Dhanurdhara Swami November 24th, 2001
Govardhan
Japa Thoughts XI
The holy name has withdrawn His mercy. One can?t sit on his laurels. Constant striving and effort must continue, otherwise where is our bhakti, and without bhakti where is Krishna in the form of His Name? Some taste yesterday, some laxity today, Go forward. Give up the anchor of petty attachment. Never! Then never will Krishna appear.
Dhanurdhara Swami November 23rd, 2001
Govardhan
Japa Thoughts X
Effective chanting must have relevance to ones life, be congruent with one?s heart. If our absorption is how avoid and counter the reverses of life, to become peaceful, moksa (liberation), how meaningful is our prayers for devotion, bhakti. If our mind is absorbed in economic development, increasing our resources and comforts, karma, then how meaningful is our prayers for devotion, bhakti. If bhakti has not yet captured our heart then take sadhu sanga, humbly serve the vaisnavas, and give the fruits of your work for the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and go on chanting, but pray for the mercy of the holy name. In time our heart and our prayers will be one.
Dhanurdhara Swami November 22nd, 2001
Govardhan
Japa Thoughts VIII
If we meditate on the form of Krishna in Vrindaban, a simple villager, how will we avoid envy and scorn, unless we know that He is not a simple cowherd, but God, or we have an intimate relationship with Him. And if we see Him as God, then are we meditating on Krishna in Vrindaban? Pray for sambandha jnana, an understanding of our relationship with Krishna, so that we may think of Him in Vrindaban, as just a cowherd, without misconception or malice. At least be cognizant that ultimately He is our friend, child or lover.
Japa Thoughts IX
Srila Prabhupada gave us Krishna, but couched in tattva, knowledge of His supreme position, so that we may respect and worship Krishna, even as a simple cowherd boy in Vraja, and gradually realize our intimate relationship with Him.
Dhanurdhara Swami November 21st, 2001
Govardhan
Japa Thoughts VII
My japa prayer is for visrambha guroh seva, worship of the guru with deep intimate attachment, not just obligation, but attachment that impels selfless and
loving service to his inner wishes and mission. That attachment is transferred to Krishna and qualifies us for His company. Can one enter Vrindaban without intimate attachment, and if it is lacking for His devotee will it manifest for God?.
I wish Srila Prabhupada were still here. His manifest form and visible loving reciprocation would certainly propel my heart further in His loving service. I search in the holy name and search in his mission for visrambha guroh seva. It?s the foundation of spiritual life, what Srila Prabhupada exemplified, what Srila Prabhupada taught, His main bhajan siksa (instructions for spiritual practice), but it is not sentimental or cheap. It takes sincerity of purpose and the mercy of the holy name.
Dhanurdhara Swami November 20th, 2001
Govardhan
Japa Thoughts VI
Prayer is the earnest entreaty of the heart for purity. It is the essence of spiritual life and the essence of chanting Hare Krishna. Effective devotional service, effective chanting, chanting that absorbs the mind, must be done with feeling. Otherwise it is mechanical and tasteless. I pray to the holy name and by the holy name. I pray to Guru, I pray to God, the acaryas and the vaisnavas, past and present. I pray to the Deities, the Dham, the holy places and Lord?s eternal associates. I pray for myself, to understand myself, and I also pray for others. I pray for strength and I pray for humility, by notable prayers and my own words too. I seek mercy in all the Lord?s manifestations of grace. Such chanting absorbs the mind.