Prayers

Meditation 151: The humble mood of service

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:03:33 -0700

Summary: Often, when speaking on living one's life in devotion in Krsna Consciousness, I describe the consciousness of devotional service by using the phrase "the humble mood of service". The following is a beautiful portrait of that mood, Personified. Srila Prabhupada paraphrases Krishnadas Kaviraja's mood in the following manner: "My progress in spiritual life is very slow, so I'm asking Your help." Please read this again and again, as a meditation on how you can move closer to the stage of "the humble mood of service".

Reading Assignment

a) Caitanya Caritamrta, Introduction

Meditation 160: Holy Name: Prayer to deliver the pure Holy Name

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:13:16 -0700

Summary: While in Mayapur Dhama, intensely preparing for the Mayapur and Puri Yatras that are soon to commence, I wanted to share with you what seems to be an emerging theme of these combined Yatras. You will find the mood of begging from the Lord for his mercy to be very eloquently expressed very by our Nama Acarya, Srila Haridas Thakur. The core elements are prominent: abject humility, unbridled eagerness to receive the ultimate gift of Lord Caitanya, and a standard of uncompromised purity. The second quote is for those who cannot attend these Yatras, but who will hear the messages later in recorded form. In this message Srila Prabhupada provides a formula for a meditation upon sound vibrations that represent a direct experience of the same thing.

Meditation 175: Damodarastakam

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:31:06 -0700

Summary: This Meditation is taken from Sanatana Goswami's Dig-Darsini-Tika - Bengali translation by Tridandi Swami Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Maharaja. Rendered into English by Dasaratha Suta dasa and Vaiyasaki dasa Adhikari, and taken from the book "Radha Damodara Lila" by Vaiyasaki das. The color highlights are mine. Srila Prabhupada's sannyasa guru was BP Kesava Maharaja.

Originally from the Padma Purana, Sri Damodarastakam is recited during a conversation between Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi. They are prayers recited by Satyavrata Muni. There are eight prayers, an in the attached file are the first two Slokas with commentary by Sanatana Goswami.

Meditation 188: New year resolution: To cultivate humble mood of service

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:43:01 -0700

Summary: We will soon be greeting a new year. With what resolve should we move forward, towards reaching Krishna? Let us follow in the footsteps of Prahlad Maharaja. As exalted as he was, his humility was the crown on his head. Like Prahlad, let us strive to become moved by such a humble mood of service, eschewing all other aspirations for acquiring any of the named false shelters, so-called opulences and misleading so-called qualifications. Let us move further on the path of ever-increasing humble service, striving to somehow satisfy Krishna in this way.
Reading Assignment: a) Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.8, and b) Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.9
a) Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.8

Meditation 246: Our inevitable material tendencies

varsana — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 07:47:04 -0600

Summary: Sometimes we may feel despondent that our material conditioning is an impediment to our devotional service. Kaliya’s prayer to Lord Krsna gives us inspiration to continue despite whatever our material conditioning might be.

Meditation 58: Compassionate nature of the devotees

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:01:29 -0700

Summary: This is an excellent verse to refer to when characterizing the compassionate nature of a devotee, or of Prahlad in particular. If you are ever called upon to make a public address in the future, at some function which is addressing the issue of peace or creating auspiciousness on earth, this is an excellent verse to quote. Note that Prahlada Maharaja combines the two directives - always thinking of Krishna, yet always remaining engaged in His service. Service is not passive, nor is constant remembrance of the Lord.

Questions: None for this week.

Reading Assignment a) Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9

Meditation 71: Prayers of Bhishmadeva

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:34:47 -0700

Summary: This is a most beautiful set of prayers, offered by the Mahajana Bhishmadeva directly to Lord Krishna at the very moment of his departure from his body. Picture the departure scene within your mind, and then read the prayers with great relish and feeling! Try reading them aloud, with real feeling, a few times. Such powerful prayers!