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Govardhana Hill (Letters)

Correspondence

1966 Correspondence

Letter to Sumati Morarjee -- New York 13 November, 1966:

Some of my Indian friends have already acceded to this request. I hope you will also do so. I want to make this movement actually international, and as a great devotee of Lord Krishna, not only yourself but all others should become members of this International Society. Tomorrow we are just going to celebrate Lord Krishna's worship as Giridhari at Govardhana Puja, and we have invited many friends to partake of Prasadam. You will be glad to learn that I am distributing Prasadam to my followers (20) daily, and Krishna is arranging food for them. I wish to increase this number more and more, and my good boys are trying to purchase a bigger house for this purpose.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Hayagriva -- Montreal 14 June, 1968:

They have been advised to turn San Francisco gradually into New Jagannatha Puri, and I have advised Kirtanananda and yourself to convert West Virginia into New Vrindaban. I understand the spot is very beautiful, and the hills may be renamed as New Govardhana. And if there are lakes, they can be renamed as Syamakunda and Radhakunda. Vrindaban does not require to be modernized because Krishna's Vrindaban is transcendental village. They completely depend on nature's beauty and nature's protection. The community in which Krishna preferred to belong was Vaisya community, because Nanda Maharaja happened to be a Vaisya king, or landholder, and his main business was cow protection.

Letter to Kirtanananda, Hayagriva -- Montreal 23 August, 1968:

Of course in Vrindaban, there are about more or less, big and small, about 5,000 temples; that is a far distant scheme. But immediately, we shall take up constructing at least 7 temples in different situations, meadows and buildings. So I am trying to make a plan out of the description of the plot of our leased land. And the hilly portions may be name as Govardhana. Govardhana-side, the pasturing grounds for the cows may be allotted.

N.B. Hamsaduta is performing kirtana in the park, and yesterday he collected 24 dollars. There is some picture in the paper and I am sending one herewith.

Letter to All Devotees -- New York 7 September, 1968:

I have just returned from a two days stay at our newest center New Vrindaban in Moundsville, West Virginia, near Wheeling. This New Vrindaban is under the direction of Sriman Hayagriva and Kirtanananda Maharaja and promises to be a great step forward for Krishna Consciousness in America.

It has a farmhouse and several other structures, well, streams, hills (govardhana, as named by Swamiji) pasture grounds (a cow will be acquired soon), ghat, pond, woodland, all situated on 138 acres.

Prabhupada has requested that 7 temples be established there. Its main activity will be cow protection and to show the world that simply by living with cows and land and chanting HARE KRISHNA a perfect society will prevail.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Seattle 10 October, 1968:

When numerous candles are lighted it is called Dipabali. In India, this Dipabali function is celebrated in a special auspicious occasion. This Dipabali function can be observed on 21st October, and Prasad can be distributed on the 22nd October, during daytime, which is known as Govardhana Puja and Annakuta Ceremony. In India, in all Vaisnava temples, this ceremony is observed and 100's of people are given Prasad according to the capacity of the temple. So I understand that last year the Dipabali Ceremony was held in the temple, and there was collection of $130.00. So you can do the needful.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Los Angeles 18 November, 1968:

I am so glad to receive your note because I was a little restless for not receiving your letters since a few days. I have written already to Hayagriva about New Vrndavana how I am thinking of this place. And let us jointly endeavor for fulfilling this purpose. Yes, this climate of California, especially Los Angeles is very nice. I am always anxious to go and see the Govardhana hills in New Vrindaban and I hope Krishna will fulfill my desire as soon as possible.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Rayarama -- Los Angeles 16 January, 1969:

As you are sick with the flu now, I think it best that you do not exert yourself by working too much strenuously but rather you rest as much as possible until you are feeling better.

I have noted with pleasure that Jaya Govinda* has sent you a nice Govardhana Hill article for printing in Back To Godhead. I have already instructed Jaya Govinda to arrange for going to Hamburg and let us see what will happen with this boy. I have been requested by Janardana in Montreal temple to immediately send him the original manuscript of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and I think that you are keeping this manuscript in New York so kindly send it to Montreal as soon as possible. Janardana will require this manuscript to translate into the French language for publication, so it is important business, and please do the needful in this connection.

Letter to Giriraja -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 2, 1969, sent along with your beads. I have chanted on them and your initiated name is Giriraja. Giriraja is the name of the Govardhana Hill on which Krishna used to tend His cows. In Vrindaban the Govardhana Hill is worshiped as a representation of Krishna. Sometimes devotees take stone from Govardhana Hill and keep it at home as a representation of Krishna, and they worship in this way. I am very glad to understand that you have at least relished some of the transcendental bliss of Krishna Consciousness. It is a great fortune for you. Living entities are roaming within the universes in different species of life and in different planetary systems enjoying or suffering the reaction of pious or impious activities. But they have no information how to get out of this entanglement of repetition of birth and death.

Letter to Govardhana -- Boston 25 December, 1969:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 9, 1969 along with your prayer beads. I have duly chanted upon these beads and thereby have accepted you as an initiated disciple. Your spiritual name is Govardhana das Brahmacari. Govardhana is the name of the hill which Krishna lifted up to protect the inhabitants of Vrindaban from the heavy rainfalls which were being sent down by Indra. This Govardhana Hill is still there in Vrindaban, and it is worshiped by the devotees of Krishna just as Krishna Himself is worshiped. You have a very nice opportunity to quickly advance in spiritual perfection because you have the good association of the devotees in Hawaii. This association with devotees of Krishna is recommended by Lord Caitanya Himself as the most important factor for developing Krishna Consciousness.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Damodara -- Nairobi, Kenya 3 October, 1971:

All newcomers should be welcomed and well treated. In the beginning they may be treated leniently and gradually they will learn. So out of many thousands of people on comes to become Krishna Conscious. So it is our duty to help them as far as possible. that is one of our activities.

Yes, this Govardhana puja is a bona fide procedure, but such things cannot be held in your country. It requires good space to decorate the imitation hill of rice. So when we offer such hill of rice, there must be other things also—a hill of capatis and other things. It is a huge affair. In India practically in all the Visnu temples this is observed and they spend huge amounts for this purpose and they distribute prasadam to thousands and everyone gathers to take even a little portion of it. If you can introduce this Govardhana puja, I have no objection, but it requires hard labor, good management and much money also. But the process is bona fide.

Letter to Karandhara -- Nairobi 3 October, 1971:

If not you can advise them immediately.

Enclosed also you will find one letter from Kunjabihari das Brahmacari. So four times he has left the society; that is not very good record. So he is asking for second initiation. Let him stick to L.A. temple under your care for at least six months and then he will be eligible. Piece of Govardhana Hill cannot be taken from Vrindaban.

Letter to Chaturbhus -- Bombay 29 December, 1971:

So Arjuna's chariot had the flag of Hanuman on it. As far as the restriction for reading the 10th canto pastimes of Krishna. That is only for those who do not know what is Krishna. but you are initiated, so you can read because you know who Krishna is. for example. when Krishna was 7 years old he lifted Govardhana Hill. The nondevotee scholars say that it is mythology, but a devotee will know immediately that Krishna can do anything. Still our Krishna book is so nice that even an ordinary man can read it and derive

benefit.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- Bombay 31 December, 1972:

Now some of our men have met with the Maharaja of Bharatapur here in Bombay, he sent his men to fetch us, and in a bitter mood he requested us immediately to return his idols of silver Radha and Krsna. So let us return them to him, we do not want any ill feeling to be against us. So you may return those deities to him at earliest opportunity, either at Delhi or at Govardhana. He also has requested his book. I do not know which book that is, but he said that Acyutananda has it and he wants it back without delay, so return him.

Regarding the deity at Vrndavana, Malati has just now returned from Jaipur and she has found out one very nice murti of Radha and Krsna more than five feet tall. I want these deities shall be installed in Vrndaban, so Yamuna may make arrangement to go there and see if they are available, what is the cost, and make all program how they shall be transported to Vrndaban, like that. I think these will be just suitable for our Vrndaban temple, and they will save us time also.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 3 August, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29 July, 1973 and I have noted the contents very carefully.

From your report I can understand that you are very enthusiastic. I like also your idea of celebrating Govardhana puja. This should be our programme to attract the general mass of people. If we go on preaching vigorously as we have been for another 25 year then all these other so called religions will disappear. After all what do they have to offer. In the Christian religion all we see is Christ's picture as he was crucified, so how people can be attracted to such thing? There is no science, philosophy, music, art, Prasadam, it is no wonder that the people are rejecting this nonsense. Not that Christ himself was nonsense, but those who are preaching in his name they are nonsense because they do not follow even the simplest of his orders. "Thou shalt not Kill."

Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bombay 4 October, 1973:

Yes, Dayananda is correct. When the boys and girls become ten or twelve years and above, then should be separated. At that time special care should be taken, because once they become a victim of sex their whole life becomes spoiled.

I am very glad to learn that Govardhana dasa has become a leader in the deity worship, due to his inspired service. That is the real thing—one who has inspiration of life, he can do anything. Rupa Goswami explains this as "utsaha", enthusiasm.

I am very pleased that you and Hrdayananda Swami are traveling and preaching and that everyone was singing and dancing at the kirtana at the U. of Iowa. It is a sign of great success. Your plan to spend up to one month in each big university city sometimes taking an apartment for conducting regular evening meetings is approved by me.

Letter to Bhakta dasa -- New Delhi October 11, 1973:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 17, 1973 and have noted the contents. I thank you very much for your invitation for your Govardhana celebration. I would have come, but I received your letter late, but I hope anyway that you have enjoyed Govardhana-Puja. The photos are very nice, and Radharani looks very satisfied, as I see in the features of Her face in the photo. If She is pleased, then Krsna is pleased, and all living entities are pleased.

I thank you very much for installing Radha-Giridhari. From my childhood I was very much fond of Radha-Krsna, and now my good disciples are helping me to open so many Radha-Krsna temples all over the world. It gives me so much pleasure. Now introduce Ratha Yatra. That was my childhood activity.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Gurudasa -- Honolulu 17 January, 1974:

Arrangement should be made. If we have no place, still there is no scarcity of place in Vrindaban. There are hundreds of dharmasala. The panda will arrange for the dharmasala for three days, namely the 12th, 13rd and 14th. The pilgrims shall stay there for 3 days. Buses should be engaged to take the devotees one day to Govardhana and Radhakunda, Nandagram and Barsana. The other day, Dauji and another day to some other places. From dharmasala the buses will take the devotees to visiting places and then come back to their respective dharmasala. If there is a little inconvenience, still the devotees must visit Vrindaban. In Mathura there are dharmasalas of Krsna-janma-bhumi and Jaya Dayal Dalmia constructed just for foreigners. Arrangement should be made with the help of the panda.

Letter to Sripada Radhika Bhava -- Honolulu 17 January, 1974:

With humble obeisances at the lotus feet of the devotee, Sripada Radhika Bhava, please accept my humble obeisances. At the moment I am in Hawaii Island. I am requesting you that after our Navadvipa parikrama about two hundred to three hundred European devotees will go to Vrndavana for parikrama. That's why Sriman Guru das is going to see you with this letter. Kindly introduce Guru das to the son of our panda (the guide for the pilgrim) whom you have recently given Rs. 100 on my behalf. If that panda goes with them and shows them Govardhana and other places then I will be very much grateful. Please accept my humble obeisances and convey my humble obeisances to Sripada Shar Maharaja. I will go to India soon.

Letter to Dinadayadri -- Rome 26 May, 1974:

There is no question of your returning to Nara-Narayana. He has remarried, and I also informed him when I was in L.A. last time, that he should keep his one wife, living peacefully in L.A. You have got one child, so now make Krsna your husband and take shelter of our temple. The Detroit temple where you are now is very suitable I think, and you say you are much inspired by devotees like Govardhana and the others. So take spiritual instructions from your elder Godbrothers and sisters, forget the past, and make all progress in Krsna Consciousness without any material lamentation or hankering.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Melbourne 25 June, 1974:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your recent letter mailed to Germany, and I have examined the contents.

As of your writing, Govardhana Prabhu, the Detroit president had left his post and was living in the Chicago temple, because he was not chanting his sixteen rounds. I hope by now he has taken your advice and has returned to his post and is following the chanting with full knowledge. In your previous letter you stated that the deity worship in Detroit was superexcellent and that all programs were being expertly managed by govardhana. Why should he leave therefore? You write he is chanting 14 rounds daily; so you are experienced and know what to do in this case, simply encourage him to chant 16 rounds. The injunction is kirtaniya sada hari, one should always be chanting all day. The 16 rounds is just a minimum 1 set for my disciples so they will chant at least that much.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Melbourne 25 June, 1974:

Actually chanting should always be going on. So I will be anxious to hear that Govardhana has returned and is chanting more seriously, aware that he must do so to remain free from the clutches of maya.

Regarding the techniques for book distribution, it is all right if the devotees dress like the young people they are selling the books to. The main thing is that the innocent are given the books and the chance to become Krsna Conscious by reading them. You have to see that our book distributers are also reading my books and following all the regulative principles, then it is all right selling in public in that way.

Letter to Rocana -- Bombay 21 November, 1974:

I am very glad to note of how you are increasing the "Back To Godhead" distribution there in such a remote place. Our "Back To Godhead" is the backbone of our movement so we should always be thinking how to increase it increase it increase it. I note that your are installing Gaura-Nitai deities on Govardhana Puja, please send me the report of how the festival went on.

Regarding the initiations the devotees which you have recommended I am herewith initiating and their names are as follows. Don—Dharmaprana Dasa. Jean Citrakera Dasa. Claudia—Cklamahara Devi Dasi. Kathy—Kamalaksi Devi Dasi.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 1 December, 1974:

Regarding the interest of Miss Thakura, very good, that's nice. Keep friendship with her and introduce our books. Give her prasadam, and after all she is woman, flatter her. Then she will remain pleased, so keep her as friend.

Regarding the new proposal for a farm, yes arrange for it. So make it another like our New Vrindaban. You have already named it Govardhana Hill. That's nice. If possible add Giri Govardhana Hill. How far is it from the Frankfurt center? As you have recommended for initiation Lisa Reuter and Willy, I have accepted them as my disciples. Their names are Lekhasravanti devi dasi and Bimbasya dasa. Please see to it that they chant on their beads and follow the regulative principles carefully. You are authorized to chant on their beads.

Letter to Patita Uddharana -- Bombay 2 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 21, 1974 and have noted the contents. It is nice that you had a nice Diwali-Govardhana Puja celebration. I have not received any photos however. Regarding the Indian gentleman Krishna Das, he can go to Dallas and teach Sanskrit and English, or he can come here to Bombay if he likes.

As you are doing secretarial duties there at the Manor, there is one matter I would like you to look into. There is one man Mr. Mody. What happened? He is a big man. Now Kausalya has irritated him. Try to compromise the situation, and inform me.

Letter to Madhavananda -- Bombay 3 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 1, 1974 and have noted the contents. Of course I was here in India, so I could not attend your Diwali-Govardhana Puja function, but I understand it was very nice.

I am glad to understand that you are living and working peacefully with the others there. This is required. If we also fight and preach Krishna consciousness, what will people say? Therefore Lord Caitanya has stated: trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna. Another symptom of a sadhu or spiritually advanced man is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam by Lord Kapila: titiksavah karunikah suhrdah sarva dehinam (SB 3.25.21). The symptoms of a sadhu is that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Naveen Khurana, Margaret Khurana -- Bombay 18 March, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 9th, 1975 and have noted the contents. Thank you for your kind sentiments and the 100 dollar daksina. Upon the recommendation of Sriman Govardhana Prabhu, I have accepted you both as my duly initiated disciples and your names are as follows: Navina-Krsna dasa and Mahanandini devi dasi. Please continue to chant 16 rounds and to follow the four regulative principles as you have promised in your letter and your life will be perfect. Your beads will be sent along with Govardhana dasa.

Letter to Supriya -- Bombay 18 March, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 9, 1975 and have noted the contents. Thank you very much for your kind sentiments and the $100 daksina. Upon the recommendation of your temple president Govardhana dasa, I am accepting you as my initiated disciple. Your name can be Sukrta dasa. I am hoping that you will fulfill your promise to chant at least 16 good rounds a day and to follow all of the four regulative principles. These things are of the utmost importance. Your beads will be sent along with Govardhana dasa.

Letter to Batu Gopala -- Honolulu 12 June, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 9, 1975 and have noted the contents. Thank you very much for selling so many books there. This is very much wanted. Try to sell again more and more each day. Regarding naming your Cleveland center, New Govardhana Hill is a very nice name. But as far as worshiping a Govardhana Sila from Govardhana hill, that we shall see later on.

Letter to Saptaratha -- Detroit 4 August, 1975:

I have seen a photo of the dolls you have made of Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill and also Balarama. Your son has sent the photo. So you have done it very nicely. Go on with this work.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Vrindaban 9 September, 1975:

Regarding Bury Place yes, for raising money to purchase there will be no difficulty. Try to keep our temple there. Purchase it and then repair it nicely and it will be a permanent establishment. We are staying there for the last two years. How we can be moved from there? You can hold the day after Diwali the Anakut Govardhana ceremony. There should be heaps of prasadam.

Regarding the farm, our business is not farming. Our business is to spread Krishna consciousness. So in favor of Krishna consciousness whatever policy is suitable that we should take. Even if you move the farm, how will it be conducted if your devotees are not interested? No, it is not a good idea. It will mean our attention will be diverted. If you have got more men, then it can be tackled.

Letter to Dr. Babbar -- Vrindaban 17 September, 1975:

I wish to introduce to you Mr. Govardhana Sharma, Token No. 0404, Tiamic Shop, Escorts Ltd., Faridabad. He is in need of some service from you, and I request you to kindly give him assistance.

Letter to Dhananjaya -- Bombay 9 November, 1975:

Regarding the Krishna Balarama Gosala, so let them arrange the meeting of the Trustees. I am in India, so let them arrange the date, time, and place, and I shall go there. There is no difficulty for me to attend. But, let them do it.

The land on Chatikara Road is very good. We can develop it. Your Govardhana Puja celebration sounded very nice.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 9 November, 1975:

Regarding your proposal to reduce the number of students in the Dallas school, and sending them to New York and Los Angles, that is a good idea. You can do that. Anyway, this should be considered by the GBC together and do the needful.

I am glad to hear that Govardhana Prabhu is doing nicely now. I am very happy. If there is any discrepancy, we have to request them to correct, not changing or dismissing. Our whole process is to humbly request, sometimes falling down on the feet and flattering. The vivid example is Nityananda Prabhu converting Jagai and Madhai.

So study my books and reproduce the purports in your own language. You should instruct your temple presidents to preach like this. This is preaching. We haven't got to invent something by our fertile brain for preaching. Everything is there.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Saurabha -- Los Angeles 7 June, 1976:

They are going to construct a temple. They are good workers so we should take them. Concerning using some Indian gentlemen for managing our buildings, that is a good idea. Mr. Vyasa is a competent man, but the difficulty is that he is not joining. Together, I know that they can manage very nicely. Concerning the Govardhana hill sila (stones), keep them there with you and when I come I shall see.

Enclosed please find the letter to the Bank of America, Bombay for transferring Rs. 3 Lakhs to the State Bank of Hyderabad as requested.

Letter to Palika -- India Unknown Date:

Of course you should always cleanse Him with dry or damp cloth from time to time, but no daily bathing process is recommended by me for the time being. 2. You may dress Him in the same manner as Lord Krishna. 3. Deities should be changed in early morning, after mangala arati, before noon offering, and before Sundara arati They should be put on Their fine dress. 4. The Govardhana rock should be returned to Mt. Govardhana as soon as possible. I am very glad that you are doing such a nice service by worshiping Radharani and Krishna so nicely and giving Them so many nice clothes and ornaments and taking such nice care, so now I am very much relieved to know everything is going well in Calcutta during my absence. Now you make Mayapur into a gorgeous palace for Radha and Krishna, and I shall come there immediately and sit down there permanently to stay by Them.

Letter to Satsvarupa Goswami -- New Vrndavana 30 June, 1976:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 28, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care.

We are concerned with service. What is the meaning of the post, that is, president, secretary, etc., etc. I am glad to see that Govardhana is doing nicely. I have confidence that things will go on nicely there, but he should be encouraged to faithfully follow the rules and regulations and chant 16 rounds daily.

Why was Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Krsna Deities put on the Ratha cart in Chicago? Who has sanctioned this? This is not authorized. It does not mean that we shall make Rathayatra a conglomeration. Everything should be done by proper sanction.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Hari-sauri -- Bombay 1 May, 1977:

After the fire sacrifice they may be allowed to hear the Gayatri mantra from the tape in the right ear. Teach them to be good brahmanas, always remaining internally pure by chanting Hare Krsna, and externally by regular bathing.

Yes, the name "New Govardhana" will be very appropriate for your farm. Regarding the idea of getting 36" nim wood Gaura Nitai from Calcutta, that is very good. Or if somebody can carve them locally, that will also be very nice. Regarding the gentleman whom you have met who speaks so many languages, let him translate in any one of these languages any of our books and that will be a great service.

Page Title:Govardhana Hill (Letters)
Compiler:Visnu Murti, RupaManjari
Created:06 of Nov, 2012
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=37
No. of Quotes:37