The Meeting with Dr. Kapoor Once, Srila Prabhupada’s godbrother, Dr. Kapoor, met with Srila Prabhupada. Dr. Kapoor was aware that in his earlier grihastha ashrama (householder life), Srila Prabhupada had been a successful chemist and pharmacist. He owned a shop where he sold medicines and even manufactured his own drugs. On one occasion, Srila Prabhupada gifted Dr. Kapoor a tonic that he had created. Dr. Kapoor, appreciative of the gift, asked Srila Prabhupada a deeper question.
Dr. Kapoor’s Request Dr. Kapoor said, “This gift of yours is nice, and I must accept it. But what I really wish is that you would give me the formula for the tonic you take—the tonic of Krishna-prema (love of Krishna). Would you be willing to share the formula for developing a love of God?”
Srila Prabhupada’s Response Srila Prabhupada humbly replied, “I don’t have that tonic, but I do have the formula.” Intrigued, Dr. Kapoor asked, “Oh, excellent! If it is not a secret, please tell me what the formula is.” Srila Prabhupada then shared a profound truth that is at the heart of devotional practice:
The Formula for Krishna-Prema Srila Prabhupada recited the third verse of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Śikṣāṣṭaka:
“tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ”
Translation:
“One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind, one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.”
Reflection on the Story This simple yet profound formula shared by Srila Prabhupada encapsulates the essence of the path to Krishna-prema. The secret to all spiritual success lies in chanting the holy names of Krishna with humility, tolerance, and respect for others. Srila Prabhupada’s unwavering faith in the holy name was evident long before he embarked on his preaching mission to the West. This faith was the foundation of his strength, enabling him to serve his spiritual master and ultimately to spread Krishna consciousness around the world.
Srila Prabhupada’s Faith in the Holy Name Srila Prabhupada’s deep faith in the power of the holy name is further expressed in a poem he wrote upon arriving at Boston Harbor, known as “Markine Bhagavata Dharma.” In one of the verses, he humbly prays:
“O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance, O Lord, make me dance as You like. I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the holy name of Krishna. I have been designated as Bhaktivedanta, and now, if You like, You can fulfill the real purport of Bhaktivedanta.”
Conclusion Srila Prabhupada’s life and teachings remind us that the holy name is the most potent and accessible means to develop love for God. By chanting with humility and sincerity, we can unlock the treasure of Krishna-prema, just as Srila Prabhupada did and taught others to do.
Moral of the Story:
The key to developing love for God lies in the humility and sincerity with which we chant the holy names of Krishna. Srila Prabhupada’s formula for Krishna-prema, drawn from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s teachings, is a reminder that true spiritual progress comes from chanting with a heart free of pride, full of tolerance, and brimming with respect for others. This simple yet profound practice can transform our lives and connect us deeply with the divine.
Prayer:
“O Lord Krishna, please grant us the humility and sincerity to chant Your holy names as Srila Prabhupada has taught us. Help us to cultivate the qualities of tolerance, humility, and respect for all, so that we may develop pure love for You. May we always remember that the power of Your holy name can transform our hearts and bring us closer to You.”
Quote from Shastra:
“tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ”
(Śikṣāṣṭaka 3)
“One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind, one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.”
This verse encapsulates the essence of Srila Prabhupada’s formula for Krishna-prema, highlighting the attitude needed to truly benefit from the practice of chanting the holy names.
