Anatasimha Das (Dr.Avnish Pandey): In 2009 I came to know that my mother mrs .Devwanti bhandari was suffering from cancer of breast , which has spread to other parts of body , I am a GNM nurse & I was doing my further studies in london , being from the medical field I came to know that now the disease was incurable and I cannot do anything to save my mother , I was feeling helpless, in that sad moment I found solace in the association of devotees , my friend madhavimanjari devidasi , who is also a nurse advised me to take my mother to Bhaktivedanta hospice vrindavan , as most important is to chant and hear the holy names when a soul is leaving the body.
I received a call from my father that my mother’s condition was deteriorating very rapidly and that she has been admitted to a local hospital in delhi , when I went there I found out that they have shifted my mother to ICU, Seeing her in such a miserable condition my heart wrenched , I was praying to my guru maharaj , H.H. Jaypataka swami maharaj to show me the way so that I could do whatever is best for my mother , I received a call from Dr.Anantasimha das , of bhaktivedanta hospice , inviting us to bring our mother to vrindavan . I knew I cannot let my mother die in this situation so I finally convinced my family members and we left for vrindavan in the afternoon , I was constantly praying that she may reach vrindavan as anyone who leaves the body in vrindavan gets the unlimited mercy of the lord .
we reached the hospice at 9 pm and I was very relieved seeing the devotional atmosphere of hospice with srila prabhupada’s pure voice resounding the hare Krishna mahamantra , the doctors , staff were very very caring and the necessary treatment was started , I was by my mother’s side constantly praying to sri sri radha shyamsunder & Krishna balram to give the shelter of their lotus feet , at around 11 pm my mother’s B.P & pulse started to go down and immediately garland from deities, carnamrta , radha kund jal & braja raj was offered to my mother by the hospice staff & she left her body in a glorious way listening to the holy names of the lord.
When I recollect my past memories I come to the conclusion that Krishna was always there listening to my prayers and he has planned everything so beautifully for her & pulled her to vrindavan dham just at the right moment . I am very very grateful to the devotees who have prayed for my mother and all the hospice staff for giving such loving care to my mother and helping her in her final journey
Abha Bhandari