Sridhar Swami text

[Guest guest]

> Prabhu,

>

> Can you please send me what you spoke at Sridhar Maharaja's memorial. I

> need it for the reporting. I normally send out the transcripts the same

> day so it would be nice if you could do it ASAP.

>

> Your servant, ATD

 

>From Transcendental Diary Vol 5

 

November 28, 1976 -- Vrindavana

There were a couple of letters today, which Çréla Prabhupäda heard while

taking his massage in the garden. One was from Çrédhara Swami, who is

currently in America. Writing from New York, Mahäräja opened with a

heartfelt prayer: "Like a dried up tree without fruit or flowers I was

suffering in ignorance in this material world. Without qualification or even

a trace of pious activities I had no hope for deliverance, but by some

unknown good luck I got an opportunity to associate with some of your

disciples and from that moment my life was changed. Then by the grace of

Chidananda prabhu I was able to have your darshana and take initiation and

now there are only two things which I value in life; association of devotees

and your guidance."

He begged for Prabhupäda's instructions on what service to do. He had left

India in June and spent one month in Taiwan with Trivikrama Swami selling

the new Chinese Gétä. Then the two of them went to America to see if they

could enlist the services of some good book distributors. In New York Tamal

Krishna Mahäräja made a deal with them: if Çrédhara Swami would remain in

New York to develop their life membership program, Tamal Krishna Mahäräja

would give Trivikrama Swami their top book distributor, Buddhimanta prabhu,

along with several others. They agreed, and for the last four months

Çrédhara has been heading up two life membership parties. They are

collecting about five thousand dollars per month, existing members are well

looked after, visiting members from India receive good treatment, and they

are keeping proper records and accounts as well as answering all

correspondence. Now he has handed the program over to Çivänanda däsa, who

was previously preaching in Hong Kong and now finds himself free. "My plan

was to travel in the States until Kumbha Mela and then return to India. Of

the two places I far prefer India but I thought that as I am here I should

give my experience to the ½ dozen temples or so who are anxious to start a

life membership program. Then I could return to India and maybe return to

America every six months or so to make sure the membership programs are

going on here nicely. I hope this meets with the approval of Your Divine

Grace. I am always willing to do whatever you desire of me."

Prabhupäda was happy to hear of Çrédhara Swami's efforts and plans. "I am

very satisfied by the report of your activities. I fully approve your plan

to come to India for Kumba Mela and to work mainly in India after that,

visiting America every six months to see that everything is going on

properly with the life membership program."

 

Your humble servant,

Hari-sauri dasa