Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Prabhupada, Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (birth name Abkhay Charan De) (1.9.1896, Kolkata, British India, now Kolkata , India - 14.11.1977, Vrindavan, India) - neo-Hindu religious figure, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness.

Biography

1921: The Birth of a Son

In 1921, Abhay (the name that Prabhupada bore until the adoption of Sannyasa) and his wife had their first child, a son. Since other children may have appeared in the family, Abhay needed to think about increasing income.

In Indian culture, the role of the family is exceptionally great, and divorce was out of the question at the time. Even in serious financial difficulties, a man must stay with his wife and children. While Abhay regretted not being able to accept sannyasa, he never seriously considered leaving his young wife at the very beginning of their life together.

Gour Mohan, Abhay's father, was delighted that his son had adopted the guru vaishnava, but this did not mean at all that he wanted Abhay to leave his family and adopt the sannyasa. Even as a family person, Vaishnav can practice spiritually and preach actively.

Abhay believed that the money earned by honest labor would go not only to the maintenance of the family, but also to the expansion of preaching activities that would satisfy his spiritual teacher - Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. One astrologer even predicted to Abhay that he would become one of the richest people in India. But at his current income, most of the funds were spent on meeting the needs of the family. Therefore, Abhay began to think about starting his own business.

Abhay shared his thoughts with Dr Bose, who listened carefully and offered to become his representative in northern India. Abhay was to procure medicines, ointments, tinctures, toothpaste and other goods from Dr Bose's factory and then drive around northern India and sell them. In addition, Abhay had sufficient experience in Dr. Bose's laboratory, so he could try to organize the production and marketing of his own drugs, as well as other goods. Dr Bose and Abhay decided that Allahabad (modern Prayagraj), located in central northern India, would be a suitable headquarters for the aspiring businessman.

1923: Moving to Allahabad and opening a pharmacy "Prayag farmasi"

Abhay moved to Allahabad, which is a 1923-hour drive from Kolkata, in 12. At one time, the British proclaimed Allahabad the capital of the United Provinces. Europeans, as well as wealthy Indians, lived in new areas that were paved with stone and well-lit at night. But there was another, more ancient part of the city, with ancient narrow streets where houses and shops were crowded. Many Bengalis lived in the old district, so Abhay decided to settle there.

Abhay settled in Allahabad as he sichital this city as a suitable place to open his business. But, among other things, Allahabad is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage sites in India. Located at the confluence of three sacred rivers - Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati, Allahabad has been the site of famous religious celebrations since ancient times: the annual Magha Mela and Kumbha Mela, which was celebrated once every 12 years. Seeking spiritual purification, millions of pilgrims from all over India gather in Allahabad in the month of Magha (January-February) and wash themselves in the Triveni Sangam, where the waters of great rivers merge.

Abhay's house consisted of several small rooms. As an office, Abhay rented a small shop in the business part of the city, on Johnston Gang Road. In the same store, he opened the Prayag Farmasi pharmacy. Abhay sold medicines, tinctures, syrups and other products from Dr. Bose's lab.

In Allahabad, he met Dr. Ghosh, who was looking for business partners. Abhay suggested he work together. Dr Ghosh closed his Tropical Farmasi shop and moved to Abhay's shop.

In Prayag farmasi, Dr. Ghosh examined patients, diagnosed and wrote prescriptions for which Abhay made medications. Dr Ghosh received 25 per cent of the sale of the drugs on his prescriptions. Abhay and Dr. Ghosh became friends, they often visited each other, and their children grew up as brothers and sisters. Often Abhay and Dr Ghosh discussed how to increase the revenues of their small enterprise.

Dr Ghosh: "Abhay was a very enterprising man. But, above all, we were believers. Each house had a small temple and Deities. However, Abhay often talked about affairs and how to provide the family with everything necessary. "

At home, Abhay always wore kurta and dhoti, but, going on business, he put on European trousers and a shirt. He was a beautiful, energetic young man. He was about thirty at the time. Abhay and his wife, Radharani De, already had two children - a year after moving to Allahabad, a daughter was born.

Gour Mohan (Prabhupada's father), who turned 75, moved in with them along with Abhay's widowed sister Rajeshwari and her son Tulasi. Gour Mohan rarely left the house. Sitting in a small house temple, he repeated the mantra on the rosary or worshipped the shalagrama-shila - the Deity of Lord Krishna. He was pleased that Abhay was doing everything right and Abhay was glad to see that his father was good in their house and he could quietly worship Krishna.

Abhay's life was very busy. He sought to develop his cause. By eight o'clock in the morning, he came to the pharmacy, where Dr. Ghosh was already waiting for him, and began to work. At noon, Abhay would go home for lunch and then, in the late afternoon, return to the pharmacy. For eight thousand rupees, he bought a large "buick" and although he himself never drove a car, his nephew, who was an excellent driver, was engaged in private carriage on it. From time to time, Abhay drove a car on business, and then his nephew acted as his chauffeur.

It so happened that Motilal Nehru and his son, Jawaharlal Nehru, became regular buyers of Prayag Farmasi. Since Jawaharlal always ordered Western medicines, Abhay had the opinion that he did not take Indian medicine seriously. On one occasion, Jawaharlal Nehru petitioned Abhay for a donation for his party and Abhay, being a respectable merchant, granted his request.

Abhay loved to chat with his customers and passing people who told him a lot of interesting things. A retired officer's acquaintance often recalled World War I. He told Abhay that Marshal Fok once ordered the shooting of several thousand refugees from Belgium, since it was very difficult to feed them during the hostilities. One Muslim noble, a member of the Afghan royal family, visited Abhay's pharmacy with his son every day to sit and talk to friends. Abhay listened to his customers, chatting with them while preparing their prescription drugs.

He often recalled his meeting with Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. Time and again, he went through the details of his conversation with this Vaishnav in his mind.

In the evening, Abhay went home to his wife and children. Radharani was a faithful and chaste wife. She devoted all her time to household chores: cooking, cleaning and looking after two children. However, she did not share her husband's spiritual aspirations, so Abhay never told her of his sympathy for Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati.

One day Abhay, his wife and children, Gour Mohan, Abhay's younger brother Krishna Charan, Abhay's widowed sister Rajeshwari and her son Tulasi das went to a photo studio to make a family portrait. Abhay is in his thirties in a photograph taken at the time. He is a thin and dark-haired young man with a lush mustache. Abhay is dressed in white kurtu and dhoti and has simple dark shoes on his feet. He sits in a chair, and behind him is a pretty young woman in a white sari with a colored border at the edges. Her thin arm lies on the back of her chair. She doesn't have shoes on. With his left hand, Abhay supports his kneeling two-year-old son, Prayag Raj, who wriggles while chatting his feet at his mother's knee. Abhaya can be seen amusing her son's behaviour.

Behind Abhay are Tulasi and Krishna Charan. Spravo from Abhay sits Rajeshwari in a white widowed sari and holds Abhay's daughter Sulakshmanu on his lap. Sulakshmana also breaks out. In the centre sits Gour Mohan. His face is dotted with wrinkles, and his body is dried up by old age. He is wearing white dhoti and kurta.

Abhay has made frequent business trips around northern India in an effort to boost sales. He usually left for several days, and sometimes was absent for weeks, moving from city to city. At that time, the pharmaceutical industry in India was just beginning to develop, so doctors, hospitals and pharmacies were happy to buy medicines from the educated and courteous representative of Dr. Bose's laboratory.

Abhay took trains and stayed in hotels. He loved the sense of freedom given by travel, but still his main concern was keeping in touch with customers and expanding the market.

Trips in third class carriages were often very inconvenient: stiff wooden seats (often quite dirty), full to capacity carriages, and so on. In such conditions, Abhay traveled, sometimes driving several hundred miles in a week. At every station, he heard tea vendors shouting, "Tea! Tea! " They walked along the platform, looking into the windows of the cars. Tea was brought to India by the English, and now millions of Indians were convinced that the day should start with a cup of hot tea. Abhay was a strict Vaishnav, so he never drank tea, however Radharani, his wife, became addicted to the drink, which greatly upset Abhay.

Abhay looked like a European businessman, but he never retreated from his strict principles of Vaishnavism. Many Bengalis eat fish without much remorse, while Abhay never ate food that was unacceptable to Vaishnav. Once in Bombay in a vegetarian restaurant at the Empire Hindu Hotel, they brought him onions, and then from time to time they offered mushrooms, garlic and even eggs, but Abhay always refused to eat them. Even in hotels, he adhered to his usual routine: he got up early in the morning and washed himself with cold water. He followed this rule all year round.

1925: Visit to Vrindavan

On one of the trips, in 1925, he was in Agra, which is forty miles south of Vrindavan. Seizing the occasion, Abhay went to the sacred Vrindavan, fulfilling his childhood dream. Unfortunately, he was only able to stay there for two days; even a break like this was quite sensitive for him. Abhay visited the main temples of Vrindavan founded by the followers of Chaitanya. But, unfortunately, he needed to drive on.

Often his trips were fraught with risk. Once, while he was sitting in a carriage, a monkey suddenly jumped in and took his belongings away. On another occasion, while he was driving to Kanpur in a two-wheeler, a horse on all the gallops tripped over a pile of rubbish lying in the middle of the road. The stroller overturned, and the horse, along with the cab, fell into the trash. Abhay also flew out of the stroller and fell to the ground. However, he was uninjured, and it seemed to him that he had simply moved to another place. Abhay sat and remained silent and the cab driver became concerned after deciding that his passenger had passed out. After making sure that everything worked out, the cab driver considered it a miracle, as he saw Abhaya thrown into the air with his own eyes. Abhay thought Krishna had saved him and immediately remembered that it was not the first time.

For five years, Abhay traveled to the Indian states, and, staying in Allahabad, spent most of his time in a pharmacy. But he also devoted time to his wife and played with his children.

Srila Prabhupada: "When my son was two years old, he became very naughty, dabbled all the time. My friends often came to visit us. Seeing how my son behaved, they said: "Pacha, if you sit quietly for at least a minute, you will receive a gift." But, as a rule, he did not succeed. He could not sit in one place for a minute. Once, when a working fan was standing on the table, Pacha wanted to touch it. I warned: "Don't touch! It will hurt. " But he reached out to him again and again. Then one of my friends said: "Make the speed slower, and let him touch it," I turned off the fan, and Pacha touched it. The fan blade hit him hard on the finger, without, however, causing much harm. But after this incident, he never approached the fan again. "

As soon as Abhay Sulakshman's daughter learned to speak, he began to learn with her the Bengali translation of the prayer "Gurv-ashtakam," which begins with the words: "The spiritual teacher receives a blessing from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud that sheds rain extinguishes a forest fire, a spiritual teacher extinguishes the blazing fire of material existence and saves the people who are engulfed in this flame. "

In his free time from travel, Abhay lived at home and took care of members of his large family. He successfully developed his business, and it flourished.

1928: Support for the opening of the Vaishnava centre in Allahabad

During the Kumbh Mela, which took place in January 1928, Bhaktipradipa Tirtha Maharaja of Gaudiya Math came to Allahabad with a small group of devotees. Once they went to "Prayag farmasi," and suddenly, after so many years, Abhay saw the devotees again. He thought, "I've met these people before!"

It was Bhaktipradipa Tirtha Swami who visited Narendra Mallik in Kolkata at one time, which was the reason why Abhay met Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. The Maharaja had simple, khadi-made sannyasi clothes, his head was shaved, his head had a shikha on the back of his head, and a Vaishnava tilaka on his forehead. Folding his palms, he addressed Abhay: "We came here quite recently. We are going to open a temple in Allahabad. They speak of you as a very religious person. Please help us. "

Abhay rejoiced at the opportunity to help the devotees. He donated some amount of money to them and then introduced Tirtha Maharaj to Dr Ghosh, who also donated.

Abhay invited devotees from Gaudiy Math to give a lecture and sing bhajans at his house, promising that his wife would prepare Prasad. The Vaishnavas agreed, but when they came there was a slight misunderstanding. Gour Mohan, who was quite lacklustre, was in his upstairs room. Abhay called him: "Father, come down. Our house hosts the Gaudiya Matha congregation. " Gour Mohan came down, but after seeing the sadha, mistook them for impersonalists, since he did not hear Abhay's words. Gour Mohan sat with a moody squeeze and the underdogs stared at the people in saffron robes. He even made some disapproving remark. Abhay was very inspired by communicating with the Vaishnavas and the opportunity to talk with them about Krishna, so his father's behavior surprised him greatly. However, as soon as Bhaktipradipa Tirtha Swami spoke, Gour Mohan exclaimed, "Oh, they're wayishavas!" And although Abhay's father was very old and sick, he fell to their feet: "Forgive me. I mistook you for sannyasi-mayavadi. I'm excited to meet you.'

After Kumbh-mela Pradeep, Swami left, but a few brahmacharis remained in Allahabad - disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, who supported a small preaching center. They worshiped deities, gave a lecture and kirtan each evening, and actively preached to the locals. This centre was headed by Atulananda Brahmachari. He visited the homes of the people of Allahabad, inspiring them to subscribe to the Gaudiya Matha magazine; a one-month subscription cost half a rupee.

Atulananda once knocked on Abkhaya Charana De door. Abhay welcomed him warmly and offered him lunch. Abhay was very receptive to philosophy and enjoyed conversations with Atulananda, who began to visit Mister De regularly. Abhay was also interested in the latest news on the activities of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. By that time, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta had opened the Gaudiya Printer Works publishing house in Calcutta and began printing the Srimad-Bhagavatam with his comments. In addition, he published an edited version of "Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata" and opened centres in Bhuvaneswar, Madras and Puri.

Atulananda told Abhay how in 1925 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati staged a grand procession - parikrama on the land of Navadwipa. At the head of the procession, deities were carried on ornate elephants. Devotees from all over India gathered to take part in the parikram. Envious caste Brahmins, dissatisfied with the fact that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta received students from any caste, hired bandits who threw stones at the procession. But this did not stop Sreela Bhaktisiddhanta and the parikrama continued. In 1926, he traveled to the states of India, preaching the teachings of Chaitanya. Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati installed deities in the huge Sri Chaitanya Math temple in Mayapur. And a year earlier, he began publishing the magazine "Saj-jana-toshani" in three languages, the English version of which was called "Harmonist."

Soon, the allahabad Gaudiya Matha centre moved to Sout Mallaka Street, which was very close to Abhay's house. Abhay could now visit the ashram every evening. After work, he went to the temple, where he played mridang, sang bhajans, and sometimes led kirtans. In addition, he brought to the temple high - ranking people who donated money to preaching programs. Brahmachari believed that Abhay breathed new life into their ashram, and for Abhay himself, new life began with meeting Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's disciples.

1930: Death of Father

In early 1930, the health of Gour Mohan, Abhay's father, deteriorated markedly. Thinking that his death was already near, he gathered the whole family around him. Abhay was in Bombay at this time. He returned to Allahabad late at night. As Abhay knocked on the door, Gour Mohan told his daughter Rajeshwari: "Open the door. Abhay is back. " She replied: "No, he's in Bombay." Gour Mohan reiterated: "I tell you, he's come. Open the door! " Rajeshwari went down to open the door and saw her brother actually standing on the doorstep. Abhay immediately went to his father and asked, "How are you feeling?" «I'm fine. Go rest, "Gour Mohan replied.

