a.c. bhaktivedanta swami
|
|
| Prabhupada Letters :: 1968 a.c. bhaktivedanta swami |
|
|
13 Mar 2004 Wednesday, March 13, 1968 San Francisco, Calif. My Dear Aniruddha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter, undated, and post-dated March 12, 1968. I am so obliged to you for your hospitality with which you served me so long I was in Los Angeles; I was so much comfortably situated in spite of my not very good health. Krishna will bless you for your strenuous service single-handedly, rest assured. Please continue your service attitude in the same spirit, and Krishna will bless you with all benediction. In the meantime, Mukunda and Janaki have come there, and I hope together you will do service to the Temple to your best capacity. I have got very good impression of the Temple in San Francisco, and both you and Mukunda may bring up the Los Angeles to the same standard. Don't be depressed because there is no sufficient audience at present, but if you continue your service all in cooperation, in very near future it will be a nice center. Please offer my blessings to Sankarsana das, and Baladeva. and his daughter Haridasi, and etc. Today we had a very nice lecture at the San Francisco State College; the attendence was very nice, and the meeting was successful, as it was in Los Angeles. They have arranged many other meetings also which I shall attend one after another. Regarding the casting of Sri Sri Radha Krishna: As soon as the statues are finished, I shall send it for casting, at least one pair. And as soon as you receive this statues, please do the needful. If Dayananda has left for Florida, please send me his address there. Hope you are all well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami letters | 04:27 | March 13, 1968 San Francisco, Calif. Talk in Recording Studio Prabhupada: What is this maker, the trademark? Gargamuni: Concord. Prabhupada: Concord, yes. Concord is famous tape recorder company. (tapping microphone) It is all right? Yamuna: Oh yes, Swamiji. It can also, it can be an amplification system. Gargamuni: See, if you talk... (feedback) Yamuna: The thing is they're too close to one another so there's a feedback. You have to be twelve feet away. Then it will amplify. That's what we were using in all of our speaking engagements. Gargamuni: Hare Krsna. Prabhupada: Oh, it acts as amplifier also? So I'll have to speak from here? Gargamuni: No. Yamuna: You don't have to... If all, the two microphones weren't so close, then it would be... We wouldn't have this noise, and you could speak as you like to speak. Prabhupada: So Gargamuni wants that prayer? Solo, solo? Gargamuni: Yes. Prabhupada: You also like that? Yamuna: Oh. (Prabhupada chuckles) If it isn't too much energy, Swamiji, that would be very beautiful. Prabhupada: All right. Gargamuni: Also, when you used to sing in New York, Vande 'Ham, you would add on Cintamani. Govindam adi-purusam. Prabhupada: Yes, sometimes. You shall, I shall...? I shall pray that? Gargamuni: Oh yes, that's nice, that one. Yamuna: What does that mean, Swamiji, that new prayer? Prabhupada: Cintamani... That is description of Krsnaloka. Yamuna: From the Brahma-samhita? Gargamuni: Yes. Prabhupada: You have? Yamuna: Yes, I have a copy of it. Prabhupada: Sit down? Why do you keep there? Gargamuni: So it's not too loud. Prabhupada: Oh. (Prabhupada chants Cintamani and other prayers) (end) letters | 02:30 | 12 Mar 2004 Tuesday, March 12, 1968 San Francisco, Calif. My Dear Brahmananda, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3.9.68. Yes, I safely and pleasantly arrived in S.F. from L.A. on March 8th morning, and I am keeping fit, lecturing in the Temple. The Temple atmosphere is very nice, when meeting takes place, the temple is full to its capacity, and people are taking very much interest in our philosophy. So I am very much hopeful of this center under the guidance of Sriman Jayananda. If you want to put me in a separate place from the Temple, I would prefer to stay in the Chatham Tower. This Tower is situated in the Chatham Square, just on the junction of Chamber Street and Park Road. It is just after finishing the China town. Sometimes back, when I was searching a house, and I didn't yet open any center at 26 Second Avenue, I liked this Chatham Tower very much. But at that time, I had no means; neither I have means just now. So if you like to keep me in a nicer place, then please try for it. Otherwise I shall be satisfied to remain in my present place under your care. If my apartment is very noisy, presently, then of course, you will have to find out some place, but it must be nearer to the Temple so that I may attend Temple meetings without delay. The American Mail Lines has verbally promised 10% concession, but we have no written letter. But we were getting