It was an amazing Rath Yatra festival at London. My perspective was limited, since I stayed by Srila Prabhupada's side, but it was filled with adventure. Srila Prabhupada was very enthusiastic. His Vyasasana was available on the Ratha cart, but he decided to walk with the devotees. Srila Prabhupada walked in front of the cart clapping his hands to the beat of the kirtan. He raised his hands in the air encouraging everyone to dance. He looked like the supreme puppeteer.
As he raised his hands, everyone leaped into the air in ecstasy. It didn't require any purification. If you were near him, you were in bliss. Except for the bobbies (policemen). They were looking for someone in charge. They wanted to calm everyone down. They were keen enough to realize that if they could control Srila Prabhupada, they could control the "unruly" crowd.
Somehow, they thought that I was an "associate" of His Divine Grace.
"You'll have to tell your leader to sit down," one bobbie said. "He's causing too much of a disturbance. Everyone is becoming wild and we can't control the crowd."
"All right," I told him, and then did nothing.
It was apparent that Srila Prabhupada was in charge of the festival. He wasvisibly ecstatic. The bobbies again approached me.
"You must tell him. He'll have to sit down," they firmly said.
Again I agreed. With fear of reprisal I tapped Srila Prabhupada on his shoulder and said, "Prabhupada, the policemen, they want you to sit down. They say you are creating havoc here in the parade."
Srila Prabhupada looked through me for a brief moment. He quickly turned away with his arms still raised in the air. Majestically, hecontinued walking with a bounce in his step. He allowed everyone present to enter into his world of bliss. He never stopped. He walked the length of the parade. The bobbies gave up their attack. They wereno match for the pure devotee and the Lord of the Universe.
Srila Prabhupada, like an ocean of mercy you distributed your waves of kindness to all who attended. Please forgive me for tapping you on your shoulder that day. Due to my dullness I attempted to distract you fromyour mission. Thank you for ignoring my countless shortcomings.
[Ref. Book: Srila Prabhupada Uvaca' by SP's Personal servant- H.G. Srutakirti Das, Chapter 59: London Rath Yatra]
[July, 1973, ISKCON London, UK]
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