Dictation of Letter to Russian – January 5, 1977, Bombay

Read Hare Krsna literature. Hare Krsna is wonderful

Gopala Krsna: Yes, of course if the Russian government...

Prabhupada: You can reprint this for distribution here, Russian ships.

Gopala Krsna: Russian ship... Yes. The only danger to this will be that if the Russian government finds out that we are translating Russian literature... Because hearing "propaganda"-this is what the Christians do-then they will crack down very hard on our disciples there.

Prabhupada: Where is my disciple there?

Gopala Krsna: Well, only a few you have, Ananta-santi. And they won't let us go there at all in the future.

Prabhupada: That doesn't mean we shall not do that.

Gopala Krsna: Then they will think...

Prabhupada: "They'll think." It is. Why shall I not do it?

Gopala Krsna: Okay.

Prabhupada: All thinking, actually. We must do it. So where is that card? Bring it. I shall dictate.

Gopala Krsna: That card?

Prabhupada: Your card is...

Gopala Krsna: Yes, that's on my side. You don't want that card, do you?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Jagadisa: Yes. He wants to see it.

Prabhupada: It is addressed to you?

Gopala Krsna: Yes. I'll show it to you. It just says "Happy New Year." That's all.

Prabhupada: That's all right. Still, we have to reply them with this copy.

Gopala Krsna: Okay, very good. So I should take a dictation?

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Gopala Krsna: Okay.

Prabhupada: Who has signed that?

Gopala Krsna: That's from Mr. Yekinova. I had met him in Moscow. He's now in Delhi with the Russian...

Prabhupada: What he is?

Gopala Krsna: He is a chief of the Russian agency that imports books into Russia.

Prabhupada: Well, so address him.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. "Dear Mr. Yekinova."

Prabhupada: So it has come from Delhi?

Gopala Krsna: Yes.

Prabhupada: So give the Delhi address, embassy.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. I will... I have told them that we don't have any Bhaktivedanta Book Trust offices in Bombay, because I did not want them to visit our... I told them our Bhaktivedanta Book Trust office is in Bombay, because then he would have said, "I'll come and visit you in your office," and then he would have come to the temple. So we don't want to show any connection with ISKCON for Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Prabhupada: Why?

Gopala Krsna: Because then they'll find out it's a religion and they will stop it at once.

Prabhupada: As soon as he reads the book, he will find, according to the books.

Gopala Krsna: Well, what I told the Russians was that ISKCON buys all the books from Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Prabhupada: So just keep that position. What is...?

Gopala Krsna: Yes. I mean we have to keep it...

Prabhupada: But we have got pictures of God, and with every page there is Krsna, and how you can hide it? This is another foolishness. Every page, there is Krsna, and there is nothing but Krsna.

Gopala Krsna: But by the time they find out, we are already in the country. For example, if I would have told them about ISKCON before, when I was applying for my visa...

Prabhupada: No, no... Anyway, they may find, early or later. But how you can stop them finding? It is simply impossible[?].

Hari-sauri: Anyway, they expect that something coming from India is going to have something to do with God.

Gopala Krsna: We are saying... What I said that Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is dedicated to publishing books on ancient Indian culture.

Prabhupada: You say like that. Whatever you like, you can say. But when they read the book it is simply...

Jagadisa: Krsna, Krsna.

Prabhupada: ...Krsna. That's all. [chuckles]

Gopala Krsna: Yes, but the scholars, the Russian scholars, know... [break]

Prabhupada: They have published their photograph in the paper. They take it, whatever... But the things are already there. So "Dear Mr. such and such, I thank you very much for your greetings card received recently. This cultural movement is depending in future on Russian intelligence and Indian culture. On this cultural movement, recently our Stockholm center has published one book..." What it is written here?

Jagadisa: Easy Journey to Other Planets.

Prabhupada: In Russian language?

Gopala Krsna: Yes.

Jagadisa: I don't know if I can...

Prabhupada: "Easy Journey to Other Planets. So this is a different culture, how to go to other planetary system, how to transfer the soul from one body to another. In other planets there are also living entities. One can transfer himself, after giving up this body, to anywhere he likes without any help of the sputnik...

Hari-sauri: [dictating to Gopala Krsna:] "...himself, after giving up this body..."

Prabhupada: "...and without the help of the sputnik or any flying machine. This is the mystic system unknown to the world, but it is authorized in the Vedas, original culture of the human civilization."

Gopala Krsna: "...is authorized in the Vedas..."

Hari-sauri: It's on the tape. I'm recording it too.

Prabhupada: So, "A preliminary booklet is presented herewith to your good self. Kindly read it carefully and let me know your reaction. We are prepared to answer all intricate questions in this ques..., in this subject." In this way present.

Gopala Krsna: Fine. I have made a lot of friends in Russia. I was going to send them. Only problem... Actually, I'll tell you what's happening with my correspondence with Russia. The Russian spying agency is so strong, they're not letting my letters get through, because...

Prabhupada: Then don't send. What is the use of sending?

Gopala Krsna: Yes. Actually what I was thinking of was, in my letters...

Prabhupada: First of all see one man. Test.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. I was going to mention to him in my letter that I'm surprised how I'm not getting replies to my letters from the people I visited in Russia.

Prabhupada: Why? Why you should inquire from him? If you know that there is difficulty, why should you inquire?

Gopala Krsna: Well, he can then have his Moscow address office get me the replies.

Prabhupada: Why? Why you are anxious to get their reply? Their country is like that. Why? Yes. Why should you bother and strain your brain unnecessarily?

Gopala Krsna: Okay.

Prabhupada: You should know they are all rascals. That's all. But here we get an opportunity. You can write, present that to...

Gopala Krsna: Yes.

Prabhupada: Where is the other book?

Jagadisa: Have we got two? Which ones?

Gopala Krsna: Oh. So I can take one. And I can order some more from Stockholm and send them to these people as gift.

Prabhupada: No, they can send directly. They can write under instruction.

Gopala Krsna: Okay. Okay. That's okay. That's why I got... I got a letter from Rajiv Gupta today.

Prabhupada: I have read that letter.

Jagadisa: Yes.

Gopala Krsna: He's... I told him to do the Gita because he was very, very anxious, and I found that he was the most enthusiastic. So he's already completed... He promises me by February it will be completed.

Prabhupada: If he's enthusiastic, let him do.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. He knew that we gave it to Dr. Paliwal, so he said, "I will do it. Don't let her do it." So at the present moment three people are doing the Gita. There's another professor in Lucknow who I told to do also. We don't know whose will be perfect. But I think Rajiv is most enthusiastic to do it. I think Paliwal will be little slow. And then we can see whose Hindi was the best.

Prabhupada: That you do not know very much.

Gopala Krsna: No, I was going to present it to you, to scholar and then to you. This man I brought today, that assistant editor, I think he will help. I can gradually give him work, and he's in Bombay. His Hindi is very good. He's assistant editor, so...

Prabhupada: So you do that. Get the help of composition and monotype.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. This is the biggest... The Teachings of Lord Caitanya I gave for composing four months ago, and still they're going so slow.

Prabhupada: The hand set-up is not...?

Gopala Krsna: Yes, but in Delhi I could not find any. The only one in Delhi who has mono is Times of India, and it's very difficult to get it done. And so that I had no alternative.

Prabhupada: In Calcutta there are many.

Gopala Krsna: I found out that in Allahabad there are a lot for Hindi. But then we have to have somebody over there.

Prabhupada: Allahabad.

Gopala Krsna: Yes, I mean, one devotee or someone who will supervise it. I suspect Bombay will be much more expensive, but I want to check. Tomorrow I'll check it.

Prabhupada: Allahabad, we are going.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. But right now is Kumbha-mela in Allahabad. Everything's going to be in so much rush, it's going to be hard to do any business.

Prabhupada: No, businessmen are there all right. I was doing that business. So in my shop they..., visitors used to come there.

Gopala Krsna: That's all. [pause] Srila Prabhupada, this morning Ramesvara Maharaja and Hrdayananda Maharaja spoke to me.

Prabhupada: I have heard that. That's good idea.

Gopala Krsna: That's good idea? So Hrdayananda Swami and Kirtanananda Swami are going to Africa. And on the 9th they told me to send a telegram signed by you saying you are sick and you want Brahmananda to come immediately. So then Kirtanananda Swami will personally bring Brahmananda Swami to India. But they want him to become your permanent secretary again.

Prabhupada: I have no objection. I have no objection.

Gopala Krsna: You have no objection. Okay. And Hrdayananda Swami is ready to manage Africa till the festival.

