I remember Gopiparanadhana prabhu from when he moved into the Henry Street, Brooklyn Temple.

 

From the beginning he was sober, serious, focused and a very nice devotee.

 

He made many lasting contributions to Srila Prabhupada's mission and he will not be forgotten.

 

Gopiparanadhana prabhu ki jaya!

 

Giriraja lal ki jaya!

I just received the most disturbing news that our Godbrother, Gopiparanadhana prabhu left his body a few hours ago here in Govardhan. I don't know anything else but am headed over there now and will meet Pancagauda prabhu and others. I will report more as soon as I knowаа I've just returned from his house, which is next door to Iskcon Govardhan Mandir. I will give a short report here and in the comment below as told by his wife. He was seen early in the morning and was 'fine'. One devotee was waiting for an hour to see him. When he finally got in his place he found him lying on the floor and probably been there for a few hours. His wife told me that he had just returned from the Polish festival and in two days he was going to China. Krsna arranged for him to leave his body here, at his home in Govardhan. She told me yesterday a black snake came up to the door and Gopi simply closed the door on it. She sees it as Krsna’s messenger. It certainly could have been an asthma attack but no analysis has been done yet as the police hadn’t yet arrived.

 

His body was almost straight on the floor of his room. He was lying on his back and would be in a dandavat position with his left side facing Govardhan Hill. I was his first Godbrother in the room and after a few minutes chanted Nrsingha prayers. Looking around his small room I saw the following on his desk. A framed picture with the following words:

 

“Do not hear from mouths of persons lacking proper conduct. If your conduct is below par you should not publicly preach about the Lord. Close the door and preach to yourself. Bhajan really begins when one’s outside and inside are the same.”

For Gopiparanadhana Prabhu …

 

The charms of Vrindaban thy heart regale, unknown the wheel of time doth roll !!

 

He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die when thou art living still in sound.

 

The Vaishnavas die to live and living try to spread a holy life around !!

 

Now let the candid man that seeks to live follow thy way on shores of time,

 

then posterity sure to him will give Like one song in simple rhyme!