Prabhupāda: I was cooking in my hands. So for one man sitting I was cooking not less than for ten to fifteen men.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What was the idea?
Prabhupāda: The idea is everyone wanted some food prepared by me. They wanted my preparation. All right, do it.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: All the devotees in the early days.
Prabhupāda: No, not devot... When I was doing here and there. Like Dr. Mishra's place.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He was very fond of your cooking.
Prabhupāda: He got a good cook without paying. (laughs) And I had no other alternative. I liked it.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Was he paying for the foodstuffs?
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. He was giving his place and foodstuff. I was preparing and eating and giving them. I will not pay him, no. Everything he was paying.
Indian man: Before breakfast, medicine (Hindi).
Prabhupāda: (Hindi conversation) I have gone through variety stages of life. So I have got full experience of this material world. I don't want it. That determination is there. Society, family, love, friendship, these nonsense, everything—out! I have tasted. I am no more interested with this material. That is niṣkiñcana. Finished.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Distaste for all worldly things.
Prabhupāda: That I am realizing, that Kṛṣṇa pushed, dragged me through all circumstances, that "These are useless." Niṣkiñcanasya bhagavad-bhajanonmukha... That is required. Just like Jagāi and Mādhāi. They were made to promise, "No more." "Yes sir, no more." "Then I accept you. That's all right." "No." And they made it, kept their promise. They became faithful.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Actually you also demand of us that promise. "Now whatever you have done, never mind, but no more. Follow these four principles." That means if the devotees don't follow, then they will not make advancement.
Prabhupāda: They are breaking their promise. Before accepting them, I make him promise. They promise it. If they break, what can I do?