“One important recent development in ISKCON is that several senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada who had close association with him have begun the process of writing down their memories of him. His Holiness Giriraj Swami, who joined ISKCON in 1969 and served in the Juhu project as temple president under Srila Prabhupada's direct supervision, has recently released the first in a series of books about his experiences with Srila Prabhupada.”

Book Review: "Watering the Seed" by Giriraj Swami
By Sikhi Mahiti das

CHAKRA (Cape Town, South Africa) - "The room was dimly lit -- only some narrow shafts of light pierced through the slim openings in the wooden shutters along the side of the room. Srila Prabhupada, sitting on his raised cushion at the far end of the temple room, was the image of the eternal spiritual master, and his voice resonated with truth.

Alone with my spiritual master, my eyes and ears wide open, I sat at his feet, "You should write. This is your first business. Go on writing. We require many, many articles about Krsna consciousness. So you should devote yourself to writing.

"I will try. But why are you asking me? I have no qualification."

"We require many to do this work, and we need you also. So you come and stay with me. You travel with me and I will guide you."

"Shri Krishna Niketan was a grand old house surrounded by fields.I was always thinkng of Srila Prabhupada and sometimes I couldn't sleep at night I would just be thinking of how wonderful Srila Prabhupada was. I would stand alone at the balcony near his room and look out over the fields at the stars and the bright moon. I was in so much ecstasy that Srila Prabhupada had read my article and invited me to travel with him and I felt the awakening in my heart of a type of love I had never felt before."

 * * *

One important recent development in ISKCON is that several senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada who had close association with him have begun the process of writing down their memories of him. His Holiness Giriraj Swami, who joined ISKCON in 1969 and served in the Juhu project as temple president under Srila Prabhupada's direct supervision, has recently released the first in a series of books about his experiences with Srila Prabhupada.

"Watering the Seed" consists of anecdotes and articles from the pastimes and teachings of Srila Prabhupada. The book has been well received by devotees.

Comments and Reviews

"'Watering The Seed' is an invaluable offering to all aspirants on the path of devotion. Giriraj Swami kindly shares his personal realizations with the honesty, wisdom and humility for which he is known and loved. This book will transport us into Srila Prabhupada's intimate, personal association during some of the most historic moments of ISKCON's development. -- from the foreword by His Holiness Radhanath Swami

"I just got a copy of 'Watering the Seed' and read excerpts to some devotees gathered at the Manor. Very nice. You are a gifted writer (and I am not saying that to flatter you)." -- His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami

"'Watering the Seed' allows all of us to share the close association Giriraj Maharaja had with Srila Prabhupada. His remembrances capture a unique and historic period in ISKCON, when Srila Prabhupada was personally guiding his disciples in their daily spiritual lives. The instructions and inspiration that Giriraj Maharaja received from Srila Prabhupada will no doubt benefit all readers and what's more, will help us to appreciate Srila Prabhupada in a deeper and more personal way." -- His Holiness Indradyumna Swami

"I just finished reading 'Watering the Seed' and wanted to thank you for sharing all the wonderful memories and instructions of Srila Prabhupada with us. I found the book spiritually uplifting and inspiring in ways too numerous to mention. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future." -- His Holiness Giridhari Swami

"I appreciate the deep Krsna conscious insights." -- His Holiness Bhakti Vikas Swami

"I am very much impressed by the serious quality contents and the nice presentation. The first thing that struck me was the beautiful front picture. Srila Prabhupada's expression is so absolutely charming. It is amazing that this is the first time I have seen this picture!" -- Sriniketan das ACBSP

"I relished reading "Watering the Seed" so much. It was like the fullfilment of a long lasting desire, that of hearing Srila Prabhupada katha from your holy lips, you who had that extraordinary privilege of being so close to him.... Please kindly keep churning out the nectar with more and more books. Srila Prabhupada's books will save the world, and books about Srila Prabhupada will save his devotees. Tadiyanam samarcanam. -- Arjuna das ACBSP

"'Watering the Seed' is a first class publication. I was very impressed with the printing and layout. The actual production of the book was surpassed only by the contents of the book--Giriraj Swami's realizations. Congratulations on producing such a transcendental gem. I read from it at the Sunday program in the Durban temple." -- Partha Sarathi das ACBSP

Extracts from "Watering the Seed"

Spontaneous Vaisnavism

When I arrived in Juhu from Calcutta, Srila Prabhupada was holding a pandal program at Hare Krishna Land to draw people's attention to the project there. After preaching at Hare Krishna Land for about two weeks, Srila Prabhupada left for Australia, and soon thereafter one couple, Dr. and Mrs. Singhal, who had attended the program, invited us to their home for a small program of kirtana and prasada--our first invitation after the pandal program.

Dr. and Mrs. Singhal were among our first friends in Juhu. As the days and weeks went by, Dr. and Mrs. Singhal became closer and closer to the devotees and offered more and more service. Dr. Singhal offered free medical treatment, while Mrs. Singhal took care of the devotees and sometimes sewed for the Deities. They introduced us to their friends, and through Dr. Singhal we met Mr. Kejriwal, who was later initiated by Srila Prabhupada as Man Mohan Dasa, as well as Mr. Pandiya and Mr. Bhatia. They all became life members and in turn helped us enroll other members. Subsequently Mr. Pandiya and Mr. Bhatia also took initiation.

One day Mrs. Singhal invited Srila Prabhupada for lunch, and Srila Prabhupada, Tamal Krishna Goswami and I drove together to their small apartment in Vile Parle. Dr. and Mrs. Singhal received us warmly, led us to the next room, seated us on the floor on cushions, and affectionately served us prasada. Towards the end of the meal, Mrs. Singhal and one of her lady friends suddenly burst through the door into the room. They were singing Hare Krsna, while Mrs. Singhal played on her violin. Goswami Maharaja turned and gave a look as if to say, "What on earth is going on here?" Srila Prabhupada turned to Tamal Krishna and said, "This is spontaneous Vaisnavism. You have to learn to be a Vaisnava. They are naturally Vaisnavas."

But Don't Leave

I also asked one other important question:

"Srila Prabhupada, now you are here, so everything is all right. But what if, in the course of time, when you are not here, ISKCON falls from the standard? What should I do?"

Srila Prabhupada replied, "You are also one of the important members of the Society, so you work for the correction. But don't leave."

I did not consider myself an "important member of the Society." Still, I knew Srila Prabhupada had given an important instruction for the future.

 * * *

For further information please contact cape.town@pamho.net 

© CHAKRA 14-September-2000

Go to the “Resources Page”