Anatoly

Anatoly arrives at the hotel about noon, and his discussions with Srila Prabhupad intensify. We sit in the tiny room and eat sweet-rice, and Prabhupad explains to him the very basics of spiritual knowledge: God is a person, the Supreme Personality, His name is Krishna. All energy, spiritual and material, emanate from Him. Spirit is eternal, matter is temporary. You exist so Krishna can enjoy your association and service. You are a small spark of His spirit, with the same qualities as Krishna—eternal, full of bliss and knowledge–but because you wanted to enjoy separately, Krishna has given you this material body and playground. Your original position is with Krishna, use your life to go back home, back to Godhead. Here is how you do that.I could see the pieces clicking together in Anatoly’s mind; he was understanding all of this, accepting these truths by logical experience and training. It was becoming more and more obvious: Anatoly was Krishna’s man, the purpose for Prabhupad’s visit to the Soviet Union. Hours flew by as Prabhupad changed this boy’s heart, planting love for Krishna within it. This was the most powerful exhibition I have ever seen of Prabhupad’s mystic potency, before or since.