AN APPEAL FROM ADVAITA ASHRAMA

Dear Friend,

       Advaita Ashrama is an important publication centre of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and is well known to devotees and admirers of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Our translations of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and other important scriptures have been highly praised by scholars all over the world. If our readers have been stirred by our literature and made conscious of their service to the poor, or if they have attained peace and happiness, our endeavours have been amply rewarded. Though our efforts and achievements may be inadequate in comparison to the need, yet we know that honest and sincere work cannot go in vain when it proceeds from intense feeling.
       Our present building was constructed in 1960. Since then our volume of publications has steadily increased. What is more, by highly subsidizing Swamiji's Complete Works and other books, we have been able to spread his message to a greater number of people. As a result the demand for our literature has increased overwhelmingly.
       While all this has given us immense satisfaction, we are suffering from shortage of space for the publication department, accommodation for monks, office space, library and auditorium. There is an adjacent plot of land just behind our Ashrama which we have been trying to purchase for the last 35 years. Now the owners have agreed to sell 21,000 sq. ft area at a cost of US $ 560,000 (INR 2.30 crore). We will have to pay 50% of the amount within one month to take possession of the land and the remainder to be paid within 6 months. Since the amount is very big, we have to depend on public contributions. So we earnestly request you to contribute generously to help us purchase this much-needed land. We fervently hope you will consider our appeal favourably and help us in this hour of need.
       All donations, however small, should be sent by A/c payee cheques/drafts in favour of Advaita Ashrama which will be duly acknowledged. Such donations are exempt from income tax under section 80-G in India. We hope to hear from you soon and hope you will help us in collecting funds from your friends as well.

Yours in the Lord
(Swami Bodhasarananda)

Advaita Ashrama • 5 Dehi Entally Road • Calcutta 700 014
advaita@vsnl.com