Gayatri mantra (Letters 1974 - 1977)

Expressions researched:
"gayatri mantra" |"gayatri mantras"

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Citsukhananda -- Los Angeles 5 January, 1974:

I have duly chanted on the threads of the three men recommended by you for Second initiation, Viraha, Pramona, and Tamoha, and you may also distribute gayatri mantra to Vara devi dasi. Play the tape of gayatri mantra in their right ear and instruct them regarding Brahminical principles.

Letter to Dayananda -- Los Angeles 7 January, 1974:

I have accepted the devotees whose names you have sent me for second initiation, Aksobhya das, Jnanagamya das, Carucandra das, Rathangapani das, Krsna Kumari dasi and Bisa Laksi dasi. I am enclosing 4 sacred threads chanted on by me, and 6 copies of the gayatri mantra. Have them hear the mantra on the tape through their right ear, and instruct them carefully on Brahminical life.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Los Angeles 7 January, 1974:

Your recommendations for second initiation, Taru das, Radhanath das and Parambrahma das are accepted by me and their sacred threads and gayatri mantras are enclosed.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Los Angeles 8 January, 1974:

I am enclosing the gayatri mantra for Atigarvita devi upon your recommendation.

Letter to Nadia -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:

I am also accepting Kritagama and Pundarika das Brahmacaris for the second, Brahminical initiation. Your sacred threads chanted on by me are enclosed, as well as gayati mantra. Please secure the tape of me chanting gayatri mantra from the temple president there and hear it through the right ear, under his supervision.

Letter to Damodara -- Honolulu 16 January, 1974:

As for the second initiation, I have accepted those disciples whose names you have sent me, Laksmivan das, Varuthapa das and Krsnabhava devi, and I am enclosing two sacred threads and three copies of the gayatri mantra. Please instruct them and show them by example as well what is the character and practice of a brahmana. They should hear the tape of me chanting the gayatri mantra through the right ear.

Letter to Bahudak -- Bombay 21 March, 1974:

I have also accepted one devotee, Prabhupada dasa Adhikari, for second initiation, upon your recommendation. Please impress on him that this second initiation is not awarded cheaply or automatically, and that he must be very strict in following the regulative principles of bhakti yoga. I am enclosing a sacred thread and gayatri mantra.

Letter to Hasyakari -- Bombay 21 March, 1974:

I am also accepting the following devotees for second initiation: Krpamaya das Brahmacari and Gopinatha devi dasi. I am enclosing one sacred thread and gayatri mantra.

Letter to Bhakti -- Bombay 23 March, 1974:

I have received from you the name of one devotee recommended for second initiation, Santipani devi dasi. So I am enclosing one gayatri mantra.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Bombay 23 March, 1974:

I have received from you the name of one devotee recommended for second initiation, namely Anadih das Brahmacari. So I am enclosing sacred thread and gayatri mantra.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Bombay 24 March, 1974:

I have accepted for second initiation Sakirta das and Dayamrgya das and have enclosed sacred threads and gayatri mantra.

Letter to Trai -- Rome 27 May, 1974:

I am enclosing brahmana threads and gayatri mantra for Ādi Kesava das and Vivasvan das. You must be very careful before you award the brahminical thread by recommending a man to me.

Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Paris 9 June, 1974:

I have also accepted your recommendation for Vanamali prabhu to take second initiation. Enclosed is one sacred thread and gayatri mantra. Have him hear the tape of my chanting the mantra, in his right ear.

Letter to Rsabhadeva -- Paris 9 June, 1974:

It is not that automatically we have to award a devotee second initiation after he has been with us for a certain time, but the qualifications have to be there. Enclosed find their threads duly chanted on by me and gayatri mantra.

Letter to Sahadeva -- Paris 9 June, 1974:

I understand this is the second time you are submitting the names of Siddhavidya and Kirticandra for second initiation and that you have seriously considered their eligibility for brahminical status. Therefore I will accept them as brahmanas, and the sanctified threads are enclosed as well as gayatri mantra.

Letter to Gopijanavallabha -- Vrindaban 19 September, 1974:

I am also accepting upon your recommendation Rasaraj and Indriyesa das as twice initiated brahmanas. Enclosed are the sanctified threads and a mantra sheet. See that they and all brahmanas say the gayatri mantra three times daily.

Letter to Ajita -- West Bengal 10 October, 1974:

Upon your recommendation I accept for second initiation Aristahe Das Brahmacari, and enclosed is his sanctified brahminical thread and the mantra sheet. When you hold the fire sacrifice, impress upon the devotees that they are taking vows before Radha and Krishna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas, so it is a serious thing. The gayatri mantra should be heard from my tape recording through the right ear.

Letter to Ajita -- Mayapur 19 October, 1974:

Upon your recommendation I accept for second initiation Aristahe das Brahmacari, and enclosed is his sanctified brahminical thread and the mantra sheet. When you hold the fire sacrifice, impress upon the devotees that they are taking vows before Radha and Krishna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas, so it is a serious thing. The gayatri mantra should be heard from my tape recording through the right ear.

Letter to Sripati -- Mayapur 28 October, 1974:

I also accept for first initiation the following devotees and their names are: Paul Campbell—Puskaraksa dasa; Christian Thomas—Krtakrta dasa; Leona Bolivar—Lalita devi dasi; Marie Cadeau—Medhya devi dasi. Now hold a fire sacrifice and the gayatri mantra should be listened from my tape recording through the right ear.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Bombay 21 November, 1974:

The appropriate sacred thread and mantra sheets are enclosed. You can chant on the beads and hold a fire sacrifice and the Gayatri Mantra can be listened to through the right ear from my tape recording.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 21 November, 1974:

Now hold a fire sacrifice. The devotees can hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from my recorded tape.

Letter to Nrsimha Caitanya -- Bombay 21 November, 1974:

Enclosed is the sacred thread sanctified by me as well as the mantra sheet. Please hold a sacrifice and the Gayatri mantra can be heard by him through the right ear of my recorded type.

Letter to Bahurupa -- Bombay 22 November, 1974:

Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything.

So far Gayatri Mantra is concerned, of course it it not such an important thing. The main thing is to chant Hare Krishna but you can consult with the GBC. Jayatirtha and get his recommendation. The Hare Krishna mantra is sufficient for becoming Krishna Conscious.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 23 November, 1974:

The sanctified threads and mantra sheets are enclosed. Now hold a fire sacrifice, and the brahmanas may hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from my recording tape.

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Bombay 24 November, 1974:

The sanctified threads and the mantra sheets are enclosed. Hold a fire sacrifice, and the gayatri mantra should be heard through the right ear from my tape recording.

Letter to Ajita -- Bombay 28 November, 1974:

Enclosed is the sacred thread duly sanctified by me, and the mantra sheet. Now hold a fire sacrifice and he may hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from my tape recording. The mantra must be recited three times daily.

Letter to Prabhavisnu -- Bombay 3 December, 1974:

I am also accepting the following as twice born brahmanas upon your recommendation: Brsabha dasa; Jaya Laksmana das; Jnana das; and Jalastitha devi das. Their mantra sheets and sanctified threads are duly enclosed. Now hold a fire sacrifice. The gayatri mantra can be heard through the right ear from my recorded tape.

Letter to Kurusrestha -- Bombay 28 December, 1974:

I have accepted the following devotees for second initiation; Svavasa dasa Adhikari, Tadit devi dasi, Dhanvir das Brahmacari, Arthada dasa Brahmacari. Their threads and mantra sheets are enclosed herein. Make sure that they hear the gayatri mantra from the tape of myself.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Bhrsakapi -- Bombay 16 January, 1975:

I have accepted the three devotees that you have recommended for 1st initiation and their names are as follows: Ben—Bhavanatha dasa, Jeff—Yadunatha dasa, Jim—Yajna dasa. Their beads may be chanted on by Kirtanananda Svami. I have also accepted the three men that you have recommended for 2nd initiation. Their threads and mantra sheets are enclosed herein. Let them hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself saying it.

