Update on Bhojadeva

[Guest guest]

Update on Bhojadeva

 

By Jivanuga das

 

By now the entire worldwide devotee community must have heard of the tragic

events that took place in Manipur on Janmastami. The devotees of ISKCON

Manipur wish to thank everyone for their continued prayers and blessings for

all of the vaisnavas who were injured and for those who have left this

world. We will continue to provide updates on the situation.

 

At this time, we would like to bring attention to the condition of Bhojadeva

dasa and also make a humble appeal on his behalf for funds in order to help

pay for his medical expenses.

 

Bhojadeva dasa is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who joined in 1972. Anyone

who knows him is familiar with his gentle nature, warm laugh, and expertise

in the kitchen.

 

Bhojadeva was sitting just 8 feet from the grenade when it exploded. His

body shielded several devotees from the main force of the blast including

H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami. If he had not been sitting there these

devotees would have been more severely injured or even killed as Bhojadeva

has a very big body and was able to absorb the force of the explosion.

Somehow by the mercy of the Holy Names of the Lord he was able to maintain

consciousness the entire frantic ride to the hospital. He never stopped

chanting the maha-mantra even though he had sustained massive trauma all

over his body. The doctors have told us that his maintaining consciousness

greatly contributed to his survival as he did not go into shock and was only

5or 10 minutes away from them not being able to save him. By the time he

went into surgery Bhojadeva had no pulse or blood pressure. A team of

surgeons worked for five hours to save his life. Several of them had been to

the temple earlier in the day with their families for darshan, one was

passed by emergency vehicles while on his way to the temple and realized he

should proceed to the hospital. Following surgery Bhojadeva was moved to

intensive care so that he could be monitored around the clock. Afterwards,

they commented that anyone else without such a strong constitution, positive

outlook and faith would not have survived. The lead surgeon went on do say

that he survived due to Lord Krsna’s blessings, to which Bhojadeva replied

that Krsna works through his devotees, only to have the doctors humbly state

that they were simply doing their duty. There are over one million Gaudiya

vaisnavas in Manipur and many of the doctors and nurses come to work wearing

tilak.

 

Bhojadeva is now out of any immediate danger, but he still has a long road

to recovery. While he sustained shrapnel wounds over much of his body, the

most serious are in the face, chest, abdomen, left arm and hand. The

surgeons removed the fragments from the chest and abdomen, they have

repaired all of the damage in these areas. A chest tube was inserted for

drainage. The areas that will need reconstruction are the more serious of

his injuries. His left arm and hand received massive damage, with a 6 inch

area inside the elbow being completely blown away. His left hand is broken

and the flesh and tendons on the back of the hand are completely gone. Both

these areas will need reconstruction and skin grafts. The doctors feel that

he can regain 90%-95% of movement in the arm and hand with proper treatment

and rehab. The injuries to his face are even more severe. The force of the

blast blew a large part of his nose away and simultaneously fractured the

bones around the nose and eyes including the orbitals or eye sockets. This

has resulted in leakage from the brain cavity which is very serious.

Fortunately, the discharge has been lessening and the doctors are quite

encouraged with this. Patients with these types of injuries run the risk of

developing meningitis. He will need reconstructive surgery to repair the

fractures and fix his nose. The greatest area of concern is his right eye,

there is inflammation of the optic nerve from either shrapnel or bone

fragments. It is possible that he may lose vision in that eye. The hospital

in Manipur does not have the equipment to assess the situation further. But

the doctors are hopeful that if we get him to a better facility there is a

chance to repair the damage. Please join us in praying to Lord Nrisimhadeva

that his eye will be alright. We are in the process of moving him to a

hospital in Thailand that specializes in reconstructive surgery and doctors

can examine his eye further. Jivan Mukta das, Sacirani devi dasi and myself

will be accompanying him to Bangkok to take care of him while he

rehabilitates from is injuries.

 

It is on behalf of this sincere disciple of Srila Prabhupada and devotee of

Lord Sri Krsna, that we are appealing for financial help with his medical

expenses. If you would like help please send you offering by wire transfer

or electronic check to:

 

Sarah Meade (Sacirani devi dasi)

 

BANK: Islanders Bank

 

BRANCH: Friday Harbor

 

BANK ADDRESS: 255 Blair Ave, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

 

ROUTING NUMBER: 125107820

 

CREDIT TO: Sarah Meade

 

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 211067384

 

Or you can mail a personal check, money order or small cash amount to: Sarah

Meade (Sacirani devi dasi) PO Box 1316 Friday Harbor, WA 98250

 

To send a message for Bhojadeva, ask updates regarding his condition or to

let us know of your wire/donation please email: sacirani

 

Please continue to pray to Lord Nrisimhadeva and Lord Krsna for Bhojadeva

dasa and the other vaishnavas injured in this attack so that their recovery

can be speedy along by their blessings. Thank you and Hare Krsna!

 

Your servant, Jivanuga das