Tuesday, February 20, 1968
Los Angeles, Calif.
My Dear Brahmananda,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your nice letter dated Feb. 15, 1968.
I can appreciate your advancement in Krishna Consciousness by the sentiments expressed by you. As I have repeatedly said, that Krishna Consciousness is developed by following two parallel lines, means service of Krishna, and service of the Spiritual Master. This is the secret of success.
The Spiritual Master must be bona fide, that is, he must come down from a bona fide Spiritual Master and must act according to the directions of the Spiritual Master, and by doing so, he gives proper directions about Krishna and the devotees serve Krishna under the direction of such Spiritual Master, and Krishna accepts service, and in this way the whole thing becomes beautiful and successful.
I am very much pleased that you are following the same principle and there is no doubt that you will develop more and more in the service of Krishna. I always pray to Krishna for your advancement, and what I can do more than this.
[…]
Regarding Krishna’s being very kind upon us, should be on the principle as Arjuna followed: the principle is, that Krishna was Arjuna’s most intimate friend. He could have brought victory to Arjuna, without any endeavor by Arjuna; neither was that principle advised by Krishna, neither Arjuna followed it. As a military man, Arjuna fought to his best, but the victory was brought him by Krishna.
Similarly, we should try our best to our best capacity, and victory will come from Krishna. We should never sit idly and ask Krishna to do everything. That is the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita. It is clearly said in the Gita: “Yuddhasya ca mam anusmara.” So ordinarily, we have to try our best to our best capacity to achieve something, and by Krishna’s Grace, all of a sudden we shall see everything is there. This sort of help from Krishna is transcendental happiness.
Our principle should be therefore, that we should work for the mission with great enthusiasm, with certainty for its success, and patiently follow the regulative principles, and associate ourselves with pure devotees, and work being completely in Krishna Consciousness, that will make us happy and successful.
[…]
The faith increases in Krishna Consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krishna. Serving Krishna is unlimited and he can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord. That is the meaning of unlimited.
Yes, you can arrange as many lectures as is possible.
[…]
Yes, ask Bob to arrange lectures at a University and I shall deliver. Yes, we can go to Boston as you suggested and also to talk at the Vermont University. Ask Mr. Kallman to give us his nice car.
Hope you are feeling well.
Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
i m always greatful to u