Home Base: Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, Sri Mayapur, India
At Camp out-base: inflight to GYE from SCL

To Latin Leaders about the Passing of Somaka P./M.:
Here is a letter sent to me and Hrdayananda Goswami about Somaka Prabhu's departure and burial WITH A REPLY BY HDG. It seems that he was honored well and also it makes sense that as a guru or sannyasi(for most of his Krishna consciousness) he is in samadhi by the arrangement of Lord Sri Krishna rather then cremated as Hrdayananda Goswami has observed [see seperate text below next text]. Please inform his former disciples how he had Ganges water and Nrsimha Oil annointing him and Deities flower garlands around his neck with his Japa Mala in his hand. Devotees chanted at his ceremony.

Smrti Sabha's or Remembrance Festivals should be held for Somaka M. within a week of his passing. An Asana or table with his garlanded photo can be placed in a central location. Devotees can share homages and a feast can be prepared in his honor and offered to Lord Sri Krishna. Then a plate of prasadam can be offered to him first. Then all devotees can be offered the feast. Maybe he would like to take prasadam with the devotees as he was always a warm and open preacher.

I hope this helps. Tell me if I can help in any other way.

Your well wisher always,

Jayapataka Swami

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:6121103 (74 lines) [W1]
From: Internet: "Gopanandini Gladys" <gopanandini@hotmail.com> Date: 21-Oct-02 21:36
To: hrid@earthlink.net
Cc: Jayapataka Swami (GBC) [101727]
Comment: Text PAMHO:6123917 by Internet: Hrid
Subject: About Somaka prabhu departure.

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Hare Krishna dear Hridayananda Maharaja,
Pamho, atgt SP!

It was sad for all of us devotees that Somaka prabhu left us from this material world.

He had a bad and hard time, the last months, because of his brain cancer.

In that period devotee always was going to visit him, but the wife was not much favorable to accept the presence of Vaisnavas.

About 1 week ago he was brought to the Hospital for emergency because he had water in the polmons (pneumas), but friday the doctors took him back to wife home, few houres before he passed away. The doctor (present in all those moments) said to the wife that he never saw one person passing away in so peaceful condition, also the breath was slow and soft, he notified that Somaka prabhu was not an ordinary people.

In despite of her former behavior, after he passed away she become more favorable (agrees) to more items the devotees gave to Somaka prabhu (i.e.: she put japamala in his hands and S. Prabhupada picture nearby, devotee put garlands on his head and Ganga water Mayapur Nrsmhadeva oil on his body)

All that happened on this Sunday afternoon, when devotees went to visit home, chanting japamala, sweet bhajans and appreciating all his quality and service, in front of his wife and some relatives.

It was a wonderful moment , and his wife appeared more appreciating the devotees.

The day after (monday) devotees went also to funeral Catholic cerimony.

That cerimony was wonderful in his name. Devotees was singing vaisnava songs behind the procession and also in the burial ground (Sri Guru Vandana I) , the wife was always present. In the same time, devotees was preparating Sradda cerimony for him in every temple in Italy and probably also in south America.

We all will miss his association, his sweet friendship, his love for Krishna and Srila Prabhupada and Hare krishna Festivals.

Thanks so much Maharaja.

Your servant Gopanandini d.d

>From: Hrid
>To:
>CC: Madhava Prasada dd
>Subject: Re: Somaka prabhu left his body
>Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 23:36:45 -0700
>
>My dear Gopanandini Devi Dasi,
>Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
>Srimati Madhava Prasada of Argentina has sent me a copy of your letter. I
>am very sorry to hear of the passing of the very devoted soul, Somaka
>Prabhu. He was a personal friend of mine and I will always appreciate all
>of the wonderful services that he rendered to Srila Prabhupada. I am sorry
>to hear that his wife is not facilitating the sincere efforts of the
>devotees to honor Somaka Prabhu and perform the normal activities for his
>eternal benefit. However, I am sure that if the devotees, in their own
>homes and temples, perform the ceremonies; say the appropriate prayers; and
>do everything that Vaisnavas do to benefit a soul that is passing to another
>life, I am very sure that Lord Krsna will accept all these prayers and
>activities and that they will bestow an eternal benefit on Somaka Prabhu.
>Please convey my sincere condolences to all the concerned devotees.
>Hoping you are well.
>With best wishes,
>Hridayananda das Goswami

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

> Dear Srimati Gopanandini Devi Dasi,
> Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
> Thank you for sending more news about the passing of His Grace Somaka
> Prabhu. It is appropriate for a special Vaisnava to be buried rather than
> cremated, and so there is nothing to regret in this regard. I admire the
> devotees for faithfully doing all that is necessary to invoke the Lord's
> blessings on Somaka Prabhu, and I am sure Krsna will reward him for all of
> his extraordinary service to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
> Hoping you are well.
> With best wishes,
> Hridayananda das Goswami
(Text COM:6129164) -----------------------------------------