Letter to: Rupanuga — Camp: ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple 518 Frederick Street, San Francisco, Cal, 94117 — 12 April, 1968

My Dear Rupanuga,

Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter dated April 9, 1968, and I beg to inform you that I received your former letter stating therein something shocking to your sentiments, and I guess that there might have been some misunderstanding between you and your God-brothers. I was just awaiting to receive your letter from Buffalo, now I understand that you have returned back, and the handbills and the newspaper cutting which you have sent me I have read with great interest. I am very much hopeful about your future activities and career because by Krishna's Grace, you have understood the philosophy, which we want to preach to the world. It is very important task that you have voluntarily accepted, and I am sure that Krishna will give you more strength and benediction to preach this cult to the humanity at large. I have always my blessings upon you, and I shall request you don't be soft in slight disturbances. Lord Chaitanya has advised us that we should be more humbler than the grass, and more tolerant than the tree, and be ready to offer all kinds of respects to others and claim no respects at all for ourselves. In this attitude we can preach Krishna Consciousness, A preacher has to meet many obstacles, and opposing elements; that is the history of all preaching activity. You know better than me how Lord Jesus Christ met crucifixion by the opposing elements. So also, Lord Nityananda also was hurt by the two brothers Jagai and Madhai, and still He delivered them. So we should always remember that when working on behalf of Krishna, Krishna wants that His misguided sons may be reclaimed, and anyone who may help Krishna in His mission, is very much appreciated by Lord Krishna, So I shall request you to remain steady, and strong in your preaching work, and if there is something shocking you should take it as ephemeral

I am so very much pleased that you are trying to develop the Buffalo center nicely. I plan to return to N.Y. by the 17th, so either you meet me them at the airport or not, it doesn't matter, but if possible, try to see me later in N.Y. at your convenience. I understand there is also engagement at Philadelphia on the 25th, You are looking for taking nice house as stated in your letter "1 would like ample living quarters" and that is very nice. It is not necessary that we require a storefront; any place which is convenient for our preaching work is welcome. It doesn't matter whether it is in public store front, or in a secluded apartment. We should try our best to convince some students about this philosophy and if out of many, one or two come out successful, that is very good. Also, if your wife comes back to you, she should be welcomed. In your last letter, or in a former letter, it was stated that your wife is in cooperation spirit now, so if she resides with you, it is a very good idea, and especially your boy. He is getting Krishna Consciousness idea from childhood, and he should be given opportunity for further development.

The article which has appeared in the Spectrum paper is mixed appreciation, Regarding Maharishi Mahesh, your remark as fraud is most appropriate, but we should be little careful so that public may not misunderstand our viewpoint. Undoubtedly, he is a fraud number one, but because the present public, especially in this country, want to be cheated by fraud propaganda, Krishna sends them some fraud man. Our point should be not to decry somebody, neither eulogize somebody, out of Krishna Consciousness. We should positively present our case with strong conviction and try to describe it logically as far as possible, for the understanding of the people in general. After all, this philosophy is simultaneously very difficult to understand, and at the same time, very easy to grasp. Unfortunately, people have been taught in all respects to forget God, so it takes a little time to convince them and to eradicate their darkness of und-erstanding. But if we chant this transcendental vibration of Hare Krishna, it will help us to a greater standing. Therefore, the process which you adopt, chanting in the beginning and at the end, is the standard way of preaching.

I am doing here the same system, and I had many programs in places here, in Stanford University, California College, San Francisco College, Public Library, Unitarian Churches and Sunday schools, and there was good response, t am send-ing herewith one copy of appreciation from the Oakland Public Library. So the idea is that we will stick to our principles and preaching with conviction, and the result may be left to be decided by Krishna. Even we are not successful, Krishna will appreciate our attempt to serve Him.

I very much appreciate your activities and be rest assured that you will come out successful by the Grace of Krishna. Hoping you are well.

N.B. Please try to find out some bookseller who may sell our books; we have got so many books now, Srimad Bhagwatam, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, and Bhagavad Gita, that we need to sell them in big quantities.

Rupanuga das Adhikary
c/o Lal Goel
ISKCON
53 Englewood Avenue
Buffalo, New York

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