Prabhupada and Govinda devi dasi (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"Govinda"

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 14 March, 1967:

If the psychedelic men want to sell our Visnu pictures you can charge them at least $50.00 for each picture. For display you lend them one only returnable on demand. We require many pictures as painted by Jadurani for decorating the lecture-hall in the new building. You will be glad to learn that here also we have got another Jadurani whose name is Govinda Dasi wife of Gaura Sunder. Both the husband and the wife are good artist and they have printed a very nice picture of Radha Krishna.

Letter to Jadurani -- San Francisco 16 December, 1967:

A Krishna Conscious person is never tired of working and the symptoms I can see in you as you want to be overloaded with work. This is the test of how one is advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Nobody becomes tired but wants to work more and more. Your God-brother Satsvarupa also told me the same thing that he may be overloaded with typewriting work. Similarly, Govinda dasi and Gaurasundara also want to be overloaded with work. So your examples are great encouragement for an old man like me. I have got the same spirit of being overloaded with Krishna Conscious work, but physically I am not as strong as you are all young boys and girls. You can pray to Krishna that I may get your strength to serve the cause of Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Blanche Hochner -- San Francisco 17 December, 1967:

Devotional service means to apply one's energy in the service of Krishna. That is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. You know that all our girl disciples are applying their energy in the service of Krishna. Jadurani, Govinda dasi, and other girls, they are very sincerely applying their energy in the service of Krishna and I wish that you also do the same.

Letter to Jadurani -- San Francisco 23 December, 1967:

Regarding your coming to San Francisco, I have no objection, but because you are only three in Boston, your absence may be felt by your other God-brothers. So if Satsvarupa agrees to leave you, you can come to S.F., otherwise, wait for the proper time. Now by Krishna's Grace, we have got many fine art students like Govinda dasi, Indira dasi, and Malati and many others. So as director of the art dept., you should organize them in one place and overflood with pictures.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- San Francisco 30 December, 1967:

So far my health is concerned, Gaurasundara is keeping me quite fit by massaging and Govinda dasi is supplying me upma. Perhaps you have never tasted what is upma. But if Jadurani can prepare it I shall send the formula.

Letter to Rayarama -- San Francisco 31 December, 1967:

Here, all the students, especially Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi are taking my personal care. Upendra and Uddhava they are personally cooking for me, and Mukunda is personally looking after my permanent visa. So I see all round hopes; there is nothing to be disappointed in my service to Krishna. Let us go on with our work for Krishna for His satisfaction and for the benefit of the whole world.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Andrea Temple -- Los Angeles 13 January, 1968:

I have received your letter of January 9, 1968, and I thank you very much for it. I have heard from Govinda dasi that you are such a nice girl, and I appreciate your sincere interest in this Krishna Conscious philosophy and this Sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya. I have also heard how you typed Sri Sri Brahma Samhita and I am very pleased with your sincere service.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Los Angeles 16 January, 1968:

I am keeping quite fit under the personal guidance of Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi. I think as soon as your new store is complete, I shall return to S.F. and begin our new classes there.

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

Regarding the sketch cover of Bhagavad-gita, Govinda Dasi promises to send you by the next week.

Letter to Andrea Temple -- Los Angeles 6 March, 1968:

Govinda dasi has read me your letter and your place sounds very nice.

Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 23 March, 1969:

So far Teachings of Lord Caitanya is concerned, everything has been very encouraging, and hopefully by the Grace of Lord Caitanya, it will come out very nicely presented. Govinda dasi has sent the cover picture today by special delivery, and other 5 pictures will be sent later on.

Letter to Mahapurusa -- San Francisco 28 March, 1968:

That is very good proposal, to get Indian Pavilion for our Kirtana program. Please try for it. And we can exhibit some of our paintings, and pictures. When I go to Montreal, I shall take selected pictures from Jadurani and as well as some of the pictures by Gaurasundara and Govinda published in our BTG.

Letter to Jadurani -- San Francisco 8 April, 1968:

Yesterday I have been in a Unitarian Church and there I saw two pictures of only logs and bamboos, and I was explained by our great artist Govinda dasi that these are modern abstract arts. Anyway I couldn't see in them nothing but combination of logs and bamboos. There was nothing to impel my Krishna Consciousness. So, if you want to be a great artist in that way, I will pray that Krishna may save you.

Letter to Jadurani -- Montreal 20 June, 1968:

N.B. Here, Anapurna and Govinda dasi, they are very nice girls, helping me in all respects. Anapurna has gotten a letter from her father in London, and may be we shall be very soon going there, and formulate a Sankirtana party with the help of some San Francisco students.

Letter to Jayananda -- Montreal 17 August, 1968:

Yes I have inquired from Govinda dasi that she and her husband can utilize the half ticket facility, so when I settle to go, certainly I shall ask you to send me the necessary money and I am so pleased that you are always ready to send us the required money and return back to San Francisco.

Letter to Balai, Advaita -- Montreal 19 August, 1968:

It was so kind of you that you have sent me a Birthday cake, and you will be pleased to know that Govinda dasi and her husband Gaurasundara, decorated the bread with nice different kinds of candles, and it was offered to Krishna and then I enjoyed the bread, part of it, and the rest was distributed to the devotees. It was very nice.

Letter to Anapurna, Ananda -- Montreal 4 September, 1968:

I shall give you one engagement and if you secure one dictaphone then I shall send you regular tapes for transcribing it into English version, and you will make two copies. One copy shall be sent to me, another copy shall be sent to Hayagriva Brahmacari. As Govinda dasi and her husband, is trying to help me in compiling essays and texts of Caitanya Caritamrta, similarly, I shall give you a task for the Science of Devotion. So that will be nice duty for you, because both of you are well versed in typewriting, so you can do that.

Letter to Yamuna -- Seattle 23 September, 1968:

Regarding the lost certificate paper: I understand from Govinda devi that you have got it back. Please print it nicely.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Seattle 27 September, 1968:

Please continue in that job and try to organize a center in Hawaii, whose description appears to be very attractive like India. The description you have given is exactly corresponding to the eastern and western coast of India. I think Mahapurusa will join you very soon. And Murari is also arranging to go there, so you will get the cooperation and help of your God-brothers, and you are also situated in a job, and when Govinda dasi goes there, I think she can also have a nice job. So, combined together, you will be able to develop a very nice center, perhaps our own temple of Radha Krishna in that good spot, which is very attractive for me at least.

Letter to Rayarama -- Seattle 27 September, 1968:

Regarding my stationary: It is almost finished and you can arrange for printing next copies to your good choice. Govinda dasi doesn't like the setting of camp and date. But I am moving everywhere, practically I am not fixed up at any address, so you have to adjust as nicely as possible.

Letter to Dayananda -- Seattle 9 October, 1968:

Mr. Fugate in Florida has refused to accept Mahapurusa das Brahmacari who reached there yesterday. Most probably he will come back or he may go to Hawaii to join Gaurasundara there. In fact I wish that our students, husband and wife may take charge of each center, as you have taken charge with the Los Angeles center. I am trying to entrust the Hawaii center to Gaurasundara and his wife Govinda dasi, assisted by brahmacaris and other householders also, most probably Murari and Lilavati will go there. So we are trying to organize a nice center in Hawaii.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 16 November, 1968:

