Where are these deities?

Pragosh : Primarily, whenever we got a chance to be with Srila Prabhupada, we were introduced to him, not just myself as an individual, but groups of men, as his “sankirtan devotees”. Generally he would say something like, “Thank you very much and my Guru Maharaj thanks you very much.” He said in Hawaii, “If you dedicate your whole life to distributing these books, I promise you, you will go back to home, back to Godhead.” He would say this in a way like a loving father telling his son a secret.

I saw Srila Prabhupada in many cities and I would often hear him say at each temple, “I’ve been to many temples but this temple, I think this is the best.” He really knew how to reach into the devotees’ hearts and sort of take possession of their heart. When he went to the Baltimore temple, for example, from D.C., he did it in such a dramatic fashion. He was in his room in Washington, and someone brought in a picture of the deities from Baltimore. Prabhupada looked at the deities and said, “Where are these deities?” They said, “They’re in Baltimore, Srila Prabhupada.” “Balitmore? Baltimore is not far from here.” The devotees said, “No, Prabhupada, it’s about an hour away at the most.” Prabhupada said, “Prepare the car. We’ll go immediately.” (snaps his fingers) He pushed the table in front of him, stood up, and said, “Let’s go.”

Every devotee in Washington got in their own cars and vans and streamlined up to Baltimore. They drove Prabhupada’s car a little slower so that when he got there, the hundred fifty devotees that were in D.C. were now in Baltimore to greet him. Prabhupada came in and offered his obeisances to the Gaur-Nitai Deities. Kirtan was going and Prabhupada was dancing in front of the deities with his arms raised. After some time Prabhupada went and sat down on the vyasasana and began his talk by saying, “So you are all very, very fortunate here in Baltimore. This is a very beautiful temple. You are very fortunate here that you simply come every day before Their Lordships, and you chant Jaya Nitai Gaura, Jaya Sacinandana, and you will all go back to home, back to Godhead.” When Prabhupada said that, everyone’s hearts burst open and they all cried out, “Jai, Prabhupada!”