sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sanga—sarva-sastre kaya / lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

[krsna 3]

 

 

Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta 22.54

 

sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sanga — sarva-sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

 

“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.”

 

 

MEMORIES BOOK INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

These books of oral histories is a word for word transcription of the video series,

“Memories of Srila Prabhupada” which are interviews of those fortunate souls who had that all important association with a pure devotee, in the person of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

 

Also known as “Srila Prabhupada”, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, His Divine Grace has been well recognized by scholars, religionists and lay-persons alike, as one of the most prominent ambassadors of India’s spiritual culture in modern times and whose character was beyond reproach.

 

The recollections presented herein are a testimony to the transcendental character of Srila Prabhupada, whose purity, compassion, knowledge, humor, humility, strength and determination seemed to be almost effortlessly exhibited on a daily basis.

 

The devotees’ memories of their spiritual master, which were accumulated over a ten year period, appear in a non-random order for variety sake but are often grouped together according to similar topics.

 

Although these memories stand alone in their merits, they can also serve a larger audience of Srila Prabhupada’s admirers, who are able to appreciate the context and content of these interactions as part of Srila Prabhupada’s instructional legacy.

 

To get a complete picture of Krsna consciousness it is essential to not only have the written teachings contained within Srila Prabhupada’s books but how he acted in so many circumstances so that we may follow in his footsteps as he is a true acharya, one who teaches by example.

 

Many times Srila Prabhupada did mention that everything he wanted to tell us was in his books. Yet oral tradition is part of every society and culture, and we can only offer as a disclaimer that the interviews documented here have been accepted at face value, with the onus of veracity left to the integrity of the interviewed party.

 

On our part, we feel all of the accounts are genuine, as more than one person witnessed many of these events and interactions.

 

 

In the same mood of appreciation for Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental glories and instructions, we hope this volume will be of some value for initiates and novices alike who are thirsting for new or revisited facets of the spiritual jewel that is Prabhupada-sanga. As the disciples in this book are guaranteed spiritual benefit from the direct contact they had with their spiritual master, it is our hope and prayer that anyone who hears or reads of this relationship with the pure devotee will also receive that same benediction for success in life.

 

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Quotes From Back Cover

 

Volume 1

 

The devotees were doing a fire yajna in the Vrindavan temple and in the middle of the yajna one of Srila Prabhupada’s god-brothers leaned over to Prabhupada and said, “Srila Prabhupada, they’re doing it all wrong. They’re doing it all wrong.” Prabhupada leaned back, looked at him very calmly and said, “That’s all right. They’re just practicing.”

 

One time we were driving past Buckingham Palace in a taxi with Prabhupada, feeling proud that one boy who was part of the Queen’s guard, those soldiers who wear the big fury hats, had become a devotee. We said, “Prabhupada, one of the Queen’s personal guards has joined.” Prabhupada said, “Oh, So how about the Queen?”

 

On St. James path Prabhupada would constantly point out different things. Once he saw some bird droppings and asked, “What is this?” Everyone was looking at the bird droppings and thinking, “Maybe Prabhupada reads tea leaf formations and sees it esoterically.” Everyone was bewildered. Prabhupada said, “This tells you that the same bird is sleeping on the same branch every night. Even the bird becomes attached to his residence. So be careful.”

 

The Swami said, “Whenever devotees fight, it should be taken like clouds passing by because when clouds pass by, you hardly even notice it. So it should be taken as insignificant.”

 

He said, “An artist worships Krishna by his intelligence.” By thinking of Krishna and intelligently making decisions on how to portray Krishna, one engages one’s intelligence in worshipping Him. And by doing so, Krishna reveals Himself.

 

Once he said, “The rules and regulations are because you have no self- control.”

 

Prabhupada said, “Bill prabhu come forward. Your name is Bhakta Das,” He handed me my beads and said, “This name means that you are the servant of the devotees. The more you think of yourself as a servant, the more you will advance in spiritual life. The more you think you’re becoming a master, the faster you will go to hell.”