(Click to enlarge photo of Tribhuvanatha holding Arabic Gita, Bombay, 1978)
To Tribhuvanatha Prabhu
(1952 - 2001)
Where are you now, old friend?
Where are you now?
Have you gone ahead to lead another sankirtana party
for Srila Prabhupada in a far distant land?
Are you chanting up a storm and playing the mrdanga until
time stops and there's nothing left but the Holy Name
which you love so much?
Are you preaching to a young devotee to run off
on another daring adventure
for our spiritual master?
You always said that you were a fighter,
and yes, you always fought the good fight for Prabhupada.
Your life was brief on this planet,
but you blazed the heavens with your faith and love.
We all saw it, we loved you for it, and we wanted
you to share it with us too.
And you always did.
Oh those Prabhupada stories told from your lips
spoken with absolute conviction and sincerity
went straight to the heart.
"Love of Prabhupada... that's it!"
You lived it, breathed it, and spread it freely
wherever you went.
What can I do without you here, O great Vaisnava?
Nothing.
I can only wait,
silently wait and hope for the day when we'll be
dancing together again at Prabhupada's lotus feet
with you leading kirtan, eyes closed, chanting in ecstasy
and Prabhupada smiling,
nodding his head in approval.
–Pd
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