Quote sought

[BVKS Sanga]

From:	Mitravan Dasa
Date:	7 March 2026 5:41:27 pm
Subject:	Quote sought
To:	Sanga Bvks

Dear devotees,

Pranam.

I’m looking for a quotation of Srila Prabhupada where he says harmonium should not be used in the temple room. Guru Maharaja often quotes this as being from a letter, but I cannot find it in the VedaBase.

I know of the letter to Rupanuga on 2 Feb 1975: "Regarding instruments for temple kirtanas, karatala and mrdanga are sufficient. There is no need of other instruments.” However, this doesn’t seem to be the letter Guru Maharaja is referencing.

Your servant,
Mitravan Dasa

[BVKS Sanga]

From:	Vinay Thorat
Date:	7 March 2026 10:55:08 pm
Subject:	Re: Quote sought
To:	sa...@bvkssanga.info

  The harmonium may be played during bhajan if there is someone who can play melodiously. But it is not for kirtana and arati. [Letter to Bahudaka, January 11, 1976]

[BVKS Sanga]

From:	Gopal Ramamurthy
Date:	8 March 2026 12:26:32 am
Subject:	Re: Quote sought

760111 - Letter to Bahudak written from Bombay

The harmonium may be played during bhajan if there is someone who can play melodiously. But it is not for kirtan and arotik.

681114 - Letter to Aniruddha written from Los Angeles

Arati is performed at 1 1/2 hour before sunrise to awaken the Deities. Each offering is made by moving it in 7 big circles, starting at the Lotus Feet of the Lord, and going clockwise round. First of all, burning camphor or ghee (5 fires if possible) is offered in this way, slowly circling them before the Lord. With left hand bell is being rung, and with right hand the offerings are made by circling. Next burning dhupa is offered. Then water is offered in a conchshell. Then a nice handkerchief is offered. Then a nice flower, as a rose. Then the Deities are offered a fan, nice peacock feather fan. And the last item is the blowing of the conch shell three times. Throughout arati there is bell ringing, cymbals, mrdanga, gong, harmonium, etc.