Prabhupada and the Ants

I watched as hundreds of ants ascended up the leg of the choki, circling his plate to finally descend upon his prasadam. They seemed to know exactly when they were allowed on a certain preparation. Srila Prabhupada would eat in stages. First there were the vegetables and chapatis, the rice was mixed in later on and then finally the sweets were eaten. Initially they would congregate around the plate. Gradually they June 1973; Mayapura, India; Camp: ISKCON, Mayapura Candrodaya Mandir In ...Read More

Cooking For Prabhupada

On your average day outside of India the process for preparing Srila Prabhupada’s lunch was as follows. About one half hour before massage I made a small chapati dough. Then, I chopped various types of vegetables and placed them in the middle tier of Srila Prabhupada’s famous three tiered cooker. On the bottom tier I put some cauliflower and potato or some other vegetable combination with water to become a wet vegetable. In the top tier I placed a small ...Read More

Difference Between India and USA

In America they would have said, ‘Hey, what are you doing. Get out of my car.’ Possibly beat you. In India, still there is some culture. In India they see a sadhu and they have some respect. But in your country they kick you out. December 1972, Camp: ISKCON Bombay Before Srila Prabhupada’s quarters were available in Juhu he stayed at one life member’s flat. His name was Kartikeya Mahadevia. The facilities there were nice and Srila Prabhupada seemed comfortable. Every ...Read More

Prabhupada–A Vaikuntha Person at Bangkok Airport

Srila Prabhupada distributed his mercy without distinction. This is the kindness of the pure devotee. On a flight from India to the west, we had a two hour stop over at the Bangkok airport. We had to wait in the transit area. Srila Prabhupada said to me, “Get my things. I am going to shower.” I went to the baggage area, opened Srila Prabhupada’s bag, grabbed his lota, towel and fresh change of clothing. It took me a few minutes, then ...Read More

Prabhupada Chanting his rounds, Singing Bhajans, and Reading his Books

It amazed me how Srila Prabhupada could have so many responsibilities but was always able to sit in his room and chant rounds, do bhajans and read his books. I have been with Srila Prabhupada for one year. I have become accustomed to Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental rhythms. At times as I sat in my quarters I would hear the sweet sound of the harmonium coming from Srila Prabhupada’s room. I knew I could invite any devotees who happened to be nearby ...Read More

Your Business is to Bring Your Followers to Me–Prabhupada

This is your business. It’s all right they may worship you if they like you very much, that’s all right. But your business is to bring them to me. You are my disciple. The duty of the disciple is to bring the devotees to the spiritual master. This is your business. Your preaching should be like this. If your preaching does not bring them to this point, then it is useless. February, 1975; Honolulu, Hawaii U.S.A.; Camp: ISKCON, New Navadvipa After ...Read More

Cobras in Srila Prabhupada’s Quarters

As I walked past the first toilet stall a huge six feet long cobra quickly slithered past me into the stall. Terrified I raced out of the bathroom as fast as my shaking body could take me. I was not sure what kind of snake it was. I didn’t want to create a big scene and interrupt Srila Prabhupada’s darshan… October 1974, Mayapura, India; Camp: ISKCON Candrodaya Mandir During the month of October (Kartik) Srila Prabhupada benedicted the devotees in Mayapur ...Read More

Intelligent When You’re 80!

Srila Prabhupada started laughing loudly. ‘Yes’ he said, ‘that is an old phrase they would say in India when someone did something foolish. You’ll be intelligent when you are 80.’ August 1973, Camp: Bhaktivedanta Manor I have been with Srila Prabhupada for about one year now and I have had the good fortune to massage him every day. I think I have become very efficient and expect that today will be another blissful massage. Srila Prabhupada said, “The Manor is wonderful ...Read More