At 3.40 am on the 30th of December Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami left his body and returned to the spiritual realm. Lying in his bed in the Kuala Lumpur temple surrounded by devotees chanting the holy names Maharaja breathed his last.

Bhakti Wrajendranandana Swami was born in Malaysia. He went to the UK to study where he joined ISKCON in 1971 in Birmingham. He was around 33 years old at the time of joining. Subhag, now swami, was his inspiration at that time and remained so throughout his life. He then moved to London’s Bury Place temple in early 1972 and served selflessly there for several years – he was known as the simple hard working, surrendered brahmacari (monk) who would never miss anything. 

He received initiation in July 1972 from Srila Prabhupada on Trafalgar Square, receiving the name Vrajendra Kumar. For years he travelled throughout the UK distributing books until his move to India in 1975 where he took up the responsibility of temple commander in Vrndavana. He would occasionally return to Europe for sankirtan and raising funds for India.

In 1979 along with two other devotees he returned to his home country and they established the Malaysian ISKCON community on firm grounds. 

In 1983 he accepted sannyasa from Jayapataka Swami. From then on he continued to serve in Malaysia preaching extensively. He would regularly visit India traveling and preaching and other neighboring countries. In the late 1990’s his health deteriorated developing serious heart problems. The doctors gave him 6 months to live. For some time he went to India and miraculously gained strength. Back and forth to Malaysia he reassumed his preaching and traveling. Around 2011 again his health dipped and he became hospitalized for some time with a failing liver. He pushed on enthusiastically serving in whatever way he could. He faced regular health crises and several time survived against all odds. Over the past few months his kidneys failed and he has had to undergo dialysis.

Around 3 weeks past he went into a coma and although coming back to consciousness his health was ailing to the point the doctors made it clear there was nothing more they could do and in discussion with the devotees – many of whom are themselves doctors – decided to take Maharaja back to the temple where he remained for 12 hours till his glorious departure returning to his eternal position at Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet.

All devotees who knew him will attest to the fact that he was truly a great Vaishnava free from the malice, envy, lust and greed. ISKCON has lost the association of a wonderful soul but his example will stand as a beacon for many to come.