Prabhupāda: You have all got this experience. This is the only way. I started this movement on this determination that, "They have nothing to give. Simply by propaganda they are exacting so many people and befooling them. And I'll give them prasādam, nice chanting, and they will not come? They must come." This was my determination. And I began with this.
Kīrtanānanda: I remember.
Prabhupāda: So this is the only way. Give them chance, "No talk, please come. Chant and dance with us and take kṛṣṇa-prasāda and go home."
Kīrtanānanda: I think it was just ten years ago when I first met you.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Kīrtanānanda: This month.
Prabhupāda: I never said that "You have to give up this, you have to do this, you have to . . ." Never said it. Then gradually, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12). When the heart becomes cleansed, then little . . . (indistinct) . . . there is no hopelessness. Because so many people have come, and they are coming. Both black, white, everyone is coming. There is no question of . . . (indistinct) . . . but you cannot expect that cent percent people will come. That is not possible. But even, even one-fourth percent people will come to this, then it will be successful. Compared to the American population, what percentage we have got? Still we have made some impression, the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. Literatures are selling, they are appreciating, learned circle. Takes some time, but if we stick to our principles and do not make any compromise and push on—in this way, as I have given you instruction—it will never stop; it will go on. It will never stop. At least for ten thousand years it will go on. That is in your . . . (indistinct) . . . and this movement is meant for these fourth-class, fifth-class, tenth-class men. Not this movement is fourth class, fifth class. They are so fallen that they cannot be counted even third class, fourth class—tenth class of men. Deliver them. Patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra. Caitanya Mahāprabhu's incarnation is for delivering these classes of men. Caitanya Mahāprabhu never meant to start this movement for high-class brāhmaṇas, sages, saintly persons—no. This class of men. For the all fallen. Kali-yuga, all fallen. Don't be disappointed. Go on, go on. Stick to the principles. When there was no response, I did not know where to live, where to eat. Sometimes with Dr. Mishra, sometimes with some friend somewhere. Where to live? And I was going to inquire the shipping company when the next ship returning to India. Still I was renewing my visa, "Let us hope. Let us hope." In this way, we started Second Avenue in month of July, I think?
Kīrtanānanda: June or July. June or July, I think.
Prabhupāda: Yes, June or July. Yes, June.
Kīrtanānanda: I think it was June.
Prabhupāda: Then Hayagrīva and Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja, they came first. Before that, Mukunda came.
Hari-śauri: He's the oldest devotee? Mukunda? He's the oldest devotee?
Prabhupāda: Yes. There were others; they have left. That Mr. Green.
Kīrtanānanda: Jagannātha dāsa. I think you named him Jagannātha.
Prabhupāda: And Ravīndra-svarūpa.