Srila Prabhupada bids farewell to the devotees with Hansadutta das at the Frankfurt airport before departure, 1974
That picture currently on your front page is one of the best pictures ever, do you know if it is within the vedabase? I would really like to get a copy, many years ago it was framed nicely (big) in Prabhupada’s house at the Melbourne Temple Australia, and Aniruddha who is now the current TP said he would sell it to me. When I came back with the money he told me he had destroyed it, and wouldn’t go in to detail. Seeing it on your website today, gave me ecstatic feelings.
Thanks and sorry to trouble you
your servant
Kurma dasa
Dear Kurma Prabhu, Please accept my most humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thanks for your email, it seems you wrote once before, and I failed or forgot to answer. At any rate please forgive me if I did not reply. The picture in question is probably in the BBT Archive, but it may not be in the Veda Base, because they have culled out those pictures which they feel are suitable and left the rest dormant in the Archive.
I happen to like this picture (Probably because I am in it) and I also have a copy which is mounted on masonite board. I think the picture is with one of my children on the wall. This picture along with a few others in quick succession was taken in Germany, at the airport as Srila Prabhupada was leaving to board the plane. The devotees were restricted from following Srila Prabhupada, so I turned to him and demonstrating my raised arms, and said, “Srila Prabhupada, if you raise your arms like this the devotees will be in ecstasy,” so Srila Prabhupada immediately raised his arms like Lord Chaitanya, and of course the whole body (about 100 devotees) of devotees reciprocated with a great roar of Hare Krishna, Haribol and Jai Prabhupada. It was a very happy moment, within a few minutes Srila Prabhupada was gone from our sight. I think I was his secretary at the time and went off to Paris with him. I think the year was 1973.
What else can I say, I hope this letter finds you well. One question, are you the same Kurma famous for his cooking, cooking demonstrations and cooking books ?
Your humble servant,
Hansadutta das
