Foreword
1. The basic editorial policy of BACK TO GODHEAD
2. Some matters of parampara
3. The content of BACK TO GODHEAD
4. Qualifications for authors
5. Frequency and circulation
6. Basic standards of design
7. Editorial guidelines
8. Some specifics of BTG style
9. Appendixes
Published by
Back to Godhead Magazine
"I have entrusted BACK TO GODHEAD in your hand because this paper is the
beginning of my spiritual life. During the time of my Guru Maharaja's passing away,
his last instruction was to me that 'You try to preach whatever you have learned from
me in English, and that will do good to you and the people who will hear you.' This
instruction was given to me in 1936, and I started this paper in 1944. So during my
household life I was printing this paper and almost distributing free, and some of
them were paying me subscription, and some of them were not. But I was trying my
best at all cost. You have seen the old articles about my tendency in this regard, and
please try to follow as you think best. You have got full liberty to make it acceptable
to the general public, keeping pace with our principles of Krishna consciousness.
And as I have told you several times, I am awaiting for the day when this paper will
take the shape of Life magazine or similar other magazines in the matter of its
popularity. From India this paper has been brought to America, with this hope—that
American boys like you will take interest in spreading this sublime gospel of
Krishna consciousness."
—letter by His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Foreword
The BACK TO GODHEAD Handbook, which is mostly made up of quotes from
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Shrila Prabhupada, was compiled by Jayadvaita Swami to guide the staff of BACK
TO GODHEAD in its work of publishing the monthly magazine. But the book has
wider uses and may be read profitably by all devotees. No one should attempt to
make suggestions about the content or about changes in BACK TO GODHEAD's
editorial policies, unless he has carefully read these numerous quotes by Shrila
Prabhupada.
BACK TO GODHEAD magazine was founded by His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and he intended that his disciples and followers
continue the magazine as an essential part of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness. The magazine is one of those institutions to which Prabhupada gave
much attention and direction during his lifetime, so we needn't speculate on what he
wanted. “If our movement is going to be recognized as a scientific, God-conscious
movement,” said Shrila Prabhupada while instructing the editors of BACK TO
GODHEAD in 1969, “then this BACK TO GODHEAD will be referred to as
authorized scripture. Therefore we have to prepare it in an authorized way.” We are
fortunate, in the case of BACK TO GODHEAD magazine, to have such specific,
authorized guidance by Shrila Prabhupada, and our duty is to follow the parampara.
In a 1969 Shrimad-Bhagavatam lecture at New Vrindaban (Canto One, Chapter
Five, Text Ten), Prabhupada described how Narada Muni condemned all literature
that does not describe the glories of the Lord. He said, "Produce a page only, BACK
TO GODHEAD! That will bring revolution to the human society about
understanding spiritual life. Don't produce nonsense literature!" Thus we may
understand that Shrila Prabhupada considered his magazine to be of potent spiritual
quality, like Shrimad-Bhagavatam.
We hope that by reading this manual, ISKCON devotees will feel closer to
Prabhupada's desires in this matter, and become enthusiastic to contribute to BACK
TO GODHEAD. I urge devotees, therefore, to contribute, either by writing articles,
by artwork or photography, or by offering helpful suggestions based on
Prabhupada's directions, or simply by reading BACK TO GODHEAD. And
everyone can take part in the most important function of widely distributing BACK
TO GODHEAD magazine to help bring about Prabhupada's expectations. "We want
to distribute as many issues of BTG as possible," wrote Shrila Prabhupada, "so the
more you can print and distribute the more my Guru Maharaja will be pleased to see
His Great Dream being fulfilled."
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
Editor in Chief
August, 1985
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PART 1. The basic editorial policy of Back To Godhead
Instructions to the Editors by Shrila Prabhupada
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gave the following
instructions in Boston, Massachusetts on December 24, 1969.
The Krishna consciousness movement is composed of four different stages. The first
stage is to understand one's relationship with the Godhead, or Krishna. Because at
the present moment the conditioned souls have forgotten themselves, they have
forgotten their relationship with Krishna. Actually, the relationship is there
eternally, but under the influence of maya, everyone is thinking "I'm something of
this material world" and identifying himself with his body. So, we have to awaken
them from that illusory existence, which they're not. This identification with the
body is the whole mistake of the modern status of life. I don't say "of the modern
civilization," because this mistake is coming up since the creation of this material
world. Sometimes it is in greater degree, and sometimes in lesser degree. In
Satya-yuga the same condition was present, but in lesser degree. But in Kali-yuga
the condition is in greater degree.
So, the first business is to awaken the conditioned souls from their illusory position,
in which they're thinking, "I am this body, and everything in relationship with this
body is very important." (Janasya moho'yam aham mameti.) This idea is illusion:
that "I am this body and anything in relation with this body is mine." I have a special
relationship with a certain woman, so I think, "She is my wife; I cannot do without
her." Or another woman, from whom I have taken birth: "She is my mother."
Similarly, my father, similarly my sons. In this way I think of country, society, at the
most humanity. But all these things are illusion, because they are based on bodily
relationships. Yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke ... sa eva gokharah: those who
are living according to this illusory condition of life—they are compared to the cows
and asses.
So, our first business is to wake up the general mass of people from this illusory
condition of life. BACK TO GODHEAD is especially meant for that purpose. We
are pushing forward BACK TO GODHEAD to the general mass of people so that
they can come to the first status of enlightenment. Then there will also be those who
are becoming enlightened, who are coming forward: "Swamiji," they may say,
"please make me a member of your society. Please initiate me." When one comes
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forward, understanding his position, he is in the second stage—training in how to
awaken one's dormant love of God. That is another stage—training. So sambandha,
abhidheya ... Then, when one actually has love of Godhead, he can understand the
higher status of loving exchange between Radha and Krishna and the residents of
Vrindavana. This is the third stage. And the fourth stage is the paramahamsa stage,
when one is always enjoying. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah
sadaiva hridayeshu vilokayanti: when one is completely merged in the ocean of love
of Godhead, he'll relish in any condition of life, because Krishna is present. "Krishna
is present" means that Krishna's name is present, His form is present, His lila is
present, His paraphernalia is present—everything is present. Krishna is not alone.
We are not impersonalists. As soon as we say "Krishna," that means Krishna is there
with His name, fame, opulence, entourage, pastimes, and so on.
So, BACK TO GODHEAD generally deals with the first two stages of
understanding: to awaken the relationship, and to train people. Of course, our aim is
to come to the highest platform of loving exchange, but generally we are dealing
with the mass of people. Therefore, our propaganda should be how to convince
people by reasoning, by philosophy, by science, and by argument that they're in an
illusory state. These politicians, these scientists, these philosophers—they have no
advanced knowledge. Their ultimate goal is reached if they can do some
humanitarian work, some welfare work. Vivekananda, Aurobindo, and so many
others are doing this welfare work. And the yogis—they are trying to be
self-satisfied by meditation. But nobody is concerned with God, or Krishna. Nobody
is concerned. This is the position of the world. So under the circumstances our first
business is to, to awaken people from this illusory condition. They are thinking, "I
am this body," and that the greatest well-being is taking care of that body or bodily
relationships. So we have to take them out of that illusory condition. That should be
the policy of our BACK TO GODHEAD.
And as far as the editors are concerned, they are supposed to know all these
conclusions....
It is a very important thing, BACK TO GODHEAD. If our movement is going to be
recognized as a scientific God-conscious movement, then this BACK TO
GODHEAD will be referred to as authorized scripture. Therefore, we have to
prepare it in an authorized way. Nothing nonconclusive can be introduced in BACK
TO GODHEAD. That should be our policy.
PART 2. Some matters of parampara
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The Founder-Acarya of BACK TO GODHEAD
BACK TO GODHEAD was founded in 1944 by His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, under the direct order of his spiritual master.
Therefore, the editors and staff of BACK TO GODHEAD must be servants of Shrila
Prabhupada in the parampara system. It should be their aspiration to present BACK
TO GODHEAD in accordance with his desires and instructions, so as to satisfy Lord
Krishna by rendering devotional service through the disciplic succession.
BACK TO GODHEAD should present the philosophical conclusions of Krishna
consciousness as they are recorded in authoritative scriptures like Bhagavad-gita As
It Is, Shrimad-Bhagavatam, and Shri Caitanya-caritamrita and as accepted by the
previous acaryas. Independent speculations departing from the ideas of the acaryas
have no place in BACK TO GODHEAD.
The BACK TO GODHEAD Logo
The BACK TO GODHEAD logo originally appeared in the Indian edition published
by Shrila Prabhupada himself.
After the editors of BTG in America experimented with various logos of their own,
Shrila Prabhupada ordered, in 1970 (?), that the original logo be restored. In 1971,
the logo was refined, and Shrila Prabhupada commented, "The new BTG logo is
very nice. It is accepted. The original idea is improved in this logo. I am very glad."
(letter to Advaita, March 18, 1971)
On numerous occasions, Shrila Prabhupada made explicitly clear that he did not
approve changes in the basic idea of the logo. Although refinements may be allowed,
all the original elements must be retained—the effulgent figure of Lord Caitanya, the
clouds, the BACK TO GODHEAD banner, the people, and the picture of Shrila
Prabhupada. (This particular picture was chosen by Shrila Prabhupada himself.) The
BTG motto—"Godhead is Light. Nescience is darkness. Where there is Godhead
there is no nescience."—is an essential element of the logo and must not be omitted.
Shrila Prabhupada also approved the subtitle, "The Magazine of the Hare Krishna
Movement."
Masthead
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At the top of the masthead, the following words should always prominently appear:
FOUNDER
(under the direction of His Divine Grace
Shri Shrimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada)
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This specific wording was explicitly approved by Shrila Prabhupada. It should never
be changed, nor should this essential portion of the masthead ever be omitted.
Shrila Prabhupada's Title
On the page bearing his portrait and in other formal presentations, Shrila Prabhupada
should always be identified as follows:
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Pictures of the Acaryas
When pictures of the acaryas in the disciplic succession are presented in BACK TO
GODHEAD, they should be presented in chronological order. If presented
vertically, the senior acarya should be at the top and the most recent acarya at the
bottom. If presented horizontally, the most recent acarya should be at the left and the
most senior at the right.
Shrila Prabhupada preferred that pictures of the acaryas include their full form, not
only the head and shoulders. These portraits, Shrila Prabhupada said, are for
worship, not for decoration. We worship the lotus feet of the spiritual master (vande
guroh shri caranaravindam).
Sequence of Articles
Articles by the acaryas should be presented in chronological order, beginning with
the most senior acaryas and progressing to the most recent. Thus: Shrila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Shrila
Prabhupada, and then Shrila Prabhupada's disciples. This is the proper order.
Also, it is a principle (although because of design considerations we have found it
difficult to follow) that articles by sannyasis should precede articles by other
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disciples. Shrila Prabhupada instructed, "First my Guru Maharaja or senior acaryas,
then myself, then our sannyasis, and then the other students." (letter to Gopala
Krishna, January 21, 1971)
Portrait of Shrila Prabhupada
A large, full-form portrait of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of BACK TO GODHEAD, appears at the beginning
of each issue of the magazine. It should not be omitted, nor replaced by the picture of
any other acarya.
Under the portrait should appear this legend:
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The portrait now appears on the inside cover.
Monthly Copies Offered to the Founder-Acarya
Because BACK TO GODHEAD is published for the satisfaction of His Divine
Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, each month advance copies of the
new issue are offered to Shrila Prabhupada and to the Deities presiding where
BACK TO GODHEAD has its offices. The magazines are offered at the first
mangala-arati after the new copies are received. This is the responsibility of the
managing editor, or in his absence, the production manager.
PART 3. The content of Back To Godhead
Topics for Articles
In a letter dated February 22, 1969, Shrila Prabhupada directed, "Now the policy
should be straight that this BACK TO GODHEAD is completely different from all
other magazines. As there are different magazines for different subject matters, this
magazine will be simply devoted for Vaishnava philosophy, or Krishna
consciousness movement. That should be our policy."
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Shrila Prabhupada told us that Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta would judge an article by how
many times it mentioned the name "Krishna."
In another letter, dated February 15, 1969, Shrila Prabhupada said, “On the whole, I
wish to present BACK TO GODHEAD in the line of Krishna consciousness
throughout, and criticism of too much materialism.”
Shrila Prabhupada also directed that BACK TO GODHEAD should contain pictures
of the sankirtana movement. "In each issue of BACK TO GODHEAD there shall be
sufficient pictures of our sankirtana movement with descriptions. I have advised to
follow this policy rigidly." (letter dated June 16, 1969)
In 1971, Shrila Satsvarupa Maharaja proposed that each BTG could contain five
different articles—an article by Shrila Prabhupada, a straightforward philosophical
article, a topical article, a picture article, and an article about Krishna's pastimes. In a
letter dated December 17, 1971, Shrila Prabhupada approved this suggestion: “Your
idea for five different articles in BTG monthly is very nice. I like your 'topical
articles' also. Keep them simple and Krishna conscious, avoiding too much bending
to the public taste, but if they are appropriate to current problems, then it is a nice
proposal.”
In other letters, Shrila Prabhupada gave these directions about the content of BACK
TO GODHEAD:
“The subject matter is that everyone should know who is Krishna. So present it in
philosophical way, but with simple language. The next subject matter is our
relationship with Krishna. Then how we fulfill our life's ambition in Krishna
consciousness. So all these subject matters should be made understandable by the
people in general....” (July 27, 1971)
"So far as special topics for writing, all our topics are in the books. There is nothing
'special.' Krishna is the Supreme Person, and we are all His servants. This
philosophy we have to present in different ways. One cannot be happy without this
understanding of his constitutional position." (April 9, 1971)
“. . . from the Puranas we can give many, many instructive articles with nice
pictures. Similarly, we can give many valuable articles even from the political or
social points of view (although they are not our business), so much so that the people
of the world will have completely novel spiritual ideas." (April 2, 1969)
When Satsvarupa Maharaja rejected an article concerning radha-krishna lila, Shrila
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Prabhupada gave these instructions:
"Your decision not to publish this article is correct. To the neophyte devotees we
should issue instruction that there are four stages of understanding our relationship
with Krishna. The first stage is reestablishing our relationship with Krishna. That is
the first stage. The second stage is, after understanding our relationship, to perform
devotional service under proper guidance. The third stage is acquisition of the
desired object. The fourth stage is relishing the nectar of perfectional love. So
radha-krishna lila belongs to the fourth stage of understanding, and we are
publishing BTG for people in general to reestablish their forgotten relationship with
Krishna. So we should always remember this, and from Shrimad-Bhagavatam,
Bhagavad-gita, and Ishopanishad they should try to write how our relationship is
evoked from this stage of forgetfulness. They should write articles like this: 1)
Krishna, the Omnipotent, 2) How God can be Realized as All-Pervasive, 3) The
Original Source of Everything, 4) Transcendental Process of Hearing, 5) How One
Gets out of the Clutches of Maya, 6) Prayers by Arjuna, 7) Prayers by Kuntidevi, 8)
Prayers by Bhishmadeva. They should try to understand Krishna first in so many
ways which are described in our Bhagavatam. They should read them carefully and
pick up the subject matters as above mentioned. What general people will
understand about radha-krishna lila? Immediately they will take it as ordinary boys
and girls, in spite of a thousand warnings, This is not this, this is not this.' So you
shall issue instruction that they should write articles on the subject matters as above
mentioned. They should read our Bhagavatam. The purports are there; they should
assimilate them in their own words in a literary career.
"I was very pleased to see one of your articles which you picked up from
daksha-yajna. The articles should be very scrutinizingly published. We want to
make our BTG an authorized, first-class magazine, and the writers and students
should be equally responsible." (December 13, 1969)
Krishna and the Gopis
In another letter, dated December 31, 1968, Shrila Prabhupada gave this instruction:
"You are correct in your doubts that radha-krishna lila should not be discussed in
BACK TO GODHEAD. In the Shrimad-Bhagavatam there are so many
philosophical discussions, and we should concentrate on these philosophical
aspects. Otherwise the less intelligent will surely understand radha-krishna lila as
simply nonsense boy-and-girl sex life. H——[a publisher] and company are all
mundane types, and they have no entrance into spiritual activities. Superficially they
9
pose themselves as great devotees, but we can feel their pulse: ultimately they are
impersonalists. We should not depend upon writings from such unauthorized
sources. Strictly we should avoid publishing these confidential topics in BACK TO
GODHEAD. This is dangerous for the conditioned soul. Although krishna lila can
do some good to the mundane people in the long run, to understand the philosophical
aspects of Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam in the beginning is essential
and will make for good stride in spiritual life. I do not know why Rayarama has
asked you to send such article. It is not to my sanction. We shall be very careful
about mundane sex life. That is the pivot of conditioned life. You are intelligent
enough, and I hope that Krishna will help you in these matters."
In another letter: "In BTG the rasa-lila episode cannot be published. We are writing
on the activities of Krishna, and rasa-lila is one of the most important pastimes of
His transcendental activities. Therefore it must be published in the book, but it
cannot be published in any public paper. That is the instruction of my Guru
Maharaja. Actually, rasa-lila means to curb down the lusty propensities of the
conditioned soul. Unfortunately, it acts differently on the conditioned soul if he is
not prepared to understand what is Krishna. So do not print this." (letter to
Satsvarupa, October 15, 1969)
However, Shrila Prabhupada also said, "It does not mean that we shall not even utter
the word gopis, that we have taken a vow to boycott the gopis. No They are our
worshipable devotees. How can we avoid them? " (For further discussion of this
subject, see Part 9.)
Politics and Current Affairs
To present spiritual ideas in the context of current affairs demands great care and
thoughtfulness. First, one must risk the temptation to dwell too much on mundane
issues and thereby to neglect the real subject matters of self-realization. Then, one
must also take care to see that one has correctly understood the materialistic issues in
question, and one must have one's facts straight. Finally, one must be sure that one's
ideas are sensible, articulately expressed, and well-defended.
Shrila Prabhupada has given this instruction: "So far discussions of political affairs
in BTG, it is not a very good suggestion. But ... you can present some political affairs
in spiritual light, as I wrote some articles in the original BTG in the matter of
political divisions of India and catastrophes thereof. That requires a very thorough
understanding of the whole situation, and if you can do this, it will be a great
service." (letter dated March 23, 1968)
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Criticisms of Specific Individuals and Organizations
As a general principle, BACK TO GODHEAD should avoid criticizing specific
groups and individuals by name.
In a letter to Satsvarupa Maharaja dated July 7, 1977, Shrila Prabhupada's secretary
quoted Shrila Prabhupada as having spoken as follows:
"You should go positively forward instead of attacking others. It [specific criticism
of others] will create a section of enemies. We may criticize with our mouth, but not
put it in writing. If we attack so many people, then we will have to fight with
everyone, one after another. What is the use? They are failures; that is a fact. But
failure is failure. Let us prove by action that all others are failures. Just like Bal Yogi
is a failure now. Transcendental Meditation is going to be a failure. To criticize
means to give some importance—a rival to Hare Krishna .... When I am asked, 'Do
you know such-and-such person?’ I say, 'I do not know such a person.' In this way I
give them no importance . . . There is a proverb in Bengali: 'If you kill a skunk, your
hand gets a bad smell.' If you attack others, some bad smell will be there. I never did
so. Keep your position respectable. Don't create many enemies. Why should I try to
understand G——or R——philosophy? I know from the beginning it is useless. No
importance. I therefore say, 'I do not know these.' Let others present the philosophy
of R——or G——and then you smash it. You crush it by kicking. Otherwise your
hand will get a bad smell."
Freedom from Compromise
Shrila Prabhupada never approved of trying to popularize BTG by changing it so as
to pander to the tastes of the public. He wrote to Satsvarupa Maharaja, "Actually,
people are seeking transcendental reading matter more and more, so if we stick to
our standard, as I have given you, then there is no doubt they will come to read our
magazine in great numbers. You make it very attractive, with our Krishna conscious
subject matter as you have outlined, and our BTG will be very much in demand,
without further changes. I have seen one Christian newspaper which is trying to
attract readers by resort to fashionable phrases and materialistic themes of mass
public interest—simply because they have not got any real substance for attracting,
they offer what they think the public might like, such as sex, crimes, amusements,
like that. That is not our method. We have got such stock of real substance that alone
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it is sufficient to capture the readers, without such ordinary tricks and commercial
formulas." (December 17, 1971)
In another letter, Shrila Prabhupada wrote, "Our policy should be to only publish our
Krishna consciousness articles in various forms. We are not concerned with any
movement save and except Krishna consciousness in its pure form. In India it is said
that a little bit of a pure thing is much better than huge volumes of impure,
adulterated things. So please try to follow this policy and publish in BTG only pure
Krishna conscious articles. (letter to Brahmananda, August 27, 1969)
Readability
As mentioned before, Shrila Prabhupada instructed, "The subject matter is that
everyone should know who Krishna is. So present it in philosophical way, but with
simple language (July 27, 1971)
On another occasion, Shrila Prabhupada commented that if the articles the devotees
write are difficult to understand, this indicates that the devotees have not fully
assimilated the subject matter.
Shrila Prabhupada also wrote, "The policy of the BTG should be always writing
articles which can be understood by people in general. Vedic literatures like
Brahma-samhita may be published in separate books, but assimilated ideas may be
published in BTG." (letter to Pradyumna, May 13, 1970)
Use of Sanskrit
"So far as minimizing the use of Sanskrit words in BTG, that is very nice. There is no
need for so much Sanskrit. Therefore I objected to the Brahma-samhita edition. I use
Sanskrit, but the purport I give immediately." (letter to Satsvarupa, November 28,
1970)
On another occasion, Shrila Prabhupada mentioned that the Sanskrit quotations in
his own lectures should not be edited out for BTG.
Articles from The Harmonist
"Regarding publishing articles from the Harmonist, after the departure of my Guru
Maharaja so many nonsense things have been written. So we should know who has
written these articles. Articles written by my Guru Maharaja can be published
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without any hesitation, but articles written by Prof. Sannyal after 1936, they are not
at all good." (letter to Hayagriva, November 7, 1969)
Changes
Shrila Prabhupada on many occasions expressed his strong dasapproval of what he
considered needless changes in the format of BTG. Over the years, there were
proposals that the physical dimensions of the magazine be changed, that the title and
subtitle of the magazine be changed, or that there be two magazines—a simple,
popular one for the masses and a sophisticated one for the intelligensia. All of these
ideas Shrila Prabhupada rejected.
In response to one such proposal, Shrila Prabhupada wrote, "I think that if we simply
improve the contents of our BTG magazine, so many changes are not required. I
have written to Karandhara on this point, so you may write him for my opinion.
What is the use of instituting many changes? For something worthwhile people are
not so stupid they will prefer the package or label to the contents inside. I don't think
all of these changes are necessary. Where is the end of change if we simply rely on
public taste? It is the philosophy which must attract people to BACK TO
GODHEAD magazine." (letter to Satsvarupa, November 21, 1971)
Advertisements
Shrila Prabhupada considered commercial advertisements to be detrimental to the
prestige of BTG. Therefore, although outside advertisements were for some time
published in BTG as a matter of financial necessity, Shrila Prabhupada directed that
they be discontinued. Advertisements for ISKCON projects and BBT books,
however, are perfectly welcome. Shrila Prabhupada wrote to Brahmananda: "So far
as ads are concerned, only our books should be advertised, nothing else." (July 1,
1969) "Regarding your plan for advertising membership in BTG, that is nice." (July
16, 1969)
Book Reviews
Shrila Prabhupada was not in favor of publishing reviews of books other than
legitimate books of Krishna consciousness. "I know that in India the Kalyan
Kalpataru and similar other papers do not take any advertisement, neither do they
review any book unless it is published by them. So I think we should follow this
13
policy." (letter dated February 9, 1969)
Cartoons
Shrila Prabhupada approved of publishing Krishna consciousness stories illustrated
in comic-strip fashion. "When I look through the back issues, the comic pictures of
Vamanadeva, of the hunter, of the bridegroom party, such things are very
instructive. I think that instead of engaging our pages in the matter of book reviews
[of books] with which we do not agree, we should utilize these pages for such comic
pictures." (letter dated February 15, 1969)
Shrila Prabhupada cautioned, however, that the illustrations should be done in such a
way that they are taken seriously.
In a letter to Satsvarupa (March 13, 1971), Shrila Prabhupada gave an example of
the kind of cartoon that could be published:
“Yes, cartoons are very nice, and here is one example which may be used. There is
a discussion between a man in Krishna consciousness and a man who is, for
example, supporting the yoga system. He says, ‘This yoga system is so nice, it
enables one to live for hundreds of years.’ Reply: ‘Of what value is that? The tree
lives for thousands of years. So, long life has no credit unless there is Krishna
consciousness.' Then he says, ‘But the tree cannot breathe.’ Reply: ‘The bellows,
nothing but a skin bag, is breathing and snoring with greater capacity than any
person.’ ‘But the bellows cannot have sex pleasure and beget children,’ he says.
Reply: ‘Yes, but the hogs have sex pleasure all they want and indiscriminately. Does
it mean that the man is less important than the hog?’
“Living, breathing, and begetting: these make good comparisons and can be
illustrated by cartoons. What is the use of living for hundreds of years? Living one
moment with Krishna consciousness is far better than living for thousands of years
without Krishna consciousness.”
Letters
"Yes, parts of my letters may be reprinted as a second article by me .... Yes, a
question-and-answer article is very nice; and letters from interested persons may
also be published. On other matters, you can use your own discretion. " (letter to
Satsvarupa, May 26, 197 1)
14
Shrimad-Bhagavatam Section
In 1975, in response to a suggestion by a life member, Srfla Prabhupada requested
that a chapter of Shrimad-Bhagavatam appear in every issue of BTG.
"From now on, include one chapter from Shrimad-Bhagavatam in every issue of
BACK TO GODHEAD magazine. You can start with the first chapter of the first
canto and continue. You should reproduce the chapter as it is in the book, in other
words, with the devanagari script, word meanings, transliteration, etc. If a chapter is
very, very big it can be given two issues." (letter to Jayadvaita, May 11, 1975)
When publishing an entire chapter proved somewhat impractical, the editors decided
upon a regular eight-page section of Shrimad-Bhagavatam, and Shrila Prabhupada
voiced no objection.
The Hare Krishna Mantra
The editors have established a policy that the Hare Krishna mantra—Hare Krishna,
Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama,
Hare Hare—should appear prominently, in large type, on at least one page in every
issue of BTG.
The Original BTG
For further guidance in regard to the content of BTG, one is advised to look through
copies of the original BTG Shrila Prabhupada published in India.
The original Indian BTG included translations and purports from
Caitanya-caritamrita, Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Ishopanishad, and the
Shrimad-Bhagavatam, as well as other philosophical articles and articles of topical
interest. Easy Journey to Other Planets originally appeared as two articles in BTG.
The purport of Bhagavad-gita 7.15 originally appeared as an article in BTG.
PART 4. Qualifications for authors
15
Disciples Should Write
Shrila Prabhupada desired that his disciples read his books, assimilate the subject
matters, and express their realizations by writing articles for BTG.
"All students should be encouraged to write some article after reading
Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and Teachings of Lord Caitanya. They
should realize the information, and they must present their assimilation in their own
words. Otherwise, how they can be preachers?" (letter to Brahmananda, July 1,
1969)
"I want all our students to write articles for our transcendental magazine." (letter to
Satsvarupa, January 11, 1971)
"Regarding articles for BTG, I have already issued instructions to all centers
requesting my disciples to send articles every month, and I am going to repeat it
again for the second time. " (letter to Hayagriva, July 12, 1969)
"BTG should be full with our own articles, and there is no need for articles by
outsiders." (letter to Brahmananda, July 1, 1969)
"Realization means you should write. Every one of you. What is your realization?
What for this BACK TO GODHEAD is? You write your realization—what you
have realized about Krishna. That is required. It is not passive. Always you should
be active. Whenever you find time, write. Never mind—two lines, four lines, but
you write your realization. Shravanam kirtanam. Writing or offering prayers,
glories—this is one of the functions of the Vaishnava. You are hearing, but you have
to write also. Then, writing means smaranam—remembering what you have heard
from your spiritual master. Shravanam kirtanam vishnoh. About Vishnu, not for
others. Don't write any nonsense thing for any nonsense man. Useless waste of time.
Vishnu—write about Vishnu, Krishna. This is cultivation of Krishna consciousness.
Hear, write, remember, try to understand. Don't be dull—dull-headed. Very
intelligent. Without being very intelligent nobody can have full Krishna
consciousness. It is for the most intelligent man. So that intelligence will come if you
try to understand Krishna. We have got so many books. Always try to understand
Krishna. Then you are liberated .... You cannot understand Krishna in full—He's
unlimited, our knowledge is limited. But as far as you can, try to understand
Krishna." (lecture, Los Angeles, 1970)
Instructions from Caitanya-caritamrita
16
The following directions from Shrila Prabhupada's purports to Shri
Caitanya-caritamrita are provided for the guidance of those who wish to write for
BTG. For further directions, one may consult Adi-lila, Chapter 8.
Shrila Sanatana Gosvami has written in his Hari-Bhakti-vilasa:
avaishnava-mukhodgirnam putam hari-kathamritam
shravanam naiva kartavyam sarpocchishtam yatha payah
Transcendental literature that strictly follows the Vedic principles and the
conclusion of the Puranas and Pancaratrika-vidhi can be written only a pure
devotee. It is not possible for a common man to write books on bhakti, for his
writings will not be effective. He may be a very great scholar and expert in
presenting literature in flowery language, but that is not at all helpful in
understanding transcendental literature. Even if transcendental literature is written
in faulty language, it is acceptable if it is written by a devotee, whereas so-called
transcendental literature written by a mundane scholar, even if it is a very highly
polished literary presentation, cannot be accepted. The secret in a devotee's writing
is that when he writes about the pastimes of the Lord, the Lord helps him; he does
not write himself. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (10.10), dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te. Since a devotee writes in service to the Lord, the Lord from
within gives him so much intelligence that he sits down near the Lord and goes on
writing books." (Adi-lila, Volume 2, pages 189-190)
"To write about the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
is not an ordinary endeavor. Unless one is empowered by the higher authorities, or
advanced devotees, one cannot write transcendental literature, for all such literature
must be above suspicion, or, in other words, it must have none of the defects of
conditioned souls, namely, mistakes, illusions, cheating, and imperfect sense
perceptions. The words of Krishna and the disciplic succession that carries the
orders of Krishna are actually authoritative. To be empowered to write
transcendental literature is a privilege in which a writer can take great pride. As a
humble Vaishnava, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, being thus empowered, felt
very much ashamed that it was he who was to narrate the pastimes of Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu." (Adi 2, page 206)
"Anyone who attempts to write about Krishna must first take permission from the
spiritual master and Krishna. Krishna is situated in everyone's heart, and the spiritual
master is His direct representative. Thus Kirsna is situated antar-bahih, within and
without. One must first become a pure devotee by following the strict regulative
17
principles and chanting sixteen rounds daily, and when one thinks that he is actually
on the Vaishnava platform, he must then take permission from the spiritual master,
and that permission must also be confirmed by Krishna from within his heart. Then,
if one is very sincere and pure, he can write transcendental literature, either prose or
poetry." (Adi 2, pages 206-207)
"A sentimentalist who has no Vaishnava qualifications cannot produce
transcendental writings. There are many fools who consider krishna-lila to be a
subject of art and write or paint pictures about the pastimes of Lord Krishna with the
gopis, sometimes depicting them in a manner practically obscene. These fools take
pleasure in material sense gratification, but one who wants to make advancement in
spiritual life must scrupulously avoid their literature. Unless one is a servant of
Krishna and the Vaishnavas, as Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami presents himself to
be in offering respects to Lord Caitanya, His associates, and His disciples, one
should not attempt to write transcendental literature." (Adi 2, page 215)
"This is the sum and substance of transcendental writing. One must be an authorized
Vaishnava, humble and pure. One should write transcendental literature to purify
oneself, not for credit. By writing about the pastimes of the Lord, one associates with
the Lord directly. One should not ambitiously think, 'I shall become a great author. I
shall be celebrated as a writer. These are material desires. One should attempt to
write for self-purification. It may be published, or it may not be published, but that
does not matter. If one is actually sincere in writing, all his ambitions will be
fulfilled. Whether one is known as a great author is incidental. One should not
attempt to write transcendental literature for material name and fame." (Adi 2, page
216)
PART 5. Frequency and circulation
Frequency
Shrila Prabhupada began BACK TO GODHEAD as a fortnightly paper, and in
America he established it as a monthly magazine. Shrila Prabhupada often stressed
that it should appear regularly, every month, even if this meant that it had to be
printed by mimeograph. Later, Shrila Prabhupada gave permission for BTG to
appear eleven times yearly, skipping a month so that the members of the staff may
18
go on an annual pilgrimage to Shridhama Mayapur.
Distribution
Shrila Prabhupada desired that BTG be distributed in huge numbers. "As I have told
you several times, I am awaiting for the day when this paper will take the shape of
Life magazine or similar other magazines in the matter of its popularity." (letter
dated June 1968) "I want to see that you make BTG a successful magazine like Life
magazine or Illustrated Weekly of India. I am very much ambitious of the progress
of the paper, and you can use your discretion how to do it." (letter dated March 23,
1968) "Yes, my order still stands. Please organize BTG distribution, and do it nicely.
Sankirtana party and distribution of our magazines and books is our real program.
Other things are secondary.... We should give all our energy for distributing BTG."
(letter dated June 21, 1971?)
One may consult the appendix for further information about Shrila Prabhupada's
efforts in this regard.
PART 6. Basic standards of design
Layout so that Krishna Appears
Shrila Prabhupada once wrote, “I think we can place BACK TO GODHEAD very
nicely with sensible layout.”
The original BTG, of course, was presented as a tabloid, without illustrations. But
Shrila Prabhupada appreciated beautiful Krishna conscious illustrations and
effective design, and he desired that these be employed for BTG.
Shrila Prabhupada wrote Indrapramada dasa (May 25, 1974), "1 have just received a
copy of BACK TO GODHEAD number 62, and I wish to express to you how
pleased I am with the layout and design of the magazine. I have been especially
admiring the pictures in the story of our Los Angeles center, and the way the pictures
are placed and the use of the color throughout the magazine is very pleasing to me . .
. Try to keep up this present standard and think of new ways to make it always fresh
and attractive. Krishna is all-attractive and evergreen, and you must use your talent
to lay out the magazine so that Krishna appears in print as He is."
19
The design of BTG should be appropriate for the serious philosophical subject
matter of the magazine.
Photographs
"Regarding the pictures in BACK TO GODHEAD which you are learning to
photograph, they will be of all kinds. When possible we will have nice paintings
published, and other times there will be photographs of our devotees and their
activities." (letter to Uddhava, February 27, 1969)
"So far as Sankirtana Party is concerned, as many pictures as possible should be
published every month. The pictures are very attractive to the customers also.
Acyutananda should also be asked to send pictures, as many as possible, of the many
Vishnu temples in India for publication in BTG." (letter to Brahmdnanda, July 1,
1969)
"In the BTG henceforward the pictures of our sankirtana movement should be
inserted as many as possible." (letter to Rayarama, July 8, 1969)
"In each issue of BACK TO GODHEAD there shall be sufficient pictures of our
sankirtana movement with descriptions. I have advised to follow this policy
rigidly." (letter to Rupanuga, June 16, 1969)
For comments about photographs of the acaryas, see part 2.
We should not publish photographs of sinful activity. Once an editor proposed an
article decrying animal slaughter and showing brutal scenes from a slaughterhouse.
Shrila Prabhupada vetoed this proposal, saying that it would pollute the whole
atmosphere of BTG. We are also against illicit sex, he pointed out, but this does not
mean that we should print pictures of it in BTG.
The spiritual master is essential, and without Shrila Prabhupada there would be no
Krishna consciousness movement. But the designers and editors should be careful to
avoid conveying the impression that the Krishna consciousness movement depends
soley on personal charisma, rather than science and philosophy. Pictures of Shrila
Prabhupada should not be used merely for decoration or as a filler for design.
Drawings
20
Shrila Prabhupada especially dasapproved of drawings that make Krishna
consciousness seem comical or unimportant or make the subject matter less
believable. On one occasion he gave this explicit instruction: "No drawings should
appear in the magazine." (letter to Satsvarupa, May 26, 1971)
Recommendations for Photographers
For a typical assignment, the editors at Life magazine expect the photographer on
location to shoot at least eight types of photos to ensure enough good pictures for a
layout. The editors of BACK TO GODHEAD recommend that photographers on
location for BTG try to shoot the same eight types of photos:
1. Introductory or overall: Usually a wide-angle or aerial shot that establishes the
scene.
2. Medium: Focuses in on one activity or one group.
3. Close-ups: Zero in on one element, like a person's hands or an intricate detail of a
building.
4. Portrait: Usually either a dramatic, tight head shot or a person in his or her
environment.
5. Interaction: People conversing or in action.
6. Signature: Summarizes the situation, getting all the key story-telling elements in
one photo—often called "the decisive moment. "
7. Sequence: A how-to, before-and-after, or series with a beginning, middle, and end
(the sequence gives the essay a sense of action).
8. Clincher: A closer that would end the story.
Folios
Shrila Prabhupada directed that the page number and the words "BACK TO
GODHEAD" should appear on each page. (This requirement may be waived, of
course, when necessary for design.)
"Regarding BTG no. 27, it is nicely done, but there is no mention of the words
'BACK TO GODHEAD' on each page. Why has this mistake been done?" (letter to
Brahmananda, September 9, 1969)
Tints
Tints should be used with restraint, so as to maintain a serious philosophical
21
atmosphere, as well as a feeling of consistency throughout the magazine.
Covers
The designer should take particular care to see that the words on the cover—the
"Godhead is light" slogan, the "Magazine of the Hare Krishna Movement" subhead,
and the volume and issue number—are all clearly legible. The cover art should be
dyed or airbrushed, if need be, to make the type read clearly.
Shrila Prabhupada enjoyed seeing beautiful pictures of Krishna's pastimes on the
cover of BTG.
Reverses
Generally, long passages of type should not be set in reverse, since reversed type is
significantly harder to read than type printed in black.
Keep in mind that very small type in reverse is likely to dasappear.
Against multicolored backgrounds, reversed type is even harder to read. And if the
background is too light or has too many highlights, reversed type should not be used.
Overprints and Dropouts
Type should be dropped out or overprinted in pictures only after careful
consideration. Again, the type should always be clearly legible.
Type
The present design uses only two families of type—Times for text, by-lines,
lead-ins, and legends, and Goudy for headlines, subheads, blow-ups, and department
slugs.
Legends
Unless there is a good reason to the contrary, every picture that needs an explanation
should have a legend.
BTG style favors setting one legend for many pictures rather than individual legends
for individual pictures.
22
Subheads
BTG style favors extensive use of subheads, especially in longer articles.
PART 7. Editorial guidelines
Clarity and Purity
In The King's English (1906) H. W. and F. G. Fowler advise, "Anyone wishing to
become a good writer should endeavor, before he allows himself to be tempted by
the more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid." Writers
(and editors) for BTG would do well to heed this advice.
To be able to write clearly, of course, our first qualification should be to have clear
minds. So we should be attentive to following the regulative principles of
sadhana-bhakti, chanting Hare Krishna regularly, and making advancement in
Krishna consciousness. The editors and writers for BTG should try to absorb
themselves in understanding the philosophy of Krishna consciousness from
Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, and other
authorized books. At the same time, it is essential that we take part in directly
approaching nondevotees, face to face, and trying to bring them to Krishna
consciousness.
The more the members of the BTG staff become pure in Krishna consciousness, the
more clear and effective the magazine will be.
Style and Substance
It is important that the writing in BACK TO GODHEAD be not only direct, simple,
brief, vigorous, and lucid, but also—above all—meaningful. Each article should aim
at awakening the reader to his original transcendental life by injecting spiritual
knowledge into his heart.
Style, though important, is secondary. In the Shrimad-Bhagavatam (1.5. 10-11),
Narada Muni advised his disciple Vyasadeva, the original editor of the Vedic
23
literature:
"Those words which do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify
the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered by saintly persons to be like
unto a place of pilgrimage for crows. Since the all-perfect persons are inhabitants of
the transcendental abode, they do not derive any pleasure there.
"On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental
glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, and so on, of the unlimited Supreme
Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing
about a revolution in the impious lives of this world's misdirected civilization. Such
transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung, and
accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest. "
Accuracy
It is essential that whatever we present in BTG be spiritually valid. As Shrila
Prabhupada said, "If our movement is going to be recognized as a scientific
God-conscious movement, then this BACK TO GODHEAD will be referred to as
authorized scripture. Therefore, we have to prepare it in an authorized way. Nothing
nonconclusive can be introduced in BACK TO GODHEAD. That should be our
policy."
Further, when BTG touches upon temporal affairs of the material world, we should
take care to ensure that whatever we say is accurate. Names, dates, numbers,
places—it is the editor's duty to check that these are correct. Don't just assume they
are. Check them. "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."
Language
Shrila Prabhupada wrote Satsvarupa Maharaja, "Yes, why don't you enforce new
standards for BTG articles? Formerly BTG was written in very
simple-to-understand language. If the writing is too cumbersome, that means the
philosophy is not clearly understood; the writers could not assimilate." (letter dated
April 9, 1971)
The King's English also offers these guidelines (listed in order of importance):
"Prefer the familiar word to the far-fetched. Prefer the concrete word to the abstract.
Prefer the simple word to the circumlocution. Prefer the short word to the long.
Prefer the Saxon word to the Romance."
24
Gravity
Shrila Prabhupada instructed, "The subject matter of BTG should be very grave. It
should not be made a joking, comical literature. The subject matter is that everyone
should know who is Krishna. So present it in a philosophical way, but with simple
language. The next subject matter is our relationship with Krishna. Then how we
fulfill our life's ambition in Krishna consciousness. So all these subject matters
should be made very understandable by the people in general, but we should be very
grave in our presentation." (letter to Satsvarupa, July 27, 1971)
Other Qualities
Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, in his Caitanya-caritamrita, lists twenty-six good
qualities of a devotee. Many of these are qualities we should expect to find in the
writing of devotees. Humble, truthful, respectful, grave, compassionate, without
false prestige, friendly, poetic, expert—these are among the transcendental qualities
we can hope to find in the writings of Krishna's devotees.
Author's Approval
Authors who write for BTG should have the opportunity to approve the final edited
versions of their articles.
Further Advice About Style
For further advice about style, a number of instructive books are available. An
excellent concise guide is The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White.
The following books may also be helpful:
Words into Type, based on studies by Skillin, Gay, and others;
The Complete Stylist, by Sheridan Baker;
On Writing Well, by William Zinsser;
Newsman's English, by Harold Evans.
PART 8. Some specifics of BTG style
25
Authorities for Spelling, Hyphenation, and Style
BTG's usual authority for spelling and hyphenation is Webster's New Collegiate
Dictionary (1975). If the dictionary offers more than one spelling, BTG as a general
rule prefers the one given first.
BTG's general authority for basics of punctuation and style is Words into Type,
Third Edition.
Capitalization
BTG prefers "down style." That is, unless a word definitely needs to be capitalized
(as, for example, with proper nouns), it should be lower case. Exceptions to this rule
are personal pronouns such as "he," "she," "they," and "us" when they refer to
Krishna, Radharani, or vishnu-tattva incarnations. These are always upper case.
Except when they begin a sentence, "who" and "whom" are always lower case.
Sanskrit Spellings
All Sanskrit words and names used in BTG should be spelled according to the
scholarly system used in BBT books.
"In reply to Jayadvaita's questions, henceforward the policy for diacritic markings is
that I want them used everywhere, on large books, small books, and also BTG. If
there is any difficulty with the pronunciation, then after the correct diacritic spelling,
in brackets the words 'pronounced as—-’ may be written. So even on covers the
diacritic markings should be used. We should not have to reduce our standard on
account of the ignorant masses." (letter to Jadurani, April 9, 1970)
Exceptions:
The word "Krishna" is spelled out, without diacritic marks, in the BTG logo and in
"International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Generally, ISKCON sannyasis
prefer to have their sannyasa title spelled "Swami" or "Goswami," and this may be
followed.
The names of contemporary Indian people and Indian public figures of recent
history should, as a rule, be spelled conventionally, not according to the scholarly
system.
26
Articles and quotations from newspapers and other non-ISKCON publications need
not have diacritic marks added. Captions written to accompany such articles may
also use conventional spellings, to carry the feel of the article.
By-lines
The present policy is to give the initiated names of devotee authors. There may be
exceptions, however. For example, the members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute use
their legal names.
Shrila Prabhupada's name in his by-line should be "His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness."
In by-lines, ISKCON sannyasis should not be called "His Holiness." (The reasoning
behind this policy is that Westerners do not especially appreciate this title and are apt
to consider it pontifical.) However, in a first reference, sannyasis should be called
"His Holiness."
Initiating gurus in the line from Shrila Prabhupada should also be called "His Divine
Grace."
Constructions that result in having to write "Their Holinesses" should be avoided.
Shrila Prabhupada sanctioned giving the legal names of authors, in addition to their
spiritual names. At Allahabad in 1977, this conversation took place between Shrila
Prabhupada and Shrila Rameshvara Swami:
RS: Prabhupada, in the BACK TO GODHEAD magazine one question has come
up. . .In magazines in America the readers like very much to have a feeling of who
the author is—who the different writers are, the editors. So we are using our spiritual
names on the list of writers and editors and so on. So they've asked me to inquire
whether in parentheses they can also have their legal names.
SP: Why not?
RS: Because they cannot pronounce these names: Gopiparanadhana. Then it seems
like a foreign thing.
SP: Oh! Yes.
RS: So should we have both names?
SP: Oh! Yes.
27
Serial Comma
The serial comma should be used. Thus: a, b, and c. (not: a, b and c.)
List of Standards
Age of Kali, Age of Quarrel. cap "A."
Battlefield of Kurukshetra. cap "B" for a specific battlefield.
conch shell. two words.
Deity. The Deity never dies, so don't write "Diety." "Deity" should be capitalized
when referring to the Supreme Lord, but not when referring to demigods.
disc. not "disk."
-god. sun-god, fire-god. But: demigod.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Spell "Krishna" according to
Anglicized usage.
ISKCON. All caps. No points. When using this acronym, be sure the reader knows
what it means.
like. combines to form solid compounds—lotuslike, moonlike. Exceptions:
conjunctions of three ls," such as shell-like."
meat-eater, meat-eating. hyphenated (by analogy with "lotus-eater" and
"man-eater").
obeisances. In the prayer "namaste sarasvate deve, " BTG style prefers deve, not
devam. "'Devam' is the accusative singular, and 'deve' is the locative singular, so
both can be used, but I think 'deve' will be the most fitting word." (letter to
Pradyumna, April 9, 1970)
Prabhupada. Shrila Prabhupada's formal name is as follows:
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ('Bhaktivedanta
Goswami" is technically incorrect.)
For shorter names, "Shrila Prabhupada," "Prabhupada," or "His Divine Grace Shrila
28
Prabhupada" are all acceptable.
The title "Prabhupada" should never be left off the end of His Divine Grace's name.
waterpot. one word.
Cliches, Wordy Expressions, etc.
Advent. This is a noun, not a verb. For use as verbs: "make one's advent," "appear,"
"descend."
As far as——is concerned. As for——.
At the present moment. Now.
Benedict. This word does not appear in the dictionary. Use "bless" or "bestow
benedictions upon."
Business. engagement, duty, work, occupation, concern, function, task, interest,
purpose, aim, mission, affair, profession, matters, aspiration, custom, job.
Chastise. This word properly means "to inflict corporal punishment." For verbal
reprimands: rebuke, reproach, scold, criticize, upbraid, chide, reprimand.
cruel death.
different kinds of.
endeavor. Why not "try"?
engage in working. work.
etc.
experience. "see," "know," "feel," and so on.
foodstuffs.
in order to.
nice.
perfectional. perfect, perfected.
practically. virtually, actually, nearly, almost, in effect.
reverse conditions. reverses, reversals, adversity.
sex life.
submission (statement). appeal, plea.
the activity of.
the process of.
transcendental. Unless the word adds meaning, leave it out.
utilize. use.
