108 Glories
1st Set
Meditations on the Infinite Qualities and Pastimes
of
Om Visnu-pada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya
Astottara Sata Sri Srimad
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
by Paratrikananda dasa
___________________
49. Srila Prabhupada is my uninvited guest. Sometimes I frolic with maya but he disrupts my enjoyment in clever ways. He stops at nothing to save his disciples.
I once went to a see a movie with some friends. We sat in the gloomy theater waiting for the film to begin. As we talked, the dim lighting slowly faded to black and we sat motionless and silent, anticipating a barrage of sense stimulating sound and imagery. Suddenly, from the midst of darkness boomed an amplified, "Hare Krsna! Hare Krsna! Hare Krsna!…" We looked around, wondering if some crazed devotee had gotten into the projection room to "broadcast" the glories of the Lord. As it turned out, the transcendental sound bite was actually being uttered by the famous American comedian, Walter Matthau, as the opening to a trailer for his new movie. I later learned from a book distributor friend that he had had a few long conversations with Walter and had sold him some of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Paratrikananda dasa
The Lord's devotees can save even those whom the Lord Himself rejects. This is their unique character. Therefore the devotees of the Lord arrange various means to save the fallen, reprobate souls from perdition. In fact, they live among these spiritual derelicts to encourage them toward spiritual perfection, using any means at hand -- even tricks.
RTW 2.3: Dr. Ane's comment on the system of education.
(Srila Prabhupada’s response to a speech by the governor of Bihar in 1957)
50. Srila Prabhupada is my anticipation. I’m anxious to be with him again. It’s like waiting for a Christmas that never seems to come.
Devotee: ...who are here, they would like to have your association, (laughter) more personal association.
Prabhupada: I also like. (laughter) Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi. This is essential, to be anxious to be associated with the spiritual master.
Room Conversation
Melbourne, May 22, 1975
51. Srila Prabhupada is my softhearted jailer. Though I try, I cannot escape his kindness. With a moment of his association, he imprisons one forever.
It is my duty to deliver you the right thing in right earnestness and it is the duty of the receiver to act in the standard spiritual regulation. When you left us I simply prayed to Krishna for your return to Krishna Consciousness because that was my duty. Any good soul who approaches me once for spiritual enlightenment is supposed to be depending on my responsibility to get him back to Krishna, back to home. The disciple may misunderstand a bona fide spiritual master being obliged to do so under pressure of Maya's influence. But a bona fide spiritual master never lets go a devotee once accepted. When a disciple misunderstands a bona fide spiritual master, the master regrets for his inability to protect the disciple and sometimes he cries with tears in the eyes.
Srila Prabhupada letter
Calcutta, November 23, 1967
52. Srila Prabhupada is my troubadour. He sings the holy name of Krsna in every town and village. He is delivering the entire world from impersonalism and voidism.
This sankirtana movement was started by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu five hundred years ago for mitigating the sufferings of the people of the world. He predicted that in every village, in every town on the surface of the globe, let this sankirtana movement be spread out and people will be happy and they'll find Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. That was His prediction. Actually this is happening now. So our simple method -- we go everywhere all over the world, chant this Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and we attract people, especially younger generation, boys and girls.
Arrival Lecture
Paris, July 20, 1972
Brahmananda is shortly going there and after his return, we may all go together to London and start a branch there in grand scale, so also in Amsterdam and in Berlin or Moscow. We have to save the world-people from the misconception of voidism and impersonalism.
Srila Prabhupada letter
San Francisco, December 14, 1967
53. Srila Prabhupada is my spiritual reporter. He brings me live broadcasts from Goloka Vrndavana. He gives perfect knowledge because he has seen the Truth.
The vision of the devotees is not ordinary; it is purified by the process of devotional service. In other words, as the universal elements are both within and without, similarly the Lord's name, form, quality, pastimes, entourage, etc., as they are described in the revealed scriptures or as performed in the Vaikunthalokas, far, far beyond the material cosmic manifestation, are factually being televised in the heart of the devotee. The man with a poor fund of knowledge cannot understand, although by material science one can see things far away by means of television. Factually, the spiritually developed person is able to have the television of the kingdom of God always reflected within his heart. That is the mystery of knowledge of the Personality of Godhead.
SB 2.9.35
Devotee: Have you ever seen Krsna?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Devotee: You have?
Prabhupada: Daily. Every moment.
Room Conversation
New York, July 4, 1972
54. Srila Prabhupada is my pacification. In the midst of confrontation he quells my agitated mind. He is an accomplished peace negotiator.
Everyone in this material world, they are after peace, but they don't want to control the senses. It is not possible. Just like you are diseased, and doctor says that "You take this medicine, you take this diet," but you cannot control. You are taking anything you like, against the instruction of the physician. Then how you can be cured? Similarly, we want cure of the chaotic condition of this material world, we want peace and prosperity, but we are not ready to control the senses. We do not know how to control the senses. We do not know the real yogic principle of controlling the senses. So there is no possibility of peace. Kutah santir ayuktasya. The exact word is there in the Bhagavad-gita. If you are not engaged in Krsna consciousness, there is no possibility of peace. Artificially, you may try for it. It is not possible.
Bhagavad-gita 2.62-72
Los Angeles, December 19, 1968
55. Srila Prabhupada is my venerable messenger. Like Uddhava, he brings messages from Krsna. Like Uddhava, he reminds me of Syamasundara.
Spiritual master is external manifestation of the Supreme Lord. Just like if somebody is going somewhere in this Tokyo city. I have to say something. So I apply him, "Will you kindly carry this message to him?" Similarly, Krsna deputes some of His confidential devotees to help the people to become Krsna conscious: "Please go and tell him this." The spiritual master is, therefore, external manifestation of the Supreme Lord.
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.7
Tokyo, April 24, 1972
56. Srila Prabhupada is my director. He stages the drama of the sankirtan lila. He casts renegade souls in the role of Sri Caitanya’s associates.
Devotee: Is this life, this present life, is this also being within Krsna's pastimes, because Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement is Krsna's pastimes.
Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. If you actually remain with sankirtana, that means you are with Krsna.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.23
Hawaii, January 19, 1974
(Cont'd on next page.)
