Just before dawn, Srila Prabhupada's car pulled up and parked near the rock pool at the northern end of Bondi Beach. Bondi had been the most popular of Sydney's surfing beaches since the turn of the century. The kilometre-long crescent of sand attracted thousands of Sydneysiders in the hot summer months. This late autumn morning, however, it was deserted.
As barely seen waves broke, the sky lightened imperceptibly behind the ridge of cliffs and houses. Srila Prabhupada was warmly dressed as he walked briskly along the firm sand, the "marginal zone" between wet and dry. The strong waves sent thin, evanescent lines of foam rushing again and again up the sloping off-white sand. Prabhupada strode, head slightly back, accompanied by Caru, Dipak and Bali-mardana. The party trekked southwards, past the Romanesque, multi-arched beach pavilion. A cold wind blowing off the sea bore a faint odour of salt and sewerage.
The lights along the promenade went out, signalling the approaching day. A couple of older men, deeply tanned from years of exposure to the sun, overtook Prabhupada's party, their sagging jowls and bellies wobbling as they jogged towards the salt-water baths at the southern end. A few life-saving reels lay on the beach near a pair of red-and-gold flags, marking where it was safe to swim.
Prabhupada noticed a group of muscular men in shorts and sandshoes jogging in the distance. He turned to the devotees. "The whole world is in darkness. They do not know how human life should be utilised. They don't know that there is a soul, and that the soul's business is the first business. They are simply taking consideration of this body, running, but they have no other engagement."
The devotees nodded in agreement. "One may exercise daily on the beach, but one may die at any moment. Then by nature's law you will have to change your body," Prabhupada continued.
By the time the devotees reached the southern end of the beach, turning to return to the car, the sun's rays had made their first, barely noticeable appearance. By then the wet slope of sand began to glow, and the sun sent streamers of light wavering across the glittering Pacific swell. The air warmed. Prabhupada said nothing more, chanting softly. The devotees followed, feeling happy and safe in Prabhupada's presence. Right now, they could think of nowhere better to be.
- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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