The Passing Away of Anusha

Lalitha and Vasudeva Ramchandra have been attending the New Goloka Temple for over eight years. They have always been very enthusiastic and helpful. Anusha was only four years old when she first came to the temple.

Sucharya devi dasi was teaching Sunday school and would often remark at how eager Anusha was to hear about Krishna and to learn the Bhagavad-gita. "Anusha would tell us in class how much she liked to remember Krishna throughout the day. She would express her different realizations and how she could feel Lord Krishna was always with her. She was so Krishna cosnciousness. Anusha liked to help the other children and she always had a beautiful smile on her face. Anusha very much loved her parents and her family."

Four years ago a new daughter was born named Vaishnavi. Anusha very much loved her baby sister and both girls could be seen by their mothers side at the temple kirtans. She started to attend the adult Sunday classes and very much liked to hear from His Holiness Bir Krishna Das Goswami. She would sit very quiet and attentive during class time. But Anusha really became the "star" of New Goloka on March 25th 2007 when she played the flute for the Ramnavami festival at New Goloka. Only a week before Golokananda Priya had asked her if she danced. She replied that she didn't dance but liked to play the flute. She had been studying bamboo flute in India. So one week latter in front of over 200 guests she sat down very nicely on a cushion to begin her concert for the pleasure of Lord Krishna and the assembled devotees. Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Golokananda were smiling and H. H. Bir Krishna Das Goswami was also present.

Anusha sat very straight, dressed very neatly and spoke very clearly about the piece she would be playing. All the devotees were moved by the beauty of her flute playing which came from the spiritual realm. Personally I sat listening thinking who is this great soul who is playing so beautifully. She is reminding me of the spiritual wold. I felt such peace and happiness of heart. The following is a quote from His Holiness Bir Krishna Das Goswami: "It seems like only yesterday when I was listening to the beautiful sound of her flute playing for Krishna. I was thinking here is someone with a pure heart; someone with great devotion for Krishna."

For many days after the function every one was talking about the beautiful flute playing. Anusha had become very well known at New Goloka and other places for her family had put a video on Youtube and many people had the opportunity to hear her play the flute and to also learn about New Goloka Temple. Just by being herself Anusha was drawing people to Lord Krishna.

She often spoke of her grandparents who she loved very much and who taught her about spiritual life.

On Monday, April 10th I received a phone call that Anusha had been hit by a minvan while crossing the road to go to the school bus stop. I was confused and shocked and with Golokananda Priya drove to Duke hospital to see what we could do to help the family and Anusha. I could understand that Lord Krishna was personally looking after her. He sent us with garlands and a picture of Sri Sri Radha Golokannda. We placed the garlands on her and chanted by her bedside. She was surrounded by friends and family. She remained very beautiful and I could again see that she was a very special soul who had come here to share with us and now Lord Krishna was calling her to go on to another destination to be with him. Her loss is very great to the community as a whole and now it is important to meditate on the beauty of her life and what she shared with others.

We can understand by reading the Bhagavad-Gita that she was an elevated soul who took birth in a family of devotees and who, from her very birth, was hearing the holy names of the Lord and speaking about his pastimes. We can also see that at her passing she was surronded by the devotees and the Lord, in His holy names.

On April 12th 2007, her funeral was held in Morrisville. Many, many, people came from all walks of life. You could easily see here is someone who in a short life of twelve years has touched the hearts of so many in a way that most people never do in their long lifetime. Again the holy names of Lord Krishna were sung and some attending heard the chanting for the first time. Even in her passing away Anusha was helping others by giving them the holy names.

Her family spoke how she always wanted to do charity and help others. "Anusha brightened everyone's life with a heart full of concern, an ear always willing to listen, a hand ready to help and the most beautiful smile in the world."

On April 20th, according to the family tradition the final rites were performed for Anusha's soul. On Sunday April 22 the Vaikuntha Samaradhanana was held. It was explained that the ultimate goal of performing these rites is to ease her soul's journey to unite with Lord Krishna. Many families attended and the devotees of New Goloka were invited to chant Hare Krishna. Again a large group came and the mood of love and caring was overwhelming. Anusha brought that out of people. It was explained that now is the time for us to celebrate Anusha's return to Lord Krishna. Her flutes were placed on the altar and Anadi Krishna was playing the flute. Anusha had always appreciated his flute playing. Then everyone took prasdam.

Anusha, we know that you are now with Lord Krishna but we very much miss your association .I would like to quote part of a letter of condolence which was written by H.H. Bir Krishna Das Goswami:

"Now she has left us and we are bereft of such a great soul's association. We can only lament for our misfortune.

I am reminded of the story of Prahlad Maharaja, the great boy saint, who was loved by Lord Nrsimha so much that he was able to pacify the Lord when all the demigods were unable to.

She is now in the hands of Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani, who are taking good care of her. The Lord never neglects His devotees, but rather cares for them with love and affection."

Anusha's passing away brought out an outpouring of love and support from the community. This was her nature. We offer our respects to her family and thank them for allowing us to come closer to them and Anusha at this time. She will be remembered by all and as an inspiration to help us to take seriously spiritual life.

Bhagavad-Gita 8.15
After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogi's in devotion, never return to this temporary world which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection."

Written by Krishna Priya devi dasi