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Anyway, enthusiasm is the first qualification. So you go lift mountains for Krishna too.

Dhananjaya prabhu returned Srila Prabhupada's footprints to me this morning. The artisans he has seen have all said that they cannot make accurate reproductions from the oil-on-paper impressions, so Srila Prabhupada graciously agreed to make a set of clay ones. Remembering the difficulties we had in New York, I told Dhananjaya what size to make the box, the texture that the clay should be (not too firm and not too soft) and to remember to leave a one-inch gap all around for the clay to spread into when Prabhupada stepped onto it. I also suggested that he sprinkle a little talcum powder on the surface so the clay wouldn't stick to Prabhupada's feet. Accordingly, just before massage, Dhananjaya brought the box into Prabhupada's sitting room. His Divine Grace was full of smiles. As Dhananjaya set the box down on the Floor just in front of the fireplace, Srila Prabhupada raised his eyebrows slightly and peered over. "What is that?" he asked. "I'd like to get your footprints, Srila Prabhupada, if that's all right with you." "But we have already given a set to New Vrindaban," Prabhupada teased. "Well, I thought it would be nice if we could get a set for old Vrindavana, Srila Prabhupada," Dhananjaya replied a little apprehensively. Prabhupada tipped his head to the side in assent and, rising from his asana, he stepped over to the box. Holding lightly onto the mantle shelf of the fireplace to steady himself, he deftly stepped squarely onto the clay. As he stood with his feet together on the surface, he allowed me to press down on his lotus feet as he had done in New York, to ensure a good impression. In a few seconds it was done, and the result was a set of clear lotus footprints, although the right foot came out a little deeper than the left. Dhananjaya took the box away happily. His intention is to have some sets made from pure silver and sell them to the temples.


Reference: Transcendental Diary Volume 5 by Hari Sauri Dasa





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