How A Hindu Priest Led Me To Jesus
...And Then To Krsna

Forward:   Jan. 8th, 2009 at 2:08 PM


     Kneeling in prayer, the initial concept and title for this book came to mind and since I was going to spend the entire day flying from California to San Antonio, I placed my notepad in my briefcase.   And sure enough, what you are reading now was penned yesterday morning as I waited for Southwest Flight 1874 to announce it was time to board.
     What prompts such a momentous decision to write a book?  In my case the last 5 days have certainly been a factor.  I did, once visit an old timer who was in a bed at a small, Texas, VA Hospital.  I remember the ghostly looking man lying in the space next to him, sound asleep with his mouth wide open and his nose pointed up toward the ceiling as far as possible.  I was told to just ignore him. Other than that brief encounter with the old and dying, I have never spent any time in this kind of an environment - with it's odd smell and 80 and 90 year olds.  Everyone knows they won't live much longer.  
     The Skilled Nursing Center located at Air Force Village in Riverside, California is a facility dedicated to taking care of the physical and medical needs of the brave men and woman of the "Greatest Generation" - retired military officers (and their wives) who in their youth spilled out their hearts and blood fighting off Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.  In room #10, my 88-year-old father, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, was recovering from major spinal surgery.  The Skilled Nursing Center is where I had been since January 2nd.
     Oh, I forgot to mention that the Skilled Nursing Center is also populated by dozens of angels; the Certified Nurse Assistants who feed, bathe, and take care of eleven different patients during their 8-hour shift. Many of those they take care of cannot even feed themselves.
     The first five chapters explain this prayer I wrote in 1985.  The rest of the book contains the conversations I had with my father as he slowly recuperated in bed.

Dear Heavenly Father
Thank You for saving me
Bless those who have prayed for me
Have mercy on me, a sinner

Chapter 1
The Holy Name Enters My Heart

     I was recently wondering how my faith in God and Jesus would have developed if I had never met His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  

Actually, I never gave God and His Son much thought until the mid 1960s when I was living in Southern California.  That would have placed me in my early 20s.  At that time the coolest idea floating around was being taught by the renowned thinker and founder of the Institute of Ability, Charles Berner. Movie stars and the rich were flocking to him for insight into his, "Ultimate Formula of Life" which taught, "You Are God."  Good Grief!
     Charles always came across to me as this fantastic brain who had the most expensive camera that money could buy - takes all these incredible snap-shots of life only to discover he forgot to put in the film.  Anyhow, there I sat one Sunday afternoon with dozens of others listening to Charles speak: Ed Riddle, Ken Fry, Marshall Savage, Dee Wheatley, Drew Renner, among others. However, there was one tremendous thing he said that pierced my heart and to this day remains lodged deeply inside me. Out of the blue and not really related to the subject at hand (he liked to warm-up the crowd), Charles said that he was reading a book on ancient India which was then followed by a really flippant remark.  He said, "Once there were these two cats, Krishna and Arjuna who roamed all over India creating havoc with their mystical powers."  I remember how immediately upon hearing him say,  "Krishna," I thought to myself, "What a unique and beautiful sounding name: Krishna (Krsna)."  I really liked it, as if it were a sub-conscious calling from some distant past.  After making that remark to myself, a few moments later I had become absorbed in the lecture and other than this one time, I never gave Krishna a second thought.  That is, until 9 years later.  And I certainly had no idea or reason to believe that Krishna was God.  


Charles Berner, 40 years later and a
few month before passing away.  
 

Chapter 2
Searching For Answers

Hoping for a break in the storm,  I paced back and forth occasionally looking out every window inside the small cabin that I was calling home. But it didn't matter which one because the view was the same: a forest of trees blanketed with white snow.  
     For sure, the cabin was the real deal, located deep in the Adirondacks; perfect for contemplating life.  And boy, did I have a list of grievances.      I remember how I was listening to some music on my little radio when the latest news about the Vietnam War came on. Suddenly I got the oddest sensation that I was living on a totally different planet, covered by a thick forest where besides myself, no other humans lived; pretty much matching the reality of where I was.  I fantasized that my radio was actually picking up a stray broadcast from some distant planet embroiled in war.
      This is when the first question suddenly appeared.  "What would the earth look like if there were no human beings on it?"  Wow!  That was an interesting question but before having a go at it, first I had to make sure plenty of firewood was inside to keep me warm, plus I had to pull out my zig-zags. Finally making sure that my North Face sleeping bag wasn't in danger of any sparks, I took three hits from the hash-oiled joint and closed my eyes as I asked myself, "What would the earth look like without any humans on it?"
      And oh, what a glorious sight I saw! The pictures came effortlessly. In the panorama of my mind’s eye I looked down upon our splendid planet with its deep-blue lakes and winding rivers, teaming with native trout and other fish. Then I saw stretching out as far as I could see an endless herd of buffalo, filling themselves with fresh grass. High above them flew two golden eagles soaring effortlessly in large-graceful circles. The oceans were clean and shimmering with natural shades of blue; full of whales and dolphin; undisturbed by oil spills and killing ships. The woods along the streams were free from beer cans.  Everything was behaving in perfect harmony.
    With my curiosity rising I used my imagination again, but this time I put back all the humans. Within a split second I saw visions of rotting garbage; ambulances screaming their way to the twisted remains of a bloody pileup; an ugly slum; a woman being brutally raped; starving children and cities ravaged by war. Litter was everywhere and children with sad faces looked up at me from a dump in Mexico City. Like a pesticide, acid rain filled the air. In South America I could see huge portions of the earth ablaze, leaving the air full of thick smoke. Other areas were stripped of their trees and the ground oozed with brown mud; smeared on the face of a little girl, her tears making white lines on her soft cheeks.
     Reeling at this appalling sight, again I took away all the humans and sighed with enormous relief as I gazed upon the earth I loved so much. How beautiful she looked with her splendid snow-capped mountains and emerald forests filled with hemlock and blue spruce and singing birds. I could even smell her fresh aroma and feel her dark soil; warm, full of life, and eager to give.
     At last I felt I had stumbled onto what really mattered and for the next several evenings I eagerly replayed these two scenarios over and over again in my mind. First I looked at the earth without any humans, and then I put them back. Suddenly, there they were again: more questions waiting to be answered. "Why the difference? What makes one world so vastly different from the other? Aren’t they both, ultimately, created by the same Almighty God? Why is there such a tremendous difference? Did God make a mistake?"  Placing another log on the fire I just knew I was at the threshold of something very meaningful; at the very core of the all the problems I wanted solved and the very reason I had moved into the cabin in the first place.
     Early the next morning I took a walk, still heavy with the questions I had been contemplating. At least some things were clear now. In the world without humans on it, Mother Nature reigns supreme. Every blade of grass (everything)  acts in total unison with her will; each, in its own-unique way busy with its own-particular task; each an integral part of Mother Nature’s master plan.
     Snapping off a dead branch, I watched a formation of Canadian geese fly overhead, knowing exactly where to go. Examples of this transfer of knowledge was everywhere.  I thought how the earth had flourished under Her care for millions of years. It seems to have been just these last, few thousand years (not even a second ago compared to millennia) that our planet was in danger of total destruction. Even here in America, not so long ago, the ground in Wyoming and Colorado was rumbling from the wild buffalo charging across their great plains. "But why the instant change? What went wrong?" Again questions appeared. "Did God make a mistake?"
     This is what contemplation means—becoming totally absorbed in thought, like a cloud slowly growing more ominous until it explodes with tremendous light - BANG.  My questions seemed more defined, for sure, and I was even playing along the edges of the answer, but I still hadn’t come to the "banging part." Something was still missing.
     Catching a glimpse of the cabin through the trees, I sat down on a log and thought again about the earth without any humans on it. Once more the same simple truth struck me - everything was behaving in total cooperation with Mother Nature. However, when man enters the scene it is his will that wants to prevail, replacing Mother Nature’s with his own desires; to conquer over all that he surveys, no matter what the price. 
    The sun was bright and I could feel its soothing warmth penetrate through my wool jacket. I loosened a few buttons. Then, all at once, the soft snow began to twinkle in the most beautiful way.  As I glanced around, I realized that a planet without any human beings on it would look exactly like the forest where I was now standing - peaceful, beautiful, and obedient. Actually, I didn’t have to imagine the earth without any humans on it because looking around, besides myself, there were no other human beings around, anywhere.
     Beginning to feel the thunder of exhilaration race through my soul, all of a sudden I actually transcended my make-believe planets. Without the slightest effort I took a step right into the very world I had been creating over and over again during the past several nights. BANG everything connected to Mother Nature - the flying geese, the busy beaver, the changing seasons, the melting snow, the chirping birds, every last thing around me connected.
     I stood spellbound; rooted to the earth: ninety-nine percent Mother Nature and one percent me. Ninety-nine percent getting their messages from God, and then me - the insignificant one percent, not having the foggiest idea what I was supposed to do. But wait, wasn’t I the superior species? Or was I? It felt unfair. I yelled out, I’m created too, so what is my message? What am I supposed to do with my life? I want to be part of your kingdom and behave properly like everything in it.
     Living in that small cabin definitely brought me in contact with the idea of serving something greater than myself.  But I couldn’t say exactly what it was (specifically) I was supposed to do. In the first place, it wasn’t up to me to decide and, furthermore, how could I decided that for myself? What I was trying to contact was, by its very nature, something beyond me. Its entire content, I felt, would originate from my Creator and then, somehow, come down to me. It would be exactly like what happens to the black bear.  There is a message that originates, that the bear has nothing to do with, but then comes down to him: "OK, now it’s time to wake up!"
      As I have mentioned, years earlier Charles Berner had mentioned this person, Krishna. Although Charles never elaborated,  one of the first things I wanted to do after I got settled back down in Saratoga Springs was to find some information on who Krishna was. This is significant.  Perhaps, I thought, Krishna might have said something about "my message." 


Mother Nature

Chapter 3
Jesus 10   Football 0

The exact month I am not sure of, but it was at 7 PM on a Wednesday evening in 1985 that I sat in my living room watching, A.D. ..."Set just after the death of Jesus Christ, this mini-series chronicles the life & adventures of Jesus' disciples, and events in Rome during the reigns of the Emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero."  
     Although I was (and still am) very much dedicated to Shrila Prabhupada and fully accept Lord Krsna as God Almighty, I also love Jesus Christ.  In fact, all the followers of Lord Krishna love Jesus. To not, would be a great offense. This is partly what I mean by the title of this book for it was within the walls of a Krsna temple that I fell in love with Jesus.  A temple where Shrila Prabhupada worked day and night to translate into English as many of the great spiritual classics from Ancient Vedic and Vaishnava litterateurs as possible, most notably the Shrimad-Bhagavatam and Chaitanya-charitamrita.
      I can honestly say that the reason I was so excited about watching A.D. was my coming in contact with Shrila Prabhupada's love for God and also his love for Jesus Christ. Otherwise, on that fateful day I am sure I would have been watching a football game, instead.
     My book, Krishna and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance, follows the amazing journey from my little cabin, tucked away in the Adirondacks, to a farm in Pennsylvania where I sat down in front of a sacred fire two years later and received initiation from Srila Prabhupada. That was in 1977, but that is another story, altogether.
     What was just about to happen as I sat watching A.D. I have never told anyone.

Srila Prabhupada inspecting one of his newly printed books.

Chapter 4
Strange Events

OK, I have had some pretty remarkable things happen to me ever since I started my walk with God. For example, I have always had a special fondness for ice cream and directly across the street from my bicycle shop was Friendly’s Ice Cream. I also have a tendency to go overboard and during one particular eating binge I must have consumed three or four double-dip cones. I love ice cream. Needless to say I felt pretty glazed over by the time I polished off the last one. It was ten at night and as I stood watching the store close, once again I became overwhelmed with an acute desire for sweets. But for some peculiar reason my craving switched from ice cream to chocolate-chip cookies.  Not the fancy kind, but the inexpensive ones in the blue and white boxes that they sell in New York. 
     Trying to figure out where I could buy some, I became disheartened when I realized how late it was and that all the stores were closed - except for Price Chopper. For a moment I thought about walking there but it was too far and much too late. Nor did I feel like going to the trouble of walking across the street, taking a bike out of my shop, and getting there that way. Becoming very frustrated, my feelings began to get the best of me and in great despair I slowly walked down the sidewalk. But I didn’t get very far.
     Nearing the end of the block and the craving for the cookies totally consuming me, I stopped walking, closed my eyes, and in an instant completely merged with the desire for those chocolate-chip cookies. Although standing there for less than a minute, nothing else in the universe existed for me.
     Beginning to move again, I crossed over the quiet intersection and began walking toward a deserted gas station. But again I didn’t get very far because all at once I noticed an object on the dimly-lit sidewalk, right smack in front of me. Full of curiosity I gently nudged it with my shoe. To my surprise, whatever it was felt like it had something in it. Again, there was very little light and not having the slightest clue as to what it was I bent over to take a closer look.
     Picking it up with my hand instantly confirmed that, indeed, it was full of something but never in a million years was I prepared for the sight I saw when I turned it over. It was the exact box of chocolate-chip cookies I had been longing for - new and unopened. But at that same instant, like a bolt of divine lightning, it struck me that this was far beyond any coincidence and that I was experiencing the most incredible moment in my life. I remember running all the way back to my bicycle shop. Grasping the box, I sat on the ground crouched up against the door, eating the most delicious cookies I had ever tasted.
     To this day I still think about those cookies.  But there in my living room, watching A.D. (10 years later), I only had loving thoughts about Jesus and his disciples. I certainly had no idea that much like the events surrounding those cookies, what was about to happen would be something that also has ended up staying with me for all these years.  Don't get me wrong. Ask any of my friends.  I'm not some kind of a wacko. On the contrary, I am thought of as being level headed.  I only mean to say that some events are so tremendous that they can remain with you forever.  
     As far as the Wednesday and Thursday night viewing of A.D., all was going along just fine and I was enjoying the mini-series very much.  I even remember how eager I was to watch the final episode on Friday night - all settled down in my favorite chair with a cold drink by my side.  As I said, all was going along just fine until the part where the little children were about to be ripped apart by the wild dogs.
     I can see why I don't want to talk about this.  Forgive me if this upsets you.  Man's cruelness toward each other throughout history can be very upsetting.  How the Romans hunted down early Christians and the things they did to them in their coliseum can be found in any library or on the Internet.  But I cannot tell you more because the instant I put two and two together, just as the dogs were being set free at the far end of the field, out of my chair I flew and slammed the television set off.  I was shaken to my core and remained upset for over three days. Yes, I was horrified. Who wouldn't be?
     Sometime during the fourth day the most horrible thought entered my mind.  Not only was it awful, to my amazement I felt that it was true.  And even more convinceing, all the anguish that I had been experiencing over this whole affair suddenly evaporated the moment I looked at what I was being shown. You see, those dogs had actually belonged to me in a past-life that I had lived hundreds and hundreds of years ago!  
     During this time, I had just spent two years studying the Holy Bible and was simply trying to keep myself connected to the Almighty.  I never purposefully wanted anything strange to happen to me.  Since it is true that I am a follower of Shrila Prabhupada, why was I studying about Jesus?
     This is easy to answer.  I don't know how it happened or why,  but I do know that I have been blessed with a genuine interest in the Almighty.  I have an open mind and I love to read about God.
     Now you know the real reason why I have kept this story such a secret for all these years. In 2007, some 22 years later, I was blessed with one more, final vision regarding this whole affair. It put a great big smile on my face and I will tell you about it in the next chapter.  

The Roman Coliseum

Chapter 5
Forgiveness 

       About two years ago I was out in my front yard feeding the squirrels and taking it easy.  I sat down with my camera hoping for a good shot. Without a squirrel in sight I closed my eyes, day-dreaming about all the nice memories in my life: petting the baby moose in Alaska; floating on a homemade raft in California, the delicious bread in Switzerland; my severely cut hand being miraculously healed; the first time I visited Deep Creek Hot Springs; scuba diving off Catalina Island; the smiling face of my daughter, all the laughing people at Govinda's Restaurant; meeting my wonderful wife. Throughout my life I have always had the sense of being blessed - of a guardian angel watching over and helping me.
       Finally I opened my eyes and saw a squirrel eating one of the nuts I had placed on a log. I slowly raised my camera. Yes, my life has been full of so many blessings.  But then it dawned on me that something didn't make sense. If I had actually been part of the horrific slaughter of children in the Roman Coliseum, then how could I have possibly been blessed?  
     Looking at my life, blessings have rained down on me.  Call me stupid or whatever, how could such an obvious conclusion escape me all these years? It just didn't add up. Actually, for sins such as I was admitting to, I should be rotting in hell; not living in the lap of luxury.
     Then a month or two went by.  Occasionally I tried to balance this conflict but I happily resigned myself to the fact that nothing in Rome had ever involved me and that I was just suffering from an overactive imagination. And this was not difficult to accept.  Since that fateful Friday night watching A.D., months at a time would go by and I wouldn't even think of it. And when I did, just in passing.  I was amused by all of this, more than anything else.
     Just like any other day I woke up and was getting ready for work.  The hot shower felt good on my sore arm when suddenly I was jarred by another vision of Ancient Rome.  In it I saw a young woman praying.  Oh, I knew her.  Her child had been captured, and in the Coliseum my dogs had killed her son. But that wasn't the object of my vision. Instead what I saw was a young mother praying to God; talking to Jesus. She was talking to Him about me.  She was asking God to forgive me in the name of His Holy Son, Lord Jesus Christ.  BANG!  
     Later that night I composed this prayer which I offered to God in the Name of His Holy Son, Lord Jesus Christ. 

Dear Heavenly Father
Thank you for saving me 
Bless those who have prayed for me 
Have mercy on me, a sinner

    Dear Heavenly Father:  I feel good addressing God like this.  I think of God while saying this and when I feel connected to Him, sometimes I add, "Dear Lord Krishna."  But not always.
    Thank you for saving me:  in light of my visions, this part of my little prayer has enormous meaning. "Thank you for saving me from Hell."  At this point, whether or not any of this is true is unimportant.  What is important is that when I say, "Thank you for saving me," there is a tremendous meaning behind these words.  
     Bless those who have prayed for me:  When I ask God to bless those who have prayed for me, the first person I think of is that young Christian mother who by all rights should have been filled with hate and rage. But instead of cursing me to eternal damnation, instead she obeyed Jesus and prayed for my soul, completely forgiving me. So yes,  I want to thank her the best way I know.  
     Bless those who have prayed for me is also asking God to bless many people at once. I don't want to leave anyone out.  While I don't know all their names - over the years and countless lifetimes - God knows exactly who has prayed for me and I am asking Him to bless them all.
     Have Mercy on me, a sinner is taken directly from the book, The Way Of The Pilgrim by Helen Bacovcin. This is a small book that I have read time and time again. "Have Mercy on me, a sinner" is actually the famous, "Jesus Prayer."  As you can imagine there is also a lot of meaning for me in these simple words.
     I have called this chapter, Forgiveness, because when I take everything into consideration, this is the final conclusion to all my visions, having now been part of my life for nearly 30 years.  All I can say is:  "Boy, today, do I find it so much easier to be forgiving than I did before all this happened to me."  
     This is what is means to be, soft-hearted.  Whenever I feel offended by someone, I simply think of the horrific offenses that I committed toward that Christian mother and her child. What could possibly cause more harm to a human being, but still she forgave me and in turn she asked God to bless me with His forgiveness? Then I think of the consequences of that forgiveness upon my own life and all at once what others have done to me seems insignificant in comparison. Forgiveness now comes easy for me. 
     The Lord asks us to be kind and gentle.  Forgiveness is part of that gentle love and no matter what you might think about this story, the bottom-line is that it is now much easier for me be the person Jesus wants me to be.  I am very grateful for everything. Yes, I think about how I should be rotting in Hell but instead the opposite has happened.  Along with His forgiveness, God has added an extra bonus to my life - an irresistible attraction to Him.  
     Sitting next to my father's bed as he struggled to recover from spinal surgery, I watched as he gradually became aware of me.  Later they brought him lunch and I held the spoon, waiting for him to open his mouth.   I was there at the Skilled Nursing Center for four days.  On the second day he greatly improved and began talking to me.  Over the course of three days we had an amazing conversation.
      Why my father has been an atheist all his life is beyond me but thankfully, when we are together we talk about God. Even so, it was easy for me to see that his beliefs had not changed.   On the nightstand in his bedroom (where I was temporarily sleeping and only three blocks from the nursing center) I couldn't help but notice the book he was currently reading.  The title was, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.  I glanced thru it briefly and later told him that considering how close he was to meeting his Maker, that perhaps he should either give the the book away or just throw it in the trash. 
       What follows are the conversations that my father and I had.
 

A squirrel in my front yard.

Chapter 6
Conversation #1 

Blessed with the eyes to see.

The incurable being blessed at Lourdes.

Bernadette Soubirous kneeling before her Lady in the grotto.

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Click for live webcam of the grotto.

Chapter 7
Conversation #2

     "How was dinner tonight?  The pot pie looked pretty yummy."
"Oh yes, that was my favorite."
"And I see you got some ice cream, too.  Not bad for hospital food."
"Well, tell you the truth I will be glad when I can go home and have some of Sally's home-cooked meals."
"You'll be home soon."

Note:  Yesterday my father was able to walk over 100 feet by himself without the aid of a walker.  Another week and he should be able to go home and enjoy some of homemade cooking.

     "You know, Dad, there is one other thing about Saint Bernadette that I found interesting."
     "What's that Ronnie."
     "Well, when I was reading about her, there is another miracle mentioned having to do with the flame of a candle.  It says here that this happened on April 7th, 1858,  three days after Easter. Here, I'll read what it says: 'Once again Bernadette felt her heart telling her to go the grotto. She soon arrived, holding a candle in her hand. Many people were already gathered at the grotto and as she approached they all fell silent.   Immediately Bernadette went into a divine rapture.'       "It says that 'the candle that Bernadette was holding burned down until she was barely holding a wick. Dr. Dozous observed the flames licking at Bernadette's fingers for a full ten minutes. When the ecstasy was over, he examined her fingers, which had not been harmed or affected in any way. Bernadette had not felt the flames at all.'  
     "I had forgotten about this but while you were sleeping I was looking around on the Internet and came across it again.  Because her finger wasn't burned,  this incident has been called a miracle."
     "Well Ronnie, after that story about John Traynor, anything is possible."
     "I agree.  But what it reminded me of was a documentary I recently watched about this Indian saint who is able to lay down on a pile of burning sticks, so hot that the camera crew had to stand way back to film it. They said that at times the flames were reaching 9 feet in the air. Sitting just inches away from a large fire pit, you can clearly see this very peaceful man, either feeding the fire with his bare hands or laying down on top of the fire.   They said he is 63 years old.  Sometimes he walks around the fire, at times holding a large bundle of burning grass in his arms.  I mean, he does this for a solid 14 hours without ever being burned.  Once he performed this fire ritual for 21 days in a row.  Maybe it was 23 days in a row.  Something like that.  And during one of the interviews on the film he says that all he eats are two small bananas a day with a cup of milk. His water intake can be measured in drops. Medically speaking, that is impossible but when you see him in the movie he looks perfectly normal.  You know, not skin and bones."
     "Are you sure there wasn't trick photography involved?"
     "Yes because this was filmed by a reporter who invited to document the entire ritual from start to finish, including before and after medical test and even testing his clothes to see if he was using any fire retardant on them. As advertised, everything checked out and not an once of fraud was discovered.  I wish I had thought to bring the DVD with me. I just never thought about it.  Of course I pretty much dropped everything I was doing and just rushed out here."
     "I just find it amusing how they called it a miracle when Bernadette wasn't burned by a small candle flame, compared to this Indian saint who literally lays down on top of a raging inferno."
     "I see your point."
     " Oh well, I wish I had remembered to bring it.  But the important thing is that I was able to come."
     "I know, Ronnie, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you being here.  It has made all the difference in the world to me."
     "Well, Dad, I wish I could come more often but we live so far apart."
     "That's OK.  What counts is that you are here now.  OK Ronnie, I am going to take a nap now - its been a long day for me.  Why don't you go along and get some sleep and we can talk again tomorrow."
     "Alright Dad,  I'll see you tomorrow."

Chapter 8
Conversation #3

"Good morning Dad, how are you feeling?" 
"Hi Ronnie. I think I'm feeling better. Thank you. But those therapy sessions are wearing me out. Getting old I guess."
"That's a good one. How does an 88 year-old man feel like he's getting old?"
     "Dad, since we have some time this morning - plus the fact that I will be going back to Texas tomorrow - I hope we can continue our conversation from yesterday."
    "Yes, indeed, I am really enjoying your company. I feel like I have been needing this for a very long time, but I am curious about that book you brought with you." 
     "Oh, it's over here.  Let me show it to you. Just something to read on the plane." 
     "Through The Eyes of Jesus ...Ronnie, I am a somewhat surprised that you are reading a book about Jesus. I thought you worshiped Krishna." 
     "Well, you know how things are with me, Dad - never a simple explanation. First let me tell you how I discovered this book. It was sometime in 1998.  I was reading the Sunday-morning newspaper when I spotted an article about the author of this book, Alan Ames. I forget the how the article was titled but I remember how it caught my attention. Something like, British Gang Leader Turned Christian Mystic Rocks The Catholic World With His Best Selling Book. Something like that. Besides being just a fascinating story, it turned out that Alan was going to be speaking at a Catholic church in San Antonio that night, so I went to hear him for myself. And what a story he told! 
     "He said that as a young man he belonged to a violent motorcycle gang and was basically a drunk and a bully. The only time he stepped inside a Catholic church was on Christmas, something he did just so he could claim to be a Catholic. He said that he never went to seminary school or anything like that to prepare himself for writing, Through The Eyes of Jesus, which was not a problem because he said, he didn't write the book." 
     "What does that mean, Ronnie?" 
     "Well, he said that he was often very drunk and one day he started to hear a voice . He just thought it was the booze talking but time and time again the voice told him to stop drinking and start praying - which he did.  And actually, he said, this made him feel better than the alcohol. Gradually he was praying more and drinking less.
     "Alan then said that at some point, after sobering up completely, the same voice told him to write down what he was being told. Again obeying, this is when Alan discovered that it was Jesus, himself, who was speaking to him and who the real author of, Through The Eyes of Jesus, is. This is the third copy I have bought. I keep giving them away. Actually it is a trilogy bound together as one book. When I first bought it, I bought each book separately. So this is the second hardbound trilogy that I've owned and here, I want you to keep it. When you get rid of The God Delusion you can put this in it's place." 
     "You know, Ronnie, I've been giving what you said a lot of thought, and I agree with you about that book. But this sounds like something I will enjoy reading and I can't say I'm too busy to read it.!" 
     "Dad, the thing is this. We both know that we cannot live forever. And who isn't familiar with that famous truism, you can't take it with you. But there IS something that you can take with you and I have been giving this a lot of thought, lately." 
     "But Ronnie, I thought you can't take anything with you." 
     "Dad, what if you were blessed by God, or blessed by one of God's beloved servant's, on behalf of God. Do you think God's blessing could be destroyed by death?" 
     "Well, I've never thought about that ...I wouldn't think so." 
     "That's right.  However, although death cannot take away the blessings bestowed upon us by God, there is something that can. Jokingly I call it: A blessing buster." 
     "What in the heck is that?" 
     "Please understand, Dad, that I am not making this up. Plus, what is the value of me sitting here and just giving you my opinions? The guy across the hall can do that.  No, this comes directly from God, Himself. The Lord says that He will turn His back on you if through your hatred and arrogance, you criticize any of His devotees. It says in the Scriptures that these beloved servants of His are more dear to Him than His very life. So you see how you're walking on very thin ice when you say that God is really nothing more than some excited cells in your brain, tricking you into thinking that God exists. Like I was saying yesterday, this puts you at the podium, declaring to everyone that you are smarter than Jesus - which makes Jesus stupid. That sure sounds offensive to me and a certain way to lay-waste to your eternal blessings." 
     "I see what you mean, Ronnie. I guess if I say that God doesn't exist, then I am also denigrating the Mother of Jesus, as well - who Bernadette spoke to.  What do I do now?" 
     "Well Dad, let's take it a step at a time. I wish I had more time so we could read some of that book together. You are really going to like it." 
     "What's it about?" 
     "Oh, it is one of the sweetest books ever written. Like I said, every page is Jesus speaking; telling about walking with His disciples over a several month period. So it describes where they went; how they lived; the people they encountered along the way; and the things he told them.  It gave me the most beautiful insight into Jesus' personality, that I never dreamed possible.  Just a tremendous book. 
     "Anyhow, Dad, Through The Eyes of Jesus has really taken the Catholic world by storm because, as I said earlier, Alan Ames does not have the education to write such a book as this. Alan, of course, agrees with them and admits that he didn't write it - that he only took dictation. And, boy, has the Vatican checked him and his book out with a fine-tooth comb. Something favorable must have come out of all the investigations because now they have accepted Alan and his book with open arms, even blessing Alan with the go-ahead to visit different Catholic churches all over the world.  He is allowed to speak to the people, give his testimony, sell his books, plus heal the sick. So besides an author, Alan is a modern-day Catholic mystic and healer. Whenever I can I enjoy meeting him. Next year I am going to ask him some questions about his book."
     "Sound fascinating, Ronnie, and I will definitely read it." 
     "Good, but Dad, out of respect, please don't put the book on the floor or read it in the bathroom. The Holy Bible and other Scriptures should never be taken in the bathroom." 
     "Oh, I never knew that." 
     "Yes, this is what Shrila Prabhupada taught me and it makes sense. Speaking about the Holy Bible, it is really an amazing book. Did you know that in the Old Testament there is a description of Noah walking with God? There is even a story in Genesis where Jacob meets this stranger but quickly knows Him to be God, but in the form of a man.  Jacob then wrestles with God, all night long. 
     "The point I am trying to make is that it is not a new idea that God has walked upon the earth. I am speaking about the God that Jesus prayed to - his Father.  Of course, you are well aware that I have been studying about Lord Krishna for over 40 years. Krishna's pastimes are elaborately recorded in the 10Th Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam ....also in The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad-gita. And now I am reading a book called theChaitanya Bhagavata and I was thinking how this book could have easily been titled,When God Walked Among Men.
     "The unique thing about the Chaitanya Bhagavata is how it is a snap-shot into the Life of God, Almighty, who walked upon the earth only 500 years ago.
     "And about the author of this book, again, something very interesting.  His name is Vrindavan das Thakura. OK, he was not alive when this God was walking upon the earth.  But only a few years separated them. The Lord's most treasured companion was Vrindavan das Thakura's guru.  But his mother knew the Lord.  When she was four years old, the Lord would see this beautiful little girl and she would melt His heart.  So He would motion to her to come to Him and He would hold her.  The custom was that His devotees would naturally offer Him plates of food. With the little girl by His side, He would choose something nice and feed her with His own fingers.  Once the Lord told the little girl to dance and sing the Holy Names of the Lord and everyone in the room watched in amazement as this little girl danced and sang with streams of ecstatic tears flowing from her eyes.  Eventually she grew up and gave birth to a son.  That son is the author of theChaitanya Bhagavata.  In fact, Vrindavan das Thakura cites commentary from the Vedas on just how rare it is for anyone to eat even a single morsel of food from the Lord's plate.  Saints long for such a blessing, yet here we find that this little girl received mercy unknown to even the greatest of devotees."   
     "Ronnie, that is so interesting but do you really believe this person was actually God?
     "Dad, of course, any person with half a brain would ask that question. I mean, if you had been in India in 2007 during the massive Kumba Mala ceremony, you would have probably met a hundred different Gods. This is a fact. So a better question is: Why am I choosing this one particular "man," from all of India, and saying that He is, in fact, God?" 
     "Yes, Ronnie, I see what you mean. So tell me, what is this all about? Yesterday you were reading the story John Traynor and Bernadette Soubirous, and the Virgin Mary, and now, today, you are just as sincere, but telling me about a totally different God, who I have never even heard of. Doesn't that seem a little confusing? And yes, I have studied enough history to agree with you that on any give day there must be well over a thousand men around the world, claiming that they are God. We've got the whole day, so please try to explain this so that your 88 year-old father can understand what you believe." 
     "First of all, Dad, I want you to know that I am not a religious scholar. You know me. I am not a scholar on any subject. So what I am going to tell you is simply taken from my life. By no means am I the best person to explain all of this to you. Even though I lived with the Hare Krishna monks for five years and was at one time a fully, initiated priest, still I have always felt way out of my league. Even so, I was friends with some of the most intelligent minds I have ever known. In comparison to them, I have always been a novice. I don't mean that you have to be smart to be blessed. Absolutely not! But I just wish I knew more. I am always reading and praying and trying to learn, but retaining it all is where my biggest failure is. I know I have difficulties remembering everything so I am forced to focus on what I do know and slowly build on that. So this is all I can tell you. And you are right, for one reason or another, over the years I have never had the opportunity to explain Lord Krishna to you. So here goes." 
     "OK, Ronnie, I promise to follow you the best I can. And don't worry, I am sure you will touch on the important things. After-all, we only have time for an outline." 
     "Thank you Dad. So let me begin by saying this. The God that I worship is the same God that you find Jesus praying to in the Holy Bible. But in order for me to be sitting here today and saying these words to you - it was first required, years ago, that I was able to take a look into the possibility that perhaps there was more about God than just what I could find in Christianity. 
     "In fact, I was recently thinking that if I had been brought up as a strict Christian, with the same attitude that I find prevalent among most Christians I meet - meaning that the Holy Bible is the ONLY word of God and that Jesus is the ONLY way - then I'm sure I would have never known any of the things I am going to tell you.  
     "All I can say, is, thank God I was spared that mentality. I mean, after all, Jesus, himself, tells his disciples that there is so much more. He also says that man can only see and understand a small part of God, as if our eyes are covered by a dirty lens. I think that's stated in Corinthians. Somewhere else Jesus mentions that he has a lot more information, but then he says that because of the less-than-required spiritual advancement of mankind, nobody would understand him.  So he kept certain things to himself.  Amazingly, Jesus also speaks about the future and tells His disciples that someday in the future the Father will be plainly shown for us all to see.  
     "And you know, Dad, I was thinking that because you have never been a Christian or believed much in God, that there is an excellent opportunity for us to have a wonderful talk today. At least you are willing to listen."
     "Well, Ronnie, all I can say is that everything you have said so far makes perfect sense to me but as I said, I sure have a lot of questions for you. I am anxious to hear what you have to tell me today."
     "OK. But since we don't have that much time I want to leave our discussions about Jesus and try my best to answer your other questions. I've already told you how all the devotees of Lord Krishna worship Jesus Christ. In fact, scholars have described how in the Maha Bhavishya Purana, which is part of the ancient Vedas, and compiled long before the birth of Christ .....how the life of  Jesus Christ is predicted. This Puranamentions among other things, that Jesus was born of a virgin and that he was the Messiah. His eventual crucifixion is mentioned and it even states that His name would be Jesus. 
     "Yet, it is important to make distinctions. Jesus NEVER said that he was God. Instead, Jesus always spoke about his Father. He would talk to his Father, pray to his Father, walk with his Father, speak about his Father, dream about his Father, and he gave all credit to his Father.
     "So Dad, I want you to listen to these two words.  The first is: Christos.  This is another way to say Christ. Now listen to this: Krista. Do you hear the similarity -Christos - Krista? Krista is a Sanskrit word meaning, attraction and is simply another way of saying Krishna." 
     "Yes, they do sound similar, Ronnie." 
     "The only point I'm trying to make, Dad, is that I worship both Christ and Krishna as the same divine person, who is recognized by both Christianity, and my belief, to be none other than God, Almighty. In other-words, there are not two different Supreme Beings. My spiritual teacher, Shrila Prabhupada - as well as Jesus Christ - did not teach that there is more than one God, or that Krishna and Christ are two different Gods. 
     "Dad, there is only one source - for all creation - and that original source is God. I like to think of God in terms of a candle.  From this Supreme Candle, other candles can be lit.  Now normally a candle has to be started by some outside source such as another candle or a match.  But, the Supreme Candle ...the first or original candle - this candle is different.  The flame on this candle has always been.  It was never lit or started by some outside source.  If it had, then that outside source would be God. But no, God is without source. He has no creator. Rather, He is the primeval Lord.  This is the meaning of God and whenever I think about this, it sends chills down by spine."   
     "But Ronnie, I'm afraid the priest here at the Skilled Nursing Center wouldn't go along with you if you told him that his God was named Lord Krishna." 
     "Of course he wouldn't. This is where there ARE differences. But darn it, there is no difference. What is the difference between the drop of water on your finger tip and the drop of water under a microscope? Absolutely none, whatsoever, except that one viewpoint gives you more information over the other. Just imagine for a moment a culture that has their own particular language and customs, and their only viewpoint is the drop of water on the finger tip.  So in their own way they would rightly describe it's beauty.
     "Now imagine a totally different country.  They speak a different language, eat different food, have different customs, a different history and a different way of dressing ...and even a different color of skin.  But they have the microscope. So naturally, their description of the drop of water is going to be immensely different, containing volumes of data.  But it is the same drop of water. So there is nothing to get upset over.  Please understand Dad, that when Jesus says there is so much more, I personally do not have a problem accepting more information. But on the other hand, I am just as leery as the next guy;  What do you mean, you are God? You know, that sort of thing." 
     "Well, again Ronnie, I am just finding this so interesting. But I still want to know how and why you have accepted this particular man who you say lived 500 years ago, as God. What was His name?" 
     "He is commonly know as Lord Chaitanya. It is also spelled, Caitanya because in Sanskrit, Cs are pronounced as, "ch." Oops, look whose here with your lunch. Hi Ashley.
     "How are you Mr. Boutelle?"
     "Fine, thank you."
     "Dad, since Sally will be here any moment to sit with you during lunch, let's take a break until around 3 this afternoon. I think you have to go to therapy after you eat. So in a few minutes I will walk down to the cafeteria and see what they've got, and let you and Sally visit."

 
Lord Chaitanya

Chapter 9
Conversation #4

     "Hi Dad, looks like we have a couple of hours before they bring your dinner."
"Nice to see you again, Ronnie.  How was your lunch?"
"Not bad.  Even got a little reading in while you were sleeping."
     "Good, and I feel rested after my nap.  I was thinking about our conversation, earlier, and I want you tell me about that person you say is God."
      "Well, while you were sleeping I was thinking about the things we have been talking about and besides telling you about Him, I also want you to finally know, exactly, what I believe in. I was thinking of this nice lady who recently asked me, what religion I belonged to and how she wasn't sure what I believed in.  A lot of people ask me this.  So before the day is over, I'm going to try my best to make all of this clear."
     "Yes, Ronnie, and I am very interested in what you're saying.  Thank you for taking the time to tell me all of this."
     "OK, then let's start with a reference point for us to build on. Remember when I was telling you about Noah, walking with God ...and also another time when Jacob met a stranger but then realized that the stranger was in fact, God. There is also a very telling event right  AFTER the Crucifixion of Jesus, and how two of his disciples were walking down a road. Jesus caught up with them and even spoke, but they did not recognize Jesus because he had changed.  Isn't that amazing?   After all, it was the very-same Jesus Christ, as the Bible quickly reveals, but even after years of  intimate association with Jesus - talking with him, eating with him, sleeping in the same room with him, praying with him, laughing with him, working side-by-side with him - still, these two disciples did not know who he was; standing right there in front of their Lord; even talking with Jesus they didn't know him.
     "So there are several important points to keep in mind.  Number one, there already exists a Christian history of God walking upon the earth, plus the Bible shows us that God can change His form - appearing before Jacob as a man is a good example.  Thisspiritual mutation is an important concept.  But by mutation I simply mean, a change in form, or the act of changing. As I just noted, God can do this.  He also empowers His son with this ability.  Now we have not one, but two Divine Beings who can undergo spiritual mutation - God, the Father and His son, Jesus. So I now ask, is this it, or can other heavenly entities also change their form?  
     "Do not forget that the Holy Bible is full of accounts where God sends His angels to do His bidding.  In the book of Samuel an angel was about to stretch out his hand and destroy Jerusalem and in Zechariah, I once read another account where two angels appeared together, talking to each other.
     "Actually, the number of angels found in the Holy Bible is staggering.  I'll e-mail you a website that list them. Furthermore, by reading the Scriptures we discover that these angels can also undergo this spiritual mutation. It is a divine ability given to them by God. Yes, these spiritual beings are called angels and they are the eternal, loving servants of the Lord. Not like you and I, although the potential for us to be an angel is a clear message. And Dad, if this sounds too confusing, just go back to the story of Jesus found in the Holy Bible.  It say that two of his disciple were walking down a road.  This happened just after his crucifixion. Then it says that Jesus appeared, walking on the same road.  When he approached his two disciples he spoke to them but they did not recognize who he was because Jesus, their Lordand master, had changed his form.  This is an important concept, as you will soon see.  
     "When the Lord or one of His angels walks upon the earth, there are certain people who are actually able to see the Divine before them.  But many more cannot.  When Jesus was on earth, remember how so many could only see an object to scorn and curse.  But others who were humble and kind, and loved God, had many wonderful miracles happened to them. And remember how Bernadette was the only person out of thousands who could see the beloved form of Mary standing in the grotto. You can also read the amazing story of Juan Diego and his encounter with the Virgin Guadalupe.  I will send you that website, too. You will read how Juan was blessed with the eyes to see the Divine.  He wraps up the roses he has gathered in a blanket but when he unfolds the blanket before his priest, imprinted on it is the beautiful impression of the Virgin Guadalupe.  Don't forget to read this story when I send you the link because it is just breathtaking.  Plus there are some nice pictures to look at.  


Virgin Guadalupe
Original image

     "OK,  to sum this up, sometimes people have the eyes to see God, but sometimes not.  Also, there are times when people see Him, but do not know who He is.  There is an example of this that comes to mind. This is a true story. Once the Lord went to a house where one of His angels was living.  This angel was in the disguise of a man. He had actually descended from heaven to assist the Lord in His mission.  On this one occasion, God was also in the company of many other angels. They, too, had disguised themselves as humans to help the Lord.  The Divine Mother was also there.  
     "In the company of these angels, the Lord turned to one of them and spoke .  He said to him -  'Don't you remember the time when you and your family were trying to escape from the King's soldiers and when you came to the jetty there was no boat to take you to the other side. The night was turning to dawn and you became overwhelmed with fear that the soldiers would arrive and molest your family in front of you. Remember, you thought it would be better to drown rather than to allow such a thing to happen?  But then you saw a boatman rowing his boat toward you. Remember, you spoke to him, even offering a few rupees to take your family to safety?  Even though you didn't recognize Me, I was that boatman.'  Knowing the truth of the Lord's words, the angel fell in ecstatic love before Him.'  
     "Dad,  the names of all these angels can be easily found in the 4oo-year-old book that I am reading back in Texas.  This incident has been recorded in detail and is simply wonderful to read."
     "That's all right, Ronnie, because I think its better this way, because the easier you make it for me to understand, the better.  And so far I am following you. 
     "OK, that's good. Remember the original candle that I was telling you about?  I want to use that example again. As I have shown you from the Holy Bible, standing face to face with Jacob, God appeared in the form of a man.  I accept this story as true because surely God can do that if He wants to, and He has. There are many examples of God putting on a "spiritual disguise" and interacting with humans. However, whatever cloak He chooses to wears, the angels tell us that this is not His original form.  In the same way that the original candle can light  a second candle, the original candle still exist.  
     "Let me use colors to make this clear.  Let us say that the original candle is blue.  From this original candle, a yellow candle manifest ...just like magic.  Still, the original candle is blue and unchanged.
     "Or, let us pretend that from the original candle eight different candles are lit: red, orange, yellow, green, violet, brown, gold and white.  No matter how many times theoriginal candle expands itself, it remains unexhausted, unchanged, and blue.  Of course we're not discussing candles, but God, and here is a painting of God taken from exact descriptions of how He looks.  This information is found under the microscope of Vedicwisdom. This is God.  He is also known as Lord Krsna (Krishna).  No one is more beautiful than God. Beauty is an quality that attracts everyone, even Cupid.   If someone is more beautiful than God, then God would not be the greatest.  No one is more attractive than God.  No one is greater than God. And remember the drop of water.  On the tip of the finger we have just the drop.  But under the microscope there is detail: what God looks like; that He plays a flute; has a peacock feather in his hair; His skin is blue.


Krsna (aka: Govinda)

     "But still, there is so more more that needs to be said about this original candle. Often you will hear Krsna's Holy Name used with another name: Radha, as in, Radha-Krsna.  OK, let me use a different example to explain this. Imagine two long candles that are twisted together to form just one candle, but at the top of this one candle we see two wicks, both flames burning bright.  Again, this is very simplistic but it does point to a more complete picture of God according to Vedic understanding; known as, Radha & Krsna. 
     "Dad, let me expand on this by using the lives of your mother and father, Ruth & Harold.  Just pretend that there is a large book and on it's cover is printed, The Beautiful Stories of Ruth and Harold.   Opening it we would see their picture taken in high school and another photo taken on their first date.  This would be followed by little stories of their courtship and pictures of their marriage.  We would find all sorts of stories recorded. They were married for over 60 years.  These stories could be called THE PASTIMES of Ruth & Harold.  These pastimes would tell us about events with their friends, and other wonderful stories as they spent time together, alone and with loved ones.  Kind of like that Soap Opera, The Days of Our Lives.  Of course, this would include the birth of Raymond and Donald, and Hermon and Gordon and, of course, yourself, and all your families. Eventually this beautiful book would become very large.      
     "Dad, the Saints tell us that this material world is a distorted reflection of the spiritual world.  In the same way that Ruth and Harold's life could be placed in a large book, it is not all that different with God.  Do you really think that no record exist?  Of course it does.  In the exact, same way, the loving pastimes of Radha & Krsna have been written down and form the heart of the Vaishnava theology that I believe in.  From these beautiful stories of God we can see that accompanying and assisting Radha & Krsna in their loving pastimes is an army of  angels.  The beautiful stories of the Lord are recorded in the Vedas, absorbing the hearts and minds of His loving devotees. Here is a painting of the Holy Couple.   
 


Shri Shri Radha-Krsna 
(Shri means holy)by permission from Exotic India

     "Dad, now we are approaching the full glory of Godhead.  But  as you can imagine, there is so much more to tell.   And never forget that Radha & Krsna are original.  They are not expansions, incarnations, or extensions of any sort. They are primeval, without source, from whom everything comes into being. When Jesus prayed to His Father, he prayed to Lord Krsna.
     "Again, in the most simplistic of terms, the original candle also expands itself into a different and very unique form.  This form is a great angel called Maha-Vishnu.  In Sanskrit, Maha simply means, great.  Vishnu is simply the name of this angel. It is this Maha-Vishnu expansion of Krishna that creates the innumerable universes. The Scriptures tells us that this angel lies down on a vast spiritual ocean and initiates the creation by glancing at His personified-material energy, called, Maya. His glance thus agitates Maya and she begins expanding the material elements. 



Maha-Vishnu

     "Dad, from these pictures you can see how artists have beautifully painted these descriptions of God. The picture of Maha-Vishnu is very telling because at the top of the painting you can still see Lord Krsna, the original candle, from whom Maha-Vishnu emanates from. See how it shows Krsna standing in His eternal abode. This abode could be called heaven.  But more precisely it is referred to as Vaikuntha (Vye-koo'n-tha) or, the Spiritual World.  Krsna eternally enjoys His loving pastimes in Vaikuntha."
     "But Ronnie, I thought you said that God had walked upon the earth."
     "Yes, God has walked upon the earth.  More than once. Besides being substantiated in the Holy Bible, the most extensive and accurate records available are found in the books that the Gaudia Vaishnavas worship, study and disseminate.  You asked, what I believe in?  I believe in the teachings found in these books.  
     "Shrila Prabhupada first brought this knowledge to the attention of the western world when he was 70 years old.  He traveled from India to America on a cargo ship, with only seven dollars to his name and a trunk full of these very-same books that he had translated and printed into English.  You have asked what I believe in.  I believe that what Shrila Prabhupada has translated and taught me is the truth.
 


The Jaladuta that carried Shrila Prabhupada to America

 
     "Your neighbor might say, I am a Christian, when asked: What is the name of your religion?  When that same question is asked of me, I would have to say, I am a Gaudiya Vaishnava.  Although my answer is straight forward, it still needs a tremendous amount of clarification.  For instance, Gaudiya represents a unique branch of the Vaishnavareligion. The Gaudiya  branch was founded by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Shrimeans: holy ...and maha simply means: great  ...and prabhu means: master. Therefore, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu means, the great and holy master, Chaitanya. 
     "Gaudiya also refers to Gaudadesha or present day Bengal, where Lord Chaitanya's birth is recorded.
     "So you can now see that when people ask me what my religion is, my answer is not such an easy thing to state. And I shy away from saying that I'm a Hindhu or a Hare Krishna because that doesn't communicate what I want to them to know, either.  
     "But unfortunately, saying that I am a Gaudiya Vaishnava is just as problematic because for most people, there are no recognizable meanings to these two, non-English words.  Now you see why it is taking me so long to answer your simple question.  It takes some time.  Anyhow, the focus of a Gaudiya Vaishnava is on the loving, devotional service and worship of Radha & Krsna, including Their many divine incarnations ...manifested and glorified as non-different from God.  Most commonly, this worship takes the form of singing Radha & Krsna's Holy Names, such as Hare, Krsna, and Rama."
     "So you are saying, Ronnie, that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the God that walked upon the earth?"
     "No ifs ands or buts about it.  Would you like me to explain some more?"
     "Well Ronnie, at least I would like to know what it is that you know.  I can certainly understand, now, why it has taken you most of your adult life to comprehend all of this."
     "Dad, I can't help going back to that example of a drop of water on your finger compared to the same drop under the lens of the microscope.  There's just a lot more to see and understand about God than meets the common eye.  And I haven't even told you a fraction of what I know.  Even though it is the same drop of water, the information contained inside the drop could easily keep a team of scientists busy for a life time.  For example, the there was a very special event when Lord Krishna actually walked upon the earth many thousands of years ago. In detail, this is described in the 10th Canto of theShrimad-Bhagavatam.  Also, an incarnation of Godhead appeared on earth in the form of Sita-Rama.  The Ramayana is one of the most beloved books in the world and it describes the heart-pounding drama that unfolded when Lord Rama's wife, Sita, was kidnapped by a terrible demon.  See what I mean about the enormous amount of knowledge contained in that drop of water?


Lakshmana, Sri Rama, SitaHanuman (kneeling)


     "OK, Ronnie.  So let me see if I got this right.  You gave the example of Jesus changing his form.  And what you are saying is that this ability to change forms - I think you called it spiritual mutation?"
     "I did, but that is just some words I made up to help you understand."
     "Sure, I get it.  And so God ...well, actually, this does make sense.  After all, theology means the study of God. If God is the source for everything that exists - HOW He creates everything is what you are saying is found under the microscope of theVaishnava theology ...starting with the origin of all, Krsna, and then expanding in unlimited ways ...the theology that you adhere to - you called it, Gaudia Vaishnavism - has ancient books that recorded this entire story."
     "As I told you Dad, I am not a scholar.  I have only had a certain amount of exposure to all of this.  The first three volumes of the Shrimad Bhagavatam are the books that Shrila Prabhupada had in his trunk when he arrived in America.  The Shrimad Bhagavatam contains the beautiful stories of the Lord, and it consists of a series ofcantos [one of the principal divisions of a long poem].  Each canto contains a certain number of volumes. 
     "Did you know that the largest temple in the world is found at Angkor Wat in Cambodia?  Carved in stone statues and laid out in almost life-size dimensions, one part of this temple-complex depicts the story of the demons and demigods pulling the two ends of a snake that are wrapped around a mountain - resting on the hard shell of a divine tortois that the Lord took the shape of - in order to churn an ocean of milk.  From this churning, an immortal nectar was produced.  You read my book, Abandoned. Remember, I told the complete story of that pastime, in it.  Also remember that you read the first book I wrote, Krishna and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance. You even wrote one of  the reviews.  Do you remember the story of the elephant fighting with the crocodile?  Dad, both of these stories are found in the Shrimad Bhagavatam.     "The reason I feel so fortunate is that Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu walked upon the earth - relatively, only a short time ago.  He called the Shrimad Bhagavatam spotless. Unlike the 2000-year laps in time between the birth of Jesus and today, with much of the Christian record either missing or worse, disputed  - the written history of Lord Chaitanya is a delight to read and as fresh as new-fallen snow.  In fact, there is so much material to read about Him I wonder how I will ever find the time.
     "It has been said that God is inconceivable.  I like that.  I like that a lot.  It is actually a very attractive quality."
     "What do you mean by that, Ronnie?"
     "Well, this is why science fiction is so popular and attracts millions of people to watch it.  Like my favorite movie, The Matrix.  Absolutely inconceivable!  Well, God is like that. And I find it interesting, too, how Christians almost insist on keeping God lock-up inside what they are comfortable with, here on Earth.  You know: When we get to Heaven we will all sit around a big thanksgiving table and eat grandma's turkey and dressing. Like that - almost as if nothing will have changed.  
     "Dad, Although there are a number of books that contain material on Lord Chaitanya, the two that I have focused on are the Shri Chaitanya-Bhagavata by Shrila Vrindavan das Thakura and the Shri Chaitanya-charitamrita, written by Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami.  I have been reading and re-reading the Chaitanya-Bhagavata for over a year. Not only is it giving me a glimpse into the life of Lord Chaitanya, a glimpse into the inconceivable, the book is a storehouse of blessing that rain down upon anyone who is willing to take the time to read it.  
     "When I first started my adventure into realm of Vaishnava theology, the greatest asset helping me was my teacher, who with perfect credentials and grace, has never misled me.  But I know this wasn't as apparent, then, as it is today.  Not only was Shrila Prabhupada an honest-to-goodness Saint and a loving servant of God, he was a great scholar.
     "For example, I found this comment on my computer while you were sleeping: 'No work in all Indian literature is more quoted, because none is better loved, in the West, than the Bhagavada-gita.  Translation of such a work demands not only knowledge of Sanskrit, but an inward sympathy with the theme and a verbal artistry.  For the poem is a symphony in which God is seen in all things. The Swami does a real service for students by investing the beloved Indian epic with fresh meaning.  Whatever our outlook may be, we should all be grateful for the labor that has led to this illuminating work.'  ...and Dad, that was written by Dr. MacGregor, from the University of Southern California.
     "So Dad, reviews like this, which number in the hundreds, have played a key factor in developing within me  the strong faith that I have.  It comforted me to see that my high opinion of Shrila Prabhupada was shared by some very learned people.  Above all else, Shrila Prabhupada is Vaishnava.  A Gaudia Vaishnava to be more exact.  And with that title comes love of God: Radha & Krsna.  And because of this love and the love he had for his own spiritual teacher, the entire sacred tree that has grown out of the planting of Lord Chaitanya's lotus feet upon the earth 500 years ago has been revealed.
     "I hit the spiritual jackpot when I simply used my gut-feelings and accepted Shrila Prabhupada as my spiritual guide.  That was over 30 years ago. Also, back then there was not anywhere, near the amount of Vaishnava history, as there is today. For example, the Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata by Vrindavana das Thakura, that I am now reading with such rapt attention, was not even translated into English when I first walked into a Hare Krsna temple in 1976. What these history books do, when you read them, is to instill even more faith in the Vaishnava theology.  When you read about the super-excellent character of the men and women who over the course of history have also worshiped Radha & Krsna ....who associated with Lord Chaitanya,  and who wrote books about Him and His teaching ...when you see their angelic character and deep wisdom also electing to follow the Vaishnava conclusions ...well, it really makes me feel safe and in excellent company. 
     " OK, It is no secret that I admire smart people.  And I also admire people who are blessed by God.  This is especially true about the latter and I don't care what religion is involved.  Dad, I have never been able to understand such frigid hearts and minds that reject the beauty of God on the twisted notion that, since it didn't happen inside MY religion, it must be of the devil.  I mean, that mentality is like, Planet of the Apes.
     "One of my favorite books is, Ever Increasing Faith by the great grandfather of the Pentecostal religion, Rev. Smith Wigglesworth.  What a tremendous title for a book and what a tremendous testimony of faith and love this man demonstrated.  Yes, I am aVaishnava, yet I love that Pentecostal book and I see no conflict!  Then there is, The Way of A Pilgrim, that I mentioned earlier.  This is a Russian Orthodox book and I have probably read it six times; each time brought to my knees by the power and love found within the Jesus Prayer; Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.  Mixed in with all the Christian  books that I have had the privilege to read,  I would be amiss not to mention the countless demonstrations of God's loving pastimes within the realm of Christ.  Like the story of John Traynor I read to you.     "The Greek Madonna comes to mind.  When I get back to Texas I will e-mail you awebsite where you can read the account of this wonderful story.  I remember that the article is well written and covers many different aspects of the Greek Madonna, starting with a vision that came to this certain priest,  Don Francesco. Soon after, he wanted his vision painted on a board. Like an icon. He enlisted an artist but after several paintings it was obvious to Francesco that it was going to be impossible to paint his vision. Kneeling in prayer, Father Francesco fell before God.  Suddenly a small bell could be heard ringing everywhere and a blind lady cried out that she could see and everyone beheld on a slate of walnut  the exact vision that Father Francesco had been so desperately trying to capture.  The painting just appeared.

The Greek Madonna

     "The point is, Dad, there is an abundance of Grace in all religions, illustrated by the most wonderful stories of God blessing those rare souls who have stood and believed in Him.  And as I said, I am only able to tell you bits and pieces.  And sadly, with my poor memory, often times I cannot even remember the accounts I HAVE read.  Sure, some of these names and stories come to mind, but only a few.  For example, I have read about Saint Catherine Laboure; Saint John Damascin, whose hand was cut off for defending the holy icons, only to find it re-attached after taking shelter of the Lord in deep prayer; and then there is the amazing story of Ananda Vrndavana devi dasi and how this great, modern-day Vaishnava lady was accosted by a pack of wild dogs, and how Lord Krsna saved her."
     OK, I started out talking about a drop of water and then told you about that same drop of water under a microscope.  I said there is no difference between the two drops.  I cannot emphasis this enough.  It is central to my belief.  I remember once thinking of this in another way - comparing Christian theology and Vaishnava theology to a cookie. That's the point, it is the same cookie.  But its also true that I find the Christian portion of the cookie much smaller in total area.  But that's OK, because as you know, biting anywhere into a cookie still taste good.  So I am not complaining about the size or finding fault.  It is what it is.  Of course, by now you know that this Divine Cookie is so much larger than most Christians are willing to admit - and this saddens me.   Anyhow, as a Vaishnava I am proud to say that Jesus Christ is both included and given so much honor within our theology.  
     "Dad, after your dinner tonight I can stay as long as you want.  When I come back I am going to tell you about Lord Chaitanya: God who walked upon the earth." 
     "Good Ronnie.  It takes a couple of hours to eat and see the nurses - plus I want to get in another nap so we can visit longer.  This is really an eye-opener and I must say that I really appreciate how your religion is not shutting out Jesus.  So when you come back I will be all set to listen.  Thank you, Ronnie." 
     "My pleasure, Dad.  Once again I must thank Shrila Prabhupada for leading me to Jesus.  Before I heard Lord Krishna's Holy Name, I was not too keen on Jesus.  Instead, my vision was pretty much frozen on the image of this big fat Catholic priest I once saw at an airport, smoking a cigar.  Sadly, that alone was enough  to put a permanent  deep freeze on my attraction to Jesus.  Thankfully, Shrila Prabhupada softened my heart and blessed me.   A few moments later I began to listen to the beautiful stories of Jesus and the pastimes of his Saints and angels.  Shrila Prabhupada has made all the difference in my life."

Radha-Krsna link

Chapter 10
Conversation #5 


     "Here's a picture of it.  Aren't these computers amazing.  And just like I told you a few days ago, Shrila Vrindavan das Thakura could have easily titled his book, When God Walked Upon The Earth."
"Gee, Ronnie, that would be quite a claim to make, don't you think?"
"Sure it is.  Well, let's see how you feel about it later this evening.  As I was telling you, there already exist in the Bible a brief glimpse of this, such as ...Noah walking with God.  But it is only a tiny clip. What are the exact details? Well, there aren't any and this is why I keep going back to the comparison between a drop of water on your finger tip and the SAME drop viewed from under a microscope  ...you know, versus that very short sentence in the Bible   ...and Noah walked with God.''
     " Well,  Ronnie, the Bible might be stretching it a bit because that could simply mean that Noah was living his life in a Godly way.  Therefore,  it could be said that, he walked with God.  I used to go to church with Sally in San Diego and I remember how the minister was fond of saying that, we walk with God. So maybe that is what Vrindavan das Thakura was trying to say and you're just taking him too literal. I think you tend to do that, don't you? And as far as what you were saying about Jacob wrestling with God, that probably just means that Jacob was undergoing some turmoil in his mind.
     "Dad ....sure, I understand.  As far as the Biblical accounts, who knows?  Personally, I like to take them on face value.  Who am I to say, otherwise?  Plus, arguments over what the Bible actually means have been fought over for centuries.  Rather, what I am talking about are God's actual wooden sandals that are on public display in His room, located in Jagganath Puri." 
     "So, Ronnie, you mean that the sandals that God wore on His feet are still in existence?  I must say this sounds like quite a leap of faith.  I mean, how can that be true?"
     "Yes, rather inconceivable.  I guess it boils down to accepting what the Vaishnava Saints are revealing, or rejecting them. Perhaps they are joking, or have been misled, somehow. Or, in order to achieve some hidden agenda, they are simply making this all up.  After all, it wouldn't be the first time that priests have abused their power for personal gain - probably for the same motives that have caused corruption to exist since the beginning of time: greed, sex, money, prestige and power."
     "I'm sorry, Ronnie, I don't mean to throw cold water on you before you even begin, but I guess these are the the kind of issues that have kept me from being much of a believer.  I'm a big reader and some of the horrors forced upon mankind by the followers of God are enough to make your blood curdle.  Since you are talking about India, I once read  that between the 1400s and 1500s, Muslim rulers made it a practice to slaughter 100,000 Hindus every year. There's even a Muslim general who ordered the killing of that many in just one day. What mankind has done to each other in the name of God has really turned me off.  And you can't blame any particular nation or any one religion. How long have Christians been killing Christians?  I know that you like movies. Just watch, The Mission, with Robert Di Niro and see a perfect example of what l'm talking about."



     "Yes, I remember seeing that movie when it first came out.  Terrible. So yes, I understand how history has made you skeptical and I totally agree with you.  Dad, the thing that sets us apart in our beliefs is something we need to talk about because prior to the mid 70s I didn't have much faith in the Almighty, either ....and for pretty much the same reasons that you have given.  So this should be very interesting to you.
     "So, what happened to me?  WHAT did I come in contact with ...that has changed my life so much?  And its not hard for me to imagine that if I had NOT come in contact with it, that there is absolutely no way we would be having this conversation. Instead, we would be watching the Cotton Bowl.  So yes, I agree with you. Absolutely ...a general sweep of history doesn't instill much faith in God, ...or man.  Dad, all I can say is that I thank God for His blessings.  Right now, let's just put all of the many reasons NOT to believe in God aside. Hopefully, what I am about to tell you will help you to understand WHY I have completely embraced both the Supreme Identity and teachings of Lord Chaitanya as the foundation of my religion."
     "OK, Ronnie, you've got a deal.  Actually, I'm ready to hear something nice about religion for a change.."
     "But Dad, just as you already know, there has to be power behind words: personal power.  By that I mean this: I could stand out on the putting green with you and give you a suggestion for improving your golf game ...but let's pretend, instead, that Tiger Woods came here to play and he just happened to see you, and walked over, saying a few things about your putting. You know, to help you out. This is what I mean by, personal power, and especially when big claims are made about God, how they are received depends upon WHO is doing the talking ..the personal power behind the words.
     "I can think of another example.  Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that you finally agreed to have your neck operated on? You were telling me how you had been to all these other doctors before you ended up in Dr. Black's office. Remember how you said that at first you were full of doubts about him, too.  But then you mentioned that the one thing that convinced you was listening to the people in his waiting room, and how they told you how much Dr. Black had helped them? Isn't this when you started to believe in him, yourself?  Wow, this guy must really know his stuff ...Remember you telling me that?"
     "I see your point.  Yes, that's exactly what happened.  After I heard those people telling me how much Dr. Black had helped them, I just made up my mind, right there, to go ahead with the operation and that he could help me, too."
     "Yes, so you can see that when it comes to faith, WHO is doing the talking makes all the difference.  Those people had first hand experience, having themselves been operated on by Dr. Black. And I'm sure that the next time Dr. Black spoke to you about your neck, his words took on a whole new meaning."
     "Boy, Ronnie, you've hit that nail right on the head."
     "Well, Dad, it is the same with religion and specifically about Lord Chaitanya.  At first there were all sorts of young, wide-eyed Hare Krishna's telling me that Lord Chaitanya was God and that He had walked upon the face of the earth.  To their credit, they also handed me a book to back up their claim, but of course I needed more that just a book. I mean, there are stacks of books written about the moon being made out of green cheese, but that doesn't make it so. However, thankfully, I was more than willing to read Shrila Prabhupada's books and then slowly, over time, I became convinced.
     "When you hold one of his books in your hands the first thing you notice is how there are so many book reviews. And they are very impressive.  It just didn't take that long before I began to think that, My God, Shrila Prabhupada is actually the real deal.  Soon I had read several of his books and even as a novice I could tell that I was in the presence of a real spiritual master.
     "Dad, in the same way that your faith in Dr. Black grew by listening, over the years my faith in Shrila Prabhupada also increased by hearing him speak to me in his books.  I can tell you flat out that Shrila Prabhupada's scholarship is unmatched.  But it's more that just knowing Sanskrit that I'm talking about.  
     A while ago I mentioned that fat, Catholic priest with his big cigar who had totally turned me off.  Character also counts very much. I mean, look at the opposite. The record is there. I recently read about these so-called religious scholars in England who translated the sacred texts of India while eating their juicy steaks and drinking their whiskey sours, which is totally rejected by Vedic culture.  Other big British scholars actually took some of the ancient Sanskrit texts and physically changed them to show the Vedas predicting the superiority of Christianity.  Then they printed these altered versions and gave them out to Hindu school children across India.  By tricking the children into thinking that their ancient civilization was inferior, English missionaries doubled their converts.  My point is this Dad: the Holy Scriptures that I am reading at have been translated not only by a world-renowned Sanskrit and religious scholar, but by an actual living and breathing Vaishnava Saint of the highest of caliber.  I just want you to know this because when you take into consideration both Shrila Prabhupada's impeccable credentials as a scholar and then combine this with the fact that he is one of the most honored Saints in all of India ...living his entire life dedicated to serving God ...this just speaks volumes for the message that he has written about.  There's is a biography about Shrila Prabhupada on the Internet you can read after I go back to Texas.  I'll e-mail the link to you."
     "Ronnie, I must tell you that I had no idea that Shrila Prabhupada was who you are telling me about.  I just didn't know."
     "Thank you Dad,  and of course there is so much more.  Spreading the Vaishnava religion and it's divine message has been what I would call a group effort with many Vaishnava Saints participating.  The Vaishnavas have a spiritual system and when you understand what it is and how it works and who has belonged to it, I'm telling you that faith in their words comes as easy as sinking a 6 inch putt."
     "What is their system?"
     "Here, Dad, on my computer ...while you were sleeping I went to my book, Krishna and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance and bookmarked this page since I knew I wanted to tell you about this.  Here is what I wrote: 

     "To assist in presenting the spiritual master's introduction, I would like to repeat a story that I heard on the evening news.  The story was about a cheese factory in France that was closing it's doors after four hundred years, simply because no one could be found qualified to become the next "cheese maker." Throughout all those centuries, their secret cheese recipe had been handed down through an unbroken chain of "master-cheese makers."  The way the system worked is that eventually, an especially dedicated and talented worker would be entrusted with the responsibility of perpetuating the integrity of the cheese mill, and over the years he, in turn, would pass on what he had learned from his "master," to his own apprentice.  The result being that the cheese made today would taste exactly like the cheese made in 1592.  If an apprentice ever took it upon himself to change the formula for making the cheese, the greatest offense would occur, spoiling the ancient tradition started by the founder of the factory, long-long ago.  In spiritual terms, this unbroken line of teachers in called the disciplic succession, or, in Sanskrit, Parampara.  In the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, evam paramparam praptam - thus explaining to him that the supreme science He is about to communicate to him was originally received through an unbroken chain of disciplic succession.  This disciplic succession, then, is like ones family tree, but instead of tracing a blood line, what the Vaishnava tradition consist of is an unbroken chain of spiritual masters." 

     "Dad, remember me telling you about Doctor Mao, Ava's Chinese accupuncturist. Chinese doctors are very proud of their family heritage.  They print it on their business cards to show how many generations of Chinese doctors have been in their family.  Doctor Mao's business card says, 74 generations.  This is a father-to-son system of medicine.  This is exactly the type of system that Shrila Prabhupada was part of, but instead of medicine, the Vaishnavas are connected to an unbroken chain of spiritual masters - specifically the Gaudia-Vaishnava sect that was founded by Lord Chaitanya. The principle is that Vaisnava teachings are passed on, unchanged, from guru to disciple.  The most prominent devotees in this lineage are accepted as, acharyas ...those who teach by example and who carry the line forward. So this system includes several things - a history of teachers, a common tenant ...all authorized, blessed, and directly connected to Lord Krishna via Lord Chaitanya.  
     "Here, I found this on the computer, too.  This is how the list reads, going from Srila Prabhupada to Lord Chaitanya: 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu The Six Goswamis of Vrindavana
· Srila Rupa Goswami
· Srila Sanatana Goswami
· Gopal Bhatta Goswami
· Ragunatha dasa Goswami
· Ragunatha Batta Goswami
· Jiva Goswami Krsnadasa Kaviraj Goswami Narottama Dasa Thakura Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Bhaktivinoda Thakura Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

    
     "I am taking the time to tell you all of this, because, again,  I want you to have a sense of the personal power behind what I am going to tell you.  There's just a lot more to all of this than meets the eye. 
     "Dad, it is impossible for me to tell you about each and every one of these great Vaishnava Saints in the short time we have left.  I just hope that you can begin to appreciate the gravitas that has helped me solidify my faith in Lord Chaitanya.  His message is unified and clear.  And each one of these saintly giants, without exception, would agree that 500 years ago God, Himself, walked upon the earth!"
     "Ronnie, you couldn't make this anymore fascinating, if you tried, so please tell me about Lord Chaitanya."
     "Well, since everyone likes to know the exact year things happened, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Nabadwip, Bengal, in 1486.  By the way Dad, this same year corresponds with Italian Rennaissance philosopher, Pico della Mirandola's, Oration on the Dignity of Man, in which Pico has God adress Man in these words:
 
We have set thee at the center of the universe that thou mayest from thence more easily observe whatever is in the world.  We have made thee neither of heaven nor of earth, neither mortal nor immortal, so that with freedom of choice and with honour, as though the sculptor and moulder of thyself, thou mayest fashion thyself in whatever shape thou shalt prefer. Thou shalt have the power to degenerate into the lower forms of life, which are brutish.  Thou shalt have the power, out of they soul's judgment, to be reborn into the higher forms, which are divine.
 
"How in the heck did you know that, Ronnie?"
"Oh, you remember my friend, Al -the Navy Seal.  He loaned me a book called, Il Giganteby Anton Gill.  This is a book about the marble statue of David that Michelangelo carved along with all the political and religious intrigue ...and all the main characters that lived in Italy during that time.  So the date of Pico's, Oration  - 1486 - just caught my attention because it was the same year that Lord Chaitanya appeared. 
      "OK, so to continue, 48 years later, in 1534, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu vanished from the face of the earth.  This is quite a story but I will save it for another day.  Anyhow, 1534 was the same year that King Henry VIII became the official head of the Church of England and when the Frenchman, Jacques Cartier first discovered the St. Lawrence River in present-day Quebec, Canada.
     "Lord Chaitanya's birth name was Vishvambhara, given to Him by his parents, Jagannatha Misra and Sacidevi.  Since his birth coincided with a total lunar eclipse, His birth was accompanied by the widespread chanting of the Holy Name, which is the custom on such an auspicious occasion.  
     "Nimai was another, more affectionate name given to Vishvambhara.  As a child, the only way His parents could get baby Nimai to stop crying was to chant the Holy Names.  Therefore, it has been noted that from the very beginning, He induced people to chant the names of God.
     "Once when the Lord was just a 3 or 4 year-old toddler, a priest came to visit Jagannatha Misra and Sacidevi.   This priest carried two small Deities around his neck in a sack.  With devotion, their humble guest cooked a nice offering for his Deities. With his eyes closed in prayer, he sat offering the food he had cooked for the Lord.  But when he opened his eyes, he got the shock of his life as ...little Nimai stood completely naked, His entire form covered with dust.  He was the color of the sun with beautiful hands and feet. Smiling, He took a handful of food from the brahmin's (priest's) offering and ate it while the priest looked on. 
     "Of course, this spoiled the offering and the brahmin refused to eat. In fact, little Nimai not only stole the man's offering once, but twice.  Finally the brahmin said to his guest, ...I already cooked twice, yet Lord Krishna did not allow me to eat.  So I can understand that I am destined not to eat today.  This is Lord Krishna's desire, so why should I make such an endeavor? One may have unlimited food stuff in the house but he can eat only if Lord Krishna allows.  One man endlessly tries for something, but if Lord Krishna does not desire it, he will be unsuccessful. 
     "Unable to bear this insult to their guest, Nimai's mother took her Son to a neighbor's house while Jugannatha Misra implored the brahmin to cook just one more time.  Also encouraging the brahmin to cook was Sri Visvarupa - Nimai older brother.  Sri Visvarupa replied, ...everyone will be please if you cook. 
     With little Nimai at a safe distance, the Brahmin agreed and cooked for the third time.  Again he sat, making his offering. Again, when he looked up He saw the Lord standing in front of him.  ...The Lord's entire form was decorated with gem-studded ornaments.  His breast was marked with Laksmi devi's sign of Srivatsa, and the priceless Kaustubha jewel hung brilliantly with other precious gems in a necklace.  His head was decorated with fresh forest flowers that circled His peacock feather.  His reddish lips, like the rising sun, set off His softly glowing moon-like face.  His pink lotus petal pair of eyes smiled sweetly as His knee-length Vaijayanti flower garland and His exquisite shark-shaped earrings swayed delicately.  His feet were like blossoming lotus flowers, decorated with gently tinkling gem-studded ankle-bells.  The luster from His delicate pearl-like nails dissipated the darkness.



     "Now let's jump forward in time, as Nimai turned into a young man.  Here we find that His animosity toward the elite scholars of His village burned fiercely and years were spent tormenting them.  These religious scholars were very proud of their vast, so-called understanding of the Scriptures ....but none of them taught loving devotional service to Lord Krishna as being the essence of the Vedas.  Instead they concocted all sorts of other teachings and gave themselves fancy titles. But of course, seeing how Nimai was actually God Almighty - although expertly hiding this from everyone - Nimai would have no part of their folly, instead enjoying any excuse to disturb their religious activities and peace of mind.  
     "At a very young age, Nimai began attracting students.  He was an expert in Sanskrit and logic and even at such a young age acquired a formidable reputation as both a logician and religious scholar. Although Nimai was none other than God Almighty, Himself, still he chose to keep Himself in the guise of a young boy.  
     "At this time, in the history of India, of course there was no NFL football, PGA, television sets or soccer. Instead, debating was the national pastime.  It also so happened that the Michael Jordan of Indian debate came to Nimai's village to defeat the famous scholars who lived there.  His name was Keshava Bharati and was given the title, digvijaya, which meant that that he was unconquerable.  When the village scholars heard that the digvijaya had arrived, suddenly none were to be found, anywhere.  But on the bank of the Ganges River, Nimai sat without a tinge of fear, teaching his little students.  It also so happened that at the same time, the digvijaya was walking on the same stretch of beach.  Seeing him, Nimai honored Keshava Bharati by telling him how happy he was to meet him.  Nimai then asked the digvijaya to demonstrate for everyone his outstanding skills as a poet, a fact that was known all over India. Nimai asked him to praise the holy river flowing in front of them. Please with such a warm reception, Keshava Bharati gladly took up the challenge and like the wind spent the next hour spontaneously composing a hundred beautiful Sanskrit verses glorifying Mother Ganga.
     "When he was finished speaking, he looked at the young Lord of Vaikuntha and Nimai thanked him ...but he also asked him a question.  The Lord wanted to know why Keshava Bharati had chosen to use certain words in constructing two of his verses ...words that were used improperly, according to the laws of Sanskrit. Stunned by these erudite questions coming out of the mouth of such a young boy, Keshava could not speak. How was this possible?  He had composed his poetry as fast as the wind and yet Nimai had recited the two verses back to him from perfect memory.  Not only that, but had the ability to analyze them.  And now the young boy was asking questions about a very complex subject matter - Sanskrit grammar.  And of course, Nimai was right and the errors were obvious.  A couple of days later Nimai revealed His true identity to Keshava Bharati who spent the rest of his life propounding loving devotional service to Lord Krisha and to his guru, Nimai Pandita ...who later became the most famous of all, Sri Krishna Caitanya, the founder of the Gaudia Vaishnava sect.
     "Dad, for me to tell you about Lord Chaitanya is difficult because it is such an enormous task - like somehow telling you, in one hour, the history of the best 50 golfers of all time.
     "What do you mean by that, Ronnie?"
     "Well, fifty only hints at the number of lives that were involved in the Lord's holy pastimes during the 48 years that He was in India. His life was like a beautiful bouquet of flowers and to fully appreciate Him, the Lord's life should be viewed in this way. Yes, as I have already mentioned, God is the most beautiful flower but what really makes Him beautiful are the other flowers that are surrounding him.  Each one exquisitely beautiful, they are just like the hundreds of flowers in a grand vase, each lending their charm to make the Divine Object the focal point of attention.  Yes, God is beautiful, but only when observed with all His flowers does the view of the Lord make one loose his breath and become speechless.
     "Furthermore, Dad, in the same way that a great King never travels alone but is always accompanied by an entourage of servants and ministers, God is the same way.  Before Nimai even appeared on earth some 500 years ago, all throughout the land great angels also began to appear.  Mahavendra Puri, Lord Nityananda, Ishvari Puri, Advaita Acharya, Haridas Thakura, Srivasa Pandita, Gadadhara Pandita, Mother Saci - His mother, Jagganatha Misra - his father, Shridhara, Murari Gupta, Paramananda Puri, Purandara, Shrila Vasudeva Datta, Shrila Sivananda Sena, Ramai Pandita, Vishnupriya, Laxmi devi, Narayani, Shri Rabhava Pandita, Shri Sarvabhauma Bhattaharya, Shri Svarupa Dhamodhar, and others to numerous to mention.
     "Do you see my problem?  The magnificent qualities of just  one of these divine flowers is beyond my ability to describe. Their lives and their particular pastimes with the Lord create a unique beauty of unforgettable fragrance that can only be fully appreciated when seen and understood as part of the Divine Bouquet.  
     "Dad, since we have time, let me tell you about just one of these flowers.  As a young boy, Nimai Pandita would search out Sridhara (Shridhara), a lowly and humble figure living in the village of Nabadwip. Sridhara made his living by making and selling various products from banana trees.  So this  was the setting when Sridhara first met the Lord, but at the time he was totally unaware of who Nimai was.  Keeping His true identity covered, He would approach Sridhara and bargain for hours over the wares that Shridhara was selling  - even accusing Shridhara of actually being very wealthy.  The Lord would say, ...I am not going to touch your hidden wealth now - that I will get later.  But if you give Me a banana root and some banana stalks right now without taking money, then I will not fight with you any more.  Yes, that is a very satisfactory agreement, said Nimai. There should be no further fights between us, but please see to it that I get good quality bananas and stalks.  And please give me some of your delicious radishes, too. 
     "Daily the Lord ate with Sridhara from his leaf cups, relishing his bananas, banana stalks, radishes and Sridhara's cooking in general. Meanwhile, Sridhar thought to himself, He is a very aggressive young man. Someday he may even beat me with a stick.  But even if He does beat me, what can I do?  I really cannot afford to give Him whatever He wants free, each day, but I see He has a godly form.  He is not an ordinary personality by any means.  If He takes my things by force or by some other tricky means, then He is free to do so.  I think this is my good fortune, and in spite of my poverty I will continue to give Him whatever He wants. 
     


Sridhara finally giving in to Nimai Pandita 

"Dad, so this is really a wonderful story as it unfolds.  So far, here we have this very simple man, Shridhar ...so poor that he barley makes a living selling different parts of the banana tree.  And constantly seeking him out is the much-much younger Nimai Pandita, the intellectual jewel of India, haggling and haggling with Shridhar over the price of objects with so little value that nobody in their right mind would do such a thing - that is, except for God.  As for Shridahar, all he knew was that here was this very effulgent and attractive young man, famous for His impeccable scholarship, who, for some strange reason, was always begging for Shridhar to give him something for free.
     "OK, Dad, ...now we are going to jump forward again, after many events had unfolded and Nimai Pandita is about 20-years old.  Not only has he matured physically, but spiritually He has already revealed His Divine Self. Later when He travels, as soon as  the general population gets wind of where He is, they flock by the thousands to be near him.
     "One day the Lord went to he house of His beloved disciple, Srivasa Pandita, who had known Lord Chaitanya from infancy.  So Nimai was at Srivasa's home with all His disciples in a very intimate setting.