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Srutakirti was in the habit of cooking quite a substantial amount of prasadam for Srila Prabhupada's lunch during their stay in Perth. It had become part of the daily routine that while Amogha was out looking for potential guests to meet Prabhupada, and Ganesa was out on sankirtana, Srutakirti, Jayadharma and Paramahamsa would stay back and enjoy the remnants of Prabhupada's lunch -- in very large quantities. Supplementing the meal with extra quantities of excellent Australian yoghurt, they were tending to overeat, and of course after eating they would sleep.

On this particular day, after an especially excessive eating session, all three men slept soundly for several hours. Towards the end of the afternoon, Srila Prabhupada walked past the servant's room on the way to the bathroom and chanced to look in and saw the devotees fast asleep. He angrily woke Srutakirti and asked him to come immediately to his room.

Srutakirti, who normally only rested lightly during the day, found himself covered by an especially heavy cloud of ignorance. Still rubbing his eyes, he entered Srila Prabhupada's room and paid his obeisances. Prabhupada sat gravely behind his desk. He spoke sternly to chastise his disciple.

"So what is going on? You have become worse than the karmis.
They don't sleep during the day. They are out working very hard. But the devotees ..." Prabhupada shook his head in disgust. "... the devotees are sleeping."

Prabhupada's look of anger turned to one of concern. "Bring everyone," he said, and gestured for Srutakirti to leave. Srutakirti woke the others, and all three returned to Prabhupada's room. Still appearing very stern, Prabhupada reiterated to the three red-eyed young men what he had said to Srutakirti, adding that the karmis were actually better than they were.

"They are out working hard just for some sex and to maintain their families; but because Krsna is supplying us a little money, then 'Ah! That is all right! Krsna is sending, we can spend, eat and sleep!'"

Prabhupada's chastisement went on for some minutes more. Then he suggested that someone bring a book and begin reading. As the devotees read aloud, they felt their ignorance dissipate. It was as if a heavy curtain was being lifted. Prabhupada, the transcendental physician, had once again supplied the medicine -- hearing and chanting about the glories of Lord Sri Krsna -- to wipe out the disease of ignorance. The afternoon thus ended on a pleasant note, with an inspiring question and answer session before Prabhupada spoke to his scheduled guest -- a young Indian boy.

The youth appeared like a hippy. He told Srila Prabhupada that he wanted to go to Sydney, but that he couldn't get a job to make the money. He asked Prabhupada how he could become a pure devotee. Srila Prabhupada told him, "You can live with us."


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