Tirtharthi das Remembers Srila Prabhupada

Prabhupada Memories

Interview 01

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Tirtharti: I was really hankering for Srila Prabhupada’s personal association. I was desperate. It seemed that so many devotees were getting his personal association and that I was a nobody, a new devotee. Somehow I conned my way into a morning walk on Venice Beach. I was nervous and scared. I was walking on Srila Prabhupada’s right, and he was talking about the waves and the ocean. One wave came up high and almost touched Srila Prabhupada’s feet. I jumped up on the embankment and Prabhupada saw that the wave was going to wet his feet. He put his hand out to me and I helped him up the embankment. That was it for me. I actually touched Prabhupada and helped him up the embankment. But I started to feel my oats. I started getting puffed up, and I thought, “I’m going to ask him a question. I am actually going to come right out and ask him a question.” My heart’s desire was to get Srila Prabhupada’s recognition, not his answer to my question. I can’t remember the exact question, but I asked something about Tulasi devi. Srila Prabhupada turned to me and said, “Why are you asking me this question?” I stuttered and said, “Well I am worshiping Tulasi devi, Srila Prabhupada . . .” He repeated, “Why are you asking me this question?” I lost it that time. I shut up and turned every color of the rainbow. Then he answered my question. In all his mercy, Prabhupada answered my question. I was with a devotee named Brahma Rupa, and both of us were hankering for Prabhupada’s association. Once, Brahma Rupa had a bright idea. He got a pail full of flower petals to shower Srila Prabhupada when he came out the door. But Brahma Rupa was so nervous that he made the petals into a ball and hit Prabhupada on the head with that ball. I thought, “There goes Brahma Rupa’s spiritual life. That’s it for him.” But Prabhupada just folded his hands. We said, “Jaya, Srila Prabhupada!” It was wonderful.

To view the entire unedited video go to Memories 10 - 1995 Prabhupada Festival

The full Prabhupada Memories Series can be viewed here and also at www.prabhupadamemories.com