August 28, 2026
When Charles asked his son and daughter-in-law (a Hare Krishna couple) to move in with him, he knew he would have to adapt, but his reward was more than he could ever imagine.
An Envisioned Future and the Shocking Choice
Charles was born in 1917. He served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years and then the Civil Service. Assigned to a submarine fleet during World War II, he valued a safe, secure home for his wife and two young children.
When his son Charlie, at 24, announced his plan to join the Hare Krishna movement in 1973, Charles was shocked. Like many parents, he was horrified that his son was choosing a path radically different from what he had envisioned. He did his best to talk his son out of it, but it was no use. Ultimately, he could only accept Charlie's decision.
Little did Charles realize what a praiseworthy path his son had chosen. Giving up the usual pursuit of wealth and status, Charlie — now Godruma Dasa — chose to develop love for Krishna. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna assures that because of a devotee's behavior, his entire dynasty is purified.
When his son Charlie, at 24, announced his plan to join the Hare Krishna movement in 1973, Charles was shocked. Like many parents, he was horrified that his son was choosing a path radically different from what he had envisioned. He did his best to talk his son out of it, but it was no use. Ultimately, he could only accept Charlie's decision.
Little did Charles realize what a praiseworthy path his son had chosen. Giving up the usual pursuit of wealth and status, Charlie — now Godruma Dasa — chose to develop love for Krishna. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna assures that because of a devotee's behavior, his entire dynasty is purified.
Moving in with Dad
In 1983 Godruma married a girl named Visnupriya. They returned to the U.S.A. in 1985 because Godruma's mother was ill. In 1986, Charles lost his beloved wife to cancer. Heartsick and lonely, he asked Godruma and Visnupriya to come live with him in Jacksonville, Florida.
The young couple agreed, but they had concerns about their different ways of life. There could be no meat, fish, eggs, onions, or garlic in the house. Nothing could be eaten unless the food was blessed by offering it to Krishna. They would want to install their deities, Sri Sri Radha Madana-mohana. Godruma and Visnupriya would need to rise early, before 4:00 A.M., to chant and perform morning worship.
Contemplating all of these changes, Charles decided it was a small price to pay: "I guess I can learn. The most difficult thing would be to remember to offer my food to Krishna. But I can give it a shot!"
The young couple agreed, but they had concerns about their different ways of life. There could be no meat, fish, eggs, onions, or garlic in the house. Nothing could be eaten unless the food was blessed by offering it to Krishna. They would want to install their deities, Sri Sri Radha Madana-mohana. Godruma and Visnupriya would need to rise early, before 4:00 A.M., to chant and perform morning worship.
Contemplating all of these changes, Charles decided it was a small price to pay: "I guess I can learn. The most difficult thing would be to remember to offer my food to Krishna. But I can give it a shot!"
Adaptation and Solace in Krishna Consciousness
Charles adapted quickly. He began to listen to tapes of Srila Prabhupada's singing and speaking, noting how convinced Prabhupada sounded. He developed a special fondness for the sanctified food, krsna-prasadam.
In his later years, Charles developed prostate cancer and chronic leukemia. Shingles made it impossible for him to walk. In the depths of his pain, he opened to the possibilities of God's love. He began to love the sacred chanting playing 24 hours a day in his room. When faced with pain, he would call out, "Krishna! Krishna!"
He began eating tulasi leaves offered to Krishna and drinking caranamrta. Near his bed were large pictures of Srila Prabhupada and the deities. One evening, he pointed to a picture of Srila Prabhupada and smiled, saying: "Theres someone standing at the foot of my bed... Its him."
On October 2, Charles peacefully departed, with his last words being: "Ah, K...r...s...na, K...r...s...na."
By Sukhada Devi Dasi
In his later years, Charles developed prostate cancer and chronic leukemia. Shingles made it impossible for him to walk. In the depths of his pain, he opened to the possibilities of God's love. He began to love the sacred chanting playing 24 hours a day in his room. When faced with pain, he would call out, "Krishna! Krishna!"
He began eating tulasi leaves offered to Krishna and drinking caranamrta. Near his bed were large pictures of Srila Prabhupada and the deities. One evening, he pointed to a picture of Srila Prabhupada and smiled, saying: "Theres someone standing at the foot of my bed... Its him."
On October 2, Charles peacefully departed, with his last words being: "Ah, K...r...s...na, K...r...s...na."
By Sukhada Devi Dasi