Real Heart
Mayapura, West Bengal
The real heart of Bengal lies in Kirtan. It is not a rasagula, sweets in general or in fish, nor in a prescription to a brand of communism, as it has been governed for thirty years plus (and now with Congress rule). Really what I see in the heartbeat and blood pulsation is Chaitanya's recipe; that of melodic physical and vocal movement.
One of our Canadian brahmacari monks, Jeff, had arranged for a few of us Canucks to meet at the Pushpa Samadhi for chanting. This is not the location often considered as Central Station for kirtan. Rather, it takes on the flavor of a museum. At certain hours, pilgrims pour in. They make a point to circle around the shrine of our guru, then take the various staircases to three upper levels, view the diorama displays before making a descent. Rarely do you see the service of kirtan rendered.
We saw what local Bengalis really like is getting a piece of the action in kirtan. It didn't take much to excite the visitors during our one hour devotional gig in front of the murti of our guru, Srila Prabhupada.
Of course, for some it took a small dose of subtle persuasion. I would grab an arm of a bystander and yank him into our chanting circle. (No one took offence). Once they were in, they tasted the special grace of Chaitanya, who, if anyone initiated the kirtan craze that now has taken the world by surprise. Yes, the new agers have caught on. The whole vibe of ecstatic kirtan in particular was born from the womb of Bengal, ln fact just down the road at Shrivas Angam, the first of joyous song began.
You could see it in the smiles and physical movements in our recruits. Oh, actually those of us of European strain, are the real recruits. I guess our rendering of kirtan simply reminds them what they should be doing.
The kirtan was great while it lasted. Hopefully we made a mark in some peoples lives.
7 KM
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