Mother is first guru.
Padmapani das: When I was a young man preaching in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman to the East Indian community there, I was often asked how my mother was doing. Our life members and friends were curious to know what kind of a woman would give birth to a son who became a member of the Hare Krishna movement at an age when most young men would be avidly persuing a career or attending university. It seemed rather unusual to them that a Canadian lady would have a son who eschewed the western way of living to adopt the path of Krishna consciousness. I’ll always remember their oft-repeated comment that “Mother is first guru.” I have to be honest. I didn’t take that comment too seriously then, but now I know different. I was blessed with a mother who was truly a guru to me in all respects. She helped set the scene for me to meet my eternal spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. For that – and for many other reasons – I’ll always be grateful and indebted to my dear mother, Rita Sarah McNaughton (nee Lindsay), for pointing me in the right direction.
When I joined the Hare Krishna movement fresh out of high school, my mother was very happy for me. She accepted Srila Prabhupada as a bona fide spiritual master and pure devotee of Krishna. She often said that she knew I was in safe hands. From that day on my mother never worried about me even when I was running off to dangerous foreign lands to try and spread Krishna consciousness. And even when I was imprisoned in Beirut during civil war, she knew in her heart that Krishna would save me. “Krishna can do anything” was one of her favorite sayings.
My mother passed away on August 6, 2015. Last year I wrote a eulogy for her which you can read by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. Some of her Krishna conscious artwork is reproduced there as well. Here are a few entries I wrote on this website one year ago.
August 5, 2015: Momji, one of the first “Hare Krishna Moms,” is now in the final stages of her life. She has been chanting the holy names since 1974 and has performed many services for Srila Prabhupada’s movement and his followers. May we humbly request all devotees to kindly say a prayer on Momji’s behalf. (Momji lives in Victoria, Canada – age 93.) Thank you sincerely.
August 6, 2015 (early morning): Many thanks to all those devotees and friends who have sent e-mails expressing their concern for my mother, Momji. Apologies that I can’t reply to each one personally right now, but please know that every message is most appreciated.
Momji is resting quietly with either live chanting of Hare Krishna, Prabhupada bhajans or her favorite song, “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison playing in the background. Although she is not moving physically (or taking food and water), her nurses say that she can still hear. Whenever another message arrives, I read it to her aloud. Momji loves the devotees. This has been going on for three days now. Let’s see what Krishna has in mind, but it shouldn’t be too long before Momji departs. Due to her many years of chanting, sincere service and absolute faith in Srila Prabhupada, Momji’s future is a bright one, I’m sure. A picture of Prabhupada watches over her at all times – the same photo which sat above my father’s head when he left his body years ago.
Please join me in prayers and love for a great soul who was always a humble servant and well-wisher of everyone. Thanks again for all your kind words and thoughts. More later as things unfold.
August 6, 2015 (evening): “Momj has left the house.” These are the words Momji herself chose to describe her imminent departure just a few weeks ago in conversation. She said that it perfectly describes the situation of the soul which is just passing from one dwelling to another. No big deal – just moving on, hopefully to a better place.
So the good soul known as Momji has had enough of this place. She left at about 8:00 o'clock this morning (August 6th). No big fanfare or hooplah. Just a quiet passing. She is now free from the burdens of her old body and the weight of the world which she carried on her shoulders.
Thank you, Momji. You left this world a better place because of your presence here. All glories to your genuinely humble attitude and service. We can all learn from your pure example. Your life was not in vain by any means. Quite to the contrary.
I’ll be writing a eulogy soon. Thanks to one and all for your genuine concern and love. Much appreciated indeed.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Note: In her last hours, my mother was breathing quite heavily. Realizing that her time had come, I encouraged her, “Say Hare Krishna, Mom.” My mother slowly uttered, “Hey Kish-hhhh…” She was unable to say more. I then reassured her, “Don’t worry, Mom, Prabhupada will save you.” She replied with a deep conviction in her dying voice, “Yeahhhhhhh…” Those were her last words.
(In the photo my mother and me in Estevan, Saskatchewan, June 1958)