The Passing of H.H Mahavishnu Gosvami Gurudev

By Devakinandan Das (MVG)

Hare Krsna Prabhus and Matajis,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev!

At about 3.25 pm this afternoon 25th January 2010, our beloved spiritual master, H. H Mahavishnu Gosvami Gurudev entered into his final pastimes in this mortal world and left us all in great grief of separation at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mira Road, Mumbai, India. Maharaj was, at the time of his passing, 91 years of age.

In the last few days, and his last few moments in this world, it was plain for all to see that Gurudev had withdrawn all his external senses from this world, and he invested all his thinking, feeling and willing at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Krsna. As the end approached, he suddenly became energetic and powerful, his eyes wide open, and his tongue chanting the Holy Names of the Lord. He cast loving glances at all of us, and amidst sweet kirtan and chanting of his beloved Srimad Bhagavatam, Maharaj peacefully became silent, as if he was asleep, and left his body.

For his disciples, his winding up pastime is the most difficult one to live it – we feel deep inside that our spiritual father has left, and we feel a large vacancy in our hearts that is irreplaceable. We want to thank all the wonderful devotees and doctors at the Hospital who served Gurudev so lovingly all this time, and the worldwide devotee community, particularly the GBC and our spiritual leaders, for comforting us at the time of Gurudev’s passing.

Gurudev told me once, “Devaki, for Vaishnavas there is no such thing as goodbyes… as long as you are following my instructions, I will always be with you – only time separates us from our service. Do not waste time!’

Gurudev is now giving darshan on the 5th floor of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital Auditorium, with devotees conducting continuous chanting of the Holy Name. He looks very serene and glorious, and so alive that he appears to be chanting of doing his gayatri!

The programme for Gurudev’s samadhi will be as follows:

1. From tonight 25.01.10 to tomorrow 26.01.10 up to 3 pm Gurudev will give darshan at the Auditorium
2. Tomorrow after 3 pm, Gurudev will leave for Nasik, where he will first be brought to his bhajana kutir at:

“Radhe Shyam”, Plot No. 48 opposite Damodar Heights near Sai Saya Hotel, opp Bhujbal Farm, Kamod Nagar.

3. There devotees will continue to chant Srimad Bhagavatam through the night until next morning, 27.01.10. Then, at 8.00 am, we will leave with Gurudev to a plot of land in Nasik, where Gurudev’s samadhi will be laid. H. H Bhakti Caru Maharaj, H. H Radhanath Maharaj, H. H Kavicandra Maharaj, H. G Yasomatinandan Prabhuji, H. G Brajahari Prabhuji, and H. G Devakinandan Prabhuji (from ISKCON Juhu) and other senior devotees will all be there to grace the ceremony.

4. For devotees going to Nasik, please contact Mathuradas Prabhu at
09423175557 or H. G Vaishnava Seva Prabhuji at 09820114470 for more details.

Your servant, Devakinandan Das Singapore