Bhusaya das Remembers Srila Prabhupada

Prabhupada Memories

Interview 01

Bhusaya: Ambarish and Govardhan took Srila Prabhupada to inspect the Fisher Mansion to see if it was suitable to purchase for our temple in Detroit. Prabhupada said it would be a perfect temple. He said, “Every room is worth the asking price.” As a matter of fact, he said, “Krishna has saved this for us.” Prabhupada met with the owner and the real estate agent by the swimming pool to discuss the details of the purchase agreement. Srila Prabhupada asked the owner to give us the property. He said, “We are poor mendicants and if you can give us…” Of course, the man wasn’t able to give it to us. He was asking $350,000. The mansion had been built in 1928 for $2,000,000, and it was considered one of the most beautiful mansions in the art-deco style in the United States. Then Prabhupada offered him $300,000 and the man replied, “Well, let me think about it.” After the real estate agent left, Prabhupada asked Ambarish, “So, is this possible?” Ambarish said, “Yes, Srila Prabhupada.” Then they went back to the Jefferson Street temple and Ambarish went right up to the brahmacarini ashram, knocked on the door, and asked, “Is Lekhasravanti here?” Lekhasravanti came to the door and Ambarish said, “Srila Prabhupada wants us to buy the temple. I can give half, if you can give half.” Immediately Lekhasravanti said, “Yes.” Recently, Gil Grohen, who sold the property to us, expressed in written word his reflections about Srila Prabhupada at the request of Bob Roberts, the long-time photographer in Detroit who recently passed away. The following letter is Gil’s response to Bob’s request: “Later Srila Prabhupada and I went to the patio area around the swimming pool and sat at one of the tables out there. This is where Prabhupada suggested in a good natured way that I donate the facility to ISKCON. I replied that I had many obligations and would like very much to be in a position to give him the place, but my obligations made this impossible. He smiled, and as I recall, we discussed my asking price. My impression of Prabhupada was that I was privileged to have met a man of great substance and wisdom. I was not aware of the full meaning of enlightenment at that time, but I now know that was the proper description of this amazing being. Prabhupada had a kind of electrifying presence and I could sense that I was with a great and wise human being.”

I had an experience with Srila Prabhupada, while still a shaved-up brahmacari from Gainesville, when we all went to the Philadelphia Ratha-yatra in 1975. Because we were book distributors, our duty during the Ratha-yatra was to distribute books. I was the furthest devotee in front of the cart, perhaps three-quarters of a block away, when all of a sudden there was a commotion in the side street. Srila Prabhupada’s car had arrived. Prabhupada got out with Brahmananda on one side and Kirtanananda on the other. They started walking back to the cart and I was right there distributing the Krishna Book. Of course, I was thinking, “Oh, Srila Prabhupada’s noticing me. I am distributing your book, Prabhupada.” As I was distributing the book to this man, I said, “Oh! Here is the author right now.” It was a very wide street, so Prabhupada was definitely out of earshot. But just as I pointed out Prabhupada to the man, Srila Prabhupada turned to his left where I was standing, folded his hands in pranams, and bowed his head to the both of us. I thought, “Oh, Prabhupada did recognize me!” The man I was distributing the book to was totally blown away, and my mind was also totally blown. I remember the man gave a nice donation and took the book. I was feeling so elated because it is a very wonderful feeling to be recognized by the spiritual master. It’s like the epitome of the best thing that can happen to you in your life, especially if you are doing something that’s pleasing to him. We all knew that his mission was to distribute these books and he was pleased when we distributed them. We could also experience that pleasure because we got such a wonderful taste from distributing Prabhupada’s books.

To view the entire unedited video go to Memories 79 - 15 Devotees Share

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