Srila Prabhupada Memories ~ Don't waste, wash well.

[Gauridasa Pandita]

"Don't Waste & Wash Well"
  (Vrindavan June 77)

Swami Srila Prabhupada used everything in Krsna's service and didn't waste anything. He even used the envelopes of letters written to him to write on. 

Once in England he was on a morning walk and he noticed someone's faucet dripping and he walked right through the yard to tighten the faucet. 

In his last days Srila Prabhupada had some problems with his eyes and he asked Upendra Prabhu to go to the market and get a glass eye washer. It's a little oval shaped cup that you put water or best, rosewater into and hold it up to your eye to rinse it out.

When Upendra returned with the eyewasher, Srila Prabhupada asked him how much he paid for it. Upendra replied that he paid four Rupees. (about 50 cents) Srila Prabhupada got upset and said ,"It should of only cost one Ruppee, maybe two, but you have paid four Ruppees! You have wasted Krishna's money!" Srila Prabhupada chastised Upendra and then said, "I have millions of dollars but I don't waste a farthing of Krsna's money." 

I felt sorry for Upendra getting chastised for that. I realized how serious it is to spend Krsna's money properly.

It is stated in the Manu Samhita, that to spend money collected for devotional service activities for our own selves, is a great offense. The Supersoul in all of our hearts sees and knows all, so we better be good, for goodness sake!

"Don't Show Your Beads"
(Vrindavan June 1977)

Another time Upendra Prabhu was holding his beads in his hands as he chanted. Srila Prabhupada asked him where his bead bag was. Upendra said that he had just washed it. Srila Prabhupada said that we should have two bead bags so if we wash one we can use the other. Srila Prabhupada said that we should not show our beads. The beads have to be protected and respected just like our Bhakti lata bija, our spiritual creeper of devotional love.

It was very educational being around Srila Prabhupada. He was constantly giving instructions from philosophy to good health techniques and simple cleaning. 

One time at the Boston Temple Srila Prabhupada noticed a devotee moping the floor, pushing the mop back and forth. He told him that he was just pushing the dirt back and forth, then he demonstrated how to clean the floors using a cloth and circling at the end of the motion, not just stopping.

"Honey"

Another time Srila Prabhupada was sitting with some devotees up on his roof in Sri Vrindavan Dham. I was sitting by the air-conditioner trying to keep it running, a sometimes difficult task in India. Srila Prabhupada motioned to me to come over to him. He said that he wanted some Lemon and  water. I looked around for Upendra or Bhakti Caru, who would usually do that service. I couldn't find either one of them so I went into the kitchen to prepare it myself. That wasn't my normal service so I was a little nervous. I squeezed some lemons into a silver cup; got a cup of water and then put some honey in a little silver cup. I put it all on a silver tray and went up the stairs and set the offering in front of His Divine Grace. He immediately pointed at the honey and asked what it was. I said it's honey and he said, "Did I ask for honey?" I said, "Well no Srila Prabhupada, that's why I didn't mix it in." I thought, that’s it, I'm going to get 'blasted' but Srila Prabhupada kindly nodded his head in aproval and I returned to the air-conditioner duty. 'Mission accomplished'!

Hoping this meets you well and Happy in Krsna Consciousness

Your eternal friend and servant

Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

\o/ HariboL \o/

Chant and be Happy!

[mario pineda]

Thanks for the nectar Gauridasa Pamdit dasa prabhu! How are your bother and mother doing?

Mahatma dasa

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[Anuttama devi dasi]

Thanks so much for sharing this!

Anuttama

[William J]

Yes thanks millions of times, Gauridas Pandit for sharing these very personal dealings you have experienced with Srila Prabhupada.I would also like to hear what you think was the purport of Srila Prabhupada's mysterious smile of approval of giving him honey with his lemon water even though he did not ask for it.

Gaurahari das