Regarding Purusottama, both you and Rayarama have inquired from me what specific duty he will have to execute here. My intention of calling him is that he expressed a strong desire to live with me in Montreal, so I wish to keep him with me at least for some time and train him to act as secretary. Of course, he will work in other spheres also, to secure advertisement, but in case Govinda dasi goes to Hawaii, I shall require a secretary. Govinda dasi is quite competent to act and she is doing very nicely, she is willing worker, educated and intelligent, everything complete, but the only thing is that she is young girl and I am a Sannyasi. At the present time of course Gaurasundara has gone there without any money, so he has no sufficient means just now for her to go there. At the present moment she is living at night with Nandarani and in the daytime she is assisting me as my secretary. Formerly when Gaurasundara was with me, she was living at night here also, but since he has gone with great responsibility for organizing a Hawaii center, he cannot be called, although I am feeling his separation because he was always helping me day and night. So after all it is an experiment, I do not know how the future program shall be fixed up, but if Purusottama's service is absolutely needed in New York, then he may go back again.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 18 November, 1968:

I am glad to learn that Jadurani is feeling a little better and I hope you will take proper care fore the girl. I understand that Govinda dasi has recommended Jadurani to take Iron pills and almost all the girls here are taking them. It is compensating the deficiency due to their past habit of meat taking. This is a good recommendation and I hope Jadurani is trying to follow it. Here it is understood that Nandarani, Syama dasi, and others, as well as Govinda dasi are feeling better from taking iron medicine.

Letter to Joy Fulcher -- Los Angeles 21 November, 1968:

By Grace of Krishna I am keeping well nowadays, but Govinda dasi is not keeping very well. As she has to go to Nandarani's house and again come, so it is a little troublesome so she is a little sick. But by Grace of Krishna everything will be all right. Please offer my blessings to all the devotees there, especially Harsarani, who I understand is cooking very nicely for the love feast. She is a nice decorator of the Deity and a nice cook also for preparing Krishna Prasadam.

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, Karatieya 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.

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

You will be pleased to know that our London center has managed to have one local newspaper devote a two-page spread to a comic book feature of the story of Prahlada Maharaja as depicted by Gaurasundara and Govinda Dasi. This is very nice propaganda so as much as possible we should try for overflooding publications with similar of our stories. We have so many artists now in Boston and also New York so if someone can work on this idea it will be very nice.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 17 December, 1968:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 12, 1968 and I have noted the contents. I am glad that you have also received my previously sent letters. I have also handed over your letter for Govinda Dasi.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 17 December, 1968:

Better would be that you and my other dear disciples try to manage all centers as far as possible independently. For me, in my old age, moving constantly does not suit my health. The Los Angeles climate is not unsuitable for me so I am thinking of making my head-quarters here because it is very important city also. But as soon as there is the need of my presence some place I must go where I am required. On this principle please prepare to work. Regarding Govinda Dasi, she can immediately start for Hawaii if you send her the passage fare.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 28 December, 1968:

P.S. Govinda Dasi is preparing herself for going ___, to you at Hawaii.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 16 January, 1969:

I hope that by now you have received the reply to your letter which you mailed just after your arrival in Hawaii.

I am very glad to learn that you have now become a very good housewife with your very good husband. It is learned also that you are cooking very nice foodstuffs for him. This is very good. Your husband is very busy now, otherwise I would have asked him to continue the work on Caitanya Caritamrta. Now I shall be glad to know what you are doing. Do you propose to manufacture Kartamasi from there? But whatever you do, do it in a program. I hope this will find you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

P.S. Have you received any news from Jaya Govinda. His latest letter received yesterday is very disappointing. He has not mentioned about the murtis. Please remind him again. He appears to be on the path of Maya. ACB

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 16 January, 1969:

Thank you very much for your letter of January 10, 1969. In the meantime I have sent one letter to Govinda Dasi, and perhaps you have read it. I am glad that there was a nice newspaper reporter, and he is favorably convinced so do your propaganda work as far as possible combined together.

It is very nice that Govinda Dasi is cooking for you and following my instructions. The husband's duty is to give the wife all protection, even from the material maya, and the wife's duty is to see to the personal comforts of the husband. In this way the husband and wife in cooperative spirit should execute Krishna Consciousness. That is my mission. In your country, practically everyone has no home life. So this Krishna Consciousness movement is giving them home life and the chance to live peacefully with wife and family.

Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1969:

Regarding your thoughts of separating from your husband, I do not think this is a very good plan. You should always live with your husband and help him with his personal comforts, and he will look after your all necessities of life. There is no question of separation. By mutual agreement and advancement of Krishna Consciousness you can stop sex life, but there is no question of separation. Separation is artificial. As Hamsaduta advances in Krishna Consciousness then by his company you will also profit. So the husband and wife are mutually beneficial. This idea of separation was developed also in Govinda Dasi, but I have sent her back to her husband, and she is now following my instructions. There is no question of separation between husband and wife until the time when the husband takes sannyasa. At that time the wife cannot remain with the husband. Even in vanaprastha stage, or retired life, the wife remains with the husband, but without any sex relations.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 26 January, 1969:

I was very pleased to read your letter of January 19, 1969. I know that you will always be thinking of me as you described in your letter because you are so affectionate to this poor old man. And by your sincere affection you have also made me think of you how you are doing there in Hawaii. I understand from your letter and from Gaurasundara's letter also that you are now engaged as a nice housewife. It is a great pleasure for me to know this. In London, the six couples who are working very hard there have been very much appreciated by the people of London, and their character, behavior, and devotion are attracting sincere people to our movement. I want similar thousands of couples for my disciples to propagate our movement throughout the world. You can always help me in this matter because you are an intelligent girl and you have many talents. So you can utilize your god-gifted qualities for utilizing in Krishna Consciousness.

So far as my taking botheration in coming to your country, I must take this so-called botheration for Krishna. But what botheration I have taken? You know that the Goswamis were ministers in the government's service and they left their posts for going to Vrindaban and living there just like paupers. They produced such great literature like Sandarbhas, by Jiva Goswami, and Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, by Rupa Goswami. Apparently they took so much botheration but they preferred to accept it because they were compassionate for the suffering humanity. Similarly, Lord Caitanya is Narayana Himself, and His wife, Visnupriya, is the Goddess of Fortune. Lord Caitanya was a very learned scholar, a very beautiful young brahmana, and He had a very affectionate mother, but Lord Caitanya Himself accepted the botheration voluntarily for the good of the human society and all living entities. We should always follow these footprints—not try to imitate, but to follow the same spirit of compassion for the conditioned soul and try to help them advance to Krishna Consciousness. Actually in the service of Krishna there is no botheration. Rather we feel more transcendental pleasure. I hope you will more and more appreciate this status as you work combinedly with your very good husband, Gaurasundara.

Regarding your dictaphone work, I have got two kinds of tapes. Either you can type up my lectures (Purusottama has already sent you one tape), or you can do tapes of Caitanya Caritamrta as you were doing formerly. But I think that Gaurasundara hasn't got sufficient

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Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 26 January, 1969:

Regarding the work you have done on Caitanya Caritamrta, when they are finished being edited and typed please send me the copies so I will give you further work to do with this. I have written in Govinda Dasi's letter about this which you will please read.

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

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 30, 1969, and I am so glad to learn that you are working as a full-time secretary in a good business firm. Please try to continue this work as far as possible. I think that by Krishna's mercy you must be feeling happy. Now you are getting some income which is essential for householder life, and you are living with your husband, so I am very much satisfied that you are in happy mood. Now I am sure that you will be able to contribute $5,000 to my book fund. I understand that you have some difficulty with your dictaphone, and as soon as you fix it, I will continue to send you some tapes.

Regarding Karatieya, 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 Karatieya 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 Karatieya for some time in his Kirtana Party. But Karatieya 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.

