770423 - Letter to Amogha-lila or Prasanatma from Tamal Krsna

23rd April, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

My dear Amogha-lila Prabhu or Prasanatma Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. Last night Ramesvara Swami called from Los Angeles and asked some questions regarding paintings which the artists are now going to work on. I have asked these questions of Srila Prabhupada and His Divine Grace has replied them. One of you should now book a call to Los Angeles collect or reverse charges if possible. If it is not possible to reverse the charges, keep the time on the call and Ramesvara will reimburse the temple or the BBT the charges. When you call Ramesvara you should read the question first and then read the answer given by Srila Prabhupada.

Question 1. Can the picture of the demigods praying to Krsna in the womb of Devaki from Krsna Book be repainted?

Answer: Yes, it should be repainted.

Question 2: Should the painting of Visnu standing before Devaki and Vasudeva in Krsna Book or Srimad-Bhagavatam be repainted?

Answer: They should be shown in a palatial room locked in a prison cell. So the Krsna Book painting is best. If you like you can repaint it.

Question 3: Should the picture of Vasudeva in Gokula exchanging the baby in Mother Yasoda’s arms be repainted?

Answer: It must be repainted. It is not good quality.

Question 4: Regarding the demigods offering prayers at the ocean of milk: a) Can Svetadvipa be visible in the background?

Answer: No.

b) Can Visnu be shown in the water or sky?

Answer: Yes, lying in the ocean of milk.

c) Are they standing on an ordinary beach of sand or an opulent beach?

Answer: It is not ordinary sand. It is pearls and coral and emeralds and other valuable stones and there are trees but no palaces.

Question 5: Regarding Kamsa hearing the omen and attacking Devaki: a) Is Kamsa wearing a beard?

Answer: No beard. Avoid beards in all paintings.

b) What kind of tilaka does Kamsa have?

Answer: A white dot.

Question 6: Regarding Narada appearing in the palace of Kamsa to warn him not to be lenient: a) Is Narada standing off the ground?

Answer: No, on the ground.

b) Who else is present? Were they alone or with others?

Answer: With many ministers, that is they should be showing Narada and Kamsa along with many other of Kamsa’s ministers.

Question 7: Regarding Vasudeva carrying baby Krsna across the Yamuna: a) Did Vasudeva look disheveled since he is escaping from prison.

Answer: No, not disheveled. He looked very nice.

Question 8: Regarding the eight-armed Durga form in the sky: a)Is this picture taking place in the open courtyard or inside?

Answer: Inside the house.

b) Was Vasudeva and Devaki present?

Answer: No.

c) Is Durga riding a tiger or standing?

Answer: Standing.

d) What kind of tilaka does Durga have?

Answer: A white dot.

Question 9: Regarding Krsna’s birth ceremony in Gokula:
a) At the birth ceremony is Krsna in a cradle or held by Yasoda?

Answer: In a cradle.

b) Is there a special ceremony being performed?

Answer: Throwing turmeric and yogurt, very jubilant, fire yajna with brahmanas, chanting mantras and kirtana.

Please also tell Ramesvara that if Radha Ballabha is missing any of the pages of the first chapter, 10th Canto he should telegram exactly which pages are missing and we will send them photo copies of them.

Prabhus, please make this phone call immediately today, and after you have completed the call, come and report to me that it has been done successfully.

Hare Krsna.

Your servant,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada