Taking Birth in a Brahmana Family in India
Srutakirti: While in New Navadwipa, Srila Prabhupada made a statement about taking birth in India. My godbrothers and I became concerned, so I asked Srila Prabhupada about it on a morning walk. 'Srila Prabhupada,' I said. 'You said the other day that Govinda dasi asked you if, in general, we would have to take birth in India before going back home and you said, "Yes." So, we were wondering how that's possible that we have to take birth in India, because we haven't seen many strict Vaishnavas there.' My godbrothers began to laugh, knowing my strong dislike for India.
"The land is there, just like this land," Srila Prabhupada compassionately said. "Vaishnavas are there. This land is not meant for spiritual culture, but still Vaishnavas are here. Similarly, in India, no, there are many Vaishnavas there. The masses of people in India are all Vaishnava."
We still required clarification. 'So by joining this movement, we come to the platform where we can take birth in India in a nice brahmana family?' Paramahamsa asked."No, you can go directly also if you want to finish your business," Srila Prabhupada replied. "Sucinam srimatam gehe." This is a consideration, one who fails in executing. But if you become successful, then you go directly where Krishna is there. Krishna is there in some universe. So those who are completely liberated, they go to that universe. Just like when Krishna comes here. In each and every universe there is a Vrindavana. So in that Vrindavana one takes birth, then goes to original Vrindavana."
Paramahamsa was still concerned about taking birth in India. 'Those who are not able to maintain the Krishna consciousness principle, then they may have to go to India next lifetime?' Paramahamsa continued. "Yes," Srila Prabhupada mercifully replied. "Srimatam, srimatam sucinam. So, srimatam. You can get here. Srimatam means rich, rich family. Here you get many families, Ford family . . . But, srimatam and sucinam. So if you are creating so many brahmanas; so if this cult is permanent, then there will be many brahmana families here in the West also."
Srila Prabhupada kindly satisfied our restless minds, and the conversation quickly changed. Srila Prabhupada, lost without your guidance I follow in your footsteps. I cringe with embarrassment recalling my offensive mentality, and lack of Krishna Consciousness. How dare I not recognize Vaishnavas in the land of Vaishnavas? You gently corrected my disrespectful manner of thinking without chastising me. You described how it is possible to take birth in this country if "this Krishna Conscious cult remains permanent." Your optimism in our ability to become Krishna Conscious in this life gives me hope, despite my fumbling over the years. I pray that someday I will see all living entities as devotees, as you have shown by your example.
Paramahamsa was still concerned about taking birth in India. 'Those who are not able to maintain the Krishna consciousness principle, then they may have to go to India next lifetime?' Paramahamsa continued. "Yes," Srila Prabhupada mercifully replied. "Srimatam, srimatam sucinam. So, srimatam. You can get here. Srimatam means rich, rich family. Here you get many families, Ford family . . . But, srimatam and sucinam. So if you are creating so many brahmanas; so if this cult is permanent, then there will be many brahmana families here in the West also."
Srila Prabhupada kindly satisfied our restless minds, and the conversation quickly changed. Srila Prabhupada, lost without your guidance I follow in your footsteps. I cringe with embarrassment recalling my offensive mentality, and lack of Krishna Consciousness. How dare I not recognize Vaishnavas in the land of Vaishnavas? You gently corrected my disrespectful manner of thinking without chastising me. You described how it is possible to take birth in this country if "this Krishna Conscious cult remains permanent." Your optimism in our ability to become Krishna Conscious in this life gives me hope, despite my fumbling over the years. I pray that someday I will see all living entities as devotees, as you have shown by your example.
Reference: Srila Prabhupada Uvacha by Srtuakirti Dasa
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