Kirtans in Oxford

New Year Kirtan

2012-01-12T12:04:00.004Z

A Happy New Year to everyone! May your heart be filled with the glorious sound of kirtan in 2012!

We have had to make a change of plan this month, as there is a big kirtan event going on near London on 15th January and many of our chanters will be attending it. So, we have changed the date to the following week, Sunday 22nd January and hope this doesn't inconvenience you.

The kirtan leader for our January session will be Kishor Grant, who was with us in November,(see previous post) and is a very talented musician and chanter. We hope to see you then!

If you're interested in attending the 'Big Kirtan', this weekend the details are as follows:

Venue: Bhakitvedanta Manor - Directions Here

Time: Sunday, January 15th, 10 am - 1 pm

Kirtaniya: Madhava das

Based in Switzerland. Madhava das travels extensively throughout the world with his band Gaura Prema, enlivening chanters with his skillful and devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique and attractive style of kirtan

November Kirtan

2012-01-12T11:58:00.004Z

Photos of our very special November kirtan, with Kishor Grant, his wife Dunya and friends. (Courtesy of Nimish Patel)

October Kirtan

2011-10-10T17:44:00.004Z

We begin our new season of kirtans this Sunday, 16th October. We're sorry for the long wait - we had to cancel last month due to unforseen circumstances. But we are very happy to be starting up again after the summer break and look forward to seeing you there! We have a new kirtaniya amongst us, this year, a PhD student at Oxford University, who will be taking part, and we also have our old, tried and trusted singers who will be joining us in the months to come. So - much in the way of jolly chanting coming up!

Song and Dance

2011-09-01T09:20:00.006Z

For your pleasure: Chakrini sings, while Jahnavi and Tulasi dance.

Whoops! The video hasn't come out well, so you can watch it better here

Chakram - A New CD Album.

2011-07-30T16:17:00.002Z

News just in of a new kirtan CD to appear in three weeks time: what's especially interesting, is that it contains contributions by some of our favourite kirtan singers, here at our Oxford Kirtans: Jahnavi, Tulasi, Chakrini and Kripamoya.

I've just spent some time browsing the website for the album which you can find here. There's some fine writing from Krpamoya; a section on Sanskrit, which is interesting and info on the different people involved. Enjoy!

Ratha Yatra - Street Festival of Chanting

2011-07-13T07:59:00.010Z

Lucy Barton, Oxford chanter and student, wrote this account of the London Rathayatra which took place in June. Thank you Lucy!

On the 12 of June was the 41st London Rathayatra or “chariot festival”. Based on a traditional Indian street festival, London Rathayatra is lively event in which three fifty-foot chariots process from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square; pulled along by ropes by the enthusiastic crowd. Rathayatra always draws a crowd, and many of the regulars of the Oxford Kirtans, undeterred by the wet weather, went along to take part in the festivities.

Rathayatra has been performed for over two thousand years in the town of Jaganatha Puri in Orissa. However in the past forty years, this ancient parade has extended beyond the boundaries of the Subcontinent, taking place all over the world: in over a hundred cities such as New York, Montreal, Paris, Singapore, Venice, and in towns across the UK such as Birmingham, Leicester and Brighton. However, the London Rathayatra is held in special esteem, with participants travelling from a far a field as Scotland and Belgium. Many of Oxford’s favourite visiting kirtans leaders, such as Kripamoya, Tulasi and Gaura Hari were also there.

The whole procession takes about two hours, and is accompanied throughout by exuberant kirtan. Those amongst the crowd, who are not pulling the chariots, clap their hands and joyously chant in response; some of the braver and more energetic dance at the front of the chariots. This Ratha yatra it rained the whole time, and part of the joyfulness was dancing through the puddles and getting soaking wet! The chariots, carrying the wooden images of the divine siblings Jaganatha, Baladeva and Subhadra, are decorated with brightly coloured canopies and fresh flowers. Although this year enclosed in a waterproof covering, Jaganatha’s beaming smile was still visible, bedecked in flowers, on the only day of the year that He leaves the temple.

As the procession draws to a close and the chariots are taken the last few the meters by the attendants, the festival-goers continue on to Trafalgar Square. The square has been transformed, and is filled with colourful tents offering meditation workshops, activities for children; as well a free vegetarian feast, and a stage show with more kirtan and dramas about spirituality. In this way, the festival continues on until into the early evening.

The festival is open to all, and with its vibrant colours and music, it has universal appeal and accessibility. As you look across the crowd, although many who attend are from the Indian Diaspora, you see people of many ethnicities and walks of life, of all ages, in pushchair to wheelchair, absorbed and invigorated by the kirtan. For those of us who are used to performing kirtan within the security and focused space of four walls, it might seem that, with the distractions of being out in the open and together with such a number of people, it would not be possible to maintain concentration and that the magic of the kirtan would be lost. On the contrary, the group brings it own focus within a kirtan, which is simply brought to a bigger scale at Rathayatra, and it lifts the consciousness above the surroundings; you no longer feel that you are in central London, but within that same spiritual space that every kirtan brings.

Photos by Matthew Lloyd: At Zimbio.

Birmingham 24 hour Kirtan

2011-07-05T08:33:00.004Z

A pirate from the Caribbean? Even more exotic - this is a portrait of Madhava - an increasingly popular kirtaniya from Mauritius, now living in Switzerland. He led some glorious kirtans at the Birmingham kirtan in May, which you can read about below, in an account from Diana, librarian at the Bodleian who was one of our Oxford party to the event.

Visit to Birmingham kirtan in May.

On Sunday 29th May 2011, sixteen of us from the monthly Oxford kirtan group went to join in with part of the annual 24-hour kirtan organized by ISKCON Birmingham. This event took place in the community hall of the Sri Venkatesara (Balaji) temple in Tividale, on the west side of Birmingham. We left St Giles at 9.30, returning around 7.30 but the day was so interesting that it felt like quite a short visit!

The kirtans were led by Sachinanda M. and Madhava, among others, and there seemed to be over a thousand people present. It wasn’t easy to find a space to sit on the floor, and we were all tightly packed together but I soon forgot any discomfort. The energy raised by so many people chanting was amazing, and there was a great feeling of divine presence and love which was quite overwhelming and which seemed to be shared by all. In smaller groups I’m usually inhibited about singing loudly or clapping, but on this occasion I found myself completely caught up in the general enthusiasm and able to participate fully.

After eating a delicious lunch, some of us looked around the complex of temples in what is the largest South Indian temple complex in Europe. As well as the main Sri Balaji temple which is a smaller model of the temple in Tirupati, there are temples to Shiva, Ganesh and Murugan. As visitors we were made to feel very welcome, and we saw families offering gifts of fruit which was then distributed to all those present. The temples had a very holy atmosphere, and I felt privileged to have received a glimpse of south Indian culture without actually going there! All together it was a very satisfying and inspiring day, and I hope to return next year.

Diana Stevenson

Celebrating the Shakespeare of Kirtan...

2011-06-30T20:53:00.003Z

From a post on the Mantralogy website about the festival day of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura - a prolific writer of poetry, songs and prose about the practise of kirtan:

Though his life was materially successful, Bhaktivinode was fully absorbed in his desire to see the culture of kirtan and of bhakti spread all over the world. He wrote thousands of songs and many books, as well as creating systems for forming small groups to meet and share their practice together. One day, looking out from his balcony over the sacred Ganges River, he had a vision of a beautiful temple across the water, and hundreds of people, chanting and dancing in true happiness. He wrote ‘Oh for that day when the fortunate English, French, Russian, German, and American people will take up banners, mridangas, and kartalas and raise kirtan through their streets and towns. When will that day come? Oh, for the day when the fair skinned men from their side will raise up the chanting of ‘jaya sacinandana, jaya sacinandana’ . When will that day be?

You can read the rest of the article here.

May Kirtan

2011-06-14T16:12:00.003Z

Three young kirtaniyas charmed us with their strong, youthful voices and heartfelt chanting: Manu, Tulasi and Madhva.

April Kirtan

2011-06-14T15:19:00.004Z

In honour of Sri Rama, our April kirtan began with a very ancient chant to Sita and Rama - heroes of the great epic the Ramayana, whose feast day was celebrated that week. Since kirtan has been introduced in the West, Sita-Rama chants have been particularly popular; theirs is a universally loved story and these chants have been sung for many thousands of years.

One of our kirtaniyas for April was Dr Rembert Lutjeharms, Sanskrit scholar, who kindly elaborated on the inner meaning of the chants and on the word kirtan itself.

As chanting and dancing often go hand in hand, I thought you might be interested in this beautiful depiction of part of the Ramayana in classical Thai dance.

Manu in Maytime.

2011-05-11T10:36:00.004Z

Young Manu Magnin from Belgium and his merry band of kirtaniyas will visit us this Sunday, to lead us in kirtan. Manu is the founder and organiser of the Radhadesh Mellows annual weekend of kirtan at the Chateau de Petit Somme, in Belgian and a 'deep lover of kirtan'. You can see his website here, with recordings of some of the kirtans from this January, at which both Gopal Hari and Chakrini, who have recently sung here, performed.

I like Manu's description of Kirtan there:

What is Kirtan?

Kirtan is an experience like no other. It combines sacred mantra, or spiritual words with vibrant, joyous music that lifts the soul and energizes the body. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. One leader sings the mantra, accompanied by a few instruments. After each line, the group – however large or small, respond with the same line. This call and response continues as the kirtan slowly unfolds.

Though the kirtan tradition originated in ancient India, it is no less relevant to our modern times. With the increasing demands of the average working life, kirtan is perhaps even more beneficial than ever.

In kirtan, there are no rules – you can sit or stand, or better yet, dance! You can clap or play instruments, and sing to your heart’s content. The only thing necessary is an open heart, open mind, and open ears.

--^--

Join us and sample it for yourself!

March Kirtan (Catching Up!)

2011-05-11T10:20:00.002Z

Jahnavi Harrison and her father Kripamoya kindly came to lead our March kirtan. (You can see them sharing a joke above!). They had spent the previous day at a celebration of the anniversary of Sri Chaitanya the well-known promoter of kirtan, in medieval India. In fact, as Kripamoya explained, we can trace our present knowledge and practise of kirtan directly back to his influence. In between the very sweet and heartfelt kirtans, Jahnavi and Kripamoya talked of Chaitanya's writings and life which explained some of the deeper understanding of the art of kirtan; it's purpose and effects. It was interesting and pleasing to listen to, in fact as soon as it is edited, we'll post a podcast of it here.

And below is a YouTube clip of Jahnavi singing and playing violin at a kirtan in Australia, a few months ago. Her father quipped that her Jewish ancestry shows in her spirited violin improvisations!

All Day Kirtan in Birmingham - Coming Up!

2011-04-22T12:28:00.005Z

It's a terrific experience to be in a kirtan with hundreds of other chanters, chanting and dancing (if you care to!) hour after hour. Our next opportunity for this is in Birmingham on Sunday 29th May (a bank holiday weekend). It's actually a 24 hour kirtan, but we are taking a party up by minibus for the day on Sunday. The event is sponsored, so there is no charge for that, and Indian vegetarian food will be served at various times through the day - also no charge. If you'd like to join us for the party, here are the details:

Depart Oxford - 9.30 am
Return Oxford - 7.00 p.m.

Venue: Sri Balaji Temple, Dudley Road East, Tividale, West Midlands, B69 3DU,

Cost: £15 per person approx. for minibus hire and petrol. It may turn out a little less.

If you'd like to join us, please let us know by 5th May, to make sure we can secure the minibus for the event. You are welcome, of course, to make your own way there, too.

For further enquiries, please phone Keshava: 01865 331716

The Ides of March...

2011-03-14T09:56:00.006Z

Not quite the Ides of March, which is tomorrow, but led me to learn that March is named in honour or Mars - the god of war. It's amazing how many of the things we take for granted - the names of the days of the week and of the months, the letters of the alphabet, so many things are steeped in ancient history, and we've long forgotten the meanings of most of them.

Well, the god of war will surely be pacified by our next kirtan, this coming Sunday, 20th March and by great good fortune, Jahnavi, who has just returned from a four month tour of America and Australia, with Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits, will lead us in chanting.

Jahnavi is a writer, as well as musician, and has been writing a series of articles on Sacred Music for the dance and music magazine Pulse - which turns out to be the first 'talking' magazine!

Jahnavi will be accompanied by her father Kripamoya, also an excellent kirtaniya, who we hope will tell us something about the history of kirtan, and how it is we come to be sitting chanting in Oxford today.

We hope you can join us.

January Kirtan.

2011-03-13T16:13:00.004Z

Chakrini, who came from London, to lead our January kirtan - a very focussed chanter with a beautiful voice, has recently been on tour in Canada and will also be appearing on the main stage at the Mind, Body, Spirit Festival in May. She mentioned to us that her main desire is to spread the message of kirtan in Europe and, to that end, has engagements in Spain, Italy and Bulgaria during the summer. We wish her very well in her endeavours and hope she will come to Oxford again soon. Many thanks Chakrini!

Chanting with Chakrini - January Kirtan.

2011-01-10T11:04:00.003Z

Chakrini would have led our December kirtan, had the snow not come; she has kindly agreed to come this month instead. We look forward to welcoming her to our Oxford Kirtan Experience and hope you can join us to start off the year in good spirit, with rousing chants. Chakrini's website is here and I'd just like to mention that all our kirtaniyas perform without remuneration, out of love of chanting, so we are very indebted to them for that.

Happy New Year to you all!

December Kirtan Cancelled

2010-12-18T18:10:00.002Z

Regretfully, due to bad weather conditions, we shall have to cancel tomorrow's kirtan. Some of our kirtaniyas are stranded in snow-bound villages, and Chakrini, who was to come from London, would be safer staying there in such treacherous weather.

So please keep warm and well and we can meet again when the weather is more clement!

Chakrini and the Christmas Kirtan

2010-12-14T15:14:00.005Z

For our upcoming December kirtan, we're fortunate to be having the young kirtaniya, Chakrini, visit us and lead us in chanting. Chakrini, singer, songwriter and musician, has just released her new kirtan CD, Songs of the Soul. As her website (where you can also hear excerpts from the CD) describes: "A childhood and a lifetime spent immersed in sacred chants and music, has given Chakrini's devotional singing a depth that goes straight to the heart and the soul." We hope you can come and join us for and enchanting Christmas kirtan on 19th December.

November Kirtan

2010-12-14T14:27:00.005Z

November's kirtan, led by Ranchor Prime, was unusual and interesting. Ranchor is an interesting person! As well as his work in the field of conservation, here and in India, Ranchor is an artist, a musician and a writer and publisher: this year he published his book on the ancient text Bhagavad-Gita. So this time, he spoke to us a little on the philosophy of Bhagavad Gita and led us in singing some of the Sanskrit verses from the text, something we've never done before at our kirtans, but which was inexplicably satisfying. Then we chanted some of our regular mantras, enjoying Ranchor's mellow singing and musicality and ended up with mulled apple juice and biscuits to completely satisfy the inner self.

We're grateful to Ranchor for so often taking the time to come to Oxford from London, on a Sunday, to give us the pleasure of his company and chanting. Thank you, Ranchor!

October Images

2010-11-19T14:07:00.002Z

I'd just like to mention, before you see the photos, that we never put up a photo of anyone, unless we are quite sure they are happy with it. A newcomer was concerned last month, when she saw photos being taken, but you can rest assured, we'll not include anyone who hasn't specifically been asked. That's why we don't usually post photos of the assembly of chanters.
Gopal led us in kirtan, with sweet melodies and a variety of mantras, ending with a Govinda mantra. He explained that in Sanskrit, Govinda means one who enlivens and gives pleasure to the senses. I think we all found that to be true!

October fruits and flowers.

Photos by Pavel Tomanec.

September's Celestial Kirtan

2010-09-29T16:13:00.007Z

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain’d
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.
- William Blake

Our September kirtan, replete with autumn fruits and flowers, was sung with 'jolly voice'! Although there were several 'new' first-time chanters, everyone joined in with gusto and the result, as one chanter described it, was a 'celestial atmosphere'.

Our very newest chanter was little Ananya, whose mother brought her to her first kirtan. She was as good as gold the whole way through and charmed us with her smiles. Her mother, Swetha, covered the cost of the refreshments afterwards, in honour of the event. Thank you Ananya and Swetha!

Gaura, brought two friends from Cambridge, and the three of them took turns in leading the chants. Craig and his Croatian wife Dunja are planning to start kirtan programmes in Cambridge - and we hope to join them there sometime, to return the compliment.

Gaura hari sings Govinda jaya jaya...

Dunja, who has a lovely voice, singing the ancient chant 'om namo bhagavate vasudevaya'

We finished up with autumnal mulled apple juice, nut biscuits and coconut sweet balls.

We're very grateful to Gaura, Craig, Dunja and friends who travelled so far to bring us a wonderful experience of chanting. Thanks chaps!

Kirtan This Sunday

2010-09-13T12:13:00.002Z

We have a young Irish kirtaniya to start us off into a new season of Kirtan Experience. Gaura Hari lives with his Russian wife near London and has many years of kirtan experience under his belt, having toured extensively in Poland, Australia and India with various chanting parties. I've known Gaura since he was six, but haven't seen him for years, so am curious to see what all this chanting has done for him! Gaura is bringing some kirtaniya friends with him and we look forward to chanting with them all this Sunday, 19th September. Hope you can make it too!

In Nambour, Australia.

Gaura Hari absorbed in chanting bliss - Melbourne, Australia

We Say Goodbye to Meru...

2010-09-08T17:18:00.005Z

Our June kirtan was tinged with sadness as we said farewell to the founder of the Kirtan Experience in Oxford - Meru Ostland - who left a few days later to return to Sweden, whence she came. As well as the inspiration behind the monthly kirtans, Meru was also a great singer and led many chants for us, with spirit and a strong voice. What's more she is a top class cook and her banquets, once tasted, are never forgot. Meru we miss you!

Nevertheless, we put a brave face on it and the June kirtan was very sweet, with Meru and Gopal taking turns to lead.

Gopal on harmonium.

Shaunaka on mridanga (clay drum).

Tea and biscuits at the end.

A Great Kirtaniya is Mourned.

2010-07-18T16:47:00.004Z

Aindra das, loved the world around for his dedication to kirtan, passed away unexpectedly on Friday night, in the pilgrimage town of Vrindavana, India. Aindra had left his home country of America in 1986, I think, to dedicated the rest of his life to kirtan - the chanting of sacred mantras. He organised a team of fellow kirtaniyas to perform twenty-four hour kirtan every day, year after year, in the Krishna Balarama Temple, and although he stayed always in Vrindavana, became famous in all corners of the world, as the many visitors to the pilgrimage site got to know of and appreciate his wonderful chanting. He was an inspiration to many of the new, up-and-coming young kirtaniyas of today. Aindra will be very much missed. In his memory, kirtaniyas have been gathering to perform twenty-four and even fourty-eight hour kirtans in various parts of the world.

Here is a piece I found describing Aindra and his mission in more detail.

Ratha-yatra on Sunday

2010-06-18T09:05:00.006Z

We found out last month that the London Ratha-yatra festival, to which so many of our regular chanters go, clashed with our June date, so we've changed our June kirtan to 27th. We hope this doesn't inconvenience anyone.

The annual Ratha-yatra is a colourful and kirtan-exuberant street festival and if you're free on Sunday, you may like to take part. You can find out the details here and here. It's great fun and a tremendous atmosphere. Maybe we'll see you there!

Pictured above is Jahnavi, leading kirtan at last year's festival.

24 Hour Kirtan in Birmingham

2010-06-10T19:10:00.007Z

About ten of us Oxfordian chanters went up to Birmingham at the weekend to take part in the eleventh, annual 24 hour kirtan at the Bala temple. We didn't stay the full stint, but it was a really wonderful experience just to sit and chant for seven hours straight. Not just sitting, either - quite a lot of dancing happened too, as we all became swept up in the blissful atmosphere produced by the chanting.

Eleven years ago, these events started as very small affairs, with a small core of dedicated chanters - now they have grown and there were over five thousand people there, this last weekend, taking part. They came from all over the country, many staying in accommodation overnight, so as to stay the whole two days.

The Mayapuri s - an up and coming new kirtan group were there, and led kirtans in many different moods. And Sachinandana Swami - a German kirtaniya - was an inspiring speaker and kirtan leader also. A great event altogether, and I'll try in future to let you know about these beforehand so you can come also, if you've a mind! They are a perfect way to recharge one's spiritual batteries.

The Merry Month of May

2010-05-10T10:04:00.009Z

We have two scholars lined up to lead us in kirtan this month: Dr Kenneth Valpey who received his DPhil in Oxford a few years back, has returned this term to engage in a research project into the Sanskrit text, the Bhagavata-Purana.

Kenneth has a musical bent, which led him to take part in the Gauranga Bhajana band in the 1990s, performing kirtan in various venues across Europe, including in Moscow to an audience of 35,000. He was also a member of the St Cross college choir, while a student here in Oxford. He led kirtan for us in 2007 and we're very happy to welcome him back for another session.

Gopal needs no introduction to our regular chanters. He's one of our stalwart and popular kirtaniyas and is currently working on his DPhil in Hindu Studies, here in Oxford, working out the intricacies of karma, destiny and time in the Srimad Bhagavatam. We hope none of the forementioned will prevent him from turning up on Sunday, at 4.00 p.m at the Friends Meeting House, 43, St. Giles, to lead us in deep and joyful kirtan.

Spring Kirtans.

2010-04-29T07:49:00.006Z

Our March and April kirtans were resplendent with jars of golden daffodils, tastefully arranged by Shyama.

Jahnavi and Tulasi Harrison (golden-haired) were our guest kirtaniyas in March, delighting us with their musicality and sweet, meditative chanting. Everyone seems to have got the hang now of clapping along in rhythm, so it was a rousing kirtan.

Jahnavi spoke a little about her experiences last year on the Mantralogy tour, bringing kirtan to five continents. After chanting with all kinds of people, from all kinds of cultures, from the very poor to the very rich, the whacky to the highly respectable, the young and old, she came to the conclusion that "kirtan is for everyone"; everyone likes it and everyone can feel it's beneficial effects. Jahnavi has just left England again for New York, to spend some months there with Gaura Vani and his kirtan band, As Kindred Spirits. We'll keep you posted of any interesting developments there.

For April's kirtan, our own local, home-grown, organic kirtaniyas, Shyama, Rembert and Meru, led us in a variety of chants, including the very ancient "om namo bhagavate vasudevaya". It was the fourth anniversary of The Kirtan Experience in Oxford and we celebrated with cake.

Our Distinguished Photographers

2010-03-27T19:45:00.007Z

Our kirtan group is lucky to have two first-class photographers as it's members, who've kindly lent their talents for this blog over the last few years. Claire Williams (above) gained a distinction in her photography diploma last year and is planning to take a degree in photography next. Claire is presently in India taking photos for the Raleigh India Expedition, for young people. You can see her photographs on their blog here

India must be pretty much a photographer's paradise, with so much colour, sunlight and unusual sights.

Pavel Tomanec gained a distinction in his BA in photography last year from Westminster University. And funnily enough - he's also in India.

We are missing them - had nobody to take photos of March's kirtan which is a shame as it was very picturesque. But wish them both well in their future careers in photography.

Kirtan Mellows.

2010-02-04T13:15:00.012Z

Friends of Oxford Kirtans - Jahnavi, Tulasi and Mark, were in Belgium last week for a whole weekend of kirtan, with chanters from all over the world. "Radhadesh Mellows" took place in a Belgian castle, near the Somme. The whole weekend was broadcast live on webcams and recordings from the weekend have now been podcasted on the Radhadesh website. Here is one of Jahnavi leading the chant: Radhadesh Mellows Day 1 , and there are many others to listen to: here.

24 hour kirtans and kirtan weekends are becoming popular - we hear of many of them around the place. We hope to persuade Jahnavi to write of her experiences with them; in the meantime, enjoy the kirtans!

The Tambora.

2010-01-05T13:53:00.006Z

As mentioned below, our last kirtan was enhanced by this beautiful and ancient instrument, the tambora. I'm always delighted when Ranchor brings his to the kirtan, as it produces an almost 'mystical' sound as a background to the chanting.

There is a very technical explanation of the instrument here, if you're interested enough to read it - I had never realised how much there was to what seemed a rather simple construction of a gourd, a piece of wood and some strings - each of which only plays one note. As the article describes: "Every single string produces it's own cascading range of harmonics and at the same time builds up a particular resonance..." It's this which gives the effect of almost being in another dimension, when the tambora plays.

It's also intriguing that there are 'male' and 'female' tamboras! And there can be no doubt that Ranchor's is a male.

December Kirtan Photos.

2010-01-05T13:31:00.004Z

(Please click on photo to get full effect)

Photos from our December candle-lit kirtan, with Ranchor Prime. It was lovely!

Ranchor's mighty tambora...

...and Shaunaka pretending to play it!

Afterwards we feasted on delicious home-made pizza and mulled grape-juice. The chanting, the company and the candlelight were all mellow and harmonious and I think we all left feeling good.

Many thanks once again to Claire who kindly took these photos. More about her in an upcoming post!

December Kirtan.

2009-12-15T12:12:00.016Z

Good news! Ranchor is coming to lead our December Kirtan. As he ushered in the year for us in January,he will see it out for us in December. There's pleasing symmetry!

Ranchor plans to bring his Tamboura, which as it is probably the largest in Britain, is no mean feat. It has such a special sound, to enhance the chanting.

So - Kirtan by Candlelight - wonderful chanting, Christmas fare, lovely company - what more could a fellow want!

Date: Sunday, 20th December.

Time: 4.00 p.m.

Venue: The Friends Meeting House, 43, St. Giles.

Kirtan by Candlelight.

2009-12-15T12:01:00.005Z

November's Kirtan by Candlelight was beautiful - both the chanting and the candlelight!

A chanter took these splendid photos, to give you some idea.

Our next Kirtan by Candlelight will be this Sunday, 20th December at 4.00 p.m. It would be nice to see you there!

Ranchor's New Book

2009-11-25T12:20:00.010Z

Ranchor Prime, well-known to Oxford chanters, for his blissful kirtans, is also a writer and publisher. His interest in conservation, the environment and animal welfare, has led him to write a new book, launched recently in London.

Cows and the Earth is a book about ancient methods of cow-farming, in which cows are enabled to live natural lives and deaths, instead of being slaughtered; and how these are being revived and practised in a Vaishnava community in England. Ranchor presents the case for more compassionate husbandry of dairy cattle, showing how this may ultimately be of benefit to the Earth and to humans, as well as the cows.

A pair of oxen actually attended the book launch in the centre of London, with their good friend Chrissie Hyndes who was also there, and who wrote a foreword to the book.

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Speaking of Pumpkins...

2009-11-19T12:49:00.008Z

Look at these beautifully carved ones, by Jahnavi! She carved them for a Mantralogy Kirtan in Australia at the end of October. Vastly superior to our humble efforts - she can come and carve ours next year!

The top one is a lotus flower, and the bottom is 'Om' in Sanskrit character.

Jahnavi - a favourite amongst Oxford kirtaniyas - has been touring for many months now, with Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits, holding great kirtans in many far-flung parts of the world. I know that, although it has been a wonderful time for her, it has had it's difficulties, being apart from home and family for so long. So Jahnavi, we're routing for you!

October Chanting.

2009-10-21T16:32:00.003Z

Pictures from our glowing October kirtan. Gopal and Rembert led mellow chants in keeping with the season and we sang the very special Damodarastakam song, with it's lilting melody. A kirtan to remember!

Photos courtesy of photographer Claire Williams, who is off to India for a few months - and takes our blessings with her for a wonderful retreat.

Fire fighting

2009-09-28T08:49:00.007Z

Mark Anderson led our September kirtan with the expertise born of a lifetime's chanting. His rich, deep voice varied in moods and expression, as he sang a variety of mantras and sacred songs, and we followed merrily on.

We were surprised to learn that Mark is a trainee firefighter, with a love of adventure and a desire to help others. Keshava remarked, in introducing him, that this is entirely befitting a kirtan leader: There is a 16thC Sanskrit poem which describes kirtan as "extinguishing the blazing fire of human suffering". So a fire-fighter in more than one sense!

Mark (aka Madhva) spoke of his involvement with kirtan. Although he grew up with it, he performs it now just because it is such a wonderful thing to do.

"Every Friday night I get together with a large group of friends, and we spend several hours chanting. Of all the things you could do on a Friday night, if I were to say I was going to spend it singing prayers and mantras, you might think there were more exciting things to do than that. Yet Friday night is the highlight of my week. "

He brings such concentration and enthusiasm to his chanting, that you can see how he gets so much out of it!

Although we'd been expecting Mark to bring his whole kirtan band, only one other member was able to come this time, but they left with promises of returning with more.

Many thanks to Mark on behalf of us all - looking forward to next time.

Exuberant Kirtan

2009-09-21T19:12:00.008Z

Kirtan comes in many shapes and sizes, from the slow and meditative, through to the rip-roaring, drum-pounding, dance-til-you drop. There's a kirtan for every occasion! And it doesn't in the least matter how you chant - the effect is always the same - an unburdening of the heart and mind and a lasting upsurge of bouyancy. The ancient texts concerning kirtan state that there are no hard and fast rules for chanting - chant wherever, whenever and however you like. But chant!

As we've been following Gaura vani in recent months, on his mantralogy tour, here's a sample of the more exuberant style of kirtan, recorded in the UK in August. Click here .

Above: Traditional kirtan in India.

Kirtan in the Boston Globe

2009-09-18T15:10:00.005Z

I just saw an article today about Gaura Vani from the Boston Globe. I love this quote from it:

"Kirtan is just the process of using chant and music to clean the heart," he said from his home outside the nation's capital. "It's like an ancient can of Scrubbing Bubbles to clean our hearts and help figure out who we are beyond the body."

We start our kirtan season again in Oxford on Sunday. What a great opportunity to let the Scrubbing Bubbles of chanting to set us off into new fresh autumnal adventures. Hope to see you there, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed...

All information you need about the next kirtan is in the post below.

September Kirtan

2009-09-16T11:24:00.012Z

Welcome to a new season of Kirtan in Oxford! To start with panache, we'll be hosting a newly-formed kirtan band from London, headed up by Mark Anderson. He and his band Sacred Vibes have been chanting at the Kirtan-yoga sessions in West Hampstead, a new kirtan venue which has it's website here. Mark and his team have many years chanting experience between them, and bring a youthful energy and zest to their kirtans.

There's no doubt that kirtan is 'catching on', as more people experience it's uplifting, de-stressing, joyful qualities. So, if you haven't tried it yet, I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday, September 20th. at the Friends Meeting House, 43, St. Giles, at 4.00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you and chanting with you!

Aesthetic Kirtan Chanters

2009-08-31T15:26:00.004Z

I could not help post these wonderful photos of Gaura Vani & As Kindered Spirits and the Mayapuris. Enjoy!

Kirtan the Jewish way - with Kirtan Rabbi

2009-08-01T13:44:00.010Z

This is a short video on Kirtan Rabbi, who blends Jewish chanting with Indian kirtan. It's a sublime combination. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Here's the home of the video: http://www.kirtanrabbi.com/

July Kirtan.

2009-07-30T20:19:00.006Z

After an unfortunate postponement (for the first time in three years) we held our July kirtan last Sunday.

We weren't as big a gathering as usual, but our MC - Shaunaka - encouraged us to chant loudly and with enthusiasm in the spirit of "let me think not what the kirtan can do for me, but what I can do for the kirtan" - the result was terrific!

Gopal led us in chanting Govinda Jaya Jaya - an ancient mantra from the Radha-Raman temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Rembert - who is just completing his DPhil in Sanskrit - led us in chanting the maha-mantra (Hare Krishna mantra) and Gopal finished off with the Pancha-Tattva mantra.

We have managed to buy some new recording equipment, and are in the process of editing the whole backlog of kirtan recordings, with a view to podcasting them very soon. Good news!

Jahnavi and the Mantralogy Tour '09

2009-07-30T20:02:00.006Z

If you're wondering where our beautiful kirtan chanter Jahnavi (with the violin) is right now, she is on the Mantralogy Tour '09 with Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits and The Mayapuris. They travel around the US and Canada chanting (and dancing) at yoga centres and festivals. Judging from the photos, she's having a good time...

(With Shiva Rea at the Kripalu Yoga Centre)

Looking forward to having her and her sister with us in Oxford in the autumn (hopefully).

Next kirtan 26th July!

2009-07-18T15:22:00.004Z

We've moved the next kirtan to the 26th July (from the 19th) as all our chanters fell sick, and hope this will not inconvenience you too much. Come and chant with us before the summer's break, come and chant - to have a break...

Love this picture of the rain so had to add some lyrics below to justify its insertion. It's also quite topical.

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin' [...]"

Ratha-yatra Slideshow.

2009-06-30T14:32:00.005Z

Some beautiful photos of Tulasi - kirtaniya extraordinaire - at Sunday's Ratha-yatra festival in London. Her father Kripamoya is also leading the chanting in one of the photos. Both of them have been kind supporters of our Oxford Kirtans, and hopefully will continue to be.

The photos capture something of the wonderful event which is the Ratha-yatra festival. If you follow one of the kirtan groups and just absorb yourself in the chanting, you'll feel you never lived before!

Click here for the slideshow: London Rathayatra.

London Ratha-yatra Kirtan Fun...

2009-06-28T10:53:00.003Z

Today is the day of the London Ratha-yatra - thousands gather together and join in kirtan while Sri Jagannatha is pulled through the streets in his 'chariot'.

I know there are several Oxford kirtaniyas there today, and maybe you are too... but if, like me you couldn't make it, here's a video I found of last years festival: ISKCON devotees in their bright robes of saffron, making a joyful sound, - and showing that you don't have to be musical, or even sing in tune to be able to take part in kirtan!

Kirtan Alert!

2009-06-24T12:32:00.008Z

Great opportunity for kirtan, this weekend, at the London Ratha Yatra. This is the London version of the thousands-of-years-old annual festival in Jagannatha Puri, Orissa - (from which comes our English word juggernaut).

Essentially it's a street festival, pulling the great Jagannath chariot through the streets of London, accompanied by joyful kirtan. Drums, cymbals, dancing, chanting - and a vegetarian feast at the end. If you love kirtan, this could be the thing for you, this Sunday. Organised by ISKCON, this is London's 41st Ratha Yatra, and there'll be several kirtaniyas from Oxford there - so some familiar faces to latch on to!

There's more kirtan on the stage at Trafalgar Square, after the procession.

Details:

41st London Rathayatra is on Sunday 28th June 2009
Assemble at Hyde Park, South Carriage Drive 11.30am
Procession departs 12 noon
Arrives at Trafalgar Square 2.30pm
Festival in Square until 5.00pm

Ten Million Moons

2009-06-23T12:07:00.011Z

Click on Picture!

We posted about Gaura Vani - the young American kirtaniya - in January, when he organised the great Kirtan-Fest, Chant4Change in honour of the new President's inauguration. Now, he has released a new CD of kirtan and Indian sacred songs - Ten Million Moons. We were lucky enough to be sent a copy for review and have solicited a couple of responses from two young musicians, which you can read below.

For myself, the CD was full of surprises. I was astonished at the energy and passion which comes through in each track and the variety of moods and styles throughout. By the middle of the second song I was in tears at the moving rendition of a Sanskrit poem, describing the power and beauty of kirtan.

Gaura-Vani and his band As Kindred Spirits, are all young and energetic and maybe this CD will particularly appeal to people of their own generation. But even as a middle-aged listener, I find it engaging and heart-stirring. If you'd like to buy a copy, you can do so here: Ten Million Moons. And read the two reviews below.

Ten Million Moons - Review No 1.

2009-06-23T12:03:00.004Z

by Chris Diamond - student of Hindi and Music, at SOAS. (Plays tabla and sitar).

At ease in the village temples of India and the chic yoga studios of London or New York, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, in their new album Ten Million Moons, prove that kirtan comes in all shapes and sizes. The trendy, upbeat, and smooth world music style is equally matched with featurettes of every major musical style of India that has influenced modern kirtans.

To classic Vaishnava tunes, Gaura Vani and his team add a cool, vibrant, jazzy edge. The polished corners of traditional, spontaneous kirtans, might make this a best-selling album amongst the many Americans and Europeans who frequent yoga studios and meditation groups.

