Author: I must start off from the beginning for the person who reads the book, and the beginning for the person who reads the book is: here are these people wearing these strange clothes and doing these strange things. Now, why? Now, that's what I've got to do in the book. And in order to do this, it's necessary to describe some of these physical characteristics. And my reason for doing this is, in order to define what is relevant, it's necessary also to define what is irrelevant. That's pure logic.
Devotee: But Prabhupāda wants that you should have the highest understanding. Not just looking at it from their point of view, but if you present it from our point of view, then it can gain the realest, greatest understanding.
Author: Well, with respect, I think that can only . . . we can only consider that question in practice. When I actually write the material, you'll have to . . .
Prabhupāda: No. I mean to say, why there is objection if they are dressed in a particular way?
Author: Oh, I'm not objecting to it at all.
Prabhupāda: Then?
Author: In fact, it's one of the most reasons why I'm most strongly in favor of the Hare Kṛṣṇa . . .
Prabhupāda: So they are Hare Kṛṣṇa people, they dress in a particular way. That is the answer. That's all.
Author: I don't mind. Sir, I don't mind how they dress. I don't mind how anybody dresses. I don't mind at all. I happen to dress conservatively, other people dress less conservatively, and you people dress in saffron robes. It's not an . . .
Prabhupāda: Then what is your real question about the dress and shaven head?
Author: No I, for most people . . .
Devotee: One thing I think I understand is that he is saying that many people come and become interested in our movement by seeing us. Or by . . . not understanding anything of what we are doing, but by visual, by the mundane, seemingly, aspects. And in his book, I think what he is saying is he wants to present it in a way that will attract that sort of person, whereas most people will not pick up the book and read it because it's a book on Kṛṣṇa conscious philosophy, but because they are interested in the outward aspect of things.