(Part 2) Srila Prabhupada’s history with the Simhasan

In July 1974 Srila Prabhupada came to New Vrindaban. The following year Prabhupada wrote a letter to the New Vrindaban devotees saying he would visit again in August 1975 and stay a whole month! The whole community became abuzz with the mantra, “Prabhupada is coming! Prabhupada is coming!”

Every devotee was thinking intensely how to please Srila Prabhupada with their service. Kuladri Prabhu in the meantime had been planning on pleasing Srila Prabhupada by transforming Radha Vrindaban Candra’s altar by offering a new throne (Simhasan) to the deities during Srila Prabhupada’s visit.

 

So Kuladri Prabhu had traveled to Bombay to arrange the carving of a teakwood Simhasan for the deities. After checking  on their progress, Kuladri took the drawings personally to show Srila Prabhupada who was also in Bombay at the time.

 

After inspecting all the details and asking some questions, Srila Prabhupada was pleased with the design and gave his approval, saying “very nice”. As Kuladri rolled up the drawings, Srila Prabhupada asked Kuladri “How much did you pay?” When Kuladri answered, Srila Prabhupada said, “Oh, you have paid too much.”

 

Undeterred, Kuladri traveled back to New Vrindaban to get things ready for Srila Prabhupada’s visit. When Srila Prabhupada changed his plans and did not come to New Vrindaban in 1975, still the Simhasan was offered to the deities on Janmastami 1975.

 

Srila Prabhupada then let the devotees know that he would come to New Vrindaban the next summer.  So, on June 21, 1976 Srila Prabhupada arrived in Bahulaban and was ecstatically greeted outside the temple by dancing Brijabasis.

Bowing down in front of Their Lordships inside the temple, Srila Prabhupada then stood praying with folded hands in front of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Candra and Their new altar.

 After a few moments Srila Prabhupada slowly turned to Kuladri who was standing next to him and with a gleam in his eye Prabhupada said, “It was worth it.” Kuladri was ecstatic.

Later Srila Prabhupada explained, “When you find something valuable, be ready to pay the price. Just like, Krsna Consciousness, the most valuable thing, we should be prepared to do whatever it takes to attain it!”