An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

mananda talked Prabhupad into going ahead with the
initiation as planned. Kartikeya and Devananda were
added to the list of prospective sannyasis.
Prabhupad told me to get bamboo to make our
staffs. I said, "I'll go look in the yellow pages and see
where I can buy some."
Prabhupad said, "You don't find bamboo in the
yellow pages. Go look on Hollywood Boulevard in
Century City."
I got a devotee to take me there in a pickup
truck and cut twenty-four pieces about a half inch in
diameter from a cluster of bamboo in the dividing
strip of the road. We worked quickly hoping not to
get caught in broad day light.
That night we made our tridandas or staffs. We
were entering the Tridandi Sannyas Order as we believed
Chaitanya did. Four bamboo rods a hand's
breadth taller than the initiate were bound together
with a long strip of saffron cloth symbolizing body,
mind, intellect, and soul surrendered to Krishna.
Initiation took place late the next morning with
two hundred devotees gathered in the temple enthusiastically
chanting Hare Krishna. Cushions were set
out on the marble floor around the fire altar. Prabhupad
sat on his throne. Dayananda and the initiates sat
on the cushions. Dayananda served as priest performing
the ritual fire sacrifice.
We initiates shaved our heads that morning.
Now we were given new saffron robes in the style
worn by sannyasis. We went in a back room to
change. We came out and offered obeisance to
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