Prabhupada had often described the attempts of his young disciples to spread Krsna consciousness in the Western world as "an adventure". He had written: "The whole Vedic adventure is to draw one's attention entirely unto the lotus feet of the Lord without any diversion." Such adventures, however, would not always be easy, since (as he had written elsewhere) "All Western adventure is meant to keep people in darkness." And there was no denying that adventure meant risks. But, as Prabhupada had noted in Light of the Bhagavata, taking risks in order to enlighten the fallen souls had many historical precedents:
Lord Jesus Christ, Thakura Haridasa, Lord Nityananda Prabhu, and many such sages risked their life to propagate the message of Godhead. Self-realised saints and sages take such risks for the spiritual enlightenment of the people in general. Such devotees are unafraid of the difficult journey to cross the ocean of nescience. They are always anxious for the welfare of the fallen souls who are attached to the false enjoyment of materialistic life, in which they forget their eternal relation with God.
Often Prabhupada's disciples would have to take chances and mix with materialistic people, endure harassment, abuse, and even arrest. Prabhupada assured them, however, that Krsna personally appreciated their voluntary risk-taking.
"Nobody is dearer to Krsna in human society," Prabhupada had said, "than the person who takes all risks for preaching God consciousness."
Prabhupada had told Bali-mardana that he was the "pioneer in taking all risks" in going to Australia and had assured him of his success:
I take it for granted that you are one of the selected devotees of Lord Caitanya, and therefore from within your heart he has inspired you to go to such a distant place, leaving your parents and home, just to satisfy Krishna. This is the great transcendental adventure. Try your best, and I'm sure you will be successful.
Prabhupada's plans for his worldwide preaching movement were expansive; his program to open temples all over the world was well under way.
For Prabhupada, however, the word "preaching" had a much broader significance than mere sermonising. Preaching meant glorious, selfless adventure on behalf of the Supreme Lord. He was convinced that ISKCON's preaching would achieve what the League of Nations and the United Nations had failed to achieve: "Real unity and peace in the world."
His young disciples in Australia, now numbering over 60, were thus real peace workers. By their endeavours they were assisting Srila Prabhupada in bringing peace to a world deeply afflicted by materialism and strife. By systematically propagating spiritual knowledge, knowledge of the non-sectarian science of God, to the people of Australia, these young boys and girls had embarked on a great, transcendental adventure -- transplanting the eternal preaching of Godhead, known as sankirtana, from East to West.
- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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