Jagatam devi dasi Remembers Srila Prabhupada


Prabhupada Memories

Interview 01


Jagatam: I was initiated in Vrindavan in April, 1976. When I went up for my beads, Prabhupada said, “Your name is Jagatam dasi.” I said, “Excuse me, Srila Prabhupada?” I didn’t recognize the name. He said, “Jagatam dasi.” So, it was quite clear. After the ceremony Prabhupada’s servant, his secretary and the temple president came up to me and said, “Oh look, that’s not your name. Your name is actually Jagatam Adhisthatri. It’s in this book Radha-sahasra-nama [Text 73]. They opened the book and showed me this long name, Jagatam Adhisthatri, which means “beloved of the creator of the universes.” It is a name for Radharani. When I first joined the temple, I was a feminist and I was thinking in my mind, “Oh, I don’t want a feminine sounding name. I want a short name and something simple.” I reflect on that and think that Srila Prabhupada knew my heart and gave me the short version. [laughs]

To view the entire unedited video go to Memories 73 - Bhakti Caitanya Swami, and the UK Yatra.

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