Husband and wife (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"husband and wife" |"husband and wife's" |"wife and husband"

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- Vrindaban 4 August, 1967:

In the temple the ceremony should be observed by chanting Hare Krishna before the fire, offering the clarified butter with the word Saha, and the bride and groom should exchange their garlands before the Lord Krishna deity and promise not to be separated in life. They should know it that bodily relation between the husband and wife is secondary; primary factor is that both should help one another in the matter of advancement of K.C.

I sang this mantra at the airport: K, K, K, K, K, K, K, HE (twice); K, K, K, K, K, K, raksa mam; K, K, K, K, K, K, pahi mam; Rama Raghava, Rama Raghava, Rama Raghava raksa mam; K. Kesava, K. Kesava, K. Kesava, K. Kesave pahi mam.

Letter to Krsna Devi -- Delhi 29 September, 1967:

You have, by the Grace of Krishna, got a very nice place to develop a full fledged temple and your husband is becoming competent to conduct the service nicely. I have already given him instruction how to do things and that is published in the New Mexican paper. Please do follow the instructions both husband and wife, and help your God brothers and sisters to follow the instructions faithfully. Krishna is always with you provided you are sincere in His service and faithful to your Spiritual Master, that is the secret success. It is plain and simple, please try to be faithful and sincere. You are very intelligent and devotee of the Lord. Please know it that I do not approve anyone's separation who are married by me. If they disagree, they may live separately, but there cannot be divorce. When one is separate, one may fully devote in Krishna, but no more marriage. If this is not followed, I will not take part in anyone's marriage in the future. I hope you will understand me right and do the needful. Hope you are well.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Calcutta 13 November, 1967:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 8, 1967. You have written to say that your wife and you have a problem on which you require my help. The whole world, beginning with the highest planet to the lowest in this material world is facing this problem. Combination of husband and wife is a necessary satisfaction of the sex urge. The foolish people see everyday this problematic situation, still they are not intelligent enough to avoid it. Training of brahmacari life is especially meant for this purpose, and a student is advised not to indulge in sex life just to avoid these problems. It is very difficult to satisfy a woman by a person who has no good income, neither very good health. The woman as a class wants sufficient means to eat, and decorate and at the same time full satisfaction of sex. Any husband who cannot satisfy his wife by these three items, namely sufficient food, sufficient dress and ornament, and sufficient satisfaction of sex, must meet all these problems.

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

Of course we don't neglect the villagement but our first preference is to the cities. Please therefore organize the place nicely. Both you and Srimati Krishna devi are sincere workers for Krishna Consciousness and as such Krishna will never put you in difficulty, rest assured. Don't be discouraged. Sit down tightly husband and wife. If nobody comes to hear, please chant and hear yourself. Success or failure does not matter. On the Absolute world there is no such relativities as a success and failure. The one thing in the Absolute world is to serve Krishna. Don't care for the result. Krishna must know that we are working very seriously and that is our success of life.

Letter to Krsna Devi -- San Francisco 16 December, 1967:

Little capital you are gathering. The poverty place means you can get cheap labor and the place you have already in your possession. Guidance, I am present. So do it immediately and there will be no scarcity of money. I hope you understand me right.

Be an ideal couple of husband and wife in your country. Be Krishna Consciousness by full cooperation of husband and wife and you be happy both in this and the next life also.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Gargamuni -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1968:

I am glad to learn that your co-operation for this society is appreciated by the authorities, We should learn to forget and forgive minor incidents because whenever there are two men in a place, there is always some misunderstanding. Such misunderstanding happens even between husband and wife—what to speak of others. But we have to adjust things on the basis of Krishna Consciousness. We should always remember that K.C. is a challenge to the modern misguided human society, and we have to meet many unfavorable incidents.

Letter to Nandarani, Dayananda -- San Francisco 29 March, 1968:

And I shall go, once, just to see how does it suit me. And from New York, it is nearer than San Francisco.

I can understand your feeling the absence of devotees. The best thing will be that you practice chanting, both husband and wife together, and Krishna may send some friends, who may also take part in the chanting. We have to create the atmosphere of Krishna Consciousness, and thus create devotees also. I therefore advise you to begin classes as usual, morning and evening, sitting together, husband and wife, in the front of Krishna's picture, and chant Hare Krishna and read Srimad-Bhagavatam. When I was in Los Angeles, I asked Dayananda to speak, and I was very glad that he speaks very nicely. So he can speak, also, in the class, and if there is none else there, he can speak to you. So don't feel lonely. Try to understand Krishna Consciousness mutually, and this will give you transcendental pleasure.

Letter to Himavati -- Montreal 14 June, 1968:

Regarding Kirtana party, I find that the Montreal temple is very suitable for training. So I am trying in Canada for visa, and if it is successful then I shall call you both, husband and wife, for beginning a training class of Kirtana. In the meantime ask your husband to accumulate some money on this account because my next program is to proceed to London with a Kirtana party. It is my duty to help you always in the matter of understanding Krishna Consciousness and whatever I am trying to bestow upon you all is the gift of Lord Krishna directly—I am just doing the work of a bearer. There is nothing of my personal contribution and I ask all your mercy so that I may be able to distribute Krishna's message as it is without any deviation. That will make Krishna, myself, and all others eternally happy. It is so nice, sublime and easy to perform.

Letter to Himavati -- Montreal 14 June, 1968:

We recommend voluntary restraint, not artificial separation. So you should understand that there is no objection to live together as husband and wife. The tendency is there, it is natural. But if one can check it, that is very good. But it is not compulsory. And not to be checked artificially, but with advancement of strength in Krishna Consciousness.

Yes, to call one another prabhu is all right, but not to become prabhu. To accept others as prabhu, and remain as servant is the idea. But because somebody is calling you prabhu, one should not become a prabhu, and treat others as servants. In other words, everyone should feel himself as servant, and not to think himself prabhu because he is being called prabhu. This will make the relationship congenial.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Montreal 12 July, 1968:

I understand that you are trying to organize a Brahmacarini asrama. A Brahmacarini asrama is certainly a great necessity because there are so many girl devotees who are attached to our Krishna Consciousness movement. Those who are married couple, there is nothing to be said—simply to live together as husband and wife. But those who are not married certainly such Brahmacaris and Brahmacarinis should not live together. That is a special restricted term of our cult. But because in your country there is no distinction between boys and girls, or man and woman, they can freely mix without any restriction, I did not give too much stricture on this point because by such stricture they might be annoyed, and whatever Krishna Consciousness they are trying to develop might have been checked. But factually if you can organize a Brahmacarini asrama, it will be very nice idea.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Montreal 12 July, 1968:

There is no need of eating more than necessity, but the minimum demands must be supplied. But if you can organize such nice Brahmacarini asrama it will be a great success of our society. There is a great need for this. And I wish sincerely that except for husband and wife, everyone should live separately, man separate from woman, and woman separate from man. I shall be glad to hear from you about further developments. But one thing can be very nicely utilized, if the Brahmacarinis learn typographic machine. That will be a great help because printing is one of our most important line of activities. And if the Brahmacarinis help us in the making of letter printing sheets for photo offset printing, that will be a great help.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Montreal 16 July, 1968:

Please try to continue this attitude and you will be more and more happy in your life, and at the end, get entrance into the association of Krishna. Chant Hare Krishna, both husband and wife, regularly, and worship Lord Krishna's Sri Murti, as you are doing, and try to elevate others in Krishna Consciousness, which has nothing to do with academic education; I therefore wish that instead of wasting your time for 2 or 3 years for taking a degree, you may increase your scope of activities for recruiting such boys and training them in Krishna Consciousness. But if your state laws do not allow it to hold any class without such degree then you must get such degree. On the whole you have got a very nice engagement for training children in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Yamuna devi -- Montreal, Quebec Canada July 16, 1968:

Please try to continue this attitude and you will be more and more happy in your life, and at the end, get entrance into the association of Krishna. Chant Hare Krishna, both husband and wife, regularly, and worship Lord Krishna's Sri Murti, as you are doing, and try to elevate others in Krishna Consciousness as you are doing. These things are the right line of activities, and you must continue to do so.

Regarding London-yatra: I have written to your husband as well as to Shyamsundar which you will read and do necessary plans.

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

So that will be nice duty for you, because both of you are well versed in typewriting, so you can do that. At the same time, if you organize a center in Vancouver, simply by chanting. It is not very difficult to open a center for our activities. You can remain in any apartment as husband and wife, and invite persons there to hear your chanting and topics, that is our center, and let it be gradually improved. I think this program will be very much suitable for you at the present moment.

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

So it may be that I shall be going there very soon, but the fact is that when you have decided to get yourself married, I think without the formalities of taking consent from your parents, you can get yourself married legally. And be established as husband and wife anywhere, wherever you like, it doesn't matter.

So far your desire, especially Anapurna's desire, to live wherever I go, I may inform you that I am a Sannyasi, and there is no fixity where I go. Under the circumstances, if you establish yourself in one place, and engross yourself in transcribing the tapes, so that a nice book will come out in due course of time, that will be a great service for the society, and to me also. You can reply this letter to San Francisco address, because I am going there on the 8th. Another thing, you may inquire if there is any American Consulate office in Vancouver. If there is, please let me know the address also.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- San Francisco 20 September, 1968:

Recently she was deteriorating in her health, so I was very much anxious about her, therefore, I decided to give her in your charge. Of course, even when you were not married, you were taking care of her always, but when the relationship is there as husband and wife, there is the question of responsibility. So I wanted you to take that responsibility. Anyway, everyone in our society thinks that your combination is very much appropriate. So be happy with your nice wife and take care of her properly.

