Tribute to Shri Prakash Gossai

Jun 18, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
The lilt and melodious voice we have grown accustomed to hear at poojas, satsanghs and other functions associated with the great religion of Hinduism has disappeared, in a flash, from this earthly plane for the more permanent celestial abode.
It was a hallmark voice that penetrated the heart and purified the mind so often in the past. Now, it’s no more.
Shri Prakash Gossai’s death is a monumental blow to Hindus in Guyana and the Diaspora. He came, conquered and left.
Sadly, he left in a hurry and never had the time to say goodbye to the many hundreds of thousands of faithful followers he wooed and mesmerized during his very short journey in this life. He couldn’t give one of his trademark satsangh as a farewell though he did it for countless others. Time was too short and he had to heed a higher calling.

“In the end it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln.
Prakashji’s 56 years were full of life ever since he came into this world at Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek, not far from where I, myself, was born.
Having risen from an ordinary cow herder in his very early days, like Shri Krishna, to a Hindu icon is something of which lesser mortals can only dream.
His death, untimely I believe, has created a void which may be long lasting. Hinduism in Guyana and the Diaspora may never see a capable replacement for him – at least not within a short space of time. Hinduism is worse off without Prakashji but as avid followers, we are thankful for the knowledge he left with us; knowledge which he imparted with such ease and beauty; knowledge, no doubt, which has made better our understanding of Sanatan Dharma.

Prakashji did for Hinduism what many others couldn’t. He not only told us how to live our lives. He led by example and lived a very simple, honest and humble life and really never bothered about material acquisition and wealth accumulation. If that was his interest, I do not think he would have accepted a job with the Government of Guyana . He could have stayed in the US and earn much, much more.
But, he never put a price to his patriotism and willingly served when asked.
Prakashji revolutionized the teaching of Hinduism and forged a renewed interested in the religion, especially at a time when spirituality and religion seem to have fallen off the list of priorities for many of the world’s peoples.
His sermons anywhere had a magnetic pull on congregations and I saw non-Hindus too nodding their heads in appreciation as Prakashji delivered, translating and explaining the Bhagavad Gita, Hindus holy book.
It was normal to find capacity crowds at locations where he conducted his numerous satsanghs, poojas and yajnas. His was a blessed soul driven and inspired to do things differently and, as Hindus, we are now better off with the knowledge left us through his teachings.
He was extremely aware of the sensitivities of other religions and was never irreverent in discussing Hinduism.

Prakashji accepted and respected other religions and I cannot recall having ever heard him being condemnatory of others’ beliefs.
Rather, he was a man, who embraced one and all and was a man for one and all. I was fortunate to have engaged him on several occasions, especially after he would have presided over my poojas and would certainly miss those encounters from which I learnt so much more about life and living.
I am confident his teachings will live on for generations to come who will one day know that “such a man as him walked the face of this Earth.”
Goodbye dear friend and brother.
May your soul find everlasting peace and solace.
Mahadeo Panchu

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