Just now I have received some more requests for giving first initiation from Dhananjaya, and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such long distance, and it has become little bothersome for me also, so I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America Kirtanananda Swami is going that. So now if there are two of you that will give me great relief. Kirtanananda will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that, you can chant on the beads for the European continent new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they shall become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting. They may continue to send me their letters of request, along the President's recommendation, and I shall give them name and it will be entered by my Secretary in our records, only I will send my letter of reply to you and you will purchase beads there and chant them and send, along with my letter to the new initiates. Is that all right?
Recommendation (Letters 1973 - 1974)
Correspondence
1973 Correspondence
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 18, 1972, forwarded to me here at Bombay. I am very happy to hear from you that everything is going nicely in the San Francisco temple. Upon your recommendation I am very glad to accept the six new students as my duly initiated disciples. Their letter is enclosed herewith. As for chanting on their beads, I have delegated Kirtanananda Swami to chant on the new devotees' beads on my behalf in your country. In Europe, Revatinandana Swami will chant on the new devotees' beads on my behalf. Because it is such long distance, therefore it is very expensive to send beads airmail from here, and there are so many instances of the beads being lost in that way. And I am getting now requests up to 20 or 30 each week, so it is practically becoming impossible for me to chant the beads when I am so far distant.
Please accept my blessings. Upon the recommendation of Bahudak I have gladly accepted all of you as my duly initiated disciples. You may send your beads to Kirtanananda in New Vrindaban for chanting on them on my behalf. There is no difference if I chant them or he chants them, I have authorized him in that way. I have given you the spiritual names as follows:
When Krsna sees that you are very serious and sincere to serve Him only, you need not have to worry to get a new place, He will help you in that way.
Upon your recommendation, I am very happy to accept the two devotees for second initiation. Now you may hold a fire yajna and give Gayatri mantra to Adyodyapati and Madhuhara. Teach them to chant on the finger divisions and play for them the tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra into the right ear. The fire yajna should be held in the company of devotees only, so long it is restricted to Gayatri mantra initiation only. Two sacred threads, duly chanted by me, along with two copies of Gayatri mantra, are enclosed herewith.
Upon the recommendation of Damodara I have gladly accepted all of you as my duly initiated disciples. Now you may send your beads to Kirtanananda in New Vrindaban for chanting them, as I have empowered him to act on my behalf. Or you may write him and request him to send you new beads, as you arrange. I have given you the spiritual names as follows:
Your letter dated December 28, 1972 is in hand and I have noted the contents carefully. Upon your recommendation I am happy to accept the six applicants as my duly initiated disciples, and their letter is enclosed herewith. You may request them to send their beads to Kirtanananda in New Vrndavana for chanting on them on my behalf. I have given that responsibility as it is too costly to send so many beads such great distance by air mail. Now I am getting so many requests for first initiation, therefore I have given that responsibility to Kirtanananda, and Revatinandana will chant on the beads for the European devotees.
Yes, and if you also yourselves write something daily, that will sharpen your use of language and you will be able to make your points very clear. And if you dress neatly and conduct yourselves properly, that will help further.
Upon the recommendation of Satsvarupa, I shall be glad to accept John Partlin as my duly initiated disciple, and his letter is enclosed herewith, along with his beads, duly chanted by me.
So in cooperation with others, go on traveling, preaching, distributing my books, and this will please me very very much.
Regarding your recommendations for second initiation, they may be given the sacred threads enclosed herein. As you are one of the elder members of our Society and you are sannyasi, it is your duty to see that all the devotees are following strictly the regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds, attending the classes, reading our books, and always remaining enthusiastic for executing devotional service. Everyone has got some propensity.
On the recommendation of Satsvarupa I am herein accepting you as my initiated disciple. Henceforth your name will be GHANASYAMA DASA. Now you must agree to very rigidly follow the rules and regulations, i.e. chanting sixteen rounds of beads daily, rising early and attending Mangala Arati, observing the four principles, attending the classes, eating only bhagavata prasadam as well as working under the instruction of my representatives, such as your GBC representative and Temple President, and if you follow this procedure very strictly then your life will be glorious and you will go back to Home, back to Godhead, this I can guarantee.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 15th February and have examined the contents with care. By your good recommendation I am pleased to accept Leroy Howes and David Joy as my initiated disciples. Their new names are: Paramatmananda Dasa and Pavaka Dasa. To save time and money, kindly forward two sets of japa beads to Kirtanananda Swami in New Vrndavana for the proper chanting, and then you may perform the fire sacrifice. Now they must always follow the regulated principles, such as 16 rounds at least each day, attending Mangala Arati, etc. and gradually they will come to the stage of spontaneously loving Krsna.
Your sankirtana program, the report of the Lord Caitanya festival and the very nice newspaper article that you have sent are all indications of your sincerity in trying to put full effort to push on Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement.
Upon your recommendation I am gladly accepting Peter Laudert as my initiated disciple and as you have requested am sending him a letter (enclosed). Please have Kirtanananda Maharaja chant on beads for sanctification and you may hold a fire yajna.
On the recommendation of Gunagrahi Das I am pleased to accept you as my initiated disciples. I am giving you spiritual names as follows: Anthony is Ajita-ananda and Patty is Purvacitti, wife of Maharaja Agnidra.
You send a copy of this letter to Kirtanananda Swami and he will send you your japa beads duly chanted upon as I have prescribed. Now my special request is that you strictly follow the four regulative principles. This will keep you strong in Krishna consciousness. Nor should you neglect the Ten Offenses against the Holy Name.
Upon the recommendation of Rsabhadeva Das I am accepting you as my initiated disciple. Your spiritual name is now Asurakula Nasana Dasa, the servant of the killer of the descendants of the asuras. Krishna, He killed so many demons, so in this age of demoniac tendency, we may not kill the demons like Krishna did it, but we can kill the demoniac tendency. How is that? By this Sankirtana weapon. That is the specific contribution by Lord Caitanya, Krishna Himself, in this Kali yuga. So I am informed that you are the Sankirtana leader for Laguna Beach temple, so you should very enthusiastically lead the Sankirtana party, and in this way you will very successfully kill the demoniac tendency of the rascals.
I am in due receipt of your very nice letters and daksina of $650.00.
Upon the recommendation of Govardhan I am pleased to accept you as my disciples. You new names are:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 3, 1973.
Upon your recommendation I am glad to accept these devotees as my initiated disciples. So now you may hold a fire yajna and send their beads to Kirtanananda Swami for chanting. Also I give approval for the one brahminical initiation. Please find one Gayatri mantra enclosed. After the fire yajna you may play the tape of me chanting Gayatri mantra into the right ear in private. Teach how to count on the finger divisions.
I am enclosing a letter to all the new initiates.
Upon your recommendation I am happy to accept the devotees you have mentioned, Dattatreya das and Rama Tulasi dasi, for second initiation. Now hold a fire yajna for devotees only. Afterwards, in private, play into the right ear, of the initiates, the tape of me reciting gayatri mantra. Teach them how to count on the finger divisions.
Yes, Mrs. Gandhi should be informed of all these incidents, how our temple has been dismantled by the municipality.
So, what is the meaning of the recommendation of the standing committee that we should immediately be able to reconstruct at the cost of the municipality. Is it useless? I thought that the standing committee's resolution was final but from your letter it appears there is no meaning. What has happened to the new act of February 1973 declaring the tenant of the land to be considered proprietor or owner. Anyway, I have already written to Giriraja my opinion of what should be done.
I was just thinking of you and wondering why I hadn't heard from you in a long time. You'll be pleased to know that your assistant Srutakirti is here. He's feeling all right. This boy appears to be a very sincere devotee.
Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the devotees you have recommended for first and second initiation. You may chant on the beads of the first initiates and I am enclosing six sanctified sacred threads for the second initiates. Play the tape of me reciting gayatri mantra into the right ear of the brahmanas.
Everything appears to be going very nicely there under your management. You are facilitating sankirtana and book distribution by travelling and going to colleges in a trailer, and you are preparing for a large Ratha-yatra festival. This is all pleasing and inspiring to me.
Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following as my disciples: Lawrence Burstein's name is now Lokavarnotamma das, Claude Crocker is now Cittaranjan das, Catherine Crocker is now Citraketu devi dasi and David Sherk shall now be called Gadai das. Regarding second initiation, enclosed is a sacred thread for Lalitananda das and gayatri mantra for he and one for Sita devi dasi. Hold a fire yajna for the first initiates and later, privately you may play the gayatri mantra tape for the new brahmanas. Have them hear the tape in the right ear and show them how to count on their fingers.
And when we speak about Krsna it will be shown exactly like the cultivator who first of all paves the field and then the seeds are sewn and gradually they get the result.
