Bhanu instructing him to go immediately to Japan, so very soon he will be coming. Is it true that Kartikeya Swami has returned to Japan?

Letter to Sudama -- Jaipur 21 January, 1972:

I am happy to hear that Kartikeya Maharaja has returned to our camp. Now you give him all good counsel and friendship, and if he somehow develops some enthusiasm by becoming artfully engaged, he is very good boy and will be a great preacher. He always has my blessings.

Letter to Sudama -- Calcutta 19 February, 1972:

You are correct to be very tolerant with Kartikeya, and if you also preach very strongly and with full conviction, and if you are always kind and gentle with him, then he will take the hint and give up his nonsense attraction for Maya and want to make himself perfect as the firm devotee of the Lord.

Page Title:	Training of Kartikeya dasa (Letters, 1968 - 1972)
Compiler:	MadhuGopaldas
Created:	07 of Jun, 2010
Totals by Section:	BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=39
No. of Quotes:	39