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Municipality

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

CC Adi-lila

CC Adi 17.56, Purport:

Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka and Caitanya-bhāgavata it is mentioned that the village of Kuliyā is on the western side of the Ganges. Even now, within the area known as Koladvīpa, there is a place known as kuliāra gañja and a place called kuliāra daha, both within the jurisdiction of the present municipality of Navadvīpa. In the time of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the two villages on the western side of the Ganges named Kuliyā and Pāhāḍapura both belonged to the jurisdiction of Bāhiradvīpa. At that time the place on the eastern side of the Ganges now known as Antardvīpa was known as Navadvīpa. At Śrī Māyāpur that place is still known as Dvīpera Māṭha. There is another place of the name Kuliyā near Kāṅcaḍāpāḍā, but it is not the same Kuliyā mentioned here. It cannot be accepted as aparādha-bhañjanera pāḍa, or the place where the offense was excused, for that occurred in the above-mentioned Kuliyā on the western side of the Ganges. For business reasons many envious persons oppose excavation of the real place, and sometimes they advertise unauthorized places as the authorized one.

CC Madhya-lila

CC Madhya 21.29, Purport:

In Vraja, the land is divided into various vanas, or forests. The forests total twelve, and their extension is estimated to be eighty-four krośas. Of these, the special forest known as Vṛndāvana is located from the present municipal city of Vṛndāvana to the village called Nanda-grāma. This distance is sixteen krośas (thirty-two miles).

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 4.19 -- Bombay, April 8, 1974:

That is kāma-rāga-varjitāḥ, or kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ. The senses should not be used for the satisfaction of senses. The senses should be used for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. That is kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ.

Yasya sarve samārambhāḥ. A man is engaged in devotional service. Might be he's going to the municipal office, he's going to the income tax office. Because when we have to remain within this material world, we have to abide by the laws of the state. We want to construct the temple. We must have to take sanction from the municipality, or higher authorities. Or, if we want cement, we have to go to the authority. There are so many. But it must be kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ. Therefore it looks like one, that "This Mr. Such-and-such devotee is going to the municipal officer, and other person is going also the municipal office for getting sanction of a skyscraper building." Although they are apparently one, but no, this man who has gone for Kṛṣṇa's sake, he's kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ. He has not gone to the municipal office for sanction of the temple for his personal benefit.

Lecture on BG 4.34 -- New York, August 14, 1966:

There are many gods. Many gods means that in one sense we are also god. God means controller, that's all. God, the literary meaning of god, this word, is controller, īśvara. So every one of us has some controlling capacity, everyone. Either we control the family, or control the office, we control the state, we control the municipality, or so on, so on, everyone is a controller. But nobody is the supreme controller.

Similarly, if you go on, make your progress, then you come to the Brahmā. Brahmā is the controller of this whole universe. And there are many, innumerable universes and innumerable Brahmās also. And their controller is the Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. And the Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu is controlled by Mahā-Viṣṇu, and Mahā-Viṣṇu is controlled by Saṅkarṣaṇa, and Saṅkarṣaṇa is controlled by Nārāyaṇa. And Nārāyaṇa is controlled by Vāsudeva. And Vāsudeva is controlled by Baladeva. And Baladeva is controlled by Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on BG 16.10 -- Hawaii, February 6, 1975:

They say, "street dog." He has no food. He has no shelter. He is lean and thin and do not know where to go, in this way. So the constitutional position of the dog is that it must have a good master. Then he is happy. Then he's happy. Otherwise it is not happy. Is it not? Otherwise it is street dog. Sometimes it is killed by the municipality.

Similarly, our position is dog. We must understand it. We cannot live independently. It is not possible. Every living being. Therefore, in the Vedic injunction is nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām eko yo bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). God and the living entities, they're... Both of them are living entities, being. But what is the difference between God and living entities? The living entities are maintained by God, and God is the maintainer. That is the difference. Eko yo bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān. We cannot maintain ourself. God maintains. Therefore, according to the Christian principle, they go to the church to beg bread from God.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.5.22 -- Vrndavana, August 3, 1974:

So he said, "You are vaiśya? Mercantile?" "Yes." "Oh, you are asking money from me? Money's on the street. You can find out." So he said, "I don't find." "You don't find? What is that?" "That, that is a dead mouse." "That is your capital." Just see.

So in those days plague in Calcutta, plague was going on. So municipal declaration was any dead mouse brought to the municipal office, he'll be paid two annas. So he took that dead body of the mouse and took to the municipal office. He was paid two annas. So he purchased some rotten betel nuts with two annas, and washed it and sold it at four annas, or five annas. In this way, again, again, again, that man became so rich man. One of their family members was our Godbrother. Nandi family. That Nandi family still, they have got four hundred, five hundred men to eat daily. A big, aristocratic family. And their family's regulation is as soon as one son or daughter is born, five thousand rupees deposited in the bank, and at the time of his marriage, that five thousand rupees with interest, he can take it. Otherwise there is no more share in the capital. And everyone who lives in the family, he gets eating and shelter.

