Anuttama: This is 439 Henry St. in Brooklyn, New York. The temple was here from 1970 to 1975. I first saw Srila Prabhupada here in 1971. I was staying here and serving here from 1972 to 1975. This is exactly how I saw Prabhupada in 1971 for the first time sitting in the temple on Henry Street.
The devotee that Srila Prabhupada is talking to is Kusakrata Prabhu. Srila Prabhupada had asked the then Bhakta Peter, “What are the four regulative principles?” as he asked every new initiate. After giving his answer to Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada then asked him, “Which one do you like best?” The temple room full of devotees laughed loudly and this picture was taken at that moment. The look on Srila Prabhupada’s face is just priceless!
Reference: Facebook post of Anuttama Dasa
I think we need more “teachable moments” from devotees like Anuttama Prabhu or Malati Devi, who otherwise are often dehumanized in anti-FDG discussions. I’m afraid we are forgetting that they are great devotees first and foremost, who happen to have different views on some matters of this temporary world. What would be the value of our temporary victory if we lose our eternal respect for their service?