 The day after the Mantra-Rock dance in San Francisco, in January of 1967, although cheered and applauded by thousands of hippies the night before, Srila Prabhupada, was described as quiet and unassuming as a child. He remained untouched, aloof, innocent and humble, while at the same time appearing very grave and ancient. Swamiji was not of this world, he was always thinking of Krsna. Joan, Janaki's sister, was touched by Swamiji's activities and his kindness . and I longed for more association with him. Srila Prabhupada each morning would teach Joan, Janaki and others how to cook.
Joan was soon initiated and given the name Yamuna, and several others were also initiated, although Srila Prabhupada knew it would be difficult for his western disciples to stick to Krsna Consciousness and attain the goal of pure devotional service. (Yamuna devi dasi later became well known for her cooking skills and for producing vegetarian cook books). Srila Prabhupada also encouraged Kirtana (chanting) and he had a strong conviction about the purifying force of the holy name. If engaged in chanting Hare Krsna, even the most fallen person could gradually become a saintly devotee. He was adamant about preserving the purity of his Krsna Conscious Society. For example, he would only allow prasadam (food offered to Krsna) to be distributed free. The devotees were feeding 150 to 200 hippies each day and Mukunda said ?The Salvation Army came in one day for lunch and they just unloaded a whole truckload of people on us ? about thirty or forty?. One day, when asked the challenging question ?Are you Allen Ginsberg?s guru?? (Allen Ginsberg was a well-known poet at the time), Srila Prabhupada replied, ?I am nobody?s guru. I am everybody?s servant?. To the devotees, the whole exchange became transcendental due to Swamiji?s reply. Swamiji had not simply given a clever response, he had answered out of a deep, natural humility. A lesson in being undisturbed and steady came soon after when Srila Prabhupada was preparing to give a lecture and a crazy hippie became very disruptive, whirling around and shouting ?I AM GOD!?. He sobbed, growled, grumbled and stamped his feet and beat his chest with his fists. When Swamiji began to chant a round of japa with the devotees and continued undaunted, the boy left the room disgusted, slamming the door and yelling. In the lecture Srila Prabhupada stressed that a devotee is never disturbed and is always tolerant. Srila Prabhupada planned to return to New York on April 9, but before that, Malati had presented him with a 3-inch high wooden doll which turned out to be Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe. Malati and her husband Syamasundara bought the other two dolls of the set, Balarama and Subhadra, and Srila Prabhupada requested Syamasundara, who was a wood sculptor, to carve three-foot-high copies.March 26, the appearance day of Lord Caitanya was chosen as the day for installing the deities in the Temple. Syamasundara suffered blood poisoning due to an infected hand caused by a small splinter. He went to hospital and Srila Prabhupada said ? Lord Jagannatha was taking away the reactions to Syamasundara?s previous sinful activities. For non-Hindus to handle Lord Jagannatha and conduct his worship would be considered heresy by the caste-conscious brahmanas of India, but Srila Prabhupada had faith that Lord Jagannatha was especially merciful to the fallen. He asked all the devotees, whenever they came to the Temple, they should bring at least one flower and one fruit. After explaining Lord Caitanya?s love for Krsna, the devotees watched Srila Prabhupada. He sat cross legged on the black velvet pillow. His hands were folded, his eyes closed. And he became overpowered by inner feelings of ecstasy. Although the simple devotees present could not know what was happening, they could see him enter a deep inward state. They could feel the atmosphere transform into awesome devotional stillness. When Srila Prabhupada opened his eyes ? they were filled with tears. Eventually, when Srila Prabhupada left the room the devotees understood that their spiritual master had been intensely feeling separation from Krsna. Being in Prabhupada?s presence during that long and special stillness, left them in no doubt that it was a deep ecstasy, and they had also felt a glimmer of the same love for Krsna. After two and a half months in San Francisco Srila Prabhupada was leaving to return to New York. At the airport the devotees were crying but Prabhupada promised to return if they would hold a Ratha-yatra festival when they would take Lord Jagannatha out in a procession. Nearing age 72, and back in New York, it was apparent just how dependent the devotees were on their spiritual master, and they became frightened when it appeared that Srila Prabhupada may have to return to India. Immigration officials denied him further extensions to his visa During the last week of May, Srila Prabhupada began to feel exhausted and he spoke of heart palpitations. His condition worsened over the next few days causing great anxiety for his disciples. Sources: Only He Could Lead Them (Srila Ptabhupada-lilamrta, Vojume3, by Satsvrupa dasa Goswami, Your Ever Well-wisher by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. |
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