Author Archives: Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Prabhupada once remarked, years later, that now that he had thousands of disciples he had many headaches, whereas in the beginning when he was alone with Krishna he was happy depending only on the Lord. 

While Prabhupada sat alone in his fifth floor room in Dr. Mishra’s yoga studio, the lights suddenly went out.  This was his experience of the first moments of the New York City blackout of 1965.

When the weather was not rainy, Prabhupada would catch the bus to Grand Central Station and visit the Central Library on 42nd Street. 

In his solitary wanderings, Srila Prabhupada made acquaintances with a number of local people. 

Prabhupada, having obtained an extension on his Visa, stayed on.  America seemed so opulent, yet many things were difficult to tolerate.

Further Intimate Understanding of Srila Prabhupada (con’d)

Further Intimate Understanding of Srila Prabhupada

What Were Srila Prabhupada’s Private Thoughts in 1965?

How to Meditate on Srila Prabhupada All the Time

So far, Prabhupada’s sole strategy had been to seek support from India.  It was a plan that would ultimately fail, but Krishna had not as yet revealed that to him or showed him an alternative.

Prabhupada’s mission was really not yet underway.  He was confined to a windowless chamber in a hatha yoga studio and was not allowed to preach to Dr. Mishra’s students.

Prabhupada assured Sumati Morarji that he had no ambition to become the proprietor of a house or temple in America; but for preaching, a building would be absolutely required:

Prabhupada did not judge beforehand who would serve Krishna’s mission and who would not.  He was fully surrendered and fully dependant on Krishna.  In obedience to his spiritual master he would approach everyone without discri…

Appropriately, Prabhupada had described himself as “a man not to be disappointed.”  He was convinced that if there were a center where people could come hear from a pure devotee, the genuine God conscious culture of India cou…

YOU ALONE
You were alone in the citywhere no one knew Krishna.Only a backward boy came,but Krishna in your heartwas your direct companion.

Srila Prabhupada received a reply to his letter to Tirtha Maharaj in Calcutta.  Prabhupada explained his hopes and plans for staying in America, but he stressed that his Godbrothers would have to give him their vote of confidence as well…

It was certainly true that Prabhupada’s real work was in the City, but what could he do there with no  money and no support?  He was thinking of staying only a few weeks and then going back to India.

At Ananda Ashram, Prabhupada met an important contact in a young man named Harvey Cohen.  In the future weeks, we will tell how Harvey played a crucial role in increasing Prabhupada’s followers and influencing his move downtown.&nb…

At Ananda Ashram, Prabhupada would usually hold kirtanas with Dr. Mishra’s students joining him in the chanting and even dancing.  Dr. Mishra was particularly fond of Prabhupada’s chanting.

Every morning, several hours before dawn, Prabhupada would rise, take his bath, chant Hare Krishna on his beads and work at his translating.

Prabhupada stressed the supremacy of the personal feature (or bhagavan), following the Vedic theistic philosophy that the most complete understanding of the Absolute Truth is personal.

Dr. Mishra had been suffering from bad health when Srila Prabhupada came into his life, and Prabhupada’s arrival seemed the perfect medicine.

It was a vision of ecstasy.  He was so impressed, he told his girlfriend about it – later to become his wife and an initiated disciple of Prabhupada, Saudamini devi dasi. 

And why was he going to New York?  He saw it as Krishna’s grace.  As a pure devotee of Krishna, he wanted to be an instrument in distributing Krishna consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada was nearing the end of his stay in Butler.  It had been a pleasant introduction to America.

Srila Prabhupada was nearing the end of his stay in Butler.  It had been a pleasant introduction to America.

On October 15th in Butler, Srila Prabhupada received a letter from Sumati Morarji in Bombay. She was the head of the Scindia Navigation Company and a devotee of Lord Krishna in the Vallabhacarya disciplic succession.

On October 15th in Butler, Srila Prabhupada received a letter from Sumati Morarji in Bombay. She was the head of the Scindia Navigation Company and a devotee of Lord Krishna in the Vallabhacarya disciplic succession.

Prabhupada was interested in the American ways and people, which he met for the first time in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Prabhupada was interested in the American ways and people, which he met for the first time in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Prabhupada was not demanding in Butler. For himself, he kept his strict sadhana of chanting and hearing, his Bhagavatam writing, his vegetarian diet offered to Krishna. But he didn’t demand much from others.

Prabhupada was not demanding in Butler. For himself, he kept his strict sadhana of chanting and hearing, his Bhagavatam writing, his vegetarian diet offered to Krishna. But he didn’t demand much from others.

Prabhupada spent his autumn weeks peacefully and actively in Butler. He gave a number of one-time lectures in colleges and institutions and spoke every evening with guests at the Agarwal home.

Prabhupada spent his autumn weeks peacefully and actively in Butler. He gave a number of one-time lectures in colleges and institutions and spoke every evening with guests at the Agarwal home.

Although Prabhupada didn’t want to create waves, he asked if they could have open house meetings in the evenings. The Agarwals agreed, and every night Prabhupada spoke and answered questions from guests.

Over time Sally grew very fond of Prabhupada. “He was the most enjoyable man. I really felt like a sort of daughter to him.  Even in such a short time… He enjoyed everything. I liked him. I thought he was tremendous.”