680326 - Letter to Mukunda written from San Francisco

Letters by Date, 1968

Tridandi Goswami
AC Bhaktivedanta Swami
Acharya: International Society For Krishna Consciousness

CAMP: ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple
518 Frederick Street
San Francisco. Cal. 94117

DATED .March.26,....................1968...

My Dear Mukunda,

Please accept my blessings. I am sorry I am delayed to reply your letter dated March 14, 1968, which I received over a week ago. I am very glad that you are repentant even for some action which is not sanctioned by me. This attitude is very nice and improves one in progressing on the path of devotional service. The Rakhi Bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of Prasad isn't approved by our Vaishnava rituals. Of course, such ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a socio-religious convention. But in our Vaishnava community there is no such observance. Now, forget the incidence, and in future don't be misled by some unauthorized person. Our next ceremony is Lord Ramachandra's Birthday, on the 7th of April. It should be observed in the same way as Lord Chaitanya's Appearance Day, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept Prasadam, and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous Kirtan, of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama. That will make all our functions successful.

Anniruddha is here and he is waiting for the statues of Radha and Krishna which is being expedited by Goursundar, and most probably he will be starting back for L.A. on Friday morning. How Woomapati is feeling there? I have not heard anything from him. In the meantime I have received one letter from Hayagriva, and he was anxious to come to San Francisco during his summer vacation. In meantime, I have also received one letter which is very depressing from Hrishikesh. I understand that he has been induced by Bon Maharaj to be initiated by him for giving him shelter, and this foolish boy has accepted his inducement. This isn't very happy news, and I have replied Hrishikesh's letter in the following words, which please take note, and in the future, we shall be very cautious about them. "My Dear Hrishikesha, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of March 14, 1968, and I am greatly surprised. I am greatly surprised for Bon Maharaj's initiating you in spite of his knowing that you are already initiated by me. So it is deliberate transgression of Vaishnava etiquettes and otherwise a deliberate insult to me. I do not know why he has done like this but no Vaishnava will approve of this offensive action. I very much appreciate your acknowledgement of my service unto you and you will always have my blessings, but you must know that you have committed a great blunder. I do not wish to discuss on this point more elaborately now, but if you are desirous to know further about it, I shall be glad to give you more enlightenment. Mukunda is not here. He has gone to L.A. Hope you are well." If Hrishikesh writes you letter I think you may avoid reply. I do not approve both Hrishikesh's and Bon Maharaj's this offensive action. Hoping you are both well.

Your ever well-wisher,

P.S. Please try to organize a very nice temple in L.A. [handwritten]