srila prabhupada said...!!!
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
March, 1969
Prabhupada had stayed in Los Angeles for nearly five months, but now he was preparing to leave, having received an invitation from Govinda dasi. Missing Prabhupada's association, she was luring him to Hawaii with the promise of ripened mangoes, his favourite fruit. But before leaving, Srila Prabhupada said he would hold a final initiation.
Prabhupada's extended presence in Los Angeles had attracted numerous new devotees to join the temple. From an abandoned church building occupied by only Dayananda and a few women, Srila Prabhupada had developed the centre until now it was the largest temple in ISKCON, with more than sixty enthusiastic devotees. Sankirtana was increasing steadily, the Sunday Love Feasts were observed enthusiastically, and he had trained his disciples in the basic philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita in his evening lectures. Now all that remained was to solidify the attachment of the newest devotees by giving them initiation.
On the occasion of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance celebration, the day before he would leave for Hawaii, Prabhupada conducted the biggest fire sacrifice he had held so far. It was a Sunday, and the temple was packed with guests who had been brought back from Griffith Park, where the devotees had chanted earlier in the afternoon. Prabhupada was preparing to light the sacrificial fire when he was temporarily interrupted by the entrance of a middle-aged Indian lady, along with her small retinue of followers, who turned out to be a Vrndavana acquaintance of Prabhupada's named Gopala dasi. She wore a saffron sari (the colour of the renounced order of life reserved traditionally in the Vedic culture for men only), and where as Prabhupada had instructed us that a chaste woman always covers her head, she made no attempt to cover her long, greying hair. But Prabhupada seemed to approve of her. She was travelling with Radha and Krsna Deities, which Prabhupada allowed her to place on the altar.
After the brief interruption, Prabhupada resumed the fire yajna. When the new initiates had placed their offerings in the fire, Prabhupada began the kirtana. To everyone's surprise, Gopala dasi began to expertly play on a small mrdanga which she had brought with her. Suddenly, Prabhupada stood up and began to dance, actively moving backward and forward instead of keeping to the "Swami step" that he had taught us. This was certainly most unusual, and everyone was very enlivened to see Prabhupada so enthusiastic. Then, to everyone's total amazement, Prabhupada began jumping up and down! This was the first time anyone had ever seen him do this. Up and down, up and down he jumped, and all the time moving forward, until he came in front of the Deity of Lord Jagannatha. And as soon as he jumped, everybody started to jump. It was as if we were all tied by strings like puppets, moving to Prabhupada's direction. No one in the entire temple had remained sitting. As soon as they saw Prabhupada begin to dance, they had followed suit. And when Prabhupada began jumping. everyone had also done so. Gopala dasi, along with the other mrdanga players, began to pick up the boat, and Prabhupada jumped all around the temple. Everyone was jumping with him, jumping and jumping. And as he jumped, Prabhupada turned around and looked at all of the devotees with a great smile on his face, chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The whole temple became filled with the pandemonium of ecstasy which Prabhupada had released on this final day of his stay in Los Angeles. He was teaching his disciples by his personal example to taste the nectar of dancing and chanting the Holy Name of the Lord.
Afterward, sitting in Prabhupada's room along with many of the devotees, Gopala dasi gave Prabhupada some Vrndavana dust, a few grains of which he respectfully placed within his mouth to honour the holy land of Lord Krsna's birth. Seeing these intimate exchanges with our spiritual master convinced the devotees that the lady sadhu was not an ordinary visitor. Anyone who shared such confidential association with Srila Prabhupada was certainly worthy of our respect. Following an animated conversation lasting nearly an hour, Srila Prabhupada returned to his apartment on Hayworth Avenue, allowing the Vrndavana guest to stay in his room at the temple.
Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-Servant of the Servant-The West Coast Days-Intimate Encounters-Tamala Krsna Goswami
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
Early the next morning Prabhupada drove to the airport along with all of the devotees. He had been with us for such a long time that it was too hard to imagine that he would be gone for any more than a few days. I, at least, had become so much accustomed to Prabhupada's personal association that I was unable to contemplate his leaving Los Angeles. To me, he was going on a brief trip and would be back shortly, and in fact all of the devotees seemed to feel in a similar way. Prabhupada had been with us so long that we felt confident of his continued presence; therefore his departure did not cause the same heartbreak that I had felt previously when he had left San Francisco.
Afterward, returning to the temple, we called upon our Vrndavana guest. With the devotees gathered around her, Gopala dasi led a kirtana, playing on the mrdanga. Then, to our amazement she suddenly fell backward and began to roll around on the floor, crying out in ecstasy. We had never seen Srila Prabhupada do this, but since we were all new devotees, we tried to bide our surprise, being unsure about the incident. Soon afterward she left, and one of the devotees wrote Prabhupada a letter describing what had happened.
Prabhupada's reply left no doubt in our minds; he explained that we should be very careful not to misunderstand such displays. He explained that there is a class of pseudo-devotees in Vrndavana, known as sahajiyas, who make such a show of ecstasy. But their process of devotion does not follow Srila Prabhupada said the authorized scriptural instructions, and therefore they are not approved by bona fide devotees.
Prabhupada's warning against association with sahajiyas is repeated throughout his books. Srila Rupa Gosvami has stated,
sruti-smrti-puranadi
pancaratra-viddhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate
"Devotional service performed without reference to the Vedas, Puranas, and Pancaratras must be considered sentimentalism, and it causes nothing but disturbance to society."
One must be always on guard to distinguish between actual spiritual advancement and artificial displays of devotion. Sometimes we see a visitor to our temple who has come for the first time dance in ecstasy. This is due to the association with devotees and is known as shadow attachment. It is generally innocent, and such a person returns to normal after leaving the devotees' association. On the other hand, the activities of the sahajiyas or pseudodevotees often found in the holy places are not so innocent. They have extensively cultivated the false understanding of themselves as gopis or other exalted devotees in their relationship with Krsna. Not having taken the trouble to undergo the process of purification recommended by the acaryas, they minimize the importance of such shastric instruction. Being still attached to sense gratification, they invariably fall down to gross sensual activities. In actual fact, their cheap imitation of devotional service is nothing more than a thin veneer, a cover for their deep-rooted attachment to sense enjoyment. A genuine devotee's advancement is proven not by such cheap displays but by how much he is eager to perform service to Krsna in any of the nine legitimate methods.
sravanam kirtanam visnoh
smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam
sakhyam atma-nivedanam
One should patiently execute devotional service under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, by whose satisfaction Krsna will certainly be induced to bestow His causeless mercy.
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
The late 1960s were marked by America's participation in the Vietnam war. To meet its military needs, the government was drafting young men, especially those between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. And Prabhupada's movement was also attracting men of that age group. As tender, new devotees, the thought of becoming drafted and being forced to lead a military life worried us. Srila Prabhupada, our protective father, was also concerned. Since there was a possibility of my being drafted, I had mentioned this problem to Srila Prabhupada soon after I joined. One evening, wishing to allay my fears, he had joked, "In the spiritual world there are no draft boards." The government had given me a temporary deferment, but after a year they were again harassing. I was engaged in preaching Krsna consciousness, which Prabhupada had said was the highest welfare activity, and I could not see that entering the armed forces would be nearly as valuable as serving Krsna. I wrote Srila Prabhupada, requesting some written evidence of my preaching activities to submit to the Draft Board. Immediately Prabhupada sent the required documents, along with a brief reply; Srila Prabhupada said:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, March 15th 1969
My Dear Tamal Krishna and Vishnujana,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your long letter dated February 10th 1969, along with Purushottam's letter of the same date, and I shall reply conveniently. In the meantime. I am enclosing herewith the certificates and letters duly signed by me, and as you need them urgently I am dispatching them first.
Regarding the mangos: Govinda dasi misled me-the mangos are not yet ripened. There are many mango trees, but the fruit will not be ripened until late May or June. So for now there is no abundant supply of nice mangos. So I shall soon be returning to the mainland for my engagements in New York, in Boston. and elsewhere. Hope this meets you all in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-Servant of the Servant-The West Coast Days-The Forward Soldier-Tamala Krsna Goswami
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
Srila Prabhupada's extensive association had left us all deeply inspired to produce wonderful results for him. Now, while he was away, we worked with even greater enthusiasm to fulfil the various programs he had established during his long winter stay with us. The serious disciple sees the physical absence of the spiritual master as an opportunity to serve his instructions and thereby continue to have his constant association. Prabhupada's association had acted as a touchstone, infusing life into our almost dead stone like hearts. I wrote Srila Prabhupada of the great enthusiasm which we all felt, and in his reply he expressed his appreciation. Although he thanked us for stretching out our hands to help him in his missionary activities, we understood that it was actually he who was helping us by accepting our service on behalf of Lord Krsna and enabling us to become free from the bondage of material existence. Srila Prabhupada said:
Kaaawa. Hawaii. March 18th 1969
My dear Tamal Krishna,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 14th 1969 and I am so glad to learn that everyone in L. A. working very hard. And Krishna Consciousness is so nice that you are aspiring for still more work. That is the sign of spiritual life. In the material world we want to minimize our activities and take rest more. But in the spiritual world, there is no rest and there is no limit of activities. Krishna is unlimited. His service is unlimited, and the energy of His servants is unlimited. Although we were in the midst of ignorance, still if we keep ourselves alert there is no place of ignorance. I am glad that you have deposited $100 in the Bank of America for your consignment of goods. A similar consignment is being followed by Honolulu, and it is good that you are saving money for paying me $750 for 5000 BTG's coming out sometime in the month of June. Yes, the money if it is paid by the first of June it is all right. As you al-ways desire to help me in my missionary ambition, so also I am praying always to Krishna that the boys and girls who have stretched their helping hand in this country in this connection may always be in good health and continue to assist me in my missionary activities. I am so glad to learn that you are prepared to work even harder, as a forward soldier, to fight the Maya. May Krishna give you more and more strength. Hope you are well,
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
While Srila Prabhupada was still in Los Angeles, his personal servant, Karttikeya dasa, had, like myself, received a notice from the Selective Service System regarding being drafted into the armed services. Karttikeya was also unwilling to give up his service to Srila Prabhupada, feeling that all other activities were of secondary importance. This was not sentiment, but was based on the statement of the Srimad-Bhagavatam: 11:5:4:
devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam
na kinkaro nayam rni ca rajan
sarvatmana yah saranam saranyam
gato mukundam parihrtya kartam
"Anyone who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, the giver of liberation, giving up all kinds of obligation, and has taken to the path in all seriousness, owes neither duties nor obligations to the demigods, sages, general living entities, family members, humankind, or forefathers."
These obligations would automatically be fulfilled by rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Furthermore, spreading of Krsna consciousness would help to preserve the principle of the God-centered society conceived of by the founding fathers when they first established the American nation. Thus, in his capacity as a preacher, Karttikeya would be fulfilling the obligations of a loyal citizen.
Under Srila Prabhupada's guidance, Karttikeya had submitted an application to be classified as a "ministerial student." By granting religious persons a status exempting them from active military participation the government indicated that they appreciated the necessary role religion must play for a country to be strong. But Selective Services had never heard of Srila Prabhupada, whom Karttikeya listed as his teacher, nor had they heard of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, his religion. Deciding to investigate the matter more thoroughly, they sent their assistant area coordinator for manpower to visit Srila Prabhupada in his Hayworth Avenue apartment.
Srila Prabhupada, wearing saffron robes and sitting cross-legged on a cushion, had not presented the standard picture of a religious leader as envisioned by Americans. Nor, upon first observation, was ISKCON a normal religion. There were no large church properties, no regular congregations, nor any of the other obvious signs by which one could recognize an established religion. There was only a humble, saintly personality who had come at an elderly age from India and on the order of his spiritual master to spread what he called "Krsna consciousness." And now he was assisted by a few young American boys and girls. Although Srila Prabhupada could not offer physical opulence as proof of the authenticity of his movement, he had greeted the American government's representative with all due respect and explained as thoroughly as possible his mission meant to benefit the American people as well as the rest of the world. His mission was not a concoction. It was inaugurated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, five hundred years ago and was based on the authority of the five-thousand-year-old Vedic scriptures. One who took to Krsna consciousness would solve all of life's problems and make his human existence successful by returning back home, back to Godhead. Srila Prabhupada outlined the rules and regulations followed by all of his students, stressing that one who strictly followed such principles was Srila Prabhupada said a genuine religious student.
When the area coordinator had left, he had been impressed by the gravity of Srila Prabhupada's presentation. But the government was not satisfied with this solitary interview. Before they would grant religious status, they wanted further proof that ISKCON could meet with the standards set by older, established religions. They wrote Srila Prabhupada a letter requesting detailed information about the organization and administration of Srila Prabhupada's "ministerial school." Prabhupada considered this matter as very significant. If the American government was convinced that ISKCON was a genuine religion, not only would the devotees be spared the dangers of military combat, but it would be an important step for our Society toward gaining acceptance on the highest levels. With the government's cooperation. the mission entrusted by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to Srila Prabhupada would he deeply implanted within the fertile soil of the United States.
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
Prabhupada sent a copy of the Draft Board letter to five of the Society's leaders. Srila Prabhupada said:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, March 21st 1969
My Dear Brahmananda, Hayagriva, Tamal Krishna, Wooma-pati, Dayananda,
Please accept my blessings. Enclosed you will find the copy of a letter received by me from the draft board. Please read over it and decide what is to be done. You can consult together on this matter and get whatever information is required by them. And let me know in your next letter about the matter.
Hope this meets you in good health,
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS SELECTIVE
SERVICE SYSTEM FEDERAL BUILDING
801 L Street Sacramento,
California 95814
March 14th 1969
International Society for Krishna Consciousness c/o
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
450 1/2 N. Hayworth Avenue
Los Angeles, Calif. 90048
Attention: Swami A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Dear Swami Bhaktivedanta:
This office is charged with the responsibility of making an administrative determination concerning the status of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness as a religion within the meaning of the Military Selective Service Act of 1967. This question is and will be of importance to your organization and to many of its members. We therefore request that you advise us specifically concerning tenets and principles of your religion and specifying the body of scripture or teachings upon which your organization relies as authority.
If your sect is successful in establishing a "religion" qualification, then it will be necessary for us to determine what constitutes a "minister" and a "ministerial student" within your religion. Since we already have one application for that classification, we would appreciate receiving from you information concerning the following:
1. The names and locations of all seminaries of the church.
2. The names and addresses of all heads of your religious schools.
3. Copies of your offered curriculums.
4. A statement as to the requirements for particular diplomas, certifications, or titles, indicating courses to he mastered and the time involved for each diploma, certification and title.
5. A statement as to the rules of conduct and personal standards required by your religion of its ministerial students.
6. If your church has affiliation with any other organized religious body this information should be given.
7. If your church or school has been recognized by any public or institutional accreditation, by whom, and where.
8. Please let us know what your requirements are for a ministerial student in your school in the two following categories: (a) full time and (b) part time.
9. Please state the date your ministerial school began operating, as such, the number of students presently enrolled in each of the categories specified in question 8 above, and the number of students in each particular year or level of advancement.
10. If your ministerial school is co-educational, we would like to know the present number of students of each sex.
11. Please send a roster of your school faculty and indicate the degrees and academic or religious accomplishments possessed by each instructor.
We trust you will understand the nature of this inquiry and will appreciate that such information is essential if we are to accord to your members, that have dealings with this agency, their just rights under the law.
FOR THE STATE DIRECTOR
LT. Colonel, USAF (ret)
Manpower Officer
MALCOLM F. MILLER
As well as forwarding the state director's letter, Srila Prabhupada also suggested how it should be replied to. He wrote:
This is my idea of the general plan for the questionnaire:
You can work it out more elaborately as may be required.
