July 03, 1974 : Melbourne
Kurma: Srila Prabhupada's last brisk walk before he left Melbourne was an animated one. Prabhupada quickly walked up a steep incline that led out of the gully, as Madhudvisha spoke in mock argument, "Some people would say that Krishna consciousness is too austere."
Prabhupada: What?
Madhudvisha: Too austere. It should be taken in stages.
Prabhupada: What are your austerities? Are you starving? Prabhupada stopped and looked straight at Madhudvisha.
Madhudvisha: (Smiling) No!
Prabhupada: We say: "Don't eat meat." The "swish" sound of Ugrasrava's camera momentarily broke the silence. "Is that a very great austerity?" asked Prabhupada.
Madhudvisha: No, no. That is the easiest to give up.
Ugrasrava continued to take photographs.
Prabhupada: Then, no illicit sex. We don't say: "No sex." Illicit sex. So where is the austerity? Prabhupada turned and walked on.
Madhudvisha: Well, devotees, they must rise early in the morning ... and take cold bath ...
Prabhupada: Yes. That is healthy.
Prabhupada stopped, turned and smiled at the devotees. "Because early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy and wise. That's a fact!" The devotees laughed. Prabhupada nodded and walked on. "What to speak of early rise? Practically, I don't sleep at night. Only two hours. That's all. But still, I work, early in the morning. What is the fault there?"
Reference: The Great Transcendental Adventure - Kurma Dasa
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