By Niranjana Swami
(It was written on March 11, 2010)
This morning at 7:47 AM in Mayapur, a very wonderful devotee and dear godbrother, Grahila Prabhu, departed this world to continue his service to Srila Prabhupada wherever Prabhupada wants Grahila to assist him. Of this I have absolutely no doubt.
Yesterday, in a phone conversation with Grahila Prabhu, I was amazed to hear how joyful, satisfied, and Krsna conscious he was, just hours before his departure from this world. During my conversation with him, I mentioned that there was no need to speak about anything in the past other than the fact that he was so fortunate to have come in contact with Srila Prabhupada in this life. When I told him that now was the time to think only about the future, and the future opportunities for service which Grahila Prabhu would be given as a result of Srila Prabhupada’s blessings, it immediately became clear to me that he was alreadly completely fixed in that mindset. I sensed that there was no fear in his heart at all.
Grahila Prabhu then went on to tell me that he could not possibly describe how fortunate he was in all respects. He said that his constant meditation and prayer to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna was that they would engage him in Their service eternally. He spoke in such a humble, but confident way, that I felt uplifted and confident myself that this special soul was being protected from all fear of death because of his firm faith in Srila Prabhupada.
Continuing in a very humble mood, Grahila Prabhu then went on to confess that he couldn’t understand how such a sinful person as he was being given the opportunity to leave this world to go back to Godhead while somebody like me had to stay here. Naturally, I couldn’t tolerate it that he described himself as being sinful, and had to immediately respond that even if there were sins committed before that because he was offering himself completely in service to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna with body, mind, and words, that there could not possibly be any trace of sin left in him. I told him that he was not sinful, but sinless. He joyfully accepted defeat.
We spoke for some time longer, but mainly Grahila Prabhu did most of the talking, thanking me for my support and expressing his preparedness for his next journey. I told him that I would call him again today, but that if Krsna arranged it otherwise, I would simply hanker for his association again in the future.
This morning I received the following notice from Vraja Kumara dasa:
“Today at 7.47 am Grahila Prabhu left his body. From yesterday evening we stayed with him through the night chanting kirtan and it was extremely glorious departure. He was in a very good spirit and consciousness.”
I wrote back: “I was just speaking with Sivarama Maharaja yesterday. He was telling me how privileged he felt to spend time with Grahila when he was in Mayapur.”
Vraja Kumara dasa’s reply was:
“It was a good lesson for all of us how one should leave the body remembering Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. His body was creating so many inconveniences for him but he made it through and was able to chant and remember about Krishna like a warrior.”
Grahila Prabhu ki jaya!!!
Hare Krsna.