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I just received the following message from Akhandadhi prabhu:
July 15 2010
Hari Bol Devotees,
This evening at 7.18pm, Vicitravirya prabhu passed away in very peaceful and blessed circumstances. His departure was very gentle in the presence of his children and devotees with Srila Prabhupada’s kirtan. We had been able to make all the preparations, offer our prayers and encourage Vici to place himself solely in Prabhupada’s hands. We will miss him dearly, but are relieved that he is free of such a debilitated condition and is now on his way to continue his service to the sankirtan movement.
Vici discussed the plans for his funeral and it will be held in a crematorium in Cardiff. A while after the cremation, there will be a memorial service at the Manor. We’ll keep you informed of the arrangements.
Thanks again for all your prayers and messages. They not only gave solace to Vici but also to his children and family.
Your servant
Akhandadhi das
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By Krsna and Srila Prabhupada’s grace I was able to visit Vicitravirya prabhu at the beginning of June. It was the first time I had seen him since March 1982. I was keen to see him because I heard he was in the final stages and I wanted to see him one last time and express my sincere well-wishes and support. I am very glad I was able to do so.
I went to his place in Wales with my old friend Bhagavat Asraya prabhu, and another friend whom I had not seen for many years, the author of the above message, Akhandadhi prabhu.
Vici was happy to pose for a couple of shots to remember him by:
With Vici: Hsd, Vicitravirya prabhu, Bhagavat Asraya prabhu, Akhandadhi prabhu.
Our meeting was sweet and deep. Vici was pleased to see us, and he still remembered me with affection even though we had never done any service together. I had no trouble remembering him because he was the kind of person whom once having met, you didn’t forget. He left an indelible impression on the heart.
When last I saw him he was the temple president at Bhaktivedanta Manor and I was the new GBC for New York. We had flown back to Europe together from India after a crisis erupted in the yatra in England. After that we lost touch.
Then a few years ago I heard that Vici had contracted amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) commonly know as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a famous baseball player who died of it in the early 1940s. ALS is a type of motor-neuron disease with no cure. It brings about a rapidly increasing paralysis, difficulty in swallowing and speaking and a life expectancy of 3-5 years. However, mental functions remain intact and unimpaired.
Vici was brought back to Wales by his two sons a couple of years ago and they performed wonderful service, giving up their jobs to become the full time carers for their father. I am sure that Krsna will give them unlimited blessings for their sacrifice and devotion.
Vici became gradually fully incapacitated and when I arrived in England at the end of May I heard he was in the final stages. I had a strong desire to see him one last time, and by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy it was fulfilled.
Together with Bhagavat Asraya prabhu we drove to Wales. We stayed overnight at Buckland Hall, a resort and convention center where Akhandadhi prabhu is the manager. The following day we went over to Vici’s house and spent an hour, reminiscing and talking seriously about his coming departure.
Vici was as I always remembered him, the perfect British gentleman. He was sober, clear and focused, gentle and polite and without any fear, resentment or bitterness about his condition. We talked frankly, asking whether he was ready to let go and move on. He assured us he was. I told him about the recent departures of several other godbrothers-Padmalocan prabhu, Grahila prabhu and Dhami prabhu in Australia. All of them had cheerfully faced up to their imminent departures, preparing themselves mentally by detaching themselves from any worldly connections, and placing themselves consciously at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada. He was grateful for the news and took solace and encouragement from it.
I particularly remember his response to Bhagavat Asraya prabhu’s question: “What are you hoping for Vici prabhu, at the moment when you have to leave?”
His reply: “That Srila Prabhupada will come for me and take me to where he is preaching. I want to join in the sankirtan movement again.”
He reminisced briefly how wonderful it would be if the old days of sankirtan chanting and book distribution in Oxford Street, and at the Manor, could again be manifest with all the devotees.
At the end we had a short but sweet kirtana and then we took our leave. Now Vici prabhu has taken his leave, and we sincerely pray to Srila Prabhupada to make all arrangements for the fulfilment of his desire. We are quite sure he has.
May Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada, and Vici’s beloved Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara/ Radha Gokulananda shower Their unlimited blessings on this wonderful soul!
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