Dear Friends,

Pranam. Hare Krishna

By the will of the Supreme Lord Krishna,

my mother, Karen Lowens, passed from this world,

29 October 2011 at 3 pm @ Calvary Hospital, New York.

It was the auspicious tithi of Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearence Day. (Founder-acarya of The Krishna Consciousness Movement).

As she left the world, surrounded by loving family members, we were singing the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra close to her ear.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

An unusual October snow storm showered snow flakes that reminded me of flower petals. Before her departure, thunder rumbled pleasingly in the sky, like kettledrums.

Her eyes had been closed for almost a week. Yet mystically, she opened her eyes to gaze lovingly upon us one last time…

Then, she peacefully breathed her last breath.

As family members shed their tears, expressing their grief and loss, the singing of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra continued.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Her sister Susan recited prayers from the Hebrew tradition.

She was adorned with the flower garland of Sri Sri Radha Muralidhar. Drops of holy water (caritamrta) were put in her mouth, and a Tulsi leaf with sandlewood (candon) was delicately placed on her toungue. I offered my obeisances (pranam) to my mother.

The singing of Hare Krishna contined until 6 pm, and concluded with the singing of the Prayers to the Departed Vaisnava (Je Anilo Prema Dhana Koruna Pracura).

Karen Lowens Mataji Ki Jaya!

I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for your prayers, blessings, support and encouragement. Never have I experienced such an outpouring of love from my friends, well-wishers, and community. I feel truly blessed. I am grateful to you all.

Please continue to pray the auspicious next destination of her departed soul.

We will host a condolence meeting at her home in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York on Tuesday, November 1st, from 5 pm – 9 pm.
Later, we are tentatively planning a memorial observance on March 22, 2012, which would have been her 75th birthday.

Thank you very much.

your servant,

ekalavya das

Listen to a song recorded by my sister Alice and I here.