Lecture on SB 1.8.26 -- Mayapura, October 6, 1974:

And his disciple, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, he also remained niṣkiñcana although he possessed so many temples, because nothing was for his personal..., but for Kṛṣṇa.

So one may question that "Your Guru Mahārāja was sitting on the ground in a municipal lavatory..." Because he did not like that "Anybody should disturb me," he was sitting by the side of municipal lavatory. Because so many people will come for darśana and āśīrvāda, he did not like it. He did not like to be disturbed by these āśīrvāda. You see? They will not take any spiritual instruction. They are thinking that "Here is a saintly person, and he'll bless me. So I have got now one thousand. I'll take ten thousand." That's all. Therefore they come. They do not come to take any spiritual instruction. Therefore it is botheration. It is botheration. So Gaura-kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja did not like this botheration. He was sitting by the side of a municipal lavatory so that "These rascal will not come out of the bad smell and will not disturb me."

Lecture on SB 1.8.35 -- Mayapura, October 15, 1974:

So in the morning, these ordinary sweepers, they'll cleanse the statue with their brush, because the whole year, the crows have passed stool on the face. So it has become a very solid stool, fixed up. So... I have seen it, brushing like this. This is their arcanam. This is allowed. And if you worship the Deity, bathe the Deity, this is idol worship. And that municipal brush, sweeping brush, and on the face of Sir Asutosh Mukharjee, brushing, that is very good. Just see how much rascal they are! In the morning this business is done. And in the evening all big, big men will come and flower him, garland him, full of garlands. And after evening, they'll go away, and again, next morning, the crows will pass stool. That kind of worship is accepted. And if we install Deity of Kṛṣṇa and worship Him nicely—"These are for the fools and rascals, less intelligent." And he's very intelligent. This is going on all over the world. They are worshiping Napoleon. They are worshiping... I have seen in Paris, Napoleon's statue. "France and Napoleon, one."

Lecture on SB 1.8.41 -- Mayapura, October 21, 1974:

I have told you many times. We have seen in 1947, partition days, Hindu-Muslim fighting. One party was Hindu, other party was Muslim. They fought and so many died. And after death, there was no distinction who is Hindu or who is Muslim. The municipal men, they gathered together in piles and to throw them somewhere. Exactly the same way, the same insects, they come to the light and die in the morning, and we gather them together and throw in the street.

So long the life is there, everyone is thinking, "I have got this responsibility. I have got this responsibility. I have got this responsibility," and they are working very, very hard and doing all nonsense. Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma (SB 5.5.4). Now, somebody's stealing for the sake of family maintenance, doing so many sinful activities, but when they are scattered again by the laws of nature, nobody will be sympathetic to me if I suffer for my own sinful activities. But they do by the so-..., for the so-called family.

Lecture on SB 2.3.19 -- Los Angeles, June 14, 1972:

This is their intelligence. And our Indian people are also imitating. I have seen one statue of Sir Asutosh Mukherjee. He was a very respectable man. Or Gandhi. The whole year, the crows passed stool on the face. It becomes covered with stool. And the day of their anniversary the municipal washing brush, street , they brush over the..., in the morning. (laughter) They brush over the... Because the gene..., gentlemen will go, they have to call some sweeper. So he will brush the face of Sir Asutosh Mukherjee and wash, and then in the evening-big garland. In the morning it was washed with municipal brush, and in the evening there is big garland. So people have become so... So therefore they are compared with these dogs, asses, camels. They have no intelligence. We are worshiping Deity. Shall we allow like that? That is worship. But this is a fictitious thing, and they are thinking "We are honoring Sir Asutosh Mukherjee or president Jawaharlal Nehru," like that. Such foolish persons.

Lecture on SB 2.3.19 -- Los Angeles, June 14, 1972:

We are worshiping Deity. Shall we allow like that? That is worship. But this is a fictitious thing, and they are thinking "We are honoring Sir Asutosh Mukherjee or president Jawaharlal Nehru," like that. Such foolish persons. If I know that "This is Sir Asutosh Mukherjee," how I can allow his mouth to be washed by the municipal brush?

No. They know it is stone. It is stone. Therefore it has been forbidden, arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhīr guruṣu nara-matir vaiṣṇave jāti-buddhiḥ. If anyone, the Deity in the temple, thinks, śilādhīḥ, stone and wood; vaiṣṇave jāti-buddhiḥ, if anyone considers a Vaiṣṇava under certain particular race or caste; guruṣu nara-matiḥ, if one considers guru as ordinary human being, then he is hellish. These are forbidden. We should know the arcā-vigraha, the worshipable Deity, is Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, present. He is not wood and stone, but because we cannot touch except wood and stone, therefore He has appeared as wood and stone. He is not wood and stone. He is all-powerful.

Lecture on SB 3.25.11 -- Bombay, November 11, 1974:

The king of heaven, Indra, he is supplying water. These rascals, they say it is coming by nature. It may come from nature, but nature is controlled. Just like we are getting water. If somebody says, "Oh, what is that? It is coming from the water tank. So where is the question of paying taxes or rent?" No. The water tank is being filled up by the Municipality. If you don't pay tax, it will be cut off. Similarly, don't think that the water is coming as your father's property. No. You are becoming debtor. You are becoming debtor. Therefore, if you don't pay debts, if you don't perform sacrifices, then there will be scarcity of water. And one day it will come there will be no water. That you expect. Because you are not paying any tax. You are thinking, "Water is coming, my father's property." No. Your father's property... That's all right. But you are not father's son at the present moment. You are māyā's son. You don't care for your father.

Therefore father said, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram (BG 9.10). Kṛṣṇa says, the supreme father, ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā (BG 14.4). He's the supreme father.

Lecture on SB 3.25.21 -- Bombay, November 21, 1974:

"You cannot do it." Therefore titikṣava. You have to remain sādhu. You cannot become asādhu. You have to tolerate. What can be done? Titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ (SB 3.25.21). At the same time, you have to become merciful. You know what has happened in this place, Hare Krishna Land. So much attack by the police, by the Municipality, "Break this temple." So we could have gone, that "What is the use of taking so much botheration? We have got hundreds of temples outside India. If Bombay people are not liking, let us go away." No. Kāruṇikāḥ. We have come to distribute Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We must tolerate and give this message to the people. Kāruṇikāḥ. Very merciful, in spite of all trouble. What is the use of...? These boys, these American boys, they have come to help me—not that they are hungry, they have come here. No. My mission is that "You American, your, you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa so that India, people of India will see, 'Oh, Americans, they are also chanting. Why not ourselves? It is our property.' " But unfortunately, so much dull brain.

Lecture on SB 3.26.46 -- Bombay, January 21, 1975:

Instead of thinking that "I will have such big building," if we transfer that thinking, that "I will construct such a nice big temple for establishing Deity worship," that is the proper utilization of this tendency. One is for sense gratification; another, the same thing... If you construct a temple, you will have to labor in the same way, how to get municipal sanction, how to get cement, how to get stone, how to get this, that, so many things. But it is nirbandhaḥ kṛṣṇa-sambandhe: it has got relationship with Kṛṣṇa. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Your capacity to construct something material, residential... So if we do it for Kṛṣṇa, then it is Kṛṣṇa consciousness; your life is successful.

You are thinking of Kṛṣṇa always. Even Kaṁsa, he was enemy of Kṛṣṇa, enemy of Kṛṣṇa, and he was always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. As Devakī was growing days, she was becoming very bright and beautiful, and Kaṁsa was waiting when his sister Devakī will give birth to Kṛṣṇa and he will kill Him. That was his purpose. He wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa. He was first of all ready to kill his sister. When he heard that "Your sister's eighth son will kill you," so Kaṁsa thought, "Why waiting for the eighth son? Kill my sister."

Lecture on SB 5.5.34 -- Vrndavana, November 21, 1976:

Those who are gṛhamedhis, they have got many, many things to learn. Just like you see the newspaper, so many subject matter. You'll find different stock exchange report, and this municipal report, and the advertisement, wine advertisement, and meat advertisement. What is that? "Beefeater's" advertisement, and cigarette advertisement, and cinema advertisement, restaurant advertisement even. Gṛheṣu. Nṛṇāṁ santi sahasraśaḥ. Thousands and thousands subject matter you'll find. Here we don't have such newspaper in the Western country. Such a big bunch, at least ten kilos' weight. Is it not? Big, big bunch, throwing. Who will read? But they have the subject matter.

So we have to cease these activities, and we shall consider such activities are no better than the activities of the crows and the cows and the other animals are there. These activities have no value, as the crow or the hogs and the dogs, they are engaged the whole day, activities. But these activities have no value.

Lecture on SB 6.2.11 -- Allahabad, January 16, 1971:

Therefore every karmī is a sinful man. It is clear understanding. No karmī can be without being sinful. Every karmī is. Therefore how to work?

Just like government gives you license, say for... One is... Every businessman is given some license. The municipality gives license. The sales tax department gives license, certificate. There are so many licenses a businessman has to follow, income tax licenses. But there are rules and regulations because all these departments know it very well that any businessman or karmī, he is sure to commit sinful activities. Therefore there are so many regulations just to stop him as far as possible from sinful activities. Similarly, there are twenty kinds of viṁśati-prakāśa-dharma-śāstra. How one can live faithfully, religiously, the directions are there in twenty kinds of scriptures made by Parāśara, Manu, and many other sages. There are different types. So therefore it is said here that na niṣkṛtair uditair brahma-vādibhiḥ. Brahma-vādibhiḥ.

Sri Brahma-samhita Lectures

Lecture on Brahma-samhita, Lecture -- New York, July 28, 1971:

The votes will be smaller in number. If the municipality, city, or the government said, "Everyone can vote, all living entities," then your vote will be lost, because you are very small in number. Other living entities, they are very great. Even from the holes of your room, many thousands of ants will come. They are also living entities. Why don't you, why do you say that they are not living entities? They are living en... They are also eating; you are also eating. They're also sleeping; you are also sleeping. They're also mating; you are also mating. They're also defending. The small ants, they are defending. They enter into the hole of your room. You do not know where the ants live, but they defend. You cannot capture them.

Initiation Lectures

Initiation of Satyabhama Dasi and Gayatri Initiation of Devotees Going to London -- Montreal, July 26, 1968:

And this head is also satisfied; the leg is also satisfied. You see? Similarly, anyone who serves Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, being satisfied... Tasmin tuṣṭe jagat tuṣṭam. Just (like) I pour water on the root. The branches, the leaves, the flowers, the fruits and everything, they will immediately... Pay tax to the government, central government. The tax is distributed—the education department, municipal department, this department, that department. Therefore the people are missing the center. They are trying to satisfy one another, but nobody is satisfied. And by illusion they cannot understand this mistake. Everyone is very much proud: "Oh, I am serving my country." And he does not know what somebody, his countrymen, will come and kill him. You see? He does not know that. This is māyā. So one should be intelligent to serve Kṛṣṇa. This prayer Hare Kṛṣṇa means "Kṛṣṇa, I am so much harassed by this service of this māyā. Now please engage me in Your service." This is our prayer. And as soon as I am engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service, then I will be satisfied, Kṛṣṇa will be satisfied, and the whole world will be satisfied.

Correspondence

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Bhagavan -- Bombay 24 March, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16th March along with the enclosure of the letter received from Detroit City Municipality. It is very encouraging. Regarding the drug-addicted young boys and girls in your country, we can give them the best service as it is already evident from our practical movement. Most of my students were drug addicted formerly and now having taken to Krsna Consciousness, they have given up everything and rapidly progressed toward spiritual realization. There is a Vedic injunction that one has to realize Krishna nicely and then he becomes perfectly wise. Here is a good opportunity to get cooperation from the government in the matter of our Hare Krishna Movement. Our process of helping the misguided youth should remain the same. Namely, they should join the different services in the temple; chanting, dancing in ecstasy with Hare Krishna Mantra.

Letter to Atreya Rsi -- Delhi 12 December, 1971:

As for Mayapur scheme, this year there was severe flooding, so I am waiting one more season to observe our chances. If there is continual severe flooding, then our plan for Mayapur may have to be altered. But meanwhile go on collecting. I want also that we may have a very nice place in Vrindaban. When I was there the municipality gave us a piece of land, and we have offers of land from other sources, so things look favorable for our branch there. If we get sufficient facilities there, we will revive the spiritual life of Vrindaban, and the whole of India and the world will appreciate and be benefited.

I shall pass on the information you have sent regarding help from Indian government to Gurudasa, who is working here in Delhi with many officials. Now they are engaged in war with Pakistan, the government may not be too willing to help us, but we shall try.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 22 December, 1971:

Regarding Brahma Kunda, the donor Dinabandhu is going to give it to us in pukkha writing or legal form by the 15th January, and then we can repair that house to our living, making the doors, etc. secure. In the meantime you can use my Radha-Damodara rooms, but make the locks and doors secure.

As for municipal land, see the municipal chairman personally. We wanted land within the city. In the meantime, you can show the chairman the enclosed pictures from "Dharma Yug" magazine, latest issue, how we are a worldwide organization, as well as other clippings from Toronto, etc. So far our devotees, Americans are concerned, they have nothing to do with politics. We are ___ Nixons. A statement was issued by me and published in ____ papers stating this fact and calling on the Indian _____ my disciples as Vaisnavas, who are above all mundane. ____.

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Bombay 26 December, 1971:

So far the Vrindaban land, if possible you should go there and induce the Chairman to give us the promised land. Gargamuni has written me letter that because you said to the chairman that Mr. Saraf is going to give us his land, therefore he was reluctant. So you go there and inform him that Mr. Saraf is not giving us the land, although he promised, and persuade him to give us the municipal land some way or other. Go there immediately, and inform me the result. Gargamuni is there to raise funds, so he will help you.

I am enclosing one letter to me from your son. I do not know why you are not writing them, but please do the needful, so that they shall not worry or be in anxiety.*

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Bombay 30 December, 1971:

So I hope you will see that the magazine comes out regularly and that my books can also be published in Hindi.

Please see that we acquire some land in Vrindaban immediately. Either Sharaf's land or the land promised by the municipality; either one is very suitable to our needs. We are ready to immediately begin construction of a large Temple there. So do whatever is required, but somehow secure the land.

I have instructed Yadubara Prabhu to send the transparencies and photos you have requested, and they are being sent by separate post.

Letter to Madan Mohan Goswami -- Bombay 30 December, 1971:

So I have taken possession of those two rooms and the verandah from Saivites, paying to them regular rents. I do not care to know whether that portion belongs to you or somebody else. I have got regular receipts of the Radha Damodara saivites. Therefore, I am legally in possession of the two rooms and the verandah. Everyone in Vrindaban including the Chairman of the Municipal Board and most probably Sri Panchanan Goswami and all the others know that I am in possession of the two rooms and the verandah in Radha Damodara Temple.

But this time when I came from abroad, I saw that you have forcibly taken possession of the entrance of my verandah and converted it into a room, thus obstructing my entrance door. So I was just going to the courts for your unauthorized usurping of the entrance of the verandah to my room.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Visvanatha Babu -- Bombay 3 January, 1972:

We last held this festival in Delhi in Connaught Place from 12th November to 21st November and it was very, very successful as you may know it from the newspapers.

Recently I had been in Vrindaban and the whole Vrindaban city appreciated my service in the foreign countries. Both the Municipality Chairman officially as well as the Vrajavasi public gave me address of welcome in great meetings. But I had some difficulty in staying in my rooms at Radha Damodara Temple. They want me to go away and are now picking up some quarrel with me to get me out of my possession. A copy of a registered letter from one of the Sevaits Madan Mohan Goswami is enclosed and he has already taken possession in my absence of the verandah of my entrance door. You know very well and all residents of Vrindaban know it that my residence is there at Radha Damodara Temple but they are now trying to get me out, although I am paying the rent regularly and there is some advance payment also.

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Bombay 3 January, 1972:

We have got a great mission to fulfill, and these books and magazines are the torchbearers of Truth which can save the world. If you can find a suitable place, then I have no objection to Rohininandan coming to assist you.

The Delhi municipality has promised to give us land, so why they are not giving? Secure the land in Delhi which the municipality has promised and you immediately save the Rs. 500/- from rent. And from the Building Fund we can immediately construct a building also. Somehow or other secure the land and in the beginning pitch camp and then later on we can build.

Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Bombay 7 February, 1972:

I think both you and Ramananda will come to Mayapur to fix up the programme so that no interference will be done by the foreign members as suggested by Ramananda. I have no objection to this point.

I would further request you to secure the Vrindaban Land, either from Mr. Saraf or from the Municipal Chairman as they have promised and I wish also that this Hindi department, as well as Vrindaban department may be managed by you and Ramananda cooperatively.

Rohininandana, if required, he can join you immediately. If you require some other assistants that also will be given to you, but I wish that this Vrindaban department and the Hindi publishing department, you become in charge and do the needful.

Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- Honolulu 16 May, 1972:

Ksirodakasayi requested for 4 copies of Vrindaban Temple plans blue copies, so I am sending them per separate regd. post parcel. Now present them to the Municipality and get them passed as soon as possible. They are approved by me.

Letter to Gurudasa -- London 1 August, 1972:

Another thing is, I do not know what is your final plan for the Vrindaban scheme, whether you have chosen Mr. Suri's plan, or whether Saurabha's plan. I understand from Ksirodakasayi that we must submit detailed plans to the municipal authorities in Vrindaban, so kindly arrange for that as quickly as possible so that we may get the permission. But first you should send me one copy of the final plan as selected by you.

I have heard that Kenneth Keating has returned to your country, so why not take opportunity for requesting him to help us? If you can find out his address. I have informed Bhavananda and Tamala Krsna Goswami that they must try to increase the distribution of prasadam program in Mayapur, otherwise, as you have told me, the authorities of your country may revoke their foodstuff donation.

Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- London 11 August, 1972:

I am in due receipt of your two letters from Yamuna dated July 22, 1972, and August 6, 1972, and I have noted the contents carefully. Regarding the plans for Vrndavana, enclosed please find the plans drawn by Saurabha which I like very much. You may submit these plans to the municipal council, as they are drawn. The plan of Mr. Suri is too much burdensome and costly, he simply wanted his 2 1/2% commission, so he has befooled these Americans. Better if our own men design and build the temple in our way. So I like these plans from Saurabha very much, and you may submit them as they are.

Now do everything in Vrndavana very peacefully, and always cooperate with each other at all times. There is some trouble with Satchitananda, he informs me you are trying to drive him away because he has written that letter about Yamuna, so that should not be the case. Better to cooperate all of you and do something tangible for Krsna.

Letter to Tejiyas, Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 16 August, 1972:

Regarding your questions about the marble tablets, in 1955 I went to Vrindaban and stayed at Nathagaon temple. In 1961 I moved to Radha Damodara temple and I am still living there.

I have sent you the plans approved by me, and you may submit them to the municipality and request them to very quickly approve so we may start as soon as possible. When they have approved, Saurabha may come there to give you some help in the beginning, and I think by now Tamala Krishna may be there with one engineer for getting the work started. There must be some tangible progress made by the time of my arrival so that I may see the work being done.

Letter to Bhavananda -- Unknown Place 28 August, 1972:

I wanted simply one temple exactly like the Govindaji's temple, nothing so elaborate, but that has not been done. As you have suggested to Shyamsundar to go there for assisting Gurudas, you can get down there for some time while returning to Calcutta. I believe there is 8-down train from Mathura to Calcutta, when you wish to return. You can help Gurudas submit the plan of Saurabha to the municipality and take immediate sanction, and if you can bring one engineer there or inform Tamal Krishna to bring one engineer there for starting the work. I think there is already supply of bricks, sand, and other things, and Gargamuni has made good collection, so everything is there, now you all big leaders work cooperatively to build up this Vrndaban temple very nicely, as you have done it in Mayapur, and I shall be very much pleased to see the progress when I am coming there by middle October.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 29 August, 1972:

From the beginning I simply said that I wanted a temple built in Vrindaban just like Govindaji's temple, and there have been so many letters, but that has not been done. Never mind, now I like that plan of Saurabha's, so if you have received it? Anyway, I am sending one other plan drawn by Saurabha (enclosed), and that is also nice, so that may be used for presenting to the municipality if the previous plan was not received. I do not think the plan of Mr. Suri will be possible for us, it is too grand. Simply I want one temple like Govindaji's that's all.

Bhavananda is now in Bombay, and I have asked him to return to Calcutta by passing through Vrindaban, and he can help you get the thing started. Tamala Krishna is on tour and he shall be delayed for some time more.

Letter to Giriraja -- Los Angeles 4 October, 1972:

We want to keep that land, we do not want to break the agreement, therefore I have formed this committee. Actually we are in possession of the land, and we shall remain there. Now if we have to take Mr. Nair to criminal court, and supposing it will take years to settle, still, we can occupy and carry on as we are doing. But if you can prove to the municipal officers that we are legally in possession of the land according to sales agreement, why they shall not give permission to build?

We must have that land, and on the terms of the purchase agreement. Otherwise we shall bring him to the criminal court. We are in possession of the land in legal terms, so even the government cannot take it. We can give Mr. Nair this much concession, the five lakhs worth, but it must be deducted from the purchase price. Otherwise, we shall not give any concession we shall go to the courts. You consult the lawyers. The committee is there, I want that the land should be purchased, that's all.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Bombay 5 January, 1973:

So if someone is hearing us singing on the street, or if he is purchasing one book and if he reads sincerely, these two activities are the same. So if there is any occasion of necessity, if there are not very many men available or if there is prohibition by the municipal authorities, something like that, we may assign everyone for distributing our literatures, there is no loss for that. But it is always better if there are also some devotees chanting loudly on the street. If there is even one man to two men or a small party who are chanting Hare Krishna, that will increase also the book sales. So if there are sufficient men, and if we have got sanction by the authorities, it is always better to have at least a small party chanting along with as many distributers of books as possible.

Letter to Giriraja -- Los Angeles 8 May, 1973:

If we can construct a temple and building without permission of the landlord that will be our greatest triumph. If such a law is inaugurated then it is to be supposed that it is Krsna's plan.

Then what about our temporary sheds? Can we get municipal permission to construct regular buildings in those vacant places? So if we can get municipal permission for constructing houses in those two places and if we can get municipal permission for constructing a temple then it will be a great boon or blessing of Lord Krsna.

I think we have occupied the land sometime in January 1971 so does it mean that we have occupied the land for more than two years? You have to do your best to same the land with heart and soul and you are an innocent devotee completely dedicated. I wish that you may be blessed with all success in this connection. I am expecting your cable in the matter of purchasing the flat.

Letter to Mrs. Nirmala Singhal -- Calcutta 1 June, 1973:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 28, 1973, and have noted the contents.

The demolition of our temple by the municipality has strengthened our position. The municipality standing committee has condemned the hasty action of the municipality and has agreed to reconstruct the shed at their cost. Not only that, the temporary construction shall continue to stay until the court decision is there as to who is the proprietor of the land. Under the circumstances we should immediately reconstruct the Deity shed. Barbed wire fencing should be immediately done to cover the naked land. And if possible, immediately in front of the Deity shed, a temporary pandal should be constructed, with our materials. If it is so done, then I can go to Bombay and begin Bhagavata Parayana, to continue until the court decision is there. This is my desire.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Mayapur 5 June, 1973:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 6-1-73, and have noted the contents carefully.

Yes, Mrs. Gandhi should be informed of all these incidents, how our temple has been dismantled by the municipality.

So, what is the meaning of the recommendation of the standing committee that we should immediately be able to reconstruct at the cost of the municipality. Is it useless? I thought that the standing committee's resolution was final but from your letter it appears there is no meaning. What has happened to the new act of February 1973 declaring the tenant of the land to be considered proprietor or owner. Anyway, I have already written to Giriraja my opinion of what should be done.

Letter to Hariprasada Badruka -- Mayapur 13 June, 1973:

So, I have been advised to stay here for at least four months, June, July, August and September. After that time it may be possible for me to go to Hyderabad and personally arrange both parts, preaching work and construction of the temple.

The difficulty is, unless we have legal possession of the land, how can we get municipal sanction for the construction. Under the circumstances, if Sriman Pulla Reddy donates the back portion of the land as promised and gives us legal right to construct the temple, we can then immediately get sanction from the municipality and begin construction. I am sure that within one year the construction will be complete and the Deity moved to the proper temple. At that time, if Mr. Pulla Reddy thinks it proper, he can donate the front portion also. Otherwise we shall vacate that portion without any doubt. This much I can promise to Mr. Pulla Reddy. So, he may kindly gives us legal right for constructing the temple.

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

Concerning our Vrindaban project, along with the residential quarters, the remaining work on my quarters must be finished up immediately for my residence.

Now your most important business is to finish with Mrs. Nair all matters, especially the income tax certificate and to get sanction from the Municipality for all our plans. See to these matters above all else.

Thank you for appreciating this Krsna Consciousness more and more. Carry on faithfully with Krsna, work with greater and greater enthusiasm and be blessed.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 21 December, 1973:

Factually their schools and clinics are for namesake only and they are using the government's support to mainly propagate their philosophy. So in this way we also must take government support by tactfully presenting a solid and organized proposal. I want very much that this project should be initiated immediately and followed through with all necessary attention and endeavor. Now I have given some hint and I am turning the matter over to you for execution.

I am standing by to hear from you whether or not we have obtained municipal sanction for our plans for our Juhu Beach scheme.

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

I am only anxious for the municipality sanction and Mrs. Nair's income tax certificate. Please __ this immediately. Gargamuni has written a long letter so many __. When you go to Calcutta see what is the matter. Let me know what you have done.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 31 December, 1973:

Mr. Asnami has phoned that I.T. certificate is obtained. Now what _ further about municipality?

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Resolution -- Bombay 1 April, 1974:

That the Society will construct one additional floor on each of the six existing buildings on the Hare Krishna Land, (purchased in October, 1973.)

2. That the President, Secretary, and Treasurer are hereby authorized to appoint any architect, labor contractor, other contractors, engineers, to purchase, etc. for the purpose of construction.

3. That the construction may begin immediately upon approval given by the Bombay Municipal Corporation.

Signed for INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS:

Letter to Giriraja -- Vrindaban 16 August, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 14, 1974 and have noted the contents. I was very glad to learn that you had such a nice Janmastami celebration and that even our Mr. Setti was dancing during the kirtana. Actually it is due only to him that the plans for the residence quarters were approved by the Municipality. I have today received in the mail a receipt from the Municipality for the amount of Rs. 4,230/- as fees for cultural center.

Regarding Yasomatinandana's college programs, you should give him full facility for this preaching work. This should be very much encouraged. He is a good preacher in Gujarati and Hindi. Regarding engaging the men, it is required that nobody should sit idle.

Letter to Giriraja -- Mayapur 17 October, 1974:

I have received the report of Bombay from Gargamuni Swami that things are being mismanaged. Why you are building this road without my sanction? This road will spoil the whole scheme. Why are you letting the dictation of the municipality spoil the whole thing? This road must be stopped at any cost. Fight in the court if required.

I am sending Gargamuni and Brahmananda to save the situation. They are authorized to take any action in this connection.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Giriraja -- Honolulu 4 February, 1975:

I am in due receipt of the two copies of the Governors' letters but nothing from you. I do not know how far you have advanced in the matter of constructing of the building as sanctioned by the municipality. I hope everything is going on nicely there and please send weekly reports as I am anxious to know.

As advised by Sri M. Channa Reddy, have you seen the Chief Minister or not? If you've seen him, let me know the result. But I think the Governor is personally examining our case. So, what is the use of seeing the Chief Minister.

Regarding the bus, now I am serious to purchase one bus at least and I have secured money. So, arrange for this immediately with the help of Sridhara. We do not want the seats—it should be vacant. As such, the price should be reduced considerably. Gurukrpa Svami will go to India to lead the party, but at least 6 Indian men must go with him. As soon as I return to India, I shall take up this Bus sankirtana very seriously.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Saurabha -- Mayapur 12 February, 1976:

I am in receipt of one letter from Gaura Govinda Swami in Puri. In his letter he states that he is ready to submit plans to the municipal authorities. So I am herewith requesting you to send him a plan.

Letter to Abhirama -- Los Angeles 7 June, 1976:

And we shall spend any amount of money to make it an attractive spot for world tourists.

So try for the sanctioning by all means. Somehow or other, by flattery or whatever, get it sanctioned. It is very important. Convince them it is beautifying the park. And we shall please the corporation, the municipality, in every respect. It is a cultural presentation, not a temple, and it will attract many visitors. Convince them on this point.

Also, what about the corner house, on the corner of the park? You can make inquiries concerning this as well.

Letter to Aksayananda -- Hyderabad 12 December, 1976:

You have sent me the balances recorded in the passbook, but I want the balance according to the bank. Please do this immediately. Find out from the bank manager what the balance of these two accounts are and send the information to me immediately. Also, what is the progress with the municipal affairs? Please send me a full report.

Letter to Aksayananda -- Bombay December 21, 1976:

Kindly give them a good reception and food and deal very nicely with them in all respects. It is very nice that the chokidars have nice uniforms and are working very efficiently. That is wanted. The uniforms for the guesthouse staff should also be ready when the government people come.

I am very anxious to know what happened about the Municipal affair. Please let me know at the earliest.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Balavanta -- Bombay 4 January, 1977:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 27, 1976 and have noted the contents.

It appears that now it is the government policy to curb our activities. The zoning problem is another harassment. The general policy is to stop our Movement. That has begun, in so many ways; by the parents, by the municipality, by the government, by zoning; somehow or other to check this Movement. We are enemies to their standard of civilization. That is the problem. We are enemies, certainly. We frankly say, "This civilization is soul-killing. We have to save them, para upakara." Actually that is also fact, they are misleading people that the skin is everything. That is not the fact. The soul is everything. That they do not understand. They say, "What is this nonsense." They have no idea of religion. For them it is just a decoration.

Letter to Aksayananda -- Bombay 5 January, 1977:

Now the corner land of the parikrama road may be applied for acquisition. We shall use it for agricultural purposes. Sometime back they approached us for acquiring that land. Now you can seriously do this. First of all check whether it would be possible to build a drainage line to that land. If we can arrange for that it will be very good. It will solve our drainage problem, we won't have to pay tax to the municipality, and it will make that land very cultivatable. That drainage water is very good for fertilization. Please check into this possibility. Do it discreetly, so the acquisition may not be checked if it is possible. If it is not possible then you may go ahead with the sewer line.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Bhuvanesvara 28 January, 1977:

I was especially pleased by the information that "The Hindi books are selling like hotcakes in Vrndavana." This is very good news.

I approve of the arrangement for the writing on the "Bhaktivedanta Swami Gate". Your dealing with the municipality men and hosting them at the temple shows you have done these things very nicely.

I have already sanctioned the expenditures for Gurukula, estimated at Rs. 1,800,000 which will include the Vrindaban gates and drainage.

As for foreign publications I also want books in the Orissan language.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Bhuvanesvara 29 January, 1977:

Our plan is to arrive in Calcutta on the morning of February 4th; after a day or two, we will come to Mayapur.

In the meantime, what is the position of the Panihati scheme? I want you to negotiate with the municipality so that we can take over management of Raghava Pandit's house. Our first project will be to take pictures of this house, and then tear it down for exact reconstruction. Therefore, complete the negotiations so we can proceed. More when we meet.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Mayapur 18 March, 1977:

So if by these workshops service to Krishna has been increased in everyone, then they are very nice. Why there was no weaving and spinning workshop?

On the map of Vrndavana it is still called Chattikara Road. Also still on the letterhead. If the municipality has decided to rename the road in my name, why it is not yet changed?

In my room at Radha Damodara Temple you should keep one photo of me and offer to it Prasadam of Sri Radha Damodara.

Page Title:Municipality
Compiler:Visnu Murti, RupaManjari
Created:08 of Sep, 2012
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=2, OB=0, Lec=16, Con=0, Let=38
No. of Quotes:56