Meeting between His Divine Grace and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

Gurudas: One time we rode by train with Prabhupada to Madras, South India, for a spiritual conference and radio show. A meeting had been arranged in Madras between His Divine Grace and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the former vice president of India. Dr. Radhakrishnan had translated a widely read version of the Bhagavad-gita, but one that had left out the importance of Krishna as the speaker and instead glorified the song. Dr. Radhakrishnan's Gita was another impersonal interpretation. We all knew this.

After some cordial greetings, the former vice president asked Prabhupada how many temples existed in the West. Prabhupada quickly changed the subject and asked why and how Dr. Radhakrishnan did not recognize Krishna as God. Prabhupada continued, "Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita, 'Offer a leaf to Me.'" (9:12).

Dr. Radhakrishnan could not answer Prabhupada. He tried to change the subject and soon became flustered. This formerly powerful man just silently sat there, trembling. We left soon after this, and I could feel Prabhupada's displeasure. He said, "Just see, the great vice president of India does not know the meaning of Bhagavad-gita!"