Hundreds showed up for a prayer service at the Bhuvaneshwar mandir in
Queens last week to celebrate the 59th. Birth anniversary of the
late Shri Prakash Goosai who passed away three years ago from a massive
heart attack at a Miami hospital on a trip from Guyana.
Goassai was the former Advisor to President Jagdeo and the most
likeable and popular Pandit among Indo-Caribbeans in N.Y.
The congregants prayed for the soul Gossai and expressed the hope that
“his soul will live on”. The service included bhajans interspersed with
short commentaries on his life.
The pandit thanked the lord for “sending us such a great soul” saying
“Gossai returned to the Supreme” after making enormous contributions on
earth. The pandit stated “God has blessed the earth for given us this
great soul.  Gossai fulfilled his purpose of life by educating people
spiritually.  We need more of him. It is hoped that the lord will
return him to earth to resume his work”.
Speakers pointed out that Gossai was “a great singer”. They noted how
his voice captured the attention of his audience. “He had a golden
voice. No one could sing bhajans the way Prakash did”, said a female.
“He was terrific
and beyond comparison”, said anotehr.  One speaker noted that because
of his singing
and his mastery of the harmonium, which drew large crowds everywhere,
”every pandit today wants to learn to play the harmonium and to sing
bhajans”. Another speaker stated that “Prak brought light to brighten
the
darkness of the world” adding: “He was such a such a learned man. He
was very charming and entertaining”.
Not only could Prak sing but he could interpret the scriptures in such
a way no one else can. One speaker said: “He made the holy Ramayana
such a sweet book to listen to in his kathas and sermons”.  Indeed,
Prak’s interpretations were fantastic with a unique style with people
yearning for more and flocking to his sermons everywhere.  Even
non-Hindus and those non-practicing Hindus were attracted to his
kathas. Vijay Bishram said some 1100 people paid tribute to Gossai at
Bhakti Sargham two weekends ago.
Vijay said Gossai inspired so many and he encouraged people to do good
things in life and he supported the youths.  “He left behind a lifetime
of memories” for all.
Inside the temple was a verse from a bhajan Prak sang at wakes or
funerals and has been played repeatedly.  Ayeh Bhi Akheela Jaaya Bhi
Akheela – means he lived as he preached and now even in the final
analysis, he died as he preached.