“Swamiji, I shall spend for a nice architectural, Indian pattern Temple in New York”

Prabhupada, New York, April 5, 1966:There is the chance of spiritual culture – very nicely. Of course, here, in your country, aristocratic family, just like Rockefeller family, or Ford family…

There are many rich families here. I do not know what are their activities, but in India, the aristocratic family, they have got particular spiritual function. Each and every aristocratic family has so many temples, so many temples. And I have already informed you that one of the aristocratic family in India, Sir Padampat Singhania, he’s a very big.

He’s as equal to your Rockefeller family. And I wrote him that “I want to start here one Radha-Krishna temple and I want your help.” He has immediately agreed, “Swamiji, I shall spend for a nice architectural, Indian pattern temple in New York if I get exchange sanction.”

You see? So my putting you, putting this statement is that even up till now, Indian aristocratic family, they are so much religiously inclined that immediately on my proposal he’s agreed. He’s agreed, “Yes. I shall construct a temple.” So that aristocratic family has the facility.

In every Indian aristocratic family you’ll find they have got their particular temples and temple worship, and they go, they offer their respect, and do their business as it is. There is no harm. So by, side by side with material activities, they have got the chance of spiritual… Now, this particular family I am speaking to you, Singhania family, you’ll be very glad to learn that how they are family arrangement…

They have got a temple, Dvarakadhisa, a Radha-Krishna temple, just like this picture. They have got a very nice temple, and that temple has got some property. And the, that property, out of the property, one of the land is leased out to this Singhania Organization business.

So they pay rent to the Deity. You see? Similarly, the Deity has large income. And they spend also in so many ways. If we have got the chance of starting a temple here, we shall also let you know how to spend for spiritual consciousness. Yes. Now their family duty is that they are, this Singhania, Sir Padampat Singhania, they have got four or five brothers, and the mother is still living.

And the order is that each and every family member must go every day and pay respect to the Deity. And if somebody is absent one day, then he must be fined. A fine is imposed. The, the big brother, Sir Padampat Singhania, if he’s absent one day to pay respect to the Deity, he’s fined ten rupees, or ten dollars. You see?

And, and next day the brahmana, or the pujari, the worshiper engaged, he goes to collect the fine. He presents, “Yes, yes. I am sorry. Yes. Here is my fine.” So of course, this is self-imposed, but the idea is that they are spiritually conscious in this way. “Oh, I did not go yesterday to offer my respect to the Deity, Krishna. So I must pay fine.” This is also spiritual consciousness.
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