Conversation with Rādhā-vallabha dāsa – Bombay, December 20, 1976

Swamiji, it is our great fortune that you have come

Radha-vallabha: I have questions from the artists.

Prabhupada: Hm?

Radha-vallabha: Questions from the artists. This is for Ninth Canto, Volume One. This is Maharaja Ambarisa performing abhiseka on the altar. Muralidhara will be painting this. And he has these musicians in the foreground. They will be off in a little bit of shaded area, and he wants to know if that's appropriate to have them like that.

Prabhupada: Oh, yes. It is all right.

Radha-vallabha: In front of the Deities. Jaya. There are some other things. Is it all right now? I have Sanskrit questions, but I think I can give those to Pradyumna. It is for Ninth Canto. This is some question from Baradraj, about, erm… He has questions and also a letter. Shall I read you the letter?

Prabhupada: Hmm-hm.

Radha-vallabha: [reading] "Dear Srila Prabhupada, Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Having received your divine order dated September 18, 1976, indirectly from Ramesvara Maharaja, I have taken it as my life and soul. The order was to finish this theistic exhibit before the Mayapur festival. This will be done, because I understand that with every order of the spiritual master the disciple also receives the blessing to carry it out. I am the most unqualified to do it, but I am hoping that you will bless me so that I can please you. There is a lot of hard work involved, and much detail to attend to, so all your sons and daughters who are involved in this project are working with great dedication and sacrifice. Seeing their enthusiasm I am gladdened, and I understand that Krsna is giving His sanction. I am herewith sending an excerpt from the narrative which will accompany the exhibit of Your Divine Grace writing in the Radha-Damodara Temple. I would like to beg Your Divine Grace to recite onto a tape the passage encircled." He's… That's over here. We have got a better tape recorder to do it with than this one. It is a short thing. Hari-sauri [indistinct]. "We also request that you kindly write those words down on a sheet of white paper. The passage was taken from your Introduction to Bhagavad-gita." Remember the mūrti that you saw when you were in Los Angeles of you writing?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Radha-vallabha: Well, they want to get… They want you to say the verse as much as possible, and that will be part of the soundtrack for the exhibit; it will be you thinking. And they want you, if possible, to write all of it or some of it in your handwriting, so that the mūrti can actually be there with the pen, and the writing will be there. "I am offering prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva that ill health will not burden Your Divine Grace. I am longing to have the darsana of your lotus feet. Please excuse me for my offenses. Your humble servant and son, Baradraj dasa." Then a short statement about the deities for the Fiji temple. He says that it won't be possible to cast them all before February because of the exhibit. We'll try to finish it before Mayapur. So the actual small-scale models are already done. They are complete. And the large modeling for the casting will be done by March, and the actual finished deities will be done by the end of April. And the other deities besides Kaliya Krsna, Guru-Gaurahga, the Nagapatnis, Radha-Krsna and Lalita-Visakha will be done by the end of March. So Baradraj says that he is sorry that he can't finish by February, but he thinks that even if it is sent off to Jaipur, they won't finish by the end of…

Prabhupada: No.

Radha-vallabha: So he should go on with his plan to finish by April. Approved?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Radha-vallabha: And Ramesvara has sent three thousand dollars cash donation for Kumbha-mela food distribution.

Prabhupada: Huh? Oh.

Radha-vallabha: I will be bringing that to Gargamuni. That is a donation from Los Angeles temple. And there are some initiation letters and other letters. I will give them to Jagadisa.

Prabhupada: Yes. Jagadisa has not come?

Radha-vallabha: I don't think so.

Giriraja: He was here about a half hour ago. Maybe he has come back.

Radha-vallabha: Pradyumna too?

Giriraja: Yes.

Radha-vallabha: There are a lot of things from Ramesvara Maharaja. What shall I do? This is an article about Christopher Isherwood, a famous Gita scholar revealed as homosexual, big Mayavadi homosexual.

Giriraja: I heard you read it last night. I heard it before.

Prabhupada: So, what is the purport? Read it.

Devotee: He is a very famous Gita scholar. Now it is revealed in Time magazine that he is homosexual. He gives a Mayavadi commentary. He really thinks everything is one.

Giriraja: He is advaita-no duality between man and woman.

Radha-vallabha: Here is the donation from Rūpanuga and Atreya Rsi. This is Rūpanuga and that's Atreya Rsi. And this is…

Prabhupada: One thousand, one hundred twenty-five?

Radha-vallabha: Yes. One thousand… And that's the rent for December.

Prabhupada: What did he send?

Radha-vallabha: Deposit in the account. This the Bombay transfer.

Prabhupada: [Transl. From America 10 lakhs of rupees come every month. And that money we spend here. Here it is…] Guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc Madhya 19.151].

Guest: [Transl. From the letter he just read I wonder how you instilled so much devotion and affection within their hearts? So much sincerity! We are unjust. Money they are bringing all right but so much sincerity they have got. They are so blessed to have such sincerity.] Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc Madhya 19.151].

Guest: [Transl. How did they get so much mercy? Mercy on fallen souls is natural. But all of a sudden so much mercy? You are full of compassion. There is no limit to your compassion. No one receives such mercy.]

Prabhupada: So what is that?

Radha-vallabha: So this is the November BBT report to the temples. This is the testimonies from the parents of the devotees. This is the BBT Trustees' report for October and November.

Prabhupada: Parents.

Radha-vallabha: Parents first?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Radha-vallabha: These are all parents of just the Los Angeles devotees, just one temple. "I am glad my son has chosen religion over so many undesirable paths. It is sad that this harassment is going on. Some people are just cruel by nature. I have to admire these young people for the daily sacrifice they are making in their welfare work. I know from first-hand experience that these accusations against the Hare Krsna movement indoctrinating its members and infringing upon their free will are false and insubstantial. I am totally against these parents infringing upon the rights of their daughter, seeing that she is of legal age and should be allowed to live her own life. Virginia T. Nino[?], parent." "I believe that the Hare Krsna movement has helped my son, and it has had a very good effect on him in respect to his becoming a useful American citizen. He is also a very devoted son to me. I also am in contact with other devotee parents, and I know that they feel exactly as I do. Mrs. Estelle Blummert." That is Madhusūdana's mother. "I think that the Hare Krsna movement has helped you and brought you away from some of the bad things that you were involved in before." This is directly to her son. "It has helped you to become more respectful to your parents and other people. I think that has helped influence your sisters to get away from their harmful views on drugs and things like that. I do feel that if you are happy, that is all you need, because when you die you will be with God. Mrs. V. Balawajda[?], former Catholic religious teacher and parent of a devotee." "I think there is certainly no harm in Kevin participating in the Hare Krsna religion. If it will fulfill his life, then he must be allowed to live happily. Dwayne and Nancy Yee." They are the parents of Ramadasa Abhirama dasa. He is that artist, working for the BBT. "We have always tried to encourage our son into taking up a religious life.

Our plans were for him to become a Catholic priest, but he has chosen this. We can see that his life in the Hare Krsna movement is so nice. We like the principles that this Society stands for. We have only wanted the best for our son, and now we can see that he has it, and we both feel that our prayers have been answered. Mr. and Mrs. John Avery." "We are thankful that our son has joined the Hare Krsna movement. We both think all the devotees are very nice godly people. Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Bitner." That is Ramesta, who is in the Sanskrit department, BBT. "I have two lovely children and three grandchildren in this Hare Krsna movement, and I am proud of it. They have never been in trouble with drugs or the police, and they live plain and peaceful lives, and they give me very much happiness every time I see them. If my husband and I were younger and not so set in our ways, we would proudly have joined such a movement. Thank you A. C. Bhaktivedanta." [laughter] "Julius and Shirley Killman."

Giriraja: Wow.

Prabhupada: [Transl. They come from outside and say] "Swamiji, it is our great fortune that you have come." Even the Christian priest, they also come to thank me.

Lady guest: Yes, one of them was Catholic teacher…

Giriraja: Yes, religion teacher.

Lady guest: Yes, that was religion teacher.

Prabhupada: When I was sick [Transl. I went for a walk and some Christian priests thanked me].

Radha-vallabha: Remember in Los Angeles that priest came, and he shaved up?

