We are sad to report the departure of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj from this material world. This morning, at 9:20 am IST, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami, one of the senior most disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, departed from this world. Maharaj is a pillar of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and has served tirelessly in practically every leadership capacity to support and expand the mission of his spiritual master.
We have organized a kirtan program at the Toronto Temple from 1:00 pm to 6:00pm. The evening program will be an extended program with prasadam at 8:30 pm. All of you are kindly invited to join us at the Toronto Temple in remembering Maharaj who served Srila Prabhupada in such a dedicated manner.
Even before his first meeting with Srila Prabhupada in Montreal, Canada in 1968, Maharaj, known as Gopal Krishna from his very birth, was given the service of cleaning and preparing Srila Prabhupada’s rooms for his arrival. Since then, Maharaj has literally and figuratively dedicated his life to keeping Srila Prabhupada’s house in order.
Srila Prabhupada immediately took great interest in the thoughtful young Indian man who sat attentively through every lecture and they soon began regular correspondence. Soon thereafter, Srila Prabhupada initiated Maharaj as Gopal Krishna Das and thus began a lifetime of service beyond compare.
Maharaj served for years as Srila Prabhupada’s personal secretary and was appointed by Srila Prabhupada as a Governing Body Commissioner in 1975 with responsibility to oversee all of ISKCON India. Srila Prabhupada thereafter entrusted Maharaj with the task so dear to his heart — the printing of his transcendental books.
From that time, Maharaj has been an emblem of book distribution, sharing of Krishna consciousness, building beautiful temples, and managing the international affairs of Srila Prabhupada’s mission, all the while remaining a gentle, humble Vaisnava who always has a moment to encourage others with his genuine care and affection. In addition, Maharaj’s sadhana is impeccable, often on the temple altar offering mangala-arati to the deities before completing the morning program, taking a japa walk, and then worshipping his own deities prior to commencing a full day of dynamic service.
His Holiness Gopal Krishna Maharaj personifies all that is at the heart of ISKCON and will remain eternally revered and loved for his matchless service, dedication, and expertise in knowing and serving Srila Prabhupada’s will. We can only pray that we may each be blessed with but a drop of such courage, focus, and sincerity to serve, though never will the void of his physical presence be filled in our hearts or in our society.
Our hearts and heads remain at the feet of His Holines Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, a most exemplary disciple, devotee, godbrother, spiritual master, and friend.
Maharaj has always encouraged us to work together cooperatively to support and assist each other in Srila Prabhupada’s service. In that mood of service, we offer our affectionate prayers and support to Maharaj’s disciples and all those bereft in Maharaj’s absence. We encourage you to take shelter of Maharaj’s instructions and example of focused sadhana and service in the association of our ISKCON family.
His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj ki jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!