Part 2 – A Krishna Conscious State

As Srila Prabhupada corresponds with Balavanta, he always gives instructions and inquires how the mayoral campaign is progressing. He continues giving encouragement and further insights.

According to our Vedic civilization, this Krishna Consciousness Movement is supported by the state. We are already explaining these things in the chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam regarding Prithu Maharaja. Unfortunately, people have taken religion as a fictitious faith, therefore the modern states are not interested in fictitious faiths, and as such, they declare "secularism." Actually, it is the necessity of the human society to become Krishna conscious and each state has to take it seriously to implement the idea among the citizens. So we expect to push on our movement to that extent. That is our objective. [Letter to Balavanta – April 25, 1972]

The run for Mayor of Atlanta is a non-partisan race with the only condition being the payment of a $1,000 fee. The Atlanta temple has paid the $1,000, which was a lot of money for them, and now Balavanta is one of many candidates for the post. A side benefit is favorable publicity – like hundreds of thousands of dollars of free television, radio, and newspaper advertising.