Guruprasad das Remembers Srila Prabhupada

Prabhupada Memories

Interview 01

Guruprasad: Samir called me to say that Srila Prabhupada was at the temple. When I entered into the main temple, the place was empty. Then I went near the kitchen and the devotees there told me Prabhupada was in the prasadam hall. As soon as I entered the prasadam hall, Prabhupada was standing right in front of me. I was really surprised to see him there and I immediately offered my obeisances. Prabhupada asked me my name and where I was from. Then he asked me the question, “Are you chanting Hare Krishna?” I took it as whether I was chanting regularly sixteen rounds like other devotees. I told him, “I am trying to chant Prabhupada.” He quickly responded, “Oh, you’re trying. What is the difficulty? Just do it.” I guess Prabhupada came up with the phrase, “Just do it” before Nike, the sporting company, adopted it as their catchphrase. [laughs] Then we all came down to the temple and Prabhupada had a gathering with the devotees. At one point, Prabhupada asked if anyone had any question. I was going through a rather difficult situation at the time, so I asked, “I am not really succeeding in material life. Neither am I latching onto any spiritual process, so what should I do?” Prabhupada repeated the same thing, “Chant Hare Krishna.” Prabhupada told me twice the same day, “Chant Hare Krishna.” Eventually I found out that is actually the process for happiness in this age.

What I observed about Prabhupada was that he was kind to everyone. I could see he was a true friend. A person’s background was not what mattered to him. Prabhupada wanted to share this knowledge and help people to realize their true nature, which is sat-chit-ananda: eternal, full of knowledge and bliss. Prabhupada tirelessly preached that this goal could be fulfilled when anyone follows the path of bhakti.

To view the entire unedited video go to Memories 72 - Canadian Yatra

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