London (Letters 1973 - 1974)

Expressions researched:
"London" |"London's" |"Londoners" |"Londonium" |"Londons"

1973 Correspondence

Letter to George -- Bombay 4 January, 1973:

I was informed by some of my disciples at London, namely, Dhananjaya, Jaya Hari, Revatinandana Swami and others, that you so kindly have sent your car and drive to our place filled-up with fruits and flowers to offer to Radha and Krishna on the Disappearance day of my Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I am so much pleased that you have thought of Him in that way, thank you very much. Surely you will become blessed by Him more and more.

Yes, if one simply comes to that platform of spontaneous love for the spiritual master, then very quickly he will get love of God, or Krishna, and his all hankerings and lamentations of life will be finished. That is the process. Just like when two friends meet and, if the friend is also with his dog, the gentleman pats his dog first, is it not? So the friend becomes automatically pleased, his dog being patted. I have seen it in your country sometimes when I used to walk in the Regents Park early mornings. So it is like that, the spiritual master is the pet dog of Krishna, and if he is pleased so Krishna is also pleased. That is the process.

Letter to George -- Bombay 4 January, 1973:

Regarding that house in London, I have not heard from my disciples for some time in that connection, what is the progress. But I have written one letter to Dhananjaya that he should keep in contact with you for getting the place, because you had kindly volunteered to help, so why he has not done anything? My spiritual master used to say me: Strike while the iron is hot, so if we delay the matter too long it may not remain a favorable proposition. Krishna will help, we do not rely on anything non-Krishna, but He will give facility when He sees we want it very, very seriously, working very hard and with great determination to get it, just to be able to serve Him better. Then He will give everything and anything. He is the Supreme Proprietor, Enjoyer and Friend. These three things, if we always remember them, our life will be completely perfect.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 5 January, 1973:

Regarding your other points, if there is need for stronger president in Montreal, I have no objection if Sripati leaves that place. Main thing is to have always one strong leader at each temple who can maintain the preaching standard to the highest degree. In this way, if our standard program is maintained just to the standard, automatically there will be enthusiasm and increase of preaching results. But Syamasundara has informed me that Sriman Sripati das is English citizen, so if he will like to return for assisting in his home country? They are mostly young boys in London, and they are opening so many new centers in other places of England, Scotland and Ireland, so if he is not required there, or if he likes, he may go there to help train up the young English boys. That is very much required. That seems better service for him than becoming cook only. At least in England he has got opportunity for active preaching and he may utilize his experience to manage things in some capacity.

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Calcutta 29 January, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7 January, 1973, and have noted the contents with great care. Thank you very much for the information enclosed. There is no difference between brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasi. Simply grhastha means that he lives outside the temple with wife, that is the only difference. Otherwise grhastha must follow the same regulative principles and remain fully engaged in the temple activities. There in London we have such big field for pushing on the preaching work, so I want that you should assist the other devotees there as much as possible and cooperate very closely for helping me in this way. These temples, they are just like oasis in the desert for the conditioned souls to quench the thirst of their desire for real happiness. So they must be organized as nicely as possible, and I know you have many talents which can be put to good use. So in cooperation with Dhananjaya and Syamasundara Prabhu, let us work together.

Letter to Karandhara -- Melbourne 10 February, 1973:

So you GBC men now decide how to manage things so nicely so that I may spend my time solely for translating my books. This I desire. Each GBC man can act as my secretary for one month at a time as I originally planned. In this way you will all be trained up nicely. Syamasundara Prabhu will returning to London in order to get that building.

Your suggestions about marriage are very nice. Marriage is a great responsibility and should not be taken lightly.

Letter to Guru-gauranga -- Melbourne 11 February, 1973:

The initiation of Bhakta Olaf das is duly approved by me and his new name is Asok Kumar. You may also have him send his beads along with a cover letter from you to Rebatinandan Swami, who is in London and has been authorized by me to chant on the beads. I hope this finds you in good health.

Letter to Trai -- India 4 March, 1973:

The educated gentleman you mentioned who has now become a nice devotee should develop into a very good preacher. Your policy of encouraging his chanting is good, gradually Krsna consciousness is developed, that is natural.

That London doctor that Kesava mentioned to Rupanuga Maharaja is bogus. Depend on Krsna and consult a general doctor. Nobody can guarantee life. It is a little hellish but without

Krsna nobody can be a saint or relieved from distresses.

Letter to Hariprasada Badruka -- Calcutta 5 March, 1973:

But the thing is, without Indian devotees rural preaching cannot be effective. They are mostly illiterate, how they will understand? We must avoid the risk of a separatist movement, unity is our purpose; just like in London where the Indians are starting their own Hindu Radha-Krsna Temple. We want to avoid skin disease and the Indian people are like the tannery expert. Such a cobbler is expert at skin disease. They will see our Sankirtana Party and think it is a white dance. Anyway, how to gather Indian devotees, that program is wanting.

Letter to Karandhara -- Calcutta 15 March, 1973:

So I am glad to hear that my quarters are being readied nicely and that you have purchased me a comfortable car. My program is to leave for Mayapur in the morning and be back by the 19th and on to Hyderabad on the 23rd, then to Bombay by the 26th. From then my program is not yet fixed up. I have received one nice invitation to go Johannesburg and if they can supply the visas in time I may go there, otherwise to London by the 1st and on to L.A.

Letter to Niranjana -- Hyderabad 23 March, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 12th of March and I have examined the contents with care. I think because I am travelling so much there is some problem in your letters reaching me. But now I want to leave so much travelling up to my able disciples and finish my translating work. So in a few days I am going to Bombay and then to London by the 1st, and then to L.A. via New York stopover.

Letter to Satyabhama -- Hyderabad 23 March, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 20, 1973 and I am replying late because of so much recent travelling. I am here for a few days only, then to Bombay and on the 1st to London for a few days before going on to L.A. via New York.

Actually, I don't want our energy spent in that way, to develop a school at New Vrndavana. Rather, all of our children should go to Dallas when they are four and begin their training program there. In Dallas, they have full facility approved by me, I have personally seen that they are doing very nicely there. So, for the younger children to be at New Vrndavana that is alright, but when they are a little older, at four, they should go on to our Dallas facility.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Hyderabad 24 March, 1973:

You will be refunded the loan with interest by the Mayapur Fund. The Bombay project will in turn pay the Mayapur construction expenses. For the future of New York Temple expansions I have discussed different alternatives with Atreya Rsi, who will discuss them with you upon his arrival.

The day after tomorrow we are leaving for Bombay, and then in a few days for London. From London we are going to L.A. via New York ISKCON.

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 30 March, 1973:

Yes, I have received an invitation to visit South Africa and visa application forms but it will take some time for any approval to come through. In the meantime, I am going to Zurich for about 10 days and then to London and from there to New York and Los Angeles.

I have also received one nice note from Maria, and I am pleased, by your request, to accept her as my initiated disciple. I have chanted upon the enclosed beads. Her new name is Venugit dasi which means playing on flute. So now she can marry Hari Kripa das and I think for the new householders Deity worship will be nice. I remember Hari Kripa, he is very intelligent boy.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 31 March, 1973:

You have said Kesava is going to Tokyo as president, but what he will do there? Wherever he goes he cannot stay fixed up long. So how can he manage if he cannot stay regulated?

I am not going to Johannesburg, rather I am leaving tomorrow for Zurich for maybe 10 days while they are getting my place ready in London. As soon as I am informed, I will send you my address in Zurich. As far as I know it, my London address will be Piggott's Manor, Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire, London, England.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Letter to Puri Maharaj -- Los Angeles 3 April, 1973:

Regarding the house at Puri – the place of Srila Prabhupada – it is understood to be in implication in so many ways. I understand also that Sripad B.D. Madhav Maharaj is also eager to purchase, so I do not wish to make a competitive price. Now I have left India for 6 months and may return by October. If in the meantime some real developments take place you can write to me at my Los Angeles address which follows where I am returning via London and New York. The address is 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90034 USA. I hope this finds you well.

Letter to Giriraja -- New York 8 April, 1973:

We have arrived in New York on the fifth bypassing London for now because the new place is not yet ready. I will be staying here until about the 17th, then go to New Vrndavana for a few days and then to Los Angeles.

