Early this afternoon, Krishna took my mother from this world. I am eternally grateful to both my parents for their extraordinary love and help throughout my life. A child that receives much love grows into an adult that has love to give others.

The diligent loving care of my parents prepared me emotionally and morally for the spiritual life that began when Srila Prabhupada enlightened me with eternal knowledge. Through the generosity of my parents, I have also been able to financially assist many sincere souls and spiritual projects.

My mother personally met Prabhupada and he was very kind to her. Prabhupada’s purity and kindness deeply impressed her.

As many of you know, from March 2012 – March 2013, I lived in Santa Monica, where my mother was staying. Every day, walking through a park that Prabhupada called “the most beautiful place in Los Angeles,” I went to see her. During this time, Lord Krishna often gave me a clear spiritual vision of my mother’s spiritual nature and the wonderful rewards that Krishna was reserving for her. She is now free to enjoy those glorious rewards.

Lord Krishna creates the world in such a way that we naturally become detached from it and turn our attention to Him. Prabhupada tirelessly taught us that everything in this world is temporary, and that our real happiness, our real love, is found on the spiritual plane where all souls are eternal.

I am grateful to the many devotees who knew my mother and who have expressed their appreciation for her. In Bhagavad-gita 9.17, Lord Krishna states that “I am the father and mother of this universe.” Thus, it is Krishna who inspires a mother and father to love their child. Indeed, in human life the experience of parental love is an infant’s first experience of God.

With best wishes,
Hridayananda das Goswami
July 2, 2014