Srila Prabhupada found the Mexican people pious. Their humility, simplicity, and devotion was reminiscent of the people of India. “Mexico is very much like India,” he said.
That evening Citsukhānanda stood in Prabhupāda’s room, about to leave. “Śrīla Prabhupāda, I am almost ashamed to tell you—I know you should rest—but I feel I should at least inform you that we have the opportunity to be on a national television program tonight.”
“Oh?” Prabhupāda replied. “How many people will watch?”
“About thirty million. It’s the most popular show.”
“Thirty million?” Śrīla Prabhupāda’s eyes widened. “‘Then we must go.”
“But Prabhupāda, you won’t be able to get off the program until maybe one or two in the morning.”
Prabhupāda: “That’s all right. We can sleep during the day.” Śrīla Prabhupāda was not at all reluctant, as he had seen that the people were eager to hear him. The great response they had shown during his lecture indicated their enthusiasm to receive his message.
Citsukhānanda: We went to the TV studio and waited there in the audience until after midnight. The program goes until 1:30, so it was a good time. 12:30 is the peak of the show. The TV interviewer asked Prabhupāda many things. When I translated all of what Śrīla Prabhupāda was explaining, the whole audience became stunned. Prabhupāda told them that the world could be happy if they would just love God and chant His names, Hare Kṛṣṇa. It seemed so simple. Actually everyone was stunned. Even the emcee was just completely stunned by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s answers, by his great sense of intelligence, understanding, and devotion. The emcee’s questions were trivial, about why the devotees shaved their heads and wore tilaka, why they dressed as they do, but Prabhupāda’s answers were brilliant.
The devotees chanted with Śrīla Prabhupāda during a kīrtana, accompanying him with guitars—Mexican style. At the conclusion of the show the interviewer asked, “Can you bless me?”
Śrīla Prabhupāda exclaimed, “All glories to Mexico City!”
The program ended. Citsukhānanda turned to the television announcer. “Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity.” The man made no reply. He was captivated by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He was overwhelmed. Śrīla Prabhupāda left the studio with the devotees, returning to the temple to take rest.
Dharmatma das ACBSP: We met this far out guy downtown who convinced us to come to a big Entreprenurial Convention going on in Santa Fe, a modern suburb of Mexico City. It took place in a huge venue and tens of thousand young students and business start ups attended. We were received like Rock Stars and within moments had huge crowds going crazy in ecstatic Kirtan masterfully led by Sundar Nitai prabhu. Fantastic preaching field. Many books, thousands of mantra cards and over 1000 small cups of Halavah were distributed until we were politely escorted out amidst cheers from the appreciating crowds.
