BBT (Letters, 1970 - 1973)

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

1970 Correspondence

This trust is called the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Out of the three trustees, the majority decision will be carried.

Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 29 July, 1970:

I, the undersigned, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, presently author of the following books: Krsna; Nectar of Devotion; Easy Journey to Other Planets; Isopanisad; Bhagavad-gita As It Is; Srimad-Bhagavatam; Teachings of Lord Caitanya; Krsna Consciousness: The Topmost Yoga System, do hereby appoint Rupanuga das Adhikari, Bhagavan das Adhikari, and Karandhara das Adhikari for the purpose of the publishing of manuscripts and literatures made by me, distribution and collection and all other necessary paraphernalia in this connection. This trust is called the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Out of the three trustees, the majority decision will be carried.

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.

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account will be used to publish my books and literature and to establish Temples throughout the world, specifically three Temples are to be established, one each in Mayapur, Vrndavana, and Jagannatha Puri.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Founder-Acarya

ACB/rda

I received your telegram, and also receipts for three deposits to the BBT at Dai Nippon; and I received your other letters, but on account of Devananda's disposition, I have not been able to reply them.

Letter to Karandhara -- Calcutta 19 September, 1970:

My Dear Karandhara,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated Sept. 13, 1970, and I congratulate you on the good news of opening the Portland center so successfully, and I am very pleased that things are going on nicely. I received your telegram, and also receipts for three deposits to the BBT at Dai Nippon; and I received your other letters, but on account of Devananda's disposition, I have not been able to reply them. Today I am taking the help of Kirtanananda. Please go on sending the reports.

1971 Correspondence

I want to make a book trust of all my books. The idea is that the book trust will manage all publicity and distribution.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bombay April 16, 1971:

That you are distributing KRSNA book so nicely is very encouraging. Please sell as many as possible. I want to make a book trust of all my books. The idea is that the book trust will manage all publicity and distribution. One-half of the money should be spent for building our temples, and one-half should be used for reprinting our books. Unfortunately the building fund portion is being swallowed up by eating. I shall be glad to know if you can take up the responsibility of managing these affairs because I want to make the trust body as soon as possible.

Regarding the Book Trust, soon you will be receiving copies of the documents from Karandhara and upon your approval we will draft a final agreement and sign it.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- London August 4, 1971:

Regarding the Book Trust, soon you will be receiving copies of the documents from Karandhara and upon your approval we will draft a final agreement and sign it.

You are supposed to be one of the members of the book trust but in your presence the book fund money is being eaten up. So we have to rectify all these processes.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 1 September, 1971:

I have seen the rough trial balance in which it is stated that about Rs 13,000/- was spent for travelling expenditure. Of course you are all sons of big rich Americans so it may not be very big amount for you but we poor Indians, to us it is a shocking amount. In our childhood with my father I used to walk 10 miles to save a ticket of 5 paise on the tram car. So we are trained up in that way. Of course it was a very pleasant morning walk. So I wish to know how this big amount was spent for travelling expenditure. You must be very careful in the future. If we have spent Rs 13,000/- for local travelling in Calcutta, then why not purchase a car? One can be gotten for Rs 20,000/- only.

So how these things happen? It is your responsibility as zonal secretary. Besides that you are supposed to be one of the members of the book trust but in your presence the book fund money is being eaten up. So we have to rectify all these processes.

1972 Correspondence

Now, so far the BTG and Book Funds are concerned, these matters shall be managed separately from the GBC by a body known as The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Letter to All Temple Presidents -- Tokyo 22 April, 1972:

Now, so far the BTG and Book Funds are concerned, these matters shall be managed separately from the GBC by a body known as The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The Book Trust shall be comprised of Srila Prabhupada, Karandhara dasa, and Bali Mardan dasa. They shall combinedly collect the sales proceeds from each Center and utilize all funds for the printing of Srila Prabhupada's books and the construction of ISKCON Centers all over the world. Not a farthing is to be spent for any other purpose.

The Book Trust shall see to the printing and distribution to Centers of books and magazines and it will be the serious responsibility of each Temple President to see that the billed amounts for these are paid to the BTG and Book Funds regularly. The billings and collections shall come from and to Los Angeles where Karandhara dasa will collect and keep accounts. We request that everyone will take these formulas to heart and execute them very conscientiously. In this way we shall certainly be successful in pushing on this movement.

You are Book Trust now, you discuss with him and do the needful, that's all.

Letter to Karandhara -- Tokyo 2 May, 1972:

So far moving the Press to Los Angeles, that is for you to consult with Bali Mardan. You are Book Trust now, you discuss with him and do the needful, that's all.

Sri Giriraja Das Brahmacari our Co-trustee has applied for the registration of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust under the Bombay Public Trusts Act 1950.

Letter to Deputy/Assistant Charity Commissioner -- Los Angeles 28 May, 1972:

Sri Giriraja Das Brahmacari our Co-trustee has applied for the registration of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust under the Bombay Public Trusts Act 1950. The contents of the Application are true to our knowledge and we have nothing to add to the same. No separate notice of hearing is required to be issued for us. We have no objection if the registration Certificate is issued to the Applicant.

Regarding the corner property, for which you have offered $73500.00, that is a nice proposal, if the book trust can purchase the whole building outright as an investment and collect the rents as dividends.

Letter to Karandhara -- London 1 August, 1972:

My dear Karandhara,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 27, 1972 and I have noted the contents carefully. You have paid the bank $6250.00 and the balance remains $57250.00. I can pay you $56000.00 by advising the Bank of America, and the balance of $1250.00 you can find, and the escrow will be fully paid. Regarding the corner property, for which you have offered $73500.00, that is a nice proposal, if the book trust can purchase the whole building outright as an investment and collect the rents as dividends.

The BBT is financing many world-wide projects for the society, and therefore all income from literature distribution should contribute and support it.

Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 16 September, 1972:

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet. Prabhupada just spoke with me regarding the distribution of foreign (other than English) language literature. His direction is that 10% of the gross income on the sales of all of our literatures, books, and magazines, should be sent to The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The BBT is financing many world-wide projects for the society, and therefore all income from literature distribution should contribute and support it. Please therefore make the necessary arrangements. A simple way to accomplish this would be to figure at the end of each month what your gross (total; before subtracting production costs and overhead) income from the sale of literature was for that month, calculate 10% of this figure , and send this to BBT in care of myself in Los Angeles. I know that you will understand that this subsidy will greatly facilitate the growth of Society-wide programs and everyone will benefit. From your local view it may appear to be an imposition, but I assure you that overall it is in the interest of Lord Caitanya's Movement. Regarding your regular remittance, it will be left solely to your integrity and "for the overall benefit" conscientiousness. I am sure you will do the needful.

Also, regarding the sale of translations to outside publishers (which we hope to do with the Bhagavad-gita As It Is for Spanish, French, and German) 50% will go to the local Center which did the actual translating and 50% will go to the Book Trust, as per Prabhupada's directions.

In the case of any emergency the two Members of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, besides myself, may be called upon to enter and withdraw funds into and from the Account as may be necessary.

Letter to Gwalior Tank Branch -- Bombay December 14,1972:

(2) Rs. 1,00,000/= (Rupees One Lakh Only) shall be entered into a Fixed Term Deposit, being divided into Two sums of Rs. 50,000/= (Rupees Fifty Thousand ), each sum for the period of Six Months Only (6 months); furthermore, a Recurring Interest Account shall be opened in my name and the Interest on this Amount shall be transferred monthly into the Recurring Interest Account; furthermore, the said Fixed Term Deposit Account shall be in the name of "Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Fund," as per the enclosed copy of the Trust Agreement, and I, the undersigned, shall be the sole operator of the Account; furthermore, in the case of any emergency the two Members of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, besides myself, may be called upon to enter and withdraw funds into and from the Account as may be necessary, and their signatures specimens are enclosed herewith;

(3) The remaining Balance of the ISKCON Book Fund, deducting the sums of Rs. 10,000/=, Re, 19,000/=, Rs. 1,00,000/= and Rs. 1,00,000/=, or total of Re. 2,29,000/0# as indicated above, shall be entered into a Fixed Term Deposit, being divided into Two sums, one of Rs. 50,000/= (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) and one of the remaining portion, each sum for the period of One Year Only (1 Year); furthermore, monthly interest on these Amounts shall be transferred monthly into the Recurring Interest Account mentioned in the above (2); furthermore, the said Fixed Term Deposit Account shall be in the name of "Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Fund," as per above (2), I, the undersigned, being the sole operator.

I note also that your expenses have remained almost constant for so many months, except for the money paid to book fund, which is increasing more and more, so that is the best system: pay to the books fund larger and larger sums, keep other expenses constant as much as possible or reduce.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bombay 31 December, 1972:

My dear Bali Mardan,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your both letters dated December 21 and 22, 1972, along with the copy of income statement for six months ending November 30, 1972. I am most pleased to note from that income statement that since June your monthly income has doubled and that for six months you have collected $245,000. That is very much astonishing to me, and I can understand from seeing these figures just how much suitable you are for heading up the responsible position of senior man in the New York temple affairs. That means you have made the most substantial increase in financial status anywhere in our society. Krsna has blessed you with the best business sense. Studying the figures I can see that beginning in the month of September, after we had discussed everything at New Vrndaban at end August, the net savings total has almost tripled each month over the previous highest month's total for August of $8,500. Now December is finished and I think in your country this month is the best month for spending, being the Christmas season, so I shall be anxious to see what was your collection for December and what was your net savings. I note also that your expenses have remained almost constant for so many months, except for the money paid to book fund, which is increasing more and more, so that is the best system: pay to the books fund larger and larger sums, keep other expenses constant as much as possible or reduce. But one thing is, you were spending $900 monthly for deity expenses, and still you are spending $900, so if total income is increasing more than double, why not increase also expense for the deity? We may spend anything and everything for the deity, as long as there is no scarcity, and by that lavish spending to glorify Radha and Krsna, they will become very much pleased upon you and bless you more and more.

1973 Correspondence

Most of the money collected in India has been deposited in my Bhaktivedanta Book Trust fund for printing and purchasing books for distribution in India. Actually, our main business in this country shall be to distribute our books profusely.

Letter to Bhavananda -- Bombay 3 January, 1973:

Most of the money collected in India has been deposited in my Bhaktivedanta Book Trust fund for printing and purchasing books for distribution in India. Actually, our main business in this country shall be to distribute our books profusely. Mayapur, Vrindaban, these temples shall be utilized for the most part by foreigners. So far the work in India of spreading Krsna consciousness, there are already millions of temples, so what shall our two more temples accomplish for spreading Krsna consciousness? They are meant for the foreigners and big life members. But our emphasis for preaching work will be on these books. Just as I introduced this life membership program based entirely on books, so you and other leaders here in India meet together or correspond frequently to devise more and more methods for introducing our literatures to the Indian public. That is the most important business.

For reasons of spreading Krsna Consciousness movement, we may sometimes centralize, just like the books and money for BBT are managed by Karandhara in Los Angles.

Letter to Damodara -- Bombay, India 9 January, 1973:

If each center must rely upon its own strength to stand, that will be better training ground for the devotees. We must learn how to do all kinds of varieties of engagements on Krsna's service, not that we shall expect anyone else to act for us and thus avoid something ourselves. But for reasons of spreading Krsna Consciousness movement, we may sometimes centralize, just like the books and money for BBT are managed by Karandhara in Los Angles. In that case, for more than one man to be dealing with Dai Nippon, overseeing the general production and financial condition of the books, if that were left for each temple to manage, there would be great difficulty and the books would get neither printed nor paid for nor distributed widely. So in that case, centralized management is preferable.

Regarding the purchasing of the apartment, if it is difficulty, then I request you to deposit the Rs. 30,000/- in the bank, Book Trust a/c..

Letter to Giriraja -- Los Angeles 14 April, 1973:

My Dear Giriraja Das:

Please accept my blessings. Regarding the purchasing of the apartment, if it is difficulty, then I request you to deposit the Rs. 30,000/- in the bank, Book Trust a/c.. It must be deposited as a fixed deposit. (at least for six months)

That you are sending good amount to the BBT even you have smaller size temple is much appreciated by me. I am very much pleased how all you disciples are distributing my books.

Letter to Nityananda -- Los Angeles 17 April, 1973:

My Dear Nityananda Das:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 14, 1973 and was very pleased to read of your Sankirtana book distribution results. That you are sending good amount to the BBT even you have smaller size temple is much appreciated by me. I am very much pleased how all you disciples are distributing my books. Just now Karandhara has informed me that he is printing new editions of Krishna Trilogy, Sri Isopanisad, and NOD, all 100,000 copies each, and Krishna hardback sets, 50,000. So I am very much engladdened by this news. My Guru Maharaja used to be very much pleased whenever there was book distribution. So you just continue it solidly, that is my request.

We have to push this knowledge in the world and so money is required. So it is very nice Mr. Diamond has given $3,000.00 for the Book Trust, that is practical help.

Letter to Thakura Haridasa -- Los Angeles 23 April, 1973:

If the important men of your country use their wealth to support this movement then the whole face of the society can be changed. Just like the scientists they are getting millions of dollars from the government for their researches. But, have they been able to cure death, disease, old age, and birth? That is not possible for them because they are ignorant of spiritual science as given by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita. So we have to push this knowledge in the world and so money is required. So it is very nice Mr. Diamond has given $3,000.00 for the Book Trust, that is practical help.

Please let me know how much you have deposited in the BBT account since you have taken a loan of 1 lac 50,000 on the Mayapur scheme.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Calcutta 28 June, 1973:

My dear Tamala Krsna Maharaja,

Please accept my blessings. Please let me know how much you have deposited in the BBT account since you have taken a loan of 1 lac 50,000 on the Mayapur scheme. I have advised Gargamuni Maharaja to deposit part of his collection to the BBT account against the loan. The BBT is in the Gwalior Tank Road Branch, Central Bank of India, but Gargamuni Maharaja says you have opened another account in the Indian Overseas Marine Lines. Please let me know what is this idea? I never knew of it. Your early reply will be much appreciated.

Regarding account #16066 as well as #767 in the same of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, kindly let me know the present balance of the above two accounts.

Letter to Manager of Central Bank of India -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 14 July, 1973:

Dear Sir:

Regarding account #16066 as well as #767 in the same of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, kindly let me know the present balance of the above two accounts, or if possible, kindly send me a statement of accounts. I am obliged.

I have sent one letter to the Central Bank of India regarding our Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account. A copy of that letter is enclosed. Please do the needful.

Letter to Tamala Krsna , Giriraja -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 14 July, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. When I was leaving Calcutta I received your phone call mentioning that Mrs. Nair was eager to settle up the Juhu affair but since then I have not heard anything from you whether she is actually serious or whether she has given anything in writing. If she has not given anything in writing there is no value of her verbal statements. All settlement must be made very carefully. In the meantime, I have sent one letter to the Central Bank of India regarding our Bhaktivedanta Book Trust account. A copy of that letter is enclosed. Please do the needful.

So I shall be glad to hear about Bombay affairs and as you send me every month statements of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, kindly send me that also.

Letter to Tamala Krsna , Giriraja -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 14 July, 1973:

So I shall be glad to hear about Bombay affairs and as you send me every month statements of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, kindly send me that also. Hope this meets you in good health.

