Brahmānanda Svāmi, GBC-Africa
Brahmananda Svami, GBC-Africa
The disciple's perfection's when the guru is pleased.
I'm wanting that goal, and your orders received
Are a boon that makes me the most fortunate soul.
Srila Prabhupada, a Krsna conscious Africa's your goal.
You've made it so easy, you've done everything first.
You've cut a clear path under conditions much worse.
To America you came penniless and alone.
Now you're captain of the ship that will take us all home.
You sent me on a voyage that seemed like years.
Twelve days, just your words made me lose all fears.
Step by step you guide us, the footing is safe.
But I'm so hard-hearted, I forget and lose faith.
And as the failing pupil gets the teacher's special aid,
A Nairobi visit by your mercy was paid.
Black students to the walls, your preaching to hear,
The biggest crowd assembled in more than a year,
Your form was effulgent and your message divine,
"Please chant Hare Krsna for a life so sublime."
The first step was taken, it was clear what to do,
You're the Founder-Acarya, so we just followed you.
Chanting and dancing in Thompkins Square Park
Now happened again. Local papers remarked:
"When you see these people, don't say 'Jambo!'
Say 'Hare Krsna!' It's much better than 'Hello!'
Our programs were famous at the housing estates.
No one could guess how much prasada they ate.
Our films were a hit, and Lord Jagannatha's smile
Brought a great cheer and clapping heard for thousands of miles.
The Safari kirtana was the best it could be,
Street dancing, prasada and books that were free.
One evening began with a Benz caravan.
Indian members assembled, a sedate program they'd planned.
Then we opened the doors and much to our surprise
An ecstatic swirling mass of black kids arrived.
The kirtana began, and the sound was so ecstatic
That I jumped off stage and began dancing automatic.
"Hare Krsna, Hare Rama!" was their only reply.
Srila Prabhupada, you've made Africa the Spiritual Sky.
Our programs are small now, as it is hard to maintain.
Many blacks and whites came but few have remained.
The potential still here though, our "Club" does quite well.
Eighty men come twice daily, take prasada and then yell: "Hare Krsna, Hare
Rama!" and "Jaya Jagannatha!"
It's working Srila Prabhupada, it breaks that hard knot.
A few African men are now holding on to your feet,
And it brings back the times that have now become sweet.
How you took me by the hand and so extra patiently
Brought me up from the gutter to learn A B C.
I'm wanting that goal, and your orders received
Are a boon that makes me the most fortunate soul.
Srila Prabhupada, a Krsna conscious Africa's your goal.
You've made it so easy, you've done everything first.
You've cut a clear path under conditions much worse.
To America you came penniless and alone.
Now you're captain of the ship that will take us all home.
You sent me on a voyage that seemed like years.
Twelve days, just your words made me lose all fears.
Step by step you guide us, the footing is safe.
But I'm so hard-hearted, I forget and lose faith.
And as the failing pupil gets the teacher's special aid,
A Nairobi visit by your mercy was paid.
Black students to the walls, your preaching to hear,
The biggest crowd assembled in more than a year,
Your form was effulgent and your message divine,
"Please chant Hare Krsna for a life so sublime."
The first step was taken, it was clear what to do,
You're the Founder-Acarya, so we just followed you.
Chanting and dancing in Thompkins Square Park
Now happened again. Local papers remarked:
"When you see these people, don't say 'Jambo!'
Say 'Hare Krsna!' It's much better than 'Hello!'
Our programs were famous at the housing estates.
No one could guess how much prasada they ate.
Our films were a hit, and Lord Jagannatha's smile
Brought a great cheer and clapping heard for thousands of miles.
The Safari kirtana was the best it could be,
Street dancing, prasada and books that were free.
One evening began with a Benz caravan.
Indian members assembled, a sedate program they'd planned.
Then we opened the doors and much to our surprise
An ecstatic swirling mass of black kids arrived.
The kirtana began, and the sound was so ecstatic
That I jumped off stage and began dancing automatic.
"Hare Krsna, Hare Rama!" was their only reply.
Srila Prabhupada, you've made Africa the Spiritual Sky.
Our programs are small now, as it is hard to maintain.
Many blacks and whites came but few have remained.
The potential still here though, our "Club" does quite well.
Eighty men come twice daily, take prasada and then yell: "Hare Krsna, Hare
Rama!" and "Jaya Jagannatha!"
It's working Srila Prabhupada, it breaks that hard knot.
A few African men are now holding on to your feet,
And it brings back the times that have now become sweet.
How you took me by the hand and so extra patiently
Brought me up from the gutter to learn A B C.
kirata-hūnandhra-pulinda-pulkasa
abhira-sumbha yavanaḥ khasadayaḥ
ye 'nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayaḥ
sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namaḥ
(Bhag. 2.4.18)
abhira-sumbha yavanaḥ khasadayaḥ
ye 'nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayaḥ
sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namaḥ
(Bhag. 2.4.18)
Kirata, Hūna, Andhra, Pulinda,
Pulkasa, Abhira, Sumbha, Yavana,
The Khasa and others addicted to sin
Are purified by the shelter of the devotees of Him.
The Lord's the Supreme Power, and I beg to be found
With my head on the spot where His feet touch the ground.
You said this temple's real name was Kirata-suddhi.
Now five years have passed, and I'm beginning to see
The Africans are fallen aboriginal men,
But the purification is needed in myself more than them.
Vaisnavas have a system or cleaning the heart,
And that system takes effect as soon as you start.
No bars on the nation or the colour of skin.
A Vaisnava's strong enough to make changes within.
Stri, sūdra, kirata or dvija-bandhu.
O Prabhupada, why can't we just do what you do?
Krsna's friends are so busy cleaning dust-worn minds,
But my hours are spent with the faults that I find.
You say it's so easy, "Hold this Krsna science fast,
Become the Lord's man and reclaim the general mass."
Sri Caitanya's order is to travel the globe
Reclaiming all persons who want to be told.
A reasonable man with an inquisitive mind
Can accept this great message of a life so sublime.
Vaisnavas don't all come from one special land.
Just as you, Gurudeva, aren't an ordinary man.
By the service of the Lord and your spiritual guide,
A special change happens within and outside.
A Vaisnava's body changes spiritually at once.
Anyone who thinks different is clearly a dunce.
Lord Caitanya's all-powerful, and under any circumstance,
anyone from anywhere can take prasada and dance.
His self-declaration teaches how we should be:
"I'm the servant of the servant of Lord Gopinathji!"
The devotees are few here, and perhaps it's because
The news about Africa's gossiping buzz.
Even though they are few, they're first-class by your grace.
They're enthused more than me for preaching in this dark place.
I thank you for sending them to help me.
When I see them it's only your mercy I see.
We're now just maintaining, but that doesn't please you.
You said expand here and these programs renew:
Ratha-yatra, a farm, and Gaura-Nitai on parikrama,
Go to every town and village and distribute the bombs.
The Name and prasada to each and every man.
I'll work until Africa's called "Black Vrndavana."
Now I'm thinking to do this so as not to speak lame,
But one problem is here and it's me whose to blame.
There's a great difference between us, Prabhupada, you and me.
When you came to America you made your army.
I'm not pure, so that feat is a bit out of sight.
I depend on the men you send for my might.
I want to please you and fulfil your desire,
But without first-class men we'll not kindle that fire.
Some men are quite pure now, so let them come here.
They'll be stronger than ever if they serve for two years.
The work is not hard, and yet spiritually
There's a test every minute that when taken blissfully
Trains the mind to take shelter like the buzzing honeybee.
Many men aren't needed; one aksauhini will do
Or just one maha-ratha, Srila Prabhupada, like you.
To please you is the perfection of every devotee.
Whether preaching or farming or vaidhi-bhakti.
