21 Oct 2021
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Damodarastakam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: Damodara, ghee lamp, kartik, Krishna, month of Damodara, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
” Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.” (Damodarastakam)
We are now in the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.
Full song
More
13 Oct 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Childhood Pastimes of Krsna, Damodara, Damodarastakam, Kartika, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: Damodara, Kartika, Krishna, month of Damodara, Mother Yasoda, namamisvarm, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Damodarastaka, vishnujana swami
” Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.” (Damodarastakam)
We are now in the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.
Following song lyrics is a link of Vishnujana Swami chanting the Damodara Prayers
Full song
More
05 Oct 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Damodara, Damodarastakam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: Kartika, Krishna, month of Damadora, Mother Yasoda, Muni, namamisvaram sac-cid-ananda-rupam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Damodara, Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Satyavrata, Supreme Controller
He ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda bus was ultimately caught, to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
Sri Damodarastakam
By Sri Satyavrata Muni
From the original 1974 “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook
This eight sloka prayer is sung morning and evening during the month of Damodara, which begins today.
namāmīśvaraḿ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaḿ
lasat-kuṇḍalaḿ gokule bhrājamanam
yaśodā-bhiyolūkhalād dhāvamānaḿ
parāmṛṣṭam atyantato drutya gopyā
1) To the supreme controller who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda, but was ultimately caught-to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
rudantaḿ muhur netra-yugmaḿ mṛjantam
karāmbhoja-yugmena sātańka-netram
muhuḥ śvāsa-kampa-trirekhāńka-kaṇṭha-
sthita-graivaḿ dāmodaraḿ bhakti-baddham
2) Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook, To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.
More
12 Oct 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Mantra Meditation, Meditation, Pranams, Prayers & Verses, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: daily sadhana, devotional service, mangalacarana, mantra meditation, nama om, Om, prayers, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, sri guru pranama, sri rupa pranama, Srila Prabhupada Pranati, vaisnava songbook
click on image to enlarge
One of the most used books in our temple room is the songbook. Everyday it seems, I am flipping through the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas”, singing one of the many songs or reciting some of the numerous pranams (prayers) as part of my daily sadhana. The following post is the first 13 pages of songbook, which in my mind is a nice way to start the day and is a good prelude to other devotional service.
Pranams
from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
SRI GURU PRANAMA
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
om-address; ajnana-of ignorance; timira-by the darkness; andhasya-of one who was blinded; jnana-anjana-by the ointment of spiritual knowledge; salakaya-by a medical instrument called a salaka, which is used to apply medical ointment to eyes afflicted with cataracts: caksuh-eyes; unmilitam-were opened; yena-by whom; tasmai-unto him; sri-gurave-unto my spiritual master; namah-obeisances.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.
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02 Sep 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Suddha-bhakata
Tags: Bhaktivinoda Thakur, caranamrta of the deity, devotional practices, devotional service., goloka vrndavan, holy ganges water, kksongs, protectacow, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, suddha-bhakta
Just to borrow a page from the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook…
Suddha-Bhakata
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Full song and lyrics More
17 May 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Chanting Hare Krishna, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chanting Hare Krishna, krsna kesava, Krsna! Krsna!, pahi mam, raksa mam, rama raghava, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Caitanya Mahāprabhu while passing on the road, He used to chant:
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa pāhi mām
rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava pāhi mām
“O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please protect Me and maintain Me. O Lord Rāma, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Kṛṣṇa, O Keśava, killer of the Keśī demon, please maintain Me.”
If one always chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, gradually one is freed from all reactions of sinful life, provided he chants offenselessly and does not commit more sinful activities on the strength of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. In this way one is purified, and his devotional service causes the arousal of his dormant love of God. If one simply chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and does not commit sinful activities and offenses, one’s life is purified, and thus one comes to the fifth stage of perfection, or engagement in the loving service of the Lord (premā pum-artho mahān).
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17 Feb 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutanananda das, Introduction
Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutananda das, Goloka, Hare Krishna, Hari, Narottama Dasa Thakura, six goswamis of vrndavan, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srinivasa Acarya, Vaisnava acaryas, Vaisnavas, Vedic mantras
If I had to pick one book that inspired me the most throughout my devotional life, I guess I would have to say it is “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas”. I recently went to open it the other day, and it fell open to the Introduction. I took a moment to re-read it. We share it with you here today.
Introduction
by Acyutananda Swami
It was my good fortune to be in the service of Srila Prabhupada at Sri Mayapur, the birthplace of Lord Caitanya, in setting up the groundwork of our Society’s international center there. That year (1971) there was a terrible flood, but although for many days the water was rising, it was diverted from floodinging the Society’s property solely due to the embankment created by a road constructed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, our Parama Guru Maharaja. I wrote a letter to His Divine Grace explaining the situation and I mentioned, “The water has not entered our property. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s road has saved us.” Srila Prabhupada, however, wrote back in answer in a different tone: “Yes”, we are always saved by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s road, so go on glorifying the disciplic succession, and your life will be a great success.” Later on, when I suggested writing down the songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Narottama Dasa Thakura in English translations, His Divine Grace said, “Yes, we must push on this mission of Bhaktivinoda.” So here in this book, which is the first of a series of translations of the complete works of the Vaisnava acaryas in the line of succession coming after Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I have also included a short life sketch of Thakura Bhaktivinoda. In the following volumes, the lives of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, Srinivasa Acarya, and other Vaisnava acaryas will appear.
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18 Sep 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Nama Sankirtan, Narottama das Thakur, Six Goswamis, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, giridhari, gopala govinda rama, Gopinatha, Hari, hari haraye namah, kesavaya, krsna yadavaya namah, Madana-mohana, madhavaya, namah, six goswami's, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, sri madhusudana, Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur, yadavay
Nāma-saṅkīrtana
by Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura
I have always liked the following song by Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur. And this song describes very simply, the beginning of the Sankirtan Movement, or The Hare Krishna Movement. The first four lines of the song, are the ones most often sung, with the first verse repeated as refrain.
Full Song and Purport follow.
…“You say that everything means Kṛṣṇa and we should ultimately always be chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa. Just how should we do this?” Then Lord Caitanya began to sing the names of Kṛṣṇa and clap His hands, and He began His nāma-saṅkīrtana movement. The names He sang are the first two lines of this song, and Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura and others have placed these names in the beginning of their writings to immortalize these events in the memory of everyone.
…Then Śrīla Narottama Dāsa chants the names of the six Gosvāmīs. “I offer my obeisances at their feet,” he sings, “which destroy sufferings accumulated over many long years. I am the servant of these six Gosvāmīs, and the dust of their lotus feet is my five kinds of foodstuffs. To serve their lotus feet and keep the association of devotees is my only business, birth after birth.” (from purport to song by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Song & Purport More
30 Dec 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Acyutanananda das, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gopinatha
Tags: Acyutanananda das, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Gopinatha, Lord of the Gopis, please hear my prayer, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Gopinatha
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
translated from Bengali by Acyutananda Svami
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is one of the most important spiritual masters in the Krsna consciousness line of disciplic succession. His devotional songs and poems express the perfectional emotions of a pure devotee of Lord Krsna (Gopinatha).
O Gopinatha, Lord of the gopis, please hear my prayer. I am a materialistic rascal, always full of lust. I have no good qualifications.
O Gopinatha! You are my only resort. As Your eternal servant, I take shelter of Your lotus feet.
O Gopinatha! How can I uplift myself? I don’t know anything regarding devotional service. I am weak-minded and have fallen into a pit of illusion.
O Gopinatha! Everything here is but Your illusory energy. I have no power or pure knowledge, and and I am bound by a material body.
O Gopinatha! I desire to remain always at Your lotus feet. Please take this sinner, weeping and weeping, and show me Your mercy.
O Gopinatha! You can do anything. You have purified the most wicked by Your power, but who is more wicked than me?
O Gopinatha! You are the vessel of kindness. You enter into this mundane world and display Your sublime pastimes for the sake of the fallen souls.
O Gopinatha! I am the sinner of sinners. Yet I sit waiting for You to take me, for many demons have attained Your lotus feet.
O Gopinatha! Destroy the miseries of this world! I am strung on a necklace of births and deaths and cannot bear the kicking of maya.
O Gopinatha! I am a servant of lust, entangled in the net of material desire which has sprung up in my heart.
O Gopinatha! When will I wake up and cast this enemy of lust far from me? Then only will You be revealed to me in my heart.
O Gopinatha! I am Your own. By leaving Your lotus feet, forgetting Your treasures, I have served only maya.
O Gopinatha! You know everything. Take me to Your lotus feet and punish Your servant.
O Gopinatha! Is it to Your liking to reject me and not show me Your kindness?
O Gopinatha! I am the greatest fool. I don’t at all know what is good for me. I cannot understand anything. This is my fate.
O Gopinatha! You are the greatest intellect. Not considering that I am Your servant, judge me without bias.
O Gopinatha! I have no means of benefiting myself. By Your mercy and kindness, please pick me up from this miserable world and take me to You.
O Gopinatha! I have fallen into this dark world. Bound by wealth, wife and sons, I am feeling the pain of lust.
O Gopinatha! I am going mad! Never caring for spiritual practices, I am always unconscious and deeply sunk in the muck of sense gratification.
O Gopinatha! I surrender unto You. All my endeavors are a useless waste of time. Now I surrender unto You.
O Gopinatha! How shall I reach the goal? My mind is overwhelmed by the powerful senses. I cannot shake off attachment to worldly pleasures.
O Gopinatha! Please reside in my heart. Destroy these dangerous obstacles, correct my mind and guide me to Your own true path.
O Gopinatha! Please let Your glance fall on me. I am helpless, but You are Hrsikesa, the Lord of the senses. Please control my senses and pull me out of this world of dangers.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura prays: O Gopinatha! My voice is faltering. I must throw off these shackles and catch hold of Your mercy.
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21 Nov 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Spiritual Master, Sri Guru Carana Padma, Srila Prabhupada
Tags: bury place, haridasa thakur das, Narottama Dasa Thakura, prabhupada, pure devotional service, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, sri-guru-carana-padma, Srila Prabhupada, the lotus feet of our spiritual master
This is a very nice song composed by Narottama dasa Thakura, which is sung daily in all of the Hare Krishna Temples around the world. What is interesting about transcendental sound vibration, is that it never gets old. This song is as relishable today, as it was 38 years ago. Actually even more relishable, as the meaning of the words become more and more realized.
The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.
Full song with synonyms; More
20 Oct 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Damodarastakam, Kartika, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: abkomen bound with a rope by mother yasoda, baby Krishna, butter theif, Damodarastakam, glistening earings, Gokula, Lord Brahma, Lord Krishna, mamamisvaram, month of Damodar, month of Kartika, Mother Yasoda, mother yasoda bound you to a grinding stone, Nalakurvara and Manigriva, sac-cid-ananda-rupam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Damodaraastakam, Sri Satvavrata Muni, Srimati Radharani
He ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda bus was ultimately caught, to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
Sri Damodarastakam
By Sri Satyavrata Muni
From the original 1974 “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook
This eight sloka prayer is sung morning and evening during the month of Damodara, which begins Friday Oct. 19, 2013
namāmīśvaraḿ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaḿ
lasat-kuṇḍalaḿ gokule bhrājamanam
yaśodā-bhiyolūkhalād dhāvamānaḿ
parāmṛṣṭam atyantato drutya gopyā
1) To the supreme controller who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda, but was ultimately caught-to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
rudantaḿ muhur netra-yugmaḿ mṛjantam
karāmbhoja-yugmena sātańka-netram
muhuḥ śvāsa-kampa-trirekhāńka-kaṇṭha-
sthita-graivaḿ dāmodaraḿ bhakti-baddham
2) Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook, To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.
More
08 Oct 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Radhika Stava, Rupa Goswami, Srimati Radharani
Tags: Gokula, Madhava, Radha, radha and krishna in swing, Radha Krishna, radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite, Rupa Gosvami, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srimati Radharani, the glory of Srimati Radharani
click on image to enlarge
Radhika Stava: the Glory of Srimati Radharani
by Srila Rupa Goswami
Glories, Glories to Sri Radharani, the beloved of Madhava and most worshipable of the the cowherd girls of Gokula Mandala!
Decorated by the dress of Lord Damodara’s increasing ecstasy, You are the lady of the house of Lord Hari and the groves of Vrndavana.
From the ocean of Vrsabhanu has arisen a new moon which is overwhelming the qualities of Lalita and Visakha.
O Goddess, Your qualities are described by Sanaka and Sanatana Rsis and by Sanatana Goswami. Please bestow your mercy upon me.
Full song in Sanskrit More
17 Sep 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Suddha-bhakata
Tags: bhaktivinoda, devotional practices, enthusiastic devotional service, kirtan, Krsna, Lord Caitanya, Lord Madhava, lotus feet of pure devotees, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, suddha-bhakta, tulasi tree
Today marks the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. To honor this day, we are posting a very nice song written by Srila Bhaktivinoda entitled “Suddha-bhakta”, and are observing a 1/2 day fast.
The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiastic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion. The holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Krsna’s pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me. May I always visit all the holy places associated with the lila of Lord Caitanya and His devotees. When I hear the sound of the mrdanga in my heart I always desire to join in kirtana; and when I hear the bonafide songs describing Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, my heart dances in ecstasy. Whenever I see the transcendental sri-vigrahas of Radha-Krsna I am in bliss, for by taking Their Lordships’ prasada we can conquer over the material elements. One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrndavana. When I take the caranamrta of the Deity, I see the holy Ganges waters that come from the feet of Lord Visnu, and my bliss knows no bounds. By seeing the tulasi tree my heart feels joy and Lord Madhava (Krsna) is also satisfied. When I eat the prasada favored by Lord Caitanya it is a new life’s experience. (Lord Caitanya was very fond of a green vegetable preparation called sak, and there is another song in this book that tells of the amazing effects of this type of prasada). Bhaktivinoda concludes by saying: “Whosoever attains the stage of enthusiasm for these devotional practices will be supremely blissful wherever he may be.”
Full song lyrics More
09 Sep 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nama-kirtana
Tags: Acyutananda Swami, amala harinam, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, braja-baro-nagara, chanting of the holy names, Krsna, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nama Sankirtan, the bhaktivedanta book trust, yasomati-nandana
Krishna is very pleased when we call on Him by His Names, which are associated with His devotees, qualities and pastimes. This song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura is composed of the Nanes of Krsna in different aspects. (from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
1) yaśomatī-nandana, 2) braja-baro-nāgara,
3) gokula-rañjana kāna
4) gopī-parāṇa-dhana, 5) madana-manohara,
6) kāliya-damana-vidhāna
7) amala harinām amiya-vilāsā
8) vipina-purandara, 9) navīna nāgara-bora,
10) vaṁśī-badana, 11)suvāsā
12) braja-jana-pālana, 13) asura-kula-nāśana
14) nanda-godhana-rākhowālā
15) govinda mādhava, 16) navanīta-taskara,
17) sundara nanda-gopālā
18) yāmuna-taṭa-cara, 19) gopī-vasana-hara,
20) rāsa-rasika, 21) kṛpāmoya
22) śrī-rādhā-vallabha, 23) vṛndābana-naṭabara,
24) bhakativinod-āśraya
English translation More
07 Jul 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Sri Nama-kirtana
Tags: best dancer in vrndavana, braja-baro-nagara, chanting Hare Krishna, gokula-ranjana kana, gopi-prana-dhana, kirtana, madana-manohara, nama, nama-kirtana, names of krishna, son of mother yasoda, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nama-kirtana, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, yasomati-nandana
click on image to enlarge
In honor of the disappearance day celebration of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, we are posting one of his famous songs, entitled “Śrī Nāma-kīrtana”.
Krishna is very pleased when we call on Him by His Names, which are associated with His devotees, qualities and pastimes. This song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura is composed of the Nanes of Krsna in different aspects. (from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
full song with synonyms and translations More
12 May 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutanananda das, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: 26 second Avenue, Acyutananda, Acyutananda Swami, Brahmananda Swami, Bruce, Chuck Barnett, disciples, India, initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada, sannyasa, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sriman Acyutananda, Tompkins Square Park, Vaisnava songs
It was my good fortune to finally meet one of my singing mentors, and God-brother, the legendary Acyutananda das, at the Festival of Inspiration held annually at the New Vrindavan farm community in West Virginia. He was a very likable character and willingly signed my 1974 copy of the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas. He opened the Festival of Inspiration with a Question and Answer session, answering all kinds of questions on the “Early Days”, “India”, “Life with Srila Prabhupada”, “Spiritual Life” etc., etc. with his own blend of sarcastic humor, wit, and intellectual powers. It was quite enjoyable and enlightening. He is a very ‘real’, unpretentious fellow, and as I said very likable.
In honor of our visit with him we are posting the Foreword from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acarays, wherein Srila Prabhupada is giving his thanks and blessings:
…I confer all my blessings upon Acyutananda Swami for his genuine attempt to advance in Krishna consciousness. I hope he will attempt to advance more and more and never be hampered my maya. We should always remember the danger of maya’s influence and endeavor to save ourselves from her great power. We must therefore always merge in the transcendental mellow of kirtana-rasa, for kirtana-rasa is the safest situation within this material world. Hare Krishna.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Foweard More
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