Letter to Bhakta Vikas (Delhi)

Keep chanting, reading and serving as directed by the temple president and you will never wrong. On the devotional path there will be difficulties also, but please be resolute. Tolerance is a must for spiritual advancement, both internal end external. Internal tolerance refers to the agitations of the senses and external tolerance refers   to tolerating the material difficulties. As you read, chat and serve, your tolerance will automatically be strengthened.

Vrindaban
27 September 1976

My dear Gopala Krishna,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26th inst. and have noted the contents. Hamsaduta is not GBC, you are GBC. No, don't return U.S. Immediately come here and talk with me. Don't do like rascal.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Camp: Delhi
My Dear disciples,
Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the savior of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga.
As all of you are aware, I have not been in good physical health since April. Different devotees have different understanding about what is the real problem. The real problem is that one of my main arteries was found to be blocked in April, when I was in Washington. I have tried to get my artery opened through a simple technique called Angioplasty, but it has not been successful so far. Any way, whatever practical approach has to be used will be used, as the purpose of having a normal healthy body is to be able to serve Their Lordships and Srila Prabhupada.

This body will always give some troubles or the other. Therefore, a devotee is never disturbed by these developments. Frankly, Krishna has been very kind and merciful to me during my recent ill health. Krishna provided the best medical care in both Washington and Delhi, plus Krishna has allowed me to chant and do my practical GBC services throughout. The devotees in Washington and Delhi have also looked after me very nicely.
My request to my disciples and aspiring disciples that you all please take to Krishna consciousness seriously. At the time of initiation, the disciple takes certain vows in front of the deities, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Vaishnavas and the fire. These commitments should never be compromised or ignored. Sometimes devotees have a tendency to think that they can deviate a little, flirt with sense enjoyment and then they will again return to Krishna consciousness. The nature of Maya is that it is expert in dragging you down. Therefore Rupa Goswami advises :

utsahan niscayad dhairyat
tat-tat-karma-pravartanat
sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh
sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

Tehran
9 August 1976

My Dear Gopala Krsna das,

Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter of July 31, which was addressed to Harikesa Maharaja and I have noted the contents. I shall be returning to Bombay from Tehran on Friday the 13.

I have received the color proofs for the books and have noted that it is not as good as the foreign printing. It is missing the luster, but it is not
bad.

Regarding Tejiyas and Delhi, I have already said that you should arrange whatever is suitable by mutual agreement.

Yes, you may fix up the life member rooms by investing a little money.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami