Prabhupada-lila

[Guest guest]

"One day, when I was first with His Divine Grace in L.A., Brahmananda Prabhu

came from New York and they were talking about the printing of a Bhagavad Gita

with Sanskrit included. Evidently, there was a question as to whether the

western people could pronounce the transliteration with diacritic marks.

 

"Srila Prabhupad rang his bell, and I came into his room. Brahmananda was there.

Srila Prabhupad handed me a paper with Sanskrit transliteration and said 'Read

this!' I have been able to read since I was three, so evidently, I made the

pronunciations close enough. Srila Prabhupad said to Brahmananda, with great

enthusiasm, 'See! I told you they could do it!' He was very happy.

 

"So the printing went on, and in New York, when His Divine Grace was there,

Brahmananda brought in the first edition of the big Gita with all the Sanskrit

in it. Remembering the LA experience, he very kindly gave the Gita to me, and

said 'Here, you can give this to Srila Prabhupad.' I was overjoyed, and went to

His room to offer it to Him, followed by a photographer. I gave it to Him and

said 'Here is the first copy of Your new Bhagavad Gita, Srila Prabhupad.'

 

"In His amazing way of innocence and childlike excitement, He took it and held

it to His head, saying 'Jai! Jai!' It was awesome to be present for such an

important and empowering moment. Srila Prabhupad was so kind to me. Even though

I was/am a deeply entrenched rascal, He has engaged me so many times in

wonderful service. All Glories to Srila Prabhupad!"

 

Nanda Kumar Dasa