Srila Prabhupada's Tree

[Guest guest]

Talk by Giriraj Swami

Prabhupada Festival, 27 May 2001, Los Angeles

 

 

Srila Prabhupada had to struggle very hard to build the Juhu temple. The

first struggle was to get the land; the next struggle was to get the

permission to build the temple, and last struggle was to actually build the

temple and install the Deities. And we had worked very hard to get the

permission, but the Indian permits often include many conditions. So

although they give permission, the permission is not actually valid until

one fulfills the conditions.

 

One of the conditions was that we had to have an internal access road of a

certain width according to the length of the road. And it just so happened

that right where the access road was supposed to go there were some palm

trees. Once when Srila Prabhupada came to Juhu after being away for some

time he noticed that one or two of the trees had been cut and he was very

concerned--I would say upset--and he asked, "Why did you cut down the

trees?" We thought we had the perfect answer: We had to build the temple,

and to get the permission for the temple we had to cut the trees in the way

of the road. Srila Prabhupada said, "No, you go to the Municipality and tell

them it's against our religion to cut down trees." So we had no choice, and

we did it. And of course the Municipal officers argued.

 

But one thing that really struck me about how concerned Srila Prabhupada was

for the trees was that the next time he came back to Juhu after a world tour

practically the first thing he said was, "I was in Tehran and I have seen

they have trees in the middle of the streets. So we can also have trees in

the middle of our street." In other words, it was not so strange. So on

Srila Prabhupada's order we held our ground with the Municipality, and in

the end they gave us the permission to keep the tree. And even today we can

see that tree that Srila Prabhupada protected is still standing there with

asphalt all around it.

 

So I am thinking that if Srila Prabhupada has so much concern and care and

even love, I would say, for a tree, then what to speak of us--how much care

and love he must have for us. And it's just because of Srila Prabhupada's

care and mercy and protection that we are able to stand in Krishna

consciousness--no matter what else is around us.

 

All glory to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Hare Krishna.