|
Call to Publish Aindra's Book by Krishna Chandra das Posted August 9, 2010 Everyone loves Aindra prabhu. He was a sadhu, and sadhus are always unconventional. Having left his body, he is celebrated as a saint, and many GBC members wrote heartbreaking remembrances of him, yet I believe that he was banned from giving classes in ISKCON Vrindavan. Just one week before Aindra das left his body in Vrindavan his long-awaited book was to have been published. I believe that the GBC had requested him not to release it, warning him that if he did so, he might have to leave ISKCON. The maturity of a society is measured by how it deals with critics. To rule out criticism is a sign of fear or lack of faith. Truth does not need to be defended. It is sva-pramanya (self-luminous). A sincere searcher on the way home invites other opinions, wants to consider them thoroughly and will then make a decision in his heart. Only children have to be protected from unorthodoxy. In ISKCON it seems to me that it is only allowed to write books that are exactly in line with the given opinion. As long as there is no culture of free discussion we will not attract thoughtful souls to our Bhakti movement, but only people who are looking for dependence.
I am still hoping that the devotees around Aindra prabhu will have the courage to publish it and that the GBC will not censure it.
When I heard the news of Aindra prabhuji passing after reflecting and contemplating of this serious yet grave event. I started “Oh!!WOW!! I will no longer be able to visit my great friend in his unique room, no longer be able to speak “Hari-Katha” all the different transcendental subjects that he eagerly loved to speak of like the good old days in Q street Washington D.C. It seems like the great ones never stay long they come fulfill their mission and go but always un-expectantly. I remember one day while coming back from sankirtan (parking-lots-suburban-Washington DC 1973) there was this nice soft spoken brahmacari devotee I met previously before moving in the temple. He was in the brahmachari ashram playing the electric-guitar with such master like precision and confidence knowing this instrument. I was impressed and because of our mutual interest (music) instantly started a loving relationship that lasted throughout our journey endeavoring to understand and implement the message and instructions of our beloved spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Aindra prabhuji knew that Kirtan rasa is the safest and most powerful rasa for this age and that during this rasa there is no chance for “maya” to enter. So he fully surrendered to this “Rasa” Once while visiting (1997) the holy-dham of Vrndaban there was many friends and placing with little time to visit I met Aindra prabhuji in his room I was amazed of the condition and set-up of his room cow-dung on all the walls etc. you would never know that such a place is in this building. We spoke of various subjects Hari-Katha,the state of Srila Prabhupada’s house etc. and of course our musical lives. I was reluctant to speak about a commercial project I did on cassette because there was nothing transcendental about this project except for one song I wrote for Srila Prabhupada .He was so adamant about getting a copy I think he just wanted to encourage me and being his friend asked “please” let me have one” so I said if “only” you would do the same because he had started his bhajan-kirtan tape ministry and gave me a copy which I still have to this day and my all time favorite. He asked would I sing and play mrdanga on his next recording of course I would but somehow it never happed most likely I had to leave but I always relished accompanying him and the assembled devotee’s he inspired singing the Glories of the Lord and the vaishnava’s Acharya’s. I asked Aindra prabhuji how did you arrive to the mind set of accepting this service of dedication to Kirtan? He said “Once a devotee friend of ours whom at the time on Q Street was the Temple commander told me that the perfection of your music playing would only be successful on the transcendental platform” So he never played guitar again as far as I know for that matter any western style instruments. Fortunately for himself the world and the whole vaishnava community who has had the opportunity to hear him this advise was taken to heart and like a match a huge “Blazing Fire” of a eternal life of Glorifying the Lord and His great devotee’s. Srila Prabhupada is so kind because of His potency and blessings allowed me the fortune of knowing, associating and serving with you Aindra prabhuji.
You lived a glorious life an example for many to follow. You will always have a place in my heart eternally your friend and low godbrother
“Constancy yields the gift of rapture”, it is said. Aindra Prabhu was evidence of this. His kirtans were the stuff of rapture. There was a singular quality about Aindra Prabhus kirtans. Of course he had created a style and a sound that was original. He had selected very precise rhythms and melodies; he had a well thought out way of coordinating his group of accompanying singers. And he egged his accompanying percussionists and kartal players to more perfect standards of playing; he even demanded it of them right there and then in the middle of the kirtan. But, the underlying or overlaying quality of his kirtan was its earnest, selfless and completely motiveless quality. He was the centre of the kirtan no doubt, but his lack of self centeredness was always palpable—he was thoroughly absorbed in the singing and only for the love of Naam itself. He also wanted everyone else to get it – exactly like he had and get it exactly right.-he had much courage, vigor, fire, for that. That I think was the reason for his intense and even impatient quality which was also so visible. He has inspired such a legacy already—there are so many young boys who have developed this art by engaging in it with Aindra Prabhu. May his dedication and purity always be their guide. I pray that we will continue to remember his spirit of akinchina and ahituki bhakti which was by far the most inspiring aspect of his offering of kirtan. I did not know him at all but I think I saw the strength of his soul in kirtan – it was so strong it could drown out everything else, figuratively and literally too. I thank him for letting me glimpse this. When my mother was ill in February this year, Aindra Prabhu came three times to sing for her. And he was by her side minutes after she had left, an angel come to send her on her way. That was the first time I had some personal contact with him and saw his very kind and sweet side. I took it so much for granted that he would be there each evening to sing that I missed so many kirtans not realizing this would be over so soon. Braj bhaktis concept of fulfillment is an unmotivated and selfless offering of all of oneself.
Aindra Prabhu’s life here was evidence of this. And this is how he will always be remembered and treasured by all of us who were fortunate to have been in his midst for this all too brief time.
|
A Very Blissful Kirtan for Your Ipod/Iphone by Ekendra Dasa Posted August 7, 2010 This past weekend here at ISKCON New Govardhana in Australia we had a 12-hour kirtana in honour of His Grace Aindra Prabhu. There were many wonderful kirtans, but here is one that I felt would be especially nice to share with the devotional community. If you are on Facebook you can download or stream it here: If you aren't on Facebook it is available here: The download is a high quality mp3 compressed at 192kbps/44.1Khz.
Please give us your blessings that we can offer kirtan enthusiasts worldwide more spiritually potent kirtans such as this.
Theres much to be sad about these days, but so many good memories to cherish. As I write this I constantly listen to the amazing recordings of his, that can only give a small taste of what it was like to sit beside him while he poured his heart out to their Lordships. I remember the day I first heard his Vraja Villasa cd. The voices of many laughing started one track, wherein Aindra cut in saying, " OK, now be serious!". This was to me, the sum of the personality and character of him. Years after hearing his CD I was able to meet Aindra personally, and one of the first times he saw me he called out to me as he was singing, waved me over to play the mrdunga and asked the devotees to make some space for me. That day he sparked a burning passion for bhajan within me. My brother Dhruva had become very good friends with Aindra over the years, and so I was given a very close look into the real intricate personality of his. I experienced the Ugra Aindra personality that many of you know what I am talking about. This usually came out during his bhajans due to his strong desire for perfection and firm encouragement when needed. "Chant loudly", he would say. "HARE KRSNA!!", he would shout out directly at you if you were caught sleeping or holding back on your vocal chords. I then remember the Shanti Aindra that he would become as soon as he finished the kirtan, went in front of Radhe Syama and folded his hands. His love for Radharani and her companions was apparent to me when my brother Drdha was asked by Aindra to draw a picture of Radharani for him. Drdha presented the wonderful drawing to him in his room one evening late. I remember Aindra taking the drawing and looking at it for several minutes, which seemed like hours. He didnt say a word, his eyes transfixed on the paper. His mood then transformed into that of a child in front of his Lord. He turned to Drdha and me and said over and over in a tone that sounded like he was on the verge of tears, "She is so beautiful, isnt she?" I felt like he was no longer on this earth, but his mind had completely gone to a place that was so dear and close to him. One day my brother Dhruva and I went to pay respects to Aindra in his room and hopefully sit with him for some time. He opened the door, with mics set up everywhere and a computer with chords connecting all the mics. "Can you sing?", he said to me. "Not really", I responded knowing where this was headed. "Its ok sit down, you will do fine, just let it all out, dont hold any of it in and sing LOUDLY", he convincingly said. Without any objections Dhruva and I were mic'd up together along with some other devotees, that REALLY knew how to sing! Aindra sat in the middle of the room with his laptop harmonium that was so powerful and so vibrant that it sounded like it was singing along. He would sing a verse and we would repeat back, trying to not only follow his very elaborate tunes, but also attempt to sing out with all our breaths for each word, KRSNA- would stretch out an entire minute it seemed sometime. He proceeded to replay the recording back after each time we were not "Loud enough". I opted to drop out but he kindly mentioned that he could edit us out later on if it doesnt work ( which he did ). I dont remember the exact words he used to describe me and my brothers singing, but "Sound like a dying cat", followed by a huge laugh is pretty close to accurate. I also remember during the installation of Pancatattva in Mayapur when Aindra first ever left Vraja in 20 something years. I remember all the amazing bhajan singers that sang before him such as B.B Govinda Swami and his amazingly powerful voice. When Aindra sat down surrounded by the 10 or so mrdunga players and hundreds of instruments, everything went silent for a few minutes. Aindra began to pound on the harmonium keys that made it sound like he had 20 fingers, powerful and strong like Bhima. His voice cut through the hearts of all present, bringing the mood and love of Vraja Dham to the Mayapur temple. When I think of Aindra Prabhu I dont just think of the music he gave our movement. Of course his recording I have and CD's ive listened to over the years has changed my life I can say. But when I think of Aindra and what i will miss the most is who he was as a devotee. His love for Radharani and Krsna and the holy dham is inspiring and uplifting. He had no care in politics, had little care in appearance and being flashy. He didnt sing to impress one person other than the Lords themselves. He gave so much to our movement and asked for very little.
What I hope for and often wonder now is who will take the place of our fallen leaders such as Sridhar Swami, Tamal Krsna Swami, and now Aindra? As I mourn for the loss of such a great devotee and leader we had, I begin to think what can I do myself to give to this great movement we have and how can I help keep the burning joy for bhajan and kirtan fresh and vibrant just like every time Aindra Prabhu did everyday of his life.
|
|
