ISKCON sannyasi Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami Maharaja had recovered after being hospitalized some years ago; more recently, however, his spinal cord condition worsened. He is now once again in hospital and in a serious condition, with devotees around the world requested to pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for his recovery.

“The doctors had warned us that there was a high probability of Maharaja being paralyzed in the event of a surgery, even if successful,” says Rishi Kumara Das on behalf of Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami’s Health Care Team. 

“Maharaja was briefed adequately that we ought to weigh both options and then decide. On Maharaja’s own preference, he was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, Rohini, New Delhi, one of the most reputed health care institutions for a critical surgery, on October 24th, 2020.”

The surgery was successful and the nerve blockage near the spine, or Cervical Spondylitis, was to have been addressed. 

“However, the worst of our fears has come true after the surgery, as a clot has formed,” says Rishi Kumara. “This is conflicting with Maharaja’s historical cardiac problems. Maharaja is, as of now, unable to move both his arms and legs and the situation is critical. The doctor who operated upon and is now treating Maharaja is a Gold Medalist neurosurgeon and his efficient team of doctors is trying its best. However, it appears that we have to now increasingly depend on the Supreme Doctor – Krishna. Please advise your community of devotees to pray intensely for Maharaja’s health.”

His Holiness Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami Maharaja was initiated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada as Makhanlal Das in October 1968. He is one of Srila Prabhupada’s original 100 disciples, and started one of ISKCON’s first university preaching programs at the University of San Francisco, California. Later, he continued his university preaching at his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley. He opened the ISKCON temple in Berkeley, California in 1969, and has managed several ISKCON centers in the U.S.

Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami received sannyasa initiation in 2010, and has been based out of the ISKCON Punjabi Bagh Temple in West Delhi, rendering invaluable services and inspiring the devotees there. He is known for his energetic traveling and preaching in India and other parts of Asia, despite his advancing age and deteriorating health; and for his deep attachment to his Jagannatha and Nila Madhava deities Whom he carried everywhere. 

According to Rishi Kumara Das, devotees have requested for a Sarva Vighna Vinasa Puja to be offered to Lord Narasimhadeva at Sridham Mayapur for Maharaja’s health.

Speaking to the worldwide community of devotees, Rishi Kumara says, “We request your overwhelming support to one of Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciples by praying to Lord Narasimhadeva and your respective local deities, that if They so desire, Maharaja may resume his active services to Srila Prabhupada at the earliest possible time and continue his inspirational contributions to this movement.”