The heroic, high-risk journey of pioneer Kshudhi Prabhu and Rishi Kumar Swami establishing the Hare Krishna movement in South Africa during the height of apartheid.
Armed Robbery and Preaching on the Edge
"Shoot him," said the man with the crowbar. Kshudhi felt the cold metal against his skull and chanted Hare Krishna like never before, tucked under the bed. The four men with guns hesitated and eventually fled.
Kshudhi, only 19, and Rishi Kumar Swami (20) had set out for South Africa to share Srila Prabhupada's message. Preaching in the heart of the Indian community at the peak of apartheid, they lived life on the edge, never returning to the same place twice for fear of being caught by the authorities. They ordered four thousand books, propagating a message of spiritual unity that directly contradicted the ruling thoughts of the time.
Kshudhi, only 19, and Rishi Kumar Swami (20) had set out for South Africa to share Srila Prabhupada's message. Preaching in the heart of the Indian community at the peak of apartheid, they lived life on the edge, never returning to the same place twice for fear of being caught by the authorities. They ordered four thousand books, propagating a message of spiritual unity that directly contradicted the ruling thoughts of the time.
John Vorster Square and Secret Police Detainment
Kshudhi was unexpectedly detained and taken in for questioning by the secret police on the notorious eleventh floor of the John Vorster Square, where many activists had met their deaths. Kshudhi stood close to the window.
"So you think you can fly?" asked one of the officers. Kshudhi waved out the window: "My mother is an attorney from Los Angeles and she is down below. It may be a bad political move to throw me out while she is watching." It was a narrow escape. The police refused to renew his visa, forcing him to exit to Mozambique and re-enter.
"So you think you can fly?" asked one of the officers. Kshudhi waved out the window: "My mother is an attorney from Los Angeles and she is down below. It may be a bad political move to throw me out while she is watching." It was a narrow escape. The police refused to renew his visa, forcing him to exit to Mozambique and re-enter.
Desolation, Encouragement, and Success
Rishi Kumar Swami decided to leave the country due to the pressure, leaving Kshudhi alone. In desperation, Kshudhi wrote to Srila Prabhupada, who immediately replied in January 1973:
Spurred by these blessings, Kshudhi cleared the book debts, introduced successors Pusta Krishna Swami and Janakaraja Das, and laid the foundations of the beautiful Durban temple.
By Rukmini Devi Dasi
"I am very much pleased by the responsibility that you have taken... Just like our Narada Muni who was left alone, somehow or another you were also left alone by Krishna's arrangement. I am praying to Krishna that you will have the strength and enthusiasm to carry out His mission."
Spurred by these blessings, Kshudhi cleared the book debts, introduced successors Pusta Krishna Swami and Janakaraja Das, and laid the foundations of the beautiful Durban temple.
By Rukmini Devi Dasi