Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
a.c. bhaktivedanta swami

15 December 2007
15 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Kurusrestha,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 7, 1973 along with the wonderful photos of Denver Temple. Thank you very much.

I am very pleased. Carry on as you are doing. When I return to the U.S. next summer I will certainly consider visiting there.

I hereby accept the devotees as you have recommended for initiation and their names are as follows:

Emil--Svavasa dasa
Mike--Vyapi dasa
Joe--Naikatma dasa
Wally--Naikarmakrt das

You may send their beads of Kirtanananda Maharaja for chanting upon.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 12:01 |

15 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Nityananda,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 11, 1973. Yes, I received the photo album and it was very nice. Thank you very much.

I hereby accept the two devotees you recommended for second initiation and enclosed find two sacred threads and two gayatri mantras.

Take instruction from Satsvarupa Goswami on how to properly perform the fire yajna after which the initiates may listen once to the mantra in the right ear from the cassette tape I have made.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 12:00 |

15 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Bhutatma,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter sated December 11, 1973.

I hereby accept the following devotees for first and second initiation as recommended by you:

John - Vatsara dasa
Elena - Kalakantha dasi
Peter - Vatsala dasa
Deborah - Sasikala dasi
Paul - Vatsi das
Cheryl - Kandarpa-sundari dasi
Naomi - Kamalalita dasi

Enclosed find three sacred threads and three gayatri mantras for the second initiates. Hold a fire yajna, after which they may listen to the mantra once through the right ear from from the cassette tape I have have made.

You may send the beads of the first initiates to Kirtanananda Maharaj and send it to me in Los Angeles.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/Kda

ISKCON
San Francisco
Enclosures - 6

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letters | 11:59 |

14 December 2007
15 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Madhudvisa Maharaja,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 11, 1973.

Thank you for the comprehensive report of our Australian theater of ISKCON. I am glad that things are going nicely and that you have settled up the New Zealand affair. Depend on Krsna and He will give you good intelligence. I am pleased that you are managing things so nicely.

I have seen pictures of the house you are trying for and it is very gorgeous. If you can purchase it, that will be a great credit for you. Krsna will recognize your service and it will be a great push forward for our movement. I pray to Krsna that you may become successful in this attempt.

I have not heard from Tusta Krsna or Siddha-Svarupa Goswamis nor do I know anything of their plans to return to New Zealand. Try to convince them to return to our Society and work cooperatively. That they have gone away is not good thing and it is a deviation from our line of parampara.

Rather, avoiding faultfinding and anarchy, they should keep our standards and work maturely and not cause factions and splitting. I am not at all pleased at what they have done, but if they return let us forget what has happened and go forward. As Sannyasins they may preach and you may manage affairs. That will be very nice.

We have got so much vital spiritual knowledge to distribute to the public and they are in desperate need of it. The whole world is going to hell and everyone is suffering. In light of this, how can we argue amongst one another and neglect our responsibility for reclaiming these fallen souls for going Back to Home, Back to Godhead.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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letters | 11:59 |

13 December 2007
Thursday, 13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Amogha,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated November 30, 1973.

Thank you for understanding this Krsna Consciousness philosophy more and more. Now that you have a little taste, kindly keep it as the most valuable asset of life.

Take care of the devotees under your charge by maintaining our standards and always setting the proper example. Krsna will certainly give you all guidance. Please offer my grateful blessings to all the devotees there.

Go on with our devotional practices and preach this Krsna Consciousness very boldly and enthusiastically to whomever you meet.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 11:58 |

13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Beharilal,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated November 8, 1973 just now received by me as it was redirected from India.

I have not received any reply from Tusta Krsna Swami to my letters. I do not know why he has left New Zealand. In Hawaii a great wrong doing has been done by Gaurasundara and Siddha-svarupa. They sold the temple and went away with all the money without taking any permission from me.

It is a fall down on their parts. They have done the wrong thing. You should not go to Hawaii to join them. Stay in New Zealand and work cooperatively with Madhudvisa Swami.

The "communal form of Krsna Consciousness" which you mention is not approved by me. It is all concoction. My Guru Maharaja condemned this practice. We must stay together and vigorously preach the Krsna Consciousness philosophy to the world. That is the real spirit of Lord Caitanya's Movement.

Do not fall victim to this sentimental idea of peaceful life in seclusion. That is not our dharma. I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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letters | 11:57 |

13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Balabhadra Prabhu,

Please accept my blessings.

I understand from Sudama Goswami that Gaurasundara has handed over to you some portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Temple there. I do not know why he has sold the Temple without my permission. He had no right to do such a thing.

I request that you kindly send whatever money he has given you directly to me in Los Angeles by registered post. The old Temple BBT and Spiritual Sky debts may be cleared with it first and the rest should be sent directly to myself. We require huge sums of money for our Temple projects in Vrindaban and Mayapur so we have good use for it.

Gaurasundara and Siddha-svarupa have almost fallen down. Do not join them. Stay in the association of our Temple and work according to established programs as I have already directed.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda
c.c. Sudama Goswami

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letters | 11:55 |

13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My Dear Govinda dasi,

Please accept my blessings.

Sudama Goswami has relayed to me the news of his conversation with you recently. We require just now huge sums of money for our projects in India so I request that you send the check for $20,000.00 to me in Los Angeles by registered post.

Furthermore, please come here to Los Angeles or return to the Temple in Hawaii. Karandhara and Sudama goswami are prepared to help you in every way. Your husband has gone away so what can be done. But you should return to our Temple and again take up devotional service as I have designed and directed at our Centers.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 11:54 |

12 December 2007
13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Mukunda das,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 6, 1973.

Regarding the type of paper for India, we want the same type as we have already used for Srimad-Bhagavatam and Krsna Book. Karandhara has advised me that Dai Nippon purchases most of their paper in Sweden so you may check there. The size will depend on the presses used in India so you may contact Tamala Krsna Goswami in Bombay about this.

A letter has just been received here from Syamasundara about selling jewels. I do not approve of our Temples purchasing jewels. I have instructed Karandhara to issue a newsletter to all our Centers to this effect. It is not a good program.

Kindly keep me informed of all developments there.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 11:53 |

13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

ALL GLORIES TO SRI GURU AND GAURANGA!

MEMO TO ALL CENTERS

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Today we received a newsletter from Syamasundara Prabhu regarding gems and I assume every Center received the same letter. I discussed the contents with Srila Prabhupada and His Divine Grace instructed me to immediately issue the following letter.

First of all, Srila Prabhupada never sanctioned or encouraged this program of buying or selling jewels. Furthermore, Srila Prabhupada does not want us to purchase jewels and gems for decorating the Deities in our own Temples. Expensive gems and jewelry will only attract thieves and rogues.

It was because of the jewels in Indian Temples that the Mohammedans invaded India, destroying the Deities and Temples and plundering the jewels. In previous ages, when people were honest and pious kings maintained law and order, then the Deities and Temples were decorated with costly jewels but in this age it is not advised.

Srila Prabhupada said, "Bhakti does not depend on seeing the Deity with jewelry - it is a different matter. We worship the Deity by strictly observing the rules and regulations of Deity worship - not by decorating with jewelry. Jewels will not attract anyone except thieves and rogues. People will be attracted by our preaching. I don't advise the Temples to purchase jewelry. Do not expose the Deity to this danger. I am not in favor of this."

Furthermore, "Purchasing jewels means increased anxiety only. It is not the days for this practice. I do not advise buying or selling jewelry."

In addition to thieves and rogues, there is risk that even our own men may fall victim to stealing. We have the examples of Kausika and Mahadeva, both devotees who stole from Temples.

Prabhupada said, "Our men are coming from outside with so many bad habits and the stealing mentality is there. We are trying to reform, but if the opportunity is there, the mentality may come forward and they may fall down. We will loose our money, our prestige and out students. Why expose them in that way? No jewelry! It is not the time for that."

In summary, purchasing jewelry for the Deities is unnecessary, dangerous and unauthorized. Prabhupada said to "write elaborately to all Centers on this point. Try to understand the principle."

We improve on Deity worship by regulated puja, purified chanting and bold and enthusiastic preaching work. Those are the real ornaments with which to decorate the Lord.

Haribol Prabhus.

Your unworthy servant,
Karandhara das Adhikari
/kdd

APPROVED: ACBS
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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letters | 11:52 |

13 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Tamala Krsna Goswami,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letters dated December 6th and 7th and have carefully noted the contents.

I have already advised Guru das to remain in Vrindaban. There is no need for him to come to the U.S.A. at this time.

Regarding our Bombay project: I am sending Yasomatinandana das there. He is a qualified engineer and he may deal with Mr. Shah and others. That will relieve you from this work. He is very competent and intelligent. He will return with Giriraja. He is our man and if he requires, he can take help from Mr. Shah.

We should keep them all as friends. This is a very important point. Let our men and Mr. Shah do the needful--we don't require to hire any outside engineers. Regarding Mrs. Thirani, try to please her. She is the grand-daughter of Mr. Birla and the sister of Ashok Birla. She is a very important lady.

Regarding the printing press for India: the press at ISKCON Press is too old and not practical to send to India. We are ready to manage a Press in India, but where is the money? We require new offset printing equipment. If we print in India we can get a much cheaper rate.

Now, also there is a world-wide paper shortage but I have asked Mukunda in London to investigate exporting paper to India. I am in favor of this scheme but whether or not Mr. Gupta and others will support it and will the government allow?

The news of the preaching work in New Delhi is very nice--continue with it. There are many intelligent men in that quarter, mostly European.

So far as the Russian correspondent, try to convince him about our philosophy. We want to unit the world on the platform of Krsna Consciousness under one state, one government, one religion and one scripture. It will be successful if we work cautiously and maintain our standards.

Just now I was reading Krsna Book. It is very interesting and entertaining and written so even a child can follow. In our childhood days we were reading one book, Folk Tales of Bengal. It was very widely read, especially by children. So why not introduce the Krsna book for the same purpose?

You may get some sanction from the Minister of Education. It is a very nice book for student study--they will get our cultural idea and learn to read English.

Yes, I approve of the Life Member Committee. for the Temple construction in Hyderabad. You may do the same in Bombay also. Yes, the pandal program in Hyderabad may be cancelled at this time. It is not timely at this point.

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.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 11:52 |

11 December 2007
Tuesday, 11 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My Dear Makhanlal,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 4, 1973. Regarding the $100.00 check, send a copy of the cancelled check, both sides, to Karandhara for examination.

I accept the following devotees as my duly initiated disciples:

Chuck--Caturatma das
Allen--Anirdesya-vapu das
Robert--Pranada das
Dean--Prana das
Joanne--Keli-Cancala dasi
Nancy--Vidamba dasi

I am returning their beads by separate post. See always to their welfare in Krsna Consciousness.

The conch shell is place on the altar and used for blowing. It is pleasing to the Deity and a bona fide item of worship. Never mind all the rumors you have heard.

Yes, if you are able to acquire some farm land and produce grains that will be nice. Especially we want to export grains to India. Do not, however, change or disrupt the existing Temple program. The economic situation is always precarious but we are dependent on Krsna only.

Thank you very much for your endeavors in book distribution and please offer your good wife my blessings for her service in this connection. Our preaching work will be measured by the quantity of books we distribute so continue ever-increasingly.

Take care that devotees do not become sick. They should always be properly clothed and fed.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 11:52 |

11 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Mahendra,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 8, 1973.

You should not install the Deities until you have a complete program to see that regulated worship may go on nicely. Until then, simply worship Guru and Gauranga in pictures.

I hereby accept Brahma das and Sukhada dasi for second initiation. Enclosed find one thread and two gayatri mantra sheets. Take instruction from Rupanuga Maharaja on how to properly hold the fire sacrifice and have the initiates listen to the gayatri cassette tape through the right ear.

I also accept Peggy McArdle for first initiation and her spiritual name is Vidambha dasi. Rupanuga Maharaja may chant on her beads.

Thank you for your sincere service and offer my blessings to all the Prabhus there. Always maintain our simple standards and be enthusiastic and serious in pushing on this movement.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

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letters | 11:50 |

11 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My dear Guru das,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 3, 1973.

You report that although construction has temporarily stopped the expenditure is still Rs. 100 per day. I do not think four masons require so much. Please explain what is the Rs. 100 per day expenditure.

Tamala Krsna Goswami has reported that he recently sent you Rs. 25,000 for our Vrindaban project. We are presently making arrangements for a special transfer of funds to India through the U.S.A. State Department. So if possible carry on with the Rs. 25,000 until that can be completed.

There is no need for you to come to the U.S.A. Stay there and work on.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:Kda

N.B. I have written two letters one to Dr. Kapoor and the other Hari Goswami for starting an adult school for learning Hindi & Sanskrit. Please see them in this connection. We want this school in Vrindaban.

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letters | 11:48 |

10 December 2007
Monday, 10 December, 1973  

Bombay

My Dear Sudama das Goswami:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 10/4/73 and have noted the contents carefully.

Regarding the Hawaii situation, do not worry. I shall rectify when I come there. They are chanting, this will save them. Otherwise, they are all good boys, and they cannot go away. It is not hopeless situation.

Whenever you meet them, tell them that Prabhupada is coming and that they should not give up the chanting, never mind they can do whatever they like. Send me their address and I shall write them. Where is Govinda dasi?

Regarding what is a Vaisnava, Vaisnava means that when others see him, they will also chant Hare Krsna. So why not give them the chance of seeing by wearing the beads, tilaka, and sikha? You are not paramahamsa that you can do whatever you like.

So my advice to you is that you remain ideal Vaisnava internally and externally, and everyone will respect you. Don't be agitated. They will come back because they are chanting maha mantra. You keep your standard and try to help them, but don't become influenced by them.

Regarding the Deity worship, it must go on nicely. Govinda dasi was doing very nicely. Decorate with flowers and incense and have arati and offer bhoga. Regarding your traveling plans, yes that is good. You can go in bus all over the islands. Live there for sometime and make Honolulu your headquarters. Sometimes you can visit Japan and the neighboring islands.

For a sannyasi, traveling gives him more experience for serving Krsna. So far your health is concerned, Hawaii is very good climate. You can take bath in the sea, and that will keep your health. Take dhal, especially urd, arhad, and tour, a little cheese, peanuts, green vegetables, especially squash leaf.

Please offer my blessings to Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi. I have not heard from her. She is the center of Hawaii organization. Let her cooperate with you. She is a good preacher. Sometimes reverses may be there, but just depend on Krsna. Balabhadra is a very good boy. Make him in charge, also Govinda dasi, and you come and go.

Yes, you can go to Brazil. Also, you come to Mayapur on Mahaprabhu's appearance day as many as possible at least for a week. Yes, the Gaura Nitai Deities may be taken out for festivals.

I am glad to hear of the excellent book distribution that is being done there. From other parts of the world there is also very good report of book distribution. That is our main propaganda work. So you go on with your preaching work and I will be pleased to receive your report regularly.

Enclosed is the sanctified sacred thread for Krsna Caitanya dasa. Now hold a fire sacrifice amongst the devotees and let him hear the gayatri mantra from the tape through the right ear and teach him how to chant it three times daily.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/bs

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letters | 10:22 |

9 December 2007
Sunday, 9 December, 1973  

Los Angeles

My Dear Babhru,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 8th along with the $20.00 Guru daksina.

It is a fact that at this time I do not want to open any further Centers. It is a question of timing. We have initiated so many projects and Centers and practically we are short handed all over the world, so it is better at this time if we work to maintain and develop whatever we have.

That Gaurasundara and Siddha-svarupa have sold the Temple in Hawaii and abandoned the beautiful Tulasi plants there is a great fall down on their parts. They did not ask my permission. If they wanted to go away they could have, but they had no right to sell the Temple. It is actually a criminal act on their part. Anyone who follows them will also fall down without a doubt.

Now, we have by Krsna's Grace built up something significant in the shape of this ISKCON and we are all one family. Sometimes there may be disagreement and quarrel but we should not go away. These inebrieties can be adjusted by the cooperative spirit, tolerance and maturity so I request you to kindly remain in the association of our devotees and work together.

The test of our actual dedication and sincerity to serve the Spiritual Master will be in this mutual cooperative spirit to push on this Movement and not make factions and deviate. Try to convince Gaurasundara and Siddha-svarupa to return to ISKCON and let us forget whatever has happened in the past.

Yes, you may return to Hawaii with Sudama Maharaja and take charge of caring for Tulasi devi there. I cannot understand how Govinda dasi could abandon Tulasi devi. Kindly try to induce her to return.

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.

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letters | 10:21 |
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