What is the necessity? (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"what is the necessity" |"what is the need" |"what is there need" |"what need is there"

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 9 May, 1970:

I have received one letter from Balmukund Parikh, the copy of which is enclosed herewith. It is understood that he is introducing something new in the name of teaching Devanagari script. The prayer of the Spiritual Master as he has quoted has no use for us, it is completely impersonal. This prayer immediately must be stopped.

Another thing is he asked me about Aurobindo's estimation. This means that he gradually wants to introduce Aurobindo philosophy. All these things do not sound very nice.

Please let me know what is the necessity of learning Devanagari script. We are transliterating all our books—Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Brahma Samhita, etc.—in Roman type, So why you should waste your time in learning Devanagari script?

So I am very much anxious to know what is the actual situation because I can scent that Mr. Parikh wants to introduce something in my absence which is completely against Krsna Consciousness. I hope you will understand me right and reply this letter by return mail what is the actual situation.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Sri Galim -- Delhi 20 November, 1971:

Regarding your proposed festivals, yes, that is a good idea. Please do it very nicely. These public festivals have proven very effective in spreading knowledge about Krishna Consciousness to all the citizens. In fact, I have directed the GBC to organize such festivals and travelling sankirtana throughout their zones. The festival we are holding at present in Delhi has been extremely successful, and by Krishna's grace everyone is appreciating this Movement by seeing the beautiful deity worship, by hearing the melodious kirtana, and by seeing the bright faces of my students.

It is not so important that you have no temple building just now. The main thing is that somehow or other preaching work goes on and literature is distributed. We are prepared to sleep under a tree, so what is there need for a fancy house? Only people must have some place to go, so as soon as possible try to get some place where the public can come and sit down comfortably and chant Hare Krishna.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Giriraja -- Bombay 4 January, 1972:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 31st, 1971. From your letter it appears that you are doing nicely distributing books and if you say that with help you could make at least one life member daily, then why not continue on in Madras for a month as you suggest or until there is no more field. But now we have received a telegram from you saying you are going to Calcutta. Now that two men have gone to join you and books have just been sent today what is the need to leave so soon? It is not good that every time there is need of a collector that you are the only one who can go. The best thing will be that you remain in Madras as long as there is a good field for distributing books and making members. When the field is dry then you can go to Calcutta. So I have sent you a telegram reading:

"Your letter December 31. If Madras business is going on nicely disregard Tamalas telegram Remain Madras Letter follows."

Letter to Sri Govinda -- Jaipur 20 January, 1972:

There is no need by any of my disciples to read any books besides my books—in fact, such reading may be detrimental to their advancement in Krishna Consciousness. All reading of outside books, except in certain authorized cases such as for example to read some philosopher like Plato to make an essay comparing his philosophy with Krishna's philosophy—but otherwise all such outside reading should be stopped immediately. It is simply another botheration. If my students cannot even read my own books thoroughly, why they should read others? I have given you TLC, what need is there to read Caitanya Caritamrta translated by someone else. You are right to stop such reading.

If you and your wife want to have children for raising them in Krishna Consciousness, and if you are prepared to take the full responsibility for delivering them from the clutches of birth and death, then I have no objection. I have allowed my disciples to marry as a concession for having household life, because you American boys and girls are accustomed to mix freely with one another, so what can I do? But brahmacari life or celibacy is better, because if the semina is saved it fertilizes the brain for sharpening the memory, and if there is good memory, our Krishna Consciousness becomes perfect: hearing, chanting, remembering—that is the process.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 10 May, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 26, 1974 and noted the contents. I can appreciate that you are traveling widely in your recently expanded zone and you plan to first become acquainted with the temple presidents by traveling is good. As far as you leaving Uttama Sloka in charge of Toronto and sending Sripati to Montreal, that is alright. I know Sripati was already there in Montreal and he is experienced.

Regarding your Gurukula report, why are the older boys being sent to New Vrindaban? What are the facilities like, what is the program there, what is the need for them to move? As things are not fully explained in your letter, I am inquiring regarding this very important change. As for buying a new house and land in order that the pre-school children may go there, what is the need of them being separate. If they cannot rise early, why should you take care of such young ones at Gurukula. But if they are rising early and attending arati, then why must they be separate from the other little children? Please explain further. You are right when you say Deity worship must be maintained. This is most important. I know Nandarani is expert in Deity care but I think she is working with the children. Your wife is also expert, so she can maintain the sewing and Deity worship program. But the standard must always be kept up. Sankirtana is also a part of Vaisnavism. All our activities are a part of Vaisnavism. So Sankirtana should also be developed at Dallas.

Letter to Gurudas Prabhu -- Mayapur 14 October, 1974:

Now you are asking for him to write a letter so you can collect money. But what about the monies you have already received? Where is the account? So far I know you have received from Murtidas Dollars 4,000.00; from Nanda Kumar 1700.00; from Srila Prabhupad before he left India Rs. 60,000/-, and from Karandhar Rs. 40,000/-. You must present the account of how these monies were spent before getting any facility for collecting additional funds. As GBC I must request you not to try to collect any money until you account for this money.

What is the need of your going out side of India to collect? Ample money is already coming without your having to go, and Srila Prabhupad has taken responsibility for providing funds whatever you need himself. He wanted you to stay in Vrindaban and manage there. Why have you left?

Letter to Vipini -- Bombay 19 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 7, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully.

I have received your check for $200.00 and appreciate it very much. As far as your engagement is concerned I think it is most appropriate for you to consult with the GBC men. But one thing that everyone should understand is that I am not so interested in selling incense as I am in selling books. Distribution of my books is the most important thing. These other things such as selling incense, records etc., are not so much important as this. If Spiritual Sky is a separate concern then what is the need of our own men who are capable preachers to be engaged in that way. I want that my books be distributed in huge quantities, and thus we will be able to thoroughly convince the majority of the population especially there in America. But finances are also needed. Therefore for further direction you please contact the GBC men and they will give you consultation. The more one preaches the more he becomes expert and the more he is able to convince others.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- Bombay 17 January, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 11-1-75 and have noted the contents. If Karandhara can continue to pay the 9,000 dollars monthly, then what is the necessity of change? Let him continue.

Regarding the lawyer, is it necessary to pay 20,000 dollars? Can this be avoided? Unnecessarily, we cannot spend so much.

I will be going to Hawaii on Jan. 26th. You can let me know what is the situation by mailing a report there. It is contemplated that we are going to South America afterwards. So, if your business is finished up, then you can join us directly from London to Caracas, but if the South American program does not take place, then I may come back through L.A., New York, London, etc.

Letter to Ajita -- Johannesburg 16 October, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Oct. 1, 1975 and I have noted the contents carefully. If you see problems in the Stockholm center why don't you try to reform it by your example and practical application of our philosophy. If I have to be involved in every dispute, then what is the need for the GBC? GBC is there for this purpose. However, if there is some serious difficulties, just now I can not give decision. If it is not settled, then it can be discussed at Mayapur.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Dvarakesa -- Mayapur 18 January, 1976:

For the benefit of the human beings, the capitalist kills the poor animals. Similarly, the communist does the same thing. Where is the difference? Perfect communism is in the Srimad-Bhagavatam wherein it is stated that you feel for the poor animals as well as the human beings. Srimad-Bhagavatam instructs that even if there is a snake or lizard in the house, it is the duty of the householder to see that they are also eating, not starving. So you have to begin your preaching with such broader idea of communism.

So this is a good wish for Krishna's service. If it is possible take immediate opportunity for it. So far as coming out of Hungary once you enter, if you can preach what is the need of coming out?

Letter to Ajita -- Honolulu 11 May, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 26, 1976 and I have noted the contents with care.

Concerning renaming your temple, if I have already given a name previously, then what is the need to re-name it. Now I can see that there is good preaching potential everywhere in your country as you mention the good response at the universities. Push on with these preaching activities and distribute my books profusely. They will someday realize how valuable books we have left them.

If you carry out your plan to hold Rathayatra, be certain that the Ratha-cart is very strongly made, so that it does not break during the procession. They had a very good cart made in Philadelphia and you can take hints from the devotees there how they designed their cart.

Upon your recommendation, I am accepting Lilamohana das and Kesava das for second initiation. Their threads are enclosed and you can play the gayatri mantra with accompanying mantra sheets into their right ear. Also, I am accepting Robert Hamilton (Sthayibhava das), and Joseph Hall (Mahamantra das) as my disciples. You can hold fire sacrifice and their beads may be chanted upon by Kirtanananda Swami. They must agree to strictly follow the regulative principles: no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating, and to chant minimum 16 rounds of japa daily. See that everyone is maintaining this standard of regulation so that there will be no hindrance to developing Krsna Consciousness.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 26 June, 1976:

The Rs. 15,000 was sent personally by me to Yasodanandana Swami for printing books. What right had Mahamsa Swami to spend this money? He is spoiling.

South India is a good field for our books. The library party of Mahabuddhi and Bhugarbha are doing very nicely. Indeed there is a good potential or better for our books in Indian libraries and universities. Try to get them visa extension or do the needful in this connection to see that this program goes on increasing. This program is very much encouraging to me.

If the Maharastra govt. has given "No Objection Certificate" on the import of our books, then what is the need for the central govt. to approve also? What is the situation? If one government has already sanctioned, then what is the need for another government to sanction?

Concerning the clinic idea in Bombay, that we shall have to consider. When I go there then I shall see to it.

Letter to Vidya -- Vrindaban 25 October, 1976:

If it is not possible for Tulasi to survive the winters when planted in the ground, then a suitable house should be provided for her. Even in the Canadian temples which are in a much colder climate are keeping Tulasi nicely. Why should there be so much difficulty in Los Angeles, which has such a nice climate. Just do everything very carefully. Tulasi flourishes where there is love and devotion.

In answer to your questions; 1) Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krsna. 2) Tulasi's body is spiritual. 3) Yes, jewelry is alright. 4) If possible. 5) Tulasi leaves should be offered to the Deity. 6) If possible. 7) Yes. 8) Yes. 9) You may cut the dead branches, but what is the necessity. 10) I never said that. 11) No. 12) Yes. 13) Use the wood for beads as far as possible, the balance may be placed within the earth. 14) I said no chemical sprays. 15) Undisturbed means what? 16) Use common sense and if you have none then consult with others. 17) No. 18) Don't try to introduce something new. The most important thing is the love and devotion.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Vrindaban 26 October, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 12/10/76.

Cyavana has misspent, that is clear. Therefore, indirectly we are responsible because we could not control him. Slack management Arrange things so that in the future these things may not occur.

Whether we require our own house in Mombassa? Why spend energy in that way when there is no money? Preaching is first and foremost. If by preaching people will contribute, then we can get, otherwise, what is the need?