740901 - Letter to Jayadvaita from Pancadravida

Hyderabad,

September 1, 1974

From: Pancadravida

Namah Om Visnu Padaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin Iti Namine.

My dear Jayadvaita dasa Prabhu,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. I have received your letter of August 23, 1974 and have noted the contents.

Mahamsa Swami recently returned from Vrndavana where he was summoned by Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada had just ended a seven day fast when Mahamsa Swami arrived, and now he is beginning to eat again. His Divine Grace had been very ill. Mahamsa Swami described Srila Prabhupada as being very white, and for the first time He looked very old. His Divine Grace was very weak, and when He talked it was very slowly, one word at a time, and that in a soft whisper. Prabhupada said that this was not a normal illness, but was caused by 90% of His disciples not following the devotional principles. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada had said that he requested 24-hour continuous kirtans to purify the devotees.

He had refused to take any medicine, and repeated that samkirtan was the only cure. Here in Hyderabad the kirtans continued uninterrupted for over a week, and I could see practically that this sankirtan yajna initiated by Lord Caitanya is the prime benediction. The devotees here became enthused as the kirtans continued ecstatically through the night. Devotees worked in kirtan shifts and my feeling was that every day felt like Janmastami. Prabhupada indicated that in particular the senior disciples were lax in following the principles. Actually Srila Prabhupada has said many times that what is needed is not leaders, but acharyas–those who can demonstrate by their example. In His article “What is a Goswami?”

Prabhupada has mentioned that the Six Goswami[s] did not need to tell people to chant; people would chant just by seeing them. This is the standard of purity. When someone sees a Vaisnava, just by his personal appearance and conduct they are reminded of Krishna. There is always need for us to personally see that our own devotion has not become impure, tinted by any fruitive desires, speculation, laxness, or compromise with the regulative principles. In practice there is need for the senior disciples, the GBC, the sannyasis, and advanced initiates to provide the standard for all devotees to follow. The actual purity, nirmatsaranam, cent per cent devotion is there in Srila Prabhupada. But the spiritual master as a pure representative of Krishna, worshipped on an equal level like the Lord Himself, is able to instill pure love of Krishna in His disciples, and provided we accept His instructions and practice them, to bring us up to the standard of pure, undeviating devotion to Lord Krishna. Brahmananda Swami in Vrndavana emphasized that it is important we attend all regular devotional activities, from arotiks, tulasi worship, classes, etc. and help to give our Godbrothers (what to speak of ourselves) a taste of the full-nectar of Krishna Consciousness.

Of course Lord Caitanya’s movement is sankirtan, and reports of books being distributed in astounding volume all over the world is dynamic sankirtan. Prabhupada has compared the printing press to the great mrdranga, using the words of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. We are also distributing books in the form of this life-membership program, and half of our collections are going to BBT and half to the construction of a temple here in Hyderabad which will be a beautiful center. People here are very much interested in Krishna Consciousness. In distributing, books in foreign countries in particular, devotees wear wigs and pants and shirts, etc. I Don’t want to demean these devotees’ endeavors. No one can criticize the Vaisnava who selflessly is willing to go to hell or serve in any conditions or capacity. Prahlada Maharaj said “For myself I want nothing; my only concern [is] for those souls who have forgotten the Lord.” At the same time I am still concerned that this chanting be heard all over the world, that Lord Caitanya’s Name be sung in every town and village. This also means with mrdangas, kartals, kirtan parties, book and prasad distribution, with telok, kunti mala and dhoti; as shown by Lord Caitanya with a lak of men storming to the Kazi’s house. At one time several years ago Srila Prabhupada had criticized street sankirtan for becoming, “mercenary business.” (This was at a time when high-pressure tactics were being used.) Sometimes devotees in India hear reports that many places in America, sankirtan is no longer done with instruments and chanting. Many of the devotees here are concerned at hearing this and sometimes wonder if chanting and sankirtan is being done any more, or whether only distribution with wigs, etc. is going on. You are right that efforts like those of Tamal Krishna, Visnujanan Swamis in presenting traveling sankirtan, making devotees, and enthusing temples is “alive” and I am very interested in what is being done in America, because everything I hear is usually from a third-hand source, and I want to hear from you.

Regarding that typewriter, there is no need now to get one as they gave us a Sears portable that was in Bombay, and it works well. As for pens, actually I don’t need boxes of them. I would like a couple of those Papermates and refills, though, because I always found them to be very good ballpoints. (Bics leak.) Life-members get Srila Prabhupada’s books, and then Srila Prabhupada said when they read what we have given them, then they get more. You say that the grhasthas in New York are not expecially prosperous. But I know that under Bali Mardan Goswami’s able direction that the devotees of your center will be rich in devotion and surrender to the Lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.

Prabhupada’s first disciple, a learned devotee named Prabhakar Misra has written three sanskrit prayers in praise of His Divine Grace which Prabhupada wants everyone to learn and sing. Nitai das has those prayers and I believe he will forward them to Jayatirtha das.

Aksayananda Swami and myself will send you articles soon. You can send correspondence here and it will be forwarded to me. Hoping this letter finds you in good health and enthused Krishna consciousness.

Your eternal servant,

Pancadravida Swami