Vedic Way of Life - Part 10

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the transcription of the wonderful class, given by our beloved spiritual master H H Mahavishnu Goswami on the occasion of Vyasa Puja celebration of Srila Prabhupada in Houston, many years ago. In the previous offerings we heard from Maharaj about few points.

Maharaj was explaining about how by hearing Krishna katha we can overcome lamentation, illusion and fear. Now we shall hear further.

9. Effect of recitation: (Maharaj then recited the verses 10.8 - 10.14 from Bhagavad-Gita, followed by the translation of those verses). "Can you see the difference how it is when we were singing the verses and when we recite the English translations. When we were singing the Sanskrit verses, it was very pleasing and English is completely dry. This is the difference. Translations are powerful, but the hypnotic effect of Sanskrit verses is not in them. If you pronounce Sanskrit clearly and if you know bit of the lyric, then you can go on reciting the same four five verses, for time immemorial to come and even then, you will never feel tired. This is the freshness of Krishna and Krishna never gets old. Never. He is always young. And if you associate with Krishna, in the form of Bhagavad-Gita, then you will also be young.  I will explain as to how this is possible.

When you recite the verses, (Maharaj soulfully sings - ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo), then whole carbon-di-oxide comes out. This is breathing exercise. In our verses, the breathing exercise is in-built. You don't need to close the nose and inhale or exhale. It is automatically done. And in devotional service, we are praying to the Lord and at the same time, the body is maintained very nicely.  All the lungs are empty and more empty the lungs are, more space is there for oxygen. And we are sitting in a palace, nice big hall. That is the advantage of coming to the temple. Otherwise, you can recite at home also. But this place is meant for it. Somehow by Krishna's mercy, by Prabhupada's mercy, we have got such a nice gorgeous place here. This will go on, this expansion will go on, because Krishna is unlimited. I don't know how it will happen, but definitely it will happen."

Krishna willing, we shall hear further nectar from Maharaj in the subsequent offering.

Hare Krishna.
Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva,
Sudarshana devi dasi.