The “sweet” story behind this photo

Balabhadra Das: The photo of Srila Prabhupada eating Sugar cane was taken in the first preaching center in Hawaii in an area named Kaaawa in March of 1969. It was Srila Prabhupada’s first visit to Hawaii and Govinda Dasi had arranged many preaching programs. We had borrowed Vamanadadev’s car and driven Srila Prabhupada into town(Honolulu) to KPOI radio station where Srila Prabhupada was going to be interviewed and talk about the chanting of Hare Krsna. Goursundar drove and Govinda dasi sat in the back seat behind Srila Prabhupada. Mahaparush and I also sat in the back seat. When we reached the radio station Goursundar took Mahaparush to do some Bhoga shopping. Govinda dasi and I went into the radio station with Srila Prabhupada to do the interview.

The radio personality was very kind and respectful of Srila Prabhupada and after about 45 minutes of questions and answers, Srila Prabhupada was asked to chant which he did. Srila Prabhupada started to chant. Govinda dasi and I were sitting at His Lotus Feet. We thought that He was just going to chant and we would listen. Much to our surprise, after Srila Prabhupada, finished the first mantra we did not chant and He looked down on us and said, Chant which we did. Very sweet to say the least