By Omkara devi dasi
Hare Krsna. As you all may (or may not know) our dear Godsister Rasajna ( on the left ) is suffering from cancer and has been suffering from cancer for some time. I have heard this through an email from one of my Godsisters the other Saturday. The news had startled me since all day long my mind had been dwelling upon death.
Rasajna will be having surgery at 9:00 AM in Austin TX, as confirmed by her husband, Greg, in a phone conversation I had with him this evening. Her condition is serious, so I implore all of you to please pray for her protection. It is up to Lord Krsna to uplift her or to allow her to stay.
We should pray for her spiritual strength and protection. May Srila Prabhupada give her guidance and shelter. May Lord Nrsinghadeva bestow his special Mercy upon her.
Rasajna was initiated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada in 1973. Below is her brief bio from her website www.rasasittler.com
Rasa studied theater in Germany and New York City. She performed internationally with the Munich Bach Choir for five years and played in 30 productions during nine years with the Players Workshop in NYC. In 1972, Rasa performed in the role of the screamer in Zefferelli’s production of “Cavaleria Rusticana” at the Metropolitan Opera House. Although Rasa is arguably best known for the 18 years of performances given for her beloved spiritual master, Prabhupada, throughout India, England, Spain and France. Today, Rasa performs Indian Classical Dance and has recorded “Vandanam, Offering Prayers”, a chanting of ancient Vedic mantras with accompaniment on bamboo flute, tamboura and tabla.
I was at such unease hearing bits & pieces about Rasajna’s health, and I took matters into my own hands this morning. I emailed the temple president in Austin, TX about this to see if some devotees can go visit Rasajna. The temple president, Sankarshan das Adhikari, was out of the country in Europe, however, he emailed me right back (within minutes) telling me that he instructed his disciple, Abhay Charan das to assist in my request. After work I spoke to Abhay Charan das, I made arrangements for him to go with another devotee and bring a deity flower garland, Tulasi and caranamrta to Rasajna. I spoke to her husband, Greg, to confirm that this would be alright, and he approved. Her surgery is Wed. 9:00 in Austin, TX. Tomorrow she will receive her garland and hopefully this will bless her and help her spiritually. I pray for my dear Godsister, and ask for all of your prayers too.
Your humble servant,
Omkara devi dasi
I remember Mother Rasajna from ISKCON NYC she was directing a play I was in in 1990, she is a very talented and wonderfull devotee.I pray to Srimati Radharani to protect her and help her in any way.
your humble servant
Payonidhi das
Hare Krishna ! I knew Rasajna Dasi and her good husband for a time in the NYC Temple . That was in 1976, They were deeply involved in the Temple`s ” Transcendental Theater Group “. Drama was always a powerful preaching medium , and `Srila Prabhupada loved it ! He got the devotees started doing it practically from the beginning , both at the Sundays Feasts , and on the Streets . The thing about Rasajna Dasi`s performances was 2-fold . 1st , she was probably the most classically trained in singing , acting , and dancing in ISKCON . 2nd , she was a dedicated servant of `Srila Prabhupada `s Preaching Movement ! I would request devotees around the world to offer a little prayer for her ; and , it would really be wonderful if a Prayer could be offered for her recovery in Mayapur to His Lordship – Our Mayapuri Nara`singha Dev !
Sevananda das
Thursday, 10/15/09
Hare Krsna to my Dear Godsisters & Godbrothers,
I spoke to Greg, Rasajna’s husband today, and would like to briefly update everyone. With all due respect to both Rasajna and Greg I appeal to everyone as follows:
Rasajna had her surgery on Wednesday, and she is in the hospital for a few days recuperating. Greg and Rasajna have received an overwhelming amount of emails, letters, voice mails and appreciate all your concerns. Please continue to pray, especially in the following weeks. This is so important. Your support is needed at this time. Please pray to Lord Krsna, Radharani, Srila Prabhupada and Lord Nrsinghadeva.
Due to the surgery, her stage of illness, and the combined situation please respect that they need some private time. It is important to honor this and extend our prayers to them — at the same time, maintain a distance for a short while, so they can recoup and build their internal strength.
Rasajna and Greg will pick up and move forward. I will not go into details, however, Rasajna’s physical health is very, very serious. This is a fact. You may contact me on Facebook if you have a dire need (Ann Di Nicola). Hare Krsna.
Thank you, Omkara Mataji, for taking care of our Godbrothers and Godsisters when they are getting close to death.
Rasajna and I got initiated together in L.A. She is very dear to my heart, and I am grateful to you for letting us know about her illness. I will pray for her.
May you be blessed for your loving service to the Vaisnavas.
Your Godsister, Phalini dd
For all of you with affection and concerns for Rasa: I spoke with someone who just visited her in the hospital. She expressed her need for peaceful, spiritual contemplation. It has been hard for her to do with so many well-wishers reaching out to her…. She indicated that the best way to express your concerns is to send her an email, which will be read to her, rather than calling her. For updates about her health, her husband is sending out emails via her newsletter which you can sign up for at her website. The link to her email is also on her website. Hare Krishna.
http://rasasittler.com/
Mother Rasajna’s illness has come as a shock to me since I still see her in my mind as a vibrant young devotee playing Sita devi to an attentive audience.
Rasajna devi dasi is one of the last remaining actors who carry the seed that Srila Prabhupada planted for Vedic theatre in ISKCON. Her attention to detail, her artistry and bhakti is immense and will hopefully be carried on by those who have the privilege to associate with her. It is a shame that circumstances have separated her from the association of other Vaishnava actors with whom she could serve and share more. Only recently did I mention my recollections of Mother Rasajna to a group of children in my Vedic theatre course to help pass on her legacy.
I would like to share some of my moments of Mother Rasajna’s association that are etched in my heart. Hopefully, others can also express ways that Mother Rasajna touches their lives.
Anyone else remember her alto voice singing “Jiv Jago” to waken the grhastas on the 8th floor at 55th Street, her recollections of Srila Prabhupada which would turn any sentient being into a devotee of Lord Krsna, her devotion to her deceased husband who presented her with so many challenges, her blissful face finishing up a sleepless marathon of sewing Gaur Nitai’s dress for Janmastami, her boyish portrayal of Lord Krsna in Govardhan Lila, her descriptions of milk sweets to Count Dracula on 5th Avenue during Saturday night Hari Nam, her interpretation of Kaikeyi scolding Manthara and breaking the news to Lord Ram, her flawless sense of style in her dress and carriage, her sophisticated wit and endearing sense of humor … ?
By the way, her CD is wonderful.
ys, deva (ddjp)
Dear Phalini dasi
(and my Godsisters & Godbrothers),
Thank you for your message regarding Rasajna and your prayers. I remember you when you were here in New Dwaraka — and wish you well.
I am asking everyone to continue to pray for Rasajna, presently and in the upcoming weeks, and visit her website. I am also encouraging devotees to post their prayers and reflections here so that we — as a family — can help each other be reminded how important it is to think of Krsna. How we prepare ourselves for not taking birth again in this material body.
This is the purpose of Krsna Consciousness. This is the value of chanting the Hare Krsna Mantra. This is the value of taking initiation and having your relationship with your Guru. To go Back to Godhead. And Prabhupada said — yes — you can go Back to Godhead by desire. So by sincerity, purity, prayer, service and — desire — this is possible. Thank you Srila Prabhupada.
Govinda dasi has posted some very nice pictures of Rasajna on her Facebook photo album. I invite you to look at them.
Your servant, Omkara devi dasi
I met Rasajna 27 yrs. ago, when I was a just a young girl of 18. I will never forget that moment, as long as I live. I had just moved to the farm in Spain, and for reasons that are not important to describe, I was lonely, and miserable and wanted nothing more than to go home, back to L.A. but that was not going to happen, no matter how much I rebelled over it, so my state of mind was dark and low and I felt like I was being punished for no reason, even feeling that Krsna had turned his back on me, and one day when I truly thought I was on the verge of a breakdown, I was hiding in this small corner, on the 2nd floor of the temple, trying to chant, but mostly trying to disappear, when out of no where, like a demigoddess floating from heaven, was this creature so pure, so bright with love for Guru and Krsna, that she actually GLOWED. I was in such awe, that I sat frozen, just watching her move in my direction, not being able to absorb what I was seeing. Then as if that wasn’t enough pleasure for my lonely eyes, she, not knowing that I was there in the dark little corner, thinking she was all alone in this long, long hall way, decided to practice a few of her amazing ballet moves! So here was Mother Rasajna, devotee of all devotees, alone with Me, a no body, in a long dark hall way in Spain, leaping and spinning, and floating and chanting, all at the same time, totally meditating in her trance/dance. She was the most angelic creature I’d ever seen, and my whole life changed forever, at that moment. When she stopped, and I clapped, she was so shocked that I was there, that all she could do was laugh, and laugh, and then I began to laugh, and she came straight to me and hugged me as if she had known me forever, not even knowing my name yet, but she said she knew me anyway. She became my Mata, right then and there. She trained me, and taught me, and healed me, and has loved me, unconditionally more than anyone else ever has in my whole life. She has touched us all in one way or another, so now we must all join together,and be there for her with one collective world wide prayer to Krsna, to please not take her from us yet. There are still so many lost souls that have not been blessed yet with her divine association, like I was,or like you may have been, so please pray, pray, pray with me for her comfort and healing.
I would like to send Rasajna a gift. Could someone please inform me of a proper postal address for her.
You could write me at:
katha @ gopaljiu.org
Delete the spaces before and after the @ sign.
Thanks!
Madhavananda Das