Interview in Paris

Introduction to the interview

0:03Devotee: Yes. I think this gentleman would like to have some interview with Śrīla Prabhupāda. [to other devotee:] You're going to translate, [indistinct]? [to guest:] And you can sit here? And you can sit here, please?

0:26Prabhupāda: Give him some...

0:26Devotee: Sit here.

0:26Bhūgarbha: We have a cushion. [break] ...speak any English. [break]

0:36Prabhupāda: Hmm?

0:37Bhūgarbha: The listeners probably only speak French. Guru-gaurāṅga: [French] [devotee translating questions and answers throughout]

0:50Frenchman: ...great spiritual master, you kindly present yourself to the listeners to [indistinct].

Overview of the Krishna consciousness mission

0:58Prabhupāda: I have already explained what is our mission, what is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Already I have explained to some extent, and if he wants some particular answer, he can ask me.

Personal background and age

1:36[French]

1:36Frenchman: Guru-gaurāṅga: He would like to know who you are, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and how old you are.

1:41Prabhupāda: I am now seventy-seven. [French]

Duration of leadership in the movement

1:50Frenchman: Guru-gaurāṅga: [translating] For how long are you at the head of this movement?

1:57Prabhupāda: Well, for the last five years. [French]

Significance of philosophical inquiry over dress

2:08Frenchman: Guru-gaurāṅga: [translating] Can you please describe the dress in which you are clothed?

2:19Prabhupāda: You can ask about some philosophy. Dress, what people will benefit knowing about my dress? Instead of wasting time in that way... I can ask you why you are in dressed in that way... That's not very important thing.

2:33Guru-gaurāṅga: [translates and then asks man to please pose questions about the philosophy]

3:07Bhagavān: Anyone can answer those questions. [French]

Future of the movement after death

3:36Frenchman: Guru-gaurāṅga: [translating] What do you think of the future?

3:36Prabhupāda: Huh? Guru-gaurāṅga: Of the future, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Future you can guess... Because I am seventy-seven. I may die. But these young men, they are taking. They will live, and they will spread all over the world. [French]

Childhood and early training as devotee

4:06Frenchman: Guru-gaurāṅga: He's asking about your childhood, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

4:09Prabhupāda: Hmm? Guru-gaurāṅga: He'd like to know something about your childhood, would be my guess. So? Guru-gaurāṅga: Childhood. My childhood? I was all along a devotee, from my childhood. Yes.

4:25My father was a devotee, and he trained me a devotee. Guru-gaurāṅga:

Personal happiness and spiritual state

4:41[again asks man to ask about the philosophy] [French]

4:41Frenchman: Guru-gaurāṅga: [translating] Are you happy? [devotees laugh]

4:44Prabhupāda: What do you think? What do you think? I'm happy or unhappy? [end]