Please let me know immediately how the Chhanganlal case has come out. I hope that by now you have received my letter of April 3, 1973 and have taken appropriate steps to secure the Juhu land.

Letter to Vamanadeva -- New York 10 April, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your offering of $20.00 and thank you very much. I understand that you are now in London for helping to make our new place there a nice temple. So I will be very pleased if you make this English house into first class temple for Lord Krishna. London is very important center, so you do the work nicely.

Letter to Pusta Krsna -- New York 11 April, 1973:

One Mr. Parekh of the Hindu Mandal has written me inviting me to go there and they will pay all the tickets. q 750615 750615 So I want to go there from London on my return to India, and I can stop there. So you go there and make all the arrangements and inform me accordingly and I can come.

You can correspond with Ksudhi Dasa Brahmacari at the following address: c/o Popatlal Kara, 201 Gray St., Durban, South Africa, for getting the visas. It will be easier for you to go from London.

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

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated and one letter from your wife dated 4.12.73 requesting sacred thread and mahamantra initiation respectively. 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.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 21 April, 1973:

N.B. The dictaphone I left there for repairing may be kept in London after it is repaired.

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 27 April, 1973:

So you immediately go to London and help in organizing the great temple which we have already purchased. It is understood by telephone conversation that George has already paid the full amount for the new house and Syamasundara is going to take possession of the house by May 1. When it is actually in our possession, it can be made into a great attraction especially for the tourists. Practically Syamasundara, yourself, and Gurudasa started the London yatra together with your wives. Now Gurudasa is in charge of Vrindaban construction, so you and Syamasundara can take charge of the London affairs.

I shall be going to New Vrindaban by June 1 and if in the meantime the London temple is taken possession of then I can go there by that time. Anyway I am very pleased by your noble action. Now you do the needful and be happy in Krishna consciousness.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 27 April, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated _ from Bhopal and also one forwarded to me from London with enclosures dated April 11, 1973. I am so pleased to learn of the successful preaching; now go on in this way. If possible in Kanpur there is one man ready to receive you. You can open correspondence. In this way you visit all the important cities and you will get thousands and thousands of life members. We can organize in each and every factory of Mr. Birla Sankirtana Movement and in this way can save the country from Communist tendency if a big man like Birla cooperates with us.

In Indore we have got many life members who will help you. The certificate the Governor has given that you are the real sadhu should be published. If possible the Governor may be induced to become life member so that other government men may follow. Tejiyas Das has already made many M.P.s life members.

I am anxious to know about the Mayapur progress. I want that the house must be completely finished before my returning. In London we have purchased land. Mr. Birla wanted to construct temple there. His idea is that the government would not object to sending this marble there so that the carved pieces may be sent and if expert men go there to construct the temple it will be very nice.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 27 April, 1973:

Some men from U.S.A. are going to Mayapur for doll making, so teach them nicely and we shall be asking doll exhibit in London. Many tourists come there, and it will a great attention for the tourists.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 29 April, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated nil and have noted the contents. Your letter has been forwarded to London, New York, and then to here. Regarding Sudama Vipra I have heard that he is in South America, but would like to have it confirmed so please write me in this regard. But you should stay there in Australia; it is not necessary for you to go to China.

Regarding reading Mahabharata, why divert your attention in this way? Bhagavatam is also Mahabharata. There are so many books I have presented already, so whatever you have got, just become expert in that. There are many things still yet to be learned.

Letter to Bhavananda -- Los Angeles 4 May, 1973:

Since leaving India more than one month I have not received any report of the Mayapur project, how it is going on. So I may request you to write me in this regard. I want that the building must be completely finished before my next return. So please tell me what is the position there.

I have requested men to come there to Mayapur. They will bring paintings for decorating the building especially the temple hall. Please see also that they get trained up nicely in making the dolls and the mrdangas. I want to solve these two problems. We will want these dolls in London and other places, so please do the needful.

Letter to Caturbhuja -- Los Angeles 9 May, 1973:

I hope you are able to understand all these points. As you know, I am translating so many books into English from the Sanskrit, therefore, I am very busy. Now, I have representatives, the GBC and the temple presidents who are qualifies to answer your questions. Of course if you ask me I am obligated to reply because I am your spiritual master. So please direct your question to my representatives.

I may be coming to London in June, and I will be pleased to see you at that time.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles May 16, 1973:

So now my plans have changed. Karandhara has made arrangements for my physician to come here, thus saving much expense and time. So now I shall remain here in Los Angeles up to the 30th of May, then to New Vrindaban for a few days and then on to London. As soon as you have finished the synonym work on the third canto you can immediately join me wherever I am and we can finish it up in good time.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 18 May, 1973:

Thank you very much for your complete report of the situation in London. We can understand from this incident that the most important point is that everyone, especially the leaders, must always stick to the basic regulative practices that I have given, especially 16 rounds each day.

So, now what can be done? I expect to be going to London sometime after the first week of June. You may come there at that time.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 18 May, 1973:

Thank you very much for your report of the London situation. We can understand from this incident that the most important point is that everyone, especially the leaders, must always stick to the basic regulative practices that I have given, especially 16 rounds each day.

So, now what can be done? I expect to be going to London sometime after the first week of June. You may come there at that time.

Letter to Patita Uddharana -- Mayapur 5 June, 1973:

I have just now received your letter of 16-5-73 along with newspaper clippings. I have also seen some of these clippings when I was in London recently and some devotees from your temple were initiated by me.

For the devotees of the Lord there always many difficulties for propagating Krsna Consciousness among the nondevotee demons. But we must learn to tolerate all the difficulties and push on regardless of whatever obstacles we may be presented with. No one can stop this Krsna Consciousness Movement because Lord Caitanya wants that His Holy Names will be spread to every village and town. So go on with the preaching work and keep me informed of your progress.

Letter to Revatinandana -- Mayapur 5 June, 1973:

If I have got such a potency to create, then what to speak of the Supreme Living Being lord Sri Krsna. If the sub-living entities can produce so much chemicals then what to speak of the Supreme living entity. This is called inconceivable potency. The living being has got an inconceivable potency to create. I do not know how my nail is coming. And the Supreme Living Entity or God, has got unlimited potency to create. I do not think that any reasonable intelligent man or scientist can deny. Aham sarvasya prabhavo, I am the source of everything, (BG 10.8).

Regarding my coming to London for Rathayatra on July 8th, if my health is by that time permitting, then I surely will come there to London.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Mayapur 17 June, 1973:

I have received your telegram regarding Syamasundara asking devotees to leave India to be guests in the new London temple. So let Syamasundara come to Mayapur and we can discuss this and correct any difficulty.

Regarding our involvement with the property in Bombay: by chance we have been entangled but now a strong committee should be formed of our life members. Let them take it up, otherwise what can be done? Our men should be engaged for preaching—why should the preaching be stopped? I was very much encouraged when you and Gargamuni Swami purchased jeeps and formed a travelling sankirtana party. So why have you stopped it? Let the matter of the property in Bombay be dependent on the life members. They have paid us for membership and we have paid them, so they are also concerned.

Letter to Atreya Rsi -- Mayapur 21 June, 1973:

Regarding your participation in New Vrndavana during the attack. Although a Krsna Conscious person is free of bodily attachment that does not mean that he does not defend for Krsna's purpose. But that you became fearful in the face of danger is not necessarily wrong.

When travelling from London to Calcutta we passed through Tehran, Iran. It appears to be a good city. We found the people to be just like here in India. Human nature is the same everywhere. So also the possibility of accepting Krsna Consciousness is everywhere.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Mayapur 22 June, 1973:

Syamasundara came here and he also wants me to come to London for talking with some important men. I am thinking of going there by the first week of July but wondering what shall I do if some new symptom of my bad health threatens me in so many ways. But on the whole, if I go to London I think it will not be difficult for me to go to New Vrindaban. Sometimes by the 20th of August I could arrive because Janmastami will take place on the 21st. Just now I cannot promise taking consideration of my bad health. But if I at all go to London there is 90% chance of my going to New Vrindaban.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Calcutta 25 June, 1973:

Anyway, there is a suggestion by Syamasundara that I may go to London for meeting very important men there in the new house given us by George. Regarding your complaint that Syamasundara was canvassing some of our Indian workers to go to London, that I have already stopped. So there is no cause of anxiety in this regard. Finally, I want to make some definite settlement of Bombay affairs before I return to Europe or America. If there is a suitable place for me to stay for a few days in Bombay I can go there immediately and from there I may go to London. So far my health is concerned I think I am 80-90% fit to move so there is no cause of anxiety.