I have read how you have dispersed your recent collections to repay BBT, and Vrindaban construction and it is all right. Please deal cautiously and do not spend unnecessarily.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 20 July, 1973:

Now you have taken a loan of Rs 1,50,000 from the BBT, so with these excellent collections you are now taking I request you to fill up that debt and then collect further, and the balance I shall arrange. I have read how you have dispersed your recent collections to repay BBT, and Vrindaban construction and it is all right. Please deal cautiously and do not spend unnecessarily.

I am glad to hear that you have various plans for publications, but first finish this affair and then you can attempt to publish many books.

We must give free education to our children. We have to if need be provide money from the incense business or Book Trust, like that if sufficient income is not there.

Letter to Mohanananda -- Bombay 13 October, 1973:

But, on the whole the Gurukula standard should be free education, boarding, and lodging. People shall voluntarily contribute as far as possible. That should be introduced. We cannot enforce that if you do not pay, then take back your child. Rather the opposite. We must give free education to our children. We have to if need be provide money from the incense business or Book Trust, like that if sufficient income is not there.

So it is a great credit that you have reduced the BBT bill, so make it nil and it will be greatest credit for London. London temple was always bad debtor to BBT, but by your management it is becoming a very good atmosphere.

Letter to Mukunda -- New Delhi 6 November, 1973:

My Dear Mukunda Das:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated October 25, October 29, and the letter from Scandinavian Airlines. So it is a great credit that you have reduced the BBT bill, so make it nil and it will be greatest credit for London. London temple was always bad debtor to BBT, but by your management it is becoming a very good atmosphere. Syamasundara was here, but he has now gone to Hyderabad.

Karandhara can manage $5,000 per month for the BBT and M-V Fund so I request that you both remain in America for 1 year further and collect and send a minimum of $5,000 per month to Guru das for the Vrindaban Temple.

Letter to Yasodanandana, Gurukrpa -- Los Angeles 1 December, 1973:

Somehow or other we must complete this Vrindaban Temple so in this connection we require at least $10,000 per month from the U.S.A. for one year. Karandhara can manage $5,000 per month for the BBT and M-V Fund so I request that you both remain in America for 1 year further and collect and send a minimum of $5,000 per month to Guru das for the Vrindaban Temple.

I request that you kindly send whatever money he has given you directly to me in Los Angeles by registered post. The old Temple BBT and Spiritual Sky debts may be cleared with it first and the rest should be sent directly to myself.

Letter to Balabhadra -- Los Angeles 13 December, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. I understand from Sudama Goswami that Gaurasundara has handed over to you some portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Temple there. I do not know why he has sold the Temple without my permission. He had no right to do such a thing. I request that you kindly send whatever money he has given you directly to me in Los Angeles by registered post. The old Temple BBT and Spiritual Sky debts may be cleared with it first and the rest should be sent directly to myself. We require huge sums of money for our Temple projects in Vrindaban and Mayapur so we have good use for it.

Presently the Book Trust and Gurukrpa and Yasodanandana Swamis' travelling sankirtana party are collecting the $100,000.00. To date approximately $30,000.00 has been collected.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 24 December, 1973:

Regarding Vrindaban construction, we are trying to make an arrangement with one gentleman here in the U.S.A. for giving him dollars and taking rupees in India at the rate of 22 1/2 rupees per dollar. Presently the Book Trust and Gurukrpa and Yasodanandana Swamis' travelling sankirtana party are collecting the $100,000.00. To date approximately $30,000.00 has been collected.

One thing is the Rs. 65,000 from the BBT savings account actually belongs to the Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 24 December, 1973:

Yes you keep the Rs. 2 lakhs reserved for purchasing the Mahatma Gandhi building. One thing is the Rs. 65,000 from the BBT savings account actually belongs to the Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust. This I have discussed fully with Giriraja and Karandhara and Giriraja will explain what is to be done in this connection henceforward. Whatever has been done in the past we shall not try to make up for but I want that now this Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust money to be very carefully managed and deposited into a separate bank account and not be spent under any circumstances without my direct order.