ISKCON Pioneer and Award-Winning Author Yamuna Devi Passes Away
Yamuna Devi, a pioneer and influential early Western convert to the Hare Krishna movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), passed away early on the morning of December 20th in Melbourne Beach, Florida.
From meeting the Beatles and recording soundtracks with George Harrison in London to travelling throughout India with Srila Prabhupada and leading kirtans in front of thousands, Yamuna Devi led an inspirational life. She also published a first-of-its-kind, authentic, vegetarian Indian cookbook, which won top international awards.
She had dedicated the last 45 years of her life to Krsna consciousness and was a beloved member and well-known figure of the Hare Krishna movement.
Born Joan Campanella, Yamuna Devi first encountered ISKCON in September of 1966 through her sister, and it was then that she met A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, or Srila Prabhupada. Later she and five other followers opened the first temple in San Francisco. She soon became one of the first Western adherents of India’s ancient Vaishnava, or devotional, culture and was given the name Yamuna Devi Dasi.
Yamuna Devi is credited with being one of the most influential and inspiring voices during ISKCON’s fledgling years. The movement now boasts over 400 international temples, farm communities, restaurants and eco-villages. During a time when immigration laws gave waves of South Asians the opportunity to come to the West and be assimilated within American culture, she embodied a unique voice that spoke of maintaining the values of India’s spiritual heritage.
Malati Devi Dasi, a Governing Body Commission member of ISKCON, comments, “Yamuna Devi was known for her deeply spiritual qualities and connection with Srila Prabhupada, her glorious offering of the Govindam prayers that are chanted daily in our temples, her love of kirtan, her ecstatic, award-winning cookbooks infused with spiritual anecdotes, and for greatly inspiring and encouraging the younger generation of ISKCON devotees in their faith.”
In August of 1968, Yamuna Devi, along with her husband, Guru Dasa, and four other disciples of Srila Prabhupada (including Malati) broke new ground as they brought the Hare Krishna culture to London. Still relative newcomers to the faith and tradition, they arrived in the United Kingdom with no financial or institutional support and only the hopes of introducing the worship of Lord Krishna to the British people. Despite their lack of resources, money and contacts, they achieved staggering success and eventually connected with the Beatles and struck up a strong relationship with George Harrison.
It was with Harrison in the iconic Apple Studios, famous for churning out many albums for the Beatles, that they recorded both the Hare Krishna mantra and the Govindam prayers, consisting of ancient Sanksrit verses of the Brahma-Samhita. Yamuna Devi, a natural musician, led the vocals for the Govindam recording, and the composition, produced and accompanied by Harrison himself, was released to the public and topped the European music charts along with the Hare Krishna chant. To this day, Yamuna Devi’s voice can be heard in every ISKCON temple during morning services when the Govindam bhajan is played.
Having travelled to India with Srila Prabhupada during the Hare Krishna movement’s formative years, Yamuna Devi imbibed the culture of Krishna consciousness into her heart. She served as the personal cook for Srila Prabhupada for eight years, which laid the foundation for what became her globally recognized culinary abilities.
She later wrote, “For two years, I was part of a group that accompanied Srila Prabhupada on extensive tours of the subcontinent that gave me the opportunity to learn from scores of famous temple brahamana cooks. In some cases, I was privileged to be the first Westerner allowed in previously restricted temple kitchens.”
She later published her own cookbook entitled, “Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking,” which garnered multiple awards, including the International Association of Culinary Professionals Cookbook of the Year.
Spending recent years in western Canada, where she dedicated her efforts to promoting vegetarianism and environmental sustainability, Yamuna Devi eventually relocated to a Krishna community in Florida.
In the coming days, Hare Krishna followers around the world plan to commemorate Yamuna Devi’s contributions to their movement and her expression of Vaishnava culture. As Yamuna Devi herself noted: “Looking back, when I first climbed the stairs to Prabhupada’s apartment, I could never have imagined the treasure of transcendental philosophy, music, art and cuisine that awaited me.”
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Reader Comments:
Her cookbook "Lord Krishna's
Her cookbook "Lord Krishna's Cuisine" contains what all great cookbooks have: the beautiful loving energy of one who loves to nurture and who has understood the genius of a culture and its food and can relate this to others. It is one of the best cookbooks ever written and a sacred treasure to me. I never met Yamuna but through her book felt such a kinship to her: again, the brilliance of her book and the radiance of her love for this food and for people. You have enriched my life, Yamuna, and I wish you blessings and peace and I hope you are smiling upon all life on earth now.
Kudos Yamuna Devi Dasi,
Kudos Yamuna Devi Dasi,
Didi(sister)How fortunate of you to have been associated with Srila Prabhupad. I am sure you are in Goloka worshiping Krishnas feet. Kindly remember me to the Lord and ask for the power to love Krishna, and also his causeless mercy on me and all the mankind.
