Devotee, inventor of “kurma the frog” character left his body.
Jagadambika Devi: HIs Grace Shom Prabhu left the temple around 5:00 p.m. We had to wait until the police investigated, doctor signed off on Death Details, cremation place etc. At first the police would not let the devotees touch Shom’s body. They finally figured it out that there was no foul play. Apparently Shom Prabhu got up at 5:00 a.m. to bath and get dressed for his service. Then Anadi Das Prabhu, roommate, did not hear Shom leave by 6:00 a.m. yet, so he went to his room to check and he was face down on the bed. He was already dressed. So he must have left his body somewhere between 5 a.m. – 6 a.m.
Shom Prabhu’s body was in the house all day. As they took his body away by transport, the devotees were out chanting Hare Krsna to see him off. Then some of us went and opened all the temple doors outside so he could get one final darshan of Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakadisa. The mortuary transport stopped in front of the temple so Shom Prabhu could say goodbye. I opened Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra’s doors. Other devotees opened the other Deity doors. His body was the color of Krsna. He must have seen Krsna. I’ve seen many dead bodies but have never seen anything like it. He was really blue and had a big smile on his face. He became blue so quickly. He must have had another seizure. He’s had them a lot lately.
All glories to Her Grace Kriya Shakti Mataji! She’s cool calm and amazing! She was with Anadi Das Prabhu and Shom Prabhu’s body all day, arranging everything. She went through Shom Prabhu’s phone and got some close relatives contact, contacted a mortuary, etc. to pick up Shom Prabhu’s body. Mother Kriya Shakti Mataji arranged all the details for Shom Prabhu’s body, garlands and all. His Grace Rabindranatha Das Prabhu, Head Pujari came also. Mother Kriya Shakti must be exhausted from such a long day. I notice whenever a devotee is in need she’s always there to help out. She did such an amazing service with this sudden passing. She even got Shom’s family to allow the devotees to do everything for Shom Prabhu’s body from cremating, etc. There will be a Memorial for Shom Prabhu later. I don’t think they need to do an autopsy since doctor signed off.
It’s times like this I’m so grateful to be around devotees like Mother Kriya Shakti, and all the New Dwaraka Devotees. Family always come together when needed. They are always there. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada! Such an auspicious day to pass!
This is his facebook page, active until few days ago: https://goo.gl/K21942
I knew Shyamasundara (Bhakta Steve) when he joined in Detroit in the mid-eighties.
We were friends and traveled across the country doing sankirtan together during which he told me the unusual way he became a devotee.
He was working at a supermarket in Michigan looking for the answers to life’s questions when a co-worker gave him one of Srila Prabhupada’s books. Strangely, he told Steve that he was a Guru as described by Prabhupada. If Steve was serious, he said, then he had to surrender to him.
Steve was so captivated by the teachings that he moved in with “Guru Dave” and turned his paycheck over to him every week. Guru Dave would have Steve chant his sixteen rounds in the closet while he watched television. By the Lord’s grace, after some time he met real devotees who quickly explained the error of his ways and he moved into an actual ISKCON temple.
I am very familiar with his condition. Once we were on travelling sankirtan in Florida (Boca Raton?) with Vraja Vihari prabhu (of ISKCONResolve fame). I was sitting upfront in the van and Vraja was driving. We heard unholy noise coming from the back of the van and I turned and saw he was turning the shades of blue described in the above article. He had always told us if he had a seizure do not stick our fingers in his mouth as epileptics rarely swallowed their tongue, it was more of an urban legend. I hesitated and Vraja yelled at me, “He is leaving his body!” so I jumped back and wrenched his jaw open which made his jammed up tongue come free. He made a huge inhalation and retained his natural color. He had actually swallowed his tongue.
He always credited me with saving his life, so I have that going for me. But sadly it seems no one was there to do it for him this time round.
Shyamasundara (originally Shyamananda via Ramesvara prabhu) faced many personal trials and was challenged by violent epileptic seizures throughout his devotional career but continued to push on. He also lost the love of his life, a lovely french devotee woman named Mani Manjari, to cancer many years ago.
He was a great soul, a dedicated true believer. I personally witnessed his resolve to rescue the fallen souls in many a parking lot.
He spent decades of his life serving ISKCON and his disappearance is a great loss to both his friends and Prabhupada’s mission.
Jai Shyamananda Prabhu.
Shyamasundara prabhu always had welcoming smile for everyone. His innocent sincerity manifest through his beloved hand puppets, and he could disarm even the most cynical persons. Being in his association, I always felt fully embraced by his love as I’m sure did everyone else. His benign presence in New Dwarka will be sorely missed. Special thanks to Her Grace Kriya Shakti dd who always remains a steady flame no matter the circumstances. She is another unique gift of Prabhupada to the devotees, and she again served the departed Vaisnava perfectly.