Letter to Uttamasloka -- Bombay 16 January, 1975:

I have also accepted Purnamasi devi dasi and Rudrani devi dasi as my duly initiated (secondly) disciples. Their gayatri mantra sheet, are enclosed herein. Let them hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself saying it.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bombay 19 January, 1975:

N.B. I have accepted Bhakta Seth for first initiation. His name can be Sesa das. You may chant his beads. Also, I have accepted Maha Buddhi das and Mahadyuti das as my duly initiated brahmanas. Let them hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself chanting it.

Letter to Batu Gopala -- Honolulu 1 February, 1975:

I have also accepted Madhyam devi dasi and Vajasana devi dasi as duly initiated brahmanas. Their mantra sheets are enclosed herein. Let them hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself chanting it.

Letter to Dayananda -- Honolulu 2 February, 1975:

I have also accepted Kamanagari dasi, Jyotir dasa, and Svarga devi dasi as my duly initiated brahmanas. You can perform the fire yajna and let them hear through the right ear the tape of myself chanting the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Honolulu 2 February, 1975:

I have also accepted upon your recommendation, Hunkara dasa, Stavya dasa, Maha devi dasi, Demagrahya devi dasi and Mudakari devi dasi as my duly initiated brahmanas. Let them hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself saying it.

Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Honolulu 2 February, 1975:

I have also accepted upon your recommendation, Kamalatika devi dasi for 2nd initiation. Let her hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself chanting.

Letter to Sri Govinda -- Honolulu 6 February, 1975:

I have also accepted, upon your recommendation, the five men for 2nd initiation. Let them hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape of myself chanting it.

Letter to Dina Bandhu -- Mexico City 16 February, 1975:

I have also accepted Anantatma dasa for 2nd initiation. His thread and mantra sheet are enclosed herein. Let him hear the tape of myself chanting the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Mexico City 16 February, 1975:

I have also accepted Aroudha, Vidambha, Pujana, Sastramayi, Jalakara as my duly initiated brahmanas. You should allow them to hear through the right ear, the tape of myself saying the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Gunagrahi -- Caracas, Venezuela 19 February, 1975:

I have also accepted Matanga das and Vamsi dasa for 2nd initiation. Their threads and mantra sheet are enclosed herein. Let them hear the tape of myself chanting gayatri mantra (through the right ear).

Letter to Manasvi -- Tehran 13 March, 1975:

Also I have accepted Laksmana dasa for 2nd initiation. His thread and mantra sheet is enclosed herein. Let him hear the tape of myself chanting the gayatri mantra in his right ear.

Letter to Prabhanu -- Melbourne 20 May, 1975:

I have accepted Lauri and Joni for 1st initiation. Their names are as follows: Lalita devi dasi and Jivanausadhi devi dasi respectively. Their beads may be chanted on by Satsvarupa Maharaja. Also I have accept Simha dasa, Anagha dasa, and Dhanasri dasi, and Kantimati dasi for 2nd initiation. Let them hear the tape of myself chanting the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Hasyakari -- Honolulu 26 May, 1975:

The thread for Phanamandita dasa is enclosed and the mantra sheet is also enclosed with the gayatri mantra. Let Siladitya devi, Mahavegavati devi, and Phanamandita dasa all hear the tape of myself chanting the gayatri mantra through the right ear.

Letter to Narayana -- Honolulu 16 June, 1975:

I have accepted Saunaka dasa for 2nd initiation. His thread and mantra sheet are enclosed. Let him hear the tape of myself chanting the gayatri mantra through his right ear.

Letter to Batu Gopala -- Honolulu 17 June, 1975:

I accept the persons you have recommended for initiation (first). Their names are as follows, Bill—Bhama dasa, Brenda—Brahma-vadini devi dasi, Michael—Mahana dasa. Their beads may be chanted by Kirtanananda Swami. Also, I have accepted Divyanga dasa for 2nd initiation. His thread and mantra sheet are enclosed herein. Let him hear the tape of myself chanting gayatri mantra through his right ear.

