Kaulini devi dasi, a beloved disciple of Srila Prabhupada, departed from this world in Gita Nagari dhama last Thursday morning, September 3, at 2:20 a.m. She joined ISKCON with her then husband (now Keshava Bharati Maharaja) in 1972 in San Francisco, and gave birth to their son Rama shortly after.
Mother Kaulini, as she is affectionately known, was recognized by her qualities as a genuine living saint. One such ornament that outstandingly decorated her was simplicity. Her dear friend Sudamani devi dasi recently recalled an instance from their first meeting to illustrate this. Around 1974 or so, Mother Kaulini and her son stayed in Gita Nagari while her husband was assigned to a mission of service elsewhere. When Sudamani befriended her there and inquired about the duration of her stay, Mother Kaulini replied, "I'm not sure; whenever my husband comes to pick me up." In time, Mother Kaulini learned her husband wasn't coming back; he was taking sannyasa. But she never complained, she simply continued to happily live and serve in Gita Nagari with exemplary devotion, sacrifice, and humility for nearly 35 years.
Mother Kaulini was pure-hearted, peaceful-minded, and satisfied. When Satsvarupa Maharaja stayed in Gita Nagari and used to take morning walks with his disciples, Mother Kaulini would join them. She heard all of the devotees speaking to him about their problems. Finally, one day on a morning walk she innocently asked, "Maharaja, is it ok not to have any problems?" (Quoting Saci-suta:) "She really didn't have any problems. Devotion and humility came natural to her. She personified it, and that's why so many people loved her. Those qualities are truly attractive, and that's why she attracted the admiration of so many people."
It wasn't just people who were attracted to Mother Kaulini, but animals too. A saint is a friend to all living beings, and all living beings are friendly to the saint. Mother Kaulini loved the animals, and all the animals loved her. For years she milked the cows in Gita Nagari twice a day. She loved the cows. And there was one cow with whom she had an especially affectionate bond: Visakha. Visakha gave milk for YEARS after she was bred. (Ravindra Svarupa prabhu said:) For 12 to 14 years that cow kept giving milk, because Kaulini was her calf! She loved Mother Kaulini as much as Mother Kaulini loved her. There was a relationship.
And it wasn't just to the cows but to all animals that Mother Kaulini would extend her maternal nurturing. Very attentively, she would give fresh milk to the barn cats at milking time, or put out left over prasadam for the peacocks. Damodara dasa, a devotee from Boston, used to visit Gita Nagari every week. And at Mother Kaulini's request, every week for months he would drive back with a box full of kittens that she wanted him to find good homes for.
Mother Kaulini personified this unconditional love and compassion for ALL, without exception...even the flowers and vegetables. Krishna Kumari devi dasi had the privilege of cooking with her and witnessing her concern for the use of all ingredients. If they were making samosas and a little bit of mashed potato and peas were left sticking to the bowl in the end, Mother Kaulini would take care they didn't get left behind and say, "Imagine being that pea that didn't get offered to Krsna." Or, if there were an excess of picked flowers remaining after decorating the Deities or puspanjali, she would insist that somehow or other every single one found a place on the altar. It was more than a consideration of waste; it was her compassion to give everyone and everything opportunity to be engaged in devotional service.
This is because Mother Kaulini saw everyone and everything in relation to Krsna. She lit up with appreciation for the simplest things, seeing the beauty and joy in them. Similarly, she appreciated the sincerity in everyone. Holding that vision, she overflowed with love for others.
Feeling that love and being seen in that light of Mother Kaulini's vision, anyone who knew her loved her deeply. She was a beacon of encouragement and inspiration.
One of the striking ways she evidenced this was in her relationships with families - husbands, wives, and children. She performed the marriage ceremonies for many couples, and the grain ceremonies for all of their children. Even long after doing so, she held a significant place in their hearts and families, far beyond the range a priest ordinarily would. She was a spiritual mother and grandmother to dozens of spiritual children and grandchildren.
One family that Mother Kaulini was particularly close with was that of Saci-suta dasa, Keli Lalita devi dasi, and their three children. In 2008, when Mother Kaulini's health had become frail, they lovingly insisted she come live under their care in upstate New York. They purchased a house for her next to theirs, where they could serve her and look after all of her medical needs, etc. While living there for the past 7 years, she fully participated as a member of their family, celebrating every holiday with them and attending every athletic game, school event, birthday, etc. of the children...even keeping score! She took such genuine interest and joy in each of their lives.
Through seemingly simple and ordinary ways of being grandmotherly toward the children, Mother Kaulini indelibly endeared herself in their hearts. Through tears and laughter, Subhadra Priya, the second daughter of the family, described one incident that created a memorable impression of Mother Kaulini's presence in her life, that she will so much miss. One day, the kids expressed their disappointment to Mother Kaulini that Keli Lalita wouldn't allow them to drink Gatorade because of the food coloring in it. The next day, when they were with Mother Kaulini in her house, she opened the refrigerator, revealing cases of Gatorade! "Now you don't have to worry; whenever you want Gatorade, you can come just come over here." And they did!
(Radhanatha Swami:) "She personified compassion. In the core of her heart, she has such deep-rooted connection, faith, and loyalty to the traditions of parampara in Krsna consciousness. Yet we're hearing that she could extend herself in such beautiful ways to bring others closer to Krsna and keep them close to Krsna."
Glorifying Mother Kaulini wouldn't be complete without highlighting that she was completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others. Those who know her intimately have attested in various ways that they NEVER heard her say anything bad about anyone. Moreover, if she heard someone complaining about another, she would either gently turn the subject or present another angle from which to view the same behavior in a compassionate light. Kirtan Rasa dasa recalls one such instance when someone was harassing the devotees at Gita Nagari, to the point that they even took legal action. But while he and others were angry, wanting to curb this person, Mother Kaulini's only comment was, "Imagine what pain this person must be feeling to act this way." Another time, Sudamani devi dasi asked her for a reference in regard to a young woman who wanted to move into the Philadelphia temple and had previously been in Gita Nagari. Mother Kaulini simply said, "I can only suggest you give her her own room." As it turned out, this woman was mentally ill with a history of violent episodes. But it was not anywhere within Mother Kaulini's being to speak anything bad about anyone. Just, "give her her own room.
Beyond all of this, Mother Kaulini was crowned by humility. She never sought any attention or recognition for herself in return for her service, which was abundant. She was incredibly hard working and dedicated. Whatever needed to be done - menial or not - she would do it, quietly, conscientiously, and joyfully. She served because she loved Srila Prabhupada, Radha Damodara, the cows, all the animals, and the devotees. She cooked, she dressed the Deities, she milked the cows, she bought the bhoga, took out the garbage, cleaned, and even managed the farm and temple when there was no one else to do it. Jayadvaita Swami noted there was a crucial point in the history of Gita Nagari and that it was Mother Kaulini's small, humble service that kept the place together at that critical time. Saci-suta moved to Gita Nagari during that period in the late 80's, when it was on the verge of collapse after formerly thriving. He remembers the feeling that the farm was functioning under Mother Kaulini's sakti. He didn't know her well yet then, but he could see and feel that she had that presence.
Though Mother Kaulini never sought attention for her service, Prabhupada and Radha Damodara surely noticed..and reciprocated! After a long and successful battle with cancer, she developed kidney failure and decided to return to Gita Nagari - the home where her heart was - to leave her body. Her final days there exemplified an ideal completion of a life gloriously lived. Those who love her came to be with her, even Sri Sri Radha Damodara! They left Their altar and went to see her in the cabin where she stayed on her death bed. One of Their oxen paid her a visit too...a huge ox, walked right in her room to tenderly greet her! And she was surrounded by loving devotees. Those who could not come to be present with her physically, poured out their affection, gratitude, and support to her in letters. Her passage into Krsna's embrace was held in the prayers of devotees near and far, as they accompanied her departure with the chanting of the holy name.
Dhanurdhara Swami reflected: As a sannyasi, traveling and preaching, people come forward and give respect, service, donations, etc. in appreciation. Mother Kaulini never sought any of that. She just served, with no big fan fair. But look what she got in the end! She got the best! Radha Damodara and Krsna's cows coming to her room, surrounded by devotees and the holy name, in the dhama!
And that is where we are assured she went...to Krsna and His cows, in the association of His eternal devotees in His abode. Years ago, Tamal Krishna Maharaja saw Mother Kaulini coming out of the cow barn wearing boots and carrying a bucket of milk. He commented that this is what she will be doing when she gets to the spiritual world.
We are blessed to be able to meditate on the qualities of such a dear devotee who is with Krsna now. Hearing about her saintliness, remembering her, contemplating her example, and feeling separation from her...these are all purifying. This clears our hearts and makes way for us to follow in her path, back home, back to Godhead.
Mother Kaulini ki jaya!
