Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 20

 

 

Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 20

 

Ali Asalim Air Base, Kuwait

 

Edited by Partha-sarathi Dasa

 

 

 I am sitting in Kuwait at the moment, having finished fifeteen months in combat, the time I have here is a very slow pace. The operational tempo I am use to is slowing down, making more time in my life for devotional activities. We arrived at 0400 hrs and in processed. Afterwards I wanted to stay awake for the long flight. But there was a problem our plane was broken down in the States.  Oh well, I thought let me go and walk around. As I walked around, I found a nice place to sit in read indoors. It was very quiet which meant I can just sit and read and not be bothered.  As I sat and read I noticed some Japanese soldiers enter and start  looking around. I thought well, let me talk with them, see what they need help with. I asked one and said can I help you find something. He said, yes, I am looking for God in broken english. That statement really blew my mind away, because the jiva is always looking for God in this material world. But by Maya’s potency we forget about the search.  After a minute his friend said, he is looking for the chapel. Well, sit and maybe I can help you, so he sat with all his friends. One said he could translate for me because the other cannot really understand english to well. So I took out of my assault pack some small books on chanting for them. The man asked me what these books were about. I said, well your friend is searching for God, the best way to find God is by calling out His name with all your heart. To never for a minute forget Him and to render all service in your lifetime to His lotus feet. The soldier asked, so what do these books have to do with all it? These books are windows to the spiritual world. They will show you the most sublime prayer for this age, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra, which will cleanse the heart of all impurities and by chanting the Lord’s name you are receiving direct association with Him.  As he translated to the others, I saw their faces light up. One boy spoke some japanese and the man said, “He wants to know if you can teach us this prayer.” Of course, so we went through word by word until they felt comfortable chanting on their own. Clapping my hands I starting chanting a simple melody, and they were into it.  As we were chanting a japanese man came in and started screaming, from the tone of his voice, I could tell he was in charge and the men quickly got there stuff. The one man who was translating asked me if they could keep these books. Yes please do I replied. He tried to give some money and I refused. I asked him to promise me that when he gets back to Japan, that he will go and visit one of our temples. He agreed and ran out the door with a smile.

 

 

Stay away from the Hare Krishna’s

 

 The day before we left we had a small BBQ of senior leaders in my unit. Kicking and screaming I attended. While there I sat in the corner and stayed to myself. My first sergeant approached me with some others, I quickly realized it was the general. I jumped up and saluted and stood there. My first sergeant introduced me and explained to him what my job is. He was smiling and said some words of encouragement. Then my first sergeant relayed a story to him about how he always tells his kids when they travel to always stay away from the Hare Krishna’s.  He then said funny that now one of my sergeants in his  command is a Hare Krsna. The general seemed surprised, said oh, how do you feel about Hare Krishna’s now. He said, well they are still a little weird, but I feel that they put so much effort into everything they do. The general turned to me and laughed. He started to walk away I asked him to remain for one minute. I quickly ran as fast I could to the smart box located where the lunch was being held and grabbed a Bhagavad-Gita.  When I returned the general wasn’t standing there, but I saw him about to get into a vehicle. I pushed into the front of the crowd and handed him the book, to which he said thanks SGT, I know it will be good reading.

 

 

 For fifteen months I have been sharing my story with others. This journal has been a way for me to deal with the harsh realties of my service. This journal has taught me many things, one being the wonderful loving exchanges between devotees, both old and new. By the Lord’s mercy this journal has given me the opportunity to receive the association of many senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada and many other wonderful devotees from all over the world. Below is a letter from Antony Prabhu. In no way did I post it to brag or boast.  But I feel the love that Antony has shown me during my tour here, is a reason why I made it through, why I was given so many opportunities to preach. 

 

Partha-sarathi prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

Brother, I must thank you. In fact, my family thanks you for being such a

true and inspiring devotee. There are not enough words in this language to

properly convey the sum of what is felt and received through your

generosity, kindness, energy and humility.

 

Last night as I was at my workstation, I managed to get a call off to home.

I was talking with my wife, Shyamala, for several minutes when one of my

Sgts came in carrying a box. Since he saw me on the phone, he didn’t say

anything, he just stood there hovering over my desk holding this box. It

didn’t fully register that the box was for me or he needed a place to put

it. He finally raised his eyebrows as a silent question, “Are you going to

get this?” I told him to set it down and that’s when I saw the label. I told

Shyamala that I just received a package and that I thought it was from you.

As I got close to the box, I caught a faint and distinct scent. “This smells

like a temple”, I said. Carefully I cut the tape and slowly opened the

package. The scent grew stronger and my wife asked me what was in it.

“Looking at the customs form, I think it’s cloth and books.”

 

I sifted through the balled up *Stars and Stripes *(the universal packing

material) and then I see Krsna’s glowing eyes looking at me. I think I said

“Oh my God!” Slowly I unveiled this treasure chest of books, magazines,

pictures, and scriptures. I was still holding onto the phone. Shyamala

finally told me to tell her what was in it, so I began like I was cataloging

a great find: The Golden Palace, Back To Godhead magazine, Rathayatra DVD,

Oil, Offering plate, Vaisnava Songbook, etc. I took pictures and immediately

emailed them back home.

 

I could feel the eyes of my Marines behind me as I’m sure they thought the

box was full of hand sanitizer or eye drops that I normally pass out to

them. Instead I put the Bhagavad-Gita on my desk and scanned the contents of

the box further. Shyamala was excited as well. On several occasions we talk

about getting recitations of the scriptures, one to further assist her in

Bhakti-sastri class and for me to able to listen while being far from any

temple. To receive these items really just fueled the fire of our desire to

serve. I look forward to sharing them to the fullest.

 

The timing of the arrival of the package couldn’t have been better. We again

have gone through a long week of attacks, incidents and accidents. Yesterday

morning, we held a memorial service at the chapel for two Marines that

passed last week. A few days ago, another one was killed and another service

will be held in the coming days. Three of four other attacks recently have

wounded more and of course, the ever present danger-prone man/woman in

uniform continues to rack up broken fingers in vehicle doors or cuts on

wire. And as you well know, the Black Flag Season of August continues to

punish with 115+ days/nights.

 

I share this not to lament but to rejoice. I rejoice in the fact that

despite all the variables and additives that make life and service

difficult, it only takes one, one person, one act, one gesture, to remind

you of what is really important in this world. I thank you for being that

person. I thank you on behalf of every devotee, every soldier, every woman

and man that was directly or indirectly touched or inspired by your work and

service. You are a great disciple of HH Kadamba Kanana Swami and I thank him

for being merciful and an excellent teacher to you as well.

 

It appears that it was not in the plan that we should meet in this country,

but this country will never be the same. Here, in Mosul, Fallujah, Baghdad,

there are devotees of Sri Krsna. And even if this message does not get to

the local populace, the vibration of chanting the Holy Name will continue to

seep into the soil and flow down the Euphrates and flow down the Tigris and

as you and Bhakta Andrew point out, back to the Ganges. So wherever you find

yourself, this continent, the next or another, please know that you have a

friend, devotee and a family that is here for you and that is ever thankful

for the fires of Krsna Consciousness you helped start or added good fuel to

so that they would grow stronger and brighter.

 

Before I concluded my phone call with Shyamala, she asked me to read

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.80-81. Sudama returns home to find after visiting Krsna

and Rukmini that a wealth unknown to the demigods awaits him. You Partha,

have delivered a spiritual wealth and I pray that Srila Prabhupada continue

to guide us in the proper use of it.

 

Take care and stay safe Warrior, and we will do the same.

 

In your service

Hare Krsna

Antony

 

Sadhana:

 

Japa: sixteen strong rounds is the goal. We must make the effort no matter the circumstance, the purity of the Holy Name will give us strength in any situation

Seva: Their Lordships have brought me along on such a ride.  When I first started worshipping Sri Salagram Sila, HH Bhaktisiddhanta Swami said to me, be prepared for the ride of your life. And it has been a ride. The Lord has became such an important part of my preaching and Their presence has won over so many hearts.

Reading: Nectar of Instruction: I am trying to absorb myself in this Book. Each page is spiritual food for the soul.

Sankritan: BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!!!

 

BG: 5

Small  books: 15

 

We are on our way “home”, but we ask the devotees to pray that we can back this life to our true home, and that Srila Prabhupada blesses our preaching and allows us to assist him in bringing as many souls back to his lotus feet as possible.

 

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Partha-sarathi Dasa

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama

Rama, Hare Hare