© 1999 VNN
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USA August 6, 1999 VNN4445 Comment on this story Lochananda Prabhu Vaishnava Ki Jaya! BY BRAHMA DASA USA, Aug 6 (VNN) — Dear Vaishnavas, please accept my humble obeisance's! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! And all his sincere followers and friends who ever you are, where ever you may be. I am writing to all your pure and noble selves to ask for your prayers and love for a most wonderful Vaishnava Lochanada Prabhu, who is at present in the hospital in Lewistown Pennsylvania after having suffered what seems to be a second heart attack while attempting to please all the Vaishnavas at the Gita Nagari Ratha Yatra (this Saturday July 31st.) in the most selfless performance of his kirtan seva. Any one who has heard the beat of his mridanga and his pure soul singing Hare Krishna, has tasted immortal amrita. Lochananda Prabhu, in his eagerness to please the Vaishnavas with enthusiasm for the holy Nama has twice nearly left his body while on Hari Nama Sankirtana which has been his continuous seva for the last 30 years. In London, Paris, Amsterdam, Israel, NY City all over the world for the last three decades many fortunate souls have been captured by his joyful kirtans. The devotional atmosphere in Amsterdam where he was the temple President in 76 (where I was initiated) was surcharged with round the clock kirtana inside and out in the streets. There were devotees from 25+ countries yet serving together like a big happy family, under his guidance. While visiting Lochananda on Sunday, despite his numerous pulse monitors, IV tubes, oxygen tubes, he was in a most cheerful spirit chanting japa in his bed and with a smile explained that he saw how much the devotees were enjoying Vaiyasiki's kirtana going on simultaneously and wanted to see all the devotees in his Sankirtana party enjoying so much... He was full of sober devotional humor and said "Don't think this won't happen to you" as we congregated around his bed. Baladev Prabhu has been regularly offering his sanga and care. Many calls have come from Godbrothers. A couple Indian doctors are looking after him at the Hospital, one who was lamenting not being able to attend the Ratha yatra (and serve him at that time) is now being blessed with Lochananda's sanga. At an age of around 50 Lochananda has been regularly leading a Hari Nama party in NY City with all devotees welcome and arriving from various groups or independent of, all happily coming together for the real Nama amrita. In his preaching he is a bridge builder and simultaneously very philosophical and personal in his individual considerations of every Vaishnava. Today from the phone in his hospital bed he told me he is feeling strong and thinking what next? He can not stop his Kirtana seva which is his life and soul, but perhaps if any Godbrother\Vaishnava can arrange home bhajana programs, preaching engagements (which will put less stress on his heart), then we can all perhaps by Sri Krishna's grace be blessed with his wonderful pure enthusiastic sanga for some time to come. What would be especially sweet is if a few of our broad minded God brothers who have the facility, (GBC/or other) took advantage of his association, desire to serve and make such arrangements. If we don't extend our selves to our best ability under these circumstances what use is our preaching and show of compassion? This is all Sri Krishna's arrangement for our opportunity to advance by service to a true Vaishnava and practice real compassion, which begins at home. Please respond with any offers for such seva or sanga to Lochananda Prabhu: LFELDA@aol.com (ps. after some stress tests he should be getting out of the Hospital tomorrow Aug. 5th) in the dust of all your pada's, dasa Brahma Gopal108@aol.com Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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