A VERY PERFECT GENTLEMAN

At the time that I was voted onto the GBC, ISKCON and its governing body was undergoing an excruciatingly difficult period of trial and testing. However, there were compensations for all our trials and tribulations, and for me the main compensation was the opportunity to serve with a number extraordinary devotees, extraordinary especially in their dedication to Srila Prabhupada and to his mission. And chief among them, for me, was His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami. Especially, he embodied, in his own singular way, that particular synthesis of opposites seen in the person of Srila Prabhupada and other great devotees: although, in the breadth and depth of his pure dedication to Guru and Krsna, he is awe-inspiring, the devotee himself seems to be altogether unaware of it. I had seen first hand in Srila Prabhupada that singular union of greatness and humility, and, somehow, here it was again, in Bhakti Caru Swami.

Owing to the generosity of his affection, Maharaja and I soon became not only colleagues but friends. I found it always a special delight to be with him—and it wasn’t maya. That is because Bhakti Caru Swami was, unfailingly, “a very perfect gentleman,” who exemplified Srila Prabhupada’s succinct characterization of “a true follower” of his: 

Interviewer: How would I recognize a true follower of the Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement by his behavior? What would his traits be? What
would his outward expressions be?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: He'd be a very perfect gentleman, that's all. You could
not find any fault in him. That is perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
—Television Interview, Gainesville, Florida, July 29, 1971.

The last time I saw Bhakti Caru Swami was when I visited him in Florida last year. Just as I was about to leave for the airport, he took me aside to hand me a parting gift. It was an Apple Watch. (I suspected it was one of many timepieces with which Maharaja had been gifted, and I was delighted to have his remnants.) Since that time, I wear it every day. I’m wearing it right now. And it never fails to remind me of him.

Your fallen servant,
Ravindra Svarupa dasa

Dear Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to You. All glories to
Srila Prabhupada.

This is the 3rd day we can’t have your personal association. I’m so sad and
morose at the same time I’m sure that Krishna and his associates are
overflown with joy to have you among them.

A guru is someone who teaches by example. You were a guru who was teaching
the whole world. You were a guru who showed the best example of all
Vaisnava qualities beginning with humility and being devoid of pride. You
were the example of the 5 limbs of devotional service that Caitanya
Mahaprabhu emphasized.

Sadhu-sanga - you always hankered for the association of the devotees. You
were an amazing host, the most wonderful cook and friend of all. The way
you treated all the devotees equally not considering their position,
service, or seniority was so astonishing and humbling at the same time.

Nama-kirtana - no one has to prove your love for Kirtana and the devotees’
love for your kirtana. Thank you for showing the way of merging into the
chanting of the Holy Names.

Bhagavata-sravana - your exquisite classes are a neverending source of
inspiration for all of us. The way how you repeated the acaryas’ words is
so unique and you always gave a fresh view to all the topics, thus proving
that if we listen to the Bhagavatam for many years still there is much more
to learn.

Mathura-vasa - you were not only living in the Holy Places in India but
wherever you went you turned that ordinary place into places of pastimes.
Even on your last journey, you were working so tirelessly on establishing a
new farm community fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desire.

Sri-murti-seva - I was always looking at you, completely amazed, when you
so graciously performed arati with deep meditation for the deities and the
way how you participated in functions around deity worship.

Now I’m here, remembering all the wonderful days I’ve spent together with
during the GBC meetings and when you visited Hungary. You should know that
we are always thankful that we could have your association and we will do
our best to follow your footsteps.

Your servant,
Radha Krishna das