Update from 04 July 08:40 am EST

Dear Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

It is with overwhelming heartache that we announce to you the departure of
our beloved godbrother and a dearmost servant of Srila Prabhupada, His
Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami.

From his earliest days as a young devotee, Maharaja had the extraordinary
privilege of serving as one of Srila Prabhupada's confidential, personal
servants. And ever since, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja's life has been
an offering of love at the lotus feet of his spiritual master.

Indeed, there was not a service that Maharaja did not perform for the
pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. As instructed in their very first meeting,
Maharaja translated every one of Srila Prabhupada's written works into
Bengali, the language of Srila Prabhupada's own birth. To fulfill this
cherished order, Maharaja took on years of austerity, rising at midnight to
carefully translate his spiritual master's divine words.

Maharaja served as one of the most active members of the GBC Body, he was an
initiating spiritual master with many dedicated disciples all over the
world, and he shared Krishna consciousness in every segment of society from
simple Bangladeshi villages to the British parliament. Maharaja encouraged
and advised ISKCON leaders in management and spiritual topics, he saved more
than one ISKCON project in times of despair, and did his utmost to
contribute to the welfare of the most vulnerable members of society.

One of Maharaja's unique contributions was the "Abhay Charan" television
series that brought the glorious life and pastimes of Srila Prabhupada to
the world on an unprecedented scale. And most recently, Maharaja again
heightened the glory of his spiritual master by building a marvelous temple
and devotee community in the holy city of Ujjain.

Maharaja's voice, sweeter than honey, has immortalised many of our acaryas'
prayers, and most famously, Maharaja's heartfelt rendition of the gopis'
song of seperation from the 10th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam rings in our
ears.

Despite his position and many qualifications, both material and spiritual,
Maharaja was a humble and loving gentleman who took pleasure in serving
devotees. Indeed, one of Maharaja's favorite pastimes was to personally cook
and serve prasadam for the devotees. As in all aspects of his service and
gentle and cultured nature, Maharaja's cooking was highly refined and
infused with bhakti.

There are no words that provide solace when facing separation from such a
glorious Vaisnava, but we can take some comfort in the fact that His
Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja lived constantly in meditation on how to
serve Srila Prabhupada and his mission. Undoubtedly, he now continues that
service under the direction of His Divine Grace.

Let us offer true homage to Maharaja by continuing his legacy of service in
our own lives. Let us commit ourselves, mind, body, and soul, to the service
of Srila Prabhupada, following in the footsteps of his beloved servant, His
Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami.

One of Maharaja's most cherished instructions from His Divine Grace was,
"Your love for me will be show by how you cooperate together after I am
gone." Now, in Maharaja's absence, we are reminded to take that instruction
to heart and reaffirm our dedication to ISKCON, and to each other.

We also commit ourselves, as Maharaja's servants, to assist and care for his
loving disciples in his absence. It was very important to Maharaja that we
operate as one family in Srila Prabhupada's service and we remind you today
that although Maharaja is no longer physically present, you are protected by
the shelter of many devotees who are ready to offer you the support you may
require at this difficult time and in the future.

As Maharaja often glorified Srila Prabhupada with the beautiful words of the
gopis, let us also remember Maharaja as that most munificent Vaisnava who
will eternally inspire the followers of Srila Prabhupada to share the
glories of Lord Krishna:

tava kathamrtam tapta-jivanam
kavibhir iditam kalmasapaham
sravana-mangalam srimad atatam
bhuvi grnanti ye bhuri-da janah

"The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the
life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations,
transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow
good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all
over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who
spread the message of Godhead are most munificent."

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami ki jaya!

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Hare Krsna,

Your servants,

Ramai Swami
Bhakti Caitanya Swami
Bhanu Swami,
GBC Executive Committee