By Atmavana dasi
Much can be said about our dear godbrother Bramhananda, but you know some devotees are just special. Just seeing him could make one smile and as one of Prabhupada’s original “white elephants” his efforts to serve him “in the day” are legendary. As one of the heavy pullers of our “mule team” for Prabhupada, those early devotees did so much for him. They cleared and paved the way for later devotees and enlivened many. Days were glorious but rigorous, filled with exhaustion and sweet surrender. Time moves on but it just won’t be the same without him around…yet we are happy for him.
Luckily, in my life I have somehow been fortunate enough to have had association with a few special devotees. I am grateful to have spent some time with such a kind and caring devotee. I know things changed for him as time went on but he had a way of reminding me of Prabhupada and of Krishna in my mind. Somehow it would just happen when ever I spent time with him. As he told his stories of Prabhupada and early Iskcon for some reason an image of Krishna’s face would just pop up in mind. I thought it was because he spent so much time with a pure devotee and his presence acted as a conduit to that purity. I’ve not had a similar experience with other wonderful devotees, he was just special, at least for me.
I fondly remember his way of encouraging, sometimes forgiving and smiling his grand smile, laughing loudly, giving so much from the heart. He was a friend in need when I needed him, and must say I still owe him a debt and hope someday to pay it forward. Please forgive me dear friend, for my remiss.
Our movement will miss this dear devotee but his accomplishments live on. All glories to dear our godbrother Brahmananda prabhu!
“Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end, we’d sing and dance forever and a day”*,
Sincerely,
Atmavana dasi
*song lyrics by Gene Raskin, sung by Mary Hopkin 1968