November 14, 1977 : Vrindavan
Satsvarupa: On November 14, 1977, at 7:30 p.m., in his room at the Krishna-Balaram Mandir in Vrindavana, Srila Prabhupada gave his final instruction by leaving this mortal world and going back to Godhead.
His departure was exemplary because his whole life was exemplary. His departure marked the completion of a lifetime of pure devotional service to Krishna. A few days before the end, Srila Prabhupada had said he was instructing as far as he could, and his secretary had added, "You are the inspiration." "Yes," Srila Prabhupada had replied, "that I shall do until the last breathing."
Prabhupada's "last breathing" was glorious, not because of any last minute mystical demonstration, but because Srila Prabhupada remained in perfect Krishna consciousness. Like grandfather Bhishmadeva, he remained completely collected and noble and grave, teaching until the end.
He was preaching that life comes from life, not from matter, and he was showing that one should preach with every breath he has. The many devotees who crowded the large room bore witness that up to the very end, Prabhupada remained exactly the same. There was nothing suddenly incongruous with what he had previously shown and taught them. At the time of his departure, therefore, he was teaching how to die, by always depending on Krishna.
Prabhupada's passing away was peaceful. During the evening of November 14, the kaviraja asked him, "Is there anything you want?" and Prabhupada replied faintly, kuch iccha nahim: "I have no desire." His passing away was in the perfect situation: in Vrindavana, with devotees.
Prabhupada's "last breathing" was glorious, not because of any last minute mystical demonstration, but because Srila Prabhupada remained in perfect Krishna consciousness. Like grandfather Bhishmadeva, he remained completely collected and noble and grave, teaching until the end.
He was preaching that life comes from life, not from matter, and he was showing that one should preach with every breath he has. The many devotees who crowded the large room bore witness that up to the very end, Prabhupada remained exactly the same. There was nothing suddenly incongruous with what he had previously shown and taught them. At the time of his departure, therefore, he was teaching how to die, by always depending on Krishna.
Prabhupada's passing away was peaceful. During the evening of November 14, the kaviraja asked him, "Is there anything you want?" and Prabhupada replied faintly, kuch iccha nahim: "I have no desire." His passing away was in the perfect situation: in Vrindavana, with devotees.
Reference: Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta Volume 6 - Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
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