In 1985 ISKCON Bangalore acquired a beautiful bungalow on Bellary Road for rent. Gurumaharaj had come to inaugurate, as well as Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj and Bhanu Maharaj. My best friends Radha Prema devi dasi, Raseshwari devi dasi, Shyamavallabha devi dasi, their mother Tejarupa devi dasi and I were immersed in plenty of service. We were happy, excited, and busy the whole day. After Sandhya Arati Gurumaharaj was giving special darshan in his room upstairs and preaching to many first time visitors. We were anxious to get inside and listen. However, the temple president had given very strict instruction for all devotees to be preaching to the thousands of guests on the campus. Radhaprema and I managed to sneak into the darshan room and settled down to listen. Without even turning to glance at us, Gurumaharaj said "Go out and preach; I want you to go out and preach." Reluctantly we left the room.
Gurumaharaj continued to preach to several batches of guests and donors. By 9.30pm most visitors were leaving. So once again the four of us slipped away upstairs, managed to find a spot just outside Gurumaharaj's rooms so we could see a little and hear a little. As his preaching became more and more tasteful, we started to lean heavier on the door, one head above the other. After ten minutes, the pillar of four heads crashed open the door and four sheepish brahmacarinis tumbled into the midst of a hundred guests. Gurumaharaj did not even turn to look at our unceremonious entry, but simply said, "Go out and preach", and without batting an eyelid, continued his address. The lesson was well learned and I believe each of us try to 'go out and preach' even though we are all in different places. Gurumaharaj's instructions are timeless and unite all devotees around the world in service to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to his tireless preaching.
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