Letter to Jaya Hari -- Calcutta 28 June, 1973:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 25 June along with the wonderful literature, "Rathayatra '73, London Summer Festival." The collage of the pictures and the articles in the magazine have been wonderfully set up and I very much appreciate it. I can understand from your attempt that you are doing something wonderful this year. So I think I must accept your invitation. So far my health is concerned, by the Grace of Krsna I have improved very much, about 90%. In the meantime I received one telegram from Syamasundara: "Flying London Wednesday will Telex your tickets Thursday. BOAC Calcutta office." Therefore as soon as I get the tickets I shall try to reserve my seats and reach London as early as possible before 8 July. Thank you very much for your enthusiasm. Offer my beloved blessings for all devotees who have signed the invitation album. I shall enjoy their company when I meet them. I wish to visit the other branches in England. Invite all members of our European centers and make the ceremony very very successful by combined effort.

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 Gurudasa -- Calcutta 4 July, 1973:

P.S. Please change the plan of my quarters as suggested by Saurabha & Tamala both of whom just consulted me. I am going to London next Saturday 7th so when I come back next October I may live in Vrindaban in my new quarters. ACBS

Letter to Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 10 July, 1973:

I understand you are interested in when I am returning to Los Angeles. Actually just now in London we have instituted a program where important men are coming to meet with me in the evening for discussion of Krsna Consciousness. I have talked with a very famous sculptor, a teacher of a boys college and today George Harrison is supposed to visit. Syamasundara is arranging for visits by many other famous men. Wherever I shall go now this policy of important men being invited to talk with me about our Krsna Consciousness movement should be implemented.

You will be glad to know the Rathayatra in London was very successful. The Daily Guardian had a picture on the front page of our cart and stated that we were competition to the monument in memory of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. My health is good and I am taking daily walk and speaking at the class in the morning.

Letter to Ajita -- England 11 July, 1973:

Regarding the initiated disciple of my Godbrother Sanananda Swami, Vamanadeva das, please approach him and request that he come and see me in London.

So Everything appears to be going well there, just go on increasing. As you write that the Swedish society has placed great stress on material happiness so you can expose how this material life is actually full of miseries and temporary, and the so-called happiness is only illusion. People in the western countries are becoming gradually fed up with materialistic propaganda so you will find good response simply by chanting, speaking from Bhagavad gita as it is, and distributing prasadam to everyone. Unless the human society takes to this process the situation is very precarious. So we have to work hard.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 19 July, 1973:

Here at Bhaktivedanta Manor the place is the nicest possible. It is calm and quiet and the village is neat and clean. I am daily walking in the morning with all devotees and I am taking the usual class from 7-8 A.M. Very respectable gentlemen are coming in the evening. Last night George Harrison came. He has become a great supporter of our movement. He may spend more for expanding our activities. He told me smilingly yesterday, "I shall try to help you for expanding many temples." So arrangement is going on here for installing the deity on Janmastami: Many Indians are also coming and we are proposing to start a Gurukula here in London so that Indian children may be admitted. Indian gentlemen are perplexed because there is no institution to admit children to keep intact the Indian cult. So our idea of teaching sanskrit and English and our books they appreciate very much. If we start another Gurukula here I think it will be not an unprofitable activity.

Letter to Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 19 July, 1973:

Your plan for going to the colleges in California and your titles for the lectures are very much to my liking. You may write to Ramananda to come as soon as possible. He told me he can come and see me in London. Anyway, his coming there is sure, so correspond with him; and make a strong party.

Your victory over the scientist who was saying that life comes from dust is very good. We should not take such nonsense from them. We should speak up against such false theorists and say, "Don't talk such nonsense please. Don't mislead the public. You are taking big salaries and leading the public wrongly. It would be better for you to be a street sweeper and earn an honest livelihood instead of cheating."

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bhaktivedanta Manor July 20, 1973:

Now we are going to install nice Radha-Krsna Deities here in our new Letchmore Heath Temple on Janmastami Day, August 22nd 1973. The thing is there are no nice paintings immediately available for the Temple room here. So I want you to remove all of the paintings that are presently hanging in my rooms at Brooklyn Temple and dispatch them to Letchmore Heath or London immediately by air mail. The temple room is very large, I think about 70 feet by 30 feet, so many paintings are required to decorate it nicely. Therefore all of those paintings in my rooms are required and if you can send me besides additional of the newer paintings that will be your great contribution.

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

There will not be a GBC meeting in Janmastami, New Vrindaban. The important thing now for GBC members is that they go on working. It is not important to hold a meeting for passing resolutions etc. The best time and place is Mayapur on Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day. That is not only the best for me but for everyone. Mayapur is meant for that. If possible all devotees from all our centers should go for 8 days at that time. There is no need for the Janmastami meeting. Go on working and send me regular reports. Besides, I will not be going to New Vrindaban for Janmastami. They are having a deity installation here in London and they are making huge arrangements for many important men to attend this ceremony.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 22 July, 1973:

The best date for the installation of Deities will be August 10th, Friday. So we shall probably arrive in Paris on the 9th of August and stay until August 15th when we shall return to London. You can arrange for meetings with respectable gentlemen of France, to take place in my quarters while I am there. You can immediately send open plane tickets for myself, Srutakirti, Hamsaduta and Pradyumna (Vincent Florentino, Hans Kary and Paul Sherbow).

Enclosed are the gayatri mantras for the devotees recommended by you and one thread for the boy, Kapila das. Have the brahmanas hear the tape of my speaking the gayatri mantra in the right ear, and instruct them in the principles of suci.

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

I was just thinking of you, why you had not sent your report. I thought you had become angry because I did not go to your place but came instead to London. But at that time I was so sick - attacked by dysentery. The people in Calcutta became afraid for my life. So somehow or other I recovered by 7th July and appeared fit, so I dared to come to London.

Now my health has improved and attended a grand Rathayatra festival here - find clippings enclosed. The overall effect of our festival here was appreciated by everyone, more than 10,000 persons took part and received Prasadam. Syamasundara said that afterwards all people in London have become very friendly with us on account of being impressed with our festival.

Letter to Karandhara -- Paris 11 August, 1973:

Regarding the book transaction with the company Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. I see that you have already some correspondence with them. On the whole I see that the agreement is not good. So you can do the needful in this connection.

Presently we are staying in Paris, coming here on the 9th and going back to London on the 15th August 1973. Yesterday we installed the Deities Sri Sri Radha and Krishna and the ceremony was very nice.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 23 August, 1973:

From here I have got my program in Europe up to 15th September. I have got my program in Stockholm also 5th to 9th September. So most probably I shall go to Japan on the 15th September directly from London. If in the meantime the Nair affair is fixed up then I shall carry the money with me and go to Japan via India. Find herewith 2 xerox copies about our financial position, you can do the needful.

Letter to Guru-gauranga, Paris Devotees -- London 24 August, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your nice letters dated August 18 and 19th 1973. I was very much pleased to come there and visit. Paris is developing nicely step by step. When I was at the Hotel de Ville I thought that this is better than London. So Paris is a most important city of the world. Work with great enthusiasm and make Krishna more prominent than Napoleon and Eiffel tower.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 3 September, 1973:

The time was there some years ago when Australia would not allow any colored men to enter, but now you have allowed Caitanya Mahaprabhu to enter Australia and inundated the whole country with Hari Nama Sankirtana. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's another name is Pita Baranara Gaura, so by your combined effort I hope that one day Pita Baranara Gaura will rule over Australia. I think that Australia is a great field for these activities as it is evident from the book sales statistics gradually increasing. I am very much encouraged in this respect.

I am going on the 5th September for a few days to Stockholm, Sweden, then returning to London, and leaving here on the 15th September for Japan via Iran, and India. I expect to reach Los Angeles by the 10th October.

Letter to Shri Khilnani -- New Delhi 29 September, 1973:

At a meeting for Janmastami in London I was present, and the Indian High Commissioner His Excellency Shri Rasagotra came to our temple amongst many thousands of Indians and Englishmen. If required you can inquire from him how this movement is going on in the Western countries.

Letter to Mukunda -- Bombay 6 October, 1973:

Regarding printing BTG locally in England rather than taking from Los Angeles, you are right, you should not print it in London for the time being. Syamasundara is always utopian. This idea of his is not possible.

I am very encouraged by the report of how nicely our books are being distributed. This is our main business all over the world. If you give full attention to this, there will never be any shortage of funds. So I am very glad to note that in London now this programme is becoming well established.

Letter to Mukunda -- Bombay 9 October, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 27th September, 1973, I am very glad that within the month of September you have dispatched over $10,000. to the Book Fund. So London Temple is debtor about $50,000. So if you continue with enthusiasm like this within three or four months you can liquidate the amount. This will be a great credit for you.

Syamasundara came here on his way to Hyderabad. I have not heard anything from him since he left over one week ago. I do not know what is actually happening about his business. But my rough calculation is that he still owes about $20,000 to the Society's funds. Unless he pays it back as soon as possible, I cannot expect his business to be very profitable. Therefore I have always asked him to stop this business. He says he will stop he does not do so. So many proposed contracts failed, so how he is still hoping to make some profit for this business I do not know.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 12 October, 1973:

So you are doing excellent preaching, while I am here fighting with Mrs. Nair. I want that when this business is finished to return for Europe or America, perhaps via Africa. You will be pleased to know that the London devotees that you have trained in Sankirtana and book distribution are doing very nicely. This past month they have sent dollars 10,000 to Los Angeles against their debts. Mukunda is there in charge, and Syamasundara is here in India.

Letter to Dhrstaketu -- Bombay 14 October, 1973:

Our philosophy is that everything is Krsna's property, and everything should be used for Krsna's service. I instructed this philosophy to George Harrison, and he is trying to render service to Krsna in many ways. Recently you know he has given us our London temple, the cost being L220,000. Our devotees are very happily living there and the blessings of Krsna are going to George Harrison. So everyone of us should try to please Krsna and His devotee. Then our life is successful. Better to please His devotee first. That is a recommendation for being introduced to Krsna.

Letter to Indira Gandhi -- New Delhi 6 November, 1973:

You will be pleased to know that our books are being well received in all parts of the world, and recently we have information from London that in two months time we have sold 30,000 copies of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

I am sending herewith one copy of my book Bhagavad-gita As It Is as my humble presentation. I hope at your convenient leisure time, you can have a glance over this book, at least the preliminary statement in the Foreword, Introduction, and Preface, which will convince you of the importance of the book.

We think that Bhagavad-gita As It Is without a wrong interpretation can solve all the problems of human society, namely social, political, religious, economic, philosophical, cultural, or from any angle of vision, because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is above all deficiency, namely mistake, illusion, cheating, and the imperfection of the senses.

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

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

It is very good to hear that you are being assisted by Vaikunthanatha and Puranjana. Encourage them and keep good relations with them so things may go on nicely. This is management. Also Madhavananda and his wife are both very good workers and they will be very expert in dealing with the Indians. What about Jaya Hari? He was a very good book distributer. Try to engage him.

Letter to Dinesh Candra Sarkar -- New Delhi 9 November, 1973:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 21/10/73 in Bengali and have noted the contents with thanks. At present I am in Delhi. I left Bombay on the 1st after finishing the land dispute there and shall return to Bombay again on my way to Nairobi by the 23rd instant. Then I shall return back to USA via Rome and shall come back to India in the month of March during Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day.

For the time being I am keeping my health fairly well. Certainly I was sick when I left Calcutta for London, but I improved my health there. So after all, this is an old body. I am 78 years, and still by the grace of Krsna it is going on. So I am very much thankful for your enquiry about my health.

Letter to Revatinandana -- New Delhi 14 November, 1973:

That is sure. But, we offer our condolences to a departed soul separated from a Vaisnava. Do you know that there must be prasadam distributed? After three days after the demise of a Vaisnava a function should be held for offering the departed soul and all others prasadam. This is the system.

Yes I have received reports of London that it is going on nicely. But one report is not satisfactory. That chandelier in the temple has been taken away by the supplier because Syamasundara took it on credit and has not paid. I do not know if it is a fact but it is regretable.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Vrindaban 19 November, 1973:

I saw your Deity room packed up when I was there, so I think its going on like that, surrounded by police cars. Anyway your temple is centrally located and in a good quarter, so certainly it will be successful. When I go to London next, I will certainly visit. The picture of Radha-Paris Isvara is very nice. Radharani's attitude is very nice. She is giving her blessings to everyone.

In the magazine the picture on page 11 of the arati is very nice. Krsna is looking also upon me. It is a nice pose. I am looking to Him, and He is looking to me. Kindly send me some copies.

Regarding Annada, her father will not agree, but I shall tell her privately. Regarding Mandakini, let it be clarified, then send her. Moscow is uncertain, and Paris is certain; so we should not sacrifice the certain for the uncertain.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Vrindaban 19 November, 1973:

I am glad to hear about Geneva. It is a very important place to establish a center. Now in Bombay after much difficulty we have purchased the property spending about 18 lakhs, having to pay so many claimants, but now it is ours, although still there remains one item. Arrangements are being made for the temple construction is going on locally. Our Delhi festival is now finished, and it was nice. Now I am in Vrindaban staying in my house on our Raman Reti land. Wednesday the 21st I shall proceed to Bombay.

Regarding London, I think they are doing there. If you like, you can go and see. In Rome if Dhananjaya can organize a center, that will be very nice.

Letter to Minister in charge of Immigration -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 24 November, 1973:

So I had to wait for two hours, namely from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., but there was no definite decision by the immigration department, and whenever I sent my man to inquire, the man in charge simply replied "Please wait". Later on one gentleman came to inform my men that I was refused entrance in Nairobi from higher authorities. As such, he did not inform me what was the reason of my being refused to enter Nairobi, neither there was any written order from the department on me particularly to stop my entrance in Nairobi. Anyway, when I could understand there was no profit asking them the reason of my being refused, I immediately arranged for coming to London where also I have got two branches. Now from London, I wish to bring the matter for your consideration why I was refused entrance into your city without giving any written or verbal reason.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 24 November, 1973:

You may be pleased to know that on my way to U.S.A., Los Angeles via New York, I am now staying in London. I have just come yesterday 23rd November, 1973 from Nairobi. The fact is that I was to stay at Nairobi for at least one week, and there was very big arrangement for Hare Krsna festival. The wide circulation of advertisement was there, and it was expected some thousands of people will gather, but the immigration department by their confidential conspiracy did not allow me to enter into Nairobi. Therefore, from the Nairobi airport I immediately arranged to come to London, and last night at about half past eight London time I have come here at Bhaktivedanta Manor. I am feeling very much happy. Here everything is going on very nicely. It has given me much pleasure. Now when I go to New York I wish to meet both you and Hayagriva Prabhu, and if you so desire I can go from New York to your place for a few days. I have got important talks with you for development of our New Vrndavana project, so kindly get information from Bali Mardan Swami, and as seen as you hear that I am there, please come and see me with Hayagriva Prabhu. If you so desire, I shall go to New Vrndavana along with you. Hope this will meet you in good health. I offer my blessings to all the devotees there.

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

I have two days ago arrived at our Los Angeles Center after going through London and New York.

I have been informed by Karandhara Prabhu that you both are presently traveling and collecting money for our Vrindaban Project. I am very glad to hear this. Just today we have received a letter from Guru das that the construction has stopped there due to lack of funds. Somehow or other we must complete this Vrindaban Temple so in this connection we require at least $10,000 per month from the U.S.A. for one year. Karandhara can manage $5,000 per month for the BBT and M-V Fund so I request that you both remain in America for 1 year further and collect and send a minimum of $5,000 per month to Guru das for the Vrindaban Temple.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 1 December, 1973:

After stopping in London and New York, we have now safely arrived in Los Angeles.