The next morning, Abhay called the doctor. "I don't know how your father still lives," the doctor told Abhay. "He has hardly a pulse, and for several months he has been eating practically nothing." Abhay asked his father: "What would you want? Tell me». Gour Mohan replied: "Why are you asking? Did the doctor tell you something? " Abhay smiled: "No. I ask because I'm basically in Bombay and you're here. So if you want something, tell me. I came to be near you. "

Gour Mohan asked Abhay to give their cow and calf to Allahabad's Gaudiya Matha. Fulfilling his will, Abhay took the cow and calf to the ashram. Back, Abhay again. asked his father: "Maybe you have some other desire?" Again, the father asked, "Did the doctor tell you something?" "No, no, I'm asking because I'll have to leave soon on business." Then Gour Mohan asked: "Invite all Gaudiya Vaishnavas of Allahabad to our house. Let them sing kirtan and then honor prasad. That's my wish. " Abhay invited the Vaishnavas and the kirtan began in the evening. Then the devotees were fed a delicious prasad, and they went home. Gour Mohan passed away the same night.

Gour Mohan worshipped Radha and Krishna all his life. Abhay was an adult independent man, but, having lost his father, he felt confused. Gour Mohan has always guided Abhay and considers him an extraordinary man. After losing his father, Abhay was plunged into sadness. He suddenly felt that he depended on his father no less than in childhood, but now the kind and caring Gour Mohan was no longer next to him. There was no one who always treated him like a beloved son, one who always gave him everything he wanted, one who literally begged every counter sadha to bless his son to become a great devotee of Srimati Radharani.

On the day of shraddhi, the thirteenth day after Gour Mohan's passing, Abhay and his brother visited the photographer. Following religious tradition, the brothers shaved their heads. A photographer captured them sitting on either side of their father's portrait. The portrait in a beautiful frame stands on an elevation and is framed by black matter. In this portrait, Gour Mohan looks old, but despite this, his face is focused and serious, and he doesn't seem as feeble an old man with an extinct eye as in the previous photograph.

Abhay's view expresses neither excitement nor joy nor sorrow. He is peaceful and wise, and it seems that on the day of the death of his father he unexpectedly became a sadhu. He looks like a sadhu, the way his father wanted him to be.

1932: Apprenticeship of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati

In November 1932, after participating in the Vrindavan Parikrama organized by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Abhay was preparing to meet his spiritual teacher, this time already in Allahabad. No sooner had Abhay returned from Vrindavan and started work at Prayag Farmasi than devotees from Allahabad's Gaudiya Math told him the news. They received land and raised funds for the construction of the Sri Rupa Gaudiya Math temple. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta planned to come on November 21 to hold the temple laying ceremony. The Governor of the United Provinces, Sir William Malcolm Haley, will be the guest of honor and lay the first stone in the foundation of the temple. Upon learning that a dedication ceremony would be held during the celebration, Abhay asked if he could take part in it. Atulananda assured Abhay that he would present it to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta.

Back at home, Abhay told his wife he wanted to get a dedication. She did not mind, but she herself refused to accept the dedication. She believed that it was enough to worship deities and offer them food. In her opinion, they believed in God and lived in harmony.

Bhaktisiddhanta - son of Bhaktivinoda Thakur and disciple of Gaurakishore das Babaji, was a guru belonging to the twelfth generation of apprentice succession coming from Chaitanya. He was a wonderful connoisseur of scripture, a sophisticated Vaishnav. He was authorized by previous Acharya. Abhay felt that he had already accepted Sreela Bhaktisiddhanta as his spiritual teacher, and also had already received his instructions. And if Srila Bhaktisiddhanta now agrees to recognise him as her disciple, their relationship will be formally confirmed.

On the day of the Bhaktisiddhanta ceremony, Saraswati met his students in Allahabad's Gaudiya Math. Atulananda Brahmachari took the opportunity to introduce to his spiritual teacher several devotees wishing to receive the dedication. One of these devotees was Abhay.

The devotees from Allahabad were proud of the mister De who regularly visited the temple, sang bhajans, listened to lectures and gave them himself. He donated money to the temple and inspired his business partners to do so. Folding his palms, Abhay bowed respectfully to his spiritual teacher, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta recognised Abhay and it was seen that he was glad to see him. They were already familiar.

Abhay was delighted, the words of the guru and this moment entered his heart forever. Atulananda was pleasantly surprised that Gurudeva was already familiar with Mister De and pleased with him. Other students who were present at this conversation were also pleased that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati praised Mister De, calling him a good listener. Some of them wondered when and where Srila Bhaktisiddhanta could meet this young apothecary.

During the dedication of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Saraswati sat in a vyasasan, an honorable seat reserved for a spiritual master. The room was filled with guests and members of Gaudiya Matha. Devotees receiving the dedication sat around a small earthen embankment on which one of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's disciples lit a sacrificial fire. He made offerings of grain and fruit, and everyone else in chorus repeated the cleansing mantras. Abhay's brother and sister attended the ceremony, not just his wife.

When Abhay's turn came, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta asked him to come up and accept the initiation into harinama, receiving the holy rosary. Bowing, Abhay sat down at the guru's feet and, reaching out his right hand, took the rosary from the hands of the spiritual master. He then received from Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati a sacred Brahmani cord which was issued at the second ordination. Usually, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta first gave the first initiation - harinam, and only after a while, if he was satisfied with the spiritual growth of the student, he gave him the second initiation. But he gave Abhay both initiations at once. Abhay was now a full disciple, a Brahman who can conduct fiery sacrifices.

Now he could worship the deity in the temple, as well as give lectures. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta added the word "aravtda" to his name - lotus, and henceforth his name was Abhay Charanaravinda.

Soon Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati left for Kolkata. Abhay, who received spiritual dedication, felt he now had to serve the cause of his teacher. During the dedication, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta told Abhay to study Rupa Goswami's "Bhakti-rasamrita-sindha" - a book that tells about Krishna's love relationship with devotees, as well as how a devotee can achieve perfection in spiritual life. The "Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu" is a kind of "code of laws" of devoted service, so Abhay carefully studied this scripture. He began to visit the Allahabad temple more often, often bringing new people with him.

During their first meeting, his spiritual master instructed him to preach the teachings of Caitanya, and now he began to seriously think about how to fulfill this assignment. Preaching was as important a responsibility as caring for the family or working. He sought to preach everywhere, even at home. He has repeatedly discussed with his wife his idea - to invite different people home, feed them prasad and tell them about Krishna. But his wife did not share his zeal.

Losing pharmacy business to debt and moving to Bombay to open pharmaceutical lab

Thanks to Abhay, Bose's laboratory became known throughout India, and other companies vied with each other to offer Abhay to become their representative. Things were going uphill and he hoped to amass a small fortune.

Srila Prabhupada: "My Guru Maharaja has given me spiritual responsibilities. But I decided differently: "First I will get rich, and then I will start preaching. My spiritual brothers accepted the sannyasa and begged for alms. I will become a wealthy man, and this will bring success to my preaching. "

The largest pharmaceutical company in India, Bengal Chemical, made him an offer of cooperation, but since representatives of the company considered Abhay's conditions unacceptable, he refused them, although he later regretted this. Still, there was good news. The famous astrologer predicted that Abhay would become one of the richest people in India, and Dr. Kartik Bose told his father-in-law: "Abhay is a very smart person!"

However, things were not going as smoothly as Abhay would have liked. Thanks to numerous trips, he gained many customers to whom he supplied the goods on credit. Some of them began to delay payments, and Abhay became indebted. In the end, his debt to Bose's lab was Rs 10,000 ^[1]

In addition, Abhay had enemies. The man who after Abhay's departure as manager of Dr Bose's laboratory in Kolkata took his place tried to turn Dr Bose against Abhay, claiming he had become too independent. He heard about Abhay's negotiations with Bengal Chemical, and decided that Abhay's increasing debt was due to his lack of dedication to the company. But despite the vicious libel, Kartik Bose continued to be supportive of Abhay. When the debt of the young pharmacist became prohibitive, Dr. Bose went to Allahabad to personally find out what was the matter. He spoke primarily to Dr Ghosh, who told him: "Abhay is an honest man. Trusting customers, he supplied them with drugs on credit. Now they refuse to pay the money. "

Abhay and Dr Bose discussed the situation and concluded that the best solution would be to hand over Dr Bose "Prayag farmasi" and all Abhay's clients. Thus, Abhay settled the debt, but was left without work.

One day Atulananda came to Abhay. He asked; "Why don't you come to the temple? Now you're free.' Abhay began to visit Rupa Goswami Math more often, where devotees, with inherent Brahmachari carelessness, advised him to completely rely on Krishna and leave worldly life, move to the temple and become a preacher. However, Abhay had no intention of moving to the temple. Otherwise, what will happen to his wife and children? Recently, he and Radharani had a third child - a son, so financial costs increased.

Having lost his job, he was in a difficult position, but at the same time retained his confidence and was ready to settle in a new place. There were other companies that offered him jobs. Some of Abhay's old clients were willing to continue to collaborate with him despite no longer being a representative of Dr Bose's lab. Abhay also considered opening his own pharmaceutical laboratory. He eventually decided to open his own factory, but in another, larger city. His choice fell on Bombay.

He decided that the family would stay in Allahabad, and he and his brother would go to Bombay, rent an apartment there and start working on creating their own pharmaceutical laboratory. Radharani is used to her husband's constant trips, but they have never been so long before. Abhay spoke to her, explaining that he had lost his pharmacy. Now, to provide for the family, he must start a new business, and this is best done in a big city. He will be forced to leave his family for a while. Abhay organized a small pharmaceutical production in Allahabad, appointed his nephew Tulasi to lead it, and left with his brother for Bombay.

1936

Later, in 1977, while visiting Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, Prabhupada told the students about how he, while still a grihastha, tried to help his spiritual teacher: "Of course, at the beginning of my spiritual path I did not show much zeal. I started being active when I was seventy years old. Therefore, my spiritual brothers considered me a worthless Vaishnava, immensely attached to family life - Prabhupada laughed. 'But I never forgot what Guru Maharaj told me. I wanted to become a rich man to be able to fund preaching programs. From Allahabad, I went to Bombay, where I had a small office.

