770906 - Letter to God-brothers and God-sisters from Tamal Krsna

Bhaktivedanta Manor,

September 6, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

My dear God-brothers and God-sisters of New Dvaraka-dhama,

Kindly accept my humble obeisances at your feet. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to extend His thanks to all of you for performing the ceremony of Rathayatra of Lord Jagannatha so wonderfully. Srila Prabhupada has received your loving offering of Guru-Daksina, as well as the album of photographs depicting the Rathayatra held recently in Los Angeles. Just this morning when Srila Prabhupada arose from bed, He spoke to me about how He had held Rathayatra early in His childhood. He recounted as follows: “When I was five or six years old, any carpenter I saw I would ask him why don’t you make a Rathayatra cart for me. ’Yes, why not,’ they would say. I would have my father take me to the carpenter shop, but none of them would make it. One old lady saw me crying on the street because I could not have the Rathayatra cart built. She asked my father why is he crying and my father explained because he wants a Rathayatra cart but no carpenter is making it. I have got one, said the old lady, and my father purchased it from her. He bought oil paint for me and I painted. I was also preparing fireworks for the occasion. I saw little books how to do it. My father gave me anything I wanted and thus put my mother into anxiety. And I was very persistent. All day friends and children would help me and I was never lazy. From my birth I was never lazy neither dull. Neither was I ever defeated by anyone. Whatever I would order to my parents or friends must be obeyed. Krishna has given me always leadership. How I a poor Indian, have leadership of the Europeans and Americans? And amongst the authors of the world I am also the leader.”

Now the photographs depicting Rathayatra in Los Angeles arrived from you. His Divine Grace was fully entranced on how all of you, His loving disciples and children, dedicated all of your energy in this ceremony. With keen interest Srila Prabhupada heard the description of each photograph and glanced so lovingly at each of you who were engaged in the service of Lord Jagannatha. There were tears in Srila Prabhupada’s eyes and they made a path down His cheeks as He shook His head from side to side, so much appreciative was He of the effort which you have all made. When the photographs showing the three Chariots on procession were shown to Him, Srila Prabhupada made a long humming sound, and with His eyebrows very arched He declared, “We have never seen such carts!” When the photographs showing the long lines of people lining up to see the “Changing Body” exhibit were shown to Him, Srila Prabhupada was deeply pleased and said, “I told you this would happen. I am very much glad to see this.” The experience of seeing these photographs was so much moving to His Divine Grace that He was unable to sit for His massage, nor could he take His meals. We requested Him to have His massage, but in a choked voice, He said not now. Then after two hours He retired to bed, deeply in trance meditating on the Rathayatra of Lord Jagannatha at Los Angeles.

You are all so much sincere and beloved to His Divine Grace and by your prayers Srila Prabhupada is living. Lord Krishna will surely bring His Pure Devotee to you to stay with you in New Dvaraka and there will be no limit to the ecstasy we will all feel everyday when we can sing and dance before our Spiritual Master, and praise His glorious activities.

The prayers which you have repeatedly offered in your letter, dedicating your lives to the publication and distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books, moved His Divine Grace so much that He was crying and could not speak. Your presentation of the 1st volume of the Tenth Canto to Him was so much appreciated by Him, and He is having us read it on the Supreme Lord’s Appearance Day. When Srila Prabhupada beheld the beautiful offering of the Vyasa Puja Book, He turned through each of the pages and afterwards said, “Like father like son.” You are all so much fortunate to be residing in New Dvaraka because Prabhupada is always remembering New Dvarka and all of you who are there.

Your servant,

Tamal Krishna Goswami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada