Srila Prabhupada - Memories

• The Highest Transcendental Pleasure
• Memories of Tamal Krishna Goswami
• Memories of Dhananjaya Dasa
• Memories of Radhakunda Devi Dasi

The Highest Transcendental Pleasure

Excerpts from Gurudasa's book, By His Example—the Wit and Wisdom of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

After the breakdown of the Laxmi Rani Kunj Palace negotiations, Prabhupada requested that I travel to Vrindavan with him to decide our next step in founding a Temple there. A Mr. Saraf expressed the possibility of donating a parcel of land to Prabhupada.

I was awaiting Prabhupada's arrival in New Delhi's Palam airport. He had asked me to arrange a car to take us to Vrindavan. He had said, "Vrindavan doesn't mean buying a ticket. It is an attitude, a way of accepting the special mercy of the dham. " I had been to Vrindavan before, but this time Prabhupada was not only arranging the journey, he was taking me through the gate himself. I thought to myself, "If I could choose the highest transcendental pleasure, of all the endless choices available, that highest transcendental wish would be to be with Prabhupada in Vrindavan." The purest devotee and the purest place were now combined, and my transcendental desire was fulfilled.

Only Tejiyas and I were there to greet Prabhupada. Still, he accepted our garlands, sandalwood and rose water with a grace that made us bashful. The driver of the "Ambassador" car arrived. Prabhupada handed me his small white satchel that held our Movement: important papers, bank books, current reports, letters, etc. Shyamasundar, who was traveling with him, opened the car door and Prabhupada slid into the front seat slowly and rhythmically. Shyamasundar climbed into the back seat and I sat beside him. We waved good-bye to Tejiyas and zoomed out of the airport onto the road to Kosi Kalan and Agra. I awaited Prabhupada's words; he said nothing.

Shyamasundar and I were like two school kids, exchanging whispered news of devotees and activities around the world. We talked in low, subdued voices so as not to disturb Prabhupada. Minutes passed like hours as I waited for transcendental words, some instruction, some acknowledgment; but Prabhupada was silent.

Actually, I didn't need acknowledgment. I was his disciple, and it was Prabhupada's mood that always determined the mood. Even silence was comfortable. Whenever I came into his room, I waited for Prabhupada to establish the mood. I didn't push myself. If Prabhupada wanted to joke, I joked; if he wanted to chastise, I bowed my head remorsefully; if he wanted to talk business, I talked business; if he wanted to talk philosophy, I listened, and asked questions. "No questions?" he sometimes said. "Then you must know all the answers." Yet on the way to Vrindavan, I anticipated some divine instruction, some words of wisdom, a sloka (spiritual verse), anything as he sat relaxed in the front seat.

At a stoplight, an Indian version of a biker rolled up beside the car. Prabhupada turned his head slightly and said, "Hare Krishna." The young, greasy-haired youth responded with, "Hare Krishna" and started talking animatedly to his friends in Hindi. They jabbered back and by Prabhupada's grace transformed into Gandharvas and innocents who gave us a royal motorcade escort for a few miles before speeding off. We still hoped for Prabhupada's words as he chanted quietly. We were in the country now. Prabhupada's authoritative voice, a honey-like gravel sound, broke the silence. "Cement," he said. Everything I'd read in those romantic spiritual books about perfumed saints and do-nothing sadhus vanished like bubbles in the air. "Cement," he said again. "We need lots of cement to build something like that." He pointed to a large water tower by the side of the road. "We should build one like that in Vrindavan." I smiled; Prabhupada had taught me another lesson: the practical application of devotion.

The Ringmaster (Vrindavan, India)
By Srimati Radharani's grace, we were on the way to finalize the arrangements to acquire a piece of land in Raman Reti, even though others were competing for the same piece of property. Prabhupada persevered, even after promises were broken by kings and businessmen. When we arrived in Vrindavan, his ever-bright eyes became brighter. We were staying at the home of Mr. Saraf, the donor of the land in Raman Reti. We set up camp on the top floor which consisted of six small side rooms off of a large central hall. Prabhupada took a middle room like a field general. He had a foreknowledge of what was to occur the next day.

Prabhupada's Godbrother Krishna Das Babaji appeared and they greeted each other warmly. Krishna Das Babaji knew without notice when Prabhupada arrived in Vrindavan. More Godbrothers, officials and Goswamis arrived to greet Prabhupada, summoned by some mysterious means like silent animals gliding out of jungle thickets. Prabhupada had Shyamasundar and I invite Mr. Saraf into his room, and we arranged for the ground-breaking ceremony for the Krishna Balaram Temple. An agent for Shyam Devi,, who wanted the same piece of land that we were planning to build on, waited in another room. He was accompanied by the police and a retired member of parliament he'd brought with him. After speaking with Mr. Saraf, Prabhupada went to speak to the agent, and as he appeased him, also convinced him Shyama Devi's hopes for getting the land were in vain.

They left, just as the two Goswamis Madan Mohan and Gourachand arrived simultaneously from the Radha-Damodar Temple. Even though they lived a courtyard apart, they hadn't spoken to each other for years. I had secured his rooms at Radha-Damodar. Gourachand Goswami, who could hardly see, was led by his son Panchu. Prabhupada sprang up again. He greeted one Goswami and put him in a room, and had me greet the other and put him in a separate room. We went in and finished the arrangements. Meanwhile, Shyamasundar drew up the final agreements for the Raman Reti property. Prabhupada went from room to room and signed two agreements with three parties in two minutes. Each now took Prabhupada to be an ally. More Godbrothers and old friends arrived. He fed them prasadam in his room. He was like a great ringmaster in a celestial circus, with a dancing bear in one ring, a tightrope act in another, clowns in another, and lions in another. He tamed and charmed us all.

"You can buy a ticket to Vrindavan, but God is not loitering in Loi bazaar." (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami)

Memories of Tamal Krishna Gosvami

Dear Vaisnavas,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
By the mercy of Sri Nitai-Gour, Radhe-Shyam, and Krishna-Balaram and Their dearmost servitor Srila Prabhupada we are observing the 25th Anniversary of our temple opening. In honour of this occasion I will share some memories of events leading to the temple opening of which I, as the GBC for India from 1970-74, had the fortune to be a part.

When we first came to India in 1970, Srila Prabhupada discussed with me his desire to establish a major centre in India; at that time he though it should be either in Vrindaban, Mayapur or Bombay but Krishna wanted to fulfill His pure devotee's desire and gave him temples in all three places. In Vrindaban he proposed to Madan Mohan Goswami of the Radha-Damodar Temple that ISKCON was eager to improve the temple in all respects if he and the other sevaites would give permission. Though they did not agree, this particular Goswami rented us rooms above Prabhupada's own quarters there for our residence. Eventually Prabhupada was donated land in Raman Reti. Having engaged me in starting the construction of our Mayapur Lotus Building, Prabhupada asked that I bring one engineer from Calcutta and start construction on the temple in Vrindaban. From our residence at Radha-Damodar Temple we would go daily to Raman Reti, performing kirtan along the way. Eventually, to be near the site, we shifted residence to the newly constructed rooms opposite what is now the side entrance leading to our Guest House. We were sustained on a daily diet of kicherie. The land was cleared, a contract signed with Allah Bux, a local contractor and just prior to the start of construction, I received instruction from Prabhupada to proceed to Bombay to help resolve the legal affairs preventing our construction of a temple there.

After some time, when the construction was underway, Prabhupada wrote us to collect donations in Bombay for the construction of the Guest House. You will see many name plates outside the Guest House rooms of Bombay donors.

There are many pastimes with Prabhupada in Vrindaban during the construction and after, which space prevents me from detailing. So I will conclude with Prabhupada's appreciation for his Vrindaban temple. One day during the final months, Prabhupada reminded me of when he had asked me to take him from Los Angeles to India in 1970 during some difficulty our Society was facing. Now he related what was in his mind at the time. He said that he had gone before the deity of Rukmini-Dvarkadish and said, "My Lord, it is You only Who have brought me here. Why are You now sending me away?" At the time I could not understand, Prabhupada explained. But now I realize that Krishna was taking me away from such a wonderful temple in Los Angeles only to give me one that is 100 times what Los Angeles is.

So this is how Prabhupada valued his Krishna-Balaram Temple. It is here only that he wished to conclude his earthly pastimes. Bombay was his office, Mayapur his place of worship, but Vrindaban his home. He is still "at home" here, welcoming all to come and live with him eternally.

