Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Syamasundara Tried Jamming,

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Syamasundara Tried Jamming, Cursing, and Forcing the

Key

 

 

In 1972, when Srila Prabhupada was residing at the

home of Kartikeya Mahadevia in Bombay, an unusual

incident occured one morning. Prabhupada's secretary,

Syamasundara dasa, and servant, Srutakirti dasa, had

taken Prabhupada to Chowpatti Beach for his morning

walk. Syamasundara had driven them in Mr. Mahadevia's

car, one of those black Ambassadors popular throughout

India. When they were ready to return, Syamasundara

found that he couldn't start the car engine. He fitted

the key into the ignition, but the key wouldn't turn.

Syamasundara tried jamming, cursing, and forcing the

key until he became completely frustrated.

"It's not going to work, Srila Prabhupada," he said.

"I'll go get a taxi." He dashed out of the car,

leaving Srila Prabhupada chanting japa in the back

seat with Srutakirti. After a few minutes, two Indian

gentlemen in suits and ties approached the car, opened

the front door, and got in. Srutakirti became alarmed,

but Srila Prabhupada began a friendly talk with them

in Hindi. When the man put his key in the ignition,

started the car, and drove off, Srutakirti finally

understood what had happened. Syamasundara had led

Srila Prabhupada to the wrong car! When the real

owners of the black Ambassador heard from Srila

Prabhupada his explanation, they were honored and

insisted driving Prabhupada back to Mr. Mahadevia's.

Srutakirti tried apologizing for what had happened,

but one of the men turned and replied, "Oh, no, this

is very nice opportunity for us to do some seva for

Swamiji."

Srila Prabhupada then began to explain the basis of

Krsna consciousness and his worldwide mission, and the

men listened attentively.

When they arrived at Mr. Mahadevia's building, Srila

Prabhupada invited the men up to take some prasadam.

"No, we have to go to the office, but thank you very

much, Swamiji."

"Yes, thank you, Swamiji. Hare Krsna!"

After the pleasant incident, Srila Prabhupada remarked

to his servant, "This is the difference between India

and America. In America if we had gotten into

someone's car, we would have been in great

difficulty."

Srutakirti dasa, interview. Srila Prabhupada repeated

a similar anecdote in his lectures about the time he

and his disciples had walked across a farmer's field

in Vrndavana. The farmer had come out with members of

his family to meet Prabhupada and to express that it

was a great honor for him to have Srila Prabhupada

walking in his field. Prabhupada compared this to the

West, where there are signs, "Beware of Dog," and

where a trespasser may be shot.

 

- From the Prabhupada Nectar by HH Satsvarupa dasa

Goswami Maharaj

 

 

 

 

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