770720 - Letter to Prana from Tamal Krsna

Vrndavana,

July 20, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

ISKCON-RDTSKP

July 20th, 1977

My dear Prana Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to reply your letter dated July 9th, 1977.

In discussing with His Divine Grace I summarized your desire to have access to all of the many tapes which Golden Avatar has for the purpose of transcribing them into rough manuscript form to be published later on as cross references or in some other form. His Divine Grace was not very enthusiastic at all about this idea. Srila Prabhupada commented, “This is not necessary. My books are sufficient. Let all of my disciples read my books. This idea is over-burden. It will mean to many readings. Let them read whatever is there and digest it. Everything I have wanted to say I have said in my books. This will only be superfluous. Tell him to concentrate on reading my books, not on studying such transcriptions. Does he think he will find something else in these transcriptions that are not in my books?”

I think that you have bee[n] very fortunate to get this personal direction from Srila Prabhupada. It seems to me that now that you have embarked on your new service as secretary to His Holiness Dhrstadyumna Swami as well as your other new engagements, that you are turning over a new leaf in spiritual life. Formerly when I visited St. Louis temple with Tripurari Maharaja, we both noticed at that time that there was a tendency on many persons there part, to study so many other “Prabhupada’s teachings.” But now you have been fortunately blessed with the good direction from your own Spiritual Master to simply satisfy yourself in your thirst for transcendental knowledge by studying Srila Prabhupada’s existing books. Actually you should know that Prabhupada’s books are better than His speeches. This is because He concentrates tremendously and chooses each word when He writes these books. This is not my opinion but He Himself has said this to me.

I hope this meets you in blissful Krishna consciousness with full enthusiasm and determination to push forward the sankirtana movement. You may show this Letter to: His Holiness Dhrstadyumna Swami for his information.

Your servant,

Tamal Krishna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Grace Prana das Brahmacari

c/o ISKCON-RDTSKP

/tkg

[handwritten:] Copy

Dear Ramesvar This gives a definitive statement by the His Divine Grace in case any other persons are thinking to do this also. TKG