Madhavananda:Last night I told Srutakirti that story, and he brought my attention to page 250 in My Glorious Master by Bhurijan prabhu called, “Women, Widows and Success.” It reads: “Srutakirti then rubbed mustard oil onto Prabhupada’s back. I moved to face Prabhupada’s front and was enjoying the sweet atmosphere that surrounded him. With his eyes closed, Prabhupada spoke. ‘My God-brothers criticize me that I have allowed women to live in our temples. This is not done in India. Only brahmacharis can live. But I have become successful because I have made this adjustment.’ Prabhupada opened his eyes and continued, ‘Although they criticize me, their Gaudiya Maths are empty. The only time they have people coming is during parikram in Mayapur for Gaur-purnima. And who is coming to parikram? Widows—women in white. But because I have made this adjustment, I was successful.’ Srutakirti then moved to massage Srila Prabhupada’s side and asked, ‘Prabhupada, how can we tell the difference between making an adjustment and changing a principle?’ Prabhupada’s eyes closed and Srutakirti continued to massage. After a few moments, Srila Prabhupada opened his eyes and said, ‘That takes a little intelligence.'”
Source: Remembrances by Sidhanta Das – Folio Vedabase