Letter to Gopijanavallabha -- Honolulu 19 June, 1975:

I accept the devotees that you have recommended for 1st initiation. Their names are as follows: Nick—Nandaki, David—Durjaya, Frank—Pharnesvara dasa, Jimmy—Jita-manyu, Joe—Jara-sangha, Kurt—Kesiha, Luis—Lokasvami, Wilfred—Vidisa, Linda—Laksmirniranjana, Judy—Jaganmata, Merylee—Murti-vandya. Their beads may be chanted on by Kirtanananda Swami. I have also accepted Bhaktivinode, Pankajanabha, Preraka, Vipramukhya, Agnideva, Urmila for 2nd initiation. Their threads and mantra sheet enclosed herein. Let them hear the tape of myself chanting the Gayatri mantra through their right ear.

Letter to Kurusrestha -- Denver 2 July, 1975:

Now hold a fire sacrifice and let the brahmanas hear the Gayatri mantra tape that I have spoken in their right ear.

Letter to Tulsi -- Dallas 29 July, 1975:

The brahmanas should hear the gayatri mantra with the right ear from my recorded tape.

Letter to Dina Bandhu -- Durban 7 October, 1975:

You may perform fire-yajna and brahmanas should hear a tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra through the right ear.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Vrindaban 7 December, 1975:

I have chanted on the sacred threads and they are enclosed herewith, now hold a fire ceremony and have the students hear the Gayatri mantra chanted by me and the tape recording through the right ear.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Aksayananda -- Nellore 6 January, 1976:

I accept Govinda das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed is his sacred thread duly chanted on by me. Now you have to hold a fire ceremony and let him hear the gayatri mantra from the tape recording in his right ear.

Letter to Brisakapi -- Nellore 7 January, 1976:

I accept John Weber as my initiated disciple. His new name is Ramasena das Brahmacari. See that he chants daily sixteen rounds and follows strictly the rules and regulations. Similarly, I accept Krsna Gopala das, Vardhanya das, Puspuvan das, Gabhira das, Ambujaksa das, and Megha devi dasi for second initiation. Now you must hold a fire ceremony. Enclosed are the sacred threads for the brahmanas. They should be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape recording.

Letter to Abhirama -- Bombay 9 January, 1976:

They newly initiated brahmanas are Nandanacarya das, Raghunath Puri das, Langaganesh das, Janardana das, Trimalla Bhatta das, and Nartaka Gopala dasi. They should participate in the fire ceremony and afterward should hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape through the right ear.

Letter to Locanananda -- Bombay 10 January, 1976:

I also accept Yasodavatsala das and Bhasyakara das for second initiation. Enclosed you will find their sacred threads which I have chanted on. Now hold a fire ceremony and the brahmanas may afterward be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape recording through the right ear.

Letter to Bahudak -- Bombay 11 January, 1976:

All of the devotees you have recommended I accept for initiation. Dharmarupa das, Subavrata dasi, Mahojjvala dasi, Sthanur das, Jagadadija das, Damagosh das and Kanti-mati should after holding a fire ceremony, be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape recording.

Letter to Makhanlal -- Calcutta 15 January, 1976:

Everyone must agree to chant daily minimum of 16 rounds and follow strictly the rules and regulations. I also accept Gopta Das for second initiation. I have enclosed his sacred thread duly chanted on. After the fire ceremony he should hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape.

Letter to Yasomatinandana -- Mayapur 18 January, 1976:

Brahmin means to be clean—inside by always chanting the Lord's glories, and outside by regular bathing. Brahmin also means pandita, so they must be able to support their preaching by quoting sastric references. Particularly, they should study Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction as well as all the small paperbacks. There will be a yearly examination for all Brahmins based upon these books.

Now you must hold a fire ceremony. Afterwards, the brahmanas may hear the Gayatri mantra through the right ear from the tape recording.

Letter to Sukadeva -- Mayapur 5 February, 1976:

I also accept Kanva das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed you will find his sacred thread which I have chanted on. Now hold a sacrifice, a fire ceremony, and afterwards the brahmana initiate may be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape recording through the right ear.

Letter to Gunagrahi -- Mayapur 14 February, 1976:

The six devotees you have recommended for second initiation may also receive the gayatri mantra in the right ear and you may instruct them to be clean inside by always chanting Hare Krishna and clean externally by bathing regularly.

Letter to Batu Gopala -- Mayapur 18 February, 1976:

I accept Sriman Dhananjaya Pandit das for brahman initiation. You may hold a fire sacrifice and he should listen to the Gayatri mantra in the right ear from the tape.

Letter to Yasodanandana -- Melbourne 23 April, 1976:

On your recommendation I agree to the second initiation of Jagaman das Brahmacari. Impress upon him the seriousness to follow the regulative principles strictly, keeping clean outside and inside by constantly chanting Hare Krishna. You can hold fire yajna and play a tape of the chanting of Gayatri Mantra into the right ear.

Letter to Nityananda -- Honolulu 4 May, 1976:

The beads of the first initiates can be chanted on by one of the sannyasis and the thread for brahmana initiation is herein enclosed. After the fire yajna you can play a recording of the gayatri mantra played into the right ear of the brahmana initiate.

Letter to Brisakapi -- Honolulu 6 May, 1976:

On your recommendation, I am accepting Larry Tucker for first initiation, and Bhavanath das Brahmacari for second initiation. The first initiates' spiritual name is Lokaguru das. Have his beads chanted on by one of the sannyasis, and see that the devotees are strictly following the 4 regulative principles: no illicit sex life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. Everyone must chant a minimum of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily, and in this way be protected from the frailties of material existence. You will find a gayatri mantra sheet enclosed. After holding a fire sacrifice for both initiates, play the gayatri mantra into the right ear of the initiate.

Letter to Ajita -- Honolulu 11 May, 1976:

Upon your recommendation, I am accepting Lilamohana das and Kesava das for second initiation. Their threads are enclosed and you can play the gayatri mantra with accompanying mantra sheets into their right ear.

Letter to Sevananda -- Honolulu 15 May, 1976:

Regarding the two initiations, on your recommendation I agree to accept Yasomatisuta das for second initiation. Enclosed you will find his brahmana thread, and a copy of the gayatri mantra. After the fire sacrifice, you should play a tape of the gayatri mantra into his right ear, teaching him how to count on the fingers the prescribed number of times.

Letter to Revatinandana -- Honolulu 20 May, 1976:

Also on your recommendation I am accepting Padmagarbha das and Papharini devi dasi for second initiation as brahmanas. After the fire sacrifice you should play the gayatri mantra into the right ear of the initiates. Enclosed please find one brahmana thread and copy of the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Nandevara -- Honolulu 23 May, 1976:

For the second initiates, after the fire sacrifice, you can give the men their brahmana threads and play the tape of gayatri mantra into the right ear. I have enclosed a copy of the gayatri mantra for them to follow.

Letter to Narayana -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1976:

You can perform the fire sacrifice, and at that time give out the japa beads (which should have been chanted on by one of the sannyasis beforehand) at the time of initiation. Also, after the yajna, the gayatri mantra should be played into the right ear of the devotee who is taking brahmana initiation. I am enclosing a copy of the gayatri mantra for learning the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Lokanatha -- Detroit 12 June, 1976:

On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees for initiation:

1st initiation: Bhakta Adhira whose spiritual name is Abhayasraya-dasa

2nd initiation: Dharanidhara das Brahmacari, Vrajesvara das Brahmacari,

Enclosed please find a copy of gayatri initiation and two brahmana threads. After the yajna, the brahmana initiates should hear the gayatri mantra in the right ear.

Letter to Ramesvara -- New Vrindaban 24 June, 1976:

Hold a fire sacrifice and for the male initiates you can give them sacred thread. The gayatri mantra should be played for them into the right ear and the brahmanas should practice the principles of cleanliness both outside and internally.

Letter to Nityananda -- Washington D.C. 5 July, 1976:

On your recommendation I am accepting Jvarajit das Brahmacari for second initiation. Hold a fire sacrifice and after the fire sacrifice a tape recording of the gayatri mantra should be played into his right ear. Enclosed is one brahmana thread and gayatri mantra sheet.

Letter to Radha Sarana -- Washington D.C. 5 July, 1976:

Hold a fire sacrifice and the initiates should refrain from the four pillars of sinful life: no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. This is very easy when one chants daily their prescribed rounds seriously, at least 16 rounds daily. Enclosed you will also find one brahmana thread and gayatri mantra.

