His Grace Tribhuvanath Prabhu, by Aditi devi dasi

oldchakra.com

Remembrances of His Grace Tribhuvanath Prabhu
by Aditi devi dasi

I first met Tribhuvanath Prabhu in the spring of 1970. He had joined the temple a month or two before me. We were both cleaning the prasadam room one morning, and I asked him a question. He was Bhakta Tom at that time, and I was Yvonne. He explained to me that we call each other Prabhu, and that it meant that we were the servants of each other. Although he was at least 5 or 6 years my junior, that is younger than me, I always thought of him as a siksa guru to me. He would instruct but always with a smile and sparkle in his eyes. He was so enthusiastic, and when Srila Prabhupada came he was so much more ecstatic, that I could see that even Srila Prabhupada was affected by that big beautiful smile on Tribhuvanath's face.

During that summer of 1970 many of the older devotees who had founded the London temple, such as Gurudas and Yamuna, and Shyamasundar and Malati, were called to India to accompany Prabhupada on the first India sankirtan party. Mukunda Prabhu then became President and he and Janaki moved into the temple. Mukunda had to work during the day, so it was Tribhuvanath Prabhu who enthusiastically took us out on sankirtan and was always fearless. Often the police would stop us and take us to the station, hold us for awhile, and then send us out. We'd go back out and chant somewhere else.

Tribhuvanath had a special way of playing the mrdanga. His hands would go in many directions and it seemed that at any moment the drum was going to fly out of his hands. He kept everyone happy and energetic on the harinama. We would go out in the morning and come back for lunch. We'd go back out after lunch and return for the evening aratik. Then again we would go out in the evening and return around 9 or 10 for some hot milk and rest.

During that summer of 1970 the devotees were invited to the Festival of the Midnight Sun...to perform (because of the success of the "Govindam" 45) and we distributed as well. At one point I was by myself and I was either listening or singing along with whoever was performing. Tribhuvanath Prabhu came by and said, "You're not still attracted to that, are you?" As if that was the most foolish thing in the world to be attracted to; he didn't have to heavy about it...a few words from Tribuvanath and he made you see through the illusion.

That summer we were expecting Srila Prabhupad to come for the Rathayatra. All the preparations were made for him to come: Ronchor Prabhu had made a beautiful altar for his Radha Krishna Deities, but unfortunately Prabhupada was unable to come that summer. Many of us were first initiated by letter from India; I think Tribhuvanath was also. The next summer Srila Prabhupada did come, and it was a very exciting time for all of us.

On one occasion Srila Prabhupada was invited to lecture in a city outside of London. I had been cooking for the devotees, and as the devotee numbers soared from 16 to over 100, I had been working extremely hard. Himavati had been cooking for Prabhupada, and she or Shyamasundar invited me to come along to the program. We were sitting in school desks, and Prabhupada was sitting at the "teacher's desk." I was so tired, and although I was just in front of Prabhupada I could not help from falling asleep. Himavati would nudge me to wake me up, but I was just too tired. Prabhupada did not chastise me as I had seen him sometimes do in class. I could only understand that he knew I had been working very hard and somehow excused me.

After the program we were invited to the home of the Indian family that had sponsored the program. Prabhupada was sitting on a couch, and 8 or so of us were sitting on the floor facing him. Tribhuvanath was off to my left. They served fruit to Srila Prabhupada; his servant was cutting it and giving it piece by piece to Prabhupada. In a short while they served full prasadam to all of us. By this time it was quite late, perhaps 10 or so, and as we were at least an hour from London, our guests invited us to spend the night. We were unprepared, without changes of clothes or even toothbrushes, but we were all happy to spend the night there with Prabhupada.

I stayed with two Indian godsisters on the left of the hallway, and Prabhupada was down two doors on the right. I awakened about five and wandered down the hall to find Srila Prabhupada preaching to our Godbrother Manu Prabhu. The last thing at night, Prabhupada was preaching, and the first thing in the morning there he was preaching again.

After some time Shyamasundar Prabhu contacted London and they were all wondering where we were and when was Prabhupada coming back. So it was decided to leave, and Prabhupada rode in a red Volkswagen with Shyamasundar and we followed behind. The Volkswagen went up and down the green hills, and our eyes were fixed on it all the way back to London. Needless to say the devotees in the temple were missing Prabhupada dearly, and were so happy upon his return. It was a sweet moment to share with Tribhuvanath, as well as many darshans in Prabhupada's room.

During that visit in London in 1971 Srila Prabhupada asked me to go to Paris and to marry Locanananda Prabhu. He wanted us to go to Geneva and start a temple. I remained in France for many years, but often I would go to England for the Rathayatra and would see Tribhuvanatha again and enjoy his association and kirtan. At other times I saw him in India as well. He was always simple and humble, and austere. I never heard him engage in gossip or to speak unfavorably of any devotee. His greatest quality was his enthusiasm and unflinching faith in Srila Prabhupada and the Holy Name.

I was saddened to think that he left without the support and encouragement of all those devotees who loved him so much. Those who saw him in Brazil said that he had wanted it like that, that he was hoping he would get well and be able to preach again....in Africa and elsewhere. I also think he wanted it that way for another reason...to leave without a lot of fanfare. He never desired any special attention, and remained always humble. He was a good example of Lord Caitanya's verse: One can chant the Holy names of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street, more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and always ready to offer all respects unto others. In such a state of mind one can chant the Holy Names of the Lord constantly.

There is no doubt in my mind that Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya were there to take his hand and take him Home.

All glories to our dear Godbrother Tribhuvanath Prabhu. All glories to the fearless enthusiastic service he rendered to Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya. You are greatly missed.

Your godsister,
Aditi d.d.