In your letter of the 17th instant, you have very frankly inquired from me about householder life, especially in the matter of sex relationship. A sannyasi is not supposed to be asked about anything sexual. But still, because you are so much dependent on my instruction, so I must give you information as far as possible.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- San Francisco 20 September, 1968:

After that, one may have sex life on the same principle. If one does not want more than one or two children, he should voluntarily stop sex life. But one should not strictly use any contraceptive method and at the same time indulge in sex life. That is very much sinful. If the husband and wife can voluntarily restrain by powerful advancement of Krishna Consciousness. That is the best method. It is not necessary that because one has got wife, therefore you must have sex life. The whole scheme is to avoid sex life as far as possible. And if one can avoid it completely then it is a great victory for him. Married life is a sort of license for sex life on condition of raising children. So you should try to understand these principles of married life and use your discretion. You should not imitate great personalities like Bhaktivinode Thakura, but you must follow His footprints. But it is not always possible to have the same success as great personalities like Bhaktivinode Thakura achieved.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Seattle 6 October, 1968:

So I shall be glad to hear from you which Brahmacarini you may suggest suitable for Hayagriva. In fact, unless our Brahmacaris are very adamant remaining as Brahmacari, I shall recommend everyone to marry. Because these girls generally come to our society to find out a suitable husband, so there is no harm to live as husband and wife, as Mukunda, Gurudasa, and Syamasundara, they are living very nicely. Similarly, others Murari also living. So this is not bad. But if one can live as Brahmacari, that is very good. So you can suggest me privately which girl can be suitable for Hayagriva.

Letter to Dayananda -- Seattle 9 October, 1968:

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

It may be I shall go with the Sankirtana Party to Los Angeles, and from Los Angeles to Hawaii, if I do not go to Europe where my going is not yet fixed up.

Letter to Gaurasundara -- Los Angeles 2 December, 1968:

I am pleased with the progress that you, Mahapurusa, and Murari are making in establishing our Hawaii temple and also I have noted that you are making arrangements for accommodating me in January. You are making arrangements for me but also I think you should make arrangements for calling your wife. The husband and wife must live together for helping one another in developing Krishna Consciousness. So I think that you may write to your wife and request that she join you in your temple at Hawaii.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1969:

Of course anyone who is stuck up with only one wife is also called brahmacari. You will set a very good example if both of you agree not to have sense gratification anymore and still you remain as husband and wife together. This is possible, however, only if both of you are fixed up in Krishna Consciousness activities. I thank you very much for your sincere endeavor to do this activity.

Concerning the house, if it is possible to rent it with an option to purchase that will be very nice. My Guru Maharaja instructed us, especially to me, that it is better to remain in a rented house than to purchase our own place, but actually He had constructed many temples during His lifetime. The idea is that if things can be done without any extra endeavor, that is all right. If purchasing a house becomes cause of our extra anxiety, we should avoid it.

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

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

Regarding my going to Hawaii, it is not the question that I will have to take with me my present secretary and attendant. I can go alone as you are so anxious to see me, but the most important thing is if my presence there will improve the situation of our movement and temple very nicely. In this case, I am prepared to go alone; it doesn't matter.

Letter to Syama -- Los Angeles 18 January, 1969:

You have asked me some questions about the functions of sex life in Krishna Consciousness, and the basic principle is that it should be avoided as far as possible. However, if it is unavoidable, then it should be utilized only for begetting Krishna Conscious children. In that case, the husband and wife should chant at least fifty rounds before going to sex. The recommended period is six days after the menstruation period.

I am glad to hear that you are helping out in tending the Deities. This is very spiritually beneficial engagement and, along with chanting the required number of rounds of Hare Krishna, Krishna is sure to give you all facilities to perfect your life in full Krishna Consciousness. In this connection, the recipe for the caranamrta is enclosed here by Karatieya.

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

There is no question of separation. By mutual agreement and advancement of Krishna Consciousness you can stop sex life, but there is no question of separation. Separation is artificial. As Hamsaduta advances in Krishna Consciousness then by his company you will also profit. So the husband and wife are mutually beneficial. This idea of separation was developed also in Govinda Dasi, but I have sent her back to her husband, and she is now following my instructions. There is no question of separation between husband and wife until the time when the husband takes sannyasa. At that time the wife cannot remain with the husband. Even in vanaprastha stage, or retired life, the wife remains with the husband, but without any sex relations.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 9 February, 1969:

I have received one nice letter from Ivan Levine, and I would like to know your opinion whether or not he should take initiation without his wife doing the same. I have no objection to initiate him alone, but will he be able to thereby follow the rules and regulations? If you recommend it, I shall initiate him. Of course, the best thing will be to initiate husband and wife together. If the wife is interested, why does she not agree to be initiated with her husband? What is the difficulty. On hearing from you in this matter, I will do the needful. Also, I understand that Mrs. Levine has not been feeling well due to her pregnancy. Please convey my request to her that she rest as much as possible and not too much exert her energies in any way. Upon hearing from you, I will inform Mr. Levine as to what is to be done.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 20 February, 1969:

In answer to your questions concerning sex life: sex life restriction does not mean that husband and wife live separately. The idea of marriage is to increase spiritual consciousness as far as possible. And by advancement of Krishna Consciousness that restriction becomes automatically practical. Sex life for begetting Krishna Conscious children is as good as Krishna Consciousness. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita so one has to use his own discretion in this matter and Krishna will help such discriminatory method. It is not that in every state you have to concern me but you have to concern Krishna Who is situated within. On the whole, sex life, like that of ordinary materialistic men, is not recommended for a Krishna Conscious person.

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

Whenever there is any question, ask me, and try to preach Krishna Consciousness movement to your best capacity. I am very glad to learn that Mukunda has invited you to go to London and if there is possibility you should go immediately, both of you, and join with them. The six boys and girls, husband and wife, are preaching Krishna Consciousness movement in London so nicely, that in the London Times there was a news heading like: Krishna Chant Startles London. These boys and girls are also initiated for the last two years only—they are not very great scholars in theological studies, but still by the Grace of Krishna they have created some impression in a city like London simply by their sincere effort. My Spiritual Master used to send preachers who were all in the renounced order of life (sannyasis), but I am doing a completely different process—namely, preparing some young couples of husband and wife to take up this job. this is approved by Lord Caitanya.

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

I want to see that the Western boys and girls who are very much loose with their sex life should get themselves married and take to Krishna Consciousness seriously and they will be happy both materially and spiritually. So if you go to London to join Mukunda and his company you will be very much pleased to see how husband and wife combined together can so nicely preach this Krishna Consciousness movement. Please take up this philosophy very seriously and you will be happy in this life and next life. If you are going to London please let me know when you are going.

Your poetry is very nice, and I am sending the copy to our editor of Back To Godhead for publishing it conveniently.

Letter to Hayagriva -- Hawaii 18 March, 1969:

So far the living arrangement is concerned, the grhasthas should be given chance to live together as husband and wife. If not, then all the girls can stay in a place and all the boys can stay in a place, if there is not sufficient space.

So far the Brahmacaris, you cannot check the association with householders. But their living should be separate. Kirtanananda Maharaja may be the supreme authority for the New Vrindaban center, but the management should be entrusted to the Brahmacaris and next the Grhasthas. He should not directly interfere with the management—he can simply give direction and the Brahmacaris and Grhasthas can carry out the management.

Letter to Himavati -- Hawaii 18 March, 1969:

The temple is also specially meant for the householders. In India, in every town, in every village, in every neighborhood, still there are Visnu temples for the convenience of the surrounding householders. So I am pleased that you are ideal householder. And you are doing very nicely combined together husband and wife. Please do it as you are doing and gradually Krishna will give you all facility.

Regarding Vedanta Sutra tapes, please ask Hamsaduta to send me the copies of transcription so that I can make another tape. If I read the copy then it gives me impetus to write further.

Letter to Harer Nama -- New Vrindaban 23 May, 1969:

I thank you very much for your letter dated May 14, 1969, and I congratulate you and your good wife, Prabhavati, for your marriage. Live peacefully, husband and wife, and now you will be happy in the management of the temple. Both of you are initiated, and as it is necessary for you to work, your wife may take care of the temple in your absence. I am glad that you have received some money from your grandmother, and you wish to send it to me for my book fund. In the meantime, there is Rathayatra Festival propogation, and Tamala Krishna wishes that all branches on the Western Coast may conjointly perform this ceremony very pompously. I do not know if you have got any news already, but if you have, please cooperate fully to make the Rathayatra Festival a grand success.

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

Unfortunately she becomes sickly, so as husband, you must see that she is taken proper care of. She is a good asset for you as your wife, and I want that you two work combinedly. That is my desire. You have such nice opportunity for doing very nice service to Lord Krishna in Hawaii, and I want that you two, husband and wife, work together. I have confidence in you, and I have got all blessings for you both that in the future you will be nice preachers. What you have done so far is very nice, and I am praying to Krishna for your success there.

Please send all nice pictures of your activities to Hayagriva for publication in BTG. We have decided to give many pictures of our Sankirtana activities along with short descriptions. Hayagriva is now renovated to be the senior editor. You also should write articles as you have done before. Your articles are very much appreciated by me, so you write them, not only about Sankirtana, but also on our philosophy.

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

I am so much pleased by reading your letter of June 26, 1969, describing your preaching activities in Hawaii, both husband and wife together. It is very much pleasing to me. I was shocked when I heard that Gaurasundara was hurt on the chin, but at the same time, I was so much enlivened by hearing of your spirited preaching activities. I am proud that a little young girl like you is so much spirited in preaching Krishna consciousness. Undoubtedly I was very much sorry to learn about Gaurasundara being attacked by a fanatic, but don't be disheartened. Even Nityananda also faced such difficult problems, but try to avoid them as far as possible. The whole world is full of fanatics and atheist classes of men, so sometimes we have to face such difficulties. But this is all tapasya. Without tapasya, nobody can approach Krishna.

Letter to Laksmimoni -- Los Angeles 10 July, 1969:

Married life in Krishna Consciousness is the perfection of married life because the basic principle is that the wife will help the husband so that he may pursue Krishna Consciousness, and similarly the husband will help the wife to advance in Krishna Consciousness. So in this way both husband and wife become happy and their lives are sublime. In Krishna Consciousness marriages there is no question of any separation or divorce. Any disagreement between husband and wife is not taken very seriously, as much as a disagreement between children is not taken very seriously. This is because the basic principle of married life in Krishna Consciousness is not whimsical lusts, but it is the eternal principle of rendering devotional service to Krishna. So I am enclosing* instructions for Rupanuga to perform this marriage ceremony, and both yourself and Jagadisa have my full blessings for long and happy life in Krishna Consciousness.

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

So if you make propaganda amongst the hippy group simply by our standard method; Sankirtana, reading some portion of Bhagavad-gita, and distributing prasadam, then I am sure the quarters in which you have now shifted will be very much prospective. Besides that, it is a beach and the atmosphere is very nice. So by the Grace of Krishna do it nicely, husband and wife combined. That will be a good example. I was so much pleased with Govinda Dasi and with you also when I heard about her spirited preaching and your tolerance like Nityananda Prabhu. May Lord Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhu bestow Their blessing upon you, and don't be deterred in any circumstances. Serve Krishna with serious attempt. Your article is very nice and gradually you shall improve. Go on writing. It is my policy to publish as many as possible of articles by my disciples. BTG should contain news of our temples, articles, pictures of our activities, etc. The bunch of pictures you have sent have been forwarded to Brahmananda for publication.

Letter to Balai -- Los Angeles 21 July, 1969:

Your husband, Advaita, is working very hard and nicely in Krishna Consciousness, and when the husband is executing his activities very nicely it is credit not only to the husband himself, but it is a credit to his wife also. In materialistic marriages generally there are too many troubles and frustrations because the basic principle for both the husband and wife is their own personal sense gratification. Therefore there is inevitable conflict and divorce petition. But in a Krishna Conscious marriage the basic principle is for both husband and wife to serve Krishna nicely and to help the partner advance in spiritual life. In this way both the husband and wife are true benefactors for one another and there is no question of any serious conflicts or separation. So I am sure that to have such nice parents who are devotees of Lord Krishna, your child Nandini is very, very fortunate. In Bhagavad-gita Krishna instructs us that for one to be born in the family of devotees means that such person was the most pious of all living entities.

Letter to Rukmini -- Los Angeles 12 August, 1969:

We require so many paintings now as we are planning to print so many illustrated books and there are so many new temples that are opening of our Krishna Consciousness Movement. So as many nice paintings as you are able to do can be well-utilized. If you would like to go to Boston, husband and wife, you could work conjointly with Jadurani. In Boston they now have a large house with nice accommodations for many devotees, so if you are able to go, that will be nice. Regarding the questions you have asked, it is better to refer such questions to our householder women. If your ailment is persisting, you may consult a physician what you should to.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Hamburg 5 September, 1969:

I wish that this design of the altar should be followed by everyone. This Los Angeles altar has been erected under my supervision, especially the Radha-Krishna throne, and I would very much like to follow this idea everywhere. Get for your temple nice devotees and monetary help. I hope you will stick to this center organizing, husband and wife, and in the very near future it will be as good as our Los Angeles temple.

Regarding your question about rasa with the Spiritual Master, I do not know who is the someone who has said this, but it is a most unauthorized statement. Better you should stick to hearing from authorized persons, like your Spiritual Master or experienced Godbrothers. But never try to hear someone who is not in our line. It is simply a waste of time to hear and then again have to rectify the mistake. Regarding your question about my never returning to Spiritual Sky, that is possible simultaneously.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Tittenhurst 15 October, 1969:

So you are a sincere devotee of Krishna and He has given you a great opportunity of service, perhaps #1 in all the centers. You are the only pioneer center who possess your own property and press. I am so glad to learn that things are going on nicely and Krishna is giving you good income also. Please therefore manage things very nicely, both husband and wife and other assistants. You are also very fortunate to have an assistant like Giriraja. This boy has so quickly taken up the Krishna Consciousness cause and I am very much pleased with his behavior. Now Advaita should be assisted by some other intelligent man. Jadurani should be given sufficient space for her painting work, assisted by other artists. And Giriraja is the right leader of Sankirtana Party. I am sorry that Murari has left. Pray to Krishna that he may come back again soon. Yes, this Uher tape recorder is very nice. It can act both as tape recorder and dictaphone also.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Tittenhurst 21 October, 1969:

I am very glad you decided to marry and I quite approve of it. My married couple disciples are doing very nice service to Krishna Consciousness in Hawaii, Japan, London, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, etc. So you also get yourself married, and if you like you open a new branch, and husband and wife together advance the cause of Krishna Consciousness. Anyway, I recommend your married life very strongly. That will give you extra strength to serve Krishna. So do it as soon as possible. I think Brahmananda will help you in this matter and that will solve all your problems.

Letter to Vamanadeva -- Tittenhurst 21 October, 1969:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 14, 1969 and have noted the contents carefully. If you can open a center with Indira Dasi, that will be a great pleasure for me. I want that all married couples should open new centers and carry on by dint of hard labor. Every householder, husband and wife together, they require to live in an apartment, so if they have got an extra room, they can immediately start a center. You have seen in Hawaii how Gaurasundara and Govinda are gradually developing from this beginning to a nice center in Hawaii. Wherever we sit down and chant Hare Krishna people will gather and gradually become our devotees and thus the center is developed. So if you want to open a center, that is very good. But at the same time you must be able to measure your strength whether you will be able to do it.

Letter to Balai -- London 15 November, 1969:

Even the audience becomes astonished and they follow her activities. It is very nice. I think your daughter may now be walking, so she may also be trained for dancing and clapping.

So attend Sankirtana Party very regularly. Kirtana is our life and soul, and the press is part of kirtana. So both of you, husband and wife, always remember this and try to execute both these ways of activities. I understand that Saradia has come back to Boston, living with Vaikunthanatha. This is nice. One thing you should know—of course, I know that you are so nice that there is no possibility amongst you for disagreement between husband and wife; but sometimes it happens—so you can let Saradia know that in our Krishna Consciousness household life there is no question of separation. Our marriage is Absolute.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- London 26 November, 1969:

Another difficulty is that in modern civilization everyone is independent spirited. The girls are no longer very much humble and submissive to their husbands. So you must be prepared to tolerate such whims of your future wife. According to our Vedic civilization, disagreements between husband and wife is not taken very seriously. But the modern age allows divorce even, either by the husband or by the wife. These things are not good. But after marrying, certainly there will be some disagreement or misunderstanding between husband and wife. So consider all these points, and you can decide yourself. But if you marry, I have no objection, as I have gotten married so many boys and girls and they are living peacefully. If you marry one Canadian girl, your citizenship will be immediately made, without waiting for time. That is the law in the USA. I do not know what it is in Canada.

Letter to Aniruddha -- London 7 December, 1969:

Our Vamanadeva, after marriage, has opened a new center in St. Louis, and they are doing very well. So far as Hamsaduta is concerned, immediately there is no possibility of his leaving Berkeley center. It is a very important center, and as you say he is doing very well you require to stay there, husband and wife, and improve the center very magnificently. If you want to open a center, you are already experienced, and you should do it independently.

Please continue to read the literature very attentively. Try to understand very soberly and you will feel ecstasy undoubtedly. The more we understand the spiritual literatures the more we become engladdened. Lord Caitanya has written ananda ambhudhi bardhanam. This means the ocean of bliss is always increasing. So continue to execute your duties with enthusiasm and patience, and I am certain Krishna will be pleased make you successful on all accounts.

Letter to Himavati -- London 20 December, 1969:

Who was formerly Sri Balarama. If we keep ourselves purely on the standard of Lord Caitanya's order, then chanting by us of the Holy Names of Krishna will descend as powerfully as He acted previously, during the time of Jagai and Madhai. So I am very glad that you both, husband and wife, are executing the mission of Lord Caitanya so nicely and faithfully. Please continue to act like that and certainly Lord Caitanya will bestow all His blessings and power upon you. Personally I am so much engladdened that the pairs of young boys and girls whom I have placed in householder life are doing so nicely in the Western world. When Lord Caitanya delivered Jagai and Madhai He was also a householder, but when Jagai and Madhai were actually reclaimed, His wife, Visnupriya, was not there.

Letter to Himavati -- London 20 December, 1969:

I find that my disciples combined together, husband and wife, are doing this preaching work so nicely. So I am especially proud how my householder disciples are preaching Lord Caitanya's Mission. This is a new thing in the history of the Sankirtana Movement. In India all the acaryas and their descendants later on acted only from the man's side. Their wives were at home because that is the system from old times that women are not required to go out. But in Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also equally competent like the men in the matter of Krishna Consciousness Movement. Please therefore carry on these missionary activities, and prove it by practical example that there is no bar for anyone in the matter of preaching work for Krishna Consciousness.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Jaya Gopala -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1970:

Regarding Volcer marrying, for the time being they can be married by the civil court without delay. Both the husband and wife may be allowed to associate with you and after a few days, if you recommend for initiation, then you can send their beads and they will be initiated by post. At that time you can perform our regular wedding ceremony as usual. That will be nice. Uninitiated couples cannot be married by us. We shall not take the responsibility of an ordinary marriage maker. Our practice is to help devotees for advancing in Krishna Consciousness. In such activities, when there is necessity, we get them married also.

Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1970:

We are now publishing English "BTG" 50,000 copies per month, German "BTG" 5,000 copes per month and French "BTG" 5,000 copies per month. And very soon we may be able to publish a Spanish "BTG" from Mexico where two devotees, husband and wife are going to open a center.

Regarding our London Math at 7 Bury Place, it was very successfully opened and the seva puja operations are going on very, very nicely under the care of Srimati Yamuna Devi. It is always full with devotees since its opening and all kinds of people Indian and European are participating in the daily functions. You will be glad to learn that one Mohammedan boy in London became my disciple under proper initiation besides a few Indian Hindus also.

Letter to Hanuman Prasad Poddar -- Los Angeles 5 February, 1970:

We have now the following centers in the States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia: (see insert sheet A following page 2).

My activities in London were begun as early as September, 1968. I sent six of my disciples there, all of them young couples, husband and wife, and none of them more than 26 years old. These boys and girls first started Sankirtana Movement in London and there were very nice reports about them. Even the "Times of London" printed one article with the caption "Hare Krishna Chant Startles London."

In London there are many Indians, especially Gujaratis and Punjabis. All of them were astonished to see how American boys and girls were preaching Hare Krishna Mantra. They were invited to many centers both by the Indians and Europeans, but it was very difficult to find out a suitable house there in the midst of the city. My Guru Maharaja liked to start centers in the busiest part of a city.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 21 February, 1970:

Therefore there is always frustration. Even so-called "sincere" love between lover and the beloved or husband and wife or even parents and children are so many instances of frustration. Therefore the only remedy for this repeated frustration of our life after life is revival of original Krsna Consciousness.

As soon as we revive that love of Krsna in any one of the five primary relationships, as we have constitutional aptitude, immediately we become happy. This is the fact, but it requires little time to come to this point by the prescribed method as we have to undergo patiently a treatment for the cure of our disease. Therefore this Krsna Consciousness movement is the only solution for all kinds of frustrations and problems.

Letter to Syama -- Los Angeles 23 February, 1970:

One of the Principle Gopis was Syama dasi, and you are supposed to follow the footsteps of Syama dasi.

I am very much pleased to note that you are feeling happiness in Krsna Consciousness activities along with your good husband. Please remain in that spirit and chant Hare Krsna sixteen rounds regularly, both husband and wife, and develop New Vrindaban. Next summer if you hold Janmastami gorgeously, as I have already suggested to Kirtanananda Maharaja, surely I shall go there.

Letter to Syama -- Los Angeles 23 February, 1970:

Please ask Hayagriva Prabhu to finish the Bhagavad-gita As It Is with full explanation and text, and as soon as it is finished I shall send you some new tapes which you shall work husband and wife conjointly and you will be very pleased.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 24 February, 1970:

I have all my blessings for the girl for being married to Naranarayana, for whom I was very much anxious to get him a good wife. So I have full sanction for his marriage, and you can perform the ceremony on my behalf. I am sure under your care they will be trained as good husband and wife, following your example, and be happy in life in Krsna Consciousness.

I am enclosing the beads with flowers of my blessings for Naranarayana and Dinadayadri Dasi on the occasion of their marriage. The spiritual name of the girl is Dinadayadri Dasi. Dinadayadra is Krsna, and Dinadayadri is Radharani. So Dinadayadri Dasi means the servant of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krsna.

Letter to Sri Balmukundji -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970:

So I would again request you to take up the preaching work of this great movement. It does not matter whether you accept Sannyas order of life or not. You can preach this Krishna Consciousness movement even along with your good wife, and why not this procedure? My disciples are only children. If they can preach this Krishna Consciousness movement husband and wife together, without having any background of Vedic culture, why not an experienced gentleman like you with full knowledge of Vedic culture preach this movement? If you take up this work in right earnest, I am sure you will feel transcendental bliss.

I thank you for your assurance that you are coming here very soon, and I shall await your arrival with great interest. If possible, come along with your wife also.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970:

The pictures of London Temple immediately get me there, and I enjoy your company. So I can understand that everything is going on well in London Temple. The service of the Lord should be so nicely executed that Radharani will bestow upon you blessings, raising Her right hand palm. You have got a very nice wife, a devotee and intelligent. So both husband and wife combined together please see that the Temple service is being executed regularly and nicely, and thus make your lives happy and successful.

Side by side, both of you should train your junior brothers and sisters in the service of the Lord, so that in case both of you go for preaching work, the scheduled program of the Temple may not be hampered. We should follow two important lines, namely the Pancaratriki Bidhi as well as Bhagavata Bidhi. The Bhagavata Bidhi is preaching work, and Sankirtana, and Pancaratriki Bidhi is Temple worship of the Deities.

Letter to Suridas -- Los Angeles 17 March, 1970:

Your combination with your good wife, Jotilla, is very good, and now with greater enthusiasm execute Krishna activities as I have advised Gurudasa also. We must be fully equipped, and the preaching work by pairs of husband and wife will be an unique example to the world. Formerly the Acaryas were generally all Sannyasis, but Lord Caitanya, in His instruction to Roy Ramananda, who was a confidential devotee of Lord Caitanya, but a householder and responsible government official, Governor of Madras, has given open instruction that it does not matter what is the social or ecclesiastical order, if one is fully in Krishna Consciousness, he can act as Acarya. So all you boys and girls who are now married, follow this instruction of Lord Caitanya, and show vivid example to the world how man and woman can be united, not for sense gratification but for the service of the Lord.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 17 March, 1970:

Your marriage with Madri Dasi is a good news, and now with greater enthusiasm execute Krishna activities as I have advised Gurudasa also. We must be fully equipped, and the preaching work by pairs of husband and wife will be an unique example to the world. Formerly the Acaryas were generally all Sannyasis, but Lord Caitanya, in His instruction to Roy Ramananda, who was a confidential devotee of Lord Caitanya, but a householder and responsible government official, Governor of Madras, has given open instruction that it does not matter what is the social or ecclesiastical order, if one is fully Krishna Conscious, he can act as Acarya. So all of you boys and girls who are now married, follow this instruction of Lord Caitanya and show vivid example to the world how man and woman can be united, not for sense gratification, but for the service of the Lord.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 20 March, 1970:

I have received two copies of Easy Journey, and Advaita has done this picture cover and it is very much advanced. So he can print pictures in NOD. The printing of Easy Journey is very encouraging. I think that the second part of KRSNA should be printed in our own press.

Yes, be engaged always in Krishna's duties, and you all members, husband and wife, family, friends, brothers, and sisters, all combined will feel transcendental bliss.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 7 April, 1970:

This is more important than growing mangos. So you give your best attention for this purpose and as soon as you inform me that there is a regular bush of Tulasi plants, then I shall immediately start for Hawaii and install your Deities. I think this will satisfy you.

In the meantime, I am also inviting you, both husband and wife, to see how this Temple has become very nice—better looking, better facilities—than all other centers. I am sending you herewith one copy of the picture.

Letter to Jayagovinda -- Los Angeles 18 April, 1970:

For the time being there is no question of going to India, but if we get a good place there and a nice branch there, then I may ask you to go there for some time, but your headquarters will always be in Germany.

Both husband and wife learn how to work on the composer machine because we have to print so many things in German language as we are doing here in English language.

Yes, when you are out of your station you can carry these Deities, but so long you are in Hamburg you will have very little time to arrange separately for worship. When a householder is not in touch with the temple, then he can have separate worship at home.

Letter to Madhusudana -- Los Angeles 20 April, 1970:

The whole world is suffering for want of this great benediction. Therefore by the grace of Lord Caitanya if we have understood the value of this movement it will mean a great lot as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that even a little performance of Krishna Consciousness activity will save the human society from the greatest danger of life.

I am very glad to know that you are trying to understand this philosophy, now combinedly, husband and wife, preach it all over the world, at least in your great country.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 27 May, 1970:

Try to understand our own philosophy described in so many books, but I cannot allow you to hear form the mental speculators without any solid knowledge.

So it is very encouraging that London Temple is being managed by one pair of husband and wife very nicely. Similarly each pair should take care of a center; and if you love me at all, then all of you try your best to open at least 108 centers during my lifetime—that is my special request. At the same time, we must be very careful to see that every center is going properly. Our possessing own building is not so important as it is important to see that everything is going on nicely in order.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:

I therefore request you and Gaurasundara to come to San Francisco during Rathayatra festival with sufficient mangos, and you will see the Rathayatra, and I have got some serious talks with Gaurasundara and yourself for organizing New Navadvipa.

So you come to San Francisco, both husband and wife, and meet me there because I want to see you both since a long time. And after coming there, if you still insist, then I may go to Hawaii for a week only. I think this is not advisable. The best thing would be that you come to San Francisco and I give you instruction for developing New Navadvipa, so that next march when there will be Lord Caitanya's Birthday I must go there. It is my desire that three places at the present moment namely San Francisco (New Puri), New Vrndavana and New Navadvipa should be especially organized for three great festivals; namely Janmastami, Rathayatra and Phalguni Purnima or Lord Caitanya's Birthday.

Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:

And after coming there, if you still insist, then I may go to Hawaii for a week only. I think this is not advisable. The best thing would be that you come to San Francisco and I give you instruction for developing New Navadvipa, so that next march when there will be Lord Caitanya's Birthday I must go there. It is my desire that three places at the present moment namely San Francisco (New Puri), New Vrndavana and New Navadvipa should be especially organized for three great festivals; namely Janmastami, Rathayatra and Phalguni Purnima or Lord Caitanya's Birthday. On these occasions not only myself but all the devotees should assemble in these places and we shall meet together for the mutual advancement of our centers. So by all means you, husband and wife, come to San Francisco during Rathayatra festival.

Letter to Himavati, Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 9th June, 1970. I have already inquired from Krsna das why I did not receive any letter from you. In one letter Hamsaduta wrote me that you both, husband and wife, were going to Berlin. So after that I did not receive any letter from you. I thought both of you were gone to Berlin and thus I was expecting your letter. Now I see that you sent me one letter which is missing, otherwise it is my habit to reply all letters that I receive.

Anyway, letter or no letter, you are one of the advanced students, so you should know it perfectly well that wherever we may stay or whatever condition we may be put into, Krsna is our life and soul. We cannot stop your activities in Krsna consciousness.

Letter to Vamanadeva -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:

I am in due receipt of your very encouraging letter dated 17th June, 1970, along with some pictures and plans of the new St. Louis temple.

I am very glad to know that you are both, husband and wife, working very hard and sincerely for the mission of spreading Krsna consciousness, and therefore Krsna has provided these nice facilities for His service. From the appearance of the house it is very strongly built of stone brick and in good condition. The plans which you have drawn up indicate that the building is well suited to our purpose. So now develop your center with the help of the new boys and girls.

You are an intelligent and educated boy and highly skilled carpenter as well as devotee and your wife is well qualified similarly.

Letter to Vrndavana Candra -- Los Angeles 24 June, 1970:

That is the duty of a faithful companion of life. If the wife is helpful in the spiritual progress of life, she is the best friend and philosopher. So in Krsna Consciousness the wife is never a burden, but she is completely a counterpart. So set example to your countrymen how younger generation can live peacefully, husband and wife, being engaged in Krsna's service. There are many examples of this type of husband and wife working in our different centers for propagating this sublime message.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1970:

So this is very good news. You may give him the name Nirmala Candra. Nirmala means without any flaws or without contamination and Candra means moon. So the name Nirmala Candra refers specifically to Lord Caitanya who is known as the Spotless Moon of Gauda. Now you husband and wife must work together combinedly with great responsibility for raising your new child in ideal Krsna consciousness. Children learn by imitation of their parents, so if you both set Krsna conscious example the child will very naturally and easily become advanced in Krsna consciousness by following. Please offer my blessings to your good wife, Laksmimoni, and your son.

Letter to Candanacarya -- Los Angeles 12 July, 1970:

So I think you tried to get yourself married sometimes before and now Krsna has given you one very good wife. You are intelligent boy, hard worker and devotee of Krsna and your wife is very fine girl and sincere devotee also, so you both, husband and wife, combined together work for your mutual advancement in Krsna consciousness. That is my desire.

I am very pleased also to note how you are appreciating the grace of the Spiritual Master and Krsna for guiding one in the progressive path of spiritual realization. Now both you and your wife simply carry out our instructions for keeping always engaged in Krsna activities according to strict following of the rules and regulations and chant Hare Krsna and be happy. It is so much encouraging to learn that Masturika Dasi is already helping you in your Krsna conscious work.

Letter to Damodara -- Los Angeles 19 July, 1970:

You were for some time feeling agitation and now Krsna has blessed you with a very nice, qualified wife who is an enthusiastic devotee as well. Please both of you husband and wife work now conjointly in full Krsna consciousness for spreading Lord Caitanya's message. You are very intelligent boy, good devotee and good preacher with good experience also. Your wife and you are good match, so take up this work of spreading Krsna consciousness very seriously and make your both lives sublime and Krsna will certainly give you all intelligence how to advance in His service. Please take advantage of this opportunity and utilize your lives for the transcendental loving service of the Lord and be happy chanting Hare Krsna mantra, dancing, distributing Prasadam and literatures, and preaching Krsna consciousness as your life and soul.

Letter to Krsnakanti -- Los Angeles 1 August, 1970:

You are a very intelligent boy I know and a very sincere devotee of Lord Krsna. Now you have got a good wife who is also intelligent girl and devotee, so live peacefully working together for pushing on this Krsna consciousness movement for the ultimate benefit of all concerned. So you both husband and wife please take my blessings and blessings of Lord Krsna and be happy in Krsna's transcendental loving service.

Letter to Isana, Vibhavati -- Calcutta 21 September, 1970:

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.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Calcutta 26 September, 1970:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Sept. 10th, 1970 and noted the contents. I have not yet received the bead bag sewn by your good wife, but I beg to thank you for the check of $100 forwarded to my book fund. I am so glad that you are now together, husband and wife, engaged in serving Krsna as an ideal Krsna Conscious householder couple.

Do not be discouraged that you are only four devotees at present moment in Philadelphia. Simply you very strictly follow the routine schedule of devotional service and chanting Hare Krsna and do your best to spread this Movement amongst the local people. Krsna will send you many more sincere souls very soon to help you. So go on with your work with new efforts of increased enthusiasm and Krsna will bless you more and more in Krsna consciousness.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Bombay 7 November, 1970:

Isha Kumar as always been very respectful towards me. You can show him all our books and if he is interested, he may become the sole selling agent in India for my books and he will get a 40% discount, but he must order at least 200 copies of each book.

Instead of engaging in Sankirtana if you, husband and wife try to see so many government members and ministers and other important men, that will be nice. You may try and see Indira Gandhi. And perhaps you can meet with this president Giri shown in the enclosed news clipping. I think because your pictures are shown together with his, he will meet you.

There is an old friend of mine named D. R. Gupta on 4 University Rd. You should make arrangements to see him by telephoning him. If he is favorably impressed, he will certainly become a life member. That is what I want you to do while you are there—to try to make as many life members as you can.

Letter to Sivananda -- Bombay 12 November, 1970:

I think she is well acquainted with Berlin and she can render good service. So give a start to our Krishna Consciousness Movement there and that will be your success.

Now you have a nice German devotee wife, and together you should give all the people of Germany the example of how husband and wife can be engaged for the service of Krishna, not in the service of their senses. The two of you, along with Sucandra and Gunai, should lead a nice regulated daily schedule of chanting 16 rounds, reading all our books, going on Sankirtana Party, and taking nice Prasadam. Then this will keep you pure and potent in your preaching work.

Letter to Jadurani -- Bombay 16 November, 1970:

I think that is you feel too much inconvenience just now by remaining in Boston with Satsvarupa, then you may go to some other center for some time with the art department and carry on your work there. Sometimes such separation for a time is beneficial for husband and wife both, but there is never any question of divorce.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Surat 18 December, 1970:

"I dwelling in their hearts destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance." (BG 10.11).

I am glad to hear Mandali Bhadra and Haripriya are working so hard to translate my books. They are both sincere souls and combinedly I am confident that they will do their duty. Husband and wife engaged in the service of the Lord is real marriage, and man and woman combined without service to Krishna is animal life. So their example is very encouraging and instructive.

Himavati is also eager to go to Russia and she also speaks the language. If we can go to Russia with our World Sankirtana Party, I am certain that it will be very much appreciated and people will see the real peace movement is chanting process—chanting the Holy Names Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. So try for it.

Letter to Nara-narayana, Dinadayadri -- Surat 19 December, 1970:

So far as your casting of Murtis there during the winter months, that sounds very nice. If you could produce plaster Murtis of Lord Caitanya the same size in height as Kartamashai Murtis you produced earlier, that would be very nice. And then your good wife Dinadayadri, acting as pujari there, can take nice care of that Murti. Husband and wife working conjointly in Krishna Consciousness is the perfection of household life. So both of you go on working in this way to strengthen and improve our wonderful New Vrindaban community project and Krishna will be very pleased.

Letter to Murari -- Surat 31 December, 1970:

In this way go on working together and make our London center a grand success. It is a very important center and I am concerned to see that it develops nicely. You can send me reports periodically on the progress being made there.

Also I have received one letter from Janaki, and she should be engaged fully in assisting her husband. In this way husband and wife can work together cooperatively and make rapid advancement in Krishna Consciousness, just as in the case of Gurudasa and Yamuna who have rendered such nice service together.

So far as your plan for opening centers is concerned, that program sounds very encouraging. But one thing you should know is that we cannot have another situation like Edinburgh. Once a temple has been opened it must never be closed. So if you are confident in this regard, then continue as planned.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Sudama -- Surat 1 January, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 22nd, 1970, and I am sorry to learn that although you are so sober you have been disturbed by your married life.

Married life does not mean that there will be no disagreement between husband and wife—that is a custom from time immemorial. According to Vedic system, disagreement or quarrel between husband and wife should never be taken very seriously. The Vedic system therefore gives a concession for the wife to separate from her husband for some time and go to her father's house. So Cintamani may come to me for some time, but you cannot deviate from your responsibility in Japan. If so desired, Karatieya Maharaja and Bruce can go immediately to help you, so arrange for their passage and I shall send them back. I think Bruce has got his return ticket.

Letter to Nandarani -- Allahabad 16 January, 1971:

Therefore you should be engaged to pick up some service and render it to Krishna. We are all sold to Krishna and we have no other business but His service. That should be our determination.

I am so much obliged to you for your nice sentiments. Krishna will bless you. Both husband and wife and Karandhara husband and wife, improve temple management more and more. Most probably very soon I shall return to the U.S.A. Offer my blessings to all.

Letter to Tradhis, Nagapatni -- Gorakhpur 11 February, 1971:

I am very glad to accept you both, husband and wife, as my initiated disciples. I have chanted your beads duly and they are returned to you herewith. Your spiritual names are Tradhis Das Adhikari and Srimati Nagapatni Devi Dasi. Your daughter may remain called as Janmastami devi and when she is initiated she shall receive a new name. I am just requesting you to become ideal example of Krsna consciousness in householder life and thus you will encourage so many others who come in your contact to adjust their lives to this sublime process. That in itself will be the greatest service. So please stay strong and stronger in devotional service to Krsna by chanting daily sixteen rounds of beads, following the regulative principles strictly and avoiding the ten offenses in the matter of chanting the Holy Names of the Lord. If you follow this simple process faithfully under the direction of your Spiritual Master and try to understand our philosophy by regular study, you will continue to progress your lives in Krsna Consciousness and Krsna will simultaneously protect you from the attacks of Maya and provide you with all necessary facilities for rendering service unto Him.

Letter to Krsna Devi -- Gorakhpur 16 February, 1971:

His name and address are as follows: Yacov Shames; c/o Dr. Ritchie; 79 Rehov Bait Vegan; Bait Vegan; Jerusalem, Israel. So make arrangements with the government and go there immediately. I have all blessings for this enterprise. Try and preach Krishna Consciousness in this part of the world. So you go there husband and wife with child and start a center. If you are successful in your effort, then I may stay with you a few days there before going to London.

I'm so glad to learn that your daughter is growing into such a nice Krishna Conscious child and very soon she will be a great help to your activities. I've seen many pictures of our Krishna Conscious children. They are nicely chanting and clapping. It is very good sign. Here in India our preaching is very nicely going on, and especially to our membership program there is a good response. So work very enthusiastically and Krishna will bestow all His blessings upon you.

Letter to Dr. Baltwant Singh -- Gorakhpur 22 February, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind letter No. 2/2/3 dated 22nd January, 1971. I thank you very much for your kind invitation to our organization for visiting your place. Since a very long time I was thinking of going to your place but there was no opportunity to do so. Now as our movement is spreading all over the world and I am working at present in India, two of my disciples, husband and wife, have already gone to Trinidad. They are somewhere in Frederick Street in Trinidad. The couple's names are Vaikunthanatha Das Adhikari and Saradia Devi Dasi and they are now at present in the Port-of-Spain. I'm enclosing herein one picture of the couple. If possible you can open correspondence with them. If you find difficulty then you can refer this matter to Hayagriva Das Adhikari; c/o New Vrindaban; R.D. 3; Moundsville, W. Virginia; U.S.A.

Letter to Babhrubahan -- Bombay 4 March, 1971:

Yes, you may get yourself married, provided that you can meet the responsibility of grhastha life. If you marry you will have to work to provide for your wife and family and try to spend at least 50% for Krishna Consciousness.

A Krishna Conscious marriage is not based on sense gratification but rather mutual cooperation between husband and wife for making advancement is spiritual life and also for raising Krishna Conscious children. It is said in the Vedas that one should not take on the responsibility of Parenthood unless he can deliver the child from the repeated cycle of birth, death, disease and old age. So in this way mold your life in service to the Lord and be happy.

Letter to Citsukhananda -- Bombay 25 March, 1971:

I am also glad to note that you have begun working on BTG Spanish edition. Actually we want that BTG be printed in every major language and distributed all over the world so that there is no language barrier in taking to our movement. So go there, husband and wife, and make our Mexico City branch a grand success, and Krishna will certainly bestow upon you all blessings.

Letter to Kanya Kumari (Carol Bouchier) -- Bombay 1 April, 1971:

Your husband, Nityananda Das, is now president of our newly formed New Orleans center and as his wife, it is your duty to help him in every way possible. So work cooperatively, husband and wife, and make our New Orleans branch a grand success. And remain unflinching in Krishna's service by strictly following the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds of beads daily, without fail, and reading all our books. Then Krishna will surely help you.

Letter to Nityananda -- Bombay 1 April, 1971:

I am so glad to hear that you and your wife Kanya Kumari (Carol) have gone with one brahmacari, Pavanadeva (Peter), for opening a center in New Orleans. Thank you very much. I am so much appreciative to you American boys and girls for helping me fulfill the order of my Guru Maharaja. Simply you are going, husband and wife, chanting Hare Krishna, and preaching pure Krishna Consciousness. May Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu bestow upon you His full blessings.

Now you are beginning to preach at the universities. That is a very good program, so increase it more and more. It is also a good opportunity for distributing our books. You should give much effort for book distribution, it is such a valuable service. Simply if one will read our KRSNA book, TLC, NOD, and Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, he will surely become a Krishna Conscious person.

Letter to Immigration Service -- Bombay 5 April, 1971:

Presently I am on tour with some of my foreign disciples in India and we have got a very large program here for preaching this Krsna Consciousness Movement or Bhagavata Dharma. Our program requires the assistance of both Sriman Wayne Gunderson and his wife Srimati Citralekha Devi Dasi, who are my initiated disciples. My request is that these two, husband and wife, be granted visa for coming to India. Our tour is lasting for another six months and their presence and assistance is immediately required. Please help them and expedite this matter as far as possible.

Letter to Caitanya -- Bombay, India 11 June, 1971:

Upon the recommendation of your good husband Kanupriya Prabhu, I have gladly accepted you as my duly initiated disciple. I have given you the spiritual name Caitanya Devi Dasi. Please find your beads, enclosed herewith and duly changed on by me.

I am so pleased to hear how you, husband and wife, are doing so nicely in Trinidad. I can see that the response to your preaching work has been very good. You will be glad to know that I have told Kanupriya that if they are willing to make a donation of that house and land, then I'm prepared to go there with Deity and make the installation.

Letter to Kanupriya -- Bombay, India 11 June, 1971:

You will be glad to know that I have consented to accept your good wife as my duly initiated disciple and have given her the name Caitanya Devi Dasi. Her beads and letter are enclosed herewith. So now both of you, husband and wife, work cooperatively and make ISKCON Trinidad a grand success.

Please offer my blessings to Vaikunthanatha and Saradia and ask them to write me and let me know of their activities in Guyana.

Letter to Svarupa -- Bombay 15 June, 1971:

I thank you very much for your letter dated 8th June, 1971 and very generous contribution of $50 on the event of your marriage to Susan O'Neil. So now you are married in Krishna Consciousness; that is very nice. But sometimes married life is risky business because being attracted by the wife, one forgets Krishna. But if both the husband and wife remember Krishna, then their householder life becomes Vaikuntha.

Our acharya Bhaktivinode Thakura was the perfect householder and we should take his example. How nice a householder he was and how nice children he produced; one of them is my Guru Maharaja. That is the example. So follow it and become successful in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 8 July, 1971:

So do your duty nicely, taking it as Krishna's mercy, and try to serve Krishna as far as possible. Live peacefully with your wife also. She is very nice girl. Please offer her my blessings. And if you like, and you think it is possible, then surely you can open a center in Connecticut State. So do it together, husband and wife, and organize it nicely.

Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Saradia -- Brooklyn 24 July, 1971:

I am so glad to receive your letter dated 4th July, 1971 from Trinidad and it has encouraged me so much that I am now confident that my missionary activities will go on even in my absence. You young husband and wife are so nice that Krishna will shower His blessings upon you both incessantly. Please keep up the spirit of preaching work and you will be victorious wherever you go.

I have received your press cuttings and they are very much encouraging. So you concentrate you energy for preaching in that part of the world. You are already popular there and you will become more and more popular.

Nara Narayana may be required for constructing a temple in Mayapur in India, but if he doesn't go to India then surely he will go to Trinidad to construct a new temple there.

Letter to Sudama -- Brooklyn 31 July, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23d July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am so glad to hear that you have again come to your senses and are arranging for your good wife Cintamani to return to Tokyo. She is a very nice devotee; that is a fact. And it is your duty to take care of her and see to it that she becomes Krishna Conscious. So work cooperatively, husband and wife, and make our Tokyo center most successful. That is my request.

So far as translating our literatures into Japanese language, you should endeavor to do so vigorously. You have published only one Japanese BTG, but they should be regularly published. So if you go on and engage your mind in all this positive work, it will help you to rapidly advance in Krishna Consciousness. So far your going to the GBC meeting, if you cannot go there because of lack of funds, that is all right.

Letter to David R. Schomaker -- London 9 August, 1971:

So far naming your child is concerned, you as her parents should give her a suitable name and you can add the prefix bhakta dasi, or servant of the devotee, as are we all. Then when she grows up and takes initiation from a bona fide spiritual master, she may be given a new name at that time.

I am so glad to note that both you, husband and wife, are qualified to teach and are anxious to do so in one of our community situations. That will be very nice. So if you like, you can make suitable arrangements for going either to Texas or to New Vrindaban, where they may have need for such qualified teachers. So correspond with those centers and find out if it is possible.

Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Saradia -- London 9 August, 1971:

That will be very nice, so try for it. BTG and book distribution is going on so nicely there. Especially continue this program enthusiastically. It is so much encouraging. I am so much grateful to you both, husband and wife, that you are so much helping me to fulfill the order of my Guru Maharaja and surely Krishna will give you all facility for making our Trinidad center a grand success and surely He will bless you more and more. Just as soon as you have secured a nice temple and have organized a nice program, I will be glad to come and visit there. That will be very nice.

Letter to Himavati -- London 27 August, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26th August, 1971 and have noted the contents. Please don't be worried at all. I shall never give your husband sannyasa order. There is no special meaning for giving your husband sannyasa order because I know that both of you are more than sannyasi. So don't be worried at all. Live peacefully, husband and wife and develop our Hamburg center very nicely.

Always be engaged in serving the Deity; nice dress, nice jewelry, nice prasadam. Let Hamsaduta go for Sankirtana and take care of him. Your husband is one of my most foremost disciples. His life is very important, so take care of him nicely; that is your duty. He should live healthfully and peacefully, so see to it. That is my request. And together you should develop Hamburg center very nicely. There is certainly enough work there now.

Letter to Ekayani -- London 31 August, 1971:

Don't create some abnormal condition. Please go back to your husband and live peacefully and execute Krishna Consciousness together. He will also not take sannyasa order out of frustration. You are an intelligent girl and an advanced student. You should know that our main business is Krishna Consciousness. So fighting between husband and wife is not to be taken very seriously. So if you have any respect for me, I request you not to quarrel with your husband. Live peacefully, chant Hare Krishna and try to serve the cause as best as possible. I am very glad that your mother is also taking interest in Krishna Consciousness. That is very good. As you have to leave Boston very soon it is better that you go immediately to N.Y. and live peacefully with your husband. That is my order. I hope you will not disobey me.

Letter to Upendra -- Nairobi 9 October, 1971:

Especially for you there is no question of leaving. Stay in Melbourne and preach with steady determination. I am glad to learn that you are in steady correspondence with Karandhara and am sure he will give you all good direction. So don't be agitated by anyone's so-called demand but you stick to your preaching work, husband and wife, chanting and following the regulative principles. Don't be agitated by trifle things. Remain steady and go on with preaching work. Krishna will help you in every way. I am so pleased with you that you have done so nicely in the service of the Lord to your best capacity. That is required. It is not that everyone should be equally expert. But the thing that is needed is that we should be serious and sincere in our engagement. Nobody can adequately serve Krishna because Krishna is unlimited. But Krishna so kind that even a small leaf or flower offered to Krishna by the poorest man in the world, Krishna accepts such thing.

Letter to Citsukhananda -- Nairobi 12 October, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th September, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am very glad to see that Candrabali and your son have returned to you again. It is very good. Husband and wife, there may be some disagreement but it should not be taken at any time very seriously. So combinedly together, go on with your preaching work.

I am so much pleased that you have got a nice place. I shall try to go to your center at my first opportunity. Some time back I went to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a nice small city. I think Santa Fe is near Albuquerque. These tracts of land are full of hills.

Letter to Dayananda, Nandarani -- Nairobi 13 October, 1971:

Our London center is very important and it is already known all over Europe and what to speak of England. So try to develop this center to the best of your capacity. I am sure that now London temple is in the right hands. Both of you, husband and wife, attempted to improve the L.A. temple and Dayananda took so much risk to maintain it. I remember all these things. Now our L.A. temple has come to a very prominent position. So far I know Karandhara is managing it nicely and you have got sufficient experience as president of L.A. temple. Now you are president of London Temple, so please just try to raise it to the L.A. standard.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Bhavananda -- Bombay 9 January, 1972:

I have sent to GBC men in that connection. Henceforward these matters of marriage between the devotees must be decided upon by the GBC men and other senior members by their mutual consultation. So in this case you consider with other GBC and senior men. These things should be decided by our elderly members, not I should be involved so much with matters of husband and wife. You may send the report what programs you have arranged for me in Calcutta.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Bombay 10 January, 1972:

You stay there in Hamburg with Hamsaduta for some time and make that center very strong, then you may both return as it was, and Hamsaduta may go to his zone of Mediterranean countries and Near East, and you as husband and wife can conduct everything there. Mataji Himavati can train your wife or someone how to worship the deities nicely, and you both stay there for the time being. You are both men of experience so work together combinedly to make Germany zone very strong.

Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Nairobi 25 January, 1972:

This is very important, so you may do it immediately.

Regarding householders living in the temple; in India no woman is allowed to stay in the temple at night. But for our preaching work I have permitted women to stay in the temple. But, in the temple, husband and wife should live separately. There are many young brahmacaris and Sannyasis in the temple and men and women living together is simply a source of agitation, so therefore this is my order; ideally the husband and wife can live separately in the temple. If this is not possible they should live together close to the temple and attend temple arati etc . . . and if this is not possible the last alternative is to live away from the Temple and conduct your own deity worship etc. It is best to do the most ideal thing but whatever mode of living you chose the most important thing is to always remain one hundred percent in service of Radha-Krishna.

Letter to Saradia -- Bombay 5 February, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 26, 1972, and I am very upset to learn the news of that incident in Trinidad. Yes, you are right to stay away from such a place, and there is no harm if husband and wife live separately for some time. I do not know if there is good possibility in Trinidad for preaching. If, as you say, you are only preaching among the Indians there, then I think they may not be taking up this philosophy of Krishna Consciousness very seriously, and in that case there may be better scope for you and your good husband to open a center in Europe, as requested by your brother, Krishna das. But if the people of Trinidad are very seriously interested in our ISKCON Movement, then we should remain there and expand our preaching work.

Letter to Kirtika -- Calcutta 16 February, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 15, 1972, and I have noted the contents. Regarding your question whether husband and wife should live together in the temple, according to temple rules they should not live together in the temple. It does not give a good impression for brahmacaris and sannyasis. It is better if the grhasthas have a separate asrama, just like in Los Angeles the married disciples rent rooms together in one apartment house near the temple and live there separately, and in this way no one is disturbed, neither the brahmacaris are disturbed by householder life, nor the grhasthas are disturbed by brahmacaris. This is the best system, and if you and your good husband require to live together to advance nicely in Krishna Consciousness, that is very good proposal, but you should try to model the arrangement after the Los Angeles temple, and you should live separately, men and women, if you live in the temple itself.

Letter to Kirtiraja -- Mayapur 28 February, 1972:

One must be convinced that sex-life without exception means trouble, therefore he is able to stop it at the thinking stage by not allowing it to be felt, much less willed and acted. I am so much disgusted by this troublesome business of marriage, because nearly every day I receive some complaint from husband or wife, and practically this is not my business as sannyasi to be marriage counsellor, so henceforward I am not sanctioning any more marriages, and those who want to marry must know in advance and be prepared to make outside income to support wife and home separately from the temple, and in the temple husband and wife shall live separately, that must be or what is the meaning of spiritual society like ours? I made a concession, but how can I encourage something which has proven to be so much trouble?

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Los Angeles 26 May, 1972:

So you may correspond with him on this point. Also, there are some Hindi translators here in Los Angeles who are willing to send you regularly articles for Back To Godhead, so you may open correspondence with them also. They are named Vinode and Niranjana, husband and wife, and you may address them in care of Los Angeles temple. One thing, it is not good if we engage any professional translators, our own men must do the work. As soon as you receive payment for BTG's you may deposit immediately in the book fund account in Bombay and acknowledge to me. ISKCON Book Fund a/c is in Central Bank Gowalia Tank Branch, Bombay.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972:

So far the land of Mr. Dalmia, first develop what you have got. Or if they will accept a low price, or if we pay him the Rs. 60,000/- whether he will pay us back as donation? Your proposal for a separate asrama for women, that is a very nice proposal, and that must be done. At present, at all of our temples around the world no husband and wife live together.

So far your question regarding Bhetnama, the idea is that the man purchases lifetime use of one room or several rooms so that whenever he wishes to come to visit he is always guaranteed that room. But if the person is not present then his room may be utilized somehow or other. But if he comes, the room must be vacated for him immediately. And the room is his for his lifetime only, it is not that anyone coming after him or his sons or family after his demise can use the room.

Letter to Nandarani -- New York 8 July, 1972:

You can consult me freely whenever you like and I shall try to enlighten you as far as possible. But I am certain you are intelligent enough and I have already given you some hints on the basis of which you can do the needful.

Your husband has gone back from London, being completely overcome by family separation. So there is no need of living separately. Both of you husband and wife live together and render the best service to the Lord. We have never discouraged family life, so both of you are intelligent and can make your plan. Keep your situation fit for rendering service to the Lord more enthusiastically. That is my desire.

Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- London 3 August, 1972:

Do not be disturbed, now I understand everything. You and your husband live in Vrindaban permanently. I never took the accusations seriously because I did not believe it, therefore I enquired from you what is the situation. Now the matter is clear, so do not be disturbed.

Now your husband and wife develop the Vrindaban scheme. Long ago you wanted to go to Vrindaban, so I think you are perfectly meant to remain there and look after the things. But live carefully, it is India, we must live according to the time, place and circumstances, that is intelligence. On the whole, except with your husband, you should not mix with anyone very intimately, just like Indian ladies do.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- London 8 August, 1972:

So far Chicago temple is concerned, they may install Deities later. First let them preach. Preaching is the first thing, and when there is experience then I can install Deities. So far the St. Louis chapter is concerned, let Vamanadeva live there peacefully husband and wife, why he should go away? That will be all right if he installs his Radha-Krsna Deities from his home. I am also happy to hear that the Gurukula project has been given help by Karandhara and others, so that cooperatively we may demonstrate the topmost example of real education in the world. Now you go on preaching with full vigor and determination, keep our standard of Krsna Consciousness always at the highest level, and remain sincere always by remembering Krsna, through vibrating of His holy name.

Letter to Krsna dasa -- Dallas 9 September, 1972:

You went to Germany and organized very nicely. I know you have got that capacity. Why you have come back? You could have organized Sweden very gorgeously. You are very intelligent and also your wife is intelligent. Formally you were alone, now you are assisted by your good wife. Husband and wife equal double strength. You can do nicely anywhere. You know very well how Gurudasa, Mukunda, and Syamasundara organized the London center with great labor and hardship and now it is one of the first class temples. Syamasundara induced George Harrison to cooperate with us and he paid us nineteen-thousand dollars for Krsna Book. So there are so many works, if someone wants to work there are so many things. So eternally I want to remain your guide provided you want to accept me.

Letter to Sudevi -- Los Angeles 15 September, 1972:

I am in receipt of your letter dated September 8, 1972, and have noted the contents therein. Marriage between husband and wife means that the husband must forever be responsible for the wife's well-being and protection in all cases. That does not mean that now there is agreement between us, therefore I am responsible, but as soon as there is some disagreement then I immediately flee the scene and become so-called renounced. Whether your husband likes to take responsibility as your spiritual guide or not, that does not matter. He must do it. It is his duty because he has taken you as his wife. Therefore he must take full responsibility for you the rest of his life. And you also must agree to serve him under all circumstances and assist him in every way so that he may make advancement in Krsna Consciousness. By his making advancement in Krsna Consciousness, automatically the wife will make advancement in the husband's footsteps.

Letter to Susan Beckman -- Los Angeles 29 September, 1972:

Any station of life, whether you are unmarried, married, or in any occupation of life, you can achieve the highest goal by adopting and practicing the principles of devotional service. You are married and your husband is striving to become a devotee of Krsna, so you become his devotee, that is the position of husband and wife, that the husband will become a great devotee of Krsna by his wife's assistance, and the wife will take benefit and advance in spiritual life by serving her husband. You are anxious about the rules and regulations, but without rules and regulations there is more frustration. So it may be a little difficult at first, but if you are sincere to achieve the highest result of your lifetime, then you can be assured that by your efforts in Krsna Consciousness that you will very quickly become happy more and more. The difficulties of this material world will shrink to no more than the size of a hoofprint left by the calf.

Letter to Ekayani -- Bombay 3 December, 1972:

If they become agitated, then let the brahmacaris go to the forest, I have never introduced these things. The brahmacaris cannot remain in the presence of women in the temple, then they may go to the forest, not remaining in New York City, because in New York there are so many women, so how they can avoid seeing? Best thing is to go to the forest for not seeing any women, if they become so easily agitated, but then no one will either see them and how our preaching work will go on?

They should not simply, husband and wife, live in the room together in the temple, otherwise there is no restriction. How it can be? It is not possible.

Letter to Mohanananda -- Ahmedabad 11 December, 1972:

Only a few weeks back I had got a letter from Satsvarupa wherein he has informed me that Stoka Krishna has left Dallas and that he must go there to take charge himself. But he is sannyasi and he should travel and preach, and he has not much taste for watching after so many things. So I had suggested him to get a full-time manager, some grhastha, nice husband and wife together, to manage the things, and that he shall expect that such person will stay tightly and develop it and make that his life work. It is the most important preaching work, to train our children in Krishna Consciousness education of life. And I think that you are just the right man to do it. Krishna has given you the right idea, just see! I was also at Dallas school last summer and I was very much impressed with these children, how nicely they are becoming preachers and kirtana men and girls. If we can develop properly, one day they will turn the world by their preaching.

Letter to Upendra 3 -- Bombay 13 December, 1972:

There must be some proper arrangement, that is not our policy to get married an go away without any responsibility for these things. Husband-wife means he must accept responsibility for her his life-long, it is not such light matter we can reject and do as we like, no. Better I think you stick there for some time more, live peacefully husband and wife, and develop the temple to your full capacity. Later on we shall see to other things.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Madhukara -- Bombay 4 January, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 22, 1972, and I have noted the contents with care. For these questions arising between married husband and wife, you are requesting me to leave your wife and take the vanaprastha order of life, for these questions you must consult with and take permission from presidents and GBC. Yes, I know your wife Lilasakti, and I know that she is very serious and advanced disciple. But now you are married to her, there is some obligation according to our Krsna consciousness or Vedic system. These things cannot be taken so lightly, otherwise the whole thing will become a farce. Simply get married without considering what is the serious nature of married life, then if there is little disturbance, or if I do not like my wife or my husband, let me go away, everyone else is doing like that. So in this way the whole thing is becoming a farce. You say that your "association together was hindering your advancement."