This album contrasts with the last album from As Kindred Spirits, Nectar of Devotion. Whereas the last album had a fairly uniform feel and style, the new album, Ten Million Moons, has almost as many styles as moons. We skip from yoga chic with tracks such as the very soothing Moods of Kirtan (Siksastakam) to the bouncing-off-the-walls ecstatic Pirate Song (Dina Dayal).

Gaura Vani & co take some leaps of faith as they explore the uncharted territory of bhajan fusion. We hear a Gospel version of the Bengali classic Jiva Jago; an American folksy tune inspired by the ancient philosophy of India more akin to Bob Dylan, and a Sufi Persian poem of Amir Khusrau. For the purists out there, traditional Indian Bhajans in Hindi (Meera’s Song) and Bengali (Worship the Golden Lord) can also be found.

Overall this album stretches the imagination of both hardcore kirtaniyas and World music buffs. I don’t envy the record shop owners who have to find the right label to put this album under on the shelves!

Ten Million Moons - Review No 2.

2009-06-23T12:00:00.001Z

By Jahnavi Harrison - violinist, kirtaniya and student.

Nearly a decade after the success of their debut CD ‘Nectar of Devotion’, Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits have released a new album of kirtan and devotional songs, entitled ‘Ten Million Moons’.

The album presents kirtan through a variety of musical styles, from the traditional mridanga and karatal arrangements on ‘Bhaja Gauranga’, to the bassline driven beats on ‘Stop and Talk (Hey Natha)’. Instruments and vocals that span cultures are richly layered throughout, giving a sound that is both timeless, and refreshingly modern. This is particularly so on the energetic opener ‘My Body Is A Temple’, and the moving, strings driven ‘Moods of Kirtan’. There are some unexpected surprises too, such as the gospel choir and Hammond organ on ‘Sleeping Soul (Jiv Jago), which work surprisingly well!

Listening to the CD, it becomes clear that these are more than just musicians. Most of the performers on the album, like vocalist Acyuta Gopi, and multi-instrumentalist Vishvambhara, have lived and breathed kirtan since the day they were born, and the devotional moods they express are tangible and sincere. Combined with their natural musical talent, this makes for vibrant and inspiring listening. Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits aim to inundate the world with the sound of kirtan, and if their current success is anything to go by, they are well on their way.

June Kirtan

2009-06-16T11:19:00.010Z

Our June kirtaniyas, Rasasthali (pictured above) and Gopal-hari complimented each other well; Rasasthali with upbeat, lively melodies and Gopal-hari with a mellower approach.

We were surrounded by roses, beautifully arranged by Shyama, and it was a warm, sunny day - all mingling together to make a wonderful kirtan.

Here's a slideshow of the event - the kirtaniyas in various rapt poses!

Sorry about the lack of podcasts - hope to have it all back in order soon.

June Kirtan Coming Up.

2009-06-08T14:41:00.009Z

Next Kirtan ... this Sunday, 14th June at 4.00 p.m.

Venue: Friends Meeting House, 43, St. Giles, Oxford.

Phone Keshava at 01865 331716 for further details.

Look forward to seeing you!

On Kirtans at Oxford.

2009-05-11T12:18:00.004Z

Kripamoya, one of our favourite kirtan leaders, wrote about his recent participation in the Oxford Kirtan Experience in his blog - The Vaishnava Voice. I think he's described it all better than we have! You can read it here.

Thanks Kripamoya!

Spring Kirtans

2009-04-20T18:53:00.004Z

March and April kirtans were accompanied by gorgeous spring flowers. In March we were fortunate to have Kripamoya and his daughter Jahnavi to lead us in chanting. Kripamoya has spent the past thirty years pioneering kirtan in this country and is a stirring kirtan leader. Jahnavi (pictured above) a talented musician is currently finishing her BA in English and played violin, as well as harmonium. Two more young girls, Radhika and Janaki, completed the team, singing sweet kirtans.

April's kirtan was the third anniversary of the Kirtan Experience in Oxford, so we celebrated with cake! You can see a slideshow of the two sessions here.

Photos were taken by Claire and Pavel.

New York Times On Kirtan

2009-03-06T15:41:00.002Z

Two days ago, The New York Times published a front page article on the increasing interest in Kirtan. Read all about it here.

Surely Not!

2009-02-26T19:20:00.003Z

There's a website where bloggers can go to discover what personality their blog has. Curiosity got the better of me, and I entered our blog in it. What came up is an amusing contrast to our logo of a peacefully absorbed chanter, yet methinks there may be some particles of truth to it. What do you think?

ESTP - The Doers

The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities. The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

Eighteenth Century Kirtan.

2009-02-04T09:07:00.017Z

Here is a detail from an etching by 18thc. Flemish artist, Balthazar Solvyns, of a Calcutta kirtan. Apart from the garb, and the outdoorness, it could be an etching of our kirtans in Oxford! The same drums and hand-cymbals are there - although in the centre you can see someone holding a large trumpet; we don't have one of those yet.

It all goes to show that the ancient tradition of kirtan is alive and thriving, and that the vision of the Bengali chanter Sri Chaitanya over five hundred years ago, that kirtan would spread to every town and village of the world, is on it's way to fulfillment. At the time his vision must have seem far-fetched - his country was being overrun by the Moslems as he spoke and was soon to be dominated by the British... yet here we are.

The etching is included in an excellent book by Robert L. Hardgrave A Portrait of the Hindus which you can investigate here.

Kirtan by Candlelight.

2009-01-29T09:30:00.015Z

January's candle-lit kirtan had a special quality. A strong spiritual atmosphere rose up as the large gathering sang out heartily. This was a happy ending to a near disaster! Mariola, who was to have been our lead singer for the day came down with 'flu that morning, and it was only thanks to Ranchor's stepping into the breach at the eleventh hour that we had a kirtan at all! Thank you Ranchor. And thanks to everyone who came and made it so good.

It seemed easier, somehow, to focus on the chanting in the softer lighting. The evening ended with delicious pizza, fudge and peppermint tea.

One chanter wrote to us: "That was a wonderful kirtan yesterday! I really liked the candle-lit atmosphere and the lovely mood. Ranchor is perfect for Oxford. And it was wonderful to see so many new faces. I thought the fir-cone decor was chic and seasonal and cosy and Cathedral-like all at the same time."

Mariola is better now and plans to be with us in February.

Many thanks to Claire for these rich, Rembrandtish photos! (They get bigger and better if you click on them) . Podcasts coming soon!

Crowd goes wild in Washington, D.C.

2009-01-21T10:01:00.006Z

While crowds went wild yesterday, at Barrack Obama's inauguration ceremony, people danced and chanted "Obama, Obama!"

The previous day, thousands gathered at the Church of the Holy City, within sight of the White House, and burst into exuberant chanting and dancing to ancient, sacred mantras - "O Rama, O Rama"

The first "Inaugural" kirtan, Chant4change, was a huge success. Tickets were sold out days in advance, and to facilitate those who hadn't managed to get one, there was a live webcast. All the most famous American kirtaniyas appeared and sang, such as Jai Uttal, Krishna das, Gaura vani, Shiva Rea, David Stringer and more.

From the very young to the quite elderly, everyone there felt it to be a tremendous occasion. Gaura vani who conceived the idea and orchestrated the event is a young kirtaniya of extraordinary energy and dedication - he has a website here. from which you can buy his CD. I have it and it is excellent!

More Jahnavi...

2009-01-20T22:01:00.001Z

Jahnavi chanting during her trip to the USA. (See previous post!)

Jahnavi

2009-01-19T09:45:00.006Z

Jahnavi Harrison came to our Oxford Kirtan in November, with her sister Tulasi, and led us in rousing style. She's written a report of her visit to Oxford in her blog The Little Conch. You can read it here. Jahnavi has been taking part in kirtan since birth (and before!) and now, in her early twenties, has blossomed into a talented kirtaniya, in demand all over the world with her violin and singing. Most recently, she has toured in South Africa and the USA. Jahnavi's blog is worth reading for it's thoughtful posts about her life and her honest struggles for spirituality. If you're a blog reader you might like to check it out.

Rumour has it that we may have another visit from Jahnavi soon; we look forward to that...

The January Kirtan...

2009-01-13T18:03:00.000Z

...is a Kirtan by Candle-light!

Mariola from Poland and Meru from Sweden will lead us in a variety of chants and mantras, accompanied by harmonium, clay drums and kartals. Refreshments of a delicious kind will be served afterwards.

Join us if you can!

Sunday, January 18th. The Friends Meeting House, 43 St Giles. 4.00 p.m.

Chant For Change...

2009-01-09T10:02:00.008Z

This jovial cartoon was designed for Chant4Change. Chant4Change, an intrepid group of chanters in Washington DC, have organised a prestigious kirtan event for the inauguration of the new president, next week. You can read about it and even buy a tee-shirt here. If any of our readers live in Washington, there are still some tickets left. And Mr Obama, if you are reading this - why not go along too! All proceeds to charity.

I like the way the cartoon shows chanting as transcending the differences between so many designations and bringing all into a consciousness of harmony and delight. And the inference in the name chant4change that the change so many people are hoping and longing for can only come from a purified heart, free from the negative qualities of greed and selfish desires.

