Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Disappearance..

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November 14, 1977 - Disappearance

 

 

We had all returned to Prabhupada's room, surrounding

him and sitting on his bed-Upendra, Svarupa Damodara,

Satadhanya Maharaja, Bhavananda Maharaja, Hamsaduta

Maharaja, and I-with other devotees, both men and

women, present. Pisima came in and asked, "Prabhupada,

have you eaten something?" Srila Prabhupada did not

respond, even though she asked again and again. She

placed Ganges water in Prabhupada's mouth. We had

placed tulasi leaves and Yamuna water by Prabhupada's

head.

Prabhupada's Godbrothers arrived. I had set up benches

on each side of the bed for them-Bon Maharaja ,

Krsnadasa Babaji , Ananda Prabhu-and his Godnephew

Narayana Maharaja. They sat and watched intently,

observing Srila Prabhupada's consciousness. Narayana

Maharaja spoke in Srila Prabhupada's ear, but there

was no response; but when Bhakti-caru Maharaja spoke

into Prabhupada's ear, telling him that Narayana

Maharaja and others were present, Prabhupada slowly

raised his left hand to his head in salutation and

started crying. Prabhupada's Godbrothers explained

that Prabhupada's attacks were simply the moving of

the airs in the body, not actual pain. They said that

Prabhupada was in perfect consciousness and they did

not feel the time had yet come for his departure.

After two or three hours they left, promising to come

immediately whenever we called.

The kaviraja, however, said Prabhupada had only two or

three hours left. Already, we had informed ISKCON

around the world. pujaries brought tulasi flower

garlands from Krsna-Balarama and placed them on the

pillow around Prabhupada's head. Understanding that

the end was near, we chanted and prayed, there being

nothing else to do. When the last attack came at 3:00

p.m., Prabhupada rubbed his hand quickly back and

forth across his heart. Upendra also massaged his

heart, while I sat holding his lotus feet. For four

hours, Prabhupada was very peaceful.

At 7:25 p.m., Prabhupada opened his eyes, which were

very clear, more so than in many months. His mouth

opened, his tongue moved, and then he became still.

The kaviraja took Prabhupada's pulse and held a cotton

swab to his nostril, detecting no movement of air. Our

beloved Srila Prabhupada had departed. Surrounded by

his loving disciples, who were chanting the holy name

of Krsna; lying very peaceful in his bed in

Vrndavana-dhama, the holy land of Krsna's birth; his

head directed toward the Deities of Krsna-Balarama;

surrounded by photos of all the Deities and his Guru

Maharaja; decorated with candana and a big tulasi leaf

on his forehead; and holding tulasi in his right hand,

he departed and returned to the lotus feet of Krsna,

from whence he came.

Oh, how the world has become devoid of its crest

jewel, Srila Prabhupada! Oh, how everything is now

vacant! The room filled with wailing and crying.

Devotees clutched Prabhupada's lotus feet, and Pisima

approached, crying piteously.

 

- From the TKG's Diary by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami

Maharaj

 

 

 

 

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