The Prabhupada Story Part Eight 8

If you want to live alone in a secluded place and practice yoga for your own personal benefit that is very nice. But if you want to help others by spreading Krishna consciousness, that is far better.


PRABHUPADA INVOLVES HIS DISCIPLES IN HIS WORLDWIDE PREACHING MISSION… AND KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS SPREADS EVERYWHERE

Srila Prabhupada directed his disciples enthusiasm towards the goal of spreading Krishna consciousness.

“You should expect to perform public kirtana in the important cities of the world. Taking mrdanga and karatalas you can perform kirtana anywhere and get the mercy of Lord Chaitanya!”

Srila Prabhupada holds a Ratha Yatra festival in London’s Trafalgar Square

“If you want to live alone in a secluded place and practice yoga for your own personal benefit that is very nice. But if you want to help others by spreading Krishna consciousness, that is far better.”

Srila Prabhupada with disciples in Paris.

“Practically this ISKCON organization is there because I have been always traveling, I never sat down in my old age. No. So you follow my example and preach widely all over the world.” .

Srila Prabhupada is seen here in Red Square, Moscow

Srila Prabhupada made one visit to Russia, but the one boy he preached to became his disciple and against great state pressure, started up many small centers.

Srila Prabhupada attracts attention in India

With a solid international organization and disciples from many countries, Srila Prabhupada decided there was great potential to establish an influential preaching program in India.

Telegram to all American temples:

“Prabhupada asked me to request at least 50 men from the US to come to India immediately.” -Shymasundara Das.”

Crowds flocked to watch the western devotees perform public chanting in Indian cities.

Prabhupada anticipated that if the Indian people could see how young western boys and girls were eagerly adopting the principles of Krishna consciousness, their own interest in Krishna consciousness would revive. Now he had a means to preach in India.

Shaven headed dancing westerners, wearing tilaka chanting Hare Krishna quoting Sanskrit from Bhagavad-gita were an immediate sensation, and Indians flocked to watch. Multiracial devotee gatherings, like here in Mayapur, West Bengal were a great attraction for many Indians.

Temples open around India

Sri Dharma Mayapur is the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya, and the headquarters of ISKCON. The Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, West Bengal, where the city Srila Prabhupada has planned for 40,000 devotees is currently under construction. This complex also hosts an annual gathering of devotees from all over the world.

After the opening ceremony for the Krishna-Balarama temple in Vrindavana, in 1975, Srila Prabhupada commented: “This temple construction is so important that I am willing to spend many millions of dollars to open temples like these.”

                 The very beautiful Krishna-Balarama Temple in Vrindavana.

The tremendously popular Temple Guesthouse complex in Bombay’s “Hollywood”, Juhu Beach.