compiled by Nartaka Gopala dasi
Gopal Prabhu received initiation from Srila Prabhupada in Los Angeles, July, 1970. He was given sannyasa initiation at some point in the very early seventies, meaning he was among the first devotees to get sannyasa in ISKCON. He was extremely young to enter that ashram, barely 21 or so. He remained in that ashram a few years. I met him for the first time in 2011 when I started working at Radha Jivan Prabhu’s import business where only devotees were employed, and Gopal worked there as well. I remember several times he would cook up big pots of subji and bring it in to feed us all. When he found out he had health problems with his heart he decided to give up life in America and move to Vrindavan. One day he brought in all his Deities, and asked us to please take a Deity home with us and take care of it. I was so happy because one Deity was an extraordinarily beautiful Nrsimhadeva Deity Who blesses my house now. We are all very proud of him for finishing up in this lifetime and leaving his body in the most holy Sri Vrindavan Dham, which is considered the divine perfection of life. Below are comments from several devotees about Gopal Prabhu.
Radha Jivan dasa & Gaura Bhakti Poddar (living in Vrindavan): “Gopal left this world this afternoon around 4:30. His caregiver was with him. They have just taken his body to the Bhaktivedanta Hospice. In 1971 or 72 after Srila Prabhupada secured the Mayapur property, in that connection the police came and said they wanted to arrest either Jayapataka or Gopal. Gopal volunteered, as he said Jayapataka’s service was more important. He was arrested and put in solitary confinement in jail for six months. Then, when he finally was released, they rearrested him for overstaying his visa while he was in jail and put him in jail again. He told us this story. He went through great austerity for Srila Prabhupada. I saw him a week ago, his caregiver was taking him in a wheelchair to the temple. He looked almost unconscious. He felt he wasn’t going to live long and wanted to go for darshan of the Deities.”
Pushkar dasa (lives in Alachua): “In Alachua, before we built the new kitchen, Gopal would cook Raja Bhog. He would make 20 or more preps. The only other person I know who ever cooked like that here till now was the Russian devotee Tulsi Devi (wife of Dhritarashtra das).”
Ganga das Rodriguez (lives in Alachua): “Gopal was our co-worker at Sacred Threads for maybe six years. I am so happy that I met him. I was impressed by his sincerity. He was one of the first sannyasis in ISKCON for 4 or 5 years. He was detached from material things. When he found out his heart was not good he decided to move to Vrindavan and he gave up his car and everything. Our Godbrother Jada Bharata dasa had passed away and left his MVT flat in Vrindavan to Gopal so he would have a place to live for the rest of his life. Gopal had wonderful shilas that he worshipped with real jewels and the best flowers. He fasted for 25 days before he died.”
Mahadevi Dasi Riggan (lives in Vrindavan) “What an amazing life of complete dedication to Srila Prabhupada and an amazing departure story that I was involved in as member of our Iskcon Vrndavan Last Rites Team. My seva is providing notarized Living Wills that are required to send to the police and Embassy for permission of a Western Vaisnava body to be cremated at the Yamuna River. This permission called an NOC. No Objection Certificate, so much paperwork, a long tedious procedure but has gotten easier through the years. We got to glorify Gopal Prabhu as a departed great Vaisnava, one of Srila Prabhupada’s earlier disciples, in the pouring down raining after all legal work was approved. His caregiver Jagan Nivas Prabhu and I retrieved his body, bathed his body and put fresh lungee, matching chaddar and tilok of Krsnas Names w Maha Tulasi leaves on the eyelids. He was smiling. He was my MVT neighbor, the last 2 years were difficult, but he inspired everyone with his warrior determination. When Madhavi Marján came from Mayapur to take Gopal’s Giriraj, We knew; he knew: not long in this body. He left so peacefully with Prabhupada chanting Hare Krsna, Jagan Nivas Prabhu and our TP Panchagauda Prabhu there by phone video. Simple departure, Prabhupada taking him. In the pouring rain, we took Gopal’s body to the front of Prabhupada’s Samadhi and then on to the Yamuna. Wood would not ignite at the bank of the Yamuna, so we had to perform Cremation Last Rites at the Moksha Dhama. Saranga Thakur and I put ashes of Gopal Prabhu in the Yamuna the next morning. Gopal told me several times in the last year “LIFE IS SHORT.” How fortunate we are that Srila Prabhupada and our Lords have blessed us with the sanga of so many incredible, revolutionary Vaisnavis & Vaisnavas. Jai Srila Prabhupada and his extraordinary Mission of KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS. I can still see Gopal sitting in his spot on the bench near MVT Gate, chanting and chanting HARE KRSNA.”
Bhima dasa (TP of Juhu ISKCON, Mumbai): “I am very sad in a sense but glad at the same time. Sad to lose the association of a sweet devotee like Gopal Prabhu and happy to know he is in the safe grasp of Radha and Krishna. Gopal Prabhu stayed in Mumbai heading up the new bhakta program around 1995 and 96 and he was very kind and considerate of the new devotees. Gopal Prabhu was very dedicated to Srila Prabhupada. I pray that I too, like Gopal Prabhu can remain steadfast in unwavering service and thus obtain the mercy of the Lord.”
Pancagauda dasa (TP of ISKCON Vrindavan) “I have known Gopal since the 90’s, we lived together in Vrindavan. He was one of the first devotees in Mayapur along with Jayapataka Maharaja. He also came with the early group of devotees in 1970 touring throughout India doing harinam and pandal festival programs. Then, many years ago he came back to Vrindavan, worshipping the Deities and chanting the Holy Names. He left this world on our Mathura Ratha Yatra day; I was on the phone with him chanting the Holy Names to him when he passed away. His surrender was determined and dedicated to the mission. I’m sure Krsna Balaram blessed him.”
Gaura Purnima devi (lives in Alachua/Vrindavan) “I got to have Gopal Prabhu’s association in Vrindavan. He loved speaking about his life after meeting the devotees and Srila Prabhupada. One of the most endearing stories was on the day of his initiation, he was anxiously concerned that he may not remember his new name since so many of them were long names. As he approached Srila Prabhupada to receive his beads and name, Srila Prabhupada looked at him and said: “Your name is Gopal. G-O-P-A-L. Is that OK?”
Mahavishnupriya devi (lives in Alachua): “All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to Lord Krsna as well as our dear Godbrother Gopal das. We are sending all our best wishes and Bhakti seva for mercy and grace for the many devotees who are making their way now into the spiritual realm of the Supreme Lord.”
Deva Didhiti devi Fixler: “Always looked forward to seeing Gopal when I went to Vrndavana. He would tell me stories about his many pastimes with Srila Prabhupada. He never wanted to leave Vrndavana so Krsna fulfilled his desire. Gopal was a surrendered soul to Srila Prabhupada.”
Rasa Lila devi Rader (lives in Ohio): “All glories to his life of service.”