MOTHER RUDRANI DEVI DASI
It's my great misfortune that I never had the chance to meet with you personally. But I remember your name so clearly back in the early 70's when our traveling party from Vancouver went through Toronto and your name was already famous because of your phenomenal service to Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha, the presiding Deities there. Your sincerity and dedication were well known to one and all, and you automatically had the respect of everyone.
Mother Rudrani, although your devotion was certainly famous in Canada and North America, there's one thing that you might not be aware of, but which held great significance to those of us who went to serve in the Middle East in the late 70's and early 80's. Somehow or other, we carried along with us a copy of The Teachings of Queen Kunti, which provided us with much spiritual solace during those war-torn years -- and which, lo and behold -- still contains a handwritten inscription on the inside cover of Prabhupada's book which reads: "In the care of Rudrani Devi Dasi." That book -- and your inscription -- kept us hopeful during the darkest days of war.
To this day, I wonder how we managed to obtain that book -- but I thank you most sincerely without reservation for offering us the best protection available during those great challenges which we had to face during those most troubling years of seva to Srila Prabhupada. Just for that alone, your entrance to the Spiritual Sky is guaranteed. And we're always grateful to you for reminding us of Queen Kunti's surrender in the most seemingly hopeless and dangerous circumstances available in this miserable material world.
Many thanks from us all for setting such a fine example of a pure and faithful Vaisnavi in Srila Prabhupada's service. We're all indebted to you, Mother Rudrani, without a doubt.
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die
When thou art living still in sound!
The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try
To spread the holy name around!"
--Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
All glories to your service and to your wonderful example to us all.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Pd
*Click here to read more homages and condolences to Mother Rudrani.
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