Page 35 - MMOSP (English)
P. 35

My Memories of Çréla Prabhupäda


             Våndävana. Do not become another one of them. Do not act
             like a monkey. Don’t try to jump over your spiritual master.” *

             One morning just after seven o’clock, I happened to see Çréla
             Prabhupäda enter the temple compound as he was returning
             from a walk with a group of about fifteen leading disciples.
             As Çréla Prabhupäda strode toward the main entrance of
             the Kåñëa-Balaräma Mandir, an Indian gentleman hurriedly
             approached with his hands extended forward and downward,
             obviously intending to touch Çréla Prabhupäda’s lotus feet. We
             disciples were forbidden to do that, for had it been allowed,
             Çréla Prabhupäda would have been imposed upon constantly.
             So I was surprised when Çréla Prabhupäda stopped briefly to
             let the man fulfil his desire. It seemed to me that the man also
             wanted to say something to Çréla Prabhupäda, who nonetheless
             continued walking into the temple. I thought, “If that man
             could do it, then why can’t I also just go up and touch Çréla
             Prabhupäda’s lotus feet?” But there was strong social sanction
             against doing so.

             On 4 April, Çréla Prabhupäda held a large initiation
             ceremony in the courtyard of the Kåñëa-Balaräma Mandir,
             during  which  I was to receive brahminical initiation.
             Almost  seventy  devotees  were sitting to receive either
             first or second initiation, and because of the additional
             spectators the quadrangle was full. It was the beginning
             of summer and the sun was burning. Seated upon a
             vyäsäsana,  Çréla Prabhupäda oversaw the proceedings,
             with Akñayänanda  Swami performing  the fire  sacrifice.

             * This is corroborated, at least in gist, by the following recorded
             statement by Tamäla Kåñëa Goswami to Çréla Prabhupäda: “I
             remember one boy was living there for about three months, and
             you got very angry and told him that there were already enough
             monkeys in Rädhä-kuëòa—do not try to jump over like a monkey.”
             (Conversation, 7 June 1976)


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