Letter to: Ravendra Gupta, 12 February, 1974 Dear Ravendra Gupta, Please accept my blessings. I have only recently received your letter of February 6, 1974, due to travelling.
I am very glad to hear you are following my instructions by chanting 16 rounds daily. In order to chant offenselessly, so that the chanting will have the greatest effect, one must avoid the four sinful activities.
You have asked "How serious would it be for me if I should miss the golden opportunity to become your initiated disciple?" You should know that the value of accepting a bonafide spiritual master is more than we can calculate. It is not a mere formality.
Of course everyone is encouraged to chant Hare Krishna, but until one gives up sinful activities and becomes determined to serve Krishna through His representative then the firm fixing up of devotional service will not take hold, and there is every chance that one will fall prey to all sorts of material desires and have to come back again in the next life – and one cannot guarantee that he will be born in the form of life he may desire.
Here is the formula of how to keep happy and stay fixed in Krishna
Letter to: Vrindaban Candra, 13 April, 1971 Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 18th February, 1971 and have noted the contents. You write to say that this Hare Krishna Movement is perfect in all respects. Thank you very much.
It is a fact that "Sankirtana will keep you happy and the books will keep you convinced", so make your program in that way and become fixed up in Krishna Consciousness.
I liked this last letter so much I had it printed up for a temple card to pass out to others.
Srila Prabhupada gives to us the secret of success to become fixed up in Krishna Consciousness.
That is sankirtan – Hari kirtan, and reading his books – these two things make one steady and determined to finish one’s business in this lifetime.
By the way, who else is planning on attending our annual 4th of July parade kirtan here in Sedro Woolley??? We will be handing out thousands of packets of raisin prasadam, books and of course thousands of names of Hari. So far, devotees from Canada, and Florida will be coming as well as local ones. Afterwards, a feast here at Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Mandir.
And next day, our regular arotik, kirtan, bhajan, BG class, discussion, and prasadam weekly program.
Hare Krishna – Chant and Be Happy !!