June 27, 1971 : San Francisco
Vaiyasaki: Devotees from all over the country have arrived to celebrate the Fifth Annual Ratha-yatra in America. There are many more devotees than last year, so everything is bigger and more enthusiastic. Prabhupada has been away from America almost a full year, yet his ISKCON society has grown by leaps and bounds during that time. Many new devotees are coming to see their spiritual master for the very first time. Chanting an uproarious kirtan led by Vishnujana Swami, hundreds of devotees greet Srila Prabhupada at San Francisco International.
Raghunatha: People at the airport were dumbfounded at the intensity of the kirtan. As Prabhupada came down the corridor after deplaning, the first person he saw was Vishnujana Swami. When Vishnujana saw Prabhupada, tears began rolling down his eyes. Prabhupada immediately walked over to Vishnujana and gave him the most joyful hug. His face just lit up when he saw Vishnujana.
This year everything is running smoothly, and the Ratha-yatra begins at noon as advertised. The festival has become an established event, so thousands of people are already at the entrance to Golden Gate Park to begin the procession.
Sri Galim: Prabhupada gave a lecture that day on the verse from Bhagavad-gita - raso 'ham apsu kaunteya... He was saying how to see Krishna as the taste of water. That was the first time I had seen Prabhupada, and it was truly a wonderful occasion. I accepted him into my heart the first time I saw him.
After the parade, more than 10,000 people enjoy prasadam, sitting on the grass in the warm midday sun at the Meadows. Prabhupada had wanted the festival to be huge, and a lot of LA devotees have helped, making it a spectacular celebration. Following Prabhupada's address, the chief guest, the Mayor of San Francisco, speaks highly about the movement, impressed with its basic ideals and principles.
Raghunatha: People at the airport were dumbfounded at the intensity of the kirtan. As Prabhupada came down the corridor after deplaning, the first person he saw was Vishnujana Swami. When Vishnujana saw Prabhupada, tears began rolling down his eyes. Prabhupada immediately walked over to Vishnujana and gave him the most joyful hug. His face just lit up when he saw Vishnujana.
This year everything is running smoothly, and the Ratha-yatra begins at noon as advertised. The festival has become an established event, so thousands of people are already at the entrance to Golden Gate Park to begin the procession.
Sri Galim: Prabhupada gave a lecture that day on the verse from Bhagavad-gita - raso 'ham apsu kaunteya... He was saying how to see Krishna as the taste of water. That was the first time I had seen Prabhupada, and it was truly a wonderful occasion. I accepted him into my heart the first time I saw him.
After the parade, more than 10,000 people enjoy prasadam, sitting on the grass in the warm midday sun at the Meadows. Prabhupada had wanted the festival to be huge, and a lot of LA devotees have helped, making it a spectacular celebration. Following Prabhupada's address, the chief guest, the Mayor of San Francisco, speaks highly about the movement, impressed with its basic ideals and principles.
Reference: Radha-Damodara Vilasa I - Vaiyasaki Dasa
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