Retired for One Hour
Srutakirti: His Divine Grace spoke many times about retiring from managerial duties to concentrate on translating the scriptures for humanity at large. My first experience was as follows: One morning at about 9:00 am, Srila Prabhupada called me into his room and told me to call Karandhara. This happened often while we were in New Dwarka. Srila Prabhupada had great faith in Karandhara's abilities. He even praised Karandhara for fixing the concrete stairs which led to Srila Prabhupada's garden. "Karandhara can do anything," Srila Prabhupada commented, pointing to the stairs. If any problem arose while we were in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada called for Karandhara to resolve it.
When Karandhara arrived in Srila Prabhupada's room, His Divine Grace stunned him by saying, "I don't want to be involved in management so much. I want to translate books." 'Yes,' Karandhara enthusiastically replied. 'I can do all of your secretarial work from here, and you can stay here to translate. We'll keep everything very nice for you.' "Yes! We'll do it immediately," Srila Prabhupada said. "I want to have no business. No more business. No more management. You handle all of my affairs for me."
Karandhara left the room, ready to organize ISKCON from his office on Watseka Avenue. 'This is amazing,' I thought. 'Prabhupada is going to let the Governing Body Commission (GBC) run the society.' New Dwarka was perfect for such an arrangement. It had all facility for Srila Prabhupada, including the garden, which was his "favorite place." He could have stayed there for years, and translated all day if he wanted.
About one hour later, Srila Prabhupada again rang his bell. I entered Srila Prabhupada's quarters and offered my obeisances, but before I raised my head from the floor he said, "Call Karandhara." Karandhara soon entered the room and offered his obeisances. As he did Srila Prabhupada noticed a letter in Karandhara's kurta pocket. Srila Prabhupada's eyes widened. "What is that?" he asked. 'Oh, it is a letter for you, Srila Prabhupada,' Karandhara replied. "Open it," Srila Prabhupada instructed.
About one hour later, Srila Prabhupada again rang his bell. I entered Srila Prabhupada's quarters and offered my obeisances, but before I raised my head from the floor he said, "Call Karandhara." Karandhara soon entered the room and offered his obeisances. As he did Srila Prabhupada noticed a letter in Karandhara's kurta pocket. Srila Prabhupada's eyes widened. "What is that?" he asked. 'Oh, it is a letter for you, Srila Prabhupada,' Karandhara replied. "Open it," Srila Prabhupada instructed.
Karandhara opened the letter and read it to Srila Prabhupada. It was a letter from a senior disciple who managed one of ISKCON's temples. Srila Prabhupada intently listened, and then dictated a reply. Srila Prabhupada's retirement lasted a little over an hour. It was the first retirement I had experienced, but certainly not the last. Srila Prabhupada relished translating Srimad-Bhagavatam for us. He also relished teaching his children how to walk on the spiritual path. His patience was endless. On a daily basis he picked us up as we stumbled, and encouraged us to try to walk again. No matter how much he dreamed of retirement, he would not leave us alone until we were able to walk on our own. The time has come for us to walk.
Jai Srila Prabhupada
Reference: Srila Prabhupada Uvacha by Srtuakirti Dasa
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