The Value of Tolerance

8 September, 1976

śrī śrī guru-gaurāṅgau jayataḥ

All glories to Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga

Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha

35 Satīsh Mukherjee Road

Kolkata—26

Dear recipient of my affection,

I received your letters, dated 29 December, 1975, and 2 January, 1976. It is only proper for all the servants of the maṭha to be tolerant while residing in the maṭha. Everyone possesses different natures and qualifications, and so it is absolutely necessary to remain tolerant and patient with each other.

In my opinion, it is because of their sukṛti, or accumulated spiritual merit, that sādhakas come to reside in the maṭha for the sake of performing sādhana-bhajana. But one cannot say that they have solely good impressions without a trace of bad impressions. It is due to good impressions that a person desires to perform sādhana-bhajana or associate with sādhus.

However, bad impressions may cause him to perform activities other than those related to pure devotion. In order to help such a sādhaka, we should, without becoming angry, instruct and help him like a friend. A violent propensity is not in the nature of a sādhu.

Somehow, I learned that the mind of Śrī Caitanya dāsa, a servant of Śrī Vinoda-vāṇī Gauḍīya Maṭha, has become disturbed due to several reasons. If he approaches you, engage him in hari-bhajana by giving him affection and advice. If the situation proves extreme, he may be transferred to another matha.

Know that I am bestowing My affectionate blessings upon you all.

nitya-śubhākāṅkṣī

Your eternal well-wisher,

Śrī Bhakti Dayita Mādhava