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During question-time, a strange, dishevelled hippy with long hair, but dressed in devotional apparel, stood up at the back of the audience and spoke to Prabhupada in a challenging tone. "Is it possible to see Krsna right now?"

Prabhupada appeared grave. "Why don't you see Him in your back?" he said, indicating that the Deity of Krsna was right behind him.

But the man's mood was confrontational. "But can't I just see Him?"

"Well, you have no eyes to see."

"Can I see Him within?"

"Yes."

But the man was not satisfied with Prabhupada's answer. "Why? Why is it not so easy? Why can't each one of us .. "

"You have to become qualified."

"Why do I have to become qualified? Why?"

Prabhupada remained patient and grave. "Yes. Suppose if there is a big man before you in some meeting, can you talk with him?"

"Why?"

"No, no.First of all answer this. Suppose there is a big meeting going on and some big man is present. Suppose the President is there. Can you talk with him? Why? Why you cannot talk? For talking we think you require some qualification. It is not that He's so cheap that you can talk with Krsna immediately.

atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah.

"So, if you accept Krsna as the Supreme Lord, then you have to qualify yourself to talk with Him."

The man appeared to understand. "By His grace, Krsna will show Himself to you?"

"Yes. If you read the Krsna book and if you believe, then you see Krsna. He is not different from the book."

But the man, irrational and distracted, stumbled on. "But we can read books till the cows come home. What good is that going to do?"

Tusta Krsna offered the man some good advice. "You have to accept what you read. You can't read with an argumentative attitude, or you can't ask questions in an argumentative attitude. You'll never learn."

Man: I can only accept what I experience.

Prabhupada: What is your experience?

Man: My experience is that I have seen Krsna with my own eyes.

Prabhupada: You have seen?

Man: Yes.

Prabhupada: That's very nice.

(Laughter)

Man: It hasn't been hard.

Prabhupada: That's nice.

Man: I haven't had to read any words.

Prabhupada: Oh, then you are perfect.

(More laughter)

Tusta Krsna asked if there were any more questions. The unkempt man attempted to speak, but Prabhupada's expert rejoinder silenced him at last. "Sit down, you are perfect."This final riposte drew the loudest laughter from the attentive audience.

After the last few questions, Prabhupada remained in the temple room to give a general darsana. By now, the guests overflowed into the hallway and out the front door. Pusta Krsna suggested that if any more people had brought daksina and gifts they could bring them now. The devotees struck up a melodic kirtana as more devotees came forward to present their offerngs. Soon, heaps of offerings were piled up around the base of the vyasasana -- boxes of dried and fresh fruit, cellophane-wrapped presents, jars of home-made sweets, wicker baskets of cookies, woollen scarves, hats, socks and various other items. Prabhupada smiled at the assembled devotees, and spoke final words of encouragement.

As Srila Prabhupada left the temple room, Pusta Krsna Swami picked up his slippers at the doorway. "Here are your slippers, Your Divine Grace." Prabhupada brushed the rose petals from his feet and slipped on his shoes. Those fortunate enough grabbed for the petals, a unique opportunity to take the dust of the lotus feet of a pure devotee.

Prasadam was served to all the devotees and guests as Prabhupada returned to his room. A number of Indian gentlemen had been invited to meet with Srila Prabhupada, including one favourably-disposed man, Doctor Singh, from Auckland's Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The evening program had finished so late, however, that Prabhupada regretfully decided that it would not be possible to meet them.


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