October 28, 1932 : Vrindavana

Satsvarupa: The parikrama party, led by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, continued in good spirits, and on October 28 the party arrived at Kosi, the site of the treasury of Krishna’s father, King Nanda. Prabhupada arrived in Mathura by train from Allahabad and approached Kosi by ricksha.

Then there was a gathering – a sannyasi was making an announcement. This evening, he said, there would be a scheduled visit to a nearby temple to see the Deity of Seshasayi Vishnu. The sannyasi also announced that His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would speak that evening for the last time and would be leaving the parikrama party the next day. So there was a choice of going on the parikrama or staying for the lecture.

Srila Prabhupada: And I thought it wise, “What can I see at this Seshasayi? Let me hear what Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati will speak. Let me hear.“

When Prabhupada arrived, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was already speaking. Prabhupada marveled to see and hear him. Prabhupada sat and heard with rapt attention.

In Allahabad, the following month, Prabhupada asked if he could be initiated. With folded palms, Prabhupada looked up humbly at his spiritual master. He and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta were now face to face, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta recognized him and was visibly pleased to see him. He already knew him. “Yes,” he said, exchanging looks with Prabhupada, “he likes to hear. He does not go away. I have marked him. I will accept him as my disciple.”

Some of rhe other disciples wondered when or where Srila Bhaktisiddhanta had arrived at such an estimation of the young pharmacist.