chanting_japa

How to relish chanting japa – Excerpted from Sri Harinama-Cintamani by Indradyumna Swami

How to relish chanting japa – Excerpted from Sri Harinama-Cintamani by Indradyumna Swami

“Inattention arising from laziness prevents a person from relishing the nectar of the holy names while chanting japa. He is slow to chant and remember the holy names. Even after trying, he soon finds the effort unendurable and wants to sleep or otherwise engage himself in frivolity.

“Advanced devotees are cautious against such an offense. They never waste a single moment in useless talk or activities. Their meditation on the Lord’s holy name is unbroken. They are so absorbed in the nectar of the holy name that they do not want anything else. One must therefore aspire to associate with such rare devotees and follow their example, thus ridding himself of laziness.

[ Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, Harinama Cintamnai, Chapter 12 ]

Excerpted from Sri Harinama-Cintamani by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on December 20, 2013 – To see original post please click here.

Srila Prabhupada

Developing attraction for the Holy Name – Excerpted from Sri Harinama-Cintamani by Indradyumna Swami

Developing attraction for the Holy Name – Excerpted from Sri Harinama-Cintamani by Indradyumna Swami

“Another effective method for ridding oneself of apathy towards the holy name is to sit in a closed room alone and meditate on the name as did the previous sages. Or one can cover the head and face with a cloth and concentrate on the sound of the holy name. This will immediately fix the mind firmly on the holy name. Thus one slowly develops attraction for the name and the offense of inattention vanishes.”

[ Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, Harinam Cintamani, Chapter 12 ]

Excerpted from Sri Harinama-Cintamani by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on December 23, 2013 – To see original post please click here.

Gurudeva chanting

The form of Hari named ‘Govinda’ – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

The form of Hari named ‘Govinda’ – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

“Smiling in His famous triple-crooked stance,
His flute resting on the red twig of His lower lip,
Brightened by the peacock feather on His crown,
That is the form of Hari named ‘Govinda.’
He is not far from Kesi Ghat, my friend,
But do not go to see Him,
Not if you still seek pleasure in worldly company!”

[BhaktiRasamritaSindhu 1.2.239]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on December 31, 2013 – To see original post please click here.

Gurudeva

What mantra have you given me? – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

What mantra have you given me? – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

“O Gurudeva! What mantra have you given me? What powers does it possess? As I chant this mantra, I feel that it is turning me into a madman.”

[ Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi-llia.7.81 ]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on December 25, 2014 – To see original post please click here.

Chanting

Mahaprabhu’s special concession – Excerpted from Sri Tattva-Sandarbha by Indradyumna Swami

Mahaprabhu’s special concession – Excerpted from Sri Tattva-Sandarbha by Indradyumna Swami

“It is true that a mantra with names of God is effective only when received from a bone fide representative of God in disciplic succession through proper initiation. It is also true that in previous ages, out of fear of the adverse effects of offenses against hari-nama, generally only those who were already purified worshiped the names of Krsna and His internal potency. Therefore the Hare Krsna mantra in particular is almost never mentioned openly in sruti or smrti. Nevertheless, in the current age Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given a special concession, a kind of automatic or informal initiation to everyone, by ordering every man, woman and child in the universe to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. In doing so, He has offered to take on His own head the reactions of our offenses against hari-nama when we chant according to His order. Thus even before being fully empowered by formal initiation to chant the mantra, persons of this age can chant the maha-mantra and make tangible spiritual advancement. ” 

[ Sri Tattva-Sandarbha, of Srila Jiva Goswami, Text 15, purport. Translated from the original Sanskrit, with the author’s Sarva-samvadini commentary, by Gopiparanadhana Dasa. Giriraja Publishing. ]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on December 31, 2015 – To see original post please click here.

Kirtan

The mood of kirtan – Quoted by Indradyumna Swami

The mood of kirtan – Quoted by Indradyumna Swami

  1. aju gora nagara-kirtane

sajiya calaye priya parikara sane

“Surrounded by His dear devotees, Lord Gaura performs sankirtana in the city.”

  1. angera su-besha bhala shobhe

nace nana bhangite bhubana-mana mohe

“His well-dressed form is glorious. Dancing in many graceful ways, He charms the hearts of everyone in the world.”

  1. prema barishaye anibara

bahaye ananda-nadi nadiya majhara

“He continuously showers the bliss of ecstatic spiritual love. He makes a river of spiritual bliss flow in Nadiya.”

  1. deba-gana misha-i manushe

barishe kusuma kata manera harishe

“The demigods stay amongst the human beings. Their hearts are joyful. How many monsoons of flowers do they shower?”

  1. nagariya loka saba dhaya

manera manase goracanda guna gaya

“The people run to greet Him. With all their hearts they sing Lord Gaura’s glories.”

  1. mudha-gana shuni simha-nada

ha-iya birasa mana ganaye pramada

“Some bewildered people, their hearts withered by fear, think the tumultuous kirtan is a host of lions roaring.”

  1. lakhe lakhe dipa jwale bhala

upama ki abani gagana kare alo

“Millions and millions of glistening lamps shine. With what shall I compare the light that fills the ground and sky?”

  1. narahari kahite ki jane

matila jagata ke-u dhairaja na mane

“What shall Narahari say? He does not know. The whole world has become wild with bliss. No one is peaceful at heart.”

[Kamoda-raga, Song 24, by Narahari das. Translated by Kusakrata Dasa]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami in his diary around December 1-30, 2008 – To see original entry please click here.

Gurudeva

A Prayer to Srila Prabhupada – Composed by Indradyumna Swami

A Prayer to Srila Prabhupada – Composed by Indradyumna Swami

Thirty years ago, while reflecting on my duties as a young servant, I wrote the following offering to my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Now in the twilight of my years, it remains my favorite prayer.

***************************

This year, in wake of a disaster that claimed a friend
And brought the walls crumbling down,
I took up my staff and looked to the road,
Hoping to find you again.

To gain your favor I gave up all that I owned
And tried to renounce my pride,
And ever more cautious of women and fame,
I traveled far and wide.

Moving once in the north and twice in the south
And east and west in turn,
I learned firsthand of God’s creation
And your kind mercy as well.

Soon austerity came, claiming all of my wealth,
But remained a welcome friend,
And strength I gained, and detachment too,
While traveling through foreign lands.

With no place to live, or a home of my own,
I learned to take shelter in you,
And the constant vision of birth and death
Kept me learned and true to my vows.

In forests and cities, villages and towns,
Repeating your words I roamed,
Witnessing your mercy, as kind as you are,
In delivering the fallen and poor.

Disease came in summer and near death in the fall,
In a jungle far to the south.
But your saving grace and Nrsimha’s mace
Kept me safe and protected through all.

Oh, how happy I am to serve you like this,
Always preaching and traveling on!
As a flowing river remains always clean,
I pray to remain always pure.

In happiness and distress, in heat and cold
I want to keep fighting on,
Delivering your message, as you asked me to,
While I’m enthusiastic, youthful, and strong.

But Prabhupada, the road is long,
And there are many dangers in between
Where I pause now . . .
And you rest safely on the other shore.

So on this day, so full of grace,
Please hear my fervent prayer:
Within my heart, beyond what’s dark
There’s a shining love for you.

So guide me right, keep me in the fight,
And away from maya’s glare,
And when all is done, and the battle’s won,
Take me home to be with you again!

Your eternal servant, Indradyumna Swami.

Posted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on December 17, 2016 – To see original post please click here.

Last Festival

The festival of pure love for Lord Hari – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

The festival of pure love for Lord Hari – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

“The fortunate town of Navadvipa remains on the earth. The seashore remains. The city of Jagannatha Puri remains. The holy names of Lord Krsna remain. Alas! Alas! I do not see anywhere the same kind of festival of pure love for Lord Hari. O Lord Caitanya, O ocean of mercy, will I ever see Your transcendental glory again?”

[ Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati, Sri Caitanya Candramrita, Chapter 12, Text 140 ]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on August 23, 2017 – To see original post please click here.

Gurudeva

Knowledge cultivated in the association of pure devotees – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

Knowledge cultivated in the association of pure devotees – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

“In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.”

[ Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.25 ]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on June 7, 2017 – To see original post please click here.

Kuruksetra

Prayers to the Lord during an eclipse – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

Prayers to the Lord during an eclipse – Verse quoted by Indradyumna Swami

When the gopis of Vrindavan met Krishna at Kurukshetra on the occasion of a solar eclipse after a long separation, they prayed to Him:

“Dear Lord, whose navel is just like a lotus flower, Your lotus feet are the only shelter for those who have fallen into the deep well of material existence. Your feet are worshiped and meditated upon by great mystic yogis and highly learned philosophers. We wish that these lotus feet may also be
awakened within our hearts, although we are only ordinary persons engaged in household affairs.”

[ Srimad Bhagavatam 10.82.48 ]

Quoted by Indradyumna Swami on his facebook page on August, 21, 2017 – To see original post please click here.