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Prabhupada felt enlivened from his talk with the scientists, and spent a large part of the afternoon speaking on various science-related topics to devotees in his room. At one stage Madhudvisa introduced Srila Prabhupada to his disciple Lagudi, a former racehorse trainer who had now adopted the life of a brahmacari in the Sydney temple. Originally from Yugoslavia and in the process of translating Srila Prabhupada's Sri Isopanisad into his mother tongue, Lagudi wondered whether Krsna consciousness could be spread in such places.

Srila Prabhupada did not see a problem. Krsna consciousness, he said, could be spread everywhere, even in communist countries. "Not difficult. Nothing is difficult. For the time being, it is difficult, but in due course of time it will be very easy."

Madhudvisa told Srila Prabhupada that Lagudi was anxious to translate more books into Yugoslavian.

Prabhupada: Yes, you do it. As many books as you like. You can do. Better you do no other things. Simply translate.

Lagudi: Bhagavad-gita?

Prabhupada: Yes, everything. Get it translated.

Madhudvisa: But then what to do with them? Wait till the time comes.

Prabhupada: Print. Print. Somewhere print, and go to your country and distribute. It is not possible? First of all let us do small books, then if there is sale, then we attempt bigger. We have got so many books. Translate.

Dhaumya, the boy who had constructed the large murti of Lord Caitanya, also came to see Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada again encouraged him to make more Deities. He showed Dhaumya a photograph of Lord Caitanya in a dancing pose. "The design is there. You are an artist. You can make, four feet high, as many as possible."

Madhudvisa suggested that instead of the regular synthetic material he was used to, perhaps Dhaumya could cast in brass. Prabhupada at first agreed with the proposal. But when Dhaumya admitted that he would first have to learn the art of brass casting, Prabhupada at once changed his mood.

"Then don't do it. That is impossible. If you have to learn, then forget it. Whatever you know, do that. I don't advise to learn and do something. That you'll never learn and never you will do. I know it. Forget it. What you know, do it."

Prabhupada sarcastically referred to some of his disciples from America who had gone to India to "learn" how to make mrdanga drums. "Just like our men are learning drum making. For hundreds of years, and nobody has become expert. I saw it practically in Mayapur. We spent so much money. Nobody could learn how to make the khol. Nobody. Not a single person. An ordinary thing. Therefore I am disappointed. Don't say "Let me learn". You will never learn."

Srila Prabhupada encouraged the devotees to work according to their propensities, and not waste time. Service to Krsna, he said, was the central principle. Prabhupada turned again to Dhaumya. "So you can try. Make some small ones, four feet high with the same materials, this style. You get some nice service manufacturing Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu manufactures everything, you manufacture Caitanya Mahaprabhu." The devotees laughed. How much great service is this?

"I'm not a scientist," Prabhupada added. "But I am creating scientists."


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