October 15 –
Dear devotees, please accept my dandavat pranams. All glories to our Divine Guardians and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

I have just learned that Srila Prabhupad's only disciple in Norway, Sripad Vedanga Prabhu, will undergo a heart bypass operation this Wednesday in a hospital just outside our capital, Oslo.

Vedanga Prabhu joined the mission of Srila Prabhupad in 1973, and became his initiated disciple the year after. He served in his Divine Master's mission for many years in India and Europe, before retiring to a more secluded life in Norway. He is the most senior devotee in our local devotional community, and a great source of inspiration for many sincere seekers here in Scandinavia.

His life is characterized by his great simplicity, his profound spiritual practices, and his kindness towards other seekers. He has always inspired others through his faith in Srila Prabhupad and the Gaudiya Acharyas, and he has given both personal and financial support to many devotional projects.

Even though Vedanga Prabhu's health has been deteriorating somewhat over the last few years, the sudden news that he has to undergo such a serious operation immediately has come as a great shock to all of us here. As a devotee of the Lord he has said that he has no personal attachment to continue living in this world, but that he feels he should still undergo surgery as a courtesy to his children and the younger devotees.

On behalf of my devotee friends, I would like to request all friends and devotees to pray that the medical operation will be swift and successful. Any correspondence to or regarding Vedanga Prabhu sent to me at premavatar@yahoo.com will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Humble regards,
Premavatar das

© dipika.org October 22, 2003