770910 - Letter to Ramesvara from Tamal Krsna

Bhaktivedanta Manor,

September 10, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Los Angeles

My dear Ramesvara Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. I beg to thank you for your letter dated August 25th, 1977.

Radha Ballabha Prabhu has been here and seems to be in good spirits, very eager to take up preaching work. I do not think that he minds at all the change. He seems in good consciousness, eager to improve himself spiritually.

Regarding the desire of the “fringe group” in Laguna Beach to have ISKCON sell the Laguna Beach temple, we are not interested to sell our temple. Neither we depend upon them for spreading Krishna consciousness in Laguna Beach. We are quite satisfied with our temple in Laguna Beach. If they would like to donate money to us or help us, that is very nice, but we do not depend upon their funds. We are very satisfied to follow the four regulative principles and to worship the Deity and chant Hare Krishna, and our temple in Laguna Beach is a success because that is what is being done there. These people are not able to do this strictly at all, so what is the question of selling the temple to them? It is completely out of the question. They say that they do not trust ISKCON, but this actually means that they do not trust Srila Prabhupada. Actually they do not understand Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada’s desires, as is evidenced by their nefarious businesses and personal habits. Our ISKCON temple in Laguna Beach is non-different from Srila Prabhupada because all of the activities which are being conducted there are being done so strictly under the instruction of His Divine Grace. Therefore anyone who does not like the way we conduct Krishna consciousness does not actually like Srila Prabhupada. This has been stated by Srila Prabhupada Himself who recently wrote in regard to Tusta Krishna Maharaja, “If you criticize our book distributors then you are actually criticizing me.” I am not very worried that they may come and see Srila Prabhupada. Because even if they ever did talk with His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada would simply have the matter referred to the GBC. Neither they will be able to bribe their way into seeing Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada’s sees people not because of money but because of Krishna consciousness.

You mentioned that the rent dividend for August is enclosed in your letter, but actually it was not there. Please send it immediately.

When I read to Srila Prabhupada the Sankirtana Newsletter, I mentioned that now the European temples are defeating Los Angeles in book distribution. Prabhupada said, “But Los Angeles is defeating them by Rathayatra.”

Hoping this meets you in the best of health and Kasna consciousness.

Your servant,

Tamal Krishna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada