I am now trying to incorporate one corporation of the local friends and admirers under the name INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS INC Negotiation is going on with the Lawyer to formulate the scheme and as soon as this is incorporated I shall submit application for sponsoring you in this country.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Letters, 1966 - 1970)
Expressions researched:
"international society for krishna consciousness"
|"iskcon"
|"krsna conscious society"
|"krsna consciousness society"
Correspondence
1966 Correspondence
So far I have knowledge of the Indian residents in America they are mostly engaged in local educational or Indian Government service in the Embassy. Therefore there is very little hope to get from them any substantial help for the proposed temple construction which will require some millions of dollars. But if the Americans take the matter very seriously there are many Foundations one of them alone can contribute such amount.
I have therefore very recently incorporated one organization very recently (within a fortnight past) under the name of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS (Incorporated in U.S.A.) The Trustees of this organization are all American gentlemen headed by one of the leading lawyers of New York Mr. Steven J. Goldsmith B.Sc. M.A.B.L. who comes regularly in my weekly classes and chants the Mahamantra very devoutly.
I am asking people here to practice Krishna consciousness through music dance philosophy science religion and distribution of Prasadam. I am asking them to become freed from all sorts of anxieties by practicing the transcendental sound vibration of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare etc and I am asking them to join the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc. My classes are being held thrice a week in the evening between 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Hope you are well
The important papers have given me publicity and things are growing nicely. I have established a Society here under the name and style INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS INC and the Trustees of this society are all American and my disciples. They are going purchasing house in New York and as soon as the house is purchased I shall establish in New York a Temple of SRI SRI RADHA KRISHNA for the first time.
1967 Correspondence
It is understood that $5000.00 five thousands of dollars have already been credited in the account of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC. on January 23, 1967 and as advised by me in my previous letter the payment should be made to the seller of the House under strict instruction of the lawyer appointed in this connection. In India it is the custom that immediately after payment the buyer gets possession of the house immediately. I think the same procedure is followed in this country.
On the marriage ceremony day there was extraordinary gatherings (150 at least) and all of them were distributed prasadam. Sriman Ranchor assisted by some girls prepared kachoris, Samosa, Iskcon Balls, Puri, Chatni etc and there were many fruits also and all the guests enjoyed the Prasadam very nicely.
Hope you are doing well with full cooperation of your elderly God brothers. Did you go to your mother along with Brahmananda? I hope she is alright now. I have already transferred $5000.00 to the A/c of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc. Checks should be drawn with full deliverance. Have you transferred $200.00 to my account instead of sending the check to Mr. Altman? I have already sent you instructions in this connection.
Sriman Brahmananda Brahmacari,
Sriman Satsvarupa Brahmacari,
Sriman Rayarama Brahmacari,
Sriman Gargamuni Brahmacari,
and other Trustees
of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc
26 Second Avenue,
New York N.Y.10003
My dear boys,
Please immediately hold one meeting of the Trustees of International Society For Krishna Consciousness Inc and resolve whether $5000.00 dollars should immediately be paid to the seller of the house under agreement and as advised by the appointed Lawyer Mr. Seymour Herzog.
NOTE: If you want to come here for 2 or 3 days it will be a very welcome suggestion. So we can talk together about our future programs, and it will be very nice. Hayagriva wants to hear from you. He wants that you should join his Editorial Department but he will only use you for Iskcon __ of which he is very __.
Since I wrote you last an important negotiation is going on in respect of purchasing a very nice house for the ISKCON H.Q. in New York. So I may not start in the beginning of the Second week of June 1967; but I am sure to reach there by the end of Second week of June 1967. I hope this will not cause any inconvenience.
I beg to thank you for your letter undated. I congratulate you on your being elected as president of ISKCON San Francisco branch. Your election as president is a recognition by Krishna and therefore I have got full support for you. Mukunda and other members have rightly selected you as president. Your service attitude for Krishna and your sincere attempts at being advanced in Krishna Consciousness will work with you and make your life more and more glorious and a happy state.
(1) If you want to transfer the Trust to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the Society will do everything for the improvement of the Temple and also engage you as paid whole time manager on behalf of the Society. You asked Rs 300/- per month and this is agreed herewith.
Why are you disturbing the whole situation in my absence. I never ordered you to speak like that. They must continue to have robes & tilak & flags & they must distinguish themselves from the hippies. I never objected to any of my students dressing like nice American gentleman, clean shaved; those who are my disciples must have flag, tilak & beads on neck without fail. Anyway I never advised you to dictate on behalf, please therefore do not misrepresent me. You have been given sannyasa to follow my principles & not to disturb me. If you do not agree with my philosophy you can work independent and not with-in the walls of ISKCON. You have not understood Krishna properly. The best thing will be to stop your talks my return & if you love me at all please do not talk in any meeting but chant in solitary place—anywhere you like.
Always order in the ISKCON Stationery which are printed with my name.
1968 Correspondence
I thank you very much for your letter of January 3, 1968, on ISKCON PRESS stationery. It is so nice and attractive and all the credit goes to you and your assistants. Please convey my sincere thanks to your two assistants, Jaya Govinda and Purusottama, for their sincere service in the cause of Krishna Consciousness.
P.S. I think you can save money for this Ashram as much as possible. The Ashram may be named as "ISKCON-Nagari" or New Vrindaban and a separate a/c may be opened in the Bank.
The Society's name is as above, and I have got six branches at the present moment, as follows:
ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
26 Second Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10003
ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
518 Frederick Street
San Francisco, Calif. 94117
ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
95 Glenville Avenue
Allston, Massachusetts 02134
ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
5364 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Calif. 90019
ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
3720 Park Avenue
Montreal 18, Quebec, Canada
ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
411 B.W. Water Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Now I want to send a batch of trained disciples into India, and you will see how they are absorbed in this Sankirtana movement.
We have got another opportunity of cooperating with Pandit Hitsaran Sharma, who is anxious to publish ISKCON magazine from India, and he is prepared to take the charge of it, and he wants our full cooperation. The copy of the letter received from him is also enclosed herewith, please find it.
I have gone through the whole letter and it is all encouraging, and therefore I have full sympathy with the transaction, and I approve of your good attempts to purchase this house according to the right estimation; it appears to me all round good. The arrangement of payment is also very nice. I know that you haven't got to pay the house tax, as it is owned by ISKCON, which is tax free organization all round.
ISOKRISHNA has got two-fold meaning. It means International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and also, that Krishna is the All-Attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. So it is all-round perfect.
The ISKCON RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE will perpetually continue as such. But in spite of that, San Francisco shall be gradually transformed into New Jagannatha Puri. That is my plan, and try to help in that way. The sign on the temple should read: ISKCON SRI SRI RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE.
As you have liked the place Hrsikesa, why not try to establish yourself there and organize a center for our ISKCON there. I know that many European and American students go in that part of India to search out real spiritual enlightenment, but unfortunately they fall in the trap of so-called yogis and are misled. If you can draw such searching students to this real platform, spiritual platform of Krishna Consciousness, it will be a great service to the western students, as well as to Lord Krishna.
It is a fact that I am a recognized Religious Minister and in your country there are seven branches of the ISKCON RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLES in different parts. This ISKCON organization is duly incorporated in New York State and is registered as N.G.O. by the United Nations. I am the principal Acarya or Chief Minister of the organization. Even after receipt of your Notice of Denial, I was called by you, and I have already submitted all the above mentioned facts for your record.
Now I simply wish to know what to do next. My presence in your country is essential for proper management of the Society, ISKCON, as mentioned above. I have sufficient means to maintain myself in the USA, and my health is already examined by your Health Department, and I am fit.
If you can actually print our books in your Iskcon Press there a great problem will be solved. And if not any one I shall work with you provided you can give me the visa to stay. Please let me know how far you are ahead in this proposal.
