1966 - ISKCON - 1976

Hari Sauri: In Washington D.C., July of 1976, at seven o'clock in the night it was time for a special anniversary celebration of our own. It is ten years to the day since His Divine Grace drew up the aims of the Society and registered the name, International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Brishakapi, with several others, walked in carrying a huge circular cake, about three feet in diameter and eight inches thick. To the cheers and chanting of the assembly, they set it before Srila Prabhupada and presented him with a large silver knife with which to make the first cut. It was a beautiful product of devotion, colorfully decorated with icing to look like the face of a coin. In the center the design resembled a lotus flower, and around the outer edge it read "1966 ISKCON 1976."

Srila Prabhupada smiled and looked it over. He took the knife in his hand and hesitated a moment, apparently not quite sure what he was expected to do. He glanced at Rupanuga who indicated that he should cut the cake. With that, he deftly sliced into the mango and fruit-filled transcendental gateaux, carving out a square from the outer edge. He placed it on his silver thali and let it sit, untasted, by his side.