Letters from Srila Prabhupada Vol.1 1947-1969

82 Letters from Srfla Prabhupadathink you should come and see the prospectof the business. I am sure you will getvery good profit if you start this businessand I shall teach you how to prepare nivevegetable dishes. I wish that you may considerthis proposal a little seriously anddecide to come here for a day or two.Yes I have extended my visa period upto 1st April 1966 by paying ten dollars butI do not know how I shall live. Anothership of Scindia Navigation is starting onthe 17th November but my negotiationwith some publisher is not yet finished.The Paragon Book Gallery has receivedthe 25 twenty five set of books as sent byGopal . The arrangement is that after sellingthe 25 sets they will pay the money andfurther sets will be taken. Similarly I mayarrange with other booksellers in LosAngelos because it learnt that in Californiapeople are more interested in suchbooks. But I cannot go to Calfornia forwant of money. Besides that I have to embarkon ship from New York. California is3000 miles away from here and it is betterto return to India from California diretlywithout coming back here. But I have gotmy return ticket from New York.So I am not very fixed up what to do ornot. The first consideration is that I mustbe in New York at least for ten to fifteendays more for deciding the publication affairand then I may leave this place for Indiaor Calfornia. But the place where I amliving now has so many inconvenienceswhich I do not wish to narrate in this smallletter. Yes I am taking my meals once onlyfor this inconvenience. In the evening Itake some milk and fruit and now a daysthe night being very long, I feel sometimesfor this night starvation.Yes there was all darkness in New Yo rkon the 1Oth instant and it was not a happyincident. I learn that may people remainedin the elevators and in the subwaytrains for more than seven to eight hoursin darkness. I do not read newpapers butthere must have been some mishaps alsowhich we may not know. That is the way ofmaterial civilisation too much dependingon machine. At any time the whole thingmay collapse and therefore we may not beself complacent depending so much on artificiallife. The modern life of civilisationdepends wholly on electricity and petroland both of them are artificial for man.You will be surprised to know that I had totake help of the old crude method of lighteningby burning some vegetable oil anduse the samll bowl as lamp to save myselffrom the extreme darkness. I could notprocure any candle from the shop but bythe Grace of Krishna one friend Mr. Billhappened to come and he arranged forsome fruits and candle. Yes in India wesuch experience failure of electricity but Iwas surprised to see the same thing inAmerica. In India the village people saythat in Europe (Vilait) also there is ass.And I saw it practically that it is true.Even in such an advanced country theremay be possibility such failure but failurein America is more dangerous than that inIndia. In India they are not so much dependenton electricity but in America thewhole activity is dependent on electricityand think on that night it was a great dealof loss to the American nation. Any waythe danger is passed but from the papers itis learnt the loss is very great. I do not feelmuch cold now but it is learnt that it willincrease more and more and before that Iwish to leave this place. But if you start thebusiness I am sure I shall be very comfortableat your good motherly care. Ifyou decide to come for a day or two pleasedrop me a letter immediately when youare coming.More when we meet and hope you areall well. With my blessings and goodwishes for you all. Awaiting your reply.Yours affectionately,A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami.