Dear Devotees

Happy New Year 2007.

This is to report that last Saturday we cooked a nice feast for Gopali at the temple (13 days after passing away). We had a simple feast in mind but we ended up cooking a wonderful and sumptuous lunch buffet. (matar panir, samosas, puris, capatis, potato guaranga, fancy rice, salad, ginger - lemon drink, chutney, shrikand, sweet samosas, gulabs etc.. etc..)

Gilles, Christine and their son Laurence came with friends and were delighted at the reception. They took darshan of the deities and were even shown some of the night sets Gopali made before moving to Dallas.

We took some group photos but I have not received them yet. However, Visvambhar prabhu sent a very nice photo of Gopali during one of Gurudeva's visits to the UK. Please send more photos. Thank you

ys

Radhacaran

Ram Mohan and Hemangi Gopi, Dallas TX

Dear mother Gopali,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

We would like to seek your forgiveness for not being able to write when You were physically with us. We have the good fortune of living in the very same house where you stayed in Kalachandji Dham serving the devotees, Guru and Krishna with utmost dedication. We were amazed to see the whole house surcharged with the intense desire to serve Krishna. Whole house was decorated with beautiful pictures of the Lord. Remnants of beeds, clothes and beautiful paintings of yours proclaimed your absorption in Krishna Consciousness. Thank you so much for leaving so many things in the house, which we are still using. Now all these items have become sacred for us as we have no doubt that you have gone eternally to assist our beloved Gurudeva. Thanks for leaving beautiful framed picture of Srila Gurudeva to forever inspire our hearts.

When I(Ram Mohan) started my association at Dallas, once I came to the temple on Ekadasi. Rasikendra Prabhu inspired me also to circumambulate Tulasi Maharani for 108 times along with him. After some time, we saw Mukunda. Rasikendra Prabhu asked Mukunda to join. Immediately he went inside the house and got big chanting beeds, he placed them around the neck and started chanting enthusiastically. It was so spontaneous that it is forever engraved in my heart. You had definitely inspired amazing Krishna Consciousness in Your children. We have also heard that Your children were so determined to attend Mangal Arati every day. We miserably fail in following this. We beg and pray at your lotus feet to shower mercy on us so that we also become sincere in serving Guru and Krishna.

Around 5 years back, Kalachandji Deity room, Kitchen etc were so nicely renovated. Along with Sri Raga Prabhu and Narottamananda Prabhu, Your husband was greatly engrossed in this service. How amazingly this service was done. Since then, Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji have been enjoying most organized Deity room.


After your disappearance, we are tasting so much nectar of your glories and we feel your presence in the house more than ever. Kindly shower your nectarean glance and mercy on us so that we ever glorify you by being ever engrossed in service like you.


Aspiring to ever glorify you,
Your servants,
Bhakta Ram Mohan and Hemangi Gopi Devi Dasi

Pandava Vijaya, Dallas TX

On 12/18/06 In Dallas there was a sweet program with arati and kirtana, offerings and prasadam for mother Gopali. Kirtan was very touching. Gopali had many friends in Dallas and the devotees spoke of her character ,devotional life, her French family, how she came to Dallas and Her relationship with Gurudeva. Nityandanda prabhu, the Dallas Temple president was the program MC and did a great job and often spoke of his relationship with Gopali.

Radha Kalachandji were wearing a fabulous blue frilly night outfit that Gopali had made. Kalachandji is always wearing jewelery she made. I heard many stories of her dressing Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji. After the offering there was a semi opulent feast with lots of sweets. Sorry I have no pictures.
Your servant,Pandava vijaya dasa

Kamadhenu, CT

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Gurudeva. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the devotees in Melbourne who attended to the spiritual needs of Mother Gopali and who allowed her a most glorious and Krishna conscious departure surrounded by such advanced souls. Please extend my sentiments of thanks and appreciation to all the devotees there. I am really deeply touched despite feelings of sadness and much has been realized by all this.

I pray this meets you all well.
Your servant, Kamadhenu devi dasi

Candravali, Dallas TX

My dearmost godsister, Gopali,

You were always one of my dearest friends. You would come to my home every now and then to express your realizations, concerns and worries. You always tried to make sure that you were doing the right thing in every situation you encountered.

We would dress Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji together quite often. When you were learning how to dress in what the pujaris called "Gurudeva's style", you always wanted to know after dressing Them, if They had "that look" you would call it. You were the godmother of my grandchildren. You would always come to see them, giving them lots of tender loving care and you would buy birthday and Christmas gifts for them every year. On Indulekha's 2nd birthday, you made her a huge Krsna doll beautifully dressed with dhoti, chadar and all the jewelry acessories. You were always such a kind personality. Your creativity knew no bounds.

Not only did you make at least 25 outfits for all the Deities and 25 sets of jewelry but you made T-shirts and beadbags with drawings of Krsna that you did yourself. You also painted a beautiful scenery backdrop for your Deities at home.

I feel that Gopali's glorious departure was definitely orchestrated by our Gurudeva. In one of his final lectures, he emphasized that how much love he showed for Mother Kirtida is how much he loves all his disciples. This was so apparent in how he sent my godbrother, Radhacaran Prabhu, to her bedside. He created a website for her, spoke to her lovingly, read to her, chanted for her, brought her garlands, a pavitra, Tulsi, Ganges water and most of all, wonderful devotees to be there for her and give her support when she needed it most.

All I can see is Gurudeva working behind all this. You are very fortunate, my dear Gopali, because you are the first disciple to see the love and mercy that Gurudeva can give the disciple at the time of his or her departure even though he was not physically there. You deserved this glorious arrangement. You really loved Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji and now They are showing Their love for you.

Her Grace Gopali devi dasi Ki Jaya!!!
Your loving godsister, Candravali dasi

Braja Sevaki, Mayapur IN

One time in New Zealand, 1996, I was Gurudeva's servant; he asked for me. Bhava prabhu was there, he came and got me, told me Gurudeva wanted me to be his servant.

So I was doing everything for him, sleeping about 3 hrs a night, flat out all day. The first morning, he gave me his cloth and told me, "You know Gopali in Dallas?" I said yes(I'd lived there half a year). "So call her, ask her how she does my cloth,because she NEVER uses a hot iron, and my silk lasts longer when Gopali islooking after it than it ever lasted when anyone else looked after it."

He had me sit at his desk, get out his Dallas phone list, and call overseas tofind out how Gopali did his cloth. So I rang her, and she went thru this entire process with me, which was so typical of service involving Gurudeva:) - I mean, she had this system of drying his cloth in a plastic bag, spraying it with a water spray so bits of it didn't dry before the rest of it...seriously, it was so intense...So she goes thru this entire process with me, and in the end she says, "Oh, that's ridiculous, of COURSE I iron his cloth with a hot iron, how else do you think it looks so good?!" Ithought that was hilarious...

Later, I told Bhava what Gopali had said, he also thought it was hilarious. After the program, Gurudeva, Bhava and I were walking up the stairs, and Gurudeva asked me if everything went ok with the phone call, and if Gopali had told me everything i needed to know. I said yes. Then he stopped and turned on the stair above me and said, "And she never uses a hot iron, does she? She told you that, right?"
I looked at Bhava briefly, and he was poker faced. I then looked back at Gurudeva -- looked him right in the eye -- .... and lied. "Absolutely,Gurudeva...she never uses a hot iron." He smiled, turned, and continued up the stairs. Bhava said later, "Well done. Servants stick together."

Of course, if you ask me, Gurudeva knew all along...I think he was testing me to see what I'd say...and I passed his test by not dropping Gopali in the fire...:)

A few days later, I was initiated...Gopali had told me on the phone when I rang that she was going to "run a book" with the devotees in Dallas, and place bets on what my name would be! I don't know if she ever did it, but she was really fired up about it, and insisted I call her back when I got my new name. So I called after the yajna, and said, "Gopali? It's BrajaSevaki." She was thinking it was Vrajasevaka, who lived in Dallas at that time (and whose name Gurudeva loved), and so she answered, "Oh haribol Vraja, I was just....OHHH!!!!!" and it dawned on her that I wasn't THAT Vrajasevaka, but that she was talking to the new Braja Sevaki...she squealed so loud I dropped the phone....she loved my name, I guess :)

Gopali's last rite

Dear devotees
Gopali's family and the devotees who were present today have asked me to share with you what we have just now shared with her.

At 2.45pm Gopali was brought to the Blair Chapel at the Springvale crematorium. She was dressed in a heavy blue silk saree. Her family came and us, godbrothers and godsisters also attended, plus other devotees and friends. Amazingly enough, at the next chapel, the son of a devotee who passed away last week was also being cremated, so there were two lots of devotees and some came over to see Gopali for the last time.

We had a sweet kirtan, then Kesava prabhu spoke a little on the Krishna conscious view of leaving the mortal body. We placed fresh garlands on Gopali and then performed a full arati to her Grace. Shortly after, everyone gathered around her and offered puspanjali and circumambulated her body chanting Hare Krishna.

Gopali was then taken on precession to the cremation chamber and we chanted mantras for auspiciousness and implication to the Lord for her safe return to the spiritual world. Everything went like clock work. In fact Gilles mentioned that since he had booked his ticket to go and fetch Gopali in Hawaii, everything had gone smoothly as if she (Gopali) was orchastrating everything.

Gopali, as the photos show, looked beautiful and very happy, releaved and at peace, in union with Srila Gurudeva and Lord Krishna.

Gilles and Christine will be sponsoring a feast in Gopali's honor at the temple in 13 days and look forward to attend. They also want to fulfill Gopali's last wish to bring her ashes to the Ganges on their way to France. Gopali wanted her ashes to be taken to the Ganges, so we will arrange for Gilles and Christine to take Gopali to Mayapur later in the coming year. They are also looking forward to that special visit to the dham. They are truly beautiful people.

It has been a short yet uplifting journey these past six days. Gopali has brought us together in her love and dedication to her journey back to her spiritual master's lotus feet. Yes, she will greatly be missed and will remain a lighting guide and inspiration for all of us who are yet to pass that final test. She passed it with Honors. Another A+ Gurudeva would say.

Your servant

Radhacaran

This blog will remain active indefinitely for those want to send more letters.

Kunti, Dallas TX

Dear Gopali
Dear Gopali, so full of style and grace,
We long to go on hearing from your Angelic voice, seeing your lotus like face.

Our feelings do not come close as the love Our Gurudeva feels for you, calling you home, Service beckoning, soft as wings of a dove.

When Radha and Krishna want a look that Only your touch can deliver, then They know What devotees can design and who is clever.

Sweet love and romance emulates from the Threads of your understanding, Bhakti abounds In Their Lordships worship, you astound.

Your words and ways; dry sense of humor, Practical wit and wry knowledge woven as Finely a master seamstress can deliver.

Longing for your company but our Gurudeva Has a plan to keep you part of his eternal days Of loving service expanding more and more.

Remember our promise to each other? That we Would go out together? Now praying to see you Again, in your ecstatic and amazing future.

Hare Krishna.
Your loving servant, sister, friend, Eternally.
Kunti d.d.

Ananga Manjari, Perth AU

Dear Gopali,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Gurudeva. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I remember when you were in Melbourne in the late 1980's. We went with a contingency of devotees to the Holy Dhama in 1989. We were the only mataji's so I got to know you quite well. I was only twenty years old on that trip and not very mature, and I think I must have driven you a bit crazy with my immaturity. I'm sorry for that.
Thankyou for taking care of me on that trip which was the first time I had been overseas and the kind gifts of saris you gave me.
It has been very inspiring to hear of the wonderful service you have performed over the years, to guru and Lord Krsna.
All glories to Srila Gurudeva and your service to him.
Your servant, Ananga Manjari

Padaduli, Singapore

We had a special kirtan for mother Gopali here in Singapore temple last evening. All the devotees here were deeply praying for her.
Please let mother Gopali know how much l love her and wish to be with her in this final days when Krsna and Guru embrace her with both Their arms. I will not forget all the wonderful service she did to Srila Gurudev and SriSri Radhakalachandji. She sewed all the amazing outfits and made most beautiful jewelries for Their LordShips. Whenever she dresses the Deities They looked most beautiful. She did so much service in Dallas temple. For 4 yrs she was doing Srila Gurudev laundry. Even though she went through a lot of difficulties in her life she was very strong in her faith in Guru and Krsna. She is a chaste wife and a loving dutiful mother. I t was a great loss to the Dallas temple went she left for Hawaii. I also pray to Krsna for her family members in Melbourne that He will give them the strength and guide and protect them in this most difficult moment.
I also pray to mother Kirtida that she would help her through this mostcrucial moment. Mother Gopali had a special and sweet relationship with Mother Kirtida.

your servant
Padaduli devi dasi

Krsna Kripa, Houston TX

Haribol,
My deep felt thanks and blessings go out to Gopali and all of Krishna's wonderful devotees who are tending to her needs as she prepares to leave her body. It has always been said that Krishna will not forget us at thetime of death and this situation proves it. If we simply apply the principles of krishna consciousness to the best of our ability in this life we will get all the blessings of guru and Krishna when we really need them. We all have our date with death somewhere down the line and the care and love that is pouring out to our godsister Gopali will also one day be heaped upon us, and we will be able to follow Krishna to our next destination.
With all my love, Krishna Kripa das

Syamasundar, Houston TX

Evey single time I have done worship, she was in my prayers.
I worshipped Giriraja last two days and knowing Giriraja is very merciful He will take care of Gopali nicely.
By the physical dimensions we are very very far, but by spirit we are so close.
On behalf of the Houston devotees, I pray to Sri Sri Radha-nila Madhava to bestow their kind mercy upon our dear god-sister at this crucial moment of her life.
We will do the kirtan after our Sunday feast program for H.G.Gopali in the Temple room in front of the Deities.

Gurusharana, Suva FIJI

Dear Gopali mataji
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Gurudeva. All glories to Srila Prabhuapda.
I have never met you or heard about you in our little country Fiji but after reading responses of our godbrothers and godsisters who have closely associated with you I have come to understand that you are a kindhearted sincere devotee who is very dear to Srila Gurudeva and Sri Sri RadhaKrsna. I pray today to Srila Gurudeva to help you during this very difficult time of yours, to be with you while you make this last transition of life, I pray to Srila Gurudeva to come and take you personally back home back to Godhead.
your humble servant and godsister Gurusharana dd

Rupanuga, Dallas TX

Well, my dear sister, I have just heard that you have escaped from us. I believe that you have been welcomed back into the spiritual world by the loving arms of our beloved Srila Gurudeva. I am happy for you. Now, will you please just have a party there to welcome us also, if we make the cut?
If we can serve with the devotion with which you honored our guru maharaj, we might just make it out at the end of this sojourn on the planet. Help us, if you can. We will always remember you, and never forget you.
Your grieving, rejoicing brother, Rupanuga das

Yudhisthira, Renuka and Kalindi, Dallas TX

Gopali Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Srila Gurudeva, and your service over so many years.
Renuka, Kalindi, and I speak of you so fondly and with much love and affection. You always displayed a special warmth that glowed from your heart like the rays of the moon. We will always remember the love you gave the children in Dallas when you were their teacher. But, really you were more than a teacher. You were and still are family to them, not like a distant relative, but like an eternally caring older relative. Certainly, in many ways, closer than most relatives who are connected by bloodline. We hope that you are peaceful and feel the protection and love of Srila Gurudeva at this most important time of your life. Know that he loves you, more than you would probably ever expect. We do, too.
Yudhisthira Renuka Kalindi

Guru Dhyana, Wash DC

Since my sister and I were very young when we first met Gopali, she was always very motherly towards us. She would take time to check on us to see how we were doing, offer us prasadam, see if we were ok. Her care and consideration has stayed with me through the years and I have always had a soft spot in my heart for her. But I know she's been much more than that - a friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a devotee, a community member. I only knew her in Dallas but she was always an outstanding member of the community who everyone loved. I will miss her dearly and know many others will as well. I pray to Krishna and Srila Gurudeva to protect her and wrap her tightly in their embrace, their love, their blessings as she continues further to the spiritual world. She will always be part of our family and will remain alive in the hearts of all she touched.
With love, Guru Dhyana

Yugala Piriti, Israel

I'm praying to the Lord and to Srila Gurudeva. Mother Gopali will surely go back home and she is actually very fortunate to have so many devotees praying for her. I met mother Gopali in 1998 in Dallas, she was so nice and we had a verypleasant association.May she be in full consiousness and may Lord Nrisimha protect her.My best wishes to Mother Gopali.

Yasoda Dulal, Durban SA

To Mother Gopali:
Please allow us to meditate on you, your service and dedication to Srila Gurudeva.

We only ever spoke once really personally.
Even though the circumstance was more in a patient-doctor setting, still you were so open, and we talked very confidentially. It was very moving for me, to have somehow been able to do this service to someone who is dear to Gurudeva. And it was really fulfilling to be able to serve a Godsister in this way.
Last time we spoke, you said that the tests regarding the cancer had all come up clear... now we get all this news !

Still, I find comfort in remembering your smile, and your words to Nandini Mataji of your conviction that Srila Gurudeva is taking care of you, and that, "now that all of this has happened to me and I am here in this hospital I can tell you honestly that I am happy...I feel really happy...I've grown so much from all of this."

As my elder sister, you have always been in a position to bless me. Please bless us that we too may be able to remember Srila Gurudeva, even in the most trying of times.
With all our Prayers and Love,
Yashoda dulal das

Radhacaran, Melbourne AU

I would like to thank Kunti for correcting my last posting in which I stated that Gopali had spent her entire devotional life in Dallas TX. Memory fails me obviously.

Gopali also spent time at the Radhadesh farm in Belgium, during which she did what she does best, dress the deities, make jeweleries and bring visitors a step closer to Krishna.

This morning Gilles showed me another side of Gopali's life, a side we too often try to shut tight when becoming a devotees: our past.
Gilles showed me Gopali's French passport when she had first arrived in Australia in 1975, and many photos of her when she was a fashion designer and professional photographer. She was such an elegant and talented lady. And she readily used those talents in Krishna's service for many long years. We found hundreds of negatives of photos Gopali took with her three carmeras: deity photos, festivals, landscapes, people etc.

My most vivid memories of Gopali date back to when I was serving Srila Gurudeva in Dallas. Gurudeva had entrusted Gopali with his daily laundry each time he visited or stayed in Dallas. He knew that with Gopali he would get a first class service. I can still see myself walking through the park to Gopali's house early in the evening, knock on her door and she would greet me with Gurudeva's laundry on a coat hanger. If I had a bit of time, I would come in and we would talk, catch up and support each other, either in English or in French, depending on the mood.

Yogamaya, Dallas TX

DEAR GOPALI
PLEASE ACCEPT MY HUMBLE OBIESANCES, ALL GOLRIES TO SRI SRI RADHAKALACHANDJI, SRILA PRABHUPADA AND OUR MOST BELOVED SPIRITUAL MASTER SRILA GURUDEVA.
I AM GOING TO MISS MOTHER GOPALI AND HER ASSOCIATION A LOT, I THINK OF HER AS MY GODSISTER, AND I PRAY FOR HER, I KNOW LORD KRSNA AND GURUDEVA WILL BE WAITING FOR HER IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD. I LOVE YOU GOPALI, AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR GODBROTHERS AND GODSISTERS HEARTS.
YOUR SERVANT, YOGAMAYA

Nandini, Porto Rico

Dear Gopali ,
I loved our recent talk while you were in the hospital in Hawaii. I loved to listened to all your heartfelt realizations and how you repeated over and over again that you knew Gurudeva was looking after you and that this was all his mercy. We talked together with such ease and affection. I felt purified. You shared with me, "Nandini, although all of this has happened to me, and I am here in this hospital I can tell you honestly that I am happy...I feel really happy... I've grown so much from all of this."
I listened to one of Gurudeva's recent classes today. In it he said, "Even if one says, those damn Hare Krishna's they get liberated"! And what to speak of you Gopali who has rendered so much sublime service!
I remember the most beautiful Radha Kalachandji on the days when you would dress!! And the jewelry you made!! You are a most fortunate soul my dear Gopali. You have stamped on you heart "Going Back to Godhead". Srila Gurudeva and Lord Chaitanya will take you back.
Please bless me with open heart and arms, so I may by your grace, meet you there when Krishna calls me.
With all love Hare Krishna!
Caribbean God sister Nandini

Suratarangini, Dallas TX

Dear Gopali,
I can still remember the times when you taught Shyamali, Kalindi, and I during the fourth grade; thank you so much for everything that you have done for me. Your constant faith in me has allowed me to become a better devotee of the Lord. I am so grateful to you for everything. For being such an amazing teacher, loving godmother, and so much more.
All my love
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Suratarangini Kloss

Rati Manjari, Holland

My dear Gopali,
At first it was a shock to me to hear of your condition of spreading cancer.Actually, it still is.But after reading Nandini's posting about how she spoke to you, how you feel that Gurudeva istaking care of you and about all the realisations you have been getting, I feel somewhat appeased. Remember how Gurudeva said once in Radhadesh that the goal of all devotionalservice is to soften the heart? It seems to me that this is what is happening to you, and itmakes me glad to know that. Life becomes much easier as your heart softens.
I hope that even though you are in such a difficult position physically, youare able to focus yourmind's eye on the things that matter most to you in your spiritual andemotional journey. Only you know exactly what those things are that are most dear to your heart.
We had fun together and we laughed a lot, I remember. I am glad I got to know you, dearGodsister. I still remember your hearty laugh and your sense of humor. Ihaven't seen you in years,but we shared some good times together in Radhadesh and had a nice meeting in Dallas.
I know you love Gurudeva much and you have pleased him tremendously, especiallywith yourservices of dressing Radha-Kalachandji and the endless ironing of his clothes.You had developeda complete system of washing, drying and ironing his clothes that became thehard to copystandard for everyone else who had the chance to do this intimate service.
Please take good care of yourself in these final days in this body and knowthat whatever will beyour next destination, Krishna and Gurudeva will look after you, always.
My feelings of support go to you and to your dear family members, your husbandand yourchildren. Whatever these coming days or weeks may bring, may all of you findsufficient strengthin your heart of hearts to deal with it.
Much love et un grand bisou,
Rati Manjari

Indranuja das Dallas TX

We send our prayers to Gopali. Her service to Radha Kalachandji will never be forgotten. Her outfits and jewlery are amazing.

Visvambhara & Jagannathesvari UK

Gopali and Devaprastha stayed some time in our house together with RatiManjari and Nanda Kumara, about 14 years ago, during one of Srila Gurudeva'svisits to UK, when Gauranga was a small baby. We are very sorry to hear of her condition and we are praying for her. Please remember us to her with love and affection.
Your servants,
Visvambhara das & Jagannathesvari devi dasi

Radhacaran das Melbourne AU

When I was speaking with Gilles, Gopali's brother, this morning, he was telling me that he very much believes that Gopali returned to Melbourne to complete her journey. Gopali had become a devotee of Krishna in Melbourne and shortly after moving to the ashram and meeting her eternal spiritual master, Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami, she had moved to Dallas TX. This is where Gopali spent her entire devotional life, among the Dallas community of devotees and at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji.

I have more memories which I will share in other postings.

From Kunti devi Dallas TX

Dear Gopaliji,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Gurudeva and Kirtida Sundari. All glories to your love for Them.

I think of you like my big sister. I am missing you so much. I pray for your bright future in loving trancendental past times with ourbeloved Gurudeva. I pray to serve you in the future always. I love you so dearly and always will. Hare Krishna sweetheart. Your sister servant, Kunti d. d. in Dallas, Texas