Saci Suta das and Hari Bhajan das Maha mantra 1 at South Africa

Beautiful kirtan by Acyuta Gopi mataji on Woodstock 

Acyuta Gopi Woodstock 2014

“THAT kirtan

You have good kirtans, you have great kirtans, you have amazing kirtans, you have extraordinary kirtans.. and finally every now and then everyone gets to experience what you would consider as the mammoth of all Kirtans; the incomparable, the unmatchable, the best ever kirtan: THAT kirtan.
…
From the first few seconds you can already get the feeling this is special. Badahari Prabhu so expertly sets the mood with the most extraordinary of melodies, with the instruments & devotees so perfectly assisting him in making this an unmatchable offering to the Lord. The first 30 minutes are sweeter than honey.. and then comes that 33rd minute at the end of which the kirtan moves from the sphere of extraordinary to the sphere of matchless and out of this material world. From this point onwards I can assure you your body will react in various mesmerizing ways to the purity of the singing and the quality of kirtan. My hair stood on end like never before and tears of joy to simply hear the Holy Name, to REALLY hear the Holy Name, invaded my eyes. And like this all the way until the end of this hour and half long Kirtan you can't help but to simply feel privileged to be listening to such glorification in the form of the Maha Mantra. It just gets better and better every minute despite the fact you do not see how it could. And although you do not want this to stop you can't help but accept that the end of the recording is simply perfect.”

- Manu Prabhuji, Radhadesh Mellows

ps: Radhadesh Mellows 2014 Album available from the 25th of July at radhadeshmellows.com/recordings

10 Badahari Prabhuji RM2014

Agnidev Prabhu Bhajans - Jaya Sacinandana Sura Kuli Vandana

Siksastakam ~ Swarupa Damodar Dasa (1)

This English prayer was offered to Srila Prabhupada in Calcutta, 1971, by Yamuna Devi. Now on the 4th anniversary of Yamuna Devi rejoining Srila Prabhupada, we offer this to Yamuna's dearest friend, Dina, who no doubt misses her and Srila Prabhupada beyond what can be expressed.

Our enormous thanks to Govinda Ghosh, who worked around the clock with anyone who walked in to his home to be a part of this offering. He worked so hard, but said he just wants to do something nice for Dina.

Translation to Bengali: Shrivas Beriault
Melody inspired from: Madhava Naidoo
Arrangement and recording: Govinda Ghosh Clayton
Harmonium: Krsnadas Schleussener
Mrdanga: Madhava Musterer
Flute: Kalindi Fournier
Violin: Jahnavi Harrison
Guitar: Govinda Ghosh Clayton

Vocals: Kartamasa Delaney, Radhakunda Delaney, Kalavati Moore, Mahasringa Toniato, Kalindi Fournier, Ananda Monet, Gopal Schleussener, Krsnadas Schleussener, Shrivas Beriault, Jahnavi Harrison, Krsna Chandra Musterer, Lilamrta Twaddell, Bhavatarini Clayton

Nitya Amara Shri Guru
English prayer to Srila Prabhupada by Yamuna Devi, 1971
Adaptation and Bengali translation by Shrivas Beriault
1)
Sahasra-koti jiva, samsara bhramiya, koti-koti-janma gelo
Kichu dhanya-jana, bhakti-lata-dhana, guru-krishna-krpaya pelo

Thousands, millions of souls, are wandering this world, for millions of births. Some fortunate ones attain the treasure of devotion, which is like a beautiful, blooming vine, by the mercy of Guru and Krishna.

Chorus:
Nitya amara sri guru, ei krpa magi ami
Yugala-charana prema prakashite smarana kori

Oh my eternal spiritual master, I beg this mercy! May I be in constant remembrance of the dawning of love for the Divine Couple’s lotus feet.

2) Nama-guna-lila-bhakta, kirtane jagata bhuli
Tomara charana paite – ei krpa magi sada

Singing Their names, glories, pastimes, and glorifying Their devotees, may I forget this world. I beg the mercy of attaining your feet.

3) braja-kunje basi, shravana-kirtana, maha-mantra preme gai
Tomara krpaya, bhakti-lata-bija, praphullita habe tai

I pray to sit in the groves of Braja, hearing and chanting, singing the Mahamantra in great love. By your mercy, the seed of the bhakti-lata will then sprout.

4) Kapata matsarya, kama-krodha-lobha, ahankari bhakta
Nama-sankirtane, chindiya chadibo, ei saba mayara shakha

Hypocrisy, envy, lust, anger, greed, and the false devotee ego – by Nama-sankirtana may I sever and discard all these weeds of maya.

