MEMORIES
BOOK INTRODUCTION
Sri
Caitanya-Caritamrta 22.54
sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sanga — sarva-sastre
kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
“The
verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by
even a moment’s association with a pure devotee,
one can attain all success.”
 These
books of oral histories is a word for word transcription
of the DVD series, “Memories of Srila Prabhupada”
which are interviews of those fortunate souls who
had that all important association with a pure devotee,
in the person of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada. Also known as “Srila Prabhupada”,
the founder-acharya of the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, His Divine Grace has
been well recognized by scholars, religionists and
lay-persons alike, as one of the most prominent
ambassadors of India’s spiritual culture in
modern times and whose character was beyond reproach.
The
recollections presented herein are a testimony to
the transcendental character of Srila Prabhupada,
whose purity, compassion, knowledge, humor, humility,
strength and determination seemed to be almost effortlessly
exhibited on a daily basis. The devotees’ memories
of their spiritual master, which were accumulated
over a ten year period, appear in a non-random order
for variety sake but are often grouped together
according to similar topics. Although these memories
stand alone in their merits, they can also serve
a larger audience of Srila Prabhupada’s admirers,
who are able to appreciate the context and content
of these interactions as part of Srila Prabhupada’s
instructional legacy. To get a complete picture
of Krsna consciousness it is essential to not only
have the written teachings contained within Srila
Prabhupada’s books but how he acted in so many
circumstances so that we may follow in his footsteps
as he is a true acharya, one who teaches by example.
Many
times Srila Prabhupada did mention that everything
he wanted to tell us was in his books. Yet oral
tradition is part of every society and culture,
and we can only offer as a disclaimer that the interviews
documented here have been accepted at face value,
with the onus of veracity left to the integrity
of the interviewed party. On our part, we feel all
of the accounts are genuine, as more than one person
witnessed many of these events and interactions.
In
his “Prabhupada Nectar” book, His Holiness
Satsvarupa das Goswami has chronicled numerous anecdotes
in which Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental
perspective is gloriously revealed through his interaction
with his disciples and well-wishers. As mentioned
in the preface to “Prabhupada Nectar”,
the glories and pastimes of the Lord’s pure
servants are seen to be as sweet and instructive
as the Lord’s own unlimited pastimes.
In
the same mood of appreciation for Srila Prabhupada’s
transcendental glories and instructions, we hope
this volume will be of some value for initiates
and novices alike who are thirsting for new or revisited
facets of the spiritual jewel that is Prabhupada-sanga.
As the disciples in this book are guaranteed spiritual
benefit from the direct contact they had with their
spiritual master, it is our hope and prayer that
anyone who hears or reads of this relationship with
the pure devotee will also receive that same benediction
for success in life.
More
Quotes From Back Cover
Volume 1
The
devotees were doing a fire yajna in the Vrindavan
temple and in the middle of the yajna one of Srila
Prabhupada’s god-brothers leaned over to
Prabhupada and said, “Srila Prabhupada, they’re
doing it all wrong. They’re doing it all
wrong.” Prabhupada leaned back, looked at
him very calmly and said, “That’s all
right. They’re just practicing.”
One
time we were driving past Buckingham Palace in
a taxi with Prabhupada, feeling proud that one
boy who was part of the Queen’s guard, those
soldiers who wear the big fury hats, had become
a devotee. We said, “Prabhupada, one of the
Queen’s personal guards has joined.”
Prabhupada said, “Oh, So how about the Queen?”
On
St. James path Prabhupada would constantly point
out different things. Once he saw some bird droppings
and asked, “What is this?” Everyone
was looking at the bird droppings and thinking,
“Maybe Prabhupada reads tea leaf formations
and sees it esoterically.” Everyone was bewildered.
Prabhupada said, “This tells you that the
same bird is sleeping on the same branch every
night. Even the bird becomes attached to his residence.
So be careful.”
The
Swami said, “Whenever devotees fight, it
should be taken like clouds passing by because
when clouds pass by, you hardly even notice it.
So it should be taken as insignificant.”
He
said, “An artist worships Krishna by his
intelligence.” By thinking of Krishna and
intelligently making decisions on how to portray
Krishna, one engages one’s intelligence in
worshipping Him. And by doing so, Krishna reveals
Himself.
Once
he said, “The rules and regulations are because
you have no self- control.”
Prabhupada
said, “Bill prabhu come forward. Your name
is Bhakta Das,” He handed me my beads and
said, “This name means that you are the servant
of the devotees. The more you think of yourself
as a servant, the more you will advance in spiritual
life. The more you think you’re becoming
a master, the faster you will go to hell.”
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