731108 - Letter to Jadurani written from Delhi

Letters by Date, 1973

Tridandi Goswami
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Founder-Acharya:
International Society for Krishna Consciousness

DATE 8/11/73
CENTER G 12 Anand Niketan Extension
New Delhi 110023

ISKCON Press
32 Tiffany Place
Brooklyn, New York 11231

My Dear Jadurani dasi:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 19, 1973. Yes, why not get Devahuti to paint, she's a good painter. Now I want for Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day one book of Ādi lila published, 400 pages at least, hardbound, for being distributed at Mayapur. Regarding the enclosed photo, the Yamadutas are all right. Yes, it is all right to show the subtle body looking just like the gross body. Regarding Lord Caitanya's danda, it was broken for good. So after Puri, He never took danda. So for painting Him as sannyas, it depends on the time as to whether He had danda or not. The eka danda is all right, as in the Sadbhujah picture I sent. Do not be concerned with how the Mayavadi sannyasi dandas are wrapped because we are not following them.
Kapiladev was a young man, say 15 or 16 years. He appeared as a baby. Shaligram sheela is a black stone ball, round, with eyes and nose painted with gopi chandan with a golden crown on and placed on one small sringasana. Adwaita Acarya was worshipping this way.
Regarding the aratik ceremony of Svayambhuva manu, better to have the men and women separate. That is the Vedic system. Not like in the West of co-education, because intermingling of men and women was not at all sanctioned. If he is performing aratik, how can he sit in a throne or asana?
The young girls on the bank were worshiping Siva linga. It is made from earth collected from the Ganges bank. There was no deity of Durgadevi. These Siva lingas are placed right on the Ganga bank without any throne, wherever there is a suitable place.
So why don't you come to Mayapur for sometime, not only you but all others and stay for sometime and finish the paintings locally there.
So go on with your chanting of Hare Krsna. You have written "Jaya Vali Hari," but it is "bali hari yai?" meaning "I give you all credit, all glories."
I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/bs