By 10th of March I will be visiting Sri Mayapur dham. The birth site of Lord Caitanya in Navadvipa. If possible join us.
Mayapur (Letters 1971)
Correspondence
1971 Correspondence
Letter to Jayapataka -- Gorakhpur 23 February, 1971:
Next on the 28th February, 1971 all of us are going to Calcutta, reaching on the 1st March by the 82 Down Express reaching Howrah at about 4:30 P.M. My desire is that all of you should visit Mayapur at least for one or two days during Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthday. If the Hamilton House is available, then I shall also go and finish the business of paying them in full as they want. When I shall go, I shall go with full, money for paying them, but in case the transaction does not mature, then I shall not go to Calcutta but go to Bombay and you all my disciples may visit Mayapur and chant Kirtana as many times as possible and return to Calcutta. Most probably Hamsaduta and his party will go to Calcutta by the 10th March.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Gorakhpur 23 February, 1971:
I've sent my bank passbook to Balaji. Please get it up to date, so if I go to Calcutta, I shall see to it and if I go to Bombay you will send it registered post. In the meantime make the passbook up to date. If there is sufficient space for accommodation of 40 to 50 men, then all the devotees from Bombay will also go to Calcutta for visiting Mayapur, and if you have space then you can inform the Bombay devotees directly.
Letter to Tulsi -- Bombay 24 February, 1971:
We want to influence these misguided college students so that they might take to this Krishna Consciousness Movement very seriously. And if we can establish a seat of Krishna Consciousness these students may take their doctorate degree in Krishna Consciousness and go out and preach all over the world. From here I shall be going to Mayapur and then to Bombay, and should be returning to U.S.A. by the first week of April. Please offer my blessings to Sandy, Pat, Bill and Jeff Prabhus, and all the others there.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Bombay 5 March, 1971:
I've received one telegram from Hamsaduta. It is understood he has personally gone to Jaipur to take the Deities, and he will personally take them to Bombay, so there is no anxiety for the Deities. You can go on preparing the throne and dress very gorgeously. Regarding going to Madras, it may be postponed for the time being. We are thinking of going to Mayapur, then of course we shall follow your instruction. As scheduled, I shall reach Bombay by the 15th March and I shall let you know the exact time in due course. For the time being, all my mails may be sent (redirected) to this Calcutta address.
Letter to K. K. Birla -- Bombay 10 March, 1971:
From your previous letters it is understood that you know the activities of my Society in Europe and America. Sometimes when you were in New York you saw our Sankirtana Party on the Fifth Avenue.
We have come from America and Europe with forty disciples, mostly American, and we wanted to stay in the Birla Guest House at Mayapur during the Birthday Anniversary of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Unfortunately, Sri Bhakti Vilas Tirtha did not allow us to stay at the Birla Guest House and the copy of the letter from him is enclosed herewith.
As a matter of fact, I wish to stay there (at Mayapur) for a few days with my disciples who have come from Europe and America and you may kindly ask Sri Bhakti Vilas Tirtha to do the needful in this connection.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 24 March, 1971:
Whether there has been any negotiation with Jabed Ali and some other man for purchasing the Mayapur land or whether you have selected any other land nearby? Mr. Mohta wanted to send me a letter regarding negotiations for purchasing his brother's house. So these things are pending. Another thing, I wrote a letter to Mr. K. K. Birla, the copy of which is enclosed herewith. If you have received any reply from him? I am awaiting your reply to the above points immediately by return of post with a report of your activities there.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Nasik 7 April, 1971:
Please inform me about Calcutta and Mayapur ___
Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 11 April, 1971:
I am in due receipt of your long letter of 31/3/71. Tamala has gone there & thus I hope everything will be in order. I am anxious to purchase the lands in Mayapur. I wish to stay there for some time at the Birla Dharmasala. Shall be glad to know if you can arrange for this through Sri K. K.
Telegram to Tamal Krishna -- INDIAN POSTS AND TELEGRAPHS DEPARTMENT TELEGRAM TAMAL ISKCON 3 ALBERT ROAD CALCUTTA:
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT FRIST CHEQUE BEFORE SECOND SENT SEND DETAILS MAYAPUR.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 19 April, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15.4.71, and noted the contents carefully. It appears that Calcutta activities are going on very nicely and I am so glad to learn that you are all going to Mayapur on the 23rd instant, along with Mr. Virendra Das (the lawyer) and Acyutananda Maharaja. I have already written to Mr. Sarkar to see you in this connection and I hope everything is going orderly. I have already sent you one check for Rs. 8,300 and I hope you have received it by this time and done the needful. The next check will be sent as soon as I hear from you that the first check was received.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 19 April, 1971:
I have sent my passport by registered, insured mail. Kindly let me know whether you have picked up the new passport in exchange for this old one. The old passport may not be delivered to them, but it may be taken back with the word "CANCELLED". Yes, after purchasing the land in Mayapur, we will purchase a house in Calcutta if there is sufficient funds. I am very glad that "Bhagavata Dharma Discourses" activities in Calcutta are going on nicely and it is very encouraging that in one day you have collected checks, etc. for Rs. 8,000 from prospective sympathizers. The Remington House, as suggested by you is not good for our purpose, because it is in the midst of downtown office quarter. Office quarter neighborhood becomes vacant after office hours and besides that, I have seen that Remington House previously when I was in Calcutta and it is not good for our purpose.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 19 April, 1971:
I am advising the bank to change the name of my Book Fund from "A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Book Fund" to "International Society for Krishna Consciousness Book Fund". Kindly, therefore, regularly transfer by mail all collection of membership fees 50% to the Building Fund and 50% to the Book Fund. Similarly advise Gorakhpur also to do the same.
Yes, if the Birla Dharmasala at Mayapur can be had for some time, I can go there personally to stay and see our Mayapur activities, how they are going on nicely. I shall be glad to hear from you in this connection.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 22 April, 1971:
Regarding big marble Deities, if Mr. Podder has agreed to donate a silver throne for the big size Deities then they will be dispatched from here nicely packed.
