By Prabhupada’s Mercy We Can Remember Him

I have tried to elicit the cooperation of
my subconscious, my peaceful body,
the brain, the mind,
and whatever else Kapila
counts in his 24 elements.
But it’s only by Prabhupada’s mercy
that I can remember him.
And memory comes from Krishna
who is in my heart.
Even as I marshal my tiny powers,
my pen makes dandavats at every stroke.

1965, New York City:
Prabhupada stepped off the Jaladuta.
Later he said, “I was in anxiety,
a new man … didn’t know which bus to take.”
Think of him
carrying the message of Lord Caitanya
“for you people.”
He was anxious to catch the bus to Butler, Pa.,
but much more than that—I can feel it—
he was anxious to deliver me.
Yes, me too.
I was so anxious by 1965
that I jumped out a window.

Multiply my story by 3,000
and that is the anxiety
of Prabhupada landing in New York,
looking around with his compassionate eyes.
Traveler’s Aid helped him.
He found the right bus.
He found us.

Fifty years later:
just tell us where you are
so we can come to you
and tell you what we did.