Letters from America

“Our relationship is certainly based on spontaneous love. That is why there is no chance of us forgetting on another. By the mercy of Guru and Gauranga may everything be auspicious for you. This is my constant prayer. From the first time I saw you I have been your constant well- wisher. At his first sight of me, Srila Prabhupada also saw me woth such love. It was in my very first darsana of Srila Prabhupada that I learned how to low.”

This booklet presents previously unpublished letters written by Srila Prabhupada during his first years in America. They are parts of a long correspondence between Srila Prabhupada and his siksa disciple and friend Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Mharaja, a disciple of Seila Prabhupada’s godbrother and sannyasa guru, Srila Bhakti Prajanan Kesava Gosvami Maharaha. These letters are only a few of over two hundred that Srila Prabhupada wrote, mostlr in Bengali and Hindi, to Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja between 1965 and 1977. They were preserved in a separate folder which was just recently located. The Butler, Pennsylvania entry is the first letter on record that Srila Prabhupada sent from America.

This is the first of three publications which depict Srila Prabhupada’s association with other Gaudiya Vaisnava devotees. Letters from America portrays Srila Prabhupada’s affectionate and candid relationship with Srila Narayana Fosvami Maharaja, which is not widly known. It reveals the service and support that Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja has offered for many years to his Siksa-guru. This book offers vintage historical documents, as well as excerpts from Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharajas lectures and interviews. They concern explanations of the letters and his friendship with Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami: My Siksa Guru and Priya Bandhu contains Srila Narayana Maharaja’s special memories of Srila Prabhupada since their first meeting in 1957. Included are additional documents and many of Srila Narayana Maharaja’s insights abour Srila Prabhupada’s preaching mission. Additional historical documents and photographs are included as well. The third volume entitled Our Srila Prabhupada: AFriend to All presents remembrances by other Gaudiy Vaisnava vontemporaries who had Srila rabhupada’s association. We hope that this valuable new material will enliven the hearts of all of Srila Prabhupada’s followers, helping us to increase our understanding of his transcendental personality, pastimes and teachings.