Water Street* * *
Just like Krsna and the cowherd boys
in Santa Fe New Mexico
By Harer Nama Das (ACBSP 67)
in Santa Fe New Mexico
By Harer Nama Das (ACBSP 67)
In 1969 Srila Prabhupada visited the temple in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was located in a storefront on West Water Street, about one mile from the center of town.
I drove Srila Prabhupada from the airport in Albuquerque to the temple in Santa Fe. Inside the storefront, Srila Prabhupada paid obeisances to the Jagannath deities. He sat down on the carpet near the alter. Toshan Krishna gave him an orange and apple. Srila Prabhupada reached inside the lunch bag he had with him. Five or six devotees sat with him in a circle. S.P. took out some laddus which were originally small balls but lumped into one big ball. He gave us with his own hand some laddhu paste. He gave me some pressing the paste in my palm. He said, “Here, Harer Nama. Take.” One guest said, “This is the best peanut butter I ever tasted” (Actually laddus are not peanut butters. They are made from chick pea flour, butter and powdered sugar.)
Srila Prabhupada said, “This is what Krishna and the cowherd boys eat for a snack when they herd the cows.” One guest asked, “Who is Krishna?” S.P. said, “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead who herds the cows and plays with the cowherd boys.” All the devotees felt happy to have Srila Prabhupada with them.
In few days later, S.P. gave a class in the evening. He said the guests were very intelligent. He pointed to a painting of Radha and Krishna. He said Radha and Krishna engage in spiritual sex life.
Srila Prabhupada said, “This is what Krishna and the cowherd boys eat for a snack when they herd the cows.” One guest asked, “Who is Krishna?” S.P. said, “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead who herds the cows and plays with the cowherd boys.” All the devotees felt happy to have Srila Prabhupada with them.
In few days later, S.P. gave a class in the evening. He said the guests were very intelligent. He pointed to a painting of Radha and Krishna. He said Radha and Krishna engage in spiritual sex life.
After the class, I drove S.P. to his apartment. Someone asked him to explain more about the spiritual sex life of Radha and Krishna. He didn’t say anything but just sat very straight. The devotees enjoyed S.P.’s visit to Santa Fe very much.
A letter by SP dated 1969
So, by the grace of Lord Caitanya, this movement is already introduced in the Western countries beginning from New York. Our first movement, the sankirtana movement was introduced in New York. I came to New York first. I began to chant this Hare Krishna mantra in Tompkins Square park. So I was chanting there for three hours with a small mrdunga and these boys, American boys, they assembled and gradually they joined and it is increasing. First of all it was started in New York in a store front, 26 2nd. Avenue. Then we started our branch in San Fransisco, in Los Angeles, in Santa Fe, in Buffalo, then here.
A related article can be read here
A related article can be read here
