Dedicated to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Dedicated to his dear servants Caitanya Nitai and Bhakta Nitin
written from New Panihati Dham, Atlanta 24 June 2009

Atlanta to Boston

The night before my flight I did not sleep well. The weather in Atlanta is very humid and hot. Even with a fan blowing directly on me, sleeping was very uncomfortable. When I boarded my flight to Boston, I was extremely tired. I sat in my seat and prepared to get a little rest, but the woman next to me had other plans. She introduced herself, and ask me what religion I follow. I explained I was a Hare Krsna. She asked about what our teaching were and as I explained, she would ask questions about the essence of spiritual life. I asked her what she does for an occupation. She explained she worked in the human resources field, but was in her way to New York to give a presentation about what her church organization is doing in Selma, Alabama. She described the project and how she and others are trying to provide an environment for stimulating and engaging the minds of the youth of the city. The project was interesting, and she said, as a priest, what do you feel I should teach them. I explained that you should teach them to chant the holy name of God and to be engaged in His service. To simply surrender your life to him, and you will be free or fear. She smiled and said that is an amazing philosophy. At the end of the flight, I wished her a nice trip and gave her a small book on the basic teaching of the Bhagavad-Gita.

Boston

Boston is a very special city to the Hare Krsna movement. It is in this city that Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krsna movement first arrived in America. He arrived with nothing more that some cereal, some books written by himself and seven dollars. He wrote a famous poem when he arrived in the harbor aboard the Jaladutta. The Boston temple is situated in a nice area. From outside my window I am looking at a nice small park, and the area around the temple is busy with people running from here to there.  I arrived and gave evening class. The devotees requested that I talk about my realizations and experiences in Iraq. We had some very nice discussions, and we all took prasadam together. They were aware I had just flew in and finished the program early so that I can take rest early.
I woke up very early Friday, and was greeted to an ice cold shower. When I say ice cold, I mean it would be austere for penguins and arctic creatures. After the morning program, I talked with the devotees, read and chanted. In the evening we went to Harvard Square in Cambridge. Harvard Square is the hang out place for the students of Harvard University. We arrived and set up the sound system and began to chant.  I lead on a harinam harmonium and as soon as the drums resonated with bass, and the sweet clashing of the hand cymbals were heard by onlookers, they froze in place and could not move. They were captivated by the sound of the Maha Mantra.  Normally the devotees stay in one spot but spontaneously, I started walking down the street. At first the devotees didn’t know what was going on, but quickly picked up on what I was doing. As we chanted and danced down the streets of Cambridge; we were met with smiles and waves. People eating at outdoor restaurants stopped partaking in their meals and pulled out cell phones to take a photo. The devotee were all smiles, and truly enjoying the harinam. At one point I gave the harmonium to another devotee and sang without it. The devotees were ecstatically dancing and waving. Although there was on ten of us, it sounded like one hundred. I looked back and saw that some onlookers joined us and happily chanted and danced with the devotees.
We arrived back at our original destination and another devotees took over the chanting. One man approached me and said Oh dude, thanks for chanting Jesus’ name! He was smiling ear to ear and walked off. Eventually I was asked to lead again.  At the height of the harinam, many people in the crowd were dancing along with the devotees. Little children were jumping up and down, youth men and women were showing off their best dance moves. Everyone was swept away by the Holy Name. When we brought the harinam to an end I gave a small talk. I explained that we are here on the streets chanting the name of God. This name Krsna, means all attractive. The streets of Cambridge are filled with bad karma, and this karma is also in the hearts. This chanting of God’s name cleans and removes the dirt in ones heart.  So we ask you to join along, chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama,  Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Many people were nodding in agreement. A gentleman named Harry approached me afterwards and invited me to his place if I every need somewhere to rest or to do a program. I had a local devotee get his info and we talked for a few minutes more. Another man gave a donation to Bhakta Nitin.
Saturday morning I gave class on Srila Prabhupada. I read a nice poem by HG Kushakrata Prabhu and a verse from the Caitanya Caritamrta. We discussed and shared pastimes, and I explained that Srila Prabhupada is the founder of this movement, and we should have a relationship with him, that we should read his books and from his books we can get a glimpse into the spiritual world. I stressed the need to read his book and also pass on what we read and hear to others. In the evening, I gave a talk at a home program. This was by far the most fun I had during the whole trip.
I arrived at the house and was greeted by Nitin Prabhu. His house is very nice, clean and the most important part has a beautiful Deity of Krsna, Who resides there. There were many new faces at this program, since the organizers wanted to keep the numbers small. I gave a basic class because of the new attendees. I tried to make the class interesting by telling story to empathize the points I was making. At one point I looked up while sharing an experience that happen to me Iraq and saw two old Indian bodied women laughing uncontrollably. We finished the night with bhajans and prasadam. I spoke to several of the guests, and they were very satisfied with class and seemed interested in KC. I exchanged my info with a few of them to keep in contact.
Sunday morning I was reading in my room when someone knocked on the door, I told the person to come in and was surprised to see Harry, the man I met on harinam on Friday, and he brought a friend with him. For the next hour and a half I spent time with them. He shared with me how the chanting on Friday really changed his heart. He had such a nice attitude and told me, I felt something missing in my life always. I never felt happy and I have found what I have been searching. It was really amazing to see the quick effect of the Holy Name. The Sunday Feast was nice, I spoke on a verse from the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, that tells us ” Whatever one thinks of at the time of death, O son of Kunti, that state he attains without fail.” I used the situations I saw in the military to illustrate the severity of surrounding to Krsna and how Krsna will arrange for you to remember Him at the time of death. After I was asked to lead kirtan. Kirtan was very nice and afterwards the temple president made an announcement how I am a traveling preacher , etc.
I was talking with the temple president. We were discussing how I have no health care and how in Boston, health care is free. Out of nowhere, a congregation devotee screamed at me; “It’s not free, I have to pay for it. Why don’t you just get a job? Stop this nonsense you are doing and get a job so you ca contribute to society.”  I said excuse me, what did you say. He then repeated how I was simply wasting my time and burden society. At first it hurt, but I did not get upset. I thought sad because this devotee feels this about preaching the glories of Krsna. He refuses to taste this aspect of devotional service and distastes anyone else who is a preacher. It was a heavy moment and I walked away shaking my head.

“The age of Kali is called the fallen age. In this fallen age, because the living beings are in an awkward position, the Supreme Lord has given some special facilities to them. So by the will of the Lord, a living being does not become a victim of a sinful act until the act is actually performed. In other ages, simply by thinking of performing a sinful act, one used to become a victim of the act. On the contrary, a living being in this age is awarded with the results of pious acts simply by thinking of them. Mahäräja Parékñit, being the most learned and experienced king by the grace of the Lord, was not unnecessarily envious of the personality of Kali because he did not intend to give him any chance to perform any sinful act. He protected his subjects from falling prey to the sinful acts of the age of Kali, and at the same time he gave full facility to the age of Kali by allotting him some particular places. At the end of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam it is said that even though all nefarious activities of the personality of Kali are present, there is a great advantage in the age of Kali. One can attain salvation simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. Thus Mahäräja Parékñit made an organized effort to propagate the chanting of the Lord’s holy name, and thus he saved the citizens from the clutches of Kali. It is for this advantage only that great sages sometimes wish all good for the age of Kali. In the Vedas also it is said that by discourse on Lord Kåñëa’s activities, one can get rid of all the disadvantages of the age of Kali. In the beginning of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam it is also said that by the recitation of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Supreme Lord becomes at once arrested within one’s heart. These are some of the great advantages of the age of Kali, and Mahäräja Parékñit took all the advantages and did not think any ill of the age of Kali, true to his Vaiñëavite cult.” - Purport SB 1.18.7

“I am glad that you have understood the importance of my books, therefore I am stressing it so much. Let everyone take these books. If he simply reads one page then he is getting something substantial, a real eternal benefit. Or if he hands it over to his friend and he reads one page the same result is there. So continue these festivals constantly and make them all Krsna Conscious. Overflood the whole country by this preaching work. Let the whole United States become Vaisnavas, then everyone else in the whole world will follow. That is my real ambition. Therefore your program is very glorious. This is really preaching. Your intelligence is being properly utilized. In the beginning you took up the distribution of BTG’s and you sold the most. Now you have taken up this van program and you will also be successful in the same way. This preaching spirit will make you recognized by Krsna.” SP Letter to Tamal Krsna Goswami, Dec 1974

Sankirtan Story in Athens Georgia

I took one of our new bhaktas on book distribution in Athens Georgia. Athens is a major college town, and like any other college town, would have many young adults walking around and a great place to preach. I used the word “would” because if was not for the fact that school was over for the summer it would have been very busy. Instead we roll into town and it was completely dead. The streets were like a ghost town. We drove around for two trying to find a spot to distribute books, when we decided to give up. We stopped at a gas station to fill up and I was going inside to purchase something. All of a sudden I got a feeling to grab a Bhagavad-Gita to bring with me. I saw the man at the counter, and smiled and asked him has he ever heard of the Bhagavad-Gita. The man said no, and I proceeded to explain about it, while showing him the pictures inside. At the end of the conversation the man went into his wallet and gave me a nice donation. When I walked out, I saw him open up the Gita and start immediately reading. I got in the car and Bhakta Alex and I told Alex what happened, he smiled also. I explained that today was not a loss, because now this person has benefited by coming in contact with Srila Prabhupada’s books.

“This Kåñëa consciousness movement is especially distributing knowledge about God. So why do they not come here and inquire? First thing is, unless one is inquisitive to understand God, or Absolute Truth, he has no necessity of guru. But if he is actually serious, then he must go to a person where the dealing is only God, that’s all. Just like ordinarily, if anyone wants to purchase some share of company, he goes to the share market and he sees the price of different shares, and he selects. So everything requires little intelligence, then it is all right. Otherwise, you may be cheated. Whatever business you do, you must do it intelligently. But if you are foolishly doing something, you may be cheated. Why we are opening so many centers all over the world? We are giving opportunity people to come and understand about God.” SP conversation June 1976

Sadhana Report
Japa: Up early, chant in the temple room. It is a challenge to chant good rounds, especially when you have to constantly wake others in the ashram up for Mangal Arati. At times I think is helping them worth sacrificing my own sadhana. Could my rounds be better if I didn’t have to stop and go up to check on devotees, I often ask myself? In one sense it’s unfair to me and I mentioned in on occasions to some devotees. I guess I just have to make the best of the situation and attempt to chant as sincerely as I can in between getting devotees up.
Seva: We keep trying to develop a relationship with Their Lordships. Everyday we read one verse from Nectar of Instruction, some verses from various books, and most importantly our sankirtan scores. Everyday is another chance to advance through devotional service to the Lord in His Deity form.
Reading: At the moment reading SB 3rd Canto and also from the Cc. I make an effort everyday to read two hours a day. Srila Prabhupada stressed the need to read his books. Also I am still trying to memorize at least one verse a week.
Sankirtan: BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

Maha Big: 52
Med. hrd: 4
Small: 326
pamphlets: 54

Health: Some small health issues this month. We are trying to take of this body. Resting nicely, not stressing out to much.
The next five months are intense months for us. Here is our tentative Schedule for the next few months:

June 26-28 Tennessee, Ratha Yatra Nashville visit to HH Hanumat P. Swami
June 29 - July 1- Gita Nagari, PA (meet with Bus tour)
July 2- Philly w/Bus tour
July 3 Ne Brunswick NJ
July 4 DC RY
July 5-Boston
July 5-13 Boston (conducting Sadhana Retreat 10-12)
July 17-20 Toronto RY/Yoga meltdown
July 22-27 Psena Youth retreat Prabhupada Village, NC
July 31-7 August  Santiago, Chile
7 August-9 August Uruguay *Tentative*
9 August - 12 August Buenos Aries, Argentina
12 August-19 October South Africa (South Africa, Mauritius, Botswana)
23 Oct  Chile Ratha Yatra

We pray to the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that we can stay healthy and focused. I fall at your feet that I may somehow or other stay engaged in the preaching movement of Srila Prabhupada.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi dasa vanacari

June 18-22 Boston

July 1-6 Youth Bustour (youth sankirtan marathon anyone interested in these areas in participating contact me)

1-2 Philly

3-4 DC

5th NJ

6th Boston

17-21st Toronto Ratha Yatra/ Yoga Meltdown

22-27 Pandava Sena Youth retreat Prabhupada Village, NC

29 July to 4 August: South America, Costa Rica-Peru-Uruguay-Paraguay

4 August to 13 August: Santiago, Chile

13 August to 21 Oct South Africa

22 Oct. Chile Ratha Yatra

Dedicated to HDG A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

When it rains it pours

Panihati Festival was kicking off in Atlanta. Devotees from all over the world converged on New Panihati Dham for the festival due to HH Jayapataka Swami being present. It was his first time traveling outside india since his stroke. Many senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada were present.  Excitement was in the air.  I was talking about book distribution with some senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada, they told stories of the seventies and how they distributed books in the airport. The stories were amazing and  despite leaving the next day for Chicago, I went out on book distribution. The sky looked black, and the wind started to kick up, but I thought, it will hold off.
I walked form the temple to the Little Five Points, an alternative area. As soon as I arrived, the sky opened up and started pouring. It was raining so hard that I was getting wetter from the up splash of the rain rather than the rain itself. Within minutes, I was completely drenched head to toe. I took some shelter under a tree wearing just a dhoti, and T-shirt.  I attempted to stop a few people, but no one was interested.  One man said you must be crazy, do you see the weather? They only wanted shelter form the rain. I was thinking, if only they knew what shelter they could find in Srila Prabhupada’s books. I stood out in the rain for what seemed like forever.  I was soaking wet, all my clothing was wet, my back pack was soaked, but amazingly enough the books were dry. Out of nowhere a man with tattoos, a southern accent and a funny small hat  from a bar called out, Hey man, what are you doing in the rain. go home. I just ignored him, but he persisted and called me over.  I went in to his bar and he just stared at me.
He said, why are you risking getting sick for this? Why put yourself through that, through the rain, through the cold. What is making this so special. I though for a second and remember a quote I read on the Srila Prabhupada quotes conference. I said Srila Prabhupada said, why do we distribute these books? To make our master smile. The man looked puzzled for a moment. I explained to him that yes it is raining, but this down pour of rain is nothing compared to the down pour of nectar and mercy someone will receive from Caitanya Mahaprabhu if they receive these books. These books are not ordinary, they are windows to the spiritual world and will save your life.
The man looked taken back. He turned to the patrons of the bar (who at this point were listening to us) and said did you hear this guy? Everyone remained silent. It felt erie, like in a dream when your standing before your class in school only wearing your undergarments. He said what you said touched the heart. The man then turned to the crowd and said, why don’t you all help him by taking a book so he can go and get dry. Slowly, one by one people started to approach me and take a book out of my bag and give me a donation. WIthin minutes, the bag was completely empty.  I recalled the events in my mind as I walked back to the temple. It seemed so surreal, and reminded me of the lila from the Caitanya Caritamrta. Jagäi and Mädhäi were two brothers born in Navadvépa in a respectable brähmaëa family who later became addicted to all kinds of sinful activities. By the order of Lord Caitanya, both Nityänanda Prabhu and Haridäsa Öhäkura used to preach the cult of Kåñëa consciousness door to door. In the course of such preaching they found Jagäi and Mädhäi, two maddened drunken brothers, who, upon seeing them, began to chase them. On the next day, Mädhäi struck Nityänanda Prabhu on the head with a piece of earthen pot, thus drawing blood. When Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu heard of this, He immediately came to the spot, ready to punish both brothers, but when the all-merciful Lord Gauräìga saw Jagäi’s repentant behavior, He immediately embraced him. The rain was pouring down harder, but I did not notice at all. I could only think of how the Lord arranges for the conditioned soul to reestablish his or hers relationship with Him. I thought about how we must adopt the mood of Lord Nityananda and give this message to the most fallen people of this society.

vraja-väsé-gaëa,  pracäraka-dhana,
pratiñöhä-bhikñuka tä’rä nahe ‘çava’
präëa äche tä’r,  se-hetu pracär,
pratiñöhäçä-héna-’kåñëa-gäthä’ saba

“The most valuable treasures amongst the Lord’s preachers are the eternal personalities residing in Vraja-dhäm. They never occupy themselves with begging for worthless material reputation, which is cherished only by the living dead. The Vraja-väsés are truly infused with life, and therefore they preach in order to give life to the walking corpses of the mundane world. All the songs that the Vraja-väsés sing about the glories of Lord Kåñëa are devoid of any tinge of desire for fame.” ( Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Thakura Duñöa-Mana 17)

mahä-kåpä-pätra prabhura jagäi, mädhäi
‘patita-pävana’ nämera säkñé dui bhäi

“Jagäi and Mädhäi, the eighty-ninth and ninetieth branches of the tree, were the greatest recipients of Lord Caitanya’s mercy. These two brothers were the witnesses who proved that Lord Caitanya was rightly named Patita-pävana, “the deliverer of the fallen souls.” (Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi-lila 10.120)

Sadhana Report:

Japa: By the mercy of Guru & Gauranga I am still chanting. I am trying to really develop a nice sadhana centered around hearing and chanting. At the moment I am up at 1:30 am and chant till 3:30. Then I read Caitanya Caritamrta until morning program. I read for one hour before I go on sankritan and then in the evening, I read again for one hour.
Seva: The Lords are somehow still allowing me to attempt to serve Them. Some new Salagram and Govardhan Sila’s appeared, which meant a big pizza offering. Every evening I offer my sankritan results to Them.
Reading at the moment the Bhagavad-Gita. I am trying to study each verse slowly and taking notes of each verse in hopes of understanding better.
Sankritan: BOOKS! BOOKS!!!
maha big: 41
med- hard - 1
small- 186
pamplets- 170

Each day is a new way of developing attachment to Krsna’s lotus feet. I can only beg to keep going on the path of devotional service and never deviate. I ask all the blessings of the vaisnava’s.

Yours in the Service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi dasa vanacari

Dedicated to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Also dedicated to HG Bhakta Antony and HG Omkara Prabhus.

Soldiers Cry

On my way back to Iskcon Silicon Valley I stopped in Los Angeles for a day. It was very nice to see Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadish. Also I was able to spend time with some good friends like HG Ratna Bhusana and HG Omkara Prabhu, as well as all the brahmacaris from the temple. The Sunday feast lecture was given by HH Devamrta Swami, I was outside talking to someone before the class when I turned around and saw the man, the myth the legend…. Bhakta Antony. For those that don’t know, Bhakta Antony is a great soul, not only is he a devotee but also a Captain in the Marine Corp (we won’t hold that against him). During my time in Iraq we would email each other everyday. Once in a while we would call each other and talk about life in ISKCON, the military and how to connect both. I tried to help him through his tour, and arranged for some prasadam and other items to be sent to him. Bhakta Antony is also a preacher and took on the mission of spreading Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission seriously.
When I saw him, I almost wanted to cry. As we hugged, I felt a deep connection; a connection that goes past this material energy. We both went through a difficult service, seeing people close to us leave their bodies, being all alone with nothing and no one to depend on except guru and Krsna. Being a devotee is special, and we both have a different perspective of the need to be serious about Krsna and about spiritual life. We spent a lot of time talking and revealed our hearts to each other. As we sat in the class I looked over at him and thought, how wonderful was Krsna to protect us and give us such a unique oppurtunity to perform devotional service. How we are brothers in the battle against maya, how we have to perform spiritual first aid on the casualties of maya. Just as we had to treat sunken chest wounds, with bandages and other medical means during firefights and ambushes; our real duty is the treat the wounds in the hearts of the conditioned souls.

Prabhupäda: That is the point. Our advancement means the more we meet opposing elements, “Oh, that is alright.” Therefore preacher is the best devotee because he is a soldier. Just like government gives all importance to the fighting soldier. When there is war, all comforts for the soldier first, then the civil people. There was no butter in Germany, there was no butter. But the soldiers were profusely supplied with butter. And sometimes when the enemy attacks, they throw it away and go away and go to another shelter and still there is butter. That my Godbrother (indistinct) when he first came to India I asked him that, “I heard that you German people are very robust, stout and strong, why you are so thin and weak?” So he replied me in this way that, “In my childhood when I was eight years old weekly I was getting butter for (indistinct)”. Everything was controlled, even for children. But the soldiers, there was no control. So that is, my point is, that those who are soldiers, fighting on behalf of Kåñëa, they are brave soldiers. Na ca tasmän manuñyeñu kaçcin me priya-kåttamaù [Bg. 18.69]. Kåñëa says, “Nobody is dearer than him who is in the process of preaching this Bhagavad-gétä.”  (SP Conversation:GBC LA 1972)

Airport Lila

Off to San Jose. I look forward to my visits there, because i get so much inspiration from HG Vaisesika Prabhu and Mother Nirakula. The temple there is an example for other temples to follow.  I was waiting for my flight when an Indian man sat next to me and asked if I could explain something from the Bhagavad-Gita. I eagerly agreed, he then pulled out a copt of the Gita written by a non devotee of Krsna. He said I have read this book many times but seems something is missing. Can you please explain why I am not getting so much inspiration from it? I explained how the man that wrote it is speaking from an impersonalist view, and that actually the science of Bhakti Yoga that is spoken in a personal way. The Bhagavad-Gita is spoken between two intimate friends, and Srila Prabhupada is giving the most bone-fide translation. The translation is the most bone-fide because it is coming down from an unbroken line of teachers and students. The man sat there and kept asking questions, then at one point he looked at his watch and said oh I have to catch my flight. I thanked him for his time and asked if he would like a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-Gita? He said you have one? I looked in my bag and pulled out a personal copy that I had and gave to him and he gave a nice donation. We exchanged email address and have been keeping in touch.
An announcement came over the speaker saying my flight was delayed for an unknown period of time, everyone was complaining and I sat against a wall chanting and reading. After one hour, another announcement was heard saying “sorry folks we have no idea when this flight will take off, keep checking back” I just looked back down and started reading. A nicely dressed african american approached me and said can I ask you a question. I said yes of course. The man looked surprised he said you speak? I said yeah, why not? He said your a monk, I though monks take a vow of silence. I replied, some probably would hope I took a vow of silence and he started laughing. he was with a group of passengers and I introduced myself. One of the men in the group was a flight attendant, one was a women who retired from the military. I asked the gentleman what he did, and he said oh thats not important. I though ok, fair enough. They proceeded to interrogate me with questions about why I am a monk, which tradition do I follow, oh your a Hare Krsna, wheres you temple, do you work etc. It was a rapid fire session, as soon as I answered one another question came. The others got up, and went to take a smoke break. I was left alone with the african american gentleman. He was saying how he really respected what I was doing with my life and he is about to retire in a few years from his job and he wanted to travel the world to learn about spiritual life. I encouraged him and asked if he would like a small book about the science of bhakti yoga. He agreed and took the book. He smiled and started to tell me about his job. Turned out he is one of the state troopers in charge of security to the governor of New York. As we got on the flight we exchanged info. I was thinking of the incident and realized that we should try to introduce everyone we met to Krsna and the science of bhakti yoga.

