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The main interviewer thought that Prabhupada's mention of his guru maharaja was in reference to the infamous Mayavadi boy-guru. "What is your opinion of the Guru Maharaji?" Prabhupada raised his eyebrows. "Not only Guru Maharaji, so many Maharaja. So this movement is authorised. Others, they are some imaginary sentiments. That's all. This Krsna consciousness movement is authorised movement -- Vedic culture. And they, in the name of Vedic culture, are talking some nonsense. That's all. That is the difference. Do you know about Guru Maharaji?"

Interviewer: No, no.

Prabhupada: None of you?

Interviewer: You've met him?

Prabhupada: No, what business I have got to meet him? He says that he is God. Do you believe that bogus statement? That he's God? That is all simply foolishness. If somebody says: 'I am God', do you think it is a very reasonable statement? Bogus. Simple thing, bogus.

Interviewer: Bogus?

Prabhupada: Bogus!

Prabhupada concluded the half-hour interview by trying to impress upon the reporters the weightiness of the Krsna consciousness movement. "It is a very serious movement. We are trying to educate people how to get out of the entanglement of the cycle of birth and death. Therefore there are so many books on the subject matter. It is not to be compared to the so many rascal movements. If you are serious you can study our books, you can try to understand the philosophy, science; then the whole human society will be benefited."

The hot lights were turned off and the cameras packed away. Soon the room was quiet and empty again.

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Srila Prabhupada continued to attend to his mail. He had received a letter from Tania, the girl in Melbourne who had given him a gold necklace. She had asked Srila Prabhupada for some advice, since her husband was a meat-eater and was somewhat inimical to the devotees. Prabhupada wrote an encouraging reply:

My dear Mrs Perera,

Please accept my blessings. I wish to thank you for your kind offering which I have duly given to Srimati Radharani. This is the way, to give the very best thing to Radha-Krishna. Decorated with love, Krishna will accept even the humble offering of a leaf, flower, fruit or even some water from his devotee. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can worship Krishna following this simple formula.

Now you are placed in some awkward circumstance for rendering devotional service as you have mentioned in your letter to me. Devotional service is so powerful that it cannot be stopped in any circumstance. There are histories of many great devotees, like Prahlada Maharaja, who was living in the house of his demon father, Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyakasipu did not even like to hear the name of Krishna, but Prahlada had perfect faith in chanting the holy names of the maha mantra, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, and in this way Krishna saved Prahlada in the end.

So please be patient and go on chanting Hare Krishna and try to visit the temple as much as possible. Krishna will offer you all protection and make all suitable arrangements for His devotees to engage in His service. Thank you for your keen interest.

I hope this meets you in good health,

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami


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