Krsna Is The Farm Acarya
Srila Prabhupada was most enlivened to hear the report of New Govardhana Farm. His Divine Grace in the last month or so has been stressing the importance of these farm projects, and said, “This is the next aspect of Krsna consciousness which I wish to push forward. If I am able to travel again, then I shall visit the farms and make them perfect. On these farms we can demonstrate the full varnasrama system. If these farms become successful then the whole world will be enveloped by Krsna consciousness.
“From your letter I can understand how nice this farm is. I am very happy to see fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, the devotees taking sumptuous prasadam and chanting Hare Krsna. This is the actual meaning of human life. It is a very good farm, from your letter I can understand. Whatever you build, get the building materials locally. If you can manufacture tiles locally, then your house problem is solved. Build up bamboo frame, and on it place tiles. In any event get everything locally. I wish to make a farm tour and then I shall surely visit your farm.”
I suggested to Srila Prabhupada that he was the Farm Acarya, but Srila Prabhupada said, “Krsna is the Farm Acarya. Baladeva is holding a plow, and Krsna is holding the calf. Krsna advised Nanda Maharaja not to perform Indra puja but to worship the land, Govardhana because it was supplying all foodstuffs for the residents of Vrndavana and the cows as well.” So Srila Prabhupada wants you to develop this farm very nicely as it will be the future program to present to the world as the ideal of Krsna consciousness. In the cities, we are interested for preaching but we cannot present the ideal varnasrama system, this is only possible at the farms, so they are very important.
— Letter from Tamal Krsna Goswami, Secretary to Srila Prabhupada to Hari Sauri dasa, ISKCON
Melbourne, 10 August 1977 (sent from Krsna Balarama Mandir, Vrndavana)
Sounds like a divine plan! One of the most inspring things to read is the rugged land based lifestyle of the early days at N.V. I know that flame is still alive in many of the older Brijabasis. It can even be seen in the small gardens along side the suburban-style mini-mansions popping up along the ridge. More so though in the successful farms at either end of the community and the beautiful Garden of Seven Gates in the middle. I think N.V. is poised to grow again, this time around things will be a little slower and perhaps more thoughtful. I’m forever curious to see what this century has in store for the community. I’ll likely join you all for the summer and see if I can somehow fit in to that new future.