Remembering A Vaisnava Soldier – HG Sankirtan Prabhu

HG Sankirtan Prabhu: “When I hear Srila Prabhupada’s bhajans and his singing I feel that he is calling me to…”

HARE KRISHNA
Remembering A Vaisnava Soldier who Departed on 5/9/15

By Radhacaran das (on behalf of the Chinese yatra)

What a more auspicious day than Janmastami day to leave this mortal world, surrounded by loving family, devotee friends and the holy names of Krishna. This is the atmosphere in which Sankirtan Prabhu departed on September 5th 2015 at 10.15am, at his sister’s home, Vanamali devi dasi, in Lungern outside Zurich, Switzerland, his native country. The last words Sankirtan Prabhu uttered as he prepared for departure were, “When I hear Srila Prabhupada’s bhajans and his singing I feel that he is calling me to…”

Sankirtan Prabhu met the devotees while traveling around the world in the early 1980s when he came across Srila Prabhupada’s books in Peru, Bolivia. He later travelled to Australia and New Zealand and finally met his initiating spiritual master, Lokanath Swami. Naturally he spent long periods on Padayatra and it was in 1988 that he embarked on a special service that would become his life contribution. At that time, Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami was expending his service in Mainland China and attracted several daring Vaisnavas for pioneer preaching. Sankirtan Prabhu was one of them who from the onset embraced this adventure wholeheartedly. Little that we know, in those days, going into China traditionally dressed as Vaisnavas was a novelty but welcome by most people in the background of their restricted lifestyles. But after June 1989, things changed and devotees had to continue their activities underground. For Sankirtan Prabhu, the pioneer spirit in his heart just kept burning, very much akin to the traditional missionary monks who would leave everything and dedicate their lives to spread the glories of God in Godforsaken lands. He learned Chinese and travelled the length and breadth of the vast Chinese land countless times to help train the devotees and bring new ones to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada. He spent 30 years doing nothing but that. His service also expended to preaching in Taiwan and Hong Kong but Sankirtan Prabhu also had two activities very dear to his heart. One was education and the other was spending quality time in the holy dhams of Mayapur and especially Vrindavan. He thus travelled to different countries, including China, to teach bhakti sastri and the disciple course. He was always enthusiastic to take part in street chanting as well. In Vrindavan, his favourite place was at the feet of Sri Govardhan. This is where he requested his ashes to be placed.

Sankirtan Prabhu lived a very simple life. He was austere and was an exemplary sadhaka. He never sought out comfort for himself but did all it took to reach to the Chinese devotees who lived in difficult conditions. With the soft opening of China to the world came many opportunities for preaching which inspired Sankirtan Prabhu to bring yoga students to the holy dham and also to write bridging books for Chinese people to understand better what yoga is and in particular, bhakti yoga. His ultimate desire was to settle in the mountains and live in full contemplation on the holy names and Srila Prabhupada’s teaching and by doing so, attract people to come and discover the pure goodness of Krsna consciousness as many Chinese often appreciate in their own traditions.

Two years ago, in October 2013, a tumour appeared in Sankirtan Prabhu’s throat, which developed into a malignant cancer. He tried several natural treatments in vain, and then came to Beijing for a more aggressive treatment. His dear sister Vanamali devi dasi dedicated herself entirely to looking after him in the best natural environment until it was clear that he would not be able to win this battle. It is clear however, and from the auspicious way that he departed, in fully clarity of spirit, that he had won the battle in this material world and returned to Krsna on His appearance day.

There are no words to describe how pleasing it is to the spiritual master, the guru parampara and Lord Caitanya when a vaisnava such as Sankirtan Prabhu dedicate his life to go places where no one else will, where there are no temples and no association and where Krsna consciousness is not accepted. The risks taken and the austerities that come with it make one very dear to Lord Krishna. As such Sankirtan Prabhu was due to embrace the renounced order life, sannyasa, as approved during the last 2015 Mayapur GBC meeting, though he lived like a proper sannyasi for many years. May his memories inspire many to take up the banner of preaching and be as exemplary as he was.

Source: Facebook Post Svetadvip Das Das