H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu (disciple of H.H. Lokanath Swami) Leaves Body on Janmastami

Dear well-wishers, godbrothers, godsisters, and friends,

Please accept my most humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Janmastami is a wonderful festival in which we celebrate the descent of Lord Krishna into this world. Lord Krishna performs His lilas, and mercifully benefits all of us.

On such a joyous occasion, I am reluctant to convey the news that our dear godbrother, H.G. Sankirtan Prabhu has left the world. It is not easy to digest this news.

Today is Lord Krishna’s appearance day and Sankirtan Prabhu’s disappearance day.

Sankirtan Prabhu left his body in Switzerland, in the home of his sister who is a devotee, with all auspiciousness around him. He was listening to a lecture of Srila Prabhupada, as this was his regular practice.

He sister mentioned that she will be sending some photos and more information soon.

Just a couple of days ago, Gurumaharaja and I communicated with him, and Sankirtan Prabhu was saying that there was some hope, and he would try eating again. He tried to stay on, however, it didn’t work out, and Sankirtan Prabhu has left us.

Today, I was fortunate to receive a phone call from Gurumaharaja, who broke the news to me. As soon as I heard Gurumaharaja’s voice, I knew what he was going to tell me. His voice was heavy with emotion. Gurumaharaja shared with me that he had received the news around 1:30 pm, India time.

As our conversation progressed, Gurumaharaja shared the following thoughts with me:

“I was reading Srimad Bhagavatam, 1st Canto this morning, about the departure of Grandfather Bishma. That’s what I was absorbed with. He was with Lord Krishna at the time of his departure. He was offering his prayers to the Lord, and his heart was full of the rememberance of the Lord. I was thinking to somehow share this with Sankirtan Prabhu. I wanted to read it over the phone to him, or somehow get him to hear it. As he was departing there, I was reading this here. And remembering him.”