BBT (Letters, 1976 - 1977)

Expressions researched:
"BBT" |"Bhaktivedanta Book Trust" |"bhaktivedanta trust" |"book trust" |"books fund"

1976 Correspondence

Please thank all the devotees of the Spanish BBT for the beautiful edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Nellore 4 January, 1976:

It is very good that you have concentrated all the production of Spanish and Portuguese literature to Los Angeles. Please thank all the devotees of the Spanish BBT for the beautiful edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. This book publishing was the most important work of my Guru Maharaja and he ordered me to continue in the Western world. So I am very much indebted to all of you who are helping me to carry out the order of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. Please see that all of our books are translated as nicely as this edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

I wish to thank you and all the devotees serving at the BBT for helping to produce these new volumes. Thank you very much.

Letter to Radhavallabha -- Nellore 5 January, 1976:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 27th, 1975 and I have noted the contents carefully. Also, I wish to thank you and all the devotees serving at the BBT for helping to produce these new volumes. Thank you very much.

You should only make these changes if the sales will actually be increased. I don't want the BBT or the temples to lose.

Letter to Radhavallabha -- Nellore 5 January, 1976:

This type of decoration on the books, the gold guilding and gold stamping, is generally found on Bibles and Shakespearean texts. Whether people will now confuse our books with these others? Our get-up is already approved, you should not unnecessarily increase the price. You say that these additions will be especially useful for libraries, but if the price is increased they may not accept them. Of course, it depends on the local sellers—they can say whatever is best. You should only make these changes if the sales will actually be increased. I don't want the BBT or the temples to lose.

I have heard that you are taking the money from the BBT to pay for it. I do not want to spend the books fund money for such things.

Letter to Pusta Krsna -- Bombay 10 January, 1976:

I have just sent you a telegram: "Yes Purchase Mercedes." For so long there has been contemplation to buy this car. But where is the car? We are spending crores of Rupees to finish this Bombay construction, but whenever I arrive at the airport, I am picked up in a borrowed car. What kind of impression is it to the members that we always have to approach them to borrow their car? Please get it. But one thing is that I have heard that you are taking the money from the BBT to pay for it. There is one story that a guru went to his disciple's home and was greeted very elaborately. When he enquired how was it possible for his disciple to afford such nice arrangements, his disciple told him: every-belongs to you. Later the guru saw that he had no money left in his bank account and he could understand that his disciple had spent all of his money. So whether you are also making such arrangements? I do not want to spend the books fund money for such things. If you can not pay for it, then Tamala Krishna says he will pay Ramesvara who can send you the money.

We require so much money here in India. So Jayatirtha has said right. Whatever we are doing in India is from the BBT fund. Continue to go out on Sankirtana.

Letter to Bahudak -- Bombay 11 January, 1976:

It is good that you are again the President of the Vancouver temple. Of course the farm projects are important but more stress should be given to Sankirtana. We require so much money here in India. So Jayatirtha has said right. Whatever we are doing in India is from the BBT fund. Continue to go out on Sankirtana. Example is better than precept.