MEMORIES OF CITRA DEVI DASI

The following article is a condensed version of the memories of Citra Devi that devotees shared the day of the ceremony we did in her honour in New Mayapur, France, on Sunday July 26. A few devotees who were not present also added their testimony. There are also a few dreams and murti stories that Citra Devi had shared with me.
Hridaya Caitanya Prabhu, the GBC for France, wrote a letter on Dandavats.com explaining the circumstances of Citra Devi’s departure from this world on July 23, 2010.
Your servant, Gaurangi dasi

Very determined and fixed up in her services to the Deities and Tulasi Devi

Tested as soon as she joined the temple

Concepcion Gomez - originally from Spain - arrived in New Mayapur about twenty years ago. At the time she was young and pretty, in her late twenties, and was wearing colourful saris and much jewelry. She was tested as soon as she arrived in the temple when the man she came with left very shortly after. She was faced with the choice to either leave with him or stay with the devotees. Despite the fact that she was very attached to him she decided to stay.

Kalakanthi dasi : “I knew Citra Devi from the beginning because I joined just after her.
We had a close relationship at that time because, as we were making garlands together, and she talked to me a lot about her life and all kinds of things. When she had to choose between her lover and Krishna, she told me ‘I want to be a good devotee’, and she kept repeating this all the time.”

No question of her saying “No”

At the beginning she was making all the garlands for all the murtis by herself – a total of six large ones and four small ones- after having picked the flowers herself.
Kalakanthi dasi : “I always recall how in the dead of winter, when there were no more flowers to pick up outside to make garlands, I used to ask her, ‘Citra, what do we do today?, and she would reply, “Mix color!”. And we started to laugh together. During that period we suffered together, as there was no means to do anything. She was already isolated.”

Visesa dasi: “Not long after she got initiated and started to do puja on the altar. Citra Devi has always been very fixed up and regular , and we did not have to worry whether she would come or not to do her service. After her morning pujari services were over, she never went to rest again. All the other devotees wanted to have a free day, but Citra Devi never wanted a break, something I rarely saw during all the years I spent in New Mayapur. Once she had developed a disease, a fibroma, and the doctor had sent her to the hospital for an emergency operation. After which she quickly resumed her service, as there was no question of her saying, ‘No, I cannot do it.’ A few years after she joined she put on the white sari of a renunciate Vaisnavi, shaved her head, and discarded her jewelry. “

Gauda Mandala das : « For many of us Citra Devi was the exemple of a fixed up devotee, nistha. We can make up many stories about our spiritual advancement, but nistha is somebody who is very fixed up, who never miss their sadhana or their devotional service.”

Citra Devi was indeed very determined to do her service to Krishna Balarama and the other deities in all circumstances. Without missing a single day in more than twelve years she was taking excellent care of around 30 to 50 tulasi plants, even when it was very cold. When she dressed Krishna and Balaram, her favourite murtis, everything was first class. They always looked wonderful, with elaborate turbans and matching jewelry. Devotees really appreciated the colourful drawings she was painting on Their forehead or cheeks: attractive patterns of dots, flowers, birds, fishes, or whatever designs matched the outfit of the day. Once she painted very large cows on Krishna’s cheeks and forehead to match the Cow Outfit.

More serious tests: a broken hip and the Parkinson disease

Visesa dasi: “A few years ago, she broke her hip and had another operation. I thought it was going to be terrible for her, and that she would be totally crushed because of not being any longer able to dress Krishna and Balarama, her favourite deities. When I went to visit her at the hospital, she was not depressed, she had accepted things as they were. When she came back to the temple we wanted to put her in the large and comfortable sannyasis’ room, but she did not want to go there. She preferred to stay in her tiny room which did not even have a bed or a mattress - we had offered her one before, but she had preferred to sleep on her mat with a few blankets. She was very austere with her body, but she finally accepted to move to the sannyasis’ room so the chiropractor could properly take care of her. As soon as she was able to she started to make garlands again sitting at the desk there. Later on we reorganised the pujari room behind the altar, and put a high table so she could sit on a chair while dressing the small deities of Radha Govinda Madhava and bathing the Govardhana sila. “

About four years ago she developed the Parkinson disease, a crippling disease characterized by muscle spasms and rigidity, tremors, slow movements and loss of control over many parts of the body. The doctor had told Citra Devi that happily her brain had not been touched.
Visesa dasi: “Even though she was very handicapped – she could not walk properly and her hands were trembling all the time– she was doing more service than everyone else.
In winter I was telling her, ‘Do not go outside to pick up leaves for the garlands, you may break your other hip. We’ll send someone to pick them for you.’ She was very stubborn and refused our offer, but eventually accepted it. Citra Devi was very responsible. This year she did not go to India because last winter, while she was in the dhama, most of the tulasi plants she was caring for had died. She said she would go if the weather was fine and if there was no danger for tulasi.

The past few years Citra devi was faithfully caring for the many tulasis and making her three small garlands- one for the small Radha Krishna, one for Giriraj and one for Nrsimhadeva, despite her hands that were constantly shaking. Devotees were amazed and wondered how she could manage, especially pulling the thread through the needle. Even in that condition she was still making beautiful embroideries on the napkins for the Deities. Once she had told Sita Thakurani, “You must be very attached to do your service no matter what”. She demonstrated that herself by making her garlands till the very end: she brought them in the pujari room the very morning of her departure.

A corner of Vrindavana in New Mayapur

Besides taking care of the deities on the altar, Citra Devi also took care of her own deities in her room. She had many, a small set of Radha Krishna, one of Gaur Nitai, a few others, and about twenty salagram silas, including two of Giri Govardhana, which a brahmana from Radhakund had given her. With her Radha Krishna deities and her Govardhana silas she had created Vrindavana in New Mayapur, and she lived in that world. Even with her hip problem and her Parkinson disease, she had gone to Nepal last year with two French vaisnavas to get more salagram silas. Lalita Madhava das: “At that time things were hot in Nepal, and other devotees had been arrested by revolutionaries, who wanted money from them. Happily, everything went fine for us; we took a special small plane from Katmandu to the Gandaki river, where we can find the silas. Citra Devi knew how to recognize the different salagram silas. She picked up about a dozen; she gave most of them to devotees, and kept two for herself.”

Other services in the temple

Citra Devi’s role in the temple was not limited to puja, garlands and caring for tulasi.
Mathura Vrindavana  dasi: “At one time I was also living in the castle in a room that was not far from hers. Once I had made leek soup, and she came to see me to ask me never to cook leeks in the temple again. I don’t think it bothered her personally, but she probably did not want that smell in the temple. So I never cooked leeks again in the castle. Later on, whenever I happened to do some in my own home, I would always think of her.”
Gauda Mandala das: “Every morning I used to walk in front of the table where she was making her garlands. She always had something very precise to say, ‘The temple has not been cleaned since two days, etc’ She was the gardian of the East. She always knew whatever happened in the temple, whether everything was in proper order, even while remaining in her room upstairs. Even though she was keeping the maha burfi in her room, she never ate any of it; she would distribute it to the devotees and would wait till someone offered her some.”

Self-satisfied, reserved, and hiding her suffering

Visesa dasi: “We’ve been working together in the pujari room since twenty years. We had a few quarrels together, but it was exceptional; it passed very quickly and we became friends again. I thought that she was telling me everything, but it was not the case, and I had no idea of what was going to happen. She was very self-satisfied, reserved. We could not know what went on in her world. I was very open with her, but she did not confide in me completely. I admired her for being able to stay alone, because I’m not capable of doing it myself. When I asked her how she managed on her own, she used to say, ‘I do like that, and if I feel too lonely I just go downstairs. I like my peace of mind.’
I’m very affected by what happened, she was such a close person. We have not been able to see her suffering. I have a shock when I go through the garden, as I have the feeling that I’m going to see her with the little plastic bag into which she was putting her flowers.”