Taking pity on me, Guru Maharaj said, "Leave your fruitless attempts and join me." Now I clearly understand what he wanted from me. Then I had a desire to serve him, so he directed me. In 1936, in Bombay, after the establishment of the Deities, I helped them with money. My spiritual brothers were very pleased with me and addressed Guru Maharaj with the following words: "Abhay Babu is such an influential person. Why does he not live in the temple? He can direct the activities of the Bombay temple. Why does he still live at home? " After listening to them, Guru Maharaj replied: "It will be better if he lives apart for now. When the time comes, he will leave the family. In the meantime, do not bother him with advice. " Then I couldn't understand why he said that.'

1965: Lectures in the United States and popularity among beatniks and hippies

In 1965 he went to the United States to lecture on Hinduism. There he began to preach Krishnaism, to teach those wishing to sing kirtans. He gained popularity among the youth beatniks, hippies.

1966: Founding of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York

In 1966, he founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York, the adherents of which gave him the title of Prabhupad. With the help of students, Prabhupada opened branches of the Society in several cities in the United States.

1977: Participation in Kumbh Mel in Allahabad

Main article: Kumbha Mela

Conflict Over Wrong Choice Of Camp Site By Prabhupada Students

Srila Prabhupada arrived in Allahabad on the morning of January 12, 1977, in Ekadashi. At the train station, he was met by a group of devotees who sang Krtsna's name and showered Prabhupada with flowers. Prabhupada's car was driven from Delhi to Allahabad to take him from the railway station to ISKCON camp. Leaving the station was very difficult as it was filled by huge crowds of pilgrims. Prabhupada's car was moving very slowly.

The government ordered additional trains and buses, and in order to cope with the influx of pilgrims, a temporary railway station was even organized. It seemed that the entire population of India was going to wash in the Triveni Sangam. The tent city already numbered two million inhabitants, and several million pilgrims arrived every day.

A group of sankirtans with a cowcar and other devotees waited for Prabhupad near the gates of the tent city. However, devotees did not take into account that the temporary city had a lot of gates. They picked the wrong gate and missed Prabhupada's arrival.

The road ended, and then the path ran along the sandy plains spread around Triveni. The car was slowly moving forward. Noticing a group of his disciples walking between the camps with hari-nama kirtan, Prabhupada smiled. The car drove through the densely populated part of the tent city, where most of the camps were located, and reached the outskirts of Triveni. ISKCON tents were set up near the railway bridge on Gangadwipa Island.

A small group of devotees welcomed Prabhupada. Prabhupada got out of the car, looked at the bridge next to which the ISKCON camp was located and said: "In 1930 I cremated my father here. Why did you set up tents in this place? " He was unhappy with the location of the camp.

Bhagavata das: "Garga Muni sent me to Allahabad to pick a place for the camp. The organizers gave us a place opposite the Maharishi camp, but I thought Prabhupada was unlikely to rejoice in such a neighborhood. So I asked them to give us another place. Then the organizers of the holiday invited us to occupy a site near the place where the governor of Kamalapati Tripati and other important persons are located. I thought a little and agreed. "

Prabhupada asked Bhagavat das why the camp was located in such a remote location. After hearing the student's explanations, he said: "You are still very young and therefore naive. They simply deceived you. "

On the same day, Prabhupada arranged a darshan. Ramanandi Pandit came to darshan. Prabhupada said, "Do you know which prasad should be eaten in ekadashi? - Lotus seeds fried in ghi." Ramanandi Pandit came out and, returning after a while, put his cloth bag on the table in front of Prabhupada and then slowly opened it. The bag contained lotus seeds fried in ghi. Prabhupada said, "See, Krishna sent us food suitable for ekadashi."

In the evening, Prabhupada learned that Bhagavata das and Guru das did not procure enough food for the mass distribution of prasad, and, angry, ordered to call Bhagavaga.

• Why isn't prasad being handed out today? Prabhupada asked.

"I don't know," Bhagavata replied, stammering. - Probably didn't buy products.

• Why didn't you buy it? Prabhupada was overjoyed. "What's wrong with you?" You Americans only know how to waste money. Why didn't you make a stock of groceries? Why didn't you buy rice in advance, gave and wheat? Do you have any brains? You spend five rupees on the road to the market, five rupees on the road back and in the market you buy rice for one rupee. A lovely mentality! Whenever you need some little thing, you go to the store. You're just stupid! It is wiser to purchase whatever is necessary once and then use the stock. Looks like you can't think at all! And why did you choose this place under the railway bridge? Why did you do such stupidity? Trains are constantly making noise. Pandal is no good. And, on top of that, there is no prasad!

Guru Das tried to tell Prabhupada about the measures he had taken to protect the camp from the noise of trains passing on the nearby bridge:

• But because of the noise, which constantly stands in the camp, trains are not even heard. In addition, we have the most powerful speakers throughout Kumbh Mel.

After some time, Prabhupada again sent for Bhagavata.

• Bhagavata Maharaja, Prabhupada addressed him, although he was not a sannyasi. - If you can establish the energy supply of the camp, you will be great. Can you do that?

Bhagavata replied that he could, and by the evening of the same day there was already a light in the ISKCON camp, which, however, was often turned off, just like in other camps.

After the gaffe made, the devotees did everything to correct their mistake and please Prabhupada. During Kumbh Mela, a lot of prasad was distributed. In addition to feeding all the devotees, they distributed a huge amount of khalava to the rest of the pilgrims. Faced with having to cook a very large amount of food, the devotees decided to hire chefs, but Guru Das considered that experienced devotees should be involved in the preparation of prasad. In addition, this made it possible to save four and a half thousand rupees - this is the amount requested by the cook for their services.

Krishna Balarama prabhu is the head chef, Shantilal is a devotee from Rajasthan, and Apramada das is the head chef of the bus group, did the bulk of the work, cooking vegetables, halava and other dishes on bonfires day and night. They hired one assistant, paying him only Rs 100.

When Guru das came to Bombay, Prabhupada advised him to distribute puri, shak and halava in Kumbha-mela. Guru das offered to cook Pushpanna, but Prabhupada rejected his offer: "Some will eat this dish, while others will not. Puri and shak is pakka and Pushpanna is kachchha, Many pilgrims feed according to jata. People of one jata, or caste, will not eat the anna (food) of another caste. But puri and shak will eat everything. "

• Chapati and dal are distributed in other camps, Prabhupade explained to Guru das. 'I thought it would be nice to give away pushpanna as this dish is not cooked anywhere else.

"I don't mind. But puri and shak are still better.

Rice was distributed to devotees during the day, and ordinary soup in the evening. Devotees liked such simple food, as it was well digested and did not create health problems. Milk was brought from Vrindavan to the camp. Devotees paid Rs 2.70 per litre, which was quite expensive, but milk had to be carried from afar. In addition, prices have always increased during the holidays.

Prabhupada's disease

The weather was bad - cold, wet and windy. Srila Prabhupada could not sleep at night; he just sat wearing some wool sweaters - a hooded coat, a chadar and gloves. There was a heater in his tent, but due to power outages, there was little use from him.

By morning, Prabhupada had a severe runny nose. He did not go to wash on the river, and limited himself to pouring ice water from a nearby column. His arms and legs were swollen. Still, Prabhupada did not want to leave. When the sun rose, it became much warmer, and Prabhupada asked to give him a massage. However, the devotees were concerned about his state of health and unanimously insisted that he should not remain in the camp. But Prabhupada stated that preaching is much more important than health. People had already found out where he was staying and started coming to talk to him, so he wanted to stay in the camp. Prabhupada told devotees that they came to Kumbha Mela not to wash in the Ganges, but to preach.

Srila Prabhupada on Kumbh Mel in Allahabad in 1977

Devotees gathered in Srila Prabhupada's tent for a pooja guru and a lecture on "Srimad-Bhagavatam." They did not have a garland for Prabhupada, but he said nothing. By the time the lecture ended, the sun had risen. Prabhupada asked Hari Shauri to take his bed outside, where a servant gave him a massage.

Prabhupada spent the next night sitting again, while Rameshwara Swami tried in vain to make the heater work. Hari Shauri put a recorder on the table in front of Prabhupada, but he didn't even touch him. All devotees were concerned about Prabhupada's health. Prabhupada was originally planned to stay at Kumbha Mel until 21 January. Prabhupada himself believed that he should stay on holiday and preach, but devotees seemed that Prabhupada better go where it was warmer.

During Kumbh Mela, Prabhupada was very ill - he lost weight and weakened so much that he could not move independently. To endure Prabhupada, devotees made a special chair.

It was so cold in the mornings that devotees struggled to get up from their beds. Then Guru Das went for a trick: he lit a fire on the street, near which everyone could warm up. The campfire was much warmer than the tents, so all the devotees left their uncomfortable shelters and gathered by the campfire, and then began to sing "Managalacharan." In the mornings, guru puja and lecture on "Srimad-Bhagavats" were held in Prabhupada tent, and in the evenings Prabhupada lectured on "Bhagavad-gita" and then arranged darshan.

Hippie visits to ISKCON camp

Many young people who came from the West came to the ISKCON camp. Many of them were hippies. These guys had incorrect ideas about renunciation and were not particularly clean. Often they asked to spend the night, and compassionate devotees allocated places for them in empty tents. Devotees believed that such charity was a kind of preaching. Some even suggested installing a special tent for this purpose. However, Prabhupada raised concerns:

• But they will drink, smoke and walk chumazim. These people are unscrupulous. It is extremely undesirable to communicate with them.

• And if one of them agrees to follow our rules? Guru asked Das.

• First, let them shave and wash away the dirt. People should not take the ISKCON camp for hippie shelter.

Prabhupada then asked if there were many hippies coming to the camp and Guru das answered in the affirmative.

• Decide for yourself, but I personally do not want people to develop misconceptions about our Society. Alpa-chhidre. Any, even the smallest, spot is noticeable on the white cloth, "Prabhupad told the students.

"In this case, we will not accept them anymore," Guru Das decided. "We will preach differently.

Harinama - sankirtana

On January 14, on the third day of Prabhupada's stay in Allahabad, the first ritual bathing took place on Kumbha Mel. A large crowd of pilgrims opened up great opportunities for the distribution of books. Not many people came to the ISKCON camp, so Prabhupada sent students to Harinama. After the ordeal that fell to our lot, they were full of enthusiasm, which people really liked. Participants distributed the book "Rasaraja Sri Krishna - a source of pleasure" and the magazine "Bhagavat darshan." The ISKCON harinama group, consisting of fifty men and several gurukuda students, moved around the tent city. Even among hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, white devotees attracted many curious glances.

At the head of the harinama was Achyutananda Swami, who led the kirtan, and Padma Lochana Swami. The group made their way among the crowd, collecting generous donations and distributing a large number of books. When people bowed to the young sannyasi, they touched the tridands of their heads. In their hands, they held lots, shaking them, tried to inspire people to donate. Anyone who donated at least 50 paise immediately received the book.

Devotees were struck by the piety of Indian pilgrims. Upon learning of the approach of the harinam, people bowed, making a full dandavat. Others stretched out on the ground where the devotees had passed, and some took the road dust and ate it. And although many pilgrims were practically beggars, they nevertheless approached the devotees and donated some money. People who could not get closer threw money, and the sannyasi caught them, holding their bahirvas like aprons.

In 15.30, a group of harinamas headed for Triveni. As the devotees approached the place of ablution, the police freed the passage for them to the very water. By evening, the devotees had distributed eight thousand books, and that day Prabhupada first expressed satisfaction with the success of the devotees. He ordered several sannyasi to remain on holiday until all the books were sold. As a result, devotees distributed more than fifteen thousand books.

Prabhupada was very ill, so he could not go to Triveni and wash himself. He asked the students to bring a bucket of water taken from Triveni Sangam. Devotees brought in a few buckets, but Prabhupada felt so bad he used only a few sweats of water to bathe.

During darshan, Prabhupada talked about the meaning of ritual washing. He explained that by washing in the waters of sacred rivers, a person does not receive liberation. But if he does this in a holy place and at a certain moment, he can get a great spiritual benefit.

Sitting in a relaxed pose, Prabhupada asked Ramanandi Pandit, who came to the darshan again:

• Have you gone to the Ganges to wash yourself?

Picking up Ganga's copper jug of water and a small tray, Pandit replied:

"I came to wash where you are.

After these words, he put a tray under Prabhupada's elongated feet and began to water them. The devotees in the room jumped from their seats and rushed to Prabhupada, seeking to pick up at least a few drops of charanamrite from the feet of their spiritual master.

The sankirtana group had a separate tent surrounded by a fence, as well as a place for parking a wagon. Bulls and a wagon attracted widespread attention. Seeing our wagon, people came up and started asking us questions.

A banner flaunted over the wagon: "Bhakti Vedanta Sankirtana Group." When Prabhupada came to this tent, he stopped in front of the wagon and examined the banner for a long time. He seemed to cheer him up. After that, Prabhupada picked up a bunch of grass and began to feed the bulls. He stroked them, and then, turning to us, said: "They will no longer be born in the material world, because they take them from the village to the village of the Deity Goura-Nitai."

During the Kumbha Mela, Krishna-nama Prabhu, one of the members of the Padayatra group, wrote the poem "Prabhupadaji, Prabhupadaji!," glorifying Srila Prabhupada.

Translation: "O Prabhupada, Prabhupada, I offer millions of bows to you whose mind is not desecrated by pride. You dedicate your life to the glorification of Krishna, and your mouth always celebrates the holy names of the Lord. Of Prabhupad, I offer millions of bows to you, a great teacher who endows his disciples with spiritual knowledge. "

Krishna-nama: "I didn't have a normal paper, so I wrote down my poem on some piece and then read it to Prabhupada. He was very pleased, but told me: "If you want to make me pleasant, then find a good paper and write down your poem." Then he told me that he really liked my poem. "

Digestive problems and leaving for Bhuvaneshwar

Srila Prabhupada was due to stay at Kumbha Mel until 21 January 1977, but his students insisted that he leave earlier as his health condition left much to be desired. They had never seen him so helpless, so they were very concerned. Reassuring the disciples, Prabhupada told them: "My only aspiration is to give people spiritual knowledge."

The news that Srila Prabhupada - the guru of the Hare Krishna Movement, lives in a camp on Gangadvip, spread throughout the tent city, and huge crowds of people began to flock to the ISKCON camp. Upon learning of this, Prabhupada said that people come to Kumbha-mela precisely to meet the sadhu. Despite feeling unwell, Srila Prabhupada went on a morning walk. He walked slowly along the banks of the Ganges, and, jealous of him, the pilgrims bowed and greeted him with exclamations: "Hare Krishna!" Despite the objections of the disciples, Prabhupada allowed pilgrims to touch his feet.

Rameshwara Swami tried to persuade Prabhupada to leave, making the following arguments: "Prabhupada, there is something more important than the opportunity to give darshan to these people - work on your books. Several thousand people will see you here, but if you continue to write books, we will distribute them in millions of copies. Millions of people will get your darshan. There are no conditions in our camp for working on books. It's too cold here and your health has been severely weakened. Let's go to Bhuvaneshwar, it is warm and there are healing springs. "

Gour Govinda and Garga Muni told Srila Prabhupada that Bhuvaneswar has medicinal water to help him get rid of digestive problems. The waters of Bindu Sarovara have long been famous for their healing properties. But the main reason for the trip to Bhuvaneshwar was Prabhupada's desire to open a temple there. In addition, Prabhupada agreed that his work on books was more important than being on Kumbh Mel.

On leaving Bhuvaneshwar, Prabhupada went to Mayapur to celebrate Gaura Purnima.

Notes