In an installment of the Prabhupada Memories series, Locan Dasa recounts his spiritual search and early encounters with Srila Prabhupada. Inspired initially by St. Francis of Assisi and later by yoga philosophy, he discovered Krishna consciousness after encountering devotees chanting on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. He joined their kirtan and was deeply affected by the holy name, describing the experience as something far beyond intellectual speculation. When he later met Srila Prabhupada, he was struck by his spiritual presence and received the name Locan Dasa, after the celebrated poet and follower of Lord Caitanya.
Locan Dasa also recalls how Srila Prabhupada encouraged him to use his artistic abilities in devotional service. After seeing his portrait of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Prabhupada asked him to paint the previous acharyas for ISKCON centers. He later created a towering figure of Lord Caitanya for a procession through Berkeley and helped produce the sculpted figures for ISKCON’s early diorama museums. Among his most memorable projects was a moving figure of Srila Prabhupada translating Srimad-Bhagavatam at the Radha-Damodara Temple in Vrindavan. Upon seeing it, Srila Prabhupada smiled broadly and reportedly said that through these figures he would remain present for devotees’ worship.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/locan-dasa-recalls-prabhupadas-guidance-and-compassion/
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