Blame your own sins for war and nobody else!!!
October 9, 1968
My dear Satsvarupa,
Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter without date stating about the situation in Boston. By the statement of your letter, I can understand that it is a political situation. Of course, although everything is included in Krishna Consciousness, we do not wish to take part directly in politics and controversial politics. We can take part in politics only when it is sanctioned by Krishna. This political struggle by the students is a different thing. It is a reaction of the karma. Because both the opposing parties, namely the students who have taken shelter in the churches and the government force, which is coming to arrest them—both are in the same category, because when there is the question of meat-eating or supporting the slaughterhouses, both of them will agree.
So the present situation is a reaction to man’s sinful activities. We specially recommend one restrain from four kinds of primary sinful activities, namely illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating, and gambling. But all these fighting people, they are cent percent addicted to all these habits. So if they are serious about mitigating the unpalatable situation of the society, they must agree to accept Krishna Consciousness; otherwise, there is no possibility of peace in the world.
Anyway, the situation in Boston as you have described is not very much favorable for preaching our Krishna Consciousness, but if there is possibility of selling our Back to Godheads, then that is very nice. You can take advantage.
So far as my going to Boston is concerned, unless the students agree to hear patiently for some time Bhagavad Gita and Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, the casual lectures will not be very beneficial. So they are not very much interested; otherwise they would have to come to our classes. But I told you previously that I am prepared to go provided they pay the expenses. But I think that this is also not possible. So why should you take the risk of getting me there and then with great difficulty maintain my expenses? I think it is not very much favorable, so we shall see later on what is to be done; for the time being let it be dropped.
Students’ prayers twenty-four hours a day, listening to the political talks, and desiring the war should stop is useless. God cannot be their order-supplier. First of all they act sinfully, and when there is reaction of war, pestilence, famine, and so many other natural disturbances, they pray to God for stopping them. This is not possible. Just like a criminal first of all commits theft, burglary, and debauchery, and when he is captured by the police force, if he prays to the government to stop his punishment, that is not possible. So they are engaged in all sinful activities, and by nature’s law there must be reaction. If I am now encouraging cow killing or animal killing, and when by nature’s law the turn comes upon me to be killed, if I pray to God that I want Him to stop it, how can it be stopped?
So their process is not very genuine. They want to make God their order-supplier. God is not the order-supplier. He is the order-giver. He orders everyone to surrender unto Him, and the fools and rascals who do not surrender unto Him, in the form of so-called prayer they want to order God that He should ask material nature to stop her legal activities. That is not possible.
So the situation is not very favorable, but if somebody agrees to hear Bhagavad Gita and the Teachings of Lord Chaitanya continually for some time, even if they do not pay me anything I am prepared to go and lecture—but not to take part in some political agitation. So I was awaiting your letter indicating whether I was to go to Boston; now I shall prepare my next program for going to Los Angeles, I think. And my going to Europe is not yet fixed-up.
Regarding Jadurany: I am very glad that you are taking all precaution and all care for the poor girl, whose health is very deteriorated. And you first of all see that she is quite strong enough, that she has improved health; then there can be a Krishna Conscious baby. Otherwise, forget this. Better you and Jadurany become Krishna Conscious children directly than producing a Krishna Conscious baby at the present moment.
Hope this will find you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami