The Transcendental Character of Jayananda Thakura

Jayananda Thakura demonstrates the character of a devotee who is natural in his relationship with both siddhanta and other living beings. He was unusual at the time because he was in his 30s, whereas most of the new devotees were still in an adolescent phase of life.

Hari Vallabha: We came to the temple, and the car pulled up right in front of the carts. They had three carts up the hill in a little alley by Frederick Street near Kezar Stadium. We were getting out of the car when, all of a sudden, this person comes walking down like King Kong with all this power and force. Jayänanda walked right up to us. “Who’s this devotee?” I was buff. I was a surfer.

They said, “That’s Bhakta Harry.”

He says, “I want him.”

I said, “Hey, I thought I was going to work in the kitchen?”

“Well, Jayananda needs men, you know. He needs strong guys. He’s building the carts.”

So I started working with Jayananda. As soon as he saw me, he wanted me. It was very active service, and I really felt someone was engaging me. We were buddies right from the beginning, building the carts. From the first time you met him, he made you feel like a friend. He was so interested in you. Jayananda would quote Prabhupada, but he was always really interested to hear what you had to say.

“Oh, you surf? Wow! What’s it like to ride those big waves?” He’d get right into it with you. He didn’t say that surfing is maya. He was never like that. “Yeah, I’d like to do that—ride those big waves.” He would just be your friend. He wasn’t a fanatic obsessed to only preach. He hardly ever preached in the formal sense. He’d always give me a hug and talk to me and make me feel wanted.

-- Radha-Damodara Vilasa, Vaiyasaki das