Prabhupāda: ...with Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That was my great fortune. My father, mother, my relatives, my neighborhood... I had the opportunity mixing with... [break] Everywhere there was Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And they were all well-to-do, rich. This was the opportunity. Then gradually it developed. My father was a great Vaiṣṇava. He was worshiping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. Our family Deity was Dāmodara. So hereditary we are Vaiṣṇavas, followers of Nitāi-Gaura.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I think it will be very nice if he does this book. And I'll find the right time sometimes... There will be opportunities when we can sit, and I can ask these questions and you can speak about them.
Prabhupāda: And I had the opportunity of associating with Rādhā-Govinda of the Mulliks from childhood. We were playing there. I was seeing the Deity... [break] ....and I questioned, "Here is God," like that. Atmosphere was all Kṛṣṇa conscious. [break] He was a retired pleader. He was our neighbor, so nice Vaiṣṇava.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Was he that elderly man who would sleep sometimes when he was offering obeisances?
Prabhupāda: Yes. Everywhere... My maternal uncle. They were very... They were not rich. Formerly they were rich, then reduced, but so much devotee. My aunt's house, mother's elder sister, mean this was the society. So all Vaiṣṇavas. Not strictly following the Vaiṣṇava regulation, but still, they were Kṛṣṇa conscious. Even our maidservants, they were Kṛṣṇa conscious. They were inviting their guru. They were trying to satisfy them. Used to keep the guru for learning Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Such was the atmosphere, even maidservant.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The whole society sounds Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Prabhupāda: That was the atmosphere I had the opportunity to get.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That gentleman who brought you the oils yesterday? He brought another type. I wanted to bring it to you. He said especially during the wintertime it would be good for you. I'll just bring it. [break]
Prabhupāda: Very pet child.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Pet child.
Prabhupāda: Whatever I shall want, they will supply. I was not a unwanted child for killing.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: You told the story that one time, because you were accustomed to liking purīs more than capātīs and your mother didn't supply you, you ran upstairs and refused to eat. Then your father came home and became very sorry. And he made your mother cook immediately purīs for you. Was that one of the sto...?
Prabhupāda: Hm. The name was kept Abhaya. Abhaya means "There is no fear of death of this child." In my maternal uncle's house, because I was born on the Nandotsava, they kept my name Nandadulal.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Nandadulal? Why were you called like that?
Prabhupāda: Because I was born in Nandotsava day.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Did they used to call you Nandadulal?
Prabhupāda: Hm. In my maternal uncle's house I was called Nandadulal. Nandu.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Nandadulal. It's always very nice for the devotees that we celebrate your appearance day just following Janmāṣṭamī. Guru and Kṛṣṇa, both together. Actually, when this book is written properly, I know for a fact that it will actually attract people to join this movement, because I read once a biography of a very bogus person, but I was so much... People become so much impelled or attracted when they hear of a great personality and his activities. It makes them want to link up with such a person. So this book will have preaching effect, no doubt, and it will be filled with philosophy also.
Prabhupāda: How people were happy in those days. A small income, they were satisfied. Nowadays they simply want money. Nobody was unhappy even if he had very small income. He would adjust, and develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness. These things we have seen. I have seen that even the maidservant, what to speak of gentlemen. Where those days gone? And nobody was hungry. What is this nonsense civilization? Simply want of money and unsatisfied in every step. Especially in the Western countries they're becoming hippie. Why? The training is different.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Now we are being given a new training by you, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We've become happy. Actually, apart from the devotees, there are no happy people in the whole world.