An interview recorded in Singapore on 7 January 1995

(Sent by Rupachandra das of Singapore)

Srila Sripada: ..try to use one’s intelligence properly. That’s the meaning of understanding one’s guna, karma and application. Its not only understanding one’s guna karma but how to apply that guna karma in Bhagavat seva, Krishna consciousness. Prabhupada used to quote that very nice sloka in the Bhagavatam:

idaḿ hi puḿsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā

sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ

avicyuto ‘rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito

yad-uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam¹

There was a narration by Narada Muni to Vyasadev. Vyasadev was feeling very unhappy inspite of his tremendous scholarly work, compiling all the Vedic literatures.  In that connection, Narada Muni was replying  to Vyasadev that the reason for his unhappiness in spite of so much achievement, scholarly work, compiling the Vedic literatures was that he hasn’t specifically glorified the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. So in that connection it is mentioned in the sloka, first canto. So every piece of ability that a person has, unless that ability is specifically utilized in glorifying or in seva, Bhagavata seva, promoting and glorifying the activities and pastimes of the Supreme Lord one cannot be happy. But when it is utilized properly in the service of the Lord, then it becomes glorifications, uttama sloka. uttma sloka gunanuvarnanam. When we use the choicest words to praise the Lord and His activities, then the intelligence, the ability and the service one is performing, that becomes properly engaged. So that way one will be happy.

That was the instruction given by Narada Muni to Vyasadev. Our Prabhupada quoted this verse many times, idam hi pumsas tapasash. When he saw any scholarly person who came to see him he used to say that you have to, if you are scientist, you have to prove about the existence of God by your scientific knowledge. If you are a lawyer, you have to show by your legal intelligence that Krishna is the Supreme lawyer. If you are businessman you have to show that Krishna is Lakshmipati so that whatever results are coming, you use in the service of the Lord. So you see, all aspects we have to show that Krishna is the supreme proprietor and by serving Him, by engaging all our senses and intelligence a person will be able to develop proper understanding of the [inaudible].

Prabhupada used to say like that especially when meeting scholarly group of people. You do not have to sacrifice anything. Sometimes people will wonder, suppose if I became a devotee, whether I should be able to continue my work and you know get in anxiety. Or whether I could go and stay in the temple or whether I (should) get my head shaved and some temporary anxiety comes in. If it is understood properly that the function of Krishna consciousness, is that we have to learn how to apply our ability and intelligence and [inaudible] work in the service of the Lord. So in that sense, everything has to be engaged in the service of the Lord. With the proper understanding we’ll be able to apply it properly then it becomes Bhagavata Seva. Otherwise it becomes sense gratification. If one is just trying to satisfy one’s senses, that’s a different thing. If the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord and all the activities that one is performing is engaged in how to please the Lord and His servants, then it becomes properly [inaudible].

So therefore one has to be able to see the broader, the wider perspective of Krishna consciousness. It is required especially in preaching to the scholars and scientists – this is a technique that can be applied. We cannot say immediately you have to shave off your head and you have to do such things immediately. That comes you know, slowly, slowly, certain places according to the nature of that person one will be able to give Krishna consciousness in doses. Maybe at the beginning small dose, then it becomes bigger dose, then later on full dose (laughter). So if it is done like that you’ll find that you can preach to everyone. Even the most uneducated [inaudible] people, let say so called [inaudible] people, all sections of society. So if we, by our preaching skill give some message of Krishna consciousness according to time and place, according to time and circumstances, and according to also the quality of the other person, his ability to take up some Krishna consciousness…[Inaudible]. This is the technique that we try to apply by Prabhupada’s mercy.

Devotee: When you first came to Krishna consciousness you met Prabhupada first or were you already a Vaishnava in your family in your young days?

Srila Sripada: Yes. My parents were already devotees of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Just like the king of Manipur is a devotee of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so all the subjects, for generations were all in the Gaudiya Vaisnava line…my parents and their parents before. My father was a sankirtana singer.

Devotee: So that’s where you got your singing talents from (laughter).

Srila Sripada: When I met Prabhupada – that was in 1969. That was the period. Actually I met (Prabhupada) through one of my friends. My friend was also doing his work; he was also a scientist, a chemist.

Devotee: You had already obtained your Ph.D. then?

Srila Sripada: No, I was in the middle of my Ph.D. I haven’t finished my Ph.D. yet. I was just starting. I started taking some course. But my friend was already a Ph.D. He was a professor at (inaudible) University – a doctor of Chemistry- Ravindra Rao, and he was working on cancer – making medicine for cancer – and he was there. And it  so happened that I was at the university. Oh, the university mentioned as University of Southern California – actually it is called University of California, Irvine. The university in Southern California is a different university.

Devotee : So it should be University of California?

Srila Sripada: Yes, University of California, Irvine; Irvine is the name of the place. The name is correct, but the ‘USC’ should be ‘U Cal’- University of California. California has about 19 campuses. It is very interesting how I met Prabhupada. It so happened that I got a message when I was at the University. A telegram came saying that my mother had expired in India. So I got a little…I got some separation…and I was not feeling very enthusiastic about life, temporarily, momentarily. So because that summer I wanted to go to India and see the family members, like that.

Devotee: You knew she was not well?

Srila Sripada: I didn’t have that knowledge also. They did not send me that message. And so when the message came that she left her body, I was not very enthusiastic about my activities for some time. And I was planning to go to India to do the sraddha ceremony. Like that.

Devotee: You are the eldest?

Srila Sripada: Yeah, in fact I am the only son. And then I got a letter from one of my uncles saying that a – the letter says like this- that a Vaisnava is never lamenting about the living being leaving the body, and a Vaisnava is always thinking that when somebody leaves, then that is kind of arranged by the mercy of the Lord.  “So you should not come. You should not come just for that matter. You should finish your PhD as soon as possible and concentrate on your work. Don’t worry about the death.”  So I had already arranged for the ticket by borrowing some money from the university, because as a student, I had no money. The University loaned me some money for my round trip to India and back. And when I got that letter, I cancelled my trip. So I didn’t go.  In the process of doing that, I met this, Dr. Rao,  Ravindra Rao. He was brought by one of my friends, he’s also from Kerala. There was one doctor [inaudible name]  who was also doing his Ph.D. in the same department, chemistry department. He was from Kerala. There were only about two-three Indian students in that science department. So then he, this Dr. Ravindra Rao came one day and he said, “Lets go for a drive along the beach”. Laguna Beach is not very far. It is only about 15 minutes drive along the coast highway, you know, the Pacific Ocean, California.  He had a car. I didn’t have any car at that time. So I said “Let’s go”. So in the process, in the evening, we saw some devotees walking on the street chanting Harinama. About five-six of them. One was a black devotee. We were seeing for the first time in America, like that, especially in California. It was in the end of 1969. So this friend of mine, Dr. Ravindra Rao, was very enthusiastic. He said, “Let us see what these people are doing.” So we didn’t want to be very close to them, but we were following from a distance (inaudible). Then one devotee saw that we were following them.

Devotee: You were following in the car?

Srila Sripada: No, no. We had parked the car and we were walking slowly.

Devotee: Long distance…

Srila Sripada:  But making sure we didn’t lose them. We wanted to know what they were doing (laughter). So one black devotee, his name is actually Sukadev. He’s still there in Seattle, Los Angeles. So he stopped by and he was kind of waiting for us, to talk to us. So then he stopped and gave us cards and said they had a temple in Laguna Beach, and every Sunday they have this Love Feast, chanting and feasting with nice prasadam, taste, like that. So he said we should come the following Sunday to the temple and participate in the program. So when that Sunday came, this Dr. Rao said, “Let’s go and see the temple and see what they are doing.”  But I told Dr. Rao, “You see, I’m busy. I’m doing my PhD, and I really do not have the time.  So you go and let me know how or what you think about that.” So I didn’t go with him, I let him go alone. We were not staying together. I was staying at the university campus, and he was staying in an apartment.

So then he came, saying that it was a very nice program, lot of people came, they were chanting, and then (they) served nice halva (laughs). He was very enthusiastic, saying it was a nice program. Then he said that I should go. I should accompany him the following day, after work, in the evening, say at about 5 o’clock, and drive and go to the temple. So he started going every day, every evening, after the work. He was working nearby, at the Cancer Institute and I was in the university, and so every day he would say I should come  with him, and everyday I told him that I am not ready and I don’t have the time, and so I can’t go this time. So everytime  I could not accept his proposals. So, like that about four- five days passed by.

Then he asked where is Guru Maharaja from the devotees there in Laguna Beach, and he found out from them that their Guru Maharaja, Prabhupada was in LA, Los Angeles, where he was staying at that time. So he got the address for Los Angeles, Watseka and with that he came with the proposal: “Let us go and see Swami Maharaja. Let’s go and see Swamiji. He is in LA.” He was all set and he proposed that I should accompany him. Then I told him that, “I’m very busy, Dr. Rao, and not free. You go first and let us know how Swamiji looks like and what does he do.” Like that. So he kept quiet just like that (laughs). I let him go alone. So he went one day, actually in the evening, and then he came back and told me how he met Prabhupada.

He said when he went to the temple, the devotees didn’t allow him to see Prabhupada because he was a stranger and nobody knew him. So he told me in the beginning he was very upset when the devotees did not allow him to see Prabhupada. So he said he just decided to pray to Krishna that something happens. So was he was parking his car just infront of the temple and he was just sitting in the car, sitting and praying to Krishna  (laughs), so he can see Prabhupada. When he was sitting for a little while, one devotee came and he said “Prabhupada wants to see you” (laughter). So he was very happy and he went upstairs – you know Prabhupada stays in the first floor inside the temple. So Prabhupada told him that “in the past few years, I have always been praying to Krishna to kindly send me one Indian boy who can do the translation in Hindi. So I was praying to Krishna so He can send me some Indian boys because the American devotees did not know Hindi and other things.” Alot of letters came from India in Hindi, and required to be replied in Hindi but Prabhupada did not have the time to do that. “So I have been praying to Krishna to send me some nice Indian boys to help me.” So then Prabhupada told him that “You were just sent by Krishna.” (laughter). So this is how he narrated it to me. He added that Swamiji was wonderful and very nice and compassionate, with all the good qualities.

So he came with this story to me and he said the next day I should accompany him and see Swami Maharaj, Guru Maharaj. So I told him that “I’m not so prepared for these things and I’ve got all these assignments and projects. I’ve got to help the students…and I’ll be very busy, and so I can’t go at this time.” So that also I avoided, so I did not go. But then, he was going everyday for about five- six days, going alone. Everyday he will come back and give me a report, and everyday he will insist that I must come and see Prabhupada. Everyday I rejected saying I’m very busy…and all these things. But one day, one evening, he came with a very strong proposal, saying that the following morning, early morning, I should accompany him. He said we should get up at 3.30 in the morning, and after a shower, we can then go to the service, to see Swami Maharaja. And he said that if I did not agree this time, then he would never see me again in life and he will never come, and our friendship is finished (laughter). He would never see me in my life! (Laughs). He was saying it with seriousness…not joking or anything like that. Then I told him, “Why you make things so serious? What has happened with you?” He didn’t tell me what was going to happen, but he was telling me like that. Then I said  “Well, if you are really that serious, I will accompany you the following morning,”  (laughs). Then he said he’d like to stay in my apartment because we had to get up early in the morning, and he had the car, and he would drive. It was about one-hour-drive from our place to Los Angeles temple on the highway. So we got up early in the morning, took bath, then we were on the road- highway. In the car he told me that he would be initiated that morning from Prabhupada . He was going to take initiation.

Devotee: That morning?

Srila Sripada: Yes but he did not tell me that before (laughs). He was only telling me on the road. He was already prepared, but he did not tell me that. It was only about a week (since he met Prabhupada)..in a week’s time. I said, because I knew alittle bit about the background,  said, “Will you shave your head this morning?” I asked him.  (Because) he was working at this American Research Institute where there were lots of people, and I asked him, “Will you go like that to your office with your shaven head? (laughs)….This is in America.” He said, “Why not? It would be a pleasure, ” (laughs). He was very determined, and I said, “Will you also change your clothes and dress in saffron?”, because, at that time everybody was dressed in saffron.

Devotee: Immediately after initiation?

Srila Sripada: Yes, at the beginning stages. He said, “why not? It should be something that I like to do.” So he was kind of very enthusiastic. And I admired him because he was so enthusiastic, so determined, and he did not care for anything else.

So we reached Los Angeles, and we saw Prabhupada was coming out for the morning walk at 6 o’clock. He walks 6 to 7 in the morning. At the time when I saw, he had a car, a Maverick- a white-bodied Maverick. So we waited, when he comes back in one hour. And at the time of Prabhupada’s returning to the temple in those days, the devotees would line up on both sides and Prabhupada would get down to the roadside and then walk. And then, the exchange of flowers: Prabhupada give one flower, then the devotees would give him one flower, then Prabhupada would give flowers to the devotees. After finishing that, this is before entering the temple, just infront of the temple, everybody rushes into the temple. I was just observing that. I had the camera, taking some pictures. I had a regular [inaudible word].

Then everyone went in the temple and Prabhupada was having darshana of the deities and went to his vyasasana and Prabhupada started singing “Jay Sri Krishna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda..” and I heard for the first time. Prabhupada was singing. I was quite far, near the deities, and Prabhupada was on the opposite side. I felt that Prabhupada was in a devotional mood, and his voice was very sweet and inspiring, and it penetrates to your heart. I was very impressed just by his singing alone, without knowing much. So I felt very happy and comfortable. After that, the ceremony, initiation started.  Dr. Rao, Ravindra Rao, he was given “Ramananda Raya”- his name was given. The initiation was for one or two people only. It was specially done for Dr. Rao. And after that, Prabhupada went to his room…inside there is a small doorway. Then Ramananda said, “Lets go and see Prabhupada upstairs,” (laughs). And I became very enthusiastic (laughter) after this incident. He was very fond of having darsana of Prabhupada.

To be continued in Part 2.

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