Srila Prabhupada Kijaya! Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir Kijaya! Sri Vrindaban- Dham Kijaya!
Servant of the servant,
Tamal Krishna Goswami

Memories of Dhananjaya Dasa

When I heard Srila Prabhupada mention Colombo I was hoping this might be my cue to request his permission to go there and open a temple. However, Srila Prabhupada then mentioned the Bengali saying that anyone who steps foot on Lanka becomes a Ravana, meaning that the country is still very much under the influence of Ravana's reign. "Oh, oh," I thought, "this might not be the right moment to bring up my humble request." I became very uneasy, thinking, "What if Srila Prabhupada were to ask me what I am doing here? There was a long pause, then Srila Prabhupada turned to me and said very boldly. "So, I want you to be the temple president of Vrindavan." Everyone in the room, except for me, cried out "Jaya!" "So you all agree?" Srila Prabhupada asked. "Yes Srila Prabhupada!" "So I think there is a quorum of GBC men present. Therefore we should pass a GBC resolution." Srila Prabhupada took out from under his table a small ruled exercise book and began to write in long hand that at a meeting of the GBC men present, it was resolved that Dhananjaya das would become the Vrindavan Temple President.

After signing, Srila Prabhupada passed the exercise book around for everyone else to sign. Then Srila Prabhupada requested all the GBC men to leave and asked me in private if this arrangement was all right, or did I prefer to remain in Mayapur and serve there. I was very surprised at the speed of his decision and the immediate approval of his senior men. Of course, I also felt deeply honored. So I replied that I wished to do what Srila Prabhupada wanted me to do. He next asked where my wife was. She was still staying at Bhaktivedanta Manor in England. Srila Prabhupada told me that she must come to India as soon as possible and that wherever the wife is living, the husband is sure to go there, so he wanted to make sure that I did not return to England.

He also told me that Harikesh was presently in Vrindavan and thinking of himself as the Temple President. Since my becoming Temple President might upset him, Srila Prabhupada told me not to tell anyone of this decision but to work with Pranav, an Indian devotee, to look for land with sweet water, suitable for growing cattle fodder, close to the Krishna-Balaram temple. The land Pranav had found for sale had salty water only and Harikesh was looking at me quizzically, so after reporting back to Srila Prabhupada I told him I was joining Tejyas in Delhi to learn more about how to make Life Members. I stayed there until Srila Prabhupada summoned me to attend the Gour Purnima festival.

On finding out that Srila Prabhupada had appointed a householder as Temple President of Vrindavan, some sannyasis insisted that a sannyasi should do the job. Srila Prabhupada compromised and appointed Akshayananda Swami as the external Temple President, meant to constantly travel and preach in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and I was made the internal Temple President, meant to manage the daily running of all the temple departments: Deity, Guesthouse, Guest House restaurant, brahmachary ashram, local preaching, temple programmes, etc.

Despite all the good intentions of Saurabh, our Dutch devotee architect, the construction work in Vrindavan was still not complete when we returned from the Gour Purnima festival. Srila Prabhupada fixed the deadline to Ramnavami. Invitations were printed and mailed out, with Dr. Channa Reddy, the governor of Uttar Pradesh, as the chief guest of honor. Srila Prabhupada instructed me to never leave Dr. Reddy's side during the opening function and to ensure that Dr Reddy was fully taken care of.

All the Deities were kept in the back room of Srila Prabhupada's house. Everyone knew that the temple was going to be named after Krishna and Balaram, but the Radha-Krishna Deities had not been given a name. When I suggested to Srila Prabhupada that Their Lordships may be called Radha-Shyamsundar, Srila Prabhupada nodded his approval.

Memories of Radhakunda Devi Dasi

Many times I have dreamt of telling the whole world how very much Srila Prabhupada means to me—how he's done so much for me. Not only for me, but for the whole world! Something like—go tell it from the mountaintop type of thing that now Srila Prabhupada has sent a Lord Chaitanya's moon all over the world, Kali Yuga hasn't got a chance for the next 10,000 years!

By hearing about this Grand Opening of the Krishna-Balaram Temple, we'll get a glimpse of some of the glories of His Divine Grace—Om Visnupada Paramahansa, Parivrajakacarya astottara sata Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedana Swami—Srila Prabhupada. He was obviously not from this world. He was from the other world—sent by Lord Krishna for us. Srila Prabhupada is totally transcendentally awesome, ingenious, dynamic, magnanimous and amazing! He is everything that is wonderful— "simply wonderful"—being free from the three modes of material nature. How he single-handedly master-minded this Krishna-Balaram Mandir is also "simply wonderful."