On your recommendation I have accepted the four students in your temple as my disciples. Their new names are as follows:
I am encouraged to hear that you have recommended a total of ten devotees for first initiation from our St. Louis temple. Preaching means to increase our family members, so I can see that the preaching at ISKCON St. Louis is going on very sincerely, otherwise so many would not be interested in becoming devotees. So on your carefully considered recommendation, I am accepting these girls and boys as my initiated disciples and their names are as follows:
It is very encouraging for me to see the activities of the New Orleans temple. I can see you have a nice house which you have purchased in the Society's name and that you are taking care to worship Lord Jagannatha with opulence. The picture of tulasi is especially indicative, because if tulasi grows luxuriantly that proves the sincere devotional service of the place.
On you recommendation I am accepting the three candidates for initiation as my disciples. Their names are as follows:
Yes, I have recently received a full report from Rupanuga Maharaja on the activities of the Washington D.C. and especially how you are most enthusiastic about book distribution and that you are fixing to purchase the house. I am very glad that you are taking so seriously your duty as president of our D.C. center, so certainly Krsna will give you all assistance in your preaching mission.
On your recommendation, I have chanted on the threads enclosed for second initiation of Dharmapada and Varuna das, and I have enclosed gayatri mantras as well for Rupa Manjari, Rambhavati and Vilasi as well. You may play the tape of my speaking the gayatri mantra into their right ear and instruct them in the principles of brahminical culture.
We shall be unaffected by all that will happen. Krsna will provide us with working facilities. Be assured of this, that the devotees will be protected by the Holy Name. Others will have to suffer in the days that are coming.
On your recommendation I have accepted the two new devotees as my disciples.
Temple life is going on with little change, but we should become habituated to read the books more profoundly. Then if you have some questions about Krsna consciousness as in the books, you can ask an elder Godbrother or write to me directly. That will help you make progress.
I am glad to hear all programs are going on well under your direction in Seattle, Washington.
On your recommendation, I accept the named devotees for first initiation, and their new names are as follows:
On the recommendation of Govinda Das I have duly accepted you as my disciples.
Human life begins when there is systematic education in the science of God consciousness. Just some days ago I was discussing with Professor Alister Hardy—Head of Religious Experimental research unit Oxford, it was his opinion that the problems of human life are over-population, environmental pollution etc.. But from Bhagavad-gita we understand that God is the father of all living beings, so the father must be competent to provide for all the children, and in the case of the Supreme Father this is actually so—we get it from Vedic Literature "nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13)—Amongst all the Eternals there is one chief Eternal Being and he is engaged in supplying and fulfilling the desires of all the others."
When you have finished something, then send me a photograph.
Regarding the taking of sannyasa of Purusottama I have as yet not received any recommendation from you, so if you recommend him then I shall send the cloth, kaupin and mantra. You can make the rod there.
Yes! The accredited teacher may lead a "Gurukula" but first of all let him understand our philosophy perfectly and become himself strong.
If we introduce this Festival in all big cities of the world along side with book distribution then in no time we will conquer the whole world. Yes! certainly I shall come to your festival next year, thank you.
By your recommendation I have chanted upon the enclosed sacred thread and agree to accept the devotee Jambavan Das Brahmacari for second initiation __ becomes twice born, or Brahmin. The qualifications of a Brahmana are listed in the 18th Chapter verse 42 of the Bhagavad-gita. "Peacefulness, self control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness—these are the qualities by which the Brahmanas work". So you should be very much careful to see that our devotees are following the regulative principles and standard practices such as attending morning Arati, classes, Sankirtana, and reading our books.
Regarding the deity installation you may consult Satsvarupa Goswami your GBC secretary for this. I have appointed these GBC men to oversee and manage all the affairs of the society giving me relief to do my translation work fully.
On your recommendation I accept Srimati Hamsini Devi Dasi for second initiation. Please find the Gayatri Mantra enclosed.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter and the enclosed pictures of your Altar. Everything appears very very nice and I am very much pleased, thank you so much.
On your recommendation I accept the boys named by you for first initiation. Their names are as follows.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 15, 1973.
On your recommendation I am happy to accept Brian Lloyd as my initiated disciple. His name will be Bhutanath das. You can instruct him on all matters of philosophy and regulative living, attending class, Sankirtana, book distribution. As president of the temple you have very much responsibility, so never forget that we are acting as agents for the Supreme Lord so our standard must also be perfect and then automatically anyone that comes in our company will become perfect in no time.
My suggestion is that all our buses should be outfitted with the picture of Guru Gauranga, that will be quite nice. Main business of traveling buses is to distribute books profusely, what do you think?
