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Yasomatinandana had recently returned from a trip to India, where he had purchased a large pair of Gaura-Nitai Deities. The temple had also been given a handsome set of Jagannatha Deities. Yasomatinandana had planned to ask Srila Prabhupada to install them during his Auckland visit. But, since the temple was so understaffed -- there were only 12 devotees -- it had not seemed appropriate to prematurely increase the worship. On the advice, and pleading, of Rama dasa and his wife, Laksmana, the only two pujaris, Yasomatinandana had decided not to install the Deities, and had put them away in a cupboard till a future, unspecified time.

It was close to midnight by the time most devotees had left the room. Tall, thin Yasomatinandana suddenly spoke up. "Srila Prabhupada, we have these Deities, Gaura-Nitai and Lord Jagannatha. Can we install Them?" Rama dasa could not believe his ears.

Prabhupada looked at him quizzically, "Why?"

Yasomatinandana was not expecting such a question, and became flustered. "Well, uh, Srila Prabhupada, it's Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement and we want to worship Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. I think that's important -- and these little Lord Jagannatha Deities on the altar -- we want to have a Ratha-yatra festival, but no one will be able to see them, They're so small."

It wasn't clear whether Yasomatinandana was asking for Prabhupada's formal approval for the Deities to be installed, or whether he wanted Prabhupada to decide whether they needed to be installed at all. There was a stony silence. Prabhupada looked a little disgusted. He turned to the sannyasis. "He simply thinks they're dolls. He thinks they are idols -- that's all."

It was obvious to Srila Prabhupada that Yasomatinandana did not understand the value of the Deity. But, despite the fact that the temple appeared unprepared, and despite his irritation at Yasomatinandana's foolish presentation, Prabhupada concluded the conversation by saying that he would give the idea more thought.


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