Dasanudasa
Tirupati
all gorlies to the devotee's
all gorlies to the devotee's of Srila Prabhupada that go on shining in the sun that he left behind for all of us to see, hare krishna
Thank you, Yamuna, for the
Thank you, Yamuna, for the time and instruction you so kindly gave me all those years ago. I am sure you are somewhere now, cooking for Krsna. You are the consummate Vaisnavi.
Your servant and godsister, Mahasini dasi
we have lost a piece of our
we have lost a piece of our heart, a piece of our collective soul, an inspiration and a guiding light of devotion. yamuna devi dasi has taught each of us through her personal example how to render loving service to our lordships. she is/was a path breaking kirtaniya and personal assistant to their lordships. we have lost a sensitive, contemplative, and deeply loving soul and friend. we have lost a voice that has cried out in longing and love, but is also deeply ingrained within our hearts and ears every time we take darshan. that voice, that heart, her loving dedication and attention to detail in everything she did is gone from our immediate sight, but not from our collective devotional community's spirit and inspiration for rendering service NOW and in the future. she did not lead from the front, but her gentle but committed voice and the depth of her sincerity, dedication and love for srila prabhupada made her stand out to anyone who had the privilege of her association. she lives eternally in sound and in our hearts and has now returned to her dearest srila prabhupada. one can only imagine who else is dancing in that kirtan!!!
YAMUNA DEVI is one of our
YAMUNA DEVI is one of our great saintly devotees, as an exemplary perfected disciple of Srila Prabhupada. She embodies all of the pure Vaisnava qualities that Srila Prabhupada wished to see manifest in his followers: her total devotion to guru and Krishna, her personnal concern and love for all Krishna bhaktas, her deep taste for Krishna Nama and Krishna kirtan manifested in her selfless dedication to the Sankirtan Movement, as well as her joyous and affectionate demeanor and genuine loving nature that always left the most positive impressions on us all. We will sorrowfully miss her inspiring association, and we will cherish her immense legacy of pure devotion which she humbly shared with all of us fortunate to have had such a glorious soul in our sangha. Thank you Yamuna Mataji for helping us better understand what Srila Prabhupada has given to the world: such perfect saints as you. Your grateful friend, Gokulananda das ACBSP
Hare Krsna! Although I never
Hare Krsna!
Although I never personally met this beautiful god-sister, since her passing, I am thinking of her every day. I pray that she will always be with our beloved Srila Prabhupada and I pray that I will be able to appreciate each of the dedicated servants of Srila Prabhupada more and more. Yamuna devi you were such a role model! The society of devotees and the world in general, has certainly been enriched by your presence.
Her departure is sad, but no
Her departure is sad, but no doubt her heart took her immediately to the lotus feet of her beloved Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Yamuna Devi
All glories to Yamuna Devi Mataji.
koti koti dandvat parnams
koti koti dandvat parnams
Hare krishna yamuna devi mataji is a great soul we cant say about our god mother Lord srikrishna and Radha Rani sril pabhupad gave her to bes place in Golok Vrindavan
hare krishna Jai Yamuna Mataji
hari bol
mahatamadas
Thanks to Dinatarine dasi
Thanks to Dinatarine dasi for her 35 years of service and care of Yamuna devi. Hare Krishna.
Thanks to Yamuna devi dasi,
Thanks to Yamuna devi dasi, a very great devotee, she is a wonderful source of inspiration. Her service to our loved acarya Srila Prabhupada will continue forever to inspire devotion in our hearts. Her way to sing, her magnificent cook-book and all the stories she told about Srila Prabhupada and about her experiences are an inestimable gift. Thank you
koti koti dandvat parnams
koti koti dandvat parnams for My loving godmother Yamuna devi dasi.
Her Grace Yamuna devi dasi was a example of a Great vaisnavi in line of discplic succession her efforts for iskcon and Srila Prabhupad is countless. she will always b in our memoey in form of her singing books cooking n most popular n spiritual darshan Artik Govindam adi pursham we have lost a great spiritual personality.
*Vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca kirpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vainavebhyo namo namah
Das anu das
Mukunda Datta dasa pak
Hare Krishna! A great Jewel
Hare Krishna!
A great Jewel for Iskcon
though i never met her, never seen her, and only read in SP lilamrta n other books n MOST importantly by her Govindam Prayers. i feel deep sadness n happiness also as she left for another pastimes with Srila Prabhupada.
so true is the statement - vaisnava die to live!
she will live on Govindam Prayers!
haribol
vishal
mauritius
Her contribution to Srila
Her contribution to Srila Prabhupada's movement was monumental.
Her divine voice will live on forever. Hare Krishna!
Yamunadasi's contribution
Yamunadasi's contribution to Service of Srila.Prabhupada &
Lord Caitnaya's mission is unparralal.
She sure has continue assisting Srila.Prabhupada in service
of our supreme father Lord.Shri.Krishna.
Our loving god sister will
Our loving god sister will be missed.
She is with Srila Prabhupada cooking for him.
Thanks to her for all the great services to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada.