Training of Hrdayananda dasa (Letters, 1971 - 1977)

Correspondence

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bombay 13 March, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated 21st and 23rd February, 1971, respectively. I have also received the newspaper clipping showing Hrdayananda's wedding and it is very nice. So far as him taking over the management of Boston temple, that is all right. All department heads should train an assistant so that in their absence, work may not suffer but go on continuously. However, why do you want to divorce yourself entirely from management of Boston temple? Do you think that is necessary?

Letter to Bill -- London 29 June, 1971:

I thank you very much for your letter dated 19th May, 1971 and have noted the contents. I am so glad to learn that Hrdayananda Prabhu has joined you in Gainesville and that you have got a nice place also. Now my desire will be fulfilled. I have wanted a center in Florida for a very long time. Two years ago I tried to open a center there with the help of one local gentleman but it was not very successful. So you are intelligent boy; I have heard so from Gargamuni Swami, and now Hrdayananda is there also. So do something wonderful there in Gainesville. Wonderful means simply you chant loudly and distribute prasadam. That is not very difficult. It is very easy. Simply if you do it enthusiastically and sincerely, then success will be there.

Letter to Anangamanjari (Elaine) -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1971:

I have just recently received one letter from your good husband Hrdayananda Prabhu and he has recommended you highly for initiation. So I have gladly consented to accept you as my duly initiated disciple and have given you the spiritual name Anangamanjari Devi Dasi.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1971:

I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated 2nd July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. You will be glad to know that I have consented to initiate your good wife, Elaine, as well as Bill Schoenbart, and have given them spiritual names Anangamanjari Devi and Radhaballaba Das, respectively; their beads and letters are enclosed herewith. So far as Radhaballaba getting himself married, you must first discuss with him that this marriage business is not a farce, but it must be taken very seriously. There is no question of divorce, and if he will promise not to separate from his wife, then my sanction for the marriage is there; otherwise not. Recently too many couples have been drifting into maya's waters, and it is very discouraging. So if he will agree on these points, then you can perform the marriage with my blessings.

Regarding lecturing at the university of Florida, if they will pay plane fare for two men there and back in addition to the sum they have agreed to give, then it will be my pleasure to go there. I require one assistant with me, so fare for two men, round trip, must be there; then I can go. By the middle of this month I am going to N.Y. so you can make plans accordingly.

Yes, I am very pleased that you are inclined to read and study our books with such seriousness. Thank you very much. And your conclusion is very nice. So continue it whole-heartedly. We want good preachers also. Preaching shouldn't depend on me only. My disciples should become all good preachers, and that depends on studying the books nicely so that you can arrive at the right conclusion. From your letter I can tell that you are doing very nicely in this regards and Krishna will help you in your endeavor more and more.

I have received also the $30.00 for beads and daksina. Thank you very much. Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Letter to Radhavallabha (Bill Schoenbart) -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1971:

At the request of Sriman Hrdayananda Prabhu, I have gladly consented to accept you as my duly initiated disciple. Your beads are chanted and they are enclosed herewith. I have given you the spiritual name Radhaballaba Das Brahmacari. Radhaballaba means Krishna, who pleases Radharani. Only Krishna can please Srimati Radharani, so He is known as Radhaballaba.

I am so glad to hear that you are working cooperatively with Hrdayananda Prabhu in our Gainesville center to push on this Krishna Consciousness movement. It is surely Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy that such sincere boys as you are helping me to fulfill the order of my Spiritual Master. I am doing the work of my Spiritual Master and similarly you also help me and we will all be benefited in Krishna Consciousness. So stay strong in Krishna's service by strictly following the regulative principles of devotional life, chant at least 16 rounds daily, read all our books, and if there are any questions you can refer them to Hrdayananda Prabhu. He is very intelligent boy. So together you work cooperatively to make our Gainesville center a grand success and I will be very pleased.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Los Angeles 6 July, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3d July, 1971 and have noted the contents. All these initiation beads should be kept very carefully and protected. It is not a question of changing beads, but this carelessness, of losing beads, is not very good. You are very intelligent boy, so you should be careful and instruct others also. So keep your beads in a bag and keep the bag around your neck. Then you won't lose.

It was not necessary to send me $10.00 for the beads but since you have so kindly sent, I shall gladly add this sum to my book fund. Thank you very much. Also, I hope you have received my previous letter by now, dated yesterday, in regards to that university lecture.

Yes, it is all right that you address me as Spiritual Father. As I have several times explained, when initiation is given, the Spiritual Master becomes the spiritual father and the gayatri mantra becomes the spiritual mother and thus second birth takes place.

