Page 13 - MMOSP (English)
P. 13
Introduction
I joined ISkcoN in 1975, when Çréla Prabhupäda was already
established as a great world äcärya and had several thousand
disciples. By that time, only a few devotees were allowed regular
personal access to Çréla Prabhupäda; the rest were discouraged
from disturbing him. Even while traveling and preaching
extensively, Çréla Prabhupäda set aside as much time as possible
for his foremost work: translating books. We were told that more
important than seeing Çréla Prabhupäda in person (vapuù) is
to follow his instructions (väëé), and that he was especially
pleased by distribution of his books. (In those days, most of the
brahmacärés were engaged in that service.) Of course, we got to
see Çréla Prabhupäda in classes and darçanas, during which he
freely gave his personal association to everyone.
Although I saw Çréla Prabhupäda several times before he passed
away (on 14 November 1977), only once was I ever alone in
a room with him—when he gave me the Gäyatré mantra. It
may be questioned why one with so few memories of Çréla
Prabhupäda would bother to publish them. The first reason is
that many newer devotees ask me about my experiences with
Çréla Prabhupäda, and I wish to share whatever little I can
tell with those who are eager to hear. Furthermore, while my
personal anecdotes regarding Çréla Prabhupäda naturally have
special meaning for me, they are also significant for the entire
world, because everything that Çréla Prabhupäda said or did
is important for everyone and hence should be recorded and
preserved, as far as possible. So another reason for my publishing
these few vignettes is to encourage others to write or otherwise
record theirs. Many disciples had extensive association with
Çréla Prabhupäda, others had less, and still others (as in my
case) had very little. But if many of the devotees with only a
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