I am anxious to know if there has been any response from the Home Minister of India to the letter I wrote him while I was in New Delhi regarding the Indian Government assisting us in the development of our Juhu Beach Project. Our idea is to construct a hotel for American and European tourists to come and learn about factual spiritual life. While they are coming, there will be foreign exchange and the Indian Government is very much in favor of this. In this way, if we can convince them to help us by granting permanent visas for 100 to 150 of our men it will be a solution to our visa problems. Also, why not solicit a loan from the Government for 2 crores for developing our Juhu Beach Tourist Hotel. We will repay them in foreign exchange. You can point out that we have already invested up to 20 lakhs in foreign exchange so our projects in India are advantageous to the Indian economic development. This is the key to Governmental support in India.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 5 December, 1973:

I am in receipt of your letters dated November 29th and 30th. Regarding the refusal of my entrance into Nairobi, no reason has yet been disclosed for the denial. I have written one letter, a copy of which is enclosed herewith, but there has been no reply. You may get the letter published in India. After proceeding to London I heard from Brahmananda Maharaja that on account of the denial of entry a commotion was caused amongst the people so the President of Kenya verbally said he was issuing a letter with permission for myself to enter. I waited in London but it did not come so I proceeded on to Los Angeles. The idea is to curtail the Indian influence in Kenya, either political or religious. That I can understand. Brahmananda Maharaja was allowed but not myself or my secretary. It was a great trouble for me. From Bombay to Nairobi took nine hours, then six hours waiting in the airport and then 9 hours to London. It was a great strain. I rested for three days in London.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 5 December, 1973:

Regarding visas for our American devotees coming to India, I have made arrangements with the Consulate General of India in New York to grant six month student visas, renewable in India, for all our men. The premise is that we want our men to come to India to learn the Sanskrit language so that we can study the Vedic literature. So you must arrange for a teacher to coach these boys in Sanskrit. It will be very nice, they can learn Sanskrit and at the same time allowed visas. The Consulate General was very kind to meet and help us in this way. Also, I met with the High Commissioner of India in London and requested him in the same way. If our schooling is established we will get rid of this visa problem.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 13 December, 1973:

Regarding the printing press for India: the press at ISKCON Press is too old and not practical to send to India. We are ready to manage a Press in India, but where is the money? We require new offset printing equipment. If we print in India we can get a much cheaper rate. Now, also there is a world-wide paper shortage but I have asked Mukunda in London to investigate exporting paper to India. I am in favor of this scheme but whether or not Mr. Gupta and others will support it and will the government allow?

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 20 December, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 12, 1973. Regarding the entry certificate from the Home Office of Great Britain, what is the value of such a certificate if it remains at the discretion of the local immigration officer whether or not the certificate can be expeditious in passing through immigration? If you are able to get such an entry certificate for me in London then go ahead, otherwise I do not think it is worth the botheration for me to apply personally.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 23 December, 1973:

I am in receipt of your letter dated December 15, 1973. Previously I have seen copy of German Easy Journey to Other Planets. It is very nice. The printing is very good and I am quite pleased. Thank you very much for helping me spread this transcendental knowledge to the Germanic peoples. It is a great credit for you and all the German devotees and Lord Caitanya will bless you with devotion to His lotus feet. I am very anxious to see our Bhagavad-gita in German so as soon as it is completed, kindly send me a copy. Regarding the Volkswagen bus, if it is not possible to bring in March to India then it can be brought at a later date. Yes, you should go to London and give me a report on the progress there. Mukunda and Madhavananda are sincere workers and are trying to organize things there. So you may go and help them, not interrupt but help.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Madhavananda -- Los Angeles 1 January, 1974:

Regarding your point about the tax returns from donations made to our Society, this can be a good opportunity for us so please go ahead and try to make our status like the churches in England who are receiving 40% tax refund from donations. There should be no difficulty since we are a registered group in getting this status. So please do it in cooperation with Bhaktipremode who is an experienced businessman and understands how to do it. You also work with the accountant, Mr. Amin, and manage the affair. Since one Center has to be our leading Center in London, you may make it the Bhaktivedanta Manor for the legal purpose of registration. You say that one person must be in charge of the accounting so you are getting experience with your friends Mr. Amin and Bhaktipremode so you become the responsible person for this affair. Take instruction from them and do the needful. The very hopeful program, I want to construct very big Temples in England so please take care and do it nicely and expertly.

Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1974:

Regarding your proposal newsletter to all-ISKCON branches for recruiting men for agricultural work at Bhaktivedanta Manor. This is not a practical plan. No one from a for country will go to London for agricultural work. If you cannot find local men, how can expect men from other countries to come and work? I have experienced that even men of this country do not go to New Vrindaban. You know, Srutakirti who was my personal servant. He has now become married and Kirtanananda Maharaja asked him to go to New Vrindaban but he said he doesn't like farm life. People are now accustomed to live in the city and if all of a sudden he is transferred to the village then certainly he feels difficulty. Especially in the western countries, gradually even farmers are leaving their professional business and going to the city to enjoy facilities there. If you get local men to work at this agricultural attempt that will be better. Otherwise, don't spend time and money in distributing this newsletter.

Letter to Mukunda -- Bombay 27 March, 1974:

That the standard of Krsna Consciousness deteriorated while you were away two weeks, and three brahmacaris have left Bhaktivedanta Manor is not good. But neither do I think your proposals are very good for organizing a strong center by stopping Revatinandana Swami's travelling party and having the president of the London temple Prabhu Visnu and others stay with you at the center. It seems you are always asking others to come for some time to work with you and organize, then after they leave you turn to some one else to come and help. Madhavananda is here with me in Bombay and I think he is the right man to work with you permanently at the Manor. I sent him there for that purpose, to organize things as he has experience of the management and organization of a temple life. So between you and he, if you will mutually cooperate, there should be sufficient power to run things nicely.

Revatinandana Swami should not stay there but his travelling party should go on for preaching and distribute many books at the colleges and schools. Also Prabhu Visnu is supposed to stay in London as he is the president there.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Bombay 1 April, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated 13 April, 1974 reading as follows: "My most humble obeisances departed India today for America. All signs favorable for good success kindly inform c/o Brooklyn Temple how and where you wish funds repaid. Also how many and where to send your tickets for London plus expected arrival date. Suggest early May for English fragrant Springtime etc . . ."

I have already sent you a telegraphic reply reading as follows: "Thank you for your telegram. All blessings of Krsna to you. Letter to follow." I am very much engladdened to receive you telegram and I am prepared to go to London by the 1st of May. My preaching program is to go to Hyderabad on 18 April and after a week to visit Tripati Balaji Temple. I think I can come back to Bombay by the 1st of May and then London as invited by you. You can arrange tickets for myself and my three secretaries, Paul Sherbow, Neil Delmonico and Stephen Guarino (Pradyumna, Nitai and Satsvarupa).

Your program to meet her majesty and many responsible elites in London is very attractive to me. You have also proposed that George is preparing some wonderful surprises like my classes with Prince Charles etc. It will be a great opportunity to get cooperation of such big men for rejuvenation of the whole human society.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Bombay 1 April, 1974:

Otherwise, I request you to reture and devote your own work in Krsna Conscious activities. I am glad you are now ready to return the money. You can deposit in Lloyds Bank, Southampton Row Branch number 30-97-81 in London in my account 8006334. (Saving Bank)

For the time being I can stay in London utmost two weeks then I have to go to France and spend some time, say a month in Geneva, Rome, Sweden, Germany etc. Then if need be I shall come back to London or back to India. So you can think over this matter and do the needful. But if there is important program in London I may not come back to India immediately.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/sdg

c.c. to London

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 7 April, 1974:

From reports I have received it appears that affairs at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Bury Place London have deteriorated to the critical stage, and therefore I am asking you to go there immediately and see what can be done.

Mukunda wrote that three brahmacaris recently left the Manor and in order to strengthen the sanmkirtana party he has asked Revatinandana Maharaja and his party to stay at Bhaktivedanta Manor, and also Prabhu Visnu. Madhavananda who is presently here in Bombay said that such keeping of the extra men at Bhaktivedanta Manor was not necessary, that things simply had to be better managed, and he felt Mukunda could not do it. Now I have received yet another report, from Puranjhan das Adhikari of Spiritual Sky England, and he reports that all help is needed and that a bill of 4,900 pounds on rent for Bury Place temple has just been presented, and he intimates that both London and Hertfordshire temples are in jeopardy spiritually and financially.

Letter to Puranjana -- Bombay 7 April, 1974:

Because of the critical condition of affairs at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Bury Place London, and the inability of present managers to work out a solution together, I have asked Hamsaduta to go there immediately and take charge of the situation. It is not good that things have deteriorated to such a stage as you describe in your letter, but let us try to rectify and save the situation. I myself will be traveling to Paris in the second week of May, for a tour of European cities, and I will meet with Hamsaduta then as well as other leaders, and we will make a decision for the permanent leadership of the centers.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Hyderabad 21 April, 1974:

By now I hope you have received my telegram and letter sent to Hamburg advising you to go to Bhaktivedanta Manor for managing affairs there. There were so many letters and reports coming from Mukunda, Puranjana, Bhaja Hari, Prabhu Visnu and then contrary reports from Madhavananda and with Shayamasundar away affairs seem perilous. I hope you are able to settle things up in regard to the debt of the Bury St. temple and temple organization at the Manor. Now Shayamasundar has wired me that he will send tickets for myself and three secretaries for coming to London. I have asked him to send me tickets and I can leave India for London about May 1st. As I have already informed you I am going to Paris the second week of May and Bhagavan das is arranging for a tour of Geneva, Rome and Sweden. I may also visit cities in Germany if you will arrange for that. So when I arrive in London if Syamasundara sends tickets, or when I arrive in Paris, I shall discuss these matters further with you. Now we are in South India at Hyderabad and will visit the Balaji temple in Tirupati and then return to Bombay prepared to leave for London on May 1st.

Letter to Niranjana -- Hyderabad 23 April, 1974:

Even though you are mixing with all kinds of the student class at the university, you must strictly refrain from the four prohibitive sinful activities, and as an initiated student you must not let a day pass when you do not chant at least 16 rounds of Hare Krsna Mantra. If you can follow just these things nicely that in itself will be strong preaching by behavior. You should also always wear Kunti beads around the neck and wear the marking of tilak. People will inquire from you and you can tell them about Krsna Consciousness and sell them books also.

You should also try to associate with the devotees in England and Scotland. If possible, visit the temple on Sundays and whenever you can, and always read my books. I will be coming to London in the first week of Maya and if you can come and see me at Bhaktivedanta Manor that will be very nice.

Letter to Mahadeva -- Hyderabad 24 April, 1974:

Syamasundara has invited me to go to London and if he sends tickets as promised then I am going by the first week of May. I shall personally study the situation as mentioned by you and make my judgement personally. At that time I shall consult with Syamasundara. But why is your presence necessary? As a devotee you should be satisfied serving the Lord anywhere. Why are you so anxious to return to London? Therefore I shall request you not to start yourself in that way until I personally go there.

Letter to Acarya Prabhakar Mishra -- Bombay 1 May, 1974:

We have a temple there and the quarter is very nice. But if some suitable arrangement is made we can take up your place at Kirti Nagar on the approval of my secretary there. So the best thing is you may come immediately at Bombay at the above address and probably I may go back to New Delhi along with you because I have to go to Vrindaban before I go to Europe. I am expected in Rome on the 23rd of May and then Geneva, Paris, Stockholm and London and then I will return to India. In Vrindaban I am constructing the big temple you have seen. I hope you will approve my scheme in Vrindaban.

Letter to Mukunda -- Bombay 2 May, 1974:

The first dated April 13, reads as follows: "My most humble obeisances departed India today for America all signs favorable for good success kindly inform care Brooklyn Temple how where you wish funds repaid also how many where to send your tickets for London plus expected arrival date. Suggest early May for English fragrant Springtime' June like flavored gold, July for the most spectacular Rathayatra ever, celebrated August meet her majesty etc., hundreds of the world's best British men anxiously awaiting to accommodate and serve you in unrivalled fashion with opulence respect public acclaim befitting Visvacarya. Especially George preparing some wonderful surprises like your classes with Prince Charles. Hrsikesananda also safely in London, your eternal servant Syamasundara das."

Letter to Mukunda -- Bombay 2 May, 1974:

So the first telegram was replied by me and a copy of the letter is sent here. I have not replied to the second telegram. But according to the first telegram he was to repay the money, as he asked where he should deposit the money. But the second telegram showed he failed to acquire the money. Now he promises he will not return to London unless Hamsaduta goes away. How can I ask Hamsaduta to go away when he has improved the situation? From Puranjana's letter, Hamsaduta is ready to pay back the dues owed to the landlord at Bury Place. Under the circumstances, Hamsaduta must continue to act as GBC until Syamasundara settles up all monetary dues to the society and others.

The center has become cumbersome on account of mismanagement. Things must be settled before Shayamasundar can take charge again. These bills presented by different creditors on account of jewelry business must not be paid by ISKCON. Syamasundara was never authorized to do the business at the risk of the society's money. Everyone was expecting me to arrive there by the first week of May, but this was dependent on Syamasundara sending tickets. He has now refused to send tickets. This is not very happy news. Either he has no money to purchase them or he has withdrawn his promise. In both cases the dealing is not very happy.

I may be going to Rome by the 23rd of May and I will be in Europe in several places. Then I may go to London or may call a meeting in Paris and decide things for our future management. In the meantime, the letter which Hamsaduta handed to Manasvi's wife may be sent again by copy as the original is missing.

Letter to Caru -- Bombay 9 May, 1974:

I am glad to hear, although there were many difficulties, that Madhudvisa Maharaja will be able to return to Australia with permanent residence status. Please have him write me as soon as he returns. I do not have the exact date of your Rathayatra in June, although I think it is June 21. As for going there my present itinerary is that I am going to Rome on May 23 for a week, then a week in Geneva and then a week in Paris. So I may not be in London when it is time to go to Australia. You have written that you are arranging tickets for London-Sydney-Delhi. It is a little difficult to make exact arrangements at this time. But I plan to leave for Australia from Europe. Then from Australia I plan to go to San Francisco via Honolulu, in order to attend the July 8 Rathayatra in San Francisco.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 15 May, 1974:

That means I will not visit London on this tour. After San Francisco, I will travel to visit Australia, stopping at Hawaii. And after Australia I will return to India in time for the Janmastami celebration which is on August 9th. After the celebrations in Vrindaban, I will be free to visit England and the U.S. So these are my elaborate travel plans, and we shall see what Krsna desires.

Having received your reports and Puranjana's report of May 7th I feel that the situation in London and Bhaktivedanta Manor is well under control. So there does not seem an immediate need for me to go there. What do you think?

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 15 May, 1974:

"Tamala has gone to N.Y. to speak to you. When I was in Hyderabad Bal Krishna showed me many checks which were not cleared. If you have money why did you refer to George when asked by London temple? Hamsaduta is liquidating Londons debts so how can I ask him to leave? Discuss the matter with Tamala and do the needful."

Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 17 May, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated May 16. I have also received a previous telegram in which you said you sent us tickets Air India, London-Melbourne round trip. However I will not be going to London. My schedule is to leave tomorrow morning to Delhi-Vrndavana and on the 23rd of May go to Rome. Bhagavan Das has made a tour including Rome, Geneva and ending June 15 Paris. Thereafter Hamsaduta has invited me to Amsterdam June 15. There is a meeting in Koln, Germany June 22. Immediately thereafter I can leave to Melbourne from Koln and stay as you requested through June 29. As regards to the tickets you have already sent I have not received them yet and we are leaving tomorrow. Moreover they are for London departure. I think the best thing to do is to cancel the tickets and arrange new tickets for us from Koln to Melbourne and return. You can mail these tickets to me care of Paris, France center so long as they reach there by June 14. My party consists of three; myself, Neil Delmonico (Nitai) and Stephen Guarino (Satsvarupa Maharaja), (Pradyumna has left us for sometime). I will expect your tickets when we arrive in Paris and I will be very pleased to attend the gorgeous Melbourne Ratha-yatra festival.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Frankfurt 19 June, 1974:

With further reference to my letter of June 13, 1974 I beg to inform you that a difficulty has arisen in that we have not yet received visa permission from the Australian government. As such, it may be that I will not be able to meet you in Bombay on 23 June as previously informed. In case I do not go to Australia I will go to U.S.A. via London.

So unless I meet you on my return to India by the 25th July, do not go outside of India. I want to discuss on some important subject matter and want to meet you and Karandhara together. That is the idea.

Letter to Karandhara -- Los Angeles 14 July, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 25/6/74 redirected from Australia. In the meantime I have received one letter from Karandhara Prabhu, so I am replying two letters conjointly. I also request you to draw an exact similar plan like that of our Vrindaban temple and send it to Trinidad at the following address: ISKCON, 21 C Penbroke St., Port Of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. The idea is that we have got a land there, one half acre, and we want to construct a similar temple like Vrindaban there. So I hope at your earliest convenience you will send the site plan at least to Trinidad as soon as possible. We have a proposed temple in Bhaktivedanta Manor, Letchmore Heath, London, and I hope in the meantime you might have received the same request from Madhavananda Prabhu.

Letter to Sridhara Maharaja -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1974:

Fortunately these American boys and girls are so kind upon me that we are happily preaching this movement all over the world. This time my world touring covers many European cities like Rome, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt,; then I went to Australia to Melbourne, then to Chicago via Fiji and Hawaii. From Chicago I came to San Francisco and at present I am staying at Los Angeles. From here I shall go to Dallas, Texas. From there I shall go to West Virginia to our center New Vrindaban. From there I shall go to London. In London our Ratha yatra festival has been held up, and I think behind this obstruction there is some communal feeling. The local religious sect is not always happy on account of our movement being so fast growing. Especially thousands of young boys and girls are interested in this Krishna consciousness movement. So I think there is some plot to check up this fast growing movement. We are trying our best to counteract this opposing element but everything will rest upon Krishna.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 15 July, 1974:

I therefore request you to edit it immediately if you have time because you wanted to edit the whole thing yourself. Otherwise why not give it to some of your Godbrothers to do the task? They think this philosophy discourse will very much help our movement, so why it should be delayed unnecessarily? I hope you will do the needful without further delay and let me know the results.

I hope this meets you in good health. Now I am in Los Angeles, and am going to Dallas. Surely I will see your daughter there. From there to New Vrndavana, then to London to see how things are going on. then I shall go to India for the opening ceremonies of our Krsna-Balarama Temple. As I requested you formerly, I hope you will be present in Vrndavana.

Letter to Siddha Svarupananda -- Dallas 16 July, 1974:

I am here in Dallas, and after two days I am going to New Vrindaban, and then to London on my way to India. I will reach India by July 26th to arrange for our grand festival in Vrindaban.

I cordially invite you to attend our opening ceremony in Vrindaban because all of our sannyasis will be present there. You also come there as a regular sannyasi and take part. That is my desire.

Letter to Sudama Vipra -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1974:

So I am here in Los Angeles, from tomorrow I am going to Dallas, from there to New Vrindaban, and then to London on my way to India. I am reaching India by July 26th to arrange for our grand festival in Vrindaban. I cordially invite you to attend our opening ceremony in Vrindaban because all our sannyasis will be present there. You also come there as a regular sannyasi and take part. That is my desire.

Yes, it will be very nice if the Chinese boys come there to the Hong Kong center. That is our mission that the local boys take up interest in our movement.

Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Dallas 16 July, 1974:

I am here in Dallas, and after two days I am going to New Vrindaban, and then to London on my way to India. I will reach India by July 26th to arrange for our grand festival in Vrindaban.

I cordially invite you to attend our opening ceremony in Vrindaban because all of our sannyasis will be present there. You also come there as a regular sannyasi and take part. That is my desire.

Letter to Daughters -- Bombay 26 July, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your notes, and I thank you very much for your daksine. It was a very nice visit to the Bury Place temple. It is from there that we started our London activities, and I am so glad to see that the Deities are being decorated there the best. You are all working very hard, and this will not go in vain. Whatever we do for Krishna, that is to our eternal credit. Thank you very much.

Letter to Madhavananda -- Vrindaban 16 August, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your telegram dated August 14, 1974 and am very glad to learn that you had a very successful Janmastami celebration. This is Krishna's special mercy upon you. I think our next big upcoming project will be in London. You are a fortunate boy, both you and your wife. Wherever you go, you are successful in your devotional service. So I am looking forward to ever-growing success there in London. The Indians there are now coming to realize that they have been simply cheated by all the rascal swamis and yogis. So you must be sincere, always strictly following the principles and work with determination and patience. The secret of success in spiritual life is to please your spiritual master. Then, and only then can you be sure that Krsna is pleased.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Vrindaban 7 September, 1974:

Try to revive the Ratha Yatra next year in London. Agree to follow all their instructions, but the ratha must move in procession as it was done previously. People enjoyed it, both European and Indian. 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 Hamsaduta -- Vrindaban 12 September, 1974:

I have just now received some letters from London from Madhavananda and others brought by Paramahamsa Swami who was there. Regarding Madhavananda being the president, if he received the vote, why you have opposed? You must be impartial. My recommendation is that he must be the president. He has been chosen by the vote, and I am giving the casting vote for him. He is doing things very nicely there, so he must be the president. Prabha Visnu should go on Sankirtana, and Madhavananda should be president. Everything must go on. The women are doing nicely, so why are they being changed from the pujari to the Sankirtana? These things should be done by the President. These are internal things, and you should not interfere. I do not approve of your changing the women. It should be the choice of Madhavananda who should be the pujari.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Vrindaban 20 September, 1974:

Enclosed find a copy of a letter received from Swiss Credit Bank which will speak for itself, but it is not at all desirable. Similar many letters are being received in London. So I shall be glad to hear from you how you are going to adjust things. I do not know where you are now, but I am supposing you are in Hyderabad. I am forwarding this letter there. I hope you will reply this letter with a proper explanation.

It is understood from London that you are a debtor there for many, many pounds, and you are also a debtor to the Society for so many pounds. But, we can wait for repayment, but do not lose your credit of the bank, and immediately write them a letter to keep your credit, as well as our prestige.

Letter to Madhavananda -- Mayapur 6 October, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 2, 1974 with enclosed pictures. Regarding Hamsaduta, you cannot criticize him. Hamsaduta is liquidating the debts. You were there but you could not liquidate, but Hamsaduta has come and he is liquidating. Canakya Pandit says that a happy man is he who lives at home and who has no debts. London was so much in debt that it was something shameless. I have not said anything until now, but I was very sorry to see in the temple that the chandelier was taken down. The temple was almost dark without the chandelier. I had told to Syamasundara that I wanted it, and he borrowed, but then he could not pay, so it was taken.

Letter to Pranava -- Mayapur 8 October, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your telegram dated October 5, 1974 reading as follows: RECEIVED YOUR LETTER WORKING ACCORDINGLY LAND ALREADY ARRANGED GURUDASA LEFT FOR LONDON TRANSFER ONE LAKH CONSTRUCTION FUND

—PRANAVADAS

I have already asked Bombay to transfer one lakh of Rupees through the Bombay PNB to the PNB Vrindaban Branch account No. 668. So please go and enquire whether they have received the money.

Regarding Gurudasa going to London, it is surprising to me. Anyway I have sent Dhananjaya das Adhikari to act in place of Gurudasa. Please try and help him, both you and Saurabha. He is very nice, obedient boy. He will be very much helpful in Vrindaban, so please cooperate with him fully. He has already left for Vrindaban with my instructions and a letter to the bank.

Letter to Stephen Graham -- Mayapur 14 October, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 14, 1974 forwarded to me from my London center. I am very glad to note your interest in Krishna consciousness. So you should come and life with us at one of our centers and practice Krishna consciousness, following the devotional practices, and chanting Hare Krishna.

We have our centers in London, or if you like you can come here to Mayapur where we have got a very nice temple and open land. Anyway, if you are sincere, Krishna will help you in all respects. It is said that according to one's sincere desire to have Krishna, Krishna leads one to a bona fide pure devotee of Krishna, and that pure devotee, he is qualified to lead one to Krishna.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 15 October, 1974:

Regarding publishing the philosophy book, first of all I want to see the copy after it is edited. Hayagriva can do it. He is paid for that.

Gurudasa is coming to London, but he cannot be allowed to collect on any account. Enclosed is one letter from Brahmananda Maharaja to me that will explain.

Regarding German Switzerland territory, you cannot do anything with them? You cannot make any adjustment? Why are you referring to him this small thing?

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 19 October, 1974:

Regarding the London affair, what can be done. This is the American and European habit of diplomacy. Unless there is spiritual advancement they will do by their nature like this. The whole thing should be corrected by diverting their attention to chanting and the regulative principles. We have to tackle these problems very carefully. In Bengali it is said wherever there is the goddess of fortune, there are varieties of responsibility. When I was alone there were not so many letters of so many problems.

Letter to Uttamasloka -- Mayapur 24 October, 1974:

If we did not have this house, then they would not come. So this is the meaning of a temple. There must always be activity. Not that we have a nice house for comfortable living. We simply want to bring people back home, Back to Godhead. That is the purpose of our temples, of our books, and our festivals, and preachings.

I will like to come and visit your temple the next time I return to USA. I think I can come to Toronto directly from London.

Letter to Dr. Ghosh -- Bombay 17 November, 1974:

Since you left Bombay, I had been to many places in Europe such as Rome, Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney, Fiji, Honolulu, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, New Vrindaban, New York, London, and then here to India. I was thinking of you, but was missing your address.

Regarding the charitable dispensary, I am not very much enthusiastic for this enterprise because nowadays to keep a proper dispensary pushing on requires much attention and money also. I have heard from the authorities of the Rama Krishna Mission that their charitable dispensaries of hospitals are mostly run by paid men, as formally no intelligent medical practitioner was joining them to run it on.

Letter to Malati -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letters dated November 19, and December 3, 1974, and have noted the contents. So why the devotees in London are unhappy? What is the situation?

Yes, it is a very good idea to join with your husband. Try to bring him in line. Induce Syamasundara to follow the regulative principles and chant Hare Krishna, and then his position will be secure. Do you think his business is improving or not?

Letter to Revatinandana -- Bombay 15 December, 1974:

You mention in your letter that you had heard that I said that you and Syamasundara were engaged in a conspiracy against me and that you felt very bad upon hearing this. Do not feel like that. But in London at the Vyasa Puja ceremony during the offering of flowers you, Syamasundara and Mukunda left the room. So questioned by a devotee I might have said something like that. But forget it now. Yes, I also maintain a hope for Syamasundara. Everyone is hoping that Syamasundara will be able to reestablish himself in Krsna Consciousness again. I do not understand why he is engaged in this business of his if there is not any tangible profit. He says that there is big, big money but still he has not yet paid ISKCON the debt that he has. Therefore what is this business.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Bombay 23 December, 1974:

You should stay in Honolulu and see that things are settled up there. Sudama must return the property to the Society's name, otherwise we will take action immediately. After things are settled there, you should go immediately to L.A. and take a direct flight to London and then Germany. I want to know what has happened there. How the situation can be rectified? Please keep me fully informed of all progress.

Letter to Malati -- Bombay 25 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 21, Dec. 74 and have noted the contents carefully. I want you to stay there in London. This is my order. Hamsaduta cannot make you leave. If necessary you can show him this letter. To prove that your Guru Maharaja wants you to stay there and execute your devotional service in London.

Concerning that remark by Himavati about your being guilty because you are the wife of Syamasundara who has done horrible things, therefore you must suffer, that is not a fact. Your husband has done nothing horrible. Maybe he has made mistake but he has not done anything horrible.

I have asked Brahmananda Swami to go to London as soon as possible from Hawaii and investigate the situation there. I am very concerned about this problem and I hope Brahmananda Swami will be able to clear things up there. When he comes you can inform him of what has happened there.

Letter to Durgesh -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

It has been recommended to me by the leaders in London that you should move into our temple as a permanent brahmacari and that your father will allow it if I also recommend. After studying your letter carefully and seeing the devotion and sincerity that you possess I am also very much in favor of your staying at our temple as a brahmacari. In my previous letter I had said that you could go to school during the week and live in the temple on the weekends. But I did not know how serious and determined you were to become Krsna Conscious. Someone as determined as you should be given facilities to spend cent percent of his time in Krsna Consciousness. Therefore I would be very happy to see you living in the temple, following all of our principles of pure life and becoming an expert scholar in Vedic knowledge, through studying my books diligently. This is real education. The so-called education that they are teaching in the schools and universities today is simply useless knowledge which is all based on atheistic and speculative theories. The teachers themselves are following no real authorities in wisdom neither do they set any good examples for their students. By going to school today there is always the danger through bad association of becoming entangled in so many unwanted things such as illicit sex, intoxication etc. Therefore definitely the best thing for you is to live in our temple in London. Please request your father on my behalf to let you do this. If there is any hesitation on his part please request him to write me and I will try to clarify things. If you go to live at our temple, because of your age, you should have a written statement from your father showing that he has given permission. Then authorities will not think that you are a run away.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

As far as my coming there is concerned, I can come immediately. And the programs that you mention in your letter would be very nice. Try to arrange many such programs with all different kinds of respectable gentlemen, philosophers, scholars, educationalists, etc. We will be coming by way of London where we will probably stop for a few days. Also we will be stopping in Bermuda on the way from London to Mexico City for one or two days to have a program there if it can be arranged. In this connection we have contacted Rupanuga das. One telegram has already been sent to you to inform you of this and to request tickets immediately. If you have not sent the tickets as of yet please send them without delay. The tickets should be sent to the Quantas office in Bombay. They should be Bombay to London by Quantas Airlines, London to Mexico City by British Airways or Quantas if possible, via Bermuda and Nassau. The tickets should be open so that we can make reservation as is necessary according to our schedule. The tickets should be made out to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Paramahamsa Swami and Neal Gorton Delmonico. Three tickets are required. If you wire them to the Quantas office in Bombay it will only take a few days. If you can arrange nice programs in Brazil then I will also be very pleased to go there. It sounds as though the people there are very eager for Krsna Consciousness. So let us have a program there also.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

Thank you very much for installing the very nice Radha-Krsna Deities in Denver which I have named Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. The photographs which I received from the installation where very, very beautiful. I appreciated them very much. So do like that in every village and town. The matter is in the American hands. It must go on very nicely. That is my desire.

My program is now to go to Mexico City and S. America on invitation from Hrdayananda Goswami. I will probably be stopping over in London on the way. I should arrive in Mexico City a little after mid-Jan.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 28 December, 1974:

Regarding the Appearance Day Festival, yes do it. Your idea of booths for each center to display our books from all over the world is very important. Arrange for it. I am herewith sending one booklet from the Frankfurt Book Fair where our stall was exhibited. So in this way make different stalls so that people may see the work going on in all the different countries of the world. I received a letter from Hansadutta, and he is doing very nicely in Germany, and he has gone to Moscow. He has sent some nice photos, and they can be exhibited. I am sending the photos to Bhadraj, so he can take care to do it nicely. You also instruct him. I also want one new book of Caitanya Caritamrita be published for the Lord's Appearance Day. At least one volume must be ready for distribution of 400 pages, hardbound edition. You can also have photo exhibits of all the Ratha Yatras we hold in London, San Francisco, Melbourne, Toronto, and Philadelphia.

Letter to Mr. Punja -- Bombay 29 December, 1974:

So you can go ahead and register our Society there with taking all proper and necessary steps. Before the finalization of registration takes place I would request you to send me one copy of the constitution for our society there so I can approve it finally. My name should be there as the founder-acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. I should have full authority in all matters. Vijoyadhvaja das can continue to preach there and kirtanas if he likes. But it is my desire that he leaves the management and handling of money and registration to your good self. He should be encouraged to help by being a strong preacher and attracting many devotees amongst the local men. As of now I do not know if I will be going to Fiji or not. I am thinking of leaving Bombay for London sometime in the beginning of January. Then I will be going from London to S. America.

You mention in your letter that you will be going to the United States and London in May or June. I may also be there at that time. Please keep me informed of the progress there.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 31 December, 1974:

Now, considering the European situation in a meeting between Myself, yourself and Bhagavan das, I think Madhavananda should become president of London and Prabhavisnu should become president of Amsterdam and you can arrange this.

Regarding the grhasthas living in the temple, I have already discussed with you in detail, so do the needful. The principle is that we make propaganda for devotees to come. Don't ask any of them to go away. That is not our principle. So, make nice arrangement for all the devotees there.