1. Being blessed by Srila Prabhupada

    Srila Prabhupada was like a loving affectionate father, who gave love millions of times greater than parents or friends or children or anyone else in this world -incomparable love and affection. And it was by that love and affection that I felt from Prabhupada that basically centered me in Krsna consciousness for my whole life. Even though I might not have been following properly in different times in my life, but still I always knew I am a devotee, I am a disciple of Prabhupada, and I will always be trying to follow. And because of that love and affection that Prabhupada showed to me and also to Srutakirti and other disciples also I saw how affectionate Prabhupada was. And I think that affection on me, like a pure devotee he can do anything, so what he can reveal to one person he can contain from another person but Prabhupada especially he showed me that love and affection that he had. I experienced that when I was cooking for Prabhupada, I was doing personal service. I was doing personal service of Prabhupada anyway within the temple as a pujari from 4 o’clock in the morning until 10 o’clock at night, I did that for 16 years within ISKCON. I was always serving Prabhupada and from that service I was enlivened and when I would attend the Bhagavatam class, Bhagavad-gita class, or I would read Caitanya-caritamrta, Bhagavatam or any Prabhupada book I was so riveted, and I was so inspired and it was so enthusing, I know that was because of serving Prabhupada. I saw so many devotees who come get initiated, they wouldn’t join the temple, they are living outside, they didn’t have the same impetus, same momentum, the same enthusiasm. Those who serve Prabhupada genuinely and gave their heart to Prabhupada in serving, you could see they were blessed by Prabhupada in a different way.

    Told by Sahadeva Dasa, Srila Prabhupada Remembrances, 71