The inspiration for the cartoon must surely have come from the episode pictured below of the medieval saint Sri Chaitanya, chanting and dancing with wild animals in Jarakhanda forest.

December Kirtan Report and Pics.

2009-01-08T10:58:00.011Z

In December our Oxford kirtan group was joined by Ranchor Prime, who led us to a blissful kirtan experience. Ranchor gave a talk about the role the heart, mind and body take in the process of chanting. He described how chanting is not a mechanical process, it happens not on our tongues, but in our hearts. It is a transcendental inner experience. When we pronounce the syllables, the heart begins resonating with the sound.

Again we realised that there is nothing like the magic of chanting together with all kirtan participants adding their energy to the chant.

Many thanks to Irina for the report and to Pavel for the photos.

Vegetarian Mince Pies

2008-12-19T14:20:00.003Z

We served mince-pies at last Sunday's kirtan and a couple of people asked for the mince-meat recipe, not having realised that most mince-pies are not vegetarian (they contain suet). So, it being the season, here it is. (It's very easy!):

350 g (3/4 lb) fairly sharp eating apples - peeled and finely chopped

25 g (1 oz) 1 tbls candied peel

2 tbls (50 g) 2 oz almonds - skinned, blanched and cut into fine slivers

125 g (1/4 lb) 2/3 cup green (seedless) grapes - halved

225 g (1/2 lb) 1 1/2 cups raisins

225 g (1/2 lb) 1 1/2 cups currants

125 g (1/4 lb) sultanas

grated rind and juice 1 lemon

2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) ground cinnamon

2.5 ml (1/4 tsp) cloves

little freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup (125 g) 1/4 lb Barbados brown sugar

2 tbsp (25 g) 1 oz butter

120 ml (8 tbls) 1/2 cup red grape juice

Method: Place apples, sugar and butter in a pot and cook, stirring, until apples are soft. Combine with all the other ingredients and leave to stand for a day or several hours.

The battle within

2008-12-15T12:58:00.004Z

This is not a reflection of what happens at our kirtan sessions... but thought you might enjoy this one:

...or is this what happens in our hearts when we chant? :)

December Kirtan This Sunday.

2008-12-11T09:04:00.011Z

Our good friend Ranchor Prime will be leading the chanting this month, for a heart-warming winter kirtan.

Ranchor has many years experience as a leader of kirtans - beginning as a choirboy at Westminster cathedral. He is the author of several books on spiritual life and Vedic texts, including his telling of the epic Ramayana, which he wrote in conjunction with a Channel Four series.

He is also an adviser on religion and conservation to the Worldwide Fund for Nature in Britain and India and responsible for organising the planting of hundreds of trees in the pilgrim town of Vrindavana.

Ranchor's kirtans are meditative and melodious - so come, if you can, and join the throng for resounding kirtan...like this!

Christian Kirtan...

2008-12-09T17:57:00.005Z

Slightly old news by now - but befitting the Christmas season - is this CD brought out in May, by monks at an ancient monastery in the Vienna Woods. They sing Gregorian chant every day as part of their devotions and were 'discovered' by a recording company, when they posted a video of themselves on YouTube.

They say: "The chant opens our hearts. We hope it purifies our souls and helps us regain clarity, light, strength and peace. Where there is chaos, we hope to restore order. Where there is emptiness we find meaning, and where there is sadness, joy can return."

Here's a sample of their singing: Chant

The Universal Mantra

2008-10-14T18:56:00.003Z

We chant many different mantras at our Kirtan sessions, but there's one which quickly became the favourite of most of our chanters, both new and seasoned: the Maha-mantra or Hare Krishna mantra. Interestingly, it's also been one of the most famous and favourite mantras in India for hundreds of years, crossing all barriers of different faiths and persuasions. It's symmetrical rhythm and 'circular' nature, and it's particular combination of syllables makes it especially potent in drawing the chanter into a deep, blissful meditation.

This charming video shows a Chinese kirtaniya chanting the Maha-mantra at a Buddhist ceremony in Taiwan. I wonder how those monks managed, faced with such exquisite femininity!

The mantra goes like this: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Hare Hare

Breaking News from Oxford

2008-09-11T12:33:00.012Z

Breaking News: The sun was seen at South Park, Oxford, yesterday. The photo was taken by Brenda Myopi while on her evening reading walk. "It really took me by surprise. I had almost forgotten how bright the sun really was, so I stood there bewildered for a few minutes until I was composed enough to take a photo." Another person, seen on the photo, also saw the event.

The sun might also appear again this Sunday during a chanting session at the Friend's Meeting House in Oxford. Cante Moore, the group's spokesperson, told us though that "it doesn't matter so much if the sun won't appear that day, even if that would be nice. The clouds in our hearts dissipates by chanting sacred vibrations. And that makes you happy." Moore, who lets off a warm and mysterious shine, could be on to something.

The kirtan will be between 4-6pm this Sunday, 14th September.

The Yoga of Kirtan

2008-08-05T15:39:00.008Z

A new book has come out which will most probably interest you kirtan aficionados: The Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the Sacred Art of Chanting, by Steven Rosen*. This seems like a promising book. It consists of 21 conversations with accomplished kirtan masters from around the world, and gets into depths about the "philosophy, culture, dynamics, and lore of kirtan as practiced in India for centuries—and as a phenomenon that is now resounding in the West.”And in Oxford. A CD with kirtans is included.

And if there is any justice in the world we must surely deserve a free review copy! Don't you think?

Let us know how you find the book. Here's the website for the book.

*Steven J. Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa) is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies, a biannual academic publication exploring esoteric realms of Eastern thought. He is also associate editor of Back to Godhead magazine and the author of over twenty books on Indian philosophy. His recent titles include Essential Hinduism (Praeger, 2006), Krishna’s Song: A New Look at the Bhagavad Gita (Greenwood, 2007), and Black Lotus: The Spiritual Journey of an Urban Mystic (Harinam Press, 2007). He is an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Special June Kirtan

2008-06-14T21:35:00.005Z

You may remember the sisters Jahnavi and Tulasi who charmed us with their presence a few months ago... their father, Kripamoya*, a kirtaniya of some repute, will be leading us this month. He seems to be in great demand, as it's taken us over a year to be able to book him - so we hope you can come and enjoy his mellifluous singing!

* Here pictured with Tulasi and his son.

We're late with our postings

2008-06-14T20:55:00.004Z

Dear, oh dear, time flies and we haven't posted our latest kirtans yet. We're two months behind. It will happen--not to worry--very soon. Just now coming (as they say).

April Celebration

2008-04-11T13:26:00.004Z

We're happy to announce that Sakhyarasa (remember the coconut trees?) will come to our next kirtan, this Sunday, April 13. He's a jolly fellow, as well as a jolly good kirtan singer. Have look at the post from our December kirtan as a taster.

Next Sunday will be our 2nd anniversary of the kirtan programme in Oxford, and we might even get some cake as a reward...

Nina Hagen sings the Hare Krishna mantra

2008-04-05T17:38:00.001Z

I just found this little video (slideshow) with Nina Hagen singing the Hare Krishna mantra. It's calm and sweet - very different from the image she had as a punk queen. I once chanted this mantra with her and her fans--looooong time ago. It was fun.

Kirtans with a spring

2008-03-23T15:05:00.024Z

It is easier to chant your heart out when you're surrounded by many enthusiasts. The March kirtan, which was quite a crowd, was thus especially sweet. Another great feature was that Claire, who now studies in 'that other place'* came to see us. She gave us her insights into how our spiritual practice connects to the rest of our lives.

(picture: Jonathan and Rasasthali at play)

Here are Claire's talks [Talk 1, Talk 2, Talk 3, Talk 4], Aja Govinda's invocation, and Rasatshali's wonderful kirtan, which got us going:

krishna govinda govinda,
gopala nanda lal
govinda govinda,
gopala ganda lal
he gopala nanda lal,
he gopala nanda lal,
he gopala nanda lal,
he gopala nanda lal,
gopala, gopala,
gopala, gopala

Meru used the accidental 'poetry' of the former US Secretary of Defense, Ronald Rumsfeld, to introduce the next kirtan, om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. One way of thinking about this mantra is to see it as a recognition and homage to an energy that is greater than ourselves. There are many things we do not know (and here is where Rumsfeld comes in) and are outside of our control. Just think about the English weather (there you go!), or death (par example). Without getting into the details of this, by acknowledging a greater power, or the unknown, we can let go a bit of our control and feel some peace. This mantra, as well as other mantras, can thus be used as a way of letting go a bit, which is a very safe of letting go. We only need to listen and chant, and let the mantra do the work. Relaaaaax.

(picture: the 'unknown' side of Meru)

Back to Donald Rumsfeld: here is his defense news briefing of 12 February, 2002 (you can also have a look at it on You Tube):

As we know,
There are known knowns.
There are things we know we know.
We also know
There are known unknowns.
That is to say
We know there are some things
We do not know.
But there are also unknown unknowns,
The ones we don't know
We don't know.

(Brilliant!?)

Here is Meru's om namo bhagavate vasudevaya kirtan. As a proof that many things are out of our control, Meru lost her voice during her kirtan. Teaching by example...

Rasathali ended our kirtan session in style with a great melody:

hare krishna
hare krishna
krishna krishna
hare hare
hare rama
hare rama
rama rama
hare hare

We hope to see you at our next kirtan on April 13. Until then, chant, chant, chant. The photos (except the one of Rumsfeld) are by Param Tomanec.

[the sound is not as great as it should be, but we hope you'll enjoy the recordings anyway]

* Cambridge is 'that other place' for someone from Oxford. But Claire is of course an Oxfordian at heart.

February talks

2008-03-18T16:59:00.007Z

The redeeming feature of our February recording was that Shaunaka's talks came out quite well.

In the first talk he speaks about kirtan, and how this simple process helps us clear the way for us to experience the love an happiness that is already within us.

In the second talk, he further elaborates on how we can take kirtan with us outside of the kirtan sessions - both by singing the mantras when we go about our daily life and also by chanting on beads (japa).

February...

2008-03-15T21:47:00.016Z

Well, how to put this.

We had a very nice kirtan session in February. Unfortunately, the recording didn't go as well... Yes, again. It was recorded with the internal mike, which didn't cut the mustard in terms of quality. But hope springs eternal, and so we'll cut the rug (or sit and chant on it) again tomorrow (Sunday March 16th).

Enjoy a few photos, and please come and chant!

I'll leave you with a little meditation from the Upanishads:

"There is a light that shines beyond all things on Earth, beyond us all, beyond the heaven, beyond the highest, the very highest heavens. This is the light that shines in our heart." (Chandogya 3.13.7)

January Kirtan

2008-02-02T20:11:00.000Z

Our last kirtan was a real success. Jahnavi and Tulasi were such a treat to be with and their chanting was wonderfully inspired. We did fail though, and that was with our recordings... Sorry. We managed to record the first kirtan and talk, but only a bit of the second kirtan. Well, we'll just have to bring them back asap to Oxford again. Param Tomanec took great photos of the event and as a consolation we've mounted a few extra.

Here are the kirtans and the talk:

[invocation]

hare krishna
hare krishna
krishna krishna
hare hare
hare rama
hare rama
rama rama
hare hare

Talk.

Short kirtan .

Next Kirtan

2008-01-17T13:01:00.001Z

Our next kirtan will be on Sunday (20th January). We've invited two young and gifted sisters, Jahnavi and Tulasi, to come and chant with us. Jahnavi is trained in the Carnatic style of classical Indian music, and plays the violin. Both have participated in kirtans since they've been born, so they bring a natural and pure energy to their chanting. Not to be missed!

Our December Kirtan

2007-12-12T16:15:00.000Z

We were surprised to see so many come to the kirtan last Sunday, considering the wet and windy weather. But there of course nothing like the courage of the British!

It was a jolly event with Sakhyarasa, a wonderful kirtan leader and personality. He had come all the way from Birmingham to chant with us. In his traveller's mood, he brought us further afield to both Gujarat in India, as well as Bengal, with his singing and descriptions. So if you wonder why we have pictures of coconut trees and banana plants in this post - ask no further...

Here are the kirtans he lead:

(1) Gujarat

shri-krishna-govinda hari-murari
he-nath-narayan vasudeva

om namo bhagavate vasudevaya

govinda jaya jaya gopala jaya jaya
radha-ramana-hari govinda jaya jaya
govinda govinda govinda govinda
gopala gopala gopala gopala

with the Hare Krishna mantra.

(2) Bengal

Gay Gaura Madhur Svare

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

(3) Hare Krishna mantra

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

A big thank you to all who came to our chanting sessions this year. We hope to see you again next year!

Podcast galore!

2007-12-11T20:54:00.000Z

As I'm writing this little post, our podcast [our recorded kirtans and talks] is getting its 10 000th subscriber! Well, right at this second, we have 9999 of them, but it changes so quickly that it'll probably shift by the time I'm done here.

If you haven't already subscribed to it, go to our podcast and [well, now it happened - 10 000!!!!] and copy the link in the browser to your podcast programme. If you don't know how to do it, look it up on the web. There is also a permanent link to the podcast on the column to the right.

You can also download the files manually, by first left-clicking on the name of the file, and then right-click where it says 'download music file'. You then click on 'Save Link As...' or something similar and save it to your computer. In this way you can listen to the chanting whenever you want.

Another option is to right-click on the link in our posts and download them from there. Easy as [mince] pie!

The month of Damodar

2007-12-05T15:30:00.000Z

November is one of the darkest months in the year, but also one of lit candles and bonfires (not to speak of fireworks....). Maybe it is part of human nature to find ways to celebrate the changing seasons and to seek comfort in light and warmth.

We were certainly warmed by our November kirtan, which you can tune into below.

Gopal, who'd just been 'under the weather', and inspired by the rain, spoke from the Bhagavad-gita how self never change - in contrast to the changing seasons.

Short introduction.

Gopal chanted an invocation and continued with:

sri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu nityananda shri-advaita gadadhara shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

Talk 1.

Rasasthali chanted:

govinda jaya jaya gopala jaya jaya
radha-ramana-hari govinda jaya jaya
govinda govinda govinda govinda
gopala gopala gopala gopala

Talk 2.

Damodarashtakam followed by the Hare Krishna mantra, by Gopal.

This song is chanted in this month of Damodar (Kartik). Damodar means 'he who has a rope around his belly' and refers to Krishna as very young boy. Once Krishna's mother tried to catch him when he had been very naughty, and after much running, she finally caught him. She then tried to bind him with a rope to a large mortar so that he wouldn't escape, but her rope was two fingers too short. She then got another rope to make it longer. The rope was still two fingers too short. Then she got a third rope, a fourth rope, and on it went, but the rope was still two fingers too short...

Finally, she paused (completely stunned by this illogical sequence) and looked at him with bewilderment and love. At that moment, the rope was suddenly long enough, and she could tie him up. This is not a tale of child-rearing techniques, but rather that it is not really possible to bind God. The moral of the story is that we can never 'tie him up' unless he allows us to, attracted by our love.

[We apologise to those who came to the kirtan but who were blown back by the Frankincense. It was just the last little puff of incense which soon disappeared. We'll be more careful next time.]

Finally!

2007-12-05T13:23:00.000Z

We finally solved the uploading mystery, which wasn't really such a mystery after all... so here are Ranchor's October kirtans, and some photos from the event. Sorry about the delay.

Invocation.

Chant 1:
jaya radhe jaya shri radhe, jaya radhe jaya shri radhe,
jaya krishna, jaya krishna krishna, jaya krishna jaya shri krishna.

Chant 2:
krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna krishna he
krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna krishna he
krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna raksha mam
krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna pahi mam
rama raghava rama raghava, rama raghava raksha mam
krishna keshava krishna keshava, krishna keshava pahi mam

Chant 3:
krishna krishna hare hare
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

Our next kirtan...

2007-11-17T18:59:00.000Z

... is tomorrow (Sunday 18 November). This kirtan will reflect the particular mood and flavour of the Indian lunar month Damodar. It is a beautiful month, much like Lent (in that some take vows), when devotees of Krishna everywhere sing the song Damodharashtakam every day, offering little candles made out of ghee (clarified butter) to their Lord. The beat of the song is different from the usual beat, which makes it particularly meditative. We sang part of it last year, followed by the Hare Krishna mantra. Here is last years kirtan by Gopal.

October Kirtan

2007-11-17T18:38:00.000Z

Our last kirtan with Ranchor Prime is not yet up on the blog due to a rebellious (or moody) podcast server. We'll post them whenever it's feeling better. Hopefully very soon.

The photo is on Ranchor's Tambura and was taken by Pavel Tomanec. He took a few more nice photos that kirtan, which we will post together with the chanting.

Next Kirtan!

2007-10-13T14:13:00.000Z

To bring in some light into our autumnal lives, we've invited Ranchor Prime to lead our next chanting session. It will be on Sunday 21 October, at our usual time (4-6pm) and place (Friends Meeting House). Ranchor led sublime kirtans last time he came (which you can find here). He creates a wonderful atmosphere during kirtans, and it is pure pleasure to chant with him.

We will also have a special guest with us. Andy has kindly offered to play tablas in our kirtan and will come up all the way from Southampton for the occasion. He has much experience with kirtans in a variety of settings. We're looking forward having him with us!

We still don't know if he's the one with the turban or with the red star on his bonnet, but we have our suspicions...

A beautiful September kirtan

2007-09-22T19:40:00.000Z

We assembled again for our first kirtan after the summer, as the impending autumnal equinox approached. It was a glorious sunny day, so much so that we had to close the curtains to avoid squinting throughout our session.

Gopal spoke about beauty in meditation and how this beauty is an ever-present and eternal reality which we can tap into.

Without further ado, here are the kirtans and the talks:

An invocation by Meru, and her chanting of the first mantra:

govinda jaya jaya gopala jaya jaya
radha-ramana-hari govinda jaya jaya
govinda govinda govinda govinda
gopala gopala gopala gopala

Talk 1.

Gopal chanting:

hari haraye namah krishna yadavaya namah
yadavaya madhavaaya kesavaya namah

gopala govinda rama shri-madhusudana
giridhari gopinatha madana-mohana

Talk 2.

Rasasthali chanting:

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

Talk 3.

In the heart is life, and you must live there

2007-09-12T15:49:00.000Z

We're starting our kirtans again on Sunday (16 September) after a little summer's break. I hope you'll be able to join us!

