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)
19