In 1970s while Srila Prabhupada was in America he said, “We have come to this place so far away from Sridham Mayapur.” By this statement Srila Prabhupäda showed the importance of Sridham Mayapur.
Sridham Mayapur is the spiritual centre of the universe. Therefore of all places in the planet, Srila Prabhupada decided to make this the international headquarters for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada’s vision was so inconceivable. While beginning a small way in that little store front in New York, Srila Prabhupada was envisioning temples filled with devotees all over the world and Sridham Mayapur to be the headquarters of his international society.
During the initial days here at Mayapur there was just a thatched hut where Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Madhava resided. All around there were just paddy fields. The whole area was infested with mosquitoes and various other creatures. During monsoons the whole area would be flooded and there will be snakes and scorpions all around. Still Srila Prabhupada declared Mayapur to be the international headquarters of his society. Srila Prabhupäda was not speaking theoretically he had complete faith in the inconceivable mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda and the power of the holy names. He was speaking with both compassion and conviction.
Devotees do not see by material conventional methods of what’s possible or impossible. Srila Prabhupada wanted 17 volumes of Sri Caitanya Caritamrita printed and ready for distribution in 2 months. The devotees were working hard over time trying to get one book every 3 months. But it was very difficult. Srila Prabhupada said, “I want 17 in the next 2 months.” And he didn’t say to start it within a month. He said start it with no preparation. One devotee said “Prabhupada this is impossible!” Srila Prabhupada’s reply, the famous quote, “Impossible is a word in a fool’s dictionary”. This was Srila Prabhupada’s broad vision. But it wasn’t just theoretical, but based on faith.
– Radhanath Swami
