Page 31 - MMOSP (English)
P. 31

My Memories of Çréla Prabhupäda


             widely. We must conduct our lives according to the instructions
             of  Çrémad-Bhägavatam  and thus become servants  of the
             Bhägavatam and of the mahä-mahä-bhägavata who has given
             us the Bhägavatam.

             One evening, while sauntering without any particular purpose
             or direction along the second-floor veranda of the original
             building of ISkcoN Mäyäpur, I came upon Çréla Prabhupäda’s
             darçana room. Devotees were tightly gathered at the entrance,
             and laughter issued from within. Peeking over the shoulders
             of devotees at the window, I saw that Çréla Prabhupäda was
             giving  darçana.  “Why am I missing this?” I thought. “Why
             didn’t I know about this?” I looked at the devotees packed into
             the room—no “big shots.” It was an open, general darçana. I
             thought, “Here’s my chance. I could be in there just as well as
             anyone else.” Although there seemed to be no way to enter,
             somehow I squeezed in and even managed (with the “nothing’s
             impossible” spirit of a saìkértana devotee) to get a squashed
             sitting place in front of Çréla Prabhupäda’s table. I do not recall
             what was discussed, just that Çréla Prabhupäda was leaning on
             his bolster, sitting with one knee in the air, relaxed, smiling,
             and joking, happy to be with his disciples. The devotees were
             mostly rank-and-filers like myself, who generally served Çréla
             Prabhupäda from a distance, with little prospect of attaining
             his personal association. They were all clearly delighted to have
             this chance to be with their spiritual master—as I also was.

             After I had been in the room for a few minutes, Änakadundubhi
             Prabhu, a lanky British püjäré, appeared at the door, holding
             a large plate of mahä-prasäda fruit. Seeing little opportunity
             for entering, he just stood there. After a short time, Çréla
             Prabhupäda noticed Änakadundubhi Prabhu and told him to
             distribute the prasäda to the devotees. Änakadundubhi Prabhu
             replied, “I was going to give it to them when they leave.” Çréla
             Prabhupäda immediately quipped, “They will never leave.” The


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