721008 - Letter to Stokha from Karandhar

10/8/72

From Karandhar

Dear Stoka Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. Enclosed find a copy of a letter written to Srila Prabhupada by Bhanutanya dasi. Prabhupada has dictated the following reply in order that it be sent to you.

First of all, Srila Prabhupada advised about the teachers carrying sticks meaning that his should only be done within the classroom. Sticks should only be used for showing, but in order to teach these children properly it requires tactics. Prabhupada gave the example of a tiger in a circus. The tiger is controlled by the trainer, but yet the trainer never strikes him with the whip. Simply he cracks it in a very fierce manner. Similarly children should be trained in the same way. Teachers should be very expert and not have to resort to actually striking, but to be able to influence and control the children by simply being very staunch and strict. Prabhupada was not very happy to receive this letter and He commented “Why am I always consulted in these matters? Do not the devotees have enough common sense to handle these things?” Prabhupada is not happy that such news is coming to Him. Prabhupada said that everyone in this age is a rogue and demon so these children are unwieldy and untrained so it will take time and kindness and perseverance to bring them to become Krishna conscious gentlemen, but to make the regulation too strict and to punish too severely will not serve to bring to become Krishna conscious devotees.

Prabhupada furthermore stated that if the teachers are not qualified to handle the children then they should be beat with the stick and not the children. So these were Srila Prabhupada’s comments to this letter and I am forwarding them to you on His direction because the letters received the last few days Prabhupada was unable to reply personally as things were very hectic in organizing for Prabhupada’s departure.

Trusting you will see to this matter,

Your servant,

Karandhar das Adhikary