770710 - Letter to Ramesvara from Tamal Krsna

July 10th, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

My dear Ramesvara Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 29th, 1977.

Regarding Dr. Kapoor’s book, we already had a copy of it. I also immediately felt that the quote was not from His Divine Grace and I asked Srila Prabhupada about it. Prabhupada said that Dr. Kapoor pressed him so much that he agreed to let him print this statement. It didn’t particularly upset Srila Prabhupada nor did the fact that ISKCON is not mentioned. The actual fact is that the book has very little spiritual potency. It is very academic and in many ways caters to the scholarly class of people. In one place Dr. Kapoor has quoted Ramakrishna as an authority, which just indicates the value of the book. The publisher of the book wrote us two letters requesting us to help with the distribution of the book through all of our centers. I replied him explaining that we already have Teachings of Lord Caitanya as well as Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, so distributing this book of Dr. Kapoor would cause unnecessary competition. There is no question of taking any legal steps, as Dr. Kapoor is Srila Prabhupada’s God-brother and friend. Let them try on their own to distribute it; we cannot help them.

When Srila Prabhupada heard of the four choices for the location of the new Museum in Washington, His Divine Grace said, “That should be on Pennsylvania Ave.” I personally know very well all four places which you have mentioned. His Divine Grace did not at all like the idea of the zoo area and neither do I. Downtown Georgetown is, as you have rightfully said, an “entertainment district.” And the seriousness and genuine cultural nature of the doll museum would be degraded in such an area. Dupont Circle is too much of a business area, and although there are museums near there, these museums are not so frequented as far as I recall. Pennsylvania Avenue is first-class and we should get it at any cost.

It is unfortunate that Siddha Svarupa’s men are publishing such articles in their paper. Satsvarupa’s reply is quite to the point. In a recent letter to Tusta Krsna Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada had me send him a copy of one of the Sankirtan Newsletters. His Divine Grace said, “See how your God-brothers are doing. Compete with them instead of fighting. Fighting between brother and brother is going on perpetually, but do something for the father. I want to see that my books are distributed more and more.”

Enclosed please find one letter regarding Gargamuni Maharaja’s needs of Srimad-Bhagavatams.

Also find enclosed a letter addressed to all Temple Presidents and GBC, regarding initiations which should be photocopied and sent out to all Presidents and GBC. Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

His Holiness Ramesvara Swami

c/o ISKCON Los Angeles

P.S. Upon hearing that the deprogrammers are realizing how Srila Prabhupada is the cause of this brain washing His Divine Grace said: “Krsna has confined me with this illness. As I am very fond of touring they may have caused some danger. Krsna has detained me. This would have made them very happy if I had come to America: ‘Here is the old rascal who has caused everything.’ They would have dragged me to court. So instead of my going, you preach as my representatives.”