770611 - Letter to Ramesh Chandra Chanda from Tamal Krsna

June 11th, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Sri Ramesh Chandra Chanda,

P.O. Nasra (Ranaghat)

Dist. Nadia, West Bengal

Dear Sri Chandaji,

I have been instructed by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to reply your letter dated 18th May, 1977.His Divine Grace has taken seriously ill and is unable to reply your letter personally.

I have very much appreciated your frustration in being unsatisfied in finding a proper guru.In the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna enjoins in the Fourth Chapter, 31st verse,

tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya

upadeksyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darsinah

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a bona-fide spiritual master.Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”

Without approaching a bona-fide spiritual master, there is no hope for getting free from the cycle of birth and death. Unfortunately many persons pose themselves as gurus, but are actually not qualified to deliver their disciples from material nescience. A bona-fide guru is one who is in disciplic succession, coming from Lord Krsna Himself. He has full knowledge of sastra and has realized the same by all argument and reasoning, and furthermore he can impart this realization into the heart of his disciple who serves him sincerely with all humility. I think you have done very well to write to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. He is actually a bona-fide guru, and has delivered hundreds and thousands of people throughout the world. My suggestion to you is that you go over to the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir at Sridhama Mayapur, and pay a visit upon Sri Bhavananda Gosvami. He is the representative of Srila Prabhupada for Bengal and will be able to give you all insight into questions which have thus far been unable for you to answer. Perhaps it will be possible for you to spend some days staying there at the ISKCON Math, and no doubt you will feel satisfied in a way which you have never been satisfied before. Hoping this meets you well.

Yours sincerely,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Personal Secretary to His Divine Grace

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

/tkg