Remembering Srila Prabhupada - I don't require a house

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Srila Prabhupada NectarISKCON Mayapur

 

In 1971, when the ISKCON Mayapur project was in its

beginning stages, Prabhupada met with a group of

devotee-planners to conceive designs for the first

buildings. Included in the plans was a residential

building for Srila Prabhupada, which the devotees took

a special pleasure in discussing; it would be a

wonderful home for their spiritual master. Srila

Prabhupada had also agreed that the spiritual master's

residence should be built even before the construction

of the magnificent temple for Radha-Krsna. But one

time when the devotees went before Prabhupada to

discuss his residence, they were surprised to find

that he was not interested.

"I don't require a house," said Prabhupada."

The devotees were baffled. "But this has been part of

the planning all along."

He repeated, "I do not want a house."

"But you will have to live somewhere."

"I will live in a simple hut."

The planners went away from this conversation confused

about how to construct the Mayapur city without a

place for Srila Prabhupada. But after conferring

among themselves, they realised the defect was in

their presenting the idea to Prabhupada. So they went

back and tried again.

"Srila Prabhupada, Mayapur is the central place for

our movement, and people must learn to worship the

guru there. So we would like to show you the plans

for your residential building. In this way, by making

a nice place, the whole Vaisnava sampradaya will be

honoured."

"Yes, that's true." Prabhupada now agreed, and

discussions about his residence continued in a

positive way. As long as the discussions had been

whether Prabhupada would like to have a big house, he

had shown no enthusiasm. But when the plan was

presented as service to Krsna, Prabhupada's interest

was strong.

- From the Nectar by HH Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami

 

=Please Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna

Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare

Hare And Be Happy

 

 

 

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