If you can visualize it—it is 1975—the Krishna-Balaram Temple is just being completed, the '75 Mayapur Gaura Purnima Festival is just ending and hundreds of devotees from all over the`world are pouring in.They are all totally ecstatic to see their Vrindavan Dham for the first time! The whole atmosphere is filled to the brim with transcendental excitement! Ramnavmi! Lord Ram's Appearance Day! and now—the appearance day of Sri Sri Krishna-Balaram, Sri Sri Radha-Shyamsundar, Lalita, Visakha, and Sri Sri Gaur-Nitai! The biggest grand opening, so long awaited, is about to happen! Zealous and young devotees running here and there trying their best to get it together on time—some bringing fire wood, some carrying the Deities' new clothes, some taking the milk, water, yogurt, ghee, honey, etc., for the huge abhiseka, some arranging for the fire sacrifice, others hauling big bags of vegetables, rice, dahl, four, etc., for the huge annakut and prasad distri bution. I remember standing in the middle of it all and thinking, "This is the spiritual sky : without exception, everyone is simply serving Krishna, thinking of Krishna and loving Krishna! Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for letting me be a particle of it."

We arrived early in the morning and went to see Srila Prabhupada. He was chanting japa, so sublimely, with his eyes closed deeply—it was as if he was chanting with five mouths but desiring hundreds of mouths. He was chanting so fast! He was mad after the Holy Name like one could see that the Holy Name was the "very life of his life."

We gave Srila Prabhupada a "Swami cap" that I had sewn for him. He instantly tried it on, and though it actually didn't fit, still he was so happy with it. Like the loving father that he was, he asked, "Did you get a place to stay? Did you get prasad? How is your health now? How is your daughter?" Such a huge heart! How does he expand his love and concern to the whole world! I was agape.

All the local Babas were also astounded! How did Srila Pabhupada spread Krishna Bhakti ALL OVER THE WORLD in only a FEW years? It wasn't possible. There are devotes here from EVERY country of the world!! "This big preaching is only possible for Srimati Radharani or Sri Chaitanya Mahaprahu Himself" the babas surmised. But for us, Srila Prabhupada was even more!

My husband told Srila Prabhupada that what these babas were saying was about him. Then he said, "But you, Srila Prabhupada, are even more magnanimous than Lord Chaitanya because Lord Chaitanya only preached in India, whereas you have preached all over the world!" On and on he was praising Srila Prabhupada's glorious service, when Srila Prabhupada interrupted. Chuckling he said, "You talk too much! Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has so kindly sent me so many nice boys and girls to help me fulfill the order of my Guru Maharaj." He was so humble.

Srila Prabhupada invited many local brahmanas to chant pranpratistha mantras, even though he said our Hari Nam Sankirtana was sufficient. For days it seemed, they were chanting the monotone mantras. Simultaneously, the devotees held the most unbelievable, tumultuous kirtans, rejoicing and dancing in utmost ecstasy. The annakut was being prepared so the most amazing smell of ghee permeated the whole atmosphere, along with these kirtans.

Pandal arrangements—seating of chief guests and other guests, abhisheka tables for all the Deities, flower decorations, lights, festoons, garlands, prasad distribution—how many millions of things were happening! How Srila Prabhupada has arranged it all and on time! And at the same time drowning everyone in an ocean of happiness! It was as if he was going around sprinkling everyone's heart with devotion. I was told to put a book table in front and sell Srila Prabhupada's books. At one point Srila Prabhupada was observing us distributing. He didn't say anything, but we knew he was so pleased. It was awesome!

Finally, the day arrived! Everyone very quickly running, finishing up. The temple looked beautiful and exuberant with excitement. The devotees' kirtans started getting louder and louder till the ecstasy started bubbling over—flooding out the front gates of the temple and the whole of Braja came running! As the programme began, the fire sacrifice, abhisheka, etc., the chanting continued throughout.

When the Deities were brought out, They immediately stole everyone's hearts! Some devotees said, "This is the most beautiful Radharani I've ever seen!" Others marvelled at Krishna-Balaram's strong arms! And still others were mad after Gaur-Nitai! Hundreds of liters of milk, ghee, etc., flowed over Their lotus bodies. We were outside distributing during most of the programme, but we could hear all the conches, bells, gongs, wompers, mrdangas, and kartals. It was getting more and more ecstatic and tumultuous inside. We couldn't resist, we put the book table away and ran in the temple. It was a sea of devotees, hanging from the pillars, windows, grills, railings, and pouring out all the doors! There was total ecstasy everywhere up, down, north, south, east, west, everywhere! It was a kirtan we never experienced before! In some kirtans some devotees sing and dance and some don't. But in this kirtan no one was left behind, everyone was flying, crying, singing like no other singing of this world! Definitely, all the demigods—Lord Siva, Narada Muni, Sukadeva Goswami, the Gandharvas -everyone was there!

