Things to Be Done in the Dhāma (09/20/10)
V____ Dāsa,
Nice to hear that you are taking you mother to Vṛndāvana. Hopefully she will be enthused by the darśana of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Dāmodara and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s rooms and will be able to do some humble service.
If you remember when you were distributing books at Rādhā-Dāmodara, many devotees were asking for the book “Follow the Angels” but it was out of print. Now we are reprinting “Follow the Angels” and ____ Mahārāja will be bringing many copies with him for Kārttika. So possibly again you will be able to do some book distribution if you have that desire. “Follow the Angels” is one of the best books ever printed.
Another advice for you is that yourself and your mother, or whoever else is coming to Vṛndāvana, should dress and live simply while you are there. Vṛndāvana is not a place to show off material opulences by fancy dress or ornaments. It is not a place to engage in gossip or to engage is eating lavish things. Study of śāstra, chanting the Holy Name, doing devotional service and associating with senior Vaiṣṇavas are the only recommended activities for a devotee when visiting the holy dhāma. These things should be taken seriously, otherwise it is not possible to please our previous ācāryas.
You are asking for my blessing to take you mother to Vṛndāvana and I am happy to give my blessings, but I expect that you take my above advice seriously.
Hope this meets you well.
Swami Narasingha
