Prabhupada pastimes 3

[Guest guest]

This if part of a new letter by Vrindavan Chandra prabhu:

 

I remember Prabhupada saying the following words, "These plays are better

than reading my books". It was after a performance of 'The Pandavas Retire

Timely" in New Dwarka. I played Arjuna to Prajapati's Yudhisthura.

There must have been at least 15-20 sannyasis sitting in front of

Prabhupada's vyasasana to watch the play. Towards the end of the play,

during Arjuna's soliloquy, I snuck a look over at Prabhupada and was amazed

to see him crying. It gave me goose bumps and I started to cry tears of love

and gratitude. It happened to work great for the part as Arjuna was at that

point lamenting the disappearance of his most intimate friend Lord Krishna

and was beside himself with grief. When the play was over, Prabhupada

dropped a bomb by saying, " I want to thank these nice boys for performing

such wonderful service. These plays are better than reading my books." He

then told all the sannyasis to clear out an area so all the actors could sit

near him. The sannyasis couldn't believe it. I can still see the astonished

looks on their faces as they were forced to give up their coveted seats at

Prabhupada's lotus feet for us lowly actors. When we were all settled into

position, Prabhupada said something that absolutely astounded all the

assembled devotees, especially the Vaikuntha players. With his voice still

choked up with emotion he said the following most incredible words, "These

plays are very pleasing to me and I want everyone to know that all these

boys will all go back to Krishna after this life." After a stunned silence,

the entire temple room erupted into a spontaneous and tumultuous "Hari bol!"

 

Shocked and overjoyed, we were unable to actually believe what we had just

heard. 'Better than His Books?!! We're all going back to Krishna after

leaving these bodies?!!!' Incredulous, we looked at each other overwhelmed

with the causeless and unfathomable mercy which had just been bestowed upon

us.

 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Krishna's dear most friend and pure

devotee. May we always endeavor to please him by our humble service and

eternally take shelter at his soft lotus feet.