Srila Prabhupada's sense of Humour
Toshana Krishna Dasa: When Prabhupada rang the bell, I rushed in and said, "Yes, Srila Prabhupada?". In 1968, "Prabhupada" was a new term only months before we had addressed him as "Swamiji". Prabhupada said, "First of all, you have forgotten to pay your obeisances". I had rushed in out of my sleeping bag and when he said that I hit the floor. Then I heard Srila Prabhupada's low chuckle. He said, "That's all right. Its all just for practice," and he called me closer and said, "Come sit down. Why did you call me to Santa Fe and then tell me to go to Los Angeles?". I had nothing to do with Prabhupada's travel arrangements, I was barely 18 and had been in the movement for just two months. Later, it occurred to me that Prabhupada was talking to me to help me relax, but at the time I was startled. I said, "Well, Srila Prabhupada, Govinda Dasi. . ." and that's as far as I got. I was a brahmachari, and Prabhupada was about to train me. "Govinda Dasi! Never listen to a woman." Now, Prabhupada loved Govinda Dasi. Govinda Dasi would go wherever Prabhupada went, or Prabhupada would send her in advance to check things out. He trusted her very much. She and her husband did illustrations for books and so forth. But in a teasing way he said, "Never listen to a woman." Then he leaned back, looked at me again and said, "So what did she say?" I said, "Srila Prabhupada, she said that Santa Fe, New Mexico, is on the continental divide and is at a high elevation." I don't know why but maybe because I mentioned the continental divide, he said, "You're an intelligent boy." I went on, "We're in the upper atmosphere here, the air is thin, you're a heart patient and. . ." "Ohhh, so you think I will come here and die?" and he opened his eyes wide. I didn't know what to say. He said, "So many people live here. I cannot come?" Then, with just me there and without kartals or mridanga, he recited the Samsara prayers, "samsara-davanala-lidha-loka" and after that we chanted japa.
Reference: Memories Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint - Volume 3 by Siddhanta Dasa
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