Remembering Srila Prabhupada - You simply create arguments - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree

You simply create arguments

In the evening, Srila Prabhupada, Hansaduta Swami and I sat in the back garden. Hansaduta suggested that if Harikesa Maharaja were to travel overland to Europe, he could visit the devotees who have recently set out to open centers in Kabul and Turkey. Thus he could enliven the devotees and also save $200 on his travel expenses. Srila Prabhupada thought it a good idea and so he sent me up into the guest house to get Harikesa.

When I entered his room, Harikesa was sitting on the side of his bed, his suitcase half-packed, staring into space. I have rarely seen anyone so depressed. I told him that Srila Prabhupada wanted to see him and so he came down into the garden. He offered his obeisances, still with a long face, and knelt before Srila Prabhupada.

Prabhupada looked at him brightly. "He says that if you go overland you can go for $100."

Harikesa did not appreciate Hansaduta's suggestion, because he had made it without first asking what Harikesa wanted to do. So, irritated, frustrated and dejected, he shot back sarcastically, "Well if I walk it will be even cheaper. I can go for $15."

Prabhupada didn't like his attitude at all and he rebuked him sharply, "You simply create arguments! Here is some advice to help you, but instead of politely replying, you have to give some argument against it. This is your mentality. This is not at all good." With that, Prabhupada let the matter drop and Harikesa left the garden to complete his preparations to leave.

- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu

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