Sam’s 90th Birthday

Devotee: Obeisances unto your dear most beloved [Unintelligible 00:10] and yes, and obeisances unto you, award who display unlimited pastimes.

Giriraj Swami: Sri Sri Radha-Damodar ki jaya! [Unintelligible 00:25]

So we are gathered here, to celebrate one of the many auspicious occasions or events that took place in the month of Damodara, Bhakta Sam’s birthday. Bhakta Sam has been a great inspiration to so many devotees, friends, and family for many years. According to the official statement, today we are observing Sam’s Ninetieth birthday, although I never would have guessed it. Ever since we came here, Sam has been a regular sight on his morning walk along Foothill Road, passing by our driveway, and even now, he and Rose remain active and now live very full lives and participate regularly in our spiritual programs.

I first really met Rose and Sam in Ohio at one of Mother Urvasi’s programs. I noticed a mature couple sitting in the front row or near to the front row listening very attentively to every word and I was thinking, Who are these people? They really seem to be interested in Krishna consciousness. And then after the talk and kirtan I met them and they explained a little about who they were and they gave me their card, which I still have with their address in Carpenteria. And then, my return to India and my travels, but I always did keep their card but because I wasn’t that clear on the geography of the area, somehow it stayed in my memory that they lived in Ventura, because to me they were sort of. . . well, I didn’t distinguish between the two of them, they were both somewhere between Santa Barbara and Oxnard.

Anyway, one of the first days after I started to stay in Carpenteria, I took a walk from here to the beach down Santa Claus Lane. And just to get to the beach took more than a half hour and once there, I wanted to walk for another hour because that was my routine to walk for an hour and I didn’t want to count the walk up to the beach. So by the time I finished, I was quite tired. I started early in the morning, but it had become very hot and sunny. So as I was walking back, I was thinking to myself, It would be nice if someone could give me a lift back. But then my intelligence was saying, No! People don’t do that anymore. Maybe in some places they used to, but not anymore and don’t even hope for it. Because the Bhāgavatam says that desire gives rise to frustration and by cessation of desire one attains happiness.

So anyway, as I was walking along the area, I saw a sign to one of the flower shops. I forget exactly what it was, but it wasn’t as corny and cliché, ‘Just Say it With Flowers’ but it was something. So anyway, I went in. I just had a thought, I should get some flowers because I thought I had committed an offense. So I went in and I took time and I didn’t have any money or anything, and I thought they would give me credit. I was a neighbor; I wasn’t going anywhere. No credit! So then I thought well maybe I can phone home and get my credit card details they will take my credit card. “No! They have to see the card; they have to see ID.” So then I got out, and it was even hotter, and it felt hotter because it was cooler in the florist shop, and trying to control my mind, don’t have any false hopes. I just started walking, and this car stops along the side of the road, and someone sticks his head out and says, “Do you need a lift?” So I thought, This can’t be true. I walked over and I looked in the window, and it was Rose and Sam. And then they said, “We live right around the corner. Why don’t you come by to our house, and have something to drink?” And I was thirsty, so I went to their house, and they gave me water, and offered other things which is part of their hospitable nature, and then they drove me home, and Sam said, he walks by. And that is how we met each other after, and then I went, and I looked up their card to see if they had moved, and it said Carpenteria, and, “Oh I thought it said Ventura.”

So we have been neighbors ever since then, and shared many wonderful experiences. There was a period when I would often need a ride during the day, so I would phone Rose, and sometimes Sam, whoever was available would drive me to town. We would do some errands, or they would drive me to the beach so I could take my walk there. And I think one of the events that helped me get to know them better, understand them better, was Rose’s eightieth birthday party, which was celebrated in the Sandpiper Park, and yes, they are just really staunch. They go to Ratha-yatra, they usually hold up better at Ratha-yatra than I do, and they go to many of the major festivals in Los Angeles, especially the Prabhupada festival. I remember once I was driving to Laguna Beach for a program, and I just had a thought, Well let me see Sri Sri Rukmini-Dwarkadish on the way. It is just off the highway. So I went in to the temple for audience of the Deities and after I finished offering my obeisances and was standing in front of the Deities, there were Rose and Sam also standing in front of the Deities. So they are everywhere, but we are especially glad that they are so close by most of the time, but we are also glad that they are everywhere, and when we go we can hope to meet them. So I know that they mean a lot not just to us, but to so many friends, and family, and devotees, so I would like to ask some of the other friends, and family, and devotees who are present to express some of their thoughts, and feelings for Sam. Any volunteers? Yes, Lila.

Lila: Sure, I would love to! That was beautiful, thank you for sharing that. I can take you back, since I was a witness to this. In this lifetime when my mom and dad, Rose and Sam, connected with the Deities, and Krishna consciousness. I had moved away from home when I was eighteen and went to the city, I will just give you a little history so you get the full picture, and I was going through all my changes during the hippie and flower child era in Chicago. And after about two and a half years really experiencing some real bumps and grinds in the material world I decided that I was already materially distressed, and I went home to my parents’ house in Santa Barbara, and I took up a very serious spiritual quest to find out who God was, and I had become very renounced. I had taken up all forms of yoga, and I was trying to realize Krishna or God through pranayama, and hatha-yoga, and raja-yoga, and I just went up the ladder until one day I saw the devotees chanting downtown State Street, and the brahmacharis there were five of them living here in Santa Barbara. And I became very attracted, and they gave me a Back to Godhead, and I took it home, and read it, and just instantaneously know that, Wow, so this is the knowledge I am looking for.

So it wasn’t long after that, probably within the next three weeks I decided to leave my parents’ home, and go live in the temple in Los Angeles. I couldn’t stay here in Santa Barbara, because it was an all-brahmachari temple, and so a brahmachari showed up at my door with a shaved head, and I am packing my bag, and my parents are wondering what the heck am I doing, and, my bag consisted of an overnight bag, and a sleeping bag. “Linda where are you going?” my mother and father asked. “I am going to serve God, going to Krishna.” And they are like just wondering what has happened to my daughter. And so off I go on this little Volkswagen. I get driven to New Dvaraka, and it wasn’t the very next Sunday at the Sunday feast, there was my mother and father. And they wanted to know where I was going, and what I was doing, and they didn’t hold back asking any questions, they interrogated everyone. They were greatly relieved to know there was no drugs available to their daughter, and that I appeared to be safe, and tired but safe, and they just started coming every Sunday to see me, and to eat, honor prasādam and to see the Deities, and it wasn’t long before they are chanting.

And Rameshwar Swami was a huge inspiration. I was a saṅkīrtana devotee so Rameshwar Swami was my mentor, my godbrother, my inspiration, and so he would preach like mad to my parents when they would come, and he did a lot for my parents. There was a whole evolution. I will let my parents share that with you over the years how Rameshwar Swami really facilitated them in Krishna consciousness, and their service. Anyhow, to make a long story short, my parents just kept coming, and they just kept getting more and more purified, and before you know it my grandparents were coming, and my grandfather is looking at the altar going, “This is the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever seen.” And my grandmother is handing out Back to Godheads on State Street. And so, little by little the family just took to Krishna, and they were just continuing on their spiritual path, and I just realized how blessed and fortunate I was.

I never knew that I was born into a family of such piety, that my parents were so spiritually advanced. And now I am so grateful that Krishna arranged for them to be right by Giriraj Swami and all the assembled devotees in a temple right here, and it is all Krishna’s arrangement. And it is so beautiful that they have this, at this time especially in their life to prepare for death, and to the next stage wherever that may be, and they have a good chance of remembering Krishna. I know my father mentioned one night he was at Divia Sarvatma’s apartment, when he had a little heart problem, and he had to go lay down in the bedroom, and Giriraj Swami was there, all the assembled devotees chanted. I said, “Dad, that would have been a perfect time for you to leave your body.” I pray I am in that situation. So he has a good chance of that happening and I am just so incredibly thankful that my parents are in this situation. I just thank all you assembled devotees for being part of my parents life, and my life, and all glories to Prabhupada. Hare Krishna

Devotee: Thank you, thank you.

Lila: Great place to spend it. My brother is here; my two boys are here. When I was pregnant with both boys, I did a very Vedic thing, I went home to my mother’s in the last two months, month and a half of my pregnancy. I gave birth to both of my boys here in Santa Barbara, and I am really happy that they are here, and able to experience this. We live in Monterey Peninsula. There is no temple there. I need to start one. Thank you.

Devotee: If I can add to that, I am Rose and Sam’s son, their oldest child of the family, and just a memory of going back to those years in Los Angeles, and [Unintelligible 18:49] City. I remember my suspicions; what is this group in the way they dress, the way they look and so many prejudices, that so many of us have when we see someone who doesn’t look like us, or dress like us, or act like us, or talk like us, or whatever. Anyway when I reflect back upon my folks involvement with the Lila Shakti, with her participation at that time. It was a twofold, or a two-step situation. I think as parents they were going to say, “I am not just going to let my daughter go. I am going to keep an eye on her. I am going to keep an eye on her, and I am going to visit her, and still show her that we love her whatever her choices are, whether we agree or not, we are there with her.” And it was a it was a support for her. He had a parental responsibility.

So many parents to leave the child, and child goes, and good luck, and sometimes that is good. Sometimes you can allow the child to go out there, and experience the ups and downs of life. And in this family I noticed that they were parents who were kind of watch over their daughter. And as I got to know the devotees, and got to spend time, my prejudices also started leaving, and my bigotry, and my thoughts, and my narrow-mindedness, and going to wherever it is today, which is I see oneness, oneness all over the world. That is all that I see is oneness. Anyway I want to thank you all for your love given to my parents, Rose and Sam and sharing that you have done, and just a deep thanks, and to my father who I love so very much, ninety years. I am looking forward to the next ninety years. [Unintelligible 21:10] Thanks to all of you for your love.

Devotee: I have to go back to when I was just a very little girl. My father would often read stories to me and my little brother from the bible. And God was mentioned all the time, and I would say. “Papa, who is God?” And he would say, “He is up there,” and I said, “Well what does he look like?” I would whisper because I thought he was listening, and my father said, “You can’t see him, but he sees you.” But then, at that time I was even drawing pictures. I am still doing it, but I would draw pictures of different people, thinking this is what God looked like, and I would be a man with a long face, a man with a beard, man without a beard, and with black hair, whatever, but it was always somebody, and I always thought of him as a man. And so, as years passed, and we did become involved in Krishna consciousness, and I took my parents to the temple. I prepared them for removing the shoes, and so forth, and they were in awe at the building. They came into the door of the temple. My father looked Krishna for the deities, and that he cried, and said, “This is so beautiful, this is who God is.” My father found God, and his picture was there for me.

Well I really must thank Lila Shakti for bringing us into his fold, but I came to this age already, and I am eighty-four. It is a big number. I was afraid of death as a child. Mostly because I was afraid of leaving this earthly substance, saying the people that I grew up in the family, and so forth. I was afraid of death, but my involvement in Krishna consciousness made me grow, and I realized that, leaving this body will be wonderful. It will be wonderful. I will not be. . . I will be transported, I am sure, to another place. So death isn’t so bad, but just be getting rid of this old body, and something glorious will come for me. I will perhaps one day see my children in another form, another way, but mostly it will be in heaven with Krishna. That is my story.

Devotee: I will say something. My name is Mary, and I am married into this family, and I feel that every experience that we have is a spiritual experience, and I feel that every moment of every day, whether it is this lifetime or our past lifetimes, or whatever, is an opportunity for awareness, and for growth. And I am just learning how, every moment of every day to be grateful for no matter what happens, because I feel that whatever this moment presents to us is the next step. So I am grateful for this moment, and I am grateful for all of you, and I am grateful for Sam and Rose, and hooray.

Devotee: Well that is for myself. I was born into this family. I get so much [Unintelligible 26:26] and I also feel that the devotees are warm, they are nice, they enjoy seeing me when I come, and this is what brings me here. I want to be with you, and enjoy myself, and I certainly do. Thank you very much, all of you.

Devotee: We love you.

Devotee: I love you all.

Devotee: I was planning to make a speech for the one hundredth birthday, so I didn’t prepare for this one. I could still say that I also met Sam and Rose in Ohio, and some of you know Ohio. They were probably the youngest couple in Ohio. Most people are in their hundred and twenty, hundred and fifty. You move from somewhere else to Ohio, so that doesn’t count. And I remember, and I knew who they were immediately, because I remember the friends of Lord Krishna program. That was so important that parents with children that had joined the movement, they didn’t have any clue of what their children were doing. And since they were so open, and so nosy, actually they just follow Lila Shakti all the way to the temple. So they actually cared to know what Krishna consciousness was about, and also took it a step further, and explain it to the parents of other children who had joined the movement. And also I knew, as they told me, that some had worked in the in the BBT warehouse for quite a while. So these are old souls actually, they are not new. They have been doing service for a long time, and I am just very happy to see them, and I also have a story of being tired, and being picked up.

As a matter of fact my wife and I for some unknown reason decided to pick up our bikes, and use them, which was kind of unusual. I would use my bike to go to the radio station three blocks away once a week, and that was all the use the bike got. We had two so we decided, let’s go to the post office. We had to go, and go to the health food store, and the thrift shop. It was about a, I don’t know, three, three and a half mile ride. So we happily took off, and went there, and we realized by the time we got to the thrift shop that we were not going to be able to make it back, we were just too tired for that kind of a excursion. And we were thinking, What do we do? I don’t know, maybe I will try to go back. See if I can make it, and then bring the car, and then throw the bicycles in the car, or maybe we should call a taxi, or maybe.” And all of a sudden Rose and Sam showed up. They were there at the thrift shop, looking for probably a used sewing machines. Exactly, and fortunately for us, they didn’t find any, so our bicycles actually fit into the trunk of the car, and they brought us back. And ever since, I will say that in this particular congregation of the devotees, we all have our ups and downs. We sometimes can help, sometimes may know of host programs or go to programs et cetera et cetera, but I would say if I had to choose the most stalwart of them all is, I think they are Rose and Sam.

They are always ready. They always go to every program, they always are ready to help in any way, and bring food, and whatever it takes. So I am very actually touched, and happy to I have met them, and they will. . . I am not going to talk about old age, because they are going to both outlive us. They will be pretty obvious, we all have changed since we met them, and they haven’t. They haven’t changed a bit, and as Rose discovered that she was a year younger than she thought. We find out that Sam is only sixty-five. So we don’t know. In any case, I am very thankful, and I am very happy to know them both. Hare Krishna

Devotee: I think we all feel that way very grateful.

Devotee: You know, this has touched my entire family, and my mother she laid dying, was surrounded by devotees who chanted until her death. Very nice, and then the greatest of all was having then, Prabhupada; when he encouraged me to write, and keep in touch with other families of devotees, so that I could impart my, [Unintelligible 32:00] and I have the letters from him to prove that. It was wonderful for me, and had encouraged it. In fact, the very first time I got maybe fifty or seventy-five parents to come to the first luncheon at the temple, I was so overwhelmed, and as I prepared to speak to everybody, all I did was cry. But they understood, and the devotees came back to their families, and the families came to them, and from then on it began, and there were more, and more families coming every Sunday. So I think that helped. Then Sam worked at the BBT for many years, got a lot of service, I must say a lot of service for many years.

Devotee: And this was after I left New Dvaraka and I was in different temples. They were still going; they had their connection, and they were on their spiritual path just going along, just building that spiritual bank account, and doing service.

Devotee: Sweet. You are very famous in New Dvaraka. I remember twenty years ago when I came, it was before I ever met you, and you were well know [Unintelligible 33:50], when I met you again in Ohio and here, it is true, you hadn’t changed. But the one thing that I wanted to say to you Sam, for your birthday that I most appreciate is that, it seems that every time I meet you, you have such a positive spirit, and an energy. That it is always like a gift just to say hello, and get that smile, and it is without very many words you have a very affirming way of encouraging all of us. And so we look to both of you as our senior devotees that are inspiring to us. Thank you.

Devotee: Actually [Unintelligible 34:37] Rose and Sam. So they symbolize everyone’s parent, otherwise, you show for instance, the devotee when they join the movement, especially in this culture, parents are generally, because they are coming from a different cultural background, and regards to religion, they have a negative feeling, or antagonistic feelings sometimes. But of course devotees always wish that their parents could come, and participate, and actually, because as devotees we understand that there is nothing higher than Krishna conception.

So to see that Rose and Sam, if you show them respect, and you appreciate them, and you see their presence, it reinforces that feeling, that giving that respect to having the parents come of the devotees. So I remember when I came here to meet, and of course I was in Los Angeles when Rose and Sam were there, and they were ubiquitous. They were everywhere doing all kinds of service. And then I left Los Angeles, and was gone like Lila, traveling from different places about twenty years, and when I came to Santa Barbara to see Maharaja, and he asked Tilak and I, “Oh, do you know Rose and Sam?” It was such, “Oh yes, we know Rose and Sam.” And he told us that story how he was on that walk, and met them. So we went over that afternoon. It was very very sweet like a reunion. So we hope that Sam and Rose will be with us for many, many, many more lives.

Devotee: I would like to say that both Lila Shakti and Rose and Sam and their children have always been in my life as a devotee for close to thirty-two years, and for that I am very grateful. And they have been a great inspiration, and support system, and just so much love. And I can call Rose anytime if I am tearful about the material world, and she always encourages me in Krishna consciousness, and through my children growing up, and in ways that my mother. . . I love my mother dearly but, and with the understanding that Rose has of Krishna consciousness, and Rose, and Sam it has helped me to understand many things. So I feel so blessed. Thank you.

Devotee: This is the devotee from Los Angeles that takes such good care of you. I had no idea.

Devotee: We got way back.

Devotee: I know. Thank you.

Devotee: Thank you. This woman takes such good care of my parents when they go to New Dvaraka. If there is a huge long line, and my parents are at the back waiting for prasāda; oh, she has connections in high places, she is a good person to know from the sounds of things.

Devotee: Well I would like to say that I appreciate you and Sam. I came in November 1976, and I think I met you in 1977, and I appreciate the two of you have always been consistent. I have never seen you with a frown on your face, no matter what is going on around you, or all the times that come to you freaking out about something. But they are always encouraging just always, just keep chatting Hare Krishna, and appreciate how you would tell us to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada. And I know that you are two separate entities, but I always see you as one, and I appreciate you setting the example for grihastha couples. That you stay if you can stay, if you can’t, marriages no divorcing so my husband and I appreciate that example that you have shown us. This helped us to stay good strong in our Krishna consciousness, and in the grihastha ashram because it is not an easy ashram to be in. It is the worst, but we do appreciate you encouraging us, and helping us to stay fixed on the goal. And also I think you helped us with the folk program, but it wasn’t when we originally started the folk, remember folk program? I remember you helped us get that program.

Devotee: There were many more parents coming.

Devotee: Yes, we made a lot of devotees from that program, and that was all because of you, and Sam of course.

Devotee: Not me, I think they were just attracted by Krishna.

Devotee: Well I think it was your preaching that did, both of your preaching.

Devotee: What these people are doing.

Devotee: Actually devotional service is so attractive that Krishna himself wants to take that position, yes as Lord Chaitanya.

Devotee: I would also like to say something to Sam and Rose. I thank you for being my West Coast parents, because my parents are on the East Coast, and I couldn’t possibly even begin to talk about my spiritual life with my mother unfortunately, because she thinks I am a little crazy, and she thinks I am a moany for some reason. When I talk about Krishna she thinks [Unintelligible 41:10] is connected, I don’t understand. So if I am going through any trials and tribulations I can’t share it with anyone, and I have always been able to talk to Rose. I have had lots of conversations with Rose, and with Sam I feel you don’t need to talk to Sam, you just look at Sam, and he seems to be, there is a gentleness and a sweetness, and a kindness about you that just you are emanating, from your aura, and it is very comforting.

Devotee: That shows that I love you.

Devotee: Thank you. And so I know I am just repeating what others have already said, but it is really nice to have Rose and Sam as an example. And I cannot get over Rose and Sam, your energy. When I don’t feel like getting out of my nightgown, and doing anything you are up and out on every single day. You are always doing something, and you are always participating in the programs, and you never miss. . . it is just remarkable; your stamina, and your devotion. And I thank you both for your example, really. Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Everything about Sam and Rose is so amazing, because how much have you been married?

Devotee: Sixty-four years.

Devotee: Sixty-four years; and then you were popping together for a few years before that?

Devotee: Sure.

Devotee: Yes, it is like, “Wow,” and you have set such a wonderful example for us, because it is very evident that you both enjoy each other’s company very much, you love each other very much. You have the topmost admiration and respect for each other. And we see that in what better example it is just so amazing, and it is so wonderful. Yes, and just to have, Barbara would say, that aura of contentment, and happiness, and just being satisfied, and having love in your life. And you just give that so freely to everyone else. Anyone who comes in contact with you feels that same; what you two are experiencing in your relationship that spreads out to everyone who comes in contact with you, and that is so beautiful. And it is so true that you are really old souls here on this planet, because the degree, and so quickly how you took to Krishna consciousness, and in the guise of being good parents, and checking up on your daughter that damn. It just happened just as quickly.

It is just a wonderful story, and it is very wonderful, and I too feel very blessed to know you, and to have your association, and just thank you for gracing us with your presence. And I feel so fortunate to be living in this area, because you are here. So thank you. Hare Krishna.

Devotee: I have a small story to confirm what [Unintelligible 45:02] said. Not long ago this year Sam and Rose met in a small car accident. It was not a big thing. Fortunately, what happened was that they were devotees around that night, and we went to meet them at the site to attend to them. What I saw was the affection that Sam had for Rose; it was amazing. For example, the police officer was asking Sam, “Are you all right sir?” He would say, “I am fine, but I am worried about her.” Similarly, the paramedics also ask him that question, and he said, “I am fine, but I am worried about her.” Yes, and even that continued when by the arrangement of Giriraj Swami, I was asked to go to be with you all at the hospital at night, and stayed with you all, Sam refused to go into any examination.

He wanted Rose to go, he was always caring for Rose. He told the nurse, “No she has to be attended first, I am okay, I am more worried about her.” So that was quite amazing to see that he was very concerned, and very caring towards Rose, all throughout the time when we were at the hospital. Rose would ask, “Is Sam all right?” I will tell Rose, “Yes, he is okay.” And Sam would always say, “Yes, I am fine, I am just concerned about you, whether you get better or not, how is your treatment.” So [Unintelligible 46:49] was correct to say they have been two very loving couples, and I witnessed it that night

Devotee: And you were very kind to stay with us until 2:30 in the morning, yes.

Devotee: Thank you, that was the arrangement of Giriraj Swami and the devotees,

Devotee: And you all so perceptive to see that relationship that they have. That my mother has manifested that on a material level, because have you ever noticed that she has a permanent [Unintelligible 47:20] on her forehead which symbolizes chastity and devotion to grihastha experience. She was born with it.

Devotee: I wanted to share something about Rose and Sam. About a year ago they very kindly opened up their house to myself, and another brahmachari. We are traveling through distributing books, and when we went to park Sam showed me the parking spot. He actually went with me, and walked me to the spot, and walked back with me, and I was walking a little bit fast, and Sam was trying to keep up, and because of that once he came into the house he was a little short of breath, and he sat on the chair. And all of a sudden he started having some heart problems, and seemingly a seizure or something like that. And I was the only one that saw it.

I was very scared what to do, and I went to Rose, and they said we should call the hospital. And Rose very quickly did that, but then she came right in to see Sam, and I was just standing there not knowing what to do, and Rose looked at me, and she said, “Chant to him” and so we did, we chanted. And the paramedics came, and eventually everything was okay, but it was really striking to see how Rose reminded me, to show that actually that she is the real devotee, to understand, to remember Krishna at that time, and like they were mentioning, that afterwards Sam was just saying, “I am fine,” and he didn’t even mention it practically the next day.

Devotee: He had a rest for about five minutes

Devotee: Right, didn’t need it, he didn’t even need to go to the hospital. So anyway I just wanted to share that about Rose and Sam.

Devotee: It wasn’t five minutes.

Devotee: Just because this is Sam’s birthday party, and he likes to eat early, we are going to keep the schedule a little tight if someone else would like to add anything they are welcome to, or they are welcome to talk to Sam while he is eating. That is also possible.