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SPs disciples grab sweets from sweetshops while riding on Rickshaw

"One time in the early 1970's, some of the young Western chaps came here and began to snatch things from the sweetwallas (sweetshops). While riding rikshaws they grabbed sweetmeats. Some local people gathered and went to Vishvambhar Goswami. "Maharaja, we are very poor persons and by selling we are maintaining our families. Please you tell Srila Swami Maharaja in the Radha Damodara temple that they are snatching. If they want we will give them some sweets but they should not snatch.' Vishvambhar Goswami said to Srila Prabhupada, "Maharaja, you are performing a circus? You have brought with you some lions and left them in the market.' Prabhupada said, "Oh, you are joking?' He said, "I am joking, but they are snatching from the locals hither and thither.' What happened I do not know, but in the evening in public he asked, "Who has taken these sweets and things from the market?' So two or three persons admitted they did it, but said, "Lord Krishna stole curd and butter.' Srila Prabhupada said to them, "Lord Krishna has lifted Giri Govardhana on His small finger, so can you do this? Are you a yogi? Are you Yogesvara, with all mystical power? Then don't do anything like this. If you need something and have no paisa you can request them and they will give. The Vrajavasis are so kind they will give you things to eat; but better you should purchase it. Don't take it in your pockets like a looter.' " I heard him say to his disciples, 'All of you, it seems the Vrajavasis may dislike you but you should offer them pranamas. Because they are Vaishnava, if you do this you can get their mercy. If you want to get any of Radharani or Lord Krishna's mercy, then do seva of the Vaishnavas.'



Reference: Our Srila Prabhupada - a Friend to All by Gopal Chandra Ghosh