671112 - Letter to Subala written from Calcutta

Letters by Date, 1967

Nov. 12, 1967

My dear Subal,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 4. I am very soon coming to San Fran. I shall let you know the exact date sometime next week. In Krishna Consciousness there is variety but there is no discord. We may fight with one another on the point of serving but that is not a discord. We must stick to the service of the Lord very seriously and that will help us make progress. In this connection I have written one letter, to Brahmananda the portion in which you may be interested is sub-joined herein.
"I do not want a crowd of Kirtananandas, but I want a single soul like Brahmananda, Mukunda, Rayarama and Satsvarupa... I have seen your statement regarding opening centers. I am not in agreement with Mr. Altman that we are expanding very thinly. In my opinion a single sincere soul can maintain a center. You know, I started the center at 26 Second Ave. alone. I took the risk of $200 rent. At that time there were no assistants. Mukunda was a friend but there was no responsibility for him for maintaining the center. Gradually Kirtanananda, Hayagriva joined but they did not take any responsibility. Still I was maintaining the establishment simply depending on Krishna and then Krishna sent me everything; men and money. Similarly, if a sincere soul goes out and opens a center in any part of the world, Krishna will help him in all respects. Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preach Krishna Consciousness. It is not academic qualification or financial strength which helps in the matter, but it is sincerity of purpose which helps us always. Therefore I wish that you will remain in charge of Santa Fe. In this way you will follow my example as I did in the beginning at 26 2nd Ave. That is preaching, cooking, writing, talking, chanting, everything one man's show. I never thought about the audience. I was prepared to chant even if there were no men present to hear me. The principle of chanting is to glorify the Lord and not to attract a crowd. If Krishna hears nicely then he will ask some sincere devotee to gather in such place. Therefore be advised that thousands of centers may be started if we find out a sincere soul for each and every center."
More when we meet. Hope you are well.

Your ever well-wisher,