DER FUHRER KOMMT der Hare Krishna Bewegung

Prithu Dasa : In my school days, I read several of Durckheim's books, and I sent him a letter and invited him. When I called him one week later, he showed a lot of interest. On the morning of June 19th, I met him at the Frankfurt train station and drove him to Schloss Rettershof. When we passed through the villages, Durckheim saw the posters we had put up to advertise Prabhupada's visit. Hamsaduta had had the 'brilliant idea' to borrow a famous Nazi slogan used to announce Hitler's visits. The posters said in huge letters: DER FUHRER KOMMT [The leader comes], and in smaller print: der Hare Krishna Bewegung [of the Hare Krishna movement]. When I had seen the layout in his office, I implored Hamsaduta, "Please don't hang up these posters. This is a great insult." But he simply laughed at me and said, "Come on. The Germans like this sort of thing."

On numerous posters, Prabhupada's face was disfigured with little Hitler-like mustaches. When Durckheim noticed the posters everywhere, he expressed disbelief: "Is this your guru?" I felt cold sweat break out of my pores. "Yes," I uttered. "Are you serious?" He asked. "Yes," I repeated. "It was not my idea. I fought against this poster, but it was not in my power to prevent it." "You people don't know what you are doing," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You really don't know what you are doing. I am almost thinking of going back, but since I am already here, let us go on." He was real upset and disappointed at our immaturity. But when he met Srila Prabhupada, he quickly appreciated and respected him, and they developed a cordial relationship.