At the Japa retreat with HH Giriraj Swami and Her Grace Mother Arcana Siddhi held in South Africa between the 11th to the 15th Dec 2009 each day culminated in the meditative kirtans with HG Madhava Prabhu. Madhava Prabhu is formerly from Mauritius and has been a devotee from his early childhood. His parents are also initiated long standing devotees in Mauritius. Madhava Prabhu mentioned on the first night that he was once told by HH Radhanath Swami that good japa leads to good kirtan. He asked the devotees to allow the holy name to enter to their ears and to then allow it to enter into their hearts.
In Africa beat is in the blood so eventually what started as meditative bhajans exploded to kirtan and blissful dancing. Kirtan brings together such a feeling of togetherness amongst the devotees. Above is HH Giriraj Swami and His Grace Karanamrta Prabhu swing on each others arms.
All of the 140 devotees made two trains at one point - one with the Matajis and one with the Prabhus.
Above is HG Madhava Prabhu and His Holiness Giriraj Swami chanting and hearing. Chanting we were told is our time to associate with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. Each mantra is an opportunity to hear and associate. When one chants with humility and sincerity, attentively then the various gates/obstacles/knots in the heart open and a flood of grace or mercy will be experienced. We broke our relationship with Krishna. The essence of Bhakti is to re-establish our relationship with Krishna. The essence of the process of bhakti is to chant attentive japa.
Meditative japa will also help us to always remember Krishna and to never forget Him. In a relationship it is not that we should give full attention to the beloved for two hours and then ignore Him for the following 22 hours. When a relationship is cultivated/reawakened through meditative japa then the mercy of the holy name flows and one feels like chanting more, associating with Krishna more, through all of our actions and thoughts throughout the whole day.
Above are two illustrious attendees at the retreat, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami and HG Brhat-mrdanga Prabhu [who in a few days will take sannyas initiation from HH Giriraj Swami] dancing through a tunnel of devotee hands. Indeed kirtan in the association of devotees brings bliss to all. Happy chanting and dancing - Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
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