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After taking his lunch, Prabhupada made preparations to leave. Madhudvisa had invited the full-time book distributors to the house for a final darsana, and they sat, eager for some last-minute instructions. Madhudvisa introduced the devotees one by one. Srila Prabhupada spoke briefly, thanking the young boys and girls for their book distribution efforts, urging them to not only distribute his books, but also to read them. Prabhupada's mood was encouraging, but grave.

"So, you like rasagulla?"

The devotees responded in unison with cries of affirmation. After distributing a few of the round white juicy confections, Srila Prabhupada turned his attention to packing.

It was Srila Prabhupada's practice at the end of a visit to give away many items that had been offered to him during his stay. He almost always received extra sweaters, scarves and socks that he would usually wear, at least once, or carry for a while and then give away, either personally or through his servant. Prabhupada's personal effects were very few. Over the years he had given away gold rings, watches, bead bags -- practically everything. As he gave away, he would receive more; what was offered to him was transformed into his charity to others.

Ugrasrava had decided that Prabhupada's white vinyl attache case had seen better days. Srila Prabhupada had carried it around the world for years. Ugrasrava had purchased a larger, high-quality Samsonite case, covered it with saffron cloth, and had Prabhupada's initials engraved on it in gold.

Ugrasrava also entertained a secret desire: that Prabhupada, after accepting the bag, might give him the old one in exchange.

Ugrasrava: I handed Prabhupada the new bag, and he scrutinised it carefully. He unzipped it and looked through all the compartments. Then he picked up his little white bag, put it inside the saffron one, zipped it up, and stood up. I could tell that Prabhupada was playing a game with me.

Prabhupada squatted down again, unzipped both bags and transferred the contents of the white one into the saffron one. But then he put the white bag inside the orange one again, and stood.

Finally, he took out the white bag, and held both bags, one in each hand, as if to compare them. Then, in a matter-of-a-fact way, he looked at me, holding out the white bag. "Did you want this?"

It was time to go. Prabhupada put on his white shawl-necked sweater over his saffron kurta, wrapped his white chaddar over his shoulders and rose to leave the room. Little Janaka pressed forward and handed him a bouquet of flowers. Prabhupada thanked him, smiling warmly.

Prabhupada glanced at the devotees still seated on the floor. "So, everything is all right?" He turned to Madhudvisa. "Give them these flowers." The devotees responded: "Jaya, Srila Prabhupada." Madhudvisa distributed individual long-stemmed blooms from a couple of large bunches of daffodils.

"I can distribute these rasagullas?" Madhudvisa asked, indicating the rest of a large bowl on Prabhupada's desk. Srila Prabhupada smiled broadly and with a movement of his head said, "Yes", causing the devotees to again laugh. The devotees licked the sweet syrup off their hands and offered their obeisances as Prabhupada left the building into the sunshine of the bright afternoon and to the back seat of the waiting Ford LTD.


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