Vanished Scenes?

Srila Prabhupada acknowledged that time wears away all things.  Even Krishna’s places of pastimes in this world have become covered over, leaving little trace of His presence.  Rupa Goswami expressed this in a cryptic message to his brother, Sanatana, in jail.  Rupa Goswami’s note stated, “Where is the Ayodhya of Raghupati?  Where is the Mathura of Krishna?”  His meaning was that everything in this world changes, but if you keep your mind fixed on that which is eternal, you will be steady.  This is good advice to anyone in anxiety over the temporary , terrible situation of material prison life.  According to Rupa Goswami, even the dhamas within this world undergo change; therefore we should always meditate on the eternal essence of life.

Just as Lord Krishna’s dhamas are eternal, Prabhupada’s pastimes have a similar quality; we should not be alarmed or doubt their validity.  We may ask, “Where is Ayodhya?  Where is Dwaraka, the city by the sea?  Where is the Yadu dynasty?  Where is the pious humankind whom Krishna came to restore?  Where are the Pandavas or their descendents?”  Although the spiritual pastimes of the Lord may disappear from our vision, they continue to exist for those who have perfect vision.  Time is not greater than Krishna or Krishna’s pastimes.  But because the material world is the kingdom of Maya, even spiritual edifices will crumble.  The inner spirit is carried on by the parampara of living devotees. 

Even in terms of perceivable objects, Prabhupada’s most important legacies are still flourishing.  His books continue to be printed in new editions, and  the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra goes on just as it was during his time.  His vani, and therefore his spirit, his presence, is alive as long as there are sincere devotees.  The vyasasana he sat on may not be there any more; its upholstery has corroded, or is in somebody’s basement, or in a museum.  But the chair is not as important as what he spoke from the vyasasana. 

The recitation of Prabhupada’s pastimes, in words and books, is not subjected to destruction as long as it is carried on from generation to generation.  

Viewed against the powerful forces of time, the devotees may seem like pathetic creatures vanquished by maya.  In fact, we are very tiny, and we have a very limited conception of time.  The time of the universe is beyond our calculation, and yet even the universe is created again and again.  We say, “We want Prabhupada as he appeared in America in 1965.”  On that material level we may seem foolish, but we know that Srila Prabhupada’s appearance had an eternal reality we can preserve.  “True Vaisnavas never die, but live in sound …”