Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
We wish to offer our most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet, which traversed this
land of New Tālavana on August 1, 1975. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
As this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of your visit to New Tālavana, we reflect on our
great fortune in having your recorded words from that day still extant – both from the Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam class you gave and from the walk you took around the farm – along with many
photos, including the iconic one of you spontaneously cooking a simple lunch with the few
garden vegetables that were available. You gave us directions for farming and varṇāśrama-
dharma – instructions we’re still trying to implement.
In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class that morning (on 6.1.49), you said:
So they are simply interested in the present body: does not care what is going to
happen, and has no knowledge what he was before.… Pramattaḥ, just like madman.…
So this civilization, modern civilization, is just like madman civilization. They have no
knowledge of past life, neither they are interested in the future life. Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ
kurute vikarma. And fully engaged in sinful activities, because they have no knowledge
of the past life.… So our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to raise a person from
ignorance to knowledge.… By the association of devotee we awaken our inquisitive-
ness about God.… Therefore those who have got enlightenment, they should try to
raise these rascals who are in ignorance. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission.… So
take this knowledge seriously and at least distribute this knowledge properly for the
benefit of your people. Otherwise the world is in very, very precarious condition, and
although the human form of life is obtained for the success of life, they are being kept
purposefully or ignorantly in darkness.… So those who are devotees of Kṛṣṇa, they
should take charge, that “These rascals are suffering. Let them have some idea about
Kṛṣṇa.” That is wanted. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.… Now, this place
I see, although I have not seen all, is a nice place. And the gṛhasthas may come here,
have some small cottage, and grow your own food grains, vegetables, and have your
cow’s milk. Get nice foodstuff, save time.… Stick to this spot and grow your own food,
your own cloth, and live peacefully, save time, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Very nice program.
This is actual life.… So if you show practical example that how you are living simple
life and how you are advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then people will learn from
you. You American people, if you show example, people will try to follow you, and
they will be happy. So I am very glad to see this farm. Develop it nicely, live peacefully
and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Although we are an understaffed (and aged) group, we have faith in your instruction to “stick
to this spot and … show practical example that how you are living simple life and how you are
advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then … people will try to follow you.”
We cannot claim to be advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but we sincerely pray to be your loyal
servants, even birth after birth, to bring your vision for New Tālavana into the focal point of the
public. Then your unlimited mercy and compassion can be known to all as they discover that your
teachings are the only solution for a madman civilization which is increasingly in a very precari-
ous condition.
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for your causeless mercy upon us, despite our shortcomings and
inadequacies.
Your aspiring servants at your New Tālavana farm community