Prabhupada did not accept criticism unless we had a positive correction.
I heard from secretary Prabhupada, Upendra, that devotees in Japan were thrown out of the country and that our Society is at risk. This disturbed me as I spent three years in Japan. I felt that the devotees there, headed by Gurukripa and Yashodananda, were in a passionate mood to raise money. They didn't want to register the Society and keep it in good condition.
In this restless mood, I entered Prabhupada's room. Srila Prabhupada was alone. I burned out ′′ I knew this was going to happen ". Srila Prabhupada looked at me as if saying, ′′ What kind of aboriginal entered my room?" I said, ′′ We are being thrown out of Japan, but we have Radha's Deity - Krishna is there ".
Srila Prabhupada was sad and said soberly: ′′ I didn't want this to happen. Ok you can come back ". I was shocked. I thought, ′′ Oh God, what have I done? I opened my mouth and now I need to get back to Japan. I didn't want to do this ". That's what Prabhupada did. If you have an objection or complaint, you must be prepared to make a decision. You could not file a complaint without being ready to put your neck on the line. The next day I told Prabhupada: ′′ I'm ready to come back if that's what you want ". Prabhupada sent me to Japan with another devotional and we left the center open and supported the worship service. I was a pujari. That was a good lesson. It's easy to criticize, but Prabhupada didn't accept criticism unless we had a positive correction.
Trivikrama Swami
Comments