770417 - Letter to Madhukara from Tamal Krsna

17 April, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

My dear Madhukara Prabhu,

Please accept my obeisances. I have been directed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 8, 1977. Srila Prabhupada has asked me to reply to your letter on his behalf.

Srila Prabhupada’s instructions regarding marriage and divorce are very clear. In Krsna consciousness marriage is sacred and it is for life or at least until the time of vanaprastha and eventually on the husband taking sannyasa. There is no divorce. If in the past some devotees in our society have resorted to divorce, this does not mean that it is approved by either Srila Prabhupada or by Lord Krsna. Neither we can say that there were no consequences. Rather, we must accept that there will be consequences:

purusah prakrti-stho hi

bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan

karanam guna-sango ‘sya

sad-asad-yoni-janmasu

“The living entity in material nature thus follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus he meets with good and evil amongst various species.” (Bg. 13.22)

Whatever the reason sometimes it happens that husband and wife do not like each other. If that is the case then they should engage their energies fully in serving Krsna according to their propensities. Problems in the material world are never solved by further material arrangements. Rather the solution lies in accepting Lord Krsna’s advice:

sarva-dharman parityajya

mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva papebhyo

moksayisyami ma sucah

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” (Bg. 18.66) If after being advised by Lord Krsna and His pure devotee Srila Prabhupada, as well as by her senior God-brothers and her own husband, your wife still does not listen, then what can be done?

Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,

Tamal Krishna Goswami

TKG/Secretary to Srila Prabhupada