from Praghosh Prabhu (ACBSP)

[Guest guest]

In 1976 Srila Prabhupada went to Gita Nagari. He then

returned to New York. The morning after his arrival he

delivered a wonderful SB class. Just now am

forgetting which subject he spoke on that particular

day. I am sure it is in the folio. But before he spoke

he said to the devotees and said;

 

 

"Soooooo... we have just come from our Gita Nagari

project in Pennsylvania and you will ALL be happy to

know that there - we have solved ALL the problems of

life!"

 

 

The devotees shouted "Hari Bol! Jai Srila Prabhupada!"

They noted his huge smile and they all smiled back

with great love. -----(I am sure you can all picture

this!)

 

 

"Yes" he said. "It is a fact. There is ample ground

for growing grains and they have many nice cows giving

so much milk. I have tasted and it is very good. So

when you solve the food problem so easily - then all

problems are solved. Food problem is the only REAL

problem. Most other problems are manmade. Isn't it?"

 

 

Again the devotees shouted their delight!

 

 

In that same period while Srila Prabhupada was

with us, something else very wonderful happened

(wasn't everything wonderful when he was with us?!).

We had a particularly intense and fired up mui

ecstatico Kirtan! Afterwards, Srila Prabhupada gave

class and then asked for questions. One shy lady

raised her hand and Srila Prabhupada noted her and

said kindly "Yes. You have some question?"

 

 

"Yes I do thank you sir" she shyly said. (Are you all

picturing this sweet scene?)

 

 

"Well" she said, I was wondering what you all do for

recreation?

 

 

Srila Prabhupada looked quizzical.

 

 

"What is that?" he asked.

 

 

She repeated her question.

 

 

"Oh!" he said, his eyes lighting up like a night game

at Yankee Stadium. "Recreation? Hmmm...you were not

here during the kirtan? Hmmm...well this chanting of

the Holy Names of Krsna - THAT is our recreation!'

 

 

"Hari Bol! Hari Bol! Jai Srila Prabhupada. Jai Nitai

Gaur!!!!! shouted all the eager devotees who looked

proudly and lovingly in the direction of Srila

Prabhupada and then to this gentle lady who had

inquired so submissively.

 

 

Then His Divine Grace, pausing with perfect effect,

smiled at her and said "And when we become tired - WE

TAKE PRASADA!!!"

 

 

WITH THIS HE BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE!!!!

 

 

The devotees shouted in glee at the mention of their

delightful good fortune to both hear their beloved

spiritual master point out the obvious and see him

first hand deliver these statements with such charming

childlike enthusiasm! Like everything else Srila

Prabhupada did, this incident both enlightened AND

enlivened his disciples with uncanny ease. I have

never forgotten even a second of this exchange.