Srila Prabhupada’s quarters in Vrindavana prior to his coming to the West (Album of photos)
Gargamuni Das: HDGSP sent myself to protect His rooms from encroachment at Radha-Damodar Temple in the fall of 1972 –The below photographs are exactly the condition I found them when I arrived there.
Simple Living and High Thinking
by Padmapani Dasa
Srila Prabhupada stayed in these rooms for six years (1959-1965) while he was preparing for his trip to America. The rooms were simple and austere.
“Yes, we are trying to set a perfect example according to the Bhagavad-gita as it is, how to execute simple living and high thinking. We are not interested in any material comforts of life which are limited and temporary. We are interested in solving the real problems of life, birth, death, old-age, and disease. These problems must be solved, and Krishna gives the formula in the Bhagavad-gita.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, June 10, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada translated and wrote his purports to the first three volumes of the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the Radha-Damodar temple before leaving for America.
Srila Rupa Goswami’s Samadhi in the courtyard of the Radha-Damodar temple.
Srila Prabhupada left Vrindavan in 1965 to give Vrindavan to the world. Spending a day alone in his rooms was one of the highlights of my life.
“It is said by Sri Rupa Gosvami: ‘When one is actually liberated from material contamination, he can always remember an eternal devotee in Vrindavana in order to love Krishna in the same capacity. And developing such an aptitude, one will always live in Vrindavana, even within his mind.’ The purport is that, if it is possible, one should go and physically be present at Brajabhumi, Vrindavana, and be engaged always in the service of the Lord, following the devotees in Brajadhama, the spiritual realm of Braja. If it is not possible, however, to be physically present at Vrindavana, one can meditate anywhere upon living in that situation. Wherever he may be, one must always think about life in Brajadhama and about following in the footsteps of a particular devotee in the service of the Lord.” (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 16)
Since Srila Prabhupada eternally resides in his rooms in Vrindavan, I humbly aspire to meditate upon him there and serve his lotus feet forever.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.