An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

me Prabhupad was going to initiate brahmins there
like he did in New York, and I should try to get there
in a couple of days. This meant I would officially be a
Hindu priest.
I hitch hiked to L.A. in one day, spent the night
at the temple, then went to San Francisco. I arrived in
the evening and went to Prabhupad's apartment. No
one was there. I went to the temple and was surprised
to see an initiation ceremony going on. I was told it
would be the next day. I walked in wearing a Panama
hat, fatigue jacket, and jeans.
Prabhupad saw me and said, "Subal! You're
just in time. Go in the kitchen, wash your hands and
face, get a banana, and come sit down." The banana
was to be an offering in the fire sacrifice.
I and several other devotees were initiated as
brahmins or priests. Prabhupad taught the gayatri mantras
and gave the sacred thread, which was the mark
of a twice born brahmin. This act broke with the rigid
caste system that said one had to be born in a brahmin
family to be a brahmin. Prabhupad said, "It is based on
one's qualities not birth." This was also his guru’s
practice.
The initiation was moved up a day because the
devotees were invited to celebrate Lord Rama's appearance
with the Indian community the next day.
Prabhupad lead chanting and gave a talk at the celebration.
Indian women prepared a feast.
Prabhupad thought I needed a helper in Santa
Fe. Tosan Krishna, a new devotee, hitched back with
me. It was financially difficult to manage the temple. I
67