770625 - Letter to Patrick Cluskey from Tamal Krsna

June 25th, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Patrick Cluskey

532 Dawes Road No. A01,

Toronto M43 2E9

Ontario, Canada

Dear Patrick,

I beg to thank you for your letter dated June 9th, 1977.I have been instructed by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to reply your letter. This material world is described to be like a forest fire. It is stated:

samsara dava nala lidha loka

tranaya karunya ganaganatyam

praptasya kalyana gunarnavasya

vande guroh sri caranaravindam

“The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.”

So by the mercy of the bona-fide spiritual master, this blazing fire of material existence can be extinguished. This mercy is available to everyone as you have now found out. You were not even looking for it particularly but by the grace of a devotee you got this mercy. See how wonderful Krsna consciousness is! The devotees are so kind that they search out suffering souls to deliver them the greatest, most valuable treasure: Krsna Consciousness. Now that you have the opportunity, take full advantage by studying carefully the books of His Divine Grace. After reading for some time, you should become convinced that the purpose of this human body is to go back to home back to Godhead. Our temples situated all over the world are meant for this purpose. Why not take advantage of one of these temples, like the one in your home town of Toronto. Stay for a weekend, a week, or as long as you can and experience Krsna consciousness in all its aspects. And above all, always chant Hare Krsna.

Hoping this meets you well.

Yours sincerely,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Personal Secretary to His Divine Grace

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

/tkg