By Padmapani dasWords can't describe the devastation that we all felt. Hearts broke and tears flowed everywhere. The universe was in sorrow. The pure devotee of Lord Krishna had left the planet. We had lost our master, our protector and our ever well-wisher. Suddenly the universe became cold and dark, and all hope instantly fled from our lives. How could we go on without Prabhupada? It was inconceivable. I remember that I could barely speak a word for the next three days. It was the same for most of us there in the temple. We never imagined that such a time would come. Prabhupada was everything to us and we thought that he would always be here. Of course the spiritual master is present wherever his instructions are followed, but most of us had not anticipated the day when Prabhupada's personal presence would no longer be available.