Hari Sauri: A mother and daughter, Antardhyana Dasi and Manisha Dasi requested a darsana with Srila Prabhupada, and he received them this morning just before his massage. Manisha is initiated even though in her early teens, but she is terminally ill with leukemia. Having given up any hope of a cure, they have come here so that Manisha can leave her body in the holy dhama. When they came in, Manisha burst into tears as they explained her condition and prognosis. She is frightened by the prospect of imminent death and is clearly not mentally prepared for it.
Despite the girl’s weeping, however, Srila Prabhupada was firm and spoke rather strongly, focusing in on the reality of her condition. Rather than offering sympathies with some sentimental, body-based words of solace, Srila Prabhupada cut through the fear and doubt shrouding his disciple’s mind and intelligence and met the problem head-on. “Everyone is going to die,” he said. “Who is going to live? Who is here? Can you show me anyone who is going to live? Can you show me?” Antardhyana shook her head. “No. Everybody’s going to die.“
“So today or tomorrow, everyone will die,” he affirmed. “So where is the anxiety? Die or not die, tomorrow or today, but one should chant Hare Krishna, that’s all. Why one should be depressed? And everyone is going to die. I am going to die tomorrow, he is going to die day after tomorrow – everyone will have to die. Who will live here? So what is the anxiety? Chant Hare Krishna. That’s all.” Prabhupada’s direct and practical words helped Manisha focus. She stopped sobbing and regained her composure.
A Transcendental Diary, Volume 5 – Hari Sauri Dasa (ACBSP)
Grihastha Life 