Srila Prabhupada Japa tape

[Guest guest]

> It looks like there are so many "it's me, it's she, or it's he etc." Why

> not we just accept the fact that it is transcendental sound vibration

> coming from the mouth of pure devotee. If a devotee thinks it is

> disturbing to hear Srila Prabhupada's chanting when his tape being played

> during Japa time, I think something must be wrong. I don't think there is

> a better background sound to be heard than hearing Srila Prabhupada's

> chanting. Infact it helps more focus on the chanting of the holy name.

> Chanting the mantra in the association of the pure devotee of the Lord is

> the surest way of attaining perfection in life.

 

Dear Isvara Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Thank you for your perspectives on the ongoing discussion about the

Prabhupada japa tape.

 

Personally I think there are some very interesting communications going on

here. I respect the fact that perhaps you find it of no consequence as to

when the tape was recorded, or knowing who the recipient of Prabhupada's

instructions to "sit properly" was. Personally I find it fascinating.

 

Having spent years researching Prabhupada's pastimes in Australia for my

book "the Great Transcendental Adventure", anything like this immediately

piques my interest. I am sure my dear friend, the accomplished Prabhupada

historian Hari Sauri, who has also participated in this healthy, friendly

discussion would agree. And also his holiness Jayadvaita Swami, who has also

shared his valuable recollections.

 

Anything to do with Srila Prabhupada and the history of his society, the

'who, what, when, where, and why' of the early days, will be eagerly sought

after by future generations of devotees who will never have even met any of

Prabhupada's disciples, what to speak of Srila Prabhupada himself. Even

apparently minor details. Thay are all small but important parts of a

wonderful, spiritual mosaic, and thus all significant.

 

As far as your statement: "if a devotee thinks it is disturbing to hear

Srila Prabhupada's chanting when his tape being played during Japa time, I

think something must be wrong", well I thank you for your opinion. I guess

we are all individuals with different slants on what are the priorities in

our daily lives. I know of a number of very senior devotees in our society

who also prefer to chant japa in a quiet place so as to concentrate on their

own chanting, and there is nothing wrong there. There are also those who

prefer the tape played loudly to 'accompany' their japa, and those like

yourself who prefer it to be delegated to the 'background', as a sort of

spiritual 'musac'.

 

This just proves that we are all very different individuals who have been

expertly gathered under the lotus feet of Prabhupada by his inconceivable

mercy to work together. This in itself attests to the greatness of Srila

Prabhupada.

 

Your servant,

Kurma dasa