Compassion of a Pure Devotee

August 13, 2001

------ Compassion of a Pure Devotee An

account by Govinda dasi,

Hawaii. In the late afternoon in New Jersey, Srila

Prabhupada would often sit downstairs in the garden

beside our bungalow. New Jersey is known as the

garden state, and the town of Long Branch was certainly

testimony to that. There were gardens everywhere, roses

were blooming and their fragrance filled the

air. On one particular afternoon, Srila Prabhupada was

comfortably seated in a chair, and I was sitting on the

ground beside him. He was softly chanting japa,

enjoying the fresh ocean air, mixed with the fragrance of

roses and other flowers. Occasionally he would say

something but mostly he would chant softly. Suddenly

beside my sitting place I saw a large brown slug in

all its slimy ugliness. Somewhat repulsed I leaned

away from the creature. Srila Prabhupada looked at

me quizzically and I said: "Ugh, look at this",

pointing to the slimy, sliding creature. Srila

Prabhupada leaned forward and looked at the slug, his face

grew full of love and compassion, and he said to

me: "Chant to the poor creature", and so I sat

there, chanting Hare Krsna to the slimy, yet benedicted

slug for some time until he slithered away. He had

incredible compassion even for the most abominable

creature. Srila Prabhupada, I can never forget the sound of your

voice when you gave me that instruction. In it,

your whole mission was encapsulated. "Chant to

the poor creature". Your face looked pained, full of

compassion for the poor jiva in that slimy body. You did not

see the ugly slug that I saw. You saw the soul

covered in suffering, forgetful of Krsna. From that

moment my heart opened for all creatures and I glimpsed

the depth of your divine compassion. Thank

you, Srila Prabhupada for sharing

that. narrated by: Govinda dasi I am that slug! Have

mercy on me my lord! tulsi

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