new_beginnings

I first met Srila Prabhupada's devotees in 1969 in San Francisco. By Srila Prabhupada's grace I was taken to the temple. I was fourteen years old, and I did not take to it at the time. I was too involved in enjoying my teenage years. But Srila Prabhupada never gave up on me. We may think that we find our spiritual master, but actually the spiritual master comes and finds us. Srila Prabhupada made so many arrangements. A year later I met the devotees again in Philadelphia, and then in 1972, when I was sixteen, I moved away from my family. I wrote to Srila Prabhupada and asked him what I could do to serve him. When I look back at it now, I had no idea what I was really asking. He gave me some nice instruction, and I moved into the Los Angelestemple. I was initiated the following year, in 1973, at the age of seventeen. In those days they gave second initiation very quickly because they needed pujaris. So a few months later I became a pujari in Los Angeles.

Eventually I was asked by Jayatirtha Prabhu to go to Hawaii to take care of Panca-tattva there. I could say that in Los Angeles as well as in Hawaii I was always in the right place at the right time, because I saw Srila Prabhupada many, many times. He spent so much time in Los Angeles, and when I moved to Hawaii he spent a month there, and later he visited Hawaii many times. There was no telling when you would walk around the temple grounds when he would suddenly appear, or come into the kitchen, for example, and ask what I was cooking for him. There were so many nice exchanges. I did not come early enough in the beginning of the movement to have the mercy that some of my Godsisters had when they traveled with him. But still, with Srila Prabhupada, it is like finding out what the taste of the ocean is. All you need to do is taste one drop and you know what the entire ocean tastes like. It is the same with Srila Prabhupada. You needed just one glance, one smile -- he did not have to say anything -- and you knew his mercy, his unlimited mercy.

I can tell some stories. One time in Hawaii he was giving class. At that time he was taking his morning walks at the beach park, Ala Moana Beach Park, and that is when he made his famous statement about surfers, because there were surfboards on so many of the devotees' cars in the temple parking lot. And after he gave class all the devotees would hit the waves. So when Srila Prabhupada saw the surfers in the water at Ala Moana Beach Park, surfing in the waves, he made that famous statement: "You call them surfers. I call them sufferers." And then he added, "They will all take birth as fish." So when everyone came back from this morning walk and told the other devotees, the next day there were quite a few empty cars without surfboards!

One thing that happened during that visit was that Srila Prabhupada called a big GBC meeting. Ambarisa Prabhu, still Bhakta Alfred Ford, had just donated the new temple in Hawaii, and as many of you know, it is quite a large mansion. It is a beautiful property with two acres of gardens. So Srila Prabhupada called all the GBCs to come, and he was taking his first walk around the grounds. The GBC men surrounded him wherever he went. I was just this young nineteen-year-old pujari girl, feeling very, very insignificant. That was my proper position. I remember sitting in class and praying to Srila Prabhupada, "If you just give me one look, just look at me one time, then my life will be fulfilled." I felt very unnoticed. I was very immature and needed some attention from Srila Prabhupada, so I prayed like this during class. "If you just look at me one time, my whole life will be complete." Then class ended and Srila Prabhupada got up from the vyasasana and all the GBCs and sannyasis were following him, singing "Jaya Prabhupada" walking out of the temple room. I had already gotten up and was near the doorway of the pujari room, so Srila Prabhupada had to pass by me as he was leaving, but I was several feet back in the pujari room. Srila Prabhupada stopped at the entrance, turned, and looked at me. He folded his hands, his eyes lit up, his face broke into a big smile, and he looked me right in the eyes and nodded as if he was pleased. That was the first time that I realized that Srila Prabhupada hears our prayers. The guru does hear us when we pray. Even though it was a few years after I had joined the movement, I would say that that was the moment that my spiritual life began -- when I realized that Srila Prabhupada is in the heart and that he does hear us. There is a special relationship.

Over the years there were other incidents. I went back to Los Angeles, and we always just tried to get the mercy. We cleaned his room. We arranged the flowers for his vases. This was all while he was on his morning walk. The women were very encouraged because we had heard this one story that on a morning walk in India some of the sannyasis had been saying something about what the women's position in ISKCON should be. Srila Prabhupada just listened. While he was on his walk, his lady disciples had stayed behind and cleaned his entire room, made the vases, dressed the Deities, and cleaned the altar. When he returned from his walk and saw his lady disciples, he said to the sannyasis, "Yes, but if you associate with these women you will go back to Godhead." So we were very encouraged. He was always very sweet, but he especially gave his gentle, supportive mercy to his Goddaughters. He knew that we could not handle the other type of mercy.

Anyway, I do not want to dwell so much on past stories, because after all Srila Prabhupada is still with us. That sounds almost cliché, but it is true that he is still here and that he is still guiding us and smiling when we accomplish something for him and make some advancement. And he chastises us in his own way when we fall. But he still always picks us up. We can stumble and fall, but he never lets us stay down too long.

__________________

He is Here (Part 2)
by Sangita devi dasi

__________________

I wanted to share one story, if I may, about something that happened just recently. Some of you know that I do hospice nursing. I take care of terminally ill devotees. In June I received a phone call from my Godbrother Gopavrindapala, whom I had not seen in twenty-five years. We had served together in the Los Angeles temple in the early '70s. We just lost touch. He was married to Mula Prakrti dasi, my Godsister, who was very famous for a lot of things. One of her great legacies was teaching the devotees how to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. She opened up the Los Angeles airport, and she was one of the first to do big books in the airport. She pleased Srila Prabhupada very much with her service. So, in June I received a call from her husband, Gopa, and he told me that she was dying of cancer. He said that the doctor had given her one month to live and would I please come to Vrndavana and help her and care for her while she was dying. When something like this happens you just know that it is Srila Prabhupada wanting you to do this service. There is no other way to take it.

Within a week I left and met them in Amsterdam, and I helped Gopa to get his wife to the dhama. It was not easy for him. It was emotional for him, but it was also very difficult physically to get her there. She was very, very sick. So, we got her to the dhama, and we were staying at MVT. You all know MVT. For two weeks we had nothing but hearing and chanting twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. So many devotees quickly rallied around her, and it was just so wonderful to see all the devotees cooperating and helping this one mataji leave her body. Immediately the women who lived there, my wonderful Godsisters, came and decorated her bedroom with so many nice posters of Deities. Radha Kunda dasi put a nicely framed painting of Srila Prabhupada over the head of the bed, and that became the focal point of the room and for the devotees when they entered the room. And for twenty-four hours there was nothing but hearing and chanting. Devotees took shifts. They would bring in a harp and other instruments and chant, and others would take shifts and read to her, and in between we had Srila Prabhupada's bhajanas playing constantly.

I am telling the story because of this part. Right before she left her body she looked at me. She had not opened her eyes in two weeks, but she opened her eyes, and it was very clear communication. She could not speak. Her breathing was very, very difficult. For two days, forty-two hours, her lungs had been filling up with fluid, and she had that death rattle, as it is called. It is like a gargling. It was amazing that she could even open her eyes. She opened her eyes, and she was communicating something to me. She was air-hungry, and she was in anxiety because it was just so difficult for her to breathe. I turned to my Godsister Vrindavana Vilasini and said, "She is in so much anxiety. Please say something," because they had been close, dear friends for years. They used to do book distribution together. I knew that she would find a way to calm her down. So, Vrindavana Vilasini felt so inspired by Srila Prabhupada at that moment that she went close to Mula's ear and said, "Mula, just surrender and Srila Prabhupada will breathe for you." And immediately Mula Prakrti just calmed down, and she was focused again on Srila Prabhupada, because she had said just a week before . . . Everyone had been reading to her different pastimes of Krsna and Radharani, which were wonderful pastimes, but she said to me, "That is not my mood, Sangita." I asked, "What is your mood, Mula? Do you want to hear about Srila Prabhupada?" She replied, "Yes." And I asked, "Would it be okay if we read Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta to you?" And she agreed, "Nice," with this big smile, the famous Mula smile.

Vrindavana Vilasini, our Godsister, knew exactly what to say at that moment: "Just surrender and Srila Prabhupada will breathe for you." Then we bathed her with Radha-kunda water. I just had this feeling that she was going leave within a few minutes, and I wanted her nicely prepared to greet Srila Prabhupada. For the last two weeks we had kept telling her, "When Srila Prabhupada is ready, he will come for you. You may think that you are ready, but he knows when you are ready. And when he is ready, he will come for you." So I just had this feeling that it was going to be that morning, because of her symptoms. Actually, the night before, I had prayed to the painting of Srila Prabhupada over her bed. The devotees were chanting in her room, and I prayed, "Srila Prabhupada, please come for her." And I just had this feeling; I knew that Srila Prabhupada was communicating to me, "You cannot summon me. You cannot summon me. When I am ready to come, I will come." So it taught me a lesson in patience as well.

That morning I bathed her in Radha-kunda water and got her dressed, and we decided to sit her up so she could breathe more easily. We propped her up with pillows around her. I was listening with my stethoscope to hear her heartbeat, and her eyes started to roll back. I immediately said to her daughter, "Go get your father and your brothers. Go get them right now," because it looked like that time. There were maybe five women in the room. It was amazing how Krsna arranged that some of the devotees who were closest to her, who most wanted to be there at that time, were unable to be present. But this handful of women were able to be there and witness this great event. So, we do not know how we can plan for these things; in the end Krsna makes the arrangement who is there and who is not there to witness such a thing.

Anyway, I was holding her up, and her daughter ran and got her father and one brother. I was chanting in her left ear the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and Vrindavana Vilasini was chanting in her right ear. Her husband walked in, and when he saw her condition he immediately rose to the occasion to perform his last duties as her husband. He was amazing. At that moment he detached himself materially and knew just what to do for her spiritually. He had a silver tray already prepared with auspicious items. He placed tulasi and caranamrta in her mouth. I said, "Gopa, we need Vrndavana dust." He handed it to me, and I sprinkled some in her mouth. Her mouth opened and quivered, which is an auspicious sign that she was going back to Godhead, and you could just feel the presence of Srila Prabhupada in that room. We had said to her, "Srila Prabhupada will come for you when he is ready." Those words will always stay with me; I do not think I really understood what I had been saying until that moment. Srila Prabhupada came for her. You could feel his presence in the room. In fact, I felt that the room was very crowded. There was so much going on at the same time -- holding her up and trying to hear her heartbeat and feel her pulse and at the same time chanting in her ear -- it just seemed like the room was very, very crowded with many great personalities hovering above. It was very crowded. It is hard to explain. I looked up for a moment from all the things that I was doing and saw only a handful of women at the foot of her bed, but there were great personalities there to help her on her journey. And Srila Prabhupada was definitely there. There was no doubt that he came for her. It was a glorious moment. It felt as if the room had opened up, as if the whole sky, the material sky, had opened up for this one jiva to leave this material world and go back to Godhead.

We were all crying because of course we would miss her personally, but we understood that there was this great kirtana going on, on the other side -- in Krsnaloka there was this amazing party happening -- and that Srila Prabhupada was there in his true form. She was so fortunate that she was getting to see Srila Prabhupada in his spiritual form and that he was reintroducing her to Radha and Krsna. So it gave us some solace at that moment. We were crying and laughing and crying and laughing. The emotions were just running. It was such a transcendental event. It was Srila Prabhupada's lila, and I felt extremely grateful to Srila Prabhupada for allowing me to take part in it.

