Often when I offer a lamp in this spiritually-charged season of Kartik, I am reminded of a time years ago when I was seated next to a woman on a plane who was visibly distressed and quietly weeping. I said to her, “You seem really upset. Is there anything I can do to help?” She said through her tears, “I’m approaching ninety; I will die soon and cease to exist.” “What do you mean?” I inquired.  She told me that, in her understanding, souls only continue to exist after death if they are remembered by loved ones, as symbolized by the lighting of candles during the mourning period, on the anniversary of their death, and on holy days. She told me none of her children practiced her faith anymore and wouldn’t perform this ritual for her after she died, guaranteeing her non-existence. I tried to console her, speaking about the eternality of the soul apart from any religious ritual, but no amount of reasoning could penetrate her deep grief and firm conviction. My mind also regularly returns to this encounter when I think about how people are remembered and appreciated after their departure.  As Cicero famously stated, “Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things.”

Years after the encounter on the plane, by Krishna’s mercy, I encountered a unique treasury of luminous memories about a pure devotee of God named A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Following a Utah vacation where I had seen an interstate billboard for the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple,  I returned home and searched the name “Krishna” to learn more about Him. After scrolling through a collection of Krishna animated videos served up by YouTube’s algorithms, I was providentially pointed to a long playlist of Prabhupada Memories videos. 

I must have watched close to fifteen hours of interviews that first weekend. I felt like I was listening to older siblings telling me stories about a beloved grandfather I vaguely remembered. Each memory was like a lamp being lit, illuminating and memorializing the mission and exceptional life of an extraordinary personality. Through these memories, I felt deeply connected to Srila Prabhupada, heard the Maha Mantra for the first time, discovered the philosophy, and ordered my first Bhagavad-gita As It Is. 

As an avid reader, I later learned that Siddhanta Das, the devotee responsible for this inspiring initiative, also arranged for these memories to be carefully transcribed and published. I had the good fortune to later meet him at the 2017 L.A. Rathyatra, where I purchased the first four volumes in the Prabhupada Memories series. 

Siddhanta Das at 2017 L.A. Rathayatra with Volume 4 of Prabhupada Memories.

Prabhupada Memories, Volume 6

In September, I was excited to learn that after four years of preparation, Volume Six had finally arrived, adding to this treasury of light. The statistics are staggering: 375 pages containing 575 unique stories shared by over 80 devotees from around the world, including such luminaries as Rupanuga Das, Bhakti Gauravani Goswami, Bhakti Sundar Goswami, Janananda Swami, Kavicandra Swami, Ravindra Svarupa Das, Bhanu Swami, Krishna Kshetra Swami, Agnideva Das, Yogesvara Das, Yadubara das, Kirtiraja Das, Mukhya Devi Dasi, Jadurani Devi Dasi, Sankarshan Das, Kumkum Devi Dasi, Sivananda Das, Krishna Bhamini Devi Dasi, Janaki Devi Dasi, Jagat Purusa Das, Locanananda Das, Akhandhadi Das, Vrindavana-Vilasini Devi Dasi, Mahamsa Das, Gopaswami Das, Batu Gopal Das, Hansarupa Das, Rasangi Devi Dasi, Vamanadev Das and Pancagauda Das, to name a few. These transcribed memories videos correspond to Prabhupada Memories DVDs 81-98. As always, these volumes contain a glossary of unique Vaishnava terms used in the interviews, and Volume 6 also includes some interesting documents in the appendixes.

This is one of those books you can open to any page and find a gem, like sticking your hand in a treasure chest. In fact, Srila Prabhupada said of his disciples, “You are all gems. You are all my gems because you are one hundred percent engaged in devotional service.” That quote is from a memory by Pita Das (Chapter 8).

Most are first-time interviews, while others are offerings from devotees who shared early on in the PM initiative and are adding new memories or deeper realizations on their experiences with Srila Prabhupada. An excellent example of this is Yogeshvara’s offering in Chapter 9. As he puts it, “What I find is that memories of Srila Prabhupada are like verses from the Bhagavad-gita. Every time you go back to a verse, it’s the same verse, but as you mature, as you acquire experience in life, the significance of that verse deepens and becomes more profound.”

I enjoyed every anecdote I read, but here are four devotees from Volume 6 whose offerings stood out to me:

Janaki Devi Dasi – Chapter 3

I was thrilled to see the interview with Janaki Devi Dasi, one of Srila Prabhupada’s first disciples. Along with Mukunda, Shyamasundar, Malati, Yamuna, and Gurudas, she went to London, where they eventually met the Beatles. She shared some really unique anecdotes from Srila Prabhupada’s first difficult months in NYC.

Abhilasa Das – Chapter 4

He brings a unique perspective as a young black teenager who joined the temple at fourteen and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada at sixteen. I appreciated his clever approach to getting his father to let him join the temple, as well as his distinctive realizations and playful mood. To really appreciate this devotee’s memories and personality, watch his video interview.

Bahulasva Das – Chapter 15

Recorded on his “deathbed” less than a week before he departed, this heartfelt interview has some fascinating stories, like the origin of Dr. Stillson Judah’s relationship with Srila Prabhupada, his time as Prabhupada’s servant in New Vrindaban, and his reflections on his spiritual master’s intimate relationship with Krishna. 

Rupanuga Das – Chapter 18

After 32 years of tracking down devotees worldwide, Siddhanta finally recorded an extended interview with Rupanuga Das, the movement’s first householder and one of the first dozen devotees to join Srila Prabhupada. I remember being riveted as I watched the hour-and-a-half video of their conversation, which has now garnered over 20,000 views. Rupanuga shared many vital memories and artifacts about Srila Prabhupada and the early organization of ISKCON. I was really grateful to have the text of “Srila Prabhupada’s Remedies” included in this volume.

I don’t pretend to have read every word in Volume 6 yet, but I look forward to relishing the rest of it over the coming weeks and months. I’m so grateful to Siddhanta Das and his dedicated team for this ongoing project.

To order your copy of Volume 6, as well as the earlier volumes, DVDs, or flash drives, please visit his website here. Subscribe to his YouTube channel, where you can also check out the new YouTube “shorts” which select brief anecdotes from the interviews. You will also see a lovely appreciation of Prabhupada Memories from SB Keshava Swami.

Ambitious Spanish Language Project Underway

Around 496 million people on the planet are native Spanish speakers, with millions more who speak the language. In addition to these latest oral histories, Siddhanta Das has engaged one of the best language translators to convert the “Memories” into Spanish.

This devotee, Atavi Krsna Das, a devoted disciple of Virabahu Dasa, has served this immense project for the past five years, translating over thirty chapters out of the 99 videos that are now available. You can easily access these translated stories here.

Speaking of the project, Siddhanta Dasa said, “Please share this link with any Spanish-speaking devotees, friends, or family members you think would benefit from reading about the glories of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.”

Atavi Krsna Das at his home in Guadalajara, Mexico.