On your recommendation I accept Pat Hedmark as my duly initiated disciple and his name is Praghosa Das. For the second initiate I am enclosing 3 sacred threads and four Mantras. Hold a fire ceremony and distribute Prasadm generously.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 30, 1973.
The two boys are gladly accepted by me on your recommendation, their names are as follows.
Ronald- Kamalasana Das and Peter - Prthusrava Das. Please give them good instructions regarding our Krishna consciousness philosophy and hold a fire ceremony and distribute nice Prasadm
to all the devotees.
This is the greatest welfare activity, and for engaging yourself and others in this way, certainly you will go back to home, back to godhead.
Upon your recommendation I accept the three students you have recommended for first initiation. Their spiritual names are as follows:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 15th, 1973 requesting initiation for seven devotees and second initiation for three devotees. Upon your recommendation I accept them as my disciples. Their spiritual names are as follows:
Recently you know he has given us our London temple, the cost being L220,000. Our devotees are very happily living there and the blessings of Krsna are going to George Harrison. So everyone of us should try to please Krsna and His devotee. Then our life is successful. Better to please His devotee first. That is a recommendation for being introduced to Krsna.
Regarding your question about instruction, spiritual life is different from material life. The instruction given in my books is supposed to be personal instruction. When we read the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, it is understood that we are receiving personal instructions of Krsna.
Everything is given in my books for you. So go on with your travelling and preaching program and you can count on it that Krsna will give you all facility.
Regarding the initiations, I am pleased to accept on your recommendation the following devotees as my disciples:
It is nice that Subaladas Maharaja is travelling. As sannyasi, he should travel. The more a sannyasi travels and preaches, the more he becomes experienced and unattached.
Regarding your recommendation, I am accepting the following devotee as my initiated disciple.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 12, 1973 and have noted the contents. So far the new disciples are concerned, I am accepting on your recommendation the following as my initiated disciples:
Because we have got many duties, (text missing) ...ve minimized the amount to 16 rounds, otherwise (text missing) ...minimum is 64 rounds, but Western people cannot (text missing) ...this. So 16 rounds must be executed.
Regarding your recommendations, I accept the following as my initiated disciples:
I am in receipt of your letter dated December 2, 1973. I hereby accept on your recommendation, Hasyakari Prabhu and his wife Nari devi dasi as my second initiated disciples. Enclosed find one thread duly chanted on by me and two gayatri sheets. You may take instruction from Rupanuga Maharaja on the proper performance of a yajna and the mantra may be heard through the right ear from the cassette tape recording.
1974 Correspondence
Sometimes people are reluctant to contribute for our temples and for our religious activities but for education everyone will be ready to help. All over the world they are taking our books seriously and that is accepted by educational departments as extra study books at schools and colleges. In that way we will have a good recommendation for introducing our books to all kind of libraries. When I was alone in India I got this sanction and introduced my books in so many libraries and schools. There is one American Library of Congress which used to take 18 copies of my books as soon as they were published. If you try you will get also an order for 18 copies of all our books. This open order was published in my picture advertisement for the Bhagavatam. So please try in this way to get our books circulating among the educated classes. I wish you to go ahead full speed to print Bhagavad-gita there.
Please accept my blessing. On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees as my initiated disciples and there Spiritual names are as follows:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 30, 1974, and I have carefully examined the contents.
On your recommendation, I am glad to accept the following devotees as my disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows:
I beg to acknowledge your requests for initiations of devotees at New Vrindaban, contained in your letter of December 30, 1973.
Upon your recommendation I am glad to accept the disciples for first initiation, and their spiritual names are as follows:
You may chant on their beads and instruct them seriously to always chant at least 16 rounds daily and obey the regulative principles. Only in this way is spiritual advancement possible.
Your recommendations for second initiation, Taru das, Radhanath das and Parambrahma das are accepted by me and their sacred threads and gayatri mantras are enclosed. See that they hear the mantra from the tape I have made, and have them hear it in their right ear. Give them further instructions on standards of a Brahman. Thank you for the daksina check for one hundred dollars.
I hope to see you in Mayapur for the celebration of the Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya when all GBC shall sit down and chalk out the next years program. Hope this finds you in good health.
I am enclosing the gayatri mantra for Atigarvita devi upon your recommendation.
I am also asking that they write a statement before you in all seriousness stating that they have not broken any of the promises of the first initiation, and that they will go on steadfastly chanting the prescribed rounds. In this way I am hoping to stop whimsical recommendations for second initiation. So please follow this rule. You can ask me freely to make devotees initiated for first initiation provided they are enthusiastic and following the rules, but be very cautious before awarding second initiation, even though you have a need for brahmanas in the temple.
Be sure to instruct him in the avoidance of the ten offenses and how he has now vowed in all seriousness never to fall down on the four sinful activities.
I have also accepted one devotee, Prabhupada dasa Adhikari, for second initiation, upon your recommendation. Please impress on him that this second initiation is not awarded cheaply or automatically, and that he must be very strict in following the regulative principles of bhakti yoga. I am enclosing a sacred thread and gayatri mantra. Have him hear the tape of me chanting in the right ear. I have also accepted Riddha das Brahmacari for second initiation.
I have accepted the devotees for first initiation according to your recommendations, and their spiritual names are as follows:
I am also enclosing sacred thread and gayatri initiation for the following second initiate recommendations. Girijadhava das Brahmacari, Kasi ram das Brahmacari, Taraknath das Brahmacari, and Sukra das Brahmacari. Have them hear the tape of the mantra in the right ear. I think you are aware that this second initiation should be taken very gravely and not childishly, so please impress upon them their new obligations.
At this time I am also sending you two accepted initiates from the Regina, Canada center as follows:
Now that they are initiated there is no question of not doing their rounds. You may hold a fire yajna and Jagadisa Prabhu may chant on their beads. In court when a person swears to tell the truth he can be punished by perjury if he does not take it seriously and tells a lie, so those who will promise before the deity to follow the rules and regulations of initiated disciples will be punished if they fail to do so. I am certain, however, that under your able guidance all the boys and girls are enthusiastic in their duties for Krsna.
I have received your recommendation for second initiation for Ram Gopala and Baladeva. das Brahmacaris. I am enclosing sacred thread for them as well as gayatri. Have them hear the tape of me chanting gayatri through the right ear. I will be pleased to hear your latest reports from Gurukula.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of letters from devotees of Hawaii ISKCON dated 4/23/74.
Based on their declarations of sincerely following all the prescribed Vaisnava regulations for one year, and on your recommendation, I have accepted Jagat Prabhu das, Praghosa das, Kanva das and Nitai Gauracandra das for second initiation and I have enclosed sacred thread and gayatri. You were present in Hawaii when I was there and was particularly stressing that the presidents must be very careful on recommending gayatri initiation. After all, we are criticizing false cast brahmanas, if we ourselves are bogus brahmanas then our position is very bad. Now that we are more and more trying to implement the varnasrama divisions of society, we should not think that everyone has to become a brahmana.
On your recommendation I have accepted Robbie Bernstein and James Steelman a my initiated disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows:
Robbie—Rajendra dasa
James—Jvarajit dasa
Please work with them carefully so they will always keep up chanting their rounds and remain enthusiastic to follow the principles.
I am also accepting Jogindra vandana for second initiation who has been initiated for two years. I want to stress to you to be very cautious about giving me recommendation for second initiation. There are four orders of life, it is not that everyone has to be a brahmana just because he has been initiated 1 or 2 or any number of years. Especially if one cannot even rise early for mangala arati he should never be given brahminical initiation. All your programs are encouraging to me and keep sending me information.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 25, 1974.
Upon your recommendation I have accepted Neal Buyers as my initiated disciple and his new spiritual name is Niranjana dasa. Keep him carefully now. Krsna Consciousness means to create ideal men, so you must set the example in following the rules and chanting Hare Krsna mantra and see that others are doing it also.
If he takes sannyasa he may not be able to constantly assume so many disguise in public and employ so many tricks for selling books to persons, as it is not in accord with some of the etiquette for sannyasa. Also, I have decided for the time being not to award sannyasa order. Your write the this recommendation is your own idea and that he himself is perfectly happy heading up a traveling party of book distributers. So let him go on as he is doing; Krsna is giving him all facility and without question he is doing more than any sannyasi by his personally distributing hundreds of books day after day and inspiring others to follow.
I am in due receipt of your letter of May 14, received in Paris.
I have accepted on your recommendation the three devotees as my duly initiated disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows:
I have also accepted your recommendation for Vanamali prabhu to take second initiation. Enclosed is one sacred thread and gayatri mantra. Have him hear the tape of my chanting the mantra, in his right ear. The beads of the initiated devotees may be chanted on by Kirtanananda Maharaja.
I am glad to hear you are holding a larger Ratha yatra this year. Your multifarious activities in Krsna Consciousness in Philadelphia sound very good. We have so many engagements, therefore I have asked that the political program be stopped as it was creating too much separate effort separate brain, separate money from our regular ISKCON program.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 13, 1974.
On your recommendation I have accepted the devotee submitted by you as my duly initiated disciple. His new spiritual name is as follows: Bruce Dickmeyer—Bhusaya dasa.
I understand this is the second time you are submitting the names of Siddhavidya and Kirticandra for second initiation and that you have seriously considered their eligibility for brahminical status. Therefore I will accept them as brahmanas, and the sanctified threads are enclosed as well as gayatri mantra. Have them listen to the tape of me chanting the mantra.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 15, 1974 and have noted the contents. I have accepted the students upon your recommendation as my initiated disciples. Their spiritual names are as follows:
Regarding the secretary for the Central Zone, I have now re-appointed Jagadisa Prabhu who has returned from India.
Regarding the devotees whom you have recommended, I accept them upon your recommendation and their initiated names are as follows:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 16, 1974 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following students as my initiated disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated. I thank you for your very nice sentiments. I appreciate the affection that you have for our movement. Please continue to go to the temple and upon recommendation from the president, we shall see about initiation.
I shall be glad to see you either here in India or when I return to the West and we can talk further.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 15, 1974 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I have accepted as my initiated disciples the following devotees and their names are:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16/8/74 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following as my initiated disciples and their names are as follows:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July, 1974 and have noted the contents and thank you for it. So far as initiation is concerned, it is best if you live in one of our temples for some time and follow the rules and regulations and chant Hare Krsna on the beads 16 rounds. Then upon recommendation of the temple president, you can be initiated.
Nowadays there are so many so-called spiritual masters, it becomes bewildering to us as to who can actually give spiritual knowledge. Therefore I have written volumes of books, authorized Vedic literature, of which you can take advantage in association with the devotees who are practicing this knowledge. Thus you will be able to learn the science of God.
I have just now received some letters from London from Madhavananda and others brought by Paramahamsa Swami who was there. Regarding Madhavananda being the president, if he received the vote, why you have opposed? You must be impartial. My recommendation is that he must be the president. He has been chosen by the vote, and I am giving the casting vote for him. He is doing things very nicely there, so he must be the president. Prabha Visnu should go on Sankirtana, and Madhavananda should be president.
I have received your request through Bhagavan das to initiate the following as twice initiated brahmanas. Upon your recommendation I accept them. Enclosed are the sanctified threads and the mantra sheet for Vamsivadana Suvasa das and Nischintya das.
You can hold a fire sacrifice and they can hear the mantra from my tape recording through the right ear. They must chant the mantra three times daily.
I have seen your letter to Bhagavan das and upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept the following as twice initiated brahmanas: Sriman Vasugosh das and Madhavendra Puri das. Enclosed are their mantra sheets and sanctified threads. You can hold a fire sacrifice and they can hear the mantra from my tape recording through the right hear. The mantra must be murmured at three times daily.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 2, 1974 with enclosed letters from the initiates. Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following as my initiated disciples.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated dated September 6, 1974 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following as my initiated disciples.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 12, 1974 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I am accepting David Kiish as my disciple. His spiritual name is Damaghosa dasa. I am also accepting Abhinanda dasa Brahmacari for second initiation. Enclosed is his sanctified sacred thread and mantra sheet. Hold a fire sacrifice amongst the devotees and he can hear the mantra from my tape record through the right ear. For chanting on the beads, a sannyasi or GBC man can do it.
You are a boy of great energy and the more you use your energy in Krsna's service, the more He will supply you, rest assured. So it is up to you how much you want to endeavor for Krsna's sake.
Regarding the initiations, I accept for second initiation upon your recommendation Mrgendra dasa, Bhaktavasya dasi, Subhadra dasi, and Krsna mayi dasi. Enclosed are the thread and sheet. The following I accept as my disciples and their names are as follows:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 29, 1974. I am glad to learn that all the programs are going on nicely. Especially the college programs. If they are helping with funds, then there is much scope.
I am glad that you are taking the recommendation of new initiates very seriously, that they are writing essays. Yes, it is a serious matter. Not that let me take a spiritual master as a pet and I can do whatever I want. No, one must be prepared to follow the order of the spiritual master with life and soul.
I accept the following for second initiation, and the sanctified threads are enclosed: 1. Hamsavatara. das Adhikari, 2. Sangita devi dasi, 3. Loka Saranga das Brahmacari, 4. Omkara dasi, 5. Manindra devi dasi, 6. Divya devi dasi. On your recommendation I accept the following for first initiation and their names are as follows:
Due to the influence of the Age of Kali everything is deteriorating, but by taking to this chanting of Hare Krishna mantra our real life of bliss and knowledge is awakened.
But before saving others we must first see that we ourselves are protected from the dangerous effects of maya. Therefore my recommendation to you is that you should associate yourself with my disciples in one of our Krishna Consciousness centers, practice our regulative principles, and study my books very carefully.
I am pleased to accept the following as my initiated disciples and their names are as follows:
Per Jaderstrand—Prapujaka dasa, and Margaretta Jaderstrand—Mahamedha devi dasi. Upon your recommendation I accept for second initiation Aristahe das Brahmacari, and enclosed is his sanctified brahminical thread and the mantra sheet. When you hold the fire sacrifice, impress upon the devotees that they are taking vows before Radha and Krishna, the spiritual master, and the Vaisnavas, so it is a serious thing. The gayatri mantra should be heard from my tape recording through the right ear.
The book distribution should not be curtailed. You can first have a little chanting, then book distribution; but book distribution is also chanting.
Upon your recommendation I accept the following as my initiated disciples and their names are: John Johnson—Jitakrodha dasa; Susan Neuoff—Surasa dasi; and Cindy Sacco—Svaha dasi. I also accept Naradi devi dasi for second initiation.
Since it is our own house, you can install large Deities. You can install big Deities like Chicago temple. Invite Kirtanananda Maharaja and Jagadisa Prabhu and have a nice ceremony.
Upon your recommendation I am accepting for brahminical initiation Ghosa Thakura dasa, Priya Bandhu dasa, Priya Bhakta dasa, Bhadra Priya dasi, Sadhvi dasi, and Mohini dasi. Enclosed are the sanctififed threads. I also accept for first initiation the following devotees and their names are:
If they cannot solve this problem, then what is the meaning of GBC? They must arrange it for you to receive the necessary funds so that you do not have to be asking me for money. This is what I want. So you consult with them, and inform me the result.
Regarding your recommendations for initiations, I accept the following as my disciples and their names are: Mike Pugh—Mayesa dasa; Beverly Pugh—Vaisnavapriya devi dasi; Raymond Crowe—Rajendranandana dasa; Jan Crowe—Lokahita devi dasi; Joe Torres (Joseph Terrones—ed.)—Jyotirmaya dasa; Raymond Kennedy—Ramadeva dasa; Dennis Winiker—Dhanurdhara dasa. I also accept for second initiation Subandhu dasa and Jayasri devi dasi, the sancitified thread and mantra sheets are enclosed.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 18th, 1974, with your recommendations for first and second initiations. The following are those who I have accepted as my disciples and they are to be given the Hare Nama Initiation. Their names are as follows. Jerry Boy—Janakisa Dasa. Bill Jones—Bimbadhara Dasa. Cris Hall—Krpamaya Dasa.
I am in due reciept of your two letters undated. And I am glad to learn that you are moving into your new Australian Headquarters and look forward to receiving your complete report.
Regarding the initiations upon your recommendation I am accepting the devotees as my disciples and their spiritual names are as follows;
By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything.
So far Gayatri Mantra is concerned, of course it is not such an important thing. The main thing is to chant Hare Krishna but you can consult with the GBC. Jayatirtha and get his recommendation. The Hare Krishna mantra is sufficient for becoming Krishna Conscious. You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time.
I am in due reciept of your letter dated October 8th, 1974. So far your worship of Lord Jagannatha in your home and your becoming initiated. It is alright provided you have the recommendation of the temple president. I am very glad to see that such a young boy as yourself you are taking serious interest in this Krishna Consciousness Movement. Please continue in this way Our process is something universal. It cannot be checked by any means. Anyone in any place, in any country can chant Hare Krishna. If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple.
Regarding the initiations, upon your recommendations I have accepted the following as my disciples and their names are as follows: Ulrike—Amsumala devi dasi; Sabine—Snata devi dasi; Joachim—Jalandhara dasa; Achim—Haraka dasa; Thomas—Taponidhi dasa; Beth—Visoka devi; Detlinde—Dinasarana devi; Ceamack—Candravalipati dasa; Marco—Mahakarta dasa. I also accept the following as twice born initiated brahmanas: Udvargha dasa; Ravinari dasa: Manidhara dasa; Modananlasa devi; Manimanjari devi; Manda devi; Ramburu devi; Silpakarini devi. The sanctified threads and mantra sheets are enclosed.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 16/11/74 and have noted the contents. Upon your recommendation I accept Dvarakesa das Brahmacari for second initiation as twice born brahmana. Enclosed is the sacred thread duly sanctified by me, and the mantra sheet. Now hold a fire sacrifice and he may hear the gayatri mantra through the right ear from my tape recording. The mantra must be recited three times daily.
I am very glad to learn that you are all working peacefully together. This is the most favorable atmosphere for cultivating our Krishna consciousness. And if people see us working together nicely, they cannot criticize anything against our Krishna consciousness movement.
Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees as my initiated disciples and their names are as follows: 1. Soley—Sarvasagara dasa; 2. Angela—Aksunnasakti devi dasi; 3. Jackie—Janardanaprita devi dasi. Their beads may be chanted upon by Hamsaduta. I am also accepting the following as twice born brahmanas upon your recommendation: Brsabha dasa; Jaya Laksmana das; Jnana das; and Jalastitha devi das. Their mantra sheets and sanctified threads are duly enclosed. Now hold a fire sacrifice. The gayatri mantra can be heard through the right ear from my recorded tape.
Rupanuga's letter in this connection is not yet received. Yes, New York needs a big house. I am not expert in giving my opinion in this matter, so you three, Ramesvara, Radhavallabha, and yourself consider and do what is best.
Regarding the couple Lisa and Will, upon your recommendation I can accept them as disciples, but other business of purchasing the farm that I cannot tax my brain.
Just like I came to your country with only Rs. 40/-, and now we have got this huge institution. So you can be sure that Krishna will supply you according to your capacity. So I think that if you continue working sincerely, you will get all facilities that you require for your purposes.
Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following as my disciples and their names are as follows: Tim—Tarakara dasa; Dorinda—Dainyahrt devi dasi. Their beads may be chanted upon by Kirtanananda Swami or Tamala Krishna Goswami.
I am in due receipt of your letter dated 10/12/74, and upon your recommendation I am accepting for twice born brahminical initiation Sriman Muktananda das Brahmacari. Enclosed is his sacred thread duly sanctified and his mantra sheet. Now hold a fire sacrifice, and let him hear the mantra through the right ear, and impress upon him that he is taking vows before Radha and Krishna, the spiritual master and the Vaisnavas.
Therefore continue working and follow the good example that the devotees in New Vrndavana have set and everything will go very nicely. If you have any specific questions you can refer to New Vrndavana and they may be able to help you.
Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following as my disciples, and their names are as follows; Doug—Daksina das, Robert—Ranjita das, Margie—Madhumati devi dasi; Danny—Dharmarupa das, Sharon—Subhavrata devi dasi. Their beads may be chanted on by Kirtanananda Swami or Tamala Krsna Goswami.
I am very happy to hear of the large number of new devotees you are recruiting there in Laguna Beach. That is the real fruit of our preaching work, when people come and join and help us to spread this Krsna Consciousness movement. So I am very pleased with your efforts there. Upon your recommendation I have accepted the following for second initiation; Asurakulanasana dasa brahmachari, Satangati dasa brahmachari, Ratnanabha dasa Adhikari, Khandabhasi dasi, Dhatreyi dasi. Their threads are enclosed herein.
The animals and lower forms they can not achieve this perfection of life. So in this human form of life we have to consider ourselves very fortunate and take advantage in this human form. Because in the next life we don't know what kind of body we may have; maybe dog, maybe pig, maybe tree, maybe fish. So we must take advantage of this human form of life. My recommendation to you is that you somehow or another put yourself in a situation so that you may have as much association with our devotees as possible. Either remain in the temple or visit the temple frequently with your family. If you continue to read our books very carefully and try to understand our philosophy very deeply, this is nice. Also it is a must that you chant Hare Krsna at least 16 times daily on your beads and follow all of the regulative principles that we have given. If there are any questions on these points you can discuss with Jagadisa Prabhu in Toronto or any of the devotees in Toronto.
Upon Acyutananda Swamis recommendation I have accepted the following as my duly initiated disciples: Rangacari—Radhasaran dasa, Amarnath—Aradhana dasa, Chalapati—Chandrodaya dasa, Asoka—AmiyaVilasa dasa. There beads have been chanted on by me and have been sent by __ das brahmacari to Hyderabad. Please make sure that these boys follow the 4 regulative principles very carefully and chant 16 nice rounds daily. They must rise early, attend mangala arati and all classes.
| Page Title: | Recommendation (Letters 1973 - 1974) |
| Compiler: | Visnu Murti, RupaManjari |
| Created: | 02 of Dec, 2011 |
| Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=96 |
| No. of Quotes: | 96 |