I'll Build You A Temple (The Juhu Story)

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Srila Prabhupada's struggle to build a temple and establish Hare Krishna Land in Juhu, on the outskirts of Bombay, was perhaps the greatest effort of his preaching movement. In fact, from the time he returned to India in August 1970, he spent 554 days in Bombay, more than any other place in the world. It took six years-from 1972, when he took possession of the land, to 1978, when the temple opened-and after the conveyance was signed, he declared, "It was a good fight. Someone should write a book about it."

I served in Juhu as temple president and later as Governing Body Commissioner between 1972 and 1999, raising funds and overseeing every aspect of the project-the only devotee to be closely involved throughout that period-and Srila Prabhupada had already told me, in 1971, "You should write. This is your first business," and repeated this instruction over the years. So despite my limitations and disqualifications but with the encouragement and assistance of many well-wishers, I took up writing about him and Juhu.

It was an illuminating experience. I became absorbed in Prabhupada's divine qualities, activities, and words, and I came to understand him and the history of the project-even events to which I had been party-in new, deeper ways. I felt like I was mining a limitless reservoir of precious gems. And I came to appreciate him-and his servants-and those who have supported me in my efforts to write-even more than I had before.

In his purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.13.50, Prabhupada explains, "The word svakarthanam refers to great desires. As mentioned in this verse, the glance of Lord Visnu creates the desires of the devotees. A pure devotee, however, has no desires. Therefore Sanatana Gosvami comments that because the desires of devotees whose attention is fixed on Krsna have already been fulfilled, the Lord's sidelong glances create variegated desires in relation to Krsna and devotional service." Thus, in "a place where there was no temple . . . a devotee desired, 'Let there be a temple and seed, devotional service.' Therefore, what was once an empty corner has now become a place of pilgrimage. Such are the desires of a devotee."

By the strength of Prabhupada's desire, an overgrown plot of land in what had been a remote fishing village became a place of pilgrimage and devotional service. And in the process-a long one-he engaged so many of us-his disciples and so many others-in devotional service.

Throughout, in spite of so much opposition and so many obstacles, Prabhupada remained perfect in Krishna consciousness-an ideal sadhu: "tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime." (SB 3.25.21) And after his departure, by his mercy, we were left with great challenges of work and responsibility, both for our own spiritual benefit and for the benefit of all those who would associate with the temple.

It was our greatest good fortune to be able to associate with Srila Prabhupada, and through this book, I want to share with you that good fortune and give you his association.

`sadhu-sanga', `sadhu-sanga'-sarva-§astre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-range sarva-siddhi haya

"The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association with a pure devotee [sadhu], one can attain all success." (Cc Madhya 22.54)

Writing this book describing Prabhupada's monumental efforts has been a humbling endeavour but one with great rewards. In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, after enumerating some of his superiors, writes, "It is by the mercy of all these Vaishnava and gurus that I attempt to write about the pastimes and qualities of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Whether I know it or know not, it is for self-purification that I write this book." (Cc Adi 9.5)

Prabhupada explains, "This is the sum and substance of transcendental writing" and directs that "[o]ne should write transcendental literature to purify oneself," since "[by writing about the pastimes of the Lord, one associates with the Lord directly." I have tried to follow Srila Prabhupada's and his-our-predecessor acharyas' instructions and examples.

I'll Build You a Temple transports us into one of the great events of our time. It is a story of surrender on the path of pure love-an incomparable story that many have tried to relate but which no one will ever be able to tell like His Holiness Giriraj Swami. He was there, intimately involved, from the beginning to the end.

Giriraj Swami gives us personal witness into the life of Srila Prabhupada at a time when Prabhupada faced insurmountable odds against him at every step. The story reveals Prabhupada's unwavering faith, indomitable courage, and profound humility. As we turn the pages, absorbed, we find that these virtues expand from Prabhupada's unconditional love and all-encompassing compassion.

In Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Srila Prabhupada writes, "One's greatness has to be estimated by one's ability to tolerate provoking situations." In this extraordinary book we discover how Prabhupada personified this quality.

In 1971 devotees were eager to build a temple in prosperous down-town Bombay. Instead, Srila Prabhupada chose a site on an undeveloped property infested with rats, infectious mosquitoes, and hostile opponents in a swampy fishing village miles away from the city and foresaw that it would soon be a place of pilgrimage. He welcomed the Deities of Radha-Rasabihari into a small shack and promised to build Them a wonderful home.

As the story unfolds, powerful, corrupt politicians conspired with the local mafia to cheat, exploit, and evict Prabhupada and the devotees. Intimidated by threats, violence, and disease, almost everyone lost hope and was ready to give up-except Srila Prabhupada. He inspired the handful of inexperienced young Western devotees to follow him as he personally led the charge.

There are two types of Bhagavatas: the book Bhagavata (sacred scripture) and the person Bhagavata (one who embodies the scripture). This book opens a door to understanding the goal of life and how to achieve it. It shows us how a great soul interacts with the world of dualities, with all of its struggles, while remaining fixed in remembering Krishna (God). Herein, Prabhupada teaches us how to see every situation as a blessed opportunity to serve with compassion and devotion.

I'll Build You a Temple is a contemporary narration that shares the emotions, excitement, and message of sacred texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Bhagavad-Gita, whose conclusive teachings are revealed through the lives of great souls, such as Srila Prabhupada, who battle and ultimately vanquish powerful enemies against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Appreciating the sincere dedication of young Giriraj dasa, Srila Prabhupada entrusted him with the leadership of this most complex and difficult project, and to carry things on whenever Prabhupada was away from Bombay. Giriraj-and all the devotees who sacrificed so much in the course of their service-deserves to be honoured with gratitude and affection.

Srila Prabhupada said that his project in Bombay was his heart. We are sincerely grateful to His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja for dedicating years of research, writing, and praying to authentically reveal Srila Prabhupada's heart to the world, as only he can do.

**Contents and Sample Pages**