Srila Prabhupada’s Trees
Srila Prabhupada had to struggle very hard to build the Juhu temple.
The first struggle was to get the land; the next struggle was to get the permission to build the temple, and last struggle was to actually build the temple and install the Deities. And we had worked very hard to get the permission, but the Indian permits often include many conditions…
So although they give permission, the permission is not actually valid until one fulfills the conditions.
One of the conditions was that we had to have an internal access road of a certain width according to the length of the road. And it just so happened that right where the access road was supposed to go there were some palm trees. Once when Srila Prabhupada came to Juhu after being away for some time he noticed that one or two of the trees had been cut and he was very concerned–I would say upset–and he asked, “Why did you cut down the trees?” We thought we had the perfect answer: We had to build the temple, and to get the permission for the temple we had to cut the trees in the way of the road. Srila Prabhupada said, “No, you go to the Municipality and tell them it’s against our religion to cut down trees.” So we had no choice, and we did it.
And of course the Municipal officers argued.
But one thing that really struck me about how concerned Srila Prabhupada was for the trees was that the next time he came back to Juhu after a world tour practically the first thing he said was, “I was in Tehran and I have seen they have trees in the middle of the streets. So we can also have trees in the middle of our street.
” In other words, it was not so strange. So on Srila Prabhupada’s order we held our ground with the Municipality, and in the end they gave us the permission to keep the tree. And even today we can see that tree that Srila Prabhupada protected is still standing there with asphalt all around it.
So I am thinking that if Srila Prabhupada has so much concern and care and even love, I would say, for a tree, then what to speak of us–how much care and love he must have for us. And it’s just because of Srila Prabhupada’s care and mercy and protection that we are able to stand in Krishna consciousness–no matter what else is around us.
All glory to Srila Prabhupada.
Hare Krishna.
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Hare Krishna! Despite all our frailties Srila Prabhupada loves us and shows mercy upon us. Let us all make him happy by doing our bit to fulfill his mission.
Years ago I was told that Srila Prabhupada asked Karandhar Prabhu, our then temple president of LA temple, to plant lots of trees.. non have been planted. In fact many have been removed and there is very little shade. How nice it would be to see what he wanted fulfilled.
Hare Krishna , please accept my humble obeisances.
Is there any way to atone for the sin of cutting down trees.
Yes. Chant Hare Krishna. But don’t chant Hare Krishna for atonement.
jaya srila prabhupada
i’d read srila prabhupada lilamrta book sometime back. there was a mention of an incident where srila pabhupada used to spend some time daily with the trees during his morning walk at john lenon’s property in England. when he was to leave, he came back to say goodbye to the trees n the next day or mayb 2-3 days after he left,there was a big storm n the trees were uprooted. can u plz plz giv us more insight on this. thanks. Hare Krishna
All glories to you srila prabhupada!
Its very nice to read! All glories to you prabhupada for the service, love, knowledge and everything you gave us, and all glories to you because you were there, always there.
I’ll always love you!
Anyone got some practical advise, ideally some quotes/anecdotes from Srila Prabhupada, about the use of wood and paper? Where to draw the line about using it in devotional service or not. After all wood and paper are mass production and one hardly avoids it in ones daily life.
Paper should only be used for printing Krishna conscious literature. That is the proper use of paper. It should not be used for anything else. That is sinful.
But using paper for printing Krishna conscious literature is the proper use of paper.
Hare Krsna Madhudvisa dasa prabhuji. So maths, science and academic reading printed material is also sinful if not krishna conscious then along with all material or literature not Krishna Conscious?
Things are spiritual if they are used in Krishna’s service, they are material if they are not used in Krishna’s service. So even mathametics, science, etc, they can be used in Krishna’s service, then they are Krishna conscious activities, and if they are not used for Krishna then they are maya.
Devotees have no real interest in sinful and not sinful activities. They are interested in serving Krishna. So anything done in the service of Krishna under the direction of a pure devotee of Krishna, that is Krishna conscious. Everything else is maya or sinful.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krsna Madhudvisa dasa prabhuji. Is there absolute/complete knowledge about anything including any subject like Mathematics, Science and Economics both the material and spiritual aspect unadulterated like today’s science). Or is it that Mathematics or Economics was developed and is developed as time goes by by various people. Or what?
There is no absolute knowledge in the material world. Everything in the material world is relative. There is absolute knowledge in the absolute [spiritual] world. So absolute knowledge is in relationship with the absolute Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna and His name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc.