A very wonderful devotee from South Africa, Srutakirti das, left his body today [December 7] at 2:40pm South Africa time.

He joined ISKCON in 1979 when he was still a university student. He was first initiated by Jayatirtha Prabhu and then by Bhagavan Prabhu. In spite of their falldowns and subsequent spiritual difficulties, Srutakirti did not lose faith in Srila Prabhupada and his transcendental institution, ISKCON, and continued to serve in ISKCON with great determination and sincerity in many responsible positions.

When the devotees of South Africa were building a very gorgeous temple in Durban in the mid 80s, one of the main ways of fund-raising was through the selling of paintings. Srutakirti headed up that department. After completing that project he became the temple president in Cape Town and then in Durban.

In 1997, he went to India to help in the production of the Abhay Charan series. In 1998, he went back to South Africa to give support to his ailing mother. It was around that time that he developed some complications with a kidney, which were further aggravated by acute diabetes and high blood pressure.

About two years ago, when I was in Durban, I got the news that he was in the hospital in a serious condition. I went to see him and suggested that he come back to the association of devotees in the temple. He did so.

Seeing the constant care and attention that he needed, a wonderful congregation devotee named Mukunda Prabhu, a disciple of His Grace Partha Sarathi Prabhu, took him to his home and cared for him in a way that is very rare in this world. The care, concern, and affection that he displayed towards Srutakirti can only be compared to the loving care of a mother for her ailing child. Mukunda Prabhu was by Srutakirti's side practically 24 hours a day. He would even sleep on the same bed with him just in case he needed something at night.

About fifteen months ago, Srutakirti's condition deteriorated drastically. He became totally bedridden and lost his eyesight. At that time Srutakirti became so resigned to the will of Krsna that the doctors who were treating him became quite frustrated that he had lost his will to survive. Although the doctors many times declared that he only had a few days to live, and although Srutakirti was also totally resigned to that idea, he nevertheless remained in this world with us for 15 more months.

Srutakirti always displayed a very wonderful attitude of surrender to Krsna and to Srila Prabhupada. Often he would eloquently describe how Srila Prabhupada had saved him and had guided him through so many difficulties. In spite of his invalidism, he continued to preach from his wheelchair and he even organized different festivals.

He shouldered the total responsibility of organizing Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja celebration this year, and I have been told that this festival was the grandest Vyasa Puja celebration they had ever witnessed in Durban. Although it was held on a weekday, more than 2,500 people attended, and everyone was amazed at its success. I was also told that during the aroti kirtan that day, Srutakirti got up from his wheelchair, led the kirtan himself, and even started to dance, to everyone's amazement.

On 18th November, when I was in London, I received the news that his condition was very critical and that he could leave his body at any moment. I immediately took a flight to Durban, intensely hoping that I would be able to see him before he left his body. By Krsna's mercy, his condition miraculously improved, and I had a wonderful time with him for about two weeks until I left for America on the 3rd December.

Although he had not eaten for 18 days and his body was critically ill, his consciousness was very clear. One day, recalling his condition that was almost at the verge of death, he told me, "I knew I was going to die. I was not afraid. It seemed so easy. I felt so peaceful."

On another occasion, I asked him "When you go back to the spiritual world, what will you do?"

"Serve Krsna, love Krsna, glorify Krsna," he answered.

I was supposed to leave South Africa for the USA from Johannesburg on 1st December, but I changed my plans and instead of flying to London I went back to Durban to see him again. It was a very wonderful experience. Both of us knew that this was the last time we would see each other. At the same time, we had a very deep conviction that our relationship would continue.

He had been one of the most exemplary of devotees, and his life was a practical demonstration of how genuine this process of Krsna Consciousness is. From his example we got a very clear perception that a devotee simply surrenders himself to Krsna, and Krsna takes care of him in all respects. We are eternally indebted to Srila Prabhupada for offering us this most wonderful process and training us to take full advantage of it.

Please bless this very wonderful devotee, Srutakirti das, so that he can fully receive Srila Prabhupada's mercy and become most wonderfully engaged in the service of our Supreme Lord.

© dipika.org December 9, 2003