(Editor’s note: This is the 323 of the 2014 GBC resolutions. You can find the Minutes Of The 2014 Annual General Meeting in our archives section or directly here)
March 2, 2014
Dear Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The entire Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to you for your many years of service to the GBC.
You have served as a member of the GBC with the highest standard of integrity, loyalty and dedication. This is a great credit to both yourself and our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. For almost three decades, your thoughtful comments, academic and sastric insights, bold analysis and devotional perspectives have helped to inform and form GBC opinion and resolutions.
You came onto the GBC Body in 1987 during a period of great challenges. At that time, there was a need for calm consideration, intelligence and renewal. Your voice and presence on the GBC provided all three. Thus, you helped to steady the “ship” of ISKCON through those turbulent waters and into a bright and new beginning.
Your next twenty-seven years on the GBC–including your two terms as our Chairman–tested your patience and determination, but you did not waiver in your commitment to making ISKCON spiritually sound.
Among your many unique contributions, you guided us through the difficult years of bringing the New Vrindavana community back into ISKCON. You contributed to the development of the Bhaktivedanta Institute and its pioneering scientific and cultural outreach and preaching. You have written prolifically for Back to Godhead magazine. And, you continue to lead the research developing key elements of Srila Prabhupada’s Temple of Vedic Planetarium.
As our Chair in 2000, you completed a vow to chant 64 rounds a day for a month at the foot of the sacred Govardhan Hill, thus praying for ISKCON and personifying the need for sincere personal austerity and purification to advance us in service.
During the last two years, your leadership and academic skills again were fully manifest as you researched, consulted with GBC members and leaders world-wide, and then wrote “Srila Prabhupada: The Founder-Acarya of ISKCON.” It is an historic text for ISKCON, and your pivotal role in its creation will not be forgotten.
While acknowledging your significant contributions, we must also recognize your able and highly qualified wife, Saudamini Devi Dasi. She too has made great sacrifices and contributions in the service of Srila Prabhupada, and she has stood by your side throughout your entire career of service to ISKCON.
Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, you have chosen to retire this year from active full-time GBC service, and we reluctantly accept your resignation. We will deeply miss your regular association at GBC meetings.
As a token of our respect, love, and appreciation, we hereby bestow upon you the position of GBC Emeritus.
We are grateful that we will still be able to call upon you for special projects and writing assignments in service to Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON–that great cause for which you have so honorably, and lovingly, given your life.
We pray that the eternal blessings of your beloved Sri Sri Radha-Sharadbihari, Sri Jagannath, Sri Baladeva, Srimati Subhadra Devi, and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai may be upon you, and for your continued empowerment in Their service for the rest of this life and beyond.
On behalf of the Governing Body Commission, and with the unanimous approval of the GBC,
Your servants,
Tamohara dasa, Chairman
Anuttama Das, First Vice-Chairman
Praghosa Das, Second Vice-Chairman