Condoluence message, on the passing of His Holiness Narmada Goswami

[Guest guest]

The Trustees of the BBT India hereby place on record it's great feeling of

separation from and deep gratitude for services rendered by His Holiness

Narmada Swami Maharaj, who left this world the day after Srila Prabhupada's

disappearance day, Kartik shukla panchami, at Sri Vrindavan dham. He was 79

years old.

 

Narmada Maharaj retired to Vrindavan 3 years ago, when ill health prevented

him from continuing as the Manager of the BBT at Juhu, Bombay. He rendered

very important and totally selfless service to the BBT there from 1982

onwards.

 

Narmada Maharaj joined ISKCON at an advanced age after attending the ISKCON

Rathayatra at Surat during 1981. So practically he served the BBT from the

time he joined ISKCON. He rose to the post of Manager and Trustee from the

humble service of godown (warehouse) manager, which was his first service in

BBT.

 

Over the years, Narmada Maharaj developed the reputation of being an

absolutely honest, no-nonsense manager. He was an icon of devotion to duty.

He was very strict in his dealings, but he also had his "soft-side" which

was also well known to many leaders of ISKCON in India. He was liberal to

the temples in giving them BBT books as long as they made regular payments

to the BBT. Because of his honesty, integrity and kindness, he was

respected and well liked by both ISKCON India's senior leaders as well as

the ISKCON India temple presidents. His management skills were highly

respected by all. It is understood that his diligence, integrity and

management skills were a major contribution that helped the Juhu BBT to

prosper in no small way.

 

Narmada Maharaj also served as temple president of ISKCON New Delhi, Juhu

Mumbai, and Hyderabad. After retiring to Vrindavan he was bedridden, but

until the end he was in full control of his mental faculties. His dealings

while during the final period of his life are a lesson in humility and in

devotion to Sri Sri Radha Krishna. The example he set of a person who knows

his departure from the material body is imminent and thus fixed his mind on

the Lord reminds us of Maharaj Parikshit and Maharaj Khatvaanga. His life

in the Krishna Consciousness movement was glorious and his departure from

this material world was glorious. His life and the sterling example he set

should be an inspiration to the younger generation of ISKCON devotees.