Each year on Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja day, we remember, hear, and talk about Srila Prabhupada, and by doing so, we keep him present in our lives.
I first saw Srila Prabhupada at Brandeis University in Boston, where he had just concluded a program. I had come too late to hear him, but the next day I visited the storefront ISKCON temple on Glenville Avenue, where he was scheduled to speak. When I arrived, the room was already packed, and when Srila Prabhupada began speaking, I had difficulty understanding him; I wasn’t used to his Bengali accent, and the philosophy was new to me. Still, I did hear him say that out of many thousands of men, one would seek perfection. And I thought, That’s me!
When Srila Prabhupada asked for questions, I raised my hand. “There are so many swamis and masters,” I began, “and each one recommends a different method of self-realization and says that his is best. How do I know which is actually best?”
“What is your goal?” Srila Prabhupada replied. “Do you want to serve God, or do you want to become God? . . . If you want to become God, it means that you are not God now. And how can not-God become God? God is God. . . . The real guru teaches that God is in your heart and that you can become godly—but that you cannot become God.”
As Srila Prabhupada spoke, I got the distinct impression that he knew everything about me and was seeing right into my apartment, right to the sign on my wall, on which I had engraved in ornate lettering: you are god.
“What do you think?” he asked. “Do you want to serve God, or do you want to become God?”
I said, “I want to serve God, but I realize that actually I wanted to become God.”
Prabhupada was emphatic in his affirmation: “Yes!”
I immediately offered my obeisances. I had found my spiritual master.
From that first meeting, my whole life’s purpose became to bring people to Srila Prabhupada. I was able to do that for many years, but when Prabhupada passed away, I wondered, What will be my service now?
Now I understand that Srila Prabhupada is always present, and that by speaking of him, hearing about him, remembering him, and, most significantly, by studying his books, we can experience his presence. So, I can continue doing what I was doing when he was personally present—introducing souls to Prabhupada; that is what I feel natural doing. And I know that somehow or other, if someone comes in touch with Srila Prabhupada, his life will be successful.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