free concession from Scindia Navigations; that letter I have got, and am enclosing herewith, keep it in your files. So far the musical instruments are concerned: If they pay, you may send to Boston as you suggested; Montreal has already paid for their instrument, $100, but they owe N.Y. $500. In Montreal, who will play? There is no member. San Francisco has no mrdanga, their's has been transferred to L.A. Therefore, they require one mrdanga. Yes, you may keep the one formerly intended for Hayagriva; when I go there to N.Y., I will see about it. Do as you think best regarding Jonathan Altman. So far Michael is concerned, he is being forced to take meat, let him attend class, and pray to Krishna for his future release from the difficulties he is experiencing at home. But so long he has to eat meat, he cannot be initiated. Let him attend classes regularly, and render service as much as possible, and Krishna will help him to get out of this dilemma. And when I come to New York, I shall see what is the situation. I am enclosing herewith a letter from Krishna devi which speaks for itself. Please reply her that she cannot take charge of one of our centers because she has violated the regulations of our society. In spite of having her duly married husband, she indulged in illicit sex life, so this is willful violation of our rules and regulations. So far her Krishna Consciousness activities are concerned, she can execute nicely wherever she lives, and I have all blessings for her, because the door of Krishna Consciousness is open for everyone, but when one has to take charge of a center, he has to become completely above suspicion. Hope you are well. Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami N.B. I have received your second letter which I shall reply tomorrow along with your previous note. letters | 04:22 | Tuesday, March 12, 1968 San Francisco, Calif. My Dear Rupanuga, Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter dated March 5, 1968, with enclosures. I have come here in San Francisco on the 8th morning of March. Here the kirtana performances are going very nicely; there is good attendance in the meeting and dancing in ecstasy is often exhibited to the transcendental pleasure of everyone present. I think S.F. center has been very much sanctified by unalloyed devotional service of the members here. As soon as there are sincere devotees, immediately the situation changes very favorably. So I have read of New York, and I am so pleased with your honest endeavor to open a branch in Buffalo. Those who try to distribute Krishna Consciousness amongst the general mass of people are very much favorite to Lord Krishna and Lord Caitanya. So you have all the blessings of Lord Caitanya for your laudable work in Buffalo. It doesn't matter whether there is any future prospect for opening permanent center or not, but to attempt to distribute Krishna Consciousness in that part of the country is very much encouraging. I understand that Sriman Lal Goel with his wife is taking interest in this movement, and if he is convinced, he can conduct the classes on our behalf in the future. It is very gratifying to know that at least 30 students are attending twice weekly meetings, and out of them, about 10 are regularly attending. I have read the manifesto printed by you in mimeograph machine, and it is very nicely set up. Regarding your wife: I am very much pleased to learn that your good wife is translating our essays for Germany. I was just thinking of our literatures being translated into German, and I was finding out some of our disciples to do it. Fortunately, by the Grace of Krishna, your wife is able to do this service, and please keep her engaged in that way. As soon as one is engaged in the service of the Lord, the Lord will reveal Himself to one without any separate endeavor. Krishna Consciousness movement simply depends on service attitude. So please keep her engaged in this work for which she has got natural taste, and let her translate small booklets like Easy Journey, then gradually she may attend all our other books, and eventually Bhagavad-gita. Please offer my thanks and blessings for her in this endeavor. Omkara is the alphabetical representation of Krishna. This representation of Krishna is impersonal, just like His lustre of the Body, Brahman effulgence. Impersonalists like to chant Omkara, but we wish to chant His Feature of Pastimes, because His personal feature is the ultimate understanding. Omkara is the symbol of eternity, but there is no bliss and knowledge. Om Tat Sat: Tat means the Absolute Truth, and Sat means eternal. Omkara is also used denoting address. Om Tat Sat means, oh, the Absolute Truth is Eternal. Santa-rasa means appreciation of the greatness of the Lord, but there is no active service of the Lord. The land, the grass, the trees, the plants, fruits, or the cows in the transcendental world are supposed to be situated in the santa-rasa. As spiritual beings, they are all conscious of Krishna, but they prefer to appreciate Krishna's greatness remaining as they are. The next development from santa-rasa is dasya-rasa, which means voluntary offering of some service. Next development is Sakhya rasa, or service in spirit of friendship and well-wisher. The next development is Vatsalya rasa, service as well wisher and affection. The next development is Madhura rasa, service, friendship, affection and conjugal love. So in the Madhura rasa, everything is complete; there is Santa rasa, Dasya rasa, Sakhya rasa, Vatsalya rasa, and Madhura rasa. But each and every one of the rasas is complete in itself. A person in Santa rasa or Sakhya rasa is as good as one in Madhura rasa because in the spiritual world everything is absolute. But from the platform of spiritual vision, where there is transcendental discrimination, one can appreciate Madhurya rasa as complete as anything. In the spiritual world there is no such relationship as God as the father. In the material world such conception is appreciated very much. In the material world everyone wants to take from God because the conditioned soul wants to enjoy senses. And the concept of fatherhood is to drag resources from the Supreme. But in the spiritual world there is no question of drawing from the Supreme. Everything there is to serve the Lord, and service is rendered in 5 different rasas or transcendental humors as described above. In the transcendental world instead of taking the Lord as father, He is treated as son, because son derives service from the Father, whereas in the material world the father maintains the conditioned souls or sons of God. Rupa Goswami's eternal rasa is conjugal love. He is one of the associates of Radharani, and he helps Radharani while engaged in the service of Krishna. He is known as Rupamanjari in the spiritual world. Tattvam asi means you are that. You are that, means you are also Brahman. That means qualitatively you are one with the Supreme Absolute. The Mayavadi philosophers interpret this Tattvam asi that the living entity is the same Supreme Absolute Truth. They do not make any difference of quality and quantity, but Vaisnava philosophers are very accurate in their estimation of the Absolute Truth. Therefore, we interpret this Vedic verse as Tattvam asi means that the living entity is qualitatively one, as much as a particle of gold is also gold. Thanking you once more for your very excellent work there, and hoping you are well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami letters | 04:17 | Tuesday, March 12, 1968 San Francisco, Calif. My Dear Balai, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 3.10.68, and I thank you very much for it. Yes, the wind, the earth, the water, and so forth, all have controlling personalities. Just like there is a sun god, who is in charge of the sun planet; similarly, for each body of water, for the wind, there are controlling personalities. They are in control of some small part of the material creation, but the ultimate Controller is Krishna. These demigods all are servants of the Supreme Controller. I am very pleased to hear about Krishna's new throne of gold leaf and velvet. I am anxious to come there and see it, along with all you my students there who are carrying on so nicely even in my absence. But you must know that I am always with you all so long you are executing Krishna Consciousness; and I am always receiving good news of the New York Temple so it is very nice that now you have provided Krishna a beautiful new throne. So far the Advent Day of Lord Caitanya is concerned, I have written a full suggestion to Montreal, in which the main points are that we should all observe strict fasting up till moonrise, and at that time, an offering is made to Lord Caitanya of Ekadasi foods, fruits, peanuts, milk, and so forth. Then, on the next day, Friday the 15th, a full-scale feast is held to celebrate His Advent Day. On the 14th, chanting, reading of Srila Bhaktivinode's book, Life and Precepts and Caitanya Caritamrta, Introduction to Bhagavatam, may be held all the day in the Temple. Householders may wear dhotis in the Temple, or as they like, but not of the saffron color. They may wear white, yellow, or whatever. Outside the Temple they may wear American gentleman's dress, with Tilaka, flag, and beads. It is not required to wear dhotis, as this society does not understand, so outside the Temple dress suit is more socially acceptable. If they so desire, for ceremony, they can dress in dhotis for Kirtana. Hope you are well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami letters | 04:14 | |
|
|
