By Atmavidya Das
Yesterday at 5:20 AM
Farewell, dear Brother and Fearless Soldier.
With deep sadness I learned of your passing from this world.
A full eulogy would perhaps be in order. However, I am not able to write one at present as my mood just two days after your departure is one of contemplation and quiet prayers. I am therefore happy that Padmapani Prabhu already wrote a wonderful piece about your time together in the Middle East, and war torn Beirut / Lebanon in particular – risking your neck in the service of our spiritual master, along with the other members of the crew.
The last few days I am reflecting on our times together. And we go back a long way. Although we never spent long periods together in our service, we always met up somewhere in the world – immediately engaged in long conversations on our philosophy and the glories of our spiritual master. And many times, it was purely adventurous – such as the occasion when I was hiding you from the police at my parent’s house, after our main centre had been raided.
When I was still a regular guest at the Hamburg temple, you did join the movement against all odds and adversities. Not even being of legal age. I always admired you for that – going to school every day with shaved head and full Vaishnava attire. Wow! – I thought, he is younger than me, and he is taking up Krishna consciousness with full determination. That determination and fearlessness remained and grew with you throughout your life.
Sure, you could be very stubborn in your opinions – but that is true to all intelligent persons. So, we did not agree on every single issue in regard to the institution and certain individuals. But that is a moot point now as you have moved on.
Personally, I have no idea how others seem to know the destination of departed devotees, I do not feel qualified for that. But of one thing I am certain: You must be with our beloved Śrīla Prabhupāda at this time – somewhere in time and space, and hopefully beyond that. And that is all we desire, don’t we? How sublimely wonderful it was when we were in the physical presence of our spiritual master! It was almost a mood of “Vaikuntha can wait.”
Personally, I have no idea how others seem to know the destination of departed devotees, I do not feel qualified for that. But of one thing I am certain: You must be with our beloved Śrīla Prabhupāda at this time – somewhere in time and space, and hopefully beyond that. And that is all we desire, don’t we? How sublimely wonderful it was when we were in the physical presence of our spiritual master! It was almost a mood of “Vaikuntha can wait.”
We will meet again if and when our Lordships Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa so desire.
Atmavidya das
July 13, 2019
Atmavidya das
July 13, 2019
Nikhilananda das (Nikolay Jankowsky) left this world on July 11, 2019.
[PADA: Yes, God speed to your departed soul prabhu. Another God brother of mine is now in hospital with cancer, and its going to be a little while before we know how its going to work out. Its pretty clear that we "old timers" are being picked off -- one by one -- through the agency of the time factor. Anyway, we are all ultimately in Krishna's hands. And hopefully those of us who were attracted to Krishna, whether somewhat or a great deal, and we attempted to serve Him, will be given special consideration for our future destination. ys pd]
[PADA: Yes, God speed to your departed soul prabhu. Another God brother of mine is now in hospital with cancer, and its going to be a little while before we know how its going to work out. Its pretty clear that we "old timers" are being picked off -- one by one -- through the agency of the time factor. Anyway, we are all ultimately in Krishna's hands. And hopefully those of us who were attracted to Krishna, whether somewhat or a great deal, and we attempted to serve Him, will be given special consideration for our future destination. ys pd]
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