Letter to Sama, Sammita -- Bombay 4 January, 1973:

Yes, I was little disturbed to hear that we had closed down the Baltimore temple before. Baltimore is a very important city of your country and we must maintain our center there at all costs. I can understand by your letter that you are both very serious and sincere devotees of Krsna, husband and wife, so I think that you will have no difficulty in performing your duties there. First business will be to preach widely throughout the city and distribute our books and Krsna Consciousness propaganda. In this way, try to recruit some local men to help you. You are only two persons, therefore big temple with deity worship and so many other things will be impossible to maintain. Therefore if you get a place, simply hold our standard program of kirtana morning and evening, with class, inviting friends and other people that you meet. In this way develop the thing gradually, we are not in very much hurry to get big big house and very comfortable position, no.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 9 January, 1973:

These things must be avoided at all cost.

Enclosed please find also the letter-proposal from Syamasundara as suggested by me to relieve me from these decisions regarding husband and wife. Kindly distribute this proposal to all the 12 GBC men in the world. They may write to me their views on the point and give their yes or no answer to the proposal.

A few days back Rsi Kumar has come to see me from South Africa and he has handed over to me the sum of $700 in cash. This amount was reserved to pay you for the book sales for December month for South Africa, and it was to be deposited in the BBF there with you. Instead I requested him to give to me here and I am depositing in my BBF here in India. So kindly credit this amount to Rsi Kumar and debit his bill for the amount of $700.

Letter to Sarva Suhrit -- Los Angeles 17 April, 1973:

I am expecting to go to London, and at that time I will personally initiate both of you. In the meantime you should both strictly follow the principles. This is our strength. It is not sufficient for us to just chant 16 rounds, but we must endeavor to chant offenselessly 16 rounds. Even we must be always chanting Hare Krsna, why only 16 rounds. So you are a good boy, but you just do everything carefully, never forgetting Krsna for a moment, and everything will come out for you successfully.

I hope this meets you in good health, both husband and wife.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 6 May, 1973:

Both you and your wife desired to go to Vrndavana some four to five years ago while you were in San Francisco and because you were so much sincerely eager, Krsna has given you very good opportunity to stay there and construct a very nice temple for Krsna and Balarama. Take this opportunity seriously, and as you have stated that you are feeling advancement in Krsna Consciousness, I wish both you, husband and wife, will go on increasing such consciousness more and more and thus be benefited.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Calcutta 29 June, 1973:

For yourself you should make your next attempt in Moscow, if it is possible.

I am going to London. So if convenient you should come and we can meet there.

I see that Himavati is busy in distributing prasadam—send some for me. Now you have a proper field husband and wife, please do it nicely. Your transcendental competition is there in Shayamasundar. I want to see who will come out triumphant.

Letter to Isvara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 17 July, 1973:

For the present go on with your decision to live as householders apart, but concentrate on chanting and reading our books and always offering foodstuff to Krsna by prayers. Live blissfully and peacefully as husband and wife, and if you go on chanting 16 rounds daily, Krishna Who is within our hearts, will direct your further as to best way to advance more and more in progressive Krsna Consciousness. We must never forget that this present life is temporary and may end at any moment. So the purpose of our existence should be to become fully Krsna Conscious and go back to Home, back to Godhead at the end of this present lifetime. I will be glad to hear of your further progress.

Letter to Naiskarmi -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 28 July, 1973:

Therefore when the boy and girl would come of age there was no chance of illicit sex-life. And the pychology is the first boy that a girl accepts in marriage, that girl will completely give her heart to, and this attachment on the girls side for her husband becomes more and more strong, thus if a girls gets a good husband—one who has accepted a bona fide spiritual master and is firmly fixed up in his service, automatically the wife of such a good husband inherits all the benefits of his spiritual advancement. So you are fortunate. Go on in this present attitude, serve you husband always and in this way your life will be perfect, and together husband and wife go back home—Back to Godhead.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Ranchor -- Vrindaban 15 March, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 1st, 1974, and I have examined the contents.

It is all right if you live independently as a grhastha provided you follow the rules and regulations. Chant together husband and wife and speak the philosophy exactly right as it comes in disciplic succession. You must speak Krsna Consciousness knowledge with no interpretation of your own.

As for supporting your preaching financially, if you are a preacher you can take a donation from the audience. When I was in the U.S.A. I was taking collection and the people were paying. Don't demand but you can ask and there is no harm.

Letter to Bhurijana -- Bombay 3 May, 1974:

Everyone, of course, has his independence. That is the cause of our material life. Misusing that minute independence we are out of the spiritual world. If you want to go as husband and wife to see your parents that is not bad, but why avoid your responsibility which you have already taken? At least develop your assistant Devaprastha and when you see he is able to do nicely then you can change. I don't think a new man can manage as nicely as you were doing. I will also write to GBC of Hong Kong, Madhudvisa Maharaja, and learn if he plans to send a new man there.

Letter to Visala, Visalini -- Bombay, India 9 May, 1974:

Thank you very much for your gift of Rs 500/. So you are both exemplary Vaisnavas and I want that you, husband and wife, preach together. So you are part of our Vrindaban center. When you can return there spend your time always studying my books, chanting and preaching to the people of Vrindaban, with real understanding of this science of Krishna consciousness.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Paris 8 June, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 3, 1974 and I have carefully examined the contents.

Yes, I could observe that your mind was disturbed on account of meeting your wife privately. There is no need of hide and seek. Better live as husband and wife as householders and in great enthusiasm execute the Krishna Consciousness movement. There are many GBC who are grhastha. you can remain for management of the temples and also work in the schools and colleges for introducing our books in the libraries. The recent reports of this work have been very favorable. Take up this line more seriously helped by your good wife and that will be nice.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Vrindaban 7 September, 1974:

Everyone enjoyed. Why there should be this restriction for public enjoyment? This is injustice both the Indian and European people.

Regarding Madhavananda he will work more and more enthusiastically. Both husband and wife. Combined together they can do herculean task. And they are devotees also. He is good worker. Encourage him. It is nice that you are purchasing the houses in front of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Yes, have London pay BBT as much as possible. They owe a great amount. Regarding record albums, it is something sentimental. They will purchase and hear for sometime and throw it and purchase another. A book purchased will remain, and once even one line is read, that will benefit the reader.

Letter to Vibhavati -- Vrindaban 8 September, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 29th, 1974 and have noted the contents. So whether you are alone or with your husband you must continue to follow the regulative principles. Why there should be any misunderstanding between a Krishna conscious husband and wife. This is not good. Anyway wherever you get place, you should go and always remember Krishna and never forget Him for a moment.

Letter to Taittiriya -- Vrindaban 15 September, 1974:

So do not fail to chant regularly 16 rounds and follow the devotional practices together with your husband. And, I have advise your husband to initiate you by tape record hearing for your second initiation. The mantra sheet is enclosed.

So work together husband and wife diligently and pray to Krsna to help you. He is sitting in your heart and will surely give you good intelligence, as soon as He finds that you are engaged in His service with faith and love. Our Krsna is not a dead God as with other things. He is the supreme living being and very affectionate to His devotees. He is the responsive cooperator with our activities. So stick to His lotus feet as advised by Lord Caitanya.

Letter to Madhavananda -- Vrindaban 16 September, 1974:

They are Krsna conscious, but now they are getting the chance to serve Krsna. The pictures are wonderful, and I am getting them framed and will hang them in my quarters here. We are creating new life for the Indians in England.

This is your credit, both husband and wife. You are so enthusiastic. Kausalya was loitering as an uncared for girl in Honolulu. She saw me and offered her obeisances, and I immediately picked her up. Now by coming to Krsna consciousness she is coming to her full potency and strength.

Letter to Rupanuga -- Mayapur 1 October, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 12, 1974 (sic) and have noted the contents. We do not allow divorce, but in your country it is a common thing. Although we do not like it, according to the country, what can be done? There is a Sanskrit saying, Do according to the country's laws. If both the present husband and wife agree to divorce, then they can do it and re-marry, what can be done?

Letter to Badarinarayana -- Mayapur 8 October, 1974:

I have given order that once a temple is opened it cannot be closed under any circumstance. This is bhakti cult. In whatever condition I will depend on Krishna.

So do your work sincerely, husband and wife, and you will have good success there. I know that they college students in your country are dissatisfied with this material education. Always be eager to present this cult to them and try to save them from the degradation of modern civilization. You be pure, and teach them to be pure. The process is there. Follow very strictly our rules and regulations and maya will not be able to touch you.

Letter to Sri Kanungo -- Mayapur 17 October, 1974:

I am staying now at Mayapur at the above address, and I was very much eager to see you in connection with your land that you have donated to our Society. Now we have to make a program how to develop the place to make it a nice preaching center in Orissa, and for this purpose your cooperation is much required.

I therefore want to see you personally, and it will be a great pleasure for me if you both husband and wife come here. It is a very nice place, and you will like to remain here for one or two days. I hope you can come here, accompanied by one of our men from Calcutta.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Giriraja -- Detroit 4 August, 1975:

Yes, what is the use of approaching a poor man to contribute. A poor man will simply think how can I occupy. Regarding the retired persons staying, retired means vanaprastha. They cannot live with family. Husband and wife must sleep in different rooms. One room should be for two or three retired men, and they will live together. So there will be no accommodation together with the wife. And, husband and wife must follow all the rules and regulations.

Letter to Omkara -- Vrindaban 2 September, 1975:

I have no objection to marriage, but to bless it by a fire sacrifice, that I am thinking that if they don't stay together, then it is not good. But if they can remain together for one year, then there can be fire sacrifice. But changing three times in a month husband and wife, that is not good.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Hrsikesananda -- Vrindaban 3 November, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23/10/76.

I shall send Aksayananda as soon as possible. Let him survey the situation there. As soon as possible I shall also come.

Worship Saligram Sila nicely, husband and wife. Do not forget to follow strictly the four regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds minimum daily.

My thanks are due to H.H. Sri Kali Baba Maharaja and His Majesty for trying to help our movement there. I am eager to open a nice center in Nepal.