Sriman Vrindavan Nath Das (Radhakrishnan Kallidai), a long-standing and senior devotee of ISKCON, and one of the oldest pujaris who had served at Bhaktivedanta Manor and the Soho Street temples in London, and the Radha-Kunjabihari temple in Pune, passed away on 25 September 2013 in Pune. He was 76 years old.
Vrindavan Nath Das was born on 2nd November 1937 in an orthodox South Indian family, where he grew up in deep-rooted Vedic culture, sporting a sikha and learning Sanskirt verses from childhood. His great-great grandfather, the illustrious Paundarika Dikshitar was a famous personality in the 19th century known for performing the great Paundarika Yajna during which he fed every person in several villages during the 40-day sacrifice which is a very difficult and rare ceremony.
He grew up worshipping the village Deity, Sri Sri Lakshmi Varaha, who were installed by Kubera. The temple and the story of how these Deities were installed by Kubera at the village of Silasalipuram (now called Kallidaikurichi in Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu) are mentioned in the Padmna Purana. The village stands at the end of the Western ghats and the river Tamraparni flows through it, surrounded by mountains and paddy fields on all sides.
When his son, Romapada Das was 9 years old, Vrindavan Nath Das, gave a picture of Lord Chaitanya with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra to him and said, “This is the greatest mantra and if you chant it there is nothing else you need to do. Please chant it every day.” He said this even before he had come in contact with ISKCON devotees.
Vrindavan Nath das first came into contact with ISKCON devotees in 1986 in Chandigarh, where he took up to the chanting of the holy name and accepted beads after his first ever meeting with ISKCON devotees. On the very first day he came to the temple, he met His Holines Gopal Krishna Goswami and His Holiness Navayogendra Swami, who urged him to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. The very same day, he invited the sannyasis to his house for a programme, and accepted his first beads from His Holiness Navayogendra Swami. He and his wife, Jaganmata Devi Dasi were initiated in 1993 by His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami, who told them before initiation, “If you and your wife simply chant your 16 rounds every day, you will both definitely go back home to Godhead.”
In 2002, he left India to go and live with his son, Romapada Das in London, where he started serving the Deities of Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara, ISKCON’s first Radha-Krishna deities installed by Srila Prabhupada with great attention and sincerity. He would travel even in the harsh winters of London every Wednesday and Saturday by a local train at 5.30 am to reach the temple by 6.30 am and offer the morning bhoga, perform arati and sometimes cook for the Deities. Later, he started worshipping Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda every Saturday and Sunday at Bhaktivedanta Manor, and stayed every weekend in the brahmachari ashram, where he would serve the Deities from the time they were woken up till they were put to rest.
Devotees who served with him noticed how much he served the Deities with utmost cleanliness, punctuality and attention to detail. He would also not eat or drink even a drop of water till his service to the Deities were finished for the day. Gadadhar Das, the head Pujari of Bhaktivedanta Manor, developed a special relationship with him since he was one of his most dependable and timely pujaris, even though he was amongst the eldest.
He was always particular about wearing spotless dhotis pressed and folded to perfection, with an immaculately imprinted tilak and a neat sikha. Several devotees who served with him became very fond of his natural warmth, affectionate demeanor, and father-like protection so much that everyone at the Manor started calling him, ‘Pitaji’. He touched the lives of many people from all ages and backgrounds with his simplicity and love that he showered on everyone around him. So attached was he to his services at the temple and so committed to the Deities that he once told his son, “Sometimes I wish I can just stay in the ashram and not come back home.”
In 2009, he moved back to India to stay with his son, Romapada Das, who had migrated back from the UK. In Pune, he started serving the Deities of Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari as a Pujari. Many devotees who came in contact with him during this time remarked about his commitment to Deity worship. “He would not even have a drop of water till he finished his afternoon worship even though we would ask him to,” remarked Lalit Madhava Das, one of the brahmacharis who served with him. “All of us felt so inspired by watching how he served Their Lordships.”
In Pune, they welcomed the Deities of Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai their Lordships to their residence, Bhaktivedanta Kutir, where he worshipped them with great care and attention. He would instruct his family on the proper worship of the Deities and trained them. During festivals and events celebrated at the house, Gaura-lila Das once said he was very appreciative of Vrindavan Nath Das’ commitment to Deity worship event at such a ripe age.
On his 75th appearance day by the Indian calendar on Diwali day in 2012, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami visited Bhaktivedanta Kutir where devotees organised a kirtan programme for him. His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami told him, “I came to your house just to see you.”
In 2013, he was diagnosed with Cancer and his health started deteriorating rapidly. Even though he was in great pain and unable to breathe properly, he used to chant all his rounds. During his last days, he would constantly shout, “Radhe! Krishna!” and look at the Deities in His house with tears in his eyes.
Once, when he was particularly suffering with heavy breathlessness and intense pain, his son asked him if he was able to chant his rounds, and Vrindavan Nath das said, “I am always chanting the Lord’s names every minute.”
When he had become completely infirm and could not even walk a few steps, devotees at the temple arranged for a special darshan for him on Janmashtami day in 2013 where his car could come directly to the lift and he could have darshan of the Deities. This was his last visit to the temple, where he had his final darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Vrindavanchandra and participated in the abhisheka ceremony. Fortunately, Krishna sent a professional photographer just at that time, and his last visit to the temple was captured in some wonderful photographs.
After he returned, he became completely bedridden and had to be admitted to the hospital a few times. Just before his last trip to the hospital, he told his son, “I don’t want to leave my body in the hospital. Please bring me back soon so that I can leave my body at home.”
A few days later, he was discharged from hospital and came back to Bhaktivedanta Kutir on 20th September. Five days later, in the morning of 25 September, he suddenly started shouting, “Krishna, Govinda, Damodara!” as he lay in front of a bed that had been kept in front of the family Deities. At 4.15 pm, after having conversations with his wife, he passed away peacefully in a matter of minutes, lying in front of his beloved Deities.
Just as his transcendental body came out of Bhaktivedanta Kutir, devotees noticed that it started raining. As he was being put into the hearse that was going to carry him to the cremation ground, the rain became heavier, and stopped as soon as the hearse started for the cremation ground. Many devotees remarked that they felt that the demigods were showering flowers and they fell like raindrops to soothen everyone and proclaim his glories.
His ashes are being immersed in Vrindavan, Mayapur, Jagannatha Puri, Tulapur Trisangam near Alandi, and at his ancestoral village on the banks of the river Tamraparni in Tamil Nadu.
Several devotees whose live he touched have paid glorious tributes to him, and they are attached in the Annexure to this obituary.
We request all devotees to pray to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, and Sri Sri Radha-Krishna to bestow their protection to Sriman Vrindavan Nath Das on his journey back home to Godhead.
Comments from devotees around the world on the passing away of Sriman Vrindavan Nath Das
Vrindavan Nath Das was an outstanding devotee and gentleman. I am praying for his blessings.
– His Grace Gauri Das, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London
Haribol. I had the good fortune of associating with Tathaji that’s what he wanted me to call him when I used to be the receptionist on Saturdays and he would be there chanting, told me stories and taught me Hindi. I always looked forward to Saturdays and was hoping that he would return to London again. May Radha Gokulananda look upon him always. Thank you Tathaji!!!
– Radhapremi Devi Dasi, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London
He was such a wonderful soul and so dedicated in serving the Deities as well as other devotees. I Will miss him and his lovely smile. I regarded him as a friend and an amazing Vaishnava with so much charisma and dedication. My sincere condolences to all the family. May his soul rest in peace eternally with Krishna at his side.
– Bhawesh Shah, London
He was a wonderful Vaishnava, always smiling and serving. I am lucky to have known and served His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami together with him.
– Raghupati Das, Birmingham
He was such a lovely sincere devotee. he does not need our prayers. I beleive he is already with Krishna. My prayers are with those he left behind, who will really miss him. Love you dearly, Prabhuji.
– Manohara Gopika Devi Dasi, London
Hare Krsna prabhu, prayers for his soul; a celebration of the life of a lovely devotee.
– Shamita Kumar, London
May Krsna be eternally with him, he was a wonderful devotee!
– Tulasi Nadia Harrison, Bhaktivedanta Manor
So sorry to hear of this. I have such fond memories of him when I was living at the Manor and he would come and do his pujari service. Was always a pleasure to be in his company. Prayers are with him and your family.
– Gopal-Lila Das, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London
He was one of the nicest souls I knew, and he was a great father too.
– Anupurva Radhika Devi Dasi, London
सद्गतिर्भवतु ईित प्राथये भगवन्तम् ।।
– Basu Ghosh Das, Baroda
Big heart, big smile, great personality, he will truly be missed….. But he will forever live in our memories and heart. Krsna the best planner, has the best plan for him. So so glad to have known such a soul thank you for your association.
– Gita Sanghani, London
We will miss him . Last time i met Appa during Jhulan yatra celebration in ur house .
– Aditya Korakana, Pune
“Condolences” – so sorry to hear the loss of great soul. May his soul rest in peace.
– Govindanandini Devi Dasi, fellow-pujari at Soho Street Temple, London
Vrindavan Nath Das was a very nice Vaishnava and Krishna took him away to HIS abode.
– Rohini Nandan Das, Orlando, USA
He has gone to Krishna in the spiritual world. What a lovely man he was
– Radhamohan Das, London
I was sad to hear of his passing away. He was always very kind to all. Hare Krishna
– Bhavesh Karia
This is a celebration of the life of a lovely devotee whose personality shone. Haribol
– Roshni Thakrar, London
Sad to hear of his passing from this world! What an exemplary Vaisnava! Have fond memories of being with him at the Manor. Always so friendly and caring…always smiling…truly a well wisher of everyone.
– Amit Patel, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London
So sorry to hear this..a wonderful soul will be missed..
– Raj Gope, Kolkata
I’m so sorry. It’s been so long since i saw him, and yet I feel his loss. Such a rare soul.
– Devarsi Das
Over the years we exchanged many a good conversation in Tamil at the manor. May his soul rest in peace. Hare Krishna !
– John Shankar