Prabhupada: He was experienced, Brahmananda, in Africa. Where is that Cyavana? He is gone?

Gopala Krsna: Cyavana?

Jagadisa: He is a big mess.

Gopala Krsna: Cyavana Swami?

[break] I think they're going to have war in Africa pretty soon. They're going to have war.

Prabhupada: War. Civil war?

Gopala Krsna: No, between... Not where Kenya is, but between Rhodesia and Zambia, in that area.

Hari-sauri: Whites and blacks.

Gopala Krsna: Yes, Rhodesia.

Hari-sauri: Whites and blacks.

Prabhupada: That is inevitable. The whites cannot...

Gopala Krsna: Rhodesia has rejected...

Prabhupada: ...cannot kill them, repress any more. That is not possible. The other blacks will join.

Gopala Krsna: And it appears that even President Carter of America is more soft on the blacks now. He is more sympathetic. So if they get American support...

Prabhupada: Nowadays you cannot be a suppressor of any particular foreigner. That is not possible.

Jagadisa: Except the religious community.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Jagadisa: Except the religious community.

Prabhupada: Yes. They will suffer, both of them, because this is not civilization. This is assembly of dogs. That's all. So there trouble must be there. You cannot keep the dogs peaceful. That is my final... If you keep them animals, how you can expect?

Jagadisa: That's not only between nation to nation.

Prabhupada: Everywhere. Everywhere. If the men are kept as animals, you cannot expect them peaceful citizens. That is not possible. The fighting will go on, on one plea or another. You cannot stop. [pause] Was it...? You have...? Palika?

Gopala Krsna: Maharaja got the income tax today. The income tax also, and our auditor and our... Their interpretation of the law is so rigid, Srila Prabhupada. We have to say so many lies. For example...

Prabhupada: That you may not bother me.

Gopala Krsna: No.

Prabhupada: So you can make idli? What is called? Is it called?

Palika: Tonight?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Palika: No. Because I have to grind... It has to soak, then I have to grind it. Then it has to sit for six or eight hours.

Prabhupada: Ohhh.

Palika: I can prepare it now for tomorrow night.

Prabhupada: All right, for tomorrow night.

Palika: Anything else you would like tonight?

Prabhupada: No. I wanted to take that idli, one or two cakes.

Gopala Krsna: So Prabhupada, I can go to Santa Cruz and get you very nice idlis. They have a very nice Madras cafe there.

Prabhupada: I think some of our men, they make. Mr. Menon?

Gopala Krsna: Yes, his wife is sick. So I don't know if he would make it right away. You want to eat it right away, tonight, isn't it? There's a nice Madras cafe near Santa Cruz station on Vile Parle. I can go and get you from there.

Prabhupada: If you can get, bring.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. Shall I bring that coconut chutney also?

Prabhupada: Yes. That is essential.

Gopala Krsna: Okay. I'll bring four... I'll bring about six or eight.

Prabhupada: You can bring. I'll take, utmost, one or two.

Gopala Krsna: Okay. I'll go and bring it now.

Prabhupada: So I have decided to construct a temple in Bhubaneswar.

Gopala Krsna: You have? Okay.

Prabhupada: The condition is that I'll invest money for Oriya language books, and you'll sell-half the collection for temple, and half the collection for printing again, the same principle.

Gopala Krsna: They won't be able to collect one crore by selling books.

Prabhupada: No, no, if they can, I have no objection. [laughter] I can give them ten crores.

Gopala Krsna: [laughs] But they'll never be able to...

Prabhupada: No, that you cannot say. It is all in the hands of Krsna. Not one crore; say a few lakhs. He's ready to go town to town, village, in Orissa. He wants that in my absence somebody must be there to look after the construction. That is quite reasonable.

Gopala Krsna: Oh, yes, definitely.

Prabhupada: So I have told them, "Any amount I can invest. You print book and sell."

Gopala Krsna: Very good.

Prabhupada: That is my open secret: print books and distribute, and spend half in whichever like you do, and half, again. That is my ambition. I want to see our philosophy is widely spread by different literatures. That I want to do.

Gopala Krsna: Yes. That will be very good. There are a few people here, like Vijeta, who is Saurabha's assistant, he could probably go to Bhubaneswar and supervise the construction.

Prabhupada: Yes. So arrange.

Gopala Krsna: There are too many people here. We don't need that many in Bombay for the Bombay construction.

Prabhupada: So let him come to Bhubaneswar. I am going after Kumbha-mela. And begin the work immediately.

Gopala Krsna: We already have...

Prabhupada: And we have got one gentleman, professor. He is good learned scholar. I can engage him for translating.

Gopala Krsna: Oriya. Very nice.

Prabhupada: He is writing like machine. I can see the manuscript. In this way, arrangement like that.

Gopala Krsna: Very good. We just printed two books in Oriya: Topmost Yoga and one more.

Prabhupada: He likes Oriya language.

Gopala Krsna: Who? Gaura-Govinda Swami? He is very sincere devotee.

Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Undoubtedly.

Gopala Krsna: Very sincere.

Prabhupada: Krsna sent him. He... In Vrndavana, he said that "Please give me shelter." I thought that "There are so many Indian comes and go." So when he insisted, "All right, you stay." [chuckles]

Hari-sauri: Yeah. He took sannyasa at the opening of the temple. I remember that.

Prabhupada: He's a good boy.

Hari-sauri: He's stuck it out for a long time in Orissa. He's been there a long time, by himself a lot of the time too.

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. He's organizing nicely.

Gopala Krsna: He's very sincere. He follows all the regulations very rigidly. He gets up in the morning. Ideal example.

Jagadisa: He understands the philosophy quite well.

Prabhupada: Oh, yes. And he is educated. He is B.Sc.

Hari-sauri: He is B.Mc[?].

Prabhupada: Huh? He knows Hindi also.

Gopala Krsna: He worked on Hindi translation for some time.

Prabhupada: Where is that Hindi typewriter?

Gopala Krsna: I never saw that typewriter.

Prabhupada: Ask Yasodanandana, Yasomati-nandana.

Gopala Krsna: Yasomati-nandana. Okay.

Prabhupada: Hmm. Immediately. You ask him for my brahmana... Yes. So very steadily do everything. Opposition will come. We have to face.

Gopala Krsna: So I'll arrange for your idlis, Srila Prabhupada.

Prabhupada: Idlis, and if dosa... Dosa?

Gopala Krsna: Yes. There's two types of dosas. One is masala; one is sada. Masala has got potatoes inside.

Prabhupada: Potatoes?

Gopala Krsna: Yes, inside. What they do is they put some... Inside it's like...

Prabhupada: Which one is better?

Gopala Krsna: Sada is without.

Prabhupada: That's all right.

Gopala Krsna: Sada? Or I'll get masala if there are no onions in it. Sometimes they put onions.

Prabhupada: No, no, no.

Gopala Krsna: If there's no onions, I'll get one masala also. Okay.

Prabhupada: [japa] Except in few provinces, everyone eats onion, all over the world. And garlic. In Western countries I think onion and garlic, cent per cent they eat.

Hari-sauri: Not so much garlic, but onions anyway. Onions they love. Pickled ones.

Prabhupada: [japa] Sell books and this principle follow: half construct temple, half print books. No income tax. "We have spent everything." That's all. [japa] In Vrndavana, he was suggesting, that Set..., Sethiji, that "You make some will. Otherwise, after your... In your absence the government will..."

And I'll not keep a single farthing. I shall spend all before I die. [chuckles] Invest in book, that's all. I am insisting on this. But I am simply afraid if we have got enough stock, it may not be stolen and misused. Otherwise I want to immediately invest in books all the money that I have got.

Hari-sauri: I don't think there'll be any problem there.

Prabhupada: So arrange like that. We want. Then I'll print all books, keep in stock. Never mind. Why use the bank?

Hari-sauri: Ramesvara's coming soon. I can...

Prabhupada: Hmm. Keep in stock. It will be sold. There is no doubt.

Hari-sauri: And now we have so many different languages coming out, these...

Prabhupada: Yes. And here, if we make closet or on the wall, we can keep anywhere, all the verandas, all these rooms, four walls, keeping books, book stock. Make vigorous propaganda by advertising, "Read Hare Krsna literature. Hare Krsna is wonderful." In this way advertise: Hindi, English, Bengali. I can give suggestion; you do it. [japa] We are getting paper now, government paper. Money is there. Now we have to print very intelligently, and even it is not immediately sold, we can keep stock. [pause]

[break] "Cultivate seriously spiritual life. Welcome. Come here, live with us. We have got enough place." They want that sense gratification in the old age, when the senses are no more capable, still. [end]