Page 25 - MMOSP (English)
P. 25
My Memories of Çréla Prabhupäda
leave during the interview. But Mr. Robinson did not want to
*
inconvenience anyone, so even though Mukunda Prabhu asked
him twice, he insisted that it was alright for everyone to stay.
Then Çréla Prabhupäda, seated upon his äsana, looked up at the
standing Mukunda Prabhu to inquire what was being discussed.
When Mukunda Prabhu explained, Çréla Prabhupäda shook his
head sideways in the typical Indian gesture of acquiescence.
Mr. Robinson was very respectful to Çréla Prabhupäda. Twice
Çréla Prabhupäda asked him to sit on a chair, but Mr. Robinson
insisted to remain sitting on the floor before Çréla Prabhupäda.
He spoke to Çréla Prabhupäda with the submissiveness of a
disciple. Çréla Prabhupäda reciprocated by speaking to him
strongly and firmly, but with patience, as if instructing a child.
Mike Robinson was there to ask questions, but Çréla Prabhupäda
was in command of the proceedings.
During the interview, I became surprised to see the intimacy
of Çréla Prabhupäda’s dealings with Mukunda Prabhu. I did
not know much about the history of the movement or the
significant role Mukunda Prabhu had played, nor how close he
was to Çréla Prabhupäda. Because Mukunda Prabhu was always
humble and unassuming, I had not realized how important and
spiritually advanced he was.
During one darçana, Çréla Prabhupäda’s glance fell upon me,
and I was bold enough to hold it. Çréla Prabhupäda did not
exactly look at me, but into me. I felt ashamed for all the nasty
things he was seeing. Çréla Prabhupäda’s glance also expressed
concern. His eyes rested on me for just a moment and then
turned elsewhere.
* Mukunda Prabhu later accepted sannyäsa, and is now known as
Mukunda Goswami.
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