680221 - Letter to Mr. David J. Exley written from Los Angeles

Letters by Date, 1968

Tridandi Goswami

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami
Acharya: International Society For Krishna Consciousness

CAMP: ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
5364 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Cal. 90019

DATED: Feb. 21, 1968

Dear Mr. David J. Exley,

With further reference to your letter dated Feb. 16, 1968, I may inform you that this Krishna Consciousness movement is not a recent movement, started a few months or a few years ago, but this movement has been existing for a very long time, dating back to the Vedic Age. Without tracing the history of this movement, we can safely say that at least 5000 years ago, this movement was started from the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. Later on, it was organizedly recorded in the great voluminous literature, known world over as the Srimad Bhagwatam, and the very famous Bhagavad Gita, by the original author of Vedic literature, Sri Krishna Dvaipayana Vyas. Since that time, this movement is current in India, supported by great Acaryas like Ramanuja, Madhya, and Visnu Swami, and Nimbarka. Later on, about 500 years ago, it received great impetus from Lord Chaitanya, and since that time, there are millions of supporters for Krishna Consciousness in India. This Krishna Consciousness movement is still supported by conferences, seminars, and so forth, in several parts of India. Recently, we have started this movement in America, making New York as our center, with a view that we shall be able to attract the attention of the United Nations for spreading this important movement throughout the whole world for actual benefit of the human race.

It is not a sectarian movement meant for a certain class of men, but it is a necessary movement for all humanity irrespective of caste, creed, or color. So far I am concerned, I am a humble disciple of His Divine Grace, Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaj, who was the original pioneer of spreading this movement in the Western world. During his lifetime, up to 1936, he started 64 main centers all over the world, including centers in Berlin, Germany, and London, England. His Divine Grace entrusted me to spread this movement in the Western countries, and since 1965, I am trying in my humble way to spread this movement in this part of the world. I am recognized Acarya of this movement, as will be evidenced by the enclosed copies of different branches of the Goudiya Math institutions. The certificates enclosed herewith are signed by my God-brothers, who have now different branches of the same Gaudiya Math Institution which I am now spreading in this country. So, originating from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, there are thousands of centers all over India for spreading this Krishna Consciousness philosophy. There will be a very big conference at Mayapur, at which thousands of people will attend, celebrating the Advent Day of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in March. So, [unclear] by the United Nations, NGO Section, we shall [unclear] ate information about the United nations to millions of [unclear] in India and all over the Eastern world. We spread [unclear] ious to disseminate the ideas of Krishna Consciousness [unclear] ion with the United Nations, because it will be a great [unclear] wards bringing peace to the world.

There are always two classes of men on the surface [unclear] pious and impious. In Vedic language they are known as [unclear] and Devas. When there is an excessive number of the [unclear] the disturbances of the peace of the world is very [unclear] when there is an excessive number of the devas, [unclear] prosperity, and tranquility on the surface of the [unclear] any doubt. The Devas and the Asuras are created [unclear] mentality of Krishna Consciousness, and ignorance.

I do not know what further pertinent material [unclear] need of concerning our organization's qualification [unclear] entered upon the list of Non-Governmental Organizations [unclear] simply assure you that the enclosed copies of certification support the fact that I am recognized Acarya of [unclear] al Movement. The people in this part of the world [unclear] understanding the importance of this most needed [unclear] present day. I may inform you in this connection [unclear] court case, in which one of my students was involved [unclear] us. Before joining our Society, he was condemned [unclear] imprisonment. Fortunately enough, the boy was released as the court judge learned that he is affiliated [unclear] ution. The judge remarked, "This boy belongs to [unclear] religious order that is doing much for the community [unclear] against drug addiction, and for healthy life.

This is only one instance among many in which [unclear] in contact with our philosophy build nice character [unclear] the basic principles of sinful activities. If [unclear] for spreading this movement, and for understanding [unclear] of this philosophy by the United Nations, we shall [unclear] render the greatest service to the humanity in the [unclear] establishing peace and prosperity. The process [unclear] is very simple, and is acceptable by any member of [unclear] irrespective of caste, creed, or color, or nation [unclear] Gaudiya Math Institutions, each of them having [unclear] are our sister establishments, and we can disseminate [unclear] amounts of information through them to vast number [unclear] in India, and throughout the East.

I hope you will do your best to enlist our [unclear] the Non-Governmental Organizations, and in this [unclear] rendering the greatest service to the United Nations.

Thanking you once more for your interest in [unclear] Krishna Consciousness movement.

Sincerely yours,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

David Exley
Chief NGO Section
External Affairs Office
U.N