After receiving the command to preach the holy name (näm-prachär), Prabhu Nityänanda and Öhäkura Haridäsa went from village to village, house to house, and began proclaiming, “He jéva! Lord Kåñëa is verily the life of your life, and Lord Kåñëa’s name is verily the treasure of your life. All of you please deliberate incessantly on that holy name. Living thus absorbed, the only other thing of concern is to see that no sinful behavior contaminates your actions of bodily or household maintenance.” The meaning of the word anäcär is asadäcär, or activities of impious nature. There are many different types of sinful behavior that are classified as asadäcär or anäcär, such as: speaking lies, thievery, wantonness, doing harm to others, killing any living being, disrespect for superiors, and so forth. Çré Nityänanda Prabhu has personally explained the meaning of the word anäcär as follows (Çré Caitanya Bhägavata, Antya-Khaëòa 5.685-686):
çuno dvija, jateka pätaka kaili tui
är jadi nä koris, saba nimu mui
para-hiàsä, òäkä-curi, saba anäcär
chäòo giyä ihä tumi, nä koriho är
“Listen, O brähmaëa! You have performed many sinful actions. If you abstain from committing these any further, then I forgive them. Doing harm to others, committing theft-all these things constitute sinful behavior. Now give up such actions, and do them no more.” ( Srila Bhaktivinod Thakura: Gitavale, Sri Nagar-Kirtan: Song 1)

Sadhana:

Japa: Trying to keep developing my japa and my relationship with the Holy Name. This relationship with Krsna is eternal, so my chanting should not be mechanical, it should have love and devotion, after all I am having the association of my best friend, Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Seva: The Lord’s seva is the center of my preaching. I try and offer all I do unto His lotus feet.
Reading: CHAD… One chapter of BG a day… this is complete nectar. To dive deep into the sastra is wonderful and so purifying.
Verse memorization: I am relearning core verses, over time I forgot the word for word, this is very important in understanding the verse.
Book Distribution:

Maha Big: 4
Small: 10

I am finding that this new life brings many surprises, but I would not trade this service in for anything. Please bless me to develop my service and to allow it to enter my heart.

Yours in Service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi dasa vanacari

http://www.4shared.com/file/108020156/1f679213/Reflections_May_09.html

My flight to Santiago, Chile was for the most part uneventful. When I changed flights in Capetown, South Africa; I was met with a nice young man. He kept looking over at me, and then finally came and sat next to me. He asked me why I was dressed in robes; Are you a monk? He asked.  Yes, I am. What kind of monk are you? I replied I was a Hare Krsna monk. He was amazed, and stated how he just returned from China and was going to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We sat and talked for a while. He was very interested in coming and visiting the temple and maybe spending the weekend. I had one small book and a Bhagavad-Gita with me. We exchanged email addresses and I asked him if he would like a book and he said yes and asked if he could give a donation. Of course you can; and thank you very much for donating for these books. He made one comment before he went back to his seat. He said, I went to China and became attracted to monk life, but thought how could I become one and now on my flight; I see a monk and he answers my questions about God. I told him, Krsna arranges everything for us and when we come in contact with Him, He captivates our heart.
“Yet when the same jéva misuses his innate free choice and thus becomes engrossed in material activities, the merciful Çré Kåñëa is stricken by compassion and concerned about the bad fortune of the jéva. Lamenting, the Lord shadows the movement of the jéva, planning means to save him. Çré Kåñëa knows that His nectarean and immortal léläs are not available to the conditioned jéva and thus out of deep compassion, He manifests His acintya-lélä, inconceivable and wonderful pastimes, from within the material nature for the edification of the conditioned jéva. However, realizing that the jéva in his conditioned state is unable to properly comprehend His transcendental activities, Çré Kåñëa has descended to earth at Navadvépa, appearing as the most munificent incarnation, Çré Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu.” (Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura; Jaiva-Dharma)
Santiago, Chile
I arrive and went through customs with ease. I was a little worried because I heard from some devotees they are very strict. As I walked through most of the officials bowed there head a little and very respectful. The ride back to the airport was nice and I was surprised when I arrived. The temple is in the university area of Santiago. I lead bhajans for an hour and then settled in to get some rest.
This visit was very pleasant. The temple is filled with young devotees. Most are tattooed, with big holes in their ears from wearing big earrings. The first big program was on Friday. Every Friday they have Prabhupada night. The theme of the night is Srila Prabhupada. I was very pleased and gave a class about the qualities of Srila Prabhupada.  We observed Guru Puja to Srila Prabhupada and this was my first taste of Chile Yatra kirtan. I lead the chanting and what can I say. Before I knew it, the whole temple was shaking. The floor felt like it was going to cave in. As the tempo and pace of the kirtan picked up, the devotees went more and more wild. There was break dancing, bodies flying all over the temple room.  The drummers were playing so fast I could barely keep up. I looked up see the devotees crowd surfing and being passed around.
The next morning was the Sabado Sanga, or the Saturday Sanga.  This is a nice program; a lot of youth spend the night in the temple and participate in the morning program. The morning program was again fast paced and again the devotees were losing themselves in the kirtan.  At one pint there must have been over thirty devotees in the small temple room. They were dancing, smiling, laughing, clanging kartels and banging mardangas.
I was up in my room performing puja to Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Sri Radha Giridhari when my room started to shake. I thought of man another kirtan; but was wrong. It was an earthquake. Very surprised I just sat where I was and chanted. When it ended I was surprised, and found out it was small one. I went down to the temple room and gave class. Later in the day we went on harinam.
Harinama is perfect for the devotees in this yatra. One the mrdangs started, the devotees got right into it. They were singing so loudly, and dancing and smiling. The ladies went ahead of the harinam part to dance. We came to a populated part of town and the harinam really picked up. I was singing and noticing how many people stopped and watched and clapped. Some danced, some sang along. Devotees were giving out prasadam and talking to devotees. After one hour, I stopped the harinam and gave a short talk through a translator.
I gave a basic talk about the happiness that is experienced when one chant the Holy Name of Krsna. How when we chant Gods name, we have direct association and this life is meant for becoming the servant of God. I noticed many people nodding in agreement and some smile bright smile. It was obvious that this city is very pious. I walked back to the temple with one devotee and we discussed the day’s events.
Next day was the Sunday Feast. That meant another wild kirtan and class. I lead a bhajan and then using the same melody chanted Jaya Radha Madhava. The devotees were singing at the top of their lungs. You can tell they relish the Holy Name.  The talk was of the necessity to take seriously Krishna Consciences now. How Srila Prabhupada wanted us to take this message seriously at this very moment. The devotees asked many question.
The rest of the week was met with me giving both morning and evening class. I also talked with many devotees. The traveling brahmacaris came back on Thursday night. On Friday morning I gave Srimad Bhagavatam class. We talked about King Prithu in the fourth Canto. I was describing how King Prithu gave us the perfect example of how to rule a kingdom. I then spoke how as devotees we show the world how we have the perfect answers to the problems of the world through our actions. We should become serious and become pure devotees in this. During breakfast a nice boy approached me. He asked some very nice questions. I answered all his questions and told him, so what do you want from life. He said how he had sat in my class, and the verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam made complete sense. He expressed his desire to live in the temple and take this process serious. As a joke I said ok, lets go shave your head. He smiled and said YES! YES Lets go and do that. I told the brahmacaris, and they started banging on the floor and yelling shave in Spanish. We all ran up stairs and told him to get into a towel. The bathroom is small and everyone was crowding in to see the shaving.
He asked me to be the first one to cut his hair. As I cut the hair off his head, all the devotees started yelling haribol and banging on the walls, the doors the floors. Some were hitting their plates. It was a site. Some devotees took pictures. When this boy was finished, another boy sat in the chair and said ok, shave me up also! Wow, this was nectar for the devotees. The devotees where fired up and later that day he went out on sankritan and did six books. I was so happy to hear he had a taste for book distribution. Another boy came and talked to me later that day about his desire to experience temple life. His name is Bhakta Sarathi. The devotees named him this cause, well; we look like brothers. He also decided to spend sometime in the ashram and go out on book distribution.
On Sunday I was asked to give an interview for a magazine. It was a nice interview with basic questions about the Hare Krsna movement. The person interviewing me is a devotee and a professional journalist. He asked straightforward questions from the perspective of a non-devotee of Krsna.  He said the goal was to distribute five thousand of these magazines. I pray it is successful.
On my last day in Chile I was asked to give an interview to a group of university students. They asked many intelligent questions. Why do I have a ponytail with a shaved head? What is the significance of my name? What is the goal of life?  I took my time and really spoke to them from the heart. The girl conducting the interview finished her questions, but her and the boy with her kept asking more questions. They wanted to know about my life and if they could also be a devotee of Krsna while going to school.
Before the interview was finished, they asked if they could come back and film me giving class at the temple and if a few devotees can come to their class on the following Friday for a program. We agreed and arranged everything. They each left with a book form Srila Prabhupada and accepted our invitation to the Sunday Feast
“So there is very good potential for spreading our movement amongst the college students, and if we simply present them with the opportunity of chanting with us, and then we lecture on Bhagavad-gita As It Is, then surely many intelligent people will become attracted. So Sankirtana Party in the streets and Sankirtana Party in school engagements should be our chief business. This will assure success in our propaganda activities.” (SP LTR 14May 1969)
“So you have to take up the sword of Kåñëa consciousness and cut the knot of material entanglement. The Kåñëa consciousness movement is spreading by teaching people how to take up this sword. I started this movement in New York in 1966. I had no actual sword, like those wielded by some religious preachers. They take their scriptures in one hand and a sword in the other and say, “Accept this scripture or I’ll cut off your head!” No, this is not the way of spreading Kåñëa consciousness. Still, I did have a sword—the sword of remembrance of Kåñëa—which I taught people to use by giving them a chance to hear about the Lord. The effect of hearing about the Lord is described in the next verse.” (SP excerpt from Dharma- Way of Transcendence)
Sadhana Report
Chanting: I have been chanting my rounds while sitting in front of Deities. Their sweet faces are a nice to see while I am trying to listen to the mantra and pronounce each word clearly. I still see some major improvement in my japa needed.
Reading: At the moment I am still reading the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita. I wanted to re-establish my relationship with the Bhagavad Gita. This time I am reading very slow and making notes of each verse. Also I am reading the conversation with Srila Prabhupada. I think it is important for my spiritual life to develop a relationship with Srila Prabhupada. If I am successful at this, then I will understand his books more deeply.
Sloka Memorization: Currently we are memorizing slokas from the Bhagavam Gita. Still the same program memorize through out the week offer on Sunday to Their Lordships.
Seva: I have been trying to develop a deep attachment to my worship. The standard is simple. Which is good for my schedule. I am always trying to improve Their worship, and will pray to always have this mood.
Book Distribution: Due to illness, I could not go out so much (plus the fact I speak no Spanish)
BG- 1
Small -3
Travel Schedule: We are making some adjustments due to some commitments.
We are blessed to have this service. There is nothing like traveling and preaching this message of Lord Caitanya. Please bless us that we can keep going till we leave this body. We are dependent on the blessings of the devotees to succeed.

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

Dedicated to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Pretoria to Durban, South Africa
I waited to check in for my flight to Durban and a young man was staring at me.  He finally approached me, and asked me if I was a monk. I replied yes, I am a Hare Krishna. He went to say that he works at a new age yoga studio, and he had some questions for me. I sat next to him and just listened to what he had to say. He opened his heart to me; he started describing how he started practicing yoga to escape the pain in his heart from failed relationships, from the pain of disappointing his family. He expressed that he thought of suicide once. He was in tears as he was revealing this to me.  He wanted to know if yoga is such a peaceful way of using your energy, then why does he feel that something is missing. He has been practicing for over six years and feels no difference in his heart.
I sat back and just listened, I could understand that this mans heart was heavy with the bourdon of material life. When he finished, I asked him what does he want from life.  He looked off into the distant lights and just shook his head. He said man; I just want to become happy. Can you help me please, can you show me happiness. I said Of course, that is my duty to help you. The reason your yoga has not worked is because you are missing the key ingredient, that ingredient being God. The object of yoga is to reconnect to Krsna. But better than practicing hatta yoga is to practice bhakti yoga, bhakti meaning serving Krsna with all your heart, with all the love you can muster.
The man just looked on, with tears swelling in his eyes, by now some others gathered around, and someone made a comment about this gentlemen being too emotional. I corrected the one who made the statement and said “ he is only revealing what is in all you hearts, because all your hearts are sad because you have forgotten your original relationship with Krsna. You should thank this boy for making you realize how sad your lives are without Krsna. The person just looked down. Everyone else nodded. For the next twenty minutes I answered questions and exchanged email addresses. When everyone walked away, I left alone with this man, and he said how could I thank you for your help, how can I thank you for your time. I pulled out Perfection of Yoga. Please take this book, read this knowledge and apply this into your life. If you ever need help please give me a call. With a big smile on his face, he thanked me and gave a donation.

“Go on spreading the sankirtana movement more and more. I am only one person, but because all of you have kindly cooperated with me, this movement has now become a success all over the world. Be assured that there is no more direct way to preach than
to distribute Krsna conscious books. Whoever gets a book is benefitted. If he reads the book he is benefitted still more, or if he gives the book to someone else for reading, both he and the other person is benefitted. Even if one does not read the book but simply holds if and sees it, he is benefitted. If he simply gives small donation towards the work of Krsna consciousness he is benefitted. And anyone who distributes these transcendental literatures, he is also benefitted. Therefore sankirtana is the prime benediction for the age:
krsna varnam tvisa krsna sango vangastra parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti sumedhasah [SB 11.5.32] – SP Letter May ‘77

“The living entity is the cause of his own suffering, but he can also be the cause of his eternal happiness. When he wants to engage in Kåñëa consciousness, a suitable body is offered to him by the internal potency, the spiritual energy of the Lord, and when he wants to satisfy his senses, a material body is offered.”  (Purport SB-3-26-8)
Spontaneous Harinam:
On my last day in Pretoria before flying to Chile, I lead the chanting during Guru Puja for Srila Prabhupada. The mood was lively; the boys were excited because the day prior one of our bhakta’s was given the saffron cloth of a brahmacari.  As we sang Srila Prabhupada’s pranam mantra the energy really picked up. The mrdanga’s got louder, the their heavy beats shaking the room. The kartel players responded with very fancy sounds. With each line sung, the devotees sounded louder and louder. When we started to sing the Panca Tattva mantra and Maha Mantra, the energy exploded. Everyone was smiling, and dancing. African’s have a special kirtan and you can tell they put their heart into singing Krsna’s name. I decided spontaneously to take the chanting out into the streets, and that turned into a thirty-minute harinama! The devotee were chanting and dancing up the street at 7:30 in the morning. Onlookers looked amazed and smiled, some waved and the few bold ones started dancing along with the devotees. As we arrived to the temple we were met with Braja Vallabha Prabhu, he ran out of the kitchen to lead the final leg of the harinama. The devotees were ecstatic and it was the perfect end to this trip to South Africa.
Sadhana Report:
Japa: Chant, Chant, Chant, sometimes I feel some taste from chanting other times, it’s like a dry lakebed. But I still keep chanting because I have faith one day I will taste the Holy Name. My rounds are are taking about three and a half hours to chant thirty-two rounds.
Seva: My worship of Krsna in the form of Govardhana and Saligram Sila is the center of my life. I wish I could engage everyone in Their service. I always see my worship needing improvement.
Reading: Back to basics, I am learning so many new things from reading the Bhagavad-Gita again.  That’s the beauty of Srila Prabhupada’s books, no matter how many times you read them, you can always find a new point or get a new realization.
Sankritana: Due to festivals I have not been able to go out so much. So forgive my scores:
Small books: 15
Travel Schedule:
22 April – 6 May 2009 Santiago, Chile
7 May – 15 May 2009 Festival Of Inspiration/ North American GBC meetings, New Vrndavana
16 May – 21 May Upstate NY
22 May – 24 May NYC, Bhaktivedanta Ashram
25 May  New Jersey
26 May - 29 May Vancouver, Canada
29 May – 2 June  San Diego
3 June – 8 June  Atlanta, Panihati Festival
8 June – 10 June South Carolina
10 June – 23 June ISKCON Silicon Valley

Now I am on a flight to Latin America, I am starting to develop my preaching and praying that I will use the most of this life and will help many souls find their way back to Krsna. I pray for the blessings of the devotees, that I may be successful in this life.
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi Dasa

Pretoria, South Africa
I arrived in Pretoria via Durban and received a phone call from the temple president that I would have to walk over to the international arrival terminal to get picked up with HH Bhakti Narasimha Swami. I met Maharaja at the airport and we chatted about the future of South African preaching. For the temple devotees it was nice for Maharaja to spend sometime at the temple. When senior devotees come to the temple, it charges the ashram devotees batteries and they are ready to go back out and preach.
That evening I took the devotees on harinama in an area called Sunnyside. We had about twenty-five devotees with us, and when they chanted it sounded more like one hundred. I lead the beginning and soon Braja Vallabha Prabhu took over.  Soon he had the devotees dancing and singing in the streets. The devotee’s enthusiasm increased with each sound resonating from the mrdanga.  As he chanted with more enthusiasm, the devotees responded with even more enthusiasm. The chanting became contagious and soon the onlookers were dancing and chanting with the devotees. I saw some very interesting dance moves that evening. I saw some moves that look as if the dance defined all law of psychics.  One boy danced like he was a robot, another start break dancing; the devotee’s feed off the energy of the crowd and the crowd feed off the energy of the devotees. I lead the final portion of the harinama and gave a short explanation of what was happening. The crowd listened and when all was done, one boy came back to the temple with us.
The following day was a harinama in the city center in Pretoria. Maharaja sang the first leg of the harinam and had the devotees in ecstasy. Before I knew it, there was a crowd of about fifty people gathered around and watching and smiling. I started to approach people in the crowd with our literature. Somewhere very favorable, some weren’t; but still I was determined to at least show them Srila Prabhupada’s books. One man smiled the whole time I explained what was happening. He said “ Man I don’t care what those books say, if I can be as happy as them, I’ll take it.”  One woman asked me if I was a Buddhist, I said no ma’am sorry I am not. She said that’s ok; you’re going to hell anyway because you’re not a Christian.  I just looked her in the eye and said we are in hell, because we have forgotten our relationship with God and walked off.
The harinama kept moving and I sang for a short while before the heavy gun was brought out.  Bhima Prabhu led the rest of the time with his trusty accordion. He had everyone mesmerized with his singing. I decided to break off from the harinama and concentrate on distributing books. I approached a group off ten youth. They asked me what I was doing, and I explain that I am a monk and we are singing God’s name. These youth asked many interesting question and I tried my best to explain. When I asked for a donation, they looked down and said they had no money. Just then one of the kids father walked up and asked what I was doing with these boys. He said, “ Are you trying to hustle my son?” Very respectfully I said no sir, I am simple trying to give the best gift in the world. These books are windows to the spiritual world, when he reads these books, he will understand what the goal of life is.” The man surveyed the scene and saw the smile on his son’s face. He pulled out a hundred (rand) and bought all the kids books and shook my hand.  The rest of the day I played catch up to the chanting party. I would find them, then distribute some books and look up and seem them gone again.  Overall it was a very successful day, and we planned on performing more chanting throughout the streets in the future.

The next weekend the temple devotees joined the youth group and their Food for Life program. Food for life is ISKCON’s program of providing free meals to souls all over the world. We decided to make this program a festival and give a meaningful presentation of Krsna Consciousness in an African village. We had devotees serving prasadam or sanctified food, others chanting, and a few distributing books. As soon as this festival hit the parking lot, dozens of onlookers showed up. Plates of prasadam were given out, books were distributed, and smiles were seen from devotees and non-devotees alike. South Africa is a dangerous area of the world. It has a high crime rate and a high murder rate, etc. Since I have arrived I have noticed small pockets of piety in the people. Every person I approached took a book and gave a donation. At one point I ran out of books.  I was looking for more when I saw Vaisnava Prabhu in a conversation with a gentleman.  The discussion looked deep and without Vaisnava noticing I took books out of his bag. For over twenty minutes this went on, Vaisnava would talk with this guy and I would take books out of his bag and distribute them. Finally he distributed a Bhagavad-Gita to this man and looked into his bag to find only a few books left and a puzzled look. Myself and another devotee started laughing. You snooze you lose is what I told him.  At the end of the day everyone was satisfied
The Pretoria center is not known for their book distribution, after I spoke some encouraging words the devotees decided we would go out and not come back until out supply of books was gone. I broke the devotees up in to groups of two for safety reasons. My partner was Bhakta Damodara. He is a fourteen-year-old boy that also lives in the temple. He comes from Soweto, which a rough township. It was his first time out on sankritana and his approach was interesting. He would wait for me to speak and then he would hand the person a book. The person would take his book and give a donation. I realized what was happening and laughed, it was cute and inspired him to approach more of the Africans. I just had fun and approach every person I saw.
I approached a group of teenagers; before I could say anything, they asked me, what the hell do you want. I explained I was a monk and was here to introduce them to the highest consciousness on this planet. The leader of their group, said “ Whatever man, if it isn’t hip hop, I am not interested.”  I immediately asked one to give me a beat and he started using his hands and made a sound. I rapped the English translation of the Çré Çré Çikñäñöaka prayers spoken by Lord Caitanya. The kids started moving to the rhythm and I finished with the maha mantra.  The kids were excited and were grabbing books out of my stack and handing me rands. It was amazing, the Lord was inspiring them. They asked me questions about the books and I took my time to explain until they were satisfied.
When the devotees met up, we swapped stories of our adventures during the day. They were so excited to be part of this spreading of Lord Caitanya’s mission. In their eyes you could see the fire of preaching had been lit and the potential was unlimited. We read off the end of month scores during the Sunday feast and when one mataji’s name was announced and her scores; I looked at her father whose is also a devotee and saw the biggest smile I have ever seen. He seemed so happy that his daughter was engaged in spreading of this message.
“Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu wanted the cult of His saìkértana movement to spread all over the world. Now that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has taken up this task of preaching the cult of Lord Caitanya, its members should not only construct temples in every town and village of the globe but also distribute the books that have already been written and further increase the number of books.” (Excerpt from the Cc Adi 7.164/purport)
“It is our practical experience in the Kåñëa consciousness movement that those who are expanding their mercy by preaching the message of Kåñëa are making rapid spiritual progress, and their life is filled with transcendental bliss. Those who neglect the quality of mercy, being uninterested in the missionary activities of the Kåñëa consciousness movement, are not filled with transcendental pleasure as described here by the word püryate. Not being filled with spiritual pleasure, surely such persons attempt to fill their lives with material pleasure through sense gratification and mental speculation, associating with women or reading innumerable mundane novels, newspapers, newsmagazines, and so on. According to Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu the preaching activities of the Kåñëa consciousness movement are änandämbudhi-vardhanam, the ever-increasing ocean of bliss. Missionary activities are based on the principle of dayäm, or mercy to those who are fallen. Those who are actually preaching become enlivened by associating with other preachers. This principle is called maitrém, or friendship among equals. The power to carry out such preaching activities, as well as the proper guidance for distributing Kåñëa’s message, comes through the principle of praçrayam, or humble service at the lotus feet of spiritual authorities such as the spiritual master. If one preaches Kåñëa consciousness sincerely under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master and in the company of fellow preachers, one is perfectly fulfilling the statement of this verse of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, and thus he will come to the point of sarvato manaso ’saìgam, or complete detachment from the illusory energy of the Lord.” (Purport SB. 7.6. 24)
Sadhana Report: Rising at about 1:30 am everyday. It is nice wake up that early and makes the most out of my whole day.
Seva: The Lords are the center of my preaching, and amazingly others are using Them as sources for inspiration in preaching. I always trying to engage others in service to Them, and who ever serves Them very much enjoys it.
Japa: Quality over quantity, that’s my motto.  I use to think I was doing well by chanting many rounds, but I realize I was attached to numbers, not the Holy Name. So I have made a goal to really chant my rounds, not just repeat, but to try and taste the Holy Name.
Reading: Back to basics. Everyday I am reading one and a half hours in the morning and one and a half hours in the evening. In the morning I read Srimad-Bhagavatam and the evening I read Bhagavad-Gita. Also I am reading conversations with Srila Prabhupada. Also I am still memorizing one verse a week.
Sankritana: BOOKS! BOOKS BOOKS
Maha Big: 45
Sm Books: 270
Total             315 books
Book points: 157

So far in our new life things are working out for us. I am learning I need to learn patience and tolerance. I need to realize there is always improvement in my sadhana, in my relationships with devotees and my preaching. I therefore request blessings from the devotees to be able to improve in these areas, so that I can better serve Srila Prabhupada.
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi Dasa