On the passing of early Prabhupada-disciple Madhudvisa Das, on August 9, 2014, the Executive Commitee of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has released the following letter:  

On behalf of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission and the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness we, the Executive Committee of the GBC, join the chorus of tributes from around the world to honor His Grace Madhudvisa Prabhu, who departed from this world on August 5th, 2014.

Madhudvisa Prabhu was one of the earliest disciples of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and immediately applied his enthusiastic nature to the Sankirtana Movement. As a prominent figure of the original Hari-nama sankirtana groups of devotees in the United States, he would often lead the public chanting and would play the drum for up to ten hours daily.

Later, after being chosen by Srila Prabhupada to accompany him when he first toured India with his Western disciples, Srila Prabhupada appreciated his contributions and named him the “Emperor of Sankirtana” [or “kirtan-samart” – the monarch of kirtans].

As a serious and determined follower of Srila Prabhupada from the very beginning of his service to Prabhupada’s movement, Madhudvisa Prabhu accepted many roles of responsibility and leadership in the growth of ISKCON worldwide. Posts he held include: President of the ISKCON temple San Francisco, President of the earliest residence for the devotees in Bombay at Akash Ganga, an original member of the international Governing Body Commission, and the initial Governing Body Commissioner for Australia. Under his leadership the Australian Yatra experienced tremendous heights in the numbers of devotees joining ISKCON and the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

In his later years Madhudvisa Prabhu was an active participant in the activities of the ISKCON temple in Los Angles, California.

Madhudvisa Prabhu was an inspiration for devotees worldwide. We encourage all to relish the many statements offered by those who knew and loved him well that have been posted on various media since his departure.

We thank Madhudvisa Prabhu for his lifetime of service to Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON.

Your servants,

The GBC Executive Committee:

Anuttama dasa, Chair

Praghosa dasa

Sesa dasa