Jenifer and the head cook are inspired
ISKCON BRISBANE, 32 JENNIFER ST.
The Returned Service League Club was created to honor all those men and women who fought for Australia in her many past wars, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is" Srila Prabhupada explains that sacrificing one's life for one's country is an acceptable form of sacrifice and may lead to a higher position of renunciation.
"Of course, Krishna consciousness is not dependent on any other experience, because Krishna consciousness itself can purify one's mind, but if there are impediments to accepting Krishna consciousness, one may try to give up the results of his actions. In that respect, social service, community service, national service, sacrifice for one's country, etc., may be accepted so that some day one may come to the stage of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord." (/Bhagavad-g´t2/ 12.11 purport)
As I approached the receptionist and explained the purpose of my visit, she invited me to go upstairs to the kitchen. There I found Jennifer, who agreed to make a donation after I showed her "The Higher Taste." But instead of just handing over "The Higher Taste" to her and walking away, I was inspired to offer her a choice instead. People just love choices. Life is just more exciting when we are given multiple choices. I said to her, "You can have either a 'Higher Taste' or a 'Renunciation Through Wisdom,' whichever you like." At this point the customer generally enthusiastically accepts the "Higher Taste" and the transaction ends. But I sensed that Jennifer was a thoughtful and serious young lady. Instead of making a rushed decision, she carefully examined both titles, and after some time she decided to make another donation and take both volumes. At that point I decided to increase the transcendental stakes even more and offered her a "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is." She declined, but I felt ok, since I had fulfilled the duty of the Krishna conscious preacher to always give people as much Krishna consciousness as they can possibly handle at the time.
When I handed her the colorful and extremely well-designed invitation for Janmastami, she noticed that ISKCON Brisbane is now situated at 32 Jennifer St., near her home. That the temple was on the street that bore her name was the highlight of the whole transaction, since she took it that there was some special meaning to the coincidence. Devotionally speaking, let us see how Jennifer develops. The head chef himself was also very friendly and welcoming and not only knew Kurma Prabhu's books but already owned a copy of "Cooking with Kurma." He spontaneously went around the kitchen looking for new buyers, but unfortunately without any success.
Your servant, Yadavendra das
All glories to Kurma Prabhu! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to the sankirthana-yajna!
