Excerpt from a room conversation with Ram Jethmalani, Member of Parliament, on April 16, 1977, Bombay

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.