Empowered in Kirtana

Rayarama told me once in 1966 that Srila Prabhupada said it took him thirty years to attain his present level of kirtana.  Even before chanting with his disciples, early in 1966 Prabhupada joined Dr. Mishra on the yoga retreats in upstate New York and conducted kirtanas – which all the yoga students appreciated.  On February 26, Prabhupada wrote in his diary: “Kirtana demonstration was given.  Dr. Mishra appreciated it very much.  Next morning also invited.”  Kirtana is the yuga-dharma.  We can read many, many references to this in the scriptures – but no one would be chanting kirtana in the West on their own.  Prabhupada came and brought us the chanting.  He had such faith in the holy name!  It is impossible to think how the holy names of Krishna and Rama, which are not names familiar in the West, could have been introduced and accepted.  It was impossible to conceive of this.  This could only be done by a pure devotee of the Lord.  Thus it is written in Caitanya-caritamrta: “kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana.  “Unless one is empowered by Krishna, he cannot spread the chanting of Hare Krishna around the world.”  (CC Antya: 7.11) 

You spread this chanting, Prabhupada, by chanting with us and stressing in us the importance of kirtana.