Japa and Kirtana Program in Johannesburg, South Africa

Long weekends are always a benediction for devotees trying to make the most of good sanga. Recently such an opportunity was afforded to us here in Johannesburg. Forty devotees attended the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture's Japa and Kirtana Program which was held over three days. The goal of the program was to relish the association of devotees and to reaffirm the need for chanting attentive japa and kirtan. The temple room at the Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari Mandir - our local Iskcon Branch provided a very apt atmosphere. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda came to propagate the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in this age of Kali. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON has written in this regard, "Lord Caitanya preached this method of yajna and it is understood from this verse of Srimad Bhagvatam that anywhere and everywhere the sacrificial method of sankirtan-yajna may be performed in order to drive away the personality of Kali and save the human society from falling a prey to the influence of the age." [Ref. VedaBase => SB1.17.33]

For three full days the devotees gathered in all seriousness and studied together Srila Prabhupada's instructions on the importance of chanting attentively. Part of the learning was to also engage in kirtans.

Seen below with yellow mrdanga HG Nrsimhananda Prabhu, co-international director of Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture - BCEC was the co-facilitator and organiser of the program.

HG Prema Sakti dasi comments after attending the program, "The japa and kirtan program was a powerful experience which has inspired me not only in my chanting but in my saddhana overall. It was introspective, interactive, light-hearted and also provided many tools to improve the quality of my chanting to develop a relationship with Sri Nama Prabhu. Both senior and newer devotees who attended expressed their sincere appreciation of the sessions."

HG Madhuri dasi wrote in appreciation after her attendance, "The japa and kirtan program was very blissful and highly appreciated. I have gained something valuable for a lifetime, the power of the holy name. The tools given at the japa and kirtan program has given me a more positive meaningful understanding of the power of chanting. The workshop is very effective, the techniques given were to my eternal benefit. This methods applied will opened up my heart to hear the holy name and increase devotional service. My third day of japa and kirtan program was very blissful. Chanting amongst all the congregation was awesome. I could go on chanting and never felt tired sleepy or the need to go home, the holy name is so powerful. I hope we have these workshops often to keep us on track."

As co-facilitator I was very moved to see the effect of the maha-mantra on these 40 devotees. Each one shared unique experiences and felt very sad to leave when it ended. On the day dedicated to personal bhajan the devotees chanted a japa together for many hours. Most completed 64 rounds and more. During this day I saw the power of association. One normally overactive three year old devotee child accompanied her father to attend the midday arati. Normally she scampers around the temple but on that day when asked if she would want to chant like the rest of the devotees she willingly agreed and completed 1 round of japa without interruption and clearly pronounced each mantra much to all of our surprise. All guests who came for darsan were also offered japa beads and joined in the chanting. It was such an amazing thing to behold. The enthusiasm of the 40 devotees sincerely and seriously chanting was definitely contagious. Indeed it reminded me of Srila Prabhupada's words in the Nectar of Instruction, "One should always engage in the service of the Lord in the association of the Lord's devotees. Association with those engaged in a similar line of business is very conducive to advancement in that business. Consequently materialistic persons form various associations and clubs to enhance their endeavors. For example, in the business world we find such institutions as the stock exchange and chamber of commerce. Similarly, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to give people an opportunity to associate with those who have not forgotten Krsna. This spiritual association offered by our ISKCON movement is increasing day by day. Many people from different parts of the world are joining this Society to awaken their dormant Krsna consciousness." [NoI: verse 2]

"Not only is the chanter of the maha-mantra purified, but the heart of anyone who happens to hear the transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is also cleansed. Even the souls embodied in lower animals, insects, trees and other species of life also become purified and prepared to become fully Krsna conscious simply by hearing the transcendental vibration." [NoI: verse 4] We look forward to more such opportunities of association. Hare Krishna.

Relishing the study of Srila Prabhupada's books

The Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture [BCEC] was established in 1991 by HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami under the guidance and instructions of HH Giriraj Swami in an attempt to help fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire. After distributing more than 30 000 of Srila Prabhupada's books in South Africa HH Brhat Bhagavata Swami was instructed by HH Giriraj Swami to make a program whereby the recipients of the books were tested for their understanding of the knowledge therein. Hence HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami started BCEC.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has written, "Bhagavad-gita is the widely read theistic science summarized in the Gita-mahatmya (Glorification of the Gita). There it says that one should read Bhagavad-gita very scrutinizingly with the help of a person who is a devotee of Sri Krishna and try to understand it without personally motivated interpretations." [Bg 1.1]

In keeping with this desire of Srila Prabhupada BCEC has been offering structured courses in Vaisnava Etiquette; Spiritual Master and Disciple; Science of Self-realization; Bhagavad-gita As It Is; Sri Isopanisad; Nectar of Devotion; Nectar of Instruction; Srimad Bhagavatam and other books by Srila Prabhupada. Courses are interactive and are conducive for seasoned devotees or are also adapted for curious newcomers. These courses have been taught since 1991 in various countries. Educational courses for children are also available and have been taught through the years.

More information on BCEC and contact details is available at our new blog: http://bhaktivedantacollegeofeducationandcu.blogspot.com/

Contact a Director near you to enrol now.

Understanding the Unlimited with our limitations

"The frog in the well" logic illustrates that a frog residing in the atmosphere and boundary of a well cannot imagine the length and breadth of the gigantic ocean. Such a frog, when informed of the gigantic length and breadth of the ocean, first of all does not believe that there is such an ocean, and if someone assures him that factually there is such a thing, the frog then begins to measure it by imagination by means of pumping its belly as far as possible, with the result that the tiny abdomen of the frog bursts and the poor frog dies without any experience of the actual ocean. Similarly, the material scientists also want to challenge the inconceivable potency of the Lord by measuring Him with their froglike brains and their scientific achievements, but at the end they simply die unsuccessfully, like the frog." [SB 2.5.10]

Our futile pursuit of happiness in the material world

"If I do not think of Krsna, My impoverished mind will die within a moment like a fish out of water. But when I see Krsna's sweetly smiling face, My mind and eyes are so pleased that My desire for Him redoubles." [Antya 17.59]

The pursuit for happiness in this material world in like a fish trying to survive out of water.

Srila Prabhupada write in this connection, "Everyone in the material world is engaged in all kinds of political, philanthropic and humanitarian activities to make material life happy and prosperous, but this is not possible. One should understand that in the material world, however one may try to make adjustments, he cannot be happy. To cite an example I have given many times, if you take a fish out of water, you can give it a very comfortable velvet bedstead, but still the fish cannot be happy; it will die. Because the fish is an animal of the water, it cannot be happy without water. Similarly, we are all spirit soul; unless we are in spiritual life or in the spiritual world, we cannot be happy. That is our position.Everyone is trying for that spiritual realization. But we do not know. Therefore, we are trying to be happy here, in material conditions. We are becoming frustrated and confused. Therefore, we have to withdraw this understanding that we shall be very happy by making adjustments to this material world. Then Krsna consciousness will be effective. " [TYS 3: Beyond the Laws of Nature]