HIS GRACE MAHENDRA DAS ACBSP
Today the world lost a stalwart devotee, Mahendra das Adhikari, at 3:10am during the auspicious Brahmamuhurta hours as he returned to rejoin Srila Prabhupada. He was surrounded by Srila Prabhupada chanting and his dear family. He was 77 years old.
In the days leading up to his admission to hospice, Sukhada dasi, and his family were supported by his men’s group Adideva das, Sarnga Thakur das, Soma das, Radha Damodar das, and Vamanadeva das. Dhanesvara das and Vaishnavananda das also visited him. Bhaktavatsala das, a close friend and ICU nurse, was Sukhada’s savior because he stayed with her the whole time and helped her understand the medical implications. Sukhada dasi and the family would like to thank all these devotees who were intimately involved and also all those who were praying for them at home. Sukhada begs your understanding for not being able to communicate with everyone during this devastating time. She feels your love and looks forward to your support in the coming months.
Mahendra prabhu came over to ISKCON when Siddhasvarupa instructed his disciples to become followers of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami in late 1970. He was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in the summer of 1971 in New York. He served as temple commander there and then went on to Pittsburgh in 1972 to do traveling Sankirtana for a year before he became the temple president in 1973. In the same year he was married to Sukhada devi dasi and in 1976 they migrated to LA where he served as manaager at the BBT. He became famous as the Sivananda Sena for coordinating the devotees’ trips from North America to the Mayapura-Vrindavana Festivals in the 1970’s.
Mahendra and Sukhada prabhus raised their family of four children in CA. They have ten grandchildren. Most recently they served in the Hawaii temple four years ago before moving to Alachua two years ago. While in Alachua, they both took up active roles in the temple and community. Both are loved by the community.
Please offer your prayers that Mahendra prabhu may proceed directly to Srila Prabhupada and serve him directly once again wherever he may be.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Mahendra das Adhikari!
The family is planning a private cremation. Updates will be provided on the Memorial.
Dear Prabhus, Pamho, AGTSP! My deepest condolences to dear Sukhada Prabhu and family. Although I had not seen Mahendra Prabhu for many years, he was always an especially dear devotee to me whom I carried in my heart. After Ramesvara Prabhu took sannyasa, Mahendra Prabhu became my boss, along with Koumadaki Prabhu, at the BBT warehouse in LA. We worked together daily. He was an exceptionally kind and Krsna conscious boss. He and Sukhada were exemplary householders and an inspiration to me personally over the years more than they will ever know. . When I came back from an attempted "deprogramming", the first time I attended Gurupuja in the LA temple room, as I was in line to offer my flower, Mahendra stepped over to me, and with tears in his eyes and a choked up voice, he simply said, "It's really good to see you." That stuck with me my whole life and meant so much to me, because it made me feel, I hadn't lost all my big brothers after all. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Mahendra Prabhu! All glories to the process of Krsna consciousness! Hare Krsna! Sincerely, Kulapriya dd
Such a very dear and kind friend. We first met in 1974 when he was the TP in Pittsburgh. His mature and kindly presence enhanced my faith in Srila Prabhupada and devotional service. That same generous and competent spirit carried over to the days we worked together in Los Angeles. The joy of being with him again in Alachua was all too brief. Surely Krishna will embrace this dedicated servant in his new situation. My deepest condolences to Mahendra Prabhu's family.
Kalakantha das ACBSP