770615 - Letter to Baradvaja from Tamal Krsna

June 15th, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

My dear Baradvaja Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has just received your letter dated July [sic] 2nd, 1977, and has instructed me to reply it.

Prabhupada was overwhelmingly impressed with the beautiful Deities prepared for the Krsna-Kaliya Temple in Fiji. Some of His transcendental comments were, “Just like life. Very very nice. Super-excellent, not only excellent, super-excellent.” He held the picture of Krsna-Kaliya to His head, and said, “O, it will attract so many visitors. Indian art and American artists. I wanted that combination. It is coming gradually. Gradually they are becoming very expert. You have done super-excellent. Thank you very much. That is Krsna’s mercy that you are still feeling so humble.”

Prabhupada very much liked the idea of the traveling trailers housing exhibits. He said, “It will be very nice. Without reading our books they will understand the philosophy. The mass of people, even without education will understand. From Srimad-Bhagavatam you can make hundreds and thousands of doll exhibits. Each stanza of Srimad-Bhagavatam will give you ideas. The karmis can be exhibited: dharmasya apa-vargasya etc. What is the meaning of living demonstrated by doll exhibition. When you do it I shall give you so many ideas.”

Prabhupada was very encouraged to know that other temples may order Guru and Gauranga Deities from F.A.T.E. Regarding the murtis of His Divine Grace, Prabhupada said, “If there is enough room the murti may be placed on the altar. Otherwise on the Vyasasana. Either is nice.” His Divine Grace said there is no truth to the argument that these Deities are not pure on account of the materials used to make them. He said, “bhumir apo ‘nalo vayu. The first ingredient is earth and these Deities are made ultimately from earth. Whichever material is very sound and strong you can use.” Regarding your question about making busts of His Divine Grace, as the “Radha-Govinda Gallery” is doing, Srila Prabhupada said, “If it is to be kept in libraries then it can be done.”(This was in regard to showing only a portion of the complete worshipable form.) Prabhupada explained that such busts are not actually worshiped and therefore it is permissible. When the form is worshiped as in the temple, then the entire form must be made. But for displaying elsewhere, then a part of the form may be exhibited.

Prabhupada is very anxiously awaiting the Theistic Exhibition in Washington D.C. Of this His Divine Grace said, “Yes, train up assistants. This will be appreciated by Government persons and everyone. You will do more than Columbus. In the Washington, in different compartments, a different explanation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam by slokas will attract millions of people. And you can charge entrance fees. People will gladly pay. All around there should be doll exhibits and in the middle a planetarium exhibit small size. (His Divine Grace explained that a big size one will be in Mayapur.)Not very small, but proportionate to the building and to the doll exhibit.”

It is most unlikely that His Divine Grace’s health will permit His coming to the opening of the Los Angeles Theistic Exhibition. But Prabhupada was happy to hear that you would make a film and come and show Him. So this should be done. Prabhupada did not mind your questions at all. He said, “You are always allowed to ask me questions. It is one of the duties of devotees.”

Forgive me for interceding in this letter, but I wish to offer you my obeisances for such wonderful service that you are doing which is so much pleasing to His Divine Grace. Undoubtedly you are talented by Krsna’s grace, but the credit is that you are engaging it all in His transcendental loving service. Hoping this meets you in the best of health.

Your servant,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Grace Baradvaja das Adhikari

c/o First American Theistic Exhibition

9626 Venice Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90034