Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 18

 

Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 18

 

Dedicated to Srila Prabhupada

edited by Partha-sarathi Dasa

 

  

I was approached by one officer in my Squadron, she wanted to relay a story about an event that happen to her lately. She told me she was at headquarters and two senior sergeants were standing at the smart box that is set up in the little recreation center, holding two books. She said oh, great those books again. They asked her, ” Ma’am do you know what these books about?” she said ” Yes, I do. They are from Sergeant Sonnenberg.” She went on to tell them how I was always speaking to people about these books and my desire to become a monk. One of the men asked ” Who is this on the cover?” He is Krsna and that is His best friend, she replied. Who is this? Referring to Srila Prabhupada.  That is Srila Prabhupada, he is the founder of the Hare Krsna Movement in the western world. He left India in his old age to bring these sacred teachings to the west, she answered. What is this prayer that is written on the small flyer?  That is the only means of liberation in this age. This prayer is called the Maha Mantra, it will cleanse the mind and heart of all material contaminations. Wow, that is cool, are these books free Ma’am. Well yes and no she answered, you give some small donation if you like.  With that said the men put a donation in the box and walked away trying to chant the Maha Mantra. I was blown away. She told me that she never even read the Bhagavad-Gita, but everyday when passing she would look at the cover and find it very interesting.  I asked her how she knew so much about it. She smile and laughed and said, ” Sergeant that all you ever talk about around here, for so long it got on my nerves.. oh Krsna this, Prabhupada that. But I always wondered how you looked so happy when giving these books away. When explaining what I heard from you about these books to those two sergeants,  could feel the happiness inside of me.  I felt as if I was giving a valuable gift to a friend.” Yes Ma’am that is true, that is because Krsna is our true friend in this material world, everything else is temporary, Iraq, the Army, love. In this material world, this is all just temporary, but devotional service to Krsna, well that is the true nature of the soul and this will bring real happiness to the soul. She signed deep for a second and said ” Guess my friend is calling me back to Him.” She then took a book out of the book rack and went to give a donation. Srila Prabhupada stressed so often while physically present on this planet how powerful his books were. Often he made statements that by simply reading one page in his books will change ones life forever. 

Bhakta Antony

 

 Last journal, I wrote about Andrew’s realization about the Tigris river and Lord Jagannatha’s mercy flowing down it. Well here is a nice letter from my dear friend Bhakta Antony:

 

Prabhu,

 

I do have an important question to ask you. On your dog-tags, what do

you have as your religous information? I know this is personal but I

am seeking some answers.

 

The reason I’m asking is that I was in the process of updating my

personel information in my record book. With the online system we

utilize, you can scroll down and select your “Religous Preference”. As

I was going down the list, I found everything from Wicca to “Other

Eastern Religions” to Hindu and several variations of Church of

Fundamentalist 1st, 2nd, 3rd Baptist Sanctified Holy Water in the

Hills of Christ, but no ISKCON or Hare Krsna or Krsna Consciousness.

 

I didn’t want to settle with any term so this inspired me to drill

further and contact the Regimental chaplain to find out if he knew how

to update the system. So anyway, we start talking and he had never

heard about Krsna Consciousness. I told him what my questions and

concerns were and showed him the Bhagavad-Gita and Sri Isopanisad to

drive the point that we are scientist not charlatans.

 

Anyway he’s going to assist me in finding out how to get official DOD

or USMC recognition so it can be a viable option to list as a

religious choice. Not that we need endorsement but why not be

recognized.

 

I also meant to tell you that I talked to the Chaplain about

distributing books. Since our regimental chaplain and chapel are

moving, we would have to go through an adjacent unit to have books

placed. I’m making some contact sheets so that if anyone has

questions, they can contact me or check out Krishna.com or something.

If there is enough interest generated, perhaps a study group can be

established to help share this light. Krsna Knows.

 

The chaplain just left my office. He came by to see for himself what

our personnel system offers for religious choices. He was amazed by

the list of assorted churches, assemblies and conventions that were

offered. They even had “Atheist” and “Unknown” as options. When I saw

that, I said to myself, “There is no way the faithless are recognized

and not Krsna Consciousness.” I contacted our personnel records center

in Kansas City to find out what needs to be done to get it updated.

I’ll let you know what I find out.

 

Thanks so much for your support. When I left the chaplain earlier, I

was really struck by a wave of emotion. I’m really feeling that this

is what I need to do. I pray that Srila Prabhupada would find favor in

my service. I really do.

 Today I spoke with Antony and his association was inspiring. He is fired up and making headway with his preaching in his part of Iraq. This mercy of Lord Caitanya and the Panca Tattva is overflowing Iraq. Each day more and more souls are coming into contact with Krsna through wonderful souls like Andrew and Antony.  I fall at their feet and am glad that I can assist them in some way. This movement cannot be stopped and souls like these are proof that devotees will find every opportunity to spread the Lords glories!

 

Sadhana:

Japa: Since I cannot do any running now, I am taking this time to chant better rounds. I still do my “warm up rounds” and I am trying not to get stuck on numbers. After I finish my sixteen, I don’t use counter beads. I started to feel as if I was becoming attached to the number of rounds and not attached to the Holy Name.

Seva: Today to boys showed up and wanted to watch me perform seva while they chanted. These Lords are attracting so many sincere souls

Reading: Cc, The pages of the Lord Caitanya pastimes are manifested in front of us everyday. We just need to open our eyes and see it. The Cc gives so much inspiration to preach and give Krsna to others.

Sankritana: 

BG 6

TLC 2

PJOP 10

ISO 5

 

 

Down to ten days now, this time is going by fast, but this is actually life in the material world. It goes by so fast, we think oh tomorrow I will get into religion, or I am young now, I have so much time. But actually this is maya’s trick. Please bless us that we make the most out of everyday, and we use each day as an opportunity to spring board our desire to serve the Lord.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Partha-sarathi Dasa

ISKCON Iraq