Q.1. The names of all seminaries and their locations, as follows:
Q.2. Heads of religious schools (presidents of temples) and addresses.
Q.3. Curriculums: Study of Bhagavad Gita As It Is; Srimad Bhagavatam (3 vol.): Nectar of Devotion; Teachings of Lord Chaitanya; Vedanta Sutra. (In this way, arrange the curriculum program around these our books, and the professors, those who have been with us ample time, such as Brahmananda, Hayagriva, Kirtanananda, and have also academic qualifications.) This is the complete course requiring to study years. When the first exam in given the student making passing grade is given the title of Bbaktishastri, second exam, Bhaktivaibhava, 3rd exam, Bhaktivedanta. Q.4. (answered above)
Q.5. Personal conduct: Our four principles of restriction, no illicit sex, no gambling, no intoxication, no meat eating.
Q.6. Yes, Gaudiya Vaishnava Society in India. 60 missions. hqtrs. P.O. Mayapur, Dist. Nadia; West Bengal, India.
Q.7.?
Q.8. Requirements are as follows: They should attend class in the mornings from 7 to 8 A.M. then during lunch bold kirtan, then from 12 to 4 sankirtana party, evening arati, and MWF evening classes.
Q.9. July 1966;/? Registration of the society in New York under the religious act of the state and the copy was submitted to your officer who came to inquire in Los Angeles. and here is the copy of the letter wherein it is admitted that the certificate of incorporation is seen by Mr. R. E. Davis, HC. AGC, Assistant Area Coordinator.
Q.IO. Yes co-ed. List to be submitted. (List all members of all temples to be sent by all temples, as you request.)
Q.II. Faculty and degrees and academic or religious accomplishments: (List all names of members who have such, as Brahmananda, Hayagriva, Satyabhama, Kirtanananda, Lilavati, etc. who have academic background qualifications.)
Our religious principle is as old as 5000 years and the whole thing is explained in our recent publication of Bhagavad Gita As It Is, published by MacMillan, of New York and London. If required, a copy of this book may be secured and the whole idea may be grasped. And this is a missionary society for enlightening the people about God-consciousness, which we are preaching as Krsna Consciousness. Our main principles are as follows:
God is the Supreme Lord. The living entities are qualitatively one with God, or in other words, living entities and God are one in quality, but by quantity, God is great. As such the living entities are eternal servitors and subordinate of God maintained by the Supreme Lord. This relationship is eternal, therefore time is also eternal. There are two kinds of nature, the spiritual nature and the material nature. Material nature is temporary and spiritual nature is permanent; material nature is simply temporary manifestation within the jurisdiction of spiritual nature. The living entities somehow or other being entrapped by material nature are meeting all kinds of material conditions. His birth, death, old age, and diseases are due to his contact with this material nature. The living entity is evolving different kinds of material body numbering 8,400,000 different forms. The human form is a great opportunity for the living entity to understand God, the living entity, time, nature, and different activities. The material activities are temporary, therefore if the living entities are trained to transform his activities from material to spiritual he regains his original spiritual nature. And after such achievement he is promoted to the spiritual world, which is far beyond this visible material sky. All these understandings are based on authentic Vedic knowledge. The Krishna Consciousness movement is for enlightenment for all human beings without any sectarian understanding of faith. Our principle is that the human being has to awaken his dormant love of God. Any religion or faith which teaches this development of dormant love of God is considered first class religion. There are various types of religious faiths in the world but they are imparted according to the students, or followers, time, place, circumstances, etc. The principal religions of the world are Hinduism, Christianity, Mohammedanism, and Buddhism. Every religion as a matter of principle accepts authority, God being the supreme authority, and His representative also is authority. So we have no quarrel with any type of religion but we simply teach that awaken your dormant love of God which is technically called God consciousness or Krishna Consciousness. We think the whole world or the entire human society is dwindling their faith in God so much so that some of them are declaring God is dead, and some of them are in frustration, manufacturing different kinds of isms, under different names. This state of affairs in the world is not very satisfactory at least for the advanced and civilized human society. It is essential therefore that scientific God consciousness which we are preaching under the name of Krishna Consciousness should be broadcast very widely. I came to this country with this mission, because I know that America, although richest nation in the world, still there are so many frustrated youngsters both boys and girls. I started this movement in 1966, single handedly, but by the Grace of God, I have now hundreds of intelligent young student disciples, who have taken up this movement seriously. They are executing the rules and regulations as described in statement 5. And they are feeling happy. Many of them have taken to household life and they are living very peacefully with wife and children, and some of the married couples have gone to England and they have been preaching Krishna Consciousness movement very creditably. So this movement is very precious missionary activities for the present society. I request the government should very scrutinizingly and wisely study this movement without being biased to some stereotyped ideas. It will be good for this country, and for the whole world at large if this movement is seriously taken up and broadcast all over the world by the American people, joined by the English as well. I think my idea and plan is coming to be true very soon because I have many intelligent and sympathetic disciples, both from America and England.
