September 18, 1974 : Vrindavana

Srutakirti: During the time Srila Prabhupada was ill, there was a great deal of activity going on. His living quarters were in the final stages of construction, and other projects were going on just outside his room. The summer air was extremely hot, so we set up his bed on his back porch because it was cooler than his sitting room. In the evening, he rested outside. I spent each night sleeping directly under His Divine Grace's bed, so if he needed anything, I was immediately available. This was the first time I slept next to Srila Prabhupada. He wanted me close by, so if he had to get up, I could help him walk.

One night at about 1:00 a.m., I awoke to the sound of a stick falling by my head onto the brick floor. When I opened my eyes, I saw my beloved spiritual master lying on the ground beside me. Horrified, I immediately clasped my Gurudeva under his arms and lifted him back onto the bed. The sound I had heard was Srila Prabhupada's cane falling to the ground as he fell over attempting to walk.

"Srila Prabhupada, what are you doing?" I asked. "Why didn't you call me?"

"Oh, I needed to go to the bathroom," he replied softly and apologetically. "I thought I could make it on my own and I didn't want to disturb you because you were resting."

I knew Srila Prabhupada was humble, but this shocked me. "I thought I had the strength," he said. "But, I can see I have no strength at all."

Standing behind him, I placed my hands under his arms and walked him into his bathroom. I waited outside the door. When he was finished, I helped him walk back to his bed on the porch. The next day, he did not make any fuss about what had happened, nor did he complain to any one of any injury that may have occurred. It was another day in the life of the pure devotee.