June 29, 1974 : Melbourne
Kurma: Today is Melbourne's third annual Ratha-yatra festival. Since Lord Jagannatha's intimate and confidential servant, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was to be personally present, it was also the most auspicious. After an offering of delicious vegetarian food and an arati ceremony to the Deities on Their chariots held at Carlton Gardens, the three massive chariots rolled down Collins Street. The gorgeous parade was enhanced by Prabhupada's personal beauty. He walked gracefully, absorbed in the kirtana.
Satsvarupa Goswami: Prabhupada was not only walking in a stately way with the parade, but he was also singing. His face appeared strained in an ecstatic way as he exerted himself, singing loudly with Madhudvisha's infectiously blissful kirtana.
Bhutanatha: I was the pujari on Lord Balarama's cart. Being elevated above the crowd, I could clearly see Srila Prabhupada. When he stopped and turned and put his arms in the air, the kirtana party went wild, the chanting became frenzied and Prabhupada smiled and urged them on to dance and chant by raising his arms in the air. Everyone became absorbed in the chanting, even young men and women who had had very little association with Krishna consciousness. They were all affected. Everyone was enthralled and surcharged with spiritual energy by Prabhupada's association.
Arca Murti: Towards the end of the parade, Srila Prabhupada started dancing. His movements were not gymnastic, but they were graceful and calm. He would start from the waist and shoulders, moving up and down in rhythm with the kirtana and then jump. He seemed to leap effortlessly into the air, and it appeared as if he was jumping in slow motion. His hands in the air, he would turn towards the Deity of Lord Chaitanya, his face shining in bliss. I felt very privileged to see all this.
Satsvarupa Goswami: Prabhupada was not only walking in a stately way with the parade, but he was also singing. His face appeared strained in an ecstatic way as he exerted himself, singing loudly with Madhudvisha's infectiously blissful kirtana.
Bhutanatha: I was the pujari on Lord Balarama's cart. Being elevated above the crowd, I could clearly see Srila Prabhupada. When he stopped and turned and put his arms in the air, the kirtana party went wild, the chanting became frenzied and Prabhupada smiled and urged them on to dance and chant by raising his arms in the air. Everyone became absorbed in the chanting, even young men and women who had had very little association with Krishna consciousness. They were all affected. Everyone was enthralled and surcharged with spiritual energy by Prabhupada's association.
Arca Murti: Towards the end of the parade, Srila Prabhupada started dancing. His movements were not gymnastic, but they were graceful and calm. He would start from the waist and shoulders, moving up and down in rhythm with the kirtana and then jump. He seemed to leap effortlessly into the air, and it appeared as if he was jumping in slow motion. His hands in the air, he would turn towards the Deity of Lord Chaitanya, his face shining in bliss. I felt very privileged to see all this.
Reference: The Great Transcendental Adventure - Kurma Dasa
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