June 8, 1967 : New York
Satsvarupa: When the doctor came in, Prabhupada sat up and spoke decisively. "Doctor, I am all right. I can go." And he shook the doctor's hand to show him he was hale and hearty. The doctor chuckled. He said that although Swamiji was getting stronger, he would have to stay a few more days. He was by no means out of danger yet. He required careful medical surveillance. Srila Prabhupada still had pains around his heart, but he told the doctor his boys had rented a small seaside house in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he could go to recuperate. This was very good, the doctor said, but he couldn't let his patient go just yet.
But Prabhupada had made up his mind. Brahmananda and Gargamuni arranged for a rented car. They gathered Prabhupada's things and helped him dress. As they escorted him out of his room and the hospital staff saw that the boys were actually taking the old man away, some of the doctors and nurses tried to stop them.
Brahmananda: Then the doctors became fed up. They threatened us: "This man is going to die." They really scared us. They said, "This man is going to die, and it is going to be your fault." Even as we left they said, "This man is condemned to death." It was horrible.
At ten a.m. on June 8 they left the hospital. Prabhupada wanted to stop briefly at the temple at 26 Second Avenue before going to the house in Long Branch. Entering the storefront, walking shakily, he came before the portraits of his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and his spiritual master's father, Bhaktivinoda Thakura. For the first time, Prabhupada's disciples saw him offer fully prostrated obeisances. As he prostrated himself before his Guru Maharaja, his disciples also paid obeisances and felt their devotion increase.
(Photo is Srila Prabhupada while resting at Long Branch, New Jersey, a few days after leaving the Beth Israel Hospital.)
But Prabhupada had made up his mind. Brahmananda and Gargamuni arranged for a rented car. They gathered Prabhupada's things and helped him dress. As they escorted him out of his room and the hospital staff saw that the boys were actually taking the old man away, some of the doctors and nurses tried to stop them.
Brahmananda: Then the doctors became fed up. They threatened us: "This man is going to die." They really scared us. They said, "This man is going to die, and it is going to be your fault." Even as we left they said, "This man is condemned to death." It was horrible.
At ten a.m. on June 8 they left the hospital. Prabhupada wanted to stop briefly at the temple at 26 Second Avenue before going to the house in Long Branch. Entering the storefront, walking shakily, he came before the portraits of his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and his spiritual master's father, Bhaktivinoda Thakura. For the first time, Prabhupada's disciples saw him offer fully prostrated obeisances. As he prostrated himself before his Guru Maharaja, his disciples also paid obeisances and felt their devotion increase.
(Photo is Srila Prabhupada while resting at Long Branch, New Jersey, a few days after leaving the Beth Israel Hospital.)
Reference: Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta Volume 3 - Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
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