September 29, 1976 : Vrindavana
Hari Sauri: A little later in the conversation, Hansaduta offered to print books in India, and although Prabhupada confirmed that it is his main concern to get huge quantities of his books printed in Hindi and English, he told Hansaduta to simply concentrate on the guest house for now. He spoke at length, saying that having a guest house was actually his Guru Maharaja's idea. "I am just following the desire of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura." He chuckled as he spoke about his spiritual master's strong desire to preach and spread Krishna consciousness. He said that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta had so stressed the importance of having people come to the temple, that he said even if they had to be served meat, by any means they should be induced to come and hear about Krishna.
Hansaduta and I were quite amazed to hear this. We must have looked a little shocked because Prabhupada reassured us, "We will never serve meat. But the idea is that if visitors feel too much inconvenience from our rules, then arrangement can be made for tea or coffee, or even betel or beedi. Not exactly in the guest house, but some kind of shop in the front of the gurukula building where they can get these things. We can even bring them tea into the guest house if need be. But we want that people will come. We want to give them the opportunity for spiritual life, and therefore we have temple and guest house combined."
We left the garden appreciating once again how Srila Prabhupada has inherited the revolutionary mantle of his Guru Maharaja. He is prepared to go to practically any length to induce people to take to Krishna consciousness.
Hansaduta and I were quite amazed to hear this. We must have looked a little shocked because Prabhupada reassured us, "We will never serve meat. But the idea is that if visitors feel too much inconvenience from our rules, then arrangement can be made for tea or coffee, or even betel or beedi. Not exactly in the guest house, but some kind of shop in the front of the gurukula building where they can get these things. We can even bring them tea into the guest house if need be. But we want that people will come. We want to give them the opportunity for spiritual life, and therefore we have temple and guest house combined."
We left the garden appreciating once again how Srila Prabhupada has inherited the revolutionary mantle of his Guru Maharaja. He is prepared to go to practically any length to induce people to take to Krishna consciousness.
Reference: A Transcendental Diary Volume 4 - Hari Sauri Dasa
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