Ananda Sambada

Sri Goloka Vrndavana das Prabhu

Sri Navadvipa candra prabhu's speech at Prabhu's funeral;

Prabhu’s journey in Krishna consciousness was one of complete surrender. As many of you may know, he left home as a young man in his teens , walking across Canada before encountering one of Srila Prabhupada’s books on the street. That moment changed everything. He read it, joined the temple in 1979 in Vancouver—and soon after, fully dedicated himself to book distribution, serving for many years in the Boston temple.

His path took him across continents—walking through England, Holland, Belgium, and France on Padayatra in 1991, serving in Villa Vrindavan, and finally arriving in Bhubaneswar in 1993, with the blessings of his eternal spiritual master, Śrīla Gour Govinda Swami.Under Śrīla Gurudeva’s instructions, together with a group of devotees, he was involved in opening a center in Amherst. 

Śrīla Gour Govinda Swami gave him a simple but profound instruction: Go on harinama.

For Prabhu, harinama was not just a service—it was his lifeline, his connection to Mahaprabhu’s mission and to the mercy of Guru. Whether in Bhubaneswar, London, or anywhere Krishna placed him, he carried this instruction in his heart.

Even while working in the kitchens at Bhaktivedanta Manor, his mind was always on harinama and book distribution. His home was filled with Srila Prabhupada’s books—stacked up the stairs, waiting to be given freely to others. If he received a donation, it was used to buy more books, never for himself. He also had a loving desire to serve cows, and even on his last day, he was taking stacks of carrots to them. He would often instruct his son Gopal, saying, “Go feed and serve Krishna's cows.”

He once said, “I want to be connected to the mercy.” That was the essence of his life—staying connected to the mercy and sharing it with others.

In 1997, he married Gunacuda Mataji, and they were blessed with their son Gopal in 2000. His family was a central part of his devotion, embodying the principles he held dear.

Goloka Vrindavan Das Prabhu understood the importance of Sadhu Sanga  and power of association—that being in the company of sincere devotees strengthens one’s spiritual life. 

Śrīla Gour Govinda Swami said:

"When a jiva does sādhu-saṅga, listens to sādhus with rapt attention and firm faith, all tattvas will be revealed to him."

Prabhu embodied this truth—he sought out sādhu-saṅga, not for social interaction but to deepen his connection with Krishna. And in turn, his presence enriched the association of those around him.

We all knew him as a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes.

When his work schedule at the Manor prevented him from going on harinama, it deeply distressed him. Jivana Prabhu once joked that they should start a protest: “Let Goloka Vrindavan Das go on harinama!” And by Krishna’s mercy, he soon could. He never demanded anything for himself—his only concern was service.

He also encouraged others to go on harinama, never pressuring, but always reminding us of the treasure.

Goloka Vrindavan Das Prabhu lived a life of quiet, resolute devotion. His name itself—Goloka Vrindavan—is a reminder of the eternal destination he strived for, and by Guru and Krishna’s mercy, we pray that he has now returned home.