Letter to Brothers and Sisters

ISKCON
26 Second Avenue
New York City 10000
U.S.A.

Sender's Name and Address:

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Radha Damodara Temple
Seva Kunja
Vrindaban (Mathura)
India

My dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the NAME of KRISHNA from VRINDABAN. Obviously Swamiji is now much better-especially after reaching Vrindaban-His eyes now have a special glow. We left Delhi yesterday (31st) morning on the Taj Express, and in two hours were at Mathura. We rode "special third class" and it was quite satisfactory, not at all crowded like the usual third class. Anyway, we are now here and are in the process of settling down. Swamiji has two very nice rooms-quite cool-just off the porch where the Bhagavatam is read. How appropriate! The only difficulty on His behalf is that these Indians all want to see Him-and they are very persistent, and I am not very successful in keeping them out.

Brahmananda: We have received your very beautiful letter today. Thank you very much. Swamiji will reply to all letters tomorrow, but in the meantime He wishes me to inform you that the Macmillan terms are agreeable, and the contract should be signed as soon as possible. In that case, there is no need to continue negotiations with Japan; and furthermore, unless the Japanese firm can provide facilities for distribution, we would not use their facilities anyway. We would get it printed here. Still, I have one remaining question: Does the contract actually oblige them to publish, and if so, in what time? There would be no point in just tying up the manuscript with some publisher who does not actually publish it, and it must be done forthwith, I will write to Hayagriva immediately and tell him to proceed to N.Y. with the mss.

Gargamuni's marriage, as you like it, I approve (Swamiji). He also states that while "Krishna is far, far away" in material conception, there is no such consideration on the spiritual plane. On the Absolute plane there is no time and space.

He also says that the monthly $10 contribution from each center should be handled by you, and sent via New York City National Bank to His account #S.F. 2913 at the Punjab National Bank, Vrindaban Branch.

Vrindaban, seen materially, is a very beautiful place. The country is very flat, and there are many trees, monkeys, peacocks, and of course temples. It is also very poor. Both the people and the temples are in a bad state of disrepair. But spiritually considered there are many great devotees here, and it is wonderful to walk down the street and see teeloks all over the place, and people with molicas chanting their beads. If I can develop a fraction of their devotion for Krishna, my life will be successful. It is also thrilling to hear the temple bells ringing so many times throughout the day. Last night I played our record for Lord Damodara here in the temple and then performed kirtan with some of the local devotees. It was very nice. But you will be surprised, I think, when I say that I prefer your kirtan in N.Y. If you could only realize it, you have the real VRINDABAN as soon as you utter the Holy Name in sincerity.

You will also be interested to know that while in Delhi I was invited out at least twice every day for speaking something of Krishna Consciousness at the various homes of devotees, as well as to play the record and take prasadam. Actually, I was being so over fed, that I began to scheme how I could get out of the eating part of it. Krishna has been so kind upon me. On Sunday, I was asked to speak something of K.C. and play the record (and dance) at one of the largest temples in Delhi. One gentleman translated for me, and I think it was very much appreciated. They seem to be truly fascinated that Americans are actually taking this seriously. And I have been treated with more respect than I would have dreamed possible. Truly we have a great mission to fulfill for our Spiritual Master all over the world.

Due to higher voltage in the electric current here, we blew a fuse in the dictaphone Please purchase several and send them immediately.

Hope you are well.

Affectionately,
Kirtanananda

[handwritten:]

If the medicine package can be sent to me without any charges, it can be sent to me.Otherwise keep it there we shall later on.It has no use for any one of you.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Letter to: Prabhus
[ included in letter to Janardan, Pradyumna annd Sivananda. ]
–
August, 9 1967

From: Kirtanananda das - SL-670809-A

Dear Prabhus,

How happy we were to receive your letters of 3 August, and to learn that things are going nicely in Montreal in spite of the absence of two staunch warriors. You are always very much on our minds and in our hearts.

We have now been in Vrindaban for a little over a week, and the monsoon rains have again begun to fall. For the first ten days I was here in India there was no rain to speak of, and you can believe me when I say it was hot. But now it is raining a great deal of the time, and that has made the weather quite comfortable for me – but unfortunately, not for Swamiji. Also, I have developed the inevitable case of dysentery, which has been persisting for about a week now. So physically I have not been feeling too well, and have been unable to go out very much. Most of all, I have not been able to serve our Master as energetically as I would have wished. But certainly Krishna has some good end in view – all we need do is trust Him and He will see us through.

Yesterday began the festival of Jhulan, in which Radha and Krishna come out and swing for about five days, so I made the rounds of about a half dozen temples here. Some of them are extremely beautiful inside, although most are small. Still I can say this with all truthfulness and sincerely that none are so transcendentally beautiful and spiritual as 3720 Park Avenue Montreal – and I think even Swamiji would agree with me there. There is a great deal of beautiful form here, but nowhere do you hear the sincere chanting of the Holy Name as in our temples.

How are things going with the prasad program? Why did you not include any figures ? Please give us full reports.

Janardan: Swamiji has just informed me that He has full support for you plans, except that He thinks that you ought to finish up your business there first – i.e. He says get your PhD first and then come to Vrindaban.

Keep CHANTING HARE KRISHNA !

Affectionately,
Kirtanananda das