Contributing Author Biographies
Kamrā Devī Dāsī
The term “twice-born” means that one has taken the first birth from the material father and mother, and the second birth from the spiritual master and the Vedic wisdom. I took my first birth in March of 1954 in NYC, and was mercifully awarded my second birth by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in December of 1974.
I grew up in New York, and was always inquiring after life’s meaning and purpose. I found my answers when I met the disciples of Srila Prabhupada in the spring of 1974, and joined the Hare Krishna Temple on Henry Street in Brooklyn at that time. I have done my best to study and apply myself to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings since then.
I first met Srila Prabhupada personally in June of 1974. I did not have extensive personal contact with him as some of his disciples did. There were several visits in New York, Philadelphia Rathayatra in 1975 (It was like the parting of the seas as Srila Prabhupada came through the crowds to approach Sri Subhadra Devi’s cart), and his famous Gita-Nagari visit in July of 1976, in which I am also in many of the photographs, mostly in a state of sleep-deprived delirium after giving birth to premature twins. Every contact with Srila Prabhupada, of course holds, many cherished memories for me, but I can say I was always a little frightened of him. For example, when I was so fortunate to bring him his lunch in Gita-Nagari, I eased out of his presence very quickly, leaving him to speak with Paramananada Prabhu and his wife, Satyabhama, with whom he apparently was more intimate.
Over the years of trying to be of some service to His Divine Grace, I can say that my relationship with him is stronger than ever. It is not the type of relationship that dwindles because someone is not physically present, but it has grown deeply because it is a spiritual bond. I have spent my entire devotional life praying that I might do something pleasing to Srila Prabhupada in this lifetime.
Maybe my humble effort to present his mood, mission, and teachings through Purely Prabhupada Inc, with its main website PurelyPrabhupada.com will be the venue through which my prayer will be answered.
I hope that you find this endeavor satisfying to your heart. There is nothing that will grant more spiritual vitality than what Srila Prabhupada has offered to the world in the form of his teachings and personal example.
Harinama Chintamani Devi Dasi
In 1974, after many years of searching, questioning and praying, I decided to accept initiation from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda.
Sadly, only three years later Srila Prabhupāda left this world at the age of 80 years old.
Unfortunately his books, which he sacrificed his life to translate and publish were being changed. Some years ago it became apparent to me that the Society no longer represented the mood and mission of His Divine Grace.
It was with great sorrow, that after over four decades of dedicated service I had to step away from the organization.
Srimati Kamra devi, Dr. Karen Silberstein, felt guided from within the heart to establish this website Purely Prabhupāda. She did so over several years, paying for it all, designing it and writing all the book summaries to Srila Prabhupāda’s original, unedited books.
The vision was of a lighthouse, a beacon in the darkness coming, where all those who sought spiritual shelter would find a safe port.
These podcasts are inspired from the books and lectures of His Divine Grace. May they inspire your hearts as well. Hare Kṛṣṇa.