Soul Eyes of Prabhupada

One devotee wrote to me appreciating my poem about Srila Prabhupada’s gaze, Soul Eyes.  He said, however, that he never saw Prabhupada’s eyes, and he considered it a great loss in his life.  I consoled him and told him there were many wonderful photos to meditate on Prabhupada’s eyes and form.  There’s also film footage of his moving body, an expressive feature.  There’s also an oversize book of special photos called Srila Prabhupada Art Book, which one can spend hours gazing over Prabhupada’s beautiful body.  Even when Prabhupada’s health diminished and his face became emaciated he maintained nobility in his features, and his face was very grave. 

Devotees can also ease their separation by getting together and talking about his qualities and pastimes on occasions such as his appearance and disappearance days.  Srila Prabhupada personally said, “If you want to know me, read my books.”  So a devotee should not think he has lost out just because he was not present when Prabhupada was still alive in his physical presence here. 

By the means available through vani (instruction in sound vibration), many second-generation disciples have developed relationships equal to and even greater than first-generation disciples.

Srila Prabhupada wrote in one letter explaining the principles of vapu and vani: “… Presence of the transcendental sound received from the spiritual master should be the guidance of life.”  He also told us that we could place his picture on his sitting places and this would give us solace.  The main factor in developing association with Prabhupada is attaining the stage of wanting to please him.  He is still living and open to reciprocate with devotees who wish to serve him.  This is accomplished in standard ways and by accepting him as one’s śikṣā guru or primary guru, and obeying his instructions regarding the rules and regulations.  One also pleases Srila Prabhupada by taking up the preaching spirit and working in cooperation with others in the sankirtana movement.  Prabhupada’s reciprocal gaze of “soul eyes” is still available to the earnest soul who yearns to please Prabhupada and comes before him in the available methods of service in separation.