KALI AND LORD CHAITANYAS SANKIRTANA MOVEMENT

The age of Kali and the Appearance of Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana Movement An Outline of the Play

The play begins with a narration describing how the ages run in cycles, like seasons, staring with the Age of Truth, Satya-yuga and gradually declining to the Age of Kali. With the appearance of Lord Krsna just before the beginning of Kali-yuga, the whole earth becomes auspicious, as if it were Satya-yuga. Having completed His mission on this earth, the Lord went to Dvaraka, and at that time Maharaj Yudisthira sent Arjuna to see Him. Weeks go by and still Arjuna does not return, thus Maharaj Yudisthira becomes anxious and seeing many ill omens his anxiety increases...

Scene One Maharaj Yudisthira enters and begins to bescribe the ill omens as he witnesses them. His ultimate conclusion is that the Lord has disappeared from the planet and the world has again become inauspicious. He gives the throne to Maharaj Pariksit and sets off for the Himalayas. (All as per S.B.1st Canto)

Scene Two Dialogue between Dharma and Bhumi...the personified Kali enters and begins to beat them...Maharaj Pariksit comes in and seeing this he prepares to kill Kali, but when Kali takes shelter of him, he gives Kali five places where he may reside...

Scene Three Kali and Sin discussing how they are going to bewilder the living entities in this age ("...this is my age, Queen, now just begun, I'm allowed 400000 yearsin which to have my fun...") and then Sin invites the six enemies, Lust, Anger, Greed, Illusion, Madness and Envy to describe their expert means for expanding Kali's empire. (excerpts from Girish Ghosh's "The Age of Kali", which has been adapted by the devotees) As the last enemy is finishing his monologue the sound of a Harinama party is heard faintly in the distance and the enemies all become fearful. Kali appears and tells Sin that it's all over, but Sin can't believe it and describes all her expert means, but Kali shows how the devotees are using the enemies...ie., turning Lust into love for the God, making Anger and Envy join hands to fight those who decry the Lord...Greed becomes Eagerness to attain the Lords favour, etc... At last Kali and Sin alone left, then suddenly Lord Caitanya and His associates explode upon the scene and Kali and his dark consort flee in terror.

Scene Four Lord Caitanya and the devotees chant and dance for a while and the kirtan reaches a crescendo and finishes. Lord Caitanya sits surrounded by His followers and begins to glorify them all (as per Lord Gauranga Bids Farewell to the Bengali Devotees) beginning with Advaita Acarya, and Srila Nityananda Prabhu. After saying the glories of Srivasa Thakura, Raghava Pandita and the inhabitants of Kulina-grama (I have considerably shortened the text) Lord Caitanya stresses the importance of chanting and serving the devotees, in answer to a question from Satyaraj Khan, and then desribes the specific qualities of a Vaisnava. At last the Lord comes to Vasudeva Datta, who petitions the Lord to put all the sinful reactions on his own head, so that the fallen souls can be delivered from their suffering. The Lord is owerwhelmed by Vasudeva Dattas compassion and He assures him that all living beings in the universe have been saved, simply by his desire. Lord Caitanya then reveals that even though they may appear to be leaving His association, He is always with them, for He is present wherever the Holy name is chanted by the devotees. The kirtan begins again, very sweet this time, and as the chanting continues the attention comes to the front of the stage, where a spotlight is shining. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura appears and begins to recite the English translation of Arunodaya-kirtan ("...When the Eastern horizon became tinged with the redness that

heralds the rising of the sun, the jewel among the brahmanas, Lord Gaurasundara immediately awakened ...etc), so that the Lord and His devotees, whose chanting is very quiet, appear to be meditation of Srila Bhaktivinoda. The monologue (which has been summarised) ends as follows.."... (paraphrasing Lord Caitanya)... 'I have brough the medicine for destroying the illusion of Maya. Now pray for this harinama maha mantra and take it!! Thakura Bhaktivinoda fell at the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga, and after begging for the holy name, he receives that maha-mantra." Then Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura begins... "Oh for that day when the fortunate English, French...etc... and American people will... raise kirtan through their towns. When will that day come? "He predicts the coming of a great acarya who will fulfill the mission of Lord Chaitanya.

Scene Five A narration describes how Srila Bhaktivinodas son, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta establishes a powerful preaching mission and then the appearance of Srila Prabhupada his childhood and youth. This scene begins with Narendranath urging Abhay Charan to visit this 'nice sadhu'. Abhay agrees and they come before Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, who preaches strongly to Abhay. The scene ends with Abhay telling Narendranath that he is deeply impressed, and has accepted this very nice, saintly person, in his heart, as his spiritual master.

Scene Six There is a short narration describing Srila Prabhupadas preaching in India up to 1965, and how he sets off in the Jaladuta towards America. The scene begins aboard the Jaladuta. Srila Prabhupada is sitting behind his trunk writing his diary and his voice is heard as he is writing..."...Today the ship is plying smoothly. I feel today better. But I am feeling separation .... "He goes on writing, describing his feeling of dependence on his guru-maharaj and Krsna. Then Captain and Mrs Pandia enter and they inquire from Srila Prabhupada about his health. Srila Prabhupada says: "If the Atlantic had shown it's shown it's usual face, perhaps I would have died. But Lord Krsna has taken charge of the ship. "There is a brief dialogue between then and Srila Prabhupada sells them three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam and they exit. Srila Prabhupada then stands and walks to the front, as if to the rails of the ship and peers out across the ocean to the grim skyline of Boston...""My dear Lord Krsna, you are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me....."

Scene Seven There is a narration describing Srila Prabhupadas preaching in America and his ultimate success in establishing Krsna Consciousness world-wide. The last scene is Bhaktivedanta Manor, a few minutes before Srila Prabhupadas arrival, with the devotees running panic-stricken to get everything ready for his arrival. Srila Prabhupada arrives!!! There is a Deity greeting and then Srila Prabhupada sits on his Vyasa-asana and sings Jaya-Radha-Madhava. Then he begins to speak. (I want to use extracts from the very wonderful class he gave at the Manor on Vyasa-puja 1973...where Srila Prabhupada speaks very movingly about how, actually "I had wasted so much time, before fulfilling the order of my spiritual master"(!!) and giving all credit to the devotees themselves. He then points ou Srila Gurudeva... "Here is this Bhagavan dasa"...and says that grhasta must be paramahamsa. At the end he says that even after he has passed away he is very much hopeful that this movement will continue to spread...) It is a beautiful class and at the end he says.. "Thank you very much, Hare Krsna. Kirtana?" The devotees then start a kirtan and Srila Prabhupada leaves....

NARRATIONS FOR:THE AGE OF KALI AND LORD CHAITANYAS SANKIRTANA MOVEMENT

ACT ONE / SCENE ONE INTRODUCTION

Om namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Om namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Om namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

We offer our respectful obeisances to His Divine Grace Bhagavan das Goswami Maharaj, Srila Gurudeva, who, having taken shelter at the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Krsna, and being a fully surrendered servant of Srila Prabhupada, is qualified as a perfect spiritual master.

We offer our respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at his Lotus Feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, o spiritual master, servant of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

We offer our respectful obeisances unto all the vaisnava devotees of the Lord, who can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire-trees, and are full of compassion for all the fallen, conditioned souls.

Jaya Sri-Krsna-Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda

Sri-Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi-Gaura-bhakta-vrnda Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

As nature turns through seasons...spring, summer, autumn, winter... so does the universe revolve through cycles known as ages: Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. Four such ages make one kalpa and two thousand of such kalpas make one day and night for Lord Brahma, the universal engineer. From creation to destruction this universe exists for one hundered of Lord Brahma's year and all that time, which spans, in our earth's time, more than three hundered trillion years, is but one breath of Lord Maha-Vishnu, who lies upon the causal ocean in his mystic slumber. Like bubbles in a cosmic ocean, countless universe rise and are destroyed, as each time the blessed Lord breaths in ... and out. The golden age of Satya-yuga is free from vice, but as spring turns to summer, the Treta-yuga begins and tiny spot sin and strife appear therein... though mostly truth and purity doth reigh. Then like autumn, Dvapara begins, thus virtue and religion do decline strill more, yet harmony and godly life is still the norm. Until, that is, the iron age of Kali spreads its shroud so dark and deadly. Like a bleak and dreadful winter, this Kali is a dangerous age, for three is almost no virtue to be found in it.... mercy, truth, austerity and cleanliness are all but gone. When quarrel and hypocracy doth rule, when leaders are but swindlers and fools.... the age of darkness, Kali, is begun.

But just before this stormy era came, The Lord Himself, Sri Krsna did appear, out of His causeless mercy on us all, who fallen souls, rot in forgetfulness of Him. Thus five thousand years ago, as a sunny day does often appear amidst the months of cold and rain, The Lord did grace, with Lotus Feet, this earth at once so fortunate, and all the while it was again like Satya-yuga, the golden age. To annihilate demoniac kings, but especially to bless those pious followers of His, The Lord did stay and also sang the song Divine, Bhagavad-Gita, His words so wise, that chalked the path of light for all mankind, for evermore.

His mission done, The Lord retired to Dvaraka's mighty citadel, and at that time the pious king and emperor of all the world, Yudhisthira Maharaj by name, a pure devotee of the Lord, did send Arjuna, his younger brother, there, for news of Krishna's glories sweet. Thus Arjuna, that warrior of mighty arms, that soul surrendered to his Lord, that companion of the friend of

everyone, did leave at once for Dvaraka, his elder brother Yudhisthira's desire to fulfill. But, as the weeks went by, and still Arjuna did not return, the emperors mind began to fill, and with troubled thoughts did churn.........

ACT ONE/SCENE ONE MAHARAJ YUDHISTHIRA SEES THE ILL OMENS FOR THE AGE OF KALI

It is evening time... the weather is very cold and miserable. Enter Maharaj Yudhisthira in great anxiety....

Maharaj Yudhisthira: The direction of eternal time has changed...and the seasons no longer follow their proper course! What is this fearful time? It is most astonishing. Rcently I have noticed such a change in the people. Men and women who once were pious and Godfearing, have now become filled with greed, pride and anger. Many of the citizens are adopting foul means of livelihood, and their dealings, even between friends have become polluted with cheating. In family relationships, there is no harmony, but only misunderstanding, and even between husband and wife there is always strain and quarrel.

Some time ago, I sent Arjuna to Dvaraka, to get news about the Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, and His Divine plans. But seven long months have passed since then and still he has not returned, thus I am greatly perplexed to know how things are going on there...

The left side of my body, my thighs, arms and legs are all quivering again and again. I am having heart palpitations due to fear... all these omens indicate undesirable happenings.

Just see! This pigeon is like a messenger of death! The shrieks of the owls and crows make my heart tremble... it seems they want to make a void of the whole universe! The earth and mountains are throbbing... Just hear the cloudless thunder and see the bolts from the blue.

The wind blows violently, blasting dust everywhere and creating darkness. Clouds rain blood! What is this extraordinary time? What is going to happen? The rays of the sun are declining and the stars appear to be fighting amongst themselves... Everything is in the chaos! Confused living enteties appear to be ablaze and weeping... and even the Deities seem to be crying and ready to leave the temples. The whole earth is devoid of happiness and beauty.... I do not know what sort of calamities are awaiting us... I can only think that all these disturbances indicate some greater loss to the good fortune of the world....

(Enter Arjuna, his feet dragging heavily... he bows down to Maharaj Yudhisthira and sits at his feet, his head down and tears gliding from his lotus eyes.....)

M. Yudhisthira: Arjuna! My dear brother are you all right? How is everything at Dvaraka? Are all the members of the Yadu dynasty in good health? How is Lord Balarama...? ....Lord Krsna?... Oh my brother, what is wrong? Why are you so grief-stricken?

Arjuna:(Very slowly and emotionally) Oh king! The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, who treated me exactly like an intimate friend, has left me alone!... I have just lost Him whose separation, for even a moment, renders all the universes void... like bodies without life! Great generals like Bhisma, Drona, Karna and Jayadratha all directed their weapons against me. But by His grace they could not even touch a hair on my head. Now all my strength and prowess, which astonished even the demigods, has left me...due to my lack of esteem for the my Lord, I dared to engage Him as my chariot-driver, although He is worshiped and served by the best of men! O emperor, now that I am separated from my friend and dearmost well-wisher, My Lord Govinda, I can

simply remember those Divine instructions sung to me by Him, on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. This is only relief for my burning heart.......

Yudhisthira: Then is no reason to remain even a moment longer in this eartly life... Arjuna!

Arjuna: Yes, my lord?

Yudhisthira: Inform your granson Pariksit to make all preparations. Tomorrow I will crown him as emperor and master of all lands bordered by the sea!

Arjuna: Yes...at once!

Yudhisthira: And have my servant bring saffron cloth and a staff. That's all... (Arjuna exits) I will give up my kingdom at once and, following the path trodden by my forefathers I will go to the Himalayas and devotee myself completely to thoughts of the Lord. Thus I will prepare myself for death.....

NARRATION ACT ONE / SCENE TWO HOW PARIKSIT RECEIVED THE AGE OF KALI

Stage right

After placing Pariksit Maharaj upon the throne, Yudhisthira at once frelinquished all his garments, belt and royal ornaments, and thus he became fully freed from kingdom and all designation of this world. Then he dressed in tattered cloth, gave up eating solid foods, became dumb voluntarily and let his hear hang loose. Appearing like a madman, Yudhisthira set off for the north, and gradually absorbed himself in meditaion on the Lord Supreme, Sri Krsna. Thus fixed in remembrance of the Lord, Yudhisthira Maharaj gave up his body and went back home to Godhead.

The other sons of Pandu; Bhisma, Arjuna, Nakula as weel as Sahadeva, thereafter saw that Kali's age already had arrived throughout the world and seeing irreligion rife among the common people, they too left home and followed in the footsteps of their glorious brother, Yudhisthira Maharaj.

Meanwhile, the grandson of the Pandavas, that great and saintly king, Pariksit Maharaj, began to rule the people of the earth, under the guidance of the best of the twice-born brahmanas. But while he was residing in the Kuru empire's capital, the symptoms of the iron age of Kali-yuga began to infiltrate within the jurisdiction of his state. Pariksit did not think this matter very good, but it did afford ahchance to fight for righteousness and justice. Thus he took up bow and arrows, left his palace, and set off for to conquer all directions. At that same time, Dharma, religiousness personified, was wandering here and there in the form of a bull and he met mother Bhumi, the earth personified appearing as a cow.

ACT ONE / SCENE TWO HOW PARIKSIT RECEIVED THE AGE OF KALI

Scene opens with Bhumi crying and lamenting bitterly....enter Dharma....

Dharma: O mother earth, are you not hale and hearty? A shadow of grief has covered your face.... Are you not well, or are you sad, being parted from aloved-one whose in a far-distant place? My three legs... austerity, purity and mercy... are broken, on thruth alone, now, do I, Dharma, stand. Are you lamenting to see me forsaken and so badly crippled by Kali's cruel hand? Or are you anxious because you can see, my dear mother, the merciless men who soon will appear to torture and butcher your sisters and

brothers to exploit your lands and fill your children with fear? Or are you feeling compassion for tha unhappy women and their children, forlorn by unscrupulous cheats...? Or for the plight of blind citizens, bewildered and plundered by thieves dressed as government leaders and priests? Mother earth you were blessed by Lord Krishna appearing to free you from all of your burdens and fears. But now He has left you alone, are you crying for Him? Pray tell me the cause of your tears!

Bhumi: Oh Dharma! Emblem of perfect religion, by the Lord's mercy you made this world glad. So now that I have heard all of your questions I'll tell you the reasons why I am so sad. For a while I beheld the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna who enjoyed His pastimes while walking this earth. At this time, all my forests, seas, mountains and rivers were blessed with such uncommon beauty and worth. But at the end, when I felt such good fortune, The Lord, in whom all godness and beauty rest, finished His pastimes and left me alone here, and in this dark age I am so much distressed.

(Kali enters and begins to beat the bull and the cow with a stick....)

Kali: All right, you stupid beasts..... move! (To the bull) I see! You don't want to work anymore for me? And you, you old cow... You cannot give milk, or calves now? Useless!!! There's only one thing left for you... the butchers knife! Yes! But first I'll beat you to within an inch of your life!

(Maharaja Pariksit enters as Kali begins to beat them severely...)

Maharaja Pariksit: Stop! You rogue... Just when Lord Krishna and Arjuna are out of sight, you dare beat an innocent bull and cow? Well, let me tell you, that one who causes offenseless creatures to suffer must fear me, anywhere and everywhere in this world for I subdue all envious men! O culprit, now you'll pay for your sins for you are rascal, though dressed as a king! Though strong, you dare harm those aho are helpless! But now your time is nigh... By the sword you have lived, now, by the sword....die!!!

Kali: Oh!!! My dear Lord! (Throwing himself at Maharaja Pariksit's feet) Oh merciful master, I surrender unto you! Please spare my life....Please have pity on me!

Maharaja Pariksit: Since you have surrendered completely, I will not kill you, so there is no need to fear for your life. But you cannot remain in my kingdom, for you are the friend of irreligion and where you reside, greed, treachery, cheating and vanity will certainly abound. Get ye hence!

Kali: Oh your majesty, you are most kind to spare me, but if I must be exiled from your kingdom, where can I go? For no place on this earth lies beyond your power of rule! Oh my dear king, you are the defender of truth and of all helpless beings...I beg you, please allow me some place where I may stay always and peacefully linger!

Maharaja Pariksit: All right, you may live wherever you find these four pillars of sinful life - gambling, intoxication, animal slaughter and prostitution.

Kali: Oh thank you so much, o great saintly king! But before I go, there is just one thing for under your holy and powerful reign, none of these pillars of sin can remain! So, by your grace, is there just one more place?

Maharaja Pariksit: For a beggar, your demands are very bold? All

right, you may stay whenever men hoard ????? there lust, lies and envy prevail. Now, begone! Before my patience fails.

Kali(scuttling off): Oh master, thank you! Thank you!!!... Oh gracious lord, thank you...you wont regret this.... (EXIT)

Maharaja Pariksit: Fear not o son of surabhi, lament no longer! And, o mother cow, there is no cause for you to cry! For as long as I live and rule this land, I will not fail in my duty to stand and protect all creatures from treacherous hands! Dear mother earth, surely Lord Krishna again will appear.. Take heart! For by thinking of Him He is already here! Come now Dharma, let me ease your pains. We'll soon have you back on your feet again!

(Curtains closes as Maharaja Pariksit begins to attend the bull and the cow....)

ACT TWO/SCENE ONE KALI & HIS CONSORT SIN

Kali: This is my age, o queen, now just begun. I'm allowed 400000 years in which to have my fun! Wars, plagues, suicides, drugs, money, liquor and lies, rapes, bombs, diseases...such a feast for my eyes! So rejoice, my queen, our time has come. With perverted desires will I flood their minds they'll be vultures for pleasure...but only torment will they find!

Sin: Sordid perversions will be in vogue. O Kali, Kali, you're such a rogue!

Kali: Yes, illicit sex, such a delight! For a moments pleasure, like dogs they'll fight!

Sin: And if a child's conceived, perchance, to be rid of the inconvenience, they'll kill the baby in the womb, making the garbage can his tomb!

Kali: Woman-hunters will scavenge the night, and they'll slaughter the cows for their appetites!

Sin: Which brings us to meat-eating! What would you like for dinner, dear? Some fresh killed pig, chicken or steer? Xmas killed turkey, rabbit or lamb?

Kali: No love, tonight I'll eat my fellow man!!! I'll get you all, just wait and see, I'll have no compassion, not one drop of mercy!

Sin: Intoxication! Would you like a cigarete, sir? Some coffe or tea? Perhaps you want some burgundy?

Kali: What? Not enough? Here try some hashish or LSD... Mystical visions do I guatantee...Whatever you want just come to me!

Sin: Whats that? You want more and more? Come, just see what I have in store!

Kali: Gambling! You'll make money your life! Your greed for wealth will cause such strife!

Sin: Worshipping God? Ha! There will hardly be any. But even the pauper will worship his penny!

Kali: And the leaders of society, so filled with lust, they'll be blind to see that the only way to bring about peace is to rid this world of me...Kali!

Sin: Oh Kali, Kali, Kali!!!

Kali: ???????????????????????????????????????? "The universe came out of a big explosion."

Sin: They'll have no idea how life began, but their lives will end with a nuclear bang!

Kali: Come on, enjoy your life! Do your own thing! It's all absurd! Be your own king!

Sin: Forget tomorrow, just have some fun! It doesn't matter, it's all one... blow your minds and let them run!

Kali: Cook that steam till it's nice and done!

Kali: They'll try to be master of the world and enjoy a life of ease, but they'll create a hell of concrete skies and plastic trees!

Sin: Like rats they'll race at frightening speeds, encaged in cars of steel, and they'll work like slaves to feed their shiny coffinston four wheels!

Kali: Oh what a tangled web we'll weave, when first they practise to deceive! We'll anaesthetise their brains with senseless songs and television!

Sin: We'll cripple their bodies with chemicals, junk-food and pollution!

Kali: We'll twist their minds with political lies in books and in newspapers!

Sin: And we'll break their hearts in Godless schools, factories and skyscrapers!

Kali: And this is just the beginning... you wait till we get going!!!

Sin: Corruption of religion is our game, watch austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truth go down the drain!

Kali: And the world will be ruled by the thoroughly insane! For I am Kali!

Sin: And I'm his consort sin.

Kali: When we're done just see how heads will spin!

Kali: For I am Kali!

Sin: A I'm his consort Sin.

Kali & Sin: You wil eat one another, even kith and kin!

Kali: For I am Kali!

Sin: And I'm his consort Sin.

Kali & Sin: At the end of the age you will be pygmies, short and thin!

Kali: For I am Kali!

Sin: And I'm his consort Sin.

Kali & Sin: You'll all be old men by the time you're ten!

Kali: For I am Kali!

Sin: And I'm his consort Sin.

Kali & Sin: And this is the age that will do you all in!!! (EXIT BOTH. LAUGHTING MADLY)

ACT TWO / SCENE TWO KALI & SIN AND THE SIX ENEMIES

Sin: As seeds grow to become flower-bearing trees, so like a seed do I lie, in the innermost chamber of the heart of all fallen souls. And, day by day, I develop till I do deliver to each and every individual the fruits and flowers of his own sinful life, unhappiness, disease, disturbance, pain and poverty. For the sins of his past, a man suffers, but he is uncontrollably impelled by my force to commit more and more sins. And from these, he suffers in the future and again commits more. My innumerable seeds are indestructible. They are deeply sown, and, like irrepressible weeds, give misery to all.

By my design the poor soul who contemplates sense objects develops attachement for them. That attachement leads to lust and from lust anger arises... then delusion... and finally loss of intelligence. And when a man loses his intelligence, he comes more firmly under my grip.

Oh my expert foremen, how grateful I am, that with your assistance my authority has been expanded throughout the universe. Recite to me now what exert means you use to expand my kingdom, and I shall reward each of you as deserve. (All speak) Wait, wait, my pets. One at a time, please, one at a time. Now let me see...who shall it be? You begin o lust....

Envy: He always gets to start first!

Sin(claps): Silence, envy.

Lust: O empress sin, your influence is boundless. Who can escape the enchantment of your web? I am not one to brag, (murmur) but it is I who am the greatest enemy of the living entity. Listen, mother, how I do your work to the best of my ability.... The beautiful woman sits in her bedroom, and with her quickly moving eyes she sees the redness of her lips in the mirror. And as she brushes her hair, which is black like the wings of a crow, the desires in her mind easily flow. Seeing her own reflection her mind becomes delighted and at any time I whisper in her ear. Slowly slowly I say to that lusty woman:" Alas o beautiful eyed one, why are you sitting here alone not being cared for? Why dont you attract some young mans mind and bind him up? Go, go! For what reason do you remain here idly? How can you tolerate the pride of these young men? Why not make them cry? Why not make them all roll at your feet?" With a steady mind she hears these words. Slightly smiling she rises, and holding the mirror with her own reflection in front of her, the enchantress runs off to conquer in all directions.

When I see laziness in a man, I go to him and say:" O mystifier of the worlds, what are you doing? Just see...women are dying for you. You are just like a bumble-bee, now go and drink honey from many flowers." Hearing my sweet words, the scandalous man begins to think himself the lord of love. And at that moment, the beautiful woman attack with the arrows of her glance. In this way the young man and woman fall down by lust's deception. In the end they enjoy poisonous fruits and the depths of their hearts burn day and night. Thus bound by ropes of attachement, they come under your control.... their shouts of remorse never end!

Envy: Now, let me.

Sin: Wait. All in good time. Speak, anger. What is your business?

Anger: Sin! All glories unto you! Without you what would this world be like to live in? Please hear of my exploits on your behalf. Lust's work is simple, he says. My work is thorough. He may capture a mans senses, his mind and intelligence, but my toxins pollute his whole body. After lust does what little he can, his victim passes on to me. Then I make the mansigentle voice harse and loud, his muscles taut, his heart palpitate, his actions uncotrolled. Just see the pauper in my palm, his blood boiling and his face flushed red by my right arm wrath! That soul will not listen reason cannot find him, patience has deserted him. Only arrogance and pride provoke him and he turns upon his own belved wife, children and friends. Being unkind to them he suffers all the more. Oh dearest Sin, devastatino is my work! You can see me everywhere in the form on enmity: between husband and wife, between brothers, friends and families, between societies, religions and nations. I have men at each others through over trifles and after my brief visit is over my black shadow, war arrives. And then the real fun begins!(harsh laughter)

Sin: Next! Who shall speak next? (Clamour) Quiet! (immediate silence) All right greed, go on.

Greed: Of all your foremen, sweet Sin, I am the foremost! Like a faitful gardener, I lanishly water the seeds you so carefully sow. Please hear, you majesty, of my qualifications of which you certainly already know. Whatever there may be within the universe to satisfy one's senses, cannot satisfy me. Even though a man has everything, under my influence he wants more.With ???????????????by my side, Sin, I sap the very vitality of human life. Where I reside, rest assured, happiness never dares show his face. My pitiful prisoner, one foot through the gate of hell, thinks: So much wealth do I have today and I will gain more according to my schemes. Thus he works like an ass day in, day out, and overtime... Rushing to work at breakneck speed, full of anxiety, convinced that he is free. But in truth he's working for me!

No matter what he goes through and gets, it will never make amends... thus he takes to stealing and cheating, even from his friends. Then they steal from him and, thus oppressed, they become enemies over a farthing or less. Let but my sticky fingertips lighty touch the most esoteric philosopher, the most advanced scientist, the renowned politician, the brilliant poet, and they become morose, living a life of two extremes: hankering for future gain, and lamenting for previous loss. Ahhh! Just see how I make them all insane! My queen, these are the waters of my reign, and the flood hass only just begun.... by my touch they all become insane!

Illusion (Jamping up and interrupting greed): Oh Sin! With all due respect, I have heard enough. Why does a man endavour to enjoy himself? Why is he angered when he fails? I sak you why... why is he dissatisfied with his wealth? Because I, illusion, have spread my veils. You should know that all beautiful, glorious and mighty sins spring from but a spark of my splendour. (Sin squirms nervously) With a single fragment of my self, I pervade and support these other petty seedlings. (Other enemies protest vigorously) Why do we reign Supreme? For one reason; because of my cheerful smile called ignorance. It is due to ignorance, madam Sin, that men are overcome by your glance. Lust and anger simply carry on my work. And when I make a man want more than what he's due, then only is he susceptible to you, oh noble greed! And why are souls called fallen? Because I cast them down. And why do they stay down? Because I enshrou them. For every being is born in my grip, overcome by desire and hate.

I have decided for modern man that life is a complex chemical

combination, that there is no God control, and within the body, there is no soul. He thinks that his body made merely of earthly lifeless elements is his complete indentity. Poor, lost, little living entity. He's unaware that there's a joyful person in control, that within the body, there's a blissful living soul. You see they only age in years, but not in knowledge, for I hide reality behind my shawl, for the detriment of one and all. Good queen, you know this world to be a place of death, happiness has no place here. But for them, this truth is wholly unclear. They are blind for within their minds, I pit hope against hope. "Things will be better." They think, " The future's so bright." That's my master plan... to keep them locked up in this sham.

Sin: Sit down, illusion. Don't let yourself get carried away. Now, madness, you've been dangerously quiet. Let's hear of your play.

Madness: Excuse me if I seem reserved. A real hero shows prowess by his actions, not high sounding words. Allow me quietly to reveal my seductive plot. Man is mortal; this statement seems quite sound. Old folks have died, and he who is a child today, will sooner or later pass away. Yet though he knows his desiny to be dust, he accumulate madly more and more, and becomes a prime target for illusion, greed, anger and lust. And why? Because he cannot help himself... he must! He must! And this is my gift...That is what I madness, bring. So mistress Sin, you can see that I'm the best, I trust.

Sin: (To Madness) Perhaps, plausible statement. Well, envy, at last you beat the drum. But I must caution you, don't be too malicious.

Envy: (intensely eager) To begin with, o queen, let me ask: From which tree do the seeds of sin come? From me! The desire tree of anvy! Ha! There you see! Without me, man would live peacefully, had not care if another was more opulent than he. None would strive to accumulate more and more, and then, madness, where would you be?

Lust, anger, greed, illusion and madness all envy me! (Wild response) They know my call lures the soul to want what is not his and makes him fall. (Faint music in and out) and it all begins when he envies God. Thats why I will never let it end, for my roots are stronger than an iron rod. And nothing in this world can ever make them bend. (Dissention)

Sin: Shhh, quiet. Listen. What's that?

All: What's what? What's the matter?

Sin: That sound! (What sound?) That! That horrible sound. It sounds like music...(music?) Yes, happy music! (Yes, yes it does!) All right who's responsible for this? I warn you if this is someone's idea of a joke, I'm not amused. I want it stopped immediately. (Silence, no-one moves) Well, someone go out there and tell them to stop it! (Kali enters) Kali!

Kali: (Distraught, pacing back and forth) I never though it could happen...Oh my queen, my queen, brace yourself! (Sin: brace myself) It's all over. Our doom is in the making! (Sin: Our doom?) Yes? They are chanting and implanting the names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Our entire empire is quaking!

Sin: But how can that be? I've sown uncountable seeds of sin within their hearts. And those seeds will kill piety like piercing, poisonous darts.

Kali: (Shakes his head dismally) Don't you realize? This chanting of the Lord's names nullifies all sinful seeds, and all reactions to sinful deeds? It's useless! All our work gone for nought; useless, don't you see?

Sin: (In extreme anxiety) But I don't understand. It just can't be!

Kali: But it can, it can! The Supreme Lord has come to say: "Abandon all varieties of religion... just surrender unto Me and I'll protect you from all sin."

Sin (More calmy): Oh is that all? But that's not news! No-one will listen to that when face by envy's might. And who will care for such words when lust makes his strike? Our stalwart army will not fall.

Kali: (interrupts her, shouting) That's where you're wrong! Our stalwart soldiers are being used these devotees.

Sin: What gall! They must be deprogrammed at once... one and all!

Kali: Listen. They transform lust into love for the Lord. They make anger and envy join hands to fight those who decry the Lord and His Divine plans. Greed becomes eagerness to attain the Lord's favour. And separation makes madness stand mute with folded hands, waiting to benedict the devotees with his ecstatic flavour. These devotees seem to taste some mysterious sweet that gives them strength to control their minds. Oh my queen, what can it be that makes tasteless our treats? (lust, anger, greed, envy and madnes slink off. only illusion remains.)

Sin: Let them try to control. Illusion will captivate them back to our viev. Just wait and see.

Kali:(with raised voice) Oh my poor queen, I'm afraid illusion won't do!

Sin:(hopelessly) What do you mean, illusion wont do?

Kali: Let me show you. Illusion,come here. under whose control are you?

Illusion: Sin's of course. For the source of my power it is sin I woo.

Kali: That may be true. But beyond her milieu, in whose shadow do you stand? Illusion:(great hesitancy) I? Well.I stand behind the Lord!

Kali: And who is your Lord?

Illusion: My Lord? Why krishna of course, who else?

Sin: Ah! Don't mention that name!

Kali: Wait. And when your Lord commands you, could you afford to disobey?

Illusion: No, never. How could I disobey my Lord? (runs off. Sin calls after the enemies...)

Sin: Illusion! Envy! Greed! You miserable clowns! You claim to abound in the confines of my world. But I've found your boasts to be merely bad jokes, and now we'll to our deaths be hurled! You

oafs! (Chanting continues. Kali and Sin look at each other for a moment, listening. They continue talking but now more slowly than before.)

Sin: What a cacophonous distruption. (Pause) I demand to see who's doing this. (Gets up to go)

Kali: (Alarmed) Oh my consort Sin, if you wish to stay with me, I urge you not to go. (to himself) Stop it! Stop it! Myhead will burst. ( He sits down as if he had a great headache)

Sin:(to herself) Till this happened, our might was immeasurable. How could they deal such a blow? I must know! I must go. I must see how it could be so! (She turns, sees Kali is not watching and runs off)

Kali:(Immediately looks up and sees she's gone) Wait! Wait! Sin! You'll be entrapped by our foe!! (He runs after her)

ACT THREE/SCENE ONE THE APPEARANCE OF LORD CHAITANYA

"LORD GAURANGA BIDS FAREWELL."

Lord Chaitanya and his devotees explode upon the stage and the personified Kali and Sin flee in fear. The kirtan builds up to an ecstatic climax and then ends. Lord Chaitanya sits surrounded by the devotees and speaks movingly.......

Lord Chaitanya: My dear devotees, to see all of you before Me is the pleasure of My life, so how can My heart bear it now that all of you must return to Bengal? Please return here every year to see Me.

Advaita Acarya, I consider you to be My Spiritual Master. Please give love of Krishna to all, even the lowest of men. And My dear Nityananda, you should spread devotional service throughout Bengal. Take with you Ramadasa and Gadadhara and somethimes I will also come to see your dancing, which purifies the three worlds.

O Srivasa, when you perform sankirtana in your house, know for certain that I am present there. Please take prasada from Lord Jagannath to my mother....

My dear Raghava Pandita. I am obliged to you due to your pure love for Me. Everyone please here of the pure devotion of Raghava Pandita. Every day he prepares the finest fruits with great care and attention, and offers them to the Deity, along with cakes, sweet rice and all the finest foods and paraphernalia. Everyone is satisfied by his service.....

All you inhabitants of Kulina-grama must come to Me every year and bring silken rope to carry Lord Jagannath.

Satyaraj Khan: O Lord, I am a materialistic man, entangled in household life. What is my duty?

Lord Chaitanya: Always chant the Holy Name of Krishna, and try to serve Him and His devotees, the Vaisnavas.

Satyaraj Khan: My Lord, how can one recognize a Vaisnava? What are his common symptoms?

Lord Chaitanya: Anyone who chants the Holy Name even once is considered to be worshipable, for by so doing all his previous sinful activities are nulified. There are no barriers in this chanting and anyone can worship the Lord in this way and become purified, even the lowest of men. This chanting awakens ones dormant love for Krishna. Therefore anyone who is chanting the Holy Name of the Lord is understood to be a Vaisnava and worthy of ones worship.

Ah, Vasudeva Datta, what can I say about your pure love for Sri Govinda? Your love for Krishna is so strong that it can illuminate the darkness hearts of all the fallen souls. (Vasudeva Datta becomes embarrassed and touches the Lords Lotus Feet...)

Vasudeva Datta: My dear Lord, You appear just to deliver all the conditioned souls. As you are the Supreme independent Lord, I have one petition to make before You. O Lord, my heart breaks to see the sufferings of the entangled living entities, therefore I request you to transfer the karma of their sinful lives upon my head. O Lord, let me always remain in a hellish condition but please let their sufferings finish.

(Sri Chaitanya is overwhelmed...)

Lord Chaitanya: Such a statment is not astonishing for you are actually Prahlada Maharaj and Krishna has bestowed all mercy upon you. Whatever you desire Krishna will give, there is no need for you to suffer. My dear Vasudeva Datta, the purity of your love is unmatched and because of that love all living beings in the universe will certainly be liberated.

Now My dear devotees, you must return to Bengal, but do not think that I will be separated from you, for wherever the holy name of Sri Hari is chanted by his devotees certainly I am present. Come now...take heart! Let there be kirtan!

(A very slow and ecstatic kirtana begins and all the devotees of Lord Chaitnya dance... after a short time the Lord and his devotees take their place in the background and a spotlight brings the attention to the front of stage, where Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur enters and stands........)

ACT THREE/ SCENE TWO THE VISION OF SRILA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA

Srila Bhaktivinoda: When the eastern horizon became tinged with the redness that heralds the rising of the sun, the jewel among the brahmanas, Lord Gaurasundara, immediately awakened. Taking his devotees with him, He journeyed through the towns and villages of Nadia. The mrdangas resounded "tathai tathai" and the jhajas in that kirtan played in time. Lord Gaurangas golden form slightly trembled in ecstatic love of Godhead, and his footbells jingled. The Lord called out to the townsfolk: "Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up! You have slept so long inthe lap of the witch Maya. You have achieved this rare human body. Don't you care for this gift? If you don't worship Krishna, the darling of mother Yasoda, now, then great sorrow awaits you at the time of your death. With every rising and setting of the sun, a day passes and is lost. Why then do you remain idle and not serve the Lord of the heart? I have descended just to save you. Other than myself, who else is your friend? I have brought the medicine for destroying the illusion of Maya. Now pray for this Hari-nama Maha-mantra, and take it."

Thus this Thakura Bhaktivinoda falls at the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga and begs to be blessed with the holy name..... Sri-Sri-Nitai-Gaura-Premanandi Hari Haribol!!! Sri-Harinama-Sankirtana-Yajna ki jaya!!! Yes, this principle of kirtana as the future church of the world, invites all classes of men, without distinction of caste or clan, to the highest cultivation of the spirit. This church, it appears, will extend all over the world, and take the place of all sectarian churches, mosques and temples. After all, Lord Chaitanya did not advent himself for the benefit of a few men of India, but to liberate all living beings, of all countries, throughout the entire universe. The Lord has said: "In every town, country and village, My name will be sung." There is no doubt that this unquestionable order will come to pass.....

I am sure that, soon, there will appear a personality preach the

holy name of Lord Hari, all over the world! Oh for that day, when the fortunate English, French, Russian, German and American people will take up banners, mrdangas and karatals, and raise kirtana through their streetsand towns.Oh! When will that day come?

Srila Bhaktivinoda (cont'd): My dear Lord Gauranga, when you appeared, you revealed the highest knowledge ofthe Absolute Truth, but now, due to the ignorance of uncultured men, the vaisnava faith apears to have become most degraded. Why, it is considered a beggars excuse for living at the expense of society.

My dear Lord, how will your super-excellent teachings again be brought forth shining? Alone, I do not have the power to restore them, therefore I am praying that you send me a soul who can achieve this task. My dear Lord Chaitanya! Please fulfill this long-cherished desire of mine. Please, send me a son, who will help me spread your teachings far across the land!

Devotee (heard from outside the room) Kedaranath! Kedaranath Babu!

Srila Bhaktivinoda: Yes, yes, I am here! What's the matter?

Devotee: (rushing in, breathless) Kedaranath! Your prayer... has been answered!

S. Bhaktivinoda: What? What are you saying? What has happened? Devotee: Your wife has given birth....

S. Bhaktivinoda: Yes?

Devotee: To a son!

S Bhaktivinoda: A son? Krishna's mercy! But my prayer was for more than just a son!

Devotee: Oh I know! This one is very special! He is the one you've been praying for!

S Bhaktivinoda: But... how do you know?

Devotee: You should see! His features are so auspicious!....

S Bhaktivinoda: Yes? But....

Devotee: His eyes... His face. So wonderful!

S Bhaktivinoda: ....But how does that....?

Devotee: Listen! Apart from all that, he was born wearing the sacred thread of a brahmana!

S Bhaktivinoda: (Astounded) What? Come now.....

Devotee: It's true! He was born with umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and draped across his chest!!

S Bhaktivinoda: (In ecstacy) ..... Nitai-Gauracandra! Haribol! Haribol!

(Runs off stage)

CURTAIN

ACT FOUR/ SCENE ONE SRILA PRABHUPADA MEETS HIS SPIRITUAL MASTER

Scene opens with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and disciples in the background. Enter Narendranath pulling Abhay....

Abhay: Narendranath! I'm not going!

Arendra: Oh please, Abhay, I'm sure you will like him... He is a wonderful sadhu!

Abhay: Oh yes, I know all these sadhus! Most of them are simply beggars and ganja smokers in the dress of mendicants!

Arendra: But this one is different, Abhay. He is a pure and powerful vaisnava.

Abhay: Narendranath! I wish you wouldn't behave like this! I told you I'm not going.....

Arendra: Look, Abhay, I tell you he is extraordinary... He is such a learned scholar, and a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu... You must meet him! Please!

Abhay: Oh...

Arendra: At least you should see him and judge for yourself. Abhay: You're so presistent! All right!

Arendra: You won't regret this Abhay, I promise you...

Abhay: Well we shall see. ( both exit... )

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta: There has not been, there will not be, such benefactors of the highest merit as Mahaprabhu and his devotees have been. The ofer of other benefits is only a deception; it is rather a great harm, whereas the benefit done by him and his folowers is the truest and greatest eternal benefit... It is not for one particular country causing mischief to another; but it benefits the whole universe... The kindness that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has shown to jivas absolves them eternally from all wants, from all inconveniences and from all distresses..... ( Enter Abhay and Narendranath... They pay their obeisances and are still rising...)

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta: You are educted young men. Why don't you preach Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's message throughout the whole world?!

Abhay: (taken back) How can we spread Indian culture if we are under British rule? First India must become indipendent, otherwise, who will hear your Chaitanya's message?

Bhaktisiddhanta: Krsna consciousness does not have to wait for a change in Indian politics, nor is it dependent on who rules. It is so important, so exclusively important, that it cannot wait!

Abhay: How can you dismiss the cause of indipendence, as if were of no importance, when so many of our spiritually minded leaders and saint... even Gandhi himself... are stressing svaraj?

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta: Whether one power or another rules is a temporary situation... the eternal reality is Krsna consciousness, and the real self is the spiritual soul. Therefore no man-made political system can actually help humanity. This is the verdict of the Vedas. Everyone is an eternal servant of God, but if one takes himself to be the temporary body, and if one regards the nation of his birth as worshipable, then he is in the

greatest illusion. The leaders and followers of the worlds political movements, including the independence movement, are simply cultivating this illusion, and therefore they are no better then cows and asses. Real welfare work, whether individual, social or political, should help prepare a person for his next life and help him to re-establish his eternal relationship with Krsna.

Abhay: Yes, that is true, but oppression of the people is a reality... and the British slaughter of innocent citizens is a reality. Surely, at the present time, the people cause is the only relevant movement, and spiritual life is a luxury which can be afforded only after independence.

S. Bhaktisiddhanta: Lord Sri Krsna is the highest Vedic authority and in the Bhagavad-Gita he declares: sarva-dharmam parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah... that one should give up all so-called dharmas and religious duties and surrender unto Him, The Personality of Godhead. The Srimad Bhagavatam confirms this: dharmah projjhita kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam... All other forms of religion are impure and should be thrown out... only Bhagavata-dharma... performing one's duties to please the Supreme Lord should remain. The problem is that the people have become faithless. They no longer believe that devotional service to God can remove all anomalies, even on the political scene. How can someone claim to be a leader of the people if he is ignorant of the soul and indentifies with this dead body as the self? He is simply a fool, and yet they are all following... blind men led by another blind man into tht ditch.

