700510 - Letter to Bali-mardana and Upendra written from Los Angeles

Letters by Date, 1970

ISKCON
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc.
Acharya-His Divine Grace 108 Sri Srimad A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad
3764 WATSEKA AVENUE - LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA 90034
Telephone:213-836-0966
213-836-9286
10th May, 1970

HEADQUARTERS

PAN AMERICAN
Boston
Los Angeles
CANADIAN
Toronto
EUROPEAN
London
SOUTH ASIAN
Mayapur
FAR EASTERN
Tokyo
SOUTPACIFIC
Sydney
COMMUNITY PROJECT
New Vrindaban, West Virginia

My Dear Bali Mardan and Upendra,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated by Post 5th May, 1970.
So it is very encouraging that people are coming to the extent of 40 heads, and they are trying to understand the importance of this great movement, and any sane man will be able to understand that. But I do not know why our students who are supposed to be the leaders of this movement will fight amongst themselves for supremacy. Our whole process is of surrendering.
We are taught to address others as Prabhu. Prabhu means master; and the leader of the masters is called Prabhupad. So if the Prabhus have surrendered to the Prabhupad, why there shall be such mentality of occupying the superior position? This is contradictory.
Kindly stop this unnecessary misunderstanding. Both Upendra and yourself are competent and experienced, so please adjust your disagreement amongst your selves. It is my request. As a matter of fact, as you are the pioneer in taking all risks to go to Australia, naturally you shall be considered as the leader, but a leader's position is also very grave and responsible. A leader has to lead others very tactfully and intelligently. Kindly, therefore do not quarrel, but go on with your duties progressively.
I can understand very well that Upendra is feeling very much disturbed on account of Chitralekha's absence, it is quite natural, but what can I do? I have arranged for $500 also, but the Australian Immigration detained her for a technical reason. This is already informed in detail to Upendra by Madhudvisa, as I understand. So this is the position.

In the meantime, things should run on as it is, and if there is any need of change, we shall consider about it when Chitralekha goes there. Please try to organize the new center as nicely as possible even at personal inconvenience--that is real service. Krsna is sitting in everyone's heart, He knows everything what to do, so depend on Him and do your duties patiently. Maya is very strong, and we are liable to fall down at any moment. We have to gather our strength by chanting the beads sixteen rounds regularly and praying to the lotus feet of Krsna for guidance.
I hope both of you will kindly follow my instruction and forget if there is any accidental disagreement.
Hope this will meet you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:db

Sriman Bali Mardan Das Brahmachary
Sriman Upendra Das Adhikary
ISKCON Temple
26 Horderns Place
Potts Poirt
Sydney 2011, M.S.N.
Australia