Saturday 6 June 2009

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

A New Punjabi Lady

North York, Ontario

The last surviving Titanic victim, Millvinia Dean, of Southampton, England, recently passed away at age 96. Such was the news as sent by "The Associated Press." At two months old she was placed in a bag and put onto a life-boat while her father passed away into the icy water back in April of 1912.

Today i attended along with my assistant monk Bhakta Dustin, a funeral for a dear, dear Punjabi lady. If anyone knows this communitythey are tightly bonded and come together in great numbers to support each other. The lady's name was Amrita Prasher and four generations of family participated. As preists of their community we were invited to conduct the chanting portion of the ceremony. I was asked to lead the chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" in front of the coffin which was carried by Amrita's surviving sons.

What was unique about the procession was that along the way to the crematorium fireworks were let off. This display was a way of saying that Amrita led a happy and full life. Her departure was glorius. Even the funeral director found the fireworks as a rarity- a first.

Naturally there were tears and wailing went on, but for the most part a happy closure was put to the life of a very nice Punjabi lady.

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