Dear devoteesGopali'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.
1 comment:
You defile her name and her memory. At the time you were writing this, you were living in a marriage with me a non-devotee - with all that implies.
At no time did you mention gopali or Guylaine to me. In fact, at no time in our nearly eight years as man and wife did you mention that you were actively involved in the hare krishna movement. You certainly didn't share with me that you're called His Grace radhacaran prabhu. No wonder you talked me out of going to Brett's wedding last year. The proverbial cat might have jumped out of the bag. The president of the Melbourne Temple has never heard of me, nor I of him. You deceived us all.
Hare Krishna.
You're the most dishonest and dishonourable person, man or woman, I have yet encountered.
As to the idea that anyone passes 'the final test' with A+ let me remind you, that long before this woman died, she had to live a life of honesty and kindness to all who crossed her path. There is no final test. Death is an inevitability for those of us currently alive. If you believe what you claim to believe, you should be terrified of Death.
I looked today at photos on my computer of you with my beautiful grandchildren. I feel I have contaminated them by their association with you. Niamh and Sebastian whom you met on their first day on earth ask me where you are. At the moment, I just say you're in China. Niamh then asks 'but when will he be here?'
Your non-servant Jeannette
Post a Comment