5) Vrndavane tada, radha-damodara-priya, saundarya-prakashe tara
Kataksa-darshana-paiya, hrdaya sarvanande, bhasi amara

Then, in Vrndavana, in the glow of beloved Radha-Damodara’s beauty, I will catch that wistful glance, and my heart will be consumed with all joy.

6) nitya amara sri guru, tumi sata shuddha-bhakta
Kripamayi dite sabe, radhara guhya krsna seva

O my spiritual master, you are truly a pure devotee! Mercifully, you gave us the secrets of Radha’s service to Krishna.

7) shridhama navadvipe, pibo bhakti-mata-vanya
Avidya ahankara chadi gaibo, tumi hrt-mandire sada

In Shridama Navadvipa, may I drink of the flood of devotion. Giving up arrogance and ignorance, I will sing of your place in my heart forever.  



Yamuna's Prayer To Prabhupada - for Dina from Friends

By Shrīmad Shrīnivas Āchārya

Perpetually immersed in singing, dancing, and heartfelt singing, Kīrtan [of the name, form, qualities, pastimes, associates, and realm] of Shrī Krishna, the six Goswāmīs embody the ocean of nectarean love. Dear to both gentlemen and ruffians, always engaged in pleasing activities, and completely free from envy, they are adored by all. They are the recipients of Shrī Chaitanya’s mercy, and they therefore remove the burden of the earth. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Shrī Sanātana, Shrī Raghunātha Bhatta, Shrī Raghunātha dāsa, Shrī Jīva, and Shrī Gopāla Bhatta [the six Goswāmīs].
 
They are distinctively expert in ascertaining the essence of all revealed scriptures, and they establish the supreme occupation of the soul, devotion to God. They are the true benefactors of the people, worshipful for the three worlds, and affectionate to those who have taken shelter of them. Due to the bliss of divine service, bhajana, on the lotus feet of Shrī Rādhā-Krishna, they have become like intoxicated honeybees. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs. 

They fully abandoned at once the association of kingly aristocracy, deeming it insignificant, and out of compassion became poor, accepting only loincloths and ragged quilts. Thereafter, they repeatedly immersed themselves in the delightful, billowing waves in the nectarean ocean of rasa—the bhāvs, spiritual emotions, felt by the gopīs. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

Crowded with sweetly cooing cuckoos, swans, and cranes, as well as groups of peacocks, Vrindāvan a is shining beautifully with trees that have many transcendental gems inlaid beneath their roots. There, day and night, the Goswāmīs intensely worship Shrī Shrī Rādhā and Krishna, thus endowing all the souls with the ultimate benefit of life. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

They would pass their time by daily chanting a fixed number of holy names, singing particular songs, and offering regulated obeisances [prostrating themselves to the ground like a stick in reverence thousands of times in a day to all the Saints, Deities, and Lord’s pastime places]. Thus they fully conquered the urges of eating, sleeping, recreation, and so forth. Always considering themselves to be unlimitedly lowly and insignificant, they became enchanted in sweet rapture by remembering Shrī Rādhā-Krishna’s qualities. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

Wandering along the banks of Rādhā-kunda or the Yamuna, and sometimes at Vamshivata, they would be forever seized by limitless transcendental states, intoxicated by the utter madness of prema. Blissfully overwhelmed, they would jubilantly sing about the exalted qualities of Shrī Hari. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs..

“O Rādhā, queen of Vrindāvan a! O Lalitā! O son of Nanda Mahārāj! Where are You? Are You beneath the wish-fullfilling trees of Shrī Govardhana Hill? Or are you in the forests on the banks of the Kalindi river?” Thus calling out, greatly overwhelmed in separation, they would wander throughout the length and breadth of Vraja-mandala. I worship Shrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhatta, Raghunātha dāsa, Jīva, and Gopāla Bhatta Goswāmīs.

Six Goswamis Ashtakam - Eight Prayers to the Six Goswami Saints

Yamuna Devi Dasi - Responsive Govindam Prayers + Ecstatic Kirtan - Chowpatty - 2006

Yashomati Nandana.mp3

Samsara-davanala (Sri Sri Gurv-astaka)

With deepest thanks to Jay and Radhi for hosting us for a truly memorable afternoon of singing from the heart. We hope these recordings bring uplifting remembrance and inspiration!

 Musicians featured are: Ben Hazleton (double bass), Madhva Anderson (percussion), Matt Coldrick (guitar), Vasudeva Jones (flute, percussion), Keshava Jones (percussion) and the voices of Matt, Madhva, Ben, Keshava, Vasudeva, Willow and Kim and of course all of you!

Many thanks to Matt Coldrick for recording and editing.

Yamuna Devi Dasi - Responsive Govindam Prayers + Ecstatic Kirtan - Chowpatty - 2006

Jahnavi_Harrison