Radha Kund (ACBSP) Dying in India, Trying to find his son in Denver Options

[0Arcana Armenii0]

Just for your info Arcana, I am not HONORING Radha kunda just to be honoring dying Iskcon devotees, I could care less how he thought and certainly not interested in raking his beliefs over the coals as he is literally dying.

I knew the guy personally from back in the late 70's when I was still in Iskcon and during my fringe period right after I left. We also had mutual friends. He did seem to get hard lined towards the end, but I didn't put his talk up there to advocate his teachings on Prabupada, but to honor an old friend who had nothing but kind words to say to me always.

I saw him last in Braja in 03 and that was the 1st I had seen him in many many years, he greeted me kindly although he knew we had differences as far as our philosophical outlook was concerned....

namaskar

It's nothing personal, just a reflection

p.s. I knew him personally too

[0jijaji0]

Just for your info Arcana, I am not HONORING Radha kunda just to be honoring dying Iskcon devotees, I could care less how he thought and certainly not interested in raking his beliefs over the coals as he is literally dying.

I knew the guy personally from back in the late 70's when I was still in Iskcon and during my fringe period right after I left. We also had mutual friends. He did seem to get hard lined towards the end, but I didn't put his talk up there to advocate his teachings on Prabupada, but to honor an old friend who had nothing but kind words to say to me always.

I saw him last in Braja in 03 and that was the 1st I had seen him in many many years, he greeted me kindly although he knew we had differences as far as our philosophical outlook was concerned....

namaskar

It's nothing personal, just a reflection

p.s. I knew him personally too

no worries mate

[babu]

i knew him back in 69' when he was at mark twain national forest in missouri... he gave me a plate of berries and lichen... put on a big slab of butter and it was all good

[0jijaji0]

Radha Kunda's Passing

by Subhangi dasi

Posted April 14, 2007

The following is a conversation which took place between Mahanidhi maharaga and Baladev Prabhu only minutes after the passing of Radha Kunda das. Please excuse any spelling error etc, your servant Subhangi devi dasi

Sriman Radha Kunda Das left his body in a most auspicious way. In Sri Krishnas holy land of Vrindavan. This month, Vaishaka month celebrates the appearance days of Lord Nsringadeva, Gadahara Pundit, Srimati Rukmini Devi, Srimati Sita Devi, and the Deity of Radha Raman Ji. Many great Vaishnavas appeared during this month including Madhavendra Puri, Srinivas Acharya and Shyamananda Prabhu. The sun planet is traveling in the Northern hemisphere, Utterayana, which is the best period to leave ones body. Today is Varuthini Ekadasi, Vaisaka Krishna Paksha. The day was also the disappearance day of Vrindavan Das Thakur. Radha Kunda left his body at 7:52pm during a period called Sarv Artha Siddhi Yoga, which guarantees perfection in all of ones desired objectives. The ruling star of the day is Danistha, which is a name of Sri Radha's Sakhi. At 7:52pm, when Radha Kunda Prabhu left his body, in the spiritual world the Shakhis are letting Krishna into Sanket Kunja where Radha will meet him later for Their evening pastimes, at this time. Danistha Sakhi brings the remnants of Krishnas evening meal to Yavat and offers them to Sri Radha and Her Shakhis. It appears that Radha Kunda Prabhu left the world at this time to serve Priya Priyatam in Their confidential Pastimes in Braja Gokula-just as he used to always sing about-'Nikunja Mere Viraje Gana Shyama Radhe Radhe.' from chakra



Goodbye Radha Kunda, May your Soul Soar Old Friend!

[0jijaji0]

"I've just returned from Radhakunda prabhu's bedside in Subungi's house in
the Pepsi building in Vrindavan. Radhakunda passed away peacefully ecstatic
at 8pm this evening Friday 13 April. He's been very quiet for 2 - 3 days in
preparation, receiving almost no guests. After his cremation tomorrow at
pani ghat cremation ground on the Yamuna his ashes will be placed in a
samadhi at Radahkund...^^^

Radhakunda prabhu ki jai
Jai Sri Radhe
YFS sahadeva das __/\o_"

[0Arcana Armenii0]

 71714622_14c5460b3f.jpg ( 143.64K ) Number of downloads: 37

[0jijaji0]

Radha Kunda P.'s cremation ceremony in Vrindavana

ManonathDasa - isvara.org
Administrator

India

Posted - 14/04/2007

Yesterday, about 5 pm, I went to visit Radhakunda Prabhu. He was obviously at the last hours of his life. Sitting on a chair I saw him moving very slowly his fingers on his japa beads and his lips.

This morning a brahmacari during Guru Puja told me Radhakunda has left the body at 7 pm.

I immediately went in his house and paid obeisances to the lucky soul who left his body in Sri Vrindavana Dhama. We all have to go, the best place is Vrindavana.

During the morning his body was washed and dressed.

At four o'clock we took the body for a visit to Krishna Balarama Mandir and then to the cremation spot on the Yamuna.

The flames immediately went very high and Radhakunda Prabhu's relation with that body was over forever.

He is a blessed soul who leaves the body in Vrindavana, his body cremated at the Yamuna and his ashes dispersed in the waters of the holy river.


My respectful obeisances to my dear friend and godbrother Radhakunda Prabhu.

_____________________________
:: Manonatha Dasa (ACBSP)::

[0INTERGALACTIC0]

http://www.isvara.org/forumen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4818

I just noticed that jijaji already posted this

[0jijaji0]

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editori...orials1433.htm

A Farewell to Radha Kunda Prabhu, My Friend and Brother BY: YADUNANDANA PADA DASA

Apr 15, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (SUN) — Yes, Radha Kunda Prabhu, was and continues to be my dear friend and God Brother and he also became my brother in life. In light of all the types I have met through our sanga over my lifetime, I found Radha Kunda Prabhu to have his very own special and exclusive candor, nearly shameless sincerity, unlike others who posture and position themselves almost in artificial imposition to the mainstream. Radha Kunda was in his own exclusive manner extremely sincere to others of exactly who he was and was not. This I found deeply and profoundly special, even though I saw it as a material weakness on his part.
I was never happier for him than when I found him living in Vrndavan years ago, finally giving up the West for Vraja. I knew then, as he knew, that this move to Vraja was permanent until the end of this chapter. He was tired of the material world and often spoke of living in caves rather than having to deal with the Maya that was driven by the rules and taboos of the various societies and cultures of East and West. This intolerance to the world made him belligerent. Radha Kunda Prabhu was difficult, irresponsible and overbearing at times, yet loving and endearing, almost tender and often generous of himself, when was able to be at rest.
He made me (and so many) laugh and cry, as I cry now, and often very angry or displeased, but most of all he made me live a whole lot more than if I had never met him, both spiritually and materially. He was wild and passionate, yet he was vulnerable and sentimental. Sometimes he would make me laugh for hours on end with his cynicism of the world and the characters that surround us. I would often have to financially support him as he could not hold down a job, but when he worked he would excel beyond all others in his work. He would often sleep in bushes or in the woods to avoid association with the world. Yet, he would walk into a literally barren kitchen and whip up a feast as if he was a master chef at a six-star-restaurant. Talent was not his lack; he was charismatic, convincing, and when he worked he was a great salesman and a great preacher. He just did not like this world or the “characters in it” and always just wanted to go home.
Back in the early seventies, I saw that on his California driver’s license he had changed his legal name to Rod Kund and often spoke of disassociating himself completely from this world until his time would come. His favorite song from his childhood, which he claimed plagued him by his disapproval from others since he was a young child, was “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” from the sixties. He told me on many occasions that as far back as he could remember he felt misunderstood in this world and that always drove him to separate himself completely from the norm. Not able to fit in, he always had a difficult time with basic survival and this would, in turn, exacerbate and aggravate his criticism and disapproval from others.
But then he moved to Vrndavan seven or eight years ago and began telling pastimes of Krsna to everyone he met in his own graceless Rod Kund manner. He would not stop. It became an obsession of sorts almost to the point of annoyance because one could hardly hold a conversation with him. I knew then he had found his place and would finally receive the grace from the Lord, which he had lived so long and awkward a life to wait for. I feel very fortunate to have known him, and cared for him from time to time, and to have been at least instrumental in giving him shelter even to his passing.
I will miss you my old friend, my life would not have been so joyous without you. I have many memories of laughter and good times, and of you making so many others smile and laugh and still giving all the credit of your charm to Srila Prabhupada and to Krsna. This was your special gift through thick and thin.
With tears and joy I wish you farewell, my brother.
All my love,
Yadu

[Tapati]

I have to agree with the portrayal of Radha Kund posted above. I too had mixed interactions with him. Of course I knew him first of all as the husband of a friend, and due to social constraints we did not have any extended conversation. So I have two particular memories of him, the first dating back to the seventies. I had moved into a house in Culver City with a devotee woman named Manindra. There was some tension because I was very pregnant with my daughter and she wanted to hold a housewarming. There were some heavy boxes of ours in the dining area and she expected me to move them while I was expecting my husband to do so. She didn't say anything to me about it at first, but I guess Radha Kunda had overheard her talking about it to his wife and some other women. One day he came over to drop something off for her and I was in the front yard raking leaves. He looked at me, red-faced from my efforts, and said, "No matter what anyone says, you're really amazing!"

Years later he showed up on Gopa's property and I suspect he'd long since forgotten our brief association. He was asking my neighbor, Dave, whether "the fat chick" next door was involved with anyone. It turned out he needed a place to stay and essentially thought he could charm his way into staying with me. (He was quite the charmer back in the day.) He did come over and try to "chat me up" but once he realized how small our place was with three of us already crammed in there, and how unreceptive I was, he quickly gave up on the idea.

So yes, Radha Kunda was human just like the rest of us and I am glad to hear that near the end he seems to have really applied himself to his spiritual path. I am sure that he is well on his way to his spiritual goals.

[0jijaji0]

Hey Tapati,

Thanks for the 'Rod Kund' katha....

He was a character no doubt, always into something

And we would call him 'Rod', that's how we referred to him often...or 'Rod Kund', very funny indeed

My iskcon wife, myself and son moved to the LA temple from Detroit temple in 77 after Prabupada had passed away,
I remember I had barely arrived and was walking on Watseka Blvd right in front of the Yellow building across from the temple, (we lived there for 1 mth when we 1st got there )

I may have been walking back and forth doing japa, not exactly sure, but 'Rod' was across on the other side walking as well, we caught each others eye..and it was strange, it was a total deja vu, as if there was this immediate recognition..very strong in fact, and we both just started walking directly over to each other and started talking about everything, we became instant friends, that was the 1st time I had ever met 'Rod Kund'...

[0jijaji0]

[Sita]

I really am losing memories, because although I lived in LA during the times that both Tapati and Jijaji talk about, I can't place a Radha Kunda. But from the descriptions of him, it would seem likely that he wouldn't be someone you'd easily forget. Can someone give me some "mundane" details of him so that I can figure out who he was -- like where did he live, what did he do, etc? Thanks, I think it's the early onset Alzheimer's kicking in!!!

[0jijaji0]

I really am losing memories, because although I lived in LA during the times that both Tapati and Jijaji talk about, I can't place a Radha Kunda. But from the descriptions of him, it would seem likely that he wouldn't be someone you'd easily forget. Can someone give me some "mundane" details of him so that I can figure out who he was -- like where did he live, what did he do, etc? Thanks, I think it's the early onset Alzheimer's kicking in!!!

Sitaji,

He lived all over the place, with friends, wife, in their garages...bushes, he lived all around LA temple area and where ever he could. His mother lived down in Torrance or down in that area and he would crash there as well at times. I remember visiting him on and off in a garage he was staying in behind a house just the other side of Watseka, we would go over to blow hooka...the Garage was like his bhajana kutir, although I don't think he was chanting lakhs

He was one of those devotees that had a hard time fitting back into the world after being in Iskcon, and he didn't want to.

Like Yadunanda said he had a hard time holding down a job, he was a great cook and worked at a veggie restaurant for a while in the early 90's off Venice down towards the beach from the temple (no longer there I believe) and he always had an idea for an art business, making some pieces himself he tried to sell, I don't think it ever took off..that idea started back in the garage kutir days around 1978.

I'm not familiar with his three rivers lila so much, I heard stories as we always did when he moved up there, he did come back and forth I remember, but I lost touch with him, got out of the fringe devotee scene....perhaps someone else can give some clues on the three rivers lila

However I do know that all this being unable to make it here in what was a struggle for him was the catalyst that prompted him to move to Vrndavana and everyone thought it was far out that he actually moved there and that it was the best thing for him.

namaskar

[Tapati]

I have a picture of his wife and child, his wife Nita (Nitai) was a twin to Sri Prada, who also lived in LA in the late 70s. They were both very beautiful, blond and slender with blue eyes. They were Italians whose ancestors were from the North of Italy, I believe. I'll try to scan the picture I have and maybe you'll recognize her and that will jog your memory of Radha Kunda as well.

[0violeta0]

Did he ever get in contact with his son?

[Tapati]

Interesting post in Chakra about honoring the struggles of RK's family after he left:

http://www.chakra.org/discussions/PersonalApr22_07.html

Good point. I sure would be upset to read all these touching things about Mahasraya if he dies before I do, without some recognition of the struggle of my children and some of his others who he failed to be there for in any consistent and meaningful way.

Mahasraya used to always talk about how difficult it was to hold down a job. In that respect he had a lot in common with Radha Kunda and some other devotee men of that era. I almost wonder if they thought they were too good to take orders from a "karmi" boss. But for whatever reason, they failed to do right by their kids and many of them expected the government (read other taxpaying citizens) would do their job for them.

Isn't it about time that women and children tell their stories about lack of support and or the abuse they received from some of these men? (Not saying that RK was an abuser, I've never heard that, but certainly some of these guys were.)

[0jijaji0]

Unfortunately I saw that side of Radha Kunda too, and yea he was irresponsible in regards to his family.

Not that this excuses any behavior like that but I saw a lot of this in devotee men who were on the 'inside' for many years and when coming out they were just unable to make it having difficulty in functioning out in the world after being in a CULT. So many of us also had arranged marriages after knowing someone for a month of seeing them for the classic 15 min in the am and 15 min in the pm..then married and many having children right away, it set the foundation for many a failed marriage and neglect towards the kids. Plus all the Sannyasis bitchin about grihastas wasn't great for the old self esteem either.

There are a fair amount of devotees who after leaving the movement have resorted to getting on 'funny money' or crazy money...SSI. I'm not sure the exact ratio of men verses women who have left the movement and gone on funny money...would be a interesting study...

I'm not sure about Mahasraya, but I think a lot of devotees men and women just had a hard time fitting back into the working world after being in Iskcon for many years having joined as young teenagers mostly without education and a lack of skills.

We were just still in a 'cult cloud' of dysfunction, made it difficult....plus the distrust of the karmi or meateater boss etc.

I was lucky after I left I got into working easily and loved it and did well, it gave me a new life really.

I'm sure even his ex feels some sadness now, in fact I know she does from speaking with my old god brothers recently who have been in contact with her.

I am sorry about the neglect that occurred with his sons and so many who were born in that movement to self-absorbed parents.

He did make mistakes with his family yes, I still honor him as one of the old devotees I knew years ago who has moved on now and my prayers go out to him and his family...

I hope they don't start smearing his name now.

[Tapati]

I wouldn't want to see his name smeared either, but I understand the impulse to mention his abandoned family in response to the mostly positive publicity over his death. There does seem to be a tendency in ISKCON or other Vaishnava obits to whitewash the past and make it seem like the deceased had punched their ticket back to Godhead with some certainty. Perhaps it is meant to inspire those left behind, I don't know. I saw one such obit about someone I had known quite well, someone who had clearly neglected her children and had otherwise mistreated others. Perhaps she did get herself together in light of her impending death, I don't know, but to read the obit one got a picture of an entire life lived with absorption in Krsna and Guru.

I wouldn't want someone to whitewash my life in that way. I am who I am, warts and all.

[0jijaji0]

I wouldn't want to see his name smeared either, but I understand the impulse to mention his abandoned family in response to the mostly positive publicity over his death. There does seem to be a tendency in ISKCON or other Vaishnava obits to whitewash the past and make it seem like the deceased had punched their ticket back to  Godhead with some certainty. Perhaps it is meant to inspire those left behind, I don't know. I saw one such obit about someone I had known quite well, someone who had clearly neglected her children and had otherwise mistreated others. Perhaps she did get herself together in light of her impending death, I don't know, but to read the obit one got a picture of an entire life lived with absorption in Krsna and Guru.

I wouldn't want someone to whitewash my life in that way. I am who I am, warts and all.

Fair is fair and all of us who knew him were familiar with his ways, and because of that some of us even distanced ourselves from him who had known him earlier as often times he was a lot to handle. A lot of people in iskcon came from dysfunctional families and the iskcon experience exasperated that, men were given horrible role models and ways of viewing and treating women, it was the staus quo. Not that this excuses men who were horrible to their families, but it sure fed the flames.

I hope he finds peace on the other side and his family can heal in some way...