meaning of the word Gauranga

[Guest guest]

Here's a question for everyone, then. I recently read Dhira-lalita's

posting on the Chakra website. For those that didn't get it, I've tacked it

on the end. I'm not too worried about the up-and-coming "meaning" of the

word - taken from the PS/2 game - because there will always be people like

that, and the game is after all sold with an 18 cert.

 

Now there is something that bothers me, though. I've been thinking about

this for some years now. The name of Sriman Mahaprabhu is something like a

household word here in Scotland, partly due to the enormous preaching

efforts of Bhakti Bhalab Puri Goswami and his followers. What does leave me

unsettled though, is that people here think that "Gauranga" just means 'be

happy', just like the reporter from the Daily Mail. They do not understand

that who he is, or even that he is a person. This probably partly stems from

the devotees telling people "oh, can you just say 'Gauranga' then?". I do

not understand this method, though. Surely it always used to be "Chant and

be Happy". Why then do they not give people krsna-nama? Yes, Sriman

Mahaprabhu is merciful, but so is hari-nama prabhu. We should not neglect

him. In this way he has descended, in such a form - kali-yuga nama-rupe

krsna-avatara. Yes, I understand that it is nice to get people involved in

Sriman Mahaprabhu's mission, but surely we ought not to mislead people. If

they become interested over time, then surely they will understand Lord

Gaurasundara's position?

 

I do not think I have put this very well, but do people know - at least -

what I mean?

 

Your humble servant,

Rama Kesava dasa

 

 

> The Wrong Meaning for "Gauranga"

> By Dhira-lalita dasa

>

> Hare Krishna,

>

> I was reading the Daily Mail yesterday. There is a page for questions,

> where people write in and ask a question, and others write in with

> answers. One question yesterday was "On the M6 near Manchester, the word

> Gauranga has been daubed on a bridge. What is the origin and meaning of

> this word?"

>

> A person has written in with this answer: "FURTHER to a previous answer

> pointing out that Gauranga or Gouranga is a Hare Krishna chant meaning be

> happy. I have no doubt this is correct. However, I think the message on

> the motorway bridge may have another answer. There is a computer game

> called grand theft auto, in which the aim is to steal cars and to commit

> as many crimes as possible. On many of the levels there are rows of

> Krishna followers walking about. If you manage to run them all over at

> once, the word Gowranga [sic] appears on the screen and a bonus score is

> given. I think this may be the meaning of the graffiti, the artist not

> knowing he has given a peace message by mistake. Before people start

> writing in to complain about this game, I would just like to clarify that

> it is sold with an 18 certificate."

>

> Hare Krishna!

>

> Your servant,

> Dhira-lalita dasa

>