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Prabhupada warned of six things that would spoil one's devotional life; eating too much or collecting too much was the first of these. "Of course, for our preaching we require, but we shall collect as much as we require, not that we keep money in the bank and spend for some other purposes. That kind of collection is dangerous."

The second, he said, was prayasa. "Prayasa means endeavouring too much for getting something. Our life should be very simple. We shall act so simply that we shall have time for Krsna consciousness. So we should not attempt anything which is very difficult to execute."

"So, prajalpa, unnecessary talking all nonsense, politics, rascaldom, speculation, this, that. No. Be grave. Don't talk nonsense and waste time."

He described the last three items. "Niyamagraha. Niyamagraha means to not accept the regulative principles, niyama agraha. Agraha means not to accept, and niyamagraha means simply 'I am packed up with the regulative principles, but I do not see whether I am making progress'. So, laulyam, greediness and jana-sangah, to associate with non-devotees, unwanted persons. These six things should be avoided. And the first mentioned six things should be accepted. Then our progress is sure, without any failure." Prabhupada concluded his informal arrival talk by encouraging his disciples to read the new book, Nectar of Instruction. "Everything is there," he said.

Prabhupada sat back on his bolster cushion and spoke appreciatively about New Zealand. "It has everything, lots of cows and grass -- all the natural things that are necessary for Krsna consciousness. You are lucky to be living in such a nice country. So you are all very fortunate. I just request one thing from you." Prabhupada looked around the room in earnest, giving an admonitory message: "You please don't concoct anything."

Rama dasa squeezed through the crowd, balancing a silver plate of puris and a succulent vegetable preparation. Prabhupada, appearing completely at ease, unselfconsciously began to eat.

Jita Girisa: Prabhupada was completely relaxed and transcendental. He gracefully took pieces of puri, and, wrapping subji in them, threw them into his mouth. I was incredulous. I had never seen anyone eat like that before. Such perfect poise! He never once touched his mouth with his hands. He slightly tilted his head back and delicately dropped morsels into his mouth.

It was so graceful and aristocratic. It was like watching a king or a demigod eat. The amazing thing was that this appeared to him to be the most natural thing to do, to eat completely quietly, without feeling the least bit discomfort or distraction, despite the fact that there were over 75 devotees watching every move that he made.

Prabhupada turned to Rama dasa. "This is very nice. Are the peas fresh?" Rama dasa, embarrassed, explained that they were frozen. Prabhupada gave Rama dasa an intense look. "Frozen peas should never be offered to Krsna."

He turned to Tusta Krsna Swami and asked if he grew peas on his farm. Tusta Krsna confirmed that he did. Prabhupada requested him to supply fresh vegetables to the temple every day so that they could be offered to the Deities.

Srila Prabhupada picked up a glass goblet, tipped his head back, and held the glass up very high, allowing a silver stream of water to pour directly into his mouth.

Jita Girisa: This was the first time I had seen anyone drink water like this. It was perfect. Sometimes when you see an actor, they've rehearsed a role so many times that they force themselves to make it look as natural as possible. They don't make any mistake, because it's so well rehearsed. But Prabhupada's natural movements were much deeper than that.. They were just completely natural and graceful. We were all astounded to see them.

Prabhupada ate a little piece of sandesa and started distributing the rest of his prasadam to the devotees. Someone from the North Shore had brought a large jar of home-made juicy rasagullas. Prabhupada asked Hari-sauri to distribute the sweets until everyone in the room had one. Finally, Prabhupada turned to Hari-sauri. Kindly and thoughtful as ever, he asked, "So, did you get?" Hari-sauri said that he didn't. Prabhupada smiled lovingly. "So, you also take."


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