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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