The Vedic culture determines the standard of social upliftment in terms of the degree of self-realization and as such the social division was estimated accordingly in terms of goodness (intelligence and higher learning), passion (martial spirit to lord it over the world), passion-cum-ignorance (the spirit of productivity) and ignorance (the spirit of passive acceptance of being controlled by the laws of material nature).
Estimate (Letters)
Correspondence
1947 to 1965 Correspondence
Letter to Sri Munshiji -- Bombay 18 February, 1957:
I am thankful to you for your granting me an interview and accepting a few copies of my paper "Back to Godhead" which you have promised to go through at your leisure hours. And on reading the paper, I hope, you may be able to make an estimate of my mission in the matter of the Bhagavad-gita. I heard it through reliable sources that you are a great admirer of the Bhagavad-gita and your Vidyalaya has a special department for preaching its philosophy. I came to Bombay from Vrndavana to co-operate with you, because there is no difference between the missions of both yourself and myself.
Letter to Jugalkishore Birla -- Bombay 26 August, 1958:
We are struggling very hard to give the mission a practical shape for want of money. It has not yet come to the point save and except publication of two papers only one in Hindi and the other in English. And if your good self joins, many other richmen of the world will certainly join.
The minimum expenditure is estimated to be Rs. 3000/- a month to begin with. Three hundred members of this noble mission can at once raise this sum for training the preachers and other necessary expenditure.
1966 Correspondence
Letter to Bon Maharaja -- New York 20 January, 1966:
Regarding management of the temple is concerned for the present I have called for one of my of my disciples from Delhi. If other persons from our so many camps want to come here I shall welcome and I think after the temple is started some men even from America may be available as I see there are in the Ramakrishna Mission as well as in so many Yoga societies.
So I am trying to open a temple here because Srila Prabhupada wanted it. Kindly therefore help me in this direction as far as you can. I am thankful to you for taking so much trouble in taking the estimate of deities. But before having the Deities there is great stumbling block of Exchange difficulty. My money in India is ready but I must have the exchange, by special sanction of the Government of India. I was so hopeful to get it because Lal Bahadur Shastri was known to me and he was to visit America. I arranged an interview with him during his visit in America through the Embassy here but his sudden death has put me into great difficulty. As soon as the temple is started, I am sure to get help locally but to start the temple I must have Indian money first. I am therefore asking your cooperation and help in this connection. I am requesting you to see Dr. Radhakrishnan and get me the sanction for Indian exchange for this cultural mission. This is not an ordinary temple of worship but it is an international institution for God consciousness based on the Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is standard Indian good will mission. "Lokasya ajanato vidwams cakre satvata samhita" The Government of India has its own department of culture and goodwill mission which is utilized for dancing parties to make show in the foreign countries. Here is the real culture and I am not asking any money from the Government but I am simply asking permission to transfer my money here for this great cultural mission of Srila Vyasadeva the Father of Vedic wisdom which is real Indian culture.
Letter to Sir Padampat Singhania -- New York 20 January, 1966:
The thing is that the idea of constructing a magnificent Temple in New York quite befitting the first city of the world, will cost you not lakhs but crores. Because here the cost of land and other materials and the labor charges all are fabulous. The labor charges here is not less than 12 dollars a day i.e Rs 60/ per day. Besides that you cannot get a vacant land in the New York city. You have to purchase a constructed house then dismantle it and then construct a Temple of your liking. I know it very well that by Grace of His Lordship Sri Sri Dvarakadhisa and by the mercy of Laksmiji Rukmini devi, your honour is quite competent to spend even crores and crores for this purpose but we must remember the difficulty of Exchange. At this stage of critical hours the Government will hardly allow us to spend such huge amount. If they at all sanction the exchange they may allow for lakhs only and therefore I have suggested the estimate as seven lakhs only.
I have in view a very nice building for sale which is just the suitable for a temple to start with. The land of the house is about 19' x 100' and although it is two storied it has a basement under ground and therefore it can be taken as three stories. It is nicely built with air conditioning and heating arrangement with marble staircase brass railings just suitable for a temple. The whole area is about 450 sq. feet and they are asking for 100,000 dollars that is five laks of rupees. And after purchasing the house we can build another story upon it with temple dome and cakra etc. So the estimate is about seven lakhs of rupees and for the present let us start in such way. The place is very important in the city. As your Dvarakadhisa Temple is situated in very important part of the city so this house is also situated in very important part of the mid city. Here in New York city there are three divisions namely the up town the mid town and the down town. The down town is full of business houses and office buildings whereas the down town is inhabited by most employees and middle class of men. The mid town is in between the two and the house I have selected is approachable easily from both sides of the town. The situation is very important on account of stores, subway station, post office, buses, banks everything all at hand's reach. If however cash is paid immediately the owner may come down to lesser price. This is ready building and we can start immediately the Bhagavatam preaching work and worship of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna simultaneously in this house.
1967 Correspondence
Letter to Brahmananda, Satsvarupa, Rayarama, Gargamuni, Rupanuga, Donald -- San Francisco 28 March, 1967:
I have taken quotation from good printing houses in San Francisco for Gitopanisad and it is estimated to cost about $11000.00 for five thousand copies case bound and golden title. I will have $5000.00 from here and shall be glad to know how much you can contribute so that I can take up the work. I wish that you may contribute the balance either by selling my books (Srimad-Bhagavatam) or by raising funds.
Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 21 December, 1967:
Regarding the Teachings of Lord Caitanya, it must be very nice. I think Dai Nippon Printing Company agreed to print our books 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" size best paper 400 pages 10 to 12 point composition with best hard back binding with gold lettering on the backbone at $5000.00 for 5000 copies. I think you will immediately contact the company and send the manuscript for printing without any delay.
Contact Dvarakadhisa and he will help you in this connection. He is good boy. Regarding business, Gargamuni has already began the experiment and he will send the estimate for starting the business. If Mr. Kallman wants we can import either from India or from Japan.
1968 Correspondence
Letter to Hayagriva -- Montreal 14 June, 1968:
One can advance in transcendental life by process of negativating the general practice of materialistic life. The exact adjustment is in Vaisnava philosophy, which is called Yukta Vairagya, means that we should simply accept the bare necessities of our material part of life, and try to save time for spiritual advancement. This should be the motto of New Vrindaban, if you at all develop it to the perfectional stage. And I am always at your service to help you by practical suggestion and assistance also.
On the other hand I was thinking that if I get permanent visa in Montreal, I shall make Montreal my headquarters and at that time I may require your help in so many ways. As we passed correspondence previously, that we should live together either in India or in this part of the world for publication of so many Vaisnava literatures. But if you want to develop New Vrindaban, I can spare you for that purpose, and it may be that we can live there together. For the time being, if you actually want to develop such ideal asrama, we must have sufficient land, and all other things will gradually grow. For raising crops from the land, how many men will be required—that we must estimate and for herding the cows and feeding them. We must have sufficient pasturing ground to feed the animals all round. We have to maintain the animals throughout their life. We must not make any program for selling them to the slaughterhouses. That is the way of cow protection. Krishna by His practical example taught us to give all protection to the cows and that should be the main business of New Vrindaban. Vrindaban is also known as Gokula. Go means cows, and kula means congregation. Therefore the special feature of New Vrindaban will be cow protection, and by doing so, we shall not be loser.
Letter to Cidananda -- Montreal 12 July, 1968:
When you go to Australia, you must take with you one mrdanga and at least 4 pairs of cymbals to begin Kirtana immediately there. When I came to your country in 1965, I brought with me only one pair of cymbals, and it has increased to so many pairs, at least 50 times. And I came here without mrdanga. So when you go to Australia, you have to similarly increase the number of cymbals proportionately, namely, 50 times 4. That should be your mission, and I am confident that you can do it because you are a sincere soul. If you can introduce this Krishna Consciousness movement in such a distant place, Lord Caitanya will pour His incessant blessings upon you, and your life will be glorious. In this connection, I may give you the example of the boy, Subala, who was struggling in Santa Fe. Although he is not very much qualified from the worldly point of view, still his struggle for existence in Krishna Consciousness is advancing him more and more in spiritual realization. So far I know about you, you are intelligent, qualified, and willing worker for Krishna Consciousness, and I hope if you try to establish a center of our society in Sydney or any one of the important cities, of Australia, it will be a record in the history of Lord Caitanya's movement. I hope with this seriousness, you will go there, and always pray Lord Caitanya to help you. He is very kind, and He is always ready to help a willing worker. And as soon as you establish one center, it may be that I may go there for some time and try to help you in your organization. But before starting you should make an estimate of the procedure of your working there, as well as you must be assured of getting a job there. Here in America you are working and you are getting some money, but in Australia if you do not get immediately some occupation, it will be risky. So you must consider all these pros and cons intelligently and then, depending on the Grace of Krishna, you can go there, chanting all the ways, Hare Krishna.
Letter to Gargamuni -- Montreal 19 August, 1968:
I am in due receipt of our letter dated August 13, 1968, and in the meantime I have also addressed one letter to Upendra, as well as to Mr. Renovich,* asking for the passage money to go to Vancouver, but I have received neither any letter nor any passage money from either of them. Under the circumstances, I can understand that the situation in Vancouver is not favorable for starting a center there immediately, so we can stop that attempt, and you may do the needful. But anything you do, that means starting a center must be first of all estimated that we must be able to continue it. Otherwise, rather we should not open a center in any place. Whatever centers we have already started that must be maintained. The London party is going to New York today, and from there they will start for London, as soon as possible. That center is immediately necessary, because we have no center in Europe. Anyway don't be worried if the Vancouver situation is not good; stop the idea, and you may go back to USA, as it is already suggested.
Letter to Krsna Devi, Dinesh Candra -- Seattle 29 September, 1968:
In continuation of my last letter, I have taken quotation from New York about record manufacturing and Brahmananda has sent me the following quotation as per leaflet enclosed herewith. Brahmananda says it will be still not cheaper so far printing of albums is concerned, so if we get 5000 albums, I have estimated, it will be more or less around 2000 dollars, or about 45 cents per record. So if Dinesh and you think that the record playing has come out very successful, then we must print 5000 copies. If you get $2000. from your father, that will be sufficient for 5000 copies, and if need be, we can arrange to invest one hundred or two hundred more, if so required. So you ask Dinesh to open correspondence immediately with Brahmananda, and it will be nice to print 5000 albums immediately.
Letter to Uddhava -- Los Angeles 19 December, 1968:
NB: Please convey my thanks to Patita Uddharana for his nice letter. I will be looking forward to seeing the epic poem which he promised to be sending me soon.
P.S. I have asked Hayagriva to invest some money in purchasing press and he has almost agreed. Apart from labor and other cost you can give me an estimate of price of the materials required.
1969 Correspondence
Letter to Nara-narayana -- Los Angeles 1 February, 1969:
I am very much encouraged by your proposal as stated in your letter of January 25, 1969 of constructing housing in New Vrindaban for an estimate of about $1,000. This money will be secured somehow or other and invested in New Vrindaban for constructing the proposed cottages. These cottages needn't be very high class finished. We simply want protection; that's all. They may be very roughly finished. Please send me your plans which you have mentioned, and we shall begin this housing scheme in April. We agree to invest the money in this project, and the persons you wanted will join you when you actually begin the work.
Letter to Angelo Cummings -- Los Angeles 11 February, 1969:
I am in due receipt of your recent letter (undated), and I was pleased to learn that you are able and willing to help us in our construction plans in New Vrindaban. The construction of the houses is already under way because Nara Narayana has already submitted to me some plans along with an estimate of the needed finances.* Hayagriva is ready to invest the required money, so your cooperation and help will further make easier our attempt. Please therefore cooperate in consultation with Hayagriva who is the chief man in this matter. I shall also be in New York as well as New Vrindaban in the month of April. So if I am present there, I think that your help will be of great value. Actually we want such houses as you have submitted plans for. Nara Narayana is in New York already, so you may consult with him and help him in this attempt by mutual cooperation.
Letter to Advaita -- Hawaii 30 March, 1969:
I am in due receipt of your kind letter of March 25, 1969. And I have noted the contents all carefully. So far BTG, for the time being, it will be printed in Japan, so we do not require an extra hand for that purpose. At first we shall print just our books, and then if successful, we shall take to printing to the extent of 5000 copies of BTG per month. So take estimate for printing and binding machines for books only, maybe one or two a year, and save money as much as possible as it will be required to purchase the machines.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Tittenhurst 27 October, 1969:
The poem sent by Acyutananda is nice. It is enclosed herewith and you may publish it in BTG. Acyutananda should be encouraged to do this translating work. He is translating poems of Bhaktivinode Thakura, and that is very nice. Advaita may be requested for the estimate for 10,000 copies of Krsna on the standard of TLC. There will be about 350 pages of subject matter and 50 pages of pictures.
Letter to Arundhati -- Tittenhurst 2 November, 1969:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 24, 1969. Regarding your working hours, if you can work more, of course that is very good. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that we should be engaged in Krishna's service always, without any gap. So we should mold our life in such a way that not a minute will be blank without Krishna's service. Regarding your first question, the proof of Krishna Consciousness is that the Bhagavad-gita it is oldest transcendental literature about God-consciousness in the history of the world. It is estimated from authoritative sources of Vedic literature that Bhagavad-gita is eternal truth and was first revealed within our knowledge at least 120 millions of years ago. So what other literature can be compared with Bhagavad-gita throughout the whole world or universe? The second proof is that Krishna is accepted as the Supreme Personality, not only in the modern age, namely within two thousand years, by great acaryas like Sankaracarya, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Lord Caitanya, etc., but before this in all Vedic literatures given by Vyasadeva, Krishna is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So whatever is spoken by the Supreme Lord Himself is certainly the most authoritative. So far as we are concerned, we do not make any alterations in the statements of Krishna. Therefore we are also authority. Just like 2 plus 2 equals four is mathematical truth. Anyone who accepts this axiomatic truth and works on this principle is also authority. To become authority is simply to follow the authority. If someone makes 2 plus 2 equal to 3 or 5, he is a rascal. That means he does not follow the authority and thus he fails to become himself an authority.
Letter to Advaita -- London 15 November, 1969:
I have heard from Tamala Krishna that this press arrangement is made very nicely and you are doing excellently. Now my manuscripts for books are ready for at least 12 books. So according to your estimate, if you think you shall be able to publish 6 books in a year besides our BTG, then you have got two years engagement already. Regarding composition, the matter is going very slowly, so if you have any ideas how this can be centralized in Boston, please give me your suggestions.
Letter to Advaita -- London 19 November, 1969:
I thank you very much for your ketter dated November 17, 1969 with two enclosures of paper samples. So far as the paper for colored pictures, 80 lbs., and dust jacket, 100 lbs., I think it is quite suitable. But so far as the papers for the inside of the book, the paper which you have indicated, 50 lbs., is not suitable. It must be either 60 or 70 lbs. If 70 lbs. is too costly, then 60 lbs. is tolerable. But the paper must be white just like TLC. The samples you have sent are not so nice a white color. So far as the other estimates, I think they are all right. The total expenditure submitted by you, $7,939—or say $8,000, is acceptable. The size as you have mentioned, 6 3/4 x 9 1/2, is also all right, and the pictures 48 in number and pages 352 is also all right. The quality of binding, get-up, texture, etc. is like TLC, so you can arrange for its printing immediately.
Letter to Gargamuni -- London 15 December, 1969:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter with enclosures of one check for $60 and one bank receipt for $500. From the Book Fund this month I have spent a very large amount: $5,400. I have given two checks to Brahmananda, and Brahmananda has also sent me one check for $6,000. So this kind of transaction, printing of books and BTG and collection by selling, is very encouraging to me. Although there may not be any balance left, when we see we have so many books published and so many copies of BTG, that is our pleasure. So I am so glad that you are endeavoring to collect from different centers. If we print all our manuscripts, even at the cost price of materials as estimated by Advaita, I shall require at least $100,000.00. So let us go on. Krishna will help us. Let us try our best combinedly. That is our business.
1970 Correspondence
Letter to Mr. Kugimoto - La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, Cal. 90034 January 17, 1970:
Please refer to your letter No. ODB-K5-Q/69-1037, dated 19 November, 1969 Re: Estimate / Krishna Picture Book. I duly received it through my disciple Mr. William Berke.
