Glorious Passing Away of Keshava Karuna dasa

[Guest guest]

HG Keshava Karuna dasa a disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami passed away in

Kuala Lumpur while his daugter was at his bedside chanting the Hare Krsna

Maha Mantra.

 

Prabhu passed away on 2 October 2006 at 6AM Malaysian time.

 

Keshava Karuna prabhu was a personal friend of mine even while I was

employed and before my initiation.

 

I remember the first time I met him for some job related matters. When I

arrived at his job place, his Muslim friends spotted me with Tilak and

immediately told me there is a great devotee of Krsna and took me to Keshava

Karuna prabhu who was sitting behind a table with prominent Tilak markings

on his forehead. Almost all his colleagues were Muslims but Keshava Karuna

prabhu was so truthful to Krishna and did not feel any hindrance to promote

himself as a servant of Lord Krishna.

 

Keshava Karuna prabhu also assisted in temple services by loaning and even

donating from his department as many lighting and electrical fittings for

all of the Lord's festivals. He thus engaged the government and not only his

Hindu friends but at times his Muslim friends in the service of Lord Krsna.

 

Keshava Karuna prabhu used to preach to me a lot in my early days in ISKCON

and always in a very humble and polite manner. He used to also always

glorify devotees who had dedicated their lives in the service of Krsna.

 

He and his good wife always happily served prasadam to bramacharies both at

home and at their vegetarian prasadam outlet. Many devotees are benefitting

by getting prasadam from their outlet and many non ISKCON members too have

become friends of Krsna due to their prasadam.

 

Though a long time member of ISKCON Keshava Karuna prabhu had not taken

intiation till recently. He always thought that he was not qualified and

sincerely held back from taking initiation. But towards the end about 2

years ago he signalled interest in initiation and was very appreciative of

HH Jayapataka Maharaj for not forgetting him. He once told me that he was

taken aback when HH Jayapataka Maharaj during the Chennai ratha Yatra

spotted Keshava Karuna prabhu from afar and greeted him. He always felt

close to Guru Maharaj and by the Lord's mercy he received his initiation

this year and was very happy especially he wanted that he be initiated

before he left his body.

 

Keshava Karuna prabhu is survived by wife Nanda Priya dd a daughter and son.

 

The devotees in Malaysia will be missing him.

 

I pray that Keshava Karuna prabhu is blessed and is with Krsna and may he

forgive me for all offences commited at his feet.

 

Your servant

Simhesvara dasa