Letter to Narayani -- New York 30 July, 1971:

So work cooperatively with Hrdayananda and the other devotees there and make our Gainesville center a grand success.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 6 January, 1972:

And you must all study very scrutinizingly all of the books so that when the need arises you can repeat in your own words their purport. Also I will be very pleased if you contribute articles to BTG. By writing regularly, what you read will become realized. As much as possible read, chant, and preach. This is our life and soul. If we keep to this simple formula then there is no doubt that we will be victorious wherever we go and very soon we shall become the only religion in the world.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 4 February, 1972:

"So as President, now you will be forced to advance in Krishna Consciousness because you must always set the highest example yourself, and I think that this is Krishna's special favoring you. Try to always see the highest purity is maintained in all respects, become yourself very convinced of this Krishna philosophy, be always preaching and trying to understand some basic points from different angle of vision, keep the devotees in your temple always satisfied and jolly, and that will be your success."

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Tokyo 4 May, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 30, 1972, and I have noted the contents. I was ready to send some threads and gayatri mantras to Houston, but now you have moved, so I shall send them to Pusta Krishna instead. I am going to Los Angeles soon, you can stay there, and we shall speak some.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 17 May, 1972:

I have received several letters from Hrdayananda requesting sacred thread initiation for Pusta Krishna and Mahamaya dasi in Houston centre. So now he has come to Los Angeles so I am sending you their threads and two copies of gayatri mantra enclosed. You may hold a fire yagna and give them both gayatri mantra. you know well how to do it.

Another thing, I am giving sannyasa to Rupanuga, Karandhara and Bali Mardan and as you have also asked me, I shall also be pleased to give you sannyasa. The others are coming to Los Angeles by the 25th May, 1972, and the ceremony will be held on the 27th May. However, as I am most probably coming to Dallas on my return from Mexico City, it is more practical to give you sannyasa order of life at that time. If possible you can also come and take sannyasa along with others.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 1 July, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter from Cleveland dated June 26, 1972 and I have noted the contents with great pleasure. Similarly I have received such nice letters from Rupanuga and Hrdayananda, and I am very much satisfied that you are all feeling the serious nature of this Sannyasi mission.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- New York 9 July, 1972:

Now you must all three, along with the other sannyasis, GBC members, and other leaders become very serious to actually give the human kind the greatest welfare, namely, this Krishna Consciousness movement. Your task ahead is very huge, but it will be quite simple and easy if you simply do as I am doing. You must become conversant in every feature wherever it is needed throughout the society. Out first business is to preach to the devotees and to maintain the highest standard of Vaisnava education. Management must be there as well, just as I am preaching daily from S. Bhagavatam, B.G., but I am also going to the bank, making investments, seeing the trial balance making letters, seeing how things are going on, like that. So you must become expert in all these matters, just as I am giving you example . . . Syamasundara. has passed on your telephone message that you wish to open a Vedic college or school of higher Krishna Consciousness education there at Houston. That is not very much desirable. Actually, every center should be a college, and this is our training, singing dancing, working, temple worship, like that . . .

Try to understand the subject matter from different varieties or approaches. For example, we know from Bhagavad-gita that Krishna says He is the taste in water. Now try to understand just how Krishna is that taste in water, that is the high-class education.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Amsterdam 29 July, 1972:

. . . But one thing is, we are observing here in Europe many, many hippies have become so disgusted with material life but they are also now so much degraded that they will not hear our philosophy, simply mocking. So our devotees may become very much learned to remove their doubts and become very much fixed up in Krishna Consciousness, but so far preaching to the general public, especially the hippie class, it is better not to preach very much philosophy, just somehow or other get them to chant Hare Krishna mantra, and if some of them are curious to learn something they may purchase one of our books. Only if they chant with us, that will help them.

. . . Sannyasi must be independent and not rely upon temples to pay his expensive travelling costs, simply he must take Krishna's mercy whenever and wherever it is offered.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- London 6 August, 1972:

That is a very good program that you have begun, namely, travelling from center to center and preaching especially from the scholarly point of view of being able to understand this Krishna philosophy very scientifically and positively. You have studied the Sanskrit language for some years, that is sufficient of study, there is no more need. Now you read our books, not that lifelong you have to study Sanskrit. Simply read our Sanskrit wherever it appears in our books and teach these slokas to the devotees, do not waste time by studying Sanskrit independently of our books.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 5 November, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 4, 1972, which I have only just now received, due to travelling these past weeks. Yes, your plan for travelling and preaching was very much approved by me, but now I understand from Satsvarupa that he has gone to Dallas to manage things there because Stoka Krishna has left to Los Angeles. Are you travelling now alone, or what shall be your programme now? This constantly changing managers is not good. We shall develop more progressively by sticking in one place and working, not that one week we have three presidents, that is not good. Our managers should be very responsible for developing their centre to the topmost standard, why this restlessness? It is just like one man is holding government post by getting votes, so today or tomorrow or next day, but he will have to go out, then another man comes, then another, another—in this way, democratic system, no one becomes responsible for the welfare of the citizens, only they want to take for themselves as much as they can before they have to get out, so they do not take real interest in their duty. It is a little like that. My idea is that the leaders must agree to stick at one place, even they may have to remain their life-long, that is the ideal leader, one who is conscious of his duty.

But you are sannyasi, and sannyasis duty is different: travel widely and preach. That is sannyasa. So I am very happy to hear you are doing that, now go on vigorously preaching and distributing books, especially among the college students, and utilize every moment to spread Krishna Consciousness knowledge to everyone. That will be the perfection of your life.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Hyderabad 23 November, 1972:

"Especially I am so much pleased to hear that you are travelling with a few men to each and every college campus to preach. That is wonderful news. Now try to build up and develop that programme to perfection, so that simply by hearing and seeing you the students will want to come forward to join this great movement. And distribute books, as many as you can—and I think you can distribute many millions of books alone, that Krishna will help you do."

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Satsvarupa, Hrdayananda -- Bombay 9 January, 1973:

Your letters dated December 25, 1972, are in hand and I am very much encouraged also to see the nice photos you have sent me. Especially I am glad to hear that Mohanananda has returned to Dallas School for taking charge of things there. Yes, he was the original pioneer member of Dallas Temple, so he has returned to develop now everything just to the perfect standard of completion. One thing is, I am requesting that one of my old friends here in Bombay, one Bengali man named Mr. D. C. Chakravorty, may send his three young children to our Gurukula, probably they will be coming there some time next spring. So you may prepare one letter of invitation to Mr. D. C. Chakravorty, c/o Mogul Line Ltd., 16 Bank Street, Fort, Bombay-1, India, wherein you shall certify that his children, namely Basanti Chakravorty, female 9 years old, Somendra Chakravorty, male, 6 years old, and Satindra Chakravorty, male, 6 years old, that these three children have been admitted to our bona fide educational institution at Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., and that you have accepted them to study with you for a period of, let us say, one year's time, and that you understand that the tuition fees and other incidental expenses such as boarding and lodging, clothes, medical expenditures, and so forth, that these maintenance expenses will be borne by the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, and then you may give some credentials and financial statements about our Society. This letter will enable Mr. Chakravorty to get visas for the children, although it is understood between us that if there are any expenses, and we shall of course charge something, then he will pay us here in rupees and we shall bear the cost there in Dallas. There are very strict financial restrictions in India for money going outside the country. You may mention that it is understood by you that their round trip air tickets will be paid for in India by their parents, and that you are expecting them to arrive there some time around the middle of April, like that. If you send the letter immediately to me here at my Bombay address, I shall hand it over to him and do the needful.

I very much appreciated your publicity material for the Bhagavata-dharma program, now go on developing it more and more to perfection. I am very much satisfied by this activity, that is your real work for Krsna. In this way, try to recruit some of the intelligent class of student class to take up this Krsna Consciousness philosophy and study it carefully. Try to recruit some of such men to become our devotees. There is need for intelligent young men to train them up as future leaders and preachers to go all over the world for spreading the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If we simply go to the college on one night and leave immediately for another place, it will be difficult to make very much impression upon these students. I think it is better to stay at one place for some time, at least one week, or as long as the students are interested, and try to sell as many books as possible. After your lecture in the college you may request if there are any interested students, that they may make further programs for you in their homes, or in some club or hall, like that, so that you may remain some time longer and concentrate on recruiting two or three good men, whoever appears to be the most interested, and by your diligent preaching to them you may be able to persuade some of them to become our devotees. Of course we shall not expect them immediately to come into the temple, like that, but if at least the seed is planted and they begin chanting rounds and following the principles while continuing their studies at school, that is our great victory. And if they like, they may go and live in one of our centers, wherever they like, and learn further. But we shall not present Krsna Consciousness as anything dry or like set of rules and regulations only, no. Krsna Consciousness is the topmost philosophy also, the highest knowledge of educational experience, so try to impress this aspect of offering the perfect scientific understanding of everything as it is, not the temporary and unsatisfactory and incomplete understanding of things. Try to present everything very logically and always quoting our Sanskrit authorities in connection with the main points, and that will impress them greatly. Yes, and if you also yourselves write something daily, that will sharpen your use of language and you will be able to make your points very clear. And if you dress neatly and conduct yourselves properly, that will help further.

Upon the recommendation of Satsvarupa, I shall be glad to accept John Partlin as my duly initiated disciple, and his letter is enclosed herewith, along with his beads, duly chanted by me.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Sydney 17 February, 1973:

While in India last it was brought to my attention that our Sriman Hayagriva das has become deviated from the four basic principles which I have given to all my students for adherence to when they are first initiated. I do not know why he is living in such a way but I feel that he must be brought back to the standard immediately. So I am requesting you as my Governing Board Commissioners to help me bring him back to the standard. He has very good talent, but he is spending it by living such an unrestricted life.

Therefore, in the meantime, there must be another co-editor of Back to Godhead magazine to replace him. I have discussed this with Madhudvisa Maharaja here in Australia and he has suggested that Hrdayananda das Goswami could be a good man for the job. I have not made any decision, but I would like you to discuss this amongst yourselves and send me your conclusion. I cannot stress this point enough that we must handle this publication of Back to Godhead very nicely for it is one of the most important aspects of our society. So you will please do the needful in this regard and please contact me soon.

Letter to Karandhara -- Sydney 17 February, 1973:

Therefore, in the meantime, there must be another co-editor of Back to Godhead magazine to replace him. I have discussed this with Madhudvisa Maharaja here in Australia and he has suggested that Hrdayananda das Goswami could be a good man for the job.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Calcutta March 7, 1973:

Thus far I have received no reply regarding Madhudvisa's suggestion about Hrdayananda from the GBC members.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Los Angeles 10 May, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 4, 1973. I am very much pleased by the contents.

The green sheets advertising our books to the college professors are very very good. You may send copies to all centers.

Your plan to get a large vehicle for traveling with built in shower, kitchen etc. is approved by me. But you should try to get new, because the old ones are always needing repair. We have seen by practical experience.

Regarding your going with Satsvarupa Maharaja to Europe for one month. I have received one letter from him saying that he could not go because his presence is too important at our Gurukula in Dallas. It is a fact that Gurukula must be always carefully supervised, it is one of our most important projects. So you can correspond with him in this connection.

Thank you very much for your sincere efforts in pushing forward this Krsna Consciousness Movement.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bombay 4 October, 1973:

I am very pleased that you and Hrdayananda Swami are traveling and preaching and that everyone was singing and dancing at the kirtana at the U. of Iowa. It is a sign of great success.

Letter to Satsvarupa -- New Delhi 2 November, 1973:

In the meantime you can train Hrdayananda das Goswami to edit. I think he is a fit man to assist you. Regarding "Back to Godhead" being the most important magazine in the world, therefore I am seeking to see Dr. Kapoor's article for getting attention.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Cyavana -- Mayapur 6 March, 1974:

Please go on and try to establish something substantial there and develop it. Here at Mayapur we have had a GBC meeting and I have selected Hrdayananda Swami as GBC for South America. He will be coming there and can help you in making arrangements for the printing of books in Spanish. Always follow our principles and actively preach, and Krsna will always protect you.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 14 March, 1974:

I was pleased to appoint you as GBC of South America in the hope that you will organize the printing and distribution of my literature there, on the scale of the U.S. and European Zones. I have been informed there is a very good chance for spreading Krishna Consciousness in South America.

Just as Hamsaduta and Bhagavan have gone to foreign countries and arranged for a solid program of translation, printing and distribution of my books by sankirtana party, so you will also find the devotees in South America willing to help you in this noble project which is for the benediction of the suffering humanity. My own Guru Maharaja stressed the printing and distribution of literature even over gorgeous temple construction, and I also was printing even before I have big temples in the U.S. So you may follow the footsteps of the previous acaryas, while always strictly following the regulative principles for spiritual strength.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Geneva 4 June, 1974:

My dear Hrdayananda Maharaja,

Please accept my blessings I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 10, 1974. I was eager to receive your first GBC report and I have carefully noted the contents.

As GBC your first responsibility is to keep yourself spiritually fit and see that all the devotees in your zone of management are chanting 16 rounds, rising early and strictly avoiding the sinful activities. If they are doing this, then management will be at your finger's end. Of course I am encouraged to hear that in each center you have stressed the distribution of my books and you are seeing that devotees daily go out for sankirtana as a primary devotional item. So you have a very wide range of area to cover and many things to look after, please do it very soberly, consulting when necessary with your GBC Godbrothers. Our progress is slow but sure, when walking down the street, we first place one foot down and when it is firm we take another step. We want to firmly establish centers in South America. I fully agree that the centers should be as far as possible manned by men who are native to the country; that will make our position even stronger, just as in the USA all you men and women have managed.

As far as Brazil, why not go in first with sankirtana parties, distribute books in Portuguese, and then we can see later about opening a center.

As far as counsel is concerned, simply keep up your fresh utsaha or enthusiasm for service. That will accomplish wonders. And always remain ideal yourself by strict adherence to the bhakti principles.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 17 August, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 16, 1974 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following students as my initiated disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows:

CARACAS:

Walter—Vanasancari das;

Miguel—Munipriya das;

Elba—Adhara das;

Thais—Tadakari das;

Janoski-Jayahatakosthaka das

SAN JUAN:

Magaly—Manohara dasi;

Americo—Adhari das;

Guillermo—Gopa das

SANTO DOMINGO:

Rafael—Rasakeli dasi;

Ramon—Rajivalicana das

MEXICO:

Orasess—Prabhudas;

Miguel Angel—Mantri das;

Fernando—Kutahanta das;

Georgina—Jaladhosa dasi;

Malena—Mathura dasi.

I am also enclosing sacred threads and sheets for Havi das, Purujit das, Urdhvabhaga das (CARACAS); and SAN JUAN; Raghupatiprana das, Vaisnavananda das, and Bhuvana Rasini das; TSKP—Kirtideva das.

