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Srila Prabhupada continued to speak with Satsvarupa dasa Goswami and others about the program at St Paschal's.

"So, the priestly order this morning, they liked it very much."

Cittahari confirmed that they had. He made mention of a priest from another monastery who had attended the lecture and commented to the devotees how he felt that Srila Prabhupada had genuine respect for Jesus.

Prabhupada agreed. "Yes. We must have respect. Respectable person must be respected. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's [philosophy]. Amanina manadena, don't expect any respect for yourself, but you offer respect to everyone. This is Krsna consciousness. I am not worthy [of] anything. Even he is an ant, he is respected. Therefore that St Francis ... I say it is very nice, immediately, because he was embracing a tree also, so that is God consciousness, advanced God consciousness. Because everywhere there is part and parcel of God."

Prabhupada began to describe his childhood. "Actually, what I am doing was all taught in our childhood by our parents, my family. We were taught: 'There is a grain of rice on the ground, and if it is touched by your feet, you should pick up the grain and touch it to your head.' This was our training.

"The idea behind -- that the grain of rice is not man-made. It is sent by God. 'Oh, God, give us our daily bread.' So here is the bread. It is God's mercy .. What is given by God, that is also God. This is God consciousness. How can you disrespect a thing which is given by God. You cannot produce rice. You cannot produce bread. It is given by God."

Prabhupada went on to glorify Jesus Christ. "Who will not respect Jesus Christ? He sacrificed everything for God, even his life. So who is that rascal that he'll not respect Jesus Christ? What did he do wrong to human society? He did everything for the good of mankind. Oh, I have got very, very, great respect for Lord Jesus Christ. Every God conscious man, he must have respect for Jesus Christ. There is no doubt about it. My guru maharaja had very great respect for Mohammed and Jesus Christ."

It struck the devotees present that since he himself was always on the preaching field, Prabhupada could appreciate how Christ gave everything to preach and yet was always tolerant, even against the ultimate challenges.

A Vaisnava, Prabhupada continued, was naturally endowed with all good qualities and always offered great respect to the paraphernalia of God, to God's devotees and God's temple. "Just like we worship tulasi. Why? Because she is very dear to Visnu. When the tulasi leaf is offered to Krsna, He becomes very pleased. Therefore we love tulasi. Because He likes. In common words they say: 'If you love me, love my dog.' I have seen people do that. One man is going with his dog. His friend meets, and if the friend pats the dog, the man becomes pleased ... Just like if you have got your child on your lap, if some friends come and take your child and pat him and kiss him, then you become pleased, immediately. 'Oh, this gentleman loves my child so much.' Similarly, if a Vaisnava or devotee is respected, then Krsna is more pleased. Therefore, being respectful to guru makes it easier to receive the mercy from God."


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