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Srila Prabhupada converts the Christians
When Srila Prabhupada was visiting Detroit in 1976, he met with two
clergymen. First he aked them if they believed that God is a person.
"Yes" they agreed.
Then he asked, "Aren't we also eternal persons meant to love God?"
They agreed again.
"And isn't the only thing separating us from enjoying ecstatic life with God
sin?"
Once again they agreed.
Like a pouncing lion, Srila Prabhupada challenged, "Then why don't you teach
people how to lead a sinless life!"
Srila Prabhupada went on to show that meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxicants,
and gambling pollute people's consciousness, and that if the clergymen rose
above these things, others would follow their example. Mundane welfare work or
political agitation would simply be a waste of time.
As they left with flower garlands around their necks, packages of Bengali
sweets in their hands, and Bhagavad-gitas under their arms, one of them turned
to Srila Prabhupada. "Why, I fell like we've become your disciples."
Srila Prabhupada chuckled. After they'd gone he quoted a Sanskrit verse which
confirmed that only a gosvami-- someone who has gained complete control over
his bodily senses-- can give real spiritual life to his disciples. And we knew
we had a gosvami for our spiritual master.
Badarinarayana dasa, _Back to Godhead_ Vol 13, No 9
Copyright, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Used with permission.
