Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Answering mails - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree

Answering mails

Harikesa Maharaja entered Srila Prabhupada's bedroom during his massage to read out the day's mail. Radhaballabha dasa in Los Angeles had sent two separate letters containing questions about the production of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The BBT is planning to reprint the First Canto for Christmas distribution. Jayadvaita dasa has re-edited it and Radhaballabha sought approval for the corrections. He said Hayagriva's original editing was mostly good except for the first two chapters, where he had omitted or changed many of Srila Prabhupada's original words.

Srila Prabhupada gave his unequivocal approval. "Concerning the editing of Jayadvaita Prabhu, whatever he does is approved by me. I have confidence in him."

Radhaballabha also suggested titles for the Cantos yet to be published. "After consulting Srimad-Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrta, we decided to give the Eighth Canto the title 'Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations.' It is a little uncomfortable to make these titles without your prior approval, so I would like to present to you our suggestions for the titles for the Ninth and Tenth Cantos: Ninth Canto -- Liberation,' Tenth Canto -- 'The Summum Bonum' or 'The Ultimate Shelter' or 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead' or 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Ultimate Shelter.' The Bhagavatam doesn't give any titles for the Eleventh and Twelfth Cantos, so I humbly request Your Divine Grace to name these Cantos."

He also enclosed some sketches for Srila Prabhupada's approval. At the end of his letter Radhaballabha added a personal note. "I have been following the Caturmasya austerities, and by your grace have found it very effective in controlling sex desire."

Srila Prabhupada approved "Liberation" as the title of the Ninth Canto and picked out "The Summum Bonum" for the Tenth. He said that he would decide on names for the Eleventh and Twelfth Cantos when he presented them. As far as the Eighth was concerned, he said, "[it] was a little hard to understand at first but if it refers to pralaya, then it is all right. You must consult with me on such matters. Do not manufacture anything."

He also approved the sketches, adding a few small changes. "The picture of the Mohini Murti capturing the demons should take place outside on grass, there is no floor or walls. Prahlada Maharaja does not have a beard. Always avoid beards. It is not true that there are no shoes in Krsna lila, rather there are shoes except for the Vrndavana pastimes. But the shoes are of another quality, they are beautiful with jewels etc. On the battlefield they must wear shoes. The severed head of Rahu should look like the head of a demon, not round like a planet."

Finally he added a short comment on Radhaballabha's personal sadhana. "By controlling sex desire one becomes the most perfect sober person, kandutivan manasa-jivam visaheta dhirah."

- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu

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