N.B. Please send a supply of ISKCON stationery as soon as possible, and envelopes.
As you are Prabhupada's old disciple and you have served His Divine Grace so nicely, I would request you that you can make some attempt to open a branch of this International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Bombay. And if you agree to this, then I can send some of my American disciples to join you. Your children and these American boys under your guidance may do very good service to the cause of Srila Prabhupada in spreading this Sankirtana movement. I have trained my disciples to perform Sankirtana nicely and deliver lectures on Krishna Consciousness, and if your children practically see their activities, certainly they will be influenced.
I was thinking of opening a branch in Bombay of this International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and if you cooperate, we can attempt this important activity. Your letter was addressed to my headquarters at 26 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y., and it has been sent to me at Montreal. I shall be glad to hear from you about these suggestions in your next letter. Thanking you once more for remembering me.
If you can actually print our books in your ISKCON Press then a great problem will be solved. And if not any more I shall work with you provided you can give me the visa to stay. Please let me know how far you are ahead in this proposal.
So far Sankirtana is concerned, that should be continued in all circumstances. Chanting of Hare Krishna, Sankirtana is our life and soul. Side by side, if possible, then you can attempt for the ISKCON restaurant and Krishna Prasadam distribution, but this I think is secondary.
I thank you once more for your kind letter, and for your interest shown in our movement, and I shall be awaiting your reply at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely yours,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami,
Acarya International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Next time when I go to San Francisco, I wish to visit personally all the Gujarati residents of San Francisco, through your exigency and I shall be glad to speak to them about my mission. My mission is to establish that Krishna Stu Bhagavan Swayam. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness wants to establish that one God, one scripture, one mantra, and one service. One God is Krishna, one scripture is Bhagavad-gita, one mantra is Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, and one service means everything for the Lord. So it is pleasing to me that the Gujarati ladies and gentlemen who are in San Francisco, they should take keen interest in this movement because superficially or from the historical point of view, Krishna was a Gujarati.
ISKCON (the International Society of Krishna Consciousness) is a non-lucrative organization, whose purpose is to promote the well-being of human society by drawing its attention to God. We are a non-sectarian society, and our members include people from Christian, Jewish and Moslem as well as Hindu faiths. The aim of ISKCON is not to found a new religious sect, but to invoke the living entity's dormant love of God, and thus provide the human society of all faiths with a common platform of clear theistic knowledge and practice. Members of ISKCON may retain their own respective religious faiths, as ISKCON is meant to establish a clear, practical common formulation of the common ideal of all theists, and to defeat the unnecessary dogmatic wranglings that now divide and invalidate the theistic camp. This common ideal of theism is to develop love of God.
ISKCON is trying to train people to be situated in that pure condition of life by simple methods, encouraging them to associate always in the matters of God consciousness or Krishna Consciousness, and actually I have good results in the sense that since I have come to the Western countries to preach this cult, my disciples have taken to this principle unhesitatingly although they belong to different faiths and cultures. So I think this propagation of love of Godhead can be pushed forward more and more with good results.
I am so glad to receive your letter dated September 5, 1968, and I am so pleased to learn that you are feeling well, and you have decided to stay therein Berlin and open a temple. It is so much pleasing to me. You also write to say that you do not believe money will be any problem there. In the last line of your letter you say that you wish to write me very soon to tell me that the Berlin branch of ISKCON has been opened. This is very nice.
From this note it appears that Parvat Maharaja is misrepresenting himself as the publisher of the paper "Truth." But actually he is not so. It is published by one very big Doctor, Medical Practitioner, Dr. N.R. Sen. I knew this gentleman in connection with my medical business. So in this way, it is clear that this Parvat Maharaja is trying to entice Jaya Govinda. The letter which I have sent yesterday to Jaya Govinda, a copy of which is enclosed herewith. Now you should clearly write to him that if both of them jointly work in Bombay, on behalf of ISKCON, and under clear direction from me, then they can remain in India, and you will give him the required indemnity letter. Otherwise they must return to Germany to assist Sivananda there.
I am little concerned about your attempt to form ISKCON Ltd. My idea is that we should not form a separate organization in London. The same International Society for Krishna Consciousness as we have branches in different places in USA, a similar branch may be opened in London or in Germany. The basic principle of our preaching work, methods and management must be the same. I do not know why a separate registration is required. To be more clear, I may say that if the management goes to other hands, then it will be difficult for preaching our principles. Our main principle is Krishna Consciousness on the basis of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and Lord Caitanya's Teachings. So far different participants in London are concerned, they must agree to our principles or they must follow our principles. You should be careful on this point.
So far Indians are concerned, there are so many varieties of split-up Hindu society. So I hope you will take necessary precautions in the matter of registering ISKCON Ltd. ISKCON is the short cut of our society's name, but when you actually register the full name, the aims and objectives as they are stated in our prospectus, must be mentioned. Anyway, I am so much pleased that your program of Kirtana and Krishna Consciousness is going on well there although you have not got yet our own temple.
I am surprised that in Germany you could find out a place without any difficulty, and why there are so many difficulties in London? So that, in spite of there being a strong group of 6 persons, headed by Mukunda and Syamasundara., they could not find out a house in London, whereas you alone have already opened ISKCON RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE in Berlin. Anyway, please do it nicely with help of other two boys, and let me know how you are making progress.
Since I received your letter dated September 26, 1968, I have not heard anything from either of you, so I am very much anxious to know about the London affairs. You will be glad to know that Sivananda has already opened our Iskcon Radha Krishna Temple in Berlin. The copy of the letter which I am sending just now to him is also enclosed herewith, please find.
Another point is that from India, I am not getting sufficient encouragement, either from the government or from the people. Now you have personally seen my activities and responses from the Americans, and if you kindly organize an Indian branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, it will be a great help. I am enclosing herewith a copy of the letter from Hanuman Prasad Poddar, which is sent to me unsolicited.
I am in due receipt of your nice letter dated Oct. 11, 1968, and by reading the contents it was so much encouraging, for me. Previous to this I received one letter from Mukunda and that was also very encouraging, so I am sure combined together you will have a great success in starting the ISKCON temple in London. I have also received one letter from Ginsberg, that Mr. Tom Driberg is an intimate friend of Ginsberg and he has already written to him promising all help to us.
Regarding RamaKrishna's book reviewing, I am not very much in favor of this unnecessary publicity to a person whom we do not like. We know that this institution is a bogus humbug only without any substance, and why should we bring them in prominence by criticizing them. They are not very much popular in America. They are working for the last 75 or 80 years in this country, since 1893, but I think our ISKCON institution is better known in your country than the RamaKrishna missionary activities. If you actually make progress in the constructive program of our Krishna Consciousness movement very soon we shall surpass all nonsensical activities, including RamaKrishna mission, Yogananda asrama, or so many yoga societies. Simply we have to push on the Sankirtana party and organize them nicely. And increase the sale of our Back To Godhead.
I am so much pleased to note the address of our new ISKCON RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE in Hamburg, Germany. Krishna is giving you all facilities for spreading Krishna Consciousness there—good storefront, and good job, and plenty of financial support—so it is very much encouraging to me! It sounds on good street, if train runs down that street, so many people must come there. With such good location it will soon be very successful.
Regarding the "Inside Iskcon" journal, if it is not very troublesome the idea is all right. Since you describe a necessity for warmer shoes, leather may be utilized and their is no harm.
You have requested my suggestion for the neon signboard outside of our new temple and I think that the bigger sign may say "International Society for Krishna Consciousness" and the other may say the Hare Krishna Mantra if it is not too much expensive.
