Disappointment from India

On February 8, Srila Prabhupada had written to India’s new Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, requesting her to sanction the release of money from India.  A reply, dated Feb. 25, New Delhi, came from the Prime Minister’s official secretary, Mr. L. K. Gha:

Dear Swamiji,

The Prime Minister has seen your letter of February 8, 1966.  She appreciates the spirit which prompted you to carry the spiritual message of Srimad Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam to other countries.  Owing to the critical foreign exchange situation which the country is facing, it is greatly regretted that it will not be possible to assist you from here in your plan to set up a Radha-Krishna temple. 

But Prabhupada had other hopes.  After writing to the Prime Minister, he had written again to Tirtha Maharaja asking him to request Dr. Radha Krishnan to persuade the government to sanction the release of funds.  He waited for one month. 

No answer.

Apparently, his godbrothers felt little obligation toward preaching in America; he had written that he needed encouragement from them to continue preaching in America because it was so expensive.  He had explained that he was spending the equivalent of Rs.1000 a month.  “As such, I am counting every day to receive your favorable replies.” 

But there was no reply.