On the passing of Srila B.V. Narayana Maharaja, I sent the message below to his disciples and followers.
Offering my respects at the feet of all the Vaishnavas, I express my condolences at the loss to this world of Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya 108 Sri Srimad B.V. Narayana Maharaja.
I first met Srila Narayana Maharaja more than thirty years ago, before he became world famous. Perhaps I first saw him in Srila Prabhupada’s last days, when he came to visit Srila Prabhupada in Vrindaban. And then from time to time I met him in Vrindaban and Sridham Mayapur.
Sometimes I visited him in Mathura at his humble room in Sri Keshavaji Gaudiya Matha, and once I also had the coincidental good fortune of traveling with him on the same train from Mathura to Delhi.
He was kind to me. I respected him. And I always felt benefited by his association.
I have seen that many of my godbrothers and godsisters, as well as others, received inspiration and guidance from him for their devotional lives, and some he rescued from the very clutches of maya. He made substantial literary contributions. And he spread the sankirtana movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
I remember him with fondness and respect.
I pray that in his physical absence those who took shelter of him and felt inspired by him will continue in their devotional lives with full spiritual strength, as he would desire, and in this way honor his memory.
