Battlefield Bhajans Vol.9

 

Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 9

 

Dedicated to Srila Prabhu and all the vaisnavas

Not only cleaning clothes

     Where ever I go, I try and bring some books for me to place in a library, or a Moral, Welfare, Recreation Center.  On one mission we had to pick someone up at another base and when we picked him up he reminded me, I still had laundry from my last time there. So off we went, I walked in and gave my ticket and he found my bag and had this huge grin. Sir, does this bag belong to you?, Yes, it does. He then asked me to come into the back with him. I was a little worried, did I leave a thumb drive in my clothes or some money, what could it be? As I went in the back everyone stopped and looked at me. I asked the man, what is this about? Another man smiled and said Hare Krsna, very surpised I said Hare Krsna back. He said, Sir, we have all wonder who would be wearing this saffron cloth and also a US Army uniform. To our surprise it is you.  They went on to tell me they know of our Krsna Balarama Temple, and they know of the Maha Mantra. I asked how they knew I was in ISKCON, he laughed and said well, the shirt with Bhativedanta Swami on it let us know. Laughing, I then explained to them that yes, I am a devotee and trying to spread this ancient message to everyone I met in Iraq. I asked them if they ever read Srila Prabhupada’s books, and some have, others haven’t. I asked someone to come with me and came back with a case of books, some incense and some other maha goodies. Everyone in the laundry center stood in line to take a book!  Two gentleman asked me to take a photo of them and we exchanged email address and I went on my way. On the road I thought, I deal with so much austerity here, no food, extreme heat, no association but experiences like that make it worth the hardships. Srila Prabhupada will always be the number one book distributor  in ISKCON and we can all simply pray to assist him in some manner.

 

Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi:

 

 After much debate, I decided this year to again follow Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi.  Nirjal is already difficult and an austerity but to follow in Iraq, is added intensity. I make some goals for this, I wanted to chant 64 rounds, offer 5 verses to my Deities and also increase my reading. But this is all with also pulling 12-14 hours of combat missions. So this was going to be a hard day. So up at 12 am, and chanted, and worshipped my Deities, offered Them some new verses, and then off to work at 7am. While on missions was difficult, driving the wrong way down the Iraqi streets at 60 mph, the IED’s and kicking in the occasional door and lets no forget the heat, which was over 125F in the vehicle. I was wondering if following this so strictly was worth it, but when doubts entered my mind I would take Sri Ugra Narsimha that sits in a pouch on my body armor and feel better about the situation. By his grace we ended missions early on 11 hours out, great more time to chant and read. This morning when I broke fast I was thinking, this Lord of ours is so kind, He sees we are trying, He sees we are making some endeavor and He is pleased and removes all our anxieties. 

 

 

 

Sankritan: 

 

BG Hard 20

BG soft   10

TLC         15

ISO         10

POY        65

 

Total books in Iraq: 1650

 

Sadhana: up at 1am, before chanting I read from the Cc. Seva to Their Lordships at 3:30 and Mangal Arati at 4:30 am. It is very nice and more and more people are getting interested, and asking questions about the morning program. Every evening I am watching and participating in the LA morning program. It is very nice and takes away the feelings of loneliness. I need to still dive deeper and not just memorize verses but also understand and allow them to sink into my stone heart.

 

Japa: 25 everyday still, want to increase slowly, but I think I should first chant 25 solid rounds. This is a big goal for me. I want to really change my japa habits, so that I can really taste the Holy Name; 64 on Nirjal Ekadasi.

Reading: The nectar of book distribution, These stories are inspiring to me, they give me so much strength to keep going.

                  Cc Madhya-Lila Vol 3,Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya Offers Prasadam

Seva: Somehow The Lord is still engaging me in His service. This worship is taking over my life. I find myself sometimes sneaking into my room in the middle of the day to sing a bhajan to Them

 

 

We now have 48 days left in Iraq roughly. Still we desire to increase the preaching effort. I beg of everyone to pray for us and shower your blessings upon us. We are in desperate need of them, because well to be honest, we are not capable of doing anything ourselves. Our travel schedule is almost complete for when i return, so if anyone is interested please let me know.

 

your servant in Srila Prabhupada’s mission,

Partha-sarathi dasa

ISKCON Iraq