A historic disciple of Srila Prabhupada, in a small way, has passed away.
On November 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia USA, His Grace Carudesna das acbsp passed away from complications of Parkinson’s. He was visited by many devotees throughout the week and received many phone calls and messages from senior devotees worldwide. His Grace Balabadra prabhu, his comrade in book distribution in those days, took care of him day and night and kept everyone up to date on Carudesna’s condition during his final weeks on this planet. We thank him for his extraordinary service to prabhu.
His Grace Carudesna prabhu was the first devotee to distribute 210 big books in one day. The average was 20 big books in those days. This occurred in the Atlanta airport on the busiest travel day of the year, Thanksgiving eve, 1974. Atlanta was home to a large Army Training facility and lots of soldiers were on their way home for the holidays. Carudesna prabhu began distributing books right after Mangal Arati and didn’t return until Mangal Arati the next day. Some say this spark the society wide Christmas marathon that continues to this day.
The devotees of the Krishna Life center in Atlanta visited Carudesna prabhu and told him they will name this year’s marathon the “Caurdesna Book Marathon” in his honor.
Srila Prabhupada noted Carudesna’s extraordinary service in a letter to Srutadeva prabhu:
18 September, 1975
Catonsville, Maryland
My dear Srutadeva das,
Please accept my blessings. I was in due receipt of your Sankirtana Newsletter, Volume 2, Number 23. The report from Denver regarding the legal judgment of Judge M. Winner is giving intelligence to the judge also. It appears that the airport officials are defeated. I have heard that in some of the airports they are making announcements telling the people not to purchase our literature. This is impeding our religion and is therefore blasphemy. This cannot be allowed. You should take this to the courts; let people know what they are doing. They cannot impede our right. It is simply wonderful that Carudesna dasa has distributed in one day 210 big books.
I hope this meets you in good health.
Your ever well wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/Bs/mdd
Let us pray for the blessing of His Grace Carudesna prabhu that we may please His Divine Grace in our lifetime.
Your servant,
Sikhi Mahiti das