March 29, 1961 : New Delhi
Satsvarupa: In January of 1961, one of Bhaktivedanta Swami's Delhi acquaintances had shown him an announcement for the Congress for Cultivating Human Spirit, a convention to be held in Tokyo, May 10-20. The theme was world peace through cultivating human spirit. International participants were invited. As soon as Bhaktivedanta Swami had seen it, he had wanted to go.
Bhaktivedanta Swami wrote to the sponsors, the International Foundation for Cultural Harmony, and proposed a speech, "How Should One Cultivate Human Spirit?" The secretary general of the foundation, Mr. Toshihiro Nakano, wrote back to him at Kesi-ghata, expressing his high regard both for Indian spiritual culture and for his proposed presentation.
Everything went smoothly between Bhaktivedanta Swami and the sponsors in Japan. The problem was to raise the travel fare. He approached the likely sources, writing to the central government's Ministry for Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs. In late March the ministry sent him a form to complete and return. Time was getting short. On March 29 he wrote the Vice President, Dr. Radhakrishnan, with whom he had a speaking acquaintance (as well as a philosophical difference).
You know that I am a sannyasi without any relation with Bank, neither I am attached with financing institution. But the Japanese organisers have liked my literatures and they want me to be present there.
He pleaded that since the great acaryas of India had formerly presented their knowledge for the benefit of the world, the Indian government today should send representatives of the acaryas "to deliver the message of Atma or the Human Spirit."
Bhaktivedanta Swami wrote to the sponsors, the International Foundation for Cultural Harmony, and proposed a speech, "How Should One Cultivate Human Spirit?" The secretary general of the foundation, Mr. Toshihiro Nakano, wrote back to him at Kesi-ghata, expressing his high regard both for Indian spiritual culture and for his proposed presentation.
Everything went smoothly between Bhaktivedanta Swami and the sponsors in Japan. The problem was to raise the travel fare. He approached the likely sources, writing to the central government's Ministry for Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs. In late March the ministry sent him a form to complete and return. Time was getting short. On March 29 he wrote the Vice President, Dr. Radhakrishnan, with whom he had a speaking acquaintance (as well as a philosophical difference).
You know that I am a sannyasi without any relation with Bank, neither I am attached with financing institution. But the Japanese organisers have liked my literatures and they want me to be present there.
He pleaded that since the great acaryas of India had formerly presented their knowledge for the benefit of the world, the Indian government today should send representatives of the acaryas "to deliver the message of Atma or the Human Spirit."
Reference: Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta Volume 1 - Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
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