670307 - Letter to Rayarama written from San Francisco

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
TWENTY-SIX SECOND AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003 TELEPHONE: 674-7428

ACHARYA: SWAMI A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA
TRUSTEES:
Larry Bogart
James S. Greene
Carl Yeargans
Raphael Balsam
Robert Lefkowitz
Raymond Marais
Stanley Mogkowitz
Michael Grant
Harvey Cohen

Branch 518 Frederick Street
San Francisco, California,
March 7, 1967

My Dear Rayrama,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant and noted the contents carefully.

Gita Press is full of Mayavada Philosophy which says Krishna has no form but He assumes a form for facility of devotional service. This is nonsense. I am just trying to wipe out this Mayavada philosophy and you may not therefore order for any more copy of the English Bhagavatam published by the Gita Press. The one which you have got may be kept only for reference on having an understanding of the Mayavada Philosophy which is [handwritten] very dangerous for ordinary person.

The Mayavada [handwritten] Philosophy has played havoc in spiritual understanding leading to Atheistic tendency. The interpretation that one has to be naked before the Lord is also mayavada [handwritten] philosophy. The pictures which Dan might have brought in the temple are certainly un-authorised. In future before publishing any picture you must consult me. Any stage of life in Krishna consciousness may be a victim of strong material energy. Therefore we have always to take care and strictly follow the rules and regulations. You are a good boy and sincere devotee and I hope you will understand me right.

I am glad that you are getting some nice job. They have tried for so many days and still the experiment is going on. Any way if by the Grace of Lord you can help the Society it will be a great help. You are taking a great responsibility in the matter of purchasing the house. It is very good to take all risks for Krishna but for our personal satisfaction we should not take the least risk. I am very glad to learn that Brahmananda, Yourself and all others have the transcendental courage to take all risks for Krishna and this act will enhance your glory in Krishna consciousness.

So far my going back to New York I have already sent you a letter that I shall start from this place after 6th April 1967. In California the scope of Krishna consciousness is gradually taking some solid ground. Formerly when you were here the audience was hearing sitting but now a days all of them stand up and dance. In Stanford University although the demonstration was first introduced still they took it as hypnotic chant. Many Yoga societies here feeling the strength of our movement.
Yours ever well wisher

N.B. Please send me the copy of resolution you made in connection with purchasing house as also the copy of agreement made in this connection. I hope next time when go to New York, I shall accommodate in the new house. [handwritten]