770730 - Letter to Gunagrahi from Tamal Krsna

Vrndavana,

July 30, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

San Diego

My dear Gunagrahi Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to thank you for your letter dated July 14th, 1977 and I have also received your letter dated July 6th, 1977.

Alex and his wife came to Vrndavana two days ago. They were only able to stay for the afternoon, and fortunately it was possible for them to spend about half an hour with His Divine Grace. Srila Prabhupada was very pleased with Alex and his wife and said, “These cookies (Bionic Bits) are a good invention. You have a good brain. (to Upendra) Give me tomorrow with milk, today is Ekadasi. Thank you very much for inventing these. Krishna will give you intelligence. This is intelligence, according to time and circumstances, try to push Krishna consciousness. You have to see in which way they will be able to accept it. She has understood (indicating Alex’s wife Tarani) very intelligent girl. ’Dadami buddham yogam tam.’ You are ideal husband and wife. People will learn in America how to be ideal. Keep our principles intact and preach according to the circumstances. Keep your health very nice. The unique feature of yours is that husband and wife are very beloved to each other.” The next morning I mentioned to Srila Prabhupada that Alex and his friends sometimes have difficulty in following the regulative principles very strictly. Still I felt they should be very much encouraged to go on serving. Prabhupada asked, “Are they chanting Hare Krishna?” I answered yes, they like to chant very much and Prabhupada said that that was what was most important at this point. I said that we should encourage them and at the same time ISKCON devotees should remain very ideal and keep strictly the principles. There should be an ideal Society to show the world. Prabhupada replied, “Without being strict, how it can be called ideal?”

Upon receiving your letter I mentioned to His Divine Grace that Alex was interested in purchasing a farm but it had not exactly established in whose name it would be purchased, nor how it would be managed. Although Srila Prabhupada knew of this He did not discuss it when he spoke with Alex, neither did Alex bring up the subject. Srila Prabhupada was feeling very strained lately, and so Alex was very considerate and simply was giving a good report, not wanting to tax Him. In fact Srila Prabhupada had asked that He not be taxed by anyone who visits. So this subject of the farm was never discussed between His Divine Grace and Alex. When I brought up the matter earlier, Srila Prabhupada said that our devotees must solely be in charge of the management. Otherwise it will not be ideal. Srila Prabhupada stressed that we must manage the farm. Regarding the ownership I may simply point out that if it is not owned by ISKCON then how will ISKCON be able to invest its funds? Anyway, this you will have to settle up amongst yourselves there. The meeting with Alex was certainly very pleasing to His Divine Grace and I am sure equally pleasing to Alex and his good wife. Srila Prabhupada encouraged them very much to go on expanding their activities and was very pleased to hear of the future plans for encyclopedia book distribution. Regarding your book distribution efforts, His Divine Grace is always being informed by Supersoul so He knows very well how sincerely all your devotees there are working to push forward and double the book distribution, even if it does not appear so apparent from the Sankirtan Newsletter.

Hoping this meets you well.

Your sevant,

Tamal Krishna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Grace Gunagrahi das Adhikari

c/o ISKCON San Diego