770822 - Letter to Pancadravida from Tamal Krsna

Vrndavana,

August 22, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Dear Pancadravida Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. I have been instructed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to thank you for your wonderful report dated 5th August, 1977. In Srila Prabhupada’s room listening to your report along with His Divine Grace were His Holiness Satsvarupa Gosvami, Guru Krpa Swami, and Madhudvisa (who has just returned). We all, especially Srila Prabhupada, very much enjoyed hearing your report. Your opening prayers for His Divine Grace’s health and continued presence on this planet was taken with great feeling by Srila Prabhupada, who said, “I think I will have to stay on your request. Krishna is very kind. He is bhakta-vatsala. So many devotees are praying, and their prayers cannot be frustrated.” When you expressed your desire to exchange your youth with Srila Prabhupada’s old age, His Divine Grace said, “I have no old age. We are of the same age. It is not dependent on old or young body–the atma has no age. We are all Vaikuntha men. All new boys–nava yauvana.” It is due to such wonderful prayers like yours that Srila Prabhupada is now thinking to return to the West. His Divine Grace said, “I think for this reason I am feeling so much inspiration to go out. In this condition no one thinks to go out. In this condition one prepares for death and I am going for touring. Actually I think Krishna is now present in this Krishna consciousness movement. Why should I be restricted on one place? So many temples and they are all Vaikuntha.” You prayed for Prabhupada’s long life but His Divine Grace blessed you by saying, “May Krishna give you long life and preach Krishna consciousness. You are our future hope. Do this bidding.”

His Divine Grace very much appreciated the efforts being made in Guadalajara for a successful Rathayatra. He said, “Hmmm, Jagannatha is conquering!” When you described how the authorities are giving all facilities Srila Prabhupada said, “O this is wonderful. The mlecchas and yavanas instead of obstructing are giving all facilities. How Krishna is helping us.” Srila Prabhupada suggested that in future Rathayatras you can get one of the Deities being manufactured by Baradvaja to be placed on a Vyasasana at the Rathayatra festival. These Deities may also be placed on the Vyasasana permanently within your temple.

Prabhupada laughed very heartily when you described your relationship with Narayan Das as “giving the devil his due.” His Divine Grace commented, “This is good sense. When(?) one finds in the devil a divine spirit this is Vaikuntha consciousness. He does not find only bad.” Prabhupada, after reading your description of the Colombians, added “cultural thieves.”

You are most welcome to come and be with Prabhupada in October. It does not matter that Hari Sauri may also be coming. Srila Prabhupada has said in the past that He can have 30 secretaries with Him at once and engage all of them. But anyway Srila Prabhupada said regarding your coming to see Him, “Most probably I am going to meet you very soon. This means that Srila Prabhupada may very possibly in America in October. His Divine Grace is not well at all but feels that by being with His beloved devotees in the West He will regain His life.

Hoping this meets you in the best of health and Krishna consciousness.

Your servant,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupad

His Holiness Panca Dravida Swami

c/o BBT Spanish - Los Angeles

c.c. His Holiness Panca Dravida Swami

c/o ISKCON Mexico

/tkg