Regarding your German acquaintance, I understand that he may be a very intelligent man and believes in science. But even the most advanced scientist depends on the statements of authorities. Science begins on some definite data, just like Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravitation, and so much scientific advancement depends on such authoritative statements. So even scientific knowledge has to stand on the evidence of authority. He admits that we are all spirit soul inside the body entrapped, and he believes this body is composed of various chemicals about which we know a great deal. But unfortunately, with all this chemical combinations combined together, we can not produce a body like this; this is also a scientific fact. Just like rasgulla is a milk product everyone knows. But how to make a rasgulla from milk requires expert further knowledge. Therefore, simply to know that this body is made of chemicals is not sufficient knowledge. When one can reproduce a similar body with the known chemicals, then he is to be considered as the expert scientist. The spirit soul is impossible to find out by materialistic scientific means, but if one will hear from the right authority, he may understand. The gentleman is disappointed that probably no one will ever know about spirit, but this is not true. We know what is spirit, how does it work, how does it transmigrate from one body to another or from one planet to another. We know these very scientifically, and we are firmly convinced about it. We can refute any dogmatic arguments against this conviction, and how do we do that? Simply because we start our understanding from the data of authoritative sources like Krishna or His representative. In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna speaks about spirit soul from the very beginning. Unless one understands what is this spirit soul, his further advancement of the Supreme Spirit God has no value. So this gentleman is puzzled in his understanding about wherefrom we have come, what we are, and where we are going. But we are certain about it. So if he wants to know all these things, there is bona fide source for understanding these problems, providing he agrees to give a submissive aural reception to the respective authorities as much as he believes in the authoritative statements of Sir Isaac Newton. So either to accept the statements of Sir Isaac Newton or the statements of Lord Krishna, the beginning is a kind of faith. Unfortunately, these so-called scientific men can usually pin their faith on Sir Isaac Newton but not to the statements of Krishna or his representatives. So try to explain to him in this way.

Thanking you again for your nice letter. I hope this will meet you in very good health.

Letter to Yamuna, Malati, Janaki -- Los Angeles 20 February, 1969:

I lost my mother when I was only 14 years old. So I didn't get much of my mother's affection in my childhood. But in my old age, Krishna has given me so many young mothers to take care of me. Another mother Govinda Dasi is there in Hawaii. She is always asking me to go there. So I will go there within this month. But my one appeal is to my fathers and mothers

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Letter to Purusottama -- Hawaii 6 March, 1969:

I am glad to inform you that we have reached Hawaii in due time on Monday afternoon and immediately we met the devotees who came to receive us and I have come directly to Govinda dasi's residence. This place is very nice. It is just on the seashore and from the room on the second floor we can always see the seaview, so it is both scenic and healthy atmosphere. But it is a very distant place from our temple. It takes almost two hours to come and go by car. Therefore I am giving you the following address for mailing of my letters and redirecting our mails.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

P.O. Box 506

Kaawa, Oahu

HAWAII 96730

We performed Lord Caitanya's Birthday ceremony, not very gorgeously, but amongst ourselves, and Govinda dasi cooked very nice Ekadasi foodstuffs. The next day I expected some big ceremony but it couldn't be performed. We are looking out for a better place where the Brahmacaris and the temple can be united. At the present moment, it is very scattered and actually the temple management is impossible to be in order. So, for the time being you can redirect all my mails to my above post box address in this village.

Letter to Rayarama -- Hawaii 6 March, 1969:

You wanted one assistant editor, and I can understand that you may feel inconvenience with Hayagriva, but would you like to have as your assistant editor, Gaurasundara? So he can help you in editing work even from such distant place. But the difficulty is that he is working here to maintain the establishment. I have advised Govinda dasi to think of this and he may write you.

Letter to Rayarama -- Hawaii 6 March, 1969:

My program is to stay here up to the end of March, but in San Francisco they also want me for a few days there. So before going to New York I may go to San Francisco from here. Of course, you think you cannot leave your office just now, but this place is very nice. I think if you could manage to come here a few days then you can directly exchange letters with Govinda dasi.

Letter to Isana, Vibhavati -- Hawaii 8 March, 1969:

I am here at Hawaii at the care of Gaurasundara and his wife Govinda dasi; they are also doing very nicely. Similarly, another couple of disciples, Satsvarupa and Jadurani in Boston are also doing very nicely. Similarly, in Buffalo Rupanuga and his wife and their small child are doing very nicely. Similarly, in New Vrindaban Hayagriva and his wife Syama dasi are doing very nicely. So it is a part of my missionary work; I want to see that the Western boys and girls who are very much loose with their sex life should get themselves married and take to Krishna Consciousness seriously and they will be happy both materially and spiritually. So if you go to London to join Mukunda and his company you will be very much pleased to see how husband and wife combined together can so nicely preach this Krishna Consciousness movement.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Hawaii 8 March, 1969:

This climate of Hawaii is most healthy, with sunshine and fresh sea breeze, so I think if it is possible for Jadurani to come to this climate she may improve her health nicely. Consult together on this proposal, and you can correspond with Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi here in this regard.

Letter to Tamala Krsna, Visnujana -- Hawaii 15 March, 1969:

Regarding the mangos: Govinda dasi misled me—the mangos are not yet ripened. There are many mango trees, but the fruit will not be ripened until late May or June. So for now there is no abundant supply of nice mangos.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Hawaii 19 March, 1969:

Regarding Jadurani: I think she can come here alone and stay with Govinda dasi for around two months. The present place will be changed probably by the middle of May, and things will have to all get set up accordingly. So you can arrange things directly in correspondence with Govinda dasi, and she will be happy to receive her when all is ready. So far as yourself, you have to remain separate from your wife for maybe two months, because you cannot leave Boston.

Letter to Rayarama -- Hawaii 20 March, 1969:

These Hawaiian islands are very beautiful but at present there is no facilities for working out our scheme—whereas we have land in New Vrindaban. I am encouraging Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi to try to develop in this side another place, as New Navadvipa. So just immediately there is no possibility of operating our press in the islands, but in future we shall see. But if there is too much difficulty to work out the Navadvipa plan then I may call back Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi to New Vrindaban, for working as part of the BTG staff.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Hawaii 21 March, 1969:

My thanks are due to Muralidhara for designing the throne which I have received. Here both Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi have very much appreciated the design, and they also convey their thanks to him.

Letter to Dinesh -- Hawaii 22 March, 1969:

I am sorry that I could not acknowledge receipt of your albums which I duly received, although I could not play them for want of machine. But I have received Mukunda's opinion about it. He says that it is super excellent to say the least. They are going to have it played by the BBC in London. Similarly, Govinda dasi is going to play it here in such important station. We are going there this morning for about an hour of music and discussion on the station here. So I hope you will be successful in your adventure.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Hawaii 23 March, 1969:

Regarding Jadurani's coming here, Govinda and Gaurasundara will consult with you, and when things are duly set up, she may come here for some time. They will write you in this connection.

Letter to Jadurani -- Hawaii 28 March, 1969:

Govinda dasi has already written you letter to come here as soon as possible. I hope you come before I leave this place on the 31st March 1969. This tape may be returned to L.A. address.

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.

Letter to Pradyumna -- New York 13 April, 1969:

Regarding your questions, generally tulsi beads are required for initiation, but if it is not available, ordinary beads can be used. Sometimes the shopkeepers give ordinary beads and say it is tulsi, so it is very difficult to get tulsi beads without personal attendance. So far as your getting a Kartamasi Murti, you may take information from Govinda Dasi in Hawaii. Radha-Krishna Murtis may be purchased from Vrindaban. The cost is about $200.00, but they are very nice, 24 inches high. I shall speak with Nara Narayana to inform him that he should also go there to help you with constructing the items you have mentioned.

Letter to Govinda -- Buffalo 21 April, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your nice letter dated April 1, 1969, and I have noted the contents with pleasure. Your humble sentiments are very nicely expressed and I thank you for them. I have already written to Jivananda and Harsarani, and they are inclined to go to New Vrindaban but I have advised them to go to Hawaii after spending a short period in San Francisco training up the devotees there in Deity worship and Sankirtana Party. So you may correspond with them to make more definite arrangements. From Sudama's letter I can understand that some people are coming to your kirtanas, so try your best to develop your center and Krishna will surely help you. We have not brought your Srimad-Bhagavatam here, but when I get opportunity, I will send you one volume one.

