On Guru-Purnima day at 12:10 am (UTC -5) in Montreal, Canada, our dear friend His Grace Visvambhara Prabhu, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, departed from this world. He was accompanied by Srila Prabhupada’s continuous chanting of the maha-mantra in his ears and in the association of his godbrother and godsister. He had been fighting cancer for many months.

Visvambhara Prabhu joined ISKCON in the early 1970s in Montreal and moved to France in 1972, where he served for more than 15 years, holding different managerial positions in the France yatra during all these years. He then moved back to Canada in the late 1980s and continued to play a key role at the Montreal temple for a few more years. He then spent the rest of his life in the south of Quebec province, continuously giving guidance to devotees.

We will remember him as a true ISKCON pillar in France, a key player in establishing the main temples in Paris and New Mayapura and supporting and expanding Srila Prabhupada’s mission. His dedication and strong determination inspired the devotees while always remaining available to everyone. Though many obstacles existed in establishing those temples, he always remained enthusiastic and optimistic, which had a reassuring effect on the devotees.

Visvambhara Prabhu had a wonderful character. He was known to be such a good friend and well-wisher to all! He was always “fatherly,” caring, and ready to help anyone who approached him. He never aspired to anything else than being Srila Prabhupada’s soldier.

Dear Visvambhara Prabhu, we are very fortunate to have had your association, and we are forever grateful for all that you have done and accomplished. We will miss you.

Yours faithfully.

On behalf of all the devotees who have served and serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission in France.

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July 22nd Announcement.

Srila Prabhupada with Vishvambhara Das (on his right or directly behind).

Please join us in prayers for Vishvambhara Das, who left his body on Guru-Purnima in Montreal, Canada.  According to his godbrother Deena Bandhu Das, “He went to France and expanded the preaching there very widely for Srila Prabhupada’s pleasure. He was a wonderful Vaishnava who was like a big brother to the devotees who knew him. He will be greatly missed! Hare Krishna!”  Other godbrothers like Giriraja Swami noted, “I have fond memories of serving with him in New Mayapur. He was a great soul and will be sorely missed. I will pray for his auspicious onward spiritual journey.” Vimuktasanga Das appreciated his key role in negotiating the purchase of Radhadesh as a co-signee on the contract.