Curious came en masse

Visakha Devi Dasi: Every morning and evening the curious came en masse to Cross Maidan to drink in the music, dance, and ceremonies and listen closely to Prabhupada. At one point toward the end of the 11-day program, in his lecture, Prabhupada spoke disparagingly of nationalism. Nationalism, he explained, is based on the bodily concept of life and we are not these bodies but are the soul within the body. The soul does not belong to any particular nation. Then a bit later Prabhupada said,

Now people are hankering after this culture, Krishna culture. You should prepare yourself to present Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Then India will conquer all over the world. Rest assured. Our government men simply beg help from others: “Please give us wheat. Please give us money. Please give us soldiers.” Begging does not glorify your country. Try to give something to the others, to other countries. Here is a thing you can give them.

The audience responded with a cheering ovation. “Wait a minute,..." I thought, “...after condemning nationalistic pride, Prabhupada just aroused it. How odd!"