Breves alcances del principio de igualdad:

I requested Satyabrata (Moskowitz) to publish Lord Caitanya's

Teachings which is ready with Satsvarupa. Thakur Bhaktivinode's book Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may be printed in thousands and distributed...

[67-11-1 to Rayarama. Note: The references following quotations

correspond to the numbering system employed in the five volume book:

Letters From Çréla Prabhupäda.]

"So far as reading is concerned you may read any one of the books you have mentioned-Introduction to Srimad Bhagavatam, Professor Sanyal's book, Srila Bhaktivinode's book Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Life and Precepts or English translation of Sri Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Best thing is to take any one of the abovementioned books and finish it, from beginning to end. You can do that with Srila Bhaktivinode's book, that would be very nice." [68-3-15 to Mahapurusa]

"The statements of Thakur Bhaktivinode are as good as scriptures

because he is a liberated person. Generally the spiritual master comes from the group of such eternal associates of the Lord; but anyone who follows the principles of such ever-liberated persons is as good as one in the above-mentioned group. The gurus from nature's study are accepted as such on the principle that an elevated person in Krsna consciousness does not accept anyone as a disciple, but he accepts everyone as

expansion of his guru. That is very high position, called mahabhagavata.

Just like Radharani sometimes thinks a subordinate of hers as her teacher, to understand devotion of Krsna. A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake..." [68-4-18 to Janardana]

"...I am so pleased upon you that you are showing the example of an ideal householder. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur was also a householder, but he lived in such perfect Krsna consciousness that he is better than many sannyasis like us. So far as I am concerned, I could not live like

Bhaktivinode Thakur because I was disgusted with my family members and I was obliged to give up my family life ... we take it for granted that we have dedicated our life for Krsna's service in three ways, namely, in our body, in our mind, and in our words. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur has sung in a poetry that 'my mind, my body and my home is surrendered unto You'. So a grhastha or householder like you, you are also tridandi [a renunciate]." [68-8-35 to Rupanuga]

"So you should try to understand these principles of married life and use your discretion. You should not imitate great personalities like

Bhaktivinode Thakur, but you must follow His footprints. But it is not always possible to have the same success as great personalities like

Bhaktivinode Thakur achieved. So in all circumstances you should try to follow the footprints of authorities but never to imitate them." [68-9-24 to Satsvarupa]

"So it is not slavish when one agrees to become the slave of Krsna and His representative, [because] this is the liberated position, liberated from being slave to the senses. Yes, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur said, 'My dear Vaiñëava Öhäkura, spiritual master, let me become your dog, and I shall remain at your door, and I shall guard against any nonsense persons trying to enter, and whatever food you will give me, I shall eat, and I shall remain as your dog.'" [68-11-14 to Sivananda]

Bhaktivinode and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati will be bestowed upon you because you are trying to push on their lifelong mission. Thakur

Bhaktivinode, in the year of my birth, first attempted to introduce these missionary activities in McGill University and the same attempt is being renovated by your combined efforts. I am sure that Lord Caitanya and His eternal Associates, Bhaktivinode Thakur and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, will be pleased to bestow their mercy upon you. Please try to continue this attempt and I am sure you shall be successful." [68-11-47 to Hayagriva]

"...I expressed my desire that during the ceremony a special home for the EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN BRAHMACARIS MAY BE

ESTABLISHED AT MAYAPUR. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Prabhupada desired that such American and European devotees may live at Mayapur for studies of Sri Caitanya philosophy, and now the time is ripe when many American, European and Japanese students working as my disciples are ready to go there for this purpose... [Referring to a disheartening letter from a God-brother:] This is most discouraging and against the will of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Prabhupada Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. I therefore request you to give me a plot of land within the precincts of Sri Caitanya Math to construct a suitable building for my European and American students ... who may go in numbers to visit the site of the birthplace of Lord Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu." [69-2-20 to B. V. Tirtha Maharaja]