Regarding Mayapur, I have sent you the Power of Attorney as desired by you as well as the second check for Rs. __ Please finish the purchase transaction without delay & make the Calcutta Festival a grand success better than Berkeley. Gurudasa & his wife have already gone to Delhi & from there they will go to Calcutta.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 24 April, 1971:
I have received news from Boston that they have received one set but L.A. complains that they have not received. What happened? When some men go there to Calcutta from here, they will take one big pair of marble Deities for installation there; the brass Dieties from Gorakhpur will be installed in Mayapur. So please let me know about the Deities shipped to L.A.; to whom the documents were sent and why they have not received them as of yet.
I have already consented to attend Calcutta ceremony. I am not going to Russia immediately, but to Kuala Lumpur by the 30th April instead and I shall be going to Calcutta from Sydney by the 14th May. In the Sankirtana festival pandal if a very big kitchen arrangement can be made, then we shall distribute prasadam daily. Try to make this arrangement. Puri, halava, kitri—whatever can be arranged as much as possible. Tamala Krishna and Giriraja have all the ideas.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Bombay 27 April, 1971:
Yes, we are contemplating Indira Gandhi's presence while laying down the foundation stone in Mayapur. So you arrange like that. My going to Delhi is not so important now since we have secured land in Mayapur. Be in correspondence with Tamala Krishna in this regard.
Letter to Govinda -- Calcutta 28 May, 1971:
You have got the idea; you have seen many pictures and I am seeing from here that you are doing nicely.
From Bombay I may go to Russia (Moscow) and then to London and then N.Y. and then I will be coming to L.A. You will be glad to learn that we have purchased about five acres of land in Mayapur, the birthsite of Lord Caitanya and we have proposed to hold a nice festival there from Janmastami day for two weeks. At that time the foundation stone will be set down. I wish that all our leading disciples come to India at that time. There are 50 branches, so at least one from each branch should attend the function and Sai also may come at that time. From L.A. while coming to India I must come to Hawaii as I did last year and then after the foundation stone function I will come again back to U.S.A. The contemplation of sitting at Hawaii for my translating work is still alive. Now it depends on Krishna what I have to do in the future.
Letter to Sri Ravelji -- Bombay 17 June, 1971:
On the 20th instant I will be going to Moscow for five days, and then on to Paris and London. From there I will go directly to U.S.A. and hope to be back in Calcutta by the middle of August for opening our Mayapur temple. In the mean time you can visit our temple there at 3, Albert Road, talk with the devotees, read all our books and when I return to Calcutta, we shall talk of further enlightenment.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bombay 17 June, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 11th June, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am so glad to note how you are so much enthusiastic for developing the Mayapur program. So do it nicely; Caitanya Mahaprabhu will give you all facility. And surely I will go there for the function in August.
I have also received word from Karandhara about the book distribution program. It is very encouraging. So our books will have to be produced in great numbers. On our own press, they can do so, provided it is economically sound proposal. They have cited the cost for maintenance at $1,500 per month. That is all right. Whatever it may be, but that amount must be covered by the originally proposed 10% of the total costs.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Moscow 21 June, 1971:
It is very nice if we can get other magazines than BTG to print articles about our society, so try for it. Also, for BTG, I am enclosing one poem by Dravida for publishing. And so far the annual GBC meeting is concerned, it is my wish that this meeting be held in Mayapur on Vyasa Puja Day. So you arrange for this, we can go at least 100 visitors and arrange for the founding stone in Mayapur. We are trying to get Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, for laying the foundation stone.
Yes, my order still stands. Please organize BTG distribution and do it nicely. Sankirtana Party and distribution of our magazines and books is our real program. Other things are secondary. So during the summer time you should utilize this program of Sankirtana and book distribution vigorously. Attention diverted to incense business is not a very good sign. We should give all our energy for distributing BTG.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Moscow 25 June, 1971:
So our visit to Moscow was not so successful, but for the future, it is hopeful. Tomorrow I go to Paris for one day, then to S.F. Rathayatra and then I shall come back to London. So you can reply me this letter in London address.
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.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Moscow 25 June, 1971:
Similarly, at other places we can hold such meetings. The old man who comes to our Calcutta temple, Nagan, came to see me in Bombay. He said we have saved Calcutta and the Naxalites are in favor of our Calcutta will change.
Re: Mayapur construction, the best thing is to get the help of a nice architect—either the man who drew the plans or Mr. Muckerjee who came to see us. His office is at 8/2 Hastings St., top floor. So let us supervise amongst ourselves. Purchase the goods and engage laborers to work nicely and Mr. Sarkar will help. First the cornerstone should be laid down and on an auspicious day, construction should begin. You can arrange for collecting funds and materials for construction very easily in Calcutta, so do like that.
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 Acyutananda -- London 28 June, 1971:
Yesterday evening there was a meeting of all the different presidents of all the different temples and I have impressed them with this fact and they are doing so nicely and sincerely. So you have got a very responsible task in Mayapur also—to develop that temple. So send me weekly reports and may Krishna bless you more and more.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 28 June, 1971:
I hope things are going well there and Mayapur development is going on and that the fencing is being done also, as I instructed you in my last letter. So far my travels, from Bombay you may have heard, I went to Moscow. We stayed there for five days. There are many younger Muscovites who are very anxious for joining our movement. Unfortunately the government is so strict that it is difficult to take their cooperation for starting a center there. Everything is strictly under government control. Still we are trying to open a center with the help of local men. The city is very big and there are many nice buildings, roads, etc., but life is not very happy. One cannot live according to his own choice. Fruits and vegetables are very scantily supplied, but milk, butter and yogurt are readily available.
Letter to Bhavananda -- Los Angeles 1 July, 1971:
Also, I am wanting many men to go to India. At a recent meeting of the temple presidents from the West coast, I asked that each of our nearly 60 centers send at least one man to India. So if you can make arrangements like that, it will be very nice. Many men are required there; they don't have to be very important members. We are arranging for a big temple in Mayapur, the birthsite of Lord Caitanya. So we shall discuss further on this matter when I go there.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 1 July, 1971:
Presently I am in L.A. and very soon will be making my way back to Calcutta, and Mayapur, via Europe. First I will go to N.Y. by the middle of this month and then go London. From there I will go to Bombay and Calcutta.
So I am very much anxious to know about the arrangements being made for laying the corner stone in Mayapur. My desire is that it be done on the 15th August, 1971 or round about that day. If Indira Gandhi cannot come on the 15th August, then some other day will be all right. But the ceremony must take place. So please let me know the latest development. I am anxious for your reply.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1971:
In L.A. they have not yet received the 24" brass Deities. How is that? Jayapataka Swami told me that they were taken to the shipping godown, but what happened next? Please clear up this matter immediately.
As of yet, I have not heard from you concerning our Mayapur program. Is the fence being constructed? What news of Indira Gandhi? Please let me know. I am very anxious to hear from you in this connection.
One more thing is that you can immediately dispatch 100 more sets of the beads gotten in Mayapur, and send them to London immediately. Just now in L.A. I have initiated 40 new devotees and so the beads are going quickly.
Letter to Giriraja -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1971:
I am very anxious to know about Mayapur. Since I have come here I have not heard from you. I have sent one telegram to Tamala but there is no reply. So will you kindly send me a detailed report of your activities regarding Mayapur affairs? Please send me a report every week & oblige. I have requested Acyutananda Swami also to send me weekly reports. But I have not heard from him also. Please treat this letter as urgent and reply immediately.
Letter to John Milner -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1971:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 5th July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am so glad to hear that you will be going with Brahmananda Maharaja to Africa and that Harold Prabhu will be going also. When I was in Bombay, Brahmananda Maharaja told me about you and I agreed that it would be nice if you came to assist him in his mission. So make arrangements immediately for going.
Yes, I will be very glad to initiate you both before you embark. Depending on whether or not there will be a function in Mayapur in mid-August, I will be going to N.Y. If the Mayapur program is fixed up then I will leave for N.Y. by the 15th of this month. Otherwise, I will be staying in L.A. for some time. So if I go, then you can meet me there, or if not you can come here. Actually it is better to take initiation personally and receive instructions before leaving for Africa. So you can make arrangements accordingly.
Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles July 11, 1971:
Presently I am in L.A. and everything is very nice here. You will be glad to know that I have again begun my translating work and have sent five tapes to Satsvarupa thus far. Very soon though I will be going to N.Y., probably by the end of this week. From there I will go to Europe and then on to Mayapur for the founding stone ceremony. So most probably we will meet again at that time.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1971:
There is very little freedom there. Anyway, there is hope for opening a center in the future; we have made some friends there. From Moscow I came to Paris, L.A. and then attended the very successful Rathayatra festival. Now I am again in L.A. and will begin making my way back to Calcutta beginning in the 16th instant. So I hope things are going on nicely for the Mayapur festival. I have had no letter from Tamala since I have come here. So you mentioned in your letter about an appointment with S. S. Dhawan. What is the result? No one has informed me. Whether the appointment actually took place? In this connection, Syamasundara already sent one letter to Tamala to let us know and do the needful. Unless some big man lays down the corner stone, our whole attempt will be frustrated. Actually the function in Mayapur will be held for this purpose.
Letter to S. C. Mukherjee -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1971:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2nd July, 1971 and have noted the contents. Presently I am out of Calcutta. So it is better if you are still interested in our Mayapur project to see the Mayapur committee and speak with them at our temple at 3, Albert Road; Calcutta-17. The committee is in charge of all these affairs and if they are in need of your service, that will be very nice.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 14 July, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated after such a long time and I have noted the contents carefully.
I have handed your letter over to Syamasundara for a point by point reply, but one thing is that if it is not possible to get Indira Gandhi or the Governor or the American Ambassador for the festival at Mayapur, then what is the use? In that case, the program should be cancelled until some later date. My going there depends on whether such meeting can be arranged; otherwise there is no need in my going. I have got so much engagement here and have resumed my translating work also. So do your best to see that one of these big officials comes to Mayapur for the cornerstone ceremony and let me know as soon as possible what arrangements have been made.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- New York 23 July, 1971:
So if Bhativalla is trying to evict us on legal grounds, and he cannot be defeated, then we will vacate. That is all right. Then, if we are unable to secure the Vakil house or some suitable place, then you should pack up and everyone immediately go to Mayapur. We have got some land there and the program is going on. So you can make plans accordingly.
Your idea for a three day benefit to raise 4 lakhs towards our International University for Study of Vedic Culture is a very sound proposal, so do it and make the idea concrete. That will be very good.
Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Saradia -- Brooklyn 24 July, 1971:
I have received your press cuttings and they are very much encouraging. So you concentrate you energy for preaching in that part of the world. You are already popular there and you will become more and more popular.
Nara Narayana may be required for constructing a temple in Mayapur in India, but if he doesn't go to India then surely he will go to Trinidad to construct a new temple there.
So the public is in sympathy with our movement and I am sure that there will be no difficulty in extending your visas further. Work sincerely, keeping faith on Krishna and the Spiritual Master and everything will come out successful.
Letter to Giriraja -- Brooklyn 25 July, 1971:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 14th July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. So far the Mayapur program is concerned, I received one telegram from Tamala Krishna that the date for the program has been postponed and I replied by cable that it is all right, but still this is a little disappointing. Anyway, let us hope for better things in the future.
I am so glad to hear that you have acquired the flat on the other side of the upper floor at 3, Albert Road and that now there are ample facilities. We are arranging to send 60 devotees from different centers to India and I have written one letter to Sumati Morarji. Madhudvisa Maharaja is taking care of that. So I am very glad that you have accommodations for all the devotees in Calcutta.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Brooklyn 28 July, 1971:
I have learned from Giriraja that it is not possible to get any big donation. We have to construct the temple at Mayapur by collecting membership fees. So far I understand, the collection rate is at one member per day. So even it is so, then keeping this standard, we may collect 25,000 to 30,000 Rs. per month. Four months means one lakh. One year means three lakhs. So if we want to spend 25 lakhs at Mayapur, it will take 8 to 10 years. Do you think that is a practical proposal? So we should not imagine some big project unless we have got insurance from our admirers. This life membership program has proved a little successful, so continue it and form 3 or 4 parties to collect membership fees. As Giriraja and Revatinandana have formed one party, so you and Tamala form a party to approach respectable gentlemen to become life members.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Brooklyn 28 July, 1971:
Regarding giving contract for building our temple I think it is not a good proposal. We are not so rich. The plans made by Jaju's engineer is alright. We can engage our own men to construct the temple without any contractor. Nara Narayana is experienced, and there are so many experienced men in our Society and I think some of them may go to Mayapur and we will construct ourselves. Besides, in India many of our godbrothers have constructed big big temples but they have never taken the help of any contractor or engineer. The native masonry workers are very experienced so we can simply supervise.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Brooklyn 28 July, 1971:
So far I can understand from Giriraja's letter he thinks money is expected only from Life Members, not from big contributors. Revatinandana does not require to go to Bombay because I have received a letter from Madhudvisa and things are going nicely there. Besides Revatinandana is on the Mayapur Committee so why he should go to Bombay? He is doing well in conjunction with Giriraja and Giriraja writes that he is his only helper. On the other hand, some of the rich men like Bajoria, Jalan and K. K. Birla may be added to the Mayapur Committee. I think this will help our Mayapur scheme very nicely.
Have you taken deliver of the sales deed document of Mayapur land? Please send me a copy. There were some crops on the land with Rs. 4000/- worth of crops. Have they been sold and the money realized?
Letter to Bali-mardana -- London August 4, 1971:
That is not possible. Yes, the touring program, preaching and distributing our literatures, is more important. Of course for the big cities a nice center is required. So if Kamala Devi is making so many demands there in Kuala Lumpur, then it is not advisable to stay on.
So far Mayapur is concerned, I have not yet received the documents of the purchase of the land from Tamala. They had not yet arrived in N.Y. when I left there, on the 2nd August. So you can send a copy here immediately. Also you should send the temple plan made by Jaju's engineer, so that Naranarayana, presently in London, can be consulted.
Letter to Bhavananda -- London 5 August, 1971:
I understand from Karandhara that you had some telephone conversation on the matter of chanting places. In my opinion, Karandhara is required on the western side and you are required in N.Y. center. You have organized N.Y. very nicely; I give you all credit for this. But if you are insisting and require some change, then the best thing to do is to go to Mayapur and manage the building construction there. Tamala has written in his last letter that he has no experience in such building affairs and he wants to appoint some big contractors. That will be too expensive. We can save that amount by supervising ourselves this construction. That will be favorable for our purpose.
Letter to Bhavananda -- London 5 August, 1971:
If you decide that you will go to Mayapur then you should apply for missionary visa from there. If there is any difficulty then I can submit your name from here and you can stop over in London to pick up your visa on the way to India. That can be done for any number of devotees planning to go to India, so this information should be passed on to all our centers.
Letter to Karandhara -- London 5 August, 1971:
So your presence is required there in the West. Your overseeing is most important position. What am I doing but overseeing. So continue there in L.A.
In my opinion, Bhavananda is as much required in N.Y. as you are required in L.A., but he is wanting some change. So I think he can go to Mayapur to manage the building construction. Then Rupanuga can take over management of N.Y. center. Yesterday I talked with the high commissioner from India for the United Kingdom. So now we shall get missionary visas from here very easily. So either they can get missionary visas from there in U.S. or if there is difficulty then you can send me the names of the devotees who are going there and I will submit their names from here and then they can come to London to pick up their visas on the way to India. So this information should be passed on to all our centers.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 7 August, 1971:
I beg to thank you for your letter dated 8th July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am very glad that at least one cottage is set up in Mayapur in our own land so that when I go back again I shall be able to stay there at your care. Mayapur construction will be of grand scale and Tamala wishes that the 1 matter be given to a big contractor, but I think we should do the construction ourselves. Just like my Godbrothers have also constructed big big temples but did not appoint big contractors so far I know. If required I can send somebody expert in construction work to supervise the work there nicely. You are now acquainted with the local market. So I think that if we supervise the building construction work that will save great amount of money. You consider on these points and let me know your views by return mail.
Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Saradia -- London 9 August, 1971:
So far Nara Narayana is concerned, presently he is applying for missionary visa so that he can go to Mayapur and help with the construction work there. So he won't be able to go to Trinidad. But you write to say that you are trying to get the use of one of many old temples there for an ISKCON center. That will be very nice, so try for it. BTG and book distribution is going on so nicely there. Especially continue this program enthusiastically. It is so much encouraging. I am so much grateful to you both, husband and wife, that you are so much helping me to fulfill the order of my Guru Maharaja and surely Krishna will give you all facility for making our Trinidad center a grand success and surely He will bless you more and more.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- London 11 August, 1971:
I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated 8th August, 1971 as well as your Vyasa Puja offering, so nicely composed. I am sending it off to Satsvarupa for future publication.
Also I have received your very generous contribution of $200.00 for the Mayapur project; $150.00 by check and $50.00 by cash, delivered this morning by Nandarani Devi upon her arrival here. One thing is that in the future all checks should be made out to some American bank, so that it can be easily cleared and deposited in my account at Bank of America in Los Angeles.
The cloth, thermal underwear and pullover are also very nice and useful. Thank you once again.
Letter to Gurudasa -- London 11 August, 1971:
I understand that you have been invited by Syama Dasi in Africa. I don't advise that you associate with her because she is sahajiya. To associate with her will hamper pure devotional service. Besides that you are going there for only one month after taking so much labor. What will be the profit? Will they contribute money for our Mayapur project? Unless our Mayapur project is finalized, I don't think any one of you can go outside of India. My advise is that Tamala and yourself immediately make arrangements for going to Delhi and organize that center nicely.
Letter to Yamuna -- ENGLAND 11th August, 1971:
So if you want to come back here and take care of Them I have no objection. But you are taking care of the Calcutta Deities, so what is the difficulty there? Does the 'democratic management' not allow you to go to the Deity room? What is the difficulty? Let me know frankly. Very soon we will have Deities installed in Mayapur also.
Letter to Giriraja -- London 12 August, 1971:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 5th August, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. So far the Mayapur program is concerned, if Indira Gandhi is not available, then forget this program. I have tried from here to induce the high commissioner for India to write Indira Gandhi, so we should do our best. If it is not possible, then there should be no ceremony. She has not flatly denied us. She said if she is on the Bengal side she would come. So find out the date when she will be on that side. So far as getting signatures of some big men in Bengal, Tarun Kanti Ghosh is a big congress leader so why he can't help in this connection? He must know Indira Gandhi very well personally.
Letter to Giriraja -- London 12 August, 1971:
Keep on with the practice of writing articles; in the midst of your heavy duties go on writing something glorifying the Lord and put our philosophy into words. Writing articles means to express oneself how he is understanding the whole philosophy. So this writing is necessary for everyone.
We are making a very nice design for the Mayapur temple here and some expert men who know building well will go there to supervise. Henceforward all who go to India will have missionary visas. The high commissioner will help us in this connection. As soon as the plan is made, somebody will take it to India. At least four or five men will go there this month.
Letter to Atreya Rsi -- London 13 August, 1971:
Now immediately we have got a very big project to construct a temple at Mayapur, the birth site of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So you can contribute the sums for our Mayapur construction scheme. Sannyasis should not be given any money. They should manage themselves and maintain themselves by taking small alms from different persons—not a lump sum from one person.
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 Madhudvisa -- London 14 August, 1971:
I am afraid that when they will be asked to give up the four sinful activities, immediately there will be some fall down. The money raised from this program will greatly help us to purchase Bombay property and also to develop the Mayapur scheme.
Yes, we can hold in Madras a ceremony similar to the one we held in Bombay and Calcutta. In all probability I shall be in India by the end of September. Maybe earlier also because London climate is very much unsuitable for me. It is always damp, dark, and cold. So very soon either I will have to go back to N.Y. or towards India. Syamasundara is contemplating that we go to Switzerland. What is the climatic condition in Bombay now?
Letter to Dinesh Babu -- England 14 August, 1971:
I hope you are doing well. I learned from other members of our society that you kindly sometimes visit our Mayapur center where we have already got one cottage. When I was in Calcutta we talked of purchasing more land. I am still prepared to purchase if we get bargain price or at least at the current local price but I have heard that people are asking more than the expectation. So conveniently you may go sometime at Mayapur and stay with our men and negotiate with persons. If they are prepared to sell the land at the right price, then I can purchase all the available land. My idea is to purchase land for agriculture so inmates may not depend on outsiders but grow food there and things may go on nicely.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 14 August, 1971:
I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated 25th July, 1971 and have noted the contents. It is very encouraging that you are developing our Mayapur center very nicely. The fences are complete and now you are sowing some hedge plants. Do it nicely. I have seen the photos of the cottage you have proposed and it is very attractive. In the mean time I sent you one letter dated 7th August, 1971, about the article you wanted to write on Rathayatra according to the instructions of Bhaktivinode Thakura but I have received none. I hope you have already sent it. If not, send it now, but keep a copy of it.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 14 August, 1971:
I have received information from Tamala's letter that Gurudasa is going to Delhi and also that you want to go to Delhi. That is not good. Stay at Mayapur as the leader there and in my opinion you should not leave Mayapur until the construction work is finished. Very soon I am returning to India and I shall live with you in that cottage for some time. That is my idea. Anyway, I don't wish that you should go to Delhi.
With great delight and interest I have gone through your "Eight Verses in Praise of My Spiritual Master." The style is very nice and thoughtful. May Krishna bless you to improve more and more in writing the glories of our previous acaryas and the Lord. Be engaged in glorifying the parampara system and your life will be glorified automatically thousands of times. Thank you very much.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 14 August, 1971:
Then the post of secretary and treasurer may be divided between Subala Swami and Ksirodakasayi. That you can settle up when he reaches. In the meantime you organize that center very nicely. Regarding Acyutananda, he may not come to Delhi because I think his presence in Mayapur is necessary. I understand from his letter that he has already ordered some bricks for the toilet room. So for the time he may not come to Delhi.
We have already submitted here for missionary visas and at least five men will reach India very soon. Nanda Kumar's wife has already gone. Visala Das Brahmacari is here on his way to India. Nara Narayana and his wife also are ready. I have already engaged Nara Narayana, Vasudeva and Ranchor to prepare a grand scale plan for the Mayapur land and as soon as it is prepared, Nara Narayana will go there. Bhavananda is coming here on his way to India. He will reach here on the 19th August.
Letter to Gurudasa -- London 17 August, 1971:
In the meantime I have induced the high commissioner in London to request her in the same way. So try to induce Indira Gandhi your best to attend the cornerstone ceremony.
Why Acyutananda Swami should go to Delhi? He is supposed to be in charge of Mayapur affairs. Besides that he is purchasing some 10,000 bricks for constructing toilet rooms. He is supposed to remain in Mayapur and nowhere else. I have already written him in this connection. Rather Tamala should go with you. I have written Tamala also in this connection. So if you are not already started for Delhi, then make this alteration. Tamala should go for some time, not Acyutananda, to see to organizing Delhi center.
Letter to Atreya Rsi -- London 20 August, 1971:
So your desire to serve Krishna is very much appreciated. This very desire will enlighten you more and more about Krishna and the more you advance the more you will like to serve and because you are a very sincere soul Krishna is giving you good opportunity to render service to Him in the Mayapur scheme. So you can open a separate account "ISKCON Mayapur Scheme" in consultation with Rupanuga Prabhu and do the needful.
The business community you can impress upon them that throughout the whole world there is no institution to impart education in the matter of spiritual understanding. So we are going to open a big center in Mayapur where this education will be internationally imparted. Students from all parts of the world will go there to take education in this important subject. Modern civilization is running on the bodily concept of life. Such a civilization is nothing but polished animalistic civilization.
Letter to Atreya Rsi -- London 20 August, 1971:
We have published about 10 big big books of 400 to 1000 pages each. Further books are being published. You can show them the books so that they can understand the importance of this movement and if sufficient cooperation is available we can increase our branch opening activity and surely we can contribute the best knowledge to the human society. So with our books, workers, and sincere activities we must come out successful in this attempt.
Very soon I shall send you all detailed blueprints of our Mayapur layout (building plans, etc.) for your propaganda work.
