Housing the Institute

During the last Mayapur festival around mangala arati time, Srila Prabhupada had called me and Giriraj Prabhu. Srila Prabhupada asked Giriraj Prabhu whether it was all right to give the 'F' (BBT) building to Bhaktivedanta Institute. At that time the Bombay Guest House was not ready and Srila Prabhupada therefore wanted to give the 'F' building for BI. After the Mayapur festival, however, the Cross Maidan program was held in Bombay and several students and scholars came to visit me saying that they wanted to study at the Bhaktivedanta Institute. When I told this to Srila Prabhupada he immediately said,

"Make them come, make them come. Treat them nicely. Give them good place. In this way increase the number of workers. Then people will, "Oh, they are not religious sentimentalists. They have got books. They have got scientists. They have got doctors. … Give them good place. We don't want tenants, or turn the whole building into Bhaktivedanta Institute. And another building start. Yes … I want that the intelligent man should come and learn this science. That is wanted. … Bring important men, important student. Take this opportunity. Give them nice place so that they may not be uncomfortable. Give them good food. … there should not be any scarcity for their comfort. People are trained up to the modern comforts. Therefore I am building so big, big insti… Otherwise, … Radha-Damodara temple is sufficient for me. It is not for me I want these big, big buildings. I am accustomed to live anywhere. But those who are educated, scientists, they are accustomed, Europeans, Americans… They must be given proper place. That was my Guru Maharaja's policy. Not that all of a sudden they should now live on the floor. No, that's not possible. Then they will be disturbed. Give them nice place, give them nice food, nice instruction. You are all intelligent boys. Do it immediately. Another building construct. That colony should be for first-class Krsna conscious people, to preach." [Room Conversation, Bombay, March 26, 1977]