770810 - Letter to Hari Sauri from Tamal Krsna

Vrndavana,

August 10, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Dear Hari Sauri Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to thank you for your letter dated 2nd August, 1977, which Srila Prabhupada heard with great attention.

Srila Prabhupada always enjoys hearing from you as you have gained an eternal position at His Divine Grace’s lotus feet. Srila Prabhupada appreciated your opening prayers. Srila Prabhupada was most enlivened to hear the report of New Govardhana Farm. His Divine Grace in the last month or so has been stressing the importance of these farm projects, and said, “This is the next aspect of Krishna consciousness which I wish to push forward. If I am able to travel again, then I shall visit the farms and make them perfect. On these farms we can demonstrate the full varnasrama system. If these farms become successful then the whole world will be enveloped by Krishna consciousness. From your letter I can understand how nice this farm is. I am very happy to see fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, the devotees taking sumptuous prasadam and chanting Hare Krishna. This is the actual meaning of human life. It is a very good farm, from your letter I can understand. Whatever you build, get the building materials locally. If you can manufacture tiles locally, then your house problem is solved. Build up bamboo frame, and on it place tiles. In any event, get everything locally. I wish to make a farm tour and then I shall surely visit your farm.” I suggested to Srila Prabhupada that He was the Farm Acarya, but Srila Prabhupada said, “Krishna is the Farm Acarya. Baladeva is holding a plow, and Krishna is holding the calf. Krishna advised Nanda Maharaja not to perform Indra puja but to worship the land, Govardhana because it was supplying all foodstuffs for the residents of Vrndavana and the cows as well.” So Srila Prabhupada wants you to develop this farm very nicely as it will be the future program to present to the world as the ideal of Krishna consciousness. In the cities, we are interested for preaching but we cannot present the ideal varnasrama system, this is only possible at the farms, so they are very important.

Srila Prabhupada approved of your idea of making co-presidents and said, “Yes, that is a fact, that two men working cooperatively is the best arrangement. (In regard to the $16,000 forfeiture of deposit) “What can be done? Pushing good money after bad money. Forfeit it, there is no other choice. The church property which you have described sounds very nice. Consult with the property committee, and then if they agree, try to get it. The local builders in the area can help you to get the proper zoning permits.” Srila Prabhupada was very pleased to know that you have paid off your debt to the BBT and said, “Oh, very good. Thank you very much. Your whole report is very encouraging. You are working better than Madhu-dvisah did. Thank you. You are doing very well. Krishna may bless you more and more.”

His Divine Grace is looking forward to your coming to India to serve Him again. Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,

Tamal Krishna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Grace Hari Sauri Das

c/o ISKCON Melbourne

/tkg SL_770814_A2