PART 9. Appendixes
29
Questions and Answers about Editing BTG
After Shrila Prabhupada met with the editors of BACK TO GODHEAD in Boston on
December 24, 1969, and explained to them the editorial policy found in the
beginning of this book, the following discussion took place.
Shrila Prabhupada: As for the article Hayagriva has written, it is very nice. It
should be published. I have seen it.
Satsvarupa dasa: That means that we can make reference to the gopis.
Shrila Prabhupada: Oh! It is not that the gopis are boycotted. [Laughter.] The
policy should be that because people may not understand the gopis—they may think
they're ordinary girls—we should be careful how we present the gopis. It does not
mean that we shall not even utter the word "gopis," that we have taken a vow to
boycott the gopis. No. They are our worshipable devotees. How can we avoid them?
Satsvarupa dasa: What about the writing about kissing the lips of Krishna and—
Shrila Prabhupada: No, that you should avoid. That you should avoid. But that is
not abominable. That has its place, according to the time and circumstances. That
thing I have described; fact is fact. When I am describing Krishna's lila, when I am
writing of Krishna's life, I cannot give up that portion of His life—when Krishna is
actually kissing the gopis in the rasa dance.
Satsvarupa dasa: But that's in the books, not in the public—
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. So in such circumstances, of course we can give
something about the gopis. But as far as the magazine goes, we should present them
very cautiously and very rarely. During Caitanya Mahaprabhu's life He never
discussed in public about Krishna's lila with the gopis. That was reserved for very
confidential discussions amongst His own circle: Ramananda Raya, Svarupa
Damodara, and so on. Among learned scholars like Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, He
discussed the philosophy. But when there was a great devotee like Ramananda Raya,
He relished the gopis' intimate behavior with Krishna. So we should remember this.
The public may misunderstand these things. Therefore we have to present them very
cautiously, not very openly. People may misunderstand. But as far as this article is
concerned, it is nicely written, it is quite in order, so it should be published.
Hayagriva dasa: There is nothing objectionable?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, no, there is nothing.
Hayagriva dasa: Our process thus far [in choosing the contents of the magazine]
has been to halve the material about fifty-fifty. He'll take half, and I'll take half, and
that seems to be working fairly nicely.
Shrila Prabhupada: That's all right. But the first thing is that when you are in the
post of editors, you are supposed to know the philosophical conclusion. Whenever
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there is some difficulty, you should get it solved by consulting among yourselves. Or
if that is not possible, then refer it to me.
Hayagriva dasa: In the BTG, how many articles can we put in by you? These are
the most important contributions we have. Would it be too much to put in, say, an
essay by you and maybe a lecture?
Shrila Prabhupada: Whatever. But no article may be more than two or three pages,
printed. That will be nice. If the number of articles are more, how many pages are
you going to print?
Hayagriva dasa: [to Satsvarupa dasa] We're going to print more pages, aren't we?
Satsvarupa dasa: Well, there's been some discussion. If we print it on our own
press, we can add eight more pages, which would make it forty pages. But we may
continue with Dai Nippon in Japan, so I don't know if we'll increase the pages.
Shrila Prabhupada: By increasing the pages, what profit will we immediately get?
Is there any special advantage with that?
Satsvarupa dasa: More reading material. The customer gets more for his money.
Shrila Prabhupada: That's all right. [Laughter.] But we should be businessmen;
they should get less for their money. [Laughter.] We are aiming to please Krishna,
not our customers. So if we are not increasing the price, then why should we increase
the pages? Whether we print it on our own press or in Japan, there is extra labor,
extra energy. But we are not getting extra money, so there is no need.
Satsvarupa dasa: But Prabhupada, the point was: can there be more than one article
by yourself, or only one?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, no. One, one. Everyone one—not more. And for each
article, not more than two pages. Whether for my article or anyone else's. But of
course, as far as our news is concerned—
Hayagriva dasa: Before you said two or three pages. Maybe four pages?
Shrila Prabhupada: Four pages, that's all right—but not more than four pages.
Hayagriva dasa: There was an excerpt from, I think, Krishna book—
Shrila Prabhupada: No, whatever is done is done. Now you follow this policy.
Hayagriva dasa: What about excerpts from your books? Are they all right?
Shrila Prabhupada: An excerpt from my book, or my article—they are the same
thing. There is no difference; an excerpt is also my writing. And whatever you are
writing—that is also my writing. [Laughter.] But the articles should be divided into
different names.
Hayagriva dasa: I've thought of doing Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s
Brahma-samhita. Do you think we should serialize it in maybe three or four BACK
TO GODHEADS, or could we print it ourselves in a little pamphlet? Which do you
think would be better?
Shrila Prabhupada: If you publish it in BACK TO GODHEAD, then by
portions—three or four pages at a time—continually. So, whenever there will be an
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article by my Guru Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta, you should put his first, and then
mine—like that. And if you print some quotation from Bhaktivinoda Thakura, that
should be first. When we offer our respect to the guru-parampara, first we say our
own spiritual master, then his spiritual master, then his spiritual master—in this way.
But when printing articles, it should be the opposite: first Bhaktivinoda, then
Bhaktisiddhanta, then me, then my disciples—like that.
Kirtanananda Swami: Why don't you write some purports to Bhaktisiddhanta's
Brahma-samhita. It would be nice if you would write some purports to it.
Shrila Prabhupada: Purports?
Kirtanananda Swami: Yes, because some of us have difficulty understanding
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. So, if I get time. My time is very limited. Even if there is
some difficulty, let them read it over and over again; then they'll understand. Why
should we change it? Let it be presented as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati has written,
and don't give more than two pages at a time. Their brains will be puzzled.
[Laughter.] Yes, when Guru Maharaja was speaking, at least my brain was puzzled.
[Laughter.] Even if he was speaking Bengali, it was very difficult to understand. He
was speaking from a very, very high platform. But I wanted to hear him, that's
all—even if I did not understand it. That he appreciated: that "This boy does not go
away; he hears." Actually, that was my position. In the beginning I could not
understand what he was speaking. But I wanted to hear him. That's all. I was very
much anxious to hear him. That he marked, and he was kindly pleased on me,
knowing that "He wants to hear; he does not go away." That was my policy. "Let me
hear, even if I do not understand. Let me hear, that's all." I actually did not
understand what he was speaking in the beginning.
So, Bhaktisiddhanta's writing is not very easy to understand. But we should try. We
should read, and read again, and simply that vibration will help us, that's all. It is a
transcendental vibration. It is not that everyone will understand, but if we simply
give aural reception to the vibration, that will make us advanced. It is not exactly that
anyone has to understand it. Suppose a man is sleeping and somebody is calling him.
In his sleeping condition, the man does not understand what the soul is. But by
calling, calling, calling—he gets up, because the vibration is there. So similarly we
should give aural reception to the transcendental vibration made by Krishna and His
bona fide representatives. That will make us advanced, even if we do not understand
everything.
Satsvarupa dasa: Prabhupada, in editing there are two different policies about
using capitals. One is to use as few capitals as possible. So, sometimes The Nectar of
Devotion has very few capitals. When Balarama is referred to as "he," there's no
capital. But the other policy is this: "Krishna's Head" has a capital H, "Krishna's
Feet" has a capital F, "Krishna Who" has a captial W—
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Shrila Prabhupada: No, no, no—don't follow that policy. That will not be—
Satsvarupa dasa: The less capitals the better?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes, I think . . . What do you think?
Hayagriva dasa: Well, I think, when referring to Krishna, we should have a capital
H.
Shrila Prabhupada: Especially for Krishna, you can capitalize.
Hayagriva dasa: And for Radha, a capital S or H.
Shrila Prabhupada: But Balarama is not different from Krishna.
Satsvarupa dasa: So He's capital H.
Hayagriva dasa: So He's capital H. But then—here we go.
Shrila Prabhupada: No, no. You limit it to these three. That will do.
Hayagriva dasa: Limit it to those three.
Shrila Prabhupada: And Vishnu.
Hayagriva dasa: What about avataras, in reference to Christ or Buddha?
Shrila Prabhupada: Ah, Buddha is capitalized, and Jesus Christ is capitalized.
Satsvarupa dasa: Oh, yes, but what about "he," like "Buddha, who," or "he"?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, that you can use—
Satsvarupa dasa: Small?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Satsvarupa dasa: And words like "Krishna's pastime," "His will," "His entourage"?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, they should be small.
Hayagriva dasa: The possessions of Krishna: small.
Shrila Prabhupada: Small, yes.
Satsvarupa dasa: His hands and feet: small.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Satsvarupa dasa: Lotus feet, small?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Satsvarupa dasa: Lotus flower?
Shrila Prabhupada: All small. Simply capitalize names. Stick to names.
Hayagriva dasa: The pronoun "who," as in "Krishna who"?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, no—small.
Hayagriva dasa: That causes a headache for everybody.
Shrila Prabhupada: No, it is better to make everything sound. We want to create
the position of BACK TO GODHEAD as a very authorized presentation of the
science of God. In the future, people may refer to it. So we should very cautiously
and very nicely do it. It is a very important thing, BACK TO GODHEAD. If our
movement is going to be recognized as a scientific, God conscious movement, then
this BACK TO GODHEAD will be referred to as authorized scripture. Therefore,
we have to prepare it in an authorized way. Nothing nonconclusive can be
introduced in BACK TO GODHEAD. That should be our policy, because this is the
33
position of BACK TO GODHEAD.
How To Improve BTG
In February of 1977, several disciples expressed misgivings about the editorial
direction in which BTG was then going. At that time Shrila Prabhupada gave
important instructions concerning the editorial policy of BTG.
Rameshvara Swami: Shrila Prabhupada, for this GBC meeting there are a few
questions I'd like to ask, some things about BTG. I wasn't here when you gave your
instruction, so I was wondering if you could give me some idea of what you want
done so that I can also think about how to improve the magazine. Something is
wrong in the magazine?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Rameshvara Swami: A few things in this last issue.
Shrila Prabhupada: The thing is, we should not change anything abruptly, without
any . . .
Rameshvara Swami: In the past I have sometimes asked you that we want to try to
follow your example when you were first writing BTG, offering solutions to
problems that people are currently bothered by, making the magazine contemporary,
and so on. Rather than just giving them philosophy, making it so they can relate to
their . . .
Shrila Prabhupada: But we ... Based on philosophy. You cannot go beyond the
philosophy. Philosophy must be there—it cannot be changed—but we have to . .
You cannot change the wine. "Old wine, new bottle." So therefore while changing
you have to consult me.
Rameshvara Swami: Yes. Now there has been a tendency that I have observed
among the writers to try to use what they call outside information sources—like
quoting scientists.
Shrila Prabhupada: That someone cannot do unless he is very expert . . .
Rameshvara Swami: Yes.
Shrila Prabhupada: . . . in transcendental knowledge. This is not possible for
kanishtha-adhikari.
Rameshvara Swami: It is difficult to do.
Shrila Prabhupada: He must be very expert. Therefore I want Satsvarupa's
guidance.
Rameshvara Swami: But the principle is all right, if done properly?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Rameshvara Swami: Because I have found that when these so-called authorities...
Shrila Prabhupada: In my old BACK TO GODHEAD I discussed Gandhi,
34
Churchill, Jinnah—but with reference to philosophy. I criticized them on the basis of
our philosophy.
Rameshvara Swami: For example, Rupanuga wrote one article that we just
published, and in this article he was describing the work of some scientists in
Europe. They were trying to prove by their experiments that life comes from life. So
he was quoting them. He was describing their work. But the whole purpose was to
get the people to accept the Vedas, to show that even the scientists' conclusion is the
same as the Vedas and that therefore the Vedas are authorized.
Shrila Prabhupada: Hmm. That is the fact.
Rameshvara Swami: So that idea—if it's done expertly—can be used...
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Rameshvara Swami: ...to convince people.
Shrila Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Rameshvara Swami: Now we sometimes . . . In our mantra page in the beginning
of the magazine we have photographs of people who aren't like in our temples but
who have been induced to chant Hare Krishna. Sometimes parents of devotees...
Shrila Prabhupada: So these things can be discussed. But I could not read. Those
who have pointed out the defects, let them come and discuss.
Rameshvara Swami: Hmm. No, if there is some defect it must be corrected, but if it
can be done.
Shrila Prabhupada: So now whatever is there, the pointer of some defect, in the
presence of them you discuss. Then I shall give some advice.
Hari Shauri dasa: That should be done in front of Your Divine Grace?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Hari Shauri dasa: They should all come?
Shrila Prabhupada: Oh, yes. So, Satsvarupa, Tamal Krishna, yourself, you also [to
Pradyumna].
Rameshvara Swami: One point that was felt not as a specific defect but as a very
general point was that this magazine is being distributed by the hundreds of
thousands to very ordinary people who go shopping in stores, housewives, and so
on…
Shrila Prabhupada: Hmm. Still, we cannot make it a shopkeeper's magazine.
Rameshvara Swami: No, of course, but we . . . The tone of the magazine, we felt,
should be such that they can also feel that it is available to them.
Shrila Prabhupada: They may not feel. Still...
Rameshvara Swami: That is their... (?)
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes, gold must be presented as gold. One may not be able to
purchase. You cannot ... To sell you cannot adulterate gold with iron.
Rameshvara Swami: Yes. What about the idea that you do not have to move into a
temple, give up your family and everything, but you can actually chant Hare Krishna
35
in your own home? That idea—that it is available to you?
Shrila Prabhupada: Hmm. That chanting also does not mean whimsical.
Offenseless—he must be properly initiated. It does not mean that he should not be
initiated and [yet] chant. That is not the idea. You can—you must be initiated, either
you are grihastha, sannyasi, or brahmacari. Not that without being initiated you
whimsically chant and the effect will be the same. No, he must be initiated. Adau
gurv-ashrayam. You must accept a guru.
Rameshvara Swami: If you want to sell a product you may make so many claims,
and then the public will buy. So sometimes we quote the psychologists who have
done some studies that if you chant Hare Krishna there are some good effects.
Shrila Prabhupada: There is, undoubtedly. If you eat something there will be some
effect of eating. But if it is properly eaten, properly made, it will give you happiness
better.
Rameshvara Swami: We were thinking that something is better than nothing.
Shrila Prabhupada: No.
Hari Shauri dasa: If you advertise that the maha-mantra gives some material
benefit, is it an offense?
Shrila Prabhupada: It is aparadha.
Rameshvara Swami: But sometimes when we interview these people who are
chanting they speak from their own realization, and they ... It is not exactly the
version of Shukadeva Gosvami, but it is their own realization, whatever little bit
they have realized.
Shrila Prabhupada: They may chant, but they must understand that if you chant in
the chanting process, that will be effective. That they must know. Chanting is open;
anyone can chant. But they must know that if I chant in the proper process it will be
effective.
Rameshvara Swami: It must be clear to them that the goal is love of God, not
something material.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. Prema pum-artho mahan. That is wanted. There is one
work by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, nama-kara bahir haya, nama nahi haya: "Simply
the alphabets are coming, but that is not the nama. " Hare Krishna—simply the
alphabets are coming, but it is not the holy name.
Rameshvara Swami: Suppose someone says that Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given
freely the holy names with no rules and regulations.
Brahmananda Swami: [In the old days] you wanted to make the distinction that a
nondevotee chanting is different than when a pure devotee chants.
Rameshvara Swami: So that distinction should be there.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes.
Rameshvara Swami: We were thinking that this magazine...
Shrila Prabhupada: No. Another thing is, it is aparadha. Namna balad yasya hi
36
papa-buddhih. Unless he is in the process, he will think that "I am chanting Hare
Krishna mantra, so whatever sinful activities I am doing it will be counteracted."
Brahmananda Swami: That is the worst offense.
Shrila Prabhupada: Very bad offense.
Hari Shauri dasa: So we are actually advertising the process of devotional service,
not just simply haphazard chanting.
Shrila Prabhupada: First, we are chanting just to make him a little attracted. Adau
shraddha.
Rameshvara Swami: Just to popularize it.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. That's it. Then if the heart is little cleansed, then they will
understand. It will be effective. But when it is done properly, it will be real effect.
Outsiders, those who are chanting, we don't discourage them.
Rameshvara Swami: We want them to chant more.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. But they must know the science.
Rameshvara Swami: Just like this Alice Coltrane. She has done her small part. She
made this record album with "Govinda Jaya Jaya" and Hare Krishna.
Shrila Prabhupada: That will be effective, but when she does it properly it will be
more effective, because there is ... If one does not chant in the process, then
gradually it degrades. The offense will increase. There is chance.
Rameshvara Swami: In the past in the magazine we have only shown people
chanting if they were initiated devotees, shaven-headed, living in the temple, and
recently they have adopted to show people who have jobs outside the movement and
they aren't brahmacari or sannyasi, but they're also chanting, to give the public the
idea that...
Shrila Prabhupada: That we are giving—the facility to chant and take prasadam.
But at the same time we have to gradually, if chanting is effective, then next is how
to make it the process.
Brahmananda Swami: We want to bring them to the process.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. That is our ultimate aim. But that is stated by Rupa
Gosvami, tasmat kenapy upayena manah krishne niveshayet sarve vidhi-nishedha
syur etayor eva kinkarah. Somehow or another bring him to chant Hare Krishna, or
to become little Krishna conscious. Then when he's little purified, then the
vidhi-nisedha. Vidhi-nishedha means the regulative principles. It is not rejected, but
when he is little purified, vidhi-nishedha syur etayor eva kinkarah. Just like one ...
first of all let him become rich, get some money; then when he has got money he can
keep some servants, some assistants, some secretaries, like that. First of all earn
money.
Rameshvara Swami: So one step at a time.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. But organized business means there must be so many
men, secretaries, managers. That is regulative. In the beginning, "All right. Bring
37
some money somehow. Then I shall see." You cannot reject this organization.
Because it's transcendental, what is the use of writing so many books,
nama-aparadha and other discrepancies? (bring one to chant?)
Rameshvara Swami: So we definitely have to lead them to that.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes, we must come to that point. In the beginning you may be
very liberal—"All right. Chant." We do that, and I have done it. There is no other
regulation. But that does not mean we simply neglect it and it should be given up by
whimsically chanting. No. That is not it.
Hari Shauri dasa: Niyamagraha.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes. Don't make it cheap. It has got a science. It has got a
form.
Rameshvara Swami: I've seen some articles they've written to defend our society
from the attacks of the deprogramming. Sometimes one argument they give is that
meditation and chanting are being studied by scientists and they are finding the
effects to be good. Now...
Shrila Prabhupada: That will be good; if you do it properly it will be first class.
Rameshvara Swami: Now the scientists are studying Hare Krishna meditation, but
they're studying also some other processes that are not authorized, and they are...
Shrila Prabhupada: That is the defect.
Rameshvara Swami: ... and they are stating that in general to meditate and to chant
a mantra—that is good, that is healthy for the mind.
Shrila Prabhupada: The thing is that somehow or other if you are near the fire, you
get some heat. But there is a process how to take the heat. That you cannot reject.
Because I'm getting the heat, that is sufficient—that is shakya.
Rameshvara Swami: So we are trying to use their endorsements and then make it
very specific that, "Therefore to meditate using the Hare Krishna mantra is healthy,
so why are you attacking us?" We're trying like that. They're endorsing something
else...
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes, this is better meditation. Meditation one is performing
silent, but if we chant Hare Krishna it is forced meditation. You have to meditate. So
it is better meditation. Just like they are chanting [indicating the chanting in the
temple]. I'm engaged in a different business; still I'm hearing it. And one who is
silently meditating, he is getting the benefit, but here anyone who will hear is getting
the benefit. Therefore chanting is better meditation. And it is recommended by
Shridhara Svami that—this is discussed in Caitanya-caritamrita—that by chanting
even the trees, insects, animals, they will hear and get benefit. So it is better
meditation. Even the trees, plants, animals, birds, and beasts, they can get benefit.
And if it is done by pure Vaishnava, then they get the full benefit.
Rameshvara Swami: There's another trend. I've noticed recently that they have ...
In the past, formerly, many articles were full of quotes in Sanskrit, and recently they
38
have not been using so much Sanskrit, but just the English. The magazine, they say,
is mostly sold...
Shrila Prabhupada: That is not bad. Still, our ... But the English is there. The
purport is there.
Rameshvara Swami: Now this magazine we're printing in Los Angeles—95% is
sold in the U.S. and Canada, but we used to ship to England. But now they want to
print their own in England. We find that all over the world they don't want to import
from America, but they want their own. The public feels that, "Why should this be
an American import? Why not print it here?" So it seems more and more this
magazine is just for America. It's becoming like that.
Shrila Prabhupada: That's all right. They are printing in India. That's all right. So
why not the same magazine? Why different magazine?
Rameshvara Swami: I once asked Hridayananda why not have the men just
translate the articles into Spanish from the English and just print the same magazine,
since we already have done the layout. And he said because the photos are just
Americans. Now to use this in South America we want to have photos of Latin
Americans, and we want the preaching to be more specific, more current events and
relevant . . .
Shrila Prabhupada: That is not very good argument.
Rameshvara Swami: He says that people are offended by Americans in Latin
America.
Shrila Prabhupada: They have got that tendency.
Rameshvara Swami: Jayatirtha used the same argument in England. He said that
people there don't like that this is coming from America.
Shrila Prabhupada: That you can discuss. What can I say?
Brahmananda Swami: Should we have karmi photos in our magazine?
Rameshvara Swami: What do you mean?
Brahmananda Swami: In the English issue there are three pictures depicting
torture.
Shrila Prabhupada: That is not good.
Brahmananda Swami: They show a man being burnt by fire, a man's body being
pulled apart, a man hanging...
Shrila Prabhupada: No, that is not good.
Brahmananda Swami: Three photos.
Rameshvara Swami: But not all karmi photos are bad. Sometimes we use karmi
photos...
Brahmananda Swami: And now our magazine has no pictures of Krishna. The last
English edition had not one picture of Krishna.
Shrila Prabhupada: That is not good.
Rameshvara Swami: In the past we were using either a photo of devotees on the
39
cover doing something or a painting, and in the middle we used to have stories either
from Krishna book or the Shrimad-Bhagavatam, and then there was use for some
pictures.
Shrila Prabhupada: So, do this.
Rameshvara Swami: Sometimes they print different contents.
Shrila Prabhupada: No. We are preaching Krishna consciousness. Krishna must
be there.
Hari Shauri dasa: You can't produce a magazine without Krishna.
Shrila Prabhupada: [enjoining] Without Krishna—that is not ... we cannot allow.
Rameshvara Swami: The only place for pictures of Krishna is in illustrating a
story.
Shrila Prabhupada: No, every...
Rameshvara Swami: In illustrating some of the pastimes.
Shrila Prabhupada: No, we must therefore publish the Shrimad-Bhagavatam,
Krishna philosophy.
Rameshvara Swami: We're publishing the Shrimad-Bhagavatam as an insert in
every magazine.
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes, so that must be there.
Rameshvara Swami: So then there could be a picture to relate to that.
Shrila Prabhupada: A picture or Krishna philosophy.
Hari Shauri dasa: There's always an article by Your Divine Grace anyway, and
you're always speaking of Krishna so surely we could put an illustration in that.
Rameshvara Swami: You could, but the standard is that we use just Prabhupada
speaking, showing Prabhupada.
Hari Shauri dasa: But there was that hand pouring that thing into the test tube. No
one liked that.
Rameshvara Swami: No one heard the reason...I don't like it either, but I
understand why they did it. You have to hear both sides, you know.
Hari Shauri dasa: There's always a reason, but you have to get to the
point—Krishna.
Shrila Prabhupada: Even if it is esoteric, but still Krishna must be there.
Rameshvara Swami: So you think, you say that in each issue there should be at
least one painting of Krishna.
Shrila Prabhupada: And Shrimad-Bhagavatam.
Rameshvara Swami: And Shrimad-Bhagavatam. That should be our rule.
Shrila Prabhupada: Bhagavad-gita.
Hari Shauri dasa: Like the test tube. If they had shown Krishna pouring that
mixture into the test tube...
Shrila Prabhupada: That is no good—Krishna will manufacture in test tube.
Rameshvara Swami: No, that wasn't the idea.
40
Brahmananda Swami: That was a satire, to show the scientist pouring chemicals,
and from this chemical came all this colorful variety.
Rameshvara Swami: Yes, that was it. It was satire. Anyway, I agree it was a
mistake. This issue that's at the printers right now has many pictures of Krishna in it.
It's a big improvement.
Shrila Prabhupada: So do it very conscientiously.
Points for a Spiritual World Civilization
In 1968, the editor of BACK TO GODHEAD suggested to Shrila Prabhupada that
BTG publish an article explaining point by point how to develop a spiritual world
civilization. On October 17, 1968, Shrila Prabhupada wrote the following reply.
Regarding your point program for a spiritual world civilization—it is a very nice
suggestion. And practically our Krishna consciousness movement is built on this
idea, that we want to make a world civilization on the basis of spiritual
understanding. So I am giving you some points which you may expand or do it for
understanding of the people in general.
But the point should be as follows: first point, that any civilization devoid of God
consciousness or Krishna consciousness is no civilization at all. It is simply a
polished type of animal society. This is the first point. So at the present moment, the
modern civilization on the basis of so-called scientific knowledge and economic
development is trying to avoid God consciousness, or Krishna consciousness—that
is the defect of the modern civilization. Therefore, in spite of all advancement it is
zero. So zero has no value. And millions of zeroes put together does not make any
value. But if one is put on the left side of the zero, it increases the value. Then one
zero becomes ten, two zeros become 100, three zeros becomes 1,000, so it is very
nice. This point should be clearly discussed, that without God consciousness,
Krishna consciousness, any attempt of human civilization, so called philosophical or
political or economical or labor, they are all zero.
The human society should be divided as a social order, they should be divided as the
renounced order of life, retired order of life, householder, and student life.
Third point, all these divisions are meant for understanding the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, and this Krishna consciousness movement is meant for teaching this
necessity of human civilization.
Fourth point, so far the administrator class of man, or mercantile class of men, and
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laborer class of men, there are many institutions, but to train a first-class intellectual
man there is no institution all over the world. And there is no institution for spiritual
training also. So this Krishna consciousness movement is trying to help human
society on these two points, which they are lacking. So we have therefore taken a
large tract of land to begin with, in W. Virginia, the place is called New Vrindavan.
So we want to train students for becoming the first-class intellectual person, and
instruct the whole human society about the aim of life, and Krishna consciousness or
God consciousness. So we are inviting the desiring or intending students to join in
our institution, and we invite the public and government to cooperate with our
movement.
The fifth point is that in whatever division one may be situated, this very aim of life
should be to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is the duty of everyone,
it doesn't matter in what status of life he is situated, but if he wants to have a
successful life, then he must learn to see how by his activities the Supreme Lord is
satisfied. That should be the aim. Then it does not matter what is the position and
occupation of the man, but he is in the right order of civilization because his very
aim is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Next point. And in order to learn this art, how he is able to satisfy the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, one has to take instruction or education in the art of Krishna
consciousness, by reading Bhagavad-gita as it is, by reading Shrimad-Bhagavatam,
which are calculated the science of God, and following the teachings of Lord
Caitanya, such practice should be performed twenty-four hours. It is not that one
may meditate for fifteen minutes and he becomes spiritually advanced. It is not
possible. So the Krishna consciousness movement is training people how to be
absorbed in the thought of Krishna, twenty-four hours. Take for example the
Bhagavad-gita: the instructions of Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita are just suitable for
a perfect human civilization. So one should learn this teaching of Bhagavad-gita as
it is.
Next point. In order to understand this teaching of Bhagavad-gita and
Shrimad-Bhagavatam, there should be centers where people can assemble daily,
morning or evening, and try to understand this Krishna consciousness or God
consciousness movement. So we are trying to open branches all over the world, in
every city, in every town, in every village, and people should take advantage of it.
There is no question of monetary transaction to enter into these centers and
institutions, but because we have to maintain such institutions, public should
voluntarily contribute, and that is very gladly accepted.
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Next point. When people are accustomed to associate with these different centers of
Krishna consciousness movement, they will one day come out of the material
concept of life. Just like one becomes awakened from sleep. While sleeping, one
sees so many nonsense dreams, but as soon as one is awakened, he becomes
conscious that, "Oh, I was seeing so many nonsense dreams; actually it has no
existence." Similarly, when a person becomes Krishna consciousness, he can
understand the falsity representation of this material civilization.
Next point. And when he is awakened, he becomes completely detached from the
so-called affection for designations, namely society, friendship and love.
Next point. By such understanding, one is not so much materially active. One is
situated with income which can simply maintain his body and soul together, and he
is no more interested to increase the bank balance unnecessarily for sense
gratification. The defect of the modern civilization is that everyone is earning money
undoubtedly in large volumes, but he does not know how to spend. He is spending
simply for sense gratification, and the last word of sense gratification is sex.
Therefore all money is being spent up for intoxication and sexual life, nudey dance,
nudey theater, in so many ways. That means they are spoiling their human source of
energy.
Next point. One should be so trained up that within the heart he will be freed from all
material attraction, but so long the body is there, to keep the body and soul together
he has to work like ordinary man.
Next point. The society, friendship and love of material existence may be accepted
without any attraction, and whatever the so-called society, friendship and love wants
to take service from us, one should simply say, "Yes, it is very nice," but actually he
should give more importance for spiritual advancement of life.
Next point. One should know it certain that material resources, either in this planet
or in other planets, either in the sky or within the earth, namely within the mines, all
the properties that is being utilized at the present moment as economic development,
one should understand definitely that all the ingredients stocked—for example, the
petroleum now stocked within the earth, and people are utilizing it for so many
power machinery—one should know that this petroleum belongs to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. It is not man-made. Nor the scientists can manufacture.
Similarly everything, all commodities, all things, all properties, they are made by the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding must be there.
Next point. One can enjoy such properties, but with this understanding: that they
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belong to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just like one is situated in the public
park in a very nice garden, public park, but one should always remember that the
public park does not belong to him personally, but it is the property of the
government or the state.
Next point. Therefore, the properties made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead
can be utilized by all living entities. Every living entity, not only the human beings
but also the animals, they have got right to live on the property of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
Next point. Nobody can encroach upon the right of other living entities. Everyone is
supplied by the Lord the food, shelter, by natural arrangement, so nobody should
encroach upon the right of living of others. As such, the human being is considered
to be the highest developed conscious animals, so if they utilize this consciousness
in relationship with Krishna, that is called Krishna consciousness.
Next point. A Krishna conscious person does not encroach upon the right of other
living beings. As such they do not approve organized slaughterhouses for killing
animals.
Next point. If you maintain slaughterhouses, then you have to suffer the
consequence, because in the law of nature there is no distinction between one life to
another. Every living entity is equally valuable.
Next point. Every living entity is claimed as the son of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. They may be dressed differently. Because the body is dress, the body is
not identification with the living entity. Therefore the living entity may be dressed
8,400,000 of different dresses, and the living entity as he is, there is no qualitative
difference between human being and animal. Therefore, their material necessities
are the same, namely eating, sleeping, mating, and defending.
Next point. The foolish idea that animals or plants or other living entities have no life
is the basic cause of human sinful activities.
Next point. One should be satisfied only to fulfill the belly. That is the eating
process. If you can satisfy your belly by such things as grains, vegetables, fruits and
milk, you have no right to kill another animal for satisfying the taste of your tongue.
The human society is meant for living on the natural production, namely grains,
fruits, vegetables and milk. They should not indulge extravagantly for other things.
And if actually they are Krishna conscious, they know the art of how to prepare
thousands of palatable dishes only from the varieties of vegetables, grains, fruits,
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and milk. If anyone takes more than he requires, then he is understood to be a thief.
Nobody should accumulate for future consumption of family, society, or nation
more money or more grains or more vegetables or more eatables; one should have
only as much as he requires. If there is greater production, that should be distributed
to persons who need them. Because food grains, especially, they are meant for all
living entities, they should not be spoiled.
Next point. Therefore, one who spoils food grains unnecessarily, he is criminal. And
one who accumulates more money than is actually required, he is also criminal. And
according to the law of nature, or according to the law of God, such persons are
surely to be punished.
This punishment may not be visible in this life, but because life is eternal, it is
continuity, one must be prepared to accept taking the risk. Therefore, the living
entity is transmigrating from one body to another, and that is his problem of life. The
human life is meant for solving this problem. All animals, like deer, camel, ass,
monkey, even flies and snakes, none should be ill-treated. Even they enter into the
house or in the fields and take their eatables, they should not be stopped. Because
they have also got the right to eat eatables supplied by the Lord. And they will not eat
more, neither they will take at home. They are better than human beings. If a human
being is allowed to enter into the field or into the garden, he will try to take away
something for selling or stocking, but the animals do not. So the innocent animals
should be accepted as children of the householder.
Nobody should take to very hardship labor. The modem civilization has discovered
severe types of dangerous industries, and laborers are attracted for high wages. But
they should not accept such work. Then naturally there will be less capitalistic idea.
Because the laborer cooperates, therefore demoniac persons they take advantage and
make unnecessarily increase of artificial demands of the body. Better one should be
satisfied with agricultural produce than go into large cities to be engaged in industry.
Peaceful life depending on agricultural produce can bring him real happiness and
prosperity, not otherwise. The more persons will be satisfied at their home, with
home economics, not to go outside the home, that is peaceful life. In India, Mahatma
Gandhi tried to organize villages in that way so as not to drag the people to the town.
So peaceful atmosphere can be attained only when there is large-scale village
organization, actually village life. Poet Cowper said that country is made by God
and the cities and towns are made by man. So that is the distinction.
There are many such nice ideas for peaceful living on this planet and execute
Krishna consciousness, so that one may become completely freed from
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contamination of material existence and get eternal life, just after quitting this body.
This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti
so'rjuna. By simple prosecution of Krishna consciousness, one goes back to home,
back to Godhead, just after quitting this present body.
If people cooperate with this Krishna conscious movement, certainly a better type of
civilization can be introduced for permanent peace and prosperity of the whole
world.
Distribution
The following are some of the statements Shrila Prabhupada made regarding the
importance of BACK TO GODHEAD and its distribution.
"I cannot stress this point enough that we must handle this publication of BACK TO
GODHEAD nicely, for it is one of the most important aspects of our society."
—letter to BBT Trustees (February 17, 1973)
"BTG must be improved to the fullest extent, because it is the backbone of our
society. Think it over, and do it nicely as far as possible, and if necessary you can
stop any other activities."
—letter to Rayarama (March 23, 1968)
"Actually we want that every American have a copy of BTG in his hand. "
—letter to Shukadeva (March 25, 1971)
"We want to distribute as many issues of BTG as possible, so the more you can print
and distribute, the more my Guru Maharaja will be pleased to see His Great Dream
being fulfilled."
—letter to Brahmananda (July 16, 1969)
"It is very encouraging to learn that you are so enthusiastic to sell BTG. I consider
sale of BTG so valuable because in the beginning I worked for BTG day and night,
alone in India. I still remember the hardship for pushing on this BTG. In the
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beginning, when I was householder, I did not care if somebody paid or not paid; I
used to distribute liberally. But when I left my household life and I was living alone,
sometimes in Vrindavana and sometimes in Delhi, or sometimes traveling for
pushing on BTG, they were very hard days. Therefore, when BTG will be published
not in hundreds of thousands but in millions, that will give me great solace."
—letter to Madhudvisha (April 14, 1970)
"You should take BTG as your life and soul. Your work for BTG is first and
foremost above all. If you do not find any time for other things, there is no objection,
but I want to see that you make BTG a successful magazine like Life magazine or
Illustrated Weekly of India. I am very much ambitious of the progress of the paper,
and you can use your discretion how to do it."
—letter to Rayarama (March 23, 1968)
"Yes, my order still stands. Please organize BTG distribution, and do it nicely.
Sankirtana party and distribution of our magazines and books is our real program.
Other things are secondary. So during this summer time you should vitalize this
program of sankirtana and book distribution vigorously. Attention diverted to
incense business is not a very good sign. We should give all our energy for
distributing BTG. "
—letter to Satsvarupa (June 21, 1971)
"I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter . . . along with the latest copy of BACK
TO GODHEAD No. 49, which I have read carefully and have appreciated to my
complete satisfaction. I am so glad to know that you and the others at ISKCON Press
are doing so wonderfully service in this way. These books and magazines are our
most important propaganda weapons to defeat the ignorance of maya's army, and the
more we produce such literature and sell them profusely all over the world, the more
we shall deliver the world from the suicide course. So your work is the most
important preaching work, may Krishna bless you more and more. Thank you for
helping me in this way.”
—letter to Jayadvaita (November 18, 1972)
"And as I have told you several times, that I am awaiting for the day when this paper
will take the shape of Life magazine or similar other magazines in the matter of its
popularity."
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—letter to Rayarama (June 1968)
"BTG is my life and soul. Please therefore try to distribute BTG as many as it is
possible. I started this magazine in 1944 in my householder life. I was spending Rs.
300 to 400 ($300 to 400 in your exchange), and I was distributing this magazine
without any consideration how much I was getting in return. But ten years after,
from 1954 to 1959, the struggle was very hard because at that time I had no money
and alone I was editing, publishing, and securing money for publication. So it was a
great struggle. My ambition was that I would publish BTG in huge quantity so that
people may understand transcendental blessings of Lord Caitanya.
"Now, since I have come to your country, I have entrusted the matter to my beloved
American boys and girls, and I wish to see that this magazine is published and
distributed in the American way like Reader's Digest, Life, etc., published in
millions and distributed all over the world. Actually the position of BTG should be
more important than any mundane magazine because it contains the quintessence of
human necessities."
—letter to Guru dasa (April 16, 1970)
"I have not heard anything from you in long time what is the situation with
publication of our BACK TO GODHEAD. So I am anxious to know when it will be
again published, and if it can be regularly printed, even on our mimeograph
machine. It is too much important that it must be distributed regularly, as it is the
backbone of our mission. So, even it is not printed very expensively and highly, still
it must be distributed even in mimeograph copy. And then in the future we can print
it very nicely, when there is the money there to do it."
—letter to Rayarama (June 8, 1968)
"New York is the biggest city in the world, and therefore the standard of New York
should be maintained in consuming BTG and giving us contributions. Our first
starting point was New York."
—letter to Brahmananda (July 24, 1969)
"You artists and poets of my disciples should try to increase the beauty of BTG as
well as promote sales in larger and larger numbers."
—letter to Jadurani (October 26, 1967)
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"Regarding printing Japanese BTG with Tosho or Dai Nippon, that is nice. But why
10,000? Why not 100,000? The more you increase the number of BTG's, that is
encouraging."
—letter to Sudama (June 19, 1970)
"I am in due receipt of your letter, dated June 23, 1969, sent along with your German
language BACK TO GODHEAD. It is very, very nice. You have achieved a great
blessing from my Guru Maharaja. My Guru Maharaja had an ambition to publish the
message of Lord Caitanya in all the languages of the world, and when he was present
in India, he published six magazines in five languages, one in Hindi, one in Assami,
one in Bengali, one in English, and one in Oriya. Your Zuruck Zur Gottheit is
certainly a unique gift to me, and I shall ever remember it. It is all your credit that as
soon as you arrived in Germany you have done some tangible service to the mission.
May Krishna bless you more and more."
—letter to Jaya Govinda (July 4, 1969)
"Regarding BACK TO GODHEAD, I wish that you take charge of organizing the
sales in the libraries. If you write letters on behalf of the Society, will not that be
good? I suggest that you may take a little responsibility for organizing the sales, and
wherever you will direct, they will dispatch the sample copies if so required. Or else
we can send the copies to you in Montreal for you to do such propaganda work as
you like."
—letter to Gopala Krishna (June 21, 1969)
"We want that BTG be printed in every major language and distributed all over the
world, so that there is no language barrier in taking to our movement."
—letter to Citsukadnanda (March 25, 1971)
From a lecture in Los Angeles (November 29, 1968):
Shrila Prabhupada: In this way we shall take all opportunity so that twenty-four
hours—whether awakened or sleeping—we shall always think of Krishna. That is
perfection.
... This chanting means always remembering Krishna—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama ... Cooking—I am cooking for
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Krishna. I am typing for Krishna. I am going to preach for Krishna and distributing
BACK TO GODHEAD for Krishna. In this way, always remember Krishna. That's
all. That will make you perfect.
Devotee: When we're engaged in spreading Krishna consciousness, by singing or
selling BACK TO GODHEADS, or speaking with people, through our senses, like
seeing or hearing or touching or smelling, our mind gets distracted, even while we're
engaged in selling BACK TO GODHEAD. Then how can we always return to the
point of remembering, even though our senses are being dragged by billboard signs
and so many things?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, suppose you are selling BACK TO GODHEAD. Does it
not remind you about Krishna? What for you are selling BACK TO GODHEAD?
You could sell another, popular magazine which could sell very nicely, quickly,
thousands of copies. Why you have taken this BACK TO GODHEAD? For Krishna.
You are not for business. You are not ordinary newspaper seller. Why have you
taken BACK TO GODHEAD? Your motive is that people may know about Krishna.
If magazine selling is your business, you can take any other sense gratification
magazine. There are so many. And you can sell. You can make some profit. So we
have to mold our life in such a way that we shall always remember Krishna.
Therefore remembering Krishna is my primary business. And we have to act in such
a way that we may not forget Krishna. That should be the principle. That is the
secret.
Therefore it is equally good for anyone, because we can engage anyone in the
business of Krishna. If somebody has no knowledge, he can simply sweep over the
floor of Krishna's temple. That will make him remembering Krishna, that "I am
cleansing the floor of Krishna's temple." He's as good as the editor of BACK TO
GODHEAD.
Devotee: How does a devotee go about practicing this Krishna consciousness when
he's asleep?
Shrila Prabhupada: Yes, sleep means your gross senses are stopped, but your mind
works. Therefore you dream. So if you practice your mind to be engaged in Krishna
consciousness, in dream also you will see that you are preparing prasadam and going
to sell BACK TO GODHEAD. That's all. Sometimes, some nights, when I feel
hungry, I dream that I am eating krishna-prasadam very sumptuously. Somebody is
supplying nice parata, and I am eating ...
We have to practice in this way, that when all the functions of the body will be
stopped at the time of death, we shall remember somehow or other Krishna. Then:
successful. Immediately success. That is our technique.
This is an excerpt from a conversation between Shrila Prabhupada and Rameshvara
Swami that took place in Calcutta (?) in 1976.
Shrila Prabhupada: I purchased some hand press. It has got some special name. I
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forget now. I purchased two presses—$150.
Devotee: Mimeograph.
Shrila Prabhupada: Mimeograph. So we were selling about five hundred copies.
But still Tamal Krishna was selling almost major portion. Then I asked
Brahmananda, "Why not print? So he took quotation from different printers—Dai
Nippon (we gave them for printing Teachings of Lord Caitanya). He took
quotation—ten cents per copy. But they wanted 20,000 [as a minimum quantity for
printing]. So I consulted Tamal in San Francisco. He gave me some encouragement.
So I asked Brahmananda, "Yes. Print 20,000." From five hundred to twenty
thousand. Great jump. Somehow or other it began like that. Now that we are printing
per month?
Rameshvara Swami: What? Hardbound books?
Shrila Prabhupada: No, no. This BACK TO GODHEAD.
Rameshvara Swami: 750,000. It is averaging like that.
Shrila Prabhupada: So, the first attempt was only 20,000. I calculated. Anyway,
Krishna is giving us all facility. Let us utilize it to the best of our capacity. We have
no other mission. We want to see that everyone may accept the Supreme Personality
of Godhead and be happy. This is our mission.
To ensure the distribution of 20,000 copies per month, Shrila Prabhupada organized
a plan to have the copies paid for in advance by four ISKCON centers—those in
New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London.
"If I get from the four centers, then I shall take charge of distribution, because
Brahmananda has already taken responsibility for distributing the books."
—letter to Rayarama (February 20, 1969)
If I receive some contributions from each center for publishing BACK TO
GODHEAD regularly, that will be a nice program so that we may not have to depend
on advertisements or sales. Each center should take responsibility of contributing
some money towards the publication of BACK TO GODHEAD, instead of
depending upon each center for selling BACK TO GODHEAD. For example, if a
center contributes $100, we send them copies at cost price to the amount, and it
doesn't matter whether they sell it or not.
"But we must have the monthly contribution. The copies which are not sold may be
distributed free to schools, libraries, influential gentlemen, etc. This will greatly
further our propaganda, and I am thinking in these terms.
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"I have received one letter from Subala regarding his circular letter to different
centers, and their reply is enclosed. I can induce Los Angeles to pay $750, and we
can deliver them 5,000 copies of BACK TO GODHEAD. Similarly, if San
Francisco contributes $750, deliver them 5,000 copies. As far as Los Angeles and
San Francisco are concerned, I asked the boys to work and pay positively every
month. Similarly, if New York is agreed to work and pay $750, then the whole
question is solved, and we can print 20,000 copies immediately from Dai Nippon. I
do not know if it is practical, but to my mind, if New York, San Francisco, and Los
Angeles agree to $750 each month, there is no problem."
—letter to Rayarama (February 15, 1969)
"My request is that you take very seriously our program of BACK TO GODHEAD,
and, as you have promised to contribute your quota of $750 per month against
delivery of 5,000 copies of BACK TO GODHEAD, I am so much obliged to you all.
" . . . I am begging from you $750 per month against 5,000 copies of BACK TO
GODHEAD. Out of this 5,000 copies, if you simply sell 1,500 copies you
immediately realize your $750. The balance of 3,500 will be clear profit for the
temple. If still there is some balance copies, then these copies we can distributed free
by post to heads of the society, schools, colleges, libraries, and so many other
institutions. So we have to make a list of them, and take concession rates from the
post office. In this way we can make vigorous propaganda with BACK TO
GODHEAD. Besides that, if you can introduce sankirtana and classes and BACK
TO GODHEAD in Berkeley, that will be another great advantage."
—letter to Cidananda and Dinadayalu (February 23, 1969)
"I thank you very much for your giving me your pledge that will give me $750 per
month for 5,000 copies of BACK TO GODHEAD. Similar assurance I have got
from the other centers. So by calculation I shall be able to collect $3,000 per month,
of which $2,000 or less, as you may arranged, will be paid for the price of printing,
and the balance will be spent for free distribution of copies to institutions, schools,
colleges, universities, libraries, and respectable individual persons. I understand that
for posting magazines in large scale the rate is 3 cents or 4 cents, so I have advised
Subala to take definite information in this connection for posting BACK TO
GODHEAD in large scale."
—letter to Brahmananda (February 27, 1969)
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"Regarding BACK TO GODHEAD, when we get copies from Japan, I have
program to distribute several thousand copies freely. In the meantime, get the
concessional rate from the Post Office. They have got such rates in Los Angeles and
New York, it is 2 1/2 cents or 3 cents per copy. So you may select some nice,
important names—government men, leading industrialists, businessmen, and when
you get the concessional rate, you should distribute at least 100 copies from your
center freely. The postage and copies will be supplied to you."
—letter to Upendra (April 29, 1969)
"They may or may not attract, it doesn't matter. We are selling BACK TO
GODHEAD through the personal approach, through the Sankirtana Party, so I
expect each center to sell 50 copies daily on the the average, as we have practical
experience here. In this way, if four centers sell on an average 200 copies daily, then
we come to the point of selling 6,000 copies directly, which will cover the expense
of printing and other charges. The balance 14,000 copies can be sold by the temples
simply on profit. If they are not sold, then we distribute free to different societies,
libraries, public institutions, respectable gentlemen, schools, etc. In this way we
shall make propaganda.
"The idea is like that of a bible society in India which distributes millions of dollars
in the shape of biblical literature without any consideration of return. Similarly, we
have to sacrifice each $750 on this principle. If there is return, that is all right, but
still we have to do it on a missionary spirit. That is my idea. So try to think of this
program and do the needful."
—letter to Rayarama (February 22, 1969)
"I do not think it is a good suggestion that we decrease the number of BTGs printed.
If we print the same number of copies throughout the winter months and if they are
not all sold, then the remaining issues may be distributed freely to many respectable
men and organizations. This will be good propaganda work. We are not interested in
making profit; our interest is simply to promote Krishna consciousness. So all the
centers should not reduce their orders for BTG, but should help distribute them as far
as possible."
—letter to Brahmananda (October 27, 1969)
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