Obtaining Visas for the United States

Śrīla Gurudeva was a very humble Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava, whole-heartedly dedicated to serving his Guru Mahārāja and his mission his entire life. He was very simple, easy to please and unpretentious. He had no desire to travel outside the holy dhāmā, yet he was preaching actively wherever he went. He had no desire to take disciples, yet he was willing to train and take under his care, anyone who came to him. Due to so many requests from devotees and also because of Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Mahārāja’s request for him to preach to his disciples, Śrīla Gurudeva decided to travel to the West. At that time Śrīla Gurudeva had no māṭha in Delhi. Whenever we used to go preaching in Delhi, we used to stay in different places, at the homes of various devotees there; sometimes we would stay in Rajashri Garden and sometimes in Shalimar Bagh.

We came to Delhi to get our papers ready for travelling. We were staying in Shalimar Bagh. It was time to get our visas for America. Our host was concerned and commented that it would be easier for Śrīla Gurudeva to get the visa as he was a senior citizen, but for us brahmacārīs, my god-brother Puṇḍarīka Prabhu and I (Navīna Kṛṣṇa Brahmacārī at that time), it would be very difficult to get the visas. In fact he seriously doubted that we, “the bachelor boys” as he called us would get accepted at all. Of this, he was certain and said our attempt would be futile.

I replied, “You don’t know the glories of a saintly person, and especially that of Śrīla Gurudeva. I have full faith that if this is the desire of Śrīla Gurudeva that we accompany him to the West for preaching, then we will get our visas without any difficulty. Of this I am fully certain.”

Our host had his reservations. He said, “I have seen so many saintly persons, I have worked very hard from my childhood to prosper as I am today, and I have travelled many times throughout the world for my business. I run an international business, Navīna Prabhu and I must say, you have no experience of this world.”

“True,” I said, “you know much more about this material world than I. There is no doubt that you are more experienced than me in this matter. You may have seen many saintly persons but you don’t know the glory and very strong will of our Gurudeva. In the future, after you see his preaching, you will learn the glory of our Śrīla Gurudeva.”

The host said, “I’ve also seen so many gurus. You don’t need to advise me about any guru.”

I answered, “Yes Prabhujī, you may possibly know so many so called Gurus, but I am sure you do not know anything about Śrīla Gurudeva. Today you will know something by his causeless mercy.”

The host then said, “I have no objection if you want to go to the West, but the both of you won’t be able to obtain a visa,” Our host was quite convinced of that and laboured this point. He suggested, “If Śrīla Gurudeva wants, I can send you and Puṇḍarīka Prabhu both through my office, putting you in pants and shirt and tie. Because I pay so much income tax to the government, with my office letterhead, you will be able to get a visa very easily.”

I politely rejected the offer. “I will never wear anything but my saffron cloth. I certainly would never put on pants and shirt and tie. Thank you for offering though. Gurudeva desires that we should go to the West, so it must happen. Please wait and see what will happen. The visa application process has begun; we simply have to complete the formality. You will see yourself, and then you will understand the glories of our Śrīla Gurudeva.”

Our host was a dedicated devotee of Śrīla Gurudeva, but he was unyeilding on this point. “Don’t argue with me,” he insisted. “You will see.”

He was doubtful but still he drove Śrīla Gurudeva, Puṇḍarīka and I to the American Embassy. My intention in narrating this is to show the glories of our Śrīla Gurudeva. If a mahā-bhāgavata desires something, it is bound to happen. I beg that our host, after reading this, will not take any offence.

In applying for an American visa at that time in India, one was first required to give a bank draft. If the visa was approved, one had to make a further deposit and submit one’s passport, which was then to be collected the next working day.

The passport personnel intervewed us and took our passports and requested us to pay the fee and our passports were to be ready the next day. We deposited more money, and they asked us to return the following day to pick up our passports.

Rāmacandra Prabhu was waiting for Śrīla Gurudeva outside the American embassy. He drove us to his residence. I then phoned our host to tell him the good news. He was still doubtful and said, “How do you know you’ve obtained your visas?”

I told him that people are saying we would get our visas. Our host replied that we shouldn’t trust the common people. Common people may say so many things. I have no trust on them. What is the evidence that you have obtained the visa? Then I explained how the process was advancing through the normal procedure, that there were no problems, and that they said we could collect our passports tomorrow: an indication, according to the people at the embassy, the visas had been approved.

Hearing our story our friend and host then relented, “Yes, I suppose then that they must have been approved.”

I said. “Oh! You had so much doubts earlier and and made so many negative comments. I hope now that you understand the glories of Śrīla Gurudeva?”

He replied in a low voice, his false ego washed away, “Yes, I have no more doubt in the power of Śrīla Gurudeva’s desire to preach everywhere.”