(Written by Pyari-mohana dasa )

Once in Brooklyn, N.Y., at your Henry St. temple, I had the opportunity to see you and to hear from you. What a fortunate day in my life! You were sitting on the vyasasana in the small temple room, and the temple room was packed with devotees. I was standing outside the door with my eyes watching you and my ears hearing you. A devotee then handed me your slippers and instructed me to put them on your lotus feet when you came out of the temple room. What a fortunate day in my life!

Having your slippers in my hands, I became proud, thinking of how I tell the devotees of the personal service I rendered. I then began to pray to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada to help me put on your slippers without making any mistakes. I understood my false pride could cause something to go wrong. I prayed to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta because you taught us that the grandfather is more lenient than the father. What a fortunate day in my life!

Class ended, you walked out the door, I was nervous and knelt down with your slippers in my hands a few inches from the floor. What a fortunate day in my life! I was waiting for you to lift your feet one at a time so I could put your slippers on. You waited for me to put your slippers down on the floor so you could slip your feet into them. Finally I realized what a fool I was, and put your slippers on the floor. You put your feet into them and walked away. I offered my obeisances and never wanted to get up again. I felt this was the most unfortunate day in my life.

I pray to you, Srila Prabhupada, that I may someday become qualified to put your slippers on your lotus feet without becoming puffed-up.