April 17, 1973 : Los Angeles
Srutakirti: I made a few devotee friends while staying with Srila Prabhupada in New Dwaraka. One morning I decided to go to mangala arotika to see them. While I was there Pradyumna came into the temple room and said, "Srila Prabhupada has been ringing his bell. He wants to see you now."
I immediately left the temple room and raced into his room. I offered my obeisances and while lifting my head I said, "Did you want me, Srila Prabhupada?"
"You have no business going to mangala arotika," he said in an angry mood. "Your service is to be with me 24 hours a day. If I need you, you should be available."
I apologized and said I would never do it again.
Even before going to arotika I knew it wasn't the right thing to do. I had been restless and thought that no one could fault me for attending mangala arotika. I figured that Srila Prabhupada usually didn't call me so early in the morning. Of course, I should have remembered that he always knew what I was doing, so if I did go to arotika he would certainly call me. I was the only person in ISKCON who had a reason not to go to mangala arotika. For me, attending arotika was a sign I was in maya.
"You have no business going to mangala arotika," he said in an angry mood. "Your service is to be with me 24 hours a day. If I need you, you should be available."
I apologized and said I would never do it again.
Even before going to arotika I knew it wasn't the right thing to do. I had been restless and thought that no one could fault me for attending mangala arotika. I figured that Srila Prabhupada usually didn't call me so early in the morning. Of course, I should have remembered that he always knew what I was doing, so if I did go to arotika he would certainly call me. I was the only person in ISKCON who had a reason not to go to mangala arotika. For me, attending arotika was a sign I was in maya.
Reference: What is the Difficulty? - Srutakirti Dasa
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