You have said that the price is just at your rockbottom. I have accepted the estimate, and very soon I shall send you the manuscript. The manuscript is also ready but I am simply waiting for finishing the 52 pictures.
Letter to Madhava Maharaja -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1970:
You have inquired about my books and I am pleased to report that three volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam and one small booklet entitled "Easy Journey to Other Planets" were published from India. And since I have come to the Western countries, Messrs. MacMillan and Company have published my book Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and my Society has published Teachings of Lord Caitanya and Sri Isopanisad. Now by the Grace of Srila Prabhupada we have got our own press in Boston. On this press our Srimad-Bhagavatam shall be printed up to the Sixth Canto starting from the month of February.
But everything is possible by the Grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu because he specifically appeared to reclaim the most fallen souls, and I find it practically, daily that although these boys and girls are fallen in the material estimate they have taken to this Krishna Consciousness Movement very seriously and the result is very quick. The newspaper reporters advertise about these boys and girls as the "bright faced," and actually it is so. By nature these American boys and girls are fair complexioned or white. They are beautiful also, and when they take to Krishna Consciousness with symbols of mala and tilaka they appear to be coming directly from Vaikuntha Planets.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 22 January, 1970:
Also I may inform you that we have found out a very nice church in residential quarter; and we are negotiation with them, but they are asking price which is very exorbitant. We are trying to bargain, but I do not think it will come down near about $200,000, and the down payment is estimated near about $65,000. Gargamuni has said that he can secure utmost $25,000 and I shall be glad how much you can help them. Gargamuni of course does not like to take from my book fund, but if need be I will have to pay the balance.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1970:
When you presented your scheme for preaching work in the whole of Germany giving an estimate of population of important cities, it gave me so much pleasure. Just on receiving your letter I am already thinking of how to organize it, and have written letters to Hamsaduta and Uttama Sloka etc., but Upendra is destined to go to Australia. I am glad to learn that Trivikrama has joined you. So for the time being go on with your work as usual and consult with Tamala Krishna whom I am also writing in this connection. And try your best to spread the Sankirtana Movement through Germany.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 2 March, 1970:
One should be very careful to estimate how every moment of his life is being utilized in the service of the Lord. The Goswamis were very much advanced in this line of action, and therefore about them it is said "nidra hara bihara vijito" that means one who has conquered over eating, sleeping, and mating. The idea is to save more time from this materialistic business and utilize it for Krsna's service. When our anxieties are how to utilize life in that way, that stage is abyarthya kalatvam "utilizing life without spoiling it." The next stage is namagane sada ruci "attraction for chanting the Holy Name always" and priti tad basati sthale "feeling of pleasure in living in the Temple or in the place of pilgrimage." So I am very glad that you are gradually coming to that stage; continue it carefully. Try to realize it yourself and teach the method to all your younger brothers and sisters.
Letter to Acyutananda -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970:
Whatever we possess, including our body and our self, everything, belongs to Him. When one is completely in sense of this fact—he is God Conscious. And unless a living entity becomes God Conscious, he cannot be happy. So this is our propaganda. There is no question of sectarianism. Every religion should have this aim in view. But that system of religion which teaches development of God Consciousness is first class. We have to estimate by the result, and not by the formalities. So this movement, Krishna Consciousness, very quickly develops this God Consciousness, and it is very easy to adopt it.
Letter to Subala -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970:
Whatever we possess, including our body and our self, everything, belongs to Him. When one is completely in sense of this fact—he is God Conscious. And unless a living entity becomes God Conscious, which is his constitutional position, he cannot be happy. So this is our propaganda. There is no question of sectarianism. Every religion should have this aim in view. But that system of religion which teaches development of God Consciousness is first class. We have to estimate by the result, and not by the formalities. So this Movement, Krishna Consciousness, very quickly develops this God Consciousness, and it is very easy to adopt it.
Letter to Satsvarupa, Uddhava -- Los Angeles 27 July, 1970:
The ISKCON Press was specifically established exclusively for printing my books. Please therefore give me an idea how you can help me in getting all my manuscripts printed as soon a possible. Whenever Advaita is submitting an estimate for printing my books, I am supplying the money immediately. So far the finance is concerned, Krsna is supplying. Therefore if you simply print my books in the Press incessantly, that will give me great delight.
Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 29 July, 1970:
At the present moment, the Krsna books are coming from Japan and they should be taken care of immediately. The present procedure is that Sriman Karandhara das Adhikari is looking after the business and collecting the fund. The same procedure should be followed and whenever there is a collection, it should be deposited in my bank account entitled ISKCON, INC. - BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST, number __ with the Security Pacific National Bank. And whenever there will be a new printing, on submission of the estimate I shall immediately advise the bank to remit as I am now doing. In the future, things will be done as it is necessary. All withdrawals are to signed by me exclusively.
Letter to Bali-mardana -- Tokyo 25 August, 1970:
Before Vyasadeva, all the Vedic Scriptures were taught and received verbally by the disciplic succession. Both the students and the Spiritual Master of those ages were so sharp in their memory that once they heard the transcendental message from the Spiritual Master the message was immediately imprinted in their brain as vivid as a written language. For example, Sukadeva Gosvami was narrating Srimad-Bhagavatam extemporaneously. The whole Srimad-Bhagavatam, eighteen thousand verses, very difficult to pronounce even and what to speak of memorizing, were narrated very easily just like reading some printed book. He narrated the whole subject matter of Srimad-Bhagavatam continuously for seven days and Maharaja Pariksit also understood the subject matter very clearly. Both of them were so meritorious that they attained the highest goal of life, namely the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Krsna simply by reciting and hearing respectively.
Of course that time was just the moment when Kali, the predominating Deity of the present age, was peeping to infiltrate in the worldly affairs and later on it was complete through the exigency of an upstart brahmana boy. So Vyasadeva was a real person accepted by all authorities and any one can judge how wonderful he was to compile the Vedic literatures. He is therefore known as Mahamuni. Muni means thoughtful or great thinker or great poet and Maha means still greater. So there is no comparison with Vyasadeva with any writer or thinker or philosopher. Nobody can estimate the scholarly importance of Srila Vyasadeva. He composed many millions of Sanskrit verses and we are just trying to receive a fragmental knowledge out of them by our tiny efforts only. Srila Vyasadeva therefore summarized the whole Vedic knowledge in the shape of Srimad-Bhagavatam which is known as the ripened fruit of the desire tree known as Vedic knowledge.
Letter to Vamanadeva -- Bombay 12 November, 1970:
I am very pleased to learn that you have several new devotees with you and the Temple has been completely renovated. It is a very nice house, so simply make it a palace for Lord Krsna and Srimati Radharani and that will be the perfection of its utilization and you will become perfect and happy by this work. Please continue your work in the "Bhakti-Yoga Society" at the University, the students cannot be over-estimated as our best prospects. The new growth of Tulasi is testimony to your sincere devotion because she will only grow and flourish in an atmosphere of Krsna Consciousness. Please see that the regular rules and practices are strictly followed by all the inmates and keep improving the quality of your Deity worship—this will keep you firmly fixed in the Absolute Truth. Always try to increase the distribution of literatures and more sincere persons will be attracted by this. Please work in coordination with Sriman Bhagavan das and the other GBC members and make progress in your center.
Letter to Karandhara -- Surat 18 December, 1970:
It is a very good news that the disciples of Sai and Sai himself are now coming to join with our ISKCON. Because they were chanting Hare Krsna, they developed some love for Krsna and therefore they have decided upon this right course of action. So they are all very welcome and you can give these good souls all encouragement so that they may not feel any inconveniences. They must live with us according to our standard practices and they shall surely advance in Krsna's service.
So far the current estimate for printing the revised and complete edition of Bhagavad-gita, you may immediately go ahead with this project and it is very much encouraging to me that you are eager to do so. However the proposal for using the money contributed by Sai for this purpose is not feasible. That money is already reserved. The London Temple has taken Krsna books worth $20,000, so they should send the requisite $17,000 for the publishing of our Bhagavad-gita As It Is in new enlarged edition immediately. I understand that the KRSNA book is selling there very well, so they can easily do it. I hope your international attempts for placing our books in libraries and selling our KRSNA books in particular is going on. I am always anxious to know that our programs are going on nicely.
Letter to Advaita -- Surat 19 December, 1970:
I know that Satsvarupa has got too much other engagement to be able to devote the requisite time for managing the press department. I had never considered either closing down our ISKCON Press or removing your responsibility for managing the press affairs. You may immediately resume your former activities and work the press according to your best ability because I am very eager to see our own press printing the majority of our publications. The first thing now should be the printing of the new, enlarged edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. That will be a great boon to our Movement. I have already decided that the necessary funds for printing the book should come from the England sales of our KRSNA book. London has got $20,000 worth of KRSNA Books so they should sell them and send immediately $17,000 to ISKCON Press for printing according to your estimate. The plan to print 10,000 copies, 5,000 for India and 5,000 for U.S.A., etc. is approved by me. Please do it. I have been very much encouraged and pleased to receive the two latest chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Second Canto. So this printing must go on. ISKCON Press remains our big mrdanga and the backbone of our Movement.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Surat 19 December, 1970:
I have seen the layout proposal for the first pages of our new edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is and it is fully approved by me. I shall immediately write one preface to the enlarged edition as you have requested and send it as soon as possible. I have written to Karandhara that the money for printing according to Advaita's estimate of $17,000 should be realized from London. London book sales have nothing to do with my book fund. They have got 2,500 copies of KRSNA or in other words $20,000 worth of books, so they can send $17,000 for printing of Bhagavad-gita, immediately. It is a good proposal to print 10,000 copies; 5,000 for India and 5,000 for U.S.A.
1971 Correspondence
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Moscow 25 June, 1971:
Re: Mayapur, the laying down of the corner stone must be done by the end of August. I've already informed GBC members that they should meet there on Vyasa Puja Day. That function must be there. You hold that function, and in the meantime I am going to America and Europe to find men to send there. So far as the fencing, I am sorry that it is not done yet. At first the estimate was Rs 5000, but now it is Rs 14,000/- so what is the use of such estimate? Please contact Sarkar. Don't spend too much on fencing because if we want to expand, we have to tear it down. Put up bamboo with hedge creeper to make the walls. The creeper will grow luxuriously in the rainy season. The temporary hut should be immediately finished. Three rooms is all right. If possible make another because when the boys come from USA, they'll have to be accommodated.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 28 June, 1971:
I am very much anxious to know of the progress of work at Mayapur. Before my leaving Calcutta it was estimated that Rs 5000/- would be required for fencing the whole ground with iron stand and barb wiring. I left this money with Tamala Krishna for doing this work immediately, but from his latest letter I understand it has not been done and the estimate has increased to Rs 14,000. I do not know who submitted the former estimate. Anyway don't spend so much money for fencing. Better to have bamboo fencing and hedge plants and during the rainy season they will grow sufficiently all around. Better in this connection to take advice from Sarkar or from the persons who sold us the land. I am very anxious to know of reports from Mayapur and if every week you will send me elaborate reports, I will be very much appreciative.
Letter to Atreya Rsi -- London 13 August, 1971:
It is very much pleasing to me that you are so much sacrificing everything for Krishna. Krishna will surely bless you. You can open better a Mayapur construction scheme fund and deposit as much money as possible there and in due course we shall withdraw it. The estimate for the project is Rupees 40 lakhs (Rs. 4,000,000) which in ordinary exchange comes to $500,000. So you can deposit in this fund as much as possible. That will be very nice.
Letter to Dr. Bali -- Kenya 9 September, 1971:
Regarding the house, Syamasundara. is returning by the first week of October and he has got better experience in such things, so estimate the repair cost, etc. As there is sufficient time, so when he returns to India he will go and see the things personally.
1972 Correspondence
Letter to Jayapataka -- Jaipur 21 January, 1972:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated, and I have noted the contents carefully. So far the printing of Gitar Gan for which you have sent quotation, you may take other quotations also, and I am flying to Africa tomorrow but I shall return first week in February, so when I return I shall send you the manuscript which I think is now finished by Mr. Cakravarti in Bombay. Of the paper samples, the heavier stock of map litho at 80 grams per square meter is preferred by me, and the cover paper is all right. We have estimated 100 pages, so I suppose the price will be proportionately lesser or greater if we have more or less pages?
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Sydney 2 April, 1972:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 18 and 28 March, 1972, and I have noted the contents carefully. The fencing estimate, sometimes you say Rs. 4000, sometimes Rs. 5000, so I think you have no good idea about these things, because it will not cost more than Rs. 1500. I understand that you have taken quotation from contractor. Don't go through contractor. So anything to be sent in this connection must be done personally and in conjunction with Gurudasa. The cost shall not exceed Rs. 1500 for the fencing.
Letter to Giriraja -- Sydney 12 April, 1972:
Regarding Building Fund money, Yes, you may draw on that, but Mr. Mehta's and all other bills should be checked and passed by our Indira devi.* We do not know about Mehta's estimate. When I asked him for estimate, he told me, don't worry about it, but another person gave us estimate without bricks at Rs. 1800/-. Of course, there is now much brickwork, so it must be more than that, but I don't think it is that much as you have said. But as we have made no contract, we shall pay him whatever he asks, but first show it to Indira devi and if she says it is all right, then pay it. I wanted to pay for the whole thing from the Souvenir Fund, but they say it is all finished, so I do not know what is the present position. Madhudvisa said the Souvenir Fund was Rs. 95,000/-; whether it is spent, then pay from Building Fund, what can be done? If they had done as I instructed from the beginning, instead of paying so much money for this temporary pandal, then things would have been better.
Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- Tokyo 25 April, 1972:
In Vrindaban we can begin this prasadam distribution program also. Of course, there are many chatras for distributing, but we shall give them also Krishna Consciousness, that will be unique. And very soon Tamala Krishna is going to Bangladesh, so he shall initiate a huge prasadam distribution program there, so I don't think your estimate has been too high—in fact, we may very soon have to increase it, as they are distributing in Bombay extensively, and if you begin that program in Vrindaban. Cloth also we shall get, enough cloth from Bombay and Ahmedabad mill owners, as soon as the public begins to appreciate this prasadam distribution. So kindly consider it very much important to begin this collection of foodstuffs from your government immediately for dividing among our India and Bangladesh centers.
Letter to Giriraja -- London 8 August, 1972:
On the total, how many square feet are estimated throughout the whole building? You must raise the full amount of our expenditures. Sumati Morarji is our ___ friend, that's all right, but tactfully she must agree to contribute for the main temple, just like Khandelwal. Let me know what they are doing.
Letter to Sri Govinda -- Bombay 25 December, 1972:
Regarding your other question, should we become detached from the results of our activities, or should we become simply attached to the Lotus Feet of Krishna, the answer is that both of these philosophies are right. One should not be attached to his personal achievement. But, if one is attached in order to please his Spiritual Master, then it is all right. Unattached to my benefit, attached to Krishna's benefit. Krishna Consciousness means attachment for Krishna and detachment for personal benefit, that's all. But in any case, if there is fight amongst yourselves over these things, book distribution, competition, you should not develop ill-feeling. That depends on the persons. If ill-feeling is there, then stop it and all together chant Hare Krishna. Those who are behind should eulogize those who are advanced. If you become envious, that is material. Attachment, detachment—these things are natural. If you become attached to something you become detached from other. So we can estimate our advancement in this way. This is the test. In the Krishna Consciousness Movement there is no question of enviousness, hatred, things like that. Material life means hatred for Krishna and desire for matter. So we have to convert ourselves. When one becomes Krishna conscious actually, he does not even hate material things because he becomes expert how to utilize everything for Krishna. Krishna Consciousness is so nice. We do not hate anything material because we have learned from our disciplic succession how to utilize material things for Krishna's service. Actually, bhakti means realization of the Supreme, and this means increasing attachment for Him and reforming of detachment or hating of material name and fame.
1973 Correspondence
Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles May 6, 1973:
Regarding the estimates for the two Bengali books, please get estimates from Dai Nippon. I am pleased to learn that the devotees who will be going to India are taking twenty paintings with them to our Mayapur center. I want that all rooms and verandas and especially the Deity hall should have first class paintings. They will appreciate how expertly the American artists are doing.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 25 July, 1973:
I am pleased to hear how you are completely absorbed in the project of our Vrindaban temple and taxing your brain how it can be carried out. I am also always praying to Krsna that He may give you intelligence to carry it out rightly.
If you let me know actually how much money will be required to complete the temple, then I can make some financial scheme so that you can quickly get money and finish the project. You and Tamala Krsna das Goswami can make an estimate and send it to me so that I can work on a scheme to arrange for that amount.
Regarding Saurabha, I think he can stay with you in Vrindaban designing, and he can also go sometimes to Hyderabad, as required, and then return to you.
Yes, I agree that you should construct the temple in sections and first should be the darsana mandap, the deity Garbha Grha etc. In this way if need be you can install the deity without other shelter.
Now Madhavananda and his wife have arrived. Kausalya is an expert Deity worshiper and an important hand in our movement, so she and Yamuna, two sisters can be very useful in Deity worship there. Keep Kausalya comfortable and she can be a great help. Madhavananda can be engaged in collections.
I think all respectable gentlemen will come and you can arrange for that. Our temple is the only Krsna Balarama temple in Vrindaban and it will be so attractive that people will automatically come and see. That quarter is aristocratic and our temple is unique. From Bombay and Delhi we can rent rooms in the temple. This is called bhetnama. Perhaps you may know. The room is used by the contributor for lifetime then it becomes again the property of the temple.
Our new disciple Hrsikesananda Swami has promised to collect money from Punjab for Vrindaban. Let him go to Punjab, leaving Calcutta. In this way all of you, Tejyous, Tamala Krsna etc., combine together collect and finish the project. I may try to help from other sources if I receive an estimate of the cost of the scheme.
Letter to Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 1 September, 1973:
My schedule of program is as follows; Sweden on the 5th September after returning I shall go to Japan by the 15th via Tehran and India. Then from Japan I shall return to Los Angeles via Hawaii, estimated by the 10th October. Certainly at that time I shall drive on my Rolls Royce car with great pleasure at least for three months. Pray to Krishna that I may execute my touring program without any disturbance.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- New Delhi 2 November, 1973:
We have settled up the Bombay affairs and purchased the whole land at a cost of 17-18 lakhs, bribing so many claimants. It was a very hard knot. Now by the grace of Krsna the land is in our possession. We are the proprietors. Arrangements are being made to construct a gorgeous temple with the help of local patrons. The estimate of the Bombay temple is not less than 50 lakhs over and above the 18 lakhs we have already spent on this project.
1974 Correspondence
Letter to Tejiyas -- Los Angeles 2 January, 1974:
Regarding Vrndavana, I am glad you have already made a contribution. You can now make a full estimate of the ingredients needed for finishing the Vrndavana Temple by next Janmastami festival. The ingredients should be immediately acquired and whatever money is collected there in India that is all to the good and the balance I shall pay from here. I will come to India by the end of January so the money will be ready. You go ahead now and purchase the ingredients immediately. Do the needful in consultation with Guru das.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 9 January, 1974:
Temple construction must be finished by or before Janmastami. If you can finish my portion on or before my reaching India then I can personally go to Vrindaban and see what is the situation and how to manage. I can remain at Vrindaban through the month of February to estimate and supervise temple construction and then by the 1st of March I may go to Mayapur.
Letter to Bhavananda , Jayapataka -- Hyderabad 20 April, 1974:
I am in due receipt of your letters of April 15, 1974 and I thank you. My point of view is this: whatever money you require I am already sending and will continue without hesitation to send, but I must be satisfied the money is properly spent. The first point is if I send you money for a certain purpose it must be spent for that purpose. Money for land must be spent for land purchase; if I send money for constructing of a kitchen it must be spent for that.
Also, if you purchase land it must be properly utilized. It is no use purchasing land to be wasted by costly laborers. If you actually produce some grains or vegetables, then where is the necessity for further money for maintenance. For maintenance we require 100 rupees per head without any risk for purchasing lands and cultivating the same. I understand there are only 20 men there at present, so utmost 2,000 rupees is necessary for maintenance. I am not competent to understand everything concerning what you plan to do, but that is my rough estimate.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Mayapur 29 September, 1974:
Regarding the booklet of appreciations, it is better to have the general appreciations than the individual prospectuses you have suggested. By reading one can estimate all the books such as Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Krsna Books, etc.
1975 Correspondence
Letter to Mahamsa -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 21, 1975 with enclosed copies of the master plan and cost estimate of the Hyderabad land. Who has drawn this big scheme? And, where to get the money? I wanted simple life. What is the Nature Cure Hospital? The first scheme is how to get food grains.
1976 Correspondence
Letter to Sri Triloki Natha Acarya -- Mayapur 18 March, 1976:
We are preaching all over the world with great success and you'll be pleased to know that we are selling our books tremendously. The general estimate is collection of Rs. 1 lac to Rs. 5 lac daily. Our preachers are very much enthusiastic but in India they have got a language difficulty. If you cooperate with us along with other learned devotees, we can immediately take up preaching work in India with great enthusiasm. We have got 8 big and small buses and one very nice car for my personal use. If you will start sankirtana movement from town to town and village to village with the cooperation of other learned Indian men like yourself, I'm sure that in very short time our endeavour ill be successful.
Letter to B.R. Sridhara Maharaja -- Los Angeles 6 June, 1976:
Please kindly accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Since I saw you last at Mayapur, I left India for my 15th world tour program. From Mayapur we went to Vrindaban, then on to Bombay. Then from Bombay to Melbourne, Australia, then Auckland, New Zealand, and then to Fiji Island where we have observed the foundation stone laying ceremony for our temple there, Krishna-Kaliya Temple. This will be the first temple on that island. There are many Indians on that island but there was no systematic temple worship so we are constructing a temple at the cost of $200,000. In the meantime, I have received one letter from Jayapataka Maharaja in which it informs that Madhava Maharaja and also possibly Damodara Maharaja are making propaganda against our attempt to construct a township in Mayapur, with the centre of attraction being the "Vedic Planetarium." In this connection we have applied to the government for 350 acres of land and the matter is in the process. However, Damodara Maharaja and Madhava Maharaja are trying to frustrate our attempt. I shall quote the portion from Jayapataka's letter to me:
"After the report (request for land) was submitted, the District Magistrate sent some land officers to come here to our site to inspect the lands and their position, nature, etc. During this time the local people some how or other came to know about the acquisition. This was mainly transmitted through Damodara Maharaja initially, some persons say. Some local farmers raised a petition against the land acquisition, with about 90 signatures. Petitions for having the development plans go through are also being raised by the local people, the majority of whom support the ISKCON plan. About 2,000 should be raised in total in favor of this project. One supporter, while coming to show me his petition, with 500 signatures on it, was kidnapped and the petition was snatched away. He was taken to Madhava Maharaja's Math doorstep and some of the local cultivators and Prabhu's of the Math threatened him and demanded why he was supporting ISKCON. The supporter was now more determined to raise support in face of the rude behavior. Other persons have been also called to Madhava Maharaja's Math and chastised for helping us. They say our mission is political and we want only the downfall of India and political power. They are so envious." (end of quote). As a matter of fact, I am trying to develop a township in Mayapur spending crores of rupees to give protection against the occasional innundation (flood) and construct a tall planetarium estimated to be 300 feet high. So why they are obstructing this program? What is the harm to them? People are already coming from all parts of the world to see Mayapur and join in the Sankirtana Movement, so if something more attractive is done, more people will come from all parts of the world. So what is their tangible objection? Of course, they cannot do all these things, it is beyond their power, but if somebody else does it, why should they be envious and obstructive to this plan?
Letter to GBC Secretaries -- Toronto 18 June, 1976:
I have received messages that Mahamsa Swami requires 2 more lacs to complete the Hyderabad construction by Janmastami, 1976. Already I have given about 5 lacs of Rupees, and I believe that Hamsaduta Maharaja hs also given a sum of money towards Hyderabad construction. So the total amount of the Hyderabad construction was estimated at about 10 lacs, and if I give this 2 lacs then I have given 7 lacs towards the construction so what is the collection in Hyderabad? It is not good that they are always asking me for money. The money is coming from the BBT in Bombay and it will have to be paid back in due course of time.
Letter to Giriraja -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 24 July, 1976:
This news of the donation of Mr. Malhotra is very good. Take the land and utilize it. Many good guests will come to such a place and I will also come. Estimate the cost and we shall do it immediately. I will come and see the land upon arriving in Bombay.
Letter to Gaura Govinda -- Vrindaban 18 September, 1976:
Arrange for printing the books. We shall supply paper that we have now got from the government. But without the paper you can take estimates from the printers to find the cheapest. I hope this meets you in good health.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Vrindaban 28 September, 1976:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23rd inst. and have noted the contents. Regarding the Haridasapur land, first give the site plan and boundary statement and then we shall make plan with Saurabha. Yes, Gaura-Nitai Deities can be installed firstly as we generally do, also Lord Jagannatha and then Radha-Krishna, in three compartments. Formerly the construction was estimated at Rs. 50,000/-out of which Rs. 10,000/-is already with Prabhu Svarupa, Rs. 10,000/-we shall see for and Rs. 30,000/-shall be raised. If further investment is required that we shall see to it, but presently Rs. 50,000/-is maximum. Thakura Haridasa's murti can be installed.
Letter to Gaura Govinda -- Vrindaban 17 November, 1976:
What is the climate like there in Bhuvaneśvara now? I want to come there. I want to begin work immediately on constructing a temple exactly like Jagannatha's temple in Puri. You can immediately begin to get estimates from contractors. It will be a very important temple.
Letter to Gurukrpa -- Hyderabad 14 December, 1976:
We have got the land already in Bhuvaneśvara. I'm waiting for the plan and estimate. So keep the $160,000 for this purpose. Further developments I shall let you know. The Bhuvaneśvara address is as follows: Iskcon Center/ Nayapalli/ Bhuvaneśvara-12/ Orissa.
Letter to M. N. De -- Bombay 20 December, 1976:
Regarding Bhuvaneśvara temple, whatever you have said is alright, but we have received estimate much less than that of yours. It is almost 50% less than what you have said. Besides that we are not prepared to spend so much for this project. So, for the time drop this matter. But, I am going to Bhuvaneśvara by the first week of January 1977. So, as proposed, you can accept the other responsibility as proposed by Govinda. He is not pestering, but he is your real well-wisher to give you a good chance. If you desire you can see me at Bombay between 21st to 31st December 1976 and do the needful.
1977 Correspondence
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Bhuvanesvara 28 January, 1977:
I approve of the arrangement for the writing on the "Bhaktivedanta Swami Gate". Your dealing with the municipality men and hosting them at the temple shows you have done these things very nicely. I have already sanctioned the expenditures for Gurukula, estimated at Rs. 1,800,000 which will include the Vrindaban gates and drainage.
| Page Title: | Estimate (Letters) |
| Compiler: | Visnu Murti, Surabhi |
| Created: | 05 of Mar, 2012 |
| Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=64 |
| No. of Quotes: | 64 |