06/17/98 - 1876

Kunti Devi Left Her Body

USA (VNN) - by Prtha devi dasi

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

Sunday, June 14, 1998, Kunti devi of New Vrndavana dhama left her body. Kunti was a wonderful devotee and she departed with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Radhanatha Maharaja was chanting to her and others would come and visit, chanting all the while. On Saturday night they did not expect her to make it through the evening, but she did. Sunday morning at about 9:40 a.m., she left.

We received a phone call shortly after, that she had gone. Turns out this was an auspicious day, the appearance day of a great saint and singer of Lord Chaitanya's, named Vakresvara Pandit. Also, one devotee told me that she went in Kunti's room to see how she was doing and Kunti left right after that. I have heard this is auspicious as well as a sign that a devotee went back to Godhead? Anyway, we were asked to come to the temple, there would be a ceremony. So, we did.

I went into Kunti's room and chanted a bit with the other devotees there who were also chanting, and one women, Amrta Prada devi dasi, was faning her with the chamra. Yamuna devi dasi, one of Malati's girls who took care of her all this time, even changing diapers, was on the phone figuring out details. Later Kunti was brought out on a decorated bed of flowers. The bed was lifted by men who carrried her body first in front of the temple room door, then around the temple building three times, and carried up to Prabhupada's Palace with all of us following behind, and her daughter, Karnamrta, right behind her mother and in front of us. We circumabulated the Palace also, both outside and inside, chanting the entire time. She was taken inside and Placed into Srila Prabhupada's office, in front of His Radha Krishna Deities. Then she was brought into the Palace temple room in front of Srila Prabhupada, where more chanting continued and there was an aroti for Srila Prabhupada. Kunti was placed up front. Her daughter, Karnamrta, sang the Nrsimha prayers. She is a wonderful singer.

It is auspicious that she left her body (in her room, which was in the temple) as the maha mantra was being chantied. May she have gone back to Sri Radha Krishna in peace.

Later we had the Sunday feast, which was an especially nice one. There will also be a feast specifically in her honor. I feel sad that she is gone. I also think of the Cancer that was eating away at this ambitious womans body, who would do anything for Lord Krishna. Kunti was a very surrendered devotee. She is now freed from that disease and able to serve Lord Krishna much better.

Maybe other devotees have something to add to this. Hare Krishna.

YS, Prtha devi dasi