720302 – Srila Prabhupada Conversation with Lalita Prasad – Birnagar

P.S. 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 be always 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 the younger brother of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati so he is considered my spiritual master.
(710902 – Letter to Jayapataka written from London)

My dear Uncle Prabhupada Lalita Prasad Thakur, 
Kindly accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet. 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. Now you can expedite the lease agreement immediately so that before returning to U.S.A. in about three weeks’ time I may advise my assistants to take up the work seriously and begin construction and other things. Next time when I go to you I shall stay not less than one week. Hoping this will meet you in the very best health and happy mood. 
Yours affectionately, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
(720304 – Letter to Lalita Prasad Thakura written from Calcutta)

Regarding Lalita Prasad Thakur’s proposal, merging is possible in two ways: They become merged in our institution and we make it as one of our branches. In that case, as we are supplying all necessities to our branches, similarly, this branch will be also supported. When there is scarcity of money, everything will be provided by us. So in that case the management will be under our direction. Otherwise, if they want to keep their own identity then there is no other alternative than to take the land on lease. They can keep aside their portion independently, and the land which is given to us on lease, we keep ourselves independently. So far 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 from all parts of the world. Bhaktivinode Thakur is no longer localized. His holy name is being expanded along with Lord Chaitanya’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. With this spirit we should combine. So next you can talk with them on this understanding. I can understand also that Lalita Prasad Thakur is very much favorable in giving us the concession but his assistants may be hesitating unnecessarily.
(720517 – Letter to Jayapataka written from Honolulu)

I am especially pleased that you have stayed some days and got the tapes of Lalita Prashad Thakur for posterity.
But best thing is, I have asked Yadubara to come there to Birnagar from Bombay for photographing all of the manuscripts in the possession of Lalita Prashad Thakur page by page very completely before it is too late. The pages are in very decrepit conditions, so best thing is to request Lalita Prashad if we may take care of them by treating them against insects and storing them in a tight, dry storage place where they may be preserved for future generations of Vaisnavas to see the actual handwriting and words of such great saintly persons. Treat this matter very seriously and thoroughly, and take all precautions to protect this wonderful boon of literatures forever. Yadubara may photograph every page, never mind Bengali or English or any other language, and later we shall see where to send the copies to different places. You also write to Yadubara at Bombay in this connection and request him to join you in Birnagar immediately. I have also written him. These items are very, very priceless and are a great treasure house of Vaisnava lore, so be very careful in the matter and take all precautions to guard them.
(720612 – Letter to Acyutananda written from Los Angeles)

N.B. I have just now got one letter from Achyutananda Maharaj 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 a 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. After taking the photos, we shall be going to London on 2, 1972, so send reply accordingly.
(720620 – Letter to Yadubara written from Los Angeles)

I am pleased to hear that the song books and tapes of Lalita Prasad Thakur are in New York for being edited and distributed.
(720628 – Letter to Acyutananda written from Los Angeles)

You may develop the films of manuscripts from Birnagar and inform me what you have done and which manuscripts are with you, then I shall inform you where to send them for translating, etc.
(720713 – Letter to Yadubara written from London)

My Dear Achyutananda, 
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 16, 1972, along with two tapes and one book. The book contains some derogatory remarks about my Guru Maharaj, therefore we shall have nothing to do with printing it. In fact, since Lalita Prasad Thakur has not fulfilled his promise to give us that Birnagar land for our ISKCON center, so we shall not have any more to do with printing any books by Bhaktivinode Thakur or anyone. Try to induce him to fulfill his promise, otherwise we want nothing more to do with the whole business. Hoping this meets you in good health.
(720722 – Letter to Acyutananda written from Paris)

My dear Achyutananda, 
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 18, 1972, and I have noted the contents. One thing is, Sriman Lalita Prasad Thakur has not fulfilled his promise to give us that place in Birnagar for our ISKCON Temple. So I don’t want you to mix with him further. I have just got one letter from Acharya das, wherein he requests to live with Lalita Prasad Thakur for taking instruction from him. I do not like this idea, I don’t know where these ideas are coming from. No one should go there any more. Let Yadubara take his photos as he has taken so much trouble and they may be valuable for the future, but besides Yadubara no one else should go there, and Acharya das should not go there either.
(720729 – Letter to Acyutananda written from Amsterdam)

My dear Yadubara,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter from Calcutta dated July 30, 1972 and I have noted the contents carefully. That’s alright, you can forget the Lalita Prasada Thakur chapter for the time being. Let it be and help Giriraj with the construction work in Bombay immediately. When I return to India in October I shall see what is the situation and we shall consider further. Lalita Prasad Thakur also wants to consult with me so I shall do that. You should submit to me a weekly report as secretary of our Bombay center, as I am always anxious to know how the things are going on there. Hoping this meets you in good health.
(720806 – Letter to Yadubara written from London)