By Malati devi dasi
Dear Vaishnave Devotees: Please accept my humbly offered obeisance’s. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his wonderful followers.
About three weeks ago, I sent out a humble request for anyone who might be willing to consider stepping forward as a possible living donor with a liver transplant for His Grace Shyamasundar Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s personal secretary and the innovator behind the great success in London at the time of the Beatles. Certainly, I understood that this was a very unusual request, but the urgency behind it allowed me the liberty to ask. I believe that Srila Prabhupada would not stand in the way of something that could help any one of his great soldiers in a time of need. I have also seen the effects of such surgeries in at least three devotees, whose lives have been extended in a wonderful way, allowing them the gifted opportunity of further service to Srila Prabhupada and his mission as well as to devotees at large. The response to my request was most incredible and heartfelt. In fact, the Doctor who coordinates these operations was astounded, she asked Shyamasundar, “Who are you anyway? I have never had this kind of response in my life. And, from all over the world! Who are you?” (Giving him the opportunity to talk about Krishna).
To all the wonderful souls who offered hope in the form of prayers and well wishes, what to speak of those who were willing to part with a piece of their own liver, I offer my most deepest most sincere gratitude. While I never cry when chanting the Holy Name, your loving responses brought tears to my eyes, again and again. It melted Shyamasunder Prabhu’s heart, giving him immense support in the face of his ordeal.
I am pleased to report that today, we recieved the following good news:
Dear Prabhus & Matajis, Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga.
Just received the preliminary report of my liver biopsy from hospital here & they confirmed me to be the liver donor for HG Shyamasundar Prabhu. The earliest possible surgery date is 2 October 2007, so we will prepare for the same after returning to respective homes after 18 September 2007.
So please pray for us & shower your blessings. Thank you very much.
Your servant, Gopinath das.
(Gopinath Prabhu is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami who lives in New Vrindaban and works with Share Your Care, a non-profit organization that assists Bhaktivedanta Hospital. All glories to Sriman Gopinath Prabhu!) I am without the elequence to adequately express myself except to sincerely thank each of you and pray that our loving Lord Krishna continues to shower you with His unlimited mercy at all times in all circumstances.
Yr servant,
Malati dasi
“life cannot be prolonged by
heart transplant. YOU CANNOT INCREASE THE DURATION OF LIFE. one can perhaps give relief to disease, that is one thing, but the duration of life is destined.”
letter to purusottama das, 4 june 1976
Dear Devotees,
Dandavat pranams. Jaya Srila Prabhupad.
Last two days both Gopinath and Shyamsudar prabhus have improved a lot.
Today (6th October) the catheters were taken off and both of them started
eating solid food. Gopinath prabhu is taking short walks outside in the
hospital corridors, and the surgeon said that in a day’s time he will take
the iv s off. They are both being administered some drugs to keep the pain
low. Gopinath prabhu will hopefully be released in a few day’s time and
Shyamsundar prabhu will probably stay a little longer. Both of them were
mentioning how touched they were with so many devotees remembering them and
praying for them all over the world.
Your servant
Krishnabhishek dasa
Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Gopinatha Prabhu? email? phone #?
Also I was hoping to get a higher resolution image than the one in this article of the two together.
oh yeah …. to send me the details just visit www.gopala.org and click on ‘contact’ where you can send me a message.