What is the value of flying first class?
Brahmananda das: Prabhupada was always traveling economy class. So I got the bright idea that Prabhupada should travel first class. So we were going to Mauritius from Bombay. So I arranged for them to get first class seating for Prabhupada and his servant, and the rest of the party would fly economy. As it was, Prabhupada had me sit with him in first class. So we were sitting there, and there is this huge seat. And then they come around to serve the meals, they have this trolley and on the trolley is a big side of beef and they're carving it to order. This is the luxury. Then they come around with the bar with champagne and wine and liquor, and everybody is drinking.
So then Prabhupada asked for prasadam they had packed, so we made a plate for Prabhupada. And the flight attendants, they saw all the nice prasadam, they were curious as to what these things were. And Prabhupada just ate a very little bit. Then he said, "Give to the flight attendants," because they were expressing interest. So we started giving them things and they loved it, they thought this was great. They admitted that this food was much better. After we landed, Prabhupada called me in and said, "What is the value of flying first class? I don't require a big seat, we don't eat their food, we don't drink their drinks, and you're paying twice the amount. What is the use?"
So then Prabhupada asked for prasadam they had packed, so we made a plate for Prabhupada. And the flight attendants, they saw all the nice prasadam, they were curious as to what these things were. And Prabhupada just ate a very little bit. Then he said, "Give to the flight attendants," because they were expressing interest. So we started giving them things and they loved it, they thought this was great. They admitted that this food was much better. After we landed, Prabhupada called me in and said, "What is the value of flying first class? I don't require a big seat, we don't eat their food, we don't drink their drinks, and you're paying twice the amount. What is the use?"
Reference: Following Srila Prabhupada-A Chronological Series by Brahmananda Dasa
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