As far as dealing with the attacks on our movement.
Srila Prabhupada received a long letter today from Pushta Krishna Maharaja. It is the first direct news from him since his resignation last month as a GBC and his declaration of intent to temporarily withdraw from mainstream ISKCON activities. He is in a miserable condition, being caught between his attachment and faith in Srila Prabhupada and his inability to strictly follow the process. His letter was poignant to say the least. "Oh master, please forgive me for my mudha-like nature and restless tortured mind. As I write this letter I remember all of your perfect instructions and feel lower than the lowliest creature, unable to cut the knot of material attachment.
"Somehow or another, undoubtedly due to my countless offenses and neglect of strict adherence to the principles, I seem to have had a tremendous lapse of determination. Material desires are attacking me like a swarm of locusts and I am a fit candidate to be tortured by the Yamadutas. However, I seriously accept Krishna as the Cause of all causes, the Highest Truth, and as my only Lord. By your grace these things are firmly established in my heart. Yet still, I have become so covered over that I genuinely cannot give an accurate prognosis of this disease except that I know that I have fallen in maya." He went on to say that he is living near the Berkeley temple, attending as often as he can, and "trying my best to follow the principles."
He said that since his return to America after a five-year absence, he has noted a huge increase in the number of books and philosophies available to the public, who unfortunately cannot discriminate what is truth or not; thus he appreciates Srila Prabhupada's vigorous attacks on modern scientists and pseudo-religionists. He lamented that although he would like to preach to make Prabhupada's glories known, especially to the intelligent class of men, at present he is unable, due to his personal weaknesses. "I feel that it is possible indeed to take the offensive in challenging the shaky foundation of this decadent culture, as you your self have done all along. Now it is but words escaping from behind the illusions presently covering me, but I know that if I can somehow regain my strength, that it can be done. I would like to assist Your Divine Grace in this way in this lifetime, but please forgive me for my many offenses and for my weak-hearted condition." He went on to say that he would like to preach in various educational institutions around America in a manner similar to what Svarupa Damodara prabhu is doing; he also spoke of someday compiling a book "with quotes from your books and throughout the Vaishnava literatures giving full information about the term: Guru. People are so much confused about how to find a spiritual teacher and it would surely help them if they had a condensed form or small book that they could refer to which would surely help them from being cheated and which would gradually lead them to the correct implication and observation that Your Divine Grace is the emblem and standard of a genuine Guru and they will surrender to you."
Pushta Krishna expressed some confidence that eventually he would be able to fulfill these goals and conveyed his interest in assisting with the development of the Bhaktivedanta Institute. He has taken up the study of Hindi and Sanskrit grammar and feels he could be proficient in Hindi. He ended his letter with a sincere statement of his attachment to Srila Prabhupada. "I trust and pray that Your Divine Grace will keep me in some corner of Your Lotus Feet. Otherwise, bless me with immediate death and rid me of the great burden which I am carrying. There is no one else in this world who I could admire, respect or love more than You, Srila Prabhupada. Kindly sanctify my mind with your mercy and rid me of the false pride with which I am constantly struggling.
Eternally indebted to you for Your love and kindness, Your unworthy servant, Pusta Krishna Swami."
Srila Prabhupada was certainly sympathetic and appreciative of his disciple's esteem for him and his commitment to Krishna consciousness despite his difficulties. The departure of another of his leaders is a blow in his establishment of ISKCON, yet he has an abiding interest in the personal welfare of his disciples. Despite his disappointment in Pushta's inability to stick with the process and maintain his vows, Prabhupada wrote back to encourage him while also giving practical advice to keep him engaged in service. Although Pushta signed his letter as 'swami' and did not mention a change of asrama, Prabhupada got straight to the point in his reply.
"I know that you are intelligent and can act very nicely to help spread Krishna consciousness. If you feel Maya attracting, then live an honest life as a householder and contribute to our movement. As a family man you can join Svarup Damodar to help with the Bhaktivedanta Institute. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says it doesn't matter whether one is a sannyasi, grhastha, brahmana, or sudra. You have intelligence. Study more and more. If you think that you should be married, then do that and assist Bhaktivedanta Institute by giving service. My request is, don't become an ordinary foolish man. Keep Krishna consciousness in any condition of life. That is success."
Ramesvara Swami sent a copy of an article entitled "The Hare Krishna People," which was published in the October edition of Coronet, a magazine with a circulation of 500,000. It was the result of the long interview Srila Prabhupada gave their reporter in early June in Los Angeles. It was in general quite favorable and especially complimentary to Srila Prabhupada personally and also to his books. The reporter was a young man who had obviously been touched by Prabhupada's sincerity and knowledge, and that was reflected in his article.
Ramesvara mentioned that Mukunda prabhu has returned to Los Angeles from London and is now working diligently on public relations, with good success. He referred to the New York court case about which the reporters in Chandigarh had questioned Srila Prabhupada, but the only detail he gave was that a group of scholars are going to hold a press conference in New York to inform the public that our movement is authorized and should be respected. This whole affair is generating positive publicity, and Ramesvara wrote, "We are all very hopeful that we will be able to impress the general public substantially that we are different from other 'bogus religious cults' which simply steal from the public without giving them anything?that the Krishna consciousness movement has profound contributions to offer human society."
Ramesvara also informed Prabhupada that a movie they have made about book distribution will not be released. It shows explicit techniques used in distribution, which he fears our enemies may distort and use against us "to sway the court judges and press to limit our access to airports etc. for sankirtan. It is just too controversial at this time."
He is also launching a court case for libel against a demon, Ted Patrick, a self-appointed "liberator" of people who have joined religious organizations. Patrick, who is currently serving a one-year jail term for kidnapping, is just about to publish a book that slanders us as an immoral and dangerous cult that kidnaps and brainwashes young people. Ramesvara stated his confidence that we would be successful in suing Patrick and his publishers. Apart from monetary damages, he thinks we will get excellent publicity and show that we are not going to stand for slanderous attacks on our movement.
On a more positive note, he reported the printing of 500,000 abridged hardbound Gitas, all of which he expects to be distributed within 4-5 months. He also plans a further printing of 1,000,000, which should be sold before the end of 1977. "This will be a glorious achievement for Your Divine Grace," he wrote, "to have published almost 2 million copies of hardbound Bhagavad-gita and sold them all within 2 years! We are simply praying for Lord Caitanya's mercy that we may go on serving you by unlimitedly increasing book distribution."
Another item on the press is the first "commercial" Krishna consciousness calendar, which will advertise the BBT and be given out to all professors visited by the Library Party. Gopala Krishna has also ordered five thousand copies for India.
Finally, Ramesvara glorified the latest edition of Back To Godhead, which he said was being sent under separate cover by Jagannatha Suta prabhu. "I feel we have succeeded in presenting our philosophy and movement in a very palatable, readable way which will appeal to the broad spectrum of people to whom we distribute the magazine to." He has taken personal responsibility for the editorial policy, following complaints from Rupanuga prabhu, and "at the Mayapur festival Your Divine Grace and the GBC can review the editorial slant presently used to try and popularize BTG and decide what changes or improvements are needed."
He ended by praying that Srila Prabhupada feel more and more enthused to continue with his translation work, "which is the only hope for avoiding widespread destruction and war which is currently threatening the world."
Prabhupada very much appreciated the Coronet magazine article, which compares us favorably against other new religious and spiritual groups. "It is a fact that we are different from all bogus groups," he said. "Now we should present our movement very nicely so that people will be able to understand. We are trying to raise the animal like humans to real human status."
He was happy that the sankirtana film project has been abandoned and commented, "Yes, this book distribution movie should be excluded. Why has this been taken? Even if there is some bad dealing in the family, it should not be exposed."
Prabhupada heard about the huge Gita reprinting with great satisfaction yet, typically, he pushed Ramesvara for news about a new book: "What about that book Dialectical Spiritualism edited by Hayagriva?" He had spent more than a month this year finalizing the content with Hayagriva, but still there is no word on its publication date.
Prabhupada approved Ramesvara's overseeing BTG. Here in Vrindavana, his Godbrother Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor, who used to contribute to the magazine, has complained mildly that his work has been rejected. "The rejection by the BTG staff has somehow or other alienated Dr. Kapoor," he wrote Ramesvara. "You must carefully oversee which articles are being accepted for BTG."
As far as dealing with the attacks on our movement, Prabhupada is very clear on what is to be done. It is a fight, and he is fully prepared to meet it. "I approve your efforts to sue this Ted Patrick and his publisher. It must be done."
* * *
Prabhupada is continuing to go to the temple in the late afternoon and hold his darsanas in the courtyard. It is quite blissful to sit with him under the luxuriant branches of the tamal tree with all the devotees gathered at his feet as he leads kirtana or listens to his leading disciples speak. Prabhupada seems to enjoy it greatly, and it relieves him from the pressure of having to host large numbers of people within his rooms. When arati begins he is able to gracefully withdraw to his quarters and relax in the privacy of his back garden where he often chants japa or sometimes meets with the local managers. Bhagatji comes at around nine o' clock to prepare his hot milk, and they chat for a few minutes before Prabhupada takes rest.
Reference: Transcendental Diary Volume 5 by Hari Sauri Dasa
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