So hold fire sacrifices and you may chant on the beads. Impress upon the students that they are taking vows before Radha and Krsna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas. Everyone must always chant 16 rounds.

Letter to Unknown -- Vrindaban 15 September, 1974:

RECEIVED REPORTS OF DISTURBANCE BY HANUMAN HRDAYANANDA SWAMI MUST BE OBEYED HE IS MY REPRESENTATIVE DO NOT MAKE UNNECESSARY AGITATION CHANT HARE KRISHNA

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Mayapur 5 October, 1974:

There is one vacancy in the GBC Board, so myself in consultation with Brahmananda Maharaja and Jayatirtha Prabhu, we have decided you can fill up the post. This will be confirmed in the next GBC meeting. In the meantime I wish you may accept this responsibility. My desire is that some of our experienced members who have proved their sincerity of service may form the GBC Board so that the management of the whole institution may go on smoothly, and I may be relieved of affairs of management which hampers my writing of books because my attention is diverted. At present the following members are on the GBC Board: 1. Jayatirtha, 2. Hrdayananda, 3. Rupanuga, 4. Jagadisa, 5. Satsvarupa, 6. Brahmananda, 7. Madhudvisa, 8. Hamsaduta, 9. Bhagavan, 10. Bali Mardan, 11. Tamala Krishna.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 31 October, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 26, 1974 and have noted the contents. I am very glad to note that you are seeing that the devotees are maintaining the devotional practices. This is the secret to success. Therefore I am stressing it. And, if you also stress it and show yourself as an ideal Vaisnava, then you are my representative in fullness. We are not after titles and designations. Lord Caitanya made it a principle that we must teach by personal example. This is what I have tried to do. So if all of you my disciples do this, then the future of our movement will be glorious.

I am glad to note the publishing work you are doing, and I look forward to receiving the books printed. I am pleased that you are personally seeing to the translation how it is done. Actually these books are the foundation stone of our movement. Whatever we are is resting on these books, so far reading them and distributing them. This should be our only motto.

Your invitation to visit Mexico and Caracas sounds very nice, and I shall be very pleased to come there. I shall be going to Hawaii sometime in December, and than I can come wherever you like.

Letter to Nrhari -- Bombay 22 November, 1974:

I am in due reciept of your letter dated September 27th, 1974 from San Diego. I have also received the photograph of your new son Mahaprabhu Das and he appears to be very nice so keep him carefully and raise him in Krishna Consciousness and your life will be successful. I am forwarding your letter to Hrdayananda Swami. The contents of your letter are very complicated and I hope that he can settle this matter peacefully. It appears that you do not have to pay back these debts, anyway you should all work this out amongst yourselves.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 21 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 27, 1974 with enclosed Spanish BTG and have noted the contents very carefully and looked through the new Spanish BTG. This new BTG is done very nicely. The printing is very beautiful and I thank you very much for doing such a nice job. I am very glad to hear you have printed 100,000 copies of this magazine. Now give them to everyone. Also I am very happy to hear the other books will be coming out very soon. If you can finish Bhagavad-gita As It Is in Spanish and show me at the Mayapur festival that will be very sublime. Please print as many books as possible, this is my real pleasure. By printing these books of our Krsna Conscious philosophy in so many different languages we can actually inject our movement into the masses of persons all over the world, especially there in the western countries and we can literally turn whole nations into Krsna Conscious nations. Thank you for representing me there in LSS by stressing the importance of attendance to the morning and evening programs and following all of the spiritual practices. This is wanted. Without these things there is no devotional life. And by your example many others will also become strong.

Regarding my coming to Mexico City and Caracas, yes I want to come there very much. Now we are in Bombay trying to get permission from the government to build our temple. And it appears that we will possibly be getting the permission next week. If this works out then I will immediately be going to Honolulu and from Honolulu I can go directly to Mexico City, then Caracas, and then to Australia by the end of Jan. If the Bombay situation is not settled up I may have to stay till mid-Jan. or so and then in mid or end of Jan. I will be going to Australia to stay for one month. After Australia we had planned to go to S. Africa for two weeks, but if this does not work out then I could come to Mexico City and Caracas at that time. Anyway I will let you know as soon as our plan becomes definite. I am always anxious to hear your reports of new book publications and sales.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 17, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully. Also I have received the books newly printed in Spanish language; Krsna, vol. 1, Beyond Birth and Death and the new Spanish BTG. The printing job is done very nicely. I hope to see many, many more of them coming in the future. Especially as you mention in your letter, Bhagavad-gita complete by the Mayapur festival this year. That will be very nice.

It is very good that people are pleading for devotees to come in Brazil. You should send some competent men there to help direct them and establish two centers there if possible.

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.

Thank you again for printing so many nice books. Continue distributing them in huge quantities and Krsna will shower His blessings.

Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 27 December, 1974:

My program is now to go to Mexico City and S. America on invitation from Hrdayananda Goswami.

