In this devotional talk, Prasad Raaval (Speaker A) challenges the Indian cultural belief that Krishna‑consciousness and serious devotional practice are reserved for the elderly. He recounts an incident where A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda gave sannyasa to a young American, prompting a journalist to question the age requirement. Prabhupāda responded by redefining “old” as anyone who is near death, thereby legitimizing youthful renunciation. Raaval then narrates the Govinda‑bhoga story—a miserly man who, when a gust blows his puff‑rice away, offers it to Govinda, illustrating how forced or reluctant actions can become sincere offerings. The talk concludes with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, reinforcing the message that devotion is accessible at any age.
Chapters
Prasad Raaval's Spiritual Life Experience Part 1. In India what we see is when young people want to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness their parents say you're so young this is not your age for devotional life. You should take spiritual life in old age! Now you're too young. The concept in India that you take to spiritual life when you're in your seventies and eighties few days before your death. Once Prabhupada in America was giving sannyasa to a young American. So there was one Indian journalist in the audience. So he went up to Prabhupada and said, Prabhupada, in our shastra it is said you should only give sannyasa to an old man. Why are you giving sannyasa to this young American? Prabhupada said, what is the definition of an old man? He said, one who is about to die. So Prabhupāda said, "Now I am 75 years old, you are 30 years old. Can you guarantee you will not die before me?" He said, "No, I can't guarantee I can die before you." Then Prabhupāda said, "Then you are also old." So we are all old, but just with a material angle we say, "Oh, now I am young, let me enjoy, and in old age when I can't enjoy, then I will think of God." Prabhupāda used to tell us a story called Govinda-bhoga. Bhag means to offer. There was once a very miserly man, very miserly, would offer nothing to the Lord. So one day he was about to eat puff rice and a breeze came from behind and blew the puff rice away from his plate. So as the puff rice was being blown off the plate, he said, Govinda, please take it as an offering. So many times People don't want to do anything for the Lord, but by force when they have to do something, they say, "Govinda, I'm doing it for you." Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.