Letters from Srila Prabhupada Vol.1 1947-1969 (in pdf) - Krishna Path

BTG stationary & envelopes. I have received
a letter from Damodar (dated Oct.
9) in which he writes to say:
"Swami Kirtananda has returned to
the United States and is causing quite a
stir among the devotees. Following his
suggestions, we have stopped wearing
robes and have cut off our flags. He said
these appurtanences are too strangelooking
to outsiders and only make it
more difficult for them to consider chanting
Hare Krishna. Swami Kirtananda has
said we must avoid appearing to be Orientalists
if we are to have 108 centers in the
Us."
This is very much disturbing to me &
has caused me much pain. Please therefore
stop Kirtanda from making his mental
concoctions. Do not be misled by him.
I have never adviced him to act like that. If
he is causing such disturbances he should
not be allowed to indulge in such nonsensical
activities. I have already written
you to inform you that somehow or other
he has become crazy; otherwise he would
not have disobeyed me to go directly to
N.Y. For the time being he has cut all link
with me, therefore any instruction given
by him is unauthorized & should at once
be rejected. He has no right to dictate as
he has without my sanction. Whatever is
to be done will be executed when I return.
He is too much puffed-up non-sensically
therefore you should copy this letter &
forward to all centers that Kirtananda has
no right to dictate anything to the Society
in this way. I am very sorry that he is exploiting
his present position as a sanyasi. I
have no objection if members of the Society
dress like nice American gentlemen;
but in all circumstances a devotee cannot
avoid telok, flag on head, & beads on
neck. These are essential features of a
Vaishnav. Hope you are well.
Your ever well-wisher
A.C. Bhaktivedanta, Swami
OCTOBER, 1967 229
67-10-12
16th October, 1967
My dear Brarnhananda,
Please accept my blessings. I am in
due receipt of your letter (dated Oct. 10)
& I've also received Kirtananda's letter.
From Different centers of our society the
news ofthe activities of Kertananda is giving
me too much pain. From Rayarama's
letter it is clear that Kirtananda has not
rightly understood Krishna Consciousness
philosophy & it appears that he does
not know the difference between inpersonal
& personal features of Krishna. The
best thing will be to prohibit him to speak
in any of our functions or meetings. It is
clear that he has become crazy & he
should once more be sent to Bellevu. He
was in Bellevu before & with great difficulty
& with the help of Mr. Ginsberg we
got him out. But it appeares that he has developed
his madness again, therefore if he
is not sent to Bellevu then at least he
should be stopped from speaking such
nonsense. It is clear from his activities
that he has been attacked by maya; he is a
victim. We shall pray to Krishna for his
recovery but we cannot allow him to speak
on my behalf. I am trying to return as soon
as possible & when I return everything
will be all right. Hope you are well.
Your ever well-wisher
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
My dear Rayarama,
Please accept my blessings. I am in
due receipt of your letter (Oct. 12). I've
received copy of #14 BTG & it is very
nice. I do not wish to disturb you in your
responsibilities with BTG & you can go to
London at your convenience. I am glad
that you have started correspondence with
Mrs. D.C. Bowtell, & that will settle matters
more directly. One of our girl devotees,
Srimati Annapurna devi, who is in
San Francisco has also facilities to visit