Their services vary, but one thing's the same-
Your pleasure is the highest goal to attain.
The Supreme Lord's all-powerful: prabhavisnave namaḥ.
He'll accept all our service even though He's so far.
So I beg for His blessing and His sanctioning will
That your orders sublime I'll completely fulfil.
If this can be done, there's no doubt in my heart,
A journey back home I'll be able to start.
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for giving me a chance
To serve you and take prasada and dance.
Pulkasa, Abhira, Sumbha, Yavana,
The Khasa and others addicted to sin
Are purified by the shelter of the devotees of Him.
The Lord's the Supreme Power, and I beg to be found
With my head on the spot where His feet touch the ground.
You said this temple's real name was Kirata-suddhi.
Now five years have passed, and I'm beginning to see
The Africans are fallen aboriginal men,
But the purification is needed in myself more than them.
Vaisnavas have a system or cleaning the heart,
And that system takes effect as soon as you start.
No bars on the nation or the colour of skin.
A Vaisnava's strong enough to make changes within.
Stri, sūdra, kirata or dvija-bandhu.
O Prabhupada, why can't we just do what you do?
Krsna's friends are so busy cleaning dust-worn minds,
But my hours are spent with the faults that I find.
You say it's so easy, "Hold this Krsna science fast,
Become the Lord's man and reclaim the general mass."
Sri Caitanya's order is to travel the globe
Reclaiming all persons who want to be told.
A reasonable man with an inquisitive mind
Can accept this great message of a life so sublime.
Vaisnavas don't all come from one special land.
Just as you, Gurudeva, aren't an ordinary man.
By the service of the Lord and your spiritual guide,
A special change happens within and outside.
A Vaisnava's body changes spiritually at once.
Anyone who thinks different is clearly a dunce.
Lord Caitanya's all-powerful, and under any circumstance,
anyone from anywhere can take prasada and dance.
His self-declaration teaches how we should be:
"I'm the servant of the servant of Lord Gopinathji!"
The devotees are few here, and perhaps it's because
The news about Africa's gossiping buzz.
Even though they are few, they're first-class by your grace.
They're enthused more than me for preaching in this dark place.
I thank you for sending them to help me.
When I see them it's only your mercy I see.
We're now just maintaining, but that doesn't please you.
You said expand here and these programs renew:
Ratha-yatra, a farm, and Gaura-Nitai on parikrama,
Go to every town and village and distribute the bombs.
The Name and prasada to each and every man.
I'll work until Africa's called "Black Vrndavana."
Now I'm thinking to do this so as not to speak lame,
But one problem is here and it's me whose to blame.
There's a great difference between us, Prabhupada, you and me.
When you came to America you made your army.
I'm not pure, so that feat is a bit out of sight.
I depend on the men you send for my might.
I want to please you and fulfil your desire,
But without first-class men we'll not kindle that fire.
Some men are quite pure now, so let them come here.
They'll be stronger than ever if they serve for two years.
The work is not hard, and yet spiritually
There's a test every minute that when taken blissfully
Trains the mind to take shelter like the buzzing honeybee.
Many men aren't needed; one aksauhini will do
Or just one maha-ratha, Srila Prabhupada, like you.
To please you is the perfection of every devotee.
Whether preaching or farming or vaidhi-bhakti.
Their services vary, but one thing's the same-
Your pleasure is the highest goal to attain.
The Supreme Lord's all-powerful: prabhavisnave namaḥ.
He'll accept all our service even though He's so far.
So I beg for His blessing and His sanctioning will
That your orders sublime I'll completely fulfil.
If this can be done, there's no doubt in my heart,
A journey back home I'll be able to start.
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for giving me a chance
To serve you and take prasada and dance.
(versified by Janakinatha dasa brahmacari)
Brahmananda Svami
GBC-Africa
GBC-Africa
|
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/svp/vyasa-puja-homages-from-the-g-b-c/brahmananda-svami-gbc-africa
|