Tag: Prabhupada

Wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada – Part 2

Let us reflect upon few wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada.

Devotees complain to Srila Prabhupada when they are asked to have only two gulab jamuns

Once there was a challenge to keep devotees happy. In New Vrindavan, devotees were leading an austere life.  Prasadam was very simple. I had gone there in 1977.  In breakfast devotees were taking oat water, lunch was rice, sabji and sag (spinach) which they would get from nearby jungle.  But on Sunday there was big feast – paneer, sweet rice, halwa, gulab jamun etc.

Devotees would take around ten gulab jamuns. Kirtananda Swami said, “No one should do sense gratification. Take only two gulab jamuns.” Devotees were unhappy. They complained to Prabhupada. Prabhupada said, “You all eat as many gulab jamuns as you want to eat but Kirtananda will have only two.”

How Prabhupada encourages a 12-year-old boy

Srila Prabhupada would deal with devotees in amazing way. Once a 12-year-old boy wanted to make lunch for Prabhupada. Prabhupada wanted to encourage him, so he allowed him to make lunch. But everything was a mess. Rice was sticking, chapati went cracker, sabji was not cooked properly. But when the boy asked, “How was the lunch?” Prabhupada said, “It was nice.”

Prabhupada wants the devotees to not have pride

Yamuna Devi Dasi was an expert cook. She was making chapati for Prabhupada. But she got little pride.  She started thinking that my chapatis are so nice – fluffy and soft. Once after serving chapati to Prabhupada, she asked, “How are the chapatis?” Prabhupada said, “Not so good.”

He then asked Satswarup Maharaja to make chapatis. He made chapatis but its shape was that of India and was not cooked properly. But Prabhupada said that the chapatis are nice. When Prabhupada was saying this Yamuna Devi was sitting there.

When we preach then we have the power of entire guru parampara

A godbrother of mine was very kind-hearted. He joined Iskcon in Montreal Canada, in 1968. He was not a charismatic preacher, not a great kirtaniya. Once Prabhupada said that in Europe I want to open a centre. Shivananda Prabhu volunteered to go to Europe. He was in the movement just for 6 months. He opened first temple of Iskcon in Europe. Faith in guru and sastra very important. Most important prayer is

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

“By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.”

Each of you can do the same thing. Most of you are having more knowledge and experience then Shivananda Prabhu. When you go to preach, power of entire guru parampara is with you.

Businessmen could not hold their tears when they saw Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada once went to airport. At that time people could come inside the airport. Hundreds of devotees were there doing kirtan. When Prabhupada came out, devotees started paying him obeisances.  There were two businessmen at the airport, they were well dressed. When they saw devotees love for Prabhupada, tears started coming from their eyes. Prabhupada was like Sukhdev Goswami, he entered everyone’s heart.

Debraha baba composes a sloka to glorify Srila Prabhupada

Debraha baba was very old. Some said, he was 250 years old, some said 500 years old and some said 750 years old. No one knew his actual age.  Great political leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Indira Gandhi would go to meet him.

He stayed on a tree branch near the Ganges. One of my godbrothers went to meet him. When he saw the Hare Krishna devotees, he climbed down from the tree to meet them. He compiled one sloka glorifying Prabhupada.

(These wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada are based on the class given by His Grace Sarvadrik Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, on 18th Aug 2025 at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata).

For more wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada, read – Pastimes of Srila Prabhupada – Part 1

Three Reflections

• Prabhupada appreciates the service attitude of a 12-year-old boy.
• Prabhupada wants the devotees to not have pride.
• When we preach then we have the power of entire guru Parampara.

Ask Yourself

• Am I doing service in Krishna Consciousness movement with right consciousness as per the guidelines of Prabhupada?

Action Item

• Reflect upon the service you did for Krishna, and you looked down upon others thinking that you are the best.
• Take a vow to give up pride and superiority complex and appreciate others for their efforts.

Pastimes of Srila Prabhupada – Part 1

We recently celebrated, 129^th Vyasa Puja of Srila Prabhupada.  On this occasion let us reflect upon few of the pastimes of Srila Prabhupada and the lessons we learn from these pastimes.

There are two Bhagavats – one is “book bhagavat” & another is “person bhagavat.”

We cannot understand “book bhagavata” without “person bhagavat.”

We understand book by the help of devotees, by their teachings and examples. Srila Prabhupada was a “person bhagavat.” By his personal examples, he showed how to be always Krishna conscious.

Just as Krishna comes, similarly his pure devotees come to this world. They come from the Lord’s personal abode like Vrindavan. Srila Prabhupada came from Vrindavan to this material world to take us back to Krishna’s abode.

While he was here, Srila Prabhupada performed many pastimes, let us medidate upon few of those pastimes.

Lord Krishna gives Kadamba flower garland to Srila Prabhupada

Before establishing Iskcon, Srila Prabhupada started “League of devotees” in Jhansi. There he was staying with his first disciple, Acharya Prabhakar. Once it was Janmashtami, Acharya Prabhakar was on a business trip and Srila Prabhupada was alone in the house. When Acharya Prabhakar came in the night, he saw Srila Prabhupada in ecstasy. He was playing mridanga and was dancing. 

Prabhupada was wearing a beautiful garland made of Kadamba flower. The whole atmosphere was filled with the fragrance of kadamba flowers. Acharya Prabhakar was astonished.  He was thinking how can Srila Prabhupada get the garland of this flower.

First, it was not the season for Kadamba flower and also in entire Jhansi, there are no Kadamba flowers. Seeing Prabhupada in bliss, he thought he will ask this question to Prabhupada next day morning.

He asked next morning to Srila Prabhupada, “Last night you were wearing a garland made of Kadamba flowers, from where you got this garland? Also, why were you dancing in such a great joy playing mridanga?”  Srila Prabhupada said, “Yesterday Lord Krishna appeared, and he gave me the Kadamba garland.” Prabhupada further said, “When I tried to touch his feet, he disappeared.”

Power of Srila Prabhupada’s names

As the name of Krishna is powerful so is Prabhupada’s name.  One of my friends, Aindra Prabhu, was attacked by a brahma rakshasa in dream. He chanted Narasimha mantra, but the monster did not go. He then chanted Hare Krishna mahamantra and the brahma rakshasa too chanted Hare Krishna Mahamantra. 

My friend thought I have to die now. Then he began chanting Prabhupada’s name and then there was no more brahma rakshasa.

Krishna’s mercy upon those who perform morning sadhana

Srila Prabhupada said to one devotee, “Your painting is window to spiritual world.” A devotee said to Prabhupada that he wants to join an art class to refine his skill. Srila Prabhupada said, “It is not required. If you want to become an expert artist, do one thing, follow morning program – from mangala arati to Srimad Bhagavatam Class. Krishna will give you all skill required to serve him.”

Krishna says in Bhagavad Gia 10.10.  

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

Translation

“To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

And we see the result. Devotees have produced so many beautiful paintings of Krishna and his devotees.

Prabhupada knows how to convince people

Srila Prabhupada instructed one devotee, “You become the temple president.” The devotee said, “I am not qualified.”  But Prabhupada insisted. Devotee was saying, “I will spoil everything. You give me some other service.”  Srila Prabhupada said then take sannyas.

He said, “I am a married man, and I have son. How can I take sannyas? I can do anything you say but do not ask me to take sannyas.”

Prabhupada said, “Ok, then become temple president.”

(These pastimes of Srila Prabhupada are based on the class given by His Grace Sarvadrik Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, on 18th Aug 2025 at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata).

Three Reflections

• Krishna appeared during Janmashtami and gave Kadamba flower garland to Srila Prabhupada.
• Prabhupada’s name saved a devotee.
• Srila Prabhupada said to a devotee, “If you want to become an expert artist, do one thing, follow morning program – from mangala arati to Srimad Bhagavatam Class. Krishna will give you all skill required to serve him.”

Ask Yourself?

• Have I read Srila Prabhupada’s biography – Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta?

Action Item

• If not, then please read it here – Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta

When children find joy in Krishna Consciousness, they give up habits which are unhealthy

When children begin experiencing joy in Krishna Consciousness, they easily give up any activity which is not good for their healthy and happy life.  Taking good care of children is important because children is God’s gift to the parents and also to the world.

But if the parents are neglectful and do not give proper guidance to the little ones then there is great possibility that they will indulge in self-destructive habits.

Srila Prabhupada always wanted that children should be given best care. He was very fond of children. We have seen videos and pictures where Prabhupada is surrounded by kids, and he is distributing sweets to them.

