When does a disciple become beautiful?
Sukadeva Dasa: Daily I had been going on morning walks with Srila Prabhupada and once when we were driving back in the car I said, "Srila Prabhupada, you said that if a tree has fruit then it becomes beautiful, and if a woman has a child then she becomes beautiful. When does a disciple become beautiful?" I was praising myself, thinking, "This is such a nice metaphor and I asked such a nice question about it." Prabhupada immediately laced into me. He said, "Oh? You have not read our books? What is the meaning of this verse, ar na koriho mane asa? What is the meaning?" I said, "I don't know, Srila Prabhupada." Prabhupada looked at me and said, "Hmm, parrot-like chanting." I was driving so I could not jump out of the car, and there were heavy-duty sannyasis in the car, Brahmananda, Guru Kripa, who gave me the sannyasi sour look, "Sukadeva, what are you doing asking Prabhupada this question?" I thought, "Oh, Krishna!" Then Prabhupada said, "What is the meaning of yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado?" I said, "By the mercy of the spiritual master one gets the mercy of Krishna, Srila Prabhupada." Prabhupada said, "Yes. When the disciple is strictly following the order of the spiritual master, then he is beautiful. Otherwise he is ugly."
Reference: Memories Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint - Volume 3 by Siddhanta Dasa
Recently Added
Trending Today