Srila Prabhupada in Toronto, 1976, Part 3

Srila Prabhupada blessing devotees at New Remuna Dhama, Toronto, Canada, 1976

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For me, the most prominent feature of Srila Prabhupada (especially in his personal presence) has always been his overwhelming compassion and love. Never have I seen or felt such incredible mercy. Even the simple act of receiving prasadam from his hand was filled with spiritual meaning and joy.

I'll always remember the time when Srila Prabhupada so kindly gave me some prasadam in Toronto. He gently but firmly pushed it in my hand, as if to say: "Here, take the mercy." When his soft lotus fingers touched the inside of my palm, I knew that I had (undeservedly) received a most wonderful benediction. Such an incident might not appear noteworthy to others, but for me, there was nothing more valuable. To receive a morsel from the hand of Krishna's pure devotee left nothing to be desired or attained in all the three worlds.

Once during a Sunday feast program, I was performing arotika on the altar; and of course, after offering each article to the Deities, I had to turn and offer them to Prabhupada's vyasasana. But this time, Srila Prabhupada was personally sitting on his vyasasana. Each time I turned to make Prabhupada's offering, I was overwhelmed with both happiness and a deep sense of unworthiness. "How did I manage to get here?", I kept thinking. My mind was scattered in a thousand directions, yet Srila Prabhupada glowed serenely and transcendentally as I bumbled my way through it all. Every time that I looked at Prabhupada, it was like gazing through a window to the spiritual world. What causeless mercy indeed.

Another time, Srila Prabhupada had just finished giving Srimad-Bhagavatam class. As he made his way up the stairs to his room, a group of us were enthusiastically chanting, "Jaya Prabhupada! Jaya Prabhupada!" The further Prabhupada climbed, the more intense and loud our chanting became. Finally at the top of the landing, Prabhupada turned around and smiled the most beautiful oceanic smile, illuminating the stairwell -- and our hearts -- with his pure spiritual effulgence. He then bowed his head and folded his hands in the traditional pranams gesture. To receive this simple and humble acknowledgment from Srila Prabhupada was the perfection of our lives.

Whether it was sitting with him at darsan, watching him bow down and greet the Deities, hearing his classes, going with him on morning walks, or bowing at his lotus feet, it was all pure unadulterated bliss. Srila Prabhupada was our lord and master, and there was no mistaking it. Wherever Prabhupada traveled, he distributed his love and compassion freely. In his divine presence, the mercy flowed like nectar from the gods. Thankfully, that mercy is still available to everyone.

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