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
After reading Srila Prabhupada's plan for how to reply to the government's questionnaire, we could only but admire his expertise. In a single paragraph he had given a nutshell description of the entire philosophy of Krsna consciousness and the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And he had described ISKCON and its activities in such a nice way that it appeared like any other respectable institution, complete with curriculum and diploma courses. Although Srila Prabhupada could not give any proof of public accreditation, ISKCON was certainly as bona fide as any other religious seminary.
Before becoming devotees we had had contact with many religious ministers, and our dissatisfaction with their preaching and disillusionment with their poor personal examples had been a major contributing factor to many of us joining the Krsna consciousness movement. After joining the movement, when on occasion we met such hypocritical ministers, we took the opportunity to explain to them the actual meaning of religion and the real qualities of a religious person. I recalled a sankirtana encounter I had with a black Baptist minister. In explaining the necessity of having a personal relationship with God, I described how our scriptures provide detailed information about the name, form, abode, activities, and associates of the Lord. But when I asked the minister for his description of God according to the scriptures he studied, he defiantly proclaimed, "No one has ever seen God. Yah know why? Because He's so big yah can't get far enough away from Him to actually see Him!"
Our experience with ministerial students was not much better. Those we met on sankirtana were hardly more convinced about their own religion than the layman who they would one day have to minister to. In fact, many of them expressed openly their inability to follow the rules and regulations required by their religions. We were reminded of a lecture given by Srila Prabhupada in Seattle, when he had me read from a newspaper clipping describing a home for alcoholic priests which had recently opened in New Jersey. More than five thousand alcoholic priests had applied for treatment. Although compared with the strictness of his Guru Maharaja Srila Prabhupada had relaxed the requirements for becoming Krsna conscious, still, the rules were far more demanding than those of the established religions. Everyone was always surprised when Prabhupada explained the four regulative principles and the daily schedule which we followed. Perhaps the Draft Board's reviewing committee would not consider "holding kirtana during lunch," "sankirtana party from twelve to four," and "evening arati" as serious educational activities. But they were educational. And as a result of these activities, we were making genuine advancement by becoming purified of all bad habits, which would never have happened by our merely studying books.
Prabhupada's concise description of the tenets and principles of Krsna consciousness was based on the authority of the five-thousand-year-old Bhagavad Gita. This would be a surprise to the government, whose only experience of ISKCON was their contact with Srila Prabhupada's young disciples as they sang and danced on the street. They were unaware of the solid philosophical basis behind chanting and dancing, which Srila Prabhupada explained as he summarized the Vaisnava siddhanta, describing the soul, the living entity, the material energy, the spiritual energy, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and love of God-pure devotional service, the final goal of life. In his proposed reply Prabhupada concluded by requesting the government to "scrutinizingly and wisely study this movement without being biased to some stereotyped ideas." Krsna consciousness was not a sectarian faith. It was meant for all people, and because it taught one how to develop love of God, it was a first-class religion. Prabhupada directly hinted at the failure of other religions as evidenced by the dwindling of faith in God throughout the whole world up to the point of some people declaring God to be dead. Civilized human beings should be disturbed at the state of affairs in the world. From the First Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada's purports clearly described the present leaders of society as unfit, being addicted to all sinful activities of the Kali-yuga. Surely Prabhupada would have liked the leaders of the American nation to appreciate the precious missionary activities of ISKCON; with their assistance, Krsna consciousness could be spread so much more vigorously. He was not, however, going to depend on them, for as he boldly concluded, his ideas and plans were already coming to fructification, even without their help. Prabhupada was convinced that our movement Srila Prabhupada said depended solely on the will of Krsna, and as it was already the express desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that Krsna consciousness be spread in every town and village throughout the world, it did not require government certification for its success.
Srila Prabhupada was teaching us to take advantage of every opportunity to spread Krsna consciousness. Now there was the possibility of the Draft Board's cooperation, so we should make every effort to secure their help. Following the guidelines chalked out by Srila Prabhupada, Umapati dasa and I began to work out an elaborate presentation for the Draft Board, which was later published as part of the first Krsna Consciousness Handbook. By Prabhupada's example we were learning not to spare any pains or troubles in our preaching work.
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
Compared with our previous, material existence, life as a devotee of Krsna was full of bliss. While in the temple, surrounded only by devotees, or on sankirtana liberally offering Krsna consciousness to the many conditioned souls we met, our mood was a joyous reflection of our new-found happiness in Krsna consciousness. Our ecstatic chanting and dancing attracted the otherwise preoccupied shoppers in downtown Los Angeles, and as we stood in line playing our musical instruments, thousands of persons got the benefit of hearing Lord Krsna's Holy Name. Visnujana dasa playing a tambura was especially attractive as he swayed to and fro, singing very melodiously, reminding us all of the painting of Narada Muni playing on his transcendental vina. As people stopped to watch, we would approach them with Back to Godhead magazines and invitations to the Sunday Love Feast program.
One thousand invitations were distributed each week, with the contents changed to suit whatever play was being presented or special event being celebrated. This system attracted many respectable families in addition to the usual hippy crowd, so with Prabhupada's permission, we began to charge an admission fee. For $1.25, a person could enjoy four to five hours of first-class entertainment: a play, kirtana, a lecture, and at last a sumptuous fifteen-course feast. It was a bargain by any standard! Noting the enthusiastic response, Srila Prabhupada gave full encouragement to my suggestions for further improvements in the Sunday feast arrangements. Srila Prabhupada said:
Kaaawa, Hawai, March 21st 1969
My Dear Tamal Krishna,
Please accept my blessings. Your letter dated March 18th by special delivery is in hand and it is so gratifying that you have already save $600 for the improvement of the temple. So I am very much pleased. Go on working like this and Krishna will give you ample money-there is no scarcity. Regarding the change of altar, you can do it later on, but your making up the feast room you can take care of immediately, because I understand that 70 or 80 people are coming to eat Love Feast. So if you decorate that room nicely, necessary equipment being there, it will attract more people. Regarding changing altar, I think you should postpone it for the time being unless you get Radha Krishna Deity from India. Immediately there is no need of change of altar-when the Deity is arrived I shall give you suggestion how to do it. In the meantime, a throne may be prepared just on the sample drawing by Murlidhar. My thanks are due to Murlidhar for designing the throne which I have received. Here both Goursundar and Govinda dasi have very much appreciated the design, and they also convey their thanks to him. Your decision to fix up the feast room first is approved by me.
I think on the receipt of this letter you will be able to finish it by the 30th of March. Yes, perform Lord Ramachandra's Birthday as gorgeously as possible. Some of the particular functions just like Lord Krishna's Birthday, Lord Chaitanya's Birthday, Lord Ramachandra's Birthday, and Lord Nrisinghadev's Appearance Day, all should be observed very nicely.
I am also very glad to learn that one Brahmachari has joined you. Please keep him nicely, because Maya's strength is very strong. I have received letter from Birbhadra and I am so glad that he writes so nicely. The certificate of his initiation is enclosed herewith. Hope you are well.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-Servant of the Servant-The West Coast Days-The Forward Soldier-Tamala Krsna Goswami
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
Having gained Srila Prabhupada's approval, I planned out the improvements for the feast room with the help of Bhavananda. We conceived an exotic scheme, covering the floor with oriental rugs, the base of the walls with multi-coloured pastel-shaded throw pillows, with silk canopies hung over the two doors leading into the feast room. Our Sunday guests appreciated the authentic, Indian-styled decor, and attendance at the Love Feast swelled.
Throughout the week we would rehearse plays dramatizing Krsna and Lord Caitanya's pastimes. While in college I had taken an interest in drama, and now I found that this could be dovetailed in the service of Krsna. In Seattle I had sat with Srila Prabhupada for several mornings at his house as he described the life of Lord Caitanya, which I was writing as a drama for our devotees to perform. Srila Prabhupada very much appreciated our dramatic performances, as did all the guests. Although the plays were not very sophisticated-two devotees covered by a bed sheet became a cow-they were an enjoyable way of digesting the philosophy, and when Srila Prabhupada was in Los Angeles, generally after each play he would speak about the subject which had been dramatized. We also put on puppet shows, of which the story of Prahlada Maharaja was everyone's favourite. Visnujana portrayed such a furious Hiranyakasipu that everyone became fearful, and Srila Prabhupada said that his performance in that play was the best of all and told us that in his youth hood in Calcutta he had also been very active as a member of his school's drama club.
While Prabhupada was confident in our ability to perform sankirtana and arrange festivals, he was far more cautious in the area of Deity worship. Prabhupada personally travelled with Radha-Krsna Deities, but thus far he had installed only the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra, as well as the picture of Panca-tattva, in the temples. To worship Radha and Krsna would demand a much higher standard. In the worship of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda by performance of sankirtana, there is no danger of offenses being committed. The merciful nature of Lord Caitanya's incarnation has been very nicely described by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Navadvipa-Mahatmya: "If one has heaps of offenses, even worshiping Krsna for birth after birth will not give love of God. Only by chanting the name of Krsna after being freed from offenses can one receive continuous krsna-prema. However, the incarnation of Lord Caitanya is different. A serious person, though filled with offenses, has the possibility of quickly obtaining love of God. When the living entities call out the names of the all-merciful Nitai and Caitanya, krsna-prema comes looking for those people. The offenses do not block the way, and they shed tears of ecstasy out of pure love of God. Very quickly, by the mercy of Lord Caitanya, all offenses will flee, the heart will become pure, and love of God will blossom. Furthermore, the offenses of Kali-yuga souls in particular are beyond counting. Therefore, there can be no other deliverance than Lord Caitanya's name. This is the proclamation of the scriptures." Our daily performance of sankirtana was the best service to Gaura and Nitai, by whose mercy we could become free of offenses and thereby qualified to approach Radha and Krsna. Our enthusiasm for sankirtana and Sunday festivals had given Srila Prabhupada the confidence to establish Radha-Krsna worship within the temple in the near future, and he carefully supervised the designing of a throne for the small Radha-Krsna Deities ordered from India. For the time being, however, he cautioned us to await his further instructions before proceeding on changing the altar.
chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)
By our active preaching, many new devotees were being attracted to join our movement. This "new blood" invigorates the life of the temple. As it naturally gave pleasure to Srila Prabhupada, I would report to His Divine Grace whenever a new recruit was made.
Srila Prabhupada said:
Buffalo, New York, April 19th 1969
My Dear Tamal Krishna,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 12th 1969, and I have noted the contents with pleasure. I am glad to learn that two new boys, Robb and Kelly, have moved into your temple. Also, it is good news that you now have a weekly course in the university there. Regarding the draft lawyer, I have enclosed the circular which I am sending out to the temples.
I thank you for the nice sentiments you have expressed in your letter, and I hope this will meet you in good health. Please convey my blessings also to the other devotees there.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
NB: I have received the twigs which you have sent to the Buffalo temple, and please continue to send them regularly while I am on the East Coast. I have also received the checks both for me and Brahmananda. Please consult Mr Greene and let me know how shall I reply the letter.