Hare Krishna. Rajendranandana prabhu (Sam Rogers) a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and beloved by many devotees around the world, left his body yesterday (Tuesday, November 10th) at approximately 1:15pm local time in San Diego, California. He was at home and being lovingly cared for by his wife, son, and fellow devotees.
Rajendranandana prabhu’s health had been failing for some time, and two or three weeks ago he was diagnosed with terminal spinal cancer. He was given three months to live. In the Vaisnava fashion so typical of Raj prabhu, he took the diagnosis as Krishna’s mercy and began to prepare himself for this final test. By the merciful arrangement of the Supreme Lord, he passed away within two weeks (instead of the projected several months).
Rajendranandana prabhu was speaking until the last day and a half, in spite of his condition-sharing Krishna katha and sweet exchanges with devotees who came to offer their respects. At one point, he asked his caretaker “Why are there so many people in the room?” although only Raj prabhu and his caretaker were there at the time. The caretaker, Jagadananda prabhu, inquired “Are they the good people? Raj prabhu smiled and said softly “Oh, yes”.
Rajendranandana prabhu left his body hearing a kirtan by Srila Prabhupada.
Although he had not been speaking for a day and a half, with his last breath, he said “Hare Krishna” and left this world.
Rajendranandana prabhu joined ISKCON in the mid-1970s and initially served at ISKCON’s school (gurukula) in Dallas, Texas. Amongst his many services over the years, he served as the temple president of the San Diego temple and then as president of the temple in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In recent years, he and his family spent much of their time at ISKCON Mayapur, where he was much beloved by the local devotees.
Srila Prabhupada was asked by a disciple, after the disciple’s devotee friend had recently passed away: “I know the philosophy. I know that the body is temporary and the soul is eternal. Still, I am feeling sad”. Srila Prabhupada replied: “After all, we are not dull stones. We naturally miss the association of devotees we have known and loved.”
Rajendranandana prabhu will be sorely-missed by devotees around the world-and that is how it should be. He lived an exemplary devotional life.
He was always full of affection, philosophy, blissful details about the lilas of the Lord and His devotees, and encouragement-and, when needed, some words of gentle chastisement. His was a life lived nobly. We are certain that he has either gone directly back to Krishna in Goloka Vrindaban or to join Srila Prabhupada somewhere else to help his beloved spiritual master give Krishna consciousness to the conditioned souls.
A memorial will be held at the San Diego temple on Sunday, November 21st starting at 3:30pm. More details to follow.
Your servant,
Badrinarayan Swami
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