First Letter

Note: [For the complete published letters, read the book Letters From America published (CCBY-ND) by Gaudiya Vedanta Publications.]

The intimacy and love shared among my spiritual grandsire, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedenta Swāmī Mahārāja, my Guru Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Vāmana Mahārāja, my Gurudeva, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja and another of my prominent śikṣā-gurus, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Trivikrama Gowami Mahārāja, was so very deep and strong that no relationships in this mortal world can compare to them. The following letters give us a glimpse of the deep intimacy amongst them.

26 Second Avenue Ap. B1
New York, NY 10003 USA
Phone: 212-674-7428 August 21st, 1966

Śrīpād Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja,

Please accept my dāṇḍavats and also please take my blessings.

I think that now you are forgetting me. I will never forget you, but I see that you are forgetting me. How are you? I hope you are all kuśala (well and happy) in every way. Now I am staying at the above address. In the middle of September I think that my visa will be finished, so if the government allows I will try to extend it.

Very good preaching is going on here. American boys are very beautifully chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare, Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare. They are chanting loudly. They are eagerly hearing Gītā and Bhāgavata-siddhānta. They are also practicing sadācāra, leaving all bad habits. Also, they are taking Mahāprabhu’s mahāprasāda. By doing this with their arms upraised, I remember Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s prediction and become so pleased. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura wrote very hopefully, “When will that day come when white people, that is Europeans and Americans, join with all others and loudly sing Mahāprabhu’s kīrtana.” So I can see that that day has come. I am trying my utmost for this. I am also praying for your help and then it will be easier. So if I stay here longer, if they give permission, please send me the following things which I am listing here. You must buy these things and pack them. Book them from Mathurā Station. If you take this responsibility as I am writing you, you must purchase and then pack.

After receiving your letter saying how many rupees are needed, then I will send you the money.

1) One pair of metal Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deities. Arms length (16”)

2) Very beautiful dresses, ornaments, crowns. Three changes

3) Ten pairs of quality karatālas from Navadvīpa

4) Three good mṛdaṅgas

5) One taṃburā

6) One good quality harmonium

7) Fifty harināma mālās, neckbeads, and beadbags

8) One book of Sat-kriyā-sāra-dīpikā (by Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī)

If you can find any man who is expert in playing mṛdaṅga, then if you want you can tell him to come here, if he wants to come. If this man agrees to come, then please give him my address.

Let me know what is the cost for all of this, and also what is the packing cost. I will send you that amount. As soon as I get your letter, I shall send you the money.

So I hope this time also you will send all that I am wanting and you will help my effort. I have taken so much help from you, and I request that this time also you will help me in this preaching work. I will be so grateful to you. The vigrahas must be purchased either in Mathurā or Vṛndāvana. If it is possible, the khola (mṛdaṅga) and karatālas should be purchased from Navadvīpa. Then in Calcutta my agent can ship it. I know that this will be some trouble, but still I know that you will send it.

Receiving this letter, you must give your reply also. I am well.

अ.च्. भक्तिवेदान्त स्wआमी

A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī