English
Today HH Hanumatpreksha Swami Maharaja was a guest speaker for the Japa session.
Maharaja had the following to say:
The first time I met Lokanath Swami was when he started United States Padayatra, and he came to San Francisco. Before that also we took Nitai Gaursundar out around San Francisco and we inaugurated them. Later I went to Vraja-mandala Parikrama many times and it is one of the valuable experiences in my life because you go out in Vraja and don't want to come back. You want to merge into the Vrindavan atmosphere, go into Brajavasi's farm house and - chant, chant, chant. I had some handsome experiences of spiritual reality.
Around seven years back someone asked me what is the essence of Krishna consciousness. Thinking about it, I came to eight words, ‘ Get Up Early, And Get Your Rounds Done’. In the beginning our tongue and jaw should move, but we should also fix our mind on the mantra, not thinking about something else, something pleasurable. We should actually chant with meaning. Two dacoits are actually sitting by the road, sharing a bottle of wine and the Harinama party passes by there, chanting 'Radhe Radhe’. Prabhupada explained that one of the dacoit said to other, 'I like it when the Harinama party passes saying, ‘Radhe Radhe. So other dacoit inquired, “Why do you like it even though we are not religious men? The first dacoit said, “The barber's wife is named Radhe and I am always thinking but can't spend time with her. So not like this, our attention should be on real meaning. We chant with attention and meaning. The basic meaning is Oh! Krishna , Oh! Radha , Oh! Rama please engage me in your service.
HH Lokanath Swami -
So you already have heard the japa instructions from HH Hanuman Preksha Swami Maharaja. I am trying to get some visiting speakers to give some jape-talks and now there was an opportunity . What you hear, the guidelines, instructions is chant with attention. Chant with a prayerful mood. Those guidelines or tips are not just for that day, but should be followed every single day and every time you chant. Like what Maharaja said, eight words, 'Get Up Early And Get Your Rounds Done’. These words of wisdom which Maharaja has shared to inspire you should be followed every single day, and likewise. Take note, remember what we have been saying. It is also transcribed in English, in Hindi , in Russian. Devotees always go back and revise or refresh the memories and apply that whenever you chant your Japa.
Today we had 272 participants. We also had special chanter today. Sakshi-Gopal Prabhu's little son who is only 11-.12 years old. He chants 16 rounds. He was chanting with us today. We are pleased to see him on this conference. He did the disciple course and he is an aspiring disciple. Let's welcome him. His name is Gauranga and he goes to our Gurukul school in America. Like that many of you are making efforts, to get your family and friends to chant on the conference. I am seeing some newer and newer faces with your efforts and inspirations. You could have your own conference like this, you could be the host and If you are a Bhakti-vriksha leader, or youth preacher or Temple president, besides this conference, you could have your own conference. Get devotees of your own congregation , devotees of BACE who are not based at the base, but elsewhere, Bhakti-vriksha members, who are at their homes, you can connect with them, chant with them. You could also do Japa instructions the way we are doing, or you can repeat some of the points from here.
We will have to conclude , as I am leaving Pune today, going to Nagpur for Ratha-yatra. You can write your comments, realizations, notes on this conference or on Lok-sanga also.
Hare Krishna!