Taking care of children an important service

In a letter to his disciple Srila Prabhupada writes that taking care of children is a great service. “I am so glad to learn that Candramukhi is getting Krishna Consciousness from the very beginning of her life. This is the advantage of her previous life’s advancement in Krishna Consciousness. Please take care of your children and make them perfectly Krishna Conscious. That is very great service.”  Letter to Nandarani — Tittenhurst 30 September, 1969

Devotee parents in Iskcon following the guidelines of Srila Prabhupada give lots of love and care to their child.  They make sure that children’s physical, mental and emotional needs are taken care properly. And they also inspire their kids to practice devotion to Krishna and also ensure that their children experience joy in Krishna Consciousness. .

It has to be understood that children are neither forced nor coaxed to become a devotee of Krishna. But when they start personally experiencing joy in Krishna Conscious activities they become a devotee of Krishna.  

Parents also make sure that whatever natural talents kids are having is used in the service of Krishna. 

Krishna can be served in many ways – through dance, drama, song, music, art, craft, poetry, prose and so on. Children may already have these gifts and if not then they can quickly be inspired to learn them.

In Iskcon during festivals and cultural programs we see children participating in large numbers and showcasing their talents.

But if children do not get these positive engagements, then they will surely find some other means of engagement which is many times harmful.  

Children pick unhealthy habits when parents have no time to them

These days since parents are busy so they do not have time for their kids. So, in order to keep the kids busy they hand them mobile. They do not realize that this little electronic device if not handled with intelligence can turn into a Frankenstein monster.

There are many examples of children getting addicted to mobile and parents face a tough time to deal with them.

There was a case of a three-year-old child in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh who was suffering from bed wetting. Upon examining, the doctor found that the child was so addicted to his mobile phone that he did not even go to bathroom.

He spent almost eight hours daily watching cartoons – Doraemon and Motu Patlu.  He developed this habit because his mother used to give him mobile phone to keep him busy while she did her household chores.

The doctors at the Bareilly hospital said that the child is not alone who is always hooked to mobile. The hospital received 39 cases in couple of months of children and adolescent between the age group of 10 to 18 who now only prefer to live in the virtual world. 

They spend hours playing online games, watching cartoons or chatting on social media.  The doctors say that the parents are to be blamed because it is they who expose their child to the cyber world.

Doctors blame parents for children’s harmful habits

Dr Ashish Kumar, a psychiatrist at the hospital, told TOI, “In majority of the cases, it came to light that parents provide mobile to their children at an early age to keep the kids busy so that their own work is not affected. This later becomes a cause of addiction and bad behaviour among children.”

Children needs time and many parents these days are busy in their work, so they do not give much time to their child. To keep children busy, they give them mobile to play video games or watch cartoons. When children are at home then non-working mothers prefer watching their favourite TV serials than spending time with their children.  

Children who spend long hours on phone start neglecting their studies and also sleep. They eventually start living in the virtual world and start comparing their lives with the people they meet on social media.

It is extremely important that children get a healthy atmosphere to grow. Taking care of the child is the most important responsibility of a parent.

Taking care of child more important than deity worship

Once when Srila Prabhupada came to know that one of his female disciples is not properly taking care of her child then he immediately wrote her a letter saying that for her taking care of her child is more important than doing deity worship.

 “For you, child-worship is more important than deity-worship. If you cannot spend time with him, then stop the duties of pujari. At least you must take good care of your son until he is four years old, and if after that time you are unable any more to take care of him then I shall take care. These children are given to us by Krishna, they are Vaisnavas and we must be very careful to protect them. These are not ordinary children, they are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them chance to advance further in Krishna Consciousness. That is very great responsibility, do not neglect it or be confused. Your duty is very clear.” Letter to Arundhati — Amsterdam 30 July, 1972

Srila Prabhupada has set a standard for all the mothers and fathers of Iskcon – Taking care of your child is your most important responsibility. And this is not only applicable to Iskcon devotees but in fact it is the duty of each and every parent to make sure that children have healthy engagements for their overall healthy growth.

Iskcon’s children program for happy and healthy living

Understanding the need of the society Iskcon has come up with programs especially for children. The purpose of all these programs is to help the child grow in a healthy atmosphere so that they can realize their true potential and lead a successful, happy and value based happy life.

Iskcon organises quiz based on scriptures like Bhagavad Gita in which many schools participate. Along with this there are weekly programs for them and during festivals there are many cultural programs in which several kids participate enthusiastically.

The programs have been successfully going on at many Iskcon centres all over the world. Iskcon New Town Kolkata also organizes program for the kids and many parents are showing keen interest in enrolling their kids for such enlightening programs.

And by participating in these programs children begin experiencing joy in Krishna Consciousness and easily give up habits which are unhealthy.

World Hindu Congress honours Srila Prabhupada & Iskcon

The 2nd World Hindu Congress held at Chicago, United States, honoured Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON for the extraordinary contribution in spreading the teachings of Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita all over the world.  Srila Prabhupada is the founder acharya of Iskcon.

With participants from 60 countries, it is one of the largest international Hindu conferences. In its message while honouring Srila Prabhupada and Iskcon, World Hindu Congress said, “For spreading the message of Bhagavad-Gita to unreached areas through translation in over 70 languages and making it accessible to diverse ethnic communities throughout the world.”

Determined Preacher, full of compassion

When Srila Prabhupada was physically present, he travelled all over the world, to spread the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic literatures. He was doing his best to wake up the sleeping souls who were suffering because of ignorance.  

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.5.3 says, “… great philanthropic souls travel on the earth on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to show compassion to the fallen souls who are averse to the sense of subordination to the Lord.”

Once when one of his godbrothers said to Prabhupada, “So you are going to America?” Prabhupada immediately replied, “No, Srimad Bhagavatam is going to America. I am accompanying Srimad Bhagavatam as a servant.”

He travelled all alone at the age of 70 to lay the foundation of worldwide Krishna conscious movement. He was penniless. When death stared at him, he remained fearless.

And when challenges confronted him, he fought hard in spite of his frail body. When the going was tough, he continued working for Krishna with patience and determination.

Srila Prabhupada had appeared in this world to fulfil the prophecy of Lord Chaitanya that the holy names of Krishna will be chanted in every town and village of the world. He came to tell each and every one to shun sins and surrender to Krishna. 

Prabhupada came to reunite all the souls who is suffering the repeated cycle of birth and death with Krishna. He came to inundate the heart of sufferings souls with love of Krishna.

He was here because he cared for us because he saw everyone children of same God. The fortunate souls who agreed to abide by his teachings gave up sinful habits, sinful tendencies and so were able to experience the bliss of devotional life.

Krishna sent him for us

There are millions of unfortunate souls who leave the abode of Krishna to pursue their personal ambitions. They don’t want to serve Krishna, but they want to be served like Krishna. And they don’t want to love Krishna but want to be loved like Krishna.

They don’t want to worship Krishna but want to be worshipped like Krishna. When they see cowherd girls and boys singing and dancing to give pleasure to Krishna, they think why Krishna should be the only enjoiner.

The seed of envy soon fructifies, and they leave their spiritual homes, their spiritual family members and come to this ephemeral world.  Krishna being very kind and caring makes all arrangement for them to pursue their separatist goal, but they are warned that away from the spiritual world suffering is inevitable.

Krishna accompanies the souls wherever they go as paramātmā.  And he also appears in this world again and again to reclaim the lost souls. Not just that he sends his chosen representatives to illuminate the heart of ignorant masses who is suffering terribly and have got so accustomed to suffering that they do not realize they are suffering.

So, Krishna sent Srila Prabhupada to save the suffering souls like us. It is not mere a chance that Prabhupada appeared on the day of Nandotsava, he came as per Krishna’s plan to invite us to celebrate our life with Krishna.

Spread the teachings of Vedas all over the world

One of the most important qualities of Prabhupada which attracted me initially was that he never claimed he is God but always said Krishna is God.  He made Krishna so popular that today Janmashtami and Rath Yatra is celebrated in almost all the major cities of the world.

Srila Prabhupada made love of Krishna accessible to anyone and everyone and so today holy names of Krishna is chanted by millions of people all across the world.

He made the transcendental teachings of Vedic literatures accessible to all.  Srila Vyasdeva wrote in Sanskrit to illuminate the world with the message of Krishna. Feeling compassion on spiritually illiterate people he not just translated the verses in English, the most popular language of our time, but gave elaborate purport to give us complete import of the verses.

