While recuperating from his stroke at Stinson Beach near San Francisco, Srila Prabhupada found the climate unsuitable due to insufficient sunlight. Deciding to return to India for better health, he planned a route from San Francisco → New York → London → Moscow → Delhi.
Initiations at Stinson Beach
Unable to travel to the temple because of steep roads, Prabhupada began initiating new disciples privately at his residence. Candidates came one at a time, spent the night, and received initiation without a fire sacrifice. Prabhupada simply instructed them to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds daily, personally chanting on their beads and giving each a spiritual name.
One nervous boy was named Aniruddha, another Uddhava—and Prabhupada’s interactions with them were affectionate yet instructive. He emphasized steadiness and presence in service, noting that disciples had to always remain ready for his call.
The Sloka and Teaching Moment
Prabhupada read to the disciples a Sanskrit verse glorifying Krishna as the son of Devaki, the light of the Vrishni dynasty, whose soft, cloud-like form brings liberation to the world. He reminded them of the blessing of close association with the spiritual master, as they could directly hear such realizations.
Decision to Leave for India
Though weak, Prabhupada insisted on attending evening kirtans and decided firmly to return to India. He compared this determination to his later decision in Vrindavan (1977) to suddenly leave Rishikesh and return to Vrindavan during his final pastimes.
At his last San Francisco kirtan, devotees sensed it might be their final meeting. Many begged for initiation before he departed. Prabhupada, frail but resolute, personally initiated as many as possible, even when advised to stop. He spoke gently to them about his mission:
“I have a few children in India, but you are my real children. Now I am going to India for a little while.”
Incident with Rabhindra Svarupa
A dramatic moment occurred when Rabhindra Svarupa, an early disciple who had drifted away, returned in distress. Crawling to Prabhupada’s feet, he sobbed that he wanted to reach God directly without a guru. Prabhupada compassionately stroked his head and replied:
“Don’t be a crazy fellow. Stay with us if possible.”
He then addressed the devotees, urging them to remain humble, tolerant, patient, and enthusiastic, quoting Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:
“One should be humbler than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree.”
He explained that without the spiritual master as a transparent via medium, one cannot know Krishna. The episode reinforced the importance of humility and loyalty to the spiritual movement.
Awakening of a Mission
Prabhupada reminded his followers that ISKCON was not just for “good times” but a preaching mission. They were to carry on the Sankirtan movement after his departure. For the first time, many devotees realized their role in a worldwide spiritual movement, not merely a local communal experience.
Final Night and Initiations
That night, the temple was crowded with devotees and guests seeking initiation. Prabhupada personally chanted on beads, gave names, and accepted disciples one by one. One young man, later named Jivananda, was nearly suicidal when not called immediately but was finally brought in by another devotee. Prabhupada comforted him tenderly, laughed, and gave him his name—he later became the San Francisco sankirtan leader.
Departure and Final Instructions
At the airport the next morning, many devotees wept as Prabhupada prepared to leave. Playfully, one disciple hid his ticket, saying, “Now you can’t go!” He smiled:
“That’s all right—I already have my boarding pass. I am Indian. They will let me into my own country.”
Before boarding, he told them:
“I have a temple in New York, one in Montreal, and one in San Francisco—but none in Los Angeles. Please preach there.”
Inspired, Nandarani and Dayananda soon opened the first Los Angeles temple.
Return to India
Arriving in New York briefly, Prabhupada telegraphed Sri Krishna Pandit in Delhi to prepare his quarters at the Radha-Krishna temple in Chhipiwada. He planned to consult a doctor in Delhi and then go to Vrindavan for rest and spiritual solace. Even in illness, his letters showed meticulous attention to ISKCON’s affairs, including correspondence about finances and printing with the Brijbasi Company of Mathura.
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Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita || H.G. Daivi Shakti Mataji || 09.11.2025