Two points to be followed – Remembering Srila Prabhupada

Occasionally there is opposition to the sankirtana party, just as there was during the time of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Mukunda: Our party went out to the airport, and a guy in military uniform was giving us a hard time, so Malati went up to him and was getting pretty irate back to him. This was all happening to the side of the kirtan that was still going on. She used to do pretty heavy things. Next thing I noticed she hit him on the chest. He got real angry and made a motion to slap her back, but within a second Jayananda was between the two of them, talking to them and calming them down. I was still in the kirtan, so I couldn’t hear what he said, but Jayananda was making all these conciliatory gestures and pretty soon the guy walked away. He was so quick to get in between them. He always seemed to be giving so much of himself, always thinking he was lower than everyone. When he was running the temple, all seemed well. He was very renounced, and he never got into frivolous talk. He was also a good manager with money.

Tamal has been keeping a journal of each day’s sankirtana activity, which he finally sends to Srila Prabhupada as a report of the party’s results. He soon gets a reply.

I am so glad to receive your letter dated July 12, 1968 with the notes of your successful performances of city kirtan movement and it is a very good plan. I think we should not be worried about our expenditure, Krsna has given us good opportunity of service. And if we simply execute the service, by such performances of kirtan, and practice ourselves the rules and regulations rigidly, and with faith in Krsna and service to the orders of the bona fide Spiritual Master, then there will be no scarcity of our necessities of life, and very pleasantly we will be able to execute our Krsna conscious activities without any anxiety for financial difficulties.

Actually everything belongs to Krsna, and if He likes, He can immediately give us the whole USA, but He is very cautious because we are prone to the allurement of Maya, so He does not give us all of a sudden all the facilities, lest we may fall prey to the illusory presentations of Maya. Just like a physician does not give delicacies to a suffering patient, but as he recovers from the disease, the physician allows him to accept palatable dishes. So we have to wait for the cure of our material diseases, and proportionately as we become recovered from the disease, the supplies of pleasant things will automatically come. But we must always know that there is nothing more pleasant than Hare Krsna. When we will be able to relish the transcendental pleasure, in chanting Hare Krsna, that will be the sign of our recovery from material diseases. Please continue the method in cooperation, very faithfully and diligently, and Krsna will help you more and more. — Letter to Tamal Krsna, July 16, 1968

In his reply Prabhupada emphasizes two important points. First, we should not be concerned about income. Rather, we should be concerned to follow the principles strictly in our devotional activities. When Krsna is pleased, He can supply everything that is needed, even the entire USA. Krsna promises in Bhagavad-gita that He will not only supply all our needs, but He will also ensure that nothing is lost. (Bhagavad-gita As It Is 9.22) This is the faith Prabhupada has had all along, and he wants his disciples to understand this fundamental concept. By executing the order of Lord Caitanya sincerely, success is guaranteed. The devotees who are able to put their faith in this teaching make rapid advancement in Krsna consciousness, as we shall see.

The second point is to "continue the method in cooperation." This is another test for advancing in devotional service. When devotees are happy to serve one another, then cooperation already exists. A madhyama-adhikari is always happy to see the face of another devotee. Otherwise, if we put our own good before the good of others, we will not develop the correct mentality. This may jeopardize our chance to be invited back home, back to Godhead.

From the "Radha-Damodara Vilasa" by HG Vaiyasaki dasa

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