Somehow or other the Beatles have become the cynosure of the neighboring European countries and America also. He is attracted by our Sankirtana Party and if Mr. George Harrison takes the leading part in organizing a huge Sankirtana Party consisting of the Beatles and our Iskcon Boys surely we shall change the face of the world so much politically harassed by the maneuvers of the politicians. The people in general are in need of such movement. If Mr. George Harrison wants to benefit himself, his country and the people of the world I think that he must join this Krishna Consciousness movement with no hesitation.
1969 Correspondence
I welcome your suggestion to open a branch of our Iskcon society in Bombay, and you want to help me in this connection. There are two of my disciples in Vrindaban. I do not know if you met them while you were there, and I am awaiting for their letters because one of them was recently advised to go to our German center in Hamburg. Please, therefore, let me know of your suggestions how to open a branch of our Iskcon society in Bombay.
I hope everything is going well with you. You will be pleased to know that this year two of my books have been published. They are as follows
(1) The Bhagavad-gita As It Is Published by MacMillan Company of New York and London
(2) Teachings of Lord Caitanya Published by International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The first book is already received in stock, and the second is expected next month.
I have seen the lotus sign with the word Iskcon on it, and I think that it is not acceptable. This is because one does not know where to start reading the letters. If you like to make a lotus flower for this, I have enclosed one picture which I have drawn and which you may consider. But Radha-Krishna must also appear on this letterhead.
You may please bring the following facts to the notice of the Patrons of the celebration when the session begins. I have already established the following centers:
1. New York INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
61 Second Avenue
New York, NY
President: Brahmananda das Brahmacari (Bruce Scharf)
2. London ISKCON
22 Betterton Street
London WC 2
ENGLAND
President: Mukunda das Adhikari (Michael Grant)
3. Hamburg Internationale Gesellschaft fur Krishna Bewusstein
2 Hamburg 19
Eppendorfer Weg 11
WEST GERMANY
4. President: Sivananda das Brahmacari (Samuel Greer)
5. Hawaii ISKCON
4 Leilani Bldg. 1649 Kapialani Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii
President: Gaurasundara das Adhikari (G. McElroy)
6. Montreal ISKCON
3720 Park Avenue
Montreal 18, Quebec
President: Hamsaduta das Adhikari (Hans Kary)
7. San Francisco ISKCON
518 Frederick Street
San Francisco, Calif.
President: Cidananda das Brahmacari (Clay Harold)
8. New Vrindaban
RD 3
Moundsville, West Virginia
President: Kirtanananda Swami (Keith Ham)
9. Vancouver ISKCON
271 East Georgia Street
Vancouver 4, B.C. Canada
President: Ananda das Brahmacari (Eric Cassidy)
10. Seattle ISKCON
5516 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Seattle, Washington
President: Upendra das Brahmacari (Wayne Gunderson)
11. Santa Fe ISKCON
4113 West Water Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico
President: Harer Nama das Brahmacari (Harlon Jacobson)
12. North Carolina ISKCON
107 Laurel Avenue
Carrboro, N. Carolina
President: Bhurijana das Brahmacari (Wayne Connel)
13. Boston ISKCON
95 Glenville Avenue
Boston, Mass. (Allston)
President: Satsvarupa das Adhikari (Stephan Guarino)
14. Los Angeles ISKCON
1975 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, Calif.
President: Dayananda das Adhikari (Michael Wright)
15. Ohio ISKCON
1305 No. High Street
Columbus, Ohio
President: Hayagriva das Adhikari (Howard Wheeler)
I can see from your photographs that you are preparing such big Iskcon Bullets. It is very attractive, and unfortunately I cannot share them with you. But I am very satisfied that you are enjoying such thing as the prasadam of Jagannatha Swami.
I, THE UNDERSIGNED ACHARYA (Ordained Minister of Religion) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc, certify herewith that Michael E. Morrissey (Madhudvisa Das), S.S. No. 19/31/47/208, has been my initiated student of Theology for six months (initiated September 11, 1968). He is presently studying the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures under strict discipline and regulation. As such, he is forbidden to indulge in the following activities:
We have got our project of constructing seven temples in New Vrindaban. And unless we get money from any other source, we have to earn this money by our press activities. So your responsibility is going to be very heavy. You have to give us nice printed books, and magazines, literature, and the sales organization will be done by Brahmananda, as he is contemplating to separate the department into ISKCON books for promoting the sale of our publications. This is very nice idea. So let us conjointly serve Krishna with our life, money, intelligence, and words, and this is the recommendation of Srimad-Bhagavatam for fulfilling the mission of human life.
SOME OF MY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED IN THE 4D CLASS or Ministerial Order prior to this by the Selective Service System.
ACB
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
CHIEF MINISTER OF THE
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
The three boys now working there are very sincere workers. You are also very sincere boy and I am sure when you go there you will find a very nice atmosphere of ISKCON workers. I am so glad to learn that you are feeling considerably the missing separation of ISKCON devotees. I am very much hopeful that Krishna Kirtana will be nicely introduced in the Western world by the Grace of Krishna, and by the efforts of our ISKCON DEVOTEES. I am very sorry too that in India you could not fill up the gap of such separation, and I know why you couldn't. So let India may do whatever they like. By the Grace of Krishna you are now initiated to take up this movement;
(PAGE MISSING)
I shall reach Boston Iskcon on the 23rd of April, and you can make arrangements accordingly. I have read your transcriptions of the Krishna tapes, and you are doing it very nicely. I am very much pleased with your efforts.
I am very glad to receive your Bengali letter, and I hope; you will excuse me that I am replying you in English, because it saves much of my time. I have already advised the editor of Back To Godhead to send you copies of the paper regularly. The subscription fee is $5.00 per 12 issues, and you can send the exchange to the following address: ISKCON PRESS, 504 East 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10003. Please include your distinct name and address, so you will get the paper regularly.
You have inquired about my books, and the facts are that before I came here from India, I published three volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam, each of about 400 pages. Since I have come here, many manuscripts are prepared for printing, and I have published Bhagavad-gita As It Is, published by MacMillan and Teachings of Lord Caitanya, published by International Society for Krishna Consciousness. We are selling our books nicely here, and if you can organize a means of selling our magazine and books in India, it will be a great help to our activities.
Regarding the United States Customs, we had been importing books from India, and I do not know what is wrong there if we import books from Japan. So far as publication is concerned, our Society has got branches all over the world. It is written in the book "published by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, branches throughout the world, Headquarters USA". So if we have got branches in Japan and get our books printed there, what is wrong there? I think this complaint has no meaning.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 2, 1969 on your new letter-heading, "Iskcon Books." Regarding the MacMillan Company's printing Srimad-Bhagavatam, we may note herewith that the MacMillan's publication of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and our publication of Teachings of Lord Caitanya is the difference between heaven and hell. If MacMillan Company can invest their good money for publishing our Bhagavatam, they must take the standard as we have presented. The first canto cannot be reduced less than 200 pages.
Regarding Teachings of Lord Caitanya, I am very glad to know that you are hopeful for great success. The stores demand of 40% for at least 4 copies is all right. There are about 1,000 stores in new York at least. So if they take 3 copies each, we immediately distribute 3,000 copies. Similarly in other big cities we can distribute at least 1,000 in each city. There are at least 25 important cities in your country, so in each city, if we distribute at least 1,000 copies, there is potency of distributing 25,000 copies in your country only, and what to speak of other countries, like England or any other part of the world where English is spoken. So it requires only organization; and now that we have a special "Iskcon Books" department simply for the promotion and publication of our literatures, and you also have the help of Nayana Bhirama and Bali Mardan, so the future looks very hopeful. Now you should definitely organize to distribute amongst the stores in the same conditions you have mentioned. Then our publication department will be a grand success.
If all problems come to me, even personal problems, then it becomes a heavy task for me. I received your letter, full of problems; Gargamuni's, full of problems; Rayarama's, full of problems, and similarly Iskcon Media's, full of problems. If everyone's problems are sent by me, then who will solve my problems? I have divided these departments to solve problems, but if in the end they are all sent to me and I have to tackle, then just imagine what is my position. The best thing would be to stop all activities and simply chant Hare Krishna. Regarding the Doubleday book stores, we do not like to give on consignment, but if some very big stores will take our literature only in that way, then we must make concession.
So far as my starting a separate organization known as International Society for Krishna Consciousness, it was inevitable because none of our godbrothers are cooperating with one another. Every one of us is conducting his own institution, and there is difference of opinion even between Gaudiya Mission and Gaudiya Math.
So if it is now possible to combine ourselves together, I shall be the first man to welcome this good opportunity. But apart from others, if Gaudiya Mission is prepared to cooperate with me, I am prepared to accept this cooperation in any condition. Please therefore let me know your terms of cooperation, and I shall be very glad to consider it.
Regarding the Composer machine, there will be no difficulty in transferring the money to the Iskcon Press account. But in Columbus they are already so negotiating for a similar IBM Composer, so let me see what is their terms here. After comparing I shall definitely instruct you on this matter.
There are some points in the contract which are not very clear, so you may explain them to me further by post. The points are as follows: "ISKCON shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to collect preserve and distribute all tangible expressions of said sound vibrations." "Said sound vibrations shall be fixed in a tangible form solely by ISKCON" "ISKCON shall have the exclusive right to any existing sound recordings contained in any medium of fixation that have been previously recorded by the SWAMI" "ISKCON shall have the sole and exclusive right to use the name and likeness of the SWAMI for all purposes and activities encompassed by this agreement."
ABOUT ISKCON MEDIA.
I don't wish that Dinesh will interfere with the recording of "Hare Krishna" by the Beatles. I don't know what correspondence is going on with you between Dinesh & you. Everything should be carefully done so that our friendship with the Beatles may not be disturbed. They are gradually coming to cooperate and we shall not do anything which may disturb this cooperation.
The circular you have sent to the presidents and members of ISKCON is very nicely drawn, and please follow the principles. All students should be encouraged to write some article after reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and Teachings of Lord Caitanya. They should realize the information, and they must present their assimilation in their own words. Otherwise, how they can become preachers? So far as Sankirtana Party is concerned, as many pictures as possible should be published each month. The pictures are very attractive to the customers also. Acyutananda should also be asked to send pictures, as many as possible, of the many Visnu temples in India for publication in BTG. BTG should be full with our own articles, and there is no need for articles by outsiders. So far as ads are concerned, only our own books should be advertised; nothing else.
Now the $600 which we have saved from the ISKCON PRESS establishment may be invested in improving our New Vrindaban scheme. I am writing to Hayagriva to transfer the property in the society's name, and I have already talked with him. So far as my books are concerned, work with great enthusiasm to print, sell, and bind them in cooperation with the other boys. I am glad that Gargamuni is coming here to improve his business in cooperation with Tamala Krishna.
A special Vyasa Puja issue of BTG may be done, and you may open correspondence with Brahmananda, because publication of BTG will now be conducted by Iskcon Book Dept., and BTG will be under the supervision of Brahmananda and Hayagriva. Rayarama das Brahmacari is called by me to live with me here to engage in editorial work, so you may correspond with Brahmananda in this connection.
We are explaining the science of devotional service in so many ways, and Srimad-Bhagavatam especially is unique literature that the people in general should try to understand. I have got an ambition to finish the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the same way I have already done, so try to help me as far as possible to finish this high project. If we get return from the Iskcon Book Department, then we shall be able to publish all of our books very quickly. So Brahmananda and yourself will be a good combination, and Krishna desires that you should do it exclusively.
Regarding transferring the property to the society's name, I do not know the legal implications, but so far as I do know for the time being you are not the proprietor of the land; you are the lease-holder. The lease-holder cannot transfer his possession without arrangement with the real owner. So I think legally you cannot now transfer the property to Iskcon because I know it definitely that a lease-holder or a tenant cannot make any such arrangement with a subtenant or sublease-holder.
Another thing is, you may negotiate with the First National City Bank where I have got my account as to how we may start an account in their Calcutta Branch in the name of our International Society for Krishna Consciousness. We are doing so much business with India now, so if we can manage payment in American dollars, it will prevent all difficulties with the Reserve Bank. So please do this and inform me of your activities in this connection.
I am always encouraged to learn of the nice activities of our Hawaii Iskcon as they go on under your direction. These concerts which you are attending will not go in vain, because all of these people who are now hearing these vibrations of Hare Krishna Mantra will be gradually coming to our camp of Krishna Consciousness. This is the Vedic process that simply by sound vibrations there will be the reaction of spiritual benefit.
Regarding the boy who is now staying with you, if somebody takes shelter of our organization, we have no objection. If he desires to go to San Francisco, let him go. There is very good possibility that next week I shall be going to Boston to help them begin our Iskcon Press Department there in their new house, and from Boston I shall be going on to Europe. In the meantime, I will be remaining in Los Angeles at least till the middle of next week.
I understand that you addressed another letter to me dated 6th June, 1969 addressed to my New Vrindaban address, but I did not receive that letter. Probably it is missing. I was expecting your reply of my letter dated May 23rd, 1969, and I am so glad to receive your letter in hand. I have also gone through the Memorandum of Articles of Association of your Mission and particularly seen the specific portion referred to in your letter in reply. I see it is in order, but similarly, we have also incorporated our International Society for Krishna Consciousness pursuant to the religious corporation laws of the state of New York.
It is understood from different sources that Rayarama has written you a letter complaining that the charge of BTG has been taken from him without any justification. But the actual fact is that he was spending 600 dollars per month for maintenance of Iskcon Press with the result that the number of subscribers was only somewhere about 300. Most of the BTGs were being sold by our Sankirtana Party in Los Angeles. Anyway, the 600 dollars were to be saved for other useful purposes. Therefore, the staff engaged in Iskcon Press was dispersed, but Rayarama was there in his original position as managing editor.
In all our centers this magazine has given a new impetus for solving the economic question. You will be surprised to know that in Boston they are collecting on the average $120 each day. So depend on Krishna and try your best. Use your intelligence properly and chant Hare Krishna. Then everything will come smoothly and easily. I understand that in some quarters houses are available for only $50 or $60 per month, so immediately you can occupy some such place and hang up the signboard for "International Society for Krishna Consciousness".
With great interest I read the letter of Sudama, and I have also sent him a letter of congratulations. You have proposed to go to Japan next year, and I am very much pleased on this point. I wish to go with a big Sankirtana Party from Los Angeles. So if we can overflood Japan with this Sankirtana Movement, it will be a great great achievement in the Eastern countries, and if we move little further more into China and Russia, then we shall build up a strong belt all around the world of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
I am not very much enthusiastic to publish our books by some publication house, including MacMillan and Company. So far as I know, Ramakrishna Mission has their own publication organization; Aravinda Ashram has their own publication organization; Theosophical Society has their own arrangement; Bible Society has their own arrangement; Ravindra Natha Thakura has their own arrangement. So why Iskcon should fail to have its own organization?
KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS: THE SANKIRTANA MOVEMENT
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is a bona fide religious society strictly following the principles described in the Vedic scriptures and practiced in India for thousands of years. Our basic beliefs are as follows:
Replying your letter dated September 28th, 1969 and October 1st, 1969, I beg to inclose herewith a check for $4,000 in favor of Iskcon NY, and the copy of the letter addressed to First National City Bank is also sent herewith. So you can utilize this check in the matter of press.
Tamala is trying to purchase some very nice property in Beverly Hills. The project is to establish there a nice Iskcon library to attract the richer class of men in that area. I do not know how far we shall be successful in this attempt, but if we are successful in purchasing a property there, it will be a great stride for our propaganda work. It is understood that the most selected persons of the Western world, both Europeans and Americans, they live in that quarter of Los Angeles. So why not a center there? That is the contemplation.
