These two days are a celebration for our team: Madhuvana prabhu and Paramakaruna prabhu both turned seventy, just two days apart. They are both our true role models, and now we are trying to put into words what this means to us, even though no single piece of writing could ever be enough to do it justice.
Seventy years have only made them stronger
They’re both retired now, but anyone who knows them knows they haven’t put down their lutes by any means. Quite the contrary. Several of us on the team have expressed the same sentiment: this is our life’s purpose—to be here, even at their age, with such vitality, cheerfulness, and dedication, serving the movement, the food distribution, and one another.
In Krishna consciousness, in the Hare Krishna movement, there is a motto: health, sadhana, service. A sadhana refers to daily spiritual practice, the service namely, that which one offers not to oneself but to Krishna, God. Madhuvana and Paramakaruna prabhu took this threefold principle as seriously as possible. They have never been slaves to harmful passions, and for decades they have lived this way unwaveringly, day after day. Madhuvana has been doing so for three decades now, and Paramakaruna for five.
A Special Journey
Paramakaruna prabhu’s journey is particularly noteworthy. Along with Sivarama Swami, he is the only direct Hungarian disciple of Srila Prabhupada, the founder and spiritual master of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This is how he recalls the beginning:
„On February 18, 1975, I met the bhaktas—the devotees of Krishna—and starting on February 19, I was already chanting sixteen rounds a day.” – (approximately 2 hours of deep mantra meditation using a rosary) – ed.
Those Who Are Always There
Madhuvana Prabhut Everyone among his colleagues calls him „Papa,” and that says it all. On weekends, he goes Nordic walking on Margaret Island, and for twenty years he has been participating in a religious community gathering that brings together several families, where his presence is always eagerly anticipated. Within the foundation, he’s everyone’s “Papa”: a caring, reliable friend. If needed, he’ll fix a bike, or if there’s a plumbing problem in an apartment, he’ll happily take care of it.
Paramakaruna prabhu, Whenever time and family responsibilities allow, he goes from house to house with Srila Prabhupada’s books, knocking on doors to bring Krishna consciousness into homes in the form of books. In addition, he performs regular service at the temple altar and is also available as a church ombudsman. Anyone who has met him knows that he strikes up a conversation with anyone. He radiates boundless gentleness and wisdom.
What We Learn from Them
We have never, ever seen them grumble. Nor have we ever seen them lose heart. Their personalities are imbued with cheerfulness and humor—and this is not some forced optimism, but the fruit of an inner strength built up over a lifetime. And in their service, they are tireless.
They are living proof of the The Bhagavad-gita one of its lines, which states that Krishna consciousness is „the perfection of religion, eternal, and a source of joy.” For them, this isn’t just a quote on the wall—it’s their way of life.
Thank you!
We don't even really realize how lucky we are that these two—“our two treasures”—are here with us day after day.
Dear Paramakaruna prabhu, dear Madhuvana prabhu – May God grant you good health, joy, and the opportunity to serve for many years to come. Thank you for your companionship and your teachings. We ask you: please stay with us!