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Radha-vallabha: Remember that priest talked to you in the garden? He shaved his head the next morning.

Prabhupada: Oh, yes.

Radha-vallabha: Twenty-eight years' priest.

Prabhupada: He is still with us?

Radha-vallabha: I'm not sure. I haven't seen him. Maybe he went to another temple.

Prabhupada: Yes. He went with me to Toronto.

Radha-vallabha: Oh, so that's why I haven't seen him.

Prabhupada: And that picture in Germany, one priest. Germany? Book?

Radha-vallabha: Oh, yeah. It's in Back to Godhead?

Prabhupada: Some book. Yes, yes. Just see how reverentially he has fallen.

Radha-vallabha: [reading more testimonials] "Swami Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada is offering a productive life of knowledge and happiness in serving God and mankind. Enlightened men of America are beginning to appreciate his work, and I only regret that my fine daughter and son-in-law have been able to embrace this life more fully than I. Mr. Lionel Weiser." "I fully support my son's participation with Hare Krsna. I think it has helped him. I am happy for him and his wife and child. I think that this movement is greatly misunderstood. It should be supported. I have come to many Hare Krsna services. Mrs. Catherine San Fillibio." "I am grateful to Krsna consciousness for straightening my daughter's life and giving me peace and her peace and bringing us closer together. Mrs. Delores Servi." "From my view he has apparently adjusted to enjoying a way of life which is giving him happiness, which is all I ever wish for any of my children. Raymond Grant." That's Ramesvara's father. "We think it is very good. It is really fantastic. I agree with everything the devotees are doing and how they live. Mr. and Mrs. Pius[?] Seltzer." One devotee, Mahendra, his father was not so favorable, but then when he came to Los Angeles he saw that Mahendra had a bigger office than he did, so he became favorable. [laughter]

Prabhupada: Hayagriva's father and mother came? His father and mother came.

Radha-vallabha: Yes.

Prabhupada: They came in India. Mother was little…

Giriraja: Upset.

Prabhupada: Yes. Inclined to take him back. When I presented, I, "Take your son here," but he declined, and she began to cry. [laughter] "Take your son. Here is your son. Take your son." Father and mother, especially mother, they suffer. And unless mother is good, the son cannot be good. Our Mahamsa, he is coming from Parsi family. So in the beginning his mother came to fight with me-not fighting-but now she is very happy. Sudama returned; his mother said, "You have come to here? Immediately go again." Just see. After all, mother wants actual happiness of the son. He is seeing, "Yes, my son is very happy there." Hari-sauri's father and mother came.

[break] [indistinct conversation between devotees about tape recorder]

Radha-vallabha: So do you want me to read them? Reports?

Prabhupada: Yes.

[Tape speeds up]

Radha-vallabha: "BBT Trustees' report for the month of November 1976. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Enclosed please find the English BBT monthly divisional report, accounts receivable report…"

Prabhupada: You are bringing the bank account, the debit of these vouchers?

Radha-vallabha: Yes. You want to first see this, see the bank account? Opening bank balance at Sanwa Bank was 38,000. That's the Press. Then Security Pacific was 1,025. Over at the Union Bank 117,697. Then we had petty cash, which was small amount. So... Book sales-$359,382. Interest, $4,101. Loan payments, $25,824…

Prabhupada: This is collection?

Radha-vallabha: Yes. Yes. This is all income. [break]

[Tape speed back to normal] [indistinct] [break]

Do you want to hear Ramesvara's newsletter? This is the book distribution. First place Radha-Damodara, as usual. And second place, Los Angeles. Third place, Germany. Fourth…

Prabhupada: Tamala Krsna you cannot beat.

Radha-vallabha: No.

Prabhupada: He has some magic power.

Radha-vallabha: One thing is interesting though…

Prabhupada: In the very beginning, practically largest scale printing was done, inspired by Tamala Krsna. When I was in San Francisco, I saw that this boy was selling, so I talked with him. Then I first attempted Back to Godhead from five thousand to twenty thousand, Japanese. So I saw that he was selling more-1967.

Radha-vallabha: Sixty-seven.

Prabhupada: He was selling more. So that inspired me.

[someone gives Prabhupada flowers or garland]

[aside:] You can take it from [indistinct]. Thank you. It is so nice.

Radha-vallabha: You can smell it all the way across the room.

Prabhupada: Night Queen, eh? Night Queen, it is called?

Radha-vallabha: I don't know. Yes.

Prabhupada: Punyo gandhaḥ prthivyam ca [Bg 7.9]. This is Krsna, this smell. Who can manufacture this smell? I think I have given one article in Krsna. No? Where I have given it? "Krsna is wonderful."

Radha-vallabha: "Wonderful Krsna"

Prabhupada: Yes, yes.

Radha-vallabha: It's in Krsna book.

Prabhupada: Krsna book. [to Hari-sauri] krsnot-kirtana-gana-nartana-parau. You can divide…

Radha-vallabha: You want the rest of the book scores?

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Hari-sauri: What else is that?

Prabhupada: No, nothing. You can take this, divide this.

Hari-sauri: Oh.

Radha-vallabha: We can split it up later. I am doing all the reading. So it's Radha-Damodara, Los Angeles, Germany, then Berkeley.

Prabhupada: Germany is third?

Radha-vallabha: Yes. Germany, third.

Prabhupada: This is being done by...?

Radha-vallabha: Just one temple. Just the German temple. Jayatirtha Prabhu was there. There are these two men that come in first place in the entire movement for big book distribution every month.

Prabhupada: We thought German business is finished. [laughter] Krsna says, "No, no, it is increased." [laughter]

Radha-vallabha: So then Berkeley, then Australia traveling sahkirtana…

Prabhupada: If we win the case, then we are triumphant. Most probably settle the case.

Radha-vallabha: In Germany.

Prabhupada: Yes. England, it is doing very nice.

Radha-vallabha: I was just there. It's a very nice temple. The devotees there have a nice attitude toward one another. No fighting; very friendly and co-operative.

Prabhupada: Jayatirtha is there.

Radha-vallabha: Yes.

Prabhupada: No party-ism?

Radha-vallabha: No. They are also distributing a lot of books.

Prabhupada: There was party-ism during our Hamsadūta's time. [laughs] He himself becomes the party. [laughter]. Instead of controlling. He himself becomes the party.

Radha-vallabha: They do a lot of book distribution there now. Danavira is there. He is the man that makes so many new devotees, and he says it's the best field he's ever seen.

Prabhupada: In England?

Radha-vallabha: Oh, yes.

Hari-sauri: Hamsadūta said that. Englishmen, they join more easily than anywhere else. Very receptive.

Radha-vallabha: This boy Danavira says that the hippies in England are just like they were in America in 1968, when so many devotees started joining in America. He says that he thinks that if they work very hard they can start the same thing in England with just thousands joining, he thinks. He is very enthusiastic to make a lot of men there.

Prabhupada: They are simple-hearted than the Americans, Englishmen?

Hari-sauri: They are very simple-hearted.

Radha-vallabha: They are more polite.

Prabhupada: They have very big culture there. I have seen the higher class, lord family, and behavior is elegant. Aristocracy, the British has introduced in India. Aristocracy. Before that, the Muhammadans, Nawabs, they were also very affluent. And we Indians, we learnt from the Muslims and the Englishmen. Otherwise India was not… What is called? Popiss?

Radha-vallabha: Pompous? Extravagant?

Prabhupada: Ah. They are not like that. The Muslims and the Britishers… The Britishers, they are educated to very aristocratic in India, just to draw the respect, govern generation. Otherwise how they could rule? They knew that any moment they can drive away. Two hundred, three hundred Englishmen, and sixty million…

Hari-sauri: Six hundred million.

Prabhupada: Six hundred millions rule over. Is that easy done? Any moment… [laughs] [laughter] They knew it. Now we shall unite all nations in Krsna consciousness. It is only possibility.

Radha-vallabha: You want to hear the further scores?

Prabhupada: That's all right.

Radha-vallabha: I will leave all of this with Hari-sauri.

Prabhupada: Yes. I have got separate files. So we can go earlier to the bed.

Hari-sauri: You want to go now? It's five to nine.

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Hari-sauri: You want to go..., would you like to go now?

Prabhupada: Yes. [end]