Dear Maharajas, Prabhus and Matajis, 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

With deep sorrow, we would like to communicate the global devotee community the departure of HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami Maharaja around 6.00 AM today the 14th of November, 2020 due to a second cardiac arrest and complications arising out his surgery for cervical spondylitis and a cardiac arrest. He had been unwell for quite a long time. He was Covid-Negative, when last tested a couple of days before being shifted from the hospital to the ISKCON Punjabi Bagh Temple where he had been based out of, for nearly 15 years. An ICU environment with full time attendants had replicated in his room and Srila Prabhupada’s Japa was going on.

Recently his spinal cord condition had worsened and three weeks back on Maharaja’s own preference, he was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, New Delh for a critical surgery . The doctors had however warned us that there is a high probability of Maharaja being paralysed in the event of a surgery, even if successful, and so we ought to weigh both options and then decide. 

Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami was initiated by His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in October 1968. He is one of the original 100 disciples of Srila Prabhupada and started one of ISKCON’s first university preaching programs at the University of San Francisco, California; later continuing university preaching at his former university, the University of California, Berkeley. He opened the Berkeley, California temple in 1969. He has managed several of the centers in the U.S. 

He had received his sannyasa initiation in 2010, was based out of the ISKCON Punjabi Bagh Temple in West Delhi and had been travelling and preaching energetically despite his advancing age and deteriorating health in India and other parts of Asia. He was also deeply attached to his Jagannatha deities and the Nila Madhava deity and is known for carrying them everywhere.

We request your intense prayers to one of Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciples by praying to Lord Narasimha Deva and your respective local deities, that if They so desire, Maharaja may continue his eternal service to Srila Prabhupada as desired by him.

Your servant

Rukmini Krishna Das (Temple President, ISKCON Punjabi Bagh)

Dr. Krishna Priya Das, Rishi Kumara Das and the Health Care team

A dedicated spiritual warrior, Mother Krishnanandini departed from this world to continue her eternal service to Srila Prabhupada on 13 Nov 2020 ( Trayodasi of the Kartika month). Born in an African-American home, she was raised as a Christian with a natural inclination towards teaching. As a 19 year old student of University of Chicago, she learnt about Bhagavad Gita and instantly fell in love with Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. She joined Srila Prabhupada’s mission in 1971 and ever since has been instrumental in various effective life-changing preaching programs.Being a mother of 10 doting children, Mother Krishnanandini was a Certified Family Life Educator and the President of ISKCON Grihastha Vision Team and regularly facilitated workshops and regularly guiding devotees to lead a virtuous devotional life. She personified care and dedication. With degrees in Sociology and Education, Mother Krishnanandini was the member of the National Council of Family Relations, the National Association of Professional Women, and the Cambridge Who’s Who registry of executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. This achiever, had received initiation from His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada on Radhasthami in the year 1972. She was afflicted with terminal cancer for several months, but even amidst her suffering she shared knowledge through various virtual forums. ISKCON GBC SPT pays respects to this amazing personality and prays she unites with Srila Prabhupada in the service of Their Lordships.

A wonderful Srimad Bhagavatam class by H.G. Krishnanandini Devi Dasi