Letter to Tamala Krsna, Gurudasa -- London 23 August, 1971:
Do your business and try to establish Delhi center solidly and secure members for financing the Mayapura scheme. I have received one letter from Brahmananda Swami in Africa and he is doing very well there. There is good prospect for establishing a center there and most probably I may go there on my way back to India.
Regarding the Bengali translation by S. Ganguli, it is almost perfect; 90%. But 10% incorrect is not his fault. He is a new man. Therefore there are little discrepancies with our thoughts. Besides that there are some mistakes in spelling as Sanskrit verses. On the whole we can immediately start the Bengali paper but there is not one qualified man who can check over the correctness of the papers. Even it is 99% all right, still that 1% must be corrected. So far I am concerned, I cannot give my time to this.
Letter to Tamala Krsna, Gurudasa -- London 23 August, 1971:
Unless 20 or 25 men perform this function it will not be successful. But at present if we haven't got sufficient men how we can take up this program? Men will be going there to India gradually.
We are making a very gorgeous plan at Mayapur and if you altogether can give shape to this plan, it will be unique if not in the whole world then at least in all of India. I am giving instruction to all the workers here and they are doing nicely, I think when Bhavananda and Nara Narayana go to India they will carry the plans with them.
This membership program is so nice that you can make members all over the world. So this temple should be subscribed by money raised all over the world and it must be very unique. The aim is to make it an international institute for taking perfect spiritual order of life; we shall give titles like bachelor of divinity, master of divinity, doctor of divinity.
Letter to Jayapataka -- London 24 August, 1971:
I wrote two letters to Acyutananda at Mayapur address, but I have received no reply.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 1 September, 1971:
Yes, arrange for Hindi BTG. I am expecting your quotation. The following are going to Delhi from here: Tejyas and his wife Madira; Palika and Dinadayadri have gone there yesterday. So far Mayapur is concerned, as soon as the rains stop then we shall start our work.
Regarding collections, all this collection must go to the building fund. Now we have got good beginning. R.D. Birla has given Rs 25,000/; B.M. Birla another Rs 25,000/ and Bajoria will contribute also. In this way if you simply catch 100 contributors each paying Rs 25,000/ then immediately our Mayapur scheme is successful. To find out such 100 men will not be at all difficult because it is headed by Birla and others will follow. So we have to pick them out throughout India—Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi and Madras. If we spend 25 to 30 lakhs Rupees then our Mayapur program will be a great success. So we have to do it. It will be a world center for teaching spiritual life. Students from all over the world will come and we shall revolutionize the atheistic and communistic tendency of rascal philosophers. So we must be responsible for this great task. Not for a single moment shall we be without ISKCON thought. That is my request to you all.
Letter to Jayapataka -- London 2 September, 1971:
Apart from that I could not follow what are the following accounts: Temple maintenance a/c (Does this include purchasing of flowers and incense?); Devotee maintenance account; Typewriter a/c; O.P.P.S a/c; B.D.D. Expenses a/c. So I will be glad to know if you will kindly explain what are these accounts. For purchasing the Mayapur land I issued one check from the building fund for Rs 18,000/- as well as one for Rs 3,000/- and also for the fencing I issued one check for Rs 5,000/-. I don't see any mention of that Rs 26,000/- in the trial balance. So what does it mean?
Regarding the Mayapur flood you have not mentioned what is the depth of the water on our land and what is the condition of our cottage there. Please let me know. And keep Rahul there in Calcutta and affectionately so that he may not go away again.
Letter to Dr. Bali -- Kenya 9 September, 1971:
I had promised him that I am going there during my Madras tour in October. Formerly also when I talked with Vaijyantimala, she also said that October would be first class climate for going there. But now the program is changed, so I have no idea about the programs in India.
There are several programs in Calcutta, Mayapur, Delhi and Bombay also in December so far I know. I am going to East Africa, Kenya, on Friday evening, 10th instant. My address there is given above.
I have handed over your letter to Syamasundara for negotiating with the different presidents of the Indian centers. So you may fix up the Madras program by consulting the local presidents in the different places and Madhudvisa Maharaja may help you in this connection. Similarly I have advised Syamasundara to correspond with them whether our program in Madras in the month of December will not collide with other programs.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Mombassa, Kenya 16 September, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7th September, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. So far taking collections of Rs. 25,000/ each from 100 men if you can make this program successful, then you will fulfill the desire of Krishna very brilliantly. We must have a nice center at Mayapur because we are expecting there students from all over the world. Plans of the temple have already been made and you should have received them by now. The buildings should be exactly in the same pattern. The size may be changed according to the engineering technology. I have shown in London the Westminster Abbey to Syamasundara, Bhavananda and Nara Narayana. Perhaps you have also seen it. I want the inside just like the Westminster Abbey. You will understand from the plans what is my desire in this connection.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Mombassa, Kenya 16 September, 1971:
That is not a very good proposal. When the accounts will be audited, the auditors will want debit vouchers for each payment. Whether all expenditures have been made under such vouchers. Otherwise the auditor will not pass the account.
So far the debt of Rs 23,000 if you adjust it in that way then the same problem remains. The fact is that we require at least 25 lakhs for Mayapur. Before beginning our construction work there we must be confident that the amount will be easily collected. Better to realize the Rs 23,000/ by another source. The fact is not that how it should be realized but some plan how this extravagancy may be stopped. That is the real problem. Hence forward all expenditure, proper debit voucher must be maintained. If we do not place audited accounts to the Registrar of Societies they may cancel us.
Letter to Karandhara -- Mombassa, Kenya 19 September, 1971:
In the beginning they paid me $1,000. and later on I think I got another $600. Besides this I have never received any money from them. If they paid anything it may have been paid directly to N.Y. ISKCON. So you can inquire and do the needful.
Yes you should duly collect for Mayapur and I shall advise you when the time comes for utilizing the money. In the mean time go on collecting. I thank you very much for proposing to collect $100,000 for the Mayapur project.
What has happened to the Bhagavad-gita quotation? Mr. Ogata told me to wait due to the fluctuating monetary standard, but for how long? Without the quotation we cannot send the manuscript. So please inquire.
Letter to Makhanlal, Tilaka -- Nairobi 24 September, 1971:
It is interesting to note that her father is consulate general for Madras. He can help us if he gives an introductory letter in favor of Madhudvisa Swami to see the ambassador in Delhi. We want this ambassador should take part in the big function we are going to hold in Mayapur. So far Mr. Dhawan is concerned, I am enclosing herewith one letter in the name of Brahmananda Swami in regards to opening a center in Nigeria.*
I am so glad to hear that Von Prabhu is executing such valuable service to Krishna. Please give him my blessings. So he is giving such nice service; that is his qualification. So if you feel that he is ready, then he may take initiation by mail and we can give him a certificate also and that will save him from the draft.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Nairobi 26 September, 1971:
So it is subject matter to be decided by the GBC and I think you should consult with all other GBC members how to do it. There are many things to be done in our missionary activities but the GBC is not yet very strong to take up all the things and do them nicely. There is a big project in Mayapur also. So consult seriously the GBC whether all these things can be taken in hand simultaneously. It requires a very cool brain and expert management.
Both in Calcutta and in Bombay there is discrepancy in accounts. You wanted to check them by auditors but so far I know the auditors will not pass any account not supported by regular vouchers. For all expenditures there must be regular vouchers. Here last night I was talking with one Mr. Patel at whose house we are staying now. He said that even for travelling expenses, the auditor requires vouchers in which the taxi cab number is also required to be mentioned.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Nairobi 26 September, 1971:
If the expenditure is not supported by proper voucher, the amount is debited to the personal account.
Regarding model making, I don't think Nara Narayana is capable to do that. The only boy capable I know is Ranchor Das Adhikari in London who did the architectural drawings for the Mayapur scheme. So you can immediately open correspondence with him and see if it is possible.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Nairobi 5 October, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th September, and previous to this I had received one letter from you also. Now I may inform you that Nara Narayana has already gone to Calcutta especially for the purpose of making a model of Mayapur construction work. So immediately you can contact him. Regarding the other models like New Vrindaban, L.A., N.Y., Dallas, he can make models provided there are photographs of different buildings. So you contact him and do the needful.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Nairobi 5 October, 1971:
Regarding money matters I am very glad to know that you are not using book funds and building funds any more. It is very encouraging. The bumblebee project is very nice and I am so engladdened to note your encouraging writing "I will take responsibility to make sure this centre, Mayapur Project and all of ISKCON as a whole becomes purified, and it is my wish that you are relieved of any management burdens."
So please keep me informed regularly but one thing I note is that formerly I was informed that the Calcutta function will take place from 21st October, but I have received one letter from Jayapataka Maharaja in which it is said that the function will take place from 28th October. So which one is correct? I am puzzled. Let me know definitely and the different programs.
Letter to Karandhara -- Nairobi 16 October, 1971:
Try to encourage all our centers to go to the schools and colleges and introduce our philosophy, books and literatures. As soon as I see that you GBC members are managing everything very nicely I shall completely retire for writing my books only and I am thinking of staying in Mayapur for six months and in your camp, L.A., for six months. I hope in L.A. the Deity worship is going on very nicely; dress, flowers, ornaments, arati, cleanliness, foodstuffs, all of them must be regular, accompanied by kirtana, street sankirtana, distribution of literature, etc.
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Nairobi 16 October, 1971:
Please offer my thanks to Subala Maharaja for his letter dated 12th October 1971. Inform Tamala that Nara Narayana has already gone to Calcutta and preparing the Model for Mayapur scheme.
Letter to Rayarama -- Bombay 22 October, 1971:
If you want to do that I cannot check you but I cannot allow you to do such things from within our society. You have to understand our philosophy perfectly, follow the regulative principles, and then in fact you can edit our books and papers.
When I shall go to Mayapura then upon hearing from you of my proposal as mentioned above, I shall arrange for your coming to India. First of all you have to decide yourself whether you are prepared to surrender to our principles, but if you keep your independence either in Mayapura or N.Y., your position is the same. To associate with me you are always welcome but not with your independence. That will not help me or you.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Delhi 3 December, 1971:
Karandhara has sent me one telegram inquiring about Krishna Book. Whether you have sent the shipping document to him?
You will be pleased to know that we are trying here in Delhi for permits for our large India party to be in Mayapur for Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day. I think it may not be necessary to have a second pandal program in Calcutta in January. What do you think?
Letter to Rupanuga -- Delhi 10 December, 1971:
This item became so controversial and popular that it was open at least until midnight daily to accommodate all the curious public. Everyone delights in lively debates and discussions of philosophy. Also there were many booths showing photo-displays of our worldwide activities and one exhibit of a large model of our Mayapur scheme. These things may also be included in your New York festival.
I am happy to hear that so many guests are attending your temple. Actually, that is the same story everywhere. So I have become convinced that our Krishna Consciousness Movement is finally having some effect on the world, and I am very satisfied with the work of my sincere disciples for assisting Lord Caitanya in this way. Actually, He has said that this KC Movement will spread to every nook and corner of the world—so there is no doubt it will happen. He is God, so how can He be wrong? So it will happen. So if we are intelligent we will assist and get the credit.
Letter to Atreya Rsi -- Delhi 12 December, 1971:
So I think you should stay there in New York and work in this way and help me. My main activity is in the western countries, especially America, and New York is the main city of the world, so why not stay there and develop your program very nicely, in cooperation with Rupanuga. If you have any questions how to do it, you may ask me.
As for Mayapur scheme, this year there was severe flooding, so I am waiting one more season to observe our chances. If there is continual severe flooding, then our plan for Mayapur may have to be altered. But meanwhile go on collecting. I want also that we may have a very nice place in Vrindaban. When I was there the municipality gave us a piece of land, and we have offers of land from other sources, so things look favorable for our branch there. If we get sufficient facilities there, we will revive the spiritual life of Vrindaban, and the whole of India and the world will appreciate and be benefited.
Letter to Sivananda -- Delhi 12 December, 1971:
Your idea to take German citizenship and organize the whole of Germany is the first class plan. If you can recruit many members there and get German language books published, that is the very best idea. When Mayapur place is organized you can come and see it, but your place is Germany. The German people are very intelligent and advanced in philosophy. Lately we have been discussing some of their philosophers like Kant, Hegel, Marx, and so on, so I can understand that there are many intellectual people in Germany who will appreciate our Krishna philosophy. They have got good respect for India's philosophy, so now we must take advantage and present it purely. Therefore the printing of so many books in German language is very necessary. I have heard that you may be going to Heidelberg, Germany, where there is a very large and important university.
Letter to Vaikunthanatha -- Bombay 18 December, 1971:
Now the war is nearly settled here, our programs are resuming, and I think that I shall also build a very nice temple in Vrindaban and Mayapur, so that our students and friends all over the world may come there and enjoy real spiritual life.
As for my coming there, that we can settle up when I return to your country by late Spring. Now I want to stop touring and begin full-time my translating work. But if there is good opportunity, then I shall certainly come there.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 22 December, 1971:
I am in due receipt of your letters dated December 6, 1971, and 11, Narayana, 485, and I am pleased that you are enthusiastic to deal with all matters of Calcutta Temple with serious view. I have sent Bhavananda there to help you, and you can assist him to organize everything very nicely. I want that we shall hold a grand festival in Mayapur from middle of February to first March, so you may conjointly organize how to raise the money and build cottages and pandal in Mayapur. Acyutananda is coming there also and he has given advance money, so because they are pressing, he must go there to Mayapur and settle up this transaction.
I am suspicious that the robbery in Mayapur might have been done by some enemies. Maybe these land-sellers are also in the gunda class. But if we have there 5 to 10 men, these things will not happen. If you want to keep gun, I have no objection. But first you inform the police, etc.
Letter to Yamuna, Palika -- Bombay 22 December, 1971:
So I did not order. Do not confirm this order.
I think that Palika dasi may join her husband, Bhavananda, in Calcutta as soon as she recovers her health, & she may help him there organize things very nicely for celebrating our festival in Mayapur from middle Feb. to end Feb, & she may help organize Calcutta center as nicely as they have done in New York. As for Yamuna, she may rejoin her good husband, Gurudasa, in Delhi for pushing on our program there & making many life-members. I shall be very pleased to hear that you have gotten well & that you have both returned to your duties. It is only because Krishna has somehow or other given me such assistants as yourselves that I have got any success I appreciate your helping me in this way, you are more dear to me than my own daughters.
Letter to Yamuna, Palika -- Bombay 22 December, 1971:
We shall build our camp there & begin constructing temple immediately, & later on we shall develop large hotel & school. There is also chance for getting a nice bungalow in Bombay city also. So in general we shall make our headquarters in Bombay, & build up Vrindaban and Mayapur, that's all. I will take care of everything, you just give me two life-members daily in India, & I shall do the rest.
Letter to Amogha -- Bombay 25 December, 1971:
So just to accommodate such public you can get a house whenever it is possible, and decorate it very nicely for attracting the citizens.
We are presently trying for a very nice house here in Bombay, to make our India headquarters in a very rich quarter of Bombay. In February we shall go with full party to Mayapur for holding festival for Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day.
If Bali Mardan is not very much present in his zone of South East Asia, then how will things be managed? Do you know if he is planning to return to his zone responsibilities? Another thing, how are our books being distributed? I want that our books and magazines be profusely distributed all over the world, and I am very pleased to hear that you have sold so many in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and other places in Asia. So go on in this way distributing books in Djakarta, that is solid work.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 26 December, 1971:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 20th and have noted the contents carefully.
Regarding the purchasing of land in Mayapur, specifically the two round shaped plots of 14 bighas, we can purchase them, but we cannot pay Rs. 1400/- per bigha. This was the price if we were to only purchase two bighas. For fourteen bighas you may offer him 1000/- Rupees per bigha and if he is not agreeable then you can work up to 1200/- Rupees per bigha, but no more. If we get this land it is not adjacent to the land we already have, so is there any chance of getting the land in-between at the same price?
Letter to Jayapataka -- Bombay 26 December, 1971:
Now that the war is ended there should be no difficulty in our devotees being in Mayapur. So at least six of our men should live there immediately. The Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya is only two months away, so preparations must be begun at once.
Regarding my yellow fever shot certificate, the hospital is somewhere on Hastings; most probably it is called Seaman's Hospital and it is somewhere in front of Victoria Memorial monument. Acyutananda knows definitely.
The schedule to be followed in worshiping the Deity is as follows. Morning Aratik may be performed at 4:30 until 5 am. Then immediately following the Deity room should be washed clean and the dirty utensils removed.
Letter to Giriraja -- Bombay 28 December, 1971:
Bombay is the richest city, the gateway to India, and in all respects the most important city. So we must have something here. Otherwise, when funds are there we shall construct very nice centers in Vrindaban and Mayapur, that's all. Let many foreign students and disciples come to India for staying with us in these places. We shall be content to sit down there, chant and have kirtana very vigorously 24 hours, if anyone calls us we shall go for a few days and have program. Our real interest is in the western countries. The trouble in India is we cannot preach. There are language difficulties and the people think they already know everything. But now many foreign tourists are interested to come here to taste the spiritual life, so we shall concentrate on that field. Recently we have received one letter from Cox and King's, one of the world's biggest travel agencies, requesting us to kindly assist them by providing facilities for all the tourists coming from foreign places who are interested in seeing the real spiritual life of India. So in this way we shall work here.
Letter to Giriraja -- Bombay 28 December, 1971:
As for the pandal program in Madras, that is all right what you have suggested. I may not come, but an adequate party will come there to assist you. Simply you must correspond with Tamala on these points. After the Madras program, we shall all go to Mayapur. I think that Bhavananda and Nara Narayana are organizing a very nice festival there. If you think that I should come there to Madras, then I shall also come. What do you think?
I am most pleased especially to hear that you are distributing many books.* Go on increasing books, and go on increasing my pleasure. You are doing very very nicely in Madras, and except for you I think there is hardly any devotee so hardworking and with such good ability to persuade men to help us. So far transportation, etc., you arrange all of that with Tamala Krishna.
| Page Title: | Mayapur (Letters 1971) |
| Compiler: | Visnu Murti, RupaManjari |
| Created: | 27 of Jun, 2012 |
| Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=91 |
| No. of Quotes: | 91 |