Disappearance Day of HH Gour Govinda Swami

By Madhavananda Das

From chapter 15 of When Good Fortune Arises

“I MAY LEAVE”

Shortly after hearing his comments following the 1995 GBC meetings, a couple of disciples of Gour Govinda Maharaja approached their spiritual master: “Guru Maharaja, we don’t need these people. We can leave ISKCON and start our own society. You have so many disciples, it won’t be any problem.”

Hearing their suggestion, Gour Govinda Swami became very grave. Shaking his head no, he said, “The only way I will leave ISKCON is if someone cuts off my head.” Many times Gour Govinda Maharaja would repeat an instruction regarding the devotees in ISKCON that Srila Prabhupada gave him during his visit to Bhubaneswar: “Tolerate, tolerate, tolerate, cooperate.”

In late January 1996, Gour Govinda Swami mentioned, “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said that this material world is not a fit place for any gentleman. Therefore, because he was disgusted, he left this world prematurely. I may also leave. I don’t know. Let me ask Gopal. I will do whatever he wants.” The next day he went to Gadeigiri to see Gopal.