They are feeling the weight of our movement.
In today's mail there was a letter from Prabhupada's eldest son, Mathura Mohan De. M.M. is not very appreciative of his father's preaching work, or of Krishna consciousness in general. He bears Prabhupada some resentment for having taken sannyasa and left the family, and whenever he contacts Srila Prabhupada it is usually with the intention to extract some money. M.M.'s letter complained about the obstruction of some payment that he thought he was due.
Despite his son's attitude, Prabhupada deals with him equitably, and in recent contacts he has tried to engage M.M. in different forms of devotional service that at the same time might satisfy some of his material wants. Thus today Srila Prabhupada wrote him with an offer to help with the construction of our temple in Bombay. "There is a good job for you in Bombay. Free quarter and boarding and salary up to one thousand per month. If you like you can come to see me immediately."
Jayatirtha prabhu wrote with some good news. An ongoing court battle over our use of the Bury Place building in London has been unexpectedly resolved, at least temporarily, in our favor. We can now continue to use the building for at least one or as much as two more years. Jayatirtha therefore asked for some direction on the proposed purchase of the building on Soho Street that Srila Prabhupada saw in July. "Our idea at this point is to go through with the new building purchase in as much as the papers have already been signed and to install a restaurant there as planned, not moving the Deities in until we are forced to move out of Bury Place. This will give us some chance to settle into the new location and make friends with the neighbors etc. before we begin with kirtans, etc.
"Mr. Charles Patel, who drove Your Divine Grace in his Rolls Royce when you were here, has indicated he would buy the new building from us if Your Divine Grace thought that in the light of the extension on Bury Place we should not invest in a new building at this time. (We would still have to close the deal as he would need a few months to raise the cash to purchase it from us.)"
Srila Prabhupada was happy with the turn of events and informed Jayatirtha, "So if we can stay at Bury Place that is Krishna's arrangement. Let Mr. Patel purchase the new property."
There was also a letter from Sri Ramakrishna Bajaj, the big industrialist who is the secretary of the Gita Pratisthan (Foundation). Srila Prabhupada has confirmed his attendance at their meeting in Wardha on December 19th and 20th. Mr. Bajaj's letter was to acknowledge Prabhupada's acceptance and also to finalize the program. Giriraja prabhu has been dealing with the Pratisthan, discussing with Mr. Bajaj a proposal that they set aside some time for Prabhupada's disciples to do sankirtana and show the Hare Krishna World movie. Mr. Bajaj suggested that if Srila Prabhupada and his disciples come a day earlier and hold a program on the evening of the 18th, that would be acceptable.
Prabhupada replied that he was happy to accept whatever arrangements Giriraja prabhu makes. But his mind was also on something else. Prabhupada has told his leading men to muster as much support as possible for the legal fight in America, and he is eager to show the way himself. Mr. Bajaj is very influential both here and abroad, as are many of his associates on the Pratisthan. Here now was an opportunity, which he was quick to seize.
"One thing has developed now in the Western countries," he wrote to Mr. Bajaj. "They are feeling the weight of our movement. Therefore, an attempt is being made to suppress or stop the movement in Europe and America. In America the parents of my disciples are combining together.
"On account of the Hare Krishna Movement people in the Western countries are being attracted. There is now counter propaganda by the enemies. They are now organizing opposition. Will Gita Pratisthan help this Hare Krishna Movement to face the cultural fighting between East and West?
"The idea is, that the rapid advancement of the Hare Krishna Movement has threatened the foundation of Western Civilization. One American politician has remarked in this connection, that 'the Hare Krishna Movement is spreading like an epidemic. If we do not take steps to stop it, it may one day capture the government.' This is a good certification for our success, but the time has come now when we have to meet strong opposition. After all this Hare Krishna Movement is Indian culture. If the leaders of Indian culture will take it seriously, then certainly India's glories will be magnified.
"In the foreign countries India is much advertised as a poverty stricken country. But, if India can give Her spiritual culture, Krishna consciousness, she will be glorified everywhere. This should be the aim of Gita Pratisthan."
Reference: Transcendental Diary Volume 5 by Hari Sauri Dasa
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