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Srila Prabhupada and Offered Garland

One day I was wearing a shriveled garland from Bhaktivinode Thakur's picture. That day I was thinking, "Oh gee, Prabhupada doesn't really know me. He knows so many devotees so well, but he hardly knows me." I was feeling bad that I didn't get to do much for Srila Prabhupada. So the very day I'd been thinking that, I went upstairs when Prabhupada was in his room. First I stopped in fear and awe, and then I walked in and put the flower vases in their places and offered my obeisances. I was flustered and was trying to back out of the room.

Prabhupada looked at the old garland I was wearing and said, "Where from you got this garland? Here, you take this one," and he took the fresh garland from that morning that he had just put over the picture of the Deities and gave it to me. I felt so happy, and I realized that Prabhupada knew exactly what we needed in spiritual life. I was so encouraged by Srila Prabhupada. But I also felt foolish that Prabhupada had to cater to me. Still, that was a treasured moment.


Reference: Memories Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint - Volume 2 by Siddhanta Dasa