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Prabhupada had a small band of disciples in San Francisco-not more than fifteen-but they were becoming intensely attached to him, especially since his poignant departure and now his return into their midst. Each of them wanted to engage more in Prabhupada's personal service, although only his secretaries, Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi, and his servant, Upendra, were allowed to be with him constantly. One of the devotees asked Prabhupada about feeling envy toward those devotees who seemed to be especially favored. Everyone, Prabhupada replied, from Lord Brahma and Indra down to the insignificant ant, is sometimes envious. No one wants to tolerate another person's advancement or an other person's taking an exalted position. And it is a fact, Prabhupada said, that if we find a person excelling in a field or serving the spiritual master, then that person is very fortunate by Krsna's arrangement. But in the spiritual world there is not envy over such a thing. Rather, in the spiritual world everyone is pleased and excited to see that one person is in a more advanced position. They are enthused and gladdened by it. But in the material world there is always competitive nature and envy. His words pacified them. If Prabhupada allowed someone to serve him, they would accept it as the arrangement of Krsna.

But everyone got a chance to accompany Swamiji on his morning walks. They were open to whoever wanted to go. Usually one or two of the brahmacaris and one or two householder couples would accompany him. They would drive Prabhupada to the park in the temple's car, a 1952 blue Ford coupe. Usually Jayananda would drive the car. The passenger seat was broken and tilted back at a forty-five-degree angle to the ground, and although Prabhupada sat up straight, his chin held high, the seat slanted so much that he could only see out of the lowest part of the window. But it was the only car they had, and Prabhupada never complained.

He began his old routine of daily walking around Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park. Healthy, free, and spontaneous, always in command, talking and preaching, Prabhupada seemed very happy to be back in San Francisco. And there were also new devotees who were seeing him for the first time.


- From "Prabhupada-lila" by HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami