Hansadutta das passed on Saturday, 25 April 2020 at around 6:25 pm California time. The day was akshaya-tritiya, and the nakshatra was Rohini. At the time when he left his body, his family were by his side, singing kirtan along with a recording of Srila Prabhupada. When is death auspicious?
‘If you can remember Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, hari-kīrtana, at the time of death, then you are successful.’–Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.27-34, Surat, December 17, 1970
Hansadutta das (né Hans Jürgen Kary) has passed and leaves behind his sister Heidi Marie, his former wife Lakshmi Kary-Rana and their three children. Hansadutta was one of the earliest and leading disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (Srila Prabhupada), Founder-Acharya of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). more
We must expect anything anytime in this world. And yet, when one who is very dear to the heart departs, it comes as a shock. It is a sad day indeed. I need time to reflect and contemplate.
All I know at this point is that I will always remember you as the one in this short video.
As for those of your dealings and activities that were “controversial,” extreme, or even wild – our Lord can burn the most complex disasters to mere ashes faster than the blink of an eye.
As for those souls who feel that they have been severely hurt by you – our Lord can easily heal their hearts – as early as they choose to forgive. Now is the time if you haven’t yet.
Bhakti does not balance achievements against mischief done. All that we have are our innermost intentions.Your were one of the very early disciples of our spiritual master and you did sacrifice everything for him and his mission. With tremendous impact on uncountable souls.
As for this struggling soul – I am eternally indebted to you. Not for what you could or should have been, but for who you were to me. I love you, brother – and always will. To meet you again at the lotus feet of our spiritual master – with all remaining luggage lost in transit – that is my hope and that is my desire.
You are with Srila Prabhupada, somewhere in time and space – or beyond time and space as we know it – of that I am certain.
Your friend and junior godbrother,
Atmavidya das
April 26, 2020
A brief Follow-Up
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I like to thank everyone for the response to my video offering for Hansadutta Prabhu. Really, it is not “my” video – it is the amazing and unique voice and singing of Hansadutta that makes the video – as it should be, and as it was intended.
Even otherwise materialistic people were attracted to his Kirtan.
The response of you all is overwhelming to me – the sheer number of views, the heartfelt comments, and the private messages that I received. Some of you had me in tears. If I did not find the time yet to reply to each one of you individually, please bear with me.
Having had so much personal association with him, and being his right-hand man for a while, I could probably fill a book with quite amazing stories. That will have to wait until I write down my memoirs.
However, there are a few things I like to mention at this point.
Some facts that you may not be aware of:
It was Hansadutta Prabhu who finally convinced me to joint the movement wholeheartedly at the age of 19, after I had been a guest to the Hamburg temple for three years.
Hansadutta Prabhu and his first wife Śrīmatī Himavati Devi Dasi were like young protective parents to us girls and boys of the German Yatra. They were available at all times. Heck, Himavati even mended the socks of the Brahmacaries. There was no question of ordering Kurtas (shirts) etc. from India in those days. Himavati sewed them herself and trained the girls in this craft as well.
Morning and evening functions were events we all looked forward to in joyful anticipation – his beautiful singing of the prayers, and his classes. He spoke so convincingly – because HE was convinced. That never changed up to his last breath in this world.
Hansadutta Prabhu, unlike other leaders, never shielded any of the devotees under his care away from Śrīla Prabhupāda. Quite the opposite: In England, in France, in Sweden, in India, and of course in Germany he personally made sure that each and every devotee got a chance to have direct association with Śrīla Prabhupāda – on morning walks, in darshans, during room conversations.
These are just a few of the not so well-known qualities of Hansadutta Prabhu and some facts from my personal experience.
I was fortunate enough to have a very pleasant and inspiring E-Mail exchange with him just two months ago. He struck me as a very gentle, matured person and Vaishnava who is at peace with himself and with his spiritual master.
Atmavidya Das
April 28, 2020
Hrimati devi dasi
Dear assembled Vaishnavas,
It is with a heavy heart that I give the news, that our dear Godbrother Hansadutta Prabhu left his body.
A couple of month ago, he was diagnosed as having pancreatitis, but during surgery they found advanced cancer, which has spread to his lungs etc.
His three children were with him doing kirtan along with Srila Prabhupada.
Hansadutta Prabhu was singing for Srila Prabhupada when he left his body. Now Srila Prabhupada is singing for Hansadutta while he is leaving his body.
Please kindly pray for Hansadutta Prabhu. We owe him all so much.
I still have not been able to take it in. What a loss! He is leaving a big void in my heart.
Hrimati devi dasi
April 26, 2020
To Hansadutta
I lost a very dear Brother today, Hansadutta Prabhu. Although you are my older Godbrother, you were more like a father to me. The love and encouragement you gave to me throughout my life was like no other. From a young girl of only 13-14 years of age you have kept my faith in Srila Prabhupada. You were always there, singing and dancing for the Lord. Even when my own father and the police came looking for me and other devotees wanted to hide me away, you kept my faith by encouraging me to go back to my father’s house. In the early days you even showed me how to put tilak on my forehead! You were the one who first called me by my spiritual name, by reading out loud my initiation letter, which just had arrived. You taught me how to play the Kartals and mridanga and let me sing on the stage with Srila Prabhupada. You were the one who dragged me to go with Srila Prabhupada on the morning walk. Later in life and over the years you became my very best and always well-wishing friend. You personally taught me how to cook your world famous “Hansadutta soup”. In Mayapur you came and visited us in our humble hut and taught us how to make potato pancakes, by flipping them up in the air. Since several years now you have been encouraging me to write my own book “the girl that loves elephants and the elephants that love her” Yes, I will write the book and you will be a big part in it. You were so expert in everything. And most of all, you were an unlimited ocean of Srila Prabhupada Kata! Everything you spoke was Srila Prabhupada. But now, being bereft of your association, Oh Vaishnava Thakur! All I can do now is weep.
Your baby sister, HRIMATI Dasi
Surabhi devi dasi
Dear Hansadutta, I am so sorry I never got to tell you sooner. In Amsterdam I met you for the first time you came for a visit we were cooking for a special event three of us. I was not that long a cook then. Later I got transferred to Germany, two Brahmacharis had opened up a centre in Frankfurt and needed a cook. I was sad to leave Amsterdam as it was I joined and I Loved all the Devotees there. When I got Hamburg you were away but everyone welcomed me. When you came back I guess you could see I was a little sad so you just to encourage me you told all the Devotees how I cooked this big feast in Amsterdam. We went to Frankfurt with a few Devotees and you said no Surabhi cannot stay here along with the two Brahmacharis and took me back and we all did end of the day everyone added up there score and the Brahmachari bragged he had beat everyone, but you said just let me see how Surabhi has done and came and got my score. You knew I had beat them all, you just encouraged me so much and helped me to become stronger in all ways in my Krishna consciousness. When you seen me with the Mrdunga in the hall trying to play one day you handed me one of the Mrdungas in Kirtan. There was about six, and in time I learnt to play. Still to this day I Love to play it, and I go on Harinama and Lead the Kirtan with it. You sent me with Uthal and Gananath in the big truck to help with the Hare Krishna festival in many different countries and Prabhupada joined us on many of them. On one of the festival you sang Van de ham and they recorded it with your Kirtan. I still Love to hear it. When I was having some trouble in Berlin you sent to Munich I Loved it there we did so much Sankirtan they did a film and we received a copy some years ago of us do Harenama and distributing books and me and Kanchani from that film got on the Hare Krishna Movie. You took us so many places to where Prabhupada was visiting I will never forget. And then to Schloss Rettershof where we had Our own Sankirtan parties on Saturday we would come back and in the foyer that night you would lead the most Amazing Kirtans and we would dance Our legs off. Next day we would have a grand feast pack Our VW bus and be off again on Our next journey. Prabhupada came for a visit to the Schloss and it has been recorded in interviews, photos as a most memorable Occasion. I got Married in the Schloss by you. I have 5 wonderful Children. I cannot Thank you enough for all you did for me and anchored my life in Krishna Consciousness. I Love you with all my heart for being my Rock when I needed it the most. May Nrsinghadeva always protect you and bring you to Prabhupada’s Lotus feet. Lots and Lots of Love always.
Your eternal servant always,
Surabhi devi dasi
Urdhvaga das
I am very sorry to hear that Hansadutta has passed away so soon. I did not expect it to be so quick.
I always remember my first meeting with Hansadutta. When I first joined the Hare Krishnas and came to the German Castle Schloss Rettershof, Hansadutta greeted me with warm affection. When I saw him in the main hallway, I ran towards him and spontaneously embraced him in brotherly affection, saying to him: “now that I have come, please never let me go again.” I really liked him and in my heart there was a place for him.
Whatever happened in the main time, Hansadutta might have had his shortcomings, but in his heart he was always very sincere. And the most important, he was a Prabhupada man; he gave his whole life for Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, this much I know.
Urdhvaga das
April 27, 2020
Chakravarty das
I Read this morning of Hansaduttas passing. And I am so glad that he could go at such an auspicious time. Yes those early days were the highlights of our Krishna Consciousness. We had a special relationship, especially during that time. And I am grateful for his mentorship and friendship. In later years our path separated but in his heart he always maintained a space for me as you confirmed with what you said. And for sure, he will always have a special place in mine. But most importantly he always had a very special place in Srila Prabhupadas heart. And thats why He called him at this most audpicious time. Hansadutta Prabhu had a special service to do for Srila Prabhuoada. And he did it well… with great love faith and medication. Thus he fullfilled his destiny.. what more can One achieve. All is well. And it is so reasuring to see for all of us: We are in the best of hands…. at all times. All glories to Srila Prabhupda. And all thanks to Hansadutta Prabhu.
Chakravarty das
April 27, 2020
Gauracandra das
My older Godbrother Hansadutta dasa has just passed away, and so I looked for any photos of us together. I found several: this one is of Hansadutta, me (wearing glasses) and several other devotees with Srila Prabhupada on a morning walk in the suburb of Spanga where the temple was in Stockholm, Sweden in September, 1973. Hansadutta is to the right of me. Prabhupada was in Stockholm to deliver a series of lectures at the university.
Hansadutta’s service to Srila Prabhupada is eternal. All glories to the departed devotee!
Gauracandra das
April 27, 2020
Srila das
Sad and shocked at the loss of Hansadutta Prabhu, my esteemed and exalted godbrother. He shared a special relationship in kirtana-rasa and visrambha-guru-seva (intimate service) with our beloved gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada. Offering my heartfelt prayers and condolences.
Srila das
April 27, 2020
Svarup Hebel
Just now received the sad news of Hansadutta Prabhu’s passing. He was no doubt one of the most colorful personalities among all my godbrothers and sisters. Once some of the godbrothers were complaining about him to Srila Prabhupada. After listening for some time Prabhupada said, “Yes, I know he is a rascal but I am liking that rascal.” He was a very influential personality in the early days of ISKCON as far as bringing people to the movement.
This photo tells us how much he adored his guru.
Jaya Hansadutta Prabhu. Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Svarup Hebel
April 28, 2020
Jagadananda das
Sadly for us Sripad Hansadutta Prabhu passed away at 18:25 this evening. He did so much service and had so much association with Srila Prabhupad! He was still distributing books on the street just a couple months ago. He could tell some wonderful and amazing Prabhupada nectar! He called me up a few weeks ago and said he had something to tell me but that he wanted to tell me in person. He went into the hospital shortly after that, with the lockdown I never got to see him there. I will always wonder what it was. He will be missed! Jai Sripad Hansadutta Prabhu!
Jagadananda das
April 26,2020
Gauridas Pandit das
We will miss HH Hansadutta Prabhu who left his body today. Today is Akshay Tritiya a most auspicious day to pass.
He was the one that I associated with most at the Berkeley Temple. He came regularly and always talked about Srila Prabhupada. His singing was celestial and Srila Prabhupada liked it a lot. He was a great preacher and always gave interesting classes.
Hansadutta Prabhu is now with Srila Prabhupada and is finally free from this miserable world.
WHAT- A HUGE LOSS…IM SO SORRY–YES he Fell down BUT he Picked himself BACK UP -As his GBC-guru-godbrothers IGNORED HIM—The Saddest Part was He was RIGHT—Changing HDG Srila Prabhupads ‘Original Books Was a GRAVE MISTAKE—-All Glories to him In His Sincere Service to OUR Srila Prabhupada…Also ISKCON Just Dimissed Him…As they did so ,to So MANY- of Prabhupads Disciples. HARE KRSNA-==Hamsadutta Das prabhu was UNIQUE–Irreplaceable.
Gauridas Pandit das
April 26, 2020
Patita Pavana das
HANSADUTTA GETS THE TRIPLE CROWN. 25 April 20: Hansadutta Dasa, one of Shrila Prabhupada’s very early disciples from the “East Village Days” on the Lower East Side of NYC, has departed for the lotus feet of his spiritual master at around 6:25 PM in Northern California.
Two verses of Bhagavad-gita As It Is come to mind from the chapter entitled “Attaining the Supreme.”
“Those who know the Supreme Brahman pass away from the world during the influence of the fiery god, in the light (daytime), at an auspicious moment, during the (waxing) fortnight of the moon and the six months when the sun travels in the north (uttarayana).” (8.24)
“And whoever, at the time of death, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.” (Bg 8.5)
The Hansadutta I knew was always thinking of Prabhupada, and hence he was Krishna conscious. That is the formula. At the time of his departure,
(1) the Sun was moving in the auspicious Northern Path (Uttarayana).
(2) It was daytime (agnir jyotir). And,
(3) The Moon was waxing. Not only that– but the tithi of the Moon was the shukla paksha tritiya tithi of Vaishakha masa, the indomitable Akshaya Tritiya.
These omens are extremely auspicious. Add to this that Sun, Mars and Moon were all exalted, and Saturn and Venus were in their own signs.
When Shrila Prabhupada was returning to India with Kirtanananda Swami in 1967, after a severe heart attack, Hansadutta was among the devotees at the airport who were seeing His Divine Grace off. Spontaneously, he made an announcement to the crowd that everyone should donate to help the Swami’s work. Many sailors there chipped in some coins. This early collection of a few dollars for an impoverished movement caught Prabhupada’s attention. Later Hansadutta would take it upon himself to begin publishing his spiritual master’s books, so Shrila Prabhupada immediately appointed him a trustee of the BBT.
Hansadutta’s fight for keeping the books of Shrila Prabhupada @AsItIs would result in the legal publication of the original pre-1978 editions.
Anyone who knew Hansadutta understood that he wasn’t the easiest guy to know, but no one can deny his unflinching loyalty and fidelity to Shri Guru Prabhupada. For me, when I was struggling in San Francisco for years, he would come and visit, cook, bring tomatoes from his garden, and narrate stories of how Prabhupada traveled on the rays of the Sun in Germany or other fascinating and insightful pastimes of the pure devotee.
Patita Pavana das
April 26, 2020
Draupadi devi dasi
I am stunned, as I did not realize that he had pancreatic cancer which advances so quickly.
Gratefully, he was surrounded by Srila Prabhupada and sincere devotees. I will cherish the image of him singing and chanting during the moments before leaving his body.
A great loss to us. May he be in the association of Srila Prabhupada instantly.
Draupadi devi dasi
April 26, 2020
Anuttama devi dasi
Dear Hansadutta Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to our eternal spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada!
I was sorry and relieved when Lakshmi e-mailed me about your passing. Sorry because I will miss your association. Relieved because it was time for you to go on. You had told me about your experience growing up in war-ravaged Germany, running around with no shoes and you had expressed your distaste for the chaos that is almost on us now.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valuable association. Whenever we spoke, your main thrust in the conversation was to see everything by the light of Srila Prabhupada’s vision. You always liberally peppered the conversation with accounts of ever-new pastimes that you experienced with Srila Prabhupada.
For instance, when I recently asked you about my observation that Srila Prabhupada never seemed busy, you recounted a time in which Srila Prabhupada took a party of devotees to spend several weeks on a retreat property owned by a wealthy Indian businessman. You reminisced at how the 20 or so devotees accompanying Srila Prabhupada enjoyed the facilities while getting the association of the pure devotee. You noted that, at the time Srila Prabhupada was running a multi-million dollar movement, yet had time to take a few weeks in a secluded place in a peaceful atmosphere where the devotees could chant and be Krsna conscious without the ordinary distractions.
Another time you told me about how surprised you were that Srila Prabhupada appointed you as a BBT trustee and you asked him why. Srila Prabhupada’s response was that you, among the many devotees, had really understood the importance of his books and that you had eagerly put energy into getting them printed and distributed.
You told me that you felt you had a special insight by growing up in the US, while having been born in Germany. When you returned to Germany to spread Krsna consciousness, you were empowered to do things that would have never occurred to Germans. For instance when you needed devotees to drive trucks, the German devotees would never have just gone ahead and driven them: they’d need government permission, licenses etc. Your American upbringing allowed you to explain to the German devotees that the only permission required came from the necessity of serving Srila Prabhupada. For the German devotees, this was a revolutionary way of thinking.
You were so uniquely empowered to spread Krsna consciousness that Srila Prabhupada appointed you as one of only 11 disciples to serve as his ritvik representative and perform initiations on his behalf. Although you were party to the betrayal of the devotees by misleading them about Srila Prabhupada’s intentions, you were enough of a gentleman that when you realized your huge error, you apologized. Although I was personally inconvenienced by the betrayal, I certainly forgive you, not only because you asked for forgiveness, but also because I can understand that this experience was necessary for your spiritual advancement as well as for mine. One of the beauties of passing to one’s next body is that we get the gift of forgetting our blunders from our previous lives.
Singing was your superpower. The sweet timbre of your voice would draw people into kirtan to experience the nectar of the Holy Name. You shared many recollections in which you sang for Srila Prabhupada. In one recollection, you told me how you were on a long drive in a car with Srila Prabhupada and started singing for his pleasure. I was transported to that time and place and was able to taste the nectar of that experience.
In Srila Prabhupada last days, you sang for him.
Technology was not your thing. Several times you accidentally “butt dialed” me. When I answered the phone, you didn’t hear my “Hello?”, but continued chanting the Maha Mantra.
Hansadutta Prabhu, my husband and I will miss you. You told us several times that when you leave this body that you want to go where Srila Prabhupada is currently conducting his pastimes. One recollection was when you asked Srila Prabhupada if the spiritual master ever goes back to Godhead, or whether he remains in the material world to deliver the fallen souls. You asked if the spiritual master is simultaneously in Vaikuntha and the material world and Srila Prabhupada replied, “something like that.” You also asked Srila Prabhupada if his disciples continue to associate with him and are born as his entourage. Srila Prabhupada confirmed this understanding.
In his last days, Srila Prabhupada asked the disciples flocked around his bed to promote the simple living, high thinking lifestyle and varnashrama. Srila Prabhupada pointedly asked the assembled devotees, “will you do it?” There was an awkward silence, and then you told me that you replied, “yes, we will, Srila Prabhupada” and then looked around the room. You then amended your reply, “yes, I will Srila Prabhupada.” Although circumstances didn’t allow you to live the simple living, high thinking lifestyle, I feel that my association with you has empowered me to be able to accept this important directive. Thank you so much for your association and the understanding you gave me of Srila Prabhupada desires.
Please accept my best wishes for your continuing journey. I know that you are joining our eternal spiritual master to continue to assist him in his mission. I pray to join you both when my time comes to leave my own body. Farewell my friend.
Your servant,
Anuttama
Abhimanyu das of Russia
Very sad news. I spoke with him 8 hours before, This pic was made when I last time saw Hansadutta Prabhu. It was 6 Feb 2020 in San Francisco Airport, when I going back to Russia. He looked good and nothing shows that he die soon.
Abhimanyu das
April 26, 2020
Madhudvisa das
Thank you very much for notifying me about Hansadutta Prabhu’s auspicious disappearance.
Hansadutta Prabhu was one of the very very few disciples that Srila Prabhupada could trust. One of the very few leaders who really made Srila Prabhupada’s mission his own mission.
I feel very fortunate to have been able to have some small association with Hansadutta Prabhu and to have been in contact with him and working with him on the book changes issue.
So I am sure Hansadutta Prabhu is now with Srila Prabhupada and Krishna or he is preparing for his next preaching arrangement, whatever Srila Prabhupada wants him to do next.
Madhudvisa das
April 27, 2020
Dhanesvara das
I am very sad to hear this, but it does not come unexpectedly. I last spoke with him about 2 weeks ago, and had planned to call him today. When we last spoke he was extremely weak, having just left the hospital. He mentioned his pancreas having some problem, but did not mention cancer. Even though he was so weak he was enthusiastically speaking to me about bold preaching, which was so characteristic of him. I am pleased to say that I could count him as one of my friends, a friend who was always encouraging me in Srila Prabhupada’s service. I shall certainly miss his Association, as I’m sure all of his friends will. May Shri Krishna bless him.
Dhanesvara das
April 27, 2020
Vyasasan das
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Glories to his dear disciple Hansadutta Prabhu!
Thank you for letting me know about the passing of Hansadutta, I am greatly saddened by the loss of this great devotee. He was a great inspiration to me, He spoke the truth!
Vyasasan das
April 26, 2020
Dina Anukampana das
Oh how sad…. He served Srila Prabhupada with total surrender, and inspired so many people to also dedicate their lives to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada…. I remember that one time I saw him… I was walking on Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg in Vrndavan with HG Kurma Rupa Prabhu circa 1990… Hamsaduta Prabhu was passing on a rickshaw, and Kurma Rupa Prabhu, who was residing in our house there in Vrndavan those days while teaching in the Gurukul, spontaneously bowed down there and then in the street, and I did too. Then this wonderful devotee Kurma Rupa Prabhu began telling me how much Hamsaduta Prabhu had inspired him in the beginning of his spiritual life! Jay ho! Glorious Preacher Sri Krishna Kirtan Thakur ki…. Jaya! The love between him and Srila Prabhupada was something else indeed! Glorious! Now he can fight more battles against Maya for Srila Prabhupada in another realm…. Hare Krishna!
Dina Anukampana das
April 27, 2020
Shannon Lynn O’Laughlin
All blessings all blessings to our departed friend and eternal well wisher Hansadutta Prabhu🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 the first and only time I met him was due to the grace of Babhru Dasa my dear friend on the Bhakti path. Here are some exchanges we had with him:
— i told him i had a lot of respect for him because my former beloved had shared with me how we are indebted to Hansadutta for revealing about the crime of posthumously editing Śrīla Prabhupada’s books. He thanked me for recognizing that fact and agreed it’s not right they continue to change the books.
— I asked him what it’s like to be a bogus guru who came clean — he laughed and told me they were just all a bunch of confused puffed up kids…. he said seriously to not to work with “any Hare Kṛṣṇa’s in any institution anywhere “ …. he said merely to find people who have never heard of Kṛṣṇa and share with them, work with them, that it’s hopeless to work with the institution as it is now😂 as the damage was done and he shared his sadness of the overall mood of deviance from Śrīla Prabhupadas instructions.
— he shared about how small the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement was when he joined and how he was basically a pioneer in it helping it grow to what it became (and still does today)
—-I told him how Prahlad (1975-2016) (biggest distributor of original pre-1978 books despite constant backlash from institutionalized “devotees”) told me a story about him how Hansadutta had previously said “of all the drugs I have tried out there (which apparently he had tried a lot), being a guru was the most intoxicating drug yet!” He didn’t remember the conversation with Prahlad but laughed and agreed it sounds about right. He renounced being a guru in 1984. We had a jolly moment of him sharing miracles how Śrīla Prabhupada is the real deal guru and his followers are only great in that thet aspire to follow their guru perfectly.
—i shared about Prahlads suicide and he was really sorry to hear it , and he said he wished such and such ____ name won’t be mentioned here ____ should have killed themself instead 😳 omg
—he was so unassuming… I thought he was just some random homeless dude 😂 he made me feel so welcome at the temple…. he wanted to make sure we each had a copy of “Life comes from life” … he went on to give us a full discussion how this is the most important point in defeating atheism. That Śrīla Prabhupada’s spent a lot of time discussing this point — how it’s the “Jugular” of modern mundane civilization. This is what the majority of our conversation we had…. I felt like he was giving us a kind of diksha.
— Jacob and I gave him a ride in the sprinter van to his old folks home in Oakland and he shared some stories of sharing Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the old people on his floor. He also shared about old sankirtan stories. He wanted to give us some gifts so we waited while we gave us a memorial gold coin from new Vrindavan in the 1980’s and a few of his books he had written. He gave us both a hug and wished us well on our journey to continue chanting the holy names of God and carry forth the movement. It was powerful to interact with him. I will remember that day for the rest of my life and I am so grateful I got to meet such a humble & genuine rebel spirit.
Rest In Peace ✌🏽 Hansadutta Ji… May you find eternal service at your sweet Lord’s feet.
Shannon Lynn O’Laughlin
April 26, 2020
Mahakarta das, Sri Lanka
I got the sad news that Hansadutta Prabhu has passed away from this material world on the 25th April 2020. He was an inspiration for me to join the Hare Krishna Movement in Hamburg in Germany. He was a passionate and dynamic devotee who had the vision and conviction that the Hare Krishna Movement will be established all over the world as Srila Prabhupada envisioned. He gave me the initial idea that I should go to Sri Lanka and start a movement, and similarly I got the instruction from Srila Prabhupada to come to Sri Lanka. In 1976, I was part of the travelling sankirtan party and I travelled from Germany to Sridham Vrindavan organized by Hansadutta Prabhu. The journey from Germany to India were in the World Sankirtan buses and we took the routes starting from Germany, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally India. From India, I, along with some devotees including Rohini Kumar Prabhu came to Sri Lanka and found a place and established a Centre. Hansadutta prabhu visited Sri Lanka shortly after that and he brought one of the buses from the World Sankirtan party to Sri Lanka which we used for preaching. While he was in Sri Lanka, he defeated Dr. Abraham T. Kovoor a well known atheist who was the President of the Sri Lanka branch of the Rationalist Association, an organization especially dedicated to disproving the existence of God and the soul. Because of this event, there was huge publicity in the media and ISKCON became recognized in Sri Lanka as an authoritative religious movement based on sound philosophy and scriptures. Now, at the same centre that Hansadutta originally visited in 1977, Temple construction project is going on now for Sri Sri Radha Rajagopal and is reaching completion. I was planning of inviting Hansadutta Prabhu for the consecration/Kumbabishekam of the Temple once it is completed. Hansadutta prabhu, while he was in Sri Lanka, he has met the President J.R. Jayawardena in 1977 and gifted Srila Prabhupada’s books to him. He also has met many important people in Sri Lanka and his entrepreneurial nature and innovative ideas have originally planted the seeds in Sri Lanka when ISKCON was setting root. I am eternally grateful for his association when I first joined and giving me inspiration to take Krishna Consciousness as my life mission. I also learnt that during his last days also he was preaching and he always carried an statue of Srila Prabhupada wherever he went. I pray to Lord Krishna that he would attain the abode of Lord Krishna.
Mahakarta Das
Temple President, ISKCON Sri Lanka
Madhusudana das, Russia
Hansadutta with Ananta Shanti in India.
Hansadutta was the first GBC in the USSR until 1977 and regularly came to the USSR under the guise of a tourist, sometimes with his wife. He met with Ananta Shanti and taught him how to prepare prasadam, they talked. As Ananta Shanti recalled then: “I finally saw a real devotee, about whom I could only read in books.” Their meeting took place in 1974 and then only after 18 years (1992) they can meet again.
Madhusudana das
April 26, 2020
Acchedya das, Germany
Very kind of you to link me up with the news
of Srila Hansadutta prabhu’s disappearance, I am sure he went straight
to the place we all want to go, you know haridvara vaikuntha.
Yes I had only few months ago a very nice letter contact with him.
Well we had a good time together in germany, he was my hero
that time and I came to the movement, since I heard his singing.
A voice like a gandharva, yes he was king of kirtan indeed.!!!
From him I learned so much, I never will forget him, he was the key
for me to Srila Prabhupada, and I never let him down….
So my dear thanks for everything, and please give my regards to
the ones who loved him the same way, may the lord bless you.!
Acchedya das
April 29, 2020
Jayamadhava das, Russia
– A THOUGHT–Im seeing some devotees bashing Hansadutta das unfairly.mean stuff-(on facebook etc..)-> ITS WRONG- To:BASH Hanasadutta das By ANYONE is Totally -UnVasinava and Mean Spirited…..Not a Devotees attitude,,HDG Srila Prabhupada ACCEPTED HIM and ALL OF US–Despite ” WE ARE THE MOST FALLEN ”–,HDG Srila Prabhupada= Appreciated His ( OUR ) Sincere K C Service…Thats a Fact You can’t Just Make IT UNIMPORTANT…Lets Be Merciful..and Appreciate The Late HG Hansadutta das-100 % Loyalty–to HDG Srila Prabhupada and his Determination to Protect His Original Books and HIS – K C INSTRUCTIONS Hansadutta das also Apologized for his Mistakes/ Offenses-SO LET IT GO -.Failure to do that is unfortunate for the aspiring Devotees….ALL GLORIES- TO SRILA PRABHUPADA and His DISCIPLES !!!!
Your Servant,Jaya Madhava Das (acbsp)-Moscow Russia
April 26, 2020
Sonny Sal Strampello
Have some great memories with him at Mt Kailash (Northern California) in the late 70’s. I first met him at Kailalsh. We had shown up at the farm on an off day, off hours. Hansadutta had the devotees cook prasadam, open the temple room for darshan for us, had a nice feast and a smoking kirtana. All for just the few of us showing up. Later in the mid 80’s, he cooked a sumptious prasadam feast for us and Krsna katha ensued for hours at my dear friend Prahlad Priya’s house in Poway, Ca. …And many other times at Berkley temple. What a great devotee he was. Praying for an undeterred journey for you prahbu, back home to Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna!!!
Sonny Sal Strampello
April 26, 2020
Rama Raghava das
[Message received by Lakshmi:]
Hare Krishna.
I have not met you but had the honor of seeing Hamsaduta prabhu for the first time after joking the temple in Atlanta at the age of 17, and somehow ending up in Vrindavan in the fall of 1977. Srila Prabhupada arrived for the last time at the Krishna Balaram Mandir and Hamsaduta prabhu was leading the kirtan at the gate on the side, near Srila Prabhupada’s quarters. The vision of him leading the kirtan in ecstasy and twirling while playing the mridanga is indelibly etched in my mind. Then I ran into him at the IRM center run by Brahma Bhuta and Mother Vani in the lower east side in 2002. When I recognized him i offered my obeisances and while getting up was shocked that he was also offering obeisances.
Recently while working in California near LA I was visiting the Berkeley temple and visiting my friend Vaikuntanatha prabhu. We ran into Hamsaduta prabhu again and this time it took me a little longer to recognize him. To my amazement within 5 minutes he asked us if we would like to have kirtan and he got his harmonium and I happened to have my mini tambura in the car and we had an amazing kirtan and he also sang a couple of Brahma Samhita verses in an amazing and to me a mystical tune. If I can find that video I took I will try to upload it.
I was keeping in touch with him from time to time and for the last year had an inkling that I should just visit him but had a hard time getting him to return my calls most of the time. Alas my fear of the inevitable has passed and am really missing him and lamenting that I did not just go and visit him. I am in GA again where I grew up but visit California at least 3 times a year. During one of my visits I was even trying to arrange a meeting with Hamsaduta prabhu for a devotee from Jaipur my birthplace, now living at the Akshaya Patra Mandir in Sunnyvale, CA.
Anyway, thank you for caring for that great soul who accomplished so much and had so much faith in Srila Prabhupada. I will miss him very much and hope to meet you some day.
Sincerely,
Rama Raghava das
(Dr. Rakesh K. Sharma
Eisenhower Army Medical Center)
May 2020
Devotees are welcome to submit their remembrances of Hansadutta in the comments.
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Hansadutta das. I had been away from the internet for a while and learned of this just a few days ago. I never met Hansadutta personally but had some correspondence with him by email. I am someone who remembers the days of the Sankirtan parties chanting and dancing in the cities in the early 70’s. As things turned out, I took another path that ultimately led to disappointment. I rekindled my interest in Krishna Conciousness and somehow found Hansadutta’s site. I sent him a little message and I was so surprised and happy that he answered me right away. I just felt so fortunate to have the association of a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Hansadutta’s kindness and compassion really encouraged me and inspired me and I continue to chant and read Prabhupada’s books. I also feel that Hansadutta did a service so important and wonderful by making sure Prabhupada’s original books were reprinted and preserved as he wrote them. Those are the books I now have. So dear Hansadutta, I will miss you and never forget you. Your association meant the world to me. I know you are at the feet of Srila Prabhupada for eternity.
A brief Follow-Up
Dear assembled Vaishnavas,
I Read this morning of Hansaduttas passing. And I am so glad that he could go at such an auspicious time. Yes those early days were the highlights of our Krishna Consciousness. We had a special relationship, especially during that time. And I am grateful for his mentorship and friendship. In later years our path separated but in his heart he always maintained a space for me as you confirmed with what you said. And for sure, he will always have a special place in mine. But most importantly he always had a very special place in Srila Prabhupadas heart. And thats why He called him at this most audpicious time. Hansadutta Prabhu had a special service to do for Srila Prabhuoada. And he did it well… with great love faith and medication. Thus he fullfilled his destiny.. what more can One achieve. All is well. And it is so reasuring to see for all of us: We are in the best of hands…. at all times. All glories to Srila Prabhupda. And all thanks to Hansadutta Prabhu.
Today is Akshay Tritiya a most auspicious day to pass.
25 April 20: Hansadutta Dasa, one of Shrila Prabhupada’s very early disciples from the “East Village Days” on the Lower East Side of NYC, has departed for the lotus feet of his spiritual master at around 6:25 PM in Northern California. 
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Hansadutta das. I had been away from the internet for a while and learned of this just a few days ago. I never met Hansadutta personally but had some correspondence with him by email. I am someone who remembers the days of the Sankirtan parties chanting and dancing in the cities in the early 70’s. As things turned out, I took another path that ultimately led to disappointment. I rekindled my interest in Krishna Conciousness and somehow found Hansadutta’s site. I sent him a little message and I was so surprised and happy that he answered me right away. I just felt so fortunate to have the association of a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Hansadutta’s kindness and compassion really encouraged me and inspired me and I continue to chant and read Prabhupada’s books. I also feel that Hansadutta did a service so important and wonderful by making sure Prabhupada’s original books were reprinted and preserved as he wrote them. Those are the books I now have. So dear Hansadutta, I will miss you and never forget you. Your association meant the world to me. I know you are at the feet of Srila Prabhupada for eternity.