One major highlight of my trip to Mayapur was a full-on maha mantra kirtan led by Radhanath Swami. I had been in Mayapur for a few weeks, and a friend recommended that I check out a book entitled "The Journey Home" by Radhanath Swami. I got a copy in the main temple's book shop, opened the cover, and three days later, finished the book and came out for a breath of fresh air. This guy's story is incredible - a cinematic wild ride, like a spiritual action-adventure, with encounters with saints, pilgrimages to holy places, soul searching and hard-won insights, and a triumphant meeting with his Guru. After finishing reading it, I was talking to a friend - who says to me "Oh! You know Radhanath Swami is in Mayapur right now, right?" "What!? No I didn't know!" Well, indeed, he was in town for the Gaura Purnima festival, and would lead the shakti saturated kirtan a couple days later in the main temple room. The video gives a little glimpse into the fervor and energy level of kirtans in Mayapur. I only got Radhanath Swami on film for a couple moments - he's sitting down, shaven head but for a little brown tuft in back, in yellow robes, playing harmonium. He was so calm and humble, as if sitting in the eye of the storm, with so much dance and song and emotions swirling around the room! [see permalink]
One major highlight of my trip to Mayapur was a full-on maha mantra kirtan led by Radhanath Swami.
I had been in Mayapur for a few weeks, and a friend recommended that I check out a book entitled "The Journey Home" by Radhanath Swami. I got a copy in the main temple's book shop, opened the cover, and three days later, finished the book and came out for a breath of fresh air. This guy's story is incredible - a cinematic wild ride, like a spiritual action-adventure, with encounters with saints, pilgrimages to holy places, soul searching and hard-won insights, and a triumphant meeting with his Guru. After finishing reading it, I was talking to a friend - who says to me "Oh! You know Radhanath Swami is in Mayapur right now, right?" "What!? No I didn't know!" Well, indeed, he was in town for the Gaura Purnima festival, and would lead the shakti saturated kirtan a couple days later in the main temple room.
The video gives a little glimpse into the fervor and energy level of kirtans in Mayapur. I only got Radhanath Swami on film for a couple moments - he's sitting down, shaven head but for a little brown tuft in back, in yellow robes, playing harmonium. He was so calm and humble, as if sitting in the eye of the storm, with so much dance and song and emotions swirling around the room!
posted by Daniel on April 14th, 2010