01/25/98 - 1533

Preaching On The Lower East Side

USA (VNN) - by Pratyatosa Dasa

Dear Prabhus,

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

Almost 2 years ago, my wife and I took "trial" vanaprastha, and we've been living separately ever since. I am a little disappointed that my wife and children are still cooperating with ISKCON and their supporters (until about 1 year ago, I was guilty of doing the same thing), but aside from that, our taking vanaprastha seems to have contributed to the spiritual benefit of our whole family.

I am currently staying in Kapindra Swami's ashram on New York's Lower East Side. It is very important for our preaching effort here that we get a good, fast computer ASAP.

What we need is a Pentium class computer with high speed modem, CD-ROM drive, at least 16M of RAM, etc. In other words, an Internet ready, complete multimedia system.

So far, we've gotten 2 computers donated, one by Bhakta Mohan, and one by Kapindra Swami's brother, Philip, but both of these computers are fairly primitive. One is a 286, and the other is a very slow 386 (16SX). Both have only 1M of memory, no sound, no CD-ROM drive, and no high-speed modem.

One of the computers came with a good color VGA monitor, so now all that we need is a good, up-to-date computer.

We have discovered that we can purchase a complete 180MHz, Pentium class, multimedia system with 8X CD-ROM, 16M EDO memory, 1.6GB hard drive, integrated speakers, 33.6K modem, Windows '95, but minus the monitor, for only $599.99 from Circuit City or J&R Computer World. It is the Compaq Presario 2200.

One Indian gentlemen, a regular contributor, said that he would donate $400, if we can find four people who are willing to donate $50 each.

Please send your tax deductible donations to (even if it's just a dollar):

Kapindra Swami Prabhupada Sankirtan Center, Inc.
48 Avenue B New York, NY 10009
(212)674-0698

(Federal Tax Exempt Number: 13-3473881)

Getting this computer is very important for Kapindra Maharaj's project. It will allow us to do desktop publishing, send and receive email, use the "Complete Works of Srila Prabhupada" CD-ROM, etc. One thing that he wants to be able to do is to display the transcriptions, including the diacritics, while playing Srila Prabhupada's lecture tapes for guests. The proposed computer will allow us to do this.

If we get any donations, I will let each of you know how much was donated. I will also let each of you know who the donor was unless the donor states that he wishes to remain anonymous.

Your servant, Pratyatosa Dasa
(http://com.org/stl/ptd/)