I beg to request you to transfer my above account to your branch at 686 Broadway, near Great Jones Street, New York, NY 10012. This will facilitate my dealings with the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, who has their account in this branch. After doing this kindly inform me and also send me a new passbook to the above address.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 6, 1969, and I thank you very much for your bank deposit receipt. Practically you are the only hope who is filling up the gap in my Book Fund deposit account. Recently I have issued one check for $4,000 from my Book Fund to the Iskcon Press account. Out of that, you have already fulfilled the amount of $2,500. So I thank you very much. Regarding your business, Krishna will surely help you, and He is already helping you.
Tamala Krishna is scheduled to arrive here this evening. He has not come yet. Iskcon Press has very nicely printed our Peace Formula and Two Essays. They are also cheap, so I hope you will order them 2,000 copies. Our BTG appearance is coming out nicer. Everyone approves. So by Krishna's Grace I find all sides bright. My only request to all of you is to keep it bright. Don't let it go dim. That is Krishna's Glories. When Tamala comes we shall talk with him about the World Sankirtana Party program.
Kindly transfer $1,400 to the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, account #04489579 and debit my above account. Kindly send me the debit note and oblige.
So far as transferring $1,400 to the account of ISKCON, I have done it immediately. The copy of the advice to the bank is enclosed. Please note down my account number there which is now transferred to the same branch on Broadway. So when convenient you also transfer in the same way so there will be no difficulty of exchanging money.
1970 Correspondence
Regarding your Tuesday class at your place, you can continue it as a sub-branch of ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple. The procedure should be exclusively for chanting Hare Krishna mantra or singing other songs just like Govinda jaya jaya, Gopala jaya jaya . . ., and nothing more. Demigod worship in your house or thinking a demigod as equal with Narayana or Krishna should be stopped altogether, actually that is not the fact. Special stress should be given on chanting Hare Krishna mantra, reading from Bhagavad-gita As It Is or Srimad-Bhagavatam.
N.B. The following books are being sent to you by separate post: Sri Isopanisad, Two Essays and Back to Godhead published by our own ISKCON Press in Boston.
The Vrndavana scheme as suggested by you appears to be very nice. You purchase the adjoining two farms in the name of ISKCON and leave it to His Holiness Kirtanananda Maharaja and the devotees for further development.
Our book, "Isopanisad," is already out and you can send orders to ISKCON Books for this item. It is very nice.
There was another letter from India, the World Fellowship of Religions; that I have replied duly. I am so glad that henceforward BTG will be published 50,000 per month and very soon, 100,000 per month. It is engladdening. I am so glad to know that ISKCON Press is going to make some profit, about $4,000, by doing some outside work. But one thing is still the boys require to improve. The printing must be professional, and BTG copy #31 is not to the Japanese standard. Of course, this is the first attempt by the boys. As far as technical work is concerned, that can be excused; but the quality of the paper is also not to the Japanese standard. So side by side we must keep ourself alive not to come down below the standard printers.
Regarding opening account in Boston: is there any branch of First National City Bank of New York? If not, then the present account in N.Y. should be continued. Another, separate account in same Boston bank where ISKCON has got its account may be opened. In that case you may send me the requisite papers. I want to continue the account in N.Y. because this account is coming down since I have stepped in your country, and sometimes the bank reference gives good facilities. Last time this bank's good reference resulted in my immigration visa without difficulty; otherwise we were struggling for it for three years.
Enclosed please find one picture of Acyutananda which I would like for immediate publication in BTG with the following caption:
"Sriman Acyutananda das Brahmacari, who is now visiting Calcutta. We have got a very good friend enthusiastic in preaching Krishna Consciousness, Mr. B. K. Ghosh M.A. LL. B. He is himself a great admirer of Caitanya philosophy and he is holding Sankirtana meetings every Sunday in different places of Calcutta and suburbs. The above picture was taken in a meeting where Acyutananda Brahmacari spoke nicely on Krishna Consciousness philosophy under the presidency of Honorable Mr. Justice P. B. Mukherjee of the Calcutta high-court, he is sitting just on the left of Acyutananda das Brahmachari. So gradually a nice center of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is growing with the prospect of headquarters at Mayapur, the birthsite of Lord Caitanya."
You will simply send me the shipping documents to the following addresses and we will arrange to clear them.
Shipping instructions:
1) 1 pair of Murtis
ISKCON Temple
38 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02134 U.S.A.
2) 1 pair of Murtis to
ISKCON Temple
3720 Park Avenue
Montreal 18, Quebec
Canada
3) 3 pairs of Murtis to
ISKCON Temple
1975 South La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, 90034 California U.S.A.
I hope this dispatch process will clear the whole thing and you will kindly do the needful as early as possible.
In most of the centers our activities are in rented houses, only in Boston and Buffalo we have our own houses. In Boston we have got our own press, ISKCON Press, where our books and magazines are published partially. The major portion is printed outside our press especially in Japan.
P.S. So far the means of the books published are as follows:
3 volumes Srimad-Bhagavatam League of Devotees $16.00 (set)
1 paperback Bhagavad-gita As It Is Collier (MacMillan) $2.95
1 hardback Bhagavad-gita As It Is MacMillan $6.95
1 Teachings of Lord Caitanya ISKCON Press $5.95
1 Sri Isopanisad ISKCON Press $1.00
1 Nectar of Devotion ISKCON Press $5.95
1 Krishna ISKCON Press $10.00
1 Easy Journey to Other Planets League of Devotees $0.50
1 Two Essays ISKCON PRESS $ .50
Monthly magazine "Back to Godhead" ISKCON Press $0.50
French ed. "Back to Godhead" ISKCON Press
German ed. "Zuruck zur Gottheit" ISKCON Press
Some of these are being enclosed herewith, and the balance will be dispatched from New York along with books.
We have got in many places our own buildings, just like in Boston where we have got our own press, ISKCON Press, in Buffalo, in Detroit, and just yesterday, on the Advent Day of Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, we have completed the negotiation for purchasing a big church property worth 20 lakhs of rupees.
I may once more give the following list for dispatch of the Murtis, and please note the corrected Boston address.
1 pair of Murtis to
ISKCON Temple
38 North Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02134 U.S.A.
1 Pair of Murtis
ISKCON Temple
3720 Park Avenue
Montreal 18, Quebec Canada
3 Pairs of Murtis to
ISKCON Temple
1975 South La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90034 U.S.A.
I hope by this time Syt. J. Dalmia has come back from South India. I am sending by separate air mail one copy of my new publication, Sri Isopanisad, as my complimentary present to Sethji. Please acknowledge receipt.
I want to publish one catalog of our ISKCON movement, giving pictures of all important centers and especially of New Vrindaban. This idea I gave you long ago when I was in New Vrindaban. I have advised Brahmananda also in this connection. So get this catalog printed as early as possible.
For being legally organized, I think if you open a branch of the ISKCON Ltd., incorporated in England, it will be easier for you. Australia is a Commonwealth property, therefore an organization already registered in England can open its branch in its dominion without any difficulty. You can simply take the registered number and date from Mukunda and get it noted by the Registrar in Sydney, and it will be alright.
Regarding the Bhowanipur plot, I have already advised you in this connection. It may be transferred as unconditional gift to the Founder Acarya, ISKCON: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.
I have received word that English citizens can fly to Australia as immigrants, and the cost is only $20 per person. So under the circumstances, you can send some Brahmacaris to help out our new center in Sydney. This will be best because the British government will bear the expense of their transportation. Also you can help them out by sending them the papers of ISKCON, Ltd. from London, so they can immediately incorporate as a Commonwealth branch. The Sydney address is as follows: ISKCON Temple, 26 Horderns Place, Potts Point, N.S.W. 2011.
Regarding the prayer verses, I have sent you immediately the Bengali prayer book and you will find all the prayers of Acaryas' there. I have also sent you one copy of Panjika which will help you to find out the list of names of Acaryas' Appearance and Disappearance Days. If you can, you can prepare conveniently the Panjika or ISKCON Almanac for next year, but not now, you have got many engagements, this is for leisure hours.
So as desired by you, I am enclosing herewith check No. 108/11 for $2409.00 in favor of ISKCON Press, so please do the needful.
Yesterday I received one newspaper, the Daily Californian, in which the whole correspondence between Dr. Staal and me is published, and they are very interesting. So if we get one small booklet printed under the caption "Krishna Consciousness Movement is Genuine Vedic Way: a cogent discussion between A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Acarya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and Dr. J. F. Staal, Professor of Philosophy and South Asian Languages, University of California, Berkeley." This pamphlet will help us in our propaganda to convince people that we have not manufactured something new in the name of Krishna Consciousness. Anyone who will read this exchange of correspondences will be convinced that we hold authority.
This ISKCON Press insignia is very appropriately drawn. It bears the real meaning of mrdanga or press and mrdanga are two parallel lines.
I have received one copy of the latest French BTG, published from Montreal. It is printed in our ISKCON Press in Boston, and they have done it very nicely. If for the present this BTG published from Montreal can be useful? I am sending by separate airmail one copy which you can examine, and if you think they are useful for your purpose, you can immediately ask them to send you as many copies as you need.
As each and every ISKCON Center is my life and soul for preaching this movement, I hope you are doing your best to conduct the regular routine duties of the Temple—chanting regularly the beads, observing the restrictive regulations, taking Sankirtana Party to the streets, and selling our magazines and books.
As each and every ISKCON Center is my life and soul for preaching this movement, I hope you are doing your best to conduct the regular routine duties of the Temple—chanting regularly the beads, observing the restrictive regulations, taking Sankirtana Party to the streets, and selling our magazines and books.
As each and every ISKCON Center is my life and soul for preaching this movement, I hope you are doing your best to conduct the regular routine duties of the Temple—chanting regularly the beads, observing the restrictive regulations, taking Sankirtana Party to the streets, and selling our magazines and books.
As each and every ISKCON Center is my life and soul for preaching this movement, I hope you are doing your best to conduct the regular routine duties of the Temple—chanting regularly the beads, observing the restrictive regulations, taking Sankirtana Party to the streets, and selling our magazines and books.
As each and every ISKCON Center is my life and soul for preaching this movement, I hope you are doing your best to conduct the regular routine duties of the Temple—chanting regularly the beads, observing the restrictive regulations, taking Sankirtana Party to the streets, and selling our magazines and books.
As each and every ISKCON Center is my life and soul for preaching this movement, I hope you are doing your best to conduct the regular routine duties of the Temple—chanting regularly the beads, observing the restrictive regulations, taking Sankirtana Party to the streets, and selling our magazines and books.
This binding work is so nicely made. You have done it very well, and I am completely satisfied. I very much appreciate your efforts in our ISKCON bindery, and if such binding is done we will have sure success with our books.
You have asked me to send you a check for $4,500, but this is for the first time you have asked me to pay on account of BTG, and this point I have already explained to Gargamuni. So far I understand from Gargamuni that you misunderstood me that I want to take the management of BTG I never meant like that, neither I have got any time to tax my brain in that way. So you shall continue the management of BTG, and ISKCON Press is meant for that purpose.
Please transfer $3,600 (Three thousand, and six hundred dollars) to the First National Bank of Boston, Brighton Avenue Branch, in favor of account No. 516-5642, ISKCON Press, and charge the same to my account as above mentioned.
Formerly you submitted the statement for 20,000 copies of Topmost Yoga, and again you decided to print another 10,000 copies for which another bill was submitted; so the total amount, $2465.72, has just now been telegraphically transferred to your ISKCON Press account No. 516-5642, in the First National Bank of Boston, so you can do the needful.
For future guidance you will please submit your quotation statement as you have done for the first 20,000 copies of Topmost Yoga, and that will be nice. You submit your statement including all expenditure. There is no need of sending me the parties' bills. I will transfer the money to ISKCON Press account immediately. That will be easier for me. When you send so many bills, it puzzles my brain. Please send the statements of NOD and the second printing of 10,000 copies of KC:TY.
Please transfer $2465.72 (Two thousand, four hundred, and sixty-five dollars, and seventy-two cents) to the First National Bank of Boston, Brighton Avenue Branch, in favor of account No. 516-5642, ISKCON Press, and charge the same to my account as above mentioned.
Your proposals for extending Sankirtana Party activities and distribution of literatures and organizing Tokyo center as the headquarters for our Far Eastern branches of ISKCON are very encouraging, so try to substantiate these ideas.
It is very good news that you are getting your branch of ISKCON incorporated in Japan. That is nice. So you write to say that things are taking shape very nicely. It is all Krsna's grace. You have gone with great hope and enthusiasm, so Krsna is giving you all opportunities. So try to serve Krsna with greater enthusiasm, then you will get greater facilities.
I am so happy that our ISKCON press is now producing such several literatures consecutively like Srimad-Bhagavatam chapter by chapter. So now I am enlivened to write more and more. Thank you very much.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 15th June, 1970, and noted the contents. So it is very good news that the atmosphere of London ISKCON is swelling in preparation of Rathayatra festival.
Regarding the printing of Srimad-Bhagavatam, I have already advised you in my last letter dated 19th June, 1970, not to make contract. We shall continue to print Srimad-Bhagavatam chapterwise on ISKCON Press and when all the chapters are there we shall bind them together. The next book we shall print in Japan will be KRSNA volume II and maybe Bhagavad-gita AS IT IS—Revised and Enlarged Edition if composition is finished. KRSNA volume II is almost ready now.
I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated 24th June, 1970, with your check for $200, for which I think you and your good wife, Kancanbala. This kind of letter is very encouraging to me because there is enclosure of a nice check. So we have to pay immediately some bills of ISKCON Press as well as Dai Nippon, so it will be very much helpful.
Please transfer $2517.00 (Two thousand five hundred and seventeen dollars and no cents) to the First National Bank of Boston, Brighton Avenue Branch, in favor of account No. 516-5642, ISKCON Press, and charge the same to my account as above mentioned.
Please transfer $546.00 (Five hundred and forty-six dollars and no cents) to the First National Bank of Boston, Brighton Avenue Branch, in favor of account No. 516-5642, ISKCON Press, and charge the same to my account as above mentioned.
Please transfer $1,500.00 (One thousand and five hundred dollars and no cents) to the First National Bank of Boston, Brighton Avenue Branch, in favor of account No. 516-5642. ISKCON Press, and charge the same to my account as above mentioned.
Perhaps you might have seen in the "Kalyana" of Gorakhpur an article about us, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in the April 1970 issue. They have very nicely presented news about our activities. As a result we are getting many inquiries from India.
You opening a new center of ISKCON in Atlanta, Georgia, has given me great transcendental pleasure because it is Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's desire that in every city and town and village of the earth there shall be the chanting of the Holy Names of Krsna.
Please transfer $636.80 (six hundred and thirty-six dollars and eighty cents) to the First National Bank of Boston, Brighton Avenue Branch, in favor of account No. 516-5642, ISKCON Press, and charge the same to my account as above mentioned.
I am sending the description as it will appear in our Krsna consciousness handbook which is just now being printed. The complete and finished Handbook will be sent later on. Along with the section on New Vrndavana there is also a two page feature on our ISKCON Press.
13. Our press owned and operated by the Society is housed in our Boston temple buildings. Presently we are printing books regularly and our monthly magazine BTG is being printed in English, French, German and Japanese editions with Spanish, Hindi, Bengali, Dutch and Danish forthcoming. The English edition is understocked at 125,000 copies per month and the other editions are printed at the rate of 10,000 per month. The public demand for our literatures is international and so much greatly increasing that although printing department (editing, transcribing, composing, layout, photography, printing and binding as well as sales) is full-time engaged and the press is kept running almost 24 hours daily we are unable to meet the demands for literatures and so we must also go to outside printers like Japan.
See pages on ISKCON Press in the Krsna Consciousness Handbook.
I am so glad that your daughter, Sarasvati, is growing nicely Krsna conscious. I always remember about your daughter's movement when she was coming up stairs in Ascot and sitting by me. May Krsna bless her to grow a Krsna conscious child. You will be glad to know that her picture catching my hand is now published in our ISKCON Handbook.
Regarding the translation of International Society for Krishna Consciousness have you made a proper substitute?
It is good news that you are so quickly successful in your Sankirtana and distribution of literatures in Berlin. I am sure that this so large city will prove a very important center for European ISKCON activities. Thank you for your keeping to our regulated program of chanting, study and Sankirtana, etc. If you simply stick to this program which I have given you in so many ways, you will come out successful in your mission, of this there is no doubt. So do it very seriously and enthusiastically and receive the blessings of Lord Krsna for your sincere efforts to spread His Holy Name.
Please follow all the rules and regulations of Krsna consciousness and chant at least sixteen rounds of beads daily, chant Hare Krsna mantra always, go on Sankirtana as often as possible and be happy. I know that you are a very suitable match for Krsna das. You are both young, intelligent and sincere devotees. So please work combinedly with great enthusiasm to establish our branch of ISKCON in Berlin. That is my desire.
At the present moment in our ISKCON campus politics and diplomacy has entered. Some of my beloved students on whom I counted very, very much have been involved in this matter influenced by Maya. As such there has been some activity which I consider as disrespectful. So I have decided to retire and divert attention to book writing and nothing more.
The ISKCON Press was specifically established exclusively for printing my books. Please therefore give me an idea how you can help me in getting all my manuscripts printed as soon a possible. Whenever Advaita is submitting an estimate for printing my books, I am supplying the money immediately. So far the finance is concerned, Krsna is supplying. Therefore if you simply print my books in the Press incessantly, that will give me great delight.
At the present moment, the Krsna books are coming from Japan and they should be taken care of immediately. The present procedure is that Sriman Karandhara das Adhikari is looking after the business and collecting the fund. The same procedure should be followed and whenever there is a collection, it should be deposited in my bank account entitled ISKCON, INC. - BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST, number __ with the Security Pacific National Bank. And whenever there will be a new printing, on submission of the estimate I shall immediately advise the bank to remit as I am now doing. In the future, things will be done as it is necessary. All withdrawals are to signed by me exclusively.
Yesterday Karandhara presented me a check signed by you for $4,000 in my favor, but I have countersigned in favor of ISKCON L.A. as they have already purchased our worldwide tickets. I am starting next week sometimes. I have asked Tamala to come here and Hayagriva to come here. Rupanuga, Bhagavan das and Kirtanananda Maharaja are already here, so I am fervently appealing to you all not to create fracture in the solid body of the Society. Please work conjointly, without any personal ambition. That will help the cause.
Now we want very many Swamis to take up this job. The Grhasthas are to take care of the Temples as well as the general management. I have already formed the Governing Body Commission and your good name is also in the Board. There is no time for creating a crack in our solid formation of Krsna Consciousness Society. Take it now with great responsibility and everyone of you may serve jointly for Krsna's satisfaction. That is my request to you all.
I am getting older day by day, so if I can see in my lifetime that all of you have opened at least 108 branches of ISKCON institution that will be a great pleasure for me.
Now I have invested the GBC for maintaining the standard of our Krsna Consciousness Society, so keep the GBC very vigilant. I have already given you full directions in my books. Please counteract this contamination which has been spread throughout our Society.
Regarding the printing of the serialized chapter by chapter books of the Second Canto, why stop it. Let it go on as it is, do not stop it. We may suspend the Japanese printing for now. You have written to say that it seems in general that ISKCON Press is being taken over by Dai Nippon as far as satisfaction of our needs, but there is no such question at all. ISKCON Press must continue and expand also. So far the 5,000 copies of Nectar of Devotion are concerned, there is no sufficient money just now, so this may be stopped for the time being.
You have both been very nice devotees and I would like you both to continue to make nice advancement. So please patch up any crack that may have come between yourself and ISKCON. As husband and wife you must always remain together and raise your daughter in Krishna Consciousness. I would like you to go back to New Vrndavana and fix up a nice living place for yourselves and help to develop the New Vrndavana scheme. Our ISKCON should be taken as being a family based upon love and trust, so as the father becomes unhappy when one of his children wishes to break family connections I also become unhappy when there is difficulties within our ISKCON family. So please do not consider leaving as you are spiritual children of mine.
You are a very fortunate girl to have come in contact with our Krsna Consciousness Society and I am so happy that you are tasting a drop of the nectar of devotional service to Lord Krsna. If you simply continue seriously following this program of rendering loving service to the Lord your life is sure to become soon filled with happiness and joy in Krsna's service.
Therefore, if my disciples there can do the work, then I do not require to go to Bombay leaving aside my important engagements here.
Yours sincerely,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS:ds
c.c. Sriman Gurudasa Adhikari, leader of ISKCON Sankirtana Party from London.
I have already spoken to Hamsaduta about your enthusiasm to open some branches for ISKCON propaganda in Russia and in that connection you can immediately send him the address of the Indology Department along with the prominent professors.
The sentiments which you have expressed are very much encouraging to me, that I have got such disciples as yourself who are more anxious to serve me than my own children. You are one of my oldest and best-qualified students, so now you may, along with the other men of GBC, take over from me management of ISKCON affairs and work combinedly to open as many centers as possible all over the world. If you simply carry out the instructions which I have given you Krsna will reward you with all success.
Your plan to increase our propaganda activities in the colleges and high schools is very nice, and it is my desire that every American boy and girl will receive a Krsna Conscious education through our books. You have a very great responsibility to print and distribute these books. So far printing is concerned, if you are able to print books why not do it? I am prepared to give up dealing with Dai Nippon if ISKCON Press can print my books. What is being done with the manuscript of the unabridged Bhagavad-gita As It Is? It should be printed as soon as possible.
Your essay "The Spiritual Master: Emissary of the Supreme Person" is so nice, so why not have ISKCON PRESS publish it and then all our students can study it.
I hope you have already sent by registered post my bank account passbook as asked you by telegram. So far as the 11,000 Rs. to be given by Sita-Ram Poddar, he can give the check in the society's name. We have also established an account in Bombay under the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
How is it that you owe $20,000 to Dai Nippon? Are the Temples remitting the $0.15 cost per copy of BTG to ISKCON Press for each copy they receive?
I am requesting you to go to Boston, U.S.A., to work on our ISKCON Press because I know you are an experienced and expert press operator. Your services for carrying on the program of our ISKCON Press smoothly are very necessary. So you should plan for going there as soon as possible.
I am very glad that you have found some interested and friendly persons to give you at least some temporary assistance in Fiji. Do not be worried about the future. If you will simply work on very strenuously in humble state of mind as the sincere servant of the servant of the Lord, then Krsna will give you all facilities (CC Madhya 13.80). I know you are already acquainted with the Lord's mercy in this respect because you have already had several times experience in the matter of establishing our ISKCON Temples in different places.
We are seriously trying to purchase a nice house here, so if possible send all collections (including the promised 25,000/-)in favor of International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Before coming here please ship the deities to U.S.A as it was arranged and see Mr. Trivedi of Scindia Steam Navigation in this connection.
Regarding Printing of Bhagavad-gita complete and unabridged edition, it may be printed with our ISKCON PRESS and 5,000 copies may be sent, printed and folded to Bombay because I notice in your ISKCON PRESS newsletter that Advaita has expressed his opinion that if sent by ship without folding first, it would not be possible for the books to be properly folded and printed here in India. Regarding the missing verses, I will see if it is required and will send you at a later date.
I was so much anxious about Advaita and I am very much concerned lest he become further victim of maya. I am anxiously waiting for a letter from him. In the meantime, I have asked that as far as possible, all unpublished manuscripts be printed by him on ISKCON Press. I have also requested Kulasekhara to go to Boston to assist Advaita and I am confident that the tense situation will be relieved.
I do not know why there should be such a lack of money for ISKCON Press. Every Temple reports very good books sales, but where is the money going? Anyway, your rectification program by the GBC in the matter of right payment of bills for literatures is good. So now please bring things under the right order. I fully approve of your idea to prepare every available manuscript up to the stage of printing, even if they remain in the layout stage for a while.
I quite approve your proposal that if the money is used for establishing Bombay center, the donors will not be encouraged. In that case you can open an account with the Central Bank of India in the name of ISKCON. The Society is going to be registered here and the arrangement is done.
Regarding Jhajaria's proposal for uniting the Bhu Lok diksa Mandir with our ISKCON, there is no question of such amalgamation. So we do not go on with such ideas. But don't make him enemy; just try to avoid any intimate connection.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 23, 1970, and I am very glad that you have gone on to Singapore for expanding our number of Far Eastern and Pacific branches of ISKCON. It is my ultimate desire that all the cities of the world have such centers for Krsna Consciousness and I am sure this will come about because it is the desire of Lord Caitanya.
I have advised Gurudasa to print the numbers of the receipts which were lost in Delhi in the public papers with a note that any monies collected with these receipts are not received by ISKCON, neither ISKCON is responsible for such false representation. Please send the numbers of the missing receipts immediately to Gurudasa so he can do the needful. Giriraja says that you now have the only copy of the missing numbers. So please send them without delay. ACB
Wanted qualified Brahmins to preach Bhagavad-gita all over the world. Educated candidates accepted without any discrimination of Caste and Creed.
Apply ISKCON Life Member can send any member of his family for being trained up as qualified Brahmin who can preach Bhagavad-gita as it is all over the world
Yes, I have heard of your plan to open a branch in Trinidad. That will be very nice and the selected members are approved by me. The more we open branches, the more I feel encouraged. These branches are like the oasis in a vast desert. In the desert there is no water, but occasionally if one is fortunate he may come in contact with an oasis and he is saved. Similarly in this material world we are drying up due to lack of spiritual knowledge. Our ISKCON centers are meant to give relief to the dried up conditioned souls who are searching after the nectar of joyful life. So I request you and all other members of ISKCON to flood the world with Krishna Conscious centers and realize the prediction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu "as many towns and villages there are, my name will be known."
It is a very good news that the disciples of Sai and Sai himself are now coming to join with our ISKCON. Because they were chanting Hare Krsna, they developed some love for Krsna and therefore they have decided upon this right course of action. So they are all very welcome and you can give these good souls all encouragement so that they may not feel any inconveniences. They must live with us according to our standard practices and they shall surely advance in Krsna's service.
Actually I cannot claim any credit for myself, but I say if any credit is due, it is due to the fact that I have not deviated from the original instructions. Whatever I have learned from my spiritual master I have presented before you and similarly whatever success you are having only it is due to the purity of the message which you are carrying. So continue to see to the management of ISKCON and keep up the standards of devotional service and this Krishna Consciousness movement will be accepted all over the world.
Anyway, I am so much relieved to hear from you, and I was sure that you could not actually be entrapped by Maya. I have always been confident of your steadiness in Krsna Consciousness because of your great determination in serving the mission of the Lord in such great measure these last few years by your working long hours and more with our ISKCON Press. So I think that the recent disturbances are easily to be set aright and you should go on again fully engaged in our printing work there. We have got a great lot of work to do and you should immediately pick up the press work again so that time may not be wasted with the press idle.
I know that Satsvarupa has got too much other engagement to be able to devote the requisite time for managing the press department. I had never considered either closing down our ISKCON Press or removing your responsibility for managing the press affairs. You may immediately resume your former activities and work the press according to your best ability because I am very eager to see our own press printing the majority of our publications. The first thing now should be the printing of the new, enlarged edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. That will be a great boon to our Movement. I have already decided that the necessary funds for printing the book should come from the England sales of our KRSNA book. London has got $20,000 worth of KRSNA Books so they should sell them and send immediately $17,000 to ISKCON Press for printing according to your estimate. The plan to print 10,000 copies, 5,000 for India and 5,000 for U.S.A., etc. is approved by me. Please do it. I have been very much encouraged and pleased to receive the two latest chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Second Canto. So this printing must go on. ISKCON Press remains our big mrdanga and the backbone of our Movement.
So far your need for constant engagement in press work is concerned, I do not see that there should be any difficulty if you attend the classes daily when our literatures are read and discussed. It is alright if you do not attend the Arati, but you must remain fixed up by attending the classes. Two hours daily in the classes will not be too much time away from press work. I give you my permission to work in this way. Now adjust things as you find it convenient and please begin work again immediately. I know that you are in need of constantly working the press and the press is constantly in need of being worked. If you are individually the manager of ISKCON Press, I have no objection, but you must work nicely and the GBC will be satisfied.
So far your need for constant engagement in press work is concerned, I do not see that there should be any difficulty if you attend the classes daily when our literatures are read and discussed. It is alright if you do not attend the Arati, but you must remain fixed up by attending the classes. Two hours daily in the classes will not be too much time away from press work. I give you my permission to work in this way. Now adjust things as you find it convenient and please begin work again immediately. I know that you are in need of constantly working the press and the press is constantly in need of being worked. If you are individually the manager of ISKCON Press, I have no objection, but you must work nicely and the GBC will be satisfied.
I am very much pleased with the two latest chapters from Srimad-Bhagavatam—The Process of Creation and The Cause of all Causes. They are so much satisfactory and I am very eager that they should be produced by ISKCON Press at a regular pace.
I have written one letter to Advaita requesting him to take up his duty again unflinchingly and print our books especially the enlarged edition of Bhagavad-gita at this moment. I have great hopes that our ISKCON Press will continue and expand by the grace of Krsna. I have advised him that he must attend daily classes regularly, but there is no need of his attending other functions like Aratis etc. I have given him this special permission in this case, so you also please let him do anything, but let him be always engaged in printing our books and other required literatures. It is my opinion that he should remain as individual manager of ISKCON Press because of his experience and ability in the matter practically. I do not think that you are able to be the manager because you have got too many other very important duties. So the management may be returned to Advaita and the GBC may cooperate in this way for the continued uninterrupted function of our press department.
The pictures on the Srimad-Bhagavatam Chapters are very nice. My sincere blessings are to Jadurani and the art department. If our books are printed in this standard, that will be very, very good. I do not aspire to any more efficiency in printing, but simply the printing must go on regularly. Offer my blessings to all the workers of ISKCON Press because that is my life. Next time when I go there, I shall first go to Boston. In future, if we get some nice place, some of the workers may come and start our own press here also.
Please also let me know how many books have been received from Dai Nippon and ISKCON Press; how many are sold and where the respective funds from sales are being kept; and what are the outstanding debts, especially KRSNA book. These books and money from sales are very important matters. So let me know all the above details.
Page Title: | International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Letters, 1966 - 1970) |
Compiler: | Visnu Murti |
Created: | 24 of Nov, 2008 |
Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=174 |
No. of Quotes: | 174 |