Every mighty oak tree was once a nut that stood its ground, they say. For eight years, Krishnadas has diligently occupied his spot at one of Mumbai’s busiest intersections – Juhu Circle. Standing there every morning and evening, he was faced with his fair share of naysayers. In different words, these detractors all said the same thing – “Krishnadas is wasting his time."

When did you realize that this may be the most efficient way to spread your message?

I traveled across the country with whatever daan (charity) I got. I spoke to many different people. And over the years, it became clear to me that this was not my message. It was the truth within all of us, I just had to bring it out.

I arrived in Mumbai, bought a notebook with pages that were 1-foot long. I wrote on these pages and scattered them across Juhu beach. Some people looked at them and were amused, some were not and carried on...

I visited many great temples across the city, spoke with many devotees, even adopted silence (maun) for some periods.

A guru’s job is to plant seeds of thought and give them the right conditions to bloom into actions. I noticed I wasn’t planting enough seeds. So one day, I just wrote the message on a board and stood with it at Mumbai’s busiest junction.

In the early days, I would stand at Juhu Circle for up to 18 hours every day. I wasn’t tired at all, it must have been the Almighty’s blessings, His energy being channeled through me. It has kept me standing there, smiling at all times.

Till this day, I smile whenever I stand there. A most sincere feeling of bliss takes over me whenever people read the message and greet me.

You’ve had thousands of interactions with Mumbaikars, has any reaction been particularly memorable?
There are many people who stop by to speak with me, but I couldn’t remember them by name, even if I tried. I just remember their face. I occasionally visit my native place, where my brother would turn on the TV and I’d spot a familiar face.

If it wasn’t for his TV or the huge movie posters across Juhu, I might not have realised that some of my friends were celebrities. I’ve spoken to Hritik Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Govinda, Om Puri and many others; but I didn’t realize it then. Some of the stars I grew up watching have come to greet me.

Some even offered me a role in their movies. I had to politely decline. I’m not sure, but once I spoke with someone who might have been Rajat Kapoor. A few months later, people told me that he made a movie based on me.

When did you realize that this may be the most efficient way to spread your message?

I traveled across the country with whatever daan (charity) I got. I spoke to many different people. And over the years, it became clear to me that this was not my message. It was the truth within all of us, I just had to bring it out.

I arrived in Mumbai, bought a notebook with pages that were 1-foot long. I wrote on these pages and scattered them across Juhu beach. Some people looked at them and were amused, some were not and carried on...

I visited many great temples across the city, spoke with many devotees, even adopted silence (maun) for some periods.

A guru’s job is to plant seeds of thought and give them the right conditions to bloom into actions. I noticed I wasn’t planting enough seeds. So one day, I just wrote the message on a board and stood with it at Mumbai’s busiest junction.

In the early days, I would stand at Juhu Circle for up to 18 hours every day. I wasn’t tired at all, it must have been the Almighty’s blessings, His energy being channeled through me. It has kept me standing there, smiling at all times.

Till this day, I smile whenever I stand there. A most sincere feeling of bliss takes over me whenever people read the message and greet me.

You’ve had thousands of interactions with Mumbaikars, has any reaction been particularly memorable?/h2>
There are many people who stop by to speak with me, but I couldn’t remember them by name, even if I tried. I just remember their face. I occasionally visit my native place, where my brother would turn on the TV and I’d spot a familiar face.

If it wasn’t for his TV or the huge movie posters across Juhu, I might not have realised that some of my friends were celebrities. I’ve spoken to Hritik Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Govinda, Om Puri and many others; but I didn’t realize it then. Some of the stars I grew up watching have come to greet me.

Some even offered me a role in their movies. I had to politely decline. I’m not sure, but once I spoke with someone who might have been Rajat Kapoor. A few months later, people told me that he made a movie based on me.