It should be our definite policy that nobody is ill-treated that he may go away

“You must leave”. That is not our policy

SPL to Jayapataka 12.08.1969

Our policy should be to keep members as much as possible. WE SHOULD NOT FLATLY SAY ‘YOU MUST LEAVE’. THAT IS NOT OUR POLICY.

SPL to Madhudvisa 24.08.1972

We can reject anyone, that is very easy, but to reform him that requires great skill and tact and if you can reform him by kind words and dealings that is best

SPL to Tamal Krsna 23.08.1973

Our only tie is love of Godhead. IT SHOULD BE OUR DEFINITE POLICY THAT NOBODY IS ILL-TREATED THAT HE MAY GO AWAY. We recruit a person to join us after spending gallons of blood. Everyone comes for reformation, you cannot expect everyone to be perfect, rather it is our duty to make everyone perfect as far as possible. So we shall be very much cautious and careful in this matter.

SPL to Nityananda 25.11.72

DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE DISCUSSED OPENLY AMONGST OURSELVES, NOT SECRET MEETINGS. WE ARE VAISNAVA DEVOTEES, NOT POLITICIANS. So these things must be stopped, plotting.

73-08-23. Letter: Tamala Krsna

N.B. I have received one complaint from Indian devotee at Mayapur Prabharupa Das Brahmacari that he is mal treated by our American devotees. Kindly inquire into this matter and do the needful. Either Indian or foreign whoever joins us they are not under any obligation, our only tie is Love of Godhead. IT SHOULD BE OUR DEFINITE POLICY THAT NOBODY IS ILL TREATED THAT HE MAY GO AWAY. We recruit a person to join us after spending gallons of blood. EVERYONE COMES FOR REFORMATION, YOU CANNOT EXPECT EVERYONE TO BE PERFECT, RATHER IT IS OUR DUTY TO MAKE EVERYONE PERFECT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. SO WE SHALL BE VERY MUCH CAUTIOUS AND CAREFUL IN THIS CONNECTION.

72-08-24. Letter: Madhudvisa, Amogha

So far the presidents are concerned, they should not be abruptly changed in future. If there is any complaint they should be first of all informed to me. ONE THING WE SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER IS THAT ALL OF OUR DEVOTEES PICKED UP HERE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO ALL OF THESE BAD HABITS IN THEIR PAST LIFE, SO IF SOMETIMES THEY REVEAL THEIR OLD CHARACTERISTICS, INSTEAD OF REJECTING THEM, IT IS UP TO US TO RECTIFY THEM AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. So try to reform Mohananandan there. What he will do by coming here? Amogha has indicated he has already shaved his sikha and has left everything. Do you think U.S.A. is a magic place, simply by coming here he will become reformed? If possible you can send to the U.S.A., but it is better to correct him to the standard point by friendly gestures. WE CAN REJECT ANYONE, THAT IS VERY EASY, BUT TO REFORM HIM THAT REQUIRES GREAT SKILL AND TACT AND IF YOU CAN REFORM HIM THERE BY KIND WORDS AND DEALINGS, THAT IS BEST. When I was there in Sydney, I observed that Mohananandan is very, very good boy and he has great intelligence and talent, simply it has become little bit misguided due to circumstances. Now you both big leaders in Australia, along with the others, you make a very concerted attempt to help Mohananandan over his difficulties and persuade him that everything is all right; that I am not angry or displeased in any way. These things will sometimes happen even with the best devotees, and in this way try and persuade him to become engaged with his previous enthusiasm for becoming once again a great devotee. He is young boy, so we should not take his actions too seriously, better to forget the past and try to reform him. His service can be once again very much valuable there in Australia, I know he is very good boy. Do not drive him away, that will be the discredit to all of you leaders. But if there is great difficulty, he may come and live with me here in Los Angeles for the time being, I have no objection. But he has done very nicely in Sydney up to the present time, so if you can utilize his experience and talents there, that is the best plan

73-02-21 Letter: Karandhara

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13 Feb. 1973 and have noted its contents carefully. Regarding Sriman Hayagriva Dass; IT IS OUR DUTY TO RECTIFY HIM. TO CREATE A DEVOTEE TAKES MUCH LABOR AND TO REJECT HIM IN A MINUTE IS NOT TO OUR CREDIT SO PLEASE TRY TO DO THE NEEDFUL IN THIS REGARD. Consult the other GBC men there, then make a proposal to Hayagriva and if still he is incorrigible then you take the necessary steps

73-10-18. Letter: Jagadisa:

Regarding the management of the Ottawa and Regina centers try to train them. We have to train sometimes. Whenever there is something extraordinarily wrong, you can remain there for sometime. YOU SHOULD RECTIFY, BUT NOT REJECT. MEMBERS ARE COMING TO JOIN US TO BE RECTIFIED, NOT TO BE REJECTED. SO, TRY TO RECTIFY THE INCORRIGIBLE, AND IF NOT POSSIBLE, THEN CHANGE. What can we do?

SPL to Madhudvisa 24.08.1972

We can reject anyone, that is very easy, but to reform him that requires great skill and tact and if you can reform him by kind words and dealings that is best

71-11-20. Letter: Hamsaduta

Regarding your question about incense, Karandhara has just informed me that our Spiritual Sky incense business is making now $1,000,000 a year to spend for Krishna. How can that be Maya? My Guru Maharaja used to say, “Anything material, if it is used for the service of Krishna, it is a mistake to give it up.” Because I have understood this principle, he used to appreciate me in front of my godbrothers. I have given this idea all along–why you big leaders do not understand it? You should take it to heart as a guiding principle that somehow or other we always please Krishna by doing what is practical and necessary, according to time and place. Not that we should be whimsical. But one test is that all the devotees should be satisfied. They have given their lives to Krishna, so we should see they are always happy. THEIR SERVICE IS VOLUNTARY. IT IS NOT THAT WE CAN FORCE ANYONE TO DO ANYTHING. IF WE DO THEY WILL GO AWAY AND THAT IS A GREAT LOSS. EVERYONE MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO DO WHAT HE LIKES TO DO FOR KRISHNA, SO IF SOMEONE LIKES TO DO BUSINESS FOR KRISHNA, LET THEM MAKE $1,000,000 FOR KRISHNA.

71-12-08. Letter: Vamanadeva, Indira

As for your questions about householder life, first of all, who is looking after Oklahoma City temple? If you are the President, then what is the use of opening center if you cannot attend all temple functions? Who is looking after temple management? If you are in charge, either you should live there or there is no need for such temple. Of course, it is not that anyone is excluded from being my disciple if they do not cent per cent attend all of temple programs, but they should be encouraged to attend as far as possible. Living outside and working are not prohibited, and it is not recommended that such strict rule as no outside living should be enforced, but living in the association of devotees is better. From our side there is never any objection if it is inconvenient for temple living, but if you are in charge of organizing your new center, I think you should live in the company of the other devotees there, to train them and work with them for distributing our books and magazines and pushing on this Krishna Consciousness Movement full-time. But if there is some difficulty to do this or some problem with getting money, then you should consult further with your GBC man to make adjustment. PREACHING IS OUR FIRST-CLASS ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING SANKIRTANA PARTY, SELLING BOOKS, SPEAKING, LIKE THAT. BUT IF FOR SOME REASON A DEVOTEE IS UNABLE TO DO THESE THINGS, THEN I SAY THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO LIVE OUTSIDE AND WORK AS A CONCESSION. OUR SERVICE FOR KRISHNA IS VOLUNTARY AND CAN NEVER BE FORCED. AND WHATEVER POSITION IN LIFE ONE HOLDS HE CAN SERVE KRISHNA IN THAT WAY. But yourselves being such qualified and experienced preachers, what is the benefit of engaging in the second-class activity when there is so much preaching work to be done? Practically speaking, our Krishna philosophy will save the whole world from the most dangerous condition, that is a fact. So now you just become convinced yourselves of this fact and help me spread this Movement for saving the world with all conviction and attention, and in this way you will be performing the highest type of activity and very soon you will go back to Home, back to Godhead, know it for certain. I have no objection if you keep home deities.

72-12-14. Letter: Tusta Krsna

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated November 18, November 22, and December 3, 1972, and I have heard that you are having some difficulties, so I have sent Siddhasvarupa there to help you. Now try to keep a cool head under all circumstances and always remember that Krishna will protect you in any case, you haven’t to worry anything. I THINK THAT WITHOUT YOU THE NEW ZEALAND AFFAIR WILL NOT GO ON, BUT NOW YOU ARE LEAVING THERE TO LIVE ON SOME FARM IN AUSTRALIA. OF COURSE, OUR SERVING KRISHNA IS VOLUNTARY AFFAIR, SO WHAT CAN I SAY? IF YOU THINK THAT IS THE BEST CHOICE, I MUST AGREE, OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT GO AWAY ALTOGETHER. Anyway we shall discuss in detail if I come there in future.

72-12-22. Letter: Karandhara

So my point is that the regulative principles must be followed by everyone. Otherwise their enthusiasm dwindles and they again think of sex and become restless, and so many problems are there. There is some symptom of missing the point. The point is to be engaged in doing something for Krishna, never mind what is that job, but being so engaged in doing something very much satisfying to the devotee that he remains always enthusiastic. He will automatically follow the regulative principles because they are part of his occupational duty–by applying them practically as his occupational duty, he realises the happy result of regulative principles. SO THE FUTURE OF THIS KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT IS VERY BRIGHT, SO LONG THE MANAGERS REMAIN VIGILANT THAT 16 ROUNDS ARE BEING CHANTED BY EVERYONE WITHOUT FAIL, THAT THEY ARE ALL RISING BEFORE FOUR MORNING, ATTENDING MANGAL ARATI–OUR LEADERS SHALL BE CAREFUL NOT TO KILL THE SPIRIT OF ENTHUSIASTIC SERVICE, WHICH IS INDIVIDUAL AND SPONTANEOUS AND VOLUNTARY. They should try always to generate some atmosphere of fresh challenge to the devotees, so that they will agree enthusiastically to rise and meet it. That is the art of management: to draw out spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing some energy for Krishna. But where are so many expert managers? All of us should become expert managers and preachers. We should not be very much after comforts and become complacent or self-contented. There must be always some tapasya, strictly observing the regulative principles–Krishna Consciousness movement must be always a challenge, a great achievement to be gained by voluntary desire to do it, and that will keep it healthy. So you big managers now try to train up more and more some competent preachers and managers like yourselves. Forget this centralizing and bureaucracy.

73-11-01. Letter: Acyutananda :

Please accept my blessings. ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND ONE LETTER ADDRESSED TO ME FROM ONE OF OUR BENGALI DEVOTEES, WHICH I AM FORWARDING TO YOU FOR NECESSARY ACTION. TRY TO PACIFY HIM IF HE IS OFFENDED. EVERYONE COMES TO US TO OFFER VOLUNTARY SERVICE, SO AMONGST OURSELVES THERE MUST BE GOOD BEHAVIOR. ONE MAY NOT FEEL SORRY. SO THE LEADERS MUST TAKE PRECAUTIONS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.

74-08-14 Letter: Bali-mardana

I have received one letter from Sudama das Goswami that both of you had some hot conversation on the points of management, but I request both of you not to become agitated on any controversial point. A Vaisnava is supposed to be more tolerant than the tree and more forbearing than the grass. Besides that we have taken a great mission of the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so everything should be done very diligently and soberly so that our missionary activity may not be hampered. ALL OF OUR MEMBERS ARE GIVING VOLUNTARY SERVICE, SO THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE ENCOURAGED IN THEIR SERVICE ATTITUDE.

(by Mahesh Raja)