Blog

As the morning walk progressed deeper into the gardens, Madhudvisa Swami took the opportunity to introduce Hari-sauri, the chief engineer of the Ratha cart construction, and all his assistants. Prabhupada stopped and smiled.

"Jagannatha will be very much pleased upon you. Yes. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat. A little service to God is taken as a great service. Krsna is so kind. So we should always try to give the best service, the best energy, and become liberated. Actually, we cannot give any service to Krsna. He is unlimited. What is the value of our service? But He takes it seriously: 'Oh, he's trying to give me some service.' Otherwise, what service He needs from us?

"He has created these big universes, what service can we give? By His will, He can create millions of universes. This Ratha-yatra is the chance for service. God is so great, so big, how we can pack [Him] up in the Ratha? But this is a chance, that you get Him to sit on the Ratha and prepare it, manufacture it. Because your energy is engaged in His service, then that is accepted."

Prabhupada gave the example of a child offering some small piece of confectionery to his father. "If a child offers it with love, the father will appreciatively accept it, even though it is very insignificant. In a similar way, if one offers a leaf, a fruit, or a little water to God, Krsna will be very appreciative. 'Because he is giving me in faith and devotion, I accept it.'

"And what is the one piece of leaf and a fruit for God? It is nothing. He is being served by many thousands of Goddesses of Fortune. Laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambrahma-sevyamanam. Then what is the value of the leaf and flower and fruit? But still, He says, Tad aham asnami: 'Yes, I eat them.' And once God eats from your hand, then your life is successful."

Rukmavati: Myself and the other women had been painting the Ratha-yatra carts. That particular morning was so cold that there was ice on the carts when we awoke. It was very austere, but now we were getting special nectar in being able to go on Srila Prabhupada's morning walk. As we walked through the gardens, Ramaniya was chanting her rounds right behind Srila Prabhupada. Ramaniya was "famous" for her loud chanting. In fact, her chanting would sometimes even disturb the devotees because no-one could concentrate on their own chanting while near her. As the walk proceeded, her chanting became gradually louder and louder. She walked behind Srila Prabhupada with her head down, looking intently at his feet. All of a sudden Srila Prabhupada stopped and Ramaniya almost ran into the back of him, her head still down. Startled, she took some steps back. I thought: 'Boy, now she's going to get it', but Prabhupada turned slowly and said: 'Very nice! This chanting is very nice.'

Just before returning to the car, Prabhupada passed some very tall eucalyptus trees. He favoured eucalyptus twigs for brushing his teeth each morning, and had said that they were almost as good as the antiseptic neem twigs of India. Cittahari had been collecting them daily, cutting them just as Prabhupada liked -- the thickness of the little finger and about six inches long -- and had been soaking them in water overnight. Stopping under one handsome eucalypt, Prabhupada asked the general group of devotees, "Who is it that's getting me the eucalyptus twigs every day?"

Cittahari spoke up. "It's me, Srila Prabhupada."

Prabhupada smiled. "They are perfect, just perfect. Thank you very much."

Cittahari was touched by Prabhupada's gratitude and felt inspired to continue the humble service.


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