Letter to Nityananda:

Hold a fire sacrifice and present the beads and gayatri mantra tape with brahmana thread at that time. The initiates should follow our four principles of Godly life namely; no eating of meat, fish or eggs; no gambling, no intoxication, and no illicit sex. All devotees must also chant the prescribed 16 rounds on the beads daily, without fail. Enclosed you will find one brahmana thread and gayatri mantra. After the fire sacrifice the tape of the gayatri mantra should be played into the right ear of the initiate.

Letter to Ajita -- Hyderabad 20 August, 1976:

The names and beads duly chanted upon by your local GBC man, may be given at a fire yajna. The brahmana thread and gayatri mantra which must be heard through the right ear, may also be given at the fire yajna.

Letter to Vegavan:

Enclosed you will also find four brahmana threads and gayatri mantra. After the fire sacrifice the tape of the gayatri mantra should be played in the right ear of the brahmana initiate.

Letter to Balarama -- Vrindaban 11 September, 1976:

The names are, for Bhakta Rarmer __ Vrajaraja dasa, and for Bhakta Ted—Tribhuvanapati dasa. Jyotir Maya das has been accepted by me for second initiation.

Now hold a fire yajna and present the names at that time. The gayatri mantras may be heard by tape through the right ear.

Letter to Cittahari -- Vrindaban 12 September, 1976:

On your recommendation I am accepting Usapati das for brahminical initiation and Kedara dasa shall be the spiritual name for Bhakta Kevin. Please hold a fire sacrifice and present the name at that time. Your local GBC man may chant on the beads. The tape of the gayatri mantra may be played and heard through the right ear.

Letter to Pancadravida -- Vrindaban 20 September, 1976:

Hold a fire sacrifice and Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on the beads. Give the bead, threads, and names at this time and the gayatri mantra may be heard by tape through the right ear.

Letter to Cittahari -- Chandigarh 15 October, 1976:

Jita Garisa Das Brahmacari is duly accepted by me as a second initiated disciple. Hold a fire ceremony and let him hear the tape of the Gayatri mantra chanted by me through the right ear.

Letter to Bala Krsna -- Vrindaban 23 October, 1976:

Hold a fire sacrifice and have Ramesvara Maharaja chant on their beads. I also enclose one sacred thread and gayatri mantra sheets for the devotees you have recommended.

Letter to Narahari -- Vrindaban 24 October, 1976:

Upon your recommendation I accept the devotees you have requested initiation for. Robin Teter's initiated name is Rama Gopala dasa. I am enclosing 2 gayatri mantra sheets and one sacred thread duly chanted on by me. Now, hold a fire ceremony. The first initiates beads may be chanted on by Balavanta. Play the tape of me chanting gayatri mantra into the right ear of the second initiates.

Letter to Radha-sarana -- Vrindaban 24 October, 1976:

Please find enclosed two gayatri mantra sheets and one sacred thread. After the fire sacrifice, play the tape of me reciting the gayatri mantra into the right ear of these initiates and show them how to count on their fingers.

Letter to Gurukrpa -- Vrindaban 26 October, 1976:

I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. Hold a fire ceremony. Instruct the devotees in the necessary way. You may chant on the beads. Play the tape of me chanting the gayatri mantra, etc.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Vrindaban 26 October, 1976:

Allow the second initiates to hear the tape of me chanting the gayatri mantra.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Vrindaban 7 November, 1976:

Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the following devotees for initiation (first) as well as those you have recommended for second initiation. Hold a fire ceremony and instruct the new initiates to follow rigidly the regulative principles and chant minimum 16 rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. You may chant on their beads. Play the tape of me chanting gayatri mantra into the right ear of the second initiations.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Vrindaban 7 November, 1976:

N.B. Everyone has praised the Krsna Book.

enclosures: 13 sacred threads, gayatri mantra sheet, cc of letter to Ramesvara

Letter to Rupanuga -- Vrindaban 11 November, 1976:

Please hold a fire sacrifice and instruct the new initiates to follow the four regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds daily avoiding the ten offenses. You may chant on their beads. Play the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in the right ear of the second initiate and teach him how to count on his fingers.

