1. Precursor to Srila Prabhupada’s sannyasa

    Srila Prabhupada wrote:

    When I was married at the age of 21 with a wife who was only 11 years old, practically I did not like my wife. And as I was at that time very young man, and an educated college student, I wanted to marry again, in spite of my wife being present. Because amongst the Hindus one can accept more than one wife (of course the law is now changed). So, whenever everything was all ready for my marriage with another girl, my great father who was a great devotee of the Lord, called me and instructed me in the following words: “My dear boy, I understand that you are trying to get yourself married again, but I would advise you not to do this. It is Krishna’s Grace that your present wife is not just according to your liking. This will help you not to become attached with wife and home, and this will help you in the matter of your future advancement of Krishna Consciousness.” Now, I accepted my father’s advice, and by his blessings, only, I was never attached to my wife or home which resulted in my complete liberation from worldly attachment and devoted myself fully in Krishna Consciousness.

    From a letter by Srila Prabhupada to Gargamuni, Allston, May 5, 1968