Nectar from Hawaii (Niscintya das)

I first went to Hawaii for Gaura Purnima 1975. I knew Srila Prabhupada was coming in May, and one of the first things I set out to do was learn everything I could about Hawaii (its history, hotels, beaches, stories, etcetera). I wanted to learn all this because I knew Srila Prabhupada would regularly ask devotees questions about places he would visit. So it came to be one morning. I was on a morning walk with Srila Prabhupada on Waikiki beach. I was walking behind Srila Prabhupada - literally following in his footsteps in the sand. All the while I was hoping that Srila Prabhupada would ask a question. I was very puffed-up, thinking I knew so much about Hawaii, I couldn't wait to show off when Prabhupada finally asked a question. Suddenly, Srila Prabhupada turned around - I almost ran into him - we were face to face, just inches away. He pointed to a man walking on the beach and asked "What is that?" The man had a strange looking device that he was wheeling along. I had no idea what it was. Srila Prabhupada was staring right at me. All of a sudden, it felt like I was on one of the hellish planets - my heart was beating a mile a minute. I had no idea. Then another devotee said it was a device that measured how far you've walked. Prabhupada commented they should make a device that measures how far death was, "... but that they cannot do". He then resumed walking along the beach - chanting and preaching. I was, at least momentarily, cured of my proud, all-knowing attitude, and simply amazed at Srila Prabhupadas mystic powers, his preaching and instructions, and his sense of humour.

. . . . . . . .

irg@zetnet.co.uk
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!