Letter to Gunagrahi -- Vrindaban 16 November, 1976:

Play the tape of Me chanting the Gayatri mantra into the right ear of the second initiates.

Letter to Balavanta -- Vrindaban 23 November, 1976:

The second initiates should hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in their right ears.

Letter to Dina Bandhu -- Hyderabad 11 December, 1976:

Teach the second initiates how to chant on their finger divisions and let them hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in their right ears.

Letter to Vrikodara -- Bombay 24 December, 1976:

Upon your recommendation I will accept these boys for second initiation. Now, hold a fire ceremony for devotees only. Let them hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra in their right ears.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Amarendra -- Bombay 3 January, 1977:

Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for second initiation; Manusrestha dasa, Vaninatha Vasu dasa, Akincana Krsna dasa, Sranti dasi, Garuda Pandita dasa, Brhanti dasi. Now hold a fire sacrifice for devotees only. Play the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra into the right ears of the devotees and teach them how to count on their finger divisions.

Letter to Nandikesvara -- Bombay 5 January, 1977:

Teach the second initiates how to count on their finger divisions and let them hear the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra.

Letter to Vegavan -- West Bengal 13 February, 1977:

I have also accepted Yogendra Das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed find one sanctified thread and the gayatri mantra. Have him hear the recording of me in the right ear.

Letter to Nityananda -- Bombay 12 April, 1977:

As you have recommended them, I am accepting for first initiation Kiki Laureen Cogan and David Hughes. Their initiated names are Krsna Kripa dasi and Dasanu dasa. Now you must hold a fire ceremony and they must vow to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds daily. I also accept Kamarikanta devi dasi and Jagatkarta dasa for second initiation. Jagatkarta's brahmana thread is duly enclosed. After the fire ceremony they may both be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape in the right ear.

Letter to Radha-sarana -- Juhu, Bombay 17 April, 1977:

Just because there are no men is not a good reason to make someone a brahmana. This policy is not good. First have devotees. Then we should consider to open a center. Not that we open centers and have no devotees to manage them and therefore we create brahmanas. However, because this is a special case, I accept the two devotees, Sriman Jyotsna dasa brahmacari and Sriman Lalita-Govinda dasa brahmacari for second initiation. Their sacred threads duly chanted on are enclosed along with the Gayatri Mantra sheet. After performing the fire ceremony they may be allowed to hear the gayatri mantra from the tape in the right ear.

Letter to Ranadhira -- Bombay 18 April, 1977:

Please print about 200 more copies of the gayatri mantra sheet like the one enclosed on similar light-weight paper and send to Bombay immediately.

Letter to Radha Krsna -- Bombay 27 April, 1977:

Please find enclosed six sacred threads duly chanted by me. Now you must perform the fire sacrifice and after the sacrifice the new brahmanas may be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape in the right ear. Now all of you combined together and very vigorously spread Krsna consciousness throughout South America.

Hoping this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Enclosures: Six sacred threads for Akilapatit dasa, Agnipuja dasa, Lilanatha dasa, Mrgesa dasa, Rayaram dasa, and Harigada dasa, and six gayatri mantra sheets.

Letter to Kuladri -- Bombay 28 April, 1977:

Enclosed please find a sacred thread duly chanted on for Aravinda Dasa. After putting on the sacred thread he may be allowed to hear from the tape the Gayatri Mantra in the right ear.

Letter to Hari-sauri -- Bombay 1 May, 1977:

Now hold a fire sacrifice and the new initiates should vow to always chant minimum 16 rounds daily and faithfully follow the four regulative principles. I also accept for second initiation Jayasila Dasa, Vashrestha Das, Atitaguna Dasi, and Bhadra Dasi. The sacred threads duly chanted on for Jayasila Das and Vasusrestha Das are enclosed herewith, as are the Gayatri mantra sheets for all of them. After the fire sacrifice they may be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape in the right ear.

Letter to Hari-sauri -- Vrndavana 18 May, 1977:

I also accept Anupam Das and Bimala Dasi for second initiation. Anupam's sacred thread duly chanted on is enclosed herewith. After the fire ceremony they may be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra in the right ear.