Johananda/Jayadev/John Matlick departs

Nrsimhananda das: An unsung Vaisnava hero, John Matlick served the devotees since his mother, affectionately known as Prabhupada-lila dd, introduced him to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings in the early 1970’s. John was a videophile who was super helpful to myself and Siddhanta in the early years of ISKCON Television. Devotees worldwide have unlimitedly benefited from his invisible hand in helping to make Srila Prabhupada available via the magic of video. He always wanted a spiritual name, so I nicknamed him Johnananda. Many years later he was given the name Jayadev by Narayan Maharaja. Johnananda and Ishan had designed and manufactured the first fiberglass Balaram mrdunga. Johnananda was very proud of his early contribution to spreading the congregational chanting of the Holy Names. He wasn’t much of a bhajaneer himself, but he bathed in the transcendental sounds. With his second wife, he pioneered video editing facilities in Los Angeles with their company, Video-It. He provided many free services to Yadubara and ITV. Gradually, Johnananda, Yadubara, Siddhanta and I became very close. He also forged a deep relationship with Baradraj, the artist. Johnananda commissioned an original artwork, “Blueboy,” which he hoped to popularize worldwide. Sri Jagadish, Partrikananda, Dughdapan, and others were also in his circle of intimate devotee friends. I eventually took Johnananda to Mayapur and did the ISKCON holy places tour. Though he wasn’t so physically fit, he never complained about any inconveniences and had unlimited patience. That was the first of a couple of his trips to India. He loved to bask in the sanga of the Holy Dhamas and devotees. His mother was a familiar and well-loved face in the New Dwarka community. Her affection for Srila Prabhupada knew no limits, and her enthusiasm for his teachings was contagious. Having graduated from the “Science of Mind” path of self-realization, she could not contain herself when preaching about Krishna consciousness. Johnananda had a big heart with a special throne for the Lord and innumerable dais for devotees. He was an avadhut of sorts, an acquired taste, and a humble sage. I never knew him to say a bad word about anybody. That in itself is an enormous achievement. Thank you, Johnananda prabhu, for all your service to the Vaisnavas. As he lay alone with heavy breathing in a sterile hospital room, Krishna arranged for some of his closest friends to arrive on what was to be his last day. (I’m currently in India.) They read from Srila Prabhupada’s books, sang kirtan, and placed the sacred water of the Ganges on his lips. His son Zeb was flying in from Germany and arrived just in time to be there for his father’s last breaths. Hare Krishna forever, indeed.