Letter to Balabhadra -- Boston (Allston) 25 April, 1969:

Both Gaursundara and Govinda dasi have highly spoken about your service attitude, and I am so glad to hear about your activities. Krsna has sent you to our association, and I am sure you are intelligent enough to understand our philosophy. Please try to understand us without any doubt. If there is any question, you can send it to me, and I shall be very glad to reply. But try to understand us nicely, and surely you will be very happy. Both Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi are good devotees, and your association with them will be very much beneficial.

Letter to Govinda, Gaurasundara -- Allston, Mass 25 April, 1969:

I am very much anxious that Govinda Dasi has fallen sick. Similarly, I am also from yesterday feeling little uncomfortable on account of backache. I think the constant change of climate in Buffalo has affected my rheumatic tendencies, so today I am not feeling very well. In Buffalo we had very nice meetings, and the students, both boys and girls, were very receptive. I am so glad to learn that your center also is improving. Day by day continue to work seriously and faithfully, and it will surely grow to be a very nice center. I have talked with Jadurani yesterday, and she asked my opinion of her going to Hawaii. I advised her to go as soon as possible, and she has proposed to go there when I leave Boston. She is not very seriously ill, but she feels little ill, and with change of climate I think she will improve without any doubt.

I am very glad to learn that Kartamasi is now very nicely dressed. Govinda Dasi is surely a good artist, so I am sure Kartamasi is very attractive. Please offer my obeisances to Him. I am very glad to learn from both of your letters that Jill is now staying there. She is very nice girl and intelligent. So the addition of Balabhadra and Jill to our movement is very much appreciated. Please help them to be Krishna Conscious, and it will be great service to Krishna, and you will enhance your Krishna Conscious beauties by such activities. So far as Gaurasundara's request for Caitanya Caritamrta, I have already advised Brahmananda to send it to you immediately.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Columbus, Ohio 12 May, 1969:

P.S. Please let me know if Jadurani has gone there and let me know how Govinda Dasi is. ACB

Letter to Jayasri -- Columbus, Ohio 13 May, 1969:

Our process is to faithfully follow the rules of no illicit sex-life, no meat-eating, no intoxication, and no gambling. Also we should chant at least 16 rounds each day, trying to avoid the ten offenses. You have very nice association with your godbrothers and godsisters there with you in Hawaii, and you should help them to propagate our movement in that area. So consult with Gaurasundara and Govinda, and there will be ample engagement for you in this connection. When any questions or difficulties arise, you may consult with them there, or if you like, I am always at your service to help in any way that I can.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- New Vrindaban 26 May, 1969:

I am very much concerned to learn that Govinda Dasi is sick. Of course, she is always sick; that is general experience, but I do not know why she should be sick in Hawaii. The weather is not cold there, and when I was in Hawaii she had improved her health. Anyway, take care of her as far as possible and depend on Krishna. Everything will be all right.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- New Vrindaban 2 June, 1969:

I am very concerned to hear that Jayasri has now joined Govinda Dasi in becoming ill. I hope that by now they are both improved in health. Please convey my blessings to all of the devotees there, and I hope this will find all of you well.

Letter to Sudama -- New Vrindaban 7 June, 1969:

I am glad to learn that Govinda Dasi, in spite of her sick health, is going out on Sankirtana Party, and this will cure her of all disease. Don't be worried. I always think of Govinda Dasi and Jadurani, such sincere workers in Krishna Consciousness. So please convey my blessings to all the devotees there, and you all should do things very enthusiastically.

