Prabhupada-The Supersoul Personified!
Tamohara Dasa: Srila Prabhupada was coming to Chicago! He was to install several pairs of Gaur-Nitai Deities on the Radha-Damodara buses, initiate Audolomi Prabhu into the Babaji order, give initiations to many devotees, meet with government officials to discuss their helping our movement to reduce crime, ("Crime: Why and what to do?" had been the Time magazine main article of the month), and to enthuse the devotees by his classes on Ajamila. Devotees from the mid-west arrived in their assorted buses, vans, and cars. Our group from the now-gone Winnipeg temple was headed by Nandikeswara Prabhu, and included Dharmaprana Prabhu, Jitarati Prabhu, a bhakta, or two including Gaura Dasa, two or three matajis, and myself.
We brahmacaris were quickly recruited to help with the last-minute rush to improve the looks of the temple. My jobs included peeling apples for Rathayatra chutney, and some painting. As I worked, word came that it was time for those who were going to the airport to hop into one of the vehicles. Although I had been instructed to stay back to finish the painting, it was the first time that I would see Srila Prabbupada in person. I agonized over what to do, thinking that I would be rewarded by Krishna for staying back to do the needful. However, I abandoned my duty and instead quickly got in with a load of brahmacaris and sannyasis headed to the airport. This was one of the wisest decisions of my life!
Needless to say, the airport kirtana was totally ecstatic, as Srila Prabhupada walked in smiling and effulgent and much larger than life, like Supersoul personified. Devotees have expressed surprise at the small size of Prabhupada's body, but to me at the time, he appeared to be like a shining giant! We all hit the floor in a wave of obeisances. I felt as if I was seeing my long-lost father and well-wisher after a very long absence. We cried and smiled at the same time, like experiencing vipralambha and sambhoga simultaneously. Hairs stood on end, I felt humbled and blessed, that now everything was alright, that these moments were rare and so special. Flowers decorated the air, and a large umbrella became manifest to honor the Vaishnava. All too soon we were back to the vans to accompany Prabhupada to the temple. Along the way, Dhrstadyumna Swami, in charge of Srila Prabhupada's luggage, called out into the van of brahmacaris, asking, 'Who will help carry Prabhupada's bags up to his rooms?' Most responded quickly, but as fast as a bolt of lightning, without any hesitation whatsoever, my arm shot up like I was reaching for the moon, and with a look of surprise at the speed of my response, Maharajah said, 'Alright! You, then.'
On arrival, Srila Prabhupada entered the Chicago temple to the sounds of boisterous kirtana, cries of, 'Jaya Prabhupada!' and bodies spontaneously hitting the floor. At the temple entrance, a mound of sandals and shoes quickly piled up, such that later, at the time to leave, no one could pick out Prabhupada's footwear! The next day, one of the senior men told us that Prabhupada had been quite delayed while they tried to find his sandals, and he had remarked, "They are all calling out, 'Prabhupada, Prabhupada', but let someone find my shoes!"
I proceeded to Prabhupada's quarters, and carried his bags up. Although politely asked to leave, I simply stayed, at the time not caring for the authorities as much as I cared for Srila Prabhupada. I felt it well worth the risk of reprisal for the chance to associate with Prabhupada. After his discussion in an adjacent room with the sannyasis and temple presidents, it was time for his massage, and so Srila Prabhupada passed down the hallway where I was standing, led by Hari Sauri Prabhu. There he was, the lord of my life, who didn't even know who I was that I knew of, and he would quickly pass by and I might never see him again in this lifetime! I just had to say something, to at least be acknowledged by Krishna's dearmost pure devotee, my savior from hell, lest my heartbreak and I regret a failed opportunity for the rest of my life. How could I just let him pass without trying to convey what I felt for him? So, I cried out, stupidly, 'All glories to Srila Prabhupada!' not knowing what else to say, and smiled so broadly, it must have looked like my head would fall off!
In his graceful kindness, Prabhupada looked up and responded. He had just left a meeting in which the sannyasis and temple presidents and grhasthas had had their differences over how matters were to go for the two asramas. Prabhupada said, "All glories to the brahmacaris!" as he passed me, thus simultaneously reciprocating my salute, and also humbling the two asramas who had been fighting, by acknowledging the essential contributions of the brahmacaris to his movement. I was ecstatic, trembling inside. My Godbrothers were mercifully and lovingly smiling to see the young brahmacari offering his respects to our Prabhupada with such emotion. Shortly after, I left.