There is no scarcity in this world... the only scarcity is of Krsna consciousness. But all these men... Subhas Candra Bose, Bannerjee, Lajpat Rai, Gandhi... They have all failed to sole the real problem of society, rather they simply added to the chaos and confusion.

This whole world is simply a society of cheaters and cheated...It is not a fit place for a gentleman. Therefore one should simply aspire to leave this material world and go back to home, back to godhead. The urgent need is to render the highest good to humanity by educating people about the eternal soul and its intimate loving relationship with Krishna. This is Lord Caitanyas instruction to everyone born in India: bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara, janma sarthaka kari kara para upakara... So do not hesitate... Take up this important preaching mission and become an instrument in fulfilling Lord Caitanya's prediction. And what is that prediction? Prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama.. .That one day the Holy Name of the Lord will be known in every town and every village in the world.

Hare Krishna!

(Abhay pays his respectful obeisances, rises and leaves with Narendranath... they apear again, front stage...)

Arendra: So, Abhay, what was your impression? What do you think of him?

Abhay: He is wonderful! The message of Lord Caitanya is in the hands of a very expert person!

Arendra: I knew you would like him, Abhay...

Abhay: Yes, he is a very nice saintly person. Narendranath, I think, were it not for my wife and family commitents, I would immediately join him. (pause... then thoughtfully...) Still, my heart, I have accepted him. Yes, I have accepted him! (exit...curtain)

ACT FOUR/ SCENE TWO SRILA PRABHUPADA'S JOURNEY TO AMERICA Scene opens with Srila Prabhupada sitting behind a makeshift desk (his trunk). A few large volumens of Srimad Bhagavatam are visible. He looks poorly and weak in health, wearing glasses, he is sitting in the light of a lantern. As he is writing, he pauses occasionally to think. He seems to be very thoughtful and grave and at same time there is an unmistakeable mood of determination, victory and ultimate happiness and peace about him. As he writes his thoughts are heard...

Srila Prabhupada: Today the ship is plying very smootly. I feel today better. But I am feeling separation from Sri Vrndavana and my Lords Sri Govinda, Gopinath, Radha-Damodara. I depend fully on their mercy, so far away from Vrndavana. I have left Bharatabhumi, just to execute the order of Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarastvati in pursuance of Lord Caitanya's order. I have no qualification, but have taken up the risk, just to carry out the order of His Divine Grace. By his strong desire, the Holy Name of the Lord Gauranga will spread throughout all the countries of the western world. In all the cities, town and villages on the earth, from all the oceans, seas, rivers and streams, everyone will chant the Holy Name of Krsna.

Although my Guru Maharaja ordered me to accomplish this mission, I am not worthy or fit to do it. Therefore o Lord, now I am begging for your mercy so that I may become worthy, for you are the wisest and more experienced of all. Today that remembrance of You came to me in a very nice way. Because I have a great longing I called to You. I am Your eternal servant and therefore I desire Your association so much. O Lord Krsna, except for You, there is no other means for success.... (There is a knock on the door... Enter captain and Mrs. Pandia)

S. Prabhupada: Captain Pandia...Mrs Pandia! Hare Krsna!

Captain P.: Maharaja, how do you feel now? Has your health improved?

S. Prabhupada: Oh yes, yes... Do not worry! The chest pains have gone now and but for a slight headache, I am feeling much better.

Mrs Pandia: Oh this is good news... We were really worried about you, you know Swamiji!

S. Prabhupada: If the atlantic had shown it's usual face, perhaps I would have died. But Lord Krsna has taken charge of the ship.

Captain P.: Yes, I believe you are right. I have sailed these waters hundered times, but never in my entire career have I seen such a calm atlantic crossing!

S. Prabhupada: It is Krsna mercy.

Captain & Mrs P.: Yes!

Mrs Pandia: Swamiji, perhaps you will come back with us, so that we may have another crossing as this one! (they all laugh)

S. Prabhupada: Yes, yes, surely I would return with you. But I have my mission to fulfill.

Captain P.: Yes. I would like to help you Maharaja. Is there anything we can do before you go?

S. Prabhupada: MMMM. Yes... You take these copies of Srimad

Bhagavtam...This is the first canto in three volumes... Simply try to understand it, chant Hare Krsna, and you will be happy, that's all. This is the best thing you can do for me.

Captain P.: This is... most kind....

Mrs P.: Oh Swamiji, we cannot possibly thank you enough...

Captain P.: Maharaja, here's twenty dollars. Please accept it as a donation for the books. It's not much, but it may help you.

S. Prabhupada: (touching the money to his head) Thank you very much.

Mrs P.: Your future looks very bright, Swamiji, I can tell these things... That you have passed beyond this crisis shows that you have the blessings of Lord Krsna.

S. Prabhupada: Hare Krsna!

Captain & Mrs P.: Hare Krsna! (exit)

(Srila Prabhupada rises and with the help of his stick he walks to the front and, leaning on the ship rail, he peers out across the ocean to Bostons bleak and dirty skyline.....)

Srila Prabhupada: My dear Lord Krsna, You are so merciful upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. But I guess You have some business here otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place? Most of the population here is covered by material modes of passion and ignorance, absorbed in material life, they think themselves very happy and satisfied, and therefore they have no taste for the transcendental message of Vasudeva. I do not know how they will be able to understand it. But I know Your causeless mercy can make everything possible, because you are the most expert mystic. Somehow or other, O Lord, You have brought me here to speak about You. Now it is up to You to make me a success or failure as You like.

NARATION ACT FOUR/ SCENE THREE

Srila Prabhupada arived in America, practically penniless and hardly knowing in which direction he should go. For a while he wandered here and there... To Butler then to New York, where he stayed with Dr. Mishra (a mayavadi yogi), and then to the Bovery... Skid row, full of bums and drunkards. There he shared a loft with a drug-crazed hippy, till one day, finally, the boy went mad and Prabhupada was on the street with nowhere else to go. In this way, alone, for one year he was preaching, through the bitter New York winter, impoverished and stranger in a city so degraded...

Then, at last, on lower east side, one by one, bedraggled refuges of Kali... Hippies, fed up with materialism, and disillusioned with the so-called "flower movement", came to him for answers and for shelter from the rain of confusion. So he simply gave them kirtan and, out of curiosty or looking for some kind of mystical experience, they chanted Hare Krishna and, although unknowingly, began their path home to the spiritual sky.

With great patience and compassion, Srila Prabhupada gave the message he had brought and though they were so crazy, he spelled the truth out to them all, just like a kindly father... "You are not these bodies, you are spirit souls," he said. We are all God's servants, so just chant Hare Krsna and be happy!" Many were just too far gone to hear him, but a few were sincere seekers of the truth, and they stayed, listened, learned and followed. Soon

the Swamiji, (as he wasthen affectionately known among his followers) had gathered around him a faithful band of boys and girls, who gradually began to take to Krishna consciousness. Won over by kirtan, prasadam and Prabhupadas devotion to Lord Krishna, they gave up illicit sex, drugs, meat and gambling, and

he, in turn, accepted them as his own disciples. But as soon as a few of them were strong enough to carry on, immediately he left and went on to San Francisco, where, with chanting, dancing, prasadam and philosphy, so many hopeless souls were attracted and saved from the web of material life.

In just a few years, the seed had been planted in New York, San Franciaco, Montreal, Los Angeles.... and across the sea to England, France, Autralia and Russia... And on relentlessly, Srila Prabhupada went travelling, preaching and taking the world by storm. And wherever Srila Prabhupada went with his disciples, people were astonished, journalists were excited, religionists dumbfounded and scientists were smashed! But above all, the peoples hearts were changed. In just twelve years, from Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the west, until his triumphant return to Goloka Vrndavan, the Supreme abode, this world was beneficted with so many of his gifts.... One hundred and more beautiful temples, farms, castles, restaurants and palaces, full of thousands of ecstatic vaisnava sons, daughters, grand-disciples...

Sri Mayapura-Candrodaya mandir, Vrndavan's Krishna-Balarama temple, west Virginia's New Vrndavan and Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, to name but a few. He gave us worship of their Lordships Sri-Sri Radha-Krishna, Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai and Jagannath-Subhadra-Balarama. And festivals like Gaura-purnima, Janmastami and Rathayatra, flooding this world with nectar. He gave us transcendental dramas, art, music, diorams, gurukula's to teach our children, goshallas for cow-protection, but, above all else, he gave us books. "They are the basis" he would say, and he gave every single breath for writing them... Seventy volumes, in fifty languages, printed in hundreds of thousands and millions, distributed world-wide. He gave us the foundation for golden age... A blue-print for the future, but more than that he left his own example; a lifetime of endeavour and surrender and devotion, for us to take our strength and inspiration from.

Yet even more than that he gave us you, Srila Gurudeva, a perfect son, a fully dedicated follower, a bold empowered preacher, and a strong but gentle-hearted leader, without whom we could never become purified, without whom we would only stray and then fall prey to our eternal enemy.

By your Divine Grace and by the grace of Srila Prabhupada, the Holy Name of Gauranga is spreading irresistibly to every town and village on the earth. So now, although this Sri Krsna sankirtan movement's only just begun to blossom, this humble drama must come to an end. But before we close this chapter of Lord's eternal pastimes, we beg to take for a moment to a time, eleven years ago....... when all the devotees were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Srila Prabhupada, in Bury place..........

ACT FOUR/ SCENE THREE SRILA PRABHUPADA ARRIVES AT BURY PLACE

It is a few minutes before Srila prabhupada's arrival. Devotees are runing around panic-stricken and ecstatic, trying to get everything ready. The temple-commander appears in overalls, blurts out a few instructions to the devotees around him, who run off in different directions, and then proceeds to bang some nails in the wall. Just then the telephone rings and the T.C. answers it. Srila Prabhupada is on his way and will be at the temple at any moment! The devotee's anxiety reaches a climax. Then suddenly the arrival kirtana is heard and Srila Prabhupada has arrived! Srila Prabhupada's small but commanding figure walks regally into the temple amidst dandavatting disciples and uncontrolled

chanting of: "Jaya Prabhupada!" The deity curtains are opened and Srila Prabhupada bows down before their Lordships Sri-Sri Radha-London-Isvara and then rises, standing reverentially before Them, his first fingers tapping together lightly, in time with the 'Govindam' prayers. After a few minutes, Srila Prabhupada turns and walks majestically to his vyasasana where he sits and begins to chant "Jaya Radha-Madhava". With his karatals ringing sweetly, and the mrdanga following, Srila Prabhupada takes the devotees out into a deep sea of chanting.... After only a few minutes, the kirtana ends and his Divine Grace begins to speak........

Srila Prabhupada: Sons and daughters. I am so much obliged to you that you have become so enthusiastic for offering vyasa-puja......

When Krsna sees that a living entity is very anxious to understand him or to revive his Krsna consciousness, then Krsna gives him all oportunity especially by manifesting himself as the spritual master... anta bahih... the spritual master is therefore Krsna's manifestation, Krsna's mercy manifestation to help a person to develop his Krsna consciousness......... Therefore to advance in Krsna consciousness we require two kinds of help... One from Krsna and another from spiritual master. It is stated in the Caitanya-Caritamrta... You'll be glad now that Caitanya-Caritmrta is now published! (devotess:"Jaya").... Kiba vipra kiba sudra nyasi kene naya, yei Krsna tattva vettha sei guru haya. I am sometimes criticized by my godbrothers, that I have become a 'marriage-maker' But they do not know why I take this risk. I have got many disciples, they are married couples, but all of them, husband and wife, they are helping this movement. Here is Bhagavan dasa. He is olso married man... children. So actually married couples should be paramahamsa. Paramahamsa means the tompost stage of sannyasa.....

I am very much hopeful that my disciples who are now participatting today, so, even if I die, my movement will not stop. I am very much hopeful. All these nice boys and girls... Bhaktivinoda Thakur wanted that European and American people may understand the philosphy of Caitanya cult, and take part in it. That was his desire... My guru maharaj, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, he also attemted to send his disciples to preach Caitanya cult in the western world.... First meeting, perhaps you know, he asked me to preach. So at that time I was young man, only twenty-five years old andIwas also householder... So I should have joined and executed his desire immediately, but due to my ill luck, I could not immediately execute his order. But it was in my heart, that it is to be done. So it is better late than never, I executed his order at the age of seventy years, not at the age of twenty-five year. So actually I wasted so much time,I can understad that. From twenty-five... The message was there when I was twenty-five years old, but I begun at the age of seventy years. But I did not forget the message, otherwise how could I do? That is a fact. I was simply finding out the opportunity to do it. So anyway, although I begun very late at the age of seventy years, so by the help of my disciples this movement is gaining ground and is spreading all over the world. So therefore I have to thank you. It is all due to you. It is not my credit, but it is your credit, that you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaj... So this movement, Krsna consciousness movement... That you already know, that it is the most essential, most important movement in the human society.... So this movement will go on... Nobody can stop...

You, all my disciples, everyone should become spiritual master. It is not difficult. It is difficult when you manufacture something. But if you simply present what you have heard from your spiritual master, it is very easy.... One may be rascal

number one from material estimation, but if he simply strictly follows whatever is said by Caitanya Mahaprabhu or representative spiritual master, then he becomes a guru.So it is not very difficult.... Amara ajnaya guru haya. And what is the difficulty? Caitanya Mahaprabhu says don't feel any difficulty, because as spiritual master, what you have to do? Yare dekha tare kaha Krsna upadesa.... Whomever you meet, you simply speak to him the instruction which Krsna gives. What Krsna... The instruction He gives? That is also very easy. What is that? Krsna says: Man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Krsna says, just become my devotee, always think of me, offer me obeisances and worship me... And at last Krsna says: Sarva-dharmam parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. So if you simply preach this cult... "My dear friend, my dear brother, you surrender to Krsna", you'll become spiritual master. Become spiritual master! You go door to door. No other talks, simply say: "My dear friend..... ....You are great sadhu!" Although he may be rascal number one, still you call him: "He sadhava." "Yes, I am sadhu, yes. What is your proposal?" Kindly forget all nonsense that you have learned! That's all. I am flattering you because I want that you forget everything... All this yogis and this and that. Meditation... Please, kick out all this!" "Then what, after this?"

Caitanya candra carane kurutanuraga...Just adhere yourself to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya." Then you become spiritual master. Thats all. So if you wantto become recongnised by Krsna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master and present the Bhagavad-Gita as it is, your life is perfect. Thank you very much!

( Devotees: All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada!)

Chant Hare Krsna!

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Devotees begin chanting and Srila Prabhupada stays for a few minutes before rising and leaving the temple room. Kirtan continues and becomes very ecstatic.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Srila Gurudeva! All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates!

All glories to Sri-Sri Radha London-Isvara and Sri-Sri Radha-Gokulananda!

All glories to all the vaisnava devotees of the Lord!