Mukunda Datta das singing a Hare Krishna bhajan.

Dallas, TX
2008-03-05

Download: 2009-03-05 - 4 - Noon Bhajans - Mukunda Datta das - Hare Krishna.mp3

How easy is it to chant the holy names? Do we take it forgranted? The importance of the recitation of the holy names emphasized by this most quoted verse: harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha [Adi 17.21] “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the [...]

As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master. SB 4.28.47 It has been some time since I’ve written this simply is as most of my [...]

A few days ago my husband went up to DC...and returned with a cooler full of Yuan Fu--my favorite kosher vegan food from the DC metro area (the restaurant is actually located in Rockville, Maryland). Sometimes I wonder why we didn't just move to DC so that we could eat regularly at this onion and garlic free Chinese place. Having grown up Jewish, I can say without hesitation that (American ) Chinese food is definitely my favorite cuisine! And then I go on Realtor.com and see that despite the dip in real estate prices, we would still only be able to buy a place 2 hours away--minimum. Turns out its cheaper to drive up to DC and get take out once in a while.

The Gita Comparisons posts will return next week at their regularly scheduled time. For now, enjoy this little nugget of wackiness!

I don’t read Sampradaya Sun very much. Maybe once a week, maybe less. I’ll glance at it here and there. So it was surprising when I noticed that my blog was getting a lot of hits from the Sampradaya Sun site. I didn’t post there, never have. The folks who rant at the SS seem to rant about the same things over and over and over and never get anywhere and it gets amazingly dull.

Anyway, yesterday some fellow named Janmastami dasa posted a mini-rant about me, proving once and for all that the Sampradaya Sun’s editorial policy is a very loose “anything goes” kind of policy.

Apparently, he took issue with my post questioning Srila Prabhupada’s use of “lower birth.” You can read what I wrote here.

Though possibly controversial, I thought my post was, at least, a fair question to ask. I explained my idea of “lower birth” and did take issue with Srila Prabhupada’s use of it in translating this verse. I wasn’t a jerk about it. I wasn’t offensive. I was merely questioning why he chose to do so.

And Janmastami answered (which is fine) on the Sampradaya Sun (which is sort of weird). I’m not really sure why he didn’t just comment here, since that seems the sensible thing to do. But as we’ll soon find out, “sensible” probably isn’t something he’s regularly accused of being.

He starts off with some wild ideas:

One of ISKCON’s current and more prolific bloggers is Bhakta Eric, who recently posted this alleged “spiritual knowledge”. Clearly, if the ISKCON he purports to speak for felt that he was misrepresenting the facts, they would admonish him rather than making him a contributing editor at the Planet ISKCON. If, however, the points that the powers that be want made are as volatile and politically incorrect as some now being brought up, it would behoove them to have a surrogate speak “the philosophy” vicariously for them.

First, while I am a current and prolific blogger, I’m not ISKCON’s blogger. Hell, most of my posts are about scooters and Godzilla. As far as I know, they have nothing to do with ISKCON. And why does he put “spiritual knowledge” in quotes like he’s quoting me? That’s weird. I never said that.

I’ve also never purported to speak for ISKCON. They’ve never asked me and I’m certainly not holding my breath waiting for that phone call. And while I don’t want to throw pipe bombs at ISKCON temples, you could hardly call me a company man. I’ve openly taken issue with MANY things ISKCON has done and is doing. I mean, ever read The Hing?

I’m also not an editor at Planet ISKCON. I’m actually surprised I’m still allowed to post there [thanks, btw]. I also don’t think ISKCON has the power to make people contributing editors to Planet ISKCON, though I’m not sure.

I do agree, however, that if ISKCON, unbeknownst to me, is using me as their spokesperson, they should probably find a surrogate.

His second paragraph was an incomplete sentence and a couple of quotes from my post, so I’ll not trouble you with it.

Then in his third:

We find accusations about the various errors he finds in Srila Prabhupada’s writings. One must be struck with wonder as to whom this bhakta aspires to seek initiation from. One who feels the need to issue his bhakta’s eye view of Srila Prabhupada’s mistakes, complete with his analysis and corrections, must surely find some of ISKCON’s “in good standing” gurus highly attractive.

I don’t think I was accusatory. And I never used the word “error,” but it’s cute how he tried to link me with those who say that Prabhupada’s books are filled with errors and must be changed.

And yes! One must be struck with wonder! This bhakta aspires to seek initiation from nobody. I’ve been a devotee for fifteen or so years and when Krishna sees fit to send me a guru, I will most assuredly accept. Maybe Janmastami has some suggestions? To be honest, I’ve not found anyone “highly attractive.” Sorry?

The magnitude of the deviation is obvious when some overly pampered bhakta has the audacity to criticise Srila Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta purports because the idiots that he has been reciting Gita with for his entire time in association with ISKCON have no real understanding or appreciation of the mass of information they almost have at their disposal. These are the times we find ourselves immersed in. Can the massive correction be far off?

I’m a little cloudy on “magnitude of the deviation.” And I’m not really sure what an “overly pampered bhakta” is. But while I don’t feel that I’m overly (or underly) pampered, I am a bhakta, and pretty happy about that. Bhakta means student, right? Actually it means “devotee,” but the connotation is on studying bhakti. And I am. But nobody feeds me peeled grapes or does my laundry for me.

I’ve also not been reciting Gita with anyone, really. I mean, sure, I do the weekly Gita comparison post and there’s some chit chat about it that I have really grown to love, but I’ve not really recited Gita with anyone since my days at New Vrndavana. Now that I think about it, that’s sort of a bummer. Hopefully when I find people to recite Gita with they’re not idiots, goodness!

I guess I am the times you find yourself immersed in. Ho-hum.

And what is this “massive correction?” He’s so cryptic!

So, that’s about it. Half the things he said meant something else and the other half didn’t mean anything at all. Sad, really.

After the throwing of the colors, the band Mantra Rock played ragas to the dancing crowd, where teenagers crowd-surfed in front of a temple stage. The band, as well as temple leaders, encouraged the crowd to chant mantras and "Hare Krishna," the most famous mantra, associated with Vaishnava, a tradition of Hinduism that worships Vishnu.

Inspired by my readings of "Contemplative Prayer" and "Contemplation In A World Of Action" by Thomas Merton

Recently, whilst minding the wares at our Starving Students dinner program at 26 Second Avenue, I met a young gentleman who walked in a little disheveled, wanting to replace the Prabhupada Gita that had been taken away from him the other night by rough-and-tumble NYC cops giving him and his friends some trouble (and vice versa I might imagine)

In talking to this chap, I found out that he was a refugee of our post-modern mess, an otherwise bright, talented, and seeking young man who is choosing to live in Manhattan as a drifter rather than be forced to take on the drudgery of home, job, "ordinary" responsibility, etc.

In other words, he's taking a bold and probably unwise response to his total alienation from the societal situation in which he is forced to deal with one way or another. In Contemplation in a World of Action, Merton defines alienation as such:

"The term alienation is used of a human being who is systematically kept, or who allows himself to be kept, in a social situation in which he exists purely and simply for somebody else."

Or in other words, as Merton writes:

"To sum it all up in one word, our postulants come to us from a society in which man is alienated, in which he is systematically deprived of a serious identity, in which he cannot believe in his dignity, in which he has good reason to be profoundly skeptical of everything and everyone, and in which he tends to renounce all hope of experiencing himself as real and genuinely worthwhile. It is a society in which he has not much left to resign himself, with a sigh, to passivity with a can of beer in front of the TV."

Ah, I know that feeling all too well...so does my friend, with the difference being that I am taking shelter of a spiritual society, designed to cure one of all physical and metaphysical alienation, whilst my friend instead rides the waves of the concrete surf of the city and its motley inhabitants. I pray he may clean and sober up enough to deepen his sincere desire to associate with our community.

It is our duty to Prabhupada to improve upon our own spiritual society so that we can give real and meaningful shelter to such refugees of our times. In the ultimate sense, we gotta serve somebody, or as we understand, we must exist "purely and simply for somebody else", with this somebody else being the sweet, Supreme Persona of Govinda.

The alienated man of our times shuns himself from such a binding relationship with the other, suffering grandly and minutely from the perverted reflection of this divine dependence. Merton writes on this account:

"The alienated man cannot love. He has nothing to give. Nothing is his. The lover is able to give himself completely to another precisely because he is his own to give. He is not alienated. He has an identity. He knows what is his to surrender. The alienated man has no chance to surrender. He has simply been taken over by total control."

A full and heart-felt spiritual society, in Prabhupada's mold, must have the courage and intelligence to bring these refugees into the fold, let them realize their true identity through the fullness of the devotional mood, so that they can give their most natural gift, themselves, willingly and with full love and knowledge.

Merton, of course, is speaking from a monastic and Christian perspective, but his realization is so deep as to hit to the very simple essence, beyond all externals and lifting them up, in our desperate need to build real community. He writes:

"The monastic life today stands over against the world with a mission to affirm not only the message of salvation but also those most basic human values which the world most desperately needs to regain: personal integrity, inner peace, authenticity, identity, inner depth, spiritual joy, the capacity to love, the capacity to enjoy God's creation and to give thanks"

And he concludes with:

"Our first task is to be fully human and to enable the youth of our time to find themselves and develop as men and as sons of God. There is no need for a community of religious robots without minds, without hearts, without ideas, and without faces. It is this mindless alienation that characterizes the world and life in the world...Spirituality today must be a personalistic...humanism that seeks and saves man's intimate truth, his personal identity, in order to consecrate it entirely to God."

March 28, 2:30 A.M.

The evening was calm, with no perceptible disturbance by dreams. I woke up at 2:30 A.M. with a clear head. I took a preventative medication. The Bhagavad-gita excerpt that caught my attention was Krishna’s statement that He is present as the Supersoul in the heart of the believer and the nonbeliever, like the mother who is neutral to all her children. Everyone, regardless of their physical body or mental disposition, is part and parcel of the Lord, a servant of Krishna. The true yogi sees this. He sees the soul in all beings. I like the broadmindedness of this nonsectarian view. I began my japa at 3:15 A.M.

Early-morning japa log

4:18 A.M.

I chanted more audibly. The result was that my rounds went very slowly. So I dropped to a whisper and gained speed. I kept my mind on the mantras without distractions. For brief periods, I went deeper than counting. I yearned to chant better. But I asked myself, “How to go deeper than just counting rounds?” I don’t have the answer.

I was afraid a headache might come, but I persisted in chanting rapidly, coming to average seven minutes per round. I had to bring my mind away from a “numbers game” and instead think of the persons Radha and Krishna. I recalled a conversation I had yesterday with Dattatreya about the relative characteristics of Radha and Krishna. D. portrays Krishna as cavalier in cheating the gopis, telling them He will return within a couple of days after He leaves for Mathura. He said Radharani would never leave Her girlfriends like that. But when Krishna turns His all-attractive charms on the gopis, they are helpless to abandon Him, and they simply wait helplessly in the hope of His return. Of course, there are many serious reasons why He had to stay away from Vrndavana. D.’s views are open and nondogmatic, and he makes hari-katha challenging and exciting. Chanting should not be a dull time to recite Their names without thinking of Their dynamic pastimes and Their attraction for one another.

Oh What a Night

Piano beginning with drum

kicking behind, then the group.

Oh what a night.

Romping nice, it came from

Krishna, special delivery

group music upbeat.

Tenor sax rumbling and rambling

remembering the good time they had.

He plays so nicely, it’s now.

Lee Morgan enters the same

way, flowing, squeezing out

the notes by pressing the valves

and throwing his head back.

I’m not doing this right.

You can’t write the sound of music

but you can recall the bop

and rock to it. But the

music’s in the air, not

on paper words.

You can state your appreciation,

say, “Piano chords,”

say, “They’re repeating the head,”

but you can’t be there, only

be happy to write and

attempt, a report of

the chorus.

A jolly crew, they love

to play and it seems they love

each other too.

I said it’s from Krishna, that much is true.

My Favorite Things

A flourish of a piano

incomprehensible intro

waiting for sense to

enter, oh, we’re waiting...

The things he likes

played soft in tenor

not like Trane’s famous soprano.

It’s a standard treatment

on the melody but to

improvise, he tremolos

and repeats a riff.

It becomes like the Trane

solo, snake charmer, lots

of notes, these are a few

of my favorite notes.

The dancing on the ceiling,

the delivery of sankirtana to the pretty lady

the no-hands-touching dancing,

the rhythm must be swinging.

He goes to flute, all subdued

I want to deliver it to you,

all the favorite things

you can bring to your favorite

persons, so they can hear

the music.

A little honky tonk

a little underachieved

but we will stay with you.

Here are apples and pears,

honey-seeking bears,

words for the sake of saying,

all your favorite melodies

in due time, rippling

sound up and down.

Sun Ra’s Arkestra is among them.

He wants to be a favorite

but it’s too ordinary and

sweet to stay out late

past curfew. These are

a few of his favorite things.

9:59 A.M.

It’s a rainy, cold, windy Saturday. Baladeva is suggested we attend a movie matinee at 2:00 P.M. of Slumdog Millionaire. It won eight Academy Awards. It features all East Indian actors and actresses, and it’s about a poverty-stricken man of Mumbai who becomes a millionaire. Hindus worship the demigods Ganesh and Siva for wealth, so maybe there’ll be some of that in it. I haven’t made up my mind if I want to go. It would be better to read The Nectar of Devotion and write my Krishna conscious prayer. I could also read some more of EJW 54 and visit the past. Because of the rain and a right-eye headache, we didn’t go to the beach this morning, and I only finished my rounds at 9:58 A.M.

One characteristic of an advanced devotee is that he does not waste his time. He doesn’t engage in frivolous activities. But Bala is advertising the movie as a good rainy Saturday outing for the family. He’s tempting me.

I had my weekly phone call with the doctor this morning. Because I’m averaging three headaches a day, he advised me not to travel for six months. He says I’m doing plenty by staying in the yellow submarine and writing a daily journal that’s printed on the website. I can handle the headaches better by staying at home. He also thinks I’ll eventually get less headaches that way.

At breakfast, Dattatreya read the Bhajana-rahasya where the Srimad-Bhagavatam section is quoted where Krishna abandons all the gopis, even Radharani, at the time of the rasa dance. D. says this shows Krishna’s irresponsible behavior toward His lovers by driving them crazy by His separation. The gopis are so attracted to Krishna’s beauty that whenever He appears again, they forget their sorrow and become amorously happy to see Him again. D. admitted that Krishna showed remorse for His causing the gopis grief by His disappearance. He asked them to forgive Him, and they did. We cannot make a judgment on Krishna’s behavior or criticize Him. If He says He disappeared from the gopis to increase their prema for Him, we have to accept that. His ways are inconceivable and not open to blasphemy by demeaning His moral behavior.

11:52 A.M.

In the book I wrote in spring 2000, I wrote a poem with these lines: “The others are/ tired of hearing/ your hypochrondriac/ soul.” I was experimenting with not taking abortive meds on certain days and just gutting it out. But writing a lot about it. Going to bed for the night at 5:00 P.M. Lying in bed just waiting during the day or getting restless and getting up and sitting in a chair. Couldn’t paint on non-med HA days. And I wrote this: “There is no contest in the spiritual world. The demons are banished. I say those dandelions look bright in the grass, too, and the leaves of the ash tree are happy and dancing on the branch ends. The wind is a bit noisy, but it’s sun-shiny. I don’t think I will die just yet. However, I am not getting any younger. The old men have gay eyes, said Yeats, and he didn’t mean queer but merry.” I roamed around my mind in the Wicklow flora and fauna and the Vedic scriptures and my hypochrondriac soul. I wrote about “wu-wei,” “doing nothing” as the Taoists describe. “Wu-wei” also means not playing any role.

1:07 P.M.

My dear Lord Krishna...

I have been reading the gopis’ reproachful words to You when they met You at Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse, after long separation. You met them in a solitary place and tried to console them. You told them that You were all-pervading and so there was never any separation between You and them. The gopis regarded these instructions as jnana-yoga and became angry with You for trying to instruct them in this way. They said jnana-yoga was suitable for those suffering in material existence, but they were not in material existence; they were simply suffering in separation from You. They called you a “simpleton” for instructing them in the way suitable for a jnana yogi. They wanted You to leave the opulence of Dvaraka and return with them to Vrndavana, where You formerly engaged in love sports with them in the simple, pleasing atmosphere of Vraja.

In response, You said that You would soon return. You had only a few more demons to extinguish, and then You would be free to come back to Your blissful abode of Gokula. Only the gopis are capable of speaking like that to You and making You feel remorse at Your separation from them. You said that You too wanted to return to Vrndavana and that You felt constant pain of separation.

These are the topmost exchanges of You and Your dearmost devotees, Radha and Her sakhis. It is purifying just to hear these exchanges and to know You have such relationships with Your intimate devotees.

Such loving relationships are open for any devotees who follow in the footsteps of the gopis. It can be taken up by devotedly following the instructions of the spiritual master, who is a representative of Srimati Radharani. As the gopis gave up all obligations to serve family and society in order to go to You, so the disciple has to single-mindedly serve the order of his spiritual master. He should do so without fear of being socially or religiously ostracized and be confident that You will protect him.

I did this on first meeting Prabhupada. My parents forbade me from following him and from worshiping You as the Supreme Godhead, but I defied them and became the sisya of my spiritual master and the chanter of Your holy names, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. That initial push was given by You in my heart. You gave me the strength to resolutely go forward and join ISKCON without hesitation.

That was Your mercy, Lord, to make me a student of Bhagavad-gita and a menial servant of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. As I enter old age, my body and even my mind are losing vigor and determination. But You are standing by me and supporting me in my weakness. You are showing me how to remain surrendered and how to even increase my surrender, despite my physical delapidation and my growing lack of mental sharpness. I am grateful to You for this and wish to show You I am still dedicated, as when I left my parents’ home and joined the Swami. Externally, my service has diminished, but internally, I try to pray with fervor, “Please engage me in Your service.” I do what I can, not what I can’t.

Please accept my service, and if possible, rejuvenate me. I don’t want to fade out and diminish in my remaining years. Chanting and hearing and writing remain open to me as valid services that I may render to You. Give me a young man’s enthusiasm to perform them. Let me follow the path of the gopis, as is suitable for a sannyasi. May Prabhupada encourage me and continue to accept me as he has for most of my life. I have no other desires.

sdgonline.org: the yellow submarine, my bhajana kutir #24 →

Hare Krsna my dear devotees. I hope you have had a nice week of chanting and that you have been inspired by Krsna's mercy to develop a relationship with Him through japa.
Today I have listened to my Gurudev's lecture talking about prayers, since the topic of our Japa Room session is related to that....the verse he was reading was the SB 8.5.25 which talks about the prayers Lord Brahma offers to Krsna even though he had not seen the Supreme Lord. The prayers offered by Lord Brahma are very beautiful and made in a very humble state of mind, which is the main mood of prayer.
There are 2 kinds of prayer...Stuti is the one which are the verses from the Vedic literature from great authorities. The other one is Stava which is our own prayer, coming from the heart.
According to Srila Prabhupada our prayers need to come with a deep feeling and humility....first by glorifying the Lord, then stating ourselves in a disqualified position and finally begging for mercy. In the song from Narotama Das Thakur - Sri Krsna Chaitanya Prabhu we can see this mood:

"My dear Lord, please be merciful to me, because who can be more merciful than Your Lordship within these three worlds."

The mood of surrender, humility and an open heart must be in the prayer when we want to call Krsnas attention.
Another beautiful prayer from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is the following from Kabe Ha'be Bolo (2)

"Considering myself lower than a blade of grass, bringing the quality of forbearance into my heart, showing respect to all, myself being freed from all false pride-when will I taste the essence of the liquid nectar of the holy names..."

It's ok to use the prayers of other Acharyas to inspire our mood and practice the right way of addressing the Lord, through praying with our heart is also important so our relationship with the Lord is created and we can start seeing His will in our lives.
When I pray I feel like telling the Lord all my weaknesses and begging for mercy, I am doing this every day to the Deities and even when I am not at home, I am praying on my mind when I see some situations that need to be fixed.
Being grateful is also very valuable, so we can recognize how Krsna is already taking good care of us and we sometimes don't see it. When we are grateful our hearts become softer and the tendency of complaining decreases....bringing a feeling of surrender - that everything Krsna sends to us being good or bad, there is a lesson behind - so we should be happy and grateful that we are being tested and are able to overcome all obstacles by Krsna's grace. Hope I could contribute to your prayer this week.

May your weekend be blessed and you are able to develop a deeper relationship with Krsna through prayer.

your servant and friend,

Aruna dd

At any one time thousands, maybe millions or billions of tons of water are floating just above us, above the earth in the form of clouds. This defies gravity because water ALWAYS descends. And yet there it is: floating in the sky above. This mystic phenomenon is evidence of God.

By Ananda Tirtha das

Six devotees--Jagat-caksur Das, Yadunandana Das, Sarvaisvarya Das, Brhat Mrdanga Das, Jaya Govinda Das, and Vasudeva Das--are to take sannyasa this year. Jagat-caksur Prabhu is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada from Venezuela and Latin American preacher, Yadunandana Prabhu the headmaster of the Bhaktivedanta College in Radhadesh, and Sarvaisvarya Prabhu a leader based in South India. Africa will have three new sannyasis: Brhat Mrdanga, the South-African based preacher and educator, Jaya Govinda, a preacher in Botswana, and Vasudeva, an academic preacher originally from Nigeria.

By Michael Pappas, M.Div

For the 300 plus peace pilgrims, representing cooperation circles from over 80 countries, the journey to the United Religions Initiative Global Assembly in Mayapur, India, proved no less profound than the destination.

By Labangalatika dasi

March 21 marked the first anniversary of Vanipedia, the multifaceted and ambitious web-based encyclopedia dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

By Amrta Gaurangi Devi Dasi

Congregational Development Ministry hopes to serve the worldwide community of ISKCON devotees through consultancy, education and networking in the aspects of community development.

Ambarisa Prabhu (A.B.Ford) offers Gurupuja in ISKCON temple in Mayapur - worshiping his spiritual master, A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of ISKCON.

Elkészült a bombayi beszámoló 5. része.
Ebben a Banka Bihari prabhu és Vraja priya matajiéknál tett látogatásunkba pillanthattok be.
A tapasztalatait pedig Kamsari prabhu osztja meg veletek.

Where there's light there's hope...

"That is what brought him to Kazakhstan, a former Communist country composed mainly of Muslim, Catholics and Orthodox believers. The Kazakhstan constitution allows broad religious freedom, but amendments severely limit the activities of such non-traditional faiths as Hare Krishnas.

A few years ago, the Krishnas bought property and began building a small community of believers, which raised the ire of local residents. The courts supported the Krishnas, but officials bulldozed their homes anyway. Since then, Durham and other international observers have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to defend the Krishnas.

"We are not there to impose our American values," he says. "We just want to protect the powerless." "

BY RATNAVALLI DD MUMBAI, INDIA -Today HH Jayapataka Maharaja was on his way to Juhu ISKCON temple and during his vehicle ride dictated the following report about himself through a phone call. Shiromani mataji was repeating Guru Maharaja’s words as I took the notes. “My right side of the body is not fully paralysed but temporarily paralysed [...]

In the Japa Room Stage 9 we have been discussing our continuing obstacles during chanting....I thought I would share the transcript from the room with you all (this is an audio/visual room and my answers are spoken but I have typed them for this article). Names have been truncated for privacy.

RK: wasn't able to chant much because of exams

Rasa Rasika: Just try to arrange your day so that the first thing you do is chant your rounds...whatever that takes....go to bed earlier.

RK: but now completing the remaining beads left day by day

RasaRasika: "Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing." Srila Prabhupada 6/1/72

RK: actually I was in the colleg for the whole 2 dayz...i didn;t hv my bead bag wityh me..that's wy

Rasa Rasika: If you forget your beads you can actually use your fingers, there are three divisions on each finger that you count with your thumb (4 x 3 = 12) and on the other hand count 9....4 x 3 x 9 = 108

R: this room really is a great encouragement in chanting Japa

R: i dont remember,is chanting mentally the same as chanting out loud

Rasa Rasika: Mental chanting can be done outside the time we chant on beads....SP recommended for us to audibly chant the Holy names.

RasaRasika: "The first regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds." Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya-lila 11.24

M: I think that the most important thing to do is really get absorbed in the sound completely

AD: nice quote

R: so you say that there is an a as in day sound in Hare on the e in Hare?

Rasa Rasika: Yes correct, I find it of great benefit to listen to SP's Japa recording (the slow one) and you can get a good idea of the pronounciation.

AD: Do you have any experience of yours to share, when you started chanting, when did you get more concerned about your japa

Rasa Rasika: I personally started reforming my Japa many years ago and found that I had to slow down my chanting, right down to 10 mins per round (SP recommends not longer than 10 mins per round)...this enabled me to work on my pronounciation and I also starting hearing properly...to the sound vibration, which helps to counteract the wandering mind.

A: these days i have to struggle with my japa i cannot concentrate

A: my mind is wandering yes there r other things on my mind although i do my japa early @ 5am

Rasa Rasika: Devotee: "Srila Prabhupäda, it's very difficult to control my mind when I chant. It wanders.

Srila Prabhupada: "So what is the controlling of mind? You have to chant and hear. That is all. You have to chant with your tongue, and the sound you hear. What is the question of mind?"

RK: Is it neceassry to complete all ur rounds in a single sitting?

Rasa Rasika: Yes it's better to chant all your rounds in one sitting, it increases your chances to get in the zone and be able to capitalise on good consciousness when you're on a roll

RK: YES, I ill try..Thnks for the answer.....

R: what do you know about sitting while chanting or walking while chanting?Any difference

Rasa Rasika: It depends on the individual...some find sitting better but others fall asleep whilst sitting...if this is the case then you should walk around, whatever facilitates good Japa is desirable.

RK: What r the symptoms of one's getting into samadhi or progressing towards the samadhi stage?

Rasa Rasika: There are many symptoms that can be experienced, shivering of the body, crying uncontrollably, hair standing on end, a feeling of separation from Krsna etc. the main thing is to get the basics right first...SP has given us basic guidelines so that we can chant without offense....if we continue to avoid offenses and follow these guidelines, then naturally we will make progress towards samadhi.

RK: Can't ny1 reach this stage while still living in ghrahastya?

Rasa Rasika: Yes, regardless of asrama or varna, if we just chant very seriously then we will make progress to this stage...the main thing is that whatever situation we find ourselves in, if we chant the Hare Krsna mantra with great concentration and sincerity, then we can develop love of Krsna.

RK: wat's the max time 1 must chant out his 1 round??

Rasa Rasika: SP recommends not more than 10 mins per round.

A: i have lot of reforming to do before the next session. I take abt 6 mins to chant a round

Rasa Rasika: The main thing is to preserve good and clear pronounciation and hearing is the main thing for this....if it means slowing down your chanting then you can do that.

Rasa Rasika: "...Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing." Srila Prabhupada 6/1/72

RK: I can't concenterate on all the words equally..particularly "hare" word..at other times sometimes i hear krishna word n sometimes rama word

Rasa Rasika: It's a matter of focusing the mind on the whole mantra...if you hear properly then that will be balanced.

R: at the first time when I chanted ,it took me about 15 minutes to complete a round

RK: I took me 45 min ..I chanted really slowly really concenterating very very hard on each word

RK: first time

RK: 2 rounds i think

R: my problems are either skipping beads or repeating a mantra on the same bead

Rasa Rasika: Then you may need to concentrate more and make sure this doesn't occur.....or get larger beads if your fingers are too big.

RK: I skip hare word a lot..

Rasa Rasika: Just concentrate very seriously on what you are chanting, it's very important to chant all the words clearly.

AD: How can we see our advancement as something natural, and not being anxious to feel attration to the Holy names faster

Rasa Rasika: Have faith that the Lord will bestow upon you spiritual advancement, as long as we are making a serious effort and are sincere, then Krsna will reward us accordingly. Krsna will bestow on us attraction for the Holy name if we are making an effort with our Japa.

RK: Im seeing improvement in my memory n thinking skills

AD: Does faith develop with determination on chanting .

Rasa Rasika: Faith comes from experiencing first hand the effects of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, then our determination to continue comes from that faith and direct realisation.

R: If we make offense to Hare Krishna ,then its to Hare Krishna we must go for relief.

Rasa Rasika: Yes, by improving our Japa and continuing to chant, avoiding offenses, then we will get relief

RK: Is it ok FOR sm1 to chant japa if he is not interested in doing japa on bead?

Rasa Rasika: Beads are the best, I personally find it helps with concentration, also if they are Tulasi beads then you get the benefit of contact with the body of a pure devotee. Fingers can also be used as mentioned before.

RK: 1 of my friend chant like this

R: the name is actually a physical taste?

Rasa Rasika: The taste is a spiritual one not material....the taste comes from Krsna directly and he bestows that upon us when He sees our effort

AD: Talking about offense , how can we chant without wandering minds if we have commited an offense even , without having noticed

Rasa Rasika: Yes, we can still be committing offenses even if our mind isn't wandering...for instance to blaspheme a devotee who is chanting the Holy names of the Lord....if we continue to offend devotees then we are being offensive to the Holy names regardless if our mind is wandering or not.

RK: Today's japa room was really wonderful..got to know a lot of things..Thanks to rasa for the expalanations n all for their discussions

Rasa Rasika: Thank you all for coming along today, next week is Stage 10, summarization of all the stages.

By Your servants of The Holy Name

Coming up: Madhava live from Switzerland, then Sri Prahlad from New Zealand, Gaura Vani from Washington DC, Lokanatha Swami live from Bangladesh... 7 more hours, but some of the best is yet to come

Knowledge is meant for distribution. Although there is already much scientific knowledge, whenever scientists or philosophers awaken to a particular type of knowledge, they try to distribute it throughout the world, for otherwise the knowledge gradually dries up and no one benefits from it. India has the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, but unfortunately, for some reason or other, this sublime knowledge of the science of God was not distributed throughout the world, although it is meant for all of human society. Therefore Krsna Himself appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and ordered all Indians to take up the cause of distributing the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita throughout the entire world. yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa "Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they are given in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land." (Cc. Madhya 7.128) Although India has the sublime knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, Indians have not done their proper duty of distributing it. Now, therefore, the Krsna consciousness movement has been set up to distribute this knowledge as it is, without distortion. Although previously there were attempts to distribute the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, these attempts involved distortion and compromise with mundane knowledge. But now the Krsna consciousness movement, without mundane compromises, is distributing Bhagavad-gita as it is, and people are deriving the benefits of awakening to Krsna consciousness and becoming devotees of Lord Krsna. Therefore the proper distribution of knowledge has begun by which not only will the whole world benefit, but India's glory will be magnified in human society. Kamsa tried to arrest Krsna consciousness within his house (bhojendra-gehe), with the result that Kamsa, with all his opulences, was later vanquished. Similarly, the real knowledge of Bhagavad-gita was being choked by unscrupulous Indian leaders, with the result that India's culture, and knowledge of the Supreme were being lost. Now, however, because Krsna consciousness is spreading, the proper use of Bhagavad-gita is being attempted.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 10.2.20

1970 March 28: "I understand some of you have moved to George Harrison's place. What is the program there? Also you were in Paris with George for a television engagement. Did you find our Paris Temple?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 March 28: "Your reports of Sankirtana are all very much encouraging. There is great potential there for spreading our Movement in Malaysia. So work with determination and sincerity and Krishna will give you all facility."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1973 March 28: "Tokyo is unlimited. They are distributing large amounts of BTGs there, 500 to 1000 per day. I expect to visit Tokyo sooon and I can see you at that time."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 March 28: "If you can establish a strong center in Taiwan it will be a great idea. We have one branch in Moscow, if we get a branch in China, on the mainland, it will be a great achievement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1968 March 28: "I am expecting you to be very powerful preachers in the near future so that this Movement will be spread all over the world. You keep yourself in that very humble mentality and Krishna will be very pleased upon you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 March 28: "I am expecting you to be very powerful preachers in the near future so that this Movement will be spread all over the world. You keep yourself in that very humble mentality and Krishna will be very pleased upon you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 March 28: "I understand some of you have moved to George Harrison's place. What is the program there? Also you were in Paris with George for a television engagement. Did you find our Paris Temple?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 March 28: "Your reports of Sankirtana are all very much encouraging. There is great potential there for spreading our Movement in Malaysia. So work with determination and sincerity and Krishna will give you all facility."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1973 March 28: "Tokyo is unlimited. They are distributing large amounts of BTGs there, 500 to 1000 per day. I expect to visit Tokyo sooon and I can see you at that time."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

An interesting book by a Christian author:

The Darwin Delusion - $4.99 for the ebook. Excerpts available on the website.

Another book with the same name by an ISKCON devotee, Lalitanatha das, is coming up from the BBT, but it looks like someone else beat him to the punch. This book was released in Feb of this year.

1974 March 28: "If you can establish a strong center in Taiwan it will be a great idea. We have one branch in Moscow, if we get a branch in China, on the mainland, it will be a great achievement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

write a little more but
the raod and the internet are two different places
and sometimes they never meet.
Today the met and i met many emails and pokes and friend requests and invitations.
I'll get a camera today and post some pictures while i have a computer available
Florida was fun, didn't see Jackson or Chris or Max, wanted to.
Houston was awesome, Dallas rocked. Rupa has the best family in the world.
Tucson is cool and hot and open minded,
Teaching keeps on and learning keeps on
livng keeps on and the bliss keeps on.
Betsy (the Van) went back to Car head, but fred, the Minivan
is coming soon :)

That’s what happened to me.

A little over two years ago, I began reading a blog written by a couple of guys to document their journey to Vrindavan. When their trip ended, so did their blog, but the seed of inspiration was planted. I had caught the blog bug.

So on March 28^th, 2007, I wrote my first blog post.

Two years and 130 blog posts later, I’m still writing. I hope I continue to summon the courage to keep going. Blogs – for all of their ease to begin – are tough to maintain. Ultimately, steady readers are the key to inspiration. 

Thus you, my dear reader, inspire me to continue on with Seed of Devotion. Thank you.

So maybe you'll catch the blog bug, too... and when you do, let me know your URL. 

So maybe you’ll catch the blog bug, too… and when you do, let me know your URL. 

Some Seed of Devotion stats:

* over 11,000 hits

* visits from over 100 countries

* around 60 subscribers

* over 100 comments

* most popular post: Liberation at 21 (over 1000 hits)

* post with most comments: take a wild guess

ISKCON youth around the world are still in shock as they mourn the passing of their dear friend Hari Kirtan Dasa, an alumni of ISKCON’s Mayapur school and disciple of Bhakti Tirtha Swami. Hari Kirtan, known to his friends as Harish, was working at a store in Atlanta, USA on March 22 when at 8:01pm, the store was robbed and he was shot.

March 21 marked the first anniversary of Vanipedia, the multifaceted and ambitious web-based encyclopedia dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Luca Pistolese didn't have an easy start to life. Born premature, he was placed in an incubator to care for his frail body. But a malfunction caused too much oxygen to be released into the chamber, burning his eyes. Luca would be blind for life. The darkness was complete, enveloping him both physically and spiritually. As a young man, he tried to dispel it by studying different books on spirituality, but they only left him unsatisfied and confused.

At 5pm on March 21 – the first day of spring – devotees in Vrindavana, India sat on the steps leading down to the holy Keshi Ghat bathing area, waiting for the famous annual “Boat Festival” to begin. The morning had shown a threat of rain, but clouds passed quickly, leaving a clear, cool evening in its wake.

Getting to throw handfuls of brightly colored powder at a 15,000-strong crowd also seems too good to be true, so what's the catch? No catch. In celebration of the Indian Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork opens its doors to celebrants of all types -- from full-blooded Indians with an understanding of Holi, to ne'er-do-wells who simply get a kick out of chucking dyed flour at strangers.

Members of ISKCON’s Food For Life program where recently invited to a “Sankalp Utsav” festival organized by the Government of Delhi, in Pragati Maidan in the city center. Delhi Chief Minister Srimati Sheila Dikshit, who inaugurated the function, honored the ISKCON devotees with a request to light the event’s inauguration lamp in front of the assembled electronic and news media.

The widely popular DVD series, “Memories of Srila Prabhupada,” now has three volumes, with an incredible total of 48 DVDs. “Memories” includes personal interviews with people who spent time with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada traveled from India to the United States in 1965. During the next eleven years, he traveled around the world eleven times and spread Krishna consciousness on every continent except Antarctica.

In 1992, the first BBT book in Kazakh—Easy Journey to Other Planets—was released after being translated by a volunteer. The North European BBT wanted to strike while the iron was hot. They needed someone more full-time. And who better than their enthusiastic new book distributor in Almaty?

Her Grace Kama-giri Devi Dasi, dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is co-ordinating the first ever reunion of devotees who served or connected in any way with Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha-Muralidhara, in Cleveland, OH in the 70’s and 80’s before and after They were relocated first to New Vrndavan and later to New York.

India in the fifteenth century was underwent a renaissance almost the opposite of the European one; scholars have called it the “bhakti renaissance,” a great rebirth of devotion to God. The preeminent figure of this powerful religious upsurge was Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Milan Doshi: Under the guidance of H G Vaisesika Prabhu, ISKCON of Silicon Valley ("ISV") has recently started a program of placing soft bound English language editions of Bhagavad-Gita in hotel/motel rooms, similar to the placing of Holy Bibles by the Gideons.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

By Dvijapriya dasi

The Atlanta Temple, his family and friends will be coordinating the funeral service of Harish das. With the passing of our dear friend Hari Kirtan das aka Harish, we stop to pray to the lord for his safe journey home.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

From changing a dozen dresses a day, to taking His pick from more than 100 cuisines on the menu, Lord Banke Bihari of Mathura has always enjoyed a privileged existence. Now, the baby Krishna has stolen a march over Ram Lalla - the resident deity of Ayodhya - by becoming the first divinity to don a bullet-proof cover.

PARIS (Reuters) - French physicist and philosopher Bernard d'Espagnat has won the 2009 Templeton Prize, billed as the world's largest annual award to an individual, for his work affirming the spiritual dimension of life. The Templeton Foundation announced the $1.42 million prize at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on Monday.

Badahari das singing the Nrsimhadev Prayers.

Dallas, TX
2008-03-05

Download: 2009-03-05 - 3 - Noon Bhajans - Badahari das - Nrsimhadev Prayers.mp3

Though it may not look it on the ground at times, India is one of the few bright spots in a global economy with decidedly dim prospects in 2009. It is forecast to grow at a robust 5 to 6 percent this year—which is faster than it averaged in the 1990s, and nearly double the rate of expansion over the country's first three decades of independence.

In Vedic times, barter was common and wealth was measured in terms of land and cows.

But Srila Prabhupada thought a gold standard was a good idea for contemporary exchange. Unfortunately the gold standard was degraded to a silver standard and then to a paper standard. One who has vast piles of paper money is considered 'wealthy.'

In more recent times, however, even such paper wealth has been abandoned for electronic storage and transfers.

read more

Eating red meat increases the chances of dying prematurely, according to the first large study to examine whether regularly eating beef or pork increases mortality. The study of more than 500,000 middle-aged and elderly Americans found that those who consumed about four ounces of red meat a day (the equivalent of about a small hamburger) were more than 30 percent more likely to die during the 10 years they were followed, mostly from heart disease and cancer. Sausage, cold cuts and other processed meats also increased the risk.

Harikirtan Prabhu (Harish) is a disciple of H.H Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja. He is very dear to all devotees in general and especially to the Gurukulis as he himself was a Gurukuli.

Harish is remembered as the “winner of all hearts” because of his very lively and loving nature. He is the perfect example for the younger generation in our movement. He is loved by everyone. It is a great loss for us that he is no more with us physically today.

read more

My second day on the safari turned out to be a free day! First thing was getting to take darshan of Gaura Nitai, Radha Rasabihari and Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman. So beautiful! Then, a bunch of us got onto the bus and took off to Sanjay Ghandi National Park. There we had a small breakfast and hung around chanting and taking in some sights which included two lions and two Bengal tigers...I know! Quite the zoo...LOL. Afterward, we were in for a special treat-we got to go swimming in the Arabian Sea! It was so much fun, just riding the waves and swimming in the warm waters. After a few hours on the beach, we then headed to the Mira Road temple where we got to take in the beautiful darshan of Radha Giridhari and Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra. After some wonderful prasadam and a quick nap it was time for the cultural program. Over 2000 people came! Such a wonderful preaching opportunity. All glories to this year's 2009 Safari!

Staring at a row of demolished Hare Krishna homes in Kazakhstan, a world away from his office on the Brigham Young University campus, W. Cole Durham Jr. felt a surge of empathy. "One reason I care about this is because my people were driven out of their homes," Durham, a Mormon, told the demoralized homeowners.

On Friday morning I went to Kate Pell's lead practice at The Yoga Den.

Kate was my yoga teacher in the course I did for Australian yoga teacher certification, and the Friday morning lead practice is basically her personal practice with whoever else wants to take part. It's usually a handful of local yoga teachers, and the two hour class is... well, if Bikram is an AC/DC concert (four on the floor), this is a Dream Theater gig - all kinds of technical stuff, and challenging.

It usually begins with pranayama and seated meditation. This week Kate played Deva Premal's Moola Mantra CD for the twenty minutes that we sat in quiet contemplation.

With the sun streaming in through the windows, the faint sound of birds, the stillness of sitting in the Yoga Den space and this chanting I was in ecstasy.

OM Sat-chit-ananda parabrahma
Purusottama paramatma
Sri bhagavati sametha
Sri bhagavate namah

Being familiar with most of those Sanskrit words I was able to learn the mantra in the 20 minutes that we listened to it. Later in the day I got a copy of the album, and have been listening to it since.

Last night Prahlad and I listened to it while we slept. Normally music or talking (a class or audio book) stimulates my mind and keeps me awake. When I put this - instant alpha wave.

Here it is:

2009 02 07 Nityananda Mahaprabhu megjelenési napja

Korábban írtam, hogy elromlott a számítógépem. Kegyetekből és pozitív meditációtok eredényeképpen megjavult, és így sikerült elkészíteni a Bombay News 4. részét.

Ez azért is különleges, mert ebben a részben Srila Radhanatha Maharaja köszönti a magyar bhaktákat. A leckéből 6 percet videó formájában láthattok ebben a newsban. Ezen kívül letölthetitek a vágatlan audió anyagot is. Azt pedig innen tölthetitek le.

A magyar bhakták közül Damodara prabhu osztja meg veletek tapasztalatait.

March 27, 3:00 A.M.

The night was calm. I got up at 3:00 A.M. with a clear head. I was feeling a little ambiguous about not going to the Festival of Inspiration. The part of the Bhagavad-gita recitation that caught my attention was the description of the yoga ladder. Prabhupada said that Krishna consciousness, even from the beginning, is at the top of the ladder because one always thinks of Krishna. This resonated with me. It gave me solace that even if I don’t attend the FOI this year, I can be with Krishna in the yellow submarine. He also said that a Krishna conscious person is free of material activities. I began japa at 3:23 A.M.

Early-morning japa log

4:24 A.M.

My first round was slow, but after that, it became extra speedy, averaging under six minutes for each of the eight rounds. I chanted at a whisper, and fast, but paid attention to each syllable of the mantra. I looked over at Radha-Govinda to remind myself that the mantra is not just syllables but persons, Radha and Krishna, Radha and Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Radha Radha. I kept other thoughts out of my mind and dwelt on the accumulation of numbers of mantras and numbers of rounds and time per round. My mood was upbeat, and I was not drowsy but alert. I prayed to feel the mantra, to cry like a child for its mother. The best part of the session was the extra speed. The weakness of the session was that on the eighth round, I got a headache and had to take a medication. The audibility wasn’t very good, either.

Japa should be chanted from the heart, the seat of affections. It is an act of love toward Radha and Krishna. Short of love, it is a pleading. Anything less than that is just reciting the outer covering of the mantras, the syllables without the heart. I should not be satisfied with my little speed rituals in the morning. It is a desperate act, with time running out. When will you love Radha-Krishna while reciting Their names? When will you dare to ask for service? There is a legion of lackadasical chanters, and they are not appreciating suddha nama. I have far to go, but seem stuck in namabhasa. Chanting more is one remedy. Praying at other times for improvement in nama bhajana. Even writing, ask for it.

The Creator Has a Master Plan

A symphonic opening with harsh

tenor of Pharoah Sanders, like

“A Love Supreme.”

A slow, steady procession,

Pharoah stately and heavy,

he tends to screech,

surrounded by flute and

percussion.

He cries, alternating between

smooth notes and screechers,

a religious atmosphere.

The bass is steady, repeating

a spoken vocal:

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah.

the Creator has a working plan,

peace and happiness for every man.

The creator has but one demand,

happiness... to all the land.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”

He moans and intones it,

the entourage moves slowly

as in a religious procession.

Then he hawks and horns

a finale of improvisation

hallelujah celebrating the Creator

and His master plan.

A lone man with a tenor

sax crying hoarse notes and then

tender ones

with a frantic ending

calling on God by

mortal beings.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oywee, oywee, oywee, oywee,

oh yeah, yeah

yeaaah-yeaaah-yeaaah

honk-screech-

elephants stampede

thundering chaos

choir calls to

God Almighty

from flesh and

blood and spirits

in tongues

you better end it before

it crashes down.

B-Quick

Very rapid Sonny Rollins

improvising notes out of

his intelligent brain and

executing them with his

breath and nimble fingers.

Be-quick rip the succession

of rapid notes backed by

rolling splashing drums and

hurrying bass, a piano comps.

The piano solos with left hand

dancing up and down the upper notes,

occasionally paced with

the right.

Sonny rips and trades fours

with a faster drummer.

Who’s the fastest? You’ve

got to like rapidity to stay

with this.

The trading fours goes on in

a race until the bass comes

trotting in, keeping a pace

that’s hard for him to finger.

The exchange goes on, almost

too much to bear. But he

proves he can move with

the quickest and sounds

true.

The trading’s the essence,

a horn and drums,

back and forth, no

one hogging the space.

But Sonny’s dominant

and wriggles bars of sound

at top speed until the end.

No let up for the player

or the hearers, he works

and fingers his way

through a network of blues.

Be-quick.

10:30 A.M.

Looking back into my “past life,” EJW, Vol. 54, The Man Who Does What He Wants. (I wonder why I picked that title? It doesn’t seem fitting. Maybe if I read the whole book, it would make sense.) My life isn’t full of adventures. At least not outward ones. Lots of adventures in the art room at Wicklow. Early in the morning I wrote while reading the sastras. Wrote scriptural conclusions and paraphrases. Then I went for a walk, chanting. Followed the schedule. In the evening, I wrote night notes. Then the next morning, 1:00 A.M., more writing from the scriptures.

I said I wanted snail-mail only

and liked the privacy.

The primitive paintings are reproduced

in the three-copies books in full color, look good.

You have to accept them in

their primitive poverty,

then they’re fine.

Taking pills for headaches,

arguing against rebound reformers,

bathing and dressing Their Lordships

Radha-Govinda.

Liking Syamananda, but later

I discharged him because he

was too restless and always wanted

to go away to photography school

or dance school. He cried

when I fired him.

1:30 P.M.

My dear Lord Krishna...

I don’t want to exaggerate my love for You. I really don’t know what it amounts to. I think of things beside Yourself. My pains distract me from Your lotus feet. But I think I have a hidden, secret love that’s deep. It’s covered by trivialities and the modes of nature, but it’s underneath. A subterranean love that goes deep, because I am made in Your image. One has to be pure to associate with the Pure. I have to cross through the fire to reach You, my impurities burnt away. The core of my being is a lover of Krishna. For now, he’s covered over by mud.

I believe in my love for You. Srila Prabhupada has placed the seeds, called bhakti-lata-bija. A devotional creeper will grow by the watering method of chanting and hearing. The creeper must be protected from the mad elephant and other offenders. It needs strong fencing around. How is my bhakti-lata doing? Is it stunted? Is it dry? Does it have a chance of flourishing, like a healthy tulasi plant in a favorable climate, protected from bugs, and growing purple manjaris?

You are lovable. You possess all strength, all knowledge, all beauty, all fame, and all renunciation. You’re handsome, with Your lotus feet, Your body covered in a glittering yellow dhoti (pitambara), the Kaustubha gem on a necklace, a garland of five colored flowers, a broad chest, strong arms, a beautiful, smiling face, lovely teeth, curly locks of blackish hair, and a helmet crowned with a peacock feather.

You have all good qualities. You welcome us to live with You in Your abode of eternity, bliss and knowledge in our spiritual forms. But You do not force us to love You. That would not be true love. You allow us a minute amount of free will whereby we may choose our destinies. You allow us to come to the material world to try to carry out our misbegotten plans to be lords of all we survey—but You come Yourself and send Your representatives to warn us not to try to be masters but to serve You. That will be our happiness, if we choose it.

You attract us by Your pastimes performed on this earth (nara-lila) and by Your instructions in books of wisdom like Bhagavad-gita. You bring us into the association of a bona fide spiritual master. You descend in Deity form (arca-vigraha). As You state in Bhagavad-gita, “As they approach Me, I reciprocate accordingly.” So if we show a little faith, You strengthen it. If we associate with devotees, You make it a cause for our enlivenment in devotional service. If we take vows of initiation, You help us follow them unerringly. And You make this reciprocation not merely in a fifty-fifty way. Rather, if we take one step toward You, You take ten steps toward us.

You have come to us in the form of Lord Caitanya, who propagated the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. This is the easiest and the only way by which one can attain God consciousness in the present age of Kali, when all spiritual potencies are reduced. Chanting Hare Krishna is the only process possible for us, and You have kindly distributed it widely. You have also asked us to take up Your mission of engaging others in chanting the holy names, and thus You enlist us in the highest possible welfare work in the world.

So yes, I love You for all these reasons and many, many more. I have not awakened to full love for You, and that is my misfortune. I still have unwanted things that are holding me back. I don’t chant Your names free of the ten offenses. I don’t have the symptoms of bhava or prema, the topmost stages of love of God. I regret my shortcomings and desire to overcome them. I want to love You as Christ advised, “with my whole heart, with my whole mind, and with my whole body.” I have a long way to go, and I humbly request You to help me grow in love for You. The devotional creeper, the bhakti-lata, is meant to grow until it pierces all the coverings of the material world and enters Your spiritual abode. I want to love You so much that I can attain that abode.

sdgonline.org: the yellow submarine, my bhajana kutir #23 →

Once a year at the Hare Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, they celebrate Holi or, The Festival of Colors. This festival represents the passing of winter into spring. Traditionally, colored powder or water is thrown to signify the joy and colors of spring arriving. This festival is observed in countries with a large Hindu population like Suriname, Trinidad, the UK, India, and Nepal. Yes yes, you say, that makes sense, but why Spanish Fork, Utah?

Narasingha Guru das, author of an upcoming book about institutional dogma which addresses Darwin and evolution [read an excerpt], writes:

Philosophically, it is not hard to understand how Darwinian evolution and transmigration of the soul are incompatible - karma demands that all possible material situations are already existing for the soul to enter whatever body type is appropriate.

I'm assuming "Darwinian evolution" here to mean Darwin's general theory of evolution [see here for a definition of Darwin's two different theories of evolution - the special and general]

I've asked Narasingha Guru for a citation to establish the point that "karma demands all possible material situations to be already existing".

Ongoing Species Extinction and Creation

Empirically speaking, the fossil record indicates that all possible material situations are not extant on this planet all the time. Scientists have recorded at least seven extinction events [wikipedia], where large numbers of species (up to 96% for the largest, the Permian-Triassic extinction event [wikipedia]) cease to exist in the fossil record. These species are no longer found in the contemporary environment either. A more "recent" example (relatively speaking) would be the Creataceous-Tertiary extinction event [wikipedia], 65 million years ago, which saw the end of the dinosaurs.

Marine extinction over time. X-axis is millions of years, Y-axis is the percentage of marine species extincted

Extinction events are interesting not only because they see the end of the manifestation of many species on this planet, but also because they see the rise of new ones. So seven extinction events also implies seven different "creation" events, where new species are somehow either evolved by natural forces, or else brought into being by some other as yet unexplained mechanism.

Other Worlds

At the same time, with millions of planets in this universe, the loss of a species on the Earth does not mean that the opportunity does not exist for a jiva to incarnate in that species on another planet.

In fact, the Caitanya Caritamrita (Madhya-lila 19.151) describes just such a scenario:

brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija

According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krishna. By the mercy of both Krishna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.

The word brahmanda means "universe".

The Earth could be unpopulated by humans for billions of years. In that time humans could have lived on Mars, Venus, or planets orbiting other stars. If a requirement exists for humans to always exist, it will be also necessary to demonstrate that sastra requires them to always exist on this planet.

At the same time, empirical evidence may be found that they have always existed on this planet. Some people make an argument for this, but it is not widely accepted at this point in time by the scientific community.

A Digression into the Journey of the Jiva Through Species

Karma is a complex subject. In Bhagavad-gita (4.16) Krishna says:

kim karma kim akarmeti
kavayo 'py atra mohitah

Even the intelligent are bewildered in understanding what is karma and what is not karma

The mechanisms by which living entities obtain their bodies are explained in chapter 15 of Bhagavad-gita. By current scientific standards these would be considered metaphysical, although in Vedic terms it is physical (karma) rather than transcendental (akarma), which is the Vedic standard of metaphysics.

Bhagavad-gita 8.6 outlines the central principle of metempsychosis, or transmigration of the soul:

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam
tyajaty ante kalevaram
tam tam evaiti kaunteya
sada tad-bhava-bhavitah

Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail.

This is the general principle for transmigration of the soul, applying to all material bodies.

An example of this principle at work in the animal kingdom is given in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.23:

O King, once a wasp forced a weaker insect to enter his hive and kept him trapped there. In great fear the weak insect constantly meditated upon his captor, and without giving up his body, he gradually achieved the same state of existence as the wasp. Thus one achieves a state of existence according to one's constant concentration.

Conclusion

Given the empirical evidence it appears that not all species are manifested all the time on Earth.

If the Vedic model requires that all species always be manifest, the empirical situation does not present a problem, as there are infinite planets in the universe where other species can be manifest.

The empirical situation of repeated extinctions and repopulations by different species on Earth requires a mechanism by which development of different species happens.

The central idea of general evolutionary theory (both Darwin's or the more recent Punctuated Equilibrium) is that it occurs by natural processes. This is confirmed by Bhagavad-gita 9.10.

So I don't think that the general theory of evolution (that natural processes cause the development of species) and transmigration of the soul are incompatible philosophically - at least not based on this point.

UJALA is starving to death. She is four months old but weighs only 1.5 kilograms, about a third of what the World Health Organisation says is normal for her age. The sagging skin on her tiny limbs and her grossly distended stomach are signs of acute malnutrition. Her hip bones protrude like gross deformities and her face winces with a hacking cough.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.20 - The three proofs of knowledge - pratyaksa, anumana & sabda.

1966 March 27:
"Saptami. Today one Mr. Howard Wheeler of 71st St. became acquainted with me. He appears to be a good friend. Whole day I was in the Ashram and I came back in the evening. I spent the night at the Studio 501."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 March 27: "If you accompany me, that will be a very nice thing. I want your company always so let us see what Krishna desires in the future."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

Tuesday, 20th Jan, 2009. Bam! KG’s phone was waking me up. Sweet catch up sleep was on the agenda so I slammed that thing off and went back into the tama sack. I awoke an hour or two later. I did some reading before deity greetings and a wapping Sri Prahlad kirtana. KG and HH Bhaktisidhanta Swami were going at it in the kirtana before he sat down to dish out the class (the Swami that is).

It was time to readopt the philosophy that life was a game, full of quests, experience and general time conception. So me and Harry were off for a quest. We stopped at the tram for a side quest, to score some liquorice. We bumped into some devotees also heading into the city by the tram, as you do. I thrice tried to reject my shrapnel on the tram ticket machine but it rejected it once I had loaded it with a large collection of coinage.

We stopped at Crossways for some halava and custard, and to meet Harry’s little bro. We met up with Kana also and some other Kuli. We took some Crossways cards for some kicksies on the way to hand out. I was full of false ego so no one was that interested in my little cards but I was just making a game out of it. We made our way back into Fitzroy fortress. Our main mission for the day was to take down the blinders we forgot, these were big sheets of black plastic all over the windows. We spent a short time throwing balls of plastic around and then we left feeling that the theatre was haunted.

We found some forest and garden to chill, try chant and feel like we were still in a game. Domo called and we hit the No1 tram back to home. It was time for a trip with the boys to the beach. Harry, Mathur, Domo, Sri P and I all hit the surf. We played and frolicked in the water throwing around a big container as a ball. On the way back we finally collaborated the ultimate tour quest. A mission that had sprouted something like a month before. Was it time? “Do you really want to do it?” asked Domo to the pack. There was full agreement. As soon as we decided Domo went into Domo mode…I was shocked. He had been thinking this up. He gave me some orders and we got to it.

By the time it was organized it was Gaura Hari driving, Harry and I in the back. It was just us. Just us and the Esky that is. He dropped us off like parachute soldiers on Coles. We hit the freezers for a bag of ice. Than we hit the merchandise…I did the maths. “15 boxes will do” I said. We tore through boxes and secured the ice and the prize in the esky on the way back to base. Harry carried the holy esky up to the boy’s room. A mysterious assembly…assembled. The chest of treasure was revealed and was offered to the Lord. There were 60 assorted magnum ice creams - almond and whites. It was ice cream competition time!

Domo got the archana cup; he was the official server. They came out one per head. They were fresh cold each time due to the ice and esky. I thought I would smash it up to about 4 and then slug it out from there but I was feeling it after 2. There was no time for “preparations” before the comp so whatever stomach room one had was what he had to work with.

It went on and on. I was staring my ice creams down. There were pull outs and it was being broadcasted on face book, live. I was ready to drop at 8 but I took the unanimous decision of the group to go one more…I was ready to pull out at 7 but I pulled out at 8 so I felt I had done my share. I tied with Mathuranatha, Sri P had pulled off at a casual 3 to broadcast the glories of the competition…Domo, Harry and Gaura Hari were left. Gaura settled for 9, Harry hit 10 and Domo came out of the last place into the first at 12!!

After the competition was over we sent off our remaining ice creams. Domo began his victory dance and we all joined in…it got a little bit out of hand one might say. After some hours recovery I was in good enough shape to honour a feast of prasada. I spent some time on my sadhana and then I hit the sack. Me and Kana chilled in the room. I ordered him to read me a bedtime story and he read away at the sweet nectar of Gita. Then we talked till about 11 with our different realisations. We were scheduled to be in bed early, and we were, but the beauty of Krsna Consciousness had to be admired all the way up into the late hours of the night. Govindaji, Giriraja, ate 60 magnums today…

There is a proverb that "If you go to a prostitute, go in the morning. (laughter) Not at night." In the morning you will see her real beauty.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.22 -- Indore, December 13, 1970

1966 March 27:
"Saptami. Today one Mr. Howard Wheeler of 71st St. became acquainted with me. He appears to be a good friend. Whole day I was in the Ashram and I came back in the evening. I spent the night at the Studio 501."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 March 27: "If you accompany me, that will be a very nice thing. I want your company always so let us see what Krishna desires in the future."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

BHAKTI IS WHAT CONNECTS

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Every day since arriving in this Maritime city there has been interviews with journalist students and radio broadcasters with the university. Not a flood of them mind you, and not prominent outlets but humble and meaningful endeavours by students of Dalhousie University and King's College.

Mandee, for istance, is a yoga teacher and runs a two hour radio show weekly on the subject. She frankly admitted that the term 'yoga' is so much misunderstood. The common public impression is limb stretching on a yoga mat. "It goes much deeper", she explained to me 'off the air', and she asked me to clarify that 'on the air'.

In brief, the Bhagavad-gita, the most authoritative yoga book reaffirms that yga with all its different levels culminates with the principle of bhakti. Bhakti means intense devotion or feeling for the Absolute. Regular yoga practice tends to lightly touch the heart aspect of the yogi.

To put emphasis on bhakti, I conducted another session of "9 Devotions" at Dalhousie University. As an opener, I informed the group of attendees that nine processes or ways to improve your life and allow you to move ahead were the recommendation of a very young person. It is said often that great things come in small packages. Well, here we have a small five year old boy, who conjured up these remarkable methods beginning with attentive listening and clear responding. The boy was actually a prince who's name was Prahlad. The story of his life can be found in the book Srimad Bhagavatam, also known as Bhagavat Purana.

In many respects, the 9 methods of devotion is the target of all yoga practices which have the aim 'to connect' as Mandee, the yoga instructor, puts it.

3 Km

Those sadhus who speak sharp words to drive away the witch of the illusory energy are actually the only real devotees of Krsna and friends of the living entities. The conditioned living being experiences the distressful quarreling of his wife and close relatives and is rudely treated by them until death, yet he never desires to leave their association. On the other hand, he absorbs himself in trying to appease and serve them. But when a devotee of the Lord, who is always desirous of the living entity's ultimate welfare, chides him just once with instructions meant to drive away maya, then that conditioned entity immediately makes plans to leave the saintly person for his entire life.

- Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja

1972 March 27: "If we simply repeat this philosophy exactly as it is, without any misrepresentation or adulteration, then this movement will never be checked, and we will conquer the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 27: "Decide how much you can comfortably eat, then take half of that. This will keep one healthy, strong and free from disease."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 27: "These thoughts of sense gratification are bound to come into our mind, but if we do not act on them and keep ourselves always engaged, they will have no effect."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 March 27: "Separation of men and women should be strictly observed in the temple; between single men and women there must be strict division and strict observance of no illicit sex."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 March 27: "That is good management. Whether grhasthas, sannyasa or brahmacari everyone has to be completely engaged all the time, not sleeping unnecessarily or talking idly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1972 March 27: "If we simply repeat this philosophy exactly as it is, without any misrepresentation or adulteration, then this movement will never be checked, and we will conquer the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 27: "Decide how much you can comfortably eat, then take half of that. This will keep one healthy, strong and free from disease."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 27: "These thoughts of sense gratification are bound to come into our mind, but if we do not act on them and keep ourselves always engaged, they will have no effect."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 March 27: "Separation of men and women should be strictly observed in the temple; between single men and women there must be strict division and strict observance of no illicit sex."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 March 27: "That is good management. Whether grhasthas, sannyasa or brahmacari everyone has to be completely engaged all the time, not sleeping unnecessarily or talking idly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika das

Badahari das singing the bhajan "Bhaja Bhakata Vatsala Sri Gaura Hari" -- traditionally sung for Bhoga Arati.  Mukunda Datta das playing the Mrdanga.

Dallas, TX
2008-03-05

Download: 2009-03-05 - 2 - Noon Bhajans - Badahari das - Bhoga Arati - Bhaja Bhakata Vatsala.mp3

A little while ago, I wrote an entry entitled “Questioning Srila Prabhupada.” This is the first toe-dipping into that arena.

The quote in question is from Bhagavad-gita 9.32:

O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth–women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras [workers]–can approach the supreme destination.

What is actually being said is those that take shelter in Krishna can approach the supreme destination. That’s the whole intent of the verse.

Both Krishna (in the original Sanskrit) and Srila Prabhupada (in the translation) mention “women, vaisyas and sudras.”

In the original Sanskrit, it is a list: those of lower birth, women, vaisyas, also sudras. But in Srila Prabhupada’s translation the list is describing “lower birth.” He describes “lower birth” as women, vaisyas and sudras.

This, of course, is where the controversy is.

In no other Gaudiya-Vaisnava translation and commentary that I’ve seen is it translated as such. The verse is a great one. It is saying that love of God is available to anyone without discrimination. However, it also appears that Srila Prabhupada is discriminating against women, vaisyas and sudras, calling them “lower birth.”

To me, this term is not so much insulting as it is truthful. I have always taken it to mean “worse situation from birth.” Technically, the word “papa-yonayah” means “troubled womb.”

If someone is, for instance, born a black woman or in a working class family, it’s probably going to be a tougher life than someone born as a while male in a rich family. That’s just a fact. And technically, one would be a “higher birth” and the other a “lower birth.”

I don’t see this particular verse as Srila Prabhupada saying that “women are worse than men.” The real purport is that everyone is eligible, no matter your social status.

Like I said before, the original Sanskrit and every other translation avoids this confusion and does not claim that “women, vaisyas and sudras” are of a lower birth. But it does mention “papa-yonaya” - basically troubled families.

Why Srila Prabhupada chose to translate it this way is beyond me. While I don’t believe he was exposing a prejudice here, he certainly could have phrased it in a clearer way. After all, this is a very anti-prejudicial statement by Krishna.

Again, my take on it is that women, sudras, people from troubled families and pretty much anyone that’s going to get a crappy end of the stick due to how they were born and where they were born (black, gay, poor in a place that is prejudiced against them) is, by definition a “lower birth.” It’s not going to be an easy life because of the situation at birth. Lower birth = crappy birth.

“Lower birth” is a material designation, it has nothing to do with the spiritual (as this verse says). However, Srila Prabhupada’s choice to translate it like this could easily turn off women (right away) and workers/farmers when they figure out what “sudras” and “vaisyas” are. Someone could easily take this to mean that Srila Prabhupada is being prejudiced against them - and in his translation that appears to be so.

If he had translated it as it was in Sanskrit and as other acaryas and gurus in our line have translated it, it would be much clearer and wouldn’t require a long explanation.

By Vijaya das

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