770712 - Letter to Ramesvara from Tamal Krsna

Vrndavana,

July 12, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Los Angeles

My dear Ramesvara Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has just received your telegram about the biggest ever distribution in Los Angeles of 5,600 Gitas on the July 4th weekend.

His Divine Grace had this to say: “Every person who purchased a Bhagavad-gita from our men will be benefited if they read. Each line will give benefit. Our books are keeping alive this movement. All our temples are always crowded. In Los Angeles in the morning class it is very crowded. That colony has become very nice. Transcendental Meditation–what is that meditation?–15 minutes and finished. (I pointed out to Srila Prabhupada that they say that T.M. helps one to sleep.) Life is meant for sleeping?” I discussed with Srila Prabhupada about Santa Claus again this winter. I said, I don't think we give up Santa Claus suits. His Divine Grace said, “Why? It is our choice. If I want to dress in a certain way, who can check? It is not a violation of law. (I said that people challenge us that it indicates we are Christians which is misrepresentation.) Whatever it indicates I like it. Just like Indians dress like Europeans. Does it mean anything? He likes it. That is all. I may dress myself to your liking or not. You like this Christian dress (referring to Santa Claus suits). I am pleasing you. Why you are not pleased? I am not pick-pocketing you. If this dress attracts more, then why not use it? (I mentioned that the salvation army complained that we were hurting their business.) If we take the salvation army’s business, that is business, competition. (I mentioned that the salvation army gives many drunkards and others a chance to work as Santa Claus and thus earn a living). If you get money without any aim, you must be a drunkard, woman hunter, and meat-eater. Not only in this planet but in the upper planets also. The modern economy of earning money easily has forced men to become drunkards, woman hunters and meat-eaters. Just like this spectacle cleaner. It is ordinary tissue paper, but it is advertised in such a way to get money. If you know how to make people fool, then you can do business.”

Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,

Tamal Krishna Goswami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Holiness Ramesvara Swami

c/o ISKCON Los Angeles

P.S. To keep pace with the doubling of Book Distribution, Srila Prabhupada has doubled His translation work. I said to His Divine Grace that if He would agree to again double His translation next year, that the devotee would agree to again double it. Prabhupada’s answer: “Alright!”