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Pleasure is only a misconception

There was an interesting letter today from Vidya dasi, the pujari for Srimati Tulasi devi in Los Angeles. She wrote at length asking about the care of Tulasi plants. She has been experimenting with trying to grow Tulasi in the open ground but has not met with much success. She asked if they should build a special Tulasi house. Prabhupada replied to the affirmative. "If it is not possible for Tulasi to survive the winters when planted in the ground, then a suitable house should be provided for her. Even the Canadian temples, which are in a much colder climate, are keeping Tulasi nicely. Why should there be so much difficulty in Los Angeles, which has such a nice climate? Just do everything very carefully. Tulasi Flourishes where there is love and devotion." Vidya dasi also included a series of eighteen specific questions, some of which, I gathered from Prabhupada's reaction, he considered a bit trivial, but he answered them nevertheless. As he sat in the sunshine on a straw mat in the back garden receiving his massage, surrounded by Tulasi plants growing around the perimeter of the lawn, he listened carefully as Jagadisa asked the questions and replied them one by one. Q1) Is each Tulasi a separate jiva soul or an expansion of one pure devotee? A: Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krishna. Q2) Where does her spirit soul go when she leaves this body? A: Tulasi's body is spiritual. Q3) May we place jewelry on her soil or just moon stones? A: Yes, jewelry is all right. Q4) When Tulasi is being cared for by householders in their homes, must two arotikas still be offered? A: If possible. Q5) When Tulasi is being cared for by householders in their homes, may they use her leaves and manjaris on their offerings, or should they take them to the temple? A: Tulasi leaves should be offered to the Deity. Q6) When Tulasi is being offered arotika by the householders, must she have a ghee lamp? A: If possible. Q7) Is it offensive to turn the baby Tulasis back into the soil when they appear? A: Yes. Q8) There are even questions concerning Tulasi's arotikas. We have always offered her incense, ghee lamp, and Flower. Is this correct? A: Yes. Q9) In the manual, it states that Tulasi should not be pruned. Does this also mean trimming the branches which no longer have leaves or life Fluids Flowing through them? A: You may cut the dead branches, but what is the necessity? Q10) We were told that once you spoke the "four regulative principles of Tulasi care" which will keep her from getting sick: a) keep her moist; b) keep her clean; c) give her morning sunlight (at least); d) give her two arotikas a day. Is this bona fide? A: I never said that. 

 Q11) May Tulasi be made into a tea after she has been offered? A: No. Q12) May devotees carve Tulasi wood for Deities' paraphernalia? A: Yes. Q13) When Tulasi leaves her body and the body is too soft for carving beads, how should she be used? Should a small fire sacrifice be performed? A: Use the wood for beads as far as possible; the balance may be placed within the earth. Q14) We have a letter from you requesting that no sprays be used on Tulasi devi. May we use a spray of buttermilk and whole-wheat Flour dissolved in water, which coats her leaves to keep spider mites from causing Tulasi to leave her body? A: I said no chemical sprays. Q15) Does Tulasi sleep? Should she be left undisturbed after nightfall? A: Undisturbed means what? Q16) Is it permissible to use scissors to cut her manjaris and when transplanting, to use knives to loosen her from her pot? A: Use common sense and if you have none, then consult with others. Q17) Is it an offense to step on or across her shadow (or the shadow of any pure devotee)? A: You can step over the shadow, but not on it **. Q18) For 2 years we have been waiting permission to use the following 2 prayers plus translations and translations of the already existing prayer. Please tell us if these are bona fide: Om govinda-vallabham devim bhakti caitanya karinim snapayami jagad-dhatrim hari-bhakti-pradayinim "Now I am bathing the mother of the Universe, the bestower of Krishna bhakti, the enlivener of the living force of the devotees and the dear one of Govinda." cayanod bhava-dukhan ca yad hrdi tava vartate tat ksamasva jagan-matah vrnda devi namo'stu 'te "O mother of the universe, please forgive whatever misery exists in your heart caused by the cutting of your leaves. O Vrnda devi, let me offer my obeisances to you." Om tulasy amrta-jamasi sada tvam kesava-priya kesavartham cinomi tvam barada bhava sobhane "O Tulasi, you are born from nectar and are always dear to Lord Kesava. Now, for the service of Lord Kesava I am cutting your leaves, O one who is shining brightly." A: Don't try to introduce something new. The most important thing is the love and devotion. I was particularly interested in the answer to question 17. There are many Tulasi plants growing in the garden here, and when Srila Prabhupada comes out to take his massage, her shadow casts across the pathway. I have never considered that it might be an offense to tread on it. Now I know and will take special care to step over but not on it. There were several other letters. One came from Barbara Eady, who informed Srila Prabhupada that two years ago she was a book distributor in Australia. After being trained by Buddhi-manta prabhu and Tripurari Swami, she was recommended for initiation but had some hesitancy and then left ISKCON. Now she is working under the guidance of Tushta Krishna Swami in New Zealand. Tushta Krishna Maharaja, in response to Srila Prabhupada's several requests, wants to set up a book distribution party and has asked Barbara to do this for him. She was now writing to ask for initiation. 

Srila Prabhupada was pleased to receive her request but advised her that he will initiate her only if Tushta Krishna Maharaja sends a letter of recommendation. Last month, when Hansaduta Swami was briefly put in charge of the temple here, he sent off several teams of brahmacaris to preach and raise funds for his Nitai Gour Traveling World Sankirtan Party. Citrakara, Sacinandana, and Irdhvaga prabhus headed off to Afganistan in one of the old Mercedes buses that Hansaduta had brought from Germany at the beginning of the year, and today Jagadisa prabhu read out their report, sent from Kabul. They met with some limited success in Kabul, preaching to the remnants of the Hindu population. The Hindus there, Citrakara wrote, number only about eight thousand and are quite suppressed by the authorities. Being separated from their original culture, they have gradually become degraded, "mostly becoming meat-eaters and hashish-smokers." Still, they found an old temple and were able to set up some preaching programs there, particularly with the children. "Only a few hundred people are visiting the temples. At eight, the first shift of about one hundred children (first to sixth grades) came. We taught them the Maha-mantra, Kirtan, how to dance in ecstasy, the pastimes of Lord Krishna, and important slokas from Bhagavad-gita (18.66 & 7.7). At two, the second shift of another hundred came. They like this kind of school very much and were participating very enthusiastically." Then in the evenings, he wrote, they held programs at a bigger, newer temple and at people's homes. Despite the language problems, they were able to sell a few books and made two life members, although most gentlemen would not become members, due to fear of the government there. The Indian consul also refused to give any names of the Indian Association there, being fearful they would be accused of trying to spread Hindu religion. Finally, their last program was cancelled by the police, who had become suspicious of their activities. Citrakara thus concluded that having a center in Kabul is not possible at this time. His intention now is to sell the bus (which is always breaking down and is too big for their small party) in Syria or Turkey, buy a smaller van, and go to Europe. They will then raise funds and return to Afghanistan at a later date, at the same time providing funding for Lokanatha Swami's party. As a footnote, he also wrote that he had "found some people who are translating your books (Perfection Of Yoga, Scientific Basis Of Krishna Consciousness) in Persian. We will print them when coming back in two to three months." 

Srila Prabhupada greatly appreciated their report. The news of his disciples taking such risks and displaying such pioneering spirit visibly enlivens him, and he spurred them on in their sankirtana activities. "Hansadutta Maharaj has also given me an account of your activities in Kabul. It doesn't matter that you have been asked to leave. The important thing is that you are trying to spread the message of the Lord all over the world. In the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says very clearly, that anyone who tries to broadcast His message is considered most dear, and there is no one dearer to the Lord than such a sincere preacher. "If you can collect money there as you have suggested and send it for Nitai Gour TWSKP activities in India, that will be good. There is no restriction for preachers, they may travel everywhere all over the world. Nitai Gour means worldwide preaching, because Lord Chaitanya appeared to spread this movement to every town and village of the world, and by the grace of good souls like yourself, the desire of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is being fulfilled in the modern age." He also added that their collections would help with the upcoming Kumbha-mela, to be held in Allahabad in January. Prabhupada wants something big to be done there, and planning is already underway. He finished with a strong stimulus to their work. "You have my blessings all the time, continue to preach with enthusiasm, keep Hansadutta Maharaj informed about your activities." Harivilasa prabhu sent a short aerogramme requesting advice on a technical matter. A devotee in Paris wants to marry a woman five years older than himself. Since Harivilasa had heard that such an arrangement would reduce the duration of life of the husband, he asked if their union could be sanctioned. As has been his trend lately, Srila Prabhupada was not keen to get involved in such things. "Let this couple first of all legally marry. After that we bless them by observing a fire ceremony. It is not necessary to burden me with these matters. Please consult with the local GBC." There was a poignant letter from Krishna Vilasini dasi in Los Angeles. She explained that she has a debilitating muscular disorder that over the last two years has practically incapacitated her. She can barely talk and has almost lost the use of her arms and legs. "Reading is very difficult but I force the issue because I am afraid I may not finish your books before I die." Lamenting that she is unable to do even the simplest service, she wrote, "I am humbly asking if there is any way at all to regain even enough health to be able to sit and engage in some simple service . . . If it is my destiny to live a long time in this condition I am begging and crying that you will mercifully benedict me with spiritual strength to remain always at your lotus feet." Prabhupada was touched by her plea, but he again offered the same practical advice and philosophical perspective that he gave Rudrani dasi from Seattle two days ago. "As long as the body will be there, there will only be pain. Pleasure is only a misconception. Do not be sorry if you are in an 'unfortunate' situation. It can also be fortunate if you take advantage by becoming serious to become Krishna conscious. Follow the regulative principles, chant 16 rounds and as far as possible render service and study my books. Success is sure." From Nairobi, Tribahangananda dasa sent a more promising report than recent news had indicated. The five men and two ladies there were feeling enlivened after the visit of Tamal Krishna and Bhavananda Maharajas, and have just held a successful Janmashtami pandal with over a thousand people in attendance. They are expecting another fifteen foreign devotees to arrive to strengthen their yatra. Tribahangananda especially commended one of their first life members, Mr. J.K. Pankhania, for his increased involvement. Mr. Pankhania won a raffle at the festival; his prize was a large photo of their Deities, Sri Sri Radha Banke bihari, and the opportunity to perform the midnight arati. Mr. Pankhania and his family are now offering arati to the picture morning and evening in their home. Prabhupada was pleased to hear that the preaching is being maintained. He thanked Tribahangananda and sent his blessing for Mr. Pankhania. He also added a footnote: "N.B. please be sure that everyone there is following strictly the four regulative principles and chanting a minimum 16 rounds daily."


Reference: Transcendental Diary Volume 5 by Hari Sauri Dasa





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