770618 - Letter to Giriraj from Tamal Krsna

June 19th, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

My dear Giriraj Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet.

Svarupa Damodar Prabhu asked me where his offices should be at Hare Krsna Land because he wants to get a telephone installed. I brought up the question to Srila Prabhupada, and His Divine Grace said, “He must be given the best offices of all in the new towers. We want to present the Institute very prominently.” So kindly help Svarupa Damodar Prabhu to choose the best rooms which will be suitable to his Institute’s needs.

Regarding another matter, the completion of the temple and towers, when Gopal Krsna just arrived here he told Prabhupada that the marble work would probably not be finished. Later on that day at lunch Srila Prabhupada called me in and He was very much unhappy. He said to me that we are all “yes men” of Surabhi Swami. Surabhi Swami has been saying for so long that it cannot be finished, and we don not dare to ask why not? Instead we all simply repeat, “Surabhi Swami says it cannot be finished on time.” Prabhupada said that there is sufficient time to cover all of the domes with marble as well as the rest of the temple. Can we not stop being “yes men”? You are there, so it is up to you. Perhaps Gargamuni Maharaja can look into this and use his intelligence how to get this building work completely finished on time to please His Divine Grace.

Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Grace Giriraj das Brahmachary

c/o ISKCON Bombay

/tkg