Interview
I have already explained what is our mission, what is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
Haṁsadūta:
Yes. I think this gentleman would like to have some interview with Śrīla Prabhupāda. [to other devotee:] You’re going to translate, [indistinct]?
[to guest:] And you can sit here? And you can sit here, please?
Prabhupāda:
Give him some…
Haṁsadūta:
Sit here.
Guru Gaurāṅga:
We have a cushion. [break] …speak any English. [break]
Prabhupāda:
Hmm?
Guru Gaurāṅga:
The listeners probably only speak French. [French]
[translating questions and answers throughout.]
Frenchman:
…great spiritual master, you kindly present yourself to the listeners to [indistinct].
Prabhupāda:
I have already explained what is our mission, what is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Already I have explained to some extent, and if he wants some particular answer, he can ask me.
Frenchman:
[French]
Guru-gaurāṅga:
He would like to know who you are, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and how old you are.
Prabhupāda:
I am now seventy-seven.
Frenchman:
[French]
Guru-gaurāṅga:
[translating] For how long are you at the head of this movement?
Prabhupāda:
Well, for the last five years.
Frenchman:
[French]
Guru-gaurāṅga:
[translating] Can you please describe the dress in which you are clothed?
Prabhupāda:
You can ask about some philosophy. Dress, what people will benefit knowing about my dress? Instead of wasting time in that way… I can ask you why you are in dressed in that way… That’s not very important thing.
Guru-gaurāṅga:
[translates and then asks man to please pose questions about the philosophy]
Bhagavān:
Anyone can answer those questions.
Frenchman:
[French]
Guru-gaurāṅga:
[translating] What do you think of the future?
Prabhupāda:
Huh?
Guru-gaurāṅga:
Of the future, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda:
Future you can guess… Because I am seventy-seven. I may die. But these young men, they are taking. They will live, and they will spread all over the world.
Frenchman:
[French]
Guru-gaurāṅga:
He’s asking about your childhood, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda:
Hmm?
Guru-gaurāṅga:
He’d like to know something about your childhood, would be my guess.
Prabhupāda:
So?
Guru-gaurāṅga:
Childhood.
Prabhupāda:
My childhood? I was all along a devotee, from my childhood. Yes. My father was a devotee, and he trained me a devotee.
Guru-gaurāṅga:
[again asks man to ask about the philosophy] Frenchman: [French]
Guru-gaurāṅga:
[translating] Are you happy? [devotees laugh]
Prabhupāda:
What do you think? What do you think? I’m happy or unhappy? [end]