One day after a walk, Prabhupada told Aniruddha that Los Angeles reminded him of Bombay and that he wanted to build a very big temple in Los Angeles. Although Aniruddha was not one to endeavor hard for building a big temple, Prabhupada still told him his vision. Another day Prabhupada called Aniruddha in and showed him the Deity of Radha and Krsna that Gaurasundara and Subala had carved. Prabhupada's eyes were shining. "I want to have Radha-Krsna Deities in everyone's home," he said. Aniruddha was amazed by the joyful expression on Prabhupada's face.
"What can I do?" Aniruddha asked.
"I want you to go to different foundries and find out the cost of casting Deities."
Aniruddha and Subala then phoned and visited various foundries in the Los Angeles area, returning with information. But their investigations were unbusinesslike and not well thought out. Knowing this, Prabhupada smiled and asked, "So, what intelligent news do you have for me today?" Aniruddha knew Prabhupada was criticizing him, but he could only giggle in return. He loved it.
One morning Aniruddha went to see Prabhupada with what he considered a frightening story. Before dawn he had been out in the park collecting eucalyptus twigs for Prabhupada to use as toothbrushes. He had been standing on a park bench cutting the branch of a tree with his knife when a police car had suddenly pulled up and a policeman had rushed out of the car. "What are you doing?" the policeman demanded. Aniruddha explained that he was getting toothbrushes for his spiritual master. The policeman had said, "Don't you know that these trees belong to the city? They belong to the people of California." He had said that Aniruddha could be arrested for carrying an open knife. When he had asked Aniruddha what was in the bag around his neck, Aniruddha had shown him his beads. The policeman had then asked if Aniruddha had come from a mental institution.
Prabhupada smiled to hear the story and inquired, "Did you ask him if he was crazy?"
- From "Prabhupada-lila" by HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
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