Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Suddenly He Felt a Firm Slap

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Suddenly He Felt a Firm SlapIn

the summer of 1971, Indradyumna dasa accompanied Srila Prabhupada on

his flight to London, where he was to attend the Ratha-yatra festival.

On the flight, a film was shown -- an old silent film of Charlie

Chaplin.When the film began, Indradyumna dasa began reading the

Bhagavad-gita, but he noticed that Srila Prabhupada, who was sitting

two seats away, was watching the film and chuckling. Indradyumna felt a

little confused, since he knew devotees were not supposed to watch

movies, but seeing Prabhupada's appreciation of the film, he stopped

reading and laughed along with Prabhupada and his servant at Charlie

Chaplin's humor.When the film was over, Indradyumna met

Pradyumna dasa at the back of the plane and asked why Srila Prabhupada

was laughing during the film. Pradyumna said he would go and ask

Prabhupada. He soon returned smiling and said, " Prabhupada said that

Krsna is the original source of everything, and since Charlie Chaplin's

humor was original, he could appreciate Krsna there. " Indradyumna

returned to his seat, appreciating how Srila Prabhupada saw Krsna

everywhere.As the plane landed in London, Indradyumna was

looking forward to seeing the devotees and hearing Prabhupada's arrival

address at the Bury Place temple, but the airline had misplaced

Prabhupada's suitcase and Indradyumna was asked to wait behind in case

it showed up. Disappointed, Indradyumna was left alone as the other

devotees performed kirtana while escorting Prabhupada to his car.Indradyumna

waited for two hours before the suitcase was finally located. He then

took a taxi to the temple, but to his great dismay, he found the

ceremonies over and the devotees finishing up a feast in honor of

Prabhupada's arrival. Indradyumna asked the devotees where Srila

Prabhupada's room was and was told it was four flights up the stairs.Upon

reaching the fourth floor, Indradyumna knocked on Prabhupada's door and

then entered the room, dragging the big suitcase behind him. Suddenly

he noticed Srila Prabhupada standing there watching him. Embarrassed

for having walked in on Prabhupada, Indradyumna fell to the floor,

offering his humble obeisances. Suddenly he felt a firm slap on his

back and he heard Srila Prabhupada say something to him. When he arose,

Srila Prabhupada had gone back into the adjoining quarters. Still

feeling Prabhupada's strong slap, he turned to Nanda-kumara, who stood

there with wide open eyes and a big smile on his face.Indradyumna

then asked what Prabhupada had said. " Prabhupada said, " Nanda-kumara

replied, " that in this material world everything is very difficult, but

when you go back to Godhead, everything will be very easy. " Indradyumna

Swami, interview. I had a similar experience with Prabhupada while

serving as his secretary. In 1973, Prabhupada wanted to travel from

Calcutta to London. I met with some delays and difficulties in getting

the passports, so at the airport, I asked him if going to the spiritual

world means arranging for passports and tickets. He said no, you simply

go there immediately. Although travel in the material world may be

difficult, going back to Godhead is simple and swift.The first

incident shows how Prabhupada could see Krsna everywhere. In the Tenth

Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna shows how anything great comes from

Him, so of humorists, Krsna is Charlie Chaplin.Although we

cannot imitate Prabhupada, we may still appreciate his lila. He was a

pure devotee, and it is wonderful and endearing that he could drink a

7-UP or laugh at a Charlie Chaplin movie. Although these activities may

appear ordinary, Prabhupada was always extraordinary.- From the Prabhupada Nectar by HH Satsvarupa dasa GoswamiPlease Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

And Be Happy