SP's affection for disciples

[Guest guest]

>This is a nice quote, but it is not that a guru's affection for his

>disciples merely consists in his caring for their bodily needs, like a

>mother. His affection is far more than millions of mothers because he cares

>for the spiritual needs of his disciples.

 

New Delhi, INDIA

 

Dear Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Thank you for your sobering remark.

 

Those fortunate souls like Your Holiness who had an opportunity to be in

Srila Prabhupada's physical presence often recall how even a spark of his

personal attention, his casual glance or word had the immense power of

drawing deep spiritual emotions of gratitude and affection out of the

disciple's heart.

 

It appears that Srila Prabhupada could care for the spiritual needs of his

disciples with whatever he was doing, even when being apparently concerned

with their mere bodily needs.

 

Like in the following instance from Bhurijana Prabhu's "My Glorious Master".

 

Begging to remain,

 

your servant,

Madana-mohana das

 

* * *

 

Stealing a Heart

 

During Prabhup€da’s transit through Hong Kong, I had heard that he was

dissatisfied with ISKCON leadership and had therefore temporarily disbanded

the GBC. With boyish naivete and the desire to encourage him, I bought him a

24-karat gold ring and engraved it with the words, “Jaya ISKCON.” I

presented this ring to Prabhup€da in Hong Kong before we traveled together

to Tokyo. Now as I sat with Prabhup€da in Tokyo during his massage, Sud€m€

carefully rubbed mustard oil onto Prabhup€da’s chest, back, legs, and hands.

Sud€m€ then noticed Prabhup€da’s golden “Jaya ISKCON” ring.

 

“Prabhup€da,” he asked, “you have a new ring.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Who gave it to you?” Sud€m€ asked, as he massaged the back of Prabhup€da’s

neck.

 

Prabhup€da slowly lifted his head and stared at me. Only the three of us

were in the room, and I felt softened by Prabhup€da’s glance.

 

“Who gave you the ring, Prabhup€da?” Sud€m€ repeated.

 

Prabhup€da kept looking at me and said softly, “Oh, someone.”

 

* * *

 

Prabhup€da could have told Sud€m€ that I had given him the ring. Instead he

replied, “Oh, someone.” When he said those two words, my heart melted and

flowed to his lotus feet in the intimacy of our simple and loving secret.