"Thakur Bhaktivinode was not official Spiritual Master of Gour Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja. Gour Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja was already renounced order, Paramahansa, but Thakur Bhaktivinode, while He was even playing the part of a householder, was treated by Gour Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja as Preceptor, on account of His highly elevated spiritual understanding, and thus He was always treating Him as His Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master is divided into two parts; namely, siksa-guru and diksa-guru. So officially Bhaktivinode Thakur was like siksa-guru of Gour Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja." [69-5-1 to Dayananda]

"NB: Enclosed is a few nice poems by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur which you may hand over to Mandali Bhadra for translation into German and to be submitted for publication in German Back To Godhead." [69-5-25 to Ananda]

"Regarding New Vrindaban, immediately there is no program for investing in New Vrindaban until Hayagriva transfers the property in the society's name. But there is another program: Bhaktivinode Thakur desired that American disciples would come to Mayapur to take

advantage of the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu." [69-7-30 to Brahmananda]

"So far as the quotation from Srila Bhaktivinode Öhäkur you have cited, that is quite all right. In this age, chanting of this Hare Krsna Mantra is the prime business of the devotee, and preaching of this Hare Krsna Mantra by outdoor Sankirtana and propagation of literature is our more important business. Side by side, Deity worship is recommended, but when there is a question of accepting one of them, we shall prefer to accept chanting of Hare Krsna Mantra first." [69-9-6 to Hamsadutta]

"Achyutananda should be encouraged to do this translating work. He is translating poems of Bhaktivinode Thakur, and that is very nice." [69-10-34 to Brahmananda]

"...so far as initiating disciples is concerned, anyone who is qualified can do this. For example, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur was householder and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was staunch brahmacari, yet they both were qualified for initiating disciples." [69-11-3 to Krsna devi]

"Generally, if one can remain a brahmacari, it is very convenient, and from brahmacari one can take sannyasa. But in this age of Kali,

Bhaktivinode T'hakur recommends that it is better to cultivate Krsna consciousness as a householder." [69-11-4 to Mandali Bhadra]

"I am especially interested in the land which I asked from you within the vicinity of Chaitanya Math. This is in pursuance of the desire of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Prabhupada. It is not for my personal use or satisfaction of personal whims." [69-12-12 to B.V Tirtha Maharaja]

"Regarding the song by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, the transliteration is as follows:

manasa deha geha yo kichu mora arpilun tua pade nandakisora maravi rakhavi yo iccha tohara

nitya dasa prati tua adhikara

"The translation is 'My mind, my body, my home, or whatever I have got in my possession I surrender unto Your Lotus Feet, O my dear Lord, Son of Nanda Maharaja (Krsna). Now if you like, you can kill me, or if you like you can give me protection. Whatever you like you can do. I am your eternal servitor. You have got every right to deal with me in any way as you please."' [69-12-20 to Nandakisora]

"Regarding Mayapur land, practically my jurisdiction of preaching work is covered mostly in these Western countries; and because Srila

Bhaktivinode Thakur wanted it that the American and European devotees should come to Mayapur, therefore I am trying for it. If you kindly help me in this connection it will be a great assistance." [70-1-32 to Madhava Maharaja]

"...Maya is covering all the material energies. Therefore one who is materially advanced, covered with riches, covered with learning,

covered with fame or covered with any material opulences, is understood to be covered by Maya. Srila Bhaktivinode says, jada vidya saba mayar baibhava-'The material opulences are expansions of Maya's influence [70-31 to Bhagavan]

"Now everything is there and you are also experienced, therefore go on opening branches as many as possible and preach Sankirtana Movement to your best capacity. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur entrusted the

responsibility to my Guru Maharaja, and He also in His turn empowered us to do the work. Similarly, I am requesting you, all my European and American students, to spread this movement city to city and village to village and make all people of the world happy." [70-3-24 to Hamsadutta]

"...Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur said that materialistic knowledge is another expansion of the influence of Maya. The result of material education is that the living entity forgets his own identification and takes to the business of a particular type of body which is given to him by the grace of Maya." [70-5-37 to Hayagriva]

