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Dipak had just developed some photographs of the Sydney temple in Double Bay, which Prabhupada had not visited. He was eager to show them. At an appropriate break in the conversation, Dipak placed them on the table in front of Srila Prabhupada who scrutinised them one by one.

Srila Prabhupada: Hmm. Nice pictures. In Sydney, the Radha-Krsna Deity is also nice, very nice. What is this?

Dipak: These are our tulasi plants, Srila Prabhupada. They grow very nicely.

Prabhupada: Hmm. There's also very nice worship at Sydney. Eh?

Dipak: Those pictures were taken on Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Appearance Day.

Prabhupada: Oh? Krsna is giving intelligence. The more you serve Krsna, the more He will give you intelligence.

When Prabhupada looked at the photographs of Radha-Gopinatha, he recalled his first visit to Sydney in 1971. "So, when I installed the Deity, then I prayed to Krsna, that 'I am leaving You in their hands, so give them intelligence and take Your service. No responsibility. Now it is Your business. Give them intelligence and they will serve you nicely. Otherwise, don't take my offence.'"

The devotees laughed affectionately. Prabhupada continued. "Yes, when I left Sydney after installing, I actually prayed to the Deity: 'I am leaving You here in this mleccha desa.' (More laughter) 'Now, these devotees, they have come to You, kindly give them intelligence so that they can serve You nicely. This is my prayer.'"

Caru spoke up. "You said we were all nonsense at that time."

Prabhupada nodded. "But Krsna will give you sense. It is better to remain nonsense. Then Krsna will be very kind. He'll give sense. That is stated. As soon as you become overt sense [over intelligent], then you fall down. Better you remain nonsense. Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained nonsense before his spiritual master. Guru more murkha dekhi karila sasana. 'My guru maharaja saw me as a grand fool, therefore he has punished me in this way: 'Chant Hare Krsna. No more reading of Vedanta.' He presented himself. He said that to Prakasananda: 'My guru maharaja found me a great fool. Therefore he said: 'Don't read any books. Simply chant Hare Krsna. Chant.' That student is very nice who remains a great fool before his spiritual master. Yes."

After graciously receiving all the gifts, Prabhupada asked that all the devotees present be given a little prasadam. Later at the temple Prabhupada gave his final Bhagavad-gita class for the visit.


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