Offering the first arati to Their Lordships, Srila Prabhupada became overwhelmed with ecstatic love. His eyes and mind were totally fixed on Krishna-Balaram, tears were pouring down his cheeks, and his hands were shaking as he offered each article. The arati finished, he came out and, raising his arms high, began jumping in great jubilation! The devotees, seeing Him dance, became totally mad in ecstasy, crying, laughing, leaping, perspiring, singing and dancing like they never did in their lives! It was as if an ocean of transcendental bliss had expanded from Srila Prabhupada's heart and, like a cyclone, spread all over the temple or even penetrated the whole universe!!'The kirtan went on and on—Jaya Krishna-Balaram! Jaya Radhe-Shyam! Jaya Gaur-Nitai! Jaya Prabhupada! Everyone agreed they never saw such a kirtan before.

Then the guests spoke. One, I remember, spoke very fondly of Srila Prabhupada. He said Srila Prabhupada's heart would bleed to hear of the people's suffering all over the world. Srila Prabhupada would wonder how they would be saved from the hells awaiting them after death. "It is his unbounding compassionate heart that took Bhaktivedanta Swami to the West and thus brought you all here today. Here in Vrindavan we have no foreigners—only today we are seeing first time and so many also from all nations. We are indebted to His Grace for showing the world the glories of India. Seeing this very beautiful Krishna-Balaram Mandir and all these happy devotees is the happiest day of my life! We pray to the Lord that He may not take Bhaktivedanta Swami back to Krishnaloka but that He will stay on the planet for the benefit of the whole world!" There were many speakers.

Srila Prabhupada spoke, saying very simply that it was the Supreme Lord's causeless mercy that They have so kindly appeared before us today. He could have given a juicy discourse dripping with Radha bhava as he was definitely a maha-bhagavata experiencing the highest levels of prema. But he didn't. He did not give such public lectures because his Guru Maharaj and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not give such lectures. When Lord Chaitanya met with scholars He discussed the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita; when there were highly advanced devotees like Ramananda Raya, He discussed Krishna's lila; and when He was preaching to the masses He organized ecstatic sankirtan in Jagannath Puri every evening for four hours. Lord Chaitanya was playing the part of the devotee acarya—one who sets the example to be followed by all. He showed the methods for preaching which Srila Prabhupada strictly followed and everyone should follow.

Srila Prabhupada has given the world so much and is still giving the world unlimitedly through his books. In his books, he gives everyone the bhakti-lata bija which contains everything—sambandha, abhideya, and prayojana, just as a seed contains the whole tree, its flowers and fruits. It is up to each of us to water this seed by hearing and chanting. Srila Prabhupada is definitely still alive. "He reasons ill who say Vaisnavas die, while they are still living in sound. Vaisnavas die to live and living spread the Holy Name." Srila Prabhupada is always appearing in people's dreams, telling them to chant, etc. Srila Prabhupada is there not only for his direct disciples but for everyone. He said the grandfather is more kind upon the grandchildren. So the granddisciples can expect more mercy from Srila Prabhupada than the disciples! Let us all show our gratitude to Srila Prabhupada by cooperating together to push on this ISKCON. He kindly shed his blood to start it for us all.

How can we ever repay him? He has given us sooo much—his books, Sri Vrindavan Dham, the Holy Name, Krishna prasad, Jamuna, Gaura-Nitai, Radhe-Shyam, Krishna-Balaram, and on and on. I would have never heard of Vrindavan had Srila Prabhupada not come to the U.S. and told us. I had gone to India searching for God or something—I didn't even know what I was searching for but returned to New York very sadly disappointed. It is solely due to Srila Prabhupada and his books that I am here in Vrindavan Dham and chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Once Srila Prabhupada was telling us about all the pains he suffered trying to preach: the time he was gored by a bull, the heart attacks on the boat over to the U.S.A., no money, no help, etc. He said, "I didn't look to the right, I didn't look to the left—I walked straight through hell fires to come and get you." It was only Srila Prabhupada who cared enough about us to go through such suffering to come and get us all. Let us pray that we may somehow "repay" him by following his instructions to preach and thus please him. It is not possible to repay him, but if we please Him, surely He will one day be pleased to reveal to us his pure Krishna prema.

There is no material description or calculation of what he has done for the world, still we want to try to tell the whole universe of his glorious miracles. In days of yore, there were no books, photos, audio tapes, video tapes, etc., of the guru. Now that Srila Prabhupada is made readily available in all these forms—let us all take advantage of this huge ocean of nectar!