Battlefield Bhajans Vol.10

Dedicated to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Chant and Be Happy

A devotee of the Lord is suppose to be soft hearted, but being that I am a Sergeant First Class in the US Army, well that is not always practical. The Army’s definition of leadership is, one who provided purpose, direction and motivation to soldiers to accomplish a common objective or goal. Like any independent jiva in the material world, we all think we are the boss.  I deal with mostly young adults, the youngest kid in the platoon is 18, so often times they frustrate me with the way they accomplish tasks.  The other day, I was very frustrated with a situation and sitting at a desk alone, trying to calm down. Everyone saw I was upset and let me be alone. One officer came up to me and said Sergeant, why are you so upset? I don’t want to talk about it Sir, I replied. He said, yes this world is crazy and often we get caught up in it.  He went to leave and said to me "Sergeant, I know one word that can cheer you up."  I looked up and said "sure Sir, please just let me get some alone time." He started to walk out, and turned around and yelled "KRSNA!!!" and instantly I felt a smile come to my face. He said " This Name you are chanting is nice, and sweet and gives so much happiness, I chanted it when I feel sad and instantly I have a smile and forget my worries."  The Lord is so kind that His glorious Name is cleansing the hearts of all He mets.

syät kåñëa-näma-caritädi-sitäpy avidyä-

pittopatapta-rasanasya na rocikä nu

kintv ädaräd anudinaà khalu saiva juñöä

svädvé kramäd bhavati tad-gada-müla-hantré

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kåñëa are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyä [ignorance] cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root. (Upadeçämåta, 7- Srila Rupa Goswami)

Srila Prabhupada stress while psychically present on this plant the distribution of his books. Srila Prabhupada would deeply appreciate the efforts of the devotees while reading the sankritan scores. I was informed about the monthly sankritan festival at ISV, by HG Vaisesika Prabhu. For those that don’t know, ISV has an amazing book distribution program, where householders, bramacaris and even children participate in the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s literature. Prabhu asked if I would like to be part of the marathon also.  After talking with Vaisesika Prabhu, I was blown away by the enthusiasm he has for this service and very happily agreed to also get involved.  I went out one day with two cases of books and sat in front of the base exchange, and slowly approached people. The weather was 120 degrees and the air smelled like burning trash but still I thought, why get so wrapped up in these things. I am out trying to please Srila Prabhupada by giving others his books. The day was amazing, I stood in the same spot for five hours! Many came and took literature, some just came and asked what i was doing. The general attitude of both the soldiers and civilian workers was a positive one. One man asked me, what makes these books so special? My answer; these books are windows to the spiritual world. And with that said I showed him a picture in the Bhagavad-Gita of Krsna showing Arjuna the universal form. The man was blown away, he kept saying wow, this is far out, is this God?  Then I showed him a few pictures from the Krsna book and his heart melted. He related to me that he sees so much  death and usually to escape, he smokes cigarettes or plays video games. He gave a big donation and took five books from me and explained that for the first time since arriving in Iraq over 8 months ago, he felt real happiness from seeing these pictures.   Srila Prabhupada gave us the greatest treasure, he gave us the only path for going back to Godhead.  The best part is, we just have to make some endeavor, Srila Prabhupada will take us to Krsna.  Here is a story recently emailed to me form Mother Nirakula. She heard this from HH Giriraja Maharaja at a japa retreat.

Srila prabhupada was giving a lecture and during his talk he told the devotees "if you become 90% Krishna Conscious you will go back home, back to Godhead". Looking out into his audience he saw that the devotees looked crestfallen, so then he said "If you become 80% Krishna Conscious you will go back home, back to Godhead", still the devotees expressed doubt they could attain 80%. So then Srila Prabhupada said "Ok, 70%" and then the devotees responded "jai"! But as Srila Prabhupada returned to his quarters, another devotee expressed concern that he would not be able to become 70% KC, so then Prabhupada said "Ok, you just hold on to my dhoti, I have the key to the backdoor."

Sadhana:

Japa: By the Lords mercy we are rising at 1:30 am and chanting our rounds. We are really trying to concentrate on hearing the mantra. Our goal is to chant 25 good, solid rounds. Now we are chanting warm up rounds, before chanting our normal 25. On Sunday, we are still chanting 64, this past Sunday, one boy came and chanted 16 with us. Still our Japa is a great concern of us.

Seva: The daily Seva I perform for Their Lordships are sustaining me in this difficult situation. Our worship is simple, but we are adding a few mantras for the Lords pleasure. Also we are getting others involved in Their service. These people donate fruits or some orange juice for Their morning offering. They are becoming a big hit on the base and many stop by to take some darshan of Them.

Reading: Cc Madhya Lila Vol. 4, The Lord instructs Srila Rupa Goswami

A Transcendental Diary by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu; I am reading relishing these pastimes with Srila Prabhupada. Us third generation of devotees should read as much about Srila Prabhupada as possible, to better understand his mood and to develop a relationship with him.

Sankritan:

BG HD: 75
BG Soft: 20
POY: 100
ISO: 5
Chant and be Happy: 38
TLC: 1
BTG: 63

With less than two months left in country, we are asking for everyone to keep us in their prayers. We need them to get past our material desires and become a servant of the servant of Srila Prabhupada.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Partha-sarathi dasa

ISKCON Iraq