Attitude to attract the all attractive

[guru]

Attitude to attract the all attractive

 

golokera prema-dhana, harinama sankirtana, rati na janmilo kene tay

 

The treasure of love of God has descended form the spiritual world of Goloka Vrindavana: appearing in this world as the sankirtana movement of chanting Hari's holy names. Alas! Why am I not attracted to it? (Prarthana)

 

In this bhajana, Narottama Dasa Thakura says that goloka prema, pure love ofGod in the mood of Vraja, has descended from the spiritual world in the form of chanting vibration. Although the all-attractive sweet Lord Krishna is approaching everyone through His holy names, He cannot be perceived without the proper attitude. Attitude refers one's mood, mentality, approach, view point, or mind-set regarding a person or activity. One should chant japa with an attitude of service an surrender - begging for Krishna's mercy.

 

Chanting the holy name without a service attitude produces but not divinity. Such bogus, imitative sound is lip deep but not heart deep; like a gun firing blanks instead of bullets. Pure devotional service alone can connect or link Vraja Gokula with the material world. Vraja Gokula, Krishna, His associates and all His wonderful pastimes descend to this world (golokera prema dhana)and manifest in the heart filled with seva-bhava.

 

Chanting must be saturated with a mentality of selfless service; desiring only to please Krishna. Srila Prabhupada always said chanting means begging to please for service: "O my Lord! [Krishna] O my Lord's energy! [Hare, Radha] please engage me in your service." The transcendental name of Krishna can be heard only through the serving mind not through the material ears of the enjoying mind.

 

"By a service attitude, if you chant the Hare Krishna mantra without any offense, then Krishna will reveal Himself (SPT 22/10/72)

 

"Our progress depends on the favor of the higher side. It does not depend so much on our own ability, but on our submission and surrender - our hankering for mercy. My attitude must invite the higher authority to come down to my level and help me, favor me. To attract the Lord's attention we shall require surrender, submission and humility.

 

"We can press our position by praying: "O my Lord I am in the worst need; without Your grace I cannot stand. I am helpless. I cannot endure without your favor.'

 

'If we truly feel ourselves to be low and in want, then the supply of mercy will come from the higher plane. Everything moves according to Krishna's sweet will. Our problem is how to draw His attention. This will be possible only by increasing our negative tendency by proving to Krishna in a bona fide way, that I am the most needy." (Subjective Evolution, adapted)

 

- Excerpts from Srila Mahanidhi Swami's "Art of Chanting Hare Krishna"