680226 - Letter to Brahmananda written from Los Angeles

Letters by Date, 1968

5364 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Cal. 90019

February 26, 1968

My Dear Brahmananda,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Feb. 24, along with two copies of letters, one from Purushottam das Brahmachary at Vrindaban, another from Teen Activity Center of Kings. This letter from the Activity Center is very hopeful for our Kirtan propaganda. I am very much ambitious for leading a Kirtan party, especially all over your state, and Europe. Hansaduta is trying to organize this party. If you can move with this Kirtan party, say a batch of 12 to 15 heads, all over the States, as well as Europe, I am sure we will be more popular than the so-called yogi Maharishi Mahesh. I have received another letter from Achyutananda in which it appears that he is not fixed up in staying in India. He is very seriously thinking of coming back, and this is very disappointing. If he comes back then our dream of opening a center in India is not very encouraging, because Kirtanananda came back, Ramanuja has joined with the Buddhist camp, and Achyutananda at the beginning showed very encouraging hopes, but that is gradually vanishing, and he is eager to come back. The other two boys living with Bon Maharaj, they are not very much hopeful, especially Harivilas. I have heard about him lots of things from Ramanuja and Achyutananda, and you have written about him that he is little fanatical. Under the circumstances, how it is possible to combine them together and open a branch in India? If I would have been there, I could manage, but I am here. I do not think Rayrama may prepare to go to India at the present moment. When I return to New York, we shall consult together and do the needful. In the meantime, let us consolidate our energy for bringing the books.

My health is ordinarily good, but that hissing sound sometimes is disturbing me. I consulted a physician here, and he has given me some medicine, but it is not improving.

I have written today one letter to Achyutananda to come back if he thinks seriously to do so. I have received the copy of your letter sent to Dai Nippon and if they agree to the proposal, it is all right.

Regarding Purushottam Brahmachary's letter from Vrindaban: if you think you are able to purchase 340 copies at 40% discount, then you can send one letter to Narayan Maharaj asking if he will take the responsibility of receiving the books from him, and pack them and send to Calcutta to our shipping agent. If he wants to take the responsibility and the trouble to do this, then you can send him bank draft being the price of the books, and he will do the needful. In the meantime, I am surprised you have not received the documents from United Shipping Corporation. I have sent you copy of their last letter in which it is said the goods have been shipped by S.S. Flying Enterprise on the 14th of January, 1968. As such, the ship should have reached by now New York, so please take information immediately whether the ship has arrived and also send immediately one letter to the United Shipping Corp. I think nowadays it takes a long time to arrive in New York from Calcutta on account of the Suez Canal being closed. Anyway, you should find out the list of arriving ships from the port information and do the needful. If the ship is arrived recently, send them a telegram why the documents not received.

I am glad to understand that Lord Jagganatha is being repaired, and after this he will begin carving Sri Radha Krishna Murti. I am getting one Pair carved by Goursundar. Please find out if this boy Bob has got any knowledge or experience of casting, or any such equipment. I want to make 100 Murtis, probably in hard rubber, for our Temples. Hope you are well.

Your ever well-wisher,
[unsigned]

N.B. You have asked about the printing of Srimad Bhagwatam. The printing of the next 3 volumes has already begun in India. But if it is possible to print it here, then, as you know, we have got 50 or so more volumes, and they can be printed here if it can be arranged. But the next 3 volumes have already begun being printed in India, and I have sent you the specimen copy of printing. If printing of Bhagwatam is done here and a Kirtan party is organized then I shall never go back to India. I shall stay here in your good care till my death. Hansaduta will help me in establishing a New Vrindaban in the West. Please inform Hansaduta that I have received his encouraging letter: I am glad to learn that Sriman Umapati is coming to see me. He is heartily welcome. Kindly care of the shipping affairs from India.