Archive - Nov 8, 2008

Srila Prabhupada told us that recitation of mantras was important, even
if we didn't know the meaning of the words. He even taught a tune to
the devotees in Los Angeles during a lecture, saying it was "very
nice." If you'd like a copy of that melody, you can find out how to
obtain it by contacting Lokadhyaksa prabhu at lagarwal@us.oracle.com

Regular reading of Srimad Bhagavatam (in verse) is like a regular
shower, cleansing the mind. Srimad Bhagavatam is for hearing and
reading daily. It is said therein (1.2.18): "By regular attendance in
classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure
devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely
destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is
praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable
fact."

As evidence of empowerment, it's significant how the Caitanya Bhagvat
describes Kolaveca Sridhara's prayers to Sri Caitanya. After the Lord
commanded Kolaveca to recite prayers, Kolaveca said he was worthless,
incompetent and unable to utter anything worthy of the Lord. But the
Lord insisted, telling him to say anything, and He would consider it
prayer. Then, according to Vrindava das Thakur, the goddess Sarasvati
entered the tongue of Kolaveca Sridhara such that he began to speak
more eloquently than anything he had ever known. His prayers are

Sound vibration is all powerful. Any seasoned mountain climber knows
that mantras can cause avalanches, and we have heard how certain
sopranos can break drinking glasses. We learn from Vedic sources that
sound does, literally, move mountains. Snake charmers and Vedic
'medicine men' have worked 'miracles' with mantras. One can just
imagine then how powerful the Hare Krishna mantra is, given that it is
what Prabhupada once called, the 'great chant for deliverance.'

Srila Prabhupada has told us that as soon as envy is wiped out we are
effectively living in the spiritual world. He said we don't need a
certificate. We can examine out hearts and see how much we have freed
ourselves of envy. If there is envy, we live in the material world; as
soon as envy is eradicated we are residents of the spiritual world.
Here's the relevant text from the Teachings of Queen Kunti: "The word khala
means 'jealous.' This material world is a world of jealousy and envy. I
am envious of you, and you are envious of me. The Krsna consciousness