Letter to Jadurani -- New Vrindaban 17 June, 1969:

I am very glad to know that Govinda Dasi felt herself cured of all her diseases by hearing my words, and I am very much encouraged. Both of you chant Hare Krishna and join Sankirtana Party, and there will be no disease.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- New Vrindaban 17 June, 1969:

You have spoken about Govinda Dasi's expertness on Sankirtana, and I know very well about her qualifications. I am 100% confident about her competence, and she can be very useful to your activities there. Unfortunately she becomes sickly, so as husband, you must see that she is taken proper care of. She is a good asset for you as your wife, and I want that you two work combinedly. That is my desire. You have such nice opportunity for doing very nice service to Lord Krishna in Hawaii, and I want that you two, husband and wife, work together. I have confidence in you, and I have got all blessings for you both that in the future you will be nice preachers. What you have done so far is very nice, and I am praying to Krishna for your success there.

Letter to Jadurani -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1969:

I have already asked you to join the Sankirtana Party. Today I have received one letter from Govinda Dasi in which I understand that she is a spirited preacher. I am so proud of her, that even my girl disciples are so nice for preaching work.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1969:

I am so much pleased by reading your letter of June 26, 1969, describing your preaching activities in Hawaii, both husband and wife together. It is very much pleasing to me. I was shocked when I heard that Gaurasundara was hurt on the chin, but at the same time, I was so much enlivened by hearing of your spirited preaching activities. I am proud that a little young girl like you is so much spirited in preaching Krishna consciousness. Undoubtedly I was very much sorry to learn about Gaurasundara being attacked by a fanatic, but don't be disheartened. Even Nityananda also faced such difficult problems, but try to avoid them as far as possible. The whole world is full of fanatics and atheist classes of men, so sometimes we have to face such difficulties. But this is all tapasya. Without tapasya, nobody can approach Krishna. So preachers who boldly face all kinds of difficulties are considered to be under tapasya, and Krishna takes note of such tapasya of the devotee, and the devotee is recognized by Him. I have asked the BTG men to publish your heroic preaching activities under the heading of "Heroine Govinda Dasi." So I am sure Krishna is very much pleased of this incident, and He will surely bestow His blessings both on you and Gaurasundara. So try to continue preaching Krishna Consciousness to the suffering humanity as far as possible.

I hope by this time your house problem is solved, and I shall be glad to hear from you on this point. I have received one letter from Subala das from Philadelphia informing me that he has opened a center there. So by Krishna's Grace our program is improving day after day. Most probably another center in Laguna Beach will be opened soon, and they are arranging for a gorgeous Rathayatra Ceremony in San Francisco. So you have all my blessings and encouragement for your nice preaching work, and I can simply pray to Krishna to save you from all sorts of difficulties.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1969:

I was so much pleased with Govinda Dasi and with you also when I heard about her spirited preaching and your tolerance like Nityananda Prabhu. May Lord Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhu bestow Their blessing upon you, and don't be deterred in any circumstances. Serve Krishna with serious attempt.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1969:

I am always thinking of Govinda Dasi. Although she is young and delicate almost always suffering from some ailment, still she is so sincere devotee and spirited preacher that I have named her Heroine Govinda Dasi. May Krishna bless you both and be happy in the preaching work of Krishna Consciousness. Gradually convert the Hawaii Islands into New Navadvipa Dham. I am sure you can do it if you go on preaching with the same present spirit and enthusiasm.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 2 August, 1969:

Regarding your obtaining a new temple, and your idea for yourself, Govinda Dasi, Balabhadra and Turya dasa to go to Tokyo in December, on such matters you may consult with Tamala Krishna in Los Angeles, because he has agreed to take charge of organizing this aspect of our movement. But I do not know how you are planning that the Hawaii branch will be maintained if so many important members leave for Tokyo.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 2 August, 1969:

Please convey my blessings to Heroine Govinda Dasi. Yes, it is nice if she can draw pictures for BTG covers. She may ask Brahmananda what pictures will be required for upcoming covers. But as she is still sometimes feeling weak, she should not tire herself out in this connection.