Short Discussions – May 24, 1977, Vṛndāvana

The British artificially created a famine in India

Prabhupada: ...London. Guru Maharaja sending him regularly seven hundred rupees per month. In those days seven hundred means at least...

Tamala Krsna: Twenty times?

Prabhupada: That was in 1936. Price has increased after 1940.

Tamala Krsna: At least it was twenty thousand rupees' value now.

Prabhupada: All of a sudden rice price has increased in 1942 by Churchill's artificial increasing his bribe to recruit soldiers. I have seen. Within two hours the price of rice, from six rupees it came to fifty rupees.

Tamala Krsna: Phew. Completely artificial.

Prabhupada: I was in the grocer's shop purchasing, and all of a sudden the grocer says, "No, no, I am not going to sell any more." He got some information. So that time, six rupees per mound, first class...

Bhavananda: Per mound.

Prabhupada: Per mound. Very first class rice. So he was not going to sell. A few hours after, I went to purchase-fifty rupees. From six rupees. Government appointed agents to purchase it and stock it. So people, being harassed, they'll come to military. This was Churchill's...

Tamala Krsna: Those British were very clever.

Prabhupada: Artificially created a famine in India. In my presence.

Tamala Krsna: So Bon Maharaja was getting seven hundred rupees monthly. That's amazing. Your Guru Maharaja had to send the money from India to the West. We... You're bringing the money, but for Bon Maharaja he had to send the money the other way.

Prabhupada: Every month, regularly. He was playing harmonium. And the report: "Swamiji is playing on harmonium." Therefore Guru Maharaja became very much disgusted: "Call him back."

Tamala Krsna: He said they had to serve meat.

Prabhupada: I do not know that. But he was a waste of money, that's all. He's still wasting money. What he has done? Has his institution published any books like that?

Tamala Krsna: Well, he has a big degree now.

Prabhupada: [laughs] Nonsense degree. Who cares for his degree?

Bhavananda: You've got many nice young, staunch Bengali brahmacaris, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two years old.

Tamala Krsna: They joined?

Prabhupada: Where?

Bhavananda: At different times. Now all, they have become very strong. Finally it's happened. We have a brahmacari core. And they're all anxious... This week they're all going out preaching, everyone.

Prabhupada: Gitar Gan selling nice?

Bhavananda: Gitar Gan is selling nice. Bhagavaner Katha is selling nice. Bhagavata Darsana. We sell two Bhagavata Darsana, Gitar Gan and Bhagavaner Katha. The people take it.

Tamala Krsna: All. They take the whole set.

Bhavananda: They like the set, you know. One rupee for one book, they stop and think, but if they pay four rupees, 4.50, for four books, they think they're getting a lot for their money. But one rupee for one book is more difficult.

Prabhupada: And Bangladesh?

Bhavananda: Now Jayapataka Maharaja is here. He's filled with glowing reports, glowing. "The new frontier, new preaching frontier."

Prabhupada: Muhammadans also.

Bhavananda: Yes, he said Muhammadans invited him to speak, and they're very... They don't even know, he said, who is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It's been so long since Partition, and they've been cut off. They don't even... One Muhammadan lawyer bought a Caitanya-caritamrta. Wanted to read about Him, he said.

Prabhupada: Full set? Full set?

Bhavananda: I think one book.

Prabhupada: Oh.

Tamala Krsna: I was just inquiring whether you were drinking fruit juice.

Prabhupada: Fruit juice is very good.

Bhavananda: I noticed, Srila Prabhupada, your complexion is yellowish. Liver is...

Prabhupada: There is no hope of life. Therefore we have called you. This condition is hopeless. We have given our will. Now we can... If I die in Vrndavana, there is no harm. But Krsna can play anything wonderful. But from physical condition there is no hope.

Bhavananda: But Krsna is Paramesvara.

Prabhupada: [laughs] Yes. That is another thing.

Bhavananda: That is all of our prayer.

Prabhupada: I have become very, very weak. No appetite. The brain is not working. Brain is working, but body is not allowing... Don't worry. Everyone will die, today or tomorrow. I am also old man. There is nothing to be regrettable. So as far as possible in my body, I am complete... Now it is up to Krsna to judge. I have no objection.

Bhavananda: What can we do, Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: You can pray Krsna. That's all. Krsna is all-powerful. My only request is that whatever I have done, you don't spoil it. That's all. Think this. I am getting report, very hopeful, as you gave report from Mayapur, very good.

Tamala Krsna: Want to take a little rest now, Srila Prabhupada? [break] [end]