Thursday, April 7, 2011

SACRED SONG IN THE INDIAN BHAKTI TRADITION



Among all kirtan singers, it would be hard to find one with
a voice more pure or beautiful than Karnamrita.
She’s been singing kirtan since early childhood, and was trained in Indian classical vocals in Vrindavan, India.
Listen 
a page will pop up with a podcast of this song:
 “The Story of Pingala”
From the CD Dasi–Prayers by Women, a compilation of songs and prayers by or about great women in the Krishna Bhakti Traditions. This brilliant recording is composed of verses taken directly from a section of the Srimad-Bhagavatam's 11th Canto known as the Uddhava-gita.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 11th Canto, Chapter 8
pingalovaca
aho me moha-vitatim
pasyatavijitatmanah
ya kantad asatah kamam
kamaye yena balisa
Pingala said: Just see how greatly illusioned I am! Because I cannot control my mind,
just like a fool I desire pleasure from an insignificant man.

santam samipe ramanam rati-pradam
vitta-pradam nityam imam vihaya
akama-dam duhkha-bhayadhi-soka-
moha-pradam tuccham aham bhaje ‘jna
I am such a fool that I have given up the service of that person who, being eternally situated within my heart, is actually most dear to me. That most dear one is the Lord of the universe, who is the bestower of real love and happiness and the source of all prosperity. Although He is in my own heart, I have completely neglected Him. Instead I have ignorantly served insignificant men who can never satisfy my real desires and who have simply brought me unhappiness, fear, anxiety, lamentation and illusion.

nunam me bhagavan prito
vishnuh kenapi karmana
nirvedo ‘yam durasaya
yan me jatah sukhavahah
Although I most stubbornly hoped to enjoy the material world, somehow or other detachment has arisen in my heart, and it is making me very happy. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, must be pleased with me. Without even knowing it, I must have performed some activity satisfying to Him.

maivam syur manda-bhagyayah
klesa nirveda-hetavah
yenanubandham nirhritya
purushah samam ricchati
A person who has developed detachment can give up the bondage of material society, friendship and love, and a person who undergoes great suffering gradually becomes, out of hopelessness, detached and indifferent to the material world. Thus, due to my great suffering, such detachment awoke in my heart; yet how could I have undergone such merciful suffering if I were actually unfortunate? Therefore, I am in fact fortunate and have received the mercy of the Lord. He must somehow or other be pleased with me.

tenopakritam adaya
sirasa gramya-sangatah
tyaktva durasah saranam
vrajami tam adhisvaram
With devotion I accept the great benefit that the Lord has bestowed upon me. Having given up my sinful desires for ordinary sense gratification, I now take shelter of Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

santushta sraddadhaty etad
yatha-labhena jivati
viharamy amunaivaham
atmana ramanena vai
I am now completely satisfied, and I have full faith in the Lord’s mercy. Therefore I will maintain myself with whatever comes of its own accord. I shall enjoy life with only the Lord, because He is the real source of love and happiness.
Translation from Srimad-bhagavatam, courtesy of
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.Used with permission.

This post is excerpted and edited by me
from the original which was courtesy of
The Bhakti Collective and
broomestreettemple.org
 

Experience a Bhakti Event
Saturday April 9, 2011
5:30-10:30 pm
Broome Street Temple
430 Broome Street #2
NY.NY.USA
 
RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATION

Vishnu Sahasranama Homa (fire ceremony)
Rama Taraka Homa (fire ceremony)
 Kirtan with Nina Rao, Devadas, and special guest appearance by Krishna Das

Entrance is By Donation
proceeds to Broome Street Temple

Bring your own pillow for floor seating








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