Brajendranandana das Remembers Srila Prabhupada

Brajendranandana: About 1972 or ’73, before they sent us out on the traveling party, I was allowed to go into Prabhupada’s quarters. I was in great awe because Srila Prabhupada was much more relaxed in his quarters than in the Bhagavatam class. It was a different mood. I watched him take his Ayurvedic medicine so elegantly and gracefully. Then one devotee said, “Prabhupada, they are going out on the subways every day, and even before they make an announcement, people give a donation.” Prabhupada said, “Oh, that is love. Just like a little boy brings his father’s shoes without being asked.” Prabhupada had an amazing look of compassion. He said, “You should tell them that they are suffering because they have forgotten to bring their love to Krishna.” The next time I had an opportunity to distribute on the trains, I said that, and I collected more than anyone else. On that same occasion, Bali Mardan Prabhu asked, “Prabhupada, they are saying that they are from Apple Records. Is that okay?” Prabhupada said, “Do not sell records. Sell books.” “But Prabhupada, they are saying they are from Apple Records, and they are selling books.” Prabhupada laughed and said, “Rupa Goswami said, ‘Make them Krishna conscious first, and then give them the rules and regulations.’ Somehow or other get them to take a book and utter the name Krishna.”

I had the late shift for guarding Prabhupada’s quarters in Mayapur, and I wanted to be noticed by Prabhupada. So, when Prabhupada went to the restroom, I thought, “Here’s my chance,” and I ran down the corridor to wait outside the bathroom with a stick in my hand. When Prabhupada came out he looked at me and said, “What is this? You are guarding?” I said, “Yes, Prabhu- pada.” He said, “What is he guarding?”

To view the entire unedited video go to Prabhupada Memories DVD 15 The 1996 NYC and LA Reunions

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