"You have asked [for] some specific mantra; there is no other greater mantra than Hare Krsna. Srila Bhaktivinode says, 'When I chant Radha Krsna or Hare Krsna all my dangers are gone immediately.' So which other mantra can be more effective than Hare Krsna?" [70-5-42 to Upendra]

"Our Temple is meant for our men, and we may have our own

discussions amongst ourselves, no outsider needed. It is definitely concluded that we have not got to learn anything from any outsider beyond the jurisdiction of Gaudiya Vaiñëava philosophy. Our

philosophy is established on sound ground of the conclusion arrived at by Vyasadeva down to Jiva Gosvami, Visvanatha Cakravarti,

Bhaktivinode Thakur, etc." [70-5-45 to Tamal Krsna Maharaja]

"Wherever we may be, if we are engaged in Krsna's service, that is our success. Bhaktivinode Thakur [has] sung, praying to the Lord, that he would prefer to take His birth as an ant in the house of a devotee than to take birth as powerful as Brahma without any devotional service." [70-11-53 to Gargamuni]

"...So far, until now, my God-brothers have regularly not cooperated with me and [yet] by the grace of my Spiritual Master, things are still going ahead. ... it is the desire of Bhaktivinode Öhäkur to preach the Caitanya cult all over the world and in 1875 he predicted that someone would come very soon who would individually preach this cult all over the world. So if his benediction is there and my Guru Maharaja's

blessings are there, we can go ahead without any impediment but all of us must be very sincere and serious." [71-2-31 to Jayapataka Maharaja]

"Our acarya Bhaktivinode Thakur was the perfect householder and we should take his example. What a nice householder He was and what nice children he produced; one of them is my Guru Maharaja. That is the example. So follow it and become successful in Krsna consciousness." [71-6-15 to Svarupa]

[In reference to Mayapur:J "Regarding your proposal of a Rathayatra festival as Bhaktivinode Thakur suggested, you may kindly send me a note telling in which book the above statement is. I shall be very glad to see the article you have written in this connection and if it is ready please send it to me immediately." [71-8-7 to Acyutananda]

"...Whenever our men go to visit Lalita Prasad Thakur they must take some presentation, cash or kind, worth not less than Rs. 50/- at least.

Some nice presentation should always be given. Not that you go empty-handed. It is customary to make a presentation to the Deity and

Spiritual Master. Lalita Prasad Thakur is son of Bhaktivinode Thakur and younger brother of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati so he is considered

"I am very anxious to know whether we are going to have our Mayapur function? I want very much to hold this function this year with all of my students, and I ask you to kindly serve me by making this possible. It is a very important day and it will be a great service to Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and to His son Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur." [72-1-19 to Jayapataka Maharaja]

"The whole day spent at your Temple on Thursday was so pleasant and happy that all my disciples felt celestial blessings in your association.

Personally, I am so much encouraged by you, that I appreciate this as the blessings of Bhaktivinode Thakur through his living representative. [72-3-3 to His Divine Grace Lalita Prasad Thakur]

"You can write, but one cannot take it very seriously. If any Vaiñëava is writing song about Krsna, that should be from one who himself has realized Krsna, just like our great saints and äcäryas like Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya, Rupa Gosvami, Six Gosvamins, Bilvamangala,

Bhaktivinode Thakur, like that. They are self-realized souls, therefore if they write something-a song about Krsna, that is perfectly from the transcendental platform, without any tinge of mundane influence or nonsense imagination. Unless someone comes in the category of these great leading Vaiñëava personalities, his manufacturing some songs will be misleading to himself and to others. And unless his writing of poems and songs can be accepted as gospel, as Vedas or the Absolute Truth, such writing is diverting the attention from the subject matter only and should not be regarded very seriously... No one should write songs of Krsna unless he is self realized soul, that will spoil the value of the whole thing." [72-3-9 to Billy Reyburne]

[Referring to a plan to help develop the birthplace of Thakur

Bhaktivinode:] "So far as our relationship is concerned, even though we keep independent of one another, there will be no misunderstanding, because the central point is Bhaktivinode Thakur. Our only ambition is that the birthsite of Bhaktivinode Thakur must be gorgeous and

attractive so that people may come to see it from all parts of the world.

Bhaktivinode Öhäkur is no longer localized. His holy name is being

expanded along with Lord Caitanya's. So let them understand this point.

They are occupying the place for more than 50 years and none of their men could fulfill the desire of Bhaktivinode Thakur in the matter of

preaching in foreign countries... I can understand also that Lalita Prasad Thakur is very much favourable in giving us the concession but his assistants may be hesitating unnecessarily." [72-5-42 to Jayapataka Maharaja]

"Now you be in charge of our Mayapur Center. Practically speaking you were my first disciple, and I think it is Bhaktivinode's desire that my first disciple shall go to Bengal and revive Krsna Consciousness there." [72-6-4 to Acyutananda]

"...I have just now got a letter from Achyutananda Maharaja from

Mayapur, and his plan is to photograph all of the original manuscripts of Bhaktivinode Thakur which are held by his son, Lalita Prasad Thakur, in Birnagar. This is very, very important work, so I think you are just the right man for going there with Achyutananda to make photos of each and every page of the old manuscripts as they are in very bad condition."

[72-6-27 letter to Yadubara]

"Yes, that is nice, you may continue to photograph all of the manuscripts of Bhaktivinode Thakur and other great äcäryas in our Vaiñëava line, but for now do not photograph any of Lalita Prasad's manuscripts. When I go there I shall see. First of all let us see Bhaktivinode Thakur's works, then we shall see further." [72-7-42 to Yadubara]

"Regarding Bhaktivinode Thakur's manuscripts, immediately we do not have any program for printing them. You keep them carefully and when I return I shall consider the matter. The translating work can be done both by Ramananda and Niranjana in Benares." [72-8-3]

"Regarding your questions, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur never took formal sannyasa. He was babaji, living in seclusion away from wife and family as Paramahamsa. One can have as many children as Bhaktivinode Thakur as long as one is as good as Bhaktivinode Thakur." [72-14-14 to

Candravali]

"So always think of the Lotus Feet of Sri Krsna and you will find no difficulties in executing the tasks allotted to you by Krsna. Bhaktivinode Thakur used to say all difficult tasks he had to execute for Krsna were considered as great pleasure for him." [73-8-31 to Satsvarupa]

"...I understand that in the past you were visiting Lalit Prasadji and that you may also be planning to continue to visit him when you return to

any more. He holds a grudge against my Guru Maharaja and even if it is transcendental it will gradually appear mundane in our eyes. Whatever is to be learned of the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur can be learned from our books. There is no need whatsoever for any outside instruction." [73-12-40 to Guru Krpa and Yasodanandan Maharajas]

"Your good family has great interest in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and especially your grandfather Mahatma Sisir Kumar Ghose was a great friend of Bhaktivinode Thakur. So we are coming down in disciplic succession from Bhaktivinode Thakur and you are coming in family succession from Mahatma Sisir Kumar Ghose, so if we combine together in preaching the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it will be a great benediction to human society for the mitigation of all kinds of problems of material existence." [74-3-9 to Tarun Kanti Babu]

"You complain that as a householder it is very difficult. Especially you want to preach. There are examples of great preachers who were

householders, such as Bhaktivinode Thakur, although we cannot hope to imitate him." [74-4-17 to Raghunatha]

"Bhaktivinode Öhäkura has sung: 'Krsna sei tomara, krsna dite para, tomara sakati ache. Ami ta'kangala, krsna krsna boli, dhai tava pache pache.' 'Krsna is yours and you have the power to give Him to anyone you wish. I am poor and wretched and running behind you shouting, Krsna, Krsna!' Krsna is unlimited, no one can catch Him, but if someone follows the parampara, He agrees to be captured." [76-8-7 to Residents of New Dvaraka]

"...You may use Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur's translation of the Siksastakam..." [76-9-68 to Pancaratna]

"I am in due receipt of your letter dated Nov. 30, 1976, accompanied by your translation of Srila Bhaktivinoda's songs. Thank you very much.

You have done nicely." [76-12-35 to Jayasacinandana]