Srila Prabhupada on Mayapur
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s aspiration that the Europeans, Americans, and Indians all together dance jubilantly and chanting “Gaura Hari.” So this temple, Māyāpur Chandrodaya temple, is meant for transcendental United Nation. What the United Nation has failed, that will be achieved here by the process recommended by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma Speech.
(Speech Excerpt – Mayapur, 15 January, 1976)
This Mayapur is meant for this purpose, to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world as it was desired by Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
(Lecture on His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada’s Appearance Day, Mayapur, 8 February, 1977 )
We have plans for erecting a magnificent international city based on this Vedic culture.
(Letter to Sri Chaudhuri, Mayapur, 23 January, 1976)
We are going to have a very big project at Mayapur. We have to acquire 350 acres of land from the Government and construct a spiritual town at the expense of Rs. 200 Crores. The plans and contemplations are going on in different phases, now when Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be pleased it will be taken up.
(Letter to Dinesh Candra Sarkar, 26 August, 1976)
Here in Mayapur we are trying to create a place of inspiration for people throughout the world.
(Letter to P. R. Mohapatra from Mayapur, 4 March, 1976)
I am sure this mission of Caitanya Mahāprabhu will be successful. It must be successful, because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted it to be done. Simply we, the workers, the servitors, must be very sincere. Then Caitanya Mahāprabhu will give us more and more facilities so that we can work very well. So keep this mission always in view and do your best. That is my only request. Thank you very much.
(Lecture Arrival – Mayapur, 27 September, 1974)
Vrndavana is for residence, Bombay is office for organization, and Mayapur is for worship of the Supreme Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu
(Letter to Gurukrpa – Vrndavana, 18 May, 1977)
Now you make Mayapur into a gorgeous palace for Radha and Krsna, and I shall come there immediately and sit down there permanently to stay by them
(Letter to Palika dasi, 18 June, 1976)
This program is very very important. If you can help to organize our cow program in Mayapur, it will be a great credit for you.
(Letter to Hasyakari Das – Honolulu, 26 May, 1975)
I have named this temple Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, the Rising Moon of Mayapur. Now make it rise, bigger and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this moonshine will be spread all over the world. All over India they will come to see. From all over the world they will come.
(Letter to Ramesvara, 25 August, 1974)
We do not discriminate that ‘He is needy…’ Everyone is needy. So actually, everyone is in need of spiritual understanding. So by distributing food, the spiritual food, simply by eating, he will be in Krishna consciousness, even if he does not do anything. But actually, we are inviting persons to come, sit down, chant with us Hare Krishna mantra and take prasadam and go home. That’s all. This is our program.
(Lecture at Christian Monastery – Melbourne, 6 April, 1972)
My idea is to attract people of the whole world to Mayapur.
(Room Conversation – Detroit, 15 June, 1976)
“The International Society for Krishna Consciousness now has its world center in Navadvipa, Mayapur. The managers of this center should see that twenty-four hours a day there is chanting of the holy names of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.”
(Caitanya Caritamrta – Adi 17.123)
So Mayapur inhabitants can be engaged in such a small manufacturing enterprise as well as farming to become self-sufficient. Side by side increase our spiritual consciousness by attending to the temple routine work, Deity worship sankirtana, attending class. The idea is we must have the necessities of our life as far as possible independently. But we should not be business minded. Our main business is to develop our dormant Krsna Consciousness.
“The summary is that our men must learn these four things: doll making, mrdanga making, karatala making and if possible making saris.”
(Letter to Jayapataka, Bhavananda, 9 May, 1973)
Please accept my greetings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter with enclosed contribution towards the development of our Mayapur City in W. Bengal, and I thank you very much. We are trying to construct a city where people from all over the world can come to visit and live according to the Vedic tenets of “simple living and high thinking.”” I am pleased to hear that you appreciative of our humble efforts and if you would like to contribute in the future towards this great spiritual city you can send your contributions to me
(Letter to Mr. Hunter, 5 June, 1976)
Gurukula is our most important project. If the children are given a Krsna Conscious education from early childhood then there is great hope for the future of the world.
(Letter to Dayananda, Nandarani, 27 January, 1973)
With regard to the Mayapur house I may suggest that you make one roof garden. On the top of the house you can put soil of six inches and then plant so many tulsi plants and nice bushes. I like garden very much. Just like here in Los Angeles temple they have made on very nice garden for me and I sit there every evening. So you please also make first class Mayapur garden.
(Letter to Jayapataka, 16 April, 1973)
You are the best man for this task of being responsible for our world headquarters at Mayapur, thank you very much for helping me in this way.
(Letter to Jayapataka,22 August, 1972)
Therefore I started Māyāpur this prasāda distribution. And it is coming to be successful. People are . . . politicians are appreciating that here is Hindu-Muslim unity.
(Conversation and Instruction On New Movie, 13 January, 1977)
Prabhupada stood on the roof of his Mayapur building, looking over to the birthplace of Caitanya Mahaprabhu less than a mile away. “Actually,” he said to Bhavananda Maharaja, “their claim to the birthplace of Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not very important. Is Krsna famous for having been born in Mathura? No. He is famous for His activities. Similarly, Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not famous for having been born in Mayapur. He is famous for His activities, for His sankirtana preaching. This Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir is the preaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore I want a place that is so attractive because of the activities of Caitanya Mahaprabhu that everyone will come here!”
(Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta – Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, Vol.5, Chapter 42 – Developing Mayapur, June 1, 1973)