The devotees, now enthusiastic and rejuvenated, prepared to return to their respective temples around the world. It was decided, however, that some of them be encouraged to stay on and hold massive kirtana programs in Bombay to convince residents of the value of Krsna consciousness.
Madhudvisa suggested that the Australian devotees could go, since, being citizens of a Commonwealth country, they could travel freely in India without a visa. Prabhupada approved. Although some of the devotees were sick, the bedraggled group was soon en route to Bombay.
Everyday, the eight or ten Australian devotees joined their Godbrothers from around the world on early morning harinama processions through the local neighbourhood, led by Dinanatha dasa, Jayasacinandana dasa, Acyutananda Swami and other expert kirtana leaders. Sometimes they were fortunate to attend Srila Prabhupada's lively morning walks on Juhu Beach.
After longer chanting processions later in the morning led by Visnujana Swami, sometimes in downtown Bombay and sometimes in nearby Santa Cruz or Ville Parle, devotees would return for lunch. After the heat of the day faded, the devotees would sit in the temple and sing bhajanas, then they would again go out to the surrounding markets and shopping areas, advertising Srila Prabhupada's evening program at the temple.
In the night, after arriving in his jeep from the outskirts of Hare Krsna Land, Prabhupada would speak on Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 4 in the pandala tent adjoining the temple.
Balarama: After the lecture, there would be an arati ceremony where everyone of us danced very enthusiastically in front of Srila Prabhupada. Immediately after, Prabhupada would personally distribute the entire plate of Radha-Rasabihari's mahaprasadam to all of us. We'd squeeze and push and shove forward to get a handful of halava and fruit that Prabhupada expertly pushed into our eager hands.
After two weeks, the Australian devotees became restless. They had so much work to do before Prabhupada's imminent visit in Australia, they reasoned. Asking Giriraja to approach Srila Prabhupada on their behalf, they requested permission to return home on the plea of no engagement. Prabhupada sent back a stern message via Giriraja: "What is the question of 'no engagement'? There are so many opportunities to read and chant. Don't be impatient wanting to go here and there." So the devotees resigned themselves to a further week in Bombay. Finally, after six long weeks in India, the devotees headed back, refreshed, enlivened and rejuvenated for another year's preaching.
- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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