Letter to Hamsadutta

From: Tamal Krishna - SL_770710_A1

ISKCON
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

July 10th, 1977

My dear Hamsadutta Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Srila Prabhupad has received your letters dated July 4th and July 5th, 1977 respectively, and has instructed me to reply them.

Srila Prabhupad was very pleased to hear how you have organized everything in Ceylon, and that so many people are now taking interest seriously is proof of the effectiveness of your preaching. His Divine Grace said, "You are a suitable person and you can give initiation to those who are ready for it. I have selected you among eleven men as "rittik" or representative of the acarya, to give initiations, both first and second initiation, on my behalf." (A newsletter is being sent to all Temple Presidents and GBC in this regard listing the eleven representative selected by His Divine Grace. Those who are initiated are the disciples of Srila Prabhupad, and anyone who you deem fit and initiate in this way, you should send their names to be included in Srila Prabhupad's "Initiated Disciples" book. In this way the Temple Presidents will send their recommendations for initiation direct to the nearest representative who will give a spiritual name or chant on the Gayatri thread just as Srila Prabhupad has been doing.)

Srila Prabhupad smiled very broadly when he heard of the successful program organized by the local people in which 2000 persons attended. When he heard that you have introduced a full feasting program on Sundays, he said, "You are a good cook, so teach others now how to cook just as I taught you."

Regarding the printing going slowly, His Divine Grace stated, "Never mind. Go surely. It doesn't matter slowly." I inquired from Pradyumna Prabhu about the Sinhalese translation which you mentioned. He said that "On Chanting Hare Krsna Mantra" was translated into Sinhalese and that translation is in his trunk in Bombay. We will try to get it to you as soon as possible. I do not know if Gopal Krsna has any Tamil manuscript, but if he does when I see him in about ten days, I will tell him to send it to you. You may also write him directly. Pradyumna says it may be faster just to get a new translation – it is only 1 page.

Srila Prabhupad was very glad to know that you would try to bring some Ceylonese devotees to Mayapur and said, "Oh, that is very good!" He did not know whether the story about Bhaktisiddhanta's disciples seeing a man eating a rat was true or not. Regarding the exact position of Sri Lanka, this is the opinion of some people. Srila Prabhupad advised that we not discuss this matter publicly at this time. Prabhupad also recommended that from Hari Sauri you take ghee. He said that you could have one fifth of whatever Hari Sauri sends to India. Regarding whether you should use the name Swami or Goswami, Srila Prabhupad said, "Stick to one. Swami is better."

Your servant,

(signature appears on the original document)

Tamal Krsna Gosvami
Secretary to Srila Prabhupad

His Holiness Hamsadutta Swami
c/c ISKCON Colombo
/tkg

Letter to: Kirtanananda Maharaja,
11 July, 1977

My dear Kirtanananda Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupad has just received the latest issue of Brijabasi Spirit, Vol.IV, No.4, which brought Him great joy. As He looked at the cover showing Kaladri performing fire ceremony, he said, “Just see his face how devotee he is, so expert in everything.” When Srila Prabhupad opened the first page, His eyes fixed on the picture of Radha-Vrndavana Candra, and He said, “Vrndavana-Bihari--so beautiful. There is no danger wherever Vrndavana Candra is.” After enjoying the whole magazine thoroughly Srila Prabhupad said, “It is printed on their own press. It is very good progress.” His Divine Grace very much appreciated the article “How I was Deprogrammed” by the young devotee boy. Prabhupad was feeling great sympathy when he heard his story and said, “If one man is turned like this boy then this movement is successful. There is good prospect, good hope. You all combine together and push this movement on and on. Now I am assured that it will go on.” While going through the magazine, Srila Prabhupad also saw your good photo on the page “Istagosthi” and Srila Prabhupad bestowed a long loving look upon your good self expressing his deep appreciation for how you have understood this Krsna consciousness.

A letter has been sent to all the Temple Presidents and GBC which you should be receiving soon describing the process for initiation to be followed in the future. Srila Prabhupad has appointed thus far eleven representatives who will initiate new devotees on His behalf. You can wait for this letter to arrive (the original has been sent to Ramesvara Maharaja for duplicating) and then all of the persons whom you recommended in your previous letters can be initiated.

His Divine Grace has been maintaining His health on an even course and most amazingly has doubled His translation work keeping pace with the doubling of book distribution. Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,
Tamal Krsna Gosvami
Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami
c/o ISKCON New Vrndavana

/tkg