Flowers and garlands decorated the temple vyasasana that was set up on stage before the gigantic pipe organ. A large flower show had finished just that afternoon, and since the organisers had not yet removed all the potted plants and greenery, devotees had included them in the attractive stage setting.
Devotees chanted for twenty minutes until Srila Prabhupada arrived, then sat down around him in a semicircle on stage. Prabhupada sang the bhajana Jaya Radha Madhava with deep feeling. He opened his Bhagavad-gita volume to the correct page, and put on his horn-rimmed eyeglasses.
Immediately his demeanour changed. It appeared that Srila Prabhupada had gone into deep, professorial meditation. This feature of Srila Prabhupada also emphasised his scholarship and wisdom, and his contemplation of the scriptures.
Prabhupada's lecture was long and full. Several hundred people appeared to listen attentively. But when it came time for questions, the rather nondescript crowd was silent. Prabhupada asked several times for questions, but the hall was quiet. After a particularly painful silence, Prabhupada indicated for kirtana to start, exited the stage, and left through the side door into the balmy Sydney night.
In the car on the way back to the temple, Madhudvisa expressed his amazement that not one question had been asked. Prabhupada gave his judgment: "They are dull-headed -- simply meat-heads. They cannot understand philosophy. So give them prasadam, and chanting. That's all."
- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
Comments