"Thank God for Prabhupada!" ~ Mother Premanandi

NAME:
Mother Premanandi Devi Dasi

AGE:
31

WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Sweet Home, Oregon

WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY?
Connecticut

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR SRILA PRABHUPADA?
I like to hear Prabhupadas songs and lectures, read his books, watch his movies, compile his quotes for booklets, flyers, newsletters and other projects. I like to sing and play instruments for Prabhupada, chant Hare Krishna on the streets in harinam, write songs and poems for Prabhupada, distribute his divine books, make flower garlands for him, make clothes and dress my deities- Prabhupada and Nitai-Gauranga, cook for him and eat his leftovers, especially spinach and laddus, distribute free prasadam to people on the streets, help organize festivals, make signs, tell others about Prabhupada and try to serve his dedicated devotees.

HOW DID YOU COME TO THE SHELTER OF SRILA PRABHUPADA?
I received Prabhupadas mercy through strangers, friends and family. In high school, my friend Ryan played the George Harrison CD for me (Radha-Krsna Temple Album) which was inspired totally by Prabhupada. I got a Prabhupada book, The Science of Self-Realization, in an airport from a shaved head orange robed boy, but I didnt read it till years later, nor did I make the connection between the book and the music. My friend Courtney gave me another Prabhupada book where he talks with the Beatles, then I met my friend Mark who gave me Prabhupadas music tapes, which I listened to all the time in the car. I became attached to hearing his songs and singing with them, even though I didnt know totally what it was all about. Then Mark took me to a tiny temple in New York Citys Lower East Side, the Prabhupada Sankirtan Society, where I met Kapindra Swami. Then I got Prabhupadas lecture tapes and before I started visiting the temple in New York, I stayed home and got addicted to hearing Prabhupadas music and lectures. After years of manic-depression, psychotic episodes, violent hospitalizations, attempts at college, time wasted in smoking cigarettes, pot, drinking, t.v., movies, junk food, failed hopes for an eternal relationship, but also a lot of learning from friends, family, 2 outward bound semester courses and traveling Prabhupada came to my rescue and he still does every moment. I thank Kapindra Swami for helping me become attracted to the shelter of Prabhupada and for consistently giving his compassion to engage me in Prabhupadas service and therefore keeping me safe under Prabhupadas shelter. The spiritual new age flaky stuff I got into a little here and there (channeling, past life regression, yoga exercise and breathing, shamanism and some Gangaji guru lady) in my desperate search for answers did not compare to the gravity of truth, science, common sense, honesty and genuine hardcore love that Prabhupada gave. So after hearing from him personally, I came to the conclusion that Prabhupada gives the real thing in every way.

WHAT MAKES PRABHUPADA'S MISSION REAL TO YOU? Singing Hare Krishna in the streets, having the excellent fortune (that i don't deserve) of knowing sincere and strong devotees who are faithful to Prabhupada who continue to push on his mission through all difficulties and seeing how the simple sankirtan activities of singing, dancing and eating prasadam bring so much joy to all kinds of different people make Prabhupada's mission real to me. When the Prabhupada Sankirtan Society had festivals at Prabhupada's tree in NYC, and all kinds of souls got together giving their energy and curiosity towards Krsna, i felt like i was just where i was meant to be, which is rare. Just to be a small part of Prabhupada's mission keeps me feeling good about my life, because i know that when all things seem confusing, Prabhupada's mission is about loving Krsna which is actual happiness and reality.

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE BENEFITTING BY ASSOCIATING IN THIS MISSION? Mostly i am benefitting because i am so lucky to know such incredible souls who are so inspiring to me and give me hope. Also i've wanted to help people and be of some service, but there are so many ways to go about helping, i didn't know what to do. i also knew i needed help too. Prabhupada's mission of offering Krsna consciousness to all cuts all boundaries and goes straight to the soul,the most important part of us, so i feel it is the best way to help myself, others and the world on all levels. If you study it, everything makes so much sense. I'm also benefitting because there is always service to be done, and i can use my creativity for Prabhupada. Also, i have so many unending and embarrassing material desires but Prabhupada's mission helps me gradually realize that these material desires only cause more suffering. This mission is challenging for me on a personal level but in a good and healthy way. It makes me want to live up to my potential, through so many difficulties, to take the guidance of Prabhupada seriously.