720220 - Letter to Satadhanya written from Calcutta

Letters by Date, 1972

Tridandi Goswami A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Date: February 20, 1972 Camp: ISKCON Calcutta, 3 Albert Road, Calcutta-17, INDIA

My dear Satadhanya,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated January 29 and I have noted the contents. Thank you very much for your sincere endeavor and faith in your Spiritual Master. The key to success in spiritual life is to always endeavor to please the Spiritual Master, and follow his instructions. One who is determined in this effort will advance very quickly in Krishna consciousness.
So far personal association with the Guru is concerned, I was only with my Guru Maharaj four or five times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am following his instructions, I have never felt any separation. There are some of my Godbrothers here in India who had constant personal association with Guru Maharaj, but who are neglecting his orders. This is just like the bug who is sitting on the lap of the king. He may be very puffed-up by his position, but all he can succeed in doing is biting the king. Personal association is not so important as association through service.
We have just had a very successful program in Madras, with many prominent men, including the Chief Justice of Madras, taking an active part in this sankirtan movement. We are proceeding to Mayapur to celebrate Lord Chaitanya's appearance day, and then to Bombay. From there I will go to Australia, Hong Kong, and I plan to arrive in Japan sometime in May.
Please offer my blessings to the others. Hoping this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Sriman Satadhanya Das Brahmacari
ISKCON Tokyo
3211 Minami Asakawa-cho
Hachioji-shi 193
Tokyo, Japan

ACBS/nkd