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DEVOTEES IN KALI YUGA "CAN" GO BACK TO HOME, BACK TO GODHEAD - STOP DOUBTING  

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(Scroll down to read verses/quotes by Prabhupada.  -- Scroll further to read "TRIBUTES" about devotees who left their body.)

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I was under the impression that I was the only one who noticed this particular problem and found it as significantly wrong, until reading the post of another. That was all I needed. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.

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And what is that problem? For some reason we, the kali-yuga devotees, collectively or individually, do not believe "we" can go back to Godhead. It seems our belief is only for those great saints and sages of the past -- that rarely if ever can we "become" worthy ourselves, and seldom if ever be granted "mercy."  In some devotees eyes we are never quite good enough, never really pure enough. 

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Though of the above, more are inclined to accept mercy as slightly possible, yet have little faith that we can ever become pure enough to return to the Lord.

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Or some don't want to "speculate," and therefore say this or that devotee did 'not' return Home even though they died in a Holy Place or chanted at the time of death. However, this is also speculation, and it is speculation toward the negative. 

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I am not suggesting that it's ok to speculate. We don't have to say 100% for certain that a devotee has gone back.... 99% is sufficient! Additionally, we have to go by shastra, not our personal opinions. Guru and shastra. Guru  may have given someone a benediction we don't know about. Shastra may say something we forgot about, minimized or even misunderstood. Especially that shastra says: you chant, you go back, immediately. It doesn't say, "except in the case of so-and-so because they did yada yada." :-) No. 

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Once in the early days devotees were criticizing Brahmananda, who was senior to them, and Prabhupada told them even if Brahmananda were standing on a street corner smoking a cigarette, they should offer him all respects. -- Let us not judge but offer all respects to all who die of course, but especially let us not minimize those who have died under wonderful circumstances but some devotees  cast shadows of doubt whether they could have been successful in returning to Krishna or not. 

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Yes, we have to do our work, our end of the deal. However, what I am referring to here are the many devotees that I, or godsiblings, have heard about who all ready left their body and succeeded in some way, yet  devotees say, "they did not go back," or at best, "they are in a better place (just not Krishna's place is the hint)," or "On their way back."

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For example, I attended the funeral of a young gurukuli boy, about 11 or so in age, who suddenly died due to an accident. Those who were present said this boy was chanting the Holy Name as he left his body. However, the speaker at the funeral stated that the boy did not go back to Godhead. Not only did I find this to be an insensitivity in the presence of his parents and siblings, but it also was not based in shastra - so how could it be true? 

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Over time I began to hear other stories from godsisters or brothers who had similar experiences.

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Lets clear something, or bring it into the light really, because many are hiding it in the dark or under some sort of philosophy. Prabhupada did not give us something that we, the kali-yuga devotees, could not achieve in this one lifetime. Srila Prabhupada called our process the "Science of Bhakti Yoga." Do this, and that will happen. Not a material sentiment or emotion, not an opinion nor a judgment, etc. A science.   

 

When Prabhupada told us that yes, even us, the fallen kali-yuga, less-than-perfect devotee can go back to home, back to Godhead in this one life, it was not simply a PR campaign. :-) He was telling us the truth. To doubt it is to doubt his process. And to doubt it is to doubt him.

 

Nor did Srila Prabhupada give us something that only a few of us can do. He did not go out of his way to travel from India, go through all that trouble to create temples all over the world, encourage Hari Nama sankirtana or teach us about the mercy of Lord Chaitanya, and yet only aim for a handful of us to be saved, as to save only a few was not his goal, so we can stop making it ours and instead speak highly of those who were able to leave their body under such wonderful and special circumstances.

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It appears education is in order. After all, we all become forgetful over time, and in this age of kali. We need to read more, or reread. 

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What I would like to present here are some quotes from Srila Prabhupada which  make it very clear that even we, the fallen kali yuga devotee, can achieve the goal of Godhead in one life, that it is not just for the sages of yesteryear but for everyone. We are all Krishna's children, regardless of what yuga we were born in. We are His, and like any parent who has, and maintains, a connection,  He wants us back.

 

Krishna  does not love some more than others. Even when we read the story of the war between the demons and demigods (S.B. Mohini Murti), it is pointed out that Krishna loves them all equally. Therefore as long as we  sincerely try, we can go back, in this one life, to Krishna who loves us all. 

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Don't those who make such negative comments think Krishna wants us back? Of course He does! :-) And Krishna knows what yuga this is, what we can handle as well as what we are doing. He understands all  the complications that come along with it. Instead of making it harder for us (as we do for ourselves), instead He makes it easier:

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"For My devotee I carry what they lack and preserve what they have." BG 9.22

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"Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at home and chants Hare Krsna, then one will realize God. Anyone can adopt this simple method. There is no expenditure, there is no tax, nor is there any need to build a very big church or temple. Anyone, anywhere, can sit down on the road or beneath a tree and chant the Hare Krsna mantra and worship God. Therefore it is a great opportunity." Science of Self-Realization,  p.134

 

So we can see, it's not so hard to go back Home. Ours is a simple process -- if we don't complicate it. 

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For example, it is not that when we are alive in this world,  we utilize chanting because we believe its purifying yet at the time of death we discredit the devotee who chants Hare Krishna or dies in a Holy Place, etc., because they were less than perfect in life, and did this or that. They smoked, they mentioned a female relative while amidst the dying process in Vrndavana. Nonsense. Coupled with speculation. (Even the monkeys and various other animals go back to Godhead in Vrndavana!) 

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Its all right if some need to say they don't know. Yet why are we always leaning toward the negative? So that must be looked at.

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Lets remember, there are different types of "going back to Godhead." Prabhupada explains:

 

"The fact is, those who are always engaged in Krsna consciousness and mature, pure devotional service are given the chance, after death, to gain Krsna's association in the universes within the material world. Krsna's pastimes are continually going on, either in this universe or in another universe. Just as the sun globe is passing through many places across this earthly planet, so Krsna-lila, or the transcendental advent and pastimes of Krsna, are also going on continually, either in this or another universe. The mature devotees, who have completely executed Krsna consciousness, are immediately transferred to the universe where Krsna is appearing. In that universe the devotees get their first opportunity to associate with Krsna personally and directly. The training goes on, as we see in the Vrndavana lila of Krsna within this planet. Krsna therefore revealed the actual feature of the Vaikuntha planets so that the inhabitants of Vrndavana could know their destination." KB 28 Releasing Nanda Maharaja from the Clutches of Varuna..

"In the spiritual world there are many Vaikuntha planets, and the topmost planet is Krsnaloka, Goloka Vrndavana." SB 4.29.28 P

 

"In the highest region of the spiritual sky is the planet called Krsnaloka, which has three divisions, namely Dvaraka, Mathura and Goloka." Adi 5.14 Pur

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"There are five stages of liberation, already explained as being (1) to become one with the Lord, (2) to live on the same planet as the Lord, (3) to obtain the same bodily features as the Lord, (4) to have the same opulences as the Lord and (5) to have constant association with the Lord. Out of these five liberated stages, the one which is known as sayujya, or to merge into the existence of the Lord, is the last to be accepted by a devotee. The other four liberations, although not desired by devotees, still are not against the devotional ideals. Some of the liberated persons who have achieved these four stages of liberation may also develop affection for Krsna and be promoted to the Goloka Vrndavana planet in the spiritual sky. In other words, those who are already promoted to the Vaikuntha planets and who possess the four kinds of liberation may also sometimes develop affection for Krsna and become promoted to Krsnaloka..

 

"So those who are in the four liberated states may still be going through different stages of existence. In the beginning they may want the oppulences of Krsna, but at the mature stage the dormant love for Krsna exhibited in Vrndavana becomes prominent in their hearts. As such, the pure devotees never accept the liberation of sayujya, to become one with the Supreme, though sometimes they may accept as favorable the other four liberated states." ~ NOD 4

 

 

 

Dear Various Readers,

 

My web pages are no longer allowed to be published free. Matter of fact they were (suddenly) shut down for awhile, unbeknownst to me! Initially I paid the cost to keep them going (requiring the more expensive one since I use FrontPage). Thus my sites were reopened. However, I don't make a lot of money and - well - not sure how long I can keep doing this. Humbly I ask you to please give a donation - any size would help. IMHO it will actually make the difference between night and day! Then this site can keep on going and going, with a little help. 

 

 

 

 

 

Kindly help out - with any amount at all, really.

 

 

 

Do you enjoy any of my E-Groups? Many of my web sites are used to support and help them out. (Admittedly, I am concerned one day yahoo will shut them down except to those who pay... because they considered that in the past.) Anyhow, some of my sites interact with my e-groups, such as:

 

Inspiration Newsletter, 

Distant Healing, 

Mental Health & Rebalancing, 

Hypothyroidism (TAM, TCM), 

Shastra / Prabhupada e-group, 

ETC. 

(The following contains both egroups and site links)

http://www.geocities.com/priitaa/krishna_conscious_web_sites.htm

 

Maybe you use them .... or not. Doesn't matter so much, since all help is  good karma or more, assists others who are in need etc, plus keeps everything running smoothly with even a little donation. Anything at all is greatly appreciated!  :-)

 

 

 

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We also need to take this point into consideration:

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"Answering your puzzle, it may be said that a pure devotee is he who loves Krishna, without any material desire. People are generally engaged in karma. Karma means work and get the result and enjoy life. And jnana, jnana means speculating process to understand the Absolute Truth. So one who does not indulge in speculating habit, neither tries to gain something by his work, but simply engages himself in the service of the Lord, he is called a pure devotee. Such pure devotees are very rare. But by the Grace of Krishna, practically all the devotees and disciples who have kindly joined me, they are, their symptoms are pure devotees. Even if they have got some ulterior desire, that will be removed very soon, because they have taken to the pure process of Krishna Consciousness." SP Letter to Janaki dd, Seattle Oct 13, 1968 .

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and

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"All of my disciples, as soon as they surrender themselves to Krsna, they become pure devotees actually." Dec29, 1972 SP letter to Madhavisa dasa 

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This may be hard to understand, nevertheless it is there. So we need to try to be careful and avoid offenses, which is easier when we are based in kindness rather than fanaticism which is often a form of fault finding. And lets start to be more encouraging about who goes where when they leave their body. Not artificially, but based in truth, because it *is* the truth. When someone has chanted at the time of death, or died in a Holy place, etc., let us stop telling family and friends, "They did not go back." or  even "They now get a higher birth." Let us stop telling ourselves that. Because in 99% of the cases, it simply is not true!.

 

"So that has to be practiced. Sada tad-bhava-bhavitah.  If you always chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, that means you remember Krsna always. So there is chance, ninety-nine percent chance, that at the time of your death, you will think of Krsna and your life is successful." SP Lectures SB 1.6.13 Dec 31, 1973 LA 

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Let us remember that this web page is about those who were all ready chanting upon the time of death or similar. No sense in getting lost  evaluating whether they chanted "always," in life or something else about their life, because if they chanted at death it no longer matters (to us) what they did previously which materially might be labeled as less than perfect. They passed the final exam and that is a large part of what all these practices are about anyway. That and daily purification and love of God. But if they chanted upon death, who are we to decide how pure they were? With that said......99% chance! Pretty good!

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TO DEVOTEES WHO KNOW SOMEONE THAT LEFT THEIR BODY AND WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM RECOGNITION, please s-c-r-o-l-l to the bottom for info on how to do that.

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PRABHUPADA QUOTES: HOW TO MAKE IT BACK TO GODHEAD

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(If you have any good quotes or comments from Srila Prabhupada that are topic related, feel free to send them in! If they fit, I will use them here and give you credit.)

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"By the grace of the Lord, if a devotee, at the time of death, can simply chant His holy name--Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama,... Rama, Hare Hare--simply by chanting this maha-mantra, he immediately surpasses the great ocean of the material sky and enters the spiritual sky. He never has to come back for repetition of birth and death." SB 4.10.30

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"When a man dies, he is generally overpowered by mucus and bile, and thus he chokes. Since it is very difficult to vibrate any sound while choking, it is simply by Krsna's grace that one can chant Hare Krsna at the time of death." SB 4. 23. 14 Purport

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Note From Me: I just wish to point out, again to those who claim someone did not go back even though they were chanting at the time of death, we see it is simply by Krishna's grace that they chanted in the first place, though of course sincere endeavor is needed. However, Krishna allowed or helped them to chant, so how can we say He did not take them in to Vaikuntha? We cannot. Please read the following verse:

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"Revival of the dormant affection or love of Godhead does not depend on the mechanical system of hearing and chanting, but it solely and wholly depends on the causeless mercy of the Lord. When the Lord is satisfied with the sincere efforts of the devotee, He may endow him with His loving transcendental service. But even with the prescribed forms of hearing and chanting, there is at once a mitigation of the superfluous and unwanted miseries of material existence.' SB 1.7.6 P

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"The Lord says that at the time of death, whoever thinks of Him, either as Brahman or Paramatma or the Personality of Godhead, certainly he enters into the spiritual sky and there is no doubt about it. One should not disbelieve it. And the process is, general rule is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita, how one can, how it is possible to get into the spiritual kingdom simply by thinking of the Supreme at the time of death." BG Introduction

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"The pure devotees hear from the authorities and chant, sing and write of the glories of the Lord. Mahamuni Vyasadeva heard from Narada, and then he  chanted in writing; Sukadeva Gosvami studied from his father, and he described it to Pariksit; that is the way of Srimad-Bhagavatam.” (Bhag. 1.13.10)

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“Furthermore, ones physiological condition is completely disturbed at the time of death, and in such awkward condition, it would certainly would have been very difficult for Ajamila to have chanted clearly. Nevertheless, Ajamila achieved liberation simply by chanting the Holy Names of the Lord.” S.B. 6.3.24 P

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"Is it very difficult to constantly remember Krishna? You can do it. You are remembering something.  A mind is occupied always with something. Just practice to occupy the mind with Krishna, that’s all. “ SP Lecture, Hyderbad, April 15, 1975.   SB 5.5.3

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“At the time of death, the mind and intelligence of living entity create a subtle form of a certain type of body for the next life. If the mind suddenly thinks of something not very congenial, one has to take a corresponding birth in the next life. On the other hand, if one can think of Krishna at the time of death, he can be transferred to the spiritual world, Goloka Vrndavana. SP  Nectar of Instruction, Text 8 Purport.

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"Paramam purusa, that Supreme Personality of Godhead in the spiritual kingdom, in the spiritual sky, one can approach, anucintayan, constantly thinking. So these processes, the ways and means, all are stated in the Bhagavad-gita and there is no bar for anyone. Thinking of Lord Krsna is possible, hearing of Lord Krsna is possible by everyone." BG Introduction

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"And whoever, at the time of death, quits his body remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt. He who meditates on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Partha [Arjuna], is sure to reach Me." (Bg. 8.5, 8.8)

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“Now, if at the ultimate end of this body, if we can remember Krishna, then our life is successful. Why? How is that? Now as soon as we remember Krishna, immediately we are transferred to the spiritual world, the abode of Krishna or Goloka Vrndavana. It does not take even a second's time.” SP Lecture, LA, 1972 0813

 

"Regarding your second question: what determines whether a devotee goes to a Vaikuntha planet or to Goloka Vrndavana?--Those devotees who are following viddhi marg are meant for going to Vaikuntha planets and those who are following raga marg are meant for going to Krsnaloka. It is generally that the followers of Lord Caitanya are going to Goloka Vrndavana. There is no difference between the Vaikuntha planets and Krsnaloka, it is a matter of personal taste only." Letter to Tamala Krsna, LA, June 21, 70

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"In Krsna consciousness, or devotional service, there are nine processes: hearing about the transcendental name, form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord, chanting about these, remembering these, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering Him respectful worship, offering Him prayers, becoming His servant, considering Him one's friend, and surrendering everything to Him. One who practices one or more of these processes of devotional service throughout his life is sure to remember Krsna at the time of death. That is the art of Krsna consciousness. We cannot abandon all activities and simply chant Hare Krsna; therefore we keep ourselves constantly engaged in practical devotional service so that our mind is fixed upon Krsna. Then, at the time of death, we are sure to attain total liberation from material existence." SC 16

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"Krsna is so magnanimous that He is present before us by the transcendental vibration of His name, which has all the potencies of Krsna Himself, and if we remain in contact with that name we shall get all the benefits of Krsna's benedictions." Teachings of Queen Kunti, p. 47

 

"As a result of chanting the Hare Krsna mahamantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he received love of Godhead. The holy name of Krsna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches." CC, Adi, Pur

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“So by their actions the pure devotees of the Lord can render any place into a place of pilgrimage, and the holy places are worth the name only on their account. Such pure devotees are able to rectify the polluted atmosphere of any place, and what to speak of a holy place rendered unholy by the questionable actions of interested persons who try to adopt a professional life at the cost of the reputation of a holy place." (Bhag. 1.13.10)

 

“There are nine different proceses of bhakti yoga. Any one of them you adopt, you become perfect, not that you have to adopt all nine. If you can, it is very ncie. So nice, eight, seven, six, five… “ SP Lecutre on SB, Tokoyo 1972   

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“There are nine processes of devotional service, they are all the same. Different processes. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam. Vandanam, this vandanam is prayer.” 1976, Room Conversation, Detroit, Mi.

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api cet su-duracaro
bhajate mam ananya-bhak
sadhur eva sa mantavyah
samyag vyavasito hi sah



SYNONYMS

api--in spite of; cet--although; su-duracarah--one committing the most abominable actions; bhajate--engaged in devotional service; mam--unto Me; ananya-bhak--without deviation; sadhuh--saint; eva--certainly; sah--he; mantavyah--to be considered; samyak--completely; vyavasitah--situated; hi--certainly; sah--he.

TRANSLATION

Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.

PURPORT

The word suduracaro used in this verse is very significant, and we should understand it properly. When a living entity is conditioned, he has two kinds of activities: one is conditional, and the other is constitutional. As for protecting the body or abiding by the rules of society and state, certainly there are different activities, even for the devotees, in connection with the conditional life, and such activities are called conditional. Besides these, the living entity who is fully conscious of his spiritual nature and is engaged in Krsna consciousness, or the devotional service of the Lord, has activities which are called transcendental. Such activities are performed in his constitutional position, and they are technically called devotional service. Now, in the conditioned state, sometimes devotional service and the conditional service in relation to the body will parallel one another. But then again, sometimes these activities become opposed to one another. As far as possible, a devotee is very cautious so that he does not do anything that could disrupt his wholesome condition. He knows that perfection in his activities depends on his progressive realization of Krsna consciousness. Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Krsna consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary falldown does not disqualify him. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that if a person falls down but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, beautifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogi fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krishna consciousness is so strong that such an occassional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always success.  No one should deride a devotee for some accidetnal falldown from the ideal path, for, as is explained in the next verse, such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krsna consciousness.


Therefore a person who is situated in Krsna consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare should be considered to be in the transcendental position, even if by chance or accident he is found to have fallen. The words sadhur eva, "he is saintly," are very emphatic. They are a warning to the nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should not be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has fallen down accidentally. And the word mantavyah is still more emphatic. If one does not follow this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental falldown, then he is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service.


The mark of a spot which may be seen on the moon does not become an impediment to the moonlight. Similarly, the accidental falldown of a devotee from the path of a saintly character does not make him abominable. On the other hand, one should not misunderstand that a devotee in transcendental devotional service can act in all kinds of abominable ways; this verse only refers to an accident due to the strong power of materail connections. Devotional service is more or less a declaration of war against the illusory energy. As long as one is not strong enough to fight the illusory energy, there may be accidental falldowns. But when one is strong enough, he is no longer subjected to such falldowns, as previously explained. No one should take advantage of this verse and commit nonsense and think that he is still a devotee. If he does not improve in his character by devotional service, then it is to be understood that he is not a high devotee." 

 

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is  9.30

 

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The verse above and most of the quotes that follow are NOT meant as an excuse to cheat with the 4 regulative principles, but simply to understand that sincerity must be there. We can't take any risks by minimizing the 4 regs, as we may not be the exception, etc., but we also don't want to develop feelings of hopelessness. Thus, these verses. 

 

Also, as previously stated, this site is about those who have all ready passed while chanting the Maha Mantra, in a Holy Dhama or something else shastric and wonderful, thus by reading these we can gain in faith, *real* faith -  based on knowledge,  regarding their destination. 

 

Of course, it can also benefit us as well, as long as long as we remain sincere, truthful and put in a good effort. Lets do it in one life! And not give up. It *does* work. ~ Y.S. Prtha dd

 

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."Even if a devotee sometimes seems to engage in abominable activities, he should be considered a sadhu, a saintly person, because his actual identity is that of one engaged in the loving service of the Lord. In other words, he is not to be considered an ordinary human being." NoI 6

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"Ajamila was a brahmana by birth, but on account of sinful activities caused by bad reactions from his past life, he began performing abominable activities. At the end of his life, however, his remembrance of the Supreme Lord absolved him of all sins. But deliverance is possible for everyone, not just those of high birth. Even the lowest people, who are naturally given to base activities, can reach the spiritual abode of Lord Krsna if they simply surrender at His lotus feet.  ......... 

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"Ajamila thought, 'Because I failed to be self-controlled, I was degraded to an abominable life and all my brahminical qualifications were nullified.' This is the mentality of one who is becoming a pure devotee. When one is elevated to the platform of devotional service by the grace of the Lord and the spiritual master, one first regrets past sinful activities. This helps one advance in spiritual life. The Visnudutas had given Ajamila the chance to become a pure devotee, and the first duty of a devotee is to regret his past sinful activities in illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating, and gambling. Not only should a devotee give up his past bad habits, but he must always regret his past sinful acts. This is the standard of pure devotion." Second Chance, 17.

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"The question remains, then, How can a person engaged in abominable activities either by accident or intention, be a pure devotee? This question may justly be raised. The miscreants, as stated in the Seventh Chapter, who never come to the devotional service of the Lord, have no good qualifications, as is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Generally, a devotee who is engaged in nine kinds of devotional activities is engaged in the process of cleansing all material contamination from the heart. He puts the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart, and all sinful contaminations are naturally washed away. Continuous thinking of the Supreme Lord makes him pure by nature. According to the Veda, there is a certain regulation that if one falls down from his exalted position, he has to undergo certain ritualistic processes to purify himself. But here there is no such condition, because the purifying process is already in the of the devotee due to his remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly. Therefore the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare should be continued without stoppage. This will protect a devotee from all accidental falldowns. He will thus remain perpetually free from all material contaminations." Room Conversation, Bombay India, March 27, 77

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TRANSLATION

If a demigod, demon, human being, Yaksa, Gandharva or anyone within this universe renders service to the lotus feet of Mukunda, who can deliver liberation, he is actually situated in the most auspicious condition of life, exactly like us [the mahajanas, headed by Prahlada Maharaja]. SB 7.7.50

..."My dear friends, O sons of the demons, you cannot please the Supreme Personality of Godhead by becoming perfect brahmanas, demigods or great saints or by becoming perfectly good in etiquette or vast learning. None of these qualifications can awaken the pleasure of the Lord. Nor by charity, austerity, sacrifice, cleanliness or vows can one satisfy the Lord. The Lord is pleased only if one has unflinching, unalloyed devotion to Him." SB 7.7.50 P

 

"Those who have taken to this atheistic view, asuri-bhavam asritah... Asuri... Just like we have got examples in our Vedic science, Vedic knowledge. There were many atheistic persons like Kamsa, Ravana, Hiranyakasipu, Dantavakra, they never accepted existence of God. But they had to accept the existence of God at the time of death. Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita it is said, mrtyuh sarva-haras ca aham, that "Death, which takes away everything from everyone, that is... That death I am." So if we don't try to see God during our lifetime, then there will be an incidence which is sure--"As sure as death." That death is God. So to the atheistic person death is God. And to the theistic person, they can see, premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti. Those who have developed love of God, oh, they are enjoying the transcendental pleasure in every moment by seeing the artistic work of Krsna. So that is the position of a devotee." Lecture at art gallery, Ap 26, 72 

 

The Lord says, "It is not necessary that one become very expert in Vedic knowledge before he can become My bhakta, or devotee. Even if one is born in a family of dog-eaters, he can become My devotee and be very dear to Me, in spite of having taken birth in such a family." S.B. 7.15.4

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Prahlada Maharaja concludes that one can become perfect by serving the Supreme Lord sincerely by all means. Material elevation to life as a brahmana, demigod, rsi and so on are not causes for developing love of Godhead, but if one sincerely engages in the service of the Lord, his Krsna consciousness is complete. SB 7.7.51-42 P.

 

TRANSLATION

 

 

"One who offers Me respect but is envious of the bodies of others and is therefore a separatist never attains peace of mind, because of his inimical behavior towards other living entities."

 

"...........One who is envious of or inimical towards others never experiences any happiness. A devotee's vision, therefore, must be perfect. He should ignore bodily distinctions and should only see the presence of the part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and the Lord Himself in His plenary expansion as Supersoul. That is the vision of a pure devotee. The bodily expressions of a particular type of living entity is always ignored by the devotee.

 

 

   It is expressed herein that the Lord is always eager to deliver the conditioned souls, who have been encaged within material bodies. Devotees are expected to carry the message or desire of the Lord to such conditioned souls and enlighten them with Krsna consciousness. Of course this is not possible for living entities who are lower than human beings, but in human society it is feasible that all living entities can be enlightened with Krsna consciousness. Even living entities who are lower than human can be raised to Krsna consciousness by other methods. For example, Shivananda Sena, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya, delivered a dog by feeding him prasadam.... Factually it happened that the same dog, when met by Lord Caitanya at Puri, was liberated from the material condition.

 

 

  It is especially mentioned here that a devotee must be free from all violence.. Lord Caitanya has recommended that a devotee not commit violence to any living entity...... A devotee has to execute the principles of devotional service exactly as they are, and he must know that however insignificant a living entity may be, the Lord is present within him. A devotee must realize this universal presence of the Lord."  

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Srimad-Bhagavatam 3-29-23 Lord Kapiladeva's Explanation of Devotional Service

 

 

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TO BELIEVERS IN PRABHUPADA'S ORIGINAL ISKCON:

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DO YOU KNOW A DEVOTEE  WHO left their body under circumstances where you had no question in your mind that they succeeded in going back to home, back to Godhead? If so I would be happy to post a write-up about them here. Not too short, not too long please. You can send a picture too, if you want or have one. Anyway, let's finally offer respect to those who made it but maybe went unnoticed or improperly noticed. And of course, those who were noticed may also go here! :-) They passed the test and we need to recognize them as well. 

 

 

Thank you for your time. It is an honor to serve the wonderful devotees in this way. 

 

Hare Krishna! 

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Y.S. Prtha dd

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TRIBUTES

 

The following are stories, information or anything else about the passing of various devotees. We will also benefit from reading them and in a variety of ways. Especially, it is to honor the Vaishnava's who left us. Feel free to send in such tributes about a devotee who left their body under the Krishna Conscious conditions (regardless of vox-populi, if and when that applies).

 

This will turn into a separate web page in time, but for now I have to start somewhere. ~ YS,  Prtha dd

 

P.S. I reserve the right to rearrange or shorten / edit any of the stories you see below. (Currently some are quite long - am in the beginning stages of this part of this site.)

 

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MEMORIES OF SUDAMA MAHARAJA LEAVING HIS BODY AND MY EXPERIENCES TAKING CARE OF HIM - By Omkara devi dasi
August 5, 2008

I pay my respectful obeisances to my loving Spiritual Master A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my eternal guru whom I love and thank for giving me the Hare Krishna mantra and instructions on devotional service. I pay my obeisances to all the assembled devotees who I know, whom I don't know but am spiritually related to and to all the spirit souls I have known in this lifetime that have left their bodies and gone back to Srila Prabhupada, to Vaikuntha, reunited once again in devotional love.

Recently my Godsister Koumadakee left her body and at her memorial service many old Godbrothers and Godsisters gathered, along with newer devotees and we had a very nice memorial. I felt so close to Srila Prabhupada during the kirtan, seeing and hearing Baradraj sing, being the m.c., hearing the chanting and memorial. I contemplated how fortunate we are to have each other. How fortunate we are to serve and be connected. I pray to somehow once again serve someone who leaves his body, to chant by his/her side and help that person, that spirit soul have the peace of mind, the contentment to go back to Srila Prabhupada, back to Krsna.

When I was young I often was thinking about death and was convinced about the existence of the soul. I remember I was about 11 years old and saw a car accident on the highway and above the sprawled body there was a glowing emanating ball, glow of light hovering. I knew, without a doubt, without anyone telling me, that was the soul hovering. Hovering from attachment, bewilderment, and waiting for it's future fate, it's future journey of existence. That was one of the starting points of my contemplating the existence of the soul after death. I knew there was more.

I was fascinated with death and often wondered what actually happens at that time. For years I wanted to see death in another person and experience it firsthand. Approximately 14 years ago when I moved back into the temple I took a break from having a 9:00 – 5:00 job and went back into spiritual activities. I started chanting again and offering my food, going to the temple regularly and really liking it. I had a close friend Krodhashamani who was just starting her yoga business and we became good friends. It was nice living at the temple again. I never thought I'd like it. It's like this…. you cannot pretend to be spiritual, you must feel it from deep within. You can't fake it. I went through a period of growth, perhaps trying to grow emotionally as a person and thinking maybe I missed something because I became a Hare Krishna at 17 years of age. So I dated a little, I worked full time, overtime, sometimes on weekends, and I had a regular life. But after I got laid off and after my mom died I got a small inheritance and at that time I felt free, and I felt like I really wanted to be more spiritual. It was good and felt good, natural --something I really wanted.

One day Krodhashamani came to my apartment and asked me to come see Sudama. He arrived in Los Angeles from San Francisco, and was dying of Aids. I knew Sudama from the Brooklyn temple. At that time he was a sannyasi, therefore we never spoke. I liked him a lot because he was flamboyant, had a beautiful face and features and was very vocal in his expressions. He also was in charge of the Vaikuntha Players, a group of devotees who had plays. When we went on sankirtan there were skits about Krsna's pastimes during our break on the chanting party. He orchestrated everything. The public seemed to really appreciate it and we drew a big crowd. Mostly we would go to 42nd street and Times Square. I went to visit Sudama with Krodhashamani and we spoke very briefly. I didn't know if he remembered me from New York but he acknowledged me and at that time I could see he was overwhelmed with what was happening to him.

After a few days one afternoon, I remember it was after Christmas, because I still had a small Christmas tree up. One afternoon, I heard a thunking noise in the hallway on the stairs. "Thunk, thunk, thunk….." It was a strange noise. It reminded me of Srila Prabhupada. At the Brooklyn temple one time I was leaving the pujari room and I heard the same noise…….. "thunk, thunk, thunk…." It was Srila Prabhupada! The thunking noise came from Prabhupada's cane. All alone coming down the stairs from his quarters. I think he was headed for the kitchen. I paid my obeisances and looked at him with folded hands. I was speechless. It was only him and me. He held up his cane and looked at me smiling he said, "chant Hare Krishna". I was shivering and excited to come so close to him. So Sudama brought this same sounding thunk to my door with his cane. I greeted Sudama into my apartment and he layed on to sofa very despondent. He acknowledged that Bhakta Chuck couldn't take care of him and he had no one that would take care of him. He was very sad and scared. He looked very lonely. We spoke for a long time and he would stare at the lights of my Christmas tree. He would contemplate very heavily. Krodhashamani came to me later on and told me he needed someone to take care of him too, so I agreed. I never took care of a dying man but I knew the most important thing was to chant Hare Krishna for him and to make him feel comfortable. The less anxiety the better, the mind can be focused on Krishna and Prabhupada. So we got to know each other pretty well. I took care of him for approximately 2 months before he left his body.

He stayed in my apartment because he just didn't want to leave. He only stayed for a few days because my daughter had a hard time dealing with it. Then we moved into an empty temple apartment. I slept in the same room because I feared he would die in the middle of the night and I wanted to be there to chant for him. In the morning I would go home briefly to shower and change and eat. Even though we had a Prabhupada tape playing all the time I wanted to comfort him if he needed someone. Prior to moving into his temple apartment Siddhanta went to a Chinese herbalogist and got him some herbal tea. The doctor told him he had no electrolytes and he didn't have much time left. When Sudama and I were alone after Siddhanta left, all of a sudden Sudama started crying like a baby. Tears fell from his eyes and he put his head on my shoulder. I felt so sorry for him. Previously he had been in some denial about dying and sometimes was stubborn about it. He would not come to terms on his dying. Finally at this stage it began to sank in and he started to realize, yes this is it, he is very sick and is a dying man. I let him cry and told him in as many kind words I could gather that I would be there for him, Prabhupada and Krsna are there for him and for all the service he performed for Prabhupada he should have faith and be strong. He mustered up some strength and he was able to regain his wits again. This was a steppingstone, since now he was embracing the fact, yes I am in the process and will soon leave my body. He often lay on my sofa and lament about all the things he should have done, could have done. I let him talk a lot because I could see it gave him strength, it gave him a release and in this process he was entrusting in me to serve him as a devotee and help him think about Krsna and Prabhupada. Sometimes Sudama called some old friends in San Francisco. He called Bhavananda and spoke to him for a while. One of his friends just contracted Aids and it shocked Sudama. Another friend just passed away. The news affected him deeply.

Sudama often talked about his services for Prabhupada in the old days. How he would compete with other devotees who can serve Prabhupada better, who can spend more time with Prabhupada. Who can make the better garland for Prabhupada, who can cook for Prabhupada. Sudama helped open the Tokyo temple and had a lot to do with the Hawaii temple. He traveled as a sannyasi and stayed in the Brooklyn temple for a while. He traveled and preached and made devotees. He loved Srila Prabhupada with all his heart. He often regretted he didn't serve enough. He regretted his falldown and other things. Sudama even told me he tried to be straight, got married and had a son named Aaron. But that didn't work. Sudama came from a pious family. His brother was also initiated by Srila Prabhupada and his mother met Srila Prabhupada many years ago. She liked Krsna and thanked Prabhupada for taking care of her two sons. During the dying process his mother Claire would bring supplies and things we needed to take care of him. It was very hard for her to deal with this however she visited him often and was there when he left his body.

Sudama had a deep spiritual side and a little of the worldly side too. He lamented that he was dying and said to me often that he would like to take me to Paris. He exclaimed where was I all his life? And I laughed with him, thinking such is karma. Many devotees, young and old would come visit him. I remember Radha Kunda came a few times. He was very emotional about seeing his Godbrother in the process of leaving his body. We were alone a lot and I would just sit and chant by his side. Sometimes I would read from the Bhagavad Gita. Always a Prabhupada tape would be playing. His sickness took it's toll quickly. The first sign was he would have diarrhea and couldn't control his bowels. He couldn't really walk to the bathroom alone so I would semi-carry him. He was embarrassed that a woman had to help him and I reminded him that I am not my body, I am spirit soul. To take it as Krsna's mercy and not think of me as a woman. I felt this must have been very humbling for him. After a few days his bowels really went out of control so we had to use adult diapers. I would change him and clean him up. I was never scared of contracting Aids because I knew fully that Krishna would protect me. He didn't have open sores, only at the very end he started getting bed sores. I was never affected by the stool or urine, and just did it out of duty, thinking if I was dying how badly would I want someone to take care of me like this. I wanted to help him feel comfortable with my presence and not feel attached or ashamed of what was going on during the different stages. I wished for him to just have peace of mind and want to have the desire to go back to Krishna, back to Srila Prabhupada.

So in the empty temple apartment we stayed. During the course of taking care of Sudama devotees would bring me things that were special and important. I had Vrndavan dust, Ganges and Radha Kunda water, tilak, tulasi leaf, oftentimes garlands and other things. Someone brought a really nice big brass medallian of Lord Nrsingha deva that we put on his chest during his last hour. Lots of pictures of Srila Prabhupada, Rukmini Dwarakadish and so many spiritual momentos. One day when I was walking quickly to my apartment to shower and change Suavasa stopped me in the street to thank me for the service of taking care of Sudama. He said he had no one to do it. Little did he know I was in my heart profusely thanking him and Krishna for giving me this opportunity. It was so valuable to me.

Approximately three days before he left his body Claire, Sudama's mother and Sudama were discussing the cremation and other arrangements. Sudama looked at me and begged me to take his ashes to India. I was a little taken aback and didn't expect it. I could not refuse a dying man and I agreed. I have never been to India and in the past years I really didn't want to go because I didn't want to get sick. I didn't want to get malaria, jaundice or any othesr third world country illness. This time it was different. I wanted to go. Claire didn't offer to pay for the trip and that put me out a bit. I was almost out of money and had just enough for India. I hesitated but felt moved and inclined to do this. So I paid for the trip myself and went to Vrindavan and Mayapur.

The last two weeks prior to Sudama dying he could barely eat. I got a dropper and would drop some water down his mouth oftentimes. I could see him getting weaker and skinnier each day. One morning around 2:00 a.m. I was awakened by Sudama gurgling and struggling. This scared me a little bit and I immediately got up to chant Hare Krishna and hold his hand. I could hear him try to enunciate the Hare Krishna mantra through his intrepid gurgles. He would say, " ha….. kh…. kh…..ra….ha….. " and gurgle at the same time. Sudama was trying to chant and he was struggling. This went on for a few minutes. I thought this is it. He's dying. I chanted Hare Krishna and just prayed, please let this be auspicious. Then all of a sudden he turned to me and in a clear voice said, "I am going to pick my time to die." Then he layed his head down and fell asleep. I was stunned. I was still a little scared but hearing him breathe gave me consolation. I chanted for a while and then went back to sleep. In the morning he told me he remembered what happened. He saw the Vishnudutas come in the room and he wasn't ready. He tried to chant Hare Krsna and couldn't. Then he had peace and fell asleep. The next morning I thought I should get stronger. I shouldn't be scared of death, my fears might show to Sudama and increase some fear in him. I need to welcome death and help Sudama to want to leave his body in a good strong spiritual fashion. The doctor and nurses came. The doctor said it was only a matter of one or two days. Then later he said probably a day. We called his mother and other close friends. In the morning he looked very different. His neck, chest and face had another changed look that is hard to describe. It looked a little stiff, a lot different. I recognized the time is close. I still gave him drops of water, I still chanted, but this time I got what I needed all together by his bedside. I made sure the Vrndavan dust was close by, Ganges and Radha Kunda water, fresh tilak, tulasi leaf, and yes more garlands. I started regularly sprinkling him with Vrndavan dust and anointing him with Ganges and Radha Kunda water and I spelled Hare Krsna on the side of his stomach in large lettering. Sometimes he would get phone calls from devotees. Even though he was at the point he couldn't talk, he could hear and acknowledge. Sometimes he had the strength to nod his head or squeeze my hand. The nurse would take his vitals and the doctor said only a few hours. At a late point almost just before he left his body the doctor started giving him morphine shots because he said his pain was very intense. Still once in a while I could feel Sudama squeezing my hand in a form of communication, however, the squeezes were very light now. He had no strength. It was around 4:20 in the morning and I called Krodhashamani. She in turn called other devotees and the room quickly became filled with devotees. A nice kirtan started. He was full of garlands, he had charinamrta. At one point his old friend Tamal Krishna called and told him to think of Prabhupada and Krishna to go back to Krishna and Prabhupada. Tamal told me to put Tulasi leaf in his mouth under his tongue. We chanted and chanted. The room was ecstatic. Sudama left his body, his mouth a little open, however he had a golden aura and looked very very beautiful. Lord Nrsingha deva on his chest and Prabhupada close by waiting to welcome him home.

Incidentally, even though the doctors said he was dying of Aids on his death certificate it said he had heart failure. The doctor was constantly checking his pulse and heart and almost was able to time his death. His heart gave out.

His mother Claire lamented however she knew he was back in the spiritual sky and she helped with the cremation and other arrangements. Then my journey to India began. The cremation was delayed due to several days of intense earthquakes. I never before attended a cremation. Many devotees came. There was a nice rip roaring kirtan and his body was burned. Put in an urn. His mother gave me the urn and then I made arrangements to go to India. Even though it was the first time I went and I was traveling alone I didn't feel any anxiety. On the airplane, the long trip, I often contemplated Sudama in his urn, accompanied by Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. They were flying the plane. They were all with me. It was a good journey and made me very happy, very excited that I would go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Dham. I stayed in Vrndavan for a week and then to Mayapur for a week and back to Vrndavan for a half week and then back to Los Angeles. A devotee, Upendranath, picked me up. I arrived at night and could smell the cow dung burning. I liked the smell. I heard the pigs eating the garbage and snorting. It was an interesting new sound to me. When I arrived the only place that was available to stay in was a room down the road. The toilet was a hole in the floor and the shower was freezing. I didn't mind at all. I was on a special mission and this is the Holy Place. When I laid down to rest I heard all the peacocks and other animals with their sounds. It was so beautiful and reminded me very much of that blue boy Krishna playing his flute. I woke up and went to Mangala Arotik. Sri Krsna Balaram Mandir was so exquisite. Large, full of ornate marble, and the deities enraptured my very breath. I felt so fortunate to be there. The next day I got a room at the temple. It was a simple but pleasant room and more opulent than I expected. I was happy to have a room in the temple complex. The next day I met a rigshaw walla (so called by chance). He was specifically someone that was recommended to me. He was out in the front of the temple just waiting for his next ride. He told me his name and I knew everything would be okay. Each morning he would pick me up, we would go around town visiting temples and other places and at early evening he would bring me back to the temple. He was my guide. One time he took me to the woods to see a very old babaji who was 106 years old. The babaji was performing puja. After puja he gave me maha prasadam. I felt very blessed. My most important part of the journey was to go to Mayapur and give the ashes to Jayapataka Maharaj. After arriving there I informed the devotees the reason for my visit. I was greeted very warmly. I gave the ashes to a devotee. In a few days there was a big kirtan and we went chanting to the spot where Sudama wanted his ashes strewn. That is where the three rivers meet, The Saraswati, The Ganges and The Jamuna. This is a very sacred place and many devotees go for Khumba Mehla there. Trivem Sangam – union of the holy rivers. We had a great chanting party and puja. Then back to the temple to honor and enjoy a big feast. After a few more days I returned to Vrndavan. During my stay in India at the beginning I was very careful of what I ate and drank. I had a burner and cooked soup for myself but mostly ate granola, nuts and very simple prasadam for the first week. While I was in Mayapur after a while I wanted to get purified and thought if I get sick in India that would be a good purification. I started drinking tap water and eating temple prasadam. I didn't get sick even though I tried.

Ever since this big event I have always thought about how blessed I was to take care of Sudama and how important it is to take care of dying devotees and help them think of Krishna and Prabhupada. I would very much like to do that service again. It is the most important act of spirituality for me. And I also pray somehow I can be in this same situation and be guided by a devotee. That would be my success. For years I would think of Sudama and wonder what kind of karma that is to be placed in this situation. Taking care of a godbrother and someone who was a sannyasi at one time, a servant of Prabhupada. That is good karma for me. One day I was on the computer googling things about Sudama and came across a letter from Srila Prabhupada to Sudama thanking him for his letter. In the text of the letter Srila Prabhupada is accepting me as his disciple based on Sudama's recommendation. I was so surprised, as I didn't know this. I thought the temple president had asked Prabhupada to accept me as his disciple. Maybe taking care of Sudama was my way of expressing gratitude for connecting me with Srila Prabhupada. I am ever
grateful. Hare Krishna.

Your servant,
Omkara devi dasi

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RADHA'S PASSING

 

By Krodhasamani dasi

 

USA, Dec 28 (VNN) — A number of devotees from around the world were praying for her and will take solace in hearing of her passing. Thank you.

 

"..... Radha Vrndavan did pass away at 7:42 am. Although, the grief and sadness are overwhelming for all of us, as we loved such a beautiful soul such as her, we understand that her death was auspicious. She had kirtan and bhajan at her bedside for hours before she died. Kishor had led the kirtan for a very long time, and Nitai and Devala, decorated the room she was in with pictures of Srila Prahbupada and Krsna, Lord Nrsmgha deva. Devala made sure that she always had a tape of Srila Prabhupada chanting japa in her ears. So, her death was so auspicious, as she left this world.

 

Right now, Shankari (her mother) is staying at Madhavi's house (a dear friend), where all the devotees can visit, chant, and share together. We are taking care of Shankari so she can pull through this with strength and the only way to do that is surrender to Lord Krsna, and ask Srila Prabhupada for strength. We all become so humbled in the face of death, we realize how Krsna really is in control, we belong only to Him. We kept telling Shankari that Radha belongs to Krsna!!!! I will keep in touch, be well, and thank you for all the good energy and love that you put out for Radha... "

 

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GEORGE HARRISON LEFT HIS BODY

 

There is so much to be said about the passing of this godbrother.  I will put something brief here and humbly ask you to read any of my links below it on the topic (one leads to others) if you would like further information, especially pertaining to his spiritual and / or Krishna Conscious side.

 

Sriman George Harrison left his body Nov 29, 01, the result of a brain tumor. Many knew him as a rock star, but to the devotees he was especially known as a devotee himself. Much admiration is there in the many Vaisnava posts I have read, thanking him either for directing them to Krishna or helping them to  remain enlivened during hardships, as well as in general. 

 

When Sriman George left his body he was wrapped in a Hari Nama chaddar, a tulasi leaf was placed  in his mouth, with so many other wonderful auspicious and spiritual activities. Even the public (nondevotee) were impressed that this rich, famous personality was, after death, simply put into a cardboard box to be cremated - his desire. They called him humble, they called him meek, one even referred to him as a "Holy man." (On various levels they were picking up on his Krishna Consciousness.) What is most important of all his  activities is that George left this material world while he himself was softly chanting the maha mantra. In addition there was the chanting of others nearby, so he was also hearing. 

 

Some have called him a pure devotee while others look upon his less than perfect activities to predict he will be given a higher birth now  so he can do a more valuable service, thus making advancement. While I am not taking on either extreme about George in life, in death he all ready achieved that goal & made advancement. All shastra clearly states that one who chants or hears the name of Krishna at the time of death, goes to Krishna immediately upon leaving the body. Therefore whether one can understand it or not understand it, since George chanted the Lords Name at the time of death and also was hearing this, he has undoubtedly gone to Krishna......  somewhere.  Krishna can be in many places, and at one time. :-)  It does not matter where. As long as we get to be with Krishna, "where" becomes irrelevant.  Jai to Hari's Son, George -- he made it back! ~ YS, Prtha dd

 

For those who would like to read further, this link as well as some that follow on the site itself, give more detailed coverage of the passing of Sriman George Hari's son. Inspiration Newsletter # 46   

 

Also of interest ~ A collection of quotes & conversations from Prabhupada about George, info on George's spiritual side which may not be as easily found elsewhere on the net, and much more: http://www.geocities.com/priitaa/gh_and_sp.htm

 

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MEMORIES OF TRIBHUVANNATHA
By Ranchor das

 

ENGLAND, Nov 10 (VNN) — Memories of Tribhuvannatha, a dear godbrother

 

Tribhuvannatha always was full of surprises. His apparent independence was really a complete dependence on Krishna, and he served Prabhupada and Krishna with his every breath in a way only he knew or even dared. Even down to the last, he did it his way, taking us all by surprise and quietly slipping away, in Brazil on 16 October 2001, far from the crowds which so unsettled him. He had been suffering from stomach cancer.

 

Perhaps he was influenced by his childhood experiences. Krishna took him from his family at a young age and placed him in an orphanage, teaching him to be independent of the world. When as a 17-year-old he came to London and met the devotees he held nothing back-he threw himself upon Krishna's mercy, and accepted Prabhupada as his father without reservation.

 

His relationship with Prabhupada was so real to him, that it became real for whoever was with him. I felt nearer to Prabhupada when I was with him. When I first joined the temple I often used to hear him say, 'Prabhupada saysê' and then he would quote an instruction, always a suitable saying for the occasion. He spoke with such authority that I believed he must have spent a lot of time with Prabhupada, so one day I asked him when had he heard all these things that Prabhupada says? He were surprised: 'I haven't met Prabhupada yet, but I have read all these things in his books,' as if it were obvious. Yet though we all read the same books, he seemed to know Prabhupada in a way that others did not. With him, Prabhupada came to life.

 

On Prabhupada's first visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor, kirtan got under way at the end of his Bhagavad Gita lecture. Prabhupada looked grave and we sat round him on the floor chanting. Tribhuvannatha was the first to stand up, with a mridanga, right in front of him.

 

He started to dance his crazy flat-footed dance, as someone once called it: his back straight and erect like a trained actor's, his weight back on his heels as his feet beat the ground and his head nodded up and down. His eyes met Prabhupada's and suddenly they were both laughing with each other. Prabhupada so enjoyed watching him. I saw that Prabhupada always had eyes specially for him. I wasn't the only one to notice this.

 

'Prabhupada likes Tribhuvannatha.' We all knew it.

 

Tribhuvannatha always had something to teach me. I came to believe that Krishna spoke through him because he seemed to have the right thing to say at the right moment. I regarded him as an oracle of truth, and I can look back upon key moments when he enlightened me with flashes of insight.

 

When he shaved my head on my first day in the temple I said joyfully, 'It feels so good to be surrendered to Krishna at last.' His reply was grave: 'Surrender is not so easy as having your head shaved,' he said. 'It takes time to learn.' He used to come and visit me in Manchester, where I was running a preaching  centre. He was busy running the Edinburgh temple, but he knew that I needed encouragement, and I will always be grateful for the friendship and support he showed me in those early days.

 

He showed me love and unquestioning acceptance. He made me have confidence in myself, by demonstrating his own confidence in himself and in Krishna's protection.

 

What greater gift can anyone give to their brother, than belief in themselves and in Krishna's boundless love. That's where he got his immense courage.

 

In his last year, when his health began to deteriorate, he started losing energy, and he didn't know why. He told me that he found all he wanted to do was read Prabhupada's books, which he was enjoying immensely. He had never been able to find enough time before, he said, because he was always running around, busy serving Prabhupada. But now he had time and had discovered a deep taste for reading about Krishna, which made him very happy. I think this was Krishna's way of rewarding him for having been such a loyal and hardworking servant.

 

After he learned he had cancer he came to see me. It really came as a surprise to me to discover how humble his own opinion of himself was. He thought Krishna was teaching him to be more serious. 'I am not frightened of anything,' he said, 'And  that's my problem-I'm too hard-hearted.' He believed Krishna had sent him this illness to soften his heart. Only the soft-hearted can serve Radharani, he said.

In the end, when his body was frail, his spirit shone stronger than ever.

He was joyful, totally without fear, and his eyes sparkled.  'What can you tell me?' I begged to know, before he left for Brazil for the last time. 'You are between life and death-what do you see?' He thought for a moment. 'Prabhupada wanted to  warn us,' his voice was loving, but grave as the first time he  instructed to me, 'Don't take the illusion too seriously.'
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THE PASSING OF NAMACARAYA PRABHU - China

 

My very dear Prtha Mataji & Ginger,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Gurudeva

and Srila Prabhupada!

 

Due to merciful prayers which had been done all though those days, Namacarya Prabhu left us in a very glorious and auspicious way. His wife, as you have prayed for, is very peaceful now. She understands very well that everything is in the fold of Krishna. Last night on the phone, she told me she would never forget her dear husband, but she no longer lamented. Actually our association with Namacarya Prabhu has given us so much purification and deeper understandings of Krishna Consciousness. Everything was happening just as verification of our scripture. Prtha, our most heartfelt gratitude go to you for taking so much trouble in extending the request to the others. Ginger, without your help and concerns, how could it happen?

 

Here are some details of Namacarya Prabhu's departure that I would like to share with you.

 

Namacarya Prabhu left us at 1:55pm,Friday, June 15th, Beijing Time. It had been terribly hot for many weeks until late Thursday night, when the temperature suddenly dropped nearly ten degrees and the big rain, which was very rare in Braja, pouring down incessantly and carrying away the unbearable heat. The next morning, it is comfortably cool, with no rain. At about 12:30, an extremely big rainstorm suddenly emerged, making the sky as dark as night. In less than 30 minutes, the rain had stopped and the sunlight were everywhere, shining all over this city which had just been in ablution. Everything looked very clean.

 

There were five devotees beside his bed at that time, including his wife Gunamala, Vidhura,Vidarbha Kanya, Manjari and I. Namacarya Prabhu was breathing more and more heavily and slowly. We quickly put flower garlands on his neck and head, and his beadbag in his right hand. Without anyone's help, he moved the beadbag upward, tightly unto his chest, and remained in that posture since then.

 

His wife carefully cleaned his ears, nose, mouth and body. Saintly water was spilled into his mouth and face, tulsi leaf on his tougue, tilak applied to 13 places in the body. I brought with me a CD of Prabhupada's Japa when I went there, so Prabhupada's transcendental sound vibration, Hare Krishna maha mantra, was filling the room profusely. Meanwhile, after everything else had been done properly, we gathered closely beside him, singing Hare Krishna as loudly as we could. I sat on the floor near to his head, so I could see his face very clearly. His breath was slower and slower, with longer and longer intervals, and his tongue was moving gently, more and more slightly until the second when it was totally motionless. He looked very peaceful. He hadn't eaten anything for six days, so when he was leaving, his body was very clean. From that moment on, more and more devotees were coming. Chanting continued. After he left, we began to shave his beard. Gunamala gave him a wonderful haircut, just as she had been doing for him previously. In new white dhoti, he looked very clean and peaceful, just like in deep sleep. After some time, we were astonished to see that he had closed his mouth, exactly like smiling. This was a smile very familiar and dear to most of us.

 

At 9:30pm, a bus was carrying his body to the crematorium,  accompanied were several devotees. We waited until 1:00 the next morning, when his body had been cremated. The ashes was preserved in

the crematorium temporarily. His ashes will be taken to India within one year time and put into either Yamuna or Ganges.

 

Hope this meets you well.

 

Your servant,

Krsna Premi devi dasi

 

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UDDHAVA DASA

 

This story is not so much mine to tell, yet I do not know how to contact his parents, and I was there, I lived at that temple at the time and attended his funeral. He also use to jokingly, kindly, tease my 'at-that-time' 3 year old. They had a cute relationship. Thus if my presentation is less than perfect I hope my sincerity will come through.

 

Uddhava, a young boy about 11 or so in age, the son of Krishnapriya devi dasi and Dwarkanatha dasa, left his body in the early 1980s at Bhaktivedanta Village, California. He was in a terrible accident, yet his last dying word was, in full or in part, "Krishna" (When it is in part it's to be understood that the rest is finished in the Spiritual Sky.)  Although Uddhava said the Holy Name at the time of death, an authority stated that Uddhava did not go back to Godhead.  I heard him say this with my own ears at the funeral! That, of course, was just his opinion, which is not in accord with scripture. 

 

It seems we have a hard time accepting those we know can go back to Godhead so easily, especially a child whom we may have had to correct, take care of, etc. Possibly this is why Jesus did not preach in his home town, as those who knew him could not believe the boy they use to play with or this son of a simple carpenter could also be the son of God/Krishna, thus they did not take his preaching seriously.  

 

Let's get clear that I am not making a comparison regarding persons involved but in the attitude of the general population. We must get past that, as Prabhupada was creating a transcendental family and giving us all a way out of the material world immediately. 

 

We can see that even the Christian minister holds a genuine belief that many of their congregational members who pass on, did indeed return to the Lord. Therefore we certainly can increase our faith in the destination of our members, based on knowledge of course. All of shastra proclaims that one who chants the name of Krishna at the time of death will go to Krishna immediately. In less than a second. Bas. 

 

Thus I firmly believe, based on authoritative scripture and not a blind belief system, that this young soul whose last word was "Krishna" has gone to Krishna.  And he is doing better right now than most of us are. :-) Jai Uddhava dasa. You made it! 

 

YS, Prtha dd

 

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[NOTE: When I lived in New Dwarka -in the  L.A. temple apartment complex - Rama das was the Head Pujari. He also was an herbalist who helped the devotees heal. I was standing there and remember him handing my godsister some herbs for a health condition. She was asking him some questions about how to use them exactly, which he answered. But then he made sure to remind her that unless she chants Hare Krishna over them, they will not be as potent. :) Ram dasa was a wonderful devotee and though it is unfortunate to loose him from our movement, it is good to hear that his passing was so very spiritual and in the Holy Dhama of Vrndavana India where all who leave their body there are guaranteed to go back to Home, back to Godhead! Thus I put this here, in honor of Ram dasa.]

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The Glorious Passing of Sriman Ram Dasa Prabhu
By Deena Bandhu das

CHAKRA (Vrindavan, India): Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

On Dvadasi night at 10 pm, Ram Das left his body very peacefully here in Vrindavan in the company of his wife Krishna Kumari. Kavichandra Maharaja had been there only awhile before giving him Reiki and they were laughing and joking, but he was extremely weak. After Kavichandra Maharaja left, he took his milk and pills. Then around 10 pm, he told Krishna Kumari that he was very thirsty, so she made some juice. After he drank it, she could hear gurgling in his lungs like they were filling with fluid and she knew it was the end. It was just the two of them there.

She told him to chant, and he said, “It is 10 pm. You must be tired please go to bed, it's very late. I'll be all right.” He kept repeating this concern for her. She kept insisting over and over again that he chant Krishna, and she began chanting. Srila Prabhupada's “Happening” tape was playing in the background. A brahmacari named Kala Venu had brought a large lamination of Srila Prabhupada's torso just one hour earlier and it was on the windowsill directly in front of him.

 

With husband and wife alone chanting together, very peacefully he passed on to the arms of Lord Krishna in a matter of minutes, fully conscious and without any trouble.

Yesterday we took him to the Jamuna. Most devotees were out on Marathon, but whatever Godbrothers and a few others were there consigned his mortal remains to the flames on the bank of Kalindi. He was a very big boy and Acyuta had to run and bring another load of wood to finish off the cremation.

 

DEENA BANDHU DAS wrote: Ram Das (correctly spelled as Rama dasa), was a senior devotee and the former head-pujari (priest) of the Rukmini Dwarkadisa ISKCON temple in Los Angeles, California. He served as Head Pujari for 15 years before having a series of heart problems.

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Remembering Ojasvi Prabhu
By Mahapurana dasa 

I am overjoyed because my dear Godbrother has returned to the spiritual world to continue his service to Srila Prabhupada and to embrace the Lotus Feet of Krishna. I am sad because I am bereft of his association.

I met Ojasvi Prabhu in 1972 or '73. He ran a small shop one or two blocks from the entrance to the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. He sold devotional paraphernalia and, of course, Srila Prabhupada's books. I had been to India in 1968, so when I first saw him dressed in a dhoti with tilak and sikha, I thought, "Wow! He looks like those people I met in India."

I would frequently go to the shop to purchase incense and other items. Ojasvi would always greet me with a big smile. I had no idea what the devotees were about. I just knew that I enjoyed Ojasvi's warm and friendly association.

Sometimes I would be driving through town and I would see him standing at the bus stop, so I would stop and offer him a ride. On many different occasions I picked him up and took him to the temple, though I didn't really know who he was or what the temple was. I just knew that he was my friend.

Some years before our meeting, I had received a Krishna Book from an artist friend, and as a result my life began to change drastically. I quit smoking, drinking, and eating meat and began to practice Transcendental Meditation and hatha yoga. My taste for music also began to change. I wanted to listen to a more meditational sound. I knew that my friend Ojasvi could help me. I went to the shop and asked him if he had some music for meditation.

He said, "Yes, have a seat here. I have something that you should hear." He played the classic record that begins with Srila Prabhupada singing the Brahma Samhita. I closed my eyes and listened with full attention to both sides of the LP. When I stood up, it felt as though my feet were off the floor. With tears in my eyes, I gave him a big donation and thanked him again and again and told him that this was exactly what I was looking for.

Every morning for the next year I would rise at around 2 or 3 am, jog three miles, and return home to listen to Srila Prabhupada chant while I performed my asanas. I would smile and think how thankful I was to my friend Ojasvi. After one solid year of following this routine, I found a card that Ojasvi Prabhu had given me that described a morning meditation.

One morning I went to mangala arati and again saw Ojasvi's smiling face. I went to mangala arati every morning for the next year, thus beginning my 28 years of devotional service — all because of the friendly inspiration of my friend and Godbrother Ojasvi Prabhu.

Hare Krishna and love to him, his wife Molly, his son Sri Thakur, and the rest of the family. Hare Krishna and love to all the devotees who helped him make the transition.

Hare Krishna! Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Mahapurana dasa

 

 

 

 

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My Krishna Conscious Web Sites Thus Far

 

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SENIOR DEVOTEE GODSISTERS who joined the Hare Krishna Movement prior to Nov 77 ... where did you go? Please come out of the woodwork & join this e-group. Why? Because it's sane, helpful, warm & fuzzy :-) so a soft place to fall for those of us who have been thru a lot, yet hold the belief that Prabhupada's Original teachings hold different / better ways of living. Tired of no association or something else similar? Put an end to it! Reach out & we'll reach back. No politics, just friends & fun. Read our front page & see if we're for you. (We hope you feel you are!) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SeniorDevoteeGodsisters  

 

NOTE:  If you (a senior godsister) are unfamiliar with e-groups and want to join, email me. I can sign you up! (Only with your permission will I do this, so feel free to email and ask.)  ... First please read our groups front page. Click on above link to see and check it out. Then contact me if you need help signing up.

 

 

 

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VAISNAVI'S FOR PRABHUPADA - Not one of the older godsisters? That's perfectly fine, as I also created an e-group for all ages and stages! :)  It's for ladies who have all ready come to that internal place where they can not imagine anyone other than Prabhupada as their guru. Yes, there "is" a group you too can get devotee association. If you're a Prabhupadanuga and in a female body (guys, don't ask - we sort of an online brahmacarini ashram)... here's a place you can find like-minded Vaisnavi's, read Prabhupada quotes, chat (about the good, the bad, or whatever you wish, as long as its from a spiritual & cooperative perspective), or can ask for spiritual guidance or suggestions, etc., from like-minded godsisters. We're not for everyone, see if we're a good fit for you and click on the link. Then read front page. Peace & bliss to all. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaisnavisForPrabhupada

 

NOTE: Similar to the the one above. :-)

 

 

 

 

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You may also wish to report the phishing email to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by forwarding it to their address: spam@uce.gov


Additional info & tips to protect your personal online information: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

 

 

 

 

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