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.”

Another Honorable Spiritual Son of Srila Prabhupada is no longer among us.

There is reciprocal love between Srila Prabhupada's disciples and their eternal spiritual father. This love is demonstrated in various ways. In one case it is demonstrated with service to Srila Prabhupada until the last day. By constantly preaching, mentoring, writing all the while maintaining sadhana and renunciation. Such is the  love of Gopiparanadhana Prabhu. 

 

There is sometimes a misconception that a bunch of hippies joined Srila Prabhupada in the 60's and 70's and it was just the "right time" for "alternative religions". However this is not the case. These devotees were sent to help Srila Prabhupada and their course and departure are part of that "lila". In Gopi Prabhu's case he was a scholar. Not just someone that could preach or repeat but a genuine scholar of sanskit and vedic texts. These are the type of bright, dedicated and selfless devotees sent to assist Srila Prabhupada in establishing ISKCON and making it flourish. 

 

Today Gopi Prabhu has departed his earthly pastimes. It serves as a reminder that we need to serve, value and learn all that we can from the honorable sons of Srila Prabhupada before it is too late to get their association. It also serves to remind all Godbrothers and Sisters that Srila Prabhupada has done so much for us and although we cannot all be scholars or as dedicated and renounced as Gopi Prabhu, now in our final years it is time to step up and do what we can to serve. 

 

Hare Krishna Gopiparanadhana Prabhu. 

 

by Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA :

Recently on the occasion of release function for Telugu (South Indian language) version of Srimad Bhagavatam, I wrote a special article in Bhagavad Darshan (Telugu BTG) describing the events leading to the completion of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavatam. How faithfully the humble disciples of Srila Prabhupada took up the unfinished task of their Spiritual master on their shoulders and thereby became the special recipients of Sri Guru’s mercy was narrated in that article. Srimad Bhagavatam is the heart-line or backbone to Krishna Consciousness movement. When the founder acharya entered the eternal pastimes of Sri Krishna leaving Bhagavatam work unfinished, we can simply imagine the persons who ensured that the nectar of Srimad Bhagavatam is made available in full to the mankind must be how much magnanimous and kind hearted. Conservation of treasure of Bhakti given by acharya is undoubtedly a great task. However completing the unfinished task of an acharya for the deliverance of entire mankind is a supremely glorious task. Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu is one of the members of such distinguished, august, accomplished vaishnava group who completed the left-out portion of Srimad Bhagavatam translation. Even before the ink is not dried in the article glorifying them in Bhagavad Darshan, it is heart breaking to remember Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu in this manner on his permanent departure from the material world.

 

Being the most fortunate person, by the mercy of my spiritual master and blessings of Sri Guruparampara, in translating entire Srimad Bhagavatam in Telugu language I know very well the great service rendered by H H Hridayananda Das Goswami Maharaja, Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu and Sri Dravida Das Prabhu. Keeping aloof from egoism, always resting at Spiritual master’s lotus feet, at the same time employing the practical Bhagavatam knowledge received from their Gurudeva they achieved incredible success in Bhagavatam translation project. But, when I read the memories of Sri Dravida Prabhu regarding Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu my attachment and reverence to Sri Gopiparanadhana Prabhu increased multifold. The great commentary work on 87th chapter of Tenth Canto, namely Prayers by the Personified Vedas, which is like an ocean of siddhanta, as an example would stand tall for the absolute Bhagavatam knowledge of Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu.

 

Srimad Bhagavatam is the lifeline for Krishna bhakti. It is the life-air for Krishna Consciousness movement. Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu, the glorious servant of Srimad Bhagavatam, who worked for the completion of the unfinished task of Gurudeva, would be remembered by the people as long as Srimad Bhagavatam is there, that is for next ten thousand years.

 

An attempt to study Srimad Bhagavatam with complete devotion and attachment, rededicating ourselves to Srimad Bhagavatam, will be our humble obeisances at the lotus feet of this great vaishnava. All glories to the glorious servant of Srimad Bhagavatam – Sriman Gopiparanadhana Prabhu!!!

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!

Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami gave a lecture on the wonderful Vaishnava qualities of Gopipranadhana Prabhu during the Srimad Bhagavatam class in Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center (BCC), Prai. 

 

Maharaja explained how even though HG Gopipranadhana Prabhu was the most super-excellent scholar, he was the most humble person, always ready to offer ALL respects to every devotee and NOT expecting and honor from anyone. These are just some of his wonderful Vaishnava character.

 

Maharaja lamented how, ISKCON had lost a great Vaisnava scholar and a devotee. Many scholar came come in future but will they have the same humility and sublime character as HG Gopipranadhana Prabhu Maharaja wondered.

 

“Gopi”? (Gopiparanadhana prabhu). Oh, no! Surely there is some terrible mistake! Not Gopi! Oh no; surely it is just a nasty, irresponsible rumor—that Gopi has left us! But no; only about an hour after receiving this terrible news, it is confirmed. Gopi has left us! Oh Radhe! Oh Krishna! Oh, why? Why do you take away such a sweet and valuable devotee from our association? Oh why?

      

In these ways Maharaja described many wonderful qualities of Gopipranadhana Prabhu

 

Later at noon, we had prasadam offering to the picture of Gopipranadhana Prabhu, puspanjali and Guru puja. Siva Caitanya dasa lead a ecstatic kirtana in glorification of Gopipranadhana Prabhu.