Prabhupada's letter to Caruhasa
by Deepak
Posted December 12, 2002

Dear Chakra

Hare Krsna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I saw my name mentioned on your website in the article by Bhakta Vinay ("Guys, Girls and Caruhasa"), so I thought I should chip in to the debate. I was actually one of Caruhasa's earliest supporters when he was trying to get his Ramayan movie off the ground, but it became apparent to me after a while that perhaps we was not the best person to attempt this project. This impression was confirmed to me by the following letter Prabhupada wrote to Caruhasa in 1974, which I believe is the letter that Bhakta Vinay is referring to in his article:

"My dear Caruhasa das,

Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter undated and also seen the picture book. You should know it that Krsna is not a plaything. These things should strictly not be done*. If you do this, then Krsna will become a fairy tale. Please drop this matter.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami" (Letter, 20 July 1974, Los Angeles)

*According to Folio, this letter is "about trying to have karmis make a movie on Krsna Book."

One could argue that the Ramayan is not Krsna Book; but then again, Lord Ramacandra IS Krsna, and the intent of Srila Prabhupada's instructions to Caruhasa seems clear to me: "Krsna is not a plaything...If you do this, then Krsna will become a fairy tale."

If Prabhupada says that something "should strictly not be done", then it would be a foolish person indeed who would go ahead and do it anyway.

There is, of course, a possibility that Caruhasa Prabhu has another signed letter from Srila Prabhupada which countermands this previous instruction; however, I have not been able to find such a letter on Folio.

I am in complete agreement with Bhakta Vinay Prabhu's conclusion that: "Srila Prabhupada, as always, is always right!" Indeed, were we to whimsically discard any signed directive from Srila Prabhupada, then the result would only be a disastrous one.

Your servant,
Deepak