Prabhupāda's Letters - The Heartbeat of His Worldwide Family
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s letters are a window into the soul of his mission. During the years he traveled the world, these letters served as the primary link between the spiritual master and his thousands of disciples. Each envelope carried not just instructions on management, but the very life-force of his mercy. Śrīla Prabhupāda used his correspondence to build temples, publish books, and, most importantly, to build the character of his followers. When we read these letters today, we find that Śrīla Prabhupāda is still speaking to us, guiding us through our struggles, and signing every instruction with his eternal promise to be our "ever well-wisher."
The Lifeline of the Global Mission
Managing a worldwide movement from a typewriter was no small feat. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s letters show his incredible expertise in everything from international law to real estate. He personally authorized property sales, monitored construction in Māyāpur, and ensured that his books were reaching every corner of the earth.
- By this letter of certification I fully authorize my representative, Robert Corens (initiated name, Rupanuga das Adhikary), to negotiate and complete the sale of property owned by ISKCON located, 4544 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108.
- Please let me know immediately how the Chhanganlal case has come out. I hope that by now you have received my letter of April 3, 1973 and have taken appropriate steps to secure the Juhu land.
- Now, there must be sufficient stock of each book in our India warehouse to supply all of these orders immediately. I have written one letter to both Tejyas and Gopala Krishna in this connection.
- If MacMillan is silent then immediately send me the correspondence which Dvarakadhisa had with the Japanese printers. Most probably I shall stop in Tokyo and hand over the printing to them.
Guiding the Heart of the Disciple
Beyond the management of temples, Śrīla Prabhupāda was deeply concerned with the internal life of his students. He used his letters to keep everyone firmly fixed on the path. He stressed the importance of chanting and early rising, and he was always there to catch a disciple who might be sliding into doubt or discord.
- I stress in every letter, "Chant Hare Krsna at least sixteen times. Follow the principles."
- I have read your letter, and it is my opinion that you should return to Santa Cruz. But where ever you stay you must chant 16 rounds daily and strictly adhere to the regulative principles as well as try to study my books.
- I am asking you personally, along with Tamala Krsna Goswami to whom I am sending a copy of this letter, to bury the hatchet and join together to push on this movement cooperatively.
- I have noted by your letter that already you are progressing nicely by associating with devotees and chanting 22 rounds daily so there is no more any need to wait. You may send to my Los Angles address your chanting beads so that you may receive initiation.
The Compassion of an Ever Well-Wisher
The personal warmth in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s letters is truly moving. He didn't see his disciples as mere workers; he saw them as his children. He offered comfort in times of death, encouragement in times of loneliness, and a fatherly affection that could heal even the most broken heart.
- I write at the end of my letters to my disciples, "Your ever well-wisher", and as such, I cannot become otherwise than being ever well-wisher of my disciples, even though he may leave me.
- I was very much shocked on hearing of the accidental death of Professor Dosa. I am sending herewith one letter for his wife which please hand over to her and give her all solace.
- It is very nice that Hal Pappa is coming to our temple. Please hand over the enclosed letter which I write to him out of my natural affection for him. I think if he joins with you will feel more encouraged in the service of the Lord.
- I shall request you not to circulate all my letters that I address to you. Letters are sometimes personal and confidential, and if all letters are circulated, it may react reversely.
Guarding the Purity of the Message
Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s letters were an extension of his books—they were transcendental sound. He reminded us that his words were not his own but were passed down through the disciplic succession. By reading his letters, we stay connected to the pure line of teachers starting from Lord Caitanya Himself.
- They are not my words (in my books and letters and my speaking at meetings), as I have repeatedly informed you that I am simply the bearer of the message from Lord Chaitanya through the disciplic succession and I do not make any addition or subtraction.
- Just before His Divine Grace passed away at Jagannatha Puri, I wrote him a letter asking what I could do to serve him. In reply, he wrote me a letter ordering me to preach in English the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as I had heard it from him.
- I wrote a personal letter to Gandhi that "Mahatma Gandhi, you are recognized all over the world as a very pious man, and you are supposed to be very devotee of Bhagavad-gita.
- Yes, we must set up our society as a school as best we can - I have already sent you letter. Please formulate the whole curriculum because we have to immediately submit to the Draft department and if this is accepted that will be great gain for our society.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s letters are a treasure chest of spiritual wisdom and practical guidance. They prove that the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple is not limited by time or space. Through his thousands of letters, Śrīla Prabhupāda remains present in our lives, checking on our rounds, managing our centers, and constantly encouraging us to keep going back to Godhead. If we ever feel disconnected from his presence, we only need to pick up a volume of his letters to realize that he is still writing to us, still caring for us, and still our "ever well-wisher."
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category My Letters (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.