Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Greatest man of the twentieth century - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree

Greatest man of the twentieth century

Srila Prabhupada's few days in Auckland were typical of his energetic world preaching. Although he was seventy-six years old, he did not think of retirement. The world situation was far too urgent for that. He demonstrated by his life's example that a devotee should labour hard to spread the Krsna consciousness movement. This would benefit both the devotee and the public. He was executing his mission at an advanced age, and Lord Krsna was rewarding his attempts. Therefore, in a mood of reciprocating with Krsna, he kept working to expand his movement.

On the invitation of his sincere disciples, Srila Prabhupada had been in Australia and New Zealand now for a little under three weeks. His devotees' wholehearted spirit of service had led them to different parts of the world to preach on Prabhupada's behalf. They were missionaries of the Krsna consciousness movement. Srila Prabhupada, the source of that preaching spirit, had visited them in order to help them, and strengthen what they had begun.

While he had encouraged the Auckland devotees, and had taken an active part in their preaching, Srila Prabhupada's interest and concern for local affairs was only the practical necessity of the moment; he was beyond New Zealand. He was constantly thinking of people, places, and activities all around the world. As he answered his correspondence he would deeply ponder matters in India, England, South America and Japan. And beyond this, he was always thinking of Krsna. He wanted to glorify Krsna throughout the world. New Zealand happened to be his present field. As always, however, Prabhupada had firmly impressed himself into the hearts of his disciples.

Jagattarini: The devotees had worked very sincerely, even though their arrangements were very, very simple. It wasn't until Srila Prabhupada was actually leaving the departure lounge for the next place -- and I was feeling very sorry that he was leaving -- that it really struck me. I was able to appreciate that it was Srila Prabhupada's actual personal presence that had made this early chapter of the New Zealand branch of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness so very wonderfully auspicious and successful.

Robbie: I don't remember a great deal of details about that first visit to New Zealand, but I do remember Prabhupada. It's impossible to forget him! I've lived almost all this century, but I have to say this -- that if you look through your history books, you won't find anyone as great as Prabhupada. He would have to be the greatest man of the twentieth century.

- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu

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