Srila Prabhupada Lila Reading Guide
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I started working on this reading guide over fifteen years ago simply because I felt enlivened to do it for my own personal reading of Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes. After I had read many of the books about Srila Prabhupada for a second or third time I found myself thinking, “Didn’t it say something about that pastime in another book?” And I would pull out a different book and read about the same event or time period from a different perspective. It was very enlivening so I started to compile an outline of my readings. Gradually it developed into the reading guide we find here.
It is essential for the future of our Krishna consciousness movement that we study Srila Prabhupada's life very scrutinizingly to insure that we understand his teachings, his mission and how to apply them practically and properly as Srila Prabhupada did. Just understanding the philosophy is not sufficient. And that can only come from reading, not only his books, but also the booksabouthim.
In one sense, the guide is still a work in progress. I haven’t included everything that has been written about Srila Prabhupada and I am sure there will be more to come. Especially recently, some of the earliest disciples have written their memories and published books. Yet I felt that at some point I should just make it available as it is. Perhaps the devotees will find it enlivening. I can only hope that Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be pleased by this humble endeavor to glorify a pure devotee of the Lord.
from a worthelss, fallen soul – your humble servant,
Srutadeva dasa – San Diego, June 2014
Acknowledgements
With the deepest appreciation and gratitude towards the authors of these books:
Babaji Maharaja – Karnamrita Dasa
The Seventh Goswami – Rupa Vilasa Dasa
A Ray of Vishnu – Rupa Vilasa Dasa
Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta – Satsvarupa Maharaja
A Shower of Divine Compassion – Dasaratha Suta Dasa
The Jaladuta Diary – Bhaktivedanata Book Trust
The Beginning - Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
The Hare Krishna Explosion – Hayagriva Dasa
Srila Prabhupada's Miracle – Vaikunthanatha Dasa
Prabhupada Lila – Satsvarupa Maharaja
Srila Prabhupada in Germany – Vedavyasa Dasa
Servant of the Servant – Tamal Krsna Maharaja
My Glorious Master – Bhurijana Dasa
The Great Transcendental Adventure – Kurma Dasa
What Is the Difficulty? - Srutakirti Dasa
Life With the Perfect Master – Satsvarupa Maharaja
Srila Prabhupada Is Coming – Mahamaya Devi Dasi
A Transcendental Diary – Hari-sauri Dasa
TKG’s Diary – Tamal Krsna Maharaja
I cannot even begin to express how indebted we are to these devotees for their great service to the future of the Krsna Consciousness Movement. Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Introductionby Srutadeva das
saàsära-dävänala-léòha-loka-
träëäya käruëya-ghanäghanatvam
präptasya kalyäëa-guëärëavasya
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master extinguishes the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
In Våndävana, during the month of Dämodara (October 1972), there was an initiation ceremony held on the full-moon night of the räsa-lélä, at the Rädhä-Dämodara temple. The Krishna Balaräma Mandir had barely been started at that time. After the fire yajïa, the second initiates went into Çréla Prabhupäda's little room one by one to receive their Gäyatré mantra. As I entered, I saw Çréla Prabhupäda sitting at his low desk with his two beautiful lotus feet stretched out in front of him. Bowing down to offer my obeisances, I took his lotus feet and placed them firmly on my head. Then I sat up and Prabhupäda smiled and motioned for me to come sit beside him. He draped the sacred thread over my shoulder, showed me the way to chant on my fingers, and then chanted the mantra as I repeated each word after him. He gave me no specific instructions, but simply said that I should ask the older brähmaëas what to do. I wanted to say something to express some devotion, some appreciation, some prayer; but no words came. My voice faltered; I was almost crying. "O Çréla Prabhupäda! I am so fallen. I am such a rascal. Please forgive me!" He smiled. "That's all right," he said, with a wave of his hand.
mahäprabhoù kértana-nåtya-géta-
väditra-mädyan-manaso rasena
romäïca -kampäçru-taraìga-bhäjo
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the saìkértana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
New York – July 1976
The kértana was uproarious as Prabhupäda entered the airport with the devotees. He was leaving New York after their first, wonderful Ratha-yäträ. The kértana grew more intense as he went through the security check. Hari Çauri, Guru däsa, and I followed behind. In the waiting lounge, Çréla Prabhupäda took a seat and kindly motioned for Guru däsa to sit next to him. A well-dressed man seated on Prabhupäda's other side, noticing that there were others with Çréla Prabhupäda, very politely moved to another seat. Prabhupäda again very kindly offered us a seat, this time motioning toward me and Hari Çauri. I gently nudged Hari Çauri toward the seat. He graciously offered it back to me. He was Prabhupäda's personal servant; I nudged him again. He again graciously offered it back to me. I couldn't resist. I sat down next to Çréla Prabhupäda. He looked very grave, almost sad. Perhaps he knew that this had been his last trip to America. His eyes were overflowing with tears of ecstatic love as he sat silently absorbed in his own transcendental thoughts.
Not wanting to disturb him I also sat silently, but finally I couldn't resist the opportunity to ask Srila Prabhupada a question that had been on my mind for some time. Previously I had heard of some Bengali devotees chanting "sri krsna caitanya prabhu nityananda - prabhu nityananda prabhu nityananda - nityananda nityananda nityananda nityananda - sri krsna caitanya prabhu nityananda." So occassionally I also chanted like that but was criticized by some devotees for not chanting the full Panca Tattva mantra. Of course, in one sense they were right as Srila Prabhupada instructs in the Caitanya-caritamrta to chant the full Panca Tattva mantra. However, on occassion we do chant "nitai gauranga nitai gauranga - jai sachinandana gaura hari." So I finally got up the nerve and said, "Srila Prabhupada, sometimes the devotees chant 'sri krsna caitanya prabhu nityananda - prabhu nityananda prabhu nityananda.' Is that all right?" Srila Prabhupada turned to look at me and with his beautiful, deep transcendental voice said, "Yes."
çré-vigrahärädhana-nitya-nänä-
çåìgära-tan-mandira-märjanädau
yuktasya bhaktäàç ca niyuïjato ’pi
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Çré Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
Çréla Prabhupäda had come to Hyderabad for the first time (November 1972). We had arranged a ten-day paëòäl festival, to be held at the fairgrounds. There was a large, covered outdoor stage, where we put the altar for Çré Çré Rädhä-Mädhava (Prabhupäda had had Them sent from Mäyäpur) and Lord Caitanya. In front of the stage, on a lower level, a wooden platform had been built for Çréla Prabhupäda's vyäsäsana and all the devotees. There was a severe drought at the time. It had not rained in almost two years, so they didn't cover the platform.
After one of the evening programs, a teenage Indian boy spent the night with the devotees. The next morning he entered Çréla Prabhupäda’s room along with the initiated devotees and sat down close to Prabhupäda. As soon as Prabhupäda saw the boy, he pointed to the door without saying a word. The boy also said nothing, but got up and left. Çréla Prabhupäda then turned to one of the sannyäsés and said, “First he must wash pots.” He explained that Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura had always first tested the sincerity of someone who wanted to join by asking him to wash pots.
On the morning of the fourth day it began to rain. (Saìkértana yajïa ki jaya!) The devotees moved Prabhupäda's vyäsäsana to a covered area so that he would be able to give morning class. I had just finished dressing the Deities when Çréla Prabhupäda arrived. Prabhupäda had been greeting the Deities from the wooden stage, so since it was raining, I assumed that he would just go straight back to where they had moved his vyäsäsana. But, determined to see the Deities, Prabhupäda walked along the narrow parapet of the stage (as I looked on nervously) and offered his daëòavats. Then the devotees led Çréla Prabhupäda to his vyäsäsana as they had an ecstatic kértana.
Of course, I wanted to go hear Prabhupäda give class, but since I was the püjäré I knew that it was my duty to stay with the Deities. Not a moment later, a devotee came running down to the altar. "Prabhupäda wanted to make sure that someone was with the Deities!" "It's okay," I said, "I'm here." I was totally amazed! Everyone was chanting "Jaya Prabhupäda! Jaya Prabhupäda!" He was sitting on the vyäsäsana, being offered all worship and praise, yet he was thinking, "Is anyone with the Deities?" To Çréla Prabhupäda They weren't just brass statues. They were Çré Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa Themselves.
catur-vidha-çré-bhagavat-prasäda-
svädv-anna-tåptän hari-bhakta-saìghän
kåtvaiva tåptià bhajataù sadaiva
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"The spiritual master is always offering to Kåñëa four kinds of delicious food (analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked). When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasädam, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
After the Hyderabad festival, Çréla Prabhupäda went to Bombay for a few days and then onto Ahmedabad for another paëòäl program. Often, Prabhupäda would be invited to someone's home for lunch. When there wasn't some service that needed to be done, I would try to go along. One day, a small group of devotees accompanied Çréla Prabhupäda for lunch, and I was able to join them. I decided that whatever Prabhupäda would eat, I would eat also. Whatever he asked for more of, I would too. Prabhupäda was eating nicely, especially the potato subji. I was actually full just trying to keep up with him. When we were finished, I still had a puri on my plate. Çréla Prabhupäda looked over at me and said, "Oh? You cannot finish?"
"Yes, Çréla Prabhupäda!" I quickly stuffed the puri into my mouth. Then, as he got up and began to leave, we dove at his plate, which was full of mahä-mahä-prasädam!
çré-rädhikä-mädhavayor apära-
mädhurya-lélä guëa-rüpa-nämnäm
prati-kñaëäsvädana-lolupasya
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Rädhikä and Mädhava and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
One night, at the Ahmedabad paëòäl program, Çréla Prabhupäda asked Malati devi dasi to sing Jaya Rädhä-Mädhava. We were all very surprised, since there were many sannyasis and brahmacärés present, and there were thousands of Indians in the audience and of course Yamuna dasi was the one known for leading kirtans. She led the chanting, as we, including Çréla Prabhupäda, followed. When Çréla Prabhupäda chanted Jaya Rädhä-Mädhava, he would sing with such devotion that simply watching him was a deep Kåñëa conscious experience. But we could see that whoever was chanting, Prabhupäda was relishing the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Rädhikä and Mädhava.
nikuïja-yüno rati-keli-siddhyai
yä yälibhir yuktir apekñaëéyä
taträti-däkñyäd ati-vallabhasya
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"The spiritual master is very dear because he is expert in assisting the gopés, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Rädhä and Kåñëa's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Våndävana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
Çrutakérti and I were sitting there, taking prasädam with Çréla Prabhupäda, reciting this verse and trying to get some understanding, some appreciation for his inconceivably exalted position. I am still trying. But I am very dull, very slow—müòha. Please excuse me, Çréla Prabhupäda, for my inability to serve you and glorify you properly.
säkñäd-dharitvena samasta-çästrair
uktas tathä bhävyata eva sadbhiù
kintu prabhor yaù priya eva tasya
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Çré Hari [Kåñëa]."
At the airport in Ahmedabad, we had hung a huge "JAYA SRILA PRABHUPADA!" banner from the top of the main terminal building. As Çréla Prabhupäda walked from the plane to the waiting car, I pointed out the banner. Prabhupäda smiled. At the life member's house where Çréla Prabhupäda was to stay, the devotees began to offer ärati to Prabhupäda. I was surprised. Of course, when we offered anything to Kåñëa, we first offered to Prabhupäda. But since guru-püjä had not been introduced yet, I had never seen Çréla Prabhupäda worshiped on his own, as if he were God. As I remembered this verse, I enthusiastically joined the kértana.
yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädo
yasyäprasädän na gatiù kuto ’pi
dhyäyan stuvaàs tasya yaças tri-sandhyaà
vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Kåñëa. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise my spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
One morning in Våndävana, at the samädhi of Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé, at Çré Çré Rädhä-Dämodara Mandira (it was October 1972 – Kåñëa-Balaräma Mandira was not even a foundation), you read to us two newspaper clippings that you had just received. One told about the preaching of Satsvarüpa Goswami and Hådayänanda Goswami in Midwest America. The other said, “Kåñëa Message in South Africa.”
Then you told us, “So, by the grace of Lord Caitanya, the message of his Lordship is going on nicely all over the world. You are also the members of the Society. Try to preach this message, påthivéte äche yata nagarädi-gräma, and you’ll get the strength the more you preach, because in the Bhagavad-gétä the Lord says, na ca tasmän manuñyeñu kaçcin me priya-kåttamaù. Anyone who is preaching the message of Lord Caitanya, Lord Kåñëa, the same thing, there is no difference. Kåñëa says that: sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja. This is Kåñëa’s message. And Lord Caitanya says, yäre dekha täre kaha ‘kåñëa’-upadeça. So there is no difference. Kåñëa’s upadeça is to everyone, that everyone should give up all nonsense type of occupation. Our Kåñëa consciousness movement is preaching the same as Lord Kåñëa said and as Lord Caitanya said. Lord Kåñëa said that you surrender. He asked everyone, not only Arjuna. Through Arjuna He spoke to everyone. He was preaching His own word through Arjuna. And Caitanya Mahäprabhu is Kåñëa Himself. He is preaching the same message as a devotee. So our business is to preach the same message through the mercy of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu says, yäre dekha, täre kaha ‘kåñëa’-upadeça. So if we follow Caitanya Mahäprabhu, to follow Caitanya Mahäprabhu means to follow the six Gosvämés. This is called paramparä system. Evaà paramparä-präptam imaà räjarñayo viduù. If we follow the paramparä system, the same message that Kåñëa says, that is also said by Caitanya Mahäprabhu, that is also said by the Gosvämés. Çré Rüpa Gosvämé said, ‘Somehow or other, try to induce people to become Kåñëa conscious.’ This is Rüpa Gosvämé’s message. Where you are sitting, this is Rüpa Gosvämé’s place. So Caitanya Mahäprabhu also says the same thing, yäre dekha, täre kaha ‘kåñëa’-upadeça. So these boys, they are preaching the same message, Kåñëa message. In the paper, ‘Kåñëa Message in South Africa.’ ‘Kåñëa Message in South Africa.’ This is very encouraging, that Kåñëa message is being spread as Caitanya Mahäprabhu desired. This is very encouraging.
“So all of you, you follow and spread this message extensively. Simply you have to, just like our little girl Sarasvaté, she also preaches. She goes to some friend, she asks, ‘Do you know what is Kåñëa?’ If he says, ‘No, I do not know very much,’ she says, ‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead.” That’s all. This is preaching. It is not difficult. Simply just like a child, you go to everyone, talk to everyone, that Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That’s all. Everyone can do it. It is not very difficult. You believe it. You be convinced on the statement that Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
“So you have taken the path of Caitanya Mahäprabhu. He will bless you if you sincerely stick to His principle. Then by His grace you will be able to preach Hs message. You follow the instructions of the Gosvämés, follow the path of Caitanya Mahäprabhu and try to spread Kåñëa consciousness all over the world, and your life will be glorified. Thank you very much.”
Dear Srila Prabhupada, just as Kåñëa drove Arjuna into battle, your words drive us into the battle against mäyä. Just as Arjuna was successful because of Kåñëa, we will be successful if we simply follow your words. When we are asleep, your words awake us. When we are discouraged, your words encourage us. When we are sad, your words console and cheer us. And most of all, your words plunge us forward, drag us forward, force us forward. To hear you is strength. To hear you is life. May we always hear you, Çréla Prabhupäda, until we can see you again, face to face.
"My Dear Srutadeva das,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your weekly saìkértana newsletters. I am always happy to hear of increasing book sales. These reports are very encouraging to me. Our real business is to print and distribute books. By doing this business, you are all becoming recognized by Kåñëa. Please try to continue working so nicely for Kåñëa, following the rules and regulations, chanting sixteen rounds, and studying the books, and you will finish your business in this material world in this life and enter the spiritual world to live with Kåñëa eternally. Don't become discouraged by any so-called problems. Make your program simple, that is to say, always make sure that you are somehow or other engaged in Kåñëa's service, and the best service is preaching or engaging others in Kåñëa's service. So continue in this way and be happy.