700202 - Letter to Lalita Kumar written from Los Angeles

Letters by Date, 1970

1975 So La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, Cal. 90034

February 2, 70

My Dear Lalit Kumar,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter along with Subal's. I am very glad to know that you are going to be married with Srimati Jambavatidevi dasi, and I bless you--be happy with your good wife and jointly be advanced in Krishna Consciousness.
Yes, opening a center in Florida is our long contemplation, and I remember the letter when you and Sridhama wrote me about this. Where is Sridhama now? I am very much anxious to know about his health. If he is there, please ask him to write me. Now, if it is possible to open a center in Florida, then you can think of it because now you will have the support of your good wife. But I think for a few days more you should take training in Philadelphia before you think of opening another center. That will be nice.
My open advice is that if any one can remain a Brahmachary, it is very nice, but there is no need of artificial Brahmacharies. In Bhagavad Gita it is stated that one who exhibits outwardly as self restrained, but inwardly he thinks of sense gratification he is condemned as mithyacara which means false pretender. We do not want any false pretenders in numbers, but we want a single sincere soul. There is no harm in accepting a wife and living without any disturbance of the mind and thus sincerely advancing in Krishna Consciousness.
I hope this will meet you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:db

Sriman Lalit Kumar das Brahmachary
ISKCON Temple
4524 Regent Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19143