Anyway, I mainly wanted to share that story, not to dwell so much on other stories from the '70s, because it is so clear that Srila Prabhupada is still with us. Srila Prabhupada once told Indradyumna Swami that when we go back to Godhead, "I stand in the middle, and

Krsna is on one side of me, and you are on the other side of me, and I take Krsna's hand, and I take your hand, and I join them together." So this is going home, back to Godhead. And I just want to encourage everyone that if we just continue with this process, continue to follow Srila Prabhupada's instructions, continue to just hang in there through the trials and tribulations, Srila Prabhupada will give us strength to get through it. He will give us the words when we need them. He is everything. His mercy is all that we are. So, when we relate to each other we can understand, "You are also Vaisnava. Please accept my obeisances. You are representing Srila Prabhupada as well. Everyone is a representative of Srila Prabhupada if they are following his instructions."

I do not want to speak of Srila Prabhupada as being only in the past, and I get very disturbed when I hear devotees speaking of "when he was here." He is here. He is here. Of course, we miss his personal association. That is what makes this a very bittersweet day. We miss his personal association tremendously, and that will always be there.

I cannot believe that it has been all these years, because I remember the moment that I heard he left the planet. I immediately thought, "What is going to happen to me?" Because I was so selfish, I thought, "What is going to happen to me?" Then I thought, "What is going to happen to ISKCON now that he is not here?" Now after all these years I am asking different questions. I am asking, "Srila Prabhupada, please tell me what I can do for you for the last part of my life." This is like the sprint at the end of the race, and I just pray to him all the time. He has given me a mission in Vrndavana, and for that I am extremely grateful.

I do not know what else to say. Srila Prabhupada is here, he is with us, and he gives us guidance. Please have faith and pray to him, because he did not go anywhere. He is still with us spiritually.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Sangita devi dasi
President of Vaisnavas C.A.R.E. (Hospice Project)
Author of The Final Journey—Complete Hospice Care for Departing Vaisnavas

August 5, 2006

Hare Krsna and pamho. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I did not know Mother Saranagati, but met her in Vrndavana when I interviewed her for a book about my godsister Kirtida Devi Dasi, who passed away in Dallas in June, 2001. Both these devotees had retired to Vrndavana in their final years and became close friends in the dhama. Although they originally hoped to leave their bodies in Vrndavana, each departed not Sri Vrndavana dhama, but in the West during the hot Vrndavana summer near their home temples, and - by Krishna's arrangement - in the physical association of their spiritual masters.

Mother Kirtida financed the bhoga for the Deity of Lalita Sakhi at the temple in Unchogaon for several years, and when Kirtida passed away, Mother Saranagati continued this service.

In an excerpt from my book, Elegant Saint: The Life of Kirtida Devi (to be published in early 2007)Saranagati discussed her service in Unchogaon:

Kértidä brought me here to Uïchogaon and I fell in love with her spirit here, which was in the mood of Lalitä-sakhé. She used to supply the money for bhoga each month. There’s a story in the Old Testament about Elijah’s mantle falling on somebody, and I felt as if Kértidä’s mantle fell on me – so I have just carried on. It is my pleasure to try to keep her service going on here. We bring the food regularly, and I have taken Lalitä Devé a couple of outfits. During the winter, Lalitä Devé looked cold, so I had a couple of wool outfits made.

Saranagati personally assumed the expense for the bhoga and deity outfits in the little temple in Unchogaon, just as Kértidä had done. When Çacénandana Swami spent the Kärtika month in Uïchogaon in 2004, he found that the new priest and assistants at Lalitä’s temple – who have replaced Çré Rädhä Ramaëa Bäbäjé since he passed away – exhibited an unusally cordial mood toward the ISKCON devotees:

In the Lalitä-sakhé temple they are very kind devotees who immediately had a high opinion of us, most probably because of the services of Mother Kértidä and Mother Saranagati. They were very respectful; in fact they did something that no one does in Vraja: they switched off the temple loudspeakers, just so that we could do our bhajan undisturbed!

Submitted by Sarvabhauma Dasa,
August 4, 2006

February 5, 2006

Hare Krishna !
Glorious Passing away of H.G. Stoka Krishna Prabhu.

Stoka Krishna Prabhu's health started deteriorating from the 3rd
February's evening. At 4:30 pm, he started gasping for air and manifesting
symptoms of "air hunger". Dr. Acyutanand Prabhu nebulised him which helped
him relax. Later on in discussion with Madhavacharya Prabhu (H.H. Bhakti
Tirtha Swami Maharaja's physician during his last days), it was declared
that Stoka Krishna Prabhu's health is going down rapidly and he may leave
his body in the next 24 hrs.

        Devotees immediately called for H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Gaur
Gopal Prabhu was leading a soft and melodious kirtan in the room around 5:30
pm. Stoka Krishna Prabhu was now really struggling with his breathing and
his health was going down.

        H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaja came to meet his beloved disciple in
the evening and this proved to be the last time that Guru & disciple
exchanged sweet words in transcendental reciprocation. Of course, this is
just external observation, as the relationship of spiritual master and
disciple is always eternal. H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaja walked into the
room when Stoka Krishna Prabhu was struggling with his breathing. His blood
pressure was hovering around 80. H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaja came near
Stoka Krishna Prabhu and inquired about his health from the doctors. Then he
started encouraging Stoka Krishna Prabhu for his final journey.

