I am behind in my writing of the blogs and news events. But traveling and the demands of a two day seminar in front of some very important people in Gloucester has consumed me. I always focus on the task at hand I am terrible at multitasking. So it is a bit late but here is the sequel to the Miracle Hari Nama Sankirtana which is the program that followed in the hall in Aberystwyth Wales. I will do the blog on the 2 day seminar in a couple of days after I do the story about our program at the college in Wales. Pictures as always are on the Face Book Page.
After an ecstatic Hari Nama by the Grace of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja we had a fabulous Program in a Hall in Aberystwyth Wales by the Grace of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaja and the dedicated service and devotion of His disciples. The two young teenage girls from the Hari Nama Sankirtana, Sophie and her friend, came to join us at the program. Sophie was genuinely interested and her friend was along for the ride. Mostly there was initiated devotees there at the hall about 20 or so and then there was Sophie and about 5 other guests. Joe and a friend, one married couple, and a young Indian gentleman. We chanted the invocation prayers and then the Maha Mantra. I tell everyone what the Chanting is about. What the meaning of the mantra is and why it is so auspicious to chant it. Then I engage everyone in a chanting session in which we give everyone a turn at leading the Kirtan. All of the devotees enthusiastically lead as their turn comes. The guests do their best but they are all loving it. When it is Sophies turn she is reluctant to start. Karuna Didi goes over and turns on her motherly charm and chants along with the young lady giving her support. Sophie comes through and sings the mantra sweetly with a smile on her face. Her friend is giggling too hard to do it on her own so she chants it with Sophie. Joe does and admirable turn and his friend does as well. The Indian gentleman also chants with confidence. As each guest completes their turn at chanting the lead the devotees clap and cheer with enthusiasm the result is smiles and happiness all around. There is a group of three older devotee men in the back, Daruka, Radha Raman and the 3rd guy I cannot remember his name. They all joke about a bit and each in his turn takes the lead in the chanting. They are all having fun and everyone is having a lot fun watching them and hearing them. At the end of the Kirtan there is applause, cheers and laughter. I delightfully tell everyone that they are significantly happier now then they were before the Kirtan. Everyone agrees including the guests. We were all having fun and that what it is all about. After all Srila Prabhupada said Chant Hare Krsna and be Happy. And so we were. I talk a little about how we are not these bodies and that we are eternal spiritual beings. How in the spiritual world we will always be happily singing and dancing like this. Everyone receives the information joyfully. Now it is time for a really big Kirtan. I get everybody up we move back the chairs and we sing and dance in a circle. Then run back and forth and then jump up and down with abandon. All the while chanting and roaring the holy name. Joy and bliss abound, the room is electric with excitement. Sophie gets right into it. She is daning in the circle running back and forth and even jumping up and down. To think that just a couple of hours ago she was just another teenager on the streets of a town in Wales and now by the mercy of Guru and Gouranga she was drowning in the ocean of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Sankirtana movement. There is no end to the mercy of the Lord. After quite some time I end the kirtan everyone applauds and shouts loudly Jai Hari Bol. I loudly recite the Jaya dhvani Prayers it is pure bliss. I am praying that it can be like this everyday.
Then their was prasad Sophie and her friend take the prasad with them and take another book and promise to share the chanting with family and friends. They walk out the door with smiles on their faces and it is clear from the look in their eyes that Sophie has had a life changing experience. I make sure that she gives her email address to Lalit Didi who has arranged the program with her sister Malini and their friend Jagat Mohini. They have done a smashing good job I cannot offer them enough praise for their excellent service. They are dedicated disciples of their Guru Maharaja Srila Bhakti Vedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja and their love and dedication to his mission of spreading the holy name around to every town and village and to distribute his books is clearly a priority in their lives no matter what else they have to do for the maintenance of their families. The prasadam feast is an excellent pot luck arrangement with all the ladies chipping in some wonderful preparations. The feast is thoroughly enjoyed by all especially the guests. Everyone takes seconds. Joe admits that if he could eat this good vegetarian food everyday he could give up eating meat very easily.
It is the standard formula for transcendental magic Chanting, Dancing, and Feasting. It is given to us by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 5oo hundred years ago and brought to the western world by Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It is being propagated allover the world by his diksha and siksha disciples foremost of which is Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Goswami Maharaja. This time tested method is a proven formula for success in spiritual life. The program here today is just one more proof of its effectiveness. All Glories to this transcendental formula for the benefit of all animated entities in the universe. Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya! Srila Gurudeva Ki Jaya! Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Ki Jaya! Gaura Premanandi Hari Hari Bol!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
The HARI NAMA SANKIRTAN MIRACLE!!!
In my last blog I wrote the following:
“Tonight we have a public program which we wanted to precede with a Hari Nam Sankirtan. The weather is especially inclement, Cold, rainy, and windy. However I keep hoping against hope as the sun occasionally peers through the clouds and gives some indication that it might be sunny enough after all to go on Hari Nam. It is all in the hands of Mahaprabhu and Sri Guru. They will decide. They can make the rain stop or start at will. So we will see if it becomes favorable for Hari Nama.”
When I suggested to the devotees that Guru can arrange everything they asked “Can Guru change the Weather?” “Sure” I said, and I told the following stories:
This pastime of Srila Prabhupada is related by Guru Das in his book about Srila Prabhupada “By His Example” on page 249 in the section titled Krishna’s Mercy. I am reproducing it exactly as it appears in the book.
“Late at night, when everyone else was asleep, was a nice time to be with Prabhupada. He was usually in a very mellow mood, so if I wanted to have his precious darshan I would sometimes stand outside his door and make slight noises so he would come out to see what the noise was and invite me in. We were staying in the new quarters in Mayapur, in the first of the four, large residence buildings. The sky was overcast; I was yearning for Prabhupada’s association, so I went near his rooms and made walking and chanting sounds. No servants were around, so Prabhupada came out himself saying, “Who is that?” He saw me chanting, smiled, and came all the way out of his quarters.
Srila Prabhupada walked up and down the balcony with me, then turned towards the fields and walked to the balcony railing. He looked out and said “The farmers beg Krishna for rainwater.” He paused briefly, “All right, take it!” As Prabhupada swept his hand down as if dispensing rain, a lightning bolt crashed; suddenly the sky opened and rain came down furiously.
“Take it,” he said quietly, and walked into his rooms.
This pastime of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja was related to me by Raghava Pandit Prabhu who was in Spain when it happened.
Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja was visiting the ISKCON Temple in Spain during what was considered one of the worst droughts in history in that area. No rain had fallen in over a year and every Church, Temple, and Mosque had held prayer vigils with their congregants in order to beseech the Lord for rain. The ISKCON Temple also performed Sankirtan in the hopes that by following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and performing the Yajna for this age, then as Lord Sri Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita that rain produces grain and rains are produced by Yajna so the Yajna for the age would produce rain. Unfortunately the ISKCON devotees did not have much success either.
Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja did not know about the drought when he came. When he arrived with his party they were told to be very careful with how much water they used and that they should buy their own drinking water. So when he inquired they told Him about the situation as described above. When he was told about it he responded by asking if the devotees had done Kirtan. They informed him that they had. He said if all of you have strong faith in Krsna and do Kirtan for this purpose with such faith then it will rain. Of course there is a vast difference between one who chants Nama Aparadha and Nam Abhasa and one who chants Shuddha Nam. Shuddha nam is not lip deep it is heart deep coming directly from the heart of the pure devotee. Shuddha Nama carries the aroma of the saffron particles from the Lotus Feet of the Lord with in the heart of the pure devotee. Some of the devotees who did not recognize the transcendental position of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja thought that their Nama Aparadha and Nam Abhasa Kirtan was as good as his Kirtan.
These devotees did not recognize that Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja was displaying his Vaishnava compassion for the suffering jivas who needed rain the way Srila Prabhupada had done. Although Srila Gaur Govinda Maharaja was trying to help the devotees to have strong faith and share the glory with them that night at the program in the temple some of the devotees thought that this was some kind of false ego trip on Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja’s part. Therefore some of the devotees left the temple room during his Kirtan. Their cynicism was soon removed after Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja began one of his brimming with ecstasy kirtans and very soon clouds began to appear in the vast clear blue sky. As the clouds gathered the sky became dark and overcast. Gradually as Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja continued with his powerful kirtan of Shudda Nama the rains began to pour and pour and the drought was officially over.
The devotees were amazed by these stories and really enjoyed hearing them. I told them that Sri Guru is Sarva Deva Maya Guru, the sum total of all of the demigods, he can create or stop rain at will if he likes. So I said lets have faith in them and see how they can help us by taking away the rain.
So when we left Cardigan Wales it was rainy, cold, and windy. The devotees in Abeystwyth where the program was being held told us the weather was the same there. On the way to Abeystwyth about an hours drive north something amazing happened. Little by little the rain reduced, the wind reduced the clouds got less gray and the sun started to peer its head out from between the clouds and it got warmer. When we finally arrived in Abeystwyth and got out of the car in the parking lot the complete miracle happened. On cue in the best Hollywood directorial tradition when we exited the car there was absolutely no rain, the wind was almost completely tame, the clouds had turned from black to white and were much sparser, and the Sun shined through them casting his warming brilliant rays on our Hari Nama Sankirtan. Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja had heard me and they were merciful to prove that it is correct The Guru is “sarva deva maya guru” the sum total of the demigods and they can by their desire change the weather for the benefit of performing Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtan. So off we marched with the Sun warmly shining on our heads and the wind at our backs and rain at a far distance. Lord Caitanys Hari Nama Sankirtan proceeded down the streets and walkways of yet another town and village Abeystwyth Wales. Some people greeted us with smiles others with looks of bewilderment, some swayed a little, some walked by annoyed, some laughed derisively, everyone benefited. A group of young girls in white fairy costumes in a very gay spirit marched along with us laughing and shouting hare hare and some other incoherent words in their attempt to chant the Mantra. After about 100 yards they left us blessed with some powerful sukriti that will benefit them in this or some future life. By the recitation of Nama Abhasa and joining the march of Lord Sri Caitanya’s Sankirtana Party they had just erased all of their past sinful activities from all of their previous births. Is there any better welfare work to be done than Hari Nama Sankirtan? We stopped at a large bus stand and one intense man with a crazed look in his eye walked past swiftly 3 times glaring at us each time while saying Hare Krishna with a sarcastic look on his face. WOW another liberated soul. He even took a book on the 4th pass. Does Lord Caitanya’s mercy know any bounds? Then we went to the Town square and sang across the street from the clock tower. Some young teenagers bobbed their heads and looked at us weirdly and laughed. In fact off and on through out the course of our march several young people did exactly that. These youngsters in the town square sat down on the benches and listened. Then a couple took books. Two young girls sat and listened and looked at the book “Controlled by Love”. They looked at Srila Gurudeva's picture and the picture of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. Their interest peaked and they were informed of the program at the hall around the corner and they said they would come. We were about 20 minutes away from Program time it was time to pack up and move on to the hall. Our Guru Guardians now arranged that while the sun was peeking through the clouds a light rain drizzled down at the same time to provide us with the all auspicious Deva snana, the blessing rain of the demigods when one feels rain and sun on their head simultaneously. This blessing arranged by the spiritual masters signaled their blessing for our faith in going forward to perform Lord Caitanya’s Hari Nama in the streets of Abeystwyth Wales even though the weather appeared way to inclement. We started on our march to the hall for the program. The two young girls followed us eager to drink some more nectar of the holy name and get more of Lord Caitanya’s Mercy. On the way to the hall I remembered the poem of Srila Prabhupada to his spiritual master where He says “Miracle done Your Divine Grace” Thank You Srila Prabhupada, Thank Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja, Thank You Srila Gurudeva, Thank You Lord Caitanya, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for another Hari Nama Sankirtan Miracle!
“Tonight we have a public program which we wanted to precede with a Hari Nam Sankirtan. The weather is especially inclement, Cold, rainy, and windy. However I keep hoping against hope as the sun occasionally peers through the clouds and gives some indication that it might be sunny enough after all to go on Hari Nam. It is all in the hands of Mahaprabhu and Sri Guru. They will decide. They can make the rain stop or start at will. So we will see if it becomes favorable for Hari Nama.”
When I suggested to the devotees that Guru can arrange everything they asked “Can Guru change the Weather?” “Sure” I said, and I told the following stories:
This pastime of Srila Prabhupada is related by Guru Das in his book about Srila Prabhupada “By His Example” on page 249 in the section titled Krishna’s Mercy. I am reproducing it exactly as it appears in the book.
“Late at night, when everyone else was asleep, was a nice time to be with Prabhupada. He was usually in a very mellow mood, so if I wanted to have his precious darshan I would sometimes stand outside his door and make slight noises so he would come out to see what the noise was and invite me in. We were staying in the new quarters in Mayapur, in the first of the four, large residence buildings. The sky was overcast; I was yearning for Prabhupada’s association, so I went near his rooms and made walking and chanting sounds. No servants were around, so Prabhupada came out himself saying, “Who is that?” He saw me chanting, smiled, and came all the way out of his quarters.
Srila Prabhupada walked up and down the balcony with me, then turned towards the fields and walked to the balcony railing. He looked out and said “The farmers beg Krishna for rainwater.” He paused briefly, “All right, take it!” As Prabhupada swept his hand down as if dispensing rain, a lightning bolt crashed; suddenly the sky opened and rain came down furiously.
“Take it,” he said quietly, and walked into his rooms.
This pastime of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja was related to me by Raghava Pandit Prabhu who was in Spain when it happened.
Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja was visiting the ISKCON Temple in Spain during what was considered one of the worst droughts in history in that area. No rain had fallen in over a year and every Church, Temple, and Mosque had held prayer vigils with their congregants in order to beseech the Lord for rain. The ISKCON Temple also performed Sankirtan in the hopes that by following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and performing the Yajna for this age, then as Lord Sri Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita that rain produces grain and rains are produced by Yajna so the Yajna for the age would produce rain. Unfortunately the ISKCON devotees did not have much success either.
Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja did not know about the drought when he came. When he arrived with his party they were told to be very careful with how much water they used and that they should buy their own drinking water. So when he inquired they told Him about the situation as described above. When he was told about it he responded by asking if the devotees had done Kirtan. They informed him that they had. He said if all of you have strong faith in Krsna and do Kirtan for this purpose with such faith then it will rain. Of course there is a vast difference between one who chants Nama Aparadha and Nam Abhasa and one who chants Shuddha Nam. Shuddha nam is not lip deep it is heart deep coming directly from the heart of the pure devotee. Shuddha Nama carries the aroma of the saffron particles from the Lotus Feet of the Lord with in the heart of the pure devotee. Some of the devotees who did not recognize the transcendental position of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja thought that their Nama Aparadha and Nam Abhasa Kirtan was as good as his Kirtan.
These devotees did not recognize that Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja was displaying his Vaishnava compassion for the suffering jivas who needed rain the way Srila Prabhupada had done. Although Srila Gaur Govinda Maharaja was trying to help the devotees to have strong faith and share the glory with them that night at the program in the temple some of the devotees thought that this was some kind of false ego trip on Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja’s part. Therefore some of the devotees left the temple room during his Kirtan. Their cynicism was soon removed after Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja began one of his brimming with ecstasy kirtans and very soon clouds began to appear in the vast clear blue sky. As the clouds gathered the sky became dark and overcast. Gradually as Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja continued with his powerful kirtan of Shudda Nama the rains began to pour and pour and the drought was officially over.
The devotees were amazed by these stories and really enjoyed hearing them. I told them that Sri Guru is Sarva Deva Maya Guru, the sum total of all of the demigods, he can create or stop rain at will if he likes. So I said lets have faith in them and see how they can help us by taking away the rain.
So when we left Cardigan Wales it was rainy, cold, and windy. The devotees in Abeystwyth where the program was being held told us the weather was the same there. On the way to Abeystwyth about an hours drive north something amazing happened. Little by little the rain reduced, the wind reduced the clouds got less gray and the sun started to peer its head out from between the clouds and it got warmer. When we finally arrived in Abeystwyth and got out of the car in the parking lot the complete miracle happened. On cue in the best Hollywood directorial tradition when we exited the car there was absolutely no rain, the wind was almost completely tame, the clouds had turned from black to white and were much sparser, and the Sun shined through them casting his warming brilliant rays on our Hari Nama Sankirtan. Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja had heard me and they were merciful to prove that it is correct The Guru is “sarva deva maya guru” the sum total of the demigods and they can by their desire change the weather for the benefit of performing Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtan. So off we marched with the Sun warmly shining on our heads and the wind at our backs and rain at a far distance. Lord Caitanys Hari Nama Sankirtan proceeded down the streets and walkways of yet another town and village Abeystwyth Wales. Some people greeted us with smiles others with looks of bewilderment, some swayed a little, some walked by annoyed, some laughed derisively, everyone benefited. A group of young girls in white fairy costumes in a very gay spirit marched along with us laughing and shouting hare hare and some other incoherent words in their attempt to chant the Mantra. After about 100 yards they left us blessed with some powerful sukriti that will benefit them in this or some future life. By the recitation of Nama Abhasa and joining the march of Lord Sri Caitanya’s Sankirtana Party they had just erased all of their past sinful activities from all of their previous births. Is there any better welfare work to be done than Hari Nama Sankirtan? We stopped at a large bus stand and one intense man with a crazed look in his eye walked past swiftly 3 times glaring at us each time while saying Hare Krishna with a sarcastic look on his face. WOW another liberated soul. He even took a book on the 4th pass. Does Lord Caitanya’s mercy know any bounds? Then we went to the Town square and sang across the street from the clock tower. Some young teenagers bobbed their heads and looked at us weirdly and laughed. In fact off and on through out the course of our march several young people did exactly that. These youngsters in the town square sat down on the benches and listened. Then a couple took books. Two young girls sat and listened and looked at the book “Controlled by Love”. They looked at Srila Gurudeva's picture and the picture of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. Their interest peaked and they were informed of the program at the hall around the corner and they said they would come. We were about 20 minutes away from Program time it was time to pack up and move on to the hall. Our Guru Guardians now arranged that while the sun was peeking through the clouds a light rain drizzled down at the same time to provide us with the all auspicious Deva snana, the blessing rain of the demigods when one feels rain and sun on their head simultaneously. This blessing arranged by the spiritual masters signaled their blessing for our faith in going forward to perform Lord Caitanya’s Hari Nama in the streets of Abeystwyth Wales even though the weather appeared way to inclement. We started on our march to the hall for the program. The two young girls followed us eager to drink some more nectar of the holy name and get more of Lord Caitanya’s Mercy. On the way to the hall I remembered the poem of Srila Prabhupada to his spiritual master where He says “Miracle done Your Divine Grace” Thank You Srila Prabhupada, Thank Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja, Thank You Srila Gurudeva, Thank You Lord Caitanya, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for another Hari Nama Sankirtan Miracle!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
ENGLAND with all thy faults I love thee
I have arrived in England May 13th. The land where the sun never shines. However the warm hearts of the devotees here more than makes up for it. On the 13th I did a program at my God Sister Jagatam didi's home. She invited some of our God brothers and God Sisters and some followers of Srila Gurudeva and we had a great time. We had some sweet Kirtan and I told some pastimes of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. I also discussed about the difference between transcendental sound and material sound and how one benefits from the former as it is vibrated form the lips of a sadhu. At the end I brought out my Srila Prabhupada memorabilia and gave everyone darshan. There were smiles and tears all around.
Jagatam Didi and I got to have some talks the next day about a number of topics and I had a chance to go and visit Bhaktivedanta Manor and see Radha Gokulananda. I was recevied warmly by all the old devotees who knew me from before when I was president of Soho Street Temple. I had some talks with Tattva Vit, Ananta Shakti, and Kripa Moya. All were pleasant and sweet. They gave me a wonderful plate of Radha Gokulananda Maha Pradsadam and lunch as well. The prasadam was wonderful. Later that afternoon I was whisked off to Wales by Syama Prabhu and Acarya Ratna Prabhu.
Wales is colder, grayer, and rainier than London. However Acarya Ratna Prabhus Home and family are warm and sweet. I give class the next morning to Husband and wife about how to have a better grihastha ashram. I spoke last night to 20 devotees from all over the area in Wales. Sweet wonderful devotees. We do the standard Bhajanas and then I lead a rip roaring old style Kirtan that all embrace enthusiastically. Chanting, dancing, and ecstasy abound. In the lecture I discuss saranagati, humility, and surrender. I punctuate the philosophy with stories of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva displaying these wonderful qualities for our benefit so we can make advancement by their association when they are in those moods. At the end I bring out the Srila Prabhupada Paraprenalia for Darshan and again there is tears and smiles all around. We top it off with a sweet kirtan and great pot luck prasad feast. Oh How I love this process.
This morning we had Guru Puja and kirtan and then I discussed how Sri Krishna moves through the different Incarnations due to his greed for Rasa. That is why he is called Rasa Raja. Ultimately he becomes Sri Caitanya Mahaparabhu in order to taste the ecstacy of Srimati Radhika and understand His own sweetness. Rasa Raja Krishna with Mahabahva Mayi Radha. The meeting of these two together but in Radhas separation mood. Sambhoge with Vipralamba both in one container that is Mahaprabhu. I tell the story about Radha Krsna at Prema Sarovara and explain this mood of Prem vaicittya. So these topics I discussed in the morning.
Tonight we have a public program which we wanted to preceed with a Hari Nam Sankirtan. the weather is especially inclement. Cold, rainy, and windy. However I keep hoping against hope as the sun occasionally peers through the clouds and gives some indication that it might be sunny enough after all to go on Hari Nam. It is all in the hands of Mahaprabhu and Sri Guru. They will decide. They can make the rain stop or start at will. So we will see if it becomes favorable for Hari Nama. Over all, even though it is cold, rainy, windy, and isolated, the warmth and enthusiasm of the devotees for chanting and hearing more than makes up for it. That is why I invoked that poetry of old for my title: England with all thy faults I love thee!
Jagatam Didi and I got to have some talks the next day about a number of topics and I had a chance to go and visit Bhaktivedanta Manor and see Radha Gokulananda. I was recevied warmly by all the old devotees who knew me from before when I was president of Soho Street Temple. I had some talks with Tattva Vit, Ananta Shakti, and Kripa Moya. All were pleasant and sweet. They gave me a wonderful plate of Radha Gokulananda Maha Pradsadam and lunch as well. The prasadam was wonderful. Later that afternoon I was whisked off to Wales by Syama Prabhu and Acarya Ratna Prabhu.
Wales is colder, grayer, and rainier than London. However Acarya Ratna Prabhus Home and family are warm and sweet. I give class the next morning to Husband and wife about how to have a better grihastha ashram. I spoke last night to 20 devotees from all over the area in Wales. Sweet wonderful devotees. We do the standard Bhajanas and then I lead a rip roaring old style Kirtan that all embrace enthusiastically. Chanting, dancing, and ecstasy abound. In the lecture I discuss saranagati, humility, and surrender. I punctuate the philosophy with stories of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva displaying these wonderful qualities for our benefit so we can make advancement by their association when they are in those moods. At the end I bring out the Srila Prabhupada Paraprenalia for Darshan and again there is tears and smiles all around. We top it off with a sweet kirtan and great pot luck prasad feast. Oh How I love this process.
This morning we had Guru Puja and kirtan and then I discussed how Sri Krishna moves through the different Incarnations due to his greed for Rasa. That is why he is called Rasa Raja. Ultimately he becomes Sri Caitanya Mahaparabhu in order to taste the ecstacy of Srimati Radhika and understand His own sweetness. Rasa Raja Krishna with Mahabahva Mayi Radha. The meeting of these two together but in Radhas separation mood. Sambhoge with Vipralamba both in one container that is Mahaprabhu. I tell the story about Radha Krsna at Prema Sarovara and explain this mood of Prem vaicittya. So these topics I discussed in the morning.
Tonight we have a public program which we wanted to preceed with a Hari Nam Sankirtan. the weather is especially inclement. Cold, rainy, and windy. However I keep hoping against hope as the sun occasionally peers through the clouds and gives some indication that it might be sunny enough after all to go on Hari Nam. It is all in the hands of Mahaprabhu and Sri Guru. They will decide. They can make the rain stop or start at will. So we will see if it becomes favorable for Hari Nama. Over all, even though it is cold, rainy, windy, and isolated, the warmth and enthusiasm of the devotees for chanting and hearing more than makes up for it. That is why I invoked that poetry of old for my title: England with all thy faults I love thee!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Izmir Turkey Hari Nama Sankirtana
Dandavats and Pranams to ONE and ALL,
All Glories to Sri Krishna Sankirtana which is the only savıng grace in this age of Kali.
On May 8 Lord Narasımha devas Appearence day we had the most ecstatıc Harı Nam Sankirtan ın Izmır Turkey by the grace of Guru, Gouranga, and Lord Narasımha Deva. Savıtrı Dıdı who has sınglehandedly opened up a preachıng center here ın Istanbul Turkey,, the country of her bırth has been preachıng wıth great determınatıon and enthusıasm. A darlıng Daughter of Srıla Gurudeva she has opened up thıs preachıng center all alone and has been spreadıng the message of Lord Caıtanya everywhere ın Turkey. She has arranged for 4 sannyasıs to come here so far and preach, Damodara Maharaja, Trıdandı Maharaja, Srautı Maharaja, and myself Bhagavat Maharaja. She arranged and excellent tour for Srautı Maharaja and myself to preach at programs ın 3 towns ın Turkey Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmır. We had ecstatıc Harı Nam Sankırtan Programs ın Istanbul and Izmır and thıs report has to do wıth the Harı Nam Sankırtan ın Izmır. There ıs another Darlıng Daughter of Srıla Gurudeva ın Izmır named Shashı Kala dıdı. She ıs very well known and ınfluentıal ın all the rıght cırcles ın Izmır. She arranged to get a polıce permıt to hold the Harı Nam Sankırtana on the seasıde near all the outdoor restaurants where the people eat and enjoy the vıew of the ocean. There ıs also a stone walk wıth grass lıke a park for strollıng near the ocean sıde. The polıce orıgınally dıd not want to gıve the permıt but Shashı Kala Dıdı very boldly ınformed them that thıs Harı Nam Sankırtan ıs held all over the world ın New York, London, Parıs, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and on and on. She told them that thıs Harı Nam should be done here ın Izmır as we are now a modern cıty and all wıll enjoy the message of Dıvııne peace and love that ıt ıs broadcastıng. The Polıce fınally agreed and by Lord Caıtanyas grace Shashı Kala Dıdı got a permıt for Harı Nama Sankırtana. Then Shashı Kala Dıdı networked wıth all of her frıends ın Izmır and got them to commıt to comıng to chant and dance ın the streets and broadcast the message of Dıvıne Love.
We arrıved at the seasıde locatıon at around 6:30 pm and started to greet the dıfferent frıends and well wıshers who came to joın us for the Harı Nam. We kept gatherıng tıll around 7pm whıch was the offıcıal start tıme on the permıt. We started out by explaınıng how the Harı Nam Sankırtan was done. Savıtrı Dıdı explaıned everythıng ın Turkısh and handed out flıers wıth the Maha Mantra on ıt and some phılosophy and ınformatıon. Everyone agreed to lıne up ın two long lınes whıch was about 25 people. The lınes of course quıckly evaporated ın the ecstasy of chantıng and dancıng and we soon had a mass of people marchıng down the stone path through the seasıde garden broadcastıng the Holy Name to one and all. Soon complete strangers began joınıng ın sıngıng and dancıng wıthout ever havıng heard or seen thıs before, the harı nam was completely ınfectıous. Srautı Maharaja and myself led the Harı Nam together down the garden path near the ocean. He played kartalas and danced ecstatıcally I played mrdanga and sang the lead wıth my boomıng voıce. Savıtrı Dıdı and Sashı Kala dıdı danced ın front wıth rythym and and abandon. Shashı Kalas frıends brought Marrocas, tamborınes and bells and played along wıth us. After marchıng up and down the garden path we went across the street to the walk that ajoıned the street sıde dınıng restaurants. Rows of tables wıth people drınkıng beer, eatıng meat, smokıng cıggarettes and huggıng and kıssıng. Wıth the exceptıon of gamblıng all the regualtıve prıncıples were beıng flagrantly broken. However upon seeıng the ecstasy of the devotees ın chantıng and dancıng and glorıfyıng the holy name of Srı Srı Radha Krıshna they ımmedıately gave up theır sense gratıfıcatıon and began smılıng and clappıng and standıng and dancıng and chantıng the holy name along wıth us. All the way down the long street, row after row of restaurants, were beıng ınundated wıth the chantıng of the holy name and the people were lovıng ıt. It was so ecstatıc that the stone faced polıce offıcers were even smılıng and some were quıetly mutterıng the holy name on theır lıps wıth us. What a grand success. At the end we gathered at a wıde sıdewalk and chanted and danced ın a cırcle and then ended the chantıng wıth a great roar for Lord Narasımhadeva just as the Sun went down and twılıght appeared sıgnalıng the Lords Mıghty appearance. It could not have been scrıpted better by Hollywood as the Supreme Lord ıs the Supreme Dırector of all thıngs and the devotees who surrender to hım ın Love experıence the ecstasy of hıs perfect arrangements. To top ıt off some books and flyers were dıstrıbuted at the end and all the people praısed the ecstacy of Lord Srı Caıtanyas Harı Nama Sankırtana.
ALL GLORIES TO SRILA GURUDEVA!!!
ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA!!!!
ALL GLORIES TO LORD CAITANYAS SANKIRTANA MOVEMENT!!!!
GAURA PREMANANDI HARI HARI BOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pıctures on the facebook page.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Ankara Turkey Program
The Program ın Ankara was fabulous. It was held at a healıng energy center. The people were very open and desırous of hearıng the detaıls of what was the dıfference between materıal and spırıtual sound and energy. Srautı Maharaja and I gave 3 lectures over 2 days. There was one lady named Sophia who was especıally receptıve. She completely understood the dıfference between the gross body the subtle body and the soul. At least ıntellectually she was able to dıscrımınate between the 3. She also understood the ımportance of transcendental sound comıng from the lıps and heart of a sadhu. My feelıng was that most of the peopole got ıt. they understood the subtle dıfferences at least ıntellectually and they defınıtely understood the ımportance of assocıatıng wıth the Sadhu. It was clear from theır response that they understaood that Bhaktı comes from the the heart of the sadhu and from nowhere else.
They all loved the chantıng and chanted wıth great attentıon and focus. A real medıtatıve mood. I was very ımpressed wıth our host Gıta Devı who ıs Srıla Gurudevas Harı Nam dıscıple. She recevıed us warmly and took care of us ın her home wıth great affectıon and love. I really apprecıated her sweet mood. Also the gentleman who owned the healıng center was quıte helpful and supportıve as well. Savıtrı Dıdı had all of the programs organızed nıcely and dıd a great job wıth the arrangements. Ankara ıs a great place for preachıng the mıssıon of Lord Caıtanya.
They all loved the chantıng and chanted wıth great attentıon and focus. A real medıtatıve mood. I was very ımpressed wıth our host Gıta Devı who ıs Srıla Gurudevas Harı Nam dıscıple. She recevıed us warmly and took care of us ın her home wıth great affectıon and love. I really apprecıated her sweet mood. Also the gentleman who owned the healıng center was quıte helpful and supportıve as well. Savıtrı Dıdı had all of the programs organızed nıcely and dıd a great job wıth the arrangements. Ankara ıs a great place for preachıng the mıssıon of Lord Caıtanya.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
I set up Blog Page and First Preaching in Turkey
Dandavats and Pranams to all,
So to day I finished all of the essentials of the blog post stuff. Profile info picture etc.
I am in Ankara Turkey. I just came here from Istanbul. We had some real fine programs in Istanbul. We did one Hari Nam on Sunday in the marketplace on the European side that was out of this world. It is like this Big Bazar with tables everywhere and everything you can imagine to sell. We were well received with the people chanting and dancing in front of us. They clapped their hands, chanted the Maha Mantra, took flyers and books, and generally had a great time. They gave us water and warm smiles. On the way back to the ferry we danced and chanted the entire way back over a mile walk. We were followed by this enthusiastic group of about 8 teenage girls who danced and chanted with us literally at the TOP OF THIER LUNGS. WOW it was so inspiring. We met one devotee from South Africa on the way back named Bhakta Brad with his Fiance from Turkey. It caught us completely by surprise to see him fall on the floor and offer obeisances in the middle of the street. He was so happy to see us and we him. There was also two other younger girls about 8 and 10 who danced and chanted with us the whole way to the ferry with their father. It was so extraordinary to see how Lord Caitanyas Mercy was blessing everyone. I sold some books in the Mall to a group of hair dressers in their salon yesterday in Istanbul. It was also amazing to see how much they were interested in Bhakti Yoga.
I will be doing my first program tonight in Ankara and tomorrow Hari Nam Sankirtan and Book distribution. I will report on it as it happens. Thanks for reading the blog and remember Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be sublime!
AND!!!!!!!!!
HAVE YOU DISTRIBUTED A BOOK TODAY?!?!
Your Servant
So to day I finished all of the essentials of the blog post stuff. Profile info picture etc.
I am in Ankara Turkey. I just came here from Istanbul. We had some real fine programs in Istanbul. We did one Hari Nam on Sunday in the marketplace on the European side that was out of this world. It is like this Big Bazar with tables everywhere and everything you can imagine to sell. We were well received with the people chanting and dancing in front of us. They clapped their hands, chanted the Maha Mantra, took flyers and books, and generally had a great time. They gave us water and warm smiles. On the way back to the ferry we danced and chanted the entire way back over a mile walk. We were followed by this enthusiastic group of about 8 teenage girls who danced and chanted with us literally at the TOP OF THIER LUNGS. WOW it was so inspiring. We met one devotee from South Africa on the way back named Bhakta Brad with his Fiance from Turkey. It caught us completely by surprise to see him fall on the floor and offer obeisances in the middle of the street. He was so happy to see us and we him. There was also two other younger girls about 8 and 10 who danced and chanted with us the whole way to the ferry with their father. It was so extraordinary to see how Lord Caitanyas Mercy was blessing everyone. I sold some books in the Mall to a group of hair dressers in their salon yesterday in Istanbul. It was also amazing to see how much they were interested in Bhakti Yoga.
I will be doing my first program tonight in Ankara and tomorrow Hari Nam Sankirtan and Book distribution. I will report on it as it happens. Thanks for reading the blog and remember Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be sublime!
AND!!!!!!!!!
HAVE YOU DISTRIBUTED A BOOK TODAY?!?!
Your Servant
Uncle Bhagavat Maharaja
Monday, May 4, 2009
First Entry
Dandavats to one and all,
First of all let me offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of my divine master, my diksha Guru, Om Nitya Lila Pravista Om Vishnu Pada 108 Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
Then let me offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of my siksha & sannyas Guru Om Vishnu Pada Paramhamsa Parivrajacacharya 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Goswami Maharaja
Then let me offer my most humble obeisances unto all of the vaishnavas and vasihnavis who visit this blog, my dandavats and pransm to you all.
Well here is the first entry on my blog. I have to admit it has taken me a long time to do this. First of all I am concerned having seen the public way the statements of my Diksha Guru Srila Prabhupada and my Sannayas Guru Srila Narayana Maharaja are often misinterpreted and abused for other peoples purposes that have nothing to do with the truth of their statements. I also have seen how the tales of my God Brothers activities and travels in their diaries have also been lambasted often for no good reason. So I was a little hesitant to be so open and public. However since I have been traveling around the world and preaching in so many places I have been asked to say something in a blog that people can follow, read, and benefit from. I will try to do this in a way that will honor the position I have as a Sannaysi and a preacher representing the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya coming from Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and specifically honor the teaching as I have received them from my Diksha and Sannays Guru. Mostly these will be posts of preaching activities and the siddhanta. I hope this blog will be informative, educational, and enlightening. All I can do is write. That is what Srila Prabhupada asked all of his disciples to do. TO WRITE their realizations. The rest of what happens is up to Guru and Krishna.
I hope this meets all of you in the best of health and blissful Bhajan
Your servant
Uncle Bhagavat Maharaja
First of all let me offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of my divine master, my diksha Guru, Om Nitya Lila Pravista Om Vishnu Pada 108 Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
Then let me offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of my siksha & sannyas Guru Om Vishnu Pada Paramhamsa Parivrajacacharya 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Goswami Maharaja
Then let me offer my most humble obeisances unto all of the vaishnavas and vasihnavis who visit this blog, my dandavats and pransm to you all.
Well here is the first entry on my blog. I have to admit it has taken me a long time to do this. First of all I am concerned having seen the public way the statements of my Diksha Guru Srila Prabhupada and my Sannayas Guru Srila Narayana Maharaja are often misinterpreted and abused for other peoples purposes that have nothing to do with the truth of their statements. I also have seen how the tales of my God Brothers activities and travels in their diaries have also been lambasted often for no good reason. So I was a little hesitant to be so open and public. However since I have been traveling around the world and preaching in so many places I have been asked to say something in a blog that people can follow, read, and benefit from. I will try to do this in a way that will honor the position I have as a Sannaysi and a preacher representing the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya coming from Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and specifically honor the teaching as I have received them from my Diksha and Sannays Guru. Mostly these will be posts of preaching activities and the siddhanta. I hope this blog will be informative, educational, and enlightening. All I can do is write. That is what Srila Prabhupada asked all of his disciples to do. TO WRITE their realizations. The rest of what happens is up to Guru and Krishna.
I hope this meets all of you in the best of health and blissful Bhajan
Your servant
Uncle Bhagavat Maharaja
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