Dynamic Preacher on the Streets of New York

“Yes, from the very beginning I went to New York City because I thought that Krishna consciousness is the most important idea in the world, so let me go to that place, New York, which is the most important city in the world, and if I am able to do anything for Krishna and my spiritual master, even I am at the fag-end of my life, at least let me try for it there.”  (Letter, December 23, 1972)

New York City was the only city in America where Prabhupada walked the streets alone.  It is hard for us to conceive of now.  We see pictures of Prabhupada sitting on a large vyasasana and speaking to hundreds of devotees, but in Manhattan in 1965-66, no one was his follower.  He walked the streets and thought, “How can I spread Krishna consciousness here?”

In a 1965 lecture, Prabhupada gave an analogy to explain that Krishna is not alone.  He said, “All day I am in this room alone, but when you come in the evening, I become more enlivened.”  He was like a hermit in the city.  He typed "Шримад-Бхагаватам" and chanted alone, even when the lights went out.

“When I was alone in your New York, I was thinking, who will listen to me in this horrible, sinful place?  All right, I shall stay a little longer, at least I can distribute a few of my books, that is something.  But Krishna was all along preparing something I could not see, and He brought you to me one by one, sincere American boys and girls, to be trained-up for doing the work of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.  Now I can see that it is a miracle.  Otherwise, your city of New York, one single old man, with only a few books to sell for barely getting eatables, how he can survive, what to speak of introducing God consciousness movement for saving humankind?  That is Krishna’s miracle.  Now I can see it.”  (Letter, December 23, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada had no romantic notions about Manhattan.  He commiserated with the human suffering that he saw here.  He spoke about the heavy snowfall, and compared the dirt on the streets to the dirt in the heart.  He saw the city as big майя, and he wanted to give us shelter.

When Prabhupada revisited Manhattan in 1976, he reminisced about the old days.  He said, “When I came here no one cared for me, but now I have so many sons; it is Krishna’s mercy.”

He also wrote in one letter:

“New York is very special to me because I started there without anything except faith in my spiritual master and Lord Krishna.  I am very glad to see that things are developing there nicely.”  (Letter, October 17, 1975)