       H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj: Stoka Krishna Prabhu! Vrindavan is
waiting for you. Yamuna is waiting for you.
Stoka Krishna Prabhu: Because of your mercy Maharaj.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj: (very lovingly) Do you have any desire?
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : To take shelter at your lotus feet.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj : That you have already achieved
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : Please forgive me. I spoke something foolish
last week.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj : No foolishness. Just remember Krishna.
I am very proud of you. I am very pleased with you. Don't have any regret.
Just be grateful. Concentrate on the holy names. Think of the beautiful
forms of Sri Sri Radha Gopinathji. Think of Their pastimes.
         H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj continued in his sweet voice: Success
of life is to depart with great dignity which you have achieved. All your
mistakes are erased. You are now left with all wonderful qualities,
wonderful service. Do you believe me?
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : (nodding his head like a small innocent
child) Yes. Maharaja please bless me.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj : Lord Krishna and Radharani have
already blessed you. I am praying 24 hours to Srila Prabhupada for you. When
you go to Goloka Vrindavan, you will see the transcendental beautiful form
of Lord Krishna covered with dust of Vrindavan with peacock feather on His
head and beautiful flower garland around His neck; horn, various colored mud
smeared over His bluish body. He must have killed some demon that day. He
must have played games with Balaramji and other cowherd boys. Gopis will be
there but at the background. Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda Mayi will be there at
the front. Yasoda Mayi will come forward and scrutinizingly search for any
scratch marks on His body. Then she will bathe Him with scented water, dress
Him in beautiful garments, offer Him nice bhoga and put Him to rest. But at
night He will go secretly at Ter Kadamba to meet the Gopis.

At this time, H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj stopped patting Stoka
Krishna Prabhu's head and lovingly ordered – "Stoka Krishna Prabhu, you
should serve and please Krishna. Don't think of anything else." Stoka
Krishna Prabhu nodded his head.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj continued the pastime: Next morning,
Krishna wakes up. All the Gopas are waiting to go with Krishna and all cows
on seeing Krishna start pouring milk. There is no need of milking them. When
the elderly Gopis see Krishna, milk starts flowing from their body out of
intense affection for Him.
Because of mercy of Srila Prabhupada and previous acharyas, you have
got entrance into Vrindavan. H.H. Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj told me, "I am
going there to make arrangements for all the devotees".
Maharaj continued: Do you want to assist H.H. Bhakti Tirtha Swami?
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : (lovingly) Yes
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj: When do you want to go?
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : At this very moment.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj (laughing in his transcendental way):
Nice answer. A devotee should always be ready. Remember Krishna's name,
form, pastimes, engage in Radharani's seva. She is supreme. Leave this body
and assist the servants of Radharani. Rupa Goswami is waiting for all
Gaudiya Vaishnavas, so that he can engage them in the service of servants of
Radharani. Krishna loves you. Radharani loves you. Srila Prabhupada's mercy is
on you.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj : Where do you want to go?
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : Maharaj, wherever you want me to go.
Maharaj: (laughing) My order is you should go Back to Godhead. You are
leaving this body in dham. Brijbasis told Radha Gopinath Mandir is
non-different from Vrindavan. Do you want to go for final darshan of Sri Sri
Radha Gopinath or you are feeling too weak now.
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : (softly) I am feeling too weak.
Maharaj: Did you like Their darshan during Pushya abhishek festival?
Stoka Krishna Prabhu : Yes.

Maharaj turned to Achyutanand Prabhu to record the blood pressure. To the
utter surprise of all devotees, the BP which was 80/60 before Maharaj
entered the room, had now risen to 104/70. Stoka Krishna Prabhu, who just a
few minutes earlier gasping for breath, was now steady with his usual heart
warming smile and effulgence on his face.

Maharaj (jovially): BP for you is Bhakti pressure. Your BP is better than
mine. 2 days back, mine was 102/52. So you should pray for me!!

Madhavacharya Prabhu who was literally amazed by this surprise
stabilizing of BP said to Stoka Krishna Prabhu, "You are a saintly person. I
should take dust from your feet."

Stoka Krishna Prabhu got medications for the night, by which he
remained peaceful. His BP continued to fall again. In the night as the
effect of the medications was over, he again started gasping and struggling
for air. So again Achyutanand Prabhu had to administer sedatives and now as
the night proceeded, devotees noticed that Stoka Krishna Prabhu's head was
tilted to his right side and he was struggling with his breath.

4th Feb 2006 Sri Advaita Acharya's Apperance Day
In the morning, Raghupati Prabhu came to see his dear Godbrother and
in love decorated his body with dust of Brijdham, sacred waters from
Vrindavan. Govind Pr entered SKP's room around 9 a.m. and seeing the
situation started intense kirtan. The BP was just starting to crash.
Maharaja had given instructions that as soon as the doctors diagnosed the
situation as precarious, he should be informed.

Govind Prabhu asked that Panca Tattva photograph be placed before
his eyes. So the photograph was kept near SKP on the bed. Around 10:15 a.m.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj came into the room. He placed Jagannath's Maha
thread on Stoka Krishna Prabhu hand, Tulasi leaf and sacred waters from
Vrindavan in Stoka Krishna Prabhu mouth. Devotees continued to intensely
pray to the holy name. H.H. Niranjan Swami Maharaj also entered the room. RM
instructed the doctors that they should monitor the BP every 10 minutes.

H.G. Nartaki Mataji came in the afternoon. She sat beside him like
a loving mother chanting for him. She placed Tulsi leaves and Ganga jal in
his mouth. This was the last drops of water which he drank. Ezikel Prabhu
had brought maha garlands from Vrindavan. H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj placed each and every garland with love around Stoka Krishna Prabhu. He also placed Srila Prabhupada's maha pillow cover on his head. Rose petals of Sri Sri
Radha Syamsundar were put all around his body and the room was suddenly
converted to the forest groves of Vrindavan.

H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj: (coming close to Stoka Krishna Prabhu
ears) Stoka Krishna Prabhu, this is Radhanath Swami. This is garland from
Sri Sri Radha Syamsundar. Then after whispering more encouraging words to Stoka Krishna Prabhu, he left the room.

        H.H. Giriraj Swami Maharaj had called for encouraging Stoka Krishna
Prabhu for his final journey.

At 3:30 p.m., H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj again entered the room
along with some Brajvasis. Devotees were saying that it appeared as though,
Srimati Radharani had personally sent the Brajvasis to chant for Stoka
Krishna Prabhu. He held his hand, patted his head. After some time, Madan
Mohan brijavasi and Rameshchandra Goswami started singing the Hare Krishna
Mahamantra in beautiful Brajvasis melodies enchanting the hearts of all
devotees.

The doctors noticed that Stoka Krishna Prabhu's pulse was almost
non-existent. The kirtan became esctatic and the whole room became enthused
with spiritual energy. Maharaja came into the room. He started rubbing SKP's
hands softly. SKP then took a deep breath. Everybody sensed that this great
devotee who had sincerely served his Guru Maharaja all his life, was about
to leave his body in the most glorious way in the presence of devotees and
his spiritual master. H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj was raising his hands and
enthusing everybody to chant louder. SKP was surrounded on either side of
his bed by devotees. His family was standing near his feet. The whole room
was packed with devotees and the air was permeated with the holy names.
Everybody was chanting the holy names at the top of their voices. The
devoted servant of his Guru Maharaja was now surrounded with garlands and
rose petals. Prabhupada and Panca Tattva were at his side. Srila
Prabhupada's chanting was also going on continuously near his ears.

At approx 4:30 p.m. suddenly SKP stopped breathing. Had he left
already? After approximately 40 seconds, during which the Kirtan rose to
another higher level never before experienced by the devotees. After a few
seconds, he again took a deep breath and then he left very peacefully to
attain eternal shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath.
H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj continued to encourage the devotees to
chant more. He placed Tulasi leaves on his eyes. Kirtan continued for half
an hour. Govind Pr then requested all devotees to leave the room so that SKP
could be bathed for the last time. H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj throughout
had maintained a grave mood throughout the entire episode. But when the
devotees had left the room and the curtains were closed, H.H.Radhanath Swami
Maharaj allowed a line of tears to gush down his cheek - partially
revealing to the onlookers, how much love the spiritual master has for his
disciple.

The brahmacaris then bathed SKP, dressed him in new clothes,
decorated him with Tilak. At around 6 p.m., the devotees brought his body
out of the room on a stretcher, covered with H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
saffron upa vastra cloth and Gopalji's shawl. He looked as blissful as
usual, lying in peace amidst rose petals and garlands. Then he was taken for
parikrama of the temple. H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj & Niranjan Maharaja
walked along with the devotees. SKP was placed in the courtyard and devotees
started offering flowers to this loyal servant who inspired all devotees
with his example.

Then Madan Mohan brajvasi began kirtans for the evening, he sang very sweet
and soft Hare Krsna mantra kirtana. After brajvasi concluded his kirtana
Niranjana maharaja took over the kirtana. Whole night devotees did kirtana
for Stoka Krsna prabhu.

5th feb.

The procession from the temple to cremation left at 7.00 a.m. amidst sweet
and soft kirtana led by Gauranaga Prabhu. it was 3 kilometere walk to cremation
ground, many hundreds of devotees had come to show their affection for
Stoka Krsna Prabhu who passed so gloriously.

THIS WRITE UP IS COMPILED BY THE CARE TAKERS OF STOKA KRSNA PR WHO WERE CONSTANTLY AT HIS BEDSIDE TILL DEPARTED TO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

We request all the devotees to thank these wonderful devotees who served him
so lovingly and with great attention.

The doctors of Bhakti vedanata hospital, dwarakadhisha pr, giriraja pr,
vaishnava seva pr, madhavananda pr and visharupa pr.

At the temple for last 10 days Dr Acyutananda pr, Murari gupta pr took care...

In the hospital and in the temple these following devotees served Stoka
krsna pr with great   care and love, Haribolananda pr and his friends,
Sadbhuja pr, Bhakta avnisha, and two care takers from the hosptal sanjay and
rupesha mahtre

We thank Dr madhavacarya pr disciple of bhakti tirtha maharaja who gave
valuable advice in regards to taking care of stoka krsna pr.

Of course many devotees sponsored his treatment for all these months. We
thank these devotees for their kindness on Stoka Krsna Prabhu.

"Stoka Krsna Prabhu's glorious departure ki jai"

Belgaum ratha yatra is dedicated in his memory.

February 3, 2006

This is a transcript of Radhanath Swami speaking with his disciple, Stoka Krsna Prabhu, who has a wife and young baby. Stoka Krsna Prabhu was Maharaja's personal servant for seven years. Now this young devotee is dying of cancer in India.

H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj talks to Stoka Krishna Prabhu:

H.H. Radhanath Swami: Nothing left. Nothing left to live for or die for,
except seva to Guru, Krishna and the Vaishnavas. Haridas Thakur begged and
prayed as his only desire to give up his body in the presence of Vaishnavas,
showing us what a great benediction that was. So leave behind all the
attachments for this world. Leave behind the attachments to this body which
is the source of so much trouble. It has served you well over the years and
now it is time for the inevitable. Leave it behind and respond to the
calling of Krishna. For you this cancer was simply the calling of Krishna.

And now that call is coming to a culmination and the doors to His abode are
opening. And by Prabhupada's mercy, eternal life is awaiting you. Be happy.

Show the world how a Vaishnava could give up his body in happiness,
gratitude, absorbed in Krishna. Hare Krishna.

Take a little Prasad and join the Harinam kirtan in whatever way you can.

Absorb yourself in the mercy of the Lord. You have earned the love of the
greatest Vaishnavas in the world. There is no greater achievement than that.
You can eat this (while offering a little piece of pizza)... I was told that
you only drink liquid.

Stoka Krishna Prabhu: Maharaj whatever you give I will accept.

H.H. Radhanath Swami: Bhakti Tirtha Swami was also taking Prasad like this
at the end.

This is just before maharaja went to take rest, and he had taken him around
the temple. Deity darshana, Vrindavan garden and Laxmi Narayan garden.

After a while

H.H. Radhanath Swami: I wanted to take you on a last Yatra. – enjoy it.

Stoka Krishna Prabhu: Where Maharaj?

H.H. Radhanath Swami: In Radha Gopinath Vrindavan forest. Don't be afraid.

Prayers of hundreds of devotees are with you. Just try to remember the holy
name, Form, Pastimes, and try your best to remember Krishna and these
devotees will help you remember. Make your best effort, Krishna, Radharani
and all our acharyas will be with you.

Did you hear my lecture, I dedicated for you last Sunday, just after you
spoke – about Ananta Acharya.

Absorb yourself in Krishna, take nice rest and anytime you call me, I will
be there in seconds. May Krishna be with you.

26 January 2006

Today whole day Stoka Krsna pr was exhausted but he was in right
consciousness. In the evening many devotees came to see him. Before
maharaja started giving Prerana lecture he came to his room Stoka Krsna pr
was not talking to any devotees, he was just giving some instruction to care
takers, when he saw gurudeva he was shinning, and he started to gaze at
Gurudev with wide open eyes. Gurudev offered tulasi in his mouth, offered
some Ganges water. He told the doctor if they see any time his blood
pressure goes down, he will stop the lecture and come to Stoka Krsna pr. He
asked one of the devotee should I give lecture?. he went to deliver a
lecture. As devotees were chanting intensely Stoka Krsna Prabhu started
chanting with him. He heard very attentively the narration of Haridas
Thakur's passing away and passing away of Bhismadeva.

After the darshan and touring Vrindavan garden, Stoka Krsna pr health
started dwindling. blood pressure was dropping, pulse was becoming slowly
less. He still maintained his consciousness. 11.00 p.m. Gurudev came to
see him, he told me be fearless and try to chant as much as possible. He
also said when inevitable happens he will be there in his side, and maharaja
instructed the devotees to inform him even if it is in the middle of the
night.

At 1.00 in the morning his condition started to aggravate, still maintained
his consciousness, he wanted sit in a lotus posture, he was made to sit in
that posture, he was chanting intensely, while other devotees were also
trying to remind him and they were also chanting loudly, our care takers
were saying the inevitable may happen within an half hour. But he continued
to survive in full memory, he applied tilaka on his own perfectly as any
healthy person would apply, in fact, better than them.

He stayed up whole night, and he was brought to the temple during Mangal
Arati, he stayed in the temple till the Narasimha pranama then he came back
to his room.

Now he is exhausted because of no rest in the night, devotees are chanting
japa around him & kirtan is going on 24 hours.

Haribol,

Your servants,
Sri Radha Gopinath devotees.

The Departure of a Great Soul—
His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami
By Sangita devi dasi

June, 2005

By the mercy of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, I was called upon to serve as the hospice nurse for my dear Godbrother, His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami during his final months on this Earth.

As most of our readers are aware, Maharaja had been diagnosed with melanoma (an aggressive form of cancer) last year and had undergone surgery as well as many types of treatments in an attempt to slow the progression of his cancer. In the midst of tolerating the intense pain of his illness-- as well as the side effects of the “cures”-- he generously shared with our society of devotees his innermost thoughts and realizations about facing death.

During my visits to the Gita Nagari farm to see him I watched in awe as he used his last bit of strength and energy to teach others about what he was experiencing. Every Sunday he willingly accepted so much personal discomfort to travel from his house down a rocky road in order to give class to the large crowd of devotees who assembled weekly in the temple room. He began each class with a kirtan and within minutes his voice would choke up and tears would flow from his eyes as he sang the holy names of Radha-Damodara, the presiding Deities in Gita Nagari. Watching him, I could not imagine the level of intense physical pain he was feeling, but like the “spiritual warrior” he was he simply tolerated it in order to speak one more time to his devoted disciples and loving Godbrothers and Godsisters. Just as Maharaja lived his entire life thinking about the welfare of others, he spent his last days in this same mood. He never cared for himself or the pain it would bring him to give yet another dynamic lecture that touched the hearts of all who were present. The one class that stands out the most in my memory (and I am simply paraphrasing this) is when he asked for a show of hands from everyone who had ever suffered in any way and had asked, “Why me? Why not someone else?” He then asked for a raise of hands from those who had ever watched another’s suffering and thought, “I’m glad it’s not me.” Finally, he asked who in the room had ever watched another’s pain and suffering and thought, “Why them? Why not me?”

What can be said of such a rare soul?

My association with Maharaja began in 2001 when my husband and I met with him in Philadelphia to bring to his attention a new project I was starting with my Godsister, Jusaniya dasi, called Vaisnavas C.A.R.E. (Counseling, Assistance, Resource, and Education for the Terminally ill and Their Families). After only a few minutes he enthusiastically said, “Put me on the Board of Directors and let me know what I can do to help.”

Over the next few years he helped in countless ways. He encouraged his disciples, especially those in the healthcare field, to become involved as volunteers. He met with us in Mayapur for our yearly meeting and discussed strategies to expand Vaisnavas CARE by presenting worldwide seminars and workshops and by fundraising so we could offer more assistance to those in need of our services. He encouraged us to dream large for this project. One of his dreams for us was to build inpatient hospice facilities in the West for those who will seek the shelter of a devotee community in their final days. He inspired us to have the CARE website translated into many languages for our international community. He also made us understand the importance of patience when taking on such a seemingly enormous endeavor as an ISKCON hospice project. He taught us many things, but most importantly, he taught us to love and have compassion for others because Maharaja himself exemplified love, compassion, and forgiveness for others to such a heightened degree.

I will always be grateful to his dear disciples, Ekavira Prabhu and his wife Vraja lila for calling me to Maharaja’s bedside during his last few days. I was welcomed into an excellent group of caregivers who had given everything to their Guru during his year-long fight with cancer. Their degree of love and surrender should be held as the highest standard of care for ones spiritual master and should serve as a reference for future generations to follow. I cannot thank them enough for including me into their circle of love.

So now, as a society, we have the difficult task of learning to live without the personal presence of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami. As Indradyumna Swami once said, “Whenever a devotee passes away, this world becomes a little more unfortunate.” Today, the world is much more unfortunate. However, through my grief I remain hopeful because I know his sincere disciples and those who had the privilege of knowing him will carry on his mood of care and compassion. In this way, His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami will always be present within our Krsna consciousness movement.

Surrounding His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami are his beloved disciples and His Holiness Radhanath Swami. Mother Sangita listens for a heartbeat just seconds before pronouncing that Maharaja had departed from this world and had gone "back to Godhead."

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Monday 27th June - 08:47
The Journal of the Departure of His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami. June 27th, morning (9:30-10:30am)

Gurudeva lays surrounded by his caregivers. Srila
Radhanatha Swami holds Gurudeva’s hand, as it holds a
Govardhana Sila which sits in his hand facing him.
Ekavira is on his left massaging his left hand; Druva
is massaging his lotus feet. Other caregivers take
turns holding another Govarhdana sila on Gurudevas
head. Agni Prabhu fans Gurudeva with a peacock fan at
his right. A molding of Srila Prabhupada rests by
Gurudeva’s left arm. Gurudeva is adorned with chandan,
a large tulasi garland from the Panca tattva and a
maha garland from Radha Damodara. The day is clear,
and the room serene. A unison chanting of Hare Krsna,
in the classic tune pervades the whole house. It is
sweet and stately. Srila Prabhupada looks upon
Gurudeva from the altar that faces him above his feet.
Beautiful images of Krsna with the Cowherdboys and
Gopis surround Gurudeva. Gurudeva is serene and
transfixed.

There is a slow queue of devotees coming in and
offering obeisances. Many bring their deities to show
Gurudeva. They offer their prayers, their tears, and
after a brief darsana return to the living room where
the majority of devotees are seated together in unison
kirtana. Everything is organized and harmonious. Fresh
air circulates throughout Gurudeva’s room. It is the
best of times and the saddest of times. Glory abounds.
As from all directions, throughout the room and house
and from within the devotees, comes forth deepest
reciprocation for the magnificent sacrifice,
compassion and love that Gurudeva has gifted to us
all.
His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami Maharaj Ki, Jai!

Monday 27th June - 11:14
After the initial darsana of Gurudeva, in his process
of departing, all the devotees except a couple
caregivers and Sangita Prabhu (the nurse) left the
room to allow for Sangita to do a proper examination.
This brought all the devotees together the living room
where Vrakesvara pandit had recently received began
leading the kirtana.
Gurudeva had expressed such a heartfelt desire that
Vrakesvara pandit Prabhu be here to provide the
kirtana seva that was so dear to Srila Prabhupada.
Recently Gurudeva disclosed to Vrakevara Pandit his
strong desire to have him present throughout his
departure, requesting multiple times to stay and
“chant for me to go back to Godhead” he said “your
kirtana helps me to remember Srila Prabhupada and
Krsna”.

As the devotees settled outside, Vrakesvara pandit’s
very sweet and solemn voice gradually compelled the
hearty participation of everyone in the room. As he
chanted the whole assembly listened, feeling solace
and inspiration. Then the whole assembly responded as
one chorus, together finding the shelter and grace of
Krsna’s holy names.

After mother Sangita was finished the rest of the
caregivers returned, and small groups of devotees were
escorted in to spend some minutes before Gurudeva.
Often they were invited to take a turn fanning
Gurudeva. Groups of the local children and youth, God
brothers and sisters, disciples and well wishers
gradually came in for a final darsan. As they come
forth, they offered their homage. And, facing
Gurudeva’s transition, prayed to solidify their own
transition in preparing to remain dedicated to
Gurudeva in his physical absence.

The caregivers remain around Gurudeva, massaging his
lotus feet and hands, periodically spraying radha
kunda water. Radhanatha Swami is always by Gurudeva’s
side as his “Maha friend”. His face and disposition
reveal his deep and intimate love for his dear friend
and Godbrother.

There is some slight visible interaction between
Gurudeva and his outward surroundings. Mostly the
interaction happens through the Holy Names, and
spiritual vision of the devotees there. From time to
time Gurudeva will adjust his vision of his
surroundings. Srila Radhanatha Swami sometimes speaks
in Gurudeva’s ear. Recently a tear streamed down from
Gurudevas left eye. Everyone is so proud that their
friend and master is now receiving the greatest
blessings. He is obviously embracing this wonderful
new phase of his service. May we embrace it ourselves.

We will continue updating as much as possible.
All glories to the most blessed departure of His
Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami!

Monday 27th June - 12:15
Journal of the Glorious Departure of His Holiness
Bhakti-tirtha Swami, Tuesday 6/27 - 12:30pm-2:30pm
Near to 1:00pm the room filled with devotees again.
Also outside of Gurudeva’s room a sizable assembly of
devotees are snuggled together in front the door,
getting a slight view of Gurudeva as he lies in his
bed. Both groups of devotees are chanting in unison
the Maha mantra, to the classic tune. There is a small
path along side to allow for devotees just arriving to
come in for their darsan.

The caregivers continue to tend to Gurudeva; keeping
his mouth moist, his face clean and dry, lightly
massaging his feet, ensuring that proper circulation
goes throughout the room. Two devotees are now
stationed with camara and peacock fan to add to the
circulation of air, and comfort of Gurudeva.

Radhanath Swami continues to stay fixed in front of
Gurudeva. Sometimes whispering into his ear, sometimes
offer encouraging prayers. Often for sometime he will
tap Gurudeva lightly in time with the chanting,
tapping his shoulder and arms. His affection radiates
throughout the room.

