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Prabhupada rose to depart. Although his quarrelsome sons and daughters in New Zealand certainly needed his association, so did the rest of the world. As he had explained to the press, he had come to New Zealand to encourage his disciples. "They are also trying their best to spread this Krsna consciousness movement," he had said. But he had thousands of other disciples, and they too were waiting for him. Prabhupada had written of his plans to Giriraja in Bombay only one day before.

Tomorrow we go to Fiji for some time, and the laying of the foundation stone of our new temple there, then on to Hawaii. By about June 1st we should reach Los Angeles. After that, we are planning to visit Detroit, New York Ratha-yatra tentatively scheduled in late June, then New Vrndavana. Before returning to India, we shall stop over in Europe for about two weeks, and possibly Tehran.

Prabhupada's business was as a parivrajakacarya, travelling mendicant. In the southernmost land of New Zealand, as in Australia, only a rare few had come forward to help him, and Prabhupada had worked with them. By Prabhupada's personal presence, so much could be achieved. But that would not always be possible. Touring, therefore, was but another attempt at making his organisation as strong as possible while it was within his power to do so. Actually, he was living for others and he didn't think he would live much longer. Prabhupada wanted to continue touring, building ISKCON, saving as many lost souls as possible. And he wanted to impress upon his sincere followers, and upon those who would read his books, that every human being should take up this same work and live for the benefit of others by distributing Krsna consciousness.


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