Another soul on his way to Krsna.....

[Vijaya Baladeva das]

We had just gotten back to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada, where the
Halifax
brahmacaris are based while traveling around the province with His
Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami. We were in Halifax for the first time in
two
months to have a Sunday Feast with the devotees and friends of
Krishna.
When we arrived for the program, there was a young man whom I had met
on
the street some months back. The day I met him, as he recalled, he was
in a particularly good mood and decided to stop and talk with me to
see
what I was doing and to be a nice stranger. We had a friendly
conversation, and he eventually left with a Bhagavad-gita.

So, tonight when we reunited he approached me and asked if I
remembered
him and our conversation. A lot had happened since we met, and I
definitely didn't remember any details, but I tried to remember his
name
and guessed, "Yeah . . . Andrew, right?" As I said it, I closed my
eyes
and prayed. Krishna reciprocated and Andrew said, "Yeah! Wow, you've
got
a good memory!"

So, the program went on and we listened to Maharaja's kirtans and
lecture. Andrew sat with rapt attention and asked Maharaja a nice
question and was satisfied by the answer. As we were getting ready to
take prasadam, Andrew came up to me and we began to talk. Our
conversation lasted almost two hours. He devoured every bit of Krsna
conscious philosophy I gave him in the natural flow of our
conversation.
He was very open and very favorable. Later I remarked to Gauracandra
Prabhu from Toronto that I could never even conceive of praying for
such
reciprocation while preaching. Obviously, Andrew's enthusiasm is the
spark of his previous devotional service getting ready to reignite.

During my conversation with Andrew I cited the Isopanisad in support
of
the idea that material knowledge and spiritual knowledge must be
cultivated simultaneously. I used an analogy I heard from Bhaktimarga
Swami -- that a train needs both tracks to go anywhere. Similarly, we
need to be spiritual and practical. Andrew soaked it up and relished
his
ability to understand some spiritual philosophy. I told him I would
give
him the Isopanisad as a gift, and if he wanted he could make a
donation
before leaving.

We talked for a while longer amidst a few other devotees who were
inspired to hear Andrew express his enthusiasm for Krsna consciousness
and his intention to take up spiritual life and chant the maha-mantra
more seriously.

When he left, I walked him to the door as he put the Isopanisad in his
pocket and walked out. I followed him because our conversation was
still
going on. It was like I had met a friend from the spiritual world and
we
had so much to catch up on. It was just really natural that way. As he
was preparing to leave for the night, Andrew said, "I'll leave you
with
one question: Could God create a stone that was too heavy for him to
lift?"

Quoting Srila Prabhupada's answer to a similar question, I said,
"Yes .
. . but then He would lift it!"

Andrew was amazed at this answer and had to pace around the parking
lot
for a minute or two, putting his mind back together. Then I remembered
that Gauracandra Prabhu had a Krsna book on the table. So I ran and
got
it from him so I could show Andrew the picture of Krsna lifting
Govardhana Hill. I explained what I knew about the pastime and he said
he would love to have the Krsna book sometime. He said, "Next Sunday I
will bring $20.00."

But because of his sincerity, which I had seen throughout the evening,
I
said, "I can't let you go home without this book. Is there a bank
machine nearby that you can go to? I'll come with you."

Andrew told me he had left his wallet in his car and had me follow him
there. I wasn't wearing shoes, and although Andrew was, he took them
off
"to be like the monk." At the car I reiterated that I was glad he was
taking the book because I couldn't let him go without it! He handed me
twenty dollars, then another twenty. He said, "Bills are tight, but if
you want to get, you've got to give." He was referring to the
financial
situation of his business (he is only 23 and owns a computer service
and
web-design company). Then Krishna inspired him to give another twenty
dollars. For a total of $60.00, he took a Krsna book and Sri
Isopanisad
home with him.

He also said that he would be trying this Krsna consciousness out for
the next few months because he can see there is something to it. We
will
be seeing him next week at the Sunday Feast.