From Rasa Sundari devi dasi:
"I just got a phone call from Mayapur that my dear Godbrother Devarsi prabhu ("the astrologer") has left this mortal world at 2:30 pm local Mayapur time. [Monday, 19] There is not much information at this point just that he had tubercolosis and was in Calcutta returning to Mayapur. As he was very sick they brought him to the hospital in Krsnanagar where he left. He was accompanied by Isvara prabhu a Spanish devotee. Jananinvasa prabhu said that he was a gentleman and this world is not meant for gentlemen.
Please pray for his safe return to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Krsna."
Devarshi Prabhu joined Srila Prabhupada´s mission back in 1977. His father was a very rich man who got very disturbed by his son's decision to become a Hare Krishna. In order to forcefully pull his son out of the movement, he hired some professional brain-washers who kidnapped him and took him (drugged) to a country home in Switzerland. However Devarshi managed to escape after undergoing gruelling sessions of gross materialistc "psychotherapy," similar to the ones Prahlad Maharaja received from Sanda and Amarka. Then, to avoid further persecution, Devarshi went to India.
Very soon it became evident to all the dhamvasis living at Mayapur that Devarshi Prabhu was a humble, saintly devotee who had the natural propensities of a sterling brahmana-vaisnava: true devotion for constantly chanting the Holy Names, eagerness for studying the sastras, a liking for both performing devotional austerities (vratas) and travelling to do parikramas to holy tirthas. However, the most outstanding quality of Devarshi was his unconditional and selfless disposition to serve all kind of Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis.
Devarshi became a remarkable astrologer. In fact, his fame as a jyotish spread all over the world. He would study the devotees' charts and make precise, amazing predictions, always highlighting the beneficial and spiritual points of the horoscopes. And sure enough, Devarshi would never charge any money—he would gladly receive whatever meagre or plentiful donations devotees gave him. Immediately afterwards, Devarshi would donate all that money to devotees in need, sadhus, temple programs, etc. As a perfect long-life brahmacari, he would just keep for himself only a few rupees to pay his bare necessities, or as Srila Prabhupada said, to keep together body and soul.
I don´t know how many, literally, thousands of devotees Devarshi helped in the last 30 years.
I never meet Devarshi Prabhu personally, yet over a period that spanned almost twenty years, he kindly studied mine and my daughter's charts. Not once, but thrice. From Guatemala I would send my donations with another Spaniard devotee who comes regularly to Central America to sell luxury items from India.
One month ago, a devotee from Peru told me personally that Devarshi Prabhu was very sick, although he didn´t mention what kind of disease was afflicting him. He added that Devarshi had made an open appeal to his peers in Spain to take him back to that country in order to receive good quality medical treatment.
Then the e-mail referred to in the first paragraph above entered my inbox.
What a shame!! At his 55-56 years of age, Devarshi died of a totally curable disease: tuberculosis. Just the poor and dejected die of tuberculosis!
Devarshi Prabhu made a public stress call, letting his countrymen know he was in trouble. That he urgently needed help. I even got it here in Guatemala. I don´t want to jump to conclusions, but it seems (please correct me if I´m wrong) that NOBODY stretched him a helping hand, not in Mayapur neither in Spain. Of course, I spare Isvara Prabhu, Hrimata mataji and the other devotees who kindly assisted him in his last hour.
If such a jewel-like, qualified devotee passed away unnecessarily, in a wasteful manner, while his close relations couldn´t care less for him, it's a shame!
Meanwhile, the big gurus of ISKCON, as well as its high-ranking officials, spend millions of dollars in keeping their bodies fit and healthy. But for the rank and file devotees, the ones who really keep the mission afloat, they are neglected even to point of death! What a shame! These anonymous but fine, "expert" [Prabhupada] devotees, are the real mahatmas of the movement founded by Srila Prabhupada. What a shame so-called friends and authorities did nothing to take him to Spain.
Upon hearing from the Peruvian devotee that Devarshi was ill, a devotee from Central America sent Devarshi an e-mail inviting him to travel to the Costa Rica farm, all expenses covered. But it seems he never read it… He was too ill… or it was too late.
Also, 5 days after his demise, nobody, not in Mayapur and neither in Spain, has informed the devotees about this most unfortunate news to the worldwide Vaisnava community -- to the many thousands Devarshi helped so graciously, selflessly, and unconditionally!!
What a shame! Srila Prabhupada must be very angry at this callousness and heartlessness.
All glories to His Grace Sriman Devarshi dasa Brahmacari!
All glories to the true, anonymous servants of Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada!
All glories to the audarya-avatara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
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By webdasa on Thu, 2011-12-22 16:26.
His life exemplified the ideal saintly way of living, and as a devoted brahmana, he was always giving good council and advise for the welfare of all. His “simple living and high thinking” always inspired whoever had the great fortune of meeting and associating with him. He loved to care for cows, he had one cow named Surabhi whom just recently had a calf named Jumpi. They have been given to our Goshala to be cared for now. We request everyone to pray for his destination to Lord Krsna's lotus feet. The cremation took place at the Ganga ghat today at 11 a.m. with harinam Sankirtan.
Homage to Devarsi Prabhu by Damana Krishna dasa:
"When I came to Mayapur first time 1997 I meet the wonderful sadhu Devarsi Prabhu who became one of my greatest inspirations and also a kind of siksha guru. I was amazed by his simpleness and also determination to practice Krishna Consciousness in a very serious way. He was a wonderful sadhu, astrologer and had so much knowledge. He was always ready to give me nice advices which really helped me to serve Krishna. In year 1999 during Mayapur flood I was lying in bed with jaundice and almost left body. It was Devarsi Prabhu who helped me a lot. He was bringing me fresh fruits and also ayurvedic medicines. Without his help I wont be alive today. Also later in year 2000 when I became sick he gave me good advices and also helped me a lot. Later when I was in India we meet in different locations and had wonderful association. It is really sad news that such a great soul has left us. I spoke with Yadunandana Maharaja about Devarsi Prabhu in Radhadesha few years ago and he said he was always exemplary even from first days of KC.
Krishna took his servant to participate in His pastimes. My wish is that I meet this great soul one day in spiritual world.
He was one of the hidden jewels of ISKCON."