Nitai’s Funeral In India
Nitai’s Funeral in India by Jaya Krsna Dasa
On February 15, 2012, Nitai dasa’s ashes entered the sacred Ganges at Srila Prabhupada’s Ghat in Mayapur. Nitai’s spiritual master Radhanath Swami and his uncle Nityodita Prabhu offered the ashes into the Ganges after Jananivas Prabhu performed the final rites.
About one hundred devotees were present, including Nitai’s wife Mandali Prabhu, Mandali’s spiritual master Krsna Ksetra Prabhu, Bir Krishna Swami, and Chandramauli Swami. Nitai’s parents Jack and Carmine, as well as his brother Dustin, also attended the ceremony.
Afterward, devotees gathered at the Mayapur community center to share their personal remembrances of Nitai Prabhu. Nitai came to New Vrindaban in 1997 at 17 years old, and he remained here as a community member, often travelling to other places.
His family members spoke first and then his wife. Many second generation devotees then glorified Nitai by describing how he had personally looked after them in their spiritual and practical life.
Everybody heard about Nitai’s global vision for the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his plan to make the world Krishna conscious through prasadam distribution, as well as his ability to communicate and to engage so many souls in Krishna’s service. His dedication, positive attitude, way of thinking and intimate relationships with so many were praised abundantly. Finally, at the end of the three hour remembrance, the Maharajas present glorified Nitai and Jananivas Prabhu told how he had felt so much love during the final rites.
After prasadam, everyone left the community center with a light heart knowing that Nitai had a full life and complete dedication in his mission to Srila Prabhupada and that Nitai for sure was going home to assist the Krishna consciousness mission on a higher level. His Grace Nitai Prabhu ki Jaya!
