Prabhupada and Tilaka devi dasi

Expressions researched:
"Tilaka"

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Tilaka (Evalyn) -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1971:

I beg to thank you very much for your kind letter dated 11th June, 1971 asking for initiation and you will be glad to know that I have accepted you as my duly initiated disciple. Your beads have been chanted on and are enclosed herewith. Your spiritual name is Tilaka Devi Dasi. Tilaka means victory personified.

So now you have taken to Krishna Consciousness wholeheartedly and I am so pleased to hear how enthusiastic you are for serving the Spiritual Master and for serving your husband also. That is your duty. You are your husband's better half and as such it is your duty to assist him in every way possible so that he can nicely execute Krishna Consciousness. Especially Makhanlal has taken charge of our Seattle temple and that is a big responsibility, so you must give him all assistance and all encouragement.

And at the same time you must keep yourself fit in Krishna Consciousness. The process is very simple: Chant at least 16 rounds of beads daily; follow all the regulative principles strictly; read our books; attend aratis and classes, as well as street Sankirtana. In this way engage yourself in Krishna's business 24 hours and you will become a pillar of spiritual strength for your husband.

Letter to Makhanlal -- Los Angeles 14 July, 1971:

Yes, you have my blessings for the gayatri initiations of Jaya Deva Das Brahmacari and your wife Tilaka Devi Dasi. I am enclosing herewith a tape of the gayatri mantra chanted by me along with two copies of gayatri mantra and one sacred thread, duly chanted on by me, as well. The process should be that you let each of them hear the tape individually (through earphones). Show them how to chant on the fingers. Let them read the mantra and listen to the tape.

Letter to Makhanlal, Tilaka -- Nairobi 24 September, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 30th August, 1971 and have noted the contents. Also I have received the check for $80. as daksina from Tilaka Devi Dasi and I thank you very much for the same. It is interesting to note that her father is consulate general for Madras. He can help us if he gives an introductory letter in favor of Madhudvisa Swami to see the ambassador in Delhi. We want this ambassador should take part in the big function we are going to hold in Mayapur. So far Mr. Dhawan is concerned, I am enclosing herewith one letter in the name of Brahmananda Swami in regards to opening a center in Nigeria.*

I am so glad to hear that Von Prabhu is executing such valuable service to Krishna. Please give him my blessings. So he is giving such nice service; that is his qualification. So if you feel that he is ready, then he may take initiation by mail and we can give him a certificate also and that will save him from the draft.

Your proposal for a grhastha travelling Sankirtana party is a very good one but the temple work should not be neglected. Both things should go on simultaneously. Our process is to work on Bhagavata and Pancaratriki systems simultaneously. Deity worship is pancaratriki system and preaching is Bhagavata system. If we keep both systems in a regular way that will help us solidly in our advancement in Krishna Consciousness.

So far my health is concerned, there was a slight indication of a heart attack but it was not very acute. Krishna saved me. I have had many times such slight heart attacks since 1970 but it does not hamper my activities in Krishna Consciousness. So long as Krishna will keep me fit I will go on working. So you devotees should pray to Krishna that I can go on giving Him service up to the last point of my death.

Supersoul is sitting in everyone's heart, so when He hears the effect of hearing is there. So it is to be understood that the Spiritual Master is also hearing.

Please offer my blessings to the others. Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

*Brahmananda Swami has written Mr. Dhawan asking for six round-trip tickets from Kenya for going there to establish a center.