Chanting is done in a variety of ways and spiritual traditions. I want to share with you an insight from an Orthodox monk and scholar, Theophan the Recluse (1815-94) about prayer, which I find inspirational:

"... when you descend into the heart there will be no strain at all. The head will become empty and there will be an end of thoughts. They are always in the head, chasing one another, and it is not possible to control them. But if you enter the heart, and are able to remain in it, then every time thoughts begin to confuse you, you have only to descend into the heart and the thoughts will flee. It will be a comforting and safe haven. Do not be lazy about descending. In the heart is life, and you must live there. Do not think that this is something to be attempted only by the perfect. No. It is for everyone who has begun to seek the Lord." The art of Prayer: an Orthodox Anthology, (1966) p.184.

I particularly like the sentence: "In the heart is life, and you must live there." Considering the amounts of thoughts we have everyday, it's not surprising that we get caught up, or identify ourselves, with them. But by descending to the heart, as Theophan urges the reader of his letter, we come closer to our true self, to life. We can do this by prayer, or meditation, or even by connecting to our breath. But loud chanting is even easier, particularly in kirtans where we chant melodiously in a group, and with music. It just pulls us out, and the mind with us, to a deep place of inner stillness. And this is where we 'must live', to find satisfaction, for there 'is life'.

If you come to our kirtan, you can bring this thought with you, and give yourself to the chanting while entering your heart. If you feel your heart region, and chant, it'll be sublime.

Flooded in Oxford

2007-07-25T11:23:00.000Z

Last Sunday we yet again met for our monthly kirtan in Oxford, and you'd be pleased to know that the recording went well this time... You'll find them below in the highlighted links.

Ranchor Prime came all the way from London to lead us into chanting and he created such a wonderfully spiritual and relaxed atmosphere. He brought with him his Tambura (which you can see on the photo) that he bought in the 70's in Kolkata, and which he reckons must be the largest in England. It indeed had a wonderful sound. Here are our recordings:

Introduction

Chant 1:
jaya radhe, jaya radhe radhe, jaya radhe jaya shri radhe, jaya krishna, jaya krishna krishna, jaya krishna jaya shri krishna.

Chant 2:
jaya radhe, jaya krishna, jaya vrindavan shri govinda, gopinatha, madan mohan

Talk

Chant 3:
krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna krishna he krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna krishna he krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna raksha mam krishna krishna krishna krishna, krishna krishna pahi mam rama raghava rama raghava, rama raghava raksha mam krishna keshava krishna keshava, krishna keshava pahi mam

Chant 4:
hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

As Oxford got flooded by the rising waters of the Thames, we left the kirtan flooded by the chanting (but with dry feet). I hope you'll enjoy the kirtans as much as we enjoyed them on Sunday. [The photo below is the grass meadow on the side of Magdalen Bridge, looking rather more like a lake than anything else]

Next kirtan

2007-07-16T17:22:00.002Z

The next kirtan will be on Sunday (22 July) and promises to be a great experience.

Rachor Prime from London has kindly accepted our invitation to come and lead the kirtans this month. He has a deep commitment to chanting, which he has practised for over 35 years, and he has a great voice. So come along and chant!

Ranchor Prime: Director of Friends of Vrindavan, an environmental charity dedicated to supporting sustainable living in the sacred forests of Krishna in India. He helped to establish the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, and is the author of several books including Hinduism and Ecology, The Illustrated Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, A Journey.

Sorry!

2007-07-16T17:22:00.001Z

We somehow or other don't have the kirtan session from last time. We had the equipment et al but nothing got recorded. Sorry about that. We'll be more careful next time.

We squeezed into the library for the sake of variety (and for practical concerns), which some found great, but others too cosy (warm) for comfort. We had a great time though.

Here is at least a photo from the event, featuring Gopal playing the harmonium and Kiyo in the background.

Tune the mind into a higher vibration

2007-06-21T19:06:00.000Z

On Sunday (24th June) we'll have our next kirtan, or chanting session. I'm really looking forward to it. There's (in my opinion) nothing better than chanting for re-balancing ones mind and lifting ones spirit. We all need some re-tuning sometimes.

It can be hard to keep centred in the hustle and bustle of life, and the mind gets easily filled up with all kinds of 'stuff' (plans, conflicts, anxieties - you name it). To sit down and just sing simple mantras with music, and together with a group of people (as we do in kirtans) just shifts the attention of the mind in a powerful way. It tunes the mind into a higher vibration and clears away all unnecessary thoughts and anxieties. We experience that we're the observers of our thoughts and feel more connected to our own selves - our true happy selves.

It is like cleaning a mirror. When we clear away the dust, or all that burdens our mind, we experience ourselves more clearly. This is very satisfying.

One may also chant alone, at home, or when going about ones daily activities. It is an excellent way of keeping in tune and connected.

I even used to chant between the goalposts during football matches, at the time when I was a goal-keeper. I had to keep warm and ready for the next attack, and so jumped around chanting. So there's no real limit to how you chant...

A good way though is to sit down and chant a mantra one is attracted to, either by reciting it repeatedly it or by singing it in the melody of ones choice. It is very effective. You'll notice a difference quite rapidly. Even a few minutes of chanting can lift ones day. Try it out and let me know how you get on.

Happy chanting! And see you on Sunday. (The photo is of Rasasthali during our last kirtan)

Meru

Chant in the heart of Oxford

2007-05-13T21:01:00.001Z

Next chanting session will be on Sunday 20th May. All are welcome!

The April Kirtan

2007-05-13T20:03:00.000Z

The April kirtan featured talks by Rembert. He has been reading poetry by Northern Indian mediaeval saints, and read a selection to help us get into the mood of chanting. These saints were engaged in constant chanting and expressed their realisations through poetry. Rembert also spoke about the seeming paradox of the 'noise' of chanting, and the internal quiet and silence that it brings. Here are his talks: welcome, talk 1, talk 2, talk3.

This time Meru chanted the invocation.

We sang two slightly difficult mantras during the April kirtan, and Gopal started with:

he govinda, he gopal, keshava madhava dina dayal (re) dina dayal prabhu dina dayal, dina dayal prabhu dina dayal
shyamasundara kanahyalal, girivara-dhari nanda-dulal (re) nanda-dulal prabhu nanda-dulal, nanda-dulal prabhu nanda-dulal

Rembert then chanted a special mantra for internal and external protection:

shri nrisimha, jaya nrisimha, jaya jaya nrisimha prahladesha jaya padma-mukha-padma bringa

In the end, Rasasthali started with what is called the pancha-tattva mantra, before leading us into a swinging Hare Krishna mantra chant:

sri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu nityananda shri-advaita gadadhara shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

See you next Sunday!

Next Kirtan in Oxford

2007-04-04T21:47:00.000Z

Our next chanting session will be on the 15th April at the Friends Meeting House, 43 St Giles (4-6pm). The kirtans are on a drop-in basis, so feel free to come along and chant. No previous experience is required.

Mother's Day Kirtan

2007-04-04T20:51:00.000Z

Last kirtan was on Mother's day (18th March). Jonathan Edelmann gave the talks this time, continuing on the theme of the Yoga-sutras. He explained how the eightfold process of yoga (asthanga-yoga) gradually leads the practitioner to a state of concentrated meditation. Here are his talks: Talk 1, Talk 2, Talk 3.

Claire led the invocation by reciting a mediaeval chant on the power and glories of kirtan meditation. Here is a slightly shortened version.

Meru chanted the om namo bhagavate vasudevaya mantra, which you can find in the post below.

Gopal then led two chants - one (for us) new mantra: jaya jaya shri chaitanya, jaya nityananda, jaya advaita-chandra, jaya gaura-bhakta-vrinda, which is a very sweet and joyful chant - and our special Mother's Day chant! Gopal explained to us that not only do people in India consider us to have many mothers (mother Earth etc), but also that there is a divine Mother, Radha. This mantra thus connects us to our divine mother, Radha (as well as our divine father, Krishna). It is a lovely chant:
jaya radhe, jaya radhe radhe, jaya radhe jaya shri radhe,
jaya krishna, jaya krishna krishna, jaya krishna jaya shri krishna.

Rasasthali led the finale - the hare krishna mantra:
hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya

2007-04-04T18:48:00.000Z

At the last kirtan we chanted an ancient and famous mantra: om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.

One interesting story in relation to this mantra is found in the Bhagavat Purana (also known as the Shrimad Bhagavatam). Once upon a time, Druva Maharaja, a young prince of five years, got so hurt and angry that he left his father's palace to seek God. He had heard that whatever he desired could be fulfilled by worshipping God in the forest. As he went away he met a sage, Narada Muni, who instructed him in the process of meditation, giving him the mantra: om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.

After several months of practice, Druva stood steadily on only one leg during his meditation. He then finally captured the Supreme within his heart, who then revealed himself in full.

He had gone to meditate in the forest to get an even greater kingdom than his father, but realised he had received the greatest of all gifts: 'I was searching after a piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel. Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction from You.’

At the last kirtan, we did not stand on one leg (promise!), but we did chant this mantra. One way of approaching this chant is by viewing it as way of acknowledging a power greater than us. This simple act of acknowledgement can be a great relief, for it allows us to let go a bit of our tendency to control. This will further help us feel at peace with ourselves.