The First Meeting

The Vedic scriptures state that the living entities are wandering all over the universe transmigrating through different bodies in their futile search for lasting happiness and freedom from anxiety. The real means to attain such perfection is sometimes made available to a few when by some inconceivable arrangement of the Supreme Lord, and by dint of their great fortune accumulated during many previous lifetimes, they are able to contact a pure devotee of the Lord and having recognized his transcendental position they surrender to him in full faith and devotion. By following the bonafide instructions of such a devotee one can very soon become free from the struggle and fear of material existence.

Such a fortune happened to me when I first met Srila Prabhupada at the Los Angeles ISKCON center sometime during April-May in 1970, through Dr. Ravindra Pratap Rao (Ramananda Raya Dasa), a friend of mine. Dr. Rao was a chemist by profession, and he had already been visiting Srila Prabhupada for some time. He had become greatly impressed by Srila Prabhupada and would always talk to me about going and meeting him. I was, however, very reluctant and it was not until Dr. Rao threatened me that he will stop speaking to me unless I agreed to go with him that I yielded to his wish and went to see Srila Prabhupada.

Upon meeting Srila Prabhupada, Dr. Rao introduced me as a native of Manipur and a student working at the University of California, Irvine, for my Ph.D. in Chemistry. Srila Prabhupada was already aware of the Vaishnava history of Manipur. He had seen temples constructed by Manipuris in Nawadwip, Radhakund, Vrndavana, and he knew that Manipuris were descendants of Babruvahana, the son of Arjuna. Therefore, upon seeing me, Srila Prabhupada immediately felt that, given my background, it would be appropriate if I were engaged in spreading the mission of Krishna Consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada had earlier seen many Indians living in the West and he knew well their intentions for coming to America. Upon seeing me, he commented that all brilliant young Indians were rushing towards the West, influenced by its advancement, to study science and earn dollars. Even I told him that many of my friends had been coming to America and my goal in life was to come to America. Srila Prabhupada then countered, "You-young scholars and students-have come as beggars to beg scientific knowledge and dollars. But I have not come here to beg. I came here to give to the Americans something-the spiritual knowledge, which they do not have. Why don't you also do the same? Why are you simply taking? Why don't you also give something?"Srila Prabhupada had made a strong statement, and he was very serious about it. I was struck by his sincerity, frankness, and dedication to his purpose.