Letter to Hansadutta

From: Tamal Krishna - SL_771010_C1

Ceylon

My dear Hansadutta Maharaja,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to thank for your letters dated August 12th, 14th and 24th respectively, along with all enclosures. The reason why you were not replied earlier is because Srila Prabhupada was waiting to hear the results of the big Challenge Meeting. By the time we received your letters in this regard we had already come to London. So please excuse the delay.

As you can well imagine, Srila Prabhupada has been very enthusiastic in regard to your correspondences with Dr. Kovoor, and has very much anticipated the meeting. Over numerous occasions Srila Prabhupada has even inquired whether there was any news of the results of the meeting, or any times praised you to various devotees whom he would meet how you had cornered a big scientist and defeated him. Srila Prabhupada commented variously in regard to your different letters.

In your letter of August 12th, you said that your brain was not better than that of a monkeys and that you were riding on Srila Prabhupada’s words. His Divine Grace said, “If we can become the monkey of Ramacandra, then we can kick over thousands of Ravanas.”

In reply to your letter dated August 22nd, Srila Prabhupada was very glad to know that Dr. Kovoor’s image has been shattered in Sri Lanka. His Divine Grace said, “That I wanted: That Kovoor be finished.” Prabhupada liked very much your idea to print the talks between His Divine Grace and Svarupa Damodar with an introduction consisting of the correspondence with Dr. Kovoor and yourself. Prabhupada said, “It is very good idea. Do it immediately. This will certainly finish the rascal.” Srila Prabhupada did not like the idea of this gem business. His Divine Grace said, “It is not at all a good idea. Money you will get. Don’t make gem trade.” In your letter you said that you want to develop a BBT there in Ceylon. Prabhupada certainly has no objection to this and said you could do it. But you said also in your letter that printing locally is impossible because they are so behind in the field and prices are impossible. So what is the question of developing a BBT? Srila Prabhupada is willing to let you have books from India by only paying the cost, but what would be the benefit of saving that money if you are not going to be able to print in Ceylon. Perhaps you could clarify the whole issue a little more.

It is amazing how suddenly in your letters you described the violent situation which has broken forth there. His Divine Grace agreed that this was the proper time observe caturmasya there. I do not know what Gargamuni’s Bangkok address is, neither I know the address of anyone in Malaysia. Regarding Gargamuni’s address you can write to the BBT Library Party Office in Bombay.

Srila Prabhupada arrived here in London on the 27th of August. The ride was very difficult taking 18 hours due to a six hour delay caused by that strike in the London airport. However His Divine Grace tolerated the ride and arrived alright. Srila Prabhupada was so much pleased to be in the West with his Western disciples and He felt very much enlivened to see them and the wonderful way they are conducting Krishna consciousness here. He also very much enjoys staying at the Manor which He says is His best house in the world. The atmosphere is very peaceful and restive, and Srila Prabhupada is not at all bothered by any anxiety, as is always the case when he is in India. Just as you are experiencing difficult in dealing with the India government there, Srila Prabhupada has so many difficulties through his various projects with the Government in India. Practically they have never been cooperative at any time. So now He is feeling quite relieved by being outside of India. His health however has not very much improved and two days ago He developed a block in passing urine. After about twelve hours of not being able to pass urine, we had to rush Him to a hospital on His insistence, where a minor surgical operation was performed in which they opened the hole of the urinary tract wider so that He could pass urine. After a few hours He returned to the Manor and it appears that the operation was successful. However his health has become even weaker now and it is impossible practically for Him to stand up even with assistance. Last night He attempted to go to the toilet but fainted. So He is more or less completely bed-ridden. Please pray with all of your might for Srila Prabhupada’s recovery and by your heroic preaching given him new life.

Hoping this meets you in the best of health and Krishna consciousness.

Your servant,
Tamal Krishna Gosvami
Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Holiness Hansadutta Swami
C/o ISKCON Ceylon
/tkg

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