November 8, 1977
Room Conversation

Bhakti caru: He [the doctor] says that from the pathological point of view, there is nothing wrong [with Srila Prabhupada].

Doctor: General condition is good.

Bhakti caru: His conditon of hearbeat is perfect.

Tamala Krishna: So what is wrong?

Bhakti caru: Blood pressure is perfect.

Tamala Krishna: That means a spiritual...

Doctor: (Hindi with Prabhupada). ...

Bhavananda: Prabhupada was complaining of mental distress this morning also.

Bhakti Caru: Srila Prabhupada. ...mental distress?

Prabhupada. Hm, hm. ...

Prabhupada: (Hindi--mentions word "poison") ...

Devotee: Someone gave him [Prabhupada] poison here.

Doctor: (Hindi)

Tamala Krishna: Prabhupada was thinking that someone had poisoned him.

Adri-dharana: YES.

Tamala Krishna: That was the mental distress?

Adhri-dharana: Yes.

Tamala Krishna: What did the doctor just say?

Bhakti caru: He was saying that when Srila Prabhupada was saying that, [he was being poisoned] there must be some truth behind it.

Tamala Krishna: Srila Prabhupada, [the doctor] says that there must be some truth to it [that you are being poisoned] if you say that. So who is it that has poisoned?

Doctor: (Hindi with Bhakti-caru and Prabhupada)

Woman: What did he say?

Bhakti-caru: He said that its quite possible that mercury, it is a kind of poison...

Bhagatji: That makaradhvaja.

Bhakti-caru: He [Prabhupada] was referring to a big murder case in Calcutta, the husband poisoned the wife.

Bhavananda: Oh yes. Our lawyer is the...

Tamala Krishna: Bhagatji does not think the...

Doctor: (Hindi)

Tamala Krishna: No poison is strong enough to stop the harinam, Srila Prabhupada.

Tamala Krishna: This seems like suicide Srila Prabhupada, this ...[pilgrimage on a bullock cart].

Prabhupada: And this [staying here?] is also suicidal.

Tamala Krishna: Hm. Prabhupada said, "And this is also suicide." Now you have to choose which suicide.

Prabhupada: The Ravana will kill and Rama will kill. Better to be killed by Rama. Eh? That Marici--if he does not go to mislead Sita, he'll be killed by Ravana; and if he goes to be killed by Rama, then it is better.

Tamala Krishna: Who is this Srila Prabhupada is talking about?

Devotees: Marici.

Tamala Krishna: Srila Prabhupada? I mean judging by the symptoms, which is all we can do, certain sympotoms have picked up. For instance, you are passing more urine...

Prabhupada: But I think I will be cured.

Tamala Krishna: Prabhupada says he thinks he will be cured by the parikrama.

Hamsadutta: Under the circumstances we have to consider whether Prabhupada's opinion is more or less than the [doctors], is what it comes down to.

Tamala Krishna: We can't continue..., consider. Srila Prabhupada has to.

Hamsadutta: If Prabhupada says that by going on parikrama he feels he'll be cured, then how can we contionue to place arguments against him? [discussion ensues]

Prabhupada: Rest asssured. I will not die in one day.