Before leaving for the temple that afternoon, Srila Prabhupada had
been sitting in his room talking with his senior disciples. Scholarly,
bespectacled Pradyumna had come to Prabhupada with various technical
questions on Sanskrit vocabulary. Prabhupada, as he often did, had
turned the conversation into a full-blown philosophical discussion.
The devotees present had relished the opportunity of witnessing
Prabhupada's exhilarating presentation of Krsna consciousness, and
were especially pleased when Prabhupada again invited them all up to
his room after his Sunday feast lecture.
Pradyumna, Syamasundara, Mohanananda, Nanda Kumara and a few others
now sat expectantly before Srila Prabhupada. He appeared to have an
endless store of energy and enthusiasm to preach. The devotees
reciprocated by eagerly hearing from him, hardly noticing as the
pinkish dusk sky darkened to blue then black. By 11pm, despite their
best intentions to stay awake, the assembled devotees could not hide
their fatigue. As heads nodded, Srila Prabhupada paused. "Alright," he
announced and the devotees rose to take rest.
Still marvelling at Prabhupada's unquenchable preaching spirit, a few
of the devotees left the house to return to the temple. Syamasundara
and Nanda Kumara, still a little "jetlagged" prepared to take rest in
the servants' quarters. Syamasundara had barely drifted off to sleep
when he awoke with a start. Prabhupada was ringing his little brass
bell and calling his name. Syamasundara arose and entered Prabhupada's
room.
"Yes, Srila Prabhupada?" he asked.
Srila Prabhupada was grave. "Sit down," he announced; but it was soon
obvious to Syamasundara that Srila Prabhupada wanted nothing at all,
other than the opportunity to glorify Krsna. Syamasundara listened
attentively.
- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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