February 28, 1976 : Mayapur
Hari Sauri: An increasing number of devotees are discovering the sweetness of evening darsanas in Prabhupada's room. The devotees rarely have an opportunity to associate with Srila Prabhupada in such an informal and intimate setting.
Prabhupada has been responding to their eagerness with some blissful recollections of his early days in America in 1965-66, including the difficulties he went through. This evening he told us that when he came to America he had not expected to remain long, as his original visa was valid for only two months. But for a year he continued to extend his stay: two months, two months, two months, each time thinking to remain a little longer and give things a try. He would go to the shipping agency and inquire when the next ship back to India was, but he would never go.
Eventually the clerk, a friendly Indian man, inquired, "Swamiji, you are asking, but actually, when you will go?" Prabhupada would laugh and tell him, "No. Actually I don't want. But sometimes when I am a little disappointed, I think about it."
Then as preaching opportunities started to unfold, he began paying a lawyer $150 a month to get his visa extended. Eventually he took a man's advice and went to Montreal to apply for residence. Three months later he re-entered the country with his Green Card via Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Subala had begun a center.
It was fascinating to listen to him reminisce about the early days of his mission.
Prabhupada has been responding to their eagerness with some blissful recollections of his early days in America in 1965-66, including the difficulties he went through. This evening he told us that when he came to America he had not expected to remain long, as his original visa was valid for only two months. But for a year he continued to extend his stay: two months, two months, two months, each time thinking to remain a little longer and give things a try. He would go to the shipping agency and inquire when the next ship back to India was, but he would never go.
Eventually the clerk, a friendly Indian man, inquired, "Swamiji, you are asking, but actually, when you will go?" Prabhupada would laugh and tell him, "No. Actually I don't want. But sometimes when I am a little disappointed, I think about it."
Then as preaching opportunities started to unfold, he began paying a lawyer $150 a month to get his visa extended. Eventually he took a man's advice and went to Montreal to apply for residence. Three months later he re-entered the country with his Green Card via Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Subala had begun a center.
It was fascinating to listen to him reminisce about the early days of his mission.
Reference: A Transcendental Diary Volume 1 - Hari Sauri Dasa
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