Many wonderful Vaisnava qualities

Enjoying talking about Krishna

Each time Columbian-born Padasevana das visited New Mayapur he spoke in spanish with her for a little while. “With Citra devi, I could talk about Krishna, which is not the case with all the devotees. We also talked about her silas, and she always asked me news of the few tulasi plants she had given me over the years.” Several devotees said that when they approached Citra Devi, they felt some obligation to think about Krishna and talk about Him.
Caitanya Bhagavata das : « Whenever I would pass by her, I could not help but greet her with respect, as I felt she was deeply absorbed in meditation.  Sometimes I asked her, ‘How are you doing, Citra Devi?’ and she would reply, ‘All right’. Even though we all knew bout her problems, she did not talk about them. She was very self-effacing and discreet person. I was fascinated by her because I had the impression she was coming from another planet. Citra Devi was very intelligent, she saw and understood everything. He was deeply linked to Krishna.” Citra devi’s service to Krishna was indeed all her life. Devotees felt her very detached from her body and from this material world, and she never thought of going back there . Trying to use all her talents in His service, she also did nice paintings and drawings she would sell to get money for her trips to India.

The incarnation of austerity

Citra devi was the incarnation of austerity, which she exhibited in many ways and occasions.
At the beginning she was staying in the same room with Madana Manjari and Kalakanthi, who recalls, “Every morning Citra Devi was getting up à 3 am, and she was switching the light on all of a sudden, which was a shock for Madana Manjari, who was shivering with cold, and me, who was pregnant at the time, but Citra Devi did not back up for anything, sleep or cold.”
Gaurangi dasi : “ When I was seeing the tiny room in which she lived , without a mattress or heating - there was a kind of hole in the floor gathering heat from the pujari room below, but it was insufficient in the freezing cold of winter- I was impressed and a little scared at the same time. I don’t know how she managed to live in that tiny space with her altar and many silas, with just a small shelf for her clothes and books and a corner for her mat and blankets . It would have been a tremendous austerity for me to live like that, but it did not bother her, she was so absorbed in her service. She never seemed concerned or affected by all the problems, revolutions and changes constantly taking place in New Mayapur. One president was following the previous one, but Citra Devi was still doing her service, no matter who was the new leader.” When she was in Vrindavana, she would sometimes stay in very austere ashrams where widows were staying. One devotee recounted how at the beginning of one Vraja Mandala Parikrama she had sprayed her ankle very badly, and blood was flowing. He thought that the parikrama was over for Citra Devi, but, as a perfect yogini, she continued. She limped during the entire parikrama because of her injured and swollen ankle and refused to take the jeep for sick devotees. She must have had a very tough time during the whole month of the parikrama, but she was very determined to do it. “

Caring for devotees and animals

As a genuine devotee Citra Devi also loved Krishna’s devotees; she was always kind to them, and showed she was thinking about them by giving them in a loving way little packs of maha burfi or cookies. Whenever Citra Devi was asking Syamasakta dasi how she was doing, it was not just an empty formula. Syamasakta really felt that Citra Devi was very sincerely concerned about her and that she did care.

Kalakanthi dasi : “When Mira was a baby, very often it was Citra Devi who would pick her up from under the bed where she had crawled while I was doing service in the backroom. One day I was so tired that I fell asleep and did not hear Mira even though she was screaming right in my ears. Citra Devi came to take care of her. When I woke up, she was standing there, with Mira in her arms, comforting her. Then she left without putting on airs, as if it was the most natural thing to do “

Kalavati dasi told the following story, which further illustrates Citra Devi’s caring mood and humility: “This happened in New Mayapur at the beginning of May of this year. It was very cold in the castle, around 13°C, because the central heating system had been stopped in the spring. As I was expecting my seven year old grandson Shyam to come stay with me for a couple of days, I had started a fire in the wooden stove in Srila Prabhupada’s room. That’s where I installed him with his books and computer while I was getting ready to go on the altar to do the 6 o’clock offering and the evening arati. When I was showered, clean and dressed, ready to go, Shyam arrived in my room with a funny look on his face and an unusual wa y to walk. His pants were half pulled up and he looked very embarrassed. The bad smell emanating from him made me understand the problem, but since I had to go on the altar right away, I gave him clean clothes and directed him to the shower, telling him to manage by himself.
As I was going down the stairs I met Citra Devi in front of the toilet’s door, and she showed me the big mess Shyam had just done. There was stool everywhere, on the floor, on the toilet bowl, etc. I asked her whether she would mind closing the door and putting a note on the door, and told her I would clean up the mess after my service on the altar. In the evening, when I went to the toilets to do my “duty” I was very surprised to see that the toilets were super clean, spic and span. I could not believe my eyes. When I saw Citra devi the next day, I asked her if she had cleaned the toilets, and she said “yes” in all simplicity. I thanked her, but she answered in a light and amused tone, ‘Bah! No problem! I’m used to do it! With Jagannath (another young boy) it happens all the time, and it’s always me who ends up cleaning his mess. ‘ I could not believe my ears! I would never had thought that such a clean pujari could have done such a thankless task, especially that it was not her responsibility. These are the kinds of small details which Krishna notices, more than all the rest. I’m sure she will get His mercy; Krishna sees the good and the efforts one makes, and Citra Devi did tons of them. “

Citra Devi also loved animals, particularly cats, and we have many of them in New Mayapur. Visesa dasi: “When she chanted her rounds outside, the cats would follow her, because she was taking care of them. I heard that at times she was taking some of them to her room to show them her many salagram silas. Sometimes though she was saying that she had to get detached from these cats.”

Asking for forgiveness to the devotees before her departure

After Citra Devi’s departure, devotees started to talk about her, and many said that she had asked them forgiveness for her offenses.
Gaurangi dasi : « Two days before she left, on the vyasa-puja day of my Guru Maharaja, she was sitting at her table making her garlands, and she asked me to forgive her for her offenses. I was wondering why she was doing it at that time since we did not have a quarrel or a misunderstanding recently, which very rarely happened between us anyway. I just put my arms around her shoulder, reassuring her that she could not commit offenses. As I was very busy that day, I did not think more about it, until later when other devotees told me she had done the same thing with them. I then understood that she was planning to go for good.”
Sita Thakurani dasi : «  I quarrelled with Citra Devi many times, but she always told me things with love. Two days before quitting her body she asked me to forgive her. She said, ‘Sometimes I’m cold and distant, maybe I’m offending the devotees. By seeing Citra Devi asking for forgiveness, I told myself I should also do the same and ask the devotees forgiveness for my offenses…. In fact, by asking devotees to forgive her offenses, she was doing it for the act she was about to do which would have consequences for them.”

About a month ago a visiting Vaisnavi asked Citra devi if she was not suffering too much with her disease that was getting worse. Citra Devi had replied, “I don’t think about it, I think about Krishna.” However, despite her austere tendencies, her strong attachment to Krishna and her services, Citra Devi had also confided in someone that she needed a friend. To another one, she had expressed her anxiety of not being able to do much service any more. She probably knew that as her Parkinson disease would progress, she would be able to do less and less and would need someone to take care of her many hours every day. Not too long ago one devotee taking care of old people had offered to help her if she needed, but Citra Devi had declined her offer.

Devotees’ thoughts and feelings

Raymond (A friend of the devotees) : « I did not know Citra Devi very well from a human point of view, because we just greeted each other cordially; however, I knew her very well as a spirit soul. A few days ago, I had come to New Mayapur, and I had crossed Citra Devi on the stairs outside. As usual, we greeted each other with a ‘Haribol’ and ‘How are you?’ This time, however, I had the feeling that she would soon leave this world. Whenever I would meet Citra Devi in the castle, it was not anymore the ‘Domaine d'Oublaise’ , it was the ‘Nouvelle Mayapura’. Citra Devi was representing the typical inhabitant of Vrindavana. I could not help but see her like that; this thought was imposed in my mind, without my will being able to change it. Citra Devi did not evoke the image of a worldly person. She was a nun, a sadhu.”

Gaurangi dasi : «Citra Devi, the way you left your body is forcing us, the devotees living in or around New Mayapur, to reconsider our real priorities: to really take care of all those who have taken shelter of Krishna, accompany them in their trials, mourning, diseases, joys and pains. It is also what pleases Him the most. Citra Devi, you were not the only one to feel lonely in this community. How many suffer from isolation and the feeling of not being valued and appreciated, and take shelter of things detrimental to their spiritual lives? What is the most important in a community? Its walls, its number of hectares and buildings, or its members? Some of us have their family, or their little circle of friends, but overall it’s pretty much everyone in their own little corner. How many times do we invite each other for prasadam, to watch a devotional movie together, or just to know each other better?
Yes, I know, we are all very busy with our services, jobs and families, and many of us are getting old and tired. We’re just a small group of devotees trying to take care of a huge project and many deities. But it does not take much to show a little sympathy : give a phone call to see if everything is all right, share a quote or a realisation, lend a book, a CD or a DVD (useful for our spiritual life of course) , offer some flowers or vegetables from our garden, or just say a few words of appreciation. Asking for forgiveness after having had some harsh words or gestures costs only a little sacrifice to our false ego, but it’s so hard to do it.
So now, Citra Devi, in memory of you, let’s all try to make a difference, however small it may seem, for all the devotees still alive around us. Let’s give them our flowers while they can still smell them. ”

Mathura Vrindavana dasi : «  To be able to love each other, to really be here for each other, these things come up all the time, and I know why they do. It’s because it is the greatest challenge we are facing in fact. In itself it’s not an enormous challenge to distribute many books. But the daily challenge of loving the person who is right next to us, with his mind and all his weaknesses, it is the greatest challenge. I dare to hope that if there had been more love between ourselves – let’s for a moment imagine this community producing more love- that Citra Devi would still be with us today.”

Dream and stories of murtis told by Citra Devi

The desire trees of Goloka Vrindavana

One night I was dreaming that I was seeing trees made of crystal, desire trees. They were amazing. I got closer to these trees, and on the same tree I could see all kinds of different flowers. There were thousands of flowers, all shining and effulgent. When I looked on the ground I also saw many things shining there. I was telling myself it was not real, it was then that I realized it was Goloka Vrindavana.

I saw the small murtis of Radha Krishna shed tears

In 1996 there were not enough pujaris to take care of the murtis on the altar. So the temple council decided to take the small Gaura Nitai to Poland; and they even thought of putting to rest, for good, the small deities of Radha Krishna. The day they had taken that decision, even though I still was not aware of it, I saw the small murtis of Radha Krishna shedding tears, and I was wondering what was going on. Only later on did the devotees told me that the small
Gaura Nitai had to leave for Poland. At that moment I thought that Radha Krishna had been sad to see Gaura Nitai leave.
The day when Gaura Nitai were supposed to go, the arms of the small marble Krishna broke at the place where they had been glued, as they had been broken before. But it was a Monday, and all the stores were closed around, we could not even buy some glue. So the devotees left the small Radha and Krishna with His arms broken, and put Them to bed all day long. Seeing everybody crying, I understood that Krishna was trying to tell us that if we put Him to sleep, everybody would be sad and cry. So I told the temple council that I did not agree with their decision of putting the small deities to rest. I had to insist a lot, and finally they decided not to do it. I thanked Krishna a lot.

Krishna et Balarama also feel heat and cold

This happened during a very cold winter. That night there had not been any heating in the temple for the murtis, and I was thinking They might have been very cold. In the morning I touched the hand of Balarama, and it felt warm like a real live hand; at that moment all the hairs on my arms stood on end, and I realized that Balaram was a normal person. It’s the only time I had that kind of experience.

Another time it happened on a hot summer day, about fifteen years ago. I was on the altar with Anupama Dasi, a Polish devotee. That day the devotees had put a velvet outfit on the Deities, and I asked Anupama to remove the velvet shirt because it was too thick. She replied that we should keep it because it was going to rain. The weather was very hot that day, and when I undressed Krishna and Balarama in the evening I saw that Krishna’s armpits were soaked with perspiration. I called the other pujaris to show them what happened, but they all thought I was joking. They all put their hands to see if it was true they also noticed that He was wet everywhere, especially under His arms and on His head. When they saw it was true they were all very amazed. In fact Krishna’s head perspired like that almost all summer long. He was all shiny, and He even had drops of sweat.

Sri Sri Krishna Balaram ki jaya!
All glories to Citra Devi Dasi, Their dedicated servant!

By Lakshman (das) Vrindavan (IN)

A brief about the final moments and departure of HG Aindra Prabhu :

HG Aindra Prabhu often performed bhajan until the dead of night. On the night of 16th July 2010, he probably did the same, and never knew it was his last day. Probably to cook some bhoga to Deities, he ignited the gas stove unknowing the gas leakage. It ignited the room making a mild blast as well because the pujaris Rupa-Sanatan Prabhu and Vraja Rupa Prabhu, chanting on the terrace, heard an explosive sound from his room. They ran down and knocked at the room, but none opened. The blast gave minor burn injuries to the skin on face and the left side of his chest, while items kept near the door caught fire and kept ablaze. Unable to find a way out, Aindra Prabhu took to the refuge behind the Gaura Nitai Deities in his room. He kneeled to Gaura-Nitai in supplication and remained in dandavat. Perhaps due to lack of oxygen, he became unconscious and finally departed this world leaving behind the body in the same position.

On 17th of July 2010, Aindra Prabhu didn’t turn up to the Krishna-Balaram temple to adorn the Deities for it was his turn on Saturdays. Therefore, Adi Keshav Prabhu went and knocked at his room. At about 7.15 AM, Adi Keshav Prabhu informed Sanak Sanatan Prabhu, “It seems, Aindra Prabhu’s room is locked from inside and there is no response after knocking for a while.” I was standing beside Sanak Sanatan Prabhu and overheard the conversation. We rushed to the spot. Sanak Sanatan Prabhu took a piece of pipe and knocked the door strong and holed it. Through the hole, Adi Keshav Prabhu and I kneeled in the room and called aloud, “Aindra Prabhu, Aindra Prabhu…,” but none replied. We smelled gas and cautious not to light a lamp. We located him behind the Gaura Nitai Deities and found him in supplication doing dandavat. Seeing him unmoved, we first removed the Gaura Nitai Deities, opened the door, and took Aindra Prabhu out. We were preparing to take him to hospital, but Adi Keshav Prabhu felt the body was cold and lifeless. He checked the pulse, heart beat and breath, and felt that Aindra Prabhu left to Goloka.

Time too sung the glories of Aindra Prabhu :

Aindra Prabhu lived in Vrindavan for the past 24 years to rejuvenate this glorious place with his inspiring 24 hour matchless kirtans as his Guru Srila Prabhupada instructed him. He usually performed sankirtana in the temple between 6.00 - 6.30 PM in winter and 6.30-7.00 PM in summer. He was finally rested on the bank of Yamuna and his funeral pyre was also lit at the same time he often begun his sankirtana-yajna. His life was full of glories blessed with the science of astrology and numerology, and it is noticeable as the numbers too stood in salutation chanting his glories.

Glorification of the memories of Aindra Prabhu :

All devotees of Vrindavan assembled at Krishna-Balaram Temple 8.45 AM on 19 July 2010 for glorifying the cherishing memories of HG Aindra Prabhu and it continued up to 1.30 PM. The disciples of Srila Prabhupada and senior devotees in Vrindavan briefed the wonderful activities of HG Aindra Prabhu and his contribution to sankirtans, and a highlight of it is as follows:

HH Prabodhananda Sarasvati Swami said, “Aindra Prabhu carried out the instructions of Srila Prabhupada single-handedly with the kirtanas and influenced many people and especially the devotees of Vrindavan. Only by chanting kirtan, one can achieve everything in this age. We must learn from his splendid example how to reach the Godhead perfectly affirmed to the instructions of one’s Guru. Aindra Prabhu chanted Hare-krishna-mahamntra to his full capacity. Once I said to him, “Thank you for complete dedication to Harinam kirtan” Aindra Prabhu said, “Thank you for your kind words.” Krishna will award a splendid life for Aindra Prabhu in Goloka Vrindavan for his exceptional dedication to chant His holy name.”

HH Radha Raman Swami said, “To purify myself, let me speak something about Aindra Prabhu. He was a perfect example of bhava-bhakti and exhibited the nine symptoms of bhakti-rasa. Aindra Prabhu was a tireless speaker and sometimes his Bhagavata lectures continued up to 10.30 AM in the morning starting from 8.00 AM. Some listeners sneaked out for the morning prasadam served at 9.00 AM and they returned only to find Aindra Prabhu still on tirelessly. He developed perfect Krishna prem lovingly attached to Vrindavan Dham. He left USA to live in Vrindavan and in 1986 he arrived here. Once I saw him with a kamandalu and on enquiry he said, “I got it from one of the babaji’s.” Such was his respect for devotees. Unfortunately we didn’t associate with him as a great devotee, although he deserved a greater service than we did. HH Radha Raman Maharaj also conveyed the deep sorrow of HH Radha Govind Goswami about the return of Aindra Prabhu. Maharaj said Ill-health prevented HH Radha Govind Maharaj to be present in this session, but praised Aindra Prabhu as a perfect bhakta who chanted Harinam kirtan exceptionally well twenty-four hours a day all through his life as Srila Prabhupadaji wished. Let him rest at peace eternally in Goloka and associate in the nitya-lilas of Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Shyamsunder.”

HH Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami said (letter read out by Pancagauda Prabhu), “It was shocking for me to believe the news of return of Aindra Prabhu. I first met him in February 1995 and congratulated him for his exceptional capability in chanting the Harinam and asked how he could derive so much inspiration? He said, “Chant with perfect attention the holy name, the name of Krishna.” Now he has been called back to Goloka eternally. It is a sad day unfortunately for the whole world. It is Radha-Shyamsunder’s plan to bring him back, but for us it is a great loss.”

Thakurani Mataji said, “I arrived in Vrindavan fifteen years ago. One day I was cleaning the temple and moved the furniture. Kirtan was on then. Suddenly, a man thundered at me and said, “I am a singer you know, I cannot tolerate this noise.” Gradually, I was attracted to Aindra Prabhu’s exceptional style of tireless kirtans and he always advised us to perform the chants and engage in devotional service. Even great devotees had to undergo extreme sufferings like Haridasa Thakura and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Aindra Prabhu’s departure was the plan of the Super Personality of Godhead, Radhkrishna. His loss is painful to all of us, but he set a perfect example for many to emulate.”

Daivi Shakti Mataji said, “Aindra Prabhu’s departure shocked me. He was a great inspiration to me and many others. His kirtanas were absorbing and perhaps hard to imitate. Radhakrishna took him away eternally. All of us feel the loss and I miss him so much. Like Aindra, we should also engage in kirtanas and reading Vaishnava literatures to receive the opportunity to engage in eternally serving Radha-Shyamsunder.”

HG Bhuvanesvar Prabhu said, “Aindra Prabhu and I have arrived in Vrindavan to live in Vraja Dhama. He had exceptional strength and capability to be busy in Harinama sankirtana for twenty-four hours a day and he inspired many people including myself. He was planning to board a bus to sing kirtans. He followed the round the clock kirtanas as Prabhupada instructed him. He made it not 100 percent, but 200 percent. He can just make it go, go and go in the Brahmacari Ashram. He was perfectly dedicated to Srila Prabhupada until he fulfilled Prabhupada’s mission. His loss shocked me and many of us, but his perfect departure from here and return to Godhead is again a great example.”

Manjari Mataji said, “Aindra Prabhu’s departure is shocking to all of us and especially to me because I regarded him as a great example to follow. Once he said, “Eternal associates with Krishna are joyful like the Gopis.” He was a staunch brahmacari. Once I asked, “What is the mood of Prabhupada?” Aindra Prabhu said, “I have no experience. We understand the eternal mood of Caitanya Mahaprabhu from Caitanya Caritamrta. It may be Prabhupada’s mood as well.” He wanted us to understand that Prabhupada came to give us Krishna. I believe chanting is the eternal mood of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Prabhupada returned distributing parama bhakti towards Radhakrishna. He wanted us to learn Gaura Nitai’s life and become a Gaura-bhakt and perform His wishes.” Devkinandan Prabhu said, “We are sad about Aindraprabhu’s sudden departure to Godhead. He always said, “Chanting of Harinam or sankirtana is the mission of life.” He simply carried out the instruction of Srila Prabhupada to maximum perfection possible for a person. When it came out from Prabhupada and Aindra Prabhu, it was blissful and awakening. I saw people dancing in ecstasy while Aindra Prabhu chanted amazingly. People never missed his kirtans because it was full of loving bhakti. Aindra Prabhu had great enthusiasm about kirtan and serving devotees. He was a picture of perfection to many devotees. He visited us and showered his blessings and gave nectarine lectures, and I cannot forget the blissful experiences with him. He perfectly followed the six principles of devotional services. With least preparation, he gave hours and hours of lectures. He explained the philosophy in a simple way easy to understand and he had profound knowledge of the Vedic scriptures. His material body transformed into a spiritual body and now serving eternally in Vrindavan Dham. His feelings are always with us and he taught us to recite Harinama offenselessly. He showed perfect love and simplicity free from anger. Following him, we can develop perfect bhakti and reach Goloka and meet him.”

Srimati Mataji said, “It was shocking to all of us the great departure of Aindra Prabhu. Yuga-dharma is aware to all devotees. Aindra Prabhu understood it and followed it perfectly. He continued his morning kirtans for four and half hours tirelessly. I felt his presence strongly and wondered how it was possible! I regret his absence very very deep. His chants, sankirtana and the Vaishnava style of living were pouring influences to many devotees. His enthusiasm was extremely rare. Such a devotee is special discussing hours and hours glorifying God and we all wish to serve as he taught. His loss is a great miss and may his soul rest in peace with Radhakrishna.”

Matsya Prabhu said, “Aindra Prabhu’s sudden departure is a great loss to us. He taught us to remember him always. Although he was exceptional in bhakti and sankirtana, he didn’t give me a way to do it. He taught us how to approach the Lord and take up devotional service. His personality is revealed in his book (the book is still under print and not yet published). He served in Vrindavan and Mayapur and learned perfectly how to approach Radhakrishna. His explanations are great giving minute details. Let his soul rest in Goloka enjoying the wonderful pastimes of Radhakrishna.”

HG Premkishore Prabhu said, “The loss of Aindra Prabhu is hard to believe for all of us and especially to me. He talked about very high things. He taught us how to head to deal with spiritual devotion. It is difficult to be Krishna conscious. Day in and out, he encouraged devotees in perfect devotional life and recite the Harinam sankirtana. He taught us how to chant the Hare Krishna Mahamatra tirelessly. With his message, we should take up to perfect bhakti. He minutely showed an example what it takes to surrender. At the moment of death how to remember Krishna, and Aindra Prabhu was perfect in it. He was very simple and followed his Guru perfectly. He has reached the eternal abode of Radhakrishna and enjoying their nityalilas. Radha Sundari Mataji said, “Aindra Prabhu arrived to Vrindavan to keep alive the twenty-four hour kirtana. Anyone met, he called, “come and come for kirtans.” He was always a special master to many young devotees. He often said, “You cannot go away. Come and enjoy the glories of Vrindavan.” When I asked what simplicity means, he said, “Simplicity means what Krishna tells from the heart.” When sought about how to approach the Lord, he said, “You have to first get Gaura Nitai’s mercy.” Once he said, “You know the way I want to die?” I meddled, “Why talk about it now, a long way ahead.” Aindra Prabhu said, “I want to be alone at the lotus feet of Gaura Nitai.” Aindra Prabhu was special to all, but I felt he was very special to me. His loss is a shock to me, an irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace in Goloka Vrindavan.”

Mahamantra Prabhu said, “Aindra Prabhu did excellent kirtans and he always reached Vrindavan at around 6.00 PM. and I always attended his kirtanas from behind close to him. He joined ISKCON in 1973 from Washington D. C. He reached Vrindavan in 1986. There are so many fans of Aindra Prabhu. He attracted very much love from people and he had sub-connection with Prabhupada. Once I enquired, “Did Prabhupada give you sannyasa?” He said, “Prabhupada gave me sannyasa.” I said, “Prabhupada noted you devotees who can chant well.” Whenever he chanted, all those listened to him were drawn to the ocean of bliss. His loss is hard to believe. May his soul rest in peace and enjoy the blissful pastimes of Gaura-Nitai and Radhakrishna in Goloka Vrindavan.”

Mahadevi Mataji said, “It was with great regret that I learned Aindra Prabhu’s sudden departure. He was a man of extremely special behaviour and he loved everyone and all who met him too loved him. He was an inspiration to many and especially I earned formidably from him how to chant and how to surrender to Krishna. I was encouraged by Aindra Prabhu’s influence. He had such a fine nature and RadhaShyam decided to take him back. I miss his association deeply. May his soul rest in peace with the blessings of Radhakrishna and Gaura Nitai.”

Giridhari Prabhu said, “The disappearance of Aindraprabhu was hard to believe. Once I asked him, “Please tell me the best way how can get bhakti?” Aindra Prabhu said, “Eat prasadam and always chant, Hare Krishna Mahamantra.” Once he said, “I’m surrendered to Radharani.” He actually was perfectly surrendered to Radharani.” Day by day dandavat is a perfect way of surrendering to Gaura-Nitai and Radhakrishna. His supplication to Gaura-Nitai at the last moment was his test of success. His return was properly arranged. Even if he is away, his presence is always in Vrindavan. Let him enjoy the nitya-lilas of Radhakrishna at Goloka Vrindavan.” Preetidasi Mataji said, “Aindra Prabhu influenced me very much and his return is hard to believe. His association always gave me so much confidence and it is hard to explain. He left all of us and all the salagramas he made, and it is hard for me to forget him. He was so much to me and his presence and directions gave me so much inspiration. Whenever I asked, how can I receive perfect devotion, he always answered, “chanting and self surrender are the best. I gave everything in my book.” Let him rest at peace and let him be one of the eternal servants of Radha-Shyamsunder.”

Bhagavad Puran Prabhu said, “The loss of Aindra Prabhu is irreparable and his presence was a thrill to all who met him, and I derived great pleasure from his association. Many people and I have been inspired by his Harinam-sankirtan. His kirtans attracted many wherever he went. Let his soul rest in peace and let him serve Radha-Shyamsunder in Goloka Vrindavan forever.”

HH Lokanath Swami said, (Pancagauda Prabhu read out the message ), “I was shocked and shattered by the sudden departure of Aindra Prabhu. Hearing this news, I took shelter of kirtans. He excelled in his kirtan and bhajan. He distributed the blessing of Prabhupada in New York for eight years. Then he moved to perform kirtan in the Krishna Balaram temple at Vrindavan. Once when Prabhupada arrived, he asked him, “What are you doing?” I am doing Harinam-kirtan and book distribution.” The best of gosti anandi is the best of bhajan-anandi. He had a unique style of performing kirtans. Aindra and kirtan have become household words. We shared platforms together in Vrindavan and Mayapur. He inspired me and he was one of my spiritual hearers. Hopefully I join you wherever you are.”

HG Pancagauda Prabhu concluded the gathering and said about Aindra Prabhu, “His is a great loss to all of us. He was unique in kirtans and well supportive. Let him be at peace with Radha-Govinda and enjoy their glorious nitya-lilas forever.”

At 1.30 PM, bhogas and puspanjali were held. At 2.00 PM, a sumptuous feast was held in memory of Aindra Prabhu and prasadam was distributed too those gathered.

Again the devotees of Vrindavan convened at the Krishna-Balaram temple at 7.30 PM and many devotees spoke their cherishing memories about Aindra Prabhu. The assembly continued up till 11.30 PM. Many were in tears when they spoke of their lost friend, inspirer, leader, master, and guru. Even though Aindra Prabhu was a loss to the Bhuloka-Vrindavan, he will be a great gain to the Goloka Vrindavan and we cherish your glories in the depth of our hearts. Aindra Prabhu left us drinking the nectarine anitya-lilas in this mortal world, but he will be enjoying the nitya-lilas forever with Radha-Shyamsunder. Let Aindra Prabhu ever live in the memories of the devotees of Vrindavan and the Vrajavasis. Let Aindra Prabhu’s inspiration spread far and wide all over the globe through the recorded CDs of his masterpiece and his book expected to be published soon.

AN OFFERING OF THE HEART by Radhanath Swami

As the effulgent sun of Sri Aindra Prabhu’s divine personality has risen in the spiritual world of Goloka Vrindaban, the sun of his physical presence has set in Gokula, the Vrindaban of this world. And we cry in separation.

The glorious life of Aindra Prabhu personifies determination and devotion, all aimed exclusively for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara. His heart floods like the Yamuna while being inundated by the monsoon of Srila Prabhupada’s Divine Grace. His love for Vrindaban is the life of his soul.

Aindra Prabhu was infinitely beyond being a musician. He passionately renounced all of the charms of the material world to exclusively dedicate his heart and soul to chanting the Holy Names of God. Day and night his entire being was engrossed in the names of Radha Shyamasundara.  He breathed for kirtan. His heart beat for kirtan. Lord Chaitanya empowered his kirtan with an inconceivable sweetness, power and musical skill that attracted our hearts like no other. While singing kirtan Aindra Prabhu’s emotions would erupt like a volcano of devotion that inundated and mesmerized our hearts.

I believe every stone, brick and pillar of Krishna Balaram Temple and every tree and particle of sacred dust in Raman Reti is permeated with the sound vibration of Aindra Prabhu’s devotion. If we open our hearts we will hear. Aindra Prabhu exported the sweetness of Vrindaban’s love throughout the world and we are forever grateful.

As thousands of devotees cry upon the realization of his physical loss, I feel at a loss for words. Aindra Prabhu was so dear a friend and Godbrother to me. The kindness, love and encouragement that he always showered upon me are a treasure that I pray to remember forever.

Aindra Prabhu, your beloved Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara have now brought you into Their eternal pastimes. We celebrate your life with tears of gratitude.

Submitted by New Vrindavan Communications

We received news Aindra Prabhu unexpected suddenly left his body in Vrindavana.

In Vrindavana, what happens is Krishna’s plan. Of course, the ideal way to leave one’s body is surrounded by loving devotees chanting the holy name, but that is not always the case. I was thinking of Lord Rsabhadeva, the divine incarnation who appeared to establish religious principles. After he became a mendicant, his body burned in a forest fire. It is not our Vaishnava practice to enter into the cause of death so much. Sometimes people speculate, like when Tamal Krishna Goswami left his body, that it must be some negative reaction. But that is not true, as with Rsabhadeva. Instead, we look at the positive. Aindra Prabhu was allowed to do service in Vrindavana. When Krishna-Balarama temple was started in Vrindavana, Srila Prabhupada expressed a desire that 24-hour kirtana be organized. He wrote to Hamsaduta Prabhu suggesting how it could be done. I was part of the management from 1978 to 1984. We tried many times to establish it but did not have enough people. Practically from his first days in Krishna consciousness, Aindra was doing kirtana as his service. In New York City he would chant with other devotees on a flatbed truck. In 1986 he started the akhandita [uninterrupted] kirtana in Vrindavana. Before that, in ISKCON, we did not have a culture of just sitting down and chanting Hare Krishna for hours. It was not a particular kirtana style so much as a kirtana culture that he inspired. [Later Maharaja elaborated: Madhava Prabhu, from Switzerland, was inspired, then Sivarama Swami, B. B. Govinda Swami, and Sacinandana Swami. You can trace it all back to Aindra Prabhu.]

As many with musicians, Aindra was eccentric. His room had Vrindavana clay on the floor, 108 silas, Gaura-Nitai, depiction of rasa-lila, tamala tree remnants, etc. Every two months I would come from Mayapur to Vrindavana, and I would see him. At 1990 I became temple president in Vrindavana. The GBC asked me to ask him what his asrama is, and when I did, he looked at me with his piercing eyes, and said, “I am a brahmastha vannyasi.” His dress was also eccentric and some people complained. Many artists are eccentric, and I took it like that.

But there was a very serious side to Aindra Prabhu, chanting many rounds of the holy name and studying Prabhupada’s books and the books of the Goswamis. He would ask questions after Srimad-Bhagavatam class that were penetrating. He had a lot of inner strength and could live a life of great austerity. Although people complained about his personal dress, he excelled at dressing the Deities. Especially for the festivals, he would dress Them. He had a deep connection, which was a real thing. Imagine Aindra would have come to Prague. He would draw huge crowds. Wherever he would go, he would attract many people. But he did not want to leave Vrindavana. He was disturbed by once having to go to Nepal for visa issues. Thus he applied for citizenship, which was hard to get for one from the Vrindavana area. But he got it. The Deities were pleased with him because he sang for Them, and so They let him become a resident.

Once I was chanting my remaining rounds in the temple, and one Bengali devotee was making a lot of noise, so I advised him to be quiet, saying “The deities are resting.” Aindra Prabhu, who was also there, said, “No, He is not. That is what Mother Yasoda thinks.”

As a temple president, sometimes it gets tough. Sometimes you are on top of the elephant, and sometimes the elephant is on top of you. Once I had one of those intense days. I took rest, only to be awakened at 11:00 p.m. at night by Aindra, who said, “Come on. It is rasa purnima. Come let’s celebrate.” I came to his room, and in addition to other festivities, they had this incredible feast served at 11:00 p.m. at night.

Because he was serious about serious things, we took him seriously. He was serious about his chanting, japa and kirtana, and about his renunciation. He was not after fame. His dedication to the Deities was transcendental, day in, day out, year after year. That is perseverance. Srila Prabhupada says perseverance is source of faith. There is no doubt that Aindra sang for the pleasure of the Personality of Godhead, and there he stands out. Some imitated him, the same dress, the same style of bhajana, etc., but few showed the seriousness he showed in his dedication to Krishna consciousness.

His contribution to ISKCON is a lasting one. Before, kirtana was something wild. Ayodhya-pati Prabhu used to play the whompers on the ground and grab devotees by the kurta and swing them around. Srila Prabhupada had started with sitting and doing the swami step. But when one saintly lady from Vrindavana led kirtana, and Srila Prabhupada began jumping in the kirtana, from that day, kirtana was wild and full of enthusiasm, and that spread all over the world. And even when it was sitting down with the harmonium, it still had the rocking nature. But from Aindra Prabhu we learn to deeply meditate and an element of peaceful chanting. I say “an element” because he could also get wild. We learned something from Aindra about chanting the holy name and meditating on Krishna, and he has greatly contributed to the maturing process, because he taught so many along the way.

His leaving us was unexpected, but it is also a manifestation of grace, because he left this world in Vrindavana. It is not an ordinary departure but one earned by devotional service. The externals are insignificant. We are looking at how he pleased Radha-Shyamasundara.

When such news reaches us, there is shock, and for those who know him, there is sadness. But from the spiritual point of a view, it is a success story—that someone from New York took the devotional service seriously, and he fulfilled Srila Prabhupada’s desire to establish 24-hour kirtana in Vrindavana.

“He reasons ill that Vaishnavas die when thou art living still in sound. The Vaishnava dies to live, and living spreads the holy name around.” Through his recordings, he will remain with us.

Srila Prabhupada explained that if one lives the life of devotee in Vrindavana, he will go back to Godhead. However, if one lives a materialistic life in Vrindavana, he will become an animal in Vrindavana for one life, and then go back to Godhead.

Q: How can one be fixed like Aindra, disregarding external circumstances?
A: That one is so different as Aindra, but yet so fixed, indicates a benediction from the previous life. Those who can fix themselves on the eternal platform are highly advanced, and we take shelter of them. One may show great enthusiasm in service, but when it gets difficult, things change. That means the connection with Krishna is not so strong.

I have one young doctor disciple in South Africa. She has to see people dying every day. In this world, when things get serious, we say it is a matter of life or death. But for us, it is Krishna or maya. That is more important than life or death. Those who have fully accepted this are leaders, regardless of their position, because of their firm faith. We see that these people found some service for Krishna, and they did it. We may not be so advanced. But by their association, we can gain strength to do some service seriously for Krishna.

Aindra Prabhu’s most significant contribution is that he took a desire of Srila Prabhupada [to have 24-hour kirtana in Vrindavana] and he really developed it.

Our Dearest Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai,

Now that our most dearest and most loved kirtaneer , Aindra Prabhu has reached your lotus feet, bless him eternally to serve you, as he served as an example to the world that the holy name and only the holy name can be our salvation. His chants inspired our youth and others who had no interest in spiritual life nor the taste for the holy name… When the name Aindra Prabhu came to be known more and more young people have been drawn to Srila Prabhupadas movement as they listened to his vibrant kirtan chants on his 24 hour kirtan…and now they are trying to follow his example.

Yesterday was an emotional time as as the youth in Ladysmith South Africa paid homeage to this kirtaneer… although they had not met him.at all , yet he had made a huge impact to their hearts . We pray that as na eternal servant of Our Dearest Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai that Aindra Prabhu will bless us to continue to appreciate and relish the Holy Name.

Your aspiring servants,
Jayati Radhika Devi Dasi
for the ISKCON Ladysmith SA Youth Group

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.6.27:

evam krsna-mater brahman
nasaktasyamalatmanah
kalah pradurabhut kale
tadit saudamani yatha

SYNONYMS
evam -- thus; krsna-mateh -- one who is fully absorbed in thinking of Krsna; brahman -- O Vyasadeva; na -- not; asaktasya -- of one who is attached; amala-atmanah -- of one who is completely free from all material dirt; kalah -- death; pradurabhut -- become visible; kale -- in the course of time; tadit -- lightning; saudamani -- illuminating; yatha -- as it is.

TRANSLATION

And so, O Brahmana Vyasadeva, in due course of time I, who was fully absorbed in thinking of Krsna and who therefore had no attachments, being completely freed from all material taints, met with death, as lightning and illumination occur simultaneously.

PURPORT

To be fully absorbed in the thought of Krsna means clearance of material dirts or hankerings. As a very rich man has no hankerings for small petty things, so also a devotee of Lord Krsna, who is guaranteed to pass on to the kingdom of God, where life is eternal, fully cognizant and blissful, naturally has no hankerings for petty material things, which are like dolls or shadows of the reality and are without permanent value. That is the sign of spiritually enriched persons. And in due course of time, when a pure devotee is completely prepared, all of a sudden the change of body occurs which is commonly called death. And for the pure devotee such a change takes place exactly like lightning, and illumination follows simultaneously. That is to say a devotee simultaneously changes his material body and develops a spiritual body by the will of the Supreme. Even before death, a pure devotee has no material affection, due to his body's being spiritualized like a red-hot iron in contact with fire.

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.16.37:

PURPORT

When something is arranged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should not be disturbed by it, even if it appears to be a reverse according to one's calculations. For example, sometimes we see that a powerful preacher is killed, or sometimes he is put into difficulty, just as Haridasa Thakura was. He was a great devotee who came into this material world to execute the will of the Lord by preaching the Lord's glories. But Haridasa was punished at the hands of the Kazi by being beaten in twenty-two marketplaces. Similarly, Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, and Prahlada Maharaja was put through so many tribulations. The Pandavas, who were direct friends of Krsna, lost their kingdom, their wife was insulted, and they had to undergo many severe tribulations. Seeing all these reverses affect devotees, one should not be disturbed; one should simply understand that in these matters there must be some plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Bhagavatam's conclusion is that a devotee is never disturbed by such reverses. He accepts even reverse conditions as the grace of the Lord. One who continues to serve the Lord even in reverse conditions is assured that he will go back to Godhead, back to the Vaikuntha planets.

Submitted by New Vrindavan Communications
July 19, 2010

May Krishna’s holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness, the destroyer of Kali-yuga’s sins, the most purifying of all purifying things, the saintly person’s food as he traverses the path to the spiritual world, the pleasure-garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play, the life of the righteous, and the seed of the tree of religion, bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.

Sri Rupa Goswami, Padyavali, 19

This was a favorite verse of Srila Akinchanna Krsna dasa Babaji Maharaja, which he always sang in his mangalacarana before chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

I thought of this verse today while thinking about you. Yes, Aindra Prabhu, I was thinking about you all day long.

The verse glorifies the name of God, and blesses us all with transcendental auspiciousness, the awakening of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

In a sense, this verse was the “mission statement” of a dedicated and selfless kirtaneer of your stature.

1. You gave your life in “dedication with conviction” for sharing the ocean of transcendental happiness of Sri Krishna nama sankirtan with countless souls suffering the miseries of material existence;

2. You dedicated your life to present the “Only and Final” solution for ending the sins and tribulations of Kali Yuga through the performance of Sri Krishna Nama Sankirtan;

3. You humbly and mercifully cried out with a bleeding heart to humanity to purify their existence through accepting the association of Sri Krishna through the performance of Sri Krishna Nama Sankirtan;

4. You were always the chief servers of the luscious feast of Sri Krishna Nama Sankirtan to all of the pilgrims on the path back to Goloka Vrindavan;

5. In your kirtans you were the tour guide to the transcendental pleasure gardens where the faithful can rest while hearing the sweetest voices of the greatest saints extol the glories of Sri Krishna Nama Sankirtana and the exquisite glories of Krishna Bhakti;

6. By liberally bestowing the holy name you presented the real, eternal existence in the lives of the righteous and saintly vaisnava devotees of God;

7. And as a humble gardener you planted the seed of the tree of religion deep within the hearts of millions of people throughout the world, while sitting in front of the deities in Vrindavan;

8. And by showing the true life of humble servant of Sri Krishna’s holy names, you evoked eternal auspiciousness for humanity.

Aindra, Kali Yuga is dark and becomes darker day by day. Krishna Nama is the brilliantly blazing torch in the darkness of the Kali night. You, My dear godbrother, have been one of the great torch bearing sons of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, our Guru Paramapara, and Sri Caitanyadev and His associates.

Aindra, I bow down to you praying for your unconditional vaisnava grace. Please bless me that one day I may chant the holy names of Sri Krishna with a pure heart, with the smallest fraction of the love and single minded dedication which you have always shown us.

My brother, all glories to you. You have gone to Radhe Shyam. You have gone to Srila Prabhupada. Please tell them I wish to come as well … but it will take me much more time to have the correct heart situation to finally go.

We are feeling sorry you are not here, and we are feeling joy at your success. Well done, well commenced, well executed Aindra. You focused only harinama, Thakurji seva, Bhagavat. You have made the grade and we already miss you.

If by chance there is internet up there, or even post card, please stay in touch, because we all love you, and miss you, and direly need your support to reach there.

Please say little prayers, on our behalf to the young important citizens there. Please pull the strings and get us there too!!

Aindra, till our next meeting,

May the love, peace and grace of Sri Krishna sankirtan bathe your precious soul.

Daso’smi,

BB Govinda Swami

nama om visnu padaya krishna presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta swamine iti namine
namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa sunyavadi pascyata-desa-tarine

My Dear Aindra prabhu,

Please accept my prostrated dandavat obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Service and all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I don’t really know what to say because I can’t really separate my experience of Krishna consciousness from you, Aindra prabhu. It is like part of my spiritual experience is now gone. Yet, in a strange way, it is still here. And that ‘spiritual experience’ is you.

Your Prayers To The Dust Of Vraja capture the mystery and depth of the Vrindavan experience for me. In fact, I cannot separate my experience of Vrindavan from your presence there…in the 24-hour kirtan, in front of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasudara and Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama. What will Vrindavan be without you, prabhu? I feel like one of the goswamis has left our presence.

I remember asking you a question the first time I met you in 1997. ‘How can we be humble?’ You replied, ‘By serving great souls, like the six goswamis. Like Srila Prabhupada. We have to accept Krishna consciousness in parampara , disciplic succession.’ I have asked you many questions since then and your answers cut deep through the maya of conditioned thought. Aindra prahu, you are a genuine sadhu. Sadhu means ‘to cut’…the knot of material attachment in the heart.

I appreciate the way you took me under your wing in Kartik 2007. You were so kind to me and gave me a lot of attention. Every time you saw me you encouraged me to get involved or initiate harinam-sankirtan, the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna. I never left your room without a rasagulla or some other delicious prashadam from your Deities. And I always left with two or three copies of each of your CD’s, especially Prayers To The Dust Of Vraja . One time, when I offered a donation you said, ‘Place Laxmi at the feet of Mahaprabhu.’ Whenever I receive donations, I place them at the feet of my Deity of Mahaprabhu. I am thankful that I was able to make a small donation last year when Arne visited Vrindavan. And, where I am able, I will continue to support the 24-hour Kirtan.

Visiting your room in the brahmacari ashram is something I cherish and will do so until the rest of my days. Sitting there with Your Grace, Govinda and several other devotees was like being with Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. A sense of excitement. A glimpse into a more esoteric, off-beat space of Krishna Consciousness. You would have devotees read from Rupa Goswami’s Govinda Lilamrita and would relish detailed descriptions of Radharani’s nose-ring or similar poetic descriptions. What a treat to be there, relishing Krishna consciousness with you and your associates.

Last time I was in your room you told me about your new book, Kirtan Is Bhajan: The Heart Of Book Distribution . You mentioned that book distribution is like the Krishna playing his flute; and kirtan, in the Temple, is like Krishna’s rasa dance. Then you said, ‘They are playing the flute, but there is no rasa dance.’ In other words, we are distributing the books, but there is no kirtan in the Temple. Harinam and book distribution go hand-in-hand, you taught. You informed us that this was Prabhupada’s method of spreading the movement in the 1970′s.

You also mesmerized us with your esoteric descriptions of japa . The chanting of japa was an intimate offering of love between the devotee and Krishna. Unlike kirtan, japa is performed alone, in a kunja (a forest-grove), between the beloved (the devotee) and the lover (Krishna).

I remember proudly announcing to you in 2005 that we had been performing Harinam Sankirtan in Cape Town every day for three months as an extension of a collective Kartik Vrata. You replied, ‘How may of you are performing nam-kirtan?’ I said, ‘About 12.’ And you replied, ‘Why not 112? In Prabhupada’s time we would do Sankirtan with over 100 devotees.’

You also defined what is Sankirtan. First it was Harinam-Sankirtan, chanting in the streets with the accompaniment of musical instruments. Then it became book distribution. Then incense. Then paintings. You emphasized that Sankirtan meant congregational chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna – not the sale of incense and paraphernalia. You also emphasized the principle of madhukara (receiving in charity): ‘Only go to the person once. Don’t go all the time.’

I appreciate your straightforwardness. A devotee gave me a whole lot of your lectures and, although you are considered controversial at times, everything you said made sense and was backed up by sastric references or exact quotes by Srila Prabhupada. That makes your lectures very authoritative and it is understandable that you would find detractors – since you could back up your realizations with accurate references to sadhu , sastra and guru .

I remember standing next to you at Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s Pushpanjali Ceremony during His Disappearance Day in 2007. We both had those sweet-smelling red rose petals in our hands. We were quite far from the Vyasasana. Our flowers were falling way short of the Vyasasana, over the heads of the devotees in front of us. After the last pushpanjali, you turned around and looked at me, ‘Anyway, it’s the thought that counts.’ That was reassuring.

I had the good fortune of being in Vrindavan in Kartik 2007. I was standing by the Temple entrance near Radha Shyamasundara, watching the 24-hour kirtan. You were standing next to me. I was so happy to be in Vrindavan. The atmosphere at Krishna-Balarama Mandir was electric. Every night was an ecstatic festival of chanting and dancing before the Deities. I was wondering why I had not been to Vrindavan in Kartik for so many years. I turned to you and said, ‘Vrindavan in Kartik. There is nothing higher.’ You looked at me and said, ‘Oh yes there is!’ You know of something higher. And now you must be experiencing bliss beyond our, and perhaps even your, comprehension.

You were offering dandavat obeisances to your Deities while your body was been scorched by flames. What tolerance! What surrender!

I am going to miss you, Aindra. Vrindavan will never be the same for me again. Your kirtans and your tunes – which are on the tongues of most devotees all around the world – are going to mean more to me now that you are departed. I will try to follow your instructions with respect to chanting and sharing the Holy Names with others.

These are just some thoughts, by way of an offering on Your Disappearance Day, my dear Aindra prabhu. I see in you all the qualities of great souls described in the Vaishnava scriptures. I see in you total dedication to the process of bhakti, Prabhupada and Krishna. Please be merciful upon us. Give us the shade of your lotus feet. For your fame is spread all over the three worlds. And we take shelter at your divine lotus feet.

Vrindavan will never be the same without you. Then again, you are always in Vrindavan.

His Grace Aindra prabhu ki jaya!
His Grace Aindra prabhu ki jaya!
His Grace Aindra prabhu ki jaya!

 

My dear Aindra Prabhu,

Your sudden departure is a great loss for us all. Your kirtans and words gave shelter and enlightenment to devotees and ultimately the world. We have lost a dear friend and well-wisher. I shall try to follow in your mood of service.

Kindly bless me. Hare Krishna.

Your servant,
Giriraj Swami

The musician was Aindra das. An American who had given up his citizenship to settle in Vrindavan with an unbreakable, one pointed focus - to sing before Radha Syamsundar until the day he died. Aindra had complete conviction. Conviction that Vrindavan was no ordinary village - it was the highest spiritual abode. Conviction that kirtan was no ordinary music - it was the divine name, descended from above, non-different from Radha and Krishna. He had no interest to be anywhere else or do anything else. He was convinced that by sitting in that spot he could change the world through his song.

Aindra das lived in a room on the third floor of a school for boys, adjacent to the temple. His entire life was comprised of the practice of Krishna bhakti. He would read, discuss and contemplate the esoteric bhakti scriptures in that room, late into the night. He would perform the sacred bhakti rituals in that room with the utmost sincerity. At four in the morning, he would enter the temple to observe the mangala-arati, and then he would step into the temples sanctum-sanctorium to perform the service of alankara, dressing the divine forms of Radha Syamsundara. Although Aindra dressed himself practically in rags, his refined fashion sense was expressed through the exceptional artistic beauty of his service to Radhe Shyam. Later he would take a little rest, then back to kirtan. Every evening he would sing in the temple to the delight of thousands.

Of course it was kirtan that Aindra was known for. How to describe it? It would often start gently - so delicate and soft. As the subtleties of the melody became more apparent and everyone became more confident in responding, you could feel the kirtan grow. It might be slow, graceful and ornate, but you could begin to feel the power just beneath the surface. Soon, under his meticulous direction, the drum beat would grow. Aindra always had a team of fantastic drummers. They would travel across the world for the privilege not just to play for him, but to learn from him. Or more precisely, to try to somehow capture just a bit of his realization and love of kirtan. As the beat grew and his voice gained strength it would become clear that although the kirtan was slow, it was massive. It was an elephant struggling to stand, sluggish but powerful. Step by brawny step the elephant would push forward, growing in strength. This kirtan was a thing of beauty. You would feel your heart pulled along through so many emotions. Joy and pain, wonder and regret, all were sublime in his kirtan. They were so satisfying, nourishing, edifying to the experience of bhakti. Nightly, large, international groups of people would join together in song and become one - one group united in devotion. Smiles and tears, so many varieties of dance. It was always a joy to see large groups of Indian villagers enter the temple on pilgrimage and take such delight in his kirtan. He never failed to astonish them, this white-boy with such deep devotion, playing their folk music with more energy and skill then they had ever seen. The joy in the faces of the ladies as they raised their arms, and danced. The village men, smiling with their missing teeth, clapping their hands, throwing back their heads and crying out. And the kirtan would just keep growing. It was epic, heroic, relentless, all consuming. He would sing, then he would roar. The earth would shake, until finally - JAYA JAYA SRI RADHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SHYAM!

Like almost everyone, musicians commonly desire fame or prestige. Their performances serve their egos. Not Aindra. He was completely committed. His sole purpose was to glorify Radha Syamsundar and engage the whole world along with him. Through devotion he received the blessing to uplift everyone in his presence. He became the most incredible musician, composer and singer I’ve ever heard. He showed by his example how one can become a vibrant manifestation of divine grace if one simple wants nothing else.

Spiritual practitioners go through their ups and downs. We struggle to find footing, a place where we can grow. Aindra’s practice was solid and fixed. Year after year, I could always count on him being there, doing what he always did - what he only did - kirtan, kirtan, kirtan. When I would sit on that checkered marble floor, Aindra on my left, Prabhupada’s samadhi behind him, Radha Syamsundar on my right, the sun going down over the temple courtyard, without fail I would say to myself, “There is absolutely no better spot to be on the face of this Earth than right here, and there is absolutely no better engagement than this, right now”. The exquisite melodies. Night after night. Everyone submerged. Those times were so incredibly precious. The beauty, the love - we were sitting in the presence of God.

Aindra prabhu, you have changed the world through your song. So many follow in your footsteps from all the corners of the globe. It’s hard to believe that we won’t see you again. There was no one like you. Sitting near you before Radha Shyamsudar and singing my heart out with all the Vaishnavas have been some of the finest moments of my life. You will be missed beyond what my words can express. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all that you gave us. Till the day I die you will remain a tremendous inspiration.

ALL GLORIES TO AINDRA PRABHU!

Kaustubha das