My anxietyThe airport reception was, as always, a large turnout. Over the last few days, the temple population had swelled as devotees from Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland had converged in Melbourne for Srila Prabhupada's one-week visit. Only a small handful of devotees remained at the temple while everyone else chanted enthusiastically in the arrival lounge.Srila Prabhupada was, by now, accustomed to much fanfare at airport greetings. Only if the rhythmic crash of hand cymbals, the mrdanga beat and the chanting chorus of devotees became wild or disruptive would he object. Otherwise, as Krsna's representative, he would approve of the excited reception. His receiving flowers and obeisances, as he had pointed out to quizzical reporters at a similar Melbourne reception two years before, was exactly like a viceroy accepting tribute on behalf of the king, or a tax collector soliciting funds on behalf of the state. By Prabhupada's grace, the praise and worship he received was going directly to Krsna.When it appeared that Prabhupada was soon going to get through immigration, the kirtana reached fever pitch. Devotees jostled in front of the exit door, chanting enthusiastically. Srila Prabhupada emerged alone. His entourage was held up at Customs. The devotees were struck with his regal demeanour. He walked straight, cane in hand with head held high, showing his satisfaction by glancing lovingly at his spiritual sons and daughters.Prabhupada was the spiritual father of his disciples; every ISKCON centre was his home; and now Prabhupada had come again to Australia -- his sixth visit -- to see his children and grandchildren. Prabhupada had often cited a specific reason for his constant touring. "My duty," he had said at one arrival address, "is to see that my disciples who have accepted me as guru, may not fall down. That is my anxiety."The devotees accompanied Srila Prabhupada, now covered in garlands of lavender, fragrant red roses and carnations, to a lounge area. He sat with them for a while, smiling and talking, and then stood to attend a press conference in the nearby VIP lounge. Reporters stepped forward with cameras, microphones and notepads. They had not come to offer Prabhupada devotional praise, and yet they also appeared to be serving him by offering him the opportunity to preach. Their questions were predictably trivial; yet Prabhupada dealt with the press with genuine concern.After the conference, Prabhupada rose, taking off two of his garlands. A devotee offered one to a fortunate reporter, and the other one to Ugrasrava's young son Janaka, who grinned shyly. Stepping into a waiting car fully decorated inside with garlands of marigolds, Prabhupada left for the temple.- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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