Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 33

Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 33

Dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and my Guru Maharaja.

Mental Health Assessment

It was time for my post deployment mental health assessment. I really don’t like going to this appointment.  It involves me and a doctor sitting down and talking about what happened in Iraq. I walked in and the doctor greeted me. He asked me to sit down. I placed my backpack down and grabbed a seat. He asked so how ya doing, I said good, how are you? The doctor relied good thanks. I said yes, but can you be better? He replied yes, I guess I can be. At this point I decided to turn the tables on hi. He started telling me all about what going on in his life. I asked him if he has an interest in spiritual life. He said no. I explained to him, the reason why your unhappy is because of your lack in God.  As the session went on we discuss more and more about spiritual life. I reached into my bag and brought out a Bhagavad-Gita and asked him if he ever saw this book. He said no, but the cover was very interesting. I went on to explain about Arjuna being a soldier and the situation he was in. The doctor was looking on with a very intense look. He help the book and scanned through the pages as I explained the philosophy. Finally our time was up. He looked up and asked if he could have the book, I said yes no problem. I explained that most people gave a donation. He thanked me for the nice talk and gave a nice donation.
I got a call that evening, seems I have to go back to the doctor because of the “stunt” I pulled today.  I walked into the office and was greeted by a serious looking man. He said I’m your doctor, and you won’t pull what you did yesterday on me. Ok, I will take this serious. I sat down in his office and he went over my post deployment health survey. He looked surprised, and I asked what is wrong. He said, I don’t understand, usually when I have to evaluate someone that has seen so many horrific situations as you; they are a mess. But you’re smiling, happy, focused. How are you dealing with all this? Again I started to explain I was a Hare Krsna, and by reading these ancient vedic texts and by chanting the Maha Mantra, I am able to deal with all the death I have seen. For the next twenty minutes I explained the science of Bhakti Yoga.  I pulled a Bhagavad Gita and a Chant and be Happy book from my bag and gave them to him.  I gave him my email and said I would do a reevaluation of him in a week, to see what he learned and walked out. I looked in his window form the outside and there he was deeply absorbed in reading Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Finance Brief

I had to go to a mandatory finance brief. The women walked in and commanded everyone being chaptered to move to the front. She was a very heavy person and I of course follow her instructions. She said no sergeant, only chapter cases sit there. I said Ma’am I am also being chapter. She looked puzzled.  The brief was long and boring I was reading verses from the Cc on my ipod. She called us up one at a time. When I got to the desk, I looked and saw I was the very last one. She closed the door and said you’re a Sergeant First Class, what are you in this room with all these privates for? I read your file, are you the Hare Krsna they are talking about? I said, Yes Ma’am. She asked what is your deal, why would you give up that rank to be a monk. I don’t understand, my husband is trying to get promoted and here you are, young, a fast tracker and you’re walking away. I explained to her that we all have a calling. While the military gave me many skills, this life is meant for God Consciousness.  These books, are not ordinary books, they change peoples lives, they are the literary incarnation of God, and they will give you a new understanding in life. She listened and asked many nice questions. She asked about Srila Prabhupada and expressed that she heard form others about this soldier that is becoming a monk and the books he gives to people are really powerful. She had been curious about these books. I asked her if she would want a book and she smile and said oh why you have one? I took out a Perfection of Yoga and a Bhakti book and handed them to her. She was smiling ear to ear and thanked me for the books. As I was walking to my next appointment I was thinking how kind Srila Prabhupada is. We have no ability to give out his mercy, but he is merciful that these books distribute themselves, after all Krsna is all attractive. How can we resist Him?

labdhvä su-durlabham idaà bahu-sambhavänte
mänuñyam artha-dam anityam apéha dhéraù
türëaà yateta na pated anu-måtyu yävan
niùçreyasäya viñayaù khalu sarvataù syät

After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Kåñëa consciousness is possible only for a human being. (The Avadhuta brahmana to King Yadu; SB.11.9.29)

Sadhana:

Japa: It is a nice feeling to chant your rounds before Mangala Arati. Rest of the day we can chant because we want to, not because we need to fill our quota. I am praying that my japa will improve and I will be able to really take shelter in the Holy Name.
Seva: Their Lordships are the center of my activities. I am reading to Them daily a chapter of BG. It is very nice to sit in front of Them and read for Their pleasure. I am looking forward to performing seva for Them in India. It should be so intense, and I pray purifying.
Reading: Still reading SB, now on the 3rd Canto and Si Vraja-rati-cintomani. I am trying to memorize some slokas from this book to recite when I arrive in Vrindavan. I am trying to develop my relationship with the Holy Dham.
Sankritana: I have not been able to go out as much due to out-processing the Army. I miss it, a few days without going out and I am ready to climb the walls.  Here are the scores:
Maha Big: 4
small:20

Only seventeen more days till we are relieved from this service. The excitement is building and also a little bit of fear. It is scary in a sense to just give everything up and surrender to Krsna. With the help of many senior devotees, I am understanding that Krsna will always maintain his devotees that are trying to sincerely spread His glories. With that said I beg for everyone’s blessings to become a little sincere, and understand the word servant. My life is getting ready to change, new service, full involvement in the sankritana mission, traveling, military preaching. I really wish to do some  service for my Guru, for his Guru, for Srila Prabhupada and for ISKCON.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi Dasa