By Parasuram das
August 7th 2011 Edinburgh Rathayatra – lousy Scottish weather but the devotees were ecstatic. We walked down Forest road and there it was, the old Temple established by our Tribhuvanath Prabhu, subsequently lost but greatly missed by Srila Prabhupada. It is now an Irish pub.
I was amazed by how big the Temple building was – those devotees were serious about spreading Krishna consciousness. Kishora Prabhu looked up at the room where he used to sleep in with Bhumadev Prabhu and Sukarma Prabhu. Shamasundra Prabhu had offered Rebatinandana Swami the Deities (Radha Gokulananda) to be installed in Edinburgh, provided the devotees were on top of it. The Deities ended up at the Manor (The Deities from the Bombay Pandal program)
During the Rathayatra Janananda Swami asked Krishora Prabhu to say a few words. But first he asked him where are you from Scotland?, a big cheer rang out. Kishora Prabhu recalled how Srila Prabhupad came to Edinburgh and after kirtan and talk, there was a challenge.
(From a follower of Divine Light mission who are into Love and Light)
“Swami why must God be philosophy? Krishna is God, God is great, and philosophy is there to know how great God is! Do you want me to tell you fairy stories instead?”
The challenger sat down.
Sukarma Prabhu ran up to Kishora Prabhu – he was dead excited – I just bumped into Srila Prabhupad and I asked him a question. “A pure devotee sees Krishna everywhere – what form of Krishna does he see?” Srila Prabhupad held out his hand “there may be a drop of water in my hand. What do you see?” “A drop of water?”” If I have a powerful machine to examine what do I see”?
“Premanjana Churika Bhakti Vilocanena”
The pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love.
Srila Prabhupada was indicating that Sukarma will get the answer later – but first qualification – Kishora Prabhu also told us that it was in Glasgow that Srila Prabhupada had a discussion with a ranting challenger.
SP “are you finished! You are not God! You are a dog”! Met with thunderous applause. Srila Prabhupada never missed a beat never fazed by a challenging question such as in Bury Place London.
“Swami do you see God” asked the challenger
“Yes, you cannot? God is everywhere can you not see? Do you want to see God?” replied SP
The challenger shook her head
“Therefore you cannot see!”
Srila Prabhupada ki jai!