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Since his last visit to Melbourne, Prabhupada's artist disciple Syamananda had moved out of the temple and grown a beard. Today he had again come to see Srila Prabhupada. Some devotees had predicted that when Srila Prabhupada saw him in his non-Vaisnava attire and hairstyle, he would not be very pleased. Syamananda had just completed a new art painting -- half-oil, half-pastels, and now he had brought it to the house to present it to Srila Prabhupada as a gift.

Syamananda strained as he carried the heavy, one-and-a-half metre square painting down the hallway. He propped it against the wall outside Srila Prabhupada's room, and stopped to catch his breath. A couple of heads peered out of the room, ready to see Prabhupada's reaction.

Suddenly, Prabhupada was there in the hallway. He approached Syamananda and stopped, smiling, as he reached out and ruffled Syamananda's hair, and tickled his bearded chin. "So, what is this?"

"It's a beard, Srila Prabhupada."

"So, why do you have a beard?"

Syamananda tried to explain. "Well, I find it easier to relate to people if I look like them." He paused, realising the foolishness of the answer. "Actually, Srila Prabhupada, I have no idea why I've got a beard!" He laughed, and Prabhupada laughed with him. Immediately, the tense atmosphere became light and relaxed.

Prabhupada looked at the painting. "Who has done this?"

"I did, Srila Prabhupada. It's a present for you."

"Oh! Bring it in." Prabhupada displayed a boyish charm as he encouraged Syamananda to carry the painting into the room, although he could barely lift it. The painting with its white and gilt frame, was propped up near the fireplace as Prabhupada sat on his bed for a closer inspection.

"Ah! Radha and Krsna!" Prabhupada gazed lovingly at the gorgeous work for a long time.

Krsna stood in the centre of the painting. He wore a jewelled turban, played a silver flute, and wore a long garland of flower petals. Radharani, dressed in a white sari with a golden border, was kneeling, offering flowers and tulasi leaves at His lotus feet. The Divine Couple were standing by a lake, and behind them a peacock fully expanded his plumage as a backdrop. This entire circular centrepiece was expertly drawn with pastels and enclosed in glass. Surrounding this central portion, representing Krsna's abode, were rays of light filtered through a rainbow ring, and clouds, representing the spiritual sky, all painted in oils.

"This is very nice," exclaimed Prabhupada. He complimented Syamananda on his artistic hand. "I can write, you cannot write. You can paint, I cannot paint. So let us work together in Krsna's service." Prabhupada spoke for some time, discussing the materials and techniques that Syamananda had used, and how artistic talent itself could be well used as devotional service to Krsna.

Prabhupada further expressed his appreciation. "I would like this to be the first thing that I see when I awake in the morning and the last thing I see at night before I go to sleep."

Syamananda brought in a table beside the bed and with great difficulty lifted the painting on top. "Prabhupada is pleased", thought Syamananda. He offered his obeisances and left the room, satisfied and encouraged.

Satsvarupa Goswami, witnessing the events, once again marvelled at Prabhupada's sensitivity and expertise in his dealing with the delicate devotional lives of his disciples.


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