Looking through the windows of Gurudeva’s room, one
can see the heads of various devotees popping in and
out to get a different view of Gurudeva and the
atmosphere. Devotees from throughout the world
continue to stream in. Dhanudar Swami, Rukmini and
Anutama, Brajabihari - so many are coming! Often they
take their turn in fanning Gurudeva.

Through the medium of the holy names everyone is
connecting themselves to Gurudeva and to each other.
We are all experiencing first hand just how factual it
is that the relationship with the spiritual master and
with the Vaisnavas, is of spiritual nature. For hours
the same devotees have been chanting in unison in
Gurudeva’s service and in prayer. Certainly the
assembly present is breaching far beyond Gita Nagari,
to include all of you, and so many devotees in so many
places. May this connection continue to expand.
All glories to the most blessed departure of His
Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami.

Journal of the Glorious Departure of His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami. June 27, 3:30 4:00
His Holiness Bhakti-tirhta Swami passed away from this
world, and into the loving embrace of Srila Prabhupada
and Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar at 3:35pm this
afternoon. Gurudeva’s passing was so graceful and
peaceful, as if he slipped out by the gentle hands his
helpers to board his chariot.

Sangita Prabhu noticed a change in Gurudeva’s
breathing pattern and alerted Brahma- muhurta Prabhu,
who immediately came and sprayed Radha Kunda water
around Gurudeva and applied Tulasi from Krsna-Balaram,
Radhe Syam, and Gaura Nitai to his tongue. Srila
Radhanatha Swami had left the room briefly. He was
altered, and sat down next to Gurudeva. Shortly after
that, Gurudeva gave a very gentle breath, a kind of
release. It was so slight and graceful, so much so
that half the people in the room didn’t notice it. It
was his last breath.

After this Sangita and Madhvacarya checked his vital
signs. And minutes latter confirmed that Gurudeva had
indeed made “the perfect escape”

As the final check of Gurudeva’s vital signs was
happening the kirtana intensified, and grew in the
minutes it took. When the confirmation finally was
expressed, the kirtana roared, rising up with emotion.
So many of the devotees started to clap along with the
kirtana, with their hands over their heads. The
devotees were crying, embracing one another,
expressing their feelings of celebration and sadness.
Then Kalpavrksa Prabhu loudly chanted the prema dvanai
pranam for Gurudeva and for Srila Prabhupada.
The kirtana continued in Gurudeva’s room for sometime.
Initially devotees in the living room stayed there,
but then after five minutes they stared filing into
the room, and naturally a queue formed, allowing
everyone to have a final darsan of Gurudeva in his
bed. Gurudeva’s expression was so sublime, like he was
in divine rapture in awe, in gratitude, in love. The
processional through Gurudeva’s room continued for ten
minutes, and then concluded leading out into the
living room. From there the departure ceremony
continued with Vrakesvara Pandit leading the devotees
in Sankirtana, circumambulating around Gurudeva’s room
and the Institute House. Inside Gurudeva’s room
everyone except a small group assembled to assist
Brahma-muhurta and Radhanatha Swami in the Samadhi
Samskara process, which is currently going on.

We will continue to send updates and pictures
throughout the full duration of the departure
ceremony. The processional bringing Gurudeva from the
Institute House to the temple will begin at 8pm, est.
All glories to the most sublime departure of that
great general of Srila Prabhupada who deeply touched
the lives of so many thousands and brought Srila
Prabhupoada’s transformation throughout the world. May
his legacy be carried by us, leading us to meet with
him again in kind.
His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami Maharaj Ki Jai!!!

kåñëe lasat-péta-paöe catur-bhuje
puraù sthite 'mélita-dåg vyadhärayat
Thereupon that man who spoke on different subjects
with thousands of meanings and who fought on thousands
of battlefields and protected thousands of men,
stopped speaking and, being completely freed from all
bondage, withdrew his mind from everything else and
fixed his wide-open eyes upon the original Personality
of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa, who stood before him,
four-handed, dressed in yellow garments that glittered
and shined.

PURPORT
In the momentous hour of leaving his material body,
Bhéñmadeva set the glorious example concerning the
important function of the human form of life. The
subject matter which attracts the dying man becomes
the beginning of his next life. Therefore, if one is
absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Lord Çré Kåñëa, he
is sure to go back to Godhead without any doubt. This
is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gétä (8.5-15):
Çré Bhéñmadeva attained the perfection of quitting his
body at will and was fortunate enough to have Lord
Kåñëa, the object of his attention, personally present
at the time of death. He therefore fixed his open eyes
upon Him. He wanted to see Çré Kåñëa for a long time
out of his spontaneous love for Him. Because he was a
pure devotee, he had very little to do with the
detailed performance of yogic principles. Simple
bhakti-yoga is enough to bring about perfection.
Therefore, the ardent desire of Bhéñmadeva was to see
the person of Lord Kåñëa, the most lovable object, and
by the grace of the Lord, Çré Bhéñmadeva had this
opportunity at the last stage of his breathing.

SB 1.9.31
viçuddhayä dhäraëayä hatäçubhas
tad-ékñayaiväçu gatä-yudha-çramaù
nivåtta-sarvendriya-våtti-vibhramas
tuñöäva janyaà visåjaï janärdanam
By pure meditation, looking at Lord Çré Kåñëa, he at
once was freed from all material inauspiciousness and
was relieved of all bodily pains caused by the arrow
wounds. Thus all the external activities of his senses
at once stopped, and he prayed transcendentally to the
controller of all living beings while quitting his
material body.
SB 1.9.32
Bhéñmadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking,
feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in
different subjects and occupational duties, in the
all-powerful Lord Çré Kåñëa. He is always
self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the
devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by
descending on the material world, although from Him
only the material world is created.
SB 1.9.33
Çré Kåñëa is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has
appeared on this earth in His transcendental body,
which resembles the bluish color of the tamäla tree.
His body attracts everyone in the three planetary
systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering