IN FOCUS: RATIPRIYA DEVI DASI
By Anasuya dasi.
This month, we interviewed Ratipriya devi dasi, who has had a connection with both the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and New Govardhana (Iskcon Farm community in Australia) since the 1980s.
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Q: Please tell us something about yourself.
RP: I met the devotees in 1980 in Brisbane. In 1983 I took initiation as Rati Srestha devi dasi. I then moved to the farm with my two sons, Sunanda and Jai, and served in the gurukula.
In 1984, I received brahmana initiation, and thus had the great fortune to begin Deity worship in addition to my gurukula service. In 1990, I married Prabhu dasa and moved to North Sydney, worshipping Shri Shri Radha Gokulananda (who, until March 1991, were presiding over North Sydney temple). In late 1991, we moved to Auckland.
There, in New Varshana, I also served in the gurukula and the Deity department until we returned to New Govardhana in 1994, where
I resumed my previous services.
In 1999, we relocated to Melbourne, and I served Shri Shri Radha Ballabha in a variety of capacities, mainly sewing and puja, but I also helped set up their new commercial kitchen. In 2001, His Holiness Indradyumna Swami initiated me with the name Ratipriya devi dasi. Prabhu and I have three children, Prithu, Ramai and Amrita Keli.
Q: What is your main service here at New Govardhana?
RP: I serve as personal assistant and secretary to the gurukula principal. My husband encouraged me to apply for the advertised role and the rest is history. I like assisting Vinod Bihari prabhu and all the dedicated teachers.
Q: As a long-term devotee, what has kept you dedicated to Krishna consciousness?
RP: My desire to know true love and how to attain it has sustained me. My service to guru, Gauranga and all the wonderful devotees I have met and maintained relationships with over the years have given me the foundation to begin understanding this.
Q: Do you have a favourite personality?
RP: I am particularly attached to Krishna Balarama. Here at New Govardhana, I dressed Them for many years. In Vrindavana during the 2017 Kartika, my personal Deities of Krishna Balarama blessed me and came home with me. My guru maharaja kindly named them ‘Kanai Balai’, personal names the brajabhasis call Them.
Q: What inspires you?
RP: My Deities, spiritual master and sadhu-sanga.
Q: Can you tell us what the Australian yatra was like in the past?
RP: In the 1980s there was a very dynamic mood; all the devotees were engaged in full-time service to Srila Prabhupada. I was a teacher at the time. In 1980, Sabhapati dasa told me to quit my job and move into the temple, assuring me that Krishna would take care of all my needs. I didn’t do that!
However, when I did move onto the farm, the mood was very vibrant. When the spiritual master for Australia at the time left a few years later, the yatra struggled. Devotees managed to rally together and things improved and became the community it is today.
Q: Lastly, what is your favorite quote?
RP: Once Indradyumna Swami told of a devotee asking Srila Prabhupada, “What does it mean when you chant Hare Krsna?”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “You are calling out to Krishna, ‘My friend, my friend’.”
I try to remember this during kirtana and my japa time.