Sanatana Prabhu's Remembrances ~ Page 7

Remembrances by
Sanatana Das
part 7

Toast

When Srila Prabhupada asked his servant in Edinburgh, 1973, for some “hot bread”, Srutakirti said, “Oh, you mean toast?” and Srila Prabhupada said, “Yes, I want to try that.”

Elderly Brahmacarinis

When Srila Prabhupada installed Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda at Bhaktivedanta Manor on Janmastami 1973, every day the devotees invited different types of people to see Srila Prabhupada and hear him speak.
On the day the Christians were invited several monasteries and convents were approached and the monks and nuns were invited. Several elderly nuns came to see Srila Prabhupada who sat out on the lawn with them. He had a Bhagavad-gita with a black cover which looked like a Bible and read out verses, explaining them and answering questions.
After a lifetime as nuns these devotees of God easily put aside their external superficial differences and accepted Srila Prabhupada as their instructing guru. He gave out japa beads and had them all chanting Hare Krishna mantra.
Srila Prabhupada gave them a spiritual experience that I have no doubt every single one of them will remember and Krishna and Radhanrani will appreciate at the time of their deaths. On that day their spiritual advancement took a quantum leap.

Abhimanyu Das

He worked for the military and on his shoulder was printed “Special Branch” although what he did exactly, he wouldn’t tell us. From time to time he would visit the temple near the British Museum. He told us how his fellow soldiers teased him because he didn’t smoke or drink, eat meat or gamble.
When Srila Prabhupada was visiting in 1973 a meeting was arranged.
Prabhupada asked him “What kind of work do you do?”
“I’m a British spy”
“You should become my disciple. You can continue your spying also.”
“I don’t follow the principles.”
Oh, what is your favourite one that you like to break?” (smiling)
“Well sometimes I have to kill people. I have already killed five men.”
But that is your job, that is alright, Arjuna also killed many men. Next time before you pull the trigger, just say Hare Krishna and you will not miss.”
Abhimanyu Das could blend in with any group of people and they would think he was one of them.

A Shakespearean Quote

One time Srila Prabhupada finished speaking and asked if there were any questions.
Someone began a rambling speech that seemed quite incomprehensible. After a minute or two Srila Prabhupada chuckled and said, “A tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, and signifying nothing.” (Shakespeare.)

Lord Chaitanya’s Sankirtan Movement

In Sri Sri Radha Ballabha’s temple in Melbourne Srila Prabhupada had finished his lecture in the evening and asked, “Are there any questions?”
One of the devotees asked, “Is Lord Chaitanya’s Sankirtan Movement going on only on this planet?”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “Lord Chaitanya’s Movement is going on on every planet in this universe.”

Prabhupada’s Perfect Voice

Srila Prabhupada went with his disciples to a recording studio to make a record of his chanting.
One of the technicians asked Srila Prabhupada to sing something so they could adjust the recording equipment so that Srila Prabhupada’s voice would sound better.
After listening to Srila Prabhupada chant the technicians told him his voice was perfect and they didn’t need to adjust anything to compensate.

Srila Prabhupada and the Camera.

A devotee was fanning Srila Prabhupada awhile he was lecturing in the temple. After some time the devotee was starting to fall asleep and the camara touched Srila Prabhupada’s face.
Srila Prabhupada told him to stay awake. After a few minutes it happened again. Srila Prabhupada told another devotee, “I want you to fan me, this boy is a fool.”

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