Above: Kaviraj das (Right) and Disha in New Vridavan
By Vaisnavananda dasa (ACBSP)
It is with a sad heart that we inform the Vaisnava community of the passing of Kaviraj das prabhu on June 1st, 2009. Kaviraj prabhu is a direct initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada. For those of us who knew him personally, we can proudly state that he loved Srila Prabhupada and exhibited that love openly and fervently. Kavi prabhu (as we all affectionately called him) served Srila Prabhupada in America as well as in India, where he spent a number of years preaching. There he learnt to speak the local languages, Hindi, Bengali, etc., fluently and imbibed the culture of India. He legally changed his name to the initiated name given to him by Srila Prabhupada: Kaviraj Das.
He married a pious Bengali girl, Shanti devi dasi, and raised four Krsna conscious children. Kavi was a truly charismatic individual, and in many ways amongst his friends he was a very humorous and jolly devotee. I remember laughing and joking with him constantly, coming to his home with my family to sing bhajan and enjoy the sumptuous Bengali prasadam prepared by his loyal and loving wife. He was also an avid intellectual and we had many deep philosophical discussions that strengthened our faith in Srila Prabhupada and Krsna consciousness.
Kavi had a strong grasp of business skills as a merchant and was a superlative salesman. He spoke German, fluent Spanish, Bengali, Hindi, and other local Indian languages, and he knew India like the palm of his hand. I often said to him that with his enthusiasm, multilingual ability and knowledge of India, he could start an international import/export enterprise and easily become rich. Kavi had no interest in economic development (artham); for him it was mundane and he preferred to lead a modest life and remain Krsna conscious in order to serve Srila Prabhupada.
In his final days, his daughter, Prapatti dasi conveyed to me that although Kavi had difficulty breathing and it was an obvious painstaking effort for him to chant, you could hear him softly uttering the holy name continuously. At one point, she said that her father loudly exclaimed, “Krsna Please!” Who can say if Kaviraj prabhu was perceiving Krsna in his heart and imploring for His mercy?
Carudesna prabhu, a close and good friend of Kavi read the eighth and ninth chapter of Bhagavad Gita in his last moments and Kaviraj prabhu passed away peacefully surrounded by close friends and family members hearing the loud chanting of the holy name: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Kaviraj das prabhu was a loving father, grandfather, husband and our friend and dear godbrother, but most importantly a sincere disciple who loved Srila Prabhupada very deeply. He is now closer to Krsna and we will miss him dearly. Kaviraj Das Prabhu ki jai!
Submitted by: Vaisnavananda dasa (ACBSP)
I don’t know whether I’m crying out of happiness or sadness. All I know is I seem to be crying. I would like to offer my last respects to Sriman Kaviraj Prabhu. I am very certain he has now entered his eternal home with Srila Prabhupada and Krsna and may his near family and friends take great solace in that. dehino’asmin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhayati. A great soul has been in our midst but unfortunately I had no opportunity to meet him. May his family and friends live up to the great legacy he has left behind and follow in his divine footsteps.
Yours sincerely
Karanodakasayi Visnu Dasa
I just spoke to Kaviraj prabhu’s twenty-six year old daughter, Prapatti Devi. From the sound of her voice, I could immediately understand that the family is in great difficulty. They are grieving for the loss of Kaviraj prabhu and overwhelmed by the pressure of considerable expenses and debt. While living very simply within their limited means, they have fallen four mortgage payments behind on the family home and now risk foreclosure.
I have a twenty-four old daughter myself and I sometimes wonder if I were suddenly out of the picture, would my godbrothers step forward and make sure she was being taken care of and provided for.
This is an opportunity for all of us to come together as one family. I am asking devotees on behalf of Kaviraj prabhu’s surviving wife and children to make a commitment to send a financial gift on a monthly basis while the family deals with its grief and great loss, and until they are in a position to consider how to best resolve their financial situation.
If you have the means, please send your heartfelt gift to:
Prapattidevi
797 Jordan Lane, Apt. 2
Decatur, GA 30033
My thanks to all of you who see this as a special, caring way to serve Krishna.
Locanananda dasa
NYC
If you would like to send a check to help Kaviraj prabhu’s family, please make it payable to: Prapattidevi. That is the complete legal name of his daughter. Prapattidevi imbibed a wonderful Krishna conscious perspective on life from her mother and father who served Srila Prabhupada together during twenty-nine years of marriage. Prapattidevi is a single parent with a five year old daughter to care for.
If you would like to express your condolences or offer words of encouragement, she can be reached at this number: 678-683-1062.
Again, the mailing address is: Prapattidevi, 797 Jordan Lane, Apt. 2, Decatur, GA 30033
Thank you for your thoughtful generosity.