Srila Prabhupada’s arrived at the Waimanalo Beach house, where he showered and rested from his long flight. After some time, he came out of his room to enjoy the view of the beautiful Koolau Mountain range, which lines the sky behind the ocean rim. He commented on how beautiful it was, and that surely it must be “left over” from a previous yuga. He often said that Hawaii was left over from a previous yuga, as it had not yet fully been enveloped in the ugly reign of Kali.
Srila Prabhupada often mentioned how Hawaii was such a special place on the planet, for its beauty, isolation, and also for the fact than many yogis take their birth in Hawaii. The enjoyment spirit is definitely pronounced, but more in the mode of goodness, enveloped in the beauty of Mother Nature. So also is the strong inclination toward spiritual life. Love and respect for the “aina,” the land, is a part of the ancient Hawaiian culture.
In old Hawaii, there is a concept of nurturing the land, the trees, the flowers, the fruits, and the water, all of which are seen to be the givers of life. It is an old Hawaiian custom, for example, that at the birth of every child, a coconut tree is planted. The coconut tree can supply all the needs of the human being, with fresh water and food, and even palm fronds for shelter from the sun. Srila Prabhupada often spoke about the coconut palm, and how, amazingly, the water is distilled by Mother Nature. He would say how amazing it is, that by Krishna’s arrangement, such pure water is found at the very top of such tall trees!
Managed properly, Hawaii could be a leading force in the movement of Lord Chaitanya. Sadly, it is not so easy to manage, as most of the people who come here from the mainland are unfamiliar with the customs of the culture here. Moreover, they are unfamiliar with the prevailing modes of nature, and this often has resulted in tragic situations, with one travesty after another. Hawaii is a place of spiritual attunement, excellent for practicing yoga and meditation, but not for devious courses of action. Coarse persons, who are insensitive to the subtle energies of the Islands, are rarely able to remain in Hawaii for very long.
Srila Prabhupada was well aware of the special attributes of the Hawaiian Islands, and relished the beauty and bounty of goodness in the form of fragrant flowers, coconuts, mangos, papayas, and exquisite scenery. He loved the fresh ocean air and daily took long walks along the sparkling beaches. He was quite comfortable in the mode of goodness that prevails here in Hawaii.
Each morning Srila Prabhupada would sit beneath the plumeria tree in the front yard, its sweet fragrance permeating the ocean air. There he would have his mustard oil massage, and often talk about Krishna for hours on end. He was extremely happy and comfortable in Mother Nature’s lovely setting, and looked like a golden jewel in an emerald green setting.Srila Prabhupada especially loved the gorgeous Tulasi gardens, with Tulasi plants often towering to six and seven feet tall, and expanding Her branches out four and five feet. These enormous Tulasi plants graced the front of our Honolulu temple, and even years later, they also graced the front of the Coelho Way temple. Now, only one small Tulasi plant remains in front of the temple. Srila Prabhupada used to say that the “Tulasi plant is the barometer of devotion. Where there is devotion to Krishna, the Tulasi will thrive.”
On Srila Prabhupada’s desk in Waimanalo, I placed a large glass jar of water, filled with offered Tulasi manjaris and leaves. He had requested this, since there was such an abundance of Tulasi flowers. The flowers and leaves would soak for hours in the water jar, and thus the water would become fragrant and purplish. He would drink from this water jar throughout the day, and often comment, “Ah, yes. The Tulasi gives the water a very nice taste!” He gave us many instructions about the care and worship of Srimate Tulasi Devi.
In the afternoon, after his lunch and nap, Srila Prabhupada would pace back and forth chanting japa in the front room, usually in front of the makeshift altar. On the altar, was my painting of Gour Nitai, which had served as our main Deity for many months. Now, since Pancha Tattva were ready, They would become the main Deities of New Navadwip.
Nearby, in the same front room, Pradyumna Prabhu, “Panditji,” as Srila Prabhupada nicknamed him, would sit in a lotus position, absorbed in his Sanskrit transliteration. Pradyumna was always sitting in a lotus position with a book in front of him, and often smiling, with sparkling eyes, like he was not present in this world, but absorbed in another realm. He was immersed in the spiritual realm of Naimisharanya, where the Srimad Bhagavatam is being spoken eternally by Sukadev Goswami. In this way, he was constantly absorbed in the spiritual world, working on Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam translations. Srila Prabhupada kept him nearby at all times, and was very pleased with his translation and editing. Pradyumna was receiving divine guidance and transmissions from Srila Prabhupada continuously.
Meanwhile, Shyamsundar Prabhu was usually busy typing letters for Srila Prabhupada, or reading them to him each day, as he was serving now as Srila Prabhupada’s secretary. Shyamsundar was always jovial, and usually off in his own world, typing and wearing headphones. Shyamsundar was a fun person to be around, and I could see that Srila Prabhupada really enjoyed his company. Together, they were like mischievous swaggering pirate-boys, no doubt part of the butter-thieving clan of Vraj.
Nanda Kumar Prabhu, and myself, were usually in the kitchen, either preparing prasadam, or cleaning up after the offerings. Nanda Kumar was an excellent cook, and Srila Prabhupada enjoyed his cooking each day, with dahl, rice, chapaties, and subji being the daily fare. Srila Prabhupada would often comment on what an expert cook he was, and also he would comment on how he looked like the perfect brahmin, with his round burly chest and jovial smile.
Each morning, we would walk on the long sandy beach of Waimanalo, its clean sparkly sands shifting slightly with the gentle ocean waves. The Waimanalo beach is broad and flat, so as a group, we would walk from one end to the other.
Srila Prabhupada always had someone carry a large stick, often me, or one of the guys, for “keeping away dogs.” There was no loving dog visiting him on this trip to Hawaii, so we were back to the normal “no dogs allowed” policy.
In this way, Srila Prabhupada spent his days at the Waimanalo beach house, relishing beach walks each morning, and much time outdoors in the beautiful setting. As always, he was up in the wee hours of the morning, speaking the Srimad Bhagavatam into his transcribing recorder, thus continuously working on his books. In the evenings, he often came to our Honolulu temple, about twenty minutes away, and gave classes and led kirtans. Sometimes there was a special program held at a church or university, and Srila Prabhupada would enjoy speaking to the youth of Hawaii. It was a very gentle and spiritually relishable time for everyone.
Srila Prabhupada often mentioned how Hawaii was such a special place on the planet, for its beauty, isolation, and also for the fact than many yogis take their birth in Hawaii. The enjoyment spirit is definitely pronounced, but more in the mode of goodness, enveloped in the beauty of Mother Nature. So also is the strong inclination toward spiritual life. Love and respect for the “aina,” the land, is a part of the ancient Hawaiian culture.
In old Hawaii, there is a concept of nurturing the land, the trees, the flowers, the fruits, and the water, all of which are seen to be the givers of life. It is an old Hawaiian custom, for example, that at the birth of every child, a coconut tree is planted. The coconut tree can supply all the needs of the human being, with fresh water and food, and even palm fronds for shelter from the sun. Srila Prabhupada often spoke about the coconut palm, and how, amazingly, the water is distilled by Mother Nature. He would say how amazing it is, that by Krishna’s arrangement, such pure water is found at the very top of such tall trees!
Managed properly, Hawaii could be a leading force in the movement of Lord Chaitanya. Sadly, it is not so easy to manage, as most of the people who come here from the mainland are unfamiliar with the customs of the culture here. Moreover, they are unfamiliar with the prevailing modes of nature, and this often has resulted in tragic situations, with one travesty after another. Hawaii is a place of spiritual attunement, excellent for practicing yoga and meditation, but not for devious courses of action. Coarse persons, who are insensitive to the subtle energies of the Islands, are rarely able to remain in Hawaii for very long.
Srila Prabhupada was well aware of the special attributes of the Hawaiian Islands, and relished the beauty and bounty of goodness in the form of fragrant flowers, coconuts, mangos, papayas, and exquisite scenery. He loved the fresh ocean air and daily took long walks along the sparkling beaches. He was quite comfortable in the mode of goodness that prevails here in Hawaii.
Each morning Srila Prabhupada would sit beneath the plumeria tree in the front yard, its sweet fragrance permeating the ocean air. There he would have his mustard oil massage, and often talk about Krishna for hours on end. He was extremely happy and comfortable in Mother Nature’s lovely setting, and looked like a golden jewel in an emerald green setting.Srila Prabhupada especially loved the gorgeous Tulasi gardens, with Tulasi plants often towering to six and seven feet tall, and expanding Her branches out four and five feet. These enormous Tulasi plants graced the front of our Honolulu temple, and even years later, they also graced the front of the Coelho Way temple. Now, only one small Tulasi plant remains in front of the temple. Srila Prabhupada used to say that the “Tulasi plant is the barometer of devotion. Where there is devotion to Krishna, the Tulasi will thrive.”
On Srila Prabhupada’s desk in Waimanalo, I placed a large glass jar of water, filled with offered Tulasi manjaris and leaves. He had requested this, since there was such an abundance of Tulasi flowers. The flowers and leaves would soak for hours in the water jar, and thus the water would become fragrant and purplish. He would drink from this water jar throughout the day, and often comment, “Ah, yes. The Tulasi gives the water a very nice taste!” He gave us many instructions about the care and worship of Srimate Tulasi Devi.
In the afternoon, after his lunch and nap, Srila Prabhupada would pace back and forth chanting japa in the front room, usually in front of the makeshift altar. On the altar, was my painting of Gour Nitai, which had served as our main Deity for many months. Now, since Pancha Tattva were ready, They would become the main Deities of New Navadwip.
Nearby, in the same front room, Pradyumna Prabhu, “Panditji,” as Srila Prabhupada nicknamed him, would sit in a lotus position, absorbed in his Sanskrit transliteration. Pradyumna was always sitting in a lotus position with a book in front of him, and often smiling, with sparkling eyes, like he was not present in this world, but absorbed in another realm. He was immersed in the spiritual realm of Naimisharanya, where the Srimad Bhagavatam is being spoken eternally by Sukadev Goswami. In this way, he was constantly absorbed in the spiritual world, working on Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam translations. Srila Prabhupada kept him nearby at all times, and was very pleased with his translation and editing. Pradyumna was receiving divine guidance and transmissions from Srila Prabhupada continuously.
Meanwhile, Shyamsundar Prabhu was usually busy typing letters for Srila Prabhupada, or reading them to him each day, as he was serving now as Srila Prabhupada’s secretary. Shyamsundar was always jovial, and usually off in his own world, typing and wearing headphones. Shyamsundar was a fun person to be around, and I could see that Srila Prabhupada really enjoyed his company. Together, they were like mischievous swaggering pirate-boys, no doubt part of the butter-thieving clan of Vraj.
Nanda Kumar Prabhu, and myself, were usually in the kitchen, either preparing prasadam, or cleaning up after the offerings. Nanda Kumar was an excellent cook, and Srila Prabhupada enjoyed his cooking each day, with dahl, rice, chapaties, and subji being the daily fare. Srila Prabhupada would often comment on what an expert cook he was, and also he would comment on how he looked like the perfect brahmin, with his round burly chest and jovial smile.
Each morning, we would walk on the long sandy beach of Waimanalo, its clean sparkly sands shifting slightly with the gentle ocean waves. The Waimanalo beach is broad and flat, so as a group, we would walk from one end to the other.
Srila Prabhupada always had someone carry a large stick, often me, or one of the guys, for “keeping away dogs.” There was no loving dog visiting him on this trip to Hawaii, so we were back to the normal “no dogs allowed” policy.
In this way, Srila Prabhupada spent his days at the Waimanalo beach house, relishing beach walks each morning, and much time outdoors in the beautiful setting. As always, he was up in the wee hours of the morning, speaking the Srimad Bhagavatam into his transcribing recorder, thus continuously working on his books. In the evenings, he often came to our Honolulu temple, about twenty minutes away, and gave classes and led kirtans. Sometimes there was a special program held at a church or university, and Srila Prabhupada would enjoy speaking to the youth of Hawaii. It was a very gentle and spiritually relishable time for everyone.
