{"id":7736,"date":"2025-09-25T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T03:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discoverursupersoul.com\/?p=7736"},"modified":"2026-03-30T14:21:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T08:51:46","slug":"pastimes-of-srila-prabhupada-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/minivetsystem.com\/iskcon\/pastimes-of-srila-prabhupada-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastimes of Srila Prabhupada \u2013 Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Pastimes<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We recently celebrated, 129th<\/sup> Vyasa Puja<\/mark><\/a> of Srila Prabhupada.\u00a0 On this occasion let us reflect upon few of the pastimes of Srila Prabhupada<\/strong> and the lessons we learn from these pastimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two Bhagavats \u2013 one is \u201cbook bhagavat\u201d & another is \u201cperson bhagavat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot understand \u201cbook bhagavata\u201d without \u201cperson bhagavat.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We understand book by the help of devotees, by their teachings and examples. Srila Prabhupada was a \u201cperson bhagavat.\u201d<\/strong> By his personal examples, he showed how to be always Krishna conscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as Krishna comes, similarly his pure devotees come to this world.<\/strong> They come from the Lord\u2019s personal abode like Vrindavan. Srila Prabhupada came from Vrindavan to this material world to take us back to Krishna’s abode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While he was here, Srila Prabhupada performed many pastimes, let us medidate upon few of those pastimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord Krishna gives Kadamba flower garland to Srila Prabhupada<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before establishing Iskcon, Srila Prabhupada started \u201cLeague of devotees\u201d in Jhansi. There he was staying with his first disciple, Acharya Prabhakar. Once it was Janmashtami, Acharya Prabhakar was on a business trip and Srila Prabhupada was alone in the house. When Acharya Prabhakar came in the night, he saw Srila Prabhupada in ecstasy. He was playing mridanga and was dancing. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prabhupada was wearing a beautiful garland made of Kadamba flower. The whole atmosphere was filled with the fragrance of kadamba flowers. Acharya Prabhakar was astonished.  He was thinking how can Srila Prabhupada get the garland of this flower.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it was not the season for Kadamba flower and also in entire Jhansi, there are no Kadamba flowers.<\/strong> Seeing Prabhupada in bliss, he thought he will ask this question to Prabhupada next day morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He asked next morning to Srila Prabhupada, \u201cLast night you were wearing a garland made of Kadamba flowers, from where you got this garland? Also, why were you dancing in such a great joy playing mridanga?\u201d  Srila Prabhupada said, \u201cYesterday Lord Krishna appeared, and he gave me the Kadamba garland.\u201d Prabhupada further said, \u201cWhen I tried to touch his feet, he disappeared.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power of Srila Prabhupada\u2019s names<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the name of Krishna is powerful so is Prabhupada\u2019s name.  One of my friends, Aindra Prabhu, was attacked by a brahma rakshasa in dream.<\/strong> He chanted Narasimha mantra, but the monster did not go. He then chanted Hare Krishna mahamantra and the brahma rakshasa too chanted Hare Krishna Mahamantra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My friend thought I have to die now. Then he began chanting Prabhupada\u2019s name and then there was no more brahma rakshasa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Krishna\u2019s mercy upon those who perform morning sadhana<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Srila Prabhupada said to one devotee, \u201cYour painting is window to spiritual world.\u201d A devotee said to Prabhupada that he wants to join an art class to refine his skill. Srila Prabhupada said, \u201cIt is not required. If you want to become an expert artist, do one thing, follow morning program \u2013 from mangala arati to Srimad Bhagavatam Class. Krishna will give you all skill required to serve him.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Krishna says in Bhagavad Gia 10.10<\/mark><\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

te\u1e63\u0101<\/em>\u1e41 satata-yukt\u0101n\u0101<\/em>\u1e41
bhajat\u0101<\/em>\u1e41 pr\u012bti-p\u016brvakam
dad\u0101mi buddhi-yoga<\/em>\u1e41 ta<\/em>\u1e41
yena m\u0101m upay\u0101nti te<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we see the result. Devotees have produced so many beautiful paintings of Krishna and his devotees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prabhupada knows how to convince people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Srila Prabhupada instructed one devotee, \u201cYou become the temple president.\u201d <\/strong>The devotee said, \u201cI am not qualified.\u201d  But Prabhupada insisted. Devotee was saying, \u201cI will spoil everything. You give me some other service.\u201d  Srila Prabhupada said then take sannyas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cI am a married man, and I have son. How can I take sannyas? I can do anything you say but do not ask me to take sannyas.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prabhupada said, \u201cOk, then become temple president.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(These pastimes of Srila Prabhupada are based on the class given by His Grace Sarvadrik Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada\u2019s disciple, on 18th Aug 2025 at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three Reflections<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n