By Vyasasan das | Oct. 27, 2011
This morning I had a dream.
Usually I don’t put much importance on dreams, unless it is a spiritual dream; one where my spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is present. Dreams with Srila Prabhupada, I take special notice of, and often write them down before I forget. Such is the case today.
In my dream Srila Prabhupada was about to give Srimad Bhagavatam class. He was about to read from the Seventh Canto, Chapter Six, “Prahlada Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates”.
But before the class began, one devotee announced that after the class instead of us getting the opportunity to ask Srila Prabhupada questions, Srila Prabhupada was going to ask questions of us.
I tried to listen with rapt attention, being fearful Srila Prabhupada would ask me a question afterwards, and expect me to explain.
As soon as the class was concluded and before Srila Prabhupada had a chance to ask his disciples questions, I quickly hid behind one of the columns in the temple, just out of sight of His Divine Grace. I was lamenting that I wished I had spent more time studying Srila Prabhupada’s books.
If only I had carefully studied the entire Seventh Canto, memorized the important slokas, and understood the purports to the translations.
If only I was a better student and disciple, I wouldn’t have to hide behind this pillar. I was lamenting like this and sweat was forming on my brow when suddenly I heard Srila Prabhupada’s voice.
“Vyasasan.” “Where is Vyasasan?”
One devotee stood up and announced that I was hiding.
“Oh”, said Srila Prabhupada.
There was a roar of laughter. And my embarrassment knew no bounds. The moment seemed an eternity… If only I had studied more, spent more time reading, becoming more Krishna conscious…I wouldn’t have to hide behind this column, afraid to reveal myself. And when I could endure it no longer, I stepped out from behind the pillar and foolishly pronounced. “Here I am, Srila Prabhupada”
At this moment I awoke from my dream, sweating and full of transcendental anxiety. I recognized that, it is indeed time for me to seriously take to the study of Srila Prabhupada’s unchanged books. The message Srila Prabhupada sent me in this dream was, “Read my books!”
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