Letter to Gurukrpa -- Bombay 31 December, 1974:

So far as Central and South America is concerned, that is Hrdayananda's jurisdiction.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 17 January, 1975:

I am in due reciept of your letter dated Jan. 11th, 1975 and have noted the contents. It is very encouraging. I pray to Krishna that everything may be settled up as described by you. I am going to Hawaii on Jan. 26th via Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. You can report the next incidences to Hawaii. The program is that from Hawaii I may go to Mexico and Caracas as invited by Hrdayananda Gosvami.

Letter to Hanuman -- Bombay 18 March, 1975:

I have received one letter from Narayana dasa, saying that he has been informed by some of your men that you are GBC there and that he must subjugate to your authority. I never said that you were the GBC there. You cannot say that. If you are unable to work under the direction of Hrdayananda Gosvami, then you must work under my direction, but you are not independent. You cannot interfere with the programs that are now going on there. If you can work co-operatively, that is wanted, but if you cannot work with Narayana, that doesn't mean that you can disturb his program. He is working hard under the direction of Hrdayananda Gosvami. He is not under your authority. If you want to preach there, that is alright, but you cannot interfere with the work that Narayana is doing. If there is any difficulty, we can discuss it in India.

Letter to Narayana -- Bombay 18 March, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 4, 1975 and have noted the contents. Hanuman is not GBC. If he cannot work under Hrdayananda Gosvami, then he must work under me. He cannot be independent. I never said he was GBC. You should continue your programs there under the direction of Hrdayananda Gosvami. If Hanuman wants to preach there as long as he does not create any disturbance, he can preach there. I am enclosing one letter to Hanuman which you may present to him explaining his position.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Melbourne 19 May, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your report dated April 30, 1975 and have noted the contents. When our Mexico City branch is open, how can we close it? That building there is very nice and we have been there for five years now. I am not at all in favor of closing such a temple. Stay there in that building somehow or other, and if you like, you may also open a center in Guadalajara. We can keep men in Mexico City who are approved by the government, why should we close it? Jagadisa prabhu is there, so, work together with consultation so that we may remain in that building. Jagadisa has met one good lawyer and he is helping us. It looks favorable for us. You and Jagadisa please arrange it so that we may not have to leave Mexico City. That is my desire.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

N.B. Thank you for distributing so many books and please continue to print more books with added enthusiasm.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Honolulu 28 May, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 21, 1975 and have noted the contents. Try everything to remain in that house in Mexico City. I like that house very much. The best thing to do in Guyana is to kick out Mr. Rama, but if it is not practical, then let him buy us another house of our choice for our use—at least as good as that house, if not better. Regarding registration in Guyana, you simply have to show in court how we are an international society, not for any particular creed, race, or nation. Show them that we are a cultural movement. You should not back away when things get difficult.

Regarding your spanish literature, I am very happy to hear that they are selling nicely. Now, print more and distribute more. Let me know what is the most suitable season for going to Brazil and I may go there. If you want to add Radha Krishna's name to the list of candidates for sannyasa, that is alright.

Letter to Narayana -- Honolulu 16 June, 1975:

Regarding your report on Hanuman, I am forwarding your letter to Hrdayananda Goswami who can present this problem to the GBC for their solution.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Denver 27 June, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 9, 1975 with the enclosed books in Portuguese. It is very nice, and I am glad to learn that our movement is being nicely received there.

So I am prepared to come to South America, but the Venezuela Consulate in Los Angeles informs that they have government order not to give me visa. What is the meaning? You can try to arrange programs in Panama, Trinidad, and Guyana, so I can get down there on my way to Brazil. But, if there is any difficulty in getting the visa for these countries, then we may suspend the program. I do not want to take any risk, just like in Nairobi I was refused entry and it was a great inconvenience. This is not good for me.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Denver 1 July, 1975:

With regard to your letter dated June 9, 1975, upon your request I am accepting the following as my initiated disciples: Joca—Yajni dasa; Claudio—Caturmurti das; Bosco—Bhamaka dasa; Lucio—Lokasaksi dasa; Marcio—Maha kala dasa; Julio—Jagad bharta dasa; Flavio—Virocana dasa; and Bernadech—Bhuta mata dasi; Lucia—Raga bhumi devi; Marcia—Maha yogisvari dasi.

Please see that all these new devotees from Brazil are strictly following the regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds minimum daily.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 13 November, 1975:

I have seen your letter dated October 13, 1975 addressed to all GBC's. Brahmananda is accused, but I shall explain that Pusta Krishna Swami since the last three years was trying for my visa, so out of natural compassion for him I thought let me go to South Africa and come back before sitting down tightly. He was expecting me for a very long time, and South Africa is a strict place in the matter of visa and so on. After going there I was very much satisfied with how my movement is being received there. After my lecture in the University the Europeans clapped and they were very enthusiastically purchasing my books.

Now I have come back, so let me stay in India. I will remain in Bombay, Vrindaban, and Mayapur. As you have desired, now let me do that, to sit down tightly and concentrate on the translating business. But, if you disturb me, then my mind will be disturbed. I want that what I have established may go on nicely, but I see that some of the devotees are reviving their old "good" qualities. That is the difficulty. If the old habits come back, then everything is finished. If my mind becomes disturbed in this way, then how can I concentrate on book writing. It is not possible. Better not to inform me anything, and let me sit in Vrindaban.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 7 December, 1975:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 22 November 1975 and the new books in Portuguese and Spanish. They are very nice and the reports of sales are also very encouraging. If Radhavallabha Prabhu can help you that is all right, but you have to discuss this with the BBT trustees.

No you should not install Gaura nitai deities if you do not have the required Brahmins. Better wait.

Yes you print all my books, if you can sell then why not print. Print as much as possible and store them if necessary. But you must pay regularly the BBT loans that is not to be neglected.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 11 December, 1975:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 25, 1975, I have noted the contents carefully.

The deities in the picture you sent appear nice. Also the article, Visa to the Kingdom of the spirit looks favorable, although I cannot read the language.

Your idea of printing a deluxe edition and an ordinary edition is all right, everyone should get a book that is the idea, so do it.

The idea of GBC changing zones for 2-3 months of the year is also good. Bring up this point at the Mayapur meeting and vote on it.

I accept the below listed students as my initiated disciples their new names are given and you may hold a fire ceremony and chant on their beads. Instruct them to chant 16 rounds daily and refrain from the four sinful habits of material life. The second initiates should hear the Matra from the tape recording through the right ear, instruct them in habits of cleanliness, and brahminical qualifications and behavior.

Brazil

Amaro—Srivatsa Das

Sergio—Jagajjaitra Das

Helio—Kalanemiha Das

Evaraldo—Anantakirti Das

Antonoi—Visvavandya Das

Rogerio—Kuladeva Das

Pedro Paulo—Yajnatrata Das

Ariel—Dvijapriya Das

Argentina

Oscar—Jayadhvaja Das

Hector—Sadhyasrestha Das

Ramon—Sahasranama Das

Humberto—Dharmananda Das

Maria—Rasasun Devi Dasi

Lilian—Yogini Devi Dasi

Silvia—Rasavasini Devi Dasi

Kamala Carana Das—second initiation

Premaprayojana Das—second initiation

Mexico city

Arturo—Dvija hari Das

Rafael—Yajnaphalada Das

Vivara—Visvaksena Das

Alfredo—Devyahpati Das

Ricardo—Kripalu Das

Ricardo A.—Adityesa Das

Isabel—Bhutabhavya Das

Efren—Sananava Das

Raul—Stutya Das

Jorge—Vedasara Das

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 22 December, 1975:

Thank you for your letter dated November 29th 1975. The poem is very nice, however one should not think himself a devotee, poem 3. should read

"Your servant's calling so sadly,"

"Your servant's falling so badly,"

"A servant's trapped in the city."

one cannot call himself a devotee, but servant he can call himself always.*

Your bus program sounds nice, it is approved my me.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Nellore 4 January, 1976:

I beg to thank you for your letter dated December 22, 1975. I am glad to learn that everything is going nicely in your zone. In South America the people are not so rich nor so enlightened as their North American neighbors, but they are very nice people and somewhat pious and that is their credit. Now just try to deliver Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message to them. As you are doing go on publishing books, more and more, in Spanish and Portuguese.

It is very good that you have concentrated all the production of Spanish and Portuguese literature to Los Angeles. Please thank all the devotees of the Spanish BBT for the beautiful edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. This book publishing was the most important work of my Guru Maharaja and he ordered me to continue in the Western world. So I am very much indebted to all of you who are helping me to carry out the order of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. Please see that all of our books are translated as nicely as this edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Jagadisa Prabhu also is thinking to come as my GBC secretary for the month of February. If you come in February I have no objection, I can have three dozen secretaries. If your business will not suffer, you are welcome anytime. I wish to remain with all my disciples together, but we have to do preaching work and therefore have to remain separate. But actually there is no question of separation for one engaged in Lord Krishna's service.

I accept Sriman Raghava Caitanya das Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed please find his sacred thread duly chanted on. Now you must hold a fire ceremony. He should hear the mantra through a tape recording in the right ear. Brahmin initiation means to be very clean, inside and outside. Inside by chanting the Lord's name, and outside by bathing regularly, washing hands and mouth after eating. Instruct him on all these things and do it also yourself—example is better than precept.

Letter to Karandhara -- Mayapur 21 March, 1976:

Hrdayananda Maharaja has suggested that why don't you come to South America and assist him in responsible management.

Letter to Puru -- Vrindaban 6 April, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 7, 1976 addressed to Hrdayananda Maharaja. Concerning the use of sour cream in the temple, it should be stopped immediately. Nothing should be offered to the Deities which is purchased in the stores. Things produced by the karmis should not be offered to Radha-Krishna. Ice cream, if you can prepare, is o.k., but not otherwise. Now, you have such a big stock of this sour cream, so sell the stock at any cost. Who is the rascal who has purchased without permission?

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

The beads for first initiates can be chanted upon by Hrdayananda Maharaja and they should be given these beads and names at the time of initiation.

Letter to Hrdayananda:

I am in due receipt of the new KRSNA books and your letter dated July 24, 1976 and with great pleasure I thank you for them. Please offer all the devotees my blessings. Their enthusiasm for distributing my books will please me very much. Not only will I be pleased, but my guru maharaja will also be pleased and they will all be blessed. This is very good news, prithivite ache yato nagaradi grama sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama, this is the way of preaching, to spread the news of Krsna in every town and village all over the world. Thank you very much.

Letter to Taksya -- Hyderabad 20 August, 1976:

You may give him his name at a fire yajna and his beads may be chanted on by Hrdayananda Maharaja.

Letter to Acyuta -- Vrindaban 20 September, 1976:

Please hold a fire sacrifice and the first initiated disciples may receive their names at that time while the brahmana initiates may hear the mantra through the right ear and receive the threads. Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on the beads and give them to the devotees. All initiates must chant minimum 16 rounds on the beads daily and very strictly follow the four regulative principles to insure success on the path of spiritual progress of life. A brahmana must be clean by bathing and chanting daily.

Letter to Pancadravida -- Vrindaban 20 September, 1976:

Hold a fire sacrifice and Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on the beads. Give the bead, threads, and names at this time and the gayatri mantra may be heard by tape through the right ear. All initiated disciples must chant at least 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha-mantra daily on the beads and the brahmanas must remain clean outside by regularly bathing and clean inside by chanting the maha-mantra.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 7 October, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your letter undated, and have noted the contents.

Thank you very much for your very good printing and preaching work. May Lord Caitanya bless you.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Vrindaban 2 November, 1976:

I am in receipt of your letter dated nil accompanied by two copies of the first edition of the Portuguese Bhagavad-gita. It is very nice.

You are doing very nicely. This enthusiasm is required. It is the basic principle in making advancement in Krsna's service. You have written to say you want to start printing Caitanya Caritamrta. I think it is too difficult. It is better for the time being to simply continue with the Bhagavatam. Caitanya Caritamrta is the post-graduate study.

You have written that chanting, dancing and book distribution are going on nicely. Prasadam distribution should also be introduced. This will make the program even more effective. I am glad to know that Pancadravida is doing so nicely. He is a very good assistant.

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

Their beads may be chanted on by Ramesvara or Hrdayananda.

Letter to Sukadeva -- Hyderabad 12 December, 1976:

So, Gurukrpa says one thing and you say something else. What can I say? Now you should consult with Ramesvara and Hrdayananda Maharajas about your engagement. Work under their direction. That will be alright.

Letter to Sukadeva -- Hyderabad 12 December, 1976:

So, Gurukrpa says one thing and you say something else. What can I say? Now you should consult with Ramesvara and Hrdayananda Maharajas about your engagement. Work under their direction. That will be alright.

Letter to Alanatha -- Bombay 23 December, 1976:

Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. Now hold a fire yajna. Instruct the first initiates to always chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily and to follow strictly the four regulative principles. Hrdayananda Maharaja may chant on their beads.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Hrdayananda -- Calcutta 16 January, 1977:

I am in due receipt of your letters dated December 25th and January 9th respectively, and have noted the contents. Yes, I am very pleased with your book distribution because nobody was able to defeat Radha Damodara TSKP previously. Radha-Damodara is Himself pleased upon you. sometimes the Lord wants to be defeated by His devotee. Nobody can defeat the Lord, but still He desires like that sometimes. That is His mercy. Pancadravida Swami is very intelligent in every way. He is a very competent, nice devotee. I am very much pleased, so go on increasing the distribution more and more.

Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for initiation. The name for Jose is Harinamananda dasa. You may chant on his beads. For the second initiate, Radha-Vinode dasa, hold a fire yajna. Instruct the first initiate to always chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily and follow strictly the four regulative principles. For the second initiate, play for him the tape of me chanting Gayatri into the right ear.

Letter to Bir Krsna -- Mayapur 10 February, 1977:

Go on cooperating with Hrdayananda Maharaja and gradually spread the book distribution to every home in South America.

Letter to All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents -- Vrindaban 9 July, 1977:

Letter to: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents

—

Vrindaban

9 July, 1977

77-07-09

To All G.B.C., and Temple Presidents

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as "ritvik

- representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:

His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami

His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami

His Holiness Jayapataka Swami

His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami

His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami

His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami

His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami

His Holiness Ramesvara Swami

His Holiness Harikesa Swami

His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari

His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari

In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book.

Hoping this finds you all well.

Your servant,

Approved: Tamala Krsna Gosvami

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

Page Title:	Training of Hrdayananda dasa (Letters, 1971 - 1977)
Compiler:	MadhuGopaldas
Created:	25 of May, 2010
Totals by Section:	BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=65
No. of Quotes:	65