Salients features of Prabhupada’s literary contribution

• Wherever and whenever his books are read without prejudice people irrespective of their religious affiliation begin appreciating it.
• Wisdom words of his transcendental literature have the potential to unite the warring nations.
• His sublime message enlightens those who foolishly shed blood in the name of their God.
• His teachings forces those who exploit others to see all living beings as children of the same God.
• If his purports are read with an open heart then it floods the hearts of lesser mortals with love for all.
• His books are revolutionary and if people read it with an open mind it can unite entire humanity.

Unparalleled struggle and sacrifice to spread Krishna Consciousness

Although Prabhupada physically left us but he continues to be with us through his pure Krishna conscious teachings. Although Prabhupada departed from this world around in 1977 years back but through his books he continues to transform the lives of millions of people all over the world.

His books which tell us how we can reawaken our dormant love for Krishna has been distributed in almost every part of the world. From the silicon valley of California to the jungles of Africa, anyone who reads these sacred books instantly feel connected to Krishna.

During his physical presence Prabhupada created an army of dedicated disciples, his spiritual children, who are currently working wholeheartedly with dedication to spread the Krishna conscious movement.  Without caring for their life, they are working tirelessly to share the message of Vedic literatures with all.

It is only the magic of his empowerment that we have such exalted Vaisnav acharyas with us who are inspiring us to surrender and commit to this life transforming Krishna Conscious movement.

As a spiritual master, Prabhupada, has set such an example which justifies the saying mukam karoti vachalam. pangum langhayate girim. yat-kripa tam aham vande. sri-gurum dina-taranam. “I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.”

The more one studies Prabhupada’s life and his teachings one develops more appreciation for him. In the history of humanity there would rarely been a person who sacrificed to such an extent selflessly to give Krishna to others.

World Hindu Congress recognised the contribution of Srila Prabhupada and the efforts of Iskcon in spreading the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic literatures all over the world.

Krishna’s devotees – Too busy To be lazy

Once a person complained to Srila Prabhupada, “Your Krishna consciousness movement makes people dull.” Prabhupada immediately said, “The two most important wars which happened in Indian history was fought by Vaisnavas. One was the war between Lord Rama and Ravana and the other was the battle at Kurushetra.”  Prabhupada further said we want Vaisnavas like Arjuna who have a spirit to fight and not some dull people who are lazy.

Arjuna was the best archer of the world and also a great devotee of Krishna. He is praised as Gudakesa because he conquered sleep.  Once Arjuna was taking food in the night and suddenly the lamp blew off because of wind. Arjuna continued eating. After sometime he thought although it is dark but still my hand easily finds my mouth. It is happening because I have a desire to eat so even the darkness is not able to stop me. So if my hunger to become the best archer of the world is strong then I can even practice archery in the night. And so from that day onwards Arjuna started honing his archery skills in the night also while rest others enjoyed sleep.

But in spite of being the best warrior of the world Arjuna got bewildered when he was about to fight the most important battle of his life at Kurushetra.  He started giving his own reasons to not fight the war, “It’s true that I am a Kshatriya and I should not shy away from fighting but they are not my enemies they are my relatives. If I kill them I will incur sins.”

Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains that in response Krishna, in a chastising mood, says to Arjuna, “Now you are not honoring my words, but later, because you are a great hero, your natural eagerness to fight will unavoidably manifest itself. Then, when you set out to kill Bhisma and others on your own accord, I will laugh at you.”

Although Arjuna is giving many reasons not to fight but Krishna knows that since he belongs to a warrior clan so he will ultimately fight.

 

So if Arjuna is anyway going to fight then why does Krishna speak the message of Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna?

It is because Krishna wanted that Arjuna fight in proper consciousness i.e. Krishna Consciousness. If Arjuna fights whimsically and is driven by modes of nature then he may commit sins and suffer. But if he fights as per the instructions of Krishna he will not just emerge victorious but he will not be subjected to any sinful reactions.

As long as we are living in this world we have to act, none of us can remain idle and not do anything. But if we do our duties as per our own accord then we put ourselves under the jurisdiction of material laws. But if we do our duties by keeping Krishna in the centre then we will be acting for Krishna and Krishna will always guide us and protect us.

Through Arjuna Krishna is teaching two important lessons:

• Human life is meant for hard work and so we should put in our best efforts like Arjuna in any activity we are doing.
• In spite of all our material credentials we should always take guidance of Krishna and not act as per our whims.