Dressing for Prabhupada’s Pleasure

Prabhupada never forced his followers to shave their heads or wear dhotis in public.  Yet he liked it.  So we please Prabhupada when we appear as Vaisnavas and remind people of Krishna.  The reason we wear these clothes and shave our heads is because we are his followers.  I cannot attain the advanced stage of Krishna consciousness, I cannot surrender completely, but there are some things I can do right away.  When I do them for Prabhupada, they count in my favor.

With this in mind, I need not be embarrassed when people see that I am a devotee.  When I feel embarrassed, I can pray: “Prabhupada, please give me the strength to walk in the world identified as your man.  And let me not make fun or be ashamed of the other devotees who are representing you.”

I want Krishna and Prabhupada to recognize me.  Therefore, I will wear the kanthi-mala and Vaisnava tilak even if it astonishes a bank clerk or the man at the airlines desk.  Let me not give it up so easily.  Let it be a little sacrifice I make on your behalf, a way to remember you.  Let them think, “Look!  There’s a Hare Krishna!”  Let me think, “I am serving Prabhupada in this way.”