Rajani-Priya Dasi’s Initiation

Indradyumna Swami: I was just typing a little message in case you didn’t call because I have to give a little toxin for my main stature here but I’m glad that we met, thank you!

Giriraj Swami: Okay, can you put your picture on? I mean, you are live.

Indradyumna Swami: Yeah, hold on! There you go. From the Baltic Sea coast high. We are doing our, I think it’s our forty-first festival of the summer. Now we’ve got about four more to go and it’s about 8:30 at night and we got a big crowd of about four thousand people out there. And I am scheduled to give a talk and a little bit so I could say a few words to our beloved Rose on this very auspicious day.

Shall I say a little something now, Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: Yes.

Indradyumna Swami: Well, Rose, you remember last year or maybe it was two years ago, I can’t remember, myself and Giriraj Maharaja were visiting your home. We were having a delightful time in your quaint little home there that’s always so neat and tidy and clean. And we had some tea, and we had some sweets, and it was very nice. We were discussing about Srila Prabhupada. You were sharing your memories of Srila Prabhupada with all of us, and somehow, rather the subject matter, the possibility of you taking initiation came up. You remember that? And at that time, you had some reservations for whatever reasons. You were just very humble. I think you didn’t feel qualified. But in my heart, I was just praying you would say yes, that you would take initiation from His Holiness Giriraj Swami.

It didn’t happen at that time, but I know I had a very strong desire that you would do so because I’ve always felt that you’ve been very much part of the Hare Krishna movement historically, and the service you’ve done and you have had so many wonderful exchanges with Srila Prabhupada, and I could tell that when you were sharing those with us, they were very deep attachments.

So, when Maharaja called me a couple days ago and said that you had discussed with him again initiation and you had agreed to it, I was just overjoyed, I’ve been so excited. I just couldn’t wait for the moment to tell you how happy I am that you are entering into our Brahma-Madhva-Gauḍīya-sampradāya, but more so, that you’ll be a part of Srila Prabhupada’s family, actually, eternally. I was remembering a lecture Prabhupada gave where he said that this initiation ceremony, he says deathlessness begins at the moment of initiation because it grants us eternal life in Krishna consciousness.

We often say janme janme prabhu sei, “My spiritual master and the previous teachers, acharyas, they are my masters birth after birth.” So, Krishna is always arranging once we take initiation, Krishna takes the personal interest in our lives and guides us till we make it back home, back to Godhead. So, I feel today you are going to be very safe and secure with Srila Prabhupada’s family, with the wonderful guide, a wonderful spiritual master, Giriraj Swami. He is blessing you with this chanting of Hare Krishna.

Prabhupada used to say that the chanting is always beneficial even if one just chants in jest, and the holy name is so merciful, it’s none different than the Lord. And Krishna is always full of compassion for the fallen souls, that if someone chants, even if it’s just mimicking the devotees and they are chanting the holy name, it’s so powerful that volumes of sinful reactions are destroyed in the heart. And if one takes to the chanting seriously, gradually, the material desires are also uprooted. But to get the goal of the chanting, to get the goal of the process of Krishna consciousness, which is kṛṣṇa-prema, we have to receive the mantra from a bona fide spiritual master in disciplic succession. So, that’s happening to you today.

So, this is your spiritual birth. I can just imagine that in your ninety-five years, you’ve had a number of birthday celebrations. Of course, as you get older, you probably don’t observe them so much anymore that people have been wishing you well on your birthday, ninety-five birthdays, but this is the real birth, this is the spiritual birth. So, when people ask you how old you are starting tomorrow, you don’t have to say ninety-five, you can say one day old. This is an eternal blessing, we carry it with us forever.

I remember one time when Prabhupada was present with us, one of my godsisters took initiation and Prabhupada gave her the name Suka Sajari, and he chanted on her beads and she was very attached to those beads, those chocolate beads that she had. But unfortunately, she left them on a bus one day in Detroit, Michigan. She wrote to Prabhupada, asking if he could chant on another set of beads for her, which Prabhupada very mercifully did. He was still doing that. But he added a little note. He said, “I have chanted on those beads.” He said, “But these beads, those beads, it’s not that important.” He said, “Once you take initiation into the chanting of Hare Krishna, it’s an eternal blessing.”

So, you are getting an eternal blessing today, and we are all very, very happy for you. Especially me because I’m very attached to you. I love you very much. I always like to come over to your home there. I’m looking forward to coming there again. It very much reminds me of when I was a young boy, I used to go to my grandmother’s house, and it was just like your house. Just going nice and eating, we had cookies and little donuts and whatever. And now I’m happy that everything’s perfectly complete in your life and you are taking initiation from one of Prabhupada’s dear most sons.

I think that’s another blessing that you are taking initiation, and you are taking initiation from someone who’s so dear to Srila Prabhupada. And as he is dear to Srila Prabhupada and you are dear to him, you will also become even more dear to Srila Prabhupada. He is just very dear to you. So, everything’s perfect and complete and I’m very happy I could say a few words of encouragement to you.

Please take this chanting as your life and soul. Whatever you want to achieve in Krishna consciousness comes by the blessings of chanting. Whatever bad things in our heart go away very quickly, and again, those desires are dissipated, and then our love for Krishna blossoms very quickly. So, this is Krishna’s special grace on you that you can take initiation today from Giriraj Swami and become Srila Prabhupada’s granddaughter. People see you as a grandma. Now you are only one day old, you are a granddaughter.

Thank you very much and all the best, whatever blessings I have, I give them all to you and wish you all success in your progressive spiritual path. And I hope to see you in person again very soon and come home again. And have some tarts and donuts and tea and you can talk about Srila Prabhupada with Giriraj Swami again. Okay! Tomorrow, if I’ve got a few minutes, I’ll just come to watch.

Giriraj Swami: Okay, Rose wants to say something to you.

Rose: [Unintelligible 00:09:34] Thank you! Thank you for the compliments in my life. It was a great pleasure in my life to [Unintelligible].  

Devotee: Wow, okay, look at the pictures. [Applause] [Laughter] [Unintelligible 00:10:47]

Rose: I look forward to another visit if I can last that long. Okay! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: So, Maharaja?

Indradyumna Swami: Yes?

Giriraj Swami: How much time do you have?

Indradyumna Swami: Well, I’m just going to kind of maybe two—three minutes.

Giriraj Swami: All right, because Ṛtadhvaja Swami also wanted to say some things on Skype, but then again, maybe it’s good if you are here when I give her her beads. But he may also not take long.

Indradyumna Swami: Okay, I definitely want to see this and hear this and witness this historic occasion. And Srila Prabhupada’s family, that his granddaughter, spiritual granddaughter is going to come so close to him by your mercy.

Giriraj Swami: All right! So, we’ll do that now. And then, Ṛtadhvaja Swami can speak after that.

Indradyumna Swami: Okay.

Rose: I look forward to another visit.

Giriraj Swami: Rose says she looks forward to another visit from you.

Indradyumna Swami: I think she is going to outlive me. She’ll probably live to be about a hundred and twenty or something. I’ll definitely come.

Giriraj Swami: So, Rose, Hare Krishna.

Rose: Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: So, there is a certain format to the taking of vows, and receiving of the beads and the new name. So, to begin, Srila Prabhupada would ask the new initiates, “How many rounds?” So generally, the standard was sixteen rounds, but what I understand from you is you are going to chant and chant and chant as much as you can.

Rose: Yes, that’s right.

Giriraj Swami: And then he would ask, “What are the four principles?” And you know them; no eating meat, fish, or eggs. No taking of intoxicants including coffee, tea, and cigarettes, no question, but just for the formality. And no gambling, which again is out of the question. And then the fourth one is so out of the question that I don’t think we even need to say it, but there is a fourth one. No, it’s not even worth mentioning in this August Assembly.

So, basically, you agree?

Rose: Yes, I do.

Giriraj Swami: So now, you have your old beads, which you are going to keep, but these are your new beads, initiation beads. Oh yes, we have to put your tulasi neck beads on. One of the initiated devotees will. . .

Giriraj Swami:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

And now, we each get a flower garland.

Devotees: [Unintelligible 00:17:00].

Giriraj Swami: So, yes, roses for Rose. So, on behalf of Srila Prabhupada and the guru-paramparā, I’m pleased to accept you as a duly initiated disciple in the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradāya. And hence forward, you shall be known by the name Rajani Priya dasi.

Rose is like a mother to so many devotees that sometimes she is called ISKCON’s mother.

Rajani Priya dasi: And grandmother.

Giriraj Swami: And grandmother.

Rajani Priya dasi: And grandchild now.

Giriraj Swami: And Rajani was the name of Srila Prabhupada’s mother. Her name was Rajani. And Rajani is also a name of Durga, who is an expansion of Radharani.

Rajani Priya dasi: Dvaraka?

Giriraj Swami: Durga. She is an expansion of Srimati Radharani. And she is also considered the mother of the material world.

Rajani Priya dasi: I have a sister by the name of Durga, my oldest sister.

Giriraj Swami: Really? Okay. And Priya means one who is dear to. It means dear or one who is dear to. And so, Rajani Priya means one who is dear to Rajani, which could be the original Rajani Durga, or to Srila Prabhupada’s mother Rajani. And dasi—servant of. So, we thought this would be a very appropriate thing for you. And also, Rose begins with ‘R,’ and Rajani Priya begins with ‘R.’

Rajani Priya devi dasi ki jaya!

Rajani Priya dasi: I’ll have to remember how to say it.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah. Well, people will remind you because they’ll be calling you that.

All right, Maharaja, shall we add Ṛtadhvaja Swami now?

Indradyumna Swami: Yes, that will be wonderful! You can give us his blessings.

Giriraj Swami: Okay. So, we do a plus, right? Why isn’t it making the sound?

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Hare Krishna, Niranjana Swami.

Rajani Priya dasi: Haribol!

Giriraj Swami: Please accept my humble obeisances. Well, this is so amazing, you phoned right in the middle of Rose Forkash’s initiation ceremony and His Holiness Indradyumna Swami is on Skype. And he just gave a little talk, and then suddenly, you phoned right in the midst of the ceremony. We just gave her her name, Rajani Priya. Rajani was Prabhupada’s mother’s name and the name of Durga, a universal mother. So, there are about twenty devotees in the temple room or whatever, and so that’s why everyone was so excited that you phoned right at that moment. Would you like to say a few words?

All right, let me put you on speaker.

Niranjana Swami: I didn’t expect this at all, but I would like to say, without any reservation whatsoever, how happy I am today to hear that Rajani Priya devi dasi has taken the initiation.

Devotee: Haribol! Haribol!

Niranjana Swami: I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s a fruit of all of her service to Srila Prabhupada, and it’s the fruit of her association with devotees, and it’s a blessing, it’s a complete blessing to have received initiation from His Holiness Giriraj Maharaja who’s I am  completely convinced, 100 percent her well-wisher. And it will fulfill everything required to see that Rajani Priya devi dasi is only successful in this life in Krishna consciousness.

Devotees: Haribol!

Giriraj Swami: Well, thank you so much, Maharaja!

Niranjana Swami: What was that? You still there?

Giriraj Swami: Yes, I am.

Niranjana Swami: I just didn’t know who I was talking to right now. I should probably let you get back to the ceremony and satisfy all the other devotees who are also here and have their association.

Giriraj Swami: Well, it’s so much ecstasy from what’s happening and from Indradyumna Swami’s association, and now your association. It just couldn’t be better. I think it’s Prabhupada’s mercy. It’s all Prabhupada’s mercy.

Niranjana Swami: Wow!

Rajani Priya dasi: Hare Krishna!

Niranjana Swami: Hare Krishna!

Rajani Priya dasi: I wish you were here, too.

Niranjana Swami: I would love to come there. What can I say? But I’m here.

Rajani Priya dasi: Okay, thank you! If you come this way again, I’ll have some more strudel for you.

Niranjana Swami: Thank you so much! I guess we are going to have to arrange the ticket immediately.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, Rose’s famous Hungarian strudel - I found out for the first time three days ago that she actually gave some to Srila Prabhupada. And when he ate it, he opened his eyes very wide. [Laughter] Yeah, she shared many wonderful anecdotes from her times with Srila Prabhupada, which I’d never heard before.

Niranjana Swami: Did you record it?

Giriraj Swami: I did record at her house. Yes, I did record them.

Niranjana Swami: I guess there is going to be material for a new book.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, so many books, so many books. Well, I guess I’ll let you go then. I mean, it’s wonderful.

Niranjana Swami: Is there anything else that you need to speak to me for? [Unintelligible] I should call some other time.

Giriraj Swami: It would be nice, it would be nice. Yeah, when it’s convenient to you.

Niranjana Swami: Okay.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah.

Niranjana Swami: I’m in Bologna for a few more days, and then I’ll go back to Ukraine for the festival. So, it’ll be probably best to speak to you before I leave to Ukraine, if it’s possible.

Giriraj Swami: Oh yeah, sure, sure. I mean, it’s a top priority for me to speak with you. It was just wonderful timing at this moment.

Niranjana Swami: I’m really glad but I guess there is only Krishna, or what else could it be? Who else could it be?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah.

Niranjana Swami: But I’ll call in other time also.

Giriraj Swami: All right.

Niranjana Swami: Hare Krishna Maharaja! All glories to assembled devotees.

Devotees: Haribol! Jaya!

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna. I am going to just try to phone Ṛtadhvaja Swami, I don’t know. Maharaja?

Indradyumna Swami: Yes?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Indradyumna Swami: Maharaja, what’s next?

Giriraj Swami: Oh yeah, I was just going to ask. Oh, are you asking me? Maharaja?

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

He’s not responding. Yeah. [Chanting]

So, Rose, I’ll just explain a little about the principal of paramparā. Paramparā means literally one after the other. And so, you’ve heard Maharaja mention the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradāya.

That means the original guru is Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He imparts the Vedic knowledge to His direct disciple. He had several direct disciples, but one of them is Lord Brahma. The first created being, Lord Brahma, he received the Vedic knowledge directly from Krishna, and then he in turn imparted that knowledge to his son and disciple, Narada, and Narada imparted the Vedic knowledge or instructed the Vedic knowledge to his disciple, Veda Vyasa, who compiled the Vedic literature, and then he imparted it to Madhvacharya. He is one of the great acharyas in our line. And like that, it came through one after the other to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and then from Him to His disciples, direct disciples; Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, and others. And then from them, down the line, to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and then our Srila Prabhupada. And Srila Prabhupada’s disciples are continuing.

So, by this ceremony, you have been connected with that line, officially connected with that line. And so, the knowledge you get and the instructions that you get are coming from Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Krishna Chaitanya, through this line. And similarly, the service that you render is conveyed in the same way, through your immediate link to the paramparā. And then through us, it’s passed on to Srila Prabhupada, and then he passes it on to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, then he passes it on to his Guru Maharaja, Srila Gaurakishora dasa Babaji Maharaja, then Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, then all the way back to Krishna.

So, it’s a very sacred occasion, very fortunate one. It is said that the chances of becoming connected with a bona fide spiritual master are like a turtle in the ocean, and in that ocean, there is a board, and in that board, there is a hole. So, what are the chances of a turtle in the ocean happening to come up through that hole onto that board or raft? So, it’s very fortunate, very fortunate. And with whatever time you have left, you should use every moment possible to serve Krishna, think of Krishna by chanting, reading books about Krishna, and telling others about Krishna.

I was very glad to hear how many people you are encouraging to chant Hare Krishna in your housing area. And even when you go out, you meet people and tell them to chant Hare Krishna. You have your homeless group near the Carpinteria beach who are chanting. So, this is very pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when we encourage and induce others to chant Hare Krishna.

So, I think I’ll just. . . I mean, there are so many. Like I mentioned, we’ll have to print them and make a little scrapbook for you with all the good wishes that different devotees sent to you. But one devotee who really wanted to come but couldn’t make it is Jagadambika. So, I will read what she wrote. She wrote it to me, and afterwards, I told her that I would read it to you, and I won’t read it all.

“I am beyond happy that you are doing this. Your kindness and concern for every devotee’s welfare is amazing. Finally, my life is complete. What a long overdue initiation.

You are the one who’s always been there for her all these years. She is a very special soul. Mother Rose has been a mother to so many of us. I am very fond of her and eternally indebted to her and her late husband, Sam. I started crying in happiness when I read that you were giving Rose initiation. Mother Rose is not just Leela Shakti devi dasi’s mother, but all of our mother. I am eternally indebted to her. She has no idea how much I adore, love, and appreciate her for what she has done for me.

I will not be able to make it, but I will be there in spirit. I hope someone will record the ceremony so I can see Mother Rose who I love dearly, take this important step in her spiritual life. Thank you for linking her formally to Srila Prabhupada, Lord Chaitanya, and Lord Krishna. Please also pray for me. Jagadambika devi dasi.”

And then there were some small ones from devotees who don’t maybe know you that well, but still, because they are Prabhupada’s disciples. This one is from Gaj. I don’t know if it’s Gajapati. He said, “This is wonderful news. May all bless her. My mother passed away at the age of eighty-nine, and I found among her life’s letters that she saved several from Rose Forkash in 1977 and 78 when I joined the devotees.”

Then there is one from. . . I forgot her name. She is in Hawaii. Her son is Ragunatha.

Devotee: Jagadatri!

Giriraj Swami: Jagadatri.

“Maharaja! Please, please convey my love to Rose. She was so wonderful when I was doing the folk program in New Dwarka, giving me tips on how we had to offer something to get these people involved as members. She helped me with the newsletters, the events, and so on. What a special, special soul!”

And this one is from Tejas dasa. I don’t know if you know him, but you might. He has been here a couple of times. He is Prabhupada’s disciple, very early disciple.

“Oh my Goodness! So nice. You are fortunate to have such a sincere disciple. And she is so fortunate to be connected to Srila Prabhupada by one of his nicest disciples. I met her a long back, and she was already a Krishna angel.”

So, would you like to say anything? I think it would be nice.

Rajani Priya dasi: Hare Krishna. Thank you for all the wonderful wishes. For as many years since I’ve been in the movement and so many wonderful things have occurred in my life, this is one of the wonderful things in my life. This is one of the wonderful things. It was a great pleasure that I joined the movement when I did. My parents were very pleased, extremely pleased that they went to join the movement themselves. Unfortunately, they were one of few people. But I’ve made a great impression on my parents and my life has been blessed with this, and for this, and for all my friends, my two sons, my love and devotion will always be here. Thank you!

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna. One of your sons is right here. I think we can just have a little kirtan now and have a nice prasāda.

Rajani Priya dasi: I have the beads that you gave me about twenty years ago.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, maybe you can pass them on.

Rajani Priya dasi: I think I’m inclined to almost add that to the new beads. All day and all night. I’ll chant as much as I can, thank you.

Devotee: Can we go around and say something?

Giriraj Swami: Yes, excellent.

Devotee: I am so honored and pleased to be here, Rose, for your initiation. It’s the perfection of life. You’ve had such a wonderful life in Krishna consciousness. And all the love that you have given out and all the love that you receive is just phenomenal. Everybody sends you love from all over the world, all the time. You just mean so much to us and you are a person that I don’t know how you do it, but you just sneak into everyone’s heart. And you lodge yourself there and become such an important person. There are so many people.

I just love you so much, and I’m really glad that I have your association, and I’ve come to know you and observe you. I didn’t know you in Los Angeles. I was off in other parts of the world, but it means so much to me to know you and be one of the persons that you love. And you are my mother. Love you dearly.

Giriraj Swami, thank you so much for this blessed event and initiation to our dear one. Thank you, and I can’t think of a better person to do that because she certainly has mothered you.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, she has, she has.

Devotee: And now she is your daughter. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Hare Krishna. Very happy to be here with you today. I was preaching to a devotee the other day. I was realizing that we all come to Krishna consciousness because the devotee is kind. We get the mercy of the devotee, and that’s how we ultimately get the mercy of Krishna. And you’ve been such a devotee for me. Always be kind, always encourage me, and I’m very grateful for that. And I think your name is very appropriate because you have that loving mood, which I haven’t always had in my life. But I appreciate you being my mother for me. I think that somehow, it’s Krishna’s plan for you to take this step now, so that wherever the future goes, you will have that strong connection with your eternal spiritual family, because we are your family. We’ve always been very happy to be your family. And we are more happy now that it’s eternally solidified. I don’t have blessings to offer, but just gratitude for you and gratitude for our Guru Maharaja. Hare Krishna.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: I don’t know where I fit in this, but I want to say so much. That you’ve all been very, very deep friends of my mothers, and I’ll always carry that in my heart as well, and I know how much this means to her to receive your obeisances and become an adept in this, and I wish for many more years that you can all share each other’s company. Because we all love you. Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Hare Krishna, Rose! I see you a few times when there is celebration here and I’m a car salesman.

And I did ask my guru, Tamal Krishna Goswami, what’s the difference between serving before initiation and after initiation. So, he gives me a situation where the difference is that when you are not initiated, it’s like a test drive of a car. You are getting the benefits of driving the car, you enjoy it, you go around, and it’s actually cool.

But when you get initiated, you sign the contract. And the company, all the way straight, not only the sport right now on the test drive; all the salesmen, the general manager knows you. But when you sign that contract, the company, the car company all the way if it’s Toyota—the car company gets to know you. You are officially acknowledged by the head company. And in this situation, the spiritual head company straight from the spiritual world acknowledges you. You had a long test drive. Now it’s a done deal. Congratulations!

Devotee: Rose, I wish you love and beauty that surrounds you here. And that you give out and you receive more than anyone I know. You draw people into you because you love people and you are genuinely interested in people. And I really want to thank the community here for your love and support of Rose for all these years. And this is just a very, very special occasion. And Giriraj Swami, thank you for your devotion and your friendship and spiritual guidance for Rose and for everyone really in this room that is participating today. So, Rose, you are a mother to me as you are to everyone in this room. And those are the thoughts and sentiments that people have shared from all over the world with you. You are our mother, and we love you.

Devotee: I’d really like to thank you for being a spiritual grandmother that I never had. For always encouraging me to be in Krishna consciousness, and always supporting me in every decision I made, coming to my dance performances. And at every program, you would always give me so much love, and I’m so appreciable to that. I would really like to thank you and congratulations!

Devotee: Hare Krishna! The other day, when I was with Maharaja, and he came to visit you, and the whole scenario unfolded when you asked Maharaja about initiation. And I feel so honored that I could have been there at that moment because there was something magical happening right there on the porch of your house. And it was such a powerful experience that I feel honored to have witnessed it and to have been there. And, of course, what came about was a form of initiation today. And in your own life, you’ve been connected to Srila Prabhupada very well. [Unintelligible 01:01:50]

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna. Well, the devotees were going around and speaking, but we just noticed that you were available. But if you want, we can finish this and then get back to you in ten minutes, or are you free? Or, well, I don’t know what your text was going to say.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: I’m usually ninety-nine cents a minute, but I’ll go free for you today.

So, where is Rajani Priya dasi?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: I can see everyone, otherwise I can see a few.

Hare Krishna! We are all born in the darkness of ignorance and our spiritual master is opening our eyes at the torch light of knowledge and therefore, we offer a humble respectful obeisances in the dust of Prabhupada’s feet.

Very special day for many of us. I think I got a message from Rajani Priya. Is that correct?

Giriraj Swami: Yes.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: Yeah, okay. And I’m sure many people, I missed what everybody said. So, you may hear something again repeated. But Rajani Priya’s involvement in the Hare Krishna movement is very significant. She performed a service that was very essential at a time when a lot of pressure was being placed on us, our families. Because it was an unusual time. A lot of young people were joining and a lot of parents were wondering why. And Rajani Priya devi dasi started the folk program, ‘Friends of Lord Krishna,’ which was to help our parents understand what we were doing, why we were doing it. And as a mother, she was explaining that was okay for us to do it and helped our society tremendously.

And I was thinking this morning, and also, I think it was yesterday or the day before when I was speaking with Giriraj Swami, that this is a lifetime of service. So many, I mean, it’s decades. It’s got to be over forty years, over forty years. What year did you start ‘Folk’? It must have been 74–75, something like that. 73, yeah.

Giriraj Swami: Well, I’m figuring around 1970. I think it’s about forty-five years. Yeah, because her daughter, Leela, joined in 1968. Rose went down right after that, Rose and Sam.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: So, we are talking almost four and a half decades at least. This morning, I was thinking of that book, that first book in Līlāmṛta, A Lifetime in Preparation, and I was thinking of Rajana Priya, her lifetime of sevā, and she baked the cake, and now with Giriraj Swami and all the Vaishnavas there, they are putting the icing on the cake and finishing the offering to Srila Prabhupada. Wonderful day. Just seeing in the room, I feel like I’m there.

Anyway, it’s just for all of us who have parents with difficulty. Thank you, Rajani Priya, for doing what you did. And your assistance to show them in helping this movement in the early on all our struggles with those types of things. I’m sure that once the news gets out, which I assume it will be on ISKCON news and daṇḍavats and stuff like that. There will be many, many joyous souls giving you their best wishes and whatever they have to continue in your Krishna consciousness with much enthusiasm.

So, actually, I’ll tell the truth. I took lunch, and I was laying down with my computer on, my phone on, waiting for the call to happen. And nothing woke me up. Somebody even came into my room and dropped off three bags of books here. So, actually, I didn’t even hear anything. So, I apologize for that. I didn’t know I was going to fall asleep like that or that deep anyway, but at least I got a little moment with you. I do remember your every visit. I come to Carpinteria to see Giriraj Swami. We get a chance to visit, and I look forward to the next one when I see you as Rajini Priya devi dasi to be an initiated a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Can I listen to a few of you?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you. So, let’s go back to Rupa because what he was saying was really. . .

Rupa Goswami: Well, just on the day when we were sitting on the porch with you and the subject of the initiation came up, honestly, there was such a powerful moment then. When we were back in the car, and I said to Guru Maharaja, “I thought you were going to give her her name right there.” That’s how powerful the feeling was. And Guru Maharaja himself was saying that something very, very powerful happened there. Like I said, my ears are starting, I feel so blessed to have been there by Guru Maharaja’s mercy and by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. And by your mercy as well.

And every time I’ve met you, you are such a dear person. As the devotees have been saying, I can only echo the same sentiments, that you invoke such a feeling of love and respect. And you are such a special person. And no doubt all the service that you’ve done for Srila Prabhupada, how pleased he must be for you taking on that very, very difficult role on his behalf and on behalf of all the devotees. And there is no doubt that the devotees are so pleased with you.

So, this wonderful occasion that’s your connection to Srila Prabhupada and your connection to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This connection has been formalized. Of course, the connection has always been there, the connection has always been there, but now it’s formally recognized. And all of us are so happy to be here with you on this wonderful occasion. Thank you very much. And personally, I ask for your blessings that I may also perform some service that may attract the pleasure of my Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada. Thank you.

Giriraj Swami: Everyone is asking for Kunti. So, you can speak in the meantime.

Devotee: Hare Krishna! For the first time I encountered you, I always felt that I needed to get your blessings and well wishes and affection. Because somehow, it became very clear to me from the very first time that you were very dear to Srila Prabhupada, extremely dear to Srila Prabhupada. And I felt that anyone who gets your affection. There is some sound, I can’t hear.

Giriraj Swami: Okay, can you hear? I guess silence means agreement.

Devotee: Yeah, I was saying that I felt that I needed to get Rose’s affection because she was very dear to Prabhupada, and if we got her affection, then definitely, we would be blessed by Srila Prabhupada’s. So, thank you for all your kindness and affection. Sometimes you joke about your memory, and sometimes you apologize for not remembering others. But you do it in such a wonderful way that it doesn’t make us feel, She doesn’t remember me. We don’t feel bad about it because we know we are in your heart, and we pray to stay there forever. Because then, definitely, we’ll be in Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. Thank you for all your wonderful association.

Giriraj Swami: The first time I recall meeting Rose was at a program. And I was very impressed with her and Sam because they listened so attentively. And it was so unusual to see a couple of that generation in the audience, and then on top of it, they listened so attentively and enthusiastically. And then afterwards, I approached them, and we had some talk. And she told me that she lived in Carpinteria. But at that time, I wasn’t very clear about the geography and in my mind, I connected it with Ventura. So, whenever I would drive through Ventura, I would think, Oh, that’s where Rose and Sam live.

So then, one day, I moved here and I walked to the beach, and on the way back, it was really hot, and I was tired because I walked all the way to the beach, and then I took my walk at the beach. So, there was a florist shop, and I went in and I thought, Maybe I can use the phone. I thought I’d get some flowers for the ashram, and I thought they would just trust me. And I said, “I just moved down the street,” and they said, “We don’t do business like that here.”

So then, after that, I just thought, Okay, well. So, I was thinking, Boy, I wish someone would give me a ride. But then, I was thinking, This is America, people don’t just stop and give you a ride. So, I was really dreading that long walk in the heat from Podaro Floras back to the ashram here.

And suddenly, this car stopped and within my heart, I was hoping someone would stop and give me a lift. But I didn’t want to get my hopes up because I didn’t want to be disappointed, and I thought it’s impossible. But anyway, the car stopped, and it was Rose and Sam. The fulfillment of my desire, they invited me in the car, and I think. . . Did you take me to your house and show me where your house is? I think so. And then they dropped me off here. So, from the beginning of my stay here, they were helping and we developed that relationship from then.

And Rose really made friends with some devotees’ parents. Prahladananda Swami’s parents came to live in this area just to be near her. And she was very connected with Jayapataka Swami’s mother. And there is a letter from Srila Prabhupada to you in which he says how Jayapataka Swami’s mother came to India and had a good experience. And she can, I guess, help you with the other parents and help them to become more favorable.

And I mean, that last visit at your house on Sunday, I mean, the whole time, I was thinking, Wow, I have so far to go. Because you are so personal with everyone. You are so kind to everyone and just saying how so many of the neighbors are chanting, and how the homeless fellow has beads and he chants, and how once you came and you didn’t have your beads and he reprimanded you, “Wear your beads.” And there is a whole group. He got others along with him, and now there is a whole group who chant. So yeah, I think we should go down there once and meet that group.

Rajani Priya dasi: Yeah, they enjoy chanting.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah. Well, would you like to speak a little? I mean, Indradyumna Swami spoke so nicely. It’s totally amazing, it never happens. Niranjana Swami phoned me on my cell phone from Bologna. And it was just right at the perfect moment. So, I answered the phone and everyone just started laughing in ecstasy. And he said, “What’s going on there?” So then, I explained and I said, “Would you like to say some words to Rose?” And he spoke very nicely and she invited him to come back to her house and have strudel. And he said, “I should book my ticket immediately.” And now Ṛtadhvaja Swami is here.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: Is strudel part of the feast?

Giriraj Swami: It actually is, yeah.

Ṛtadhvaja Swami: Can you flip the camera so that I can see? Oh, thank you.

Disciple: Well, there has been so much glorification, a few rows, and I will concede what everyone said because I’m in full agreement. But I do want to just tell one story of something we went through together.

It’s that one night and [Unintelligible 01:22:07–01:22:15] and you asked me if I could go to your house, and I did. And when I got there, you were in total agony just holding on to your head. But what struck me was that you were chanting. You were just saying, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna.” You were really in pain, extreme.

So anyway, we rushed to the hospital. We went to the emergency room. They thought you had a stroke. In the end, it turned out it wasn’t a stroke, but the whole way in the car you were chanting, just chanting. All you did was just chant, chant, and then I realized that you were so ready to be with Krishna and to be with Srila Prabhupada, and it just gave me the understanding that Srila Prabhupada, for all that service you did to him and his devotees and the movement, he will be there for you.

And for me, it was just a confirmation from everything we already seen, we already knew that was really written in very big bold letters that when the time comes, when you are in times of distress and pain, you are calling out to Krishna. And anyway, they admitted you to the hospital and it wasn’t a stroke, but I forget what it was. They gave you medication, and Susan came, and you were just so full of love.

Susan and I talked about it afterwards, because especially, your children, Michael, Howard, and Leela, you just was so full of love for them. And you kept feeling how blessed you were to have these amazing children. And I thought that was just so wonderful that you just had this wonderful love for your children.

And you also have love for everyone, actually. You think of your neighbors and all of us. Even if we don’t always have time to visit you as much as we would like to, but I know you think of us and you love us, and we love you back just for that.

And that whole night while you were in the hospital, it was just a river of love that was flowing. I mean, Susan and I were there. And you were talking about your children. and you were ready to leave. You thought you maybe were leaving your body, and I thought whatever time you may have left or may not have left, in a way, it doesn’t matter because you’ve already passed all the tests. You are already there with Krishna and Prabhupada and the Vaishnavas, the devotees. And I feel myself very fortunate to have been with there with you that night. And let alone all the other times that we stayed together.

But I hope we can get lots, lots of your company and association and love and friendship. And I’m so happy that you are here just down the road, and that you are part of our lives. And I’ve heard something obviously said earlier that she doesn’t know how you do it, but you somehow creep into everybody’s hearts. I hope to just get a little bit of that quality that you have. Thank you very much, Rose, for everything you do for all of us. You are a wonderful example.

Giriraj Swami: Do you want to invite anyone who’s here?

Devotee: Well, I just think your example of being the mother, the friend, the wife, it’s all been very inspiring for me watching how you lived here in Carpinteria after so many years. First, when you were younger, and you were doing programs to stay connected and bring Krishna consciousness to others. I remember when I first moved here, you used to tell me how I used to have these amazing programs that two hundred people would come. And I didn’t know you very well at that time.

But I remember when I first joined, I saw you in Los Angeles, and I think that was in 1980, I think it was still going there, but it was another devotee that was helping you with. . . What was the name of her children, and for the kids, ‘Folk’? Yeah, folks. No, it was Jagadhatri. And I remember Jagadhatri introduced me to you so long ago. But she was explaining to me how you had created this for parents of the devotees. And when I joined, it was very difficult for my parents to accept. And I just remember appreciating what a nice service that was for so many devotees when they joined. At that time, it’s really difficult to explain to your parents. So, I remember taking that little leaflet home and to the temple that I joined in and just wishing that one day, my parents would accept, like you had.

So, back to your qualities of being a good mother, and then I got to actually see you in action with your husband when we first moved to Carpinteria. That was really amazing because you are so devoted to each other and always concerned for each other, and you would come to all the programs. And it’s such a good example for us, being young. I remember thinking, I hope I’m like that, how you were, supportive of the husband and vice versa.

And then, just then, the later stage of you just being very motherly. I remember we would come to programs and you would take such an interest in the children, and Radhika, you would come up to her and you would hug her and ask her how she is doing. Just that quality of just being concerned and not for yourself but others. Even though you were going through so much in your own personal life. As soon as you see everybody, you would feel like they were your family. And you kept saying that to me at one time, we are like a family.

So, I want to just appreciate who you are and such a good example for us. When we reach your age, we hope we’ll be remembering Krishna. When our body starts giving out. And also, there was one quality that really struck me last year, was when Maharaja came to your house, and you were so attached to him, and that you kind of knew he is the one who can really help you to Krishna. And I really liked that. I thought, Oh, she is just seen, because of all the service that you did. You are at the end of your life, you are attached to the sadhu, there is someone who will take you to Krishna. Thank you for being the example that we need. Hare Krishna.

Everyone: Hare Krishna!

Devotee: Rose, I forgot to mention, indirectly, I also want to thank Leela Shakti because I know that she acted as a guru to you in many ways, as a teacher. And she always guided you. And many times, I would come and visit you, and you said, “I’m thinking this and this, but Leela tells me, ‘Just forget it mom.’” She was guiding you so many ways and you were guiding her. And I just want to use this opportunity because I never really had a chance otherwise to acknowledge the role that she played in your life as a daughter, as a teacher. And she is also missed and remembered and loved by all of us.

Devotee: I just remembered one thing when you were talking at your house and it was during, I believe, one of the birthday parties that we had for you there. And we were all sitting at your long table and you were at one end, and Sam was at the other end. And we just felt like we are having one big family meal with our parents. It was so nice, and I was looking at you and Sam looking at each other, just full of love. And I posed the question to both of you, that you’ve been together for sixty-five years, I think it was, and so in love, and what was that secret to your marriage, to the relationship? And both you and Sam almost simultaneously looked at each other in the eye and just said, “Respect.” That you both respected each other so much.

And I was just thinking when I thought of that, and that’s you. You respect each and every one of us. You respect everyone you come in contact with - like these homeless and everything. You respect everyone. I mean, I’ve got chills saying that because unconsciously or consciously, you see the spirit, you see the spirit soul within all of us. You see who we really are. You don’t judge people by the outside. And you find that love in our hearts, and you connect with that. Thank you!

Giriraj Swami: I think it was, I forget the year, but Mukunda and Meera got married in a ceremony, very small ceremony, right out here. And you and Sam were there. One of the few people. And afterwards, you and Sam said that you liked the ceremony so much that the two of you were going to have a renewal of your marriage vows with a Vedic ceremony. And he was ninety then. And that mood was there.

And as far as her not seeing the bodily coverings but just seeing the soul within, I noticed that in relation to Radhe, that sometimes, well, you should have seen when, well, you did see one. Oh, yeah, when she arrived, Radhe went wild. But I could see that she was so tuned in to Radhe’s psychology, she knew what was on her mind, and it was really amazing, especially for someone that doesn’t even have pets, but just because of her respect and care for all living entities. She was saying, “I better give her some water to drink or some treat to eat.”

Radha Priya?

Radha Priya: Hare Krishna! [Unintelligible 01:37:15–01:37:32] This morning, I was making it to bring over here, and after, she asked me who was it for, so I said we were going to bring it to you because it’s a special day for you. So, she asked me if it was granny Rose’s birthday? And I said, “Yes, it’s her spiritual birthday.” So, she is very excited to come over, and she colored a picture for you. But in the rush of coming here, we forgot it at home, but maybe we’ll see next time.

[Unintelligible 01:38:08] One of the nicest things that I like to experience time and time so much going on. And it’s just so nice to be there when it’s happening. I’m so glad that we are connected to you in some way, I think you for everyone here in this little devotee community. You are the mother and the grandmother to all of us here.

Giriraj Swami: It’s Rajani Priya. Rajani is the name of Srila Prabhupada’s mother, and also, it’s the name of Goddess Durga, who’s also like a divine mother.

So, I want to say something else about Rose. That Rose also has a. . . I don’t know if you know this, you might know this word, ‘spunky’, a spunky side to her, she has a spunky side to her. And although almost everyone in her community loves her and so many of them chant, and just when we were sitting out on her porch, so many people came by and waved and greeted her. But somehow, that lady across the street has a sort of mean side to her, and she just gets upset if anyone parks there or whatever it is. She gets upset.

So, one day, she was upset about something, and she was just really ranting and raving to Rose, just going on and on and on and on. And Giridhari Priya was there. So, at the end of it all, Rose said to Giridhari Priya, “What did she say? I couldn’t hear, I couldn’t hear a word she said. Could you ask her to repeat it?”

Oh yes, now I remember. Yeah, there was another one. So, Rose was one of the being here as long as she was, at that time, there weren’t many Jewish temples. Some were just sort of forming. And when people found out that she was interested in Hare Krishna, they didn’t think this was proper that she should be chanting Hare Krishna.

So, I think maybe two or three years ago, there was a famous rabbi in New York called the kirtan rabbi. And so, he came to the big reform congregation here in Santa Barbara congregation, the neighborhood, and he did a demonstration and she went. And first of all, she said that he is not like Prabhupada. He is just a show. But then, she said that the real reason she came was so that she could sort of tell all the people from back then who criticized her for her involvement with the kirtan, “Okay, now we are having kirtan right in your temple, so what about that?” So, she wanted to have the last word, and she did, she did. She was absolutely right.

Devotee: I also see that side of you because you’ve been very open with those of us you’ve allowed to be your friends. And so, even though you are seniors in every way, you have been humble enough to express your doubts, express your concerns, express the things that trouble you, and that’s perfect because we don’t. We are through life without having thoughts coming to mind that may trouble us. But to take them to the devotees, that’s the perfect process, whereby our doubts can be resolved, our faith can be strengthened, and so that’s one quality in you that hadn’t been mentioned.

Everyone sees a loving side and you have such a loving side, but like all of us, the mind can give trouble to anyone, we have a material mind and body. But you always come to the devotees with anything that troubles you, and that I hope to always follow that example. Because I think that is the process where we can all become peaceful and happy.

Devotee: Yes, I just stopped something when you were saying spunky. I’ve just noticed in Rose that when I’m with her and then Giriraj Swami happens to come on the scene. Either he shows up at your house when we are all there unexpectedly or. . . When he comes out or comes over to a house where we are having a program, I’ve noticed that Rose, you just get overwhelmed with this loving feeling. And I know I was standing next to you once when Maharaja was coming in, and you turned to me and you go, “I can hug him, can’t I?” I said, “I don’t know. I know I can’t.” And she said, “I’m so old, and he is so young. He is like my son.” And I’m like, “You make that decision, not me.” She went up and she put her arm around Maharaja, and it was just so innocent and so sweet.

Rtadhvaja Swami: Hare Krishna. I just happened to get a WhatsApp from Bhurijana Prabhu. And he asked me when I was leaving. And I said tomorrow. And I said that Bhaktin Rose got initiated today at Giriraj Swami’s house and I’m watching it on Skype. So, he said to please send her all his affection and appreciations. I don’t remember exactly what he said.

Let’s see which one, I played the wrong one.

Giriraj Swami: That was sounding good.

Rtadhvaja Swami: There you go. Another one turns in. He just said. Could you hear him?

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, but at the end, I think a train passed, there was some noise.

Devotee: It’s not the train, it’s the 747 air conditioner I have in the room. He said to please offer his respect to that wonderful, wonderful mother. Can you hear me? The 747 is still coming up.

Giriraj Swami: Can you turn it off? Because he said something really nice that the last time he was here and met her, and then that part got drowned out by the 747.

Devotee: I saw her doing a retreat with the devotees. [Unintelligible].

Giriraj Swami: Wow, you are getting good wishes and blessings from all over the world.

Devotee: It’s an international affair. [Applause] We have to invent the fax machine to fax that strudel over here too.

Giriraj Swami: Did you hear Balarama’s talk? Balarama TKG?

Devotee: No, I didn’t. I heard him laughing a few times.

Giriraj Swami: Well, I’ll tell you later. It was really nice.

Devotee: Okay, yeah, for some reason, at one point, the sound went off. And then I had to recall but I don’t think it was Balarama. I think I got in after his time.

Giriraj Swami: Yeah, no he had already finished. So, there is one person here who hasn’t spoke, and that’s Krishna Kirtan. We’ll ask him to speak.

Krishna Kirtan: I was going to ask Giriraj Maharaja to narrate that small anecdote, I’m trying to recall, in relation to what His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami said about not having enough.

Giriraj Swami: Oh, yeah. Well, this was some years ago, maybe 1980, and there were so many problems in the movement, and Jayadvaita Swami commented that the problem with ISKCON is we don’t have grandmothers. We didn’t have any grandmothers who were experienced to tell us what to do. So, we were just youngsters, fumbling around on our own. He said, “The problem in ISKCON is we don’t have grandmothers.”

Devotee: So, I was fortunate, Rose, to come to your ninety-third birthday in Carpinteria with Giriraj Swami. I remember we all had a very good time. We had a cake for you, and you said a few words. And at that time, in my mind, I just thought whether we would be able to see more of such occasion and gatherings. And I can see that it’s possible. It’s been possible. It’s even more than what I thought. So, I want to thank you for allowing us, me, to celebrate this occasion with you. So, thank you.

Rajani Priya dasi: My pleasure.

Giriraj Swami: Actually, it’s not customary to give gifts to the initiate, I think it’s just because of their love for you that they are doing it. Everyone wants to reciprocate your love and care for them.

This is part of the tradition. Srila Prabhupada said the initiation is not complete without the giving of dakṣiṇā. So, now it’s complete. Jaya!

Well, thank you so much for joining us, Maharaja.

Rtadhvaja Maharaja: Oh, it’s my pleasure. I was amazed, I was so deeply in sleep there that I didn’t even hear the Skype ring or the phone ring or the devotees come in my room. It was pretty deep, but at least I got at least the second part. I got to say a little something to Rajani Priya devi dasi.

Giriraj Swami: But I wanted you to hear what Balarama said. So, maybe I’ll summarize it. Or do you want to tell it again? You want you tell it again? Okay. It was really good, really good.

Balarama: So, I was just telling Rajani Priya devi dasi that I did, Tamal Krishna Goswami, long time ago what’s the difference between being initiated and not initiated. The gifts that you are doing before initiation and after initiation. And so, he said it’s like buying a car, that before initiation, you go on a test drive. And on that test drive, you actually get already the benefits of driving the car. You enjoy driving the car around your community, you even bring the car to your home. And you already have the benefits, the benefits are already there. And even the store that gave you the test drive, they know you, the salesmen, the sales manager, and everyone there.

But when you get initiated, you sign the contract. And the motor company, and just in case it’s Toyota; so the company, the corporate, the motor company, the headquarters, actually, when you sign the contract, they acknowledge. They have acknowledged you are a buyer, you are an owner, that your name immediately goes into the whole network. In this case, the spiritual network straight to the spiritual world. Rajani Priya dasi, Krishna acknowledges you.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you, Maharaja.

Right, yeah, yeah, we will, we will.

Maharaja: Okay, I’ll let you honor prasādam, and I’ll just dream of the strudel. Hare Krishna!